19 March 2015
Feast of San Jose

 

Dear Parents of XU Graduating Students,

Kalinaw!

I write you this special letter to explain the Commencement Awards we are giving this year and to assure you that XU is taking all the necessary steps to ensure that the Convocation will be safe and secure.

The Xavier Commencement Exercises is a three-day affair:

26 March 2015, Thursday

• 7:30 am Baccalaureate Mass
• 9:30 am University Convocation

27 March 2015, Friday

• 3:00 pm Graduation for Arts & Sciences and Business & Management

28 March 2015, Saturday

• 3:00 pm Graduation for Agriculture, Computer Studies, Education, Engineering, Graduate School, Integrated Technologies, and Nursing

During the University Convocation on March 26, Xavier will honor the Class Valedictorian and award an Honorary Doctorate in the Humanities to Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and the Fr William F Masterson SJ Award for contributions to social development jointly to Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Chair GPH Peace Panel for Talks with the MILF and Mr Mohagher Iqbal, Chair MILF Peace Panel and Chair, Bangsamoro Transition Commission. Our three awardees will attend only the March 26 Convocation and not the March 27-28 Graduation ceremonies.

On 29 November 2014, almost two months before the Mamasapano tragedy, the Xavier University Trustees approved the awards to honor these three leaders who have courageously walked the arduous way of peace. Xavier salutes these individuals for their conscientious and patient efforts to engage in democratic dialogue and negotiations for peace in Mindanao. Their diligent efforts, with countless others along the path of peace, have moved the nation closer to realizing the aspirations of our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters for meaningful self-determination to live their religious convictions and shared culture in peace and prosperity. XU wants to walk with these three leaders in the long journey to a just and lasting peace. By conferring these awards during the 2015 Commencement Exercises, Xavier hopes to inspire her graduates to be brave and bold and not be afraid to walk the demanding but necessary path of peace in our troubled island of Mindanao.

Then, Mamasapano. The whole XU Community joins the nation in grieving with the families with those who perished, the 44 SAF troopers, the Muslim combatants and civilians including one child. In shock and sorrow, we weep with those who weep for the loss of their loved ones. In the silence of Pope Francis, we do not comprehend this. In our grieving, we beg the merciful and compassionate God of peace to grant us his consolation.

After Mamasapano, some have asked, should XU still proceed in conferring the awards? The Trustees believe that answer should be yes. Our three leaders are partners in peace who eschew the ways of extremism and terrorism. They are for a negotiated political solution. They continue to work hard to build mutual confidence and trust, coupled with mutually agreed upon processes and mechanisms. They endeavor to keep alive the hope that dialogue, negotiations, and kept agreements replace guns, violence, and war.

XU takes to heart the words of Pope Francis, with “eyes cleansed by our tears” we will truly see that “Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected … Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake.” More than ever, especially after the Mamasapano tragedy, Xavier University signifies its support for staying the course in pursuing peace by honoring three leaders: Teresita Quintos-Deles, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Mohagher Iqbal, for their commitment to peace based on truth and justice.

Together with your graduating children and the XU Trustees, leaders of Cagayan de Oro such as Mayor Oscar Moreno, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma SJ DD, Justice Romulo Borja will also attend the Convocation. We invite you to join us and listen to our three peace negotiators share the stories of their journeys on the difficult path to peace. We invite you to join Xavier in standing up for peace.

I would like to assure you that XU is working conscientiously to make sure that we will have a peaceful Convocation for peace.

Mr Iqbal has given the assurance that “No armed escorts will accompany me.” In his advance briefing, Mr Iqbal’s security adviser (a PMA graduate and former Army officer) also gave the same assurance. Mr Iqbal has gone to Malacañang and to the Senate without armed escorts. I have attended a seminar with him in Davao and observed the same. He has visited Cagayan de Oro for a seminar on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro at Balay Mindanao and had supper with Archbishop Ledesma and he came without armed escorts. Mr Iqbal who is grateful and humbled by XU’s award for his peace making will not visit Xavier with weapons of war.

XU will also be doing the security measures we have always taken during past graduations:

• Sweeping the campus with bomb-sniffing dogs
• Checking persons and their bags as they enter our gates
• Confiscating deadly weapons
• Requiring tickets for entrance into the Gym
• Reserving Hayes Street for parking
• Closing off parts of Corrales Avenue

We are in close coordination with the City Mayor’s Office, the RTA, the PNP, the 4th Infantry Division and have requested their assistance in securing our campus. There will be visible police presence outside and inside the campus. We are also in coordination with the security personnel of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

I am very grateful for the sacrifices you have made for your children who have reached an important milestone in their lives. With prayers to the God of peace and compassion, I remain.

 

Yours truly,

 

Roberto C Yap SJ
President