PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY by Philippine Muslim Today

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Vol. II, No. 26 | December 10-16, 2021 (Jumadil Awwal 5-11, 1443)

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Rebuilt PH biggest mosque turned over in Marawi; Management board inducted STORY ON PAGE A2

PTFoMS backs veteran journalist amid recurring threats BARMM in Focus ‘BARMM continues Covid-19 vax drive, opens more hubs in Bangsamoro region after injecting 195,440 doses.

OTABATO CITY – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) alongside concerned quarters and supporters of press freedom is rallying the stance of veteran scribe Ali G. Macabalang amid reported recurrence of violent threats in his media practice.

By PHILIPPINE MUSLIM NEWS TEAM Retired Police Lt. Col. Rechie Duldulao, PTFoMS deputy investigation chief, called up Macabalang on Dec. 7 to get updates on his condition, conveying the task force’s focal attention in helping him ward off pressures and threats.

The PTFoMS, which President Duterte created in 2016 to protect Filipino journalists against impunity, was exerting proactive efforts to ensure the safety of Macabalang in his free media practice, according to Duldulao. Macabalang, now in

his 44th year of fulltime media practice, serves as news editor of the Philippine Muslim Today (PMT) and president of the Bangsamoro Press Corps (BPC). He had spent eight years in government media under the PTFOMS | A2

BARMM | Page A3

UK envoy lauds BARMM's vaccination efforts; reaffirms continuous support. UK envoy | Page A3

Bangsamoro population office consults Muslim religious leaders on responsible parenting and family planning in Islamic context. SOLON | Page A6

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500 families rendered homeless in Basilan fire ZAMBOANGA CITY – Some 235 houses were razed in a two-hour fire that engulfed a village in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province, on Saturday.

Lt. Col. Julpikar Sitin, Isabela City Police Station commander, said the fire broke out around 9 a.m. in Barangay Kaumpurnah Zone 1 and was controlled after two hours. Sitin said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is investigating the origin of the blaze that rendered some 500 families homeless. Initial investigation showed the fire started from one of the houses in the barangay and rapidly spread to nearby houses mostly made of light materials and reached the border with Barangay Port Area. 500 | A3

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A2 PTFoMS | From Page A1

PTFoMS backs veteran journalist amid recurring threats Marcos regime, eight years as pioneer correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and 26 years as senior correspondent of the Manila Bulletin. The PTFoMS and dozens of journalists across Mindanao initially learned of Macabalang’s plight when he revealed it partly during the 7th and final episode of serial webinar on safe media coverage hosted by the task force on Nov. 29. In his revelation, Macabalang said unidentified culprits broke the window shield of his service vehicle while parked in a hotel here where he stayed after covering a gathering of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Oct. 4. He said he did not report the attack on his car, thinking that it could be a petty incident that might cause undue alarm among his family when publicized. But last November 12, he said, an unidentified big man wearing black dress, jacket and helmet barged into his own bedroom inside their residence in Kidapawan City past 3:30 in the morning. “The suspect could be thinking I was inside the room because my car was visibly seen parked in our compound. He hurriedly left and fled aboard his parked motorcycle when my daughter, who was awake, protested and started to curse him while waking up my sleeping wife,” Macabalang said in his narrative copy furnished with the PTFoMS. A friend cum usual driver-escort of Macabalang has confirmed seeing the suspicious man peeping at the computer work room of the journalist before fleeing. Macabalang, who was outside his residence for a meeting with friends and relatives-in-law in another house, let his wife and daughter report the incident to the Kidapawan City police office for blotter on Nov. 20. He also commissioned the installation of CCTV cameras in all strategic sections of their compound three days earlier, it was learned. A few days after the blotter, in response to a request for investigation by the PTFoMS, Kidapawan City Police Office investigators P/MSgt. Joey Failano and P/SSgt. Robert Hope Agot visited Macabalang’s residence, interviewed him and conducted ocular assessment on the internal and external sections of the journalist’s abode. In his request-letter, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, PTFoMS executive director, prescribed for a police assessment of Macabalang’s plight and for the detail of close-in services of police and military elements. Macabalang said he took the Oct. 4 and Nov. 12 incidents seriously as signs of recurring threats in his profession. He has written a series of stories exposing “fleeting schemes” at the height of campaign for an extension in the transition period of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and in political events prelude to the May 9, 2022 elections. The 65-year old journalist (63 years old in official records) was a victim of an ambush along Santos Street in this city on March 20, 1995 where he sustained a bullet wound in his nape while driving his service vehicle. He was serving then as Manila Bulletin senior correspondent and executive director of the Bureau of Public Information of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). According to investigations, the ambush (where a lone gunman fired several shots from a .45 cal. Pistol) was related to his past writings in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Manila Bulletin that exposed alleged malpractices in the now defunct ARMM government. His exposes led to the conviction of an ARMM key official in later years for graft. Prior to the ambush while he was writing for the Daily Inquirer and stringing for the Reuters and Kyodo news wires, Macabalang experienced a physical attack by a politician inside a restaurant here in 1991. He sued the attacker, but the elected regional officialculprit and his clan begged for amicable settlement and paid P40,000 cash indemnity or blood money. (PMT News Team)

News

Vol. II, No. 26 | December 10-16, 2021 (Jumadil Awwal 5-11, 1443)

Rebuilt PH biggest mosque turned over in Marawi; Management board inducted By Ali G. Macabalang

arawi City’s grand mosque, the biggest place of Islamic worship in the Philippines, has been rebuilt in better shape, with its management leadership restored to the founding Pangarungan clan that built it over half a century ago. The mosque, officially known as Jameo Mindanao Al-Islamie Islamic Center and one of thousands of edifices ruined in the infamous May 23, 2017, has been rebuilt by the national government through the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) amid continued cry by displaced residents for homecoming to restart life. The mosque’s protracted reconstruction works entailing untold sum of funds were fully completed last Oct. 16, with President Rodrigo Duterte personally setting foot at the Marawi Ground Zero (MMA) to inaugurate the edifice on the same day in deference to its value to the Islamic world, Sec. Pangarungan said. The NCMF chief alongside Senator Bong Go, TFBM Chairman Eduardo Del Rosario, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto-Adiong Jr., and Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra joined the President in the formal reopening of the edifice. Four other mosques in the war-torn city – Masjid Disomangcop, Masjid Darussalam, Marinaut Mosque and the White Mosque – were also fully completed from reconstruction. But the President took time to reopen the Grand Mosque, it being the “crown jewel of Marawi City,” according to TFBM and Sec. Pangarungan. Last Dec. 2, stakeholders organized a management board over the Grand Mosque’s operations, with the TFBM chief inducting Sheikh Abdul Pangarungan as chair. Among the inducted Board members were Sec. Pangarungan, Gov. Adiong and Mayor Gandamra. Sec. Del Rosario and the inducted officials took turns in expressing commitment for meaningful reactivation of the Grand Mosque during the oathtaking rights. In his message, Sec. Pangarungan echoed the President’s call for continued “cooperation among

National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Secretary Saidamen Balt Pangarungan heralded the good news in a statement sent to the Philippine Muslim Today news lately.

The induction of the Grand Mosque’s management officials. (ONLINE-DERIVED PHOTO) stakeholders so that Marawi will be able to build back better and stronger.” “We, the Pangarungan family, are taking the President’s (call) to heart by becoming stewards of the centerpiece of religious, cultural, and historical significance to the heart of my fellow Marawians, as the Marawi Grand Mosque is appropriately dubbed as the “Crown Jewel of Marawi,” he said. He narrated the history behind the inception of the Grand Mosque, saying it began in the “1950s when I was in my high school years (under) the care of my great grandfather Datu Pangarungan Disalongan.” “The first undivided Lanao Gov. Salvador Lluch suggested to my great grandfather Datu Pangarungan Disalongan to build a grand mosque in his land in Marawi with his assurance of full support. Datu Pangarungan obliged and built the Islamic Center or Grand Mosque in his chosen land at the Pangarungan Village where it now stands,” he recalled. He added: “The people of Marawi and Lanao enthusiastically contributed and donated to build the mosque. When nearing completion, Datu Pangarungan asked his favorite adopted son the then Atty. Domocao Alonto , whom I have idolized as a statesman and Muslim leader, to administer and manage the Islamic Center.” The legendary Alonto accepted the responsibility and ran the mosque until he was elected Sena-

tor and bequeathed the mosque administration to his younger brother the late Gov. Madki “Abdulgafur” Alonto,” Pangarungan said. “In 2003, the late Gov. Madki Alonto told me that it was the wish of his brother Senator before (his demise) to return the Islamic Center (management) to the Pangarungan family. Then he offered to relinquish to me the presidency of the mosque. I politely declined because I was then very preoccupied in Manila with my law practice,” he said. “I recommended my granduncle Abdul Pangarungan as president, and the late governor agreed. Abdul Pangarungan was elected and reelected Islamic Center president …by the board and general membership, which was incorporated to run the affairs of the grand mosque,” the NCMF recalled. The Marawi Grand Mosque is the country’s biggest place of Islamic worship, consisting of three floors with a basement. It has a total floor area of 9,484 square meters, which can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers at any given time. It is bigger than the Sultan Bolkiah Mosque or the Cotabato Grand Mosque, which has a floor area of 5,000 square meters or almost one-half of the Marawi Grand Mosque’s, Sec. Pangarungan said. “In behalf of the Pangarungan family, we honor the great people of Lanao and Marawi for their valuable contributions and donations in funding the construction of this mosque; We pay tribute to the late

Senator Ahmad Domocao Alonto and Gov. Abdul Gafur Madki Alonto in steering the administration of the mosque in four decades and in graciously returning the mosque to the Pangarungan family,” he said. “For their affable acts and sense of justice, we offer the vice presidency and two board seats of the mosque to their heirs; and our salutations to our patriarch Datu Pangarungan Disalongan in leading the original construction of this mosque in his own choice land at the Pangarungan Village where it now stands,” he added. Sec. Pangarungan aired “our profoundest and sincerest thanks to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to TFBM chairman Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, for the splendid job of beautifully repairing the mosque, together with all the men and women of Task Force Bangon Marawi.” “You have embodied, in the months of rebuilding the Marawi Grand Mosque and 15 other mosques ruined during the siege of Marawi, the aspiration of every person who calls Marawi their home and you delivered. You have translated the President’s concern and love of the Muslim Filipinos of Marawi,” Pangarungan said for the TFBM circle. He said the government’s rebuilding efforts, especially for the religious shrines, “will forever remain not only as a beacon of public service achievement but will also be remembered fondly by the people who have been given hope and restored by the task force’s accomplishments.” (AGM)

News

Vol. II, No. 26 | December 10-16, 2021 (Jumadil Awwal 5-11, 1443)

Fatal attacks on 2 Basilan mayors in Zambo draws uproars By ALI G. MACABALANG

OTABATO CITY – Muslim executives and lawmakers have strongly condemned the brazen attack on Monday, Dec. 6 in Zamboanga City of two mayors from Basilan, one of them died and another critically wounded. “The inhumane incident…(was) not only against

Mayor Darussalam Lajid Ebrahim, who chairs the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), also called on the “security sector, the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines, to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure the safety of our people.” Motorcycle-riding gunmen staged the attack while Mayors Darussalam Lajid of Al-Barka and Alih Salih of Akbar in Basilan while walking in Zamboanga City after arriving on a speedboat past 8a.m. Monday. Lajid died while Alih sustained critical bullet wounds, police said. A bodyguard of the two mayors was wounded and a driver who came to pick them up was killed, police said. Probers were trying to identify the two gunmen and two companions who escaped on motorcycles and determine their mo-

tive, including the possibility that the incident involved a political rivalry. The two mayors were seeking reelection in the May 9, 2022 elections. AlBarka town, once influenced by the Abu Sayyaf bandit group, intermittently figured in political feuds. The slain mayor and his vice mayor, Mujib Jakilan, were recently settled amicably, it was learned. Mayor Lajid’s killing brought to three mayors killed in Basilan. Their first two deaths happened in 2009 and 2015, said Zamboanga City-based journalist Julie Alipala, who frequently staged media coverage in the island province. “I can understand the situation from 2009 to 2016 in Basilan (when) lawless elements (could) easily execute attacks against innocent civilians. What is unacceptable, when such conditions are now experienced in (Zamboanga) city these days and near the mosque. How can these armed men easily slip through borders and checkpoints and assassinate officials?” Alipala lamented in her online posts. She described Lajid as

the people of Basilan, but an attack on the democratic principles and values of the entire Bangsamoro people,” said Ahod “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim, interim chief minister of the autonomous region, in a statement shortly after the attack.

SLAIN MAYOR BURIAL. Slain Al-Barka Mayor Darussalam Lajid was laid to rest in Basilan by his relatives and supporters. SUPPLIED PHOTO “down to earth and low profile mayor,” roaming his place “unescorted, very accessible.” But early this year, she said, he was “obliged to tap someone to escort him due to increased pressures and threats.” Basilan Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman and his younger sibling, Rep. Mujiv Hataman, have promptly condemned Monday’s attack, and called for an in-depth investigation to bring suspects behind the bars of justice. The slain mayor was said to be among Basilan mayors brought by Gov. Salliman here to meet the chief minister and other key officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Re-

gion in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government, and vowed support for the hosts’ campaign for extention in the regional tyransition operation amid brewing debates. BARMM Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo has likewise assailed Monday’s attack, expressed sympathy to the bereaved families of the victims, and assured his agency’s support in the search for justice. Meanwhile, Ebrahim urged the bereaved relatives to observe “sobriety pending investigation of the incident,” saying the “perpetrators shall answer to justice, inshaAllah.” (AGM)

BARMM continues Covid-19 vax drive, opens more hubs in Bangsamoro region after injecting 195,440 doses COTABATO CITY — The Ministry of Health (MOH) will continue the campaign and increase the number of vax hubs to 570 region-wide in order to cater to Bangsamoro residents who missed to participate in the recent 3-day Bayanihan, Bakunahan national Covid-19 vaccination drive. “Tuloy tuloy po yung ating vaccination even after this three-days national vaccination days. Ating ipagpapatuloy po ito para at least yung hindi po naka-avail sa tatlong araw na ito ng pagbabakuna ay atin silang mabigyan ng bakuna,” said MOH Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph. (Our vaccination drive continues even after these threedays national vaccination days. We are to continue

this so that at least those who failed to avail of the 3 -day vaccination we will be able to give them vaccines.) “Ang Ministry of Health po ay nakahanda ang aming mga tauhan sa inyong mga munisipyo o mga bayan at maging sa ating mga barangay,” he added. (Our staffs at the Ministry of Health are ready to serve in your municipality and in your barangay as well.)

MOH collaborated with Provincial Health Offices and Local Government Units to increase the number of vaccination sites in BARMM. The ministry has tallied a total of 195,440 doses of vaccine administered in the region during the three-day activity from Nov. 29- Dec 1. Data released by MOH showed that 162,352 jabs were entered into the Vaccine Operations Reporting System (VORS), while 33,088 were manually recorded. Minister Latiph thanked the various BARMM ministries, agen-

cies, offices, men in uniforms, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and volunteers for the support they have shown during the Bayanihan, Bakunahan. “Hindi ko na po isaisahin, maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat… kasi ito po ay whole of society approach at whole of government approach… alam namin na hindi namin ito makayanan kung wala po yung ating mga kasamahan sa iba’t- ibang sangay ng gobyerno ganun din sa mga NGOs,” he said. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

UK envoy lauds BARMM's vaccination efforts; reaffirms continuous support

OTABATO CITY – British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils lauded Bangsamoro Government’s vaccination efforts and reaffirmed the United Kingdom (UK) government’s continuous support to the region during her visit on Monday, Dec. 6, with the Bangsamoro officials and development partners in this city. “Only through these types of partnerships can we make things happen. We have partnerships of trust, genuine understanding, and two-way learning that we can get things done and make sure sustainable,” Beaufils said. She also said she was proud of the ongoing partnerships that the UK government has with BARMM government. “The UK government pis proud and happy partnering with the Ministry of Health, the Bangsamoro Information Office, UNICEF, and IOM. We are proud to have supported the work you have done,” she said. Ambassador Beaufils further explained that the UK government is investing in the future, through education and health, in order to build the ideal communities for the children. She also highlighted the need to focus on mental health, given how challenging the pandemic has affected the young people in particular. While recognizing BARMM’s low infection rate and current efforts to achieve immunity, Ambassador Beaufils warned that there is a lot more risk out there. “We should all continue to focus on vaccination and prevention. Vaccination is really essential, it is our first line of defense, and we are happy to support it here. It is a priority for us nationally,” Beaufils stressed. The Ambassador also recognized the information and communication efforts of the Bangsamoro government, saying they [strategic communication plan] are comprehensive and relevant to the grassroots. "The communications initiatives were comprehensive, really tuned [in] to what communities want to hear. It is encouraging to see such exciting communication efforts—partnering with media and local media. And I am happy [to see] the specifics of behavior change in difficult areas,” she said. In a statement delivered by Saida D. Ali, MOH's Public Information Officer, Minister of Health Dr. Bashary Latiph said, “we hope to have conversations that will not only help augment the Covid-19 response in the region, but will also have an impact on the overall development of health systems through the Ministry of Health." Meanwhile, MOH Director-General Dr. Ameril Usman thanked UK government’s support given to BARMM government, which has been timely and valuable in terms of helping the Bangsamoro [including the vulnerable sectors of the community], and getting correct information on Covid-19 prevenUK ENVOY | A8

500 | from Page A1

500 families rendered homeless The BFP has yet to determine the worth of the damaged properties. Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman has mobilized the local government resources to provide relief assistance to the displaced families staying at the Basilan National High School. Basilan Lone District Rep. Mujiv Hataman has also extended relief aid to the fire victims. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said most of the victims are Muslims and is also asking donors to assist the fire victims. The NCMF-Bureau of External Relations, in its Facebook page post, said donors may contact NCMF-Basilan Provincial Director Marjan Usman (0966-852-2509), NCMF-Sulu Regional Director Deedee Uñga, and the Bureau of Muslim Settlements Director Masideng Salic for inquiries. (With PNA)

opinion

Philippine Muslim Today is issued weekly by Philippine Muslim Today Inc., a non-government corporation operating under the laws of the Philippines, and edited by renowned veteran muslim journalists in the Philippines.

EDITORIAL MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief /Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor JAHARA A. SOLAIMAN Contributing Editor

Vol. II, No. 26 | December 10-16, 2021 (Jumadil Awwal 5-11, 1443)

Editorial

PMT undergoing reorganization; may stop issuing e-paper til January 2022

he present e-paper issue of Philippine Muslim Today — Vol. II, No. 26 / Dec. 10-16, 2021 (Jumadil Awwal 5-11, 1443) — may be the last this year as we are undergoing reorganization. The Board of Trustees of the Philippine Muslim Today Inc. (PMTI) will elect the new set of officers and their names will be announced in January 2022. Watch out !

FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Bureau Chief for NCR-Plus JOHNNY R. LEE Bureau Chief for Western Mindanao Region & BaSulTa

Reluctance, Ignorance, and the Power of (Mis)Information

ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Bureau Chief for Northern Mindanao & CARAGA Regions PANAMBULAN MIMBISA Bureau Chief for Central Mindanao Region

By Jun Alonto Datu-Ramos, MD, MHA Director IV National Commission on Muslim FilipinosBureau of External Relations

SALIC G. MACABALANG Bureau Representative for Bangsamoro Regon MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL Head of Accounts Executives for NCR Plus SITTI ROHANISA NOOR YAHYA Comptroller

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Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

he Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) in partnership with concerned entities held last Monday, Nov. 29 its 7th and final episode of serial webinar on safety measures in covering the prevailing COVID19 pandemic and next year’s synchronized national and local elections. As a way to address the country’s need to vaccinate majority of the population, the Department of Health launched the National Vaccination Days from November 28 to December 2, 2021, which was in partnership with multiple private and public sector organizations. The NCMF-Bureau of External Relations was among those who attended the multiple meetings done in preparation for the nationwide activity, alongside other organizations like the Philippine Medical Association, DILG, Globe, among others. In one of the meetings, specifically one presided by Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., a table was presented showing the vaccination rate of all regions from Luzon to Mindanao. It showed that those with the lowest vaccination rates were regions 9, 5, 12, and BARMM. The target vaccination rate for herd immunity was originally at 70%, but was increased to 80-90% around September 2021 due to the surge caused by the Delta variant. This means that 8 -9 out of 10 Filipinos should be vaccinated by the end of the first quarter of 2022, as set by the national government. The DOH and IATF knew that the numbers were showing a slowdown of the vaccination rates, and that immediate measures had to be undertaken, especially for the regions that were not hitting the target rates. Let’s compare the numbers of NCR and BARMM. The estimated population of the NCR based on the Commission on Population and Development website is 13,695,700, and the DOH numbers show that the total COVID-19 jabs given is 18, 520,154. That is a vaccination rate of 135%. The estimated population of BARMM as of December 2021 is 4,635,754. At present, the DOH counters show that the total vaccinated population of BARMM is at 1,009,990, setting the estimated vaccination rate at 21.78%. This is an improvement from the 11-17% shown by Secretary Galvez prior to the weeklong vaccination drive, but the question is: ARE THE NUMBERS HIGH ENOUGH? In contrast to the NCR which ranks highest in the DOH COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, BARMM is still at the lowest level in the listing,

along with regions 12, 9, MIMAROPA, CARAGA, and CAR. The current vaccination rates of these regions are way below the 80-90% target for herd immunity. One concern we raised with Secretary Galvez was the need to determine WHY these regions have not achieved the targets, and address those reasons directly. At present, the Philippines is logging in almost a million jabs per day, but only 30,613 are from BARMM, and 18,139 from CAR. The reluctance of the residents to get their vaccines might be one major reason why these regions are unable to catch up, aside from lack of healthcare workers and possibly poor accessibility to certain areas, and it will help if the DOH knew for certain what is stopping the people from getting immunized. Unfortunately, a majority of Muslim Filipinos are still against being vaccinated, and are not hesitant to spread their anti-vaccination stance on social media. Contributing to the spread of misinformation about the usefulness and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines to prevent severe disease and death is the twisted interpretation of religious doctrines and cultural beliefs. There are people who spread fake news on socmed about supposed haram contents of the COVID19 vaccines, its alleged long-term effects on people’s health, and even the accusation that immunization is against God’s will. It is not just the COVID-19 vaccines. The DOH historically had experienced difficulty in promoting vaccine use for diseases such as polio, measles, diptheria in Muslim communities, wellestablished and vastly-studied vaccines, but that is another story to tell. We should be concerned about the DOH’s numbers and the conversations on social media. As long as we fail to address the ignorance of the people, and allow misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccines to spread, we will not be able to reach the target rates by March 2022. Maybe, the answer is not with increasing the number of vaccination sites and healthcare workers. Rather, it is identifying how to penetrate the communities by speaking the language they would understand. Tapping the community elders and traditional leaders to become trained public health partners might have better results than having Globe or Smart release health advisory text blasts to all their subscribers. These leaders know how to address the communities, and they have earned the respect of each member under their leadership in conformance to cultural traditions. Know your audience. Otherwise, they might never listen, and we will never learn.

Opinion

Vol. II, No. 26 | December 10-16, 2021 (Jumadil Awwal 5-11, 1443)

PRESIDENTIAL DRUG GAME

Formation of cause-oriented political supporters pushed

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” – Plato

BY ALI G. MACABALANG

“The fault dear Brutus is not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings.” – Cassius to Brutus in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

olitical carnival is finally in town, Political fever is rising to suicidal heights. The candidates are participants in the never ending circus in this country – and so are the people. Nobody is thinking except a few who might just make a difference. I hope and pray. Marcos bubble: Every intelligent person in this country is surprised at the popularity of BB Marcos in the polls. But knowing the surveys, I am not all surprised. BB M must have a good propaganda machine, both in mainstream and social media This BB M propaganda is challenged by the populist movement of VP Leni Robredo. There are motorcades everywhere – here and abroad. This is a clash between an immovable object and an irresistible force – if the elections will be clean and honest. But it will not be clean and honest. Both BB M and VP Leni, in the end, will struggle for nothing. Why? Bong Go: Senator Bong Go (although had officially withdrawn from the Presidential race) may be lagging in the polls but is far ahead in these factors – PR D, COMELEC, Smartmatic, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Dennis Uy’s F2 Logistics and the whole machinery of government. Against all these, no group of Marcos Loyalists or VP Leni’s populist armada can be a match. It would be a mismatch unless the two have covert components which are beyond the reach of PR D’s intelligence task force. If not, BB M and VP Leni will be on the way to oblivion on the fastest space vehicle. But PR D has been repeatedly saying the May 2022 elections will be clean and honest. Common kids, grow up. Do you believe PR D, perceived to be a 10 11 politico, will deliver on his commitment? If you do, it’s about time you consult a psychiatrist. Cocaine puzzle: The number one subject of conversation these days is the puzzle introduced by PR D – cocaine using presidential candidate, one of the leaders in the survey, son of a late powerful and popular father,

spoiled child and weak leader. BB Marcos did not feel alluded to but was fast to undergo a laboratory test for cocaine and bingo – the test proved negative. His propaganda machine claims the negative test result puts the issue to rest – not really and not that fast. There are questions needing answers before the issue can be buried for good. Who did the cocaine test for BB M? Is it a reputable laboratory? If not a laboratory, is it a doctor or a chemist? Is he/she reliable and credible? To erase any doubts about the reliability and credibility of the test results, BB M must do to things – reveal the identity of the laboratory or chemist or doctor who did the testing and undergo another test with a reliable and credible government laboratory witnessed by mainstream media in full view of national and international television networks. Failing to do these, the negative test result is not worth the paper on which it is written. The BB M is test result is written on water. It is useless and nothing but waste paper. On the other hand, PR Duterte should reveal the identity of the cocaine user. Why? The man is running for President of the country. People have the right to know his identity so that they can make the correct choice in the May 2022 election. Moreover, under Section 5, Article IV of the Constitution which embodies his oath of office as President, PR D is sworn to fulfill his duties as President – preserve and defend the Constitution, execute the laws and do justice to every man. If he has evidence, why did he not order the arrest and prosecution of this suspect? Using cocaine is illegal under our laws and bail is not allowed – why the failure of PR D to do his mandated duty? More questions for PR D: I still remember PR D threatening drug lords he will kill them because they are destroying his country. I do not know of any suspected or confirmed drug lord PR D or his boys killed on his orders. Suspected drugs lords like his compadre Peter Lim, his once upon a time adviser Michael Young, his Con-

gressman son being charged as being a part of the international drug Tri-

Diliman Way

HOMOBONO A. ADAZA ad, the five generals in his well publicized drug book – why has not PR D done anything to them? These are his companions Is PR D confirming the saying – Tell me who are your companions and I’ll tell you who you are? Since they are PR D’s companions, will anyone please tell him who he is? No wonder the drug lords have gone scot-free and thousands of poor young drug users are dead. Are the users destroying the country? They only destroy their lives if they do not go through rehabilitation. PR D’s claim they cannot be rehabilitated is as false as his claims to accomplishments. But what about the drug lords – importers, manufacturers, distributors, facilitators and protectors? They are almost beyond rehabilitation because they are there for the money. By way of comparison, water continues flowing as long as you don’t close the faucet. Since the drug faucet is not closed, illegal drugs continue flowing throughout the country courtesy of PR D’s government. Pacquiao confession: Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao admitted that when he was a kid – he did shabu and marijuana. He regrets it and he has gone over it. Good for Manny! But why has he not denounced PR D’s government extrajudicial killings. Once upon a time not so long ago, he was one of the lap dogs of PR D singing praises to his idol and master. But when PR D castigated him, he reacted but his reaction was tepid, if not anemic. And now he claims to be with the Opposition. Common, Manny, grow up kid. Show your powerful

knockout punch and kayo PR D. But is the power still there or did it disappear with Paris Hilton? Lacson and Sotto: They claimed they underwent drug testing at PDEA and the tests came out negative. But that is not enough as both have extra baggage on illegal drugs. I still remember Rosebud charged Senator Lacson with involvement on an illegal drug incident. On Senate President Sotto, there was a mainstream media report that he had an involvement on an illegal drug activity long time ago. Both of them should clear the air on these charges and suspicions. Relevance: Illegal drug use is a major problem of the country coupled with graft and corruption. Were it not for corrupt officials in government, the problem of illegal drugs in the country would have been solved years ago. It cannot be solved because public officials from the highest to the lowest levels are involved in illegal drugs – from manufacture to distribution, from importation to protection, from police to PDEA, from Customs to Immigration, from local government to the highest levels of the Executive, from Congress to the judiciary. No traditional politician can eradicate this problem in this country. Why? It is the surest way to quick money – from millions to billions, enough to fund several presidential, senatorial, congressional, gubernatorial, mayoral or barangay chairman campaigns. The temptation is just too great to resist for our politicians whose major drives are – wealth, power and influence and sex. There is no hope for the people from them. The hope is system change. The only exponent for system change is the X-Factor. If he does not materialize and surface before the end of this year – the solution is not an election, it is something else. So I quote to you my favorite lines from a poem of Oscar de Zuñiga –“ “And I walk the streets rutted with mud holes Underneath a sky suffused with graying clouds And I feel I am coming to a house which only my heart knows.” (HAA)

Hardened supporters of leading Presidential bets in the 2022 elections continue to assert intensely the potential of their respective candidates in social media avenues I moderate, indicating no chance for them to change stand or shift loyalty. The stalemate is obvious. In the Mindanao Tapatan Lane, a public Facebook group I administer, some of them even malign one another. I’m not spared from the cursing by some who misperceived me to be biased in asking: “What good has BBM done for the nation, particularly the Bangsamoro?” Last Dec. 2, I opened a dialog via zoom for supporters of Presidential candidates to ventilate their arguments. Only four people joined – Naguib Munder, an elderly Marananao compatriot nominating BBM; Malaysian lady friend Hazel, who observed from their embassy in Manila; and Erl Denver and Nobaisha, who I believe are also Maranaos who just listened without mentioning their preferred candidates. I talked first in the dialog, explaining that I have not officially chosen yet a Presidential aspirant to back and campaign for in due time. I said the Mindanao Tapatan Lane and other social media avenues I administer are meant to provide the public as much information as they need about current issues, including the choice for elected officials. Among the leading Presidential wannabes, I have knowledge about some things the four of them – Ping, Leni, Isko and Pacman have tangibly done for the Bangsamoro, except for BBM. Thus, I boldly floated the question: What good has BBM done for the Bangsamoro? In the Tapatan Lane, nobody had replied categorically yet. I explained again my point that in due time, I would be writing stories about Presidential candidates and I need data. I envisioned stories I hope will educate voters about the candidates and be able to choose rationally, not on the basis of popularity but for their propriety as a key to gaining assured solutions to the age-old ills among Muslim Filipinos. Durin g the dialog, I asked the three participants (except Hazel who was just observing) to talk about their nominees in the Presidential race. Only Mr. Munder spoke up. I attentively listened as he narrated mostly legislative records of BBM in resolutions and bills concerning national interests, indirectly benefiting the Bangsamoro. I did not dispute any of his claims. Because of the absence of other supporters to speak about the other candidates, I just suggested holding another virtual dialog and ensuring that other speakers for the other candidates would join. The intent is not for a debate but for us to take noter of the campaign promises of candidates and record them for use after the 2022 elections. Munder gladly welcomed the idea and even assured to help invite other speakers. Rationale: We have agreed that all campaign promises of candidates will be enumerated and recorded, with all the speakers keeping such records. Whoever comes out victorious in the Presidential race, his/her speaker in the dialog shall be tasked to persuade staunchly in whatever way for the fulfillment of the promises for the Bangsamoro. This concept, therefore, necessitates the formation of an association of the pool of dialog speakers. Tentatively, we can call it Mamamayang Nagmamalasakit sa Bangsamoro (MNB). The name may be changed collectively. I will set another dialog soon for speakers and observers to set into motion the concept. Unlimited hours of zoom link will be provided by the Bangsamoro Press Corps (BPC) as a moderating entity aiming to prod the next President’s administration to make good the campaign commitments. It should be noted that the role of the next President in the preservation and implementation of peace agreements, which led to the formation of the creation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and its infant governance. I am anxious that national officials, who may work contrary to the intents of the peace agreements, will not only make the lives-taking enabling efforts futile but also spark more troubles. Can you imagine sidelining or abolishing the BARMM structure that will disgruntled MILF and MNLF forces now running the interim governance? We certainly cannot afford to see these revolutionary fronts returning to the hills and renewing rebellious activities. Meanwhile, I received lately via Messenger some photos showing BBM, Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra and former DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman visiting the war-torn city’s ground zero. I called up my friend Nasser to inquire about the date of BBM’s visit. He said the visit happened when he was mayor of Masiu and it was in 2018. Ostensibly, the photos were sent as an indirect answer to my question: What good BBM has done for the nation, particularly the Bangsamoro? Ex-Sec. Pangandaman said he belongs to the national executive committee of the Lakas-NUCSD Party, one of some parties that coalesced to back up BBM in the 2022 elections. Of course, I know that he has a big heart for the Marcos family, especially the late FEM who was a close ally of the late dad – ex-ambassador and ARMM governor Lindy. In closing, I fervently hope I shall be able to achieve success in executing the concept of forming a group such as the MNB to help ensure that the plight of the BARMM government would not be undermined. Ameen.

KNOW Your MUSLIM Candidates for Senators

public service feature of Philippine Muslim Today to help our Muslim candidates for SENATORS in the coming May 9, 2022 National Elections. Batanes to NOTE: Other Muslim Tawi-Tawi candidates running for Senator if you want to be featured in our weekly newspaper, please send your brief profile that includes your official photo, advocacy, and platform of government. Again, this is a Free public service feature in our desire to help JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL our Senatorial Muslim candidates in the coming national elections. Please send it via e-mail: julmunir1845@gmail.com Cellphone: +639778430218.

Across PH

Vol. II, No. 26 | December 10-16, 2021 (Jumadil Awwal 5-11, 1443)

Bangsamoro population office consults Muslim religious By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

OTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Population and Development Office (BPDO), in collaboration with the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta (BDI), conducted in General Santos City the other day a At least there were 36 participants to the event composed of MRLs from the province of Maguindanao. BPDO tapped them as their strong influence in the communities can greatly help the office in disseminating correct information on the Islamic perspective of family planning. BPDO, the region’s interim Population Commission (POPCOM – BARMM), is an attached agency of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA). The assembly also aimed to update and capacitate the MRLS and Ministry of Health’s (MOH) latest fatwa or Islamic ruling on family planning. In the Islamic point of view, family planning is “a systematic and consistent planning of the family wherein members are happy because they worship Allah for good health, better education, and stable income; and they have contributions to the optimum develop-

Muslim Religious Leaders (MRL) Congress to tackle the responsible parenthood and family planning program in the context of Islam.

CONSULTATION WITH MUSLIM LEADERS: Officials from the Bangsamoro population consults Muslim religious leaders on responsible parenting and family planning in Islamic context. BANGSAMORO INFORMATION OFFICE PHOTO ment of the society.” Family planning in Islam is not birth control, and it is not limiting the number of children by using various planning methods. According to a fatwa, jurists have agreed that aborting a child at the stage when he/she starts to breath is absolutely prohibited because it is apparently killing a person with a complete physiological structure. In his speech read by BPDO Officer-in-Charge Mary Ann Abutazil, BPDA Director General Engr.

Mohajirin Ali hopes that the public will coordinate in the implementation of the family planning advocacy in the region. “Nawa’y magampanan namin ang aming layunin na maging gabay upang palawakin ang kamalayan ng Bangsamoro community sa tama at wastong pamamaraan ng pagbuo ng pamilya na napapaloob sa values at rulings ng Islam,” Engr. Ali said. In response, Ustadz Mohammad Pangca said the religious leaders are ready to cooperate in any

projects and programs that will need their guidance. “Ito’y mahalaga dahil malalaman ng magasawang Bangsamoro ang kanilang magiging mga responsibilities and duties ng bawat isa at maisasagawa nila. Napakalaking bagay nito kasi magkakaroon sila ng understanding at mutual cooperation at ang pinakamahalaga ay mapangalagaan natin ang ating mga anak,” Ustadz Pangca stressed. “Itong usapin ng family planning at reproductive health ay dapat bigyan ng pansin lalo na nang BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority), kung hindi nila i-revise yung dating law ay sana magkaroon ng bagong bill tungkol sa family planning according to Islamic teaching and anchored to the BARMM advocacy on Moral Governance,” he also said. Similar activity will be also conducted to BARMM’s other provinces, Cotabato City, and Special Geographic Area. (JIJ)

95% of Marawi major infra projects done by June 2022: TFBM MANILA – The construction of road networks in the war-torn city of Marawi is in its final stages of completion, the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) reported on Saturday. In a statement, TFBM chairperson and housing czar, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said he is satisfied with the “progression of the massive rehabilitation efforts” in the city. Del Rosario noted that the ongoing rehabilitation work slowed down slightly due to inclement weather in the city in the past four months. He remained optimistic that despite such challenges, the government would be able to meet its target timeline for several projects before the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte. “I am certain that we can finish at least 95 percent of all major infra projects by June 2022, and I can assure everyone that the few remaining projects will surely be completed because they are already funded and for implementation by the concerned agencies,” del Rosario said. He said more projects are up for completion this month. “I am very satisfied with what I saw. I thank the implementing agencies for your hard work to meet your deadline despite the numerous challenges,” he added. Del Rosario met with Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra on December 2 to conduct onsite inspections on the rehabilitation works. According to the TFBM, the construction of the Marawi City Jail is more than 90 percent complete. The reconstruction of Rizal Park and the establishment of the School of Living Traditions and Marawi Museum within the most-affected area (MAA), formerly

ONGOING REHAB. A bird’s-eye view of the ongoing rehabilitation of the most-affected area in Marawi City. Task Force Bangon Marawi chairperson and housing czar, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario on Saturday (Dec. 4, 2021) said he is satisfied with the “progression of the massive rehabilitation efforts” in the city. (Photo from PIA-TFBM) called ground zero, are also nearing completion. The construction of a Bulk Water Facility, that will supply about five million liters of potable water for the residents of MAA, is also underway. Among the ongoing constructions inspected are the Marawi Integrated School buildings; Marawi slaughterhouse; Barangay Raya Madaya 1 Complex with a health station and a madrasah; and the permanent shelter projects in barangays Patani and Kilala. The TFBM was created under Administrative Order 3 issued by Duterte on June 28, 2017, after the declaration of the government’s triumph against terrorist groups. The task force has been directed to facilitate the rehabilitation, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in Marawi and help displaced families recover from the tragedy brought by the May 2017 siege. (PNA)

Classified & Legal Notices

DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: This EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE is made, executed and entered into by the HEIRS OF NORHAYA PASAGI EPPIE, namely; SHAINOLLAH PASAGI EPPIE, of legal age, married, Filipino, and resident of Kapai, Lanao Del Sur; JOMAHALIH PASAGI EPPIE, of legal age, married Filipino, and a resident of Balindong, Lanao Del Sur, herein referred to as HEIR; SARAH SITTEN PASAGI EPPIE-RAMOS, of legal age, married, Filipino, and resident of Balindong, Lanao Del Sur, herein referred to as HEIR; BASHER PASAGI EPPIE JR., of legal age, married, Filipino and a resident of Piagapo, Lanao Del Sur, herein referred to as HEIR; MOHAMMAD YSMAEL PASAGI EPPIE, legal age, single, Filipino and a resident of Maria Cristina, Iligan City, herein referred to as HEIR; FATIMA LYKA PASAGI EPPIE, legal age, single, Filipino and a resident of Maria Cristina, Iligan City, herein referred to as HEIR; AMERLY FATTAH PASAGI EPPIE, of legal age, married, Filipino and a resident of Bagong Silang, Iligan City, herein referred to as HEIR; AMER HASSAN PASAGI EPPIE, of legal age, married, Filipino and a resident of balindong, Lanao Del Sur, herein referred to as HEIR; PRINCE ABDULLAH II PASAGI EPPIE, of legal age, single, Filipino and a resident of Maria Cristina, Iligan City, herein referred to as HEIR; WITNESSETH: 1.

Whereas, the above-named HEIR are the legitimate children’s and surviving lawful heirs of the late NORHAYA PASAGI EPPIE, who died on April 23, 2021 at Wato Balindong, Lanao Del Sur, without last will or testament, and without outstanding debts or accounts; Whereas, the above-mentioned deceased is entitled for Retirement Benefit, Cash Surrender Value (CSV) and Funeral benefit (FB) at GSIS, formerly employed with DEPED ARMM, Balindong Dist; That pursuant to Section 1 of Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, and all being with full capacity to contract, we do hereby adjudicate unto ourselves the above -mentioned property, in equal shares pro indiviso; That we hereby affirm that we have executed the foregoing instrument out of our own voluntary free will without force, intimidation or violence upon our person, that we have hereby received our just and proper share and have no claim or demand against each other;

(SGD) SHAINOLLAH PASAGI EPPIE Heir

(SGD) JOMAHALIH PASAGI EPPIE Heir

AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION/EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That we, the HEIRS OF THE LATE NERISA OLIMBA ARTIAGA namely: RUBEN A. ARTIAGA, surviving spouse, RISHELLE O. ARTIAGA, QUEENLY O. ARTIAGA, both of legal age, and KEESHA QUEEN O. ARTIAGA, minor, Filipinos, and residents of Iligan City, represented by her father, RUBEN A. ARTIAGA, by these presents, freely and spontaneously, do hereby: DECLARE AND MAKE MANIFEST 1 — That we are the legal heirs of the late THE LATE NERISA OLIMBA ARTIAGA, who died on December 19, 2020 in Iligan City; 2 — That to the best of our knowledge and information the deceased, NERISA OLIMBA ARTIAGA, died without a will and without any known debt; 3 — That THE LATE NERISA OLIMBA ARTIAGA, left a Savings Account with RCBC Iligan Branch under Savings Account No. 0000009015341160 with a balance amounting to SEVENTYFOUR THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED TEN and FIFTY-SEVEN CENTAVOS (P74,810.57); 4 — That as legal heirs of the above-named late spouses, with full capacity to contract, we have agreed, as we hereby agree, to divide, settle and adjudicate among ourselves the above -described personal property in equal shares and pro-indiviso manner pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. 1 of the Rules of Court, without judicial proceedings as prescribed in the aforementioned Rules of Court; 5 — That by virtue of these presents we, RUBEN A, ARTIAGA, and QUEENLY O. ARTIAGA do hereby name, constitute and appoint, RISHELLE O. ARTIAGA, to be our true and lawful attorney-in-fact for us and in our names, place and stead and to do and perform all or any of the following acts and things, to wit: [1] To appear before the RCBC Iligan Branch and withdraw the amount in the aforementioned Savings Account; [2] To make, execute and sign any document related thereto deliver to us our share of said property; HEREBY GIVING AND GRANTING unto my said attorney -in-fact full power and authority whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as we might or could lawfully do if personally present and hereby ratifying and confirming all that our said attorney -in-fact shall do or cause to be done by virtue of these presents. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto affixed their signatures at Iligan City this 12th day of November 2021. RUBEN A. ARTIAGA Heir/Principal QUEENLY O. ARTIAGA Heir/Principal

(SGD) FATIMA LYKA PASAGI EPPIE Heir

(SGD) (SGD) AMERLY FATTAH PASAGI EPPIE AMER HASSAN PASAGI EPPIE Heir Heir (SGD) PRINCE ABDULLAH II PASAGI EPPIE Heir

Represented by FATHER: RUBEN A. ARTIAGA

(SGD) (SGD) SARAH SITTEN PASAGI EPPIE-RAMOS BASHER PASAGI EPPI JR. Heir Heir (SGD) MOHAMMAD YSMAEL PASAGI EPPIE Heir

KEESHA QUEEN O. ARTIAGA Heir/Principal

RISHELLE O. ARTIAGA Heir/Atty-in-fact Signed in the presence of: 1. LEONETA B. MAGDASAL

2. RUTCHEL UY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Republic of the Philippines) City of Iligan) Sc. X-------------------------------x

(SGD) NORMIA D. AMPUAN Witness

NAME RUBEN A. ARTIAGA QUEENLY O. ARTIAGA RISHELLE O. ARTIAGA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Republic of the Philippines) City of Iligan- - - - - - - - - -) S.S. BEFORE ME, a Notary Public, for and in the City of Iligan, this November day of 25 2021, personally appeared: Name

Identification Card

Issued On/At

SHAINOLLAH PASAGI EPPIE JOMAHALIH PASAGI EPPIE SARAH SITTEN PASAGI EPPIE-RAMOS BASHER PASAGI EPPIE JR. MOHAMMAD YSMAEL PASAGI EPPIE FATIMA LYKA PASAGI EPPIE AMERLY FATTAH PASAGI AMER HASSAN PASAGI EPPIE PRINCE ABDULLAH II PASAGI EPPIE All known to me to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and hereby acknowledged to me that the same is their free and voluntary act and deed. This instrument consisting of two (2) pages, including this page on which this acknowledgement is written refers to an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE and has been signed by the parties and their witnesses and sealed with my notarial seal. WITNESS MY HAND AND NOTARIAL SEAL.

Doc. No. 173 Page No. 35 Book No. VII Series of 2021

(SGD) ATTY. SAIDALI C. GANDAMRA NOTARY PUBLIC UNTIL DEC. 31, 2021 COMMISSION NO. 20-263 PTR NO. 9867914 1/4/21 1.C. IBP LIFETIME NO. 05046 ROLL NO. 39814 MCLE COMPL. NO. VI-00002 95/ //154

PMT: Dec. 3-9, 2021; Dec. 10-16, 2021; Dec. 17-23, 2021.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: This instrument is made and entered among the exclusive compulsory heirs of the late Noronisa Sumndad Macadato, namely: H. NAIMA M. MACADATO, of legal age, Filipino, married and residing at Bangon Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; SORAIDAH M. BATOWAAN, of legal age, Filipino, married and residing at Bangon Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; NORMILA CAMAMA, of legal age, Filipino, married and residing at Bangon Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; ASNIAH M. MACADATO, of legal age, Filipino, married and residing at Bangon Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; NORHAYAH M. MACADATO ALI, of legal age, Filipino, married and residing at Bangon Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; ADAWIYAH M. MACADATO, of legal age, Filipino, married and residing at Bangon Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, Noronisa Sumndad Macadato is a permanent government employee and a regular member of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the PagIbig and the Philippine Public School Teachers Association (PPSTA); WHEREAS, Noronisa Sumndad Macadato has never been married neither has she begotten a child biologically or adopted of her own; WHEREAS, last December 10, 2020, Noronisa Sumndad Macadato died in Bangon, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; WHEREAS, by virtue of her being a regular member of GSIS, the PPSTA and the Pag-ibig, Noronisa Sumndad Macadato is entitled to financial claims and other assistance possible from the GSIS, the PPSTA, and the Pag-ibig that her legitimate heirs stated above can claim; WHEREAS, the above-named immediate relatives are the exclusive and only compulsory heirs of the late Noronisa Sumndad Macadato and they hereby agreed to authorize for and in their behalf NORMILA CAMAMA to follow -up and receive any amount for the deceased or any assistance to be claimed from the GSIS, PPSTA and the Pag-ibig and other agencies. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto affixed our signatures this_______ at _____________________________________, Philippines. (SGD)

(SGD)

H. NAIMA M. MACADATO Compulsory Heir ID No. 23-003608029-4 Valid Until ____________ Issued by PhilHealth

SORAIDAH M. BATOWAAN Compulsory Heir ID No ________________ Valid Until ____________ Issued by _______________ (SGD)

NORMILA CAMAMA Compulsory Heir ID No. 153617103-05 Valid Until ____________ Issued by DILG

ASNIAH M. MACADATO Compulsory Heir ID No. VIN:3617-0020A E0578AMM20000

Valid Until _____________ Issued by COMELEC

(SGD)

BEFORE ME, at Iligan City, this 12th day of November 2021 personally appeared with their respective valid identification cards the following, to wit: VALID ID DATE / PLACE OF ISSUE

All known to me known to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and they acknowledged to me that the same is their free and voluntary act and deed. The instrument refers to an extrajudicial settlement of an intestate estate with special power of attorney consisting of two (2) pages including this page on which the acknowledgement is written and signed by the parties and their instrumental witnesses at the left margin of the first page and in the body of the last page. Witness My Hand and Seal at the place and on date abovestated. (SGD) ATTY. EMMANUEL C. SALIBAY NOTARY PUBLIC Iligan City and Lanao del Norte Notarial Commission No. 21-314 Until December 31, 2022 IBP Life Member No. 08289 PTR. No. 9831883, January 07, 2021 (Iligan City) MCLE Compliance No. VI-0000316, July 18, 2016 Attorney’s Roll No. 48931 TIN No. 166-615-120 Doc. No. 113; Page No. 23; Book No. XX; Series of 2021.

PMT: Dec. 10-16, 2021; Dec. 17-23, 2021; Dec, 24-30, 2021.

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AND PARTITION OF ESTATE OF THE LATE NORONISA SUMNDAD MACADATO

(SGD)

SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF: (SGD) NORALA M. MACARAMPAT Witness

Vol. II, No. 26 | December 10-16, 2021 (Jumadil Awwal 5-11, 1443)

(SGD)

NORHAYAH M. MACADATO ALI ADAWIYAH M. MACADATO Compulsory Heir Compulsory Heir ID No. VIN: 3617-0020A-H0174NMM20000 ID No. 15-202792922-7 Valid Until ____________ Valid Until _____________ Issued by COMELEC Issued by PhilHealth Signed in the presence of the ff. witnesses: (SGD)

RAYHANA N. DIMA Witness

(SGD)

and

ACMAD S. DIMA Witness

Republic of the Philippines) Lanao del Norte) Ss. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BEFORE ME, A NOTARY PUBLIC, this Nov. 15, 2021 in ___________________, Lanao del Norte, personally appeared the compulsory heirs with their respective Community Tax Certificates and/or Government Issued IDs, known to me and to me to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument. This document consists of three (3) pages including where this acknowledgement is written and signed by the parties and their instrumental witnesses on each and every page thereof after the contents hereof been interpreted and translated into their own vernacular and signified that they understood the same and the same are their free and voluntary acts and deeds. WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL. (SGD)

ATTY. SAMBITORE M. LUCMAN Notary Public Until Dec. 31, 2021 IBP No. 095603/Nov. 25, 2019 PTR No. 7550307 B. Nov. 19, 2019 Doc. No. 2351; Page No. 161; Book No. 06 Series of 2021. PMT: Nov. 26-Dec. 2, 2021; Dec. 3-9, 2021; Dec. 10-16, 2021.

Vol. II, No. 26 | December 10-16, 2021 (Jumadil Awwal 5-11, 1443)

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TEL: 63 302 5565 WE ACCEPT PUBLICATION OF THE FOLLOWING: Extra-Judicial Settlements, Court Orders, Legal Notices, Obituaries, and other announcements. Contact: 063 2290965 or 09152184388.

R.A. 10172 & R.A. 9048 Form No. 10.1 (LCRO) Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province: Lanao del Norte City/Municipality: Iligan City NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 7 of R.A. 10172 & Section 5 of R.A. 9048a notice is hereby served to the public that ERNESTO I. BERNALES has filed with this Office a petition for Correction of Clerical Error particularly DATE OF BIRTH from FEB. 10, 1975 to FEBRUARY 7, 1975 and CHANGE OF FIRST NAME from PACIFICO JR. to ERNESTO in the Certificate of Live Birth of PACIFICO JR. INAO BERNALES who was born on February 7, 1975 at Mabini, Bohol and whose parents are Erlinda Inao and Pacifico O. Bernales. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than August 2020. (SGD) MARIA PURA C. MASCARIÑAS City Civil Registrar

BANGSAMORO HALAL DISH With Maria Fhebie Ortil

Cilantro Lime Rice

ssalamu Alaykum once more to all readers of the Philippine Muslim Today, I wrote this Bangsamoro Halal Cuisine with the usual vigor and enthusiasm that I used to have many months back. There seems to be nothing unusual though in reality the news from the management and the information that I got you won’t read this culinary column and the rest of the columns in a couple of weeks from now on since we are bound to pause for awhile. This is not because of pandemic nor the news of the onslaught of the variant the Omicron, the 15th letter of Greek Alphabet assigned by epidemiologists. But there are some constraints along the way that need management review and focus at the same time. Be that as it may, I would like to thank each and everyone of you for such rare patronage of the Philippine Muslim Today since you were engaged on the day to have Free reading that started with our maiden issue on June 19, 2021 until today. Now for the last issue in my Column as my year ender in 2021, I would like to present to you another Halal food which is the Cilantro Lime Rice. Cilantro Lime Rice is an easy and delicious onepot rice with cilantro, lime juice and butter. This Mexican-inspired rice is better than Chipotle. The following are the ingredients that can be easily purchased in grocery or in supermarkets. Likewise an easy to follow instructions can be easily followed by anyone even though not so expert in cooking. INGREDIENTS 2 cups long grain rice 1 cup water 1 1/4 cups chicken broth 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves

4 tablespoons fresh lime juice INSTRUCTIONS 1. Rinse the rice thoroughly with cold water and drain, repeat for 3-4 times until the water runs clear. 2. Transfer the clean rice into the skillet and add 1 cup clean water, chicken broth, salt and butter to the rice. 3. Cover the lid and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes, or until the water is dry and the rice is cooked through. 4. Turn off the heat, add the cilantro leaves and lime juice to the rice. 5. Stir and loosen up the rice and mix well with the cilantro leaves and lime juice. 6. Serve warm. (MFO)

At least 16 people, including children, killed in Saudi-led strikes in Yemen At least 16 people, including children, were killed in Saudi-led air strikes in Yemen’s southwestern province of Ta’izz, according to a report carried by a foreign news agency. As of press time, Saudi Arabia is said to be still bombing the southern impoverished neighbor accused of defying international calls to end its bloody war. The deadly aggression occurred on Friday evening, when Saudi-led warplanes targeted a gathering of civilians in Muqbana district of the province, Yemen’s Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported. It added that continued presence of the enemy warplanes in the skies of Muqbana and the possibility of other strikes prevented the paramedics to reach the crime scene to exhume the bodies of the victims and attending the wounded. The airstrikes came as the Saudi-led forces and its mercenaries have escalated their aggression in the western coastal region of Yemen. It was said Saudi Arabia, backed by the US and

other key Western powers, launched the war on Yemen in March 2015, with the goal of bringing the former Riyadh-backed regime back to power and crushing the popular Ansarullah resistance movement which has been running state affairs in the absence of an effective government in Yemen. The war has stopped well shy of all of its goals, despite killing tens of thousands of Yemenis and displacing millions more. The war has also taken a heavy toll on the country’s infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. An all-out blockade was also imposed on Yemen since the onset of the bloody war, pushing Yemen into the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, including by hampering access to aid. Despite heavily-armed Saudi Arabia’s continuous bombardment of the impoverished country, Yemeni armed forces and the Popular Committees have grown steadily in strength against the Saudi invaders and left Riyadh and its allies bogged down in the country. (With story from agency)

UK ENVOY | from Page A3

UK envoy lauds BARMM's vaccination efforts; reaffirms continuous support tion and vaccination. "The Bangsamoro government will do whatever it takes—collaboration with development partners and communities—to help Bangsamoro get through this crisis and rebuild better once the virus has been defeated. Let's get vaccinated for our protection and safety of our family and friends,” Dr. Usman said. Recently, the UK government donated an additional 5.2 million doses of Aztrazeneca vaccines to the Philippines through the COVAX facility with 415,000 doses given bilaterally, bringing approximately 5.6 million doses.

Yesterday, the Ambassador personally inspected the 2 units of medical cold chain transport vehicles donated to MOH. MOH reported to have reached a total of 1,009,705 individuals inoculated in BARMM (27% for first dose and 13% for 2nd dose), and reported that cases as of Dec. 5, 2021 recorded only 2 new positive cases. To date, the region has a total of 15,464 positive cases with 14,677 recovery, 161 active cases and 626 deaths, but still considered at a very low risk compared to other regions in the country. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL