Manila: As Muslims in the Philippines marked Eid Al Adha on Monday, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman urged the military to honour the religious occasion with a pause in hostilities.
“Maybe it is possible to talk and temporarily suspend hostilities so that residents affected by hostilities could return to their homes to celebrate Eid Al Adha,” Hataman said.
Hataman similarly called for the establishment of Safe Zones in Sulu to keep civilians safe from the hostilities.
Some 19,000 residents of the various municipalities in Sulu have been affected by the military operations to root out Abu Sayyaf militants, after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a massive offensive against the militant group in the province.
The major military operation was launched against the militant group following a series of executions that victimised two Canadians — 68-year-old mining executive John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, 50 as well as a Filipino student.
The Abu Sayyaf are also still holding captive a Norwegian Skajtan Sekkingstad as well a number of Indonesian and Malaysian hostages.
Along with Hataman, Muslim leaders had called on believers to reject extremism.
According to the ARMM bureau of public information, local official officials in the Sulu municipalities of Patikul, Maimbun, Indanan, Parang and Panamao have been monitoring the condition of the residents and providing assistance to affected families.
Myrna Jo Henry, ARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM-HEART), said their teams are carefully evaluating the families being given relief and medical assistance to ensure that help is provided to resident who are needing it.
The government has intensified its operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu on orders from Duterte. The Philippine Navy has also deployed its largest vessel, the brand new Strategic Sealift Vessel BRP Tarlac to take part in the naval blockade against lawless elements who were reported as planning an escape via the Sulu Sea.
To ensure coordinated efforts between government troops fighting terrorism and illegal drugs, Duterte placed the entire country under a state of emergency.
On Monday, hundreds of thousands of Muslims in the Philippines marked the Eid Al Adha with food sharing following the ritual sacrifice of livestock.
Eid Al Adha is a declared non-working holiday in predominantly Christian Philippines.