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Lanao Sur solon mulls racial, cultural anti-discrimination law

By Irma Boza

February 16, 2023, 6:26 pm

<p style="text-align: left;"><em>Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong. (File photo)</em></p>

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong. (File photo)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto-Adiong on Thursday proposed to pass a law against racial and cultural discrimination.

This, he said, came after a television show allegedly stereotyped Muslim Filipinos as "usual suspects" in crimes.

In a statement, Adiong also called on the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and all concerned agencies to look into the incident involving a primetime TV show.

"We will review, strengthen, and push forward legislative measures to address similar acts of discrimination in mass media and other streaming and digital platforms," he said.

Adiong said one of the show's episodes portrayed "Muslim characters" allegedly depicted as "harboring and condoning theft, under the pretext of using stolen goods to help others."

He claimed that the characters not only own guns but also have a notorious reputation among law enforcers.

"These are discriminatory, harmful, and derogatory portrayals of an entire community. As a district representative of Lanao del Sur and a Bangsamoro Muslim, I am deeply saddened by this discriminating portrayal," he said.

Adiong added that thievery is a major sin in Islam, as stated in the Quran. (PNA)

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