Avert International Intervention
In Addressing Plight of Mindanao Refugees

Senator Rodolfo G Biazon today warned the government in allowing the Mindanao problem to escalate into an international issue.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security revealed, "This morning, I was interviewed by BBC Australia and the point of interest is the peace and order situation in Mindanao focused on the humanitarian crisis that is being witnessed especially in the three provinces of Lanao Norte, North Cotabato and Sarangani."

Biazon said, "The report that is reaching Australia is that half a million - 500,000 are dislocated and are in a refugee situation."

"This raises concerns in some sectors in Australia that they are looking at giving relief assistance."

Biazon strongly recommended, "This apprehension must be seriously addressed by the government to avert any further worsening of the plight of the evacuees in so far as shelter, food and medicine needs are concerned."

Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Balagforo was quoted to have said that local harvests in Central Mindanao provinces have been threatened by flood and now war.

Biazon said the Bishop cautioned that the Rio Grande River is steadily rising and unless the flood waters go down farmers will not be able to plant again until January or February resulting in a food crisis.

"There could be a famine not only caused by the disruption of farming in North Cotabato as a result of the operations being conducted by the military and police forces in pursuit of Commanders Bravo, Kato and Panglian but also due to flooding," Biazon raised.

"Whether the impending shortage of food is caused by the unusual amount of rain that falls in the province or caused by military and police law enforcement operations, humanitarian crisis such as famine will only be blamed to the conduct of the law enforcement campaign," Biazon assessed.

Biazon proposed, "The government must coordinate the delivery of relief assistance in terms of food, shelter and medicine to indicate that the government is not blind to the plight of the evacuees. The government agencies such as the DSWD, DPWH, DOH and other such agencies must be mobilized to bring food, shelter and medicines and necessary infrastructure to demonstrate and prove to be capable and willing to address this humanitarian crisis."

Biazon warned, "If international organizations move to address the crisis, this could further internationalize the problem of Mindanao."

"The internationalization of the Mindanao problem is one we do not need like a hole in the head, " Biazon concluded.