The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) made history as they signed a preliminary peace agreement on the afternoon of October 15, 2012 in Malacañang Palace, Manila, Philippines. MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim described the “Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro” as the most important document in the chapter of the Bangsamoro history. He witnessed the signing of the so-called peace roadmap along with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and President Benigno Aquino III.

Outside the Malacañang Palace, as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M.I.L.F.) and the Philippine Government were signing a preliminary peace agreement, Christian activists from AKBAYAN (English Translation: LEAN ON EACH OTHER’S SHOULDERS) demonstrated in support of the said signing. The Christian activists belonging to AKBAYAN are in favor of the establishment of an autonomous region for Filipino Muslims living in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao. The said 5 provinces are all located in Mindanao. AKBAYAN is an activist multi-sectoral group in the Philippines that has been fighting peacefully for social reforms since the 1980s. AKBAYAN’s Christian activists marched from Taft Avenue all the way to Mendiola, the street where Malacañang Palace is located, to express support for the signing of the said preliminary peace agreement. The Christian activists joined the Muslim activists who were then holding a ‘celebration-rally’ at Mendiola during that time. The Christian activists from AKBAYAN and Muslim activists from ANAK-MINADANAO (English Translation: CHILDREN OF MINDANAO) joined forces in celebrating the signing of the preliminary peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M.I.L.F.) and the Philippine Government. October 15, 2012 became a historic day for Filipinos.

It has been 10 days now since the signing of the preliminary peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M.I.L.F.) and the Philippine Government. The Christian activists belonging to AKBAYAN promised that they will be monitoring the developments of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. AKBAYAN wants to see the said framework-agreement become a reality in Mindanao, so that lasting peace will finally be realized by the people there. If all things go well, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region might become a reality by 2016.

(NOTE: Today is October 25, 2012 here in the Philippines. Philippine Pres. Noynoy Aquino declared October 26, which is tomorrow, as a holiday in honor of the Muslim celebration called as Eid’l Adha.  Though the Philippines is a predominantly Christian nation, Pres. Noynoy’s administration has declared certain Muslim festivities as regular holidays to promote inter-cultural dialogues between Christian and Muslim communities all over the country.

I posted this iReport because I believe that people living in a democracy should not fight over religious beliefs. Democracy is majority rule with minority rights. Freedom of religion is guaranteed in a democratic state. There should be harmony in the midst of diversity in a democratic state. All religious groups in a democracy should respect each other’s doctrines and teachings. All human beings were born free with the same amount of inherent human-rights and civil liberties. Every human person in a democracy should be treated with respect and dignity whatever skin-color, religion and culture he or she may possess.)