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Peace and Security
Peace-Making in Mindanao: A Risky Business
Written by Robert Kittel, UPI Correspondent
Monday, September 22, 2008
Cagayan De Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines: At the conclusion of the Global Peace Festival (GPF) in Mindanao September 21, on a stage constructed on the provincial capital grounds, former Speaker of the House, Jose de Venecia, Jr. called on the Philippine government to renew the peace talks, earmark USD 2.1 billion (Pesos 100 billion), and bring the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) into the peace process as a neutral partner in the negotiations.
GPF brought together tens of thousands of people to celebrate, rather than fight over, their religious and ethnic diversity. The peace festival gathered indigenous tribal people from over 50 different tribes which was the most diverse representation of indigenous peoples ever assembled on the island in recent memory.
De Venecia then went on to say, "The Universal Peace Federation has the only solution." Emphasizing the point he reiterated, "I can see no other solution." UPF seeks to resolve conflict through dialogue, education, and conditions of reconciliation. It has developed a series of presentations entitled Principles of Peace, which are taught to government leaders worldwide as well as to religious leaders and students.
Travel warnings issued by the U.S. Government cautioned travelers against going to the southern Mindanao Island, calling the situation there "dangerous or unstable." It even advised travelers to "hire their own security." Despite this risk, foreign nationals from the U.S., Japan, Korea, Italy, Nepal and mainland China participated in the 3-day festival.
Four major components made up the GPF: (1) the launching of a Peace Village, (2) an International Leadership Conference, (3) an International Youth Summit, and (4) the grand finalé on the last day.
Governor Mohammad Khalid, the youngest governor in the Philippines, 28, was deeply touched by the international delegation. Repeatedly he told participants he expected the program to be cancelled because of the continued fighting on the island and strong travel warnings against coming to Mindanao.
The GPF was jointly sponsored by the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Mayor, the Department of Education, the Fourth Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, and the Universal Peace Federation.
The Peace Village, launched on the first day, brings Christians, Muslims and Indigenous People together. Three times a year, 2,000 people come to the Peace Village and live together in this community for four days. "They will 'immerse' themselves in each other's culture, to learn the traditions and religious values of the others," said Dr. Haja Esnaira Estrella Abid-Babano, Regional Director, Department of Education in Mindanao. She was also the GPF organizing Co-Chairperson.
This was the first of a series of 12 provincial GPFs to be held in the Philippines. Other festivals will be held in different provinces in preparation for the main national-level event in December in Manila.
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