Manila: The government’s planned reduction of military operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was welcomed by an international group — a much needed relief for war-weary civilians.
“We welcome the recent announcement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that it will soon cease military operations in Maguindanao in its campaign against the BIFF,” Lyca Sarenas, Conflict Transformation Programme Manager of Oxfam,
Oxfam, an international confederation works against poverty and injustice in 94 countries, including the Philippines.
It can be recalled the Philippines government unleashed an operation against the BIFF in Central Mindanao region last February. The latter group had been blamed for ambushes and carrying out improvised explosive device (IED) attacks against the military as well as civilian targets.
Reports said the nearly two months operation versus the BIFF had resulted in the elimination of more than 117 rebels. This however, came at a cost for some 100,000 civilians who had to bear with the hardships of displacement and living in evacuation centres. This is aside from the threat of being caught in the crossfire between the two groups.
Oxfam said that while the announcement from the military saying it would reduce operation will reduce the suffering and the pains associated with displacement, concerns remain for the thousands of civilians who have not been able to attend to their farms.
“They may be going back to their homes having lost their chance to harvest. This forms just one more barrier that the people are facing as they strive for peace and prosperity,” Sarenas said
The offensive in Maguindanao has seriously impacted the livelihood of thousands in the 15 towns.
“We already want to return home, because our crops are drying up,” lamented Teng Manunggal, 48, of the village of Tee in Datu Salibo Municipality.
Manunggal’s village had been the target of air strikes conducted by the Philippine Air Force against the BIFF.
Oxfam said majority of the areas affected by the armed clashes in Maguindanao — Mamasapano, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Datu Unsay, Shariff Aguak, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Rajah Buayan, — are fourth and fifth class municipalities.
Residents in these areas depend largely on corn, rice, and coconut smallholder farming.
Adding to the woes in the region are annual flooding and periodic dry spells or drought.
“Oxfam supports the call for All Out Peace, and reiterates the CSO’s appeal to uphold civilian protection. Immediately suspending the military offensive will allow this to happen, and at the same time allow people to go back to harvest and tend their farms,” Sarenas said.
Maguindanao has always been in the list of the country’s poorest provinces. It is the fourth poorest province in the country with a poverty incidence of 57.8 per cent, much higher than the national average of 22.3 per cent. The average life expectancy in Maguindanao is also the third shortest for all provinces at 58.5 years.
