Filipino workers, mostly from Mindanao island, were outraged after a group of their countrymen held placards and slogans in Damman, calling for an all-out-war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The “all-out-war” slogans were calling out for a clash between the previously convicted President Joseph Estrada and the United Federated States of Bangsamoro Republik.

Many Filipinos see this as a clear act of provocation from their compatriots while others prefer to wait to for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Saudi Arabia has sided with the peace efforts, since it was one of the major countries that attended the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Manila last year.

“Don’t think that whatever is permissible in Philippines is permissible here,” said Deen Mohammad, an IT expert based in Riyadh.

The banners being paraded on the street asked for justice for 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police, killed during a high-profile operation carried out inside the MILF territory against a splinter group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

The SAF’s mission was to capture a Malaysian and a Filipino terrorist wanted by the US with a $5 million and $3 million bounty on their heads, respectively.

On Jan 25, 18 MILF men were killed during a raid in “Mamasapano”, a recognized MILF area in the Maguindano province.

However, according to the GRP-MILF peace treaty, such operations were to be undertaken with proper coordination between the two parties.

The episode took place in the final step of the peace process after a 40-year period of talks.

“An all-out war will create even more casualties, which can cause our nation to fall,” said Zhariya Camid, a Filipino based in Riyadh.