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[av_heading heading=’ Take the side of peace’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Sunday, February 12, 2017
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(We yield this space to the statement of Pilgrims for Peace, an alliance of advocates for a just and lasting peace based on freedom, democracy and social justice, due to its significance and timeliness. – Ed.)
PEACE advocates are keenly aware of how the road to a just and enduring peace can quickly become slippery and barred by tremendous obstacles. In the last two weeks, we witnessed the unravelling of relations and held our breath as the peace negotiations slid, in real time, down a slope of disparate views.
For those who have been so hopeful in the positive atmosphere of the peace talks, it has been a complex two weeks. Still, now is a time when the voice of the Filipino people is essential in bringing to the fore the reason for the peace negotiations; now is a time when people themselves can make clear that theyare the reason for peace talks.
The challenge for peace advocates, now more than ever, is to step up efforts to involve more Filipinos in discussions and actions for JustPeace. It is crucial that we express our collective desire for lasting peace. The comprehensive agreement on socio-economic reforms that was negotiated and crafted in these last rounds of talks can inspire everyday Filipinos to get involved in the discussions. Concrete reforms on land ownership, developing national industries, and rights of working peoples will impact the lives of the toiling majority. The peace that the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front (NDFP) are negotiating is the peace of the Filipinos. Now that the negotiations are faltering, every Filipino should participate in expressing our shared dream of peaceful and prosperous communities!
We must bring to the forefront our stand that peace is possible. We must build visions of peace based on justice, freedom, and democracy. We must debunk the falsehoods of spoilers and expose their self-interests as they insist that “all-out war” is the way to peace. Peace advocates must multiply and build bridges between otherwise disparate communities. We must prioritize and amplify the voices of the poor, exploited and marginalized in our clamor for JustPeace.
Most importantly, we must harness our courage and hope that if the people dare to stay the course and insist on the resumption of peace talks, these can resume. President Duterte will be compelled that the peace of the poor majority merits the restoration of his resolve to pursue the talks; obstacles are best resolved by bringing them to the table of negotiations. We must insist that the road to a just and lasting peace is worth the effort.
We must extend every effort to convince the President to take the side of the people who want peace. To choose the road of militarism and repression will betray his promise that “change is coming.” In contrast, the robust implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law will demonstrate that change is possible.
We must not tire in doing what is right: we will continue to advocate for the resumption of the peace talks. We must overcome obstacles to stay the course toward a just and lasting peace.
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