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IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay(MindaNews/02 October)—People from all walks of life gathered here Tuesday evening to light candles and pray for peace in Zamboanga City and the rest of the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Initiated by Bishop Julius Tonel of the Diocese of Ipil, an estimated 200 people joined the prayer rally at the cathedral ground here at exactly 6 p.m. Other dioceses in the region and some other parts of Mindanao also held a similar activity simultaneously.
The participants here formed the logo of peace and lighted candles as they hear the mass led by Father Iroderick Resma.
After the mass, they stood in silence for three minutes to pray for peace.
Berting Largo, of the Diocese of Ipil’s Social Action Ministry, said the activity was called by Bishop Tonel to urge all people to pray for the victims of the Zamboanga City crisis, which lasted for almost a month after members of the Moro National Liberation Front loyal to founding chair Nur Misuari laid siege to some coastal parts of the city.
“We are praying for the victims of the crisis in Zamboanga City and we are praying that it will not happen again. We are praying for peace and an end to war and conflicts,” Largo said.
Inside the compound of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, soldiers and their dependents also lighted candles outside their houses and prayed for peace in the region in response to the call of the Diocese of Ipil. (Paulnazer Lontua/MindaNews)
