LET THE PEACE TALKS PROCEED

PEOPLE POWER VOLUNTEERS
for REFORM – CARAGA
LD Apartment, Santan St., Butuan city


We, members of the People Power Volunteers for Reform – Caraga (PPVR-Caraga), read the news on the proposition of the National Democratic Front (NDF) “to postpone the scheduled resumption of the peace talks this month until the imprisoned rebels have been freed” with fear that the fresh round of the peace negotiations may end up, like those in the past, a failure. We see in such tit-for-tat scheme a pattern of the ways that preceded withdrawals of the NDF’s peace panels from the negotiation table in past. And we dread the thoughts of having this another chance at forging peace go down the drain because of just one unmet demand that for us is far from the substantive issues that have to be resolved in the negotiations.
A multi-sectoral organization that takes peace building as one of its advocacies to help make the quality of life in the region better, PPVR-Caraga is among those active in promoting the current round of peace talks as a way to peace. We have initiated the conduct of peace forums in the past weeks and more activities are lined up to keep the people in the region at pace with the progress of the peace talks and in some ways have their voices and positions on the issues that surround the 42-year old insurgency be considered in resolving the conflict.
We are doing all these fully aware that we have gone so far in the ways of war. We live in a region where the armed conflict between the government forces and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been more pronounced than the other regions in the country and been there for decades.
Of course we understand if the NDF would ask for the release of detained comrades and other requests in the course of the negotiation. We would also welcome if in the process the government side would give way to those requests. They could be all parts of the process. But we hate it if at this very early stage conditions that could be hollow for us and the public to appreciate are dangled as conditions for the talks to proceed. After all it is us, the public, who suffer most in this armed conflict.
We, therefore, appeal to the NDF panel not to postpone the scheduled resumption of the talks this month just because of the non-release of the arrested comrades. We are expressing this appeal in the same breath that we also ask the government to consider the merits of such request in the light of what is best to attain a lasting peace in the land.

We urge both panels to let the peace talks proceed. June 7, 2011

CONCEPCION C. ASIS
CHAIRPERSON
PEOPLE POWER VOLUNTERS
FOR REFORM - CARAGA

Bike for Peace signifies collective action, determination, imagination to stay the course - Deles

Upi, Maguindanao, June 2 – More than a show of support to the Mindanao peace process, the “Bike for Peace” event is a symbolic act and a reminder that the work for peace involves collective action, determination and imagination to stay the course to achieve a just and lasting peace in southern Philippines, according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles.



“This exercise as envisioned is meant to simulate our own collective experience of making and waging peace, in addition to getting a wider public interest and support for the Mindanao peace process. It is a symbolic act and a reminder to us all of what the work for peace entails: peace is action, peace is effort, peace is community, peace is reaching out, peace is going the extra mile,” Deles stressed during the bikefest held recently from Cotabato City to Upi, Maguindanao.



With the theme “Going the Extra Mile for Peace in Mindanao,” the Bike for Peace was initiated by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to gain heightened public support on the peace process. More than 600 participants from various sectors pedaled the 36-kilometer route from Cotabato City Hall to Upi Municipal Gymnasium.



Deles also said that the bikefest is a reminder of what it takes to achieve the goal of peace. “If it is not your training that will help you to stay the course, it will be your determination that will. If it is not your determination, it will be your companion who will. And if this would still not be enough, it will be your imagination that will help to bring you to the end of the journey.”



‘Walang iwanan’



In her message, the peace adviser likewise underscored the “promise of faithful accompaniment that riders make to each other before embarking on a long and difficult journey,” which means nobody will be left behind.



“And this, in the peace process, is the appeal I want to make to all of you – walang iwanan. Magkakasama tayo hindi lang sa mga panahon ng tagumpay, kundi lalo na sa mga panahon na malubak ang kalsada at may mga kasamang nadadapa (Nobody shall be left behind. We shall be together not only in times of triumph, but especially in times when the road is rough and our companions stumble),” she said.

“When one of our companions in the peace process falls, I hope we will be like the bikeriders who faithfully provide accompaniment to their fallen fellow riders, instead of breaking away to get ahead of the pack. More than the experience of camaraderie is the experience of faithful accompaniment that I know we will truly experience today,” added Deles.



Public support to peace process



The Bike for Peace culminated at the Upi Municipal Gymnasium where Upians also held a program in celebration of their 11th anniversary of “Day of Peace.”



Deles attended the unveiling of the Tree of Peace marker that symbolizes the desire of the Upians to attain lasting peace in Mindanao.



“I hope the public will continually be involved in the peace process,” she stated. “Peace constituency is needed and this event has shown us how ordinary people can go the extra mile for peace.”



GPH panel chair Marvic Leonen called on the participants and the people of Upi to “spread the word: The government is resolute in achieving peace in Mindanao with the principled and pragmatic cooperation of the MILF and with the help of the people.” #

UNWFP’s ‘Walk the World’ to feed hungry kids in Mindanao conflict areas

Manila, May 28 – On May 29, Sunday, around 3,000 Filipinos will walk the streets to promote global awareness on the issue of child hunger and raise funds for child feeding programs in Mindanao conflict communities.



Spearheaded by the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP), the fundraising event dubbed “End Hunger: Walk the World” aims to feed the hungry and malnourished children in different countries. In Manila, it will be held at the SM Mall of Asia (across Music Hall) in Pasay City from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.



Proceeds of the event will go directly to the UNWFP’s school feeding activities in the conflict-affected areas in the south. The UN agency has been a key contributor in the Mindanao peace process by addressing the food security needs of vulnerable people in war-torn areas.



Together with its global humanitarian partners in the corporate world - TNT, Unilever and DSM – the UNWFP will lead participants in the traditional walk and five-kilometer fun run.



Registration fees of P 250 (for walkers) and P 500 (for runners) per participant will help ensure that one meal a day is delivered to the school children in Mindanao.



“End Hunger: Walk the World” is a worldwide event that will occur simultaneously in 24 time zones within 24 hours in 80 different countries.



Along with various organizations, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), spearheaded by Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, is supporting the event.



Bike for Peace



On the same day, a peace campaign called “Bike for Peace 2011” will be held in Cotabato City.



Bringing the statement, “Going the Extra Mile for Peace in Mindanao,” the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), together with 500 bikers and peace advocates, will gather to pedal a 36-km route for promoting peace in the region.

The GPH peace panel initiated the event to gain heightened support from the public on the Mindanao peace process.

By 6:30 a.m., the 36-km bike fest will start at the Cotabato City Hall then pass through the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat, and end near the Municipal Hall of Upi, Maguindanao. #

Filipino people should own the peace process – GPH panel member

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GPH, MILF join forces to save kidnapped Fil-Chinese trader A positive dev’t in peace process - Leonen

Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, May 24 – The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have joined forces in the 10-day continuous pursuit operations that led to the rescue of Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Angelina Suken Chew Manjique early this morning.


Manjique, owner of Sam’s Restaurant and Bakery in North Upi, Maguindanao, was released by her kidnappers at 4:30 a.m. in Barangay Dadtumeg in this town.


Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel chair Marvic Leonen congratulated the 6th Infantry Division led by Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, and the MILF for conducting joint operations. “This is a positive development in the peace process,” he said in a statement.


He also lauded the efforts of the joint Coordinating Committee in the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the GPH and the MILF for complementing the actions of the military and police.


“However, we still expect the MILF to pursue and arrest the kidnappers who are currently operating in areas dominated by their group,” added Leonen.


Kato's involvement

A very reliable source involved in the operations confirmed that some of the kidnappers of Manjique were identified to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under MILF commander Amiril Umra Kato who broke away to form his own armed group. There are also reports that some commanders belonging to the BIFF attempted to reinforce the kidnappers but were thwarted by the showing of more superior forces.


“Law enforcement operations are still continuing to arrest the perpetrators at the soonest possible time,” he said.


On this, Leonen called on the MILF to take steps in finding “ways and means to discipline Kato for ever attempting to assist the kidnappers.”


Earlier, the panel chair had expressed serious concern over having an MILF breakaway group, considering its grave implications to ceasefire and peace negotiations in general.


Joint CCCH and AHJAG

Manjique was kidnapped on the afternoon of May 14 by five unidentified men and brought to the Liguasan Marsh, an area in Maguindanao inhabited by MILF members.


“Considering that it is an MILF-dominated area, our military and police immediately coordinated with the government CCCH and AHJAG to assist in the rescue operations. Members of our CCCH and AHJAG contacted their MILF counterparts who carried out their own operations,” Leonen recounted.


He also said that the kidnappers were forced to release Manjique on the 10th day in Dadtumeg where she was fetched and brought to a nearby hospital.


“However, the operations do not end here. The government is actively pursuing the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice. We expect the MILF to do their part in pursuing and arresting the kidnappers who are currently operating in their areas,” Leonen stated.


The government panel is set to present its proposal to the MILF on the next round of talks on June 27-28 in Kuala Lumpur.#

Statement of GPH Panel Chair Marvic Leonen on the Rescue of the Kidnapped Filipino-Chinese Trader in Maguindanao

The rescue of kidnapped Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique at 4:30 a.m. today in Barangay Dadtumeg in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao is a positive development in the peace process as forces of the government and the MILF combined efforts during the ten-day pursuit operations.


I congratulate the 6th Infantry Division led by Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, and the MILF for conducting successful joint operations, as well as the Coordinating Committee in the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of both parties for complementing the actions of the military and police.


The joint CCCH and AHJAG of the GPH and the MILF have also been instrumental in preventing unnecessary armed encounters between the government and the Moro group while the former was conducting law enforcement operations in an MILF area.


Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique was kidnapped on May 14 by five unidentified men and brought to the Liguasan Marsh, which is a territory in Maguindanao, occupied by MILF members.


Considering that it is an MILF-dominated area, our military and police immediately coordinated with the government CCCH and AHJAG to assist in the rescue operations. Members of our CCCH and AHJAG contacted their MILF counterparts who carried out their own operations.


On the 10th day, the kidnappers were forced to release Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique in Dadtumeg where she was fetched and brought to a nearby hospital.


However, the operations do not end here. The government is actively pursuing the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice. We expect the MILF to do their part in pursuing and arresting the kidnappers who are currently operating in their areas.


Meanwhile, I have received reports that some of the kidnappers of Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique are also members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters of Umra Kato. I am also disturbed by reports that Umra Kato's group had attempted to reinforce and aid the kidnappers while they were being pursued by the Army and the MILF. Fortunately, they were deterred by more superior forces that stood in their way.


We will certainly raise this with the MILF. We urge them to take these actions of elements of Umra Kato seriously. During our last meeting with the MILF, they represented that Kato was still part of the MILF. Lasting peace does not have room for those who do not respect the rights of civilians and put them in harm's way. There should be no safe haven for anyone involved in these nefarious activities.#