Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong only has good things to say about the designation of former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento as new Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) chief. Adiong, in...
PEACE BY PEACE Years ago, Basilan was a place I would have to think twice before sending our troops to battle. The threats from lawless elements were so high at that time that even our most experienced soldiers had to employ the strictest security protocols and countermeasures. As a military...
In times of war, instability, and displacement, it is often women and children who bear the heaviest burden. Across conflict zones worldwide, they are more likely to be uprooted from their homes, exposed to violence, and left to navigate the long-term consequences of fractured communities....
PEACE BY PEACE Having served as Presidential Peace Adviser for almost eight years, I’ve witnessed the launching of various peace and development initiatives that aim to uplift the lives of former combatants who have laid down their arms and returned to the folds of the law. These range from...
PEACE BY PEACE As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, the Filipino people remember and celebrate his teachings, which highlighted the importance of peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding. If there is one religious leader who has made a profound and long-lasting impact on...
PEACE BY PEACE There’s one saying that has been etched in my mind since I became a military officer: “Insurgency ends where the road begins.” This is not merely a concept but a reality I can personally attest to. During the missions I’ve led in far-flung, hinterland barangays across...
PEACE BY PEACE The newly reconstituted Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) convened its inaugural session on April 8, facing the critical task of completing remaining deliverables to ensure a smooth transition leading up to the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s...
PEACE BY PEACE Since its establishment in 2019, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has steadily emerged as a promising frontier for economic growth and development. Once perceived as a region fraught with challenges, BARMM is now experiencing favorable investor confidence,...
PEACE BY PEACE Excellence was the driving force when the Philippines successfully hosted the first ministerial-level International Conference on Women, Peace and Security last October 2024, a landmark event for our country in terms of advancing the global Women, Peace and Security (WPS)...
PEACE BY PEACE According to the Great Man Theory, “Leaders are born, not made.” The theory suggests that individuals are either born with or without the inherent qualities that are necessary for great leadership. I, however, respectfully beg to disagree. While some individuals may exhibit...
PEACE BY PEACE During the course of my work as the presidential peace adviser for the past seven years, I’ve had the honor and privilege of working side by side with members of the international diplomatic corps and foreign aid development organizations. These remarkable individuals,...
DAVAO CITY – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun confirmed in a radio interview on Monday, March 10, the appointment of Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Abdulraof Macacua as the new interim chief minister of the BARMM. Pendatun said that...
