Will the RH bill become an obstacle to peace with the Moros?

From CBCP for Life:

Birth control not acceptable to our religion – MILF peace negotiator

MANILA, June 14, 2012–The chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel Mohagher Iqbal in a multi-stakeholders forum on the Government of the Philippines (GPH)-MILF peace talks today stressed that a population control measure, such as the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, is a deterrent to peace.

Iqbal, when asked if the bill hampers the peace process, said, “Oo, kung ang susundin sa kanila, yung proseso nila, talagang magkakaroon ng problema (Yes if we follow their principle [birth control], their process will really result in problems).” First of all, we don’t believe in that philosophy na mag-control. There are many ways of managing population, means that are acceptable to our religion.”

“The very product for the health policy of the government is not really applicable to us because we have our own way of addressing population,” he continued.

“It is not about control. We just manage because we believe that God has provided enough resources for everyone to enjoy and be the source of their living. So we don’t believe in birth control.”

In a group statement given at a pro-life rally last year, Alim Acmad Basher, President of the Imams’ League of the Philippines, cited the Koran—particularly Sura 17:31 which says, “Kill not your children for fear of want. We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin.”

The Senate closed the period of interpellation early this month on the Senate version of RH bill or SB 2865, but one of the measure’s staunch opponents, Sen. Vicente Sotto III, will be delivering his turno en contra (turn to object).

Iqbal reiterated that the present content of the measure is objectionable, particularly on the use of artificial methods of birth control. “As presented we are not in favor of that bill,” he said in the vernacular. (CBCP for Life)

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For the record, the following is a video of the statement made by Alim Acmad Basher last year:

More on Muslim opposition to birth control

Dear Senator, Why Did You Have to Deceive Us?
Rowell Alan Rocaberte

Dear Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago,

Why did you have to deceive the Filipino people? Why were you misleading us?

You publicly said, last August 1, 2011, in your sponsorship speech for the RH Bill, that the Assembly of Darul-Iftah of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the most authoritative body of Islamic clerics in the Philippines, supports the RH Bill as endorsed by some Christian churches. This is not so.

(Read more HERE).

See also: Dear Senator, Why Did You Have to LIE?

NB: Mr. Rocaberte is not Muslim. His post discusses the actual position of the Assembly of Darul-Iftah of the ARMM regarding birth control; it is not his personal confession of faith. 

Rep. Fatima Aliah Dimaporo versus the RH Bill

A Muslim voice versus the RH bill.

From Rep. Dimaporo's speech at the March 25, 2011 rally for life at the Quirino Grandstand, where she speaks against the myth of overpopulation:

A young Muslim versus the RH Bill

The Unknown Voice: A Muslim's view of the RH Bill

Nash Alonto

Brothers and sisters, let me just say for all of us that we are now facing a greater situation unimagined that might alter the course of cultural impact... the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill. According to supporters of said bill, they claim that this "piece of unpublished legislation" would alleviate the nation's economic woes by teaching people about safe sex and contraception.

For many months, pro-RH personalities like activist Carlos Celdran, legislators Riza Hontiveros and Edcel Lagman are still fighting against the Catholic Church over that bill. They claimed that the Catholic Church should not interfere with politics. The question is: Is it only the Catholic Church that's getting in the way? What Celdran, Hontiveros and Lagman do not know is that there are other religions in the Philippines whose voice have not yet been heard. It's as if as only the Christians are fighting over the RH Bill, therefore there is no diversity of opinions over this situation. Henceforth, with this blog post, I speak on behalf, about the Muslim view of the RH Bill.

As Muslims, we have one answer: NO! We will not let this bill to pass, for this bill is a travesty to our country that ruins the morality, economic, and is a total wrecking ball that destroys the diversity of this fair nation. We may be a minority, but seriously don't we get an opinion about it too???!! We Muslims, have protected ourselves against tempestuous evils that destroy the sanctity of life. Furthermore, if this bill passes, then everyone in this nation would go and "get it on" (pardon my language...), and thus, society will become hay wired with disgust.

Furthermore, human labor is considered a fine treasure in the Philippines for young and fresh graduates are in demand around the world. In other countries, where the aged is more populous than the youth, young graduates are needed here and abroad to take care of the elderly. Now, if this passes, young people will become less in the population, and if there less young people, who will take care of our elders?

If pro-RH bill supporters claimed that this bill will alleviate the country's economic woes by giving contraceptives to couples, think again. Although good intention, how will the poor afford it? Generally, condoms and other contraceptive cost more expensive in any store. Why would the poor spend what they worked for a piece of rubber garbage? Instead of selling condoms, the State should spend the money in building classrooms, or providing better health care for our sickened citizens. Better yet, spend it on scholarship programs so that the youth may able to go on in their studies. Besides, how will we be able to learn if too many condoms are around?

There is this one question that puzzles me the most: How did the pro-RH bill politicians able to manipulate...este...convince the President to support this bill? When I supported PNoy, I knew that he would be able to spring-clean this country to its original luster. I was shocked as to how would PNoy, son of the famous pro-life President Cory, would even supported this bill. Furthermore, this bill violates articles 2 and 15 of our Constitution which specifies the protection and sanctity of the unborn child. So how would the pro-RH Bill supporters push for it. I wouldn't do that If I were them, because if I do, I would be accused of high treason for violating the Constitution. Religion may be separate from State, but at least put some morality on it. It's as if they turned PNoy into a living puppet.

I say to all once again, we cannot let this "bill" pass. Think of the travesty that this will affect. Think of the sanctity of unborn life. I assure you this bill will cause nothing but misery in this country. Furthermore, passing of this bill will trigger terrorists like Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf, and others to more bombings and mayhem all over the Philippines. Above all, more pro-life people will take to the streets and revolt to save life, and mind you, it will be as large as the Egyptian protests in Tahrir Square ten-fold.

MARK MY WORDS! If PNoy signs the bill into when Congress has passed it, we will pack our bags and Qur'ans and leave the Philippines forever.