Mindanao Daily News Murad: Twin blasts not connected with BOL polls

Murad: Twin blasts not connected with BOL polls

Posted 3 weeks ago Jan 29, 2019 Region 10, Today's Top Stories 0

Aftermath. The first of two bombs that exploded at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, SUlu Sunday morning, 27 January was inside the cathedral, the second in the parking area. Photo shows impact of the explosion inside the church. The bomb exploded at the back portion of the church, on the right side facing the altar. Photo courtesy of AFP Western Mindanao Command

By Divina M. Suson, Correspondent

MAIGO, Lanao del Norte––The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday said the explosions that rock a Roman Catholic church in the town of Jolo in Sulu province on Sunday are not related to the ongoing Bangsamoro plebiscites.

MILF Chairman Hadji Murad Ibrahim, during his visit in Maigo town to lead the grand rally supporting the inclusion of the six municipalities of the province in the new Bangsamoro government last January 27 made sure the explosion “is not definitely connected with the plebiscite because it is already done.”

In his message to thousands of residents in Lanao del Norte during the grand rally of supporters of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, Murad said that the BOL is for peace and it will protect not only the rights of Bangsamoro people but also to the non-Bangsamoro people like the Christians and the indigenous people.

“We are not dividing the people. In fact, we are uniting the Muslim and the Christian people,” Murad said.

On February 6, more than 300,000 registered voters in Lanao del Norte will participate in the Bangsamoro plebiscite to decide if the municipalities of Pantar, Baloi, Tagoloan, Munai, Tangkal and Nunungan will be included in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Maigo town, where the MILF held its grand rally for the Bangsamoro plebiscite, was attacked by the MILF fighters in the years 2000, 2004 and 2008.

Recently, Maigo Mayor Rafael Rizalda and Abdullah Macapaar, also known as Commander Bravo, the leader of the MILF-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces in North Western Mindanam Front, reconciled to make their strengthen their advocacy for the success of the Bangsamoro.

Rizalda is the first Christian mayor who declared support to BOL by visiting the MILF camp in Darapanan, North Cotabato and Bravo’s Camp Bilal in Barangay Tamparan, Munai, Lanao del Norte.