CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Abdullah “Bravo” Macapaar, commander of the North Western Mindanao Front of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), expressed continued support for the Mindanao peace process during a courtesy visit to the regional office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“Lahat po ng pwede kong gawin para maitulong, para ma-maintain natin ang peace process, ang maitaguyod natin ang mga Muslim, mga Christian. ano mang tulong ang pwede nating gawin. Ako po ay inyong kapatid,” said Macapaar.
(I will do everything that I can to help, to maintain the peace process, to Muslims and Christians, whatever help we can do. I am your brother.)
DILG Regional Director Bruce A. Colao said Macapaar’s visit symbolizes the MILF’s commitment to unity and shared values.
“We have seen him in the flesh and we’re talking about peace. We’re talking about development and hopefully, we will be able to bring down the barriers that are being caused by prejudice and indifference so that when we say inclusive development, it is really inclusive,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by Musa Mohamad Sanguila, technical consultant for the Philippine Government–MILF Peace Process and regional coordinator of the United Religions Initiative (URI) Southeast Asia and the Pacific (SEAPac), and representatives from civil society organization Pakigdait, Inc., led by Abel Moya.
Sanguila stressed the importance of addressing personal bias in the pursuit of peace. “You cannot give what you do not have, kung mag-una pirme atong prejudices and biases, wala gyuy mahitabo,” he said.
(You cannot give what you do not have. If we always let our prejudices and biases come first, nothing will ever happen.)
He added that peace should begin at home by encouraging children to adopt a mindset based on peace rather than fear.
Macapaar also visited the Police Regional Office (PRO)-10, where he was received by Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jaysen C. De Guzman.
“This serves as a powerful reminder that peace is possible when we come together, not as former rivals but as partners working toward a common goal. What we are witnessing is the transformation of conflict into cooperation, of division into unity, and we, the Police Regional Office, are proud to be part of that journey,” said De Guzman.
He also affirmed the PRO-10’s commitment to supporting peace and development efforts, not only through law enforcement but also by building relationships and strengthening trust across all sectors of society.
Macapaar concluded his visit by reiterating his commitment to peace and development efforts in Northern Mindanao. (Shaun Alejandrae Uy)
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