Salaam People's Advocacy Group - National

SALAAM PEOPLE'S ADVOCACY GROUP is your partner for peace and community development NAME

Section 1. No. )

Section 2. Sec 4 . OBJECTIVES :
1. b. c. d.

INTERNAL BY LAWS OF SALAAM POLICE ADVOCACY GROUP (SPAG)
(Draft - Subject for Approval by the Salaam Police Center)

Article 1. Name of Organization : SALAAM POLICE ADVOCACY GROUP Incorporated ( SEC Reg. VISION :
"Envision to raise excellent and upright Muslim ummah to lead in inspiring communities whose virtues are God-fearing, love of country and fellow human-beings committed to a high sense of

integrity and competency that will transform into a morale society with Peace, Justice and Co-Existence"

Section 3. MISSION :
"To extend voluntary services and assistance to the Philippine National Police and other Government Law Enforcement Agencies in their mandate to curtail lawlessness, violent extremism, terrorism, red-tape coupled with corruptions and to assist in the public information awareness in order to eradicate biases/prejudices, misconceptions, and misrepresentations of Muslims and Islam." To serve as an Auxiliary and volunteer group in performing voluntary duties and responsibilities defined by Salaam Police Center;
2. To act as a catalyst group in disseminating right and correct information about Muslims and Islam;
3. To spread awareness particularly to Muslim communities about the ill effects of illegal drugs, vices and other forms of criminalities and lawlessness in the community;
4. To educate various sectors of society about the evil and danger of violent extremism and terrorist ideologies which are alien to the teaching of Islam
5. To amplify moderation (wasatiyyah) in Islam and to foster harmonious co-existence and tolerance among and between all faiths and aqidah
6. To build trust between and among tri-people and acting upon universal and exemplary moral behavior
7. To educate on conflict preventions and cultural sensitivity

Article II.TYPE/CLASSIFICATION

Section 1. Shura Council- A system of Shura Council or Consultative body and shall serve as the brain of the Organization, with 3 Advisers. Section 2. Members- Members of the Council shall be male/ female muslim with sound mind, resident of the Philippines, not less than 18 years of age and not more than 80 years of age. Section 3. Numbers- The Council members shall be composed of at least 5 members or more as decided by the Council Advisers and members. Section 4. Officers- Officers shall be the President, 3 Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Spokesperson, 2 Protocol Officers, 2 Peace Officers

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS :

PRESIDENT
a. Ensuring the organization's activities are compliant and in furtherance of its mission. Leading, managing and developing the Organization's personnel, volunteers and the organization's status. Developing, implementing, monitoring and assessing the Organizational programs including their impact. Developing, informing, and supporting the Council members and Committees to carry out their governance functions. Championing the Organization and Advocating its Mission to Internal and External Stakeholders. VICE PRESIDENT
• Plan, Direct, Coordinate and Oversee operational activities in the Organization, ensuring development and implementation of efficient operations and cost-effective system to meet current and future needs of the Organization.
• Take over the position and task of the President in cases of absence, incapacitated to hold office or death

SECRETARY
a. Answering and directing communications
b. Organizing and distributing messages
c. Maintaining Company schedules
d. Organizing documents and files
e. Documenting financial information
f. Scheduling meetings and conferences
g. Maintaining and ordering office supplies

TREASURER
a. General financial oversight and oversee present budget, accounts and financial statements to the Management Committee
b. Financial planning and budgeting
c. Financial reporting
d. Banking, book-keeping and record-keeping
e. Control of fixed assets and stock
f. Funding raising and sales

AUDITOR
a. Ensuring that all assets are protected
b. Examining company accounts and financial control system
c. Checking and analyzing spreadsheet data
d. Gauging levels of financial risk within the Organization. SPOKESPERSON
• The role of Spokesperson is to communicate information the Public wants or needs. He is not only responsible for the messages being conveyed, but also should be involved in the development of the key messages. In addition, he must be perceived as trustworthy, credible, compassionate and empathetic, qualities that are built on expressions of competence, expertise, honesty, forthrightness, commitment and dedication. PROTOCOL OFFICERS
a. Research traditions and customs
b. Plans foreign and domestic visits, ceremonies and special events
c. Identify security risk and create safety plans
d. Make and send invitations
e. Create suitable meeting arrangements

PEACE OFFICERS
a. Help the presiding officer or maintain peace and order during meetings
b. Acts as a disciplinary officer in cases needed
c. Maintain peace and order within the premise of his jurisdiction
d. Act as a Chief Peace Officer and over-all Sergeant At-Arms
e. Performs other related task and responsibilities in cases of emergency and other disaster situations

Section 5. Terms and Tenure of Office- The elected Officers shall serve the Organization for 3/5 yrs from the time he was elected until the time of the next election as defined in this provision. In case of death, long term sickness and he is incapacitated to hold his position, or by termination due to legal reasons, and or voluntary resignation from his/ her position, the Council members shall immediately convene a meeting and decide whether to elect or appoint anyone from the Council members to fill out the vacant position. Section 6. Committees- the Committees shall be composed of Committee Chair and at least 3 members or more. The following shall be :

a)Committee on Strategic Planning
b)Committee on Finance (Ways and Means)
c)Committee on Programs and Special Operations
d)Committee on Legal/Litigation and Reconciliation
e)Committee on Religious(Moral/Ethics)
f)Committee on Education (Trainings and Seminars)
g)Committee on Safety and Security and Information Gathering
h)Committee on Media and Public Information

Article III- TYPE OF SELECTION

Section 1. Election- All Officers shall be done thru ELECTION among the members of the Council and or any legitimate process as agreed upon by the Council members of SPAG. Committee Heads and Members- Committee heads and members shall be appointed or selected by the President or in the absence of the President, by the members of the Council according to their respective ability and capability to lead or be a member of the committee. Terms of the Committee heads and Committee members shall be the same as the terms of Officers mentioned in Art.II Section 5. Article IV- MEETINGS

Section 1. a) Monthly Meetings- A monthly Meetings shall be held during and every last Saturday of the month, in the National, Regional, Provincial and Municipal level. b) Annual Meetings- An Annual Meeting shall be conducted purposely to discuss annual programs and to review all activities that has been done during the year passed. This can be done along with having a General Assembly (every first week of December). c) Emergency Meetings- An Emergency Meetings should be carried out without delay by all Council members whenever situation demand in all levels. d) Absences by any SPAG Officers, members during the prescribed period of meetings shall be recoded by the Secretary of its respective level ( nat'l, regn'l, provc'l, munc'l ). First 3 absences consecutives or otherwise without valid reasons, the concern individual will receive a verbal warning, and thereafter any repeated acts of absences will results to a written suspension that needs a written explanations. Article V- VENUE

Section 1. To have a fair and balanced venue for the meetings, all SPAG meetings on all levels shall be done in their respective places which is suitable and convenient for the members. The National , Regional, Provincial, Municipal SPAG Secretaries shall be responsible for the information of any meetings to be held as scheduled and mentioned in Art. IV Sec.1a

Article VI- MEMBERSHIP

Sec 1. Applicants for SPAG membership should be a Muslim (male/female), Filipino Citizen, with sound mind and good moral character, not less than 18 yrs of age and not more than 80 yrs of age. Sec 2. Must secure a Barangay Clearance and Local Police Clearance and or NBI Clearance; however in the absence of any clearances mentioned above the SPAG Officers has the discretion to determine the applicant's background whether or not he/she is qualified to be accepted. Article VII- MEMBERSHIP FEES and MONTHLY DUES

Sec 1. Applicant should pay the amount of 200.00 upon application to SPAG as member. Amount will go to the processing of his I.D and the remaining balance will go to the standing funds of SPAG for mobilization of programs and other emergency situations like natural calamities and disasters. SPAG Members should pay a monthly dues of 20.00 , purposely to build a reserve funds for any eventuality. The member can choose the mode of payments of his/her monthly dues and can be in advance as to how many months he/she wish to give. Sec 3. SPAG BANK ACCOUNT. A joint bank account shall be open in any selected and credible banks. The President, Treasurer and Auditor shall be the 3 signatories and ANY OF TWO can sign as authorized signatories. Article VIII - IDs and UNIFORMS

Sec 1. SPAG I.D will be issued to all legitimate Officers and Members only. There will be 2 size of ID, one is the ID with sling to be wear and display in a visible manner in the chest and the other is a pocket size with bar code ID that can be put inside the wallet. Tampered IDs is strictly prohibited and anyone caught using it will be dealt with accordingly. The ID will have its expiration period within ? years from the time of issuance. SPAG Uniforms. The Uniforms will be of 3 kinds

a. Black color Long sleeve Jacket with SPAG Logo printed on the left side. Green Patigue color VEST with SPAG logo, name and position for Officers only printed under the logo on the right chest with white color, for (non-Officers name only). DPCR logo printed on the left chest. At the back- SALAAM POLICE Advocacy Group (yellow)

c. T' Shirts color royal blue and black - SPAG logo will be printed on the left chest; name and positions(for Officers only) if member (name only) printed white color on right chest. PNP LAPU2 logo printed on the right arm; SPC logo printed on the left arm. At the back will be same as printed in the VEST with color yellow. Article IX- FUNDS

Sec 1. Source of funds. SPAG welcomes donations, sadaqa, grants, bank checks, bank notes, and or endowment(waqaf), or by investing in business and other legal ways and means. Financial build up. Financial shall be done thru fund raising programs, monthly dues of SPAG Officers and members, membership fees, zakat and sadaqa etc. Accounting system. SPAG elected Auditor and or hired accountant shall be responsible for the accounting of financial statements and other monetary concerns. All records shall be kept thru computer base and hard records on log books in case computer system back down. Article X . PROGRAMS and SPECIAL OPERATIONS (MERGENCY RESPONSE/CALAMITIES/DISASTERS)

Sec 1. All SPAG sponsor programs shall be directly under the Committee on Programs/Special operations. SPAG programs e.g. lectures, trainings, seminars, convention, da'wah, cultural and traditional activities, civic action activities e.g tree planting, cleanliness drive, food feedings etc., emergency response programs e.g. natural calamities brought about by typhoons, floods, fire and other disasters shall be under the Committee on Programs and Special Operations. The National SPAG funds shall be used for any purposes mentioned under Art. X , Sec 2, provided however justified on request by concern SPAG members in any level (nat'l, provc'l, mun., city). Sec. 4. All program requests shall be forwarded to the Committee head mentioned in Art X for verifications and thereafter to the Nat'l President and Nat'l Advisers for approval. Article XI. LEGAL/LITIGATION and RECONCILIATION

Sec 1. All legal matters and issues shall be handled by the Legal Committee. In cases of litigations, SPAG Legal Officer/ Attorney In-fact shall attend hearings and court proceedings conducted thereat and report to Council members relative to the issue. Matters involving civil or criminal acts shall be investigated by the SPAG Peace Officers for black & white reporting and turn over to the proper authority for proper dispositions. Any misunderstands among SPAG members that resulted to bad relations between and among members shall be handled by the Reconciliation Group in coordination with the SPAG Peace Officers. Any kind of misbehavior or disrespect resulting to slander or slander by deeds, with and among members of SPAG shall be dealt with accordingly by the Committee on Religious(Moral/Ethics). Proper famishment shall be given to the perpetrator as defined and decided by the Shura COUNCIL members. Article XII. MINOR/MAJOR CRIMINAL ACTS, VIOLATIONS OF ANY OF THE STANDING BY LAWS OF SALAAM POLICE ADVOCACY GROUP

Sec 1. Any major or minor crimes committed by any Officers/members of SPAG and or violations of any standing by-laws of SPAG shall be under the dispositions of Legal Committee. Any civil or criminal acts committed by SPAG Officers/members that violates the Philippine constitutions shall be initially investigated by the SPAG Peace Officers, Legal personnel and thereafter reported to the proper authority for further dispositions. SPAG Officers/members who commit civil and criminal acts and proven beyond reasonable doubts in the court proceedings shall be automatically terminated from being Officers/members of SPAG. Sec 4. The Council members and Advisers shall convene an immediate meeting to decide for the replacement of any terminated SPAG Officers or members.

17/03/2026

15/11/2025

Pag-unawa sa Naratibong Nag-uugnay sa mga Muslim at Islam sa Terorismo

Pinagmulan, Epekto, at Landas Tungo sa Pagwawasto ng mga Maling Pananaw

Pag-unawa sa Naratibong Nag-uugnay sa mga Muslim at Islam sa Terorismo: Pinagmulan, Epekto, at Landas Tungo sa Pagwawasto ng mga Maling Pananaw

Ang pag-uugnay sa mga Muslim, Islam, at terorismo ay isa sa pinakamapaminsalang naratibong umiiral sa makabagong panahon. Ang maling pananaw na ito ay nakaimpluwensiya sa opinyon ng publiko, nakaapekto sa mga polisiya ng pamahalaan, at nagdulot ng diskriminasyon sa milyon-milyong inosenteng tao. Gayunman, ang naratibong ito ay nakabatay sa hindi pagkakaunawa, sa piling paglalarawan sa media, sa mga tunggaliang pulitikal, at sa pag-abuso ng ilang ekstremistang grupo sa mga aral ng Islam. Sa mas malalim na pagsusuri, malinaw na ang Islam bilang relihiyon ay mariing tumututol sa karahasan, at ang karamihan ng Muslim ay saksi at biktima rin ng terorismo. Upang maitama ang pananaw ng lipunan, kinakailangang unawain kung paano nabuo ang maling naratibong ito, paano ito napalakas, at bakit ito dapat iwasto.

Kasaysayan sa Likod ng Maling Pananaw

Bagama’t ang terorismo ay isang pandaigdigang suliranin kung saan ang mga gumagawa nito ay mula sa iba’t ibang lahi at ideolohiya, ang pag-uugnay nito sa Islam ay mas tumindi noong huling bahagi ng ika-20 siglo at unang bahagi ng ika-21 siglo. Bago pa man ito, ang terorismo ay madalas iugnay sa mga kilusang pulitikal sa Europa, mga ekstremistang ideolohiya sa Asya, at iba’t ibang separatistang pagkilos sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng mundo.

Subalit nagbago ang pananaw matapos ang mga kaganapan tulad ng Krisis sa Iran noong 1979, Digmaang Sobyet-Afghan, at higit sa lahat ang pag-atake noong Setyembre 11, 2001. Ang kaguluhan sa Gitnang Silangan ay madalas ilarawan ng Kanluran hindi base sa kolonyal na kasaysayan, dayuhang pakikialam, o kahirapan—kundi ikinabit bilang likas sa Islam. Sa ganitong simplistikong pagtingin, natatakpan ang napakahabang kasaysayan ng Islam na puno ng pilosopiya, agham, sining, at mapayapang pakikipamuhay.

Ang atake ng 9/11 ang naging pinakamalakas na pwersa sa pagbabago ng pananaw. Dahil iginiit ng mga salarin na ang kanilang ginawa ay may kaugnayan sa Islam, mabilis itong tinanggap ng media at ginamit ang mga terminong tulad ng “Islamic terrorism” o “Muslim extremist.” Dahil dito, milyon-milyong Muslim sa buong mundo ay tila naparusahan at hinatulan dahil sa isang krimeng hindi nila ginawa.

Paglalarawan ng Media at Kapangyarihan ng Piling Pagkukuwento

Isa sa pinakamalakas na nagpapatibay ng maling naratibo ay ang media. Maraming pag-aaral ang nagpatunay na ang mga atakeng sangkot ang taong nagpapakilalang Muslim ay binibigyan ng mas malawak at mas dramatikong coverage kaysa sa mga atakeng ginawa ng hindi Muslim. Dahil dito, unti-unting nabubuo ang impresyon na ang karamihan sa terorista ay Muslim—kahit hindi ito sinusuportahan ng datos.

Dagdag pa rito, ang mga krimeng ginagawa ng hindi Muslim ay madalas tawaging “mass shooting,” “lone wolf,” o “mental health issue,” imbis na “terrorism.” Ang ganitong hindi patas na paggamit ng mga salita ay lalong nagtatatag ng kaisipan na ang terorismo ay may natatanging kaugnayan sa mga Muslim.

Mga Ekstremistang Grupo at Pag-abuso sa mga Aral ng Islam

Hindi rin maikakaila na may mga grupong ekstremista na ginagamit ang pangalan ng Islam upang bigyang-katwiran ang kanilang karahasan. Ang mga grupong tulad ng Al-Qaeda, ISIS, at Abu Sayyaf ay kumukuha ng piling talata mula sa Qur’an, inaalis ang konteksto at hindi isinasaalang-alang ang mahigit isang libong taong interpretasyon ng mga iskolar.

Ang kanilang motibasyon ay pulitikal, hindi relihiyoso. Ginagamit nila ang Islam bilang bandila upang makaakit ng tagasunod, kahit mali ang kanilang interpretasyon. Kabaligtaran ito sa tunay na aral ng Islam na nakasentro sa habag, katarungan, at paggalang sa buhay.

Ang Qur’an ay nagsasaad:

“Ang sinumang pumatay ng inosenteng tao, para niyang pinatay ang buong sangkatauhan; at ang sinumang nagligtas ng buhay, para niyang iniligtas ang buong sangkatauhan.” (Qur’an 5:32)

Ito ay malinaw na pagsalungat sa ideolohiya ng mga ekstremista.

Ang mga Muslim Bilang Pinakamalaking Biktima ng Terorismo

Isang malaking katotohanang bihirang banggitin: ang karamihan sa biktima ng terorismo sa buong mundo ay mga Muslim. Sa Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Nigeria, at Somalia, ang mga pag-atake ay madalas nakatuon sa mga pamilihan, moske, paaralan, at komunidad ng Muslim. Ang mga taong ito ay araw-araw na nabubuhay sa takot at paghihirap dahil sa mga grupong nag-aangking sila ay “Islamic.”

Ito mismo ang pinakamalakas na ebidensya laban sa maling naratibo: kung sumusuporta ang mga Muslim sa terorismo, bakit sila ang pangunahing nabibiktima nito?

Pulitika, Takot, at Pag-usbong ng Islamophobia

Pinalala rin ng pulitika ang maling pananaw. Ginagamit ng ilang lider at partido ang takot laban sa Muslim upang makuha ang suporta ng publiko para sa mga isyung gaya ng mas mahigpit na imigrasyon, agresibong seguridad, o giyera. Nagiging sandata ang Islamophobia upang impluwensiyahan ang mamamayan.

Dahil dito, dumarami ang:

- diskriminasyon,

- hate crimes,

- profiling,

- at paglayo ng lipunan sa mga Muslim.

Ang mga inosenteng tao ay tinitingnan bilang banta kahit walang batayan.

Pagwawasto sa Naratibo sa Pamamagitan ng Edukasyon at Pag-uusap

Upang maitama ang maling pananaw, kailangan ang edukasyon, bukas na talakayan, at tamang kaalaman tungkol sa Islam. Ang mga iskolar, g**o, community leaders, at faith-based organizations ay may mahalagang papel sa pagpapaliwanag.

Maraming Muslim na organisasyon—kabilang ang mga peace advocacy group gaya ng SPAG at iba pang samahan—ang aktibong nagtataguyod ng kapayapaan, pagkakaisa, at pagtulong sa kapwa. Ang kanilang gawain ang tunay na sumasalamin sa mga aral ng Islam.

Pangwakas

Ang naratibong nag-uugnay sa Islam at mga Muslim sa terorismo ay nakabatay sa maling impormasyon, di-patas na pag-uulat, at karahasan ng iilang grupong nag-aabuso sa relihiyon. Ngunit ang katotohanan ay malinaw: ang Islam ay relihiyong nagtuturo ng kapayapaan, at ang napakalaking nakararami sa mga Muslim ay tumututol sa anumang uri ng karahasan laban sa inosente.

Kailangan ang patuloy na edukasyon, tamang impormasyon, at bukas na pag-uusap upang maitama ang pananaw ng lipunan. Sa ganoong paraan, mas nakikita ang mga Muslim bilang katuwang sa pagtataguyod ng kapayapaan at hindi bilang banta. Sa pagwawasto ng maling naratibo, mas nalalapit tayo sa isang lipunang batay sa pag-unawa, katarungan, at pagkakapantay-pantay.

Prepared by:
Kamar M. Sabdulla
National Spokesperson, SPAG

SALAAM POLICE ADVOCACY GROUP (SPAG) — Serving Peace, Advocating Goodwill