Mangled Tapes set to make Muslims hit Christian Preacher

Pampanga, Philippines – First, it was the al Qaeda terrorists who were found to be downloading data from the Internet, altering the context by adding, subtracting, or twisting information in order to fit a desired end; finally burning them into DVDs and VCDs, and then distributing these to their people. Some days later, this would lead their Muslim brothers to attack an establishment.

Recently, a repeat of the whole thing was observed – only that it was happening in this part of the country, and only that the perpetrators were not al Qaeda but the enemies of Bro. Eli Soriano, the most controversial preacher of today.

The VCDs are believed to be the handiwork of a group openly against Soriano, Presiding Minister of the Church of God International, and are set to motivate some Muslims to confront him at the ADD Convention Center.

The compact discs bore contents profiled from the words of the preacher taken at various events to make it appear that he was disparaging Muhammad, motivating the Muslims to attempt attacking the Ang Dating Daan (ADD) Convention Center this week in Apalit, Pampanga, north of Manila.

In the convention center, they thought, was Bro. Eli Soriano, who has been away from the country for about a year already, preaching to his constituents abroad. The voices the Muslims heard were about Soriano making “sweeping and defamatory remarks” against the Muslims and their prophet Muhammad.

But once in Apalit, the Muslims had to go home - hungry and dismayed. A Muslim leader, equally bewildered, came to fetch them. They were being used, he said.

In some video footages taken from the event and transcribed soonest, Datu Amparol Ambiong, Chairman of the Muslim Peace and Order Coordination Council, was seen explaining that he had come and had to speak because he had heard some Muslims were going to stage a rally in Apalit, and that he had never heard of such an announcement from the Ulammah. Among Muslims, there must be a community consensus first before anything of this kind would be held.

If there is any rally, Ambiong said, the reason must come from the heart. Apparently, they were just gathered by a group that had promised them some financial support.

Ambiong said, he had seen some 17 buses of the supposed rallyists and had acknowledged that some of the passengers were Muslims who were even his own relatives. He said he even had wanted to slap a relative who did not want to hear reasons. When the Datu asked for their leader, he was told that he had already left, having learned that Ambiong was arriving.

They must go home, the Datu was heard telling the police. They’ve been here for quite a while already. However, the police would not let them leave. The police said, he had heard that they‘d attack the Convention Center, once they pass that way. The police had detained the buses for a while as they had no permit.

Obviously, what money was promised to be forthcoming never came. As it was, these supposed attackers had been served only sandwiches and eggs. Yet, they were to go and force their way into the ADD Convention Center.

Money promised was probably why Ambiong’s relatives refused to go home. They had come all the way to Apalit from where they came from. In Soriano’s camp, however, it is no secret who could have motivated this group. In a TV program of a rival religious group, which Soriano had been exposing for their false religious beliefs, some 2-4 TV hosts had openly been inciting Muslims to hit Soriano, giving directions as to what places he frequents.

Months before this, the Quezon City Judge Vicencio Baclig had issued a warrant of arrest against Soriano. The order stemmed from a libel complaint filed by two Muslim groups headed by Haji Mokhiar Sujail on February 21, 2005. The complainants were demanding P1.25 billion in damages.

Soriano’s explanation was that his discussion about Muslims did not intend to insult their faith. His discussions of any religious groups were honest and did not intend to insult any religious sector. It is said, the Muslim leaders understood Soriano’s explanations.

Soriano is the same fearless preacher known for his acid tongue. Whatever he sees as false, he doesn’t hesitate to correct – over television, radio, and the Internet. Known for his expertise in the Bible, he is believed to be God-sent as he can answer all questions from the Bible live. He has a program running for more than three decades now in the radio, TV and the Internet, titled, “Ask Soriano, the Bible will answer.” Recently, Soriano has been getting waves of attention from believers in the United States and Europe after being rooted in Asia, as they believe they have not heard anyone speak as authoritatively as he does.

Back home in the Philippines, he is the envy of his enemies for his great understanding of the Bible that they have filed libel case after libel case against him with the intention of devastating him. This is because Soriano had been exposing the evil in so-called “tithing laws” and other false beliefs where pastors collect hoards of money from their members but do not actually care for their spiritual needs. Their beliefs are erroneous, misplaced in time and in context, and based on personal interests, Soriano said. According to him, tithing is Mosaic Law, applicable only during the time of Moses. Now, pastors are on the run for their money should their people believe Soriano.

Soriano said he has no debate with the Muslims as they use the Koran and not the Bible and so there is no common reference to speak of.