Mindanao Week of Peace, ipinagdiwang -Estrella

DAPAT na nilalayon ng bawat Filipino ang pagdiriwang ng “Mindanao Week of Peace”.

Sinabi ni  Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III na “The week-long celebration is a reminder for all Filipinos – regardless of one’s status in life, religion, or culture – should always strive to achieve lasting peace, unity, and harmony.”

“We are all Filipinos, whatever our faith, or political and religious affiliations. When we are united as one nation, we can achieve genuine sustained national development,”  aniya pa rin sa pakikiisa ng DAR sa ika-25 taong pagdiriwang ng nasabing okasyon.

Umaasa si Estrella na makakamit ng Mindanao ang “lasting peace” lalo pa’t ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.  ay determinadong panatilihin ang natamong  komprehensibong “peace process” ng  bansa.

Idinagdag pa nito,  bilang mandato ng Pangulo, ang peace at development sa Mindanao, na minsan nang kinubkob ng giyera at tunggalian “has been set into motion and is gaining traction.”

Samantala, para  naman kay DAR Office of Mindanao Affairs Undersecretary Amihilda Sangcopan, kailangan ng bansa ng mas maraming peace warriors para palakasin ang  peacebuilding initiatives sa ilalim ng banner ng “pagkakaisa” ni Pangulong Marcos.

“Nothing that is great comes easy, but by truly uniting for a common goal, I strongly believe that even the impossible can be achieved. Peace in Mindanao will not only depend on the action of our government, it also rests heavily on the commitment of our fellow Mindanaoan who most aspire for it,” wika ni Sangcopan.

Ang Mindanao Week of Peace ay ipinagdiriwang mula sa huling Huwebes ng Nobyembre hanggang unang Miyerkules ng Disyembre sa pamamagitan ng Proclamation Order No. 127, ipinalabas ni dating President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, na  “recognize the common aspirations of Mindanaoans to live in peace, unity, and harmony with each other regardless of status in life, religion or culture”.

“The celebration is also aimed at bringing people together to promote a peaceful atmosphere not only in Mindanao but throughout the country,” ayon sa ulat. (Daris Jose)