From the MILF Website (Apr 8): BLMI embarks on peace advocacies in Zamboanga areas and Lanao
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With a given mandate to enlighten the Bangsamoro People on the GPH-MILF Peace Process, the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) is not letting up its efforts in providing updates to the people wherever they are. Despite the risk, stress and hostile attitudes of some people of Zamboanga City they remained unfazed and proceeded with an advocacy program on March 16.
With a given mandate to enlighten the Bangsamoro People on the GPH-MILF Peace Process, the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) is not letting up its efforts in providing updates to the people wherever they are. Despite the risk, stress and hostile attitudes of some people of Zamboanga City they remained unfazed and proceeded with an advocacy program on March 16.
Advocating peace anywhere and anytime can be done beyond boundary for it is the inherent right and guaranteed by any decent-democratic world. This is the reason why the BLMI team who travelled a long way from Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao bound for the Zamboanga areas to provide updates and enlighten the people thereat on the GPH-MILF Peace Process, the Framework Agreement and its four annexes.
On March 17, the BLMI team proceeded to Sirawai, Zamboanga Del Norte to hold advocacy program. The activity was hosted by community officials who are Non – Muslim Moros together with the MILF Provincial Political Committees in the area. The activity was held on March 18 at Ma’had Assar-ie, Sahaya Village of Sirawai.
Participants numbered about 1,900 based on the organizer’s registration sheet.
The AFP and PNP personnel who are assigned in the area were also invited and expressed messages of appreciation to the organizers and the BLMI for their peace- building efforts.
“We in the AFP will not allow the peace process to be spoiled by disgruntled groups”. “Rest assured that we are your viable partners in peace- building effort”, an AFP Official said.
On March 20, the team proceeded from Sirawai to Salug, a Moro community in Zamboanga Del Norte. Local folks, mostly farmers and fishermen attended the program.
On March 21, the BLMI team held another advocacy at Kabasalan, Sibugay Province where both Muslims Moros and Non- Muslims attended the activity. The MILF provincial Information Committee also shared updates on the GPH-MILF Peace Process.
From Kabasalan, the BLMI team proceeded to Pagadian City where an advocacy was held at Dinas town. A huge number of community residents from the nearby municipalities and barangays flocked to the venue. Some local officials were also present and raised their views and concerns.
This writer who is the BLMI Research Unit Officer and one of the resource speakers presented and discussed thoroughly the issue on contiguous areas mentioned in the FAB.
Another advocacy was held at Piraka, Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) Lanao Del Norte after its previous schedule was reset to March 23 with local officials and AFP members in the area attended and shared their views and ways on how to achieve lasting peace in the region.
An officer of the AFP said, “I am hoping that the GPH – MILF signed agreements will be implemented and realized as envisioned. Peace is our ultimate concern”.
Some members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), the Non – Violent Peace Force and Civilian Protection Component under the IMT were also present and delivered messages of hope and appreciation to all peace builders.
The MILF Provincial Political Committees, local government officials and Bangsamoro residents expressed their profound gratitude to the BLMI, the Asia Foundation (TAF) & Aus-Aid for the success of the undertakings as a way to combat misconceptions and misunderstanding on the Bangsamoro issue and the FAB.
The BLMI team also included Sheikh Sam Alabat, the BLMI Extension Service Unit Officer with the support and untiring assistance of the MILF Provincial Political Committee and the MILF Information Committee. They will continue to engage in advocacy programs until no stones left unturned.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/910-blmi-embarks-on-peace-advocacies-in-zamboanga-areas-and-lanao
On March 17, the BLMI team proceeded to Sirawai, Zamboanga Del Norte to hold advocacy program. The activity was hosted by community officials who are Non – Muslim Moros together with the MILF Provincial Political Committees in the area. The activity was held on March 18 at Ma’had Assar-ie, Sahaya Village of Sirawai.
Participants numbered about 1,900 based on the organizer’s registration sheet.
The AFP and PNP personnel who are assigned in the area were also invited and expressed messages of appreciation to the organizers and the BLMI for their peace- building efforts.
“We in the AFP will not allow the peace process to be spoiled by disgruntled groups”. “Rest assured that we are your viable partners in peace- building effort”, an AFP Official said.
On March 20, the team proceeded from Sirawai to Salug, a Moro community in Zamboanga Del Norte. Local folks, mostly farmers and fishermen attended the program.
On March 21, the BLMI team held another advocacy at Kabasalan, Sibugay Province where both Muslims Moros and Non- Muslims attended the activity. The MILF provincial Information Committee also shared updates on the GPH-MILF Peace Process.
From Kabasalan, the BLMI team proceeded to Pagadian City where an advocacy was held at Dinas town. A huge number of community residents from the nearby municipalities and barangays flocked to the venue. Some local officials were also present and raised their views and concerns.
This writer who is the BLMI Research Unit Officer and one of the resource speakers presented and discussed thoroughly the issue on contiguous areas mentioned in the FAB.
Another advocacy was held at Piraka, Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) Lanao Del Norte after its previous schedule was reset to March 23 with local officials and AFP members in the area attended and shared their views and ways on how to achieve lasting peace in the region.
An officer of the AFP said, “I am hoping that the GPH – MILF signed agreements will be implemented and realized as envisioned. Peace is our ultimate concern”.
Some members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), the Non – Violent Peace Force and Civilian Protection Component under the IMT were also present and delivered messages of hope and appreciation to all peace builders.
The MILF Provincial Political Committees, local government officials and Bangsamoro residents expressed their profound gratitude to the BLMI, the Asia Foundation (TAF) & Aus-Aid for the success of the undertakings as a way to combat misconceptions and misunderstanding on the Bangsamoro issue and the FAB.
The BLMI team also included Sheikh Sam Alabat, the BLMI Extension Service Unit Officer with the support and untiring assistance of the MILF Provincial Political Committee and the MILF Information Committee. They will continue to engage in advocacy programs until no stones left unturned.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/910-blmi-embarks-on-peace-advocacies-in-zamboanga-areas-and-lanao