Non-Muslims in Basilan apprehensive about draft Bangsamoro law–bishop

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Basilan Catholic Bishop Martin Jumoad said non-Muslim residents of that province are not ready to accept the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which would pave the way for a new political entity.

“The BBL, in general, is good, but there are so many (parts that we’re) apprehensive about, particularly once the parliament, which will be composed of Muslims, impose laws that will go against the non-Muslims,” Jumoad told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.

“The non-Muslim Basileños expressed fears of these exclusive powers like those concerning hog-raising and the imposition of head covers or turong on non-Muslims,” Jumoad said.

Citing Sulu, the bishop said non-Muslim communities could not raise hogs even in their backyards. “They could not even have lechon there,” he said.

In an earlier interview, Eric Harina, president of the Zamboanga City Hog Raisers Association, told reporters that selling pork meat in Sulu was very risky.

“One of our colleagues brings pork meat there but on order basis and delivers the meat under tight security for fear of offending the Muslim population there,” Harina said.

Jumoad said the apprehension on the BBL is based on the possible laws that would be enacted by the Muslim-dominated parliament.

He said all the 14 priests in Basilan are against the BBL, including the 52 percent non-Muslim population of Isabela City.

A 2010 census revealed Isabela City has a 97,857 registered population.

Jumoad also cited the poor governance of past Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) leaderships, “with the exception of (ARMM Gov. Mujiv) Hataman when we saw concrete developments which were absent during the past administrations.”

The bishop also cited the case of a non-Muslim woman who openly declared her support to the BBL.

“Her position went under fire by our people and there we realized that the silent majority are against BBL,” he said.

Hataman has appealed to Jumoad to help bring the different faiths to a “dialogue for peace.”

“I know the good Bishop is speaking from experience, knowing where he is assigned now, but we from the ARMM are setting parameters to change the perception of our people about ARMM and the Bangsamoro in general, particularly on the issue of good governance,” Hataman said. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao