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Adel Tamano is feeling some pressure these days—not from the
Palace but from those upset about his position on an agreement
between government and Muslim secessionists.
Tamano, the United Opposition spokesman and
president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, told The Manila
Times that he has been receiving death threats since last week.
The agreement between government and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) proposes the creation of a Muslim
homeland, or the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE). The
agreement defines the territory of the homeland, which expands the
area of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM, and
gives the MILF autonomy to govern that area.
But the Supreme Court stopped the signing of the
agreement that was set on August 5 in Malaysia.
Early on, Tamano said the agreement is
unconstitutional, even accusing the administration of making
promises to the MILF that officials know they cannot deliver.
His comments are drawing angry text and e-mail
messages, such as “He is a bad person.” The messages got worse
Tuesday, when he received the text: “Let us pray for his [Tamano’s]
death.”
He said the threats do not bother him, and that
he is more concerned that differences in opinion have led to
violence.
“As Muslims, we should not react this way,”
said Tamano, himself a Maranao.
He said he also believes that as a good Muslim,
he should respect the Constitution, and that there is no conflict of
interest with his stand on the issue.
-- Bernice Camille Bauzon
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