Moro leaders want Misamis Oriental governor out of race
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—A coalition of Filipino Muslim leaders, under the One Bangsamoro Movement (1Bangsa), filed a verified intervention before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, seeking sanctions against reelectionist Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia over alleged inflammatory remarks against the Moro people.
The petition supports the motu proprio complaint previously lodged against Unabia for election offenses and seeks his disqualification as a gubernatorial candidate in the May 12 midterm elections.
“We unequivocally condemn the inflammatory and divisive statements propagated by candidate and incumbent Gov. Unabia, which not only incite hatred but also jeopardize the peaceful conduct and integrity of our electoral process,” the group said in a statement.
It argued that Unabia’s remarks violated constitutional protections on religious freedom and equal protection, and posed a threat to the safety and dignity of Muslim communities.
Maulana Balangi, 1Bangsa national president, stressed that the intervention reflected their “firm assertion to defend the rights and well-being of the Filipino Muslim community, the general public, and to preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions.”
The group urged Comelec and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, and to take immediate action to hold Unabia accountable.
“We call upon the authorities to act without delay, to deliver justice, and to protect the sacred rights of every citizen in our diverse nation,” Balangi said.
The Comelec had asked Unabia to explain by April 10 why he should not be cited for election offense due to his anti-Moro remarks as well as his sexist views about nurses.
In a campaign speech in Balingoan town on April 1, Unabia warned voters that if his slate and local allies would be defeated in the May 12 midterm elections, their localities risked being dominated by Maranaos that could pave the way for politicians from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) replacing their mayors by the next electoral cycle.
He also said that in such scenario, the province and this city could suffer from security instability just like in the BARMM.
Apology
On Monday, Unabia attended a closed-door meeting with Christian and Muslim faith leaders in the city at the official residence of Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Jose Cabantan in a bid to thresh out the widespread backlash from his remarks.
During the meeting, Unabia apologized to the Muslim leaders present, said Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Felixberto Calang.
“Gov. Unabia humbled himself before the Muslim leaders and us saying that he did not mean any harm for the Maranaos and the imams accepted his apology,” Cabantan said.
Based on photos of the meeting circulated online, Unabia was accompanied by Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny Vincente Emano and Fermin Jarales, interim general manager of Cagayan de Oro City Water District.
Excluded
Among the Muslim leaders who attended the meeting were Ustadj Aliasa Alinog of the Ulama League of Northern Mindanao, lawyer Mohammad Hussein Lucman, lawyer Alama Pangandaman-Pumbaya, and Jamaloddin Muti of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.
But Muslim groups in Lanao del Sur were not satisfied with the outcome of the dialogue since they were excluded from the process.
Balangi said the dialogue and the supposed apology were “exclusive” for those Muslims living in Cagayan de Oro and did not represent the others in Mindanao whose reputation was maligned by Unabia.
“Unabia insulted the Muslims from the Bangsamoro and it just right that he asked forgiveness from all of us,” Balangi said.
Leah Tarhata Mehila of Young Moro Professionals Network said: “That dialogue did not douse the fire that Unabia had started.”
Aslani Montila, chairperson of the Marawi City-based Siyap Ko Pagtaw Inc., said young lawyers in Lanao del Sur were also planning to file a case against Unabia and help the Comelec gather evidence against the official.
