Islamic scholars, the ulama, in Mindanao have condemned the rebellion in Marawi City, and have pledged to work with the Duterte administration in rooting out violent extremism in the region.
But while the ulama have vowed to work with the Duterte administration in ending the problem of extremism in the South, they also asked the military to stop its aerial bombardment of Marawi City.
The military has been bombing members of the Maute-Islamic State Group since the rebellion broke out in May in an effort to flush them out, although their number has already dwindled to not more than 40 as of last military count.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo M. Año said the battle with the terrorists is already winding down, although military officials could not give a definite period as to when the operations will finally end.
Enough!
During a three-day conference held from August 14 to 16 in Iligan City, members of the Regional Ulama Council (RUC) have pleaded with Duterte to stop the bombings and look after the needs of displaced families.
The religious leaders said the Commander in Chief should also visit the internally displaced families to show that he commiserates with them.
“Such can be done by assuring the IDPs [internally displaced persons] of food security and livelihood training; by strengthening and enhancing the relief assistance and distribution by governmental line agencies, and by giving assistance to the ulama in providing the IDPs spiritual and religious training, especially among the youth, so that they will not be lured into joining extremist ideologies,” the ulama said.
The ulama voiced their strong support to the fatwa declared by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the declaration of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Darul Ifta (Fatwa Council) against violent extremism.
They also vowed their support in purging the terrorists out of Marawi and in pushing for peace and development in Mindanao.
The religious scholars also promised to be involved in the rehabilitation of the battle-stricken city, especially in terms of “moral, spiritual, social, educational and regional aspects”.
They recommended that ulama be deputized to monitor the implementation of the reconstruction and rehabilitation in Marawi City.
Collaboration
THE Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) commander, Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., said multisectoral collaboration must be propagated to counter terrorism in Mindanao.
“The Wesmincom has a peculiar area of jurisdiction as it combats the Abu Sayyaf in ZamBaSulTa [Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi] area, the local terrorist group and the communist terrorists in ZamPeLan [Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces] area, and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Central Mindanao,” he said.
Aside from Galvez, those who attended the conference were Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano, Maj. Gen. Melquiades Feliciano, Lanao del Sur Vice Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. and Iligan City Mayor Majul Gandamra of Marawi City.
Accreditation of Islamic schools
While vowing to cooperate with the government in the fight against extremism and in propagating true Islamic teachings, the ulama, however, wanted the government to accredit Madaris, the traditional Islamic and Arabic schools in the country.
With this, they pushed for the revival of the Office of the Undersecretary for Madaris Education in the Department of Education.
The ulama also requested that the vacancy in existing national offices for Muslims, such as the presiding justice and associate justices of the Sharia appellate court, be filled up by qualified Muslims.
Gandamra welcomed the initiatives of the religious leaders and said, “I acknowledge the voice of the ulama to participate, not only in the physical rehabilitation, but also in the moral-recovery programs intended for the affected persons.”
Adiong, who was present during the culmination of the activity, said he is aware of the importance of the conference.
Adiong added that the military and police needed the support of all sectors of society, especially saying that threat is imminent since violent extremism has already penetrated different levels of society.
No reinforcement for terrorists
As the battle in Marawi nears its end, the military asked the 29 town officials of Lanao del Sur to implement measures to preempt the “spillover of the conflict”, and the infiltration and recruitment of terrorists in areas of the province.
Galvez urged the officials to assist the government troops in preventing enemy reinforcements, as he noted the terrorists were already running out of ammunition and food.
“We are nearing the end of this prolonged battle with the penetration of our troops into the main battle area, but we beseech your consideration and assistance. We believe that the top leaders are still in the battle area, but we do not discount the possibility of reinforcement and retreat. This is where the key involvement of local government units comes in,” Galvez said.
Addressing the town officials, Galvez said, “It would be best if you look after your lakes and your respective areas.”
Officials of the Lumba-Bayabao municipality said checkpoints have been established by members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT), and passage of motorboats along Lake Lanao was also being monitored within their coastal barangays.
“We are preparing our constituents so that we will be able to make ourselves ready. We want our BPATs to be trained so that we can take appropriate actions when needed,” said one of the officials.
He also recommended that a system be implemented to validate the identities of local terrorists.
Balindong Mayor Benjamin Bagul said he had been monitoring movements to prevent the entry of possible reinforcements in his area.
However, Bagul noted that fishing activities within their lakeshore barangays have been limited due to security restrictions.
“We have registered and authorized 126 pump boats, however, we are also affected by the tightening of security as fishing can no longer be done from 3 to 5 a.m., but only at 6 a.m. and beyond,” he said.
Galvez said that he will bring the issue for resolution and that he believes it would be best to have fishermen in the lake area from time to time so that they, too, can also serve as watchers who will report suspicious boats to authorities.
Masiu Mayor Nasser Pangandaman also shared his good practice of repainting the fishermen’s boats and assigning control numbers to each. According to Pangandaman, those who violate regulations will be seized by the local government.
An official of Kapatagan town said there are some folks from other municipalities in Maguidanao who come to their town to recruit would-be members of the terror group.
In response, Galvez said, “You can create your inner defense. If you need it, we can provide you with training and support for security if you request for it. We will not leave you in this fight. We will make forces stay within the area. You will not be left out, you just have to do your part.”
“For now, help your security sector swiftly address the present problem in Marawi by guarding your respective areas. Do not allow these terrorists to use your towns as recruitment areas and safe passage,” he added.
