The Mindanao Cross | August 06, 2022 by The Mindanao Cross

Vol. LXXIV| No. 26 Cotabato City | Saturday, August 6, 2022| 8Pages | P10.00

37th IB troopers help bury slain NPA

CHURCH / P4

6th ID: IP leaders help NPAs surrender

Bishop calls for boycott of Marcos film

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

SAFE AND SOUND. The rare and still young Crested Serpent Eagle had a final look at her cage shortly after her release and before she takes off back to the wild in Kiamba, Sarangani province Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. Photo courtesy of CENRO-Kiamba /Aileen Tenio

MAJ. GEN. GALIDO IS NEW 6TH ID CHIEF By John Felix Unson

MALACAÑANG has designated a fulltime commander for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division to replace one who is overseeing the contingent merely in an acting capacity. Major Gen. Roy Galido, currently Army Vice Commander, shall take over the leadership of 6th ID from his classmate in the Philippine Military Academy, Major Gen. Roberto Capulong. Galido and Capulong belonged to PMA’s Class 90. Capulong got to the helm of 6th ID, only on a caretaker basis, after the

retirement last May 21 of predecessor Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, a member of PMA’s Class ’89. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. named Galido as new 6th ID commander last July 22, but copies of the directive, addressed to the Department of National Defense, were released to media outfits only last Tuesday.

Lady soldiers at the forefront of Army peacekeeping ops

THE Task Group Bangis (TGB), the newly formed Task Group of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, has strengthened the deployment of its female soldiers in support of the peace efforts of the 38th Infantry (We Clear) Battalion in their area of operations. On Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel

By Edwin O. Fernandez Michael Angelo Candole, TGB the Battalion Commander of "TG Bangis," said that the female soldiers will regularly accompany the Army in their humanitarian endeavors in the far-flung areas. "These female soldiers are from 2nd Platoon of Task Force Bangis, wherein their main

involvement is to provide support to the local government and other agencies, not limited to our outreach program and medical missions," Lt. Col. Candole said in a statement. A platoon of “female fighters,” led by 2nd Lt. Angelie Calataro have recently participated in the various

Phil. Crested Serpent Eagle rescued, released By Edwin O. Fernandez

ENVIRONMENT officials are elated that the efforts to educate the public about the importance of saving endangered birds that helped in the balance ecosystem in the mountains are paying off. This after a resident

of Barangay Katubao, Kiamba, Sarangani province on Tuesday rescued a juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis Cheela) and turned the bird to environment officials. Forester Abdul

D. Cariga, Kiamba community environment and natural resources officer, said the bird has been freed back to the wild because it very healthy. Cariga said the raptor has a 107 centimeters

BTA to Moro leaders: Support PBBM’S call for national unity

By Nash B. Maulana M E M B E R S o f t h e B a n g s a m o r o afternoon by Parliament members Parliament have appealed to their mostly occupying the government peers and leaders to stand to persevere seats in the Bangsamoro Transition and uphold the President’s call for Authority (BTA). national unity, amid threats of division For his part, Secretary Carlito to shake the peace process. Galvez of the Office of the Presidential “We join the call of the new Adviser on the Peace Process, administration under the leadership Reconciliation and Unity (OPPAPRU), of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged leaders to "keep the welfare of for national unity. In the same vein, the Bangsamoro people in mind in we call upon our fellow leaders in the order to achieve genuine peace and Bangsamoro to heed the same call now,” sustainable development in the read the statement issued Wednesday region."

DID YOU KNOW? August is Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, simply known as Buwan ng Wika, is a month-long annual observance in the Philippines held every August to promote the national language, Filipino.

PEACE FIGHTERS. Lady soldiers of AFP’s Task Group Bangis take lead role in peacekeeping operations in the area of operation of the 6th ID in mainland Mindanao. Photo courtesy by Philippine Army

Under Proclamation 1041, series of 1997, signed by Fidel V. Ramos. The celebration coincides with the month of birth of President Manuel L. Quezon, regarded as the “Ama ng Wikang Pambansa” (Father of the national language).

August 6, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

37th IB troopers help bury slain NPA

THE military in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat have rendered decent burial and laid to rest an unidentified communist rebel slain in clash with elements of the 57th Infantry Battalion. On Thursday, Lt. Colonel John Paul Baldomar, 37th IB commanding officer, said elements of another Army unit, the 57th IB, clash with a group of New Peoples Army in the village of Napnapon, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat. Soldiers of 37th IB accompanied the unidentified NPA guerilla to his final resting place at the public cemetery in Barangay San Roque, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat. Lt. Colonel Baldomar whose unit has jurisdiction over Palimbang, said

the unidentified NPA was abandoned by his supposed to be "comrades" after a 5-minute armed skirmish against security forces coming from the 57th Infantry Battalion. Also recovered from the encounter site was a Caliber .30 Garand Rifle and several ammunition. Palimbang Mayor Joenime B Kapina provided the necessary assistance for the burial. The military has tried, but failed, to locate the slain rebels’ immediate family as nobody claimed nor provided

any information that could help identify him. "When the rebels abandoned their fallen comrade, it was clear the NPA do not care for their fellow guerillas,” Lt. Colonel Baldomar said even as he called on the public to reject communist movement in their locality. “We reiterate our call for communist rebels to avail of the government peace program so they can live peacefully with their families and loved ones,” Lt. Col. Baldomar said.

Edwin O. Fernandez

DECENT BURIAL. Soldiers of the 37th Infantry Battalion watch as a Catholic Church lay worker blesses the coffin that contains the remains of an unidentified NPA slain in clash with government forces in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat. Photo courtesy of 37th IB

Lamiteños mourn demise of ex-mayor

MORE than 3,000 mourners joined the funeral rite for the slain Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay Wednesday, August 3, radio and Television reports in Basilan and in Zamboanga City stated. Personnel of the Lamitan City Health Office on Wednesday told reporters hundreds more had wanted to participate in the event, but were immediately restrained as part of the local

government unit’s antiCOVID-19 protocols. Officials of the Basilan Provincial Police Office, local executives from across the province and representatives from the military’s Western Mindanao Command and different law-enforcement agencies attended the religious activity. Furigay, whose third and last term as mayor ended June 30 this year, her aide, Victor Capistrano

and security guard Jeneven Bandiala were shot dead one after another last July 24 by physician Chao Tiao Yumol in the campus of the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. Yumol was arrested after the gruesome killings, now facing multiple criminal charges. While Furigay was mayor, the city government of Lamitan thrice received from the central office of the Department of the Interior

and Local Government the vaunted Seal of Good Local Governance, a citation premised on good performance of prospective awardees, sound budget management and non-involvement of local executives in illegal activities. LGUs whose officials have issues with the Commission on Audit and the Ombudsman are also not qualified for an SGLG award. John Felix Unson

BTA holds 3rd consultation for proposed BARMM governance code

THE Committee on Local Governance of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) held its third leg of public consultation with Cotabato City local officials on the proposed BTA Bill No. 58, also known as the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code (BLGC). Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) Officerin-Charge Director Muhammad Farzieh Abutazil presented the code's salient provisions such as the General Provisions, Taxation and Fiscal Matter, Constituent Local Governments Units, Miscellaneous, and Final Provisions. The consultation provides an opportunity to gather suggestions and recommendations in the preparation of the proposed bill from that city's stakeholders, particularly

THE Philippine flag now flies at half-mast in front of the Office of the Chief Minsiter of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to join the nation in mourning the passing of former President Fidel Valdez Ramos. The Bangsamoro flag also

city officials and council members. Member of the Parliament (MP) Dr. Susana Anayatin stressed that through the proposed bill, the Bangsamoro Government and local stakeholders would potentially strengthen their relationship. “Very consultative ang proposed bill dahil halos lahat ng kasapi ng lipunan ay pinapakinggan natin. Naging substantial ang consultation, kasi magaganda ang reactions ng participants from local government officials, at sa ngayon unti-unti ng naliliwanagan ang mga Cotabateño na maganda pala ang BARMM,” MP Anayatin said. “So far, maganda ang flow ng ating consultation between us [BTA], the Local Government Unit (LGU), and Barangay officials addressed their concerns, and were

going to take note on those things,” she added. Furthermore, some issues and concerns were also raised by the participants about the religious sector, education, taxes, benefits, and insurance of barangay officials, including matters on the salaries of Punong Barangay and Anti-Political Dynasty. Bangsamoro Darul Ifta representative Dr. Muhammad Nadzil Ebil emphasized the essence of drafting and public consultations of BLGC with the guidance of Moral Governance. The next public consultations for the Provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) is expected to run this month. Johaira

Sahidala/BIO

Bangsamoro okays educ code IRR TOP education official of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has approved the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Bangsamoro Education Code. Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal of the BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) signed the IRR of the Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC) on Tuesday, August 2. The law has been passed as Bangsamoro Act No. 18. Iqbal himself wrote and sponsored the law on a general objective that “no child in the Bangsamoro shall be left behind in the pursuit of quality, accessible, inclusive, and liberating education.” On October 28, 2020, Iqbal delivered his sponsorship speech where he discussed the salient features of the then proposed BEC, even as he thanked the partners of the MBHTE for their assistance in the crafting of the education bill, said Member of Bangsamoro Parliament Rasol Y. Mitmug Jr. Moby Pandi, chief of Information Division of the MBHTE Minister’s Office, said, “The formulation IRR is mandated by the Bangsamoro Education Code which was enacted

advocate for Muslim Mindanao. “Pres. Ramos has led several breakthroughs in the Bangsamoro peace process, including the history signing of the Final Peace Agreement between the national government and the Moro National Liberation Front in

Nash B. Maulana

PhilHealth XII hastens KONSULTA implementation KORONADAL CITY—In support to the Universal Health Care (UHC) Program, PhilHealth 12 has accelerated the implementation of “Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama” (KONSULTA) implementation in the region. To date, the office has already accredited 48 health facilities ready to provide free check-up including initial and follow up consultation, targeted health screening and assessment with digital rectal exam and breast exam, provision of drugs and medicines including rendition of laboratory services. Recently, the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital and Kidapawan City Hospital have undergone simulation activity. The PhilHealth 12 KONSULTA Team took charged of the activity for every other newly accredited facility for them to adopt the system from enrolment, benefit availment to PhilHealth payment of the services provided for the members. “Ït is important that our (health) facilities (workers) know the entire process for them to appreciate that our system and our program really works. Our Information Technology and Management Section will take charge of the system

BARMM mourns with the nation on passing of FVR

flies at half-mast beside the country’s flag. Chief Minister Ahod “Kagi Murad” Ebrahim, in his message Monday, said the entire BARMM government mourns with the Filipino people on the passing of Pres. Ramos, the country’s 12th president recognized as peace

by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority on May 18, 2021.” Pandi said the IRR is the “product of a series of consultations with the different stakeholders of the Bangsamoro Education Community.” The consultation-series culminated into a twoday finalization activity facilitated by the Technical Working Group for the IRR Finalization with the participation of MBHTE officials, particularly the director general, schools division superintendents, administrators of the higher education institutions, Technical Education and Skills Development (TESD) provincial directors, and administrators from August 1 to 2 in Davao City. Iqbal said the IRR supplements the provisions of the BEC, and provides concrete mechanisms for its effective implementation. He said the IRR shall apply to all combinations or activities of persons or entities representing the Bangsamoro Education System including those pertaining to the formal, non-formal and informal, public, and private learning institutions, at all levels such as the basic, higher, technical, and madrasah education.

1996,” Chief Minister Ebrahim said. “It was also under his administration that exploratory and preparatory talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front started along with the signing of the Agreement on General

installation,” Dr. Hector Zenon Leonardo P. Malate, PhilHealth 12 Regional Vice President during his speech in one of the orientation activities. PhilHealth 12’s accredited facilities serving the provinces of South Cotabato are the Rural Health Units of Surallah, Norala, Sto Nino, Tupi, Tboli, Banga, Polomolok with South Cotabato Provl Hospital and Howard Hubbard Memorial Hospital. In Sarangani Province are the Rural Health Units of Malungon, Glan, and Sarangani Provincial Hospital, St Elizabeth Hospital, Inc., St. Elizabeth Hospital Inc.- Alabel satellite; Sultan Kudarat Province are Tomboc Salayog Hospital, RHU Bagumbayan and North Cotabato Province is Kidapawan City Health Office The member’s facility of choice serves as the initial point of contact and navigator of the beneficiaries’ needs to a higher level of care whenever needed. To have their KONSULTA benefits availed of immediately, PhilHealth members are encouraged to start picking out their facility of choice, have themselves registered, secure their confirmation slip for the issuance of authorization transaction code (ATC).

Hanah G. Naanep, PRO III

Cessation of Hostilities in 1997,” said Chief Minister Ebrahim, also chairman of the MILF. He said Pres. Ramos, more known as “FVR” among Moro leaders, “will forever be remembered for serving our country with love and optimism.”

Edwin O. Fernandez

August 6, 2022

Maj. Gen. Galido is new 6th ID chief...from P1 Galido is no stranger to the cities and provinces covered by 6th ID. Prior to his new assignment, the new 6th commanding general was the Philippine Army acting chief of staff and concurrent Army Inspector General. His previous assignments include as Chief of the AFP Systems Engineering Office, 601st Infantry Brigade commander, as commander of antikidnapping Joint Task Force Tugis, battalion commander of 40th and 38th Infantry Battalions and the defunct Task Force Tugis and as commandant

THE MINDANAO CROSS

of Division Training School of 6th ID. “We are your soldiers, we are your protector, we are your partners in peace,” Galido, then a brigadier general, said when he was named 601st brigade commander. The division covers Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, parts of SArangani, parts North Cotabato and parts of Lanao del Sur. The 6th ID’s Division Public Affairs Office is expected to announce soon the date of Galido’s assumption as division commander.

Major Gen. Roy Galido

BTA to Moro leaders: Support...from P1 "We believe that everyone in the Bangsamoro shares the same dreams and aspirations. We therefore encourage them to engage in open and peaceful dialogue in order to resolve the pressing issues pressing them," Galvez said. The statement titled, “Let us work together: A call for unity,” was signed by 21 BTA members crossing party lines from varying political persuasions, and of diverse fields of profession and endeavor. Three of the signatories are lawyers, another a journalist, a technocrat, peace workers, two from the religious sector representing the Muslim and Catholic communities, two leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), an engineer-technocrat, and peace activists and advocates. “Our struggle as public servants is always in solidarity with the people we have been sworn to represent. The governance of the Bangsamoro carries the mandate of the many communities across several generations that have made the existence of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) possible,’ the statement said. At least seven of them

— Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engineer Baintan AdilAmpatuan, Engineer Don Mustapha Loong, Rasul Enderes Esmael, Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Sr., journalist Amir Mawallil, and Atty. Suharto Ambolodto— were nominated to the Parliament by the government in 2019, through the OPAPPRU, to constitute a solid technical support to the Parliament of the fledgling regional government. Above all “The Quran reminds us: ‘And dispute not with one another, then you will lose courage by getting demoralized and your strength will be lost (8:46)’.” Then President Duterte wanted the MNLF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) unified for the leadership of a then emerging BARMM under a newly ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law (RA 11054). Duterte had MNLF members nominated by the government panel to the BTA Parliament, also through the OPAPPRU. University professor Punduma Sani and Hatimil Hassan represent the MNLF among others in the BTA Parliament since 2019 as members MNLF “Top 90” and “Top 300” foreign trainees, respectively. Sani, a martial arts expert and human

kinetics college instructor, and Jamil P. Lucman are among the surviving members of MNLF “Top 90” who had trained in Malaysia along with the late Amelil Malaguiok, alias Commander Ronnie, in 1969. The father of MP Mitmug, then a state auditor, was in an ad-hoc committee administrative set-up organized in 1976 by the late Atty. Simeon A. Datumanong in whose name then Executive Secretary Alejandro Malchor issued a P33 million check on orders of President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. for the construction of office buildings and road network for a government center in Cotabato City, and which is now the Bangsamoro Government Center. “This is not the time to allow our differences to fracture the unity we have worked so hard to build across decades of earnest struggle. We carry the hopes of our people. We must carry them well, whatever the future brings,” the BTA Parliament members said. They said, “As public servants, we are here because of the unconditional support we have received from the Bangsamoro people. We have always worked with them toward peace and justice—the same work that we to do today.”

Phil. Crested Serpent Eagle rescued...from P1 wingspan and a height of 30 centimeter. Herly Chavez, a resident of Barangay Katubao, Kiamba, found and rescued the raptor that was trapped. She then alerted the police and the CENRO Kiamba Quick Response Team. Dr. Amor Elevazo, Kiamba Municipal Veterinarian Dr. said the raptor has no wounds, healthy and fit for release. DENR-12 Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer has lauded the Kiamba resident for being responsible and for preserving the life of Crested Serpent Eagle believed to be less than a year old. Alicer has enjoined all DENR personnel to help educate the people so endangered species are safe and can multiply their population.

This is the first Crested Serpent Eagle that was rescued and released back to the wild this year and the second to be sent back to its natural habitat in Sarangani. A Philippine Eagle rescued this year, named Salagbanog, was released to the forests of Sarangani early this year. Following the release of the Crested Serpent Eagle, the CENRO Kiamba personnel have conducted a communication, education, and public awareness (CEPA) activity in the community regarding the Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act to heighten their awareness on wildlife, according to Aileen Tenio, CENRO Kiamba information officer-designate.

Lady soldiers at the forefront of Army...from P1 medical and outreach programs that were conducted in Barangay Kablacan, Maasim, Sarangani province. They actively participated in the medical consultation, operation “tuli,” distribution of medicines and vitamins, hygiene awareness for teenagers, kids’ recreational activities, feeding program, operation gupit, minor operations, and relief goods operations. About a hundred people, mostly indigents from Maasim, have benefited from the joint Army, police, local government unit (LGU) and other stakeholders in

the medical and outreach program. It was organized by 38th IB battalion commander Lt. Colonel Anhouvic Atilano and participated by other stakeholders and medical groups. "Deploying our female troops in these efforts is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do because they can win the hearts and minds of our local people, specifically those at grass root level," Lt. Col. Atilano said. Major General Roberto S. Capulong, 6th Infantry Division commander, was elated at the active roles played by lady soldiers.

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"I believe in your capacity to do your job as a peace advocate, as manifested by our local people who cited their positive feedback to us," MGen. Capulong said. He stressed that development is impossible without peace and that there can be no peace without development. EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late CRISOGONIO A. GUTIERREZ, JR., who died on September 8, 2019 at Pikit, North Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 2946-B, Psd124712-017180 (AR) with an area of 30,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. CT-4228 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of donation before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 2001; Page No. 2001; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2022. MC: Aug. 6, 13 & 20, 2022

August 6, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Bishop calls for boycott of Marcos film

A Catholic bishop in the central Philippine diocese of San Carlos did not mince words in calling for “boycott” of a controversial movie about the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s family. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos described the film “Maid in Malacañang” as “shameless”, and called on the people behind it to issue an apology. “The producer, scriptwriter, director and those promoting this movie should publicly apologize to the Carmelite nuns, to President Cory Aquino’s family and to the Filipino people,” Bishop Alminaza said. The prelate was reacting to the movie trailer portraying the late president playing mahjong with a group of nuns. Aquino sought refuge overnight at the Carmelite monastery in Cebu

during the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution. The movie supposedly depicts the last 72 hours of Marcoses in Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine president. While the characters were not wearing the Carmelites’ brown religious habit, the congregation said the allusion to them “is too obvious for anyone not to see”. “We are praying for the unity of Filipinos. But this unity can only be built on truth and not on historical distortion,” said Sr. Mary Costillas, prioress of Carmelite Monastery in Cebu. The statement was obviously in

reference to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose election campaign circled around his call for unity. “Depicting the nuns as playing mah-jong with Cory Aquino is malicious. It would suggest that while the fate of the country was in peril, we could afford to leisurely play games,” she added. Bishop Alminaza challenged the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, which is under the office of the president, to act on the issue and exercise its mandate. “Would the MTRCB act responsibly on this and perform its mandated duty?” he asked. CBCP

News

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza Photo courtesy of Diocese of San Carlos

Pope Francis: ‘The Lord will say’ when it is time to retire

Pope Francis prays at Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica after his six-day-trip to Canada, July 30, 2022. Photo courtesy of Vatican Media

ROME— Pope Francis said Saturday that he is “open” to the possibility of retiring if he discerns that it is God’s will. “I think that at my age and with this limitation I have to cut back a little bit to be able to serve the Church or on the contrary think about the possibility of stepping aside,” Pope Francis told journalists on the papal plane on July 30. During an in-flight press conference on his return flight to Rome from Iqaluit, Canada, Francis said that “the Lord will say” when it is time to resign. “The door is open. It’s one of the normal options, but up to today I haven’t knocked on that door,” the pope said. “I haven’t felt like thinking about that possibility. But maybe that doesn’t mean the day after tomorrow I will start thinking,” he added.

The 85-year-old pope was asked multiple times during the press conference about whether he would resign in light of the physical health limitations he has faced in recent months. Francis told one journalist in response: “Whatever the Lord says. The Lord can tell me to resign. It is the Lord who commands.” He explained that “discernment is key in a Jesuit’s vocation” and that means that “he must be open to whatever the Lord asks of him.” Pope Francis also acknowledged that in the meantime he may need to slow down a bit with his travel schedule due to his health. “I don’t think I can move at the same pace of travel as before,” the pope said. “Knee surgery is not planned in my case. The experts say yes, but there is the whole problem

of anesthesia. Ten months ago I underwent more than six hours of anesthesia and there are still traces. You don’t play, you don’t mess around with anesthesia,” he said. The pope added that he will try to continue to go on trips to be close to people “because I think it is a way of service.” In particular, Francis highlighted that he would “like to go to Ukraine.” He said that he expects his planned trip to Kazakhstan in September to attend the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to be a calm visit. The pope spoke at the end of a week-long journey to Canada in which he traveled to Edmonton, Québec, and Iqaluit on what he called a “penitential pilgrimage” to apologize to the country’s indigenous communities. Courtney Mares/

Catholic News Agency

Mission continues even amidst difficulties A Catholic bishop encouraged young Catholics to courageously proclaim the Gospel, “even when people do not want to listen or refuse to hear”. Speaking during Mass on the first day of the World Youth Congress in Silang, Cavite on Saturday, Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista of Imus said the mission must continue even amidst challenges. “Even with the rejection of the word of God, we have to continue our mission, our mission is unstoppable,”

Evangelista said in his homily at the Rogationist College. To drive his point, he said that God’s word must be proclaimed because it brings a message of hope, reconciliation, mercy and love. “God’s word will overcome the darkness of evil. God’s word will guide us on the path of goodness. We continue our mission, unstoppable,” he added. More than 1,000 delegates attended the Missionary Families of Christ’s first face-to-face youth congress in

his Sunday’s care of it? gospel reading is We all have our continuation of last treasures and our Isaacs. Sunday’s about the rich In the first place they are man who accumulated blessings from God and we wealth for himself only to are appointed as stewards eflections die unexpectedly. He was over them. God may have not able to enjoy his wealth. given us actual wealth Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC Jesus therefore advised his in terms of money and tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com audience to make use of possessions. How do we their treasure to gain a lasting treasure in heaven, take care of them and use them so that others may “Sell what you have and give alms. Get yourselves also be blessed? By faith in God’s goodness the act purses that do not wear out, and an inexhaustible of sharing will be blessed by God and our treasure treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes and no may be multiplied because God cannot be outdone in moth destroys. For where generosity. Disasters can your treasure is, there will strike us like the recent your heart be also” (Luke earthquake in Abra and 12:32). the Ilocos Region. These What is your treasure? events can shake our faith In the case of Abraham in God, especially when in the second reading, we lost properties and the author of the letter to loved ones. It is during the Hebrews shows Isaac these times that we are as Abraham’s treasure. challenged to remain Isaac was Abraham’s faithful. unexpected blessing Jesus Himself is God’s from God. In his culture, Isaac, God’s only Son and having descendants treasure. Jesus was God’s is a way by which a gift to us but God allowed person gains immortality. Jesus to suffer on the His name continues cross for the sake of our through his children and redemption. It took a lot grandchildren. Yet God of faith by Jesus to follow asked for the offering of Isaac and Abraham complied, this plan of the Father for him, such that He prayed in “By faith. Abraham went to offer Isaac, when God the Garden of Gethsemani that this chalice of suffering tested him. And so, he who had received the promise of be taken from Him, but at the end He said, “Not my God offered his only son although God told him: Isaac’s will but your will be done” (Mk. 14:36). Jesus obeyed descendants will bear you name” (Hebrews 11:17-18). the Father because of His great love for the Father, God rewarded Abraham’s faith by returning Isaac to “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me.” (John him. It was a great test of faith. Can we trust God 4:34). Because Jesus treasured the Father, His heart with what we consider valuable for us and let God take was obedient to the Father’s will. MC

Treasure

God may have given us actual wealth in terms of money and possessions. How do we take care of them and use them so that others may also be blessed?

over two years since it adopted a hybrid set up due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A number of participants from Southeast Asia, Europe, America, and the Middle East also joined the two-day event via live streaming. Organized by the MFC’s youth section, the annual event was first held in Bataan province in 2008 and has since reached thousands of youth members around the world.

Fleriz Zacarias/CBCP News

Daily Scripture Readings 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

Wisdom 18.6-9; Hebrews 11.1-2, 8-19; Luke 12.32-48 (or shorter) Mon

Readings: no. 413, p. 1542 or no. 617, p. 1817 1st Reading: Ezekiel 1.2-5, 24-28c Gospel: Matthew 17.22-27

Tue

Readings: no. 414, p. 1544 1st Reading: Ezekiel 2.8 – 3.4 Gospel: Matthew 18.1-5, 10, 12-14

Wed

Readings: no. 618, p. 1817; BG, p. 467 1st Reading: 2 Corinthians 9.6-10 Gospel: John 12.24-26

Thu

Readings: no. 416, p. 1550 or no. 619, p. 1819 1st Reading: Ezekiel 12.1-16++ Gospel: Matthew 18.21-35 – 19.1

Fri

12 Readings: no. 417, p. 1553 1st Reading: Ezekiel 16.1-15, 60, 63 Gospel: Matthew 19.3-12

Sat

Readings: no. 418, p. 1557 1st Reading: Ezekiel 18.1-10, 13b, 30-32 Gospel: Matthew 19.13-15

August 6, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

EDITORIAL

Everyone is talking about it

uring the last week of July, the country was surprised by a shooting incident at the campus of the premier Ateneo de Manila University. It was the season for graduations so that colleges scheduled their graduation exercises, and during that day, the graduation of the daughter of two well known politicians of Basilan was held. She was accompanied by her parents to receive her Bachelor of Laws degree from the university. Shooting could be heard which found their mark at the ex-Mayor of Lamitan City – the mother of the graduating student, the close aide of the ex-mayor, and a security guard of the Ateneo campus. The present mayor was spared because he stepped out ahead to look for a parking space for their car in the crowded Ateneo grounds. What ensued was a mixture of news from the broadsheets, the traditional and social media, and of course, interviews of police who came to investigate. The incident was an extraordinary one. First, it was a wonder to many how a problem emanating from a far away place like Lamitan City, which is a coastal component city of the island province of Basilan and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, could relocate itself in Metro Manila. Second, the suspect was a medical doctor who is well respected in their city, and finally, the story has a tail end that promises a continuation when the suspect’s father was killed recently in Lamitan City by motorcycle riding gunmen. This news break has all the ingredients of the negative nature of our political system. The victim is accused of corruption and drug trafficking during her term, the suspect claims to have tapped all government venues to raise his complaints (to no avail), and has gone to social media to air his gripes, the victim used legal processes to counteract the actions of the suspect, until the whole interaction culminated to the murder incident at the Ateneo Campus. To an ordinary citizen who witnessed what happened, so many things come to mind. Are the government agencies which were created to help both the victim and the suspect, have the proper knowledge and legal power to dispense what has been assigned to them? After the suspect turned to social media to air his complaints, was there an agency assigned to monitor, investigate, and provide assistance to the suspect or other similarly situated complainants? This case, which is still considered under investigation by the police, go the way of the past ones used as basis for the promises we usually hear of during elections? Can we really solve the problems of corruption and drug trafficking in the local setting without the intervention of traditional politics? So help us God! MC +

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idel Valdez Ramos, who served as the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines, has passed on at 94, due to complications from COVID-19. Ramos served as Philippine president from 1992 until 1998, following Corazon Aquino’s term and after serving several key government positions, including chief of the Philippine Constabulary and chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Ramos was among the key personalities, along with then defense secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution which culminated in the ouster of Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. and catapulted Cory Aquino into power. Aquino endorsed Ramos as her presidential candidate in the 1992 elections which he won, gaining less than 23% of the votes. Many remember and credit Ramos for steering the Philippines into period of robust economic growth and political stability. During his term of office, Ramos was able to attract billions in foreign investments earning for him the moniker as the country’s “No.1 salesman.” Ramos is also remembered for his role in enabling peace negotiations between the Philippine government and communist insurgents, military rebels and the Moro groups. In his message on the passing of the former president, Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, said Ramos was instrumental in laying the foundations of the comprehensive Philippine peace process. “Under his administration, the government launched a nationwide consultation process in order to develop a strategy to engage various rebel groups in the country,” Galvez said, adding that the recommendations gathered from nationwide consultations conducted by the National Unification Commission which Ramos created served as inputs in crafting the Six Paths to Peace which would eventually become the framework of the Philippine peace process. These recommendations led to the creation of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in 1993. “Among the key milestones of the peace process under the Ramos administration was the signing of the Final Peace Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1996, which finally put an end to decades of armed conflict,” Galvez said. Galvez also said he will not forget Proclamation No.

ET-SKIING across WPS could figuratively mean proximity of projection of imminent conflict being relative to a circumscribing formation of economic ties and military forces largely unknown of nations bound by the Indo-Pacific Alliance until then. Senator Manny Pacquiao perhaps best understood the first word in the context of leisure to jumpstart his 2022 presidential campaign six years after then candidate Rodrigo Roa Duterte cracked that joke in a town hall presidential debate in 2016. But what that meant geopolitically, Pacquiao’s handlers can only read this here in spite of their multiple-entry U.S. visitor’s visa. Now, experts from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Special Operations Command have noted the significant contribution of a “tabletop analytical exchange of knowledge and skills to support joint maritime domain and counter threat network operations”—and thus, strengthening collaborative ties between U.S. and Philippine military and coast guard personnel. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) have shared analytical techniques and best practices in countering maritime threats to enhance maritime domain awareness. The sixday exchange last month has aided NCWC in acquiring relevant knowledge and skills to support joint maritime domain and counter threat network operations. On July 25, the United States government, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), in partnership with the NCWC, concluded in Manila a weeklong exchange of analytical techniques and best practices in countering maritime threats to enhance the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness. Information disclosed from high-placed sources in the defense security sector of both countries would show that since 2012, the DTRA has provided more than $64 million (Php3.5 billion) to the NCWS for acquisition of advanced equipment and the training of personnel, enabling it to become the premier maritime security entity in the Philippines.

Fidel V. Ramos, 94 Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

723 issued by Ramos 26 years ago. The 1996 proclamation granted amnesty to military officers who participated in the 1989 coup attempt “for the attainment of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace under the rule of law and in accordance with constitutional processes.” Galvez was among the beneficiaries of the said proclamation. “I will forever be grateful to FVR because he gave me and my fellow officers a second chance in life. It was through that amnesty proclamation that I was able to revive my military service and go on to become the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ chief-of-staff,” Galvez said. There was only one instance that this writer came into personal contact with Ramos. It was in 2014, he was no longer president, when he became the keynote speaker of the 18th National Press Forum and 2014 Annual Membership Meeting of the Philippine Press Institute at the Traders Hotel in Manila. Listening to the keynote speech of the former president was invigorating. In his address, the Ramos said there is a constant call for the press to be responsible. More so in this age of the internet, where just about anybody can spread information – true and false – to a worldwide audience by way of the social media. He reminded journalists to stay true to what they profess in their Code of Ethics: “I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress essential facts nor to distort the truth by omission or improper emphasis. I recognize the duty to air the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly. All these all ring true even more so today as the threat of historical distortion and revisionism continue to hound Philippine society. As we remember Fidel Valdez Ramos, may we continue to stand true and committed to our calling as journalists. MC

Beyond all the fuss Penlight

Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

DITRA has long supported the Philippine government in establishing the NCWC and National Coast Watch System. DTRA had installed the NCWC facility in Manila, as well as the Regional Coordination Centers in Cebu and Palawan, and many other manned and unmanned sites around the archipelago. DTRA also works closely with the PCG to ensure that the NCWS can meet current and future maritime security challenges. DTRA enables the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. government and allies to counter and deter weapons of mass destruction and emerging threats. “This exchange equipped NCWC analysts with the necessary tools to independently conduct Counter Threat Network analytical activities that strengthen the Philippines’ efforts to protect its territorial waters and maritime rights,” said a security coordinator of a DTRA U.S.-based partner. The National Coast Watch System (NCWS) was established in September 2011 pursuant to Executive Order No. 57 series of 2011 as a central interagency mechanism for a coordinated and coherent approach on Philippine maritime issues and maritime security operations “towards enhancing governance in the country’s maritime domain.” The tabletop exercise is designed in aid of the NCWC in acquiring relevant knowledge and skills to support joint maritime domain and counter threat network operations. MC

Life’s Why and When

True to Form Charlie Señase

csenase@yahoo.com

N the Maguindanao-sounding tongue, “why” would mean yes and similarly yes for “when” among Ilocano-speaking natives. But joking aside, misunderstanding without discernment is the reason behind the global conflict of interest between truth and falsehood. Hounded with health and security issues due to soaring prices and scarcity of goods and services, the world is at the brink of socio-economic collapse by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and more armed confrontations brewing among feuding countries with allied forces. Let’s hope and pray to overcome these threats and uncertainties as shown by frequent tremors in Luzon and in Mindanao. That the government needs P18 billion to restore calamity-damaged school buildings and additional P1.2 billion for repair of residential and other infrastructures. So far, there’s no report yet of damage or casualties from the 5.6 magnitude quake in Mindanao with Lebak in Sultan Kudarat as its epicenter. With the successive tremors these days, let’s keep our fingerscrossed that the PHIVOLCS forecast of the so-called “The Big One” with magnitude 8 in Metro Manila would not happen. Trust God not in man when the LORD said “I speak concerning a nation to pluck it up, pull it down and destroy it if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent the disaster that I planned to bring upon it” (Jeremiah 18:7-8). With COVID-19 and other pestilences recurring, OCTA Research has assuaged public concern this week that by December or five months from now the PH shall be COVID-free. But still public apprehension is on the rise with the entry of new Ebola-liked Marburg and Monkeypox, a reminiscent of so-called smallpox or chickenpox of old. Health experts opined that Monkeypox is transmitted through sexual contact

that WHO warns of having to reduce the number of male sexual partners among themselves. Changing truth for a lie to worship creatures instead of the Creator that God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise, men leaving the natural use of the woman burned in their lust for one another – men with men committing what’s shameful and receiving themselves the penalty of their error which was due. They did not like to retain God in their knowledge that God gave them over to a debased mind to do things which are not fitting; being filled with unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife deceit and all ungodly and evil deeds. God warns that all who practice these things are deserving of death (Romans 1:25-32). On BARMM’s nurtured peace and fruitful coexistence that is anchored on moral and inclusive governance, the threeyear extension of its Bangsamoro transition phase has been questioned by a new MILF faction known as the MILF Salamat Wing. The group asserts the need to replace BTA appointed members of former President Duterte’s administration as being “coterminus.” Such move is to allow Duterte’s successor Marcos to decide whether to appoint new ones or retain reliable ones is a presidential prerogative. Former MNLF mouthpiece turned MILF Salamat Wing political affairs chair Eid Kabalu stressed that the group is not against the reigning political structure but on the “co-terminus issue.” Again, let’s hope and pray that this political controversy will not self-destruct but end-up well and for the greater good of all which could be had only when we divest ourselves of pride, envy and greed as major hindrances to peace, prosperity and love for one another.For all visible things are temporal but unseen things are eternal that the late PH President Fidel Ramos knew at 94 to have left that legacy of affirmation to reconcile with the LORD now and forever. Whatever we have, domestic or foreign tongue - Yes will always be yes to God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. MC

that evolved from it, and the humoral theory and therapy of Latin America. Whether sophisticated or not, the systems of traditional medicine served as the only ealth orner means of health care for ages A reprint from the study of Lourd Greggory D. Crisol and Efren Jone J. Oledan till modern biomedicine came into being. In contrast to his qualitative study attempts to modern biomedicine, which look into the practice of folk healing was founded on the basis of modern used by mananambals or folk healers natural sciences, most traditional systems in Iligan City, Philippines. It also looks of medicine originated in and developed into the functions that these traditional according to the principles of ancient practitioners serve in the Philippine schools of philosophy. In the Philippines, culture. Anchored in the functionalist the practice of folk medicine is thought to theory in anthropology by Bronislaw have existed for hundreds of years, even Malinowski and supplemented by the before the colonization by the Spaniards. national folklore theory by Richard Dorson, The roots of traditional medicine appear this study attempts to answer the following to have originated from the practices of questions: (1) What are the backgrounds ethnic and indigenous groups of Filipinos. and practices of the mananambals? (2) The assumption is that the spectrum of What do the mananambals’ background traditional medicine in the Philippines has and practices reveal of Filipino culture? been brought about by the influences mainly (3) From these reflections, what functions of ethnic Chinese traditional medicine do the mananambals have in Philippine systems, local folklore, and experiments culture? Upon analysis, it was revealed with the use of medicinal resources. Thus, that these mananambals obtained their the Philippines, due to influence from healing abilities through supernatural centuries of Spanish colonization, has means. In terms of diagnosing illnesses, merged its ancestral beliefs with formal they examine certain body parts and bodily Christian influence. The use of amulets functions, but still also ask for guidance to ward off sickness and, to be protected from spirit guides. They cure illnesses by from natural disasters and even from manusing certain folk medicines, incantations, made aggression is combined with prayers and traditional massage. For protection adapted from churches (World Health from harm and illnesses, they use natural Organization, 2005). In Iligan City, which means but these are accompanied by is a predominantly Catholic city situated in amulets and trinkets. Moreover, it was Northern Mindanao, this is also the case. found out that for Filipinos, health and According to Del Fierro and Nolasco (2013), illness are deeply rooted in spiritual and a traditional healer in Cebuano society folk beliefs. More importantly, these (which Iliganon society belongs to) is called mananambals remind Filipinos of the mananambal. A mananambal is a local value of community and spirituality. medicinal doctor who resorts to indigenous Keywords: folk healing, Filipino culture, means of treating patients who are in pain traditional medicine, national folklore or have been long suffering from various theory, mananambal forms of illness caused by supernatural According to the World Health factors. Moreover, these folk practitioners Organization (2001), the age-old wisdom are also sought out first because they are of the people of every country has been relatives, neighbors, friends, and friends of crystalized into different systems of CASS Langkit Vol. 7, 2016-2017 86 friends. traditional medicine, each nation having These personal linkages are important its own system. Some of these traditional in Philippine society for they provide a systems are well established, supported basis for trust about the effectiveness of by theories and rich experience and known healers, their low fee, and ease of recorded in writing, such as the Indian communication (Tan, 2006). However, due system of Ayurveda, the Muslim system to the prevalent use of modern treatments, of Unani, traditional Chinese medicine, the number of people who go these folk ancient Greek medicine and the systems healers have significantly decreased. MC

The Mananambals and Their Functions in Philippine Culture

Some Vibes on Ghost Month

celebrations on the start and end date of the ghost month. The celebration reaches its peak on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. Misfortunes are likely to go on rising during the he tuff of ife ghost month, such as bad Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy health, property loss, and franco1573victoria@gmail.com bad luck to families. People ugust is my birth month. Many pay close attention to and of my friends are August born as keep vigilant about the month. During well. Dr. Cecilia Camello Barroga, this time, its wise to avoid making any Madams Myrna Lim, Ethel Soyao, Dr. key milestones. Starting anew business Helen Yambao, Aileen Yu Ekey. It is said or moving into a new house at the month that queens are born in August, queens isn”t good. without physical thrones but queens The Chinese celebrate the festival by nevertheless in our homes, in the hearts 1) putting the family’s ancestral tablets of our loved ones. Ehem. Happy Birthday and photographs on the home altar. to us. They hope they can receive a blessing My daughter doused my excitement from their ancestors in this way. 2) over this particular August of this year. Preparing food offerings three times a I shall officially turn 80. (honestly!) day. 3) Burning incenses, Joss papers, red I planned that my immediate family candles, and so on to please the ghosts. 4) shall meet out of town and wallow in Holding live performances for wandering bonding we have missed in this pandemic souls. 5) Floating water lanterns to direct season. This pandemic has deprived the ghosts back to the realm. me of celebrating my golden wedding Don’ts during Ghost Festival : 1) anniversary and now my 80th birthday Don’t stay out too late at night, especially celebration is curtailed by this Chinese children, elders and pregnant women. custom. 2) Don’t do any water activities. Water My 2 daughters are married to guys ghosts will look for victims active to of Chinese descent. They have imbibed reincarnate on the day. 3) Don’t touch much of the traditions and customs of the food offering. Touching or stepping on the Chinese. Hence, last year, I was the offerings would offend the ghosts. 4) prevented from travelling away from Don’t pick up money on the street, these home and that I should say I am either are bribes to the guards of hell. So don’t 78 years old or advance my age to 80. 79 wear red or black clothing. The two colors is not a lucky number. are especially enticing to ghosts and will Why of the 12 months of the year, attract unwanted attention, 6) Don’t I should be born in August? Asked my hang clothes outside at night. 7) Don’t daughter. I asked back, why of the 12 open an umbrella indoor. months of the year, August is designated The Chinese celebrated the festival as Ghost month? Ghost Month is the since the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) seventh lunar month of the Chinese Those who had relatives would return Lunar Calendar. It is the scariest month home to visit the living. Their family of the year. The Ghost month 2022 is members offer prayers, food and drinks from July 29 to August 26, 2022. for them. For the homeless ghosts no It is believed on the first day of one feeds them properly. Thus they will the month, the gates of hell open up wander around and bring potential harm and ghosts are free to feed and enjoy and misfortunes to the living. themselves for one month. On the last This information is from Chinatravel. day of the month, the gates of hell close com. I argued with my daughters: 1) we are up again thus spirits come back to their not Chinese 2) where in our Holy Bible can spiritual realm. we find those? No where, but they implored Chinese care for the ghosts, pay me, “no mader, please, we are warning respect to their ancestors and entertain you, better safe than sorry.” End of story, wandering spirits. People operate the goodbye bonding, not this time. MC

August 6, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Getting to What You Need…

Market Driven

Danny Buenbrazo

danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

ost reader would think that the more appropriate title should read “Getting to What You Want” rather than the one that I chose to use. I could have used that title but decided otherwise as the chosen emphasis is on “needs” rather than “wants.” In layman’s understanding, needs are those that an ordinary person cannot get by without while wants are those that he or she would prefer to have. The website Study.Com provides the distinction of the two from the perspective of economics: “a need is something needed to survive while a want is something that people desire to have, that they may, or may not, be able to obtain.” We may have trouble distinguishing one from the other since the two could vary from person to person, depending on their circumstances. To illustrate: an Apple iPhone may be viewed as a “want” for most people but could be considered a “need” for executives and other professionals that would require the features of the said phone to do their tasks. Getting or achieving our needs would usually require us to engage in negotiations or at least some form of haggling. But before discussing how to negotiate effectively, let is first discuss how to come up with our list of needs. While the things (and their forms) that constitute needs evolve from time to time as technology improves and circumstances change, the basics essentially remain the same. The lower level or survival needs identified by

Abraham Maslow are still relevant today: food, clothing, shelter, as well as, the need for safety and belongingness. Thus, every normal person requires education to be able to work or engage in gainful business to allow him or her to purchase the goods and services that are necessary for comfortable living. Because an ordinary person (one that does not have millions or pesos) have limited resources, he or she must prioritize the needs that must be secured in the course of one’s life. A particular need, for example shelter or housing, could come in the form of alternatives (rented or owned house) or can be attained in succession (rent first and then purchase or construct later). It will be more systematic and faster to attain your needs if plans are devised on how to realize each of them. The basic components of such plan are what, when, and how. Taking the shelter example, the questions to answer would be what (an apartment unit to rent, a single detached house, or a condominium), when (in year 2027?), and how (to be paid in cash or to be acquired through a loan). There is also an option to purchase the lot in cash and to build the house through loan or vice versa. Let us say that you have identified a 300 square meters land (being sold for P1.2 million) and intend to use P1.7 million saved over a decade to acquire the lot and build a house thereon. Logically, you would like to buy it at the lowest possible price and in such terms that there would be some money left for the house construction. In this case, you can try to ask for a discount (buy it at P1.0 million) or request for two to three tranches of payment. There is no guarantee that the seller would agree to your offers but a positive response would be of big help. MC

“Getting or achieving our needs would usually require us to engage in negotiations or at least some form of haggling.”

August 6, 2022

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EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LEONITO TURCINO FLORENTINO and BASILISA HIMAYA FLORENTINO, who died on June 05, 1987 and September 28, 2009 at Ta g b a c , M a g p e t a n d Paruayan, Alamada, Cotabato, respectively , a parcel of land Lot No. 614, Pls-866, situated in Magca-alam, Magpet, Cotabato, containing an area of 96,017 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. T-70023 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Jonah E. Denaque-Mineses as per Doc. 142; Page No. 30; Book No. 69; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AL BIN O C OR PUZ and JULIANA CARAMAT, who died on September 15, 1996 and January 24, 1995, respectively at Malamote, Kabacan, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 2285E, (LRC) Psd-160182, situated in Kabacan, Cotabato, containing an area of 25,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-35607 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of donation before Notary Public Atty. Joeyfer Samaniego Villanueva as per Doc. 344; Page No. 70; Book No. XVII; Series of 2022.

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

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

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

NOTICE TO THE PUBLICATION 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 Marevie G. Midzcael has filed with this office, a petition for correction of sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Maher Guimba Midzcael who was born on October 29, 2004 at Cotabato City, and whose parents are Gapor P. Midzcael and Marevie A. Guimba. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office.

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

MC: Jul. 23, 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Theresa Yemma A. Calubag has filed with this office, a petition for change of first name from Yemma to Theresa Yemma in the birth certificate of Theresa Yemma C. Astillero who was born on 19 December 1973 in Cotabato City and whose parents are Ireneo S. Astillero and Salvacion R. Chan. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office. (Sgd.) EDRES A. SAMAMA Asst. City Civil Registrar Officer-in-Charge MC: Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

MC: Jul. 23, 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

(Sgd.) EDRES A. SAMAMA Asst. City Civil Registrar Officer-in-Charge MC: Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

AFFIDAVIT

Notice is hereby given that the late MARINO M. EUGENIO, who died on December 17, 2017 at Brgy. Paraiso, Koronadal City, Cotabato, left parcel of land Lot 8, Block 17, Pcs-11-002798, situated at Barangay Matulas, Koronadal, South Cotabato, containing an area of 168 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-119610 is subject of affidavit of self-adjudication by sole heir before Notary Public Atty. Agnes P. ParachaBalleque as per Doc. No. 408; Page No. 81; Book No. 12; Series of 2022. MC: Aug. 6, 13 & 20, 2022

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 Welia M. Guartico has filed with this office, a petition for change of sex from Male to Female and change of first name from Wellie to Welia in the certificate of live birth bearing registry No. 14 of Welia Samar Mandi duly registered at the Local Civil Registry Office of Upi, Maguindanao and whose parents are Calixto Muloc Mandi and Prescilla Palao Samar. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than August 23, 2022. (Sgd.) JEAN P. BACAS Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late MUSLIMIN DARAH DIMAL, who died intestate on September 15, 2020 in Cotabato City, left bank deposit with METROBANK under Account Number 406-3-40607970-9 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Agnes P. ParachaBalleque as per Doc. No. 441; Page No. 89; Book No. 12; Series of 2022.

MC: Aug. 6, 13 & 20, 2022

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

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Mar Jun M. Mahilum has filed with this office, a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Mar Jun M. Mahilum who was born on 26 October 1989 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Edwin S. Mahilum and Elena G. Maslog. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office. (Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Notice is hereby given that the late CRESCENCIA D. LABRADOR, who died on September 23, 2021 at Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, left parcels of land Lot Nos. 171-A, Psd-12-025173 and 171I, Psd-12-025173, with an areas of 14,546 and 1,507 square meters, more or less, covered by TCT Nos. T-37568 and T-37576, respectively, both situated at Dansuli, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat are subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Arnold H. Armada as per Doc. No. 315; Page No. 64; Book No. 140; Series of 2022.

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 Norulam Caguid Musanip has filed with this office, a petition for correction of sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth bearing registry No. 2001256, registered at the Local Civil Registrar office of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and whose parents are Norudin L. Musanip and Cora E. Cagud. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than August 15, 2022.

MC: Aug. 6, 13 & 20, 2022

MC: Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

(Sgd.) LESAIDA O. SABAN Municipal Civil Registrar

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

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012, a notice is hereby served to the public that Muslima P. Kongkong has filed with this office, a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Rasniya Pangatong Kongkong who was born 23 August 2004 at Pamalian, Pikit, Cotabato to parents Halil Guiaplos Kongkong and Muslima Mangilay Pangatong. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than August 23, 2022.

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Harmonie Mangelen Ugalingan has filed with this office, a petition for change of gender from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Harmonie Mangelen Ugalingan who was born on June 25, 1998 at Pikit, Cotabato and whose parents are Haron Sultan Ugalingan and Mons Sindad Mangelen. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than August 2, 2022.

(Sgd.) MICHAEL C. TOBIAS, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

DEED OF ADJUDICATION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ELADIO E. BINGIL, who died on June 22, 2018 at Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 14, Psd-12068652, situated in Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 1,390 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 152-2018000382 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 135; Page No. 27; Book No. CXXXV; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LUDIVINA BINGIL VILLAFLOR, who died on January 29, 2014 at Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 10, Psd-12-068652, situated in Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 1,391 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 152-2018000378 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 86; Page No. 18; Book No. CCC1; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LUCILA E. BINGIL, who died on April 1999 at Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 10, Psd-12-068652, situated in Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 1,390 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 152-2018000379 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 147; Page No. 32; Book No. CCC1; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late PENDI A. ABPET, who died on December 9, 2012 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, a parcel of land Lot 7, Block 2, PSD-12-047948, situated in Tamontaka I, Cotabato City, containing an area of 200 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-50473 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with sale before Notary Public Roberto E. Examen as per Doc. No. 35; Page No. 8; Book No. 28; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late VICENTE VALDEZ, who died on March 22, 1987 at Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot No. 949, Pls-519, situated in Blensong, Upi, Cotabato (now Maguindanao), containing an area of 191,652 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P-35870 is subject of deed of adjudication before Notary Public A t t y. A g n e s R . D e Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. 1006; Page No. 1006; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late RAMON SINGCO ONG, who died on January 29, 1998, a parcel of land consisting of 48,255 square meters, more or less, situated in Libungan, North Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-58140 is subject of affidavit of self-adjudication of sole heir before Notary Public Atty. Ysnaira A. Ibrahim as per Doc. 258; Page No. 34; Book No. IX; Series of 2020.

MC: Jul. 23, 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

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

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

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

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

Republic of the Philippines Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parang, Maguindanao OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

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

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Ali S. Mohammad has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Saher A. Mohammad who was born on November 13, 2013 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Ali S. Mohammad and Dina A. Adzal. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office.

In compliance with R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Aisa Mae V. Bacasa has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Aisa Mae Matondo Velesrubio who was born on 09 June 1985 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Arnulfo Velesrubio and Annalee Matondo. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office.

MC: Jul. 30, Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

(Sgd.) EDRES A. SAMAMA Asst. City Civil Registrar Officer-in-Charge MC: Jul. 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

MC: Jul. 30, Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Jul. 30 & Aug 6, 2022

MC: Jul. 30, Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

MC: Jul. 30, Aug. 6 & 13, 2022

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048/10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Dionisio F. Econar, Jr. has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Judimher Asid Econar who was born on June 29, 2005 at Making, Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Dionisio Jr. Fantonial Econar and Meriam Akmad Asid. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than July 28, 2022.

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 Jewel Alex Murro has filed with this office, a petition for correction of entry in sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Jewel Alex Murro at Mirasol, Alamada, Cotabato and whose parent is Maureen Love Joy V. Murro. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than August 11, 2022.

(Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

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

MC: Jul. 16 & 23, 2022

MC: Jul. 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 904810172), a notice is hereby served to the public that Baikan T. Puas has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Fadak Talib Puas who was born on 20 March 2008 at Balungis, Pikit, Cotabato to parents Nasser M. Puas and Baikan I. Talib. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than August 13, 2022. (Sgd.) MICHAEL C. TOBIAS, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Jul. 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

AFFIDAVIT

Republic of the Philippines Midsayap, Cotabato LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance of Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Ma. Mae Ostique Montaño has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Maria Teresa to Ma. Theresa in the certificate of live birth of Maria Teresa Failano Calderon who was born on December 30, 1973 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Prudencio R. Calderon and Filipina M. Failano. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato. (Sgd.) NORAH B. CABUGWASON Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Jul. 30 & Aug. 6, 2022

August 6, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

6th ID: IP leaders help NPAs surrender

OFFICIALS of the 6th Infantry Division and the 603rd Infantry Brigade have attributed to Indigenous Peoples leaders Lebak, Kalamansig and Palimbang towns for the recent surrender of a number of New People’s Army guerillas. Col. Michael Santos, commander of the Army's 603rd Brigade, said Wednesday the return to the fold of law of more than 50 NPAs in areas under them in the past four months happened with the support of IP leaders. IPs have also been vigilantly helping monitor the movements of NPAs in their ancestral lands, according to the 6th ID's acting commander, Major Gen. Roberto Capulong. Santos said it was IP villagers who informed them about the presence of NPAs last week in Barangay Bualan, Palimbang,

enabling soldiers to promptly initiate a tactical action against them. Soldiers killed a regional official of the NPA and his two henchmen in a brief clash then. The slain NPAs were identified as Ian Dela Rama and his subordinateguerillas Valerio Lacumbo and Wilmer Dela Cruz. Dela Rama, chief of the NPA’s self-styled Regional Operations Command-Far South Mindanao Region, and his two companions died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds sustained in a clash with soldiers in Barangay Baluan.

The slain NPAs and their companions fired first at soldiers dispatched to check on their presence in a secluded area in Barangay Baluan as reported by villagers. Soldiers found two M16 assault rifles, a .30 caliber Garand rifle, two .45 caliber pistols and bags filled with explosives beside the cadavers of Dela Rama and his two companions. The companions of the slain NPAs carried two wounded companions named Armand Osias and Tomas Undig as they fled when they sensed that Army reinforcements were closing in. John Felix Unson

Shabu crackdown in Tawi-Tawi intensified

THE Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region ordered this week an extensive crackdown on drug trafficking activities in Tawi-Tawi. Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, PRO-BAR director, said the move was prompted by an encounter between policemen and a criminal gang in the province that left three drug dealers dead. Policemen seized more than P300,000 worth of shabu from three dealers killed in a 20-minute gunfight in Tandubas island town in Tawi-Tawi on July 31. Cabalona said the suspects, armed with M14 and M16 assault rifles, fired at the team approaching their hideout, sparking a gunfight that left the three of them dead. Cabalona declined to reveal their exact identities, meantime, while the Tawi-Tawi provincial police force is still trying to locate the supplier of

shabu that they peddled in Tandubas and in other island municipalities in the province. Cabalona said a police team, led by Lt. Yahiya Knaik, was dispatched to Barangay Kakoong in Tandubas to check on their presence in the area based on reports by vigilant villagers. “They shot our operatives while proceeding to their hideout so an encounter erupted,” Cabalona said. Policemen found in the scene of the encounter three M14 assault rifles, an M16 rifle, a 9 millimeter KG9 machine pistol and 52.91 grams of shabu that probers said is worth P359,788. Three companions of the slain gunmen were arrested by policemen while trying to run away. They are now in the custody of the Tandubas municipal police, according to Cabalona. John Felix

Unson

GenSan Shark fins trader charged

LAID TO REST. Slain former Mayor Rose Furigay was buried Wednesday at one side of a private tennis court area in Lamitan City. See story on page 2. Photo courtesy of Station DXNO

2 in P1.3-M shabu deal face criminal charges

THE two shabu peddlers who fell in a P1.3 million tradeoff in Barangay Tamontaka 8 here Monday now face criminal charges, a regional antinarcotics official said. One of the two suspects, Dhats Kadianda Mastura, is long wanted for murder, illegal possession of firearms and narcotics trafficking cases pending in local courts. Rogelito Daculla, director of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said

Wednesday Mastura, 33, and the 49-year-old Telong Adam Odin, had been charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 following their arrest Monday. Daculla said Mastura and Odin, both residents of nearby Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao, were entrapped along a secluded stretch of the Cotabato City Diversion in Barangay Rosary Heights 8 here. He said the operation was carried out with the help of vigilant

tipsters aware of their shabu peddling activities. “They are now both detained. They will have their day in court soon,” Daculla said Wednesday. The sting that resulted in the duo’s arrest was supported by the Cotabato City police force, the Army-led anti-terror Task Force Kutawato, and the 99th Infantry Battalion and anti-narcotics operatives from the Bangsamoro regional police office. John Felix

Unson

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Police probers have filed a case against a shark fins trader from whose house lawenforcement operatives found P700,000 worth of his illegal merchandise on Sunday, July 31. Col. Paul Bometivo, director of the General Santos City Police Office, said Wednesday the suspect, Arjun Tabudlong Polancos, had been charged with violation of the Republic Act 9147, also known as the Philippine Wildlife Resources and Conservation Act. The RA 9147 outlawed the collection and sale of byproducts and derivatives from endangered wildlife species. Polancos is at large. He

was out when personnel of the GSCPO raided his house. The raiding team found 100 kilos of dried shark fins in his house in Purok Carmenville in Barangay Calumpang here. The team that carried out the search operation, premised on tips from people aware of his illegal business, was armed with a warrant from the Regional Trial Court Branch 58 here. The General Santos City PNP is still trying to extract from members of the Polancos family essential information that would lead to the arrest of the suppliers of the illegal merchandise found in their house. John Felix Unson

PNP-SAF die in “gun accident”

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - A member of the police’s elite Special Action force was killed in what seemed a gun accident Wednesday inside the camp here of the Police Regional Office-12. Companions of Police Corporal John Paul Dayang Alintana heard a gunshot in their barracks and, as they checked, saw him sprawled on the floor, bleeding.

SEIZED. The P1.3 million worth drugs seized on August 3 from Dhats Kadianda Mastura and cohort Telong Adam Odin are now in the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-BARMM

Alintana died on the spot. Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, director of PRO12, has ordered an extensive probe on the incident. Tagum asked the immediate family of Alintana to give investigators from the General Santos City Police Office time to wrap up their probe on the incident. (John Felix Unson