| ‘Peace Champion’ Robin Padilla joins peace efforts in Lanao Norte |
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| Friday, 27 November 2009 | |
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ILIGAN CITY – As pre-election-related violence marred the relative peace on the other side of Mindanao early last week, action star Robin Padilla was in Lanao del Norte Thursday to join in various peace initiatives as Mindanaoans kicked off the annual commemoration of the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP). Anchored on the theme "Think Mindanao, Feel Mindanao, Bring Peace to Mindanao," the 2009 Mindanao Week of Peace started Thursday and will end on December 2. In Barangay Baraason, Kauswagan town, Padilla participated in the bayanihan construction of 13 core shelters, supplemental feeding for children and planting in a communal vegetable farm for families who were displaced by the 2008 conflict and have returned to rebuild their community. “Ako po ay natutuwa na nandito tayo ngayon na walang dalang baril…Ang sinumang naghahayag ng karahasan, di sya’y Muslim, di sya’y Kristiyano (I’m happy that we’re gathered here without firearms. Those who advocate violence are not Muslims nor Christians),” Padilla told the crowd during the inauguration of the rehabilitation projects of this remote village. Padilla, a Balik-Islam who chose the Muslim name Abdul Aziz in the mid-90s, is known for his deep concern for the people of Mindanao and his commitment to contribute to the attainment of a lasting peace in the region. Once known as the “bad boy” of Philippine movies, Padilla is now working as Peace Champion, joining the efforts of the GoP-UN Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) for Peace Programme in bringing the message of hope and peace among the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. Padilla, who has been supportive in the peacebuilding efforts of the communities in the conflict areas, had already visited Brgy. Makir a Peace and Development Community (PDC) in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao, during the celebration of the MWOP last year. PDC Makir was hosting families displaced by conflict in 2008. Barangay Baraason is known to be the “gateway” to three (3) municipalities as it lies in the boundaries of Kauswagan, Linamon, and Poona Piagapo in Lanao del Norte. Baraason is one of the communities in the province that was affected by conflict in 2008. It is also one of the 30 barangays across Mindanao that is being assisted by Strengthening Response to Internal Displacement in Mindanao (StRIDe-Mindanao) Project, a component of the ACT for Peace. He said his day was full of meaning as he saw a community endeavor to rise above their conflict situation. Padilla also called for disarming of civilians for peace to sustain and provide a violence-free society for the children. “Hangga’t pakalat-kalat ang armas, wala tayong katahimikan. Kung binibigyan ng baril ang mga hindi nakapag-aral at silay magkakaroon ng pinuno na di marunong mamuno, talagang magkakaroon ng gulo at ang mga tao, bilang mga biktima, ay magtatakbo nalang ng magtakbo (If there are loose firearms, we won’t have peace. If firearms are provided to those who have not gone to school and are led by someone who does not know how to lead, it will result to conflict. And the people, who are victims of the situation, will keep on running),” Padilla said. The actor, together with the officials of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) and local government units, also met with members of the Lanao Interfaith Council and joined about 200 students and professors of the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology in the launching of peace education in Iligan City. During the forum, Prof. Saturnina Rodil of the Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao and a representative of Department of Education X presented their various initiatives in promoting peace education. Managed by the UNDP and supported by the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and Spain, the ACT for Peace is implemented by MEDCo and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Government. It is supporting the transformation processes of 277 peace and development communities in Southern Philippines. StRIDe-Mindanao Project is a new component of the Programme that is supported by the European Commission. (ACT for Peace) |