PCEC STATEMENT ON THE OCTOBER 2011 BASILAN CRISIS We grieve and condole from the depth of our hearts with the families and friends of those who were killed from all sides in Sitio Bakisung, Barangay Cambug, Municipality of Al Barka in Basilan last Tuesday, October 18, 2011. In a battle that went from 5:30 AM …
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2011/10/an-all-out-war-with-the-milf-is-not-the-answer/
A VIEW FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS AND GRASSROOTS This is the official statement of the 2nd National Solidarity Conference on Mindanao. We, the delegates of the 2nd National Solidarity Conference on Mindanao (NSCM II), representing religious leaders, business community, civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, women, youth, internally displaced persons and academe, gathered in Davao City …
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2011/09/finding-the-common-ground-in-the-gph-milf-peace-talks/
The PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI)—a fellowship of Conflict Transformation specialists who are dreaming and working for a just, radical, and active non-violent transformation of our land—is confident that the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will continue towards the path of peace and reconciliation between …
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2011/08/pbci-remains-positive-about-the-gph-milf-peace-negotiations/
09 MARCH 2011. COTABATO CITY—The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) and the Peace Panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) held an inter-faith dialogue on the newly-resumed peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF. Bishop Efraim Tendero (PCEC National Director), Bishop John Tayoto (Chairman, PCEC Peace and Reconciliation …
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2011/03/pcec-milf/
IN THE NAME OF GOD THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ON THE ANCESTRAL DOMAIN ASPECT OF THE GRP-MILF TRIPOLI AGREEMENT ON PEACE OF 2001 The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) herein referred to as the “Parties” to this Agreement, TERMS OF REFERENCE: The …
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/moa-ad-between-grp-and-milf/
The Peace Panels of both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) met on July 28-29, 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This is good news as it ends the current impasse in the peace talks since August 2008. The two panels agreed on four points: 1. Mutual effort …
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2009/08/revisiting-the-grp-milf-moa-on-ancestral-domain-a-look-through-the-gospel%e2%80%99s-lenses/
COTABATO CITY, July 4-5, 2008. Peacebuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) led a group of Mindanao-based evangelical leaders to have peace talks with the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (6ID-PA) and the Peace Negotiating Panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last July 4-5 in Central Mindanao. Bishop Efraim Tendero, National Director of the …
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2008/07/peacebuilders-community-leads-christian-leaders-to-talk-with-both-grp-and-milf/
The Bangsamoro peace process stands again at a crossroad. The first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), envisioned as a key milestone in the democratic transition from armed struggle to self-governance, have been postponed—again. What was once scheduled for May 2022, later moved to October 13, 2025, is now uncertain after the Supreme Court’s latest rulings on the constitutional validity of Bangsamoro districting laws and the exclusion of Sulu province from BARMM. As peacebuilders, we must not only analyze these legal and political developments; we must also discern their ethical and social implications. The question before us is this: What does it mean for justice and peace when democracy itself is delayed?
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2025/10/when-democratic-transition-waits-barmm-election-postponement-and-justice-based-peacebuilding/
04-06 August 2024 — Doug Klassen’s visit to Mindanao was, at its heart, a journey of companionship. As Executive Minister of Mennonite Church Canada (MCCanada), Doug came not merely to see projects or attend meetings, but to walk alongside us—listening, learning, and sharing in the life of our community. For three days, we moved together through the varied landscapes of Mindanao, carrying conversations that deepened our bond as companions in peacebuilding. On the first day, he shared breakfast with CFP staff and baristas, lunch with PBCI staff, held an afternoon meeting with Bennette Grace Tenecio-Mañulit, and concluded the day with dinner alongside the Mindanao PeaceWeavers’ leadership. The second day took us to Camp Darapanan for a meeting with senior Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) representatives, followed by lunch in Cotabato City with Datu Haron Al-Rasheed Baraguir. On the third day, we traveled to the Malipayon Peace Hub (MPH) where Doug had breakfast with MPH staff before returning to Davao City for a lunch meeting with the PBCI Board of Trustees. The visit concluded with a reflective meeting between Doug, Joji, and me.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2025/08/deepening-companionship-doug-klassen-visits-pbci-cfp-fields-in-mindanao/
This Easter Sunday, I walk slowly, reflectively. I carry in my heart not just the memory of an empty tomb, but the weight of what that empty tomb demands of me. The Risen Christ comes to me, as he did to his first disciples, and says, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). These words are not merely to soothe; they are a revolutionary summons—to receive, embody, and proclaim the salaam-shalom of God in a world torn by violence, inequality, and despair. The peace of Jesus is not sentimental. It is subversive. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you,” he says (John 20:21). The Father sent him into the heart of empire, injustice, and religious corruption. Jesus responded not with the sword, but with humility, suffering love, and bold truth-telling—even unto death. And when he rose, he did not return with vengeance but with peace. “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself!” (Luke 24:39).
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2025/04/resurrection-sunday-contemplative-walk-a-revolutionary-call-to-the-peace-of-christ/
PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) is proud to announce the election of Emil Jonathan Soriano as Chairman of its Board of Trustees. His appointment marks a pivotal moment in the organization’s ongoing mission to promote justice, reconciliation, and sustainable peace across the Philippines. With over a decade of partnership with PBCI and its co-founders, Rev. Dann “Lakan” Pantoja and Joji “Bai Kasunayan” Pantoja, Pastor Jon Soriano brings leadership that is both deeply aligned with PBCI’s core values and forward-looking in its approach to peacebuilding. “I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to learn and grow in my journey of peacebuilding,” Pastor Jon shared, expressing his gratitude and confidence in this new role. PBCI looks forward to collaborating under Pastor Soriano’s leadership as it embarks on the next chapter of innovative and inclusive peacebuilding efforts.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2025/01/emil-jonathan-soriano-is-the-new-chairman-of-the-pbci-board-of-trustees/
From November 15 to 20, 2024, a joint Field Operations Team of PBCI and CFP accompanied a delegation of Canadian Mennonites on a Partnership Appreciation Tour in Mindanao, Philippines. The tour featured meaningful activities that strengthened relationships and celebrated shared commitments to peacebuilding, including the dedication of the Malipayon Peace Hub in Davao del Sur, led by Bagobo Tagabawa and Talaandig elders; a Sunday worship service at Managa Alliance Church; a reflective visit to the Bagobo Tagabawa Peace Shrine; a learning tour of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government center; a dialogue with leaders at Camp Darapanan, the headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and bonding with the Baraguir Clan of the Maguindanao Sultanate. This journey deepened partnerships and underscored the critical role of collaboration in advancing peace, justice, and reconciliation.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2024/11/pbci-cfp-field-ops-team-accompany-canadian-mennonites-to-appreciate-and-strengthen-partnerships/
We are sent by Mennonite Church Canada Witness in partnership with our international community.
