What might this vision be?
May I contribute a personal envisioning of the future on the basis of socio-moral principles.
I envision a Mindanao where God’s law of social justice for all, mutual respect, and the “common word” of love of God and and love of neighbor reigns supreme;
I envision a Mindanao where the social injustices suffered by the Bangsamoro as well as injustices suffered by Lumads and other non-Moro groups are effectively addressed;
I envision a Mindanao where self-determination, the deep centuries-old aspiration of the Bangsamoro is recognized, respected and effectively exercised;
I envision a Mindanao where national territorial integrity and national sovereignty are preserved and promoted;
I envision a Mindanao where there is a common striving for the integral development (cultural, social, religious, political and economic) of each Mindanawon, and the integral development of all Mindanawons;
I dream of a Mindanao where harmonious relationships between peoples of various ethnic groups and different faiths are lived and enjoyed without any fear of harassment and marginalization;
I dream of a Mindanao where the ominous threat of extremism, radicalism, and terrorism will not find fertile ground;
I dream of a Mindanao where the universal rights of every Mindanawon are protected and promoted with no discrimination in relation to gender, religious belief or ethnic affiliation;
I dream of a Mindanao where all Mindanawons have access to as well as share in the benefits of Mindanao’s rich natural resources, even those within an autonomous region;
I dream of a Mindanao where everyone can proudly say I am a Moro, I am a Christian, I am a Lumad, I am a Buddhist, etc., — and proudly exclaim, I am a Mindanawon.
Thank you very much.
((MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews.
PeaceTalk is open to anyone who wishes to express his/her views on peace in Mindanao. Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, ended his keynote address at the symposium, TITAYAN: Bridging for Peace held at the Ateneo de Davao University on April 21, 2016, with this Vision of a Future Mindanao)
