05/09/2016
Statement of the Young Moro Professionals Network
Dr. Pipalawan Macacua. He was a government employee who worked on scholarships for Moro National Liberation (MNLF) front communities. He was a Moro, a Muslim and was one of the 14 people who lost their lives last night after a bomb explosion in Davao City. 67 are now recovering from injuries inflicted by this cowardly act.
We, the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN), condemn in the highest degree this senseless act of violence. While no one or group has claimed responsibility, reports point once again to radical groups who only want to sow fear and mistrust among the people.
We call on the rest of the Muslim Ummah to be more discerning and prudent whenever these so-called groups urge us to fight for Islam. They use words like jihad but at the same time taint and disgrace Islam by their reckless acts of terrorism. Over the years, groups like the Abu Sayyaf who have used violence to the point of killing innocent people, have not ever shown the heart and action of a true "mujahideen."
Moreover, their actions have pushed the government to take offensive actions in Sulu where it has affected the many lives of peace-loving Muslims. Our children cannot go to their schools, our farmers forced to abandon their lands, our fisher folks unable to sell their catch. In the long run, it is the Moros, our Muslim brothers and sisters who will suffer.
The cornerstone of Islam is Peace. The values of the Qur'an holds us Muslims responsible for treating all people, Muslims or Non-Muslims, kindly, justly, with love, mercy and compassion. Such values that prevent acts of mischief - mischief comprises all forms of anarchy and terror that deprive comfort, security and peace amongst people.
We have said it before and we will tirelessly continue to say it again, these acts represent everything that is against the values of Islam and the teachings of the Quran.
As for the rest of the Filipino people, most especially the strong people of Davao, of Sulu and the rest of Mindanao, we call for sobriety and we pray for healing. We call for peace. We call for love, not hate. We call for justice. May the Almighty help us as we take on this path of building a peaceful nation.