PEACE FORUM. Muslim youths in Batangas City show their support to the “Peace Forum” on “Fighting Violent Extremist Ideology and Radicalism Towards Peaceful, Productive and Progressive Muslim Communities” held in the city last July 10. The forum was held in a bid to thwart violence and maintain peace, order, safety and security in the provincial capital city where they are now residing. (Photo courtesy of Batangas CIO)
BATANGAS CITY – The Batangas Muslim community here welcomed the approval of the Bangsamoro Organic bill at the bicameral committee as a step to lasting peace in Muslim-populated Mindanao provinces and signals the start of real autonomy.
Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas has supported Congress' measure as this leads to real autonomy and a head start for the proposed federal form of government.
On the eve of the Congress bicam approval of the legislative bill, Mandanas in a press conference in Calamba City on Tuesday said the forerunner Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is “not giving our brother Muslims independence, we are just giving them autonomy”.
“I’d like to introduce that we are still one as a family living together. Kahit sa ibon, kung pwede nang lumipad, nabukod na, pero ibon pa rin siya, maya pa rin (Even to the birds, one that learns to fly may leave, but it is still a bird, still a sparrow),” the Batangas governor said.
Levity aside, Mandanas also said he is set to create his own BBL – Batangas Basic Law, citing, “I’m in favor of the real BBL,” as he urged the Maranaos, Maguindanaons and the Tausugs to sit down and talk to iron out things and settle their differences.
Meanwhile, Batangas 5th District Rep. Mario Vittorio Mariño said that the Muslim community has good relations with the Batangas city government since the time of then mayor Eduardo Dimacuha and that Muslims settlers have been welcomed in the province.
“Napili nilang manirahan sa Batangas City dahil tahimik dito. Marami sa kanila ay pagtitinda ang hanapbuhay at mayroon ng mga lupa at bahay dito (They chose to live in Batangas City because it’s peaceful here. Many of them are vendors and traders and have already owned houses and lots here),” Mariño said.
The Batangas congressman was among the speakers in the July 10 “Peace Forum” organized by the Muslim Community in this city, which was aimed at maintaining peace and order and avert any untoward incident or violence.
According to the City Information Office, the Muslim population of more than 1,000 spread through the city’s 11 barangays helped organize the Peace Forum on “Fighting Violent Extremist Ideology and Radicalism Towards Peaceful, Productive and Progressive Muslim Communities”.
At the forum, Mariño said the city government is one of the Local Government Units (LGUs) that immediately responded and sent relief and assistance to the besieged Marawi City and hopes there would be no other war like that to happen anywhere in the country.
“Iwasan po natin ang mga taong maghahasik ng karahasan kung kayat mag-usap at magkaunawaan tayo kung mayroon kayong problema. Magkaroon tayo ng respeto sa isa’t isa kahit ano ang ating relihiyon (Let us avoid people who are out to sow violence, let us talk and understand each other whenever you have any problem. Let us show respect to one another regardless of religion),” Mariño stressed.
City Administrator Narciso Macarandang also hailed the Muslim community’s collaborative efforts because their participation and support have immensely contributed to a peaceful, productive and progressive Batangas City.
Atty. Dalomilang Parahiman, regional director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)-South Luzon Regional Office, also underscored that violence has no place in Islam because Islam stands for peace.
NCMF officials and resource persons also pointed to the root of violence such as hatred, frustration, prejudice and discrimination.
“Discrimination, unjust and corrupt socio-political and economic system, leave the radicalized individuals with no way out,” Parahiman stressed.
The peace forum also tackled the effects of violent extremism such as mental disorder and depression; violation of human rights; deterioration of physical and mental fitness; loss of jobs and livelihood; displaced residents, teachers and students; unemployment; extreme poverty; discrimination and low morale.
The resource persons also underscored that violent extremism and terrorism severest impact on any country is disorder and the collapse of the economy and investments.
The peace forum has come up with proposal to thwart violent extremism and radicalism through community profiling for the Muslim community to identify their community members and the newcomers in their neighborhood.
It also recommended to increase the level of awareness and consciousness of the community against the threat of violent extremism, to be vigilant and establish coordination and cooperation with the local government and the authorities.
The Batangas Muslim community also proposed the formation of their Ulamah and Elders Council that could serve as the voice and representative authority on the affairs of the Muslim community here.
Chief Insp. Apolinario Palomeno, chief operations and head of the Police Community Relations of the Batangas City police, also reiterated that “security is everyone’s concern”, and the need for closer coordination among the communities with the city government and authorities to ensure safety and security and peace and order. (with reports from Maroe T. Genosa/PNA)
