Razon says interfaith dialogue cooperation important to the peace process
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MANILA, Sept. 24 – Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino I. Razon Jr. cited the importance of
interfaith dialogue, cooperation, understanding and goodwill to resolve the armed conflict besetting the country.
Razon issued the call in a speech at the Grand Lodge of the Philippines-Office of the Presidential Adviser on
the Peace Process (GLP-OPAPP) Interfaith Forum at the Jose Abad Santos Hall in Manila on Wednesday.
“With today’s forum, we brfng our interfaith program to a new level as we share fresh perspectives with the
Grand Lodge of the Philippines on interfaith dialogue and cooperation that will hopefully lead us towards
greater solidarity, tolerance and understanding in addressing issues and concerns of the peace process,”
Razon said.
The Philippines has been pushing the peace process to resolve the twin insurgency problem - one against
the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and the other the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), not to
mention the war against terror – the Abu Sayyaf lately.
The government is looking forward to resume formal peace negotiations with the MILF and hopefully forge a
final peace accord.
However, talks with the communist National Democratic Front (NDF) hit a snag after the NDF insisted for the
government to release from detention 10 more NPA rebels and drop the criminal charges ranging from mass
murder and kidnapping filed against them before negotiation would start.
The government rejected the NDF demand because it subverts the judicial process.
But Razon said the government is not closing the doors to resume the stalled peace talks with the NDF.
The GLP under the leadership of Most Worshipful Peter U. Lim Lo Suy, grand master of all Masons, is helping
the government advance the peace process.
“Today’s forum is another ‘first’ for OPAPP. And it is with great inspiration and optimism that we welcome this
opportunity to share perspectives, concerns and issues on peace with our brother Freemasons in the hope of
building more bridges of tolerance, solidarity and peace among Filipinos,” Razon said.
“This Brotherhood of Men under the Fatherhood of God continues to be a potent force in the creation of
goodwill and brotherhood in this world of never-ending turmoil and conflict. What makes Freemasons matter
among men is that they can sit down together as brothers, regardless of race, creed or religion in a manner
that no other institution can,” he said.
He also said that interfaith dialogue and cooperation will lead the country “towards greater solidarity, tolerance
and understanding in addressing the issues and concerns of the peace process.
Razon expressed the hope that GLP and the government will work together to “put an end to the evils of war,
the scourge of poverty and hardship, and the divisiveness borne out of diverse faiths and cultures” and help
restore peace across the country.”
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