The Mindanao Cross | June 26, 2021 Issue by The Mindanao Cross

Bangsamoro OFW law approved

CHURCH / P4

Pope Francis to elderly: The Church needs your prayers like ‘a deep breath’

Suspect in attacks vs. YBL falls, kins say he is innocent

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

NATURE’S REVENGE. Massive tension cracks in Barangay Lamcade, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato are threatening communities following heavy to moderate downpour early this week. Photo courtesy of Amiel M. Cagayan

OMI HAS 5 PINOYS, 3 KOREANS NEW MISSIONARIES By Lilian Caubalejo-Domingo

THE Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Philippines has added nine young men in its roster of hardworking missionaries who always dare the undared. Eight novices and scholastic had their religious profession of vows and perpetual profession, respectively, during ceremonies at the Archbishop Mongeau Chapel, Notre Dame University

in Cotabato City. Oblate Provincial Superior Fr. Gerry Gamaliel S. Delos Reyes, OMI presided over the ceremonies and accepted the perpetual profession of vows of

Brother Elmer M. Gumban, OMI (Archdiocese of Cotabato) and the religious profession of Br. Giovanni Paolo G. Donguiness (Diocese of San Fernando), Br. Kelly Mark A. Socias (Archdiocese

HR groups claim 80 Moros “EJK victims’ in SoCot, PNP deny

By Bong S. Sarmiento AT least 80 Moros in South Cotabato have The groups appealed to Presidential become victims of alleged extra-judicial Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr. and killing (EJK) from the hands of police and Philippine National Police Chief Guillermo unidentified vigilantes in the last four years. Eleazar to mobilize peace and protection In a statement of concern issued by 30 mechanisms to stop the Moro killings and civil society organizations, human rights to bring the perpetrators behind bars. and peace advocates in Mindanao, they They also urged the Commission on strongly condemned the “widespread and Human Rights to conduct a thorough systematic killings” targeting members of investigation on the killings of members Moro communities in Polomolok town and of Moro communities for the filing of adjoining areas in Region 12. appropriate cases. “(The victims) were summarily killed by Herbert Demos, the group’s focal riding in tandem vigilantes or in the hands person, stressed that despite the soaring of police authorities in the course of so-called number of killings, the police allegedly police operations against drugs or lawless failed to act and bring the perpetrators to elements,” they said. the bar of justice. “While we abhor terrorism and equally “Moro communities in barangays denounce violent extremism, there is no Koronadal Proper, Sumbakil, Rubber, Lapu legal and moral justification to kill any and Bentung in Polomolok town continue human being without due process of law to live in fear and (under) constant especially innocent civilians,” they added. (threat) that a husband, a son or

DID YOU KNOW? June is National No Smoking Month National No Smoking Month is observed every June by virtue of Proclamation No. 183 signed on May 30, 1993 by then President Fidel Ramos. The proclamation highlights the need to focus national attention on the dangers of smoking as part of the awareness campaign on the ill effects of cigarettes. The three regions with the highest proportion of current adult smokers are Zamboanga Peninsula (31.3 percent), Central Luzon (31.1 percent) and Caraga (28.4 percent).

of Ozamis), Br. Ariel T. Villaflor (Archdiocese of Cotabato), Br. Jan Philip G. Cadungog (Archdiocese of Cotabato), Br. Vince B. Dignadice (Archdiocese of Cotabato), Br. Won-HyouHeo “Paul” (Diocese of

Suwon), Br. Moon-Gi Park “Peter” (Diocese of Suwon) and Br. Sung Hoo Kim “Sabino” (Diocese of Suwon). With only the presence of few Oblates as permitted

THE LORD CALLED ME FROM BIRTH (Isaiah 49:1). With this in mind, eight young men, five Filipinos and three South Koreans, had their religious profession of vows at NDU Mongeau chapel and Rev. Elmer M. Gumban, OMI had his perpetual profession in ceremonies presided by provincial superior Fr. Gerry Gamaliel S. De Los Reyes, OMI. Photo courtesy of Eugine Alcanzarin / OMI Philippine Province

BTA: Make district hospital a 200-bed facility By Edwin O. Fernandez

NINE lawmakers in the Bangsamoro Region have filed bill seeking to upgrade Buluan District Hospital into a Level II with 200 bed capacity to accommodate more Bangsamoro. Member of Parliament Khadafe Mangudadatu authorited Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Bill No. 92 that seeks to convert the hospital in Buluan, Maguindanao from Level I with 75 bed capacity into Level II with 200 bed capacity.

Thousands join BARMM peace caravan

By John Felix Unson THOUSANDS joined Wednesday’s caravan in southern provinces to dramatize crosssection desire for the deferment to 2025 of next year’s supposed elections in the fledgling Bangsamoro region. Organizers, among them members of the Civil Society Organization for Moral Governance, told reporters Thursday the event was enough for Malacañang to realize the need to extend the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) for three more years to enable

June 26, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Bangsamoro OFW law approved

THE Bangsamoro government shall coordinate with Malacañang its implementation of a new regional law protecting constituentoverseas workers from maltreatment by employers. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority, or BTA, also known as the regional interim parliament, approved on final reading Thursday the Overseas Bangsamoro Workers Act. The law was proposed by the region’s labor minister, Romeo Sema. “It shall be implemented in close coordination with the central offices of the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office,” Sema said Saturday. Stakeholders were markedly elated with the approval of the OBWA by the 80-member parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, led by the region’s chief minister, Ahod Balawag Ebrahim. “We are certain this regional law will ensure the protection and welfare of our children while out there in the Middle East,” a 58-year-old mother of two domestic helpers in Kuwait, Fatima Sidik, said in Filipino. The OBWA also aims to establish service facets for socio-economic and psycho-social interventions needed by overseas Filipino workers from the five provinces and three cities inside BARMM’s core territory. Farmer Mutalib Gandingan, 54, said Saturday he will secure a copy of the OBWA and mail it to his son working as janitor in a commercial establishment in Qatar. North Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmylou

Mendoza and Gerry Salapuddin, administrator of the state-run Southern Philippines Development Authority, lauded in separate statements Friday the Ministry of Labor and EmploymentBARMM and the BTA for having crafted together the OBWA. “This is a much-needed edict. We have so many cases of maltreatment by foreign employers of OFWs from BARMM. This law can surely help address the problem,” Salapuddin said. Salapuddin said he was fascinated when he learned that the OBWA aims to create outfits that would closely monitor the plight of OFWs abroad, particularly those in the Middle East, and assist them in connecting with Philippine embassies in case of emergencies. Mendoza, a first-termer North Cotabato vice governor, said she is ready to help disseminate the contents of the law to residents of the 63 barangays in their province that are now under the BARMM government. “We have OFWs from these areas whose residents voted in favor of the inclusion of their barangays into BARMM’s territory during a plebiscite two years ago,” Mendoza said. Mendoza said she will request the BARMM labor ministry to tap radio stations in North Cotabato in disseminating the benefits OBWA can give to OFWs from the 63 barangays. “My office can support that initiative,” Mendoza said. John Felix

Unson

JUST IN TIME. Firefighters in Cotabato City and BARMM respond to a blaze that gutted down a hardware in Barangay Datu Balabaran, this city, preventing the fire from spreading. Photo courtesy of BARMM -READi

6th ID: It wasn’t an Army mortar fire THE Army’s 6th Infantry Division said Thursday it was not a military mortar fire that killed a pregnant Teduray woman in Barangay Tuayan, Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao Tuesday. Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Thursday there was no combat engagement between soldiers and terrorists in Barangay Tuayan and surrounding areas when a powerful explosion ripped through a farming enclave in the area. The 21-year-old Rosita Kenendi, who belonged to the non-Moro ethnic Teduray community, died on the spot from blast injuries. Talks are spreading around

purporting that a mortar projectile fired from a distance landed near Kenendi’s house in Barangay Tuayan in Datu Hofer and went off, killing her instantly. Soldiers and members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are locked in a showdown since Sunday in mountain ranges around. ”We can assure the public it was not a mortar fire from any of our units. We must not forget that the BIFF is so good in fabricating improvised explosive devices. The group had used IEDs in killing, hurting innocent people,” Uy said, without elaborating. Both sides figured in a series of gunfights last Monday in nearby Barangay Ahan in Guindulungan,

OMI has 5 Pinoys, 3 Korean new...from P1 by the Cotabato City government, the celebration was live streamed through the OMI Philippines Facebook page so family and friends all over the Philippines and South Korea were able to join, pray and show support to the OMI brothers. In his homily guided by the words of Prophet Isaiah: “The Lord called me from birth,” Fr. Delos Reyes told the young Oblates that “things won’t be easy as you know, challenges will come to test and break your conviction in following that voice calling you.” “Don’t allow yourselves to be overwhelmed by them,” he added.

The provincial superior also urged them “to continue to listen to that voice calling you since you were formed in your mother’s womb. You won’t go wrong because He will guard you from your foe and will lead you in ways everlasting.” The live streaming on FB page gave the relatives, friends and acquaintances of the novices and scholastic to send their notes of appreciation and congratulatory messages. Ten hours after the ceremonies at the NDU chapel, the FB live streaming had already recorded 586 comments and 120 shares.

MP Dipatuan wants 2 Lanao hospitals upgraded

IN the face of government’s efforts to save lives against the novel coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19), Bangsamoro lawmaker Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan has introduced two bills calling for the upgrading of the Tamparan District Hospital and Balindong Municipal Hospital, both in Lanao del Sur. Dipatupan, a medical doctor, filed a Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Bill No. 99 that seeks to convert Tamparan District Hospital (TDH) into a provincial hospital and upgrade its level, bed capacity, personnel and facilities. In his explanatory note, Dipatuan said that TDH is presently a Level I hospital with 100-bed capacity. In the last five years, it

has been catering to not less than 4,000 patients every year from the different municipalities of LDS, such as Taraka, Mulondo, Maguing, Lumba-Bayabao, Masui, Poonabayabao, Lumbayanague, Butig, and others. “With the increasing population of the province, and TDH being the most accessible hospital and strategically located to cater the medical needs of the people of the province, it is appropriate for it to be converted into a provincial hospital,” Dipatuan said. On the other hand, his BTA Bill No. 102 is calling for the upgrading the Level I with 10 bed capacity Balindong Municipal Hospital into a Level II district hospital with 50 bed capacity. According to Dipatuan,

based on the Ministry of Health’s Hospital Statistical Report in 2019, Balindong Municipal Hospital is forced to render services that is beyond its expected capacity considering the high discrepancy between its Authorized Bed Capacity and Bed Occupancy Rate. “It’s Bed Occupancy Rate in 2019 reached about 207 percent higher than its Authorized Bed Capacity,” Dipatuan said. Dipatuan is hoping his bills will get the green light while the region is in the midst of fight against the pandemic. The bills also call for the improvement of hospital buildings, medical and office equipment as well as its manpower r e s o u r c e s . E d w i n O.

Fernandez

Leaders reach consensus on BTA...from P8

Board Resolution expressing support to BTA extension. As of 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, 6,936 motorcycles and 6,132 four-wheel vehicles had enlisted into a Unity Caravan calling on local and national leaders to support the extension of BTA’s three-year term to up to the midterm elections in May 2025. The term of the BTA, as the interim governing body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), has been fixed by Republic Act 11054, the Bangsamoro Organic Law enacted in 2019. The CSO-MMG said parallel movement of people in Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, also called on government to extend the BTA which would also mean postponement of BARMM elections. Sulu Gov. Abdu Sakur Tan, who was present during the June 15 meeting reportedly argued on right of suffrage to oppose the extension. On which Tolentino explained that BARMM residents would not be denied their right to vote, even of BARMM elections were postponed, because polling will be held simultaneously for the national and local elections in May 2022. The CSO Movement for Moral

Governance issued a Manifesto stating the following: 1. Appeal upon President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to Certify as Urgent the bill extending the period of the Bangsamoro Transition to 2025; 2. Appeal to all leader of the Bangsamoro to support the extension of the BTA for peace, freedom and justice, and for a brighter future of the Bangsamoro people; 3. Plea to the good offices of House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Senate President Tito Sotto III to expedite the passing of the bill extending the period of the BTA up to 2025. 4. Call to all Bangsamoro and Filipino peoples to preserve, protect and sustain the hard-earned gains of the peace processes by supporting the call for BTA extension, so that peace and development may thrive in the Bangsamoro. 5. Authorize the Chairman of the CSO Movement for Moral Governance to furnish copies of this Manifesto to the good offices of the President of the Philippines, House Speaker, Senate President, the good office of Bangsamoro Chief Minister and media outlets for information dissemination and support purposes. Nash B. Maulana

Thousands join BARMM peace caravan...from P1 the 27-month regional government to fully take off. Sectors in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, created via a plebiscite only in January 2019, wants the three-year tenure of the BTA, more known as the 80-member BARMM regional parliament, extended until 2025. Two of their many reasons for the bid are the need for enough time to work out the decommissioning of thousands of Moro Islamic Liberation Front members and for the infant regional government to fully activate agencies essential to good governance. Caravan organizers and local officials from across the Bangsamoro region had signed manifestos urging President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent a bill pending in the legislature which aims to reset to 2025 of the 2022 elections in the region. The Bangsamoro region covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Lamitan, Marawi and Cotabato.

The BTA is still deliberating on the region’s election code, premised on the peculiar intricacies of a parliament-style electoral exercise. North Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmylou Mendoza said Thursday hundreds of residents from the 63 barangays in their province that are now under the Bangsamoro region also participated in the caravan. The caravan motored through the national highways straddling through towns and cities in central Mindanao, in Lanao del Sur, in Lanao del Norte, in the Zamboanga peninsula and in Basilan. Residents of the 63 barangays in different towns in North Cotabato voted for the inclusion of their barangays in BARMM’s core territory during a plebiscite in early 2019. “We are one with them. We support the efforts of sectors in BARMM to secure an extension for three more years of the term of the BTA,” Mendoza, a first-termer vice governor, said in a statement. Mendoza said there is a glaring need for an

extension of three-year tenure of the BTA. The BTA, composed of 80 members appointed by President Duterte, is led by the BARMM’s chief minister, Ahod Ebrahim, who is chairman of the MILF’s central committee. “We in North Cotabato in Region 12, have supported the peace process between the government and the MILF that resulted in the creation of BARMM. We support the calls for the extension of the BTA’s term too,” Mendoza, who had served as provincial governor for three terms, said in her statement. Among the non-Moro peace advocates vocal in expressing favor for the extension of the BTA’s term until 2025 are Mayor Ramon Piang of Upi municipality in Maguindanao and central Mindanao’s top Catholic church leader, Cardinal Orlando Quevedo. Quevedo earlier said the gains of the peace overture between Malacañang and the MILF would go to waste if the BTA is not given enough time to put in place the mechanisms needed for efficient regional governance.

June 26, 2021 Notice for Auction

Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV in Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak announce the Auction Sale of all unredeemed pledges contracted June 1-29, 2020 at 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main 4J Bldg. Corner Jose Lim Sr., and Don Roman Vilo St. Cotabato City. Auction sale will be on June 30, 2021.

Patalastas ng Subasta Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de OroPawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV sa Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Hunyo 1-29, 2020 sa alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:00 ng hapon sa Agencia de Oro - Jose Lim Branch, corner Jose Lim Sr, and Don Roman Vilo St., Cotabato City sa Hunyo 30, 2021.

MC: June 19 & 26 , 2021

PMARK PAWNSHOP MAIN, PMARK PAWNSHOP - BRANCH I & PMARK PAWNSHOP BRANCH II Patalastas ng Subasta PMARK Pawnshop Main Branch ng S.K. Pendatun Avenue, Cotabato City, PMARK Branch I - Parang, Maguindanao, at PMARK Branch II - Supermarket Site, Cotabato City ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay yaon pang isinangla magmula pa noong Disyembre 2020. Ang Subasta ay sa July 01, 2021 sa ganap na ika 9:00 ng umaga hanggang 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar. MC: June 26, 2021

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

corner Bonifacio and Don Rufino Alonzo Sts., Cotabato City

Ang Sultan Pawnshop ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Nobyembre 2020. Ang subasta ay sa Hulyo 01, 2021 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar. MC: June. 19 & 26, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Mario E. Flores & Co-owner the late Anatalia E. Flores who died on October 14, 2018 & December 12, 2020 at Kidapawan City, respectively left a parcel of land Lot 56, Block 18, Pls-59 situated in Bo. Poblacion, Kidapawan, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-101767, with an area of 100,667 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with partition & waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Belner Pdawag as per Doc. No. 233; Page No. 46; Book No. IV; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late Mario E. Flores who died intestate on October 14, 2018 at Kidapawan City left a parcel of land Lot 3113-B-2-A Psd-124704019542 situated Bo. of Poblacion, Municipality of Kidapawan, covered by TCT No. T-83270, with an area of 164 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Belner Padawag as per Doc. No. 235; Page No. 46; Book No. IV; Series of 2021.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

Notice is hereby given that the late Johnny Siao Ngo who died on June 9, 2009 at Cotabato City, left a parcel of land situated in Bo. of Poblacion (N.D Avenue), Cotabato City, covered by TCT No. T-44839, with an area of 58 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro - Jagunap as per Doc. No. 3145; Page No. 3145; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: June 12, 19 & 26, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

Notice is hereby given that the lateJesus Buncalan Balgos who died on November 22, 2016 at Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato left a parcel of land situated in Bo. Poblacion, Parang, Cotabato, covered by OCT No. P-25804, with an area of 300 sq. mts. (3 ares), more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro - Jagunap as per Doc. No. 3175; Page No. 3175; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

Pope Francis names..from P4 Hans Zollner, Juan Carlos Cruz, Msgr. Luis Manuel Alí Herrera, and Sr. Jane Bertelsen, among others. “I am deeply honored to be called to serve the

Holy Father and God’s people as secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors,” Small said. Courtney Mares

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that estate of the late PRISCILLA V. A N C H E TA a n d ADORACION V. ANCHETA, who died intestate on October 7, 2011 and August 8, 2019 at Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and Libungan, Cotabato, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot 2754-C-3-D, Psd-12-001049, situated at Poblacion, Libungan, Cotabato with an area of 300 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-114611 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate and partition with simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 2,525; Page No. 85; Book No. LXXI; Series of 2020.

Notice is hereby given that estate of the late FELICIDAD R. OSORIO, who died on December 3 0 , 1 9 8 8 a t Tu b o n , Pigcawayan, Cotabato left a parcel of land Lot No. 3151-D-2, Psd12-008209, situated at Tubon, Pigcawayan, Cotabato with an area of 10,742 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-70718 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1,389; Page No. 62; Book No. XLVIII; Series of 2017.

MC: June 26, Jul. 3 & 10, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses FORTUNATO B. SILVANO and LEONARDA A. SILVANO, who died on November 28, 2003 and August 10, 2007 in Midsayap, Cotabato, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot No. 835-A, Csd-12-005905, situated at Kimagango, Midsayap, Cotabato with an area of 25,250 sq. mts., more or less, covered by Original na Titulo Blg. P-60306 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of partition before Notary Public Atty. Noel A. Gretare, CPA, as per Doc. No. 1854; Page No. 76; Book No. LXXV; Series of 2021. MC: Jun. 19, 26 & Jul. 3, 2021

/ Catholic News Agency

MC: June 26, Jul. 3 & 10, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses AMPARO DELA CRUZ ARIZABAL and BERNARDO S. ARIZABAL, who died intestate on November 7, 2008 and February 3, 1997 in Midsayap, Cotabato and Cotabato City, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot No. 292B, Csd-12-00470, situated in Poblacion, Midsayap, Cotabato with an area of 282 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P-55809 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous waiver of rights before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis, as per Doc. No. 231; Page No. 47; Book No. CCXXXIV; Series of 2021. MC: Jun. 19, 26 & Jul. 3, 2021

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP MAIN CONLUCK DON RUFINO BRANCH & CONLUCK PAWNSHOP BRANCH 4 ng Cotabato City ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula May 2020 hanggang June 2020. Ang Subasta ay sa June 30, 2021 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar. MC: June 19 & 26, 2021

RANEN PAWNSHOP MAIN, BRANCH I, II & III Don Rufino Alonzo & Don Tomas Martinez Sts, Cot. City

Notice for Auction

All unredeemed articles pledged on November 2020 will be auctioned on July 01, 2021 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before July 01, 2021 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta

Lahat ng sangla noong Nobyembre 2020 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Hulyo 01, 2021 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Hulyo 01, 2021 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

MC: June 19 & 26, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Nestor V. Espinilla & Adolfa D. Espinilla who died on June 22, 2020 & November 02, 2002 at Cotabato City & Davao City left a parcel of land situated Barrio of Colina, Cotabato City, covered by TCT No. T-28026, with an area of 139 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Agnes P. Paracha-Belleque as per Doc. No. 71; Page No. 15; Book No. 06; Series of 2021.

MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Mrs. Leocadia Sanches Latada left a parcel of land Lot 5-B, Psd12-002003, situated Bo. of Crossing-Pinaring, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao covered by TCT No. T-27275, with an area of 4,821 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Armando U. Lauban as per Doc. No. 430; Page No. 86; Book No. 05; Series of 2021. MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

ADJUDICATION BY SOLE HEIR Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses MATEO SALES a n d PA N TA L E O N A CASTRO-SALES, who died intestate on January 20, 1992 and October 9, 1988, respectively at Sinawingan, Libungan, Cotabato, left parcels of land Lot No. 2969-D-9-C, Psd-12-004418 and Lot 2966-B-8, Psd-11-001185, situated at Sinawingan, Libungan, Cotabato with the total area of 2,569 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT Nos. T-67582 and T-55435 are the subject of adjudication by sole heir before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 813; Page No. 58; Book No. LXVIII; Series of 2020.

MC: June 26, Jul. 3 & 10, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late FREDDIE B. TESORO, who died intestate on November 26, 2012 at Cotabato City, left parcels of land Lot 4173-B-16, Psd-12029959; Lot 4173-B17, Psd-12-029959 and Lot 4173-B-9, Psd-12029959 all situated at Bolocaon, Pigcawayan, Cotabato, with the total area of 3,001 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT Nos.T- 113886, T-113887 and T-113879, respectively are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1,755; Page No. 56; Book No. LXXV; Series of 2021. MC: June 26, Jul. 3 & 10,

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late ABDULATIP K. KANAPIA, who died intestate on April 9, 2021 in Cotabato City, left bank accounts at Philippine National Bank under Account Nos. 306685500019 and 405110147331; Bank of the Philippine Islands under Account No. 21634541-17 and Metrobank under Account No. 0743-07439272-6 are the subject of extrajudicial partition of personal property with waiver of rights before Atty. Mohammad Jameel A. Singh as per Doc. No. 481; Page No. 97; Book No. 9; Series of 2021. MC: Jun. 19, 26 & Jul. 3, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late FIDELA A. MANSILLA and AUGUSTO M. MANSILLA, who died intestate on May 14, 2003 and January 3, 2018, respectively in Cotabato City, left a parcel of land Lot 1323-B-2-G-8-L-9-C-3. Psd-11-053273, situated in Bo. Poblacion, Sto. Niño, South Cotabato with an area of 999 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 85026 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap, as per Doc. No. 3266; Page No. 3266; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: Jun. 19, 26 & Jul. 3, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that estate of the late IGNACIA G. LOZANO, who died intestate on October 6, 2019 at Bajada, Davao City, left a bank deposit at LBP Parang Branch, Parang, Maguindanao under Account No. 26610568-97 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with waiver of shares before Notary Public Mimbalawag T. Mangutara, Jr., CPA as per Doc. No. 266; Page No. 55; Book No. LIX; Series of 2021.

MC: June 26, Jul. 3 & 10, 2021

Republic of the Philippines Supreme Court 5th SHARI’A DISTRICT COURT Cotabato City SDC SPL. PROC. CASE No. 2020-508 IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR DECLARATION OF HEIRSHIP AND/OR SURVIVING SPOUSE LEGAL BENEFICIARY OF THE LATE SPO3 RAFAEL HADJI ALI KASIM NORMA K. KASIM Petitioner, -versusTHE POLICE RETIREMENT A N D B E N E F I T S ADMINISTRATION SERVICE, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, CAMP CRAME, QUEZON CITY Respondent. x----------------------------------------x ORDER Filed with this court is a petition for declaration of heirship and/or surviving spouse. The petitioner, Norma K. Kasim alleged among others: That she is the only surviving spouse of the late Rafael Hadji Ali Kasim who died on March 6, 2020. That they got married on November 22, 1984; That the said marriage was covered by a Certificate of Marriage, registered with the Local Civil Registrar of Buluan, Maguindanao; That the husband of the petitioner, Rafael Hadji Ali Kasim, during his lifetime was a member of the PNP until he retired from the service and enjoyed his pension until his death; That the petitioner is entitled to her husband’s pension being the only surviving spouse and beneficiary of the deceased; and that the respondent, Police Retirement and Benefits Administration Service is under obligation to transfer the pension of the late SPO3 Kasim to his only surviving spouse, herein petitioner. The petition is sufficient in form and substance, hence, has to be heard on February 23, 2021 at 8:30 in the morning. Anybody who maybe adversely affected by this petition may appear on the said date and place and show cause, why this petition should not be granted or may file a written opposition thereto. The petitioner is directed to cause the publication of this Order, once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation before the said hearing. SO ORDERED. Marawi City for Cotabato City, Philippines, December 29, 2020. (Sgd.) RASAD S. LAGUINDAB Acting Presiding Judge

MC: Jun. 19, 26 & Jul 3, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Helen C. Beric who died on April 7, 2021 at Libungan, Cotabato left two savings account in Landbank of the Philippines under account No. 1001-142697 & Metrobank under account number 3343-33400937-9 are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 20 ; Page No. 4; Book No. CXXXIII; Series of 2021. MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

June 26, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Pope Francis to elderly:

The Church needs your prayers like ‘a deep breath’

VATICAN— There is no “retirement” from spreading the faith, Pope Francis said in a message to grandparents on Tuesday, adding that the prayers of the elderly are needed by the Church and the world. “Think about it: what is our vocation today, at our age? To preserve our roots, to pass on the faith to the young and to care for the little ones. Never forget this,” the 84-year-old pope said. He said that it does not matter how old one is, whether one works or not, and whether one has a family or is alone. “Because there is no retirement age from the work of proclaiming the Gospel and handing down traditions to your grandchildren. You just need to set out and undertake something new,” he commented. In his message ahead of the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis referred to his own advanced age, and quoted his predecessor, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, whom he called “a saintly elderly person who continues to pray and work for the Church.” “‘The prayer of the elderly can protect the world, helping it perhaps more effectively than the frenetic activity of many others.’ [Benedict] spoke those words in 2012, towards the end of his pontificate,” Francis said. “There is something beautiful here. Your prayer is a very precious resource: a deep breath that the Church and the world urgently need.” “I was called to become the Bishop of Rome when I had reached, so to speak, retirement age and thought I would not be doing anything new,” he noted. “The Lord is always — always — close to us. He is close to us with new possibilities, new ideas, new consolations, but always close to us. You know that the Lord is eternal; he never, ever goes into retirement.” In January, Pope Francis established the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, to take place annually on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the feast of the grandparents of Jesus, Sts. Anne and Joachim. This year the celebration will fall on Sunday, July 25, and Pope Francis will offer a Mass with the elderly in St. Peter’s Basilica to mark the occasion. The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life has assembled a “pastoral kit” for parishes and dioceses with suggestions for how to celebrate the first grandparents’ day. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the dicastery’s prefect, said during a press conference June 22 that the day “is meant to be a great celebration. And truly, we need it. After such a difficult year, we need to celebrate grandparents, grandchildren,

young, and old.” The theme of this year’s grandparents’ day is “I am with you always,” taken from Matthew 28:20. “This is the promise the Lord made to his disciples before he ascended into heaven,” Francis explained in his message. “They are the words that he repeats to you today, dear grandfathers and grandmothers, dear elderly friends.” “‘I am with you always’ are also the words that I, as Bishop of Rome and an elderly person like yourselves, would like to address to you on this first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly,” he wrote. “The whole Church is close to you — to us — and cares about you, loves you and does not want to leave you alone.” Pope Francis noted that his message came after the difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic, which “swept down on us like an unexpected and furious storm,” and was a time of trial especially for the elderly. “Many of us fell ill, others died or experienced the death of spouses or loved ones, while others found themselves isolated and alone for long periods,” he said. “The Lord is aware of all that we have been through in this time. He is close to those who felt isolated and alone, feelings that became more acute during the pandemic.” The pope encouraged people to visit their grandparents or other elderly or sick people, saying that they would be like “angels” to them. He also urged the elderly to pray with the psalms and to read a page of the Gospel every day. “We will be comforted by the Lord’s faithfulness. The Scriptures will also help us to understand what the Lord is asking of our lives today. For at every hour of the day (cf. Matthew 20:1-16) and in every season of life, he continues to send laborers into his vineyard,” he said. As part of the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the Vatican has also granted a plenary indulgence to those who participate, either by attending a related spiritual event or by physically or virtually visiting the elderly, sick, or disabled on July 25. An indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment due to sins that have already been forgiven. The usual conditions for a plenary indulgence, which must be

To Vax or Not to Vax REFLECTIONS

Fr. Andrew Small, O.M.I.

VATICAN MEDIA

Pope Francis names new secretary of Vatican safeguarding commission

VATICAN— Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Andrew Small to be the secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. “I look forward to doing my part to help rebuild trust in a Church whose mission is to protect, support and love any and all, but especially those wounded by the Church’s ministers,” Small said in a statement posted to the commission’s website June 22. “The Lord will accompany us in the healing that lies ahead as we continue on this most important path of safeguarding.” Small, originally from Liverpool, England, replaces Msgr. Robert Oliver of the Archdiocese of Boston, who had served as the commission’s secretary since its founding eight years ago. The Vatican Commission for the Protection of Minors was established by Pope Francis as a papal advisory body to improve the Church’s norms and procedures for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. “Safeguarding the youth of our Church and of our communities remains one of the most urgent priorities of the Church today,” Small said. “Since its formation in 2013, the Commission has played an integral role in creating a safer Church through their efforts to cultivate a culture of responsibility, accountability, and transparency.”

s the world deals with the some serious co-morbidity. COVID-19 pandemic, What convinced me was one controversy that when my doctor personally is debated over social media brought his elderly mother is that of vaccination. With to be vaccinated and join apologies to Shakespeare, “To the queue at the vaccination vax or not to vax, that is the site. question.” On one hand, the Why all this discussion World Health Organization about vaccination? The Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC is pushing for worldwide readings this Sunday are all tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com vaccination to stem the tide of about healing. In the gospel, the pandemic. Hopefully with the majority of a nation’s two people were in need of healing (Mk. 5:21ff). One was population vaccinated, herd immunity is achieved and a girl who was in danger of death, while the other was COVID-19 becomes manageable, if not eradicated. On the a woman with a chronic bleeding disease. The father of other hand, personalities and groups forward conspiracy the girl who was an official of the synagogue interceded theories: that the COVID-19 pandemic is intentional, for his daughter. The woman had no one to intercede for the purpose of which is to kill off many people and thus her so she went near Jesus and touched his cloak. Both reduce the population. That the vaccinations will make of them got well. Jesus told the woman, “Daughter, your people more sick rather than heal them. That the vaccines faith has saved you.” Although the official was told that contain elements that would transform human genes her daughter was dead, Jesus assured him, “Do not fear, and turn the vaccinated into zombies. That there is no just believe.” His daughter was restored to life. As the first pandemic at all, and COVID-19 is just like the seasonal reading mentioned, “God did not make death, nor does flu. That the virus mutates and vaccinations cannot keep he rejoice in the destruction of the living” (Wisdom 1:13). up with the mutations. We believe in God’s power to heal. God has also We have to do some fact-checking. First, the given us resources of nature from which we derive pandemic is real. It is not like the ordinary flu. It has medicines and nourishment. We were also given the killed millions all over the world. It becomes real for us intellectual powers to invent technologies that effect when people we know die of it. Second, in places where healing and well-being. God shared with us the power they have vaccinated a great part of their population, to heal. Sometimes, healing takes place in a miraculous such as in Israel, deaths and hospitalization were manner which has no medical explanations. In this time reduced. Like any other vaccine, there are side effects, but of the pandemic, let us take advantage of the available the benefits outweigh the risk. It is true that the vaccines medical opportunities, after some fact-checking. In our were approved “for emergency use”, and some vaccines various offices, practically everyone has been vaccinated, are more effective than others, but then as someone said, others with a complete dose. Our employees started off “the best vaccine is what is available.” There are claims as vaccination agnostics, but eventually got convinced, that COVID-19 is treatable with Ivermectin. Fine, as especially when six of our priests got Covid disease and long as the doctors prescribe them. Others say that the three of them died. Let us also have some faith in practice of “tuob” helps to eliminate the virus. Again, what science has to offer, coupled with prayer for fine, just be careful not to get burned. Personally, I was healing, not only for ourselves but for the whole a vaccination agnostic in the beginning since I have world. We heal as one. MC

As an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, Fr. Small has served as a missionary priest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and in Houston, Texas. For the past 10 years, he led the Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS) in the United States as the national director, helping to develop a program to sponsor clergy from Africa and Asia to attend courses at the Centre for Child Protection at the Gregorian University in Rome. Small has a doctorate in theology from the Catholic University of America, in addition to law degrees from Sheffield University, England, and Georgetown University Law Center, where he taught international trade law from 2006 to 2009. He served as the U.S. bishops’ policy adviser on international economic development from 2004 to 2009 and helped to coordinate earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti in 2010. In 2013, he created the smartphone app Missio, downloaded by 1,140 people in 27 different countries on the day of its release. As the secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, he will work with the existing members whose appointments were renewed in March. Since the pontifical commission’s establishment, the advisory group has been headed by Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston. Other members include Fr.

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

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

Wisdom 1.13-15; 2.23-24; 2 Corinthians 8.7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5.21-43 (or shorter)

What worries your life today? Is your mind filled with fear because of an illness, or regret because of a wrong decision? Do you feel wasted and unworthy because of the sin you committed which haunts you each day? Are you lonely and feeling hopeless? The Lord says, “arise! You are healed!” See, worries block your eyes to see the path which God has laid in front of you. You may not understand the things that are happening but God does. So rise up and embrace God’s healing touch. Set aside your worries and put your faith in God for He knows what you need. Prayer: God our healer, calm my heart so that I may only focus my eyes on you.

THE MINDANAO CROSS

June 26, 2021 EDITORIAL

Health is Wealth?

e have been taught for so long that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. This is probably the basis of the priority given by government to health in this period of the pandemic. Everyone is focused on how to stem the spread of the Corona Virus and minimize the impact of the disease. But the protocols formulated is so stringent that so much suffering is felt among Filipinos, here and abroad (for returning OFWs). The IATF which formulated this protocols seem to have blinders focused on health alone to the detriment of first – the national income as a whole, and second – the individual Filipino earnings particularly those belonging to the low income group. We have no quarrel with the health sector in terms of the important protocols originally formulated – wearing the mask, the washing of the hands, and the maintenance of social distancing. These are still relevant until now. However, as the pandemic grew longer and more intense, the government also added more protocols which we now find hurting persons sworn to be protected, and the economy. Take the case of the face shield. I agree with the president when he said that the face shield will be effective for those working or visiting/staying in hospitals because of the virus that are surely there. But the IATF ruled otherwise. Everyone should use the face shield when entering an enclosed space like malls, restaurants, classrooms, etc. The discomfort experienced by those with predisposition to asthma and those wearing eyeglasses with high grades are not considered at all. The Manila mayor even gave the example of a person with poor eyesight falling down the stairs. Since the monetary impact of this protocol cannot be ascertained, we can conclude that the people benefiting from face shields are the manufacturers. Another ridiculous protocol is putting a plastic divider between the driver of a motorcycle and his passenger. But all of us can conclude that those who were laid off their jobs due to the pandemic are the clear victims of this pandemic. Not the disease, but the protocols set out to protect us from the disease. Not only those who were laid off in factories, those who have started businesses like restaurants and small schools, and those in the transportation sector who make their living transporting people (because only the middle aged are allowed to move out before). Small vendors who eke out a living selling fruits, vegetables, etc. also missed their earnings when “no movement Sundays are declared”. That’s just one day but these are important in terms of addition to the wealth of the community. Yes, the government has sworn to provide “ayuda” to these victims, but is the amount really enough for a family? Some kind hearted people took the initiative to establish “community pantries” but instead of giving them support, they were harassed by some government agencies making a name for themselves. And in the final reckoning, the debt of the Philippine government for all these Ayuda, the Covid Vaccines, and the emergency pay for health personnel (which still failed to materialize) had blown so large. How do we pay for all these? What is its implication to the wealth of our nation? MC

he Department of Health on Wednesday has flagged Region XII or SOCCSKSARGEN as one of four regions in the Visayas and Mindanao which have recorded increasing coronavirus infections in recent days. Region 12 along with Western Visayas, Caraga, and Davao, are considered high risk areas by the DOH, Health Director Alethea de Guzman, DOH chief epidemiologist, told an online news briefing just this week. These regions, she said, have reported more cases in the past two weeks. Cases, de Guzman said, have increased in Caraga by 27%, in Western Visayas by 41%, in the Davao region by 53%, and in SOCCSKSARGEN by 33%. Given the situation in these areas, the DOH has called for the consistent implementation of public health protocols and swiftly detect and isolate infected persons and their close contacts. These protocols remain the first line of defense against the continued spread of the coronavirus, even as the increasing cases have highlighted more and more the need for a more aggressive inoculation program. In a media release dated June 20, 2021, the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said the number of Filipinos who received the vaccine has breached the 8 million mark with more than a million jabs being given per week. According to the release, National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., said there is no let-up in the vaccination program and all sectors of society are working together “so that we can start to move on from this pandemic, bring back a greater sense to our lives, and further open up our economy.” The release said data from the National Vaccination Operations Center show that as of June 18, a total of 8,050,711 jabs have been administered nationwide. Of this figure, 5,953,810 were given as first dose, while 2,096,901 were administered as second dose. Leading the list of those inoculated are 1,053,373 healthcare workers, classified as A1. Some 1,939,599 senior citizens (A2) have also received their first dose, while 536,476 have been fully vaccinated. Also already given their first jabs were 2,005,206 persons with comorbidities (A3), while 498,925 have received full vaccination. For economic front-liners (A4), 452,600 were administered their first dose, while 8,127 have been fully vaccinated. According to the media release, Galvez noted “an upward trajectory in the vaccination throughput across all priority groups... a very good indication that vaccine hesitancy is being addressed and more Filipinos,

‘Kumusta na, bakuna’

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

especially our senior citizens, are now willing to get inoculated.” Meanwhile, the Department of Health said that there is no favoritism in the allocation of COVID-19 vaccines following allegations that Davao City received the lion’s share of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses delivered to the Philippines. According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the national government allocates jabs based on the needs of an area and the prioritization framework. Health Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama Jr., who leads the field implementation and coordination team in Visayas and Mindanao, said Cebu and Davao each received 210,000 Pfizer vaccine doses. Davao’s allocation, Dumama explained, is not only for Davao City but for the entire Davao region nearby areas that need Pfizer vaccines. Dumama also explained that they were given the allocation because they have the capability in handling the vaccines which require storage in ultralow temperature freezers. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines need to be stored at around -70°C to -80°C. Vergeire has identified SOCCSKSARGEN and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao among the five regions that have yet to use Pfizer jabs in their vaccination program due to the lack of ultra-low freezers. Even as all of these are happening at the national level, there seems to be a dearth of information on the supply of vaccines at the local level. Aside from a story on the fast-tracking of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in South Cotabato and a story on the start of the inoculant roll-out for frontline health workers in Kidapawan City way back in March yet, not much is reported on the status of the vaccination program anywhere in SOCCSKSARGEN or BARMM. Is it because there are other more serious concerns to be reported or covered or there simply is just not anything much on the vaccination rollout to be reported? Meanwhile, the whole lot of us, senior citizens included, wait and pray that our chance at that very important shot comes soon. MC

S EARLY as World War II, as fought in Philippine soil, the armed resistance were two Political circumstances in “repulsive” forces that—to say the least—did Pendatun’s push for Separation not recognize each other as “heroes” of the War, of Church and State much less, of the Liberation. These forces were the pro-American USAFFE and the communist-inspired (read: PKP-backed) Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap) Nash B. Maulana The Doctrine of Liberation Theology in the Latin nash.penlight@gmail.com American context “became the political praxis” of leading theologians in the 1960s, representing the “Ilaga,” “land grabbers,” and “Barakuda” were church’s progressive stance on social and political apparently not from Central Mindanao. Founding issues. the Mindanao Independence Movement in 1969, Gov. In the Philippines, Magsaysay’s (Mindanao) Datu Udtog Matalam was pacified to come to terms settlement edict, a key state strategy in addressing with the government and with the Christian leaders the post-War agrarian unrest that fiercely involved of Central Mindanao in 1971, by distinguished ‘peaceremnants of the armed Hukbalahap in the 1950’s, was bridge’ personalities named by Malacanang, including a “perfect model” for an anti-communist pacification the late Bishop Gerald Mongeau, Tañada, Cotabato campaign on the part of the government, and Governor Simeon A. Datumanong, and Pendatun incidentally, a “perfect timing” also for a communist himself. proxy-war in the name of social justice. One proof that they were not from Central Interestingly, at the local forefront of the church’s Mindanao, is that a group of job-seeking strangers role in amplifying social and political issues was Fr. were hosted by an unwitting Christian resident of Eliseo Mercado Jr.—who openly engaged in a clash Datu Piang obviously in good faith, because he even of ideas with Pendatun on his proposed legislation on asked my father if he could accommodate some of them the Separation of Church and State at the Batasan in agri-bodega works like piling-up cargadores or as Pambansa, pursuant to a similar provision of the drier-laborers. But unknown to him, residents would 1973 Constitution: Mercado in his Op-ed columns in later tell of stories like one or two of the strangers this space, and Pendatun in his public statements, in who only spoke (albeit slang) a dialect in the Western the early 1980’s. Visayas, were asking Christian religious leaders if Equally interesting in history was that Pendatun Christian residents there were not being maltreated and Lorenzo Tañada were the only senators who by Muslims? When they found out that peaceful opposed and voted “No” in 1947 to President Manuel community relations were prevalent in Dulawan, the Roxas’ conciliatory Amnesty Decree—which Pendatun strangers just disappeared one dark night without believed could benefit remnants of the war forces under informing their host. That, I suspect, was one of the General Paulino Santos, who he had planned to accuse reasons why Dulawan did not become a target of Ilaga in Liberation court for the killings of followers and attack in all its years of untold atrocities (1969-1972). supporters of the Mindanao Resistance Movement, Another proof that the so-called Christian militias after having sworn allegiance to the transitional were not from Central Mindanao is that a Muslim administration of President Jose Laurel in 1942. woman married to a member of the Baracuda was In late 60’s through early 70’s Rightist forces, brought to her husband’s family in a Northern variably described by writers as “Christian militias”, province… MC

Penlight

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June 26, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Health Effects of Smoking and the Benefits of Quitting

fear Him. “They shall be Mine” says the LORD. In whatever threats, “I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him” (Malachi 3:1618). Trust God not man for Charlie Señase whoever fears the LORD is csenase@yahoo.com a law-abiding citizen amid poverty. “A poor man cried HE population explosion woe o f t h e p a s t s e e m s t o h a v e out and the LORD heard him and saved been addressed by the deadly him from all his troubles. The angel COVID-19 pandemic and its variants of God encamps all around those who which this week registered a death fear Him and delivers them to safety toll of more than four million with (Psalm 34:6-7). Let not our hearts be troubled as the Philippines contributing to nearly the 2022 simultaneous national and 24,000. This and other mortality reports local elections near, by doing what’s from other mindboggling causes that good and pleasing to God Almighty. Often times we plan and chart our the International Criminal Court has poked its finger on alleged extra- ways but we must allow God to direct judicial killings by the Duterte our steps in anything big or small. For administration that accounted to 5,903 there’s a way that seems right to us but people killed in its anti-drug operations its end is the way of death (Proverbs from 2016 to 2020 which is contrary to 14:12). On the much talked about issue on the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights report extension or election for the interim BARMM set-up the Executive and of 8,663 dead. With the onset of COVID-19 during Legislative branches of government the lockdown months the anti-drug have yet to officially come up with its casualties reportedly increased by 50 final verdict as incumbent regional percent notwithstanding the politically- officials insist on extension of their motivated killings involving human term for another three years. Thus, rights activists that accounted to 208 all peaceful ways and means are fatalities in the span of five years, undertaken to convince the President and lawmakers to side with them. according to ICC. Another peacemaking venture in It also took note of 17 media practitioners killed which is much the BARMM parliament is the proposed l e s s c o m p a r e d t o t h e p r e v i o u s bill to grant financial, medical, social administrations of 189 annihilated and other assistance to MILF and since democracy was restored in 1986. MNLF organic members through the And the biggest contributor was the creation of the Veteran Mujahideen 2009 Maguindanao massacre that Affairs Office. And such move brings killed 58 civilians 32 of whom were us to the proverbial saying that “When a man’s ways please the LORD, God media workers. People are dying and killers makes even his enemies to be at peace abound that we invoke protection. With with him” (16:7). A reminder to all and sundry, not some abusive lawmen and so-called scalawags in uniform,the new installed to be conformed to this world but be national police chief Gen. Guillermo transformed with a renewed mind to Eleazar requires operatives to equip prove what’s good, acceptable and perfect themselves with body cameras during will of God (Romans 12:2). Because world reality on elusive peace is peace itself police operation. Eleazar’s stewardship to reform the due to individual interest and outlook PNP’s rank-and-file is in conformity to on the subject unlike God’s peace that his faith that God protects those who surpasses understanding. MC

•Respiratory system: Smoking can lead to lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, continuous shortness of breath due to emphysematous injury in COPD, and persistent Edward D. Gometz, MD, MS, MIA cough often with pneumonia. AMA Journal of Ethics •Heart: No organ except for the lungs is more ifty percent of smokers die of a smoking-related disease, and the life affected by smoking than the heart and expectancy of one in four smokers its circulation. Cigarette smoking by itself is reduced by as much as 15-20 years. increases the risk of coronary heart disease; Before the advent of widespread tobacco a smoker’s heart is 2 to 4 times more likely use in World War II, lung cancer was to have coronary artery disease than that rare. So rare, in fact, that doctors were of a nonsmoker. When smoking acts with required to report cases of lung cancer to other factors such as diabetes, it greatly the federal government to help identify increases this risk. Smoking increases blood the local environmental cause of the pressure, decreases exercise tolerance, and condition among an affected population, increases the blood’s tendency to clot. much like reporting cases of mesothelioma Smoking also increases the risk of recurrent today. Now, it is estimated that over coronary heart disease after bypass surgery 85 percent of all lung cancer is tobacco- and raises the rate of abdominal aortic related. While most people recognize that aneurysms fivefold. •Bones: Osteoporosis, spine and hip smoking is highly destructive for their lungs, many have yet to come to terms fractures, and degenerative disc disease with how smoking affects the rest of the can all be directly linked to smoking. •Reproductive System: Infertility body. Damage to one’s skin, mouth, hands, feet, respiratory system, heart, bones, is often a complication with chronic and reproductive system becomes readily smokers, both male and female. While evident in long-time smokers. Areas of the smoking lowers the sperm counts and decreases sperm motility in men, women body damaged by smoking include: •Skin: Poor blood circulation due to have impaired ovulation and egg function. chronic vascular insults leads to impaired Maternal smoking is associated with several oxygen delivery to the skin, causing lasting complications of pregnancy including damage to collagen and epithelial tissue. abruption placentae, placenta previa, This phenomenon also contributes to poor bleeding during pregnancy, premature wound healing, making elective surgeries and prolonged rupture of the membranes, risky and emergency surgeries dangerous. and preterm delivery. Smoking during •Mouth: Smoking can contribute to bad pregnancy also retards fetal growth and breath, mouth and jaw cancer, recurrent causes an average reduction in birth pharyngitis, and a reduced sense of taste weight. High levels of nicotine have even and smell, as well as stained, yellowed been found in cervical mucus contributing teeth and plaque. Smoking reduces the flow to cervical cancer . •Malignancy: In addition to the of saliva, which, because saliva cleanses the lining of the mouth and teeth and protects malignancies mentioned above, smoking also increases the risk of cancers of the the teeth from decay, promotes infection. •Hands and feet: Poor circulation throat, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, leaves hands and feet chronically poorly kidneys, bladder, and colon and acute perfused and cold. Walking can become myeloid leukemia. Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation painful due to peripheral vascular disease The potential health benefits induced by smoking, which can even lead to eventual amputation. The blood vessels of smoking cessation are substantial. in the fingers that hold cigarettes can also Stopping smoking reduces the future become so severely impaired that gangrene risk of tobacco-related diseases, slows the can set in and lead to amputation, forcing progression of existing tobacco-related stubborn smokers to switch to the other disease, and improves life expectancy by an average of 10 years MC hand.

The drug, Molnupiravir, has been shown to be active in several models of SARS-CoV-2, including for,prophylaxis, treatment and prevention of transmission. It was invented at Drug Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy Innovations at Emory franco1573victoria@gmail.com (DRIVE) a not for profit biotechnology company ver the last year, several drugs wholly owned by Emory University. have either been developed or The US Government commits tested to treat corona virus. Now to,purchase approximately 1.7 million there’s another drug showing some courses of Molnupiravir upon issuance promise. Unlike the vaccines, this is a of Emergency Use Authorization or pill, it’s treatment use is unlike those approval by the US Food and Drug that are introduced as IVs. Since it is a A d m i n i s t r a t i o n . M o l n u p i r a v i r i s pill, it is taken orally and does not have currently being evaluated in a PhAs to be given at a treatment center. 3 clinical trial, the MOVE-OUT study, In 4-5 months, the UnitedStates for the treatment of non-hospitalized could have oral drugs to treat the new patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus. The drug is “Molnupiravir”, COVID-19 and at least one risk factor j o i n t l y d e v e l o p e d b y t w o m a j o r associated with poor disease outcomes. pharmaceutical companies. Ridgeback Merck is developing malnupiravir Biotherapeutics in Germany and Merck i n c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h R i d g e b a c k in the United States has completed the Biotherapeutics. first and second phase clinical trials in Merck, known as MSD outside the humans. The effect is 100%. (biospace. US and Canada, has been, for the past com) 130 years inventing for life, bringing F r o m t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g forward medicines and vaccines for of COVID-19 pandemic, the focus many of the world’s most challenging of global scientific and healthcare diseases in pursuit of saving and research community has been to either improving lives. While Ridgeback discover new treatment options or develops potential medications to treat vaccines that can kill SARS-CoV-2 or infectious diseases that have limited repurpose old drugs to treat and cure available treatment options including the infection without major side-effects. ebola and COVID-19. The WHO started its Solidarity Trials While there is no timetable about to look at the efficacy of pre-existing when Molnupiravir would be available, drugs like remdesivir, chloroquine, it could be promising for future viruses hydrochloroquine and antiretroviral or pandemics. Just wait a few more drugs. The list soon included more drugs months, Merck, the principal source like ivermectin, favipiravir, metformin. has tapped other generic manufacturing aspirin, amodiaquine, etc. By June 2020, companies outside US as subsidiaries an oxford study had declared that the to help manufacture the drug for other steroid drug dexamethasone can help countries to have easy access to the treat severely -ill COVID-19-patients . drug. A study published by Nature Two significant milestones in our Microbiology might be a turning point. lives, Robert Franco’s and mine have The study, published by researchers been curtailed by the pandemic. One at the Institute of Biomedical Science, was our 50th wedding anniversary Georgia State University, reveals that celebration last September 2020, which a new antiviral drug has been designed we shared by ourselves and lately, which successfully suppresses the Robert’s 80th birthday a few days ago. Virus and inhibit transmission within Here is how we spent the day, again a 24 hours. sumptuous lunch courtesy of Reese. MC

you to work extensively (passive income such as rental income for an apartment building, annual income from an investment with an insurance company, and Danny Buenbrazo danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com the like). Instead of saving just he prolonged duration of the ten or twenty percent pandemic that started in late 2019 of one’s income, the target should ne has thrown some of the rules of revised upwards. The members of the good personal financial planning out of Financial Independence, Retire Early the window. The menace of COVID-19 (FIRE), a movement that espouses a continues to disrupt economies and program of frugality, extreme saving, jeopardized the livelihood of people. and high investment advocate saving One of the popular prescriptions at least 70% of one’s annual income. in personal financial planning is the I can see this radical target establishment of an emergency fund being achieved only by ensuring that equivalent to 3 to 6 months of average expenses are kept to the minimum monthly expenditures. This fund is and that additional streams of income intended to tide you over when you are are developed. If you are currently in between jobs or when faced with a earning P700,000 per annum and sudden emergency. But even those who spends P400,000 then the way to attain may have saved an amount good for 9 that 70% saving is to reduce expenses to 12 months of expenses are finding (say to P300,000) and find ways to earn out that such saving is not sufficient. an extra P300,000. Thus, you will be We need to go back to the drawing saving P700,000 or 70% of your annual board and probably revised our income of P1,000,000. Even if you fall personal financial goals and objectives. a bit short of target (due to higher Apparently, we need revised upwards expenses or lower additional income), our targets for savings, emergency a P600,000 annual saving does not fund, medical insurance, passive look bad. That would be P6,000,000 income, among others. Definitely, it accumulated over ten years. is no longer feasible to just have a If half of the saving P3,000,000) little saving on the side and to have a will be used to construct a building balanced budget month-on-month or that could produce an annual income year-on-year. equivalent to just 20% of the capital Our new plan should incorporate (P600,000), then a regular cash flow new goals and different ways of meeting will be developed that exceeds the these goals. current annual expenses of the person. Achieving financial independence Assuming the person will work for ten should now be the minimum goal more years and save at the same level to be set. Financial independence (70% of annual income), he or she could is defined as having accumulated save P6,000,000 more. sufficient assets or a level of regular By the 20th year, he or she should income that enables one to afford life’s have at least P9,000,000 cash saving necessities for the rest his or her life from salary, an asset (apartment) that without need of working actively. To provides at least P600,000 income per this definition, there are two ways annum, plus the income generated to attaining financial independence: by that real property since it was having high net worth (preferably constructed (say, P600,000 x 12 years liquid assets) or having a continuous = P7,000,000). source of income that does not require Not bad. MC

Priceless Peace at all cost

True to Form

Light at the End of the Tunnel?

The Stuff of Life

HEALTH CORNER

New Target: Financial Independence…

Market Driven

THE MINDANAO CROSS

June 26, 2021

Pope Francis to elderly: The Church...from P4

met, are that the individual be in the state of grace by the completion of the acts, have complete detachment from sin, and pray for the pope’s intentions. The person must also sacramentally confess their sins and receive Communion, up to about 20 days before or after the indulgenced act. The Apostolic Penitentiary said that the indulgence could also be gained by

the elderly, sick, and anyone who cannot leave their homes for a serious reason, by uniting spiritually to the spiritual events of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, “offering to the Merciful God their prayers, pains or sufferings of their lives,” while following the words of the pope on that day through television, radio, or the internet.Hannah Brockhaus/Catholic News

Agency

HR groups claim 80 Moros “EJK..from ...P1

a father could be the next victim,” he said. Citing the testimonies of the victims’ families and witnesses, Demos said the victims were made to appear that they resisted arrest, fighting with firearms allegedly “planted” by the arresting team. Col. Jemuel Siason, South Cotabato police director, denied Tuesday that there were incidents of EJKs or that vigilantes were behind the killings of Moro individuals in Polomolok town. "All the police operations there were considered legitimate, done by virtue of arrest or search warrants issued by local courts... Mostly, the subjects of our manhunt operations were wanted persons," he told The Mindanao Cross in a text message. Siason earlier reported that the Dawlah Islamiyah – Maguid Group operates in Moro communities in Polomolok town, South Cotabato province, and that some of them were killed after resisting arrest during police operations. “In such cases, our troops had no other recourse but to retaliate because their lives were under threat,” he added. Aida Silongan, a Member of Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous

Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), named at least 70 Moros who were victims of alleged EJK in South Cotabato since 2017. Her consolidated list as of February 24, which was furnished to this news outlet, includes the dates of the killings, their addresses and the beneficiaries of the victims. In July last year, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), which governs the BARMM parliamentary government, already expressed deep concern over the series of killings of Moros in the towns of Polomolok and Tupi in the last two years. Silongan, who authored a resolution condemning the Moro killings, said that under Republic Act 11054, popularly known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the national government shall ensure the protection of the rights of the Bangsamoro people residing in communities outside the Bangsamoro region and undertake programs for their rehabilitation and development. South Cotabato is not a part of the BARMM but belongs to Region 12 or Soccsksargen. The resolution, coauthored by Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s

Peace Implementing Panel, noted that some of the EJK victims were members of the MILF. This included Ustadz Mohammad Taha Abdulgapor, a professor of the Mindanao State University-General Santos City campus and a secretary to the board of directors of the Bangsamoro Development Authority, the MILF’s development arm. Abdulgapor was shot dead on May 26, 2020 in nearby General Santos City while driving on the way home to Polomolok town. His wife was wounded in the attack. Demos said the “decimation” of the Moro population in Polomolok “is anathema to the ongoing peace process in Mindanao.” He urged the government and the foreign community to not turn a blind eye on the plight of Moro civilians outside of the BARMM who are living “under highly abnormal living conditions.” Demos clarified that the various groups that signed the statement of concern have no intention of standing in the way of law enforcement operations, but that they only wanted due process and the civil and political rights of individuals respected.

METRO COTABATO WATER DISTRICT Gov. Gutierrez Avenue, Cotabato City, P.O. Box 657 Tel. No. (064) 4211070; Telefax. No. (064) 4213009 Email Add: metrocotabatowaterdistrict@gmail.com

WATER SERVICE ADVISORY NOTICE OF WATER INTERRUPTION Ipinapaalam ng Metro Cotabato Water District na makakaranas ng TEMPORARY WATER INTERRUPTION ang mga concessionaires ng iilang mga lugar sa Cotabato City, sa Martes at Miyerkules, June 29 to 30, 2021, na magsisimula ng 8:00 a.m. ng June 29, 2021 hanggang matapos ang nasabing activity sa June 30, 2021. Ito ay dahil sa gagawing interconnection ng bagong 350mm diameter na steel pipe sa existing 500mm diameter steel pipe connection sa may Sinsuat Avenue (Town area), Barangay Poblacion 5, Cotabato City. Ang mga apektadong lugar na makakaranas ng temporary water interruption ay ang mga sumusunod: Mga residente ng:

Downtown area Datu Siang Street (Tukananes area) Datu Kaka Barangay Kalanganan Mother (Bucana) Bagua Mabini Street

Quezon Avenue (Parang Road) Dap-Dap Supermarket Lugay-Lugay College/ND Avenue Campo Muslim Nayon Shariff Kabunsuan

Sisikapin ng Contractor at MCWD Engineering Team na mapadali ang nasabing interconnection. At dahil sa dalawang (2) araw, humigit kumulang, na mawawalan ng daloy ng tubig, amin pong ipinapaalalahanan at hinihikayat ang mga concessionaires na mag-imbak ng tubig upang mayroong magagamit sa nabanggit na mga araw. Samantala, kami po ay magtatalaga ng water tanker sa may PC Hill Pumping Station, upang matugunan ang kakulangan ng tubig, sakaling lumampas sa estimated na oras na inilaan para sa pipe interconnection. Maraming salamat po sa inyong pang-unawa. MCWD Management

BTA: Make district hospital a 200-bed..from P1

Members of Parliament Atty. Raissa Jajurie, Atty. Jose Lorena, Atty. Nabil Tan, Atty. Paisalin Tago, Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas, Atty. Omar Yasser Sema, Abraham Burahan, ZiaurRahman Adiong, and BTA Speaker Ali Pangalian Balindong. Buluan District Hospital, one of the eight government hospitals in Maguindanao, was established as a 25-bed capacity Emergency Hospital in 1975 by virtue of Presidential Decree 503. Then it caters to the residents of the towns of Buluan, Datu Paglas, Pandag, Mangudadatu, General Salipada K. Pendatun. It also serves indigent patients from nearby Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato provinces. It was elevated to a District Hospital in 1982 and approved as a 75-bed capacity hospital during the 8th regional Assembly of the Regional Legislative Assembly through the Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 308.

6th ID: It wasn’t an Army mortar fire..from P2 forcing more than a hundred Teduray families to evacuate to safer areas. In a statement Wednesday, the Maguindanao provincial police said probers are still investigating on the blast that ripped through Barangay Tuayan Tuesday. Police Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region has directed the Maguindanao provincial police and the Datu Hoffer municipal police to cooperate in probing on the explosion. One of Kenendi's two children hurt in the blast is now confined in the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital.

The other child only had superficial abrasions in the left foot, according to community leaders. Uy said Wednesday morning he has ordered their units in Datu Hoffer and adjoining towns to help the police put closure on the explosion that resulted in the death of Kenendi. “We can’t conclude based only on insinuations, or allegations. We have to initiate a thorough investigation on the incident,” Uy said. Uy said their troops are running after BIFF forces in upland areas in Maguindanao province whose leaders are wanted for deadly acts of terror. He clarified, however,

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late NENA C. DUI, who died on November 2, 2020 at Cotabato City, left bank accounts at Al Amanah Islamic Bank, Cotabato City under Account No. 05-05973-003-9 and BPI-Cotabato City under Account No. 002163-2298-81; 2012 Toyota Innova 2.5G DSL Vehicle with Plate No. LGM325 are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap, as per Doc. No. 3277; Page No. 3277; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late NENA C. DUI, who died on November 2, 2020 at Cotabato City, left bank accounts at Metrobank–Quezon, Cotabato City under Account Nos. 3-40607904-0 and 3-40604789-0; MetrobankMain, Cotabato City with Account No. 074-3-07435802-1 and MetrobankBajada, Davao City with Account No. 3-23935465-4 are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap, as per Doc. No. 3276; Page No. 3276; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: Jun. 19, 26 & Jul. 3, 2021

Republic of the Philippines Alamada, Cotabato OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

Republic of the Philippines Talitay, Maguindanao LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. No. 10172), a notice is hereby served to the public that Rolyn A. Magaro has filed with this office a petition for correction of entry in sex from Female to Male in the Certificate of Live Birth of Rolyn A. Magaro at Alamada, Cotabato and whose parents are Rolando D. Magaro and Merlyn D. Aldas. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than July 8, 2021.

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Pilot Luntoy Ali has filed with this office a petition for correction of entries on the day and month from March 10 to June 4 in the Certificate of Live Birth of Pilot Luntoy Ali who was born on June 4, 2004 at Talitay, Maguindanao and whose parents are Motalib M. Ali and Mariam M. Luntoy. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than the last day of this publication.

(Sgd) MA. LENY B. BUENAFE

(Sgd) JOHRIA S. MUSA

Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: June 26, 2021

Mangudadatu said that although the hospital has been catering an equivalent of a hundred bed capacity through the years, it remains understaffed equivalent to a 25-bed capacity. “We, as the parliament of the people, cannot turn a blind eye on the unconscionable sacrifice of our medical workers,” Mangudadatu said in his sponsorship speech. “Who, with their desire again to serve the needs of our people, would have to work longer hours to compliment for the deficiencies in manpower and other service facilities especially during those times of uncertainty brought about by the pandemic,” he added. In raising the bed capacity of the hospital, the number of medical personnel shall be correspondingly increased. The bill mandates BARMM health office to perform direct supervision and control of the construction and upgrading of the hospital facilities and services.

MC: June 26 & Jul. 3, 2021

Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: June 26 & Jul. 3, 2021

that there was no encounter in Barangay Tuayan on Tuesday. There was no indication that a mortar fired from a distance by soldiers hit the house of the slain pregnant woman that also injured her two children, according to Uy. John Felix Unson Republic of the Philippines Region XII City Government of Cotabato OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. Act No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Bai Isradean Sinsuat Datukan has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Yuan Caleb Miguel to Datu Azeez Yuan Zachary in the birth certificate of Yuan Caleb Miguel Cuison Datukan who was born on June 12, 2015 at Davao City and whose parents are Datu Ashahd Sinsuat Datukan & Gretchen Aquino Cuison. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office. (Sgd.) TOHAMY M. LAUBAN Registration office IV

MC: June 12 & 19, 2021

AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late EDUARDO JAUOD LABANON, JR., who died on September 10, 2006 at Pigcawayan, Cotabato, left parcels of land Lot 2, Block 2, Psd-12-023507; Lot 4, Block 2, Psd-12023507; Lot 5, Block 2, Psd-12-023507; Lot 6, Block 2, Psd12-023507; Lot 7, Block 2, Psd-12023507; Lot 10, Block 1, Psd-12-023507 and Lot 11, Block 1, Psd-12-023507 all situated at Poblacion, P i g c a w a y a n , Cotabato, containing the total area of 3,504 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT Nos. T-100374, T-100376, T-100377, T-100378, T-100379, T-100368 and T-100369, respectively, are the subject of affidavit of adjudication by sole heir before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1,576; Page No. 21; Book No. LXXV; Series of 2021.

MC: June 26, Jul. 3 & 10, 2021

June 26, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Suspect in attacks vs. YBL falls, kins say he is innocent

THE suspected mastermind of the Yellow Bus Line (YBL) bus burning in this month and the bombing in January this year in North Cotabato was arrested during law enforcement operations in Kidapawan City.

But his relatives claimed he was blind and physically unable to commit any crime. “He was innocent of the charges,” his wife said. Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, commander of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, said Ali Akbar was nabbed by joint elements of the 602nd brigade, 90th Infantry Battalion, 72nd Infantry Battalion and the Kidapawan City PNP in Purok 3, Barangay East Patadon, Kidapawan City at about 5 a.m. Capulong said Akbar is a bomb and improvised explosive device (IED) expert and an extortionist belonging to the Dawlah Islamiya-Hassan Group. “Akbar was nabbed based on the warrant of arrest issued by Branch

23, Regional Trial Court, 12th Judicial Region for double murder and multiple frustrated murder,” Capulong said in a statement. Upon his arrest, the lawmen seized from him two improvised explosive device, a blasting cap, several IED components, and an ISIS flag from the possession of Akbar. On January 27, an improvised bomb went off beside the Yellow Bus Line (YBL) unit in Tulunan, North Cotabato, killing a roadside fruit vendor and injured three others. On June 3, a YBL unit was burned in Barangay Bialong, M’Lang, North Cotabato, killing three passengers who were trapped inside. Akbar’s wife said he lost his eye

sight following a vehicular crash in 2013 and has, since then, stay in his home and served as Islamic preacher. She denied that he was blinded by an accidental explosion of an improvised bomb as claimed by the Army. She also claimed that the ISIS flag was brought by the police and the IEDs were all planted. Hainudin Isla, Barangay Patandon East chairperson, he personally know Akbar and has not heard anything about the allegations against him. But he said he will leave it to authorities and the court that issued the warrant of arrest for Akbar to determine his guilt or innocence. Despite the kins’ claim, Maj. Gen.

Juvymax Uy, Commander of JTF Central and 6th Infantry Division, lauded the operating units vowed to continuously pursue and hunt down the remnants of the terrorist group. “They [DI] do not have a place in our community and with the help of the residents and local government units in Central Mindanao, we will defeat them ultimately,” Major Gen. Uy added. In fact, he said, many communities and provinces under the Joint Task Force Central area of operation have declared the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group as “persona non grata,” emphasizing that said groups do not belong in their communities. Edwin O. Fernandez

SoCot COVID positive inmate recaptured KORONADAL CITY — Policemen have captured the male inmate from the South Cotabato provincial jail who escaped on Sunday from a COVID-19 quarantine facility here. Reggie Grecia, being prosecuted for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, was cornered by pursuing policemen in nearby Polomolok town in South Cotabato late Monday. Health officials in the province said besides being sick of COVID-19, Grecia also pulmonary tuberculosis. The management of the South Cotabato provincial jail turned him over to the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital last

week for treatment after he and a number of other inmates tested positive for COVID-19. The 29-year-old Grecia escaped from the hospital’s isolation facility Sunday. South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo said Tuesday he is thankful to the South Cotabato police, the Polomolok municipal police and the management of the provincial jail for the capture of Grecia. Tamayo also directed the South Cotabato Provincial Health Office and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to observe the condition of the policemen who arrested Grecia for possible COVID-19 infection due to their direct contact with him. John Felix Unson

SERVE THE PEOPLE. BARMM-READi, Army’s 3rd Cavalry (Katapangan) Company of Armor Division, and PNP reached out to Indigenous Peoples through community pantry in Maguidanao by doing it even beyond their supposed Photo courtesy of BARMM-READi duties this pandemic. another bamboo.

Villagers thwart terror attack AUTHORITIES lauded Thursday the residents of Shariff Saidona Mustapha town for reporting promptly the convergence of a terror group in the area, enabling a swift response that resulted in the death of three of them and left four others wounded. The three slain members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters died on the spot from gunshot wounds sustained in the shootout with responding soldiers. The BIFF, which uses the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is tagged in all deadly bombings in central Mindanao since 2014. Major Gen. Juvymax Uy of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said soldiers were on their way to an interior area in Barangay Linantangan in Shariff Saidona Mustapha to check on the reported presence of BIFF gunmen in the area when they were attacked, sparking a gunfight. Local officials and barangay leaders told reporters the BIFF members who fired at the soldiers belong to a group led by Muslimin Amilil. Police Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale told Mindanao Cross they appreciate the gesture of the Shariff Saidona Mustapha who reported the presence of BIFF members who converged in Barangay Linantangan, as if plotting an attack. “The police and the military can work better if supported by the local communities,” Ugale said. Amilil, who led the BIFF terrorists who gathered in Barangay Linantangan, is wanted for heinous offenses, including cattle theft, drug trafficking and

collection of protection money from hapless villagers. Three cadavers of BIFF members were found sprawled on different spots in the scene of the encounter. Soldiers found in their pistol bags and trouser pockets shabu in sealed sachets. Villagers said four BIFF members were wounded in the incident, two of them identified as Ali and Nasrudin, both adolescents. Uy, also commander of the Army-led anti-terror Joint Task Force Central, said it was vigilant villagers who reported to military detachments nearby the presence of BIFF members in Barangay Linantangan. ”We appreciate their patriotism,” Uy said. Personnel of different units of 6th ID have killed 26 BIFF members in clashes in different towns in Maguindanao province from between December 2020 to May 30 this year. Soldiers chasing the BIFF members as they scampered away from Barangay Linantangan carrying their four wounded companions left behind components for improvised explosive devices. The deadly gunfight in Barangay Linantangan was preceded by Saturday’s takeover by soldiers of an abandoned BIFF lair in Barangay Saniag in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Uy said the BIFF hideout has 12 foxholes and makeshift shelters that can accommodate no fewer than 50 gunmen. The hinterlands around Barangay Saniag were scenes of bloody Army-BIFF clashes in the past eight months. John

Felix Unson

Leaders reach consensus on BTA extension

MINDANAO officials convened as Council of Leaders have reached consensus close to midnight on Thursday on the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to three more years by act of Congress. This was learned from lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, spokesperson for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and concurrent minister of the region’s interior and local government. In his social media post on FB, Sinarimbo wrote this early Thursday: “We've reached a consensus on the extension of the BTA. This will be reported to the President. We thank the Bangsamoro leaders as well as the Cabinet Secretaries of President Duterte for facilitating the afternoon's leaders' meeting.” “We are immensely grateful to our people in the homeland who have shown today their overwhelming support to the extension of the BTA thru the conduct of unity caravans in all parts of the homeland; from Cotabato City, Maguindanao, Cagayan de Oro City, Zamboanga City, the Lanao provinces,

Davao city, Sarangani, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi.” Residents calling for the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to three more years, converged in Wednesday in a Unity Caravan from different parts of Maguindanao, Cotabato, and Lanao Sur, Sarangani, Koronadal, Davao provinces, urging leaders to unite and give peace a chance. Conveners of the Civil Society OrganizationsMovement for Moral Governance (CSO MMG) said the number of vehicles, cargo tricks and motorcycles reached 19,760 before noon. Civic leaders read a manifesto here, urging local officials, including Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu, to come to terms of unity and give the interim BTA three more years in extended term. Dr. Rahib Kundto, president of the United Youth for Peace and Development one of the conveners, said some of the participants were advocates for genuine autonomy from the Cotabato, South Cotabato and Sarangani.

Senate Bill 2214, the proposed measure extending BTA is sponsored by Senator Francis Tolentino as cgairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government. It would have been up for plenary deliberations were it not for the differing positions of the Moro leaders, sources said. Maguindanao Congressman Esmael Mangudadatu has sponsored the House counterpart bill seeking the BTA extension. On June 15, Moro leaders ostensibly failed to reach consensus at a meeting leaders of Congress hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacanang. Again, the President who was described by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as being “largely neutral” during that meeting, told the Moro leaders to settle differences among themselves on the issue and return today in Malacanang for a second and final round of meeting to iron out their differences. Governor Mangidadatu was reportedly absent during the June 15 meeting, but she did send a letter reiterating her original position of toeing the line of a Provincial