UCAN report: Peace negotiations between the government and Muslim rebels expected to resume after Ramadan have raised hopes of success among Catholic bishops in the southern Philippines.
“Our hopes are very high that the present government and rebel peace panels will be able to sign a comprehensive peace agreement,” said Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Cotabato.
He suggested, however, that the government include representatives of tribal communities and other sectors in Mindanao in the advisory panel that President Benigno Aquino III plans to form for the peace process.
“It is wise to include indigenous peoples in Mindanao because they are also affected by the conflict” on Mindanao and Sulu group of islands in the south, Bishop Bagaforo said. Those who will sit in the advisory body should come from “contested and conflict areas” in the region.
In Cagayan de Oro City, north of Cotabato, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma has entered into a partnership with the Philippine Army and a non-government organization to promote a “culture of peace.”
“Peace transcends boundaries. All our efforts of peace-building should go beyond religion, culture and status,” Archbishop Ledesma said in a statement posted on the website of the Catholic bishops’ conference.
He said the archdiocese will work with the military and the NGO Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc. to synchronize efforts “to promote and build lasting peace in Mindanao.”
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) formed in the 1970s to fight for the establishment of an Islamic state in a claimed Moro (Philippine Muslim) homeland, has been engaged in on-and-off peace talks with government since 1997.
Formal negotiations last stalled in 2008 when rogue MILF commanders allegedly launched attacks across Mindanao after the Supreme Court ruled a proposed deal they wanted signed was unconstitutional.
On Tuesday MILF called on the government to hold back military activities in ceasefire areas as Ramadan ends around Aug. 10.
“We appealed to the government not to conduct military activities, as much as possible, all over Mindanao… as the Islamic faithful in the area are going to intensify their religious activities in the remaining days of Ramadan,” said Said Sheikh, chairman of the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities.
Aquino has declared this Friday to allow Filipino Muslims, including guerillas, to prepare for and celebrate Id al-Fitr marking the end of Ramadan
http://www.ucanews.com/2010/09/07/mindanao-catholics-hopeful-over-muslim-peace-deal/
He suggested, however, that the government include representatives of tribal communities and other sectors in Mindanao in the advisory panel that President Benigno Aquino III plans to form for the peace process.
“It is wise to include indigenous peoples in Mindanao because they are also affected by the conflict” on Mindanao and Sulu group of islands in the south, Bishop Bagaforo said. Those who will sit in the advisory body should come from “contested and conflict areas” in the region.
In Cagayan de Oro City, north of Cotabato, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma has entered into a partnership with the Philippine Army and a non-government organization to promote a “culture of peace.”
“Peace transcends boundaries. All our efforts of peace-building should go beyond religion, culture and status,” Archbishop Ledesma said in a statement posted on the website of the Catholic bishops’ conference.
He said the archdiocese will work with the military and the NGO Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc. to synchronize efforts “to promote and build lasting peace in Mindanao.”
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) formed in the 1970s to fight for the establishment of an Islamic state in a claimed Moro (Philippine Muslim) homeland, has been engaged in on-and-off peace talks with government since 1997.
Formal negotiations last stalled in 2008 when rogue MILF commanders allegedly launched attacks across Mindanao after the Supreme Court ruled a proposed deal they wanted signed was unconstitutional.
On Tuesday MILF called on the government to hold back military activities in ceasefire areas as Ramadan ends around Aug. 10.
“We appealed to the government not to conduct military activities, as much as possible, all over Mindanao… as the Islamic faithful in the area are going to intensify their religious activities in the remaining days of Ramadan,” said Said Sheikh, chairman of the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities.
Aquino has declared this Friday to allow Filipino Muslims, including guerillas, to prepare for and celebrate Id al-Fitr marking the end of Ramadan
http://www.ucanews.com/2010/09/07/mindanao-catholics-hopeful-over-muslim-peace-deal/
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