A pleasant and friendly meeting occurred between leaders of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and representatives of Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) when the latter visited the Moro Front’s Administrative Camp in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao in August 2, 2017, Wednesday morning.
The delegation of church leaders was warmly welcomed by MILF Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim along with members of the MILF Central Committee and Grand Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan, who himself a member of the central Committee.
The visitors from PCEC were Bishop Noel A. Pantoja, Dr. Aldrin Penamora, Prof.Lorenzo Bautista, Nasalli Silava, Pastor Val Juan and from Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement Mr.Habbas Camendan.
The main reason for the visit was to establish and strengthen relationship between Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches. Dialogue can develop commonality in between religions that will propagate understanding and tolerance to avoid prejudices.
The PCEC group also made clarification and explained on the issue that was sensationalized with regards to the distribution of Christian Bible along with relief goods to evacuees in Iligan City brought about by the Marawi siege. It was the subject of Editorial of Luwaran (July 8, 2017).
Bishop Noel Pantoja said “PCEC having 78 Denominations conducted a fact-finding investigation on the situation.”
Based on the narrative gathered, Dr. Aldrin Penamora said, a Pastor, who is a half Maranaw went with a group to distribute relief goods to Iligan evacuation centers.
He is known in the community, and thinking his bringing of few copies of Maranaw-translated Bible will not be seen as offensive by relatives, he shared some copies to them.
After the few copies were distributed, some people were still asking so, he thought of bringing more copies during the next distribution of relief goods. It was then that unpleasant reactions outpoured.
Admittedly, bringing those religious scriptures were of the wrong timing. The religious group came to humble themselves, asking forgiveness for the mistake. They appreciate what was written in the Luwaran Editorial, and agreed that correcting the situation can better the relationship.
With the intention of finding ways to support the peace goal, the PCEC delegation committed themselves to cooperate in advocating that the answer to the problem is the passage of BBL in the legislative.
Both MILF and PCEC acknowledged the need to converge with the aim in view that the constituents will understand more of the process in going through a viable political resolution which is the key to just and sustainable peace, and could be an effective counter extremism. Hence, an interfaith core group is perceived and agreed to be formed as a way forward to harmonization, cooperation and understanding among religions.
Every one prays that tragic situation such as Marawi siege will not happen again in any part of the country.
Unfortunate incidents propelled by extremists through misinterpretation of some verses of the Noble Qur-an caused the young people to be misled. In addition, in the context of disappointment over the non-passage of BBL, radicalization has a certain allure for disillusioned group, the Chairman Ebrahim pointed .
MILF Chairman Ebrahim and Central Committee members gratefully thanked the delegation for their expression of support, and assured them of continued partnership, not only working for Bangsamoro but for entire people and to serve everybody.
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/949/philippine-council-of-evangelical-churches-representatives----meet-milf-leadership
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