Issuu

MILG building 44 barangays halls in North Cotabato

CHURCH / P4

Diocese of Kidapawan launches the synod on synodality

Alleged “investment scam” agents nabbed in GenSan

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

FIRE RAINBOW. Residents of Mlang, North Cotabato witnessed Wednesday noon a meteorological phenomenon called “Cloud iridescence” or irisation. It is a colorful optical phenomenon that occurs in a cloud and appears in the general proximity of the Sun or Moon. Photo courtesy of Jayward Gilo Pedregosa

UK, UNICEF, BARMM INK NEW PARTNERSHIP VS. COVID-19

THE Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of Health (MOH), entered into a new partnership with the United Kingdom (UK) Government and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) to strengthen and support the COVID-19 prevention efforts in the Bangsamoro region.

On Tuesday, Oct. 19, another project to combat the pandemic was introduced dubbed "Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Overcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Refusal in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)". This came following the successful

implementation of the first COVID-19 Emergency Response in BARMM that ran from August 2020 to March 2021. This renewed commitment from the UK Government will provide the BARMM’s Bangsamoro Information Office, the MOH, and provincial information offices in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces

Almost 500K BARMM residents vaccinated

John Felix Unson ALMOST 500, 000 residents anti-COVID-19 jabs, 98, in the five provinces of the 058 completed double doses Bangsamoro Region have while 283,107 are now been vaccinated against awaiting second shots. COVID-19. Latiph said BARMM’s H e a l t h M i n i s t e r island provinces of Basilan, Bashary Latiph of the S u l u a n d T a w i - T a w i Bangsamoro Autonomous had highest vaccination Region in Muslim Mindanao turnout. announced Thursday that, “There is still hesitancy as of Wednesday, 481,159 among some residents of BARMM residents have Maguindanao and Lanao been given anti-coronavirus del Sur. This is something jabs since the vaccination we are trying to address,” rollout early this year. Latiph said. Latiph, a practicing He appealed to physician, said of the BARMM residents 481,159 residents given to ignore the fallacies

DID YOU KNOW? October is Consumer Welfare Month October was declared Consumer Welfare Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 1098 signed on Sept. 26, 1997, by then President Fidel V. Ramos. According to the proclamation, there is a need to focus national attention on the role consumers play in the vitality of the economy.

with technical assistance in communication and behaviour change. It will also provide wide dissemination of correct messages, training for local health teams on more effective behaviour change communication, promoting COVID-19 vaccinations, and mobilization of local government authorities for their

Election fever won’t bar BARMM programs, projects

Nash B. Maulana THE election fever notwithstanding, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will continue to engage the community by carrying out varied programs and projects the people of the region need. BARMM Interior and Local Government Minister Project Naguib Sinarimbo renewed this assurance of the regional leadership’s commitment to deliver socioeconomic development to its constituents. Sinarimbo also reiterated he was not running for any elective position, and that he would remain a member of the BARMM Cabinet. Over the weekend, Sinarimbo said, he had inspected a water impoundment rehabilitation project under the SDF of the MILG. When completed, he said, the project will benefit farming communities in four of the 63 barangays of

full support. “The fight against COVID-19 is far from over, especially with the emergence of new variants. Through the renewed partnership with UNICEF and the UK government, we are confident that we will be able to address misinformation concerns. We have to protect our

MOH joins preparation for retiring of MILF combatants Edwin O. Fernandez

HEALTH authorities in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are in the thick of preparations to ensure health protocols are strictly observe during the third phase of decommissioning of Moro combatants. Preparations on the health aspect of the event to be launched tentatively next month are being undertaken by the BARMM Ministry of Health (MOH), according to Dr. Bashary Latiph. “In the face of the

pandemic, we need to strictly observe health protocols for our combatants who will be decommissioned in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao,” Dr. Latiph, the BARMM health minister, said. On Monday, the MOH-BARMM personnel along with the representatives from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Joint Normalization Committee (JNC), Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) and

BOUNTIFUL HARVEST. DA-12 officials, led by Dr. Lorna Vilbar, and farmers showcase the good variety performance of hybrid and inbred rice varieties Barangay Sagasa, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.lives, they say. Photo courtesy of Agri Tayo Soccsksargen

October 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

MILG building 44 barangay halls in North Cotabato

THE Bangsamoro government shall do its best to construct 44 more barangay halls in its constituent-barangays in North Cotabato, Regional Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said.

The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region is presently constructing barangay halls in Binasing and in Lower Baguer, both in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato. The MILG and the office of BARMM Public Works Secretary Eduard Uy Guerra are also cooperating in the concreting of the routes connecting the center of both barangays to the Poblacion. The Bangsamoro region covers 63 barangays in different North Cotabato. Residents of the 63 barangays voted in favor of the inclusion of their barangays into BARMM’s core territory during a plebiscite in February 2019. Sinarimbo said they aim to provide with barangay halls 44 of the 63 barangays within the year. Besides the barangay hall projects for North Cotabato barangays covered by BARMM, the MILG is presently constructing 11 municipal buildings and 56 barangay halls in different areas inside its core territory. Records by obtained by Mindanao Cross from the Commission on Audit and recipient local government units showed

that besides the 11 municipal buildings and 56 barangays halls in different BARMM provinces, the Bangsamoro government is also building five public markets in different towns. The projects are part of the good governance, peace, security and economic development goals of the the MILGBARMM. The office of Sinarimbo is also constructing a number of police stations in different towns in the autonomous region. Mayor Marshall Sinsuat of Datu Blah Sinsuat in Maguindanao told Mindanao Cross he is thankful to the MILG-BARMM for providing them with a multi-million municipal center building, now being constructed on a hill overlooking their municipal shoreline facing the Illana Bay. Sinsuat said the seaside Datu Blah Sinsuat municipality, touted as the fishing capital of Maguindanao province, also got a police station building project from MILGBARMM early on. Among the beneficiaries of MILGBARMM’s municipal center building package is the now peaceful Butig town in Lanao del Sur. John Felix Unson

THE US military has turned over four ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) worth $4 million (Php200 million) to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at a ceremony in Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga. In a statement, the Office of the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Manila said these platforms will “provide additional capabilities” in unmanned Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR), and in support of counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts. During the October 13 turnover ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim (CDA) Heather Variava joined Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and representatives from the US Embassy in the Philippines’ Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana and Philippine Air Force Commanding General Lt Gen Allen Paredes. CDA Variava and JUSMAG officials delivered the UAS systems to the PAF

to increase the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) domain awareness and border security capability. “We remain committed to our promises on helping modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and we hope this will further strengthen our combined capabilities in working together towards a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said CDA Variava. The United States provides the AFP with grant assistance and expedited sales of arms and munitions to support its modernization goals and urgent maritime security, counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief requirements, the statement said. The U.S. Embassy said the Philippines is by far the largest recipient of US military assistance in the Indo-Pacific region. Since 2015, the United States has delivered more than Php50.6 billion ($1.06 billion) worth of planes, ships, armored vehicles, small arms, and other military equipment to the Philippines, while training side-by-side with members of the Philippine Security Forces. Nash B. Maulana

$4M US ISR aid package to AFP-PAF

Gov’t 2-pronged strategy vs. NPA gaining

THE military’s two-pronged approach in dealing with communist combatants in the mountains of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat has turned out to be effective, an Army officer here said Monday. “The two-pronged approach is a continuous military pressure against rebels, and at the same time highlighting the government’s offer for them to rejoin the mainstream society peacefully,” Lt. Col Allen Van L. Estrera, Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB) commander, said. On Sunday afternoon, he said the result became evident as six regular members of communist New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily laid down their arms and turned themselves in to the Kalamansig Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the 37IB during ceremonies held at the town government center. Estrera said the six rebels also turned in 10 firearms, including one Carbine rifle, two 12-gauge shotguns, three .45 caliber pistols, one 9mm submachine pistol, three .38 caliber revolvers, and assorted ammunition. They were welcomed by Kalamansig Mayor Rolando Garcia who handed over financial and food assistance to the former rebels. In a phone interview, the mayor said the surrenderers will be enrolled in the government’s Expanded Comprehensive Local Integration Program for surrendering NPA rebels. “This is to complete their return to the mainstream society,

live normal lives, and be productive citizens in their communities,” Garcia said. “The presence of Army and police forces in the communities have been helpful not only in maintaining peace and order but also in assisting rebels who wish to return to the fold of the law,” the mayor added. Col. Eduardo B. Gubat, 603rd Infantry Brigade commander, has lauded the 37IB and the local government unit for providing the NPAs an avenue to return to their respective families with the government’s intervention. “I urge other NPAs still up there, come down and enjoy the benefits of peace,” Gubat said. More rebels yield Meanwhile, seven more NPA rebels in Sultan Kudarat also decided to return to the fold of the law after being convinced of the government's sincerity in helping them through various government agencies. Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the surrender of the seven brought to some 170 the number of NPA rebels and supporters who yielded to the military in Central Mindanao this year. “This is a welcome development to all peaceloving communities in the region,” he said. Uy said the seven NPA members, all coming from the Manobo Dulangan indigenous community, yielded Sunday before Lt. Col. Rommel Valencia, Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion commander, based in Barangay Kalawag, Isulan, Sultan

Kudarat. Valencia, in his report, cited that the latest batch of NPA guerrillas opted to lay down their guns and abandon the armed struggle which they now think is a futile cause. The seven NPAs who operated in the mountains of Isulan and Bagumbayan towns also turned in 10 assorted firearms including an M14 rifle, a homemade sniper rifle, a Carbine rifle, an M79 shoulderfired grenade launcher, six homemade pistols, and also various ammunition. “The surrenderers were all members of the weakened Platoon My Phone of East Daguma Front, South Regional Command – Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region,” Valencia said in his report. He said their surrender was a result of the Community Support Program (CSP) operation implemented by the 7IB with an intensified information education campaign that provided awareness to Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat “Ka Oyet” of Platoon My Phone, led the surrender and explained why they surrendered. “Since we joined the movement about 10 years ago, we have no adequate rest because we were always on the run from pursuing government forces,” Ka Oyet said in the vernacular. Valencia assured the said batch of NPA surrenderers that all benefits due for surrendering rebels will be provided by the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. Edwin

O. Fernandez

53 more volunteer for WASAR training

EXPERTS started training Tuesday 53 volunteers from Lanao del Sur on water search and rescue to boost the emergency response preparedness of the local communities. The training is a joint program of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division Training School in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao and the Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) outfit of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. A big number of volunteers from different towns in Maguindanao were trained by batches in recent months on water search and rescue, or WASAR, by experts from READi and 6th ID’s training school. The WASAR training for volunteers from across the Bangsamoro region is a seven-day course, complete with off-shore maneuver and victim handling drills. The READi has

employees well-versed in calamity and disaster mitigation operations, accident response, on WASAR and collapsed structure and building rescue. The READi is operating under the supervision of BARMM Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo. In a statement Thursday, the READi said the 53 volunteers are from Marantao, Picong and Malabang towns. The READi said the 53 WASAR trainees shall complement the disaster, calamity and conflict response contingents of their respective local government unit. The READi, lead emergency response entity of the Bangsamoro government, is also supporting the antiCOVID-19 campaign of the PROSPECTIVE EMERGENCY RESPONDERS. The 53 trainees on water search and rescue region’s health ministry. training by the Bangsamoro government and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division Training School are from

John Felix Unson

the Marantao, Picong and Malabang towns in Lanao del Sur.

Photo courtesy of Photo from BARMM-READi

October 23, 2021

MOH joins preparation for retiring of...from P1

Bangsamoro government, conducted a normalization-wide simulation exercises. “We would like to ensure that all who come inside the decommissioning area negative of Covid-19,” Dr. Latiph said, adding that pre-health screening will be done to all combatants who will come inside the old capitol of Maguindanao in Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. He assured that physicians and nurses will man the triage area who will perform physical and medical check-up as well as conduct antigen tests to all participants of the decommissioning process. Latiph also urged all the combatants to be decommissioned to submit themselves to Integrated Provincial health Office (IPHOMaguindanao) for anti-Covid-19 vaccination. “Go to your rural health units and get vaccinated for your safety,” he urged the members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who will be deactivated. To date, a total of 12,145 combatants

have been decommissioned during the first phase (2015) and the second phase (20192020). For the third phase of decommissioning, a total of 14,000 MILF combatants will complete the process under the normalization aspect of the Bangsamoro Peace Process. Earlier, OPAPP Undersecretary David B. Diciano, chair of the GPH Bangsamoro Peace Accord, announced that the third phase of decommissioning is scheduled anytime within the months of October to December. In a preparatory meeting, Sec. Diciano expressed concerns over health matters during the decommissioning program. "Phase three of decommissioning shall entail a different kind of preparation that we did last year. The pandemic forces us to rethink our processes, without compromising the gains of the peace process and the health and safety of the combatants and our staff," Diciano said.

Fake QR code IDs seized from Isabela ...from P8

confirmed this Saturday, the start of their GCQ enforcement. The first termer Turabin-Hataman, who is seeking reelection, and her constituent-city officials reportedly agreed to enforce GCQ again in the city to maximize efforts of preventing the spread of coronavirus infection among Republic of the Philippines Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parang, Maguindanao OFFICE OF THE 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 Love J. Limbaring has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the birth certificate of Love Jabel Limbaring who was born on October 18, 1991 at Sarmiento, Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Filimino J. Limbaring and Consolacion V. Jabel. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than November 8, 2021.

constituents. Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard are also helping guard the port and coastlines of Isabela City against GCQ violators. John

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late NOEMI G. LOPEZ who died in Libungan, Cotabato on October 9, 2021, a savings account with Metro Bank, Midsayap, Cotabato under Account No. 334-33413366-5 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with waiver of rights before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 3,161; Page No. 23; Book No. LXXVIII; Series of 2021.

MC: Oct. 23, 30 & Nov. 6, 2021

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

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Alvie I. Bacarisa has filed with this office a petition for correction of child’s sex from Female to Male and change of first name from Neme Alvie to Alvie in the certificate of live birth of Alvie I. Bacarisa who was born on April 8, 1980 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Victoriano Bacarisa and Alexandra Indig. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office. (Sgd.) RAUL A. MALALUAN City Registrar MC: Oct. 23 & 30, 2021

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late GUIAMAD KANDA who died on February 15, 1955 in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, a parcel of land Lot 386-A, BSD8408, situated at Bo. Ta n g u a p o , D u l a u a n , Cotabato, containing an area of 55,453 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. V-12709 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion before Notary Public Atty. Abbyr Ahmad Nul as per Doc. No. 356; Page No. 72; Book No. LXXVII; Series of 2021. MC: Oct. 23, 30 & Nov. 6, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late NOEMI G. LOPEZ who died in Libungan, Cotabato on October 9, 2021, a parcel of land Lot No. 2452-B-2-A-8-H, PSD-124709-020114, situated in Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato with an area of 200 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-86788 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with waiver of rights before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 3,161; Page No. 23; Book No. LXXVIII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses KAGUI GAYAK KASAN AKMAD and AISA DIMACUTAC who both died intestate at Kapinpilan, Midsayap, Cotabato on May 14, 2020 and January 15, 2020, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot 674, Pls-134, in Bulanan (now Sadaan), Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by OCT No. V-12462 with an area of 66,368 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with partition and simultaneous waiver of portions before Notary Public Atty. Mohammad Jameel A. Singh as per Doc. No. 124; Page No. 24; Book No. 13; Series of 2021.

MC: Oct. 23, 30 & Nov. 6, 2021

UK, Unicef, BARMM ink new partnership...from P1 people, particularly our children,” Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim said. MOH Director-General Dr. Amirel Usman reported that more than 2-million (2,424,925) eligible population need to be vaccinated in the region in order to achieve herd immunity or about 70-percent of the 2021 BARMM population. “For our fully vaccinated individuals, we only have 10-percent. So our efforts are way [behind] and it’s not even half of the 70-percent. We have enough supply of vaccine right now but we face several challenges,” Usman said. Some of the issues and concerns stated were lack of manpower in data management, late reports due to internet connectivity, misinformation, low vaccination rate of A2 and A3 priority groups, some Rural Health Units have no doctors, and preference on the brand of vaccine, among others. Andrew Morris, UNICEF Chief Field Officer for Mindanao said, “this time, we will be working closely with the Ministry of Health to focus on Covid vaccination. We all know that refusal and hesitancy are really major issues.”

MC: Oct. 9, 16 & 23, 2021

“In this several months partnership project, we will have an extra focus on the islands because it is very diverse with multiple languages. So there is a need for extra communication efforts there,” Morris added. On the other hand, Iain Cox, political counsellor and CSSF Programme SRO from UK Embassy, said that this year, the Philippines and the United Kingdom are celebrating its 75th year of bilateral. He said this particular project is part of the wider program to support the BARMM. “The UK had a historical role in the initial negotiation for the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and we wanted to continue that role and support the development of the BARMM, focus in different areas such as supporting the parliament and offering technical assistance,” Cox said. Meanwhile, MOH Deputy Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas thanked the UK Government and UNICEF for their continued support in combating not only Covid-19 but other health issues and concerns faced by Bangsamoro communities. BIO

COOPERATIVE BANK OF COTABATO Name of Bank PUBLISHED BALANCED SHEET (Head Office and Branches) As of September 30, 2021 CONTROL PROOFLIST

Felix Unson

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT (Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Oct. 23 & 30, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Account Code

Current Quarter Previous Quarter

Cash and Cash Items

108000000000000000

30,612,549.72

25,342,594.41

Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

105150000000000000

28,493,453.36

Due from Other Banks

105200000000000000

442,718,120.34

427,543,166.15

Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

112000000000000000

0.00

Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net

195200000000000000

156,263.29

146,263.29

Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net

195250000000000000

613,133.72

612,808.79

Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net

195300000000000000

0.00

Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net

195350000000000000

0.00

Loans and Receivables - Net

195400000000000000

1,597,423,493.58

1,728,494,181.27

Other Financial Assets

148000000000000000

215,375.00

245,125.00

Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint VenturesNet

195452500000000000

0.00

Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net

195500500000000000

128,928,861.10

121,596,526.49

Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net

195501000000000000

1,444,260.30

Non-Current Assets Held for Sale

150150000000000000

3,478,288.56

Other Assets-Net

152000000000000000

111,678,324.37

116,314,076.43

Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Phil. branch of a foreign bank)

155250000000000000

0.00

TOTAL ASSETS

100000000000000000

2,345,762,123.34

2,453,710,744.05

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

208000000000000000

0.00

Deposit Liabilities

215000000000000000

1,377,475,681.70

1,351,824,531.65

Due to Other Banks

220050000000000000

0.00

Bills Payable

220100000000000000

265,045,607.88

271,844,493.31

Bonds Payable-Net

295201500000000000

0.00

Unsecured Subordinated Debt-Net

295202000000000000

0.00

Redeemable Preferred Shares

220250000000000000

1,000,000.00

Special Time Deposit

220300000000000000

0.00

Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

230350000000000000

0.00

Other Financial Liabilities

240050000000000000

6,847,314.02

9,025,960.36

Other Liabilities

240100000000000000

103,198,884.24

116,720,801.39

Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies (Philippine branch of a foreign bank)

230850000000000000

0.00

TOTAL LIABILITIES

200000000000000000

1,753,567,487.84

1,750,415,786.71

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

300000000000000000

592,194,635.50

703,294,957.34

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

905000000000000000

2,345,762,123.34

2,453,710,744.05

TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

400000000000000000

5,696.00

Gross total loan portfolio (TLP)

499020000000000000

1,919,094,874.30

1,905,892,225.76

Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP

499300000000000000

308,715,868.14

157,904,548.83

a. Gross NPLs

499100500000000000

517,088,819.47

302,399,641.43

b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%)

499150500000000000

26.94%

15.87%

c. Net NPLs

499101000000000000

247,915,745.14

191,574,321.28

d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%)

499151000000000000

12.92%

10.05%

e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%

499151500000000000

62.21%

58.66%

f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%)

499152000000000000

59.70%

52.22%

a. Total CAR (%)

499650500500000000

21.65

25.12

b. Tier 1 Ratio (%)

499650501000000000

21.14

24.39

c. Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/

499650501500000000

0.00

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Non-Performing Loans (NPLs)

Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations

1/ Common Equality Tier 1 is only applicapble to all Universal and Commercial Banks and their subsidiary banks.

I hereby certify that all matters set forthin this Publish Balance Sheet are true and correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief. JUDE A. DACUTAN - ACCOUNTING MANAGER Autorized Signatory

ROLLY R. DELA CRUZ - PRESIDENT Autorized Signatory

October 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Diocese of Kidapawan launches the synod on synodality

MOST Rev. Jose Colin Bagaforo D.D. opens the process of consultation in the Diocese of Kidapawan, with the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”.

Synod, from the Greek word “sunodos” which means traveling together. A lifestyle of the church, patterned from the life of Jesus Christ who walked together with his apostles. This two-year process has the axes of communion, listening and participating under the guidance of the holy spirit, and reading the scripture. The process aims to discuss and give solutions to every problem for the sake of the church’s future, which will give direction and build a new image of the church in the next generation through listening and speaking what God is telling to us. Bishop Bagaforo emphasized the journey of the diocese as a missionary church. As he said that a church that walks together is a church that’s alive. The launching of the Synod of Synodality was held at the Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace Cathedral, on the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Hipolito Paracha, the vicar general and the head of the Diocesan Consultation Process, together with Mrs. Jean Bayod initiates the unveiling of the logo. The consultation process will begin this October until December of this year together with the 74 volunteers from the different parishes. SocCoM News Letter

Department

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, D.D.

CBCP: Synod must discern ‘signs of our times’

THE country’s Catholic bishops said that the Synod on Synodality is seeking to discern the ‘signs of our times’ in order to respond to the calls of the presentday world. They said the Church is trying to do so amidst the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic, the scandals in the Church and in government, the secularism and materialism, and the “double-edged” power of the digital world. The bishops said they cannot also brush off “the erosion of ethical values and idolatry of relativism”, the “antipathy and disdain against traditional institutions” like the Church, and the effects of “ecological abuse, terror and violence. “In looking at the Church from the inside and looking at the Church with the entire human family, we cannot ignore the signs of our times,” they said in a pastoral message. Dioceses across the Philippines are preparing for the local consultation process for the Synod on Synodality that Pope Francis has called for the universal Church.

Photo courtesy of Diocese of Kidapawan

The pope officially launched the synodal process at the Vatican on Oct. 9 to engage the entire Church in preparing for the Synod of Bishops’ next ordinary assembly in 2023. Local churches are scheduled to start engaging in the synodal process on Sunday, Oct. 17, during which parishioners will be encouraged to submit feedback to their diocese. The bishops said the process will look at “two landscapes not with our eyes but with the eyes of the Lord”. “The first is ‘How is our Church within?'” read the bishops’ letter, adding that the pope asks everyone to look at “How is this journeying together happening today in our local Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our ‘journeying together’?” “The second is ‘How is the Church together with the entire human family?’ Are we still salt and light for the world? Is dialogue our way of life? How willing are we to listen with humility and respect despite differences? Have we become haughty or

he genie imprisoned in what he really wanted Jesus a bottle is a common to do for him. Jesus asked tale. According to this Bartimaeus about his real story, the finder who frees need. And Jesus answered the genie from the bottle can his aspiration. Jesus restored make a wish that the genie his sight and Bartimaeus in will grant. Three friends response became a follower. were shipwrecked and found When God does something Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC themselves in an island. They wonderful for us, do we tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com found a bottle on the shore respond like Bartimaeus? and when they opened it a genie came out saying, Each of us and each group of people have aspirations “Thank you for freeing me, each one of you may make a of well-being and a better life. With this in mind, the wish.” The first one said, “I wish I could see my family 2nd Vatican Council’s document on the Church in the again.” He disappeared. The second one said, “I wish I’m Modern World, in its opening statement says, “The joys back to my farm.” He disappeared. The genie asked the and the hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the people of last one, “How about you?” The third one said, “I have this age, especially those who are poor and in any way no family and farm to go back to and I’m lonely. I wish afflicted. These too are the joys and hopes, the griefs my friends are here.” Boom! And his friends are back. and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” This opening Be careful what you wish for. statement tells us clearly what the church’s mission The gospel of this Sunday tells the story of is in the modern world. Proclaiming the good news Bartimaeus and his wish. Jesus was passing through of salvation in the world is linked with the historical Jericho and Bartimaeus a blind man was begging by situation of peoples. It is in their life-situation that the roadside. As Jesus passed by, Bartimaeus called their aspirations are identified and where they seek out, “Son of David, Jesus have mercy on me” (Mk. 10:47). healing, well-being, consolation, liberation, and The people around him scolded him for his bold action salvation. Therefore, if the Church is seen as engaged but Jesus heard him and said, “Call him.” Bartimaeus in activities beyond what is “spiritual” it is because what jumped up, threw his cloak aside and approached Jesus. is secular and corporeal such as the aspirations for Jesus asked him. “What do you want me to do for you?” freedom, human dignity, and ecological sustainability Bartimaeus unhesitatingly said, “Master, let me see are aspirations of people in this modern age. As Jesus again.” Jesus granted his wish, “Go your way, your faith responded to the aspiration of Bartimaeus, so does the has made you well.” Not only was Bartimaeus healed, Church today. he became a disciple, “He followed Jesus along the road.” With the elections coming up and various local There are many themes to this story. It can be about and national candidates preparing their agenda and persistence in prayer, just like Bartimaeus who refused campaign strategies perhaps, it will be good for political to be discouraged by the people who scolded him. It is aspirants to ask the question of Jesus, “What do you also a story of faith. Bartimaeus had no doubts that Jesus want me to do for you? What do you wish? If I were to could heal him. He enthusiastically stood up, threw his be asked, I will say, “Wish ko lang that there will be cloak aside and approached Jesus. He was very clear peace and security, respect for the rule of law, jobs and about what he wanted, that he my see again. Another more opportunities for employment, and more effective angle to this story is about Jesus who asked Bartimaeus services to answer people’s basic needs.” MC

“Wish ko lang”

REFLECTIONS

insensitive to the groans of suffering humanity?” The bishops also identified three “tools” for the diocesan phase which will run until February 2022: sensitivity, time, and conversion. “We must become a Church that makes attentive and selfless listening its lifestyle. Sensitivity will gain for us a discerning heart to know the will of the Lord,” read the statement. “It will win for us a deeper kind of perspective of persons and events, that we may go deeper than the eyes. We see with our souls.” “Time is greater than space. We can work slowly and patiently not obsessed with immediate results. We move with tenacity and clarity of convictions without anxiety but rather trusting in the Lord who walks with us,” it added. “We cannot proceed to be a synodal Church without conversion.” After the diocesan phase, the bishops will prepare for a three-day assembly on the national level on March 7 to 9, 2022 “so that we can submit a national report to the Synod General Secretariat by April 2022”. CBCP News

Meditation Fr. Rock Saniel, OMI rocksaniel@gmail.com

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

Jeremiah 31.7-9; Hebrews 5.1-6; Mark 10.46-52 Many of us may not be physically blind and yet even worse than blindness, we are spiritually blind because our eyes are often leading to fear and disbelief. Seeing is believing. This is what often pulls us together. We only believe what our eyes can see. We only believe in God when we see blessings, successes, achievements, honor and rewards are coming our way. But when we are faced with trials and difficulties, often, our eyes fail us - we succumb to unbelieving, doubting. Like the blind man in the gospel, may we believe even if we do not see. For in nothingness, in our weakness, God appears strongest. Prayer: Lord, help me to believe in you even if I do see nothing.

THE MINDANAO CROSS

October 23, 2021 EDITORIAL

Still on Political Parties

he way our politicians use the political party system in their attempt to get votes during an election is getting to be more confusing as we come nearer the 2022 Elections. Questions such as “What are political parties?”; Why do we have so many of them and together with the changing of the name of the parties are the changes in the members of these parties? Even the political candidates themselves seem to be at a loss on what their political parties should be. A short description of the meaning of a political party will be a good basis to clarify the term. According to “Boundless political science”…… A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties often espouse an expressed ideology or vision bolstered by a written platform with specific goals, forming a coalition among disparate interests. This is a long definition that doesn’t describe what is happening to the country’s political system today. How do we describe the pre-election scene at the national and local level? First, there is no definite name of political parties. There is a PDP-Laban which is the textbook example of a political party. It is actually the administration party. According to Koko Pimentel, it was created by his father as a check on the excesses of the Marcos group. However, it had to split into two (Paquiao and Cusi wing) when loyalties to different personalities took hold. Then Paquiao filed his candidacy under a different party name. Another presidential candidate, Leni Robredo, was expected to head the opposition which everyone perceived to be the “dilawan” group – yellow being the color identified with the late Pres. Noynoy Aquino who carried the Liberal Party banner two elections ago. But she filed her candidacy as an independent, and even ran without a vice president. Right now, after the deadline for the filing of candidacy, all parties involved (there are 5 more “legitimate”) do not have a complete line up of candidates, and the electorate is asked to wait for the final listing on November 5. The question is…. Why set a deadline for COC application when the political parties are allowed to make substitutions two weeks after? Even the answers of candidates when interviewed why they are running for office are for the books. De la Rosa and Atienza seem lost why they were asked to form part of the political party. I would conclude that the parties do not have an ideology or a vision, and neither do they have a written platform with specific goals. I hope the political parties will sit down and work on this before the end of the year, so that they have a clear platform when the campaign period starts. I also hope that local candidates will have a better regard for political parties and learn from the mistakes of national parties. But I doubt if it will be a learning experience for them. The vision of some local candidates is how to perpetuate the control of their clans without thinking of how they can be better servant leaders to their constituents. MC +

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John M. Unson Ferdinandh B. Cabrera Charlie C. Señase Nash B. Maulana

NORTH / SOUTH COTABATO CORRESPONDENTS

Williamor Magbanua, Romer “Bong” Sarmiento, Roel Osano, Orlando Dinoy & Drema Quitayen Bravo CARTOONIST Lourd Jim Diazon Member: PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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e are writing this as we are on the fourth day of the 2021 Kusog Mindanaw Virtual Conference, a four-day virtual gathering of Mindanaoans aimed at creating the Kusog Mindanaw Agenda in the 2022 Elections. Kusog Mindanaw is a platform of dialogue where government, business, NGOs, religious and political leaders and organizations of Mindanao meet with the end in view of strengthening the voice of Mindanao in national policies and programs. Since 1994, Kusog Mindanaw has consistently advocated issues that Mindanao’s leaders have built a consensus on: equitable share and role in the national budget and government, good governance, Mindanao peace, security and development and federalism. This year’s Kusog Mindanaw Virtual Conference Series held from 18-22 October 2021 gathered at least a hundred multisectoral Mindanao leaders and development partners. In her opening message on the first day which focused on the issues of Federalism and Equitable Wealth and Power Sharing, Amina Rasul Bernardo, lead convenor of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, noted that the share of resources that Mindanao has received has steadily increased, in large part due to the coming together of Mindanao leaders in support of the common agenda of equitable share of government resources which they felt was far less than the island’s share in the national Gross Domestic Product. According to Bernardo, by the time President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was in Malacañang, Mindanao’s share of resources had exceeded one-third, a trend which continued during the term of the late President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. According to Patricia Sarenas, chairperson of the Mindanao Coalition of Development NGOs or MINCODE, the conference presented an opportunity to reflect on how Mindanao has fared under a president from Mindanao, whose advisers, cabinet members, and appointed bureaucrats are mostly from the region. It was a question expressed succinctly by Conference Chair Charlito Manlupig, president of Balay Mindanaw Foundation as the conference looked at the issue of Economy and Infrastructure on the third day: Has Mindanao’s economy and infrastructure become “kusog?” One generally acknowledged positive development in the region is the success that has so far been achieved in the Bangsamoro Peace Process with the passage and ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, ushering fresh prospects for sustainable Mindanao peace

HE old road connecting Pikit town proper to Kabasalan, a village by the left Mindanao riverbank is being upgraded by BARMM through the Ministry of Public Works with a P15-M in programmed funds approved by Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim for road concreting in each of the 63 North Cotabato barangays comprising the Special Geographic Area. It is part of the Pikit-Paidu Pulangi-Reina Regente (Log-pond-MasulotSultan Sa Barongis-Barurao-Tinumigues-Lambayong) Road Network, planned from the time of the then Moro Province, following the visit to Cotabato of Governor-General William Howard Taft in 1901. Taft was concurrent head of the Philippine Commission when he separately met both Datu Anwaruddin Utto, along with Sultan Matagmama Sa Barongis, and Datu Piang. The three datus asked Taft for the recovery of their ancestral lands (Bakat, West Ligawasan Marsh and Pinggiaman Reina Regente, respectively) that were colonially annexed under the Public Land Act. This was followed through each with a homestead petition in court filed by their descendants decades later. In the case of Sultan Matagmama, his grandson, Salipada Pendatun, then a law student in University of the Philippines, wrote Deputy Governor-General Hayden, “noting the rush of immigrants to Cotabato induced by the Commonwealth’s new road-building policy and the increasingly disadvantaged position of Muslims vis-à-vis Christian settlers in attempting to acquire public lands. He urged (unsuccessfully) that a special agent be appointed to help Muslims with the registration process (Thomas 1971).” (Thomas M. McKenna in ‘Muslim Rulers and Rebels: Everyday Politics and Armed Separatism in the Southern Philippines, Comparative Studies on Muslim Societies’, Page 111). However, the same road section in the two barangays had sunk deep into perennially diverting floodwaters that through the years the area has become a basin ground for inundating rainwater during heavy downpours. This situation has prompted the contractor (a Moro native of Pikit) to decide to withdraw from that contract package with MPW, and that the Parliament has held in abeyance a second FY road budget provision for Kabasalan in 2021, among the 63-barangay SGA in Cotabato Province, because of this. Thus, the Barangay Council of Kabasalan passed a Resolution, asking the BTA Parliament, the Chief Minister, through Local Governments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, MP Zacaria Abas, MP Architect Eduard Uy Guerra Minister of

How is Minda now?

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

and development. The communist insurgency, local terror groups, and violent extremist ideology however continue to pose challenges along with the persistent presence of private armed groups. While positive developments have been noted in the areas of economy and infrastructure, much is left to be desired. Mindanao is acknowledged as the country’s food basket, with the region accounting for 36 percent of the Philippines’ farm area and 43 percent of its total farm produce. Despite this, 2018 poverty figures placed four of Mindanao’s provinces in the top five poorest provinces in the country. Among the seventeen regions, BARMM placed last in terms of per capita GRDP/GRDE, according to data from 2018 to 2020. In terms of regional connectivity, only 49.5 percent of Mindanao’s roads are paved. It was also learned from the second day’s panelists that Luzon still hogs the bulk of infrastructure projects , with Mindanao just doing slightly better than the Visayas in infrastructure share, and development projects from the regions get lower priority in budgeting compared to projects from the central office of national government agencies. In one of the breakout discussions, a participant noted the sad reality that we still have a government set up that is unhealthy for those in the periphery, one that is still largely centralized. And that is the reason, we believe, why Kusog Mindanaw continues to be relevant. It must continue to advocate and work collectively not only for Mindanao’s equitable share in the budget and representation in national government, but also for good governance, inclusive growth, and sustainable peace and development for all Mindanaoans. It must continue to pursue the dream of a “peaceful and progressive Mindanao, where every child – whether Christian or Muslim, Davaoeño or Tausug, girl or boy, islander or mainlander – will grow up in a safe and peaceful community, able to envision a bright future full of promise.” Padayon sa panaw ug pakigbisog, Mindanaw! MC

A Road to ‘Correcting Historical Injustices’

Penlight Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

MPW, for the realignment of the barangay’s share of 15M originally appropriated for a road concreting project in each of the 63-barangay SGA, into a deepening excavation of the 100-M-length canal across Sitio Bungalos (Kabasalan) for a flood control project instead--and with a box culvert over that canal, plus earth-filling for road section elevation. The road was extensively overlaid with coarse aggregates earth-fill in all the four terms of the late Governor Datu Udtog Matalam (1946-1949; 1950-1954; 1958-1962; 1963-1966). A dream bridge to span from the left riverbank of Barangay Kabasalan across the Pulangi River to the opposite bank upstream right along the Malala Riverbanks towards Buluan will connect via a shorter route the provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat. A bicycle tour of the right bank of Malala River will expose the beauty, and the ecotourism potentials of the Ligawasan Marsh with the sight of flora and fauna on a vast basin hosting inland water towards the West to the foot of Kabalukan Hills, and by the East to Badak, Pagalungan and Rajah Muda. It was said that the ancient Kabalukan, a burial ground of noble forebears, was anomalously labelled “Reina Regente” by Padre Jose Fernandez Cuevas (being the regent of the queen) in the colonial map in his possession when he came upstream in 1868, He told then Rajah Muda Bayao that that the Queen of Spain had wanted to buy the high ground to build a school for the Moro children. The Americans discovered later that the royal Moro family had not really ceded to Spain the Kabalukan Hills (then apportioned as the District of Reina Regente). Instead, a vast tract of land in Kudaranggan was ceded through Padre Cuevas’ representation for that purpose. This was probably the reason why the U.S. inheriting colonial power (over all territories ceded by the Moros to Spain) had instead built an agricultural school in Kudaranggan; and not in Kabalukan. MC

contentment is knowing the awesome power of God whose wisdom and might is forever that He can change leaders in season or out of season. He gives wisdom to those who fear Him and knowledge to those who Charlie Señase have understanding. Our csenase@yahoo.com love and obedience to God is ORLD leaders come-and-go, that His delight to reveal the deep God allows it to happen and yet and secret things, for the LORD knows citizens past and present nurture what’s in the dark for the light dwells in disgust with their non-stopped blame and Him being the First and the Last (Daniel complain. Who are we to question God 2:20-22). whose thoughts are not our thoughts nor Life without God makes one mentally our ways His ways (Isaiah 55:8)? unstable and suicidal due to anxiety and Here at home, with the scheduled depression, thus the importance of mental national and local elections approaching health exercises through God’s Word in choose your individual presidential our hearts. “I will put My law in their bets along with other available elective minds and write it in their hearts; and posts. And whoever win or lose from the I will be their God, and they shall be My administration or opposition as officially people” (Jeremiah 31:33). And I stir up attested and concord by the poll body, we your pure minds that you may be mindful the electorate, whether we like it or not, of the words which were spoken by the holy ought to support them. prophets and the apostles of the LORD and For there is no authority except from our Savior (2 Peter 3:1-2). God, and all authorities that exist are Here’s a public clamor to incumbent God’s appointed. It’s written that “whoever and upcoming lawmakers in Congress resists the authority resists the ordinance about the deafening rice and fuel price hike of God, and those who resist will bring for them to re-examine the existing Rice judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2). Tariffication Law and the Oil Deregulation As of this writing, there are 97 Law that look like the consumers have presidentiables in the Comelec official been doped to their disadvantage. list that include Ronald dela Rosa, Maria Another issue and concern that the Leonor Robredo, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Senate and the House should look into is Panfilo Lacson, Francisco Damogoso and upgrading the long-enacted Centenarian Emmanuel Pacquiao. Law that provides cash reward of a A total of 29 filed their COCs for Vice hundred pesos to any Filipino citizen who President. Why so many candidates with has reached 100 years old. slim chances of winning? Why spend Lawmakers should adjust the amount millions or billions only to lose? Who’s based on the dollar-peso exchange rate funding their candidacies and its sources? when the law was approved to give justice Are they what others call nuisance and equity to would-be recipients. We candidates? raise such concern while senatorial and Earlier, security and local government congressional bets are enticing senior authorities have warned against citizens to their side. But of course, political campaign funds sourced out government service is public welfare from prohibited drugs, gun-running and that all must benefit, especially the other unlawful activities. That President disadvantaged segment in the community. Duterte himself appealed for an honest, The rich and the poor, with God, peaceful and orderly exercise of the complement each other to enjoy life in electorate’s sovereign rights. contentment devoid of pride, envy and Men in uniform and other law greed. For with God nothing is impossible, enforcement agencies must always be except one. We have a God who cannot neutral and therefore apolitical in the lie when He said: I’ll never leave you nor exercise of their duties. forsake you even unto the end of the age The key to peace and success with (Hebrews 13:5). MC

Truth is Peace

True to Form

attended Princeton University as a premed student and earned a degree in English with a certificate in theatre and dance. Following her graduation in 1986, she went back to,the Philippines on a Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy Fullbright scholarship to study franco1573victoria@gmail.com in Manila. Ressa’s return to the Philippines coincided inally, our darling Olympic gold with a series of popular medalist Hidilyn Diaz received her demonstrations known as People Power most awaited engagement proposal. Revolution, As the country transitioned Whenever she is interviewed on social from authoritarian to democracy, Ressa. media, whenever she was asked about the embarked on a career in journalism. man who ran to her, hugged her after she In 2012 Ressa launched the Rappler jerked that 127kg weight over her head, website, serving as its CEO and executive she would insinuate “sana” (hopefully) editor. The site grew quickly becoming something between them would happen one of the largest sources of news in soon. The shy coach Julius Naranja finally the Philippines. The Security Exchange got the courage to pop the question. In a Commission briefly rocked the site’s diner, Julius, on bended knees presented his operating license in 2017. Ressa and lady love with an engagement ring, sealing Rappler endured harassment from social their commitment to each other. media trolls, had reporters barred from The hesitant lover recalled how they the presidential palace and faced a number first met in a previous competition. In jest of lawsuits including several alleging tax Hidilyn agreed to his observation that evasion and violation of foreign ownership filipinas prefer tall guys , a turn off for the rules.Numerous warrants were issued guy who had a crush on her at first sight. for Ressa’s arrest and in 2020, she was Julius, filipino-Japanese residing in Guam, convicted of cyber-libel which carried a is not exactly height challenged, standing sentence of up to six years in prison. Her several inches taller than Hidilyn. The conflicts with the government were the height issue having been settled, a wedding subject of documentary “A thousand Cuts”. date have yet to be agreed upon, since The UNESCO/Guillermo Ciano World there are a couple of competitions they are Press Freedom Prize, honors a person, training for. Definitely, both want to create or organization of institutions that has a home where sports is going to be central.. made outstanding contribution to the His real name is Julius Irvin Hikaru T. defence and or promotion of press freedom Naranjo, the eldest son of a filipino father anywhere in the world, especially when this and Japanese mother.A graduate from the has been achieved in the face of danger. University of Guam, with the degrees of Maria Ressa of the Philippine, in 2021, Bachelor of Exercise Science and Healing joins the prestigious list of awardees from Promotions with minor in Nutrition. He haD press freedom compromised countries like to give up competitive weight lifting due to a Columbia, MyNmar, Syria, Turkey. A back injury. He turned to coaching, strength $25,000 prize go with the award. and conditioning different clients. He has The Nobel Commitee chose Maria Ressa more than 20k followers in Instagram. and Russian Journalist admitting Muratov Hidilyn’ discipline in her sport and her as this year’s recipients to highlight the focus and determination were among the important role that freedom of the press qualities Julius admires in her. If two people and freedom of expression play in society, of the same interests get together, fall in calling them “prerequisite for democracy love, will there be conflicts? oh yes, they and lasting peace.” She is the 18th woman often argued over the mode of training. At and the first Philippine person to do so. the outset, Julius had to prove his technique In the light of the forthcoming electoral would improve on Hidilyn’s , the rest is exercise, Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa history. So there, the Philippines got it’s laments that “social media platforms treat gold medal after 97 years. lies and facts identically....on social media, It was not by design that Maria lies laced with anger and hate spread faster Rezza aimed for any recognition when she and further.” MC

Global Filipinas

The Stuff of Life

October 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

•When cooking, salt can be substituted with spices, increasing the variety of flavours and tastes. •When eating, it helps not to have salt at the table, or at least not to add salt before tasting. Sugar provides sweetness and an attractive taste, but sugary foods and drinks are rich in energy, and are best enjoyed in moderation, as an occasional treat. We could use fruits instead, even to sweeten our foods and drinks. 6. Eat regularly, control the portion size Eating a variety of foods, regularly, and in the right amounts is the best formula for a healthy diet. Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can lead to out-of-control hunger, often resulting in helpless overeating. Snacking between meals can help control hunger, but snacking should not replace proper meals. For snacks, we could choose yoghurt, a handful of fresh or dried fruits or vegetables (like carrot sticks), unsalted nuts, or perhaps some bread with cheese. Paying attention to portion size will help us not to consume too much calories, and will allow us to eat all the foods we enjoy, without having to eliminate any. •Cooking the right amount makes it easier to not overeat. •Some reasonable serving sizes are: 100 g of meat; one medium piece of fruit; half a cup of raw pasta. •Using smaller plates helps with smaller servings. 7. Drink plenty of fluids Adults need to drink at least 1.5 litres of fluid a day! Or more if it’s very hot or they are physically active. Water is the best source, of course, and we can use tap or mineral water, sparkling or non-sparkling, plain or flavoured. Fruit juices, tea, soft drinks, milk and other drinks, can all be okay - from time to time. 8. Maintain a healthy body weight The right weight for each us depends on factors like our gender, height, age, and genes. Being affected by obesity and overweight increases the risks of a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, heart diseases, and cancer. Excess body fat comes from eating more than we need. The extra calories can come from any caloric nutrient - protein, fat, carbohydrate, or alcohol, but fat is the most concentrated source of energy. Physical activity helps us spend the energy, and makes us feel good. The message is reasonably simple: if we are gaining weight, we need to eat less and be more active! MC

Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Adults

HEALTH CORNER A reprint from EUFIC

1. Eat a variety of foods For good health, we need more than 40 different nutrients, and no single food can supply them all. It is not about a single meal, it is about a balanced food choice over time that will make a difference! •A high-fat lunch could be followed by a low-fat dinner. •After a large meat portion at dinner, perhaps fish should be the next day’s choice? 2. Base your diet on plenty of foods rich in carbohydrates About half the calories in our diet should come from foods rich in carbohydrates, such as cereals, rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread. It is a good idea to include at least one of these at every meal. Wholegrain foods, like wholegrain bread, pasta, and cereals, will increase our fibre intake. 3. Replace saturated with unsaturated fat Fats are important for good health and proper functioning of the body. However, too much of it can negatively affect our weight and cardiovascular health. Different kinds of fats have different health effects, and some of these tips could help us keep the balance right: •We should limit the consumption of total and saturated fats (often coming from foods of animal origin), and completely avoid trans fats; reading the labels helps to identify the sources. •Eating fish 2-3 times a week, with at least one serving of oily fish, will contribute to our right intake of unsaturated fats. •When cooking, we should boil, steam or bake, rather than frying, remove the fatty part of meat, use vegetable oils. 4. Enjoy plenty of fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables are among the most important foods for giving us enough vitamins, minerals and fibre. We should try to eat at least 5 servings a day. For example, a glass of fresh fruit juice at breakfast, perhaps an apple and a piece of watermelon as snacks, and a good portion of different vegetables at each meal. 5. Reduce salt and sugar intake A high salt intake can result in high blood pressure, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. There are different ways to reduce salt in the diet: •When shopping, we could choose products with lower sodium content.

Effective Meetings and Events…

many introductions and intermission numbers that wasted the time of many people. The meeting could have been held in two hours or less instead of having it for the entire morning. Danny Buenbrazo Third, to secure the danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com attendance of the target here is nothing more annoying participants, notice or than to have the time of many invitation should be disseminated people wasted on meetings and e a r l y o n a n d t h r o u g h d i f f e r e n t similar activities that were either ill- means. The invitees should also be prepared or too lengthy. requested to confirm their attendance E v e n t s s u c h a s s e m i n a r s , or to nominate a replacement if such c o n f e r e n c e s , a n d m e e t i n g s a r e is allowed. organized for specific purposes such Fourth, if there are presentations as to educate, inform, and/or arrive at that would be made during the event or a decision. Given the importance of meeting, these should be prepared well the objectives of meetings and other and reviewed for accuracy, relevance, forms of gathering, the organizers or and even readability. PowerPoint people in charge of setting them up presentations should consider the should ensure that the events are mode of delivery and the size of the well-prepared and they are conducted venue, if it is an activity where the effectively and efficiently. participants are physically present. There are a number of things that The bigger the room where the event are important to ensure that your is conducted, the fewer the lines and meetings (or similar gathering) are larger the font that must be used in undertaken productively. the slides projected on screen. For First, select a venue that is most meetings done online, the PowerPoint suitable for your meeting or event. The presentation material may have more suitability of the venue could depend lines if the participants are using on several factors such as number of personal computers. people involved, number of days that Fifth, in relation to the immediate the activity would be conducted, need paragraph, hand-outs should be to sequester the participants, and provided to the participants if the safety or security considerations. matters discussed are quite voluminous When the participants need to and/or they are expected to act on the be really focused on the activity, the things taken up during the meeting or organizer should probably decide event. Hand-outs could be in the form the hold it in a place where the of printed copies or soft copies could be participants would be away from sent though email to the participants. distractions. Having an out-of-town Finally, when the meeting or venue can also be a way to allow event (such as training) is conducted participants (particularly employees through online platforms (using the or a team) to have some time off from internet), careful consideration should their office or be rewarded for their be made in the software or platform performance. that would be employed. Currently, Second, the program of activities the most popular platform for online should prioritize activities that are most meetings and training include: Zoom, germane to the purpose of holding the WebEx, Google Meet, and Google meeting or event. Those facilitating Teams. The organizer should consider the event should be very mindful of the the familiarity of the participants with importance of time for the people called the platform that will be used. Stable to attend the gathering. I have attended internet connection should also be some convocations where there were so ensured. MC

Market Driven

Election fever won’t bar BARMM programs, projects...from P1 Cotabato Province that have joined the region, and which now constitute

THE MINDANAO CROSS

October 23, 2021

the BARMM Special Geographic Area (SGA). Sinarimbo said the

NOTICE FOR AUCTION TRIUNE PAWNSHOP will hold a public auction sale for all unredeemed, not auctioned or not renewed items that were pledged, renewed, or pawned from January 2, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Auction will be on November 27, 2021 at its office from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Jaycee Avenue, Midsayap, North Cotabato. PATALASTAS NG SUBASTA TRIUNE PAWNSHOP ay magkakaroon ng subasta ng lahat ng sangla na hindi natutubos. Ito ay ang mga nasangla noon Enero 2, 2020 hanggang Disyembre 31, 2020. Ang subasta ay gagawin sa ganap na 10:00 A.M. hanggang 3:00 P.M. sa Nobyembre 27, 2021 sa opisina sa Jaycee Avenue, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

MC: Oct. 9, 16 & 23, 2021

Notice for Auction

project will benefit the four barangays, not only in terms of farm irrigation, but also provision of water supply for domestic use. He said despite security risks brought about by the pre-election season, the BARMM government’s community services should go unhampered. Also on weekend, Sinarimbo said he had visited two on-going construction sites of new barangay halls in Lower Baguer and in Datu Binasing, also of the 63-barangay SGA. His team also

inspected roads construction to and from these two barangays a shorter route from Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao to Pigcawayan in neighboring Cotabato Province. He said the MILG team will later break grounds to start the construction of 44 more barangay halls in other SGA villages. Grateful officials and residents of Barangay Kabasalan in Pikit, Cotabato said they have become among the early beneficiary-SGA clusters of the BARMM Barangay Hall projects.

Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV in Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak announce the Auction Sale of all unredeemed pledges contracted October 1-30, 2020 at 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main 4J Bldg. Corner Jose Lim Sr., and Don Roman Vilo St. Cotabato City. Auction sale will be on October 27, 2021.

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP MAIN CONLUCK DON RUFINO BRANCH & CONLUCK PAWNSHOP BRANCH 4

Patalastas ng Subasta

NOTICE FOR AUCTION CROWN PAWNSHOP will hold a public auction sale for all unredeemed, not auctioned or not renewed items that were pledged, renewed, or pawned January 2, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Auction will be on November 27, 2021 at its office from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Don Rufino Alonzo St. Cotabato City.

Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de OroPawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV sa Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Oktubre 1-30, 2020 sa alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:00 ng hapon sa Agencia de Oro - Jose Lim Branch, corner Jose Lim Sr, and Don Roman Vilo St., Cotabato City sa Oktubre 27, 2021.

ng Cotabato City ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Setyembre 2020 hanggang Oktubre 2020. Ang Subasta ay sa Oktubre 30, 2021 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar. MC: October 16 & 23, 2021

PATALASTAS NG SUBASTA CROWN PAWNSHOP ay magkakaroon ng subasta ng lahat ng sangla na hindi natutubos. Ito ay ang mga nasangla noog Enero 2, 2020 hanggang Disyembre 31, 2020. Ang subasta ay gagawin sa ganap na 10:00 A.M. hanggang 3:00 P.M. sa Nobyembre 27, 2021 sa opisina sa don Rufino Alonzo St. Cotabato City.

MC:Oct. 16 & 23, 2021

MP Saliga delivers his first privilege speech

MC: Oct. 9, 16 & 23, 2021

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

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048/R.A. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Marwan D. Ali has filed with this office, a petition for change of date of birth from April 19, 1997 to April 17, 1997 in the birth certificate of Marwan Dimasangkay Ali who was born on April 19, 1997 at Poblacion 2, Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Mustapha Raguit Ali and Maisara Abdul Dimasangkay.

Republic of the Philippines Regional Trial Court 12th Judicial Region BRANCH 13 Cotabato City SPECIAL PROCEEDING CASE NO. 2021-1520 PETITION FOR THE CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH ABDUL KAMSA ADAM, Petitioner versus THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR FOR DATU ODIN SINSUAT, MAGUINDANAO, MONAWARA KAMSA ADAM, ROSIENDA KAMSA ADAM, DONG KAMSA ADAM, BAIMASLA KAMSA ADAM, RAMIL KAMSA ADAM, BONG KAMSA ADAM and ABRAHAM KAMSA ADAM, Respondents. x----------------------------------------------x ORDER A verified petition has been filed with this Court by the Petitioner through counsel, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an Order be issued directing the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao to make the necessary corrections in the Certificate of Live Birth of ABDUL KAMSA ADAM. The petition avers the following: 1. Petitioner is of legal age, Filipino, married and a resident of Sapalan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao and may be served with such issuances and submissions relative to the instant case in the business office of his counsel; 2.All affected parties are impleaded as indispensable parties in the petition citing their addresses where they may be served with summons and notice of this court; 3.During their marriage, the spouses Kinding Mustapha and Norma Laban Kamsa (spouses Adam) begot eight (8) children as mentioned in the petition in the order of their birth as evidenced by their Certificates of Live Birth marked as Anneses “A-E”; 4.Petitioner’s birth was, however, not registered with the local civil registry until sometime later when petitioner sought to apply to work abroad where he was required by the recruitment agency to submit his certificate of live birth sometime in 2010; 5.Unable to present his certificate of live birth, the recruitment agency helped petitioner to obtain one and eventually he was able to secure his Certificate of Live Birth with Registry No. 2010-9235 but the date of birth as stated therein was erroneously entered as “12 October 1987” instead of “12 October 1995” which is the true and correct date of birth; 6.As far as he remembers, petitioner has been stating in his official records that he was born on October 12, 1995 and not October 12, 1987 as can be seen from his Palagiang Talaan sa Mababang Paaralan issued by the Department of EducationAutonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao where it shows that his “Petsa ng Kapanganakan” is on “10-12-95”; 7.In the same vein, petitioner has likewise stated in his college records that his date of birth is October 12, 1995 and not on October 12, 1987 as shown in his Official Transcript of Records issued by Headstart College of Cotabato City where it shows that his “Birth Date” is on “October 12, 1995”; 8.Further, petitioner has also stated in his voter’s registration that his date of birth is October 12, 1995 and not October 12, 1987 as shown by a “Voter’s Certification issued by the Commission on Elections where it is shows that his “Date of birth: is on 10/12/1995”; 9.For purposes of this petition, petitioner will present himself as witness as well as his mother, Norma Laban Kamsa, to prove that his true and correct date of birth is October 12, 1995 and not October 12, 1987. The Judicial Affidavits of said witnesses are appended hereto to form an integral part of this petition. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, it is hereby Ordered that the said petition be set for hearing before this Court on November 3, 2021 at 1:30 in the afternoon, at which place, date, time, all interested parties are required to appear and show cause, if they have any, why the petition should not be granted. WHEREFORE, let this Order be published in a newspaper accredited, edited and of general circulation in the City of Cotabato and Province of Maguindanao, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing and at the expense of the petitioner. SO ORDERED.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may GIVEN this 14th day of September 2021, Cotabato City, file his written opposition Philippines. with this office not later than October 12, 2021. (Sgd.) ANNABELLE D.P. PIANG Acting Presiding Judge (Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA (Per SC Admin Order No. 220-2018 dated November 7, 2018) Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Oct. 16, 23 & 30, 2021

MC: Oct. 16 & 23, 2021 Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

DURING the BTA Parliament Session No. 79 on Thursday, October 21, 2021, MP Saliga delivered his speech expressing his solidarity to fellow NonMoro Indigenous Peoples all over the region on the occasion of 24th year of R.A. 8371 and National Indigenous Peoples Month. He as well stressed pressing issues confronting the non-Moro indigenous communities, to wit: a.) delay on the delineation of TedurayLambangian Ancestral Domain Claim which causes land-based disputes in areas of South Upi, Upi and Firis Complex, and the entry of Department of Agrarian Reform into the CADT of the Erumanen ne Menuvu in North Cotabato; b.) continuing senseless killing of NMIP leaders and civilians whereby 26 deaths from 2019 have been recorded; c.) unequal employment

opportunity for NMIPs in permanent positions; d.) the still unresolved issue on identity although NMIP has already been defined in the Bangsamoro Administrative Code; e.) lack of recognition and support to Indigenous Political Structures in the BARMM, MP Saliga has filed Resolution No. 340 urging Bangsamoro Government to recognize IPS along with IPOs but is still pending in the committee level; f.) delay on the passage of Indigenous Peoples Code which is one of the priority codes, and; g.) violation of the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent before implementation of programs especially within the fusaka inged of NMIPs. As BTA extends until 2025, MP Saliga wishes NMIPs no longer suffer. He urged Parliament to implement and give what is due to NMIPs.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

corner Bonifacio and Don Rufino Alonzo Sts., Cotabato City

Ang Sultan Pawnshop ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Marso 2021. Ang subasta ay sa Nobyembre 01, 2021 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular Guidelines in implementation of Administrative MC: Oct. 16 & 23, 2021 Order No. 1, series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Samsia Etem Otto has filed with this RANEN PAWNSHOP MAIN, BRANCH I, II & III office, a petition for correction of sex from Male to Female in the Don Rufino Alonzo & Don Tomas Martinez Sts, Cot. City certificate of live birth of Sahad Etem Otto bearing registry No. Notice for Auction 2016-1058 registered at the Local Civil Registrar of Sultan Kudarat, All unredeemed articles pledged on March 2021 will be Maguindanao and whose parents auctioned on November 1, 2021 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. are Salahudin Medag Otto and Please come before November 1, 2021 for renewal or Samsia Suwaib Etem. redemption. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file Patalastas ng Subasta his written opposition with this office Lahat ng sangla noong Marso 2021 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta not later than October 20, 2021. sa Nobyembre 1, 2021 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga (Sgd.) LESAIDA O. SABAN hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Oct. 16 & 23, 2021

ang Nobyembre 1, 2021 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

MC: Oct. 16 & 23, 2021

October 23, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Alleged “investment scam” agents nabbed in GenSan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested two alleged “investment scam” agents in an entrapment operation here on Tuesday afternoon. Lawyer Regner Peneza, head of NBISarangani District Office (Sardo), said on Wednesday they collared suspects Leonard Patacsil and Christian Dave Ramilo as they were about to receive investment money from one of their victims at a convenience store in Barangay Lagao past 2 p.m. He said the operation stemmed from a complaint filed by a local resident who claimed to have already “invested” over PHP500,000 with the suspects. The amount was supposedly deposited to the “WIN 2 IT” investment company based in Koronadal City, with a promise of a 100-percent interest payout in 25 to 30 days, he said. Peneza said the complainant, who reported the matter to their office last week, started investing in tranches with the two suspects last July 8, from as low as PHP100 and up to PHP500,000. “Instead of giving the promised payout, the suspects reportedly asked for an additional PHP300,000, prompting the victim to seek our help,” Peneza told Philippine News Agency in an interview. The official said they set up the entrapment on Tuesday afternoon after the two agreed to meet the victim at a 7-Eleven outlet along the national highway in Barangay Lagao. He said their agents arrested the

suspects after receiving the PHP50,000 marked bills and eventually came out positive with powder dust. Peneza said they are currently digging deeper into the activities of the two, who are detained at the NBI-Sardo office here. He said they are currently determining the other possible victims and the amount already received by Patacsil and Ramilo, who are residents of Cotabato City and Davao City, respectively. The NBI agents found a media identification card from Ramilo as a correspondent of the Mindanao Daily and Business Week Mindanao newspapers based in Cagayan de Oro City. But a source from the publication denied knowing the suspect, who claimed to have been working as a freelance advertising agent for its Davao bureau. Patacsil and Ramilo denied the accusations in brief media statements and said they were not working for the "WIN 2 IT" investment company. Peneza said they are set to file syndicated estafa charges against the suspects at the city prosecutor’s office. He said they have also launched an investigation into the activities of “WIN 2 IT” and are specifically checking if it has a secondary license to operate as an investment company from the Securities and Exchange Commission. PNA

MSSD spends P68-M for medical aid to indigents

THE social services ministry in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has announced it has already released more than PHP68 million medical aid to indigents across the region, PHP19 million were for indigents at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center here. On Thursday, BARMM Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie said her office has released a total amount of PHP19,967,870 funds to assist indigent patients at the CRMC since October 2020. Jajurie explained that the assistance was made through the ministry’s Bangsamoro Critical Assistance for Indigents in Response to Emergency Situations or B-CARES Program. It covers the indigent patient’s hospitalization expenses, cost of medicines, and other medical treatments or procedures such as laboratory fees, dialysis, chemotherapy, Computed tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and anti-retroviral therapy. She said the B-CARES Program has so far served 1,507 patients in

CRMC and more than half of it were residents of Cotabato City. “We have a social worker stationed at CRMC Malasakit Center that relatives of indigent patients can approach for help,” Jajurie said in a statement released by BARMM information office. Aside from CRMC, the MSSD has 10 other partner hospitals that have alloctions of PHP68,894,606 funds under B-CARE program. Janjurie named them as the Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital and IPHO in Maguindanao; Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City; Community Health Service Cooperative Hospital (COHESCO) and Dr. R.A.M. Albutra General Hospital in North Cotabato; Basilan General Hospital and Lamitan District Hospital inBasilan; Sulu Integrated Provincial Hospital and Pangutaran District Hospital in Sulu and Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Under the MSSD partnership with Mercury Drug store in Cotabato City, the agency has already covered PHP12.8 million worth of medicines for 1,880 patients from May 19 to September 30, 2021. Edwin O.

Fernandez

BARMM frontliners now registered with PhilSys

SCAM. Mug shots of alleged “investment scam” agents Leonard Patacsil (left) and Christian Dave Ramilo (right) who were arrested by National Bureau of Investigation agents in an entrapment operation in General Santos City on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 19, 2021). The two reportedly solicited investments from residents for a Koronadal City-based company. Photo courtesy of NBI-Sarangani District Office

Fake QR code IDs seized from Isabela residents

AUTHORITIES now have lead on the circulation of fake COVID-19 contact tracing identification cards in Isabela City in Basilan, the Mindanao Cross learned Tuesday.. Dozens of fake IDs were seized from residents in operations that started just last weekend. The police shall file cases against the people behind its production, Isabela City police officials said Tuesday. Frontliners enforcing general community quarantine (GCQ) in Isabela City seized dozens of fake contact tracing, or digitl QR code IDs from residents intercepted in quarantine checkpoints. The city government of Isabela, personnel of its City Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Council, the city police and units of the 101st Infantry Brigade are together enforcing the GCQ in the city. The city-wide GCQ shall last until October 31, meant to stop the spike in local coronavirus infection cases. The office of Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman and the administration of Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman are cooperating in addressing the concern and in implementing the GCQ in all of the city’s component-barangays. The office of the city mayor and the Isabela City police are now jointly initiating an inquiry on the proliferation of fake QR code IDs in the city. Local officials, among them city administrator Joel Zanoria,

Almost 500K BARMM residents...from P1

on anti-COVID-19 vaccines being spread around by reckless netizens on Facebook. “Please listen only to medical anti-COVID-19 frontliners and other health service providers out there,” Latiph said. BARMM’s Ministry of Health shall, meantime, continue with its extensive

anti-COVID-19 programs to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections in the local communities, according to Latiph. T h e h e a l t h department’s COVID-19 initiatives are being supported extensively by the Bangsamoro government’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi)

outfit under the office of Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo. A number of health ministry and READi personnel have, in fact, contracted COVID-19, while out on health missions. They immediately returned to work after recuperation.

ALL the health workers and officials in the Ministry of Health - Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOHBARMM) regional office are now fully registered with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). Dr. Bashary Latiph, BARMM health minister, led the registration for PhilSys administered personnel from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-ABRMM), at the MOH-BARMM regional office inside the Bangsamoro Government Center here.

A total of 223 employees, including officials, have successfully registered for step 1 and step 2 for National ID, among them is Dr. Latiph. Their Philippine Identification (PhilID) card will be released soon, he said, after PSA personnel record their biometrics that included iris scan, fingerprints and frontfacing photographs. Registration may also be accomplished through http://register.philsys.gov. ph. As of September,

more than 34 million Filipinos have finished the registration process. Signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens. It is a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, including opening of bank accounts. Edwin O.

Fernandez

2 Kidapawan shabu peddlers charged

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Authorities have filed criminal charges against two shabu peddlers arrested in separate operations here last weekend. The first to fall was Juric Batooy, 31, known as “Jake” who was nabbed Friday by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12 who found 13 sachets of shabu in his house at Taran Subdivision here. PDEA-12 Director Naravy Duquiatan said agents searched Batooy’s house for illegal drugs and firearms based on a warrant from a local court. Duquiatan said Tuesday a case had been filed against Batooy. The operation that resulted in the

confiscation of P8, 840 worth of shabu from Batooy was premised on persistent tips from people privy to his drug trafficking activities. Members of the Kidapawan City police arrested another drug dealer, Christian Balindres Babao, 33, from whose house they found four sachets of shabu in a raid early Saturday. Babao voluntarily turned himself in when the raiding team found four sachets of shabu on top of a refrigerator at one spot in his house. Like Batooy, Babao had also been charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. John Felix Unson

Hunt on vs. gunmen who killed Tacurong off-duty cop

TACURONG CITY — Police here have launched manhunt against two motorcycle riding gunmen who shot dead an off duty police officer on Tuesday afternoon. Lt Col. Joan Muyco Maganto, Tacurong City police chief, has condemned the murder of Police Executive Master Sergeant Agusto Braganza, a resident of Barangay

Baras, Tacurong City. “We strongly condemn the killing of PEMS Agusto Braganza. When a police officer is killed, it is not the agency that loses an officer, it’s an entire nation,” the Tacurong City PNP statement of condemnation said. Investigation showed that the off duty 53 year-old police officer, was driving his motorbike en route to

his farm in Barangay Baras when gunmen on separate motorbike shot him from behind along a barangay road in Purok Summer Snow at past 4 p.m. He died from two gunshot wounds in the head. Maganto said police investigators are following up several leads in follow up investigation. Edwin O.

Fernandez