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FILIPINO FOCUS |
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Vol. XVII × No. 3 MARCH 2005 |
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by Fr. Roberto Layson, OMI A GRASSROOTS PEACE INITIATIVE IN MINDANAO Oblate Missionary Fr Robert Layson reports on a hopeful initiative for peace in the troubled area where he serves. Ginapapala ta ka literally means ‘I bless you’. But it is also an acronym based on the first two letters of the seven barangays of Pikit, which declared themselves as Space for Peace communities and as Children as Zones of Peace last November 29, 2004. The seven barangays are Ginatilan, Nalapaan, Panicupan, Ladtingan, Dalengaoen, Takepan and Kalakakan, all conflict-affected communities inhabited by Muslims, Christians and Lumads. Long process Their decision was a culmination of a long process that included two separate negotiations with the military and MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) Central Committee conducted by the barangay captains of GINAPALAD TA KA and supporting NGOs. The day began with children of GINAPALAD TA KA carrying flaglets as they marched to Takepan National High School where the program was held. The highway was decorated with streamers and ‘bantalas’. The sound of ‘agong’ filled the air. Highlight The highlight of the event was the reading of the declaration by the secretary of GINAPALAD TA KA and the symbolic signing by different stakeholders. The declaration - which was a product of focus group discussions in all 40 sitios - carried an appeal to all the military, MILF, CAFGU, CVO, MNLF, and other stakeholders to respect and support the local initiative of the people to rebuild their war-ravaged communities. “We recognize and respect the declaration,” Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles of the Office on the Peace Process said in her statement of support to 3,000 people that included visitors from the International Monitoring team, USIP, CCCH, public officials, government line agencies, military, local and international NGOs, academe and media. Praiseworthy Mr. Von Al Haq praised the effort in the message he delivered on behalf of the MILF Central Committee. “Indeed, this is a very laudable undertaking that deserves the support of everyone. Let me congratulate all of you, especially your leaders in the community for tying to contribute alongside the pathways of peace being undertaken by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in trying to find an honorable negotiated political settlement of the conflict in Mindanao,” said Von Al Haq. Other principal stakeholders also gave their unqualified messages of support to include Maj. Gen. Zulkifeli Bin Mohd Zain of the IMT, Col. Isagani Cachuela of the 602nd Brigade, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, vice-mayor Sumulong Sultan of the Local Government Unit of Pikit. Two wars The GINAPALAD TA KA is a grassroots initiative of peace process at the horizontal level and aims at supporting the existing Peace Talks between the government of the Philippines and MILF at the vertical level. As I have said in the past, there are two wars in Mindanao. One is between the government and the MILF often fought in the battlefields. And the other is the unseen war going on in the hearts of the people of Mindanao, be they Muslims, Christians and Lumads. The GINAPALAD TA KA initiative is meant to address this unseen war by repairing the relationship of people and instilling respect for one another despite religious and cultural differences. Peace process Is the GINAPALAD TA KA initiative the absolute answer to the Mindanao conflict? Definitely not. The final answer lies in the hands of the government and the MILF who are searching for a political solution in the negotiating table. But this modest contribution to the Peace Process by the people of GINAPALAD TA KA is praiseworthy. As the saying goes, “To try and fail is sad. But there is greater sadness when one fails because he has not tried at all.”<WMCopyright©2003-2005World Mission Magazine |
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