Muslim soldier decries Maute for making a mockery of Islam

By ANJANETTE VILLAMOR
Correspondent

ONE of the 74 wounded soldiers awarded by President Duterte on Saturday has accused his fellow Muslims who have been fighting under the Isis-inspired Maute Group of making a mockery of Islam.

The Muslim soldier, a staff sergeant, identified himself in an interview with this paper. But his superior, Camp Evangelista spokesperson Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez requested that the sergeant’s identity be withheld for security reasons.

The 41-year old wounded soldier from Tawi-tawi, a member of the Army’s 1st Division, said he was disappointed because the Maute fighters were giving Islam a bad name.

He said the meaning of the terrorists’ faith has been lost because “they are killing people, including children, for money, fame and power.”

“I am a Muslim like members of the Maute-Isis but I don’t kill without a legitimate reason.  I am a soldier of the Philippines and I am giving my life to protect the nation and to get rid of them (terrorists),” the sergeant said.

He accused the Maute Group of arming children as young as 10 years with high-powered firearms and turning them into fighters.

The sergeant is recuperating at the Camp Evangelista Hospital in Patag here for three shrapnel wounds on the back, chest and leg.

He said one powerful air assault can end the Marawi crisis but the government has been holding back because the strife-torn city is considered a holy place.

The sergeant and 73 other wounded soldiers were visited and awarded by President Duterte here on Saturday.

Duterte promised livelihood program for widowed soldiers, saying that his administration recognizes the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers.

He said the least that the government could give in return is financial support to their families and education for their children.