Press Release
August 7, 2008

SENATOR REVILLA'S STATEMENT ON THE NORTH COTABATO INCIDENT

I strongly condemn the forcible take-over by alleged members of the MILF of Barangays Bago Libas, Dualing, Pagangan, Cagpangil, Gumaga, Central Labas, Upper Labas, Rangaban, Baliki, and other localities in the towns of Aleosan, Libungan, Midsayap, Tigkawayanin and Northern Cabuntalan, all in North Cotabato .

Activities such as this have no place in a civilized society governed by the rule of law.

During this crisis, I call on all parties in Mindanao to remain calm and act within reason. In these volatile times, everyone should be cool headed. Impulsiveness and harsh actions should not be allowed to prevail if we are to attain peace in the South.

I likewise call on all Filipinos, especially the MILF, to respect the rule of law. Incidents such as this are counter-productive to our continuous efforts to attain long-lasting peace. For peace to be attained, use of force should be abandoned, especially those against innocent civilians and their properties.

We should learn from the lessons of the decades-long war in Mindanao - that bloodshed serves no purpose, and that further bloodshed will attain no end.

I call on the armed groups responsible for the take-over to peacefully leave the localities which have been forcibly taken and restore the residents of their properties and possessions. This is the only way peace can be discussed and seriously considered.

Meanwhile, I call on the DSWD to come to the aid of the displaced and affected residents, and provide them with relief, particularly, in the provision of evacuation centers, food, clothing, medicines and other basic necessities. These residents need the care of government in this traumatic time.

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