Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Bishops, Ulamas tapped for 'peace'
THE Bishop-Ulama Conference (BUC) will spearhead a peace initiative involving the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and all the other sectors left out during the peace negotiations between the MILF and the Philippine government.
The BUC is an interfaith group composed of bishops and Muslim religious leaders in Mindanao.
Malacañang announced Sunday that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had requested the interfaith group of Catholic and Muslim leaders to consider leading the civil society in efforts of bringing peace to troubled areas of Mindanao.
"Archbishop Fernando Capalla, one of the conveners of the BUC, said they are in the process of consulting among leaders and members to take on this new role," according to Press Secretary Jesus Dureza.
He pointed out that the President wants to "hear the views of stakeholders in the private sector, the local government units (LGUs), and all those who will be affected one way or the other in what may become a framework for peace and development not only for Mindanao but the whole country as well."
"President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had requested BUC to oversee these efforts as she gives value to a deep consultative process," Dureza said.
The press secretary added that Arroyo requested the BUC "to oversee peace efforts since she gives value to a deep consultative process to hear the views of stakeholders in the private sector, the local government units and all those affected."
"Let's call on everyone -- politicians, civil society, the religious, Muslims, and lumads to close rank and support this non-partisan effort that can put us on track in our economic development agenda for the country," Dureza said.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu meanwhile said their organization would rather wait and see the development on this new effort before they would make any comment.
Militant leader Joel Virador meanwhile cautioned the BUC not to be used by the administration of Arroyo.
"The bishops will just be used by GMA in evading the resolution of the problem of the Bangsamoro people," Virador said.
"It's not proper. It should be the panel that represents the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. In this case, the panel of General Garcia that is taking orders from his principal, President Arroyo," added Virador.
Businessman Louie Rabat said tapping BUC to lead the peace efforts is "much better than what politicians or the military can come up with since whatever the BUC would agree on, their flock will follow."
House Speaker Prospero Nograles, on the other hand, said: "Any group or sector that can clearly and effectively bring about lasting and genuine peace in Mindanao should be tapped."
"Including the new Lakas Armm officials who are armed with a fresh mandate in the recently concluded automated elections in that region," Nograles said.
Compostela Valley Governor Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy said the BUC-led peace efforts could be a good start "but the local government units should be consulted also."
The whole town of Pantukan in Compostela Valley is among the "Category B" areas identified in the controversial Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) that will undergo a plebiscite 25 years after the creation of the BJE so as to determine whether they wanted to be part of the expanded BJE under the control of the MILF.
Davao City Vice Mayor Sara Duterte also welcomed the BUC-led peace talks "for as long as it is acceptable to both sides."
"What is more important to me is that a Davao City representative should be allowed to be an observer, so that we will immediately be apprised of what will happen to our neighborhood. Kapag naririnig natin nagsisigawan sa paligid natin (When we hear commotions around us), we can't sleep 'di ba? We should be aware and prepared for the ripples that may affect us," the young Duterte said. (BOT)
