[HWPL]

[HWPL] Cotabato City State Polytechnic College in Philippines awards Plaque of Recognition to HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee "for his exceptional devotion and commitment in promoting world peace”

A plaque of recognition awarded to Chairman Lee by College President Dammang S. Bantala during a visit of the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit on September 17, 2017

The historic civilian peace agreement signed on January 24, 2014, in Mindanao, Philippines set the standard for exemplary peace education. The civil peace agreement mediated by the Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Man-hee Lee, who achieved the cessation of a bloody 40-year conflict which had remained unresolved until then, resulted in local residents taking the lead in establishing a peace education culture that will serve posterity.

Academics in Cotabato City, including the then College President of Cotabato City State Polytechnic College Dammang S. Bantala, concurred. In full view of local residents, College President Bantala produced a plaque of recognition which he presented to Chairman Man-hee Lee for his intervention for peace on the island of Mindanao.

College President Dammang S. Bantala delivers a plaque of recognition during an HWPL peace tour, where Chairman Lee was invited to deliver a peace lecture, on January 25, 2016. Later, College President Bantala prepared a second plaque of recognition which he awarded Chairman Lee on September 17, 2017.

During the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, College President Bantala delivered a plaque of recognition to Chairman Lee at the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas on September 17, 2017.

During the presentation of the plaque of recognition, College President Bantala said, “I am giving this certificate to HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee, who has left a mark on posterity and dedicated his life to building world peace.” He further stated, “Cotabato City State Polytechnic College is honored to be able to cooperate with HWPL’s efforts to promote peace.”

There is a reason behind College President Bantala's high regard and respect for the Chairman of HWPL: he was a firsthand witness to the culture of peace that spread among residents, following the civil peace agreement in Mindanao. His participation was of particular personal importance.

The day after the 2nd anniversary of the Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement and the unveiling ceremony of the HWPL Peace Monument were held at the base of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the province of Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao, Philippines, Cotabato City State Polytechnic College was designated an HWPL Peace Academy on January 25, 2016. A commemorative photo is taken of Chairman Man-hee Lee (white suit, center right) and College President Bantala (white top, center left) at the unveiling ceremony.

Although the Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement was signed on January 24, 2014, it was exactly two years later in 2016 when College President Bantala began to conduct HWPL peace education. The Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement and the unveiling ceremony of the HWPL Peace Monument marked a historic day, as the event not only brought a civil peace agreement to reality, but also established a culture of peace among local residents.

The next day, on the 25th, Cotabato City State Polytechnic College invited Chairman Lee to deliver a

peace lecture to college students. Chairman Lee's delivered his peace message with firm conviction so as to leave peace as a legacy for future generations.

On that day, Cotabato City State Polytechnic College and HWPL held an MOU peace signing ceremony. Cotabato City State Polytechnic College was designated an HWPL Peace Academy, and an unveiling ceremony was held later that day.

Upon the invitation of Cotabato City State Polytechnic College President Dammang S. Bantala, Chairman Man-Hee Lee delivers a message of peace to college students and local residents during a peace lecture on January 25, 2016

At a pre-event discussion with College President Bantala, HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee said, “Peace is the most necessary education for youth who should also become messengers of peace and work together for peace. Many young people around the world have joined IPYG and are working together.”

In response, College President Bantala said, "I will actively participate in the HWPL Peace Walk and educate students on the HWPL Peace Walk and on the spirit of peace."

HWPL has worked closely with Cotabato City State Polytechnic College, and provided peace textbooks and programs. College President Bantala, who has actively implemented HWPL peace initiatives, prepared a plaque of recognition, which he presented to Chairman Lee for his dedication to peace, at the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit in Korea.

Since then, professors and students of Cotabato City State Polytechnic College have been actively participating in HWPL's peace activities. In 2019, the WARP Summit was even held domestically.

Students of Cotabato City State Polytechnic College line up to welcome Chairman Lee, upon his arrival to a Peace Lecture on January 25, 2016

College President Bantala also signed in favour of HWPL's Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW 10 Articles, 38 Clauses).

HWPL's movement for peace education in Mindanao, Philippines, set a new standard, which has led to peace education exchanges with hundreds of schools through an MOA signed with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and an MOA signed with the local Ministry of Education.

During Mindanao's long-standing conflict, those who suffered most were the peace-loving residents of Mindanao and there was significant disruption to students' education.

An HWPL official said, “The peace restored to Mindanao is quickly restoring everything residents have lost due to conflict and strife."

A commemorative photo is taken of participants and students at Chairman Lee's peace lecture at Cotabato City State Polytechnic College

Peace!