DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 11 April) — Civil society groups, Bangsamoro leaders, and international speakers gathered on Friday, April 10, for a national solidarity conference on Palestine, with key speakers drawing parallels between the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and the Bangsamoro peace process. Beyond drawing comparisons, speakers emphasized that solidarity must be reciprocal, grounded in shared histories, and translated into concrete political action. The “National Solidarity Conference for Palestine and Call for Peace in the Middle East,” held from April 10 to 11 at the Acacia Hotel Davao, aimed to deepen public understanding of the Palestinian struggle, mobilize support across sectors, and build regional solidarity efforts. This was the first Philippines-Palestine conference since 1948. In his opening remarks, Prof. Hashim B. Manticayan, President of the League of Bangsamoro Organizations (LBO), emphasized how the Philippines, which currently serves as Chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), “carries a significant responsibility and opportunity to contribute to peacebuilding efforts, and to advocate for a peaceful political solution in the Middle East.” He added that for the Bangsamoro people, this goal resonates deeply. Beyond shared religion, speakers highlighted how the Bangsamoro’s history of armed struggle and pursuit of self-determination echoes that of Palestine today. Mohagher M. Iqbal, Vice Chairman of the MILF and Chair of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel, stressed in his keynote address that Palestinians are not alone, framing their struggle as rooted in justice, collective responsibility, and enduring values of love, faith, and identity. He noted that just as the Bangsamoro benefited from international support, they now extend solidarity to Palestine. Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines Mounir Y. K. Anastas acknowledged the Philippines’ longstanding support, including its recognition of Palestine in 1989 and its votes for a ceasefire in Gaza at the United Nations. Gus Miclat, executive director of Initiatives for International Dialogue, traced how solidarity shaped the Philippines’ own history of resistance during Martial Law, emphasizing that it must be reciprocal and practiced both globally and domestically. Prof. Elin Anisha C. Guro, Chancellor of Mindanao State University-Marawi City, shared how the 2017 Marawi siege mirrored scenes from Gaza, prompting local solidarity efforts such as fundraising and symbolic gestures like raising Palestinian flags. Rev. Pastor Dann Pantoja warned against the misuse of religion to justify violence, calling for solidarity to be translated into political action. Other speakers highlighted multireligious coalitions in Indonesia and efforts to break the Gaza blockade. Mahadiya Soria Franji, a Gaza-born refugee, shared firsthand accounts of loss and survival, underscoring the limits of comparison and the need for continued international solidarity. The conference made clear that while parallels between Bangsamoro and Palestine might serve as entry points, solidarity must go beyond shared histories, demanding reciprocity, action, and the willingness to listen to struggles that cannot be reduced to comparison. (Bea Gatmaytan / MindaNews)
