Written by Ben Cal
Thursday, 18 March 2010

MANILA, March 18 - “Why only now, we want more dialogue of this kind.”

This was the prevalent question most people from Mindanao and other parts of the country asked during the series of reflective dialogues jointly conducted by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and civil society to get their views and opinions on contentious issues discussed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to find a peaceful solution to the armed conflict in southern Philippines.

Rev. Fr. Bert Alejo, team adviser of “Dialogue Mindanao”, told a press conference today that stakeholders who attended the reflective dialogues expressed their “overwhelming appreciation” to the government for holding this kind of consultations that gave them vital information on the issues involved in the peace process.

Fr. Alejo said that during the 13 reflective dialogues, nine were held in Mindanao and the other four were conducted in Luzon and the Visayas.

He also said that while majority have appreciated the dialogues some have criticized.

“We cannot avoid some criticisms,” Fr. Alejo said, adding that the people were free to voice out their opinions.

Fr. Alejo stressed that the dialogue was designed not to persuade any of the participants, nor trigger a debate or coerce anybody.

The dialogues were meant to find an authentic and genuine views and opinions of people from all levels of society.

He said the reflective dialogues had enabled the people to freely express their comments during the small group discussions giving them the space to say their piece about the peace process.

Fr. Alejo said that based on their initial findings “they (people) want more dialogues.”

He also said there were pros and cons, but this was part of the process.

“Some have clear opinions and some do not want,” he said.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle T. Abaya said her office is consolidating the results of the reflective dialogues for submission to the government and MILF peace panels for their consideration during the peace talks.

The reflective dialogues were conducted in Jolo, Sulu; Zamboanga City, Davao City, Cotabato City, Bacolod City, Marbel, Butuan City, Puerto Princesa, Lanao, San Mateo, Rizal; Cagayan de Oro, Baguio City and Bongao in Tawi-Tawi.