The Mindanao Cross | June 19, 2021

Vol. LXXIII| No. 19| Cotabato City | Saturday, June 19, 2021 |10 Pages | P10.00

CHURCH / P4

P2

BM King wants probe on LGBT “shaving, shaming”

Pope Francis: Priests, bishops, and married couples ‘co-responsible’ for the family

P10

5 drug dealers fall in Maguindanao

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

MORE MILF FIGHTERS TO “RETIRE”

SOME 14,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters with their 2,450 weapons will be included in the third phase of decommissioning this year in adherence to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

By Bong Sarmiento

Fatih Ulusoy, chair of the foreignled Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), said the MILF has already submitted the list of combatants and weapons that will be deactivated in line with the normalization track of the CAB. “We are especially grateful to the MILF for their relentless efforts towards fulfilling their commitment,” he said in a statement.

The Phase 3 involves 35 percent of the 40,000-strong MILF, which waged a decades-old war with the government in a bid for Muslim self-rule in Mindanao.

Ulusoy said the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the IDB’s work but that it remains highly committed in fulfilling its

P9

Año names DILG director as Magpet caretaker

By Edwin O. Fernandez INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo M. Año has designated the regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government in the Soccsksargen region to act as caretaker of a town in Cotabato province whose elected officials were quarantined and isolated.

DILG 12 Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III has assumed Wednesday as LGU Magpet caretaker.

In his memorandum dated June 15, Sec. Año directing Director Leysa to be the “caretaker of the LGU, in concurrent capacity, which shall be effective until such time that the Secretary has designated all the officials or when

P9

Araw ng Cotabato. Cotabato City is celebrating its 62nd founding anniversary on Sunday, June 20. On July 1, 1950, the then Municipality of Cotabato was made first class municipality under Executive Order No. 466. Nine years later, on June 20, 1959, Cotabato City was created into a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 2364.

Photo courtesy of City Governement of Cotabato

600 families hit by floods in SoCot

By John Felix Unson KORONADAL CITY — No fewer than following heavy downpours in the area.

The South Cotabato provincial 600 families were affected by flashfloods that swept through low-lying barangays government mobilized as early as Friday in South Cotabato, reports reaching the emergency responders in anticipation of possible flashfloods due to heavy Mindanao Cross stated.

Worst hit by flashfloods Friday night, downpours.

A number of barangays in South spawned by heavy rains several hours before, are lowlands in Tantangan town, Cotabato were hit just a week ago by which is near Koronadal City, the capital flashfloods spawned by torrential rains.

“The provincial government is doing of South Cotabato.

South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo its best to attend to the needs of the affected Tamayo said Saturday rescue and residents,” Tamayo said Saturday.

In a statement on June 11, the calamity responders from the provincial government have been reaching out since South Cotabato Provincial Disaster late Friday to flood-stricken communities. Risk Reduction and Management Office Flashfloods also hit a number of said it is thankful to Public Works farming areas in town of Norala where Secretary Mark Villar and to officials of a large river straddling through the the Department of Public Works municipality swelled and overflowed and Highways-12 for lending

P9

LIFE IS HARD. In flooded areas in low-lying areas, you have no choice but to stay beside the concrete road pavement as shown in this photo.

Photo courtesy of Amiel M. Cagayan

P3

DID YOU KNOW? June is National Dengue Awareness Month June is National Dengue Awareness Month. According to the latest data from the Department of Health (DOH), 199 dengue cases were reported in the Philippines, including one death in week 10 of 2021. This is 92% lower compared to the same period in 2020. As of March 2021, 15,124 dengue cases have been reported, including 54 deaths. The number of cases in this period is 66% lower compared to the 44,904 cases reported in the same period in 2020.

Crucial meets for consensus on BTA extension

By Nash B. Maulana THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) asks Congress to just settle the issue of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) term-extension within the text the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

MILF Chairman Ahod Balawag AlHadj Murad Ebrahim expressed some reservations to a provision under Senate Bill 2214 that seeks to extend the BTA mandate to three more years, but adds six more seats to MILF’s representation in the body, while shaving off some seats from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Senator Francis Tolentino authors Senate Bill 2214 which seeks to extend to three more years BTA’s three-year term from May 2022 as provided under the BOL (Republic Act 11054) to May 2025.

Malacanang, as signatory to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the MILF in

P2

Runaway dealer leaves P3.4-M worth meth

By John Felix Unson STATE agents seized P3.4 million worth of shabu from a trafficker they tried but failed to entrap in Talayan, Maguindanao on Wednesday.

Santokan Mantikayan managed to run away fast when he noticed he was to sell half a kilo of shabu to non-uniformed agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Juvenal Azurin, director of PDEABARMM, said Thursday there is a possibility that Mantikayan was hidden from pursuing agents by “sympathizers” in the village where the bungled sting was laid.

The suspect even left his motorcycle behind.

Azurin said a criminal case shall still be filed, with the help of witnesses, against Mantikayan using the P3.4 million worth of shabu he left in the designated spot where he was supposed to be entrapped.

Personnel of the Talayan

P9

2

BM King wants probe on LGBT “shaving, shaming” A Maguindanao lawmaker has called on the Human Rights Commission in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao to launch an impartial and speedy investigation on shame campaign against a group of lesbians in Ampatuan town.

Maguindanao Second District Board Member King Jhazzer “Kuya King” T. Mangudadatu has condemned what he said was “forced shaving” and degrading of lesbians in an unidentified community in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

The images of the shaving have gone viral in the social media. The shaving was half-finished obviously to embarrass the girls.

Speaking over Alerto Bangsamoro, a radio program of International Alert Philippines over Church-run DXMS-AM, Mangudadatu said there is no place for discrimination in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as clearly defined in the law that created the region.

In the video and images, Moro women who are allegedly lesbian were seen being forcibly shaved by men with firearms and in the presence of the community, minors included, as punishment for having sexual preference outside male and female that is prohibited in Islam.

While having same sex relationship

is prohibited in Islam, Mangudadatu said, all Filipino Muslims are governed

by Philippine laws and their human rights must be protected.

“This is Philippines, unlike other Muslim countries where sexual orientation and gender identity and expression is prohibited,” Mangudadatu said in Filipino.

He pointed out that both the Philippine Constitution and the Bangsamoro Organic Law protect the rights of every individual.

The BOL says “no persons in the BARMM shall be subjected to any form of discrimination on account of creed, religion, ethnic origin, parentage, or gender.”

Mangudadatu said that the incident, if not acted upon decisively by authorities, could lead to more youth taking up arms for being discriminated.

“Napahiya ang mga bata dahil kinalbo sila. Dapat hindi na nila ito ginawa at binigyan nalang sila ng advice at pagkakataon para magbago.

Dahil sa ginawa sa mga kabataan na ito, baka mas lalo pa silang magrebelde

(sa mga magulang) at sundin ang mga mali kesa sa mga tama bilang Muslim,” Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu is offering trauma and psycho-social intervention for the victims and their families.

Mangudadatu said that counseling will be provided not only to the girls and women, but also their families, and those who witnessed the event, especially young children.

“When this is not corrected, I am afraid time will come that some people may attack, harass or harm anyone who are members of the third sex,” the provincial board member said. He stressed that no religion can justify human rights violations.

No one was held accountable as of this posting while the Bangsamoro government, through its spokesperson, Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, has said an investigation on the incident was on going.

Sinarimbo, in a news conference, assured that under the current BARMM leadership all laws are upheld, human rights are protected.

Edwin O. Fernandez

FOR EVERYBODY’S SAKE. Antigen test at Cotabato City hall aims to ensure that everyone is safe from the virus. Here a city government employee undergoes the process.

Photo courtesy of City Government of Cotabato

MOH-BARMM delivers life savers...from P10

BARMM significantly help in uplifting the service delivery in the hospital.

Dr. Ibrahim Pangato, Sanitarium hospital chief, said the equipment from MOH-BARMM will help augment and capacitate the hospital as Covid 19 cases continue to threaten the health of Bangsamoro people.

“It is a step towards a vision of attaining optimum health for our people in the Bangsamoro and in our

continued effort towards the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” Minister Latiph said during the turn over programs.

A week earlier, MOH-BARMM has turned over similar equipment and medical supplies to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC0 that declared the health facility was full beyond its capacity.

CRMC is the Covid-19 referral

Mlang’s 7 cops COVID-19 positive SEVEN police personnel of Mlang, North Cotabato are now isolated after tests results showed they were positive of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

But the implementation of health protocols remain unrestricted, according to Lt. Colonel Realan Mamon, Mlang municipal police chief.

Mamon said all the 50 police officers were subjected to antigen tests after one of the police officers have shown symptoms of COVID-19 infections.

Of the 50, eight tested positive and were subjected to confirmatory swab tests.

Seven tested positive of the virus and are now on isolation.

“They are now isolated but remained stable,” Mamon said in a radio interview. “Soon, they will hopefully return to duty.”

He said on June 3, one of

June 19, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

the police officers assigned in Mlang municipal police office have symptoms and was referred to the town health office for medication.

He and six others have contracted the virus.

Contact tracing was on going for people who may have close contacts with the law enforcers.

Mamon assured the public that the police remained on top of the peace and order situation of Mlang.

A stricter health protocols are being implemented at the police station after disinfection and decontamination process were completed.

Mamon said implementation of minimum health protocols in all police outposts and quarantine control units around town continue unhampered. Edwin O.

Fernandez

hospital for Region 12 and Bangsamoro Region.

Latiph said the medical assistance was part of the P10 million fund allocations from BARMM intended for Covid-19 patients.

Other hospitals in Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are also scheduled to receive similar aid. Edwin

O. Fernandez

2 SoCot mayors positive for COVID-19

KORONADAL CITY — Two mayors in South Cotabato have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as the province remained the most infected with the virus in Region 12.

Leonard Escobillo and Floro Gandam, Sr., mayors of Tampakan and Lake Sebu respectively, separately announced that they were inflicted with COVID-19, which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2.

Both leaders have gone into isolation in their towns.

Escobillo, a registered nurse, said he will quarantine for three weeks or 21 days.

Gandam said he was asymptomatic and asked for prayers for the recovery of those who are suffering from COVID-19.

“Let us stay safe and stay home for our

families. Let us do our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19,” he added.

Tampakan recorded 183 COVID-19 cases while Lake Sebu logged 131, with the active cases at 80 and 68, respectively, according to data from the South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office.

As of Tuesday evening, of the 16,679 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Soccsksargen region, South Cotabato recorded the highest at 5,534 cases, followed by General Santos City with 4,716, North Cotabato with 2,792, Sultan Kudarat with 1,936 and Sarangani with 1,702, the Department of Health – Soccsksargen reported.

Of the total cases in the region, 12,812 have recovered, 480 resulted to deaths and 3,385 are still active cases, it added. Bong Sarmiento

SoCot gets 12,650 vials of COVID-19 vaccines THE provincial government of South Cotabato got from the health department Wednesday 12,650 vials of anti-coronavirus Sinovac vaccines for its constituents.

Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo said Wednesday he is grateful to the Department of Health-12 for allocating vaccines for prospective recipients in South Cotabato in the priority list of the Department of Health-12.

“We can’t thank the national government enough. This is a big boost to our war versus COVID-19 in South Cotabato,” Tamayo said.

Tamayo is presiding chairperson of the South Cotabato provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, which is in the forefront of his administration’s coronavirus containment efforts.

Employees of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, led

by Rolly Doane Aquino, facilitated on Wednesday morning the transport

of the vaccines from the DOH-12 office in Cotabato City to Koronadal City.

Koronadal City is the seat of the provincial government and administrative capital of Region 12.

The region covers the provinces of South Cotabato,Sarangani, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat and the cities of Tacurong, Kidapawan, General Santos and Koronadal.

Besides the PDRRMO team, the vaccine shipment was also escorted by combined personnel from the South Cotabato provincial police, the police’s Highway Patrol Group, the Bureau of Fire Protection and employees of the Integrated Provincial Health Office-South Cotabato.

“We assure the public of an efficient handling of these vaccines. This is a big help for those who are to get inoculated based on the priority list of the health department,” Tamayo said. John Felix

Unson

Crucial meets for consensus on BTA extension...from P1

2014, hosted a meeting Thursday to iron out differences on the proposed term extension “There was consensus among senators to bring the issue back to the language of the original BOL with only the date of election to change,” a BARMM ranking official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

BTA Parliament Speaker said the only “workable solution was to simplify things up there to avoid complication,” adding he understood political predicament in the Legislature being a former congressman himself, representing his District in Lanao del Sur. Ebrahim said: “We reiterate, especially to the naysayers, that the extension of the transition period is never about power. It is about ensuring the successful implementation of the Bangsamoro Peace Process.”

He said, “This is not just the legacy of the MILF or of the Duterte Administration but the legacy of this generation and a gift to the next generations of the Bangsamoro. Ladies and genetlemen, we cannot afford to fail them.”

Of recent, political observers have noted that the proposed measure underwent several changes since last month when a Technical Working Group (TWG) was formed out the Senate Local Governments Committee members which Tolentino chairs.

Senators in the TWG were purportedly backed by sector-representatives— all unnamed, except for Cabinet Secretary Asnin Pendatun of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Some noticeable changes as shown earlier by the SB

2214 Committee Report is that the proposed measure drops sector- and district- seat allocations, including those provided for the MNLF and a legislative district in Basilan.

In more complex twists, SB 2214 even adds four BTA seats for Sultan Kudarat Province which is not part of BARMM. Asked for comment, lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM spokesman, said Ebrahim and the BARMM leadership immediately communicated to Tolentino that the MILF should only be given its original number of representatives, 41 seats and not 47 in the BTA Parliament.

Lawyers Omar Sema and Jose Lorena, both BTA Parliament members representing the MNLF told an a press conference Tuesday that an amendment which would just merely change the date from May 2022 to May 2225 would be much preferred by the MNLF as do MILF members also.

Lorena and Sema said beyond the seven priority legislations that the BTA is tasked under BOL, a proposed extension is about completing the transition of having to build a new autonomous bureaucracy, as well as the transition to completing the decommissioning and normalization in order to transform revolutionary people more productive members of the society.”

Sinarimbo said some quarters opposed to the proposed BTA extension have even invented false accusations against the BARMM government, mixing up on technical language of finance and accounting to say the region’s Ministry of Social Welfare (MSW) was “spending P 1.1 billion for office supplies like papers and ballpen.”

June 19, 2021

3

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Political circumstances in Pendatun’s push for Separation of Church and...from P10

sworn allegiance to the transitional administration of President Jose Laurel in 1942.

In late 60’s through early 70’s Rightist forces, variably described by writers as “Christian militias”, EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses FORTUNATO B. SILVANO and LEONARDA A. SILVANO, who died on November 28, 2003 and August 10, 2007 in Midsayap, Cotabato, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot No. 835-A, Csd-12-005905, situated at Kimagango, Midsayap, Cotabato with an area of 25,250 sq. mts., more or less, covered by Original na Titulo Blg. P-60306 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of partition before Notary Public Atty. Noel A. Gretare, CPA, as per Doc. No. 1854; Page No. 76; Book No. LXXV; Series of 2021.

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

“Ilaga,” "land grabbers," and “Barakuda” were apparently not from Central Mindanao. Founding the Mindanao Independence Movement in 1969, Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam was pacified to come to terms

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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

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

MC: June 19 & 26, 2021

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

Notice for Auction

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

Patalastas ng Subasta

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

with the government and with the Christian leaders of Central Mindanao in 1971, by distinguished ‘peace-bridge’ personalities named by Malacanang, including the late Bishop Gerald Mongeau, Tañada, Cotabato Governor Simeon A. Datumanong, and Pendatun himself.

One proof that they were not from Central Mindanao, is that a group of job-seeking strangers were hosted by an unwitting Christian resident of Datu Piang obviously in good faith, because he even asked my father if he could

Notice for Auction

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

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

MC: June 19 & 26 , 2021

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

corner Bonifacio and Don Rufino Alonzo Sts., Cotabato City

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

MC: June 19 & 26, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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

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

Belner Padawag as per Doc. No. 235; Page No. 46; Book No. IV; Series of 2021.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

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

MC: June 12, 19 & 26, 2021

MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

Notice is hereby given that the lateJesus Buncalan Balgos who died on November 22, 2016 at Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato left a parcel of land situated in Bo. Poblacion, Parang, Cotabato, covered

by OCT No. P-25804, with an area of 300 sq. mts. (3 ares), more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro - Jagunap as per Doc. No. 3175; Page No. 3175; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

accommodate some of them in agri-bodega works like piling-up cargadores or as drier-laborers. But unknown to him, residents would later tell of stories like one or two of the strangers who only spoke (albeit slang) a dialect in the Western Visayas, were asking Christian religious leaders if Christian residents there were not being maltreated

by Muslims? When they found out that peaceful community relations were prevalent in Dulawan, the strangers just disappeared one dark night without informing their host. That,

MC: June. 19 & 26, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late JUANITO Q. BORNEA and JOVITA ANITO-BORNEA, who died at Midsayap, Cotabato on August 5, 1984 and September 28, 2013, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot 2451A, Psd-23727, situated in Katingawan (now Central Katingawan), Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-999, with an area of 20,000 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1675; Page No. 40 Book No. LXXV; Series of 2021. MC: June 5, 12 & 19, 2021

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

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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

MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the late JUANITO PALMAERA, who died on February 26, 2005 at Poblacion, Tulunan, Cotabato, left a parcel of land situated in Tambac, Tu l u n a n , C o t a b a t o , covered by TCT No. CT31265, with an area of 24,814 sq. mts., more or less is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De CastroJagunap as per Doc. No. 3007; Page No. 3007; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

MC: June 5, 12 & 19, 2021

I suspect, was one of the reasons why Dulawan did not become a target of Ilaga attack in all its years of untold atrocities (19691972).

Another proof that the so-called Christian militias were not from Central Mindanao is that a Muslim woman married to a member of the Baracuda was brought to her husband's family in a Northern province…Nash

Maulana

Republic of the Philippines Supreme Court 5th SHARI’A DISTRICT COURT Cotabato City SDC SPL. PROC. CASE No. 2020-508 IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR DECLARATION OF HEIRSHIP AND/OR SURVIVING SPOUSE LEGAL BENEFICIARY OF THE LATE SPO3 RAFAEL HADJI ALI KASIM NORMA K. KASIM

Petitioner,

-versusTHE POLICE RETIREMENT A N D B E N E F I T S ADMINISTRATION SERVICE, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, CAMP CRAME, QUEZON CITY

Respondent. x----------------------------------------x ORDER Filed with this court is a petition for declaration of heirship and/or surviving spouse. The petitioner, Norma K. Kasim alleged among others: That she is the only surviving spouse of the late Rafael Hadji Ali Kasim who died on March 6, 2020. That they got married on November 22, 1984; That the said marriage was covered by a Certificate of Marriage, registered with the Local Civil Registrar of Buluan, Maguindanao; That the husband of the petitioner, Rafael Hadji Ali Kasim, during his lifetime was a member of the PNP until he retired from the service and enjoyed his pension until his death; That the petitioner is entitled to her husband’s pension being the only surviving spouse and beneficiary of the deceased; and that the respondent, Police Retirement and Benefits Administration Service is under obligation to transfer the pension of the late SPO3 Kasim to his only surviving spouse, herein petitioner.

The petition is sufficient in form and substance, hence, has to be heard on February 23, 2021 at 8:30 in the morning.

Anybody who maybe adversely affected by this petition may appear on the said date and place and show cause, why this petition should not be granted or may file a written opposition thereto.

The petitioner is directed to cause the publication of this Order, once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation before the said hearing.

SO ORDERED. Marawi City for Cotabato City, Philippines, December 29, 2020.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late FIDELA A. MANSILLA and AUGUSTO M. MANSILLA, who died intestate on May 14, 2003 and January 3, 2018, respectively in Cotabato City, left a parcel of land Lot 1323-B-2-G-8-L-9-C-3.

Psd-11-053273, situated in Bo. Poblacion, Sto. Niño, South Cotabato with an area of 999 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 85026 is the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap, as per Doc. No. 3266; Page No. 3266; Book No. XXVII; Series of 2021.

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

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

MC: June 12, 19 & 26 2021

Erratum: The above notice was erroneously published on June 12 2021 issue.

Republic of the Philippines Region XII City Government of Cotabato OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. Act No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Bai Isradean Sinsuat Datukan has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Yuan Caleb Miguel to Datu Azeez Yuan Zachary in the birth certificate of Yuan Calib Miguel Cuison Datukan who was born on June 12, 2015 at Davao City and whose parents are Datu Ashahd Sinsuat Datukan & Gretchen Aquino Cuison.

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

(Sgd.) RASAD S. LAGUINDAB Acting Presiding Judge

(Sgd.) TOHAMY M. LAUBAN

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the late ABDULATIP K. KANAPIA, who died intestate on April 9, 2021 in Cotabato City, left bank accounts at Philippine National Bank under Account Nos. 306685500019 and 405110147331; Bank of the Philippine Islands under Account No. 21634541-17 and Metrobank under Account No. 0743-07439272-6 are the subject of extrajudicial partition of personal property with waiver of rights before Atty.

Mohammad Jameel A. Singh as per Doc. No. 481; Page No. 97; Book No. 9; Series of 2021.

Notice is hereby given that the late spouses ALBERTO J . PA C H E C O a n d MANUELA ALTOBANO, who died intestate on May 12, 1994 and April 09, 20001 at Tamontaka and Labungan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, respectively, left parcels of land Lot 315, Pls-519 and Lot 316, Pls-519, covered

by OCT Nos. P-32482 and P-32483, respectively, with the total area of 321,093 sq. mts., more or less are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale before Notary Public Atty. Agnes P. Paracha-Balleque as per Doc. No. 489; Page No. 98; Book No. 05; Series of 2021.

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

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

Registration office IV

MC: June 12 & 19, 2021

MC: June 5, 12 & 19, 2021

4

THE MINDANAO CROSS

June 19, 2021

The celebration of our city’s founding anniversary has always been one of the most festive times of the year.

We all look forward to gathering with our families and friends as we take part in all the fun and activities.

But since last year, the pandemic has prevented us from being together and from celebrating this remarkable time in history.

Though we have remained headstrong and steadfast, we are continuously being tested as we still see no clear ending to this crisis.

Nevertheless, our resiliency and our unity as a people shines through.

On the occasion of the 62nd Araw ng Cotabato, I am encouraging all my fellow Cotabateños to carry on, remain strong, and keep the faith.

This is just one of the many trials that we have faced and may be facing with uncertainty but together, we can all recover. Together, we can heal.

There may still be no huge merry making activities this year as we adhere to the health protocols set forth in observance of our community quarantine, but the health and safety of every Cotabateño is more paramount than any celebration. It is better that we stay home, stay safe, and prevent the further spread of the virus.

I call on to everyone, to every Cotabateño, to take an active role in putting an end to this crisis.

Let us help each other and protect one another.

Together, we can endure and get ourselves and our city back on track.

My fellow Cotabateños, Happy 62nd Araw ng Cotabato.

Sigay Ka Cotabato City!

ATTY. FRANCES CYNTHIA J. GUIANI–SAYADI City Mayor

THE MINDANAO CROSS

June 19, 2021

Happy 62nd Araw ng Cotabato everyone!

Let us mark this day with much celebration and appreciation. Today serves as another milestone that we reached as a whole, unified and disciplined city.

We are halfway of 2021 and we’re still fighting with much resiliency packed with hope as we live day by day having faith that better days are still up ahead. Let’s keep all our loved ones close to our hearts. We might go through hard seasons, struggle through circumstances but like other times in the past, this too shall pass.

If there’s one thing pandemic taught us, it’s that we have strength for adaptation— we are still finding ways to celebrate and be part of each other’s lives.

This is our second year of celebrating this special day amidst the pandemic but I sure hope that our hearts will continuously choose to remain as one strong, resilient Cotabateños.

Again, Happy 62nd Araw ng Cotabato!

Sigay Cotabato City!

GRAHAM NAZER G. DUMAMA City Vice Mayor

5

6

June 19, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Pope Francis:

Priests, bishops, and married couples ‘co-responsible’ for the family VATICAN — Pope Francis on Wednesday urged priests, bishops, and married couples to work in cooperation to strengthen the life of the Church through the goods of marriage and family.

In a video message to an online forum taking place this week, the pope said that “the family is ‘a domestic Church,’ the place in which the sacramental presence of Christ acts between spouses and between parents and children.”

“In this sense,” he continued, “‘the experience of love in families is a perennial source of strength for the life of the Church,’ constantly enriched by the life of all the domestic Churches. Therefore, by virtue of the Sacrament of Marriage, every family becomes to full effect a good for the Church.”

“Co-responsibility for the mission therefore calls upon married couples and ordained ministers, especially bishops, to cooperate in a fruitful manner in the care and custody of the domestic Churches,” Pope Francis said.

He urged pastors to “be enlightened by the Spirit” and to call on prepared married couples for help in proclaiming the truth about the family.

“If we give them space, they can make their contribution to the construction of the ecclesial fabric,” he said.

The pope’s message was issued June 9, the first day of a four-day online meeting hosted by the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life. The forum is centered on the question: “Where do we stand with the application of Amoris laetitia?”

Amoris laetitia is Pope Francis’ 2016 apostolic exhortation on love in the family, written following the 2014 and 2015 synods on the family.

The closed-door meeting is being attended by more than 300 delegates of the family offices of over 60 bishops’ conferences and 30 international movements.

Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernández of La Plata, Argentina, a friend and known ghostwriter of Pope Francis, will give a keynote address on “accompanying, discerning, and integrating fragility,” on the last day of the forum.

The forum has been organized as part of the ongoing Amoris Laetitia Family Year.

In his message, Francis also emphasized the important witness that faithful married men and women give.

“How important it is for young people to see with their own eyes the love of Christ alive and present in the love of spouses, who testify with their real lives that love for ever is possible!” he said.

T

He added that “just as the spouses Aquila and Priscilla were valuable collaborators of St. Paul in his mission, so too today many married couples, and even entire families with children, can become valid witnesses to accompany other families, create community, and sow seeds of communion among the peoples receiving the first evangelization, contributing in a decisive way to the proclamation of the kerygma.”

Today the family is more than ever “a sign of the times,” the pope said, and the Church needs to actively listen and involve them in pastoral care.

He underlined that all the baptized, not just pastors, are called to evangelize the world: “To bring God’s love to families and young people, who will build the families of tomorrow, we need the help of the families themselves, their concrete experience of life and communion.”

“We need spouses alongside the pastors, to walk with other families, to help those who are weaker, to announce that, even in difficulties, Christ is present in the Sacrament of Marriage to give tenderness, patience, and hope to all, in every situation of life.”

He explained that just as the complementarity of man and woman “combine to make up the tapestry of the family, so too the sacraments of Holy Orders and marriage are both indispensable to building up the Church as a ‘family of families.’”.

“In this way, we will be able to have a pastoral care of families in which one breathes fully the spirit of ecclesial communion.”

Pope Francis noted that the synods on the family “helped the Church to bring to light many concrete challenges that families experience: ideological pressures that hinder educational processes, relational problems, material and spiritual poverty and, at the root, a great deal of loneliness due to the difficulty of perceiving God in one’s own life.”

“I invite you, therefore, to take a fresh look at Amoris laetitia in order to identify, among the pastoral priorities indicated therein, those that best correspond to the concrete needs of each local Church and to pursue them with creativity and missionary zeal,” he said. Catholic News Agency

The Storms of Life REFLECTIONS

Pope Francis’ general audience in the San Damaso Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace, June 9, 2021.

VATICAN MEDIA

Filipino Catholics get ready for world grandparents’ day

THE Philippine Church has launched a series of events to mark the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 25.

Pope Francis declared early this year that the event will take place annually on the fourth Sunday of July to coincide with the feast day of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus Christ.

Parishioners in Manila’s Quezon City said they have launched a drive to give toiletries and groceries to the elderly and sick in their community.

“Here in Sacred Heart Parish, we will visit the elderly and give them groceries and toiletries. We have a list provided by social workers of the poorest in the parish. I think we can help at least 100 of them,” parishioner Maria Fabros told UCA News.

Another group of parishioners in the Bicol region, south of Manila, are to accompany a priest on visits to the elderly to give them the sacraments of healing such as confession and anointing of the sick.

“Not everything that we need is material. We should also help the sick and the elderly by giving them the sacraments they need,” Albay

his Sunday’s gospel of the storm, as mentioned about Jesus calming in the first reading, (Job. the storm reminds me 38:1) and the responsorial of another storm at sea. psalm (Ps. 107). If they had Archbishop Philip Smith faith in Jesus as Lord and was the new bishop of God, they would not have Cotabato and he decided to panicked. visit the parishes. I was his The disciple does not companion when he visited always sail on a calm sea.

Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC the parish of Lebak. This Literally, as I have learned tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com was forty years ago and on the trip with Archbishop there were no wide roads at that time and traveling by Smith, the sea can be stormy. I admired Archbishop “lantsa” was the normal way. The sea was rather calm Smith for his calm demeanor during the storm. His on our way to the coastal parish but the next day when confident presence assured the passengers traveling we were about to go home, there was a big storm and with him. A few times, when I was traveling by plane, the boats were warned not to sail. Most boat captains a parishioner would approach me and say, “Thanks be prudently decided to stay at port. Archbishop wanted to God you are traveling with us.” They feel more safe to go back to Cotabato City in spite of the developing with a priest on board. Many times, I notice passengers storm and one boat was ready to sail. Perhaps, with take out their rosaries when the plane is about to take his experiences as bishop of Jolo, Archbishop Smith off. That includes me. was not afraid of storms at sea. There were only a few The calming of the storm is a story about life and brave souls who sailed with us. The waves were as big discipleship. Life is not always a bed of roses nor as the boat and I was seasick over the rail, with the discipleship a walk in the park. Life has its ups and Archbishop patting my back. When a person is as downs and discipleship has its challenges. One meets seasick as I was, he no longer cares whether the boat storms along the way. However, tempests do not last sinks . I was that miserable until we finally arrive at as this song about a ship in a storm tells, “There’s got the Rio Grande port. All the while, Archbishop Smith to be a morning after, if we can hold on through the was a picture of confidence. night.// We have a chance to find the sunshine//Let’s In the gospel, the apostles were terrified by keep on looking for the light.// Oh, can’t you see the the storm. The Sea of Galilee was mostly calm but morning after?// It’s waiting right outside the storm.// sometimes strong winds coming from the mountains Why don’t we cross the bridge together and find a place would create big waves that can threaten the sailing that’s safe and warm? (If you can sing this, you are in boats. The apostles were mostly fishermen and they my generation). were expected to be familiar with storms at sea. This Storms will always come our way such as this must be an extraordinary storm because it terrified current Covid pandemic, but we can also ask, who is the apostles and the they panicked, while Jesus was with you in the midst of the storm? Who makes you sleeping amidst the crisis. They woke Jesus up and strong? There are loved ones and support groups who with a strong voice He ordered the sea to be still. lend us their courage and strength. But don’ forget He then mildly rebuked his disciples. “Why are you that it is the Lord who calms the storm. Pray and terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” God is the Lord believe. MC

parishioner Megan Coronel told UCA News.

She said their group would observe pandemic protocols by undergoing Covid-19 tests before making visits.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has released a pastoral statement about the special day.

The prelates reminded Catholics they should listen to older people because they were “full of wisdom.”

“The Holy Spirit still stirs up thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly today: their voice is precious because it sings the praises of God and safeguards the roots of peoples. They remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young,” the bishops said, quoting Pope Francis.

The bishops also reiterated the pope’s warning that grandparents are often forgotten and overlooked.

“As a country blessed by 500 years of Christianity, let us make sure that grandparents remain and feel they are cherished members of our families, communities and nation,” they said.

Joseph Peter Calleja/UCA News

Meditation Fr. Rock Saniel, OMI

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:

Job 38.1-4, 8-11++; 2 Corinthians 5.14 - 17; Mark 4.35-41

Put your Trust in God How many times are we drawn into despair and frustration? We easily give up. We easily fall apart. When life throws at us unimaginable burden and we are feeling hopeless because of our dire situation, how many of us are left weakened and bruised and unable to rise again?

That is life. At times we must get hurt and pained but that is not all about it in this life.

There’s always sunshine after the heavy rains and storms. So just be faithful. Be steadfast in believing that God will come to rescue you.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust you rather than to seek to control everything.

7

THE MINDANAO CROSS

June 19, 2021 EDITORIAL

Are we aware of discrimination?

T

he news today is full of events where the spectre of discrimination can be seen openly or through subtle manipulation.

What is discrimination? It is the treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit (Webster).

Many countries, especially in the United States which is peopled by different races, ethnicities, and languages, belonging to a specific group have this problem of discrimination. On one end of the spectrum are the whites and the other end are the blacks. Recently, the death of a black person in the hands of a white policeman fuelled the emotions of the blacks (and their sympathizers), to call attention to discrimination. The movement called “Black Lives Matters” became a byword to demand justice for the victim, and brought forth the complaints of the blacks to the different instances when they were discriminated against.

Filipinos kept to themselves and were not actively involved because the brown skin color is decidedly in between.

However, with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian population (to which Filipinos belong to) are starting to be the target of “hate” crimes in the US. The Chinese, to which we share the same skin color, are suspected to be the source of the Corona Virus which spread worldwide (although this is still a theory which has to be verified). Thus, there were news of Filipinos being targeted (a woman is suddenly mauled without any reason) because of this discrimination against skin color and other Asian features.

These are not so common cases which has reached the TV-Radio and the Social Media.

Hopefully, they will remain as isolated cases which will not be copied by others.

In our communities, here in the Philippines, the ugly spectre of discrimination is slowly appearing due to modernization. Fortunately, our educational system have gone forward to promote equality in terms of gender, tribes, or dialects. But there are still vestiges of the old practice that appears now and then. The most recent news is when members of the 3rd sex were forcibly shaved of their hair since the elders in the community are against their gender. I remember some 10 years ago when women were not allowed to wear pants. Although this did not prosper as a standard ruling in communities, it is still shows how some groups go against this violation of the “norm”. Also felt by many is the discrimination against Indigenous People who due to their low education and pervading poverty cannot assert their rights, especially in the ownership of land.

Because of the human rights campaign, discriminatory practices are at once corrected.

This should be the by-word of the government, which is expected to protect the rights of the marginalized. Hopefully, those in government who still have the compulsion to discriminate, will have a change of heart, and help promote anti-discrimination despite their perception of what is normal inherited from their parents or social groups. MC +

is published every Saturday by the Mindanao Cross Publishers, Inc., Sinsuat cor Quezon Avenues, Cotabato City. Tel Nos. (064) 4217161 and E-mail Address: mindanao.cross@gmail.com | mincross101@yahoo.com.ph

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 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.

P

resident Rodrigo Duterte’s economic managers are confident that the country’s economy will rebound starting the second quarter of this year. They also believe the country’s recovery will be stronger compared to our neighbors due to our sound fundamentals. The reason Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III is citing for this optimism is the ongoing “mass vaccination” on top of solid fiscal fundamentals. Dominguez, talking to members of the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines during their midyear forum, said the country’s vaccination program had been rolling out quite well.

According to the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group, more than 12.7 million doses of different vaccine brands have been received by the Philippines as of June 13. The bulk of 7.5 million doses are from Sinovac, 6.5 million doses of which were procured by the government and 1 million were donated by China. The country also received 2.56 million doses of AstraZeneca and 2.47 million doses of Pfizer vaccines, all through COVAX, the worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

The government also procured 180,000 doses of Sputnik V. Since the start of the vaccine rollout on March 1, nearly 7 million doses have been administered and 1,879,694 individuals have been fully immunized. This is roughly a mere 3.24% of the target 58 million Filipinos fully vaccinated by December 31 this year. Apparently, the bulk of those who got inoculated are in Metropolitan Manila even as cases continue to rise in many other parts of the country. Recent reports citing the Department of Health are saying that even as cases have started to go down in the metro and nearby areas, a surge in cases has been noted in the Visayas and Mindanao.

In Cagayan de Oro, Deputy Speaker and CDO 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez has lamented what was according to him the inaction of government officials in prioritizing the supply of vaccines to areas with high COVID-19 incidence including his city. He said he has written to Secretaries Francisco Duque, Karlo Nograles, and Carlito Galvez following the spike in COVID-19 cases in his city last month, but none of the three gave him a response. “So what happened? People

A

SMELL of anti-dynasty legislation in the Regional Parliament could get the Bangsamoro Transition Authority into a heads-on collision with Moro political leaders.

BTA Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong says the provinces comprising the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are similarly situated in that they are ruled by Moro families of politicians.

Balindong, in an interview Thursday, referred to a provision in the draft BARMM Local Governance Code (BLGC) which prescribes for qualification or disqualification of local officials in the context of succession.

At 83, Balindong, still being active at work, is looked up to in the BTA Parliament as an elderly statesman, having been the first speaker of the defunct ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA), a former congressman of his district in Lanao del Sur, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives and a commissioner to the Bayanihan Commission that drafted proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

Balindong even in the Bayanihan Commission admitted to being in the ruling class of political families in Lanao del Sur—but that this did not stop him from voting affirmatively for the retention of the constitutional ban on political dynasty.

In his insights, it could not be far-fetched that the issue of “political dynasty” is one reason why some politicians in the region were openly opposed to BTA extension in the proposed bills, amending Republic Act 11054 in both Houses of Congress. The proposed amendment will particularly change the date of the first election under the Bangsamoro Organic Law. “But not me, of course, because I voted for the constitutional ban on dynasty in the Bayanihan Commission that drafted proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution,” Balindong said.

Looking at the news again

Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

are dying in Cagayan de Oro City. As of May 1 up to the present, more than 3,400 already caught COVID-19 and there are many deaths already,” Rodriguez said in a television interview Wednesday morning. Rodriguez believes priority in vaccine allocation should be given to cities and places which have higher incidence of COVD19 cases than others.

Meanwhile, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Chief Implementer of the National Task Force against COVID-19, has assured Mindanao that it will be receiving more vaccines with the country expecting the arrival of more than 10 million more vaccines this month.

Priority will be given to high-risk areas in the island.

“Mindanao will not be left behind. This is my promise to all Mindanaoans,” Galvez said.

According to online reports, a total of 1,735,630 vaccine doses have been delivered to Mindanao as of June 14, and almost half a million vaccines have recently been deployed in most affected areas. Davao Region is reported to have received 210,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines, Cagayan de Oro got 35,000 while additional vaccines were sent to Dipolog, Zamboanga City, Cotabato City, Zamboanga del Sur, General Santos City, Koronadal, Bukidnon, Butuan and other affected areas in Luzon and Visayas.

Even with all the rosy picture some government officials paint of the vaccine rollout, and the promise of additional inoculants for the millions more still in waiting, the fact is the Philippines has a limited COVID-19 vaccine supply, a situation compounded by delivery delays.

In the face of this, some people have referred to the dispensation of vaccines in the country as a “vaccine crawl out” instead of a vaccine rollout. MC

Speaker Balindong: ‘AntiDynasty’ a hard sell, too, in BARMM

Penlight Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

In the book titled “The Revolutionary Democrat: The Life and Times of Pangalian Balindong”, former Chief Justice Raynato Puno, recalls in his foreword that Balindong’s “YES” vote to an anti-dynasty provision drew much applause, signifying reverence during the deliberations. Balindong, a lawyer by profession, is a member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), particularly serving as its legal counsel in the negotiations that led to the signing of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement.

For Balindong, a similar BLGC provision, but not particularly banning political dynasty in the region would have to be explained thoroughly to be better understood by local officials who may feel being so potentially affected.

However, Balindong admits that he had yet to receive a copy by which to go over the proposed BLGC which contains the following provisions that some perceived, may not sit well with local politicians: “….. additional qualification and disqualification to address election controversies and succession, filling up of vacancies; Qualification that the candidate must not be within second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected official in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected”; “… Disqualification to run for the next lower position to a current position; Disqualification to run for public office in BARMM for non-residents within three years prior to an election next following a transfer of residency; Amending the age requirement for Sanggunian Kabataan, from 15-21 into 18-24 years old.” MC

“But not me, of course, because I voted for the constitutional ban on dynasty in the Bayanihan Commission that drafted proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution,”

8

in sheep clothing.”

The way of truth will be blasphemed as deceitful preachers and teachers will abound that many will follow their destructive ways. Through Charlie Señase covetousness, they will csenase@yahoo.com exploit you and me with their deceptive words.

HIS brings to mind the meteoric rise to fame of Britain’s famous The devil is doubly at work intruding musical mopheads of the sixties – into all sectors and segments of society.

John, Paul, George and Ringo, that such If demons like virus have infected popularity exuded pride and arrogance millions unto death because of sheer that led to the leader of the band’s early disobedience to existing laws, who are demise. “We are more popular than we to continue with our non-stopped Jesus Christ” was their unforgettable blame-and-complain only to die in the statement during the Beatles concert end? The divine precept to render to governing authorities what’s due them sojourn in the Philippines.

This week, lawmakers sought and to God be the glory for the Godfor the investigation of a P15-billion fearing are blessed and law-abiding. In funded project of the Department that context the worldwide appeal for of Education in the production for total anti-COVID inoculation must be learning modules in time for the 2021 taken seriously to avoid further spread of the deadly virus. school opening.

In anything, always seek first the Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on kingdom of God and His righteousness Basic Education, Arts and Culture, and everything shall be added unto us questioned a total of 155 alleged errors (Matthew 6:33). That in all our plans predominantly in the deliberate use of and ways, always ask God to direct obscene or “dirty words” in the modules our steps.

It was in this context that BARMM that may influence maliciousness among school children. He reminded DepEd Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim this week and those tasked in the production clarified that moves to extend for three of learning modules to be contrite in more years the transitory political set-up of BARMM has nothing to do coming up with Filipino values.

A n o t h e r d i s m a l a c t o f with greed-for-power but to be able to shamelessness also happened this firmly establish peaceful coexistence week when NBI agents arrested a and development based on secular pastor of a Christian denomination freedom in the realm historical culture in Cebu City due to alleged extortion. and tradition. He urged members The preacher was accused of estafa in of parliament led by Speaker Ali an illegal recruitment operation. His Pangalian Balindong to fast tract victims claimed to have paid P35,000 passages of the Local Government, each as placement fee for a job in Revenue and Electoral Codes.

Sectors closely allied with the New Zealand which the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency denied MNLF have noticed BARMM’s socioeconomic support to MILF members and as legitimate recruiting agent.

The incident is reminiscent of the their families while their counterpart not-too-long-ago investment scam in want the same gesture of support to South Cotabato involving a religious the group which they used to belong ministry, that victims mostly church as one MNLF. With other splintered members cried to have been doped armed groups murmuring in silence, because of the huge-return investment let’s hope such kink (envy) is ironed promise of KAPA Ministry. Indeed, we out. Let’s hold on to God’s peace that are in the last days of perilous times surpasses all understanding devoid of that we have to be warry about “wolves self-love, envy and greed. MC

OMG: Help!

True to Form

T

Down Memory Lane Special Article

W

June 19, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

ith the Araw ng Cotabato approaching, the Mindanao Cross thought it but fitting to share with readers what the city was several years ago. A very fine description of Cotabato City was made by the noted author Thomas McKenna in his book “Muslim Rulers and Rebels”. Having gone to the city a number of times during the decade of the ‘80s to collect data for his book, his feel of the city life gives a nostalgic picture of what it was several years ago. (Most of the stories below are reprints from his book).

According to him, one of the most noted features of Cotabato City is its ethnic diversity. In addition to the indigenous Maguindanao and Iranun inhabitants, who comprise about 46 percent of the population, the city is composed of immigrants from other regions of the Philipines, the vast majority of them Christians. Cebuanos and Ilongos from the central Philippines together make up about 2.5 percent of the city’s population, and Tagalogs and Ilocanos from Luzon comprise another 2.2 percent.

About 2 percent of the city’s population are immigrant Muslims, mostly Maranao from Lake Lanao just to the north. Most of the Chinese residents of the city are also non-Christians.

Though they are also immigrants to the region, ethnic Chinese have resided in Cotabato for at least four hundred years, centuries longer than any other immigrant group. In sharp contrast to virtually every other city in Mindanao, in Cotabato City, Tagalog is the lingua franca. This is a likely a result of the ethnic diversity of immigrants, but also the fact that many of the earliest Christian immigrants to the city were Tagalog speakers who came as civil servants under Spanish and American

colonial administrations. A fairly distinct ethnic division of labor has obtained in the city for some time, altered only somewhat in the past twenty years. The ethnic Chinese tend to control both retail trade and the processing of agricultural commodities. Tagalogs have tended to be heavily represented in government service as administrators, clerks, and teachers. Visayan migrants are generally found in the professions, in agriciulture, and in commercial establishments such as barbershops and drugstores. The Maguindanaon and Iranon comprise a large percentage of the fish sellers, street vendors, and stevedores in the city. Other Muslims are farmers, fishermen, or goldsmiths, and some own and operate inter-island vessels or small rice mills.

The Muslims of Cotabato City are generally much more conversant with the cultural beliefs and practices of Christian Filipinos than Christians are with local Muslim culture.

Virtually all Muslims under the age of 40 speak Tagalog and a number of younger Muslims as well as some older men who attended school during the American period speak English. Local Muslims are regularly exposed to the dominant national culture through popular films, radio, and comic books. Their most protracted exposure to the national culture, however, comes during their education at state sponsored schools.

Most young Muslims have Christian school acquaintances, and a few have Christian friends. Muslim Christian marriages, between Muslim men and Christian women, are not at all uncommon in the city. Many younger Muslims also tend to join, at least indirectly, in the celebration of Christian holidays such as Christmas, New Years Eve, and Saint Valentines Day. These are vignettes worth remembering as we compare the situation before with what we are today. MC

The Muslims of Cotabato City are generally much more conversant with the cultural beliefs and practices of Christian Filipinos

What is ‘herd immunity’?

HEALTH CORNER

H

erd immunity', also known as 'population immunity', is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection. WHO supports achieving 'herd immunity' through vaccination, not by allowing a disease to spread through any segment of the population, as this would result in unnecessary cases and deaths.

Herd immunity against COVID-19 should be achieved by protecting people through vaccination, not by exposing them to the pathogen that causes the disease. Read the Director-General’s 12 October media briefing speech for more detail.

Vaccines train our immune systems to create proteins that fight disease, known as ‘antibodies’, just as would happen when we are exposed to a disease but – crucially – vaccines work without making us sick. Vaccinated people are protected from getting the disease in question and passing on the pathogen, breaking any chains of transmission. Visit our webpage on

COVID-19 and vaccines for more detail.

To safely achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, a substantial proportion of a population would need to be vaccinated, lowering the overall amount of virus able to spread in the whole population. One of the aims with working towards herd immunity is to keep vulnerable groups who cannot get vaccinated (e.g. due to health conditions like allergic reactions to the vaccine) safe and protected from the disease. Read our Q&A on vaccines and immunization for more information.

The percentage of people who need to be immune in order to achieve herd immunity varies with each disease. For example, herd immunity against measles requires about 95% of a population to be vaccinated. The remaining 5% will be protected by the fact that measles will not spread among those who are vaccinated. For polio, the threshold is about 80%. The proportion of the population that must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to begin inducing herd immunity is not known. This is an important area of research and will likely vary according to the community, the vaccine, the populations prioritized for vaccination, and other factors.

Achieving herd immunity with safe and effective vaccines makes diseases rarer and saves lives. MC

not fully settled on the due date, usually ranging from 1.5% to 3%. When a card holder does not fully settle his/her balance, this can be considered akin to taking a loan, With Danny Buenbrazo danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com prevailing interest rate on bank deposits not even ne of the fundamental obligations reaching 1.0% per annum, of the State is to ensure that it seems unconscionable to charge a consumers are protected from consumer (cardholder) more than ten unscrupulous and unfair business times the prevailing interest rate on practices .With most business activities savings account and at least twice or remaining anemic due to the COVID-19 thrice the usual lending rate. situation, some traders and service Third, why would an airline providers may be tempted to resort to ticket cost much more when bought some machinations and other deceptive nearer to the flight date? Would the means to increase their profits. airline be incurring additional cost in A consumer is a person that accommodating such passenger or will purchases goods and services that are the passenger be receiving extraordinary offered regularly by sellers or service service? Vacant seats would mean loss providers. Usually, it is natural persons income opportunity for an airline, thus, that are considered as consumers; a consumer who buys a ticket just before however, organizations can also be the date or time of departure is doing a considered as consumers given that they service to the air carrier. also avail of goods and services.

On Facebook and other social There are practices of banks, real media platforms, we periodically see estate dealers, vehicle dealers, airlines, promotional advertisement of real and online sellers that are unfair if not estate properties, particularly sale of outrightly deceptive. condominium units. Many are enticed Let’s look at bank practices that to purchase as the prices appear to needs reviewing and revising. Most be cheap. Recently, I came across an banks would deduct a certain amount advertisement that says P40,000 per on savings or current account that month for 36 months. However, the they consider as dormant: no deposit, P1.44 million is not the actual price withdrawal, or other types of transaction of the condominium unit but just the done in a given period of time. This rule is initial payment covering three years. probably premised on the “carrying cost” The seller still needs to pay P5.0 million that maintaining record of transactions more thereafter. for each bank account. However, with Then there’s the dealers of vehicles automation, there is less time spent by who cannot just disclose completely bank personnel keeping tabs of deposits basic information such as total price in the bank. The banks benefit from of a vehicle, the down payment and having deposits since these allow them corresponding monthly amortization. to meet reserve requirements imposed by Potential buyers are informed through the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). private messages or emails. What would More importantly, banks earn interest they lose if details are just provided right income when they lend these money to away? their debtors or invest in securities or There is a government agency other forms of investment. responsible for each of the aboveRelated to this, banks and/or credit described sellers or service providers, companies impose high monthly interest hopefully they will take notice and take and other charges on credit card purchases actions in favor of the consumers. MC

Ideas for Consumer Welfare and Protection….

Market Driven

O

600 families hit by floods in SoCot ...from P1

More MILF fighters to “retire”...from P1

mandate of overseeing the decommissioning process "with utmost impartiality, integrity and confidentiality."

He described the submission of the list of MILF fighters and their weapons that will be decommissioned as another significant milestone in the implementation of the CAB. The CAB is the final peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF signed in 2014 after 17 years of negotiations.

The normalization aspect involves not just the deactivation of MILF fighters and weapons but also the transformation of their camps into peaceful and productive zones.

In 2015, former President Benigno Aquino III led the Phase 1 of the decommissioning process involving 145 MILF fighters and 75

9

THE MINDANAO CROSS

June 19, 2021

high-powered weapons in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao.

The second phase kicked off in September 2019 with President Rodrigo Duterte leading the ceremony held also in Sultan Kudarat town.

It involved 12,000 MILF and at least 2,100 assorted weapons in a process that was completed in March 2020, according to IDB. Each deactivated MILF fighter received P100,000 cash and a package of socio-economic promises amounting to P1 million, including education and livelihood training programs.

The second phase of decommissioning came months after the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the ratification of Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The BARMM is governed by the MILF-led Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), whose mandate will expire on June 30, 2022. The BTA and other sectors have been pushing for the extension of the transition period, citing the disruptions caused by COVID-19 in implementing the provisions of the CAB. Bangsamoro interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, also the MILF chair, said the transition period is not just centered on establishing the regional bureaucracy in the Bangsamoro region.

“The other half of the process is the normalization track which aims to transform our combatants as productive civilian members of the society and reform their respective communities from decades-long of unrest and conflict,” Ebrahim said in a statement.

the provincial government equipment needed to remove debris blocking rivers, causing the inundation of riverside farming enclaves.

One of the equipment provided by the DPWH-12, a backhoe, is now removing debris that accumulated at one side of the large Puti Bridge in Norala town, swept downstream by rampaging floodwaters from adjacent hinterlands.

The level of floodwater in the river whose opposite banks are connected to each other by the Puti Bridge have risen so high after heavy rains fell on mountain ranges nearby.

Tamayo, chairperson of the provincial

ADVERTISE WITH US Call :

(064) 421-71-61 Email: mindanao.cross@gmail.com

Año names DILG director as Magpet caretaker...from P1 their leave of absences are over or whichever comes earlier.”

The directive emphasizes however that Director Leysa cannot perform the regular duties, responsibilities and functions and powers of the LCE, except to oversee and ensure the delivery of basic services and to approve disbursements involving regularly recurring administrative expenses, such as payrolls, expenses for the light, water, telephone, among other utility and telecommunication services and other rentals.

All the officials of the municipality had been under quarantine after they had been identified as close contacts to two COVID-19 positive LGU officials.

Magpet Mayor Florenito Gonzaga admitted he tested positive for

COVID-19 on June 14, Monday after not reporting for work with no official statement as to why. He is confined in a hospital in Kidapawan City.

Vice Mayor Rogelio Marañon on Friday, June 11, assumed as acting mayor, citing the local government code on law of succession.

However, he was exposed to one of a town councilor who tested positive for COVID-19 on June 10. The unidentified councilor attended the June 8 regular session that Marañon has presided over.

Because of that, all the 12-member Sangguniang Bayan were quarantined.

Marañon acted as acting mayor and worked from home on Monday and Tuesday when the DILG directive

came out.

Director Leysa stated “that the situation in Magpet warranted the application of DILG MC No. 201921, dated February 12 2019 entitled “Operational Guidelines and Rules in Implementing Administrative Order no. 15, series of 2018.”

“I have brought with me a team from the Regional Office to ensure that we cover a lot of grounds while we perform as caretaker of this municipality,” Leysa said in a statement.

The lady director and her team immediately proceed to Magpet on June 15, after receipt of the order of the SILG, and convened the LGU’s department heads to discuss matters that need immediate action.

Sigay Ka Cotabato City!

disaster risk reduction and management council, said Friday their calamity and disaster response teams are again out, monitoring the large rivers crisscrossing lowlands in the province.

Tamayo said he is grateful to the regional director of DPWH-12, Bashir Ibrahim, and district engineer Khalin Sultan, for extending to the South Cotabato provincial government technical support needed to hasten its flood mitigation efforts.

Rivers straddling through the affected towns swelled and overflowed following heavy rains, causing floods that swept through vast swaths or rice and corn farms.

Runaway dealer leaves...from P1

municipal police, the Maguindanao provincial police and the members of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Battalion helped the PDEA-BARMM entrap Mantikayan in Wednesday’s operation that turned awry.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

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

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

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

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

Congratulations on your 62nd Founding Anniversary Cotabato City!

10

June 19, 2021

THE MINDANAO CROSS

5 drug dealers fall in Maguindanao Five drug dealers were nabbed after selling P148,800 worth of shabu to non-uniformed government agents in a drug sting Tuesday in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Suspects Datu Kadali, Normia Camsa Salazar, Anton Vasquez Abo, Thobie Sultan Guiambangan and Jomar Andong Liwa are now detained in a facility in Cotabato City of the Philippine Drug Enforcement AgencyBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Juvenal Azurin, PDEA-BARMM director, said the five detainees are to be prosecuted for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Philippine Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Azurin said the suspects operated a shabu den in Barangay Pinguiaman, Datu Odin Sinsuat, about 22 kilometers south of Cotabato City.

Local leaders said the group belonged to a block of more than 20 drug dealers operating in Maguindanao.

Azurin said they are now trying to identify the accomplices of the suspects with the help of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Personnel of the Datu Odin Sinsuat PNP, led

by Lt. Col. Romel Dela Vega, and soldiers from 6th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Mechanized Battalion helped capture the six suspects.

Azurin said it was from vigilant residents of Barangay Pinguiaman and relatives of the suspects that the PDEA-BARMM learned of their drug trafficking activities. John

Felix Unson

7 drug den operators arrested in Jolo

A U T H O R I T I E S dismantled a drug den owned by seven traffickers who fell in an entrapment operation in Sulu early this week, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Wednesday.

T h e P D E A Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao identified the seven suspects as Aifasal Misari, Jimmy Jalil, Nasser Usman, Narjimar Alimudin, Den Abduljalan, Sai Jomar Jalil, and Alnaser Abdulhadi.

They shall be prosecuted for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Juvenal Azurin, director of PDEABARMM, said the seven suspects were entrapped by combined PDEA agents from Region 9, personnel of the Sulu provincial police and members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9.

The operation that resulted in their arrest in the premises of their drug den in Barangay Kajatian in Indanan, Sulu was launched after the regional offices of PDEA in Region 9 and in BARMM received reports from vigilant tipsters privy to their drug trafficking activities.

The suspects were

arrested after selling around P90,000 worth of shabu to non-uniformed PDEA and police agents in a sting at about 4:00 p.m.

Monday.

The entrapment operation was laid with the help of the Sulu provincial police and the military’s Western Mindanao Command.

They voluntarily yielded when PDEA agents, policemen and soldiers under the military’s anti-terror Joint Task Force Sulu frisked and cuffed them after turning over their illegal merchandise to non-uniformed agents disguised as drug abusers.

Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region, said police intelligence operatives in Sulu and counterparts in the military are now probing on the possible links of the seven detained drug den operators with the Abu Sayyaf terror group.

Ugale said the arrest was a consequence of the cohesive coordination among the PRO-BAR, the CIDG and the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao in pushing the national government’s anti-narcotics campaign forward. John Felix Unson

THE Soccsksaregen region had 14 new COVID-19 related deaths on Wednesday, June 16, data obtained from Department of Health-12 indicated.

Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of Koronadal, General Santos, Kidapawan and Tacurong.

The region has 426 new COVID-19 infection cases as of 6:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Reports obtained from the DOH-12 also stated that a total of 291

patients have recovered from coronavirus infection as of Wednesday.

In its latest COVID-19 tracker, the DOH-12 indicated 14 deaths in the region due to the disease.

Overall, there are a total of 17,105 COVID-19 confirmed cases based on data collated by the DOH12 as of Wednesday.

Of these, 3,506 (20.50%) are active cases, 13,103 (76.60%) recoveries and 494 (2.89%) COVID-19 related deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic last year. John Felix Unson

14 COVID-19 deaths in a day

LAMLIFEW SCHOOL OF LIVING TRADITIONS IN SARANGANI. Shows a cooking technique where the cooking vessel is not directly placed in torched embers. The bamboos are placed vertically in a slant, resting in another bamboo.

Photo courtesy of Clang Garcia

8 wanted Abus nabbed in Jolo

A combined military-police team arrested eight wanted Abu Sayyaf members, one of them a minor, in an operation in Jolo, Sulu early this week.

The suspects, Sansibar Bensio, 38, Muayar Binda, 32, Alim Ahir Sukarno, 26, Lugah Samsula, 37, Bunjiar Samsula, 35, Sanchez Amang, 58, Ferdaus Omar, 19, and the 18-year-old Ramli Murhin, are now clamped down in a detention facility of the Sulu provincial police office.

They are wanted for multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder and kidnapping cases pending in different courts.

Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said Monday the suspects yielded when personnel of the Sulu provincial police and soldiers from the military’s anti-terror Joint Task Force Sulu barged into their hideout in Barangay Busbus in Jolo and showed them warrants for their

arrest.

The operation was assisted by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Ugale said the raid was launched after residents of Barangay Busbus informed the Sulu provincial police about the presence in the area of the suspects, as if plotting an attack.

“We are thankful to the vigilant people who led our operatives to the exact location of the suspects,” Ugale said. John Felix Unson

Disturbed Cobras roam NoCot highlands

ANOTHER farmer in North Cotabato province killed with a machete a large adult King Cobra, the 29th since late 2019 in what seemed a phenomenon without any scientific explanation yet.

The cobra that farmer Chokoy Saban killed last weekend in Barangay Maybula in Tulunan, North Cotabato was almost 11 feet long.

Motorists have even deliberately ran over more than a dozen cobras slithering through concrete farm-to-market roads in hinterland towns in the second district of North Cotabato, those located in the immediate surroundings of the forested Mt. Apo, the country’s tallest peak.

No fewer than five people in North Cotabato and nearby Maguindanao province, one of them a grade school pupil, reportedly succumbed to cobra bite in the past 24 months.

Experts from the Department of Environment

and Natural Resources had told reporters the strong earthquakes that jolted North Cotabato more a hundred times in late 2019 may have forced the cobras out of their natural habitats, causing them to slither through farms and on stretches of barangay roads where they become easy targets for passersby.

Science teachers in state colleges in the province said lack of food and increase in temperature and humidity in pits could also be one reason that cobras went astray.

Local officials have earlier called on the Department of Health to provide local government units with antivenoms after a number of villagers got bitten by cobras in recent months.

Just like previous man-cobra encounters in North Cotabato, Saban’s having killed one on Saturday went viral on social media, netizens amazed with how large King Cobras in the province are. John Felix Unson

MOH-BARMM delivers life savers

WHEN several medical equipment start to run low amid the pandemic, the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOHBARMM) came to the rescue and provided life savers to two government hospitals in Maguindanao.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday

noon, BARMM Health Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph said his office has distributed Monday a total of 90 units of oxygen tanks with regulator, 7,000 pieces of oxygen canula, and 7,000 pieces of non-rebreather masks to Maguindanao provincial hospital and Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital.

“This is a huge boost to our campaign to save more lives and help cushion the impact of pandemic in Maguindanao,” Dr. Elizabeth Samama, Maguindanao health officer.

“We have to admit that some medical equipment are running low and these aid from MOH-

Political circumstances in Pendatun’s push for Separation of Church and State

AS EARLY as World War II, as fought in Philippine soil, the armed resistance were two “repulsive” forces that—to say the least—did not recognize each other as “heroes” of the War, much less, of the Liberation. These forces were the pro-American USAFFE and the communist-inspired (read: PKP-backed) Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap) The Doctrine of Liberation Theology in the Latin American context “became the political praxis” of leading theologians in the 1960s, representing the church’s progressive stance on social and political issues.

In the Philippines, Magsaysay’s (Mindanao) settlement edict, a key state strategy in addressing the post-War agrarian unrest that fiercely involved remnants of the armed Hukbalahap in the 1950’s, was a “perfect model” for an anti-communist pacification campaign on the part of the government, and incidentally, a “perfect timing” also

P2

for a communist proxy-war in the name of social justice.

Interestingly, at the local forefront of the church’s role in amplifying social and political issues was Fr. Eliseo Mercado Jr.—who openly engaged in a clash of ideas with Pendatun on his proposed legislation on the Separation of Church and State at the Batasan Pambansa, pursuant to a similar provision of the 1973 Constitution: Mercado in his Op-ed columns in this space, and Pendatun in his public statements, in the early 1980's.

Equally interesting in history was that Pendatun and Lorenzo Tañada were the only senators who opposed and voted “No” in 1947 to President Manuel Roxas’ conciliatory Amnesty Decree—which Pendatun believed could benefit remnants of the war forces under General Paulino Santos, who he had planned to accuse in Liberation court for the killings of followers and supporters of the Mindanao Resistance Movement, after having

P3