By Anny Murshed

July 26, 2012 News: The United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), Municipal Chapter, Aleosan, North Cotabato, organized a forum on Peace Process between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) at the social hall of Mahad Aleosan, Aleosan North Cotabato last July 13, 2012.

In his opening address, Ganie Dimasangkay, President of the UNYPAD, Aleosan Municipal Chapter, said it is a reality that the Bangsamoro Youth are hoping and holding to their belief that the peace negotiation can solve the agony of Mindanawans brought about by these fratricidal wars that have been taking place between the government and the Moro revolutionary fronts.

But he said the core issue must be first thing to be addressed as it is the core of all issues.

“Any solution that will not address this Bangsamoro Question will never work, and it will never stall the bloodlettings in Mindanao but, rather, it would prolong it,” he warned.

Dimasangkay appealed to President Pinoy to sign a peace agreement with the MILF to seize the moment that the MILF leaders are soft, and they already practically lowered their demand from independence to a mere state-sub-state asymmetrical relationship though they did not abandon the Bangsamoro;s right to self-determination.

He warned that if the government will not be able to sign an agreement with this present generation of MILF leaders, the next generation who are young will not be as patient as these present leaders in facing the government in the seemingly endless and directionless negotiation.

Anisa Zainodin, Chairwoman of UNYPAD Aleosan Chapter, opined that the Bangsamoro youth will not believe any more on the kernel of negotiation if the GPH and MILF will fail to forge a negotiated political settlement that would bring peace and progress in the country.

“Fifteen years of sitting in the negotiation table, spending a lot of resources, is enough proof that negotiation is not the best way to address this question.

“As of now, however, the Bangsamoro women youths are extending all-out support to the ongoing peace process,”  she added.

In his message, Hamsa Landayan, Provincial President of UNYPAD North Cotabato Chapter, urged the young participants of the forum to support the present leaders of the Bangsamoro struggle and trust them so that peace will peacefully be attained in Mindanao.

“Let us pray all together to Allah that he will not give space for more brutal means in resolving the Mindanao conflict, and I hope peace agreement will be inked as soon as this year,”  he stressed

“I want to remind you that should there be a signing this year, it doesn’t mean that the struggle is already over; there will still be more challenging task carry out – it is the implementation of the signed agreement,” Landayan explained.

“Remember, my brothers in peace, that implementing agreement is more difficult than making a commitment or signing an agreement,” he warned.

Nurodin Mulod, Municipal Secretary of UNYPAD Aleosan Chapter, disclosed to Luwaran that some 200 participants of the forum will meet again to further discuss how they can extend concrete contribution to ongoing peace process.