RIGHTS WATCHERS CONDEMN PIKIT MORTAR BLAST

04:30pm, August 6, 2009, Pikit Cotabato - Despite the distressful situation, children of displaced families were enjoying the day outside the evacuation center at Dulangin Abid Memorial Elementary School in Brgy Macasendeg a mortar shell landed and exploded on their ground. The joys and laughter were suddenly stopped and replaced with moaning and crying. Eight innocent children, the youngest 5 years old, and a mother were wounded and rushed to the nearest hospitals.

The projectile was later traced to two warring MILF armed groups: the group of Mayor Samer Uy of Datu Piang and the other led by a lawless MILF leader Tha Cudarangan, 105th BC Field Commander. The said groups were engaged in a firefight at Brgy Reyna Regente in Datu Piang.

In Mindanao, clan feuding or “rido” has been commonly particularly in Sulu, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao. It is a war between families and kinship groups which is deeply rooted in the Muslim culture of honor, characterized by a series of retaliatory act of violence to avenge an affront or injustice. It could be sparked by petty theft or insults, political rivalries, land disputes or more serious matters such as homicide. Most people view “rido” as more of a threat than the existing decade-long GRP-MILF conflict. In most cases, however, defenseless civilians especially children are frequently the victims or the collateral damage of their war.

Human rights groups and other Muslim organizations condemned to the highest possible term the said incident. They said that the two warring groups did not only violate the rido code of honor but have also violated the children’s rights in the course of their recklessness and inconsiderate acts. “These evacuees have been long suffering from the current conflict, much more with these helpless children that were affected to include their health and education. They have to be protected from abuse, exploitation and most specially from violence.” said a human rights watcher pointing on the children’s appalling situation who were victimized by the mortar blast.

The families of the victims, rights advocates and other organizations are clamoring for justice from the MILF hierarchy in what happened in Brgy Macasendeg. They are asking the MILF to show its sincerity by initiatiating prompt investigations to bring those responsible to justice. Rights groups have also asked the militant KARAPATAN to watch over the cause of the victims of the recent blast, saying it must now show its impartiality for the cause of the aggrieved.

The relatives of the victims are questioning the MILF leadership as some of its members were involved in the incident. “MILF leaders should take responsibility for this cowardly act. They have been silent since the issue and are blatantly pointing for their irresponsible leadership and negligence. They cannot address the issue and formulate fictional propaganda to mislead the people this time around”, they said.

Meanwhile, the government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ARMM is now working for the rehabilitation of the victims, the children in particular, as they may be experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).##