MAMASAPANO: A CHALLENGE

TO STAND FOR PEACE

The Community Engagement and Advocacy Council and the undersigned officials, members and friends of the Ateneo de Davao University
express their deepest sympathies to the bereaved families of those who perished in Brgy. Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last
January 25, 2015. Those who died in the unnecessary violence were not just operatives of a Special Action Force of the Philippine National
Police or warriors of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters or defenders of Moro Islamic Liberation Front. They were not just Christians
or Muslims. They were Filipinos all. We weep with those who weep in the loss of their loved ones. In the silence of Pope Francis, we do not
comprehend this. In our grieving, we beg the merciful and compassionate God of peace to grant us his consolation.
We pray that God continue to lead us into the way of peace. In Mindanao, it was a peace that was to result from addressing long-standing
injustice together. In Gods name we have been traveling this journey towards peace. It has not been an easy journey. There have been
many obstacles and pitfalls along the way. But agreements had already been forged no longer to settle our differences and seek solutions
to our problems through guns and bloodshed. We had agreed that this would only lead us to more suffering and death. Instead we agreed
to take the nobler path of democratic dialogue and negotiations towards a life of prosperity and peace. We agreed this in mutual trust. That
is for us what Bangsamoro is about.
The Mamasapano violence came as the national effort to secure this peace in Mindanao through the enactment of a Bangsamoro Basic
Law was coming to an end. With the Bangasamoro, we placed out trust in the wisdom of Congress to provide the legal framework within
the ambit of our Constitution so that the Bangsamoro vision might be realized. Congressional hearings were taking place nationwide, and
unprecedented competent multi-sectoral participation in the process had been elicited. The hope that dialogue, negotiations, trust and kept
agreements could replace guns and violence was being realized.
Then, Mamasapano. Why Mamasapano? Why did we again take the path of guns and violence and covert secret action to solve any
problem, when we had already chosen, we had already agreed, that we would take the path of negotiation, consultation and trust to solve
problems? Why did we not respect what we agreed to in the Implementing Operational Guidelines of the 1997 GRP-MILF Agreement on the
General Cessation of Hostilities: Police and military actions and administrative/logistic activities shall continue to be undertaken
by the GRP throughout Mindanao and the entire country. In the pursuit thereof, confrontational situations between the GRP and
the MILF forces shall be avoided by prior coordination with the latter. (Article II)
Mamasapano was known to be a sensitive, volatile area, where the ideological lines of MILF and MNLF and BIFF are blurred by the
bloodlines of traditional families with histories of violence. This is known in Maguindanao. It is known in Mindanao. It is known by the
Philippine Military. It is known by the MILF. It is the type of problem that is solved not as a condition to the passage of the BBL but as a fruit
of its passage. How then could a police action for any motivation have violated this agreement? Does the suspected presence of a terrorist
wanted by the United States warrant that we break our agreements with the MILF? Does the bounty offered for terrorists make police
invincible to the consequence of breaking our agreements? Do covert actions planned in Manila mean that we can set aside agreements
in Mindanao with impunity?
Whoever bears responsibility for the mission order to our men in uniform recklessly violated the agreement we had with the MILF. That
person bears responsibility for the carnage in Maguindanao. That person derails us from the path of peace the merciful and compassionate
God leads us to. In Gods name, bring that person to justice.
Then, let us return to the work of peace. Now more than ever, nothing and no one must derail the peace process.
Our legislators must stay the course. In wisdom and courage. Nothing is gained by suspending the hearings and consultations on the draft
Bangsamoro Basic Law. Nothing is won by shirking the legislative responsibility of crafting and enacting the law that is the condition for
peace in Mindanao.
WE STAND WITH THE NATION IN CALLING FOR JUSTICE FOR THOSE FILIPINOS WHO DIED IN MAMASAPANO. WE STAND
WITH THE MILF IN CALLING FOR JUSTICE AND REPARATION FOR THE VIOLATION OF THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT IN THE
MAMASAPANO POLICE ACTION. WE STAND WITH THE BANGSAMORO IN CALLING FOR A JUST AND LASTING PEACE.
IN THE NAME OF THE ONE GOD OF COMPASSION AND MERCY, WE CALL ON ALL TODAY TO STAND FOR PEACE.
Atty. Romeo Cabarde, Jr., Chair-University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council
Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, University President
Ms. Lourdesita Sobrevega-Chan, Chair-Univeristy Research Council
Ms. Suzette Alio, Headmaster- Grade School
Dr. Angela Nina Ingle, Acting Principal, High School
Atty. Manuel P. Quibod, Dean-College of Law
Mr. Ricardo Enriquez, Director- Senior High School
Dr. Renante Pilapil, Dean, School of Arts & Sciences
Mr. Stephen Fundador, Director- Physical Plant
Mr. Mussolini Lidasan, Director- Al Qalam Institute
Ms. Theresa Eliab, Director- Office of Student Affairs
Dr. Gina Montalan, Dean- School of Education
Dr. Randell Espina, Dean- School of Engineering and Architecture
Ms. Vilma de la Cruz, President- ADDUEU-FFW
Dr. Albert Jubilo, President- College Faculty Union
Mr. Ian Clark Parcon, Chair-University Standards Committee
Dr. Renyl Barroca, Asst. Dean- School of Engineering and Architecture
Mr. Godofredo Eding, Asst. Dean- School of Business and Governance
Magnolia May Jadulang, OIC- School of Nursing
Faizah Kadon Tejero, President- Al Sabar (College of Law)
Ezra Phil Aznar, Grand Archon-Fraternal Order of St. Thomas More
Andrea Lauren Cabreros, Lady Chancellor- Fraternal Order of St. Thomas More
Erika Joy Murcia, Lady Chancellor- Sigma Legis Fraternity & Sorority
Renie Jay Soriano, Master Chancellor- Sigma Legis Fraternity & Sorority
Raia Angelie Tumanda, Master Chancellor- Sigma Legis Fraternity & Sorority
Kyrie Dea Maia Genolos, Prime Minister- Forensic College of Law
April Van E. Diwata, President- SAMAPULA-ADDU
Paolo Villanueva, Faculty-Computer Studies Cluster (School of Arts & Sciences)
Janine Carla N. Abejay, President-Ateneo Photographers Society
Marlon N. Tabanao, Student Leader-Ateneo Film Circle
Faye Ashley T. Castillo, Student Leader-AACTS
Rogelio R. Adlawan, Jr., Student Leader-FUSEE
Jhana Lynne B. Ligue, Student Leader-AISSO
Christian Rem C. Iman, Student Leader- Trimmoc
Mark Henry L. Barroso, Student Leader-JPIA
Juissen Marie Bacharpa, Student Leader- SALEM
Bianca Camille G. Quimpo, Student Leader- Business Management SEC
Vanessa A. Garingalao, Student Leader- AISEC

Meikko L. Bersabal, Student Leader-Reachers

Carl Denver Conchas, Student Leader-MBA Society
Patrick John E. Comoda, Chair-Campus Club Organization
Gina P. Villagonzalo, First Year Development Program
Nelia G. Sanchez, First Year Development Program
Leah Reparado, University Guidance Center
Josefine Alingalan, University Clinic
Gail Tan Ilagan, Department of Psychology
Fretzie A. Fajardo, University Library
Jeremy Glenn A. Tuvida, Philosophy Department
Martin O. Escobido, Jr., International Studies Department
Ruben F. Estuart, Jr., Technical Services Office
Mildred Estanda, Social Research & Training Development Office
Melba Manapol, Social Work Cluster
Ryan Rolf Fuentes, Campus Ministry Office
Atty. Edgar Pascua, University Registrar
Alfred Alpas, Director- Admissions and Aid
Cresilda M. Calero, Physical Education Department
Mary Ann G. Mendoza, Ignatian Spirituality and Formation Office
Rosalia C. Pabres, Ignatian Spirituality and Formation Office
Antonio S. Lumactod, Ignatian Spirituality anf Formation Office
Melanie Gamnu, Ignatian Spirituality and Formation Office
Jocelyn E. Cabo, Institute for Socio-Economic Development Initiatives
Joseph Umadhay, Al Qalam Institute
Perpevina C. Tio, Mindanawon
Macario D. Tiu, University Publications Office
Jeoffrey Gomez, Chair- Entrepreneurship Department
Lunar Fayloga, Chair-Theology Division
Rodilina B. Marte, Faculty- School of Business and Governance
Stella Marie Arcenas, Faculty- Humanities and Letters
Peter Elicor, Faculty-Philosophy Department
Fr. David John de los Reyes, SJ, University Research Council
Fr. Daniel McNamara, SJ, University Research Council
Michelle Soledad, University Research Council
Leticia M. Caballero, University Research Council
Lani J. Rivera, University Research Council
Cecilia Tacderan, University Research Council
Grecil Metran, Office of Student Affairs

Lorrie Jane Tabora, Office of Student Affairs

Jovita J. Morada, Natural Science and Mathematics Office
Godofredo F. Eding, School of Business and Governance
Barbie B. Dublin, Human Resource Management & Development Office
Grace J. Espino, Human Resource Management & Development Office
Doritha S. Lungtad, Auditor-AdDEU-FFW
Ronald Cagata, Business Manager-AdDEU-FFW
Jane M. Lim, Treasurer-AdDEU-FFW
Jenny Pio, Secretary-AdDEU-FFW
Felycette M. Cogonon, Asst. Secretary-AdDEU-FFW
Elizabeth H. Siregar, PRO-AdDEU-FFW
Alfredo Porras, Shop Steward-AdDEU-FFW
Corponio D. Cesar, Jr., Sgt. at Arms- AdDEU-FFW
Mercedes C. Catayas, AA-AdDEU-FFW
Celso L. Serafica, AA-AdDEU-FFW
Regel Kent A. Asuero, Samahan President
Sushmita Shane D. Castro, GACP President
Allexy A. Flores, Samahan Treasurer
Khrizna Joie I. Batuigas, Office of the Buklod Ambassador
Kevin Baron, Creative Team
Abegail Jaf B. del Mar, Creative Team
Ronie Metillo, FEAT
Christine Suarez, Samahan Commission on Internal Audit
Heart Rabaza, Samapula
Maxine Angala, Samahan Constitutional Commission
Paolo Tubog, Samapula
Anthea Concelo, Samapula
Honeylene Abas, Samapula
Gerard Tinampay, CLM
Lia Jasmin M. Esquillo, Office of the President
Jaafar Kimpa, Jabu-Jabu (The Calling ) Inc.
Hon. Ismael Musa, IPMR Sangguniang Panlalawigan Zamboanga City
Dr. Pendatun Talib, Zbga. Indigeneous Peoples Council of Leaders
Sh. Maher Gustaham, Sama and Bajau Council of Leaders
Ustadz Janor C. Balo, ASATIDZ Council of Davao / Alliance of Kagan Org.
Ustadz Nasser Usman, Salam Tribal Council
Prof. Roque Morales, ICAS Philippines
Hadji Cani Waradje, ILANG Muslim Village Association Inc. Davao City