By Alma L. Tingcang
| PAGADIAN CITY, December 7 (PIA) - - To break the culture of violence and impunity happening in our country and to allow a culture of peace and justice to prevail, a Forum on Peace and Security and Updates on the GPH-MILF Peace Process will be held today, December 7, 2011 at the Bay Plaza Hotel, this city from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace, Inc. (CSO-FP) based in Iligan City, in partnership with the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Ummah Fi Salam (UFS) and other concerned organizations will launch the forum which is in line with the peace initiatives of the Aquino administration of working for a solution to the peace problem in Mindanao. To give the rationale of the forum will be Sultan Maguid Maruhom, Interfaith Convenor and Executive Director, UFS. City Mayor Samuel S. Co is expected to grace the occasion who will deliver a welcome message. Messages of peace will also be delivered by Most Rev. Emmanuel Cabajar, Bishop of the Diocese of Pagadian, Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel, P/Supt Jose Bayani L. Gucela, PNP Provincial Director and Pastor Diosdado Marquez, Interfaith Convenor - United Church of Christ in the Philippines. MGen Noel A. Coballes, Division Commander of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, Philippine Army will be the guest speaker who will talk on the overall situation of peace and security in his area of responsibility. Updates on the GPH – MILF Peace Process will be presented by Juanito C. Enriquez Jr, Managing Director of CSO-FP, Iligan City after which will be a workshop grouping according to sector. |
Expected to attend the forum are media practitioners, multi-sectoral organizations, religious groups, women and youth. The forum’s theme is, “Kalinaw MindaNOW: Kultura sa Kalinaw, Ipadayon ug Ipatunhay sa Mindanao.” (ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sur)