MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, June 24 --- The Ranao Confederation For Peace (RCFP), an alliance of peace-oriented organizations, civil society groups and academic institutions, will be spearheading a caravan for peace in the two (2) Lanao provinces tomorrow, June 25.
Sultan Musa Macabangkit, chairman of RCFP, said that the peace caravan aims to show popular and grassroots support to the on-going peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippine (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“The peace caravan is also our chance to urge both parties) to forge a negotiated political settlement of the Mindanao conflict in the soonest possible time,” Macabangkit stressed.
“We have been in distress. We have been suffering for several decades now. This conflict must be put to an end,” he added.
Some 3,000 vehicles, including motorcycles, are expected to participate in the peace caravan that will jumpstart here at about 7:00am.
From Marawi City, the caravan will pass through Iligan City and in some towns in Lanao del Norte.
In the town of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, the caravan will turn left and will proceed to the town of Malabang in Lanao del Sur.
From Malabang, it will take the highway passing through towns in the second district of Lanao del Sur before it finally goes back to Marawi City.
Macabangkit said he has already informed Brigadier General Ariel Bernardo, chairman of the GPH – Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) about the activity.
He said he will appreciate any assistance for a smooth and peaceful conclusion of the peace caravan.
Macabangkit also assured the CCCH chair that they will also do their best to discipline their own ranks so that no untoward incident will happen during the peace caravan.
Meantime, Abul Alibasa, RCFP youth coordinator, encouraged all Muslims, Christians and indigenous people to participate in the said peace caravan and show their support to the “roadmap for peace” or the comprehensive compact.
Peace is everybody’s concern, he added.
The GPH and the MILF are scheduled to meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 27-28, 2011. (Bobby Ilupa/RnB Marawi)
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