Sarangani, GenSan mothers join peace movement

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/2 Feb) – At least 20 influential women leaders from the province of Sarangani and General Santos City have banded together to join the nationwide “Mothers for Peace Movement.” In a two-day training workshop organized by the Mindanao Commission on Women held at Phela Grande Hotel here on January 29-30, the participants crafted a plan on how they can spread “peace” to their fellow mothers. The participants, who call themselves “conveners,” agreed to tap potential mothers in the barangays with leadership capability who in turn will form “peace circles” composed of 12 to 25 members.

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LIGHT A CEASEFIRE CAMPAIGN

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 MILF The 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@mindanaowomen.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   This 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.

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