MANILA, Philippines — With the drums of war apparently beating in Mindanao, peace advocates are set to launch on November 3 up to 7 a peace caravan from Cagayan de Oro City to Manila to dramatize their support for President Aquino’s all-out-justice stance, instead of waging an all-out-war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The Reform ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) Now (RAN) Coalition is behind the event called “Lakbayan para sa Kapayapaan” that is planned to conclude in Manila in time for the non-working holiday of Eid’l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) on November 7.

On the other hand, the “running priest” – Father Robert Reyes – had another event on Sunday called an “All-out Run for All-out peace” in Davao City.

RAN said on Web site www.mindanews.com that the peace caravan seeks to “highlight the quest of the Bangsamoro for recognition of their identity as a people and nation and to make the Bangsamoro struggle become a national struggle, become part of the national consciousness.”

Father Reyes wanted to galvanize support for the peace process between the government and the MILF and other rebel groups.

As the pendulum swings for war or peace, with “war mongers” (hawks) and peace advocates (doves) compete for the President’s attention, many have expressed support for the newly-coined all-out justice dictum.

Officials of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), such as Commissioner Datu Alladin I. Ampatuan and Director Dimapuno A. Datu-Ramos of the Bureau of External Relations (NCMF-BER), agree with President Aquino’s position.

“We would like to appeal to His Excellency President Aquino to push through the peace talks with the MILF and not to give in to any pressure calling for an all-out-war...for the civilians and their properties will be the ones affected and destroyed,” said Ampatuan.

Datu-Ramos said Muslims also feel sad for the relatives of the 19 slain soldiers, but the 2000 all-out-war must not be allowed to rear its ugly head again.

“We hail the position of President Aquino in not giving in to such unwarranted actions. Neither the suspension of the peace process nor the launching of massive military operations can contribute to the attainment of lasting peace in Mindanao, especially in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao where Moros predominate,” he said.

Datu-Ramos said suspending the peace talks is a step backward.

“Worse, it can only breed further mutual mistrust, apprehension and (suspicion) on both parties,” he said.

The NCMF-BER official recalled the 2000 all-out war which forced the evacuation of over 700,000 people who bore the brunt of suffering.