PHILIPPINE REACTION TO DANISH CARTOON CONTROVERSY

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 000557

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, NEA, DS, EUR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINS KISL PINR ASEC RP DA
SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE REACTION TO DANISH CARTOON CONTROVERSY

Classified By: Acting Pol/C Joseph L. Novak for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: A Danish flag was burned in Cotabato, a
city in the southern Philippines on February 7. Protesters
condemned the recent publication of a cartoon offensive to
Muslims in a Danish newspaper. Muslim religious leaders are
planning to issue a condemnation of the cartoon shortly. The
Danish cartoon matter seems to be resonating somewhat among
Filipino Muslims, but we do not expect violence. End
Summary.


2. (U) According to contacts and press reports, over a
hundred people gathered in the city center of Cotabato,
Mindanao, on February 7, and burned a Danish flag.
Protesters at the event demanded that Denmark's government
take action against the newspaper that published a cartoon of
the Muslim Prophet Mohammad. There were no reports of
violence or any other sort of unruly behavior; the
demonstrators reportedly had a permit issued by the city
government approving the rally.


3. (C) Also on February 7, Amina Rasul-Bernardo, a long-time
Embassy contact who heads a women's rights NGO, told poloff
that Muslim religious leaders attending an ongoing conference
(the "Ulama Forum for Peace and Democracy") in Manila had
begun discussing the Danish cartoon. Conference attendees
planned to issue a public statement condemning the cartoon
soon, she said. They were also contemplating sponsoring
demonstrations in Muslim-majority areas of the southern
Philippines. She said the group is committed to
non-violence. Poloff plans to attend the conference on
February 8 and will use that opportunity to gauge local
sentiment regarding this matter further.


4. (U) On February 6, the cartoon drew public criticism from
Congressman Mujiv Hataman, a Muslim from Mindanao, who said
he found the cartoons both offensive and highly insulting
toward Islam as a religion. Hataman warned that Denmark
could face more protests because of the cartoon unless
appropriate steps were taken, including an apology. Hataman
also said he supported boycotting Danish goods.


5. (C) Comment: Based on the rally in Cotabato and
Rasul-Bernardo's comments, the cartoon matter seems to be
resonating somewhat among Filipino Muslims. That said, we do
not expect violence and the story may not have real legs
here, though events in the wider Muslim world could impact
the response of Filipino Muslims.

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Jones