By BASIR ALIPOLO
Correspondent
AT least three “commanders” led some 300 armed members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (Biff) in destroying religious items in a Roman Catholic chapel when they staged their attacks here on Wednesday
The archbishop of Cotabato, Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, called it a desecration of sacred hosts from the chapel’s tabernacle, and a “wicked” act.
“As the leader of the Archdiocese of Cotabato, I condemn in the strongest terms possible the wicked desecration of the Catholic Chapel of Malagakit in the parish of Pigcawayan and most especially of the Sacred Hosts that were kept there for the Catholic faithful,” Quevedo said.
Authorities said the Biff fighters behind the attacks were led by “commanders” Abunawas Damiog, Abu Zaiden, and Abu Sala.
The group first attacked a militia outpost but was thwarted by the government forces, and were forced flee to the Malagakit Elementary School where they held 31 hostages.
The Biff fighters reportedly destroyed carvings in the Catholic Chapel, tore photos of President Duterte in government offices and left a threat written on a blackboard.
In a statement, Cardinal Quevedo said, “These are irreligious acts that cry out to heaven. Such acts are similar to the desecration of a mosque and the sacred Qur’an by non-Muslims. Both desecrations are gravely sinful.”
He added: “If the Biff wants to have an image as a respecter of all religions, it must punish its members who perpetrated the odious desecration in Malagakit and educate all its members in strictly respecting other religions.”
The fightings forced some 1, 707 individuals or 326 families to evacuate. Many of them are still at the Pigcawayan National High School.
The military has claimed that eight Biff members were killed in the fightings, and that after clearing operations, soldiers found a dead farmer identified as 61-year old Puan Dading Ismael.
Authorities said a militiaman was also killed, and two other militiamen were hurt. (with reports from pna)
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