They were traders and "tableegh" (propagator of Islam) from Iligan, Ozamiz, and Marawi cities, said Haron Magadapa, an imam of the Cebu Green Mosque and regional chairperson of the Halal Fatua Council, who led the visitors to meet Osmeña.
Magadapa said there were 13 tableeghs who came to Cebu together with 30 traders. "They are peace-loving, religious, and God-fearing," he told Osmeña.
Magadapa said he took the initiative to clarify with the mayor the allegations that the Muslim arrivals were among the 80 "terrorists" that Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano earlier reported to have infiltrated Cebu.
With the lack of official intelligence report on the matter, however, Osmeña earlier refused to believe Ouano's statement of being one of the targets, along with supporters of President Gloria Arroyo, of terrorists.
While he strongly believed that Cebu could be a possible target of terrorism during the Asean Summit in December, Osmeña said it would be quite unlikely that "terrorists" would send an "advance party" of 80 people this early.
Osmeña further said it would be farfetched for terrorists to target heads of local governments, like him and Ouano, because such would just be a wasted effort.
Osmeña instead requested the public to be extra cautious and aware of "strangers" moving into the neighborhood.
He also said that he has been encouraging the Muslim communities in the city to be more visible and active in events such as the yearly Sinulog, which despite its religious substance could still be a part of a Muslim culture because of the types of dance of the participants.
Osmeña believes that the best way to address the threat of terrorism, especially with the Asean Summit, is "not alienation but integration."
The Muslim residents in Cebu are even the best lines of defense to deter any initial attempt of terrorism, Osmeña said. - Joeberth M. Ocao