AN OFFICIAL of the Ulama League of the Philippines denounced Friday, September 16, the accusations revealed by senate witness Edgar Matobato that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the bombing of a mosque in Davao City.
Eastern Mindanao Chairman of the Ulama League of the Philippines Aleem Mahmoud Mala Adilao said the Moro people do not agree with the testimony of Matobato, tagging Duterte as the mastermind of the bombing of a mosque years ago.
"Ang akong na-receive na feedback from the Muslim Community wala sila makaangay sa witness, wala nagatuo ang Muslim sa tibuok nasud sa iya (The Muslim community do not believe in the stories revealed by the witness. Muslims do not believe his accusations)," Adilao said.
During the Senate hearing last Thursday, Matobato claimed that Duterte issued orders to bomb mosques in retaliation after the bombings of San Pedro Cathedral in April 19, 1981, and December 28, 1993.
Matobato also accused Duterte ordered the arrest and killings of Muslim suspects. He also said the bodies of Muslim suspects were allegedly buried in a quarry in the city.
One of the casualties was a certain Salik Makdum, whom he said they abducted from the Island City of Samal (Igacos) in 2002.
Duterte already earned the support of Moro people in Mindanao even before he was elected as president due to his programs for the Muslim community.
Among these programs include the designation of deputy mayors of Muslims in the city, food donations for Muslims during Ramadan, and assisting Muslims to travel to Mecca yearly for free to participate in the Hajj, an annual Islamic pilgrimage which Muslims must undertake at least ones in their lifetime.