Philippines: UN says half a million displaced in Ramadan offensive against Moro people

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on September 5, 2008, that "up to 500,000 people are enduring poor health services and unsanitary conditions after fleeing the fighting between the government and Muslim rebels in the south." Meanwhile, Moro groups fear that renewed government offensives will only displace more people in conflict affected areas during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which has begun.

The UN report published in IRIN News warns:
"Moreover, analysts fear that President Gloria Arroyo's 3 September decision to dissolve a negotiating panel seeking a political solution to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) 30-year rebellion will trigger increased violence across the southern island of Mindanao.
"The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said on 4 September that four weeks of fighting between government soldiers and MILF forces had displaced some 423,772 people. These people 'are directly affected and needing assistance of any form. They either lost their houses, are displaced and/or lost their livelihoods.'
"Cases of acute respiratory and urinary tract infections have been reported by medical authorities in camps near Kolambugan, one of the towns in Lanao del Norte province raided by MILF forces. Classes remain suspended in many areas, with schools burned down by rebels and not yet repaired and others serving as temporary shelters, according to the NDCC."
The Arroyo government has been on a military offensive, including heavy artillery and air bombardments, killing more than 100 rebels in the past four weeks. The government military has also taken over 15 MILF camps.
Civilian casualties
Leila de Lima, head of the independent Human Rights Commission, told IRIN the number of civilian casualties appeared to be higher than reported by the military. She said independent monitors from her office had said that in one Lanao town, Poona Piagapo, 20 civilians were killed on 24 August although their deaths went unreported.
"Civilians are suffering immensely. Tens of thousands are internally displaced because of this war, dozens have been killed, hundreds of homes have been pillaged and razed, landmines have been utilised, shelters and rations are insufficient, children cannot go to school and sanitation is deplorable," De Lima said.
"Armed conflict is the worst environment for human rights. The human suffering involved here remains the unmistakable black mark that stains any incidence of armed conflict," De Lima told IRIN News.
The NDCC blamed the central government for a "lack of foresight" in emergency planning prior to ordering the massive military offensive.
Its report on the IDP camps said that sanitation was deplorable, medical supplies were running low and overall planning for disaster management "appears disorganised". It said there were no regular food supplies, potable water was inadequate, and the number of social workers to help women and children appear to be lacking.
Ramadan offensive
Moro groups fear that renewed government offensives will only displace more people in conflict affected areas during the Ramadan, reported Davao Today.
Amirah Ali Lidasan, president of Suara Bangsamoro, said that Moro groups are worried that government troops will take advantage of the fasting season to launch their attacks, which will affect more civilians, Davao Today reported on September 8..
She said that the communities are the ones who bear the brunt every time the military launch these attacks. Scores of civilians, including children, have been killed, wounded and displaced from their villages in the recent fighting alone.
“On September 1, the first day of fast, people already anticipate military attacks, if talks fail,” said Zainab Ampatuan, Suara chair, adding that government soldiers have always launched their attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, depriving the Moro people of the chance to observe their religious’ exercise in what the Muslim world regards as the holiest month of the year.
She also said that even the non-Moro people in Pikit, Pagalungan and Pigcauwayan are already thinking of staying away, anticipating trouble during the Ramadhan. “Every time merong Ramadhan, me attack talagang nangyayari,” said Lidasan, “They always time the attack, sometimes during Eidl Fittr, sometimes, during Eidl Adha.”
“We’re worried about it,” said Lidasan, “We want negotiations to resume and for troops to pull out of the area, and replace them with the local police force, who know the people.”
Source: IRIN News, Davao Today