A Catholic missionary priest called on the government to help ease the tension between Christians and Muslims in Jolo that was caused by some minor misunderstandings but has grown into an issue that is driving a number of Christians to leave and evacuate the island of Sulu.
Italian priest Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra PIME of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement said local and national government officials should do more to pacify Christians and Muslims in the capital of Sulu province.
D’Ambra decried the worsening persecution of Christians in Jolo, Sulu, saying that, “the beautiful relationship among Christians and Muslims in Jolo is no longer a reality there. Many Christian Chinese have left and many other Christians are planning to leave if they have a chance.”
“Many live now in fear in Jolo and this is what the bad elements, who claim to perpetuate violence in the name of Islam, like. The Christians are afraid to talk, afraid also to go to the church even if there are military watching the cathedral in the center of the city,” he said, following the recent murder of a Christian in Jolo and the rumored plan to neutralize or kidnap several others.
D’Ambra also expressed alarm as rebels find reasons to also kill Muslims they considered as infidels.
“The situation is also alarming for good Muslims because today the bad elements find reasons to kill also the Muslims, saying that some are “kafir” [infidel] like the other Christians. They forget the great tradition of Islam to respect Christians as people of the book,” the priest added.
The priest said no solution has been implemented by local officials except to point fingers at other authorities.
“Why are the national and local leaders of different sectors in authority silent? And why do those who have power not act and find proper solutions? We hear some voices, even among the military, who complain and point the finger in the right direction, but we do not see yet any relevant solutions,” he said.
To help remedy the situation, D’Ambra appealed to Christians and Muslims alike to work together to restore harmony across the island.
“I have been in Mindanao for 40 years and I know that the Tausugs of Jolo are courageous. I appeal to the courage and goodness of the people of Jolo before it will be too late and the world will accuse you for being silent in the agony of the Christian community of Jolo as well the agony of other Muslims,” he said.