Tag: bangsamoro

EMIL JONATHAN SORIANO IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE PBCI BOARD OF TRUSTEES

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.

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2025/01/emil-jonathan-soriano-is-the-new-chairman-of-the-pbci-board-of-trustees/

A CALL ON THE GPH AND THE MILF TO MOVE WITH GREATER URGENCY IN COMPLETING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CAB

At PBCI, we join our peacebuilding colleagues in calling on the National Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to accelerate the full implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), with a particular focus on the Annex on Normalization, while ensuring inclusivity for marginalized groups such as women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples. Our call stresses the importance of unity among the Bangsamoro people, rejecting divisive initiatives, and urges a clearer process and understanding on Sulu’s historical and political relationship with BARMM. PBCI also emphasizes the need for prompt resolution of election-related petitions to avoid undermining self-determination and calls for strengthened protections for vulnerable communities and ancestral domains. Lastly, it appeals for collective solidarity to hold leaders accountable and advance peacebuilding efforts that promote justice and inclusivity.

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2024/12/a-call-on-the-gph-and-the-milf-to-move-with-greater-urgency-in-completing-the-implementation-of-the-cab/

PBCI-CFP FIELD OPS TEAM ACCOMPANY CANADIAN MENNONITES TO APPRECIATE AND STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS

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.

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2024/11/pbci-cfp-field-ops-team-accompany-canadian-mennonites-to-appreciate-and-strengthen-partnerships/

WE PARTICIPATED IN CONVENING A PEACE CONSTITUENCY SUPPORTING THE BANGSAMORO PEACE PROCESS

Last Tuesday, 18 June 2024, we participated in the Principles for Peace Constituency Convening held in Davao City, marking a significant step forward in the ongoing Bangsamoro Peace Process. This crucial event, organized by a dedicated body committed to peace—Initiatives for International Dialogue, InciteGov, GZO, Principles for Peace—brought together key stakeholders whose insights and commitment are essential for formulating future strategies and initiatives. As PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI), we joined a diverse array of attendees, members of civil society organizations, and leaders from various sectors involved in the peace process. The event underscored our dedication, along with that of other organizations, to fostering collaboration and dialogue among all stakeholders. We believe that the collective wisdom and dedication of our partners are indispensable in advancing the Bangsamoro Peace Process. This convening provided an opportunity for us to align our strategies and reinforce our commitment to lasting peace in the region.

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2024/06/we-participated-in-convening-a-peace-constituency-supporting-the-bangsamoro-peace-process/

MY INITIAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE SHARED STRUGGLES OF THE BANGSAMORO AND PALESTINIAN PEOPLES

In my work with PBCI, I have been learning about the Bangsamoro and their fight for self-determination and control over their ancestral domain. I’ve had the privilege of gaining insight into various aspects of this struggle. I have seen the impact of armed resistance, which has played a crucial role in establishing a degree of self-determination within their ancestral domain through the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The Bangsamoro’s journey to this point has fostered a deep sympathy for others with similar causes, most notably the Palestinians, whom many Bangsamoro ardently support. This support and connection to parallel struggles have deepened my understanding of the Bangsamoro’s plight and the broader fight for self-determination and control over ancestral lands.

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2024/05/my-initial-understanding-of-the-shared-struggles-of-the-bangsamoro-and-palestinian-peoples/

OUR JOURNEY WITH EDSAL, A MERANAW PEACEBUILDING PARTNER, CONTINUES THROUGH SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Our relationship with Edsal Edres started when our peacebuilding network visited our Meranaw partners during the Marawi Crisis. We got involved in peacebuilding activities together, including: fact-finding mission at the very heart of the war zone; Christian-Muslim inter-faith dialogue on peace; joint peacebuilding strategic planning among leaders of civil society organizations; lobbying at the Congress and Senate of the Philippines; and, livelihood initiatives among families affected by war. We are now focused on Inclusive Development and Social Entrepreneurship as an approach to help the war affected families to rise-up from the ravages of armed conflict.

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2021/08/our-journey-with-edsal-a-meranaw-peacebuilding-partner-continues-through-social-enterprise/

UBJP IS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE MINDANAO PEACE PROCESS

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has organized the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP). Its First Volunteers’ General Assembly was held last 23-25 December 2014 in Camp Darapanan, Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. From being a revolutionary front, the MILF is transitioning to become a political party. In his opening remarks, Hon. Sammy Al-Mansour, UBJP …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2014/12/ubjp-is-a-positive-development-in-the-mindanao-peace-process/

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE FOR DATU HUSSAYIN AND THE BAJAU PEOPLE

The Mindanao Solidarity Conference on the Bangsamoro in Davao on December 4th brought together leaders from a number of civil society organizations involved in the ongoing peace process. Representatives of the tri-people of Mindanao – Migrants, Lumads and Moros – came for the two day conference to listen and connect with other people of interest …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2014/12/past-present-and-future-for-datu-hussayin-and-the-bajau-people/

WHY WE SUPPORT THE BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW

Bangsamoro is the name which the thirteen Muslim tribes of the southern Philippines use to refer to themselves collectively. Bangsa is a Malay word meaning nation. Moro is the name which the Spanish colonizers used to denote the Islamized peoples of the Philippine islands, and is derived from the Spanish name for the Muslim Moors …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2014/12/why-we-support-the-bangsamoro-basic-law-2/

AT A SOLIDARITY CONFERENCE, MILF, AQUINO ADMINISTRATION PUSH PEACE AND BBL

At the Mindanao Solidarity Conference on the Bangsamoro, held in the meeting hall of Davao City’s Grand Regal Hotel, Philippine Congressman Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza asked the assembled delegates of Mindanao’s civil society organizations (CSOs) to assist him and his fellow members of the ad hoc congressional committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2014/12/at-solidarity-conference-milf-aquino-administration-push-peace/

REFLECTIONS ON INDIGENOUS IMPERATIVE FOR BBL PROVISIONS

Under the leadership of the Mindanao People’s Peace Movement, the Lakbay Tribu para sa Karapatan sa Sariling Pagpapasya, or Indigenous Peoples’ Journey for the Right to Self Determination, brings to the fore of public and civil society discussion the issue of Indigenous People’s rights and representation in light of current discussion on the Bangsamoro Basic …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2014/10/reflections-on-indigenous-imperative-for-bbl-provisions/

ALONG WITH THE LARGER PEACE NETWORK IN OUR LAND, WE WELCOME THE BANGSAMORO!

PeaceBuilders Community resonates with the voice of Mindanao PeaceWeavers, our colleagues in the larger peace network, in welcoming the coming Bangsamoro based on just and peaceful principles. MINDANAO PEACEWEAVERS’ GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE BANGSAMORO PEACE PROCESS The Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPW), a coming together of eight (8) peace networks in Mindanao with solidarity networks in Manila …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2014/02/along-with-the-larger-peace-network-in-our-land-we-welcome-the-bangsamoro/

OUR GLOBAL PEACE COMMUNITY

We are sent by Mennonite Church Canada Witness in partnership with our international community.