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Japan is among the very first Asian countries that opened its borders to Filipino migrant workers, particularly women entertainment workers. It is also the Asian country with the highest concentration of Filipino marriage migrants.

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(Last of a Three-Part Series)

“By finishing off the MILF with the support of the people of Mindanao, the military finally will bring us closer to lasting peace.” [1]

This was lifted from a reader's letter to the editor, published in the most popular national broadsheet in English. Such sentiment is increasingly shared by more and more people particularly in the capital Manila. More alarmingly, such sentiment is likely to remain for a longer time as the proposed memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) was finally junked by no less than the Philippine Supreme Court [2].

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[Editor's Note: In observance of the global week of action against illegitimate debt, international financial institutions (IFIs) and climate change from 13 to 19 October 2008, social movements led by Jubilee South renewed calls against the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other IFIs, which have facilitated odious loans incurred by most peoples in the global South. Much of these loans have been instrumental in projects contributing to environmental degradation and climate change. For more information, visit, http://www.debtweek.org/ images/stories/call_woga.pdf]

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(Second of a Three-Part Series)

As Ramadan comes to an end, residents of Metro Manila are taking advantage of this public holiday. Many are likely dozing off in a cool afternoon, oblivious to the moderate rain showers. But miles away in Southern Philippines, residents especially Muslims have no reason to celebrate nor take a break. In fact, the Eid ul-Fitr is an ominous day, signaling the return of intense fighting between the military and the rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

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[Editor's note: Established in 1915, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is the among the oldest women’s peace organisation, working for human rights and complete disarmament. Issued on 21 September 2008, this statement can be found in URL: http://www.wilpf.int.ch/statements /2008day_of_peace.html.]

On 30 November 1981, the United Nations General Assembly, in resolution A/RES/36/67, declared an international day of peace. This resolution recognised that "the promotion of peace, both at an international and a national level, is among the main purposes of the United Nations, in conformity with its Charter." Since 1915, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has worked to promote peace by non-violent means, promoting political, economic and social justice for all.

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(First of a Three-Part Series)

One month of fighting between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has made the Philippines a host to the largest number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the region in recent years. As of this writing, civilian deaths have risen to 69 while IDPs are estimated at 512,000. Violence and fighting erupted as the Philippine government abandoned the proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) for an expanded Bangsamoro homeland.