Duterte Calls For Peace Through Federalism as he Joins Muslims to Mark End of Ramadan
"Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has joined Muslim leaders to celebrate Eid al-Fitr which falls at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Duterte spoke of the need to redress past grievances of Philippine Muslims, also known as Moros and to move forward as a united nation made stronger by devolving powers from Imperial Manila to the diverse regions of The Philippines.
In a plea for “peace and love” to triumph over sectarianism and distrust, Duterte who himself has Muslim members of his extended family stated,
“This is in an opportune time to reflect on the progress we have made to achieve long-lasting peace across the country, especially in Mindanao. May this revered festival inspire us all to foster greater unity amidst our differences in faith and culture. Together, let us engage in acts of charity as we steer our nation towards a more progressive and tolerant future”.
Duterte further called on Moros to “praise Allah in thanksgiving for providing our nation the strength to endure the challenges of misguided ideologies, terrorism and violent extremism“, before stating:
“I trust that the sacrifice of Muslim Filipinos during their month-long fasting has rekindled their faith and reawakened their sense of benevolence and empathy towards their fellowmen”.
Duterte has worked tirelessly with leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and its rival group the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) along with the Philippine Congress to pass and implement the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which will grant local autonomy to areas of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao and nearby islands with a Muslim majority population.
One of President Duterte’s key election pledges was working to use federal solutions to end the decades long standing Moro conflict in Mindanao that has seen armed insurgents wage war against The Philippines in attempts to create autonomous Islamic political units in parts of Mindanao. Therefore, for Duterte, the push towards implementing the BBL is integral to his wider push for federalism in the country.
Duterte further elaborated on why pan-Philippine federalism will be good not only for Mindanao but for the entire nation. The President stated,
“The time for federalism has come to our country. We have to move away from the style of unitary government. For the time it was good, we were developing as a nation, and history then did not mind the struggles of Christians and Muslims. It’s time for us to understand that they [Muslims] have been victims also of injustice.
We will try to pass the BBL. I hope Chairman Misuari [the leader of MILF] can be convinced to join the talks so that if there are corrections, or maybe additions, or provisions that would not sit well with the rest of the southern part of Mindanao, then maybe we can realise altogether the friction of the MILF, the MNLF, and the rest of Mindanao.
…I am for federalism. I am for peace”.
When all regions and peoples in The Philippines are allowed to take responsibility and enjoy the benefits of their own autonomous economic, cultural and social management, it does not make The Philippines weaker but stronger and more peaceful. This is the crux of Duterte’s wider push for federalism."
https://www.eurasiafuture.com/2018/0...nd-of-ramadan/
There appears to be a large number of religious groups in Phillipine. Catholics from their Spanish roots 80%, Other "Christians" 8.7% and Muslims 7%. The rest less than 2% each.
Group |
|
Estimate of Adherents
[year reported] |
1. Roman Catholic |
- |
80% of the pop. (1998)
|
2. Other Christian Denominations Combined |
- |
8.7% of the pop. (1990) |
3. Muslim/Islamic |
- |
7% of the pop. (2001) |
Religious Groups in the Philippines
Is this acknowledgement of Muslim groups being accepted by the majority Catholic authorities. Is it being accepted by the Catholic population as individuals. Any Catholic spokesmen being highlighted in the press, for and against?