Deles said Jubair’s insider account of the GRP-MILF peace process, “proceeds from historical roots, delves into present realities, and propels with vision and hope into the future.”
Mogato wrote the book is “valuable not only for journalists and policy-makers but also for a wide audience interested in understanding conflict resolution.”
Jacinto said the book “should inspire everybody to work for real peace in the Philippines and understand the struggle of Muslims for self-determination and freedom and Islam, as away of life and as a religious of peace.”
Arnado said the book is a “must read” if “you want to understand whatwe should do differently and what we should stop doing in order to achieve peace in Mindanao.”
“Politicians, military officials, businessmen, journalists, academe, church leaders, NGOs and peace advocates must read this book,” said Layson.
In a message read for him by government peace panel vice chair Rudy Rodil, Afable said the author “does an enduring service to the Filipino people by writing this book.”
“I am glad that this book shows and celebrates our triumphs in a fair and objective manner. It is a milestone upon which there is no turning back, even as the journey stretches far forward,” he said.
Afable said they “must continue to band together with more courage and faith to overcome tough odds;” to overcome the “residual instinct in combatants of both sides to pull the trigger when times get rough;” to insulate the process “from those who strive to divide us by stirring the brew of greed, ambition and prejudice.”
He also expressed the need to “enlighten those who believe that a comprehensive peace can be won by the instruments of counterinsurgency, limited development or diplomatic pressure – without serving legitimate aspirations of nationhood.”
“The work must go on until we mop up the enemies within ourselves: bigotry, avarice, envy, hate and all those feelings that weigh down upon the bridge of peace and debilitate the entire Filipino nation,” he said. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)
