Peace advocate leaders in Zamboanga call GRP, MILF to continue peace talks

Father Angelo Calvo (center) talks to the local journalists during a press conference at the Solidarity Center in this city on Saturday. With him are Prof. Ali Yacub (left), lead Muslim convenor of the Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace; and Pastor Pablo Palis (right), ISMP member representing Protestant sector.

Peace advocate leaders on Saturday expressed concern over the pullout of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao, saying that with the pullout of IMT monitors, the maintenance of the ceasefire maybe impaired.

Led by Peace Advocate Zamboanga , together with the Inter-religious Solidarity Movement For Peace Zamboanga, Movement for Better Zamboanga, and Ateneo de Zamboanga University, they issued a message of concern to the media. The text is below.

We, the multi-sectoral stakeholders are concerned with the withdrawals of the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao leaving only the IMT Team Site 1 in Cotabato City. The aforesaid withdrawal appears to be IMT's preparation for the total retraction of its undertaking in the country.

The presence of IMT, an international body that principally monitors the ceasefire between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has afforded some hope of possible conciliation between the two. With the pullout of IMT troops, the maintenance of the ceasefire maybe impaired.

We recognize the effort of IMT in effecting the reduction of hostilities in Mindanao. We welcome the Libyans who have expressed the intention to continue the role in facilitating the monitoring peace process in the country. However, for them to succeed in their goals for peace, they will need the support and help of all the stakeholders, be they be private citizens, non-government organizations, the national government and local government units.

We appeal to the GRP and MILF to continue with their peacekeeping actions, adhere to the primacy of peace process, respect their existing agreements and commitments towards harmony, and pursue relentlessly the peace process in order to come up with final peace agreement. We urge the government to tap independent groups in facilitating the peace talks or negotiations with the MILF. We believe that peace can only be achieved through peaceful means.

Signatories of the message of concern were Fr. Angel Calvo, PAZ president; Fr. Antonio Moreno, AdeZU president; Engr. Efren Wee, MBZ vice chairman; Atty. Jose Manuel Mamauag, CHR regional director; Prof. Ali Yacub, ISMP lead Muslim convenor ISMP; Hji. Abdu Rahim Kenoh, ISMP member; and Pastor Pablo Palis, ISMP member from Protestant sector. -- HG