This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VI, No. 8, March 26-April 1, 2006
Friends Reach out to
Moro Detainees
An interfaith organization
called Friend of Moro Detainees (Friends) was launched during the first year
commemoration of the Camp Bagong Diwa siege, which claimed the lives of 22 Moro
inmates.
By May Vargas An interfaith organization
called Friends of Moro Detainees (Friends) was formed in response to the needs
of Moro prisoners who have been languishing in jail at the Camp Bagong Diwa,
Bicutan, Taguig for five years. FRIENDS was formed by
member-organizations of the International Solidarity Network for the Moro People
in the Philippines (ISNMPP): Muslims and Christians for Peace. FRIENDS aims to expand its
membership and draw in much-needed support from the local and international
community. Solidarity bracelet © 2006 Bulatlat
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Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
Contributed to Bulatlat
The launching of FRIENDS March 14 was timed with the one year commemoration of
the Camp Bagong Diwa siege. The siege of Camp Bagong Diwa by police officers
March 25, 2005 claimed the lives of 22 inmates. It was condemned by the
Bangsamoro community as well as peace advocates as a "tragic overkill". In a
recently released report, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) concluded that
some of the inmates killed in the siege had been summarily executed.
Mr. Kelly Lawig, spokeperson of Friends, said, "The dismal conditions of the
Moro detainees in Camp Bagong Diwa, especially after the overkill that happened
in Bicutan last year prompted us to form FRIENDS. Aside from the fact that most
them have been jailed for crimes they did not commit, their prison conditions
have been unspeakably inhumane."
"There is a need for a stronger alliance between Muslims and Christians. There
is much work to be done such as campaigning for the release of Moro detainees,
demanding for non-discriminatory treatment in detention, and providing moral,
material, and financial assistance," Lawig stressed.
FRIENDS will be introducing a therapeutic and fund-raising project called "Weave
and Wear a Bracelet". Colorful string bracelets woven by the detainees
themselves will be sold at an advocacy price of P25 at various public
gatherings.
"The project's primary aim is to give the detainees the opportunity to bring out
their creativity, use their skills, and allow them to be productive. At the same
time, buying and wearing these bracelets would be a manifestation of support
from us who understand their plight and stand for their rights," said Ren
Jalaludin Ropeta, one of FRIENDS' conveners.
The project's launching was held during a solidarity visit to Moro detainees at
the SICA Building in Camp Bagong Diwa March 24. During the launch a brief
program, solidarity lunch and distribution of relief goods were held.
Muhammadiya Hamja, a former inmate at Camp Bagong Diwa who was released last
year, expressed high expectations for FRIENDS.
"Umaasa ako na matutulungan ninyo ang mga kapatid kong nasa jail dahil
mahirap talaga ang kalagayan nila duon. Madami ang maysakit, may tatlong
nasugatan noong March 2005 na siege na dapat operahan, madumi ang tubig at di
masustansya ang pagkain," Hamja said as he spoke during FRIENDS'
launching. (I am hoping that FRIENDS will be able to help my Moro brothers in
jail because their conditions there are really very difficult. Many of them are
ill, three who were injured during the March 15 siege need immediate surgery,
the water is dirty and the food is not nutritious.) Posted by Bulatlat