[HWPL]

[HWPL] Peace Tours of Man-Hee Lee (47): Mindanao Island, Philippines, Bears Fruits of Peace: “Weapons that Kill Converted to Tools for Life”

On January 24, 2016, the ‘HWPL Peace Monument Unveiling Ceremony’ is being held at the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) base in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao, Philippines, to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement

On January 24, 2016, HWPL Day Declaration and HWPL Peace Monument Unveiling Ceremony were held at the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) base in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao, Philippines, to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Mindanao Civil Peace Agreement

In January 2014, 84-year-old Korean peace activist Man-hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), risked his life only for peace, and God gave peace to Mindanao, the Philippines. The seed of peace sown in Mindanao, Asia's bloodiest conflict zone, grew and bore fruits of peace.

Chairman Lee chose the Philippines as the destination of the 24th Peace Tour, which marked his seventh visit to the Philippines. The civil peace agreement between Catholics and Muslims that Chairman Lee had established on  January 24, 2014, was pivotal to ending the 40-year conflict in Mindanao and has been evaluated as setting the benchmark for peace.

Previously, in 2015, the then province of Maguindanao, Mindanao, declared January 24 as 'HWPL Day' (World Declaration of Peace Day) and erected an HWPL monument. Later, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), an Islamic rebel force, also joined the wave of peace that began in Maguindanao. Then, on January 24, 2016, in commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the Civil Peace Agreement, the declaration of HWPL Day and the unveiling ceremony of the World Peace Monument were held at the MILF base in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao.

On that day, Chairman Lee headed to the MILF garrison located a one-hour drive away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Philippines. Upon entering the vicinity of the MILF garrison, an unprecedented sight began to unfold: an enthusiastic welcome by a 20-kilometre-long line of people. It would be no exaggeration to say that everyone in the region had congregated.

They had daily heard the news of the peace agreement between HWPL and MILF on the radio and TV starting one week prior and took pickets to the streets. Many did not hesitate to travel a long distance to welcome the HWPL delegation. A procession of 200 cars and motorcycles followed, as is the regional custom for a presidential state visit.

After receiving an hour-long welcome, Chairman Lee arrived at the MILF garrison. This was the site of a sharp conflict and civilians could not easily access it. MILF soldiers lined up in an orderly manner to honor Chairman Lee without moving for 10 minutes.

The spectacle did not end there. With over 10,000 people in line and no end in sight, the event hall was filled to the brim. Despite the summer's day heat, the earnestness of those desiring peace was relentless.

On January 24, 2016, 10,000 people gather at the ‘HWPL Peace Monument Unveiling Ceremony’ held inside the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) base in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao, the Philippines, despite the summer heat

Chairman Lee said, “For the cessation of war and peace in our world, we are transcending borders, races, and religions. Just as the light, rain, and air in the sky give life to all creation, I'm also working hard to achieve peace for all people. We are the family of peace, born in this era, who will achieve peace. If this world of peace is achieved, God the Creator will come to this earth and reign. Everyone, do you desire war or peace?”

Chairman Lee added, “God is peace, love and life. Now, the President of the MILF and we will work together to achieve peace. We are all children of God. Today, this sight will be broadcast to the world.”

Then, Al-Haj Ebrahim, head of MILF, declared January 24 every year as 'HWPL Day'. He also signed a peace agreement as a pledge for MILF and HWPL to unite for peace. And there was an unveiling ceremony for the World Peace Monument at the center of the MILF camp.

Governor of the Islamic Autonomous Region of Maguindanao Esmael G. Mangudadatu, who had first erected a monument in Mindanao in 2014, said, "I cannot express in words the overwhelming feeling I had when Chairman Lee said, 'Let's find peace within.' It was the first time I'd ever seen someone working so devotedly for peace for humanity.”

On January 24, 2016, after the ‘HWPL Peace Memorial Unveiling Ceremony’, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chief Al-Haj Ebrahim presents an iron-sculpted sickle to Chairman Man-hee Lee as an expression of his desire to convert weapons into tools for life’

Many on-site media reporters covering the scene requested a press conference. At the press conference, Chairman Lee said, “The answer (to achieving world peace) was a promise that the One who gave me this command would be with me. And one of the answers to achieving (world peace) is the cessation of war." He also emphasized that "Religions must become one in God.”

He added, “The former and incumbent presidents and Supreme Court justices who attended the WARP (World Alliance of Religions' Peace) Summit promised to enact international law for peace. Religious leaders promised to unite religions in God. We are still keeping that promise.”

Chairman Lee met Victor De Leon, Police Chief of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines on January 24, 2016. After listening to Chairman Lee's message of peace, he thought about what he could do, and then launched a campaign to block arms and return them.

After the press conference, Chief Minister Ebrahim promised to work towards the cessation of wars, cooperate for peace and eliminate weapons production. Minister Ebrahim said, “I just want to say this to areas where there is war and conflict happening right now,” and emphasized, “Leaders of all organizations must join and cooperate with the HWPL peace movement for the realization of world peace and cessation of war. We support the unification of Korea. Through Chairman Lee, I saw that Korea is a wonderful country.”

Previously, Victor De Leon, Police Chief of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, had announced that he would launch the "Philippine Airport Police Weapons Return Campaign." After listening to Chairman Lee's message of peace, he pondered what he could do, and subsequently developed a campaign to block arms and return them.

He said, “Chairman Lee’s actions for peace in Mindanao have become a great example to us all. The Chairman's valuable efforts will truly bring an end to the conflict in Mindanao. I also wish to be used as a tool for peace."

Peace!!