COTABATO CITY –  Almost four hundred peace bikers, composed of bikers association, security sector, members of the Moro fronts,  accompanied the arrival of Peace Buzz here on Saturday.

The Peace Buzz made its seventh stop out of total nine stops, crisscrossing the country to promote and build culture of peace.

The bikers rode along with the Peace Buzz in the 45-kilometer stretch from the town of Midsayap in North Cotabato province to Cotabato.

In a short program at the City Hall or People’s Palace, Asec.  Dickson Hermoso of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) emphasized the needed healing process brought about by the armed conflict.

He said OPAPP has been leading the government’s peace advocacy not only to reach political settlements between the government and the rebel groups but also promote culture of peace.

“What I saw earlier was unity for peace,” he said referring to the large numbers of bikers who joined the bike for peace dubbed as “Kariling sa Kalinaw.”

Hermoso said OPAPP is now on the process of getting all sectors to pursue the peace agenda of the Duterte administration.

Rodolfo Palo, 51, an employee of the city government and a member of the Cotabato City Government Employees Bikers Association, said he was overwhelmed as it was his first  time to complete 48-kilometer ride.

“It was tiring but with the help of other bikers, I was able to overcome the challenges,” he said.

Palo noted that he was glad to see some members of the Moro fronts joining the event.

In behalf of City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, secretary to the Mayor Anaceto  Rasalan said “development is anchored on the existence of Peace.”

“In the work for peace, 90 percent should be supported by the community. The government can’t do this alone. There should be an active engagement with the community,” he said.

“Let’s set aside tribal and religious differences.  Let’s think as one, as Filipinos,” he urged.

“Through this bike for peace, let this be the start to promote peace,” he said, adding this kind of activity will promote common understanding.

For its part, MGen. Arnel de la Vega, commander of the Joint Task Force Central, said the military will continue to support peace initiatives.

“We in armed service also yearn for peace. We are with you, venturing in varied approaches with force as the least in mind,” he said.

The Peace Buzz is a caravan that has been traveling since Sept 21 as part of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process’ (OPAPP) campaign in the celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month.

The colorfully-designed bus started its journey in Baguio City.  It then proceeded to Quezon City with the ceremonial ringing of the World Peace Bell. Afterwards, it went to Legazpi City, Albay and was joined by Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2017 and National Peace Ambassadress Elizabeth Clenci, to entertain the children and disabled folks residing in Sagrada Familia Foundation. In the island of Samar, it witnessed the launching of Samar’s “Peace and Prosperity Roadmap”.

The Peace Buzz has just made a stopped in the cities of Butuan and Davao as part of its Mindanao leg prior to Cotabato.

The bus is expected to make a brief stop at Marawi in solidarity with the people affected the ongoing armed conflict. The bus will then proceed to nearby city of Iligan to culminate the month-long peace celebration on Oct. 1.

Over the years, OPAPP has been leading the nationwide celebration of the Month of Peace every September.

This year’s theme is “Puso Para sa Kapayapaan, Magkaisa Para sa Bayan.” ###