Christians of Cotobato form armed groups against new attacks, meeting with the bishops
After the cathedral, there were 3 other attacks in Lanao del Norte, Illigan city and Jolo. The United Nations meanwhile withdraws its aid workers and suspends aid to the local population.
MANILA (AsiaNews / Agencies) – Tension remains high in Cotobato (Mindanao) after the attack on July 5 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, that cost five dead and forty-five wounded. Fear of new attacks is driving Christians to organize themselves into armed groups to defend their own families.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, auxiliary bishop of Cotobato, expressed his concern about this initiative, saying that "we must not use violence to solve our problems. Violence is never the answer”. According to the prelate, an armed response would mean playing the game of the bombers – as of yet to be identified – that aims at maintaining a climate of tension.
Besides Cotobato, this week three other attacks occurred on the island of Mindanao, targeting the towns of Lanao del Norte, Iligan City and Jolo. In the latter an bomb was exploded July 7 in the vicinity of the church of Mount Caramel. It caused six deaths and 40 injured.
To restore peace, the bishops in Mindanao are confident in the resumption of dialogue between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the main suspect for the attacks. For its part, MILF has denied all allegations so far, making a parallel investigation to that of the government.
Meanwhile the UN, which operates on the island through the World Food Program, has decided to withdraw its staff from the area of the explosions. Judging the situation too dangerous for its workers, has also decided to suspend aid to 300,000 families who live in the zone of the attacks.
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