[HWPL]

[HWPL] The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao, Philippines, Awards Plaque of Appreciation to HWPL: “Thank you for contributing to the success of the Mindanao Peace Treaty and International Peace Conference”

Plaque of appreciation delivered to Chairman Lee by Chairman Ebrahim following the 'HWPL Peace Monument Unveiling Ceremony’

On January 24, 2016, a special event was held in the province of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Philippines during the 24th Peace Tour of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL, Chairman Man-hee Lee).

In commemoration of the Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement signed by HWPL and the indigenous Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on January 24, 2014, the 'HWPL Peace Monument Unveiling Ceremony’ and designation of ‘HWPL Day’ was held. On this day, Al-hajj Murad Ebrahim, chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, delivered a heartfelt plaque of appreciation to Chairman Lee.

The plaque of appreciation reads, 'Thank you for having successfully initiated the conduct of International Peace Summit in support to the Government of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH-MILF) Peace Process held at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.' On that day, Chairman Ebrahim drew attention by fashioning a sickle, an agricultural tool, which, along with a plaque of appreciation, was gifted to Chairman Lee as an expression and wish for peace and the end to conflict.

On the occasion of the 2nd Anniversary of the 'Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement' that was mediated by HWPL Chairman Man-Hee Lee, the second HWPL Peace Monument in the Philippines was shown to the public through the 'HWPL Peace Monument Unveiling Ceremony’ on January 24, 2016 at the base of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Philippines. Attendees at the unveiling ceremony cheer on.

After peace discussions held with Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro in 2013, HWPL held a civilian peace agreement ceremony between Catholics and Muslims on January 24, 2014. To ensure that the ceremony did not conclude with a merely superficial signed commitment by both parties for the cessation of conflict, HWPL followed up with a campaign to establish a culture of peace within the region. To this end, a peace monument was established at the center of the conflict, and 'HWPL Peace Day' was designated to remind local citizens of the peace agreement. Moreover, a peace agreement ceremony was held with the heads of local peace organizations, and through various media interviews, these events were etched into human history. As such, HWPL had continually taken steps to achieve peace in Mindanao.

Chairman Ebrahim was instrumental in making peace a reality through his sizeable efforts. HWPL, who embarked on a peace movement after signing a peace treaty with the private sector, learned of Chairman Ebrahim's will and hope for peace. HWPL proved to him that peace is not just a dream.

It allowed Chairman Ebrahim to witness the reality of peace before his eyes. HWPL invited Chairman Ebrahim to a ceremony to commemorate the 1st Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit held in Korea in September 2015. At this event, Chairman Ebrahim was inspired with hope witnessing people all over the world coming together as one under the mantle of ‘peace’, transcending creed, race, border and ideology. Chairman Ebrahim attended with his wife and daughter, secretary and younger brother, who also shared this sentiment.

Following the 'HWPL Peace Monument Unveiling Ceremony’, a peace agreement was held at the base of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Philippines, on January 24, 2016, to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the 'Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement'.

Seizing the opportunity, Chairman Ebrahim pledged to participate in HWPL's work of peace with full commitment. Since then, the Mindanao peace project he collaborated on has gone smoothly. On January 24, 2016, during HWPL's 24th Peace Tour, Chairman Ebrahim invited Chairman Lee and his peace delegation to the Moro Islamic Autonomous Region (MILF) camp near Cotabato City in the Philippines. Upon Chairman Lee's visit, every citizen in Cotabato took to the streets to welcome the Day of Peace. HWPL Peace Day was celebrated by the Governor of Maguindanao Esmael G. Mangudadatu, who is under the direct jurisdiction of the President of the Philippines, Philippines' Chief Peace Negotiator, and MILF Chief Peace Negotiator.

On that day, a peace monument was established at the center of the MILF camp, and Chairman Ebrahim designated January 24th 'HWPL Peace Day' as a promise to cooperate for the work of peace. Numerous media reporters in attendance requested a follow-up press conference, and this all became a new history.

After the ‘HWPL Peace Monument Unveiling Ceremony’ on January 24, 2016, Chairman Ebrahim presented an iron-sculpted sickle to Chairman Man-hee Lee as an expression of his desire to ‘make weapons into tools for life’.

At that time, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) had been passed.

On this day, the MILF camp promised to melt their weapons and convert them into tools for farming and peace monuments necessary for life. Chairman Ebrahim delivered a gift sealed with the promise to put what he had learnt from Chairman Lee into practice. The gift presented was an iron-sculpted sickle used to harvest grain.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was enacted in August 2018 when President Duterte finally signed the bill. The Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement by a Korean peace activist came to complete fruition 4.5 years later.

Peace!