Catholic and Protestant Bishops and Muslim religious leaders in Mindanao, who belong to the Bishops-Ulama Forum (BUF) have called for a ceasefire to hostilities in Central Mindanao, appealing in behalf of 60,000 evacuees displaced by the conflict.
The Bishops-Ulama Forum is a dialogue forum organized in 1996 in the spirit of interreligious dialogue and commitment to the peace process. The BUF focuses on the spiritual bases for peace from their respective religious traditions, grounded on the belief in one God, a common origin, and a common destiny for all.
In a statement issued yesterday (April 26) and signed by six Catholic bishops and four members of the Ulama League of the Philippines, the BUF underscored the distinction between the hostage issue in Basilan and the conflict in Central Mindanao.
The four-point statement also condemned the formation of extremist vigilante groups, saying this will only polarize cultural communities.
It sought a continuation of the peace process and offered the assistance of the bishops and ulama in pushing forward the peace process through consultations with grassroots communities and attending to the root causes of the conflict.
The statement was signed by Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla of Davao, Bishop Generoso C. Camia of Digos, Bishop Wilfredo D. Manlapaz of Tagum, Bishop Patricio H. Alo of Mati, Bishop Romulo G. Valles of Kidapawan, Bishop Antonio J. Ledesma of Ipil, Dr. Mahid M. Mutilan, president of the Ulama League of the Philippines, Aleem Mahmod Mala Adilao of the ULP-Davao, Aleem Edris Abdulsamad of the ULP-Cotabato, and Aleem Abu Ali Cadhie of the ULP-Marawi.
The full text of the BUF Statement on the Current Mindanao Situation:
On behalf of our brothers in the Bishops-Ulama Forum, we make these statements on the Mindanao situation:
1) We ask for an immediate ceasefire to hostilities in Central Mindanao.
Many evacuees are suffering from the present hostilities. We ask for assistance for all displaced communities Muslim, Christian and Lumad. We appreciate the assistance of the DSWD and other public and private agencies which are attending to the basic needs of 60,000 displaced evacuees.
We also appeal to our Christian and Muslim communities to extend whatever help they can give to our displaced brothers and sisters.
2. We make a clear distinction between the hostage issue in Basilan and the conflict in Central Mindanao.
The conflict in Basilan involves the Abu Sayyaf, a group whose tactics are condemned even by Islam and concerned Muslim leaders.
The situation in Central Mindanao, particularly in Lanao del Sur, involves the MILF which represents the aspirations of the Muslim community for a genuine participation in the running of their own political and economic affairs.
3. This is not a religious war between Christian and Muslim communities. It is an armed confrontation between the Philippine military and the MILF. Both Christian and Muslim religious leaders recognize and respect the values for justice, peace and compassion in each others' religious traditions. We condemn the formation of any extremist vigilante groups, which will only polarize cultural communities.
4. We ask for the peace process to continue. Peace talks should be resumed and given more time. No deadlines should be set. We support the initiative of women leaders who have recently talked to the leadership of both the MILF and the Philippine government.
We have just met Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and highly appreciate her concerns over the Mindanao situation.
As religious leaders of Muslim and Christian communities, we, bishops and ulama, offer to take a pro-active role in pushing forward the peace process through consultations with our grassroots communities and attending to the root causes of conflict.
There is a need for the service of a neutral but concerned third party, acceptable to both sides in the conflict, for accelerating the peace process through sustained peace talks.
"...In the tender compassion of our God. The dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Lk 1:78-79).
"O, you who believe! Come, all of you, into peace; and follow not the
footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you." (Baccarah no.
208).
