Month of Peace celebration starts in Lanao Norte

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (MindaNews/03 March) -- The provincial government of Lanao del Norte and civil society groups yesterday opened the province’s month of peace celebration, an activity that aims to transcend the effects of violence caused by the armed conflict
between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Governor Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo kicked off the celebration with a press conference at the Macapagal Training Center, at the provincial capitol here.

He said civil society should lead in peace advocacy because it has the credibility and “moral compass”, adding there would be misinterpretations if the local government would be the one to espouse it.

Some towns of Lanao del Norte were attacked the past years by the MILF, Maigo in 2003, and Kolambugan and Kauswagan in 2008. Kauswagan was also attacked in 2000, at the onset of ousted president Joseph Estrada’s all-out war.

The attacks led to mass evacuations, destruction of properties and deaths of civilians.

Kolambugan, with the assistance of Ecoweb Inc., responded to the raids by organizing their barangay tanods as “conflict managers” in the area.

Dimaporo admitted he was not familiar with the historical context [of the attacks], saying her mother, former governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, did not relate to him her experiences.

Musa Sanguila of Pakigdait Inc. said the province has declared March as “month of peace”.

He said the activities will include games for peace, forum, and walk/convergence for peace.

He also bared that as a partner of Global Interfaith Network, Pakigdait Inc. will host the regional council meeting of the United Religious Initiative of Southeast Asia and Pacific (URI-SEAPac) as the highlight of the celebration. [More at MindaNews]