P1bn libel charges against a religious leader
By Julmunir I Jannaral
SOME concerned Muslim leaders in Metro Manila yesterday filed a P1bn libel suit against Ang Dating Daan spiritual leader Eliseo Soriano before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office (MPO) for allegedly uttering unsavoury remarks and criticisms against Islam and Muslims in general, in a video release to his followers.
Among the complainants in the libel suit were Hadji Baguio Limbona, Mack Macalanggan, Imam Nor Mamolawan, Elias Mangorising, Nasser Pendolonan, Pundoma Mifantao, Imam Ali Baulo, Hadji Esmail Castar, Isah Usman, Ustadz Abdul Nasser Elias, Abdul Ghaffur Magarang, Imam Mohamad Salik and Alamada Sanggakala.
According to the Muslim leaders, Soriano, in his video releases distributed to his followers on February 26, uttered malicious sweeping and all-embracing imputation of crimes and uttering irresponsible statements, remarks and criticisms against them.
Macalanggan, who is a freelance journalist, said what Soriano did has exposed the Muslims and the Islamic religion to public contempt and ridicule.
It has caused us dishonour, disgrace, shame and dis-esteem, Macalanggan said.
Govt opposed to naming MILF as a terrorist group
THE Arroyo administration is opposed to the reported plan of the US government to include the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the list of international terrorist organisations.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye yesterday said the government intends to resume peace negotiations with the MILF on April 16 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Bunye said classifying the MILF as a terrorist group would jeopardise the peace talks.
Secretary Silvestre Afable, the government peace negotiator, had earlier said that both panels have agreed to resume the talks after a marathon meeting with MILF chair Al Hadj Murad and Dato Othman Bin Abd Razak, director general of the Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia.
“President Arroyo is backing the peace talks with full political will and everybody on board wants to respond with strong momentum,” Afable said.
Missing midwife is found dead
A 54-YEAR-OLD Muslim midwife, who was allegedly abducted by armed men in her house in Port Area Friday night, turned up dead at the Islamic area in Quiapo yesterday morning.
Her husband Ali Bantog, 60, and stepson Esmael Raguinot, 23 positively identified the body of Amena Bantog, an Iranon of Maguindanao, at a funeral parlour in Manila. The body bore signs of torture.
Police said the victim’s body was dumped inside the Landbank compound along Carlos Palanca street in Quiapo. A kitchen knife was still embedded on her chest with a nylon cord looped around her neck.
Investigators said the victim could have been strangled with the nylon rope and later finished off with a stab on the chest.
The victim’s husband told investigators that it was a policeman, who did not identify himself, who came into their house yesterday morning and told him that his wife was discovered dead at the Muslim area in Quiapo.
The victim’s relatives said they had no idea on the reason for the abduction of the victim, whom they said is working at a public clinic in their district. |
