The
Mindanao Catholic Church Leaders for Peace (MCCLP) has released their official
statement regarding the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in light of the nearing
plebiscite on the matter.
Making a stand in behalf of Ateneo de Zamboanga University
is Father President Karel San Juan SJ, together with heads of other Mindanao
Universities and Colleges supporting BOL.
THE BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW AND
BEYOND
As the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) draws near,
we, Mindanao Catholic Church Leaders for Peace, wish to express our support for
its passage with the following observations.The BOL addresses the three
historical injustices against the Muslim community as expressed by their own
leaders: the diminution of their ancestral territory; the threat to their
cultural identity; and the loss of their political governance. After more than
half a century of armed struggle, and countless peace negotiations, the BOL
represents the mutual acceptance by both sides for the creation of a Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In this light, the BOL is more than just another piece of
legislation; it is more significantly a peace agreement that involves the
future development of Mindanao and the rest of the country. After many failed
attempts, this may be the last concrete chance for a just and lasting peace in
Mindanao.
While delineating the proposed boundaries for the autonomous
region, the BOL explicitly recognizes that the Bangsamoro territory “shall
always be an integral, indivisible, and inseparable part of the national
territory of the country.”
The Shari’ah law shall apply exclusively to Muslims. Non-Muslims
are not covered, unless they voluntarily submit to the jurisdiction of the
Shari’ah court. The Bill of Rights under the Philippine Constitution continues
to be in force for all Filipino citizens.
The Indigenous People’s Rights Act is explicitly acknowledged for
the protection of the Lumad communities.
The proposed Bangsamoro Parliament includes representation for
minorities and settler communities.
The police
regional force in charge of security in BARMM shall be under the “direct
operational control and supervision of the Philippine National Police.”
Unlike earlier peace agreements, there is a timetable for the
de-commissioning of firearms by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The first
phase has already been implemented.
We are aware that many challenges will continue to confront the
Bangsamoro Transition Authority over the next three years as well as the future
elected members of the Bangsamoro Parliament. Ultimately, it will be left to
the residents themselves of BARMM to ensure the participatory and viable
functioning of the autonomous region.
On our part, as Catholic religious leaders, we need to focus on
the horizontal peace process on the ground—i.e., by engaging in the dialogue of
life, action and spirituality among ordinary Christians and Muslims. We also
need to commit to intrafaith and interfaith dialogue towards mutual respect and
understanding so as to reduce or eliminate biases and prejudices. Religion
should be viewed as a bridge towards reconciliation, not a wall that divides.
As Catholic Church leaders advocating for peace, we must also know what the BOL
says in order for us to make an informed and responsible choice, and vote on
the merits of the BOL and not on the basis of bias and prejudice.
We also offer to help in quality education, in creating a more
inclusive history of Mindanao that recounts the narratives of Muslim and Lumad
events and personalities, and in providing other means of support such as
fielding volunteer teachers for the madaris schools of Muslim school children.
The devastation of the Islamic City of Marawi in 2017, as well as
the recent bombing of a mall in Cotabato City, alerts us to the looming face of
violent extremism. As one parish priest in the front lines has pointed out,
“The heart of peace is a change of heart.”
With all our
constituents in parishes and schools, we pray for a lasting peace in Mindanao —
a gift and a task — that respects cultural and religious diversity, while
acknowledging one God, Creator and Provider of us all.
Signed:
MINDANAO CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADERS FOR PEACE
(MCCLP)
MINDANAO
ARCHDIOCESES AND DIOCESES
HIS
EMINENCE ORLANDO B. CARDINAL QUEVEDO OMI, D.D.
Archbishop
Emeritus
Archdiocese
of Cotabato
MOST
REV. ROMULO G. VALLES, D.D.
Archbishop
Archdiocese
of Davao
President
Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
MOST
REV. ANTONIO J. LEDESMA, SJ, D.D.
Archbishop
Archdiocese
of Cagayan de Oro
Diocese
of Butuan (Apostolic Administrator)
MOST
REV. FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, D.D.
Archbishop
Emeritus
Archdiocese
of Davao
MOST
REV. GEORGE B. RIMANDO, D.D.
Auxiliary
Bishop
Archdiocese
of Davao
MOST
REV. JOSÉ ARANETA CABANTAN, D.D.
Bishop
Diocese
of Malaybalay
MOST
REV. CERILO U. CASICAS, D.D.
Bishop
Diocese
of Marbel
MOST
REV. EDWIN S. DE LA PEÑA, D.D.
Bishop
Prelature
of Marawi
MOST
REV. ABEL C. APIGO, D.D.
Bishop
Diocese
of Mati
MOST
REV. GUILLERMO D. AFABLE, D.D.
Bishop
Diocese
of Digos
MOST
REV. EMMANUEL T. CABAJAR, CSsR, D.D.
Bishop
Diocese
of Pagadian
MOST
REV. JULIUS S. TONEL, D.D.
Bishop
Diocese
of Ipil
MOST
REV. SEVERO C. CAERMARE, D.D.
Bishop
Diocese
of Dipolog
Diocese
of Iligan (Apostolic Administrator)
MOST
REV. ANTONIETO D. CABAJOG, D.D.
Bishop
Diocese
of Surigao
MOST
REV. RAUL DAEL, D.D.
Bishop
Diocese
of Tandag
REV.
FR. TERESITO L. SUGANOB
Prelature of Marawi
MINDANAO
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
FR.
KAREL S. SAN JUAN, SJ
President
Ateneo
de Zamboanga University
FR.
ROBERTO C. YAP, SJ
President
Xavier
University – Ateneo de Cagayan
FR.
JOEL E. TABORA, SJ
President
Ateneo
de Davao University
President
Catholic
Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP)
REV.
MSGR. JULIUS C. RODULFA
President
Holy
Cross of Davao College
REV.
FR. JOHN CHRISTIAN U. YOUNG
President
Father Saturnino
Urios University
MINDANAO PEACE CENTER
MS. MYLA LEGURO
Catholic
Relief Services
