The Mindanao People’s Caucus will spearhead a Mindanao Youth Caravan for Peace on March 14-18 from Mindanao to Corregidor Island in view of the commemoration of the 40th infamous Jabiddah Massacre. This will be participated by hundred of youth leaders coming from the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Maguindanao and Davao. The caravan will converge in Corregidor on March 18 and bring together key leaders of the Bangsamoro people with civil society, church, media and peace networks to reaffirm the commitment and joint efforts for the success of this campaign.
The Mindanao People’s Caucus will spearhead a Mindanao Youth Caravan for Peace on March 14-18 from Mindanao to Corregidor Island in view of the commemoration of the 40th infamous Jabiddah Massacre. This will be participated by hundred of youth leaders coming from the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Maguindanao and Davao. The caravan will converge in Corregidor on March 18 and bring together key leaders of the Bangsamoro people with civil society, church, media and peace networks to reaffirm the commitment and joint efforts for the success of this campaign.
The activity aims to refresh and highlight on what had transpired on March 18, 1968, leading to the existence of the Moro National Liberation Front. The historic journey also takes an opportunity to call on various sectors from all walks of life to urge the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to resume the peace talks and find new formulas to break the impasse on the issue of Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) and condemn the continued human rights violations committed against the Moro people.
Aware and concerned about the current impasse in the negotiation following the aborted GRP-MILF talks in Kuala Lumpur last December 2007 and dismal implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreement, the Mindanao Peoples Caucus launching a national campaign that is aimed at generating a massive `public support for the final conclusion of the peace talks.
Remembering March 18, 1968
On March 18, 1968 in which 31 Moro youths were mercilessly massacred in Corregidor island by alleged government soldiers under the command of then Gen. Fabian Ver during the Marcos dictatorial regime. Dubbed as “Operation Merdeka”, a top secret plan of then strongman Pres. Ferdinand Marcos was organized purposely to invade Sabah, Malaysia.
After the completion of rigid military training on a secret place of Corregidor, a plan was divulged to the Moro Youths who refused to carry out the order because of their some relatives are already residing in Sabah, Malaysia. In order the supposedly “secret mission” would not expose in public, a massacre took place. From this merciless killing, a certain Jibin Arula miraculously survived and made to report to the whole world the brutal incident and demon plan of then Pres. Marcos.
Afterwards, the simultaneous condemnation from various sectors was staged against the government that also led to the creation of the Moro National Liberation Front.
It is in this pursuit, the Mindanao People’s Caucus takes the initiative to lead the “Peace Caravan” to reverberate the clamor of the Tri-People in Mindanao who are thirsty and hungry of genuine peace in the Bangsamoro Homeland. Crying for Justice, Peace and tranquility, slogan shall be deliberately put on show: “Let us resolve the Mindanao conflict: Sign and implement peace agreements now!”
This is indeed a very challenging task given the biases, colonial mindsets and economic interests prevailing in Mindanao which many sectors in our society would rather maintain and sustain by means of the military approach. We are confident however that with the progress made in the negotiation, our leaders and decision makers will finally come to terms with the wisdom and political exigency of delivering the peace in Mindanao.
Now is the time to initiate a process of dialogue among our people and national leaders across the country and from there build a strong constituency that will demand peace as a matter of policy for Mindanao.
We are urging the stakeholders of peace to participate from this journey towards Peace and Development and be a part of history to pass on a legacy to our children’s children a genuine peace in the Bangsamoro Homeland.
For details, kindly contact:
Atty. Mary Ann Arnado
Secretary General, Mindanao People’s Caucus
Anacleto Badoy, Sr. Street, Cotabato City
Telefax (064) 421-3076
Cel. No. 09209031769
Email:mpc@iidnet.org
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