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Thursday, March 28, 2024

ARMM raps mandatory IDs

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AUTONOMOUS Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman on Saturday scored the proposal of the police and military officials in Central Luzon to issue mandatory IDs to more than 26,000 Muslims in the region to flush out terrorists. 

In a statement, Hataman said his region “expresses alarm over reports” that the Paniqui local government in Tarlac is implementing a Muslim-only ID system.

“We believe this policy clearly discriminates against the believers of Islam and could set a dangerous precedent,” he said. 

Hataman said it could just make matters worse, as it could “ignite anger among young Muslims who are the primary target for recruitment of extremist groups,” he added.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman

“If the requirement is security-related, the ID system should be applied to every resident of the community, to every Filipino, not just Muslims.”

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He called instead for a dialogue with security officials to look into the constitutionality and propriety of the ID system.

Zia Alonto Adiong, head of the Marawi Crisis Management Committee, in a news briefing in Marawi City said the proposal was a clear case of “Islamophobia” or the fear or hatred of the Islamic religion and its followers.

“As a civilized country we must counter any discriminatory measure, and uphold the fundamental rights of the citizens of this country against any form of discrimination,” Adiong said.

In justifying their plan, police and military officials in Central Luzon said Thursday the ID could help Muslim communities identify suspicious individuals so they could be reported to the authorities.

They said the practice of issuing IDs was a way of distinguishing long-time residents from new arrivals who could be terrorists. 

“This must also be the practice in the region not only to protect the civilian populace but also vital government installations against terrorism,” Police Regional Office 3 Director Aaron Aquino said.

Cristina Palabay, secretary-general of rights group Karapatan, however, said the proposal of Central Luzon cops for IDs to Muslims was one form of legal justification for more rights abuses, after the Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law proclamation. 

“More than fanning discrimination and Islamophobia, the police is sowing disunity and chaos among poor and oppressed peoples, as if their war on drugs is not enough,” Palabay said

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier expressed opposition to the “discriminatory” plan to give IDs for Muslims, saying security officials should “reconsider their actions” and warned of negative repercussions should they persist. 

While the recent action of security forces was “something that has to be discussed,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the current drive against jihadists would be an opportunity to back the proposals for a national ID system. 

“IDs will eventually be really necessary for the entire nation,” Abella said. 

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