Joji and I are so happy that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was able to negotiate the ‘Bangsamoro’ with the Government of the Philippines (GPH). In the road map released by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), step 10 says there will be an election of the Bangsamoro Government …
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2014/01/27/why-we-believe-the-new-bangsamoro-is-an-inclusive-political-entity/
We were invited to the wedding of Bai Rohannie Baraguir (Nannie) and Datu Mona Ali Datumanong (Micoy) as Principal Witnesses. Rohannie is like our niece. She is the grand-daughter of my Maguindanao Ama, the Hon. Datu Kharis Matalam Baraguir. The day before the wedding, we witnessed the Kulintang presentation–a time when Maguindanao music filled the house of …
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2013/03/02/were-principal-sponsors-in-a-bangsamoro-wedding/
Tim Froese (Executivel Secretary, Christian Witness, Mennonite Church Canada) visited the Philippines during the time when some politicians and a few media personalities from Manila were shouting for an all-out-war against the Bangsamoro, the Muslims in Mindanao. The socio-political atmosphere was so tense. In Tuesday, October 18, 2011 an armed skirmish between some elements of …
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2011/10/27/mennonite-church-canada-executive-visits-bangsamoro-community/
Last Saturday, 13 April 2024, at around 20:00 GMT, Iran launched a massive aerial assault on Israeli territory, marking the first-ever direct attack from Iranian soil. The attack, dubbed Operation True Promise by Iran, comes just two weeks after an Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria. The Iranian assault lasted approximately five hours. Explosions reverberated across Israeli cities, prompting air raid sirens in over 720 locations as Israeli forces scrambled to intercept the projectiles. This drew applause from many Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday as rare payback for the Israeli offensive on their enclave. While many of my fellow Christian leaders are beating the war-drums calling the US and the Western powers to strike back at Iran, many of my Bangsamoro friends and colleagues celebrate Iran’s attack. Although I understand and sympathize with my Moro brothers and sisters as they perceive the Iranian military action as justice for the Palestinians, my inner conviction calls me to be faithful as active, nonviolent justice advocate and peacebuilding worker.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2024/04/15/a-reflection-on-the-attack-on-israel-by-iran-perspectives-from-an-anabaptist-peacebuilder-in-mindanao-philippines/
Last 08 March 2024, our PBCI-CFP Team travelled to the Ancestral Territories of the Talaandig Indigenous community to participate in the 12th Affirmation of Kinship among Indigenous Peoples, Bangsamoro, and Settlers. As active participants in the tri-people kinship affirmation, we have been privileged to witness firsthand the profound impact of kinship in promoting peace and unity throughout Mindanao. Since its inception in 2012, this annual celebration has stood as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the deep-seated connections that bind together the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), Moros, and Settlers of our cherished region. For us, the highlight of this kinship affirmation is our inter-faith prayer. Through our collective prayers and supplications, we affirm our common humanity and recommit ourselves to the pursuit of love, joy, justice, and peace for all beings.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2024/03/11/through-prayers-and-ritual-of-unity-we-celebrated-our-kinship-with-the-peoples-of-mindanao/
09-11 February 2024, Cotabato City. A gathering of Civil Society Organization leaders who compose the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) marked the commemoration of the organization’s 22nd Founding Anniversary. The event also served as a poignant reminder of MPC’s transformative role within Mindanao’s social fabric. We have had the privilege of being part of MPC since 2006, and it’s been an incredibly transformative experience for us. Through our involvement with MPC, we’ve witnessed firsthand the power of dialogue and collaboration in fostering peace and understanding among diverse communities in Mindanao. Together, we’ve participated in forums, engaged in discussions, and worked towards common goals of social justice and reconciliation. MPC has provided us with a platform to contribute to positive change in our region, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a vital movement for peace and development.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2024/02/15/we-participated-in-the-celebration-of-the-22nd-founding-anniversary-of-the-mindanao-peoples-caucus/
30-31 January 2024. Our CFP-PBCI Inclusive Development (IncluDev) Team hosted the most productive farmers from Lanao del Sur for Coffee Farmer-Entrepreneurial Training. In the morning of the first day, they were brought to the Davao Peace Hub to enhance their skills in practicing and sharing Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) Principles; they also had coffee roasting and packaging workshop there. In the afternoon, they were welcomed to the Coffee for Peace Cafe to learn about coffee tasting and aroma appreciation. On the morning of the second day, our staff at the Malipayon Peace Hub facilitated a workshop on post-harvest processing skills; they also presented the coffee beans they brought from their farms which were evaluated by seasoned coffee entrepreneurs.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2024/01/31/top-six-coffee-producers-from-lanao-del-sur-receive-advanced-farmerpreneurial-training/
We are sent by Mennonite Church Canada Witness in partnership with our international community.
