Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Davao (Agenzia Fides) - “Peace in Mindanao starts from the ground up: we need to communicate with the people, inform them, make them participate in the content of the peace accord,” Agenzia Fides was told by Jesuit Fr. Albert Alejo, Executive Director of the “Konsult Mindanano” and “Dialogue on Mindanao” projects, promoted by the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) of the Philippines.
The first project, which offers “popular consultation” to the people of the vast island of the South Philippines, has just ended and Fr. Alejo has officially presented a report on the results of the study, also sent to Agenzia Fides. The report shows some essential points for a peace accord: “Sincerity, to overcome the distrust of the people; security, to overcome fear; sensitivity towards those wounded in the conflict; solidarity, to satisfy the desires of all the participants; spirituality, for the role of the faith and the religious symbols; sustainability for institutions.”
The popular consultation project has been carried out in full accord and close contact with the Office of the Presidential Councilor for the peace process, from the Filipino government that – following the collapse of peace negotiations in 2008 – adopted this new methodology that starts from the ground up.
Now, the second phase begins, the phase of “Dialogue on Mindanao,” the Jesuit tells Fides: “The consultation will be extended to a national level, to inform the people of the steps and contents of the peace process. Until now, the dialogues have been in secret and the agreements came from above.This is the main reason why they failed. Today, we are changing the strategy.”
The new consultation begins immediately with a series of topics and more specific questions (so far they have dealt with general topics) and will be completed by the end of March. It will proceed through meetings with selected groups of 300 people, representatives of a wide range of sectors and categories (civil society, the world of culture, professionals, local administrators, etc.) including the mass media, to clarify and discuss the points and orientations of the peace process.
Fr. Albert points out: "The biggest challenge is the information: if people know and understand, then everything is easier. Peace is possible: I do not know if it is technically possible to sign an agreement before the elections, for obvious political reasons. But today, even the rebels of the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) want it, so perhaps it is also possible in a short while."
"During this period – the Jesuit concludes - the BUC was decisive: the role of religious leaders is very important because they are trusted by the people, more than politicians. I am happy that Christians and Muslims are engaged in this process and hope that their future commitment continues." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/2/2010)
