Churches on high alert as terrorist attacks rattle the Philippines

Dec 09, 2016

By Paolo Affatato
The ISIS-affiliated Maute group, is spreading fear and preparing new attacks. A bomb exploded in front of a church on the first Sunday of Advent. This attack took place after the Eucharistic Celebration, wounding two faithful in the town of Esperanza, on the island of Mindanao southern Philippines.

Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, who heads the diocese of Cotabato, also on the island of Mindanao, has invited security police forces to “ferret out those responsible and bring them to justice. Let us all be vigilant against acts of terrorism, made worse because of the sacredness of the place and the event that had just taken place.”

A link was immediately established between this and previous attacks: the island’s population is still in shock following the tragic attack that took place at Davao market last September 2, claiming the lives of 14 people and leaving 71 wounded.

The tension in the air is also evident from the local bishops’ position. They immediately talked about the “possibility of Masses and other liturgical events being suspended” — for Asia’s most devoutly Catholic country, this would be an extreme and shocking move.
High-profile targets also came under attack:(i) Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential guard and seven soldiers were wounded during the President’s visit to Mindanao; (ii) A bomb was discovered and deactivated at the US Embasy in Manila.

The police is trying to establish a link and confirmed that the device found near the embassy was similar to the one that went off at Davao market.

Suspicions have fallen on a new terrorist group known as Maute, which has pledged loyalty to the Islamic State, fighting in Syria and Iraq.

The whole country has been placed on high alert, out of fear of new terrorist attacks. Stations, airports, public spaces and buildings that are considered “sensitive targets” are being guarded. Churches also have permission to ask the police for military protection, while faithful have been invited to promptly report any suspicious individuals or activities.

In the midst of this unstable situation and rising tension, President Rodrigo Duterte has once again extended an olive branch to Maute, which he has recognised as “being linked to the Islamic State.” With his customary frankness, Duterte, who was born on the island and has governed the city of Davao for two decades, has sought to reach a deal with Islamists: “I don’t want to unleash a war against the Filipinos but I told them they need to stop.” The military offensive against the group is to continue.

The Philippines’ Catholic Bishops, who have a rather stormy relationship with Duterte and have often clashed with him, have expressed their full agreement with this political objective — the stability of Mindanao through a commitment to reaching a peace deal with the Islamic community — and are ready to back him.

Without turning his nose up at the proposal of a form of federal government in the country, Cardinal Quevedo has always favoured the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Bangsamoro is the name given to Filipino Muslims. The Basic Law was created after decades-long disputes and stalling in Parliament. Duterte and the Church have finally found common ground over their approach to the Islamic question — that is, to fight against terrorism but negotiate with the rebel groups in order to achieve a long-awaited autonomy.--Vatican Insider