Peace for All

MANILA- Several advocates of peace from government bodies, NGOs, institutions including artists gathered at the University of the Philippines - Balay Kalinaw for a Peace Forum last February 16 2015 in what was considered as a call towards All-Out Peace in Mindanao due to the social unrest and rising discrimination against faiths particulary Muslims brought about by the Mamasapano incident.

Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Representative Cong. Sitti Djalia Hataman, wife of ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, called for the meeting with the intention of bringing together minds and individuals with the common goal of achieving lasting peace and a forward approach not only on the passing of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. She has emphasized that a "healing process" is feasible through the participation of many professionals including physicians who believe in the passing of the law. Cong. Bai Sandra Sema and husband Musle

min Sema have both actively mobilized its constituents through the Bike for Peace in Cotabato together with AFP, MNLF and MILF groups.


The Islamic Medical Association of the Philippines (IMAN) was represented by Board Secretary Dr. Zhamir Umag who has requested the groups to come up with activities on Peace not necessarily disruptive to usual routines, sensitive to cultural and  religious backgrounds, and to focus on educating the masses on the Bangsamoro history. He said that "the call for justice must not only be clamored for the 44 SAF officials but also for all the Moros lost in the gruesome clash which now affects not only the Bangsamoro Basic Law but the source of livelihood and the lives of children as well".

The delegates from various peace-oriented organizations sharing their ideas.

Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman addressing the whole body, thanking them for all the contributions for the success of this "kwentuhan"

Dr. Zhamir Umag currently works as a consultant in monitoring good governance among local chief executives addressing maternal health and the health system as a whole not only in Mindanao but as far as in areas such as CARAGA.

Aradelria Belleng of Nur Factory and AMIN likewise suggested famous hashtags such as #peacebewithyou in social media including Facebook while UP Medical Student Ahmad Hajiri, who is also the President of the UP Association of Medical Students has come up with the number 67 ad in social media to emphasize the need to consider the lost lives of the civilians including a 5-year old girl and counterparts in peace, the MILF who has remained true to their commitment to peace despite the turmoil brought by the January 25 incident. Mohagher Iqbal, Chief Peace Negotiator of MILF continues to gain the confidence of the majority in his call for peace and investigation on the clash and US troops' involvement in the incident.

An All-Out Peace is the only solution to more than decades of unrest in Mindanao which will eventually benefit not only the Moros but the entire Filipino race as well.