By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following a meeting with local Muslim leaders, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo, Jr. yesterday expressed his opposition to the proposal for law enforcement to screen individuals fleeing conflict-stricken Marawi City and entering the province.
The DILG official explained, he called the meeting with local Muslim communities after Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) acting director, Police Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, described them as “uncooperative” with authorities.
“We sympathize with the refugees and the victims of the war,” Hinlo said. “They are welcome here in Bacolod City, but we have to take care that the city does not become a victim of terrorism.”
“There are bad Christians and Good Christians, there are also bad Muslims and Good Muslims,” he added.
During the meeting, Hinlo said he assured local Muslim leader Ontao Sacar both the provincial government of Negros Occidental and the Bacolod City government are eager to assist those evacuating the Lanao del Sur city.
Sacar, meanwhile, assured Hinlo they will police their members, adding, those who have recently arrived are relatives of Bacolod City residents.
Previously, Wanky placed barangay officials in charge of accounting for those evacuating Marawi City./WDJ