Celebrity peace envoys back MILF agreement

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrity peace ambassadors led by movie actor Gerald Anderson asked the public yesterday to support the framework agreement signed between the Aquino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to bring about lasting peace in Mindanao.
“I felt it was a day of celebration. It’s a start for everyone to achieve peace. It was also a very emotional day. I felt the joy, excitement and happiness from everyone in the room,” Anderson, who was among the hundreds who witnessed the historic signing ceremony in Malacañang last Oct. 15, said.
The actor said the signing was just “step one” of the long and tedious process that the government and the MILF need to engage in to fully realize true peace in Mindanao.
“We all have to come together so this will go through and we will all live in peace,” he said.
Fashion designer JC Buendia, who also attended the signing ceremony, shared the same views.
“The Heroes Hall was jampacked, but the euphoria was infectious. Everyone had smiles on their faces. Men shed happy tears. It felt like Christmas,” Buendia said.
Award-winning comedian Epi Quizon described the signing of the framework agreement as “a milestone in Philippine history, a moment Filipinos should be proud of.”
“We once again proved to the world that we are a nation of peace, love and unity,” he said.
For his part, Datu Khomeini, dubbed the King of Moro Songs, said he could not help but get emotional during the ceremony.
“This is so far the most productive historic event that I have ever witnessed as a Moro and as a Filipino. Let us laud ourselves for keeping our faith and for believing that anything is possible,” he said.