COTABATO CITY — Residents and local officials here denounced extremism and vowed to continue working with security officials to prevent a Marawi City-like siege by misguided citizens.
Dr. Danda Juanday, Cotabato City administrator, said the local government would intensify cooperation and collaboration with the Philippine military and police to thwart attempts, if ever, to destabilize Cotabato City, home to about 360,000 Muslims, Christians and Indigenous Peoples.
“This is not religious conflict,” Juanday told participants to the mass rally against religious extremism here Monday. “The reason of misguided Islamic militants in spreading violence was not religion, according to a study. Poverty, inequality and injustices were among the reasons for extremism.”
Fr. Gerald Fornan, parish priest of Immaculate Conception Cathedral, said everyone should work for peace to prevent the spread of violence that has been threatening the peaceful city.
Capt. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, earlier said the Army’s 6th Infantry Division is committed to secure the citizens in its area of jurisdiction, including Cotabato City.
The rally, attended by about 3,000 peace-loving citizens of the city and its environs including local and village officials, vowed to help security sectors’ quick response on reported presence of lawless elements in the city’s 37 villages.
Organized by the Cotabato City Association of Barangay Chairpersons (ABC), the rally participants gathered at the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College and marched toward the Cotabato City plaza. (PNA)