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State terrorism worries Muslim congressman

BAGUIO CITY (Dec. 9) — Anak ng Mindanao party list representative Mujiv Hataman, who addressed Islamic religious leaders here, is wary of the Anti-Terrorism Bills (ATB).

“The ATB is terrorist itself,” Hataman told Muslims at the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) here. He said he came to discuss ATB because not only the Muslims in Baguio City and Northern Luzon have expressed alarm over the bills but also other groups. “Di lang po kayo ang nababahala,” he assured the religious leaders here.

There are around 50 congress representatives who have been opposing the bills and these include party list representatives of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Akbayan and Anak ng Mindanao. However, according to Hataman, the congress may pass the bill into law, “Isang taas ng kamay sa kongreso, P50,000 ang halaga,” (One vote in congress is equivalent to P50,000) Hataman said jestingly in exposing the anomalous legislative processes.

Hataman disclosed that Muslims in the country launched on December 7 the Muslims against terrorism signature campaign, which aims to gather two million signatories against the Anti-terrorism bills. He said, if they have to elevate the issues to the streets, he will support the protesters, as long as their cause is legitimate, he quips.

He challenged religious leaders here to forge greater unity against the gnawing state terrorism. He said the government seems to be quick at tagging Muslims as terrorists that even when a firecracker factory in Bulacan explodes, authorities readily point an accusing finger at Muslim groups.

“What is scary here s that on mere probable belief that a person committed an act of terrorism or is believed to be relating with terrorists, police authorities could arrest him,” Hataman told Muslims here. He cited the case of Amil salih Flamiano, a technical person at the Almaarif Educational Center here, who was arrested, tortured and jailed shortly after Ramadhan on a mistaken police move that he was Abu Tagalog, who figured in the Sipadan kidnapping by the Abu Sayyaf.

Hataman lauded OMA Northern Luzon Director Abdullah “Abel” Macarimpas for issuing a statement condemning Flamiano’s arrest and for an earlier statement against the ATB.

OMA should extend its legal services to Muslims, Hataman said adding that the office does not exist for the pilgrimage and Ramadhan alone.

“Pag pinatay na nila lahat ang Muslims, mawawala ang OMA,” (If they have killed all Muslims, OMA will cease to exist) Hataman said. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS

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