Shattered Peace in Mindanao: the human cost of conflict in the ...
Shattered Peace in Mindanao: the human cost of conflict in the ...
Shattered Peace in Mindanao: the human cost of conflict in the ...
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26 <strong>Shattered</strong> <strong>Peace</strong> <strong>in</strong> M<strong>in</strong>danao: The <strong>human</strong> <strong>cost</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>conflict</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Philipp<strong>in</strong>es(used with permission from Balay Rehabilitation Foundation)Figure 18: What rema<strong>in</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Anton’s houseLike many villages affected by <strong>the</strong> escalation <strong>of</strong> <strong>conflict</strong>, <strong>the</strong>ir village was desertedexcept for a few farm animals, and some local men from <strong>the</strong> village who worked <strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong>ir fields or salvaged whatever <strong>the</strong>y could from <strong>the</strong>ir homes: clo<strong>the</strong>s, kitchenutensils, pots and pans, a pail— belong<strong>in</strong>gs that <strong>the</strong>y could take back to <strong>the</strong>irtemporary shelters. Houses <strong>in</strong> this impoverished region <strong>of</strong>ten resemble huts, made <strong>of</strong>wood and woven grass. Very few were made <strong>of</strong> more solid materials like concrete.Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> men who returned stayed with armed CVOs called Police Auxiliaries andCAFGU members who patrolled <strong>the</strong> villages <strong>in</strong> an effort to protect <strong>the</strong>m from ano<strong>the</strong>rattack by MILF fighters.5.2 Lanao del Norte prov<strong>in</strong>ceIn <strong>the</strong> early hours <strong>of</strong> 18 August, hundreds <strong>of</strong> kilometres away from North Cotabato,forces reportedly under MILF commander Abdullah Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo,launched simultaneous attacks on <strong>the</strong> towns <strong>of</strong> Kauswagan, Kolambugan, Maigo andL<strong>in</strong>amon, Lanao del Norte prov<strong>in</strong>ce, leav<strong>in</strong>g hundreds <strong>of</strong> civilians dead or woundedand tak<strong>in</strong>g o<strong>the</strong>rs as hostages. In a series <strong>of</strong> communications to AmnestyInternational <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> first 48 hours after <strong>the</strong> attack, a local peace worker who was atthat time <strong>in</strong> Lanao del Norte, gave an account <strong>of</strong> his experience on <strong>the</strong> ground. Thefollow<strong>in</strong>g are excerpts from his communications:AI Index: ASA 35/008/2008 Amnesty International October 2008:
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