At least thirty workers and guests gathered at a liturgical ceremony to commemorate the countless victims of violence in Basilan, remembering mostly Catholic Christians who fall victims to atrocities especially at the height of the dreaded Abu Sayyafs.
On Feb. 14, 1999, Abu Sayyaf opened fire on a jeep full of Christian catechists from Tumahubong, Basilan who were on their way to an Alay Kapwa seminar in Isabela town. Some of the victims were hacked with bolos. Six were killed in the ambush.
Bishop Jumoad reminded the faithful “not to allow darkness to conquer Basilan” and that through peoples’ good acts, they become the witness of the Catholic faith in Basilan.
“The beautiful liturgy today reminds us that we are called to be witnesses of our faith. Be the light of the world. Be the light of Basilan. And never allow darkness to conquer you,” the Bishop said.
Recognizing that Basilan has been through a lot of pain and that many, both Muslims and Christians, have already sacrificed so much. The Bishop said that violence persists because many have refused also to do one’s share to stop the violence and killings.
“I think this is really the time to come out and do something in order that Basilan will really be a beautiful place, a paradise, and that peace will truly reign here in Basilan,” the Bishop said as he lamented that fear continue to hinder many witnesses of crimes to come out.
At the ceremony, the faithful lighted candles and offered flowers to the shrine where the vehicle used by the catechists ambushed and murdered by lawless elements was enshrined in the memorial for peace as a reminder of the darkest days of the people in Basilan.
At around 5:45 a.m. of Feb. 14, 1999, the vehicle of San Vicente Ferrer, Tumajubong Parish was ambushed at Sitio Guiong, a few kilometers from Tumajubong proper. On board were six parish workers (including the driver) who were on their way to the capital town of Isabela to attend the Alay Kapwa Recollection Seminar. Five were killed, namely, Emiliano Eugenio, Abundio Salburo, Teodoro Escabarte, Alma Rabaca, and Forunata Abasto. Only one had survived.
The bishop has encouraged the people to continue reflecting on what each one has done for Basilan. He told the faithful that 2014 was declared by the Church as the year of the laity, a reminder that the laity must be at the forefront in order that the church may become active and alive always.
He recalled the commitment of the lay leaders who died on that fateful morning in 1999 who never thought that that they would die that day, and that in spite of the volatile peace and order situation then, the laity braved the road in the service of the Church.
“All of us must have a sense of sacrifice and a sense of offering if we truly remember and believe the meaning of Alay Kapwa—it is offering, making sacrifice and doing something for the Church,” he said.
In prayer, the Bishop hopes that the Christian Catholics in Basilan today may have the same commitment as have shown by the laity who died some 14 years ago.