Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Dec 11, 2020): Philippine military chief holds dialogue with Sulu leaders, religious sector
SULU – Philippine military chief Gilbert Gapay flew to the Muslim province of Sulu and met with government officials and religious leaders in a peace dialogue held in the Capitol.
Photos released by the Western Mindanao Command show Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan talking to General Gilbert Gapay and other senior military officials. And also at the dialogue with Rep. Samier Tan.
Gapay was previously criticized by Muslim leaders after saying in October that they are monitoring madaris and other schools in Sulu where “some sort of radicalization activities are going on.”
Aside from madaris, he said terrorist groups are also recruiting on social media.
“One of the media or vehicles they are using is the social media. We have found out from some of those who surrendered and captured that quite a number of them have been recruited and radicalized through social media,” Gapay said, adding, this could be the reason why Filipino Abu Sayyaf militant Norman Lasuca blew himself up near a military base in Sulu’s Indanan town in June last year.
“We cannot imagine a Filipino really being recruited or being used as a suicide bomber. Usually, we expect that that suicide bombers would be foreign terrorists that have slipped here in our country, but we were really surprised when we had that first incident in 2019 in the person of Mr. Lasuca. It was really an eye opener for us that the effort to recruit, to radicalize, and even mold the suicide bomber out of Filipinos is really at that level,” he added.
Governor Sakur Tan branded Gapay’s statement as preposterous that madaris or Islamic schools in the province are suspected of radicalizing students.
Gapay’s statement also drew criticisms from other Muslim groups. “I join the many Muslim voices, to include that of (Basilan Rep. Mujiv S. Hataman, on the Madrasa issue. I do agree that to have come from no less than the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, saying that Islamic Schools in the country can be possible hotbeds of terrorism or to link Madrasa to terrorism, is both absurd and uncalled for,” Tan said.
He added: “Indeed such statements coming from a supposedly high and responsible officer of the Armed Forces, is not one we expect from a respectable officer and a gentleman. We are certain that the good General has no ill intent.”
The influential governor said during this time when the country is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, it is incumbent on everyone to be prudent and avoid tearing the threads of wounds that are yet to heal.
“I cannot blame Muslims if they harbor resentment and disappointment that the specter of profiling and typecasting of people based on their faith, still lingers in the midst. To put in question an institution where most, if not all Muslim children, had their first foundation of good morals based on Islam as a religion of peace, is to infer that Muslims in their primal are already branded unkindly,” he said.
Tan urged Gapay to retract his statement. “I join the various groups and individuals, in calling on General Gapay - with respect as Muslims are taught to be at an early age - to withdraw or retract his statement in reference to the Madrasa issue. Let us allow sobriety and goodwill to prevail,” he said.
Hataman who was former Muslim autonomous regional governor said Gapay’s statement is dangerous and unfair. “The Armed Forces should not be making general statements linking madrasa to terrorists without presenting irrefutable proof of its existence. It is dangerous and unfair, and it serves no real purpose but to unjustly put our schools in a very compromising situation,” Hataman, himself studied in madrasah, said.
Hataman said these institutions only advocate for peace and learning and are not breeding grounds for violent extremists and terrorists.
“Hindi ako kailanman nakarinig ng kahit na anong turo ng tungkol sa terorismo. Sa katunayan, tinuturuan kami dito na huwag gumawa ng masama at manakit ng kapwa. Bilang isang magulang, natatakot ako sa statement na ito ng AFP. Paano kung ang anak ko ay nag-aaral sa isang madrasa? Ano ang mararamdaman ng mga estudyante na sila pala ay iniimbestigahan na?” said Hataman, a former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The Western Mindanao Command headed by Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., said the dialogue is aimed at building a stronger partnership between the military and the Muslim people, particularly the Tausug, who were gravely hurt Gapay’s statement.
Gapay also clarified to Tan that he never said Madaris are spreading radicalization or sowing terrorism among its students. “We, AFP, believe that Islam is a religion that espouses peace above all others,” he said, adding, his statement meant was that “deceitful individuals are wanting to infiltrate the Madrasa to spread hate and plant the seeds of terrorism.”
“In kami ha AFP panāiban sin kamu, panganduli niyu kami. In kabayaan namu' kasanyangan sin hula' natu'. In pangatayan sin kami himahambuuk kaniyu. Magtayakkup kitaniyu katān ha hikarayaw sin hula' natu' Pilipinas. Muramurahan kitaniyu katān! Magsukul kaniyu, Wassalām." (We, the AFP, are your ally. You can trust us. Our hearts and minds are one with you. Let’s unite for the common good of our country. Long live Philippines! Thank you and may peace be with you all).
Gapay also thanked Tan and all the mayors, including the religious leaders for attending the dialogue. “I would like to thank Governor Tan, the mayors, the Ulamas, and all the attendees, for this opportunity to have a dialogue on how we can further help each other in achieving peace in our beloved country,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, and other senior military officials. And Rep. Samier Tan and municipal mayors and other stake holders.
“We hope that this dialogue will ease the fears of our beloved Tausug brothers and sisters and will subsequently win their hearts and support to our campaign against terrorism. May this dialogue fill all the gaps, solidify our relationship, and deeper our cooperation for peace in Sulu and the entire country,” Vinluan said. (Mindanao Examiner)
http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/12/philippine-military-chief-holds.html
Aside from madaris, he said terrorist groups are also recruiting on social media.
“One of the media or vehicles they are using is the social media. We have found out from some of those who surrendered and captured that quite a number of them have been recruited and radicalized through social media,” Gapay said, adding, this could be the reason why Filipino Abu Sayyaf militant Norman Lasuca blew himself up near a military base in Sulu’s Indanan town in June last year.
“We cannot imagine a Filipino really being recruited or being used as a suicide bomber. Usually, we expect that that suicide bombers would be foreign terrorists that have slipped here in our country, but we were really surprised when we had that first incident in 2019 in the person of Mr. Lasuca. It was really an eye opener for us that the effort to recruit, to radicalize, and even mold the suicide bomber out of Filipinos is really at that level,” he added.
Governor Sakur Tan branded Gapay’s statement as preposterous that madaris or Islamic schools in the province are suspected of radicalizing students.
Gapay’s statement also drew criticisms from other Muslim groups. “I join the many Muslim voices, to include that of (Basilan Rep. Mujiv S. Hataman, on the Madrasa issue. I do agree that to have come from no less than the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, saying that Islamic Schools in the country can be possible hotbeds of terrorism or to link Madrasa to terrorism, is both absurd and uncalled for,” Tan said.
He added: “Indeed such statements coming from a supposedly high and responsible officer of the Armed Forces, is not one we expect from a respectable officer and a gentleman. We are certain that the good General has no ill intent.”
The influential governor said during this time when the country is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, it is incumbent on everyone to be prudent and avoid tearing the threads of wounds that are yet to heal.
“I cannot blame Muslims if they harbor resentment and disappointment that the specter of profiling and typecasting of people based on their faith, still lingers in the midst. To put in question an institution where most, if not all Muslim children, had their first foundation of good morals based on Islam as a religion of peace, is to infer that Muslims in their primal are already branded unkindly,” he said.
Tan urged Gapay to retract his statement. “I join the various groups and individuals, in calling on General Gapay - with respect as Muslims are taught to be at an early age - to withdraw or retract his statement in reference to the Madrasa issue. Let us allow sobriety and goodwill to prevail,” he said.
Hataman who was former Muslim autonomous regional governor said Gapay’s statement is dangerous and unfair. “The Armed Forces should not be making general statements linking madrasa to terrorists without presenting irrefutable proof of its existence. It is dangerous and unfair, and it serves no real purpose but to unjustly put our schools in a very compromising situation,” Hataman, himself studied in madrasah, said.
Hataman said these institutions only advocate for peace and learning and are not breeding grounds for violent extremists and terrorists.
“Hindi ako kailanman nakarinig ng kahit na anong turo ng tungkol sa terorismo. Sa katunayan, tinuturuan kami dito na huwag gumawa ng masama at manakit ng kapwa. Bilang isang magulang, natatakot ako sa statement na ito ng AFP. Paano kung ang anak ko ay nag-aaral sa isang madrasa? Ano ang mararamdaman ng mga estudyante na sila pala ay iniimbestigahan na?” said Hataman, a former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The Western Mindanao Command headed by Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., said the dialogue is aimed at building a stronger partnership between the military and the Muslim people, particularly the Tausug, who were gravely hurt Gapay’s statement.
Gapay also clarified to Tan that he never said Madaris are spreading radicalization or sowing terrorism among its students. “We, AFP, believe that Islam is a religion that espouses peace above all others,” he said, adding, his statement meant was that “deceitful individuals are wanting to infiltrate the Madrasa to spread hate and plant the seeds of terrorism.”
“In kami ha AFP panāiban sin kamu, panganduli niyu kami. In kabayaan namu' kasanyangan sin hula' natu'. In pangatayan sin kami himahambuuk kaniyu. Magtayakkup kitaniyu katān ha hikarayaw sin hula' natu' Pilipinas. Muramurahan kitaniyu katān! Magsukul kaniyu, Wassalām." (We, the AFP, are your ally. You can trust us. Our hearts and minds are one with you. Let’s unite for the common good of our country. Long live Philippines! Thank you and may peace be with you all).
Gapay also thanked Tan and all the mayors, including the religious leaders for attending the dialogue. “I would like to thank Governor Tan, the mayors, the Ulamas, and all the attendees, for this opportunity to have a dialogue on how we can further help each other in achieving peace in our beloved country,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, and other senior military officials. And Rep. Samier Tan and municipal mayors and other stake holders.
“We hope that this dialogue will ease the fears of our beloved Tausug brothers and sisters and will subsequently win their hearts and support to our campaign against terrorism. May this dialogue fill all the gaps, solidify our relationship, and deeper our cooperation for peace in Sulu and the entire country,” Vinluan said. (Mindanao Examiner)
http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/12/philippine-military-chief-holds.html
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