Was the recent shooting incident that killed a police officer in Taguig City triggered by religious discrimination through the serving of pork?
Senator Robin Padilla is seeking an investigation into the incident as well as similar instances of prejudice in the past, after the Muslim police officer involved indicated that the shooting stemmed from previous instances of discrimination and mockery.
In filing Senate Resolution 743, Padilla sought to have the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the plight of the Muslim community “in light of the numerous acts and practices that disadvantage and undermine their religious beliefs, particularly in the observance of their dietary principles.”
“It is imperative for the Senate to thoroughly evaluate and formulate effective measures to address and mitigate these occurrences.”
“Given the recurring unfortunate incidents prejudicial to the Muslim community and their basic necessity for human survival, that is sustenance through food in line with their dietary principles, it is imperative for the Senate to thoroughly evaluate and formulate effective measures to address and mitigate these occurrences,” the legislator said.
The lawmaker cited the shooting incident at a Taguig police station last Aug. 7 where a police officer lost his life and another was in critical condition, following an altercation with a Muslim police officer. The shooting allegedly stemmed from a pork dish prepared in the police station.
“The Muslim officer provided me with a letter where he said the incident was exacerbated by previous instances of discrimination and mockery aimed at him, as well as the surreptitious serving of pork without his knowledge.”
The senator said the Muslim officer provided him a letter where he said the incident “was exacerbated by previous instances of discrimination and mockery” aimed at him, as well as the surreptitious serving of pork without his knowledge.
Before this, Padilla noted previous instances that violated Islamic dietary laws, including:
* The finding by the Department of Science and Technology Calabarzon showing 51 products of a processed food brand with the “Halal” logo was contaminated with pork or its derivatives, and that the Halal certifier of the products was not accredited by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF);
* The Commission on Audit report for 2021 flagged the caterer contracted by the Bureau of Corrections for serving pork to Muslims and Seventh-Day Adventists inmates, violating the Food Subsistence Agreement that inmates shall be given food in accordance with their religious practice;
* The attempted hostage-taking of former Sen. Leila de Lima at the PNP Custodial Center on October 9, 2022, where one of the Muslim inmates recounted being served pork.
Also, Padilla noted a plea was reportedly made to General Santos City government to establish a dedicated area for Halal food items within the local government-run central market, after it was found that some vendors applied pig blood coating to fish slices to make them appear fresh.
“Muslim Filipinos, constituting a minority within the Philippines, encounter unique challenges in the exercise of their religious beliefs, particularly when it comes to fulfilling their basic dietary needs,” he noted.
