April 2, 2016
Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguinadanao
Mindanao, Philippines
We, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) is very much appreciative of the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Peace Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal for the warm reception they accorded to our delegation during the entire duration of the PCEC-MILF leaders meeting held on April 2, 2016 at Camp Darapanan. We are thankful to God for this Christian-Muslim gathering that has led to a deeper understanding not only of each other’s positions on the Mindanao situation, but also as to what Scripture means that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
In conformity with PCEC’s previous statements that proclaim our biblically based endorsement of the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF, we reiterate our unwavering support toward the attainment of genuine peace that is founded on justice for the Bangsamoro people. In this regard, PCEC highly commends the MILF for its continuous dedication to realize through peaceful negotiations the Bangsamoro’s aspiration of self-determination, especially in view of the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) within the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
The meeting between PCEC and MILF leaders had shown the importance of sincerity in dialogue. When participants are sincere and open minded, dialogue can lead to a deeper understanding and unity among Christians and the Bangsamoro people. Indeed, without unity it would be impossible to forge a lasting peace in Mindanao. The importance of unity is reflected in the biblical passage that says, “Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor.13:11). In loving reverence and obedience to God, we shall appropriate the message of the Scripture by cultivating unity with Muslims and building peace in Mindanao as expressed in the following ways:
We call on the Government of the Philippines to persist in moving the peace talks with the MILF forward, and to explore new avenues in bringing about peace for the Bangsamoro and other people groups in Mindanao.
We call on all Christians to help diminish and bring down the walls of prejudice toward Muslims, and vice-versa, by being good neighbors to our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters, as exemplified by the “Good Samaritan” in Luke 10:25-37.
We shall conduct dialogues with other Muslim and non-Muslim stakeholders in the peace process in order to help in forging a truly inclusive peace agreement.
We shall form partnerships with the MILF and other Muslim and indigenous people groups for the purpose of providing necessary services such as disaster management training, psychosocial training and trauma healing that will benefit people on the ground especially those affected by the conflict in Mindanao.
In these aforementioned ways, we hope to demonstrate our solidarity with the just aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. In these ways, we hope to follow faithfully God’s mandate to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18), and as Scripture attests we can be confident that the God of love and peace will be with us. (2 Cor. 13:11).
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Cor. 13:14).
Bishop Noel A. Pantoja
National Director
Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC)
Philippine Relief and Development Services (PHILRADS)
Members of the PCEC Peace and Reconciliation Commission Delegation:
Bishop Noel A. Pantoja
National Director
Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC)
Philippine Relief and Development Services (PHILRADS)
Bishop Gene Udang
PCEC, Deputy National Director for Mindanao
President
Mindanao Evangelical Leaders Council
Bishop Tomas Mascariñas
Chairman of the Board
Mindanao Evangelical Leaders Council (MELC)
Rev. Luis Daniel A. Pantoja
Director
PCEC Peace and Reconciliation Commission
Dr. Aldrin Peñamora
Director
PCEC Research Center on Christian-Muslim Relations
Ms. Joy Dimerin
Country Manager
Open Doors Philippines
Rev. Herbert Ale
President
Kalinaw Mindanao, Inc.
Dr. Annabel Manalo
Chairperson of the Counseling Department
Asian Theological Seminary
Nemuel Castrodes
Board Chairman
Radya al Salam Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Beng Bicaldo
Program Manager
Tribal Mission Foundation
Rev. Alborne Llera
Regional Ministry Director, South Central Mindanao Region
Christian and Missionary Alliance of the Philippines
Rev. Ronie Laud
District Ministry Supervisor, Sultan District
Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines