2
TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 20, 2012
Second FrontPage Editor: CRIS DIAZ Email: crisguardian@yahoo.com Editorial : mindanaodailynews@gmail.com • Advertising : mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com
NOW Available
BWM MAG
In retrospect: Datu Piang DULAWAN was founded and first ruled by Rajah Buayan, a descendant of Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab Missionary who pioneered Islam in Mindanao and Sulu. Brave and Fanatic as he was in Islam, Rajah Buayan fiercely resisted the entry of the Spanish Conquistadores in his areas of dominion. In the early part of 1900, Datu Piang was considered the largest municipality in Mindana, under the Empire Province of Cotabato now splintered into five (5) different provinces; (1) Sarangani; (2) Sultan Kudarat; (3) South Cotabato (4) North Cotabato; and (5) Maguindanao under which Datu Piang is jurisdictionally located. Dulawan, a derivative word from a Maguindanaon vernacular “DALAWAN” which means unequalled, unsurpassed, unparalleled and incomparable is a replica of its rulers, governance and the municipality itself in terms of fame and popularity. The reig n of R ajah Buayan lasted up to the later part of 18th century while the young Amai Mingka or Datu Piang was becoming to win the sympathy of the people on account of his charismatic leadership. He never claimed himself as a Datu nor a Sultan but his people and constituents enthroned him to lead and govern. During his reign as a leader, he manifested his charisma by the construction of the six kilometerroad from Poblacion to barangay Pagatin traversing the deep swampy areas of the barangays in between without any engineering equipments. His people voluntary offered services as a gesture of a sincere submission of obedience and loyalty. Known far and wide for his brilliancy, Datu Piang or Amai Mingka was acclaimed most generous and most kind which qualities of a leader opened attraction to people far and wide to migrate in his area of dominion. Needless to say, he was a model leader and an idol of his people and governance. By virtue of an Executive Order No. 66 by his Excellcency, President Manuel L. Quezon on November 25, 1936, Dulawan was proclaimed as an independent municipality. This event called for a dialogue among the elders and convened to select from among the Piang Clan the most qualified to the political position as
Municipal Mayor. As a result, Datu Ugalingan Piang was then appointed the first Municipal Mayor of this town being the most educated and experienced as first Maguindanaon Congressman. His term started in 1936 up to 1938. He eventually turned over the leadership to his younger brother, Datu Pindililang Piang up to 1942. On August 9, 1942 during the incumbency of Mayor Datu Pindililang Piang, the Japanese Imperial Army occupied Dulawan. Loyal and true to his people and republic, he secretly supported the Philippine Army under the command of his elder brother Datu Gumbay Paing who fiercely fought against the Japanese troops. However, he was betrayed causing his murder to martyrdom by the Japanese imperialists. Through elderly forum and diplomatic succession, Datu Gansung Piang was the choice to assume the vacated office up to 1943. In 1945, the American Forces bombed and assaulted the regiments and concentration camps of the Japanese Imperial Army and successfully liberated the town from the hands of the Japanese invaders. From 1 9 4 5 to 1 9 4 6 , Datu Ido Kamaong was appointed Municipal Mayor followed by Datu Motin Ampatuan in 1946 to 1947. Thereafter, Datu Ugalingan Piang was reappointed up to 1949. On July 24, 1949, Balabagan Tending took over and ruled up to 1951. In 1951, the first local election was conducted where Datu Mentang Samama won over Datu Balabagan Tending with Datu Dagadas Piang as Vice Mayor. During his reign, Dulawan was renamed Datu Piang in honor of Amai Mingka or Datu Piang by virtue of Republic Act No. 1035 dated June 12, 1945. In 1956 local election, Datu Dagadas Piang won over Datu Mentang Samama whose term ended
in 1956. In 1960 local election, Datu Iskak Ampatuan defeated Datu Dagadas Piang and his term expired in 1963. Another local election in 1964 was conducted where Datu Mentang Samama won and recovered Habeas Corpus was suspended and eventually put the entire country under Martial Law through Presidential Proclamation No. 1081. However, Mayor Samama in 1976 officially turned over the mayoralty to his son-in-law, Tong Uy Tina whose term lasted for ten (10) years, from 1976 to 1986. In 1986, the famous EDSA revolution dethroned President Marcos by President Corazon C. Aquino, the widow of the assassinated Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. On October, 1986, Engineer Sahid Piang was appointed OIC-Mayor but lasted only for months because of his untimely death. There being no Vice-Mayor, Mr. Amado Ganoy was temporarily appointed OIC-Mayor until Datu Abas Nanding Piang was Officially installed as OIC-Mayor to assume the unexpired term. 1988 local election enthroned Datu Ben P. Mokalid as Municipal Mayor with Hon. Abusama U. Sampulna as the ViceMayor elect. He was reelected Municipal Mayor in 1992 local election with Datu Genuine P. Kamaong as Vice Mayor-elect. In 1993, Datu Ben P. Mokalid succumbed to his natural death and thus Datu Genuine P. Kamaong took over the mayor ship by operation of law. The latter’s term ended in June 30, 1995 and filed his candidacy for another election on May 8, 1995 but was defeated by his opponent Datu Saudi Uy Ampatuan with Datu Benny Boy P. Mokalid, son of the late Datu Ben P. Mokalid, as Vice-Mayor-elect. During the incumbency of Datu Saudi Uy Ampatuan
as the Municipal Mayor, he was able to reconcile families and group with disputes. The people of Datu Piang during this period had experienced various changes in terms of infrastructure and social development. Datu Saudi Uy Ampatuan was re-elected as Municipal Mayor with Honorable Datu Benny Boy P. Mokalid as the Vice Mayor elect in 1998 national and local elections. Another local election was conducted in 2001 where Datu Saudi Uy Ampatuan won for the third term as the Municipal Mayor and again with Datu Benny Boy Mokalid as the municipal vice mayor. On December 24, 2002 at about 11:00 A.M., an improvised bomb exploded along Datu Piang Avenue Extension while mayor Saudi Uy Ampatuan and thirteen (13) others were on their way to the mayor’s compound. The bomb explosion resulted to the sudden death of Mayor Datu Saudi Uy Ampatuan and thirteen (13) others. On January 30, 2003, Honorable Hadji Samer K. Uy, then ABC President, was appointed OIC-Municipal Mayor of Datu Piang , Maguindanao to reign for the un-expired term. On May 11, 2004 national and Local Elections, Honorable Hadji Samer K. Uy won unopposed for the municipality’s highest elective post, with Datu Genuine P. Kamaong as the Municipal Vice Mayor. The present administration under the mayoralty of Honorable Hadji Samer K. Uy envisions a progressive Datu Piang with adequate infrastructure facilities, economic and livelihood programs and a better quality of life for the people of Datu Piang under the auspices of a peaceful society. By virtue of MMA Act No. 151 and RLA Bill no. 58, the Municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan was created and separated from the municipality of Datu Piang which is composed of 14 Barangay’s. Subsequently in April 2012, Hon. Datu Genuine P. Kamaong, Vice Mayor assumed to office as Municipal Mayor by law of succession provided for by the Local Government Code. The new Mayor had now actively exercise full authority in the pursuit of program of this LGU for Unity, Peace, and Reconciliation for development.
Workers on board a tug boat investigate the source of an explosion on an oil rig platform owned by Black Elk Energy in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday. A Filipino OFW died in the freak accident. Supplied photo
Lone fatality in oil rig explosion from Iligan By CRIS DIAZ of Mindanao Daily News
THE lone Filipino fatality in the oil rig explosion in Louisiana on Friday in the Gulf of Mexico was reported to be a resident of Iligan City, the Department of Labor and Employment yesterday said. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda DimapilisBaldoz said the name of the victim, has not yet been disclosed pending notification of his family. Baldoz said that the eight other Filipino OFWs injured in the oil rig explosion, including the family of the OFW who died in the accident, will receive social and other benefits from the government. She said the fatality and the injured are all members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). According to Baldoz said that Labor Attaché Luzviminda Padilla in Washington D.C. has been immediately ordered dispatched to the area to extend assistance to the victims. She said labor officials already met the eight Filipino OFWS who are being treated in a hospital. The hospital will not release any medical bulletin on the victims without proper authorization, except for one Wilberto Ilagan who gave consent to make public his condition. The doctors said ‘his condition is improving,” said Baldoz citing a report from Padilla. Initial reports said that the explosion took place when maintenance workers used a torch to cut a pipe without knowing of an oil inside. The platform was not running oil at that time but gallons of oil had been stocked in the pipe, said John Hoffman, president and CEO of Black Elk Energy, owner of the oil rig platform. Twenty-two people were on board the rig when the fire and explosion took place unleashing a black plume of smoke. Eleven workers were evacuated and nine others were taken by helicopter to hospitals. Everyone on board was employed by Grand Isle Shipyard, not Black Elk. OIL | page 10
Mayor’s brod terrorizes town, 100 families flee
COTABATO City––Residents of remote villages in a Maguindanao town have urged military and police authorities to end hostilities that have already displaced more than 100 families by serving the warrants of arrest for the brother of Mayor Otto Montawal of Datu Montawal municipality. Andy Montawal, wanted for a series of crimes, including rape of a university student in nearby Kabacan town in North Cotabato, clashed anew with another armed group in Datu Montawal town on Sunday, displacing more locals, authorities said. Andy, who maintains an DATU PIANG | page 10
armed group, is locked in a long standing family feud with another armed group affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) led by Commander Bingkug. Sunday’s skirmish was the eight since October. An infant was killed by a stray bullet in one of the skirmishes last month when Andy’s followers traded bullets with the followers of Commander Bingkug. According to police and military reports, the conflict between Andy and Bingkug started when one of the rebel leader’s relatives was allegedly killed by Andy’s men in nearby Kabacan town.