Issuu

Bus bombing probe still underway

CHURCH / P6

P10

Pope Francis: Society loses when ‘dogs and cats take the place of children’

Moro residents still get H2O from polluted source

The Mindanao Cross issuu.com/mindanaocross mindanao.cross@gmail.com

TRO SOUGHT VS. COMELEC RULE ON SGA VOTERS

A provincial board member in North Cotabato on Monday sought a temporary restraining order before the Supreme Court Monday against a Commission on Elections (Comelec) Minute Resolution barring voters in 63 villages from electing local officials in the May 9, 2022 elections.

The Comelec made public Minute Resolution Number 21-0953 on January 3 that bars some 200,000 registered voters in North Cotabato’s 63 villages from electing candidates for mayor, vice mayor, town councilors, governor, vice governor, board members and a representative to the House. These voters belonged to villages in Cotabato province that opted to join the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and grouped together called BARMM Special Geographic Area. North Cotabato Board Member Dulian Sultan personally submitted her petition for TRO before the highest court on the poll body resolution, claiming it deprived registered voters their right of suffrage that is guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution. Board Member Sultan was joined in the petition by her husband, Mayor Sumulong Sultan of Pikit, North Cotabato and six other local officials. BM Sultan, also president of North Cotabato Liga ng mga Barangay that made her an ex-officio member of the provincial council, believed the voters must be allowed to exercise their right of suffrage. “I appeal to all the constituents of 63 villages in North Cotabato province to support this petition until it is granted so Part 2 to they will not be deprived of their rights elect leaders,” she said. Pikit has 22 villages that opted to join the BARMM. The BARMM regional government also sought reconsideration by the Comelec claiming it deprived voters from electing leaders while they remained, in the meantime, in their original mother-towns. Minister Atty. Naguib G. Sinarimbo of Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG-BARMM) said that the resolution “deprives over 200,000

PIT SENIOR. Members of a dance group perform elegantly during the street dancing competition in celebration of the feast of Sto Niño in Midsayap, North Cotabato through the famous “Halad Festival.” Photo courtesy of #MYMINDANAO

Slain Tacurong commentator was to join politics

Surigao Norte IPs elated by OMI-NDBC humanitarian aid

THE YouTube commentator killed in Tacurong City by a suspected gun-for-hire on Wednesday morning was a candidate for municipal councilor in Lambayong town in Sultan Kudarat. Brig. Gen. Alexander

By John Felix Unson Tagum, director of the Police Regional Office-12, said Thursday it is premature to connect the murder of Jaynard Angeles to politics. “We need to dig deeper first before we can have a good conclusion,” Tagum

said. Angeles, former manager of a radio station in Tacurong City, was an aspirant for a seat in the municipal council in his hometown, Lambayong, not too

A Malacanang official has decried the killing of former radio station manager in Tacurong City and urged the police to give justice to the slain broadcaster. Undersecretary Jose Joel Sy Egco of Presidential

Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has condemned the attack against a member of the “fourth estate.” “The government condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing

of Jaynard Angeles, a candidate in the local election and former station manager of Radyo ni Juan. We will never tolerate any act of violence against any person,” Egco said in a statement released

Palace condemns killing of Tacurong radioman By Edwin O. Fernandez

By Edwin O. Fernandez KIDAPAWAN CITY — Moved by the City was almost full of donated goods. devastation and the effects of Odette Volunteers showed up to help repack the to the people of Surigao del Norte and donations for easy distribution to affected Surigao City, the Notre Dame Broadcasting families. As if already a tradition that every Corporation (NDBC) of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (NDBC) had launched time NDBC sounds the call for help on air, a fund drive dubbed as OMI-NDBC relief generous people automatically respond. Unique among them was a male altar operation for Odette victims. Kindhearted people in the Soccsksargen server in Kidapawan City Catholic Church region and Bangsamoro Region in Muslim who decided to open his coin container Mindanao (BARMM) responded and sent (piggy savings bank) so he can help Typhoon in their donations like rice, used clothing, Odette victims through DXND. He went to DXND studio and submitted canned goods, dry goods, cash, to DXND Kidapawan, DXMS in Cotabato City and his P716 savings, all in coins. He refused to be interviewed, or named but said, “What DXOM in Koronadal City. The OMI Foundation also provided is important is I was able to help, small it additional funds to augment the maybe.” The boy claimed he decided to cut humanitarian mission. Rice and dry goods kept coming since by half his funds for “Noche Buena” in the appeal was aired over NDBC stations. welcoming the New Year so he can The DXND Mini auditorium in Kidapawan help the typhoon victims.

P10

DID YOU KNOW?

Mental Health Mental health week is celebrated every third week of January. According to PROCLAMATION NO. 432, signed by the President Carlos P,. Garcia, sound mental health is necessary for the attainment of individual happiness and efficiency, to the establishment of peace, and order, and for the promotion of economic

FOR “ODETTE” VICTIMS. A volunteer carry a sack of rice intended for “Typhoon Odette” victims in Surigao del Norte. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate and Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (OMI-NDBC) launched a humanitarian aid to victims who belonged to the Indigenous Peoples community in Caraga region. Photo courtesy of Harrah Daine Lilis Natividad/NDBC

January 15, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Bus bombing probe still underway

ALEOSAN, North Cotabato — The police and military are still trying to identify the persons behind Tuesday’s bombing of a passenger bus here that left a child dead and hurt six others. The management of the Mindanao Star Bus, operating in the Cotabato-Davao route that straddles North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Davao del Sur provinces, said it has not received any extortion demand from any group. Members of different municipal peace and order councils in Maguindanao and North Cotabato said Thursday they are convinced that either the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, or a sub-group, the AlKhobar, could have pulled off the bomb attack to compel the bus company to shell out “protection money” on monthly basis. Intelligence agents of the North Cotabato provincial police, the Aleosan municipal police and the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion are now reviewing security camera recordings from a terminal where the bus last had a stopover before an improvised explosive device went off in its rear deck while its driver was maneuvering through a stretch of the Cotabato-Davao Highway in Barangay San Mateo here. The bus was en route to Cotabato City from Davao City and had a brief stopover in Pikit, North Cotabato, which is near the Liguasan

Delta, a known haven of the BIFF and the Dawlah Islamiya. One of the seven passengers injured in the blast, a five-year-old Maguindanaon boy, died in a hospital Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, director of the Police Regional Office-12, said Thursday corresponding criminal cases shall immediately be filed against the culprits once identified. “Our investigators need enough time to identify them,” Tagum said. Six other bus passengers --- a three-year-old child, a five-month-old infant, and the adults Rodolfo Castillo, 67, Lester Bautista, 17, Haron Solaiman, Sr., 24, and the 25-year-old Masid Benjamin --- sustained shrapnel wounds in different parts of their bodies. Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said intelligence agents of the 34th IB and the 602nd Infantry Brigade are helping the police identify the bombers. The Al-Khobar bombed last year a unit of the Yellow Bus Line in Tulunan town in North Cotabato and set on fire another in separate attacks in province. John

Felix Unson

Tension grips Datu Piang town

BOMBED. A unit of Mindanao Star Bus (Body Number 1551) is surrounded by police line beside the highway in Barangay San Mateo, Aleosan, North Cotabato after an improvised bomb was set off inside the Photo courtesy of Amiel M. Cagayan bus that left one child dead and injured six others.

No clues yet on mosque attack

INVESTIGATORS are still facing a blank wall on last week’s shooting inside a mosque here of a barangay chairperson and an aide. Amil Sula, chairman of Barangay Rosary Heights 5 here, and Abner Ampuan were performing Aisha, the last of five Islamic prayers in a day, inside a mosque when two men barged in and opened fire. Ampuan died from gunshot wounds later in a hospital.

Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told Mindanao Cross Wednesday he has directed the city police to tap the help of barangay leaders and potential witnesses to the crime to hasten efforts of identifying the culprits. “We assure the public that cases will be filed against them,” Ugale said. The suspects and their companions

waiting outside hurriedly escaped as the Sula and Ampuan slumped on the floor of the worship site. Responding personnel of the Cotabato City Police Office found at the scene spent .45 caliber pistol and M16 rifle shells. Sula is popular for his hardline policy in dealing with law offenders and in enforcing barangay ordinances in areas under his jurisdiction. John

Felix Unson

Mayor claims series of attacks directed at him

LAST week’s reported gunfight between an armed group and barangay tanods in Datu Piang has become “political” and became sensational on social media. A villager was wounded when gunmen attacked an outpost of volunteer barangay watchmen in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao on Friday night. A man claiming to have sustained gunshot wounds in the ensuing clash came out on Facebook and, on video, accused people in the local government unit of Datu Piang of instigating the clash. The incident was preceded by the bombing several days before of a makeshift building near the house of Datu Piang Mayor Victor Samama with two 40 millimeter grenade projectiles fired from a distance. The volunteer barangay security team traded shots with the gunmen who fired at them assault rifles when their outpost was attacked last week. A resident named Anwar Guimaludin was wounded in the ensuing crossfire, now confined in a hospital.

The gunfight lasted for more than more than an hour, according to the local police and officials of the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion. Samama, who is seeking reelection, said he is convinced that grenade attacks near his house and the harassment of their barangay tanods were “politically motivated.” He declined to elaborate, however. Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said Saturday he has directed the personnel of the Datu Piang Municipal Police Station to identify the gunmen who attacked the barangay tanods for immediate prosecution. Residents of Datu Piang said tension has been high in the poblacion of the municipality, feared to escalate with the approach of the election period. Ugale said personnel of the Datu Piang municipal police have regular nighttime patrols to avert a repeat of last week’s harassment of the barangay tanods in the area. John Felix Unson

LIBUNGAN, North Cotabato — Policemen are still in pursuit of a man who set their own house on fire more than a week ago, causing dislocation of his three children and commonlaw partner. Personnel of the Libungan Municipal Police Station are now trying to locate the suspect, Jay-Ar Leaño, and have tapped intelligence agents of the

Army's 34th Infantry Battalion to help locate him. His three children and partner, Gladys Cardoza, were rescued by personnel of the Libungan municipal police as fire razed their house in Barangay Nicaan here. Cardoza and her children are now in the custody of the Children and Women’s Protection Desk unit of the local police. Captain Razul

Hunt for Libungan arson suspect still on

A reelectionist mayor believed he was the target of the series of harassments, rifle grenade explosions and strafing that hit this town on two separate occasion could be politically motivated. “These could be the handiwork of my political opponents,” Mayor Victor Samama of Datu Piang, Maguindanao said Monday. A member of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) manning a COVID-19 control point in Barangay Poblacion was injured when gunmen strafed his location on Friday night last week. Samama said it was clear he

COTABATO CITY — Peace might be easier achieved with two Moroled political parties now together in furthering unity and progress in southern provinces via politics and governance. That was what many peace advocates, among them people involved in various foreign-funded humanitarian projects in the Bangsamoro region, insinuated this week following the January 8 launching of the Bangsamoro Party (BAPA) of the Moro National Liberation Front. “That is good. Let’s support peaceful means of addressing the poverty and other community issues in this part of the country,” a humanitarian aid worker, who is a foreigner and asked not to be identified, told Mindanao Cross Tuesday. The MNLF, in peace with the government since 1996, launched the BAPA in Camp Ebrahim Sema in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao last January 8, its first ever since the front’s inception in 1970. The launching of the MNLF’s Bangsamoro Party

was the object of harassment since the detachment situated near his home was strafed aside from rifle grenade attack that hit a house near his residence. Colonel Jibin Bongcayao, Maguindanao police director, said initial investigation showed that the strafing and rifle grenade attacks appeared to be directed toward the house of Mayor Samama. Bongcayao has appealed to the people of Datu Piang to help the police prevent violence by providing timely and accurate information about lawlessness, especially the carrying of guns by unauthorized individuals.

Police said the December 31 rifle grenade attacked that hit a nearby convention center not far from the house of Mayor Samama was followed by a strafing incident on January 8. “Gunmen attacked a BPAT outpost near my house, an exchange of gunfire ensued,” he said of the attack that left one Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) members injured. “Obviously, this is directed at me, this is the work of my political rivals,” he said, without naming the brains behind the series of attacks against him. Edwin O. Fernandez

MNLF now has political party (BAPA) here was graced by senior leaders of the front from Basilan, Sulu, TawiTawi, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Palawan and from the four provinces in Region 12. “We shall be active now in peaceful, participatory kind of politics to further our peace and development agenda in keeping with our September 2, 1996 peace agreement with the national government,” Muslimin Sema, chairman of the MNLF’s largest and most politically-active group, told reporters present in the event. He is also the chairperson of the newly-founded BAPA. Among the ranking MNLF officials who graced the activity here were three members from Basilan of the regional interim parliament of the infant Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao --Hatimil Hassan, Muslimin Jakilan and Abdulmuhmin Mujahid, who is an Islamic theologian. They all emphasized that their newly-launched

BAPA shall be a strong supporter of the BARMM government, whose chief minister, Ahod Balawag, is chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The MNLF has its Sept. 2, 1996 peace accord with Malacañang, brokered by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a bloc of more than 50 Muslim countries, including petroleum exporting states in the Middle East and North Africa. The MILF has two compacts with the national government, the 2021 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and, subsequently, the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro. These paved the way for the replacement in 2019 of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a more administrativelyempowered BARMM. Sema, a former threeterm mayor of Cotabato City, said the BAPA shall be their vehicle for achieving the peace and development goals of their now 25-year final peace pact with the national government.

“Principled politics is the most sensible way of fostering peace, sustainable development and progress in the Bangsamoro communities in Mindanao. We don’t need firearms to show to the world that we are a community fighting for an identity, land, race and religion,” Sema, a fullblooded Maguindanaon, told reporters. The MILF has its United Bangsamoro Justice Party, organized prior to the creation of BARMM via a plebiscite in early 2019 in areas covered then by the now defunct ARMM. Hassan, an ethnic Yakan who is a senior member of the 80-seat BARMM parliament, said much has to be done yet to achieve the full implementation of the MNLF’s Sept. 2, 1996 peace pact with the national government. He said they are optimistic that the newlyorganized BAPA can hasten the process through peaceful political activities meant to expand the dividends of the government’s peace overture with the MNLF. John Felix

Unson

THE MINDANAO CROSS

January 15, 2022

Public tender Cotabato Office

Contractor

VACANCY NOTICE Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

SVN 2021 013:

National Project Officer

 Coordinate the implementation of the aforementioned transition and recovery project activities, as guided by the Head of Sub-Office, to ensure the completion of assigned project.  Monitor implementation progress identify and document significant events, problems or deviations and recommend appropriate actions solutions to the Head of Sub-Office.  Ensure proper documentation of operational activities for future reporting, programmatic promotions, visibility, audits and other requirements. Prepare regular reports for the Head of SubOffice on achievements, problems encountered, pertinent developments, and strategic needs for assigned projects.  Supervise, train and provide support to project assistants and field staff in implementing, monitoring, and documenting activities.  In close coordination with the Resource Management Unit, monitor the project’s expenditures and support the documentation process.  Ensure that the day-to-day implementation and supervision of the project activities are in accordance with the work plan, project document, and IOM rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines.  Liaise with relevant humanitarian and development actors, government authorities and other stakeholders operating in the area to ensure that project activities are adequately coordinated and aligned with the local context.  Coordinate regularly with the Programme Support Unit, including Information Management, M&E and Reporting, to ensure project information and data are regularly updated and shared with relevant stakeholders and to ensure projects are being implemented in line with work plan, logframe, M&E plan and other IOM, donor and government regulations.  Participate and represent IOM in meetings with government as deemed necessary by the Head of Sub-Office.

Qualifications and Experience

Master’s degree in Social Science, Political Science, International Development, Peace and Conflict Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution; or University degree in the above fields with minimum two years of relevant professional experience. IOM offers a TAX-FREE salary, an attractive benefits package and potential for international assignments of short or long-term duration. Interested applicants may send their application letter and CV to hrphilippines@iom.int not later than 21 January 2022. Position title and VN Number should be specified in the SUBJECT field. Only short-listed candidates will be invited for interview. Previous applicants do not need to re-apply Philippines Country Office 28th Floor. BDO Towers Valero Condominium. Paseo de Roxas. Makati City. Philippines Tel: +63.2.8230. 1999 • E-mail: iomphilippines@iom.int • Internet: www.iom.int

Geneva Call (www.genevacall.org) is a Swiss neutral, impartial and independent international humanitarian organisation which has recently opened a country office based in Cotabato City. Geneva Call publicizes a call for interested companies to provide quotations for below services:

To view the detailed Vacancy Notices you may register at IOM Philippines webpage (http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/the-philippines). Vehicle Type: SUV/Pick-up Truck with bed cover

Scope of Work & Deliverables Jobstreet or visit the Quantity Needed:

One (1)

IOM offers a TAX-FREE salary, an attractive benefits package Age: No older than 2 years or lower than 150,000kms mileage and potential for international assignments of short or long Quality certification: Vehicles must be in very good working order. Vehicle term duration. Quality Checks will be completed by Geneva Call before signing any contract

Other applicants Requirements: drive double cabin, preferably Toyota, Interested may4orwheel send their&application letter and CV Nissan Mitsubishi (M/T) White to hrmanila@iom.int not later than 7 October 2012. • Driver to work 9:00-6:00PM duringbe weekdays andin will be on call basis Position title andfrom VN Number should specified the on a weekend depending on the need; field. • Car will be parked atSUBJECT the Geneva Call premises and can be used by Geneva Call staff outside Driver’s working hours • Contract is from 24 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 with a possibility of extension Only short-listed candidates will be invited for interview. • Closing date for bid submission: 21st January 2022 The car rental company should meet the following criteria: 1. Have a fleet base of at least 5 vehicles 2. It should be a rental company and not an individual, registered in Cotabato City 3. Bidder’s registration in country, legal documents and other evidence of legal existence should be provided together with the bid. A profile of the Driver should also be included. 4. Vehicle and driver should be fully covered with an Insurance Only the successful bidders will be contacted. Offers will be reviewed by the 10th of June by a selection committee personnel of Geneva Call. Proposals shall be sent to mbandol@genevacall.org and original documents mailed to: Matea Bandol Geneva Call Cotabato No. 39 Oblate Drive, Rosary Heights VI Brgy. Pag-asa, Cotabato City

Cotabato City, 12 January

We, the Family of the late

Message of Thanks

DR. RAMON H. RABAGO, JR. 09 JULY 1940 – 29 DECEMBER 2021

would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who condoled with us through their messages of sympathy, offertory of prayers and Masses, visitations, flowers, mass cards, donations, attendance to the wake masses and memorial services, and who, in countless ways, comforted us in our moments of bereavement. His bereaved children: Grandchildren: Bernadette and Glenn Ganuelas Celine, and Patrick Ganuelas Madelline and Fiel Decangchon Faith Maiden Decangchon Ramon III and Catherine Rabago Ramon IV and Lovely Rabago Dr. John Andrew and Dr. Rowena Rabago Lucy and Cyril Rabago

siblings, cousins, nephews and nieces & caregiver request the faithful to pray for the eternal repose of his soul. Inurnment will be on Sunday, 16 January 2022 at Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina City.

January 15, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

MOH-BARMM in action Irrefutably, the 2021 was a challenging year for the Bangsamoro region’s frontliners having to hurdle the great danger of getting “our unseen” enemies defeat us. But all the hardworking personnel of the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOHBARMM), headed by active and result-oriented Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph, have braved the 2021 challenges and came up with these accomplishments that served best the Bangsamoro people. Looking ahead, Minister Latiph has this marching order: “Let us double our efforts from last year for the sake of every Bangsamoro.” BARMM Health Minister wants life-saving vehicles available in the region’s health stations so dispersal of ambulances, both land and sea, are among his priorities in 2021. These state of the art water and land transport vehicles are equipped with all amenities and facilities to ensure patients come out healed, cured and alive.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 |Marawi City APRIL 07, 2021|Bongao, Tawi- tawi

MAY 18, 2021| Bajau Hall, OCM

NOVEMBER 4, 2021 |MOH Compound, BGC

SEPTEMBER 06, 2021| Lanao Del Sur

October 13, 2021 |Mabul, Malabang Lanao Del Sur

APRIL 04, 2021|LANAO DEL SUR

Improving and capacitating health stations down to the grassroots are among Minister Latiph’s priorities, thus, distribution of medicine and other medical supplies were held even in far flung communities as shown in these photos. MOH-BARMM also funds building of isolation facilities in many areas of the region to ensure every Bangsamoro infected with COVID-19 can have convenient isolation set up complete with amenities.

APRIL 04, 2021|LANAO DEL SUR

January 15, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

JUNE 10, 2021| CRMC ground floor, Cotabato City

FOR LIFE CYNLINDERS. When life-saving oxygen tanks appeared to be running out of stocks in the region’s COVID-19 referral hospitals, BARMM Health Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph want all available cylinders donated to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City and Amai Pakpak Regional Medical Center in Marawi City. “Our humble way of helping save lives, when the needy have nobody to turn to, here we are, MOH-BARMM frontliners, ready to serve and serve quickly,” he said.

AUGUST 06, 2021| Marawi City

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021| APMC, Lanao Del Sur

Turn over ceremony of this 2- storey Communicable disease Ward

A Communicable Disease Ward worth of 30 Million under HFEP 2018 program headed by Engr. IMBRAN BANSILAN, Division Head, turned over to the IPHO- Sulu, September 01, 2021 at Province of Sulu.

Signing of MECBA in Lanao Del Sur FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE. BARMM Health Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph want to have frontliner in every corner of BARMM. So he pushed for this project, Midwives in Every Community in BARMM (MECBA) project. A total of 148 midwives took their oath before Minister Latiph and immediately started serving far-flung communities in the Bangsamoro region, an unprecedented move seen as effective defense against loss of lives due to avoidable diseases.

SEPTEMBER 01, 2021| SULU, Province Signing of Memorandum of Agreement for the Bangsamoro Medical Scholarship Program

May 21, 2021|Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur

ANTICIPATED MOVE. To ensure health programs aimed at saving lives in the region continue in the coming years, BARMM Health Minister Bashary Latiph pushed for the Bangsamoro Medical Scholarship Program and signed the MOA with officials University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato and with education officials of Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City and Brokenshire College of Medicine in Davao City.

MOH-PhilHealth partnership. Indigent residents in the Bangsamoro Region, especially those in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur as well as in 63 villages in North Cotabato comprising the Special Geographic Area can now have easy access to PhilHealth after the Cotabato Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) was turned over to MOH-BARMM. Health Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph said no single Bangsamoro should be left behind when health services are concerned.

JULY 12, 2021| Kabacan, North Cotabato

JULY 16, 2021| BASILAN OCTOBER 25, 2021| Cotabato City

January 15, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Pope Francis:

Society loses when ‘dogs and cats take the place of children’

A Catholic bishop in the central Philippine diocese of Dumaguete urged the faithful to continue the spirit of sharing amidst the pandemic and the devastation brought by the recent typhoon.

VATICAN— Pope Francis said on Wednesday that it is a civilizational loss when dogs and cats replace children in society, encouraging couples to “take the risk” to become parents. “The other day, I was talking about the demographic winter that we have today … many couples do not have children because they do not want to, or they have just one — but they have two dogs, two cats,” Pope Francis said at his general audience on Jan. 5. “Yes, dogs and cats take the place of children. Yes, it’s funny, I understand, but it is the reality, and this denial of fatherhood and motherhood diminishes us, takes away humanity.” Speaking in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, the pope said that with this “selfishness” on the part of some couples, “civilization becomes older” as the “richness of fatherhood and motherhood is lost.” “I ask St. Joseph for the grace to awaken consciences and think about this: about having children. Fatherhood and motherhood are the fullness of a person’s life. Think about this,” he said. The pope’s first general audience of 2022 was marked by some changes. The Vatican announced on Jan. 5 that from now on religious and lay Vatican employees would read the greetings in different languages at the Wednesday audience. For the first time, lay men and women read the language greetings. Sister Andrea Lorena Chacón, a member of the Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth, read the Spanish-language greeting, while Christopher Wells, an employee of Vatican Radio, was the English reader. At the live-streamed audience, the pope continued his series of meditations on the life of St. Joseph by focusing on the saint’s role as the foster father of Jesus. “This particular aspect of Joseph allows us today to reflect on fatherhood and motherhood. And this, I believe, is very important: to think about fatherhood today because we live in an era of notorious orphanhood,” Pope Francis said. The pope said that one can sense a feeling of orphanhood among many people. “May St. Joseph, who took the place of the real father, God, help us to understand how to resolve this sense of orphanhood that is so harmful to us today,” the pope said. Pope Francis spent much of his audience speaking about “accepting life through the path of adoption,” which he called “a generous and beautiful” act. “Joseph shows us that this type of bond is not secondary, it is not an afterthought. This kind of choice is among the highest forms of love and fatherhood and motherhood,” he said. “How many children in the world are waiting for someone to take care of them. And how many spouses wish to be fathers and mothers, but fail for biological reasons; or, although they already have children, they want to share family affection with those who have been deprived of it. We must not be afraid to choose the path of adoption, to take the ‘risk’ of acceptance.” Pope Francis underlined that “having a child is

always a risk, both natural and adopted.” But he added that “it is more risky not to have any.” “It is more risky to deny fatherhood, or to deny motherhood, be it physical and the spiritual. A man and a woman who voluntarily do not develop a sense of fatherhood and motherhood are missing something fundamental, important. Think about this, please,” he said. “I hope that the institutions will always be ready to help regarding adoption by seriously monitoring, but also simplifying the process necessary for the dream of many little ones who need a family to come true, and of many spouses who wish to give of themselves in love.” A group of circus performers from the Rony Roller Circus in Rome came on stage with loud music and flaming batons just before the pope led pilgrims in the Our Father at the end of the audience. The 10-minute performance included a trombone and saxophone rendition of “It’s Now or Never” by people dressed as clowns. A young man in a black mesh shirt embellished with pink flames and rhinestones juggled batons while shaking his hips to techno music, and a woman in a leotard took to the stage lying on her back while

juggling soccer balls between her legs above her. “I thank the boys and girls of the circus who performed this show. It is a performance that puts us in touch with beauty, and beauty lifts us up, … and beauty is a way to go to the Lord,” Pope Francis told the circus artists at the end of the spectacle. The pope offered a prayer at the end of his meditation that “no one will feel deprived of a bond of fatherly love,” and asked St. Joseph to intercede for couples who wish to have a child: St. Joseph, you who loved Jesus with fatherly love, be close to the many children who have no family and who wish for a father and a mother. Support the couples who are unable to have children, Help them to discover, through this suffering, a greater plan. Make sure that no one lacks a home, a bond, a person to take care of him or her; and heal the selfishness of those who close themselves off from life, that they may open their hearts to love. Amen.

Courtney Mares/Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis’ general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Jan. 5, 2022.

Bless the Children

omehow all over the farm chores in an enjoyable Philippines, devotees manner. will find ways to The theological celebrate the Fiesta of the underpinnings of the feast Sto Nino despite Covid. Of of the Holy Child is found in course we will be missing our readings this Sunday. the street dancing and As the first reading states, sinulog, and churches and “For a child is born to us, Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC households will try to control a son is given us; upon his tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com the crowds who come for the shoulder dominion rests “ celebrations. With its five hundred years of history (Isaiah 9:5). This child whom Isaiah foretold is Jesus in the Philippines, the devotion to the Sto Nino is the Messiah, the Prince of Peace. He was born and deeply embedded in Catholic consciousness. grew up in a human family. The gospel tells the story Filipinos love children and that’s partly the of the boy Jesus being lost in the great temple of reason why we are devotees of the Holy Child. The Jerusalem during the Passover celebrations. Joseph past two years we miss the children who cannot come and Mary later found him discussing with the Jewish to school. The children too miss playing teachers. Jesus followed Joseph and with their classmates and doing things Mary to Nazareth and was obedient that are normal for children. Children to them. “And Jesus advanced in are confined in their homes and have to wisdom and age and favor before God make do with online classes or modules. and man” (Luke 2:52). In a way the children of pandemic In the second reading St. Paul times are missing important stages tells the Ephesians that God the in their childhood. We have to make Father has blessed us by adopting adjustments for pandemic protocols. us through Jesus Christ. We have Normally, after mass children would become brothers and sisters of Jesus flock around the priest for his blessing and children of God. Such is our by making mano. They hold the priest’s special privilege and therefore we hand and press it to their forehead. have to live accordingly in the spirit Instead of giving my hand I just lay my of this revelation. hand on top of their heads as a form As we celebrate this fiesta of the of blessing. A child complained that she could not Holy Child we express our devotion by joining the make the normal mano because Father would not mass, the novenas, and the merry making. But let give his hand. us not forget that we too are God’s children called How can we make the lives of children more or to grow in age and wisdom and favor with God and less normal? In households with many children, they man. We were children once and we had the faith can at least play with their siblings and cousins. of children but as we mature in the faith we are also Parents and elders can make the lives of children challenged to show the manifestations of a mature more varied and less boring by organizing activities faith. Such a mature faith shows itself in caring for for them. I know of a family who every weekend the church, country, neighbor, and the environment. bring the children to the farm to do some fishing or do True devotion leads to transformation. MC

REFLECTIONS

“We have become brothers and sisters of Jesus and children of God”

Photo courtesy of VATICAN MEDIA

Meditation Fr. Rock Saniel, OMI rocksaniel@gmail.com

2ndSunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

Isaiah 62.1-5; 1 Corinthians 12.4-11; John 2.1-12 “Do whatever He tells you.” These words of the Blessed Mother remind us of her great trust to Jesus. As we celebrate the feast of the Sto. Nino today, we remember Mary who constantly followed and listened to Jesus. Mary could not grasp everything in her heart, but she assures us that like her, following and listening to Jesus is our best hope in life. For one, we are not so certain about what life brings us, the trials and challenges that await us, the sorrows and pains that could come to us, but Jesus is the answer to all these certainties. He is our protector, our guide, our Lord and savior. “Do whatever He tells you.” May we do God’s will in our lives, every day. Prayer: Father, through the Sto. Nino, may we be witnesses to your unfailing love to our brothers and sisters in love and compassion. Amen.

THE MINDANAO CROSS

January 15, 2022 EDITORIAL

It’s Circus Time

he first week of January 2022 is already an opener for the election campaign of May 2022. All roads along major highways in Mindanao is full of billboards that banner the faces of politicians who will run for the election. The only difference from the previous elections is that the pictures on the billboards are bigger, and the distance between billboards is shorter. This may be because the cost of printing on tarpaulin has become cheaper, making it affordable to many candidates. However, while national candidates opted for rallies to make people aware of their intention to run for the election, the local candidates advertise themselves through these billboards. Time was when the newspapers and poster printers made a killing with the amount of campaign materials that go through these media, this year, very few venture into advertising via local newspapers and radio. It would be a good study to compare which medium is more effective in getting the voters’ attention. Which would you think will lead to a more lasting remembering of names for the election? It’s a good thing that somebody made a protest against the petition to reset the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs). Many think that candidates for the coming election are making a mockery of our constitution. This is the only election when candidates (including their parties) are still making noise even after the November 15 deadline set by COMELEC for withdrawals and substitution. In an update on November 15, COMELEC announced that there were 19 withdrawals for national positions, and substitutions are on hand for those who withdraw. Surprise! President Duterte was one of those who filed his COC for a senatorial position. Fortunately, this news died down when he withdrew his COC because he will opt for retirement from politics instead; although this news about moving the deadline for the CoC filing to a later date again made people raise their eyebrows, especially since the grapevine points at the PDP=Laban as the one who initiated this move. Yes, it is again that guy who was appointed as a cabinet member, who spends his time in politics instead of working on the energy crisis for which he is being paid for by government. At the local government level, we wonder why some candidates have to spend so much funds on campaign materials when there seem to be no obvious competitor for the positions they are running for. I had a bad experience being caught in a traffic jam caused by these political rallies. We were in a hurry to get home that afternoon after a tiring travel to General Santos and back to Cotabato City just to send off a relative to Cebu. For those who are not aware, the only flight to Cebu City is through GenSan airport. Imagine the stress that is caused by a traffic jam whose purpose is to introduce the line-up of a political party. It often takes an hour for a convoy of twenty SUVs to rush to the rally, (overtaking other travelers) and look for parking for their big cars. Even in a place as laid-back as Maguindanao, one has to deal with the latest model SUVs, topnotch party leaders, and the big number of “hakot” for the rally. MC +

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John M. Unson Ferdinandh B. Cabrera Charlie C. Señase Nash B. Maulana

NORTH / SOUTH COTABATO CORRESPONDENTS Williamor Magbanua, Romer “Bong” Sarmiento, Roel Osano & Drema Quitayen Bravo CARTOONIST Lourd Jim Diazon

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Entered as Second Class Mail at Cotabato City Post Office under Permit No. 91-01 Dated August 15, 1991.

ven as it will continue distributing relief aid to families severely affected by Typhoon Odette, the Philippine Catholic Church’s humanitarian arm will soon begin its recovery initiative. Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of the Diocese of Kidapawan, head of the National Secretariat for Social Action/Caritas Philippines, recently revealed that they are gearing up rebuilding efforts in Odette-hit areas in the coming weeks. “We will start rebuilding houses, providing emergency livelihood assistance and other priority needs,” Bishop Bagaforo said. Bishop Bagaforo recently did a solidarity visit to areas affected by Odette in the Visayas with NASSA/Caritas Philippines executive secretary Fr. Antonio Labiao, going to Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte. As of January 9, Caritas Philippines said it has already provided more than 70,000 families with emergency relief aid in eleven dioceses and more than 9 million pesos from the Alay Kapwa Fund has been allotted to the diocesan social action centers in the areas affected by the typhoon. According to Bishop Bagaforo, NASSA data shows Odette affected some 1 million families, destroyed over 500 thousand houses, and vastly affected livelihoods of farmers, fishermen and small community entrepreneurs. Most of the severely affected are those in the “peripheries.” In his recent social media post, the NASSA/Caritas Philippines national director said they have launched “an ambitious 4.841-million-euro early recovery program to provide 5,365 shelters and livelihoods to 5,619 families in 11 dioceses.” Along with this announcement came an appeal for assistance especially from foreign donors: “We know that with the global pandemic and the different protracted and emergency crises, our numbers are a lot. But this is our reality at the moment. And we need your help. We can very well assure you that learning from our disaster response experiences, the national and diocesan teams are very capable of implementing this gigantic response, thanks to the capacity strengthening programs you have supported.” According to the CBCP online news website, the national Caritas has received at least P39.9 million cash donations from private individuals, dioceses, companies, and its partners from the Caritas network as of January 3. “Now we need a little boost to help at least a fraction of those who need most the Catholic Church. We appeal for your assistance. Let us leave no one behind. Let us live up to our “CaritasPromise,” Bagaforo said in his Facebook post.

HE Cotabato Empire Province was much like the size of what today is the geographic area of Central Mindanao—that is, Region 12 plus Maguindanao. Created by the Philippine Commission in 1914, Cotabato was such a big province with only two cities: Cotabato City and Dadiangas, and a single legislative district. Cotabato had been long under members of Moro political families—among them, Datu Piang, Atty. Minandang Piang, Datu Balabaran, Datu Ugalingan Piang, Datu Duma Sinsuat and Salipada Pendatun, the post-war transitional governor (1946), and Datu Udtog Matalam, the first elected governor (1946). Matalam had been re-elected three more times up to 1963, except in November 1954 when he lost to Datu Duma Sinsuat. But before these Muslim datus were appointed or elected leaders of Cotabato Empire Province, Deputy Governor-General Frank Carpenter, C.B. Carter and Jose Unson were appointed by the Philippine Commission as District Military Governors. They were followed by Dionisio Gutierrez (first civilian appointed governor); Jose Cui and Alfonso Pablo. President Ramon Magsaysay had also appointed one more governor from Luzon in 1954, Primitivo Buagas who was from Zambales, Magsaysay’s native province. The first appointed Muslim governor was Datu Duma Sinsuat in 1941, who was also elected in 1954 Fast-forward, It was then Senate President Ferdinand Marcos’ campaign promise that once he got elected in the November 1965 Presidential Elections against incumbent President Diosdado Macapagal, he would separate a province for his Nacionalista allies in Cotabato—principally, Marbel Mayor Hilario De Pedro Sr. and Tacurong Mayor Jose Escribano. And so on June 18, 1966, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 4849, creating South Cotabato, shortly after Marcos’ first Independent Day Address (traditionally) at Luneta Quirino Grandstand, as the 10th Philippine President on June 12, 1966. Governor De Pedro and Senator Magnolia Antonino subsequently sought to rename Dadiangas to General Santos, a move that Pendatun opposed in Congress, saying the history of war defection, was “still fresh to the nation’s recent memory.” He instead wanted the city named ‘Buayan’ to retain its pre-commonwealth district name. Pendatun, however, lost this proposition. A deeply rooted political rift was hurting both parties: In

Giving hope, sharing kindness, fulfilling a promise

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

Created by the CBCP in 1966, NASSA/Caritas Philippines is mandated “to accompany the poor and marginalized in the just and legitimate struggle for social justice and transformation.” Its flagship program is the Alay Kapwa, the Lenten evangelization and fundraising program of the Philippine Catholic Church which currently serves as emergency fund during calamities and other major social concerns. Another key program is relief and rehabilitation implemented in partnership with Caritas Internationalis since the 1960s. Its biggest response to date is the three-year Typhoon Haiyan rehabilitation program called #REACHPhilippines covering 166 communities across 9 provinces. Laudable is perhaps not enough to describe what NASSA/Caritas Philippines is doing to provide for those that need care in the areas hard hit by Typhoon Odette, especially in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. Everybody who is part of this effort definitely deserve our prayers for continued health and safety as they embark on their mission to give hope, share kindness, and fulfilling their promise not to leave anyone behind. Donations to the Alay Kapwa Fund are most welcome. While we are at it, let us also laud the work done by the Armed Forces of the Philippines who have since day one extended its hand to assist those who need it in the areas hit by the typhoon. We see this as noteworthy in towns and provinces that are considered hotbeds of the continuing communist insurgency. We are of the belief that civic action initiatives like these are more effective than military operations in building trust among those who are most vulnerable to insurgent indoctrination, showing them and ensuring that indeed the government is there for them just when they need it most. That is after all supposed to be the essence of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70. MC

The Empire Cotabato Province (1914 – 1966)

Penlight Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

1947 Pendatun together with Sen. Lorenzo Tañada voted against President Manuel Roxas’ Amnesty Program for those charged with defection after the war. Pendatun himself was a guerrilla leader whose large size of following was occasionally pitted against constabulary forces under Maj. Paulino Santos, Capt Sebastian Jabelosa and Lt Jose Escrinbano during the war. Meanwhile, the last and only Muslim official elected to the Empire Province to have witnessed Cotabato’s Centennial Founding Celebration in 2014 was Atty. Simeon A. Datumanong who was first voted to elective office as Provincial Board Member in 1962. He was elected Vice-Governor in 1966 of the Mother Cotabato Province, which was then colloquially known as North Cotabato. On November 22, 1973, Marcos issued Presidential Decree 341, creating Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. Most of the members of the Presidential Task Force Southern Philippines were Muslim lawyers who worked largely on the propositions of partitioning of the Mother Cotabato. To recall, some of the TF members were lawyers Datu Michael O. Mastura and the late Macapanton Abbas Jr., his brother Atty. Ferdausi Abbas, Farouk Carpizo and Atty. Esmael Piang. A staff-member of the Task Force whose name stuck to my memory to this day was the late Serenidad Sanchez-Abpi, wife of the late Mr. Gani L. Abpi and co-founder of Central Maguindanao Institute, now Gani L. Abpi Colleges Inc. (GLACI) in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.. On March 7, 1984, Batas Pambansa Blg 660 renamed North Cotabato to Cotabato, reinstating the original founding year of the Empire Province by the Philippine Commission in 1914. This explains why Cotabato Province celebrated its Centennial Founding Anniversary in 2014. BP 660 was written by then North Cotabato Assemblyman Thomas Baga Jr., a lawyer based in Kabacan. MC

Alive Forevermore

and fear that lead many to suffer and die. Our steadfast faith in God’s Word and promises makes us strong and invincible to any threat and uncertainty in life. A Kidapawan CityCharlie Señase based colleague in the csenase@yahoo.com print and broadcast media LL want to live long enough to deny Williamor Magbanua cited the inevitable reality that dust we this week the morbid significance of are and to dust we shall return. January 11. This was the same month For everything has its divine reason and and date when Kabacan Vice Mayor Pol purpose in life. But, what’s earthly life Dulay was gunned down in the year 2013 really all about? and when Libungan Mayor Amping Cuan Is it enough to be learned and was also shot to death in 2021. highly educated or globally popular with Magbanua seems to wonder what’s overflowing material abundance and 1-11 or January 11 when in 2022 a luxuries, only to die empty and nothing barangay councilman of Pikit, North down the grave? Cotabato was also killed by unknown The living ought to know that as gunman. And stunned to learn that on that mortal creatures, we have an immortal same date and month a bomb blast injured Creator to look up with whole-hearted 7 bus passengers along the highway of obedience to His precepts which were Aleosan town. written for all generations to adhere and be Are these bloody events, past and saved from total damnation. The WORD of present, coincidental? Because, on that God is alive and shall not pass away even same day in Barira, Maguindanao a poor if the world and all things are gone. father-and-son peddlers of used materials But the world seems to ignore God’s were shot to death after divesting them might and awesome power that we are P2,000 cash earnings. burdened with the ongoing health menace On that same day in 1-11, two suspected and aggravated by off-and-on man-made violators of the Comelec gun ban were and natural calamities. collared in Cotabato City by policemen. In the Philippines alone, COVID-19 The arrested persons, both wielding .45 seems to have worsened with its non-stop caliber pistols, are not Cotabato residents mutation that health authorities have to Federico Bologaita, 32, is from Cavite while raise alert warning signals in Metro Manila Romy Salipada, 42, is from Zamboanga del and other selected areas penetrated by Sur. Being armed and dangerous leads the entries of “balikbayans” and foreigners. suspicious to alert city cops with mandate This week, a Pakistani national, who to enforce Comelec and PNP rules on is not a COVID-carrier was arrested by neutrality or being apolitical. government authorities for being a courier We wish to congratulate Cotabato City of “faked drugs” worth P30 million. The LGUs and health authorities for having falsified drugs kept in several warehouses been one of the least COVID cases in the in Paranaque City were seized by joint country. This week, it only registered 32 civil-military intelligence units led by the positive cases with 4,254 recoveries out of Bureau of Customs. The questionable total 2,440 since it began in the early 2020 medicines include branded names of with 154 deaths. Let’s keep-up the good Biogesic, Neozep, Bioflu, Ivermectin, work for God and country. Live and let live Medicol, Planax, and Alaxan among others. for nothing is impossible with the LORD The Pakistani suspect Adel Rajput, 31, except one that He can’t do. We have a claimed to be a resident of Caloocan City. God who cannot lie nor can be bribed (Titus Dishonesty is corruption that even 1:2). In life, it’s not what we are but who among drug manufacturers have to we are that matters most before God who compete with health experts having varying judges not outwardly but inwardly through opinion which drugs are more effective and the heart. And blessed are those who read, expensive or vise-versa. It leads people listen and act on God’s prophetic Word for from all walks of life to entertain doubts the time is near (Revelation 1:3).MC

True to Form

Dean’s Medal (Rank 6). She is also a recipient of the UP Alumni Association’s outstanding alumna in gender equality and women empowerment award, and the Outstanding Sillimanian Award from the Silliman University, “the fierce Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy advocate of women’s rights franco1573victoria@gmail.com rarely shies from speaking n the children’s story, by Hans Christen out-even against President Anderson, Pinocchio’s nose grow longer Duterte.” Guanzon’s term at the Comelec every time he lied. How many noses will expire on February 2, 2022. Until then, would have grown longer since the election expect her to continue being vocal. fever got underway. Not only about, lies, Before joining the Comelec, Com. promises and “pa-lusot”. Sample here: At Guanzon first joined government under the the livestream hearing at the Comelec for first female president, Corazon Aquino in the petition for disqualification of ex-senator 1986. She was only 28 years olds. Aquino Bongbong Marcos Jr., as a candidate for appointed her Officer in Charge and city president, Hana Barcena, lawyer for Marcos mayor of Cadiz City; she was later elected told the poll body’s first division, headed by mayor of the same city in 1988. Later on in Com. Rowena Guanzon, that the ex-senator 2013, she served as a Commissioner in COA, could not join the proceedings nor call in by making for an all women led commission. phone because “He might cause the spread Guanzon vowed to prioritize monitoring of the virus” the utilization of gender and development Netizens were quick to create a joke budgets in different government agencies. “there must be a new Covid 19 variant that An independent voice in the Comelec can be transmitted through visual tools like since she was appointed in 2015, Guanzon the zoom”, he could have joined virtually, has clashed with many individuals in the suggested by Com. Guanzon, as he did in past, including Duterte, former poll chairman an earlier interview that same day, so his Andres Bautista, Senator Grace Poe, the attendance could have been recorded. Comelec’s infamous hackers and supplier Not sufficiently satisfied, Com. Guanzon Smartmatic required the presentation of a medical Guanzon was again the only person in certificate, which was produced hours later; the 7-member Comelec en banc who voted It came from a wellness center (?) in Makati . not to accept Duterte’s petition to substitute These actuations infuriated Com. Guanzon. PDP-Laban member Martin Dino who filed a “ Our decision isn’t out yet. Checking my certificate of candidacy to run for President. level of English? Seriously, do they have a Exciting to watch was her fiery rhetoric PhD in English? Don’t dare me. Baka patulan against Duterte Youth and Cardema. She ko kayo, iiyak ang amo ninyo.” Jan 11, 2022. voted to cancel Cardema’s nomination as he On or before the 17th 0f January, the was found breach the age limit required to sit Comelec First Division will promulgate its as a youth representative in Congress. She Resolution on the DQ cases vrsus Marcos was also the lone dissenter in the Comelec’s Jr. If not risky, it will be read in the Session decision to give course to Cardena’s last Hall, livestream. minute substitution bid, which she said was Another feisty woman coming up- a “mockery of democracy.” “Friendly advise, Comelec Commissioner Maria Rowena study your case, get yourself a good lawyer. “ Amelia Villena Guanzon. Previous Mayor Speculations about her marital status of Cadiz. She holds a master in Public drew this proclamation: “I choose to be single, Administration degree from Harvard because I am a feminist, having grown in a University, where she was an Edward family where women are strong; we were not Mason Fellow and Class Marshall and a compelled to marry, we were not encouraged degree in economics from the University of to marry, we were not discouraged to marry. the Philippines. In another ambush interview, she said, “I She graduated in the top ten of her Class will marry when the Divorce Law is passed at UP College of Law, where she received a in the Philippines” MC

The fiery Commissioner of Comelec

The Stuff of Life

January 15, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

How Worrisome is Omicron?

HEALTH CORNER

A Reprint from Rappler

e opened 2022 with caseloads soaring to levels not seen since September 2021 – the last time COVID-19 infections peaked in the country due to a surge partly driven by the Delta variant. This time around, it’s the hypertransmissible Omicron we’re watching, as it is poised to shatter records set by Delta. Current cases at the 20,000’s are nearing the country’s previous peak of over 26,000 cases, while the positivity rate is already at a new high of 40%. After capping 2021 with all areas of the country on Alert Level 2 – the second to the least strict quarantine classification – officials held off on plans to shift the country to Alert Level 1. Instead, several areas are back on Alert Level 3, as the country’s Omicron wave has yet to crest. Hospitalizations have not yet hit alarming levels, but the rate at which admissions are increasing is markedly faster, especially in Metro Manila. Here’s what we’re watching in the coming week of January 10, 2022: Making sense of Omicron’s explosive growth It’s been just a little over a month since Omicron was designated as a variant of concern, but with more of our friends and family infected with COVID-19, it seems the virus is closer to us than ever. Yet, the portion of cases needing hospitalizations seemed to be lower than in previous increases. How worried should you be? In this edition of weekly watch, we’ll tackle what Omicron means for the virus, the government’s response, and personal activities. What it means for the virus Before the end of 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that Omicron had the potential to overtake Delta, which up until then had been regarded as the fastest and fittest variant. Fast forward to where we are today, January 2022, and we can see this is somewhat playing out across the world: • In the Philippines, it took just three weeks for cases to go from lower tallies not

seen since the beginning of the pandemic, back to peak levels we hoped to leave far behind. Other countries feel Omicron’s explosive growth, too. o Based on the WHO’s latest epidemiological update, cases grew by 71% in the recent week, after nearly 9.5 million new cases were reported worldwide. • That’s the highest number of cases reported so far in a week’s time – and it comes as we enter the third year of living under this crisis. Yet, it is still an underestimate because we know there are backlogs due to the holidays, rapid antigen tests that do not get counted, and testing centers that are simply overwhelmed by demand. • Based on current patterns seen in countries, Omicron appeared to be two to three times as likely to spread as Delta, the New York Times reported. Its ability to spread so well has seen cases double in about two to four days. • Locally, the Department of Health (DOH) said cases appeared to be doubling every 2.2 days. o Scientists are still figuring out what makes Omicron better at spreading, but clues point to the variant being “particularly good at infecting cells in the nose” – meaning when people breathe they can release new virus particles – and its ability to evade antibodies produced by vaccines and previous infections, the Times said. • The experience of other countries showed Omicron may peak faster than previous variants, but this is something that might not be entirely applicable to the Philippines, epidemiologist Dr. John Wong said. • “These are countries with very high vaccination rates and levels of immunity which we don’t have,” Wong told Rappler. • Omicron’s ability to spread far and wide quickly means it is that much harder to control transmission. It also means that the chances of you getting the virus are higher now than they were before. • And because it continues to spread, the virus continues to evolve. So while some people are calling Omicron a possible “golden ticket out of the pandemic,” it’s “wishful thinking at this point,” the WHO warned. MC

and McDonald’s, there are no other restaurant or business establishments in the city that offers set of breakfast meals to travelers, workers, and students that go out early morning and need a hearty Danny Buenbrazo danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com meal. The diner will be serving traditional Filipino senior high school student came breakfast combinations similar to those up to her uncle and asked him offered by Tapsilog-type stores in Metro “would you be willing to be a Manila and other urban centers. We business partner? I remember you think that the establishment should be telling me about the interesting world located along the National Highway or of business.” at least in a very accessible place. In response, he said “I am open to Basic offerings would include Tapainvesting in a business venture if it fits Sinangag-Itlog (the traditional Tapsilog: my interest and if the proposed project beef tapa, fried rice, and egg), Bangus looks to be feasible. What exactly is with Sinangag, Danggit with Sinangag, the business you want me to invest Dried Squid with Sinangag, and so in? Who is/are the on. But since there are proponent/s of the people and children who business?” prefer Western type of “We still do food or food that is not too not have a definite heavy, we also intend to business in mind, serve hotdog sandwiches, what kind of business champorado, and other would you like to lighter food.” invest in?, she said.” “So your diner would Sensing that she only be open in the and whoever she had morning since your are been speaking with selling breakfast meals?” about putting up a “No, she replied. We business firm do not are thinking of making yet have a clear idea the place a resto-bar in of what kind of venture they would like the evening to maximize income.” to get into, he advised her to determine He told her that turning the diner first what kind of business it is that they into a resto-bar in the evening could really want to establish. They should be a complicated thing. They would consider the potential demand and be catering to a different market the specific market for their product, segment (college students and young possible location, size of their store or professionals) and if alcohol would be establishment, and the rough estimate served there would be a need for extra of the capital needed to realize the security. “That’s true” she admitted. proposed business venture. The young Instead of turning the diner into a lady took notes and promised to work resto-bar in the evening, she proposed on a business idea and get back to him to just make the place an “all-day in a few days. breakfast” food place. He told her that Sure enough, after four days she such approach would be a simpler told her uncle that she now has a rough solution to the objective of maximizing sketch of a business concept and would the operating hours of the diner. like to discuss it with him to get his She thanked her uncle and said that assessment. So he told her to present they would be working on the layout her general concept of the proposed of the establishment to figure out the business venture. minimum size of the diner and the cost of “We noticed that, aside from Jollibee the furniture and fixtures needed. MC

A Tale of a Diner….

Market Driven

“I am open to investing in a business venture if it fits my interest and if the proposed project looks to be feasible”

THE MINDANAO CROSS

January 15, 2022

Slain Tacurong commentator was to join...from P1 distant from Tacurong City where he was killed by a pistol-wielding man past 8:00 AM Wednesday. Tagum said he has ordered the chiefs of police in Tacurong City and in Lambayong to cooperate in putting closure to the murder of Angeles. “We want the culprits

identified for immediate prosecution,” Tagum said. Witnesses said Angeles was approached casually by a man, while having his vehicle fixed in a shop in Barangay New Carmen, and shot in the head with a pistol. The suspect escaped using a black motorcycle

driven by a companion. Angeles has a YouTube channel, “Tinig ng Bayan,” that he used as a medium for news reports and commentaries on various topics, including governance, peace and security issues. Investigators are still trying to identify his killer and the motive for the attack.

TRO sought vs. Comelec rule on SGA voters...from P1 SGA constituents of their right of suffrage and of equal protection of the law.” The BARMM spokesperson added that while the 63 barangays from North Cotabato are now part of BARMM and no longer under Region 12, they have not been reconstituted into appropriate Local Government Units (LGUs) pursuant to the Organic Law. He underscored that in the computation of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of North Cotabato and respective SGA

Hunt for Libungan arson...from P2

Palace condemns killing Tacurong of radioman...from P1 on Thursday. “We condole with the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Mr. Angeles,” he said. “The PTFoMS is now in close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in conducting intensive police operations to pursue his assailants and bring the perpetrators before the bar of justice,” Egco added. The PTFoMS has received a report from Soccsksargen police regional office that showed Angeles was shot and killed in front of Falle Auto Repair shop in Purok Sampaguita, Barangay New Carmen, Tacurong City at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Two gunmen, one wearing facemask and the driver of a getaway car was wearing a crash helmet, arrived on a motorbike, according to Colonel Joan Maganto, Tacurong City police director. Maganto said one of them approached Angeles and shot him in the head. As he fell, one more shot was

fired toward his body that caused his death. The suspects fled the scene onboard a black Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle, he added. According to Maganto, before the shooting, Angeles had resigned from Radyo ni Juan to run for councilor in his hometown of Lambayong. “While he was still with Radyo ni Juan, Angeles told me that he has been receiving death threats, from whom and for what reason, he could not tell,” Maganto said. “Even if Mr. Angeles is a former media practitioner, the Task Force will not stop until the masterminds and their cohorts are caught, charged, and convicted for this heinous crime. There is no justification for murder, whatever Angeles may have been involved with in the past,” Egco said. Egco said he has already asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to let the PNP designate Police Media Security Focal

NOTICE

VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I AND BRANCH II will hold a public auction sale of all unredeemed and unrenewed items pawned from July 1 to August 31, 2021 on February 8, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., and VGM PAWNSHOP INC. II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City

SUBASTA

Be There, Management

Ang VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I ug BRANCH II magsubasta sa tanan nga wala lukata ug wala tubui gikan sa bulan sa Hulyo 1 hangtud sa bulan sa Agosto 31, 2021 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag karung Pebrero 8, 2022 sa VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., ug sa VGM PAWNSHOP BRANCH II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City. MC: Jan 15, 22 & 29, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Ang Nagdumala

AFFIDAVIT

Notice is hereby given that the late SPO4 SAMBUTUAN L. KATAMBAK,PNP (Ret) who died intestate on November 8, 2005 at Barurao, Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao, left unclaimed Pension differential and Death benefit from PNP are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with Special Power of Attorney before Notary Public Atty. Gapor G. Quitar as per Doc. No. 302; Page No. 61; Book No. LXVI; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late KALU BUAT, who died on April 28, 1951 in Bagua II, Cotabato City, left a parcel of land Lot No. 495 situated in Bagua II, Cotabato City with an area of 43,497 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of affidavit of self-adjudication by sole heir before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De CastroJagunap as per Doc. No. 036; Page No. 036; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2022.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

MC: Jan. 8, 15 & 22, 2022

Notice is hereby given that the late ERLINDA GALLOPIN-ORDEN and ARMANDO ORDEN, who both died on July 18, 2002 in Parang, Maguindanao, left residential house and parcel of land Lot No. 1, Blk. 22, TK-5, situated at Nituan, Parang, Maguindanao containing an area of 225 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Yusoph P. Binsuan as per Doc. No. 562; Page No. 113; Book No. XVII; Series of 2019.

MC: Jan. 8, 15 & 22, 2022.

MC: Jan. 8, 15 & 22, 2022

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EXEQUIL BENOSA, who died on September 9, 2021 at Polacion 3, Pigcawayan, Cotabato a parcel of land Lot No. 101, Pls-664, situated at New Igbaras, Pigcawayan, Cotabato containing an area of 29,294 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Roland D. Jungco as per Doc. No. 507; Page No. 101; Book No. 123; Series of 2021.

MC: Jan. 8, 15 & 22, 2022.

Persons (MSFP) in the face of rising cases of attacks against journalists. He said DILG has already ordered the PNP to name Police MSFP for each province and city ahead of the 2022 national and local elections. PTFoMS has noted the increasing incidents of violence against journalists before, during, and after the elections. In a separate statement, Egco said as the election draws near, the focal persons will serve as the “first line of defense” of journalists even in the most far-flung areas of the country as they will be the first to receive and respond to all threats leveled against any media worker. Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, PRO-12 police regional director, has condemned the killing EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JESUS JAWA MALTO, who died intestate on August 26, 2013 in Makilala, Cotabato, a parcel land Lot. 8984A, CSD-12-002280, covered by OCT No. P52052 with an area of 49,996 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with donation before Notary Public Ryan D. Tabanay as per Doc. No. 183; Page No. 37; Book No. 163; Series of 2021.

Angeles which he said affects the freedom of the press to perform their duty without fear. “PRO 12 will exert all efforts for the identification of the perpetrators to ensure that the death of Jaynard Angeles will be brought to justice. Likewise, I urge the public who may have information regarding the incident to come forward to expedite the resolution of the case,” Brig. Gen. Tagum said. EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late E M E T E R I O AV E N A , who died intestate o n M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 11 at Kilada, Matalam, Cotabato, a parcel land Lot. No. B-1, Psd-12016603, covered by TCT No. T-98026 with an area of 11,307 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with waiver or rights before Notary Public Esther Jalandoni Dumagan as per Doc. No. 71; Page No. 16; Book No. 78; Series of 2021. MC: Jan. 15, 22 & 29, 2022

EXTRAJUDICAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late MAHMUR A. HASANUL, who died on November 12, 2020 in Cotabato City, left a claims from East West Bank (EWB) is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Mohammad Jameel A. Singh as per Doc. No. 333; Page No. 67; Book No. 15; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ROSITA Y. SOLLANO, who died on October 26, 2020 in Kidapawan City, parcels of land Lot 119-B, PSD-12-022545; Lot No. 5392-D, PSD12-010648 & Lot No. 5377-B-1, PSD-12042449, all situated at New Cebu, Pres. Roxas, Cotabato, covered by T C T N o s . C T- 8 5 3 2 , T-106024 & T-108672, respectively, containing the total area of 26,410 square meteres, more or less are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with special power of attorney before Notary Public Fernando D. Cubero as per Doc. No. 361; Page No. 72; Book No. 124; Series of 2021.

MC: Jan. 8, 15 & 22, 2022

MC: Jan. 1, 8 & 15, 2022

MC: Jan. 15, 22 & 29, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the l a t e D AT U S E M A BALABARAN IBAD, who died intestate on October 3, 1999 in Cotabato City, a parcel of land situated at Pagalamatan, Tamontaka 3, Cotabato City, containing an area of 100,684 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-5731 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Mark Esmael R. Nor, CPA as per Doc. No. 333; Page No. 67; Book No. III; Series of 2021.

MC: Jan. 8, 15 & 22, 2022.

municipalities, the population, land area, and income of the 63 barangays still form part of North Cotabato and their municipalities, hence constituents are still entitled to be represented and their voices be heard. Based on the Comelec ruling, constituents of SGA are only allowed to vote for the national positions pending the determination of the constituent’s local government units until the holding of the 2022 elections.

AFFIDAVIT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ADELAIDA SANTOYO and REGINO FERNANDEZ, a parcel of land Lot 3-D, LRC PSD-52306, covered by TCT No. 59047, situated in Bo. Gonzalo, San Quintin, Pangasinan, containing an area of 44,000 square meters, more or less is the subject of affidavit of self- adjudication with deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Atty. Ildefonso M. Rodrigo as per Doc. No. 1428; Page No. 286; Book No. VI, Series of 2021. MC: Jan. 1, 8 & 15, 2022

Pandulo, Libungan municipal police chief, said Monday he has ordered their investigators to file an arson case against Leaño. He said they have provided Cardoza and her three children food, water and clothes.

A formal complaint had been filed at the barangay government of Nicaan and a separate criminal case against Leaño for arson shall also be filed separately at the provincial prosecutor's office, according to Pandulo. John

Felix Unson

Notice for Auction

Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV in Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak announce the Auction Sale of all unredeemed pledges contracted January 2-30, 2021 at 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main 4J Bldg. Corner Jose Lim Sr., and Don Roman Vilo St. Cotabato City. Auction sale will be on January 26, 2022.

Patalastas ng Subasta Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de OroPawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV sa Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Enero 2-30, 2021 sa alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:00 ng hapon sa Agencia de Oro Jose Lim Branch, corner Jose Lim Sr, and Don Roman Vilo St., Cotabato City sa Enero 26, 2022.

MC:Jan 15 & 22, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Region XII Pikit, Cotabato OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

Republic of the Philippines Magpet, North Cotabato OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), a notice is hereby served to the public that Rosalim C. Briones has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Rosalim Casonete Briones who was born 17 February 1977 at Takepan, Pikit, Cotabato to parents Rogelio A. Briones and Jovita A. Casonete. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than January 22, 2022. (Sgd.) MICHAEL C. TOBIAS, MPA OIC - Municipal Civil Registrar

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2003-1 No. 1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A, 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Gemma F. Gamboa has filed with this office a petiiton for change of date of birth from April 2, 1977 to March 25, 1977 in the certificate of live birth of Gemma Ilugsong Fortin who was born on April 2, 1977 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Robert S. Fortin and Catalina B. Ilugsong. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than January 21, 2022.

MC: Jan. 15 & 22, 2022

(Sgd.) CHONA M. PROVIDA, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Jan. 8 & 15, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Region XII City Government of Cotabato OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In compliance with R.A. No. 9048 and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2021 (IRR on R.A. No. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Bailuna K. Kamid has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Virginia to Bailuna and correction of entry in the date of birth from September 10, 1966 to February 4, 1966 in the certificate of live birth of Virginia Khalid Kamid who was born on September 10, 1966 at Bagua St., Cotabato City and whose parents are Taugan G. Kamid and Pimbai M. Khalid. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written with this office. opposition (Sgd.) TOHAMY M. LAUBAN City Civil Registrar

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2021 (IRR on R.A. No. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Laimarch Llena Singh has filed with this office a petition for correction of entry in sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Laimarch Llena Singh who was born on March 18, 1990 at Campo Muslim., Cotabato City and whose parents are Sammy T. Singh and Elsa P. Llena. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office. (Sgd.) TOHAMY M. LAUBAN City Civil Registrar

MC: Jan. 8 & 15, 2022

January 15, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Moro residents still get H2O from polluted source

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Bangsamoro residents in Barangay Manaulanan in Pikit, North Cotabato still fetched drinking water for their daily use in two water pumps that caused a typhoid outbreak last week. That contaminated water sent 35 persons to the hospital due to severe stomach pain and vomiting, a disaster official said. Tahira Kalantungan, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (MDRRMO), said the residents have no choice because they have no other choices. It is the only source of drinking water in the community. To prevent water borne diseases from erupting, Kalantungan instructed the affected residents to boil the water from the pumps in order to kill all forms of bacteria before consuming it. "This is the only way we can do because most of our constituents are poor. However those who can afford to buy bottled water need to go to the town proper,” Kalantungan said. Muhamid Musa, whose family members landed in a

hospital in Kabacan, North Cotabato last week said buying mineral water is out of budget so they have to take drinking water from water pumps. "We do not have extra money to buy bottled water. No more choices but the water pump," Musa in vernacular said. He said they need to asked financial assistance from the Local Government Unit (LGU)-Pikit in order to pay the hospital bills of his family members. Barangay Manaulanan was recently submerged by floods following the swelling of Rio Grande de Mindanao and the Pulangi River due to heavy downpour. "This caused water contamination," Kalantungan explained. Kalantungan said at least 20 individuals have been discharged from the hospital. However, there are 10 more being threated due

to severe effects of typhoid fever. James Zumbaga, the staff from the municipal mayor, said they are now processing financial assistance for those still in the hospital. Hospital bills below P3,000 will be shouldered by the LGU but those with more than P3,000 hospital bills, the LGU will only take one half of it. Meanwhile, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Foundation conducted relief operations for the outbreak victims. At least 88 families or close to 500 individuals receive at least 5 kilos of rice and two big containers for drinking water. Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan said the NDBCOMI assistance was a huge help to ease the burden, especially on foods for the Bangsamoro villagers.

Williamor Magbanua

CONTAMINATED. Despite its being the source of contaminated water that downed 35 people in Pikit, North Cotabato, residents still source water from this water pump “for we have no other source.”

Williamor Magbanua

NoCot cops on heightened alert vs terrorism

POLICE authorities have intensified its campaign against lawlessness and terrorism here and nearby towns. Lt. Colonel Bernard Tayong, North Cotabato police spokesperson, said maximum safety measures are in place to prevent bombings in the province. Tayong said the possible motive in the bombing of Mindanao Star bus on Tuesday that killed a 5-year-old boy and injured six others, including other children aged 5-months-old and 3-year-old in Aleosan, North Cotabato. On Thursday morning, police here have been placed on heightened alert status after a joint Army-police checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion was subjected to twin grenade attacks Wednesday night. “All our police forces,

including military and force multipliers, are on double alert status,” Tayong said. “Nobody was hurt in the twin grenade attacks that came at past 8 p.m.” he added. Tayong also said that the murder of Samsudin P. Masulot, Barangay councilman of Barangay Gokutan, Pikit was not related to the police raid in the same village that left six person dead and the recovery of 440 carnapped motorcycles and high powered guns Gunman flagged down the motorbike of Masulot in Barangay Balatican, Pikit and shot him using cal .45 pistol at past 9 a.m. Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, Soccsksargen region police director, denied allegations in the social media that Masulot has helped in the facilitation of

the recent police operation in Barangay Gokutan. “That was a wrongful accusation,” he said. Tagum said the slain barangay official was an advocate of peace and development program in the village and was commended several times by government and non-government organizations for his dedication. “Kagawad Masulot is one of the prime movers of peace in Gokutan, Pikit but he was ruthlessly killed by the desperate criminals to continue their nefarious activities,” Tagum added. Col. Tayong also asked the public, especially the passenger, to help prevent bombings by alerting police or the bus driver should they noticed something unusual inside the public transport. Edwin O. Fernandez

US Marines teach cops rifle sniping

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A team from the US Marine Corps is training a group of selected personnel of the Police Regional Office-12 on long-range sniper tactics and proficiency. Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, director of PRO-12, said Wednesday the 15-day Advance Sniper Course for his subordinates is a joint program of the US Marine Corps and the Philippine National Police. The training, which started this week, is being held inside the big compound here of PRO12’s regional headquarters that has a rifle shooting range. The program is being facilitated by the US Marines Special Operations

Command, Marine Special Operations Team 8123 and PRO-12’s Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division. “We are grateful to the US Marines Corps for this training for our personnel,” Tagum said. PRO-12 has special teams of selected members of the regional police force, among them snipers, who are involved in counter-terrorism operations and more intricate law-enforcement missions. Tagum told reporters among the subjects to be imparted to the trainees are long-range, all-weather target shooting, target acquisition and range calculation. John

Felix Unson

Surigao Norte IPs elated by OMI-NDBC humanitarian aid ...from P1 “Worth emulating, typical Filipino characteristic,” said Agnes Myra Piñol, DXND Station Manager of the boy’s action. All packed and ready to go The OMI-NDBC humanitarian team, led by NDBC CEO Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, left Kidapawan at 7 p.m. on January 4 for an approximately 9-hour land travel to Surigao del Norte. As the team leaves, more donations were coming in a form of cash and fresh vegetables. The 10-wheeler “wing van” cargo truck was loaded with more than 800 food packs, laminated tarpaulin, used clothing, fresh vegetables and volunteers to extend aid to “less served, underserved or never been served” Indigenous Peoples with food packs (composed of 10 kilos of rice and canned goods) and other non-food items. Serving the less served victims Ronald Eupeña, Surigao del Norte PDRRMO chief, said the OMI-NDBC team was able to distributed a total of 856 of food packs to members of various Indigenous Peoples. Majority of IPs, especially the Mamanwa, Badjao and Sama, claimed it was their first or second time to receive food aid since “Odette” struck. The Mamanwa lives in the mountains of Surigao and they are known as the “aetas” of Mindanao. The term Mamanwa means “First Forest Dwellers”, derived from “man” (first) and “banwa” (forest). Datu Alfredo Surigao of Barangay San Juan, Alegria, Surigao del Norte, said his neighbors were very glad they were

chosen to receive food aid from OMI-NDBC humanitarian team. “Mao pa ni amo hinabang nadawat, una man gitagaan ang mga Bisaya (It is our first time to receive food aid, usually the Bisaya (non-IPs) get the aid first),” said Datu Surigao after receiving 30 food packs with laminated cellophane they will use as temporary shelter. Mamanwa tribal leader Datu Cain Hukman and chairperson Perfecto Galvez of Barangay Cantugas, Mainit, Surigao del Norte were elated too. “Dako na hinabang ning luna (tarpaulin) kay mag sige og ulan dinhi (This laminated tarpaulin is very useful to cover our makeshift homes because it always rain here),” Datu Hukman said as he received 10 kilos of rice, several canned goods and laminated tarp. Tribal leader Bae Abundia Mondejar of Barangay Amontay, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte, told the OMI-NDBC humanitarian team of her wish should other relief team comes over. “Mangayo mi og gamay lang nga kahoy og sin para ma-atupan amo bayay (We beg for lumber and sin (galvanized iron) so we can cover our shanties),” Bae Mondejar said, adding that her neighbors, including her, have no fixed sources of livelihood. “We work as coconut gatherer, sometimes we get paid, sometimes we have no work, I don’t know where to get money to buy food now since all coconut trees have fallen or damaged,” she said. PDRRM Officer Eupeña admitted that the IPs in Surigao are the least serve “because many of them live in the mountains

and in far-flung villages.” It was he who recommended to OMINDBC to direct the relief goods to IP communities. A Badjao community in Surigao City was also among the first to suffer the brunt of typhoon Odette. Badjao or Bajau means man of the seas. This tribal group is known as the “Sea Gypsies” because they move with the wind and the tide on their small houseboats. All their homes in the coast of Barangay Taft and Barangay Punta Bilar Surigao City were swept by destructive waves as Odette made landfall. Eupeña said all the small motorboats donated to the Badjaos were all gone. These Badjaos got about 15 pump boats from a philanthropist but only four have engines. These Badjaos go fishing by group. One boat with engine will tow five other engineless boats up to the fishing site. When it is time to return to the shore, the motorboat will also tow the other sea vessels. “They act like a cooperative, they help each other in fishing, they no longer beg from motorists along busy city streets because they have livelihood,” one of the disaster worker said. “Now these boats were all gone, the Badjao’s might return to the streets to beg and seek for food.” On December 16, 2021 Tropical cyclone Odette (international name “Rai”) has ripped through northern Mindanao region, wreaking havoc to the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Siargao Islands and Dinagat Islands, all part of Caraga region.

“Rai” was the 15th typhoon that entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in 2021 and first made a landfall in the vicinity of Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte province. Like other major weather disturbances, Odette was also accompanied by floodcausing heavy rain that battered the places of its path. More than 475,000 people in Surigao del Norte and Surigao City have been affected by the calamity, more than 30 have died, 86 injured, and 26 missing persons, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported. The effect of Odette to Surigao del Norte and in Caraga region was unconceivable. Mission accomplished After a day-long humanitarian works, the OMI-NDBC relief team, consisting of about 20 volunteers, drove back home amid drizzles and bumpy roads for another 9-hour travel. The team was tired but delighted it shared resources, time and efforts to cushion the impact of Odette to the IP victims in Surigao del Norte. Ever grateful for the OMI-NDBC aid “We appreciate your efforts, you travelled long to reach us here, we are glad you have chosen our Indigenous Peoples, they are very happy for the aid from your organization,” PDRRM Officer Eupeña said as he personally forwarded his gratefulness to Fr. Tabuada, Miss Piñol and the whole OMI and NDBC humanitarian team. “In behalf of Gov. Francisco Matugas, we are eternally grateful,” he said.