Ramadhan outcry

MSU, Marawi City––It is Holy Month but the shock of two separate killings Wednesday in sleepy Marawi awoke Meranao cyberspace and public buzz. Two days ago, a woman was found in a sack at a tennis court. In the afternoon, a barber was shot at the University barbershop. Soldiers and police have also been targets of some incidents. Weeks ago, the campus’ Institute of Peace was found to have been lobbed with a grenade.

The judiciary and human rights offices are urged to invest in co-managing security issues to affirm pillars of justice in the Bangsamoro especially as Christians fear to be targeted as victims of crimes in the province of Lanao del Sur, Islamic City of Marawi and MSU.

Convening stakeholders after months of security incidents and one day with two killed in separate incidents, civilians and authorities banded together to affirm partnership and collaboration in the Islamic City and Lanao del Sur and Mindanao State University (which has its separate security, “Peacekeeping Force”) .

Motives have yet to be known, investigation results to be known due to some sensitivities. Councilor Abdani Alonto reminded the need to work as one with the province, city and the campus. Institute of Peace and Development Director Moctar Matuan recalled when peace and order efforts involved mayors of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City and Marawi City convened by civil society.

Police explained the limitations to their enforcement to be attributed to various reasons to include lack of testifying witnesses, prosecution and police augmentation for the province and city that with combined population is the largest in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

Human rights groups have to be aware that police enforcement in the detention of suspects for investigation has to be done so there is rule of law, reminded chief of police Calib.

“Local government is enforcement,” reminded Armm Assistant Secretary Amenodin Cali. The stakeholders also worry that with the delay of the passage of the BBL, overzealous youth indoctrinated with ideological biases would be prompted to resort to non-peaceful means.

Among the attendees included CSOs, Fr. Chito Soganub, parish priest of Marawi, representatives of Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr., Mr Musa Diamla, Councilor Abdani Alonto representing Mayor Mayor Sultan Fahad Salic, commanding General Roseller Murillo, provincial police director Supt. Felicisimo Thello, city police chief Calib, Regional Public Safety Battallion, Armm Women Commissioner Noni Lao of the People’s Council, Linang Macabalang, and MSU Peace Director Moctar Matua.