(This is a statement collaboratively produced by the participants of the Kalinaw Mindanao: Youth Peace Camp 2015 on February 20 to 22 at the Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute.)

We, a group of young people from Cagayan de Oro City, are one in our statement of support for long lasting peace in Mindanao. This statement of support is drawn from the values we believe in:  respect, freedom, peace, sincerity, trust, fairness, tolerance, equality, sensitivity, partiality, truth, and justice.

We know and we understand that our Mindanao is torn by centuries of biases and decades of conflict and war. There is a deep division aggravated by unchecked, biased depiction of cultures, tribes, and religion. We are also aware that some people resort to passivity and apathy with what is happening in Mindanao because of the protracted conditions of “unpeace.” We believe that the GPH-MILF Peace Process will contribute to the attainment of this commonly desired lasting peace in Mindanao.

We also believe that peace is an ongoing process that we need to work out on a daily basis. We accept that we have been contributors to this plight, but we also believe that we are a potent force that can work for peace in Mindanao. We know that the challenges are immense but we pray that we can sustain ourselves and transcend these through our sincere desire for a peaceful and harmonious future with our fellow Lumads and Muslims. We need a path to peace and we believe the peace process can be this path. Hence, we are concerned that the hearings on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Congress and Senate are suspended because this will, all the more, delay the attainment of the peace we all want to achieve.

We are one in grieving with the families who lost their loved ones in the Mamasapano clash. This incident has saddened and disheartened us knowing how divided we have become and how the stereotyping and biases have surfaced out in the light of this tragic incident. We feel that our presuppositions have colored our sense of peace. Thus, we clamor for a mechanism that can address potential violent clashes, loss of lives, and deepening of stereotypes and biases. We believe the Bangsamoro Basic Law can be that mechanism.

As we continue to advocate for peace, we particularly call on the following influential sectors of society to hear our plea for peace:

1. Government Leaders: To be more careful, sensitive, and reflective in making decisions and actions that will impact the continuation of peace efforts in Mindanao, and to be more proactive in handling the concerns on the passage of the BBL;
2. Congress and Senate: To proceed with the BBL hearings and to find viable ways that will not delay the process of peace in Mindanao given the Mamasapano incident;
3. Religious Leaders: To know the BBL more deeply, and to strengthen the education and promotion of peace among their followers;
4. Academe: To give BBL a chance to be studied and understood in their respective institution; to educate, motivate and influence students, and integrate peace education in the curriculum;
5. CSOs and other civic groups: To continue the advocacy for peace in Mindanao;
6. AFP and PNP: To respect each other’s mandates and boundaries and to pursue non-violence ways of participating in the peace process;
7. MILF: To state the truth the best way possible, and to strengthen their coordination with the government for the success of the peace process; and
8. Media: To be more credible in transmitting and communicating the news and information to the public, emphasizing and pushing for healthy discussions instead of sensationalizing the news.

Finally, we envision a peaceful and harmonious future of our children and children’s children. We believe that the peace process, no matter how hard and painful, is still the viable way towards peace. Do not delay the road to lasting peace. We strongly call for the passage of the BBL!

(The Kalinaw Mindanao: Youth Peace Camp 2015 was organized by the Xavier University Peace Program, Campus Ministries - Interfaith Dialogue Committee, Regional Center for Expertise - Education for Sustainable Development, Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana - Social Involvement Office, Year of Service Program, Governance and Leadership Institute, under the auspices of the Research and Social Outreach in celebration of XU’s greater societal engagement.)