Recruiting Terrorists?

RUMOR — We should not swallow “hook, line and sinker” this  rumor about alleged recruitment of our local muslim  boys in Mindanao  by the terrorist group in the Middle East called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS, for short) for training purposes.  This is an incredible story, if you ask me.

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UNFAIR TO MUSLIMS — This ISIS recruitment report is  unfair to our mainstream muslims  because ISIS is known for its brutality and inhuman mass killings of those who reportedly refused to convert to  islam. It can unfairly project muslims as barbaric.   We should be a bit prudent in handling such rumors.

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SOCIAL COHESION — Due to the diversity of the people of Mindanao, we all need to first understand our respective differences. Then  we accept that diversity by respecting those differences, be it religious, cultural or otherwise.   We build relationships by finding common grounds and accepting each other the way we are. This is what “social cohesion” is all about. This is the way to durable peace.

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CONFLICT DIVIDES  — I will tell you a story about “social cohesion” and how fighting or war divides neighbors.   When I was handling Mindanao before for Malacanang, I noticed that whenever there was conflict or fighting in their communities, the  muslim civilians  would go to muslim areas to  evacuate and the christians to christian- dominated evacuation centers, although they all lived harmoniously in one community as neighbors before the disturbance. Conflict, indeed,  divides people.

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REBUILDING  — I used to tell friends that I found it much easier to rebuild structures like buildings, infrastructures, schoolhouses and homes destroyed by conflict and war  than restoring broken relationships due to conflict. The  anger and mistrust linger and take   longer time  to heal  than the physical wounds of combat.

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CLOWNS —  The clowns, ( a.k.a. politicians)  are starting to paint the town red and playing their tricks. Although  show time  is far away 2016 yet, the  election circus has come to  town! So expect acrobats and magicians. And heisters!  And by the way, watch your wallets. Many of them have gained first hand experience on juggling in the air and making people’s money suddenly disappear!