SENATE, Pasay City — Senator Robin ‘Robihood’ Padilla has proposed several amendments to Republic 9997, or the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009, that seeks to protect Muslims, particularly new converts, from discrimination.

Citing the hardships of fellow Muslim converts in reintegrating into mainstream society, former action star and incumbent senator Robin ‘Robinhood’ Padilla has issued an emotional appeal for help to his colleagues during a hearing of the Senate committee on cultural communities and Muslim affairs.

In his appeal, Padilla, himself a Muslim convert, recalled the struggles he experienced when he opened the discussion on a bill that would amend Republic Act 9997, or the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Act of 2009.

“Those who have reverted to Islam are very vulnerable as they are often led astray by blind leaders—those who pretend to be Muslims but bring terrorism with them,” he pointed out in the vernacular.

Padilla noted that those who were rejected by their families for converting to Islam usually ended up going to the mosques or to fellow Muslims for help, but some unfortunately ended up in the hands of unscrupulous people who took advantage of their beleaguered situation.

Padilla also cited his brothers in the faith who got killed in Marawi and some areas in Metro Manila like Quiapo in Manila and Pasig and thus urged the NCMF to look after the welfare of Muslim converts, who only need guidance and the right place to go to be able to live normal lives

“That is why I hope this proposal will not drag on any longer, and that no further conflicts will arise. Because these are your brothers and sisters,” he disclosed.

“They were looking for a place to go. Many have died, they believed in what they did, but it was wrong,” he went on. I hope you understand me because I am a victim of this. Many of my companions have died, and even now, there are still some of my companions who are under investigation,” he added.

In ending, the actor-turned-politician expressed hope that his fellow senators would approval the proposed amendments in RA 9997.