SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao del Sur, Philippines — Previously known as the municipality of Maganoy, this third-class town with a population of around 35,000 has imposed stricter measures against members of the LGBTQ community. Anwar Emblawa, executive secretary of the Shariff Aguak municipal government, said the move was in line “with upholding and respecting the Islamic religious tradition propagated by their forebears.” But he clarified that LGBTQ members would not be banned in the locality, once the lone seat of power of then undivided Maguindanao province during the term of the late Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more.