STATEMENT OF MUSLIM RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN CENTRAL MINDANAO ON THE BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW AND THE RISING EXTREMIST GROUPS IN THE PHILIPPINES

We, the undersigned, represent religious organizations in Central Mindanao that have worked on the front lines for just peace and against violent extremism, condemn the un-Islamic actions of the violent extremist groups in bombing innocent civilians in Paris, Istanbul and Indonesia;

We realize that violent extremist groups have been fuelled by military action by the West against terrorism and violent extremism. But extremism and militarism are two sides of the same destructive coin, each fuelling each other.

Today, this extremists has extended its tentacles in conflict-affected Muslim Mindanao, gaining supporters in communities of disillusioned Bangsamoro who feel deceived by the derailing of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and mujahideen who believe that the peace process have been betrayed by the Imperial Manila.

We, Muslim religious leaders of Central Mindanao, thus call on National Government, particularly the Senate and Congress, to help us bring just and lasting peace by legislating genuine autonomy that has been promised by the Philippine Constitution, a genuine autonomy that can be realized if the terms of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro are retained in the BBL.

We believe that that proposed law that will create the ideal Bangsamoro autonomous region will lay down the foundation to neutralize violent extremism.

We also call on all the Muslims in the country to refrain from joining any groups that espouse unjust killings or terrorism to advance their cause, instead we should understand and promote Islam as a religion of peace and harmony that abhors violent extremism.

Issued during the “Workshop/Consultative Forum: The Role of the Muslim Religious Leaders in Peace and Security” held in Cotabato City on January 17, 2016.