Political gambit, Palace says of MILF 'jihad'

MANILA, Philippines - Calling it a political gambit, Malacañang on Saturday dismissed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)'s claim that religious leaders in Mindanao were calling for a jihad against the government. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said there was no basis for the call because the pursuit against rogue MILF commanders was not about religion. "That is only an attempt to involve, to turn this into a religious conflict na hindi naman. Ever since hindi ito conflict between Islam and Christianity or Muslims against Christians (That is only an attempt to turn this into a religious conflict and there is no basis for that. Ever since, this had never been a conflict between Islam and Christianity, or Muslims against Christians)," he said on government-run dzRB radio on Saturday. He said the call smacked of a "political agenda," but did not elaborate. Also, Ermita said a jihad could only be waged f there was an actual justification. However, he said the MILF had no religious basis to call for a holy war. Besides, he said the Philippines had compiled a good record in peace efforts before the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), following talks with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). "Napakaganda ng ating samahan, ang pagtingin sa atin ng OIC sa negotiation with MNLF (We have had good ties with the OIC because of our pact with the MNLF)," he said. - GMANews.TV