Scotland’s former first minister The Right Honorable Lord Jack McConnell of Glenscorrodale, said during his recent visit in the Philippines that putting a stop to the peace process is not the solution to violence in the aftermath of the tragedy in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
“The solution to violence is not to stop the path of peace,” McConnell said.
McConnell served as Scotland’s youngest First Minister from 2001 to 2007 and has had experience with the Northern Irish peace process and Scottish devolution.
McConnell, in separate engagements with media and civil society members, noted that the country should investigate and exact accountability for the tragedy while also pursuing the peace process.
He said that while he understands the public sentiment in the wake of the tragedy, members of Congress should not only think about the present, but also “10 to 15 years from now.”
McConnell also noted that the tragedy is an opportunity for the country to make sure such violence will not happen again.
“It’s a tragic time for the Philippines, but it’s also a time for hope,” he said.
