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BARMM steps up fight vs. measles, polio amid Covid-19/P2 Pope Francis calls for same-sex civil unions in documentary/P4 Battling the invisible: Mental health in times of pandemic/P8

UNDAS 2020:

COTABATO CITY CEMETERIES CLOSED ON OCT. 29-NOV. 4 THE Cotabato City local government here has ordered the temporary closure of both public and private cemeteries during “Undas” or All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.

EARLY UNDAS VISIT. These ladies placed a ready-made flower arrangement in the grave of their departed loved one at the Marian Hills Memorial Park in Brgy. Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. As a precaution against COVID-19, all cemeteries and columbariums nationwide will be closed from October 29 to November 4 for ‘Undas’, the time when millions of Filipinos pay respects to departed kin. Valerie Ann P. Lambo

Flower for ‘Undas’

COTABATO CITY – Even Undas is cancelled during the pandemic. As restrictions on mass gatherings are in place due to COVID-19, the way Filipinos mark important occasions in their lives have changed - both for the living and for the dead. Several local governments have ordered closure of cemeteries, memorial parks and columbarium during Undas season — from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4, the usual days when huge crowds visit their dead in time for All Souls Day. Flower shop owner Jane Dayrit Jirao haven’t been seeing much sales through the quarantine at her stall at the foot of Pedro Colina Hill. There are fewer people walking around the area in general. Most stalls are operational, although several others are noticeably closed or deserted. With few customers in sight, Jirao said she only makes 20 pieces of ready-made flower arrangements

STUCK TRUCK. A KM-250 military truck of the Army’s 7IB loaded with government employees was stuck while crossing the Kulaman River in Barangay Midtungok in Sen. Ninoy Aquino on Wednesday. Amiel Mark Cagayan

MNLF’s Yusop Jikiri Army truck tried, failed to cross Kulaman river on time NINOY AQUINO religious leaders was for hours waiting for the Mayor Randy Ecija Jr succumbs to cancer SEN. – A K M - 2 5 0 m i l i t a r y on its way back to the water to subside that said local officials and truck of the Army’s 7th t o w n p r o p e r f r o m a n t h e i r v e h i c l e s c o u l d v i l l a g e r s h a v e b e e n

SOUTHERNERS are mourning the demise of Moro National Liberation Front leader Yusop Jikiri who supported the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that resulted in the creation of the Bangsamoro region. Jikiri, 66, was chairman of an MNLF group larger and more politically-active than that of front founder Nur Misuari. Relatives said Jikiri succumbed to cancer at about 11:00 p.m. last weekend in his residence in Barangay Pasil, Indanan, Sulu, a component-province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He was one in a bloc of senior MNLF officials, among them former Cotabato City

Infantry Battalion was stuck while crossing the Kulaman River in Barangay Midtungok here on Wednesday. The Army vehicle loaded with provincial and municipal government employees, soldiers and

outreach program in Sitio Lemangga when it failed to cross the river with rampaging flood waters due to heavy down pour earlier in the day. Public and private vehicles were stalled and commuters were stranded

withstand. To prevent tragedy from overtaking the stalled Army truck, soldiers put up ropes that truck passengers can cling on to cross the other side of the river. Sen. Ninoy Aquino

dreaming of a concrete bridge that will make their travel hassle-free. Everything went well as the Army truck eventually made its way up to the other side of Kulaman river. Amiel

THE U.S. government has increased its assistance program to the country, this time, to boost the Philippine government’s capacity to protect its high-risk communities against the impact of natural disasters. The fresh aid package provides an additional Php170 million ($3.5 million) capability enhancement fund, through United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to improve on areas of disaster management,

response and logistics in the delivery of relief assistance when disasters strike, a press statement from the U.S. Embassy said. The statement said USAID will assist communities in Metro Manila, Northern Samar, and Maguindanao provinces that are highly prone to frequent earthquakes, typhoons, and floods. U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law stated: “Through this assistance, we hope that Filipino

MORE than 300 hectares of rice farms were ravaged by floods that hit central Mindanao towns close to the Liguasan Delta that also forced no fewer than 20,000 families to relocate to higher grounds. The 220,000-hectare Liguasan Delta swelled and overflowed last week following heavy rains in mountain ranges around. Dozens of barangays in the adjoining provinces of North Cotabato in Region 12 and in Maguindanao under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have

since inundated. The Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence, or the READI contingent of BARMM, on Tuesday initially distributed relief support to 480 flood-stricken families in Barangay Macasandeg in Pikit. The READI delivered food supplies to 2,693 more families in Barangay’s Lagunde and Balong in Pikit on Wednesday, according to a report from BARMM's Ministry of Interior and Local Government. In a statement Thursday, Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan said

US aid on disaster comes amid floods

REMEMBERED. MNLF chairman Yusop H. Jikiri dies at 66. Photo from Sana-a Elizabeth Jikiri’s Facebook page

Mayor Muslimin Sema, that took over in 2001 the front’s command from Misuari for loss of confidence in his leadership. In a statement Sunday, the MNLF’s central committee that Jikiri led said

Cagayan

Adverse effect of floods on agri heavy

October 24, 2020

THE MINDANAO CROSS

BARMM steps up fight vs. measles, polio amid COVID-19

FLOODED. This photo in Pagalungan, Maguindanao is one of the severely flooded areas in Central Mindanao brought by previous heavy downpour. Ferdinandh Cabrera

Shariff Aguak LGU settles clan feud

Commanders of two feuding groups in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forged a peace covenant Tuesday to end a longtime “rido” (family feud) that exacted fatalities on both sides. The leaders of the two rival groups, Emran Dawaling and Hadji Abubakar Midsabala, reconciled through the intercession of Mayor Marop Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. Both leaders are constituents of Ampatuan, chairperson of the multi-sector

Shariff Aguak municipal peace and order council. Two top MILF leaders, the Islamic theologians Zacaria Guma and Wahid Tundok, chiefs of the MILF’s 105th and 118 Base Commands, respectively, are signatories to the peace pact putting closure to the bloody “rido” between the clans of Dawaling and Midsabala. The two MILF commanders lost more than a dozen followers each in gunfights in recent years that also caused the displacement of innocent villagers in

BASILAN — The provincial government of Basilan received on Wednesday from the United States Medical Department essential anti-pandemic supplies. The provisions were turned over to Gov. Jim Salliman by Peter Walker of the US Forces Team, along with partners from their 53rd and 54th Special Action Companies, during a symbolic rite Wednesday in Isabela City. Salliman said the medical and biohazard protection supplies will boost the anti-COVID-19 campaign of Basilan’s provincial risk reduction and management council. The governor is the presiding chairperson of the council, which is in the forefront of the provincial government’s war on coronavirus. Walker, in a message during the turnover event at Salliman’s office, said he was impressed with how Filipinos are trying to outdo the challenging situations brought about by the pandemic. “I am inspired by the

courage and resilience of Filipinos in these trying times,” Walker said. Walker said he and his companions had not even thought of coming to Basilan until their humanitarian mission in the island province was set. Basilan has two cities, Lamitan and Isabela, and 11 municipalities now bouncing back from secessionist strife and from the impunity of the Abu Sayyaf terror group as a consequence of a local but extensive peace and reconciliation program of provincial leaders. “I’m thankful to the US government. The United States and the Philippines have met and overcome many challenges together,” Salliman, now in his second term as provincial governor, told Walker and his compatriots. He said the antiCOVID-19 supplies Walker brought to Basilan was a “strong shot” for their efforts to protect constituents from the viral disease.

US gov’t helps Basilan fight COVID-19

John Felix Unson

areas where both sides figured in encounters using assault rifles. “I’m glad and so thankful that they agreed to reconcile,” Ampatuan said on Tuesday morning. Ampatuan said he is as grateful to the Maguindanao provincial police, the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and to units of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division under Major Gen. Juvymax Uy for having supported his effort of settling amicably the DawalingMidsabala clan war. John

Felix Unson

HEALTH officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are strengthening its effort to prevent possible outbreak of measles-rubella, including polio, in the region, and to encourage Moro people to take an active role in the fight against Covid-19. BARMM’s Ministry of Health (MOH) announced in a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 21 that it will start its supplemental immunization against measles-rubella and polio across the region on October 26. OIC Minister Amirel Usman said 506,448 children under five years old are set to receive the free and safe vaccination. Measles campaigns were conducted in 1998, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2014, and recently in 2019 when the country had more than 40,000 measles cases and 615 deaths owing to the rising number of unimmunized children. In the Philippines, more than two million children under the age of five are susceptible to measles. Measles or tigdas is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. About

Ex-Lady red warrior: “I want to see my children go to school”

KIDAPAWAN CITY - A lady communist rebel who yielded to military authorities and North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco said she really wanted to be with her family and see her children getting through formal education. "I really wanted to live normal lives, I want to see my children go to school like any other child their age, I want to personally supervise their schooling, this is the reason why I opted to surrender in the name of peace and for the sake of my children,” the lady Red fighter told Gov. Catamco during surrender rites at the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Carmen, North Cotabato Monday. She, a medic officer in New Peoples Army (NPA) Guerilla Front 53, and two other communist rebels have agreed to lay down their arms after the Army repeatedly convinced them that going mainstream is best for

them than fighting for a lost cause. Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, 602nd Infantry Brigade commander, presented the trio to Gov. Catamco and Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of 6th Infantry Division. They surrendered through the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion, a composite unit under the 602nd brigade. "This is one of my priorities to help our brethren and sisters who may have misled to pursue a useless fight against government forces, we will help you go back to the mainstream,” Catamco told the returnees who will be included in the local governments’ Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (e-CLIP). The 38-year-old lady rebel was in tears when Gov. Catamco hugged her like a mother to congratulate her for taking the right path t o p e a c e . E d w i n O.

Fernandez

US GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. Representatives from the United States Medical Service turned over anti-COVID-19 provisions to Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman at the provincial capitol in Isabela City Wednesday in support of the governor’s war on coronavirus.

Basilan governor’s office

9 out of 10 unvaccinated people who are exposed to the measles virus will contract the disease. It can cause high-grade fever, rashes, cough, eye infection and can lead to complications such as pneumonia, ear infection, blindness, severe diarrhea, and swelling of the brain. Deputy Minister Zul Qarneyn Abas said threats of impending outbreaks, such as those of the measlesrubella, should be prevented and given serious and urgent attention as the country is still fighting the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19). Polio, on the other hand, is a potentially debilitating disease that causes fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and can eventually lead to lifelong paralysis. A total of 803,516 children were vaccinated against polio virus, reaching its 95 percent target all over the region during the two-week long polio immunization campaign ‘Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio’ (SPKP) from July 20 to August 9. Presently, there are no new recorded cases of polio in the region. The campaign

shall continue until the World Health Organization (WHO) declares Philippines as polio-free. Assistant Secretary Abdulhalik Kasim assured that community-based public health practitioners assigned for the poliovaccination will strictly observe health and safety measures during the entire conduct of the campaign in response to health crisis brought about by Covid-19. The BARMM’s “BIDA Solusyon sa Covid-19”, a nationwide behavior change campaign that centers on mandating masks, ensuring sanitation, practicing physical distancing, and fighting fake news was also launched. Sadaila Rakiin, MOH’s technical division chief, said despite several information campaign about Covid-19, many Filipinos still do not comply with minimum public health standards set in order to prevent the virus from spreading in the community. As of Oct. 20, the Bangsamoro region recorded a total of 1,030 recoveries from its 1,477 total cases, and 391 active cases. BPI-

What began in 2010 as an extension facility of the Cotabato City National High School (CCNHS) is now a functional institution but still needs continuing support from prospective benefactors to maximize its operation. The Bubong Site of the CCNHS located in the interior Barangay Bubong in west of Cotabato City started a decade ago only with two classrooms in a swampy field near the tourist attraction Timako Hill. The school was activated in 2010 but its present administration workforce took off and became fully operational only in 2013. The office of Cotabato Mayor Cynthia GuianiSayadi is presently constructing the concrete fence at the front yard of the school. There is still a need for benefactors to fund the full fencing of the 5,000-squaremeter campus. The CCNHS Bubong Site has received support early on from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the Rotary Club of Cotabato-South District that helped provide water connection for the school. The original CCNHS Bubong Site, during its pioneering stage, did not even have an office for its principal and teachers. Classes were done in shifts to accommodate Grade 7, 8, 9 and 10 students. The courage, dedication and benevolence of teachers in the CCHNS Bubong Site were all that made it rise from an isolated education functionary into a better learning institution, considerably better from how it started

years ago. Support from barangay officials and residents also helped improved the CCNHS Bubong Site. The school now has 392 students and has larger buildings in its campus, bereft of electricity yet. The zeal of the principal and teaching personnel of the CCNHS Bubong Site has never been weakened by the situation they are in, according to barangay leaders. The operation fund the school has been receiving is only P31,825 monthly. The CCHNS Bubong Site personnel are thankful to Concepcion F. Balawag, PhD., Career Executive Officer V, for having been so supportive of the operation of their school. For teachers, what the school needs, for now, besides classrooms with electricity, is a covered court and computers for its office and as learning aid for students. Barangay officials are supportive of the CCNHS Bubong Site, aware of its benefits to the local youth sector. Support from outside is still a necessity, however. The COVID-19 pandemic also posed a lot of challenges for the school, whose personnel need to address concerns like a shift from traditional classroom instruction to distance learning as new education normal. The so-called “new normal” requires the school to have paper copiers, computers and printers that are essential to hasten its delivery of modular and distance learning to students.

BARMM

Humble beginnings of Bubong CCNHS site

Lorna Boloy-Pendililang, PhD.,

October 24, 2020

MNLF’s Yusop Jikiri... P1 his death was a big loss to the country’s Moro communities. A battle-hardened Tausug, Jikiri started as a rebel commander and became MNLF’s chiefof-staff until the crafting of the group’s Sept. 2, 1996 peace pact with the national government. He had served as governor of Sulu and as congressional representative of the island province. Jikiri and his colleagues in the MNLF supported the MILF’s peace talks with Malacañang that paved the way for last year’s creation of BARMM. The chairman of the MILF’s central committee, Hadji Ahod Ebrahim, is now chief minister of the newlyestablished BARMM. A senior MNLF

official, Romeo Sema, who is BARMM’s labor minister, said early this week Jikiri shall be remembered for his good leadership of the front. Sema also appealed to MNLF members to continue patronizing the national government’s peace overtures with Moro communities. He said the MNLF also assures the Organization of Islamic Cooperation based in Saudi Arabia of its continuing implementation of its September 2, 1996 peace agreement with Malacañang. The OIC, comprised of more than 50 Muslim states, including wealthy petroleum-exporting countries in the Middle East and North Africa, brokered the governmentMNLF peace pact. John

Felix Unson

Republic of the Philippines Proince of Cotabato Municipality of Midsayap Local Civil Registry Office

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

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Nilda Nazaria Andulana Querijero has filed with this office a petition for change of First name from “Nazaria” to “Nilda Nazaria” in the certificate of Live Birth of Nazaria Bismanos Andulana who was born on July 28, 1959 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Balbino Q. Andulana and Trucouata Bismanos Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his / her written opposition with this office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato. MC: Oct. 24 & 31, 2020

In Compliance with Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Michael Menguiz Ayub has filed with this office a petition for Change of First Name from Michel to Michael in the Birth Certificate of Michel Mengues Ayob who was born on April 30, 1975 at Capiton, Dinaig , Maguindanao and whose parents are Maliga ibad Ayub and Lelanie Bayotas Menguiz. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than October 28, 2020. (Sgd.)Princess Esnaira M. Nur Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Oct. 17 & 24, 2020

A & A Pawnshop Don Rufino Branch Cotabato City

Ang A & A Pawnshop ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Nobyembre hanggang Disyembre 2019. Ang subasta ay sa Oktubre 31, 2020 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng mga umaga hanggang ika-4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Oct. 17 & 24, 2020

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP MAIN, DON RUFINO ALONZO BRANCH & QUEZON AVENUE BRANCH, COTABATO CITY

ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula pa noong Setyembre hanggang Oktubre 2019. Ang Subasta ay sa Oktubre 31, 2020 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

US aid on disaster... P1

communities are able to prepare, mitigate, and recover quickly from the negative impacts of natural disasters.” The announcement on October 20 came close to the Commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Reduction, on October 13, which encourages citizens and governments to take part in building more disasterresilient communities and nations. The 2019 Asia Pacific Disaster Report revealed that the Philippines’ multi-hazard average annual loss was estimated at $20 billion, with 75.8 percent of the Philippines total population living in high risk areas. Since 2010, the U.S. government through the USAID has provided Php16.5 billion ($340 million) in disaster relief and recovery assistance for more than 100 cities and municipalities in the Philippines. The USAID is seen

MC: Oct.10, 17 & 24, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Ceferino E. Galor who died intestate on November 1, 2000 at Poblacion, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat left a parcel of land, Psu-126575 (F-V13219), covered by Original Certificate of Title No. V-237, with an area of 199,801 square meters, more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Ukol M. Paglala as per Doc. No. 175, Page No. 35, Book No.XIX, Series of 2020. MC: Oct.10, 17 & 24, 2020

to boost the capacity of community leaders and local governments to mitigate disaster risks, improve early warning systems, and develop better protocols for more rapid disaster responses. T h e U S A I D assistance will also help train evacuation center managers to organize safe evacuations that include safeguards and social distancing given COVID-19. Local partners of the USAID expressed readiness to augment the Philippines’ disaster response and logistics capabilities to deliver relief assistance when disasters strike. “As a friend, partner, and ally of the Filipino people, we are proud of our partnership with the Philippine government and the great strides we have made to boost the country’s resilience against natural calamities,” Law added.

Nash B. Maulana

Oblate “surrender”... P8

Lawyer Felix S. Alicer, DENR-12 regional executive director (RED), expressed his gratitude to Father Andres for going out of his way in submitting the wildlife to DENR. “We are also encouraging the public to emulate Father Andres on his display of dedication to protect the wildlife,” Alicer said. The endangered species are now in

temporary protective custody in Alamada, North Cotabato before these will be transferred to the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat. CENR Officer Mustapha said that he is pleased that public is now more aware and engaged in the protection of wildlife which plays a vital role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

CENRO-Midsayap

Notice for Auction Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Main, Agencia de Oro - SK Pendatun Branch, Jose Lim Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Branch I, II, III, IV in Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit Branch, Pendatun Branch, Dalican Branch of Cotabato City, Parang, Maguindanao and North Cotabato announce the Auction Sale of all unredeemed pledges contracted in October 1-31,2019 at 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Agencia de Oro - Jose Lim Branch, corner Jose Lim Sr, and Don Roman Vilo St., Cotabato City. Auction Sale will be on October 28, 2020.

Adverse effect of floods... P1

he was thankful to READI for helping his constituents displaced by floods. The quick deployment READI contingent expanded on Wednesday its relief missions to other areas in Maguindanao and North Cotabato. North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco said Thursday provincial planners and agriculturists shall formulate measures on how to cushion the adverse effects of the inundation of rice farms in the province. “Over and above that are our relief initiatives for the flood victims. So many farmers in our province lost their crops and farm animals to these floods,” Catamco said. Catamco, chairperson of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, said Thursday she is thankful to the police and the military for helping push forward the relief missions of her administration and the local government units in the flooded towns. BARMM agriculture officials said Thursday said the floods destroyed no less than 160 hectares of supposedly ready-to-harvest rice in Maguindanao province alone. Catamco and BARMM officials are worried of the long term effects to farmers of losing crops to floods. BARMM’s local government minister, lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, who is overseeing the operation of the regional government’s READI contingent, said Thursday they will do their best to reach out to flood victims now in relief sites. Most of the evacuees are now in makeshift shelters and in public school campuses in high grounds

in Maguindanao and North Cotabato. Sinarimbo said their relief missions are jointly being carried out by READI and the social services and the health ministries of BARMM, all under the office of the region’s chief minister, Ahod Ebrahim. The most affected barangays are in interior areas in the adjoining towns of Pagalungan and Montawal in Maguindanao and in nearby Pikit and Kabacan in North Cotabato. The four towns are dotted with swamps and crisscrossed by rivers that connect to the vast Liguasan Delta, a catch basin for a dozen rivers that spring from forested hinterlands in Bukidnon,Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and South Cotabato provinces. The local government units in Pagalungan, Montawal and Pikit have relocated hundreds of families to higher grounds with the help of volunteer organizations, the police and units of the Army’s 602nd Brigade of the 6th Infantry Division. John Felix Unson EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Carlos B. Tumlos, who died on June 4, 2006 at Cebu City, left a parcel of land situated in Cotabato City, and covered by TCT No. T-13034 with an area of 223 square meters, more or less is the subject of Extrajudicial settlement with Sale before Notary Public Atty. Eugenio U. Soyao as per Doc. No. 116; Page No. 24; Book No.49; Series of 2020. MC: Oct. 24, 31 & Nov. 7, 2020

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 March 2020. Ang subasta ay sa November 02, 2020 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng mga umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar. MC: Oct. 17 & 24, 2020

RANEN PAWNSHOP MAIN, BRANCH I, II & III

Patalastas ng Subasta

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

Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Main, Agencia de Oro - SK Pendatun Branch, Jose Lim Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Branch I, II, III, IV in Parang, Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit Branch, Pendatun Branch, Dalican Branch ng Cotabato City, Parang, Maguindanao at North Cotabato ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Oktubre 1 -31, 2019 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 28, 2020.

All unredeemed articles pledged on March 2020 will be auctioned on November 2, 2020 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before November 2, 2020 for renewal or redemption.

MC: Oct. 17 & 24, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses Casiano Catin and Protacia Pacete who died intestate on November 26, 1982 and August 19, 1980 at Banaba, Ampatuan, Maguindanao, left a parcel of land, Lot No. 1400-B, Pls-544-D, with an area of 7.1255 hectares, more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Ukol M. Paglala as per Doc. No. 171, Page No. 35, Book No.XIX, Series of 2020.

THE MINDANAO CROSS

MC: Oct. 17 & 24, 2020

AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS Notice is hereby given that MAURO D. TON-OGAN is a holder of Certificate of Full Payment of Loyola Time Plan, Midsayap Branch, Midsayap, North Cotabato. That the said certificate is no longer be located despite of diligent efforts to locate it, and therefore, it was declared lost before Notary Public Renie Jay Abad Soriano as per Doc. No. 21; Page No. 5; Book No. VII; Series of 2020. MC: Oct. 17, 24 & 31, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Felmida Agar-Palisoc who died on August 7, 2019 at Cotabato City, left a parcel of land with residential building located at Purok 6, Rosary Heights 9, Cotabato City, covered by TCT No. T-52897, with an area of 229 square meters, more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate agreement between heirs before Notary Public Atty. Gapor G. Quituar as per Doc. No. 385; Page No. 77; Book No. LVII; Series of 2020.

MC: Oct. 24, 31 & Nov. 7, 2020

Notice for Auction

Patalastas ng Subasta Lahat ng sangla noong Marso 2020 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Nobyembre 2, 2020 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Nobyembre 2, 2020 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos. MC: Oct. 17 & 24, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Datu Untong Balabaran who died intestate on July 19, 1969 at Taviran, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, left a pending undeteermined amount of claim with the Land Bank of the Philippines pertaining a two farm lots covered by OCT Nos. P-38943 & P-38944 subject to coverage of the Voluntary Offer to Sale program of the Government is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights and quitclaim before Notary Public Atty. Hamlet M. Pahm as per Doc. No. 34; Page No. 07; Book No.62; Series of 2020. MC: Oct. 24, 31 & Nov. 7, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late spouses Nicolas Endrinal and Maxima Millondaga Endrinal- who both died intestate on June 26, 2012 at Cotabato City and on February 17, 2010 at Libungan, Cotabato, respectively, left a parcel of land covered by TCT No. T-66427 Lot 4-I-4, Psd-12005348 situated at Barrio of Presbitero, Municipality of Pigcawayan, Province of North Cotabato with an area of 619 square meters, more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Abdul Hafiz Tan Adil, Jr. as per Doc. No. 275, Page No. 55, Book No.XVI, Series of 2020. MC: Oct. 17, 24 & 31, 2020

October 24, 2020

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Pope Francis calls for same-sex civil unions in documentary In a documentary that premiered Wednesday in Rome, Pope Francis called for the passage of civil union laws for samesex couples, departing from the position of the Vatican’s doctrinal office and the pope’s predecessors on the issue. The remarks came amid a portion of the documentary that reflected on pastoral care for those who identify as LGBT. “Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” Pope Francis said in the film, of his approach to pastoral care. After those remarks, and in comments likely to spark controversy among Catholics, Pope Francis weighed in directly on the issue of civil unions for same-sex couples. “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered,” the pope said. “I stood up for that.” The remarks come in “Francesco,” a documentary on the life and ministry of Pope Francis which premiered Oct. 21 as part of the Rome Film Festival, and is set to make its North American premiere on Sunday. The film chronicles the approach of Pope Francis to pressing social issues, and to pastoral ministry among those who live, in the words of the pontiff, “on the existential peripheries.” Featuring interviews with Vatican figures including Cardinal Luis Tagle and other collaborators of the pope, “Francesco” looks at the pope’s advocacy for migrants and refugees, the poor, his work on the issue of clerical sexual abuse, the role of women in society, and the disposition of Catholics

and others toward those who identify as LGBT. The film addresses the pastoral outreach of Pope Francis to those who identify as LGBT, including a story of the pontiff encouraging two Italian men in a same-sex relationship to raise their children in their parish church, which, one of the men said, was greatly beneficial to his children. “He didn’t mention what was his opinion on my family. Probably he’s following the doctrine on this point,” the man said, while praising the pope for a disposition and attitude of welcome and encouragement. The pope’s remarks on civil unions come amid that part of the documentary. Filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky told CNA that the pope made his call for civil unions during an interview the documentarian conducted with the pope. The pope’s direct call for civil union laws represents a shift from the perspective of his predecessors, and from his own more circumspect positions on civil unions in the past. In 2010, while he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis opposed efforts to legalize same-sex marriage. While Sergio Rubin, the future pope’s biographer, suggested that Francis supported the idea of civil unions as a way to prevent the wholesale adoption of same-sex marriage in Argentina, Miguel Woites, director of the Argentinian Catholic news outlet AICA, dismissed in 2013 that claim as false.

But the pope’s mention of having previously “stood up” for civil unions seems to confirm the reports of Rubin and others who said that then-Cardinal Bergoglio supported privately the idea of civil unions as a compromise in Argentina. In the 2013 book “On Heaven and Earth,” Pope Francis did not reject the possibility of civil unions outright, but did say that laws “assimilating” homosexual relationships to marriage are “an anthropological regression,” and he expressed concern that if same-sex couples “are given adoption rights, there could be affected children. Every person needs a male father and a female mother that can help them shape their identity.” In 2014, Fr. Thomas Rosica, who was then working in the Holy See’s press office told CNA that Pope Francis had not expressed support for same-sex civil unions, after some journalists reported that he had done so in an an interview that year. While a civil unions proposal was debated in Italy, Rosica emphasized that Francis would not weigh in on the debate, but would emphasize Catholic teaching on marriage. In 2003, under the leadership of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and at the direction of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith taught that “respect for homosexual persons cannot lead in any way to approval of

“Who are we?”: Cardinal Quevedo highlighted the Oblate Identity

he Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) has been in the Philippines for more than 80 years. They have pioneered the Churc h missions living among the Christians and Muslims in Mindanao especially in the areas of Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sulu and Tawi-tawi, “proclaiming the gospel to the poor and the most abandoned.” The work and mission of the oblates are not entirely the usual and ordinary work and ministry of priests and religious. Aside from r unning a parish, these oblates are in the mountains living with the Indigenous peoples in Timanan, Maguindanao and Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat. Some of them are in the islands of Tawi-Tawi with the minorities like badjao and sama or with the Tausugs in Jolo, Sulu. They are professors, retreat masters, engineers, doctors, activists, agriculturists, assigned in the Philippines and abroad. They are not the typical priests we know of. They are missionaries. They are oblates. The Oblates have a regular annual retreat during the month of October. It is the time to gather as one congregation all over the country – a time for reflection, fun and learning. This year, due to the pandemic, instead of having it together in the normal way, the oblates were grouped instead by district: Manila, Kidapawan, Senator Ninoy Aquino and Cotabato.

ow is love in to lay down his life for his the time of friends (Jn. 15:13-15). COVID-19? Two Love goes farther than weeks ago I concelebrated the mutual love between in a wedding ceremony of two people. There is kind of my former parishioners. love that embraces a wider This was a special event field. Some wise people because the ceremonies distinguished between two have been postponed kinds of love. There is the Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC love of mutuality called three times due to the tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com eros which is the basis for COVID-19 pandemic. This wedding event romantic love. There is also was supposed to take place last May but due to the love that is more universal called agape. This is a love COVID -19 protocols, things had to wait. Finally, that is based not on mutual attraction or affections but on following certain procedures, the wedding took place. a decision to care for those who are in need. It is the love Only the couple and the major sponsors were that embraces the poor, the lonely, and the unwanted. present, together with those who have roles to play in It is the kind of love which seeks out the least, the lost the liturgical event. Cupid struck these young people and the last. It is the love of Jesus that embraced sinful when they were still students and were members of humanity with his two hands nailed on the cross. It is our parish youth groups about eight years ago. All the love that reaches out even to the undeserving. those present were wearing white masks provided by Admittedly, this is a more difficult kind of loving. the ushers. The bride and groom themselves were As one person seeking the advice of a saint said, “How wearing custom made masks with wedding floral can I love some people who have no love for me?” The designs. It was a beautiful and happy celebration. saint said, “Where there is no love, put in love and then Cupid conquered Covid. Indeed love conquers all. love will grow.” There is a more important kind of love In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus speaks about the which we often neglect. It is the love of God. How can two greatest commandments, “You shall love your God we love God with our whole heart, mind, and soul? We with All your heart, with all your soul and with all your do not see God because God is spirit. We can show our mind and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (cf. Mt. love for God, by loving those we can see, especially those 22:34-40). There are many ways of loving. The kind of in need of care and loving. But we can also love God love which is the stuff of songs and movies is the love of directly in prayer and devotion. I call this devotional love. mutual affection or the love attributed to Cupid. It is the When we are devoted to a person we think of that person love which binds two people who are mutually attracted oftentimes. We also find ways to make that person feel to each other. We may also call it romantic love. that she is important. We become present to the person Closely related to this love of mutuality is the and remember special occasions. We bring little gifts love between friends. It is the kind of love based on that are signs of our caring, such as flowers. In the same respect, openness, trustworthiness and confidentiality. manner we show devotion to God by thinking of God from Friendship can take place between people of different time to time, and by being present to God in prayer and ages, sex, status, or other social differences. A real friend liturgy. We light candles, and offer flowers. We remember is a treasure. With a friend, one finds himself or herself God’s special occasions such as Christmas, Lent, Easter, accepted, no matter what. People who are romantically and feast days. We also join the celebration of God’s related have to be friends before anything else, otherwise friends such as the angels and saints in heaven. the relationship fizzles out. Jesus call us His friends and There are many ways of loving and the he said that there is no greater love than for a person common denominator is fidelity and devotion. MC

Covid and Cupid

REFLECTIONS

Fr. Rockmoore Saniel, OMI Each district composed of priests and brothers assigned in the area have their separate particular schedules for the retreat for health and security reasons. For the Cotabato and Senator Ninoy Aquino districts, they had their joint retreat in Tamontaka, Maguindanao last October 13-17, 2020. The 4-day long celebration was packed with inspiration and reflections from Cardinal Quevedo, the for mer archbishop of Cotabato as the main resource speaker. Cardinal Quevedo now resides in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. As he retired in 2018 as archbishop of Cotabato, he is still active and busy with several appointments, conferences and talks from different parishes, institutions, and congregations. During his 40th anniversary as bishop on October 16, 2020, Cardinal Quevedo presided the culmination mass of the OMI annual retreat in Tamontaka, Maguindanao. That was also the formal installation of Fr. Gerry Delos Reyes, OMI as the new OMI provincial superior as well as the jubilarians’ celebration of some OMI priests and brothers. In his homily, Cardinal Quevedo highlighted few things about the identity of the oblates. He asked, “Who are we? What is our identity?” And then he pointed out some answers. He said that “the oblates are supposed to have a

deep love and devotion to Mary Immaculate. That Oblates have to bear the name OMI.” He added that “God the father and the Son has sealed that gift through the Holy Spirit to the congregation and to the oblates, sons of St. Eugene de Mazenod. Cardinal Quevedo also pointed out the good “leaven.” That leaven which is the gift of God should be shared in the oblate mission in parishes, to the indigenous peoples, with the Muslims and Christians. That leaven, he added, will be the mark of the oblate identity.” “A s o b l a t e s , ‘ t h e Cardinal added,’ they have to bear the name OMI as their passport to heaven. But only if they are true to the identity that they have. They are supposed to be daring in mission. They are supposed to have zeal for the salvation of souls, zeal for the proclamation of the gospel to the poor, holy and unblemished, to become saints, to think out of the box. And they bring that identity with them. The leaven they should carry is the leaven of the gift of God. To live day by day, developing that identity, not in isolation but in mission,” he continued. The whole purpose of this annual retreat is to rejuvenate the oblates in their mission and commitment, to make them more aware of God’s grace in their lives through their work, vocation and of the lives of the people with whom they live and encounter. MC

B adaliyya Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI

Short Reflection for the 30th Sunday of the Ordinary Time (A) Readings: Exodus 22: 20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1: 5-10; Matthew 22: 34-40

Selected Passage: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor

Meditation:

The Love of God and Love of Neighbor remains the basic ethical measure of our words, thoughts and actions. We should not behave and think like the Pharisees and Scribes who multiply laws yet are lacking in the real measure that counts. In the Muslim Letter – the Common Word between you and us – addressed to all Christian Leaders, it challenges Muslims and Christians to live the Common Bond that unites them both – that is – the Love of God and Love of neighbor.

DHIKR SIMPLE METHOD Dhikr is an Arabic word which means REMEMBRANCE. 1st step: Write the text in your heart. 2nd step: Let the text remain always in on your lips and mind - RECITING the text silently as often as possible... 3rd step: Be attentive to the disclosure of the meaning/s of the text in your life.

THE MINDANAO CROSS

October 24, 2020

EDITORIAL

The need to improve pandemic reporting

s the coronavirus pandemic stepped into its 8th month of changing and reforming the way the world is moving, countries around the world are looking at the other impact it has on the world population. The past pandemics were short lived, but deadly as compared to the COVID-19; meaning more victims died among those who were affected; but was less in its ability for people to contract the disease. As a result, the media concentrated on its preventive aspect, so that people will be aware of how to protect themselves from its onslaught. The SARS pandemic and the ones before it were not as easy to catch (there were specific ways and means) for people to avoid getting sick. This allowed the authorities and the media to have more clear and specific guidelines. However, the side effects and non-specific evidences of the harm caused by the pandemic is only noticed now—after 8 months of fighting it. According to a professor—Emily Holmes, coauthor from Uppsala University in Sweden, said, “Governments must find evidence based ways to boost the resilience of our societies and find ways to treat those with mental ill health remotely, to come out of this pandemic in good mental health. Frontline medical staff and vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with serious mental health conditions must be prioritised for rapid mental health support.” The group of Prof. Holmes called upon the media (which they felt is contributory to the distress and anxiety felt by the population) to help in the proper delivery of information. With the fear caused by pandemic reporting, the media should come up with a policy that would be more helpful in pandemic reporting. Interviews of frontliners and recovered patients have shown that they experienced discrimination in their day to day encounters with neighbors and non affected persons. This may be due to the daily barrage of news on the increasing incidence of pandemic statistics. This monitoring and reporting of the incidence of Pandemic has caused stress to the population because it shows how the country compares to others worldwide. Due to this, each person feels responsible for the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, and the more affected throws the blame on others—mostly frontliners and recovered patients. Recently, the COVID-19 program was criticized for some elements that the health management forgot to take into account—mostly related to mental health concerns. This recent factor in the program is worse in the Philippines which has a poor Mental Health Program. The monitoring and surveillance of COVID-19 affected mental health incidence is now taking a high priority since symptoms of the breakdown of mental health has never been considered before. The Mindanao Cross decided to interview the handful of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in this region to validate the suspicion brought up in the national level regarding the appearance of factors which accompanied the COVID-19 affliction. Please refer to the Sanduguan page of this issue. Based on this interviews, we hope to improve media’s reporting of the pandemic to include the condition of related factors such as stress, and suicide. +

is published every Saturday by the Mindanao Cross Publishers, Inc., Sinsuat cor Quezon Avenues, Cotabato City. Tel Nos. (064) 4217161 and E-mail Address: mindanao.cross@gmail.com | mincross101@yahoo.com.ph Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, Chief-Executive-Officer Eva Kimpo - Tan, Editor-in-Chief Edwin O. Fernandez, News Editor Gemma A. Peñaflor, Administration and Marketing Executive Valérie Ann P. Lambo, Reporter Julito P. Torres, Circulation Officer Karl John B. Daniel, Graphic-Layout Artist COTABATO CITY / ARMM CORRESPONDENTS

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

NORTH / SOUTH COTABATO CORRESPONDENTS Williamor Magbanua Romer “Bong” Sarmiento Roel Osano Orlando Dinoy CARTOONIST Lourd Jim Diazon

Member: PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

ive months. That was how long the Battle of Marawi lasted. It started on May 23, 2017 following an attack by armed Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. It became the longest urban battle in the modern history of the Philippines, culminating in the death of militant leaders Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon on October 16, 2017, and the devastation of much of the center of Marawi City, or what has come to be known as ”Ground Zero.” On October 17, 2017, the day after the deaths of Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi was “liberated from terrorist influence,” although it was not until October 23, 2017, that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that the five-month battle against the militants in Marawi had finally ended. By then, some 200,000 residents have been displaced, with about 70 percent living in nearby temporary government shelters. Others sought refuge in neighboring places: Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, and coastal town of Lanao Del Norte. Still others went as far as the Visayas and even Luzon. It has been three years since that so-called day of Marawi’s “liberation,” yet the Marawi Reconstruction Conflict Watch laments: “Most of us have not been allowed to return to our homes and rebuild our lives. There has been no compensation for the damages to our personal properties. Thousands of us remain in shelters and housing projects in dire conditions, with sanitation and the supply of basic utilities wanting.” “There is no real liberation to speak of,” MRCW said in a statement released on October 17, the 3rd commemoration of the Liberation on of Marawi. The MRCW has been in existence for as long, formed in 2017 as an autonomous monitoring group “to help ensure that the reconstruction and redevelopment of Marawi is inclusive, context-responsive, and sustainable.” The MRCW adds: “Even if some have benefited from what has been achieved so far, the majority of our people haven’t. The sad fact remains that progress is slow, funds are lacking, and implementation could be improved. We are fractured, and restoring relationships is difficult when we cannot even meet our basic needs adequately. This continues to fuel despair and frustration that threaten the fragile peace in our communities. Tensions

HE late Justice Secretary and former Maguindanao Congressman Simeon A. Datumanong would have been the first Mindanaoan Speaker of the House of Representatives. But he repeatedly declined when the chance came to him in 2008. In February 2008, his peers in the House of Representatives were backing him up to succeed Speaker Jose De Venecia who had then severed ties with the Arroyo Administration, following his son Joey’s adverse testimony in the Senate probe on FG Miguel Arroyo’s alleged involvement into the anomalous GTE deals. But Datumanong declined the political push by the new emerging House Majority, following the ouster of Venecia. Datumanong and fellow Maguindanao Rep. Didagen P. Dilangalen voted against the declaration of the Speaker’s Seat vacant in February 2008—in those last-ditch efforts to keep the House under Speaker JDV. There were three occasions that Datumanong rose to defy PGMA in Congress: 1) On the ouster of De Venecia in 2008; 2) on the Declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City on December 4, 2009, even as he condemned the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre in the Joint-Session on the Presidential Letter to Congress as constitutional compliance with that post-requisite to her Declaration of martial law; and 3) the issuance of Presidential Proclamation by PGMA, placing the ARMM under the administrative and operational supervision of the DILG National in December 2009. These, despite her having appointed him at least thrice to juicy positions as Secretary of Public Works and Highways (2001-2003), concurrently as Chairman of MWSS (2001-2003); also as CEO and chair of the Public Estate Authority (2002) , and later, as Secretary of Justice (2003-2004). The secret behind those presidential appointments, beyond trust, was Datumanong’s clandestine role in some essential, but much unreported precedents to the 2001 Estrada Impeachment. In the records of the House of Representatives, Datumanong was the fourth lawmaker among the first 11 Members to sign the Articles of Impeachment against Estrada which was crafted in the months that followed the All-Our War of the Estrada Administration against the MILF in Camp Abubakar. Datumanong would tell this in confidence to inner circles of his kin and allies during occasions of congressional break that he was in Cotabato. He even foresaw the fall of Erap, and the bases of that political forecast to him were: 1) the sufficiency in form and in substance of the Impeachment

‘No real liberation’

Thinking Aloud

Caloy Bautista

caloyb@gmail.com

rise over land and property rights as reconstruction activities start. These may worsen existing identityrelated conflict and may trigger violent flashpoints and a stringing of conflict – a situation ripe for the resurgence of violent extremism, the thing that the government declared we have been liberated from.” In August, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s Special Committee on Marawi presented a 127-page report, the product of a series of public consultations and hearings with IDPs, experts, and concerned agencies as well as visits to Ground Zero since the beginning of 2020. The Special Committee echoed a message from the Internally Displaced Persons: they want to go back to their homes and away from the shelters where they have lived an uncomfortable life. Mindanews reported that to mark the third anniversary of the “liberation” on October 17, groundbreaking rites were held at the area of what used to be the Bato Ali Mosque, led by Task Force Bangon Marawi chairman Eduardo del Rosario who expressed confidence that the reconstruction of Marawi will be finished by December 2021. Thirty mosques destroyed in the battle, starting with Bato Ali Mosque and Grand Mosque, will be reconstructed, the same with barangay halls, roads and public buildings. But for Drieza Liningding, chairperson of the Moro Consensus Group, all the efforts of the TFBM will amount to nothing without the reconstruction of the houses of Marawi residents. “Marawi is made up of its residents not public buildings,” Liningding was quoted by Mindanews as saying. Vice President Leni Robredo says it in another way in a statement her office released on the occasion: “Liberation entails much more than silencing the gunfire.” MC

A Moro declined House Speakership in 2008

PENLIGHT

Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

Complaint, as well as the evidence; and 2) the “objectivity and independence beyond question” of his former law school classmate, Chief Justice Hilario Davide, who would constitutionally preside over the Senate hearing of the Estrada Impeachment. His name was initially listed as one of the 11-Member House Prosecution Panel in the 20002001 Impeachment Proceedings. I asked him why didn’t that push through. He said partly in jest, “That would take much of my practice time, playing golf. I can’t also stay long under cold temperature. I prefer to be under the heat of the sun. I have low tolerance for very cold atmosphere even when we were in the U.S. You know I need to play golf even only on weekends to neutralize my uric acid. Congresswoman Clavel Martinez of Cebu is very kind. She’s there. She completes the Panel.” In the Speakership Datumanong, it was not only the House Majority then that wanted him to succeed De Venecia. The House Minority under Nueva Viscaya Rep. Carlos Padilla was hopeful Datumanong would reconsider his decision. The Progressive Bloc through Bayan Muna PL Rep. Satur Ocampo also sent him words of support should he decide to take the post. The Minority would keep their choice of him, until another Mindanaoan signified interest instead to run for the Speakership. In 2010, Datumanong incurred the political ire of President Noynoy Aquino III, who otherwise fondly called him ‘Manong Sim’. The row stemmed from Datumanong’s Supreme Court Petition, along with Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano against Mr. Aquino’s Executive Order No. 1, creating a Truth Commission. The SC decision adverse to the President promptly took (read: compelled) Lagman to shift to the other side of the political fence (pro-administration). But to Datumanong, there was nothing personal in the Petition, because otherwise he would have been happy to see his former law school classmate, Hilario Davide heading Aquino’s Truth Commission. MC

we are in and Practical Wisdom isfortheus age to perceive God’s

wisdom on what we hear and witness all around. Our fear of God is the beginning of wisdom that teaches us to love Charlie Señase one another by ridding csenase@yahoo.com ourselves of pride, envy, greed and falsehood. E see things differently because Trust the LORD our God not man for of individual perception, believing that things happen for a man’s own uprightness is not enough for divine reason contrary to other earthly us not to be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. How? Seek first the reasons. The swelling of rivers due to fre- kingdom of God and His righteousness quent typhoon-induced heavy rains and everything shall be added unto us. Let’s get back to basic that our forehas inundated low-lying areas in the country at a time when we are still up bears left behind; that respect is earned tight struggling to fight the spread of not enforced, that love is not for those Coronavirus which has already took who love us but most of all to those who the lives of over a million in the world hate and despise us. The need to reach-out with all these with the Philippines contributing 6,690 calamities manifests the efficacy of deaths this week. While government and various autonomy in Muslim Mindanao when sectors are working to resolve these its Bangsamoro government distribproblems, personal-grudge killings, ter- uted this week assorted relief goods to rorism and drug-related crimes prolifer- hundreds of families in North Cotabato ate to no end that political groups are and Maguindanao whose villages are pushing for a federal form of government submerged with floodwaters. Its Rapid to allow regional autonomy across the Emergency Action Disaster Incidence country and decongest Metro Manila (READI) is closely monitoring other arfrom being reservoir of all government eas badly affected by the overflow of Rio transactions. As central government, Grande de Mindanao and its tributaries. Complacency and neglect for reguits role is just to supervise regional governance under the proposed politi- lar dredging of these waterways and attending to the government’s reforcal set-up. In the midst of these global trying estation program seemed to have been times due to pandemic, it’s amazing overlooked and needs serious attention to know that China, where COVID-19 here and elsewhere in the country. Another interesting bit of informareportedly originated, has produced 878 billionaires making China richer by $1.5 tion that bewitched us to wonder was the trillion, the highest compared to past amazing recovery from COVID-19 of a centenarian (106 years old) in Cagayan five years combined. This world news headline that be- de Oro after the city health confirmed wildered many brings us back to that the death of 57 younger patients since prophetic warning of perilous times in February. Sad to learn, however, that a the last days when men will be lovers of day after having been discharged from the isolation center, he died discounting self and money (2 Timothy 3:1). To deliberately disregard others’ Coronavirus as the cause but perhaps existence for money-sake is abomination due to old age. Death is God’s appointed time to all to God. This holds true to those engaged in gun-for-hire, illegal drugs, instant regardless of age and status in life and after money-scam, prostitution, gunrunning which the judgment. And prudence dictates and other deceitful activities. They don’t that a good name is better than precious really care if victims suffer and die, ointment, and the day of death than the provided they make money. And this day of birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1). MC

TRUE TO FORM

the Philippines has been on the receiving end of Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. Sadly, Democrat former Pres. Barack Obama hardly lifted a finger to help the Philippines.” In one of Former VP Joe Biden’s Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy talks, he claimed that he is “the” democrat, hence, like franco1573victoria@gmail.com Obama before him, he is not going to stand up to China on’t tell me this is none of my for us, the way Trump is doing for all . Fr. Edward Meeks of the Christ business, yes, it is, not just mine the King Parish in Towson, MD sidebut all of us. When the United States sneezes, tracked his homily last Sunday to put the entire world catches the cold. some points regarding the significance Pres. Donald Trump appears to have of rightly choosing the candidate to recovered from his bout with COVID-19, vote for, emphasizing that he was not appearing and campaigning in public, endorsing anyone in particular, rather, attempting to recover campaign days it was important for the highest leader lost during his confinement. No word has of the land to respect the sanctity of been said about US First Lady Melania, life (Biden voted for abortion, so did his while Baron, his youngest son has been running mate); respect for the sanctity of marriage, Gender Ideology (Biden reported to be positive as well. Unlike in the Philippines where the officiated in the union of his close Vice-President of our country is voted gay associates), religious liberty and separately so that the President is not Socialism. *** his partymate, in the US, the vote for One day we were exchanging views the President is also the vote for the vice president. Furthermore, the race is on Facebook, the next day, we read the between two parties only, the Democrats demise of this dearly beloved friend. We and the Republicans. Talk about our never can tell when the journey is over candidates, abandoning their parties for for our friends, savor the moments we the party with the monies, or in power, share, it could be the last. Estrellita “Ester” Corraza Juliano, the balimbings. Fil-Ams in San Diego California are retired Education Supervisor, Division of inclined to vote for Candidate Biden, so Cotabato , wife of the late Roberto Calma it is said, but in General “ the candidate Juliano joined our Creator recently. She was who will forcefully stand up to China will staying with her son Beejay and his wife, win their vote. As a former US Colony, Karen Sevilla in New Jersey, USA. MC

US Elections THE STUFF OF LIFE

October 24, 2020

THE MINDANAO CROSS

hospital the first time she consulted even when her symptoms are simply weakness and poor appetite. Among older persons, pneumonia may be manifested by change in usual behaviour, weakness, loss of Cheridine P. Oro- Josef, appetite and seldom M.D., DFM, FPAFP, FPCGM difficulty breathing or even cough. Fever may cheridinemd@gmail.com not even be present. When an older person ew months ago, I had a female suddenly changes her behaviour, it may diabetic patient in her early 70’s who was brought to the emergency be a sign of infection. It would be better if room of a secondary hospital because of the person is seen by a doctor, preferably weakness and poor appetite. A complete a geriatrician, as soon as possible. When we reach 80, 30 percent of blood count was requested by the resident on duty and it showed normal results. our lung function declines. There is also She was given antibiotics and was decrease in mucociliary action which sent home. Three days after, the same enables us to clean the respiratory system. patient was rushed to another hospital This is the reason why older persons are because of chest pain and difficulty of vulnerable to respiratory infections such breathing. At this time, she already as pneumonia. Pneumonia is one of the developed myocardial infarction or heart leading causes of morbidity among older attack. Chest x-ray was done showing persons; it can even lead to death if not treated properly. Proper antibiotics pneumonia on both lungs. Clinical signs and symptoms of should be given. Pneumonia vaccine is common diseases such as pneumonia also recommended for older persons. The may not be manifest among elderly vaccine will help protect them from cases patients. The immune system function of fatal pneumonia. It is usually given declines hence the older person is not every 3-5 years. My female patient had to be admitted able to mount a resistance against to the ICU to stabilize her heart attack bacterial invasion compared to younger individuals. This physiologic change in which was triggered by the pneumonic aging will show a normal white cell count process. Lucky enough, together with the in the CBC which is typically elevated cardiologist, we were able to discharge at a younger age. Furthermore, because her from the hospital, improved after of the same physiologic changes and 10 days. Again, a change in behaviour or the presence of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, symptoms of typical functional status may not be simply diseases become vague in older persons. aging or weakness. These symptoms Just like what happened to the case of may be a sign of infection among older my patient which was mentioned above. persons, immediate treatment should be She should have been admitted to the done to avoid hospitalization.MC

Pneumonia in the elderly

GOLDEN THREADS

Decision-Making and the Stock Market…

With the assumption that the worst is behind us, people with extra funds are starting to go back to investing, particularly in the stock market since it is easier and faster to make a bet Danny Buenbrazo with existing companies danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com than starting an entirely new venture. ast week’s article dealt with the Remember that the matter of decision-making. It Philippine Stock Exchange was well was headlined with a quote from on its way to conquering new highs for the conqueror of Europe, Napoleon collective stock prices before the onset Bonaparte who expressed his admiration of this COVID-19 pandemic. The virus for those who can make decisions shook the confidence of stock market because it is one of the most difficult players that the PSE Index (PSEI), the things to do. barometer of the performance of stocks The first article on decision-making listed on the Exchange plunged 69 % focused on the steps that a person or from 7,815.26 on end December 2019 an organization should follow to come to 4,623.42 on 19 March 2020. up with the best decision to realize a After staying in the 5,800 to 5,900 particular goal or to address a certain plus range for most of September and problem or concern. October , the PSE seemed to have come This piece is an application of the back to life as it gained almost 300 decision-making process in the context Index points or an appreciation of over of investing in the stock market, 6% in the first 3 trading days of this specifically through the Philippine week. It is still more than 1500 points Stock Exchange. below the end December 2019 level or But before diving into that, let me an almost 20% gain if it manages to just first recapitulate the steps in decision- return to that level. making,to wit: If we are decided to invest again, 1.Clearly identify and define the what should be the criteria to use problem or concern that you seek in selecting the stocks to buy? With to resolve; the COVID-19 experience and the 2.Develop a set of criteria against possibility of such epidemic happening which various options will be rated; again, we need to make adjustment to 3 . A s s i g n w e i g h t s ( u s u a l l y our parameters for stock picking. percentages) to the various criteria Aside from the traditional criteria, items; we now must add certain considerations. 4.Identify a list of viable options or I have at least two in mind. The company possible courses of actions; should be providing indispensable goods 5.Use the set of criteria to evaluate or services and it must have shown each of the identified alternatives; ability to adopt to the harsh conditions 6.Rank the alternatives in order of during the height of the COVID-19 the number of points they obtained; pandemic. and Next week, let us check which 7.Choose which alternative or sectors and specific stocks should be in alternatives would best solve or our radar. address your concern. “I will tell you how to become As more and more businesses are rich. Close the doors. Be fearful allowed to re-open and operate at the when others are greedy. Be greedy usual levels, the Philippine economy is when others are fearful.” - Warren nearer to being back to its normal state. Buffett MC

MARKET DRIVEN

THE MINDANAO CROSS

October 24, 2020

Undas 2020:Cotabato City cemeteries closed on Oct. 29-Nov. 4... P1 Flower for ‘Undas’... P1

In an Executive Order (EO) No. 380 issued by Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Cynthia GuianiSayadi on October 19, it said all cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums are closed between October 29 and Novemeber 4 to prevent mass gatherings that may lead to the further spread of COVID-19. EO 380 seeks to provide Cotabateños enough time to plan their early visits to their departed loved ones before or after the closure dates for cemeteries. This is in consonance with the Resolution No. 72 setting the guidelines for Undas season starting from September

17 to November 15 by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. The resolution sets the number of visitors which shall be limited to a maximum of 30 percent of the venue capacity while observing health protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shields, and observance of social distancing. There will also be no age restrictions for those who will visit cemeteries during Undas, meaning those under 21 and over 60 years old are allowed to visit their departed loved ones. Guiani-Sayadi's EO 380, meanwhile,

requires all visitors of cemeteries and memorial parks in the city to obtain a priority pass and clearance from the City Public Safety Office located at the People's Palace. For those who cannot visit the cemeteries and memorial parks, you can light candles and offer Mass intentions at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral (ICC) Parish. For visitors of the Catholic Cemetery, a permit or gate pass is required when entering the main entrance. The pass can be obtained from the ICC parish from October 20 to 27. Undas online Earlier, the Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines announced that its “Undas online” website is ready to accept prayer requests. “There will be live online Masses that will be streamed from different places,” Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, CBCP Media Office Director, said. “One can even light a candle online while praying for their dear departed,” he said. CBCP said the website will have some fresh features, including livestream of online masses, audio and video reflection, and catechesis during the Undas celebration. Valerie Ann

P. Lambo

COOPERATIVE BANK OF COTABATO Name of Bank

PUBLISHED BALANCED SHEET (Head Office and Branches) As of September 30, 2020

Account Code

Current Quarter Previous Quarter

Cash and Cash Items

108000000000000000

21,404,550.53

17,702,762.84

Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

105150000000000000

29,369,232.56

Due from Other Banks

105200000000000000

502,777,203.21

429,602,582.32

Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

112000000000000000

0.00

Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net

195200000000000000

143,233.90

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

195250000000000000

699,424.76

0.00

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

1,542,778,753.78

1,514,298,082.84

Other Financial Assets

148000000000000000

0.00

Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint VenturesNet

195452500000000000

0.00

Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net

195500500000000000

99,181,641.54

92,033,841.36

Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net

195501000000000000

1,707,864.23

Non-Current Assets Held for Sale

150150000000000000

3,478,288.56

Other Assets-Net

152000000000000000

113,829,832.03

104,446,142.73

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

155250000000000000

0.00

TOTAL ASSETS

100000000000000000

2,315,370,025.10

2,192,782,031.34

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

208000000000000000

0.00

Deposit Liabilities

215000000000000000

1,242,935,652.86

1,143,385,033.05

Due to Other Banks

220050000000000000

0.00

Bills Payable

220100000000000000

280,040,459.62

292,183,464.04

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

7,641,656.50

8,018,458.46

Other Liabilities

240100000000000000

101,576,611.85

75,700,059.14

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

230850000000000000

0.00

TOTAL LIABILITIES

200000000000000000

1,633,194,380.83

1,520,287,014.69

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

300000000000000000

682,175,644.27

672,495,016.65

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

905000000000000000

2,315,370,025.10

2,192,782,031.34

TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

400000000000000000

5,784.00

5,849.00

Gross total loan portfolio (TLP)

499020000000000000

1,691,302,735.67

1,659,822,064.73

Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP

499300000000000000

129,865,844.36

126,872,894.36

a. Gross NPLs

499100500000000000

287,006,358.49

149,057,209.56

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

499150500000000000

16.97%

8.98%

c. Net NPLs

499101000000000000

196,436,532.25

43,848,725.24

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

499151000000000000

11.61%

2.64%

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

499151500000000000

51.75%

97.63%

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

499152000000000000

45.25%

85.12%

a. Total CAR (%)

499650500500000000

25.20

25.81

b. Tier 1 Ratio (%)

499650501000000000

24.47

25.05

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 AL DACUTAN - ACCOUNTING MANAGER Autorized Signatory

ROLLY R. DELA CRUZ - PRESIDENT Autorized Signatory

per day. "Hinay karon ang baligya sa mga bulak. Kay naa may pandemic, daghan pud protocol sa pagbisita sa sementeryo. Mao nigagmay ang sales namokaron (Our sales have slowed down due to many protocols and the prohibition of visits to cemeteries)," Jirao told The Mindanao Cross. According to Jirao, the coronavirus pandemic has cut deeply into flower sales and the crisis “couldn’t have come at a worse time.” Cotabato flowers come from Davao region. “We used to pay P400 trnsport cost for flowers from Davao or Digos, now we need to shell out P1,000 to P1,200. Bus and van fares skyrocketed due the pandemic,” she added. From a P100 worth of ready-made flower

arrangement prepandemic, Jirao is selling it now for P150. Ahead of the Oct. 29 ban on cemetery visit, many residents have been coming to visit the graves this early. In the Cotabato City Catholic Cemetery, body temperatures are checked to all who come in and a permit obtained from the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish is required. The few visitors brought flowers and came in individually due to COVID-19 restrictions. Several tombstones were adorned with fresh flower arrangements and still-lit candles, which means that people have already taken the time to visit their dead before the closure.Valerie Ann P.

doing so does not mean a person is going insane. “I want to tell our countrymen, first, it’s OK not to be OK. All of us experience that feeling now because of this situation, but we need the support of the family and the community,” she said. Vergeire also stressed that people with mental health issues should not be stigmatized, to enable them to return to their communities and their work. “To our countrymen experiencing fears, anxieties, depression, feeling of hopelessness and helplessness, you may call our hotlines at the National Center for Mental Health. We also have partner institutions like the Philippine Mental Health Association, the University of the Philippines–Diliman Psychosocial Services and also Ateneo Bulatao Psychological Service,” she said. For urgent mental health support, the department urged the public to contact the Department of Health's National Center for Mental Health 24/7 Crisis Hotline numbers at 0917 899 8727 (USAP) and 989 8727 (USAP).

their mental health. A total of 3,500 people responded to the ICRCcommissioned survey from seven countries: Colombia, Lebanon, the Philippines, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The survey, which was carried out by Ipsos from September 18-22, queried 500 people per country from a nationally representative sample. The survey entitled “The greatest need was to be listened to: The importance of mental health and psychosocial support during COVID-19” also found that nearly three in four respondent or 73 percent said that frontline health workers and first responders have more need for mental health support than the average person. “Mental health programmes are some of the least expensive interventions in humanitarian response, but they have a lifesaving and priceless impact on the lives of people who need them” said Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. He added that now more than ever we must invest in mental health and psychosocial support for everyone – communities and carers alike – to help people cope, rebuild their lives and thrive through this c r i s i s . Va l e r i e A n n P.

Lambo

Battling the invisible... P8

Mental health survey Recently, an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) survey found that half of all respondents (51 percent) in a sevencountry survey said that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected

Lambo

Pope Francis calls for same... P4 homosexual behaviour or to legal recognition of homosexual unions. The common good requires that laws recognize, promote and protect marriage as the basis of the family, the primary unit of society.” “Legal recognition of homosexual unions or placing them on the same level as marriage would mean not only the approval of deviant behaviour, with the consequence of making it a model in present-day society, but would also obscure basic values which belong to the common inheritance of humanity. The Church cannot fail to defend these

values, for the good of men and women and for the good of society itself,” the CDF added, calling support for such unions from politicians “gravely immoral.” “Not even in a remote analogous sense do homosexual unions fulfil the purpose for which marriage and family deserve specific categorical recognition. On the contrary, there are good reasons for holding that such unions are harmful to the proper development of human society, especially if their impact on society were to increase,” the document said.CNA Staff

October 24, 2020

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Battling the invisible: Mental health in times of pandemic COTABATO CITY – In times of fear and uncertainty, when threats to one’s own survival and that of others become one of the main issues of daily life, many believe that mental health care can wait and that efforts should focus on preserving life. For Dr. Margie Daylusan-Fiesta, a licensed guidance counsellor and psychometrician, the need to understand, as an individual person, our capability of handling our emotions is significant when we are faced with life’s uncertainties. "We need to ask ourselves, should this unexpected thing happen to me, how would I handle my feelings? The answer to this question, for me, is the start of being aware of one’s level of mental health," Dr. Daylusan-Fiesta said. She underscored that how the person reacts to difficult situations is manifested in one’s actions or behaviors, hence, "sound of mind; sound of body." In addressing people’s psychosocial needs, Dr. Daylusan-Fiesta said it is important to just be there with the person and give your listening self. Constantly talking about your own story or experiences is not useful. "Be acceptant of the reality that we are into now-the ‘new normal.’ Acknowledge the feeling. If you are feeling anxious, feel it as this can help one cope in a healthy way. Who does not feel the fear, anyway? You are not alone having this feeling," she added.

Suicide on distance learning Recently, the Department of Education (DepEd) appealed to the public to refrain from directly connecting suicide cases to distance learning and use of modules, which are being implemented this school year due to the pandemic. In a statement on Tuesday, the DepEd warned about certain individuals and groups using reports on the deaths of

some teachers and learners to "discredit the efforts of the department." "Suicide is a sensitive and complex issue. We would like to appeal to everyone to stop directly connecting such to modules or distance learning," the statement read. Initial investigations showed that none of the reported suicide deaths have pointed to distance learning as their direct cause, DepEd added. Dr. Daylusan-Fiesta said suicide means ending your own life and happens as a way of escaping the pain or suffering. "We can prevent the suicidal tendencies by taking the warning signs seriously. When you heard someone verbalizes, he/she is tired of life, do not ignore. Encourage him/her to talk. Or, encourage the person to talk to a guidance counsellor, psychologist or mental health professionals as soon as possible," she said. However, the Philippine government has yet to release the number of people who committed suicide or are suffering from mental health problems due to the lockdowns imposed amid the pandemic, but it acknowledges that there are repercussions that need to be addressed. Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said the government has hotlines that can help people with mental health issues. “From the start, we have reminded our countrymen that they should not just take care of their physical health. We should also be healthy, mentally,” Vergeire said. She emphasized that there is nothing to be ashamed of in calling mental health hotlines because

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Statement on the PRC Testing

hilHealth recognizes the Philippine Red Cross(PRC) as an important partner in the Government’s drive to curb COVID-19 through intensive targeted testing. It is in close coordination with PRC to thresh out issues pertaining to the said partnership so the PRC can immediately resume accommodating RT-PCR tests for priority sectors that will be paid for by PhilHealth. As of September 20, PhilHealth already paid the PRC a total ofPl .6 billion for at least 433,263 tests. In the meantime, it is requesting that specimens from affected sectors be submitted to other accredited testing laboratories to be able to avail of PhilHealth benefits. Please see complete list at https://www.philhealth. gov.ph/covid/TestLabs 08312020.pdf.

GIANT CROCODILE. A 17.11 feet long giant saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) was captured on Wednesday, October 14 in Brgy. Bakong, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, after local residents spotted the reptile wandering along Taytay beach in the said town. Photo courtesy of MENRE-BARMM

Oblate “surrender” croc, pythons to DENR

For safekeeping and to ensure they are in “good hands,” officials of Oblaterun Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto zoo in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao have turned over two endangered animal species to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). A Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) and three Reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus) are now under the custody of Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) of Midsayap, North Cotabato.

B a d j u r y H . Mustapha, CENRO chief said Father Marciano Andres, OMI, director of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao – adjacent to Cotabato City – informed his office to take custody of the wildlife species which were saved by the latter from private individuals. Father Andres, who took care of the reptiles for four months, said that he coordinated with the DENR officials to retrieve the healthy species and admitted that he could no longer sustain to provide their basic needs.

Mustapha then directed CENRO Assistant Protected Area Superintendent Adiel R. Pamikirin, Forest Technician Shuahmed H. Bago and Field Assistant Anna P. Saban – with the assistance of a Herpetologist from University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, Cotabato Prof. John Aries G. Tabora to take custody the wildlife species. Based on the report, the Philippine crocodile has a length of seven feet while the three reticulated pythons are seven, eight and nine-feet long.