Republic of the Philippines

Region XII
Province of Cotabato
CITY OF KIDAPAWAN
OFFICE OF THE CITY VICE MAYOR
City Hall Bldg., De Mazenod Avenue, Brgy. Poblacion, Kidapawan City 9400, Tel. No. 064-577-5851

RESOLUTION APPEALING ALL MASS MEDIA IN KIDAPAWAN CITY

TO REFRAIN FROM USING THE TERM “MUSLIM” IN IDENTIFYING
PERPERTATORS AND/OR SUSPECTS OF ANY CRIME COMMITTED.
The Resolution submitted by the Office of the City Vice
Mayor was already approved on its first reading.
In furtherance of the rule of law, the resolution aims to
eradicate any prejudice towards the Muslim community. The use
of the term “MUSLIM” in identifying perpetrators has served as a
form of discrimination to our brothers and sisters in the Islamic
faith.
The use of the phrase “MUSLIM TERRORIST” for example
connotes the idea that Muslims are terrorists when in fact it is not
entirely true. Since when did we ever heard of the use of phrases
like “Christian Rebels” or “Evangelical Bombers”. Although hate
crimes have been committed by many of our Islam brothers and
sisters, media outlets should not conflate the issue of terrorism
with Muslims and Islam.
This has resulted to years of discrimination and causes
further feelings of stigmatization and alienation amongst people
from the group. The unfortunate stereotype of Muslims being
violent has caused them to be suspected and accused of serious
crimes with impunity.
Reports even showed that innocent civilians, based on
prejudice and stereotyping Muslims, are met with strictness and
are accosted at the checkpoint. Some have been detained and
convicted due to mistaken identity simply because they are of the
same Islamic faith.
These are only few of the many reasons why there is a dire
need to enact laws that aims to protect certain minority groups in
society. Thus, the Office of the City Vice Mayor will do its best to
push forward legislations that would uphold equality and diversity
in the City of Kidapawan.