All these serve to underscore, now more than ever, the difficulties and complications involving the search for peace in Mindanao. Alas, it is the poor and innocent who  die and suffer in this senseless violence. Regardless of how lofty the cause, there is no justification in the use of violence against defenseless citizens, the ordinary people who most love and only wish to work in peace. With the attack, thousands of children were suddenly hijacked of their school and play, families suddenly losing houses and livelihoods and loved ones, wholesale terror and anger suddenly seizing a whole city. In the strongest terms possible, we express our outrage and declare that this kind of violence has no place among the peace-loving people of Zamboanga and its environs.

In view of the gargantuan humanitarian crisis that has emerged up to the sixth day of these fateful events -  63,000 displaced persons in over 40 evacuation centers which is our top concern - we appeal on the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front (Misuari group):

1. To immediately effect a humanitarian ceasefire to allow the release of civilian hostages, especially the children, the elderly, the persons with disabilities, the curing of the sick, and the burying of the dead; 

2. (for the MNLF) To leave all the hostages in one safe place for them to be immediately fetched and their needs attended to.

We support the pronouncement of the Philippine Government for the resumption of Tripartite talks with the MNLF and for the latter to continue to carry its grievances to the peace table. For the sake of the people of Zamboanga and Mindanao, especially the Bangsamoro ,the MNLF must seriously consider the public assurance of national government  to carry on the talks with Indonesia as facilitator.  At the end of the day, peace must prevail.   But there can be no peace and harmony in any society without rule of law.

Lastly, we urge the authorities to act with dispatch and righteousness, address and manage the crisis with utmost sobriety and efficiency. The sooner this crisis is resolved, the faster we shall achieve normalcy and peace.  Our call:  “SILENCE THE GUNS AND SAVE LIVES!!!”

May God save Zamboanga and her people!!!

SIGNED:

FR. ANGEL C. CALVO, CMF                                                    REV. PAULINO R. ERSANDO

                       Lead Convener                                                                     Evangelical Convener

                        PROF. ALI T. YACUB, AL-HAJ                                                  MR. NULHAMDO P. CEGALES

                      Muslim Convener                                                                   Indigenous Peoples Convener