THE international community called on the Philippine government to continue striving for peace in the Mindanao region by pursuing the talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in the wake of the massacre of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).
“I think the only sensible thing I can say—when we are all trying to find out what exactly happened, and why—is how important it is for the people of the Philippines, including Mindanao, that the peace process is not discarded as a result of this tragedy. And we are just hoping that that could be the case,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddel said. “It is a very sad development for those of us who care to see peace in the Philippines.”
Other countries have also released statements on the Mamasapano encounter, and called for peace and sobriety.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder quoted the statement of Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird: “Despite the deadly clash, Canada continues to support the peace process in Mindanao,” he said.
“Despite the gravity and depth of what’s happened, we believe in the peace process. We do believe in the aspirations of the country and the people in the Bangsamoro region to have a better life, and we hope this won’t derail that process and allow it to go forward.”
Spain called for a speedy investigation of the clash and hoped for the continuation of the peace process.
“The government of Spain most categorically condemns the brutal murder of 44 members of the PNP in the region of Maguindanao on January 25, in the course of operations against terrorist cells and conveys its sincere condolences to the families, relatives and colleagues of the victims and its solidarity with the Philippine authorities, and also wishes those injured a speedy recovery,” Spain declared in a statement.
“The government trusts there will be a quick investigation into the facts and the consequent accountability so that the search for solid and long-lasting peace in Mindanao can be resumed with the most extensive consensus possible.”
United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg also expressed condolences to the families of the police officers killed in the clash.
A post on his Twitter account read: “My thoughts, condolences to families, friends & colleagues of the brave members of PNP’s Special Action Forces who lost their lives this week—US.”
British Ambassador Asif Ahmad forwarded a Twitter post from Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire. “Grim news of PNP officers killed in action in Maguindanao. Our thoughts are with the families of the men who died doing their duty,” read the Twitter message, posted on January 25.
Many members of the international community have long been involved in various capacities in support of the peace process in Mindanao.
Image credits: AP/Bullit Marquez