By Gideon C. Corgue
The
celebration which carries the theme: “ Love of God and Love of Neighbor, A
challenge for Mindanao,’’ kicked off with a motorcade dubbed “ride for peace”
which started from Pagadian to Labangan and ended at Plaza Luz with an
opening program.
Multi-stakeholders from the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace (IFSP), Armed Forces
of the Philippines
IFPS
Catholic convenor Rev. Father Felix Tigoy in his message said we are
celebrating week of peace because peace is still elusive. “We did not yet fully experienced true peace
in us,” Tigoy declared.
Tigoy said we
need to establish peace and continue to strive attaining true and lasting
peace.
“We need to
work for it daily and we make sure that our efforts are anchored on the social
order imposed by God” saying that real peace is something to do with harmony,
integrity, wholeness, and wellness.
“Peace is
built daily in pursuit of God’s order.
It is not merely the absence of war and cessation of hospitalities but
the presence of justice,” Tigoy added.
Meanwhile,
Civil Military Operations officer Lt. Col. Cornelio Arboleda, who represented
Tabak commander MajGen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III said the 1st
infantry (TABAK) division is strongly supporting the “week of peace”
celebration. “AFP’s peace advocacy which
was embodied in the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) dubbed “Bayanihan”
campaign is true and sincere manifestation of our support to the government’s
peace initiatives,” Arboleda announced.
Various
activities were also lined up in the weeklong (Nov.29-Dec.5) celebration to
include press conference, ride for peace and tri-people women’s rights forum, to
name a few.
The celebration is pursuant to Proclamation Order 127 issued on November
26, 2001 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declaring the last Thursday
of November up to the first Wednesday of December of every year thereafter as
Mindanao Week of Peace. (JPA/GCC/PIA,Pagadian
City
