Catholics in South getting threats from suspected Abu Sayyaf

MANILA, Philippines – Catholics in Basilan and other provinces in Mindanao have been receiving threats through the mail from suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists, according to the Catholic bishop of Basilan.

Speaking over Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas, Bishop Martin Jumoad said the military and police have not taken any action on the predicament of the Catholic population.

“What are we going to do now?” he asked.

 “The threat is limited to Catholics. I told the provincial commander and the Marines, but they are doing nothing. I am really frustrated with our provincial police here, inutil talaga (really useless).

“Many Catholics in the province are living in fear and are subjected to psychological torture after a group reportedly demanded that they hand over substantial sums of money if they do not want to be abducted or their businesses ruined.”

Jumoad called for the relief of top military and police officials in Basilan for being inept in performing their duties to protect the public.

“Have pity on the Christians living in Basilan,” he said.

Jumoad, who has been living in Basilan for a long time, said he too received a letter at 4 p.m. last Friday, threatening him with harm and kidnapping.

“I thought that it was only me who received it, but I learned that many Catholic faithful have already received it and in fact many have sent me text messages saying, ‘Bishop I am now disoriented, I don’t know what to do. I cannot sleep well,’” he said.

Jumoad said this month alone, there have been several reports of people being kidnapped in Basilan and other provinces in Mindanao.

“We hope the military and police will work hard to maintain peace and order in our area,” he said.

The letter gave the recipients 15 days to deliver the money, the amount of which varied depending on the nature of business and the family’s estimated income. Only 30 percent of the 390,000 people living in the province are Christian.

He would meet with Catholic priests and nuns in his diocese to discuss the supposed Abu Sayyaf threats, Jumoad said.

Radio Veritas learned the suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists are also distributing extortion letters to Catholic residents of Tawi-Tawi and Jolo in Sulu.

“They only choose well-to-do Catholics who are doing business in the selected Muslim-dominated provinces,” Radio Veritas reported.

The threatening letter, reportedly signed by Paruji Indama and Nur Hassan J. Kallitut, reminded the addressees that they should pay jizya (Islamic tax) because they are living in a “Muslim land.”

The only way Catholics would be assured protection and exempted from paying jizya is for them to convert to Islam, according to the letter.– Evelyn Macairan