January 13, 2002, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bishop urges talks with Abu,

January 13, 2002, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bishop urges talks with Abu,

ZAMBOANGA CITY--Newly installed Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said he wanted to talk peace with the Abu Sayyaf and convince the bandits to work together for the betterment of the war-torn island.

Jumoad, 46, was installed as the third bishop of Basilan on Thursday.

His predecessor, Bishop Romulo dela Cruz, was transferred to Antique after the Abu Sayyaf vowed to go after him because of his criticisms of the bandit group's activities.

Martin said there would be no substitute to a dialogue with the Abu Sayyaf, if the unstable peace and order condition on the island, were to be addressed.

"Let's work together. If we continue to wage war, there will be no progress in Basilan. Instead, there will be chaos," Jumoad said in an interview after his installation.

Jumoad, a native of Cebu, started his priesthood in Basilan with the late Bishop Jose Ma. Querexeta. Julie S. Alipala, PDI Mindanao Bureau