The Mindanao Cross | November 12, 2022

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43 Days to Christmas

PNP

“Helobung” in T’boli means “never ending joy,” is celebrated every Nov. 8-11 in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato’s summer capital. The celebration reflects the unique cultural identity and ethnicity of the province.

MAN IN YBL BOMBING NOW A SUSPECT

Colonel Rogelio Raymundo, Police Regional Office 12 deputy director for operations, said the premature explosion seriously injured the alleged bomb carrier, 55-year-old blast victim Esmael Daomilang.

The suspect, whose leg was amputated, was among the 11 wounded victims of the Yellow Bus bombing in Barangay New Isabela on Nov. 6.

Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, police

Stakeholders want peace, prosperity in SGA

STAKEHOLDERS agreed in a dialogue in Cotabato City on Tuesday to cooperate in working for peace and development in 63 Bangsamoro barangays in Cotabato province, 22 of which are in the troubled Pikit, North Cotabato.

Participants assured of their support to the

By John Felix Unson

governance initiatives of the Bangsamoro government in the 63 barangays.

The 63 barangays, located in different towns in North Cotabato, which is under Administrative Region 12, are grouped as the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in

MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of the share of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in taxes collected within the BARMM amounting to over PHP335 million.

In a press release Thursday, the agency said DBM Secretary Amenah

Muslim Mindanao. Representatives from different sectors, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, the police, and three members of the 80seat BARMM parliamentKadil Sinolinding, Abdullah Hashim and Kelly Antaotook turns explaining during the forum P3

regional director for the Soccsksargen region who has supervision over police in Tacurong City, said police have enough evidences that all directed toward Daomilang.

“Statement of witnesses and pieces of gathered evidence pointed out to the gravely injured 55-year-old victim, Esmael Daomilang, as one of the suspects,” Brig. Gen. Macaraeg said in a

NoCot farmers’ group, BJMP ink deal for veggies supply

KIDAPAWAN CITY – A newlyorganized farmers’ association and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Kabacan town signed Wednesday a marketing agreement for the supply of vegetables to the prison facility.

The agreement was signed between

the San Isidro Sustainable Program Association (SISPA) president Dino Bulambao and Jail Inspector Edneil Capundan of the BJMP-Kabacan at the Senior Citizen Hall building here.

The agreement states that SISPA will supply vegetables, such as eggplants, squash, broccoli,

US sends experts to help PH build drug-free societies

By Nash B. Maulana

Pangandaman approved the BARMM’s share in taxes and other fees on Monday.

“The release of funds means more development projects to be implemented for the people and government of BARMM. This is important in their exercise of their right to self-governance,” Pangandaman said.

Section 10 of Republic Act P2

THE U.S. Department of State has gathered international experts to boost local government capability in developing strategies to mitigate the impact of and reduce the demand for illegal drugs in the Philippines.

The state department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) hosted 120 delegatetrainees representing 19 local government units (LGUs) during 5th National Conference of Anti-Drug Abuse Coalitions.

INL Manila Director Kelia Cummins said: “Coalitions carry out vital work, such as educating and engaging the youth, volunteering time to holistic care, and ensuring the availability of mental health support, often with very little resources”

The 5th NCADAC Conference took place from

October 31 to November 2, according to reports in a U.S. Embassy press statement released on Wednesday.

Working on the theme “Strengthening Prevention Strategies for Drug Free Communities,” the U.S, Embassy in Manila organized the event, in partnership with the Association of Anti-Drug Abuse Coalitions of the Philippines, Inc. (AADAC), and the Community AntiDrug Coalitions of America (CADCA) in Makati City

The statement said during the conference, international experts trained participants on conducting community assessments and developing sustainable and comprehensive strategies for anti-drug abuse coalition activities.

Two certified youth trainers led sessions for 60 youth leaders on countering

stigma associated with drug use, promoting mental health, and strengthening youth engagement in antidrug abuse coalitions, the statement added.

AADAC also awarded ten local chief executives for their grassroots efforts in strengthening multisectoral cooperation to address illegal drugs and in allocating financial support for AADAC programs in their communities. The ten officials named “champions in anti-drug abuse coalition work” are Angono Municipal

Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon, Calamba City Vice Mayor Angelito Lazaro, Jr., Cavite City Mayor Denver Chua, Muntinlupa City Mayor Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Tanay Municipal Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco, Barangay Caticlan Chairman Ralf Tolosa, Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores,

Church’s mission is faith that does justice, archbishop says

DBM OKs release of P335M BARMM’s share in taxes

MUTE WITNESSES. These passenger seats of YBL 2588 serve as mute witnesses to the Sunday bombing of passenger bus in Tacurong City that killed one and injured 11, including the suspect whose right leg was amputated due to serious injuries.

Photo courtesy of PNP

POLICE authorities in the Soccsksargen region have named one of the injured passengers of the Yellow Bus bombing in Tacurong as the courier of the explosive that went off prematurely Sunday.

UNENDING JOY. Lake Sebu’s 39th Foundation Anniversary and 26th “Helobung” Festival 2022 celebration with fluvial parade.

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Kruis

Thousands displaced by Basilan MILF-Army clashes

LOCAL officials and line agencies are relocating to safe areas thousands of residents affected by the cashes since Tuesday between soldiers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front members in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan.

Local executives and senior police officials in the province said Thursday four MILF members and three soldiers have since been killed in the skirmishes, first in Barangay Ulitan in Ungkaya Pukan that subsequently spilled over to Mebak and Bato areas in the same town.

The Army fatalities, Cpl. Alberto Dal, Jr., Pfc. Nelson Bantoc and Pfc. Junry Vega, died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Seven soldiers, Sgt. Marlon Entorum, Cpl. Balvestro Roxas, Cpl. Ronaldo Gampoan, Cpl. Alvien Zamoras, Pfc. Rixon Bucog, Pvt. Alfie Java and 1Lt. Aurelio Torres, were wounded in the ensuing clashes.

The showdown had, as of Wednesday afternoon, displaced 2,078 families from three barangays in the municipality --- Ulitan, Mebak and Bato and nearby farming enclaves in a neighboring town.

The administrator of the Southern Philippines Development Authority, Gerry Salapuddin, who hails from Tuburan town in Basilan,

urged for a ceasefire to pave the way for a peaceful resolution of the violence in Ungkaya Pukan by local executives, MILF leaders, the Western Mindanao Command and the provincial police.

“The use of guns to seek redress, to ventilate sentiments will bring us nowhere,” Salapuddin said.

Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman said Thursday he had told senior leaders of the MILF in the Bangsamoro government that he is trying to secure the disengagement of both sides to pave the way for relief works for thousands affected by the hostilities.

“It’s the plight of the displaced residents in Ungkaya Pukan that bothers us most. We want this conflict to end immediately,” he told reporters.

The MILF-Army clashes first started in Barangay Ulitan, Ungkaya Pukan Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, commander of the 101st Brigade covering all of the 11 towns and two

cities in Basilan, said it was the MILF forces in Barangay Ulitan that provoked the gunfights.

“It was them who attacked our troops. Our men are just on defensive position. It’s the MILF forces attacking them,” Gobway said.

Basilan is a component-province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, whose appointed chief minister, Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, is chairman of the MILF’s central committee.

Ungkaya Pukan, one of 11 towns in Basilan that also covers the cities of Lamitan and Isabela.

Villagers, who requested anonymity, said the hostilities in Barangay Ulitan reportedly erupted when MILF members fired at soldiers for intruding into their enclave without prior notification.

The government and the MILF are bound by bilateral security compacts obliging both sides to cooperate in addressing security problems in areas where the group has enclaves. John Felix Unson

Iqbal calls for cessation of hostilities in Basilan

THE chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating panel with the government is calling for cessation of hostilities in Basilan.

In a statement, Mohaqher Iqbal, MILF peace implementing panel chair, expressed sadness over the “incident that no one desired to happen, especially during the implementation of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and while the peace process dividends started to be felt by the people.”

“The MILF peace panel calls on the parties’ immediate disengagement to prevent the situation from escalating and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Barangay Ulitan’s residents.

The hostilities came while the Malaysia-led International

Monitoring Team (IMT) has ceased performing its tasks as third party mediator.

Iqbal urged the parties involved, from the MILF and the government forces and the ceasefire panels, “to leave no stone unturned and thoroughly investigate the situation to ensure similar incident will not happen again.”

Iqbal assured that the MILF will strengthen the various peace mechanism on the ground.

Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, head of Task Force Basilan, was quoted as saying the Army did not fire the first shot.

Fighting broke out between MILF 114th base command and 64th Infantry Battalion.

The MILF two weeks ago

repositioned from its camp to allow Army forces operation in pursuing Abu Sayyaf bandits. Only the other day that the MILF forces returned to their camp only to find soldiers already occupying it.

Gobway said at least five soldiers were wounded-in-action (WIA).

Gobway, also commander of 101st Infantry Brigade, said the fighting erupted when the MILF fired at soldiers checking on the presence of Abu Sayyaf in MILF camp.

Citing intelligence reports, he said the MILF has been coddling lawless elements who are manufacturing bombs they use against the Army in Basilan.

Gobway said residents in Barangay Ulitan have fled to safer grounds. Edwin O. Fernandez

Search for landslide victims ends

OFFICIALS said this week the search for around 10 still missing persons in villages in Maguindanao del Norte hit by landslides had ended as as mud covering houses around have dried so hard.

More than 40 people had been dug since November 29 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, 6th Infantry Division commander, said 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 dried so 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

GPH calls for sobriety after Basilan clash

THE Government has appealed to residents and officials for sobriety and instead assail all conflictfanning misinformation amid renewed hostilities in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Government Panel issued a statement for a joint implementing mechanism on preserving an eight-year old peace accord with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The government through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPPRU) confirmed an encounter between MILF forces and elements of the Philippine Army stationed in the area.

Peace Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. in a statement assured officials and the residents of Basilan that the OPAPRU has reached out to both parties in order to defuse tension.

The OPAPPRU said bilateral peace mechanisms, particularly the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), “are now on the ground and doing everything possible to diffuse tensions, and most importantly, prevent further the loss of lives.”

Representatives of the Government and of the MILF would constitute the bilateral bodies to manage conflict whenever encounters occur between their forces in the field.

“We would therefore like to call for sobriety, as we wait for the results of the CCCH and AHJAG inquiry to be disclosed,”

Galvez said.

In its first statement, the OPAPPRU confirmed an “armed incident” took place between 114th Base Command, BIAF-MILF and the AFP in Barangay Ulitan, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan on November 8, 2022, calling the encounter “unfortunate” and “untoward” amid “progress and headways gained by the GPH and MILF parties in the peace process.”

The government panel has called on its MILF counterpart to “stay the course and work together with the ceasefire mechanisms and government forces to uphold the ceasefire agreement which has been a product of arduous efforts from both parties in the interest of the welfare of our people and the preservation of the peace agreement.”

“The reported armed incident between elements of the 114th Base Command, BIAFMILF and the AFP in Barangay Ulitan, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan on November 8, 2022 is an unfortunate untoward encounter between GPH and MILF forces despite progress and headways gained by the GPH and MILF parties in the peace process,” the OPPAPRU statement said.

The statement said “(the) GPH and MILF ceasefire mechanisms, the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) are in place and are closely coordinating to immediately de-escalate the conflict to effect the ceasefire and mitigate further exacerbation of conflict.” Nash B. Maulana

DBM OKs release of .. .from P1

11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM indicates the sharing of taxes collected by the national government in BARMM.

Under the law, a 25 percent distribution share of taxes will go to the national government while the Bangsamoro government will get a 75 percent distribution of the share of taxes inclusive of the shares of the constituent local government units.

For the first 10 years from the effectivity of the said law, the 25 percent share of the national government will accrue to the Bangsamoro government.

Meanwhile, Pangandaman said she was happy to champion

programs for BARMM and Mindanao in her capacity as Budget Secretary.

She is the only Muslim member in the Cabinet of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“As mentioned, the DBM will continue to help BARMM, in every way we can, in their transition process,” she added

Pangandaman earlier vowed to promote inclusive development in Mindanao.

The DBM plays a major role in helping BARMM in its budgetary process, she added.

“We want them to have their parang own government so we're helping them in whatever way we can in terms of capacity building," she said. PNA

NoCot farmers’ group .. .from P1

cabbage, onion, tomatoes, and cucumber, for the inmates.

Colleagues mourn murder of co-teacher in Lebak

for the lessons you have shared us, you are so supportive, you always tell us to excel in our performance in any competition, you always provide a listening ear to our problems and classroom issues,” said his Grade 12 students.

Fitz Cesar Dhagz, his coteacher, said: “You will always be an inspiration to all. Especially to aspiring young artists and journalists and to us your co-workers,” Dhags said.

“Thank you for sharing your

life

.from P8

he added.

Another friend, Wilkens Ybañez Abordo, commented: “How can we concede on this form of violence?”. Edwin O. Fernandez

The agreement was carried out under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP), a special program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that aims to empower small organizations such as SISPA to improve their production and sustain food supply to clients.

The SISPA is based in

Barangay Ilomavis, at the foot of Mt. Apo, where the elevation is conducive for vegetable production.

“The agreement will be a privilege for the organization and this will also ensure affordable pricing because this is a direct transaction without any middleman”, Bulambao said. The SISPA members are all beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. PNA

BAD EFFECT OF STORM PAENG. A shanty of a poor family in Barangay Pilar in South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur destroyed by flood, a result of heavy rains on October 28, spawned by Tropical Storm Paeng.

Photo by John Felix Unson

and skills, you never keep your talents from us but you shared them, grateful much,”

MAFAR validates agri damages, losses in BARMM

A total of P635,791,656.90 was the estimated value of production losses on Agri-Fishery during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Paeng in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Affected agri-fishery production areas are in Maguindanao, Special Geographic Area (SGA), Cotabato City, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, and TawiTawi, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform report.

Due to intensive rainfall, many farmers,

fisher folks, and agrarian reform communities experienced floods and landslides that caused so much damage to their livelihoods, crops, and farms.

The MAFAR has conducted simultaneous field assessment and validation on October 30-31 of the extent of damage to Agriculture and Fisheries production areas, including infrastructures, Equipment, and machinery in support of Agrifishery in the BARMM region.

During the validation, 375 Barangays in the 47

Municipalities affecting 13,678 farmers and 1,900 fisherfolks in the region with a total damaged of 14,217 hectares valued at P245,456,142.90 for Agriculture (rice corn, high-value crops, livestock, and poultry).

In the fisheries sector, 23, 963 hectares were primarily affected in Aquaculture (seaweeds farm, Bangus, crabs, shrimp, tilapia, and hito) valued at PhP 390,335,514, including damaged facilities, machinery, and equipment in support to fisheries production. MAFAR BARMM

statement.

Daomilang is a resident of Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur.

“Subsequently, a case for violation of RA 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 was filed against him at the City Prosecution Office earlier today (Wednesday),” he said in a statement.

He then commended the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG-Yellow Bus), headed by Colonel Raymundo Jr “for the swift resolution of the case.”

“We are in high spirits about this accomplishment,” he said. “However, our efforts will not slow down. We will continue to hunt down the cohorts of the accused and ultimately, dismantle the Dawlah Islamiyah group, which is believed to be responsible for this atrocity

and the other YBL bombings in the region,” Macarage said.

The suspect-victim is now confined in a hospital under tight police watch.

“It was a case of premature explosion because the main charge of the improvised bomb was so sensitive and went off before the suspect could disembark,” Colonel Raymundo, SITG-Yellow Bus commander told DXOMAM Radio in Koronadal City.

He said suspect Daomilang boarded the bus in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur and not in North Cotabato.

Earlier police reports said four women were behind the bombing.

“Witnesses said Daomilang was carrying a black sling bag and

black back pack and bomb experts found the same bag, partly damaged, where the explosive was placed,” Colonel Raymundo explained, keeping the identities of the witnesses for security reason.

He said Daomilang has two other companions when they boarded the bus and seated at the rear part. He added that one suspect alighted in Barangay San Pablo, Tacurong City and the other hurriedly left right after the blast, especially when he saw Daomilang already injured in his legs, according to witnesses. A passenger named Gilbert Barbosa Panes, 56, was killed in the explosion that mangled Daomiling’s his lower right leg, from knee down.

Macaraeg said

investigators and police intelligence agents are now validating Daomilings reported links with both the Al-khobar and the Dawlah Islamiya terror groups.

Both groups, operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, have a reputation for bombing public conveyances and commercial establishments if owners refuse to pay “protection money” on monthly basis.

Intelligence operatives from PRO-BAR and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division are cooperating in identifying the woman who was with Daomiling when he boarded the bus in Buluan.

The woman has remained at large, according to officials of the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office that has jurisdiction over this city. Edwin O. Fernandez and John Felix Unson

Stakeholders

the need for cross-section cooperation in maintaining law and order in the SGA for sustainable development to set in.

The forum was organized by the foreign-assisted Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), involved in various programs meant to foster unity among Muslims, Christians and indigenous communities in support of the Mindanao peace process. It was supported by members of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation.

The forum focused on peace and security issues besetting the SGA and the need for cohesion among local sectors, the police, the military and local executives in preventing crimes and conflicts among clans, to ensure the socio-economic growth of the 63 barangays it covers.

Sinolinding said, during

the forum, that he favors the creation of municipalities that would group the 63 barangays for new LGUs to exist and run the show.

"Only by having LGUs in these areas can there be efficient, responsible governance," he said.

He said his stance on the issue is premised on his talks with community leaders in the 63 SGA barangays.

The peace and security problems besetting the municipality of Pikit was also discussed in the forum.

The SGA has 22 barangays in Pikit, which has more than 40 barangays.

More than 30 people had been killed in a series of gun attacks in Pikit in the past 24 months.

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

NOTICE

VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I AND BRANCH II will hold a public auction sale of all unredeemed and unrenewed items pawned from May 1 to June 30, 2022 on December 12, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., and VGM PAWNSHOP INC. II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City

SUBASTA

Be There, Management

Ang VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I ug BRANCH II magsubasta sa tanan nga wala lukata ug wala tubui gikan sa bulan sa Mayo 1 hangtud sa bulan sa Hunyo 30, 2022 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag karung Disyembre 12, 2022 sa VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., ug sa VGM PAWNSHOP BRANCH II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City. MC: Nov. 12, 19 & 26, 2022 Ang Nagdumala

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048/R.A. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Khalida Abdullatip H. Musa Bidsuk has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Khalida Abdullatip H. Musa Bidsuk, who was born on July 5, 1996 at Miramar, Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Abdullatip Bidsuk and Aida B. H. Musa.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than November 23, 2022.

(Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Nov. 12 & 19, 2022

AFFIDAVIT

Notice is hereby given that the late ECONG MACALONANG, who died intestate on November 2, 1989 in Kalanganan II, Cotabato City, left a parcel of land Lot No. 2, PSU227388, situated at Kalanganan, Cotabato City, containing an area of 57,050 sq. mts., more or less is subject of affidavit of adjudication by sole heir before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro Jagunap as per Doc. No. 5216; Page No. 5216; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2022.

MC: Nov. 12, 19 & 26, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETLEMENT

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

Two officials of 6th ID, Brig. Eduardo Gubat and Col. Donald Gumiran, separately said the police and the military cannot succeed in jointly addressing the nagging security challenges in Pikit without public support.

Pikit has been hitting the news for two years now due to the unending killings in the area that have all remained unsolved.

Nasser Gayagay, who represented Pikit’s LGU in the forum, said their mayor, Sumulong Sultan, is doing his best to put a stop to the wanton atrocities happening mostly in SGA barangays.

Among the speakers who provided inputs on the deeper intricacies of the bloody incidents in Pikit and recommended possible solutions were Oblate priest Romeo Saniel and Elizabeth Laurico of the Balay Mindanao, a peaceadvocacy entity.

want peace...from P1

PNP say injured man in YBL bombing now a suspect .. .from P1

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parang, Maguindanao

Church’s mission is faith that does justice, archbishop says

Speaking at the opening Mass of the 17th Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference (MSPC) Archbishop Jose Cabantan said that a faith that does justice helps people put their faith into action.

As MSPC reached 50 years, the Cagayan de Oro archbishop emphasized in his homily at the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral that they must never lose the passion for mission.

“Mindanao bleeds for freedom, for peace, and MSPC also clarifies its task for justice and love. It bridges faith formation into a faith that does justice,” Cabantan said in his homily.

But he clarified that the Church’s mission “is not pure activism” but something that is done “through prayer and contemplation”.

According to him, they should “walk by faith and not by sight” in responding to the challenges affecting the region.

“This affirms our missionary identity as a Church, manifested by its faith without being swayed to other ideologies,” Cabantan pointed out.

“It is by listening to the whisper of the Holy

Spirit in our hearts that we are called on mission and fulfill it,” he stressed.

The ongoing conference, which ends on Nov. 11, gathered hundreds of bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and lay people from all over Mindanao.

Speaking before the conference on Tuesday, papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown encouraged the delegates to proclaim the Gospel with commitment, creativity and courage.

“If we’re going to be missionaries, if we’re going to proclaim the person of Christ with commitment, creativity and of courage, we need to do it in a way that mirrors the person of Christ,” he said.

Established in 1971, the MSPC was the main instrument for enabling Vatican II to be honed to the needs of the Church in Mindanao.

The first MSPC was held in Davao City, and the following conferences were held every three years.

The Cagayan de Oro archdiocese’s hosting of the conference was originally scheduled in 2020, but it was postponed because of the pandemic. CBCP News

CATHOLIC bishops in the southern Philippine region of Davao banded together to support a proposed law that would declare Davao Oriental province a mining-free zone.

House Bill 1124 seeks to ban mining, both small large-scale operations including quarrying in the entire province.

In supporting the measure, the bishops said that they cannot allow the destruction to go on “without staging a staunch defense for and in behalf of our common home”.

“In the mighty name of the creator — God, pass a law declaring the Province of Davao Oriental and other Davao Region Provinces a mining-free

zone,” the bishops said.

“In this sacred and morally-binding context, we express our hope, our plea, indeed, our demand, that we all should care for the environment from which we derive our existence,” they said.

The church leaders expressed their support in a joint statement released Nov. 7 and signed by Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao with his auxiliary bishop, George Rimando, Bishop Abel Apigo of Mati, Bishop Guillermo Afable of Digos, and Bishop Medil Aseo of Tagum.

Citing records from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the statement stated that 39 mining permits have been granted

to several mining firms covering around 59,976 hectares.

The companies in the multi-billion-dollar investments are expected to extract tons of nickel, copper, gold and chromite.

The bishops, however, pointed out that the supposed economic benefits from mining cannot compensate for the harmful costs to the environment and the larger community.

“While the investment appears to be tectonic in billions, only a pittance of that benefits local communities for the short term while harming the larger community in the long term,” they said.

Davao Oriental is home to Mt. Hamiguitan

Range Wildlife Sanctuary, a UNESCO declared heritage site, and the protected seascape of Pujada Bay.

The province is likewise a host to thriving heritage and cultural tradition from its Mandaya and Mansaka indigenous peoples.

The bishops then called on the Senate to also come up with their version of the bill “to fast track the protection of the Province of Davao Oriental and other Davao Region Provinces from mining activities”.

“We amplify the call for the communities affected by mining to stand our ground in defense of our common home,” they said.

CBCP News

Caritas Philippines Supports Mandamus Petition to Preserve 2022 Election Transmission Data

CARITAS Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, has expressed support for the Mandamus Petition filed to the Supreme Court requesting the body to issue a temporary restraining order to the three telecommunications service provider companies to preserve the transmission logs and another Petition for Mandamus to the COMELEC to submit these transmission reports to the Supreme Court.

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Caritas Philippines president, said that “if there are questions about the credibility of the political exercise, the COMELEC should be able to present evidence at once that would erase such doubt.”

In the past months

various disasters visited different places in the country, the worst of which was the mudslide along the slopes of Mt. Menandar in Kusiong, DOS. Many died in this calamity, even whole families. Many government response agencies as well as NGO’s came to the rescue and are currently assisting in relief and rehabilitation. Other places too experienced a series of disasters such as typhoons with the resultant floods and landslides, earthquakes, and armed conflicts. Some preachers are quick to point to these disasters as signs of the imminent end of the world quoting the words of Jesus in this Sunday’s gospel, ”Nations will fight each other and kingdom will oppose kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and plagues. In many places strange and terrifying signs from heaven will be seen.” Even then Jesus himself said, “Take care not to be deceived, for many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he, the time is near at hand.” (Lk. 21 5 ff.)

The petition was filed on November 3, 2022 by the group called TNTrio Petitioners represented by Eliseo Rio Jr, Gus Lagman and Franklin Isaac. According to the group, “this was the first time in our election history, and maybe in the whole world, that vote counting peaked at the very first hour after voting closed. Second, in that first hour, from 7pm to 8pm, all precincts are required by the COMELEC General Instructions to print eight copies of the precinct election return before any transmissions can be made. The earliest transmissions from the precinct vote counting machines (VCMs) would be at 7:30 pm. But COMELEC would like us to believe that from 7:30pm to 8:00pm, the Transparency Server would have counted a peak 20 million plus votes,

Disasters

Reflections

just natural events. Wars on the other hand are man-made. The instruments of war such as bombs and bullets cause more destruction and death than natural disasters. Wars are avoidable but nations have resorted to wars for control of resources such as oil, water, and land. Wars were also fought not just for economic reasons but for political dominance and national pride. Whatever the reasons, wars such as what is happening now in Ukraine are disastrous.

while on the next hour, from 8pm to 9pm, the same server would have counted only 13.2 million.”

Thus, in the interest of seeking the truth behind the questioned automated election system, Caritas Philippines is supporting this petition and imploring the Supreme Court to grant said request to settle, once and for all, any questionable results of the May 2022 elections.

“We pray that the Supreme Court, as the highest and last-resort judicial body, will take into consideration the constitutional right of the Filipino People to be assured that their right of suffrage is respected and that every single vote is counted,” Bishop Bagaforo said in a statement. Caritas Philippines

Daily Scripture Readings

Disasters are of two kinds, those that are the results of natural phenomena such as earthquakes and flood, and those that are man-made such as wars. Both cause grief and devastation to lives and properties. We cannot control nature’ s fury such as typhoons and earthquakes, although we may be able to protect ourselves by avoiding danger zones and building stronger structures. What we call disasters caused by nature are only disasters when people are affected. When there are no people in affected places, no matter how strong the earthquake or the typhoon, we do not usually refer to them as disasters. They are

As we are nearing the end of the liturgical season, the readings are about the end-times or the “eschaton”. Disasters are signs or reminders of the finiteness of human existence. The world around us and nature are constantly changing. What is here today may not be here tomorrow. Even our personal life is temporary. The world as we know it will definitely end – in a few years or in a million years (hopefully not hastened by human mistakes) . We should not be unduly worried about the eschaton. Even Jesus said that only the Father knows the day and the hour. We affirm in every celebration of the mass, that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. Human history has a purpose and destiny. As we march forward with history, we do the best we can to live our daily life in the best way possible as Christ’s disciples.

We do not have to fear the end of the world in whatever form it will come if we know that we are always ready to meet the Lord at his coming and we have walked as faithful pilgrims in this earthly journey , helping one another along the way.

Mon

Readings: no. 497, p. 1728

1st Reading: Revelation 1.1-4; 2.1-5a Gospel: Luke 18.35-43

Readings: no. 498, p. 1730

1st Reading: Revelation 3.1-6, 14-22 Gospel: Luke 19.1-10

Readings: no. 499, p. 1733

1st Reading: Revelation 4.1-11 Gospel: Luke 19.11-28

Readings: no. 500, p. 1736 or no. 678, p. 1874

1st Reading: Revelation 5.1-10 Gospel: Luke 19.41-44

Readings: no. 501, p. 1739

1st Reading: Revelation 10.8-11 Gospel: Luke 19.45-48

Readings: no. 502, p. 1740

1st Reading: Revelation 11.4-12 Gospel: Luke 20.27-40

Bishops back bill declaring Davao Oriental a ‘mining-free zone’

“ Disasters are signs or reminders of the finiteness of human existence ”

Archbishop Jose Cabantan celebrates the opening Mass of the 17th Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference at the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro City on Nov. 7, 2022 Photo courtesy of MSPC

Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCCtonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com

EDITORIAL

That acute shortage in Housing

When the president visited the BARMM area last week and announced that he was set to issue an Executive Order declaring “all idle government land for housing projects”, he was reacting to the situation where the housing facilities for the victims of the PAENG disaster are so limited, that many of the evacuees flock to evacuation areas. Actually, the shortage in housing facilities have been there for so long, and only a disaster like the storm PAENG made it more obvious, not only to local governments, but the national government housing sector as well.

A place like Cotabato City deserves better treatment of its constituents. It has been the safety haven for people who are victims of the successive wars in the surrounding areas. Ask the residents of popular halfway sites like “punol or bird island”, and they will inform you that they are not native of the place; but are only there to escape the troubles that pushed them out. It is not just their houses that they left behind but also their livelihood.

It will be wrong to say that the government (or the peace panel ) did not respond to the needs of these evacuees. Observe the highway going to Gen. Santos City or Davao City, and you will notice the small houses built along the road ostensibly to provide shelter to these evacuees. Probably, the victims of these wars did not expect to be housed in very small structures (almost similar to dog houses), so that they leave the area immediately when they find a better place. Well, if these are temporary housing, it has served them as shelter while they organize their lives, but still, not the housing that we are familiar with.

Housing, or more generally, living spaces, refers to the construction of buildings individually or collectively, for the purpose of shelter. Housing ensures that members of society have a place to live, whether it is a home or some other kind of dwelling, lodging or shelter. In other words, it’s not only the building that is designated as housing – there should be a community that goes with it.

It is a good omen that the President noticed the need for housing in Cotabato City and the BARMM area. The PAENG disaster served to focus on the problem of housing, although environmentalists will tell you that there are more important issues that goes with the disaster. However, housing is a need that have to be responded to for a long time.

When the BARMM chose the city to be its service center, there was no preliminary study on how the influx of employees from other BARMM areas will be catered to in terms of housing and other services. As a result, the city is now plagued with all problems of urbanization – traffic congestion, lack of educational facilities, security - and of course housing.

We earnestly hope that the BARMM government take heed of the presidential pronouncement on housing, so that it will avoid the problems that are sure to come in the future. Let’s be prepared for whatever is in store for us. MC

Countriesin Asia, considered as one of the world’s most climate vulnerable regions, need better support from the global community as they face the double whammy of being extremely climate-vulnerable while not being prepared enough for the disasters to come.

Many Asian countries, including the Philippines, rank really high in terms of climate vulnerability and really low when it comes to climate readiness according to the “Climate Finance in Asia” report of Oxfam, a Britain-based international confederation of organizations working for change, to build a future free from the injustice of poverty.

“Even though we are working on measures to improve our preparedness, every time we are hit by extreme weather events such as ‘Paeng,’ we have to deal with further loss, making it even harder to be ready for the climate crisis,” said Oxfam Pilipinas Country Director Lot Felizco.

In its November 9 update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the agriculture sector’s estimated cost of damage due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, internationally named Nalgae, has now reached P4.2 billion. Damages were reported by the Department of Agriculture in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Bangsamoro. At least 109,489 fisherfolks and farmers were affected by the damage.

The reported death toll from the severe tropical storm was reported at 159 Tuesday, with 30 people still missing and 147 were injured. The storm affected 5,299,716 people or 1,315,083 families in 9,680 barangays, and displaced 46,255 individuals or 10,283 families.

The Oxfam “Climate Finance in Asia” report ranked the Philippines a 10th among the 18 Asian countries (excluding Singapore, Korea and Japan) in terms of vulnerability and preparedness to climate change. The ranking, based on the Notre-Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Index, also shows the Philippines ranking 113 globally out of 182 countries for 2020. This means it is highly vulnerable but is not as prepared as countries like Singapore or Japan, which rank 6th and 19th respectively.

Felizco said there is much to be done so countries like the Philippines can catch up with others that are fortunately not as highly vulnerable and at the same time better prepared. “Climate finance and support from players who contribute the most to climate change are important in correcting injustice and saving the lives of millions of people, especially those in the poorest communities and in marginalized groups.”

THEDepartment of Justice has dropped for lack of probable cause two counts of murder charges lodged against two members of the prominent Mangudadatu family and two others in Maguindanao.

A resolution promulgated on October 27 by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stemmed from a petition for review filed by respondents Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu, Khadafeh “Toy” Mangudadatu, Tunggal Usop, Mamayang Amino.

In its 12-page review with order of cases withdrawal, the DoJ resolves that the respondents-appellants’ petition for review “(assailed) the Joint Resolution issued (late last year) by the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Sultan Kudarat (OPP Sultan Kudarat), finding a probable cause against them for two counts of murder.”

“Finally, this Office (DoJ Secretary) finds it bothersome to indict respondents-appellants of the above-mentioned crimes on the basis of bare allegations, made them to suffer of the severity and ignominy of protracted prosecution, intervening detention, and potential conviction. Here, this Office has the opportunity to put an end to this travesty of justice,” Remulla wrote, as the DoJ secretary resolving the petition filed by the respondents last April.

A case docketed XII-09-INV-21H-00422 has been filed in court by the OPP Sultan Kudarat on September 7, 2021, indicting the respondents in connection with the killing of a couple in Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur, where Zajid had been a three-term mayor and later, a congressman for the province’s second congressional district.

Two years ago, speaking at the plenary session of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations just as the country was suffering from the successive onslaught of Super Typhoon Goni, locally named as Rolly, and Typhoon Ulysses, international codename Vamco, then President Rodrigo Duterte urged developed nations to cut their carbon emissions in a bid to combat the effects of climate change. Duterte said climate justice must be demanded from those most responsible. Developed countries must lead in deep and drastic cuts in carbon emissions, Duterte said, and they must act now, or it would be too late. “This is their moral responsibility from which there should be no escape,” he said.

Climate justice should indeed be demanded, but not only from developed countries by the less developed ones. The government cannot be deemed blameless. Over the years skewered economic development priorities have wreaked havoc on Philippine environment: massive deforestation due to logging, siltation of rivers, extreme drought, among others.

Expressing concern on the devastation caused by Paeng in the Bangsamoro, President Ferdinand R. Marcos said deforestation and the effects of climate change fueled the Maguindanao floodings and landslides. Reports on his visit to Maguindanao mention the President instructing government offices to include tree-planting activities in flood control projects. Climate changes mitigation however goes beyond planting trees.

In 2015, on the occasion of Earth Day, Mindanao People’s Peace Movement came out with a statement saying development strategies and policies that continue to threaten the environment should be junked: the construction of infrastructures (dams, coal plants), mining, logging, agri-business plantations, oil and natural gas explorations. Instead alternative sustainable development policies should be given priority over extractive policies that are detrimental to human welfare. How ready is this present Philippine government to tread that path?

Williamor Magbanua, Romer “Bong” Sarmiento, Roel Osano & Drema Quitayen

Complainant Alimar Kanapia, son of the couple Abdullah Kanapia Ligawan and Lala Ligawan, charged that the Mangudadatu brothers had allegedly planned the killing of his parents, the day before they were found dead with gunshot wounds on their way to Pandag on October 7, 2010.

The DoJ secretary notes that the OPP-Sultan Kudarat failed to establish probable cause in substance, against the defendants-appellants, “on the basis of bare allegations” of two witnesses in sworn statements, a police blotter and the couple’s death certificates..

Remulla notes: “in the instant case, there is no dispute that a person or persons were killed, as supported by the death certificate and police blotter.” But he also sought the plaintiff’s explanation as to why it took him 10 years before he filed the complaint from an incident that took place in 2010.

“However, there is a need to revisit the evidence presented by the complainant-appellee to determine the existence and non-existence of a probable cause against the respondents-appellants,” Remulla wrote.

“Eyewitness identification commendably referred to in our jurisprudence as ‘positive identification’, is the bedrock of many pronouncement of guilt, the Office (of the Secretary) cannot just ignore the fact that the Sinumpaang Salaysay (sworn statement) lacks specific details regarding the commission of the crime charged, thus, it cannot be accepted as credible, straightforward and positive,” the justice secretary wrote.

“The determination of the existence of probable cause lies within the discretion of the prosecuting officers after conducting preliminary investigation upon complaint of an offended party. The decisions are reviewable by the Secretary of Justice who may direct the filing of the corresponding information or move for the dismissal of the case,” Remulla concludes.

The DoJ secretary also ordered the OPP Sultan Kudarat to withdraw two information filed in court for two counts of murder against respondents Zajid amd Khadafeh Mangudadatu, Usop, and Amino, and to submit a report within ten (10) days from receipt Resolution as to the action taken thereof.

COTABATO CITY / ARMM CORRESPONDENTS

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

NORTH / SOUTH COTABATO CORRESPONDENTS

Non-Stopped Remake

Charlie Señase csenase@yahoo.com

plan for earthly restoration, God who created the heavens and earth has been time-intime again reminding us to depart from evil and do good. He commanded us to seek God’s peace and pursue it because His eyes are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.

for about 5-10 years. That may seem like a long time, but it unfortunately is not a permanent solution.

LIFE’S

negative and positive ways come and go to suit individual aspirations either bodily or spiritually. That majority aims for the material world at the broad way of fame and fortune that lead to destruction and very few take the narrow path of eternal joy and contentment in the life hereafter.

As we look around and see for ourselves the frequent natural calamities leaving behind precious lives and properties prompting government and non-government organizations, including kind-hearted individuals to share and reach-out to thousands of victims within the PH archipelago.

While humanitarian efforts and services are still ongoing to restore and uplift their miserable living conditions, crimes and lawless violence, aggravated by nature’s wrath, are still in place.

The total lunar eclipse this week brought forth global signs and wonders that the world has to reflect in retrospect. In down south Maguindanao heavy rains and a strong whirlwind destroyed at least 20 residential houses, including a pawnshop establishment at Kauran village of Ampatuan town on Tuesday. Casualties have yet to be determined if any by authorities.

A day after, an early dawn earthquake of 4.4 magnitude shook Magsaysay town of Davao del Sur that lasted for 10 minutes. And reports of possible casualty or damage to property have yet to be determined by local authorities, according to Phivolcs’ warning to be always ready in confronting uncertain emergency situation.

Top UN officials concurred with environmental experts that all of these natural catastrophes are products of Climate Change and Global Warming that nations of the world have to resolve thru restoration and conservation of forests and natural resources.

As creatures among world leaders who

For God Himself said that He will bring the counsel of nations to nothing and their plans to no-effect. God’s counsel and plans must have to be carried out for it’s the only one that stand forever for all generations.

The Bangsamoro government which was not spared by all these calamities should pause and reflect of its meritorious outreach services. Why us not them or why here and not there?

As published, BARMM among all other humanitarian services had distributed 20,000 sacks of rice seeds to Typhoon Paeng-affected farmers. Concerned agencies along with LGUs have availed affected villagers of clean potable water and relief assistance with other emergency survival needs. Notwithstanding, BARMM’s official declaration of State of Calamity requiring traders of basic goods and services to comply with mandatory “price freeze.”

Commemorating the 2013 devastation wrought by super typhoon Yolanda in Leyte that killed 6,300 and left at least 11 million homeless is dreadful experience that we ignore to learn. After more than a decade, the government’s substandard housing project has no occupants. Recalling cash donations by foreign countries and relief goods in warehouses that came to naught due to alleged corruption and misused of funds by the relief agency concerned.

Our wickedness and plain disobedience to Divine and earthly laws are shown in the midst of these day-to-day disasters that killed one passenger and injured 10 others when an improvised bomb exploded inside a bus in Tacurong City. Extortion is blamed by police as motive behind the Sunday blast.

Meanwhile, a joint police and military operatives seized 50 boxes of P1-million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested 11 suspected smugglers in Parang, Maguindanao. MC

After the Storm

the stuff of life

Hello! I am back, after a hiatus of timeout from the confines of our home. My greatest apprehension was what Manila would be like, in terms of fashion, of course. True enough, even at the airport, my outfit looked like something out of the donations for flood victims, after all, I have not shopped in a long while, and on-line orders are unreliably dependable. (did you miss me? Madam Eva and Gemma surely did, ehem) My skills with the computer does not match the advanced features of the latest laptop models of my children. Yes, they have upgraded, while I wait for their hand-me-downs.

In far away USA, Mariz Mojado Smith was recently rewarded with a Vice-Presidential promotion even if she has been with the company for just awhile.. As a token of gratitude for her numerous blessings, despite being widowed at a young age, a few years back, she posted in Facebook that she is pledging to support one member from 3 different families in Cotabato affected by the wrath of Paeng. Mariz is the daughter of our former colleague pharmacist Lydia Mojado. Mariz has an eye-catcher of a flight stewardess daughter.

For once, he got it right. After flip-flopping with so-so attempts at legislative legalese, Top-notched Sen. Robinhood Padilla wants to know who was accountable for the forcible relocation of the Teduray tribe members to a landslide-prone area at the foot of Mt. Minandar in Maguindano del Norte, Datu Odin Sinsuat. The former matinee idol Senator filed resolution 280 to look into the tragedy. Inquirer.Net

A PROFESSIONAL IN EVERY BARMM FAMILY. Thus goes the aspirations of the BARMM, particularly the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education. One of those tasked to pursue such a gargantuan, utopian goal is Director General for

The kidney is a very important bodily organ, as it removes toxins from the bloodstream and helps to extract waste from the body. Without kidneys, a person can survive only for a few days to a few weeks – after that, they will slowly fall into a coma and then pass away due to extreme waste build-up in the blood.

A kidney transplant is the best option for a person with failing kidneys – donor organs replace the failing organs of the patient in order for the person to have normal, working kidneys. However, there is the chance that the kidney can be rejected by the patient, in which case they will be placed back on the transplant list. Blood Typing the patient and matching the person with the correct donor organ blood type is also a critical part of the process, one that makes it very tedious and difficult.

Dialysis is the other “treatment” option for patients with failing kidneys. Three times a week, patients must come into a dialysis center and get hooked up to wires, tubes, and machines that clean the patient’s blood. Although dialysis is a reasonable solution, it lasts only

Just in the United States alone, over 275,000 people rely on dialysis in order to stay alive. Although receiving a kidney transplant is the absolute best option, there is a world-wide shortage of donor organs –people can often wait on the transplant list for years before getting a muchneeded organ.

Recently, scientists have been working to develop an artificial kidney that can be implanted into patients. The “kidney”, once connected to the bloodstream and to the bladder of the patient, is intended to be a lifetime solution for a patient with kidney failure.

The new device filters a patient’s blood, just as a real kidney does. Salts, sugars, and water are extracted from the blood and then directed back into the bloodstream while harmful toxins are directed to the bladder. Then, the wastes can be extracted from the body and the patient’s bloodstream can remain clean and healthy.

While this technology is an amazing advancement, it is not quite ready to be fully introduced to patient. However, this new device offers a very promising solution to kidney failures for people all over the world.

Higher education, MBHTEBARMM, Director MArjuni M. Maddi. We had the pleasure to engage him in an informal conversation when he and his team visited our school, St. Benedict College for their routine inspection.

Needless to say, Director Maddi is very much up to the challenge. He is equipped with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the Notre Dame of Jolo at Jolo Sulu, thru the support of NDEA Scholarship Program. He has a Master of Arts in Education at SMU-TCTO, and is completing his book for his Doctor of Education at the Notre Dame Univ, Cotabato City.

For 2 years, he was a Private school teacher at Notre Dame of Bongao, Tawitawi; 7 years as public elementary teacher also in Tawi-tawi, his love for Tawi-tawi was very evident in our conversations. He was a Public elementary school Head Teacher for 5 years and school principal for 5 years.

His years as a classroom teacher and later principal prepared him well to serve the ARMM government as Director for Planning of the DepED-ARMM for 5 years, and then Assistant Secretary for Academics of the Dep-ED-ARMM for 3 years; and now, he is the Director General for Higher Education.

This distinguished Hubert Humphrey Fellow of the US Department of State in Washington DC, USA and an international student who completed his leadership training from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA in 2017 explained that their visits to the various schools are meant, not to find faults but to look into the strengths and weaknesses and find solutions to the multifarious problems confronting the education sector.

Dean and Prof. Corazon Floresca did a great job mobilizing her staff in ensuring the smooth and correct presentation of everything the school has been doing towards the goal of graduates of St. Benedict College as agents of change in an ever changing world.

A professional in every BARMM family. Thus goes the aspirations of the BARMM, particularly the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education.

Travails of Public Utility Companies….

What is a public good? What are private goods?

In public policy and economics, public goods are those that are nonexcludable and non-rival. On the other hand, private goods are products that are excludable and rival.

Excludability means that it is possible to deny others the consumption or enjoyment of a good. For example, cheeseburgers can only be obtained through purchase at a certain price or amount. Thus, people without money cannot own and consume a cheeseburger. Excludability can somehow be equated with exclusivity. There are brands of cheeseburgers that are so expensive that even those with some money may not be able to afford them.

Another aspect of excludability is physical and legal barrier. A person who owns a piece of land may build a swimming pool therein for the sole enjoyment of his family and friends, denying access to the general public.

The character of being rival means that only one person (natural or juridical) may own or consume the good or service in question. If a certain Jaguar luxury car is owned by Mr. X, Mr. Y cannot lay claim over it (except, of course, if he buys it from the former).

Pure public goods are those that can be consumed by all who need or desire its such as air or the sea. Other types of public goods include security, education, knowledge, infrastructure, environment and health. Public goods are supposed to be provided by the State or could be provided by the private sector but should be accessible to all.

Over the years, however, the distinction between what are public goods and what are private goods had become more blurry and less clear-cut.

Infrastructure are supposed to be public goods and provided by government but notice that there is an increasing number of roads, bridges, and other infrastructures that “exclude” those that cannot pay for the passage or usage fees. In Luzon, particularly around Metro Manila, there are expressways that charge users or passers with toll fees. Thus, roads that are commonly known as public goods had somehow become private goods.

Services such as the provision of water and electricity are commonly viewed as public goods though they are often provided and/or transmitted/ delivered by firms that are quasigovernment: local water districts or electric cooperatives. The popular view of water and electricity as “public goods” make it difficult for service providers to charge market rates, increase fees (to generate funds for expansions or to cope with rising operating expenses), or even collect rightfully set fees.

It is not surprising to see electric cooperatives or local water districts becoming mired in debts and/or becoming notorious for poor services. Some of the utility companies end up being taken over by the national government and/or privatized.

The verdict on whether GovernmentOwned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCS) or private companies should be providing water and electricity is still unclear. Some would argue that concession areas taken over by private firms may have seen improved services but costs had risen considerably, thus, the change in ownership and control have not benefited the consumers.

Should government and/or foreign development or financial institutions subsidize (e.g. provide some of their facilities for free) the operations of GOCCs providing water or power?

I heard someone insist that since these are revenue-generating entities (but profitable?), they should not be assisted. If we subscribe to that thinking, would higher service fees be OK with us?

Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy

AR ket d R iven

Danny Buenbrazo danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

Barangay Poblacion Makati Chairman Benhur Cruz, Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay, and Quezon City Mayor Maria Josefina Belmonte.

“This is why cooperation among coalitions is so

essential—we are stronger together. We can pool not only financial resources, but also knowledge, time, and collective experience to ensure that our communities are safe, healthy, and productive,” Cummins said.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

“Law enforcement alone is not enough. We must pursue a holistic approach to this fight by strengthening our drug prevention and control strategies. This cannot be done without the unity of the Filipino people,” Department of Interior

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

and Local Government Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez said.

“We share one goal, and that is to achieve a health and drug free community,” Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz added.

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048/R.A. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Genevive R. Comia has filed with this office a petition for change of date of birth from October 21, 1983 to October 23, 1983 in the birth certificate of Genevive Barotilla Comia, who was born on October 23, 1983 in Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Delfin Ricablanca Comia and Emma Magallanes Barotilla.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than November 23, 2022.

(Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Nov. 12 & 19, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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.

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

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

Special Proceeding No. 2022-1577

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, SHAHA KUSAIN LAGUI as represented by her attorney-in-fact, RASMIAKUSAIN LAGUI, Petitioner, -versusTHE 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

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.

Cotabato City, Philippines, this 12th day of October, 2022.

KASAN

(Sgd.)

AFFIDAVIT

ABDULRAKMAN

K.

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

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

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

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

Special Proceeding No. 2022-1583 IN THE MATTER OF DROPPING THE SURNAME OF THE FATHER AND USING THE SURNAME OF THE MOTHER.

MUBEEN AN-NOUF MANTAWIL MIMBALA, represented by mother BAILENG S. MANTAWIL Petitioner, -versusTHE 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 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

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

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

Special Proceeding No. 2022-1582 IN THE MATTER OF DROPPING THE SURNAME OF THE FATHER AND USING THE SURNAME OF THE MOTHER.

MUNEER MUHAYMEEN MANTAWIL MIMBALA, Petitioner, -versus-

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF COTABATO CITY, and OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, LEGASPE VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY, Respondents.

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

AADAC is an umbrella association of 27 community anti-drug abuse coalitions located across the Philippines.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late ROSARIO C. BITACURA, who died intestate on 24 April 2022 in Davao City, left 1/2 share of conjugal properties: A red 2004 Toyota Revo SR DSL2.4 under CR No. 18485133, Plate No. MCD256 and Chassis No. LF82-6005066; parcels of land situated in Bo. Kakar, Cotabato City, Lot 15, Block 6, LRC-Pasd-79683, TCT No. T-14650; Lot 16, Block 7, LRC-Pasd-79683, TCT No. T-20277, containing the total area of 760 sq. mts, more or less; Lot 6244-A, Cad-124711-005271, area of 31,676 sq. mts., OCT No. P-57163, situated in South Manuangan, Pigcawayan, Cotabato; Lot 5181, C-1, Cad. 363-D, Lot 844-B, Cad10-016055, area of 2,042 sq. mts., OCT No. P-13252, situated in Brgy. Bugang, Sagay, Camiguin; Lot 663A, Psd-10-053071, area of 2,237 sq. mts., TCT No. T-2768, situated in Brgy. Mayana, Sagay, Camiguin; Lot 2281, C-4, Cad. 473, area of 375 sq. mts., OCT No. P-12788, situated in Brgy. Balbagon, Mambajao, Camiguin; and Lot 26, Blk. 18, Pcs-11-002331, area of 72 sq. mts., TCT No. 146-2011006681, situated in Brgy. Bago Gallera, Davao City; Together with all improvements existing thereon are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Mehrab U. Bahri as per Doc. No. 01; Page No. 01; Book No. I; Series of 2022.

MC: Nov. 12, 19 & 26, 2022

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 27 Cotabato City Special Proceeding No. 2022-1581 IN THE MATTER OF DROPPING THE SURNAME OF THE FATHER AND USING THE SURNAME OF MOTHER.

PRINCESS AINON JAARIAHMANTAWIL TUANKALI, RAJA MU’MEEN BIN NASSER MANTAWIL TUANKALI, represented by their mother BAILENG S. MANTAWIL Petitioners, -versusTHE 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

The INL-sponsored multi-year program “Building and Sustaining Effective Community Anti-Drug Coalitions in the Philippines” aims to establish community anti-drug coalitions and strengthen existing communities with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to build effective and sustainable coalitions that combat illegal drugs and drugrelated crime.

Republic of the Philippines Supreme Court 5th SHARI’A DISTRICT COURT Cotabato City SDC SPL. PROC. CASE NO. 2022-576

IN THE MATTER OF CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF PRECIOUS SHADA GEOLAGA, APRIL ROSE RAMOS GEOLAGA AND IBRAHIM SALEH A. ALSAEED, Petitioners, -versusCIVIL REGISTRAR OF NORALA, SOUTH COTABATO AND PERSONS/ ENTITIES WHO/WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED THEREBY, Respondents. x-----------------------------------x

ORDER

Filed before this court is petition for correction of entries in the Certificate of Live Birth of Precious Shada Geolaga. The petitioners, April Rose Ramos Geolaga and Ibrahim Saleh A. Alsaeed alleged, among others; That they are residing at Unit No. 1106, Tower 2, Linear St., San Antonio Village, Makati City, while the respondent is the Civil Registrar of Norala, South Cotabato; That the petitioners got married on June 29, 2019 at Purok 2, BCV Barangay Labangan, General Santos City and solemnized in accordance with Islamic Law; That petitioners has secured Certificate of Conversion to Islam for their minor child Shada who was born on March 21, 2013 at Barangay Matapol, Nefala, South Cotabato.

The petitioners discovered couple of erroneous entries in the Certificate of Live Birth of their child in the “Entry No. 1” which is appearing as precious Shada Geolaga which does not bear the name of her father, Ibrahim Saleh A. Alsaeed, and in Entry No. 9” where it appears that her religion is Catholic instead of Islam; That the reason for the said mistakes is the fact that it was the grandmother of the child who supplies the information and caused the registration of the subject Certificate of Live Birth; That the sought correction is beneficial to the child in order to enjoy her rights as a Muslim child to her Saudi Father when going or living in Saudi Arabia; and That they are asking the Court to correct the said entries, respectively from Precious Shada Geolaga to Shada Ibrahim S. Alsaeed and from Catholic to Islam.

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

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the case is set for hearing on November 23, 2022 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. The Petitioners are directed to cause the publication of this Order once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation. Anyone who maybe adversely affected may file his/her opposition thereto or appear on the said hearing and show cause why this petition should not be granted. Send copy of the Order and annexes to the Honorable Solicitor General for information and proper representation.

SO ORDERED.

Makati City for Cotabato City, Philippines, October 6, 2022.

(Sgd.) RASAD S. LAGUINDAB

Acting Presiding Judge

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

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 No. T-71376; Lot No. 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 No. T-71376; Lot No. 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.

Nov. 5 & 12, 2022

US sends experts to help PH build drug-free societies .. .from P1

Republic of the Philippines Midsayap, Cotabato LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parang, Maguindanao

P221K worth shabu seized in Marawi sting

ANTI-NARCOTICS agents seized P221,000 of shabu from four dealers, two of them women, who fell in a sting Wednesday in Marawi City.

The suspects, Hashim Saber Aragasi, 38, Khominie Baraacal Sabdullah, 36, and their female cohorts, Aminah Carim Eppie, 34, and Diamona Datu Simban Aragasi, 36, are now detained at the Marawi City Police Office.

They were immediately arrested after selling P221,000 worth of shabu, in separate containers, to nonuniformed police personnel in a tradeoff at about 3:00 p.m. Wednesday in Barangay Datu Saber in Marawi City, the capital of Lanao del Sur.

Col. Jibin Bongcayao, Lanao del Sur police director, said the four suspects shall be prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2022.

He said the operation that led to their arrest was a joint initiative of the Lanao del Sur and Marawi City police forces and other units under the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Bongcayao said the sting was laid with the help of barangay officials aware of their shabu peddling activities in Marawi City. John Felix Unson

Alleged MILF man jailed for shabu sale

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is now prosecuting an alleged member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front entrapped last week in a P136,000 drug deal in nearby Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao del Norte.

Rogelito Daculla,

director of PDEABangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said Wednesday they have charged the suspect, Datu Ali Savedra Andal, with violation of the Comperensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Andal is now detained awaiting litigation in court.

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.

Daculla said they have information stating that

Andal is a member of the MILF.

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

Attempt to kill poll official still unsolved

POLICE probers are still facing a blank wall on last week's botched attempt to kill in a busy area in Cotabato Ciyt the election officer of nearby Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, director of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region, said Wednesday investigators from the Cotabato City Police Office are still trying to identify the gunmen who shot and wounded Raufden Mangelen in an attack at a stretch of the Governor Gutierrez Avenue Friday last week.

Mangelen, election officer of Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao del Norte,

was driving his grey Mitsubishi Montero Sport, about to pull over along the thoroughfare when two men together on a motorcycle trailing behind shot him with pistols.

Guyguyon said there is a strong possibility that the attack could be related to his work as a senior employee of the Commission on Elections.

Mangelen, whose position in the Comelec is election officer IV, was wounded in the arm.

The suspects hurriedly sped away when they sensed that the shots that rang through the surroundings caused a commotion among passersby and bystanders.

John Felix Unson

11 cigar smugglers nabbed in Parang

ALERT police personnel responding to a tip from local resident arrested 11 persons and seized about PHP1 million worth of cigarettes Monday.

Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, police regional director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said the 11 suspects were caught unloading boxes of smuggled cigarettes in Sitio Lower Pinantao, Barangay Pinantao, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.

Quoting a report from report from Parang MPS disclosed that a tipster helped bust the smuggling try.

“A confidential informant alerted the Parang MPS about a motorized boat docked in Sitio Lower Pinantao and loaded with boxes of cigarettes,” Brig. Gen.

Guyguyon said, quoting a report from Parang MPS.

Alert team from Parang MPS immediately responded and found 11 persons unloading about 50 boxes of smuggled cigarettes from a motorboat.

“When asked about the legal documents of the items, the suspects failed to present any that resulted in their immediate arrest,” Brig. Gen. Guyguyon said in a statement.

The 11 suspects, led by Julaspi Ismael, were all residents of Siasi, Sulu.

Police have filed smuggling charges against the suspects who are now detained at Parang police detention facility.

The confiscated smuggled cigarettes were turned over to Bureau of Customs for proper disposition. Edwin O. Fernandez

IP human trafficking victims rescued in Lebak

POLICE in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat have filed appropriate charges against a man and a woman for violating human trafficking law for trying to bring minors to Manila for high paying employment.

Lt. Colonel Julius Malcontento, Lebak municipal police chief, said charges for violation of Republic Act 9208 (Human Trafficking Act) were filed against John Francis Dela Cruz, 32 years old, a resident of Barangay Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna and Keith Lyle Andraje, 32 of Barangay ECJ Montilla, Tacurong City.

The two were arrested in the company of about 10 members of Indigenous Peoples (Dulangan

Manobo tribe), four of them were minors, on board a passenger vehicle heading to Tacurong City.

“We received a complaint from the mother of one of the minors who were taken without their knowledge,” Malcontento said.

It was a suspected human trafficking and illegal recruitment cases, police said.

Immediately, Malcontento alerted police border checkpoints and police personnel managed to flag down two vehicles in Barangay Christianuevo – Toyota Hi-Ace loaded with about 10 IPs and white Toyota Grandia van (GAG-1715) used by the two suspects.

The mother who was from

Barangay

“We thanked the police for responding on time and save our children,” the mother, identified as Marina Ongkas, said.

Malcontento also lauded the parents for quickly informing the police and the law enforcers for reacting timely that led to the successful rescue of minors and IPs and the arrest of the suspects.

The suspects are now detained at Lebak MPS detention facility while the victims have rejoin their families. Edwin O. Fernandez

Colleagues mourn murder of co-teacher in Lebak

THE teachers and officials of Sultan Kudarat Schools Division mourned the murder of one of its teachers on Saturday night in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat as the police are trying to identify his attackers.

“His death might have taken him away quickly but his love, contribution and memories will live forever in our hearts,” the Department of EducationSultan Kudarat schools division, headed by Superintendent Leonardo M. Balala, CESE, said about Benharl Capote Kahil, 27, a teacher of Lebak Legislated National High School.

Kahil is a national

winner of the 3rd Pitik Bulag Tagisan Editorial Cartoon Contest held last month.

Police have launched manhunt against gunmen who ambushed Kahil in Barangay Pasandalan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat at about 10 p.m. Saturday.

Lt. Colonel Julius Malcontento, Lebak town police chief, said manhunt has been on going and statements from the victim’s family and coworkers are on-going.

“We are still facing a blank wall, our investigation continues,” Malcontento Tuesday.

He said initial investigation showed Kahil,

27, a teacher of Lebak Legislated National High School, was driving alone on his motorbike when attacked. He sustained at eight gunshot wounds in the head and body from 9mm pistol.

Scene of the crime investigators also recovered a total of nine empty shells for 9mm pistol after another was found the morning after.

Malcontento said responding police personnel rushed the victim to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Kahil, a Licensed Professional Teacher (LPT), is a known school paper cartoonist and

currently coordinator of special program in the arts of Lebak Legislated National High School.

He was first prize winner of the national 3rd Pitik Bulag Tagisan Editorial Cartoon Contest. He won the top prizes since 2020, 2021 and this year.

His colleagues and students are crying for justice.

“We are screaming for Justice for our best cartoonist

Benharl Capote Kahil we miss you every day, we love you more,” his co-teachers said in social media posts.

“We will miss you, many thanks

“Freak tornado” damages over 20 homes, stores

A sudden gushing of heavy downpour and extra strong wind damaged houses, business establishments, and electric post in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur Tuesday afternoon.

“The heavy rain and strong wind lasted only for about 15 minutes and several homes and stores were damaged,” Rodel Abayon, a local resident of nearby Esperanza town who was in Barangay Kauran at the time of the weather disturbance, said.

“It was so strong that even electric posts were toppled,” he said of the 4:30 p.m. weather disturbance.

“We saw corrugated sheet getting folded, some were flying as strong wind battered the town’s commercial district,” said Chino Sangkal, a passenger van driver plying the Cotabato-MaguindanaoSultan Kudarat routes.

“I feared the strong wind could push my Toyota Hi-Ace van while parked at the roadside,” he said.

Many residents believed what hit the village was a freak tornado, locally known as “ipo-ipo” since they witnessed what appeared to be a short-lived and tumultuous rain.

Sangcal said the rain was over in less than 15 minuts and people came out of their homes to witness the devastation.

Nash Imam, head of Maguindanao provincial disaster risk reduction and management council (PDRRM), confirmed the freak weather disturbance and said assessment and evaluation are still on going.

Village officials, headed by Barangay Chairperson Reynaldo Huesca, have stated helping the affected families. Edwin O. Fernandez

BUSTED. Datu Ali Savedra Andal, nabbed in a P136,00 drug sting last week, is now detained. Photo courtesy of PDEA-BARMM

Poloy-Poloy, claimed that the IP minors were recruited with the promise of high paying jobs in Manila without the approval from their parents.