Monday, September 01, 2008 AFP dismisses jihad warnings By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) dismissed warnings of some sectors of a possible jihad that would result from the continuation of the military operation even during Ramadan, considered as Islam's holy month.
AFP spokesman Colonel Jun Torres said their military operations are not geared towards Islam but centered only against lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants who were responsible for the death of several innocent civilians.
Torres said no less than the Organization of Islamic Conference had condemned the atrocities committed by MILF commanders Abdullah Macapaar alias Bravo, Ameril Umbra Kato and Solaiman Pangalian.
He said the law cannot also be suspended just because of the holding of Islam's Holy Month.
"We cannot suspend the law, the application of law continues. We just hope for the best," Torres said.
The MILF earlier rued the decision of the AFP to continue their military operation despite the holding of the Ramadan by the Muslim community next week.
Khalid Musa, vice-chair of MILF Committee on Information, recalled the AFP attack made on the Buliok Complex in February 11, 2003 just as when the Muslim community were preparing for the day of sacrifice (eid-ul Adha) ending the fasting month of Ramadan.
"By most accounts, the use of excessive force has become relentless in violation of the rules of engagements in armed conflicts contrary to the Statute of Rome. Tactically, government is no longer pursuing action in line with law enforcement or police manhunt for the two MILF Commanders, but it is a very visible full-scale military offensive that violates the cease-fire agreement in place," the MILF claimed.
A Muslim scholar interviewed on television also warned that some Muslims might take the ongoing war as their ticket to achieve holiness by declaring a jihad or an emotional crusade against the government troops.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) meantime called on the government to call off military strikes in Mindanao during Ramadan this week.
The group said the military must be sensitive to the religious implications of its campaign against some MILF commanders in time of the Muslim Holy Month.
"I would press the government not to continue the fighting even, especially at the Ramadan time," Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo said in a statement.
He said that if the government would refuse to declare ceasefire, then an "informal ceasefire" must be observed by security forces pursuing the MILF rebels.
The CBCP on Thursday issued a prayer that aims to bring peace in the war-torn region.
CBCP president Angel Lagdameo said the prayer written will be distributed to various dioceses and parishes nationwide.
"We offer this prayer as one nation and in solidarity with the Mindanao Bishops as well as the thousands of innocent people who are forced to evacuate and live in uncertainty and fear because of the current crisis and war," Lagdameo said.
