Kiko reiterates call for ceasefire in Mindanao even after Ramadan

Senate Majority Leader and peace advocate Kiko Pangilinan today reiterated his call for ceasefire in Mindanao as the Muslim world nears its celebration of Eid'l Fitr or the three-day feast marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

"Again, I urge all concerned parties to resume peace talks. It will not do any one any good if we allow an all-out war in Mindanao," emphasized the Senator. "Ceasefire muna para makahanap na tayo ng totoo at pangmatagalang solusyon sa problemang eto."

Separatist groups like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been fighting for autonomy in Muslim Mindanao since the time of President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Warfare again resumed in the area in August after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order preventing the government from signing an agreement allowing for independence upon the leadership of the MILF.

Since the start of renewed government offensives against the rebels, Kiko pushed for the resumption of peace talks with the MILF in light of debates over President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's directives that the military apply limited warfare during Ramadan.

Declared a national holiday, October 1 not only caps a month of fasting and prayer but also the resumption of full-scale military operations in Mindanao. Both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and MILF have received flak for their dogged pursuit of warfare over peace negotiations. Last Sunday, MILF Commander Ameril Umbra Kato torched a residential area comprised of 16 houses, a day care and health center in Maguindanao. AFP sources, meanwhile, revealed to the media that soldiers are bracing for more intense fighting after Ramadan.

"Walang akong kinakampihan dahil alam kong parehong may ipinaglalaban ang dalawang kampo. Instead, I take the side of innocent civilians whose lives have been destroyed by such hostilities. Ang daming nadadamay. Wala naman sigurong hindi pwedeng pag-usapan. Hindi ko sinasabing simple ang solusyon pero kakayanin natin kung magtulungan tayo, kung papakinggan natin ang isa't-isa," suggested Kiko.