MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robinhood Padilla is seeking a Senate inquiry into the Taguig city police station shooting last August 7, which allegedly stemmed from religious discrimination and mockery involving a Muslim police officer.
Padilla filed Senate Resolution No. 743 on August 17, directing the Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs to conduct a probe into the case and other similar incidents “in light of the numerous acts and practices that disadvantage and undermine the community’s religious beliefs, particularly in the observance of their dietary principles.”
Citing reports and a letter from Chief Master Sergeant Alraquib Aguel, Padilla said the shooting incident allegedly stemmed from a heated argument between Aguel and Executive Master Sergeant Heriberto Saguiped over a pork dish prepared in the police station.
Padilla said Aguel claimed that the incident “was exacerbated by previous instances of discrimination and mockery” aimed at him, “as well as the surreptitious serving of pork without his knowledge.”
Padilla also cited several instances that violated Islamic dietary laws in the past.
“Given the recurring unfortunate incidents prejudicial to the Muslim community and their basic necessity for human survival, that is, sustenance through food in line with their dietary principles, it is imperative for the Senate to thoroughly evaluate and formulate effective measures to address and mitigate these occurrences,” Padilla said.
“Muslim Filipinos, constituting a minority within the Philippines, encounter unique challenges in exercising their religious beliefs, particularly when it comes to fulfilling their basic dietary needs,” he added.