Members of the Young Moro Professional Network speak to journalists in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines where they held Peacebuilding Agenda-Making Forum with fellow Muslims. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Jung Francisco)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 10, 2009) - The recent bombings in Jolo town in Sulu province; Cotabato City and Lanao del Norte in Mindanao drew chills among young Moro professionals like Drieza Lininding, of Marawi City, who took a 15-hour bus ride to Zamboanga City for a Peacebuilding Agenda-Making Forum with fellow Muslims.

It felt like dejavu when in mid-December 2008, bombings in Iligan City nearby Drieza's hometown would have prevented him from attending the same peace building assembly of Young Moro Professional Network in Zamboanga City.

The YMPN, a nongovernmental organization, is composed of people advocating peaceful means to improve the socio-economic well-being of the Bangsamoro people.

While a majority of members live in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila and Mindanao, there are several members who are based in other countries. YMPN members are largely employed, both in government and private sector jobs.

The YMPN was founded in 2000 during the administration of former Philippine president Joseph Estrada. A group of young Moro professionals initially organized themselves as part of the popular protest at EDSA against the alleged corruptions of Estrada. As a result of these protests, Estrada was ousted from the presidency.

The founding Moros were further motivated by dismay with the Philippine government total war policy against the Moro communities in Mindanao, despite an outstanding peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front and ongoing negotiation with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Many NGOs concerned with the cultivation of lasting peace and harmony in Mindanao perceived the unilateral declaration of war by the government of the Philippines as a diversion from investigations and protests against the alleged corruptions and unfitness of president of the country.

The war displaced hundred of thousands Moros and threatened to poison Muslim-Christian relations, as in the early 1970s.

The success of EDSA 2 in ousting Estrada motivated the YMPN founders to continue peacefully advocating and working for the socio-economic well-being of the Moro masses.

The founders envisioned a network of young Muslim professionals that promote volunteerism; using their own resources, talents, education and training, and working collectively or individually to help other Muslims in unfortunate circumstances.

This peaceful means is in stark contrast to the armed liberation struggle by MNLF and MILF against the government from the early 1970s to present.

Since its founding, the YMPN has been active in encouraging young Moros to adopt peaceful means to uplift themselves. The YMPN has stressed the practice of Islam as a peaceful and modest way of life.

The core members have designed and implemented leadership training program, using an Islamic framework, aimed at the next generation of YMPN members. In most engagements, these core members are the lecturers and readily provide a role model to their audience for their advocacy for peaceful means.

YMPs like Drieza, benefited from education where their parents had not, because of the conflict.

Now, Drieza and the YMP Network, is waging war of their own using their resources, talents and skills, to expose injustice.

"The bombings will not go away if the rages against structural injustices are not addressed," said Aleem Matabalao Guiapal, an Asian Institute of Management alumna, who recently presented a paper on Social Networking as a Peacebuilding Instrument at the Harvard University with actor Diether Ocampo.

Engineer Don Loong said that the important issue that must be addressed urgently is the Human Development situation in the Muslim autonomous region, especially, the problem of debilitating education.

However, he cautioned that a purely development approach coupled with disarmament will not work. The political solution through the peace process must be given priority as it will address the root causes of the Moro grievance.

A stalled political resolution directly affects peace and order and halts, if not impairs, all other community development initiatives. Without a clear political resolution on sight, it is difficult to make all other intervention in Southern Mindanao sustainable.

Journalist Samira Gutoc explained that the YMPN came up with the project MYSpeak, Mindanao Youth Speak Out on the Peace Process as part of Peacebuilding by Moro professionals to seek space in the peace process.

Gutoc said they facilitate peace discussion and are hopeful that they can bring the discourse to the national level. Gutoc said the spirit of the Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain remains across ethnicity as it embodies the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

Humanitarian worker Jodel Isahac, of Jolo, said Moro professionals must participate in the uplift of the marginalized situation of Moro homeland to gain real freedom.

The Young Moro Professionals Network is the second and third generation product of BM struggle; the YMPN represents a significant portion of the Bangsamoro in the its quest to find lasting peace.

The YMPN understand the culture, customs and traditions more than any other; and the YMPN is in a position to put forward the aspirations of the BM in the light of the changing times and technological advancement.

In their fora, among the comments in the discussion were the reform of the electoral process where the YMPN would promote a righteous and transformed process and would represent the views of the populace. The YMPN also intends to look to the needs of the common people while promoting Islam. (Amilbahar Mawallil)

Photo: Moro Children and High School Students Campaign For Peace In Mindanao

Moro children convey their wish, "Peace in Mindanao," and students from the Kiamba National High School in Sarangani province wave small flags during this week’s celebration of peace. (Photo by Ruel Ampatin / Kiamba News and Information Center)

Army seeks support of Lanao religious leaders

Catholic Bishop Elenito Galido and Army brigadier Benito de Leon during their meeting Friday, November 7, 2008.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 7, 2008) - In a bid to secure support to dissipate the tensions of warring groups in Mindanao, an army commander met Friday with religious leaders of Lanao del Norte province for consultation on the prevailing security issues being instigated by some sectors to have cultural and religious undertones.

Col. Benito de Leon, of the 104th Infantry Brigade, met with Catholic Bishop Elenito Galido, of the Diocese of Iligan which covers Lanao del Norte province. Earlier this week, De Leon also had a similar meeting with Muslim religious leader, Aleem Elias Macarandas, at the Bishops-Ulama Office here.

Both Bishop Galido and Macarandas, who are members of the Bishops-Ulama Conference, welcomed the consultations as they were disturbed with the recent atrocities seemingly between Muslims and Christians, particularly in the town of Magsaysay.

On October 26, a group of Maranao residents were ambushed in Magsaysay town resulting to a number of casualties, and local militias called Ilaga, were being blamed for this violence. It was also alleged that this was the latest of a series of reprisals involving several groups in the area.

De Leon quickly deployed forces in the area to prevent further bloodshed. He said the 35th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Jose Faustino also initiated dialogues with the local residents in an attempt to reach out to the conflicting parties and resolve their issues peacefully.

“Both religious leaders manifested continuing commitment to activities that promote peace and harmony among the Christians and Muslims,” De Leon said.

He also assured them that the military will give due protection to all citizens no matter their cultural or religious affiliations may be. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)

Stop war in Mindanao, peace advocates

Peace advocates appeal to government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to stop the armed hostilities in Mindanao after the Supreme Court junked the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) for being unconstitutional.

Alarmed over the gravity of humanitarian crisis and the deteriorating condition of these war-ravaged areas, members of the Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPW) wrote President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim to stop the armed conflict of both parties and return to the negotiating table.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians were affected after the Arroyo government ordered the Philippine armed forces for punitive actions against so-called rogue elements of the MILF.

Their appeal letter wrote: "there are now more than half a million internally displaced persons who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing armed conflict."

The advocates further wrote that the staggering figure does not count yet the casualties on both sides of the combatants. Also, this excludes the hidden and long-term effects of the violence on women, children and the youth.

Signatories of the letter asked President Arroyo what happened to her own declaration on the primacy of the peace process as contained in her Executive Order 2003.

They appealed for her to immediately declare a suspension of military operations (SOMO) to sober up the situation and allow the mechanisms on the ceasefire agreement with the MILF to work again.

They likewise appealed to Chairman Murad to demonstrate his firm resolve and commitment to peaceful settlement of the Mindanao conflict by reigning in all his forces and constituents and in finding a just resolution on alleged violations of the so-called rogue elements.

The MPW told both Arroyo and Murad that violence committed by any parties in conflict cannot be resolved by another, if not increased form of violence and that such is a never ending cycle that will only bring the country to the brink of destruction.

Hopeful of Arroyo's recent overtures for the resumption of the peace talks, the MPW said that unless this is accompanied by positive gestures of peace such as the immediate declaration of SOMO, they will be compelled to appeal for United Nations intervention to avert a worst humanitarian crisis in Mindanao.

For Murad, they proposed that MILF gives its share in creating an atmosphere for dialogue and the conditions to tread the tedious path to peace.

"War is not an option. As peace advocates we take it upon ourselves to face up to the challenge of building and uniting for peace, especially in light of the surfacing of biases and prejudices among and between peoples of Mindanao and the rest of the citizenry, following the MOA-AD debacle," the letter concluded.

MPW represents a network of peace constituency coming from non-government organizations, academe, religious, human rights groups, peoples organizations and grassroots communities which work for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Mindanao. Among its members are the the AGONG Network, Mindanao Peoples Caucus, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, Mindanao Peace Advocates Conference, Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement, Mindanao Solidarity Network and Peace Advocates Zamboanga, Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Saligan-Mindanaw and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).(Mindanao Peaceweavers - http://www.iidnet.org)

Peace Advocates, Religious Youth Leaders To Meet In Mindanao

Ninety religious youth leaders from the Religions for Peace Asia and Pacific Youth Network representing Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Zoroastrian and indigenous communities from sixteen Asian countries gathering in hope and pledging common action believe there is, if we act together now as peacemakers.

They will engage with other key stakeholders including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Philippine government and Filipino youth in this first ever international youth gathering since the escalation of violence in August 2008.

Co-convened by the World Conference of Religions for Peace, the world's largest coalition of religious communities dedicated to inter-religious cooperation for conflict transformation, peace building and sustainable development, the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP), the Religions for Peace regional body in Asia, and the Religions for Peace Philippines Youth Network the Summit of Religious Youth Leaders will be held in Davao, Philippines (Mindanao) from 12-14th October 2008.

The root causes of the conflict in Mindanao is not unique to the Philippines, and can be found in all parts of the world. Ethnic and religious conflict is on the rise, and left unchecked threatens our shared security.

The process of marginalization of the political, economic, cultural and religious identities needs to be exposed and over-turned. Religious youth leaders are convinced that we need to confront this challenge and become peacemakers now. All parties must return to the path for peace before they stray too far off course and lose their way back. The youth hope to inspire a renewed dedication to returning to the negotiation table by the Philippine government and the MILF.

The international community is paying close attention to the humanitarian crisis in Mindanao of the almost half million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and others affected by the current conflict, and plan to witness this first hand the situation of those affected by the conflict and other concerns in Mindanao.Prospects for the Summit are high as delegates will have a chance to engage all parties to the conflict in a multi-religious atmosphere.

Religions for Peace has been engaged in various peaceinitiatives in Mindanao over its history. Its first act of concern for the conflict in Mindanao started as early as 1977 during Martial Law when Religions for Peace made a detailed report and circulated globally.

Most recently, senior leaders representing Religions for Peace led by Rev. Kyoichi Sugino and its Asian regional affiliate, ACRP led by Ms. Lourdes Mastura met in April 2008 with the Chairman, Ebrahim Al-Hajj Murad of the MILF Executive Committee.

Archbishop Fernando Capalla and Bishop Hilario Gomez of the Bishops Ulama Conference (BUC) were invited by Religions for Peace to join the delegation to Cotabato City, Mindanao. The meeting resulted with the Chairman of the MILF and Office of the Presidential Advisor to the Peace Process (OPAPP) welcoming the initiative taken by Religions for Peace in the facilitation and mediation in transforming conflict in Mindanao.

The Religions for Peace Asia and Pacific Youth Network and the Religions for Peace Philippines Youth Network have led multi-religious conflict transformation initiatives in Asia and in the Philippines.

At the last Religions for Peace sponsored Summit of Asian Religious Youth Leaders held in Singapore in September 2007, delegates created the "Peace Appeal for Mindanao," focusing on the importance of solidarity and made a call for peace talks capable of generating real and lasting solutions.

These sentiments were also voiced at the National Youth Leaders Interfaith Cooperation Conference sponsored by Religions for Peace Philippines Youth Network, in which multi-religious youth leaders discussed possible solutions to the conflict in Mindanao.

Rejecting the notion that the conflict in Mindanao is a result of religious differences, a multi-religious delegation of Asian youth leaders, in solidarity with the youth leaders working in Mindanao for peace, human rights, environment and ancestral land and culture, are reaffirming the socially transforming power of multi-religious youth for peace and development with justice.

They will share with one another experiences in multi-religious action and advocacy from different parts of Asia and develop a pan-Asian multi-religious statement of commitment and concrete action plan to present to the Philippine government, and other relevant stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process.

The outcomes of the Summit will be highlighted in the senior religious leaders gathering in Manila, Philippines from October 17-21, bringing the voice of youth and the situation in Mindanao to 300 participants of the ACRP General Assembly and the President of the Philippines.

Religions for Peace is headquartered in New York and accredited to the United Nations, Religions for Peace works through affiliated inter-religious councils in 70 countries in six continents. With nearly 40 years of experience in religious diplomacy, Religions for Peace engages religious communities'unique spiritual, moral and social assets to transform conflict and advance peace. In situations of conflict such as Bosnia and Sierra Leone, its affiliated inter-religious councils have played a central role in mediation, negotiation and post-conflict reconciliation.

The Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP), the regional sister of Religions for Peace, is committed to promoting reconciliation amidst conflict and misunderstanding and pursue the path of peace according to the demands and challenges of the profound diverse spiritualities and unique Asian identities.

Religions for Peace Philippines Youth Network, the youth arm of the Religions for Peace Philippines, is an alliance of various faith and culture based national youth organizations that promote the culture of dialogue and advocacy for genuine peace through mutual understanding and cooperation, educational campaign, awareness building, issue campaigns and advocacy, humanitarian missions and active cooperation to various stake holders of peace.www.religionsforpeace.org

Working For A Just And lasting Peace

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

RP Muslim Groups Call For Peaceful Solution In Troubled South

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Peace Advocates Call For Reduced Troops Presence In Basilan Island

BASILAN ISLAND, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 11 Aug) – An international peace mission said Saturday it is supporting calls for a reduced presence of troops in Basilan island, south of Manila.

Mayor Tahira Ismael, of Lantawan town, called for a more greater participation of local government officials in the current police campaign to arrest those involved in the killings of 14 soldiers, ten of whom beheaded in fierce fighting in Al-Barka town on July 10.

Ismael, who is also president of the Provincial Mayor’s League, met Saturday with delegates of the International Women's Peace and Solidarity Mission in Basilan island.

The group has expressed support to the call for the reduction of militarytroops in Basilan.

"This is Basilan and we know who these people are," Ismael told thedelegates as she proposed to let the local government re-activate their ownintelligence system in aid of arresting the suspects.

Police filed charges against 130 people, mostly members of the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the smaller, but the most violent Abu Sayyaf group.

The island’s governor Jum Akbar said that the presence of bigger military troops in Basilan could only complicate the already tense situation.

Filipino lawyer Maryann Arnado, of the Bantay Ceasefire (Ceasefire Watch), also a member of the peace mission, said: “The civilian government must assert the supremacy of their office in resolving the crisis or else somebody will have to do it for them.”

She urged the government and the rebel group to use the mechanisms in thecease-fire agreement in solving the local crisis.

Arnado also appealed to the Philippine media to be sensitive in reporting and avoid writing news reports that are false and inaccurate, saying, it could add to the volatile situation.

The peace mission said it would ask the government to let local police authorities hunt down the suspects in the grisly killings instead of deploying thousands of troops to go after those implicated in the beheading of the soldiers.

The MILF denied beheading the soldiers and pointed to the Abu Sayyaf instead. The fighting broke out after some 100 Marines entered a rebel stronghold despite a warning that it would spark hostilities and violate a fragile six-year old truce.

The peace mission expressed concern about the plight of thousands of mostly Muslim villagers who fled their homes because of an impending government offensive. More than 6,000 soldiers are on the island.

President Gloria Arroyo has ordered a punitive action against those behind the beheading after the MILF ignored an ultimatum for it to surrender the rebels.

The MILF said the fighting was a legitimate encounter and would not yield any of its members. (Juan Magtanggol and Antonio Manaytay/Special to the Mindanao Examiner)

Sulu Hosts Peace Forum

JOLO ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 14 Jun) – Peace advocates are expected to flock to the southern Filipino island of Jolo in the Sulu Archipelago to attend a one-day forum by the Mindanao Peace and Development Council.

Yahyah Hayudini of the Mindanao Peace and Development Council said the forum will be held at the Sulu State College gymnasium on Saturday.

Representatives from the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, and the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team, are also expected to attend the forum and speak on the progress of the peace talks.

The MILF is currently negotiating peace with Manila.

Religious leaders, civil workers and the academe and professionals have been invited to join the forum, which is open to public.

The MILF said it is supporting the forum and that its local provincial committees and those from Zamboanga City and other nearby areas have been working closely with their counterparts from the government peace panel to ensure the success of the public meeting.

“The people of Sulu are very much thankful to the Mindanao Peace and Development council for sponsoring this forum. To them, this is a historic event considering that there are representatives coming from the government of Malaysia, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” a local Muslim leader said. (Hassan Hatab)

Zamboanga Candidates' Forum To Discuss Peace, Ecology Issues

ZAMBOANGA CITY- With barely two weeks left before national and local elections, a local civil society group called the Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP), is staging a round-table forum for local politicians on Thursday in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines.

IRSMP lead convener Rev. Fr. Angel C. Calvo said the forum, which would be held at the Lotus Restaurant of the Grand Astoria Hotel, will focus on major, selected public issues relevant to the group's peace-building advocacy and as a voter's education exercise.

Filipinos are to elect their senators, congressmen and local officials on May 14 polls.
Calvo said the forum, which will start at 1:30 p.m., will center on two main issues: Peace-building, peace and security; and ecology and natural resources.

"May 14 is election day. The next set of mid-term elections that will mold our city's future will occur on that day. We would like to hear our local politicians and aspirant candidates' views and programs if ever they will be elected or re-elected," he said.

Invited guests are limited to candidates running for congressional and mayoralty seats.

The candidates will have two minutes to give an initial statement. They will also have the chance to speak more in response to questions during the open forum, which will be attended by IRMSP members, special guests and media.

IRMSP is a loose movement made up of Islam, Protestant and Roman Catholic religious leaders and lay people who regularly meet to discuss current public issues to foster a culture of dialogue and peace. It also implements small community development projects to promote inter-faith bonding.

"We hope that with this forum, we can learn about our candidates' plans and platforms," said Jaafar Kimpa.

Rev. Ronald Bilang also aired a similar statement. Both Kimpa and Bilang are conveners of Islam and Evangelicals, respectively. (Darwin Wee)

Stop The War In Mindanao, Peace Advocates Appeal

As hostilities between the Philippine military and the Moro National Liberation front escalate in Mindanao, we from the Stop the War Coalition - Philippines, a broad coalition of social movements, NGOs, and other organizations, join the call for an immediate ceasefire, a return to the negotiating table, and full, substantive, and meaningful self-determination for the Moros, indigenous, and other oppressed peoples in Mindanao.

We demand convincing and unequivocal proof behind the government’s reason for its military offensive – i.e. that the Moro National Liberation Front is coddling ‘terrorists.’ We reject the manipulative use of the threat of ‘terrorism’ against the Moro people and we reject military solutions to address the said threat.

We demand the immediate withdrawal of the US troops who have been permanently stationed in Mindanao since 2002 and we demand that they play absolutely no role whatsoever – whether in providing intelligence or assisting in operations – in the ongoing conflict.

We call for justice for all those who have been killed, tortured, or detained and we demand accountability and punishment for all perpetrators.

We demand relief and rehabilitation for all those who have been displaced by the war, protection for all civilians, and compensation for all those who have been affected.

We call on the media to report on the war fairly and accurately. We demand that journalists refrain from being the mouthpiece of the military and we demand that they should have the courage to challenge and verify the military’s claims.

We call for the full implementation of the peace agreements and we call for the expulsion of hawks in the military and in the government who have been working to undermine it. We demand the immediate release of Nur Misuari who has been illegally detained for five years without any trial.

We stand in solidarity with all those who stand for lasting peace and genuine self-determination.

Stop the War Coalition-Philippines

Members:

Alliance of Genuine Labor Organizations (AGLO)
AKBAYAN!
Akbayan! Youth
Alab Katipunan
Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
ALMANA
ALYANSA!
Anak Mindanao Party (AMIN)
APPRA
ASAP

Alliance of Genuine Labor Organizations (AGLO)
ASSALAM Bangsamoro
ASSALAM Party
Bagong Kamalayan Collective, Inc
Bangsamoro People’s Solidarity
Billah Islam
BISIG-Youth
Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP)
Coalition Against Trafficking of Women Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)
Filipino Democratic Movement (FilDem)
Focus on the Global South
Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
Gathering for Peace
Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
International South Group Network (ISGN)
Juan Makata
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission – Association of
Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines
K! Kalayaan NCR-BLC
KAAKBAY AFDM
Kagan People’s Forum – Mindanao
KAISA KA
KALAYAAN
KANLUNGAN
Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya
KOMPAK
Laban ng Masa (LnM)
League of Urban Poor for Action
Liga Manggagawa
MAKABAYAN Pilipinas
Movement for Student Power (MASP)
PANGISDA
Partido Manggagawa
People’s Task Force for Bases Clean UP Philippines
Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
Philippine Peace and Security Council
Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (PKMP)
PKSK
Progressive Organization of Worker Advocates (PRO-WORKER)
Resource Center for People’s Development (RCPD)
Samahan ng Demokratikong Kabataan (SDK)
SANLAKAS
Solidarity of Unions and Labor Organizations for a New Government
(SULONG)
Task Force Subic Rape
Teatrong Bayan
TW-MAE-W
UP ALYANSA
UP Assabiyah
UP-IIS
Women and Gender Commission AMRSP
Women and Gender Institute
Women’s Legal Bureau, Inc
YES to Change!
Young Moro Professionals Network
Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND)


ENDORSED BY (as of 18 April 2007):
Asian Women Human Rights Council- Philippines
Balay Rehabilitation Center
CONZARRD Inc.
GZO Peace Institute
Jihad-al-Akbar Org
Lolas Kampanyera Comfort Women Survivors Group
Mindanao Solidarity Network
Wedpro Inc.
Xaverian Missionaries

(Individuals)
Fr. Archie Casey SX
Lennard Daoud P Tan
Sheila May Tan


[To add your organization to the list of endorsers, please e-mail
herbert@focusweb.org]

RP Troops, Muslim Rebels Join Forces For Peace

COTABATO CITY – Filipino soldiers and Muslim rebels waging a decades-old separatist war in the southern Philippines are taking up a peace and development course at a Catholic-run university, in a bid to find a lasting solution to conflict that has claimed over 120 thousands lives in the Philippines' southern island of Mindanao, the Adnkronos International (AKI) reported Saturday.

An influential peace advocate, Catholic priest Roberto Layson, told AKI that among those attending the course at Notre Dame University in Cotabato City are members of the military and of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) cease-fire committee.

"It's really a good venue where they can discuss and find a solution to the problem," Layson said.

Army Major Joselito Tocaldo, a member of the Manila cease-fire committee and one of those attending the class, said the advantages of the safe environment provided by the course.

"The exchange of ideas during the class is perfect because we understand each other's view, like the reason they [the rebels] are fighting for. On the academic side, we are talking about how we could resolve the problem in Mindanao. All of us are happy that there is a peace negotiation although it hit a snag on the issue of territory," Tocaldo said.

"This kind of set-up helps a lot in our confidence-building measures with them. At the same time, people like me, who are not natives of Mindanao, can gain knowledge about the real history of the region," Tocaldo added.

Von Al Haq, member of the MILF cease-fire committee chief, told AKI the course is helpful as it is a preparation for when Manila and the MILF will sign a peace agreement. "We need people who have skills in peace and development. We are learning some skills here," Al Haj said.

Aside from members from Manila and MILF, peace advocates from non-governmental organizations are also attending the weekend course that began in December and will end in April.

The MILF, which is engaged in peace talks with government, signed a cease-fire agreement with Filipino government on July 19, 2003. In September last year, the peace talks stalled after both parties failed to agree on the issue of ancestral domain.

The MILF, estimated to have 13,000 members, wants at least 1,000 villages included in the proposed Muslim homeland but Manila said it could only allow the inclusion of about 600 villages. The government also insists that the formation of the future Bangsamoro entity would have to be decided in a plebiscite.

The Mindanao conflict first flared in the 1970s when the Muslim minority, known as the Moros, launched an armed struggle for their ancestral homeland in the south. But over the years, the Moro campaign for self-rule has become only one of several sources of bloodshed on Mindanao that include communist insurgency, violence linked to militant Islamist groups, bloody ethnic vendettas, clan wars and banditry.

2007's Peace Omens by Peace Advocates Zamboanga

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Peace Album Debuts In Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Nung Aljani / 13 Jan) - To maximize its peace campaign in the conflict-ridden island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, the multi-donor Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Peace Advocate Zamboanga (PAZ) tread into another milestone as the two groups launched its "peace album" Saturday in Zamboanga City.

The Davao City-based Orson Sargado, CRS project officer, said the album contains 12 original songs of hip-hop and ethno-inspired compositions that call for tribal harmony and regional unity among the people in this part of the country.

"Guided by the principle that music plays an important role in connecting people, the CRS has conceptualized the idea of coming up with this peace album, which aims at relating the message of peace especially among the young people who are prone to the disturbances being brought by the decades of conflict in Mindanao," Sargado said.

All the songs on the album entitled “Voices for Peace: Echoes of Hope" were performed by different youth sectors – the Muslims, Christians and Indigenous groups – from various parts of Mindanao. They brought different experiences of their struggles and dreams for peace.

"I hope that with this album, I can contribute and able to relay our common call for peace especially to my fellow young Muslims in thispart of the country," said Alfrazkhan Abdurajak, one of the composer.

Abdurajak, a native of Jolo island, said his song entitled "Para Bukas, Ngayon" (For Tomorrow, Today) was simply a wake up call and at the sametime an "inspiration for the youths to rise up to the occasion and take their responsibility in a more harmonious approach."

Local song writer Chester Ross Cabaltera called on the youths to be responsible in all activities they do. “The reality that some young people are being self-centered to their principles, especially their religions,” he said.

Cabaltera said this prompted him and co-composer Darwin Wee to come up with their song "Punda" – a Filipino slang for fundamentalism. Punda, he said, is "a complete reflection of the growing threats of fundamentalism in Mindanao with the youths as prisoners totheir own belief systems. In this song, we also try to present some options for more harmonious treatment towards our relationship with others.”

Wee said: "Music in itself is a powerful language that speaks wisdom to the youth. The peace album ranges it music from the like of soft rock to an inspirational mellows, which made the relaying of its message easy for the audience, he said.

The CRS, Sargado said, believes that gathering young people and come up with a peace album will inspire more their spirit and add voices to the discussion of different peace initiatives.

"We hope that the peace album become a medium to which youth's voices in Mindanao as well as to generate support from all the people of the island to engage more in peace advocacy," he said.

Thousands Of Peace Advocates, Rightists Troop To Basilan For Summit: AKI

BASILAN ISLAND - Thousands of human rights activists, justice fighters and peace advocates from conflict-ridden Mindanao will gather for a weeklong peace summit in the former terrorist heartland of Basilan.

The event, which started Tuesday, will aim to firm up plans to build enduring peace in Mindanao through the involvement of Muslims, Christians and indigenous groups, collectively known as 'tri-people' in the country’s south.

"It is our foremost belief that the key to lasting peace in Mindanao is through the realization of the right to self-determination of all people living in this island," summit organizers, the Mindanao People’s Peace Movement (MPPM) secretary general, Amabella Carumba told Adnkronos International (AKI).

"We want to live on this island in perfect harmony and that could be possible if the tri-people here are united and have their common understanding," she added.

Dubbed as the 4th Mindanao People’s Peace Summit, the theme for this year’s biennial peace meeting is also centered on the rights of Muslims, Christians and indigenous groups.The venue for the six-day gathering is the town of Lamitan, scene of the infamous 2001 'Lamitan siege' on Mindanao between the Filipino Army and the al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf local terror group.

Two Americans and one Filipino hostage as well as four Abu Sayyaf guerillas were killed in June 2002 during a botched attempt by the Philippines army to rescue the hostages seized one year earlier by Abu Sayyaf. Seven soldiers were also wounded.

"We chose Lamitan because we would like to tell the whole world that every place in Mindanao is now safe. We want also to prove that any threats posed by the Abu Sayyaf have already evaporated,” Carumba explained.

She said the summit will also bring leaders and individuals with expertise on Muslims, Christians and indigenous groups in the area. "They will expect to give the participants some achievable inputs on tri-people issues and policy," she said, adding that past discussions of key issues concerning Mindanao have not covered or included all the three groups of people in the island.

"If we want to see a real peace, we suggest that all the stakeholders here should be informed and consulted," Carumba stated.

According to her, crucial issues affecting the region's Muslims, Christians and indigenous groups - e.g. the ongoing peace negotiations between Manila and the country’s largest Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) - should also be raised at the summit.

"We hope to arrive at some meaningful proposals that echo the general voice of the tri-people,” said Carumba.The Basilan summit follows the recently held Mindanao-wide peace week, she added.

This organized rallies and concerts to promote the "tri-people's entitlement to self-determination, human rights and peace," in various cities and provinces in Mindanao. Besides the MPPM, participants from the Muslim provinces of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi are due to attend the summit, as well as delegates from the island of Palawan in the western Philippines.

Foreign observers including civil society organizations and government agencies are expected to broaden attendance at the summit.The MPPM has been in close coordination with Basilan officials to ensure security and smooth organization at the summit, Carumba said.

An armed struggle for independence in Mindanao waged by Islamist and Communist rebels has been ongoing for some forty years, causing over 120,000 victims. Sporadic violence has continued despite a 2003 ceasefire and peace talks.

Some 85 percent of the population of the Philippines is Christian, while Muslims, who make up around 4 percent, are concentrated on Mindanao and the neighboring Sulu Archipelago. (AKI)

Muslim Peace Worker, Catholic Priest Are 2006 Peace Weaver Awardees

THE 2006 PEACE WEAVERS AWARDEES: The inter-religious solidarity movement Peace members, with PAZ president Father Angel Calvo, (5th from left) artist Rameer Tawasil,(6th from left) Archbishop Carmelo Morelos, (7th from left)James Alih Totoh Abdul, and the Young Peace Weavers pose during the award's night at Garden Orchid Hotel in Zamboanga City.

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Darwin Wee / 08 Dec) – Because of their exceptional contribution to peace-building efforts in Mindanao island, a Muslim community worker and a Catholic religious leader were hailed as this year's Peace Weaver awardees by the Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) during the weeklong celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace.

The 76-year old Archbishop Carmelo Morelos, who has served the Archdiocese of Zamboanga City for 12 years, was recognized for his effort in "bringing people together to resolve conflict and arriving at understanding."

"Bishop Morelos provided an understanding hand, devoid of bigotry and determined to keep the church of Zamboanga as a vessel of peace," stated the citation that was read during the award's night held December 3 at the Garden Orchid Hotel here.

Archbishop Morelos, former president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and one of the founding members of the Mindanao Bishops-Ulama Forum in 1996, was widely described as a distinguished leader highly respected by his peers.

"He situated himself strategically to assert a principle of non-partisanship matched by compassion and a firm working belief in peace and inter-religious dialogue within a growing pluralistic community. The years of his watch were marked by many incidents in Zamboanga that required his kind and stable hand," the citation further added.

The prelate, who is expected to end his vicariate duties in Zamboanga before the year ends, stood calmly at the podium to receive the gold-plated and glass engraved-dove, then gave his brief response.

"For once, I am tongue-tied; I don't know what to say because I truly appreciate this award. It is something that I will treasure all my life because it shows that you don't need to do extraordinary deed –just lend your presence, your support, your interest in whatever cause, especially when it is about peace through dialogue," he told the audience packed with scholars, religious leaders and peace advocates.

Along with the earthy and sublime religious leader, Msgr. Morelos shared the annual peace tribute with a Muslim man who is longtime peace worker -- James Alih Totoh Abdul -- who is also currently the area manager of the United Nation's Act for Peace Program in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Abdul, a Sama-Yakan native of Zamboanga City, was acknowledged for his passion in uplifting the lives of people living in the marginal and tribal communities as well as insurgency-infested and depressed areas in Mindanao, especially in the western region.Abdul handled a long list of social involvements.

These included the establishment of the peace zones in rebel infested areas, creating economic livelihoods and initiating various peace and development programs in post-conflict areas in Mindanao and organizing the "Balik-Katan Peace Movement", a multi-stakeholder campaign in Western Mindanao to develop a constituency for peace.

"Talk to James and you will hear not just positive thinking, but possibility thinking. Through him, one will realize that the story of peace in Mindanao is the story of good news which we are not often used to," the citation said.

"I have actually been into peace work since high school. I have had this urge to raise the consciousness of my peers on what was happening around us -- especially on the situation of the people in Barangay (village) Muti in Zamboang City where I grew up."

"The need to do something about the plight of the residents who lack basic service, when barangay governance and leadership were controlled by one clan, where only the leaders made decisions for what they perceived were good people, where the majority remained passive and silent. This has been the motivating factor in my chosen vocation as a peace advocate," the sturdy-built Abdul said after he received the award.

"Through my many years in peace building work in Mindanao, I've seen how unique our situation is. Peace and conflict issues always crop up between the military and various groups, even between tribes and clans. "

"The irony of it all is that with the vast resources of Mindanao, peace has always been elusive. On the other hand, we, peace advocates, should believe that peace can be achieved as our experience in the peace and development communities," he said.

At least 9 young people also joined the awarding night with Archbishop Morelos and Abdul as they were also recognized Young Peace Weavers, who are also considered as peace advocates.

Renowned Mindanao painter Rameer Tawasil was also given a special citation for his contribution in designing the peace dove, considered a universal symbol of peace. According to PAZ president Father Angel Calvo, the Peace Weavers Award is a way to celebrate the individual achievement and contribution to promote lasting peace in Mindanao.

PAZ has been giving the recognition to outstanding individuals and organizations that selflessly devoted efforts towards peace building in the city or region, Fr. Calvo noted.

The peace weaver award started in 1998. Its past awardees included prominent local leaders like the late Hadji Jainuddin Nuno, Amilhussin Jumaani, and Sultin Unding Pamaran and Claretian priest, Fr. Rhoel Gallardo. (Mindanao Examiner)

Muslims, Christians Unite For Peace In Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Muslims and Christians from all walks of life in the conflict-ridden island of Mindanao will seek common ground as thousands of them join in the annual Mindanao Week of Peace celebration from 30 November to 6 December.

In an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI), event founder and Claretian priest Father Angel Calvo said the annual celebration is so far the biggest peace gathering in the country which has actively involved both Muslims and Christians since 1997.

“We want to see the people of Mindanao united as we advocate lasting peace in the region,” Fr. Calvo, whose non-government organization Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) has also led the celebration in Zamboanga City, told AKI.

He added that the event will also provide the local residents “a common ground for recognizing and respecting cultural differences that is basis for unity and peace.”“This is also the right venue where some issues and possible disputes will be settled,” he added.

The theme for this year celebration is centered on the environmental care. Fr. Calvo said different activities were planned in various key areas and cities in Mindanao.

In Zamboanga City, he said PAZ will lead the opening and the closing day parades, the two big events that are expected to draw tens of thousands of people from government offices, private companies, universities, urban poor associations, and other non-government agencies.

They include concerts, peace rallies and vigils, medical and dental missions for the depressed rural villages, jail visits, peace assemblies and youth gatherings, a coastal clean-up and other school and community-based activities.

Mindanao Week of Peace is now into its 10th year since the first one being organized at the height of extremism of the homegrown terror group Abu Sayyaf.

In previous years, the observance of the week of peace has means a security breather in the conflict-stricken region and the number of insurgent attacks and other crime-related activities also reportedly lowered.

“We will join efforts with the people of Mindanao on their initiative and they can expect smooth security measures from our part,” Superintendent Jonathan Perez, deputy director for Zamboanga City Police Office, told AKI ahead of this year's event.

“We assure that it will be generally peaceful,” he added.Meanwhile, in a statement obtained by AKI, the influential Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC), which spearheads the Mindanao-wide celebration, called on the people of Mindanao to have “love, respect, justice, fairness, mercy and compassion among one another not only before or during the celebration but also after the Mindanao Week of Peace.”

“We wish to remind us all that peace comes from order and harmony both in our relationship with God, with one another and with the environment,” BUC’s Muslim, Catholic and Protestant conveners stressed in their joint statement.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country's largest Muslim rebel group, also said it was supporting the weeklong peace celebration."We are with all peace-loving people. We are for peace and we fully support the aspiration of many for a peaceful Mindanao," Eid Kabalu, a rebel spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner. (Mindanao Examiner)

Peace Advocates To Lobby For Resumption Of Stalled Mindanao Peace Talks

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Darwin Wee / 23 Oct) - A consortium of peace advocates inMindanao was lobbying Manila to resume stalled peace talks with the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The Mindanao Peoples Caucus, in an e-mail sent to the Mindanao Examiner on Monday, said the group will send a mission to Manila on Wednesday to lobby to government officials that resumption of the peace negotiations.

Peace talks ended last month in Malaysia with both sides failing to sign any agreement on the most contentious issue -- ancestral domain -- which refers to the MILF's demand for territory that will constitute a Muslim homeland.

It is the single most important issue in the peace negotiations before a political settlement can be reached. The MILF has earlier rejected a government offer for a limited autonomy on Mindanao island, home to more than 18 million Muslims, Christians and indigenous tribes.

"We do not want another war. All we wish is progress in Mindanao and help in promoting peace and rebuilding our communities and present a modest set of proposals on how to break the impasse and move forward," the group said, but it did not elaborate any of its proposals on how to break the impasse in the peace talks.

The group said it would like to meet President Gloria Arroyo and politicians, including members of the diplomatic community within the three-day mission.The MPC is headed by Timual Melanio Ulama, Fr. Roberto Layson and Mary Ann Arnado, of the Mindanao Peace Weavers. (Mindanao Examiner)