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Monday, August 25, 2008
Bishops to conduct forum to end Mindanao row
MANILA -- Bishops from Mindanao will initiate a multi-sectoral consultation to end the ongoing armed conflict between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The conflict has displaced thousands of families and killed hundreds of innocent civilians in some areas in Central Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).
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Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said the multi-sectoral consultation, which will start in his jurisdiction on Thursday, aims to bring together both sides to stop the hostilities in the region.
"In Cagayan de Oro, we are scheduling the consultation on August 28. From there, we will make it a multi-sectoral forum where we will ask the peace panel themselves to explain the provision of the MOA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain)," Ledesma said.
However, he noted that aside from the multi-sectoral forum, what they are pushing now is for the government to take care of the affected families that evacuated during the bombing.
Ledesma said they have just issued another statement calling for the immediate sending of relief assistance to the displaced families, as well as for both parties to return back to the negotiating table.
"Pursue the peace talks, more consultation and dialogue because peace process should not be dictated by armed group and extremists group. They should not represent the whole communities. We are hopeful that with the proper consultation and dialogue, we attain peace," the prelate added.
Ledesma likewise denied reports that the Mindanao bishops are calling for the changing of the composition of the government representatives sitting on the peace panel.
"No, that was not the statement of Northern Mindanao bishops. It came from another group of Mindanao bishops after their meeting in Zamboanga. But I think that kind of goal does not really address the actual picture. Let's focus on evacuees, consultation to understand the MOA," he said.
He asserted that having new panel would only create distrust on both Muslim and Christian communities and this would not be helpful in solving the heightening hostilities.
He said that what is important now is to address the immediate needs of the victims in the affected areas, specifically in the areas of Iligan, Linamon, as well as in the Muslim dominated communities. (MSN/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (August 25, 2008 issue)
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