BULUAN, Maguindanao — Thousands of local officials and Moro religious leaders in this province gathered Wednesday here for the two-day Interfaith Security and Economic Summit.
Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said the assembly at the provincial capital was aimed at getting the stakeholders’ voices in dealing with security issues in the province.
Aside from Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, Maguindanao is also home to ISIS-inspired jihadists trying to hoist the black flag in remote communities.
Mangudadatu said the stakeholders’ participation in the government’s drive against Islamic terrorism is important to subdue the notion espoused by fake Muslims who have been using Islam in influencing less educated people in the hinterlands.
“During the summit, security officials will seek the opinion and suggestion of Moro elders and religious leaders on how to effectively address Islamic militancy,” he told reporters in Filipino.
“The safety of every Maguindanaon is our utmost priority.”
Mangudadatu, chair of provincial peace and order council, had sought the opinion of Muslim elders on matters directly affecting public security as well as good governance.
The summit, according to the provincial executive, also aims to help educate lowly Moros understand correctly and rightly the verses of the Holy Qur’an which had been erroneously used by extremists in recruiting young Maguindanaons.
Also lined up discussion in the summit is the current war on drugs by the Duterte administration, which according to Mangudadatu, has been producing good results in Maguindanao.
“If all these are addressed correctly, the economy of Maguindanao will improve as investors’ priority is ensuring their investments in a peaceful area like Maguindanao,” he said. (PNA)
