In a public display of solidarity, Muslim Filipino groups
and civil society organizations recently gathered to reaffirm their commitment
to the peace process and the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL)
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), led the
"Walk for Peace" from the NCMF office to the House of Representatives
in Batasan, Quezon City
They were joined by representatives from Anak Mindanao
(AMIN) Partylist, Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN), CODE-NGO, UP
Institute of Islamic Studies and other CSOs.
The NCMF, AMIN Partylist, YMPN, CODE-NGO and other Moro CSOs
have publicly declared its support for President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s
call on Congress to approve the Mindanao peace
process by passing the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
In a statement, they implored the public to not allow the
deaths of those who were pursuing peace and security to go in vain. “Lasting
peace remains to be our only option. Let us continue to be steadfast and
vigilant in giving peace a chance,” NCMF said.
Various groups, through their representatives, echoed the
same sentiments and calls as the congregation gathered outside the South gate
of the House of Representatives.
NCMF Undersecretary Yasmin Busran-Lao thanked all the groups
and individuals who participated in the 'Walk for Peace' and called upon
lawmakers to help ensure the passage of the BBL. “Sana Sana
For Sister Maria Arnold Noel, a Catholic nun and peace
advocate renowned for her support to the Muslim cause said that the Mamasapano
tragedy is a wake-up call to the country and its people who do not heed
history.“Kung meron sanang kapayapaan, ‘di sana
nangyari ‘yung Mamasapano (If there was peace in Mindanao ,
then Mamasapano would not have happened),” she said.“ The BBL is a key in
correcting the historical injustices that causes the violence in Bangsamoro.”
AMIN Party List Advocacy Officer Norhaya Macusang, likened
the BBL to a meal that has taken ages to prepare to make sure that all the
ingredients are there and in the right amount.“Pinaghandaan ito ng 17 years.
Niluluto na, pero may mga nagnanais na bawasan ang sangkap o pigilan ang
pagkain dito (This peace deal has been cooking for 17 years, and when we are
about to finish there are some who want to remove key ingridients or prevent it
from being served),” she lamented.
UPISS Professor Aisha Flores-Malayang compared their cause
to stoking the flames of a different kind of fire --- a “Lagablab ng
Kapayapaan,” a fire that does not cause pain but heals, she said. “Ipaalam
natin na may mga alternatibong solusyon sa all-out war (The public has to know
that there is an alternative to all-out war).”
YMPN Secetary General Alamira Alonto, who was among the
final speakers, summed up the relevance of the event. “‘Walk for Peace’ is a
meaningful event that symbolizes that the journey to peace takes collective
effort. The journey may not be smooth-sailing, but those who aspire and believe
that we can achieve peace, will walk together (even the extra mile) to reach
our shared goal: para sa ating iisang mithiing kapayapaan (for the peace that
we all yearn),” she declared. “No turning back, no backing out from the
commitment to peace.”
She asserted that they will continue to stand for peace in
honor of their ancestors’ struggle and in service of this generation and the
next. Alonto also reiterated the long-term benefit of the BBL – a notion that
seems lost to its critics.
“Ang BBL para sa amin, ay 'Bangsamoro Bukas para sa Lahat'
(BBL for us mean, 'Bangsamoro is tomorrow for all'). Ito ay para sa kinabukasan
ng lahat ng Pilipino (This is for the future of all Filipinos)." We remind
our lawmakers that your children, the young generation today, us the youth will
bear the brunt or reap the benefits of your decision on the BBL or the peace
process, she said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=758234
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.