RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES TO DECLARE 06 MARCH 2015 AS A “NATIONAL DAY OF HEALING FOR UNITY AND PEACE”

WHEREAS, our 1987 Constitution declares that the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land, and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations (Article II, Section 2);

WHEREAS, the Constitution likewise holds that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy (Article II, Section 5);

WHEREAS, in the quest for a just and lasting peace in Mindanao, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a peace agreement last March 27, 2014;

WHEREAS, the gains of 17 years of peace negotiation between the GPH and MILF took a serious blow in the wake of the Mamasapano incident last January 25, 2015, that led to the deaths of 44 members of the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force, 18 Moro fighters and some innocent civilians;

WHEREAS, as an immediate repercussion of this January 25 incident, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has reported the internal displacement of at least 1,500 families due to fears that armed confrontations in the area of Mamasapano, Maguindanao and its immediate surroundings may escalate;

WHEREAS, the Mamasapano incident has grave implications to the continuing peace process and to the lives of the peoples of Mindanao who continue to suffer from the debilitating impact of decades of armed conflict even while undergoing rehabilitation efforts;

WHEREAS, this unfortunate incident has likewise caused a national divide threatening to polarize the country ,and its peace-loving peoples, with some sections issuing condemnation, hasty judgement and espousing bloody retaliation and ‘all-out war;

WHEREAS, civil society, the broad peace movements and the peoples of Mindanao, while expressing full support to all investigations aimed at unearthing the truth and providing justice to all the victims of that unfortunate January 25 incident in Mamasapano, remain steadfast in their commitment to the peace process which is on the verge of hopefully ending the armed conflict in Mindanao;

WHEREAS, in order to maintain calm and sobriety in these tension-filled times and arrive at an objective and impartial result of the ongoing investigations on the Mamasapano incident, there is an imperative and urgent need to pause and reassess our common aspirations to bring peaceful solutions to our nation’s problems;

WHEREAS, civil society groups, peace movements and communities across the country have started to gather as peace advocates calling for unity and peace, which will culminate on the ’40th day of the tragedy on March 6, 2015;

WHEREAS, on this day, simultaneous events will be held In cities nationwide to remember those who perished in Mamasapano as well as the thousands of lives lost from decades of armed conflict, and to call on the Filipino people to stand for justice and stay the course of peace: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, as it is hereby resolved, To express the sense of the Senate of the Philippines to declare March 6, 2015, the 40th day after the unfortunate and bloody Mamasapano incident, as a “National Day of Healing for Unity and Peace”.

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