PASAY CITY, 29 September 2023 – To culminate the celebration of this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month (NPCM), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) held its Gawad Kapayapaan Highest Distinction Award, which recognized individuals and an organization that have dedicated their efforts in strengthening the foundations of peace in the country.

These outstanding individuals included former Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita, Aklan Gov. Florencio “Joeben” Tumbocon Miraflores, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The Highest Distinction Award aims to recognize individuals, groups, peace partners, and stakeholders who have played a crucial role in bringing a just and lasting peace in the country.

Peacekeepers as peacebuilders

The AFP has been helping the OPAPRU implement the Philippine government’s commitments under the Bangsamoro peace process, particularly the security aspect of the Normalization Program.

The armed forces has also strongly supported the government’s peace processes with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group or RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG now known as the KAPATIRAN, and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army or CBA-CPLA.

In his acceptance speech, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, who was represented by MGen. Arthur M. Cordura, stressed that peacekeeping should go beyond the traditional military approach.

“I cannot overemphasize the importance of our stakeholders, who are also our active partners in helping us maintain the momentum and gains of our internal security operations. With their assistance and support, the AFP had and will accomplish more,” Brawner said.

He noted that the Gawad Kapayapaan Highest Distinction Award, “signifies the AFP’s commitment to peace and serving the Filipino people.”

The AFP chief thanked OPAPRU “for recognizing the contributions of our soldiers to the peace process. This award shall push us to strive more to bring together the civil society organizations, local government units and agencies, and especially, the youth in our advocacy to promote peace, and eventually, end the armed conflict in our country.”

Public servant to peace worker

The second Gawad Kapayapaan Highest Distinction Award, Aklan Gov. Florencio “Joeben” Tumbocon Miraflores, was instrumental in implementing the peace agreement between the government and the RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG.

It was during his term as governor in 2000 when the landmark peace agreement was signed between the national government and KAPATIRAN. Since then, the peace and security situation in the province has significantly improved, with no reports of insurgency-related incidents to this day.

As governor from 2001 to 2004, he pioneered the concept of a “whole-of-government approach” to ensure not only the successful implementation of the government’s anti-insurgency efforts, but also the sustainability of the peace agreement with the KAPATIRAN.

In his acceptance speech, Miraflores thanked the KAPATIRAN for “our journey together in this very long but rewarding process.”

He said that he started this journey with KAPATIRAN when he was a new governor back in 2000s.

“I am fortunate to have witnessed the realization of their dreams. That itself is a huge reward for me, seeing the fruits of our long and hard labor. If we had given up in the middle of this process, if we had lost our trust and faith [in] each other and [in] the government, then, Aklan will not be as progressive as it is now,” Miraflores shared.

“It was through the efforts of KAPATIRAN wherein the highway leading to Boracay, once considered dangerous to tourists because of ambushes regularly happening, became safe for the tourists. Without the KAPATIRAN’s commitment, we would not have reached the tourism development of Aklan and we would not have made Boracay as a prime tourism destination of the country,” he added.

According to Miraflores, the Highest Distinction Award is a “the confirmation of our determination and endurance in pursuing the peace towards development of Aklan. This is a confirmation that the local peace agreement is effective. And may this be an inspiration to other LGUs to work on local peace dialogues and get to the bottom of insurgency problems.”

Soldier, statesman, peace-maker

The last awardee was Former Executive Secretary Ermita who helped push forward the peace process between the national government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), making peacebuilding the centerpiece of his career as a civil servant .

During his early years in the military, Ermita convinced several top MNLF commanders to return to the folds of the law.

These MNLF leaders included Basilan Revolutionary Committee Chair Gerry Salappudin; MNLF Reformist Group Chair Dimas Puntado; MNLF Deputy Chief Abu Khayr Alonto; and MNLF Commanders Talib Congo and Ronnie Malaguiok.

Ermita was not only dealing with rebels on the ground, he was also the other half of the secretariat supporting the government panel who headed the negotiations, leading to successful signing of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement with the MNLF.

He also became part of the National Unification Commission (NUC), the predecessor of OPAPRU. As a key figure within the NUC, Ermita convinced MNLF Founding Chair Nur Misuari to return to the negotiating table, which eventually led to the signing of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

In his acceptance speech, Ermita dedicated his award to the people – both past and present – who have worked tirelessly to lay the foundations of peace in the country.

“As I stand here today, I am reminded of the countless individuals who have dedicated their lives to this noble cause, often working behind the scenes without recognition but with unwavering determination,” he said.

“There were our principals and colleagues in government who came together for a common good. There were the soldiers who fought for flag and freedom and the many in the military who sacrificed and gave their lives to help attain peace. There were the former rebels willing to lay down their arms for the prospect of lasting peace. There were civil society and non-government peace organizations working hand-in-hand with the government to bring about positive change. And there were our citizens on the ground – common folks in far-flung communities – empowered by the government to rebuild what conflict had destroyed in communities,” Ermita related.

He also highlighted that peacebuilding is “not a walk in the park. Indeed the pursuit of peace is a collective endeavor; a testament to the tireless efforts of many strong and resilient people who have faced adversity. My commitment to peace is inspired by them; and it is to them that I dedicate this award to.”

“…peace is not a destination but a continuing endeavor that demands our vigilance, resoluteness and patience,” Ermita added.

Ermita underscored the importance of the awarding ceremony, saying that it aims, “not simply to bestow honor. More importantly, It is to emphasize that the work for peace must be embraced and celebrated as a continuing legacy.”

Art for peace

In his remarks, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. paid tribute to Rameer Tawasil, a renowned Tausug-Zamboangeño artist who designed the Gawad Kapayapaan trophy.

Tawasil put the province of Sulu and the rest of Mindanao in the local and international art scene through his pieces that showcased the rich and colorful culture of his hometown.

He partnered with OPAPRU, as he helped lead the conduct of art therapy workshops for children who were affected by the Marawi siege.

“Through his amazing artwork which depicts the rich culture and history of his hometown, the province of Sulu, and the rest of Mindanao, Rameer was able to promote the culture of peace,” Galvez said.

Tawasil passed away on June 6, 2023.

Celebrating peace

Galvez said that it was during the celebration of this year’s peace month that Filipinos have come together “to celebrate, promote and put to heart one of the most cherished aspirations of our people: a genuine and long-lasting peace.

“Through the various peace-themed activities that we held with our peace partners, we demonstrated that peace should not be a passive state, but an active and inclusive journey that requires the collective efforts of each and every one of us. It is a shared aspiration that transcends personal differences, bridges cultural and religious divides, and fosters a conducive environment where every Filipino can thrive and achieve their full potential,” he said.

Galvez said the celebration of peace month is a testament that peacebuilding is not only the work of a few individuals, agencies or institutions but of each and every Filipino.

“It urges us to go out of our comfort zones and take positive action. To build peace, we must think, breathe and act for peace. This comes from a realization that we all have the power in our hands to put an end to the cycle of violence and conflict. But we cannot solely rely on our individual abilities. We must work together and move in the same path to achieve our collective goal.”

Honoring peace champions

The peace adviser said the Gawad Kapayapaan Highest Distinction Award seeks to recognize individuals and organizations “…who have tirelessly dedicated the best years of their lives to promoting the culture of peace, mutual understanding and solidarity.”

“They are peacekeepers, peacebuilders and soldiers of peace in the truest sense. They are the nation’s living heroes who have done much for their countrymen but expect little or nothing in return,” he said.

Galvez is hopeful that through this award-giving body, Filipinos will be inspired to also become agents of peace.

“Let us be inspired not only by their many achievements but most importantly, by the manner in which they have accomplished great things and made the impossible possible. This is what makes them outstanding beyond everyone’s expectations. This is what makes them peace champions.”

Meanwhile, Galvez thanked Congress, Department of Budget Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and Congressman Joey Salceda for championing the government’s “peace investments” through the PAyapa at MAsagang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program.

He also expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his “unwavering commitment to push forward the country’s peace process.”

“Together, we can and will achieve the lasting peace, stability and prosperity that our beloved nation rightfully deserves,” he said. END