Archbishop of Cotabato Cardinal Oscar Quevedo address the Moro leaders and Christian leaders during the two-day peace dialogue held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on September 27 and 28. Photo by Lilian C Mellejor/PNA
DAVAO CITY -- Christian leaders from the core territory of the soon-to-be-created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have presented to Moro leaders a 17-point Christian Settlers Peace Agenda for the Bangsamoro Peace Process aimed at addressing concerns affecting Christian communities.
The Christians for Peace in Maguindanao initiated a series of dialogues that produced the 17-point agenda. Organizers said these dialogues were conducted in North Cotabato, Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Basilan, and Sulu.
Rev. Father Clifford Baira, executive director of the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Cotabato, said the dialogue was aimed at engaging peace stakeholders, especially the minority Christians, and to help lay the foundation of an inclusive peace process.
Baira presented the group's 17-point agenda during the two-day Moro-Christian Leaders Peace Dialogue held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on September 27- 28.
According to Baira, the Christians for Peace is composed of the Archdiocese of Cotabato, Evangelical Churches in the Philippines, Episcopal Church in the Philippines, Prelature of Marawi, Prelature of Isabela, local government of Upi, Radio Mindanao Network Cotabato, the Office of the Deputy Governor for Christian Affairs, and the United Nations Development Fund.
He said the agenda included peace and security, electoral governance, socioeconomic, and socio-cultural issues.
Basic rights
The two-day dialogue was attended by Moro leaders Al Hajj Murad Ibrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF Implementing Peace Panel; Yusoph Jikiri of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF); and Christian leaders led by Archbishop of Cotabato Bishop Orlando Quevedo and Bishop Noel Pantoja of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.
Among the issues tackled during the peace dialogue was the security and protection of persons and communities against harassment from lawless elements and abusive persons in authority.
Iqbal said issues on national defense and security, public order and safety, and basic rights are provided in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
Iqbal, however, noted that policing still remains in the hands of the national government, although the MILF official assured that the Bangsamoro government will ensure that the rights of all residents will be protected.
Equality
On equitable and proportional representation in the Bangsamoro government for the Christian minority, Iqbal said the first priority that will be considered is competence. Geographical representation, he added, will only be secondary.
He said Christian leaders have also requested the Bangsamoro government to issue an anti-discriminatory policy regarding hiring and appointment of Christian professionals in the Bangsamoro ministries and offices; strict implementation of election laws; and the institutionalization of the massive electoral education.
Iqbal assured the BOL has enough guarantees against discrimination.
Under the socioeconomic agenda, the Christians for Peace also asked for the protection of legally-acquired lands and properties of Christian settlers; the creation of a mechanism for the protection of Christian-owned lands that are subject to land conversion; and the adoption of more aggressive measures for the settlement of land conflicts.
The group also asked for an enabling law that would guarantee the protection and respect of human person and communities; the issuance of a policy directive on freedom of religion and religious discrimination to correct misinformation and misconception on the Christian settlers; and a comprehensive program and financial support for Christian education.
Continuing dialogue
Iqbal acknowledged that dialogue with Christian groups remains "important and crucial."
Interfaith dialogue, he said, also ensures that residents in the future Bangsamoro entity are rid of biases and misinformation.
He added that the people would be the final arbiter of the BOL, which will be submitted for ratification of the people on Jan. 2, 2019.
“If it is not ratified, then there is no law and we are back to status quo and uncertainty,” Iqbal said.
Murad also welcomed the holding of the Moro-Christian Leaders Peace Dialogue, saying it will help "clear misunderstanding on the establishment of the Bangsamoro Government and address apprehensions by some quarters, especially among Christians."
"It is the only way. The solution is to talk, conduct a series of dialogues among Muslims, Christians, IPs (Indigenous Peoples) and other people in the area," Murad said in an interview on the sidelines of the activity.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1049390
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