Muslim lawmakers yesterday called on fellow Muslims, including Islamic secessionist groups, to help government destroy the Abu Sayyaf Group as they strongly condemned the beheading of a German septuagenarian by the Mindanao-based bandits.
“These acts of terrorism are not in accordance with Islamic religion or way of life to which we as representatives of our people here in the Philippines belong,” the lawmakers declared in a joint press statement issued following the confirmation of the murder of 70-year-old Juergen Kantner.
The group is composed of Reps. Munir Arbison (PDP-Laban, Sulu); Bai Sandra Sema (LP, Maguindanao); Ruby Sahali (PDP-Laban, Tawi-tawi); Ansaruddin Adiong (PDP-Laban, Lanao del Sur); Mauyag Papandayon Jr. (PDP-Laban, Lanao del Sur), and Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman (Anak Mindanao partylist).
“We are making this statement lest the rest of the country and the world would perceive our people consent to, encourage, or support such brutal barbaric acts done not only to a foreigner but to any innocent person,” they stressed.
The lawmakers reiterated their stand against the Abu Sayyaf in a press conference. “They call themselves Muslims but they do not act like one. They are barbaric and ruthless,” Sema declared.
Hataman and Sahali lamented that the Abu Sayyaf savagery and terrorist activities have adversely affected Muslim communities that suffer the impact of adverse economic effects of the group’s activities. (Ben R. Rosario)