RIC CLET
Iligan News Desk
ILIGAN CITY--Bantugan Dagohoy, a pseudonym, wrote something in the Yahoogroup messageboard of the Civil Society Organization (CSO).
His storyline stated that as an observer in the campaign for the Moro people’s right to self-determination, “talking peace with government at this time is a waste of energy for the MILF because the government would never grant the Bangsamoro’s demands.”
This position solicited a reaction from Bong Enriquez Jr., program coordinator of Ecoweb Inc., who said that Bantugan Dagohoy’s stand “was tantamount to making peace talks obsolete.”
“If so, people will be fighting with no end. And what will happen to the unarmed and unwilling civilians?” Enriquez asked.
Enriquez disapproved of Dagohoy’s statement adding the so-called campaign for a “culture of peace” will be for naught when both camps, referring to the government and the MILF will continue to be in disagreement.
Just a few days ago, President Gloria Arroyo announced the creation of a new government panel that will resume peace talks with the MILF, designating DFA Usec. Rafael Seguis as chair.
Malacañang has yet to announce the names of the members
“I think the best strategy for the MILF is to intensify war to pressure the Philippine government to change its Constitution to ensure that the key provisions of the MOA-AD will be accepted,” Dagohoy commented.
Others like Carino Antequisa of the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development urged his fellow peace advocates for “active non-violence” to support the efforts of the new peace panel.
He said they would continue holding symposia, workshops, and other activities that will make a political impact.
“There is too much armed struggle and too many innocent lives have been sacrificed. What if we try militant but unarmed struggles? I believe the Bangsamoro people have the capacity to do it,” he stressed.
Regina Antequisa, yet another member of CSO-Ranaw noted the devastating effects of recurring wars: “It's really hard to accept that years of painstaking work is erased in a day of armed fighting.”
Jayshree Boot, gender and organizational development adviser of the UK-based Volunteer Service Organization and Anita Sescon of the Mindanao Commission on Women refreshed their network's position to urge the government and the MILF to agree on the cessation of hostilities and proceed with the conduct of peace negotiations.
They noted that aside from children, women usually get caught and are maltreated in the conflict.
Iligan News Desk
ILIGAN CITY--Bantugan Dagohoy, a pseudonym, wrote something in the Yahoogroup messageboard of the Civil Society Organization (CSO).
His storyline stated that as an observer in the campaign for the Moro people’s right to self-determination, “talking peace with government at this time is a waste of energy for the MILF because the government would never grant the Bangsamoro’s demands.”
This position solicited a reaction from Bong Enriquez Jr., program coordinator of Ecoweb Inc., who said that Bantugan Dagohoy’s stand “was tantamount to making peace talks obsolete.”
“If so, people will be fighting with no end. And what will happen to the unarmed and unwilling civilians?” Enriquez asked.
Enriquez disapproved of Dagohoy’s statement adding the so-called campaign for a “culture of peace” will be for naught when both camps, referring to the government and the MILF will continue to be in disagreement.
Just a few days ago, President Gloria Arroyo announced the creation of a new government panel that will resume peace talks with the MILF, designating DFA Usec. Rafael Seguis as chair.
Malacañang has yet to announce the names of the members
“I think the best strategy for the MILF is to intensify war to pressure the Philippine government to change its Constitution to ensure that the key provisions of the MOA-AD will be accepted,” Dagohoy commented.
Others like Carino Antequisa of the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development urged his fellow peace advocates for “active non-violence” to support the efforts of the new peace panel.
He said they would continue holding symposia, workshops, and other activities that will make a political impact.
“There is too much armed struggle and too many innocent lives have been sacrificed. What if we try militant but unarmed struggles? I believe the Bangsamoro people have the capacity to do it,” he stressed.
Regina Antequisa, yet another member of CSO-Ranaw noted the devastating effects of recurring wars: “It's really hard to accept that years of painstaking work is erased in a day of armed fighting.”
Jayshree Boot, gender and organizational development adviser of the UK-based Volunteer Service Organization and Anita Sescon of the Mindanao Commission on Women refreshed their network's position to urge the government and the MILF to agree on the cessation of hostilities and proceed with the conduct of peace negotiations.
They noted that aside from children, women usually get caught and are maltreated in the conflict.