PAO boosts partnership with Muslim community

THE Public Attorney's Office and the Muslim community have further strengthened their ties as PAO assured the latter of extended services in Mindanao in providing free legal assistance to Muslim Filipinos. PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta made the assurance when she spoke as guest of honor during a peace summit held last Friday in Manila with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) through its Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution (BPCR) led by its director, Cosanie Derogongan. She said PAO has put up several branches in Mindanao to ensure the provision of free legal assistance to Muslim communities. "We have our mediation and conciliation services there that are part of the office's quasi-judicial function, among others," the chief public attorney said. Quoting the summit's theme, "Strength in Unity; Building Resilient Communities for a Prosperous Bagong Pilipinas," Rueda-Acosta said it spoke deeply about the commitment to peace of the NCMF under Secretary Sabuddin Abdurahim and BPCR. "May you always be among our country's institutions, which lead the way in fostering peace in our country through noble deeds that are felt by our countrymen, especially in places where there is unrest," she said. Rueda-Acosta said PAO under her stewardship has been involved in helping to maintain peace in the country for many years. She cited a few of the most significant cases that PAO handled in connection with its peace-building and peace-keeping efforts and commitment to extend free legal services to the Muslim communities. These were the 199 cases of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2003 in connection with the Davao International Airport and Sasa Wharf bombings, the 38 accused Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) 'Kiram men' charged in March 2013 in Tawi-Tawi and the kidnapping suspect Amrodin Makasilang of Marawi City, among others. "We succeeded in handling those cases, but there is no place for complacency in the hearts and minds of peace advocates; hence, at the PAO, we continue with our peace efforts," Rueda-Acosta said. These efforts are also in support of the government's drive to provide and promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in relation to settling disputes between contending parties, she pointed out. The PAO chief has recognized the continued cooperation and support of the Muslim communities to the government as indicated by their active participation in nation-building and keeping peace, especially in Mindanao.