PHOTO FROM OPAPRU/FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — Nations facing internal issues that can’t be easily resolved on their own or among them should consider tapping the help of a third country so conflicts may be resolved peacefully.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) said this Monday, citing as an example the Philippines’ efforts in the Bangsamoro peace process, amid Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian’s statement likening its situation with Taiwan to that of Mindanao as an “internal affair.”
Huang issued the statement, where he also said the Philippines would never “allow any third party to meddle with resolving rebel issues in Mindanao,” as China chided the additional sites for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between Manila and Washington.
READ: China ‘advises’ PH to ‘unequivocally oppose’ Taiwan’s independence than ‘stoke fire’ via Edca
OPAPRU said a third country was in fact involved in the Philippine government’s peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
“The Bangsamoro peace process ever since has been facilitated by a third country to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the peace negotiations,” the agency said in a statement.
“Now in its implementation phase, the role of the international community in the southern peace process is very crucial to help deliver the peace dividends,” it added.
OPAPRU encouraged nations with similar situations to resolve conflicts “peacefully” and not to resort to the threat of force or violence.
It added that in addressing the Taiwan Strait crisis, genuine and inclusive dialogue is needed.
“We encourage countries with similar situations such as ours to follow the same path in resolving conflicts peacefully and not to resort to unnecessary threat of force, intimidation, and/or violence,” the OPAPRU said.
“The success of the Bangsamoro peace process can be replicated no matter how difficult it is. We believe that to address the Taiwan Strait Crisis, we need genuine and inclusive dialogue, respect and good faith by all parties,” it added.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 | 𝟭𝟳 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 pic.twitter.com/53535nXBeI
— OPAPRU (@peacegovph) April 17, 2023
RELATED STORIES
Two tracks of the Bangsamoro peace process
Norway to continue support for peace process in Bangsamoro — envoy
Malaysia vows continuing support for Mindanao peace, aid to Bangsamoro