Muslims see red over plans to tear down Baclaran mosque

MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of Muslims living near a mosque in Baclaran, Pasay City said yesterday there will be bloodshed if the government pushes through with its alleged plan to demolish the mosque to make way for luxury housing and commercial establishments, including casinos.

Abdelmanan Tanandato, of the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Nademolis sa Roxas Boulevard, claimed he received information that the mosque will be demolished by the first week of August.

He said the mosque and their community are located at a reclaimed area in Pasay City opposite the Baclaran Church.

“Blood will flow if the government will pursue the demolition of the mosque. Hundreds of Muslim men and women living outside the mosque will fight the demolition team. They are not afraid to die to preserve the sacred mosque,” Tanandato said.

According to Tanandato, the mosque is the third biggest mosque in Metro Manila. He said it took them three years to reclaim the three-hectare area and build the mosque on it.

“We are saddened that the Philippine Reclamation Authority is now claiming the land and that the court allows PRA to have full possession of the lot for commerce, luxury housing and casinos,” he said.

The Urban Poor Associates (UPA) said the demolition stemmed from a memorandum dated May 26, issued by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita that allegedly indicated that President Arroyo has instructed concerned government agencies to relocate the mosque.

The issuance of the memorandum, UPA pointed out, alarmed the community since it would entail their eviction from the area.

The UPA said that in 2007, the PRA conducted a demolition drive in the area. In June 2008, the UPA said hundreds of Muslims, armed with wooden clubs, fought off another demolition team.

The UPA, the Community Organizers Multiversity and Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise Foundation, which comprise the non-government Task Force Anti-Eviction, are also helping the Muslims prevent the scheduled demolition.

Tanandato is planning to seek the help of the Commission on Human Rights, lawmakers, and officials of the Catholic Church to secure a peaceful and amicable solution to the problem.