MALACAÑANG PALACE, MANILA—President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the signing of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) here on Monday, September 2.

The President also banged the gong to officially launch the celebration of the 20th National Peace Consciousness Month, an annual event symbolizing the country’s desire for greater unity, mutual understanding and harmony.

A defining chapter of history

In his keynote speech, President Marcos remarked that “This momentous occasion brings us back to a defining chapter in our history, when the government and the MNLF formally ended the decades-long struggle.”

“From the forging of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement under my father’s administration, to the signing of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement, we have demonstrated mutual respect and strong collaboration and a burning desire for peace,” he said.

The President expressed his gratitude to the MNLF for their “steadfast commitment as natural allies, brothers, partners and ancestors for peace.”

He reassured the MNLF and the Filipino people that his administration is determined to fulfill the commitments made by the national government under all signed peace agreements.

“To my fellow Filipinos, the dividends of peace that we have worked so hard to achieve are now upon us. And, the responsibility to create a more inclusive and prosperous country now lies in our hands,” President Marcos said.

A call for unity

In his message, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G Galvez, Jr. called on the MNLF to continuously support the GPH-MNLF peace process in the spirit of solidarity.

Galvez emphasized the need “to continuously tread the new path—the new path of peace…and to maximize the strong partnership forged through the years between the National Government and the MNLF.”

“To sustain the gains of our peace initiatives and co-create conditions that will uphold human dignity and achieve a better quality of life for former combatants, their families and communities,” Galvez stressed.

For his part, President Marcos encouraged the MNLF “in the spirit of convergence, to continue working with all stakeholders in the region towards accountable, transparent and people-centered governance in the region.”

“We are likewise encouraging you to engage in a continuing open and constructive exchange and dialogue with the government and its instrumentalities to discuss the experiences and challenges of our people in Mindanao so that we can provide responsive policies to serve you,” he added.

Celebrating the gains of peace

MNLF Vice Chairman and Chairman of the MNLF Peace Implementing Panel Abdulkarim Misuari and MNLF Management Committee Chairman Uttoh Salem Cutan cited the efforts of the national government to build on and sustain the gains of the GPH-MNLF peace process.

“We are happy to note that the present administration, led by His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, is committed to implement all the signed peace agreements,” Cutan said.

“Nakikita natin naman ngayon ang positive niya, fast paced siya,” Misuari pointed out, as he commended the Marcos administration for putting primacy to the peace process in Mindanao and for its “openness to fulfill all obligations from the side of the government.”

During a press conference on the sidelines of the event, MNLF Chair Muslimin Sema thanked the Marcos Jr.’ administration for honoring the national government’s commitments under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

Sema also lauded the efforts of former President Marcos, Sr. for addressing the plight of the MNLF and the Moro people as a whole through the signing of the Tripoli Agreement that led to “the peace that we have now.”

“We thank the leadership of the Republic of the Philippines for finally recognizing the rights of the Moro people,” he said.

He also reaffirmed the support of the MNLF to President Marcos’ peace agenda for the Moro people.

“Amin po itong susuportahan, the Moro National Liberation Front will stand with that. We will march with how our brothers who are no longer here, we will march, as they marched for peace,” Sema said.

Commitment to peace and transformation

Following the successful launch and implementation of the MNLF Transformation Program and all other peacebuilding interventions, Galvez reaffirmed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity’s (OPAPRU) commitment “to work closely with our peace partners in ensuring the implementation of all our signed peace agreements.”

In response, Abdulkarin Misuari said: “Kami naman from the side of the MNLF, partners po tayo in peace, partners po tayo sa journey at partners po tayo sa bagong pilipinas sa future ng buong bansa.”

“We shall also be looking forward to the continuous innovations for the gains of peace and the far-reaching needs of our people,” MNLF Chair Nur Misuari said in a pre-recorded video message.

Meanwhile, President Marcos underscored his administration’s focus on the “transformation of the country towards a more inclusive, peaceful and progressive society.”

He gave his assurance that the national government will continue to pursue and “build a more secure and dignified Bagong Pilipinas.”

“Peace begins within us, it flourishes the moment that we strip ourselves of the idea of ‘us versus them.’ promote respect for our fellows, uphold every one’s dignity,” the President said.

Call for peaceful, orderly BARMM elections

President Marcos also took the opportunity to call on the MNLF and other peace stakeholders to help the government “ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible conduct of the first Bangsamoro Elections next year.”

“The forthcoming election is an important reminder not only of the democracy that empowers us to mold our destinies but also of the visionaries who paved the way for the freedom that we all relish today,” he stressed.

The President described the BARMM elections as a landmark event that is comparable to the “signing of all of the peace agreements.”

“This will now, not only formalize, not only institutionalize but actually operationalize BARMM’s part in the national government. And that is a very, very important landmark; a very, very important part of our peace agreement,” he said.

“This—that will be the day when we can say that we have recognized the autonomy of BARMM and BARMM has also found—has also recognized its membership into the fold of society within the national government. And that is an important conclusion to any peace effort,” the President added.

Peace Month @ 20: Bagong Pilipinas: Transforming minds, transforming lives

On July 20, 2004, the month of September was declared as the “National Peace Consciousness Month” under Proclamation No. 675.

The OPAPRU, then the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), was tasked to lead the month-long observance and celebration of Peace Month.

This year marks the 20th annual celebration of Peace Month with the theme “Peace Month @ 20: Transforming minds, transforming lives.”

Galvez explained that “this 20th anniversary’s theme focuses on the transformation of the minds and lives of the people we serve, which is the essence of the implementation of our peace agreements.”

The peace adviser also highlighted that the month-long peace activities aim to support the Marcos administration’s peace, reconciliation and unity agenda.

According to President Marcos, “The dividends of the peace that we have worked so hard to achieve are now upon us, and the responsibility to create a more inclusive and prosperous country now lies in our hands.”

“For us to move forward as a strong, undivided nation, the government will continue to pursue a principled and peaceful resolution to internal armed conflicts, with neither blame nor surrender, but with dignity for all,” he concluded.

For the latest updates on this year’s Peace Month Celebrations, you may follow OPAPRU’s social media accounts with the username @peacegovph on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and Youtube. ###