Ignorance killed Kumbira

Dave Achondo

A DECADES-LONG tradition during Cagayan de Oro’s most festive month has come to an end due to the ignorance of some people up north who thought it was not safe to send their representatives because of the declaration of martial law. It could be because Marawi is just a 130-kilometer drive from this city, and they deemed it unsafe.

I am not the only one who share the same sentiment but this city is relatively safe even with the recent developments like the capture of four suspected Maute members here. This city’s freedom has not be constrained in any way, and it’s safety is well taken care off by the authorities.

Cagayan de Oro Hotels and Restaurants Association (Cohara) vice president Eduardo Pelaez said the reason behind the cancellation was due to sponsorship issues and the backing out of contestants from Marawi and Iligan.

I don’t blame the participants/contestants — they have problems over there, and the current situation left them with less time to prepare for the big event that would have brought over a hundred or more contestants from all over Mindanao.

The sponsorship problem could still be resolved. So what if those sponsors do not want to participate? Cohara shouldn’t have given up so easily. Did this city run out of business establishments to support its own events especially something like this? Or is there something deeper that’s being kept from the public?

“The sponsors are not willing to send their staff here because, according to them, they are not going to risk their (safety),” Pelaez said.

Regardless of what the reasons are, it still looks to me that Kumbira was killed by ignorance.

It would have been one of the best highlights of this city’s Higalaay Festival this coming August.

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Islamophobia is coming — that’s for sure. The National Police Commission stripped local government executives of their powers over the police. And then there’s this move for a Muslim ID. For Muslims only? Isn’t that simply saying that they are suspected of being involved in terrorism?

Vice Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr., asked: “National ID system pero para sa Muslim lang?”

That seems very unfair.

National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa said he does not see it as a violation of human rights because it is merely for recording purposes and not preventing the evacuees from entering their villages. Although he has a point about the right of the government to do this and it does not overstep our laws, still, it doesn’t sound right! Identification should never be based on religion.

“Locally initiated po yan, hindi po yan mandated by the national PNP leadership,” dela Rosa said.

But is he really sure that Muslims are not being pressured to do something that they are not comfortable with. I am a Roman Catholic and this does not sit well with me. I do not agree with such move. How can we truly achieve unity that President Rodrigo Duterte wishes for when the government itself is trying to divide based on people’s religious affiliations?

I am wondering why the Commission on Human Rights is mum on this.

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Here’s a little side note. Let me “commend” the chairman of Barangay 31 here for an astonishing job near Pearlmont Hotel, Chiken Ati-atihan and Cucina de Oro. The same goes to other barangay officials and residents near at Limketkai Drive. Their “solid waste management project” is unbelievable. They created a miniature landfill on the side of the road that smells like animal feces. This barangay stinks. Nice job, barangay chairman, whoever you are. All puns intended.