The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Saturday expressed alarm over the identification system adopted by a Central Luzon town that supposedly discriminates against Muslims.
The ARMM in a statement also questioned the legality and propriety of the ID system that Paniqui, Tarlac implemented in an apparent move to root out people with terror links.
“We believe this policy clearly discriminates against the believers of Islam and could set a dangerous precedent,” the ARMM statement read.
“It could also ignite anger among young Muslims who are the primary targets for recruitment of extremist groups,” it added.
Several lawmakers who have pushed for a national ID system voiced concern over the Muslim-only ID in Paniqui, with Sen. Richard Gordon calling it a violation of constitutional rights.
The ARMM government urged an urgent dialogue with local government and security officials to straighten out the matter.
“If the requirement is security-related, the ID system should be applied to every resident of the community, to every Filipino, [and] not just Muslims,” it said, adding there are 25,000 law-abiding Muslim citizens in Central Luzon. —Frinston Lim