MARAWI CITY (PIA)--The Bangsamoro Government through the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS), officially launched the Bangsamoro Peace Institute (BPI), February 4, in Cotabato City.

"I am honored and elated as our aspirations in pursuing peace are gradually taking place. I commend the Peace and Education Division for this remarkable launching of the Bangsamoro Peace Institute as our pragmatic approach to achieving long, sustainable, and enduring peace in the Bangsamoro," MPOS Minister Hussein Muñoz said.

According to the Ministry, the institutionalization of BPI will create a network of peacebuilders coming from different backgrounds, who will be trained on various subjects or skills that are consequential to peacebuilding in the region.

"The Ministry sees the important role of peacemakers, peacebuilders, and peacekeepers from the law enforcement agencies, non-government organizations, and Bangsamoro Government agencies," he added.

Meanwhile, BARMM Chief Minister said he is confident that BPI and its program will amplify the network of peacebuilders coming from different sectors.

CM Ebrahim said, "This will give more peace activists the power to build synergistic partnerships with other groups to work for long-term peace in the Bangsamoro homeland."

National Defense Acting Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. also lauded the event, through his letter read by a representative, saying the BARMM and the national government are very strong allies in promoting sustainable peace and genuine development in Bangsamoro.

"The Office of the Presidential Adviser of Peace Reconciliation and Unity commends the Ministry of Public Order and Safety for being at the forefront of collective efforts to make peace education across all sectors in the Bangsamoro. Through the Bangsamoro Peace Institute, it will provide an avenue for adopting meaningful discussions that provide in advance the religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, transitional justice and reconciliation, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding," said Galvez, who is also the concurrent head of OPAPRU.

US Institute of Peace Vice President Dr. Andrew Wilder, one of BARMM's international partners, said they are "looking for success stories to learn from and use that as the basis of training, teaching, and working to support other peace processes around the world." (BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)