Ampatuan Massacre a year old today---Justice for all Victims!

The Inquirer reported that despite the change in the political leadership, despite the presence of the military and despite the detention of most of the senior leaders of the Ampatuan clan, the dreaded family continues to exert a major influence in the lives of the people.


How would that be possible, when most of the heads of the Ampatuan clan are incarcerated? The people in Maguindanao said the Ampatuans order their men to attack thru cellphones. 


A year ago, a massacre has been committed, one that is so gruesome, it made headlines throughout the world. That massacre made headline fodder in most of the world's respected newspapers. 


Women were attacked, brutally hacked to death, and some violated. In the laws of Islam, such brutality merits an equal brutality. Yet, the Ampatuans who were charged of masterminding the massacre remain alive. Had the movers and shakers allowed rido, this would have been resolved a long time ago.


Rido is something alien to the mostly Western-thinking Filipinos in Metro Manila but a highly respected practice of resolving disputes in Muslim communities. Based on the Shariah, rido is seen as legal.


Two things: first, I appeal to our Pious Muslim brothers and sisters to help their fellow Muslims in Maguindanao shake off the continuing influence of the Ampatuan criminal clan in this province. 


Talk with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leadership in Maguindanao who are reported to have given sanctuary to the remaining members of the criminal clan. The MILF should try these criminals based on the laws of the Qu'ran and merit their penalty based on their respective crimes. Or, if the MILF would not do it, hand these men to the proper authorities for proper processing. 


Second, fight off the Ampatuan clan. You owe it to Allah SWT for doing so. Islam should be thicker than bloodlines. If they are really the ones who perpetuated this pre-Islamic thing, then, Pious Muslims should be the ones who must stand up against them, fight them, and prosecute them. Make them accountable to the Justice of Allah SWT.


To Pious Muslims, why is it that it is your duty now to fight the Ampatuan clan? 


First off, it was the act of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to fight off the pre-Islamic or non-Islamic tribes during his day. The Ampatuan clan has violated many of the laws of the Qu'ran and has acted like gods in that province. They have committed shirk which is haram in Islam. 


Second, re-institute the worship of ALLAH SWT alone in Maguindanao. Because of the cruelty and the warlordism of this family, it hindered many Muslims from the true worship of ALLAH SWT. By that alone, that is reason for Pious Ones to undertake a struggle against them. 

ASG should release all Red Cross Volunteers

Former MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari was, I think, twice repulsed in entering the Abu Sayyaf camp holding the International Red Cross volunteers.

Albader Parad, the leader of the ASG group, refused to recognize the authority of Misuari. Yet, earlier, Parad and the rest of the ASG leadership recognized an emissary from the Office of the Governor. Strange, is'nt?

One thing--Misuari's influence has waned since he compromised the position of the Bangsamoro People in relation to peace efforts there. His own people cut him off when he failed to make significant headway as chairman of the ARMM.

As Muslims, they should have at least gave Misuari some saving face measure by sending a note why they think Misuari should not be allowed to enter their camp.

This impasse is getting longer and getting confused as the ASG refused to negotiate. The negotiating panel should, I think, succumb to requests from the ASG to drive the military away from their main camp. That should, at least, be viewed as a good sign that the government side is willing to negotiate.

What is surprising in this one is the alleged absence of any ransom demands. What is the goal of the ASG? To squeeze enough media mileage and for what? To gain international status again? And for what?

Interestingly enough, the Lady Vice Governor was allowed inside the camp, but Misuari was not. That gives us some inkling how people there in Jolo think about politics, or how they think about all of these caper.

The ASG should release all their captives immediately. Why?

First, this does not help the Cause of Islam in any significant way. Better if they kidnapped an American soldier. Better if they held hostage some high government official there. But, members of the International Red Cross? That says much on the purity of their struggle.

The Banner of Islam is ever besmirched by the acts of some who mistakenly view the True Message of Allah SWT as a struggle which includes getting the innocents involved in the Cause of Islam.