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copyright 2007 Mindanao Commission |
Mothers and other women from all over the Philippines and abroad have banded together to call for a
- CEASEFIRE; and a
- RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE by the Philippine
Government and the MILFThe dissolution of the GRP peace panel and abandonment of peace talks amidst continuing military action against the rogue MILF commanders closes the door to a peaceful solution to the Bangsamoro issue. On top of this, civilians - who are mostly Christians - are being armed purportedly to defend their communities.
A religious war in heretofore peaceful communities is about to engulf us if it hasn't already. In the meantime, mothers and their families continue to live in fear and insecurity in evacuation centers, unsure of how long the siege will last and what future awaits them, having already lost homes and livelihoods.
CEASEFIRE NOW. The military and the MILF must stop any more violent actions. This is not the time to fix blame on who started the fight or who is continuing the fight. Just stop the violence.
Let the ceasefire mechanism work. Bring in the International Monitoring Team to ensure the ceasefire is maintained.
The violence now restricted to parts of Mindanao is threatening to spread to other areas of Mindanao and the rest of the country because the avenue to peaceful negotiations has been closed. But our desire for peace will not be extinguished in the face of this threat. Our determined thoughts and belief that peace is still truly in our hands compel us to call all mothers and other women – from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and the rest of the world – to join the LIGHT A CEASEFIRE campaign. We want children to grow up in communities where they are able to imbibe love, justice and peace instead of hatred and violence.
What you can do to demand a CEASEFIRE and a return to the NEGOTIATING TABLE:
- Light a candle every day from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. in a visible place.
- Invite as many people as possible to join you. Pray for peace.
- Send this letter to as many friends and family members to join
the campaign. - Wear a blue ribbon until our call is heeded.
The power of light from thousands, if not millions, of candles from all over the Philippines and the rest of the world will let President Arroyo and the MILF know that they must declare a ceasefire and return to the negotiating table as soon as possible. This is the peaceful option.
JOIN THE LIGHT A CEASEFIRE CAMPAIGN. Affix your name or your group's name below and send to mcw@mindanawomen.org. Initially, the following have signed up.
Mothers for Peace
Muslim Women Peace Advocates
Mindanao Commission on Women
Mindanao Young Women Leaders Forum
Political Caucus of Women Leaders in Mindanao
Irene M. Santiago
Margie Moran Floirendo
Amina Rasul Bernardo
Arlene S. Lozano
Patricia M. Sarenas
Ruth T. Montojo
Nida P. Dans
Myra Balandra
Sheila Algabre
Geejay Arriola
Madett Gardiola
Melchora J. Ambalong
Josephine P. Perez
GI Ilagan-Pagunsan
Susana Y. Salvador-Anayatin
Teduray Lambangian Womens Organization
Mindanao Council of Lumad Women
Ronillo Dusaban
Annaliza V. Laylo
Melba Irene G. Gabuya
Luz Canave-Anung
Lissa Boluso
Ma. Consolacion A. Matnao
Lucy Ann Trapnell
Sony Celis
Christine Vertucci
Jose Cambel Policarpio, Jr.
Ms. Jocelyn "Jola" B. Lambac
Kalinaw Sarangani
Mindanaw Tripartite Youth Core - BUC Youth Desk
Jana Jean G. Dacobor
Alma Dimaano-Martin
Ma. Consolacion A. Matnao
Lissa Boluso
Nels Ramos
Jack Sotto
BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights
Jigs Javier
Maricel Pangilinan Arenas
Gilda ABesamis-Eldridge
Jo-Ann Abesamis-Zaldumbide
Ma. Consolacion A. Matnao
Anita T. Sescon
Area Core Group, M4P-Iligan
Caren Abayon
Angelic Marie Morales
Malu Afable
Rhondon C. RicafortThis campaign is part of the MILLION TAPS FOR PEACE from September 1 to December 3, 2008. TAPS is short for THOUGHTS and ACTS of PEACE. For more information on how to be part of the MILLION TAPS FOR PEACE, please go to www.milliontapsforpeace.org.
Million TAPs for Peace takes off
Mothers for Peace, the Mindanao Commission on Women and other organizations all over the country are launching a nationwide campaign for peace dubbed "Million TAPs for Peace." TAP is short for Thoughts and Acts of Peace.
Instead of the usual campaign for money, Million TAPS for Peace asks that individuals "donate" minutes of peace. Donation may be given through participation forms available at the Million TAPS for Peace website (www.milliontapsforpeace.org), in participating schools, and in other public spaces where TAPs for peace booths will be set up.
The participation form contains a long checklist of suggested peaceful acts, including: forgiving someone, smiling at a stranger, taking a break from vices, confronting one's prejudices against other groups, help fighting friends or family members to reconcile and heal, asking for contributions or organizing fund-raising activities for the internally-displaced people, and encouraging children to use non-violent means to address a conflict, among others.
The campaign hopes to give individuals a sense of participation in dealing with an issue that most people consider quite beyond their power to influence—peace. The campaign will involve as many people as possible in giving minutes of peace through silence, prayer, or meditation and sharing peace by doing acts of peace. It allows people to take a break from their daily routines to think peaceful thoughts and do peaceful acts, thereby achieving inner peace and contributing to peace in Mindanao and in the rest of the world.
It is hoped that by the end of the campaign, people all over the country will have donated at least one million minutes, thoughts and acts of peace.
The campaign, which was launched at the start of Peace Month on September 1, 2008 at "Talkback with Tina Palma" on ANC, will culminate during the Mindanao Week of Peace on December 3.