Uphold Peace For Our Generation

UPHOLD PEACE FOR OUR GENERATION A STATEMENT BY YOUNG MUSLIMS We are concerned citizens of peace, sons and daughters of the Bangsamoro, who inherit one of the longest but forgotten conflicts in the world. We affirm our identity as Muslims, second generation Moros , who aim to be accepted in national politic and yet assert our right to self-determination. It is in the NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL INTEREST to accept MORO INTEREST. And without resolution of the Bangsamoro conflict, there would truly be no NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. We acknowledge much of the international donor assistance in our homelands to alleviate the poverty in our homeland. Yet we are afraid that many of our peace and development initiatives are again hijacked by the kidnapping of peace advocate in Basilan and the humanitarian workers of Red Cross in Sulu. We call for an addressing of the roots of criminality and conflict in our Southern homeland. Kill the Abu sayyaf, but do you decimate them or breed more of them? Give the Muslim South books not bullets, teachers not tanks, learning not alienating, real freedom not token freedom. Freedom for us means we are able to access opportunities for us to lead a quality of life like all the rest of the Filipinos. We fear the negative impact of the high mistrust against renewing the GRP-MILF peace talks with the government . We deplore the continuing evacuation of many of our brethren in Maguindanao and Lanao because of sporadic hostilities. With the SC junking of the MOA on Ancestral Domain, we ask national politicans, LGUs and even presidentiables with national ambitions, what is their agenda for the Bangsamoro, if any?

We would like to appeal for more informed judgements , constructive dialogue, an affirmative reaching out by Manila 's media and politicians to the grassroot populace in the South to understand the search for genuine peace. Muslims must stand up and rise to condemn violence and aggression on the innocent, We call on our ulama, MNLF, MILF and traditional leaders to help bridge the mistrust by reaching out to our Christian brethren. Be the messengers of messages of nonviolence and peace - SALAAM as Khalifas who enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong. Both the AFP and MILF must be held to answer for any atrocities and violations of the rules of war. In these times of hardship, we hold hands as one , with our Christian and Lumad neighbours, in the name of peace, acceptance and justice. We are committed to a democratic and peaceful resolution of the conflict. Do not be afraid of the Moro assertion for their right to selfdetermination. Let all stakeholders involve an enlightened discussion of the peace talks. To the national public, open your hearts to the Moro grievance. Young Moro Professionals Network c/o 09204345010 ASSALAM Bangsamoro People’s Association Anak Mindanao