Build just peace out of massacre

In his recent visit, Pope Francis reminded us that we see best with “eyes cleansed by tears” in response to the question of a 12-year-old girl from the streets of Manila: “Why did God let this happen to us?”

While we grieve for our brave sons who have lost their lives in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, it is our prayer that we transform this grief into a common resolve to work together and put an end to the violence that has caused countless deaths, displaced people and caused widows and orphans to weep for their loved ones who have fallen on the fields already awash with tears.

As the facts are unfolding, one thing stands out. The deaths could have been avoided but for weak leadership and lapses in governance on both sides, which allowed the situation to get out of control. And when leaders make mistakes, it is the innocents who die.

Most of us are asking—should we stay the course in pursuing peace? We believe the answer should be yes. Despite their shortcomings, the leaders on both sides are clearly committed to peace. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has come to the table with substantial compromises and the Aquino administration is willing to test the boundaries of its powers to make way for the enactment of a new organic law that would grant Bangsamoro the meaningful autonomy envisaged by the Constitution. The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law is a critical step in the forging of a final peace agreement. It will not be the last.

Successful peace processes have equally been confronted with outbreaks of violence in the homestretch period. In South Africa, the killing of ANC youth leader Chris Hani in 1993 nearly derailed the peace efforts that were led by Nelson Mandela, but the parties to the conflict did not allow this senseless act of violence to undermine the pursuit of what until then had been an elusive peace. In Northern Ireland, the deaths caused by the bombings in Omagh and the violence that marred the marches and counter-marches all the more steeled the resolve of those who forged the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement that finally brought an end to the “Irish Troubles.”

What peace processes appear to teach us is that peace agreements require a marathon mentality and are not the end of one journey but the beginning of another.

To move on, mistrust must be overcome and prejudices borne of past wrongs set aside. This is admittedly very difficult to ask, especially from those whose personal loss is irreplaceable. Hopefully, Pope Francis points the way—to see with new “eyes cleansed by tears,” to heal the wounds of war, to restore broken relationships, and to undertake people-centered development that is based on social justice.

We grieve for those who paid the ultimate price for country, but we would give more meaning to their deaths by strengthening our resolve to build a just peace and bequeath to their children and to all the children of this country a

future better than what we have.

We have been blessed as a people in countless ways. This is our moment of grace—Kairos—as we give thanks for all those blessings with eyes filled with tears and pray to our God of history to please grant us peace.

—EDMUNDO G. GARCIA and CHRISTIAN S. MONSOD