Muslims, Christians celebrate Eid’l Fitr at MILF’s Camp Bilal

By Teng Lauban Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief .

MUNAI, Lanao del Norte — Residents of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Camp Bilal shared a meal with Christian visitors in the spirit of interfaith unity as they celebrate Eid’l Fitr, the culmination of the month-long observance of Ramadan Wednesday.

“This is the first time we are celebrating the Eid’l Fitr with our Christian brothers and sisters here at Camp Bilal,” Abdullah “Commander Bravo” Macapaar, an MILF commander and now a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) said.

Part of the Duyog Ramadan program initiated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the celebration was participated in by Catholic priest, soldiers, and Opapp personnel led by Opapp Chief of Staff David Diciano, Director Andres Aguinaldo of PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn, Father Chito Suganob and Director Scheherazade Ruivivar of the GPH-MILF Implementing Panel Secretariat.

Duyog Ramadan is a multi-stakeholder effort spearheaded by Opapp that aims to promote social healing and reconciliation among residents affected by armed conflict.

“This occasion signify unity between Muslims and Christians,” Macapaar emphasized.

“My heart is for peace. We are determined to bring back the peace in Mindanao and strengthen the relationship between Muslims and Christians,” he said in the vernacular.

Once a feared Moro commander, Macapaar talked about the need to use the government resources not for internal armed conflict but to the upliftment of the people particularly those in the countryside.

“We spent billions of pesos during the armed conflict. Let’s not use our funds for war but instead use it to help our people,” he added.

As a member of the parliament, Macapaar, along with the leadership of the MILF, Moro National Liberation Front and other stakeholders in the BTA, is now actively involved in implementing reforms in the Bangsamoro region.

Also during the event, Father Teresito “Chito” Soganub, who was a hostage victim at the height of the Marawi siege, said that the new chapter for peace in Mindanao is already here. (with reports from opapp)