ZAMBOANGA CITY (Darwin Wee / 08 May 8) Peace advocates from the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan and Zamboanga City will converge here Wednesday to discuss issues and concerns relative to the peace-building efforts of different private sector, civic groups and stakeholders.
The two-day conference at the Marcian Garden Hotel aims to strengthen the peace programs and advocacy of different peace groups, said Fr. Angel Calvo, president of Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) and lead convener of the Inter-religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRMSP).
"The meeting intends to address the concerns of peace in our respective areas and for us to see how we can best help each other to consolidate our efforts as peace workers in Mindanao," he said.
The conference is the second consultative meeting. Last year, peace advocates formed the Zambasulta Coalition of Peace Advocates (ZACOPA). Zambasulta stands for Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Calvo said the coalition was established to address several levels of conflict within the three areas by sharing vital information and dialogues to the coalitions. ZACOPA also serves as the regional segment of the Mindanao Peace weaver’s coalition.
The two-day conference at the Marcian Garden Hotel aims to strengthen the peace programs and advocacy of different peace groups, said Fr. Angel Calvo, president of Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) and lead convener of the Inter-religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRMSP).
"The meeting intends to address the concerns of peace in our respective areas and for us to see how we can best help each other to consolidate our efforts as peace workers in Mindanao," he said.
The conference is the second consultative meeting. Last year, peace advocates formed the Zambasulta Coalition of Peace Advocates (ZACOPA). Zambasulta stands for Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Calvo said the coalition was established to address several levels of conflict within the three areas by sharing vital information and dialogues to the coalitions. ZACOPA also serves as the regional segment of the Mindanao Peace weaver’s coalition.
"This activity brings together the members of the ZACOPA, with the hope that their interactions will give rise to fresh perspectives on the structures and mechanism of peace building."
"The holding of this activity shall allow a renewal of solidarity among partners, facilitate exchanges of information and experiences and provide opportunities to determine organizational prospects through re-visioning and action in view of the new developments that have emerged within a yard after the establishment of the ZACOPA," he said.
Peace advocates are expected to discuss the resurgence of violence in Sulu and the deployment of US forces taking part in the so-called humanitarian mission in the province.
They are also to discuss the assassination Basilan island Mayor Luis Biel, mining issues, and the implications in Mindanao of the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity which is being considered in the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
"The holding of this activity shall allow a renewal of solidarity among partners, facilitate exchanges of information and experiences and provide opportunities to determine organizational prospects through re-visioning and action in view of the new developments that have emerged within a yard after the establishment of the ZACOPA," he said.
Peace advocates are expected to discuss the resurgence of violence in Sulu and the deployment of US forces taking part in the so-called humanitarian mission in the province.
They are also to discuss the assassination Basilan island Mayor Luis Biel, mining issues, and the implications in Mindanao of the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity which is being considered in the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Calvo said his group invited Atty. Zainuddin Malang, chairman of the Moro Lawyer's League, who will talk on the "Violence and Terrorism: legislative action and other responses and their implications to peace efforts in Mindanao, and Mary Ann Arnado, deputy director of the Initiatives for International Dialogue, who will discuss about the peace talks and its implication to the government proposal to amend the Constitution.
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