Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman offered to work with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in its campaign against terrorism and violent extremism in Metro Manila, and maintained that the exercise should be a convergence of the efforts of all stakeholders of peace in the country.
This developed following the issuance of memorandum from the NCRPO directing all Station Commanders of the Manila Police District to submit a list of Muslim students in all schools, colleges and universities within their area of jurisdiction. The memo was met with a barrage of criticisms, saying it was tantamount to “profiling” Muslim students. It was withdrawn by the NCRPO on Saturday.
“Maybe the objective is good, if it is aimed at attaining peace. However, the way they are implementing it is unfortunately discriminating our Muslim children. That is not how you achieve peace. As I’ve said before, Muslim children are being bullied in schools. The police should ought to serve and protect them, not encourage their abuse,” Hataman lamented.
He said that his experience as the former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) gave him a lot of insight into the problem of extremism, citing the success of the Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) he launched in the Province of Basilan.
“We are willing to work with our police force on their anti-terrorism efforts and any campaign to mobilize Muslim communities without hurting or discriminating them. But the participation of every stakeholder is a must: the Muslim community, the government and the law enforcement agencies,” Hataman, a former governor of the now-defunct ARMM, expressed.
“PAVE is still being implemented in Basilan and, as of now, the program has resulted in the surrender and reintegration of some 257 former members of extremist groups. We have a working example of how to prevent and address terrorism and violent extremism. I believe that it can be done in Basilan and anywhere in the country,” Hataman further noted.
NCRPO withdrawal of memo welcomed
At the same time, the Basilan legislator applauded the NCRPO for its withdrawal of the controversial memorandum he and Anak Mindanao Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan earlier opposed.
“I applaud NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas for heeding our calls to withdraw the memorandum. We think there are better ways to go about this, especially when we are trying to prevent terrorism in our country,” the former community organizer noted.
“I have known Gen. Sinas since his stint as a high official in the PRO-ARMM. He is a very reasonable person. When I learned of the memo, I got in touch with him and explained the uproar against listing the names of every Muslim student in Metro Manila. I am thankful he listened to our calls,” the human rights activist stated.
He then went on to suggest that close coordination of the police with agencies like the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), civic and religious organizations, as well as Muslim leaders is a good place to start.
Hataman also mentioned that the input of the Philippine National Police on some anti-terrorism legislation now pending in Congress would also a welcome development, specifically on House Bill No. 4585, which seeks to establish a program for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) to fight the ever-present threat of terrorism.
“This bill is patterned after our experience in our PAVE, where you address the roots of extremism by providing decent livelihood, enhancing the delivery of government services, and improving their access to health and education programs. Kung maibigay mo ang mga ito, malalayo sila sa mga maling paniniwala,” Hataman explained.
