Bombings Trigger Fears of Filipino Muslims

The bombings did not only draw condemnation across the country, but also worries, particularly among the Muslim community, as it may renew police and military raids against innocent Filipino Muslims.

Rep. Crispin Beltran, a member of the House of Representatives, said the bombings in Makati City in Metro Manila, and Davao and General Santos cities in Mindanao, were “too well-coordinated, too-well planned” that the Abu Sayyaf group which claimed responsibility “could not have been clever or well-prepared enough to perpetrate such a well-executed plan of terrorism.”

“It’s difficult to discount the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in this, or that of the US intelligence and military forces,” he told IslamOnline.net Tuesday, adding that “hardcore elements in both parties could well have launched these bombings as part of a plot to force the public into supporting politically repressive moves.”

Seven civilians were killed when a bus exploded in the busy Makati City. Another three died in the compound of a shopping mall General Santos and a 12-year-old boy was killed in a bus terminal in Davao city.

Claims

The Abu Sayyaf group (ASG), listed as a terrorist group by the Philippines and United States, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Philippine National Police said they are investigating into the veracity of the claim.

Beltran said the military logically has the most expertise as well as the materials, equipment and preparedness to initiate these terrorist attacks. “If it’s not the military and if the ASG was really behind the bombings – then heads in the military top brass should roll,” he said.

He added that US intelligence and military forces “are experts in sowing political intrigue and launching attacks in countries where the US has an economic and military agenda. The record of the US in this sort of thing is dripping with the blood of innocent civilians.”

Purge Terrorists

Meanwhile, President Gloria Arroyo Tuesday said the government is pursuing war against “terrorists” responsible for the Monday bombings as well as against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, where a skirmish is going on for a second week now, until the end.

In an official statement, Arroyo said, “I call on all Filipinos to unite once more against this renewed threat against our peace and freedom. The evil of terrorism has only one aim, it is to rule with absolute power and absolute force. The desperation of the enemy cannot be underestimated, even as it lies in the throes of defeat.”

She further acknowledged “the outpouring of sentiments among our Muslim brethren condemning these despicable acts and rallying the Islamic community behind peace, tolerance and development.”

Anti-Muslim Crackdown

The bombings have raised concerns among the Muslim community, fearing a repeat of previous witch hunts that followed similar attacks.

Cosain Naga, Moro Christian Peoples Alliance (MCPA) spokesperson, said, “To unleash such terror that victimized the innocent is deplorable and condemnable to the highest degree. Whoever conducted the bombings has proven that they are not the ‘vanguards of Islam’ that they claim to be. Instead, they turn out to be an enemy of the people.”

Naga warned the Arroyo government might use the incident to launch new crackdowns on Moro [Filipino Muslim] communities both in Metro Manila and in Mindanao.

“It is a widely known fact that the military and the police have for many times wreaked terror in Moro communities in the guise of running after such bandit groups as the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Pentagon Gang.

“It is also common knowledge that these operations end up to illegal detentions, torture, and other cases of harassment mostly among innocent civilians,” Naga told IslamOnline.net Tuesday, citing instances in the Basilan crackdown on 2001, which caused more than 100 Moro men, including women to be jailed.

He added, “We fear that with the ASG’s crimes, our innocent Moro brothers and sisters will suffer the backlash or retaliation from the military. Hence, we ask the Arroyo government along with the national police and military to exercise good judgment and prudence in facing this matter. Terror will not be solved with terror.”

Another legislator, Rep. Liza Maza, of the Gabriela Women’s Party, told IslamOnline.net Tuesday, “We fear that these bombings will be followed yet again by indiscriminate and unwarranted arrests and crackdowns on Muslim communities. Worse, this may well be used by the Arroyo administration to speed up the passage of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill now being crafted in Congress.”

Various versions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill are being consolidated in on-going technical working group meetings in the Philippine Congress. An initial version of the bill expands the surveillance and wire tapping activities of the police and military.

“The spate of bombings is no justification for the enactment of a draconian measure,” Maza said.

According to the Moro Christian People’s Alliance, the Bangsamoro and the Filipino people must push the Arroyo government to pursue genuine peace efforts.

Genuine Peace Needed

Cosain Naga of the MCPO said, “The raging war in Sulu and these series of bombings root from causes that the government has long failed to address.

“Unfortunate it may be to say, we fear that as long as genuine peace efforts are not shown by the Arroyo administration, there will be no end to the cyclical pattern of war in Mindanao and to the series of retaliation attacks from bandit groups which the inutile military and police have long failed to curb.”

Apparently anticipating these reactions, President Arroyo said the government is going to “focus its operations against terrorist cells” and that “there should be no fear of a witch hunt.”

She emphasized, it “is not a fight against Islam. This is not a conflict with the MNLF or the MILF, which are closely keeping to the mainstream of the peace process. We are dealing with renegades from these two groups that are abhorred and rejected by them.

“While keeping terror at bay, we must continue our focus on the economy, which is central to lifting up the well-being of every Filipino. Our larger mission is the creation of jobs, cutting wasteful government spending and investing in our poorest citizens.

“We must continue to invest in our pro-poor agenda; clamping down on corruption; weeding out wasteful government spending; and raising revenues are all key to bringing stability and prosperity to the nations. As we fight for freedom, so must we fight for the peace and prosperity of all Filipinos.”