Dureza: Support of the people is biggest gain

By Teng Lauban Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief .

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza on Wednesday showcased the gains of the peace process since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016, saying the biggest gain of peace work is that “we have arisen the attention and support of the ordinary people.”

“That is very important. We can sign a lot of agreements but if the people do not support it, nothing can be achieved,” he said.

Opapp formally opened this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month with the ringing of the World Peace Bell at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

For his part, Deputy Presidential Peace Adviser Undersecretary Nabil A. Tan called for unity in the pursuit of peace in the country.

“We are one in working to end internal armed conflicts and more importantly, resolution of root causes that enables unpeace,” he said.

Tan said the theme of this year’s celebration — “Mithiing Kapayapaan, Sama-Samang Isakatuparan” — is “a call for participative, collective, and inclusive approach towards our shared aspiration for a just, comprehensive and enduring peace” in the country.

Also present during the event was Eva Patalinjug, newly installed National Peace Ambassador and winner of Binibining Pilipinas 2017.

Patalinjug said she believes “we can bestow our future generation the light of peace and instead of darkness.”

“We can really stop war and violence and we can raise the message and awareness of peace,” she added. (with reports from opapp)