We live in difficult and trying times. The armed violence in Mindanao is escalating while our people, indigenous peoples, Muslims and Christians continue to be displaced and victimized by untold hostilities of our time. We hear of reports of civilians, out of desperation arming themselves. We hear the lamentations of displaced inhabitants. Our people continue to live in fear, confusion and anger.
We commit ourselves to the promotion of genuine peace. We urge armed groups to exercise maximum tolerance and uphold the rule of law. We urge the government, the MILF and other stakeholders to seriously explore ways of ending the hostilities. We ask our people to act with sobriety and responsibly, not issue inflammatory remarks and spread misleading text messages that only create more tension and panic. We support all avenues that seek understanding rather than conflict, that promote dialogue rather than confrontation, and to address the roots of conflict rather than palliatives and temporary solutions.
We are for genuine peace. We are opposed to war and armed hostilities.
| (Sgd) Fr Antonio F Moreno SJ Ateneo de Zamboanga University(Sgd) James Makasiar Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce & Industry(Sgd) Msgr Luis Chito Araneta Archdiocese of Zamboanga(Sgd) Cecile Simbajon Ateneo Social Development Council(Sgd) Engr Efrén Y Wee Industrial Group of Zamboanga, Inc.(Sgd) Atty Manuelito Luna Movement for Better Zamboanga(Sgd) Engr Efrén Arañez Movement for Better Zamboanga(Sgd) Aryameir Ismael Ateneo Social Development Council(Sgd) Remedios Marmoleño(Sgd) Jose Vicente Atilano III | (Sgd) Atty Arsenio L Gonzalez SJ Movement for Better Zamboanga(Sgd) Teresita U Sebastián Movement for Better Zamboanga(Sgd) Fr Sebastián D’Ambra Silsilah Dialogue Movement(Sgd) Roberto G Valerio Secretary General, ECOP-ZAMBASULTA(Sgd) Brod Raymund E Belleza SJ Ateneo de Zamboanga University(Sgd) Rodolfo Iglesias Movement for Better Zamboanga(Sgd) Ronald Lledo Movement for Better Zamboanga(Sgd) Claro R Potenciano(Sgd) Eduardo Cheong(Sgd) Engr George Ledesma |
