EU urges speedy, thorough investigation of schoolteacher's beheading
November 17, 2009 9:49 am
By Gloria Jane Baylon
MANILA, Nov. 17 -— The envoys of the European Union in Manila has urged for “the speedy and thorough investigation” of the beheading of Mindanao educator Gabriel Canizares, even as they “condemned in the strongest possible terms his hideous murder” in the hands of suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
In a statement, the EU also made oblique references to the “political goals” of the alleged perpetrators, widely named by the Philippine armed forces as criminal elements of the MILF, who are obstinate about an ancestral domain for Moros or Muslims in Mindanao.
”We strongly condemn the use of kidnapping as a means to achieve any goal, whether political or any other whatsoever, and under any circumstances,” the statement stressed.
The Presidency of the EU in Manila is currently held by Ambassador Luis Arias of Spain, which itself has pumped in humanitarian and development assistance to Mindanao under the royal patronage of the monarchy.
Philippine authorities announced late last week that the headless body of Canizares has been found about a week after his severed head was found in Jolo.
It is estimated that the 39-year old elementary school principal was kidnapped sometime on November 9, and was later beheaded after his family failed to deliver a multi-million peso ransom demand.
”The Ambassadors of the European Union condemn in the strongest possible terms the hideous murder of rural teacher Gabriel Canizares in Sulu on 9 November, and hope for a speedy and thorough investigation of this barbaric act, so that its perpetrators will be brought to justice promptly,” according to a belated statement received by the Philippines News Agency.
The statement was dated November 14, just two days after the release of foreign cleric Michael Sinnott, who is based in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, and was held by alleged criminal elements of the MILF for about a month. Sinnott’s release did not come with a ransom, church and government authorities insist.
The EU welcomed the priest’s release, occurring on November 12, when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in the Philippines for a whirlwind “affirming visit” that tackled the Mindanao peace process.
Sinnott is affiliated with the Missionary Society of St. Columban, a religious order of Irish origins.
”The European Union stresses the value of all human rights and attaches the utmost importance to the very core of them, which is the right to life and human dignity. Therefore, we strongly condemn the use of kidnapping as a means to achieve any goal, whether political or any other whatsoever, and under any circumstances,” the statement stressed.
Arias noted the role played by those who have actively contributed to the liberation of Father Sinnot, “whether as a gesture of goodwill or within the call of duty.”
Both government and Sinnott himself declared that the MILF, with whom peace talks negotiations are underway, helped arranged for his press releaseb, a claim that the Philippine armed forces negate.
The MILF and the government panel on the peace talks have agreed on the possible participation of so-called International Contact Groups (ICGs) in the Mindanao peace process.
Already, contacts have begin between the MILF and the experts of the Belfast Declaration through the facilitation of the British embassy in Manila.
Clinton herself, during her recent visit here, declared that the U.S. would be ready for such a participation but that it is up for the Philippine side to request for such a role. (PNA)
V3/GJB
Comments