Aquino Urged To Bring peace, Justice to Mindanao

CotabatoCity– Moro groups here express their doubts over the scheduled visit of US Usec. for Political Affairs, William J. Burns today in the city.

Burns who will visit at Cotabato City State Polytechnic College to launch the “Job Enabling English Proficiency” or JEEP garners reactions from militant watchdogs of US troop’s presence in the country.

According to KAWAGIB, a Moro human rights group, the visit seems to court and persuade the Aquino administration to more strengthen the standing US-RP agreements like Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which draws massive condemnation from various sectors because of US troops participations on the actual combat operations and the mysterious death of Gregan Cardeno in Marawi City.

Gregan Cardeno who is supposed to work as interpreter for US troops in Cotabato City died in a US military barracks in a camp in Marawi City. Kawagib, based on its fact finding mission and the autopsy report, believed that there was a
foul-play on the Cardeno’s death.
“We believed that Burn’s visit here in Mindanao particular in Cotabato City is most likely due to pressure from the different sectors to call for justice on Cardeno’s death. His visit here is to ensure that ties between the US and the Philippines will continue despite the mounting cases that are being filed against US troops”, said Bai Ali Indayla, KAWAGIB’s spokesperson.
Suara Bangsamoro, a Moro multisectoral organization also heighten its call to abrogate the VFA. The said group and Kawagib coalesced to OUT NOW! Coalition, an alliance watchdog of US troops presence calling to junk the VFA.
Suara’s spokesperson Michael Dumamba challenges Aquino, “We challenge Mr. Aquino not to fail the families of victims of human rights violations committed by US troops due to their ultra-violations of VFA accord. We demand justice and to
stop these HRVs and militaristic exploitations, we call for the abrogation of VFA. With this, Mr. Aquino can help bring peace in Moro communities and in the whole Mindanao. ”
For references: Bai Ali Indayla                                                                      

KAWAGIB
(09995469769)                                                            

Michael Dumamba
Suara Bangsamoro (09359826784)

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