The Mindanao Cross | April 15, 2023

Terror plot foiled, cops brace for revenge over death of 5 gunmen

MNLF: Harness Liguasan Delta gas now

MACACUA AS MAGNORTE OIC GOV APPRECIATED

By John Felix Unson

WHILE some are against it, many favor it.

Officials were elated with Malacañang’s designation of the senior minister of the Bangsamoro government, Abdulrauf Macacua, as OIC governor of newly-created Maguindanao del Norte.

The governor of Maguindanao del Sur, however, is protesting the appointment of Macacua as OIC governor Maguindanao del Norte. Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu was also appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as OIC governor of Maguindanao del Sur.

President Marcos Jr. personally administered in Malacañang on April 5 the oath of office of Macacua.

Macacua was senior minister in the regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, under Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, prior to his appoint in Maguindanao del Sur.

“We welcome the appointment by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. of Abdulrauf Macacua as governor of

critics:

By Nash B.

THE officer-in-charge governor of Maguindanao del Norte has appealed to parties adverse to his presidential appointment to just follow lawyer Salvador Panelo’s advice to “go to the Supreme Court,” instead of dragging Malacanang officials into malicious insinuations.

Asked by reporters on the legal aspect of his appointment by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Abdulraof Macacua, the OIC governor of Maguindanao del Norte, said: “We agree with lawyer Sal Panelo that the right forum and the final arbiter will be the Supreme Court.”

Macacua, who carries the nom de guerre “Sammy Gambar,” said he didn’t care much if officials of Maguindanao del Sur would not recognize him as governor of Maguindanao del Norte, for as long as the residents and the elected officials accept him and his Presidential appointment as OIC governor.

He said he thanked the Chief Executive for his pre-Easter appointment (April 3). Macacua added that Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim was happy to receive the news, albeit on a sad note also that he would have to leave his post as senior minister of the Bansamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Residents, MILF jubilant Officials and thousands of residents were visibly jubilant on Monday as they met Macacua and his family back in his home village in Gambar, Mother Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte—from where he got his nom de guerre in the 1970’s.

Macacua remains the chief of staff of the now transformed forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and is likely to retain a previous Presidential appointment— as member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament.

He said the huge assembly in Gambar of residents of Maguindanao Norte, as well as officials and MILF members undergoing the process of normalization, manifested a consensus of acceptance of his appointment, through the organization’s process of consultative leadership.

SC, final arbiter

But he said: “If the Supreme Court says that I am not supposed to be here, I will voluntarily step down, No problem. But it’s not good to malign; it’s not good to belittle the President,” Macacua said.

“Let us not belittle the President. Because as the head of state, he is currently attending to bigger problems including crucial matters of foreign relations involving China and the U.S., Macacua said, apparently referring to current issues surrounding the EDCA or Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Macacua said if he had to reach out on bended knees for unity, he will do that without hesitation to politicians, including members of the Provincial Board, voted to office in the undivided Maguindanao in May 2022.

Peace process, not ‘payback’

He also rejected suggestions that his appointment was a “payback to the Moro Muslims” for records of martial law

Azurin activates 2 PNP offices in Maguindanao provinces

POLICE Director General Rodolfo Azurin on Monday afternoon activated two police provincial offices for Maguindanao Norte and Maguindanao Sur and designated new police provincial directors.

During activation program here, Azurin first deactivated the Maguindanao police provincial office

By Edwin O. Fernandez

after the province was divided into two and then activated the provincial offices for Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

He named Colonel James Gulmatico, currently Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police deputy regional director for operations (DRDO), as OIC provincial

director for Maguindanao Norte.

He also named Colonel Ruel Sermese as full-time police provincial director for Maguindanao del Sur police provincial office.

Their new assignments took effect on April 10, 2023.

“Ensure that peace and order prevail in your respective

BARMM health stations get 34 life-saving ambulances

WITH the help of Members of Parliament (MPs), the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) has donated land ambulances to health stations across the region with the help of some regional lawmakers.

On Tuesday, Dr. Rizaldy Piang, BARMM health minister, said the distribution of new ambulance units was realized through the region’s Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF), a lead project of the BTA that assists identified beneficiaries.

"This is the sign that our government is responsive to the needs of our community," Dr. Piang said.

Each ambulance costs PHP2.4 million.

Dr. Piang has reminded recipients of the new ambulances that they should be used wisely and effectively to enhance the emergency medical

response system in BARMM.

Meanwhile, Anisa Matuan, Chief of Planning Division presented on

the procedure for requesting various medical services from the Ministry.

“Gambar” to

‘Follow Panelo’s advice’

Maulana

By Edwin O. Fernandez

P3

CHRIST IS TRULY RISEN. ACatholic faithful at the Cotabato Immaculate Conception Cathedral reenact Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. Pope Francis on his Easter Message encouraged Christians to rediscover the joy of serving God, working for peace, and helping our others in a world marked by so much suffering.

Photos courtesy of Dennis Natividad & Alve Estologa CaracolVenoya

Terror plot foiled, cops brace for revenge over death of 5 gunmen

POLICE

With these accomplishments, police and military authorities are bracing for possible retaliatory attacks or offensives of soft targets in the region.

This after the police neutralized Wednesday five members of a private armed group and seized assorted highpowered guns and explosives after they resisted arrest and traded shots with lawmen.

Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, police regional director for the Soccsksargen region, said joint police units from North Cotabato and from Tulunan municipal police station were to serve search warrants against Danny Lamalan Cabakungan, alias “Commander Magnetic,” for violation of RA 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and explosives at about 4 a.m. when he and his men resisted.

In a statement Wednesday, Macaraeg said as the operating units were approaching Cabakungan’s house in Sitio Pedtad, Purok 5, Barnagay Dungos, Tulunan, North Cotabato his

men opened fire, triggering a 30-minute gun battle that left Cabakungan and four of his men injured.

They were rushed to the Fr. Tulio Fabali Hospital for medical treatment but were pronounced dead on arrival. Macaraeg said Cabakungan is known to be the leader of an armed lawless group operating in the Tulunan and neighboring areas.

His group was believed to be involved in highway robbery, bus bombing and burning and extortion on farmers during harvest season.

“We have no evidence as of yet but our intelligence information showed Commander Cabakungan’s group was planning to launch major offensive in the province considering the number of firearms and explosives in their hands,” Macaraeg said.

The police units, Macaraeg said, were armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Arvin Sadiri Balgot, presiding judge of RTC Branch 17, Kidapawan City dated April 3, 2023.

PRO-12 chief says barrio folks help locate “Magnetic”

No casualty was reported on government side.

However, Macaraeg reminded the operating units and all police stations in North Cotabato to be on guard for possible retaliatory attacks from remnants of Commander Magnetic’s group.

“Our troops in North Cotabato are on heightened alert,” he told DXND radio.

Police seized from Cabakungan’s house a caliber 50 Barret sniper rifle, several rifles, pistols, rifle grenades, 40mm high explosives, fragmentation grenades, improvised bombs and two sachets of suspected shabu.

“PRO 12 remains steadfast in our campaign against loose firearms. This timely accomplishment adds up to our goal of building a safer and secured Region 12,” Macaraeg said.

“As such, I commend the different units involved for this successful law enforcement operation,” he added.

Edwin O. Fernandez

MBHTE grants aid to students in “Paeng” hit schools

MADRASAH students from communities ravaged by last year’s tropical storm Paeng had received financial assistance from the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MBHTEBARMM).

MBHTE-BARMM Minister

Mohagher Iqbal said the agency’s school-based programs translate to post-disaster aid in relief of learners severely affected and even traumatized by a devastating community experience in the onslaught of Typhoon Paeng (Tropical Storm Nalgae) on October 29, 2022.

It can be recalled that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had presided over the National Disaster RiskReduction Management Council (NDRRMC) which came up with a multi-pronged approach to immediate disaster response and for a long-term rehabilitation program.

In compliance with NDRRMC’s post-disaster plans, the BARMM has formulated its corresponding implementing framework of relevant interagency programs in aid of families

and individuals adversely affected by the calamity.

Thus, a total of 8,318 Bangsamoro learners under the Standard Madrasah Curriculum (SMC) have received a one-time stipend of P 3,000.00 each from the MBHTE-BARMM, Iqbal said.

The MBHTE said the indigent beneficiary-learners were preidentified by school heads, based on the criteria set-forth under Regional Memorandum (RM) No. 896-B, series of 2022.

Pursuant to the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (R.A. No. 10533), the Philippine government through the Department of Education supports the Madrasah Education Program.

Madrasah Education Program is a comprehensive program in public and private schools that aims to provide appropriate and relevant educational opportunities within the context of Muslim culture, customs, traditions, and interests through the integration of the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE)

Iqbal said that the selection of the beneficiary-student went through

levels of validation and assessment.

The MBHTE said it has also regularly released the costs of Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (MOOE) to the region’s schools, including those in villages severely affected by Typhoon Paeng.

"The Ministry exerts rigorous efforts to provide quality services and programs among all governmentregistered Madrasah schools, both for its teachers and learners,” Iqbal said.

Each of the 178 schools has received P 50,000.00; P 25,000.00 for 106 more schools, and P 20,000.00 to 184 schools for costs of MOOE.

School MOOEs usually cover the costs of repairs and maintenance of public school facilities with unit prices below P 50,000.00 in accordance with Commission on Audit (COA) Circular 004-2022 dated May 31, 2022.

Based on prior assessment, a total of 210 schools were 'badly affected' by Typhoon Paeng. All have received their MOOE funds, anywhere from P 30,000.00 to P 50,000.00 for schools that were pre-assessed as “moderately affected” and those “severely affected.”

Nash B. Maulana

Macacua as MagNorte OIC gov appreciated...from P1

Maguindanao del Norte,” BARMM’s local government minister, Naguib Sinarimbo, told reporters here via online Messenger.

Sinarimbo, also BARMM spokesperson, said the president’s action is essential to cross-section efforts of spreading peace and sustainable development in towns covered by Maguindanao del Norte.

Maguindanao del Norte is composed of municipalities that were originally grouped together in the first congressional district of the old Maguindanao province.

The towns in the second district of the then undivided Maguindanao comprise what is now the Maguindanao del Sur, now under

an appointed governor. Mangudadatu was elected governor of undivided Maguindanao during the May 2022 local elections.

Maguindanao was split via a plebiscite in September 2022 that led to the ratification of a congressional measure creating Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

The elected vice governor of old Maguindanao, Ainee LimbonaSinsuat, and a member of its now defunct provincial board, Nathaniel Midtimbang, were also appointed by the president as OIC vice governors of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, respectively.

The physician Kadil Sinolinding, Jr., a member of the 80-seat BARMM

BRIG. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg of the Police Regional Office-12 announced to reporters via Viber Thursday that the lawenforcement operation that neutralized wanted Danny Cabakungan and his four henchmen was launched based on reports by people aware of his presence in Tulunan, Cotabato and his criminal activities in the municipality.

Personnel of different PRO-BAR units were to serve on Wednesday warrants of arrest to Cabakungan for highprofile cases, including illegal possession of highpowered firearms and explosives, in a secluded area in Barangay Dungos, Tulunan but the attempt turned awry when he and his four companions pulled out guns and opened fire.

Local leaders said Cabakungan is most known to them as “Commander Magnetic,” leader of a

group of about 20 men collecting “protection money” from hapless Muslim and Christian farmers and from owners of public passenger vehicles in Tulunan.

"The operation was carried out after residents had reported seeing him and is companions in that barangay," Macaraeg said.

Cabakungan had links with both the Dawlah Islamiya and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, blamed for all deadly bombings in central Mindanao since 2014, according to highlyplaced police and Army intelligence sources.

Macaraeg said the police team dispatched to arrest him and his four companions found beside their cadavers assorted firearms, including a boltaction .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifle, M16 assault rifles and .45 caliber pistols. John

Felix Unson

BARMM’s MBHTE provides school-based equipment, supplies

SCHOOLS offering Islamic Studies and Arabic Language (ISAL) have received supplies and equipment from the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MBHTE)-BARMM.

The MBHTE-BARMM said the first set of schools provision for ISAL teachers consisted of office supplies and equipment first delivered last March 30 to the city’s Schools Division Office (SDO)

MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal said over the weekend that more than 5,000 ISAL teachers assigned in 11 SDOs have been beneficiaries of the program.

Pursuant to the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (R.A. No. 10533), the Philippine government through the Department of Education supports the Madrasah Education Program.

The National Government’s DepEd Order

No. 41 also provides for the Policy Guidelines on Madrasah Education in the K to 12 Basic Education Program, in collaboration with MBHTE-BARMM.

Iqbal said some 260 ISAL offering schools under the administrative supervision of the MBHTE have each received clerical tables and chairs with 4-drawer steel cabinets, water dispenser, trash bins, and other materials.

"Ito ay kabilang lamang sa comprehensive programs natin para matulungan ang mga BARMM teachers sa kanilang pagtuturo at patuloy po ang mga ganitong aktibidad," Iqbal said.

Iqbal added that the distribution of equipment and schools administrative supplies was expected to continue to other school divisions until after Ramadhan and the Holy Week in April.

"Apart from Madaris teachers, academic teachers are also scheduled to be given equipment and school supplies,” he said. Nash B. Maulana

to critics: .from P1

atrocities often associated with President’s namesake father’s second term as the Philippine President in the 1970’s.

(Comelec) which has the power to say who the winning candidates are, cannot foretell who will win in polls.

parliament, said he is certain that Macacua can efficiently manage the Maguindanao del Norte provincial government.

“This is something memorable for us because he was personally sworn to office by President Marcos during the Ramadhan fasting season, a holy month for Muslims,” Sinolinding said.

Sinolinding, an eye specialist and former health secretary of the defunct autonomous region, said he shall cooperate extensively with Macacua’s provincial health programs.

In a press briefing early this week, Macacua said he is open for dialogues with people who are questioning his appointment by the President.

Instead, Macacua attributed his presidential appointment to a “peace process at work,” saying “we have followed the political track record of the Marcoses, showing they are not vindictive.”

Macacua also said he could not agree with a Manila lawyer’s contention that the Chief Executive was only giving the MILF “the benefit of the doubt,” because President knew that “the Mangudadatus and the Sinsuats will win anyway in the May 2025 elections.”

He said even the Commission on Elections

Priority

He said his office team will first evaluate the status of the employees; fill in vacant positions in accordance with Civil Service Rules, assuring further that CS laws will be strictly followed in the process of selection and appointments.

Macacua said his authority to appoint and to sign on funds disbursement documents emanates from the power of appointment of the highest official, “the President, who was voted to office by 31 million Filipinos and is now everyone’s President.”

authorities in Region 12 believed it foiled plot by lawless groups to launch bigtime attacks against state forces or civilian communities in North Cotabato with a successful law enforcement operation.

LOOSE FIREARMS. Police from North Cotabato gather the unlicensed firearms seized from private armed group following law enforcement operation that left five gunmen dead in Tulunan, North Cotabato Photos courtesy of PNP

“Gambar”

BARMM health stations get 34 life-saving...from P1

Republic of the Philippines

COTABATO FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Barangay Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato

Contact No. +639685331496/+639670025670

Email Address: admin@cfcst.edu.ph Website: www.cfcst.edu.ph

Republic of the Philippines

RANEN

PAWNSHOP

MAIN, BRANCH I, II & III

“These ambulances are part of the 34 new units of ambulances that MOHBARMM distributed to different provinces in the region. We were able to turn over 17 units from the first batch and 17 more for the second batch,” Matuan said.

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

Notice for Auction

All unredeemed articles pledged on September 2022 will be auctioned on May 2, 2023 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before May 2, 2023 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta

Lahat ng sangla noong Setyembre 2022 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Mayo 2, 2023 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Mayo 2, 2023 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

MC: Apr. 15 & 22, 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 April 1-30, 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 April 26, 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 Abril 1-30, 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 Abril 26, 2023.

MC: Apr. 15 & 22, 2023

COTABATO FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Barangay Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato

Contact No. +639685331496/+639670025670

The Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST) announces the opening of the search for two (2) Private Sector Representatives to the CFCST Board of Trustees

Basilan had received five units of ambulance, Maguindanao had eight while one each for Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, Mother Kabuntalan, Maguindanao Norte and Kabacan, North Cotabato.

Email Address: admin@cfcst.edu.ph Website: www.cfcst.edu.ph

Qualifications:

1. Be a Filipino citizen and of legal age;

The Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST) announces the opening of the search for two (2) Private Sector Representatives to the CFCST Board of Trustees.

2. From an industry, business, or profession preferably related to the CFCST's charter or mandate;

Qualifications:

3. Have at least five (5) years of employment, business, or practice of profession in the private sector;

The Members of Parliament (MPs) who shared their respective TDIF include MPs Bai Intan Ampatuan, Faiz S. Alauddin, Abdullah B. Hashim, Ali B. Sangki, Paisalin P. Tago, Abdulraof A. Macacua, Haron M. Abas, and Narciso Co Yu Ekey.

4. Be domiciled in or a resident for at least two (2) years of North Cotabato ;

1. Be a Filipino citizen and of legal age;

5. Not connected with CFCST or other government agencies and instrumentalities in any manner, for one (1) year immediately p rior to his or her nomination to the PSR position;

2. From an industry, business, or profession preferably related to the CFCST's charter or mandate;

6. Not currently employed or appointed to any position in the government (local, national, including government-owned and controlled corporations), be it full time or part time, at the time of nomination for the PSR position;

7. Not related to any member of the present Board or their duly -authorized representatives, within fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity; and,

3. Have at least five (5) years of employment, business, or practice of profession in the private sector;

8. Not have been a candidate who lost in any national or local election, except for barang ay elections, within one (1) year after such election.

4. Be domiciled in or a resident for at least two (2) years of North Cotabato;

Republic

OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR Cotabato City

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

Interested and qualified applicants may inquire from Mr. NHASSER M. PASANDALAN, CFCST Board Secretary V, thru CP No. 0917-774-3834 or email him at cfcstboardsec@gmail.com with respect to the documentary requirements and other related matters

5. Not connected with CFCST or other government agencies and instrumentalities in any manner, for one (1) year immediately prior to his or her nomination to the PSR position;

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. Act No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the Public that JANE LORAINE S. EUGENIO has filed with this office a petition for Change of First Name from ALFREDO III to EUGENE in the birth certificate of ALFREDO M. EUGENIO III who was born on August 21, 1970 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Alfredo M. Eugenio and Marina M. Eugenio.

Deadline of submission of application, including the attachments, is extended until April 30, 2023 at 5PM.

6. Not currently employed or appointed to any position in the government (local, national, including government-owned and controlled corporations), be it full time or part time, at the time of nomination for the PSR position;

7. Not related to any member of the present Board or their duly-authorized representatives, within fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity; and,

8. Not have been a candidate who lost in any national or local election, except for barangay elections, within one (1) year after such election.

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

(Sgd.)EDRES A. SAMAMA Asst. City Civil Registrar OIC-City Civil Registrar

MC: Apr. 15 & 22, 2023

Interested and qualified applicants may inquire from Mr. NHASSER M. PASANDALAN, CFCST Board Secretary V, thru CP No. 0917-774-3834 or email him at cfcstboardsec@gmail.com with respect to the documentary requirements and other related matters.

Deadline of submission of application, including the attachments, is extended until April 30, 2023 at 5PM.

MC: Apr. 15 & 22, 2023

PhilHealth reminds hospitals to file claims within 60 days starting this year

State health insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently reminded all its accredited health care providers in the country that that the filing of claims for reimbursements returns to the usual 60 calendar days from a patient’s discharge.

The return to the 60-day filing period will cover all claims for patients with admission date starting January 1, 2023.

The reminder was issued after the Declaration of State of Calamity due the Covid-19 pandemic ended on December 31, 2022, which consequently ended certain special privileges being granted to health care facilities during fortuitous events under PhilHealth Circular 2020-0007 such as extended submission of claims from 60 to 120 calendar days.

With the said discontinuance of State of Calamity, the 45-day limit and single period of confinement rule are likewise reinstated starting 2023 in accordance with PhilHealth Advisory No. 2023-0012.

“We urge all our partner hospitals to start submitting their claims within the usual 60 calendar days as provided for in Section 46, Rule II of Republic Act 7875, as amended by RA 9241 and RA 10606 as amended for their admitted patients starting January 1 of this year,” PhilHealth Chief Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said, adding that the state agency remains committed to process and pay the claims within the 60 day period as required under the law.

“Para maiwasan naman ang mga claims na denied o bumabalik sa ospital, patataasin natin ang kaalaman ng mga providers at billing personnel patungkol sa ating mga polisiya para maiwasan ang mga depektibong claims at ang pabalik-balik na proseso,” Ledesma assured the hospitals. “Mahalaga na maayos ang claims ng ating partner hospitals para mabayaran ang mga ito batay sa mga aplikableng batas at regulations na sinusunod ng PhilHealth bilang isang government agency,” he added.

Ledesma also urged the hospitals to coordinate with their respective PhilHealth Regional Offices to continue with reconciling claims data and for other assistance that they may need to best serve PhilHealth members and their families.

In 2022, PhilHealth recorded an average turn-around time of 29 days in paying claims. It also reported benefit payouts amounting to P129.6 billion as of December 31, 2022.

of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

BTA public works committee complete reports on resolution supporting PBBM’s call for DPWH engineering district in BARMM

A committee report for a proposed resolution supporting the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to create and organize a district engineering office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Bangsamoro region was approved by the Public Works Committee of the Bangsamoro Parliament on Wednesday, April 12.

The Committee has determined that it is necessary to expedite infrastructure projects, especially the repairs and maintenance of the national road, bridges, and highways in BARMM.

It also adopted Resolutions Nos. 99 and 84, which together urge the DPWH to give the national highways and bridges top priority for repairs, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, and maintenance.

CPW Chair Hussein Muñoz said that the committee will present its report when the second regular session begins.

BTA budget committee discusses proposed BARMM Buffer Fund Act of 2022

THE Bangsamoro Parliament’s Finance, Budget, and Management Committee deliberated on Parliament Bill No. 41, also known as the BARMM Buffer Fund Act of 2022.

The Parliament Bill No. 41, filed by

the Government of the Day, proposes allocating a P500 million buffer fund to ensure timely salary payments to nationally funded workers supervised by BARMM ministries or offices. The buffer fund will also be used

to compensate for any delays in the transfer or download of funds for the payment of salaries and other benefits to affected employees.

According to the reports, the Ministry of Social Services and

Development and the Ministry of Health both had 1,769 and 1,956 affected employees under nationally funded programs, respectively. Another meeting will be held to further discuss the proposed measure.

BTA Science & Tech committee deliberates proposed BARMM science high school system

A measure seeking to establish a Bangsamoro Science High School System was deliberated on in a meeting held this morning, April 5, by the Bangsamoro Parliament’s Committee on Science and Technology.

The Parliament Bill No. 37, also

known as the "Bangsamoro Science High School System (BSHS) System Act of 2022," which was introduced by the Government of the Day, will offer a scholarship program to qualified learners in the region who want to pursue a profession in science and technology.

Various regional and national experts, as well as relevant stakeholders from all provinces and cities within BARMM and other science high schools, will be consulted during a series of public consultations and hearings planned for the proposed measure.

The COST members agreed also to jointly convene a meeting with the Committee on Basic, Higher, and Technical Education and the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Management, and to refer PB No. 37 to that committee as well.

Social services committee okays fast-tracking of early recovery program for all “Paeng” affected BARMM communities

THE Committee on Social Services and Development convened on Wednesday, March 29, to discuss numerous measures that had been referred to the committee.

They approved a resolution requesting the Government of the Day to fast-track the implementation of an early recovery program for all affected BARMM communities from tropical storm Paeng and direct all ministries and line agencies to extend the implementation of emergency relief assistance.

A joint meeting with the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Management will be scheduled, according to CSSD Chair Engr. Aida Silongan, to discuss the assistance needed and create a committee report that will be presented in the plenary.

The proposed measures that would protect the rights of internally displaced persons in BARMM will also be the subject of public discussions by CSSD.

Rules committee tackles bill to move BGC to Parang, Maguindanao Norte

THE Bangsamoro Parliament’s Rules Committee convened on Tuesday afternoon, April 4, to tackle several items on the agenda, including legislative measures that had been referred to the committee and the schedule for the

second regular session.

According to COR Chair Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, a public consultation on BTA Bill No. 43, which would move the administrative center of the Bangsamoro Government to Parang,

Maguindanao, is scheduled for April 17.

The proposed measure calls for the Bangsamoro Government administrative center in Parang, Maguindanao, to house the Office of the Chief Minister, the Bangsamoro Parliament, and various

ministries, offices, and agencies. They also adopted a resolution urging the Philippine Congress to create a lone congressional district for Cotabato City. The Parliament is also set to open its second regular session in May.

The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) hosts forum on media roles in BTA information dissemination

STATION managers, journalists, field reporters, broadcasters, and other representatives from various media entities in the Bangsamoro region gathered at the media forum on March 28, 2023.

Since the media has become an integral part of delivering accurate and timely information to the public, the forum provides a means for the media to learn about the efforts and accomplishments of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba outlined the legislative agenda of the BTA and the salient features of the

Bangsamoro Electoral Code, while Deputy Floor Leader Atty. Raissa Jajurie discussed the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

Resource speakers also discussed the role of the BARMM media in the parliament.

During the forum, the media were able to hear insights, ask questions, and share their perspectives with Atty. Jajurie and Atty. Dumama-Alba.

The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), in collaboration with the Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division, conducted the said forum.

Bishop voices alarm over ‘escalating’ mining activities in Homonhon

BISHOP Crispin Varquez Borongan has raised alarm over what he described as “escalated” mining operations in the historic island of Homonhon of Guiuan town in Eastern Samar province.

The bishop issued a statement Tuesday, saying they are “very much disturbed” by what is happening in the island, where Christian faith first arrived in the Philippines 502 years ago.

At present, the diocese said there are at least four mining companies operating in Homonhon, which is known for its vast deposits of nickel and chromite.

“Their immediate and negative effects on the communities and the natural environment are very

alarming,” Varquez said.

“We call on our government leaders and concerned agencies to take action on this matter,” he said.

The 20-kilometer-long island, which is known for its vast deposits of nickel and chromite, has been grappling with open-pit mining since the early 1990s.

The Diocese of Borongan has been spearheading campaigns to protect the island’s remaining biodiversity. CBCP News

Pope Francis tells ‘keyboard warriors’ to put aside online polemics to proclaim the Gospel

BISHOP Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos on Tuesday said the diocese would “fully cooperate” in the investigation into allegations that a priest raped a 17-year-old girl.

Saying that rape is a “grave crime,” he said the local Church in Negros Occidental province wants “the truth to come out and for justice to be served accordingly”.

“Together with the whole diocese, we commit to provide the needed information openly and honestly to the public without reservations,” Alminaza said in a statement March 28.

The church, according to him, will proceed with its own canonical process on the case involving Fr. Conrado Mantac, who was arrested in a village in Bacolod City on March 27.

Mantac, he said, was stripped of his priestly duties while he was being investigated by the

authorities.

“For the meantime, we suspend all ministries with regard to his pastoral duties in the diocese,” Alminaza said.

The prelate then assured the alleged victim and her family of the diocese’s support and protection.

“I deeply feel the suffering of the victim and her family and entrust her to the rightful agency which can provide proper care and assistance,” he added.

The bishop asked the faithful to pray for Fr. Mantac and the alleged victim from the city of Sagay, as well to show them care.

“Please pray that the authorities, the lawyers, the guardians, and all other parties involved, including myself, will carry out our obligations in an honest and truthful manner,” he added. CBCP News

“We have seen the Lord,” were the words of the disciples to Thomas in this Sunday’s gospel. This was the message of the first proclamation of the disciples. The Lord is risen. This first proclamation is called the “kerygma” in Greek. Over and over again this message would be repeated by the witnesses to the Resurrection. Because of this, the disciples would rather undergo persecutions, trials, even death rather that change their story. For the next three hundred years, the small group of Christians kept repeating the story that eventually converted the Roman empire in the time of Emperor Constantine and Queen Helena hismother.

Kerygma

Reflections

The story was hard to believe. Even a disciple like Thomas was at first not convinced, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hands into his side, I will not believe” (Jn. 20:25). When Jesus appeared a second time to the disciples, He invited Thomas to touch His wounds. Only then did Thomas believe saying, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus then said the words that would apply to all believers throughout the ages, “Blessed are those have not seen and have believed” (Jn. 20:29). The same story is repeated by the church today and in various ways. In the Philippines, the most crowded event of the three-day celebration of the passion, death, and resurrection would be the dramatization of the “salubong,” or the meeting of Jesus and Mary his mother at early dawn of Easter Sunday. One could really feel the joy of Easter with the cute children acting the part of angels singing “Alleluia” and removing the black veil of Mary. This popular

celebration comes after the more formal liturgy of the Easter vigil the night before. The more formal liturgy and the popular devotion affirm the truth, “Christ is risen.”

Because of the resurrection, the disciples who shared the same story became a community as described in the first reading, “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Such was their communal bond that “they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s needs” (Acts 2:45). Faith brought them to proclamation and action. So much so that in the letter of Peter in the second reading, he would exhort them, “Although you have not seen Him, you love Him, even though you do not see Him now yet believe in Him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy” (1 Pt.1:9).

Today, we the disciples of Jesus continue to tell the story. The same story is told by St. Faustina, the missionary of the Divine Mercy. Her vision of the Resurrected Jesus who appeared to Thomas with the wounds on His hands and feet and the white and red rays from the wound of His side has become a familiar image in many homes and churches. The Lord who out of mercy appeared to Thomas, reminds us that God is rich in mercy (dives in misericordia). Today we also celebrate this great feast of the Divine Mercy. We continue to tell the story of the resurrection. God in His mercy saved us from sin and brought eternal life. Like the early proclaimers of the “kerygma” no matter what happens we courageously and joyfully share the story of Jesus. “Christ is risen,” Alleluia. Happy Easter to all.

Daily Scripture

Readings

2nd Sunday of Easter

Acts 2.42-47; 1 Peter 1.3-9; John 20.19-31

Readings: no. 267, p. 513 or no. 551A, p. 656

1st Reading: Acts 4.23-31

Gospel: John 3.1-8

Readings: no. 268, p. 515

1st Reading: Acts 4.32-37

Gospel: John 3.7b-15

Readings: no. 269, p. 517

1st Reading: Acts 5.17-26

Gospel: John 3.16-21

Readings: no. 270, p. 519

1st Reading: Acts 5.27-33

Gospel: John 3.31-36

Readings: no. 271, p. 521

1st Reading: Acts 5.34-42

Gospel: John 6.1-15

Readings: no. 272, p. 524

1st Reading: Acts 6.1-7

Gospel: John 6.16-21

Religious Traditions practiced in the Philippines

The week that has gone by is a busy one for the residents of this region. The Christians celebrated the Holy Week, while the Muslims focused on the Islamic traditions of Ramadan. Last week in particular deviated from the heavy traffic that local people complained of, and instead were faced with almost empty streets, few activities in schools and offices, and surprise (!), even commercial establishments complain of the few customers who needed their services. To make more impact on the celebration of these two important events –starting Thursday until Monday of Holy Week was declared by the national government as non-working holidays. That makes 4 continues holidays with the April 9 celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan thrown in as the 5th to give more time for those who have gone to the province to relax and organize family reunions.

Lets look at how the two very important religious events were celebrated in this region. The Christian Holy Week started on Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, is the final Sunday of Lent. It is the day when the faithful remember and celebrate the triumphant arrival of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem as Savior and King. Waving palm leaves or Palaspas is a reenactment of Jesus’s entrance to Jerusalem.

On the other hand, Muslims started the Ramadan with the sighting of the moon. Seeing the moon signaled the start of fasting season. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, when Muslims do not eat between the rising and setting of the sun. Most of the activities are held during the night.

In preparation for the breaking of the fast, several areas in Cotabato City were opened to those who would like to sell food and other merchandise. However, this year, the areas open for festivities were too many. It could be a throwback from last year’s Ramadan when the planning was too limited for the demands of people. This time, it exceeded the city’s expectation.

The Catholic church has been critical of Filipinos who use the Holy Week to soak up in the beaches, or attend family reunions. But some may look at these traditions as their opportunity to practice some religious rituals which cannot be done in Metro Manila. Some of these rituals are the following:

Participating in “Pabasa ng Pasyon

Some devout Catholics practice the “pabasa” by constantly chanting the “Pasyong Mahal,” a 16thcentury epic poem narrating the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Visiting seven churches during ‘Visita Iglesia’

The Seven Churches Visitation or commonly known as “Visita Iglesia” is a tradition that dates back during the Spanish time. Considered to be one of the most common practices when remembering Christ’s passion, Filipino Catholics visit seven churches on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Staging of Senakulo

Senakulo was derived from the Spanish word cenáculo which means the “place where Jesus Christ celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples.” And in the Philippines, it’s already part of the Lenten tradition to stage a Senakulo, a play depicting the life and passion of Jesus Christ. This is practiced in the Tagalog provinces which I had the opportunity to witness. After the Senaculo, those with statues that corresponds with the stations of the cross are paraded around the town. MC

Afterquite a long while, this writer attended the Easter Vigil Mass last Black Saturday evening with my wife at our local parish church.

As is tradition, it started with the blessing of the new fire and the preparation, lighting, and procession of the paschal candle followed by the sung Easter Proclamation or the Exsultet. The readings during the Liturgy of the Word, which are more in number than the usual, starts with one from Genesis, how God created the heavens and the earth, all living things on land, in the air, and in the waters, including man and woman, and how “he found it very good.”

The reading was followed by a reading of Psalm 104 proclaiming the goodness and greatness of God’s creation, and asking him: “send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”

We have always been taught that Lent and the Holy Week are times to reflect on our lives, recognize our sinfulness, pray for forgiveness, and make amends. We are also reminded that our actions have both personal and communal consequences, that these actions not only impact our personal life but the community as well. That Black Saturday evening at the Easter Vigil Mass, listening to the creation story from Genesis and Psalm 104, this writer can only agree: we need God to send his spirit and renew the face of the earth for we have changed it so much to the point of disaster with our ways.

The recent report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a scientific body that advises the United Nations on rising temperatures, has a dire message: “the world is approaching irreversible levels of global warming, with catastrophic consequences becoming inevitable.”

The IPCC report warned that “every increment” of global warming will escalate multiple and concurrent hazards: more intense heatwaves, heavier rainfall, and other weather extremes which further increase risks for human health and ecosystems; people dying from extreme heat; increased climate-driven food and water insecurity. Other adverse events, such as pandemics or conflicts, would make the situation unmanageable, the IPCC report warned further.

Mark Howden, a climate change professor at The Australian National University, who was a vice-chair for a previous IPCC working group and review editor for the current synthesis report said: “We’re actually leaving a world behind us that is actually less safe than the world

THEfamily of Atty. Datu Michael O. Mastura invited me to the launching of his book, The Rulers of Maguindanao in Modern History 1515 – 1903: Continuity and Change in a Traditional Realm in the Southern Philippines.

Pagana Kutawato’s Convention Hall was fully-booked on Thursday and attendees were “intellectually full” two hours to Iftar time with messages pouring in from scholars and primarily from the author himself—of a “longue durée” work both in terms of coverage in historiography (388 years) and the decades of its making from 1973 with all the intervening events stalling or rerouting plans and activities, 50 years in the process. (longue durée Fr. Means, long period).

hinking A loud

Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

which we inherited, people of my generation.”

Our very own Catholic Bishops have said the same of our own situation in the Philippines in a pastoral letter they released in 1998. They recalled how the Philippines before: “a country covered by a blanket of trees, with over 7,500 species of flowering plants, not to mention animals, birds and insects; beautiful islands surrounded by blue seas, fertile mangroves and enchanting coral reefs, were a world of color and beauty with fish of every shape and hue darting in and out around the delicate coral reefs.”

But our forests, have since been laid waste; our seas and rivers are either dying or already dead due to erosion, chemical and other forms of pollution, and dumping of mine tailings; all “in the name of progress.”

According to independent think-tank Ibon Foundation, the current forest cover of the Philippines is only twentythree percent of land area, below the fifty-four percent needed to sustain its ecosystem. Added to this, land and soil quality is severely degraded, 5.2 million hectares of agricultural lands have been eroded, water stress level ratio is at twenty-nine percent which is way above the thirteen percent global standard.

We truly need God to send His spirit and renew the face of our common home, our mother earth, if we and those coming after us are to survive and inherit a safe future. And that spirit of God will best work in us and through us, every human being. Change us and change the way we relate to the world around us.

In his May 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis said: “Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home…. All is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good and making a new start.”

Let us pray that God’s spirit fills us this Easter with the courage to choose again what is good and make that new start.

is published

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

In his new book, Datu Mike truly succeeds in harmonizing the difficult-to-mix blend of conventional historiography vis-à-vis the traditional Tarsilan and the Luwaran Law of the “agama court”—the kind of scholarly work that western thinkers would not even dare explore 70 years after the American colonial government had stored Dr. Najeeb Saleeby’s Treatises on Moro Law, History and Religion.

Indeed, no other scholars could ever match that; not in my time and in many lifetimes. For one, the antique Tarsilan inherited by Datu Mastura (who later was anointed Sultan Hjaban Mastura in 1926) did not accidentally fall into the author’s hands being a direct descendant of one of the most successful leaders in Southeast Asia—Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat.

But like Saleeby, Datu Mike has decoded the ancient traditional documents (Tarsila and Luwaran) from their original Kiliman texts—under high risk of incurring respiratory disease from microscopic dusts generated in centuries by termites, literal bookworms.

One might see a good stop in there on a thought of having a perfect harmony of the rare mixture of history and the Tarsilan. But sail on to find the “Treasure of Magindanao”: The book’s “third section” is the virtual annotation of the Muslim law, the Luwaran of Magindanao, as applied and imposed by the rulers of Magindanao in the traditional agama court in 380 years.

The book evolves on multidiscipline works that delve beyond historiography, through its rare presentation of Magindanao’s societal aspects from the viewpoints of cultural anthropology and political anthropology

I borrowed the words “Treasure of Maguindanao” from

the foreword of Dr. Patricio Abinales, professor of history at University of Hawaii-Manoa), and author of the book “Making Mindanao, Cotabato and Davao in the Formation of the Philippine Nation-State.

Datu Mike Mastura’s son, MP Atty. Ishak V. Mastura says Saleeby’s works (The History of Magindanao) served as an “overview,” but that the main material-based sources of his father were the traditional materials.

Ishak recalled during the launching that their family, he and his older and younger siblings, Datu Dustin V. Masrura (administrator of The Sultan Kudarat Islamic Academy) who is a year older, and their youngest sister (now Prosecutor Mariam Bai V. Mastura), lived on subsistence from their father’s scholarship grant in the 1970s.

Journalist Carolyn O. Arguillas, editor in-chief of MindaNews recalls having the original manuscript (which saw print in 1984, The Muslim Filipino Experience: A Collection of Essays). Trying to convince Atty. Datu Michael O. Mastura to get the materials published Carol recalls having declined the original manuscript in favor of a photocopy. Mrs. Lourdes Hadji Salama Veloso Mastura, Carol said, delivered the photocopy to her office in Davao. The author said it was Carol who encouraged him to have the works published—and later it came into a matter of choice between the UP Press and the Ateneo de Manila University Press. He chose the latter that his two lawyerchildren went to in their law studies.

Just as Carol noticed with her usual diligence for raw copies, I was cautioned by Datu Mike about spots of typographic error that went unchecked at a staff level too busy in 1979 (doubling as proof-readers) and attending to main tasks in all his many diverse fields of engagement. Among his staff-members were Pat Buencamino, Ms. Sanchez, Malinumbal Siti Mariam Salasal, Elena Damaso, and Monicam Nakan-Mamogkat

Wake-up Call h e A lth c o R ne R Heatstroke (part 2)

Charlie Señase csenase@yahoo.com

Thesudden alarm sounded-off this week on the veracity of a possible make-up to cover-up of a multi-billion drug seizure allegedly in the hands of men in uniform. It all started when Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. bared initial findings that highranking police officials are involved in the transport of 990 kilos of Shabu worth P6.7 billion seized by the PNP’s series of operation late last year. Abalos implicated a certain MSgt Rodolfo Mayo as one of the suspects in the “biggest haul” ever that prompted the outright dismissal of Mayo from the service because the prohibited stocks were allegedly in his private safekeeping.

However, Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, head of the Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) flatly denied any attempt to coverup when he justified the decision to free Mayo, saying it was a “tactical move” with the approval of PNP Chief Director General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and with the imprimatur of former PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr. The two ranking police officials have yet to comment on Domingo’s statement to the media.

Such news highlight is not meant to malign or defame the agency and personalities involved but as wake-up call for other government offices and instrumentalities to be honest and true to our mandated tasks as public servants. Thus, the need to police our rank-and-file is in order to foil a syndicated partners in crime operating with subtlety under the so-called conspiracy theory.

Anything self-centered for the love of money and material possessions are not of God but devilish. That God warns us of this worldliness through our lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes as signs of perilous times in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1).

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, its constituents are bombarded with nonstopped initiatives by various ministerial

offices of projects and programs meant to expand and strengthen health, economic, religious and social services with ample security as shown by media reports and press releases. That recipients and would-be recipients would gladly say anything good and right –just do it as a responsibility done in transparency and accountability.

What boggles the mind are reports this week of elected village officials gunned down in Muslim Mindanao that used to be the regional seat Central Mindanao or Region XII. These barangay chairs were killed in broad daylight that happened in Maitum, Sarangani; Lebak, Sultan Kudarat; Parang, Maguindanao del Norte; and Datu Hofer, Maguindanao del Sur. Authorities have yet to identify the suspects and the motive behind the slay plot as the scheduled village polls near.

Even the cause of the fire that gutted a passenger ferryboat lately that killed 32 while on a Basilan cruise have yet to be unearthed by probers. The victims, who were among the over 200 passengers, were aboard M/V Lady Mary Joy that came from Zamboanga City enroute to Jolo, Sulu.

During the weeklong contemplation of holiness among Christians had just ended, our Muslim counterpart are still engrossed in their monthlong Ramadhan with intent prayer and hope for a much secured and better life ahead to love one another in the midst of brewing global war and provocation as the PH-US and Australia are on a joint military exercises along with other countries in the world.

The sudden death this week of a North Cotabato-based media colleague Benny Egay Queman of Bandera News TV caught many by surprise. He was young and amiable, but death is God’s appointed irrespective of persons. God’s thoughts and ways are not like ours when many wonder why take too soon the life of a righteous man like Benny?

Limitactivity for at least several days to allow yourself to acclimate to the change. However, you may still have an increased risk of heatstroke until you’ve experienced several weeks of higher temperatures.

•A lack of air conditioning. Fans may make you feel better, but during sustained hot weather, air conditioning is the most effective way to cool down and lower humidity.

•Certain medications. Some medications affect your body’s ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat. Be especially careful in hot weather if you take medications that narrow your blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), regulate your blood pressure by blocking adrenaline (beta blockers), rid your body of sodium and water (diuretics), or reduce psychiatric symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics).

Stimulants for attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and illegal stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine also make you more vulnerable to heatstroke.

• Certain health conditions. Certain chronic illnesses, such as heart or lung disease, might increase your risk of heatstroke. So can being obese, being sedentary and having a history of previous heatstroke.

Complications

Heatstroke can result in a number of complications, depending on how long the body temperature is high. Severe complications include:

• Vital organ damage. Without a quick response to lower body temperature, heatstroke can cause your brain or other vital organs to swell, possibly resulting in permanent damage.

clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly won’t allow your body to cool properly.

Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself, so protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.

• Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.

• Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heatrelated problems if you take medications that can affect your body’s ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat.

• Never leave anyone in a parked car. This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees F (more than 11 C) in 10 minutes.

It’s not safe to leave a person in a parked car in warm or hot weather, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in shade. When your car is parked, keep it locked to prevent a child from getting inside.

• Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can’t avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening.

• Get acclimated. Limit time spent working or exercising in heat until you’re conditioned to it. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illness. It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.

Go for more years together, Lei and Betty Leyretana. Since we are best of friends, we are giving in to the desire of Virgilio “Ley” to have his hat on photo here. However, we are posting another photo of the gregarious Ley the way we know and like him.

The couple at 58 years of marital bliss, is reaping the fruits of their labor , at the moment, both are vacationing with their two daughters , nurse-Lia, and physical therapist Yogi in the US. Or is it retiring there for good? If so, we shall miss your wit and laughter at our gatherings. Their only son, Kashmir tends to his business interests , and Betty’s Orchid collection in the country. Kashmir was our well-behaved handsome ring-bearer.

Flashback: Ley, as we called him, was a dashing, medical representative

oozing with the signature Ilonggo charm, a regular fixture at the clinic of the late Dr. Balhaman, somewhere along Manday area. Adjacent to the clinic was the drugstore of Betty. How do I know? The same story goes for mine. Those days, in the late 60’s, the most eligible bachelors, were the “dayo”, not from Cotabato, my husband included. The medical representatives then were well dressed, not T-shirts, nor shorts, shiny black shoes, looking polished and good enough to eat, overall presentation driving their own cars, carrying the ubiquitous black bag loaded with free samples, and earning a king’s ransom. (ohh, those were the days)

Betty was a popular figure at Centro Escolar University where she earned her Pharmacy Degree. Statuesque, glamorous and friendly, easy to get along with, qualities that augur well for a lifetime of respect for each other, give and take relationship . Ley converted to Islam for Betty. Now is that not proof of true love? May you have many more blissful years together.

• Death. Without prompt and adequate treatment, heatstroke can be fatal.

Prevention

Heatstroke is predictable and preventable. Take these steps to prevent heatstroke during hot weather:

God’s WORD: The righteous perishes and no man takes it to heart. Merciful men are taken away while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace. They shall rest in their beds and each one walking in his uprightness (Isaiah 57:1-2). MC MC

• Wear loosefitting, lightweight

• Be cautious if you’re at increased risk. If you take medications or have a condition that increases your risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting event or activity in hot weather, make sure there are medical services available in case of a heat emergency

On Getting a Loan…

should assumptions (such as those for volume of sales or cost of operations) differ from actual operations. Actual sales could be lower and real operating expenses higher than those forecasted in the business plan, thus, the need for additional funding to tide over the business concern.

Volcker

“If you don’t have bad loans you are not in business.”—Paul

“A small loan makes a debtor; a great one, an enemy .”—Publilius Syrus

“There is no practice more dangerous than that of borrowing money.”—George Washington

“Quick to borrow is always slow to pay.”—Anonymous

This year, I have already written two articles that dealt with business borrowing. The first one discussed the need for smaller enterprises for financing and their recourse for additional funds, one of which is to borrow money from formal and informal channels. Because of potential negative implications, business firms are advised to look for internal sources of financing first before seeking funding from banks and other lending institutions. This is not to say, however, that other options such as selling or shares or admission of new investors do not have their own downsides or disadvantages.

In the said article, I also discussed what firms should consider when accessing financing (e.g. interest rate, collateral requirement, penalty rate, repayment period, among others).

The second article on the subject dwelled on how the central and local governments can design and implement lending programs and projects that would be truly responsive to the needs of enterprises, especially the smaller ones.

When do we prepare to borrow?

Smaller enterprises understandably start with some limitations on their financial resources, at least for most of the firms in the micro and small enterprises category. Thus, it would be wise that in the original business plan for the enterprise, there should already be consideration made for borrowing funds from external sources

Why is early preparation for borrowing necessary?

It is unfortunate that many enterprises are unable to access loans, especially from formal lending institutions, because they failed to prepare for such eventuality. What I mean here is that, at the time they seek funding, the enterprise do not have the necessary documents and related requirements that would make the lender approve their loan application.

Some of the basic requisites for an enterprise to access financing include: formal registration of the business with the concerned government entity (e.g. DTI, SEC, BIR, among others); faithful recording of transactions (sales, expenditures, etc.); having the financial statements prepared and signed by Certified Public Accountants, and regular filing of tax returns with the BIR.

In my interaction with commercial banks, including those that cater to micro and small enterprises, and other lending institutions, tax returns (at least two to three years) and audited financial statements appear to some of their most basic requirements.

Thus, if you do not have these basic documents, access to the banks and other formal ending institutions that can provide longer term and cheaper credit would be difficult, if not impossible.

Enterprises that are desperate to secure funding (but fail to qualify as borrowers of formal lending institutions) could end up borrowing from the “black market” or lenders that charge very high rate of interest and huge penalties for failure to pay on time. That is a situation an enterprise would not like to be in.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late RASOL SARIBO RAGUIA who died on October 29, 2022 at Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, left parcel of land Lot 415-B, PSD-12-052523, situated in Tamontaka, Cotabato City, covered by Transfer

Certificate of Title No. T-48099, containing an area of 600 square meters, more or less; and three (3) bank accounts: Dollar Savings Account No. 102660349769 at BDO Makakua Branch; Dollar Savings Account No. 405160141385 at PNB Cotabato City - Makakua Branch; and Savings Account No. 3-074-351760 at Metro Bank - Makakua Branch are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with Special Power of Attorney before Notary Public Atty. Mark Esmael R. Nor, CPA as per Doc. No. 04; Page No. 01; Book No. V; Series of 2023

MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MA. SUZETTE N. LAO, who died on December 26, 2022 in Cotabato City, a Savings Deposit Account with Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)- Cotabato is subject of Affidavit of Self-Adjudication with Waiver and Special Power of Attorney before Notary Public Atty. Edwin P. Matura as per Doc. No. 323; Page No. 64; Book No. II; Series of 2023.

MC: Mar. 25, Apr. 1 & 15, 2023

WAIVER OF RIGHTS AND INTEREST

Notice is hereby given that the late REMIE BASAL BALDO, who died on April 15, 2022 at San Pedro Hospital, Davao City, left a personal property, a Bank Deposit at Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) is subject of waiver of rights and interest before Notary Public Renie Jay Abad Soriano as per Doc. No. 115; Page No. 23; Book No. XXXXI; Series of 2023.

MC: Mar. 25, Apr. 1 & 15, 2023

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

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172) notice is hereby served to the public that Florence A. Alabado, has filed with this office a petition to correct the day of birth 29 to 26 in the certificate of live birth of Florence Aglubat Alabado, born on 29 December 1957 at Pikit, Cotabato and whose parents are Jose Alabado and Necipura Aglubat.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than 15 April 2023.

(Sgd.) MICHAEL C. TOBIAS, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar April 1 & 15, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses GENARO B. BALLANO and LEONOR BALIBADLANBALLANO, who died on March 5, 1990 and May 27, 2007, respectively, at Pigcawayan, Cotabato, parcels of land Lot No. 8636, Midsayap Pls135, situated in Bulocawon, Pigcawayan, covered by TCT No. T-69753 with an area of 60,416 sq. mts.; Lot No. C, Pcs-12-000039, situated in Manuangan, Pigcawayan, covered by TCT No. T-59028 with an area of 30,000 sq. mts.; Lot No. 8539-A, Psd12-072171, covered by TCT No. P-59679 with an area of 40,438 sq.mts. and Lot No. 8539-B, Psd-12-072171, covered by TCT No. P-59679 with an area of 60,658 sq.mts., more or less, both situated in South Manuangan, Pigcawayan, all in Cotabato Province are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public

Atty. Nasiff Brian O. Meditar as per Doc. No. 445; Page No. 89; Book No. XXII; Series of 2023 MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late ISIDRO DELA CRUZ who died on June 3, 2000 at Pob. 5, Midsayap, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 12254C, Csd-124709-005647, situated in San Isidro, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by OCT No. P-60588, containing an area of 26,091 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Noel

A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 2060; Page No. 12; Book No. LXXVI; Series of 2021.

MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses LAURIANA DE PIO and NICOLAS DE PIO, who died on March 01, 2012 and May 21, 1994, respectively in Cabaruyan, Libungan, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot 114-D, Psd-12-003504, containing an area of 376 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-68688 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 952; Page No. 96; Book No. XCVII; Series of 2023.

MC: Mar. 25, Apr. 1 & 15, 2023

CIVIL REGISTRAR Cotabato City

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 series 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Ronald Dillera Almario has filed with this office a petition for correction of sex/gender from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Ronald Dillera Almario, who was born on August 12, 1968 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Danilo E. Almario and Daisy B. Dillera. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office.

(Sgd.) EDRES A. SAMAMA

Asst. City Civil Registrar

Azurin activates 2 PNP offices in Maguindanao...from P1

commands,” Azurin told new police provincial directors. “Ensure also that the people in your respective areas feel secured and safe,” he added.

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

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that DELIA P. ORPEZA has filed with this office, a MIGRANT petition for change of first name from Bella to DELIA in the Certificate of Live Birth bearing registry number 811 of DELIA TRANSFIGURACION PAMO duly registered at the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of BONGABON, NUEVA ECIJA and whose parent are Romeo G. Pamo and Juanita B. Transfiguracion. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than May 8, 2023.

(Sgd.)JEAN P. BACAS Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Apr. 15 & 22, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late SIMPAL GUIALAL who died on September 23, 1976 at Malabang, Lanao del Sur, left a parcel of land Cadastral Lot No. 484, Pls-519, Tax Declaration No. 478, situated in Barrio Navilan-Mompong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, containing an area of 14,772.60 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land, before Notary Public Atty.

Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 288; Page No. 58; Book No. XLIII; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late SABIDRA PANGLI LUMINOG, who died intestate on January 17, 2023 at Katidtuan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, left an account with Philippine National Bank (PNB) Cotabato under Savings Account No. 406210012679 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Marvin D. Mokamad, CGM as per Doc. No. 52; Book No. 02; Page 11; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 1, 15 & 22, 2023

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR Cotabato City

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Mansour K. Utto has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Samsodin to Mansour in the birth certificate of Samsodin Kusain Utto who was born on May 8, 1984 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Maguid A. Utto and Jumaria M. Kusain.

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

(Sgd.) EDRES A. SAMAMA Asst. City Civil Registrar OIC-City Civil Registrar April 1 & 15, 2023

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR Cotabato City NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 0172), Notice is hereby served to the public that JOENY FERNANDO BALISTOY has filed with this Office, a petition for correction of entry in Sex / Gender from Female to Male in the Certificate of Live Birth of JOENY FERNANDO BALISTOY who was born on November 24, 2004 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Joven Balistoy and Rochel C. Fernando. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office.

(Sgd)EDRES A.SAMAMA

Asst. City Civil Registran OIC-City Civil Registrar MC: Apr. 15 & 22, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late SIMPAL GUIALAL who died on September 23, 1976 at Malabang, Lanao del Sur, left a parcel of land Cadastral Lot No. 484, Pls-519, Tax Declaration No. 478, situated in Barrio Navilan-Mompong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, containing an area of 14,772.60 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land, before Notary Public Atty.

Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 289; Page No. 58; Book No. XLIII; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late RICARDO G. ANAGARAN and ROSA S. ANAGARAN, who died on September 5, 2005 and August 18, 1995, respectively both in Ellinois, USA, left a parcel of land Lot 3, Block 14, Psd-27747, situated in Kakar, Cotabato (now Cotabato City) with an area of 323 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-8249 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of donation before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 401; Page 401; Book No. XXIX; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 1, 15 & 22, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Spouses CEFERINA LAGMAY and ANTONIO ESPIRITU, who died intestate on April 24, 2003 and December 9, 2001 in Kabacan and Matalam, Cotabato, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot No. 810-1, Psd-12-004550, situated in Kilada, Matalam, Cotabato, containing an area of 20,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 152T-64807 is subject of Declaration of Heirship and Self-Adjudication with Sale before Notary Public Esther Jalandoni Dumagan as per Doc. No. 134; Page No. 28; Book No. 104; Series of 2023. MC: Apr. 1, 15 & 22, 2023

Azurin recalled that the police camp has improved a lot as compared 34 years ago when he was first assigned in Parang, Maguindanao 34 years ago. He also appealed to all political leaders in the two provinces to help the police in maintaining law and order.

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

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 Setyembre 2022. Ang subasta ay sa Mayo 2, 2023 sa ganap na ika8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Apr. 15 & 22, 2023

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP MAIN

CONLUCK DON RUFINO BRANCH CONLUCK PAWNSHOP BRANCH 4 & CONLUCK PAWNSHOP PLAZA Cotabato City ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Marso hanggang Abril 2022 . Ang Subasta ay sa Abril 29, 2023 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Apr. 15 & 22, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late SIMPAL GUIALAL who died on September 23, 1976 at Malabang, Lanao del Sur, left a parcel of land Cadastral Lot No. 484, Pls-519, Tax Declaration No. 478, situated in Barrio Navilan-Mompong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, containing an area of 14,772.60 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land, before Notary Public Atty.

Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 290; Page No. 58; Book No. XLIII; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late ELEUTERIO EBO, who died intestate, left a parcel of land Lot 2587-A-3-D-1-C4-D, Psd-12-001328, situated in Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-59366, containing an area of 6,742 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Teresita Carreon Llaban as per Doc. No. 440; Page 85; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 1, 15 & 22, 2023

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR Cotabato City

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Manuel Jr. O. Ramento has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Manuel to Manuel Jr. in the birth certificate of Manuel Octavio Ramento who was born on March 18, 1976 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Manuel R. Ramento Sr. and Mercedes S. Octavio. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office.

(Sgd.) EDRES A. SAMAMA

Asst. City Civil Registrar OIC-City Civil Registrar April 1 & 15, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late SALIPUDIN D. ESMAEL who died on June 06, 2019 at Poblacion, Pikit, Cotabato, left a TOYOTA HIACE VAN with Chassis No. JTFJT02P105000590, Engine No. 1KD2586420, Model 2016 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Mario M. Bello, Jr. as per Doc. No. 279; Page No. 56; Book No. LXIV; Series of 2023.

MC: Apr. 15, 22 & 29, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late WILFREDO A. ADALIN, who died intestate in Davao City on February 13, 2020, left a real estate property, covered by TCT No. T-30475, situated at Bo. Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, with an area of 662 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with settlement, adjudication, partition waiver, relinquishment, and renunciation of rights before Notary Public Atty. Eula Maye Celaine P. Arias as per Doc. No. 448; Page No. 91; Book No. II; Series of 2023.

MC: Mar. 25, Apr. 1 & 15, 2023

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT (ADDENDUM)

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late PRAXEDES A. NADELA, consisting two parcels of land Lot. No. 10951-C, Csd-12001207, situated in Central Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by OCT No. P-48059 with an area of 31, 503 sq. mts., more or less and Lot. No. 2189-D, Psd226039, situated in Lower Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-45145 with an area of 18,329 sq. mts., more or less are subject of addendum to the deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale executed in Midsayap, Cotabato on December 20, 2022, before Notary Public Rolando D. Jungco as per Doc. No. 282; Page No. 57; Book No. XXIII;

of

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao OFFICE OF THE CITY

Liguasan Delta gas now

THE Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has urged Malacañang and the Bangsamoro government to start exploring the natural gas deposits in the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Delta, touted as Asia’s largest.

Studies done by experts from abroad and the national government showed that the bulk of the natural gas deposits in the Liguasan Delta are underneath swamps along towns in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, both within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Muslimin Sema, chairman of the MNLF’s central committee and BARMM’s current labor minister, told reporters they want the Bangsamoro government, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and potential benefactors to start extracting now the natural gas from the delta, apprehensive of an influx of outsiders wanting to explore fossil fuel in the marsh.

“It should be the Bangsamoro government that should lead the exploration efforts. If we lack scientific and engineering capacity to do it, we can ask help from wealthy states supporting the national government’s peace process with southern Moro communities,” Sema said.

The Liguasan Delta is a catch basin of large rivers that spring from hinterlands of Bukidnon, North Cotabato, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat and

drain into the western seashores of Cotabato City via the Rio Grande de Mindanao and Tamontaka Rivers.

Surveys in the 1990s showed that the largest volume of natural gas deposits in Liguasan Delta are in marshes in Sultan sa Barongis and Radjah Buayan in Maguindanao del Sur.

Experts from the Petronas Carigali of Malaysia and the Philippine National Oil Company together initiated a survey of the potential exploration sites in Barangay Tukanakuden in Sultan sa Barongis in 1997, but pulled out when their Army escorts and local Moro guerillas figured in clashes for lack of coordination.

Two Marine personnel were killed in the ensuing firefight.

“The MILF had reached a peace accord that resulted in the creation of BARMM in 2019. Malacañang and the BARMM government can, thus, be partners now in extracting the natural gas deposits in Sultan sa Barongis and other municipalities inside BARMM’s territory,” Sema said.

The chief minister of BARMM, Ahod Ebrahim, is chairman of the central committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). John Felix Unson

Pagalungan gets fire station, village halls

THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), through the Ministry of the Interior and Local Governments (MILG), has intensified its “build, build, build” project aimed at bringing the regional government closer to the Bangsamoro people.

On Tuesday, Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said the latest beneficiary of this program is the Pagalungan local government in Maguindanao del Sur.

On top of the construction of town halls and village halls across the region, BARMM is also building modern fire stations to improve LGU’s disaster response.

Pagalungan will have a new fire station building with firetruck once the project is completed.

Minister Sinarimbo led the groundbreaking program in Pagalungan for the construction of PHP7 million modern fire station and four units of 2-storey barangay halls, costing PHP5 million each.

Bigtime shabu courier charged in ‘absentia’

AUTHORITIES have filed a criminal case in absentia against a Zamboanga City-based shabu courier who tried to smuggle P20.4 million worth of his illegal merchandise to Luuk town in Sulu last week.

Regional Director Christian Frivaldo of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao told reporters Wednesday via Viber that they have filed charges against the runaway suspect, Almando Insali.

Insali, managed to run away and leave his illegal merchandise behind when he noticed anti-narcotics agents, policemen and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard blocking the route towards the center of Luuk in bungled smuggling attempt last week.

Insali hails from Zamboanga City and has been delivering shabu personally to Luuk and nearby towns, according to police and military intelligence units in Sulu.

"A criminal case had been filed against him," Frivaldo said.

He said the plot to corner Insali was hatched after vigilant residents of Sulu reported his peddling of shabu from Zamboanga City to contacts in Luuk.

“He ran away when he sensed there was a combined team of lawenforcement personnel waiting for him. He left behind the shabu he was to deliver to somewhere in Luuk municipality,” Frivaldo said.

Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said Sunday personnel of the Luuk Municipal Police Station and the Sulu Provincial Police are together trying to locate Insali with the help of military units in the island province.

Agents of PDEA-BARMM and personnel of different PRO-BAR units in Sulu have seized some P30 million worth of shabu in joint anti-narcotics operations in different towns in the

island province in the past 12 months.

The regional office of PDEA-9, covering the Zamboanga penisula, announced early this week that corresponding charges had also been filed against Lumpe Cauntongan and his spouse, Joanne Marie, and their accomplices, Abdulazis Diamarol and Alinor Macaundas, who were entrapped on Maundy Thursday in Pagadian City.

The four suspects fell in a sting in Purok Banaba in Barangay Lenienza here, together laid by PDEA-9 agents and combined personnel of the Pagadian City police and the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Police Office.

The PDEA-9 said Cauntongan and his companions were immediately arrested after turning over their P3.4 million worth illegal merchandise to non-uniformed agents and policemen.

PDEA-9 agents also impounded Cauntongan’s vehicle, a Toyota Innova, where they found a .45 caliber pistol.

John Felix Unson

Before the groundbreaking, Minister Sinarimbo visited town's new public market, also funded by the BARMM government.

He expressed his gratitude to Pagalungan Mayor Salik P Mamasabulod and all the local officials for their unwavering support for the BARMM under the leadership of Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim. The barangay hall project is part of the Office of the Chief Minister's Support to Local Moral Governance (SLMG) program that provides funding for infrastructure projects. Funding for fire station building and barangay halls were sourced from the Bangsamoro Appropriation Act of 2022, all of which are carried out by MILG's Project Management Development Division (PMDD). Sinarimbo said more construction of government structures are in the pipeline this year that will help improve governance at the grassroots level. Edwin O.

Fernandez

Magpet cop face raps for beating girlfriend

A police corporal got jailed - now facing criminal and administrative cases that could boot him out from the Philippine National Police - for badly mauling a girlfriend and aiming a pistol at her as she grimaced in pain that netizens caught on video that went viral on Facebook.

Cpl. Louie Jay Lumancas, of the Magpet Municipal Police Station, attacked on Monday night her girlfriend in Canapia Subdivision in Kidapawan City.

Asked for comment, Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, director of the Police Regional Office-12, said via Viber Wednesday that he will see to it that Lumancas gets prosecuted for his offense, besides the administrative case he is to face for misconduct.

"We don't tolerate such misconduct. He shall be penalized for it," Macaraeg said.

He said the Cotabato Provincial Police Office reported to him that criminal cases had been file against Lumancas.

The suspect was arrested by responding personnel of the Kidapawan City Police

MagSur “rido” gunfights end; villagers want truce

GUNS are silent in troubled barangays in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town for more than a week now but evacuees are reluctant to return without a truce between the two groups whose gunfights sent them running for their lives.

Local officials and barangay leaders told reporters no fewer than 3,000 villagers got displaced by the hostilities in Barangays Elian and Dapiawan in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, some of them homeless now after one of the two feudal groups set their houses on fire on Tuesday night.

Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the deployment of soldiers in the area forced the two groups to disengage and move away.

The Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region had also dispatched peacekeeping teams to Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

The two groups that figured in a series of gunfights in Barangays Elian and Dapiawan that started Monday are squabbling for control of strategic swaths of lands in both areas, where they

reportedly subject hapless villagers to forced taxation.

Evacuees, among them members of the local Islamic religious community, have confirmed to units of 6th ID guarding their troubled municipality that some of the gunmen in both camps are identified with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Rillera said officials of Army units in Maguindanao del Sur are helping MILF leaders in the province resolve the conflict amicably, via backchannel efforts, to prevent its spill over to other barangays in Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

Office who, along with other emergency responders, rushed the badly beaten woman to a hospital.

Various cause-oriented blocs of women in central Mindanao had urged the police to immediately prosecute the suspect for violation of Republic Act 9262, also known as Violence Against Women and Children’s Act.

People privy to the incident told reporters the obviously intoxicated Lumancas first confronted her girlfriend over her alleged dealings with a suitor before he started punching her in the face and different parts of her body.

Lumancas also repeatedly hit the girl’s face with his right knee before he grabbed her hair and aimed a pistol on her forehead. John Felix

Unson

Evacuees told reporters one of the two groups set on fire a number of houses in Barangay Dapiawan as both sides, armed with M16 and M14 assault rifles, traded shots and fired 40 millimeter grenade projectiles at each other late Tuesday.

The MILF and state security entities have joint peacekeeping mechanisms established to address security problems in areas where there are Moro communities --- as part of the continuing peace overture between the front and Malacañang. John Felix Unson

HOMELESS DURING RAMADAN. Residents and homeowners mostly Maguindanaons, helplessly watch as fire engulfed and turned to ashes 10 homes, leaving 17 families without abode following a mid-day conflagration in Barangay Bagua Mother, Cotabato City on April 12. Photo courtesy of DXMS