Basilan bishop calls for sobriety between gov’t and MILF

MANILA, Philippines—The Catholic Church in Basilan on Tuesday called for sobriety amid looming clashes between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front  in the island-province.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad appealed to both camps to remain composed and to just continue trusting the peace negotiations.

“Please just let wisdom prevail among us so we can know how to properly react in the situation we are in,” Jumoad told reporters in a phone interview on Tuesday.

He also appealed to the military and the MILF troops to observe peace and order in the province.

The island-province is anticipating a military attack in Al-Barka town in Basilan province, where an encounter on Oct. 18 occurred with MILF renegades, leaving at least 19 Army soldiers dead.

“We appeal to them to remain calm and just please maintain peace and order in the province,” said Jumoad.

He strongly suggested that it would be best if both parties would just continue to trust the peace negotiations instead of engaging a war against each other.

“Our government has already said it is committed to the peace talks [and] so we hope we can have a sincere, honest and committed peace talks instead,” said the prelate.