DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UCAN) -- Armed Forces and police officials have agreed to start regular exchanges with Southern Philippine bishops and ulama (Islamic scholars) on issues affecting peace in the region.

The agreement for a quarterly forum was reached at an Aug. 9 meeting of the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC)'s Tripartite Commission with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., General Oscar Calderon, director general of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales. They met at Waterfront Hotel in Davao City, 975 kilometers southeast of Manila.

The tentatively titled BUC-AFP-PNP Forums will begin in Manila on Sept. 12, Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao told UCA News Aug. 13.

The Catholic prelate convened BUC in 1996 with Mahid Mutilan, president of Ulama League of the Philippines (ULP). It currently also includes Protestant religious leaders in Mindanao, the southern Philippines, coordinated by Bishop Hilario Gomez of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Initially called a forum, the BUC was transformed into a conference in 2002.

Participants at the Aug. 9 meeting resolved to hold the quarterly forums with the commission or the BUC General Assembly.

On Aug. 10, Brigadier General Roland Rodriguez, assistant commander of the 4th Army Infantry Division, PNP operations director General Wilfredo Garcia and Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak of the Military Ordinariate joined the plenary sessions of the 32nd BUC General Assembly, also at the Waterfront hotel. They and about 100 bishops, priests, military chaplains, Protestant pastors, ulama and imams (Islamic prayer leaders) discussed the theme "Towards a Solidarity with Our Dialogue Partners in the Military and Police."

Archbishop Capalla told the plenary that solidarity would develop from respectful dialogue, which requires "a conscious, willing, free and joyful presence" as well as "paying attention with the ear of the heart."

He said religious leaders, the AFP and PNP share in the work of peace and order. Christians view order as "a moral situation of just, fair and humane relations, which result in harmony and unity," the prelate continued.

"Building solidarity" with the AFP and PNP, he said, is "important" for peace in Mindanao, because military-personnel training stresses "following orders" and dialogue "is not part of their training."

Other religious leaders anticipate dialogue could help end "suspicion."

In his message to the assembly, Bishop Gomez acknowledged a "gap" between the religious sector on one hand and the AFP and PNP on the other, citing allegations of pastors' involvement in or sympathy with communist activities.

Ulama League of the Philippines member Elias Macarandas agreed "collaboration" and dialogue are "urgent" for addressing suspicion and other problems in communities. He observed peace efforts in Mindanao are "not as effective" with only religious leaders involved.

Problems Christian and Muslim participants mentioned at the plenary included reports of extortion at military checkpoints.

Participants also stressed the need to strengthen dialogue efforts at the "grassroots level." Father Pedro Lamata told the assembly that since he started the Imams-Priests-Pastors Forum in Davao City in 1997, forums have also been initiated in the dioceses of Kidapawan, Mati and Tagum around Davao.

Others noted the role of religious formation in peace-building. Mutilan stressed the need for improved coordination of the AFP and PNP with the ULP in the appointment of imams as chaplains. He noted that some appointees cannot read the Qur'an.

Catholic chaplains, as "key players" in peace-building, also need to teach doctrine and morals, and emphasize values of loyalty, honesty and courage, Bishop Tumulak told UCA News at the assembly. His ordinariate ministers to AFP and PNP personnel and their families throughout the country. He said Catholic chaplains have to be "approachable," because peace will come from "respectful dialogue."

The assembly also resolved to focus this year's Mindanao Week of Peace, scheduled Nov. 29-Dec. 5, on the theme: "Building Bridges of Peace with our Peace Officers."

Archbishop Capalla announced a planned BUC seminar on media and a proposal to establish a BUC media desk. He told UCA News there is "a lot of misinformation and miscommunication" that foments "mistrust, prejudice and intolerance."

Bishop Gomez, in his message, called the gathering "historic" as the first BUC conference attended by AFP and PNP officials.

END

(Accompanying photos available at here)