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
Contributed to Bulatlat

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.

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."

FRIENDS aims to expand its membership and draw in much-needed support from the local and international community.

"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.

Solidarity bracelet

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 

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