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First Posted on Inside Mindanao (www.insidemindanao.com) on November 27, 2008

Calls for resumption of peace talks,
reconciliation during Mindanao Week of Peace
By Ellen Red

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—As this southern island celebrates what is dubbed as the "Mindanao Week of Peace", different sectors are calling for the resumption of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

This year, Mindanao Week of Peace starts on November 27 and ends on December 3. Presidential Proclamation 127 states that: "All Government agencies and institutions are especially enjoined to cooperate with the Bishops–Ulama Forum (Conference) for this week–long celebration to support the peace process."

Interfaith Forum for Peace Harmony and Solidarity, a group which has taken responsibility for organizing the annual Mindanao Week of Peace celebrations in Cagayan de Oro City, said in a statement: "This year our full support for the Mindanao Week of Peace activity is more important than ever before. We need especially to show, in the midst of unrest, that the only way to peace is peace and that weapons of war have no place in creating a lasting peace for all in Mindanao."

Bishops–Ulama Conference said in a statement, "It is ... imperative on the Abrahamic, Ebrahimic, and Indigenous communities of Christians, Muslims and Lumads, led by their respective leaders, to bring about durable and lasting peace through the integrity of mind and heart, humbly expressed in the reconciling process of repentance and forgiveness. Only this process, bolstered by socio-economic and political projects, can heal the wide wounds of the spirit."

"We urge all Mindanaoans, our fellow believers, to make this reconciliation process a top priority among our activities during the Mindanao Week of Peace 2008 which starts on November 27 until December 3—and beyond," Bishops–Ulama Conference added.

Last November 25, in a forum attended by representatives of government, non–government agencies, and communities in two Lanao provinces; participants called for the resumption of peace talks to restore peace, dignity for every human being and end sexual and other abuses during armed conflict.

With more than 100 armed skirmishes in August and September alone of this year, an estimate of half million civilians are reportedly displaced. There are also reported and undocumented human rights violations on the ground. Investigative and fact—finding missions by non—government organizations, some institutions, and even church—based organizations were conducted that have validated the reports.

The recent escalation of violence in some parts of Mindanao followed after the Philippine Supreme Court decision blocking the implementation of a Memorandum of Agreement between the government and the MILF in August. The agreement was part of the ongoing peace process to halt the four decade long conflict.

END