Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Zamboanga (Agenzia Fides) – The marginalized, poverty-stricken, and refugees are often kidnapped by extremist groups such as Abu Sayyaf. This is the case of the Christians (who are a small minority group) on the island of Basilan, in the Sulu Islands of the South Philippines. This is what Agenzia Fides has learned from PIME missionary Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, who has been working for ten years in the area of Islamic-Christian Dialogue in the southern Philippine Islands and who began the Sisilah Dialogue Movement, which is based in Zamboanga City (island of Mindanao). In a recent trip to the island of Basilan, Fr. D’Ambra witnessed the suffering, poverty, and trauma of the Christian families living in the area. He encouraged them to “forgive and love their enemies,” according to the spirit of the Gospel, working to establish friendly relations with their neighbors.
“Christians and Muslims in South Philippines should raise their voices in unison, calling for peace and work together in condemning every form of physical and psychological violence,” the missionary told Fides. The people living in this area are subject to a strong pressure, given the conflict that occurs between the Filipino Army and the Islamic fundamentalist groups.
According to humanitarian aid organizations, there are 500,000 refugees suffering from a lack of basic necessities, due to the escalated violence. The alert was launched some weeks ago, but has not received any concrete responses. According to the organizations, a humanitarian crisis is close at hand.
The conflict between the Army and the Islamic Liberation Front has intensified since early August, when the Filipino Supreme Court rejected the Memorandum of Agreement on the extension of the autonomous region of Mindanao that is Muslim (Armm). “The conflict is the worst in the area since 2003,” the Red Cross says, emphasizing the growing number of civilian victims and refugees who have been forced from the homes as a result. According to experts, the conflict could become worse and more widespread after the sacred month of Ramadan. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2008)
