MINDANAO DAILY T H E P U RV E YO R O F T R U T H , J U S T I C E , A N D D E V E LO P M E N T
Volume VI, No. 247
Website: www.mindanaodailynews.com
Sat-Sun
March 25-26, 2017
P15.00
Duterte to grace Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival 2017 today
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BY GERRY LEE GORIT
AGAYAN DE ORO CITY – THE provincial government of Bukidnon has confirmed that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte will be the guest of honor during this year’s culmination of the Kaamulan Festival, March 25. Governor Jose Maria Zubiri Jr. said in a press conference in Malaybalay City recently that the President will witness the culminating activities of the annual Kaamulan Festival. “I could not tell you what time [he’ll be arriving] for security reason, but definitely he’s coming,” Zubiri said. He said all the security measures had already been prepared for the President’s appearance, especially at the Provincial Capitol grounds where the ethnic street dance showdown will take place. At the grounds, the area in front of the stage was cordoned off with steel railings to prevent the spectators from going near where
Duterte will sit. Among the attractions of the festival, which runs from February 1 to March 25 are bazaars, garden show, food fest, agri-fair, cultural arts exhibit, concerts, tribal rituals, drum and bugle contest, fish and tarantula show, ethnic sports, tribal wedding, sports tournaments, pageants, fun run, and the ethnic street dancing competition. The Kaamulan is an ethnic festival held every year in Malaybalay. The word comes from the native term “amul” meaning “to gather,” hence, it is the assembly of Bukidnon tribal peoples for various purposes ranging from an enthronement of A cowboy snares a calf with a lasso in the breakaway portion of the rodeo competition in Malaybalay City on Thursa “datu” or a lumad or an day (March 23, 2017). Bukidnon is currently celebrating Kaamulan Festival that will culminate in a street dancing See kaamulan, page 11
competition on Saturday. MindaNews photo by H. Marcos C. Mordeno
2 Malaysian crew members rescued in Sulu By MINDANEWS
DAVAO CITY – Two Malaysian crew members kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf eight months ago were rescued at 2 a.m. Thursday in Kalinggalang Caluang near Pata Island, Sulu, the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) said. A press release from Malaysians Tayudin Anjut and Abdurahim bin Sumas after the WestMinCom’s Public their rescue. Photo courtesy of WestMinCom
Information Office said a Fleet-Marine team composed of sailors and Marines under the Joint Task Force Sulu “successfully rescued” Tayudin Anjut, 45, and Abdurahim bin Sumas, 62, during a “focused military operation” launched by combined elements of the Philippine
Marine Ready Force Sulu, Marine Special Operations Group, and Marine Battalion Landing Teams 1 and 3 in Kalinggalang Caluang. Anjut and Sumas were among five Malaysian crewmen of Tugboat Serudung 3 who were kidnapped on July 19, 2016 on the seawaters of Dent Haven, Tambisan, Lahad Datu, Sabah by the group under Abu Sayyaf
sub-leader Sibih Pissih. They were reported missing after their tugboat and barge were recovered without them in Tanjung Labian, Lahad Datu Sabah. Prior to Thursday’s rescue, the Marines received information that Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya with about 30 fully armed followers and two See rescued, page 11