A Group of the Mennonite Church Canada (MCC) represented by Wendy Kroeker, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) represented by its National Director Bishop Efraim M. Tendero together with PeaceBuilder’s Community, Inc. (PBCI) headed by their President and CEO Rev. L. Daniel Alba Pantoja came in town and dialogued with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel headed by Chairman Mohagher Iqbal on May 15, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI), Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. The delegation comprising 11 men and 7 young women including Wendy Kroaker looked even more beautiful in their colourful hijabs. One can feel the pleasant atmosphere inside the activity hall while the group stayed and interacted with MILF officials in just a matter of two hours.
MCC and PCEC, through PBCI, have been advocating for the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro for the past seven years. Currently, they are working with other organizations including Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) in advancing the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).
They have been publishing official statements in support to the MILF-GPH Peace Talk. In a while, Chairman Mohagher Iqbal briefed the visitors on the progress of the peace process and the Moro struggle. On his part, Bishop Ephraim Tendero of PCEC shared his views on the peace process and unequivocably expressed his church’s commitment to supporting the GPH-MILF peace negotiation.
Bishop Tendero is known as an staunch advocate of peace in Mindanao and has a sense of humor.
With his occasional jokes; laughters from the attendees and giggles from among the young women where heard inside the hall, thus making the dialogue even more lively. For the young ladies some of whom are in their early or late teens, meeting revolutionaries like Chairman Iqbal and his group who are partners in search for peace in Mindanao is one they will cherish and an experience they cannot forget in their lifetime.
Expectedly, once they have returned to their respective homes and communities a never ending stories shall be told and retold about their enagaements with the MILF heirarcy.
The purpose of their visit were to personally re-affirm the support of PCEC and MCC to the GPH-MILF Peace Talks, specifically advocating for the successful implementation of the FAB and the signing of its Annexes; listen and document statements from the MILF Peace Panel regarding their assessment of the role of religious bodies, like PCEC and MCC and how the Church can help in the peace process between the GPH and the MILF; explore the possibility of PCEC and MCC participation through the PBCI in meeting the transitional justice needs on the ground as part of the on-going peace process between the two panels.
During the forum and on the question on how the church can help in the peace process, Prof. Abhoud Syeed Mansor Lingga said that, “The churche should enlighten the people in the government on the urgency of completing the peace process”.
Dato Antonio Kinok, MILF alternate peace panel member representing the indigenous peoples said that “The churches should urge both GPH and MILF to be sincere in resolving this century-old problem in Mindanao”. On the other hand, Atty, Naguib Sinarimbo of the MILF Technical Working Group (TWG) said that, “The role of the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and the Church is to stress to both GPH and MILF to conclude real peace as soon as possible”. Iqbal said and emphasized the need for the church to engage in the communities, media, and the political leaders to work together to support the peace process”.
PeaceBuilders Community, Inc., the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, and the Mennonite Church Canada are all committed to the smooth advancement of the Framework Agreement. “We are with you in prayers and in active advocacy to its success”, Rev. Pantoja said. He added that, “ we will all pray that very soon a comprehensive peace agreement will be reached and
effectively implemented with genuine justice for all”.
Also present in the brief but fruitful interactions were MILF TransCom members Timuay Melencio Ulama, Sayed Sheik, Sonny Davao. Atty Haron Meling from the Office of Chairman Iqbal and Jun Mantawil, Chair of the MILF Peace Panel General Secretariat were also present. Former Maguindanao Vice Governor Datu Kharis Baraguir also attended.. Arland Abubakkar of Luwaran who was invited to join the workshops on FASTRAC held earlier in the day at the BLMI training hall was also around and documented the activity.
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