Mindanao air strikes undermine PNoy's peace stance

MANILA, Philippines -- The thousands of families displaced in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay because of the air raids sanctioned by President Benigno Aquino III has undermined his call for all-out justice, a partylist lawmaker said Thursday.

"He cannot simply brush aside the impact of this air strikes as they resulted to the evacuation of some 20,000 residents in Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan provinces," Gabriela partylist Representative Emmi de Jesus said in a statement.

She said that while the President claims interest in pursuing peace negotiations, his moves show otherwise when he allowed the air strikes.

"This move clearly reveals the President’s mangled concept of justice. His pronouncements attempt to camouflage but his actions clearly exposes the brutality of the government’s Oplan Bayanihan,” she said.

De Jesus said it's time the President heed the voice of the people in Mindanao and casualties of the escalating military campaigns.

"We cannot achieve justice by implementing an all-out-war in the guise of this so-called all-out-justice campaign, while realities of death and mass evacuations abound,” she said.

“While Gabriela Women's Party grieves with the mothers of the slain soldiers and also calls justice for them, we affirm that peace negotiations, rather than this militaristic all-out-justice campaign, is the way to go. We call on the GRP and MILF panels to convene and respect agreements and obligations to stop the fighting and alleviate its impact on the civilian population,” she said.