A delegation from the Karen National Union (KNU) and Karen Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Myanmar travelled to Central Mindanao on November 10, 2014 to familiarize themselves on the success of the GPH-MILF Peace Process that led to the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro on October 2012 and the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) signed on March 27, 2014. They visited Cotabato City, Maguindanao and North Cotabato.
Their coming to Mindanao was organized in collaboration with Mary Ann M. Arnado, founder of the Bantay Ceasefire, a grassroots monitor of Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC).
The exposure visits aims to assist the KNU and Karen civil society groups in deepening their knowledge and understanding on the peace process and keep abreast on the ceasefire monitoring systems and strategies, thus allowing them to draw lessons that could be particularly useful in their aspiration for right to self-determination in their country.
The foreign delegates were interested in learning the experiences of Bantay Ceasefire (BC) volunteers of Maguindanao and North Cotabato in particular as this could help them in formulating ceasefire mechanisms that could be implemented back home.
Fr. Roberto “Bert” Layson, OMI head of the Oblate Missionary Foundation-Inter Religious Dialogue (OMF-IRD) and founding member of Bantay Ceasefire admitted that being a Bantay Ceasefire volunteer is really a tough job.
“Bantay Ceasefire work is not an easy job. We have to take the risks in the name of peace.” said Layson.
“We are the instruments and bridge of unity and reconciliation rather than conflict and division.” he explained.
Kawkasa Saw Aung Win Shwe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of KNU appreciated the dedication and commitment of the BC volunteers in their very risky field monitoring works.
“Bantay Ceasefire volunteers are well-organized, have strong belief in peace and very active in monitoring the GPH-MILF ceasefire violations.” he said.
“I really appreciate the learnings from the actual experiences of BC volunteers. Hopefully, these learnings and experiences that we acquire here can be our tools in monitoring ceasefire when we have our ceasefire mechanisms in Myanmar.” he added.
Hadji Noor Ahmad or known as “Bapa Joe”, a senior member of Bantay Ceasefire said that choosing Bantay Ceasefire as a model of peace building work is something all members can be proud of.
“It’s a great opportunity for all members to have been chosen by this delegation as example of peace builders”. The Bantay Ceasefire volunteers mostly civilians and residents of communities became the instrument of peace.” said Ahmad.
“The contribution of the Bantay Ceasefire in the GPH-MILF peace agreement in resolving the decades-old conflict in Mindanao towards the attainment of genuine peace cannot be denied.” he added.
He further stressed that during the signing of both the FAB and CAB in Malacañang, no less than the MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim Al Hadj mentioned and acclaimed the efforts and contribution of MPC as program owner of the Bantay Ceasefire in their peace advocacy works.
Bantay Ceasefire had played a significant role in the prevalence of genuine peace and reconciliation in the conflict affected areas of Bangsamoro for more than a decade. It has been one of the effective partners of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) of the GPH-MILF in their conflict monitoring work and interventions.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1344-myanmar’s-karen-national-union’s-delegation-visits-mindanao
The exposure visits aims to assist the KNU and Karen civil society groups in deepening their knowledge and understanding on the peace process and keep abreast on the ceasefire monitoring systems and strategies, thus allowing them to draw lessons that could be particularly useful in their aspiration for right to self-determination in their country.
The foreign delegates were interested in learning the experiences of Bantay Ceasefire (BC) volunteers of Maguindanao and North Cotabato in particular as this could help them in formulating ceasefire mechanisms that could be implemented back home.
Fr. Roberto “Bert” Layson, OMI head of the Oblate Missionary Foundation-Inter Religious Dialogue (OMF-IRD) and founding member of Bantay Ceasefire admitted that being a Bantay Ceasefire volunteer is really a tough job.
“Bantay Ceasefire work is not an easy job. We have to take the risks in the name of peace.” said Layson.
“We are the instruments and bridge of unity and reconciliation rather than conflict and division.” he explained.
Kawkasa Saw Aung Win Shwe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of KNU appreciated the dedication and commitment of the BC volunteers in their very risky field monitoring works.
“Bantay Ceasefire volunteers are well-organized, have strong belief in peace and very active in monitoring the GPH-MILF ceasefire violations.” he said.
“I really appreciate the learnings from the actual experiences of BC volunteers. Hopefully, these learnings and experiences that we acquire here can be our tools in monitoring ceasefire when we have our ceasefire mechanisms in Myanmar.” he added.
Hadji Noor Ahmad or known as “Bapa Joe”, a senior member of Bantay Ceasefire said that choosing Bantay Ceasefire as a model of peace building work is something all members can be proud of.
“It’s a great opportunity for all members to have been chosen by this delegation as example of peace builders”. The Bantay Ceasefire volunteers mostly civilians and residents of communities became the instrument of peace.” said Ahmad.
“The contribution of the Bantay Ceasefire in the GPH-MILF peace agreement in resolving the decades-old conflict in Mindanao towards the attainment of genuine peace cannot be denied.” he added.
He further stressed that during the signing of both the FAB and CAB in Malacañang, no less than the MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim Al Hadj mentioned and acclaimed the efforts and contribution of MPC as program owner of the Bantay Ceasefire in their peace advocacy works.
Bantay Ceasefire had played a significant role in the prevalence of genuine peace and reconciliation in the conflict affected areas of Bangsamoro for more than a decade. It has been one of the effective partners of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) of the GPH-MILF in their conflict monitoring work and interventions.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1344-myanmar’s-karen-national-union’s-delegation-visits-mindanao
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