Speak out vs terrorists, Muslim leaders asked

MANILA, Philippines - As government troops continue their operations to flush out Maute militants from Marawi City, Malacañang called on Muslim leaders to denounce terrorism.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella lamented that militants use their beliefs to sow terror in Mindanao.

“We call on Muslim leaders to speak out against terrorist groups who use religion to disguise their barbarity, staining the peaceful name of Islam with the blood of innocents during this holy month of Ramadan,” Abella said yesterday. 

Abella said he also hopes that like Ozamiz City Archbishop Martin Jumoad, other Catholic leaders would support the declaration of martial law in Mindanao and encourage citizens to cooperate with the military.

“We laud the good bishop’s support for the President’s war against violent extremism in Mindanao,” he said. “We hope his fellow bishops and other clergy will follow his example for their parishes and prioritize the peace and safety of the people.”

Abella assured members of the clergy that mechanisms are in place to prevent and address human rights abuses.

He said he believes bishops are not rejecting martial law when they called on the faithful to ”be obedient to the just commands of lawful authority and not to provoke violent reaction.”

Some Mindanao bishops said they were not against martial law, but the declaration should be temporary. They also called on the public to be vigilant to prevent abuses.

In a pastoral letter issued on Friday, Cardinal Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato acknowledged the questions raised against military rule, but noted that the answers to them were “speculative.”

“We shall condemn any abuse of martial law and as in the past, (we) will condemn it outright if it goes in the way of evil. Let us be vigilant,” Quevedo said.

Release hostages

Quevedo said Mindanao bishops condemn the kidnapping of teachers and church personnel in Marawi and are appealing for their release.

“We pray for the safety of all those kidnapped, of Fr. Teresito Suganog and his companions. We appeal to the hostage takers to release all of them unharmed. The victims fear death, but they also have the courage to give ultimate witness to Christ,” he said. 

Suganog, parish priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral, his two helpers and 10 parishioners were seized during novena prayers on Tuesday night.

Quevedo said they  are also praying for innocent civilians killed in the attack and the protection of the families who fled their homes. – With Evelyn Macairan