FILIPINO MUSLIM LEADERS DENOUNCE CARTOONS, BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 000606 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, NEA, DS, EUR E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2016 TAGS: PGOV PINS KISL PINR ASEC RP DA NO SUBJECT: FILIPINO MUSLIM LEADERS DENOUNCE CARTOONS, BUT CALL FOR RESTRAINT REF: A. STATE 20587 ¶B. STATE 20453 ¶C. MANILA 0557 ¶D. STATE 18503 Classified By: Acting Pol/C Joseph L. Novak for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: A group of Filipino Muslim religious scholars issued a statement on February 8 condemning the publication of cartoons depicting the Muslim Prophet Mohammad. They also called for a restrained response. A Muslim congressman from Mindanao made a speech hitting similar themes on the floor of the House on February 8. The GRP has pledged that it will protect public order. The cartoons have stirred up some Filipino Muslim concern, but public calls for a non-violent response are encouraging and there is little sign that violence may erupt over the matter. End Summary. ¶2. (U) The Ulama Forum for Peace and Democracy, an organization of Filipino Muslim religious scholars, issued a statement during its national conference on February 8 condemning the publication of cartoons depicting the Muslim Prophet Mohammad. The group demanded that "apologies" be extended to Muslims. The statement went on say that the group was "saddened that the Danish and European media had added fuel to the fire by printing cartoons that have provoked anger in the hearts of Muslims who are already pressed to the wall." The statement also cautioned Filipino Muslims against using violence to protest the cartoons, arguing that "the Prophet condemns all such forms of violence, especially those done in his name." ¶3. (C) Amina Rasul-Bernardo, a conference organizer and close Embassy contact, told poloff (who was present for part of the conference) that the group was planning to hold "a non-violent demonstration" in Zamboanga City, Mindanao, soon. Rasul-Bernardo did not believe that tensions within the country's Muslim community were such that violence was at all likely. ¶4. (U) Also on February 8, Representative Simeon Datumanong from Maguindanao, Mindanao, gave a speech on the floor of the House in which he denounced the caricatures as a "vicious attack against Islam," claiming that freedom of press did not provide justification "to insult Muslims and commit blasphemy against the Islamic faith." At the same time, he urged his "Muslim brothers and fellow Filipinos" to act with "restraint and sobriety" in dealing with the issue. ¶5. (C) Per ref A points, Mission has underscored to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Office of Muslims Affairs (OMA),the lead office in the GRP dealing with matters impacting on the Philippines' Muslim minority, the need to take measures to lower any lingering tensions and prevent violence. GRP contacts said they understood and were urging that there be a peaceful response. Metro Manila Police Chief Vidal Querol said at a February 8 press conference that he had directed the Southern Police District in Makati -- where the majority of foreign embassies are located -- to increase security around diplomatic premises. A police spokesman said the GRP has not received any reports to the effect that Muslims in Manila planned to hold public protests. ¶6. (C) Comment: The publication of the cartoons has stirred up some indignation among Filipino Muslims. It is encouraging that Muslim leaders -- while condemning the cartoons -- have publicly urged their followers not to resort to violence. In any case, there is little sign that tempers are such that violence may erupt over the matter, though there was a flag-burning in a city in Mindanao on February 7 (ref C). Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/ Jones