Some 8,000 peace advocates in Marawi City have lauded the participation of the United Kingdom, Japan, and Turkey as members of the International Contact Group (ICG), which was created by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to help advance the 13 years old Mindanao peace process.

This was gleaned from the multi-sectoral consultation on December 24, 2009 organized by the Ranaw Region Advocacy Group (RRAG).

Among the placards seen were those welcoming the membership of the UK, Japan, and Turkey.

International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGO) Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), a member of the Civilian Protection Component (CPC) of the revived International Monitoring Team (IMT), was represented in the assembly.

The theme of the event, "Work as a Nation, Think as a Nation and speak as a Nation, Let Us Rebuild a strong Moro Nation!", also became a rallying cry for the participants of gathered at the Plaza Tomas Cabili in the Islamic City.

RRAG is chaired by Agakhan "Binladen" Sharief, a member of the MILF-GRP Local Monitoring Team.

"The objective of this consultation is to keep our people informed on the updates on the peace process between the MILF and Government of the Republic of the Philippines," Sharief was quoted on www.luwaran.net.

Hadji Acmad Lao, a member of the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) express surprised at the strong turnout for the event.

A member of the MILF Technical Committee, Dr. Habib Macaayong, the resource speaker, updated the participants on the status of the peace process.

"Our goal can only be realized if there is sustained unity and massive support from the Moro people," said Macaayong.