Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc.

Kaangayan, Kalambuan, Kalinaw ... sa Mindanaw, sa Pilipinas, sa Kalibutan

Balay Mindanaw Statement on the Maguindanao Massacre

The latest reports say that more than forty innocent and defenseless civilians, including media persons, have been killed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao Province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. This could be one of the darkest moments in our history.

We are shocked and appalled by this madness. This is difficult to understand, much more accept. As peace workers, we have been made to understand that violence could just be an explosion (and implosion) of a deeper conflict. This is a jolting reminder of the deep historical, structural and cultural problems that we have to face.

As we seek to analyze and understand this impunity and cruelty, we seek Divine guidance not to fall into the trap of anger and despair. More than ever, we are called to love and understand, really love and really understand.

As we confront the reality of this senseless violence, we struggle to hold on to our vision of peace and justice in our land.

We join the call for real justice for the victims and their families. We join the call for an end to warlordism and the immediate dismantling of private armies and other instruments of violence particularly in Mindanaw. We join the call for greater accountability especially from among those who are vested with power and authority.

As Mindanawans, we will not give up. We will continue to work with even greater resolve to help build lasting peace.

Balay Mindanaw
November 25, 2009