DZRV – Radyo Veritas 846 khz
Exclusive Interview with
His Excelelncy Bishop Martin Jumoad,
Bishop, Prelature of Isabela de Basilan

April 20, 2009 – Monday

Q. Bishop ano po ang reaksiyon ninyo, pabor po ba kayo sa muling pagtakbo ni Erap Estrada sa 2010 presidential race?

A. I think he should set aside his personal ambition, if he wants to unite the Filipino nation I think he would serve as unifying force for the opposition and then, let them come up with one presidential contender, I am not in favor na tumakbo muli siya, tapos na po siya sa kanyang kabanata, ibigay na lamang niya sa mga bagong breed ng politicians ang pangarap na maging pangulo uli ng bansa, yung politicians that would be good.

Q. Bishop kumusta po ang ating peace and order situation diyan sa Basilan?

A. Parang hindi maganda po kasi maraming mga threats dito na papasukin ng mga rebeldeng Abu Sayyaf at lost command ng MILF ang mga Christian communities dito, so parang hindi maganda, doon sa Lo-ok, Paris, boundary yun sa tipo-tipo yong sa upper Arko ng San Martin, pati yong sa san Miguel, last Friday nag-text po sa akin na may mga displaced persons sila, mga evacuees na sila of those places. There is another Parish sa Lamitan City in the mountain and those 3 barangays near the boundary of Tipu-tipo and Lamitan City, those barangays are evacuating in the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Parish and then, may mga threat din na papasukin ng mga rebelde ang manggal, isang cooperative, yung tyran din may mga threat na din na  papasukin daw, these are the things that contribute the anxiety of our Christian community.

Q. Ano na po so far ang ginagawang paghahanda niyo po diyan sa threat na yan Bishop? Naki-pag-coordinate na po ba kayo sa mga otoridad?

A. In the first place we are not military and then I think they know what they are supposed to do our task and mission is to pray for peace and that there will be peaceful co-existence between the muslims  and Christians.

Q. Kaya ko po yon natanong bishop kasi concern lang po tayo sa mga kaparian po diyan baka may madukot huwag naman sana?

A. Opo, Opo, that’s really true and we constant communicating with General Guerero, nag-update naman din sa atin si General Geurero, they are doing their best I know particularly Isabela at Lamitan in the center, the military are doing there best in fairness.