Cagayan De Oro City

by Ian A. Fuentes/ City Information Office
City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula today thanked the local Muslim community for their all-out support to secure Cagayan de Oro City against lawless elements who might sow terror in the wake of the escalating tension between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces in nearby Lanao del Norte province.

In a hastily called emergency meeting with Mayor Jaraula yesterday afternoon, the city’s Muslim leaders vowed to help in the city government’s efforts to maintain the stable peace and order condition of Cagayan de Oro City. “We are 101% supportive of your administration,” declared Atty. Ombra C. Gandamra, regional director of the Office of Muslim Affairs who is considered as one of the pillars in the local Muslim community, referring to the mayor’s call for calmness and sobriety despite the unrest. Other well-respected Muslim leaders who rallied behind the peacekeeping initiatives of the city government were Judge Solayman Macato-on, city prosecutor Fidel Macauyag, LTFRB regional director Mandangan Darimbang, Ulamas president Uztad Abdula Aloyodan and others. As he expressed his appreciation for the group’s declaration of support, Mayor Jaraula emphasized that the local Muslim community has greatly contributed in shaping-up the image of Cagayan de Oro as the most peaceful and investor-friendly city in Mindanao.Through their positive perception and sharing of information about the city, the City Mayor cited that the local Muslim leaders, businessmen and residents have attributed in projecting the good image and reputation of the city as an ideal place where Christians, Muslims and Lumads live in peace and harmony. During the meeting, the group assured to exhaust all possible means as a precautionary move to thwart attempts by any individuals or groups who might disrupt the stability of the city’s peace and order condition due to the on-going conflict. “Let us be watching our back and keep the vigilance in order to spare our city from any atrocities,” said Gandamra as he urged his colleagues to report to police authorities if they detect any suspicious-looking persons or groups roaming in their respective areas. To harness the harmonious relationship and good rapport between Mayor Jaraula and the Muslim community, the City Mayor is keen on holding a meeting with the leaders of the 30 mosques scattered all over the city in order to discuss security concerns and issues with the group. In a related development, Mayor Jaraula backed the proposal of Vice Mayor Vicente Y. Emano to make Cagayan de Oro City as the “neutral ground” in resolving the on-going armed conflict in Lanao del Norte. The City Mayor said he is supportive to the idea of Vice Mayor Emano’s proposal to make the city as the venue of the peace talks between members of the government’s peace panel and the MILF negotiators in order to resolve the conflict at the soonest possible time. Meanwhile, Mayor Jaraula clarified that there’s no cancellation in holding the series of activities in the Kagay-an Festival 2008- Cagayan de Oro City’s signature fiesta festival. Jaraula made the clarification after hearing rumors that the fiesta activities have been cancelled due to the conflict.