PASIG CITY — Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian have vowed to carry out President Ferdinand R. Marocs, Jr.’s directive: Transform former rebels (FRs) into peaceful, productive and resilient citizens. (more…)
CAMP BILAL, MUNAI, LANAO DEL NORTE—Upon seeing each other, the two men hugged tightly like blood brothers.
One is a retired military general who has fought countless wars; the other is a grizzled warrior who, for decades, championed his people’s right to self-determination. Both are fighters – and leaders – in the truest sense.
At first glance, they seem to be poles apart. However, they are bound by a common vision: to bring greater peace, progress and stability to the Bangsamoro. And it is this bond that has brought them closer than ever. (more…)
CAMP ABUBAKAR, BARIRA, MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE — Lined up along the roadside, Tundong-clad children waved Philippine flags, as they cheered and warmly greeted the visitors “Good morning, sirs and ma’ams!”
The atmosphere was festive in this hinterland Central Mindanao municipality that is located within the heart of the biggest Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camp — once the bastion of the former revolutionary group’s armed struggle. (more…)
MASLOG, EASTERN, SAMAR – “When the road begins, insurgency ends. And when the road ends, insurgency begins.”
This was a realization shared by Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. in his message during the ceremonial groundbreaking of road and bridge projects under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), on Monday, December 16, this city. (more…)
MANILA – The Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) agreed on Wednesday, December 11, to create a Technical Working Group (TWG) that will ensure the smooth transition of Sulu province from the Bangsamoro to the National Government. (more…)
2024 another banner year for PH peace process
MANILA — “As the year comes to a close, the Marcos [Jr.] administration will continue to fulfill its obligations to the country’s peace process.”
This was the assurance given by Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, December 11.
Galvez highlighted the major accomplishments of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) in line with the implementation of signed peace agreements, particularly peace and development interventions in once conflict-affected communities across the country.
“This year has turned out to be another very successful one for our agency and the comprehensive Philippine peace process as a whole,” he underscored.
Fostering lasting peace in the Bangsamoro
According to Galvez, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the landmark peace agreement signed between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) marked its 10th year of bringing greater peace, progress and stability in the region.
He said the Japanese government, in partnership with the OPAPRU, commemorated the occasion through a symposium that gave the international community an overview of both the progress made and the challenges being faced in the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace process.
Galvez also highlighted the achievements made by the national government under the Small Arms and Light Weapons Management (SALW-M) Program which has led to the turnover of approximately 2,000 loose and stenciled firearms from Basilan, Maguindanao, Tawi-tawi, and Lanao del Norte.
He stressed that the implementation of the SALW-M Program aims to ensure peace and order in the Bangsamoro, as the region prepares for the possible conduct of the first parliamentary elections in 2025.
Transformation of former combatants
Galvez said the 1996 Final Peace Peace Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also marked its 29th year, noting that former combatants continue to reap the benefits of the MNLF Transformation Program.
“Last week, we turned over Php 25 million worth of farming equipment to MNLF members, which aim to boost their agricultural productivity and allow them to earn higher incomes,” Galvez said.
Galvez also proudly shared that “the peace process with the Kapatiran is nearing its conclusion,” noting that more than 90 percent of [the government’s] commitments have been fulfilled.
He added that in OPAPRU’s efforts to transform former rebels, their families, and communities in peace and development focus areas is now bearing fruit, as 34 out of 51 provincial local government units have crafted their respective Transformation Program plans.
More high-impact PAMANA projects
Meanwhile, under OPAPRU’s flagship initiative, the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, Php 5 billion was allocated for “high-impact, community-level” projects in isolated and conflict-affected communities.
During his recent visit to Agusan del Sur, Galvez shared that “we committed to provide the provincial government with Php 210 million under the PAMANA program to rehabilitate the Limot-Candiis-Davao de Oro boundary round next year.”
Of the approved Php 7 billion peace budget of OPAPRU for the next fiscal year, Php 5.2 billion will be allocated for similar projects.
Pushing forward the WPS agenda
Galvez also reported that the country’s hosting of the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS), brought the OPAPRU “to the national consciousness and the international community.”
The ICWPS was spearheaded by the OPAPRU, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
Galvez stressed that the three-day conference also allowed the country to showcase its National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAPWPS).
Aside from the adoption of the landmark Pasay Declaration during the conference, the Philippine government, through the OPAPRU, also entered into an agreement with the US State Department to establish a Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Center of Excellence in the Philippines.
Gearing up for 2025
“The OPAPRU aims to achieve more ambitious targets in 2025. We expect the coming year to be filled with challenges, but our agency is ready to face these trials head-on, as we continue to deliver on our promises,” Galvez stressed.
Aside from the ongoing preparations for the BARMM elections, he said the OPAPRU continues to conduct consultations regarding the proposal to create a Department of Peace (DoP).
Galvez added that the OPAPRU aims to be converted into a national peace institute, underscoring the need to institutionalize all of the Philippine government’s peace policies, programs and strategies.
He said the peace agency is also gearing up for the establishment of the Center of Excellence for WPS and the localization of the NAPWPS throughout the country.###
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon – In celebration of its centennial anniversary and the Mindanao Week of Peace 2024, the Bukidnon State University (BukSU) hosted the final leg of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity’s (OPAPRU) Peace Education University Tour for this year on December 4. (more…)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, December 3, 2024 — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) continue to advance efforts to support sustainable peace and development through the turnover of Php 25 million worth of farm equipment to MNLF members.
In a ceremony held at Mindanao State University-General Santos City on Tuesday, the government turned over eight (8) tractors, six (6) rice combine harvesters, a corn sheller, and all necessary machinery accessories to MNLF members as part of the Transformation Program. (more…)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, December 3, 2024 — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) and the Mindanao State University (MSU) General Santos City on Tuesday signed agreements to bestow peace awards to graduating students who have made significant contributions to peacebuilding and the promotion of the culture of peace. The two parties have also agreed to establish a “Kalinaw Center,” envisioned as the nerve center for the implementation of MSU’s peace efforts. (more…)
PATIN-AY, AGUSAN DEL SUR — The heavy downpour did not stop 64 former rebels, now called ‘friends rescued,’ (FRs) from taking their oath of allegiance to the nation, pledging to turn away from armed struggle and pursue the path of peace.
The men and women, clad in plain white shirts, used to patrol the countryside with rifles in tow and engaged government troops in intense armed battles. But as they raised their hands and recited the oath on Friday, November 29, they began a new chapter in their lives. (more…)
Office of the Presidential Adviser
on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity
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