On the Mampang-Arena Blanco-Talon-talon issue No Christian-Muslim conflict in Zambo, religious leaders agree
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21 July 2010
The religious leaders including Mayor Celso Lobregat and top military and police officials met on a multi-stakeholders’ meeting held at the behest of the National Ulama Council of the Philippines (NUCP)-ZAMBASULTA chapter at a hotel in Pilar Street to discuss measures on how to put an end to the series of violent incidents in the area.
Mayor Celso Lobregat addresses religious leaders during a multi-stakeholders' meeting initiated by the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines-Zambasulta Chapter, July 15 to discuss about spate of shooting incidents in the Mampang-Arena Blanco and Talon-talon area. JOEY BAUTISTA
The assembly affirmed that the series of incidents in the 3 barangays is due to family feud or ‘rido’ and is not a religious conflict.
Themed “Finding common ground for peace is our religious duty”, the meeting was attended by about 300 people representing the different sectors.
Commissioner Moner Bajunaid, NUCP-Secretary General; Archbishop Romulo Valles and Pastor (Atty.) Paulino Ersando, president of the Zamboanga Ministers Fellowship were one in saying that there can never be a religious divide in Zamboanga and that they will do their utmost to help correct the reports being fomented by some sectors.
“There is no better common ground than love of God and love of neighbor”, Commissioner Bajunaid said stressing that the same principle was adopted by at least 300 leaders from all over the world led by the King of Saudi Arabia. “This is the duty of both Christians and Muslims”
Regardless of religion, all peoples are believers and all are members of the Abrahamic faith, according to the commissioner.
Archbishop Valles said he is deeply happy that the NUCP-Zambasulta chapter has initiated such a move with the primordial aim of sustaining peace in Zamboanga and the region.
“There can never be a religious conflict because it lacks foundation, never sanctioned, has no constitution, and is without basis”, Archbishop Valles said.
For his part, Pastor Ersando said the convening of the representatives of the different faiths yesterday was a clear manifestation that there is no religious conflict in the city. “The Evangelical community shares the observation of Archbishop Valles, we are for peace”.
Ersando emphasized that working together would help guarantee peace and tranquility in the city. “The best way to peace is love, peace and unity among our fellowmen”.
Meanwhile, Mayor Celso Lobregat presented during the dialogue, the situation in the Mampang-Arena Blanco-Talon-talon area and the actions taken by the city government following the spate of shooting incidents that started July 21, 2009 with the killing of Rozalino Estrada Jr.
Lobregat in coordination with the police and the military has undertaken numerous initiatives with the hope of resolving the issue the soonest possible time.
NUCP –Zambasulta chair Sheikh Jamal Munib said the event is to show the group’s commitment to help promote peace in the city and the region. “We only have one Zamboanga City to live. We must protect our city, regardless of religious affiliation”.
Col. Edwin de Ocampo, City Police OIC Director presented the statistics of incidents as well as the status of the investigation being conducted by the law enforcers.
Also present during the meeting were Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde, Councilors Jaime Cabato, Abdurahman Nuno and Percival Ramos, Western Mindanao Command chief LGen. Benjamin Dolorfino, Police Regional Director Gen. Edwin Corvera, Members of the NUCP-Zambasulta chapter, other Muslim leaders, Catholic leaders and protestants and representatives from other sectors. (Sheila Covarrubias)