The Mindanao Cross | November 5, 2022 by The Mindanao Cross

Vol. LXXIV| No. 39 Cotabato City | Saturday, November 5, 2022| 8 Pages | P10.00

Search for landslide victims called off

CHURCH / P4

Cardinal Tagle urges Asia’s Church leaders to journey with ‘mercy, compassion’

MPW clears roads, repairs damaged infra

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PBBM PBBM WANTS WANTS MASSIVE MASSIVE TREE TREE PLANTING PLANTING AFTER AFTER “PAENG” “PAENG” The devastation brought about by “Typhoon Paeng” in Maguindanao has revived calls for massive tree planting. Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr who visited Maguindanao del Norte has noticed the lack of trees around Mt. Minandar in Barangay Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, considered by disaster officials as “ground zero.” More than 30 people

By Edwin O. Fernandez

living in a government relocation site were buried alive when mud with boulders cascaded from Mt. Minandar. During his aerial inspection before meeting military officials and leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

Days to Christmas

ERASED. What used to be a quiet Indigenous Peoples community is now a mute witness to the traumatic but avoidable tragedy that claimed the lives of over 30 people in Sitio Tinabon, Barangay Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao following an overnight downpour spawned by Typhoon Paeng. Photo courtesy of Office of the Press Secretary

Marcos: Cut bureaucracy in relief works

By John Felix Unson PRESIDENT Ferdinand governments should do Marcos, Jr. today urged away with the practice of o f f i c i a l s i n v o l v e d i n releasing relief supplies r e l i e f o p e r a t i o n s f o r only to direct constituents victims of Tropical Storm and from using coupons, Paeng to do away with distributed to calamitybureaucratic processes stricken families prior that can limit their access to actual distribution of to essential provisions food supplies, as proof of and services. residency. The President “Let’s give them what presided over a calamity we have, what we can i m p a c t a s s e s s m e n t give. It doesn’t matter if m e e t i n g h e r e w i t h they get double of what heads of Region 12 line is intended per person, or agencies, local executives per family,” the President from Maguindanao del said. Norte, Maguindanao del Mayors from Sur and Sultan Kudarat calamity-stricken towns provinces and officials i n M a g u i n d a n a o d e l o f t h e B a n g s a m o r o Norte and Maguindanao government where the del Sur were present in p l i g h t o f m o r e t h a n the meeting, held at the 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 c a l a m i t y - Officers’ Club the 6th stricken individuals was Infantry Division. discussed extensively. Defense Secretary The President said Jose Faustino Jr., Local s t a t e r e l i e f e n t i t i e s , Government Secretary barangay, municipal, Benjamin Abalos, c i t y a n d p r o v i n c i a l Jr., Social Welfare

Paeng displaces over 500K BARMM residents

By John Felix Unson THE flashfloods and landslides caused by heavy rains from midnight Thursday to early Friday displaced 578, 258 people in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte provinces. Reports, as of Tuesday this week, from the Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) outfit of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao stated that of the 578, 258 calamity-stricken individuals, 337,980 are residents of Cotabato City, the regional capital of BARMM. Cotabato City is traversed by downstream waterways from the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Delta, a catch basin for more than a dozen large rivers that springs from hinterlands in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Bukidnon provinces. Floodwaters from the Liguasan Delta drains at the sea in the west coast of Cotabato City via rivers straddling through lowland barangays in the area. Bangsamoro Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, who is overseeing the operation of the READi contingent, said Sunday their calamity and disaster responders are still out, providing evacuees with relief interventions. The evacuees are now in makeshift evacuation sites and in public gymnasiums. Many of the READi personnel are deployed in Maguindanao del Norte’s adjoining Datu Odin Sinsuat and Datu Blah Sinsuat towns, worst hit by flashfloods and where more than 30 residents perished when rocks and mud, loosened by

Classes suspended in Paeng hit areas in BARMM By Edwin O. Fernandez CLASSES here in all levels, both private and public, have been suspended starting today until Friday. City Mayor Bruce Matabalao announced the cancellation of classes to allow the continuation of clearing operations in flooded schools. Thirty-six of Cotabato City’s 37 villages have been affected by floods spawned by Typhoon Paeng last week, affecting 67,956 households or 337,980 individuals. In Upi, Maguindanao del Norte, government works and classes in all level were also suspended starting today until Nov. 4 to allow the continuation of recovery efforts. At least 84 public schools across the region were flooded during the height of Paeng devastation, the BARMM

DID YOU KNOW? November is Malaria Awareness Month

MUST WEDDING. Amid the floods that submerged a village in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, still drenched town Mayor Juanito Agustin, who led the search and rescue operations, paused to officiate the marriage a couple on Oct. 28, 2022. Photo courtesy of Photo from Mayor Agustin’s

Per Proclamation No. 1168 the month of November of every year is declared as Malaria Awareness Month. Malaria is a disease caused by protozoan parasites called Plasmodium. It is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Most malaria cases in the country occur in rural areas and especially in forested, swampy, hilly and mountainous regions. The typical presentation of malaria is high grade fever that periodically recurs every two to three days. The fever is preceded by several hours of shaking chills, and as the fever subsides the patient experiences marked sweating. -dilg.gov.ph

Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education said. A c r o s s t h e Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), 468 villages have been affected with 223,256 households or 570,285 individuals, mostly in Maguindanao provinces. In a bulletin released by the office of BARMM Interior Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, the number of fatalities as of today remained at 53 with 12 still missing and 38 persons injured. Through the BARMM Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi), the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) reported that 402 houses were partially damaged and 339 were totally destroyed.

November 5, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Search for landslide victims called off

OFFICIALS suspended since Wednesday the search for around 10 still missing persons in villages hit by landslides as mud covering houses around got hardened by sunlight. More than 40 people had been dug since Saturday from debris that covered villages in Barangay Kusiong in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao del Norte that cascaded from hills nearby, loosened by rains spawned by Tropical Storm Paeng. Major Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told reporters

Thursday that the suspension of the search operation was based on consensus by various emergency response groups, military units involved in the search operations and officials of the Bangsamoro regional government. “The mud on top of houses hit by landslides got to hard so we decided to stop the search operation,” Galido said.

Galido is overseeing the rescue missions in areas hit by landslides and flashfloods in the adjoining Datu Blah Sinsuat and Datu Odin Sinsuat towns in Maguindanao del Norte. “Meantime we shall help in relief efforts of local government units for constituents badly affected by the storm that ravaged Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur last week,” Galido said. John Felix Unson

20 landslide fatalities buried IN a somber and languid mood, 20 of the more than 30 people who perished in the landslides that hit seaside villages in Maguindanao del Norte were buried together on Monday. The simple but markedly emotional burial rite in the seaside Barangay Kusiong in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao was by municipal officials, the Bangsamoro Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs and the regional government’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) outfit. All of the 20 fatalities laid to rest Monday belong to the non-Moro ethnic Teduray community. They were in their houses at the foot of Mt. Minandar in Barangay Kusiong from where rocks and mud that covered their entire village cascaded from following six hours of heavy downpours spawned by the Tropical Storm Paeng. Emergency responders from the Bangsamoro READi and rescuers from different local government

units in nearby provinces, personnel of different police and Army units and teams from the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Coast Guard are still searching for 14 residents of Barangay Kusiong whose houses were flattened by landslides and rampaging floodwaters. Bangsamoro Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, who is overseeing the READi contingent, said they shall provide the families of the people who perished in the calamity with essential relief support and psychosocial interventions to ease their plight. Local officials have, since Sunday, been fixing bridges in Maguindanao del Norte's Datu Blah Sinsuat town, adjacent to Datu Odin Sinsuat, that floodwaters destroyed. (John Felix Unson) LAID TO REST. The 20 villagers who perished in Friday’s landslides that hit farming enclaves in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte were buried together Monday. John Felix Unson

THE Bangsamoro government dispersed 70 metric tons of rice Wednesday for distribution to calamity-stricken residents of towns in its core territory. Senior Minister Abdulrauf Macacua of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said Thursday residents of the 63 BARMM barangays in Cotabato province are among the beneficiaries of the relief operations. Many of the 63 BARMM barangays, grouped as the Special Geographic Area, or SGA, in different towns in Cotabato, which is under Region 12, also got flooded due to Tropical Storm

Paeng that pummeled the country last week. Macacua, in a statement Thursday, said a big bulk of the rice supply they dispatched are intended for Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur. More than 50 people perished in landslides and flashfloods that ravaged on October 28 Maguindanao del Norte’s adjoining Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura and Upi towns as a result of Typhoon Paeng. Wednesday’s delivery of rice to the affected areas was facilitated by Macacua’s office. John

More rice for BARMM’s Paeng victims

LANDSLIDE VICTIM. Physician Kadil Sinolinding, Jr., a member of the 80-seat Bangsamoro interim parliament, treats a victim of the deadly landslide that hit a village in Barangay Kusiong in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, last week, triggered by heavy rains due to Tropical Storm Paeng. Photo by John Felix Unson

Bad weather gone, BARMM steps up relief opn

WITH Typhoon Paeng gone and Tropical Depression Queenie not affecting mainland Mindanao, relief agencies in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have intensified relief efforts in flood-affected areas across the region. Lawyer Raisa Jajurie, minister of social services and development in BARMM, has spearheaded relief operations to affected families in Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sulu Tuesday. In Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, a total of 6,221 home-based and 517 flood-affected residents there received relief support during the distribution conducted from 31 October to 1 November 2022. The families currently staying at Poblacion gymnasium evacuation center received sacks of rice, food packs, family-sized tents, water jugs, mineral water, hygiene kits, and a community kitchen set.

In the so called Special Geographic Area (SGA) in North Cotabato, MSSD personnel also extended aid to 1,646 households received relief supplies during the distribution conducted on Nov. 1 at Midsayap and Pigcawayan clusters. Minister Jajurie said out of 1,646 beneficiaries, 550 of them were from Central Labas, Midsayap whose residential homes were submerged by floods spawned by Typhoon Paeng last week. She said MSSD will continue to provide assistance to other floodaffected barangays of SGA. In Sulu, MSSD personnel distributed relief goods to families affected by floods and strong winds that damaged their homes in Barangays Timbangan and Bunut of Indanan. Aside from emergency relief goods, the MSSD has been providing intervention and other

assistance so the affected families can rebuild their damaged homes. Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continue to provide aid in various communities affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in Mindanao. In a statement, PRC said that it “responded by deploying its water tankers and food trucks to meet the immediate needs of people severely affected by the storm in Cotabato City and Maguindanao.” PRC Chair and CEO Richard Gordon said the Red Cross and the barangays, through the Red Cross 143 volunteer system “are working together to bring basic needs to our countrymen who were severely affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng).” PRC said that its water tankers have distributed 21,000 liters of water in Cotabato City and 15,000 liters in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Edwin O. Fernandez

NCIP seeks IPs support on 11 IPRA ‘building blocks’

KORONADAL CITY — The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Central Mindanao reiterated anew the agency’s calls for institutionalizing the 11 "building blocks" mandated under the Indigenous Peoples Right Act of 1997 (IPRA) to ensure that IP communities are resilient and responsive. Jennifer Dublas, NCIP Commissioner for Central Mindanao, explained the importance of the 11 "dynamics" during the

“7th Gu Sasleng Festival du dad Blaan and the commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the IPRA (RA 8371) in the municipality of Tampakan. “The 11 dynamics must be implemented as mandated by the IPRA Law,” Dublas said, even as she reminded the over a thousand Tampakan IPs who participated in the activity to help promote the IPRA provisions. The "building blocks" provided under the IPRA include the

confirmation of Indigenous Political Structure (IPS); Registration and Accreditation of Indigenous Peoples Organizations; Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title and Certificate of Ancestral Land Title Delineation Process; establishment of the Ancestral Domain Management Office; and Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan Formulation. Also included are the IP Wealth Management-

Community Resource Management Development Plan Formulation; Institutionalization of CP: Free, Prior and Informed Consent and Exercise of Priority Rights; Effective Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in the Local Legislative Bodies; Efficient and Enhanced Memorandum Agreement Formulation, Socio-Economic Activities with IP Cooperatives, and Ancestral Domain Defense System. PNA

Felix Unson

Floods fail to stop NoCot civil wedding

EVEN floods that submerged almost the entire town of Pigcawayan in North Cotabato did not stop a couple from exchanging “I do’s” before a drenched Municipal Mayor Juanito Agustin. Mayor Agustin took a brief break from his rescue mission to officiate the scheduled civil wedding of his constituents at the municipal hall Friday morning. Still drenched in water from spearheading rescue efforts, Mayor Agustin officiated the

matrimonial union not in his normal barong tagalog attire but in wet t-shirt and black shorts. After officiating the civil marriage of Ely Ardano and Angelyn Perfas, he congratulated the couple and told them he cannot join the reception program for he has to resume his rescue efforts. The wedding was over in less than 15 minutes. “Thank you so much mayor,” the couple said as Agustin hurriedly left.

Edwin O. Fernandez

November 5, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Alleged MILF member nabbed for P136K worth shabu

STATE agents seized P136,000 worth of shabu from an alleged member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front entrapped in a nearby town Thursday. Rogelito Daculla, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said Datu Ali Savedra Andal, a suspected MILF member, is now in their custody. Daculla said Andal shall be prosecuted for violation of the Dangerous

Drugs Act of 2002. Daculla said Andal was immediately detained after selling P136,000 worth of shabu to non-uniformed PDEA-BARMM agents in a tradeoff in Barangay Crossing Simuay in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. Besides shabu, PDEA-BARMM agents and policemen who helped entrap Andal also impounded his Suzuki Raider 150 motorcycle that he used in transporting narcotics to his contacts.

John Felix Unson

Dalican gov’t nurse attacker yields

POLICE said the man suspected to shot dead a government nurse on duty in a district hospital has voluntarily gave up to face the charges against him. Major Reggie Abellera, speaking for Maguindanao provincial police office, said Manalao Nur alias “Bots,” suspect in the shooting of nurse Nelson Mantawil voluntarily surrendered to Mayor Lester Sinsuat on Thursday. “Mayor Sinsuat turned over Nur to DOS police chief Lt. Colonel Nelson Madiwo,” Abellera told DXMS Radyo Bida.

It was unclear what convinced Nur to surrender after the October 27 shooting inside the Dinaig District Hospital in Barangay Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Mantawil and Nur are both ethnic Maguindanaons, according to sources residing in the town proper of Datu Odin Sinsuat. The sources said Mantawil and Nur were having a loud altercation over something before shots rang through the surroundings. John Felix

Unson

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heavy rains, cascaded from nearby hills and covered their villages. The READi said, as of Saturday, 40 people perished from landslides that flattened villages and drowned in waist-deep rampaging floodwaters that swept through farming enclaves in Datu Odin Sinsuat and Datu Blah municipalities.

Carpenter held for P680K...from P8 operation that led to his arrest was assisted by the members of the Cotabato City Police Precinct 4 under Capt. Mustapha Usman and operatives from City Police Drug Enforcement Unit. Madin said they are now trying to determine, along with intelligence agents from Republic of the Philippines Midsayap, Cotabato LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirements and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Marcelina Jorolan Antipuesto has filed with this office a petition for change of day of birth from 26 August 1990 to 26 July 1990 and change of first name from Jimboy to Jaypee in the certificate of live birth of Jimboy Jorolan Antipuesto who was born on 26 August 1990, at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Avelino D. Antipuesto and Marcelina A. Jorolan. Any person affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato. (Sgd.) NORAH B. CABUGWASON Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Nov. 5 & 12, 2022

the Cotabato City police force, the supplier of the shabu that Enggo peddled around prior to his arrest. Madin said they are thankful to vigilant tipsters who provided them information on the shabu trafficking activities of Enggo, enabling them to entrap him promptly. John

Felix Unson

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late DATUCAN D. ABDULA who died on August 12, 2019 in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 305-B-1, Psd(ARMM)-000714, situated in Tenorio, Dinaig now Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, containing an area of 3,834 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-14727 is subject of extrajudicial settlement with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Gapor G. Quituar as per Doc. No. 186; Page No. 38; Book No. LXXII; Series of 2022. MC: Nov. 5, 12 & 19, 2022

Davao sends more aid to Cotabato City, Maguindanao

THE City Government of Davao sends another batch of welfare goods to Cotabato City and Maguindanao, Province on Friday morning, November 4. At least 16 trucks were deployed today carrying around 8,000 boxes of welfare goods, medicines, sleeping kits, and hygiene kits coming from the City Government, Philippine

Coast Guard, and private donors. The Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office is also sending psychologists and social workers to assist in the psychosocial intervention of the affected individuals. Personnel from the Davao City Police Office and Task Force Davao were also deployed to help in the

distribution of goods. The Local Government of Davao continues to accept in-kind donations at the designated dropoff points in Rizal Park (beside City Hall) and Task Force Davao Headquarters in Sta. Ana, Wharf until November 5 for Typhoon Paeng-affected communities.

Davao City PIO

November 5, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Cardinal Tagle urges Asia’s Church leaders to journey with ‘mercy, compassion’

ASIA’S Catholic Church leaders should follow the example of Jesus whose journey with the people was of “mercy and compassion, not of condemnation; of patience, not of destruction.” Speaking at the end of the 18day gathering of the region’s Church leaders in Thailand on Sunday, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, papal legate, cited lessons from Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus in the day’s Gospel. He said that when considered in light of the theme of the general conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), the Gospel story suggests “three lessons” for the Church in Asia. This year’s general conference, the first since the pandemic in 2020, marked the 50th anniversary of FABC and carried the theme “Journeying together as Peoples of Asia.” Cardinal Tagle represented Pope Francis in the concluding Mass of the conference at the Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 31. Citing the Gospel reading, the cardinal said Jesus initially intended to pass through Zacchaeus’ town during his journey, but after the encounter with the tax collector, Jesus decided to stay. Cardinal Tagle said the story suggests that “journeying together” needs to be “intended, chosen and willed” and cannot just be left to “chance.” He said Jesus also chose as his travel companion “not the purest, not the most upright, not the blameless, not the one who will make him more acceptable to people, not the one who belonged to his circle,” but a tax collector, a sinner in the eyes of society. “God wants us to journey with those who might differ from us,” said the cardinal in his homily. “What type of journeying together will it be? Where is its destination?” he continued. “With Jesus, it will be a journey of mercy and compassion, not of condemnation; of patience, not of destruction,” he said. ‘New pathways’ for renewal Asia’s Catholic Church leaders ended their historic meeting by laying down in a statement what they described as “new pathways” for renewing the Church in the region. In its final document, which

aims to be a pastoral guideline for “a better Asia,” the FABC noted several “challenges,” to the region, including poverty, refugee crisis, climate change, and violence. “In prayer and in a spirit of collaboration, we desire to respond to these challenges by relying on the power of love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness,” the bishops said in their message. “We believe that peace and reconciliation is the only way forward. We have envisaged new pathways for our ministry based on mutual listening and genuine discernment,” they said. Among these new “pathways,” the bishops vowed to pursue genuine dialogue aimed at finding fresh concrete and more creative ways to address the problems besetting the Church and society. “We commit ourselves to bridgebuilding not just among religions and traditions but also by principled engagement with governments, NGOs, and civic organizations on issues of human rights, eradication of poverty, human trafficking, care of the earth, and other common concerns,” they said. “By journeying together along these pathways, we will serve the world with greater commitment,” added the Church leaders. “We assure our people of this continent that the Catholic Church in Asia will always work for a better Asia and the good of all our people,” read the statement. Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, FABC president, said that “only when we walk together as one that we can serve more effectively.” “What has been clear in this conference is the need to work together, to collaborate as one Church of Asia,” said the cardinal from Myanmar. “We commit ourselves to work for a better Asia because the joys of others must be our joys; the pains of others must be our pains too,” he said. “There can be no room for apathy and indifference. What we need is empathy and compassion,” added Cardinal Bo. Jose Torres Jr./

LiCAS.news

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (center) with the delegates of the FABC general conference at the Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok, Thailand, during the closing Mass of the meeting on Oct. 30, 2022. Photo courtesy of Roy Lagarde

Cardinal Zen trial update: Defense calls for charges to be dismissed LAWYERS defending Cardinal Joseph Zen and five other Hong Kong democracy activists took the floor Monday in the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court, the same courthouse where a Protestant pastor was sentenced to one year in jail for sedition last week. In the third court date this month, Zen’s defense argued before Principal Magistrate Ada Yim Shun-yee on Oct. 31 that the charges against the trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund should be dismissed. The 90-year-old cardinal and the fund’s other trustees have been charged with failing to apply for local society registration for the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund between 2019 and 2021. The fund helped pro-democracy protesters pay their legal fees until it dissolved itself in October 2021. Hong Kong’s Societies Ordinance required any club, company, partnership, or association of persons to register with the police commissioner or ask for an exemption within one month of its establishment. According to the defense, the trustees did not have reciprocal rights and responsibilities and therefore did not set up a society as defined by

e have just finished under torture and imminent celebrating two feasts death. What encouraged that remind us of our the seven brothers was their immortal destiny, the Feast of belief in the afterlife , as one All Saints and the Feast of All of the brothers said to their Souls. We belong to one body torturers, “the king of the eflections of Christ called the Church: world will raise us up. He the Church triumphant in will give us eternal life since Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC heaven, the Church Suffering we die for his laws.” All the tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com in Purgatory, and we the brothers died but they did not Pilgrim Church on earth. The saints are our intercessors give up their beliefs. and friends in heaven, while we on the other hand pray Is the afterlife real for us? I have read some books for and intercede for the souls in purgatory so that when who showed some people who were considered medically they join the saints in heaven we gain more intercessors dead but were brought back to life. They talked of their and friends. These two devotions to the saints and for the experience at being on the brink of entering a new reality souls are so ingrained in our Catholic consciousness that . They could even see their body surrounded by doctors we flock to the cemeteries during these holidays. We and loved ones. It was a beautiful moment but they felt believe that our faithful departed are present among us called to go back. These experiences were recorded and and join us during our festivities. They are not forgotten. analyzed. The most popular book is by Dr. Raymond The readings this Sunday affirm this belief in the Moody, Life After Life (1975), who interviewed 150 afterlife. In the gospel Jesus was confronted by the patients about their near-death experiences. There were Sadducees, a Jewish group who did not believe in the some common themes in their experiences: they were afterlife (Lk. 20:27-38). As in any Jewish rabbinical being drawn to the light, they felt peaceful, they did not discussion Jesus was presented with a hypothetical want to go back. Upon being brought back to life, they situation. There were seven brothers and the first pursued new directions and priorities that really matter married a woman but he died without leaving any with in the light of our final destiny. These experiences children. According to the law of Moses the next brother are the closest empirical data about the new reality had to marry her and produce a child with her but he too called the afterlife. died. The other brothers did the same but they too died, For many of us who believe in the afterlife, it is a until the woman herself died childless. The question was matter of faith. It is a matter of trusting the words of then posed to Jesus, “If there is an afterlife, who would be Jesus who said that He will go ahead to prepare for us the woman’s husband?” Jesus answered that in the life so that where He is, there we will join Him (John 14:3). to come there is no more marriage because the citizens This is a source of comfort and joy for us who have lost of heaven will be like angels. It will be a different kind our loved ones. St. Paul wrote these consoling words in of life. Jesus affirmed the doctrine of the resurrection, his letter to the Thessalonians, “May Christ Jesus. Our “The dead will be raised.” Lord, who has loved us, may God our Father, who in The first reading was taken from the book of his mercy, gives us everlasting comfort and true hope, Maccabees (cf. 2Mac. 7:1-2. 9-14). It was the time of the strengthen you” (2 Thess. 16). Perhaps, like Dr. Moody, Greek conquest and persecution of Israel and the seven we have to change our description of life after death. It brothers were arrested and tortured because of their is actually life after life, where death is only a threshold faith. They did not want to break the laws of Israel, even to new life. MC

Immortality

the ordinance, Asia News reported. The prosecution argued last week that the fund needed to be registered with the police because of its “massive” size and “systematic” mode of operation, according to the South China Morning Post. Zen and the other democracy activists could face a $1,200 (HK$10,000) fine for violating the ordinance. The retired bishop of Hong Kong was arrested in May along with other democracy activists under Hong Kong’s strict national security law but now faces a less serious charge. He has been free on bail since early May. Last week, a Protestant pastor was convicted of sedition in the West Kowloon court for having criticized a judge for losing her “conscience” and clapping during a trial earlier this year over a vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Reverend Garry Pang Moon-yuen was sentenced to one year in prison on Oct. 27. The 59-year-old pastor said: “I may have lost the case on paper, but in terms of defending conscience and justice, and in terms of safeguarding the rule of law, I am victorious.” Courtney Mares/Catholic

News Agency

Daily Scripture Readings 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Wisdom 11.22 – 12.2; 2 Thessalonians 1.11 – 2.2; Luke 19.1-10 Mon

Readings: no. 491, p. 1715 1st Reading: Titus 1.1-9 Gospel: Luke 17.1-6

Tue

Readings: no. 492, p. 1717 1st Reading: Titus 2.1-8, 11-14 Gospel: Luke 17.7-10

Wed

Readings: Lect., S&S, no. 671, p. 827; Lect., WKday B, p. 1870; BG, p. 444 1st Reading: Ezekiel 47.1-2, 8-9, 12 or 1 Corinthians 3.9b-11, 16-17 Gospel: John 2.13-22

Thu

Readings: no. 494, p. 1721 or no. 672, p. 1873 1st Reading: Philemon 7-20 Gospel: Luke 17.20-25

Fri

Readings: no. 495, p. 1723 or no. 673, p. 1873 1st Reading: 2 John 4-9 Gospel: Luke 17.26-37

Sat

Readings: no. 496, p. 1726 or 674, p. 1873 1st Reading: 3 John 5-8 Gospel: Luke 18.1-8

November 5, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

EDITORIAL

What is Halloween?

lot of Filipinos were surprised to hear that on October 29, 2022, a “crowd crush” took place in South Korea, specifically in Itaewon, Seoul which is popular among local Korean people and tourists. Initial reports showed that 155 people died, and at least 152 were injured. This happened during the Halloween festivities, when the crowd, “many wearing masks and costumes” as is common during the celebration of Halloween, all turned to areas in Itaewon causing a stampede. What is Halloween? According to Britannica, Halloween, is a contraction of All Hallows’ Eve, a holiday observed on October 31, the evening before All Saints’ (or All Hallows’) Day. The celebration marks the day before the Western Christian feast of All Saints and initiates the season of Allhallowtide, which lasts three days and concludes with All Souls’ Day. In much of Europe and most of North America, observance of Halloween is largely nonreligious. Halloween is celebrated on Monday, October 31, 2022. The history of Halloween dates back more than 2,000 years to the Celts and is symbolic of the cycle of life and death. The most notable link to Halloween is the festival of Samhain, which marks the end of the harvest season and ushers in the start of winter. Filipinos do not celebrate Halloween in general and prefer to focus on the local practice of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Although some people make the effort to bring some festivities in the cemeteries that almost all areas in the country have, these has fizzled down to some extent due to the dangers posed by the COVID Pandemic, and the dangers of public safety in these cemeteries. Let us accept the fact that Filipinos are “seguristas” when it comes to guarding their lives. A few years ago, the Catholic Church set about discouraging the festivities held in the cemeteries. It wanted the focus of celebrations to be towards the Saints of the Catholic Church for the first day (All Saints Day) and the Souls of faithful departed on the second day. For quite some time, the Catholics confined their celebration as dictated by the church, with the second day devoted to the Souls of the bereaved dead. After the Pandemic, this practice seem to be accepted by many. At present, families spend their time in cemeteries with their loved ones, a solemn act of piety. None of the western celebration where masks and costumes are worn by Children (who goes around the neighborhood) asking for trick or treat. None also of the young peoples musical festivities typical of Halloween like the one that caused the Itaewon, Seoul stampede. It may be strange to find several ways of celebrating Halloween around the world, but the best practice is still our local ones. Nothing beats a simple family picnic and flowers in cemeteries to show the care we have for our dearly departed. MC +

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Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, Chief-Executive-Officer Eva Kimpo - Tan, Editor-in-Chief Edwin O. Fernandez, News Editor Gemma A. Peñaflor, Administration and Marketing Executive Julito P. Torres, Circulation Officer Karl John B. Daniel, Graphic-Layout Artist 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 & Drema Quitayen Bravo 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.

t seems as if in this country, very few government officials, both elected and appointed, listen –really listen— to what the people are saying. More often than not, they believe they know better (doesn’t the line “Pabayaan n’yo ako! Ako ang Presidente!” sound familiar?), or worse, know everything. Many even believe they are infallible. Results of a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations from September 29 to October 2, 2022 showed that close to half of Filipinos, 49%, rated themselves “poor,” slightly up from the previous 48%. The same survey showed that 34% of families rated themselves “food poor.” According to the SWS, the estimated numbers of Self-Rated Poor families are 12.6 million in October 2022 and 12.2 million in June 2022. Meanwhile, the estimated numbers of Self-Rated Food Poor families are 8.7 million in both October 2022 and June 2022. SWS said the SRP Threshold is the minimum monthly budget self-rated poor families say they need for home expenses in order not to consider themselves as poor. The SRP Gap is how much self-rated poor families they lack in their minimum monthly budgets relative to their SRP Threshold. To determine the SRP Threshold of the respondents and the SRP Gap of the survey respondents respectively, they were asked: “Upang hindi na masabing mahirap kayo, magkano sa palagay ninyo ang pinakamababang panggastos sa bahay sa isang buwan na kailangan ng inyong pamilya? Hindi po kasama ang mga gastusin na may kinalaman sa trabaho tulad ng pamasahe.” (In your opinion, how much money would your family need for home expenses each month in order not to be called poor anymore? This excludes work-related expenses like transportation.)” “Magkano pa po ba ang kulang ninyo sa ngayon? (How much DO YOU LACK now?)” SWS also explained that the Self-Rated Food Poverty (SFRP) Threshold is the minimum monthly food budget the food-poor families say they need in order not to consider their type of food as poor. The SRFP Gap is how much food-poor families lack relative to their stated SRFP threshold. To determine these, respondents were asked: “Upang hindi na masabing mahirap kayo, batay sa pagkain, magkano sa palagay ninyo ang pinakamababang panggastos sa pagkain sa isang buwan na kailangan ng inyong pamilya? (In your opinion, how much money would your family need for food expenses each month in order

P there, the difference between life and death is 1/1600 of an inch of a rubber. -- Neil Armstrong at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

(1969) Alhamdulillah.... the second day after the flash-floods was time to review and learn hard lessons from experience, during a post-’Paeng’ household assessment, a time to restore things over from the mess of floods. One would wonder why there was no spark whatsoever in one of the two electrical outlets designated with the steady heavy load for the refrigerator despite being underwater as the flood level rose from torrential rains triggered by ‘Paeng’. Neither did the corresponding line automatically switch-off in the panel board. In such a situation, I waded unmindfully through the inundated level of the staircase basement to save our plastic rice box container. Earlier on, I was busy reminding friends and kindred on Facebook posts about the risks of electrical outlets being possibly underwater during the heavy rains. But little did we realize that the electrical outlet to our refrigerator was way underwater--and hadn’t put off its line from its circuit breaker switch at some point amid the overflows. I went down again in frantic search for ways to put the line off without having to wade on a knee-level floodwater getting in and fast rising at the first floor, to avoid being electrocuted. My nephew Ibrahim had promptly pulled the refrigerator male plug cord from its power supply outlet. But still, the same power outlet remained ‘live’ at this point. Brahim and Benjie, one of the two orphans living with us, rushed to the utility panel to find and finally put the breaker switch off corresponding to the refrigerator’s outlet line (with my guidance). Still, it made me wonder what possibly saved me, my wife, and the two as well as, my niece in-law DenDen and my grandnieces from possible electrocution, as we waded through to salvage everything that we could amid the “invading” rising water level. Could it be the charity that proverbially separates the “right from left hand”? Could it be the prayers? Could it be both?, could it be a turnover of the deeds that what goes around comes around? The Most High, All-Knowing, AllHearing Lord of the Universes, undoubtedly is the Author

Responsive, not dismissive Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

not to be called poor anymore in terms of food?)” “Magkano pa po ba ang kulang ninyo sa ngayon? (How much DO YOU LACK now?)” Reacting to the SWS survey results, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the self-rated poverty estimates released by the polling firm is not comparable with official government poverty estimates based on Philippine Statistics Authority surveys. Preliminary estimates by the PSA show that the country’s poverty incidence was at 18.1% in 2021, or 19.99 million poor Filipinos, higher than the 17.67 million recorded in 2018. Poverty incidence is defined by the PSA as the proportion of Filipinos whose per capita income cannot sufficiently meet their individual basic food and non-food needs. So, are the people fantasizing? Is the situation they say they are in just a figment of their imagination? We do not think so. Balisacan himself concedes that the slight increase in self-rated poverty in September compared to June was expected, given the acceleration of inflation, particularly in food and transport. In September, inflation rate of increase in the prices of consumer goods and services—jumped to 6.9%, its highest level in four years, due to continued increases in food and utility costs. And the Filipinos feel the crunch as it takes it’s toll on their daily lives. In the view of Caritas Philippines national director Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, the number of Filipinos suffering from hunger is rising as the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, and our country’s dependence on imports have increased the prices of basic commodities. “This situation made it even harder for Filipinos to afford healthy food,” said Bagaforo. Rightfully, he believes the government needs to address food security and stability in the country. MC

Getting over domestic risks amid own public reminders

Penlight

Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

of all protective acts that we could ever think of; and that of those things we did in the past could unwittingly take us off danger today. About a year ago, I thought about replacing the outlets with the heavy load (i.e. refrigerator. and air-conditioner) with ones that has the terminal holes for the three-pronged male plugs. And I thought about running a solid wire (AWG14) from the third terminal for a return ground to a bus bar screwed somewhere but conceptually well within the range of the electromagnetic field, and thence outward to a two-meter earth-grounding copper-laced or plated bar which also serves as a lighting arrester. Most probably, the return ground line helped neutralize, or had kept risks at bay during the flash-floods. About two years ago, we upgraded the house wiring. I had asked a friend to help me replace the not-so-old PDX wires into brand new rolls and some surface lines are wrapped into modern PVC Moldex moulding lengths. A back up return grounding line for heavy load-outlets is so provided in old electrical codes, and is applied in big cities like Metro Manila to help minimize systems loss, among other purposes, emanating from the household. Measuring heights in restoring and reviving things over in the next two days, we found out that the rising water level had submerged the refrigerator outlet 27 cm. underwater. Less than a month ago, I removed and transferred to a much higher level another electrical outlet that was previously installed just below the lowest perimeter line of the front window frame, which would have been 14 cm. underwater when the flood struck. Alhamdulillah... It was merely in weeks that that 60A power outlet had been moved to another place. MC

November 5, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Schools of Thought

True to Form Charlie Señase

csenase@yahoo.com

HO’S right or who’s wrong will depend on either good or evil, truth or fabricated that may appear just & fair but not equitable to be true? Thus, human aspirations and yearnings vary on worldly things that what’s peace, justice and prosperity to one may not be to others. Reality like beauty is relative, as taste buds differ from one another. Small wonder that the Light has come into the world but most of humanity prefers darkness because of their evil deeds (John 3:19). This brings to mind the widespread devastation wrought by successive tropical storms in the country prompting President Marcos, Jr. to visit hard-hit Maguindanao of BARMM to personally assess the situation of affected citizens. After a brief aerial inspection and ocular information gathering, the President’s “food for thought” to concerned government officials was the need to foster joint operations of BARMM and Local Government Units in all emergency and rescue mission. And this also applies to all floodwater-submerged areas in Luzon and the Visayas. That timely reminder coincided with the biblical warning of perilous times in the last days when people become too proud and self-obsessed to amass material wealth while others are with sorrow and pain (2 Timothy 3:1). How long will this state of difficulty torments us as 2022 is about to end? That storm code-named “Paeng” started lashing out strong winds and heavy rains to wash away filth, a reminiscent of then Manilabased hard-hitting radio commentator Rafael “Paeng” Yabut of the ‘50s and ‘60s. A weird coincidence while the country is in the brink of unmasking the mastermind behind the killing of Metro Manila-based and no-holds-barred broadcast journalist Percival Carag Mabasa who is popularly known by his moniker “Percy Lapid” on

his radio program “Rapid Fire.” With the untimely death of prison inmate Jun Villamor, an alleged “middleman” in the gunfor-hire slay prompted the President to order for the relief of Bureau of Correction Chief Director General Gerald Bantag on the principle of command responsibility. And came this thought-provoking statement of Bantag if jailed. “Buti pa mamatay kaysa makulong” (It’s better to die than to be in prison), he said. The controversy in trying to unearth the brain or mastermind behind the killing lies on more or less 160 so-called “persons of interests.” With all these probable suspects, indeed conspiracy is evidently at work. That one thing sure, the real mastermind is a “big wig” that others concocted is surrounded with “sacred cows” or “untouchables” for independent probe team to come into conclusion. We are at the mercy of all these global pitfalls. In Seoul, South Korea at least 150 died in a Halloween stampede. While in India, the reported collapsed of a bridge left 132 civilians dead. Notwithstanding on the more than 100 accounted dead with dozens still missing from the series of typhoons that hit the PH archipelago. When will we ever learn before all things gone? It’s time to reform, repent and reconcile with the LORD who is the First and the Last. Thus, it pays to be the least for God exalts the humble (Ezekiel 21:26). SPIRITUAL REMINDER ON Tradition and Commandment, the Messiah said: “You have made the commandment of GOD of no effect because of your tradition” (Matthew 15:6). Calling them `hypocrites,’ He quoted Isaiah’s prophesy: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (15:8-9). Religious feasts and practices are traditions that we are more concerned of, neglecting the basic Commandments of old to Love GOD with all our hearts and soul, and love our neighbor even our bitter enemies as ourselves. MC

cause he or she supported. You might send a check to a church, school, local service organization, or favorite he tuff of ife charity. One grandmother Spiritual Practice Feature by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat we know gives a small bill to each grandchild on their ll Saints Day (November 1) and All grandfather’s birthday. She Souls Day (November 2) are annual includes a note saying that she knows reminders to remember, honor, their grandfather would want them to and celebrate the dead. Today these have a special gift and tells them a story ancient observances are overshadowed about one of his interests. by Halloween, originally observed as • Find something to remember the eve of All Saints Day but now more them by. The inspiration for this practice known as a time of costumes, candy, and comes from the Bible account of Jesus’ trick or treating, or by national days of disciples on the road to Emmaus. They remembrance such as the anniversary were joined by a stranger whom they did of 9/11. Yet the ritual of consciously not recognize as Jesus until they stopped remembering loved ones who have passed to eat and he broke the bread for their is an important spiritual practice in all meal. They knew him in that act; it was our lives. It brings death into the context something he had given them earlier to of our daily experience and reminds us remember him by. that dying is not the end. When we think back on our In our family three out of four parents relationships with people who have died, are gone now, and it has been too long we can find something to remember each for us to be in obvious mourning. We of them by. Mary Ann’s mother was live too far away to visit an avid rose gardener, their graves more often so roses are always than every few years. special to her family. Fortunately, we have not Fred’s father was a lost too many relatives or consummate storyteller; friends of our generation, now when we see people but we know the time is laughing over a story coming when we will in a restaurant or at a want to create rituals to party, he comes to mind. help us honor others who Mary Ann’s father was a have died. As we age, All lifelong learner who used Saints/All Souls become to read the encyclopedia more important days on after dinner. Often the calendar. when we find ourselves Many religions and looking things up in our cultures remember the reference books or browsing the Internet dead on the anniversary of the death. for a piece of information, we recall how Since that date may bring back painful much he savored this kind of activity. memories of a passing, we prefer to Other common triggers to memory remember our departed loved ones on are a favorite song, a particular recipe, their birthdays. Here are some of the a certain type of weather, a special practices we have found meaningful. fragrance, a piece of jewelry. Each creates • Light a candle. We choose a candle a feeling of connection beyond the grave. in a color that reminds us of the person. This year on All Saints Day and All As we light it, we say a prayer of thanks Souls Day, make a list of your departed to God for our memories of this loved one. loved ones and find one act, one object, During the day, as we look up from our one gift that can be your remembrance work at the flickering flame, we recall the for each of them as you go about your blessing this person was in our lives. daily life in the year ahead. This simple • Make a donation. One way to signal spiritual practice becomes an expression that you still feel connected to someone of gratitude, wonder, and your continuing who has died is to make a donation to a love. MC

Health Corner

“It brings death into the context of our daily experience and reminds us that dying is not the end”

Acute kidney failure Other malfunctions of the kidney are presented through acute kidney failure, a serious and urgent medical condition. It can be caused by a variety of factors, but most often arises because of the ischemia of the kidney and the toxic effect of some medications, resulting in the failure of all kidney functions. We’ve mentioned that the most important functions of the kidney are the regulation of the blood homeostasis and blood pressure, so acute kidney failure can lead to a quick fall of blood pressure which presents as a state of shock. MC

Dealing with Natural Disasters….

A reprint from Kenhub

ow let’s pay attention to the borders of the kidneys. A bean-like structure like the kidney has two borders: medial and lateral. The lateral border is directed towards the periphery, while the medial border is the one directed towards the midline. The medial border of the kidney contains a very important landmark called the hilum of the kidney, which is the entry and exit point for the kidney vessels and ureter. The most superior vessel is the renal vein which exits the kidney, just under it is the renal artery that enters in, and under the artery is the exiting ureter. Alternatively, the anterior to posterior orientation follows the same pattern: renal vein, renal artery and ureter. It is important to remember this order of vessels and ducts since this is the only thing that will make you able to orient the kidney and differentiate the left one from the right when they are outside of the cadaver. The anterior surface of the left kidney, has the following anatomical relations: •Just like the right kidney, the highest part of the superior pole of the left is also covered with the left suprarenal

Remembering Our Dead

glandF •The inferior portion of the superior pole contacts with the peritoneum of the stomach (medially) and spleen (laterally) •Just inferior to the stomach and spleen impression, is where the left kidney directly contacts the pancreas •The lateral part of the inferior half of the anterior surface is directly associated with the left colic flexure (also known as the splenic flexure) and descending colon •The medial part of the inferior half and the inferior pole are contacted by the peritoneum of the jejunum The superior half of each kidney is covered by the diaphragm, which is why the kidneys move up and down during respiration

An introduction to Kidneys (part 2)

Market Driven

Danny Buenbrazo

danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

he recent typhoon Paeng (internationally name Nalgae) that passed through the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) was quite devastating with substantial loss of lives, damage to public infrastructure, destruction of private properties, among other impacts. The extent of the damages caused by the said typhoon, once again, exposed how illprepared Filipinos are against natural calamities and the lack of attention to the environment. One of the first areas to be severely devastated by the typhoon were the city of Cotabato and the adjacent towns belonging to the newly-created province of Maguindanao del Norte. The area felt the impact of the typhoon a day or two ahead of the rest of the country with torrential rain beginning at around 9:00pm of 27 October 2022 (Thursday) that extended to almost the entire daytime of 28 October 2022 (Friday). Most of the areas affected were either waterways or areas found below mountainous or hilly areas without or very poor forest covers. The President, while visiting Maguindanao del Norte, shared the same observation. Tropical storm Nalgae was approaching the Philippines from the east on 26 October 2022 and was upgraded on 27 October 2022 to a tropical depression by the Joint Tropical Warming Center (JTWC), the Philippine meteorological agency, PAGASA, followed the lead of the JTWC. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) already upgraded Nalgae to a tropical depression one day ahead of the JTWC. Thus, those following the advisories of the JMA would have had a day of early warning. The rest of the country experienced the torrential rains in the succeeding days with over 100 flights being

cancelled on 29 October 2022 as the typhoon passed through vast areas of Visayas and Luzon.

Four regions were eventually declared in the state of calamity for the next six months, including the Cebu Region and the BARMM. With the country situated along typhoon belt and around twenty (20) typhoons or various intensities visiting the Philippines in a year, we really have to be able to foresee typhoons (and other natural disasters) as early as possible. Measures to avoid or at least mitigate the impacts of natural calamities should also be put in place. Response to the occurrence of disasters should be made timelier and more effective. Agencies and local government units must continue to improve their capacity to forecast natural disasters, warn people, and provide adequate assistance to save lives and properties and help people get on their feet as quickly as possible. People should avoid residing in areas that would be prone to flooding or other natural dangers such as tsunamis. If such is unavoidable, they should try to mitigate the impact of a disaster by taking measures such as planting trees beside your house to defend against a landslide or mangroves to lessen the impact of tidal waves. Those in business should also be prepared for disasters, to lessen the risks of being affected by one as well as to mitigate the potential adverse impacts and disruption in operation if the business is hit by one. One of the way by which families, businesses, and other organizations can protect themselves and their properties is by investing in an insurance policy that covers all the possible risks that they could be exposed with. Taking the responsibility for early and appropriate measures to avoid and mitigate the effects of natural disasters could mean saving our own lives and properties. MC

November 5, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

PBBM wants massive tree planting after...from P1 Classes suspended in Paeng hit areas in...from P1

(BARMM), the President has acknowledged the threats of climate change. The President noted that many areas in Mindanao that were not prone to flooding in the past are now inundated. He noted that mainland Mindanao, specifically Maguindanao, is not among the paths of typhoons. “That’s the problem today. Talagang may (There is really a) climate change talaga. It’s undeniable,” the President said during his visit aired over government TV. As of Tuesday, 53 people were confirmed dead due to the landslides and flashfloods spawned by “Paeng” in Maguindanao. The President, after conducting an aerial ocular inspection, said those hardly hit in Maguindanao were deforested areas. “We have been hearing this over and over again, pero patuloy pa rin tayo nagpuputol ng kahoy, ‘yan ang nangyayari nagkakalandslide ng ganyan (But we keep on cutting down trees, so landslides happen),” he said. “Mag-isip tayo ng mabuti doon sa tree planting. Hindi maliit na bagay yan (Let’s think about that tree planting. It’s not just a small thing). I know people think that it is just to save the environment. No, it’s to save lives,” he told BARMM and Maguindanao officials. He ordered LGU officials to improve the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in distribution of aids to natural disaster victims. He rejected the practice by some LGUs to prioritize in aid distribution the calamity victims who are registered voters and their EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses SEVERINO A. ANAUD and ESTHER P. ANAUD, who died intestate on December 1, 2003 and March 4, 2010 at Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao and Cotabato City, respectively, left real properties: Residential house declared under TD No. 126 and parcels of land situated at Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao, Lot C-105-6-B-3-C-A, TD No. 146, area of 628 sq. mts., TCT No. T-13228; Lot-15-2, Psd12-000527, area of 15,248 sq. mts., TCT No. T-31210; Lot C-1-J-5-D-6-B-3-5-B, TD No. 750, area of 2,001 sq. mts., TCT No. T-31213; Lot C-1-J-4-A-2-A, TD No. 1523, area of 399 sq. mts., TCT No. 151-2021000443; Lot C-1-J-4-A-2-B, TD No. 1524, area of 200 sq. mts., TCT No. 151-2021000444; Lot C-1-J-4-A-2-C, TD No. 1525, area of 299 sq. mts., TCT No. 151-2021000445; Lot C-1-J-4-A-2-D, TD No. 1526, area of 407 sq. mts., TCT No. 151-2021000449; Lot-C-1-J-4-A-2-E, TD No. 1527, area of 1,342 sq. mts., TCT No. 151-2021000447; Lot C-1-J-4-A-2-F, TD No. 1578, area of 379 sq. mts., TCT No. 151-2021000448; Lot C-1-J-4-A-2-G, TD No. 1528, area of 462 sq. mts., TCT No. 151-2021000446; Lot C-1-J-4-A-2-I, TD No. 1579, area of 704 sq. mts, more or less are subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Rolando Chew as per Doc. No. 4362; Page No. 437; Book No. 23; Series of 2022. MC: Nov. 5, 12 & 19, 2022

supporters by requiring them tickets before getting food packs. Marcos also directed LGU officials to release the government relief goods as soon as possible. “Just give everything. Yayaman ba ang tao na merong naka-doble siya ng food pack? Hindi yayaman (Will they get rich if they receive two food packs? They will not get rich,” he said. Marcos said the government granted cash aid worth between P5,000 and P10,000 to help them rebuild their homes. Price freeze The Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT) on Sunday reminded the traders and business establishments to comply with the law mandating a price freeze for basic necessities and medical supplies in BARMM, the region’s information office reported. The Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) reported that it was under Proclamation No. 4 issued AFFIDAVIT Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses WILFREDO FERNANDEZ BINGIL and JULIET ALSADO BINGIL, who died on September 1, 2021 and April 26, 2021, respectively, both in Davao Oriental, left a parcel of land consisting of 240 sq. mts., more or less, located in Kakar, Cotabato City and covered by TCT No. T-26173 is subject of affidavit of self-adjudication with simultaneous conditional deed of sale before Notary Public Atty. Amira S. Pagayao, CPA as pr Doc. No. 215; Page No. 43; Book No. XII; Series of 2022. MC: Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12, 2022

on Oct. 29 by Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, declaring the Bangsamoro region under a state of calamity due to the devastation and damages of TS Paeng. “We appeal to the business sector to adhere to the price freeze of basic commodities and help us in ensuring that supplies of food in the market is enough,” Minister Abuamri Taddik said. Under the Republic Act No. 7581 or Price Act, a price freeze shall be imposed on basic necessities in areas under a state of calamity for sixty (60) days. He has also warned the business establishments that will violate price freeze. “Establishments that violate the law [price freeze] could face an administrative case. There is a penalty of fine and imprisonment for those who go against the law,” Taddik said. Violators could face a prison term of one to 10 years or fines ranging from P5,000.00 to P1-million or both.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JOSE B. REGODO, who died on September 24, 2021, a parcel of land Lot 2463-A-2-B, Psd12-021656-AR, situated in Abaga, Libungan, Cotabato, containing an area of 10,169 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. CT-7920 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous waiver of rights before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 38; Page No. 8; Book No. CCCXVI; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the late ROMUALDO T. CATBAGAN, who died on 15 September 2022 in Davao City, left a parcel of land Lot 25-E-1-B, Psd-12-000661, situated in Barrio (Osias) Poblacion, Kabacan, Cotabato, containing an area of 280 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Joy C. RubillarArao as per Doc. No. 498; Page No. 101; Book No. XXI; Series of 2022.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 27 Cotabato City

Special Proceeding No. 2022-1577

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirements and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Aida Alcano Lumogdang has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Kyrielle Rich Caduada Lumogdang who was born on April 16, 2013 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Rogie A. Lumogdang and Noemi P. Caduada. Any person affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato. (Sgd.) NORAH B. CABUGWASON Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Oct. 29 & Nov. 5, 2022

Special Proceeding No. 2022-1583

Special Proceeding No. 2022-1582

Special Proceeding No. 2022-1581

IN THE MATTER OF DROPPING THE SURNAME OF THE FAT H E R A N D U S I N G T H E SURNAME OF THE MOTHER.

IN THE MATTER OF DROPPING THE SURNAME OF THE FATHER AND USING THE SURNAME OF MOTHER.

MUBEEN AN-NOUF MANTAWIL

M U N E E R M U H AY M E E N MANTAWIL MIMBALA, Petitioner, -versus-

P R I N C E S S A I N O N JAARIAHMANTAWIL TUANKALI, RAJA MU’MEEN BIN NASSER M A N TAW I L T U A N K A L I , represented by their mother BAILENG S. MANTAWIL Petitioners, -versus-

O F C O TA B AT O C I T Y, a n d OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, LEGASPE VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY, Respondents. x---------------------------------------x ORDER

A verified petition was filed by petitioner, assisted by counsel, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an order be issued directing the Office of the Local Registrar of Cotabato City, to make the necessary correction in the Certificate of Live Birth of Petitioner under registry No. 2000-2652 to change petitioner’s last name from Menting to Lagui and petitioner’s father from Menting to Lagui. FINDING the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, let this case be set for hearing on December 20, 2022 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which place, date and time, any person who may have interest, if any, may show cause why the petition should not be granted. Let this Order be published in a newspaper 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 at the expense of the petitioner. SO ORDERED.

SO ORDERED.

Cotabato City, Philippines, this 12th Cotabato City, Philippines, this day of October, 2022. 11th day of October, 2022. (Sgd.) KASAN K. ABDULRAKMAN (Sgd.) KASAN K. ABDULRAKMAN Presiding Judge Presiding Judge MC: Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Midsayap, Cotabato LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 27 Cotabato City

A verified petition was filed by petitioner, assisted by counsel, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an order be issued directing the Office of the Local Registrar of Cotabato City, to make the necessary correction in the Certificate of Live Birth of Petitioner particularly the surname of petitioner ’s from MIMBALA TO MANTAWIL. FINDING the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, let this case be set for hearing on December 20, 2022 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which place, date and time, any person who may have interest, if any, may show cause why the petition should not be granted. Let this Order be published in a newspaper 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 at the expense of the petitioner.

ORDER

MC: Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12, 2022

Norte’s Upi, South Upi, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Datu Blah Sinsuat towns. The Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence contingent, the police and the 6th ID have confirmed that, as of November 1, a total of 53 people perished in the floods and landslides that hit the four towns and nearby areas. The President also

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 27 Cotabato City

MIMBALA, represented by SHAHA KUSAIN LAGUI as mother BAILENG S. MANTAWIL represented by her attorney-in-fact, Petitioner, RASMIAKUSAIN LAGUI, -versus Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF COTABATO CITY, MASIDING ENTIK LAGUI, MASIDING ENTIK MENTING, SAMIRA KUSAIN LAGUI, AND SHARIFF KUSAIN LAGUI, AND OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, LEGASPE VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY, Respondents. x--------------------------------------------x

Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Presidential Assistant Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. and Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were also present in the meeting that lasted for more than an hour. Worst hit by landslides and flashfloods caused by six hours of rains after midnight Thursday, spawned by Tropical Storm Paeng, were Maguindanao del EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

MC: Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12, 2022

As of Wednesday morning, the BARMM READi reported the rising water level of Rio Grande de Mindanao. Residents living beside the Taviran River, one of the tributaries of Rio Grande, tried to salvage their hoems and valuables as water hyacinth carried by river water from upstream pressed their homes. “This is first time that we experience this kind of floods, it reached above head, the water lilies are destroying our homes,” said Kamsa Enggo Saldin, a resident of Barangay Taviran. “The water hyacinth is so thick that we can even walk over it,” he added

Marcos: Cut bureaucracy in relief works...from P1

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETLEMENT

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 27 Cotabato City

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF SHAHA KUSAIN MENTING BEARING REGISTRY NUMBER 2000-2652,

The calamity also damaged P225,786,064 worth of agricultural products and hogs in 28 towns in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur. BARMM and local governments of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur have intensified relief operations to cushion the impact of the calamity to affected families. Public Works personnel have been repairing damaged roads and bridges with the help of national DPWH in nearby regions that sent heavy equipment to help in the recovery works.

MC: Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12, 2022

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR O F C O TA B AT O C I T Y, a n d OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, LEGASPE VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY, Respondents. x---------------------------------------x ORDER A verified petition was filed by petitioner, assisted by counsel, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an order be issued directing the Office of the Local Registrar of Cotabato City, to make the necessary correction in the Certificate of Live Birth of Petitioner particularly the surname of petitioner ’s from MIMBALA TO MANTAWIL. FINDING the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, let this case be set for hearing on December 20, 2022 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which place, date and time, any person who may have interest, if any, may show cause why the petition should not be granted. Let this Order be published in a newspaper 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 at the expense of the petitioner. SO ORDERED. Cotabato City, Philippines, this 11th day of October, 2022. (Sgd.) KASAN K. ABDULRAKMAN Presiding Judge MC: Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12, 2022

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF COTABATO CITY, and OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, LEGASPE VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY, Respondents. x-------------------------------------------x ORDER A verified petition was filed by petitioner, assisted by counsel, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an order be issued directing the Office of the Local Registrar of Cotabato City, to make the necessary correction in the Certificate of Live Birth of Petitioner particularly the surname of petitioner’s from TUANKALI TO MANTAWIL. FINDING the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, let this case be set for hearing on December 20, 2022 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which place, date and time, any person who may have interest, if any, may show cause why the petition should not be granted. Let this Order be published in a newspaper 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 at the expense of the petitioner. SO ORDERED. Cotabato City, Philippines, this 11th day of October, 2022. (Sgd.) KASAN K. ABDULRAKMAN Presiding Judge MC: Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12, 2022

instructed Tulfo to focus on extensive distribution of medicines for common ailments to evacuees still in evacuation sites. EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late ERNESTO R. MAGTULIS, who died intestate on November 18, 1990 at San Diego, California, USA, left parcels of land Lot 4038-A-2, Psd12-000382, area of 417 sq. mts., TCT No. T-70579; Lot 4038-A-9, Psd-12000382, area of 315 sq. mts., TCT No. 70586; Lot 4038-A-10-C-1, Psd-12009187, area of 397 sq. mts., TCT No. T-72334; Lot 4038-A-10-C-2, Psd12-009187, area of 397 sq. mts., TCT No. T-72335; Lot 4038-A-10-C-3, Psd-12009187, area of 400 sq. mts., TCT No. T-72336; Lot No. 4038-A-10-C-4, Psd12-009187, area of 400 sq. mts., TCT No. T-72337; Lot 4038-A-10-C-5, Psd-12009187, area of 400 sq. mts., TCT No. T-72338; Lot 4038-A-10-C-6, Psd12-009187, area of 400 sq. mts., TCT No. T-72339; Lot 4038-A-10-C-7, Psd-12009187, area of 420 sq. mts., TCT No. T-72340; Lot 4038-A-10-C-8, Psd12-009187, area of 2,827 sq. mts., TCT No. T-72341; Lot 4038-A-10-C-9, Psd12-009187, area of 781 sq. mts., TCT No. T-72342, all situated at Bulocaon (formerly Manuangan), Pigcawayan, Cotabato and Lot 4038-A-3, Psd-12000382, area of 315 sq. mts., TCT No. T-70580; Lot 4038-A-4, Psd-12000382, area of 315 sq. mts., TCT No. T-70581, Lot 4038-A-5, Psd-12000382; area of 315 sq. mts., TCT No. T-70582; Lot 4038-A-6, Psd-12000382, area of 418 sq. mts., TCT No. T-70583; Lot 4038-A-7, Psd-12000382, area of 315 sq. mts., TCT No. T-70584; Lot 4038-A-8, Psd-12000382, area of 315 sq. mts., TCT No. T-70585; Lot. 4038-A-10-B, Psd-120008386, area of 367 sq. mts., TCT No. T-71874; Lot No. 4038-A-10-D-1, Psd-12-079691, area of 6,285 sq. mts., TCT N o . T- 7 1 3 7 6 ; L o t N o . 4038-A-10-D-2, Psd-12079691, area of 6,283 sq. mts., TCT No. T-71376; Lot 4038-A-10-D-3., Psd12-079691, area of 6,281 sq. mts., TCT No. T-71376; Lot No. 4038-A-10-D-4, Psd-12-079691, area of 6,279 sq. mts., TCT N o . T- 7 1 3 7 6 ; L o t N o . 4038-A-10-D-5, Psd-12079691, area of 6,281 sq. mts., TCT No. T-71376 and Lot. No. 4038-A-10-D-6, Psd-12-079691, area of 6,328 sq. mts., TCT No. T-71376, all situated in Bo. Manuangan, Pigcawayan, Cotabato are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of shares before Notary Public Atty. Nasiff Brian O. Meditar as per Doc. No. 86; Page No. 18; Book No. XVIII; Series of 2022. MC: Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12, 2022

November 5, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

MPW clears roads, repairs damaged infra

BANGSAMORO Government’s Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has mobilized its heavy equipment and personnel to clear the roads affected by massive floodings and landslides after Tropical Storm Paeng hit the region.

Several roads and bridges in some parts of the Bangsamoro region suffered closure due to soil erosion and flash floods. According to Public Works Minister Eduard Guerra, their team has been clearing the debris that blocked some parts of road networks, and declogging drainages immediately after the rain and flood subsided to ensure that roads are accessible and that fast delivery of relief goods will not be hampered. The Ministry is also starting to repair destructed infrastructures such as road networks and bridge approaches. “Doon sa mga nasirang infra— iyong mga local roads and bridges— ginagawaan na ng paraan ng MPW kung paano ma-repair sa lalong madaling panahon kahit temporary repair lang muna, at least, tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang access ng ating mga kababayan sa basic services at economic activities. We have mobilized our engineers and equipment already,” Guerra said. In a situational report released by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Bureau of Maintenance

(DPWH-BOM) as of Oct. 30, 2022 (6:00 AM), the following roads and bridges in the region rendered impassable: 1. Davao-Cotabato Road, K1710+760, Buluan Bridge I, Barangay Manuangan, Pigcawayan, Cotabato due to flooding; 2. Maguindanao 1st DEO Cotabato-Lanao Road, K1878 + 359, Nituan Bridge, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte due to collapsed bridge approach; 3. Ledepan Bridge, Highway Tamontaka – Jct Tapian Wharf Road, Brgy. Badak, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte due to collapsed bridge; 4. Tamontaka – Jct Tapian Wharf Road, K1857+000, Brgy. Badak, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte due to soil erosion; 5. Simuay Landasan-Parang Road, Tapayan Bridge, K1869 + 224, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte due to destructed bridge approach; and 6. Maguindanao 2nd DEO MarbelAllah Valley-Cotabato Road, K1796 + 125, Kabulnan Bridge, Brgy. LabuLabu, Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del

Norte due to scoured bridge. Meanwhile, the Oring Bridge located at Brgy. Ampuan in Buldon, Maguindanao del Norte is now passable but only to light vehicles. “Tungkol sa National roads and bridges na sira, we have properly coordinated with the rightful authority/agency, which is the DPWH- Maguindanao PMO and the DPWH-RPMO. At our end, we had our engineers have a look-see of the situation as the Bangsamoro constituents are directly affected,” the Minister said. The Ministry has also deployed a multi-purpose amphibious dredger (MPAD) to clear the accumulating water hyacinths along Rio Grande de Mindanao in Cotabato City. They have also conducted humanitarian interventions such as the transportation of evacuees to safer places. “In times of calamities like this, MPW is doing its best to help alleviate the situation. We utilize our people and our equipment para matulungan ang mga nangangailangan nating constituents,” Guerra said. Aisah

Abas/BIO

MSSD’s nutritious meals for “Paeng” victims TO ensure that nutritious meals are provided for the evacuees of Tropical Storm Paeng in this city and in the provinces of Maguindao del Norte and del Sur, the Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) has set up community kitchens at evacuation sites in the areas. On Friday, October 28, MSSD delivered six (6) sets of cooking equipment and food supplies to its regional office located in this city, to Broce Elementary School in Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS) town and municipal gymnasium of Sultan Mastura both in Maguindanao del Norte, and to three evacuation sites in Cotabato City. The ministry deployed field workers to man the community kitchens. MSSD’s Maguindanao provincial branch office located at DOS also immediately put up a community kitchen on Friday to serve hot meals for the flood-affected residents in the area. Fifteen (15) more sets of cooking equipment and food supplies were turned over Saturday to the provincial office for distribution to several evacuation sites in Maguindao del Norte and del Sur. MSSD has initially provided on Oct. 28 relief assistance to Paeng victims in Maguindanao provinces and Cotabato City. A total of 900 packs

of ready-to-eat meals, 1,504 sacks of 25-kilo rice, 1,500 packs relief goods containing 12 sachets of coffee and 12 canned goods, 500 pastil, 20 packs of 3in1 coffee, 50 packs of milo, biscuits and cream bread, 10 cases of bottled water, and 50 sleeping kits were provided to evacuees in Maguindanao. Meanwhile, 300 packs of ready-to-eat meals and sleeping kits were given to affected families in Cotabato City. Hashim Guiamil, chief of MSSD’s Disaster Response Management Division, said the ministry is conducting thorough assessment of Paeng’s aftermath to better plan for its relief strategies. “Tinitingnan pa rin natin kung gaano kalawak ang damage (ng bagyo) at base from that, doon tayo magkakaroon ng comprehensive response plan para makapagbigay ng tulong sa mga kababayan natin,” Guiamil said during his interview on “Bangsamoro Muna: MSSD at your Service” program on Oct. 29. He said the affected municipalities in the two provinces of Maguindanao include Guindulungan, Parang, Upi, Matanog, Sultan Sa Barongis, Sultan Kudarat, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Northern Kabuntan, Sultan Mastura, South Upi, Ampatuan, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, and Rajah Buayan. BIO

No hints on ambush of 3 CAFGUs

LESS PEOPLE. Only few people visited the graves of their loved ones at Marian Hills memorial garden on Nov. 1, All Souls Day, to avoid the expected thick crowd and heavy traffic. Photo courtesy of Pixels and Us

DAR provides safe drinking H2O project to NoCot rice farmers

THE centuries-old perennial problem of iron-contaminated water supply in a rice farming community in North Cotabato has been solved by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) through its CommunityManaged Potable Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (CPWASH) project. Anchored on the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III to uplift the lives of the farmers in the countryside, the CPWASH project, was provided to “Pamilyang Malahutayong Maguuma sa Tambac (PAMAMATA) Association” of Tambac, in the town of Tulunan, a rice producing town. Valentin Tabiolo, PAMAMATA Association President, said the project will not only benefit 70 households

who are association members but neighboring districts in the barangay could also access the water supply facility. “We are happy for the CPWASH project from DAR because we can now drink water that is safe and free from unwanted rusty smell,” Tabiolo said in the vernacular. The PHP88,000 CPWASH facilities include the provision of one unit rain water collector, iron removal filter, bio sand filter, which is a low-cost technology to make the water supply safe to drink, and biogas digester to produce fire for cooking. To ensure smooth operation of the project, DAR also trained 10 para-engineers that would serve as technical experts in the project replication to increase the adoption of the low-cost water and sanitation

technology in the community. Charish Paña, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II, said that it is a simple and a low-cost project, but would have a big impact on the community by providing safe drinking water to everyone. “We hope that you will manage this project in such a way that you could turn this into an income generating enterprise for your association,” she said. Meanwhile, OIC-PARPO I Emelita Mayol challenged the beneficiaries to replicate and sustain the project. “I also encourage you to strengthen your association in preparation for the additional and bigger projects of the DAR in the near future,” she added.

PNA

Carpenter held for P680K shabu deal POLICE agents seized P680,000 worth of shabu from a carpenter who fell in a sting here Tuesday, November 1. The 24-year-old suspect,

Binzar Sulaiman Enggo, is now locked in a detention facility of the Cotabato City Police Office. He was immediately detained after selling

P680,000 worth of shabu to non-uniformed agents, led by Major Esmael Madin of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro

Autonomous Region, during a tradeoff at about 3:00 p.m. Tuesday in Purok Rajamuda in Barangay Mother Bagua here. The entrapment

THE police and military are both clueless still on who could have pulled off the October 30 fatal ambush in Pikit, Cotabato of three members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit. Major Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, told reporters Wednesday that he has instructed the 602nd Infantry Brigade to provide intelligence gathering support for efforts by the police to identify the culprits. The Region 12 police director, Brig. Gen. Jamili Macaraeg, said via Viber the Pikit Municipal Police Station and the Cotabato Provincial Police Office now have leads, but are still validating possible angles for the ambush of the three CAFGU members. The fatalities, Ariel Cedino, Jr., Uy-Uy Mancera and Joel Chavez, were riding a motorcycle together en route to the town proper of Pikit when gunmen, positioned at one side of the road in Barangay Manaulanan, shot them with assault rifles, killing them on the spot.

Cedino, Mancera, and Chavez, were members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit assigned in Barangay Ginatilan, Pikit. The slain CAFGU members were unarmed. Subsquently, two other Pikit residents were shot dead, in separate attacks, in just a span of seven hours after the three militiamen were killed. No less than 30 people have been killed in one shooting incident after another in different barangays in Pikit since last year. The last victim of the unsolved atrocities in the area, only about two weeks ago, is Edgar Macasero, a security guard in a local pawnshop. Three Moro women were hurt in an ambush in an interior barangay in the municipality a week before Macasero was repeatedly shot by gunmen and died five days later in a hospital. The two incidents were preceded by a powerful grenade blast that rocked a busy spot in the town center of Pikit that left two residents injured. John

Felix Unson