MILF chief condemns Cotabato mall bombing

COTABATO CITY – The head of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has condemned the
bombing in front of a mall here hours before New Year that left two dead and 34
others wounded.

Al Haj Murad,
MILF chieftain, in a statement, described the bombing as an act of cowardice,
inhuman and atrocious.

An evil act,
Murad said, adding that he was saddened it came in the thick of preparations
for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

The MILF chief
said he hoped it was not related to the BOL.
People in the city had been divided between approving the BOL and
rejecting it.

I call on the
people of Cotabato City to remain united in securing our community and ensuring
that finally peace will reign in our homeland.
This is not the time to be divided. This is the time to stand united,
Murad said.

Murad said violence
like this have occurred in order to derail the peace process. We must forge
ahead with the same resolve as before so that we may finally achieve peace, he
said.