Basilan beheadings: Dishonoring the dead

Poor planning, troop burnout caused military debacle in Sulu, Basilan

Philippines to pursue peace talks with MILF despite Basilan ambush

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PUBLISHED ON July 13, 2007 AT 8:51 AM

“Muslims cannot dishonor a treaty; they cannot mutilate the dead; they cannot kill women, children, the elderly or any person who does not carry weapons” - Quote from a Khutba (sermon during Friday congregational prayers in the mosques) prepared by the Mufti’s of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

The Black & White Movement condemns in the strongest possible terms the beheading of ten marine soldiers following a firefight with members of the 8th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT). “It is an inhuman and barbaric act that has no place in any civilized society and we ask that all means be exhausted to bring the perpetrators to justice”, says BnW lead convenor Enteng Romano.

Islam condemns decapitation or mutilation of human beings. Filipinos of all faiths decry this brutal act. We condole with the families of the dead.

We are likewise dismayed and horrified at the substandard equipment with which the marines were made to defend themselves. TV news footage showing the failure of a trench mortar to fire as the marines fought for their lives was pitiful and heartrending. We place the blame squarely on the shoulders of the AFP leadership and the current administration for its failure to curtail widespread corruption in military procurement. Once again, the lowly soldier pays the ultimate price for greed and corruption in the military establishment.

We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urge the protagonists to return to the negotiating table to pursue a long term solution to the armed struggle that roils Mindanao.
We are one nation yearning for peace.

The Black & White Movement
Contact: Vicente R. Romano III, 0920.961.5610
Leah Navarro, 0917.898.1957

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Basilan beheadings: Dishonoring the dead

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