Bishops-Ulama, AFP: dialogue is key to peace-making

IN a statement released before their August 9 meeting the BUC convenors emphasized that despite having the same goal of promoting peace and order, both religious leaders and law enforcers vary in their methods of implementing it.

“Hence there is a need of building lines and occasions of peaceful communication and dialogue among them towards an effective mutual collaboration,” the statement said.

Acknowledging the key role of religious leaders and peacekeepers in promoting peace through respectful dialogue, both parties agreed to strive to build bridges of solidarity, reconciliation and peace through dialogue calling on each citizen to fulfill their role in peace-making.

Officials of the Tripartite Commission of the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) led by Davao archbishop Fernando Capalla, UCCP Bishop emeritus Hilario Gomez and Ulama League President Dr. Mahid Mutilan met last August 9 with representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, (AFP) the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Military Ordinariate to a dialogue for peace in Mindanao.

National Security Adviser Secretary Norberto Gonzales, General Hermogenes Esperon, and Director General Oscar Calderon represented the AFP and PNP.

Contentious situations “such as land conflicts, misrepresentation and inaccurate reporting, the threat of hostilities breaking out because of possible flash points, provocations because of biases and prejudices” remain problematic issues that call for an ongoing dialogue.

Both parties agreed that dialogue should start from the grassroots and work its way up to the level of leadership.

Serving as a liaison between the Bishop-Ulama and military in the peace process is Military Ordinariate Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak, DD.

According to Fr. John Brillantes, the bishop’s secretary, the Military Ordinariate’s participation in the peace dialogue is important because of the military’s involvement in the ongoing clashes.

“[The bishop] wants to be involved in the peace process because the men and women in uniform are at the center stage of the ongoing conflict in Mindanao,” he said.

Tumulak has issued instruction to all chaplaincies of AFP and PNP throughout the country to organized Holy hour and pray for peace in violence-racked Sulu and Basilan provinces.

The government deployed more than 4,000 soldiers in Sulu and Basilan last week in a military offensive against Abu Sayyaf bandits.