The Mindanao Cross | September 3, 2022

By John Felix Unson By Nash Maulana Lt. Samson: Law enforcer, professor, specialist

security

BBM VOWS COMPLETION OF PEACE DEAL WITH MILF

showingFacebookSamsonserviceforthankfulForeverMotherland.grateful,andhopefulyourcareerinpublicandgovernance,”wroteonhispagehimand BARMM freezes prices of basic goods BFP foils huge fire at Phoenix gas station Vol. LXXIV| No. 30 Cotabato City | Saturday, September 3, 2022| 8 Pages | P10.00 The Mindanao mindanao.cross@gmail.comCrossissuu.com/mindanaocrossP2 CHURCH / P4 P8 Pope Francis to cardinals: We are jointly responsible for the Church

Photo courtesy of DavieGirl Dasan Villanueva

Caritas PH to lead “Bike for Kalikasan”

P7 Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace ReconciliationProcess,and Unity (OPAPPRU), said President Marcos, Jr. is determined “more than ever to pursue the completion of implementation of all signed peace agreements and the transformationcorrespondingprogram,” aligned with the FivePoint Peace Agenda of his administration.Galvezledthe opening Thursday at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City of the National Peace Consciousness Month in September, even as he emphasized on the gains of the processes and the President’s commitment to uphold the continuity peace

September is National Clean-up Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 244, s. 1993.

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PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will pursue the completion of implementation of all signed peace agreements, a top peace and unity official said on Thursday.

By Edwin O. Fernandez

TWO days before he was killed in an ambush in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, Lt. Reynaldo O Samson, the town’s police chief, welcomed and greeted a batch of graduate students who completed their master in management in National PhilippineAdministrationSecurityattheChristian University (PCU). “May you always be the bastion of peace, security and development for our

Police, Army hunt BIFF men in Ampatuan ambush

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To mobilize massive voluntary action to support and complement the country’s cleanup and environmental greening activities wherein garbage reduction, recycling, and composting, and the rehabilitation of waterways will be institutionalized by various sectors of society.

ACT OF KINDNESS. Over 50 mangrove propagules were planted on Friday along the coast of Sarangani Bay in Zone VI, Barangay Bula, General Santos City during the “Mangrove Planting: An Act of Kindness” as pre-event of the Dadiangas Baptist Church gathering in partnership with DENR. Photo courtesy of Dadiangas Baptist Church

THE police and military are together searching for the suspects in the fatal ambush Tuesday of the municipal police chief of Ampatuan, Maguindanao and his aide.Inastatement, the headquarters of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region said the suspects, led by Guiapar Abdulkarim, are identified with the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, director of PRO-BAR, separately told reporters Wednesday that the Army’s 6th Infantry Division is helping them locate the culprits.“Wehave the identity of the suspects and our personnel are working double time to bring justice to where it should be,” Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said while in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat Wednesday to visit the three wounded personnel of the Ampatuan municipal police.

NATURE’S FURY. Farmers and commuters watch helplessly the damaged approach of Tubi-allah Bridge in Surallah, South Cotabato that is almost cut when the river overflowed following heavy downpour Wednesday night.

CARITAS Philippines is leading the #CaritasBike4Kalikasan with the Social Action Network and other private and government partners this October 8, 2022.The bike from the Manila Cathedral to the La Mesa Dam Nature Reserve Eco Park is not only Caritas Philippines’ contribution to the 2022 Season of Creation celebration but “the national social action’s concrete contribution to the global goal of ecological transformation of the Catholic Church,” according to

Kidapawan Bishop Colin Bagaforo, Caritas Philippines national director. The 32-kilometer bike caravan as per Fr. Antonio Labiao Jr., executive secretary of the national Caritas, “is our call to action to draw attention to all of Caritas Philippines' environmental advocacy initiatives under the Alay Kapwa - Alay para sa Kalikasan program.”Thisincludes divestment from fossil gas, coal, mining, and other extractive industries, the Rights P3

National Clean-up Month

Theme:jumpstartsConsciousnessyear’simplementation.agreements’HesaidthisNationalPeaceMonthwiththe“Paghilom:

Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism- Basilan Provincial Office: 09166123265 “We are reminding the retailers that there should be no price movement on these goods while the price freeze is in effect,” Biruar added. He said penalties await violators proven to have violated the freeze order. Edwin O. Fernandez

Prof. Sema G. Dilna, president of the Cotabato State University (CSU) and Dr. Susana S. Anayatin, peace advocate and a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, will be bestowed recognition for achievements in their respective fields of endeavor, during the 6th Asia-Pacific Luminare Awards in Manila.

CHECKED. A staff of the BARMM Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT) checks on prices of basic goods at a grocery store as price freeze has been in effect in the region following the declaration of state of calamity due to floods. Prices of goods remained stable, the MTIT said.

MSSD helps flood victims

Photo courtesy of BIO BARMM

Prof. Dilna is cited by the Asia-Pacific Luminare Awards organizers as Asia’s Most Exemplary University President and Researcher. Dr. Anayatin, described in the nomination info-graph card as a public servant and humanitarian advocate, will be recognized with the accolade of being Asia’s Most Outstanding Public Servant and Empowered Peace Educator and Humanitarian Advocate of the SheYear.is one of the two Catholic members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament.Sheisoften acknowledged in the academic circles as one of the architects of peace and development education as a post-graduate doctoral program. Military and police officers were induced enthusiastically into it, and took the challenge of navigating this distinct academic field in her tutelage, following the signing of the peaceDr.agreements.Dilnabecame the last president of the Cotabato City State Polytechnic Colleges and is the first president of the Cotabato State University, after having served as vicepresident for Academic Affairs of the CCSPC (2015 – 2020); and as the Dean of the CCSPC Graduate School (2012 – 2015). He also headed the CCSPC Graduate School Master of Arts in Education Program (2006 – 2011) and an executive assistant to the CCSPC VP for Academic Affairs (2005 – 2006). Dilna finished high school at the Notre Dame of Dulawan High School in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, with honors. Prof Dilna graduated cum laude from the Mindanao State University in Maguindanao with the baccalaureate degree of Bachelor of Secondary Education.Heearned his Master of Arts in Education at the CCSPC in 2002, and completed his doctor of education program also from the CCSPC—both with the citation of Meritus. Behind the erudition in academic achievement, Dilna is a sportsman, a basketball varsity player for the schools that he went to—where he has been cheered as “three-point” shooter.” As a student, Dilna exuded early academic excellence when he graduated valedictorian at Kudaranggan Elementary School in Midsayap, Cotabato – Valedictorian.Ontheother hand, the Upi Agricultural School, founded in September 1919 (also by American educators) still exists and holds that title of being the oldest school in the region. The rest is still—history. Nash B. Maulana

BARMM tops PH fish production in Q2 Asia-Pacific Luminare to honor of CSU’s Dilna, MP Anayatin

THE Bangsamoro regional police had installed acting chiefs for its componentoffices in Lamitan City and Basilan province. Lt. Col. Arlan Delumpines was named acting chief of the Lamitan City Police Office while Col. Carlos Madronio is to oversee the Basilan Provincial Police Office as officer-in-charge. The Lamitan City police force is under the BasilanBrig.PPO.Gen. John Guyguyon, director of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region, confirmed on Monday the duo’s separate designations.Delumpines, born and raised in Basilan’s Isabela City, and Madronio had both assumed over the weekend as acting Lamitan City police chief and OIC of the Basilan provincial police, predecessor,Madronio’srespectively.Col.Pedro Martirez, Jr., had been designated director for logistics in the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame in Quezon City. Madronio headed PROBAR’s community affairs and development group prior to his assumption as OIC of the Basilan provincialDelumpinespolice.had a long stint, in various posts, under the Zamboanga City Police Office. Delumpines had also served as police chief of Salug in Zamboanga del Norte and, subsequently, in Dapitan City in the same province. Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman, director of the provincial peace and order council, had assured PROBAR, during Guyguyon’s tour in the province last week, to support the peacekeeping missions of Delumpines and Madronio. Guyguyon said he met with local officials while in Basilan last week Aand briefly discussed with them the need for continuous cooperation in maintaining law and order in the island province.

New officers lead Lamitan City, Basilan PNP

BARMM freezes prices of basic goods

Pre-event information reaching Manila Standard said the awarding ceremonies slated on November 23 will be hosted in Manila by the Kiwanis Club International, the SMNI News Channel, the OKADA Manila and the Luminare Events.

TWO Cotabato-based academics will receive recognition for exemplary achievements during the 6th Asia-Pacific Luminare Awards Night in November.

September 3, 20222 THE MINDANAO CROSS

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) announced Thursday it has ordered price freeze for basic goods across the region after it was placed under state of calamity due to floods.

Floods also inundated most of the 63 villages in the Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato that are now part of BARMM, 20 of the 36 villages in Cotabato City, and parts of Lanao del Sur.In Maguindanao, 105 villages in 13 towns have been underwater. Edwin O. Fernandez

THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been making waves in the fishery sector after it ranked first among the country’s fish producing regions. BARMM, a region surrounded by seas, has topped in fish production as shown in the 2022 second quarter situation report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The PSA April to June 2022 situation report (sitrep) showed that the total volume of fisheries production in the country has reached 1,213.31 metric tons BARMM(MT).has total fisheries production of 346.42 MT or 28.6 percent, making it the biggest contributor for fisheries production in the Philippines.Zamboanga Peninsula (Zampen) region has 153.38 MT (12.6 percent); Central Luzon (Region 3) with 130.79 MT (10.8 percent) Western Visayas (Region 6) with 96.66 MT (8.0 percent); and SOCCSKSARGEN (Region 12) with 89.41 MT (7.4 percent). The provinces of Basilan, Sulu and TawiTawi (more known as BaSulTa) has produced most of the region’s fishery harvest but Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur have contributed huge part of it.In its report, the BARMM Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (MAFAR) said that the marine products include seaweeds, frigate tuna (tulingan), round scad (galunggong), big-eyed scad (matambaka), Bali sardinella (tamban), eastern little tuna (bonito), skipjack (gulyasan), Indian mackerel (alumahan), yellowfin tuna (tambako/ bariles), and tilapia, among others. Edwin Fernandez As floodwaters that swamped communitiesMaguindanaohave receded, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) intensified its humanitarian response to affected families. In a report Wednesday, the region's Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) reported that a total of 76,000 families, or 380,000 individuals in its affected component areas, have beenEachdisplaced.family was given 25 kilos of rice, various canned goods, and nonfood items as initial relief, the agency ManagementMSSDHashimsaid.Guiamel,DisasterResponseDivision chief, said their office has provided 25,208 food packages to flood victims. “Our relief operation is continuing,” he said, adding that relief missions are also ongoing in other flooded areas of the region. Massive floods submerged at least 13 of Maguindanao’s 36 towns after persistent rains since the last week of July.

The BARMM’s Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT) is the lead agency in implementing the price freeze order. Under Republic Act 7581, also known as the Price Act of the Philippines, dictates that “prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for 60 days once a state of calamity is declared in an area.” Hussein Biruar, MTIT director of Bureau of Trade and Industry, the products that are in under prize freeze included canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt.“We are closely coordinating with other government agencies, manufacturers, and retailers to ensure availability and continuous supply of basic goods in the market,” Biruar said in a statement released by the BARMM information office. Aside from grocery stores, the MTIT also warned small store and retailers to refrain from selling basic necessities more than the specified prices.Aquick check with the prices of basic items showed that canned fish prices remained between P25 to P30 each while sugar is at P75-P80 per kilo.So far prices of goods in communities heavily affected by floods remained stable and no signs of opportunism taking place, Biruar noted. Biruar urged the consumers to report violators to MTIT Regional Office and Provincial Offices at the hotline numbers specified below: MTIT Regional Office: 09678255847 or 557-2819 MTIT Maguindanao: 09974979647, 9300848942 or 557-2474 MTIT Lanao del Sur: 09811167616 MTIT Tawi-Tawi: 09275177701 or 09630964398MTITSulu: 09754246051

John Felix Unson

Awards Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos. Jr. on Wednesday awarded the three policemen with two merit medals each right in their hospital beds. Units of PRO-BAR and 6th ID are in pursuit of Abdulkarim and his followers --- Bantukan Andog, Sala Tunda, Johari Abdulbasser Guinaid, Phepe Saptulah, Abdulrah Sapal, Bobot Kamsa and a certain “Commander Jacket” --- whom local officials said were responsible for the atrocity.Samsonand his subordinates were on their way to an interior area in Barangay Kapinpilan to arrest robbery suspect Kamir Kambal based on a warrant issued by Judge Anabelle Piang of Regional Trial Court Branch 15 in Maguindanao when their attackers, positioned at one side of the road shot their vehicle with assault rifles. Samson and Endab died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds. Maguindanao Col. Christopher Panapan was relieved from his post and Camp Crame designated Col. Roel Rullan Sermese who was from Region 12 police office.

Guyguyon said Panapan’s relief order, which came from Camp Crame, was not related to the ambush.

September 3, 2022 3THE MINDANAO CROSS

BIFF men Abdulkarim and his nine followers were tagged in the ambush on Tuesday morning of a police team in Barangay Kapinpilan, Ampatuan that resulted in the death of the town’s police chief, Lt. Reynaldo Samson, and his aide, Corporal Salipudin Endab. Three others, M/Sgt. Renante Quinalayo and Corporals Rogelio Dela Cuesta, Jr. and Marc Clint Dayaday, were seriously wounded in the attack, now confined in a hospital.

Wounded medals Also on Wednesday, Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos. Jr. awarded the three policemen wounded in Tuesday’s ambush in Ampatuan, Maguindanao with two merit medals each.

M/Sgt. Renante Quinalayo and Corporals Rogelio Dela Cuesta, Jr. and Marc Clint Dayaday each received from Abalos and National Police Director Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. a Medalya ng Kadakilaan and Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting right in their beds at the Galapati Hospital in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.They were together in a patrol vehicle, along with Ampatuan’s police chief Lt. Samson, en route to Barangay Kapinpilan to arrest a robbery suspect, Kamir Kambal, when gunmen positioned at one side of the road shot them with assault rifles. Samson and Endab both died on the spot from bullet wounds.

Guyguyon said Panapan’s transfer was scheduled because he had served as Maguindanao police director twice. “He was relieved, but not because of the ambush but a regular process in our organization,” Guyguyon told reports in Cotabato City.

Pope Francis to cardinals: We are...from P4

Police, Army hunt BIFF men in Ampatuan...from P1 of Nature policy campaign and simple lifestyle advocacy, just renewable energy transition, and food security via sustainable farming.The occasion will also mark the beginning of the Caritas Bamboo Forest Project, a flagship initiative that aims to establish bamboo forests in partnership with the Diocesan Social Action Centers.“This is to show that we are serious in our stance to fully enforce the 2022 CBCP pastoral statement on ecology, as much as we are demanding in calling on our government to take action against ecological injustices,” Bishop Bagaforo said. “We are also taking principled cooperation with our government to work with this project, as we will be working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Interior and Local Government, as well as with the private sector,” added Fr. Labiao. “It is time that we invest more work into our ecological advocacies than mere statements. After all, we are a working, living Church. What good will our words bring if our planet is dead,” said Bishop Bagaforo, whose diocese In Kidapawan is one of the dioceses that will establish the bamboo forest project. Caritas

BBM vows completion of peace deal...from P1 Caritas PH to lead “Bike for Kalikasan”...from P1 Major Gen. Roy Galido Isang Bansa Para sa Kapayapaan” or “Unity and Healing as One.” A nation for peace, Galvez said, is “inspired by our collective vision to bring peace, reconciliation and unity throughout the country.”Galvezsaid by heeding the call for unity, regardless of religion, culture and political beliefs, “We, as a PEOPLE and of one nation, can attain our common goal of achieving a genuine and long-lasting peace.”He said through united efforts, there is no doubt that the Filipino people could sustain the gains of the comprehensive peace processes. “But in order for us to move forward, we need to let go of the pain of the past (and) learn from our experiences,” he pointedGalvezout. said learning from lessons of the past will inspire the Filipinos “to build a better future for our nation that is free from conflict, prejudice, violence and animosity. He enumerated the Five-Point Agenda of the second Marcos presidency, as, namely: 1) Completion of the Peace Agreements with the MILF and the MNLF towards healing and reconciliation in the Bangsamoro; 2) Ending of local communist armed conflict by expanding the transformation programs for local conflict peace process; Third, the completion and sustainment of the gains of the signed agreements with the RPM-P/ RPA/ ABB and CBA-CPLA; 4) Enhancement of the resilience for peace of communities and vulnerable groups through social healing and peace-building approaches in support of the Peace Processes; and Fifth, the enhancement of the delivery of CSPP-Compliant Socio-Economic interventions in addressing the key drivers of conflict through convergence and complementation in support of the Peace Processes.

In his homily, Pope Francis pointed to Saint Pope Paul VI and his 1964 encyclical on the Church, Ecclesiam Suam. Saint Paul VI loved the Church with “a love which is first and foremost gratitude, grateful wonder at her mystery and at the gift of our being not only members of the Church, but involved in her life, sharing in and, indeed, jointly responsible for her,” he said.“Atthe beginning of his programmatic encyclical Ecclesiam Suam, written during the [Second Vatican] Council,” Francis said, “the first thought that came to the pope’s mind was that ‘the Church needs to cultivate a deeper awareness of her identity… her origin and her mission.'”“Inthisregard, he made explicit reference to the Letter to the Ephesians, to ‘the providential plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God… so that through the Church… it may be made known.'”“This was the case with the Apostle Saint Paul, as we see from his letters. His apostolic zeal and the concern for the community was always accompanied, and indeed preceded, by words of blessing filled with wonder and gratitude: ‘Blessed be God…'” Pope Francis“Maysaid.italso be the case with us,” he concluded. “May it be the case with each of you, dear brother Cardinals. May the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, obtain this grace for each and every one of us.” Hannah Brockhaus/ Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis to cardinals: We are jointly responsible for the Church 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings: Wisdom 9.13-18; Philemon 9b-10, 12-17; Luke 14.25-33 Reflections Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCCtonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com Discipleship MC

CATHOLIC nuns who are facing terrorist financing charges filed by the government insisted they are peacebuilders working to address the root causes of armed conflict and social unrest in the Philippines. In a statement Tuesday, the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) again denied the allegations as they reaffirmed their mission to work in farflung areas, even those affected by armed conflicts.

September 3, 20224 THE MINDANAO CROSS

Bishop Broderick Pabillo of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay. Photo courtesy of AVT P7

“We continue to marvel at the unfathomable divine decision to evangelize the whole world starting with that ragtag group of disciples, some of whom — as the evangelist tells us — still doubted,” Pope Francis said during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Aug. 30. “Yet, if we think about it, we should marvel no less if we look at ourselves, gathered here today, to whom the Lord has spoken those same words, given that same mandate.”Wonder is a way to salvation, the pope continued. “May God keep it ever alive in our hearts, for it sets us free from the temptation of thinking that we can ‘manage things.’ Or from the false security of thinking that today is somehow different, no longer like the origins.” Francis said: “Today the Church is big, solid, and we occupy eminent positions in its hierarchy… There is some truth in this, but there is also much deception, whereby the Father of Lies seeks to make Christ’s followers first worldly, then innocuous.” The Mass with the College of Cardinals was offered for the Church. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, led the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Pope Francis preached at the Mass, in a cope. In his homily, the pope decried a “cancer of spiritual worldliness.” A minister of the Church, he said, is “one who experiences wonder before God’s plan and, in that spirit, passionately loves the Church and stands at the service of her mission wherever and however the Holy Spirit may choose.” He said Catholics should marvel not only at God’s plan of salvation, but at the “even more amazing fact” that God calls them to participate in this plan. For Catholics, there is a “double mystery of our being blessed in Christ and of going forth with Christ into the world.” “This wonder,” he said, addressing the new cardinals, “does not diminish with the passing of the years; it does not weaken with our increasing responsibilities in the Church. No, thanks be to God. It grows stronger and deeper.”

“The law has been weaponized against us,” the missionaries said, but asserted they will neither be cowed nor impeded by the “renewed attacks”.

VATICAN— We have the same mission to evangelize the world as did the apostles 2,000 years ago, a fact that should fill us with wonder at our position of responsibility, Pope Francis said at Mass with the College of Cardinals Tuesday.

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SatFriThuWedTueMon Readings: no. 437, p. 1601 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 5.1-8 Gospel: Luke 6.6-11 Readings: no. 438, p. 1603 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 6.1-11 Gospel: Luke 6.12-19 Readings: no. 439, p. 1605 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 7.1, 17, 25-31++ Gospel: Luke 6.20-26 Readings: no. 636, p. 1831 1st Reading: Romans 8.28-30 or 1st Reading: Micah 5.2-5a Gospel: Matthew 1.1-16, 18-23 Readings: no. 441, p. 1610 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 9.16-19, 22b-27 Gospel: Luke 6.39-42 Readings: no. 442, p. 1612 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 10.14-22a Gospel: Luke 6.43-49

Once a newly-ordained bishop was proudly showing off his ornate gold ring to his old mother. His mother showed him her own simple silver ring and told him, “Son, without my ring you would not have had your ring.” The universal vocation of every baptized Christian is holiness. No matter what state of life one has embraced, it is in that state of life that a disciple pursues blessedness.Eachstate of life has its own challenges and difficulties, or crosses to carry.Apriest has to cope with loneliness and the lack of a family of his own. A religious may have to deal with the difficulties of living in community with different kinds of people. A single person has to deal with the insecurities of being alone. Married people have to deal with the difficulties of partnership and raising children. Here is another apocryphal story. Tourists in the Vatican take the opportunity to gather at St. Peter’s square at noon in order to join the Pope at Angelus. Then, everyone is told to raise their crosses and religious items for the Pope’s blessing. A husband was surprised as his wife embraced him and tried to lift him up, “What are you doing?” The wife replied, “You are my cross and I want the Holy Father to bless you.” It is carrying our cross that can make us holy.

“We will not cower, even as we are afraid. God gives us strength and wisdom, quickening our steps and assuring our safety,” RMP added.

It also said: “Those who seek to besmirch our ministry, by saying it supported or financed ‘terrorism’, should be held to account; their lies will only further the suffering and poverty in marginalized communities.”

T his is an oft-repeated story of discipleship. A student of martial arts went to a well-known master of the discipline. He asked the master to teach him all he knows. The master then asked, “What do you know?” The aspirant declared, “I have gone to many schools of martial arts, I know judo, aikido, karate, tae-kwando, boxing, muay thai, and so I practice mixed martial arts.” The master paused for a while and poured tea for his visitor until the cup was full and overflowing. The aspirant said, “Master, stop, the cup is full.” The master then said, “There is nothing more I can teach you. The cup must be empty in order to be filled.” A disciple is one who sits at the feet of the master. A disciple wants to learn and to undergo the discipline that goes with whatever art or skill he is trying to learn. A disciple must therefore be open to the teachings of the master. In the course of His public ministry Jesus called his own disciples (Luke 14-2533). He emphasized the challenges and difficulties of discipleship, “Whoever does not follow me carrying his own cross, cannot be my disciple.” He also showed the radical nature of the choice to follow him, “If you come to me unwilling to sacrifice your love for you father and mother, your spouse and children, your brothers and sisters, and indeed yourself, you cannot be my disciple.” He also emphasized the need for commitment and perseverance, as well as counting the cost, “Do you build a house without first sitting down to count the cost, to see whether you have enough to complete it?” These sayings of the Lord show the importance of discipline and commitment for a disciple. Discipleship may specifically apply to the priestly and religious vocation. It also applies Christianto discipleship in general. This month is vocation month in the archdiocese of Cotabato. A baptized Catholic may be called to different states of life: marriage, single blessedness, contemplative religious life or active religious life, and the priesthood. Each of these states has its own particular challenges.

“As missionaries, we are unapologetic and unwavering in our commitment to work in poor areas, even when these areas are visited by militarization and armed conflict,” RMP said. “Bringing services and accompanying grassroots leaders are effective methods for resolving community issues and sparking change and development that benefit the communities where we serve,” it said. The Justice department filed criminal charges against 16 RMP workers, including five nuns, for allegedly providing financial support to the New People’s Army, which the government labelled as a terrorist group. RMP said the allegations are nothing but an attack on their ministries, which involved documenting human rights abuses throughout the country.

We are peacebuilders,’ say nuns in terrorism financing raps

THE Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay in northern Palawan will mark this year’s Season of Creation by planting at least 400 trees in each of its 23 parishes and eight mission stations. Bishop Broderick Pabillo said it’s their humble contribution to the annual celebration as the local Church also currently commemorates the arrival of Christianity on the island 400 years ago. “This is our contribution to save the environment,” Pabillo said in a pastoral letter.While Palawan is blessed with rich natural resources, the prelate emphasized that it also comes with great responsibility.Heasked the faithful “not to get tired of caring for our common home” amid combined threats of illegal logging and fishing. He also called on communities to oppose any mining and coal-fired power plant projects in the province.“Let us strive to be responsible stewards of creation,” Pabillo said. The Season of Creation begins September 1, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and

The Mass with new cardinals followed two days of closed-door meetings with the College of Cardinals to discuss Pope Francis’ reform of the Roman Curia, as laid out in the constitution Praedicate evangelium.197cardinals participated in the extraordinary consistory, the first of its kind in seven years.

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Parishes in N. Palawan to plant thousands of trees for Season of Creation

CBCP NewsPope Francis speaks during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Aug. 30, 2022. Photo courtesy of Vatican Media

“No matter what state of life one has embraced, it is in that state of life that a discipleblessedness”pursues

The first-ever commemoration of National Press Freedom Day in the Philippines came to pass without much ballyhoo, except perhaps in a limited section of the Philippine press and media, on August 30, Tuesday.Theyearly commemoration is mandated by Republic Act No. 11699, signed into law earlier this year by then President Rodrigo Duterte, in recognition of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, the father of Philippine Journalism who was born on August 30, 1850. That it comes a day after the celebration of National Heroes Day is in our view befitting and serves as a reminder of the significant role nationalist Filipino writers and propagandists like Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce, and Jose Rizal himself played in helping catalyze the movement for political reforms and eventually for independence from Spain in the late 19th century Philippines. During the period of the revolution against Spain, the Katipunan under Andres Bonifacio published its own paper, Kalayaan, though it managed to come out only once. The Katipunan recognized the importance of having a publication that could help propagate its teachings and win more adherents to its side and sought to establish a printing press. Two Katipuneros from the Visayas, Candido Iban and Francisco del Castillo from Kalibo and Capiz, had one thousand pesos between them for having won in the lottery and used it to buy a small printing press which was transferred to Andres Bonifacio’s house. The name Kalayaan was suggested for the paper by Dr. Pio Valenzuela and Emilio Jacinto was named its first editor, although it was decided that the name of Marcelo H. del Pilar be made a front as the editor. While Yokohama was placed on the masthead to fool Spanish authorities as to the place of printing, the authorities suspected the printing to be only in or around Manila and ordered a raid on the place where the paper was being printed. The Katipuneros were however able to destroy the press before the authorities could lay hold of it, and the second issue did not come out although it has already been prepared. El Heraldo dela Revolucion, Herald of the Revolution in English, meanwhile served as the official publication of the revolutionary government under Emilio Aguinaldo continued to publish throughout most of the FilipinoAmerican war. It has been said that if there is one important characteristic of Filipino journalism that stood out during the various periods of struggle for freedom and independence, it has been its tradition of advocacy. This was also proven by the so-called mosquito press, during the long years of martial law under Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. when much of mainstream media was controlled to only come out with press favorable to the administration and its minions. The mosquito press helped catalyze the movement that culminated in the EDSA People Power Revolution.Somuch for history. On Tuesday, issuing a statement in celebration of the country’s first-ever Press Freedom Day, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said press freedom is guaranteed under the watch of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and that the administration would work closely with media organizations to protect and uphold the rights of journalists.Inourview, much needs to be done to prove that point to the working press and to the Filipinos at large. While the Philippines’ ranking in the World Press Freedom Index further dropped this year, nine places to end 147th among 180 countries, Reporters Without Borders which publishes the annual list, says that in terms of legal framework, Philippine laws do not protect the ability of journalists to work freely despite the press freedom guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution. Libel is still criminalized, and the red-tagging of journalists continues. In its statement, the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines, which itself along with many of its members continue to be red-tagged, said: “Despite the recognition by law of the importance of the press, journalists still face issues with accreditation and access to government offices that they cover, are quick to be labeled as purveyors of ‘fake news’, and remain under threat from a colonial-era libel law as well as from loose interpretations of laws like the Anti-Terrorism Act.” Acting positively on these concerns would be proof of this current government’s faithfulness to its words when it comes to press freedom.

THE Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continue to uphold an older bilateral commitment to demine Muslim Mindanao. In the past few days, the GPH-MILF Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) sat anew for risk education and demining workshop in Makati City—in partnership with Fondation Suisse de Déminage (FSD) and Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL).

That September feeling 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 MC hinking A loud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com Press freedom and the Filipino P enlight Nash B. Maulana nash.penlight@gmail.com

The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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 is published every Saturday by the Mindanao Cross Publishers, Inc., Sinsuat cor Quezon Avenues, Cotabato City. Tel Nos. (064) 4217161 and E-mail Address: mindanao.cross@gmail.com | mincross101@yahoo.com.ph

COTABATO CITY / ARMM CORRESPONDENTS

The reason is, it is the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Facebook writers gave a history of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The earliest documented version is found in the Protoevangelium of James, an apocryphal gospel written about A.D. 150. From the Protoevangelium of James, we learn the names of Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna, as well as the tradition that the couple was childless until an angel appeared to Anna and told her that she would conceive. The birthday of the Virgin Mary is a special occasion for us, because without her, there would be no Christmas! September 8 is also celebrated by the different Catholic congregations that accepted the task of opening development activities in this part of the country. The Notre Dame Schools are almost everywhere to fill the high school education gap that the government cannot provide. By the way, the English translation of Notre Dame is Our Lady. Thus, I was ingrained with the values that were taken from the life of the Virgin Mary, which I am proud of. The congregations who accepted the mission to come to Mindanao did not limit themselves to education; there were hospitals/ clinics, radio stations, and of course the Mindanao Cross.The month of September was filled with activities that brought together cohesion among the students of Notre Dame Schools in this region. There were academic contests, and sport fests which the students vied for awards in competing with the other schools. I remember most the lively activities held in Notre Dame of Parang, where the setting was not only enjoyable, but good for our health (the heat was mild compared to today’s climate). Sorry, I did not have the chance to meet Mr. Lorenzana or Mr. Quiboloy who were said to be enrolled in that school. Unlike the western song of “I’ll see you in September, when summer is gone”, we still feel the summer in September, although happy with the thought that cold winds of December is not far away. Let’s just hope that climate change will be kinder this time, so we can feel less of the heat and less of the floods that has been making our lives miserable. MC

Anti-landmines for a broad-based firm advocacy has been popularized by the late Princess Diana of Wales—and openly supported by famed British singerssongwriters Yusuf Cat Steven Islam, and the late Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees. Back home, demining and the growing concerns on UXO finds are among key deliverables under the security component of the Normalization Program, Hernandez says.In particular, the workshop held early this month seeks to reduce the dangers from landmines, UXOs, and explosive war leftovers in artillery and mortar shells from decades-long armed conflict between government troops and dissident Representativesgroups. from the GPH and MILF Implementing Panels, JNC, Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) participated in the workshop—along with representatives from the ceasefire mechanisms, and from the PNP, AFP, as well as other international and local peace groups.

“The program on addressing UXOs and landmines is under the security component. Kaya nga may mga programa tayo na palakasin ang AFP sa Bangsamoro because after 2025, you will no longer see JPST (Joint Peace and Security Teams) there. After the Exit Agreement, you will have a stronger police force in Bangsamoro,” he pointed out.

September 3, 2022 5THE MINDANAO CROSS

It can be recalled that long before the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the MILF in 2012 signed a commitment to ban landmines in its territories, and support all efforts to locate UXOs as armed conflict leftovers, across Mindanao.

Ariel Hernandez, GPH-JNC co-chairman, says the workshop seeks to realign all the efforts of the JNC, FSD, PCBL, and of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in the safe clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO)--as core component of improvised explosive devices (IEDs)--in areas within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Hernandez says there is a need “to harness what has been done to come up with a substantial accomplishment as conferred in the Peace Agreement [between the national government and the MILF].” (P.S. I congratulate CSU President Prof. Sema G. Dilna for the citation that he and MP Dr. Susana Salvador-Anayatin well deserve from long lists of achievements in their respective fields of endeavor. Please read my report in this issue on their citation of recognition in the 6th Asia-Pacific Luminare Awards in Manila come November.

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

“The programs of the FSD, a non-violent peace organization, constitute the ideals with the bridging of the transition. While everything is in transition, these are the things we are very particular about,” Hernandez noted. “If you would not be able to get these UXOs which could be a component of IEDs— we really have to do it as quickly as possible—there’s someone out there just waiting for the next victim,” said PCBL National Coordinator Fred Lubang.

Member: PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUT E

GPH, MILF, peace activists on demining, clearing Bangsamoro of UXOs MC

During my younger days under the tutelage of the RVM nuns, the coming of the month of September brings with it the happy tidings that Christmas is not far away. This is probably the reason why the Philippines is said to have the longest Christmas season in the world. Children look forward to the trimmings of Christmas, and the events that the church brings with it like hearing the voice of Jose Mari Chan singing “My idea of a Perfect Christmas”, which so often gives me goose pimples. Unfortunately, the commercialism that comes with it leaves much to be desired. But we should ask ourselves: why is September a special month in our annual calendar to have a bearing on Christmas morn?

EDITORIAL

Most of the writers and speakers on wealth creation view real estate investment as the best vehicle and most stable platform for growing your financial resources. Aside from former President Roosevelt, two of the United States of America’s richest men at the end of the 19th century attest to the effectiveness of real estate investing as a way for creating great wealth. Andrew Carnegie who was known for his involvement in the steel industry said that “ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate”. The founder of the Standard Oil Company, American billionaire John D. Rockefeller echoed the observation of Andrew Carnegie when he said “The major fortunes in America had been made in land.” American writer Mark Twain (best known for the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the Adventures of Tom Sawyer) explains why real estate is a great asset. He advised people to “buy land, they aren’t making more of it.” Some people are fortunate to inherit some pieces of land from their parents while others may have acquired their real estate through outright purchase or through financing by a bank or institutions like the Home Development Mutual Fund (more popularly known as PagIbig) or other government lending agencies. Whatever the mode that one acquires a piece or pieces of real property, the owner has the opportunity to create a stream of income or to have a one-time gain from selling land after substantial increase in value shall have been attained.What are the options of a real property owner in creating income from his or her lot/s short of selling the asset?There are several ways be which a land owner may develop a steady stream of income from the property owned, some would require shelling out money while others will not demand an investment. The least expensive and passive way to earn cash from your lot is by leasing it to an individual or a company who would use the property for its own purpose or to build a structure thereon and lease it out. Lots in commercial areas have the best potential for this type of arrangement with banks or franchised businesses as the most likely business partner. Other options require the owner to invest in the construction of a building with spaces for lease to business firms, families, or individuals. An edifice can be constructed by the owner using his own money, borrowing from a bank. or a combination of equity and loan. A building with spaces for commercial establishments or for office purposes need to be well-designed, constructed well, and have provisions for amenities such as parking spaces. Construction cost would be P30,000 per square meter or more and rental rate for a 30 to 36 square meter space could be at least P25,000.Apartments usually have 30 or more square meters area per door and would be more expensive compared to smaller units of housing. Rental rates range from P10,000 to P15,000. Dwelling units of 10 to 15 square meters are in demand for workers of pharmacies, fast-food chains, and government offices and could command rent of P4,000 to P8,000 and could be cheaper to construct.

In the midst of all these trials and life’s misery, our being righteous and true to form is the key to survival in this temporal world we live in. For in faith there’s hope in all things, if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything shall be added unto us. The LORD reminded us not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6:33-34). In all of God’s creation, we are the most precious when God the Father said to His only begotten Son: Let Us make man in Our image and according to Our likeness and for them (Adam and Eve) to have dominion over all other creatures (Genesis 1:26-27). From ancient times till now, humanity entertains doubts and fear to end up stressful and in distress. That Christ the Son of God reminding us not to worry about our daily basic needs saying other creatures like the birds “they never sow, reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they?”Don’t take it as idleness for the human race to emulate and be mendicants. When God said “Blessed are the poor” He was referring to those who are honest, diligent and obedient to His precepts. It was meant to pursue God’s will for the rich and the poor to complement each other. For there exists the widows, orphans, the disabled and the disadvantaged that have to be reached-out by the government and the affluent. When it’s coming from the heart with love, just do it right to serve as light to those in darkness with the hope that God’s spirit may touch recipients to reform and reconcile with the LORD in peace. What is there in “God’s righteous right hand” in Isaiah 41:10) to emphasize as against His left? What is rightist and leftist all about in our time? It’s written that on Judgment Day, nations will be gathered before God and He will separate them one from another, the sheep from the goats. And God will set the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. And then He will say to those on His right to inherit the Kingdom while those on the left to everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:3346). And what’s wrong about subtle violent protest by left-leaning groups wanting to topple or overthrow government. Are they of God? The LORD commanded us to pray for mercy that we may not be overcome by evil but over overcome evil with good. For God Himself said: “Vengeance is Mine” (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:20-21). People are killed in defense of our cherished human rights as imbued in God’s gift of freewill to humanity to exercise personal choices between good and evil or blessing and curse. As in freedom of expression and freedom of the press are not obsolete rights. It carries with it responsibility to uphold truth but always ready to face consequences on malice and ill-will, if any. Once and for all, let go of our pride and arrogance that many are acting like untouchables or sacred cows of sort. Face consequences, legal or otherwise, without fanfare with humility to uphold truth fairand-square that will set us free. As our journalistic mentor would love to embrace: “Truth hurts but Truth we must to live in peace.” Right is right, but God’s Truth is fathomless to surpass human understanding.What’sright about citizen’s subjection to government? For God commanded us to submit ourselves to authorities for there’s no authority except from God. Whoever resists government authority ignores God’s ordinance and brings judgment on themselves. The will of God is for us to be law-abiding through good deeds. Honor and love fellowmen for God’s glory (Romans 13; Titus 3:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-14).

Children’s rights advocate, pediatrician Dr. Bernadette Matrid is one of the four awardees for the 2022 Ramon Magsaysay Awards, as announced by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation via zoom. A children’s rights and protection crusader, Dr. Madrid has devoted her career to addressing violence against the youth. An active multi-hyphenate, her work involves her being a doctor, educator researcher , social leader, organizer and advocate. The other awardees are Southera Chhim, a mental health advocate from Cambodia; Gary BEneheghib, an anti plastic pollution warrior from Indonesia; and Tadashi Hattori, a sight saving humanitarian from Japan. The formal presentation shall be held at the Ramon Magsaysay Center in Manila on November 30.

God’s favor on the righteous that others may emulate to repent and reconcile with the Creator in the midst of all these wickedness and hatred for one another; hoping that all these world-wide disasters and difficulties may soon cease for good through God’s grace and mercy.

-Theodore Roosevelt

Last issue: the different diseases of the circulatory system was discussed. This is a background for the discussion of the diseases. Written By Kim Ann Zimmermann published August 08, 2019.Thecirculatory system, also known as the cardiovascular system, is a vast network of organs and blood vessels that acts both as a delivery and waste removal system for the body. Nutrients, oxygen and hormones are delivered to every cell and as these necessities are provided, waste products such as carbon dioxide are removed, according to the nonprofit Nemours Children’s Health System. The heart lies at the center of the circulatory system and pumps blood through the rest of the network. This hollow muscle is made up of four chambers: The left and right atriums make up the two chambers at the top and the left and right ventricles form the two chambers at the bottom, according to the University of Michigan. The chambers are separated by one-way valves to ensure that blood flows in the correct direction. The rest of the circulatory system is made up of two independent networks that work together: The pulmonary and systemic systems. The pulmonary system is responsible for providing fresh oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Oxygen-poor blood arrives from veins leading to the right atrium of the heart. The blood is then pumped through the right ventricle, then through the pulmonary artery, which splits off into two and divides into increasingly smaller arteries and capillaries before entering the lungs. The tiny capillaries form a network within the lungs that facilitate the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen. From the lungs, the oxygenrich blood flows back toward the heart. Next, the systemic system of arteries, veins and capillaries takes over. Arteries and veins are not the same, although they are both types of blood vessels. Arteries carry oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from the heart to all parts of your body, according to the National Cancer Institute. Veins carry the oxygen- and nutrient-poor blood back to the heart. The capillaries are the smallest type of blood vessel, and provide the bridge between the arteries and veins. As the oxygen-rich blood arrives from the lungs, it enters the left atrium and then travels through to the left ventricle before being pumped throughout the body, according to NCBI. The blood gets pumped through the aorta artery (the largest artery in the body) before entering the smaller arteries that carry the blood to every part of the body. As the blood delivers nutrients and oxygen to each cell, carbon dioxide and other waste products are picked up as the blood flows through the capillaries and into the veins. The contraction and relaxation of the heart – the heartbeat – is controlled by the sinus node, which is a cluster of cells situated at the top of the right atrium. The sinus node sends electrical signals through the electrical conduction system of the heart that direct the muscle to contract or relax. The heartbeat is divided into two phases: the systole and diastole phases. In the first, the ventricles contract and push blood out into the pulmonary artery or the aorta. At the same time, the valves separating the atria and ventricles snap shut to prevent blood from flowing backwards. In the diastole phase, the valves connecting to the atrium open, and the ventricles relax and fill with blood. The sinus node controls the pace of these two Adultphases.humans have a total of about five to six quarts (a little less than five to six liters) of blood pumping through their bodies, according to Arkansas Heart Hospital. On average, the heart pumps about 100,000 times per day, pushing about 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters) of blood through a total of 60,000 miles (96,560 kilometers) of blood vessels. It only takes about 20 seconds for blood to travel through the entire circulatory system.

MC MC MC R ue to f o R m Charlie Señase csenase@yahoo.com Stay Up-Right AR ket d R iven Danny Buenbrazo danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com What If You Own A Piece of Real Estate…. h e A lth c o R ne R The Circulatory System: An Amazing Circuit That Keeps Our Bodies Going (Part 2) by Reprint from Des Moines University MC he s tuff of l ife Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy franco1573victoria@gmail.com Second Chance at Marriage

RMA is equivalent to the prestigious award giving body the Nobel Prize.

“E very person who invests in a well-selected real estate in the growing section of a prosperous community adopts the surest and safest method of becoming independent, for real estate is the basis of wealth.”

September 3, 20226 THE MINDANAO CROSS

A long term study of almost 3000 British couples found that second time marriages is the best, with couples having more realistic expectations. Regardless of this study, our once secretary at the Notre Dame University some years back, decided to get a try at a second marriage. Fair skinned and lovely Ms. Amor Lobo Moscoso was the wife of the late Edgardo “Boy” dela Cruz Ferraris, who died at an early age of 51. Amor saw to it that their 5 children got the best education, they are now between 26 and 40 years of age. The kids are now on their own, having their own respective families. Having achieved those, the opportunity for a renewed love interest came along when out of a long time friendship, as students of the Notre Dame schools, they decided to marry , for love and the desire to grow old together and spend the remaining days of their lives together. Second marriages are tricky if not as much as the first. Some marry for the second time because they want to give themselves another chance at a good marriage. Amor could not have found a better life partner in Franklin. She says, he is caring, kind and very patient. He could wait for hours while she finishes her work at the Iglesia ni Christo in Quezon City. On top of that, he does the marketing and cooks. What woman could resist such attributes! Without any conditions, he chose to undergo indoctrination as part of his PAGSUBOK, to marry our lovely Amor. Giving up his Catholic faith for Amor was a big challenge for him, but he went ahead with it. Franklin himself has kids ages beween 23 and 34 years old. To Franklin and Amor, may your hopes and aspirations on this new journey be blessed. Best wishses always.RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARDS:

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

(Sgd.) MA. LENY BUENO BUENAFE Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Sept. 3 & 10, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIALSETTLEMENT

Lt. Samson: Law enforcer, professor, security specialist...from P1

Republic of the Philippines Province of Cotabato City of Kidapawan LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE NOTICE PUBLICATIONFOR In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. Act No. 9078, a notice is hereby served to the public that Adeline P. Babayson has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Jessie to Ma. Jessie in the birth certificate of Jessie Pan Babayson who was born on 18 July 1965 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Isabelo Babayson and Adeline Pan. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office.

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

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. Act No. 9078, a notice is hereby served to the public that Emily C. Cadungon has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Linda to Erlinda in the birth certificate of Linda Catalan who was born on 18 July 1957 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Julian Catalan and Maximina Bilar.Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ARTURO B. AYCO, who died on July 29, 2021 at Toril, Davao City, a parcel of land Lot No. 24, Pls357, situated in Nicaan, Libungan, Cotabato, containing an area of 35,942 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-73824 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 265; Page No. 53; Book No. CCVII; Series of 2022.

NAJAT GUBAT HASHIM Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Sept. 3 & 10, 2022

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Aug. 27 & Sept. 3, 2022

September 3, 2022 7THE MINDANAO CROSS ends October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of ecology.Inthe Philippines, the annual Christian celebration of prayer and action for ecology is extended until the second Sunday of October, the Indigenous Peoples’ Sunday.This year’s worldwide theme is “Listen to the Voice of Creation,” a focus on the voices of those who suffer the impacts of the ongoing climate emergency and biodiversity crisis. CBCP News

NOTICE PUBLICATIONFOR In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. Act No. 9078, a notice is hereby served to the public that Angelica Mandate Jayag has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Angelie A to Angelica in the birth certificate of Angelica M. Jayag who was born on February 3, 1987 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Edgar A. Jayag and Marilou M. Jayag.Anyperson adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office. (Sgd.)

EXTRAJUDICIALSETTLEMENT

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

NOTICE PUBLICATIONFOR

MC: Sept. 3, 10 & 17, 2022

MC: Sept. 3, 10 & 17, 2022

MC: Sept. 3, 10 & 17, 2022

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

AFFIDAVIT Notice is hereby given that the late MALEAH anddiedBARCELONA,LAUBANwhowithoutlastwilltestamenton September 23, 2021 in Cotabato City, left a savings account with BPI Cotabato under Account No. 2169160506 is subject of affidavit of selfadjudication by sole heir before Notary Public Atty. Keen John T. Usman as per Doc. No. 91; Page No. 19; Book No. III; Series of 2022.

MC: Sept. 3, 10 & 17, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIALSETTLEMENT

EDRES A. SAMAMA Asst. City Civil Registrar Officer-in-Charge Aug. 27 & Sept. 3, 2022

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

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048/10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Norhan S. Hadji Musa has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in his birth certificate registered as Norhan Sacal Hadji Musa bearing registry No. 2003-300, who was born on September 9, 1997 at Barira, Maguindanao, and whose parents are Una Malangas Hadji Musa and Mohmida Mangdag Sacal. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than September 16, 2022. (Sgd.)

EXTRAJUDICIALSETTLEMENT

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Armando G. Balinas has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Eugenio to Armando in the certificate of live birth of Eugenio G. Balinas who was born on July 13, 1954 at Buriasan, Kapatagan, Lanao and whose parents are Salvador Balinas and Silvestra Galos. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than September 15, 2022.

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Aug. 27 & Sept. 3, 2022

Parishes in N. Palawan...from P4 his students in a cheerful mode. The 40-yearold Samson is known among his subordinates as their father who always reminds them of doing good at all costs.Hisfriends described him as “a cop with a heart for schoolchildren.”“Yourheart for the children is huge, you could have done better for the people of Maguindanao and Muntinlupa,” said one of his FB friends after learning his demise. “Why you pa, marami ka pang matutulungan sana sir,” said another Samson’s friend who was a teacher. She said Lt. Samson always contributes school supplies for the schoolchildren whenever he is inSamson,Muntinlupa.police chief of Ampatuan municipal police station for almost year, was slain in a daylight ambush in Barangay Kapinpilan while implementing “One time bigtime” police operation against lawless elements. He once served as member of the elite Presidential Security Group (PSG). He was a security specialist in the Samson,PNP. originally from Bico, assumed as town police chief of Ampatuan Sept. 21 last year. Before his assignment in Ampatuan, Samson was the deputy police chief of Parang municipal police station. Samson was an academician while serving as police officer in Maguindanao the past four years.He was a faculty in the graduate schools of PCU and of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun). He was also a lecturer for police recruits and at the Philippine Public Safety College. At the Pamantasan ng Muntinlupa, Samson has been teaching human resource management and transformational leadership in the master of arts in education program.Samson has graduated Bachelor of Science in Education and Criminology in 2005 then joined the police force via lateral entry. He was a licensed teacher and passed the board examination for criminologists. His academic records showed that in 2008, he completed the academic requirements for a Master of Arts in PamantasanadministrationeducationalatthengLungsodng Maynila.Atthe Laguna Northwestern College in 2009, he finished master in public administration major in public policy and doctor of Christian education at Theological Seminary in 2011. Samson earned his doctor of philosophy (PhD) in peace and security administration at the Bicol University in Legazpi City in Albay in 2015. He was also assigned at PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, specifically at the Human Resource and Doctrine Development Section of the Police Security and Protection Group.

EDRES A. SAMAMA Asst. City Civil Registrar Officer-in-Charge MC: Aug. 27 & Sept. 3, 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), a notice is hereby served to the public that Marjorie De Leon Pelobello has filed with this office a petition for correction of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Marjorie D. Pelobello who was born on December 12, 1990 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Federico M. Pelobello and Ma. Luz A. De Leon. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office. (Sgd.)

Notice is hereby given that the late Estela G. Yee, who died intestate on April 4, 2020, left an undivided share consisting of 4,398 sq. mts., more or less, in a parcel of land located in Sta. Filomena, Makilala, Cotabato, Lot No. 109Gss-218 containing an area of 26,388 sq. mts. is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Atty. Belner D. Padawag as per Doc. No. 278; Page No. 57; Book No.11; Series of 2020.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late TRANQUILINO E. BINGIL, who died on August 1, 2019 at Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot No. 13, PSD-12-068652, situated in Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 1,390 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 152-2018000381 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 472; Page No. 95; Book No. CCCIII; Series of 2022. MC: Aug. 20, 27 & Sept. 3, 2022

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MUHAMAD U. NANDING, who died intestate on October 27, 2008 in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 2-J-3-A, Psd-139505, covered by TCT No. T-19376, situated in Matampay, Cotabato City containing an area of 790 sq. mts., more or less, is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Gapor G. Quituar as per Doc. No. 355; Page No. 71; Book No. LXX; Series of 2022.

EXTRAJUDICIALSETTLEMENT

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Malabang,MindanaoLanao del Sur OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

HELPING FARMERS. The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation 12 distributed a total of PhP 346,384.00 worth of Indemnity Claim Checks to 61 Farmers of President Quirino for their damaged crops. Photo courtesy of Department of Agriculture

MC: Sept. 3, 10 & 17, 2022

MC: Aug. 27, Sept. 3 & 10, 2022

A. SAMAMA Asst. City Civil Registrar Officer-in-Charge MC: Aug. 27 & Sept. 3, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Region XII City Government of Cotabato OFFICE OF THE CITY 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), a notice is hereby served to the public that Lorie Castillon Ligutom has filed with this office a petition for correction of sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Lorie Castillon Ligutom who was born on October 24, 1988 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Leo A. Ligutom and FedelinaAnyCastillon.person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this(Sgd.)office.EDRES

EXTRAJUDICIALSETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ROSARIO BARTE BARTE and MATEO BARTE, who died on May 28, 1986 at Toril, Davao City and May 13, 1982 at Capayuran, Pigcawayan, Cotabato, respectively, a parcel of land Lot 3141-I, Psd-12002549, situated in Balogo, Pigcawayan, Cotabato, with an area of 15,948 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-60222 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Renie Jay Abad Soriano as per Doc. No. 401; Page No. 81; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2022.

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048/10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Nur-Hainie Cote Datumanong has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Nur-Hainy to Nur-Hainie and correction of sex from Male to Female in her certificate of live birth, who was born on June 13, 1993 at Malabang, Lanao del Sur and whose parents are Soraida T. Cote and Abdullah T. Datumanong.Anyperson adversely affected by said petition may, within ten (10) calendar days, file his written opposition with this(Sgd.)office.ASHRAF B. BAULO Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Sept. 3 & 10, 2022

PUBLICATIONOF

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late RODEL L. UNOS, who died on February 25, 2014 at Ermita, Manila, a parcel of land with residential building thereon Lot 29, Sheet 1, Block 16, (LRC) Pcs7123, covered by TCT No. T-37499, in Awang, Dinaig, Cotabato (now Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao) with an area of 350 sq. mts., more or less, is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Gapor G. Quituar as per Doc. No. 169; Page No. 34; Book No. LXX; Series of 2022.

Bomber slain in clash with Army

CHANGE OF COMMAND. Col. Roel Sermese (right) assumed as Maguindanao police director Thursday, replacing Col. Christopher Panapan in a simple rite at Camp SK Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao.

Motorist dead in Koronadal gun attack

September 3, 20228 THE MINDANAO CROSS

“Our troops were on patrol when they chanced upon the terrorist group,” Colonel Pangcog said in a statement. “The soldiers chased the BIFF who fled and mingled with the civilians in Barangay Damablac,” he added. Scouring the area, soldiers found a dead BIFF abandoned by his companions in the roadside. Soldiers also found an improvised bomb composed of two 60 mm mortars with Icom radio as triggering device.Acivilian was injured and later identified as Utain Kalatungan, 46. Soldiers rushed him to the Maguindanao provincial hospital for medication. Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, 6th Infantry Division commander, lauded the operating troops even as he warned BIFF that the Army is ready to use its might against them but its door remains open for those who would surrender peacefully. “The 6th ID is offering peace and the BIFF may avail of it soonest,” said Maj. Gen. Galido, also commander of Joint Task Force Central. Since January this year, five BIFF were killed, including the recent in Talayan town and 154 have surrendered to the government. Edwin Fernandez

Maguindanao has new police director

A bomber of Bangsamoro extremist armed group operating in Maguindanao was killed in a clash with government forces in Maguindanao Sunday, the ArmyColonelsaid. Oriel Pangcog, 601st Army brigade commander, said government troops were conducting patrol in the village of Damablac, Talayan, Maguindanao when it encountered about 20 heavily armed members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) at past 12 noon. A brief firefight ensued until the BIFF, under Bungos faction and led by Khadaffi Abdulatif, fled.

John Felix Unson

NPAs yield, claim Army opn makes life hard BFP foils huge fire at Phoenix gas station

TWO men were killed by a drinking buddy with a machete early this week in Barangay Barangiran here. Rolando Salcedo, 56, and the 70-year-old Felix Arigola, succumbed to serious multiple hack wounds while being rushed to a hospital. Brig. Gen. Jamili Macaraeg, director of the Police Regional Office 12, said Monday the duo and their attacker, Richel Nikor, were together drinking before the incident. Macaraeg said investigators have found out that the trouble started when they talked about the separation of Salcedo’s daughter and Nikor owing to his “vices” and being unemployed.Nikor,irked by Salcedo’s tirades, got a sharp machete from somewhere and attacked him and Arigola. The suspect, who first attempted to escape, was eventually arrested by responding policemen. John Felix Unson Mediation on Basilan MILF-MNLF conflict on TWO feuding groups that figured in a bloody showdown Tuesday at the border of Lamitan City and TipoTipo, Basilan have disengaged to pave the way for mediation by local authorities.Amember of the Moro National Liberation Front was killed in a clash with adversaries identified with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Tuesday morning in Sitio Bacud at the boundary of TipoTipo and Barangay Parangbasak, LamitanClassesCity.in two schools in the area have been suspended as a result of the hostilities, according to localBrig.officials.Gen. John Guyguyon, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters Wednesday the multi-sector Lamitan City peace and order council led by Mayor Roderick Furigay and the city and provincial police forces are now trying to resolve the dispute among MNLF and MILF members in Barangay Parangbasak. He said Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman has dispatched emissaries to both groups to help put closure to the Theconflict.deep-seated animosity between the two groups reportedly started after MILF members confiscated weeks prior assorted firearms and shabu from an MNLF member, Rey Disala, a resident of Barangay Parangbasak. The seized firearms and shabu were immediately turned over to the police in nearby Tipo-Tipo, Basilan. The two groups clashed on Tuesday morning using M16 and M14 assault rifles, sending villagers running for their lives John Felix Unson

Alert fire fighters prevented what could have been a disaster when it doused off a conflagration that hit a gasoline station in Maguindanao Monday night.

Photo courtesy of PRO-BAR

THE police seized firearms and assorted rifle parts and ammunition found in the house of a murder suspect who eluded arrest Wednesday. Juhari Jamael Barong, who has a pending murder case in the Regional Trial Court Branch 9 in Marawi City, had escaped before policemen and soldiers could surround his house in Barangay Bandira Buisan in Taraka, Lanao del Sur at about 3:00 a.m. Wednesday. The attempt to arrest Barong was jointly carried out by combined agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and personnel of units under Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office. Col. Jibin Bongcayao, Lanao del Sur police director, said Hanif Salic Jumail, who was inside Barong’s house when policemen came in to serve a warrant for his arrest, was immediately detained. The warrant was signed by Judge Sittie Laarni Umpa, who has not recommended any amount of bail for Barong's temporary release if he gets arrested. Bongcayao said the policemen who raided Barong’s residence found an M14 assault rifle, a .22 caliber Beretta pistol, magazines for AK 47 Kalashnikov rifle, gun parts and 17 rounds of .50 caliber machinegun ammunition. Bongcayao said Barong and Jumail shall be charged with illegal possession of firearms. Jumail is now clamped down in a police detention facility.

Battalion, Police Colonel Tom P Tuzon, Sultan Kudarat police provincial director, Michelle P. Peniero, social worker of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 12) and John Lebiga, Sultan Kudarat Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) focal person, welcomed them during surrender rites on Sunday at the 7th IB Headquarters in Barangay Bagumbayan,Kapaya,Sultan Kudarat.They turned in their rifles with ammunition. “Life has been hard in the mountain, especially with government forces launched operation against us,” one of the surrenderees named “Sheena” said. “The government is like a father who welcomes his child despite his decision to go against his family, the government welcomes back all its citizens who wish to live normal lives,” Lt. Colonel Chicote said. Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, 6th Infantry Division commander, lauded the operating troops for providing a venue for peace for communist rebels who wish to live normal lives. "So far, 114 Communist terrorists have surrendered to our troops, including their weapons, and 11 CTGs have been neutralized since January to date," Maj. Gen. Galido said, adding that the 6th ID and the government will remain open and will welcome NPAs who wish to peacefully surrender.

On Tuesday, Fire Inspector Ronald Ampang, fire marshall of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, said the conflagration started at about 7 p.m. Monday at a building near the pumping machines of Phoenix Gas Station. “Our initial investigation showed the fire could have been triggered by electrical issues,” Insp. Ampang said in a radio interview. He placed the cost of damages at about PHP100,000 but investigation is still going on and the amount of damages could be higher.No damages to petroleum products, AmpangAmpangsaid.said the timely reporting and response of personnel from Bureau of Fire Protection prevented what could be a disaster. Edwin O. Fernandez FIVE members of communist New People’s Army (NPA) have andvoluntarilysurrenderedtomilitarypoliceauthorities in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, claiming Army offensives made their lives hard in the 7thFrederickLieutenantmountains.ColonelMChicote,Infantry“Tapat”

Edwin O. Fernandez

COTABATO CITY — The new police director of Maguindanao assumed Thursday via a traditional command turnover rite at Camp SK Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao. Col. Roel Sermese took over from the outgoing Maguindanao police director, Col. Christopher Panapan during a simple program at the Maringal Lounge in Camp SK Pendatun, where the headquarters of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region is located. Officials of PROBAR told reporters the replacement of Panapan was not a consequence of Tuesday’s fatal ambush of the chief of police of Ampatuan town, Lt. Reynaldo Samson, and his aide, Cpl. Salipudin Endab. Samson, Endab and three others, M/Sgt. Renante Quinalayo and Corporals Rogelio Dela Cuesta, Jr. and Marc Clint Dayaday, were together in a patrol vehicle, en route to Barangay Kapinpilan in Ampatuan for a lawenforcement mission, when gunmen positioned along the road shot them with assault rifles. Quinalayo, Dela Cuesta and Dayaday were wounded in the attack, now confined in a hospital in Esperanza town in SultanPanapanKudarat.had served as police director of Lanao del Sur prior before he got to the helm of the Maguindanao provincial police, in acting capacity, shortly after the May 9, 2022 local and national elections. John Felix Unson

Guns found in murder suspect’s house 2 killed in gruesome machete attack

TWO men on a motorcycle killed with pistols motorist Arnold Bakason in an attack Tuesday night in Barangay Saravia, Koronadal City. Brig. Gen. Jamili Macaraeg, director of the Police Regional Office-12, said Wednesday investigators from the Koronadal police force are still trying to identify the culprits for prosecution. Koronadal City is the capital of South Cotabato province. Citing an initial report by probers, Macaraeg said Bakason and his wife, Irish Jonamae, were motoring through a stretch of a highway in Barangay Saravia when one of the two suspects trailing behind shot him with a pistol as they got close.Thesuspects alighted from their motorcycle and brutally finished Bakason off with more shots at close range before they fled. John Felix Unson