C4CC STATEMENT ON THE MAMASAPANO CLASH OF JANUARY 2015
The Coalition for a Citizens’ Constitution (C4CC) joins the nation in grieving for the tragic loss of human lives in the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25, 2015. We call for justice to be served and firmly demand for an impartial investigation to uncover the truth behind this tragedy. Furthermore, we challenge all parties to admit accountability where it is found to be due.
Nevertheless, C4CC calls for sobriety and cautions against hasty judgments on the part of every Filipino, as this time of volatile tensions and emotions must not be allowed to be the spark for yet another protracted armed conflict.
We strongly declare and firmly commit to the ideals of peace, justice and prosperity. We continue to proclaim our unequivocal stand for peaceful means of settling conflicts to end all violence and destruction. We welcome the reaffirmation of commitment of both the Government and the MILF panels to the peace process, as well as the January 29, 2015 signing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia of the decommissioning process for MILF’s arms and forces, which would render their firearms beyond use. We strongly urge our lawmakers in both Houses of Congress to be steadfast in working for the immediate passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that is faithful to the major provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
C4CC believes in the power of the Filipino people to persevere and overcome times of trial, such as this. May this tragic loss embed in our collective memories the terrible cost of war and the inestimable value of peace.