Mohagher Iqbal, chief negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, and government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer were awarded the Fr. William F. Masterson SJ Award during the 76th commencement exercises of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City Thursday.
Iqbal was recognized for his untiring work towards achieving "a negotiated political solution that eschews the ways of extremism and terrorism, and for his unflinching and heartfelt service to bring peace and progress in the country," while Ferrer was honored for her "exemplary contributions to peacebuilding and conflict management" and as a "champion of human rights."
Xavier University president Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ (middle, in photo) bestowed the awards on Iqbal and Ferrer.
Presidential peace adviser Teresita Quintos-Delese, meanwhile, was conferred a doctorate in Humanities, honoris cause for "for her sincere heart and efforts for the welfare of women, the poor, and the marginalized, but most of all for her works in peacebuilding in the country, especially in Mindanao."
Yap acknowledged that several quarters asked whether the peace awards should be given in the wake of the January 25 Mamasapano incident, which saw the peace agreement between the MILF and the government hanging in the balance in the wake of the disastrous Special Action Force operation to get Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias "Marwan," in his hideout in Maguindanao province.
Although Marwan is said to have been killed, so were 44 police commandos, 17 MILF fighters and at least three civilians in the ensuing clash.
Despite the questions about the peace awards, Yap said, "we firmly believe that the answer should be, 'Yes.' There can be no wavering in our commitment for peace and our support to those who work hard and sacrifice a lot to make peace happen."
"Our three awardees are purely committed for peace," he stressed.
Expressing gratitude for the award, Iqbal vowed: "We will not disengage from the peace process, no matter what."
On the issue of MILF camps
Both Iqbal and Ferrer also addressed the issue of MILF camps, which has been raised by some quarters after the military recently questioned the existence of a training camp within Iligan City.
"In deference to the signing of the Framework of Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro, and the (proposed) Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is now in Congress, the normalization process is already underway, that's why we are no longer conducting training, we are not establishing new camps and not recruiting people for our military organization, and we are not acquiring weapons," Iqbal said.
However, he added: "If you have to look at the ceasefire agreement, wala namang sinasabing hindi kami puwedeng mag-training, magpatayo ng kampo, 'di kami puwedeng (bumili) ng armas (nothing says we cannot undertake training, establish camps or buy arms)," he said.
Nevertheless, he stressed, "'di na kami nag-training uli. 'Yung training camp sa Iligan matagal na po 'yan (we have not done any more training. The training camp in Iligan was established a long time ago)".
For her part, Ferrer said, "The decommissioning body is already in place."
She added that the government is expecting sincerity from the MILF in the decommissioning process.
She stressed that the decommissioning of the MILF will not involve a gun buyback but will instead offer livelihood programs, with rebel camps turned into communities that will receive assistance for sustainable development.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/107733/photo--iqbal-ferrer-recognized-by-xavier-u-cagayan-de-oro-for-peace-efforts
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