MANILA, Philippines – Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, 7 Catholic bishops, and 50 Christian and Muslim advocates joined forces to push for a landmark in the peace process that aims to end a 4-decade-old Muslim secessionist movement.

“Pass a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that secures justice and peace,” the 58 signatories said in their statement, “Hear Mindanao: Requite Evil with Good,” that was published on Monday, February 16.

In the statement, the signatories said the government should not abandon the peace process in Mindanao “precisely because” of the controversial police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, that killed 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), 18 Muslim rebels, and at least 3 civilians on January 25.

“Hear Mindanao: the peace process should not be imperiled. Let the revolution stop. Let Mindanawons turn factories of war into factories of prosperity. Let those in the north and in the south who are charged with leadership walk humbly, calmly, and wisely before the God of Peace together,” the bishops and advocates said.

“Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you. Do not requite evil with evil. Requite evil with good, confusion and rage with wisdom, death with life,” they added.

The BBL aims to create an autonomous Muslim region more powerful than the one in place.

The bloodbath in Mamasapano, however, stalled the BBL as critics questioned the sincerity of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the peace process.

The MILF is the Muslim rebel group engaged in peace talks with the Philippine government. Its critics say it perpetrated an alleged “massacre” of the SAF members.

The MILF is investigating this incident as the Philippine government looks into this as well. An MILF commander, for his part, denies the supposed “overkill” on the part of Muslim rebels.

‘We do not want war’

In their statement, the 58 signatories said they hope the suspension in deliberations on the BBL will “allow us to reflect on our broad aspirations as a people…. We do not want war. We want peace.”

While investigations push through, they stressed the need for humility among the parties involved.

“In the pursuit of truth, we believe humility is more helpful than arrogance, more helpful than rage or anger. Humility admits one’s own biases and prejudices against others in the search for truth and justice. Humility admits respect for persons or organizations from whom we seek truth,” they said.

After all, “no one has a monopoly on righteousness” and a “monopoly on guilt.”

They also encouraged the public to study the root of the conflict.

Echoing Quevedo’s earlier statements, they pointed out that the MILF “took up arms against the government in the face of an undeniable history of intolerance, violence, and exclusion.” (READ: Cardinal to Christians: Moro dream ‘very valid’)

“We need to know and recognize Bangsamoro history, their political and territorial sovereignty that held sway even in the Manila of Rajah Sulaiman, the massacres (such as Jabidah, Manili, Bud Dajo, Bud Bagsak) that they have suffered, the 300 years of Moro wars waged against successive governments, Spanish, American, and Filipino, their displacement and that of the Lumad from most of Mindanao through waves of migration from Luzon and the Visayas and land registration policies,” the signatories said.

“They revolted to achieve their aspiration to live their religious convictions and shared culture in peace. Their original call was for independence in quest of a true homeland. The BBL wants to achieve much less than this – self determination in a limited territory while preserving national sovereignty and national integrity,” they added.

58 signatories

The following personalities signed the statement, according to the version posted by one of the signatories, Ateneo de Davao University president Father Joel Tabora, on his website:

1. His Eminence Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, DD, Archdiocese of Cotabato

2. His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, DD, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro

3. His Excellency Archbishop Romulo Valles, DD, Archdiocese of Davao

4. His Excellency Bishop Guillermo Afable, DD, Diocese of Digos

5. His Excellency Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD, Diocese of Marbel

6. His Excellency Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, DD, Vicariate Apostolic of Jolo

7. His Excellency Bishop George Rimando, DD, Archdiocese of Davao

8. His Excellency Bishop Patricio Alo, DD, Diocese of Mati

9. Very Reverend Fr Antonio Moreno, SJ, Provincial Superior, Society of Jesus – Philippine Province

10. Fr Leo Dalmao, CMF, Provincial Superior, Claretian Missionaries, co-chair, Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines

11. Rev Fr. Joel E Tabora, SJ, Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City

12. Rev Msgr Julius C Rodulfa, Holy Cross College of Davao, Davao City

13. Sr Paz P Paglinawan, OP, Holy Cross College of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur

14. Rev Leopoldo R Naive, Brokenshire Integrated Health Ministries, Inc, Davao City

15. Dr Lourdes Cabintoy, Philippine Women’s College, Davao City

16. Dr Antonio La Viña, Ateneo School of Government, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City

17. Fr Carlos Ronquillo, CssR, St Aloysius Theological and Mission Institute, Davao City

18. Fr Roberto Yap, SJ, Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City

19. Ustadz Noli Darindigon, Asatidz Council of Davao

20. Jaafar Kimpa, Jabu-Jabu (The Calling) Inc.

21. Ismael Musa, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative, Zamboanga City

22. Dr Pendatun Talib, Zamboanga Indigenous Council of Leaders

23. Sh Maher Gustaham, Sama and Bajau Council of Leaders

24. Lt Gen Aurelio B Balabad, commander, Eastern Mindanao Commands

25. Ustadz Janor C Balo, Asatidz Council of Davao, Alliance of Kagan Organizations

26. Ustadz Nasser Usman, Salam Tribal Council

27. Hadji Cani Waradje, Ilang Muslim Village, Davao City

28. Hitler Ganih, Jabu-Jabu (The Calling) Inc.

29. Arasid Idlana Kimble, Laminusa Peoples Organization, Laminusa, Sulu

30. Kag Abdul Tahil, Muslim Community, Barangay Bi-ao, Digos City

31. Saudi Ismali, Panglima, Km 10 Sasa Muslim Community, Davao City

32. Starjoan D Villanueva, executive director, Alternative Forum for Research in Mindanao Inc, Davao City

33. Narciso P Jover Jr, executive director, Tri-People Concern for Peace, Progress and Development of Mindanao (TRICOM), Inc, Davao City

34. Gian Paolo Arago, Focolare Movement

35. Dr Ricardo de Ungria, University of the Philippines – Mindanao

36. Emmanuel Roldan, executive director, Luna Legal Resource Center, Inc, Davao City

37. Atty Romeo Cabarde, University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council, Ateneo de Davao University

38. Perpevina Tio, Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue, Ateneo de Davao University

39. Dr Gail Ilagan, Center of Psychological Extension and Research Services, Ateneo de Davao University

40. Atty Adoracion Avisado, Transformative Justice Institute, Davao City

41. Regel Kent Asuero, Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Ateneo, Ateneo de Davao University

42. Datu Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan, Al Qalam Institute, Ateneo de Davao University

43. Prof Yusuf Morales, Institute for Comparative and Advanced Studies

44. Prof Sharima Sheryl Morales, Polytechnic University of the Philippines

45. Prof Meinrado Martinez, Lyceum University

46. Prof Alih Aiyub, National Ulama Council of the Philippines

47. Datu Bimbo Ayunan Pasawiran, LGU, Cotabato City

48. Bailallie SL Lidasan, I-SPEAR

49. Abdurahim Abdul, UN Volunteer Alumni

50. Prime Nover Deles, Mindanaoan Youth Development Council

51. Jaypee Veradio, Youth Coordinator, Archdiocese of Ozamis

52. Yockie Guerrero, Youth Coordinator, Archdiocese of Cotabato

53. Fr Leomel Puerto, Archdiocese of Davao

54. Fr Jemasol Ortiz, Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Council – Youth Secretariat

55. Fr Orveil Andrade, Diocese of Mati

56. Fr Jeffrey Balanay, Diocese of Iigan

57. Fr Rotchel San Diego, Diocese of Ipil

58. Fr Roberto Layson, OMI, Parish of Santo Niño, Senator Benigno Aquino, Kulaman, Sultan Kudarat

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, for its part, said it is ready to assist the Philippine government in the peace process.

Still, it dared President Benigno Aquino III to explain his role in the Mamasapano incident, which thrust his administration in one of its worst crises. – Rappler.com