The Mindanao Cross | October 8, 2022

Days to Christmas

PEACEKEEPERS

By John Felix Unson

Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, police director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BAR), assured that the new police personnel deployed in this townare to secure the local communities tightly.

He said this town has a new municipal police chief, Major Janz Vladimir Hilarion who replaced Lt. Colonel Erwin Tabora.

More police and Army troopers

have been deployed here to serve as peacekeepers following the September 30 murder of Sinsuat, more known as “Datu Jam,” near a mosque.

Two were killed in the incident –Datu Jam and his still unidentified attacker. Darius, Datu Jam’s nephew was wounded in another shooting incident here hours later.

Sinsuat had just finished attending

UBJP, Mayor Lester condemn murder of “Datu Jam”

THE United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has condemned the murder of Datu Jamael “Datu Jam” Q. Sinsuat in Barangay Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat on Friday.

Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, UBJP secretary general, issued the condemnation after Datu Jam was shot dead outside a Mosque in Barangay Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat.

“We condemn the brutal killing of one of our Party leaders in Dalican,

By Edwin O. Fernandez

Datu Jam Q. Sinsuat, Sr,” Sinarimbo said.

Datu Jam was murdered On Sept. 30 as he stepped out of the mosque after the Friday congregational prayer in Poblacion Dalican.

He was a former Barangay Chair of Poblacion Dalican, DOS and was the mayoral candidate of the UBJP for Datu Odin Sinsuat town in the May 2022 elections.

“The UBJP notes with concern the continuing harassment and attack against its officials and

party leaders since the elections and immediately thereafter,” Sinarimbo said.

“We call on law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift and thorough investigation and immediately bring the perpetrators and everyone behind this to the bars of justice,” he added.

Mohaqher Iqbal, UBJP vice president, also condemned the attack, not only against Datu Jam, but also other party members the past days.

“We will take this as an affront,

Friday prayer and was to board his vehicle when he was approached and shot by the suspect from behind.

Sinsuat’s companions returned fire, killing the suspect instantly.

Local officials are certain the two separate incidents were related.

The father of Darius, Datu Bimbo, is an older sibling of the slain Sinsuat.

Guyguyon said there is now a

peacekeeping team here, composed of operatives from the Maguindanao Provincial Police and units directly under PRO-BAR.

Major Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Army personnel under a unit covering this town have also been positioned in strategic areas in support of PROBAR’s effort to prevent a repeat

Renewable Energy R&D up for BARMM journo’s ECP model

A GROUP of four professionals and a research group take the cudgels for the conduct of extensive studies on a Philippine patented energy conversion model (ECM) developed by a journalist covering the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

A private institution in a partnership endeavor with the government will organize and fund a one-year research on an 8.66 kVA ECM developed by journalist Nash B.

Maulana, a columnist of The Mindanao Cross in Cotabato City, and a news correspondent for the Manila Standard.

The partnership will enable a group of three engineers, and a social scientist from Manila, to study Maulana’s model, by considering a full-scale development, among others, and to explain its social impact.

Chemical Engineer Mc Erschad Pabillan from the University of the Philippines in Diliman said he will be assigned to study

the sizing, rating, chemical makeup and reactions in an energy storage when used in Maulana’s Electricity Conversion Program (ECP) on an industrial scale. He said the two other members of his team are one electrical engineer and a mechanical engineer, both from Mindanao.

A source privy to the team’s preparation activities said the studies will be up to respond to a Call-for-Proposal the government had earlier posted for procurement

By Sr. Maria Luz Fernandez, OND

TAMONTAKA, Maguindanao – Sr. Telma Caniga Argate, OND, peacefully returned to our Creator on October 1, 2022, the feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, at the St. Therese Care Home of the Oblates of Notre Dame in Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsaut, Maguindanao.

Sr. Telma was born on September 28, 1949 in Abuyog, Leyte to Mr. Agripino Argate and Mrs. Eleuteria Caniga. She is the second child of five siblings with three sisters and only one brother.

She was twenty years old when she left her family and joined the Oblates of Notre Dame in Cotabato in 1967, made the first

vows of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience on May 4, 1969, and the perpetual profession on May 19, 1976.

Her personal motto, “Lead me Lord" captures her humble disposition to be of service for God’s mission through her engagements in the OND ministries.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC affirmed this saying, “Sr. Telma was a teacher, radio announcer, NGO worker, public speaker, campus minister, vocation directress.

Moreover, one thread runs through all these tapestry of ministries -- her love for children. Perhaps, it was because

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao - Security remained tight in this municipality to stave off any incident like last week’s murder of a political leader here, Datu Jamael “Datu Jam” Sinsuat, former village chair and mayoral aspirant of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).

Photo courtesy of MOH BARMM

BEST DESIGN. This BARMM booth during the 33rd Philippine Travel Mart held at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia won the “Best Booth Design” (regional and provincial level) and “Peoples Choice Award.”

Photo courtesy of Gurlie Frondoza

MILF has over 400 amnesty applicants ahead of NAC creation

THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has processed application folders for amnesty, ahead of the national government’s organizing of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC).

More than 400 processed amnesty application folders of MILF members were submitted here Tuesday by the Action for the Advancement and Development of Mindanao, (AFADMin) to the MILF Peace Implementing Panel.

It can be recalled that then President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation 1090 February 5, 2021 granting amnesty and pardon to MILF members charged with crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and other Philippine special penal laws for criminal offenses committed “in furtherance of their political belief.” Proclamation 1090 creates for the purpose, a sevenmember National Amnesty Commission (NAC), but which has not yet been constituted up until now.

Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, as chairman of the MILF Implementing Panel received the application folders together with Engr. Mohajirin

Ali, panel secretariat chairman, from AFADMin, a nongovernment organization.

Representatives of the organizations involved said the amnesty application folders were processed through the Bangsamoro Amnesty and Assistance (BAPA) Project with the support from The Asia Foundation CARE for Peace Program and has been implemented by AFADMin), Inc.

Duterte particularly signed Proclamations 1091 granting the same for members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and Proclamation 1092 for New People’s Army (NPA) and Proclamation 1093 for members of the Alex Bongcayao Brigade.

The seven-member NAC will be tasked, among others, to draft and adopt the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of a National Amnesty Program covered by the three Presidential Proclamations.

“Kagi Murad” brings P43-M economic package to Basilan

THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) signs up for a P43 million economic support development package, with Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim bearing the torch of the region’s TABANG Flagship Program in Basilan.

Ebrahim witnessed the signing of memorandums of agreement (MOA) between Basilan local chief executives (LCEs) and BARMM agencies, including BARMM’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government.

Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said the MILG and other BARMM agencies form part of the multiagency component of Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (Tabang), a BARMM Program under the Office of Chief Minister.

Irene Fernandez-Gonzales, who hosts “Sindaw,” the MILG-based multimedia broadcast program, said Sinarimbo signed for various local governance programs of the MILG, with LCEs.

Gonzales said the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) also currently leads distribution of 2,700 bags in normalized communities populated by families of former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Residents and local officials said many of the beneficiaries are families displaced by decades of armed conflict, including bloody incidents wrought by pseudo extremism and the government’s response against brigandage and terrorism by the dreaded Abu Sayyaf in the past.

The MILG and other BARMM line agencies also mounted public service booths at Basilan’s Provincial Capitol ground to closely engage potential beneficiaries of government programs and projects, in a bid to bring the regional governance closer to the people, BARMM officials said.

The service booths also share information publicly as to how the locals may avail of services and projects of the BARMM Ministryagencies.

“If we can achieve a firm unity, we will realize the goals of BARMM governance. One of the principles that we the pushing in the Bangsamoro Governance is how to bring the programs and services of the Bangsamoro Government, especially in the remote areas that are not easily reached by the services that they truly deserve,” Ebrahim said in Filipino.

The MILG BARMM took to the island province its Bangsamoro Local Economic Support Services (BLESS) Program, providing infrastructure support projects. The MILG’s Local Economic Enterprises (LEE) is designed to enable LGUs to translate some of their local functions into corporate powers—both being pursuant to the BARMM Chief Minister’s 12-Point Priority Agenda.

MOAs covered for the BLESS Program included a PHP15.5-Million worth of public market building with a mezzanine to be constructed in the municipality of Al-Barka.

Al-Barka Municipal Administrator Mahmoud Kitabin signed the BLESS MOA for Mayor Jaydeefar J. Lajid, with Sinarimbo during the Project

TABANG Convergence activity in Basilan, officially witnessed by the BARMM Chief Minister.

A similar MOA for the same infrastructure project was also signed between the MILG and Mayor Roderick H. Furigay for the City of Lamitan.

The public markets are expected to boost the economic activities and development in the island province, as the Bangsamoro government also brings more government services to the island provinces of the BARMM.

Meanwhile, an MILG MOA with Tabuan Lasa was also signed for the operation and maintenance of a Desalination Plant Project between the MILG.

Municipal Mayor Moner S. Manisan signed for the local government of Tabuan-Lasa for the PHP12-Million desalination machine in the area which has been completed and turned over earlier this year, Gonzales said.

Sinarimbo said the machine uses reverse osmosis technology to separate water molecules from seawater, which leads to more accessible and safe drinking water for residents of coastal communities.

In working collaboration with local authorities, Gonzales said MILG’s ongoing infrastructure projects in Basilan also include the construction of the Municipal Police Station (MPS) Building in Hadji Muhammad Ajul; as awell as the construction of one story Public Market with a mezzanine in the municipalities of Lantawan, Tuburan, and Ungkaya Pukan. Nash B. Maulana

Renewable Energy R&D up for BARMM journo’s ECP...from P1

in the sector of industrial, energy and emerging technology research and development (IEERD) in the Bangsamoro Region.

Pabilllan said he and his peers of science and technology (S&T) researchers will be working for the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS) on an S&T research grant. The ultimate objective is to develop a full-scale model for a Research and Development output after one year, he said.

The IBS plans to connect the researchers with academic institutions to effectuate the conduct of studies on three known ECP models here and abroad, including Maulana’s

8.66kVA utility model abstract.

Maulana, a former correspondent of the Inquirer, had earlier disclosed that his model of a Tri-Mode-Power Generation (T-MPG) System is a hybrid of marine-RV ECP prototype for renewable energy development (RED).

He said the model can also be expanded with a gearbox mechanism designed for a small-scale hydropower turbine, as established in a Research and Development (R&D) project on marine electricity conversion program (MECP) presented in a Sweden conference paper on renewable energy, in Portugal in 2007.

A member of the team, asking

that he be not identified for this story, said Maulana has recommended for the team’s scope of study the 5kVA Sweden Experience, as well as the 2005 Taiwan Model of batteryrun power generator. Both designs have unwittingly preceded the ECP narratives of Maulana’s T-MPG System, the third published patent abstract on transport-based ECP model for a RED.

Maulana, however, added that any R&D efforts should “not extend” the design to external community looping distribution, so as not to create early “conflict” with power utilities on issues like “islanding.”

Edwin O. Fernandez

UBJP, Mayor Lester condemn murder of “Datu Jam”...from P1

not only to the UBJP, but also against the instrumentalities of the government,” Iqbal, also education minister of BARMM, said in a statement.

To the family of Datu Jam, Minister Iqbal said: “Rest assured that the UBJP will not turn its back to the family of a fallen comrade.”

“It bears to note that the place of incident was just few meters away from DOS municipal police station,” Iqbal said.

Aside from Datu Jam, a defeated UBJP mayoral aspirant in Datu Odin Sinsuat during last May’s local polls, also killed was his attacker and a civilian hit by stray bullets.

Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Lester Sinsuat also condemned the murder of his uncle.

“I, my family together with all the constituents of the Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, strongly condemn in the highest form the brutal killing of my uncle, Datu Jamael Q. Sinsuat, in broad daylight right after the Friday Jumuah Prayer,” Mayor Sinsuat said in a statement.

“This cruel and cowardly act should hold no place in our society and community, as such, we are calling on the authorities to immediately conduct an extensive investigation of this matter to make the perpetrators answerable for this dastardly deed,” he said.

The turnover ceremonies were also witnessed by Member of Parliament Atty. Lanang Ali, Jr. of the MILF Technical Working Group (TWG). Sam Chittick, the TAF Philippines Country Representative, as well as by representatives of the AFADMin, Inc. AHJAG Chair Anwar Alamada, Butch Malang, chairman of the JointCoordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCH) and local journalists.

Supported by TAF Philippines, the AFADMin, Inc. helped the MILF Technical Working Group (TWG) as well as the AHJAG and the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), process the application folders of those MILF members who are criminally charged for offenses committed incidental to the pursuit of rebellion, the AFADMin said in a statement. Nash B. Maulana

BARMM solon wants separate tourism ministry

THE tourism industry in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is rapidly growing and there is a need for one full ministry in BARMM to focus on tourism.

With this in mind, Member of Parliament Amir Mawallil has filed a BTA Proposed Bill No. 13 or “An Act Creating the Ministry of Tourism, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes.”

Currently, tourism and is a part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism (MTIT).

This bill was filed to bring focus to the burgeoning tourism industry in the autonomous

region, Mawallil said.

"The bill seeks to establish a separate ministry for tourism by dividing the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism (MTIT) into two ministries: the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry,” he said.

Under this proposed measure, MP Mawallil said, the Ministry of Tourism shall be the agency responsible for encouraging, promoting, and developing tourism as a major socio-economic activity to generate revenue and employment, as well as spreading the benefits of tourism across a wider segment of the Bangsamoro population.

Edwin O. Fernandez

Peacekeepers now in...from P1

of Friday’s two violent incidents that forced a number of families to evacuate to safer areas.

He said soldiers dispatched here to help the

local police maintain law and order are coordinating closely their security missions with the newlyinstalled municipal police chief.

NOTICE OF LOSS

This is to inform the public that St. Peter Life Plan Inc. Official Receipt series # 1431201-1431250 issued to Daisy Mae B. Llejes was misplaced and declared lost.

Any transactions entered into using the above receipt will not be honored by the management.

Pope Francis shares...from P4

“Through her, God directed the world to seek salvation in his mercy. Let us remember this especially today, thinking especially of the war in Ukraine,” he said in his greeting to Polishspeaking pilgrims.

Pope Francis reminded

Hours after the shooting that occurred few meters away from the town hall and Datu Odin police station, another shootout transpired, according to Major Reggie Abellera, Maguindanao police spokesperson.

Abellera said the shootout could be related to the murder of Sinsuat Sr.

Colonel Roel Sermese, Maguindanao police director, assured the people of Datu Odin Sinsuat that the police is on top of the situation.

“We placed our police in the entire town under heighted alert,” Colonel Sermese said.

The public market of Poblacion Dalican turned like a “ghost town” as residents stayed in their homes for fear of violence.

people of his appeal for Ukraine in his Angelus address on Sunday and added: “We trust in God’s mercy, which can change hearts, and in the maternal intercession of the Queen of Peace.” Courtney Mares/ Catholic News Agency

Visible around town are police checkpoints, soldiers backed by armored personnel carrier are stationed near the town hall and public market.

“Rest assured that the individuals behind this incident will be pursued until each one of them will be found to face proper charges,” Colonel Sermese said.

“To the people of Maguindanao, your Police are already on the ground to secure your safety especially the constituents of Dalican.

“Bear with us as we prioritize your safety and welfare, we also appeal for your cooperation and support,” he told residents of Datu Odin and the province.

Simunul farmers get FMR project from MAFAR

BONGAO, TAWI-TAW I – Some farmers and the residents of Barangay Panglima Mastul benefit from the concreted 4 kilometers of Farm to Market Road (FMR) after the Regional Project Coordination Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao finally turned over to the Municipal Local Government Unit of Simunul.

On September 26, Mohammad S. Yacob, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform and Deputy Project Director Ammal D. Solaiman led the turnover ceremony of the road

project worth P42.43 million.

The Simunul is one of the top cassava producing towns of Tawi-Tawi, but due to inaccessible roads, cassava farmers in the Barangay Panglima Mastul suffered from rough and muddy roads; it was tough for them to get to their farms, especially during rainy seasons.

Difficult road conditions discouraged them from farming because transporting their goods to the market entails time, money and efforts and normally ended up damaging their farm products.

When the Philippine Rural Development

Project started the concreting of Panglima Mastul FMR in 2018, many farmers began to see hope that their rough road would finally be replaced with a concrete one.

This project will benefit more or less 4,958 individual beneficiaries or 720 households. Farms would be more accessible, and crop harvest would be easier to transport.

Indeed, concreating this road eases not only the burden of farmers from product transportation, opens economic opportunities, and brings a brighter future for their children. MAFAR BARMM

AFFIDAVIT OF SELFADJUDICATION

DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Anita Asejo Cabang has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Amorcia to Anita in the certificate of live birth of Amorcia Sarcon Asejo who was born on December 7, 1957 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Francisco A. Asejo and Visitacion M. Sarcon.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato.

(Sgd.) NORAH B. CABUGWASON Municipal Civil Registrar

Notice is hereby given that the late Marilou C. Casuela who died intestate on September 18, 2017 at Libungan, Cotabato, left a bank deposit with Landbank of the Philippines under SA Account No. 10062654-01 is subject of affidavit of selfadjudication before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1203; Page No. 32; Book No. XCIV; Series of 2022B.

Notice is hereby given that the late GENARO BALLANO, who died intestate, left a parcel of land Lot 8539-A (portion of Lot 8539, Pls135), containing an area of 40,438 sq. mts., more or less is subject of deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Antonio F. Diocera as per Doc. No. 318; Page No. 65; Book No. I; Series of 2014.

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Faisal Dagloc Sabpa has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Arthur to Faisal in the birth certificate of Athur Dagloc Sabpa who was born on June 12, 1982 at Cotabato City and whose parents are Datuumbra Sabpa and Susan Dagloc.

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

(Sgd.) EDRES A. SAMAMA

Asst. City Civil Registrar Officer-in-Charge

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Levie L. Acosta has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Levie A. Laguipo who was born on 10 January 1965 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Bartolome Laguipo and Gertrudes Abragan.

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

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO

Acting City Civil Registrar

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Regie A. Agustin has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Regie C. Agio who was born on 27 August 1992 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Romeo E. Agio and Rosita M. Cariño.

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

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO

City Civil Registrar

Republic

Province of Cotabato City of

Republic

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

Republic of the Philippines Province of Cotabato Municipality of Midsayap

REGISTRY

Bishop urges faithful to ‘empty selves,’ serve society

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan said Catholics are called to follow the example of Jesus’ “self-emptying act.”

“We are usually so full of ourselves. I don’t believe that we can be empowered to participate in the life and mission of Christ if we are full of ourselves,” said the prelate in a radio interview.

Bishop David said his diocese is “preoccupied with transforming” parishes from “maintenance to

mission.”

“We get used to maintaining our parish just like how we got used to them,” he said. “Our parishes are still effective, but they are old and tired institutions that also need renewing.”

“We have grown to be self-referential, and very churchy in our languages,” said Bishop David, who is also president of the country’s bishops’ conference.

“Even our ministries

are all very churchy,” he said.

He said he finds it funny when church institutions “invite people to serve the Church,” adding that “the mission is not about asking people to serve the Church.”

“I think the mission is asking the faithful to serve society as part of a servant Church,” said Bishop David.

He said serving society as part of the servant Church has consequences.

Filipinos to bring results of synodal consultations to Asian bishops’ meeting

THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines will present the result of its synodal consultations to the 50th general assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC).

“We will share the lessons and realizations of the Philippine Catholic Church to other churches in Asia,” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, chairperson of the Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice, and Peace of the bishops’ conference.

He told LiCAS News that the synodal process will be one of the “highlights” in the celebration of the 50th year of the founding of FABC.

“It is timely that the celebration of the 50th year of FABC coincided with Pope Francis’ Synod on Synodality,” said Bishop Bagaforo.

He said Asian bishops “will definitely talk about the directions we will take in the next 50 years,” adding that it will be “much influenced by the results of the synodal process.”

The FABC will hold its general assembly in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 12-30 this year.

The meeting, which will mark the 50th anniversary of its foundation, will be reflecting on “the re-emerging and emerging realities and challenges of the Church in Asia.”

Bishop Bagaforo said the “realities” that the Church in Asia “are definitely reflected already in the findings of the synodal process” of the different countries.

He said he is looking forward to a “fruitful discussion on inter-religious dialogue,” which the FABC is known to have

a “well-coordinated in the implementation of its program.”

“We want the next generation of Catholic leaders to learn, to be comfortable, and to venture together with other religions in Asia,” said the prelate.

He said Catholic Church in the Philippines “has benefited much from the experiences of other bishops’ conferences in Asia.”

Another issue that he said “will be strongly discussed” during the FABC meeting is the “wider participation of the laity.”

“I think in all countries in Asia, the participation of the laity is a common topic,” said Bishop Bagaforo. “The general conference is a perfect venue to discuss it,” he said.

Bishop Bagaforo said the “great challenge” that the Church in Asia faces is “evangelization, or how to make Christ more present in the lives of the people.”

“We are not talking about conversion here. We are talking about how the Catholic Church will make Christ known and make His presence be felt by Asian people in the next 50 years,” he said.

Over 150 bishops representing 29 countries, three rites — Latin, SyroMalabar, and Syro-Malankara — and 19 episcopal conferences, as well as lay faithful, are expected to attend the FABC meeting.

The FABC was established in November 1970 on the occasion of Pope Paul VI’s visit to the Philippines.

The federation’s 50th anniversary was in 2020 but the celebration was rescheduled to 2022 because of the pandemic. Licas News

In the first reading and the gospel reading today, we learn of the situation of the lepers. In the first reading, Naaman the Syrian commander and a foreigner in the eyes of the Jews, was healed of his leprosy after consulting with the prophet Elisha and bathing in the Jordan river. In thanksgiving he promised to worship Yahweh alone and build an altar back in his native place. The gospel reading tells us the familiar story of the ten lepers who were cured when they appealed to Jesus. They were all cured . Only one of the ten came back to thank Jesus for his healing. He was another foreigner.

The lesson in these stories is clear. Let us be thankful to God for whatever blessings we receive. The lepers in the stories had so much to thank God. During their times, there was no cure yet for leprosy. Those suffering from this disease were therefore isolated from the community so that they would not infect others. If they are approached by people they have to shout, “I am a leper, do not come near.” Leprosy was not just a physical illness. It was a social disease. Remember the height of the COVID pandemic when we were so afraid of infection that we avoid people who sneeze or who cough? Those who caught COVID were immediately isolated in the hospitals, and they die without the comfort of relatives or even priests at their bedside. They are immediately cremated and the household is quarantined.

Leprosy is now curable by modern medicines and the leprosarium or sanitarium have been abolished. Those with leprosy are treated at home. I know something about this disease having said mass for lepers for more than ten years and assisting in rehabilitating and relocating them when the medicines were obtainable. However other diseases have taken

“To be able to respond to it, you have to put your life on the line because you are taking risks,” said the prelate, citing his experience during the government’s “war on drugs.”

He said attacks and harassments from those who are in power are expected as “consequences of holding on to our spiritual and moral stand as a church in defending human life.” Mark Saludes/ Licas.News

VATICAN— Pope Francis shared a spiritual life hack for discernment at his general audience on Wednesday.

Speaking in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 5, the pope said that the “spiritual life, too, has its passwords.”

Just like on one’s computer, where “we know how important it is to know the password in order to get into the programs where the most personal and valuable information is stored,” the pope said that discernment requires unlocking “the passwords of our heart.”

Pope Francis underlined that “self-knowledge” is key to discernment. When discerning whom to marry or whether one is called to be a priest or religious sister, the pope said it is important to know what one’s heart is most sensitive to protect oneself from temptation.

He said the devil “knows these passwords well, and it is important that we know them too, so as not to find ourselves where we do not want to be.”

“Temptation does not necessarily suggest bad things, but often disordered things, presented with

the place of leprosy for their severity and debilitating social consequences. COVID and AIDS are the new dreaded diseases. The cures for these have not been perfected yet. They are on experimental basis.

We do not have to undergo and be cured from such serious diseases or escape from serious calamities in order to be thankful. Of course, the bigger the blessing, the more we should be thankful. There are blessings which we take for granted: waking up in the morning, being able to work, having a happy family, being able to come to mass, these are blessings for which we can be thankful. I once heard a bishop say grace before meals this way, “Thank you Lord for the gift of having food and we can eat, while others have food but cannot eat, while still others can eat but have no food.” No wonder that our parents were always telling us when we were children, “Consume all your food, and be thankful because many are hungry.”

We can then ask ourselves what blessings, great or small have we received from God? Only when a person recognizes his blessings can he be thankful. Begin with the gift of your life, the gift of your senses, physical abilities and your intellect. Then go outward to your circle of loved ones, your family and friends, then the blessings of your livelihood and work, the blessings of your church community and the services you are able to contribute to the community. Like St. Francis of Assisi , we can thank God for the air, the sunshine, the oceans and rivers, the moon and the stars, and all the wonder of God’s creation. There is so much to thank God for. When our faith is stronger we can even see beyond our sickness and misfortunes and see through them God’s blessings. Be thankful always.

excessive importance,” the pope said.

“They can be, for example, degrees, careers, relationships, all things that are in themselves praiseworthy, but towards which, if we are not free, we risk having unrealistic expectations, such as the confirmation of our worth. …

From this misunderstanding often comes the greatest suffering, because none of those things can be the guarantee of our dignity,” he said.

Pope Francis recommended the practice of an “examination of conscience” to learn and note “what we give most importance to” in daily choices.

Above all, he said that it is crucial to understand what truly “satiates the heart.”

“For only the Lord can give us confirmation of what we are worth. He tells us this every day from the cross: he died for us, to show us how precious we are in his eyes. There is no obstacle or failure that can prevent his tender embrace,” he said.

The pope’s reflection

was part of a weekly catechesis series on spiritual discernment that he launched on Aug. 31.

Pope Francis noted that “underlying spiritual doubts and vocational crises” is often a lack of self-knowledge.

The pope quoted Thomas Green’s book on discernment, “Weeds Among the Wheat”: “I have come to the conviction that the greatest obstacle to true discernment (and to real growth in prayer) is not the intangible nature of God, but the fact that we do not know ourselves sufficiently, and do not even want to know ourselves as we really are. Almost all of us hide behind a mask, not only in front of others, but also when we look in the mirror.”

Pope Francis added: “Forgetfulness of God’s presence in our life goes hand in hand with ignorance of ourselves … ignorance of our personality traits and our deepest desires.”

At the end of his general audience, Pope Francis recalled that the Church celebrates the feast of St. Faustina Kowalska on Oct. 5. P2

Daily Scripture Readings

Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Kings 5.14-17; 2 Timothy 2.8-13; Luke 17.11-19

Mon Tue Wed

Thu Fri Sat

Readings: no. 467, p. 1664

1st Reading: Galatians; 4.22-24, 26-27, 31 – 5.1 Gospel: Luke 11.29-32

Readings: no. 468, p. 1666

1st Reading: Galatians 5.1-6 Gospel: Luke 11.37-41

Readings: no. 469, p. 1667

1st Reading: Galatians 5.18-25 Gospel: Luke 11.42-46

Readings: no. 470, p. 1669

1st Reading: Ephesians 1.1-10 Gospel: Luke 11.47-54

Readings: no. 471, p. 1671

1st Reading: Ephesians 1.11-14 Gospel: Luke 12.1-7

Readings: no. 472, p. 1673 or no. 657, p. 1853

1st Reading: Ephesians 1.15-23 Gospel: Luke 12.8-12

A Catholic bishop in

capital

faithful

Church”

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, at the Manila Cathedral on Sept. 26, 2022.

Pope Francis shares a spiritual life hack: Know the passwords’ of your heart

Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Manila

Depreciation of the Peso: Cause for Panic?

Since the start of the Duterte administration, the economy has been in the upswing due to his build, build, build program. Of course, this would incur a lot of expenditures, and would have an impact in our financial system. Although our financial wizards seem to be comfortable with the status of our economy, they did not foresee that there are other factors coming in. One of these is the COVID pandemic which affected not only this country but almost all countries as well.

The pandemic itself was a cause of alarm in financial circles because of the money spent to beef up the health sector. It wasn’t only the Philippines that had to put its resources to provide health service to its citizens; it had to purchase the needed vaccines to put a stop to the spread of COVID. We do not produce vaccines and had to wait for more developed countries who have the capability to sell their products to us. Thus, despite assurances from the government that it has made the necessary purchases, there was a lag time before the health sector went full force in spreading the vaccines.

During the height of the pandemic, we focused so much in fighting the decease, that the financial sector was not bothered of its effect on the economy. Now that the pandemic has slowed down, we are now witnessing the depreciation of the peso. Exactly after the elections were over.

The election was another factor that has historically affected the stability of the economy. We are currently witnessing the depreciation of the peso, a phenomenon that happens after every election. An indicator of this is the extent that the peso compares to the dollar which this week has already gone down to P59 to $1.

In a floating exchange rate system, a currency’s value goes up (or down) if the demand for it goes up more (or less) than the supply does. In the short run this can happen unpredictably for a variety of reasons. For example, an increase in purchases of foreign goods by home country residents (in our recent case, the buying of COVID vaccines) will cause a surge in demand for foreign currency with which to pay for those goods. This has caused a depreciation of the peso vis a vis the dollar.

Fortunately, our OFWs remittances is keeping the economy stable. But how long can we keep this economy afloat? Now, we are suffering from inflation, food shortages, and of course climate change. But as they say, we Filipinos are full of patience. Still, it is about time that the government go into crisis management. Help us monitor the movement of the peso in the money market. Even if this favors our export oriented industries, and our OFWs, it is high time that we control inflation. Pity the poor people who are now wallowing in poverty.

Mt.

Apo is known to most as the highest peak in the Philippines. It is a tourism destination to many, the mecca of Philippine mountain trekking. A recent development in Mt. Apo’s eco-tourism and adventure lure is the organization of adventure races and trail runs along its challenging trails.

But Mt. Apo is much more than that.

It is known to the indigenous Manobo as Sondawa, and is regarded as an ancestor spirit by the various tribes living in the foothills, including the Obo, Manobo Bagobo, Manobo Apao, Tagabawa, Matigsalug, Ata, Arumanen, Tinananen, Kulamanen, Tagakaulo and Kagan. The mountain is considered sacred grounds.

Mt. Apo is home to over 272 bird species, 111 of which are endemic to the area, including one of the world’s largest eagles, the critically endangered Philippine eagle, which is the country’s national bird. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources considers Mt. Apo as the center of endemism in Mindanao having one of the highest land-based biological diversity in terms of flora and fauna. It has three distinct forest formations, from lowland tropical rainforest, to mid-mountain forests, and finally to high mountain forests. It is also a headwaters catchment area of several major river systems.

On May 9, 1936, Mount Apo was declared a National Park by way of Proclamation No. 59 followed by Proclamation No. 35 of May 8, 1966, and Proclamation No. 882 of September 24, 1996. With the approval of Republic Act 9237 on February 3, 2004, Mount Apo was established as a protected area under the category of Natural Park.

Tourism itself has become a bane to Mt. Apo, ecotourism turned eco-thrashing instead. In a trail and camp assessment early last year, DENR and officials and personnel from Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental noted the non-observance of proper waste disposal along the trails and campsites. Trash found by the monitoring team included empty soda bottles, water bottles, and face masks. Every year, volunteers bring down hundreds of kilos of trash from Mt. Apo during clean-up drives.

In the midst of all these, it is therefore inspiring to know that there are efforts to protect and reforest Mt. Apo and its environs. In 2009, Mt. Apo Foundation Inc. with the support of various organizations and institutions, and aided by volunteers, started reforestation initiatives in the Maag and Venado areas. 13,700 seedlings of endemic

ATTHE time we wrote about our e-exchanges with MP Diamila Jam Didimban-Ramos on BARMM’s need for a jumpstart through renewable energy development (RED), House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo rose to her old Presidential stand of “supporting a stronger international cooperation in Science and Technology”.

Much appreciated has been MP Jam’s institutional response to my post about the national government’s grant of patent to my ECP (electricity conversion program) model.

Unwittingly on the same date, the former President asked the participants of a science and technology (S&T) innovation forum in China to look through “ways of strengthening international exchanges and cooperation to contribute to the creation of a community with a shared future for mankind.”

Indeed, in the last year of President Diosdado Macapagal’s elective term, the Congress passed Republic Act 3850, creating the Philippine Inventors’ Commission (PIC) under the National Science Development Board (NSDB) in 1964.

“It is fitting that this international innovation forum looks at strengthening international exchanges and cooperation in science and technology and contributing to the creation of a community with a shared future for mankind,” Congresswoman Arroyo said in her video message at the opening ceremony of the BFA-2nd International Science and Technology Innovation Forum (ISTIF) on Sept. 28.

As ever, for her part, MP Jam is very articulate in her advocacy for peace and her dedication to culture and women’s rights—over and above her expressed support to renewable energy development (RED) efforts for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Jam reaches out via friends-connect, and I have recommended to her the hosting in the Parliament of a forum of continuing engagement between the BARMM Legislature and Executive Offices on one side, and the vanishing sector of traditional technology on the other side, on issues around science and technology and efforts towards renewable energy development in BARMM.

hinking A loud

Tinikaran trees were planted in a total of 13 hectares in the two sites.

Last Tuesday, September 27, an agreement was forged between the Inter-Cultural Organization Network for Solidarity and Peace, Mount Apo Foundation, and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office –Cotabato to address gaps in protection and conservation in the protected areas of the country’s highest mountain.

Cotabato PENRO Chief Renato Domingo signed a Memorandum of Agreement with ICON-SP Executive Director Jocelyn H. Aquiatan and MAFI Executive Director Armando C. Pacudan for the diversification, enhancement and beautification of the open spaces in the boundaries and laterals of the natural park. As an initial move, a 5 km. forest strip plantation will be established in the eastward portion of Barangay Bongolanon alongside its adjacent Barangay Kinarum in Magpet, Cotabato classified as Strict Protected Zone by the Protected Area Management Board. It will involve tree planting and tree growing activities using a variety of Agoho tree, a fast-growing specie which once fully grown is expected to give a mountainy feel to the Mount Apo landscape, as well as help stop soil erosion by creating natural hold and absorption for water, improve soil structure and prevent incidents of flash floods affecting nearby upland dwellers and communities.

The project also calls for the training and organization of Bantay-Gubat tree guards to ensure the survival of planted trees.

According to ICON-SP, MAFI and DENR, environmental advocates, organizations and individuals are welcome to participate as volunteers to the project.

More of these and less destructive activities are no doubt what we need in Mt. Apo. It is after all more than just a tourism destination, especially for us here in Mindanao.

A local forum has to be, and is envisaged to evolve into a sustainable venue of intellectual and lay exchanges between the two sectors, torn apart by decades of differing career and professional preferences—and the lack of opportunity to be in one forum.

Regionally, in Asia the ISTIF is sponsored by the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), the Asian equivalent of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Arroyo has been a member of the BFA Board of Directors for several years and has been often asked to speak at various BFA-sponsored fora.

As an avid user and consumer of products of technology and innovation, Ms. Arroyo said she is awed “…that what begins as a figment of human imagination transforms into creative design and translates into useful products that eventually pervade and persist in our lives through innovation.”

“Progressive nations today enjoy multiple dimensions and degrees of freedom, to create, design, invent and innovate, to develop new products, processes, and systems useful to society,” adding that such nations have “great capacity to grow by the seeds of innovation, because they invested through the decades in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in order to enhance the knowledge and education of the populace, from youth to post-retirement.”

Modern societies that have supported “life-long learning of the basic foundations of scientific knowledge and creative design and systems thinking have built a robust human workforce of S&T experts and competent and skilled workers.”

COTABATO

than just a tourism destination

enlight

entertain doubts and suspicion on the Grand Lotto draw that had for the first time 433 winning bettors of P236 million divided equally. The lucky winning combinations were 09-45-36-27-18-54 that when meticulously perused is divisible by nine.

is the skeletal system?’(part

There are two types of ossification: intramembranous and endochondral. Intramembranous

epiphysis as the articular cartilage and another area of cartilage remains between the epiphysis and diaphysis. This is the epiphyseal plate or growth region.

Bone Growth

PUBLIC

servants must be role models in having to walk their talk for the greater good not much for a show but for the glory of God the Creator of all things. For with God, who can be against them?

Visible in less than a hundred days of the Marcos presidential reign, three of his lawyer Cabinet members resigned. Atty. Victor Rodriguez stepped down as Executive Secretary due to sugar/rice importation controversy but reappointed as presidential chief of staff which he accepted.

Press Secretary Atty. Trixie CruzAngeles, who also heads of the Presidential Communications Operations Office and COA Chair Atty. Jose Calida, both have to officially quit their posts for health reasons as confirmed by newly installed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

If taken into account with veracity to prioritize good health than any other is being true to form that indeed health is wealth no doubt. And to aspire for life eternal is eternity indeed. But how?

In government or private life, transparency and accountability before God and men must be intact, for anything short and deliberate is dishonesty or corruption, a hindrance to attain life everlasting.

As a biblical premise with the LORD of lords, nothing hidden that will not be exposed that some lawmakers are against proposal in congress to allow so-called “confidential funds.” Prompting Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman to quip, “Confidential funds breed corruption” in reference to the proposed P500 million allotted for the Office of the Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Commission on Audit has a role to play. As in a fair play, it must not only justify but equitable to all. Well, earthly life is distant apart from the hereafter when the LORD will judge humanity regardless of who we are, but what we have done for God and countrymen. We can’t hide and be hypocrites, for the eyes of God are everywhere and He alone sees the heart of each one of us.

A lot of Filipinos rejoice while others

Lawmakers led by exPolice chief and former senator Panfilo Lacson described the mind-boggling Lotto draw as “highly improbable if not impossible.”

We may congratulate them as lucky but not blessed in God’s standard because gambling is abominable to Him. Look at the much talked about POGO, a Chineseoperated gambling den that PH authorities recently banned despite its huge revenues to government due to mounting illegal and criminal activities.

We were saddened by the sudden demise of a radio commentator whom fellow journalists described as critical to the then Duterte presidency and the now Marcos dispensation. Metro Manila-based broadcast journalist Percival Carag Mabasa, popularly known as “Percy Lapid” was shot dead on his way home in Las Pinas City by still unknown gunman.

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines in a statement condemns the bloody attack as it cries for justice. Mabasa is the second member of the Fourth Estate murdered in less than a month. On September 18, Rey Blanco, another radio newsman of Mabinay, Negros Oriental was stabbed to death, according to NUJP. That during its indignation rally in Manila cried out loud – “Stop the killings! Defend press freedom.”

As a journalist that upholds truth devoid of malice and ill-will, go ahead. It’s for free, for anything done in the name of Truth, will set us free in any controversy. Legitimate hardhitting media practitioners are free to exercise such press freedom as a constitutional right with a calculated risk caution that such right is not absolute. Thus, the need to be a responsible scribe or journalist. To all and sundry, respect that’s genuine is earned not imposed for the least to be great and the last to be first in God’s domain.

Let’s not be afraid to die, for to perish in God’s hand is liken to the brightness of the firmament and those who turn others to God are like stars forever (Daniel 12:3). MC

it possible? Yes, it happened

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

October 01, 2022 9:00 pm. All lotto enthusiasts awaited the nightly PCSO lotto draw. That was to be one of the largest prize at stake of 236,091, 188.40 pesos. The excitement of regular bettors mounting as each number was called viewed by television nationwide. All in all, over 40 thousand close hit happened.

Winners spread in many parts of the country. 152 placed winning bets in Manila, 34 in Cavite, 22 in Rizal, 32 each in Bulacan and Laguna; 13 in Pampanga, 11 in Pangasinan, 14 each in Batangas and Cebu, 10 each in Benguet and Iloilo and other regions tallied seven or less.

The winning six numbers in any order9-45-36-27-18-54. If the numbers were rearranged starting from the lowest 9, the numbers become multiples of 9. Figure it out 9+9=18+9=27+9=38+9=45+9=54.

433 got the 6 numbers right, surprisingly majority in NCR, they will receive 34% of the pot money, around half a million each only. Those got lesser numbers right shall share in the balance. 331 winners at 100,000; 2491 winners at 1500, and 36, 169 winners at 60.00

Two senators called for an investigation into Saturday’s 6/55 Grand Lotto results . Likewise, a leader of the House of Representatives has asked the lower chamber’s committee on games and amusement to investigate the same apparent irregularity at the PCSO

PCSO Chairman Mel Robles welcomes any investigation and assure the public that PCSO is truthful to its duties. The winning combination for the grand lotto 6/55 on that day was not impossible to predict, that is why it has a prize.

One bettor bought two tickets of the same number combinations, hence he takes home over a million unlike the rest of the 432 bettors. It is a practice of many bettors to “maintain” there numbers over the months or years.

Economist Winnie Munsod couldn’t believe how 433 bettors all choose multiples

of 9 to win 233+ million jackpot in the 6/55 Grand Lotto of the PCSO. To emphasize how small the odds are of winniing the lottery, the former socioeconomic planning secretary said people are more likely to be struck by lightning than hit the jackpot by betting on the game of chance. That 433-winner lottery is certainly worth investigating. She also doubted the integrity of the lotto game.

Filipino American History Month: United States President Joseph Biden Jr. , last October 2, thanked the Filipino American Community for their immeasurable contribution to the United States. This year’s FAHM theme is celebrating our History and our Legacies: 50 years of Filipino-American Studies, 40 years of Filipino American National Historical Society and 30 years of Filipino American History Month.

FAHM was first proposed in 1991, with congress making the declaration official in November 2009. It cited the advancement of Filipino Americans as a time to renew efforts towards the examination of history and culture in order to provide opportunity to all people in the US to learn more about Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to the nation.

The road to directorship for Christine, our niece, (see photo) was gradual and consisted. She was moved from one province to another, from one office to another, enduring the distance from family, probably a test of her mettle and resilience. Finally, she made it as Regional Director. She is married to Reynald Chua, of Cotabato City , they have two lovely adult daughters. Christine is one of the daughters of the late Eng.Jose Rabago previously of the City of Engineers’ Office and retired DepEd supervisor Narette

Intramembranous ossification involves the replacement of sheet-like connective tissue membranes with bony tissue. Bones formed in this manner are called intramembranous bones. They include certain flat bones of the skull and some of the irregular bones. The future bones are first formed as connective tissue membranes. Osteoblasts migrate to the membranes and deposit bony matrix around themselves. When the osteoblasts are surrounded by matrix they are called osteocytes.

Endochondral Ossification

Endochondral ossification involves the replacement of hyaline cartilage with bony tissue. Most of the bones of the skeleton are formed in this manner. These bones are called endochondral bones. In this process, the future bones are first formed as hyaline cartilage models. During the third month after conception, the perichondrium that surrounds the hyaline cartilage “models” becomes infiltrated with blood vessels and osteoblasts and changes into a periosteum. The osteoblasts form a collar of compact bone around the diaphysis. At the same time, the cartilage in the center of the diaphysis begins to disintegrate. Osteoblasts penetrate the disintegrating cartilage and replace it with spongy bone. This forms a primary ossification center. Ossification continues from this center toward the ends of the bones. After spongy bone is formed in the diaphysis, osteoclasts break down the newly formed bone to open up the medullary cavity.

The cartilage in the epiphyses continues to grow so the developing bone increases in length. Later, usually after birth, secondary ossification centers form in the epiphyses. Ossification in the epiphyses is similar to that in the diaphysis except that the spongy bone is retained instead of being broken down to form a medullary cavity. When secondary ossification is complete, the hyaline cartilage is totally replaced by bone except in two areas. A region of hyaline cartilage remains over the surface of the

Bones grow in length at the epiphyseal plate by a process that is similar to endochondral ossification. The cartilage in the region of the epiphyseal plate next to the epiphysis continues to grow by mitosis. The chondrocytes, in the region next to the diaphysis, age and degenerate. Osteoblasts move in and ossify the matrix to form bone. This process continues throughout childhood and the adolescent years until the cartilage growth slows and finally stops. When cartilage growth ceases, usually in the early twenties, the epiphyseal plate completely ossifies so that only a thin epiphyseal line remains and the bones can no longer grow in length. Bone growth is under the influence of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland and sex hormones from the ovaries and testes.

Even though bones stop growing in length in early adulthood, they can continue to increase in thickness or diameter throughout life in response to stress from increased muscle activity or to weight. The increase in diameter is called appositional growth. Osteoblasts in the periosteum form compact bone around the external bone surface. At the same time, osteoclasts in the endosteum break down bone on the internal bone surface, around the medullary cavity. These two processes together increase the diameter of the bone and, at the same time, keep the bone from becoming excessively heavy and bulky.

Spongy (Cancellous) Bone Spongy (cancellous) bone is lighter and less dense than compact bone. Spongy bone consists of plates (trabeculae) and bars of bone adjacent to small, irregular cavities that contain red bone marrow. The canaliculi connect to the adjacent cavities, instead of a central haversian canal, to receive their blood supply. It may appear that the trabeculae are arranged in a haphazard manner, but they are organized to provide maximum strength similar to braces that are used to support a building. The trabeculae of spongy bone follow the lines of stress and can realign if the direction of stress changes.

Influencers and Mentors….

people that exert some degree of influence on us.

e are not just products of our past; people in our present also influence us and help mold our character.”—David Packer

“Great and good character is often formed by imitation. And if we would shine in any sphere of life, we must consider some examples of illustrious men who have preceded us.”— Samuel Davies

The beliefs, values, and principles that define the character of a person can be attributed to a large extent to the influences and people that he or she has encountered and whose values and points of view he or she embraced.

While education and the adoption of beliefs is a lifelong process, I venture to say that we are most permeable at certain points, particularly when we are at the high school level. This is the period when we have gained the skill in reading and understanding and forming our view of the world and our place on it. Of course, this is a personal point of view that others may not agree with.

The prescription of Samuel Davies in the above quote is for people that aspire to have a great and good character to look at role models to imitate them, including those that lived way before our time.

David Packer/s view is that there is a continuous influence on us, we are products of people we have me (and presumably admired and imitated) in the past and by those that we continue to meet as we journey through life.

It may be very hard, if not impossible, to learn good things from one person only. It is more realistic that we get to learn positive things from different

Having gone to school more years than most people would like to, I would say that teachers and professors had the greatest influence on how I view life and societal issues, as well as, the character I developed.

In high school, a number of Marist Brothers were responsible for helping me develop certain interests and to see life in different ways.

Bro. Ted Fernandez encouraged our class to read a variety of books and to make reflection papers on them. I discovered the joy in reading and learned how to better understand what writers intend to convey with their words. The regular book report honed my ability to write which served me in good stead in higher education and the professional world.

In our sociology class, Bro. Jess Barrieta walked us through the writings of different philosophers and theologians and expounded on their views of God, man, and morality.

Through music, Bro Rosendo Yee showed us the more serious side of life. Songs like Sunrise Sunset from the movie Fiddler on the Roof and Rainbow Connection from the Muppet Movie speaks of the happiness and sadness that we will face in life.

A very young teacher, Bro. Manny de Leon, handled some subjects when we were in first year high school but we only had him for a year. His influence came much later in life when I read about his social involvement particularly helping people have access to financial education and resources. Learning about his advocacy reinforced the rightness of my own involvement in non-government interventions in poorer and conflict affected communities.

To them and my other mentors and sources of inspiration, I am forever grateful.

“W

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

“It may be very hard, if not impossible, to learn good things from one person only. “

of the Philippines

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Aberto C. chas filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Jessie to Alberto in the birth certificate of Jessie Gocotano who was born on November 17, 1956 at Pagalungan, Maguindanao and whose parents are Jesus Gocotano and Trifna Caballero.

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

(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO

Acting City Civil Registrar

MC: Oct. 8 & 15, 2022

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

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2003-1 No. 1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 IRR on RA 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Jade Barte Baliguat has filed with this office petition for correction of entry in sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Jade Barte Baliguat who was born on February 8, 1988 at Magpet Cotabato and whose parents are Jorge Traycon Baliguat and Evy Linda Dela Cruz Barte.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than October 25, 2022.

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

MC: Oct. 8 & 15, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late QUIRIFONIA R. CALUMBA, who died intestate on December 28, 1993 in Cotabato City, left a parcel of land Lot 8178, Cad-107, situated at Midsayap, Cotabato (now Pob. Libungan, Cotabato), covered by TCT No. T-73879, containing an area of 30,017 sq, mts., more or less is subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Nisham Nazz Ala Biruar, CPA as per Doc. No 171; Page No. 35; Book No. XII; Series of 2021.

Republic of the Philippines Midsayap, North Cotabato LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2003-1 No. 1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 IRR on RA 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Mohanie Lumawan Amiel has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Mohanie Lumawan Amil who was born on March 12, 2000, at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Dilon A. Amil and Guiawara L. Lumawan.

Any person adversely affected by 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: Oct. 8 & 15, 2022

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

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2003-1 No. 1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 IRR on RA 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Elsie Veralde Mendoza has filed with this Office petition for correction of entry in sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Elsie Penuela Veralde who was born on September 24, 1963 at Magpet Cotabato and whose parents are Cosme A. Veralde and Florita Penuela.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than October 26, 2022

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

MC: Oct. 8 & 15, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses CENON ANTICRISTO and AMADA CARDOZA, died on March 18, 1985 and May 4, 1975, both at Abaga, Libungan, Cotabato, left parcel of land Lot 2463-B-4, (LRC) PSD49866, containing an area of 5,000 sq. mts., more or less, situated in Bo. Abaga, Libungan, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T15349 is subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale of a portion before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 627; Page No. 22; Book No. XCIII; Series of 2022. MC: Sept. 24, Oct. 1 & 8, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Midsayap, North Cotabato LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2003-1 No. 1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 IRR on RA 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Jocelyn Ocija Balikeg has filed with this Office petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Rocelle Faith Balikeg Biongan who was born on August 25, 2020, at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Roy L. Biongan and Jocelyn O. Balikeg.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato.

(Sgd.)

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

NORAH B. CABUGWASON

Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Oct. 8 & 15, 2022

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

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2003-1 No. 1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 IRR on RA 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Charlie Baylon Dequiña has filed with this Office petition for correction of entry in sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Charlie Baylon Dequiña who was born on April 03, 1978 at Magpet Cotabato and whose parents are Irenio Dequiña and Evelyn Baylon.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than October 26, 2022

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

MC: Oct. 8 & 15, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late HADJI OMAR S. ABUBAKAR, who died on January 7, 2003 in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao, left a parcel of land Lot 1181-M-6, Psd-1201244, situated at Kitango, Datu Piang, Maguindanao, covered by TCT No. T-15151, containing an area of 7,071 sq, mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate agreement among heirs before Notary Public Atty. Gapor G. Quitar as per Doc. No 228; Page No. 46; Book No. LXXI; Series of 2022.

MC: Oct. 1, 8 & 15, 2022

Notice is hereby given that the late DATU ULANGTUA SANGKI/ OLANTOWA SANGKI, died intestate on May 23, 2017 in Cotabato City, left parcels of land Lot No. 388, Pls. 544-D & Lot. No. 314-A, Pad (ARMM)-001407, containing an area of 203,115 sq. mts. and 57,320 sq. mts., more or less, located at Bo. Dicalungan and Bo. Kauran, Ampatuan, Maguindanao, covered by TCT Nos. T-11213 and T-18023, respectively are subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Abbyr Ahmad Nul as per Doc. No. 210; Page No. 42; Book No. XXXVI; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the late LOPE QUIÑONES QUIAL, JR. and REMEDIOS TORRES

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement pursuant to Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Amelia B. Gunsi has filed with this office a migrant petition for change of first name from Amina to Amelia in the certificate of live birth bearing Registry No. 20214896 of Amelia Anton Buaya duly registered at the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao and whose parents are Melencio O. Buaya and Isah M. Anton.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than October 10, 2022.

(Sgd.) JEAN P. BACAS Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Oct. 1 & 8, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late MARCOS D. LIDASAN who died on August 18, 2022 in Davao City, left bank deposits with Land Bank of the Philippines, Parang Branch under Account No. 26610446-78 is subject of extrajudicial with waiver of rights with deed of indemnity before Notary Public Renie Jay Abad Soriano as per Doc. No. 223; Page No. 45; Book No. XXIX; Series of 2022.

MC: Oct. 8, 15 & 22, 2022

QUIAL, died intestate on April 19, 2020 and October 6, 2018, respectively, both in Midsayap, Cotabato, left Real Properties (part of estate of Remedios): ¼ of Lot No. 28, Block No. 197, Psd-194841,TCT No. 39252 with an area of 249.2 sq. mts., more or less in Quezon City, Manila; Shares of Stocks: Five (5) shares in Quial Holdings, Inc. and 1/3 share in funds with LBP-Midsayap , Account No. 1001-0797-58; (part of estate of Lope): Lot 2, Cad No. 107, TCT No. 152-2020000789, area of 01556 ha and Lot 28-B, Psd12-033026, TCT No. T-100332, area of 6,385 sq. mts., more or less, both situated in Midsayap, Cotabato; parcels of land in Libungan Cotabato:1/8 of Lot 2440-A, Psd-11-001016, TCT No. 152-2020000794; 1/8 of Lot 2440-E-2, Psd-12-016266, TCT No. 152-2020000795; 1/8 of Lot 2440-B, Psd-11-001016, TCT No. 152-2020000801; Lot No. 2441-B-1-A, Psd-12-050730, TCT No. 152-2020000790; Lot No. 2441-B-1-B, Psd12-050730, TCT No. 1522020000791; Lot 2441-B-5, Psd-12-030339, TCT No. 152-2020000792; Lot 2441B-4, Psd-12-030339, TCT No. 152-2020000796; Lot 2440F, Psd-11-001016, TCT No. T-100331; Lot 2441-B-7-C, Psd-12-070358, TCT No. 152-2022001256; Lot No. 2441-B-7-B, Psd-12-070358, TCT No. 152-2022001255, with the total area of 138,488 sq. mts., more or less; 5 Shares of Stocks in Quial Holdings, Inc.; 1/3 share in funds with LBPMidsayap under Account No. 1001-0797-58 and ½ share of funds with LBP-Midsayap under Account No. 1001-1514-75 are subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement before Notary Public Reynald R. Suarez as per Doc. No. 22; Page No. 06; Book No. I; Series of 2022.

MC: Oct. 1, 8 & 15, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late EMILIO N. PADUA and FILOMENA E. PADUA, died intestate on April 8, 2000 at Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao, left parcels of land Lot C-1-H (LRC), Psd-125751 and Lot No. 107, Pls-730, covered by TCT Nos. 34734 and T-7537, containing an area of 2,745 sq. mts. and 78,672 sq. mts., more or less, situated at Poblacion, Nuro Upi, and Bo. Timanan, South Upi, all in Maguindanao, respectively are subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate with partition before Notary Public Atty. Rolando L. Chew as per Doc. No. 3884; Page No. 389; Book No. 23; Series of 2022, Atty. Leonardo A. Sarmiento III as per Doc. No. 302; Page No. 61; Book No. XCIV; Series of 2022 and Vice Consul Kevin Mark R. Gomez as per Service No. 16961A; Doc. No. 013943; Book No. 024.

MC:

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Buldon, Maguindanao LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

I n compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Sherryll Alix Ampatuan has filed with this office, a petition for correction of entries on the month from 08 (August) to September in the certificate of live birth of Sherryll Alix Ampatuan who was born on September 11, 1977 at Shariff Aguak (Maganoy), Maguindanao and whose parents are Violeta G. Alix and Cashmir D. Ampatuan.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than last day of the publication.

(Sgd.) AMAHNODDIN M. ACAD Municipal Civil Registrar

PETITION FOR JUDICIAL PARTITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF AMPONG MORO.

HEIRS OF SAKIAN AMPONG, namely: ROSITA AMPONGANDRES: HEIRS OF ISMAEL C. AMPONG, represented by JIMMY L. AMPONG; GEROLA C. AMPONG, HEIRS OF ISAAC C. AMPONG represented by AMINA T. AMPONG; CESAR C. AMPONG; HEIRS OF ANTONIO C. AMPONG represented by SUE HANNA O. AMPONG; ADING C. AMPONG RANAIN; SAMLEA AMPONG PONDING represented by JUNALEAH PONDING; HELEN C AMPONG-RASAY; and HEIRS OF ISMAIL C. AMPONG represented by GEMMA CASINTO-AMPONG, Petitioners, -versus-

JAHAR LUMAYON, ONISITA LETADA, SALLY BUNGAD, and CAMAR ALIMAN, Respondents.

ORDER

Filed with this Court is a petition for judicial Partition and Distribution of the intestate estate of Ampong Moro. The petitioners, heirs of Sakian Ampong, Rosita Ampong-Andres, et al. alleged among others: That the petitioners are residents of Manaklay, Pindasa, Mabini, Devao De Oro while respondents, Jahar Lumayon, Onisita Letada, Sally Bungad and Camar Aliman are residents of Manklay, Pindasan, Mabini, Davao De Oro; That the parties are the grandchildren of among Moro; That sometime in 1990, after the death of Tamasina Moro, Ampong Moro together with his second wife Padot Mansaka acquired a parcel of land at Manaklay, Pindasan, Pantukan, Davao containing an area of 14 hectares which was inherited by the heirs of Ampong Moro upon his death on December 25, 1925 and covered by OCT No. (P-3199) P-809; That sometime in 1947 prior to the issuance of said title, the respondents with some of their cousins as grandchildren of Ampong Moro caused the subdivision of said land at two (2) hectares for each child of Ampong Moro by his first wife to which Sakian Ampong objected since he believed that the share of his mother Padot Mansaka who was the conjugal owner of the land was not considered by the respondents in the distribution; That since the land was acquired at the time when Ampong Moro was married to the second wife Padot Mansaka, said land should have been inherited by the children of the second wife namely: Murad and Sakian Ampong; and that the petitioners wish to have the said land distributed to the legal heirs in accordance with Islamic Law on Inheritance.

The Court, after reading the petition, finds it sufficient in form and substance.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the petition is set for hearing on November 22, 2022 at 8:30 in the morning. The petitioners are directed to cause the publication of this Order in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. Anybody who maybe prejudiced by this petition may submit his/her written opposition thereto or may appear on said hearing and show cause why this petition should not be granted.

SO ORDERED.

Cotabato City, Philippines, September 5, 2022

(Sgd.) HON, RASAD S. LAGUINDAB Acting Presiding Judge

MC: Oct. 1, 8 & 15, 2022

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Isnaira Magayan Datukali has filed with this office, a petition for correction of birth month of her son Abohanif Magayan Datukali from 20 December 2013 to 20 January 2013 in his certificate of live birth under Registry No. 2014-61, and whose parents are Kusain Ito Datukali and Isnaira Tomas Magayan.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than October 10, 2022.

(Sgd.) Sh.C. ZAHIRA D. DIMALEN, MPA, JD Municipal Civil Registrar

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048/10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Famen D. Abdul has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the birth certificate of Famen Dimao Abdul who was born on March 4, 2004 at Pob 1, Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Many M. Abdul and Maira L. Dimao.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than October 14, 2022.

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

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Victor Dela Peña Ubas has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Victor Benedicto to Victor in the birth certificate of Victor Benedicto Dela Peña Ubas who was born on September 8, 1974 at Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Alejandro L. Ubas and Adelina A. Dela Peña.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than October 12, 2022.

(Sgd.)

KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In compliance with the publication requirement pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular 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 Norsali Tiolo Maluag, filed a petition for correction of sex from Male to Female in her certificate of live birth with Registry No. 2010-456, registered in this office on 21 April 2010.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than October 11, 2022.

(Sgd.) SAHARA M. DEROGONGAN Municipal Civil Registrar

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Anita Asejo Cabang has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Amorcia to Anita in the certificate of live birth of Amorcia Sarcon Asejo who was born on December 7, 1957 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Francisco A. Asejo and Visitacion M. Sarcon.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato.

(Sgd.) NORAH B. CABUGWASON Municipal Civil Registrar

Republic of the Philippines Province of Cotabato Municipality of Midsayap LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

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

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

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

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

6th ID has new, accurate 155 MM cannons

THE Army’s 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division is now equipped with eight truck-mounted 155 millimeter canons that are perfectly accurate.

The eight modern artilleries dubbed as “game changer” from Israel will boost the 6th ID’s anti-terror operations.

“These are far better, many fold better than the old 155 MM cannons of the Philippine Army,” Major Gen. Roy Galido told Mindanao Cross Tuesday, referring to the new artillery equipment they have just received.

Galido briefed reporters on the technical intricacies of the eight 155 millimeter Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS 2000) that the national government shipped to Camp Siongco in Maguindanao via the seaport in General Santos City Thursday.

“These are surely effective artillery equipment,” Galido said.

Each of the eight ATMOS 2000 units has an automatic shell loading system, way too advanced compared to the old 155 millimeter canons that soldiers have been using since the outbreak of the

Mindanao secessionist conflict in the early 1970s.

Galido said the 6th ID is thankful to acting Defense Secretary Jose Faustino, Jr. and the Headquarters of the Philippine Army for sending them eight ATMOS 2000 units.

He said Faustino had branded the artillery units as “game-changer” in the military’s fight against enemies of state, including terrorist groups in central Mindanao - the Dawlah Islamiya and its ally, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Both groups, operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, have forces in a number of towns in central Mindanao, particularly in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.

The Dawlah Islamiya and the BIFF both have a reputation for setting off homemade bombs in public places to avenge deaths of members in clashes with pursuing units of 6th ID. John Felix Unson

P1.6-M worth illegal lumbers seized in Barira

THE P1.6 million worth of Lawaan lumbers and flitches confiscated by authorities early this week in Barira, Maguindanao could be used for projects of the Bangsamoro government, regional officials said.

Officials of the the Bangsamoro natural resources ministry told Mindanao Cross the forest products are good materials for school chairs that can be distributed to schools in Barira.

Members of the 5th Marine Battalion and forest rangers from the Bangsamoro regional government seized Monday P1.6 million worth of Lawaan lumbers in nearby Barira town that poachers were about to transport to a buyer here.

The lumbers, in assorted sizes, of the endangered Dipterocarpus tree species were cut from an upland watershed area in Barangay Nabalawag, Barira, Maguindanao.

The Public Affairs Office of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said the forest products were found neatly piled in a secluded area in Sitio Bulubudtua in Barangay Nabalawag by Marines and Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) personnel.

A large volume of Lawaan flitches, called "tablon" in the local vernacular, were also confiscated.

Four men were seen running away as the Marines and forest rangers from the Bangsamoro government were approaching the spot where the lumbers were spotted, leaving two units of chainsaws behind.

The raiding team had confiscated two chainsaws and a movable bench-type circular saw during the raid.

The confiscated 20,748 board feet of Lawaan lumbers are now in the custody of MBLT-5. John Felix Unson

DAR grants 3-n-1 hammer mill to corn farmers in NoCot

CORN farmers in Carmen, North Cotabato have received post-harvest facilities from the Department of Agrarian Reform under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program (CRFPSP)Sustainable Livelihood Support, officials said Tuesday.

Charish Paña, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO II), said that the project composed of one unit combined 3-in-1 hammer mill, 4 units collapsible dryer, and a package of capacity development trainings were given to Malapag Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) Farmers Association.

MP Kadil pushes for multi-sectoral efforts in troubled Pikit

SECURITY officials took as vital cue the suggestion of a physician in the Bangsamoro parliament for crosssection cooperation in keeping peace in the troubled Pikit, North Cotabato.

Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region chief, said Thursday there is a need for PROBAR and counterparts in Region 12 to embark on joint peacekeeping programs, along with local officials, in barangays in Pikit that are part of the Special Geographic Area (SGA).

The SGA is composed of barangays in a number of towns in North Cotabato whose residents voted in favor of the inclusion of their villages into the core territory of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during a plebiscite in 2019.

Eye specialist Kadil Sinolinding, Jr. Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Member of Parliament, has urged authorities and the local sectors, in a privilege speech last week, to focus on cross-border law-enforcement activities in SGA barangays in Pikit.

He also called on all traditional

and religious leaders in Pikit to help the local government unit, the police and military address domestic peace and security issues.

Police and military officials had told reporters prior to Sinolinding’s privilege speech last week that no fewer than 30 people have been killed in one gun attack after another, mostly in SGA barangays in Pikit, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the second quarter of 2020.

Sinolinding said after the SGA barangays got detached, as a result of the 2019 plebiscite, from North Cotabato, the unique geopolitical area became an “orphan” owing to the absence of a police unit tasked to solely focus attention on constituentcommunities and a functional entity that can connect them directly to the regional government.

“There is an urgent need to settle these issues, like the need for territorial clustering of barangays, the possibility of creating new municipalities (to cover SGA barangays), or (create) even a new province (for SGA barangays),” Sinolinding pointed out in his privilege speech.

“They (SGA residents) have the right, just like those in other territories, to have a functional government and elected representatives. Without territorial recognition and official identity as SGA residents, the feeling of being neglected may worsen, or even aggravate hopelessness among them," Sinolinding said.

He told reporters via online Messenger that he does not blame the local government unit in Pikit for all the security mess besetting the municipality.

Sources from the police in Pikit and nearby Cotabato towns told reporters there is confusion on who shall engage directly in lawenforcement activities in the SGA barangays.

One police officer said there is a need to establish a coordinating office for police operations in the SGA barangays, to be manned jointly by personnel from the regional police offices in BARMM and in Region 12.

The headquarters of PRO-BAR is in Parang town in Maguindanao, which is quite distant from Pikit. John Felix Unson

Husband-wife NPA tandem yields to Army in South Cotabato

TIRED of evading government forces in the hinterlands of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, a communist political instructor and his wife, a medic, have voluntarily surrendered to military authorities Tuesday night.

Lieutenant Colonel Zandro Alvez, 5th Special Forces Battalion commander, said the couple, identified as Alias Loloy and Alias Lalay, voluntarily turned in their rifles, an M-16

Armalite Rifle and an M-14 rifle and ammunition during simple surrender rites.

Alvez said the couple, husband as political instructor of Platoon Madrid of South Regional Command Daguma and wife as medic of the unit of New Peoples Army, feared for their safety due to continuous military operations against them in the hinterlands of Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

Brigadier General Pedro Balisi Jr, First

Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, said the couple has realized they were duped and decided to abandon the movement.

“People are becoming more discerning and capable of distinguishing between the truth and lies,” Brig. Gen. Balisi said, adding that the couple’s decision was timely.

Major General Roy Galido, 6th Infantry Division, said the government’s “whole of nation” in addressing

insurgency is gaining headway.

“I am glad that in the area of operation of Joint Task Force Central, we are winning the war against communist movement and we are building peaceful and progressive communities,” said Maj. Gen. Galido, also JTFC commander.

Since January this year, a total of 119 NPA guerillas have surrendered to the military in southcentral Mindanao. Edwin O. Fernandez

Its combined amount is PHP450,000.

Paña, speaking during the turnover program, said that the project was awarded to the Malapag ARB FA to strengthen and encourage the production of corn, rice, and other commodities in support to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to increase the production of corn and rice in the country in order to stabilize food prices.

Aside from the facilities, Paña said, "DAR will continue to equip and capacitate you and your organization on financial matters because this project will become one of your businesses for you to

generate more income."

Paña also challenged the project recipient to increase the membership of their organization by encouraging other Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries to become members, so that they could also benefit from the projects poured in by the government and other nongovernment organizations.

Meanwhile, Leonilio Romano, president of corn farmer association, expressed his gratitude to DAR for the continuous support provided to them.

"We would like to thank DAR for continuously strengthening our association by providing interventions like this CRFPSP project where we can address the needs of our members and generate additional income," Romano said.

He also added that the combined 3 in 1 hammer mill is working effectively to their advantage “because they can now produce and sell hammered corn, cracked corn, corn bran, milled rice, and rice bran as add-ons to their agri-supply store.”

Romano also committed that their organization will closely monitor and manage the facilities well to make it more beneficial to its members and to the community. Edwin O. Fernandez

Sr. Telma Argate, OND,...from P1

she was small that children gravitated to her. She easily made friends with children, wherever she was.

She wrote the book entitled “Children will Lead us to Peace.” It was inspired by the prophet Isaiah: “… and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6). Just like St. Therese of the Little Way, she served God as an OND sister in her little ways – and that made her great, for in God’s eyes, the least will be lifted up.”

Closing his homily, Fr. Tony said, “Now that she is in God’s mansion, we ask her to be like her patron, St. Therese who promised to spend her heaven doing good for us here on earth. And once in a while to shower us with roses.”

The Funeral Mass for Sr. Telma was celebrated last October 3, 2022 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning at Our Lady of Hope Chapel in Tamontaka, and burial rites at the adjacent OND cemetery with Archbishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, DD as main presider and Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC, as the homilist.

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

GAME CHANGER ASSETS. KAMPILAN division gets newest and biggest guns (ATMOS 2000) thus increasing its ability to suppress terrorism and insurgency here in Central and South-Central Mindanao. Photo courtesy of 6th ID