A Special Peace of News 16th Anniversary Edition

A PEACEPEACE ofof NewsNews A publication of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Vol. 2 No. 64 http://opapp.gov.ph/ , 16 September 2009 OPAPP: Sweet 16 (Full story on BACKPAGE) OPAPP: Sweet 16 THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON THE PEACE By BEN CAL/ OPAPP Media Process (OPAPP) marked its 16th anniversary on September 15 in a simple ceremony with Renaud Meyer, country director of the United “Sipat ” during former President Nations Development Program (UNDP), as guest speaker. ’s administration. Ten years later, the Final Led by Presidential Adviser aims to instill greater consciousness Peace Agreement (FPA) between on the Peace Process Avelino I. and understanding among the Fili- the government and the Moro Na- Razon Jr. at the OPAPP’s main of- pino people on the comprehensive tional Liberation Front (MNLF) was fice at Ortigas Center in City, peace process. It also endeavors forged under the administration of the celebration was highlighted with to promote a culture of peace based President Fidel Ramos, putting an the launching of the UNDP books on nonviolence, respect for funda- end to more than two decades of on peace and the unveiling of por- mental rights and freedoms, toler- war in Mindanao and spawning the traits of nine former presidential peace ance, understanding, and solidarity. Autonomous Region in Muslim advisers. President Gloria Mindanao (ARMM). They included Alfredo Macapagal-Arroyo issued Procla- “Twenty-three years ago this Bengzon, Haydee Yorac, Oscar mation No. 675 in 2004 declaring month, we made headway in our Santos, Manuel Yan, Eduardo September as the National Peace peace pact with our brothers in the Ermita, Teresita Quinto Deles, Rene Consciousness Month. OPAPP is Cordilleras, and thirteen years ago, Sarmiento, Jesus Dureza, and tasked to coordinate and monitor the we again made vital headway with BLASTS FROM THE PAST. Secretary Avelino Razon Jr. (center) , Presidential Adviser on the Peace Jr. activities for the month-long celebra- our brethren in what is now the au- Process, is flanked by former Presidential Peace Advisers: (Left-Right) Presidential Management Staff September has been de- tion. tonomous Muslim Mindanao region,” (PMS) chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (far L) , Oscar Santos (2nd from L) , Executive Sec. Eduardo Ermita clared as National Peace Con- The observance intends to Razon said. (2nd from R) , and Commission on Election (Comelec) Commissioner Rene Sarmiento (far R) . sciousness Month, with this year’s provide creative venues for the pub- The month of September theme as “ Una sa Lahat, lic to participate in defining how the likewise saw the creation of the Na- tant month in the international arena nos,” he said. • Sept. 2, 1996 – Signing of the FPA Kapayapaan: Putting the Peace country can achieve a just and last- tional Unification Commission of peacemaking and peace-building, According to Razon, he is with the MNLF; Agenda at the Forefront,” to stress ing peace. Other activities in store (NUC), which studied and recom- of conflict prevention and the pursuit optimistic that the stalled peace talks • Sept. 19, 2000 – Launching of the the collective affirmation of the pri- for the peace month include peace mended the adoption of the compre- of global justice and basic human with the CPP/NPA/NDF and the 2001-2010 International Decade for macy of peace. storytelling, peace forums, Kalayaan hensive peace process, in 1992. rights,” Razon stated. MILF would push through shortly Culture Peace and Non-violence for The celebration comes at a Barangays peace caravans, Trees The following year, OPAPP was Accomplishments despite some kinks. “We will ex- the Children of the World; time amidst the call by all sectors of for Peace, and launching of OPAPP created through Executive Order The quest for a lasting peace hort all efforts to resolve these prob- • Feb. 2000 – Interim Peace Agree- civil society to revive the peace talks Knowledge Products, among others. No. 125, providing for the adminis- is difficult, but the government had lems,” Razon said. ment with the Rebolusyonaryong with rebel groups – the Moro Islamic These are organized in col- trative and policy structures to pur- forged peace agreements with four He said this can be done as Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/ Liberation Front (MILF) and the Na- laboration with local government sue the 1992-1993 NUC-proposed rebel groups the past 16 years, and he enumerated the achievements the Revolutionary Proletariat Army/Alex tional Democratic Front (NDF), the units, civil society groups, donor or- comprehensive peace process is looking forward to end armed hos- government had attained in contain- Boncayao Brigade (RPMP/RPA/ political arm of the Communist Party ganizations and academic institutions. agenda. tilities with the communist and Moro ing the insurgency problem since ABB); and of the Philippines and the New Why September? It was also in September rebels soon. 1986: • Oct. 2006 – Interim peace agree- People’s Army (CPP-NPA). Sec. Razon said the month 2000 when the 2001-2010 Interna- Razon cited these achieve- • Sept. 13, 1986 – Signing of the ment with the Rebolusyonary This year’s celebration of the of September holds several land- tional Decade for Culture of Peace ments in a speech marking the 16th peace agreement with the CPLA; Partido ng Manggagawa–Mindanao National Peace Month opened with marks in the history of the Philippine and Non-violence for the Children of anniversary of the Office of the Presi- • Sept. 1, 1992 – Creation of the (RPM-M). the ringing of the peace bell and re- peace process. the World was launched. The United dential Adviser on the Peace Pro- NUC which studied and recom- Also according to Razon, leasing of peace doves at the It was in September 1986 Nations also declared September 21 cess (OPAPP) on September 15. mended the adoption of the compre- back-channeling efforts are being Quezon City Memorial Circle in when the government and the Cor- as the International Day of Peace. “We will work harder to en- hensive peace process; done to put back on track the stalled Quezon City last September 1. dillera People’s Liberation Army “We are one with the rest of sure that our beloved Philippines will • Sept. 15, 1993 – Creation of peace talks with the MILF and that The National Peace Month (CPLA) signed a Peace Pact or the world as we observe this impor- attain a lasting peace for all Filipi- OPAPP thru E.O. No. 25; of the CPP/NPA/NDF.