MANILA – Heavy rains and strong winds did not dampen the spirit of hundreds who joined in the vigil that called for the nonviolent resolution to the ongoing crisis in Zamboanga City.
Saturday night, people of all ages, cultures and faiths gathered at the Liwasang Aurora, Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City to say prayers, light candles, and sing songs of hope and peace as they sent off positive vibes to the people who are experiencing the brunt of internal conflict between forces of the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) associated with Nur Misuari.
Dubbed “A Nation Praying for Peace,” the event aimed to provide a platform for stakeholders to call for an end to violence and spread the word that peace is the best option. It was held in time for the annual International Day of Peace celebrated in various parts of the world.
Spearheading the vigil were civil society organizations Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN), Urban Poor Associates, Women Engaged in Action on 1325, People Power Volunteers for Reform, and Community of San’tEgidio.
One of the highlights of the event was a candle-lighting ceremony led by bikers from The Firefly Brigade who rode from the Earthdance peace event in Bonifacio Global City bringing with them a torch passed to them by children. The torch was used to light candles for the vigil.
In a solidarity statement read by Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman of YMPN on behalf of the CSOs, they dedicated the lights to the people who have lost their homes, sacrificed their lives, suffered the loss of loved ones, and experienced desolation in the face of armed conflict.
“Sa pagsindi natin nitong mga kandila nawa’y unti-unti ring mawala ang kadilimang bitbit ng kaguluhan, at lumiwanag ang landas tungo sa pagkakasundo ng mga partidong naglalabanan sa lalong madaling panahon (As we light these candles, may the darkness brought by violence slowly fade, and the path towards reconciliation of conflicting parties light up),” the statement said.
“We urge the public to join us in this cry for peace, and to continue working together for the peace we collectively want, direly need and greatly deserve.”
Also joining the candle-lighting ceremony were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles as well as actors and National Peace Ambassadors Gerald Anderson and Igi Boy Flores.
Music and peace
Performances from top-rate artists, such as National Peace Ambassadors Apl.d.ap, Noel, Cabangon, Ebe Dancel, Datu Khomeini, Gloc-9, and many others, accompanied the vigil from 3 p.m. until midnight.
Dancel sang his self-composed song, called “IIsa” (One), which talks about reconciling and uniting under the shared goal of peace despite many differences.
“Sana matapos na itong gulo sa Zamboanga. Maraming mga bata na ang naaapektuhan (I hope the conflict in Zamboanga will end soon),” he said. “Pero naniniwala ako na mareresolba ito at magagawan ng paraan (But I believe that this will be resolved).”
Cookie Chua, vocalist of band Color It Red, said she felt saddened by the ongoing armed conflict in Zamboanga and other parts of Mindanao. Having a father who hails from Cotabato, Chua related that she was familiar to violence in the south.
She said that the least that people can do is not to be apathetic. “Sumali sila sa mga (they can join) relief operations. Mag-participate sila para maging aware sila (They should participate to become aware),” she said. “Kasama sa bansa natin ang Zamboanga. Iisang bansa lang tayo kaya’t magsama-sama tayo (Zamboanga is part of our country. We are one nation so we should join together).”
Khomeini, dubbed as the King of Moro Songs, urged his fellow Mindanaoans to keep the faith and continue praying for the armed conflict to be resolved soon. He also said he hoped that people who are using the crisis as an opportunity for personal gain will stop and act for the higher good.
“Laking Maguindanao ako, at alam na alam ko ang mga problema diyan sa Mindanao. Hindi rin malayo sa amin ang Zamboanga (I grew up in Maguindanao, and I really know the problems in Mindanao. Zamboanga is not also far from us),” he said while expressing hopes that the government and the MNLF will resolve the standoff soon.
On the other hand, Cabangon stressed the importance of keeping oneself informed of the issues in Mindanao in order to effectively campaign for peace.
“You need to know the issues. You really can’t just say to the people, ‘Let’s have peace,’” he stated.
“If you want to get the support of the people, then you should be informed. You should know what the issues are. So that when we talk about peace, we are on the same page. We are on the same mindset. We can move forward together.”
“Alam kong mahirap (I know that it’s hard). Yung pagresolba (Resolving this) – politically, addressing economic issues, cultural issues. I know that the government is really trying hard to resolve the conflict,” Cabangon added.
Since violence erupted in Zamboanga on Sept. 9, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has been coordinating with various groups and providing advice and assistance on the ground.
Deles has been in touch with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation-Peace Committee on Southern Philippines and Indonesia, the chair of the PCSP, which facilitates the ongoing Tripartite Implementation Review of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) between the government and the MNLF.
OPAPP Undersecretary Jose Lorena, on the other hand, has been in close coordination with the Zamboanga Crisis Committee and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He has also been meeting with senior MNLF leaders to convince remaining members of the MNLF forces led by Nur Misuari not to reinforce their comrades in Zamboanga, Sulu and Basilan. Among the MNLF leaders he has met were Muslimin Sema, head of another MNLF faction; Abdul “Kong” Sahrin, secretary general of the MNLF central committee; Edmund Gumbahali, president of the Panglima Hawani Foundation; Yusoph Jikiri, former Sulu governor and MNLF commander; Abi Bakrin Lukman, member of the Council of 15; Abdul Gadjir Ismael, senior officer; Abuo Amri Tadick, deputy chief of staff for political affairs; Rasul Razdy, chief of staff for administration; and Sampang Kursid.
Almost two weeks ago, Misuari-led MNLF elements attacked Zamboanga City as part of their declaration of an independent Bangsamoro Republik, and demand to raise their flag at the city hall. The group accused the government of allegedly sidelining them in the peace process and abrogating the 1996 FPA.
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