Philippine Muslim Today

Philippine Muslim Today, the country’s first Muslim digital newspaper, is committed to a steady, highly developed, and diverse Southern Philippines.

8 Pages | P20.00

Vol. III, No. 43 | Apr 10-16, 2023 (Ramadan 19-25, 1444)

PBBM appoints OIC’s for 2 Maguindanao provinces

BY ABDULLAH MATUCAN/BIO

C

OTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim positively welcomed the appointment of Officers-in-charge (OICs) for the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur. When asked for comment, Ebrahim said that at the heart of these appointments is the welfare of the people and the development of the two provinces.

“I am taking this very positively and would like to express my sincerest gratitude to our president, His Excellency Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos Jr. for appointing the OICs. Finally, the appointed officials can now focus on what is really important - the welfare of the constituents and the continuous development of their respective provinces,” Ebrahim said.

(Full Story on Page A2)

18-MT of Davao durian shipped to China for the 1st time The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA11) shipped 18 metric tons of durian to China on Thursday.

In an interview, Emmanuel Belviz, president of the Durian Industry Association of Davao City, said China has opened a huge market for their produce with the Puyat, D-101, Cob and Duyaya as exported varieties.

(Full story on Page A5)

1 dead, 7 injured in Tel Aviv attack JERUSALEM — A tourist was killed and seven others injured Friday in a shooting and ramming attack in the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv, according to reports.

An attacker opened fire and killed one person while driving a vehicle along the coastal road in central Tel Aviv.

The slain victim was an Italian tourist, according to Israeli media.

Israeli police said the

Attacker 'neutralized' by police, inspectors at scene, say officials

vehicle hit pedestrians in the Tel Aviv promenade and "a police officer who was at a nearby gas station heard a noise and noticed a vehicle overturned, as well as several people lying on the floor.

"The police officer approached the car together with the Tel Aviv municipality inspectors and noticed that the driver was trying to reach for a weapon he had in his possession," it wrote on Twitter.

The officer and inspectors "neutralized" the attacker, it added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an increase in security forces, according to a statement from his office.

Earlier, two settlers were killed and one was seriously injured in an armed attack on a vehicle in a Jewish settlement near the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank.

1 DEAD | Page A6

A3 Bangsaramoro Parliament

A4 Editorial

A6 Abroad

Bill for a Bangsamoro Science High School System tackled

Maguindanao dilemma

Arab League condemns Israeli aggression on al-Aqsa

A measure seeking to establish a Bangsamoro Science High School System was deliberated on in a meeting held in the morning of Wednesday, April 5, by the Bangsamoro Parliament’s Committee on Science and Technology.

On May 27, 2021, in his last act as chief executive, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11550, which proposes the split of the province of Maguindanao.

As mandated, a plebiscite was held on September 17, 2022, ratifying the partitioning into Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.

The Arab League has vehemently condemned the latest Israeli aggression against the al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Old City of al-Quds and the brutal assault on Palestinian worshipers observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

A2

BARMM FOCUS

Vol. III, No. 43 | Apr 10-16, 2023 (Ramadan 19-25, 1444)

PBBM appoints OIC’s for 2 Maguindanao provinces

BY ABDULLAH MATUCAN/BIO

C

OTABATO CITY— Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim positively welcomed the appointment of Officers-in-charge (OICs) for the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur. When asked for comment, Ebrahim said that at the heart of these appointments is the welfare of the people and the development of the two provinces.

“I am taking this very positively and would like to express my sincerest gratitude to our president, His Excellency Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos Jr. for appointing the OICs. Finally, the appointed officials can now focus on what is really important - the welfare of the constituents and the continuous development of their respective provinces,” Ebrahim said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has shown so much faith in the recent appointment of Senior Minister Abdulrauf Macacua as the first-ever OATH-TAKING: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. swears into oath Bangsamoro Senior Minister Abdulrauf Macacua as Officer-in-charge of the Maguindanao del Norte.

In a statement, the MILG thanked President Marcos Jr., as the regional government welcomed the decision.

"We welcome the appointment of Gov. Macacua and we thank the Presi-

dent for this opportunity to allow the MILF and the BARMM to showcase what potentials of synergy between the national govt, the BARMM and this new province," the statement said.

Officer-in-charge of the Maguindanao del Norte. (Contributed photo) Macacua, who is a senior official of the Bangsamoro Government and also a member of the regional parliament, took his oath before the country's

top executive in Manila today, April 5, 2023.

MILG futher expressed its certainty that "Gov Macacua will exemplify the same comptence and com-

passion that he has shown in the BARMM and even during his leadership during the revolution".

While family, colleagues, and whole of the Bangsamoro region celebrated the historic feat, the Office of the President on its press release said Macacua, as OIC, is "tasked by the President to maintain peace and stability in the region, a prerequisite for the development of the area and its people".

"With the appointment of an OIC in Maguindanao del Norte, the Marcos administration expressed assurance that the province has an able and competent leader while still under the chief executive’s administration and guidance," the press release read.

Republic Act No. (RA) 11550, signed by Duterte, divided the province of Maguindanao into two distinct and independent provinces known as Maguindanao del Norte and Magu-

indanao del Sur. "Installing an OIC or an acting governor, they said, would end the confusion among local leaders and residents who wondered who to take orders from and whom to report to a few months after conducting the plebiscite," the press release further read.

Along with Macacua's appointment, incumbent Governor of Maguindanao, prior to the plebiscite, Bai Mariam Mangudadatu will lead the Maguindanao del Sur. Apart from Macacua and Mangudadatu’s appointments, the President also chose Bai Fatima Ainee Limbona Sinsuat as OIC of the Office of the Vice-Governor of Maguindanao del Norte, and Datu Nathaniel Sangacala Midtimbang as OIC of the Office of the Vice Governor of Manguindanao del Sur. (With report from The Office of the President)

Inflation rate in BARMM drops Bangsamoro history month concludes thru highlighting significance of CAB to 7.5% in February 2023

BY MAJID NUR/BIO

BY APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN MARAWI CITY --The inflation rate across the Bangsamoro region decreased to 7.5 percent in February 2023 compared to January 2023 inflation rate of 7.8 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-BARMM).

Region VIII or Eastern Visayas Region remained to have the lowest inflation rate at 6.3 percent, followed by Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) at second with 7.1 percent, and Region XII or SOCCSKSARGEN Region with third lowest inflation rate at 7.4 percent.

BARMM ranked fourth with the lowest inflation rate among all the regions in the country.

PSA RSSO-BARMM OIC-Regional Director Engr. Akan Tula stated that the region’s inflation was mainly brought about by the higher annual increase in the index for MARAWI CITY -- Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT) is continuously conducting price monitoring of basic necessities across the Bangsamoro region to ensure stable prices during the Holy month of Ramadhan.

Hamida Ebus Yacob, MTIT's Chief of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protec-

Restaurant and Accommodation Services at 12.3 percent, Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels at 4.7 percent, and Recreation, Sport, and Culture at 3.9 percent.

“Also contributing to the uptrend in the overall inflation during the period were the higher annual increments in the indices of the following commodity groups as compared with their previous month’s inflation rates are Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services at 3.0 percent; Information and Communication at 1.7 percent,” Tula said.

He further said that annual upticks slowed down in the indices of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at 9.1 percent and Transport at 3.0 percent.

Tula also stated that commodity groups that retained their previous month’s inflation rate in-

clude Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco at 6.9 percent; Furnishing, Household Equipment, and Routine Maintenance of the House at 3.8 percent; Education Services at 3.7 percent; Clothing and Footwear at3.1 percent; Health,1.2 percent; and Financial Services at 0.0 percent.

Among the provinces in BARMM, Tawi-Tawi recorded the highest inflation rate at 10.9 percent, followed by Basilan at 9.5 percent, Lanao Del Sur at 9.4 percent, Maguindanao at 6.4 percent, and Sulu with the lowest inflation rate at 4.0 percent.

PSA’s report also mentioned that Cotabato City dropped its inflation rate to 6.6 percent this February 2023 compared to the 7.4 percent inflation rate in January 2023.

(BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)

COTABATO CITY—The significance of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), a peace accord in the region, is one of the most highlighted topics discussed in the peace forum held during the culmination of the Bangsamoro history month on Friday, Mar 31, hat the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), Bangsamoro Government Center, in this city.

CAB is an accord between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) signed on March 27, 2014.

According to Member of Parliament (MP) Marjanie Macasalong, the importance of the CAB, among others, is that most of the previous agreements were included in it, such as Tripoli, Final Peace Agreement of 1996,

which led to the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), among others.

“Prior to the signing of Bangsamoro Organic Law, many local agreements signed between MILFGPH, especially on security aspect were also included; hopefully, to pave the way to lasting peace in the Bangsamoro,” Macasalong said, who also chairs the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC).

Meanwhile, MP Atty.

Mary Ann Arnado said that during the CAB signing, many Indigenous Peoples such as Manobo, Teduray, and Talaandig were performing rituals while celebrating the victory of the peace process outside Malacanang Palace along with evacuees, women, and youth associations.

“We are very happy after 9 years; I think we have [really] moved very far from

MTIT-BARMM intensifies price monitoring for Ramadhan tion, disclosed that MTIT conducts regular monitoring, following the Memorandum Order No. 109, series of 2023 issued by MTIT Minister Abuamri Taddik, to make sure that the business owners will follow the instructions given by the office regarding the price level.

"Nagsasagawa tayo ng weekly monitoring dahil sinisiguro po natin na walang mang-aabuso sa mga business owner na magtaas ng mga prices nila which is malaking tulong para sa mamamayang Bangsamoro lalo na ngayong buwan ng Ramadhan," Yacob said.

[We are conducting weekly monitoring because we are making sure that no business owners will abuse and raise their prices, which is a big help for the Bangsamoro people especially this month of Ramadhan.]

Meanwhile, Minister Taddik reminded businesses

and traders not to take advantage of the situation where demand for basic foodstuff has increased.

Accordingly, common people are suffering due to rising commodity prices.

Therefore, the Ministry ensured to effectively meet the needs of BARMM residents

the peace agreement to the extended transition period.

We are also very happy that more young peoples are very supportive and passionate about joining this peace process, which is right as it is for the young generation,” said Arnado.

“The CAB for me is our ticket to peace, it is not a simple compact. It’s a frame-up of our day-to-day lives. Can you imagine if we didn’t have a peace agreement, what could be our situation now? We have an accord, we should appreciate it,” she stressed.

Other BARMM officials who were also present at the forum were MPs Atty.

Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba and Nurredha Misuari; MPOS Deputy Ministry Abdulkudos Balitoc; Peace Prog. Officer V Sittie Janine Gamao; and BCPCH CAO Aaron Jeff Usman.

(BIO) and visitors.

The action taken aims to provide the public with reasonable prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities (BNPCs), including the monitoring of the flow of commodities during the month of Ramadhan.

BIO/PIA-10

Across the Bangsamoro

Vol. III, No. 43 | Apr 10-16, 2023 (Ramadan 19-25, 1444)

BARMM awards P24.9-M stipend to 8,318 ‘needy’ Bangsamoro learners

By EDD K. USMAN | Correspondent At-Large

C

OTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) headed by Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal has granted a total of Php24.9-million scholarship stipend to 8,318 learners.

This, apparently, is the MBHTE living up to its vision enunciated in the maxim, “No Bangsamoro child is left behind”. Each of the learner received Php3,000.

Iqbal’s MBHTE is one of the primary governance agencies of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Bangsamoro region, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao (now split as Maguindanao del Sur and Magu-

indanao del Norte), Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the 63 barangays or villages dubbed Special Geographic Area (SGA) that voted “yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.

According to the Philippine Atlas has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur. MBHTE’s stipend for

the more than eight thousand learners come from its Standard Madrasah Curriculum (SMC) given out on April 3. The Php3,000 stipend for each learner is a “one-time scholarship fund.

These “qualified and needy” beneficiaries determined by school heads based on the selection criteria, following the issued Regional Memorandum (RM) No. 896-B, Series of 2022, the education ministry said.

Iqbal emphasized the scholarship beneficiaries underwent validation and assessment.

Meanwhile, the MBHTE also provides aid for Typhoon Paeng-damaged schools

“The Ministry exerts rigorous efforts to provide quality services and programs among all recognized Madrasah, both for its teachers and learners,” explained.

Meanwhile, the education ministry also provided cash assistance to performing schools, including those which were devastated by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng last October 29, 2022.

With a total of 468 identified performing schools, 178 schools received Php50,000 while Php25,000 and Php20,000 were given to 106 and 184 schools, respectively.

Accordingly, the support provided will cover the costs of repairs and maintenance of public school facilities under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) Allotment Class with unit prices below Php50,000.00 in accordance with Commission on Audit (COA) Circular 0042022 dated May 31, 2022.

On top of this, a total of 210 schools that were “badly affected” Paeng received financial assistance worth Php50,000 and Php30,000. These schools were classified as ‘severely and moderately affected’.

(Bangsamoro Information Office, with reports from MBHTE)

MILG to build infrastructures in Pagalungan, Maguindanao Sur COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), the Pagalungan local government, and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recently broke ground in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, for the construction of a modern fire station and four units of two-storey barangay halls.

Minister Sinarimbo also personally visited the town's new public market, which was funded by the BARMM government as well.

Sinarimbo expressed his gratitude to Pagalungan Mayor Salik P Mamasabulod and all the local officials for their unwavering support for the BARMM under the leadership of Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.

The barangay hall project is part of the Office of the Chief Minister's Support to Local Moral Governance (SLMG), which provides funding for infrastructure projects such as the construction of barangay halls, while the budget for the ₱7-M fire station

is sourced from the Bangsamoro Appropriation Act of 2022, all of which are carried out by MILG's Project Management Development Division (PMDD).

Mayor Mamasabulod and

Vice Mayor Abdilah Mamasabulod are extremely grateful to the BARMM Government for funding the project.

PMT Desk

A3

The Bangsamoro Parliament In Focus Bill for a Bangsamoro Science High School System tackled COTABATO CITY – A measure seeking to establish a Bangsamoro Science High School System was deliberated on in a meeting held in the morning of April 5, by the Bangsamoro Parliament’s Committee on Science and Technology.

The Parliament Bill No. 37, also known as the "Bangsamoro Science High School System (BSHS) System Act of 2022," which was introduced by the Government of the Day, will offer a scholarship program to qualified learners in the region who want to pursue a profession in science and technology.

Various regional and national experts, as well as relevant stakeholders from all provinces and cities within BARMM and other science high schools, will be consulted during a series of public consultations and hearings planned for the proposed measure.

The COST members agreed also to jointly convene a meeting with the Committee on Basic, Higher, and Technical Education and the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Management, and to refer PB No. 37 to that committee as well. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division) ___________________________________________

Parliament Rules Committee convenes to tackle legislative measures etc.

THE BANGSAMORO Parliament’s Rules Committee convened on Tuesday afternoon, April 4, to tackle several items on the agenda, including legislative measures that had been referred to the committee and the schedule for the second regular session.

According to COR Chair Atty. Sha Elijah DumamaAlba, a public consultation on BTA Bill No. 43, which would move the administrative center of the Bangsamoro Government to Parang, Maguindanao, is scheduled for April 17.

The proposed measure calls for the Bangsamoro Government administrative center in Parang, Maguindanao, to house the Office of the Chief Minister, the Bangsamoro Parliament, and various ministries, offices, and agencies.

They also adopted a resolution urging the Philippine Congress to create a lone congressional district for Cotabato City.

The Parliament is also set to open its second regular session in May. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division) ___________________________________________

Position papers accepted for BTA Bill to establish BARMM capital in Parang, Maguindanao The Bangsamoro Parliament is calling for submission of position papers for BTA Bill No. 43 or “An Act Establishing the Administrative Capital of the Bangsamoro Government in the Municipality of Parang, Province of Maguindanao, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes.”

Policy papers should be submitted to Parliamentary Committees Support Service at parliamentary.rules@bta.gov.ph.

You may access the copy of the BTA Bill No. 43 here: https://bit.ly/40wqNqK (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division) _____________________________________________________

For Press Release, send to: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com _____________________________________________________

A4

Opinion

Vol. III, No. 43 | Apr 10-16, 2023 (Ramadan 19-25, 1444)

Customs and tradition THE ISSUE of smuggling agricultural products, from onions to garlic and fish, has preoccupied much of the Senate’s public hearings recently. The same state is reflected in the House where resource speakers, for being shifty, are cited in contempt and jailed in the premises of Congress until the desired truth the lawmakers have been asking for, has been served without evasion.

Antonio V. Figueroa Why smuggling continues to flourish in our country is not anybody’s blame but a clear display that the customs bureau’s leaky wall continues to allow contrabands to enter the country.

The ease that smuggled goods penetrate the ports is as shadowy as the failure of the State to recycle corrupt examiners involved or suspected to be engaged in technical smuggling.

Despite existing laws modernizing the Bureau of Customs, the government has dilly-dallied in finding funds for the project. In contrast, even in the absence of readily available money, the government goes the extra mile in satisfying the demand of lawmaker for dubious allotments in form of lump sums, pork barrel, and confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs).

Recently, as if to debunk this assertion, the customs bureau, as if by design, has succeeded in raiding numerous warehouses that have been keeping contrabands. As expected, the discoveries have earned plaudits from various sectors and, for a brief period, transformed the agency into determined animal willing to take on smugglers and file cases against them. Still, that does answer the query why illegal articles are easily trafficked into the country.

To say that the country’s lengthy coastlines is partly to be blamed for the spread of smuggling is an oft-repeated excuse. Maybe this is true because our porous borders, given the limited manpower and equipment in many ports and the failure of law enforcement to efficiently secure our littorals, penetrating the shorelines using crafts disguised as fishing vessels is expected.

But then, why are contrabands in containers are able to pass through the ports and not detected even if we have sophisticated x-ray machines in major piers?

All along, we have always suspected that the bureau’s wall has some leaks. Meaning, despite the installation of urbane gadgets that detect articles inside containers, the ones manning the machines have the discretion to allow or bar the entry of hot items. In short, it boils down to the moral values a person embraces and possesses when performing his duty as a public servant.

The declaration that not all people in the bureaucracy are corrupt is a much-abused liner.

That statement, though, does not cure the system already put in place at the customs bureau, and does not discourage the commission of an

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY INC. SEC Co. Reg. No. 2021030008913-02 TIN: 602-795-878-00000 Headquarters: Consunji St., Poblacion, Iligan City, 9200 PH Phone: +63 63 3025565 (Landline) +63 915 2184388 (Mobile) Email: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com Https://philmuslim.today Please email communication to: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com

Maguindanao dilemma O

n May 27, 2021, in his last act as chief executive, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11550, which proposes the split of the province of Maguindanao. As mandated, a plebiscite was held on September 17, 2022, ratifying the partitioning into Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.

Consequent to this, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., instead of swearing in the vice governor of Maguindanao as governor of the new province of Maguindanao del Norte, appointed an officer-in-charge which, in substance, contradicts RA 11550.

Under Section 50 of the same law, it states that “the vice governor and the next ranking elective member of the sangguniang panlalawigan of the present Province of Maguindanao, who are residents of the new Maguindanao del Norte shall assume as its acting governor and acting vice governor, respectively, and both shall continue to serve in office until their successors shall have been elected and qualified in the 2022 national and local elections.”

Regardless whether the law mandates the holding of the plebiscite before or after the 2022 polls, Marcos, who was the president when the delayed referendum was held, should have stuck to the intent of the law given that elections for the provincial positions of the two territories have yet to be scheduled by the Commission on Elections.

This oversight, if you will, has created a dilemma. If reports are to be believed, the lawyers of Bai Fatima Ainee LimbonaSinsuat, the aggrieved Maguindanao vice governor, are set to file a mandamus before the Supreme Court for the execution of RA 11550, which means installing her as Maguindanao del Norte governor.

But a writ of mandamus has its limitations.

The court can only order an inferior government official to properly fulfill their official duties or correct an abuse of discretion but

not the President who is immune from suit while he is still the incumbent chief executive.

The legal minds, however, argue that under RA 11550, that the postponement of the plebiscite has created ramifications because the statute states that the new set of elected officials of the two provinces should have been chosen in the May 2020 polls.

Even the Commission on Elections has come out with a own ruling on the case, conceding that the appointment of the officials of the province of Maguindanao del Norte is the territory of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

But as vice governor of the undivided Maguindanao Province, Sinsuat should have assumed as Maguindanao del Norte governor.

But the Bangsamoro regional government did not recognize her because of the knotty issue posed by RA 11550, stating the national government might withhold release of funds to the new province unless the controversy is resolved.

Most likely at the advice of former Supreme Court chief justice Lucas P. Bersamin, the incumbent executive secretary who was appointed on September 27, 2022, the President, on April 5, 2023, “demoted” Sinsuat to OIC vice governor of Maguindanao del Norte while Abdulraof Macacua, a senior member of parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) beccame OIC governor.

Some sectors, however, want the oversight corrected. Because the person installed is only an OIC, meaning not even as acting governor, executing the intent of the law means supporting Sinsuat’s ascendancy. The President has done this before when he appointed an AFP chief upon his assumption but replaced it months later after he was advised that such designation was contrary to RA 11709, approved by Duterte on April 13, 2022.

anomaly. For if the system has been working to ensure a better layering of checks and rechecks, smuggling could have been reduced to a minimum.

Compared to Singapore, the world’s busiest port, smuggling of contrabands is a minor chink in the armor. Of course, there are human errors and oversights that happen once in a while but their occurrences are far and between, unlike in our ports where the detection of contrabands happens in many cases after the smuggled items have been delivered to the warehouses. What this scenario reveals is that illegal imports go unnoticed because the examiners and x-ray machine operators allow them to pass unobserved.

In recent weeks, there was an unconfirmed

news from the customs bureau that port managers will have shorter assignments and customs personnel, to minimize patronage and familiarity, will be reassigned, rotated, or divorced, even for a short period, from positions that are sources of bribes. Though the strategy sounds enticing, studying the impact of this solution to the collection targets of government is an important aspect.

As it is now, the bureau, even under the present leadership of people who are known for their shady deals, seems to perform better than before.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Publisher and Editor-In-Chief

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY, the country’s first Muslim digital newspaper, is committed to a steady, highly developed, and diverse Southern Philippines.

ALI G. MACABALANG (on leave) News Editor ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA Senior Editorial Consultant

NASH B. MAULANA Contributing Editor EDD K. USMAN Correspondent-At-Large

(AVF)

CREDITS INSIDE LOGO: The stylized Philippine flag on the left of the masthead is a creation of April Perez of jsonn.deviantart.com, while on the right is the official logo of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) where this paper is principally circulated. Plans are afoot, though, to distribute the Philippine Muslim Today throughout Mindanao and outside.

News

Vol. III, No. 43 | Apr 10-16, 2023 (Ramadan 19-25, 1444)

18MT of Davao durian shipped to China for the 1st time

By CHE PALICTE | Philippine News Agency

D

AVAO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) shipped 18 metric tons of durian to China on Thursday.

In an interview, Emmanuel Belviz, president of

the Durian Industry Association of Davao City, said China has opened a huge market for their produce with the Puyat, D-101, Cob and Duyaya as exported varieties.

"This is what we have longed for. We can now export our durian at a higher price and as farmers, we need to produce good quality of durian," he said.

With the high demand in China, he said they need to improve their production and look for areas for expansion.

Belviz said the farmgate price is PHP45 per kilo and the packing houses buy it for PHP80 per kilo.

Despite the exportation, he assured enough supply of durian for the local market.

DA-11 Regional Director Abel James Monteagudo, in a speech read

by Assistant Regional Director for Operations Marila Corpuz at the sendoff held at the Davao International Airport cargo terminal, said it is a historical day for the Philippine fresh durian as it finally enters the China market.

The exportation of durian aligns with the bilateral agreement on the protocol of Philippine fresh durian to the Republic of China signed during the state visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in China on Jan. 3, 2023.

"As we enter the biggest market of the worldthe Chinese market, I would like to congratulate and acknowledge one of our long- standing part-

establishment of postharvest facilities.

"Philippines has a very big potential in the export market and rest assured that with the help of our farmers we are ready to meet the big demand from China," Monteagudo added.

Meanwhile, Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, the guest of honor during the sendoff ceremony, has vowed support for sustainable durian export to China.

He congratulated the stakeholders, especially the farmers as he also promised to listen to the

FIRST SHIPMENT. Boxes of Davao durian are being prepared at the Davao International Airport as the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) ships 18 metric tons of durian to China on Thursday (April 6, 2023). The historical event was made possible after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with Chinese officials including President Xi Jinping during his visit in January 2023. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.) ners, the DIADC for their effort in contributing to the steadfast development of our country," Monteagudo said.

He is hoping that more locally produced fruits, including coconut and bananas, are to be shipped to China in the coming months.

He said the DA, where President Marcos concurrently sits as its Secretary, is also working on the fiveyear development plan for the durian industry that will intensify technical support and the provision of quality planting materials, fertilizer and pesticide, equipment and tools, as well as the

concerns of the durian farmers to continue the growth of the industry.

"The best variety of durian comes from Mindanao.

I would like to congratulate everyone. I would also like to find out what other things we can help (for this booming industry). It is good to have a maiden flight but the secret is sustainability," he said.

Magno said among the best way to achieve sustainability in any endeavor is through consultation, concession and partnership between the government and the private sector.

(PNA)

N. Cotabato farm coop receives worth P2-M farm tractors THE ALAMADA Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AMPC) in Alamada, North Cotabato benefitted from the 90hp fourwheel drive farm tractor with implements, which include a disc plow, disc harrow, and trailer amounting to Php2,675,000.00 from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Fe Odrunia, AMPC Chairman, thanked DAR for the assistance provided to them and vowed to ensure the maintenance and sustainability of the said facilities.

“We will assure the DAR that the AMPC will craft the policy in consonance with the agreement. We also assure you that we will maintain and sustain the operation of the farm machine because we already have assigned personnel who will look into the farm and trucking services of the cooperative,” she said.

The said farm machine will be an added asset for the income generation of the cooperative, which will also benefit its 5,331 members. The AMPC will also serve as the big brother of other agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Alamada.

Evangeline Bueno, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, said the farm machinery was provided by

the DAR to improve the farm productivity and net income of the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) through their organization.

“The tractor given to the AMPC is expected to boost the agricultural productivity of the ARBs and other farmers in the area by increasing the efficiency of their farm activities, especially in land preparation,” she said.

Bueno added that this project was implemented under the DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program (CRFPSP), which aims to enhance and sustain the agricultural productivity of agrarian reform communities as an adaptation measure towards climate change resiliency.

The activity is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III to boost the livelihood of the farmers.

The turn-over ceremony of the tractor was also attended by North Cotabato 1st District representative Joselito Sacdalan and other DAR and local government officials.

DAR

A5

SHFC multistory housing for 10,400 Misamis Oriental families breaks ground A MULTISTORY housing project that will benefit 10,400 families will soon rise in Barangay Sta. Ana, municipality of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. On April 2, a groundbreaking was held for the construction of Valley View Townships, a shelter initiative of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) under President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Housing Program, which seeks to address the 6.5 million housing backlog in the country.

To be constructed by RGJ Realty Corporation, the multi-billion peso township project that SHFC will finance is expected to benefit workers in Tagoloan and nearby areas, including employees in the municipality’s 3,000hectare PHIVIDEC Industrial Park. The said economic zone is home to several dozens of major local and international companies that employ workers in the manufacturing and service sectors. These include San Miguel Brewery Inc., San Miguel Foods, Inc., Purefoods-Hormel Co., and Petron Corporation, to name a few.

Each of the 25 towers in the township will consist of 13 floors with 32 units at each level. The township will feature amenities such as commercial areas, greenspaces, clubhouse, chapel, children’s playground and various facilities for community socialization and basic services.

This is consistent with the vision of DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar to build not just houses but resilient and self-contained communities where families can enjoy a high quality of life. To give future residents adequate options tailored to their needs, each building offers a mix of 25 and 27 square meter-units. Valley View Townships is expected to be completed within the next three years.

SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa said monthly amortizations will be affordable for the beneficiaries because interest subsidy will be provided. Also, a graduated repayment scheme – where monthly repayments in the first years are kept low and allowed to increase only gradually in later years – will be implemented. He likewise explained that aside from the provision of sustainable settlements, the project will generate multiplier effects in terms of business and employment. Valley View Townships is projected to deliver billions of pesos in jobs and investments. Moreover, this will result in additional revenues for the local government from real property taxes. Indeed, the backward and forward linkages that will be created among various industries and agencies as a result of the massive construction in this project will certainly lead to local and regional economic development.

“Ang Tagoloan at mga karatig-pook nito ay makikinabang din sa dagdag na trabaho para sa site development at construction, sa benta ng mga materyales, furniture, at appliances,” Laxa noted. “ RGJ Realty Chairman Romeo Jalosjos, Sr. thanked and reiterated his support for SHFC for the fruition of the project, which will help power economic growth in the municipality. He shared that Valley View Townships is the largest undertaking under his belt and expressed hope that the township will help Tagoloan attain city status.

Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano explained that the economic impact of this project does not end upon the completion of the housing units. “This will not only be a development of structure but a development of economic activities,” he said, emphasizing that there will be a flow of household incomes and spending once the township is established.

Echoing the sentiment, Tagoloan Mayor Atty. Nadya Emano-Elipe expressed excitement over the economic opportunities that Valley View Townships will bring to her constituents. “We are grateful for this collaboration given that housing is one of our major concerns in our municipality,” she added.

For his part, Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia expressed hope that such a massive project and economic stimulus will be replicated in other parts of the province, especially in fast-urbanizing areas near the airport and seaports while SAGIP Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta sent a congratulatory video message that stressed his confidence in the ability of the developer to get the job done.

Also present during the ceremony were Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan, Dapitan Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Pal Jalosjos, Tagoloan Councilor Yevonna Yacine “Yvy” Emano, former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Cesar Jalosjos, DHSUD Region 10 Director Ariel Abragan, Landbank Lending Center Head Ronaldo Tumanda, and Pag-IBIG Fund Area Manager Rey Cue.

(SHFC)

A6

STORIES ABROAD

WE ACCEPT ANY KIND OF PRINTING JOBS.

Iran, Saudi FMs meet in China for first time in seven years

By PMT Desk

I

WE ALSO ACCEPT •

LAYOUT, EDITING AND PRINTING OF SCHOOL ORGANS, MAGAZINES AND TABLOID SIZE NEWSPAPERS.

•

WE ALSO PRINT COMMERCIAL CALENDARS CALL/TEXT: 063 3035565, 09477201555, 09481514695 OR VISIT US AT OUR PRINTING SHOP: CONSUNJI STREET, POBLACION, ILIGAN CITY

WE ARE ALSO IN NEED OF: • • •

• • •

• • • • •

ONE (1) LAYOUT ARTIST With knowledge on InDesign or Photoshop.

At least college level Iligan City-based.

ONE (1) ADMIN STAFF With knowledge on Simple Bookkeeping and Filing At least college level Iligan City-based.

ONE (1) MALE DRIVER Not over 55 years old With Driver’s License At least college level Iligan City-based With NBI & Police Clearance

1 DEAD | from Page A1

1 dead, 7 injured in Tel Aviv attack What happened?

The intervention of Israeli police against Muslim worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex by using disproportionate force with sound bombs, rubber-coated bullets and batons for two consecutive nights escalated tensions in occupied East Jerusalem.

Early Friday, the Israeli army said rockets were fired from Lebanon to the northern regions of the country and warning sirens were activated.

The Israeli foreign ministry said 34 rockets were launched in the attack and the army announced that three mortar shells were fired from Lebanon to the north in the evening.

Israel said the rocket attacks were carried out by Hamas elements stationed in Lebanon and blamed Hamas. Israel announced it launched airstrikes on Gaza in response to rockets fired from the enclave.

ENES CANLIAL JAZEERA

Vol. III, No. 43 | Apr 10-16, 2023 (Ramadan 19-25, 1444)

ranian Foreign Minister Hossein AmirAbdollahian and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, met in China a month after the two countries agreed to restore diplomatic relations under a China-brokered deal.

The top Iranian and Saudi diplomats met in the Chinese capital, Beijing, on Thursday morning.

Afterward, the two ministers presided over a meeting between the delegations of the two countries.

The two sides stressed the importance of the official restoration of mutual relations and discussed executive steps to reopen embassies in Tehran and Riyadh as well as missions in the Iranian city of Mashhad and the Saudi city of Jeddah.

They also exchanged views about certain issues pertaining to TehranRiyadh relations.

During the meeting, the Iranian foreign minister said Tehran and Riyadh have resumed their official relations, adding that bilateral talks and the exchange of messages between Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud expose that both sides are determined to expand ties.

Amir-Abdollahian stressed the importance of promoting trade, economic and investment cooperation and voiced Iran’s readiness to hold a meeting of the joint economic commis-

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, meet in the Chinese capital, Beijing, on April 6, 2023. (Photo by Iran's Foreign Ministry)

sion.

He noted that the expansion of economic and investment interaction can help the two countries consolidate their relations.

“Iran’s geopolitical position provides Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf littoral states with a unique opportunity to [enhance] trade cooperation with Iran’s northern states,” he said.

The Saudi foreign minister, for his part, said a new chapter has opened in cordial relations between Tehran and Riyadh.

He added that Saudi Arabia is ready to implement the agreements with Iran and welcomed the exchange of high-ranking delegations between the two countries in this regard.

Meanwhile, AmirAbdollahian also plans to meet with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang to discuss ways to promote

bilateral cooperation and issues of common concern in regional and international fields.

The meeting between Iranian and Saudi delegations follows three telephone conversations between Amir-Abdollahian and Al Saud, during which they discussed future steps regarding the landmark China-mediated reconciliation pact as well as other bilateral deals.

Beijing was chosen as the venue for the meeting as an extension of its positive role in mediating the Iran-Saudi rapprochement and facilitating communication between the two Middle Eastern powers.

After several days of intensive negotiations hosted by China, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on March 10 to resume their diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and diplomatic

missions after seven years of estrangement.

In a joint statement after signing the agreement, Tehran and Riyadh highlighted the need to respect each others’ national sovereignty and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of one another.

They agreed to implement a security cooperation agreement signed in April 2001 and another accord reached in May 1998 to boost economic, commercial, investment, technical, scientific, cultural, sports, and youth affairs cooperation.

To the dismay of the US and Israel, the detente has the potential to ease tensions across a region characterized by turbulence for decades.

Meanwhile, President Raeisi has already accepted an invitation from King Salman to visit Riyadh. PressTV

Arab League holds emergency meet, condemns Israeli aggression on al-Aqsa THE ARAB League has vehemently condemned the latest Israeli aggression against the al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Old City of al-Quds and the brutal assault on Palestinian worshipers observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The 22-member organization held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss circumstances surrounding the latest storming of the Muslim holy site by the Israeli regime forces and their violent raid against Palestinians performing Ramadan-related rituals there.

“We strongly condemn the crimes of the occupiers against defenseless worshipers in al-Aqsa Mosque,” the Arab League

Ministerial Council said in a statement.

“We strongly condemn any violation and attack by the Zionist occupation regime against Islamic and Christian holy places.”

The Council affirmed the right of Muslims and Christians to have safe and unrestricted access to their places of worship and to freely preach and practice their religious beliefs.

Holding Israel responsible for the crimes and measures that undermine freedom of worship in Islamic and Christian holy sites in the occupied alQuds, the Arab League Ministerial Council said such actions constitute a flagrant violation of United Nations resolutions, international law and interna-

tional humanitarian law.

“These attacks and crimes are a flagrant provocation to the feelings of believers everywhere, and threaten to ignite a spiral of violence that threatens security and stability in the region and the world,” the Council warned.

The Council called on the member states to take the necessary steps and measures at all levels, including launching an intensive diplomatic move, in order to protect the city of al-Quds, defend its Islamic and Christian sanctities, and support the political, social, economic and human rights of its people.

It also praised the “steadfastness” of Palestinians in the occupied city of al-Quds for defending al-

Aqsa Mosque and other holy sites in the face of the Israeli occupation forces’ crimes and systematic brutal attacks.

‘Israel must stop this dangerous escalation’ Earlier on Wednesday, the secretary-general of the League of Arab, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, condemned the Israeli forces' storming of alAqsa Mosque, calling on the international community to compel Israel to stop what he described as the dangerous escalation on the ground in the occupied territories.

Aboul Gheit said in a statement that such irresponsible actions in the holy places affect the religious feelings of millions of Muslims around the world.

(Turn to Page A7)

Classified Ads

Vol. III, No. 43 | Apr 10-16, 2023 (Ramadan 19-25, 1444)

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: This DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE (“DEED”), made and entered into by and among: SHERYL LOU MACEDA DURAN and APRIL MACEDA CORPUZ, all of legal age, with Sheryl Lou residing at 2008-205 Sherway Gardens Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9C0A5, and April residing at 0032 Lluch Y. Altea Subdivision, Purok Sunrise, Carbide Village, Barangay Tubod, Iligan City, Philippines 9200, respectively, herein referred to as the HEIRS; WITNESSETH: That the above-named HEIRS are the only surviving and lawful heirs of LOLITA MACEDA, who died intestate last December 23, 2007, and FEDERICO MACEDA, JR., who died intestate on February 1, 2020; That, at the time of their death, they have no personal properties of considerable value except their conjugal share over rea l property consisting of a house and lot located at Iligan City, covered by a Transfer Certificate of issued by the Registry of Deeds of Iligan City, and more particularly described as follows: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-25,592(a.f.)

(A parcel of land (Lot 17, Block 6 of the subdivision plan, (LRC Psd-179328, being a portion of lot 1-D-2-B-2-A, described on plan, (LRC) Psd-176254, LRC Rec. N-4805), situated in the Bo. of Camague, Iligan City Is. Of Mindanao. Bounded on the NE., pts. 3-4, by property of Modesto Castillo; on the SE., pts 4-1,

by Lot 18, Blk. 6; on the SW., pts. 1-2 by Road lot 1; and on the NW., pts. 2-3 by Lot 16, Blk. 6, all of the subdv. Plan. beginning at a pt. Marked “1” on plan, being S. 0 deg. 56’E., 1957.96 m. from BLLM 1, Iligan Cadastre; THENCE… N. 48 deg. 34’W., 12.00 m. to pt. 2; N. 41 deg. 26’R., 16.00 m. to pt. 3; S. 48 deg. 34’E., 12.00 m. to pt. 4; S. 41 deg. 26’W., 16.00 m. to the pt. Of beginning; containing an area of ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY -TWO (192) SQUARE METERS, more or less. All pts. Referred to are indicated on the plan and are marked on the ground by P.S.Eyl.Conc.Mons. 15x60 cms., bearings true; declination 1 deg. 42’E., date of the original survey, Feb. 13-15 & 16-18, 1932, and that of the subdv. Surv., executed by Salvador Laranjo, Geodetic Engr. on March 1-16, 1973.)

That there are no known debts or obligations due against the estate of the said decedent; That the real property attached herein is not tenanted and does not come within the operation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program; set forth;

That, it is to the very best interest of the parties hereto to adjudicate unto themselves the estate extra-judicially, in the form and manner hereinafter

NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises and invoking the provision of Sec. 1 Rule 74 of the Rules o f Court, the said HEIRS above-named have agreed to settle the estate extra-judicially and to this effect do hereby partition and adjudicate the same unto themselves and the foregoing inheritance, subject however to the liabilities imposed by Sec. 4, Rule 74 of the Rules of Court for a period of two years in favor of any other possible heirs, creditors or any other person deprived of the lawful participation over the said estate of the deceased and encumbrances; The parties agree to publish this instrument in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Iligan once a week for three consecutive weeks.

In the remote event that any other property of the decedent should ever be found which is not included hereinabove, the HEIRS hereto further agree as they do so agree to settle and distribute the same in like manner and proportion as herein established and disposed.

That the HEIRS hereby covenant and further warrant that should there be preterition or omission of one, some, or all of the compulsory heirs in the direct line, whether living or not at the time of the execution of this Deed, will not invalidate/nullify the terms and condi tions of this Deed. Instead, the HEIRS shall proportionately oblige themselves to pay to the omitted Heirs or the latters’ heir(s) the share which belongs to him/them, in accordance with the rules of succession under the Civil Code of the Philippines.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto affixed our signatures this 12 Feb 2020, at Iligan City, Philippines.

Heirs: (SGD) SHERYL LOU MACEDA DURAN

(SGD) APRIL MACEDA CORPUZ SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF:

(SGD) ERNESTO DURAN JR

(SGD) GRACE ADELAIDE O. REYES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Republic of the Philippines} City of Iligan} BEFORE ME this 12 Feb 2020 at Iligan City, Philippines, personally appeared the following persons, who are identified by me through competent evidence of identity:

NAME COMPETENT EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY DATE/PLACE ISSUED Sheryl Lou Maceda Duran Phil. Passport No. P4522085A Expires on Sept. 26,2022/Toronto, Canada April Maceda Corpuz Drivers License No. M02-18-004254 Expires on April 26, 2023/Iligan City Known to me and to me made known to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that the same is their own free voluntary act and deed.

This instrument refers to a Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate of consisting of three (3) pages including this page o n which the acknowledgement is written and duly signed by the parties and their instrumental witnesses.

WITNESS MY HAND AND NOTARIAL SEAL on the date and place first above written.

Doc. No.: 11 Page No.: 3 Book No.: IV Series of 2020 PMT: April 10, 2023; April 17, 2023; April 24, 2023.

(SGD) MICHAEL CAESAR A. ADVINCULA NOTARY PUBLIC ROLL OF ATTORNEY NO. 70765 / JUNE 4, 2018 IBP OR NO. 089950 / JAN. 4, 2020 / PASIG CITY PTR NO. 9395313 / JAN. 13, 2020 / ILIGAN CITY MCLE NO. VI - 0027337 / JUNE 20, 2019 COMMISSION SERIAL NO. 19-239 COMMISSION ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: This DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE is made and entered into this 3rd day of April 2023 by and between: JUNETHA ARMIROLA NALE, of legal age, Filipino, and a resident of Barangay Ubaldo Laya, Iligan City, JUNIFEM PEREZ ARMIROLA of legal age, Filipino, and a resident of Pasay City, ARMIE PEREZ ARMIROLA of legal age, Filipino, and a resident of Lazi, Siquijor, and JESSER PEREZ ARMIROLA of legal age, Filipino, and a resident of Barangay Ubaldo Laya, Iligan City, hereinafter referred to as the HEIRS; WITNESSETH, that: WHEREAS, the HEIRS are the sole heirs of the deceased EUGENIO SUMAGANG ARMIROLA JR (Eugenio hereinafter) who died on 10 August 2020 at Siquijor Provincial Hospital – Siquijor, Siquijor. A copy of EUGENIO’s Certificate of death is hereto attached as ANNEX “A”; WHEREAS, AMBROSIA PEREZ ARMIROLA (Ambrosia hereinafter) the legal wife of EUGENIO has also passed away on 18 March 2017 at the Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital at Iligan City. A copy of AMBROSIA’s Certificate of Death is hereto attached as ANNEX “B”; WHEREAS, the HEIRS are the only surviving children of EUGENIO; WHEREAS, JUNETHA ARMIROLA NALE is acting as the guardian of JESSER PEREZ ARMIROLA who is mentally impaired and thus is also signing in representation of the latter; WHEREAS, EUGENIO, at time of his death, is a holder of an active savings account with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Iligan City Branch with Account Number 9359236406 which has a current deposit of ONE HUNDRED SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED ONE PESOS (P107,501); WHEREAS, EUGENIO SUMAGANG ARMIROLA JR, died intestate, without Will of Testament, and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity; WHEREAS, the HEIRS are the only surviving heirs of EUGENIO SUMAGANG ARMIROLA JR, by these presents and pursuant to Section 1 of Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, hereby agrees to adjudicate unto themselves the said estate. The proceeds of the abo ve-described savings account of their late father in equal shares.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we hereunto set our hand on the 3rd day of April 2023.

The Heirs of EUGENIO SUMAGANG ARMIROLA JR (SGD) (SGD) JUNETHA ARMIROLA NALE JUNIFEM PEREZ ARMIROLA (SGD) (SGD) ARMIE PEREZ ARMIROLA JESSER PEREZ ARMIROLA Represented by JUNETHA ARMIROLA NALE SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF: _______________________ _________________________ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Republic of the Philippines) City of Iligan ) S.S BEFORE ME, a Notary Public for and in the City of Iligan, this 3rd day of April 2023 personally appeared the following individuals: NAME I.D Type I.D Number JUNETHA ARMIROLA NALE Postal Identity Card PRN L96210008608 P JUNIFEM PEREZ ARMIROLA SSS 33-8636966-6 ARMIE PEREZ ARMIROLA Philippine Driver’s License G04-17-000503 Known to me and to me known to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that the same are their free act and voluntary deed.

The foregoing Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate which consists of two (2) pages including the page on which this acknowledgement is written, has been signed on the left margin of each and every page by the concerned parties.

WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL, this 3rd day of APril 2023, in the City of Iligan, Philippines.

Doc. No. 93; Page No. 19; Book No. II; Series of 2023.

PMT: April 10, 2023; April 17, 2023; April 24, 2023.

(SGD) ATTY. MOH’D NAIF S. PIMPING NOTARY PUBLIC UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2024 COMMISSION NO. 23-408 ROLL NO. 70779 PTR NO. 8738594 01/03/2023 Iligan City IBP O.R NO. 251695 12/20/2022 AICLE Compliance No. ILIGAN CITY

A7

NOTICE Error in the publication of ads and legal notices should be reported to the Editors within three weeks after its publication.

Otherwise, we will not entertain any complaint relative thereto.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) MARAWI CITY ) S.S. X----------------------/

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG LEGAL HEIRS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: This Extra-Judicial Settlement of Estate, made and entered into by and among NAIMAH S. ABDULRAHMAN, JOHARY S. ABDULRAHMAN, MOHAMMAD S. ABDULRAHMAN, JOHAIRAH S. ABDULRAHMAN, MONJIE S. ABDULRAHMAN, JEYRAN S. ABDULRAHMAN, EYSHAM S. ABDULRAHMAN, ARHAM T. ABDULRAHMAN and AD’HAM T. ABDULRAHMAN, all of legal age, except the last three as minors and residents of Barangay Dalama, Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur. WITNESSETH: That the above-named parties are the sole heirs of the late ABDULRAHMAN L. HADJI SALIH being the latter’s legitimate children; That the late ABDULRAHMAN L. HADJI SALIH at the time of his death, was residing at Barangay Dalama, Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur and left no will and debt; That the late ABDULRAHMAN L. HADJI SALIH was a former DepEd. Teacher and a member of the Government Insurance System (G.S.I.S.) and left to his children all the benefits and claims from the G.S.I.S. as a consequence of his death; That pursuant to Section 1 of Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, by agreement between the parties herein, the entire estate or claims and benefits of the decedent from the Government Insurance System, shall be divided and settled among them in EQUAL SHARES pro indiviso and for purposes of expediency, the parties hereby authorized their sister JOHAIRAH S. ABDULRAHMAN to process and follow up all our claims at the G.S.I.S.; and That we are executing this instrument in order to attest to the truth of the above-mentioned facts and to support our claims at the Government Insurance System (G.S.I.S.) and for any other legal purposes.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we hereby set our hands this 23rd day of March, 2023 at Marawi City, Philippines.

(Sgd) (Sgd) NAIMAH S. ABDULRAHMAN JOHARY S. ABDULRAHMAN (Sgd) (Sgd) MOHAMMAD S. ABDULRAHMAN JOHAIRAH S. ABDULRAHMAN (Sgd) (Sgd) MONJIE S. ABDULRAHMAN JEYRAN S. ABDULRAHMAN (Sgd) (Sgd) EYSHAM S. ABDULRAHMAN ARHAM T. ABDULRAHMAN (Sgd) AD’HAM T. ABDULRAHMAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) MARAWI CITY ) S.S. X----------------------/ BEFORE ME, a Notary Public for and in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur, personally appeared NAIMAH S. ABDULRAHMAN, JOHARY S. ABDULRAHMAN, MOHAMMAD S. ABDULRAHMAN, JOHAIRAH S. ABDULRAHMAN, MONJIE S. ABDULRAHMAN, JEYRAN S. ABDULRAHMAN, EYSHAM S. ABDULRAHMAN, ARHAM T. ABDULRAHMAN and AD’HAM T. ABDULRAHMAN, with proper identification cards, known to me to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and that they acknowledhed to me that the same are their free acts and deeds.

WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL this 23 rd day of March 2023 at Marawi City, Philippines.

(Sgd) ATTY. CAIRODING P. MARUHOM NOTARY PUBLIC Until Dec. 31, 2023 Notarial Commission No. 474-22 Roll No. 35712-4/27/89 DOC. NO. 92 PTR No. 0300727-12/14/2021 PAGE NO. 17 IBP No. 167856-11/25/2021 BOOK NO. XXX MOLE Compliance No. VI-0028691 Series of 2023.

Valid until 4/14/2023 PMT: March 27, 2023; April 3, 2023; April 10, 2023.

Arab League… from Page A6 Aboul Gheit called on the international community to act quickly to force Israel to stop this dangerous escalation, which threatens to ignite the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

He also called on the Israeli regime to stop these provocative actions, warning against the consequences of exporting the internal political crisis in Israel to the Palestinian people.

Dozens of heavily armed Israeli forces stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Tuesday night before firing tear gas and stun grenades into the Qibli prayer hall, where hundreds of men, women, elderly people and children were staying overnight to pray. Some eyewitnesses said rubber-coated steel bullets were also fired.

Israeli officers then beat worshipers with batons and riot guns, wounding many, before arresting them.

Videos from inside the mosque showed Israeli officers repeatedly hitting people with batons while they appeared to lie on the floor. In the meantime, the cries for help from women and children could be heard in the background.

Since the start of the holy month, the Israeli regime has imposed strict restrictions on the entry and exit of Palestinians to and from the gates of al-Aqsa Mosque. Amid heightened tensions with Palestinian worshipers, Israeli settlers also press ahead with their frequent incursions and provocative rituals at the holy site.

Press TV

A8

Feature

Vol. III, No. 43 | Apr 10-16, 2023 (Ramadan 19-25, 1444)

(COURTESY OF BRO. ABDULSALAM BATAO)