JOLO, Sulu – Fresh from observing the just-concluded Ramadhan fasting that taught patience among other virtues, various sectors in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) condemned the reported strafing of a mosque here by American troops on September 14, calling the incident a “barbaric” act “worse than terrorism.”

Shortly after the Eid-il Fit’r congregational prayers marking the end of Ramadan, Muslim politicians, professionals and religious leaders in ARMM expressed sharp reactions in support of Mayor Hussin Amin of this town, who earlier complained about the United States (US) soldiers indiscriminate firing of the mosque at the wharf area here.

“We condemn in strongest possible term the incident, which showed the visiting US troops’ true color in dealing with Muslims. While they are fond of associating terrorism with Islam, their act of firing at the mosque was barbaric in ugly form worse than terrorism,” lawyer Paisalin Tago said in a text message from Marawi City to the Manila Bulletin.

Tago, a former speaker of the ARMM legislature, called on the regional legislative assembly to come up with a formal protest through a resolution calling for prompt and impartial investigation of the incident and corresponding punishment against those involved.

Earlier, Amin has called on the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Agreement (PCVFA) to be transparent in investigating the incident in order to reduce the “ire of the Muslim people” against the US soldiers who strafed Monday night the mosque and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) office at the wharf here.

Amin also asked Edilberto Adan, PCVFA executive director, to work out a proper punishment on the soldiers if the investigation would warrant.

Adan earlier came and personally investigated the circumstance surrounding the incident.

In his investigation, Adan was accompanied by Amin, the Jolo Port manager, chief of police, the head of the Police Maritime Group, and the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Brigade here.

In other text messages to the Manila Bulletin, village imams in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Cotabato City and other parts of mainland Mindanao reminded authorities that an assault on a mosque is an attack on religion.