Insidious attack at MSU 

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WHOEVER masterminded the sinister bomb attack on Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City last Sunday that killed four persons has delivered a crystal-clear message to the government that cannot be misconstrued.

The timing of the attack is a giveaway — a couple of days after President Marcos Jr extended the hand of peace to all armed Muslim dissidents through the declaration of a general amnesty to all rebels, including the communist-led New People’s Army. Also, it might be in retaliation to the killing of 11 Islamist fighters of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI), including their leader Abdullah Sapal, in a military offensive in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan in Maguindanao del Sur on Friday, two days before the MSU bombing.

The venue and circumstances of the attack were impeccably chosen — the MSU Gymnasium, during Sunday morning mass where the Catholic faithful, mostly university students and residents of the city, regularly attend the weekly church services. Religious activities anywhere are often not militarily secure, and for decades, MSU has not seen any terrorist attack of this kind. Even the notorious Marawi Siege in May-October 2017 spared the university from widespread destruction, although the Maute rebels briefly occupied the campus.

‘…. national and local officials including the President, his security cluster and peace and national security advisers, should review their policy on handling terrorism, and the breakdown of peace and order in particular flash points in the South.’

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Make no mistake about it. The message of the attackers to the Marcos administration is plain and simple defiance. They do not want peace; they reject peace talks or negotiations. They even raised the ante by choosing to add religious color to their pernicious activities. Their decision to bomb a whole congregation of Catholics attending mass at the MSU Gym is a malicious affront to their Church and the state university. Quite obvious is their attempt to stoke the fire of religious hate and bias among believers in the Philippines, for whatever political, cultural or financial gain the attempt would bring them.

Beyond the statements of condemnation for this heinous crime and sincere airing of condolences to the families of the victims, the government must get to the bottom of this attack by ascertaining the correct facts, motives and identities of the perpetrators.

Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has suggested it was a retaliatory attack, as the AFP Western Mindanao Command has been very successful lately in its drive to neutralize known terrorists. Brawner said the killing of Abdullah Sapal alias “Brook Sapal” in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao on Friday was followed the next day with the death of Abu Sayyaf Group leader Sawadjaan, alias “Mundi,” who was tagged in the Jolo Cathedral bombing in 2019. Another operation was conducted Sunday in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur, which led to the death of DI-Maute sub-leader Jalandoni/Alandoni Macadaya Luscaadato alias “Lando” and the arrest of a certain Saadia Dato Angni, reportedly the aunt of the slain terrorist.

Meanwhile, the PNP said its “dedicated teams are on the ground, diligently working to establish the facts and identify the individuals or groups responsible for this despicable act.”

In the short term, local officials of Marawi City and Lanao del Sur are expected to help the families of the deceased and to some 40 individuals wounded and are confined in hospitals.

In the long run, however, national and local officials including the President, his security cluster and peace and national security advisers, should review their policy on handling terrorism, and the breakdown of peace and order in particular flash points in the South. Recent events suggest that full support for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, assimilation and cooperative policies are not enough to stave off terror.

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