Cotabato City – Some 50,000 participants from civil society, representing various organizations and sectors will hold a one day Mass Rally for Peace in Cotabato City on January 7, 2008 (Monday) from 9:00 O'clock in the Morning to 3:00 O'clock in the afternoon, with a theme;" Uphold the gains of the Peace Processes "

The said Mass Rally for Peace is spearheaded by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society Kutawato Regional Management Committee (CBCS-KRMC), to be participated by the different sectors of civil society in Cotabato City, Shariff Kabunsuan, North Cotabato and Maguindanao simultaneous with a press conference to be held at Hotel Castro Function Hall from 12:00 to 1:00 O'clock in the afternoon.

This initiative came out as a unified response to draw the attention of the "gate keepers" of the peace processes.

"The current status of the Peace Process in Mindanao is fast changing and reshaping the future of the Mindanaoans especially the civil society that comprise the greater majority in the grassroots ," Abdulbasit (Bobby) Benito stated, Chairman of the Media Committee said in their position paper. "The expected signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the MILF and GRP in Kuala Lumpur on the issue of ancestral domain could have been a recompense for the ten-year long negotiation between the MILF and the GRP that commenced in July of 1997. The stance of the GRP in nonconforming to the agreed consensus points, a clear manifestation of the feebleness of the GRP to bestow strong political will for the realization of the peace accord", He added.

In addition, the contentious issue on the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) between the MNLF and the GRP is viewed to impinge the peace process between the MILF and GRP to pursue. Eleven years after the signing, gaps between the GRP and MNLF position on the genuine implementation of the FPA widens. These incidents inevitably make the peace situation fluid, volatile and according to some, can explode anytime.   Benito elaborated.

We, in the civil society is aware of the fact that majority of people in the grassroots desires for a meaningful result of the peace process, not only to put an end to the ravages of war, but to address the longstanding political problem in a non-violent way.The civil society's unified response can create a desired impact by significantly reducing the possible incidence of conflict exacerbation brought about by the fragile peace confronting our homeland.  Prerequisite to our yearning for human security, peace and economic progress is the attainment of a negotiated political settlement.

The action points generally aims to draw the attention of these "gate keepers" to immediately take necessary actions and muster enough courage to bring about the long awaited peaceful settlement. Specifically, these will convey the civil society's urgent appeal for:

1. Swift and more carefully review the implementation of the GRP-MNLF 1996 peace accord so that gaps are identified, corrective measures are installed, and implementation scheme put into place;
2. For the immediate resumption of the GRP-MILF peace talks and for the Government to honor its commitment to the consensus points; and
3. For the GRP and the MILF to refrain from any unnecessary actions that may jeopardize the peace talks.

If you are NEUTRAL in the situation of INJUSTICE, then you have chosen the side of the OPPRESSOR. 

Last update : 18-01-2008 11:40

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