ILIGAN CITY – “Peace is too precious to be left alone in the hands of fighting forces”.

So said “Dialogue Mindanaw” consultant Fr. Albert Alejo here Tuesday even as he underscored the importance of the Reflective Dialogue through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) headed by Sec. Anabelle Abaya that puts the public at the forefront and gives them a chance to help pave the way for lasting harmony in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, “Dialogue Mindanaw” continues its Mindanao sojourn on Thursday, March 11, 2010 in Butuan City.

Written by Anna Dinglasan
Monday, 08 March 2010

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, March 5 - More people from the cross-section of society, including former bystanders and skeptics now understand at length the Mindanao armed conflict after attending the reflective dialogue conducted by the government here on Thursday, and joined the call for the peaceful settlement to the long-drawn Mindanao problem.

While most participants who came were skeptical because they thought Palawan had little, if at all, to do with the conflict in Mindanao, the mood slowly shifted as they engaged in in-depth discussions and conversations throughout the day.

“I honestly didn’t know what I was doing here when I came but now, I am very happy because I, an ordinary citizen, was given an opportunity to take part in this process. It is about time that people are made involved,” said Ms. Lydia Reyes of the Society of Adventist Women on Palawan.