Cebu policemen keeping close watch on mosques

CEBU -- Police are keeping a close watch on three Muslim mosques and an Islamic center in Lapu-Lapu City after receiving reports that some suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf have turned up in these places.

Senior Inspector Limuel Obon, operations and intelligence chief of the city police, told The Freeman that he has been notified about the presence of new faces in these places.

The police, in coordination with Muslim leaders, have been ordered to put the following places under surveillance: the Humay-humay mosque, headed by Marlon Badio, in Barangay Gun-ob; and the Onayan mosque, headed by Macarumpan Ebra; the Hidia mosque, headed by Omar Casim; and the Mactan Islamic Center, headed by Haji Amer Sabíh Cosain, all located in Sitio Iba, Barangay Basak, which is near the airport.

Obon said the police are in constant contact with Muslim leaders, who will provide them with the names of new migrants who intend to reside in their communities.

Lapu-Lapu City attorney Joshua Palalay said Muslims cannot be prevented from migrating here since this violates their "liberty of abode."

He believes that Muslims in the city are those who have become disgruntled with life in Mindanao.

At present though, the Cebu City police still do not have evidence to prove the presence of members of the Abu Sayyaf here.

Criminal intelligence and investigation division chief Paul Labra and his men personally went to Sitio Alaska in Mambaling the other day and talked with Muslim leaders who promised to cooperate for the sake of peace here.

Cebu police provincial director Robelito Comilang, for his part, is also coordinating with Muslim leaders in Lapu-Lapu and Talisay.

The Freeman learned that other policemen are also monitoring the activities of the Muslims residing in Barangay Mantuyong, Mandaue City.