Respect the Sanctity of Human Life At All Times

Bismillahir rahmanir rahim

Respect the Sanctity of Human Life At All Times

Connected globally at TN, we are proclaiming our respect for the sanctity of Human Life at all times, regardless of color, creed, race or religion; our recognition for the basic rules and principles of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL); and our all out support for International Day of Peace 2009 which bears the battlecry: WE MUST DISARM including the National Month of Peace Consciousness declared by virtue of Proclamation No. 675 bearing the theme Una sa Lahat, Kapayapaan: Putting the Peace Agenda at the Forefront.


Thus, we have instinctively cringed in horror at the appalling news of a horrendous 8-hour airstrike composed of bombs from OV-10 planes and rocket launchers from helicopters committed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly the Philippine Marines, in Barangays Kagay, Marang, Bud Timahu, Laum Siang, all part of the municipality of Indanan, Sulu on September 20, 2009, which was the very day of the Muslim celebration of Eidul Fitri. (Source: CBCS Press Statement/ 21 Sept 2009/Cotabato/Full Text Attached Herewith).

Such offensive is an unspeakable premeditated violation of the Tausug civilians right to life, and which has consequently endangered their right to human security. Moreover, this indiscriminate aerial strike has dismally resulted to the displacements of thousands of vulnerable groups consisting of children, women, and the elderly.

We indignantly invoke the Basic Rules on IHL specifically:
1. Persons hors de combat and those not taking part in hostilities shall be protected and treated humanely.
7. Parties to a conflict shall at all times distinguish between the civilian population and combatants. Attacks shall be directed solely against military objectives.

Our humanity is assaulted and we are disheartened that such incident has happened a day before International Day of Peace 2009 which bears the battlecry: WE MUST DISARM and concomitantly during the last ten days of the National Month of Peace Consciousness declared as such by virtue of Proclamation No. 675. We question: Are we Muslims of Sulu not considered and recognized as Human Lives? Does military surgical operation necessitate the violation of the civilians' Right to Life? We are steadfastly invoking the constitutional provision that Civilian Authority is at all times Supreme over the Military."

In the spirit of peace and solidarity, as we solemnly exercise utmost restraint and sobriety as peaceful Muslims living up to what Allaah has perfected for us amidst this dreadful event, we invoke on Almighty ALLAH as Al Malikul Mulk that Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her capacity as Commander in Chief of the AFPheed our plaintive appeal and lamentation over this violation of Human Life and Security on the very day of Eidul Fitri; and that we may see the spirit of the Filipino Nations aspiration of Una sa Lahat, Kapayapaan: Putting the Peace Agenda at the Forefront.


Ameen. Ameen. Ameen.