ARMM official: Muslim ID system a case of Islamophobia

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong said Saturday that the mandatory identification card system restricted for the Muslim community is a form of Islamophobia.

"Many cases of Islamophobia has started to emerge like the ID systems for Muslims. As a civilized country, we must counter any discriminatory measure to uphold the fundamental rights of each citizens of this country against any form of discrimination," Adiong said in a media briefing in Marawi City.

The Human Rights Watch said officials from the local government in Paniqui, Tarlac have imposed a Muslim ID system, while the rest of the Central Luzon's seven provinces were being urged to follow suit.

The Muslim-ID system was proposed amid the ongoing conflict in Marawi City and reports of Maute group members being able to slip out of the area.

Several suspected Maute group members attempting to leave Mindanao have been arrested.

Adiong, who is also the spokesperson of the Marawi Crisis Management Committee, said such measures only "add up" to the wound that Muslims are trying to heal over the years.

"Measures such as the imposition of the Muslim ID system selectively on Muslim residence in some parts of the country and in areas predominantly controlled by Christians add up to the wound that we as the people are trying very hard over the years to heal. Aside from the question of Constitutionality, we see this as a response generated not based on empirical data but from fear... which these terrorist groups are wanting to instill," Adiong said.

"We should not and we should never fall on their trap by giving them the privilege of winning the propaganda of hate and division between us the minority Muslims and them the Christians majority of this country," he said.

He added that the government should "maintain collective efforts to face our common enemy - violent extremism."

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa had clarified that the identification system was initiated locally, but that he doesn't see any problem with it.

"Meron silang regional peace and order council, yan siguro lumabas sa pinag-usapan nila. wala pa akong nakitang problema," Dela Rosa said during a press briefing in Marawi City. —Marlly Rome C. Bondoc/ALG, GMA News