The Bishops-Ulama Forum (BUF) was formed in November 1996 at the height of the SPCPD issue and in aftermath of the signing of the Jakarta Peace Agreement between the Philippine government and the MNLF.
The BUF brings together religious leaders of Muslim and Christian communities from all over Mindanao. It includes bishops of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), members of the Ulama League of the Philippines (ULP), and bishops of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines (NCCP).
Over the past 3 years, the BUF has held thirteen dialogue meetings on a quarterly basis in various cities of Mindanao. These inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogues have been carried out in an atmosphere of openness, mutual respect, and growing familiarity among participants and their representatives. The BUF strives to provide the missing link in the peace process - i.e., the spiritual foundation for peace from both Christian and Muslim religious traditions.
These meetings have also weathered various crisis points such as the killing of Bishop Ben de Jesus in Feb. 1997, the hostage-taking of Msgr. Desmond Hartford in Oct-Nov. 1997, the kidnapping of Fr. Luciano Benedetti in Sept-Nov 1998, and recently the hostage-taking and killing of Fr. Rhoel Gallardo and co-workers in Mar-May 2000.
Despite the killings and hostage-taking of religious leaders, and perhaps because of these, the BUF participants have continued their dialogue meetings and issued joint statements condemning the violence and urging the peace process to go forward.
It is in this light that the recent outbreak of hostilities between the AFP and the MILF, as well as the hostage-taking in Basilan and Sulu, have elicited further statements from the BUF participants, meeting either at the local or Mindanao-wide level. The ten-point program outlined below summarizes the current perspectives adopted by the religious leaders of both Christian and Muslim communities. These are taken almost verbatim from BUF statements in recent meetings in Zamboanga on March 22, in Davao on April 26 and in Cagayan de Oro on May 18.
1. We ask for an immediate cease-fire in Central Mindanao, and emergency assistance for all evacuees and displaced comminutes - Muslim, Christian, and Lumad alike.
The current armed confrontation in Central Mindanao has displaced thousands of households and deprived them of their basic needs - i.e., food, shelter, health, care, schools, etc.
From the History of Mindanao, we recognize that an all-out war will not bring peace tot his island, but will only aggravate the situation. We put into question the moral justification for the insistence on a military solution for Mindanao despite offers of a cease-fire. we likewise condemn the use of violence by armed group in holding hostage innocent people and civilian populations for their own ends.
2. We must make a distinction between the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The hostage issue in Basilan and Sulu involves the ASG, whose excesses have been condemned by Muslim leaders her and abroad as alien to Islam.
The situation of armed conflict in Central Mindanao, on other hand, starting from Lanao del Norte and now affecting Lanao del Sur, Maguidanao, and other neighboring provinces, involves the MILF which represents the continuing aspirations of a significant part of the Muslim community for fuller participation in the running of their political and economic affairs.
3. This is not a religious war between Christian and Muslim communities.
Both Christian and Muslim religious leaders recognize and respect the values for justice, peace and compassion in each other's religious traditions. We believe that if Islam and Christianity were once utilized in the past to create enmity among the peoples of Mindanao, these two world religions of peace can now serve as the proper means of creating an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect among Muslim and Christian believers.
For this reason, we condemn the formation of any vigilante groups, either Christian or Muslim, which will only heighten the polarization between cultural comminutes. We must avoid all forms of extremism, indiscriminate condemnation and any act of violence against innocent parties.
4. We urge the government and the MILF to return to the negotiating table.
We urge them to heed the overwhelming cry, particularly from the people of Mindanao, for a cessation of hostilities. Peace talks should be resumed and given more time. We recommend that the peace panels of both sides be given sufficient authority so that agreements like the April 27th accord be honored, and not contravened by military officers.
5. A neutral but concerned third party, acceptable to both sides of the conflict, should be invited to facilitate the negotiations.
This can accelerate the peace process through sustained peace talks. We welcome gestures of concern for peace, justice, and freedom from the international community, including leaders of Islamic countries, fellow religious leaders, and peace advocacy's. We also invite everyone to heed the United Nations' call for observing this year 2000 as the year of Culture of Peace.
6. We must continue to seek a political solution that addresses the legitimate demands of cultural communities and brings about a just and honorable peace for all.
This process has already begun with the earlier peace agreement with the Moro national Liberation Front (MNLF). We also support the efforts of our senators from Mindanao and sectoral groups in proposing alternative solutions, such as the drafting of a revised Organic Law for an autonomous region, the recognition of the shariah law, and a federal system.
7. We need to fast-track projects for the socio-economic development of the poorer regions of Mindanao.
Poverty is one of the root causes for the conflict in Mindanao, and unless this is addressed resolutely, another generation of disenchanted youth will find recourse to arms as the only way out of their problems.
We further ask for an equitable share from the national budget for the economic development, not the militarization, of Mindanao.
8. On our part, we religious leaders of Mindanao resolve to intensify our efforts at peace-building among our local Christian and Muslim communities.
We can start the healing process through prayer rallies, inter-cultural dialogues, and the creation of zones of peace. We are ready to work along with women leaders, kids for peace, and other groups who have all raised their voices for the peace process to continue.
We shall redouble our efforts at peace education and peace-building through our schools and local communities
9. We invite the people in media to clarify their ambivalent role in the Mindanao conflict.
They can do this by presenting more accurately the facts and the widespread sentiments of the people of Mindanao for an end to hostilities and lasting peace.
We should be careful to avoid labels that further heighten prejudices and biases against cultural groups. Media coverage can slant the news towards either a culture of violence or a culture of peace.
10. We urge the government to give Mindanaoans a bigger share of responsibility to work for peace in our land.
We are the stakeholders and have better knowledge of what is going on in this land we call the "land of Promise."
As religious leaders of the Muslim and Christian communities in Mindanao, we bishops and ulama, offer to take a proactive role in pushing forward the peace process through consultations with our communities and attending to the root causes of conflict.
Total peace, not total war, is the answer to Mindanao's problems
Presented at the Peace Summit of Mindanao Leaders
26-27 May 2000,
Davao City
