Basilan. The Next Afghanistan?

Basilan. The Next Afghanistan? [PDF document]
Report of the International Peace Mission to Basilan, Philippines, 23-27 March 2002
Akbayan! Citizens Action Party, Institute for Popular Democracy, Focus on the Global South, Transnational Institute

Summary

In February this year, US military troops began arriving in the southern Philippine island-province of Basilan ostensibly for routine joint training exercises with the Philippine military. Basilan is the site of intensified military operations against the Abu Sayyaf, a kidnap-for-ransom bandit group, according to some, or an extremist Islamic movement linked to Osama bin Laden, according to the US.

US officials have been quoted as saying that the Special Forces are in Basilan to wipe out a terrorist cell connected to the Al Qaeda network. The exercises are unlike any other previously conducted: they will be held in actual combat sites and they will last for longer than six months, with an option to extend to a year. It has been the largest deployment of US troops yet since Afghanistan.

Because of these circumstances, Basilan has been called in the main-stream media as the “second front” in the US' war against terrorism. US Sam Brownback Senator called the Philippines “the next target after Af-ghanistan.”

Fearing that what befell Afghanistan will now happen to Basilan, a group of scholars, parliamentarians, civil society leaders, and human rights activists coming from 10 countries were constituted to form a 16-member international peace mission. From March 23 to 28, the mission went around Basilan, Zamboanga City, and Cotabato City to look into allegations of human rights violations committed by the Philippine military and to assess the impact of the US' involvement on the unresolved separatist struggle in the area.

After talking to scores of local residents, government officials, and military officers, the mission reached three main conclusions:

First, there is strong evidence that the Philippine military is committing serious human rights violations against civilians. Second, there are consistent credible reports that the military and the provincial government are coddling the Abu Sayyaf. Hence, merely intensifying military action will not work to solve the problem. Finally, there is no valid justification for the US presence. It is provocative and may only ignite a bigger war.

Because of the Philippine government's adamant refusal to acknowledge the human rights violations committed by the military and its obstinate endorsement of the military solution, a more concerted and more focused international mediation is urgent and necessary.

Contents

Introduction

• The Next Afghanistan?
• The War In Mindanao
• The Rise Of The Abu Sayyaf
• The Coming Of The Americans

On Basilan

• All Quiet on the ‘Second Front'

The Mission's Objectives, Members, and Organizers

• From Afghanistan to Basilan

The Mission's Activities

• Nothing to Hide
• Thrown Out Of Jail
• Meeting The Governor
• Witnesses Intimidated
• Senior Officers A No-show
• Corruption And Eviction
• Off To The Mainland
• Concealment Strategy
• Summary Of Findings

On the Abu Sayyaf

• Rebels, Bandits, or Terrorists?

The Mission's Findings

• Portents of a Bigger War
1. The Philippine Military and Provincial Government are violating human rights
   in Basilan
2. The Abu Sayyaf problem may be resistant to a military solution.
3. The Us Military's deployment in Basilan is not only unjustified but dangerous.
• The Philippine Military does not need to be trained by the United States.
• There are no conclusive links between the Abu Sayyaf and Bin Laden's
  Al Qaeda.
• The Philippine Military should be able to rescue the hostages without
  American help.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Promoting Peace

Endnotes

References

Acknowledgements