Issuu

Not “rido”, slain police major’s brod says

CHURCH / P4

CBCP to release pastoral statement on elections before February ends

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

Suspect in P1-M shabu deal charged

Celebrating

years

The Mindanao Cross “survival mode” as it turns 74 By Edwin O. Fenandez

The Mindanao Cross, the “Little Paper Having reached this far is already a feat survive the ongoing pandemic. with the Big Cause,” oldest Catholic weekly as the paper continues to provide its valued While other weekly or daily community community newspaper, in Mindanao turns 74 readers with the needed information based on newspapers in the island have folded up, the years old tomorrow, February 6, 2022. facts and truth amid pandemic and fast moving Mindanao Cross remained its commitment to digital information highway. provide its readers with factual information Through the 74 years of its existence, The in the light of fast-moving and fast-changing Mindanao Cross, had survived natural disasters, digital world of information dissemination. man-made calamities, economic slowdown that It vows to continue fighting its space hit mainland Mindanao and is determined to in Mindanao’s information highway that is P3 74 years ago, on the 6th of February, the known Mindanao Cross with the slogan “The little paper with a big cause” was born to serve the need for information based on truth, real events, and people by the constituents of Mindanao. She first hit the streets of Cotabato including her neighboring towns, cities, and municipalities in the year 1948 promoting advocacies that call for INVESTORS continue to pour in capital in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao peace, unity, and solidarity among the tri(BARMM) as the Bangsamoro Board of Investment (BBOI) awarded certificates of people of Mindanao such as the Muslims, registration to five firms, officials said. Christians, and Indigenous People as well as the preservation of their culture and O f t h e f i v e i n v e s t m e n t that provide 1,159 jobs in the incentives provided for by the traditions. companies, three were approved region as of the last quarter of Regional BBOI,” Mastura said.

Anniversary Message

P1-B INVESTMENTS IN BARMM

The Mindanao Cross continues to make her relevance felt up to now especially with the proliferation of fake news in all the social media platforms. She is consistent in giving people truthful information as well as transformative insights and commentaries related to events happening not only locally but also in our country or even events abroad. Moreover, being owned by a Religious Congregation, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, she tirelessly instill Christian Values and Teachings in her every issue. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate of the Philippine Province congratulates the Mindanao Cross for the service she is doing to the people. May she continue making a difference to the lives of the people through responsible and truthful information.

last year, namely, Eight Z’s Properties Building Rental, Lanao Del Sur Corn Development Corporation and Prime Certification, and Inspection Asia Pacific, Inc. The other two companies include Pagana Kutawato Corporation and Hanabana Construction and Equipment Corporation, were approved last month. These companies have a total of Php1,003,214,201 investments

2021 and first quarter of 2022. In a statement, Atty. Ishak Mastura, Regional BBOI chairman, said these achievements made BARMM a potential venue in the country for new investment opportunities amidst the difficulties and unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic. “The five companies upon receiving this certificate of registration can fully operate their own respective ventures and will automatically enjoy fiscal

Maranaws pray PRRD signs Marawi compensation act By Edwin O. Fernandez THE House of Representatives has adopted Senate Bill 2420 or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022 on Wednesday raising hopes for its passage into law, the Maranao nongovernment organization pushing for remuneration of Marawi siege victims has said. “This means that there won't be any bicameral conference anymore and that the SB2420 will be immediately transmitted for President's signature,” the Marawi Reconstruction Conflict Watch (MRCW)

and International Alert Philippines, said in a joint statement. “This is a milestone and a huge recognition that the State has the moral and legal obligation to help the Maranao IDPs, victims of war,” the group said, adding it is hoping the bill is signed into law by Pres. Duterte as soon as possible. MRCW and Alert Philippines said this monumental gesture by the House to adopt the Senate version will symbolize the Legislative’s commitment and recognition of the moral and legal

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim congratulated the new investors for considering BARMM in their map of investment destinations. "Their contributions in investing in BARMM were both inspirational and patriotic for the Bangsamoro region," Chief Minister Ebrahim said in a statement. He guaranteed that the Government of the Day will always support them.

Octogenarian asks fellow elders to get inoculated By Williamor A. Magbanua

ARAKAN, North Cotabato — An 85-year old grandmother, known as Lola Valentina Berdin who carries the moniker “Lola Raliyesta” walks several kilometers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 here. Berdin, are known as "lola raliyesta" because she has been a regular face in street protests against social issues, had walked several kilometers from her village to avail of the government’s vaccination program against COVID-19.

DID YOU KNOW?

February is Philippine Heart Month Philippine Heart Month is celebrated every February through Proclamation No. 1096 by Ferdinand E. Marcos. Fr. Gerry Gamaliel de los Reyes, OMI Provincial Superior

We celebrate this yearly to encourage public support for the advocacy of promoting cardiovascular health and wellness.

Berdin has already completed her two doses of vaccination and will soon get the booster jab. Berdin was also quick in depending that having completed the vaccine is not a guarantee one is already safe from infection. She said while she urged fellow elders to get the vaccines, Berdin stressed she respects those who don’t/ “Let us respect other elderly who refused to get the vaccines, they might have valid reasons," she said.

Celebrating THE MINDANAO years CROSS

February 5, 2022

Not “rido”, slain police major’s brod says

MARAWI CITY — The family of slain Police Major Omar Tago said Thursday “rido” could not be an angle for the gun attack last Monday that resulted in his death. Rido means family feud or clan war in the Maranao language. Tago, a Maranao, was provincial chief for Lanao del Norte of the police’s Highway Patrol Group. “We have not taken a life from any individual. We are not involved in any rido at all,” his older brother, lawyer Udtog Tago, a senior official of the Commission on Elections in the Bangsamoro region, said. He said they are wishing for justice for his brother. Tago and a companion, Kanor Rascal, were killed in a gun attack in Barangay Pagalungan in Sultan Dumalondong town in Lanao del Sur on Monday morning.

A third victim, Adam Dirindigun, was wounded in the attack. They were to attend a prayer rite for a dead relative when they were attacked by five men armed with .45 caliber pistols. In a statement Tuesday, the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region said witnesses have identified the culprits as Olo Mabaning Muraki, Saminoden Gasa Muraki, Jalaloding Muraki Gasa, Nasrodin Gasa Muraki and Samsudin Muraki. They managed to escape before personnel of the Sultan Dumalondong municipal police station could reach the scene.

The suspects are from Lumbatan town in Lanao del Sur, according to PRO-BAR. Regional police officials have initially theorized as possibly related to a rido, the attack that killed Tago and Rascal. The victims belong to Maranao clans in Lanao del Sur province that has high prevalence of rido conflicts rooted to either politics, land disputes, or affront to clan pride and honor. Relatives of Tago told reporters, however, that they are certain of another motive for his murder, not rido as the police insinuated. John

Felix Unson

7 hurt as cargo truck plows trikes KIDAPAWAN CITY — Seven persons, including a 73-year-old grandmother, were hurt when a wayward cargo truck plowed at least four tricycles along the national highway here Monday. The Isuzu Forward closed-van driver, Allan Maula, said the truck’s brake system has malfunctioned and he lost

control of the steering wheel. Rey Manar, city traffic management unit head, said the freak accident had damaged four tricycles plying along the national highway. He identified some of the seriously injured passengers as Rebecca Pelayo,73, a resident of Mundog Subdivision and Rosalie Baclid 42.

It took some time for rescuers to pull out the two victims since they were pinned in between two tricycles. Five other victims has minor injuries. The truck from Antipas, North Cotabato was on its way to Tagum City when the accident happened. "I was supposed to bump the van toward a stock pile of sand but

miscalculated it and hit the tricycle instead,” Maula told dxND Radyo Bida in interview. Now detained at PNP lock-up cell, Maula sought forgiveness from the victims, claiming it was not intentional and that it was an accident. He vowed to help fund the hospital bills of the victims and the damaged tricycle.

Williamor Magbanua

STILL LUCKY. aSeven persons, including an octogenarian, were hurt but survived when a wayward cargo truck rammed through a line of tricycles in Kidapawan City after its brake system malfunctioned. Williamor A. Magbanua

BARMM tourism execs, PNP ink MOU for tourist cops

AS the country is placed under low risk classification due to a decline in COVID-19 infections, the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) forged an agreement with the Philippine National Police to enhance security for tourists and tourist areas in the region. Officials of the BARMM Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) and the Philippine National Police (PNPBARMM) signed on Thursday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) program. MTIT Minister Abuamri

Taddik said the TOPCOP will also ensure proper handling of tourist-related security and safety measures. TOPCOP is a national program of the PNP in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) that aims at providing safe and secure environment for tourists, and ensuring the availability of tourist police in tourist destinations nationwide, BARMM included. A collaboration between BARMM law enforcers and tourism industry to ensure safety of tourists has been existing in the region for quite sometime now. Minister Taddik said the MOU will further intensify collaboration and coordination with law enforcers

in securing tourists and bringing peace in the region. “We need to work hand in hand to create a new impression to our place to entice more tourists both local and foreign,” Taddik said. Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, BARMM police regional director, has assured that his office will provide ample security in all tourist related activities in the region where both local and foreign tourists converge. “The PRO BARMM acknowledged the potential of BARMM being home to a diverse and colorful culture that has flourished and preserved for hundreds of years,” he said. MTIT Deputy Minister

3 Dawlah men slain in 6ID AOR

A team of Marines killed a Dawlah Islamiya (DI) member in a clash Wednesday in Lanao del Sur, the third from the group that authorities had neutralized in just eight days. Brig. Gen. Jonas Lumawag, 1st Marine Brigade commander, said the slain DI gunman was a follower of Polo Alim, wanted for a number of criminal cases pending in courts. The encounter in Barangay Lumbac erupted when Alim and his followers opened fire at the Marines. Alim was involved in the May 23 to October 16, 2017 Marawi siege by the Maute terror group. Thousands have died as a result of the 5-month hostilities instigated by Maute terrorists that also displaced about 300,000 villagers and left a dozen historic centuries-old Maranao enclaves in ruins. In a report to 6th ID commander Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, Lumawag said an M203 rifle, 40 millimeter grenade projectiles, assorted ammunition and shabu were recovered in the scene of the encounter in Barangay Lumbac, left by

the terrorists as they fled in haste. The 6th ID has jurisdiction over Balabagan and other seaside towns in the second district of Lanao del Sur, where there is presence of religious extremists using the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria as their banner. O n M o n d a y , government forces also killed two terrorists in a firefight between Army 1st Scout Ranger Battalion and DI Maguid group in Tupi, South Cotabato. Killed DI members were identified as Zaypol Nilong and Salahuddin Usman. They belonged to a DI group implicated in a series of bombings in central Mindanao in recent years. Uy, also head of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), said the Scout Rangers were dispatched to Barangay Lapu in Polomolok after villagers reported sightings of armed men. The Scout Rangers were attacked while approaching the spot where the DI gunmen were sighted, sparking a brief exchange of gunfire. Soldiers two M16 assault rifles from the slain gunmen. John Felix Unson

BARMM MoST opens SY 2022 science study grants

THE Ministry of Science and Technology of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (MOSTBARMM) has opened its science and technology study grant programs to indigent and deserving candidates among incoming first year college students. BARMM MoST Minister Aida M. Silongan said under the Science Education Scholarships and Grants (SESG), the agency has established three cash assistancebased programs, namely: the Bangsamoro Assistance for Science Education (BASE), the Mujahideen/Mujahidat Assistance for Science Education (MASE), and the Bangsamoro Assistance for Science Education - Merit (BASEMerit) Program. Minister Silongan, a concurrent member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, said that supporting science and technology students at tertiary level will greatly help them handle the financial challenges of college education.

The MoST and the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) have also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding which was signed by Minister Silongan and MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal to formalize agencybased partnership in implementing the BASE Program. She said BASE is a cash assistance-based program designed for incoming first-year college students who intend to pursue science and technology courses. “Eligible awardees will get monthly cash assistance amounting to P8,000.00 or P40,000.00 per semester,” she said. Application opens on April 2022, and the examination is tentatively set in May or June. Earlier list of applicants who made it to become BASE grantees was posted in July last year at the MoST Official FB Page and at the MoST Website. She said MoST will set an online application platform for the opening. Applicants

Guard nabbed for peeking at lady board mate

KIDAPAWAN CITY — A security guard faces unjust vexation charges for allegedly peeking at his female board mate while she was taking a bath. Police Leutenant Colonel Peter Pinalgan, city police director, identified the suspect as Warlito Calugas Jr., legal aged and resident of Barangay Poblacion. Pinalgan said a certain "May" noticed what she believed was a cellphone camera in a small hole while she was taking a

bath. She yelled and saw Calugas running away from the bathroom. She sought police help. Calugas did not resist arrest but denied the allegation. He was detained though after the police cybercrime experts recovered the video file from his mobile phone. He deleted the file but police recovered the video from the trash folder of his gadget. He is now detained. Williamor A.

Magbanua

years Celebrating THE MINDANAO CROSS

February 5, 2022

Strong winds flatten Kabuntalan houses...from P8 winds were totally flattened, destroyed beyond repair. He said the strong winds were preceded

by heavy downpours. No one was hurt in the incident, according to Malasigan. John Felix Unson

UNUSUAL. Strong winds that hit parts of Kabuntalan, Maguindanao early this week destroyed 32 houses, seven of which are beyond repair. For local officials, the calamity was something unusual. Photo courtesy of LGU Kabuntalan

The Mindanao Cross “survival mode”...from P1 loaded with various platforms, both considerate and/or destructive to readers. This paper will continue advocating peace and development and promote solidarity among Mindanao’s tri-people of Muslims, Christians and Indigenous Peoples. Seventy-four years ago today (Feb. 6, 1948), the Oblates of Mary Immaculate missionaries, led by then Fr. Gerard Mongeau, the first Archbishop of Cotabato, opened The Mindanao Cross to help in the evangelization. Since then it has been the bearer of true news in mainland Mindanao, reaching as far as Glan, Cotabato (now Sarangani) and Davao del Sur in the east and Lanao provinces

P1-B investments in...from P1 “Your investments in BARMM does not only illustrate our region’s economic potential but its preparedness of transforming people’s lives and wonderful opportunities and limitless possibilities,” the Chief Minister added. Each company was engaged into different areas of ventures such as Eight Z’s Properties Building Rental's old barter and trading tourism, Lanao Del Sur Corn Development

Corporation's corn production, and Prime Certification and Inspection Asia Pacific, Inc. for Halal accreditation of products for export, particularly in the Middle East countries. Moreover, Pagana Kutawato Corporation manages hotel and restaurant tourism, while Hanabana Construction and Equipment Corporation is for potable bulk water distribution in the region. BIO

Maranaws pray PRRD...from P1

obligation of the state to the full recovery of the Maranao IDPs whose lives have been suspended in this long process of rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City and its people. “Like the first drop of rain on the parched land that bore witness to the devastation of our beloved Islamic city of Marawi, we received the first news about the monumental gesture of approval in Congress of the historic Marawi Compensation Act, a law that will provide tangible support, and full recognition to the pain and sorrow inflicted on those who lost loved ones and their homes in the 2017 war in Marawi,” the MRCW and International Alert said.

The group lauded all who helped shepherd this bill from Marawi to Manila and soon to Malacanang. “Let us begin the real process of rehabilitation and recovery by remembering all of those who died, who suffered, and who continue to endure the grief and loss that will be theirs forever. Join us in this first step towards closure, healing, and a lasting peace in our homeland,” they said. “It has been a long and arduous journey, but we continue to fight because we know this is the last thing we can hold on to. We continue to stand in solidarity with the internally displaced people of Marawi and pay tribute to their patience, perseverance, and courage,” they added.

Hunt for marijuana...from P8 Drug Enforcement Agency-12. He said it was vigilant tipsters who informed them about the propagation of marijuana by a certain Siano Dialang in Barangay Miasong in Tupi, enabling members of units under PRO-12 and agents of PDEA-12 to promptly carry out the uprooting operation.

Dialang managed to escape while police personnel and PDEA-12 agents were approaching his illegal farm from two directions. Tagum said Dialang had also been charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. John

Felix Unson

Octogenarian asks...from P1

Berdin boasts of her clear vision, sharp mind and endurance in walking for several kilometers that others her age would only dream about. She dreamed of reaching 100 years old which she said is not impossible.

in the north and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in the west of Mindanao. L o o k i n g b a c k , t h e n F r. Mongeau’s colleague, American Fr. Cuthbert Billman, OMI first edited The Mindanao Cross. While it is basically a Catholic newspaper, it employed Muslim and IP editors and news reporters, columnists, showing its inclusivity stance from day one. As it celebrates its 74th natal day, The Mindanao Cross shares this quote from Michael Connelly, an American book author: “A newspaper is the center of a community, it’s one of the tent poles of the community, and that’s not going to be replaced by websites and blogs.”

COOPERATIVE BANK OF COTABATO Name of Bank PUBLISHED BALANCED SHEET (Head Office and Branches) As of December 30, 2021 CONTROL PROOFLIST

Account Code

Current Quarter Previous Quarter

Cash and Cash Items

108000000000000000

23,806,399.78

30,612,549.72

Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

105150000000000000

28,429,133.05

28,493,453.36

Due from Other Banks

105200000000000000

452,986,071.87

442,718,120.34

Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

112000000000000000

0.00

Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net

195200000000000000

156,263.29

Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net

195250000000000000

606,311.77

613,133.72

Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net

195300000000000000

0.00

Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net

195350000000000000

0.00

Loans and Receivables - Net

195400000000000000

1,647,852,341.51

1,597,423,493.58

Other Financial Assets

148000000000000000

10,322,751.41

215,375.00

Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures- 195452500000000000 Net

0.00

Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net

195500500000000000

132,809,047.68

128,928,861.10

Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net

195501000000000000

1,444,260.30

Non-Current Assets Held for Sale

150150000000000000

3,478,288.56

Other Assets-Net

152000000000000000

130,007,902.44

111,678,324.37

Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Phil. branch 155250000000000000 of a foreign bank)

0.00

2,431,898,771.66

2,345,762,123.34

TOTAL ASSETS

100000000000000000

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

208000000000000000

0.00

Deposit Liabilities

215000000000000000

1,451,654,589.92

1,377,475,681.70

Due to Other Banks

220050000000000000

0.00

Bills Payable

220100000000000000

299,709,709.70

265,045,607.88

Bonds Payable-Net

295201500000000000

0.00

Unsecured Subordinated Debt-Net

295202000000000000

0.00

Redeemable Preferred Shares

220250000000000000

1,000,000.00

Special Time Deposit

220300000000000000

0.00

Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

230350000000000000

0.00

Other Financial Liabilities

240050000000000000

9,797,317.48

6,847,314.02

Other Liabilities

240100000000000000

128,170,663.01

103,198,884.24

Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies (Philippine branch 230850000000000000 of a foreign bank)

0.00

TOTAL LIABILITIES

200000000000000000

1,890,332,280.11

1,753,567,487.84

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

300000000000000000

541,566,491.55

592,194,635.50

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

905000000000000000

2,431,898,771.66

2,345,762,123.34

TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

400000000000000000

5,696.00

Gross total loan portfolio (TLP)

499020000000000000

2,025,775,159.55

1,919,094,874.30

Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP

499300000000000000

362,197,169.01

308,715,868.14

a. Gross NPLs

499100500000000000

362,991,399.61

517,088,819.47

b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%)

499150500000000000

17.92%

26.94%

c. Net NPLs

499101000000000000

29,512,879.55

247,915,745.14

d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%)

499151000000000000

1.46%

12.92%

e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%)

499151500000000000

104.11%

62.21%

f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP 499152000000000000 to gross NPLs (%)

99.78%

59.70%

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Non-Performing Loans (NPLs)

Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations

Lola Valentina Berdin, at 85, still has a sharp mind and clear vision despite her age. She walked several kilometers to get the COVID-19 jab in Arakan, North Cotabato.

Williamor A. Magbanua

a. Total CAR (%)

499650500500000000

19.45

21.65

b. Tier 1 Ratio (%)

499650501000000000

18.85

21.14

c. Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/

499650501500000000

0.00

1/ Common Equality Tier 1 is only applicapble to all Universal and Commercial Banks and their subsidiary banks.

I hereby certify that all matters set forthin this Publish Balance Sheet are true and correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief. JUDE A. DACUTAN - ACCOUNTING MANAGER Autorized Signatory

ROLLY R. DELA CRUZ - PRESIDENT Autorized Signatory

years Celebrating THE MINDANAO CROSS

February 5, 2022

CBCP to release pastoral statement on elections before February ends

THE crafting of the bishops’ pastoral statement on the coming elections is undergoing a process of ‘collective discernment’ and will be released in late February.

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Philippines president, said they are taking such a process to apply Pope Francis’ emphasis on synodality. He said the steps involve focus group discussions among bishops, and “in building consensus among ourselves, the religious, and lay people”. “The Church is not only comprised of the bishops. We have the bigger sector of the Church, which is the laity and other religious partners,” David said. According to him, they are looking at issuing their statement by the end of

February. “The drafting of our pastoral statement is still in progress and our time frame is we will release it before the end of February,” he said. David last week presided over the bishops’ online plenary assembly for the first time as head of the conference. Among other issues tackled, the bishops released a pastoral statement on ecology, which calls for unity and action to address the climate emergency and planetary crisis. The bishops also decided to revise the Oratio Imperata for the protection against COVID-19. CBCP News

The image of Our Lady of the Assumption, patroness of the Diocese of Maasin. Photo courtesy of CBCP News

Pope Francis grants canonical coronation to Maasin’s Our Lady of the Assumption

POPE Francis has granted canonical coronation to the image of Our Lady of the Assumption, the patroness of the Diocese of Maasin. The Marian statue, which is enshrined at the Maasin Cathedral or the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, will be the first pontifically crowned image in the 53-year-old diocese in Southern Leyte province. The approval was made on Dec. 14, 2021, nearly four months after Bishop Prescioso Cantillas petitioned the Vatican to confer the image with the distinct honor. “The rite of canonical coronation is tentatively set for early August this year,” the diocese said. The diocese released a copy of the decision of the Vatican’s Congregation for

Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on Wednesday, Feb. 2. A canonical coronation is the Vatican’s recognition of a certain Marian image under a specific title being venerated in a locality. The venerated image should also be historically old, acclaimed, and in times of need serves as a beacon of faith and hope among the people. It was in 1771 when Maasin was canonically established as a parish under the care of the Jesuit missionaries. When the Franciscans took charge in 1843, the parish was placed under the patronage of Our Lady of the Assumption. In 1968, upon the elevation of the parish church into a cathedral, the newly erected diocese also took Our Lady of the Assumption as its patroness. CBCP News

Experiencing the Sacred

Pope Francis tells religious sisters to fight back when mistreated by ‘men of the Church’

VATICAN— Pope Francis told religious sisters’ to fight back when they are treated unfairly or “reduced to servitude” by men of the Church. “I encourage all consecrated women to discern and choose what is best for their mission in the face of the world’s challenges that we’re experiencing,” Pope Francis said in a video message on Feb. 1. “I invite them to fight when, in some cases, they are treated unfairly, even within the Church; when they serve so much that they are reduced to servitude —at times, by men of the Church,” the pope said. Pope Francis has asked Catholics to pray in a particular way in the month of February for religious sisters and consecrated women. In his video message, the pope did not provide any more context for his comments on the mistreatment of religious sisters. A book published in November 2021 in Italian entitled “The Veil of Silence: Abuses, Violence, Frustrations in Women’s Religious Life” by Salvatore

Evangelization of Peoples. Religious sisters around the world serve in the areas of education, health, interreligious dialogue, conflict resolution, the prolife movement, social work, care for the elderly, and in service to victims of human trafficking, among other things. “What would the Church be without religious sisters and consecrated laywomen? The Church cannot be understood without them,” Pope Francis said. The pope’s video was made in collaboration with the International Union of Superiors General, an organization based in Rome which connects more than 1,900 religious orders to each other. “I exhort them to keep working and to have an impact with the poor, with the marginalized, with all those who are enslaved by traffickers; I especially ask them to make an impact on this,” he said. “And let us pray that they may show the beauty of God’s love and compassion as catechists, theologians, and spiritual guides.”

Courtney Mares/Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis meets religious sisters at a general audience on Jan. 19, 2022. Photo courtesy of Vatican Media

t the root and the shore. Jesus then told Peter growth of the religious to go into deep water and commitment toward lower their nets for a catch. Of mission is the experience of course, Peter had to tell Him, the sacred or the holy. We see they have spent the night this in all the three liturgical fishing and caught nothing. eflections readings this Sunday. These What does a carpenter know Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC were the religious experiences about fishing? Peter obeyed tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com of the prophet Isaiah, Paul and threw his net. They the apostle, and Peter the apostle. caught so much that they had to call their partners in The first reading describes the experience of the prophet another boat to help them. The boat was filled with so much Isaiah while he was inside the temple in Jerusalem, fish “to the point of sinking.” This so amazed Peter and he contemplating the figures that are there. He experienced realized he was in the presence of something extraordinary, the angels singing, “Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh Sabbath. and he realized his unworthiness as he fell at Jesus’ knees All the earth is filled with His glory. The foundations of the saying, “Leave me along for I am a sinful man.” Like Isaiah, temple shook and the temple was filled with smoke. This Peter felt unworthy of the sacred presence. Jesus assured frightened Isaiah so much that he thought he was doomed. him that from now on he will become a fisher of men, not He thought he was a man of unclean lips, unworthy to be just a fisherman. He and his partners left their boats and in the presence of God. An angel approached him with a followed Jesus (Luke 5:11). burning coal and touched his mouth with it, saying, “Your At the time of their calling, Isaiah, Paul, and Peter were guilt is taken away and your sin is forgiven.” Isaiah then people involved with their own ordinary lives. Isaiah was heard the voice of the Lord, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah just visiting the temple, Paul was on a journey, and Peter readily answered, “Here I am send me” (Isaiah 6:8). His was fishing. However it was amidst the ordinariness of prophetic vocation began with his religious experience in their lives that they experienced the extra-ordinary. They the temple. also responded to the invitation to mission. They could In the second reading Paul was narrating his own have proceeded with their ordinary lives but they were so apostolic calling to the Corinthians. He started with the caught up in their religious experience that their lives took kerygma, the good news of the death and resurrection of new directions. Jesus – that Christ died for our sins. He then proceeded Did we have some kind of religious experience that we to the various appearance of Jesus after His resurrection, cannot deny that the divine has entered our life? It could “and last of all to the most despicable of them, to me.” He be the wonder of a liturgical experience in church that was referring to meeting the Risen Christ on the road to drew us to God (such as Isaiah) or it could be an experience Damascus. It was because of this experienced that he of a divine presence that calls us to a new direction in life became an apostle, “ I have toiled more than all of them, (a conversion experience like St. Paul). Or an invitation to although not I, rather the grace of God in me” (1 Cor. 15:10). “Put out into the deep and cast your net” that led us to a new Because of his religious experience, Paul became an ardent experience (like Peter). The religious experience can happen preacher of the gospel. in church, in a retreat, in an experience of recovering from The holy gospel narrates the calling of Peter. He and an illness, or in the experience of the grandeur of nature. his brother Andrew, and fishing partners James and John The common denominator is a conviction that something were cleaning their nets when Jesus got into their boat and uniquely extraordinary has taken place that invites us to started preaching from there to the crowd who were at the a deeper life and mission. MC

Cernuzio, a journalist for the Vatican’s news service, detailed the experience of religious sisters who recounted “abuse of power” within the convent – including a situation in which a sister’s report that a priest had attempted to molest her was brushed aside by a mother superior. The pope mentioned in a speech in December that he had received a copy of the book by Cernuzio on “the everyday abuses that hurt the strength of the vocation.” In his video message, Pope Francis encouraged religious sisters not to be discouraged, but to “keep making God’s goodness known” through apostolic works and the witness of their consecration. “Let us pray for religious sisters and consecrated women, thanking them for their mission and their courage; may they continue to find new responses to the challenges of our times,” the pope said. There are more than 630,000 women religious throughout the world, according to Fides, the news agency of the Vatican Congregation for the

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

5thSunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

Isaiah: 6.1-2a, 3-8; 1 Corinthians 15.1-11 (longer) or 15.3-8, 11 (shorter); Luke 5.1-11 “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Today’s gospel reading is reminding us of going deeper in order to catch something. This may mean different things for all of us. Maybe we are reminded to go deeper in our relationship with God, ourselves, and others. Maybe some parents are too busy in their work that they often have very shallow time spent with their families, husbands, wives, and children. And when we really want to catch something in this life, we have to lower our nets. This might mean to lower our pride and ego, or lower our being too selfish and angry with people. Friends, we are all into this journey called life. May today’s gospel teaches us to go deeper and lower our nets for us to succeed. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to go deep into our relationship with you and to cast to you all our pride, frustrations, and anger. Amen.

years Celebrating THE MINDANAO CROSS

February 5, 2022

EDITORIAL

Filipino response to a public health emergency

ow long have we been into the Coronavirus Pandemic? Some writers believe it “officially started when Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization stepped in front of the microphones and declared “a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) over the global outbreak of a novel Coronavirus”. He exhorted countries to come up with a coordinated response to this public health risk. However, the pandemic was something new and many cannot grasp the severity of the situation. As the pandemic entered its second year, there were already complaints that the government is not giving the right response; there were calls for the resignation of public health officials (which the president refused to heed) and several suggestions which were viewed as too harsh from the point of view of the economy and human rights. Still, there seem to be no better alternative to the lockdowns, quarantines, isolation, etc. which were supposed to counteract the negative effects of the pandemic. On the contrary, the countermeasures seem to have a more disastrous effect than the pandemic itself. But recent observations showed that the virus is here to stay. The saving grace is the vaccine program which seem to give the population a weapon to combat the pandemic. The millions being spent by the government to buy the vaccines (which we do not produce) encountered a lot of resistance from the people. What could have influenced people to reject the vaccines which is described as a more potent way of coming up with the herd immunity that is being sought for against the disease? There are a lot to mention, with nonvalidated (fake) news at the top. News of those who received the vaccine who died spread fast, with the deaths attributed to the vaccine. There are also indigenous tribes who are not open to “intrusive” type of medicine, especially those delivered to the body through syringes. As an afterthought, the LGUs should have undertaken a campaign in the interior areas, to get a better acceptance of the vaccine. It has surprised me a lot to learn that several friends, some in the medical sector, do not believe in the advantages of vaccines. Even those who are highly professionals in their field reject the vaccines. It could not be that research has been conducted on the effect of the vaccines on the human body because this is the first time that the country has a widespread vaccination program. Of course, these people are older than the millennials whose pediatricians prescribe a wide range of vaccines for childhood diseases. When I was in my baby making stage, there were only three vaccines given to my children – the polio vaccine, the diphtheria-pertussis-typhoid (DPT) vaccine, and the TB vaccine. Chicken pox was optional, and small pox was withdrawn from public health listing. Today, my grandchildren must have a notebook of vaccines already received, which I reckon would reach more than 10. But the government should be praised for the immediate action given during the pandemic. Even without the vaccines on hand, a program has been drawn to give protection to as many Filipinos as possible. Despite the chaos and the debates that arose because of the program, we can say that something has been done to protect the people. This is a learning experience for us, which we can replicate in other pandemics, of course without the errors that accompanied its implementation. MC +

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lose to two years after the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a Pastoral Letter on Ecology entitled “An Urgent Call for Ecological Conversion, Hope in the Face of Climate Emergency,” the collegial body again called on Filipino faithful to take the cudgels for the environment. The CBCP’s Pastoral Statement on Ecology “A call for unity and action amid a climate emergency and planetary crisis” was released on Saturday following its twoday online plenary assembly. The Filipino Catholic Church leaders described it as a reaffirmation of their commitment “to lead by example” in promoting the use of renewable energy and other sustainable systems. In their 2019 pastoral letter, the Catholic bishops included among the moves that need to be done to fulfill what they said is our Christian duty and responsibility to care for the environment: “Push for an immediate transition to safe, clean, and affordable energy. Ensure just and fair transition to renewable energy sources and reject false solutions; support the use of solar power in our homes and institutions (dioceses, churches, schools, seminaries); promote, advocate and invest in renewable energy (solar, hydro, wind and geothermal power); join the campaign to immediately phase out coal-fired power plants and all other plants dependent on fossil-fuel, including coal mining.” The bishops also agreed then not to allow the financial resources of Catholic institutions to be invested in favor of coal-fired power plants and mining companies, saying “Divestment from such investment portfolios must be encouraged.” In their 2022 pastoral statement, they said: “It is unacceptable that finances so graciously provided to us are used for such industries. Financial resources must be used solely for the Common Good, Integrity of Creation, and the Glory of our Creator.” In affirming their commitment to divest from coal and other destructive industries, they also urged the whole Body of the Church to look into the social and environmental implications of the financing activities of banks and institutions in whom financial resources of the Church have been entrusted. “Without clear commitments and policies from these banks to divest from fossil fuels, we commit to withdraw all our resources that are with them not later than 2025, and hold them accountable to their fiduciary duties and moral obligations as climate actors,” they said. Catholic institutions, they said, should lead by example

ARLIAMENT Bill No. 161 will practically reduce the bureaucratic functions and programs of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Bill seeks to create a Research and Development Authority which will be merely “attached” to the region’s mainstream science and technology agency. We tackle this issue on The Mindanao Cross’ 74th Anniversary edition. In the national structure, six out of 25 programs of and offices under the Department of Science and Technology are R&D-based namely: the Food and Nutrition Research Institute; Forest Products Research and Development Institute; Metals Industry Research and Development Center; National Research Council of the Philippines; Philippine Nuclear Research Institute; and Philippine Textile Research Institute. The proposed Bangsamoro Research and Development Act of 2021 is authored by Sulu MP Amir Mawallil and is co-authored by MPs Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Engineer Don Loong, Rasul Ismael, and Abraham Burahan. In the tenure of the erstwhile ARMM, many of the R&D programs of the DOST-National were devolved to the autonomous region which, in turn, has a mere section in-charge administratively and operationally of all R&D programs. The MOST-BARMM has inherited this old set up from ARMM—although under the watch of Engineer Aida M. Silongan, the Minister of MoST-BARMM and concurrent Member of BTA Parliament, the agency comes up with a “Harmonized Research and Development Agenda 2021-2025.” Many of the programs in the MoST in its harmonized agenda are collaborative-based programs that are best recommended for interagency collaboration in terms of related mandates—like under the Basic Research and Development, MoST has: the Food and Nutrition Security; Water Safety and Security; Inclusive Nation Building; Clean Energy; Health Sufficiency and Sustainable Communities. Other Programs in the Agenda are Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources; Disaster Risk-Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, and Industry, and Energy and Emerging Technologies. In all, the R&D Agenda would require sound policy formulation more sustainable than just MOUs and MOAs combined. In all such policy-based and operational partnerships, MoST-BARMM is the lead agency in providing the corresponding R&D support to collaborated programs,

Walk the talk Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

by promoting the use of renewable energy and other sustainable systems in their own facilities and communities, and urged all Church institutions holding the Church’s financial resources to move away from extractive industries, including logging and mining, with haste. “We will not support any activity that leads to promoting destructive mining, recognizing the suffering it has and continues to bring upon the environment and affected communities,” the bishops said. In many parts of the country, Mindanao included, coalfired power plants provide power not only to practically all homes and establishments but also to Catholic Church institutions; but coal, the bishops said, is the dirtiest of all fossil fuels. It needs to be phased out completely along with all other polluting energy and a shift to cleaner renewable energy sources should be initiated. The bishops believe this will happen only if financial resources are re-channeled so as to disable the coal industry. According to Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, convenor of the Withdraw from Coal Coalition, majority of Philippine banks found to have been linked to coal and fossil gas companies and projects “remain mum on whether they are making an effort to turn their backs to dirty energy, while others have yet to come up with sufficiently ambitious policies and plans.” Would banks and financial institutions turn their backs easily on sure-fire profit sources? Your guess is as good as mine. For the Catholic Church and all its institutions, the commitment has been given by its leaders in 2019 and has been reiterated again this 2022. It is expected to walk the talk and lead by example: reject donations “of whatever kind” from environmentally “destructive” industries such as mining, coal-fired power plants, quarrying and fossil gas “regardless of scale of operation.” MC

The MoST-BARMM R&D Agenda and Parliament Bill 161

Penlight

Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

projects and activities. Incidentally, I was in the MoST-BARMM R&D office last Wednesday (supposed to be) to take up with Minister Silongan my own contributory input to help bring science closer to Bangsamoro learners in support to the rehabilitative aspect of the Normalization, being a sustainable part of the Peace Process. I may not have succeeded in seeking an appointment with her since January 21, but somehow I had the employees’ mood on the Mawallil R&D Bill. Rightly or wrongly, they believe that the Bill would take the R&D Section out of the MoST-BARMM. Second, as far as they know, a dialogue or consultation would have to be in place with the Parliament’s Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Minister Silongan herself. Third, she reportedly had yet to have a copy of the proposed Bill. But this, of course, would have to be validated with the Minister herself, since I didn’t have the opportunity to have the information first-hand from her. But it’s not too difficult to see where the sponsors of the Bill are coming from, knowing too that most, if not all of them have lengthy administrative experience in terms of leadership, written policies and actual management practices. But I haven’t talked to anyone of them, either, on the matter. My two cents: The status or office level of R&D in the MoST (since ARMM) should have long been elevated from a mere Section to (at least) a Service level, if not to a full operational bureau. The phrase in the press statement attributed to the sponsor that the proposed R&D Authority shall be “attached” to the MoST can always be the subject of a continuing dialogue among policymakers, the MPs themselves, as they deliberate the proposed measure in the levels of consultation and the hearings of the committees involved—to the periods of debate and of amendment in the Plenary. MC

years Celebrating THE MINDANAO CROSS

tasks as public servants for the greater good. And this is only possible if they allow themselves to be used in righteousness as Godfearing people. The way to God’s reconciliation and redemption was replayed to His apostle Peter who exhorted unbelievers to repent and be baptized in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and for the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. This is God’s promise to those who are baptized, including their children and those who are far-off and as many as the LORD our God will call (Acts 2:38-39). A righteous and just person, either great or small, is said to live by faith even if the law is not of faith, but he who does it shall live by them. For righteousness exalts a nation (Galatians 3:11-12). Success in government and other institutions must start in a family, considered the smallest unit of governance. That we customarily hear people say, the family that prays together stays together. Thus, more than two thousand years ago, Christ told His disciples: “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:31-32). With the vast span of time since then, falsehood still persist to have worsen with faked news through gossips have become a byword in “Marites” while truth in lawlessness pervades. A case in point is the recent alert warning issued by the Central Bank of faked peso bills emanating allegedly from automated machines of Land Bank, governmentrun institution that the NBI is currently probing the persons behind the mess. The wickedness of man begets wages of sin which is the earthly death here and the second death in the eternal lake of fire (Romans 6:23). Without God in our life, we walk around blinded with infirmities. That Christ, after healing a crippled man by birth and spiritually cleansed him said: “Take-up your bed and walk. Now, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worst thing come upon you” (John 5:11-14). MC

Steadfast Faith True to Form Charlie Señase

csenase@yahoo.com

ife’s discontentment never ends unless we believe in the Invisible God who made all things possible. But the world still revolves around, more often than not, on the physical than on the spiritual being; despite scientific study that proves the temporal from the eternal state of being of the seen and the unseen. Wherever or whoever is at the helm is in a quandary on how to satisfy human needs with some trying to reach the unreachable for there will always be differences in life. Thus, among leaders, damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Frailties and impurities are traits of human imperfection with a biblical caution, however not to sin willfully after having received the knowledge of Truth for no amount of sacrifice for sins awaits the offender (Hebrews 10:26). The LORD abhors planned sinfulness unlike unplanned iniquities knowing our frailties that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak for an all-knowing God to perceive whose wisdom in truth is everlasting. We ought to know that faith in the living God is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. For without faith, it is impossible to please God and whoever desires to come to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11-1-6). With our faith and love, let’s hope and pray that the misguided in government and non-government who are into illegal drugs, scam, extortion, terrorism, corruption, lawless violence and other unlawful activities would change and reform through God’s grace and mercy. Let’s not allow ourselves to be demon-possessed for our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Elected or appointed government officials must be true to their oath of allegiance to perform their mandated

A Promising Young Life Gone Too Soon. Ms USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, 30 years old, jumped from the 29th Floor terrace of a 60 floor apartment in New York City. She was he tuff of ife last seen on that floor alone. Her own apartment was in the Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy 9th floor of the same building. franco1573victoria@gmail.com NYC police concluded that it eisty Comelec Commissioner Rowena was suicide upon finding a Guanzon continues to engage in public note in her room that says” May this day spat with fellow commissioner Aimee bring you rest in peace. The late Cheslie Ferolino as the latter has yet to release the was a lawyer, a TV Host, a North Carolina Marcos disqualification case decision of the Correspondent. She was North Carolina’s First Division, of which they are members. contestant when she won the Ms USA Commissioner Guanzon has revealed competition; she competed in the 70th Miss to Sen. Sotto the identity of the senator Universe contest where she became friends trying to delay Marcos’ DQ; she also has with Ms Catrina Gray. Seen with her at insinuated that “war” could be taking place a previous competition was Ms Marian in the senator’s household upon the wife’s dela Riva. Her mother was also a beauty knowledge of the connection. contestant winner as Ms North Carolina. All The delayed release could cost her assets shall go to her mother. Commissioner Ferolino an impeachment The stigma of mental health keeps complaint from Commissioner Guanzon; everyone away from seeking help. There is a what is Commissioner Abas doing about this need to recognize that our psychological well? Wait and see again. being is an important part of our own health, Commissioner Guanzon’s revelations productivity and happiness. Investigators have grave implications on the credibility at the site looked into the possibility of and integrity of this election body, and depression in the beauty queen’s suicide. subsequently, on the results of the May 9 Some of her friends related discussion among elections. themselves of mental health awareness. In another news, Senate blue ribbon In the heels of the Philippines’ first committee panel finds Pres. Duterte gold and first Nobel prize comes another accountable for ‘complicity’ in plunder. “The historic, proudly Pinay feat: the country’s nation has been betrayed. While millions first time to qualify for FIFA Women’s World are unemployed, have become poorer and Cup , happening next year. The Philippine hungrier, are desperate even for just a Women’s National Football Team, yet glimmer of hope, what this administration another reason to celebrate the grit and grace has done is to exacerbate the already of the Filipina. execrable and hopeless state the people are This famous triumph sent historyall in. None can be more unforgivable.” The smaking Filipina booters, named Malditas report stated. to the next staging of FIFA Women’s World Gordon’s committee released its partial Cup-the stomping ground of global powers report recommending criminal charges led by four time winner US, Two time such as graft and plunder against Health champion Germany and 2011 title holder Secretary Francisco Duque III, former Japan-set for 2023 in Australia and New Economic Adviser Michael Yang, former Zealand. Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Joke Time To Di-stress Lao and several Pharmally executives. Teacher: What do you call mosquitoes in your Philippine Dept; Outstanding language? government debt ballooned from 8.2 trillion Student: We don’t call them. They come on pesos in 2019 to 10,2 trillion in 2020 as the their own. state ran big deficits to battle the pandemic. Teacher: Name the nation people hate most Through the first 3 quarters of 2021, Student: exami-nation government debt has increased again to 11.9 Teacher : How can we keep our school clean? trillion pesos. Student : By staying home. MC

Integrating Modern and Traditional Medicine

source for highly successful and lucrative drugs. The best known of these is artemisinin used to treat malaria. Integrating traditional medicine into modern ealth orner healthcare is certainly being A reprint from Sci.Dev.Net written by Priya Shetty taken seriously by some of the biggest research bodies raditional medicine (TM) is due worldwide. In 2007, 62 countries had a revival. For millennia, people around the world have healed national institutes for traditional the sick with herbal or animal-derived medicine — up from 12 in 1970. The US National Institutes remedies, handed down through of Health, for example, houses an generations. In Africa and Asia, 80 per cent of organisation called the National Center the population still uses traditional for Complementary and Alternative remedies rather than modern medicine Medicine (NCCAM), which this year has a budget of US$128.8 million. for primary healthcare. NCCAM funds research into how And in developed nations, TM is acupuncture, herbal supplements, rapidly gaining appeal. Estimates suggest up to 80 per cent of the population meditation, or osteopathy can help treat has tried a therapy such as acupuncture conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological or homeopathy. And a survey disorders. conducted earlier this year Developing countries found that 74 per cent of w i t h ancient histories US medical students believe of traditional medicine that Western medicine are also hunting for ways would benefit by integrating to modernise their own traditional or alternative medical heritage. In China, therapies and practices. modern and traditional The industry is worth medicine are practiced big money. In 2005, alongside each other at traditional medicines worth every level of the healthcare US$14 billion were sold in system. The government China. And in 2007, Brazil gives equal weight to developing both saw revenues of US$160 million from traditional therapies — part of a global and China has a large and active research community on ‘integrative market of more than US$60 billion. medicine’. African governments, including Desperately seeking drugs The truth is that modern medicine those of Ghana and Nigeria, are rolling is desperately short of new treatments. out educational campaigns and launching It takes years for a new drug to get anti-counterfeiting technologies to through the research and development better monitor drug procurement. pipeline to manufacture and the cost is And initiatives such as the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics and enormous. And growing drug resistance, in part Innovation are encouraging the mining caused by the misuse of medications, has of traditional medicine. So traditional medicine has much rendered several antibiotics and other to offer global health, especially as life-saving drugs useless. B o t h t h e s e t r e n d s m e a n t h a t new drugs have never been more scientists and pharmaceutical companies urgently needed. If both developed and are urgently looking for new drug developing countries joined research sources and are increasingly turning capacities in equitable collaborations, new scientific techniques could spark their eyes to traditional medicine. A few major triumphs have stoked a revival in global health research and interest in traditional medicine as a development. MC

“The truth is that modern medicine is desperately short of new treatments.“

Getting to your Goals….

The Plot Thickens

February 5, 2022

Market Driven

Danny Buenbrazo

danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

ith a vastly different world in just a few decades, many off today’s young people have difficulty in knowing what the most important things they want to accomplish as they grown older. Improvements in technology have tremendously increased the amount of and access to information, increased the mobility of people, and basically multiplied the things that a person may choose to do. Not to say that people of the 1970s or 1980s have no options to choose (not were they also perplexed with life choices) from but achieving goals them was really more challenging. Take for instance, access to education. There were less schools then and going to the better ones can be hindered by distance, lack of transport, or cost. Now, young people can go to school physically or through distance learning and government subsidy for public (and even attendance to private schools) is now larger. The basic question here is what is/are the thing/s that you want to achieve? The answers to this question would vary. Some people would have a short list while others could provide you with a much longer list of items. There’s nothing wrong with having either a short or a long list. What would really matter is being able to realize whatever it is that you have set out to accomplish Two of the seeming differences between people of the more recent generations vis-à-vis those that grew up in the last 2 or 3 decades of the past century are: degree of selfconfidence and the ability to cope with disappointments and/or failures. The newer generation seem to be surer of themselves and may even appear to

be cocky but quite prone to depression and similar reactions when facing adversities and failures. Some would even go to the extent of taking their own lives when they feel hopeless or a failure. People belonging to the older generation may be less self-assured but are tougher in dealing with the challenges of life. How then can we improve our certainty of meeting goals? First, we have to achieve clear and achievable goals for ourselves. This does not mean that one should not aspire for something that is really big or noble. We just have to make sure that our goals are attainable and realistic vis a vis our abilities and resources. Second, we have to prepare ourselves for each of the goal we seek to achieve. There must be a corresponding plan of action that leads to the attainment of each goal that we have set for ourselves. If one seeks to be employed with government (because of relatively higher wages and stability) then he or she must have the educational qualification, license, and Civil Service eligibility required for the position that he/she aspires to obtain. Third, we should actively work towards the goal. If we want to have a thriving training and/or research firm, we should hire competent personnel, purchase needed office equipment, and actively market our services. Procrastination is one of the main reasons why people fail to attain their goals. Somebody else could establish a business that you have thought of but have not established when you had the opportunity to do so. Finally, focus on your most important goals and be always productive. Veer away from distractions that keep you from taking timely action. With social media, internet games, and viewing platforms like Netflix, people may do less than they can. MC

THECROSS MINDANAO CROSS THE MINDANAO Celebrating

February 5, 2022

years

Minister Aida M. Silongan of BARMM MoST

BARMM MoST opens SY 2022...from P2

BARMM tourism execs, PNP ink MOU...from P2

Atty. Sukarno Abas, MTIT Director General Rosslaini Alonto-Sinarimbo, BARMM police deputy director Colonel

Jeffrey Fernandez, and TOPCOP Focal Col. Ganaban C. Ali. Edwin O.

Fernandez

may also submit their application physically at the MOST Regional Office located at the Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City or in the Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTC) Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. A total of 200 BASE grantees – third batch will be awarded in 2022, Minister Silongan said. BASE Program aims to “stimulate and entice talented Bangsamoro youths to pursue a “lifetime productive careers, and ensure adequate human resources in the fields of science and technology to help steer the country towards national progress.” Silongan also said MoST-BARMM will also

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Matanog, Maguindanao OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with Section

5 of R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Rohaimen Saaban Usman has filed with this office a petition for correction of clerical error of his gender from Female to Male in his certificate of live birth under Registry No. 2021-708 and whose parents are Cadal Abo Usman and Sanawera Mangkay Usman. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file a written opposition with this office not later than February 14, 2022. Sh.C. ZAHIRA D. DIMALEN, MPA,JD. Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Jan. 29 & Feb. 5 2022

Republic of the Philippines Datu Piang, Maguindanao LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirements and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines of the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Shallabi Badal Pinagayao has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Shallabi Badal Pinagayao who was born on December 1, 1991 at Datu Piang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Anwar Y. Pinagayao and Neressa B. Guialani. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office (Sgd.) JANE RADZMIRAH UY ANDAMEN, RN, AL HADJA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Jan. 29 & Feb. 5, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Indanan, Sulu LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Wadzrena Kirantes Ispilin has filed with this office a petition for correction of entr on birth day from 29 to 28 in the certificate of live birth of Wadzrena Kirantes Ispilin who was born on February 28, 1997 at Indanan, Sulu and whose parents are Alnaser S. Ispilin and Ema Kirantes. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file a written opposition with this office not later than last day of this publication. (Sgd.) ADBULMALIK B. IMMID, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Feb. 5 & 12, 2022

science, technology and innovations, envisions technologically advanced and improved access to quality education through science and technology scholarship programs, capacity building for science and mathematics teachers, upgrading of science laboratories, among others. Nash B.

AFFIDAVIT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Maulana

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JOSE ROGER P. BISCARRA, who died intestate on August 13, 2021 in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 2760-D-22-C, Psd12-93806, situated at Poblacion, Libungan, North Cotabato, containing an area of 335 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT N o . T- 7 7 5 4 2 i s t h e subject of affidavit of self-adjudication before Notary Public Marylyn B. Flauta-Lim, CPA, LLM as per Doc. No. 229; Page No. 46; Book No. XCIII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the l a t e T E O D O R O T. BISCARRA, who died intestate on April 10, 2015 at Pob. Libungan, North Cotabato, parcels of land Lot 2760-D-22-C, Psd-12-93806; Lot 2760-D-22-B, Psd-1213806; Lot 2760-D-22-A, Psd-179947; Lot 14, Block 7, Psd-165446; Lot 13, Block 7, Psd-165446, all situated at Poblacion, Libungan, North Cotabato with the total area of 1,584 sq. mts., more or less and Lot 2921D, Psd-179221, situated at Sinawingan (formerly Batiocan), Libungan, North Cotabato with an area of 13,079 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT Nos. T-77542, T- 7 7 5 4 1 , T- 7 7 5 4 0 , T-74827, T-55503 and T-69787, respectively are the subject of affidavit of self-adjudication before Notary Public Marylyn B. Flauta-Lim, CPA, LLM as per Doc. No. 498; Page No. 100; Book No. LXIV, Series of 2017.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses JESUS G. RAMOS a n d L E T I C I A PA N Z O RAMOS, who died on July 23, 2008 & April 12, 2017 in Libungan, Cotabato and Cotabato City, respectively, real & personal properties: parcels of land Lot 3216D-2, (LRC) Psd-83716 with residential house thereon; Lot No. C-3-C, Psd-12003082; Lot 2976-C-2-B-1, Psd-12-003940; Lot 81, Block 13, Psd-104305017756 with residential house thereon; Lot 83, Block 13, Pcs-1-001462, situated in Pigcawayan & Libungan, North Cotabato, and Cagayan de Oro City, covered by TCT Nos. T - 11 7 9 8 0 , T - 1 0 6 6 7 1 , T-80703, T-165755 and T-165756, respectively, with the total area of 58,958 sq. mts., more or less and Shares of stocks with JLR Lending Corporation consisting 35 shares each, are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Dominador R. Pizzaro as per Doc. No. 471; Page No. 96; Book No. XXV; Series of 2021.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JULIO V. GARDUQUE , who died intestate on July 16, 1998 at Central Glad, Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 2135C, Psd-12-001619 at Central Glad, Midsayap, Cotabato with an area of 21,536 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-58210, is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Roland D. Jungco as per Doc. No. 240; Page No. 49; Book No. 108; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late JOHNSON S. GO, who died intestate on January 16, 2021 in Cotabato City, left 2 parcels of land covered by TCT Nos. T-21251 and T-19452 with the total area of 547.67 sq. mts., more or less, both situated in Cotabato City and Cash deposit with RCBC in the amount of P167,437.55 as of Dec. 6, 2021 are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with Special Power of Attorney before Notary Public Eugenio U. Soyao as per Doc. No. 391; Page No. 79; Book No. 51; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late DANIAL SILONGAN and SAUDA SILONGAN , who died years ago at Raguisi, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, a parcel of land Lot 211C, Csd-ARMM-000036 at Raguisi, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao with an area of 14,111 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P-10168, is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion before Notary Public Atty. Abbyr Ahmad Nul as per Doc. No. 325; Page No. 65; Book No. XXX; Series of 2022.

AFFIDAVIT

BARMM tourism and regional police officials sign the MOU for collaboration and coordination in ensuring tourists destinations are safe for tourists, both local and foreign. Photo courtesy of BIO

support several schools in improving their capacities in teaching Science and Technology through training teachers and upgrading of science laboratories. The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), as the leading agency in the implementation of programs, projects and initiatives related to

MC: Jan. 29, Feb. 5 & 12, 2022

MC: Jan. 22, 29 & Feb. 5, 2022

MC: Jan. 29, Feb. 5 & 12, 2022

MC: Jan. 22, 29 & Feb. 5, 2022

years Celebrating THE MINDANAO CROSS

February 5, 2022

Suspect in P1-M shabu deal charged

THE drug dealer arrested in a P1 million worth shabu sting last week in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao is now being prosecuted, the Mindanao Cross learned Tuesday. Officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement AgencyBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said suspect Yusop Karim Gumander, is now awaiting court proceedings against him. Anti-narcotics agents seized P1 million worth of shabu from

him who was entrapped in Barangay Macabiso, Sultan Mastura at noontime Thursday, January 27. Gumander is clamped down in the office of PDEA-BARMM. He shall be prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,

also known as the Republic Act 9165. He was immediately frisked and cuffed after selling P1 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) to nonuniformed PDEA-BARMM agents in a sting in Barangay

Macabiso. Local officials had told reporters the 37-year-old Gumander has contacts in interior barangays here and in Maguindanao’s nearby Parang and Sultan Kudarat towns. The operation that resulted in Gumander’s arrest was

assisted by units under the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region, the Regional Highway Patrol Group and military intelligence operatives supporting the anti-narcotics thrusts of PDEA-BARMM. John

Felix Unson

6ID expects surrender of more unlicensed guns

THE Army’s 6th Infantry Division is expecting the surrender by central Mindanao residents soon of more unlicensed firearms, the 6th ID’s commander, Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, said Wednesday. This, after seven barangay chairmen in Carmen, North Cotabato surrendered unlicensed rifles to the 602nd Infantry Brigade in Carmen, North Cotabato last weekend. Jimmy Cabrillo of Kibudtungan, Percival Bacudo of Aroman, Reynaldo Camique of Tonganon, Acob Guiamilil of Palanggalan, Ronald Akmad of Kibenes, Robert Baguat of Ranzo and Pepito Calibara of Tacupan turned over five M1 Garand Rifle and two .30 caliber Carbine to Col. Jovencio Gonzales of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade in a simple rite in

Carmen town proper. Gonzales, commander of the Army’s 602nd Brigade based in Carmen, said Sunday the seven barangay officials voluntarily yielded the rifles through the efforts of the 90th Infantry Battalion and local officials in support of the government’s nationwide campaign against loose firearms. Units of the 602nd Infantry Brigade have collected in the past 12 months more than 50 unlicensed firearms voluntarily turned in by owners. The firearms the brigade collected include those surrendered by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who have returned to the fold of law in batches in recent months. John Felix Unson

KORONADAL CITY — State agents seized P374,000 worth of shabu from a seaman who fell in an entrapment operation here Tuesday. Naravy Duquiatan, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, said Wednesday the suspect, Ryan Bayogos Ramos, is now detained, to be prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Ramos, a transnational seaman allegedly peddling

shabu in big volumes when out from work, was entrapped by PDEA-12 agents and personnel of the Koronadal City Police Tuesday in Barangay Carpenter Hill here. He was immediately frisked and cuffed after selling four sachets of shabu, amounting to P374,000 to a nonuniformed PDEA-12 agent. Ramos is a resident of Barangay Santa Cruz here, according to Duquiatan.

AN Army officials in Sultan Kudarat province was convinced the communist movement in the province continues to weaken with the surrender of two field commanders and six of their followers in Lebak town over the weekend. On Monday, Brig. Gen. Eduardo Gubat, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, said the Army has strong indications that the number of New Peoples’ Army (NPA) in Sultan Kudarat is continuously declining. Two field commanders and six of their followers returned to the folds of the law in two batches at the 37th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Tibpuan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat. “Their surrender is a huge setback to the mainstream communist terrorist group and is an indication that their group is continuously weakening,” Brig. Gen. Gubat said. Lt. Colonel Allen Van Estrera, commander of the 37th Infantry Battalion, said the surrenderees

belonged to the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Daguma, Far-South Mindanao Region (FSMR) operating in the tri-boundaries of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces. Representatives from the military, police, and local government units witnessed the surrender rites. The former NPAs turned over one M-16 rifle, two cal. 45 pistols and one fragmentation grenade. Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th Infantry Division commander, said the surrender of NPA leaders can be attributed to the concerted efforts of the different government agencies under the Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF ELCAC) of Sultan Kudarat. “Eventually, the communist movement will become irrelevant as their members and the communities they have threatened already came into the realization of the importance of having a peaceful and sustainable community," he said. Edwin

Koronadal seaman nabbed for shabu deal

CONTROLLING THE SPREAD OF ASF. aTo intensify the surveillance and monitoring of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the town of Tulunan, Cotabato, the Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture 12, Provincial Veterinary Office and Municipal Agriculture Office collected blood sample from five backyard piggeries in Barangay F. Cajelo. Photo courtesy of Agri Tayo Soccsksargen

MOH honors anti-tobacco program performers

THE health minister of the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has expressed home more institutions will fully implement tobacco-free environment programs this year. Dr. Bashary Latiph, BARMM Health minister, said BARMM institutions that fully implement the anti-tobacco program this year will be recognized. For effectively enforcing tobacco control measures in its facilities, the BARMM Ministry of Health has awarded institutions and government offices with “Red Orchid Awards.” The Red Orchid Awards is the first of its kind in the country that BARMM’s health office awarded to local government units, government offices, hospitals, and jail facilities for implementing 100 percent tobacco-free environments. On Monday, BARMM Health Minister Bashary A. Latiph said he hoped other institutions across the BARMM regional will also emulate the awardees.

The 2021 MOH Red Orchid Awardes LGU category are the towns of Kapai and Calanogas of Lanao del Sur. The Awards hospital category awardees include Maguindanao Provincial Hospital, Buluan District Hospital, Wao District Hospital, Datu Blah Sinsuat District Hospital, Unayan District Hospital, South Upi Municipal Hospital, Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Lanao, and IPHO Maguindanao. From the jail facilities category, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP-BARMM) Regional Office, Cotabato City Jail, Upi Municipal Jail, Parang District Jail, Wao Municipal Jail, Malabang District Jail, Lamitan City Jail, Jolo District Jail, and Bongao District Jail received the awards. “Aside from trophies and certificates, the Hall of Fame awardees received PHP500,000.00 project grant to sustain their tobacco control activities, while the LGUs proclaimed as Red

Hunt for marijuana planter on

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Authorities are now trying to locate marijuana propagator Siano Dialang whose illegal farm in an upland area in Tupi, South Cotabato the police and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12 raided early this week. The director of the Police Regional Office-12, Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, said Wednesday they have tapped the

support of local officials in Tupi and nearby towns in South Cotabato in their search for Dialang. Combined PDEA-12 and PRO-12 personnel uprooted thousands of marijuana plants Sunday, January 30, in Dialang’s farm. Tagum said the marijuana plants, valued at P4.6 million, were immediately set on fire by policemen and agents of the Philippine

Orchid awardees this year will receive additional PHP100,000.00 worth of drugs and medicines that they can use for smoking cessation of non-communicable diseases,” Minister Latiph said. “This program will hopefully encouraged others to also implement 100 percent antismoking measures thereby keeping everyone safe from the ill effects of smoking,” he said. The winners are chosen based on the strength of their comprehensive efforts to implement a 100 percent TobaccoFree Environment following the World Health Organization’s “MPOWER” initiatives. The acronym MPOWER stands for M: monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; P: protect people from tobacco smoke; O: offer help to quit tobacco smoking; W: warn about the dangers of tobacco; E: enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and R: raise taxes on tobacco. Edwin

O. Fernandez

Strong winds flatten Kabuntalan houses

KABUNTALAN, Maguindanao — Strong winds that battered this lowland town late Monday destroyed 32 houses, a municipal government official told Mindanao Cross Wednesday. The damaged structures, mostly made of light materials, are located in Barangay Lower Taviran here, which is surrounded by swamps and close to

rivers that spring from the nearby 220,000-hectare Liguasan Delta. Mindato Malasigan, Kabuntalan’s municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer, said Wednesday their local government unit is now attending to the needs of the affected villagers. Malasigan said seven of the 32 houses damaged by strong

John Felix Unson

NPAs waning in Sultan Kudarat

O. Fernandez