MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered a probe of agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Western Mindanao for alleged discrimination against Muslims in connection with an NBI investigation of a recent bus bombing in Zamboanga City.
DOJ Undersecretary Zabedin Azis directed NBI Director Virgilio Mendez to investigate the label “Muslim type” on the sketch of a suspect.
The sketch, which went viral on social media, was criticized as an insult to Muslim communities.
“The DOJ does not allow or tolerate discrimination against any group or sector of society, including Muslim Filipinos. This would violate not only the equal protection clause of our Constitution but also our commitments under international law,” Azis’ order stated.
The sketch was released to help authorities identify and arrest the suspects in the bus bombing in Zamboanga City last week that left one person dead and more than 30 others wounded.
NBI-Western Mindanao director Fernando Lavin had apologized for the lapse during a recent meeting with Muslim community leaders.
Army and police intelligence personnel blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the bus bombing.