Hopes high as advocates mark Mindanao Week of Peace

COTABATO CITY—Peace advocates in Mindanao are not losing hope genuine peace is still attainable in the island and country as a whole.

A Roman Catholic bishop, who has been working for peace, will lead this year’s celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace that features various activities promoting peace and solidary among Mindanao’s tri-people constituents of Christians, Muslims and “Lumads” (natives).

The Mindanao Week of Peace starts on Nov. 29-Dec. 6 with this year’s theme: “Owning Mindanao’s History for Peace and Development.”

In a statement released here today, Kidapawan Diocesan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, DCC, said two major activities would form part of programs prepared by peace advocates in various areas in Mindanao.

Bishop Bagaforo said he believes that genuine peace is still a big possibility in Mindanao amid rising violence and terrorism.

“We will not stop working for peace, nobody can stop peace advocates from doing their shares in our desire to have peace in our land,” he said in one of his recent homilies.

For the Diocese of Kidapawan, a Peace Summit to be held at the North Cotabato provincial capitol gymnasium will kick off the weeklong celebration. Expected to participate are multi-sectoral groups to include local government units, representatives from the military, police, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and other security sectors.

Another activity where various sectors were invited to actively participate is the Bike for Peace which Bishop Bagaforo, a bike enthusiast, will personally lead.

Bagaforo said thousands of bike enthusiasts from three areas of Kidapawan, Marbel and Cotabato, more known as KIDMACO, have expressed desire to participate and share their simple contribution for the attainment of peace in the island. (PNA)