EDITORIAL - Messengers of hate

Not too long ago, this would have sounded like the paranoid raving of someone who needs Prozac. The world, however, has changed much in recent years. Even before the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001, Filipinos had already suffered from the violence that certain religious zealots used to spread their gospel of hatred.

Nineteen commuters died when a packed Light Rail Transit train was bombed on Dec. 30, 2000 in Manila. Back then the nation sniffed in disbelief when the bombing was attributed to Islamic militants, preferring to think it was part of a destabilization plot against the government. Now we know better.

The Indonesian who prepared those bombs has been killed, but the threat his group poses has not diminished. Jemaah Islamiyah has been linked to the Abu Sayyaf, which has been blamed for the bombing of the SuperFerry 14 that left over 100 people dead or missing last year.

This time JI is again being eyed in an apparent plot to bomb today’s annual Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo, Manila. Five of 16 people apprehended the other day in a raid in Manila were charged yesterday with illegal possession of explosives.

The possibility of the popular procession being bombed sounds gruesome but is no longer farfetched. There was a confirmed plot to assassinate Pope John Paul II during his last visit to Manila. The plotter eventually went on to bomb the basement of the World Trade Center in New York. Since 9/11 the Christian world has been on alert for heightened terrorist attacks during religious holidays, with Christmas and Lent the top targets. The Abu Sayyaf, before it was kicked out of Basilan, targeted churches for bombing and priests and nuns for kidnapping and even decapitation.

Now signs of a possible attack have been uncovered. Investigators must build an airtight case against the suspects to avoid accusations of harassment. Responsible, non-violent members of the Muslim community must cooperate in unearthing the truth and exposing the extent of any threat.

Meanwhile, everyone must be on alert. This may sound like a plot for a B movie, but one can never be too careful when dealing with messengers of hate.