Mothers and other women from all over the Philippines and abroad have banded together to call for a

CEASEFIRE; and a
RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE by the Philippine Government
     and the MILF

The dissolution of the GRP peace panel and abandonment of peace talks amidst continuing military action against the rogue MILF commanders closes the door to a peaceful solution to the Bangsamoro issue. On top of this, civilians—who are mostly Christians—are being armed purportedly to defend their communities.

A religious war in heretofore peaceful communities is about to engulf us if it hasn't already. In the meantime, mothers and their families continue to live in fear and insecurity in evacuation centers, unsure of how long the siege will last and what future awaits them, having already lost homes and livelihoods.

CEASEFIRE NOW. The military and the MILF must stop any more violent actions. This is not the time to fix blame on who started the fight or who is continuing the fight. Just stop the violence.

Let the ceasefire mechanism work. Bring in the International Monitoring Team to ensure the ceasefire is maintained.

The violence now restricted to parts of Mindanao is threatening to spread to other areas of Mindanao and the rest of the country because the avenue to peaceful negotiations has been closed. But our desire for peace will not be extinguished in the face of this threat. Our determined thoughts and belief that peace is still truly in our hands compel us to call all mothers and other women—from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and the rest of the world—to join the LIGHT A CEASEFIRE campaign. We want children to grow up in communities where they are able to imbibe love, justice and peace instead of hatred and violence.

What you can do to demand a CEASEFIRE and a return to the NEGOTIATING TABLE:

Light a candle every day from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. in a visible place.
Invite as many people as possible to join you. Pray for peace.
Send this letter to as many friends and family members to join the campaign.
Wear a blue ribbon until our call is heeded.

The power of light from thousands, if not millions, of candles from all over the Philippines and the rest of the world will let President Arroyo and the MILF know that they must declare a ceasefire and return to the negotiating table as soon as possible. This is the peaceful option.

JOIN THE LIGHT A CEASEFIRE CAMPAIGN. Affix your name or your group's name below and send to mcw@mindanaowomen.org. Already, the following have signed up.

Mothers for Peace
Muslim Women Peace Advocates
Mindanao Commission on Women
Mindanao Young Women Leaders Forum
Political Caucus of Women Leaders in Mindanao
Irene M. Santiago
Margie Moran Floirendo
Amina Rasul Bernardo
Arlene S. Lozano
Patricia M. Sarenas
Ruth T. Montojo
Nida P. Dans
Myra Balandra
Sheila Algabre
Geejay Arriola
Madett Gardiola
Melchora J. Ambalong
Josephine P. Perez
GI Ilagan-Pagunsan
Susana Y. Salvador-Anayatin
Teduray Lambangian Womens Organization
Mindanao Council of Lumad Women
Ronillo Dusaban
Annaliza V. Laylo
Melba Irene G. Gabuya
Luz Canave-Anung
Lissa Boluso
Ma. Consolacion A. Matnao
Lucy Ann Trapnell
Sony Celis
Christine Vertucci
Jose Cambel Policarpio, Jr.
Ms. Jocelyn "Jola" B. Lambac
Kalinaw Sarangani
Mindanaw Tripartite Youth Core - BUC Youth Desk
Jana Jean G. Dacobor
Alma Dimaano-Martin
Ma. Consolacion A. Matnao
Lissa Boluso
Nels Ramos
Jack Sotto
BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights
Jigs Javier
Maricel Pangilinan Arenas
Gilda ABesamis-Eldridge
Jo-Ann Abesamis-Zaldumbide
Ma. Consolacion A. Matnao
Anita T. Sescon
Area Core Group, M4P-Iligan
Caren Abayon
Angelic Marie Morales
Malu Afable
Rhondon C. Ricafort