By Gideon C. Corgue
LAPUYAN, Zamboanga del Sur, May 19 (PIA) -- The interfaith
Forum for Solidarity and Peace, Consortium of Bangsa Civil Society, Asia
Foundation, Department for International Development, and the local government
unit on Thursday have jointly conducted a peace summit at the Antonio V.
Apostol memorial central elementary school gym.
The forum bears the theme “Hepenantu Ritu Dlengasan Hepheselabuk Nu Nga Getaw Dlepuyan Sapay Nawan” (Strengthening a Sustainable Unity and Peace of the Tri-People of Lapuyan).
Mayor Daylinda Sulong in her message said she was very happy that the activity was conducted to restore the peace and order in the municipality.
Speaking before the crowd of more than 700 delegates composed of municipal and barangay officials, military and Philippine National Police officers, tribal leaders and other stakeholders, Sulong in her message said, “Let us open our hearts, recognize and respect ourselves as well as the culture and religious beliefs so that we will be remained united and attain peace.”
“Ang atong gihimo karon mao ang paagi pagpbalik sa kahusay ug kalinaw ug pagpakita ug pagpadungog sa kasilinganan natong mga komunidad nga kita nagpabilin nga nagkahiusa sa atong kausa ug mas gipalig-on nato ang atong panaghiusa tungod kay ang Lapuyan mao ang lugar nga atong gipuy-an ug gimahal pag-ayo (The things we do now is a way to restore the peace and order and to show to our neighboring communities that we have remained united in our cause and further we strengthened the unity because Lapuyan is the place where we took up our abode and we love most),” Sulong said.
“Atong kalimtan ang nahitabo tungod kay kiniusa
Meanwhile, 102nd brigade commander Col. Gerardo Barrientos, Jr. said the presence of the different stakeholders proved the sincerity for their show of strong support of the peace initiative undertaken by the concerned sectors to bring an end to the conflict and to achieve lasting peace.
Barrientos asked the stakeholders’ support and total commitment in promoting peace in signing the peace covenant.
“I am asking your support and total commitment in promoting peace. In signing the peace covenant, instill it in your hearts and minds that you will faithfully fulfill your duties in accordance with the laws,” Barrientos urged.
Bishop of the Diocese of Pagadian Emmanuel Cabajar, convenor of the interfaith forum for solidarity and peace said the signing of peace covenant is just the beginning of the peace that we seek to re-establish in this municipality whose peace and order was disturbed by armed lawless elements for about three months.
Cabajar urged all the stakeholders to continue working for peace saying that God will help give peace to His people who are peace-loving and law-abiding citizens. (GCC/JPA-PIA9 ZamboSur)
The forum bears the theme “Hepenantu Ritu Dlengasan Hepheselabuk Nu Nga Getaw Dlepuyan Sapay Nawan” (Strengthening a Sustainable Unity and Peace of the Tri-People of Lapuyan).
Mayor Daylinda Sulong in her message said she was very happy that the activity was conducted to restore the peace and order in the municipality.
Speaking before the crowd of more than 700 delegates composed of municipal and barangay officials, military and Philippine National Police officers, tribal leaders and other stakeholders, Sulong in her message said, “Let us open our hearts, recognize and respect ourselves as well as the culture and religious beliefs so that we will be remained united and attain peace.”
“Ang atong gihimo karon mao ang paagi pagpbalik sa kahusay ug kalinaw ug pagpakita ug pagpadungog sa kasilinganan natong mga komunidad nga kita nagpabilin nga nagkahiusa sa atong kausa ug mas gipalig-on nato ang atong panaghiusa tungod kay ang Lapuyan mao ang lugar nga atong gipuy-an ug gimahal pag-ayo (The things we do now is a way to restore the peace and order and to show to our neighboring communities that we have remained united in our cause and further we strengthened the unity because Lapuyan is the place where we took up our abode and we love most),” Sulong said.
“Atong kalimtan ang nahitabo tungod kay kini
Meanwhile, 102nd brigade commander Col. Gerardo Barrientos, Jr. said the presence of the different stakeholders proved the sincerity for their show of strong support of the peace initiative undertaken by the concerned sectors to bring an end to the conflict and to achieve lasting peace.
Barrientos asked the stakeholders’ support and total commitment in promoting peace in signing the peace covenant.
“I am asking your support and total commitment in promoting peace. In signing the peace covenant, instill it in your hearts and minds that you will faithfully fulfill your duties in accordance with the laws,” Barrientos urged.
Bishop of the Diocese of Pagadian Emmanuel Cabajar, convenor of the interfaith forum for solidarity and peace said the signing of peace covenant is just the beginning of the peace that we seek to re-establish in this municipality whose peace and order was disturbed by armed lawless elements for about three months.
Cabajar urged all the stakeholders to continue working for peace saying that God will help give peace to His people who are peace-loving and law-abiding citizens. (GCC/JPA-PIA9 ZamboSur)