BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan emphasized that there is no big deal on the part of the local government if there were sultans that were named by a certain Muslim group to serve in the city, saying that what is important is that they will not be the problems of the city in terms of peace and order.
The local chief executive said the local government does not mind whatever Muslims will call their community in the city, provided that, they cooperate with the policies being enforced by concerned government agencies for the sustained paced and order situation in the city.
“We do not mind what they want to call them. What is important is that they continue to cooperate with the local government in the maintenance and peace and order and in charting the growth and development of our city,” Domogan stressed.
Earlier, a group of Muslims reportedly appointed three sultans in Baguio and Benguet which was reportedly opposed by other Muslims in the city considering that there is no Sultanate of Baguio.
Domogan pointed out what is important is that the Muslims living in the different barangays will adhere to the programs and policies being enforced by government agencies and the city government to ensure the harmonious working relationship between the residents and the Muslims.
According to him, the decision to invite the appointed sultans and other Muslim leaders in the city to shed light on the matter is the discretion of the local legislative body and he will not actually interfere on the said invitation.
Various sectors in the city also condemned the designation of sultans in Baguio and Benguet as they claimed that there is no sultanate of Baguio and Benguet where the sultans could lord it over considering that people adhere to the existing hierarchy of leaders in the bureaucracy.
He lauded Muslim leaders in the city for their continuous cooperation to the programs and policies being implemented by government agencies and local governments for sustained peace and order and the growth and development of the city as they continue to adhere to the realization of lasting peace in the places where they desire to settle.
He explained Muslim leaders have committed to police their own ranks to avert whatever untoward incidents that may happen because they will be the ones to be blamed once violent incidents will escalate in the city and the same will be linked to them, thus, what is important to them is their involvement in economic activities where they derive their income to sustain their families.
What is important, he claimed, is that they will not bring to the city their illegal activities that compromise the peace and order situation in the city.
By Dexter A. See
