Editor's note: One of the discussants during the "Women Moving the Peace Process Forward" forum held at Fairmont Makati on March 23, Sr. Erlinda Hisug of the Oblates of Notre Dame delivered the following as her opening statement.

 

Sr. Erlinda Hisug with GPH Peace Panel Chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and two participants from the Society of Empowered Royal Ladies of Cotabato Empire. MORE PHOTOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grace, mercy peace be upon you! As salaam alaikum kaniyo katan-tan!

               

It is indeed a privilege to participate in this conversation of women whose hearts long for the elusive peace in Mindanao! I thank the organizer, Institute for Autonomy and Governance for this opportunity. My sharing comes from the lens of women religious and missionaries.

 

My brief presentation has three movements:

 

First: The foundational encounter with the tri-people of Mindanao where I hope to show that harmonious relationship factored in the achievement of shared goals;

 

Second: My experience of the consequence of the all-out war declared by the Philippine government against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front;

 

Thirdly: Perception on the Peace Process and the Bangsamoro Basic Law of some sectors from the ground; and

 

Finally: A wish and prayer.

 

Foundational encounters

               

Let me begin by reading to you the sentiments of our congregation, the Oblates of Notre Dame, on the Mamasapano incident.

 

“The Society of the Oblates of Notre Dame joins the grief stricken families of the SAF who were killed and the many others who were injured in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last January 26, 2015. We unite with the many voices of devastated people and communities in the strong clamor for speedy and authentic investigation of this ill-fated incident. It is indeed unfortunate that this happened at a time when in south-central Mindanao and elsewhere in the country, the in-depth study of the Bangsamoro Basic Law that hopes to optimize the dawning of development and peace in this region, is being facilitated by various sectors such as government, academe, business and religious institutions among the Muslim and Christian population.

 

We read and hear numerous accounts and insinuations on this one and the same event. It is sad that some announcements assertions are not helpful, when presently the emotions are extremely high.

 

We, the OND Sisters, pray and hope that TRUTH shall be the goal of the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and JUSTICE shall be meted out without delay.

 

We take as our own the counsel in the Book of the Proverbs 12:17-19: When you tell the truth, justice is done, but lies lead to injustice. Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal. A lie has a short life, but truth lives on forever.”

 

Our congregation, Society of the Oblates of Notre Dame, is an indigenous community of women religious which was founded in Cotabato City in 1956 by two pioneering members of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. In recognition of the locus of our foundation, we have included in our OND Constitutions our relationship with the Muslims in article 32 that reads: “We are concerned about our Muslim brothers and sisters among whom we were founded. We recognize and respect the intrinsic difference in our cultures. By working with them in the true spirit of fraternity we will help them towards a greater realization of their God-given dignity."

 

Our experience of dialogue of life with the Muslims in the Archdiocese of Cotabato and elsewhere in Mindanao is a daily event: we share seats with them in public vehicles and we patronize each other’s products in public markets. Some of them are our doctors, lawyers, teachers in the mission schools, especially those in Muslim areas such as Dulawan, Pikit, Jolo and Bongao. A Muslim seamstress prepared our religious dress. We have community leaders among the Tedurays in Maguindanao, Tbolis and Blaans in in South Cotabato, Bajaus in Tawi-Tawi. These are powerful proofs of the experience of dialogue of life and action.

 

All-out war in 2000

 

Toward the end of April in 2000, the armed confrontation between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front erupted in Maguindanao and Cotabato Provinces. As a result, families were displaced by the thousands! Muslim and Christian Families fled without knowing which direction to take. School and church grounds were instantly filled with scared and disoriented peoples of all ages. The normal routine of daily life was disrupted. Scarcity of food was experienced especially in places that had been caught in crossfires. People were hungry. Children and older persons became ill. Because of the widespread damage in life and property, peoples desperately cried for the immediate cessation of hostilities. They needed to return to their places to save whatever is left.

 

We participated in the distribution of relief goods to address the urgent need for food clothing and shelter of the evacuees. We facilitated the regular conduct of psychosocial interventions among children youth and the older persons. Through play, art, song and drama, they were able to reveal their pains, fears, anger and also hopes and dreams, caused by their experience of bombing, firefights and burning of their houses, death of family members in their presence, destruction of properties.

 

Peace process/Bangsamoro Basic Law

 

We are privileged to consistently receive information regarding the on-going peace process and BBL from the IAG. We have also invited key informants to augment the basic information we have.

 

We have visited our sisters in various mission areas so that conversations on the peace process could be optimized. I personally went to Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to engage in conversations with teachers, students and community leaders.

 

It is very disappointing to discover that most people on the ground have very limited knowledge about the peace process. The narrow ideas they have are a list of misinformation and misconception. Most of these are rooted in the lack of education about the peace process. Most sectors revealed that they know parts of the process from TV or radio programs which have Manila-based anchors and whose discussions are focused on limited topics. Consultations in selected areas were not brought down to the ground. Mistrust and lack of interest are other factors. Many among the Muslim and Christian population believe that their lives will remain the same.

 

Finally: A wish and prayer

 

Most of us are cognizant of the long and difficult journey that the peace process had been through. The Mamasapano event has suspended its almost momentous advent. The ensuing military operation against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) had caused another disgraceful exodus of families from at least ten Maguindanao towns.

 

We visited the evacuation centers in Shariff Aguak while the military offensive was on-going. The horrible sight of the year 2000 returns. Families are stuck under the streets, with sacks or cardboards or native mats for their backs and plastics as roofs. Rations of five kilos of rice, 5 cans of sardines and another five packs of instant noodles are given to the evacuees. Some are fortunate to have additional sugar and coffee. They do not know when the next distribution will be.

 

We do not wish that this life in the evacuation center shall be accepted as normal.

 

We do not wish for children to be running, not because of joyful play, but because of fear.

 

We do not wish to see wives and mothers becoming collateral damage of armed confrontation.

 

What we wish is for us to see a return to the peace table and engage in authentic talk again.

 

We wish that each dialogue partner listens attentively and humbly to what the other is saying or even not saying!

 

We wish that they bring to the table the sentiments of the group they represent and that not one group is marginalized.

 

We wish that we give flesh to the just and legitimate agreements we have so far reached and that will benefit all.

 

We wish that all of us will contribute and collaborate in whatever way possible so that trust is restored and our energies and creative imagination toward the attainment of authentic peace and development in Mindanao are forged and synchronized.

 

With faith in the God of peace who has led our steps up to this stage of our journey, I join the prophet Zechariah in his hopeful prayer

 

In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

 

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

 

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