Philippines one-time rebel group condemns Paris attacks

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA, the Philippines

The Philippines' one-time largest rebel group has expressed dismay at Friday’s deadly attacks in France that left more than 100 people killed and dozens of others injured.

In a statement, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front said it was deeply saddened by the tragic events, saying they deserve "nothing but condemnation".

"This is unacceptable. The MILF rejects such acts of terror against humanity and all peace-loving peoples. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. May we all find our way through these troubled times and emerge with a stronger resolve to pursue peace for all peoples in all parts of the world."

On Monday, other Muslim leaders in Mindanao followed suit, but called for sobriety claiming that some unnamed sectors have now started to engage in Islamophobia.

Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the autonomous region said the attackers should not be viewed as Muslims because they were “evil”.

Muslims are peace-loving and could not possibly stage such wickedness, he said in a statement sent to Anadolu Agency.

“These cowardly attacks exposed the evils of men, challenging anew our resolve to collectively fight terrorism and demand justice for the victims."

The Friday attacks saw gunmen and bombers launch coordinated raids on restaurants, bars, a sports stadium and a concert hall around the French capital.

According to AH-AP, a body representing Paris' medical authorities, the death toll Monday stood at 132.

The MILF is involved in an on-going peace protest with the Philippines government, while other Muslim rebel outfits continue to fight on -- some of them even swearing allegiance to the very group that has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks.

The violent Abu Sayyaf group has pledged allegiance to Daesh, while another armed group in the Southern Philippines, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, has also offered its support.

Both groups -- like the MILF -- are involved in a longstanding self-determined fight for an independent Muslim province in the Philippines, however the MILF has recently chosen to chase its goals through peaceful means.

In March 2014, it signed a peace deal with the government -- named the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro -- that brought to a close 17 years of negotiations and ended a decades-old armed conflict in the southern area of the country while granting Muslim areas greater political autonomy.

However, a law that enacts the agreements set forth in the Agreement -- which would provide the legal basis for the establishment of a new political setup in southern Mindanao -- remains in limbo in the Senate.

In its statement -- released Sunday -- the MILF said it would also like to take the opportunity to highlight violence used against civilians in other areas of the world.

It mentioned the on-going abuse of Palestinians and troubles faced by Muslims in Myanmar as areas of particular concern.

The Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion in a self-determined fight for an independent Muslim province in the Philippines.

The BIFF, meanwhile, split from MILF in opposition to the ongoing peace process.

* Anadolu Agency correspondent Hajer M'tiri contributed to this story from Paris