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U.S., COVAX ties sends in 2.58 million vaccines

CHURCH / P4

Pope Francis: The true measure of success is what you give, not what you have

Cops hunt drug peddler who eluded arrest

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

91 WORKING MAYOR. Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi on Thursday opens Tantawan Multipurpose Center situated at the corner of Sinsuat and Veterans Avenues that will also serve as “Pasalubong Center” where local tourists can find Cotabato City’s delicacies. Photo courtesy of City Government of Cotabato & Karl John Daniel

BARMM’S STAND ON BILL DECLARING CHILD MARRIAGE ILLEGAL

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government has submitted its position paper on Senate Bill 1373 or the “Girls not Brides Act” that declares child marriage illegal.

Kidapawan City IATF inoculated over 40,000 people

Marawi rehab on track despite doubts, criticisms

MANILA — Criticisms would not deter government efforts to rehabilitate Marawi City that was flattened during the five-month siege between government forces and Maute terrorists in 2017. Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) remains motivated to address the needs of affected residents and bring back their

lives to normalcy, according to chair and Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario. He also expressed his gratitude to individuals and groups that have been supporting various government interventions and massive rehabilitation works in Marawi. “I am very happy at least, there

BARMM gov’t takes over CCDEO

THE city’s district engineering office is now officially under the Ministry of Public WorksBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. BARMM Public Works Minister Eduard Uy Guerra told Mindanao

John Felix Unson Cross Tuesday Public Works Secretary Mark Villar led the symbolic turnover Monday of the Cotabato City District Engineering Office, or CCDEO, to the Bangsamoro government. The CCDEO was originally under the

Department of Public Works and Highways-12. The turnover event on Monday was held at the central office of the Department of Public Works and Highways at the Port Area in Manila. B e s i d e s Guerra, DPWH

KIDAPAWAN CITY — The Kidapawan City inter-agency task force on COVID-19 announced Thursday that more than 40,000 Kidapawenios have been inoculated and vaccinations are

Edwin O. Fernandez continuing. City Mayor Joseph Evangelista reported that 42,303 out of 52,583 vaccine doses that the city received from the national government have been used for eligible priority

groups A1 to A4. He said that to date, 25,583 residents have been given first dose of vaccines and 14,720 have received the second dose. “The remaining more than 10,000

Slain culprits in DOS attack hired killers, says cop

John Felix Unson SUSPECTS in foiled ambush vs. MUS of the Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS) municipal prof hired killers police, said Wednesday the target of the Authorities are certain the duo who attack, Daud Kadon of the Mindanao tried to kill a professor in the Mindanao State University-Maguindanao Campus, State University-Maguindanao campus was slightly wounded in the incident. in a bungled ambush Tuesday in Datu Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director Odin Sinsuat town were hired killers. of the Police Regional OfficePolice Lt. Col. Romel Dela Vega, chief Bangsamoro Autonomous Region,

DID YOU KNOW? September is National Peace Consciousness Month September was declared National Peace Consciousness Month under Proclamation No. 675 signed on July 20, 2004 by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Eduard Uy Guerra

September was chosen because several peace-building milestones happened during the month, like the United Nations’ declaration of Sept. 21 as International Day of Peace.

September 25, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

U.S., COVAX ties sends in 2.58 million vaccines

THE United States is working with the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility to deliver 2,582,190 more doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines as part of its worldwide commitment to help end the pandemic. The vaccines, delivered in separate shipments on September 19 and 20, were part of the 500 million doses of Pfizer that the United States is making available for distribution through COVAX, a global initiative to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Manila welcomed Heather Variava as the new Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim (CDA a.i.) succeeding former Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) John Law. A CDA is an Embassy’s official representative in the absence of an Ambassador, representing the President of the United States in the host country. “It is a privilege and an honor to assume charge of our large and busy Mission in the Philippines. I look forward to strengthening the broad and deep relationships

we have here. While we are not yet free of the pandemic, I am committed to partnering with the government and people of the Philippines to face challenges together,” said CDA Variava, who will be serving in Manila for the next three years. A statement sent by the U.S. Embassy to news organizations, said CDA Variava, who has been a member of the U.S. Foreign Service since 1996, steered the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia and its consulates through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and supported the U.S. strategic partnership in Indonesia as CDA and DCM. Before her posting at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, she had been the U.S. Consul General in Surabaya, Indonesia, from 2015 to 2018. Chargé d’Affaires Variava

joined Philippine government officials and other stakeholders at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in receiving the shipment of 2,020,590 doses on September 19 and 561,600 doses on September 20. As the largest donor to the COVAX facility, the U.S. has facilitated the delivery of more than 16 million vaccine doses to the Philippines via COVAX, including more than nine million doses donated by the American people. The United States has worked closely with Philippine stakeholders throughout the pandemic to protect public health and support the local response to COVID-19. To date, total U.S. government COVID-19 assistance to the Philippines amounts to over Php1.9 billion ($39 million). Nash

B. Maulana

NoCot gov welcomes BIFF, extends livelihood aid

KIDAPAWAN CITY — North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco has welcomed Moro armed men who opted to surrender and denounced the use of violence. “You made the right choice, the government will not fail you, we have programs for all of you who wanted to return to the mainstream,” North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco told three members of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) during surrender rites Wednesday. In a statement Thursday, Catamco said the former combatants

used to operate in Aleosan, North Cotabato and were involved in several violent incidents in town and nearby municipalities. The three BIFF members whose identities were withheld as they requested admitted they were duped to take up arms and join violent extremism. “We were repeatedly told the government will not help them, the Army will kill them on sight,” one of the surrenderees said in the vernacular. Catamco along with Colonel Henry Villar, North Cotabato police director, and

Colonel Jovencio Gonzales, 602nd Army brigade commander, welcomed the former rebels during simple surrender rites inside the police provincial office in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City Wednesday. Villar said the trio turned in a home-made cal. 50 barret sniper rifle, an M-79 grenade launcher and a pistol with ammunition. Catamco also handed over to the surrenderees P10,000 cash assistance and other livelihood package for the former rebels. “I hope other rebels who are still out there

would come down too and avail of the government’s amnesty program and livelihood package,” she said. “This activity only shows that the partnership of the security forces, local government units, and the members of the community is vital in the attainment of a long lasting peace in this part of Mindanao,” Colonel Villar said. “It is also an indicator that the government remained true to its promise to assist the surenderees to the new chapter of their lives,” he said. Edwin O.

Fernandez

Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava

Fire hits truck with fuel cargo

KIDAPAWAN CITY — A truck carrying 28 containers of highlycombustible gasoline and diesel burst in flames last week in Magpet town, causing panic among villagers near the scene. Driver Borley Tadjangco said he heard two explosions at the cargo bed of his truck before the fire broke out while he was driving through a stretch of a barrio road in Barangay Temporon in Magpet, North Cotabato. The truck was en route to nearby Arakan town, also in North Cotabato, from

the provincial capital Kidapawan City. The incident sent Tadjangco and his wife running for their lives. A prober from the Bureau of Fire Protection, FO1 Ronnel Suangco, said one of the containers filled with gasoline on the truck may have leaked, causing the fire. Suangco, of the Magpet municipal fire station, said a spark due to friction caused by the containers of the petroleum products on the truck triggered the combustion that set its flammable cargo on fire.

John Felix Unson

BARMM solons push for creation, upgrading of health facilities TO provide people of Tawi-Tawi greater access to health services that was denied from them for decades, a group of lawmakers in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) filed a bill aimed at establishing a health facility in the island town of Sitangkai. Another legislator also filed separate bill aimed at upgrading the hospital in Lanao del Sur to address rising demand for health services. Two bills were filed before the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament on Wednesday. The Parliament Bill 128, a measure aiming to create a general hospital in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, was introduced on first reading.

On the other hand, Parliament Bill 102, that seeks to upgrade the existing Balindong Hospital in Lanao del Sur from its present 10-bed capacity to a 50-bed capacity district hospital, was presented on second reading and referred to committees on health and finance, budget, and management. The bill creating new health facility in Tawi-Tawi was authored by Members of Parliament (MP) Amilbahar Mawallil, Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engr. Baintan Ampatua, Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Abraham Burahan, and Sittie Shahara Mastura. MP Saffrulah Dipatuan filed Parliament Bill 102.

EXPANDING HEALTH SERVICES.Tawi Tawi IPHO will be reaching out to a new health facility in Sitangkai. Photo courtesy of IOM Philippines

Sitangkai is one of Tawi-Tawi’s most populated island municipalities. It is located in the southernmost part of the Philippines, close to Malaysia and Indonesia. “Providing medical services should be a priority for the Bangsamoro region— especially in Sitangkai,” Mawallil said. Mawallil said as the Covid-19 virus continues to spread throughout the BARMM most hospitals had reached their capacity limit. On the other hand, Balindong Municipal Hospital has been forced to render services that exceed its approved bed capacity. This is based on the Ministry of Health (MOH-BARMM) hospital

statistics report in 2019. Balindong said if the existing Balindong municipal hospital is upgraded more patients will be catered. To date, more than twelve bills are in the plenary all seeking the improvement and establishment of hospitals within the region. Aside from passing legislation, the Bangsamoro government provides health assistance to frontline health workers and patients. The MOH-BARMM had extended various interventions to hospitals that include ambulances, appropriation of cash aids, and distribution of medical supplies such as oxygen tanks and many other. Edwin O. Fernandez

Free rides for health workers, APORs in NoCot resume

KIDAPAWAN CITY — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Region 12 has announced Thursday the resumption of its free rides for healthcare workers and authorized persons outside of residence (APORs). The agency tapped the Mindanao Star Bus (MSB) Company for the project. In a statement, the LTFRB–12 said the free rides, under a service contract with the MSB, for health front-liners and APORs “will run within the next 50 days.”

The service routes include Kidapawan City-Cotabato City via Matalam–Midsayap towns; Kidapawan City– Makilala town; and Kidapawan City ProperCotabato Provincial Capitol in Barangay Amas here, among others. North Cotabato Board Member Dr. Philbert Malaluan, concurrent provincial Inter-Agency Task Force against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spokesperson, said the initiative will benefit o frontline workers who are facing difficulty in commuting daily to their

places of work. “This is another round of essential intervention that the government initiated to support our frontline workers”, he said. The province has at least 25,000 health workers from both public and private health facilities in its one-city, 17-town component areas. The free ride for health workers was first implemented in the first half of this year after stricter regionwide quarantine protocol due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. PNA

September 25, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

BARMM’s stand on bill declaring child...from P1 In a letter addressed to the Senate and House of Representatives dated September 13, 2021 and signed by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, the Bangsamoro Government reiterated its position on the proposed legislation and reechoes the need to be more responsive on issues on child marriage and exploitation. The four-page position paper also highlights the unique context of Muslim Filipinos and indigenous communities and the need to reconsider the bill’s application to the said sectors. Exemptions on its applications The Bangsamoro Government hopes that the application of the bill not be made to Muslim Filipinos and indigenous peoples. According to the position paper, “certain provisions therein are antithetic to established laws, Islamic principles, and other cultural practices.” It further highlights that by criminalizing early marriages among Muslims, it will instigate litigation among immediate family members at the expense of the family as a social institution whose unity and harmony the Shari’ah and Constitution seek to maintain and protect. PD 1083 The regional government states that its position is principally founded on the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1083 or the “Code of Muslim Personal Laws in the Philippines.” The said decree recognizes the legal system of the Muslims in the Philippines as part of the law of the land and seeks to make Islamic institutions more effective. The position paper stresses that PD No. 1083 provides that marriage

between Muslims, even below 15 years, is permissible, subject of course to the essential requisites of marriage under Article 15 of the same law. BARMM commitment The Bangsamoro Government, however, stays committed in promoting, protecting, and recognizing the rights and welfare of the Bangsamoro people and those residing therein. Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim says that the position of the Government of the Day is aligned with their mandate in Republic Act 11054, otherwise known as the “Bangsamoro Organic Law,” where various ministries are provided for the duty to address concerns such as child marriage. “The Bangsamoro Government remains steadfast in promoting the rights and welfare of our children. We will not let any individual take advantage of our dear children. Several ministries, agencies and offices are tasked to monitor cases of early child marriages in the region and assure that there are no exploitations taking place,” Ebrahim said. In a forum conducted by the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) concerning the similar topic on October last year, Senior Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua said that the Bangsamoro Government reaffirms its commitment to promote the welfare of young girls, and to ensure that they are protected at all times, especially in this difficult time of pandemic. “As we transition towards change, we should also be preparing the future leaders of the Bangsamoro,” Macacua added. BIO

told Mindanao Cross the DOS municipal police will do its best to get a clearer picture of the attempt to kill Kadon. "Our theory is that the suspects were hired killers," Ugale said. The MSU-Maguindanao Campus is located in DOS town in the first district of Maguindanao, a component province of the Bangsamoro region. Kadon was driving his vehicle en route to somewhere in DOS town when two men on a motorcycle together trailing behind shot him with pistols.

Kadon, who has a pistol in his white Toyota Fortuner, returned fire, killing one of his assailants on the spot. The other attacker died in a hospital two hours later. Dela Vega identified the slain culprits as Montano Usman of Talitay town in Maguindanao, and the other as Abdul Mama from Barangay Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat. There are indications that the duo was hired to kill Kadon, according to Dela Vega.

Slain culprits in DOS attack hired killers...from P1

Marawi rehab on track despite doubts...from P1

are some people now who are answering the negative criticism and telling those who are criticizing us that they don’t know what they are talking about,” del Rosario said in a statement on Tuesday. Del Rosario said the 56 implementing agencies

under the TFBM have been "so dedicated" to revive the livelihood of residents. TFBM’s efforts are being downplayed by critics, saying the rehabilitation is "long overdue" and affected residents lacked assistance. However, TFBM is

sticking to its commitment that "Marawi will rise again as a prosperous city," del Rosario stated. Last week, del Rosario went on a three-day visit to the city and led inauguration ceremonies of completed infrastructure projects. PNA

Kidapawan City IATF inoculated over 40,000...from P1

doses are being given to listed recipients as the vaccination roll-out continues,” Evangelista said in a statement. He announced that early this week the vaccination program has started serving the A4 eligible priority groups or those listed as frontline economic workers like tricycle and public utility vehicle drivers, workers in essential business establishments and those in public markets.

Evangelista said the DOH in the Soccsksargen region has informed him that Spuitnik V vaccines intended of the city are on its way to be used for second dose of those who earlier received the same brand of vaccines. As of Thursday’s data from DOH-12, Kidapawan City has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 of 2,323 with 1,899 patients having recovered, 350 active cases and 74 deaths.

BARMM gov’t takes over CCDEO...from P1 Undersecretary Emil Sadain and Danilo Ong, the director-general of the Bangsamoro public works ministry, were also present in the symbolic event. Guerra said the BARMM leadership is glad with the turnover of Villar’s office of the CCDEO to the Bangsamoro government. Cotabato City is

the capital of the now 29-month BARMM that replaced the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in early 2019. The BARMM is a product of 22 years of peace talks between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, whose chairman,

CSC recognizes BARMM dev’t academy as L&D institution DEVELOPMENT Academy of the Bangsamoro - Center of Training and Assessment (DABCTA) is now one of the recognized Learning and Development (L&D) institutions in the Philippines following the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Central Office’s confirmation on Wednesday, Sept. 22. This puts the DABCTA at par with other established government training institutions in the country such as the Civil Service

Institute (CSI), CSC Regional Offices, Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), TESDA, and other instrumentalities of the University of the Philippines. Based on the Bangsamoro Civil Service Code and the Guidelines set by the CSC Res. No. 2100200 s. 2021, trainings conducted by CSC Recognized L&D Institutions may be for meeting the training requirements of all applicants for government

Outbreak: 10 of the worst...from P6 which 23,000 people died in Great Britain.

THE BLACK DEATH (1346-1353) Death Toll: 75 – 200 million Cause: Bubonic Plague From 1346 to 1353 an outbreak of the Plague ravaged Europe, Africa, and Asia, with an estimated death toll between 75 and 200 million people. Thought to have originated in Asia, the Plague most likely jumped continents via the fleas living on the rats that so frequently lived aboard merchant ships. Ports being major urban centers at the time, were the perfect breeding ground for the rats and fleas, and thus the insidious bacterium flourished, devastating three continents in its wake. PLAGUE OF JUSTINIAN (541-542) Death Toll: 25 million Cause: Bubonic Plague Thought to have killed perhaps half the population of Europe, the Plague of Justinian was an outbreak of the bubonic plague that afflicted the Byzantine Empire and Mediterranean port

cities, killing up to 25 million people in its year long reign of terror. Generally regarded as the first recorded incident of the Bubonic Plague, the Plague of Justinian left its mark on the world, killing up to a quarter of the population of the Eastern Mediterranean and devastating the city of Constantinople, where at its height it was killing an estimated 5,000 people per day and eventually resulting in the deaths of 40% of the city’s population. A N T O N I N E PLAGUE (165 AD) Death Toll: 5 million Cause: Unknown Also known as the Plague of Galen, the Antonine Plague was an ancient pandemic that affected Asia Minor, Egypt, Greece, and Italy and is thought to have been either Smallpox or Measles, though the true cause is still unknown. This unknown disease was brought back to Rome by soldiers returning from Mesopotamia around 165AD; unknowingly, they had spread a disease which would end up killing over 5 million people and decimating the Roman army. MC

Ahod Ebrahim, is now an appointed chief minister of the Bangsamoro region. Republic of the Philippines Region XII Pikit, Cotabato OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A, 10172), notice is hereby given to the public that Hadiguia S. Abas has filed with this office, a petition for the correction of clerical error in the gender from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Aljory Solaiman Abas who was born at Bagoinged, Pikit, Cotabato on 23 December 2011 and whose parents are Jojo L. Abas and Hadiguia R. Solaiman. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than October 9, 2021. (Sgd.) EDITHA I. MONTERDE, MAEd Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Sept. 25 & Oct. 2, 2021

NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is given to the public that Rural Bank of Midsayap, Inc. Stock Certificate No. 327 for 47 common shares, Stock Certificate No. 407 for 22 common shares, and Stock Certificate No. 427 for 17 common shares issued in favor of Pio D. Domingo were declared lost in the Joint Affidavit of Loss executed by the heirs of Jose Pio D. Domingo, namely: Fe D. Domingo, Vincent Anthony D. Domingo, Catherine Irene D. Uy, Geraldine Elaine D. Luqui, and Marvin Anthony D. Domingo, and recorded in the notarial register of Atty. Alberto T. Eramis on 6 September 2021 as Doc. No. 395; Page No. 79; Book No. CCXLVIII; Series of 2021. If no adverse claim regarding the above Certificates of Stock are presented to the Corporate Secretary of the Rural Bank of Midsayap, Inc. at Quezon Avenue, Poblacion 4, Midsayap, North Cotabato, within (1) year from the last publication of this notice, the right to make such claim shall be forever barred and the Corporation shall cancel in its books the above Certificates of Stock and issue new certificates in lieu thereof. MC: Sept. 25, Oct. 2 & 9, 2021

September 25, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Pope Francis:

The true measure of success is what you give, not what you have

VATICAN— Pope Francis said on Sunday that in God’s eyes, success is measured “not on what someone has, but on what someone gives.” In his Angelus address on Sept. 19, the pope reflected on the day’s Gospel reading, Mark 9:30-37, in which Jesus declares that “if anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” The pope said: “Through this shocking phrase, the Lord inaugurates a reversal: he overturns the criteria about what truly matters. The value of a person does not depend anymore on the role they have, the work they do, the money they have in the bank.” “No, no, no, it does not depend on this. Greatness and success in God’s eyes are measured differently: they are measured by service. Not on what someone has, but on what someone gives. Do you want to be first? Serve. This is the way.” Giving his live-streamed address at a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, the pope said that those who wish to follow Jesus must take “the path of service.” “Our fidelity to the Lord depends on our willingness to serve. And we know this often costs, because ‘it tastes like a cross.’ But, as our care and availability toward others grow, we become freer inside, more like Jesus. The more we serve, the more we are aware of God’s presence,” he explained. “Above all, when we serve those who cannot give anything in return, the poor, embracing their difficulties and needs with tender compassion: and we in turn discover God’s love and embrace there.” He noted that after making his dec laration about service, Jesus brought a child before his disciples, saying: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” The pope said: “In the Gospel, the child does not symbolize innocence so much as littleness. For the little ones, like children, depend on others, on adults, they need to receive. Jesus embraces those children and says that those who welcome a little one, welcome him.” “The ones who are to be served above all are those in need of receiving who cannot give anything in return. In welcoming those on the margins, the

neglected, we welcome Jesus because He is there. And in the little one, in the poor person we serve, we also receive God’s tender embrace.” The pope urged pilgrims gathered in the square below to ask themselves whether they were truly committed to serving the neglected or simply sought “personal gratification” like Jesus’ disciples on that occasion. “Do I understand life in terms of competing to make room for myself at others’ expense, or do I believe that being first means serving?” he asked. “And, concretely: do I dedicate time to a ‘little one,’ to a person who has no means to pay me back? Am I concerned about someone who cannot give me anything in return, or only with my relatives and friends? These are the questions we need to ask ourselves.” After praying the Angelus, Pope Francis expressed his closeness to victims of flooding in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo. He highlighted the deaths of at least 17 patients after a river burst its banks and water inundated a hospital in the town of Tula. He also referred — without mentioning any countries by name — to those held unjustly in detention outside their homelands. “I want to assure my prayer for the people who have been unjustly detained in foreign countries: unfortunately, there are several cases, for different, and sometimes, complex causes. I hope that, in the due fulfillment of justice, these people might return as soon as possible to their homeland,” he said. He then greeted pilgrims gathered for his address, singling out those from Poland, Slovakia, and Honduras. Finally, he acknowledged the 175th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary at La Salette, southeastern France. He noted that Mary appeared in tears to two children, Maximin Giraud and Mélanie Calvat, in 1846. “Mary’s tears make us think of Jesus’ tears over Jerusalem and of his anguish in Gethsemane: they are a reflection of Christ’s suffering for our sins and an appeal that is always contemporary, to entrust ourselves to God’s mercy,” he said. Catholic News

Agency

Caritas PH outraged by killing of human rights lawyer

THE Catholic Church’s social action arm has deplored the killing of human rights lawyer Juan Macababbad in South Cotabato on Sept. 15. Caritas Philippines said “outrage is not enough” to describe how they feel with the “gruesome” killing of Macababbad, who is a “champion of social justice”. “For many of us in Mindanao, his brutal killing puts us in deep sorrow – for Atty. Macababbad is no ordinary lawyer,” it said in a statement. The national Caritas said that Macababbad is someone they can turn to when no lawyer will take the case of a farmer against land lords and big corporations. It also said that his free legal services for the vulnerable “are the pillars of hope for most of the indigenous peoples fighting against the tyranny even of state forces”. “The rural poor of the South takes courage in his presence,” according to Caritas Philippines. “His savage death meant an indefinite delay for the poor’s access to justice, peace and freedom,” it added. The lawyer was shot by two assailants

REFLECTIONS

Aimee Yeo

Atty. Juan Macababbad

Prelate urges Batanes folk to be steadfast in faith

BISHOP Danilo Ulep of Batanes encouraged the people to persist in their faith even in the midst of ‘misfortune’ facing the province. In a message to the faithful, he lamented the surge of COVID-19 cases on the island, which is still reeling from the devastation wrought by typhoon “Kiko”. “As I assure you of my prayers, I enjoin you all to remain steadfast in your faith and trust in God,” Ulep said. “Let us turn these twin misfortune into an opportunity to show once more our resilience, bayanihan spirit, courage and our selflessness in the

n this Sunday’s gospel, From an ordinary Jesus said, “If anyone cultural viewpoint, the should cause one of sin of scandal is often these little ones who believe identified with sexual in me to stumble and sin, it matters such acts of would be better for him to immorality, adultery, be thrown into the sea with pornography, perversions, a great millstone around his and sexual crimes. The Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC neck” (Mk. 9:42). What a internet is filled with tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com harsh punishment! Jesus these materials. Scandal was talking of the sin of scandal. According to however is not limited to sex. There are many ways the Catholic catechism, “Scandal is an attitude to give scandal. When a priest declares in the pulpit or behavior which leads another to do evil. The that he does not believe in God, he scandalizes his person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s parishioners’ faith. He weakens their faith and tempter.” Simply put, scandal is leading another therefore leads them to sin. He may have some person to sin. It is not just that one commits sin struggles with faith in his priestly life, and seeks but that he influences others by omission or action some spiritual direction on the matter, but as long to do something evil. The greater a person’s moral as he deals with it privately, he does not commit influence and standing, the greater the scandal. The scandal. If a religion teacher in high school tells her less knowledgeable and the more innocent (the little students, there is no sin, no heaven or hell and just ones) the person who is led to sin, the greater the do as you please, then he scandalizes young minds sin of scandal. who are still in the process of moral formation and Jesus then mentioned a series of sins caused are impressionable. by our natural endowments, such as our hands, I remember an incident where a young professor our feet, and our eyes which are meant to glorify in a Catholic school decided to impress his students God than lead others to sin. In a typical rabbinic that he is an atheist and he could prove to them that hyperbolic style, Jesus said that if these God-given there is no God. Of course he rehashed the arguments parts of our body bring us to sin, better to cut them of Nietzsche, Marx, Feuerbach, and Dawkins. These off or gouge them out. Better to enter heaven were atheist philosophers and are usually treated incomplete than go to Gehenna (hell) complete. Of in any contemporary philosophy class in college. course, this is not to be literally interpreted. It is a However, by declaring himself as one who does not figure of speech meant to hammer in the message believe in God, he went against the Core Values of a that we have to take custody of our body. We have to Catholic school. He did not last long as a professor. practice discipline or asceticism of the senses. This Adults, leaders, teachers, religious leaders and is much more difficult in our times of information people of influence, including politicians have a moral overload through online media. We are bombarded responsibility to give good example to others. Their with images, information, opinions, and choices that words and actions become open books that young could be confusing. Much more when we get confused people may emulate for better or for worse. We about what is true or untrue and what is good and can build character or tear it down. We can inspire what is evil. or give scandal. MC

Scandal

outside his residence in Surallah town. He served as the vice-chairman of the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM). The UPLM said that Macababbad is the 58th lawyer killed under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. The Caritas said it will work with everyone to seek justice for the lawyer and those who died defending the people and nature. “We will push even harder for accountability especially of those in power,” it said. “We pray for every rights defender. We pray for justice and peace to reign.”

face of such misfortune or tragedy,” he said. Batanes will be under the strictest enhanced community quarantine from Sept. 20 to Oct. 4 due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the province. As of yesterday, the province recorded 100 new cases, raising the total number of active Covid-19 cases to 121. The Batanes provincial government earlier declared a state of calamity due to the extent of the typhoon’s damage. “As if the super typhoon Kiko which caused extensive damage in Batanes was not enough, here comes yet

another trial in the form of a local community transmission of Covid-19,” Ulep said. “As Your Shepherd, I share the pain of those who were directly affected by the typhoon especially those who lost their home and property.” “Likewise, I also feel the anguish and fear of those who are presently infected with the virus. I feel for their struggle in trying to fight off this disease,” he added. The prelate also called on the faithful to cooperate with the authorities and strictly comply with the health and safety protocols to contain the spread of the virus. CBCP News

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

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

Numbers 11.25-29; James 5.1-6; Mark 9.38-43, 45, 47-48

“Huwag kang B.I.” (Bad Influence)! We often hear this expression when people seem to lead other people to commit a bad act or immorality. Today, the gospel reminds us of the severity of sin which can hinder us to enter the Kingdom of God. Sin separates us from God. It destroys our divine connection and can lead us to eternal damnation. Whether big or small, sin will always be the same - a rejection to God’s offer of love and salvation. So let us avoid sin and ‘huwag maging B.I.” Prayer: Lord, help us to avoid sin which separates us from your love. Amen.

THE MINDANAO CROSS

September 25, 2021 EDITORIAL

Our nursing professionals

uring the late 1990s, the Notre Dame University in Cotabato City saw the importance of providing quality education to high school graduates who aspire to become nurses. This was the time when the world is awakening to the role that nurses play in the health sector. I remember how strict the new College of Nursing was in the selection of students to be admitted. They have to show high academic performance, and anyone who gets married (or pregnant) during their college days automatically gets kicked out. The dean (a nun at that time) chooses the best among the teacher aspirants, and the curriculum was constantly revised and improved. This handling of the nursing education at NDU proved to be a success. The passing rate during the nursing board exams was very high, and the graduates (including the teachers) did not have to wait long before acceptance in prestigious hospitals in the United States and United Kingdom. This was the trend even during the turn of the millennium. It was a “brain drain” of nurses, because the ones who found placements abroad seldom came back, having been given the opportunity to move up the occupational ladder. Of course, some of them came back because of family demands, or simply a deep hearted commitment to be of service to their fellow Filipinos. We asked ourselves – What could be the factors that contributed to the success of nurses trained by Filipinos and working in foreign lands? Aside from the opportunity to give their families a better status in life, what was really instilled in these nurses that made them loved by their employers and patients as well? One of these is the Nightingale Pledge. This is a modified version of the Hippocratic oath specifically for nurses. According to the American Nurses Association, the pledge was named after Florence Nightingale, who is considered the founder of modern nursing. In the pledge, nurses promise to uphold the Hippocratic oath, do no harm, practice discretion and be dedicated to their work as a nurse. There are three versions of the pledge, one of which removed the phrase “loyalty to physicians” to give more independence to the nursing profession. At this time of the pandemic, you can just imagine the high demand for our nurses abroad. The government tried to stem the movement of nurses who were accepted in hospitals abroad, but faced with all the problems which the government itself is responsible –low pay, holding back of benefits, disproportionate programming of work load - could the nurses be blamed for wanting to be released from their present work? Conservatives like me were surprised to see groups of nurses rallying to call attention to their plight; but everyone seem to agree with them. We hope the health sector will put in priority the response to the complaints of nurses. What are the vaccines for when nobody is there to administer them. What are the PPEs for when nobody will wear them? Such short sightedness only shows that the people we put in charge of our health situation are more concerned with how much they can skim off from the purchases. It all ends up to… even if our nurses are trained in such ideal situation, they should be put under a management whose values are not as topsy turvy as we are witnessing at present. MC +

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Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, Chief-Executive-Officer Eva Kimpo - Tan, Editor-in-Chief Edwin O. Fernandez, News Editor Gemma A. Peñaflor, Administration and Marketing Executive Julito P. Torres, Circulation Officer Karl John B. Daniel, Graphic-Layout Artist COTABATO CITY / ARMM CORRESPONDENTS

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

NORTH / SOUTH COTABATO CORRESPONDENTS

Williamor Magbanua, Romer “Bong” Sarmiento, Roel Osano, Orlando Dinoy & Drema Quitayen Bravo CARTOONIST Lourd Jim Diazon Member: PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Entered as Second Class Mail at Cotabato City Post Office under Permit No. 91-01 Dated August 15, 1991.

or human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, the Ferdinand Marcos martial law regime was a golden age for only Marcos, his family, his cronies and minions. It was not so for the Filipino masses. Interviewed on national television on Tuesday, September 21, which marked 29 years since Marcos placed the entire Philippines under Martial Law since Marcos through Proclamation 1081. One of the immediate aftermaths of the declaration was the arrest and detention of Atty. Chel’s father, the late former opposition Senator Jose W. Diokno along with several other political opposition figures and media personalities critical of Marcos – publishers Joaquin Roces and Eugenio Lopez, Jr; editors Amando Doronila and Luis Mauricio; columnists Max Soliven and Ernesto Granada; and reporters Napoleon Rama and Roberto Ordoñez. “Those years were golden years for them (referring to Marcos, his family, cronies and minions) not the country. They had absolute and ultimate power over anything, and that allowed them to accumulate so much resources for their benefit, not the Filipino people,” Diokno said in the interview. To back his statement, the human rights lawyer cited a study made by a group of young economists which showed that the Philippines lost two decades of development, becoming the Sick Man of Asia, because of how the Marcoses managed the economy. It is not only the economy that suffered then. In the 21-year period of the Marcos regime, global rights watchdog Amnesty International documented an estimate of 70,000 incarcerated individuals, 34,000 torture victims and 3,240 murdered Filipinos, all by state forces. These incidents of detention, torture, and murder took place in Luzon, Visayas, and yes, in our very own island of Mindanao which in those years became the most militarized in the country. On September 24, 1974, two years after the declaration of martial law, members of the then Philippine Constabulary herded Maguindanaon Muslim men inside the Tacbil Mosque in Barangay Malisbong, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat. On that day and on following days, Moro men aged 11 to 70 were killed by batches. The slaughter lasted for over a month. The Malisbong Massacre, as the brutal incident has become known, started just a few days after the start of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims. Some 300 houses

HE BEST compensation package for Marawi City residents would have been one that will cover repossession of lands they have lost to colonial rule, in order to correct historical injustices. The House of Representatives passed the Marawi Compensation Bill, sponsored as House Bill No. 9925 by Lanao Sur Congressman Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong, on Sept. 6. The proposed measure is set for deliberation by the Senate Committee on Finance in the next few days, according to Senator Ronald dela Rosa. But the authors of the proposed measure should have considered amending Section 26 of Commonwealth Act 592, the Charter of Dansalan City, which provides for the “Exemptions from Taxation” of: (a) lands or buildings owned by the United States of America, the Commonwealth of the Philippines …..” and ordered appropriate agencies to relocate such areas in new surveys for redistribution to residents. “Such exemption shall not extend to lands or buildings held for investment, though the income therefrom be devoted to religious, charitable, scientific, or educational purposes; (b) lands or buildings which are the only real property of the owner, and the value of which does not exceed two hundred pesos…..” This provision of the original Dansalan Charter should have been made a reference to the proposed Marawi Compensation Bill to include repossession by residents of lands once deemed owned by the United States or by the Commonwealth government in what is now the territory of Marawi City. Value of residents’ properties granted tax exempt privilege should not have exceeded P 200 at that time in 1940. “We will work double-time to pass this measure for the people of Marawi,” dela Rosa said during a hearing by the special committee. Under the Bill, private property owners shall be compensated for loss or destruction of structures and

No ‘golden age’ for Filipinos

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

were burned, and 3,000 women and children aged 11 to 70 were detained. Some of the women were reportedly raped and violated. In the book “Peace is for Everyone” published by the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies and Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, survivors of the massacre in Malisbong shared their stories. One narrated: “There were 1,000 individuals inside the mosque… Four hundred were taken out and brought to another place. Those who were left behind were the ones massacred. If you visit the mosque you can still see the evidence of the brutal event.” The ”golden age” for those in power was an age of pain and suffering for the people of Malisbong and many thousands of others like them. This was the tragic and gruesome reality of martial law that those who benefitted from it would like to gloss over; realities that those who know need to continue making known. not just because they are bitter or cannot forgive or want to taint the political career and personality of a member of the family of Ferdinand Marcos. Rather, it is because remembering the past, not forgetting, is essential to the establishment of a truly just, free, and democratic Philippines. “The point of remembrance is not to blame villains, but to teach the lessons to be learned from history,” wrote the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility in 2015 on the commemoration of martial law. “The lesson of the Marcos years should be recalled for the purpose of improving our electoral choices. Our elected leaders, given power without public scrutiny, will abuse that power. Otherwise, we will be doomed to repeat our mistakes.” Indeed, to quote American Abolitionist and liberal activist Wendell Phillips, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. We believe it is a quote to be guided by now that we Filipinos are facing another election. MC

Land beyond financial compensation

Penlight Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

properties, based on the current market value. “Although we are in the same storm but definitely, we are not in the same boat. Our brothers and sisters in Marawi City have survived a war. Now I am hopeful that we will survive this pandemic together,” Dela Rosa said. Why can’t President Rodrigo Roa Duterte with his Maranao blood right historical injustices, by issuing a Presidential Proclamation for Maranao residents to repossess the Banggolo District, as did his predecessors in the following instances for diverse interests. President Quirino issued a Presidential Proclamation on December 23, 1953 placing some 6,667.16 hectares as Military Reservation in Marawi City; Magsaysay had his Presidential Proclamation 375 signed on December 26, 1956 apportioning 17.5 hectares for the Lanao Provincial Capitol for the then Undivided Lanao Province; President Carlos P. Garcia issued Presidential Proclamation 808 on December 26, 1958, setting aside 999.356 hectares for Mindanao State University Campus, following the passage of Republic Act 1387, the charter of MSU, authored by Senator Ahmad Domocao Alonto. Marcos issued Presidential Proclamation 1354 on December 3, 1974, granting 803 hectares for the operational center of the National Power Corporation (Napocor). President Fidel V. Ramos also issued Presidential Proclamation 992 on June 26, 1993, allocating 3.697 hectares for the development of Lanao Park and Library. MC

September 25, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

with delicadeza. This is the reason why people are into illegal activities and callous shamelessness in order to amass ill-gotten wealth which they blamed on past and present Charlie Señase administration. csenase@yahoo.com God’s Word, indeed won’t come back void or LECTION fever is everywhere to contaminate the least vulnerable empty as it is written that in life as filing of Certificate of Candidacy “What has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done and (COC) begins next month. The electorate, both old and new, there is nothing new under the sun” are in a dilemma listening to an old (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The political fate of Health deity – Run Samson run Delilah’s on your way. And we hear bystanders Secretary Francisco Duque hangs in a balance with the corruption issue chanting Go-go-go. That’s how Philippine politics raised in the Duterte administration. This brings us back to our first run that we expect the unexpected to happen even before the official interview with the health secretary C O M E L E C c a m p a i g n p r e s c r i b e d during the Arroyo dispensation at a health summit held in Davao City. period begins. Who’s going to make it in the As election nears, we asked: “Are you national or local level is anybody’s going to do a Flavier?” In reference to guess; that even churches of various then Health Secretary Juan Flavier denominations have their own political who became senator prior to his demise. And Duque’s reply was Yes bets to suit personal interest. At this early stage, would-be if the President will include him in candidates for President and other the list of probable candidates of the top-level posts have aired optimism Arroyo administration party. There and then, now we know from news reports and social media statements that they can do better to Duque loves politics but to his dismay rid government of graft and corruption caused by alleged misused of multiand ensure peace and socio-economic billion pandemic funds his long-felt obsession to be in the administration’s stability of constituents. Rhetoric is better said than done senatorial slate has faded away. Apart from huge political and unless we walk our talk and all the rest follow to tow the line, we will compensation, most are into elective never get to realize our dream and post in order to enjoy political clout, influence and popularity. That others aspiration. I d e a l l e a d e r s o r g o v e r n m e n t go beyond to abuse and misused these executives must be the least to be privileges to suit their vested interest. great. As a public servant, he must Thus, most are into temptation to be the servant of all servants. For commit graft, bribery and corruption. Dishonesty is corruption and anything contrary, we have installed usually big-time syndicate is a tyrants not servants. It’s not a question of color or conspiracy. In any workplace corruption p o l i t i c a l a f f i l i a t i o n b u t m o r e o f exists but in fairness it’s not the office supporting God-fearing leaders, who or entity but the workforce that’s are doing things for God’s glory and corrupt involving the rank-and-file delight which is pro-people and not and even newsmakers as conspirators. Corruption is not only about money self-aggrandizement. In any endeavor, we have a role matters but changing the truth for a to play in order to attain a common lie. When we worship creatures instead objective. And such can only be had of the Creator, that makes Him a if we are God-fearing and responsible Jealous God (Exodus 20:5). MC

Deep thought on corruption

Outbreak: 10 of the worst pandemics in history: Part 2

HEALTH CORNER

True to Form

Earnestly Pursuing the Presidency

Education is very important to him. The sea beaconed him for the money he could earn, so he enrolled at the Philippine Maritime Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy A c a d e m y . B e c a u s e h e franco1573victoria@gmail.com did not leave his roots in Tondo, winning a slot for his article is lovingly dedicated to the council was easy , the our loyal follower, Ivy Ortuoste, youngest councilor ever. He continued one of my “adopted” daughters, to rise the ladder as Vice- Mayor and who is in the US practicing her nursing aimed for, the next rung only to be profession. She has two adult children.) promised that the next term will be his Sept. 19: Take away the trappings for the taking; but not that particular of a matinee idol image; take away the period. Down hearted, he sat out the slurred speech, take away the bombastic term deprived him, then went on to singing voice, the sweet smile, the well be among the young mayors of Metro studied and framed statements, who is Manila elected 3 years ago. this guy? It seems there is no God rested on stopping Mayor Isko. He the seventh day after cleaned Manila of side creating the earth and vendors including their everything in it. I was patrons, beautify the preparing to enjoy Luneta once more, he was this resting hours of unstoppable. His voice was Sunday when lo and heard and his looks were behold, on U-tube was seen. In the brief respite, the current city mayor he mapped out his strategy, of Manila, Francisco such that, Pres.Rodrigo ‘Isko’ Moreno, in a Duterte noticed and pointed graduation garb out that this guy is going to speaking to graduates be a formidable contender to of a University. He challenge his position. was oozing with September 20: Mayor charm; wearing the sweetest of smiles, Isko Moreno was all over the news, the confidence personified, irresistible papers and social media. It cannot be good looking, clean shaven and all the helped , he is good copy , sincere in his physical superlatives you can imagine . words , speaking promises of better life This son of a tricycle driver, survived for all. the jungles of Tondo, bringing home food September 22: He found the man for the table, earning an education by to share his vision in transforming picking up plastic bottles. To this day, the lives of everyone, no less than a his not so new house stands amongst the physician, Dr. Willie Ong, my consultant shanties where he grew up, not wanting for my aging body. to leave the people he grew up with. At It is my belief that Mayor Isko is still a wake, it was easy for him to stand young, there are many years before him out, handsome that is, his fortunes to really prepare for the higher position turned for the better as a member of he is aiming at. The City of Manila needs Uncle Germs That’s Entertainment. At a man of a caliber like him right now. that same graduation rites, he regaled Mayor Isko is not wanting in his audience with his stories of making drama. Let’s see how this will play 1500k for one word he waited for 18 out as they march to Comelec come hours to speak in his first movie. He October. I am looking forward to the waited patiently to get more bit roles comedy, the chaos. Note: this is not an and then lead roles in the movies. endorsement. MC

The Stuff of Life

Let’s see how this will play out as they march to Comelec come October.

MPH ONLINE (A reprint in 2 parts)

ASIAN FLU (1956-1958) Death Toll: 2 million Cause: Influenza Asian Flu was a pandemic outbreak of Influenza A of the H2N2 subtype, that originated in China in 1956 and lasted until 1958. In its two-year spree, Asian Flu traveled from the Chinese province of Guizhou to Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States. Estimates for the death toll of the Asian Flu vary depending on the source, but the World Health Organization places the final tally at approximately 2 million deaths, 69,800 of those in the US alone. FLU PANDEMIC (1918) Death Toll: 20 -50 million Cause: Influenza Between 1918 and 1920 a disturbingly deadly outbreak of influenza tore across the globe, infecting over a third of the world’s population and ending the lives of 20 – 50 million people. Of the 500 million people infected in the 1918 pandemic, the mortality rate was estimated at 10% to 20%, with up to 25 million deaths in the first 25 weeks alone. What separated the 1918 flu pandemic from other influenza outbreaks was the victims; where influenza had always previously only killed juveniles and the elderly or already weakened patients, it had begun striking down hardy and completely healthy young adults, while leaving children and those with weaker immune systems still alive. SIXTH CHOLERA PANDEMIC (1910-1911) Death Toll: 800,000+ Cause: Cholera Like its five previous incarnations, the Sixth Cholera Pandemic originated in India where it killed over 800,000, before spreading to the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and Russia. The Sixth Cholera Pandemic was also the source of the last American outbreak of Cholera (1910–

1911). American health authorities, having learned from the past, quickly sought to isolate the infected, and in the end only 11 deaths occurred in the U.S. By 1923 Cholera cases had been cut down dramatically, although it was still a constant in

India. FLU PANDEMIC (1889-1890) Death Toll: 1 million Cause: Influenza Originally the “Asiatic Flu” or “Russian Flu” as it was called, this strain was thought to be an outbreak of the Influenza A virus subtype H2N2, though recent discoveries have instead found the cause to be the Influenza A virus subtype H3N8. The first cases were observed in May 1889 in three separate and distant locations, Bukhara in Central Asia (Turkestan), Athabasca in northwestern Canada, and Greenland. Rapid population growth of the 19th century, specifically in urban areas, only helped the flu spread, and before long the outbreak had spread across the globe. Though it was the first true epidemic in the era of bacteriology and much was learned from it. In the end, the 1889-1890 Flu Pandemic claimed the lives of over a million individuals. THIRD CHOLERA PANDEMIC (1852–1860) Death Toll: 1 million Cause: Cholera Generally considered the most deadly of the seven cholera pandemics, the third major outbreak of Cholera in the 19th century lasted from 1852 to 1860. Like the first and second pandemics, the Third Cholera Pandemic originated in India, spreading from the Ganges River Delta before tearing through Asia, Europe, North America and Africa and ending the lives of over a million people. British physician John Snow, while working in a poor area of London, tracked cases of cholera and eventually succeeded in identifying contaminated water as the means of transmission for the disease. Unfortunately the same year as his discovery (1854) went down as the worst year of the pandemic, in

the same was listed in Investment Instrument and the PSE in August 2020. Subsequently, companies on the PSE… like Double Dragon and

Filinvest Land, created their own subsidiaries and listed shares on the PSE. Danny Buenbrazo Megaworld is currently in danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com the process of listing its REIT shares in the PSE he Philippine Stock Exchange and these would be traded by the end (PSE), the organization that facilitates the listing of investment of September. Unlike stocks and Exchange Traded instruments by corporations and the trading of these instruments by the Funds that can be purchased by an general public had expanded its product investor that has opened an account with a broker, people intending to line beyond the traditional stocks. In the last five years, two new acquire Real Estate Investment Funds investment instruments were listed need to request their brokers to create on the PSE and made available to a Name-on Central Depositary (NoCD) the investing public. These are the account in their behalf with the facility Exchange Traded Fuds (ETFs) and the of the Philippine Depository and Trust Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Corporation (PDTC). It is only after Once an investor has decided to invest this opening of NoCD account that an in ETFs and REITs, he can buy and sell investor may engage in the buying and these investment instruments similar selling of REITs. ETFs are like mutual funds that to the traditional shares of stocks. invest in a basket of shares of stocks. Let us distinguish the three (3) However, unlike mutual funds that are investment instruments. When we buy traditional shares only available from authorized firms, of stocks, we become part-owners of a ETFs are traded in the stock market. publicly-listed company (e.g.. Jollibee, An investor can easily buy or sell ETFs MERALCO, Metro Bank, San Miguel, especially when he or she has an online among others). Being shareholders, stock trading account. The first ETF, First Metro investors are entitled to receive their Exchange Traded Fund (FMETF), corresponding share of the profits distributed by the company in the form was established and listed by the First of dividends (cash or additional number Metro Investment Corporation (of the Metro Bank Group of companies) in of shares). REIT companies are formed as the year 2012. FMETF remains the a vehicle to increase investments only listed ETF in the country and in income-generating properties of its biggest investments are in SM, companies primarily engaged in Ayala Land, BDO, Universal Robina leasing real estate. They are attractive Corporation, and other large Philippine investments since the companies are companies. In summary, investing in ordinary mandated to distribute 90% of their stocks means betting on the business income to shareholders. It took a long time for REITs to prospects of that particular firm (such be approved in the Philippines due as Bank of the Philippine Islands) while to issues on taxation raised by the buying REITs and ETFs allow you to Department of Finance. After years benefit from the diverse portfolio of of negotiations among the regulatory investments of these types of stocks: a g e n c i e s , s t a r t i n g i n 2 0 0 9 , t h e income from various real estate assets Securities and Exchange Commission for REITs and a basket for companies (SEC) finally approved in July 2020 for ETFs. Investor can expect income the Ayala REIT, a subsidiary of real from dividends or stock appreciation estate firm Ayala Land, Incorporated from these three. MC

Market Driven

THE MINDANAO CROSS

September 25, 2021

CSC recognizes BARMM dev’t academy as L&D institution...from P3

service, which now includes those conducted by the DAB. "This recognition serves as an evidence of our commitment to institutionalize the Academy's powers and functions, guided by the Chief Minister's policy of Moral Governance; and the extension of the BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority) will further

secure this gradual but vital process," DAB Executive Director Hisham S. Nando said. Nando also called on the Bangsamoro Government agencies to coordinate and collaborate with DAB in conducting their inhouse or agency-initiated trainings to benefit from the recognition. DAB is the human

Advertise with us Call: (064) 421-7161 RANEN PAWNSHOP MAIN, BRANCH I, II & III Don Rufino Alonzo & Don Tomas Martinez Sts, Cot. City

Notice for Auction

All unredeemed articles pledged on February 2021 will be auctioned on October 04, 2021 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before October 04, 2021 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta

Lahat ng sangla noong Pebrero 2020 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Oktubre 04, 2021 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Oktubre 04, 2021 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

MC: Sept. 18 & 25, 2021

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

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

corner Bonifacio and Don Rufino Alonzo Sts., Cotabato City

Ang Sultan Pawnshop ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Pebrero 2021. Ang subasta ay sa Oktubre 04, 2021 sa ganap na ika8:00 ng mga umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Sept. 18 & 25, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENT Ang G-ROCE Pawnshop sa Cotabato City at G-ROCE Pawnshop Damosa, Davao City, ay magkakaroon ng “Subasta Sale” sa darating na Oktubre 31, 2021 sa ganap alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:30 ng hapon para sa mga hindi natubos na sangla sa buwan ng Pebrero, Marso, Abril at Mayo 2021. Upang hindi maremate ang inyong mga alahas magbigay ng interest bago dumating ang araw ng subasta.

capital development training and research arm of the Bangsamoro Republic of the Philippines Region XII City Government of Cotabato OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Mary Jane Laureano Roales has filed with this office a petition for change of First Name from Jeane to Mary Jane in the birth certificate of Mary Jane Laureano Roales who was born on February 5, 1970 at San Vicente St., Cotabato City and whose parents are Cirilo Lumibao Laureano and Eleanor Sagado Aguilar.

Government for its agencies, employees, and officials. BIO Republic of the Philippines Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parang, Maguindanao OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048/10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Heber M. Gupid has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Hesan Basalo Gupid who was born on January 1, 2004 at Brgy. Making, Parang, Maguindanao and whose parents are Heber Maca Gupid and Susan Montuerto Basalo.

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

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than October 18, 2021.

(Sgd.) TOHAMY M. LAUBAN City Civil Registrar

(Sgd.) KARIM O. OMAR, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Sept. 25 & Oct. 2, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENT Ang Feroce Pawnshop & Money Changer-Main at Branches I, II, S.K. Pendatun, Sinsuat Avenue, sa Cotabato City, Branch III sa Midsayap, Kidapawan Branch, Isulan Branch at San Pedro Branch sa Davao City ay magkakaroon ng “Subasta Sale” sa darating na Oktubre 31, 2021 sa ganap alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:30 ng hapon para sa mga hindi natubos na sangla sa buwan ng Pebrero, Marso, Abril at Mayo 2021. Upang hindi maremate ang inyong mga alahas magbigay ng interest bago dumating ang araw ng subasta. “Sa Feroce Pawnshop na tayo kumpleto na ang serbisyo” MC: Sept. 25, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENT Ang Feroce Pawnshop & Money Changer Inc.- Main, Duterte, Davao City, at Branches I, II, III, IV, V, VI sa Cotabato City, Branch VII sa Parang, Maguindanao, Pigcawayan Branch, Midsayap Branch, Pikit Branch at Kabacan Branch sa North Cotabato, ay magkakaroon ng “Subasta Sale” sa darating na Oktubre 31, 2021 sa ganap alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:30 ng hapon para sa mga hindi natubos na sangla sa buwan ng Pebrero, Marso, Abril at Mayo 2021.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JOSE PIO D. DOMINGO, who died intestate on 22 June 2021, has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Extrajudicial Settlement of the Estate of Jose Pio D. Domingo dated 23 August 2021 and known as Doc. No. 2; Page No. 1; Book No. C C X LV I I ; S e r i e s o f 2021 of Notary Public Atty. Alberto T. Eramis of the Province of Cotabato. MC: Sept. 25, Oct. 2 & 9, 2021

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.

MC: Sept. 11, 18 & 25, 2021

Upang hindi maremate ang inyong mga alahas magbigay ng interest bago dumating ang araw ng subasta. “Sa Feroce Pawnshop na tayo kumpleto na ang serbisyo” MC: Sept. 25, 2021

CONLUCK PAWNSHOP - SK PENDATUN CONLUCK PAWNSHOP - BONIFACIO & CONLUCK PAWNSHOP - ORC BRANCH COTABATO CITY

ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sanla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula Agosto 2020 hanggang Setyembre 2020. Ang Subasta ay sa Setyembre 30, 2021 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: Sept. 18 & 25, 2021

MC: Sept 25, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late Atty. COROCOY D. MOSON, who died intestate on January 9, 2010 in Ccotabato City, left parcels of land Lot No. 10, Block 8, Psd-62555, Lot 1, Block 8, Psd-62555 and Lot 182-B-2-J-8-3, Psd-53246 covered by TCT Nos. T-5725, T-13671 and T-7206, respectively, are the subject of extrajudicial settlement with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 5091; Page No. 5091; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late MACAUNGON POLAYAGAN, who died on September 20, 1997, left one-half portion of a parcel of land Lot No. 1616, RS-12-000144, situated at Polayagan, Alamada, Cotabato, covered by OCT No. CO-2651 with an area of 65,452 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with simultaneous deed of absolute sale of a portion before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1509; Page No. 7; Book No. LXXV; 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.

MC: Sept. 18, 25 & Oct. 2, 2021

Notice is hereby given that the late ERNESTO TIBUNGCOG, who died on October 15, 2015 in Poblacion, Libungan, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 6, Block 12, covered by TCT No. T-120869, with an area of 411 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement with simultaneous waiver of rights before Notary P u b l i c A l b e r t o T. Eramis as per Doc. No. 291; Page No. 59; Book No. CCXXXII; Series of 2021.

MC: Sept. 11, 18 & 25, 2021

MC: Sept. 18, 25 & Oct. 2, 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

EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION Notice is hereby given that the late DR. RENATO C. SARA, who died on April 29, 2008 in Davao City, left real properties, located in Midsayap, Cotabato: parcels of land Lot Nos. 6845-A, Psd-10556 with improvements of hospital and commercial buildings under Tax Declaration Nos K-021063 & K-021064, Lot 5, Pcs12-000575, Lot 2598A, Psd-63301, Lot 2-H-Psd-12-001465, covered by Certificate of Title Nos. P-44038, T-80764, T-31890, T-62950, respectively and two parcels of land under TCT Nos. T-118687 and T-118688 with the total area of 61,988 square meters, more or less; in Libungan, Cotabato: plan H-209817, SWO27783 G.L.R.O. Spc. Proc . No. 83, covered by TCT No. T-113499 and two lots covered by TCT Nos. T-36862 and T-3686 with the total area of 387,487 square meters, more or less; in Pigcawayan, Cotabato: Lot 3, Psd88751 covered by TCT No. T-29338 with an area of 76,228 square meters, more or less are the subject of extrajudicial partition of the intestate estate before Notary Public Te r e s i t a C a r r e o n Llaban as per Doc. No. 404; Page No. 81; Book No. XXXI; Series of 2011.

MC: Sept. 18, 25 & Oct. 2, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT 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. 11, 18 & 25, 2021

DEED OF DONATION

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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.

Notice is hereby given that the late VICENTE ARTIL, who died on October 7, 2019 in Poblacion, Parang, Maguindanao, left a bank account with China Bank Cotabato, bearing Account No. 2930191812, is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 5094; Page No. 5094; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: Sept. 11, 18 & 25, 2021

MC: Sept. 18, 25 & Oct. 2, 2021

September 25, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Cops hunt drug peddler who eluded arrest6 fall in PDEA

POLICE in Maguindanao have launched manhunt against a bigtime drug peddler who eluded arrest during drug buy bust operation in the town of Sultan Kudarat. Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BAR), said Tuesday that his office have already coordinated with the Police Regional Office in the Soccsksargen region and the North Cotabato police office for sharing of intelligence information. Ugale said the 1st Marine Brigade, led by Brig. Gen. Jonas Lumawag, for coordinated operation against the suspect,

Aladin Abdullah Alamada, who escaped during drug buy bust operation in Barangay Alamada, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao at 5 p.m. Monday. Ugale said the operation resulted in the confiscation of more or less 100 grams of white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of PHP680,000. Alamada sensed he was dealing with an undercover police agent

and quickly fled after firing his gun toward the officer. Luckily, he was unharmed. Ugale said the suspects fled with the PHP200,000 boodle money. Colonel Jibin Bongcayao, Maguindanao police director, believed Alamada belonged to an organized drug ring operating in Maguindanao and nearby areas. Ugale vowed to intensify manhunt against the suspects and continue the war on drugs in the region. Edwin O. Fernandez

BFP, Marines, PNP join Tawi-Tawi festivities

PERSONNEL of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Tawi-Tawi initiated from September 19 to 21 various community outreach and cleanup activities as part of the “48th Kamahardikaan sin Tawi-Tawi 2021” festivities, the Mindanao Cross learned Thursday. Members of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Marines under the operational control of the military’s Western Mindanao Command were also involved in the community service missions. The events capped off the 48th founding anniversary of Tawi-Tawi whose towns were originally under the much older province of Sulu. Tawi-Tawi, whose provincial capital is Bongao municipality, was created on September 11, 1973 via

Presidential Decree 302 by then President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. It is the southernmost province of the Philippines, sharing sea borders with the Malaysian state of Sabah and the Indonesian North Kalimantan province. The 48th Kamahardikaan event in Tawi-Tawi was a joint activity of the provincial governor’s office, the local government units, different government agencies and offices in the provinces of different ministries under the Bangsamoro region. Tawi-Tawi is a component province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that also covers the scattered provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Sulu. John Felix Unson

anti-shabu bust

STATE agents seized P600,000 worth of shabu from two dealers, one of them a minor, entrapped early this week in nearby Midsayap town in North Cotabato. Suharto Mascod Antilino and his 15-year-old accomplice were arrested after selling their illegal merchandise to nonuniformed personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during a tradeoff in Barangay Poblacion 7 in Midsayap. The operation on Saturday that resulted in their arrest was assisted by personnel of the Midsayap municipal police. PDEA-BARMM agents and members of the Datu Odin Sinsuat municipal police in Maguindanao province

have arrested before last weekend drug den operators and confiscated from them P102,000 worth of shabu. The suspects, James Patrick Cadeco Baclay, Tawing Dimitiman Falcasantos, Tantan Batao Mustapa, and Ali Emram Tamamo Pundag, fell in a sting in Barangay Awang in Datu Odin Sinsuat, together laid by PDEA-BARMM agents and personnel of the municipal police led by Lt. Col. Romel Dela Vega. In a statement, the PDEA-BARMM said it is grateful to barangay leaders and vigilant residents of Midsayap and Datu Odin Sinsuat towns who provided information on the drug trafficking activities of the suspects, enabling the agency to carry out the successful entrapment operations.

AUTHORITIES and school officials are still trying to put a closure to last week’s murder of two students in the campus of the staterun Mindanao University in Marawi City. Investigators are still clueless on the murder of two students inside the supposedly secured campus of the Mindanao State University in Marawi City last week. Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region, told Mindanao Cross he has directed the Marawi City police to identify the killers of college students Omar Zinal and Hamzah Rauf for prosecution. A suspected hired killer casually approached the duo while at a pathway near the graduate school building of the state-run university and repeatedly shot them with a pistol, killing them both

instantly. Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr. and Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra have condemned the atrocity in separate statements Monday. Marawi City is the capital of Lanao del Sur, a component-province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “The Marawi City police office had also been directed to tap the help of school officials in identifying the culprits," Ugale said. Talks have been spreading around purporting that only one of the two victims could be the target of the attack. Local police probers are still trying to connect with potential witnesses to the murder of Zinal and Rauf, who hailed from Lanao de Sur’s Taraka and Baloi towns, respectively.

John Felix Unson

No clues yet on MSU campus murders

EMPOWERING FISHER FOLKS. Tawi-tawi led by Gov. Yshmael “mang” Sali released 130 pumpboats to farmers and fisher folks to continue their livelihood amidst the pandemic.

Photo courtesy of Babylyn Kalbit Kano

SoCot residents turn in explosives to cops KORONADAL CITY — Three residents of South Cotabato province separately turned over to the police a mortar round, a 40 millimeter explosive projectile and a rifle grenade on Wednesday. Farmer Allan Abellana found half buried in mud in his papaya farm in Barangay Kablon in Tupi town in South Cotabato the live 60 millimeter mortar round that he turned over to the local police. Col. Jemuel Siason, director of the South

Cotabato Provincial Police, said two other residents of the province, Ronie Braza and Nicanor Futulan, surrendered a rifle grenade and a 40 MM grenade projectile, respectively. Braza is a barangay kagawad in Barangay Libertad in Surallah, more than 20 kilometers from this city, which is the capital of South Cotabato province. Siason said Futulan, a resident of the Barangay Poblacion in Santo Niño, personally turned over the

40 mm explosive projectile to the municipal police. A rifle grenade is an ammunition-propelled projectile that can be launched with a single shot from the tip of a rifle barrel. A 40 MM grenade projectile can be fired toward a target not more than 300 meters away using a launcher fitted to 5.56 M203 rifle or a vintage single shot M79 grenade launcher first used in Vietnam during the early ‘70s by US forces.

John Felix Unson

Trafficker in P13.6-M shabu bust charged

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has started prosecuting for violation of the Philippine Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 the trafficker arrested early this week in Indanan, Sulu after selling P13.6 million worth of shabu to non-uniformed PDEA agents. In a statement Wednesday, the office here of the PDEA-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao identified the suspect as Yahiya Kadjuri. Kadjuri shall be prosecuted for violation of Republic Act 9165, or Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, using the P13.6 million worth of shabu confiscated from him as evidence. He was arrested after selling two kilos of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) to non-uniformed PDEABARMM agents during a tradeoff in Ummul Qura Village in Barangay Buanza

in Indanan, Sulu. The sting that resulted in his arrest was laid with the help of agents from PDEA-9 in Zamboanga City and personnel of the Sulu Provincial Police Office and military intelligence units under the Western Mindanao Command, according to PDEA-BARMM. Kadjuri’s two accomplices, whom he identified as Nurdalyn Sang and Tua Putol, managed to escape just as PDEABARMM agents frisked and cuffed him after turning over his illegal merchandise to buyers disguised as drug dependents. More than P10 million worth of shabu have been confiscated by PDEABARMM agents from traffickers who fell in entrapment operations the past four months in Sulu, a component province of the Bangsamoro region. John Felix Unson