Cagayan de Oro bishop backs Aquino on stance against all-out war vs MILF

MANILA, Philippines—A leader of the Catholic church in Mindanao on Monday threw his support behind President Aquino’s decision to avoid declaring an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said that while those responsible for the recent attacks in western Mindanao should be brought to justice, he supported Aquino’s declaration that peace talks should continue.

“I would support that because at this stage we should discuss the root causes and think of what might be happening underneath,” Ledesma said.

“It’s a way to tell us that we should proceed with the peace process and go back to the negotiating table,” he added.

Ledesma said the military should go after those behind the recent attacks, “but it does not mean an all-out war.”

“We are approaching Mindanao week of peace anniversary and observance at the last week of November. It is in this spirit that we want to continue our search for a just and abiding peace in Mindanao,” he said.

Ledesma once headed the Prelature of Ipil, which covers Zamboanga Sibugay, where some of the recent attacks happened. He was the bishop when the Abu Sayyaf attacked the town in 1995, killing 60 people and razing its market place to the ground.

The archbishop urged the MILF to show restraint and command responsibility by surrendering erring members responsible in the latest attacks.

“We certainly (appeal) to all the communities, especially MILF, to show restraint and to show they are ready to go to the negotiating table,” Ledesma said.

“Their spokesperson and representatives should clarify what is happening. If they are really sincere, they should show that there is command responsibility,” he added.