FEMALE soldiers wearing hijab were deployed to conduct inspection in mosques in Davao City as part of the implementation of the “No Backpack Policy” inside places of worship.
Task Force Davao commander Colonel Nolasco Mempin said Tuesday, February 19, that aside from Catholic churches, mosques are included in the security inspection to prevent terrorist attacks.
They are part of the team Task Force Davao Hijabi led by 2nd Lt. Marinel Casinos who will check the bags of churchgoers.
Around 90 personnel and 10 female troopers were deployed to 21 mosques across the city.
The female troopers were required to wear hijab, a head covering worn in public by some Muslim women.
“[The purpose of wearing Hijab is] to be culture sensitive with our Muslim sisters. According to Madrasah, there's nothing wrong in wearing hijab by non-Muslims. We try to assimilate the female Muslims during inspection by wearing white hijab and gloves,” Mempin said.
Mempin said during inspection that only female soldiers can bodily search female Muslims. The soldiers are not allowed inside the mosque while the Muslims are praying.