Bishop calls on ceasefire between gov't, rebels this Lent

MANILA, Philippines - A bishop has called on a ceasefire between Muslim rebels and government troops during the observance of Lent this week.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said Muslim rebels should respect the Holy Week reprieve as  Christians show reverence to the celebration of Ramadan.

"Nanawagan po ako sa ating mga kaibigan, sa ating mga brothers sa mga Muslim na sana respetuhin nila ang Semana Santa na sana walang gulong mangyari... just as we respect the Ramadan, I hope also they will respect the Semana Santa because we are all brothers and sisters naman and kahit na we call our God in different names and we adore one God.

"Sana po bigyan nila ng halaga naman ang panawagan na ito na igagalang natin ang Holy Week, Muslim man o Kristiyano," Bishop Jumoad told Church-run Radio Veritas.

The prelate said he also continues to pray for protection and security as clashes happen in the province.

"Well, despite of everything okay naman. Meron pang mga encounter doon sa Tipo-tipo, so parang pero alert lang, ganito man ang buhay dito sa Basilan. Yung abnormalities parang normal lang dito. Okay po ang attendance, overflowing po, marami pong mga tao. Natutuwa ako pero at the same time. I told to the lord to protect us and give us peace and security," Bishop Jumoad said.

Last Friday, a group of Abu Sayyaf extremists clashed with soldiers in Tipo-tipo town, killing a dozen and wounding over 20 others.

The bishop also believes that the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bansangmoro between the goverment and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will bring peace and progress in the whole of Mindanao.