This was the question posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines to the government after Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella issued two separate statements, castigating the CPP for the recent attacks staged by its armed-wing, the NPA.
Eid al-Fitr is supposed to be a joyous and meaningful celebration of the Muslim community all over the world as it translates to a “festival of breaking of the fast” and marks the end of Ramadan or for them. However, for Moros affected in the Marawi siege, today’s celebration is different.
The Muslim residents here only have one prayer – peace in the country, as they celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan on Sunday, June 25.
A total of 101 individuals were arrested in Davao’s second “one-time, big-time” clearing operations in 36 villages here on Friday.
A temporary silencing of guns and a pause in fighting between government forces and the Maute group is expected to give way to the peaceful celebration of the end of Ramadan on Sunday, June 25.
A month after the island of Mindanao has been placed under martial rule, Eastern Mindanao Command Deputy Commander Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay said that they have successfully “prevented the spillover of terrorism” in Eastern Mindanao.
While offers of support are certainly welcome, the Philippine government and its regional partners are able to handle the threat of extremist terror groups without the help of western countries such as the US and Australia, said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.
Unless the historical injustices done to the Moro people is addressed through joint efforts by the government and other sectors, the issue will continue to be exploited and used by radicals and extremists to persuade other Moros, especially the youth to join their ranks.
Various progressive groups here protested in front of the Commission of Human Rights XI on Friday, June 23, slamming the claim of CHR that no violation of human rights was recorded a month after President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.
The threats against President Rodrigo Duterte’s life issued by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are merely “desperate” statements meant to divert public attention from the setbacks suffered by the group in their stronghold of Maguindanao, said Eastern Mindanao Command Deputy Commander and Martial Law Spokesperson for Mindanao, Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay.
