Muslim community to help secure Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - The local Muslim community has promised to help the police ensure public safety and peaceful celebration of the Sinulog.

The assurance was given by the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos in Cebu City during a meeting with the police.

Cebu City Police Office intelligence chief Romeo Santander said that NCMF director Melo Manonggiring promised to help them in the monitoring and intelligence gathering of possible Muslim extremists coming to disturb the Sinulog activities.

 “Vital kaayo nga impormasyon ang ilang ma-hatag nato gikan Mindanao,” Manonggiring said.

Santander said, Manonggiring offered to lend some of their willing volunteers to help the police maintain the peace and order during the Grand Parade and other Sinulog activities.

The police received intelligence reports that two “Muslim militants” are allegedly planning to disturb the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila and the Sinulog in Cebu.

Santander, however, assured the public that this will not happen in Cebu. “Dili na mahitabo ,” he stressed.

 Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Ramon Buenafe has thanked the local Muslim community for their support.

The director said that like Cebunos, most of Muslim migrants have considered the city as their home, away from home, and a place for good business, adding that he hopes for the same enthusiasm in the future.

He said that the local muslim community is very big and well organized. In fact, there are at least 160 Muslim leaders in Cebu with 20 members each. (FREEMAN)