BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan urged the Muslim community in the city to support the peacekeeping, anti-criminality and development efforts of the city to sustain the lasting peace in the country’s Summer Capital and prevent the city from being intruded by individuals from their ranks with evil motives.
The local chief executive explained to the Muslim community that the local government does not discriminate the Muslims in the implementation of programs and projects in the different barangays because the city is a melting pot of members of tribes from various parts of the city.
“We told them to police their own ranks so that we will be able to prevent unscrupulous individuals from invading their ranks and eventually creating trouble that will disturb the lasting peace in the city,” Domogan stressed.
He claimed members of the Muslim community should avoid the misconception that they are being singled out in the aggressive implementation of the local government’s peace initiatives, saying that everyone who commits an offense will be imposed the appropriate penalties and the same is applicable to members of other tribes living in the city.
He belied the allegations of some Muslims in the city that the city’s anti-peddling campaign is geared towards them because the law does not favour anyone thus, the need for concerned government agencies and the local government to implement the law without fear or favour.
Domogan expressed his gratitude to the response of Muslim leaders to his appeal for support, saying that residents should not allow suspicious-looking individuals to wreak havoc in the city, thus, the need for everyone to be vigilant and mindful of what is happening in their neighbourhood so that law enforcers can validate the background of people who want to live in the city.
He claimed residents should not take the situations in Mindanao for granted because any untoward incident that may happen in the city could contribute in ruining the efforts of the concerned government agencies and the local government in sustaining peace and order, thus, such programs will not be successful without the cooperation of the people living in the different barangays.
He underscored what is important now is for everyone to be regularly updated on the latest developments not only in the city but also in the entire global village so that everyone can actively participate in the combined efforts to curb threats from individuals and groups wanting to disrupt the peaceful situation in the city and sow fear among the people who simply want to live and earn a living in the city.
He said residents must learn to get in touch with the nearest police stations in their places to inform them about the presence of suspicious-looking individuals in their neighbourhood.
By Dexter A. See
