Press Release No. 164-03
10 April 2003

PHILIPPINES CONDEMNS CONTINUED VIOLENCE IN ACEH; PHILIPPINE PEACE MONITORS ARE SAFE; ARE TEMPORARILY PULLED BACK  

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today condemned the continued violence in Aceh,  Indonesia which yesterday resulted in the death of nine persons, in the province's worst violence since the Swiss group Henri Dunant Center (HDC) helped mediate a peace deal between Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement in December.  He also said that all Filipino peace monitors are safe, and that, in coordination with the HDC, the Philippines is pulling back its peace monitors from the field until the violent incidents subside. 

 “The Philippines strongly deplores these acts of lawless violence.  They perpetuate the divisions and hatreds that have caused the deaths of thousands in Aceh.  There is a real opportunity for peace in Aceh and it would be an unacceptable tragedy if these acts of violence deprive the people of Aceh the peace, stability and progress they so richly deserve,” the Secretary said. 

“We are working with the Indonesian Government, the Free Aceh Movement and the Henry Dunant Center in ensuring the safety of our peace monitors.  And, until we are sure that they can safely conduct their peace monitoring activities, our peace monitors will be withdrawn from the field and will momentarily stay in Bandar Aceh, Aceh’s capital city, where they will be safe,” he added.  

In an earlier statement, the Secretary condemned the attacks on the field offices of the peace monitors and said that the primary concern of the Philippines is the safety of our Filipino peace monitors.  He said that “we have eight brave and dedicated men from our armed forces helping to bring peace to the people of Aceh.  The number of killings has declined dramatically since the agreement, the first to be monitored by foreigners, took effect,” Secretary Ople said.  Aceh's separatist war has claimed an estimated 10,000 lives since 1976. 

“We are committed to the peace process in Aceh and will continue to play our role as long as we can do so safely,” the Secretary said. 

“We continue to work with the Indonesian Government in ensuring the safety of all peace monitors.  Ambassador Rafael Seguis, our ambassador to Indonesia, is closely coordinating with senior Indonesian officials on this issue,” he added. 

Two offices in south Aceh have been shut in the past two days after being ransacked by violent demonstrators. Another office in the town of Takengon, in Central Aceh, was closed after being attacked last month. END.