Finding the road to peace once more, Cardinal Quevedo convenes Friends of Peace

COTABATO CITY –
A group of independent peace workers in Mindanao and other parts of the country
have joined together to promote and foster harmony among Mindanawons.

Calling itself
Friends of Peace (FFP),” the group was convened by His Eminence Orlando
Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, Archbishop of Cotabato in partnership with civil society
organizations from across the country.

Quevedo said in the aftermath of the Mamasapano tragedy and the stalled momentum in the peace process, theFriends of Peace, a group of peace advocates across the country, have come together to reflect on events and offer insights to our leaders, constituents and communities on the need to move forward, give meaning to the sacrifice of those who have fallen and find solutions to achieve durable peace. The many initiatives done in response to calls for truth and justice, for rebuilding of trust and confidence amongst our people, and many such peace activities are already contributions towards finding the road to peace once more, he said.But Quevedo, believing anyone can make a difference by working for peace and in the spirit of shared responsibility, is inviting stakeholders to the FFP launching.At 1 p.m. on Monday,
April 6 at Function Rooms 1-4, Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Conference
Center, Manila Benavidez cor. Trasierra Sts. Legaspi Village, Makati City,
Friends of Peace will be officially launched followed by a press conference.

FFP is an
independent group of peace workers convened by Cardinal Quevedo from the ranks
of civil society for the common purpose of fostering harmony among Mindanawons
(Muslims, Lumads, Christians, and members of other religious traditions).

It also
engages with the primary political actors and key stakeholders to promote peace
through dialogues and consultations in support of the implementation of the
Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the consolidation of peace
in Bangsamoro and the wider Mindanao area.

The FFP’s
vision goes beyond the implementation of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and
into the formation of a human ecology of harmony and peace among various ethnic
groups and religious traditions.Quevedo said the launch is also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the continuing task of strengthening the peace fabric. I hope that our efforts will help build the legacy of sustained peace and development in our homeland.