Statement on martial law in Mindanao

In light of Proclamation No. 216 placing the entire region of Mindanao under military rule in the wake of the Maute group terror attacks in Marawi, FORGE takes a strong stand against any and all forms of abuses and excesses that violate the rights of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. We declare: We condemn terrorism. We stand with the victims of the conflict in Mindanao and will work with other organizations in providing assistance to the victims of violence and abuse in the region.

We understand the fear and difficulty of people in Mindanao as well as respect their stand on martial law.

We are for the lifting of martial law in Mindanao and the revocation of the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus because it is not a proportionate response to the situation presented.

We support the government in their pursuit to defeat the Maute and other terrorist groups but only towards the use of their powers already provided in, and with due regard to the Constitution without resort to martial law.

We do not believe that war is the solution to the situation. We believe peace is the way. We pursue peaceful and lasting solutions to the problems in Mindanao.

We uphold the Constitution and call on Congress, the Supreme Court and the people to be vigilant and to exercise their powers accordingly.

We condemn spreading of fake news and lies and the sowing of fear to our people. We enjoin others to be critical and vigilant on possible manipulation of facts to serve political/personal agenda which take us away from the important aspect of conflict which is the victims.

We call on other civil society organizations and stakeholders to unite against all forms of authoritarianism such as dictatorship or one-man rule, and to work together for peace and the upholding of human rights.--