Multi-sector groups back resumption of peace talks

The resumption of government’s peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the New People’s Army, armed group of the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines (NDF-CPP) continue to draw support as multi-sectoral groups of Muslims and Christians called on the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to facilitate the immediate resumption of peace talks with the MILF.

In a manifesto sent to newly-installed Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon Jr., the 15 leaders of the People’s Coalition for Peace asked the Muslim secessionist groups and the NPA-NDF-CPP to consider the “option of dialogues, peaceful engagements and the silencing of guns” to bring an atmosphere of peace in the country.

“We firmly believe that all stakeholders should have an optimistic attitude in resolving the conflict,” the manifesto read.

The 15 sectoral leaders cited the need to resolve the long-drawn conflict, especially in Mindanao.

“We are talking about the survival of this country and its future development,” the 15 Muslims and Christian leaders said.

The PCP said they are fully supporting Razon as the new presidential adviser on the peace process.

“We are happy and confident with the efforts of the government, particularly with the appointment of Secretary Razon and the peace panel as a step for achieving peace in the country, especially in southern Philippines,” the PCP said.

The PCP said Razon is highly qualified to lead the government’s efforts for peace in the country.

“Given his (Razon’s) credentials and work experience as former chief of Philippine National Police and being part of the National Security Council, he could contribute a lot in the termination of hostilities in Mindanao and the entire country,” the PCP said.

“The group is very optimistic in the new peace paradigm being pursued by the government through the efforts of its new presidential adviser and his predecessor, ‘peace talks for all-projects for peace,” the manifesto said.

They also expressed their support to the initiative of the government in “conducting grassroots peace dialogues with various stakeholders and giving opportunities to various members of civil societies and the Church to take part in such efforts.”

The signatories of the manifesto include Sultan Mohammad Bano, PCP national chairman; Robertson delos Santos of the Youth League for Peace and Advancement and Development; Princess Jacel Kiram of the Youth and Student Power for Peace; Menchu Tabano of Ang Babae Ngayon, Inc.; Adel Lazaro of Akbay Pinoy of the overseas Filipino workers (OFW); Ricardo Lofranco of Brigada ng Mamamayan para sa Kapayapaan; and Ramil Libornio of People’s Action and Response Against Terrorism.

Others as: Sheikh Shirad Manggis of the Muslim Peace and Order Coordinating Council; Sultan Sohaily Tanandato of the National Federation of Police Accredited Muslim NGO; Danny Quines of the Monitoring Group of the Philippines; Mavic Paguntalan of the Peace for Development; Letty Granito of Lakas at Gabay para sa Kababaihan; former councilor Cita Astals; Nolan Tiongco of Peoples Action and Response Against Corruption and Poverty; and Colins Asilo of the Coalition for Democracy and Reform.