There is no force that could stop two parties held together by a single, mutually shared mission.

For as long as both hold on to their singular vision and work together for its fulfillment, such desired goal would eventually be reached if not sooner, later.

Take the peace negotiations to end the Mindanao conflict.

In the aftermath of the escalation armed hostilities between state security forces and some units  -- some say criminal elements -- of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, no less than President Aquino said it was not “an all-out war” he wanted pursued in Mindanao but “all-out justice” for all victims of violence.      

Teresita Deles, presidential adviser on the peace process, also said the government was reviewing its ceasefire agreement with the MILF  “to see if we can improve/strengthen [it] and how.”

“It’s the appropriate disposition in the negotiations to always be ready to review and reflect how the situation can be improved toward a durable peace,” Deles said, stressing that the government was still firmly committed to the peace process.

The policy statement promptly drew positive reactions from the Catholic hierarchy and community, the MILF and its supporters, and other stakeholders in the Mindanao.

Following the statement of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines “to continue the peace negotiations despite these recent setback” and the thrust of the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines national convention to foster a culture of peace, CEAP members joined the call for “ Peace, please. And let this peace be based on justice!”

In a seven-pint action plan, CEAP called for a thorough investigation of the recent violent incidents Mindanao, swift mobilization of existing joint mechanisms, avoidance of miscommunication, extension of immediate assistance to victims, intensification of formal peace talks, the strengthening of the local peace process, and the harnessing of spiritual and cultural resources.

Governors and mayors in Mindanao also expressed their full support for the President’s call.

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, also concurrent president of the Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors, said local officials backed the calibrated and targeted military actions against the lawless elements.

Members of Confed, including 26 governors, signed a manifesto of support for the President.

“We firmly believe an all-out war is not an option because the collateral damage can take a heavy toll not just within the conflict areas but in the whole Mindanao,” said Del Rosario.

A Muslim peace advocate returned the gesture by calling for a restoration of mutual trust and the return to the negotiating table, stressing that “the road to peace is through the negotiating table, and creating the proper atmosphere in providing continuity to the peace talks is essential in forging a peace agreement between the government and the MILF”.

In an interview, Saeed Daof, a staunch supporter of the peace process in Mindanao, said he supports President Aquino’s decision in ruling out an all-out war with the MILF.

“That is statesmanship as far as I am concerned,” Daof said. “He (President Aquino) does not want to throw away the success that his administration has accomplished in just over a year in convincing the MILF to drop its demand for secession or independence.  He wants continuity of the implementation of his development program. He does not want the country to be embroiled in a senseless war or conflict,” he stressed.