Gensan stakeholders talk about sustainable peace in a forum

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 26, 2019): Gensan stakeholders talk about sustainable peace in a forum

General Santos City – Various stakeholders composed of local government officials, religious leaders, youth, members of the academe, the military, and police among others talked about sustainable peace in a forum Thursday at the Oval Covered Court here.

The activity titled: “Panaghiusa sa Kalinaw: A Multi-Stakeholder Peace Forum Towards Sustainable Peace in Gensan” aimed to sustain peace and order in the city and strengthen unity among the people regardless of religious and political beliefs.

Mayor Ronnel Rivera, in his message of commitment, talked about the challenges to the peace and order not only of Gensan but the entire region in general, and how elusive peace is in Mindanao.

“Alam natin na medyo elusive ang kapayapaan sa buong Mindanao, matahimik lang ng konti maya-maya meron na namang problema, meron na namang challenges… but I think hindi imposible na makamit natin yan kung tayo’y magkaisa, parehas sa ginagawa natin ngayon, pagkanunay nga naa tay ing-ani nga mga inisyatibo or mga undertaking. I believe as your Mayor, in due time we will achieve the lasting peace diri sa ato sa Mindanao,” he said.

(We know that peace is a bit elusive in Mindanao, it only lasts for a while then another problem comes in, another challenge..but I think peace is not impossible to achieve when we are united, when we are doing initiatives like this. I believe as your Mayor, in due time we will achieve lasting peace here in Mindanao)

In the same event, the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Gensan represented by Lt. Col. Hasbi Jamalol and Capt. Dave Estornino discussed about Peace and Order and countering violent extremism where details about threats and violence in the city were presented.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) through Police Senior Inspector Renato Dungcan talked about their programs and activities and their initiatives in the detection and prevention of terrorist groups in the city as well as their efforts in maintaining peace and order.

Father Ariel Destora, Director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Marbel also shared the initiatives of the religious group especially among Catholics. He said religious sectors are now involved in peace efforts especially after the bombing of the Jolo Cathedral.

Sheik Ibrahim Andang Jr. who talked about the Role of Muslims in Peace Building, and Dr. Anshari P. Ali the Chancellor of the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Gensan both represented the Muslim community.

The Maguindanao Development Foundation Inc. was also one of the collaborators of the said peace forum.

Meanwhile, initiatives and practices on peace and security from the different barangays of the city were also shared in a presentation.

The multi-stakeholder peace forum capped off with messages of support and a covenant signing led by Mayor Ronnel Rivera.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1018981