Push Admin

Mamba’s remark disparaging Muslims angers Muslim official; governor apologizes

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA--Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba on Wednesday angered Muslim leaders when he connected peace and order in the province to the alleged absence of Muslims there.</p><p>Mamba made the remark as he tried to convince lawmakers to rehabilitate the Cagayan River to entice tourists and investors there.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/25/20/governor-seeks-cagayan-river-restoration-to-prevent-floods-boost-economy">Governor seeks Cagayan river restoration to prevent floods, boost economy</a></li></ul><p>&quot;If we dredge the river, restore the Cagayan River to its old glory, I think Cagayan and the North will enjoy so much advantage, as much as economic activity of Luzon is concerned,&quot; Mamba said in a Senate hearing on flood control projects.</p><p>&quot;We do not have Muslims here. Wala kaming problema as far as peace and order is concerned here.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/14/20/cagayan-governor-says-people-warned-but-floods-worse-than-we-prepared-for">Cagayan governor says people warned, but floods ‘worse than we prepared for’</a></li></ul><p>Hours after Mamba&#x27;s remark, the Cagayan Public Information Office issued an apology.</p><p>&quot;Nililinaw po ni Gov. na ang ibig niyang tukuyin ay &#x27;Walang paniniwalang extremism sa mga kapatid na Muslim na naninirahan sa Cagayan&#x27;,&quot; the office said in a social media post.</p><p>(Gov. Mamba clarifies that what he wanted to refer to was that there were &quot;no extremists among our Muslim brothers and sisters here in Cagayan.&quot;)</p><p>&quot;Kaugnay nito ay muling humihingi ng paumanhin si Gov. Mamba kung ibang konteksto ang ibinunga ng kaniyang pahayag sa Senate committee hearing.&quot;</p><p>(In line with this, Gov. Mamba is sorry if his statement during the Senate committee heating gave a different context.)</p><p>Bangsamoro Parliament member Zia Alonto Adiong denounced Mamba for his comment, but later acknowledged his apology.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">(1) There are Muslim diplomats, Muslim businessmen, Muslim doctors, Muslim scientists, Muslim inventors, Muslim academicians, Muslim legislators and so on. You name it, we have it. We even have Muslim heads of state. There are also Muslims of various nationalities and race.</p>— Zia Alonto Adiong (@ZeeAlontoAdiong) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZeeAlontoAdiong/status/1331590177991446528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">(2) we do have Muslim Governors doing exactly the same job as Gov. Mamba. I have a surprise for you, Governor, we’re everywhere! Don’t be scared because we do have Muslim policemen and soldiers as well to keep us all safe and protected.</p>— Zia Alonto Adiong (@ZeeAlontoAdiong) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZeeAlontoAdiong/status/1331590306882490368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">(3) What we do not have are officials who think that a presence of other religious groups is a problem to the peace and order situation in our areas, because, seriously, who would ever think that way except bigots?</p>— Zia Alonto Adiong (@ZeeAlontoAdiong) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZeeAlontoAdiong/status/1331590410473357315?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><p>&quot;Seriously, who would ever think that way except bigots?&quot; he said in a tweet.</p><p>&quot;I have a surprise for you, Governor, we’re everywhere! Don’t be scared because we do have Muslim policemen and soldiers as well to keep us all safe and protected,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;We do have Muslim Governors doing exactly the same job as Gov. Mamba,&quot; he said.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">We’re told by our faith 2 accept apologies especially when they’re being offered w/ sincerity. By accepting it doesn’t mean we tolerate. We’ll continue to call out bigotry, prejudice ‘til we reach a point that we no longer have 2 defend our right 2 b part of a peaceful community. <a href="https://t.co/Xl6RBZBWC0">pic.twitter.com/Xl6RBZBWC0</a></p>— Zia Alonto Adiong (@ZeeAlontoAdiong) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZeeAlontoAdiong/status/1331610203976941568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><p>Adiong reminded Muslims they should &quot;not allow people to tell you &#x27;you are the problem&#x27;.&quot;</p><p>&quot;You are a Muslim. You have all the right as a citizen of this country, under this constitution, to choose to live wherever you see fit,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;There are Muslim diplomats, Muslim businessmen, Muslim doctors, Muslim scientists, Muslim inventors, Muslim academicians, Muslim legislators and so on. You name it, we have it,&quot; he said.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OPxQgWRHedc?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Mamba made the remark on Wednesday, as he tried to convince lawmakers to rehabilitate the Cagayan River to entice tourists and investors there.</p>

Mamba made the remark on Wednesday, as he tried to convince lawmakers to rehabilitate the Cagayan River to entice tourists and investors there.

Mamba’s remark disparaging Muslims angers Muslim official; governor apologizes

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

Mamba’s remark disparaging Muslims angers Muslim official; governor apologizes

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 25, 2020 11:08 PM PHT

|

Updated Nov 25, 2020 11:49 PM PHT

Read More:

Manuel Mamba

governor

Cagayan

Muslims

Zia Alonto Adiong

Cagayan governor

Cagayan Valley

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.