Cagayan gov cites absence of Muslims for peace, order in province

Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba dropped an anti-Muslim remark when he touched the peace and order topic during a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

"If we dredge the river, restore the Cagayan River to its old glory, I think Cagayan and the north will enjoy so much as far as the economic activity of Luzon is concerned," Mamba told senators during an inquiry into the recent floods that affected Luzon.

"We do not have Muslims here. Wala ho kaming problema, as far as peace and order is concerned here," he said.

"And we could also see the interest of the Chinese, the Taiwanese, the South Koreans, and the Japanese in the agricultural, aquaculture, and even livestock industry of our province and that would include the tourism industry," he added.

The topic about peace and order was not pursued as senators delved on asking about the plans of the local government for flood control.

Cagayan was among provinces hardest hit by the destructive floods in Luzon during and even after the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.—AOL, GMA News