Forum gathers city’s Muslims

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) gathered all Muslims in Metro Cebu for a consultation on martial law in Mindanao last Wednesday at the office of Muslim Affairs in Cebu City.

Lawyer Yusoph Abbas, head of the legal affairs division, initiated the activity.

Topics discussed included the basis and effects of martial law and the rights of the people during martial law.

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 7 Director Alvin Ordon compared the martial law today and the one during the Marcos years, which he said are different.

“The check and balances are still functioning in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government and every department is open to the public,” Ordon said.

Central Command’s Col. Medel Aguila discussed the role of the military during martial law. He said the only way to stop spreading the influence of extremists is for people to always keep in touch with the government.

Chief Insp. Henry Amansha of the Police Regional Office 7 discussed the power of the police power. He said the public should coordinate with the police in fighting terrorism.

One question that was asked during the discussion was that what happens to people who are surnamed Maute.

NCMF Region 7 Director Malo Manonggiring said there is a procedure followed to verify a person’s identity. Manonggiring assured there is no Maute in the Visayas.

“Martial law is the right solution to this problem. We appeal to the government not to engage in airstrike. The ground force is enough,“he said.

He said the airstrikes were based on the judgment of the military that Maute snipers are positioned in buildings.