NCRPO: ID system in Muslim communities ‘voluntary’

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Ricardo de Leon stressed yesterday the identification system for residents of Muslim communities in Metro Manila is being implemented on a purely voluntary basis.

De Leon stressed that the system is actually a brainchild of Golden Mosque administrator Muhammad Ali Tanggote and Chief Inspector Jose Sayo, Barbosa precinct commander, who initiated the measure last Dec. 15 as a means to protect their constituents in Quiapo, Manila and help the government pursue terrorists or criminals who may be hiding in their area of responsibility. "We initially expressed our concern over the idea, but after encouraging other Muslim leaders to adopt the system, they welcomed the idea, volunteering to iniate the measure in their respective communities," De Leon said.

Asayo and Kosbhari Ali, Golden Mosque officer-in-charge, proposed the adoption of the ID system during a consultative meeting attended by 29 Muslim leaders last March 18 a the NCRPO satellite office in Kamuning, Quezon City.

It was made clear during the meeting that Muslim leaders would be responsible for policing their own communities, in coordination with the liaison officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP), against unscrupulous elements in order to disprove common belief that they harbor criminals in their areas.

However, several Muslim communities in Metro Manila branded as a form of discrimination the implementation of the ID system.

Muslim leader Datu Ambiong vowed to oppose the issuance of IDs for Muslims.

"Why not issue IDs for everyone nationwide? Why only Muslims in Metro Manila?" Ambiong asked.

He also refuted claims that Muslim leaders had been pushing for the implementation of the ID system.

"I was there during the meeting. What the administration of the Golden Mosque proposed was an ID system inside the mosque and not in the community," he added.

Ambiong said what the Golden mosque administrator wanted an ID system to ensure that only legitimate Muslim brothers were allowed entrance to the sacred mosque.

The 500,000-strong Philippine Islamic Council said consultations should first be made in all affected areas. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe