Interfaith Group for Peace Agenda

August 18, 2008

Source: GMA News and Public Affairs

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/114319/Interfaith-group-for-peace-agenda

Amid controversies hounding a proposed territory pact with Moro rebels, Malacañang Sunday announced it is considering an interfaith group to spearhead peace efforts in Mindanao.

"The Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) an interfaith group composed of bishops and ulamas [Islamic scholars] in Mindanao, is being considered to lead civil society to see through efforts to bring peace in Mindanao," said Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza in a statement.

"[Davao] Archbishop Fernando Capalla, one of the convenors of the BUC, said that they are among its leaders and members to take on this role."

The announcement came after Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr. said the government is open to renegotiating the controversial agreement on ancestral domain with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which had been hit by some Supreme Court Justices last Friday for its supposed constitutional flaws.