Rep. Mujiv Hataman of AMIN Party List and Rep. Faysah RPM Dumarpa of Lanao del Sur had filed two different bills on anti-Discrimination. Their bills are now being consolidated into one.
This consolidated bill is now on the process of being formulated and framed. We would like to hear your views about this bill and help contirbute to its construction by making your comments on its draft posted here.
Please Click on the links below to read the bill and post your comments.
Civil Society Peace Organizations Appeal to IMT: Stay and Help Keep the Peace in Mindanao Media Statement 5 May 2008
The Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN), the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict-Philippines (GPPAC-Philippines), United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), Generation Peace, and Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Party List express concern over the reported downsizing and eventual pull-out of the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao.
The MSN which is a Manila- based network of peace advocates and organizations supporting the peace process in Mindanao echoes the statements of its Mindanao partners appealing for the IMT to stay and continue to support the ceasefire between the GRP and MILF. The GPPAC as a civil society movement worldwide promoting conflict prevention and the role of civil society in peacebuilding is alarmed of the repercussions of this decision by the Malaysian government. Civil Society peace organizations view the IMT as an effective conflict prevention and early warning mechanism that facilitates and supports the resolution of the centuries old Mindanao conflict.
The presence of IMT is a vital component of the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, for which Malaysia is the main facilitator. IMT's significant role in the overall peace process in Mindanao cannot be denied. Its leading role has effectively maintained a situation conducive to peace negotiations and prevented armed hostilities between the conflicting parties in Mindanao.
Generation Peace, which is a national youth peace network , including UNYPAD, a national Moro youth network for peace and development, has launched an activity of gathering digital photos as a form of petition signing for the IMT to remain in its crucial role.
Together, these peace networks are appealing to the Malaysian government to reconsider its decision, as they urge the Philippine government to ensure definite progress in the peace process and demonstrate to Malaysia, and the rest of the international community and most especially to the Bangsa Moro People its resolve to conclude the peace negotiations and implement a peace agreement with the MILF.
REP. HATAMAN JOIN CALLS FOR MALAYSIA TO STAY
News about the impending pull-out of the Malaysian contingent from the International Monitoring Team (IMT) observing the peace talks between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has alarmed many peace advocates, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
“We appeal to the Malaysian government to continue supporting the peace process, to retain its membership in the IMT, for the sake of the people of Mindanao, especially the ordinary civilians,” Anak Mindanao Representative Mujiv Hataman said as he joined the call for Malaysia’s retention in the IMT.
Hataman reiterated that the intervention of the Malaysian government in the seven-year old peace talks greatly contributed to the institution of ceasefire mechanisms and the cessation of hostilities, and the significant decrease in the number of violations committed by the GRP and the MILF against each other thus creating a more conducive atmosphere for negotiations.
“We cannot blame Malaysia if they decide to withdraw, the peace talks has been stalled many times since the agenda centered on the issue of ancestral domain. It is indeed disheartening to note that after successfully reaching interim agreements on the first two main issues in the peace talks - security and rehabilitation, the talks are now going back to square one. The sincerity of the parties is rightfully under question,” Hataman argued.
However, the Muslim solon stressed that this should not cause the members of the IMT from discontinuing their engagement in the peace process. “It is an unquestioned fact that since the institution of the IMT, many lives have been saved from unnecessary hostilities and war in Mindanao. We therefore plead to the Malaysian government to stay, if only to continue saving lives.”
PINAY KILOS FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY
In celebration of its first year anniversary, Pinay Kilos or Pink conducted a campus – based women empowerment and youth leader’s camp called CAM – PINK last April 4, 5 and 6 at Western Mindanao State University grounds.
Activities were conducted simultaneously while several tents on reproductive health, personality development and social issues were made open to public especially women from several communities within Zamboanga City and Basilan Province.
Diverse parallel sessions / lectures on various topics ranging from Family Planning, Menopause, Homosexuality, Migration, Sexually Transmitted Infections, US Military Presence in the Philippines, and National and Mindanao Situation. Livelihood opportunity lectures and trainings were conducted and made possible thru the help of Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist. AMIN Party List facilitated the participation of Technical Education for Skills and Development Authority to the Camp Sessions. The Heaven’s Cure success story on coconut products was shared by Mr. Ric Mactal himself, the person behind said products.
30 in and out of school youth who actively participated in the camp for two nights were given lectures and trainings on leadership, multi – culturalism and conflict resolution.
This first camp of PINK was successfully attended by at least 130 women members from several communities within Zamboanga City and nearby provinces. This number excludes scores of walk in participants. The organization was rewarded with invitations and requests from participants that similar yet specific forums and trainings on topics which they found relevant to their respective communities be conducted in their localities.
With the groups conviction and effort to develop and help implement programs for Mindanao women for the promotion of their rights and welfare and to further facilitate access to relevant information, basic services and livelihood opportunities, Pink had worked with some individuals and organizations to successfully conduct every activity in the Cam-Pink.
As an advocate of peace, Anak Mindanao sponsored tent in the camp that specifically gave lectures and provided materials concerning Peace Process and other issues that may directly or indirectly affect the women of Mindanao in particular, and also in recognition of women’s indispensable role in promoting peace and development.
Mr. Henry Tianero from Department of Labor and Employment also participated together with TESDA. Red Cross Zamboanga Volunteers made a big role in the facilitation of most of the lectures and trainings. Dra. Norvie Taruc gave insights in line with reproductive health along with Mr. Jerico Bustamante who spoke about Global warming. Mr. Ari of Ateneo de Zamboanga discussed issues on Homosexuality. And finally, Mr. Herbert Docena of Focus on the Global South lectured and shared information on the presence of U.S Military in the country, more specifically in Mindanao.
In a continuing journey towards empowerment, peace and progress for women and for the country, Pinay Kilos (PinK) continuously works on various scheduled projects, and hopefully conduct a bigger CAM-PINK in the near future.
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