To: Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine President
President Duterte: Lift Martial Law in Mindanao!
NAFCON Foreword:
With Filipinos across the United States, NAFCON expresses deep concern regarding the peace and security of the city of Marawi in southern Philippines, where clashes have been occurring between the Maute group and the Philippine military and police since May 23, 2017.
We share the fear and anger over civilians being affected by the clashes. We recognize that this situation is rooted in the long-standing historical issues of landlessness, dire poverty, and the right of the Moro people to self-determination.
We appeal to President Duterte to revoke his decision to place the entire island of Mindanao under Martial Law. We urge President Duterte to also refrain from extending Martial Law to the entire Philippines. We believe that this militarist approach will not resolve the problem, but instead will put more lives in danger and further aggravate the insecurity in the area. We encourage a diplomatic approach that will truly address the outstanding issue of land, livelihood, and self-determination for the Moro people, the people of Mindanao and all Filipino people.
Much-needed socioeconomic reforms and a just and lasting peace for all Filipinos, not further militarization and displacement, will resolve the problems in Marawi and Mindanao.
Petition:
We, the undersigned, call on President Rodrigo Duterte to lift the martial law in Mindanao. We condemn in no uncertain terms the terrorist acts of the Maute group and Abu Sayyaf Group but military rule is not the answer. Suspending the writ of habeas corpus, arresting without warrants, and curtailing the civil and political rights of the people will not solve the problems in Marawi and Mindanao. Martial law is being enforced by the Philippine military which already has an extensive record of human rights abuses.
The people of Mindanao, civilians and other innocent people, especially the Moro and Lumad, will be further victimized and suffer.
Instead, we urge President Duterte to implement meaningful changes that will address the longstanding issues in Mindanao, such as free distribution of land to peasants, creation of industries and jobs, ending the plunder of resources by multinational corporations, and recognition of the right to self-determination of the Moro people and other national minorities.
These issues could be addressed by continuing the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and forging the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms. Only by truly addressing these socioeconomic issues can just and lasting peace be attained not only in Marawi and Mindanao, but in the entire country.
Lift the Martial Law! Genuine and sustainable development now!
With Filipinos across the United States, NAFCON expresses deep concern regarding the peace and security of the city of Marawi in southern Philippines, where clashes have been occurring between the Maute group and the Philippine military and police since May 23, 2017.
We share the fear and anger over civilians being affected by the clashes. We recognize that this situation is rooted in the long-standing historical issues of landlessness, dire poverty, and the right of the Moro people to self-determination.
We appeal to President Duterte to revoke his decision to place the entire island of Mindanao under Martial Law. We urge President Duterte to also refrain from extending Martial Law to the entire Philippines. We believe that this militarist approach will not resolve the problem, but instead will put more lives in danger and further aggravate the insecurity in the area. We encourage a diplomatic approach that will truly address the outstanding issue of land, livelihood, and self-determination for the Moro people, the people of Mindanao and all Filipino people.
Much-needed socioeconomic reforms and a just and lasting peace for all Filipinos, not further militarization and displacement, will resolve the problems in Marawi and Mindanao.
Petition:
We, the undersigned, call on President Rodrigo Duterte to lift the martial law in Mindanao. We condemn in no uncertain terms the terrorist acts of the Maute group and Abu Sayyaf Group but military rule is not the answer. Suspending the writ of habeas corpus, arresting without warrants, and curtailing the civil and political rights of the people will not solve the problems in Marawi and Mindanao. Martial law is being enforced by the Philippine military which already has an extensive record of human rights abuses.
The people of Mindanao, civilians and other innocent people, especially the Moro and Lumad, will be further victimized and suffer.
Instead, we urge President Duterte to implement meaningful changes that will address the longstanding issues in Mindanao, such as free distribution of land to peasants, creation of industries and jobs, ending the plunder of resources by multinational corporations, and recognition of the right to self-determination of the Moro people and other national minorities.
These issues could be addressed by continuing the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and forging the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms. Only by truly addressing these socioeconomic issues can just and lasting peace be attained not only in Marawi and Mindanao, but in the entire country.
Lift the Martial Law! Genuine and sustainable development now!
Why is this important?
Under Martial law, the people of Mindanao, civilians and other innocent people, especially the Moro and Lumad, will be further victimized and suffer.