Setting aside ideologies, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is reaching out to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in an effort to contribute to the country’s pursuit for a lasting peace in the troubled land.
PSC chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez hopes that yesterday’s meeting would pave the way for the youth of rebel forces to take part in the agency’s events like the Batang Pinoy and the adults in the Philippine National Games.
“This has long been a dream of the President (Rodrigo Duterte) to have peace in our land and sports is one vehicle that we can use to achieve that purpose,” said Ramirez, who hails from Davao City.
Ramirez will be joined by PSC legal division chief Ronnel Abrenica in meeting with MILF vice-chairman Ghazali Jaafar in Pigawayan, Cotabato.
“The PSC is seriously focusing on grassroots development with special attention on the Mindanao Sports for Peace (program),” said Ramirez, who was appointed by President Duterte to take charge in the PSC.
“The bottom line is that we want peace, we all want peace and sports can make a difference,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PSC is gathering all the major officials of the agency to another round of meetings that will last for three days starting April 18.
“All the (four) commissioners will be there aside from the department heads and we will also invite a representative each from the ranks of athletes and coaches,” said Ramirez.