ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 28, 2014) – Abu Sayyaf militants opened fire on a group of Muslims celebrating the Eid’ul Fitr festival on Monday in Talipao town in the southern Philippine province of Sulu killing at least 16 people, mostly women, security officials said.
At least 13 mostly children were also wounded in the attack which was strongly condemned by provincial government officials.
Capt. Maria Rowena Myuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the victims were traveling on two civilian vehicles when militants led by Idang Susukan and Sibih Pisih ambushed them.
She said at least 50 people were on the vehicles, including their escorts who were members of the Barangay Police Action Team. She said 10 women were confirmed dead in the attack.
“We condemn this attack on innocent civilians, especially at this important time when Muslims are celebrating the Eid’ul Fitr,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
She said Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, has ordered security forces to pursue the Abu Sayyaf ambushers. “There is an on-going operation against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists,” Myuela said.
The motive of the attack is still unknown, but it could trigger retaliation by families and relatives of the victims against kin of the Abu Sayyaf attackers.
The attack occurred just as Muslims in the southern Philippines ended the fasting month of Ramadan and was celebrating the Eid’ul Fitr. Locals celebrated the occasion with thanksgiving after the conclusion of the thirty days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the Ramadan. This is a day when Muslims around the world show a common goal of unity.
Eid’ul Fitr is celebrated for one, two or three days and Muslims are also encouraged on this day to forgive and forget any differences with others or animosities that may have occurred during the year. (Mindanao Examiner)
20