Press Release
August 27, 2008

GORDON CONDEMNS LANAO KILLINGS AS ACTS OF INHUMANITY

After visiting the families of civilians killed by Muslim rebels in Lanao del Norte, Philippine National Red Cross Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon called for the capture and condemnation of the perpetrators of the killings.

"Whoever did this, I know they are not Muslims and they are not Christians. What they did were acts of inhumanity. These were acts of barbarism that are unforgivable and the government should go after the perpetrators," he said.

One victim, Rudelyn Sosima, lost her husband and her two-year-old daughter. Armed men believed to be members of the MILF broke into their house, shot her husband and her daughter. Rudelyn's husband was a member of a local civilian volunteer organization. After killing her husband and daughter, Rudelyn said that armed men burned their house.

At least 26 other people were killed along with Rudelyn's husband and child.

Gordon also spoke to an Imam or Muslim priest who opened the mosque to give shelter to both Christians and Muslims when the MILF rebels attacked. In response, the PNRC Chairman praised the Imam's heroic act, saying that it proves that we are all Filipinos first before we are Christians or Muslims. This is why Gordon always refers to residents in the area as Filipino-Muslims or Filipino-Christians.

Even though the situation in Lanao del Norte and other parts of Mindanao remains dangerous, Philippine National Red Cross Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon committed to continue helping victims of the conflict between government troops and Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters.

He said that PNRC volunteers and staff will stay in the area to aid all those affected by the fighting.

Gordon said that what convinced him to stay in the area was hearing the victims talk about their tragic fates.

Gordon visited the towns of Linamon, Samburon and Kolambugan. He was joined by Lanao del Norte Gov. Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo in distributing relief goods and essential non-relief items to victims. The PNRC was also on hand together with volunteers from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Gordon also stressed to everyone that according to International Humanitarian Law, the Red Cross and Red Crescent are allowed access and safe passage through areas of armed conflict. This way, they are able to fulfill their humanitarian mission of helping the wounded, sick and displaced from the ranks of civilians as well as both sides of the warring camps.

As an example, Gordon mentioned his visit to Camp Darapanan of the MILF in Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan where he held a dialogue with the MILF Central Committee before the ARMM elections. During that visit, Gordon urged MILF leaders to put aside their objections to the holding of ARMM elections.

Gordon also told the MILF leadership that not even a MOA with the Philippine government can guarantee peace in Mindanao, pointing out that real peace must come from the hearts of Muslims and Christians who are willing to set aside their differences and work together for peace.

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