Disturbing Accounts.

Courageous Testimonies.

Cries for Justice.

Linking Arms.

Witness what is Behind the “Second Front”

A video documentary 

on the International Solidarity Mission 

and Lakbay Kalinaw

From July 25 to July 30, 2002, peace activist from different countries took part in an International Solidarity Mission or ISM to southern Philippines, site of the United States “second front” in its war against terrorism.

The ISM visited Zamboanga City, Basilan, and General Santos City to gather information and dialog with the residents regarding the presence of the US troops in the Philippines.

A parallel activity, the “Lakbay Kalinaw,” a nationwide journey for sovereignty and peace, was also held, making stopovers in key cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Both the Mission and the journey aimed to forge solidarity with the people of Mindanao and assess the impact of the heightened US presence in the Philippines.

Along the way, Lakbay Kalinaw was met with threats and harassment by the military, obviously intending to delay the caravan’s arrival in Zamboanga City.

Meanwhile, the Mission was able to confirm reports of human rights violations by Filipino soldiers and found proof of involvement of US troops in actual combat operations, including the shooting by an American soldier of a Muslim resident.

The Mission projected the people’s voices. The journey broke the silence. And opposition against U.S. intervention reverberated.

Produced and directed by: Ron Magbuhos Papag and Badette Libres 
Script: Bedette P. Libres
Camera: Ron Magbuhos Papag, Bambam Luneta, Malcolm Guy, Marie Botti, Glen Aquino, Oscar Atadero and Bada Torralba

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