Philippines: Muslim-only ID discriminatory, military says

A proposed identification system for Muslims is discriminatory, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has said. Authorities want identification for “everyone, not just a certain sector of the society”, according to military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla. “It is discriminatory if you ask IDs from just one sector of society,” said Padilla at a news […]

A proposed identification system for Muslims is discriminatory, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has said.

Authorities want identification for “everyone, not just a certain sector of the society”, according to military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

“It is discriminatory if you ask IDs from just one sector of society,” said Padilla at a news conference, and urged a national ID system the military supports.

“Not all our Muslim brothers and sisters are part of the rebellion. Only a few of them are… Terrorists are trying to make it appear that it is a religious war… Let us not allow them to incorporate such themes in this conflict,” he added.

The Central Luzon police suggested the issuing of special IDs to Muslims from Mindanao, saying this would allow authorities to identify people with ties to terrorists.

A similar system is being implemented in Paniqui, Tarlac in the central Philippines, according to Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino. (The Muslim News)