By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
The one-year anniversary of a landmark peace agreement between the Philippines’ government and its one-time largest Muslim rebel group was marked across the country Friday.
On March 27 last year, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a peace deal that required President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration to pass a law on a proposed expanded political autonomous region in the country’s Muslim south.
Thousands of peace advocates joined a walk Friday at Quezon City’s Memorial Circle to recognize the "significant milestone in the journey to peace" on Mindanao island, according to a statement released by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
The civil society groups said in a joint statement that the event aimed at supporting the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that has come under threat after a recent raid left 44 police commandos dead.
On Jan. 25, around 400 commandos descended on Mamasapano township, Maguindanao province, only to run into members of the MILF and its breakaway group. Alongside the 44 officers, at least 17 MILF members and five civilians were killed.
According to the MILF, the police’s Special Action Force had not coordinated its entry and operation in accordance with existing cease-fire mechanisms.
The joint statement Friday said: "Amid the criticisms assailing the BBL as a result of the Mamasapano incident, the call for an all-out war should be balanced by a stronger call for an all-out peace; thus the consolidation of peace constituents from various sectors."
In a televised national address, Aquino warned that if the peace process is derailed again, "we will lose ground for sincere dialogue with leaders, and with all the [indigenous] Moros who are ready to listen to reason and who genuinely seek peace."
Those who were previously neglected and abused by the system and by institutions will further feel mistreated. Those who have never been reached by the assistance of government will suffer all the more."
Criticizing those calling for “all-out war in Mindanao, he said, ”This is the crossroads we face: We take pains to forge peace today, or we count body bags tomorrow.”
In Mamasapano’s Libutan village, around 2,500 children residing in evacuation centers after being internally displaced due to the armed conflict participated in a personal healing dialogue called the "Children's Dialogue thru Art."
Using brushes and buckets of paint, the children accompanied by their parents drew images and wrote messages to try to express feelings in support of peace.
Event organizers said the activity aimed at showcasing the perspective of children who are victims of violence and to raise awareness on child protection in the community.
Meanwhile in capital Manila, a forum on Bangsamoro identity and its role in the country’s history was held Friday by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
In a statement, the commission said the event "hopes to bring about a better appreciation of the history of the Bangsamoro and the Muslim Filipinos, and their singular role in the making of the Filipino nation."
The government and MILF peace panels also released three publications made up of statements, speeches and essays on the process.
Chief government peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said in a statement that both sides "want to reaffirm their commitment" and "not let the peace that we have all worked for be snatched from our people again."
Although the BBL has drawn criticism since the Mamasapano incident, Aquino has maintained a firm stance and met with leaders of the House of Representatives last month to push for its passage.
He has also called on the public for support, saying his administration has a "golden opportunity" to change the course of Muslim Mindanao.
The Senate is scheduled to resume hearings on the Bangsamoro Basic Law on April 13, according to a statement released by Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
