On Marvic Leonen's statement
PeaceBuilders Community appreciates the statement of GPH Peace Panel Chair Marvic Leonen: "This armed confrontation was not intended by both government and MILF."
Let us all pray that this won't be used by the 'hawks' and the spoilers of peace to escalate the armed conflict. We pray that those individuals and groups with political and financial interests in the perpetuation of armed conflict would be transformed in their hearts and minds and embrace genuine just-peace as they live their lives and as they go about their businesses.
On Biazon calls for Peace Talks suspension
PeaceBuilders Community strongly disagrees with Defense Committee Chairman Rodolfo Biazon's call to suspend the peace talks with the MILF. It is so reactive rather than proactive. We'd rather support a long-term approach to the issue of justice--both on behalf of the brave AFP soldiers and their families, and also on behalf of the killed Moro rebels and their families. Let's not go back to the old 'all-out-war' ways. Let's continue to be creative as we pursue the GPH-MILF Peace Talks!
On Gen. Ferrer's Statement
PeaceBuilders Community laud the statement of Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom): “Since the MILF has already claimed responsibility for engaging our soldiers, we shall not only file ceasefire violations against them but also murder and frustrated murder charges against their members who are responsible for the killing and wounding of our soldiers.”
On Anthony Taberna's Punto por Punto
The title, in itself, insinuates war escalation!
PeaceBuilders Community calls on Mr. Anthony Taberna to apply more of the principles of Peace Journalism as an expression of ethical media responsibility. The Filipinos are already angry about the death of our beloved soldiers. But fueling anger with insinuation of war escalation is irresponsible broadcasting.
We suggest that Mr. Taberna personally visit the evacuation camps and live among the suffering civilians affected by the war in Mindanao for at least a month; perhaps his emotionalism will be properly placed.
On Pnoy's dismissal of all-out war approach
PeaceBuilders Community lauds the wisdom and leadership of His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for upholding the primacy of the peace talks in the midst of sadness, anger, and cries for justice for our beloved soldiers killed in Basilan. An all-out-war will not improve the situation. There are institutions in place to respond intelligently to this situation, like the Joint Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH). Proactive, rational, and long-term strategic thinking is needed in this kind of crisis. And that is exactly what we are seeing in the action of the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Mabuhay po kayo, mahal na Pangulo!
Read it at Peacebuilders Community.
October 21, 2o11
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