Korean peace group to erect peace monument in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - A Korean peace group will erect a peace monument in Buluan, Maguindanao in recognition of the efforts of the provincial government to foster harmony among Moro, Christian and indigenous Lumad highland communities in the province.

Kim Si Man, manager of the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light, and his Philippine resident coordinator, Joon Park, discussed on Saturday with Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu the plan to construct a symbolic permanent peace icon along a highway in Buluan, the new capital of Maguindanao.

Mangudadatu had earlier attended, on special invitation, an international peace forum  in Seoul which the Korean non-government organization sponsored, attended by peace advocates, national leaders, representatives of the Muslim and non-Muslim religious communities from different countries.

The two Koreans, who met with Mangudadatu at his office in Buluan town in the second district of Maguindanao, both said the monument they are to construct is meant to highlight their organization’s recognition of the provincial government’s peace-building thrusts in a province beset with security challenges.

Park and Man showed Mangudadatu schematic sketches of the peace monument they intended to construct in Buluan, which resembles an eagle perched on a globe, with a universal peace message imposed on the structure.

Park said their entity, which operates in dozens of sovereign states, is elated with how the provincial government has been struggling to foster peace and sustainable development in Maguindanao, which has 36 towns.

Mangudadatu said the visit to Buluan of Park and Man on Saturday was enough to prove that, contrary to perception by outsiders, there is tranquility in the province.

Mangudadatu, also concurrent chair of the provincial peace and order council, said local officials, the police, the military, the traditional datus and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are helping each other keep the fragile peace in Maguindanao.

The governor said the construction of a peace monument by an international Korean peace outfit in Buluan will also boost the confidence of investors on the business atmosphere of the province.