Sunday, September 14, 2008 Cabaero: Online voices on Mindanao By Nini B. Cabaero Beyond 30
A POSTER to the Sun.Star website’s message board on the Mindanao crisis has made a point about the silence of Christian churches over hostilities between government troopers and a faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The message signed by “e acoba” recounted an experience by those delivering relief and food aid to 250 families in three evacuation sites. Contrary to government’s claim that many evacuees have returned to their homes, the poster said many Muslim evacuees remained in the evacuation centers or sought refuge with relatives for fear of reprisal from the so-called “Ilagas” or from Christians.
“What has been very dismal and disappointing to me is the lack of response from Christian churches to help out Muslim evacuees. Somehow, the spirit of Christian love is lacking in a nation that proudly calls itself Christian,” the poster said.
Comments posted to the message board at www.sunstar.com.ph (click on the link that says “What’s your take on the Mindanao crisis?”) are reflective of the many voices inside or outside Mindanao or in foreign lands of those pained by the breakdown of peace in some areas of Mindanao.
Another comment, this time posted by “bokasen,” warned against the participation of Libya and Malaysia. He said their participation in the conflict would boost the position of Muslim organizations like the MILF in the world stage.
“Have we meddled in their internal affairs? Malaysia is doing this because they want to sway our claim of Sabah. They are advancing their cause within the Philippines so that we don't have the time to re-claim Sabah. To the Christians, being silent doesn't help, let us rise.”
Still another poster, who identified himself as “Al Farry,” pushed for tolerance of different religions. “I am an American and I have been to the Philippines several times. I love it there and I plan to go there many more times. I think that all faiths should be tolerated. However, I think that all religions should work within the law of the land. If there is a faith that cannot work within the law, then they should move to where they are tolerated.”
What these voices tell us is that there are many stakeholders in the future of Mindanao--not just government and the MILF; and the silence of other Filipinos could only contribute to a further deterioration of the situation.
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Cebuanos who trace their roots to Bicol are invited to attend the novena masses for the Our Lady of Peñafrancia starting this Friday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Capitol Parish Church, Escario St., Cebu City.
Novena masses will be held every 6 p.m. on weekdays and 5:30 p.m. on weekends until the ninth day, Sept. 27, that will be highlighted by a first-ever fluvial procession for the “Ina” as the Our Lady of Peñafrancia is fondly called by devotees.
Fiesta day will be next Sunday, Sept. 28, which will culminate with a mass at 6 p.m. at the Capitol Parish Church.
