The Mindanao Cross | November 6, 2021

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Vol. LXXIII| No. 39| Cotabato City | Saturday, November 6, 2021 |8 Pages | P10.00

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Minister Ebrahim lauds PRRD for extending BARMM

CHURCH / P4

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Pope Francis: ‘The supreme rule regarding fraternal correction is love’

Maguindanaon soldier killed by amok in Tagum

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

UPI TEACHER IS MISS TOURISM PH-UNIVERSE 2021 WHEN you dream for it, you will likely get it.

With this in mind, a licensed professional teacher simply proved the saying right.

Abegail Labasan, LPT and holder of Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree, Abegail Labasan, a native of Upi, Maguindanao is among the new set of Miss Tourism Philippines 2021 beauties who will represent the country in international competition next year.

Labasan was crowned as Miss Tourism

By Drema Drema Quitayen-Bravo Quitayen-Bravo By

Philippines-Universe in a coronation held at Tan Ville Garden Resort in Rosario, Batangas City on October 31.

Displaying the culture and ingenuity of Maguindanao women, Abhie, as her friends call her, was driven to represent the country in an international s t a g e t o

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HAIL THE QUEEN. “It is a whirlwind experience but it was all worth it,” said Ms. Abegail C. Labasan of Upi, Maguindanao, Miss Tourism PhilippinesUniverse 2021 will represent the country in next year’s Miss Tourism Universe Pageant in Beirut, Lebanon.

Photo courtesy of Dave Basilio

No Movement Sunday no more

NORMALCY is slowly returning here with the Cotabato City inter-agency task force announcing the lifting of “No Movement Sunday” starting Nov. 7.

In a social media post, City Mayor and IATF chair Cynthyia GuianiSayadi said the number of Covid-19 cases in the city has gone low.

Citing date from the city health services, Mayor Sayadi said the city now has only 145 cases and continue to reduce.

She cited the massive vaccination as one of the contributors that reduced the

number of daily COVID-19 infections.

She also named the public’s cooperation in the observance of minimum health protocols as another contributory factor.

The city has seven vaccination hubs on top of mobile vaccination and the rollout in malls and city hall.

To balance the economy and help “our business sector to recover,” the ITAF decided to lift the “No Movement Sunday” that has been in effect in the city for at least a year.

“I appeal to everyone to continue the use of facemask,

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AUTHORITIES have turned over to the ceasefire committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front its 35 members held for travelling in Maguindanao with firearms without coordination.

The spokesperson of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, Von Al-Haq, an official of one of the ministries in the Bangsamoro

By John Felix Unson Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, has admitted that their 35 companions had moved around without mandatory coordination with the police and the military.

The 35 MILF members riding separate vehicles that policemen and soldiers, under the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, intercepted

at a checkpoint in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao, acting on tips by vigilant informants.

S u p t .

J i b i n Bongcayao, director of the Maguindanao provincial police, said Tuesday the 35 armed men belong to the MILF’s 105th Base Command and were to proceed to Talitay town in the second

“once in-a-lifetime project,” to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, who heads BARMM’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan, and Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Akmad Abas.

Sinarimbo led

THE Tacurong City Inter-Agency Task Force against Covid-19 today announced that the city now has zero admission to its isolation facility.

“All admitted patients of Crown V isolation center have recovered, discharged from the facility and sent home by city health frontliners,” City Mayor Lino Montilla said in a

By Edwin O. Fernandez statement Tuesday.

He also announced that Covid-19 infections in the city continue to drop with the number of vaccinated residents rising.

To date, a total of 30,587 individuals have been fully vaccinated in the city which is 76 percent of the target population of 18 years old and above.

The Crown-V Center is the primary isolation facility in Tacurong City that cater to COVID-19 asymptomatic or those with mild symptoms.

“All the rooms are vacant and disinfection is being done,” the city mayor said.

Mayor Montilla reiterated his appeal for the TAcurongnons to continue

Socio-political gap between Moros, non-Moros thinning

PIKIT, North Cotabato — Old stories of social gap between Christians and Muslims slowly vanish here to mutual reaching out, even as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) leadership engages both sectors in its track of new development endeavors.

More than 200 Muslim and Christian local

By Nash B. Maulana officials and their families, peacefully gathered here Thursday, among them political rivals in the coming elections, during a ceremonial groundbreaking of 24 twostory barangay halls.

Barangay Chairman Gulam Guimbalanan of Kabasalan, a riverside village here, said he and other barangay officials were thankful for this

35 `ceasefire violators’ set free

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CONFLAGRATION. More than a hundred houses were destroyed by Wednesday’s fire in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City.

Contributed photo

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Tacurong COVID-19 isolation center is zero admission

DID YOU KNOW?

November is National Children’s Month

National Children’s Month is observed every November by virtue of Republic Act No. 10661 signed on May 29, 2015, by then President Benigno Aquino III. It commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on Nov. 20, 1989.

The act designated the Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Youth Commission and Council for the Welfare of Children as the lead agencies in charge of the activities marking the occasion.

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November 6, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Minister Ebrahim lauds PRRD for extending BTA

THE leadership of the Bangsamoro government has expressed its gratitude to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for signing the legislative measure that extended the transition period of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“We thank President Duterte and his administration new political entity for making sure that the GPH-MILF peace process will be successful. This is our shared legacy to Mindanao and the rest of the country,” said BARMM chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim in a statement a day after the President signed into law a bill extending the life of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

“We thank our dear partners and allies who stood by us during this course – to our political leaders, civil society organizations and to every Bangsamoro who continue to believe in the spirit of our struggle,” said Ebrahim, also the head of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Ebrahim also appealed to pessimists who still have doubts on the capacity of the new political entity to improve the lives of every Bangsamoro to join them in making this dream a reality for all.

“It’s time to move forward, it’s time to set aside our differences, it’s time to help one another in transforming the Bangsamoro,” he said.

Ebrahin also dismissed insinuations that the call for extension was aimed at extending the current appointed officials until 2025.

“The extension, as we have always said, was never and will never be about power,” Ebrahim said.

“The establishment and the triumph of the BARMM, are not only directed to specific individuals or groups but to the whole Bangsamoro; especially for the next generation who will inherit whatever we leave to them during this transition

period,” he added.

Ebrahim also stressed that the call for the extension “speaks the desire of our people in making sure that we have a strong regional bureaucracy that can address our decades long challenges” and make sure a brighter future awaits them - free from corruption, from manipulation and from any ills in government.

Under RA 11593, President Duterte will appoint 39 of the 80 new members of the BARMM’s interim government. The MILF will name 41 BTA members.

“The President, however, may appoint the 80 new interim members of the BTA who will serve until June 30, 2025 or until the election of their successors,” according to RA 11593.”

In a separate statement, BARMM Interior Minister and spokesperson Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo also lauded the President for his continuing support to BARMM. “We thank the President for his continuing support to the Bangsamoro as he promised in our meeting in Malacanang early this week,” Sinarimbo said.

“We congratulate the Bangsamoro people who have consistently supported the leadership of the BARMM. We raise our hands in gratitude to Allah for His continuing guidance,” he added.

Sinarimbo said under RA 11593, President Duterte shall appoint 80 new members of the BARMM’s interim government. The MILF will recommend to the President 41 parliament members while the government side will recommend 39 members. Edwin O. Fernandez

Banana farm for Teduray to rise in Maguindanao

TO support the livelihood of Teduray farmers in the highlands of Maguindanao, the Bangsamoro Government has started the construction of the Banana Plantation thru a groundbreaking ceremony at Barangay Labungan, Datu Odin Sinsuat town.

This is a project led by the Regional Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) in collaboration with the Office of Member of Parliament Suharto M. Ambolodto and Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs (MIPA).

Initially, 5 hectares of Cardava Banana (or the “saba” in Tagalog; “kamison” in Maguindanaon) will be planted in Datucampong Banana Plantation within the 50-hectare area plantation in the coming months.

Regional BBOI facilitated the connection between Datucampong Banana Plantation, the new banana investor, and Usman Banana Plantation in Matanog, Maguinanao, which is the source of Cardava nursery and provides technical assistance or skills on the proper method of planting as well as to help them link to market the product.

“I hope that this will encourage other

people to go into Cardava planting [not only for Cavendish or the “lakatan”] because there is also available market and good income for Cardava,” Atty. Ishak Mastura, Regional BBOI chairman, said.

“We are also eyeing future ventures to develop 150 hectares of Cavendish Banana Plantation here in the area that will generate at least 250 jobs, mostly for the local resident farmers”, Mastura added.

MIPA Deputy Minister Guialil Abdulrahman acknowledged the RBOI, with the assistance from MP Ambolodto, in their efforts of providing this kind of investment initiatives for the indigenous people.

“We are collaborating on the investment opportunities here to help our indigenous residents rise from poverty through the jobs created and other economic activities that will be spurred from this new investment,” Abdulrahman said.

Meanwhile, Regional BBOI Board of Governor Mohammad Pasigan mentioned that an estimated Php2,000,000.00 to Php20,000,000.00 worth of capital will be incurred in investing 5 to 50 hectares of Cardava plantation, particularly in the upland areas. BIO-BARMM

2 big time drug peddlers fall in Lanao Sur

THE campaign against prohibited drugs continues to make waves with the arrest of two big time drug peddlers and the seizure of more than half million worth of suspected shabu.

On Thursday, Brig.

Gen. Eden Ugale, police regional director for the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (PROBARMM), said a total of PHP680,000 worth of shabu were seized during anti-drug operations in Purok 5, Barangay East Kilikili, Wao, Lanao del Sur Wednesay afternoon.

Ugale identified the

suspects Jamil C Pobe who was wounded during the buy bust operation and Jabar Tambak Balangitao, both residents of Wao, Lanao del Sur. Unfortunately, Ugale said, the main target of buy bust operation, a certain Andy Panaringan, a resident of Maguing, Lanao del Sur, managed to escape.

The suspects agreed to sell shabu to an undercover agent. However, after the transaction was consummated and before the poseur-buyer could give his signal to the operating team, the suspects sensed

that they were dealing with an undercover agent.

One of the suspects grabbed the firearm of the poseur-buyer prompting other members of the operating team to shoot the suspects hitting Pobe.

Pobe who was slightly wounded was rushed by police officers to Wao District Hospital and later moved to Kibawe Provincial Hospital in Kibawe, Bukidnon.

Charges for violation of R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 are being prepared against them.

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Authorities ready for Dawlah retaliation

AUTHORITIES on Saturday allayed fears of possible retaliations by followers of the leader of the Dawlah Islamiya who was killed by soldiers in Talayan, Maguindanao before dawn Friday.

The slain Salahuddin Hassan had followers trained in fabrication and handling of improvised explosive devices.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Saturday they have enough covert operatives now observing the areas where Hassan has followers.

“We assure the public that the 6th ID will prevent any retaliatory plot by his followers,” Uy, also commander of the anti-terror Task Force Central, said.

Hassan, wanted for more than 30 deadly bombings in central Mindanao in the past five years, and his wife Jehana, were killed in a shootout with soldiers early Friday in Barangay Damablak in Talayan, Maguindanao.

Policemen and soldiers were to arrest Hassan peacefully

then but neutralized him instead when he opened fire on the teams approaching his house from two directions.

Hassan, whose group operates in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, carried a P1.3 million bounty on his head.

He was tagged in the September 2, 2016 bombing of a night market in Davao City that left 14 dead and hurt more than 60 others.

The Dawlah Islamiya that Hassan founded about six years ago and uses the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria as its banner has two subgroups, the Ansa’r Khilafa Philippines and the Al-khobar.

The Al-khobar was responsible for the bombing of four buses and the burning of another in a spate of attacks in central Mindanao and in Bukidnon province in the past 23 months.

Uy said military units in cities and provinces under 6th ID’s jurisdiction are now guarding against possible attacks by irate followers of Hassan.

“Actually that is quite

remote but we are not taking chances just the same,” Uy said.

The Dawlah Islamiya and its ally, the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, where Hassan started as a bomb-maker, are feared for bombing non-military targets to avenge deaths of members in clashes with pursuing state security forces.

Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters Saturday non-uniformed agents from the Maguindanao provincial police have been deployed in public places vulnerable to bomb attacks as part of PRO-BAR’s security efforts following Hassan’s demise.

Ugale said they have also tapped the support of local executives in trying to thwart any retaliation by followers of Hassan.

The operation on Friday that resulted in the death of Hassan and his wife was assisted by PRO-BAR through the Maguindanao provincial police force. John Felix

THE Maguindanao provincial office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform has started distributing the 8,250 bags of palay seeds to farmers in Maguindanao after Minister Mohammad S. Yacob has turned over to Dr. Ronjamin Maulana, MAFAR provincial head.

The rollout of hybrid seed distribution was made through the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP) under the Ahon Lahat, Pagkain Sapat- Kontra COVID19 or ALPASCOVID 19, inbred seed distribution is a component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

A total of 795 bags of hybrid palay seeds (SL19H and SL-20H) and 3031

bags of inbred palay seeds (NSIC Rc 216, NSIC Rc 222, and NSIC Rc 440) have been simultaneously distributed to individual farmers and members of Irrigators Association (IA) in the towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Mamasapano, and Guindulungan.

On October 25-27, MAFAR also delivered the seeds with the help of the rice technical staff headed

by Chief Agriculturist Tong Abas and Engr. Mohaimen Ali. The breakdown of the seed distribution are as follows: Datu Saudi Ampatuan with 800 bags inbred and 696 bags hybrid seed; Datu Abdullah Sangki with 329 bags inbred and 99 bags hybrid seed; Mamasapano

with1,402 bags inbred seed and Guindulungan with 500 bags inbred seed.

Among the Irrigators Association in the province who were identified to avail of the seed assistance are Maaden IA, Al-Hayat IA and Al-Ansari IA in DSA; Al-Waida IA in DAS; AlShariff IA and Al-Gafoor IA in Mamasapano and Kapamagayon IA and Guindulungan IA in Guindulungan.

The farmerbeneficiaries are mostly enrolled in the Registry System of Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA) and whose farm areas were georeferenced and geo-tagged.

The seed delivery will be in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Shariff Saidona and its adjacent towns by next week. MAFAR-BARMM

Unson

MAFAR sets 8,250 bags of palay seeds for Maguindanao farmers

A farmer looks at the pile of hybrid seeds that the MAFAR have dispersed to farmer beneficiaries in Maguindanao.

Photo courtesy of MAFAR-BARMM

November 6, 2021

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

Pope Francis: ‘The supreme...from P4 No Movement Sunday no...from P1 gossiping, like when we see something and we talk behind the person’s back about it, right?” he said.

“To gossip about our neighbor. No, this is not according to the Spirit.

What is according to the Spirit is being gentle with a brother or sister when correcting him or her and keeping watch over ourselves so as not to fall into those sins, that is, humility.”

He went on: “In effect, when we are tempted to judge others badly, as often happens, we must rather reflect on our own weakness. How easy it is to criticize others! But there are people who seem to have a degree in gossip.

Each and every day they criticize others. Take a look at yourself!”

“It is good to ask ourselves what drives us to correct a brother or a sister, and if we are not in some way co-responsible for their mistake.”

He said that the Holy Spirit not only invites Christians to show gentleness, but also to bear others’ burdens.

He cited St. Augustine of Hippo, the fourthcentury Doctor of the Church, who wrote concerning the same scriptural passage: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, whenever someone is caught in some fault, […] correct him in this way, gently, gently. And if you raise your voice, love within. If you encourage, if you present yourself as a father, if you reprove, if you are severe, love.”

The pope said: “It takes a lot of time to also tolerate others’ problems, others’ defects in the silence of prayer, so as to find the right way to help them to correct themselves.”

“And this is not easy.

The easiest path is to gossip. Talking behind someone else’s back as if I am perfect. And this should not be done.

Gentleness. Patience.

Prayer. Proximity.”

In his catechesis, Pope Francis also reflected on the meaning of St. Paul’s exhortation to “walk according to the Holy Spirit.”

He said that the Apostle understood the Christian life to be a journey in the footsteps of Jesus, shunning egotism, which he called the “desire of the flesh.”

“The Spirit is the guide for this journey along the way of Christ, a stupendous but difficult journey that begins in Baptism and lasts our entire lives. We can think of it as a long excursion on the mountain heights: it is breath-taking, the destination is attractive, but it requires a lot of effort and tenaciousness,” the pope observed.

He said that the image of climbing a mountain can help Catholics grasp Paul’s idea of walking with the Spirit.

“They are expressions indicating an action, a movement, a dynamism that prevents us from halting at the first difficulties, but elicit confidence in the ‘strength that comes from on high,'” the pope said, quoting from the second-century Christian text The Shepherd of Hermas.

“Trodding along this way, the Christian acquires a positive vision of life. This does not mean that the evil present in the world disappears, or that the negative impulses of our egoism and pride diminish,” he said.

“Rather, it means that belief in God is always stronger than our resistance and greater than our sins. And this is important: to believe that God is greater, always. Greater than our resistances, greater than our sins.”

The pope noted that as St. Paul describes the arduous journey of Christian life, he “abandons the verb in the imperative – ‘walk’ – and uses the indicative ‘we’: ‘let us walk according to the Spirit.'”

“St. Paul feels this exhortation is necessary for himself as well. Even though he knows that Christ lives in him, he is also convinced that he has not yet reached the goal, the top of the mountain,” he observed.

“The Apostle does not place himself above his community. He does not say: ‘I am the leader; you are those others; I have come from high up on the mountain and you are on the way.’ He does not say this, but places himself in the midst of the journey everyone is on in order to provide a concrete example of how much it is necessary to obey God, corresponding better and better to the Spirit’s guidance.”

“And how beautiful it is when we find pastors who journey with their people, who do not get tired – ‘No, I am more important, I am a pastor.

You…,’ ‘I am a priest,’ ‘I am a bishop,’ with their noses in the air. No: pastors who journey with the people.

This is very beautiful. It does the soul good.”

After the address, a precis of the pope’s catechesis was read out in seven languages.

Following each summary, he greeted members of each language group.

He said: “I greet the English-speaking visitors taking part in today’s audience, especially those from England and the United States of America, as well as the group of American military chaplains meeting in Rome in these days. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord. God bless you!”

A d d r e s s i n g Polish speakers, he said: “Yesterday, in commemorating the Memorial of All the Faithful Departed, we commended to God’s mercy the people dear to us, especially those who await our prayerful assistance to enter into the joy of eternal life.”

“Prayer for the dead, strengthened by the hope given by the Risen Christ, is not a celebration of the cult of death, but an act of love towards our brothers and sisters and a bearing of one another’s burdens. I bless you from the bottom of my heart!”

The audience concluded with the recitation of the Our Father and the Apostolic Blessing. Catholic News

Agency

face shields and observe physical distancing as well as regular washing of hands,” she said.

A t t y .

K i t e m Kadatuan, secretary to Mayor Sayadi, said there was no directive from the IATF that those coming in the city starting Sunday will be required to present vaccination card.

“Only city IATF issued QR code ID will be required,” Kadatuan said, adding that all are required to observe minimum health protocols.

Following the

lifting of “No Movement Sunday,” Fr. Ben Torero, DCC, parish priest of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, said regular Sunday masses will resume too starting tomorrow.

Fr. Jomar Roselo, DCC, parish priest of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary parish, also announced that regular Sunday masses will resume on Nov. 7.

All other quasiparishes and Catholic Churches in the city are expected to resume regular Sunday schedules. DXMS Radyo

district of Maguindanao Bongcayao announced on Wednesday that all 35 MILF members had been released to the front’s ceasefire committee.

The group was first brought to the headquarters of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion in Talayan for documentation in preparation for the filing of a formal protest, for their ceasefire offense, with the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team, or IMT. The IMT is a multinational bloc observing for two decades now the compliance by Philippine security forces and the MILF with the ceasefire accord meant to ensure the cordiality of the peace process between the front and Malacañang.

All peace and security agreements between the government and the MILF require members of the front to coordinate first any activity, including travels of members wearing uniforms and carrying firearms, with the joint ceasefire committee, the police and the military.

Major Gen. Juvymax

Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the 35 MILF members were treated nicely while under military custody.

He said they have a team that would deal directly with the IMT and the MILF’s ceasefire committee in resolving the issue.

Al-Haq said the 35 MILF members indeed violated standing security agreements with the national government.

He said the 35 MILF members were to proceed to Talitay from Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao when they were intercepted at a checkpoint near the campus of the Mindanao State University in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on Monday night.

Al-Haq said all 35 MILF members had been released.

He appealed to MILF members, via radio stations in Cotabato City, not to go out of their camps carrying guns and wearing uniforms without permission from the government-MILF joint ceasefire committee.

Bida

35 `ceasefire violators’...from P1

NEWSBRIEFS AFP launches airstrikes vs. NPAs in Bukidnon CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Government forces have launched airstrikes in the hinterlands of Barangay Dumalaguing in Impasugong, Bukidnon to flush out remaining combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA), the military confirmed Wednesday.

In a radio interview, Maj. Francisco P. Garello Jr., the Army’s 4th

Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said the airstrikes were necessary to protect Army troops on the ground as they attempted to penetrate the NPA lairs in the area.

"They (NPA) have their tactics in place - they put landmines around against approaching soldiers to defend their camp (hideout)," he said.

PNA

Zambo fight vs COVID-19 shifts from hospitals to houses ZAMBOANGA CITY— Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Wednesday called on the people here to consider the continuing fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as their personal responsibility, as the battle against the deadly virus shifts from hospitals to households.

Salazar made the call citing the city government is also doing its best in addressing the problems brought about

by the pandemic.

“The fight against Covid-19 is not in the hospitals anymore. It is in the households or the houses,” she said.

“That is why we are imposing granular lockdown on households, compounds, or streets where there are positive cases to prevent them from further spreading the infections to others outside of their homes or communities,” the mayor added.

Catamco leads tree planting to culminate IP month celeb

NORTH Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco on Thursday led a tree planting activity in Kidapawan City as part of the culminating program for the Indigenous Peoples Month celebration.

The tree planting activity was held in Sitio Puas, Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City in partnership with the Provincial IP Affairs Office Accompanying Catamco, herself an IP, were provincial

Socio-political gap between Moros...from P1

and local officials and representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

“These fruit bearing trees planted in IP ancestral land are living testimonies of our recognition of their rights as a community,” Gov. Catamco said in the vernacular.

Part of the activity was the distribution of food assistance to 38 IP households in Purok Lawaan, Sitio Puas Inda.

Edwin O. Fernandez

Thursday the groundbreaking here of two-story barangay halls the regional government will build in 24 villages here and in adjoining Aleosan town, both in Cotabato province.

He said barangay governance is every citizen’s first encounter with government—and so the BARMM’s development efforts start in that level, “both in terms of infrastructure programs and on improving the administrative and operational functions of local governance.”

Zaiton Abas, MILG senior programs development officer, said the initial beneficiary-barangays are Rajamuda, Bagoinged, Boliok, Barungis, Kabasalan, Gli-Gli, Bulol, Macabual, Balong, Manaulanen, Pamalian, Lagunde, Bualan, Panicupan, Nalapaan, Batulawan, Nunguan, Gokotan, Nabundas, and Macasendeg in Pikit cluster; and

Dunguan and Tapodok in Aleosan.

In the first group of villages benefitting from the P 3.5 million BARMM-MILG barangay halls project, construction works have been ongoing, said Engineer Abibazar Sali, MILG project development officer.

Pikit, one of the earliest colonial districts, is host to old agricultural colonies granted by the Philippine Commission during the American administration of the Moro Province (1900- 1914), under the Osmeña Colony Act of 1913—and later, the Quirino-Recto Colonization Act of 1936 during the Commonwealth period.

Former Mayor Efren Piñol of Magpet town said Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco remains open to all development initiatives of BARMM for her constituents in the province.

Meanwhile, MILG-BARMM

officials also broke the ground for the construction of 18 more barangay hall buildings in the Midsayap municipality cluster of the region’s Special Geographic Area in Cotabato province.

Another village official described the converged crowd as a “sign of healing” from a “bitter past of mutual distrust,” adding that residents of neighboring villages not part of BARMM had wished they had voted to join the region, seeing its prompt response in times of calamity and implementation of projects being fast-tracked.

It can be recalled that in February 2019, a total of 63 villages of the province voted to join the expanded autonomous region, and are now referred to in BARMM governance as the Special Geographic Area (SGA).

Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

He has also trained at the École Biblique et Archeologique Française de Jerusalem, and is now considered one of the country’s leading Bible experts.

Ordained priest for San Fernando in 1983, he became the

archdiocese’s auxiliary bishop in 2006.

In October 2015, David, who is also the current CBCP Vice President, was appointed as bishop of Kalookan.

HAU Board of Trustees Chairperson S. Josefina Nepomuceno, OSB and the

university’s OIC President Leopoldo Jaime Valdes will confer the honorary doctorate to the bishop.

The conferment ceremonies will be held during a special academic convocation to be livestreamed from the HAU’s Facebook page. Patricia

Our response to injustice must be more than condemnation...from P4

‘Red Wednesday’ slated...from P4 day of remembrance by lighting the facade of their respective churches in red from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The Red Wednesday Mass and the lighting rite at the Pasig Cathedral will be livestreamed through ACN’s Facebook page and its partners.

First organized in the

United Kingdom in 2016, the Philippines started joining the campaign the following year.

In January 2020, the Philippine bishops’ conference officially institutionalized the annual celebration of Red Wednesday in all dioceses.

CBCP News

Julianne Escaño/CBCP News

Recidivist back to jail...from P8 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The Maguindanao Provincial Jail released him due to the plea bargaining/ convicted order issued by Judge Kasan Abdulrakman of RTC Branch 27 in Cotabato City.

Police informed Kamsa

of his constitutional rights (Miranda Doctrine) in Iranon dialect. Police also informed him of the nature of his arrest and he opted to remain silent in the absence of his chosen legal counsel.

Police detained Kamsa at the Parang municipal police lock-up cell. Edwin O.

Fernandez

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November 6, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Pope Francis: ‘The supreme rule regarding fraternal correction is love’

VATICAN— Pope Francis said on Wednesday that fraternal correction must always be guided by love.

Speaking at the general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Nov. 3, the pope reflected on the Apostle Paul’s advice to the early Christians to correct others “in a spirit of gentleness.”

“The supreme rule regarding fraternal correction is love: to want the good of our brothers and sisters,” the pope said.

The Catholic Encyclopedia defines fraternal correction as “the admonishing of one’s neighbor by a private individual with the purpose of reforming him or, if possible, preventing his sinful indulgence.”

The pope reflected on the practice in his live-streamed address, the 14th in his cycle of catechesis on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians.

At the beginning of the audience, priests read out Galatians 5:16-17, 25 in various languages, a passage in which the Apostle urges the community in Galatia, a region in modern-day Turkey,

to “walk according to the Spirit.”

“In fact, it is exciting, but demanding, to build up the community according to the way indicated by the Apostle,” the pope commented.

“The ‘desires of the flesh,’ ‘the temptations,’ we can say, that all of us have — that is, our jealousies, prejudices, hypocrisies and resentments continue to make themselves felt — and having recourse to a rigid set of precepts can be an easy temptation.”

“But doing this means straying from the path of freedom, and instead of climbing to the top, it means returning down below. In the first place, journeying along the way of the Spirit requires giving space to grace and charity.”

The pope noted that in Galatians 6:1-2, St. Paul urged Christians to bear each other’s burdens and, when a community member fell, to restore them with gentleness.

“Quite different than

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Pope Francis’ general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Nov. 3, 2021

Photo courtesy of VATICAN MEDIA

THIS year’s Red Wednesday, a church event to support Christians persecuted for their faith around the world, will be held on November 24.

The Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Philippines said the day’s theme is “Red without fear:

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Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan

Photo courtesy of DIOCESE OF KALOOKAN

Our response to injustice must be more than condemnation

BISHOP Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan will receive an honorary doctor of humanities degree from the Holy Angel University in a special ceremony on Dec. 1.

The incoming president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines will be made an honorary doctor “for his inspirational leadership in Church and community”.

The citation also made reference for his “tireless work of evangelization” as writer, homilist, cultural heritage worker, and advocate for the environment, as well as “for his courage to care for the poorest of

the poor, defend the defenseless and empower the marginalized”.

The Angeles Citybased university particularly noted David’s vocal stand against the spate of killings in the government’s war on drugs.

The 62-year old bishop also expanded his diocese’s mental health ministry to assist the victims’ widows and orphans.

David will be the university’s ninth honorary doctor, after business leaders Manuel V. Pangilinan, Washington SyCip and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, educators Christopher and Victoria

‘Red Wednesday’ slated Nov. 24

A Church journeying as one”.

In previous years, ACN, the official papal charity for persecuted Christians, has been tackling issues of religious persecution as main highlights for the Red Wednesday campaign.

For 2021, however, ACN Philippines executive director Msgr. Pedro Santos, said that they will be weaving together two of the recent events in the local and universal church: the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines and the preparation

towards the Synod of Bishops in 2023.

“This year, we pay tribute to the Filipino martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Gospel, as well as paying homage to the preparation of the synodal aim to take the path of Christ as

mite is something very we gave to the point that it small. It can be a very hurts? We know that we also small creature such as have our own needs or that of ticks, or a very small object. In our family to take care of, yet this Sunday’s gospel it refers we are also called to assist to a very small contribution someone who needs it more. which a widow dropped in Perhaps, that person met an the temple treasury. She accident or had a medical Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC dropped two small coins which emergency, or literally had tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com by our standard would be a nothing to eat for the day. few centavos. According to biblical commentaries, what We are caught in a dilemma and had to make an urgent she gave multiplied by ten would not even buy a decent decision. If we are generous God will not be outdone in meal. She gave not one, but two. She did not even keep generosity. I have heard many testimonies of people one for herself. Jesus noticed her generosity and called whom God rewarded in turn for their magnanimity, even his disciples together for a teachable opportunity, “Truly if they did not expect a return.

I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those I have experienced the generosity of people so many who gave offerings. For all of them gave from their plenty, times in my life as a parish priest. Some person or even but she gave from her poverty and put everything she a family would approach me and say as if embarrassed, had, her very living” (Mk. 12: 44).

“May we share our blessings for the parish projects, kahit In the time of Jesus and even before that, the widows maliit lang ito Father, makakatulong din”. I would thank were often mentioned with orphans. They belonged to them and I would be surprised by the amount that family the very poor and oftentimes neglected sector of society. gave. Once, I was going home from a barrio mass on my The married women at that time and their children motorcycle, and a woman stopped me by the roadside to were dependent on their husbands or adult children for give me a sack of sweet potatoes. Any motorcycle driver their survival. When the husband dies and there are no knows how difficult it is to balance a sack of potatoes while adult children or relatives to take care of them, then driving on muddy and impassable roads. This parishioner the widows have to fend for themselves. Perhaps this took the time to gather the potatoes and carry them to widow found some menial job such as gleaning from the the roadside for me. The best I could do was to thank harvested fields. She went to the temple to thank God and bless her for her donation. May God reward her with and dropped in her precious coins. Just like the widow more “unli” potatoes for her harvest. mentioned in the first reading who gave her last bit of It is not only with things, that we ought to be generous. flour and oil to make bread for prophet Elijah, she gave We can also be generous with our time. Parents can take all she had (1Kings:17ff). Elijah rewarded the widow time to make memorable events with their children, even with what we might call now in the Philippines as a simple outing or a birthday party. Husbands and wives “unli rice”, an unending supply of flour and oil to sustain can make time for bonding and conversations. We can her and her child during the famine. We can be certain also commit ourselves to a ministry and an apostolate that, although not mentioned in the gospel, Jesus as the that may demand our time for the weekend. Most of all, new Elijah blessed the widow in the temple, beyond her even amidst our daily activities, we take time to say little expectations. prayers to God, “Thank you Lord for all your blessings.

Are we generous? When was the last time that May I bless the world with my presence.” MC

The Widow’s Mite

REFLECTIONS

Bernido, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, former Central Bank governor Amando Tetangco Jr. and former Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. Born in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga, he studied at the Mother of Good Counsel Minor Seminary of the San Fernando archdiocese and later at the San Jose Major Seminary at the Ateneo de Manila University.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in PreDivinity from the Ateneo, his master’s degree in Theology from the Loyola School of Theology, and both his licentiate and doctorate in Sacred Theology from the

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one Church,” Santos said.

“May the sacrifice of our martyred brethren and love of Jesus Christ live on in our country beyond 500 years of outstanding faith,” he said.

ACN is inviting parishes to join the

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

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

1 Kings 17.10-16; Hebrews 9.24-28; Mark 12.38-44 With all that we have accomplished life, often we think that we can be very independent and invincible. We just need to work hard, and so we thought. But the poor widow in the gospel reminds us of being dependent on God’s providence. God sustains us so that we can work and succeed. It is not simply because we are strong and capable that we have everything. Rather, is it God’s pure act of love and grace that we are being sustained. Let’s not pretend on having enough, God makes and gives us what we need. Let’s think about that.

Prayer: Lord, sustain me with your generosity.

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THE MINDANAO CROSS

November 6, 2021 EDITORIAL

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The Pandemic an Equalizer?

id we ever stop to consider the Corona Virus Pandemic as an equalizer? Equalizer in the sense that it does not consider if its victims are rich or poor, intelligent or not, a servant or a powerful person? If we look at the anecdotes collected on those who got sick, got well, or died because of the disease, there are so many variants to be considered all pointing at just anybody in the population.

In many households, only one person can carry the virus and infect all members. A very good friend and a doctor at that, was infected together with two other persons in the same household because a helper (kasambahay) went home to her family and returned carrying the virus with her. Unless you look for specifics, you can at once conclude that those who tested positive may have weak body resistance at the time of contact compared to the rest who tested negative. Another friend tested positive for the virus, while the wife did not; but he, a sister and his mother were all hospitalized because all of them had a severe reaction to the infection.

The above anecdotes I consider equalizing.

All the victims were hospitalized with varying degrees of infection, and all recovered except for the friend and his sister who both died. The mother was fortunate to survive since seniors must be vaccinated as a government policy. It was really sad witnessing their loved ones bringing the patients to the hospital, being informed that they died, and within a short period of time were only presented with the box containing their cremated remains. And this applies to all – regardless of how rich or how poor you are. At the very least, the relatives were not saddled with paying for the hospital expenses. Some rich associates whose patients fortunately recovered from the pandemic had to pay a minimum of P200,000 to more than a million for medicines and hospital expenses in Metro Manila.

In the education sector, children who belong to the distance learning approach, had to be well equipped with the new technology being used.

The rich and the poor children must have a smart phone to communicate with the teacher. Having a laptop is an advantage. Many “older” parents who often used the excuse of not having a mobile phone, can no longer avoid an encounter with this new technology. Their children cannot move on without a mobile phone, and denying this ran counter to the objective of giving their children a better future.

It is therefore fortunate for us Filipinos that government policy to fight the epidemic is really to treat all fairly and equally. This seem to be the only time that government service cannot be accused of partiality to the rich and powerful. Of course, we come across news of some people taking advantage of the delivery of some services to gain money, but if doesn’t come across as putting the poor at a great disadvantage. Hopefully, we get lessons from this pandemic; not only the unity it had fostered, but also the distribution of services equally and without prejudice to many. MC +

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 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.

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t is not of general knowledge that November 2 of every year is celebrated as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. The celebration is based on United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/ RES/68/163 adopted at its 68th session in 2013.

The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013. The resolution was adopted in recognition of the far-reaching consequences of impunity, especially of crimes against journalists.

According to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, over 1,200 journalists have been killed around the world between 2006 and 2020, with close to 9 out of 10 cases of these killings remaining judicially unresolved. UNESCO’s World Trends Report Insights discussion paper “Threats that Silence: Trends in the Safety of Journalists” provides the latest statistics on killings of journalists and impunity for crimes against them, as well as an analysis of trends about the safety of journalists during protests and psychological abuse online.

New data shows that while killings of journalists are declining globally with a diminution of 20% in the last 5 years (2016-2020) compared to the previous 5 years period (2011-2015), the level of impunity for crimes against journalists remains extremely high globally, with an impunity rate of 87%, representing a similarly high rate to previous years, and that threats of violence against the media are on the rise. UNESCO says, “impunity leads to more killings and is often a symptom of worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems”. It is concerned that “impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime.”

In her message for the occasion this year, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, said: “Journalists are essential to preserving the fundamental right to freedom of expression, set out in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When attacks against journalists go unpunished, the legal system and safety frameworks have failed everyone.”

The Philippines remains in the latest Global Impunity Index of the Committee to Protect Journalists as one of the 10 worst countries for journalists, holding on to its seventh place in the index, which ranks countries based on the number of unsolved journalist murders in the past decade compared to population. The index took into account work-related killings of journalists from Sept. 1, 2011 to Aug. 31, 2021. It showed that the number of unsolved murders of Filipino journalists rose from 11 last year to 13 in the

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NE FINE day on August 18 (2015), I visited the tomb of Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat (1581-1671) in Simuay Seashore in what is now Sultan Mastura Municipality in Maguindanao.

A simple marker painted green and his name in white color, apparently hand-printed, is placed on top of the tomb, about six-foot tall viewed from the west side of the old natural landscape.

Frankly, the area has not been reshaped by landscaping, at least in recent decades, much less made into shrine befitting a national hero or a great heritage not only to his descendants but for the people of Mindanao and Sulu—and the entire Malay Race.

Tradition has it that the ground’s earth-fill was deliberately made that high so that none can step on its surface lest anyone who does so could die of “stomach enlargement.” It is said that enchanted spirits have the power to impose that “punishment” to insistent visitors, especially non-descendants.

In fairness to our brothers and sisters in Lanao, I also saw also in August 2015 the tomb in Ramitan, Picong, which residents said was of Sultan Kudarat.

Residents told me it used to be some 50 meters from the edge of the right bank of the Ramitan River. Now it’s less than five meters, because of the massive soil erosion in the area.

The oldest Ramitan resident Bapa Kado (100+ years old) said he was not sure, through, as he could barely remember stories passed-on from early generations, pointing to that area in his village in

The blood of the fallen continue to cry for justice

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

latest tally following the killings of Jobert Bercasio and Renante Cortes. Add to that the murder of broadcaster Orlando “Dondon” Dinoy in Bansalan, Davao del sur on October 30, two days prior to the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists this year.

Dinoy was a former correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer – Mindanao, and prior to his death was writing for the online news platform Newsline Philippines and an anchor of Energy News FM Digos City. He was also a stringer reporter for Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation’s radio station DXND in Kidapawan City and was a contributor to this paper for some time. Dinoy was gunned down by a still unidentified shooter inside his apartment. For the Davao City chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, an attack to any member of the press is an assault on the people’s right to free expression and the right to be informed. NUJP data shows that Dinoy is the 21st journalist killed during the incumbency of President Rodrigo Duterte. Half of these 21 journalists from print and broadcast are from Mindanao: Apolinario Suan, Jr. of Bislig City, Marlon Muyco of M’lang, Rudy Alicaway of Molave, Leo Diaz of President Quirino, Christopher Lozada of Bislig, Carlos Matas of Labangan, Dennis Denora of Panabo, Benjie Caballero of Tacurong, Eduardo Dizon of Kidapawan, and Dondon Dinoy of Bansalan.

“Impunity continues to bleed journalists, for whatever reason,” NUJP Davao said in its statement on the murder of Dinoy. When this will end remains a big question. Less that half of these deaths have been meted justice. Ed Dizon, who was a former Oblate seminarian and also a member of the NDBC family before his transfer to another network, was murdered on July 10, 2019, while on his way home from work. His wife Madonna, also a broadcaster of Brigada News FM like Ed was, continues to cry for justice with the rest of his family. Even as the alleged gunman is in jail, the mastermind whom he has identified remains at large after being allowed to post bail earlier.

Like that of others before him, Ed’s blood continues to cry for justice. MC

Burial place of Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat

Penlight Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

Picong (formerly Sultan Gumander, Lanao del Sur) as Sultan Kudarat’s grave.

Off course, not everyone should be on the Sultan’s throne all at the same time. Our ancestor was so named because of his devotion to the study of the progressive yet tolerant, Safi’i School of Muslim Law (Majhab u-Safi’i) That is one basic fact in the Tarsilan from at least one of traditional sources that Dr. Najeeb Saleeby made reference to, which was authored by my granduncle, Imam Hussein Paduman, the grandfather of Sultan Sukarno Debarosan.

Over generations in centuries, the MaguindanaoBuayan Tarsilan (Genealogy) has Rajah Silongan, the son of Potri Ma’amor (daughter of Shariff Kabunsuan)

by Datu Malang sa Inged. The Potri married her brother in-law Datu Pulua after Malang sa Inged died (Saleeby, 1905). Silongan’s daughter Bai K’daw was married to Rajah Makadulo and begot Rajah Balatamay, our ancestor, who was Sultan Kudarat’s second cousin and closest ally (Combes). MC

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November 6, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

120 and other batches that followed.

The unsatiable craving for benefits to sustain human needs is viral and more deadly than the current health pandemonium, that the LORD God has anticipated to have gifted us freewill Charlie Señase csenase@yahoo.com to choose between life and death, blessing and cursing, n the digital world of advanced technology, but has commanded us to it seems nothing is impossible amid choose the former things by taking the old human frailties and limitation. narrow path that leads to life everlasting Even in ancient times, it has been (Deuteronomy 30:19). foretold that our all-knowing God, who alone Our obedience to God’s commandments can see what’s in the heart and mind has is outpouring blessing while ignoring made man upright, but they have sought Him completely is nothing but curses of a out schemes and inventions. Liken to a wise miserable life in hellfire (Deuteronomy 28). man who knows to interpret things and President Duterte who appealed for makes his face shine for public adulation. clean, honest and peaceful elections in 2022 With President Duterte’s imprimatur is under scrutiny by political detractors after to the Senate and House enacted measures the Commission on Elections signed a P536 extending for another three years the million contract with a cargo forwarder F2 Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the Logistics Philippines, Inc., whose owner President is mandated to appoint 80 new is Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, BTA parliament members. While vested allegedly a close associate of Duterte. interest groups are trying to read Duterte’s However, Comelec Chair Sheriff Abas mind, his spokesperson Harry Roque said said the F2 Logistics signatory is Efren Uy, the President will give preference to MILF who won in the public bidding that will nominees. take charge in the distribution of ballots, The sternness of a face may change vote-counting machines and other supplies or not depending on the outcome of in time for the May 2022 national and local government seizure of assorted old vintage polls. firearms from 35 MILF members at a policeWhat’s in your mind as a reader? And military checkpoint in Datu Odin Sinsuat, why are people killed these past few days Maguindanao. for what reason?

According to Maguindanao Police A Mindanao-based print and broadcast Director Col. Jibin Boncayao the group journalist Orlando Dinoy was shot dead in belongs to the MILF 105th Base Command broad daylight inside his rented apartment that passed through the highway without in Bansalan, Davao Del Sur. And went on to prior coordination. learn the death of two tennis buddies who And while under investigation, 60 were shot by still unknown assailants while former MILF combatants were recipients the victims were aboard a motorbike in a of P10,000 each from BARMM’s Ministry fateful night of “No Movement Sunday” in of Public Order and Safety in relation to its Cotabato City. Condolences were shared to peace-building and normalization program families of the departed Glen Galbo, 34 and in the region. Sixty more beneficiaries Joselito Bello, 45, both residents of PC Hill. who belong to the MILF marginalized Coincidentally, the No Sunday Movement sectors who failed to qualify in the AFP has been lifted effective on November 7 due decommissioning program will receive to improving COVID-control mechanism as their share, according BARMM concerned the Yuletide and synchronized polls near. officials.

And as always and ever, vested interest As this developed, some Moro rebels matters and no one can contest that under the once unified Moro National the newly crowned Miss PH Tourism Liberation Front who yielded to government Universe 2021 is from Mindanao and the and tagged themselves as “rejoinees” pride of Maguindanao’s indigenous Upi would also want to avail of BARMM’s mountaineers. Indeed, true with the cliché normalization process. Some of them belong that beauty is relative that it all depends to the foreign trained MNLF top 90, top on the beholder. MC

Mind Reader: Can you?

True to Form

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trade, remedy disputes , domestic and cross border commercial transactions, white collar crimes, as well as family law matters She has successfully counselled and defended captains of Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy industry. High net-worth individuals, multinational franco1573victoria@gmail.com corporations, domestic and foreign telecommunication e have a centenarian amongst us, he leads a righteous way of life, companies, international aviation firms raised accomplished kids, and and commodity importers. The prestigious is living the good life, with family ands Villaraza and Anganco Law Firm is proud friends. Let’s toast to that! Many happy to have Leah as partner in the Firm.

Carlos Yulo wins the gold medal in returns of the day, Judge Rafael de Peralta vault at the World Artistic Gymnastics of Midsayap, North Cotabato, Breaking the Ceiling. Atty. Leah J. championship. Twenty one year old Caloy Quezada, daughter of Ruben and Glenda is the first Filipino to be crowned world (Jallorina) Quezada was recently recognized Gymnastics Champion. He is also the

by Asian Legal Business as among Asia’s first Filipino gymnast to capture multiple Top 40 under 40 Lawyers and the only world championship medals after winning lawyer from the Philippines in its 40 under the vault gold and parallel bars silver at the 2022 Artistic Gymnastic World 40 2021 list.

Following an extensive research Championship men’s parallel bar final on process the annual ALB Asia 40 under October 24 in Kitakyushi, Japan..

Celebration in Upi, Maguindanao 40 List recognizes the most outstanding lawyers from various jurisdictions and on behalf of their town mate, Ms Abegail practices in Asia based on quality of Labasan for winning the Ms Tourism work, recommendations from clients and Philippines-Universe2021. She also won colleagues, and potential for future growth. the special award, Ms Congeniality. Abhie, With 14 years of experience in Litigation as she is known, is a Licensed Professional and dispute resolution, Leah is a formidable Teacher (LPT) with a Master’s Degree in trial attorney with expertise in international Public Administration. MC

Achievers

The Stuff of Life

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Atty. Leah J. Quezada

Judge Rafael de Peralta

Ms. Abegail Labasan

Carlos Yulo

Mosquito Bite Symptoms and Treatment

• Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling and itching. Reapply ice pack as needed.

• Apply a mixture of baking soda and water, which can help reduce the A Reprint from Center for disease control and prevention itch response. * Mix 1 tablespoon baking emale mosquitoes bite people soda with just enough water to and animals to get a blood meal. create a paste.

Most female mosquitoes cannot produce eggs without a blood meal. * Apply the paste to the mosquito bite.

Male mosquitoes do not bite people and * Wait 10 minutes. animals. * Wash off the paste.

• Use an over-the-counter anti-itch or What Happens When a Mosquito antihistamine cream to help relieve Bites You itching. Follow the product label When a mosquito bites you, directions. it pierces the skin using a special mouthpart (proboscis) Complications to suck up blood. As the Infected bite mosquito is feeding, it • Do not scratch bites. injects saliva into your They can become skin. Your body reacts to infected. the saliva resulting in a • An infected bite may bump and itching. appear red, feel warm, Some people have or a red streak will only a mild reaction to a spread outward from bite or bites. Other people the bite. react more strongly, and • See a healthcare a large area of swelling, provider if symptoms soreness, and redness can worsen. occur.

Mosquito-borne diseases • Mosquitoes spread germs through Symptoms bites. Viruses like West Nile and Mosquito bite signs include: dengue and parasites like malaria • A puffy and reddish bump appearing can make you sick. a few minutes after the bite • A hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump, • A mosquito gets infected with a virus or parasite when it bites a person or or multiple bumps appearing a day or animal that is infected. The infected so after the bite or bites mosquito can spread germs to other • Small blisters instead of hard bumps people or animals through bites.

• Dark spots that look like bruises • Not everyone infected with a mosquitoMore severe reactions can occur in: borne germ gets sick.

• Children • Adults bitten by a mosquito species Prevent Mosquito Bites t h e y h a v e n ’ t b e e n e x p o s e d t o You can protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites. previously • People with immune system disorders • Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents People experiencing more severe external icon. reactions may have the following signs: • A large area of swelling and redness • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

• Low-grade fever • Treat clothing and gear with • Hives permethrin.

• Swollen lymph nodes • Control mosquitoes inside and outside.

• Prevent mosquito bites when traveling Treatment overseas. MC • Wash the area with soap and water.

HEALTH CORNER

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Some people have only a mild reaction to a bite or bites.

Why Agri-Industry Development Plans Fail?

processors, and exporters.

It was impressive to note that coconut syrup (used for making ice cream and other food products), activated carbon (powdered coconut charcoal), abaca Danny Buenbrazo danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com pulp, processed seaweeds, and other agriculture-based he establishment of industries is products are exported to very crucial to the development Europe, China, Japan, and other foreign of a country’s economy, they are markets. But it is quite sad to note that instrumental to the creation of wealth, most of the exporters are either foreign jobs, and income. These industries are companies, large conglomerates, or Filipino generally classified as industrial, service, companies without much connection with or basic agriculture. other local companies.

Manufacturing industries are Why are the efforts for agri-industrial especially important since they are development failing ? often labor-intensive and uses raw There are several reasons why, materials that are produced by other despite numerous efforts, the push for the manufacturers/assemblers or by the promotion and development of agricultureagricultural sector. Agriculture-based based industries continue to flounder. manufacturing or processing industries First, the markets for the different provide more benefits as they source their products for an agricultural commodity raw materials from farming, fishery, and sought to be developed were not thoroughly other agricultural activities produced studied. Thus, we see projects wherein in areas with lower-income and fewer individual entrepreneurs and/or economic opportunities. community enterprises were encouraged G o v e r n m e n t a g e n c i e s , l o c a l to manufacture products that does not get government units, and other sectors are sold because there are no clear buyers or cognizant of the importance of developing the produce do not meet the standards of agriculture-based industries and often set the market. out to craft industry development plans.

Second, there is not sufficient raw However, for all the time and resources materials needed for processing or for direct spent on developing and pursuing industry supply to the buyers in the market. For development plans, the results appear example, there are companies interested to be far from being impressive or even to purchase certain varieties of coffee but satisfactory. One just has to look at local producers are unable to meet the how far advanced the other neighboring volume or quality requirements.

ASEAN member-countries in the rubber, Third, the absence of industry coffee, fruit, and other agriculture-based “champions” from the public and private industries. sectors devoted to the realization of the To be fair, the Philippines is recognized development plan and have the credibility as a major exporter of bananas and to obtain cooperation and action from the mangoes but the product supplied are industry stakeholders. Someone has to mostly in the raw form and not processed. continually push the plan forward.

There are other commodities where some Fourth, the ones trying to promote the manufacturers do not only cater to the industry may not have a clear picture of domestic market but also sell to foreign the sector and what are needed to develop buyers. it from basic agricultural production (land, In a research study we did for a technology, capital, planting materials, Japanese consulting firm doing a project etc.) to trading, manufacturing/processing, on industry cluster development for a to marketing (e.g. halal, ISO, and other region in Mindanao, we were tasked to certifications to enable the product to enter trace the flow of agricultural products the target markets). from the production area to the traders, Failure should not be an option. MC

Market Driven

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7 nabbed in GenSan anti-drug ops

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Anti-narcotics agents entrapped late Tuesday a drug den operator and six cohorts, long wanted for distribution of shabu in Barangay Mabuhay here and nearby areas.

Naravy Duquiatan, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement-12, said Wednesday the seven suspects are now detained, to be

prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Duquiatan identified them as drug den operator Rannie Fernandez, 30, and his accomplices, Diosdado Gatin, 41, Jean Aligan, 51, Janice Aligan, 25, Jaycris Aligan, 20, Alex Cannillas 45, and the 50-year-old Victor Bautista.

PDEA-12 agents seized from the seven

suspects 78,800 worth of shabu during a clandestine tradeoff at Purok 27, Yamvill 1, Barangay Mabuhay in this city.

The sting that resulted in their arrest was laid with the help of vigilant General Santos City residents privy to their operation of a drug den and circulation of shabu via contacts in different barangays. John Felix

Unson

Upi teacher is Miss Tourism PH-Universe...from P1 showcase the advocacy, arts and culture of Maguindanao.

In an interview over DXMS Radyo Bida, Abegail said her family and friends have been her inspiration since then.

“It is a whirlwind experience but it was all worth it. I came to win for Maguindanao and for the people who believed and genuinely supported me from the very beginning. Thank God we did it! Now, I am not just representing Maguindanao, but my home, the Philippines,” Labasan said.

As she recalled, it was her mom who encouraged her to enter the world of

pageantry during her high school days.

Since then, Abegail have been joining school pageants and beauty contests in Maguindanao which she considered as her training ground that brought her to the national stage.

Labasan is now preparing to compete in an international pageant to be held in Beirut, Lebanon next year.

She is the second beauty who came from a Muslim-dominated area next to Miss Asia Pacific International Sharifa Akeel.

Believing in the power of prayer, Abegail has politely asked the Filipino people to pray for her success.

Tacurong COVID-19 isolation center is zero...from P1

observing physical distancing, wear facemask at all times and wash hands regularly.

The Crown-V Center or the Temporary Treatment Monitoring Facility and Isolation Facility is located in Barangay Upper Katunggal, Tacurong City.

It served as model facility in the region, said Dr. Aristides ConceptionTan, DOH-12 regional director.

"The facility [Crown-V] is indeed very beautiful and worth emulating in the region.

This is an example of how the Bayanihan Grant was rightly used. While others have used this fund for

food and transportation, targeted vaccinees in the City of Tacurong was t h e c i t y g o v e r n m e n t . able to build an isolation Other personnel are yet facility that not only will to receive their second be used this year but dose while others are for years to come,” Dr. awaiting for clearance Tan said of the PHP5.24 due to pregnancy and million, 28-room isolation other medical conditions. facility.

“As essential workers, The Tacurong IATF the vaccinated employees reported that a total of 826 and officials are now even employees and officials of more prepared to respond the city government have to this pandemic,” the city been fully vaccinated IATF said in a statement. against COVID-19 as of According to the November 2.

2020 census, Tacurong This number accounts City has a population of for 91.17 percent of the 109,319 people.

ERRATUM This is to correct the proclamation No. 906 to 1906 in the Article "BTA Parliament approves Resolution No. 542", published on Oct. 30, 2021 issue of the Mindanao Cross.

Our apologies

NPA leader, 7 men yield to Army in Sultan Kudarat

MILITARY officials in Sultan Kudarat believed communist movement in the province continue to dwindle as a ranking New Peoples Army (NPA) leader and his men surrendered to the government.

In a statement Thursday, Lt. Colonel Rommel Valencia, 7th IB commander, the ranking NPA leader and seven of his followers decided to surrender and withdrew their allegiance to the terrorist group during programs held Wednesday afternoon at the old capitol compound in Barnagay Kalawag, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

The sustained efforts of the Region 12 Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC 12), Joint Task Force Central (JTF-Central) and Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office (SKPPO) forced the former rebels to lay down their firearms and abandon armed struggle.

Valencia identified the leader as “Alias Simon,” platoon commander of Central Musa, Guerilla Front Musa, Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR).

He and his subordinates turned over seven assorted firearms with ammunition.

“The sustained government military and police forces in the towns of Bagumbayan

and Senator Ninoy Aquino forced the rebels to surrender,” Colonel Valencia said, adding that the police, led by Sultan Kudarat police director Colonel Tom Tuzon, also played major roles that convinced the rebels to yield.

Valencia also lauded the support extended by the local government units, government agencies, nongovernment organizations and peace-loving citizens.

This year, a total of 110 communist rebel operating in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and parts of Sarangani have surrendered to the JTF Central, led by Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th ID commander.

Major General Uy commended the efforts of the Sultan Kudarat provincial and municipal LGUs for its unwavering support in maintaining the peace and order situation of their respective areas.

“The surrender of the high ranking official manifests that they have now realized there is no future in joining the NPA as most of their members continue to return to the mainstream society,” said Maj. Gen. Uy who was confident the defeat of the CPP-NPA is irreversible. Edwin O.

2 big time...from P2

Maguindanaon...from P8

Brig. Gen. Ugale lauds the operating personnel for their intensive and unrelenting campaign against trafficking and use of dangerous drugs in the Bangsamoro region. Edwin O. Fernandez EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late NOEMI G. LOPEZ who died in Libungan, Cotabato on October 9, 2021, a savings account with Metro Bank, Midsayap, Cotabato under Account No. 334-33413366-5 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with waiver of rights before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 3,161; Page No. 23; Book No. LXXVIII; Series of 2021.

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

AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JULIANITO JOBIANE who died on October 31, 2012 in Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 640-C, Psd-12-013334 (VLT), situated at Sadaan, Midsayap, Cotabato, with an area of 17,637 sq. mts., more or less, covered

by TCT No. CT-315 is the subject of affidavit of adjudication by sole heir with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 399; Page No. 80; Book No. CCLIV; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MACARIA REMERATA and DANIEL REMERATA, who both died in Abaga, Libungan, Cotabato on October 23, 2014 and March 6, 2012, respectively, a parcel of land Lot No. 2605S, Psd-124703-020773 (AR) in Abaga, Libungan, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-9772 with an area of 13,969 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Teresita Carreon Llaban as per Doc. No. 48; Page No. 08; Book No. L; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses ELIGIO GERTOS and NATIVIDAD ROQUERO-GERTOS, who died on December 21, 2004 and June 18, 2017, respectively in Pigcawayan, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot No. 3142-E-9-A, Psd12-031685, covered by TCT No. 105928, situated in Capayuran, Pigcawayan, Cotabato with an area of 500 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Roland D. Jungco as per Doc. No. 134; Page No. 27; Book No. 76; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late INANGCOB PA N D I TA , w h o d i e d in Carmen, Cotabato on October 17, 1993, a parcel of land Lot N o . 1 6 11 , P l s - 4 9 8 in Arakan, Matalam, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. P-23622 with an area of 77,692 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of real estate before Notary Public Atty. Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 348; Page No. 70; Book No. CLXXIX; Series of 2021.

MC: Nov. 6, 13 & 23, 2021

MC: Oct. 30, Nov. 6 & 13, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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

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

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

7

THE MINDANAO CROSS

November 6, 2021

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

MC: Oct. 30, Nov. 6 & 13, 2021

MC: Oct. 30, Nov. 6 & 13, 2021

AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION

EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EVANGELINE C. DE SILVA, who died on January 4, 2017 at Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 6-F-4-E, Psd-12-035918, situated in Sadaan, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 658 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of affidavit of adjudication of a sole heir with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 357; Page No. 72; Book No. CLVI; Series of 2020.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses TOMAS ETAO and ANASTACIA AMANONGSONG, who died intestate on December 31, 1936 and October 8, 1954, respectively at Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 2154, Cad-107, covered by OCT No. 1188 situated in Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, containing an area of 7.3678 hectares is the subject of extrajudicial partition before Notary Public Abdul Hafiz Tan Adil, Jr. as per Doc. No. 199; Page No. 40; Book No. XVIII; Series of 2021.

MC: Oct. 30, Nov. 6 & 13, 2021

MC: Oct. 30, Nov. 6 & 13, 2021

Fernandez

and in Maguindanao have called on the 10th ID and the Tagum City police to help them secure justice for their slain kin, a father to a grade school child by a Maguindanaon spouse. John Felix Unson

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

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that R-June Punzalan Ong has filed with this office, a petition for correction of entry in sex/gender from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of R-June Punzalan Ong who was born on June 1, 1992 in Cotabato City and whose parents are Robert Barrios Ong and Rowena Yuson Punzalan.

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

(Sgd.) TOHAMY M. LAUBAN City Civil Registrar

MC: Nov. 6 & 13, 2021

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

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Norhamin Kamsa Tumindig has filed with this office a petition for correction of clerical error in the sex from Female to Male in the birth certificate of Norhamin Kamsa Tumindig and whose parents are Akmad Kuga Tumindig and Tayan Makasasa Kamsa.

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

(Sgd.) PRINCESS ESNAIRA M. NUR, RN, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Oct. 30 & Nov. 6, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late KADATUAN PALOT USOP, who died on April 27, 2021 in Manila, parcels of land covered

by TCT Nos. T-41613 and T-53937 situated in Bagua, Cotabato City and Bank Accounts at Philippine National Bank (PNB) under Account No. 188861035988 and Union Bank with Account Nos. 100291019382 and 109560456232 are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty.

Agnes R. De CastroJagunap as per Doc. No. 926; Page No. 926; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: Oct. 30, Nov. 6 & 13, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late RUPERTO PANZO and JULITA PACETEPANZO, who died on April 2, 1988 and September 15, 1982, respectively in Pigcawayan, Cotabato, parcels of land Lot No. 43, Pls-317, covered by OCT No. 37715 in New Panay, Pigcawayan, Cotabato and Lot B, Pcs-000086, covered

by TCT No. T-62747 in Manuangan, Pigcawayan, Cotabato with the total area of 131,889 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with special power of attorney before Notary Public Rene Jay A. Soriano as per Doc. No. 170; Page No. 34; Book No. XIII; Series of 2021.

MC: Oct. 30, Nov. 6 & 13, 2021

CRISANEL PAWNSHOP-MAIN

BRANCH I, II, III & Midsayap Branch

Patalastas ng Subasta Ang Crisanel Pawnshop ng Cotabato City at Midsayap, Cotabato ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla.

Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula pa noong Abril hangang Mayo 2021. Ang Subasta ay sa Disyembre 3, 2021 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Nov. 06, 2021

8

November 6, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Maguindanaon soldier killed by amok in Tagum

ONE of the two soldiers killed by a companion who went berserk in their headquarters in Tagum City was a Maguindanaon whose family resides in Cotabato City.

Technical Sgt. Sandatu Tuma of the Army’s 10th Civil Military Operations Battalion died in a hospital from gunshot wounds sustained in the attack.

He and the other fatality, Major Franklin Embat, were shot with an assault rifle by a companion, Staff Sgt. Arvin Bureros.

Bureros was reportedly restive and seemed so agitated prior to the incident.

Another officer, Major Mineheart Maliaoao, was injured in the attack, now recuperating in a hospital.

Embat, who sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of his body, perished ahead of Tuma.

Bureros reportedly escaped after the attack and has since been at large.

He was declared dead on arrival in a hospital where he was rushed by personnel of the 10th CMO Battalion.

The victims all belong to the 10th CMO Battalion under the 10th Infantry Division of the Eastern Mindanao Command.

The 10th CMO Battalion headquarters is located in Barangay San Agustin in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Captain Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson of 10th ID, was quoted in reports by radio stations here Wednesday as saying that Bureros hails from Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

He said Bureros casually approached the victims who were together in a kiosk at one spot in their battalion command post and, without warning, shot them with his service R4 assault rifle.

Tito said the 10th ID is cooperating with the on-going investigation on the incident by the Tagum City police under Lt. Col. Ruth Dizon.

Companions of the slain Tuma and Embat had told probers they heard Bureros yell “tapusin na natin ito” before gunshots rang through their battalion command post compound in Barangay Agustin.

Relatives of Tuma in Cotabato City

P7

TEEN INOCULATION. Youth, aged 12-17, await their turn to receive the vaccines at the City Health Office compound at the start of pediatric vaccination in Cotabato City.Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Photo courtesy of Cotabato City Health Office

City health office starts youth inoculation

THE Cotabato City Office of Health Services has announced 41 teenagers, aged 12 to 17, have received pediatric vaccines on the first day of vaccination rollout for the young.

In a statement, the city health office said pediatric vaccination was only offered at the city office in the

city and at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.

Vaccination continues with few basic requirements like birth certificate, valid identification card or school ID, medical certificate if the teen has co-morbidities or has medical condition.

About Madlos: Army says legit ops, NPA says ambush

THE New People’s Army refuted the military’s report that Jorge Madlos was killed in a clash last weekend with soldiers in Impasugong, Bukidnon.

He was waylaid while on a motorcycle en route to somewhere in Impasugong, according to a number of press statements from different self-styled units of the NPA, copies received by different media outfits in Mindanao.

Two of the statements said Madlos was killed in an ambush.

Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, was the commander and spokesperson of the NPA's National Operations Command.

He was also spokesperson of the National Democratic Front.

Soldiers killed Madlos in a gunfight in Impasugong on Saturday, October 30.

The Army’s 4th Infantry Division and the Bukidnon provincial police separately confirmed then the demise of Madlos.

Members of the Impasugong municipal peace and order council were quoted in radio reports as saying Madlos was indeed killed in a clash with personnel of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade.

Major Gen. Romeo Brawner, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan

NEWSBRIEFS

de Oro City, said last week a companion of Madlos named Eighfel Dela Peña was also killed in the encounter.

Local officials told reporters it was barangay residents who helped the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade locate Madlos and his followers in a secluded area in Impasugong.

Brawner said Dela Peña was the communication officer of the NOC. Key sources from the Police Regional Office-10 and the Bukidnon provincial police office told reporters Madlos was wanted for a number of high-profile criminal cases pending in different courts in Mindanao. John

Felix Unson

Tawi-Tawi cocaine dealer charged

COTABATO CITY — The cocaine dealer entrapped in Tawi-Tawi by anti-narcotics agents last week, Bashir Daud, had been charged with violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

This was reported Thursday by the office here of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In an earlier statement, the PDEA-BARMM said Daud had been

detained.

Tawi-Tawi is a component province of BARMM that also covers Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. The PDEA-BARMM said the sting that resulted in the arrest of Daud was assisted by the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police, the Maritime Police and the 12th Marine Battalion of the Philippine Navy.

It was the first ever seizure by PDEA-BARMM of cocaine, valued

at P5.3 million, from a trafficker in Tawi-Tawi.

The PDEA-BARMM said Daud was immediately arrested after turning over his illegal merchandise to non-uniformed agents during a tradeoff in Barangay Sipangkot, Sitangkai.

Agents who searched for firearms in his hideout in Barangay Sipangkot after his arrest found an M16 assault rifle hidden inside. John

Felix Unson

Recidivist back to jail

POLICE arrested in Parang, Maguindanao a former illegal drug trade offender who was out after a plea bargaining order for possession of illegal drugs during inspection at a police checkpoint Sunday.

Esmael Guiamel Kamsa, 32, a resident of Barangay Nituan,

Parang, Maguindanao, did not resist arrest when police personnel from municipal police office, led by Maj. Dan Junson Espinoza, arrested hinm for possession of prohibited drugs.

Police officers manning the Duran Detachment in Barangay

Parents or guardians’ valid ID is also required.

Dr. Meyasser Patadon, city health chief, said experts, medical practitioners and health care frontliners man the pediatric vaccination hub to ensure everybody’s safety. Cotabato City Health Office

Sarmiento became suspicious of Kamsa who was uneasy facing law enforcers.

Recovered in him was one sachet of shabu, shabu paphernalia and mobile phone.

Maj. Espinoza said Kamsa was charged for violation of R.A.

P3

Hundreds displaced

by GenSan fire GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A fire of still undetermined origin razed more than a hundred houses in the seaside Barangay Calumpang here Wednesday afternoon.

Close to 200 families displaced by the conflagration are now temporarily sheltered in the Barangay Calumpang public gymnasium.

The fire that hit Purok Saeg in Barangay Calumpang started at past 1:00

p.m. Wednesday and was declared fire out at about 4:00 p.m. the same day by Chief Inspector Reginald Legaste, the chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection office in the city.

Local officials said the fire incident on Wednesday could be the city's worst this year.

T h e c i t y government is now attending to the needs of the fire victims. John

Felix Unson

Cops arrest 2 gun runners in Maguindanao SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao – Two suspected gun runners who started selling guns to politicians ahead of next year’s political exercises were arrested here during entrapment operations.

Colonel Jibin B o n g c a y a o , Maguindanao police director, told Brig. Gen. Eden T Ugale, police regional director for the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao, that the suspects were arrested in Sitio Malinis, Barangay

Mother Poblacion, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao at 4 p.m.

Tuesday.

B o n g c a y a o identified them as Adji Mohaimen Akmad Lumamba and Talib Basagan Manindig, both residents of Matanog, Maguindanao.

Confiscated from them were one unit Remington 5.56 rifle; one unit 40mm grenade launcher; Cellphones; and boodle money used in the transaction.

Edwin O. Fernandez