http://frontlinemindanaobalita.blogspot.com/2013/09/interfaith-in-pagadian-city-condemns.html?view=magazine
The statement said,
the crisis in Zamboanga City caused by the stand-off between elements of the
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) loyal to Nur Misuari and the Government
force, now on its 8th day, has clearly terrorized and paralyzed a
city of nearly on million people. The violence which started with the landing
of MNLF armed men in the coastal areas of Zamboanga City on September 9, 2013
resulted to clashes with government security forces. The fighting continues for
more than a week now which did not only cause the displacement of nearly 70,000
residents but also the loss of lives and properties. In the face of the
continues assaults to flush out the MNLF elements by the government forces, some
200 residents were taken as hostages and made as human shields by Misuari’s
men. As reported, there were more than 200 houses in the affected villages that
were razed to the ground allegedly by the MNLF.
“Even as we fervently pray for this conflict to end and allow the return to normal life of the residents of the city as quickly as possible, we also appeal for sobriety and calmness in the face of this tragedy and urge everyone to consider that religious sentiments should not be dragged into this conflict. This violence is clearly caused by a long standing political problem, and clearly, religion has nothing to do with it. We hope that instead of dividing us in our humanity, this will become an opportunity for us to strengthen relationship and solidarity among people of different faiths and cultures who shared a common vision for unity, lasting peace and prosperity. The statement disclosed.
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Convenors of Interfaith during their
regular
monthly meeting. From right Pastor
Dado
Marquez, Sultan Maguid Maruhom and
beside
PNP representative is Fr. Felix
Tigoy.
(Photo by Jong Cadion)
|
JONG CADION
Online Editor
Pagadian Frontline News
PAGADIAN CITY,
ZAMBOSUR (September 19, 2013) – The Interfaith Forum for Solidarity
and Peace (IFSP), a movement of religious and civil society leaders of
Christians, Muslims and Subanens in Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur not
only abhors this bloodshed in Zamboanga City but strongly condemns the acts of
individuals and groups that had caused this tragic event to happen, this is
their official statement issued yesterday after their emergency meeting on
Monday September 16, 2013.
The official statement
signed by the convenors Rev. Pastor Diosdado Marquez from the United Church of
Christ of the Philippines (UCCP), Sultan Maguid Maruhom from the Ummah Fi Salam
Moro Convenor, Timuay Joe Macarial Subanon Convenor, Rev. Fr. Felix Tigoy from
the Roman Catholic and Head Convenor Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar, C.Ss.R.
The Interfaith said
that the warfare already reached some places in Basilan, including Lamitan City
where additional casualties and displacement of hundreds of residents were
reported. With skirmishes still going on to drive out remaining MNLF forces,
the number of casualties and extent of destruction is expected to rise. It is
also feared that the fighting will spread out to more places as there had been
no solution found yet to peacefully resolve the conflict. Moreover, the crisis
threatens to erode the relationships of different communities of people of
Mindanao which, for the past years had successfully improved and is
continuously improving.
Undeniably, this
incident has not only terrified an entire city but resulted to a great loss and
tragedy as consequence, particularly to the innocent civilians (both Christians
and Muslims) who are not party to the conflict. It is, without a doubt,
considered an Act of Terrorism. For this reason, the Interfaith Forum for
Solidarity and Peace strongly condemns the said acts.
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Pagadian City Parish Administrator
Rev. Fr Rico Sayson. (Photo by Jong Cadion)
|
“In solidarity with
the people of Zamboanga City and Basilan, and in the entire Mindanao, we join
with others in prayer for the early resolution of the conflict through peaceful
means and for the safety of the residents in the affected villages. We also
appeal for a thorough investigation of the incident for ferret out the truth
and demand justice for the victims of this of this unfortunate incident,” the Interfaith
said
“Even as we fervently pray for this conflict to end and allow the return to normal life of the residents of the city as quickly as possible, we also appeal for sobriety and calmness in the face of this tragedy and urge everyone to consider that religious sentiments should not be dragged into this conflict. This violence is clearly caused by a long standing political problem, and clearly, religion has nothing to do with it. We hope that instead of dividing us in our humanity, this will become an opportunity for us to strengthen relationship and solidarity among people of different faiths and cultures who shared a common vision for unity, lasting peace and prosperity. The statement disclosed.
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