A call for unity in a troubled world

PEACE-MAKER The Manila Bulletin editorial on Sept. 5, 2024, “National Peace Consciousness Month: Sustaining the gains of peace,” pointed out that the observance every September “symbolizes the country’s desire for greater unity, mutual understanding, and harmony.” Citing what it said as “a significant event in our history – the 28th anniversary of the signing of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF),” the editorial quoted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

who said that “this momentous occasion brings us back to a defining chapter in our history, when the government and the MNLF formally ended the decades-long struggle.” The landmark peace accord between our government and the MNLF brought back memories of our “peace talks” with then MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari and with Libyan leader Moammar Qaddafy in the cities of Sirte and Tripoli. Libya had been a sanctuary for Filipino Muslim separatists fighting to create a Bangsamoro republic in Mindanao.



The fountainhead of the rebellion then, spiritually and materially, was Qaddafy. We remember flying to Sirte, Qaddafy’s hometown, in 1992 with then presidential candidate Fidel V. Ramos to initiate the beginnings of peace negotiations with Nur Misuari, who was into self-exile in Libya.

We considered it an audacious mission for peace, which later became one of the defining goals of the Ramos presidency. The rest, as it is said, is history. As a nation with a long history of political and social conflicts, celebrating peace serves as a reminder of the continuing need for peace-building efforts.

The Mindanao conflict, which lasted for decades, left scars that are still being healed. While significant progress has been made, such as the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the road to lasting peace is still long and winding. The observance of National Peace Consciousness Month is a way to recognize the progress made and recommit to the journey ahead.

The month-long celebration also brings attention to the everyday role of individuals in fostering peace. It highlights the notion that peace is not merely the absence of war but is present in our interactions, dialogues, and choices. Filipinos are reminded that their actions contribute to the broader fabric of a peaceful nation.

But beyond national borders, the observance of peace consciousness in our country resonates globally. We are living in a time where the world is increasingly interconnected, yet plagued by multiple crises. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to the bloody confrontations in the Middle East, conflicts are taking a toll on human lives, and the ripple effects are felt worldwide.

These global events underscore the importance of peace not just as a lofty ideal but as an urgent need for survival. The Philippines’ celebration of National Peace Consciousness Month serves as a microcosm of a much larger movement. It reminds us that peace is not simply the responsibility of governments or international bodies.

It is a collective effort, driven by ordinary people who believe in dialogue over division, compassion over conflict, and unity over hatred. In a troubled world, peace is more than just a goal; it is the path forward..