In a statement by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed by MILF Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, it condemns in the highest possible terms the explosion that occurred today (December 31, 2018) in a shopping mall along Don Rufino Alonzo St, Cotabato City.
The dastardly act of putting an improvised explosive device (IED) with intent to kill or harm civilians is an act of cowardice, inhuman, and atrocious, the MILF said in the statement.
In the same statement, the MILF said, “We call on all concerned authorities to sincerely and thoroughly investigate this evil act. The motive is yet too premature to be concluded at this point, but we ask the authorities to examine all angles and make the result of the same public. We should not allow any party or group to make premature conclusions or draw insinuations so as to advance their own personal interest and political agenda.”
“We are saddened by the fact that this incident occurred at a time while we are in the thick of preparations for the plebiscite on the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on January 21, 2019. In the past, similar incidents have been resorted to in order to derail the Bangsamoro peace process. We must forge ahead with the same resolve as before so that we may finally achieve peace,” the Moro Front added.
The MILF called on all peace loving citizens in the city of Cotabato to stand united in securing our community and ensuring that peace will finally reign in our homeland. This is not the time to be divided. This Is the time to stand united.
“We condole with the families of the victims, both killed and/or wounded. It is precisely for the absence of security in our homeland that we exert our efforts for the passage of R.A. 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autnomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, so that a government can be established that can really protect and promote the peace and security of the place and its peoples,” the MILF further said.
Mohagher Iqbal, Chair of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel also condemned the barbaric and atrocious bombing outside the South Seas Mall in Cotabato City where 2 people killed and more than 20 were injured. Iqbal said that the explosion came at a time where only 20 days left for the conduct of the plebiscite for the ratification of BOL, slated on January 21st.
“This gruesome incident should not have happened in a city considered as safest city in Mindanao,” Iqbal added.
“It’s uncivilized and inhuman act, and we in the MILF will extend all possible means to provide any possible assistance to authorities so that the perpetrators get arrested, prosecuted, and jailed for their terroristic act,” Iqbal further said.
Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) through its Chairman Ghazali Jaafar also issued a statement condemning the blast in Cotabato City.
In the statement, Jaafar disclosed that one of the fatalities, Jonathan Torribiano is an employee of the BTC under Commissioner Melanio Ulama who represents the indigenous peoples.
“In the same vein, we also grieved for the others who got killed or wounded by this evil act. Only ssomeone who really oppose peace can perpetuate such a terroristic, immoral and cowardly action, “ Jaafar added.
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MILF Statement of condemnation on the recent expolsion in Cotabato City
Statements of BTC Condemnation of Bombing in Cotabato City
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1670/milf_condemns_mall_blast_in_cotabato_city
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