The Mindanao-wide direct actions and activities supporting calls for the immediate passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) kicked off yesterday in various parts of Mindanao with more than 700 peace advocates running for “Just and Dignified Peace”.
In Cotabato
City, the more than 700 peace advocates and members of Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs) joined the run that started at the People’s Palace at the
City Hall here up to the City Plaza.
Wearing
green shirts, the participants called on Congress for the immediate enactment
of the BBL for the peace process to continue and eventually end the decade-old
armed conflicts in Mindanao .
Professor Raby
Angkal, spokesperson of Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP) said that the
participants to the run came from the city and the towns of Sultan Kudarat and
Datu Odin Sinsuat.
“The series
of activities was designed to support the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the peace
process,” Angkal pointed out, adding that what they are asking Congress is for
the passage of the BBL that is true to its substance and content as submitted
by President Benigno S. Aquino to Congress.
Angkal also
expressed optimism that Congress will be able to pass the proposed law.
Similar activity
was also launched in the province
of North Cotabato
Antao said
peace advocates from the towns of Carmen and Kabacan converged in Pikit to join
the Mindanao-wide calls for the passage of BBL.
In Davao City ,
CSOs also spearheaded the peace run that started at the Rizal
Park in front of Davao
City hall up to Magsaysay Park
MAP was
joined by other CSOs during the activity that included the Maranao People
Development Center (MARADECA) and the Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC).
“Philippine
Congress should be open to the Bangsamoro. Many countries all over the world
recognize the right to self-determination of minority nations. The BBL will
bring peace to Mindanao and hopefully end the
armed conflict which cost the government huge funds to finance the war. Peace
will bring prosperity not only to Mindanao but
to the whole country,” said Salic Ibrahim, executive director of MARADECA in a
statement sent to the media.
After the
peace run, more activities are slated by the CSOs in Mindanao that include a
Mindanao-wide caravan on April 25 and the torch parade in every province on
April 27.
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