Muslims safe in Lapu-Lapu City

CEBU, Philippines — The Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) has assured that the Muslim community is safe in the city and that they have no specific threats received in their place.

Superintendent Mark Gifter Sucalit of LCPO- City Intelligence Branch said that the death of a Muslim vendor in a public market in Barangay Poblacion was an isolated case and investigation revealed it was because of a personal grudge.

"I consider that as an isolated case, dili man ingun gyud nga sila tanan," he added.

At present, around 10,000 Muslims are living in the city.

Sucalit issued the statement after the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) expressed grief over the death of Maodin Manali Lucman, 45, a vendor who was shot dead by unidentified assailants on board a motorcycle last June 7.

Datu Abubacar Gunang, information officer of National NCMF) in the Visayas and the president of the Association of Cebu Muslim Professionals and Entrepreneurs, Inc. (ACMEP), earlier said police and local officials should arrest the persons behind the crime.

"Amo gitan-aw kung naa ba'y lapses, amo gi-check, pero usa sa mga anggulo nga ato gitan-aw kay ang personal grudges," Sucalit said, adding that  Lucman was a leader of the Muslim community in his barangay.

Sucalit added LCPO is in constant coordination with the Muslim community leaders in order to address issues and concerns.

"Every month, naa man mi meeting sa mga Muslim community. Kung naa sila'y mga concerns, puwede man na ma-address nato," Sucalit said. — MBG (FREEMAN)