ZAMBOANGA
CITY, Aug. 6 (PNA) –- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
OIC-Governor Mujiv Hataman on Monday strongly condemned the aggression
that is taking place in the towns of Datu Unsay, Ampatuan and Shariff
Aguak in Maguindanao involving a breakaway rebel group.
Hataman issued the statement on Monday after the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a group that broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), attacked three Maguindanao towns.
The BIFF led by Ustadz Amiril Umbra Kato broke away from the MILF in December 2009.
The military reported that the BIFF simultaneously attacked five Army detachments in Maguindanao around 11:30 p.m. Sunday but no one was reported injured.
The attack, however, prompted the Army’s 6th Infantry Division to temporarily close the Cotabato-General Santos highway as the troops have launched clearing operations following Sunday evening’s attack.
“The act is especially reprehensible during this time of the Holy Month of Ramadhan, when devout Muslims are in the observance of fasting and are supposed to exercise utmost restraint. It is an utter disrespect of Islamic values and of the lives of countless civilians who will have to endure the effects of conflict even in the midst of the holy month,” Hataman said.
“We appeal to all stakeholders to help stop this latest round of violence in the province and prevent its possible escalation,” he added.
He said the BIFF should uphold Islamic values and respect for civilian lives more than any other interest and to exhaust peaceful means to address valid grievances.
Hataman issued the statement on Monday after the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a group that broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), attacked three Maguindanao towns.
The BIFF led by Ustadz Amiril Umbra Kato broke away from the MILF in December 2009.
The military reported that the BIFF simultaneously attacked five Army detachments in Maguindanao around 11:30 p.m. Sunday but no one was reported injured.
The attack, however, prompted the Army’s 6th Infantry Division to temporarily close the Cotabato-General Santos highway as the troops have launched clearing operations following Sunday evening’s attack.
“The act is especially reprehensible during this time of the Holy Month of Ramadhan, when devout Muslims are in the observance of fasting and are supposed to exercise utmost restraint. It is an utter disrespect of Islamic values and of the lives of countless civilians who will have to endure the effects of conflict even in the midst of the holy month,” Hataman said.
“We appeal to all stakeholders to help stop this latest round of violence in the province and prevent its possible escalation,” he added.
He said the BIFF should uphold Islamic values and respect for civilian lives more than any other interest and to exhaust peaceful means to address valid grievances.
He
also appealed to the peace panels of both the government and the MILF
not to get distracted “by this isolated incident and allow it to affect
the encouraging gains in the peace process.” (PNA)
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