Aquino leads commemoration of People Power Revolution, vows to pursue peace for all Filipinos ~ PEACE TALK PHILIPPINES

From the Website of OPPAP
links: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/aquino-leads-commemoration-people-power-revolution-vows-pursue-peace-all-filipinos

Aquino leads commemoration of People Power Revolution, vows to pursue peace for all Filipinos

MANILA – President Benigno Aquino III vowed to pursue peace as he led the nation in commemorating the historic 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution while also urging the public not to give in to warmongers who are looking to benefit from conflict, during a speech given at the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA.

“Kung magpapatalo tayo sa mga kontra-kapayapaan, parang hinayaan na rin nating lumala ang kaguluhan sa Mindanao (If we allow ourselves to be defeated by those who oppose peace, it would be tantamount to allowing the chaos in Mindanao to worsen),” the president said.

“Kung isusuko natin ang pagtataguyod ng Bangsamoro, parang hinayaan na rin nating armas ang muli nilang ipamana sa susunod na henerasyon ng mga kapwa natin Pilipino (If we were to surrender the pursuit of the Bangsamoro, it would be tantamount to allowing them to bequeath arms to the next generations of our fellow Filipinos),” he said.

“Hinding-hindi po tayo papayag na mangyayari ito (We will not allow this happen),” Aquino asserted.

“Maganda po sana kung bukod sa pambabatikos, ay may nailalatag silang alternatibong solusyon. Di tuloy natin maiwasang isipin: Ayaw nilang magkaroon ng kapayapaan, dahil sila mismo ang nakikinabang sa gulo at karahasan (It would be ideal if they were able to propose alternative solutions, instead of hurling criticism after criticism. Thus, we cannot help but think: They do not want peace, because they themselves benefit from chaos and violence),” he said.

“Ang gusto nila: muling magkanya-kanya ang mga Pilipino, at mawala ang tiwala natin sa isa’t isa upang isulong ang kanilang pansariling agenda (What they want: for Filipinos to once again think only of themselves and for us to lose our faith in each other, and choose only to pursue our individual agendas),” he added.

The president also addressed public outrage over the video showing Philippine National Police Special Action Force personnel being shot at close range and stripped of belongings by unidentified armed men, and called on the country to remember the lessons of EDSA.

“Sa harap ng mga video na nagpapakita ng karahasan, sa harap ng galit na maaaring mamuo sa ating mga puso, kailangan nating ipaalala: Mas makapangyarihan pa rin ang tiwala, ang malasakit, ang pag-ibig, ang kapayapaan (Despite videos displaying violence, despite the anger that may solidify in our hearts, we must remind ourselves: Truth, compassion, love, and peace will always be more powerful.),” Aquino said.
Golden opportunity for ARMM, nation

Aquino also reminded the public that the problem of armed conflict in Mindanao is a concern of the entire country, making peace a shared obligation.

“Tandaan lang natin: Ang kaguluhan sa Mindanao ay nagdudulot ng kaguluhan sa ating lahat. Kaya naman obligasyon ng bawat isa na itaguyod ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao (Let us bear in mind: The conflict in Mindanao continues to bring conflict for all of us. This is why each one of us is obligated to pursue peace in Mindanao.),” the president said.

“Ngunit batid nating hindi madali ang landas patungong kapayapaan (We also know that the path to peace is not easy to tread.),” Aquino said, recounting the early difficulties in negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. According to Aquino, trust was the key to breaking the deadlock, which eventually enabled both parties to reach an agreement that was acceptable to all.

“Ngayon, may pagkakataon po tayong baguhin ang istorya ng ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao]dahil sa maraming dahilan. Marami nga pong bansa ang nagbubuhos ng suporta sa ating usaping pangkapayapaan (We have an opportunity to change the narrative of ARMM, and there are many reasons for it. Many countries are showing their support for our peace talks.),” Aquino noted.

“Ginintuan ngang maituturing ang pagkakataong ito, kung kailan abot-kamay na ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao (This is indeed a golden opportunity, a time when peace in Mindanao is finally within our reach),” he said.

“Sa mga nagsasabi na ihinto na ang peace process, at ang pagpapasa ng Bangsamoro Basic Law, ang tanong natin: Paano nila masisigurado na magkakaroon ulit ng ganitong oportunidad (To all those calling for a stop to the peace process, and to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, we ask: How can they guarantee that such an opportunity will present itself once more)?”

Lasting peace a tribute to EDSA, Mamasapano

The president also noted that entrenching a lasting peace in Mindanao would be a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made in both the EDSA People Power Revolution and the tragedy in Mamasapano.

“Talagang masakit po ang nangyari sa Mamasapano. Huwag nating kalimutan na pumunta ang ating kapulisan doon, hindi para maghasik ng karahasan, kundi upang ipatupad ang batas. Nagsakripisyo sila para makamit ang kapayapaan, di naman po makatwiran na ang kanilang inalay para sa kapayapaan ay maging mitsa pa ng karahasan (What happened in Mamasapano was truly painful. Let us not forget that our police went there, not to inflict violence, but to fulfill the law. They sacrificed so much so that we could attain peace; it would not be just if what they gave for peace became the spark that ignited further violence).”

“Tanging sa pagkamit sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan magiging sulit ang sakripisyo ng mga nakipaglaban sa EDSA, kabilang na ang mga nagbuwis ng buhay para wakasan ang paghahasik ng takot at karahasan sa lipunan (It is only by realizing a just and lasting peace that we can say that the sacrifices of those who fought in EDSA—together with those who gave their lives to put an end to the sowing of fear and violence in society—were worth it),” he added.

“Kung ginabayan ng Panginoon ang ating bayan noon tungo sa mapayapang pagbabago, nananalig akong sa kabila ng panibagong mga hamon, ay mabibigyang-daang muli ang tiwala sa isa’t isa (If back then God guided our nation towards peaceful change, I have faith that, in spite of these new challenges, our trust in each other will prevail).”

“Sa ngalan ng mga Pilipinong nakipaglaban sa EDSA, at sa lahat ng mga kababayan nating nagsakripisyo at patuloy na nagsasakripisyo para sa kapwa at bansa, ituloy natin ang laban tungo sa kapayapaan at kaunlarang matagal na nating inaasam (In the name of all the Filipinos who fought in EDSA, and of all our countrymen who have sacrificed, and continue to sacrifice for their fellowmen and our country, let us continue the fight towards the peace and prosperity to which we have long aspired).” – See more at: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/aquino-leads-commemoration-people-power-revolution-vows-pursue-peace-all-filipinos#sthash.lJ6LtTVC.dpuf