By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Presidents of Jesuit schools throughout the country issued a joint a statement yesterday calling for vigilance amid Martial Law in Mindanao and slamming religious extremism, while the Diocese of Bacolod asked for prayers in war-ravaged Marawi.
The joint statement signed by the Jesuit administrators of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Naga, University, and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, condemned the actions of the Maute group for using the religion of Islam as a means of rationalising their criminal action.
“The supreme being worshipped both by Christians and Muslims alike is a God of compassion and peace,” read the statement. “The ‘God’ therefore that is claimed to call for the bombing of innocent men, women, and children is a false god, as Pope Francis has repeatedly pointed out,” it added.
The statement also noted that a Martial Law limited in scope, enforced with discipline and restraint, with respect for the Constitution and the inviolability of human rights, can solve specific problems.
“We call on our government officials to act judiciously as they exercise the immense range of their power. Civilian rule must always reign supreme over military rule,” wrote the Jesuits, as they called for vigilance, “to hold our officials accountable for their actions, to demand to know and to be told the truth at all times.”
They also put trust in President Rodrigo Duterte, who has made pronouncements saying “martial rule shall only be limited and temporary.”
Meanwhile, the Diocese of Bacolod’s official publication, Adsum, also released an article expressing their sympathy for the Muslim community affected by the conflict.
Based on the article, the diocese described Marawi City as an “under celebrated” beauty and home to the grandest mosques in the Philippines.
The diocese said they will continue to pray for the protection of the city and the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire since May 23.
The Diocese of Bacolod-Social Action Center has also started accepting relief goods for various evacuation centers in Mindanao, which are currently housing displaced residents from Marawi City.
Among the items they have requested for are “halal” food items, drinking water, batteries, and clothes./WDJ