By Danilo Adorador, III
COTABATO CITY – Maguindanao del Sur Lone District Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu expressed dismay over columnist Ramon Tulfo’s use of the word “Muslim” to describe the suspects in the killing of a Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) official in Palawan.
Tulfo wrote on his Facebook account on Feb. 21 that the attackers were “mga Muslim na taga Lanao del Sur” (Muslims from Lanao del Sur), according to his sources.
“I wish to express my profound dismay and concern over the discriminatory remarks made by Mr. Ramon Tulfo involving the suspects in the killing of Ms. Joana Infante, an executive of CAAP-Puerto Princesa International Airport,” Mangudadatu posted Sunday night, also on Facebook.
Security footage showed Infante, 50, was gunned down by a lone suspect while walking along Bay View Road in Barangay San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City on Feb. 18.
The group Bangsamoro Para sa Kamanggagawa also condemned Tulfo’s post, calling it stereotyping and discriminatory.
The Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution said “generalizing and attributing a criminal act to an entire religious community is both unfair and unethical.”
Mangudadatu said using “Muslim” as an identifying mark for the alleged killers was unethical, sweeping and discriminatory to Muslims worldwide.
“Mr. Tulfo has gravely besmirched not only the dignity of Maranaw Muslims and the entire Muslim community worldwide but also the sanctity of Islam as a faith or a religion that teaches its followers about love, peace, justice, humility, discipline, respect and compassion,” Mangudadatu added.
“Choose to be responsible. Choose to be an agent of enlightenment,” he said, addressing Tulfo. (PNA)
