NDF-Mindanao Condemns the Series of Bombings

Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos
Spokesperson
NDF-Mindanao
February 18, 2005

NDF-Mindanao condemns in the strongest terms the February 14 series of bombings in General Santos City, Davao City and Makati City. These attacks that happened on the same day have killed 12, maimed about a hundred, and harassed hundreds of innocent civilians.

We abhor such acts that sow terror for whatever political ends at the expense of innocent civilians. We do not condone acts of terrorism, be it done by the so-called Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf extremist groups or those covertly sponsored by the US agents in coordination with the AFP-PNP intelligence top brass.

Aside from the actual and immediate damages to lives and properties, these dastardly acts also bring negative implications. These will give more justifications for the reactionary Arroyo regime to intensify militarization in Davao City, General Santos City, Metro Manila and other urban centers in the guise of anti-terrorism. The pattern in the latest series of bombings resembles that of the previous bombings in different areas in Mindanao where the US agent Michael Meiring is one of the primary suspects. The motive behind the bombing can only be deduced as to who benefits the most of these acts and from the suspicious immediate measures of the reactionary regime. It is now encouraging the Congress to revive and pass the notoriously repressive "anti-terrorism bill" and is preparing the ground for an emergency rule in "selective areas", most probably as trial balloons for Martial Rule nationwide.

These make it easier for US armed intervention especially in Mindanao where the US is most interested in. The Light Reaction forces of the AFP, trained and backed-up by the US troops, are now deployed in Sulu to join the AFP massive operations against the supposedly combined armed forces of the Abu Sayyaf and the MNLF in the municipality of Panamao, Parang and Talipao, Sulu province. These ongoing military adventures in the island of Sulu are now sowing untold real terror among the Moro people, wrecking havoc on their lives and properties.

We call for vigilance against terrorism, be it perpetrated by the Islamic extremist or state-sponsored terrorism. We call for an impartial investigation so that our Moro brothers, who are also justly fighting for the right to self-determination, may not be easily made as scapegoats.

We also call for militant protest actions against the passing of the anti-terrorism bill and any form of emergency rule.

NDF-Mindanao shares its condolences and sympathy with the relatives and the families of the victims of these recent cowardly acts. We support your demand for justice. We continuously support the cry for justice for all the victims of state terrorism!

Ka Oris
Spokesperson
NDF-Mindanao
Feruary 18, 2005

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