Xavier University to honor Deles, Ferrer and Iqbal

At its regular meeting last Nov. 29, almost two months before the tragedy in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, the trustees of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan approved the conferral of the following commencement awards: doctor of humanities, honoris causa on Teresita Quintos-Deles, secretary, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (she was also invited to be the commencement speaker), and Fr. William F. Masterson SJ Award for contributions to social development on Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, chair, government peace panel in talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, jointly with Mohagher Iqbal, chair, MILF peace panel and Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

Xavier University (XU) wished to honor these three leaders who have courageously walked the arduous way of peace and to salute them for their conscientious and patient efforts to engage in democratic dialogue and negotiations for peace in Mindanao. Their diligent efforts, with countless others, along the path of peace have moved the nation closer to realizing the aspirations of our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters for meaningful self-determination to live their religious convictions and shared culture in peace and prosperity.

Xavier wanted to walk with these three leaders in the long journey to a just and lasting peace. By conferring these awards during the 2015 commencement exercises, Xavier hoped to inspire her graduates to be brave and bold and not be afraid to walk the demanding but necessary path of peace in our troubled island of Mindanao.

Then, Mamasapano. It was with profound shock and sorrow that we followed the reports on the most regrettable tragedy last Jan. 25. The XU community grieves with the bereaved families of the 70 Filipinos who perished: 44 Special Action Force troopers, Mamasapano combatants and civilians, including one child. We weep with those who weep for the loss of their loved ones. In the silence of Pope Francis, we do not comprehend this. In our grieving, we beg the merciful and compassionate God of peace to grant us his consolation.

After Mamasapano, some have asked: Should Xavier still proceed in conferring the awards in the commencement exercises in March?

We believe that the answer should be yes. Despite their shortcomings, the leaders on both sides are clearly committed to peace. The MILF has come to the table not seeking independence but with substantial compromises. And the Aquino administration is willing to test the boundaries of its powers to enact a new law that would give the Bangsamoro meaningful autonomy in a limited territory while preserving national sovereignty and national integrity. Within the framework of the 1987 Constitution, the Moro quest for a homeland where they live in prosperity as Filipinos fully integrated in the Philippine nation is possible through a path of peace.

Our three leaders are partners in peace who eschew the ways of extremism and terrorism. They are for a negotiated political solution. They continue to work hard to build mutual confidence and trust, coupled with mutually agreed upon processes and mechanisms. They endeavor to keep alive the hope that dialogue, negotiations and kept agreements replace guns, violence and war.

The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law being advocated by our three leaders has been a collective work in progress, anchored on 40 years of conflict, negotiations and lessons learned at a very high cost to many. As stated by Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, Mindanao’s first and the archbishop of Cotabato: “The future is represented by the BBL. If it falls by the wayside, the future is unthinkable. Where else can we go without its promise of a just and lasting peace? Where else do we go after many, many years of discussion? … [T]o throw away the BBL is like throwing away the tub of water and the baby as well. That would be total disaster.”

Xavier takes to heart the words of Pope Francis: With “eyes cleansed by our tears,” we will truly see that “peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected … Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake.” We follow the counsel of Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, in the aftermath of Mamasapano: “All the more that we should be together behind the peace process … [T]he strategy we must take here, despite the outbreak of violence is to move towards peace.”

Xavier shares the convictions of Cardinal Quevedo who has witnessed at close range the last two major wars of Mindanao (i.e., the “all-out war” in 2000 which displaced a million residents and the Buliok war in 2003 which displaced half a million people): “For me, peace is a goal for everybody—Christians and Muslims, Lumads, peoples of other faiths, government and MILF. Peace is the only solution to living together, developing a territory together. Peace is not acquired overnight. There are ups and downs and this Mamasapano tragedy may be the worst of the downs. But if any heart can lift itself out of the pieces of a broken peace, it would be the heart of a sincere peace advocate, with no hidden agenda but peace. The spirit of peace is the Holy Spirit of God. It can soar over ashes and shattered houses and give hope where seemingly there is none.”

More than ever, especially after the Mamasapano tragedy, Xavier University signifies its support for staying the course in pursuing peace by honoring three leaders: Teresita Quintos-Deles, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Mohagher Iqbal, for their commitment to peace based on truth and justice.

Roberto C. Yap, SJ, is president of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.