The Mindanao Cross | March 18, 2023

MAGUINDANAO NORTE VILLAGE TO BE A “CITY-WITHIN-CITY”

By Nash B. Maulana

PARANG, Maguindanao Norte—A long-term prospect of a city within a city shapes up here with the Bangsamoro government’s plan to move its seat of government to 400-hectare corporate estates it has acquired in Barangay Landasan here, officials said.

This old port town founded in 1910 will soon be elevated to cityhood, Mayor Kahar Ibay said at the groundbreaking ceremonies here for the construction of five Bangsamoro barangay hall buildings, on Tuesday.

BARMM Interior and Local Governments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, whose office implements the two-storey Bangsamoro barangay hall projects, said Barangay Landasan will be the nucleus of a long-term development of the 150-hectare Sarmiento industrial estate already acquired by the regional

DID YOU KNOW?

government.

Sinarimbo and Ibay joined barangay officials laying the cornerstones for the construction of six barangay hall buildings here. Five more barangay hall buildings are to be constructed in neighboring Barira town, where the BARMM official also turned over a fire truck to local authorities.

Engineer Abibazar Sali, head of the MILG-BARMM Project Management Development Division, said the public market building now stands halfway through completion.

MARCH 11-18 is Grandparent’s Week

Grandparents’ Week is observed every March 11-18 by virtue of Republic Act No. 757, s. 1996 by then President Fidel V. Ramos

This waning tradition of fostering love and care for the elderly as represented by our “lolos” and “lolas” needs to be preserved and inculcated in our youth and in the succeeding generations of Filipinos.

ILO, BARMM together against child labor, combatants

OFFICIALS were elated with the cooperation now of the International Labour Organization of the United Nations and the Bangsamoro government against child labor and use of children as combatants.

"We appreciate this cooperation. Together we shall nip this problem of child labor and use of children as combatants," Local Government

By John Felix Unson

Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, spokesperson of the regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Two representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Japanese Yasuo Ariga and Bharati, Pflug, who is of mixed Indian and German descent, and regional labor officials reached a consensus Thursday last

Russians “held” for trekking Mt. Apo sans permit

A RUSSIAN couple tourist was briefly held for trekking the country’s highest peak –Mt. Apo - without permission from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government unit of Kidapawan City.

The two Russians, not identified in the DENR report, claimed they were unaware a permit is needed and that they

By Edwin O. Fernandez

needed permission from local government before climbing Mt. Apo.

A permit is required before a climber, including local and foreign tourists, in compliance with Resolution No. 2015-01 on Unified Trekking Policy that was promulgated and issued by the Mt. Apo Natural Park - Protected Area Management Bureau (MANP-PAMB).

In a statement on Tuesday (March 14), Atty. Felix Alicer reminded the public that ignorance of the law excuses no one. The couple was briefly held, educated and informed about local laws and penalized P2,000 each (a total of roughly $70 US dollars) on Saturday, March 11 after they were stopped at the Mandangan Trail in Kidapawan

Bruce offers P500K for surrender of Popeye’s killer

By Edwin O. Fernandez

“ SURRENDER and your family gets P500K”

This was the message of Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Bruce Matabalao to the gunman who ended the life of Faizal Malagiok on March 9 in Maguindanao del Norte.

Matabalao is also offering P300,000 cash as reward to anyone who can provide information that could help authorities identify the gunman or hired killer who shot dead Malagiok in Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat town.

Malagiok, 40, also known as “Popeye” and a staff of Mayor Matabalao was

gunned down at about 7 p.m. in SPDA subdivision, Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

He sustained six gunshot wounds in the head, according to Matabalao.

“If the gunman is listening or viewing this, I offer you P500,000 for your voluntary surrender, if your family will bring you in, I will give them the P500,000,” he said in his FB post.

“I am offering P300,000 for anybody who can provide information about the identities and where about of the gunman who ended Popeye’s precious life,” he said in his FB post Sunday. P3

week to collaborate in addressing both problems besetting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Ariga is chief technical adviser and coordinator of the ILO-Japan multibilateral program while Pflug is the organization’s senior specialist on fundamental principles and rights at work.

BARMM Labor Minister Muslimin

FREE AGAIN. A juvenile Pinsker’s hawk-eagle (Nisaetus pinskeri), rescued by a farmer in Magpet, North Cotabato, appeared to be observing its surrounding before taking off back to its natural habitat at the country’s highest peak – Mt. Apo on March 15, 2023.

Photo courtesy of DENR Soccsksargen

alleged ambushers of governor nabbed

WOMEN POWER. Women environmentalists lead the DENR marine conservation efforts in Sarangani Bay. In photo is a lady official performs tagging of a coral reef at Kamanga Marine Ecopark in Maasim town. Photos courtesy of DENR Soccsksargen

3 alleged ambushers of governor nabbed

THREE alleged perpetrators of the February 17 ambush Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr, were arrested in a police operation in Bukidnon.

Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, director of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region, said that Palawan Macalbom, 34, Nagac Dimatingkal Baratomo, 38, and the 29-year-old Amirodin Dimatingkal, were arrested in Sitio Panamsamon in Barangay Ninoy Aquino in Kalilangan, Bukidnon.

Guyguyon said they did not resist arrest when combined personnel of PRO-BAR and the Police Regional Office 10 arrived at their hideout in Kalilangan and showed them warrants for their arrest for 2019 criminal cases, filed against them long before the ambush of Adiong.

Kalilangan is an upland town in Bukidnon, a component province of

Region 10.

The Lanao del Sur Provincial Police and PRO-BAR are still to file criminal cases against Macalbom, Baratomo and Dimatingkal for their alleged involvement in last month’s ambush of the convoy of Adiong in Barangay Bato-Bato, Maguing, Lanao del Sur.

Adiong and his staff, Ali Tabao were wounded in the attack that also resulted in the demise of three of their police escorts, Staff Sergeant Mohammad Jurai Mipanga Adiong, Cpl. Johanie Lawi Sumandar, Cpl. Jalil Ampuan Cosain, and a civilian driver named Hasanor Pundaodaya.

Adiong and his companions were on their way to Wao, Lanao del Sur

from Marawi City when gunmen positioned along a roadside hill shot their vehicles with assault rifles.

Guyguyon said last week criminal cases had been filed against three of the ambushers, Lomala Baratumo, Oscar Gandawali and Acsanie Hadji Salic, based on accounts of people aware of their involvement in the atrocity.

Adiong said Saturday he is thankful to PRO-BAR and the Lanao del Sur provincial police for cooperating in putting a closure to the ambush that he survived.

He said he is also grateful to Maranaw leaders helping locate the culprits who are still at large. John

Felix Unson

Marines find war materiel in Maguindanao Norte

GOVERNMENT forces pursuing remnants of Maute terrorist group and other local terrorist groups stumbled upon several abandoned houses with high powered firearms and explosives in Maguindanao del Norte, the military said Thurday.

Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, 6th Infantry Division commander, said that members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-5 (MBLT-5) discovered five abandoned houses in Barangay Nabalawag, Barira town on Sunday afternoon.

Rillera, also chief of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), the Marines were scouring the area for possible enemy tracks when they recovered six rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 19 81mm ammunition, two mortar base plate, undetermined number of cal. 50 ammunition, undetermined number of rifle grenades, undetermined number of M203 ammunition, one rocket-propelled grenade, and other war materials.

Troops also found a printed tarpaulin with markings "Bangsamoro Government Headquarters, BRD, GHQ."

Following the discovery, the operating troops

established defensive positions, secured the area, and coordinated with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team of the 1st Marine Brigade for the recovery of the explosives and ammunition.

The EOD immediately disposed the explosives and brought other war materials to 1st Marine Brigade Headquarters at Sitio Bomabaran, Barangay Togaig, Barira for documentation and safekeeping.

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Western Mindanao Command chief, lauded the Marine troops of MBLT-5 for this accomplishment.

"Rest assured that we will remain steadfast in neutralizing the remnants of the different threat groups in our area of operation. This accomplishment proves that the enemies of the state have nowhere else to go but to return to the folds of the law," Lt. Gen. Galido said.

On Feb. 4, a Marine sergeant was killed and three of his companions were injured in an ambush by suspected Dawlah Islamiyah Maute terrorist group in Lanao del Sur.

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The Marines were conducting intelligence

Councilor arrested for alleged act of terror

THE police is now in custody of a municipal councilor wanted for violation of the antiterror law in connection with his having allegedly masterminded the bombing of a polling site during last year’s elections.

The 23-year-old Abdulwadod Sangki, 23, had just alighted from a commercial plane at the airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, from Mania, when policemen served him a warrant of arrest for alleged violation of the Republic Act 11479, also known as Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, director of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters Wednesday Sangki, who is president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, is

now in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. He was on his way home to Ampatuan when intercepted by agents of the CIDG-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region while proceeding to the parking area of the airport.

Sangki, as municipal Sangguniang Kabataan president, is an ex-officio member of the Ampatuan Sangguniang Bayan.

He was implicated in the bombing on May 9, 2022 in the campus of the Abdullah Sangki Elementary School.

The police said the attack was meant to disrupt the conduct then of the synchronized local and national elections in polling precincts inside the school campus.

Guyguyon said the warrant for the arrest of Sangki was issued by Regional Trial Court in Iligan City, dated October 7, 2022. John Felix Unson

DAR-12, IFAD project to boost farmers’ lives

TO boost the economic lives of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) in the Soccsksargen region, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), are set to launch the newest foreign-assisted project dubbed as “Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities” (VISTA) Project.

In a statement, DAR said the VISTA Project aims to improve the livelihood and enhance the community resilience of vulnerable rural populations through a Value Chain Development (VCD) approach anchored to natural ecosystem adaptation.

The IFAD mission team is composed of experts from around the globe who specializes in rural finance, value chain innovation, environment and natural resources, institution, governance, land tenure, gender, and targeting and social inclusion, to name a few.

Relevant activities will be undertaken by the combined IFAD and DAR teams to conduct focused group discussions on the project, together with the recipient ARB organizations, partner LGUs/PLGUs, agencies, microfinance institutions, private sectors, and other necessary stakeholders involved in the value chain of coffee, cacao, and coconut.

DAR Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office Assistant Secretary Rene Colocar said this activity is in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through the leadership of DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, to improve the livelihood of the ARBs nationwide.

"In line with the Philippine development plan for 2023-2028, the DAR and IFAD will once again prove our strong partnership in order to provide adequate and sustainable support services to our ARBs," Colocar said.

POWERFUL EXPLOSIVES. These 81mm mortars were part of war materials found by Marines in Maguindanao del Norte and to be disposed properly by the military’s bomb disposal units. These were found abandoned in several houses in Barangay Nabalawag, Barira town.

SoCot councilor jailed for rape

GEN. SANTOS CITY The municipal councilor in Tantangan, South Cotabato wanted for rape is now awaiting prosecution, the spokesperson of the city police said Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Aldrin Gonzales, spokesman of the General Santos City Police Office, said June Seneca was clamped down last week after policemen had located his hideout here and immediately served him a warrant for his arrest.

Seneca, a member of the

Tantangan Sangguniang Bayan, voluntarily turned himself in when combined personnel of the Police Regional Office 12 and GSCPO arrived at his hideout and showed him a warrant for his arrest from a court.

Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, director of PRO 12, had earlier said vigilant residents of Tantangan helped police intelligence agents locate him in Barangay Bula in this city.

Seneca was charged with rape in regional court in South Cotabato in

late 2022.

The presiding officer of the Tantangan Sangguniang Bayan, Vice Mayor Cesar Dasilao, has confirmed that Seneca disappeared in the municipality in January after learning that a court had ordered his arrest, without recommended bail for his temporary release. Dasilao said they have since withheld the salary of Seneca and other benefits from the Tantangan municipal government. John Felix Unson

Dorothy Lucks, IFAD team leader, has expressed excitement over the possibilities that this region can offer since the project will innovate coffee, cacao, and coconut production and marketing, for the benefit of ARBs in agrarian reform communities (ARCs).

"The VISTA Project aims to increase employment, improve food security and nutrition, and reduce poverty while maintaining the cultural integrity of the recipient communities, as well as preserve the natural ecosystem in the area," Lucks said in a statement.

The team has identified four towns in the Soccsksargen region to visit for comprehensive data gathering from farmers and stakeholders on how to design the project, molded to the needs of the farmers in the target areas.

The ARC sites to be visited are in Tupi, South Cotabato, Pres. Quirino town in Sultan Kudarat, Maasim town in Sarangani and Antipas in North Cotabato.

Farmers are expected to increase productivity and income with more government initiated projects coming their way through DAR. Edwin O. Fernandez

Photos courtesy of MBLT-5

ILO, BARMM together against child labor...from P1

Sema told reporters Saturday the two representatives of ILO, an agency of the United Nations, even turned over to the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) eight computer sets, furniture, training manuals and other advocacy materials essential to anti-child labor programs.

The turnover rite was preceded by a six-hour forum on child labor issues, among representatives of different regional agencies and non-government entities, that the ILO and the office of Sema together facilitated.

Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio. Jr., who is undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment, resource persons from different BARMM ministries, Ariga and Pflug talked, one after another,

about child labor in the Bangsamoro region and how stakeholders can solve such a problem via a multilateral initiative.

“The collaboration among the ILO, the MOLE and other Bangsamoro ministries and local non-government organizations is a promising breakthrough in addressing child labor and use of children as combatants in some areas in the BARMM provinces,” Sema said Saturday.

The ILO, whose headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland, is involved in programs complementing the Mindanao peace process that aims to put closure to the decades-old Moro secessionist strife.

Participants to the child labor dialogue were also briefed by Bitonio on the intricacies of the Bangsamoro

Russians

“held” for...from P1

Regional Action Plan Against Child Labor.

BARMM’s chief minister, Ahod Ebrahim, had said in a video message that the regional government is grateful to the ILO and the central office of DOLE for supporting their campaign against child labor and the wrong use of children as combatants.

Records from Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the child labor incidence in BARMM is third highest among all regions in the country, with a 9.1 percent share in cases, meaning having thousands of child laborers in its five provinces and three cities.

The BARMM covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan and Marawi.

Maguindanao Norte village to be a...from P1

Sinarimbo and the municipal local government operations officer (MLGOO) of Barira visited the ongoing construction of the distinctly Bangsamorodesigned public market building in that town.

MLGOOs are trained individuals, delivering BARMM local government programs and projects down the community levels of towns and villages. Soon, their experience being the trained and development working professionals for BARMM will be featured in an anecdotal book, Sinarimbo said.

The development projection of government programs, including influx of workers, are seen to make Barangay Landasan a smaller “city within a city” with Parang also being groomed in Congress and in the Bangsamoro Parliament for elevation into a cityhood status, officials said.

The region has also acquired some 150 more hectares of a complex once occupied by a veneer factory in Barangay Landasan. The land titles corresponding to both properties have now been transferred to

the name of the BARMM government, Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo said BARMM has also set aside initial funds for the cost of land development though he did not say as to how much.

The planned transfer of the BARMM seat of government here draws the lines of geographical proximity to and from Lanao del Sur and Parang’s port infrastructure facilities to link trade with Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, Sinarimbo pointed out.

Thus, the prospective BARMM capital here holds the overall advantage to translate government investments into a sustainable “integration of the regional economy,” Sinarimbo said.

Also for the benefit of other regions, Parang is closer to Cagayan de Oro to the north, and from General Santos in the south. “So it is cheaper to transport goods via Parang to Cagayan de Oro than it is to lift cargoes from (any southern city) to the north by land, or bring them from the Cagayan de Oro City port to the south by land,” he noted.

Bruce offers P500K...from P1

“I urged the DOS PNP to intensify its investigation, the Cotabato City police is willing to provide assistance to identify the perpetrators,” he said in the vernacular.

He also sought the help of National Bureau of Investigation for speedy investigation on Malagiok’s murder.

Matabalao said Malagiok has no known enemies.

Major Regie Albellera, Datu Odin Sinsuat town, admitted that police investigators remained clueless as to the identities of the perpetrators.

Through these, Sinarimbo said, BARMM will effectively generate revenues to run its government better and cater to the needs of its constituent provinces, towns and cities.

Parang’s proximity and strategic geographic location positioned from north to south and to the west blend the best development factors for the integration of the regional economy, Sinarimbo said.

Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo, Parang Mayor Kahar Ibay join barangay officials in the ground-breaking of five Bangsamoro barangay hall buildings in Parang.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Marcellin Jay C. Panes has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the birth certificate of Marcellin Jay C. Panes who was born on 22 March 1979 at Kidapawan, North Cotabato and whose parents are Marcelino A. Panes and Nilda M. Cipriano. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office.

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 18 & 25, 2023

City. Shirley Uy, Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) of Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) underscored that no person is exempted to trek up Mount Apo’s peak without securing proper permit and a guide. “This should be a warning to all,” Uy said.

According to the Russians who were not named, they hired a motorbike, more known in the locality as “Habal-habal” (passenger motorcycle), and used a mobile trekking application that has Global Positioning System (GPS) in reaching the jump off point.

It was not stated how much the “habal-habal” driver had collected from the Russians.

While trekking, the foreign couple was held for questioning and required to present permits by Kidapawan tourism manager Renanto Antac of Venado Camp jump off site.

For their failure to present the necessary permits, they brought to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of North Cotabato to settle the charges against their violation.

Despite the contentions of the foreign couple that they were not aware of the trekking policies, the two were penalized based on the Unified Trekking Policy of Mount Apo Natural Park.

The violation was

operations and were heading for homebase when they were waylaid by about 10 gunmen Barangay Cabasaran, Marogong, Lanao del Sur, according to Lt. Joseph Chicano, Marong municipal police

deemed a first offense but PASu Uy emphasized that next time the couple treks the peak without permits, they will be blacklisted. She said they are still encouraged to come back provided they would secure the necessary permit to trek in Mt. Apo.

It was unclear whether the couple proceeded to the peak or decided to back off. Environment officials could not be reached for comments. “Trekkers are advised to secure permit. We do not discourage foreigners for that matter to go. In fact, we would like to promote our Mt. Apo to every tourist potential. They can come back and our trekking policy is very reasonable,” Uy said in a separate statement.

In January, two Japanese senior citizens have climbed Mt. Apo, making them the oldest foreign climbers on record, according to the tourism office of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

The municipal tourism office identified them as Chishiho Okada, and Hiromi Matsumuto, both 79-years old.

They were part of 13 trekkers, all are senior citizens, who climbed the peak using the Sta. Cruz Trail on January 21-23, 2023.

Pascacio Carcedo, 83, a Davaeño, remains to be the oldest person to climb Mt. Apo in September last year.

station chief. Lt. Chicano said the ambushers were remnants of Dawlah Islamiya-Maute group under Faharudin Hadjisatar alias Abu Zacharia. Edwin O. Fernandez

TOGETHER AGAINST CHILD LABOR. Bangsamoro labor officials, led by Minister Muslimin Sema of the regional labor ministry, and representatives of the International Labour Organization show the list of special provisions the ILO gave out to boost the regional government’s anti-child labor efforts.

Photo by John Felix Unson

Marines find war materiel...from P2

Republic of the Philippines Province of Cotabato City of Kidapawan LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

Sr. Maria Leonor, OND, returns to God at 88

TAMONTAKA, Maguindanao Norte - SR. MA. LEONOR M. BERNARDO, OND peacefully returned to our Creator on March 11, 2023, at the St.

Dame in Tamontaka,

the Oblates of Notre Dame in a magazine entitled Sentinel. Without the knowledge of her parents, she wrote to then Fr. George Dion, OMI about her intent to join the young congregation and become a missionary in Mindanao. At the age of 25, she made the first vows of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience on April 06, 1961 and the perpetual profession on May 21, 1966.

elected Assistant General in the 70’s. For several years, she was the FOND (Friends of the Oblates of Notre Dame) coordinator.

Sr. Leonor was born on June 15, 1934 in Calamba, Laguna, the sixth child of eight siblings of Mr. Basilio Bernardo and Mrs. Isabel Malabuyok Bernardo. In 1959, she read about

THE National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or Antipolo Cathedral will officially assume its new status as an international shrine on March 25.

The cathedral announced Tuesday it received the Vatican decree elevating the church to the rank of international shrine.

“It’s official. We are now elevated into an international shrine,” it said. “The decree has been sent to us by the Holy See and will be effective by March 25, 2023.”

For 61 years as an OND, her mission engagements were in Cotabato provinces, Visayas and NCR, most had been in the school ministry and Radio Veritas. She has served in the VocationFormation Ministries and was

Her personal motto, “To be rather than to empress” was most visible in the way she related with peoples from all walks of life in the various ministries to which she was sent—a warm, thoughtful, caring and endearing person to all she touched along life’s road. She was a woman who wasted time conversing the Word of life, the Word of God with each one.

In retrospect, Sr. Leonor had a trademark that endeared her to her former students and partners in the mission: the visitation she would make (in Notre Dame of

The declaration makes the Antipolo Cathedral the country’s first international shrine, the third in Asia, and the 11th worldwide.

It was in June 2022 when Bishop Francisco de Leon of Antipolo said that the Vatican approved their petition to grant the shrine that particular privilege.

“We are now in full anticipation of the solemn declaration of our international shrine in the coming months,” the cathedral added.

March 25 also coincides with

Bongao, Tawi—Tawi, she was the first OND who visited the homes of all students-Christian and Muslim alike), sharing her books, or photocopies of pages from books or stampitas with inspirational quotes, and the much awaited “Pangaral.” When cellphones became the fashion, she sent spiritual messages and had a consistent way of making us know that she remembered us and the members of our families.

The first day wake mass for Sr. Leonor was presided by Fr. Ignacio Rellin, OMI, second day with Fr. Mars Andres, OMI and the third day we were grateful by the presence of Archbishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, DD and Fr. Ronald Abad, OMI as the

the day when the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage departed the Mexican town of Acapulco on board a galleon 397 years ago.

During the three-month voyage, according to the shrine, the galleon was battered by storms and almost caught on fire. Despite these circumstances, it arrived safely on the Philippine shore on June 18, 1626, hence, the title Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage was attributed to the image. CBCP News

homilist.

The Funeral Mass for Sr. Leonor was celebrated last March 15, 2023 at 8:30 in the morning at Our Lady of Hope Chapel in Tamontaka, and burial rites at the adjacent OND cemetery with, His Eminence Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, DD as main presider and homilist.

On behalf of the congregation of the Oblates of Notre Dame, Sr. Erlinda C. Hisug, OND Superior General, conveys her gratitude and appreciation to all who joined the congregation in praying for the repose of the soul of Sr. Leonor and in thanksgiving for the support given to her who in life strove to please God always. Sr. Maria Luz Fernandez, OND

American prelate named new apostolic nuncio to Thailand

See. He has worked in Rome in the administration of the Secretariat of State and has been an archbishop and a nuncio since 2016.

The prelate entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on July 1, 1999, working in the apostolic nunciature in Nigeria and, beginning in 2002, in the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

He was appointed to head the English-language desk in 2006 and was named assessor on July 16, 2009.

Pope Francis named Archbishop Wells secretary of the five-member Pontifical Commission, responsible for investigating the Institute for the Works of Religion in 2013. He also served as president of the Holy See’s Financial Security Committee.

On February 9, 2016, the prelate was appointed apostolic nuncio to South Africa and Botswana and titular archbishop of Marcianopolis. He was also later named apostolic nuncio to Lesotho and Namibia.

appointed apostolic nuncio to Eswatini.

On February 8, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as nuncio to Thailand and Cambodia and Apostolic Delegate to Laos.

Archbishop Wells completed his studies in philosophy at St. Meinrad Seminary College in Saint Meinrad, Indiana. He completed his studies in theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. In 1990, he obtained a Bachelor of Theology degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University

He was ordained a priest on July 12, 1991, for the Diocese of Tulsa. After his ordination, he worked as a curate at Holy Family Cathedral Parish in Tulsa, special secretary to the bishop of Tulsa, and vicar for religious education in the diocese.

Archbishop Wells, born on May 12, 1963, has spent most of his career in the diplomatic service of the Holy

Thereis this famous quotation from the short novel, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” We are used to seeing things with our physical eyes. In fact we sometimes judge people based on their physical appearance. The season of Lent is a time to look at things in a new way and from a new perspective. I was reminded of this when I went to my optometrist. My vision has changed. I can see better without my eyeglasses than when I wear them. Time for new eyeglasses.

He was consecrated archbishop on March 19, 2016, by Pope Francis. On June 13, 2016, Archbishop Wells was

Reflections

Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com

who brings judgement and salvation. Seeing Jesus in this light he worshipped him. He would not do this if he saw Jesus merely as a human being. On the other hand, the Pharisees who have eyes to see, remained blind. Their hearts were hardened and they could not see rightly.

He soon returned to Rome, receiving a Licentiate of Theology at the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in 1992. In 1998 and 1999, he received a Licentiate of Canon Law and a Doctor of Canon Law degree from the Gregorian University. LiCAS. news

The first reading this Sunday tells the story of the anointing of David as king of Israel. The Lord instructed the prophet Samuel, “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart” (1 Sam. 16:9). The second reading from the letter to the Ephesians contrasts light and darkness. It is in the light that everything becomes visible. It is through Jesus our light that we see things rightly. The gospel tells the story of the man born blind. He was living in darkness until he met Jesus. When he was interrogated by the Pharisees, he held on to his story that it was Jesus who healed him. Amidst adverse pressure from the religious leaders he testified, “He is a prophet” (John 9:17). Because he stacked to his testimony, he was thrown out by the leaders. Jesus found him, and with his new eyes, he saw Jesus as not just a prophet but as the divine Messiah and proclaimed, “I do believe Lord” and he worshipped Him.

The blind man’s journey to the light was gradual. First He saw Jesus as a miracle worker who made him see. There were other miracle workers in Israel. He then saw Jesus as a prophet, one of the many prophets. Finally he recognized Jesus as the Son of Man, the divine Messiah

How then can we see rightly? There are different ways of seeing or looking: look around, look inside, look behind, look forward, and look up. Look around, be aware of things happening around us. Be aware of the signs of the times, so that we can respond rightly to events. As the Asin song goes, “Wala ka bang napapansin sa iyong kapaligiran, kay dumidumi na ng hangin pati na ang mga ilog natin.” When we open our eyes to the environment we will recognize the inconvenient truth that the earth and the living things therein are suffering. Look inside. What is in our heart? Do we still feel compassion, grief, love, and care. Do we still have the passionate anger that can move as to act for truth and justice? Or have our hearts become calloused to suffering? Look back. By looking at our personal history we will see patterns of responding to God’s call. We will also recognize patterns of sinfulness. Are we caught up in the same patterns or are we growing positively? Look forward. Are you still growing? Are you willing to leave comfort zones in response to God’s call? Or are we so set in our ways that like the Pharisees we refuse to see beyond our prejudices? Finally look up. God is everywhere, but looking up is a symbolic way of describing our relationship with God. We cannot do things on our own. We need the faith of the blind man who saw beyond the miracle worker and the prophet. He saw divinity and he worshipped Jesus. Today is Laetare Sunday, a day of rejoicing because Easter is near. May we move from darkness to light, from sin to repentance, from blindness to seeing.

Readings: Lect., S&S, no. 543, p. 778; BG, p. 430 or p. 431

1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7.4-5a, 12-14a, 16

2nd Reading: Romans 4.13, 16-18, 22

Gospel: Matthew 1.16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2.41-51a

Readings: no. 245, p. 443

1st Reading: Ezekiel 47.1-9, 12

Gospel: John 5.1-16

Readings: no. 246, p. 446

1st Reading: Isaiah 49.8-15

Gospel: John 5.16-30Readings: no. 240, p. 429

Readings: no. 247, p. 449

1st Reading: Exodus 32.7-14

Gospel: John 5.18, 31-47++

Readings: no. 248, p. 452

1st Reading: Wisdom 2.1a, 12-22

Gospel: John 7.1-2, 10, 25-30

Readings: Lect., S&S, no. 545, p. 782; BG, p. 16

1st Reading: Isaiah 7.10-14; 8.10d

2nd Reading: Hebrews 10.4-10

Gospel: Luke 1.26-38

Therese Care Home of the Oblates of Notre

Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

AMERICAN Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells has been named papal nuncio to Thailand and Cambodia and apostolic delegate to Laos in February.

Are we on Track on Women Empowerment?

Righthere in Central Mindanao (now composed of BARMM and parts of Region XII), the women empowerment campaign has gained some foothold. Both government and private sector took pains to give their support to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals which the world hopes to achieve by 2030. However, monitoring of these goals, especially Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, seem still far from being achieved.

According to the UN Report: “The social and economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation even bleaker. Progress in many areas, including time spent on unpaid care and domestic work, decision-making regarding sexual and reproductive health, and gender-responsive budgeting, is falling behind.

Women’s health services, already poorly funded, have faced major disruptions. Violence against women remains endemic. And despite women’s leadership in responding to COVID-19, they still trail men in securing the decision-making positions they deserve.”

How do we fare in this region?

We have a number of women politicians who are usually the yardstick in measuring empowerment. In Maguindanao, we have Gov. Bai Mariam Mangundadatu and in North Cotabato, we have Gov. Emmylou Talino. The most important unit to provide health service the people in Maguindanao is headed by Dr. Elizabeth Samama Abpi. Blissfully, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority has a sizable group of women to represent the different areas, and the crucial agency to look after the concerns of non-Muslims migrants in the BARMM is headed by Dr. Susana Salvador Anayatin.

The private sector is also full of astute businesswomen who keep the economy afloat even during the pandemic. Dr. Cecilia Camello Barroga kept her St. Benedicts College running in partnership with our favorite writer Victoria Rabago Franco; the children of Cherry Lao and Lily Uy took care of the South Seas Dept. Store after the death of their parents, and Deborah TanAbing is busy with the franchise of McDonalds. The chancellor of MSU is also a woman - Dr. Hejira Sinsuat Limbona.

At least we are happy that there are women who can be tapped to help in motivating other women to contribute to growth and development in the area, with projects that advance gender equality and promote women empowerment. These women are decision makers and will be able to choose the right path for the region and the nation to grow. Hopefully, there will be more women involved especially in the BARMM, to implement and lead in activities that will help women feel that they too are important in development. Remember that the world is carried by both men and women. They should be allowed to contribute equal weight with men in carrying this increasingly difficult world. MC

Alleyes are again on the Bangsamoro. This after the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament unanimously approved on March 08, 2023 on third and final reading Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35, the Bangsamoro Electoral Code. Considered by many as a historical document, it prescribes the structural, functional, and procedural principles of the elections, referenda, and recall proceedings in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It further paves the way for the conduct of what experts believe is a historical landmark that could pave the way for future electoral reforms in the country.

In a joint statement issued on the passage of the Electoral Code, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, Department of National Defense OIC Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and Acting Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Senior Undersecretary Isidro L. Purisima noted the unanimous enactment of the landmark document with 64 affirmative votes, 0 negative votes, and 0 abstentions saying it reflects the strong commitment and unity of the BTA to provide a law that would enable a peaceful and credible elections in 2025 and beyond. “The Electoral Code will allow democratic participation in the local and regional elections and will encourage the formation of genuinely principled political parties across the Bangsamoro, with guaranteed representations from women, youth, indigenous people, settler communities, traditional leaders, and the Ulama,” they said.

Introduced in Parliament as BTA Bill No. 29 in September 2022, it was referred to the Rules Committee which held a ten-day deliberation, examining the provisions in the proposed code line by line, prior to the code’s approval in plenary.

From October 2022 to January 2023, 12 public consultations were held in Manila, Basilan, Sulu, TawiTawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, and the BARMM Special Geographic Area to ensure that all stakeholders were involved in the legislation process.

Leading the ceremonial signing of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35 along with BTA Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong, Chief Minister Ebrahim said the adoption of the electoral code is a major step towards the realization of the BTA’s commitment to establish a government deserving of the name “Bangsamoro” when

IT’S BANGSAMORO DAY today, March 18— the 55th reckoned from 1968 when 22 Moro trainees in a platoon were allegedly executed in Corregidor Island in the story that supposed lone survivor Jibin Arula told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. The Philippine Senate probed the incident at the instance of Cavite Governor Justiniano Montano and Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

Some 30 years later, I had the loose free-time moments talking to the late Arula as I hosted him during his stays in Cotabato City in 1998 when he served as a peace consultant to the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD).—and took the stories straight from him.

Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, Chief-Executive-Officer

Eva Kimpo - Tan, Editor-in-Chief

Edwin O. Fernandez, News Editor

Gemma A. Peñaflor, Administration and Marketing Executive

Julito P. Torres, Circulation Officer

Karl John B. Daniel, Graphic-Layout Artist

COTABATO CITY / ARMM CORRESPONDENTS

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

At that time, I could almost confront my mentor, UP Prof. Arnold Molina Azurin who raised in his book (Beyond the Cult of Dissidence…) the “myth” of what has since been known as the “Jabidah Massacre.” Such is the other side of the story told and held for decades. In our conversations, Arula presumed that there were similar executions of his fellow trainees ahead of his batch (led to Corregidor through the Malinta Tunnel) but which, of course, he never saw.

For instance, Philippine Free Press writer Quijano de Manila who went to Sulu with Aquino told his story much different from Arula’s narratives, including Aquino meeting the trainees while disembarking from a naval vessel at the Jolo port, and the late senator had also interviewed their families.

I was impressed by Arula’s photographic memory of incidents, names, dates and approximate time things happened. One of the names he mentioned was a surname very familiar to me—and I do not know if a former schoolmate with the same family name, having migrated to Malaysia with his family, would somehow be anything of relevance for a fact.

The challenge to the Bangsamoro Commission on the Review of Moro History on the aspect of a Jabidah chapter will be to dig stenographic notes

they took the oath of moral governance at the beginning of the transition period and their commitment “to enact an electoral code that would help pave the way for more democratic elections in the region, in which genuinely moral political parties would be able to participate.”

The joint statement issued by Chief Minister Ebrahim, Secretary Galvez, and Senior Undersecretary Purisima said the Bangsamoro Electoral Code will allow democratic participation in the local and regional elections and will encourage the formation of genuinely principled political parties across the Bangsamoro, with guaranteed representations from women, youth, indigenous people, settler communities, traditional leaders, and the Ulama. They added that it also introduced other innovative provisions in the parliamentary electoral system with rules on changing political party affiliations, coalition-building, regional party funding, prosecution on election offenses such as vote-buying and vote-selling. It also prohibits the regional political party’s nomination of candidates related within the second degree of consanguinity and affinity, a revolutionary provision in a region where not only personality politics but clan politics held sway for decades.

“These underscore the Electoral Code as an embodiment of good and moral governance,” they said. Among the priority legislation the BTA is mandated to enact within the transition period, which has been extended until 2025, are the Bangsamoro Administrative Code, Revenue Code, Electoral Code, Local Government Code, Education Code, Civil Service Code and the law for Indigenous peoples. With the BTA Parliament having already passed the administrative, civil service, education, and electoral codes, it is expected that passage of the Local Government Code, Revenue Code, and the law for IPs would be coming soon.

and journals of the proceedings of the probe in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee—from March to December 1968, as well as news story files of old edition copies from the libraries of the Manila Times, the Manila Bulletin, and of the Philippine Free Press.

Women’s Month

Its being Women’s Month is another mark of confluence of events in March: The U.S. Government has supported projects to boost women’s participation in energy resilience, innovation, and security in the Philippines.

The U.S. Embassy said two new projects have been granted Php 37.9 million ($690,000) in funding support through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on International Women’s Day March 8, a press statement of the Embassy belatedly disclosed on March 15.

USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks formally awarded the Women in Energy Leadership, Innovation, and Resilience grant to the Diwata-Women in Resource Development, Inc. and to the Women Engineers Network of the Philippine Technological Council, Inc. (PTC) during the forum of the Women Champions in Sustainable Climate Solutions on March 8 and 9, the statement said.

More than 100 women leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators attended the event to exchange ideas and propose solutions to address climate risks.

What lies ahead?

Charlie Señase csenase@yahoo.com

Thisissue of concern comes to mind

after years perusal on life’s worsening day-to-day events in the realm of global security and safety nets. As it was in ancient times, greed for power, monetary control and earthly possession have taken its toll as shown by unabated broad daylight killings, corruption and other lawless violence made possible through so-called conspiracy theory.

Update on Misamis Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo slay case shows a House member has been allegedly tagged as mastermind in the plot that also killed nine civilians and injured 16 others. And come to think that the suspects were former Army noncommissioned officers. Two of the four arrested suspects named Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. as the brain behind the assassination, regarded by experts as politically motivated.

On the other hand, the motive behind the death of a prominent Cotabato City Hall employee who was gunned down while on his way home at SPDA in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao has yet to be ascertained by police authorities. And to hasten resolution of the case that took the life of Faizal “Popeye” Malaguiok, the city government through Mayor Bruce Matabalao volunteered to offer cash reward of P800K to whoever can identify and facilitate the arrest of the suspect. The mayor explained that out of the total amount, P500K will be handed to any relative or family member of the suspect who can convince him to voluntarily surrender to authorities for the crime he had committed.

A gun-for-hire operates for a fee and like dealers of prohibited drugs do so even if their clients will end-up dead or incapacitated. What matters to them is their love of self and money which has been described as biblical signs of perilous times in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1).

Amid God’s command not to kill, the world today has grossly violated that sixth commandment with all the killings via

armed confrontation as in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war on its second year with mounting destruction to lives and properties.

Humanity’s disobedience by ignoring God’s precepts has made us suffer the consequence of His wrath with all these natural catastrophes and extreme atmospheric climate. As foretold, what has been is what will be and there’s nothing new under the sun. Look what happened to the biblical Sodom and Gomorrah? The great inundation of floodwaters during Prophet Noah’s time and many more? From one generation to the other, God’s warning is a wake-up call to humanity that one day God’s WORD will come to pass.

Deception, scam and corruption will flourish by changing Truth for a lie. That the Light has come into the world but people prefer darkness than light because of their evil deeds. It has been said that there will be wars and rumors of war, that nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And these things are now in our midst, including pestilences, famines and earthquakes in various places (Matthew 24). As what happened recently in Turkey and Syria, notwithstanding the recent tremor in Davao de Oro that entailed damages worth almost 300K.

Most of us have been ignoring God’s rebuke with His consequential warning that when calamities come, He will just laugh at us and mock us when terror comes like a storm and destruction comes like a whirlwind and when distress and anguish come upon us. Our God who cannot like further said He will not answer our call, even if we seek Him, we will not find Him, because we hated knowledge and did not choose to be afraid of Him, who is the Creator of the heavens, the earth and everything else either visible or invisible (Proverbs 1:20-33).

With all the sorrows and pain of life, let’s stop that blame and complain attitude, instead love and forgive one another. And here’s that biblical key to peace and prosperity: Whatever we ask, we will surely receive from Him because we keep His commandments and by doing the things that are pleasing in His sight

OverviewSurvival chances for adolescents and young adults vary greatly across the world. In 2020, the probability of dying among those aged 10–24 years was highest in sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), northern Africa and southern Asia (1). The average global probability of a 10-year-old dying before age 24 was 6 times higher in subSaharan Africa than in North America and Europe.

Main health issues

Injuries

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among adolescents. In 2019, nearly 100 000 adolescents (10–19 years) died as a result of road traffic accidents (2). Many of those who died were vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists or users of motorized two-wheelers. In many countries, road safety laws need to be made more comprehensive, and enforcement of such laws needs to be strengthened. Furthermore, young drivers need advice on driving safely, while laws that prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs need to be strictly enforced among all age groups. Blood alcohol levels should be set lower for young drivers than for adults. Graduated licences for novice drivers with zero-tolerance for drink-driving are recommended.

Drowning is also among the top causes of death among adolescents; more than 40 000 adolescents, over three quarters of them boys, are estimated to have drowned in 2019. Teaching children and adolescents to swim is an essential intervention to prevent these deaths.

Violence

survey 42% of adolescent boys and 37% of adolescent girls were exposed to bullying. Sexual violence also affects a significant proportion of youth: 1 in 8 young people report sexual abuse.

Violence during adolescence also increases the risks of injury, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, mental health problems, poor school performance and dropout, early pregnancy, reproductive health problems, and communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

Effective prevention and response strategies include promoting parenting and early childhood development; addressing school-based bullying prevention, programmes that develop life and social skills, and community approaches to reduce access to alcohol and firearms. Effective and empathetic care for adolescent survivors of violence, including ongoing support, can help with the physical and psychological consequences.

Mental health

Depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in people aged 15–19 years (2). Mental health conditions account for 16% of the global burden of disease and injury in people aged 10–19 years. Half of all mental health disorders in adulthood start by age 14, but most cases are undetected and untreated. Many factors have an impact on the well-being and mental health of adolescents. Violence, poverty, stigma, exclusion, and living in humanitarian and fragile settings can increase the risk of developing mental health problems. The consequences of not addressing adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.

Nurturing our Future Leaders

The Sero Central School was the venue where Elementary and High School student leaders participated in a friendly competition underscoring qualities of leadership that includes spontaneous public speaking, punctuality, cooperation, sportsmanship and many others. “Nanos Gigantes Humeris Insidentes” was Theme of

(1 John 3:22). MC MC

the Division Leadership Training for Student Leaders and Teacher-Adviser, held in March 10-12, 2023 in Cotabato City.

In the photos below are: Cyrelle Oledan being assisted with his sash by his petite mother, pharmacist Dely. Cyrelle won the title of Mr. City Youth Ambassador. He is a student from the Notre Dame of Cotabato. Notre Dame of Cotabato also had the most delegation, as the photo shows. More photos were sent by St. Benedict College of Cotabato, Inc. which won the Most Punctual Group, and their contestants in the Ambassador category.

Interpersonal violence is among the leading causes of death in adolescents and young people globally. Its prominence varies substantially by world region. It causes nearly a third of all adolescent male deaths in low- and middle-income countries in the WHO Region of the Americas. According to the global school-based student health

Building socioemotional skills in children and adolescents and providing them with psychosocial support in schools and other community settings can help promote good mental health. Programmes to help strengthen the ties between adolescents and their families and improve quality of home environments are also important. If problems arise, they should be detected and timely managed by competent and caring health workers.

On Becoming a Highly Competent Professional…

“An expert is one who knows some of the worst mistakes, which can be made in a very narrow field. ”

—Niels Bohr

“An expert is a person who has few new ideas, a beginner is a person with many .”

—Albert Einstein

“The expert in anything was once a beginner.”—Hon Kayos

“Never become so much of an expert that you stop gaining expertise. View life as a continuous learning experience.”—Denis Waitley

One of the usual exercises we do in different levels of schooling is to express what we would like to become later on in life. Some take this thing seriously, most people don’t, probably saying or writing down what is popular or vogue at that point in time.

Does it really matter when we finally determine what we would like to become, what we intend to pursue?

Steve Jobs and the other cofounder of Apple are examples of noncollege graduates attaining success in technology, business, and other fields. Though these non-college graduates may not have completed their formal education, they enhanced their knowledge by reading, learning from experts, and some other means.

Ideally, one is able to resolve what he or she wants to become after graduation or shortly thereafter to have more time preparing to achieve his or her ambition in life. To set things in perspective, some people have proven that finishing college education is not a requirement for success, clarity of vision and firm determination to realize such vision could be more important.

Personally, I have to admit that what I really would like to become

became clear only when I was already working for more than ten years as a public sector employee.

Once we have established what we really want to do (e.g. have a very profitable business or to be a highly renowned professional) and resolved to become one of the best in that field of endeavor, then we can start to do what would take us there.

What do we need to know to attain success or even be the best in our chosen profession?

1. One should know the “rules” of the game;

2. One should also know who the “players” are in the game;

3. Know the skills that must be developed;

4. Determine which of the “players” could be your model or even mentor (if one or two persons would be willing to act as such);

Becoming a very competent is not an easy task. There will be pitfalls and heartaches along the way. There would be people that will compete with you or hinder your progress. When you are obviously trying to prove your competence, there will be co-workers or superiors that would relish proving you wrong or incapable.

In my experience, there will be superiors, co-workers, or even mentors who would point out your mistakes in very harsh or insulting ways. That can make you angry, discouraged, or doubtful of your capability but these “hard” lessons are often the most enduring ones. You are not likely to commit the same mistake again.

Being the best brings a lot of rewards. These blessings could be in monetary form (high profit or high salary), recognition or awards, and most importantly: high self-esteem and self-actualization.

Often, the level of success we could attain depends on the amount of effort and perseverance we put it.

AR ket d R iven Danny Buenbrazo danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

he s tuff of l ife Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy franco1573victoria@gmail.com

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late SAMSHI U. BENITO who died intestate on June 22, 2021, left certain personal property, a Savings Account Deposit at Bank of the Philippine Islands under Bank Account No. 2163-0162-25 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Mohammad Nour Seddiq A. Pangilamen, CPA as per Doc. No. 491; Page No. 99; Book No. VIII; Series 2023.

MC: Mar. 18, 25 & Apr. 1, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late PENALA JULIA who died intestate on July 1, 1982 at Nuro Upi, Maguindanao del Norte, a parcel of land Lot 1425, Pls-519 (CSD 7406) with an area of 601.14 sq. mts., more or less located in Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao is subject of extrajudicial partition of real estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Mohammad Jameel A. Singh as per Doc. No. 365; Page No. 73; Book No. 25; Series of 2023.

MC: Mar. 18, 25 & Apr. 1, 2023

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 March 1-31, 2022 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 March 29, 2023.

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 Marso 1-31, 2022 sa alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:00 ng hapon sa Agencia de OroJose Lim Branch, corner Jose Lim Sr, and Don Roman Vilo St., Cotabato City sa Marso 29, 2023.

MC: Mar. 18 & 25, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that late Spouses SANTIAGO I. MARCELO and ESTRELLA DALITMARCELO, who died on March 8, 1991 and December 9, 2014, respectively at Alamada, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 1, CCS-12-000099, situated at Central Bulanan, Midsayap, Cotabato, with an area of 46,748 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P-55318 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale of a portion before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1288; Page No. 48; Book No. LXIX; Series of 2020.

MC: Mar. 4, 11 & 18, 2023

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Jericho M. Ydulzura has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the birth certificate of Jericho M. Ydulzura who was born on 16 September 1997 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Danilo Ydulzura and Genara Montero.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office.

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 11 & 18, 2023

Pinker’s hawk-eagle rescued, freed near Mt. Apo...from P8

kilograms. On Wednesday, the raptor was turned over to the Community and Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Matalam for its immediate release to its natural habitat as it was declared healthy and fit.

Camiguing together with some personnel of CENRO Matalam, led the

release back to the wild of the Pinsker’s hawk eagle

According to Forester Camiguing, the adult population of the Pinsker’s Hawk-Eagle is considered endangered and its current population is only about 600 to 800 remaining in the wild based on the data of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Dr. Reniedo that whenever a

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given that Mary Anne B. Camello is a holder of Marian Hills Memorial Park Certificates of Ownership of Lots, identified as Section II, Block 51, Lots I, J, K, L Certificate 1019. That the said certificates of ownership could no longer be found, despite of diligent efforts to locate, and therefore, considered lost.

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP - SK PENDATUN

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP - BONIFACIO & CONLUCK PAWNSHOP - ORC BRANCH

COTABATO CITY

ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Pebrero 2022 hanggang Marso 2022 . Ang Subasta ay sa Marso 31, 2023 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Mar. 18 & 25, 2023

NOTICE

VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I AND BRANCH II will hold a public auction sale of all unredeemed and unrenewed items pawned from September to October 2022 on April 10, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., and VGM PAWNSHOP INC. II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City Be There, Management

SUBASTA

Ang VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I ug BRANCH II magsubasta sa tanan nga wala lukata ug wala tubui gikan sa bulan sa Setyembre hangtud sa bulan sa Oktubre , 2022 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag karung Pebrero 10, 2023 sa VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., ug sa VGM PAWNSHOP BRANCH II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City.

MC: Jan. 14, 21 & 28, 2023 Ang Nagdumala

PARTITION AGREEMENT

Notice is hereby given that late Spouses SANTIAGO I. MARCELO and ESTRELLA DALITMARCELO, who died on March 8, 1991 and December 9, 2014, respectively at Alamada, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 1, CCS12-000099, situated at Central Bulanan, Midsayap, Cotabato, with an area of 46,748 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P-55318 is subject of partition agreement with simultaneous sale and donation before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1,932; Page No. 72; Book No. LXX; Series of 2020.

MC: Mar. 4, 11 & 18, 2023

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

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2013-1 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 Eden T. Marquez Lim has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from M. to Female in the certificate of live birth of Eden Parojinog Tanquerido who was born on August 24, 1980 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Eduardo Daanton Tanquerido and Nena Bindoy Parojinog. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than March 27, 2023.

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

Mar. 11 & 18, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that late UNKOP/ UNCOP WAHAB, who died intestate on May 28, 2018 at Kabuntalan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, left a parcel of land Lot No. 5-A-3, Psd(ARMM)-000969, situated in Bo. Kabuntalan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, with an area of 4,744 sq. mts. more or less, covered by TCT No. T-15954 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of portion of land before Notary Public Atty. Abbyr

A. Nul as per Doc. No. 474; Page No. 95; Book No. XLI; Series of 2023.

MC: Mar. 4, 11 & 18, 2023

Republic of the Philippines Alamada, Cotabato OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Joelinda E. Valderama has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Gina to Joelinda in the certificate of live birth of Gina B. Escarza who was born on June 13, 1971 at Guia, Polayagan, Alamada, Cotabato and whose parents are Godofredo B. Escarza and Josefa Bentana. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than March 22, 2023.

(Sgd.) MA. LENY BUENO BUENAFE Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Mar. 11 & 18, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses VIRGINCITA S. BENITO and GENARO P. BENITO, who died on May 11, 2005 and December 28, 2000 in Quezon City and Pangasinan, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot No. 115-A, Csd-12-004138-D situated in Rangayen, Alamada, Cotabato with an area of 41,557 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. CO-10931 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale of a portion before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. 1,415; Page No. 83; Book No. XCVIII; Series of 2023

MC: Mar. 11, 18 & 25, 2023

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Aimie B. Endangan has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Aimie B. Endangan who was born on 31 March 1989 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Agapito Endangan and Marietta Buscado.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office.

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO

Acting City Civil Registrar

MC: Mar. 11 & 18, 2023

rescued wildlife such as the said raptor is found to be healthy and fit upon assessment, it should immediately be released back to the wild to avoid further stress that may cause more harm to the animal.

Magpet is situated at the foot of the country’s highest peak – Mt. Apo where the Philippine Eagles thrive.

Edwin O. Fernandez

NOTICE

Please be informed that the office of MMML RECRUITMENT SERVICES INC. was transferred to its new location at Room 6, 2nd Floor, Saidona Building, Martinez Street, Poblacion 4, S.K. Pendatun Avenue, Cotabato City.

For inquiry call 09358738982.

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

MC: Mar. 18, 2023

corner Bonifacio and Don Rufino Alonzo Sts., Cotabato City

Ang Sultan Pawnshop ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Agosto 2022. Ang subasta ay sa Abril 3, 2023 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Mar. 18 & 25, 2023

RANEN PAWNSHOP MAIN, BRANCH I, II & III

Don Rufino Alonzo & Don Tomas Martinez Sts, Cot. City

Notice for Auction

All unredeemed articles pledged on August 2022 will be auctioned on April 3, 2023 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before April 3, 2023 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta

Lahat ng sangla noong Agosto 2022 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Abril 3, 2023 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Abril 3, 2023 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

MC: Mar. 18 & 25, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses FORTUNATO BUENAFLOR and SINFROSA OTOCBUENAFLOR, who died on October 7, 2002 and October 7, 1994 in Cotabato City and Libungan, Cotabato, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot No. 327-B, Psd-12033162, situated in Nicaan, Midsayap (now Grebona, Libungan), Cotabato with an area of 49,224 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-5927 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Nasiff Brian O. Meditar as per Doc. 43; Page No. 09; Book No. XXII; Series of 2023

MC: Mar. 11, 18 & 25, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the implementation of Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Romeo G. Osano has filed with this office a petition for correction of entry in the child’s sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth bearing Registry No. 2014-1103 of Joylene Datuwata Osano, duly registered at the Local Civil Registry Office of Upi, Maguindanao and whose parents are Romeo G. Osano and Jocelyn R. Datuwata.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than April 9, 2023.

(Sgd.) JEAN P. BACAS Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 18 & 25, 2023

RUSH SALE

HOUSE & LOT 759 Square meters Corner 6th Street Beside ABS-CBN Don E. Sero Street Cotabato City

Contact: 09177267406

MC: Mar. 11, 18 & 25, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late ELISEO R. MERCADO JR., who died intestate on May 23, 2021 in Cotabato City, left Savings Accounts with the following banks: BDO under Account No. 111 8800 2417, METROBANK under Account No. 074 7074 5152 20, BPI under Account No. 216 504 4188, METROBANK JOINT DOLLAR SAVINGS ACCOUNT with Account No. 074 2074 2904 12 and BPI

DOLLAR SAVINGS ACCOUNT with Account No. 216 400 2007 are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Paula J. Kaneshiro, First Judicial Circuit, State of Hawaii.

MC: Mar. 11, 18 & 25, 2023

Republic of the Philippines Province of Cotabato City of Kidapawan

Republic of the Philippines Province of Cotabato City of Kidapawan LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

PRO-BAR gets brand new fire truck from BARMM

TO help capacitate police personnel in the regional headquarters of the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the regional government donated a one unit of modern fire truck with accessories.

The turnover ceremony was held Wednesday morning at the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) grounds through the the Interior Affairs Services (IAS) of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILGBARMM).

The program was led by MILG Minister Atty Naguib G Sinarimbo and Deputy Minister Abunawas L Maslamama and was officially received by Brig. Gen. John G Guyguyon, police regional director for BARMM.

“The PNP is "looking forward to a stronger partnership" with the Bangsamoro Government through

the MILG in maintaining peace and security in the region,” Guyguyon said after receiving the vehicle’s documents.

Minister Sinarimbo and Brig. Gen. Guyguyon saigned the Memorandum of Agreement and witnessed by representatives from the PRO-BAR and the MILG, including IAS Director Atty. Marvin K Mokamad.

Atty. Sinarimbo said in addition, MILG also provided additional office supplies to the PRO-BAR's Human Rights Affairs and Regional Legal Office.

“The MILG will collaborate closely with the PNP to strengthen its approach in the expansion of

1 dead in 2 attacks on Maguindanao village execs

its Project Tulong ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit (TuGoN) by partnering with more stakeholders to counter extremist narratives, among other things,” said Atty. Sinarimbo who recently returned home from an "Australia Study Visit for Philippine OfficialsCriminal Justice Responses to Violent Extremism."

“One of the ministry's main services is support to law enforcement, which aims to empower them and make them more effective partners of the Bangsamoro Government in achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro Region,” he added. Edwin O. Fernandez

Slain IED couriers were men of “Jacket”

THE two men killed early this week in a shootout with soldiers in a checkpoint in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur were followers of the slain "Commander Jacket" who was killed by lawmen last month in a bus terminal in Tacurong City, intelligence sources said Tuesday.

The duo, Manan Ulama Udza and Riyad Salim Mandaya, died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.

Even Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, director of the Police Regional Office-12, and Major Gen. Alex Rillera of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, had separately said they have received reports from their intelligence units that Udza and Mandaya were henchmen of Abdulkarim Lumbatan Hashim, most known as the Commander Jacket of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Two of the sources, a police lieutenant based in Maguindanao del Sur and the other a member of 6th ID's

6th Military Intelligence Battalion, had told reporters the home-made bomb recovered from the slain Udza and Mandaya came from a hideout of followers of Commander Jacket in another town in the province.

Udza and Mandaya belonged to the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, blamed for most of the deadly bombings in central Mindanao in recent years.

Personnel of the Army’s 23rd Mechanized Company guarding a roadside anti-terror checkpoint in Barangay Elian were to stop Udza and Mandaya, riding a motorcycle together, for inspection but one of them pulled out a .45 caliber pistol and opened fire, provoking a brief gunfight.

Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said Monday soldiers and responding policemen also found beside the cadavers of the duo a bag containing an improvised explosive device.

Pangcog said local officials have reported to him that Udza and Mandaya were indeed followers of Commander Jacket and that they were to bring the IED recovered to somewhere in Maguindanao del Sur. Commander Jacket, who was behind last year's fatal ambush of Ampatuan police chief Lt. Reynaldo Samson and a subordinate, Corporal Salipudin Endab, in an interior barangay in Ampatuan was shot dead policemen and soldiers for refusing arrest while at the bus terminal in Tacurong City.

Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said he has directed all of their units in Maguindanao de Sur to brace up for retaliatory attacks by local terrorists over Udza and Mandaya's demise.

The BIFF has a reputation for venting ire on non-military targets for deaths of members in clashes with pursuing soldiers and police forces.

John Felix Unson

GUNMEN killed a barangay chairman in Maguindanao del Sur and shot with assault rifles the house of another in Maguindanao del Norte in separate attacks in two days.

Hadji Basit Zangkala was at a busy spot in the town proper of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur when he was repeatedly shot by men armed with .45 caliber pistols Tuesday.

Zangkala was chairman of Barangay Labo-Labo 2 in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur, less than three kilometers from the spot where he was gunned down.

Major Haron Macabanding, chief of the Shariff Aguak municipal police, told reporters Wednesday Zangkala was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians at a nearby hospital where he was rushed by responding policemen for treatment.

Zangkala was killed just three days after heavily armed men shot with assault rifles on Monday night the house of Guiabar Dalinding, chairman of Barangay Simuay in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. No one was killed or hurt in the incident but the automatic gunshots that reverberated through the predominantly Moro residential area in Barangay Simuay, where Dalinding’s house is located, caused panic among villagers.

“We were fortunate that none of us inside the house was hurt,” Dalinding said.

Gunmen had fired 40 MM grenade projectiles and M16 assault rifles at the house of Dalinding about a month after the May 9, 2022 synchronized local and national elections, an attack that sent villagers running for their lives. John

Felix Unson

THE four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who surrendered last week have promised to help convince former companions to return to the fold of law, an Army brigade commander said.

The BIFF operates in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and is blamed, along with allies Al-Khobar and Dawlah Islamiya, for all deadly bombings in central Mindanao since 2014.

Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, commander of the Army's 603rd Infantry Brigade, said Tuesday like those who surrendered ahead of them, the four BIFF members who yielded to the 7th Infantry Battalion in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat had also pledged to convince former companions to avail of the

reconciliation program of the 6th Infantry Division for violent religious extremists.

The four BIFF members turned in firearms and anti-tank rockets before they renounced their membership with the group during a surrender rite in Barangay Kapaya in Bagumbayan town.

The four men, whose names were temporarily withheld for their safety, yielded through the backchannel intercession of officials of the Army’s 7th IB and municipal officials.

All four men confessed to their roles in collecting money and food for their group and bombing of public transportations whose owners had refused to shell out “protection money” on a monthly basis.

John Felix Unson

Pinsker’s hawk-eagle rescued, freed near Mt. Apo

READY FOR ACTION. Units of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division are guarding against terror attacks in central Mindanao.

4 dead, cop wounded in Pikit clash

THE hunt for two wanted persons who had eluded pursuing policemen and soldiers amid a clash over the weekend in Pikit, Cotabato shall continue, the police said Wednesday.

Brig. Jimili Macaraeg, director of the Police Regional Office 12, said their units are being assisted by the Army's 602nd Brigade and locating the two elusive wanted persons, Abdullah Kordotoy and Jonathan Kadalem, wanted for high-profile cases pending in a court in Cotabato province.

Four men were killed while a policeman was wounded in a bungled attempt to serve the duo warrants of

arrest in Macabual, Pikit last week.

Lt. Col. John Miridel Calinga, chief of the Pikit municipal police, identified the fatalities as Lando Dianalan, Baganian Alimao, Faisal Sanday and Norman Samsudin, who died on the spot from gunshot wounds.

Calinga said the four men were with Kordotoy and Kadalem, both wanted for different attempted murder cases pending in the Regional Trial Court Branch 24 in Cotabato province.

Kordotoy and Kadalem reportedly opened fire at policemen and soldiers approaching their

hideout in Barangay Macabual in Pikit to serve them warrants for their arrest, provoking a gunfight that left Dianalan, Alimao, Sanday and Samsudin dead.

Cpl. Eric Saltin Buslayan of the 45th Special Action Company of the police’s elite Special Action Force was wounded in the ensuing gunfight. Kordotoy and Kadalem managed to escape, leaving their dead companions behind.

Calinga said police forensic experts found two M16 assault rifles and a shotgun near the cadavers of the duo’s slain companions. John Felix Unson

A juvenile Pinsker’s hawk-eagle (Nisaetus pinskeri), rescued by a farmer in Magpet, Cotabato province, had been freed back to the wild on Wednesday.

In a statement, Environment officials said the unidentified farmer found the big bird weak in an open-space farmland In Barangay Amabel, Magpet, Cotabato on Monday, March 14.

Forester Rosie Camiguing, chief of DENR Protected and Wildlife Unit (PAWU), said the raptor was weak and had lost its ability to fly.

The farmer had fed and taken care of the raptor for about a day, enabling it to regain its energy.

The Pinsker's hawk-eagle, also known Philippine hawk-eagle or Mindanao hawk-eagle, is a species of bird of prey in the family of Accipitridae.

Camiguing said the farmer brought the raptor to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Magpet the following day, March 15.

Magpet Municipal Veterinarian Dr. Mylene P. Reniedo who checked on the juvenile raptor, said the eagle is healthy and ready to be sent back to its natural habitat.

She said it measures 63 centimeters in length, 125 centimeters in its wingspan, and weighs 1.2

Photo by John Felix Unson

Ex-BIFF men to convince others to yield