The Quest for Peace

For a very long time, Mindanao has been known neither for its majestic tourist’s spots nor  for its unique cultural heritage but because of the ongoing discord between its people divided by different beliefs and interests. Come on, let’s face it. It is a sad but truthful reality that the island has long been a melting pot of political unrest and religious animosity.  More than the millions worth of properties and infrastructure lost are the innocent lives inhumanely killed in senseless war and bloodshed. Thousands of homes have been wrecked together with the families that once dwelt in them which are now broken or if not pathetically suffering the unfortunate impacts of ruthless violence. And worst, the brightest aspirations and highest dreams of the blameless children have not been spared by the consequences of the hostilities. Children who are supposed to go school are trained for battle- holding guns instead of pencils, educated for combat instead of enjoying the wonders of childhood in the playground. The strife in Mindanao has certainly denied the children and the rest of us a future of living a life in peace, progress and prosperity. But, we are not mere prisoners of fate for all the cruelty and hardship of our society. Our actions matter and we can still bend history in the directions of justice. We still hold the beacon of hope that someday, we will arrive at the goal that we seek which is PEACE.

                                To arrive at the goal, we must focus on a more practical and more attainable peace, based not on a sudden revolution in human nature but on a gradual evolution in human institutions. The time for finger pointing on the on-going conflict in Mindanao should end now and what is needed to attain lasting peace is an institution that has the political will to appeal to both parties to sit down and discuss solutions.  Despite the failures in previous peace talks and negotiations in the past, we must not lose faith that differences in beliefs and interests for both parties in conflict will be resolved in a culture of peace and understanding.

                                To realize the goal of peace, we must rip off the seeds of violence that have been sewn through freedom. In order to stabilize peace, citizens should not be denied the right to speak freely or worship as they please, choose their own leaders or assemble without fear. 

                                To achieve a lasting peace, we must all distinguish that peace in its very sense, is not just the mere absence of visible conflict but it is based upon the recognition of the inherent rights and dignity of every individual. We must all pursue non-violence for violence brings us no good instead it only generates complications.

                                However, a just peace includes not only includes not only civil and political rights, it must encompass economic security and opportunity. The fight for peace in Mindanao is inseparable from the question of economic and social development. A lasting peace means not only respecting rights, it also means putting an end to all forms of poverty, inequality and injustice which breed violence.

                                The quest for peace is on! Let us individually and collectively seize opportunities for a future of peace not just for Mindanao but for the rest of the world. No barriers can stand against the mightiest river of all the people’s will for peace and freedom now surging in floodtide throughout the world! Speak up. Stand up and fight. Let’s all give peace a chance.

*This article has been the officially entry of Ms. Christine Canoy Balili (Misamis Occidental National High School) to the 6th Tingog Arts and Journalism Awards. 
This article was chosen as second best during the 6th TAJA Feature Writing Competition(February 2011)