Issuu

CHURCH / P4

Bakunahan, Bayanihan: From the lake to the river

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

Bishop David officially assumes post as CBCP head

TAPATAN Archbishop Angelito R. Lampon, OMI, DD

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS. A parishioner lights the first of the four candles in the Christmas wreath at the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral on November 28 that signaled the Advent season in the Catholic Church. The Christmas wreath symbolizes eternal life. Gemma A. Peñaflor

COPS NAB SUSPECT IN 2011 MURDER OF ITALIAN MISSIONARY

By John Andrew Tabugoc ARAKAN, North Cotabato — Police on Tuesday said they have arrested a former village chairperson linked to the 2011 killing of Italian Catholic priest Fausto “Pops” Tentorio of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) who served as former parish priest here.

FAO-UN official visits Cotabato City Halal slaughterhouse

AN official of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAOUN) in the Philippines have visited, and turned over office furniture for Cotabato City’s Halal Training Center. On Tuesday, the city government welcomed Kati H. Tanninen, the representative of FAO-UN during her first ever visit to the city where she graced the turnover of office furniture for the Halal

Training Center as part of their support to Agriculture and Agribusiness Enterprises in Mindanao for Sustainable Development (CGP/PHI/069/ROK) Project. The Government of the Republic of Korea also supported this endeavor through the Korea International Cooperative Agency (KOICA). The project aims to equip the Halal Training Center with tools

NoCot town under state of calamity due to floods THE local government here has placed the entire town under state of calamity following the devastation to agricultural crops of flashfloods that affected more tha 2,000 families. David Don Saure, Kabacan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council action officer, said the floods

By Edwin O. Fernandez brought about by torrential rains that affected North Cotabato last month had affected 2,071 families in at least six villages. Saure said about 110 hectares of rice fields have been totally damaged by the floods after the Kabacan River overflowed due to heavy downpour in Agusan provinces and eastern part

BARMM women commission kicks off 18-day fight vs VAWC

BANGSAMORO Women Commission (BWC) Chairperson Bainon Karon delivered Thursday her 3rd State of the Bangsamoro Women Address (SOBWA) to kick off the 18-day campaign to end violence against women in the region.

With the theme: "VAW-free Bangsamoro community, starts with Me", the campaign aims to raise awareness and eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls. “Inaanyayahan ko ang lahat na makiisa sa

kampanya sa pamamagitan ng pagsumbong, pagsugpo sa mga umaabuso at nang-aabuso para hindi na dumami pa ang kababaihang bitima,” Karon said. Karon also emphasized in her address that when she assumed

UN vows more support for Mindanao peace process

By John Felix Unson

of North Cotabato. Kabacan, situated in the border of North Cotabato and Maguindanao has been serving as catchbasin of flood waters from Bukidnon, Agusan and North Cotabato. On orders of Kabacan Mayor Herlo Guzman, the affected families have been given emergency

BANGSAMORO officials were elated with the support of the United Nations to efforts of restoring peace and promoting progress in southern areas affected by decades of conflicts. Many projects of the United Nations in the country are concentrated on the Bangsamoro region in support of the southern Mindanao peace process, UN’s representative to the Philippines said this week. Officials and employees of the

DID YOU KNOW?

Bangsamoro labor ministry met here Monday with representatives from two entities of the United Nations, where the issue was tackled during their engagement. Gustavo Gonzales, resident coordinator of the United Nations led the delegation from the UN’s Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) and the UN’s Populations Funds (UNFPA) that met with BARMM Labor Minister Romeo Sema. During their meeting, Gonzalez

December is the Month of Overseas Filipinos

The Month of Overseas Filipinos is observed every December by virtue of Proclamation No. 276 signed on June 21, 1988, by then President Corazon Aquino.

NOBLE ACT. Environmentalists and volunteers join a “Clean-up Drive” at Nuangan River and a Multi-Stakeholders Environment Forum in North Cotabato in observance of Environmental Awareness Month. Photo courtesy of CENRO Matalam

According to the proclamation, it is important to recognize and honor the millions of Filipinos spread across many countries for their continued contribution to the growth of the Philippine economy through their taxes and remittances.

December 4, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Bakunahan, Bayanihan: From the lake to the river

MARAWI CITY — Flocks of residents trooped to designated vaccination areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in a bid to increase locals’ rate of compliance to the national vaccination program.

On Day 3 of the expanded national vaccination program in the region, health workers were mobilized to remaining areas that still had high numbers of unvaccinated residents, said Dr. Bashary Latip, BARMM health minister. In Lanao del Sur, Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. together with Vice Governor Mujab Adiong joined Dr. Latiph and monitoring team head Dr. Alinader Minalang, chief of Integrated Provincial Health Office, on Day 2 at designated vaccination areas in the province’s second legislative district towns. Riverside residents also came to BARMM vaccination areas in boatloads from 63 barangays in North Cotabato that opted to join BARMM in February 2019. Barangay Captain Gulam Guimbalanan of Kabasalan, Pikit said hundreds of villagers had boarded pump-boats to cross areas submerged under

chest-deep floodwater. Riverside barangays have been inundated during intermittent rainy days. “This is to encourage local chief executives (LCEs) to step up their efforts in reaching the Bayanihan Bakunahan's target vaccination rate,” Governor Adiong said. Dr. Latiph said the team made rounds for close-in monitoring of designated vaccination areas in the towns of Marantao, Balindong, Bacolod Kalawi, Ganassi, Pualas, Pagayawan, Calanogas, Malabang and Kapatagan Lanao del sur. Minister Latiph also visited Dr. Serapio B. Montañer Jr. Memorial hospital in Malabang. He said a large number of Bangsamoro residents participated in the Bayanihan Bakunahan in the Province of LDS, even as he expressed hopes the number will continue to rise in Day 3, until the country is fully vaccinated and everything is back to normal. Nash B. Maulana

BAKUNADORS BRAVE. lakes and rivers to reach every Bangsamoro for anti-COVID-19 shots during the 3-day Bayanihan, Bakunahan massive vaccination drive in BARMM. Nash Maulana

22 farmers’ coop get aid from BARMM FARMERS’ cooperatives in the Bangsamoro and health protection of farmers, consumers Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are seen to improve productivity and revenue after receiving interventions from the region’s agriculture office. On Wednesday, 22 different farmers’ cooperatives across in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City and 63 villages in North Cotabato that formed part of the BARMM’s Special Geographic Areas (SGA) have received organic inputs and chemical supplies from Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) during ceremonies held at MAFAR covered court here. The activity was in line with the celebration of 7th Organic Agriculture Month. The celebration, with the theme "Organikong Pagsasaka, Sagot sa Pandemiya," is an annual activity that aims to promote the practice of organic agriculture nationwide, as a farm system, being considered as an effective tool for development, environmental conservation,

and the general public. MAFAR Chief of Operation for Agriculture Services Tong Abas said the agricultural inputs distributed, amounting to Php846,374.00 under the 2021 General Appropriations Act for Bangsamoro (GAAB), a regular program funds of MAFAR, include organic fertilizers, sweet potato cuttings, ginger, molasses and foliar fertilizers. Abas said the purpose of distribution of organic inputs to the farmer cooperatives is one way of the ministry’s strategy in promoting and encouraging the organic farming in the region. “To help promote environment protection, we want our farmers to practice organic farming in their respective areas using high value crops, especially during this time of pandemic because they could earn income from it,” Abas said. “In fact, several farmers saved their livelihood using organic farming as their alternative or main source of income such as planting upland rice, vegetables, and spices, among others during this

Cotelco kicks off 50-km clearing ops for 69kV line

KIDAPAWAN CITY — The Cotabato Electric Cooperative Inc. on Wednesday launched here the annual massive clearing operation of its 69-kilovolt (kV) power line to ensure power reliability initially covering the 50-kilometer stretch of the highway between Makilala and Tulunan towns. Godofredo B. Homez, Cotelco general manager said, the activity targets to trim down vegetations within the standard perimeter of the light poles to avoid line disruptions that can lead to power outages. Based on guidelines, at least three meters from the pole must be cleared from any potential obstructions such as trees, tree branches, and permanent structures underneath. "Vegetation is the primary cause of power interruptions, this will also serve as a precautionary measure to guarantee public safety against

electrocution,” he said. The activity will focus on the Cotelco 69-kV line traversing Tulunan and Makilala towns in North Cotabato - with Datu Paglas town in adjacent Maguindanao province in between - for an estimated distance of 50 kilometers. Homez said they combined Cotelco maintenance and technical units to speed up the operation and to avoid any untoward power loss during the activity. Cotelco also sought the help of local government units and barangay officials to guide line-clearing teams on getting permission from the private landowners in allowing them to enter their premises. "Electricity is considered essential especially amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic where the vaccination campaign continues and this season of Christmas,” Homez said.

PNA

BARMM cops net 15 persons, 19 guns on LEO

POLICE authorities in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Thursday announced that 15 individuals have been arrested and 19 loose firearms were confiscated during the one-day regionwide law enforcement operations. Brig. Gen. Eden T Ugale, police regional director for BARMM, said police units across the region have simultaneously implement search warrant operations against wanted persons. Ugale said out of the 15 arrested individuals, 11 were arrested for violations of special laws while the remaining four were

Wanted Persons including a Top Most Wanted Abu Sayyaf Group member in Sulu, who had a standing warrant of arrest for complex crime with double frustrated murder and double attempted murder. The firearms confiscated and surrendered include six units of caliber .38 revolvers, five units of caliber .45 pistol, two units of caliber .22 revolver, two units shotgun, two units homemade pistol, and one unit of 9mm pistol. Brig. Gen. Ugale said the operation also led to the confiscation of about 17.48 grams of shabu with estimated market value of PHP 118,864. Brig. Gen. Ugale

commended the efforts police officers under him across the region for this notable accomplishments during the day-long region wide Law Enforcement Operations (LEO). With the way the police are confiscating loose firearms, Brig. Gen. Ugale sees lesser violence come election time next year. “Let us continue our good efforts to intensify our campaign against wanted persons, criminalities and all forms of illegal activities to ensure the maintenance of peace and order in the Bangsamoro region as the 2022 National and Local Election is fast approaching,” PGen Ugale said. Edwin O. Fernandez

Army alert up as DI “emir,” 5 others slain in Maguindanao clashes

MILITARY forces in Maguindanao are bracing for possible retaliatory and diversionary attacks from Islsmic State allied-Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terrorist group following the death Thursday dawn of the group’s leader in Mamasapano town. Intensified military intelligence operations backed by civilians led to a series of clashes the past two days in Maguindanao that claimed that death of six DI members, five of them in Mamasapano and another in nearby Shariff Saydona Mustapha, all in Maguindanao. Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the army’s 6th Infantry Division, identified the leader as Asim Karinda allias Abu Azim, the new “emir” (leader) of Dawlah Islamiyah terrorist organization operating in Maguindanao. Karinda and his followers clashed with elements of the 6th Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Force Central in Barangay Dabenayan, Mamasapano, Maguindanao before dawn Thursday. Following the incident, all Army units have been placed on heightened alert for possible retaliatory attacks from DI members to avenge death of the group’s “emir.”

Uy said Karinda replaced Salahudin Hasan as emir and leader of Daulah Islamiya after Hasan was neutralized by military forces on October 29, 2021 at Damablac, Talayan, Maguindanao. He is also a trained IED fabricator and bomb maker. “The recent armed clash with the Daulah Islamiya Terrorist Group only shows that your security forces are persistent and committed to ensure the safety of our communities and of the Filipino People,” Maj. Gen. Uy said in a statement Friday. Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Banaag, 6th IB commander, the firefight between his men and that of the terrorist organization lasted for about an hour. “Our ground forces recovered the abandoned lifeless bodies of Azim and his 4 followers after the firefight,” Lt. Col. Banaag said, adding that his unit suffered no casualties. Banaag identified the other DI fatalities as Fahad Salipada alias Naz, known as the close-in security of Salahudin Hasan; Hamsallah Ganoy Salangani; Salah Salipada; and alias Tatoks. The remains of the 5 DI members were turned-over

to local officials of Mamasapano for proper burial and disposition. “Our series of successes in countering these terrorist elements is an indication that they are on the brink of defeat,” Colonel Pedro Balisi, 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, said. “With the help of the people of Maguindanao, peace is inevitable in this part of Mindanao.” The former Amir of Dawlah Islamiya, Salahudin Hasan, was neutralized during a military operation in Talayan, Maguindanao on October 29, 2021 along with his wife, Jehana Minbida, who was also identified as the Finance Officer of Daulah Islamiya. In addition on December 1, 2021, the son of DI Sub-leader Hasan Indal, identified as alias Adsam, was also neutralized by JTF Central forces in Brgy Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao. Along with these, almost 300 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Daulah Islamiya returned to the folds of the law since January this year. Uy said there were reports that number of violent extremists continue to send surrender

December 4, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Every 8th of December of every year, our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic faith observe the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This special day reminds everyone how Mary, the Mother of Jesus was conceived free from all the stains of the original sin. Mary serves as the light that guides catholics even at their darkest times and gives hope from all the challenges and difficulties encountered. As one Cotabato City, may we religiously observe this holy day to reflect on our own wrong doings. May we, like Mary, give light to others now that we are struggling over and starting to recover from the wrath of the COVID-19 pandemic. May we also become agents of peace and hope to our fellow Cotabateños to make our place even safer and become a more welcoming and loving community. To everyone, especially to our Catholic brothers and sisters, I wish that you would continue working and taking the right path in life. I hope that you will also continue to have the energy to fight for the right things, to advocate for justice and peace, and to overcome all the iniquity and obnoxious acts in our communities. On behalf of the City Government of Cotabato, I wish you a blessed celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. May you all be blessed by Mary on this auspicious occasion.

Sigay Ka Cotabato City!

ATTY. FRANCES CYNTHIA J. GUIANI–SAYADI City Mayor

December 4, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Bishop David officially assumes post as CBCP head

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan on Wednesday officially assumed his new post as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. He replaced Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao who finished his term as head of the conference of Catholic bishops in the country. Prior to becoming CBCP head, David served as vice

president of the bishops’ collegial body. Also taking his new role as the new CBCP vice president is Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara of Pasig and a new set of permanent council members.

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, the new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Photo courtesy of Diocese of Kalookan

The council’s members for Luzon are Archbishop Ricardo Baccay of Tuguegarao, Bishop Dennis Villarojo of Malolos, Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga and Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa. For Visayas, the regional representatives are Bishop Jose Bantolo of Masbate, Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon of Talibon and Bishop Louie Galbines of Kabankalan. Representatives for Mindanao, meanwhile, include Archbishop Jose Cabantan of Cagayan de Oro and Bishop Abel Apigo of Mati. This new set of officers, who were elected during the bishops’ plenary assembly last July, will set the pace and agenda of the CBCP for the next two years. CBCP officials have a twoyear tenure in office, or a total of four to include a possible second term. The CBCP meets in regular sessions twice a year, in January and in July. When not in session, the permanent council acts on behalf of the conference. CBCP

News

New CBCP head laments ‘escapism’ among Filipinos

THE new head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Wednesday lamented what he described as growing “escapism” among many Filipinos. Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who just assumed as CBCP president today, said such an attitude is “very wrong” especially for those who are only “seduced by troll propaganda in the social media”. He stressed that having a sense of history is crucial “because we do not want our past mistakes to keep repeating themselves”. “Otherwise, the ghost of the past can continue to haunt us in the present,” David said in his speech after being conferred the honorary doctor of humanities degree from Holy Angel University in Angeles City. “We remain in that dark and perpetual state of victimhood that deprives us of a future, because we do not know how to review the past in a manner that lights up our path in the present for the future,” he said. The Kalookan bishop warned

that without a sense of history, “we cannot even develop a good sense of identity”. In a more grim formulation of an old adage, he did not mince words in saying that “those who do not learn from history are simply doomed”. David was made an honorary doctor “for his inspirational leadership in the Church and community”. Aside from his “tireless work of evangelization” as a writer, cultural heritage worker and environmental advocate, the award also cited David’s “courage” to defend the poor and the defenseless. The university particularly noted the prelate’s vocal stand against the spate of killings in the government’s brutal war on drugs. The church leader once described his diocese, which covers the cities of Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas, as a “killing field” as many killings of drug suspects happened in his jurisdiction. David also expanded his diocese’s mental health ministry to assist the drug war widows and orphans. CBCP News

Pope Francis: Life’s essential ingredient is prayer

VATICAN— On the first Sunday say during Advent: “Come, Lord come back, Jesus will come, he sisters, he added. “These questions in St. Peter’s Square of a fraternal promised it. He says thus: ‘Rise are good for us, because they help association of migrants and nonof Advent, Pope Francis reminded Jesus, come.” “Let’s repeat this prayer up and lift up your heads, for your guard the heart from acedia.” migrants with whom he met Nov. Christians that an essential Acedia, also called sloth, “is a 27. ingredient for living an alert and throughout the day, and the soul deliverance is near.'” will remain alert,” he said. The pope warned people not great enemy of the spiritual life,” He reflected on how many joyful life is prayer. From a window overlooking to become “sleepy Christians,” he said. “Acedia is that laziness lives are lost at the borders, and “Be awake, guard your heart,” the pope said in his message before St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis who let their hearts become lazy that falls, slips into sadness, which said he was sad to hear about the Angelus Nov. 28. “And let’s add delivered his weekly Angelus and “their spiritual life soften into takes away the enjoyment of life the migrants, including children, and the desire to act.” who died recently in the English an essential ingredient: the secret reflection on the day’s Gospel mediocrity.” according to St. Luke, in which “We need to be vigilant so as According to Francis, this Channel, in the Mediterranean, to being watchful is prayer.” “In fact, Jesus says: ‘Keep Jesus warns his disciples about not to drag the days into routine, negative spirit “nails the soul and at the border of Belarus: “I awake at all times praying’ (Luke the end of the world and his second so as not to be burdened – says down in numbness, robbing its have so much pain thinking about Jesus – by the troubles of life,” he joy.” them.” 21:36). It is prayer that keeps coming. “The Gospel of today’s liturgy, stated. He said “precisely in the Francis also noted that the lamp of the heart burning. Francis said the beginning moments when everything seems migrants who are forced to return Especially when we feel that the first Sunday of Advent, that enthusiasm is cooling, prayer is, the first Sunday of preparation of Advent is a good time to ask over, the Lord comes to save us; to their home countries sometimes rekindles it, because it brings for Christmas, speaks to us of the ourselves what is weighing down await him with joy even in the face capture by human traffickers us back to God, to the center of coming of the Lord at the end of our hearts and burdening our heart of tribulations, in the crises who sell them into slavery. time,” the pope explained. spirits: “What are the mediocrities of life and in the dramas of history. “To migrants who find things,” he added. “Jesus announces desolating that paralyze me, the vices, what Wait for the Lord.” themselves in these situations of The pope also emphasized “Let us pray to Our Lady: may crisis, I assure you of my prayers, that “prayer awakens the soul events and tribulations, but are the vices that crush me to from sleep and focuses it on what precisely at this point he invites the ground and prevent me from she, who awaited the Lord with a and also of my heart: know that I vigilant heart, accompany us on am always close to you,” the pope matters, on the end of existence.” us not to be afraid,” Francis raising my head?” We should also ask ourselves the journey of Advent,” he stated. stated. “Even on the busiest days, continued. “Why? Because will After praying the Angelus in “Pray and act,” he let’s not neglect prayer,” he urged, everything be okay? No, but if we are attentive or indifferent recommending an easy prayer to because he will come. Jesus will to the burdens of our brothers and Latin, the pope noted the presence added. “I thank all the n this Sunday’s gospel describes hope “that inspire reading, Luke made men’s activities and purifies some effort to situate the them as to order them to the ministry of John the Baptist kingdom of heaven; it keeps by mentioning the various man from discouragement; it Fr. Rock Saniel, OMI well-known personalities of the sustains him during times of time, “It was the fifteenth year abandonment; it opens up his rocksaniel@gmail.com of the ruler Emperor Tiberius heart in expectation of eternal Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC (Caesar), Pontius Pilate was beatitude” (CCC 1818). Hope tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com governor of Judea, Herod ruled orients us toward a victorious over Galilee…”. By our present calendar (which scholars future. Hope gives us the energy to keep up the struggle admit to be inaccurate in terms of B.C. and A.D. it would for something better and greater. Hope is trusting that be about the year 28 A.D. when John the Baptist went good will triumph over evil, that Christ will reign over all. out of the desert to prepare the way for the Messiah. The It is with joyful hope that St. Paul wrote from prison. It is same gospel also stated that Jesus was about thirty years with hope that the theologian Bonhoeffer wrote his letters Baruch 5.1-9; Philippians 1.3-6, 8-11; old when He started His public ministry with the baptism from prison when arrested for his resistance to Hitler. It Luke 3.1-6 by John (Lk. 3:21- 23). Since His cousin John was only 6 was with hope for a brighter future for “Patria Adorada”, months older, John was also about thirty years old when that Jose Rizal, wrote his “Last Farewell” from his prison he preached to prepare the way of the Messiah and invited cell. Hope is the little candle that shines in the darkness. This second Sunday of Advent invites those who listened to undergo the baptism of repentance. We are living in the midst of adversity. We are facing us to prepare the way of the Lord. How John the Baptist was the prophet who bridged the the problem of the pandemic and we have known many are we going to do this? Well, to prepare Old and the New Testaments. Just like Jeremiah, he was friends and loved ones who died of it. We have to confront chosen from an early age (from the womb), and would the economic fall-outs of this pandemic such as the loss of the Lord’s way, we must clear our paths exercise his ministry during the tumultuous times of jobs and loss of economic opportunities. We also have to where there is anger and hatred, fear, and Roman occupation, as Jeremiah did at the time of the cope with a political climate that is more concerned with restlessness. These paths must be rebuilt Babylonian conquest. It is during these troubled times that winning the elections than dealing with issues that are the prophets would announce tidings of hope. The first affecting the citizenry. where love, forgiveness, compassion, reading ascribed to Jeremiah’s assistant Baruch announces We should not give up hope. Let us look back and understanding reign. Remember, God the return of the exiles, “They left you on foot, taken away to the dark days of Martial Law when the Philippine doesn’t want us to change. We are all good by the enemy. God will lead them back, carried gloriously economy was at its lowest, when insurgency was at its as His children. What we need to do is like royal princes” (Bar. 5:6). In the same vein, John the highest, when well-meaning citizens were drawn to Baptist would proclaim a message of hope and joy “Prepare the underground as a last resort. Or even look back to change our ways and so turning our paths the way of the Lord, make his path straight…and every the series of attempted coup d’etat after EDSA. The into a great adventure. Let us change our human being will see the salvation of God” (Lk. 3:4-6). In Filipinos who hoped and believed in democracy, despite ways! the second reading, Paul showed his joyful affections for its limitations, prevailed. the community he started in Philippi, “And when I pray In this season of Advent, let us face our personal and for you, I pray with joy” (Phil 1:4). Paul wrote this joyful community challenges with hope. As the mystic Juliana of Prayer: Lord, teach me your ways. letter to the first Christian community in Europe while he Norwich who lived during the time of the Black Plague in Amen. was in prison. Europe, assures her contemporaries and us, “ All shall Hope is the virtue that sustains people in their moments be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing of difficulties. The Catechism of the Catholic Church shall be well.” MC

Hope Amidst Adversity

REFLECTIONS

Meditation

2nd Sunday of Advent Readings:

THE MINDANAO CROSS

December 4, 2021 EDITORIAL

What shall we expect this December?

t’s the most wonderful time of the year…..as the song goes. Everyone looks forward to the coming of the months (all ending with ber) making it the longest Christmas season ever celebrated. However, the COVID 19 Pandemic cast a sad character on the season for the past two years. An editorial of The Philippine Star made a survey of the world’s economies during this pandemic. Although it was proud that the Philippines was included in the list drawn up by Bloomberg – the editorial took note that the country was ranked as the worst place to be among the 53 economies amid the COVID pandemic. According to Philippine Star, in the monthly COVID Resilience Ranking for September, Bloomberg noted that the Philippines was the last among the Southeast Asian countries to see a slowdown in the Delta-driven COVID surge. Indonesia had ranked last in July and Malaysia in August. Vietnam is currently also in the bottom five of the 53 economies. The Bloomberg report as mentioned by the Philippine Star says that “the Philippines is facing a “perfect storm” of grappling with the COVID surge amid an inadequate testing regime and lost livelihoods. Vaccine coverage remains low and stringent lockdowns remain in place. The country had seen a steady decline in its resilience ranking throughout 2021 before it hit the bottom”. So much for the government’s efforts not to be found at the bottom of the worst place scenario for COVID. We are constantly bombarded with the rising number of people being vaccinated, and the arrival of vaccines that were ordered by the government. Still, in comparison with the other countries we are still at the bottom. Some of us have become experts in separating “fake news” from the truth, especially now that the campaign is on for Election 2022. We really wonder what will happen in December, when the new variant of COVID will “overwhelm” our health system, or will prove to be easier to defeat compared to the previous variants. However, we have to brace ourselves for the sad situation of our commercial establishments that heavily relied on the Christmas boom. Although the 13th month pay are out, and the many will withdraw their savings for the traditional celebration on Christmas, we have to accept the fact that the usual inflow of “balikbayans” and the OFWs will not materialize due to the stringent measures imposed on incoming passenger traffic. We just have to do a repeat of the “austerity measures” that we did some years ago. I can still remember when we did not have apples or grapes on the table during Christmas, and instead content ourselves with our home grown fruits. We also followed strictly the “bawal ang paputok” ruling of many LGUs. But then, these are not what makes Christmas a happy one. The positive side to this is that we can now concentrate on the nativity of Jesus Christ, and make this the center of our December celebration. MC +

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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.

ovember 30 of every year is Bonifacio Day in the Philippines. A national holiday to commemorate the birth of national hero Gat Andres Bonifacio, the “Father of the Philippine Revolution,” it was celebrated with the usual wreath laying rites led by government officials in various sites and shrines dedicated to the revolutionary leader, and protest rallies by groups critical of the government. For Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, Inc., it was the day to induct six martyrs who were tortured and killed for opposing late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos’ Martial Law to the Bantayog ng mga Bayani. Bantayog ng mga Bayani is a landscaped memorial center honoring those individuals who lived and died in defiance of the repressive regime that ruled over the Philippines from 1972 to 1986. The names of the first sixtyfive martyrs, some of them well- known such as Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. and many others not as well-known, were enshrined in 1992. Since then, hundreds of heroes and martyrs of the martial law dictatorship have been honored by their names being inscribed on the black granite Wall of Remembrance. Among the names inscribed on the Wall of Remembrance is that of Meranao legislator Haroun Al Rashid Lucman of Lanao Del Sur. As a congressman in 1968, Lucman called for the impeachment of President Ferdinand Marcos for his responsibility in the Jabidah massacre. Failing to generate support, Lucman became convinced that Muslims should rule themselves in Muslim Mindanao. He supported the training of young Muslim men for armed resistance and raised funds from Muslim countries for Muslim self-rule. He sent young men to be trained in guerrilla warfare. Among them was Nur Misuari, later to become the guerrilla leader of the Moro National Liberation Front. Also inscribed on the black granite wall is the name of Inocencio “Boy” Ipong of Makilala in North Cotabato. Brought up in a devoutly Catholic family, Boy entered the seminary at Nuling for his high school education and continued to study Philosophy at the Regional Major Seminary in Davao City. He took a regency on his third year and finished his college education at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. He later joined the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, a national organization founded by the Association of Women Religious Superiors of the Philippines in 1969, where he helped craft and shape its vision of a “free, just, peaceful and egalitarian society,” among others. In 1982, while getting off a bus in OTHING is so certain in life than death and taxes— was how Benjamin Franklin was quoted by a tax law professor years ago at the UP Institute of Tax and Labor Laws. But taxes often take me into “complexities” of rules, brackets, percentage, classifications, etc. in spite of that short diploma course (I attended in 1986). Things remained that dim until I happened to attend a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) briefing on corporate taxes last Wednesday—obtaining facts straight from BIR ROs’ simplified explanation on corporate taxes at the Conference Room of the BIR 107 Revenue Offices for Cotabato City and Maguindanao. First off: We thank BIR Revenue District Officers (RDO) Nora R. Macarambon and RDO Linda S. Baunto for a very client-friendly Building housing the BIR 107 Revenue Offices, along Sen. Salipada Pendatun Avenue. The building has two prayer rooms at the third floor: one each for followers of Christianity and Islam faiths— and with very clean restrooms from first to third floor. Of course, Revenue Officer Joseph Limoco is there and still is very much the person and professional fellow that I knew when he was with us in The Mindanao Cross. He always has time to lend an ear and a helping hand to clients. Revenue Officer Chaprah Essa S. Ampatuan and Revenue Officer Houda A. Razol very clearly explained to us the every what, how and why of corporate income tax; what is percentage taxpayer, and as to whether one has to register as VAT (value-added tax) taxpayer when imposed a 10% VAT (withheld at source) by employers (was actually my question). Resource persons (RPs) or service providers like us (me) are paid on an established (daily) rate with a 10% VAT withheld on a presumption that the individual taxpayer is earning as much as P 700,000.00 annually, or roughly P 58,333.33 a month. (But this kind of transparency could be hurting sometimes. My son, for instance, is disqualified from a BARMM government scholarship program because of such tax credit entries in my ITR as an RP. We are happy though that the slot that’s supposed to go to him went instead to another student, or a child of parents with more pressing needs in more difficult means of living). My question was: Should I be a VAT-registered taxpayer if I were that individual earner imposed with a 10% VAT withheld from every pay voucher? District Officer Chaprah Essa Ampatuan says, “No,” there is no need even if say, I am earning that much. But the 10% tax withheld from my

Honoring heroes and martyrs

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

Davao City, Boy was abducted and illegally detained at the Metropolitan District Command Headquarters and at Camp Catitipan where he was tortured by his captors who wanted him to admit that he was a certain “Enciong” the military was looking for. Through the help of the RMP sisters and human rights groups, Boy was soon released. He died in a tragic boat accident in November 1983 while travelling with a group of 12 religious and lay people bound for Cebu to attend a seminar. Also listed among the martyrs for freedom and democracy on the Bantayog ng mga Bayani are church worker Sofronio Roxas and Italian missionary Fr. Tulio Favali, PIME. Roxas of Lampayan, Matalam joined the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Kidapawan in 1978 as a community organizer under the Basic Christian Community program. Due to his work with farmers, Roxas was suspected by authorities of having links to the rebel guerrilla units operating in the area. He was arrested twice. The first time he was charged with rebellion and subversion but was released and never tried. No charges were filed against him the second time. The harassment and the risks intensified as he pursued his work. On August 29, 1984, while heading home from town, Sofronio was intercepted by a gunman hiding in the sugarcane field beside the road. A single M16 bullet was fired, knocking him off his horse. Witnesses pointed to a paramilitary man as the suspect. Fr. Tullio Favali, P.I.M.E., is the first foreign missionary to be killed by the martial law regime’s paramilitary forces. He was suspected of siding with Communist insurgents, and on April 11, 1985 was shot in the head at pointblank range by drunken members of the Integrated Civilian Home Defense Force in Tulunan, North Cotabato. The Filipino people owe the freedom and democracy they now experience to these heroes and martyrs. MC

Thanks to BIR 107: Truths in corporate taxes under TRAIN2

Penlight Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

pay vouchers can be charged or accounted for in as my tax credits, says DO Houda Razol. In juridical taxation, TRAIN2 reduces Corporate Taxes such that: Filipino-owned firms pays only 20% instead of the previous 30% income tax (IT) rate; foreign companies pays 25%, as reduced from their previous 30% income tax payments. And to improve on health services and reduce cost of medication for the poor, private hospitals are granted the highest tax reduction rate at 90% that is from 10% to only 1% in tax payment, under TARIN2 or Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE). RO Houda Razol also simplifies the highly controverted or politicized TRAIN2. “Political commentaries” on social media often misinform the public that TRAIN2 poses a threat of burden to poor consumers described as the ultimate bearers of all tax impositions by the government. BUT it’s actually not the case. TRAIN2, also known as CREATE, can actually reduce prices instead. All that these political pundits should do is to pound on big producercompanies to reduce wholesale price-tags, now that corporate taxes have been reduced under CREATE or TRAIN2). Corporate producers and health service providers (like hospitals) now have much, much lowered tax rates—be they percentage taxpayers or VAT taxpayers. The threshold annual income for a VAT–registered taxpayer (from a status of percentage taxpayer) is P 3,000,000.00, according to Ms. Razol. She puts emphasis on a P 3 million up income threshold, within which a corporate entity should be registered as a VAT taxpayer, no longer a percentage taxpayer. For P 3 million below, the percentage tax rules apply. (Postscript a Trivia: The exact tax quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin is: “Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes,” MC

December 4, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Why Do People with Diabetes Develop Severe COVID-19?

and division in the guise of truth, justice and prosperity. We ought to know that leaders come and go, and so with their heroic and shameless deeds. Thus, for the aggrieved and unjustly treated would forever invoke Charlie Señase – Never Again. But reality csenase@yahoo.com is vanity for history, as the saying goes, repeats itself. HO’S able and pure to cleanse the We may have new leaders and world of its filthiness? Here at home, dubbed as the constituents as in a stage or screen play “Pearl of the Orient Seas,” citizens are in but the story plots revolving around what a quandary whom to install as successor to we had is what has been and what will be. the country’s stewardship with the recent We are high-tech or scientifically modern withdrawal from the 2022 presidential race by now that it has been foretold that “many of Senator Cristopher “Bong” Go, a close will run-to-and-fro and knowledge shall friend and known alter-ego of President increase,” a biblical end-time prophesy that is now in our midst (Daniel 12:4). Duterte. God commanded prophet Daniel to Reasons behind the senator’s withdrawal is all over media outlets, close and seal the Book (Holy Scriptures) including possible cancellation by the until the time of the end. “Many shall be Comelec of Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” purified, made white and refined, but the Marcos’ candidacy for the presidency due wicked shall do wickedly and non-of-thewicked shall understand, but the wise will to alleged pending cases in court. Many are bewitched and bewildered understand” (12:9-10). What’s earthly life without death? And on these political developments as the synchronized national and local polls is just what’s earthly death without life eternal? The fear of being demised is what most five months away. Legal luminaries have their own of the world is. Thus, the need for global opinions on developing event that a vaccination vs COVID and its variants. It’s good to know that the three-day political expert sounded-off: If Bongbong Marcos’ COC is cancelled or denied, he nationwide inoculation (Nov.29-Dec.1) cannot be substituted and therefore any gained ground as of this writing; that Marcos garnered vote will not be counted. on its first day it had more than half-aOn the other hand, a Marcos lawyer million recipients that the government insisted that conviction of his client over through its Interagency Task Force expect tax evasion case involving moral turpitude a 9-million inoculated target in its 8,000 is not a crime and therefore not a ground different sites. In the Bangsamoro Autonomous for the Comelec to cancel his COC. With this development, so-called Region, it’s first day of “Bayanihan political kingmakers are grooming for a Bakunahan” garnered a total of 93,874 Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso-Sara patients from five provinces and two Duterte Carpio tandem while waiting and cities, according to official MOH data. The hoping for a presidential nod from the newly opened Sulaik Clinic and Hospital in Sharif Aguak that joined in the 3-day incumbent. We are on a PH-style political fairy’s drive contributed to Maguindanao’s first wheel ride hoping to end it right in peace day total of 10,812. To confront with the invisible deadly and harmony. Let’s hope and pray that whatever machination or ploy politically virus is like struggling against the devil, would not politicize ways in resolving the an unseen enemy that humanity is infested current health menace here and elsewhere with lies, violence, corruption, tyranny and in the world with the seemingly non- other evil schemes. Thus, a reminder in life that “We do not wrestle against flesh and stopped mutation of COVID-19. So much pride, envy and greed for blood but against principalities, powers and fame and fortune will continue to wreck- rulers of darkness and against spiritual havoc just to suit selfish interest with hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” hidden agenda to sow hatred, confusion (Ephesians 6:12) MC

ICU with diabetes and severe COVID-19 had reduced levels of interferon-beta compared to patients without diabetes. “Interferon has been studied throughout the pandemic as a potential Reprint from Michigan Heath Lab Report therapy, with efforts going back and forth between trying new study reveals the mechanism behind cytokine storm during to increase or decrease interferon levels,” said Gallagher. “My sense is that its coronavirus infection. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, efficacy as a therapy will be both patient clinicians have noted that certain patients and timing specific.” To test this, the study team administered are at especially high risk of developing severe illness or dying from coronavirus interferon beta to coronavirus-infected infection. Type 2 diabetes—a condition diabetic mice and saw that they were affecting more than 10 percent of the U.S. able to increase SETDB2 and decrease population—is one of the main risk factors inflammatory cytokines. “We’re trying to home in on what for severe COVID-19 illness. New research from U-M uncovers why this might be and controls SETDB2, which is sort of the master regulator of a lot of these offers hope for a potential therapy. The culprit appears to be an enzyme inflammatory cytokines that you hear called SETDB2. This same enzyme has about as being increased in COVID-19, been implicated in the non-healing, such as IL-1B, TNFalpha, and IL-6,” inflammatory wounds found in people with explained Gallagher. “Looking upstream at what’s controlling diabetes. Working in the lab of Katherine Gallagher, M.D. of the Michigan Medicine SETDB2, interferon is at the top end, with Departments of Surgery and Microbiology JaK1 and STAT3 in the middle. Interferon and Immunology, researcher W. James increases both, which increases SETDB2 in Melvin, M.D., and his colleagues decided to a sort of cascade.” This is important, she added, because probe a possible link between the enzyme and the runaway inflammation they identifying the pathway presents other witnessed first-hand in COVID patients potential ways of targeting the enzyme. “Our research is showing that maybe if in the ICU. Starting with a mouse model of we are able to target patients with diabetes coronavirus infection, they found that with interferon, especially early in their SETDB2 was decreased in immune cells infection, that may actually make a big involved in the inflammatory response, difference” W. James Melvin, M.D. called macrophages, of infected mice with Melvin and Gallagher hope the findings diabetes. They later saw the same thing in monocyte-macrophages in the blood from of this study will inform ongoing clinical people with diabetes and severe COVID-19. trials of interferon or other downstream “We think we have a reason for why components of the pathway, including these patients are developing a cytokine epigenetic targets, for COVID-19. Their work also highlights the need to understand storm,” said Melvin. In the mouse and human models, noted the timing and cell-specificity of therapy Melvin and Gallagher, as SETDB2 went and to tailor its application to patients’ down, inflammation went up. In addition, underlying conditions, especially patients they revealed that a pathway known with diabetes. “Our research is showing that maybe if as JAK1/STAT3 regulates SETDB2 in macrophages during coronavirus infection. we are able to target patients with diabetes Taken together, the results point to a with interferon, especially early in their potential therapeutic pathway. Previous infection, that may actually make a big findings from the lab demonstrated that difference,” Melvin said. Paper cited: “Coronavirus induces interferon, a cytokine important for viral immunity, increased SETDB2 in response d i a b e t i c m a c r o p h a g e - m e d i a t e d to wound healing. In their new study, they inflammation via SETDB2”, Proceedings found blood serum from patients in the of the National Academy of Sciences MC

and influence in their respective institutions and communities. This is the first time that the outstanding Mayor is nominated to this award and she proves to be an exceptional leader to be chosen as one of its Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy recipients. franco1573victoria@gmail.com The awarding is set on the second week of hirty days to go, we are looking forward to the departure of 2021. So December during the 2021 International much cataclysm has taken place, I Assembly of Youth for UNESCO. The Contemplative Monk posted on refuse to count or recall them. “Someday, FaceBook: everything that is happening in our lives Be thankful that you don’t already will make sense, just keep reminding ourselves that everything happens for a have everything you desire, If you did, what what would there be to reason. Out of our great troubles come our look forward to? best blessings. “ Be thankful when you don’t know What could be more frustrating than losing internet connection while I was at something, for it gives you the opportunity a professional webinar. Not only that, the to learn Be thankful for the difficult times, internet is my only pastime as a senior citizen, in the company of a comorbid during those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, partner, hence staying home all day and night long. Furthermore, the non- because they give you opportunities for connectivity stretched on, and on and on, improvement Be thankful for each new challenge over a period of 8 days! When finally it was back, I tried to catch up with everything I because it will build your strength and missed.(sabik na sabik) What luck! Brown character Be thankful for your mistakes, they out from 7:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon. I had three will teach you valuable lessons hours until it was time for further repair. Be thankful when you’re tired and What did I miss? I failed to send birthday greetings to the following friends. weary, because it means you’ve made a Dr. Cecille Campomanes, Gemma Penaflor, difference It is easy to be thankful for the good Ivy Ortouste, Fe Lobinco Alvarez, Ester Orlido Sevilla, Natalia Lopez Kiram. The things A life of rich fulfillment come to those Lopez clan held a grand gathering in celebration of Thanksgiving Day, a bigger who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a deal than the Christmas day celebrations positive. for them. Find a way to be thankful for your On the 100th year of Muntinglupa, commemorative coins at 100 pesos are troubles, and they can become your being issued. I guess, this will be limited blessings. (Anon.) MC editions or collectors’ items only. It will cost much, not the equivalent of its actual value. Otherwise, imagine carrying around a thousand pesos worth of 100’s for shopping! She did it again! Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Cynthia Frances Guiani Sayadi is recognized as one of the 2021 UNESCO CLUB PUBLIC SERVANT IN GOOD GOVERNANCE. This award is annually given by the UNESCO CLUB to The new 100 Peso coin realeased outstanding leaders and professionals in acknowledgement of their contributions by the Central Bank

to serve more clients simultaneously. Unlike before that so much time is spent shuttling from one meeting or event to another, we can now move to another engagement right after the first meeting Danny Buenbrazo danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com or training is concluded. Thriving in the OVID-19 cases in the country, consultancy or professional services if the official statistics is taken business require us to have the proper as credible, had been steadily knowledge, skill, attitude, and the declining since the resurgence of the ability to use technology to deliver virus at the beginning of the year and services from the office or the comfort most of 2021. However, as we were of one’s home. getting a glimpse of better days ahead Upgrade our knowledge on subject and a swifter return to normalcy, the matters by reading, taking online emergence of the Omicron variant has courses (most are free of charge anyway), placed a damper on our optimism. and/or attending webinars. If you want Though it remains unclear whether to really improve your credentials, enroll the new variant is deadlier than the with known institutions like the Asian other strains of the virus, the news of Institute of Management and get a full another version of COVID-19 coming master’s degree of certificate courses. out and spreading to many countries Skills can be enhanced by practice is causing most business people to or actual delivery. If you are new pause and/or refrain from starting to the profession and feel that your new ventures or scaling up their skills are not yet expert-grade, take existing ones. On the first day of stock the opportunity to assist the more market trading after the news of the established professionals in their new variant, stock markets around engagements. Serving as an associate the world saw sharp declines. The or assistant allows one to practice skills Philippine Stock Exchange experienced such as speaking, writing, facilitating a 250-points drop. group processes, among others. But in the COVID-19 era, the Some people venturing into the demand for professional service consulting or professional services arena (especially those by local professionals) may possess superior knowledge and seems to have risen especially in the great set of skills but would still fail to BARMM area with its agencies mostly have repeat engagement with clients staffed by younger personnel and or to expand their client based. Lack demands for planning and capacity of good attitude in service delivery and/ building activities as the new regional or relating with people could be the government scales up its services. With culprit. Some are so confident with their the devolution of more functions to knowledge or skills that they may not local government units (by the national be willing to listen to the suggestions agencies) happening next year as the of the client or brush aside ideas that Mandanas ruling that grants higher contravene their own during trainings share of Internal Revenue Allotment or workshops. (IRA) to provinces, cities, municipalities, Finally, one must be able to deliver and barangays is implemented, the training and/or do meetings using demand of LGUs for expert advice and online applications such as Zoom and services is bound to increase. Webex. Not only that, consultants Greater popularity for online or experts should be able to prepare m e e t i n g s a n d t r a i n i n g a s w e l l great presentation materials that are as work-from-home arrangements informative, entertaining, and easy to enables professional service providers read and understand. MC

Health vs Wealth

True to Form

What will December bring?

The Stuff of Life

HEALTH CORNER

Profit from Your Professional Skill…

Market Driven

THE MINDANAO CROSS

December 4, 2021

Cops nab suspect in 2011 murder of Italian..from P1 Army alert up as DI “emir,” 5 others..from P2

AUTHORITIES said Ricardo Boryo Dorado alias Nene Dorado, 65, of Barangay Dallag where he once served as its village chief, was nabbed on Monday by virtue of an arrest warrant for murder issued on April 30, 2019 by Judge Arvin Sadiri Balagot, the presiding judge of the 12th Judicial Region Branch 17 in Kidapawan City. The suspect voluntarily surrendered as apprehending officers, together with some barangay officials, arrived at his residence. On the day of his arrest, Dorado was presented before the court which ordered his detention at the police custodial facility here. Dorado is one of the suspects being linked to the killing of the missionary on October 17, 2011. At least four other

suspects linked to the killing remain at large. Tentorio was gunned down early dawn that day by assailants outside his parish convent. Immediately thereafter, the provincial government has set up a local investigating task force to look into the killing. Tentorio was the second missionary priest in North Cotabato under the same congregation to be murdered. The first was Fr. Tulio Favali, PIME, who was killed in Tulunan town in 1985 by then members of a local vigilante group. The PIME missionaries are Catholic priests and brothers who care for and develop communities in some 18 countries around the world.

FAO-UN official visits Cotabato City Halal...from P1 and fixtures necessary for capacity building of different target beneficiaries. This center is just one of the facilities the city government has established in consonance with its vision of becoming a Halal Hub. “Through this, we can sustain more people inclined with agriculture, aquaculture, and agribusiness industries,” said former city administrator Dr. Danda Juanday. He said it will also open more opportunities to our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and make Cotabato City a highly developed multicultural community. Juanday, known in the city as the “Father of Halal,” recognized that this capability building is important to learn more about halal and for them

to advocate to others in return. He also acknowledged that there are still more things needed to be done in spite of the changes and progress in our systems. Juanday said he will hold a discussion about Halal-preneurship this December during the celebration of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival. City Administrator Atty. Jarissa G. Guiani said the establishment of halal was one of the dreams her late father, former Mayor Japal J. Guiani, Jr for Cotabato City. She thanked Dr. Juanday for continuously advocating for what her father has started. She then engaged all stakeholders to enable and make efforts for halal to continue its progress and succeed while we generate more income and more opportunities for our people.

On behalf of FAO, Rep. Tanninen commended the efforts of the local government unit for setting all components in making Cotabato City as Halal Hub. She said since there is heightened interest in the halal industry, capacity building is deemed necessary which was one of the points raised at the end of the food system summit. “With the growing demands, we need to make systems that are more inclusive, could produce reliable food, and explore on expanding our systems to the youth,” Atty. Guiani said. The event ended with an on-site tour on the Halal Complex and the Double ‘A’ Halal Slaughterhouse at the Barangay Tamontaka Mother, with city veterinarian Dr. Robert Malcontenco guiding the special guest. City PIO

fillers in response to the call for peaceful reconciliation of the local government units. “I continue to call on the remaining members of the BIFF and DI to surrender and return to the folds of the law. Your

government is willing and ready to help you live normal and peaceful lives with your family. Let us not waste this opportunity and instead work together for the sake of the next generation,” Maj. Gen. Uy said. Edwin O. Fernandez

BARMM women commission...from P1

office as the chair of the BWC in 2019, her first priority was to ensure that a gender and development (GAD) agenda is adopted for GAD planning and budgeting; and that agenda should be integrated in a law to be passed as GAD code. “Masaya ko pong ibabalita sa inyong lahat na, as of September 2021, meron na po tayong final draft ng Bangsamoro Gender and Development Code. Ito po ay nasa tanggapan na ng ating Chief Minister upang ito’y kanyang mapag-aralan. Ang Bangsamoro GAD Code ay naisama sa Tier 1 ng Priority Legislative Agenda ng Bangsamoro Transition Authority,” she said. Karon also highlighted in her speech some initiatives that were designed to facilitate more involvement of Bangsamoro women in peacebuilding efforts. “Hindi natin makakamtam ang tunay na kapayapaan kung walang partisipasyon ng mga kababaihan sa proseso ng usaping pangkapayaan, she said. The chairperson also thanked The Asia Foundation, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, UN Women and United Nation Population Fund, UN Development Programme, and the SUBATRA (Support to Bangsamoro

Transition) Programme for sustaining their support and commitment to strengthen capacities of key people in implementing GAD. M e a n w h i l e , BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said the Bangsamoro Government will make sure that the region is a safe space for women – where opportunities, equality and empowerment are part of the norm. “As mothers, sisters, and daughters, Bangsamoro women were fundamental in fighting injustices against our people and made sure that a better future awaits all of us. We would not reach the level of self-determination and meaningful autonomy if it weren’t for the love, the care, and the compassion of our Bangsamoro women,” Ebrahim said. Present during Thursday’s ceremony were Social Services Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie, Transportation and Communications Deputy Minister Von Al-Haq, Bangsamoro Transition Authority Member Atty. Maisara Dandamun-Latiph and Secretary General Prof. Raby Angkal, and representatives from the sectors of youth, women, and indigenous people.

assistance and food packs to cushion the impact of calamity from the local government unit. The Municipal Agriculture Office has already sought intervention for seeds and other farm inputs for farmers whose farm-lots have been totally and partially damaged by floods. “We will rise again,” Saure told the farmer beneficiaries and the

families affected by the calamity. He assured that the municipal government has prepared interventions for affected farmers. Mayor Guzman also ordered the town engineering office to fast tract the establishment of flood control project to save farm products from devastation. Kabacan is a known rice granary in North Cotabato.

Bangsamoro Information Office

NoCot town under state..from P1

SEALED FRIENDSHIP. Cotabato City Administrator Atty. Jarissa G. Guiani (center) signs deed of donations along with city veterinarian Dr. Robert R. Malcontento (left) and FAO-UN representative to the Philippines Kati H. Tanninen during ceremonies hosted by the city government for the donation of furniture for Halal slaughter house. Photo courtesy of City Government of Cotabato

22 farmers’ coop get aid from BARMM..from P2

time of difficulties,” he added. Nora Rebote of Talapas Integrated Organic Farmers Association in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao and Mr. Malony Tulawi of Greenland Multi-Purpose

Cooperative in Upi, Maguindanao have separately expressed gratitude to MAFAR and vowed to take care of the intervention and ensure improved productivity in the coming days. Edwin O. Fernandez

UN vows more support..from P1

told Sema and other officials of the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) that about 65 percent of the projects of the United Nations in the country are being implemented in the BARMM provinces to complement the southern Mindanao peace process. Sema told Gonzales and his companions that MOLE-BARMM planners

and researchers are now drafting a regional labor code that would protect the security and welfare of the labor sector in the autonomous region. Sema, besides being regional labor minister, is also a member of the BARMM interim parliament. Sema said he and his subordinates were glad

LEGAL NOTICE

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the Intestate Estate of the late ANNABELLE SUNIO BUENAFLOR was extrajudicially settled among heirs, as per Doc. No. 166, Page No. 82, Book No. 14, Series of 2021 before Notary Public Atty. Evelina G. Villegas for Taguig City with Appointment No. 14 (2020-2021)(Valid until December 31, 2021) Roll of Attorney No. 24279.

MC: Nov. 20, 27 & Dec. 4, 2021

Notice is hereby given that the late TONG PALAO BALABARAN and LORNA GAYANANDANG BALABARAN who died intestate on October 16, 2014 and October 6, 2006, respectively; that Tong Palao Balabaran left a certain amount on his PNP claims from 2018 & 26 months pension deferential is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Mohajiroe M. Lauban as per Doc. No. 29; Page No. 6, Book No. VI; Series of 2021. MC: Nov. 27, Dec. 4 & 11, 2021

with the visit to their office of representatives from UNOCHA and the UNFPA. “It inspired us to continue working hard for the welfare of the labor sector in the Bangsamoro region,” Sema said.

Pope Francis: Life’s...from P4

institutions of both the Catholic Church and elsewhere, especially the national Caritas and all those who are committed to alleviating their suffering.” Francis made an appeal to those in a position to help find a solution to the problems which lead to the death and exploitation of immigration and refugees, “so that understanding and dialogue finally prevail over any kind of exploitation and direct the will and efforts towards solutions that respect the humanity of these people.” “Let us think of migrants, of their suffering, and pray in silence,” he said, pausing for prayer. Hannah Brockhaus/

Catholic News Agency

AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Aida P. Bautista, who died on July 18, 2005 in Manila, consisting parcels of land located at Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao, Lot 2, Psd-12-006920; Lot C-1-J-5-D-3, Psd-12006920; Lot C-1-J-1 Psd-12-000406; Lot No. a-1 (LRC) Psd-113485; Lot 8, Psd-12006920; Lot A-15-4, Psd-12000527; Lot C-1-J-3, Psd-12-000406; Lot C-1-J-4-B-1, Psd(ARMM)-04-000658; Lot C-1-J-4-B-2, Psd (ARMM)-04-000658; Lot C-1-J-4-B-3, Psd (ARMM)-04-000658; Lot C-1-J-4-B-5, Psd (ARMM)-04-000658; Lot C-1-J-4-B-6, Psd (ARMM)-04-000658; covered by TCT Nos. T-6705, T-6707, (T3 4 7 3 6 ) T- 6 9 6 , ( T30266) T-821, T-6710, T-983, (T-34736) T-698, T- 2 9 6 1 3 , T- 2 9 6 1 4 , T-29615, T-29617 and T-29618, respectively, with the total area of 63,890 square meters, more or less are the subject of affidavit of adjudication of sole heir before Notary Public Atty. Rolando L. Chew as per Doc. No. 2843; Page No. 285; Book No. 22; Series of 2021.

MC: Dec. 4, 11 & 18, 2021

Republic of the Philippines Midsayap, Cotabato

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirements and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Lilibeth Damian Remoto has filed with this office a petition for change of child’s date of birth from April 29, 1973 to February 1, 1973 in the certificate of live birth of Lilibeth Onia Damian who was born on April 29, 1973 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Jose C. Damian and Josefina P. Onia. Any person adversely 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: Dec. 4 & 11, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late DATU KALIONG SINSUAT, on October 26, 1965 in Manila, an untitled parcels of land Lot Nos. 2247A, 2247-B and 2247-C, situated in Dimapatoy, Dinaig, Cotabato (now Dinaig Proper, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao), with the total area of 151,673 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Gapor G. Quituar as per Doc. No. 452; Page No. 91; Book No. XXX; Series of 2018.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late WILFREDO BINGIL, who died intestate on September 1, 2021 in Davao Oriental, a parcel of land Lot No. 1, Plan No. PSD-12-068652, situated in Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. 1522018000369, with an area of 20,000 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of donation before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 3,401; Page No. 71; Book No. LXXVIII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late EXEQUIL BENOSA who died intestate on September 9, 2021 in Pigcawayan, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot 101, Pls664 at New Igbaras, Pigcawayan, Cotabato, with an area of 29,294 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P-58568 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Ronald D. Jungco as per Doc. No. 507; Page No. 101, Book No. 123; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JESUS MILANES, who died intestate on August 15, 1981 in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, a parcel of land Lot 29-C-2-C, (LRC) Psd-25331 in Poblacion, Datu Piang, Maguindanao, covered by TCT No. T-11402 with an area of 503 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Abbyr Ahmad Nul as per Doc No. 154; Page No. 31; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2021.

MC: Dec. 4, 11 & 18, 2021

MC: Nov. 27, Dec. 4 & 11, 2021

MC: Nov. 20, 27 & Dec. 4, 2021.

December 4, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

TAPATAN SA OBLATE MEDIA

Synod on Synodality

Moro tops engineers’ board exam

THE examinee who topped in this month’s civil engineers’ licensure exams is from the Bangsamoro region, something the local communities are so proud about. Rajiv Noon Dalagan, a graduate of the Ateneo De Davao University, got a 93.25 rating in the exams. Dalagan belongs to Moro clan in Tawi-Tawi, a component province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “It feels good to see a young man from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao hurdle the latest civil engineers’ licensure exams in brilliant colors,” BARMM Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said Friday. Dalagan ranked first from among 2,374 examinees who passed the board exams. There were 6,474 takers, but only

2,374 hurdled the series of tests to become licensed civil engineers. Sources from BARMM’s 80-member regional parliament said there are members of the bloc planning to pass a resolution recognizing Dalagan’s feat. BARMM Labor Minister Romeo Sema, a senior official of the Moro National Liberation Front, said Friday he and his subordinates were elated with the honor Dalagan gave the autonomous region. “A number of medical students from BARMM also passed the medical licensure exams in the past two years. That is something that makes Bangsamoro residents proud,” Sema said. John Felix

Unson

BARMM builds more municipal halls

THREE more towns got last week municipal building projects worth P25 million each from the Bangsamoro administration, meant to boost governance in support of the southern Mindanao peace process. Two other towns, Bayang and Marantao, both in Lanao del Sur province, also got a P25 million worth public market and water system projects each, respectively, from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. BARMM Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo told Mindanao Cross last weekend that he and local executives in the five towns signed Thursday separate memorandum of agreements (MOAs) detailing the

modalities and fund allocations for each project. B u l u a n a n d Mangudadatu, both in the second district of Maguindanao, and Madalum in Lanao del Sur, each got a P25 million worth municipal building project via MOAs that Sinarimbo and municipal officials forged last week. “We are grateful to the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government for giving us this project,” Mayor Omeraida Mindalano of Madalum said. More than 20 municipal buildings in different towns in the Bangsamoro region have been constructed since last year by recipientmunicipal governments using MILG funds. The MILG’s capacity-

building projects are aimed at strengthening local governance in the region and to hasten restoration of normalcy in areas devastated by decades of secessionist strife. The ministry had, since 2020, also constructed more than a dozen municipal police precincts in towns bereft of such facilities. The autonomous region has 116 towns, mostly still reeling from underdevelopment due to armed conflicts. “These capacitybuilding efforts will also help the local government units bounce back from the economic and fiscal problems brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Sinarimbo said. John Felix

Unson

More smuggled cigarettes seized in NoCot

POLICEMEN seized over the weekend P2.4 million worth of imported cigarettes three smugglers were to sell to buyers in Libungan town in North Cotabato, a regional police official said Monday. Personnel of the Libungan municipal police then confiscated the contraband from the suspects they were to entrap at the town proper of Libungan, located in the first district of North Cotabato. Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, director of the Police Regional Office-12, said the sting was laid after members of the Libungan municipal police force received tips from patriotic informants purporting that a group is clandestinely distributing imported cigarettes to local traders. The entrapment proceeded but the distributors of the contraband managed to

escape, leaving their illegal merchandise behind. The P2.4 million worth cigarettes, apparently brought in from abroad by a syndicate without paying customs and tariff dues, are now in the custody of the Libungan municipal police. In a statement Sunday, the Libungan municipal police said the seized cigarettes shall be turned over to the Bureau of Customs. The bust was preceded by the confiscation of some P5 million worth of imported Tradition brand cigarettes in separate interceptions early on by the police in North Makilala and Aleosan. Tagum lauded the personnel of the Makilala, Aleosan and Libungan municipal police offices for the feat. John Felix Unson

PERSONNEL of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology helped push the Bangsamoro government’s three-day anti-COVID-19 vaccination campaign forward. The activity, which started Nov. 29, ended Wednesday, December 1. There are members of the BJMP and BFP in the Bangsamoro region who are registered nurses and well-trained emergency medical service responders. Health Minister Bashary Latiph of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in

Muslim Mindanao and their directorgeneral, the physician Amirel Usman, separately said they are grateful to BARMM’s BFP and BJMP personnel for supporting the vaccination campaign. Members of the BFP and BJMP in the region helped administer anti-coronavirus jabs in a vaccination hub at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex inside the 32-hectare BARMM regional capitol in Cotabato City. “To these uniformed men and women, we are grateful,” Doctor Usman said Tuesday. John Felix Unson

BFP, BJMP behind vax event too

Cop killed in Maguindanao gun attack

AMPATUAN, Maguindanao — Gunmen killed a policeman in an ambush in Barangay Kauran here Thursday. Lt. Rey Samson, acting chief of the Ampatuan municipal police, identified the victim as Cpl. Henry Mangaser Olindo, Jr., a member of the municipal police force in Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur. He died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds. Olindo was a resident of Barangay Rosary Heights 6 in Cotabato City.

He was riding a motorcycle en route to the town proper of Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat when gunmen, also on motorcycles trailing behind, shot him with pistols as they got close. Investigators are validating accounts of witnesses purporting that one of the suspects finished him off with a shot to the head before they fled. Friends of Olindo told reporters his father is a captain in the Philippine National Police. Samson said responding

policemen found in the crime scene empty shells of .45 caliber pistol. He said investigators are still trying to identify the killers of Olindo and their motive for the attack. Ampatuan is not too distant from enclaves of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters that has a reputation for attacking off-duty policemen and soldiers. The group is operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. John

Felix Unson