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.