Larry Gadon denies he's anti-Muslim, clarifies 2016 remark

Lawyer Larry Gadon on Monday denied that he is "anti-Muslim" despite his previous remarks that he wants all terrorists, even children, dead in Mindanao.

Interviews on Dobol B sa News TV's Ikaw Na Ba? series on senatorial interviews, Gadon clarified that he was only referring to terrorists making atrocities in the southern portion of the Philippines.

"I was referring to those creating trouble in Mindanao... ang sinabi ko kanina, walang kinalaman dito ang Islam. Ang sinasabi ko 'yung nanggugulo. Kahit naman sila mismo ayaw nila doon sa nanggugulo," Gadon said.

Gadon even expressed confidence that he has lots of Muslim friends, claiming that the latter would endorse him in the coming midterm elections similar to what they supposedly did during the 2016 polls when he also ran for senator.

"In fact nakipag-usap sa akin ang mga liderato ng mga Islam at sila ay naging kaibigan ko at ako ay inendorso nila diyan sa Mindanao dahil napagtanto nila na ang sinasabi ko ay mga terorista..." Gadon said.

"Mas malaking boto ang makukuha ko diyan sa Mindanao dahil mas lalong dumami ang mga Muslim brothers na sumusuporta sa akin," he added.

Meanwhile, Gadon also expressed support to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) as he believes that this will end decades-long atrocities in Mindanao.

"Ang isang magandang panimulain diyan ay of course ay 'yung BOL... Sapagkat 'yung hinihiling ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim sa Mindanao na magkaroon ng autonomy o sariling pamamahala dahil naiiba ang kanilang kultura o kanilang mga pamamaraan... maaaring ito ay maging isang pamamaraan upang magkaroon ng katahimikan sa Mindanao," he said.

Gadon had drew flak for calling for the killing of Muslims in a GMA News TV interview in the run-up to the 2016 elections. He, however, said he is after killing terrorists, regardless of religion and age. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News