Statement of Islamic Society of the Philippines on Mindanao bombings

THE Parhimpunan Sin Islam (Islamic Society of the Philippines) condemns in the strongest terms the dastardly act done to our people in Jolo, Sulu, and now, Zamboanga City.

These have all the trappings of a concerted effort “to divide Mindanao into religious line” by making them look like a retaliation that happened in Zamboanga City, for the cathedral bombing… [sic]

The community in Mindanao (all faiths) must now stand and draw a line in the sand and declare, “No more, we just won our right to self-determination and no misguided segment or terror group will deny us our future.”

Our condolences to our brothers and sisters in Jolo. We appeal to our Muslim and Christian

Almarim Centi Tillah brothers to close ranks and be one against the forces of evil and continue not to be divided and instead strengthen the more “ecumenism” which had prevailed in Jolo all these years, if not decades, along unity in diversity.

Almarim Centi Tillah President, Parhimpunan Sin Islam (Islamic Society of the Philippines)

BOL, I issued the following statements to the media, to wit: “It is unfgortunate that the province of Sulu challenged the constitutionality of the BOL, but it is well within their rights to do so. I truly believe though that the Organic Law that we passed can stand the test of constitutionality after careful scrutiny done by the Senate’s best legal minds and with consultations done with eminent constitutionalists and former chief justices and justices of the Supreme Court. We hope that our honorable justices of the Supreme Court can look at this law as an out- of- the- box solution for a lasting peace in Mindanao within the framework of the Constitution. As its principal sponsor and author, I will adhere to the wisdom of the high court as the final arbiter on whether the BOL will pass the test of constitutionality once and for all so we can proceed to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao and in the Philippines.”

Prior to the conduct of the plebiscite, when the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order ( TRO), I issued another statement, which read: “I laud and thank the Supreme Court on their decision not to grant a TRO on the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law. This will pave the way for a smooth and orderly plebiscite that I believe will usher in the peace and prosperity that we sorely need in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. I, together with my colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives who voted almost unanimously for its approval, believe in the BOL’s constitutionality as provided for under Article 10 Section 18 of the Constitution, and after almost a year of consultations and deliberations on the constitutionality of the measure. We trust the Office of the Solicitor General to defend our measure on the cases pending with the Supreme Court and that we, legislators, are willing to lend a helping hand to strengthen our case for the BOL.”

Post– BOL plebiscite, part of my official statement read: “I am appealing to the honorable magistrates of the highest court of the land to hopefully be liberal in their discussions on the BOL and to consider the measure as an instrument of peace for our Muslim brothers and sisters. We appeal as well to all parties including those who opposed the measure to give this Organic Law a chance to uplift the lives of our Muslim brothers and sisters, after decades- long fighting and the deaths of more than 120,000 people due to the never- ending conflicts with the government and the secessionist groups. With the passage of the BOL, we were elated by the statements of the largest secessionist group, the MILF, that the war is finally over and that we can proceed now with the smooth transition of combatants to social and political workers and the quick decommissioning of their firearms. Peace and prosperity in Mindanao can only mean one thing and that is peace and prosperity for the whole nation.”

Therefore, these official statements contradict what you said that I asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the legal questions and forego constitutional discussions even after an overwhelming “yes” vote in the plebiscite. My official statements will bear the truth on that matter.

Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri