Thousands parade for the 14th Mindanao Week of Peace

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

  

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) – Thousands of individuals coming from all sectors in the city showed unity for sustainable peace in Mindanao by participating in the parade conducted recently, officially kicking off this year’s Mindanao Week of Peace -November 29 to December 5.

This year’s theme is “Journeying toward Sustainable Peace in Mindanao”, fittingly depicting the recent success of the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in coming up with a Peace Framework Agreement.

The Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP), the lead organization of the Week of Peace, issued a statement expressing joy and fulfillment knowing that its peace building activity for the past 14 years is finally bearing fruit and has helped both the national government and the MILF to seriously consider peace, thus, the signing of the peace framework last October 15.

Peace Advocate Zamboanga (PAZ) said around 30,000 individuals from the government and private sectors, the academe, and other non-government and civic organizations have earlier signified their support to join the parade.

From its inception in 1997, pioneered by PAZ, Zamboanga City has registered the biggest numbers of participants with 2009 saw a record-breaking 30,000 participants all marching and calling for sustainable and lasting peace in Mindanao. Some foreign media members who covered the event were overwhelmed at the people’s response saying it was the longest parade for peace that they saw.

In support to the 14^th Mindanao Week of Peace, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat issued Executive Order No. CL 483-2012, an Act Declaring the period of November 29 to December 5, 2012 as Mindanao Week of Peace”, and enjoining all sectors within the city to throw all support and participate in all lined activities. (JPA/MVC/PIA ZBST)