International Peace Mission to Basilan

• Basilan: The Next Afghanistan? Report of the International Peace Mission to Basilan, Phillipines, 23-27 March 2002 [PDF document]
• International Peace Mission to Basilan: Context, Delegation Members and Programme
• Victoria Brittain Report from Basilan The Guardian, 1 April 2002
• TNI Press Release 28 March 2002
• Walden Bello Opening Statement International Peace Mission Visit to Basilan and Zamboanga, Press Conference, 27 March 2002
• PAHRA Press Release
  PAHRA condemns blocking of international peace mission, 25 March 2002

Background articles

• Walden Bello A Second Front in the Phillipines 18 March 2002
• Joel Rocamora Setting up the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 10 March 2002

Media focus on International Peace Mission to Philippines

Philippine media has been giving headline attention to the International Peace Mission investigating the war situation in Mindanao in the Southern Philippines, and assessing the impact of the deployment of US troops 21-26 March. The 14 member mission has been denied access to imprisoned suspects of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan provincial jail. Meanwhile, Philippine government National Security Advisor Roilo Golez, described as an act of "foreign intervention" the investigation by the international peace mission. The members of the Mission still expect to be able to meet with both Philippine and US military officials in Basilan, despite a scheduled visit to one of the military camps being canceled last Saturday, March 23.

Please check the media coverage of the Mission:

• International peace mission points to human rights violations Business World (Philippines), 28 March
• Peace Mission Accuses Philippine Military of Violating Rights BBC Monitoring Service, 27 March
• US Senators Due Here for Balikatan Review Today, 27 March
• "Americans Hear Growing Comparisons to Military Campaign in Afghanistan"
  Washington Post, 26 March 2002