By Lou Ellen Antonio

BALO-I, Lanao del Norte (PIA)--In line with the celebration of International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, some 100 residents here from different sectors joined in the Simultaneous Rally for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) call for unity and solidarity in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BTA-BARMM). 

The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), a network of CSOs and non-government organizations in Mindanao spearheaded the event to call for unity and solidarity for peace in Bangsamoro. 

Sultan Al Samporna from Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB), Inc, said they desire to unite the Bangsamoro for peace and development of the community. 

“Mag-kaisa tayo. Wala ng gyera. Magtulungan tayo. Umaapila ako sa kinauukulan lalo na sa gobyerno natin, MILF, MNLF at sa BTA members natin na bagong appointed na magkaisa tayo sa isang adhikain upang makamit natin ang tunay at makabuluhan na mapayapa at kaunlaran ng ating bayan,” he said. 

[Let's be united. I hope there will be no war. Let's work together. I am appealing to the relevant authorities, especially our government, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and our newly appointed BTA members to unite in one cause so that we can achieve real and meaningful peace and prosperity for our community.]

Participants of the rally also read some of the appeals of CSOs to the BTA-BARMM. Some of these appeals include passing relevant laws and programs to uplift the life of the people in Bangsamoro communities, promoting inclusive development, fighting and resisting corruption, following provisions of good governance, and prioritizing public service, among others.

Rayan S. Panganting, a 4th-year student of Khadijah Mohammed Islamic Academy, is hopeful that the government, MNLF, and MILF will continue working to preserve peace. 

“I really do love the way the government and MNLF and MILF works to preserve peace in our society. Nanawagan ako sa ating government, sa pangulo, na ipreserve ang peace , at ipakita hindi lang sa amin, kundi sa ibang tao that they are serious about conserving peace in our country,” he said.

[I really do love the way the government and MNLF and MILF work to preserve peace in our society. I called on our government, the president, to preserve peace, and show not only to us but to other people that they are serious about conserving peace in our country.]

Panganting also called on the local officials to show their constituents that they are for peace as he believes that it is the solution to end the conflict in Mindanao. (LELA/PIA-10-Lanao del Norte)