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Guest author:
- DR. DIMAPUNO ALONTO DATU-RAMOS, JR., Regional Director, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos-National Capital Region (NCMF-NCR)
COMMENTARY | A bombing incident during a Catholic Sunday morning Mass on December 2 being held at the Dimaporo Gym inside the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, resulted in four dead and around 46 injured (unofficial count). These are mostly students, Philippine scholars, who were merely fulfilling their religious obligation. Aside from MSU students, employees from MSU, APMC, and the provincial capitol were also involved in the bombing incident. Punong puno ngayon ang ER ng Amai Pakpak Medical Center dahil sa pangyayari.
This act of violence is highly condemned by Muslims, and should not be viewed as a collective action of religious origins. Lahat ng tao ay may karapatang sumampalataya ng walang pangamba, at kailangan natin protektahan ang isa’t isa sa mga taong ginagamit ang relihiyon para sa kanilang personal na agenda. Respetuhin natin ang lahat ng pamamaraan ng pagsamba.
We are still unclear about the motives behind the bombing, which could be related to protests against the ongoing Israel-Palestinian war, or if it is a random act of terror. Maaari rin na ISIS, o isang estudyanteng may nakaaway sa mga nagsisimba.
I do hope that the Palestinian genocide is not going to be used as a motive. Killing innocents will not help anyone in Palestine, and will never be accepted by Allah swt. At huwag nating kakalimutan na suportado ng mga non-Muslims ang Palestine sa buong mundo.
If this bombing is related to ISIS and the slow rehabilitation post-Marawi Siege, then more efforts should be done to eradicate poverty and return all residents home. Bigyan pansin ang mga batang Muslim na nawawalan na ng pag-asa sa kanilang kahirapan.
Bottomline, kulang ang security sa MSU at dapat ito pagtuunan ng pansin ng administration. If schools such as MSU are being targeted, then there is no safe place inside Marawi City. MSU is supposed to be the school of opportunities for poor students around Mindanao who wish to avail themselves of quality and affordable education. Hindi dapat malayang naipapasok ang baril, granada, o bomba sa loob, at dapat may sistema ng pagbabantay sa mga estudyante.
Everyone in the BARMM government should be involved. LGUs should provide capacity building programs for the youth to elevate their thinking and open job opportunities. Civilians should also be made more aware and prepared to avoid and report suspicious acts.
Even the NCMF through the Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution (BPCR) and Regional PBCRDs should have interventions through youth camps. Educate the youth about the real Islamic doctrines and counteract the wrong indoctrination being done by radical extremists. Huwag tayong maging tahimik at kampante dahil marami na namang mamamatay at masasaktan.
Teach the people about the relationship of development and peace. Ngayong may ganyang pangyayari, apektado na naman lahat ng negosyo sa lugar. I pray that we don’t allow violence to take over our beautiful city once more.
Thank you Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong Jr., for immediately visiting the bombing survivors at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center.
Condolences to all the bereaved families. (/)
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Words and opinion in this article are solely the author’s and not of SDN – SciTech & Digital News.