The Mindanao Cross | September 11, 2021 by The Mindanao Cross

CHURCH / P4

MNLF supports MILF development efforts

Nuncio, bishops laud new Catholic app ‘FaithWatch’

Tacurong City has 2 new councilors

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NGO PARTNERS WITH EU TO PROTECT IPS IN BARMM By Nash B. Maulana

T H E Te d u r a y - L a m b a n g i a n Wo m e n ’s O r g a n i z a t i o n I n c . (TLWOI) and the Geneva CallPhilippines have braced up on an innovative partnership project to protect the Indigenous People’s Tribes from the perils of armed violence and conflict in some local government units of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The one-year project tenure to run up July 2022 will foster advocacy-based initiatives and activities to promote the rights of IPs under applicable norms of international law and its national and regional counterparts. Proponents say the project will benefit up to 11,500 vulnerable TLWOI from their ancestral domains in South Upi, Guindulungan and Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao. The project, supported by the European Union (EU), aims to generate advocacybased support at capacitating the IP Women’s Civil Society to be able to take actions to advance the protection of IPs from armed violence and conflict. Ambassador Luc Veron of the European Union Mission to the Philippine said: “The EU is committed to mainstreaming the partnership with indigenous people in all of our cooperation in Mindanao and particularly in the BARMM.” The TLWOI-Geneva Call-

Senate lauded for Bill 2214 approval

John Felix Unson MORO leaders welcomed the approval Monday on third and final reading of Senate Bill 2214, resetting to 2025 next year’s elections in the Bangsamoro region. The Senate, voting 15-3-1 to pass the bill, seeks to reset the first regular elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It amends Section 13 of Article XVI of the Bangsamoro Organic Law or Republic Act 11054. Sen. Francis Tolentino, author of the bill, said postponing the regional elections would give BARMM officials the needed time to pursue the stalled development programs and projects due to the pandemic. “The postponement of the 2022 BARMM elections is imminent. That is essential to putting an end to this decades-old Moro strife in the Southern Philippines,“ Gerry Salapuddin, Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) administrator, said Tuesday. A former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) official

READY FOR INOCULATION. The Department of Health in Region 12 continues to receive vaccine supplies for intensified vaccination roll out as Group 4 categories are being considered. Photo courtesy of PIA Cotabato City

Marawi NGO lauds passage of compensation bill

Laid to final rest in fashion

By Edwin O. Fernandez A n o n - g o v e r n m e n t important legislation to organization working for help heal and rebuild the the Maranaws displaced lives of the Marawi siege by the Marawi siege today victims,” said Saripada welcomed the passage on “ T o n g ” P a c a s u m , a third and final reading of m e m b e r o f M a r a w i the Marawi Compensation Reconstruction Conflict Bill in the House. Watch (MRCW) on “This is victory, this the passage of House

FILIPINO ingenuity. This made easy for members of an Ilonggo clan in Aleosan, North Cotabato their transport of the remains of a departed relative to a barrio cemetery after heavy rains prior left the only overland route to the site virtually impassable. Using a raft fashioned from buoyant banana trunks, they managed to transfer last Monday the dead from one bank of the river to another in Barangay Palacat, Aleosan where the graveyard is.

By John Felix Unson

DID YOU KNOW? September is Civil Service Month Civil Service Month is observed every September through Proclamation No. 1050 signed on July 31, 1997 by then President Fidel Ramos. The civil service, the collective name of government officials and employees, was established in September 1900 by virtue of Public Law No. 5. This year’s theme is “Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-Ready Servant-Heroes”.

BARMM now has COVID-19 “delta variants” By Edwin O. Fernandez THE Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are now in the list of the regions in the country with COVID-19 delta variants. This after health authorities have detected five cases of COVID-19

delta variant in Lanao del Sur and Marawi City. “There are now five delta cases in Lanao,” said Dr. Alinader Minalang, Lanao del Sur provincial health officer. Minalang, also head of Lanao del Sur

NATURE RETALIATES. This upland community in Magpet, North Cotabato suffers when nature retaliates from decades of destruction that include illegal logging, mining and other form of forest annihilation. Photo courtesy of Miss Mimi

September 11, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

MNLF supports MILF development efforts

STAKEHOLDERS are anticipating better days soon for the Bangsamoro region with the convergence now of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation on development objectives for the local communities.

The MNLF commemorated on Sept. 2, the 25th anniversary of its final peace pact with the national government, jointly brokered by former President Fidel Ramos and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, or OIC. The still 29-month BARMM, which replaced the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in March 2019, is a product of 22 years of peace talks between Malacañang and the MILF. The government-MILF peace process that lasted for more than two decades, facilitated by Malaysia, was capped off with the crafting by both sides of two compacts, the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro. BARMM Labor Minister Romeo Sema, MNLF vice chair for political affairs, said Saturday they silently

commemorated on Thursday the 25th anniversary of their peace agreement with the national government. “We are praying for the compliance by the government with certain provisions of this agreement that have not been implemented fully yet,” Sema, also a member of the BARMM interim parliament, said, without elaborating. Sema said the MNLF is helping the BARMM leadership forge ahead with its development programs for Muslim, Christian and non-Moro indigenous communities in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and in the cities of Marawi, Lamitan and Cotabato. The chief minister of BARMM, Ahod Ebrahim, is chairman of the central committee of the MILF. Ebrahim and some BARMM officials were followers of the late Islamic theologian Salamat Hashim,

who helped Nur Misuari establish the MNLF in the early 1970s and, subsequently, founded the MILF in 1980. “The most tangible outcome of the September 2, 1996 peace agreement between the government and the MNLF is the cessation of hostilities between our group and state security organizations, including the police,” Sema said. Sema said they want the BARMM government to succeed in its effort to alleviate the Moro sectors in its core territory from the bad effects of armed conflicts that for so many times rocked the region since the 1970s. “There is nothing wrong with us in the MNLF converging with the MILF for peace to spread faster through all four corners of BARMM whose residents have seen the ugliest faces of armed conflicts,” Sema said.

John Felix Unson

Marawi hospital ceases admitting COVID-19 patients

RURAL health units (RHUs) in Lanao del Sur must accept patients infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) following a surge in admission in major hospitals the past two weeks. The 200-bed Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC), the biggest government hospital serving Marawi City and the Lanao del Sur province, has temporarily ceased admission of Covid-19 patients after reaching full bed capacity. Lanao del Sur is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which also

includes the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi; the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan and Marawi; and the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato. In a public announcement Tuesday, Dr. Shalimar Rakiin, APMC chief of hospital, said the facility has reached maximum capacity. “The Covid-19 wards and intensive care unit of our hospital have reached full capacity following the ongoing surge of Covid-19 cases,” Rakiin said, adding that their supply of medical equipment is also running low. “We regret to notify

the public that we are experiencing a shortage of medical oxygen supply since our suppliers can no longer provide our needed oxygen requirement,” she added. Rakiin said the hospital remains at reduced operating capacity to prioritize the needs of admitted patients. “We humbly request the public to immediately seek medical care at the nearest RHUs or other medical facilities in your area,” she said. On Sunday, three areas in Lanao del Sur – Marawi City, and the towns of Wao and Ditsaan-Ramain

– imposed granular lockdowns on a number of their villages due to rising infections. Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM’s interior minister and concurrent regional spokesperson, said the regional government sent relief food packs and hygiene kits to families affected by granular lockdown. As of Sept. 5, Lanao del Sur has 257 out of BARMM’s total 769 active Covid-19 patients, most of whom are admitted at the APMC. Of 10,759 total infections in the region, 9,570 recovered. Edwin O.

Fernandez

4 drug den operators in GenSan charged GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency filed Wednesday criminal cases against four operators of clandestine drug dens here who fell in a sting two days before. In a statement Wednesday, the PDEA Region 12 office said Mansor Mandao, 23, Krismark Perocho, 20, Kris Kristoffer Son, 38, and the 38-year-old Kaylen Barcenas are now detained, awaiting prosecution. The PDEA-12 has charged all four of them with violation of the Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. They were arrested after selling P88,000

worth of shabu to nonuniformed PDEA-12 agents in an entrapment operation on Monday night at Barangay Dadiangas North here. The group, led by Mandao, who is from Cotabato City, gets shabu from a distributor operating in the adjoining Cotabato City and Maguindanao province. Agents of the PDEABangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had seized more than P10 million worth of shabu in one operation after another in both areas in the past five months. Mandao and his three accomplices- Perocho, Son and Barcenas - operated clandestine drug dens in rented places and cheap hotels here. John Felix

M’LANG, North Cotabato – The Department of Public Works and Highways in the Soccsksargen region (DPWH-12) has completed a concrete road project here that leads to a Catholic Shrine, public engineers announced today. Tourists and devotees now have better access to the Shrine of Holy Cross in North Cotabato after DPWH completed the construction of concrete road pavement leading to the historic shrine. The PHP76 million road project was implemented by the DPWH North Cotabato 2nd district engineering office. On Wednesday, District Engineer Eddie M. Amir said that the 2.492-kilometer concrete road along the muddy and mountainous terrain

of Barangay Nueva Vida, M’lang in North Cotabato also includes the construction of a 40-meter parking space; 200-meter Portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP) road with 1.5 meters paved shoulder; retaining walls; lined canal with concrete cover; concrete barriers; installation of solar lights; and, thermoplastic pavement markings. The mountain shrine, which was declared sacred by the Diocese of Kidapawan in 1990s, is one of the most visited places in North Cotabato, especially during the Holy Week. Its elevated location allows devotees, hikers, and tourists to see parts of Kidapawan City, Makilala town, M’lang town, and Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao.

MLANG, North Cotabato — A novel coronavirus (COVID-19) survivor here has appealed to those who have been infected by the virus to make public their situation to fight depression and anxiety. The appeal was aired as unsolicited advised by Perla Piang, municipal immunization program coordinator, days after she hurdled the disease. While performing her duties as frontliner in the fight against COVID-19, Piang was infected by the virus, isolated and survived last month. “We should not be ashamed that we contracted the virus,” Piang said. “We have the choice to make it public so our friends and family can provide us moral, spiritual and emotional support,” she added. She urged those who have experienced feverish situation to come and see health workers in their villages for medication. “Don’t be shy, don’t be afraid, it will give you peace

of mind if you will know that you are negative of the virus because you visited a health care worker,” Piang said, adding that keeping the symptoms to one’s self is dangerous. “What if you are carrier of the virus, chances are you will infect family members,” she told the public. She said what a COVID-19 patient needs, while in isolation, is psychological support from friends, relatives and close family members. Alone in isolation, according to Piang, is difficult for a patient. Anxiety develops fast and without words of encouragement and support from family and friends will lead to depression. “To fight depression, reveal you have COVID-19,” she said. “So let us help them, pray, send text messages or tell the patient she or he can defeat the virus and that sooner they will be out,” Piang said. Edwin O.

Unson

DPWH completes road network to Holy Cross Shrine

Edwin O. Fernandez

“To fight depression, reveal you have COVID-19”

ILLEGALLY CUT. These forest products were suspected to have been cut illegally. These are to be used for the construction of a tourist spot in Tboli, South Cotabato and seized due to lack of necessary documents. Photo courtesy of DENR Soccsksargen

Fernandez

September 11, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

NGO partners with EU to protect IPs in...from P1

Philippines Partnership has initially earned the BARMM leadership’s commitment of support. “The Government through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs will make sure that our IP brothers and sisters will not be subjected to meaningless violence and get trapped in the dangers of armed conflict,” said Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ibrahim. The project is designed to promote respect for the rights of IPs and their communities through fostering engaging dialogues between among neighboring communities of IPs and non-IPs. Observers said the initiative may be broadened to expand the working partnership and include the BARMM’s Ministry of Indigenous People whose support has already been committed by Chief Minister Ibrahim. BARMM’s Ministry of Indigenous People is apparently in the menu of the project albeit only in the limited links of the level of cooperation labelled “BARMM authorities,” along with “other key stakeholders.” “The Bangsamoro has been subjected to various human rights violations over the past decades... Our IP brothers and sisters were also subjected to these harsh conditions... The government of the day recognizes this severe reality. In fact, the Bangsamoro Organic Law has specific provisions on the protection of the rights of the Indigenous People’s Tribes,” Ibrahim pointed out. “The Project is timely and necessary as (some IP) communities are still experiencing rising armed conflict and violence. Indigenous peoples have the right to special protection and security in times of armed conflict, but what is saddening right now is the numerous (instances of) violence committed against them,” said Froilyn Mendoza, Executive Director of TLWOI when asked about the significance of this

endeavor to IPs. The statement does not say if the project includes fact-finding mission and documentation of alleged abuses committed against members of IP communities, and what such abuses were committed and by whom. “Furthermore, victims of violence and abuse civilians like women and children, and many indigenous communities have to abandon their lands, territories, and means of subsistence to relocate to areas where they feel safe,” she added. The statement said notwithstanding peace breakthroughs since 2019, “some areas remain affected by clashes between state security forces and armed non-state actors (ANSAs), as well as inter-communal tensions and armed conflict stirred by long-standing cases of land dispute. (The term “non-state actors” is used in international law and is aptly applied to group[s] under status of belligerence for some well-defined political parameters such as right to self-determination) In the context of such conflict, the rights, safety, and security of IPs of the Téduray and Lambangian tribes in the province of Maguindanao in BARMM are adversely affected. “The role of the indigenous people is very important for peace and development. They are not only stewards of the environment but also important actors to the diversity and overall peace and development of Mindanao. The project, running until July 2022, aims to benefit approximately 11, 500 vulnerable TedurayLambangian Indigenous People from communities of South Upi, Guindulungan and Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao through advocacy for the respect of their rights and applicable norms of international law. Protection of IPs will be addressed through dialogue and cooperation together with local and BARMM authorities and other key stakeholders.

Senate lauded for Bill 2214 approval...from P1 thrice wounded in encounters with state forces in the 1970s, Salapuddin, who hails from Basilan, said the BARMM government needs ample time to restore normalcy in its core territory, wracked by decades of armed conflicts. “It is tedious work that can’t be done overnight. We are, thus, thankful to the Senate for approving on 3rd reading the Senate Bill 2214,” Salapuddin said. BARMM Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, the regional government’s spokesperson, said Tuesday the Bangsamoro government is thankful to the Senate for responding positively to the clamors

to defer the elections to 2025. “That is a big boost to efforts on reintroducing to mainstream society thousands of former Moro guerillas who fought for the creation of this BARMM that we now have,” Sinarimbo said. The BARMM is a product of 22 years of peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, whose chairman, Hadji Ahod Ebrahim, is an appointed chief minister of the Bangsamoro region. The largest and most politicallyactive group in the MNLF, the one led by former Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, is supporting the multi-sector bid for the postponement

Integrated Provincial Health Office, did not reveal where the patients came from. The patients have fully recovered but people who were closed to them and had close contact with them during the time they were infected have been quarantined. Some villages in Marawi City and in the towns of Wao and Ditsaan Ramain have been placed under granular lockdown due to rising COVID-19 cases. As of Thursday, the BARMM has 11,048 confirmed COVID-19 cases

with Lanao del Sur and Marawi City having the highest number at 3,556. It has 3,119 patients who have recovered and 137 deaths and 220 active cases. Dr. Minalang attributed the spike after the movement of people has been allowed. “People have relaxed, many have disregard the health protocols in attending or joining mass gatherings like weddings, reunion, enthronement programs, thanksgiving (kanduli), and other huge assembly of people,” he said. “It appeared to me the situation

of next year’s BARMM polls. The MNLF, which forged a final peace pact with Malacañang on September 2, 1996, or 23 years before BARMM was created as a concession to the MILF, wants the enactment first by the Bangsamoro interim parliament of a regional election code prior any regional polls. BARMM has a parliamentary form of government. “We need to have our own regional election law first and the postponement of the 2022 BARMM elections will give the regional parliament enough time to process and pass that code into law in preparation for the 2025 exercise,” Sema said.

BARMM now has COVID-19 “delta variants”...from P1

Laid to final rest in fashion...from P1

Slowly, they succeeded in moving the peculiar "fluvial hearse" from one side of the river to the other in what was to become viral in social media, something never ever witnessed before by barangay residents. There was nothing wrong with the peculiar burial procession since the dead person did not die of COVID-19, according to local officials. Ilonggo settlers in North Cotabato and other provinces around are known for their resilience and creativity, traits that keeps them going through the daily ordeals in life. They have, in fact, been surviving through security

for them has become normal, I mean gathering without physical distancing,” he explained. He said the provincial government, local government units at the municipal level and the rural health units have not relaxed in issuing reminders to the public about the strict observance of health protocols. “Some people are stubborn and many insist in going out even if the activity is not essential, it is best if they stay at home, especially the vulnerable and those with comorbidities,” Minalang said.

challenges brought about either by recurring secessionist conflicts, or troubles instigated by communist terrorist groups while in far-flung areas propagating corn and rice as main sources of income, a cycle often punctuated by peace and order problems. Besides banana trunks, bamboos are also readily available for makeshift rafts that barrio folk assemble for emergency transport of belongings and persons. Bamboos, however, became expensive lately owing to a booming “movable” cogon-roofed hut production industry in many parts of central Mindanao, also pioneered by ingenious Ilonggos.

NEWSBRIEFS Kidapawan 75 trike drivers get anti-COVID shots

KIDAPAWAN CITY - An initial 75 tricycle drivers have received their first dose of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine here as the city kicked off its inoculation for the A4 or frontline personnel in essential sectors on Tuesday. Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the A4 group includes public transport workers, market vendors, construction workers, and all other

personnel facing people in their daily duties. “We need to strengthen the (A4) group because they propel our economic cycle”, he said. The city’s InterAgency Task Force (IATF) Against COVID-19 was earlier tasked by the mayor to coordinate with the city’s market vendors’ association and the tricycle organization on the vaccination schedule.

T A L I T A Y , Maguindanao – In support to the Army’s campaign against loose firearms, local officials here have voluntarily turned over high-powered the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Fahad Midtimbang, Talitay town caretaker, and other local officials presented to Colonel Pedro Balisi, First Mechanized Brigade commander and Lt. Colonel Samuel Nadala Jr, commander of 2nd Mechanized Infantry

Battalion during ceremonies held here Wednesday. “The firearms were collected from civilians who were not authorized to possess and carry guns,” Midtimbang said. The surrendered firearms include one 60mm mortar, one M14 rifle, two Cal. 30 Garand rifles, one carbine rifle, one homemade “barret” sniper rifle, one homemade shotgun, and one homemade M79 grenade launcher. Edwin

S A R A N G A N I PROVINCE— There is this young man who had won the immense admiration of residents of Glan municipality for an act of honesty that went viral on social media. Keneth Horver Ferolino returned to its owner a wallet containing P51,000 worth cash he found somewhere in Glan

over the weekend. He first turned over the wallet to the Glan municipal police station, which, in turn helped locate its owner, Diocisimo Borres, Jr, a senior citizen. An emotional Borres thanked Ferolino for his act of honesty in the presence of members of the Glan municipal police.

COTABATO CITY — The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MENRE-BARMM), in coordination with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), is set to distribute 6,667 hectares of government land to qualified beneficiaries in Lanao del Sur. BARMM Senior Deputy Minister

Abdulraof Macacua, concurrent MENREBARMM chief, said Wednesday the move is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) 75, series of 2019, which directs all concerned government offices, such as MENRE, "to identify lands owned by the government devoted to or suitable for agriculture for distribution to qualified beneficiaries."

MAGPET, North Cotabato — A fire of still unknown origin destroyed a hardware store and six ancestral homes in Barangay Poblacion here before dawn Tuesday. Fire Officer 1 Joshua Reyes, Magpet fire investigator, said the blaze started at 1:15 a.m. and was declared fire out at 2:33 a.m. Probers eye electrical short circuit as the igniter

of the fire that gutted abut P4.8 million worth of properties. Quoting witnesses, Reyes said it started at the single-story hardware store owned by Roderick Josue that quickly spread to the adjacent houses. “The neighboring houses are ancestral homes mostly made of old wood materials that is why the fire engulfed them quickly,” he said. PNA

KORONADAL CITY— The police has clamped a down rape suspect arrested last weekend, the sixth from among the top ten most wanted persons here. The 34-year-old Mark Anthony Bodigas Parreño

voluntarily yielded when personnel of the Koronadal City police cornered him at Purok Malipayon in Barangay San Isidro here and showed him a warrant for his arrest. Col. Jemuel

PNA

Talitay execs yield guns to Army

O. Fernandez

Finder returns wallet with P51K cash

John Felix Unson

Gov’t land set for distribution in Lanao Sur

PNA

Probers eye “short circuit” in Magpet fire

Rape suspect, child molester nabbed

LAID TO FINAL REST WITH FASHION. This unique burial march went viral on social media. Relatives transported the remains of a relative to a cemetery somewhere in Aleosan, North Cotabato after heavy rains made impassable the only overland route to the site.

Photo courtesy of JC Cago

September 11, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Nuncio, bishops laud new Catholic app ‘FaithWatch’

THE media arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines unveiled Wednesday a smartphone application that aims to help people grow and share their faith. The FaithWatch app is designed to help users find the nearest church to avail of services such as schedules of livestreamed Masses and other sacraments. The app also features biblical reflections and catechetical materials in video and digital format— and even news, among others. Papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown lauded the new app, which is “really useful” during this time of the pandemic and a “very valuable tool” for Catholics. “As your Apostolic Nuncio here in the Philippines gives me a lot of joy to

recommend to you this new Catholic app for your cell phone,” Brown said. “I am certain, as representative of Pope Francis, that this new Faith Watch app will help all of us live the gift of our faith and help us transmit it to others,” he said. Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, CBCP President, said the new app is a ‘gift’ to the Church during this pandemic that “badly hampered our regular and normal ways and channels of catechesis and evangelization”. With the prevailing situation, he said that many dioceses and parishes have become so creative in using

the internet and maximizing its possibilities for communication. “I am quite sure that we all consider this (Faith Watch app) as another big help, as another gift as it were for our use as we continue to meet the many challenges of the task of the new evangelization and missio ad gentes,” Valles said. The Faith Watch app is the latest project of the CBCP Media office in collaboration with Areopagus Communications, Inc. and Heart of Francis Foundation. Faith Watch app can be downloaded both in android and IOS devices.

The head of the CBCP Commission on Social Communications, also welcomed the app “that responds to this challenge and present need of our church”. Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit of Boac, ECSC chairman, encouraged the faithful to download and share the app, which he described as “very useful, practical, convenient, and timely”. “Life goes on for all of us in spite of this pandemic. We are just living in this world of changes, and with these changes are the opportunities to be blessed and become ourselves, blessing,” he said. CBCP News

Nuncio to youth: Make prayer a habit PAPAL nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown encouraged young Filipinos to form the habit of prayer to learn to accept God’s will. Speaking to a group of young people from the Diocese of Virac on Aug. 28, he said that prayer is important because it is essential to getting in touch with God. “When we do this thing, the line of communication between us and God becomes much clearer,” Brown said at the Virac Cathedral. He said most people realize that prayer is essential, but they often struggle to make it a priority because of the demands of daily life and “a lot of interference”. “We don’t hear Him so well so it’s important to pray. It’s important to have a habit of prayer,” Brown said. “It doesn’t really matter what your habit of prayer is as long as you have a habit. So whatever it is, make sure you have a habit of prayer and keep to it… even if it’s difficult, keep to it,” he said.

The nuncio also acknowledged the challenges young people face today. In the roughest moments, he reminded them that “God will not abandon us”. “When something happens in your life that is difficult or painful, and that happens to all of us at different times, don’t think that God has abandoned you,” he said. “God loves you and even in those difficult things you had to face don’t think that God has abandoned you because he hasn’t. He is with you,” Brown added. The nuncio was in Virac for the blessing and dedication of the newlyrenovated cathedral held on Aug. 27. The following day, he also led the blessing and turnover of housing units constructed for the poor in Catanduanes province’s San Andres town. The “Resilient Shelter for the Vulnerable Project” project was constructed through Caritas Philippines and Caritas Virac. CBCP

News

Papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown

lthough the national he performed the miracle elections are still of the multiplication of far off, we now hear the loaves to feed more of would be candidates than five thousand hungry jockeying for positions. This people. No wonder that regular national malady they wanted him to be their is part entertainment, ruler. Free bread and part sporting event like a “ayuda” for all. Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC cockfight, and for the more When Jesus asked his tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com serious ones, a chance to disciples who do people exercise one’s democratic think He was (Mk. 8:27), right to vote as a citizen. Perhaps, hoping against hope, they gave the popular perception, that He was John a worthwhile change will take place. the Baptist brought back to life, or Elijah and one of There is a political trend in various countries the prophets. Even King Herod thought he was John towards populism. Populism is a tendency of the (Mk 6: 14-16). When Jesus asked them who He was, it masses to go for a leader who has a personal, popular was Peter who answered, “You are the Messiah” (Mk. appeal, usually because he is perceived as a strongman 8:29). Correct answer, but like any good Jew at that and pro-people. The popular leader is perceived as time, Peter was thinking of an earthly and victorious a messiah, one who would deliver the country from ruler. When Jesus started to talk about Himself as all manners of ills. The populist leader rides on the a Suffering Messiah, Peter protested. Jesus rebuked support of “the masses” vs. “the elite.” Never mind Peter strongly, “Get behind me Satan. You are thinking if the leader is crude, rude, or could hardly finish a not as God does but as human beings do” (Mk. 8:33). complete sentence without some vulgarities. People Jesus had another path to follow. It would not be the still believe in him for some personal appeal. Perhaps way of pomp, grandeur, wealth, and power. It would be the vulgarities become also appealing because it the way of the cross. Salvation comes from the cross. identifies the leader with the masses. Populism goes The way of the cross is the way of love. It is to beyond logic and reason. Populism appeals to the think more of the other than of one’s own profits emotions, to one’s likes and dislikes no matter what and advantages. It is to take up the burdens and be the rational arguments are. A popular leader may in solidarity with the powerless and the voiceless. present one’s self as a messiah, one who would uproot It is to exercise compassion and care for those who all corruptions, who would exercise fairness, and would are suffering from personal and social illnesses, as lead the nation towards becoming a new and better expressed by James in the second reading (James society. 2:14 ff.) This was what Jesus meant when he told his This is not new. In the time of Jesus, there was disciples, “If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take this “messianic expectation”. The Israelites of his up your cross and follow me” (Mk. 8:34). time were waiting for a leader who would deliver them Looking for a messiah this coming elections? If ever from their oppressors. The awaited messiah is seen there will be popular personalities who would present as both a political and religious leader, like King themselves as saviors, may they become servant leaders David and the great prophet Elijah. Great crowds like Jesus the Suffering Messiah, rather than leaders followed Jesus around the shores of Galilee, and who would inflict more suffering on the people. MC

Messiah

REFLECTIONS

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

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

Isaiah 50.5-9; James 2.14-18; Mark 8.27-35 To follow the Lord means to deny our very selves. This might sound unappealing but it’s the truth. It is by denying ourselves that we become truly human, free, empowered by God’s supernatural power. Unlike animals, human beings have the gift to choose. We are not genetically programmed. We are free and to deny ourselves is to declare our independence. And so, by God’s grace, we can deny ourselves not to inflict harm or pain, but to truly feel alive. Let us then deny ourselves and focus more on others and God. That is what Christianity is all about. Prayer: Lord, may I rejoice in self-denial. Amen.

Fr. Peter

THE MINDANAO CROSS

September 11, 2021 EDITORIAL

Growing up with the Virgin Mary

he world is presently faced with a lot of challenges: the worsening COVID-19 Pandemic, the fall of Afghanistan, and closer to our hearts in the Philippines – the government response to the dangers posed by the disease. It has come to a point that people try to close their eyes to the challenges of the time. That includes me, who have grown in an atmosphere of religiosity fostered by the missionaries who have been here since the Second World War. A bright feature of the Catholic mission in Southwestern Mindanao is the importance given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. The schools, which many of the missionaries put up were all identified as Notre Dame Schools (Our Lady’s Schools). Most of the schools were for secondary and tertiary students, which were sorely lacking at that time. The government was not in a position to provide higher learning, which was responded to by the different missionary congregations invited to stay and assist the education sector. Many of the schools were in isolated islands of Sulu and Tawi- tawi or in the mountains and valleys of the Mindanao area. For those who are not aware of the significance of “Notre Dame”, allow me to give a background from my early Catechism. “The Catholic Church celebrates today the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on its traditional fixed date of September 8, nine months after the December 8 celebration of her Immaculate Conception as the child of Saints Joachim and Anne. The events of the Virgin Mary’s infancy and early life are not directly recorded in the Bible, but other documents and traditions describing the circumstances of her birth are cited by some of the earliest Christian writers. These accounts, although not considered authoritative in the same manner as the Bible, outline some of the Church’s traditional beliefs about the birth of Mary.” “The “Protoevangelium of James,” which was probably put into its final written form in the early second century, describes Mary’s father Joachim as a wealthy member of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Joachim was deeply grieved, along with his wife Anne, by their childlessness. “He called to mind Abraham,” the early Christian writing says, “that in the last day God gave him a son Isaac.” Surprisingly, the couple were to be blessed even more abundantly than Abraham and Sarah, as an angel revealed to Anne when he appeared to her and prophesied that all generations would honor their future child: “The Lord has heard your prayer, and you shall conceive, and shall bring forth, and your seed shall be spoken of in all the world.” Students of the Notre Dame Schools celebrated the many events connected to the life of the Virgin Mary – her birthday, her conception, her assumption. All of these, including her later appearances at Lourdes, at Fatima, at Guadalupe, were causes that we students love to remind ourselves ( funny, but the songs we sang were even in Spanish – Assumpta est Maria). The whole month of May was special since we teen-agers taught catechism to children who offer flowers to Mary, a prelude to the Santacruzan. These were warm memories for us who grew up with the Virgin Mary. MC +

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NORTH / SOUTH COTABATO CORRESPONDENTS

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ifty farmers from Barangay Tanuel in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao were recently awarded Certificates of Land Ownership Agreement by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The CLOAs, documents that attest to the ownership of the land granted or awarded to the beneficiaries who are mostly members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front, covers sixty hectares of government owned land. According to Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Brother John Castriciones, some 4,800.34 hectares of agricultural lands are set to be distributed to Bangsamoro farmers in October this year by virtue of Executive Order No. 75, signed by President Duterte in 2019, which mandates the department to distribute government owned lands all over the country. In his message to the beneficiaries, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim reminded them not to sell the lands given to them by the government, saying they should instead take good care of it and develop it “for it is a way to attaining better lives in the future.” The BARMM Chief Minister added that the land given to the farmers will never perish and it could be the source of their continuous income that might improve their current living situation. In the largely agricultural Bangsamoro region as in most of the country, owning a parcel of land to till is very important in successfully fighting poverty and improving the people’s lives. The region remains to be one of the most impoverished in the country. 2018 Philippine Statistics Authority data show a 16.8% poverty incidence in the region. The same data show that about 68.2 percent of the children or individuals below 18 years old in BARMM, a total of 1,293.4 thousand children, belong to poor families. The region has the highest poverty incidence among children in the entire country. It is no doubt welcome news that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform under the leadership of Minister Mohammad Yacob sees to it that the national government’s agrarian reform initiatives continue in the Bangsamoro. That is crucial in advancing the fight against poverty in the region. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the interim Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, is on the verge of its much hoped for and awaited extension until 2025. Proponents believe it will provide the BTA with more time to work on the much-needed reforms to further push forward peace and development in the region. Three years is definitely

HE voluntary works and the membership of Atty. Pangalian M. Balindong with the Ansar el-Islam (The Helpers of Islam), founded by his father in-law, Senator Ahmad Domocao Alonto, took him to an important international forum as a member of the Philippine Delegation to the International Muslim Youth Conference in Tripoli, Libya in 1973. The convention took up issues affecting Palestine, the Southern Philippines and Southern Thailand. Balindong’s international exposure afforded him the occasion to articulate the minority’s right to selfdetermination, and domestically, issues and events affecting the Moro people in Mindanao—which he had amplified through his first Privilege Speech at the Constitutional Convention: “We have, in recent months, seen an emerging pattern of persecution directed against the Muslims, particularly, in the province of North Cotabato (referring to the June 19, 1971 Manili Massacre in Carmen), Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. “Rightly or wrongly, the Muslim Filipinos are beginning to feel that they are being isolated from the greater mass of the Christian brothers as if they were lesser Filipinos than the latter. The events of the recent past which saw the mass killings of innocent men, and women and children inside religious sanctuaries, their shooting in cold-blooded of unwary Muslim voters, and wholesale burning of Muslim homes, the pillage and plunder of the farms, cannot but be interpreted as part of a preconceived plan to constrict and restrict Muslim freedom when we consider that to date, not a single malefactor has been brought before the bar of justice to account for this ghastly, and dastardly acts. Unless something is done by the government, nay this Convention, to stern the rising tide of hostility and antagonism between the Christian majority and the Muslim minority in this country, the conflict is bound to create bigger problems which may eventually lead to disintegration instead of integration.” But even in those situations of imminent risks of bigger conflict from apparent biases, even bloody instances of religious persecution, you can fairly listen to the man and feel how he drives you back to the course of “Unity in Diversity,” the very title of his Privilege

A monumental challenge

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

not enough to achieve such a task, which also embraces the task of reducing poverty in the Bangsamoro. But headways could be made, and with the extension, the Bangsamoro leadership is given added impetus. In the area of agrarian reform, it is important to remember that more than the distribution of land is needed if the program is to succeed in combatting poverty. Support services are a necessary component which should not be left out. On their own, without access to adequate financing support and other necessary services, it would not be far for agrarian reform beneficiaries to fail in their efforts and eventually lose their land to unscrupulous individuals or groups. This writer is of the belief that this reality is not lost to the leaders and tireless workers of MAFAR-BARMM and the entire Bangsamoro leadership. Meanwhile, the ownership of Marawi farmers over the land that they deserve to own a long time ago may soon become a reality, according to DAR Secretary Castriciones. October is the agency’s target month for the distribution of government-owned lands in Camp Keithley Military Reservation. Camp Keithley is a former United States military base built during the start of the Philippine-American war in the early part of the 20th century. On December 23, 1953, former President Elpidio Quirino, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 453, converted the 6,667-hectare area, now renamed Camp Amai Pakpak, into a military reserve. The move to distribute the land to the rightful claimants is seen as a fulfillment of the national government’s commitment to indemnifying the historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro in Lanao del Sur, which has the highest poverty incidence in the Bangsamoro region according to PSA 2018 data. The Lanao del Sur provincial government and the MAFAR have both pledged support to the program. We pray for its success. Peace and development pose a monumental challenge for this long-battered region, and all hands are needed to overcome that challenge. MC

The young professionals’ revolutionary course in the 70s

Penlight Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

Speech: “This is probably the reason why, during the few days that I have been in this Convention, I had the occasion to find among the resolutions filed with the Body, a couple of them urging the incorporation into the proposed constitution of provisions especially designed for the minorities. This, indeed, is a healthy sign which inspires hopes among the Muslims of this country that, at long last, they shall find their rightful place in this land they so fervently love and venerate. “It is exhilarating to note that these Resolutions having to do with the protection or enforcement of the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities of their country have been co-authored by Delegates form all segments of our people.” According to sources from among his fellow ConCon (Constitutional Convention) delegates, Balindong declined to make official his first travel to Tripoli, Libya towards the end of the Convention in 1973, because he was invited as representative of the Moro youth and not as member of the 1971 ConCon. The travel would prove significant to the Moro people’s struggle to self-determination as this led to continuing dialogue and articulation overseas (to oilrich Arab Muslims) of the plight of the Moro people back home. At the international youth conference in Tripoli, Libya in 1973, Balindong met Abdulbaqui Abubakar and Omar Pasigan. Back home, Salamat Hashim escaped the warrantless arrests associated with the declaration of martial law, having sent off in Zamboanga City the second batch of 300 Moro men for a military training at a Malaysian territory as facilitated in February 1971 by Dr. Muhammad Salih Loong. MC

Nobility with Integrity

to know” (Isaiah 43:18-19). Don’t ever be discouraged, for with LORD there’s hope in love. As much as possible refrain from violence, extremism, communism, terrorism and Charlie Señase other criminal acts, which csenase@yahoo.com are not only unlawful but ungodly. T takes time and effort to be at the Reports of voluntary surrender of pedestal with all the burden at your shoulder yet willing to sacrifice so armed groups belonging to the New others may live with dignity and pride People’s Army and the Bangsamoro as Bangsamoro in the so-called “Promise Islamic Freedom Fighters with their assorted firearms in Maguindanao are Land” of Mindanao. Indeed, the blood, sweat and tears good indications of close coordination of shed by forebears for self-rule within the civil-military authorities. Favorable news peace-and-Orderarchipelago has come to fruition with the unanimous approval of Senate Bill 2214 wise may be so, but not for us not to be extending for another three years the complacent health-wise with the country transitory governance of the Bangsamoro registering early this week the highest Autonomous Region and reset to 2025 its daily COVID-19 tally of 22,415 that brought to a total of more than 2.1 million. first regional polls instead. The health malady unfortunately took Only three senators voted against extension that included Emmanuel the lives of three Lanao del Sur residents in one day prompting local government “Manny” Pacquiao, a Mindanaoan. Despite it all, the smooth passage to place 26 villages of Wao town under of the bill on third and final phase has lockdown status. A former Oblate media practitioner elicited joyful remark from Interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim: “This is not only of Cotabato City and an assistant Army a victory for the Bangsamoro but for the Commander of the 1st Infantry Division whole Philippines.” And avid supporters in Pagadian City both succumbed to the in the name of Mindanao Peoples Caucus deadly virus. And the most we can say has reiterated earlier appeal for an urgent is condolence to the bereaved family. Presidential certification of the approved Indeed, death is inescapable irrespective of persons. We will die with or without legislative measure. The Murad stewardship anchored on COVID and its variants, for death is God’s moral and inclusive governance is moving appointed to all in whatever causes then onward amid some opposition from vested the final judgment of our earthly deeds from birth to death. interest groups, political or otherwise. And we are blessed and fortunate to Anything good is good, but diverse tribes have their own peculiar standard be still alive for us to quip: What’s life all to all other aspirations in life. That what about? Fear God and keep His commandments may be good to others may not be to them. And to thrive in a democratic way of life, for this is the whole duty of man respect and care for others are essential (Ecclesiastes 12). Meditate and invoke ways to coexist. For as the saying goes, it’s God’s awesome power: LORD create in us a clean heart and a steadfast spirit impossible to please everybody. However, prudence dictates that in that You may not cast us away from Your faith all our ways must always have the presence through Your Holy Spirit that Divine guidance by allowing the Almighty dwells in us (Psalm 51:10-11). To the diligent and God-fearing poor, to direct our steps. And as much as possible, let’s not keep up with the faith to always seek first dwell on the past as if it were the best. the kingdom of God and His righteousness Instead believe that the best is yet to come and all your needs shall be added unto as in tears of joy. For the LORD Himself you. And do not worry about tomorrow, for said: “Do not remember the former things, tomorrow will worry about its own things, nor consider the things of old, for I will do and sufficient for the day is its own trouble a new thing that shall spring forth for you (Matthew 6:33-34). MC

True to Form

so much as incorporate COVID/pandemic, I will scream, and stop watching forever. Perhaps, despite its violent format, I have no choice but to watch it Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy at the 8 pm time slot, to franco1573victoria@gmail.com wait until slumber catches up with me. I should be can’t believe I have been wasting grateful since the show has m y t i m e f o r t h e p a s t 6 y e a r s kept me and the hubby entertained. following the proverbial teleserya Speaking of entertainment, I am “Probinsyano” . At one hour a day, not ashamed to confess my lunchtime 5 days a week, 4 weeks a month, 12 entertainment is the show of Vice months a year multiplied by 6 years, Ganda with Vhong Navarro, Ang that comes to a total of 1440 hours Reynana. For all its “ka badoyan” ,or equivalent to 60 days at 24 hours it show cases housewives regaining per day. their lost glory, their aspirations, Despite the denial of the franchise and dreams, either because they of ABS-CBN by the current Congress, married young, or they were in failed ABS-CBN management was able to relationships. They bravely confessed find channels that readily accepted the or admitted their mistakes in the show for general viewing. Followers past and how they try to correct haunt the prime time teleserye on them. These are the real women Cignal , TV5, Mtv, I want TFC, and in the streets who face their trials many others. squarely. Over the past 6 years, Cardo (Coco Vice Ganda, the main host has Martin) fought many syndicates, gone a long way in her/his craft, drug trafficking, smugglers, political jokingly drawing out hilarious stories p r i v a t e a r m i e s . H e w a s m a r r i e d from her “victims” who are game once, had a son who died in a bomb enough to ride her jokes. This is my blast, this incited his desire for “laughter medicine “ each day. But it r e v e n g e . A l l t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e 6 is not all laughter. They get the chance years.he is seen as a hot tempered, to perform before all audiences on TV combative, decisive warrior, taking the , nationwide. Perform they did, some cajoles for the anybody less capable of did zumba, others sang their hearts defending himself. Oftentimes, it,is out, all in fun and seriously aiming at action packed- adjusted in such a way winning the contest. that the action is suspended over the For the final contest, the future week end until next week. A prayerful Reynanas are housed in a hotel, fitted grandmother is subjected to worrying with their gowns courtesy of the all the time. studio. A treat most appreciated by To my mind, it is the height of the contestants considering they would cruelty to his family to make them never have entered a hotel until they endure his adventurism all these joined the contest. Everybody goes years. It is not fair to them. Thank home with prizes, and the one moment goodness this is just but the figment in time when they reign as ReyNanay, of the imagination of the writer and a once in a lifetime experience, then the director. (Incidentally, the young back to the kitchen, to the waiting assistant director died from Covid family and partake of a blow-out for while taping on location; and the entire the queen. team are undergoing quarantine, as we What would our lives be during write this) How they have connected p a n d e m i c i f t h e r e w a s n o T V o r one episode to another, tapping the Probinsyano or Reynanay? Be bored almost forgotten countless movie stars, no more, election time is coming, bring is a marvel of their creativity. If they in the clowns. MC

Mental Health of Children during the Pandemic

primary care was substantially lower than expected for 10-17 year olds in April 2020 but returned to pre-pandemic levels by September 2020. Similar patterns were detected a reprint from a report by Tamsin Ford, professor of child and for all mental health referrals adolescent psychiatry, Ann John, professor of public health and in England, with reductions psychiatry, David Gunnell, professor of epidemiology in urgent psychiatric tudies carried out during the pandemic presentations reported across suggest that although some families Europe, suggesting possible unmet need. are coping well, others are facing The national referral statistics for financial adversity, struggling to home eating disorders in England show a doubling school, and risk experiencing vicious cycles in the number of urgent referrals during of increasing distress. Probable mental 2020 and a smaller increase in non-urgent health conditions increased from 10.8% in referrals. Known triggers for self-harm 2017 to 16% in July 2020 across all age, sex, and poor mental health are aggravated by and ethnic groups according to England’s pandemic restrictions, including separation Mental Health of Children and Young from friends, arguments with parents, People Survey (MHCYP). A self-selected unresolvable arguments on social media, sample of 2673 parents recruited through strained finances, academic stress, and social media reported deteriorating mental feelings of isolation. School closures are health and increased behavioural problems particularly difficult for families facing other among children aged adversities. 4 to 11 years between The evolving March and May 2020 consequences of the (during lockdown) but pandemic are set against reduced emotional longstanding concerns symptoms among about deteriorating 11-16 year olds. The mental health among more socioeconomically children and young deprived respondents people, and the had consistently worse inadequacy of service mental health in both provision. Although surveys— a stark children are at lowest warning given that risk of death from economic recession is COVID-19, concerning expected to increase signals remain about the numbers of families the pandemic’s effects under financial strain. on their mental health, Early data from England’s National which are unevenly experienced across Child Mortality Database for 23 March to different age groups and socioeconomic 17 May 2020 raised concerns about suicides circumstances. among young people aged under 18 years The long term effects also remain during the first lockdown, although numbers uncertain. What we do know is that education were too small (25 deaths) to be definitive. has been disrupted and many young A more reassuring picture emerged from people now face an uncertain future. Policy Japan, where suicide rates in children under makers must recognise the importance 20 years seemed unchanged up to May of education to social and mental health 2020. Although the English database shows outcomes alongside an appropriate focus the incidence of child suicide has returned on employment and economic prospects. to pre-pandemic levels (www.ncmd.info/, As “children are the living message we personal communication), more recent data send to a time we will not see,” we urgently from Japan flag a concerning rise in children need to improve our efforts to meet their and adolescents during the second wave and needs and to ensure that this generation resulting school closures. is not disproportionately disadvantaged by The incidence of self-harm recorded in COVID-19. MC

HEALTH CORNER

Although children are at lowest risk of death from covid-19, concerning signals remain about the pandemic’s effects on their mental health

Move your Goods!

Showbiz chika

Market Driven

The Stuff of Life

September 11, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Danny Buenbrazo

danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

nyone with vision, ability, courage, and some money can engage in the business of selling merchandises. Most of the traditional barriers to the business of marketing had practically been torn down. The most customary requirements to having a selling enterprise were: physical store, capitalization, access to suppliers, advertising, and limits to market reach. Technological advancement is chiefly responsible for tearing down the barriers to starting a marketing business. With the internet, particularly the emergence of social media platforms, the requirement for having a “brick and mortar” store has been reduced if not made unnecessary. A selling entity can show potential customers the goods being offered for sale without the necessity of having them come to a physical location. The enterprise or entrepreneur can just post products on a website or social media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook. Websites and social media platforms can also be used for advertising products being offered for sale, practically for free or at low cost/. There are also virtual market places where sellers can post or advertise their merchandises. Live selling had become a trend using Facebook and other platforms, allowing better interaction between the seller and prospective customers. Goods to be offered to the public may be produced by the seller itself or just procured from other manufacturers. Using the internet and social media, an entrepreneur can scan and check available products not only those in the home country but even from overseas. Paying for your purchases or getting payments from customers had become a lot easier these days

with a wide variety of payment systems that do not require a physical visit to a bank or a similar institution. Goods can be paid via cash on delivery (COD) arrangement or through payment portals, digital payment systems, or with the use of credit

cards. I was amazed to find out that a local resident makes money buying goods from South Korea (things associated with some popular Korean singing groups) and selling these stuff to people living in different parts of the Philippines. The rise of online selling helped revive the courier services industry that was on the throes of death with the invention of the fax machine, email, and other forms of non-physical delivery of documents. Now the old hands like LBC and JRS are thriving businesses and they had been joined by newcomers such as JNT. Since it is easier to purchase goods, there is no need to procure and maintain a large inventory of items for sale. Aside from purchasing becoming much easier, the absence of a large physical store had reduced the capital requirement for selling enterprises. How do we boost our sales with these positive developments in the selling industry? The industry had become more competitive with faster flow of information, an enterprise must either produce its own unique product or search for products that would be attractive to the target market. A strong and professional-looking social media presence helps attract customers, thus, various platforms must be utilized and good product presentation done to turn the interest of people into sales. The selling entity should not only endeavor to expand their reach but should also ensure to maintain good relations with customers and potential buyers. I saw one online seller giving free items to repeat customers, that surely would develop loyal following. Creativity is the key. MC

THE MINDANAO CROSS

September 11, 2021

Marawi NGO lauds passage of compensation...from P1 Rape suspect, child molester nabbed...from P3 Bill 9925. Members of MRCW aired their reactions during the International Alert Philippines radio program aired over Church-run Radio DXMS in Cotabato City Tuesday. The MRCW is an independent multistakeholder dialogue group of people that harnesses skills and professions to help in the Marawi reconstruction process and channels wider public attention and participation in monitoring. MRCW issued a statement Monday urging the Senators to pass its own version as soon as possible. “As we countdown to the fifth year since the war, we hope our dear Senators will heed our call and expedite the passage of a Marawi compensation bill as a sign of sincerity and willingness to help us, victims of war, in this long process of recovery,” MRCW said in a statement. MRCW commends Congress for taking this long-needed and decisive step towards recognizing the victims of the war in Marawi who deserve just compensation. MRCW has been at the forefront since 2018 in pushing for a Marawi

compensation bill in both the House and the Senate. Its members have participated in many public hearings as resource persons, have surfaced urgent issues, and lobbied for Maranaws in different fora and platforms. “We wish to extend our gratitude to select lawmakers for consistently championing the plight of the people of Marawi and being a strong ally in our collective clamor for the passage of this important legislation to help heal and rebuild the lives of the Marawi siege victims,” the group said. The MRCW vowed to remain vigilant and

steadfast in lobbying and ensuring that House Bill 9925 will have its Senate counterpart and see its eventual passage. MRCW was banking on the 2017 State of the Nation Address of President Duterte who said: “Marawi will rise again as a prosperous city.” “We hope for your help to achieve meaningful and speedy progress for the rehabilitation of the people of Marawi,” the group said, asking Pres. Duterte’s favorable action. “The Maranaos are Filipinos, too. We deserve the same justice and equal priority as the rest of our countrymen,” MRCW said.

NOTICE

VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I AND BRANCH II will hold a public auction sale of all unredeemed and unrenewed items pawned from March 1 to April 30, 2021 on October 7, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., and VGM PAWNSHOP INC. II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City

SUBASTA

Be There, Management

Ang VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I ug BRANCH II magsubasta sa tanan nga wala lukata ug wala tubui gikan sa bulan sa Marso 1 hangtud sa bulan sa Abril 30, 2021 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag karung Oktubre 7, 2021 sa VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., ug sa VGM PAWNSHOP BRANCH II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City. MC: Sept 11, 18 & 25, 2021

Ang Nagdumala

Siason, director of the South Cotabato provincial police, said Sunday the operation that resulted in the arrest of Parreño was assisted by vigilant

tipsters privy to his location when a team was dispatched to track him down. Siason said the suspect is now locked in

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 September 1-30, 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 September 29, 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 Setyembre 1-30, 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 Setyembre 29, 2021.

MC: Sept 11 & 18 , 2021

the detention facility of the Koronadal City police.

John Felix Unson

AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION Notice is hereby given that the late DANILO DE GUZMAN MACARAEG, who died intestate on September 23, 2019, left properties: (Lot 5, Block 6, Sheet 2, Psd(ARMM)-99000069), (Lot 4, Block 6, Sheet 2, Psd-(ARMM)-99000069) both situated in Making, Parang, Maguindanao; Lot 1809-B-3-D, Psd11 - 0 9 4 5 5 3 ) , ( L o t 1809-B-3-F-1, Psd11 - 11 3 1 3 9 ) , ( L o t 1809-B-3-F-4, Psd11 - 11 3 1 3 9 ) , ( L o t 1809-B-3-F-3, Psd11 - 11 3 1 3 9 ) , ( L o t 1809-B-3-F-2, Psd-11113139), all situated in Panacan, Davao City; and Ground Floor Level (Unit Go1) Condominium unit in Ma-a, Davao City, covered by TCT Nos. T-34998, T-34629, 1 4 6 - 2 0 11 0 1 7 2 3 7 , 146-2012006492, 146-20120006493, 146-2012006494, 1462012006495 and 1462013001301, respectively, with the total area of 3,505 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of affidavit of adjudication by sole heir before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De CastroJagunap as per Doc. 4994; Page No. 4994; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses PACIFICO DELA CERNA a n d L U C I L A TA B A R , who died on July 4, 1986 and December 9, 2002 in Libungan, Cotabato, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot 14, Block 15, Psd-165446 situated in Poblacion, Libungan, Cotabato with an area of 298 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-43266 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Alberto T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 267; Page No. 54; Book No. CCXLVII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late ARTHUR B. UY and ELENENA V. UY, who died intestate on April 26, 2021 and November 17, 1988 in Libungan, Cotabato, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot 2758-B-9G-4-D, Psd-12-002991 situated in Poblacion, Libungan, Cotabato with an area of 458 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-65476 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Napoleon F. Sango as per Doc. No. 356; Page No. 73; Book No. 93; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late ALFREDO GARINO PASAPORTE, SR. who died on August 29, 2021 at Borongotan, Upi, Maguindanao, left a parcel of land Lot B, (LRC) Psd-283130 at Borongotan, Upi, Maguindanao, covered by TCT No. T-29367 with an area of 29,295 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Mark Esmael R. Nor, CPA as per Doc. No. 342; Page No. 69; Book No. III; Series of 2021.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

AFFIDAVIT OF SELFADJUDICATION

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late PEDRO CASTILLO DOLORES and REGINA PANGCOG DOLORES, who died intestate on June 15, 1963 and August 1, 2009, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot 1516, CSD7406, situated in Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao with an area of 1,391.97 sq. mts., more or less, is the subject of extrajudicial settlement before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 4904; Page No. 4904; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late NENA C. GUERRERO, who passed away on August 14, 2015 in Cotabato City, left a parcel of property Lot 14, Pcs-11-000558, situated in Ma-a, Davao City, with an area of 227 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-389197 is the subject of affidavit of selfadjudication before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 4904; Page No. 4904; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021. MC: Sept. 4, 11 & 18, 2021

Notice is hereby given that the late MOHAMMADNOR GUIALAL KADIL, who died on February 9, 2021 in Ungap, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, left an ATM Savings Account with BPICotabato City Branch under Account No. 2169-2017-25, is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous Special Power of Attorney before Notary Public Atty. Abbyr Ahmad Nul as per Doc. No. 165; Page No. 33; Book No. XXVI; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late PEDRO S. CAPOCAO, JR. and ROSALINDA E. CAPOCAO, who died on December 25, 2015 and June 29, 2020, respectively, left a parcel of land and its improvements in Matampay, Cotabato City with an area of 227 sq, mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-41659 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Ruben T.M. Ramirez as per Doc. No. 422; Page No. 86; Book No. 43; Series of 2020.

Notice is hereby given that the late ROBERT LU CADULONG, who died on July 23, 2021 in Pikit, Cotabato, left parcels of land Lot No. 352 Ts-264, Lot No. 473, Ts 264, and Lot F-2-K, Psd-12-010085, all located at Poblacion, Pikit, Cotabato and covered by OCT P 54380 Free Patent XII-4-4-197, TCT Nos. T-112451 and T-83471, respectively, containing the total area of 1,660 square meters, more or less, are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Alnessa Thea V. Repollo-Uy, REB as per Doc. No. 329; Page No. 67; Book No. XVII; Series of 2021.

MC: Sept. 4, 11 & 18, 2021

DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

Notice is hereby given t h a t R O D I LY N C . A R I S TO S A , o f l e g a l age, widow, Filipino and resident of Brgy. Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato is the vendee of a parcel of land Lot 3113-A-1, Psd12-002419, situated in Bo. Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato with an area of 10,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-60348 is the subject of Deed of Absolute Sale of Real Property before Notary Public Renie Jay Abad Soriano as per Doc. No. 378; Page No. 77; Book No. XIV; Series of 2019.

Notice is hereby given that JANRY CALUBIRAN A R I S TO S A , o f l e g a l age, single, Filipino and resident of Brgy. Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato is the vendee of a parcel of land Lot 3113-A-3, Psd12-002419, situated in Bo. Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato with an area of 10,001 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-60350 is the subject of Deed of Absolute Sale of Real Property before Notary Public Renie Jay A. Soriano as per Doc. No. 25; Page No. 5; Book No. VI; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that JANRY CALUBIRAN A R I S TO S A , o f l e g a l age, single, Filipino and resident of Brgy. Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato is the vendee of a parcel of land Lot 3113-A-4, Psd12-002412, situated in Bo. Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato with an area of 10,001 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-60351 is the subject of Deed of Absolute Sale of Real Property before Notary Public Renie Jay A. Soriano as per Doc. No. 175; Page No. 35; Book No. V; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that JANRY CALUBIRAN A R I S TO S A , o f l e g a l age, single, Filipino and resident of Brgy. Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato is the vendee of a parcel of land Lot 3113-A-2, Psd12-002419, situated in Bo. Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato with an area of 10,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-60349 is the subject of Deed of Absolute Sale of Real Property before Notary Public Renie Jay A. Soriano as per Doc. No. 390; Page No. 80; Book No. VII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MALANO P. GUGO and ZANGKALA ACOB who died on May 4, 2014 and May 20, 2010 in Datu Hofer, Ampatuan, Maguindanao, respectively left a parcel of land Lot No. 321-A, Psd(ARMM) 001422, situated at Labu-labu, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, with an area of 33,392 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-29539 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary P u b l i c A t t y. A g n e s P. Paracha-Balleque as per Doc. No. 462; Page No. 93; Book No. 06; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given t h a t R O D I LY N C . A R I S TO S A , o f l e g a l age, widow, Filipino and resident of Brgy. Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato is the vendee of a parcel of land Lot 3114-B-3, Psd12-008204, situated in Bo. Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato with an area of 22,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-71810 is the subject of Deed of Absolute Sale of Real Property before Notary Public Renie Jay Abad Soriano as per Doc. No. 315; Page No. 64; Book No. XIII; Series of 2019.

DEED OF DONATION Notice is hereby given that the estate of CONSEJO P. MISTRAL, a parcel of land Cadastral Lot No. Lot A, PSD- 12-004751 covered by TCT No. 15420190001251, containing an area of 662 sq. mts., more or less, is the subject of deed of donation before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 674; Page No. 674; Book No. XXV; Series of 2019. MC: Sept. 11, 18 & 25, 2021

MC: Sept. 4, 11 & 18, 2021

MC: Aug. 28, Sept. 4 & 11, 2021

MC: Sept. 4, 11 & 18, 2021

MC: Aug. 28, Sept. 4 & 11, 2021

MC: Sept. 4, 11 & 18, 2021

MC: Aug. 28, Sept. 4 & 11, 2021

MC: Sept. 11, 18 & 25, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late MELITONA P. GORNEZ, who died on December 17, 2012 at Anonang, Midsayap, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 1038, located at Anonang, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by OCT No. V-2000 with an area of 66,925 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with partition agreement and simultaneous deed of sale before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De CastroJagunap as per Doc. No. 4903; Page No. 4903; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021. MC: Sept. 11, 18 & 25, 2021

CRISANEL PAWNSHOP-MAIN

BRANCH I, II, III & Midsayap Branch

Patalastas ng Subasta Ang Crisanel Pawnshop ng Cotabato City at Midsayap, Cotabato ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula pa noong Pebrero 2020 hangang Marso 2021. Ang Subasta ay sa Oktubre 2, 2021 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Sept. 11, 2021

MC: Aug. 28, Sept. 4 & 11, 2021

September 11, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Tacurong City has 2 new councilors

THE 8th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tacurong City on Wednesday welcomed its two newest members who filled the slot vacated by former city councilors. During its regular session on Sept. 8, the city council welcomed newly appointed City Councilors Lina O. Montilla and Geraldine L. Collado after taking their oath of office on separate occasions. Councilor Montilla, a former 3-term city mayor of Tacurong, took her oath of office before Punong Barangay Maria Rhodora Pauya of Barangay Poblacion while Councilor Collado was sworn into

office by Sultan Kudarat Governor Suharto Mangudadatu, also on Wednesday. Allan Freno, city information officer, said vacancies occurred in the city legislative body after the passing of former City Councilor Charito Collado and the assumption of Councilor Lalaine Montilla as vice mayor. Councilor Lalaine Montilla replaced her brother-in-law former

Vice Mayor Lino Montilla who assumed as city mayor after his brother, Angelo, has died due to Covid-19 infections. Councilor Geraldine Collado is the daughter of the late Councilor Charito Collado. Councilor Lina Montilla, sister of Mayor Montilla, has been the city mayor for three consecutive terms that ended in 2016. Edwin

O. Fernandez

4 NPAs, 2 soldiers killed in Bukidnon clash

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Four New People’s Army guerillas and two soldiers perished in a clash Wednesday in San Fernando town in nearby Bukidnon province. Eight NPAs who scampered away as the exchange of gunfire ensued were captured by pursuing Army troopers backed by policemen from the 1003rd Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10. One of the eight NPAs who got wounded in the firefight was immediately rushed by soldiers and policemen to a hospital. In separate statements Thursday, the 4th Infantry Division and the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office said the encounter erupted when a group of NPAs attacked a team from the 88th Infantry Battalion while proceeding to a secluded spot in Sitio Malambago in Barangay Mabuhay,

San Fernando. The soldiers were dispatched to check on the reported presence of armed men forcibly collecting money and food from residents of Sitio Malambago. Two of the slain NPAs looked like adolescents yet, according to officials of the 88th IB. The police and the 88th IB have separately confirmed that soldiers and policemen found 16 firearms, including an AK 47 Kalashnikov rifle, an M203 rifle fitted with a launcher for 40 millimeter grenade projectile and an M14 rifle in the scene of the encounter. Four of the firearms were recovered beside the cadavers of the NPA fatalities, the rest along the escape routes of the rebels who escaped towards different directions when they ran out of ammunition. John

THE number of COVID-19 infections continue to spike with the highest single day tally recorded on Wednesday at 671. On Thursday, the Department of Health Center for Health and Development (DOH-CHD 12) has the second highest daily tally of 574. T w e n t y - o n e COVID-19 patients in the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani and the cities of Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and Gen. Santos have died due to COVID-19 related diseases. In its bulletin Thursday, the Soccsksargen region also reported 355 patients who hurdled the virus and are

now heading for home or still undergoing additional quarantine days to ensure complete healing. Six of the latest fatality were from Gen. Santos City, three in Koronadal, two each in Kidapawan City and Matalam while one each in the towns of Norala and Surallah in South Cotabato; Tulunan, Carmen and Arakan in North Cotabato, and in Tacurong City, Esperanza and Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat. Overall, there are a total of 41,162 COVID-19 confirmed cases reported to DOH CHD SOCCSKSARGEN region. 5,768 (14.01 percent) are active cases, 34,064 (82.76 percent) recoveries and 1,323 (3.21 percent) COVID-19 related deaths.

Felix Unson

DOH-12 has highest 1 day tally of COVID-19 infections

INJURED, TREATED GENTLE GIANT. Environment officials in Gumasa,

Sarangani province send back to its natural habitat a female “Pilot Whale” after undergoing rehabilitation efforts. The 4.2 meters whale beached itself at Barangay Gumasa, rescued by town folks and treated then released back to the wild.

Photo courtesy of DENR Soccsksargen

BYC to youth: “Submit meaningful projects for funding” THE Bangsamoro Government is encouraging youth organizations in the region to submit project proposals for possible funding by the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) and its partner development agencies for “positive community transformation.” The project, ‘Ideation Impact Challenge: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, is a call for proposal for the youth who advocate for community peacebuilding and development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). BYC Chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong said the project – being carried out by his office in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

and co-funded by the European Union – invites youth organizations, Sanguniang Kabataan (SK), and local youth development councils to pitch in proposals “to help them become more productive members of the society.” “This project aims to strengthen meaningful participation and engagement of youth in positive community transformation and development in the Bangsamoro,” Macasalong noted. BYC is the primary youth development arm of the BARMM through its creation by the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 10. Macasalong stressed the BYC works on the premise that the creative and innovative ideas of the youth, if supported and recognized, “will bring about profound changes for the cause of economic recovery,” due

to the adverse effects of the current pandemic. He emphasized that projects may be in line with the priority areas identified in the Bangsamoro Youth Transition Priority Agenda (BYTPA) such as health, education, p e a c e b u i l d i n g , governance, and active citizenship. Successful teams will be chosen to undergo several workshops and mentoring, after which 20 teams will be awarded with seed funds to implement their projects—10 teams will be awarded with P50,000, while another 10 teams will be awarded with P20,000 for their project implementation. The BYC will receive applications through the link https:// bit.ly/ IdeationImpact Challenge until 11:59PM of Sunday, September 12.

Bangsamoro Information Office

Edwin O. Fernandez

Drug peddler falls, P3.4-M worth meth seized ANTI-NARCOTICS agents seized P3.4 and the police. million worth of shabu from a dealer entrapped here noontime Thursday with the help of local officials in Cotabato City. The suspect, Benjamin Kolod Roger, is now clamped down in a detention facility here of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Gilbert Buenafe, director of PDEABARMM, said Bolod fell in a sting in Kalaw Street in Federville Subdivision here, laid with the help of city government officials

He was immediately frisked and cuffed after selling half a kilo of shabu, valued at P3.4 million, to plainclothes PDEA-BARMM agents disguised as drug dependents. Buenafe said they are to prosecute the suspect for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, also known as the Republic Act Buenafe said he is grateful to the city government for actively supporting their campaign against drug trafficking in all of the 37 barangays here. John Felix Unson

BUSTED. Suspect Benjamin Kolod Roger is now in the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Agents confiscated from him P3.4 million worth of shabu in an entrapment operation in Cotabato City Thursday. Photo courtesy of PDEA-BARMM

THE MINDANAO CROSS

September 11, 2021

Another shabu dealer entrapped

Authorities seized P340,000 worth of shabu from a trafficker arrested last weekend in Datu Odin Sinsuat town after seven attempts to entrap him. Arsad Gunda Salik was nabbed after selling 50 grams of shabu to a non-uniformed agent of the Philippine DrugEnforcement AgencyBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in Barangay Poblacion 2 in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. He eluded seven attempts to clamp him down in the past 12 months.

PDEA-BARMM officials told Mindanao Cross Salik is a resident of Barangay Tulunan in Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao. PDEA-BARMM agents and Datu Odin Sinsuat police personnel led by Lt. Col. Romel Dela Vega also seized from Salik a .45 caliber pistol and mobile phones containing numbers of his contacts in different

towns. The entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of Salik was assisted by the Army’s 22nd Mechanized Company, which is under the control of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division. Salik is now detained in the office of PDEA-BARMM in Cotabato City, awaiting prosecution. John Felix

Unson

BARMM to build modern 2-storey school buildings

THE Bangsamoro govenrment has stated the construction of more modern schools for the basic and higher education learners across the region. On Monday, Minister Mohaqher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Teachnical Education in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (MBHTE-BARMM) announced that the construction of school buildings commenced this month. “These school buildings are expected to be completed within this year,” Minister Iqbal said in a statement. To be built are 22 units of 2-storey with 10-classroom school buildings for the basic and higher education learners in the region. Iqbal said 17 of these buildings are funded under the Special Development Fund (SDF) 2020 amounting to P375.2

million. These buildings are for basic education learners. Of these buildings, two will be for the Special Geographic Areas in North Cotabato, four for Maguindanao, three for Lanao del Sur, one for Marawi City, two for Basilan, one for Lamitan City, two for Sulu, and two for Tawi-Tawi. Meanwhile, the remaining five school buildings for higher education learners, worth P96.5 million, are to be funded under the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) 2021. Iqbal said that the selection of these school beneficiaries went under thorough validation of the School-Based Assessment 2020-2021. “No Bangsamoro should be left behind as far as education is concerned,” Iqbal said. Edwin O. Fernandez

Former extremists to help end violent extremism

THE government here has found what it believed was effective in ending violent extremism – use of former extremists to fight it. A total of 152 former Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) underwent entrepreneurial skills training from project Tulong Ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit (TuGoN) of the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The training ended Wednesday, Aug. 18. The skills trainings were held simultaneously at Radjah Buayan, Maguindanao; President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; and Kabacan, North Cotabato, respectively, was in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade,

Investments and Tourism (MTIT) from August 16 to 18. With the help from the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion, 601st and 602nd Army brigades, the entrepreneurship development training was part of the assistance of Project TuGoN purposely to capacitate former combatants on starting up business, financial literacy, business resiliency, and other important areas of entrepreneurship. These are in preparation for their reintegration into mainstream society and become more productive Bangsamoro citizens. “We believed the BIFF now still out there would be convinced the government is serious in helping their comrades, hopefully it will entice them to yield too and return to the

mainstream,” a statement from the BARMM interior ministry office said. Project TuGoN also plans to do the same activity in the provinces of Lanao Del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi to cater former combatants to avail of the skills trainings that could help them in reshaping their lives. The Bangsamoro Government will continues its drive to end local armed conflict and encourages other lawless groups to re-integrate to the mainstream, society, and avail themselves of the Project TuGoN program and services, and other government assistances which provide skills trainings, basic services, benefits, and support to the former rebels, the MILG said.

Edwin O. Fernandez

Magelco moves to improve collection...from P3 THE Maguindanao Electric cooperative Incorporated (Magelco) has strategized its management operation to improve

collection, avoid systems losses and pay power suppliers. “I have introduced a paradigm shift

FOR EFFECTIVE SERVICES. The Magelco board members, with general manager Ashary Maongco (left), tackle matters during a board meeting held on Aug. 16, 2021 at the Magelco office in Barangay Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. The meeting touched, among others, the board’s approval of a management paradigm shift.

Photo courtesy of Magelco

NEWSBRIEFS No case of delta variant in Cotabato City, BARMM

COTABATO CITY — Health authorities in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Wednesday clarified that, on record, novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) delta variant carrier in Cotabato City and the region. Dr. Bashary Latiph, BARMM health minister, in a news conference, stressed that the reported delta variant case in Marawi City was a case of misinformation. “The patient, a child, was tested positive in Marawi City but he and

his parents were from Tangkal, Lanao del Norte, therefore, official not in BARMM,” Dr. Latiph said, adding that the child was taken into custody by the Tangkal MDRRMO to be isolated in town. He said as far as BARMM, Cotabato City, included, is concerned no delta variant on record exist or recorded in the region. One case was reported in Cotabato City but turned out the report was not verified, validated and remained unconfirmed. Edwin O. Fernandez

BTA solons seek creation of archives office COTABATO CITY — Eight lawmakers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have joined hands to author a bill that would strengthen the system management and archival records of the region. In a statement Thursday, Bangsamoro

Transition Authority parliament members Don Mustapha Loong, Baintan Ampatuan, Amilbahar Mawallil, Laisa Alamia, Rasol Mitmug Jr., Suharto Ambolodto, Rasul Ismael, and Jose Lorena said they have introduced BTA Bill No. 120 or “Bangsamoro Regional Archives Act,” in the plenary for the

establishment of the Office of the Bangsamoro Regional Archives (OBRA). “The maintenance of archival records is one of the important tasks of the BARMM government that should be advanced to preserve the region’s collective identity and history,” the group said.

PNA

Cops seize illegally cut forest product in Magpet MAGPET, North Cotabato — Police here arrested a cargo truck driver and seized 260 illegally cut logs products after he failed to permits to cut and transport forest products. Roger Grape of Tacurong City was driving the truck when flagged down by police personnel in Barangay

Tagbac here on Wednesday afternoon. Police were tipped off by a concerned citizen about the transport of suspected illegal cut 760 board feet of Gmelina forest products. He is now detained at Magpet PNP lock-up cell and the forest products were turned over to DENR.

DXND Radyo Bida

SoCot to put up medical oxygen plant

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of South Cotabato is planning to establish its own medical oxygen generating plant to ensure sufficient supplies for local hospitals amid the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Dr. Conrado Braña, the designated head of public hospitals in the province, said Wednesday studies are underway for the development of the facility in coordination with concerned stakeholders. Braña said South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo

Tamayo Jr. has initially considered the project, which is deemed vital in the province’s Covid-19 response. “We can include it in our next supplemental budget or in the budget for next year since we’re already preparing it,” he said in a press conference. PNA

Comelec postpones Maguindanao division plebiscite, 4 others

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not hold plebiscites in Maguindanao and other areas until after the conduct of next year's elections. The Philippine News Agency reported that in Resolution No. 10716, the Commission en banc has decided to postpone five scheduled plebiscites as they need to concentrate on the preparations for next year’s polls. "Now, Therefore, after due deliberation, so as not to derail the preparations for the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections, the Commission En Banc, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and other election laws, hereby resolve, as it hereby resolves to suspend the conduct of all plebiscites, and schedule the holding of said plebiscites within four months from the end of the election period for

the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections," the resolution read which was promulgated on August 18 and mad e public on Thursday. These include the plebiscite to ratify the creation of Barangay New Canaan into a regular and district barangay in the municipality of Alabel, Sarangani; the plebiscite to ratify the merging of Barangay District 1 and Barangay District 28 and the renaming of Barangay 29 in Ormoc City; the plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the municipality of Calaca in the province of Batangas into a component city; the plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the city of San Jose Del Monte into a highly urbanized city and the plebiscite to ratify the division of Maguindanao into two provinces. The poll body said preliminary activities such as the configuration of vote-counting machines (VCMs), the

preparation of the final database for all elective positions, among others are taking much of their time aside from the deadlines that they have to meet. “Whereas, all these preliminary activities must be completed before the scheduled filing of Certificates of Candidacy, thus, the database for all elective positions nationwide should be finished on or before August 30, 2021. Whereas, considering the timeline laid above for the preparation for the 2022 NLE and the arduous preparations needed for its implementation, in order to concentrate all its resources in the preparation for the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections, there is a need to set a cutoff date for the conduct of plebiscites," the resolution added. The filing of the certificates of candidacy for next year's polls is set from Oct. 1 to 8 this year.

Ferdinand Patinio/PNA