MANILA – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) on April 17, 2023, attributed the success of the Mindanao peace process to the support provided by local and international stakeholders
“The success of the Mindanao peace process has vibrant support from the stakeholders as well as the international community,” it said in a statement.
OPAPRU bared this after the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian compared the situation of China with Taiwan to those in Mindanao.
“We took note about the statement of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian comparing the internal tension in China with Taiwan to the Mindanao peace process,” the body said.
OPAPRU said the Bangsamoro peace process ever since has been facilitated by a third-party country to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the peace negotiations.
“Now in its implementation phase, the role of the international community in the southern peace process is very crucial to help deliver the peace dividends,” it added.
OPAPRU also noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during the UN General Assembly, has earlier showcased the positive experience in the Bangsamoro peace process which other countries with internal conflicts can replicate.
“We encourage countries with similar situations such as ours to follow the same path in resolving conflicts peacefully and not resort to the unnecessary threat of force, intimidation, and/or violence,” it added.
OPAPRU also believes that the success of the Bangsamoro peace process can be replicated no matter how difficult it is.
“We believe that to address the Taiwan Strait Crisis, we need genuine and inclusive dialogue, respect, and good faith by all parties,” it noted. (Priam Nepomuceno /PNA)