Rep. Antonio Floirendo – Lagdameo (Lakas – Davao del Norte) calls on the media to stop using religious affiliation as a tag to characterize groups fighting the government in Mindanao. He was reacting to several local and international news reports of the fighting between Philippine government forces and what media terms as “Muslim” rebels in the remote southern island of Jolo.

“We already know that the members of the MILF and MNLF are Muslims, but must media constantly harp on this fact? This practice plays on the religious aspect of the conflict and makes it harder for those involved in the community to find a solution,” says Rep. Lagdameo.

He adds that the differences between both sides stem “more from the numerous social, economic and political problems in the country than those imagined religious overtones that some media people insist n playing up.”

The lawmaker’s views were echoed by William Banzali, of the Center For Just Peace, a Mindanao-based multi-sectoral peace advocacy group. “We agree with Rep. Lagdameo when he says that the on-going conflict between the government and certain sectors of the community in Mindanao is more of a socio-economic and political problem. We hope the media will also start seeing it for what it is, instead of making it worse by injecting religion.”

“Mindanao has so much to offer and if we just focus on building on these potentials I am sure we can settle this conflict once and for all. What all Mindanaoans want is just to be able to have the opportunity to live in peace and be productive within our own communities. We hope that the media can be our partner in this cause,” says Rep. Lagdameo. 

Last update : 18-08-2007 12:19

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