No Mas

A year ago, hordes of devils descended upon a group of hapless journalists and old folks. Armed to the teeth, these devils plowed everybody down, castrated some, mutilated women and tried to burn every body they violated. Most of the victims bore not just bullet wounds, but some women even bore stab wounds in their private parts. After the gruesome act, the devils laughed their way to obscurity.


But the True and Living God, just and merciful, heard the cries of the victims and one by one, these devils fell into the hands of the Law. The question is, after a year of trials and hearings, do we expect justice to be meted upon the victims of this heinous crime?


These devils tried to use their contacts with the previous administration. They also tried to downplay the incident. But God truly works in mysterious ways. All but some were arrested and  are now facing trial.


And the stories just got more brutal.


A human rights group revealed several other gruesome crimes allegedly committed by the Ampatuans in Maguindanao. The Ampatuans were so brazen, they were able to hide these crimes for years, without us knowing it. With a new governor in place, several of the Ampatuan's secrets are beginning to unravel.


These are stories of brutality, of plain and sheer banality and of cruelty beyond words. 


This happens when the central government loses control over a territory and when the central government allows its allies full control over the resources, and people, of a particular territory. The Ampatuans, mind you, are not an exemption. Fact is, warlordism exists in every damned parcel of land in these places!


Mindanao is particularly interesting because of the sheer number of people, all claiming to be gods there. In Basilan, several warlords fight for dominion in the island, same goes in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. In several parts of the mainland, we have both Muslim and Christians fighting for the same political territory, abandoned by the Central government. This happens in a very weak state such as ours.


No more, says several human rights groups. But, until pre-Islamic practices exist, until this pseudo-royality system still continues to animate the minds of Muslims, there will never be a time when cruelty against men will cease to continue. 


Pious Muslims should stand up and resist pre-Islamic practices there. There will never be peace in Mindanao if Muslims continue to exercise practices contrary to the teachings of Islam and of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).


Muslims should eradicate people like the Ampatuans who not only besmirched Islam but created so much harm and havoc in Maguindanao that the province continues to suffer hardship due to years of neglect and violence. 

Robin Padilla's explanation why he married Mariel using the Ibaloi ceremony

Robin Padilla, a avowed Muslim revert, issued a statement via ABS-CBNNews.com. Here is his statement on why he married actress Mariel Rodriguez in an Ibaloi ceremony which involves the smearing of blood from a pig.

MANILA, Philippines - Actor Robin Padilla has issued a statement regarding reports that he and actress-host Mariel Rodriguez tied the knot in Benguet last Monday.

In a text message sent to ABS-CBN News, Padilla said what happened in Baguio was part of their lives as a couple. He added the ceremony will also be used for an upcoming show on ABS-CBN.


"Ang mga naganap sa lupa ng mga Cariño sa Baguio ay isa lamang sa mga nagaganap na yugto sa aming pag-ibig at sa nalalapit na programa sa ABS-CBN," Padilla said.


Despite the Igorot rites, the actor, a Muslim convert, said he remains faithful to Islam. He added that the tribal ceremony is part of Filipino culture and tradition.


Walang dapat ipangamba ang mga kapatiran, kababayan at katribo sapagkat ang pagsunod namin ay sa Islam, ang pagpupugay namin ay sa Kristianismo at ang pakikiisa namin ay sa kultura at tradisyong Pilipino," Padilla added.

Some believed that what Robin did was an innovation or bidah which is contrary to Islamic belief. Bidah is prohibited since no one is allowed to do acts which is not written in the Noble Qu'ran or in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

You cannot mix and match religions to suit your own personal tastes or beliefs. Islam is not something which you can add or subtract something. 

Islam is a religion which Allah SWT has deemed holy and true because it abides in the acts and practices which were handled down by Allah SWT to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

You cannot say that you follow Islam, and then you pay homage to Christianity and do acts "in solidarity with the culture and tradition that is Filipino", no. 

There is no such thing in Islam. It is either you believe in it or not. It is clear in the Noble Qu'ran that those who are either cold or hot will suffer eternal damnation. 

Besides, why would anyone who believes in Islam, marries someone using Christian ceremonies?  

Now, Padilla says the Ibaloi ceremony will be used in the upcoming show of ABS-CBN. He wants to say that the smearing of pig's blood on his face and that of his wife is not haram since it is just for show.

Brother, even if it's just "acting", smearing of pig's blood on your face is clearly prohibited. Blood is an abomination. Touching blood particularly that of a creature which is quite probihited to even touch is haram.

Of course, I am not in a position to judge what is really inside Robin's heart. It is only Allah SWT. Yet, these acts of Robin clearly show how he misinterpret the teachings of Islam. May someone, possibly Brother Rodriguez, remind him of his strong duties and responsibilities as a Muslim.