MANILA, Philippines – What does peace in Mindanao mean to you?

Aimed at helping raise awareness on the peace and development process in Mindanao, Rappler’s civic engagement arm, MovePH, held the #HearMindanao online conversation on Monday, June 1.

The conversation comes as the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) reached the House plenary after 8 months of deliberations and 51 committee hearings.

The BBL seeks to shift the locus of power from the central government to an autonomous government in Muslim Mindanao, in a bid to end 4 decades of war. It will be parliamentary in form – a unique arrangement in the midst of a unitary and presidential system for the rest of the country. (INFOGRAPHICS: The Bangsamoro peace deal at a glance)

During the conversation, netizens discussed what peace means to the southernmost region in the Philippines. To many, like Twitter user Lloyd G, it means as simple as never having to explain to friends in Luzon that it is safe to visit Mindanao.

Peace in Mindanao means peace in the minds and hearts of her people. Peace is “silence” … the absence of war. #HearMindanao @MovePH

— Inspiring Filipinos (@inspiringPinoy) June 1, 2015

.@MovePH I would amend “the absence of war” to “the absence of conflict”. We certainly need to #HearMindanao

— Craig Burrows, MBE (@craigburrows) June 1, 2015

@MovePH #HearMindanao peace in Mindanao means never having to explain to friends in Luzon that it is safe to visit Mindanao

— LloydG (@maximumwarp10) June 1, 2015

@MovePH the idea of choosing the right person to govern by making full use of all our rights in this society – the least we can do

— Kael (@kaelpalapar) June 1, 2015

@MovePH As a resident in Mindanao, it means a lot. People who lives in Mindanao has different opinions about BBL. I suggest we hear them out

— Kimberly Keith (@Lorenzaokiii) June 1, 2015

@MovePH #HearMindanao when the south will never have the stigma being called as a war zone & when everybody sees it as a safe place to live

— G ANN ✌️ (@geeeeann) June 1, 2015

Defining what peace means in Mindanao, however, is not as simple as achieving it, as netizens pointed out. The BBL, which was crafted solely to deliver this purpose, serves as an example as it faces not only a tight deadline, but also staunch opposition from some lawmakers.

Mindanao will achieve Peace only if their basic needs are met: Health, Education & Infrastructure #InclusiveGrowth #HearMindanao @MovePH

— Juan dela Cruz (@pinoyunited) June 1, 2015

Growth must be Inclusive & NOT Exclusive. Difficult to implement because of GREED for: Money, Power & Control @MovePH #HearMindanao #Peace

— Juan dela Cruz (@pinoyunited) June 1, 2015

BBL is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for peace in Mindanao. It shouldn’t be wasted for the sake of the next generation. #HearMindanao

— jjanasarias (@jjanasarias) June 1, 2015

@rapplerdotcom Peace talks are good. But all stakeholders should have a say since negotiations with MILF will affect them too. #HearMindanao

— JohnLaurence Domingo (@jlaurence) June 1, 2015

If you can’t progress with one whole #HearMindanao , neither will it progress as Mindanao+BBL

— ROB (@7Harmony) June 1, 2015

In the end, netizens agree that despite the varying opinions on achieving peace in Mindanao, making peace work starts with the collective will to do so. 

@MovePH @jlaurence no perfect peace process, no perfect agreement. we shld want peace badly enough to make it work

— Glenda Gloria (@glendamgloria) June 1, 2015

@MovePH but seriously speaking, they to set aside their biases on the bill. Laws are better when it emanated from the people, #HearMindanao

— Hannah Barrantes (@hannahbarrantes) June 1, 2015

The BBL cannot fully and immediately guarantee peace,but it is a step towards correcting injustices to pave the way for peace. #HearMindanao

— Jeff Crisostomo (@jeffcrisostomo) June 1, 2015

Aimed at engaging meaningful conversations and informed action on the conflict in Mindanao, Rappler also launched its #ProjectMindanao microsite.  #ProjectMindanao will serve as a venue for discussions on key issues and misconceptions relating to the BBL, and peace and development in Mindanao.

What does peace in Mindanao to you? What do you think of the ongoing peace talks between the government and MILF? 

Continue the dicussion on the peace process and development using the hashtag #HearMindanao! – Rappler.com  

What other Mindanao issues do you think should be discussed?  Share your ideas and stories on peace and development in Mindanao with move.ph@rappler.com. Let’s talk about #ProjectMindanao!