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Group slams continued clashes in Mindanao at Ramadan


MANILA, Philippines - A militant human-rights group chided the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for continuing clashes in Mindanao even during Ramadan. Karapatan called on both camps to stop hostilities and go back to the negotiating table despite the dissolution of the government peace panel by Malacañang. "Notwithstanding the observance of Ramadan, the month long fasting and cleansing activities of Muslims, the military operations and counterattacks continue, forcing thousands of families to evacuate their homes," it said in a statement posted on the website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Friday. It said that the clashes have already destroyed an estimated P15 million worth in properties and livelihood. Karapatan secretary general Marie Hilao-Enriquez said the MILF must accomplish its objectives "with utmost respect for civilians." "Attacks on civilians, especially children, are deplorable acts that will not earn the sympathy of anyone but only condemnation," she said. On the other hand, she appealed to government troops to allow peace, relief and fact-finding missions to conduct their humanitarian work unhampered. Women and children Militant children's groups Salinlahi Alliance for Children's Concern and the Children Rehabilitation Center (CRC) said women and children are the most affected by the fighting. CRC executive director Ma. Esmeralda Macaspac said that as of Aug. 22, at least 20,000 children had already been affected, and the number appears to be increasing. "These are just from the towns of Pikit, Tulunan and Aleosan, all in the province of North Cotabato," she said. She also said that the children survivors are now suffering from psychosocial disturbances due to the conflict. "On their innocent faces, you can see fear and anxiety. They cannot sleep nor eat because of the trauma that they are suffering. And during our psychosocial therapy workshop in Barangay Batulawan, Pikit, North Cotabato, we are moved when they (the children) ask us when the war will stop for most of them still remember the atrocities during the 2003 war outbreak in Mindanao," Macaspac said. She said government troops must stop aerial bombing operations for it endangers the civilians more than it gets into the targets, which are the MILF camps. Alphonse Rivera of Salinlahi said there were not enough food, water and medicine supplies in the evacuation centers. "Children are getting hungry and most of them are getting sick and there were not enough food, clean water to drink and medicine in the refugee camps," Rivera said. He added that because the government is not ready for this kind of situation, they are not also ready to accommodate thousands of evacuees who need tons of food, lots of water to drink, and medicines to get well whenever they catch sickness. Salinlahi, CRC and other children's groups are asking other sectors who can help, especially the influential Roman Catholic Church, to extend help for the victims of the war in Mindanao. - GMANews.TV
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