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Friday, October 27, 2017
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BACOLOD City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) is tapping Muslim communities in Negros Occidental in the campaign against terrorism.
Major General Jon Aying, 3ID commander, met with around 200 members of Muslim groups at the Benjamin Hall to appeal for their cooperation.
Aying said the dialogue on Wednesday was part of reaching out to the grassroots, including Muslim communities, to raise awareness on the current security situation in the region and the country.
It also aimed to inform Negrenses about insurgency and terrorism threats, and counter the spread of illegal drugs, he said.
Azis Mamasao, spokesperson for the Bacolod United Muslim Community, welcomed the Army’s initiative.
Without a “bridge and trust building and cooperation,” there can be no genuine peace, Mamasao said.
“Our appeal to them is to cooperate with us,” Aying said. “That cooperation should be guided by their roles and responsibilities, and how we work together as partners and stakeholders.”
According to the military official, they do not keep a list of Muslims staying in Negros Occidental.
“We don’t want to profile them. It’s the trust and confidence between their leaders, the local government unit, and the law enforcers,” Aying said.
At the meeting, Aying discussed Islamic State extremism and how Muslims would be affected.
“They are also targets for radicalization [and] mobilization, making them join violent actions,” he said.
Aying said he also introduced the idea of how they would become part of the peace and security resiliency infrastructure – from individual members of the community up to the regional level.
“Some of the Maranaos, since they are already here, they’re not Maranaos anymore. They’re Bacolodnons or Negrosanons already,” he said. (PNA)
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