The Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH-MILF) peace panel graced the inauguration ceremony of the Ugur Suleyman Soylemez Orphanage on May 16, 2015 at Brgy. Tamontaka 1, Cotabato City.

Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of MILF peace panel thanked H.E. Esra Cankorur, Turkey ambassador to the Philippines and the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) for inviting him in the event.

Iqbal commended the government of Turkey for the deep commitment and support to the peace process, being a major member of the International Contact Group (ICG), the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), and the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB).

He thanked IHH for the help extended through this orphanage. He stressed the importance of education as long resolution to the Bangsamoro problem.

Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, of the GPH peace panel, having listened to the brief history of the orphanage, convinced that indeed, everyone in the event is united by a common humanity.

“We are united, not because of any ideology, not that we have the GPH-MILF peace agreement, not that we are friends with Turkey, but is because we share the common humanity. We have to care about the future of our children”, Ferrer said.

The ceremony marks the official opening of the orphanage which targets 1,000 orphans annually.

The orphanage is supported by Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), a humanitarian foundation based in Turkey and managed by BDA under its social welfare program.

It is currently accepting applicants from Bangsamoro communities.