Joint Peace Statement of JOM on the Cessation of Hostilities in North Cotabato

Joint Peace Statement of JOM on the Cessation of Hostilities in North Cotabato

We, the Administrators, Personnel and Students of the Jesuit, Oblate of Mary Immaculate and Marist Brothers' Educational Institutions in Mindanao are in solidarity with the aspirations of our people for peace and unity to reign among the conflicting groups in our region. We stand for a peaceful and united Central Mindanao.

We earnestly appeal for the cessation of hostilities as we are greatly concerned over the aggravating armed conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) resulting in senseless killing and massive evacuation that inflict indelible fear and trauma among the civilians, particularly innocent children.

We desire to convey to the involved parties the terrible plight of our internally displaced persons (IDPs) who suffer from loss of property and economic insecurity that would imminently lead to starvation and infirmity. The daily increase of IDPs is quite alarming and to date, the record shows more than 150,000 have already been displaced. Should the situation worsen, it is certain that the number of IDPs will unmanageably escalate.

The peoples of Central Mindanao are laden with the heavy yoke of unstable peace and order condition and man-made calamities from which they have not fully recovered yet. The present hostilities certainly are a hard blow to the already weakened people. Thus, we call on the civic, religious and all peace-oriented organizations to evaluate objectively the situation in order to appropriately address the issues.

We urge the AFP and the MILF to lay down their arms, renounce any act of hostility and reopen avenues for dialogue and partnership. We urge them to continue to work for authentic and lasting peace in order to improve the conditions of the very peoples whose lives and interests they have both sworn to protect and uphold.

We, the Jesuit, Oblate of Mary Immaculate and the Marist Brothers' Educational Institutions in Mindanao, pledge our continuing commitment to peace-building through intercultural and interreligious dialogues and active nonviolent means.

Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City
Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Zamboanga City
Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, General Santos City
Notre Dame of Kidapawan College, Kidapawan City
Notre Dame of Jolo College, Jolo, Sulu
Notre Dame of Marbel University, Koronadal City
Notre Dame of Midsayap College, Midsayap, Cotabato
Notre Dame University, Cotabato City
Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City

14 August 2008