Kapayapaan Hindi Digmaan!
As today we observe the launch of the annual Mindanao Week of Peace and Philippine revolutionary leader martyr for national liberation Andres Bonifacio’s 160th birthday, different parts of Mindanao and various forms of grassroots organizations convene the Network Opposed to War (NO to War) - Palestine Solidarity Pilipinas, to manifest our strongest condemnation to violence and terrorism in Gaza, the occupied Palestine, and the world.
In 56 days alone, the US-Israel invasion and genocide in Gaza have already brutally killed more than twenty thousand lives and displaced millions and even more since the start of global powers backing Israeli occupation since the 1940s or even earlier.
It is clearly an invasion, a war to eliminate a race. This is not about religion, this is about dominance and control. A grave violation to international humanitarian law and to the Right to Self-Determination of smaller nations like Palestine.
As part of the nationwide launching of the NO to War - Palestine Solidarity Pilipinas, organizations in Lanao del Norte, Cotabato City, and Iligan City held a Peace Walk and Interfaith dialogue dissecting the dynamics of war in Palestine and the Right to Self-Determination question. Community and faith-based organizations in Zamboanga del Sur, Caraga, and Davao regions will hold a mass and offer prayers on Sunday, December 3, 2023, to call for a permanent ceasefire, end to genocide, end of occupation, and to achieve justice and peace for a free Palestine.
Mindanao has been subjected to violent armed conflicts for the struggle to Self-Determination as well as imposed wars under Philippine dictatorial regimes. In those times, it was always the marginalized and vulnerable sectors that suffered the most. Even social relations among different faiths, tribes, and peoples had been rifted off and shaken from time to time. Aside from this, there were carbon footprints and costs of war towards the environment. These armed conflicts have only enriched the military powers and war industry, leaving the people starving and exploding to death.
In Palestine, Ukraine, Myanmar, Congo, and other places in the world, we see genocides with the culprits sitting in power with impunity.
With strong conviction to the struggles for self-determination, sovereignty, justice, and dignity, we stand with all the occupied and oppressed nations and people of the world.
President Marcos Jr. and the whole Philippine Government must withdraw its support to Netanyahu’s government and stand for the civilian population, justice, and peace.
We are grateful to all the movements around the world that have shown in
many forms necessary to defend the Palestinian’s right to Peace,
Justice, and Sovereignty. We also salute all Jews and Palestinians alike
who are together on condemning injustices and stand for JustPeace.
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