Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Peace caravan launched in Mindanao to support GRP-MILF talks
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Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Peace groups to GPH-MILF panels: “Negotiate A Political Settlement Now!”
Press Release
April 27, 2011
The Davao City-based peace advocacy group Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) has called on both the GPH and the MILF panels to focus their discussions in coming up with a mutually acceptable political formula that will finally resolve the root causes of the armed conflict in Mindanao.
MPC Chair Reu Montecillo, a protestant pastor from Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, said in a rally today that the peace panels should immediately deliver the working drafts of a peace agreement that address the Bangsamoro’s demand for self-governance, power and wealth-sharing rather than divert their attention on peripheral issues and technicalities.
Today, the government and MILF peace panels started the two-day 24th round of exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia amid pronouncement of government that it plans to conclude the already 12-year-old negotiations in the next 12 months.
Pastor Montecillo said that “since the timeframe set by the government to finally reach a negotiated settlement with the MILF is 12 months, there is a need to fast track the talks so that both panels can soon come up with an agreement on the substantial agenda of negotiation.”
The MILF has already laid down its proposal for a sub-state which will be governed by the Bangsamoro with corresponding details on power-sharing and resources-sharing, among others.
“We hope that this meeting in Malaysia will finally discuss the points in the comprehensive compact and that the next meeting of the GPH-MILF panel will be the formal negotiation that should logically lead to the signing of an inclusive peace agreement agreeable to both parties and acceptable to the majority of the stakeholders,” Montecillo stressed to a crowd of peace advocates that formed a “human chain for peace” in a crowded place fronting the biggest mall in Davao City.
The church minister called on “all church leaders of different churches in the Philippines and the world to support and pray for the success of the negotiations,” saying peace makers would “ultimately be blessed for their efforts in trying to realize the kingdom of God here on earth.”
Montecillo also requested the business sector to “take a pro-active role in ensuring that the peace process in Mindanao would succeed because a peaceful environment, no doubt, will always produce a climate conducive for investment and business.”
“Mindanao has unlimited untapped business potentials. Once there is peace, we are almost sure that business activity in Mindanao may be doubled, or, even tripled,” he said.
The peace advocates, who formed a 200-meter human chain along Quimpo Boulevard in Davao City held posters calling for an inclusive peace agreement and negotiated settlement. They also wore individual cut-out letters that spelled out that “Mindanaons support the GPH-MILF peace talks.”
Yesterday, some 10,000 people from Central Mindanao also joined a caravan of some 500 vehicles that ceremonially sent-off the peace negotiators who flew to Kuala Lumpur to the the two-day talk. ###
April 27, 2011
The Davao City-based peace advocacy group Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) has called on both the GPH and the MILF panels to focus their discussions in coming up with a mutually acceptable political formula that will finally resolve the root causes of the armed conflict in Mindanao.
MPC Chair Reu Montecillo, a protestant pastor from Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, said in a rally today that the peace panels should immediately deliver the working drafts of a peace agreement that address the Bangsamoro’s demand for self-governance, power and wealth-sharing rather than divert their attention on peripheral issues and technicalities.
Today, the government and MILF peace panels started the two-day 24th round of exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia amid pronouncement of government that it plans to conclude the already 12-year-old negotiations in the next 12 months.
Pastor Montecillo said that “since the timeframe set by the government to finally reach a negotiated settlement with the MILF is 12 months, there is a need to fast track the talks so that both panels can soon come up with an agreement on the substantial agenda of negotiation.”
The MILF has already laid down its proposal for a sub-state which will be governed by the Bangsamoro with corresponding details on power-sharing and resources-sharing, among others.
“We hope that this meeting in Malaysia will finally discuss the points in the comprehensive compact and that the next meeting of the GPH-MILF panel will be the formal negotiation that should logically lead to the signing of an inclusive peace agreement agreeable to both parties and acceptable to the majority of the stakeholders,” Montecillo stressed to a crowd of peace advocates that formed a “human chain for peace” in a crowded place fronting the biggest mall in Davao City.
The church minister called on “all church leaders of different churches in the Philippines and the world to support and pray for the success of the negotiations,” saying peace makers would “ultimately be blessed for their efforts in trying to realize the kingdom of God here on earth.”
Montecillo also requested the business sector to “take a pro-active role in ensuring that the peace process in Mindanao would succeed because a peaceful environment, no doubt, will always produce a climate conducive for investment and business.”
“Mindanao has unlimited untapped business potentials. Once there is peace, we are almost sure that business activity in Mindanao may be doubled, or, even tripled,” he said.
The peace advocates, who formed a 200-meter human chain along Quimpo Boulevard in Davao City held posters calling for an inclusive peace agreement and negotiated settlement. They also wore individual cut-out letters that spelled out that “Mindanaons support the GPH-MILF peace talks.”
Yesterday, some 10,000 people from Central Mindanao also joined a caravan of some 500 vehicles that ceremonially sent-off the peace negotiators who flew to Kuala Lumpur to the the two-day talk. ###
Mindanao CSOs Hold Peace Rallies in Support of GPH-MILF Talks in Malaysia
Carlo Cleofe
Mindanao civil society organizations led by the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP), Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace (BCJP), and the Datu Piang Alliance for Peace will hold simultaneous mass mobilizations in Cotabato, Maguindanao, Kidapawan and Davao City in support of the next round of talks between the GPH-MILF peace panels which will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 27-28, 2011.
These actions are intended not just to show massive support on the peace talks but also to demand concrete results from the negotiations. In particular, civil society organizations are urging both government and MILF peace panels to deliver results of a negotiated political settlement in the next twelve months. Said period is the fair estimation of the peace panels within which to accomplish their mission of coming up with a peace agreement. Given this timetable, it is crucial that the public will be prepared to support the necessary outcome of the talks. Concerns with regards to continuing consultations and sustained information mechanisms are also being raised not just as a matter of necessity but also as a legal duty on the part of the government particularly the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). These mechanisms, when already put in place, will regularly inform and update the stakeholders on the status, issues and necessary compromises in the negotiations.
The activity will start-off on April 26, 2011 with a “Walk for Peace” in Datu Piang Plaza, Maguindanao organized by the Datu Piang Alliance for Peace and will link up with the Peace Caravan organized by the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP). The Peace Caravan will have a road show starting from Cotabato City, Tacurong, Isulan, Makilala and will culminate in Kidapawan City. The culmination program will be graced by the presence of Maguindanao Vice-Governor Hon. Datu Esmail Mastura and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) Head of Mission MGen Dato Mahdi Bin Yusof.
While on April 27, 2011 Davao based civil society organizations will have a “Human Chain for Peace” that will cover the whole stretch of Quimpo Boulevard starting from the corner of Tulip Drive to Mandaue Foam.
Mindanao civil society organizations led by the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP), Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace (BCJP), and the Datu Piang Alliance for Peace will hold simultaneous mass mobilizations in Cotabato, Maguindanao, Kidapawan and Davao City in support of the next round of talks between the GPH-MILF peace panels which will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 27-28, 2011.
These actions are intended not just to show massive support on the peace talks but also to demand concrete results from the negotiations. In particular, civil society organizations are urging both government and MILF peace panels to deliver results of a negotiated political settlement in the next twelve months. Said period is the fair estimation of the peace panels within which to accomplish their mission of coming up with a peace agreement. Given this timetable, it is crucial that the public will be prepared to support the necessary outcome of the talks. Concerns with regards to continuing consultations and sustained information mechanisms are also being raised not just as a matter of necessity but also as a legal duty on the part of the government particularly the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). These mechanisms, when already put in place, will regularly inform and update the stakeholders on the status, issues and necessary compromises in the negotiations.
The activity will start-off on April 26, 2011 with a “Walk for Peace” in Datu Piang Plaza, Maguindanao organized by the Datu Piang Alliance for Peace and will link up with the Peace Caravan organized by the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP). The Peace Caravan will have a road show starting from Cotabato City, Tacurong, Isulan, Makilala and will culminate in Kidapawan City. The culmination program will be graced by the presence of Maguindanao Vice-Governor Hon. Datu Esmail Mastura and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) Head of Mission MGen Dato Mahdi Bin Yusof.
While on April 27, 2011 Davao based civil society organizations will have a “Human Chain for Peace” that will cover the whole stretch of Quimpo Boulevard starting from the corner of Tulip Drive to Mandaue Foam.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Alliance supports peace process; calls for unity and solidarity
By: Aiman A. Yusoph
April 23, 2011 - The local government of Datu Piang in Maguindanao led by Mayor Hadji Samer K. Uy, in partnership with the Bangsamoro Civil Society, Muslim and Christian religious leaders, leaders of internally displaced persons (IDPs), BCJP-Tiyakap Kawagib, Kadtuntaya Foundation, Inc. (KFI) has agreed during their recent meeting held at the field office of Non-Violent Peace Force to support the ongoing peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The alliance also called for the end to “Rido” or family or clan feuds in Maguindanao.
The Datu Piang Alliance for Peace has adopted the theme: “The People of Datu Piang support the peace process and call for unity and solidarity”.
They also organized the Walk for Peace on April 26, 2011, whose purpose is to show concern and support for peace in Mindanao in general and in Maguindanao in particular.
Organizers described the walk for peace as an expression of the desire of all residents of Datu Piang for a long lasting peace in Mindanao.
The parade will start at 8:00am and winds up to 11:00am. It will mill around the town and culminates at the town plaza where a short program will be held.
This was disclosed to the media by Abdulbasit “Bobby” Benito, convenor and in charge of mass media for this activity.
Edward Diestro, Information Officer of Local Government of Unit of Datu Piang said during the radio interview over DXMY last Saturday by BCJP Executive Director Benito that it is expected that people from all walks of life, including women, religious sectors both Muslim and Christian, youths, civil society organizations, non-government organization, international non-government organization with field offices in Datu Piang, peoples will join the parade.
Also expected to join are government employees of the town.
Mayor Uy appealed to all citizens to join the activity.
The organizers also invited Atty. Zen Malang, Executive Director, Mindanao Human Rights Action Center ((MinHRAC) and to make the opening statement.
The invitation was signed by Guaimel M. Alim of CBCS, Fr. Lino Razon, OMI, of St. Teresita Parish Priest, Ustadz Macmod Tuan of Datu Piang, Edward Diestro, and Abbdulbasit R. Benito, requesting him to make the opening remark.
Benedick John Paul Z. Carandang, ABC President of Datu Piang municipality, expressed his support and has urged all the barangay chairmen of Datu Piang to participate in the activity.
In a related development, the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP), in collaboration with the Bangsamoro Civil Society, is also sponsoring a similar activity, dubbed as “Send-Off Caravan for Just Peace”, as a gesture of support to the MILF peace panel which is slated to leave on April 25 to attend the 21st GPH-MILF peace talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 27-28-, 2011.
The caravan will be on April 26, 2011, following this route: from Marhaban, Salimbao Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, towards Cotabato City, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Talayan, Shariff Aguak, Esperanza, Isulan, Tacurong, Pres. Quirino, Buluan, Datu Paglas, Bagontapay, Makilala, Kidapawan, Matalam, Kabacan, Datu Montawal, Pagalungan, Pikit, Aleosan, Midsayap, Libungan, Pigcawayan and return to place of origin.
The assembly time will be 6:00 AM and the caravan will start moving at exactly 7:00 AM.
April 23, 2011 - The local government of Datu Piang in Maguindanao led by Mayor Hadji Samer K. Uy, in partnership with the Bangsamoro Civil Society, Muslim and Christian religious leaders, leaders of internally displaced persons (IDPs), BCJP-Tiyakap Kawagib, Kadtuntaya Foundation, Inc. (KFI) has agreed during their recent meeting held at the field office of Non-Violent Peace Force to support the ongoing peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The alliance also called for the end to “Rido” or family or clan feuds in Maguindanao.
The Datu Piang Alliance for Peace has adopted the theme: “The People of Datu Piang support the peace process and call for unity and solidarity”.
They also organized the Walk for Peace on April 26, 2011, whose purpose is to show concern and support for peace in Mindanao in general and in Maguindanao in particular.
Organizers described the walk for peace as an expression of the desire of all residents of Datu Piang for a long lasting peace in Mindanao.
The parade will start at 8:00am and winds up to 11:00am. It will mill around the town and culminates at the town plaza where a short program will be held.
This was disclosed to the media by Abdulbasit “Bobby” Benito, convenor and in charge of mass media for this activity.
Edward Diestro, Information Officer of Local Government of Unit of Datu Piang said during the radio interview over DXMY last Saturday by BCJP Executive Director Benito that it is expected that people from all walks of life, including women, religious sectors both Muslim and Christian, youths, civil society organizations, non-government organization, international non-government organization with field offices in Datu Piang, peoples will join the parade.
Also expected to join are government employees of the town.
Mayor Uy appealed to all citizens to join the activity.
The organizers also invited Atty. Zen Malang, Executive Director, Mindanao Human Rights Action Center ((MinHRAC) and to make the opening statement.
The invitation was signed by Guaimel M. Alim of CBCS, Fr. Lino Razon, OMI, of St. Teresita Parish Priest, Ustadz Macmod Tuan of Datu Piang, Edward Diestro, and Abbdulbasit R. Benito, requesting him to make the opening remark.
Benedick John Paul Z. Carandang, ABC President of Datu Piang municipality, expressed his support and has urged all the barangay chairmen of Datu Piang to participate in the activity.
In a related development, the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP), in collaboration with the Bangsamoro Civil Society, is also sponsoring a similar activity, dubbed as “Send-Off Caravan for Just Peace”, as a gesture of support to the MILF peace panel which is slated to leave on April 25 to attend the 21st GPH-MILF peace talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 27-28-, 2011.
The caravan will be on April 26, 2011, following this route: from Marhaban, Salimbao Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, towards Cotabato City, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Talayan, Shariff Aguak, Esperanza, Isulan, Tacurong, Pres. Quirino, Buluan, Datu Paglas, Bagontapay, Makilala, Kidapawan, Matalam, Kabacan, Datu Montawal, Pagalungan, Pikit, Aleosan, Midsayap, Libungan, Pigcawayan and return to place of origin.
The assembly time will be 6:00 AM and the caravan will start moving at exactly 7:00 AM.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
NPP-BCJP intensifies its community based HR programs
By Muhammad Musa
April 13, 2011 - The Nonviolent Peaceforce Philippines (NPP) and the Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace Inc. (BCJP) are intensifying their Human Rights (HR) program in the grassroots level through organizing rigid seminars and trainings in the community that were commonly affected by conflict and prone to human rights violations.
In terms of capacity building, theNPPis supportingthe BCJP’s Tiyakap Kagawib (Care for Rights), a local grassroots monitor led by a civilian group, which has been setup in several areas in Mindanao.
The NPP and the BCJP are working towards peace and human rights.
In February 2011, NPP, in collaboration with BCJP, hosted a “basic human rights training” in its field office in Datu Piang, Maguindanao. The training targeted both NPP’s partners such as the Annisa Peace Organisation (APO), Magungaya Mindanao Inc.(MMI) and their local monitoring structure, the Tiyakap Kawagib.
The participants came from the municipalities of Datu Piang, Mamasapano, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Guindulungan, Maguindanao.
The presenters in the trainings were members of NPP’sMaguindanao field team from its Conflict Prevention Program, the NPP’s Main Office based in Cotabato City,the BCJP, and theInstitute for Bangsamoro Studies (IBS), Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus (MPC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Monitoring Team (IMT).
Abdulbasit R. Benito, the BCJP Executive Director, said that their partnership with NPP was not limited to trainings,it includes making of publication andpeace-building activities.
The NPP is also supporting the efforts of BCJP and the Kadtuntaya Foundation Incorporated (KFI) to organize a ‘peace walk’ in Datu Piang, Maguindanao aimed at providing space for dialogue with the local government units, religious leaders, IDP leaders and business community members.
Nonviolent Peaceforce is an unarmedcivilian peacekeeping force that is invited to work in conflict zones worldwide. NP is sent to conflict areas to prevent death and destruction and protect human rights, thus creating the space for local groups to struggle nonviolently, enter into dialogue and seek peaceful resolution. They help to maintain ceasefires and advance the peace process. The Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace is a human rights and peace advocate organization that operates in Central Mindanao and founded in 2004. It is a founding member of the Center for JustPeace in Asia, (CJPA) a network of an interfaith peace movement in South Asia based in Hong Kong andis an active member of the Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC) and the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society-Kutawato Regional Management Center (KRMC).
BCJP along withother Moro civil society and non government organizations is supporting the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace process.
April 13, 2011 - The Nonviolent Peaceforce Philippines (NPP) and the Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace Inc. (BCJP) are intensifying their Human Rights (HR) program in the grassroots level through organizing rigid seminars and trainings in the community that were commonly affected by conflict and prone to human rights violations.
In terms of capacity building, theNPPis supportingthe BCJP’s Tiyakap Kagawib (Care for Rights), a local grassroots monitor led by a civilian group, which has been setup in several areas in Mindanao.
The NPP and the BCJP are working towards peace and human rights.
In February 2011, NPP, in collaboration with BCJP, hosted a “basic human rights training” in its field office in Datu Piang, Maguindanao. The training targeted both NPP’s partners such as the Annisa Peace Organisation (APO), Magungaya Mindanao Inc.(MMI) and their local monitoring structure, the Tiyakap Kawagib.
The participants came from the municipalities of Datu Piang, Mamasapano, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Guindulungan, Maguindanao.
The presenters in the trainings were members of NPP’sMaguindanao field team from its Conflict Prevention Program, the NPP’s Main Office based in Cotabato City,the BCJP, and theInstitute for Bangsamoro Studies (IBS), Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus (MPC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Monitoring Team (IMT).
Abdulbasit R. Benito, the BCJP Executive Director, said that their partnership with NPP was not limited to trainings,it includes making of publication andpeace-building activities.
The NPP is also supporting the efforts of BCJP and the Kadtuntaya Foundation Incorporated (KFI) to organize a ‘peace walk’ in Datu Piang, Maguindanao aimed at providing space for dialogue with the local government units, religious leaders, IDP leaders and business community members.
Nonviolent Peaceforce is an unarmedcivilian peacekeeping force that is invited to work in conflict zones worldwide. NP is sent to conflict areas to prevent death and destruction and protect human rights, thus creating the space for local groups to struggle nonviolently, enter into dialogue and seek peaceful resolution. They help to maintain ceasefires and advance the peace process. The Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace is a human rights and peace advocate organization that operates in Central Mindanao and founded in 2004. It is a founding member of the Center for JustPeace in Asia, (CJPA) a network of an interfaith peace movement in South Asia based in Hong Kong andis an active member of the Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC) and the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society-Kutawato Regional Management Center (KRMC).
BCJP along withother Moro civil society and non government organizations is supporting the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace process.
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