JOINT STATEMENT OF PHILIPPINE-MALAYSIAN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS

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March 14, 2013
Standoff in Lahad Datu: Engage in Dialogue Now with all stakeholders
to resolve the crisis peacefully
We the undersigned Civil Society organisations (CSOs) from Malaysia and Philippines are
extremely concerned over the on-going standoff between the Malaysian security forces and
followers of the Sultanate of Sulu’s heirs, Jamalul Kiram III at Lahad Datu, Sabah. We the CSOs,
together with all individuals, organizations and networks, urgently call upon President Benigno S.
Aquino III of the Philippines, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak of Malaysia and Sultan
Jamalul Kiram III, to disavow all forms of violence, and instead supports dialogue as the primary
mechanism for a resolution to the siege.
We are very concerned and worried about the security of civilians in Lahad Datu, Semporna and
the surrounding villages and we would like to see a peaceful solution to resolve this ongoing
problem. According to media reports, at least 43 people have been killed in Lahad Datu,
Semporna and Kampung Tanduo, Sabah.
We believe the situation in Lahad Datu requires swift and peaceful intervention. We urge all
parties to resist from using force while remaining committed to dialogue and negotiation
throughout this process.
We are also very concerned with the lack of real-time information with respect to what has
actually taken place so far in Lahad Datu. Up to this point the information received through the
Malaysian news media lacked transparency and created unnecessary rumors and assumptions
about the situation. The people have the right to get information on on-going issues in Sabah.
In this context, we call on the governments of Malaysia and Philippines and the Sultanate of
Sulu to:
• Immediately declare a HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE so that agencies concerned can
take immediate measures to ensure the safety of women, children, elderly and other
vulnerable persons in the affected area. And provide “safe zones” where humanitarian
organizations and relevant agencies can install facilities to be accessed by those who are
injured and require immediate medical care;
• Take immediate steps to end the use of violence and to engage in DIALOGUE with all
stakeholders to resolve the crisis peacefully.
• Take proper measures to ensure that in the process of resolving the crisis, the human
rights of everyone involved are respected and protected especially civilians from Lahad
Datu, Semporna and nearby villages;
• Take immediate measures to secure the safety of journalists who chose to access the
area at all times to ensure fair reporting and dissemination of information to the general
public;
• Cease and desist from using excessive force and armed violence to end the prevailing
conflict;
• Initiate an independent and impartial investigation into the killings that has taken place
and make the findings of the investigation public.
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We fervently dissuade all the principals involved from brinkmanship by instead living up to your
respective legacies as genuine leaders of your people with honor and dignity.
We urge you to come to terms with the unfolding of events that has serious implications on many
lives and social institutions. We all can’t afford that this will escalate into a grave humanitarian
crisis spilling over into other nearby villages aside from Lahad Datu and Semporna, Sabah.
Time is of the essence. The world is looking at you, now.
Signed:
MALAYSIA
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
Tenaganita
Women's Centre for Change (WCC)
JUMP
ALIRAN
Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility
Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)
Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)
Justice for Sisters
Seksualiti Merdeka
Pusat KOMAS
Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan
Community Action Network (CAN)
Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
Community Development Centre (CDC)
PHILIPPINES
Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW)
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID)
Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBCP)
Active Citizenship Foundation (ACF)
Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM)
Agri-Aqua Development Coalition, Mindanao
AGONG Peace Network, Mindanao
Akbayan Citizens Action Party
Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan (AKKAPKA)
Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA)
Arya Progresibo
Balay Mindanao Foundation, Inc
Banwaon One Tribe, One Territory, Mindanao
Billah Islam C.O.R.D
Business and Professional Women Ormoc (BPWO)
Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
Center for Peace Education – Miriam College
Citizen’s Peace Watch
Civil Peace Service Program – Southern Christian College
Community Organizers Multiversity (CO Multiversity)
Coalition for ARMM Reform and Transformation (CART)
Coalition of Ormoc Women (COW)
Coalition of Social Development Organizations
Coalition for the Development of Sibuguey – Western Mindanao
Coffee for Peace, Inc
Contacts Details :
Nalini Elumalai
SUARAM
Malaysia
detention@suaram.net
Gus Miclat, Jr
Executive Director
Initiatives for Int’l Dialogue (IID)
Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW)
gnmiclat@gmail.com
tel number +(6382) 2972574
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Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance
Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society
Council of Organized Social Service Agencies in Mindanao
Derepa te Erumanen ne Menuvu, Mindanao
Focus on the Global South -Philippines
Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
Gender and Development Advocates (GANDA) Filipinas
Generation Peace
Gitib Inc., Mindanao
GZO Peace Institute
Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas (HRDP)
Institute for Comparative and Advanced Studies (ICAS Phils)
Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP)
IQRAA Islam Foundation, Davao del Norte
Kabataan Consortium, Inc., Davao City
KAGDUMA, Incorporated, Mindanao
Khairul Bariyyah Youth Movement
Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay (KAMP)
Kebager te Ked-Inged, Mindanao
Kahugpongan sa Mindanaw
Khairul Bariyyah Youth Movement (KBYM)
Landcare Foundation of the Philippines, Inc
Lawyers' League for Liberty (LIBERTAS)
Lumad Mindanaw Peoples’ Federation
Luna Legal Resource Center for Women and Children, Inc., Davao City
Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement
Mindanao Peace Advocates Conference
Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE) Secretariat
Mindanao Alliance of Self-Help Societies – Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center
Mindanao Congress of Development NGOs and NGIs –Mindanao
Mindanao Indigenous People Women Development
Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN)
Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan, UP Diliman (KAISA)
Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)
Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas (PANDAYAN)
Partnership of Philippine Support Services Agencies – Mindanao
Pakigdait, Incorporated, Mindanao
Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet – Negros (PsP-N)
Pagtinabangay Foundation
Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM)
Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)
Pasaday Manobo Association (PAMAAS)
Pax Christi Institute
Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ)
Peacebuilders Community, Inc
People’s Alternative Studies Center for Research & Education in Social Dev’t (PASCRES)
People’s Global Exchange (PGX)
Peoplex27
Philwomen on ASEAN
Philippine Action Network to Control Arms
Philippine Human Rights Information Center (Philrights)
Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
Philippine Business for Social Progress – Mindanao
Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court
Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC)
Philippine Partnership for the Devt of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PHILDHRRA)
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Philippine Rural and Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)
Pinay Kilos
Province of Zamboanga Sibugay Rubber Farmers Association (PZSRFA)
Rajah Buayan Cultural Institute (RBCI),Mindanao
Redemptorist Center for Social and Ecological Concerns - Mindanao
Shariful hashim Cultural university (ShacuS)
Silsilah Dialogue Movement
SANLAKAS
SANLAKAS-Youth
SARILAYA
Shariful Hashim Cultural University (SHACUS)
Social Organization Safeguarding Ecological Advancement Related to Humanity (SOS-EARTH)
SOCSKSARGEN Sociological Society
Social Watch Philippines
SPREAD – Oblates of Notre Dame
Sulong CARHRIHL
Sultan Kudarat Active-People's Network (SKAN)
Tambayan Center for Children's, Inc.
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
Tanggol Kalikasan, Inc
Tausug Global Media - Jolo, Sulu
Textile Clothing Footwear Ormoc (TCFO)
The Peacemaker Circle Foundation
United Transport Workers Organization (UTWO)
WomanHealth Philippines
Women and Gender Institute
Women Engaged in Action on 1325 (We Act 1325-Philippines)
Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB)
World March of Women – Pilipinas
Young Moro Professionals Network, Inc
Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA)
REGIONAL/GLOBAL
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict – Southeast Asia (SEA-GPPAC)
Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)
Alternatives - Asia
Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN- Burma)
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Asia-Pacific Movement on Debt & Development (JSAPMDD)
Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia)
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)
International Peace Bureau (IPB)
ISIS International
Media Defense South East Asia (MD-SEA)
Migrant Forum Asia (MFA)
Network for Transformative Social Protection (NTSP-Asia)
South East Asian Committee for Advocacy (SEACA)
BANGLADESH
Humanitywatch
NABODHARA, Bangladesh
Participatory Research & Action Network (PRAN)
VOICE, Bangladesh
BURMA/MYANMAR
Generation Wave Institute
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CAMBODIA
Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC)
Housing Rights Task Force (HRTF)
EAST TIMOR
East Timor Students Solidarity Council (ETSSC)
FRANCE
Europe solidaire sans frontièrezs (ESSF)
GERMANY
Asienstiftung (German Asia Foundation)
Philippinenbüro – Asienhaus
INDIA
Burma Centre Delhi
Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF)
INDONESIA
Center for Community Development and Education (CCDE – Aceh)
Independent Committee for Election Monitoring (KIPP)
IMPARSIAL, Indonesian Human Rights Monitor
Lembaga Bantuan Hukum / Legal Aid Institute (LBH-BALI)
Lembaga Bantuan Hukum / Legal Aid Institute (LBH-Makassar)
Lembaga Bantuan Hukum /Legal Aid Institute (LBH - Pers Padang)
Lembaga Bantuan Hukum / Legal Aid Institute (LBH-Jakarta)
Solidaritas Perempuan (SP)
Yamakindo
Yayasan Transformasi Lepra Indonesia
NEPAL
All Nepal Peasants Federation (ANPFa)
All Nepal Women Association (ANWA)
Campaign for Climate Justice Nepal (CCJN)
PAKISTAN
Center For Peace & Civil Society (CPCS)
SINGAPORE
Think Centre
THAILAND
People’s Empowerment Foundation (PEF)
Women's Education for Advancement and Empowerment (WEAVE) – Thailand
USA
National Organization of Asian Pacific Islanders Ending Sexual Violence (NAPIESV)
INDIVIDUALS
Anbony Cuanico, Philippines
Chayie Maligalig, Philippines
Crystal Yeldes Flores, Philippines
Denz Bazada, Philippines
Edgardo Beltran, Philippines
Eleanor Trinchera, Philippines
Fr. Angel Calvo, Mindanao PeaceWeavers, Philippines
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Ganesson Suppiah, Malaysia
Gani Serrano, President, PRRM – Philippines
Hew Li Huang, Malaysia
Howard Ng, Malaysia
Japs Hatta, Philippines
James Mante, Philippines
Jean Justimbaste, Philippines
Jenny Aulin, Philippines
Joan Makau, Philippines
Jun Enriquez, Philippines
Juvinal Dias, Timor Leste Institute for Development Monitoring and Analysis, Timor Leste
Ka Rene Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), Philippines
Kevin Kettle, Bangkok,Thailand
KP Lee, Malaysia
Loch na Menon, Malaysia
Ma. Lisa Betita Fontanilla, Philippines
Marishel Gapit, Philippines
Mayor Ronnel Lim, Sorsogon, Philippines
Michael Teng, Malaysia
Mmk Tggw, Myanmar
Monse dela Cruz, Philippines
Muhammad AwisAl Qarni, Malaysia
Noel A. Hernandez, Philippines
O.g. Abesamis, Philippines
Pastor Dann Pantoja, Peacebuilders Community, Mindanao, Philippines
Prof. Abdullah Grande Mamacotao, Philippines
Prof. Anuradha Chenoy, University of India
Prof. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, University of India
Prof Keshab Khadka, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Pua Wah Lum, Malaysia
Ramon Casiple, IPER, Philippines
Rasol Abbas, Philippines
Raul Gatinao, Philippines
Roland Fortun, Philippines
Roy Calfoforo, Philippines
Sia Phearum, Director, HRTF, Cambodia
Sittie Guinomla, Philippines
The Pplway Jian Min, Malaysia
Vincent Fung, Malaysia
Yok Foo Looi Looi, Malaysia
Yvette Mah, Malaysia
PHILIPPINE PETITION CAMPAIGN CONTACTS:
Lyndee Prieto
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW) - Secretariat
Mobile:(+63) 9177247579
Email : lyndeeprieto@gmail.com
Malou Tabios Nuera
IID-Manila Office
Asia Pacific Solidarity Action (APSOC) - Secretariat
Phone: (+632) 9110205; (+632) 4352900