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The leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) joins all peace-loving individuals in strongly condemning the twin bombing of the Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on January 27, 2019.
The double blast that killed 20 persons and wounded 112 individuals was nothing but a cowardly and evil attempt to extinguish the hope for peace that we have in the newly ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). This early, the forces of extremism, wherever they may be coming from, are bent to keep us in the cycle of violence, distrust and hatred that we want to put an end to. This dastardly act of killing and hurting civilians and uniformed personnel, as well as desecrating the sanctity of places of worship, might be meant to stoke religious animosity between peoples of different faiths. But we will not allow them to succeed.
The MILF commits to assist in gathering information that can lead to the identification of the perpetuators and their eventual arrest. We are very willing to coordinate with the security sector and local government officials of Sulu in the investigation of this terroristic act. We have already instructed our officials in Sulu to intensify their gathering of information and coordinate and cooperate with the concern authorities investigating the incident.
We sincerely condole with the families of the victims and earnestly hope that they would find the courage, strength and patience in this tragic moment.
Al Haj Murad Ebrahim Chairman
