BASILAN, Philippines (CWNews.com/Fides) - Muslim rebels in
the southern Philippines have demanded the Vatican act as
mediators in negotiations to release Catholic students,
teachers, and a priest kidnapped last week.
"The rebels want to talk with a representative of the
Vatican," said Father Carlos Rivas, provincial superior of
the Claretian missionaries in the Philippines, who for
eight days has been negotiating with a band of separatist
kidnappers.
A Muslim group calling itself Al Harukatul, led by rebel
leader Abu Sayyaf, is holding 33 hostages, including
Filipino Father Rhoel Gallardo, 34, also a Claretian. The
kidnapping took place on March 20 on Basilan island.
The guerillas forced their way into the Claret School in
Tumahubong village and then three other schools in the
area, taking more than 50 hostages, including headmaster
Father Rhoel Gallardo, who is also a parish priest. The
separatists are part of Muslim guerilla groups fighting for
independence in the southern Philippines.
Father Angelo Calvo, confrere and close co-worker of Father
Gallardo, said: "We must make it clear to the kidnappers
that the Vatican cannot engage in talks directly. The local
Church can and has the necessary autonomy and can act for
the good of the people." Immediately after the kidnapping,
Bishop Romulo De la Cruz of Isabela on Basilan and Father
Carlos Rivas went to express solidarity with the families
of the hostages and try to negotiate.
"When we reached Tumahubong," Father Rivas said, "we found
many in the little church praying for the hostages. Our
presence gave them new courage. They need moral support in
this tragic situation."
"I spoke to some of the teachers and students," Father
Rivas said. "A group of Muslim children told me they saved
a Christian teacher by giving him a school uniform to wear
and mixing him up with the students, so the rebels didn't
notice he was a teacher."
During his General Wednesday Audience Pope
John Paul II launched an appeal for an end to fighting in
Mindanao, voicing "closeness and solidarity with the
families who are suffering in this situation."