Kalilintad Peacebuilding Institute (KPI) held Focus Group Discussion at Pagana Kutawato Restaurant,
The program
started with the reading of some verses of the Holy Qur’an by Sheikh Abusama
Abad. Prof Salik Abdullah, KPI Chief Operating Officer, said in his
opening and welcome address that, “Kalilintad means working hand-in-hand for
peace that starts within us.”
He also
acknowledged the presence of important guests, Mr. Richard D. Arceño, Muslim
Aid-Philippine Branch Country Programme Manager; Atty. Haron S. Meling, BTC
Chief Executive Assistant; and Marlon Peter F. Dedomo, Director of Media
Bureau, OPAPP-Cotabato, Mr. Akmad T. Agao, KPI Assistant to the Executive
Director, and participants.
KPI
Executive Director Prof Esmael A. Abdula presented and discussed the vision,
mission and objectives of KPI. “We need to work together to establish genuine
peaceful community and achieve equitable peace, justice and development for all
people throughout country”, said Abdula.
Abdula
explained the mechanics of the Focus Group Discussion. “There would be
three possible scenarios on the fate of BBL in congress that need to be
included in designing program of activities: first, Congress may pass a good
and acceptable BBL for MILF and Bangsamoro people; second, they will pass a
diluted BBL; and third, there might be no legislated BBL. Should anyone of
these happen, let us be ready and maximize our collaborative efforts in
building peace in our communities”, he emphasized.
BTC Chief
Executive Assistant Atty Haron Meling gave updates on GPH-MILF Peace Process
through Power Point Presentation. He presented the Background of the GPH-MILF
Peace Process, Signing of FAB, CAB, the BBL Agreed Version, Major Changes
Introduced in House Bill 5811, the unfulfilled commitment of legislators to
pass the BBL agreed version on December 16, 2015, Plan B on BBL, Back
channeling and the MILF stand on the BBL.
Meling said
that, “Whether there is an approved BBL or not, MILF must continue seeking
peace. MILF will no longer fight with the Philippine Government through arms;
provided, the signed agreements would be implemented. But the MILF must
continue asserting its to ‘right to self-determination’ by all means”.
“A good
Bangsamoro inhabitant is empowered. Before he decides, he must first understand
the situation. Therefore, there is no substitute for empowered Bangsamoro”,
Atty Meling emphasized.
The
community and CSO representatives presented their 1 Year Action Plan on Peace
Forum and Capacity Building covering the provinces of Maguindanao, North
Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat and in Tacurong
City and Cotabato City
OPPAP
Cotabao Media Bureau Director Marlon Peter Dedomo, “I would like to
congratulate you for this noble peace initiatives and peace gains we have
achieved throughout our undying efforts in the quest for lasting peace.”
Dedomo told
participants to continue advocating peace. “We should not be convinced of those
warmongers living outside Mindanao where they do not know and experience the
real situation here in Mindanao ”, Dedomo
stressed.
Muslim
Aid-Philippine Branch Country Programme Manager Arceño introduced the birth of
Muslim Aid and its programs on Education, Livelihood and Health.” This program
prioritizes the orphans, impoverished people, women, persons with disability
and victims of calamities”, he said. He told participants that he found
prospective NGO partner in helping people. He was thankful for having been
invited in the group discussion.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/new/item/779-kpi-holds-focus-group-discussion
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