The Palace is determined to end the protracted insurgency led by the Moro-Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao, as it enlisted new forces for a national peace campaign.
The new group will not be armed with rifles but with charm and huge media influence.
President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III witnessed the swearing in of the Philippines' new "peace ambassadors" at the Malacañan Palace's Rizal Hall Friday.
This, as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process launched the "I Am For Peace" campaign.
"[N]agkakaisa tayong tumataya upang manaig ang kapayapaan, at ipagsigawan sa bawat sulok ng ating bayan na 'I am for Peace' (We are one in having a stake on peace, and in proclaiming in every corner of our country that 'I am for Peace')," Aquino said in his keynote speech.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita "Ging" Deles swore in world-renowned singer apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas; actress Anne Curtis; composer Noel Cabangon; and Internet icon Ramon Bautista as new peace ambassadors.
Also sworn in were actors Epy Quizon, Gerald Anderson, Megan Young, Kiray, Igi Boy and Mikael Daez; musical artists Christian Bautista, Datu Khomeini, Ebe Dancel, and Gloc-9; TV host Rovilson Fernandez; the members of the Philippine Azkals;and fashion designers Arnold Galang and JC Buendia.
Actors Derek Ramsey, Karylle and Sam Concepcion, as well as social media personality Kimpoy Feliciano, were also ambassadors but were not present at the rites due to prior engagements.
Addressing the peace ambassadors and guests present during the ceremony, Aquino said: "Samahan ninyo ako: ihatid natin sa mas mapayapang bukas ang bawat Pilipino (Join me and together, let us create a more peaceful future for every Filipino)."
Deles, for her part, noted that aside from popular media personalities, business groups have also "committed to join" the campaign.
The government and the MILF on Aug. 13 ended the latest round of peace talks in Malaysia.
Panels from both sides have agreed to form technical working groups to study power-sharing and wealth-sharing arrangements, which are said to be "among the most difficult issues" hampering the peace process, an earlier Palace statement said.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday announced a $1.8-billion military upgrade to help defend his country's maritime territory against "bullies", amid an ever-worsening dispute with China.
