Palace prays for end to terrorism in country

In the observance of holy month of Ramadan, Malacañang on Saturday expressed hope that terrorism in the country will be put to an end.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the entire nation joins the Muslim Filipinos in observing Ramadan, amid atrocities being committed by terrorist groups in Mindanao.

"We stand with Muslim Filipinos in their reverent observance of the holy month of Ramadan," Abella said in a statement.

This year, Ramadan starts on May 27 and will end on June 24.

For Muslims, Ramadan is the month when the first verses of the Quran, holy book of Islam, were revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years ago.

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, sex, swearing and other sinful acts from dawn to sun- set to cleanse their soul and bring them closer to Allah.

Abella said the government prays that terror acts to advance Islamic State (IS) in the country will stop.

He also looked forward that peace and order will be achieved, especially in strifetorn Mindanao.

"Together, we pray for an end to terrorism that falsely claim to advance Islam and seeks to sub- jugate our land to the brutal IS," Abella said.

"With all faiths, we pray that God restore and preserve peace in Mindanao," he added.

On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte asked terrorists to hold a peaceful dialogue with the government, even after he declared martial law in Mindanao to intensify fight against terrorism.

The President said he is still open to talking terrorists as he does not want violence to prosper.

Abella said Duterte's offer for terrorists is to pave way for the observance of Ramadan. / SUNSTAR PHILIPPINES