Philippine Muslim Today

Twisted Terrorism

Israel is at it again!

Bad effects of cigarette smoking

Censorship in Press Freedom

Prayers as effective COVID19 precautionary

Mehol K. Sadain | Page A4

Macabangkit B. Lanto | Page A4

Benj Bangahan | Page A5

Ali G. Macabalang | Page A6

Abdul Hannan Tago | Page A6

Editorial

Bearer of Glad Tidings

Let’s go Federal | See Page A4

Vol. I, No. 05 | July 17-23, 2020 (Dhul-Qadah 26-Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1441) | 10 Pages | Metro Manila

BASULTA-bound LSIs spike BARMM COVID-19 cases Stranded 117 transients tested positive so far

By ALI G. MACABALANG Chief of Correspondents

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LSIs BUSES: These are some of the buses chartered by the Bangsamoro government while arriving in Cotabato City in the evening of July 7 carrying the BASULTA-bound LSIs from Cagayan de Oro City; and some of the shuttled adults and children are shown at a reception area. (Photo courtesy of Myrna Jo Henry of BARMM's Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READI) Team)

Inside Stories A2

Editor Jannaral represents PMT in an int’l journalism training

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BTA Marawi committee holds 3rd public hearing

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Manhunt for brain of broadcaster murder continues

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5 NPAs return to the fold of law in Sultan Kudarat province

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Mindanao press group mourns ABS-CBN franchise denial

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Malaysia’s Islamic University scores 3 firsts on Sustainability Award

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SIBUTU: Boat Builder of the South

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Basilan hostile no more but made peaceful by its own LGUs

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Puerto Princesa retrofitting Tourism sector

he plight of rerouted BASULTA -bound locally stranded individuals (LSIs) has caused a sharp spike in the total number of coronavirus disease (COVID19) cases in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as 117 of the 405 stranded transients tested positive of the virus.

(Full story on Page A2)

BARMM education ministry to use blended learning approach

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor

T BANG THAT GONG: BARMM Chief Minister Ahod "Al Hajj Murad" Ebrahim (right) and Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal (left) led the banging of a gong to signal the official launching of the MBHTE's Flagship Programs for school year 2020-2021.

(Contributed Photo)

he Bangsamoro regional government’s Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) will be using a ‘blended learning’ approach for school year 2020-2021 to ensure that the educational services in the Bangsamoro region will not be hampered amid shifting to the ‘new normal’ brought by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

(Full story on Page A7)

News

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Vol. I, No. 05 | July 17-23, 2020 (Dhul-Qadah 26-Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1441)

BASULTA-bound LSIs spike BARMM COVID-19 cases

By ALI G. MACABALANG Chief of Correspondents

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OTABATO CITY: The plight of rerouted BASULTAbound locally stranded individuals (LSIs) has caused a sharp spike in the total number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as 117 of the 405 stranded transients tested positive of the virus.

Interviewed over a radio station in Kidapawan City by phone patch on Wednesday, BARMM Spokesman Naguib Sinarimbo said stiff measures were being administered on all of the 405 BASULTAbound LSIs after mass testing showed that 38 more of turned positive as of the time of interview.

The reported test result on the 38 brought to 117 the number so far among the rerouted LSIs bound for Basilan, Sulta and Tawi-Tawi

(BASULTA), according to lawyer Sinarimbo, who is also BARMM’s Local Government minister.

On July 13, BARMM’s Bureau of Pubic Information (BPI) said 78 of the transients for BASULTA had tested positive. In two-day span, the figure rose to 117 as indicated in Sinarimbo’s report.

The BARMM spokesman, however, clarified that all of those positive transientpatients were “asymptomatic” and that health workers as

well as security contingents have been attending to LSIs in quarantine areas at the Santitarium facility in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and in designated isolation areas of Camp Darapanan, in the same town.

He took exception to rumors that some of the BASULTA-bound LSIs had escaped, saying an official verification proved the contrary.

The BPI, citing report from the BARMM’s Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID19, reported on July 13 that the Bangsamoro region had posted 244 confirmed cases with 139 active cases, 100 recoveries and 6 deaths. The new positive results among 38 more LSIs would increase the figure to 282.

Sinarimbo said the region-

al autonomous government on Tuesday conveyed to the national IATF the plight of the 405 BASULTA-bound LSIs. He said the national task force acknowledged loose coordinative efforts in the plight of the LSIs. The government charted a vessel, the Aboitiz-owned MV St. John Paul II, to ferry the 405 LSIS to Zamboanga City port from Manila on July 7.

But the boat dropped off instead the LSIs composed of adults and minors at the port of Cagayan de Oro City.

Sinarimbo said the regional government was still waiting for official explanation behind the rerouted ferry services for the 405 LSIs. At first, he said, the BARMM government had made arrangements with the Western Mindanao Command

the use of Navy boats to shuttle the LSIs to their communities in BASULTA, but the arrangement was forgone due to discovery of virus affliction among them.

The regional government also sought the assistance of the national IATF to help in the tracking of persons who might have got in contacts with LSIs while in Metro Manila and along their travel by boat.

He urged the public, especially the local government units of BASULTA to receive the LSIs. He said the regional authorities would provide all necessary services for the LSIs, but the affected transients prefer services by the LGUs of areas where they reside.

Ali G. Macabalang

Editor Jannaral represents PMT in an international journalism training

By PMT EDITORIAL TEAM

ture is not possible, the training as mentioned is via Online using the Zoom Platform where trainers all the way from Germany interact acted freely with the student trainees based in the different parts of the Philippines.

Sheila Mysorekar, one of the trainers from DW Akademie admitted that it is also their first time to conduct an online training by Webinar.

Hence, the Philippine

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he Philippine Muslim Today though considered an infant electronic newspaper with its digital format now on the 5th issue is going international.

This is in our efforts to give a well prepared and professional journalistic writings of our news materials for our Muslim and nonMuslim readers alike.

Julmunir I. Jannaral who carried the banner of Philippine Muslim Today up to Berlin, Germany is among the successful graduates of the Online Training on Conflict

Muslim Today as represented by Managing Editor Jannaral was congratulated by Anke Melzer as the Project Head of Deutsche Welle

Sensitive Journalism (CSJ) particularly applicable for the Mindanao setting.

CSJ was being presented by among the professional journalists from Germany done through a Webinar by Zoom Platform.

The Online Training for Conflict Sensitive Journalism (CSJ) is applicable for Mindanao setting. It is being hosted by the Andrea Marshall M.A., Project Manager |Journalist Trainer, Asia & Europe Division Deutsche Welle (DW), Akademie; and Online Lecturer Sheila Mysorekar, and Martin Schmidt who are all based in Berlin, Germany.

Hence, due to the COVID-19 pandemic where a face to face lec-

(DW) in Berlin, Germany as among the successful graduates of the Webinar.

In the same manner, the PMT Managing Editor received a Certificate of Media Development and certified for successfully completing the training on Conflict Sensitive Journalism as part of the project Conflict Transformation in Mindanao. It is duly signed by Carsten von Nahmen, Managing Director of DW Akademie of Berlin, Germany.

The PMT family extend our heartfrlt congratulations to Brother Munir for another accomplishment in his profession as a journalist. PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY

News

Vol. I, No. 05 | July 17-23, 2020 (Dhul-Qadah 26-Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1441)

BTA Marawi committee holds 3rd public hearing

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Manhunt for brain of broadcaster murder continues

By JULIET SOLIS zon’s killers,” added PTFoMS ALACANANG PALCo-Chair and Presidential ACE, Manila: The PresCommunications Operations

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL idential Task Force on Media Office Secretary Martin AnManaging Editor Security (PTFoMS) assured danar. family and friends that the It can be recalled that OTABATO CITY: The Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s (BTA) Special Committee government is stepping up its Judge Henelinda Molina-Diaz on Marawi held its third public hearing last Monday, to gather information on the efforts to capture the master- of Kidapawan Regional Trial efforts of the ministries and offices of the Bangsamoro Government for the recovery and mind behind the gruesome Court (RTC) Branch 61 earlier rehabilitation of Marawi City. murder, which marked the first ordered the arrest of Tabusdeath anniversary of Brigada ares under Criminal Case News FM anchor Eduardo no. 5281-2019. A copy of the “Ed” Dizon last July 10. warrant was transmitted to the Secretariat in “On this day of July 10, we PTFoMS join in the grief and feel deep Malacañang.

Judge Diaz also issued solidarity with the victim’s family, friends and colleagues arrest warrants for Junell Poof our fellow journalist, Ed ten, alias Junell Gerozaga, Dizon, as we commemorate and Sotero Jacolbe Jr., alias his first death anniversary. Jun Jacolbe, in connection We guarantee that the perpe- with Dizon’s murder. Jacolbe trators of this dastardly deed surrendered to authorities but will be dealt with the full force Poten and Tabusares remain of our laws ” said PTFoMS at large. Jacolbe was thereafExecutive Director, USec. ter released by Judge Arvin Sadiri Balagot of the Jose Joel M. Sy Egco.

Kidapawan RTC Branch 17 The Philippine National after posting a PHP500,000 Police (PNP) is continuing its manhunt for Dante Encar- bail bond.

Dizon was a veteran journacion Tabusares a.k.a. Bong nalist and former news anchor Encarnacion, the alleged of Brigada News-Kidapawan mastermind of the gruesome BTA SPECIAL COMMITTEE: The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Special Committee on Marawi City.

He was on his way home holds its 3rd Session and public hearing right in Marawi City where the BTA has full support to the city's murder, and other suspects. in his car after an evening Earlier, the PTFoMS sent reconstruction, rehabilitation, and recovery. It is chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) Ali Solaiman, while MPs Atty. Anna Tarhata Basman, Hamid Aminoddin Barra, and Abdul- an urgent letter to PNP Police radio program when gunmen lah Macapaar are Vice-Chairpersons. It has 29 members, including all 21 MPs from the Lanao Region.

Region Office 12 to verify re- onboard a motorbike opened (Contributed Photo) ports of sightings of Tabus- fire on him on July 10, 2019.

The former town councilor representatives from the naares who was allegedly enjoyMember of Parliament BARMM-Bridge through of Makilala, North Cotabato ing the protection of some (MP) and Special Committee MPW; emergency assistance, tional government, Internally died on the spot due to multiunscrupulous local officials. on Marawi Vice-chairperson social pension, and supple- Displaced Persons (IDP), and ple gunshot wounds.

Tabusares was a staunch government units lawyer Anna Tarhata Basman mentary programs by MSSD; local Egco emphasized that “the supporter of Kapa (Kabus said, “It is a venue for these reconstruction of schools by (LGUs).

PTFoMS is on top of the situPadatoon) investment “The committee was able agencies and institutions to MBHTE; and the update on ation and will be relentless in scheme that was ordered report and let the public know the P500-million budget in the to gather a lot of information bringing justice for Dizon and closed by the government.

An what they are doing, what Bangsamoro Appropriations [and] observe lapses in terms all other victims of violence they have done, and what Act (BAA) by the BTA in sup- of the policy, especially with alias warrant for his arrest has against media workers as a already been obtained by the their plans are, including tar- port to the Marawi City’s re- the directly affected staketestament to the commitment PNP for his capture. gets.” construction, rehabilitation, holders. There are instances “The issuance of a warrant of President Rodrigo Duterte when the IDPs are unaware of The ministries who pre- and recovery. for Tabusares’ arrest is con- to protect press freedom.” sented were the Ministry of According to Basman, the the developments of the reha- crete proof that authorities are The PTFoMS shall continPublic Works (MPW), Ministry special committee is targeting bilitation and we take it as our serious and proactive in going ue to monitor and inform the of Agriculture, Fisheries, and to pass their committee report obligation to make them after brazen criminals. There public on the developments of Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), to the parliament in August aware through our public will be no escape from the the investigation on Dizon’s hearings,” Basman explained.

Ministry of Social Services this year. law. I commend the PNP for murder.

Aside from the public hear- tirelessly searching for Diand Development (MSSD), Marawi City is composed JULIET SOLIS Ministry of Finance, Budget of 96 barangays, where 23 of ings, the committee on Maraand Management (MFBM), which were the most affected wi also conducted dialogues Ministry of Health (MOH), and area (MAA) during the devas- through consultations or perMinistry on Human Settle- tating Marawi siege in 2017 sonally reaching out to the ments and Development that displaced over 40,000 IDPs for assistance.

Last week, the special (MHSD), as well as the Bang- households. committee held a dialogue samoro Planning and DevelIn September last year, opment Authority (BPDA). the BTA formed the Special with the IDP representatives ritten in Maranao and in English, “We know that in the Committee on Marawi, to get updates on their current this short pamphlet called “Asma Bangsamoro Organic Law, through Resolution no. 41, to status, considering the threeAllah Al-Husna go so Ped a Kipantagithe jurisdiction over Marawi gather data and information month gap between the public rehabilitation was retained by on the status of the Marawi hearing caused by Coronayan (Lagido Manga Kibolong Iyan)” can the national government, recovery, reconstruction, and virus Disease (Covid-19) panserve as a good companion book of a through the Task Force Ban- rehabilitation, among other demic.

Muslim for if properly recited and applied “But this is also to make gon Marawi,” Basman ex- functions. in life, it will be of great benefit to him or plained.

Deputy Chief Minister and them feel that we haven’t forto her, In sha Allah.

“But, we still maintain Member of Parliament (MP) gotten the duty of the Bangsince it’s part of the constitu- Ali Solaiman is the chairper- samoro Government through Always remember the powers and secrets ency of the region. We need son, while MPs Basman, Ha- the parliament to put attention in the Heavens and the Earth are all emto give life to the mandate of mid Aminoddin Barra, and to their plight,” Basman asserted. the BARMM to supplement Abdullah Macapaar are Vicebodied in the Beautiful and Magnanimous The Special Committee on national government initia- Chairpersons. It has 29 memNames of His Most Exalted Name. tives on Marawi rehabilita- bers, including all 21 MPs Marawi is set to hold another public hearing on July 20, tion,” she added. from the Lanao Region.

For a copy or two, you may write to us at: The programs that each The first and second pub- 2020, with International GovEditor. Philippine Muslim Today Organizations ministry presented include lic hearing were both held in ernment health programs by MOH; Marawi City in January and (INGO).

Email: muslimtoday@gmail.com (With BPI-BARMM) housing programs by the February, respectively, with

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Asma Allah Al-Husna: The best book companion of a Muslim

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Opinion

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Vol. I, No. 05 | July 17-23, 2020 (Dhul-Qadah 26-Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1441)

Israel is at it again!

Ijtihad

MACABANGKIT B. LANTO

MEHOL K. SADAIN

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Suspiciously, these are strategies to serve the interest of Trump and Netanyahu, who are both facing political problems.”

Twisted Terrorism

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efore the term “terrorism” became a media and state intelligence favorite, there were the references to “extremism”, “radicalism”, “resurgence”, “revivalism” and the original “fundamentalism”, which in the context of the conflict in the Middle East, were all linked to Islam. “Fundamentalism” was first used by Christians to refer to their fellow faithful who adhered to traditional fundamentals and a literal reading of the Bible, and was later conveniently applied to Muslims who exhibited the same theological methodology.

The negative connotation that in due time, came to attach to the term “fundamentalism” was of course, erroneous and unfortunate. Religious fundamentals are always positive anchors of faith and worship, when they are not twisted. I recall an article I wrote in 2000 which was published in two parts by a national daily under the title “Twisting Islam” (PDI, May 5 & 7, 2000).

That article advocated viewing and understanding the fundamental concepts of “jihad”, “Shari’ah” and the “Muslim Ummah”, “rooted as they are in the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah or tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)” … “in their original context instead of what self-serving ideologues make them to be.”

Drawn from the Qur’an, “jihad” was “jihad fiy sabiilillah” or striving in the Way of Allah, and referred to reforming the self rather than killing so-called infidels. Surah 61, Verses 10-11 declares: “O ye who believe!

Shall I show you a commerce that will save you from the painful doom? You should believe in Allah and His Messenger, and should strive in the Way of Allah (tujaahiduuna fiy Sabiilillahi) with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if you but knew.” The killing and violence that are usually associated with jihad uses a different word, qaatiluu, as in the verse, “And fight in the Way of Allah (qaatiluu fiy Sabilillah) those who fight you, but do not transgress limits (laa ta’taduu); for Allah loves not the transgressors (mu’tadeen).” (Surah 2, Verse 190) This verse shows that there are rules (limits) of physical violence against the enemy, which must not be violated, and by way of implication, that qaatiluu (killing) is different from jihad (striving). As a result, the jihad that is attended by physical violence is categorized as jihad li muqaatalati l-ada’e or jihad by killing the enemy, IJTIHAD | A6

Returnees spike BARMM Covid-19 positive cases!

Let’s go Federal

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f we still remember, political dynasty after the 1972 Martial Law started at the time of the late President Corazon C. Aquino when the new Constitution was framed and ratified and a new local government code was adopted.

Among the principal authors of these changes was the late Aquilino Pimentel Jr., father of Senator Koko Pimentel, who was then local government secretary or minister and one of those committee members appointed by President Duterte to draft a constitution of the President’s proposed federalism.

From then on, political dynasty has began to build and now here we are ruled by families in our respective localities. How it came so rapidly and whatever reasons there are, political clans controlled the development of our areas with the power and money aimed for the public welfare they consider their own at their disposal.

Sad to say, indeed, political clans ruling us have not helped alleviate the conditions of the Filipino people in any aspect of their way of life — political, economic, cultural etc. — because the problem is rooted in the very system that Filipino lives are subjected to follow as citizens of this country.

They may argue the dreaded Coronavirus has overtaken them in their desire to truly improve the lot of their people. What a foolish contention. They were given more than enough time to do their task.

But they did not until the virus arrived.

There is an urgent need, therefore, to change this system. We see Federalism so far as the best solution for our woes and miseries. But if this could not happen, then revolutionary government can be another alternative. Think of it. ***** FOR THE RECORD. In America, Coronavirus takes greater toll on non-white Americans Coronavirus deaths among Americans ages 65 and younger are more common among non-whites than among whites, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in a publication.

Overall, 34.9 percent of Hispanic patients who died were younger than 65, while 29.5 percent of non-whites who died were under 65 compared with only 13.2 percent of white, non-Hispanic decedents.

Editorial

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY

INTERIM BOARD OF EDITORS: TEMPORARY BUSINESS OFFICES: Lot1, Blk1, Vizcarra Compound, Molino 3, Bacoor City 4102 Cavite Province Phone: 09152184388| 09778430218 Email: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com Http://www.philmuslimtoday.wordpress.com

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Dean Masiding Noor Yahya Interim Chairman, Publisher & Editor-In-Chief Ambassador Macabangkit Lanto Commissioner Nasser A. Marohomsalic Julmunir I. Jannaral, J.D. Benj Bangahan, M.D. Abdul Hannan Tago, PhD. Johnny R. Lee, PhD Ali G. Macabalang Allan Afdal Nawal

political storm is brewing in the Zionist region. Israel is flexing its political muscle to formally annex territories it is presently occupying. This will confound the anxiety overwhelming the residents brought by the killer pathogen.

Last week, international news agencies reported that “Israel is preparing to make the first major expansion of its sovereign borders in almost 40 years with its plan to annex portions of the West Bank now held under Israeli military and civilian rule.”

It baffles the mind why Israel should make this unnecessary provocation. The timing is suspicious. It attempted before, but failed. Why stir the hornet’s nest now? Is Israel feeling guilty and wants its illegal occupation to be de jure? It has been governing and exercising sovereignty over this swath of the West Bank since the 1967 Six Day War it won as booty.

Need we remind the Zionist state that the days of land conquest by the Alexanders and Julius Caesars of the world are now a thing of the past? The saga of the pillage and adventurism of colonizers in pursuit of their hegemonic campaign is now relegated to history, folk tales and bedtime stories to regale juveniles. The modern world and various United Nation’s resolutions invoking international laws make expansionism abhorrent, immoral and utterly illegal, including defensive war — a claim used by Israel as justification.

Readers, take note that this move doesn’t have the support of a considerable number of Israelites. In fact, the government has to agenda the move in Israel’s Knesset for approval, and the present ruling coalition doesn’t look that solid. It will have to walk the extra mile to legislate it.

In the recent past, Israel made political moves to “test the water.” First was the transfer of its capital to Jerusalem and another was the launch of the 181-page Middle East Peace Plan by United States President Donald Trump. The common sponsor of these moves was Trump.

The first strategy was precipitated by the announcement of Washington that it will transfer its embassy to Jerusalem, being the seat of government. For a while, Filipino observers were uneasy following Rappler’s wrong report that our Philippine Embassy at Tel Aviv will follow that of the US in Jerusalem. It turned out to be fake news. A group of militant Muslim students and youths demonstrated at the US Embassy.

LANTO | A6

INTERIM EDITORIAL STAFF JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Acting Managing Editor & Metro Manila News Bureau Chief ALI G. MACABALANG Acting News Editor & Chief of Reporters KIM BAGUNDANG Acting Bangsamoro Region Bureau Chief ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Acting Lanao Provinces Bureau Chief MARK EDRIEL “TWISTER” ORTIL Cartoonist FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Acting Advertising Sales Director

SAID AHMAD BASHER Religious Affairs Adviser FILEMON G. ROMERO In Charge of Environment and Conservation JOHNNY R. LEE In Charge of Tourism & Photography COLUMNISTS: MEHOL K. SADAIN MACABANGKIT B. LANTO BENJ BANGAHAN JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL ALI G. MACABALANG

Opinion

My twocents Rx BENJ S. BANGAHAN, M.D., FPCP, FPCCP

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t may be quite appropriate to train our attention again on cigarette smoking, one habit that man easily gets himself hooked to for a reason that is rather ironical, especially relative to the man’s health, which is the one aspect of human life that needs to be maintained in comfortable distance, if only possible, from any possible impairing factor. But in the case of a smoker, it is exactly his health, in many multiple ways, that bears the bad consequences that are inherently associated with tobacco.

Perhaps smoking has been underestimated in regard to how exactly nasty it is, for most likely smokers, and in fact even some nonsmokers, do not know about the undesirable nastiness that cigarettes, nay tobacco

in general, have been found to possess, whose effects can be imparted to the unlucky ones hooked to the habit of smoking. What they are aware about only is the short feel-good experience as an effect of smoking. For that reason, a wicked but moneyed happy-go-lucky person of either sex, when overwhelmed by the drive to satisfy the self, is apt to disregard the potential harm the body will suffer from in the future.

Cigarette smoke has much more complex contents than what smokers think.

Researchers have found thousands of chemicals in each puff, and fortunately only about 70 of them are found to be carcinogens, or can initiate the process of cancer-growth; much more fortunate is that much fewer

Vol. I, No. 05 | July 17-23, 2020 (Dhul-Qadah 26-Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1441)

More on cigarette smoking, and its bad effects on human health than 70 are documented to have manifested their undesirable disease-producing characters.

The complex mixture of chemicals are categorized into gases, as exemplified by carbon monoxide (MO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and nitrogen oxides; volatile chemicals like formaldehyde, acrolein, benzene and N-nitrosamines, and are contained in the liquid-vapor portion of the smoke; and the solid ones like nicotine, phenol, polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs).

Nicotine is the addictive chemical content of cigarette smoke, and it is the one and only factor that hooks the smokers into repeating and repeating their smoking habit.

However, the other chemicals in the complex are also inhaled by the smokers, and therefore are free to exert their undesirable effects.

A simplified way of presenting them is made to follow.

Considered as dangerous

parts of tobacco smoke: a) tar – the term made to refer to solid particles suspended in smoke, tar contains chemicals that cause cancer; it is sticky and brown and can stain the teeth and fingernails; smokers who are autopsied have their respiratory tree and lung tissues typically colored; b) carbon monoxide – an odorless and colorless poisonous gas, which in high doses can lead to immediate death since it takes over oxygen; c) oxidizing chemicals - they react with cholesterol, enhancing the thickening of the blood walls with consequent cardiovascular diseases with possible subsequent brain stroke and heart attack; d) cigarette smoke has several metals (arsenic, berrylium, cadmium, chromium cobalt, lead and nickel) that are capable of causing cancer; e) the radioactive compounds found in the smoke are cancer-causing.

The different systems in the human body are affected

he pandemic is a great time for writing when one is on Lockdown!

As I recall my timeline under normal time, I can say that I am under virtual under house arrest since the 12th of March 2020, and that was the last time when I was in Metro Manila and visited the NAMRIA (National Mapping and Resource Information Authority) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Then the following day I passed by one of the malls in Las Pinas City where at the grocery most of the customers at the grocery have their push carts almost full of grocery items. I did not realize that most of the people who understood what come next like lockdown will start the next few days they were already on panic buying.

I only saw few of the customers wearing face mask and the term COVID-19 was not that popular until Metro Manila and the rest of the provinces had a state of quarantine.

So Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Cavite and Laguna were declared under ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) where movement of people are restricted and

there is curfew at night time.

Thus some areas were under lockdown where travel outside residence is restricted unless to buy essential things like medicine.

In my case I began to adopt the Stay-At-Home since March 12this year and to acclimatize myself by just staring the four corners of the house or staring at the ceiling throughout the day.

Until one day I have a long conversation with long time colleague Masiding Noor Yahya who was my fellow journalist at the defunct Philippine Muslim Times. He was one of the Editors of that defunct Muslim newspaper and I was then the Chief of Correspondents. After several decades we met again and where at present I am a Senior Correspondent of The Manila Times where I worked for this national broadsheet since 1992. I invited Ding as the Manila Times Correspondent with an Area of Coverage involving Marawi City and the two Lanao Provinces with Iligan City as his base.

But by a stroke of faith both of us for some other reasons we both went on leave from Manila Times.

Thus during this pandemic our time are both vacant from dawn to sunset. We even discussed to resuscitate his moribund Friday Times that was in circulation every week in Metro Manila and elsewhere in the 80s. But then our plan to revive Friday Times did not materialize.

Somehow, one day we both felt restless. But it is good enough his weekly RANAO STAR is still in circulation to ward off his boredom.

Until one day in the first week of June this year he told me that we will have to put up a Digital electronic newspaper or e-newspaper weekly and he said it will be named as Philippine Muslim Today, which I seconded with an affirmative reply.

Thus on June 19, 2020 the Philippine Muslim Today was born as an e-newspaper in Digital format has the Maiden Issue with a banner headline titled: "Returnees to Bangsamoro region surge Covid." The rest is history and while people around the world are still waiting for the vaccine appropriate for Covid -19, this e-newspaper serves as an antidote to our daily boredom especially as of this writing Metro Manila and

by smoking in various ways. First to receive the impact from smoke and its chemical contents is the air pathway and the lung tissue.

The trachea and the larynx (voice box) undergo irritation, while the function of the lungs diminish secondary to the diminution of air passage which is made worse by the presence of phlegm. Infections easily develop, adding aggravating factors to the damages in the lung.

Cigarette smoke also contributes to the disturbance of heart functions side by side with its bad effects on the blood vessels, ultimately decreasing the circulatory function and leads to the reduction of blood supply to the fingers and toes; this may be more pronounced during exercise time. The functions of the immune and musculo-skeletal systems, are rendered poor as well.

Perhaps some males will find its effects on sexual functions alarming: smoke can BANGAHAN | B2

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi

Of COVID-19 pandemic and My Journalism Career

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JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL nearby province like Cavite was again on July 15, 2020 declared by President Rodrigo R. Duterte under GCQ (General Community Quarantine) as per recommendation of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19.

Thus this pandemic while it is a nuisance to many people since some were left jobless and not to mention those who died due to the deadly Coronavirus, we take it as being the Will of the Divine Providence that we have have now the material time to write News stories to be published weekly in a Digital format at Philippine Muslim Today. This newspaper serves as a forum for Muslim in the Philippines to read the truth about us Muslims and written

by Veteran Muslim journalists for the Muslim readers. After we have realized that mainstream newspapers based in Manila do not carry important good news about Muslims

but they immediately used a screaming headline when Muslims have transgressed the law.

Take for example a Muslim lady from Marawi City who is a Bar Topnotcher in the recent Bar Exam being the No. 2 of this rigid examination to be hurdled by Law graduates and administered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines, yet she was not interviewed by the defunct ABS-CBN. I can attest to this that the Anchorman Julius Babao instead gave prominence in a lengthy interview with another Bar passer also a lady but she ranked No. 4.

Why did they omit and did not interview the No. 2 Topnotcher? Is it because she is a Muslim?

Hence, in a nutshell what the mainstream Media may deliberately do not publish anything good about the JANNARAL | B2

News

A6

Censorship in Press Freedom

P

ress Freedom is ideally absolute and mandated by the Philippine Constitution. The exercise of it, however, should also come with utmost responsibility. One is free to say his/her piece all the way, but he or she is not free to malign persons or entities.

Otherwise, libel suits will lead the practitioners to jail.

So in real practice, media entities adopt self-censorship for varied reasons ranging from the need to evade law suit to preservation of vested interests.

During my stints with the major national dailies – the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and the Manila Bulletin (MB), I’d experienced such internal

censorship in stories involving controversial issues.

The Manila media noticed my daring stories about personalities in the uniformed and civilian elements of the state as well as business entities. My stories about excessive logging operations in Mindanao, particularly in Maguindanao, drew corrective sanctions from government authorities on a logging company founded by a former President and taken over by a Manila-based oligarch.

At the height of drawing Palace sanctions, the PDI publisher, late MRs. Eugenia Apostol, flew to Cotabato City to talks to me with a plea to “slow down” on the logging firm owned by Victor Consunji, who happened to be son of

business tycoon David Consunji – a kumpare of Apostol.

I noticed the private jet that enplaned Mrs. Apostol had a property marking of the Consunji family.

When I shifted to MB after appointed as first executive director of the Bureau of Public Information back in 1994, I was given a provincial column coming biweekly and titled Mindanao Punchline.

In that column, I pursued my exposes on the same logging firm, tagging its owneroperator “untouchable” when it transferred operations in Sultan Kudarat province. A friend from the Palace told me that my columns drew notice from the sitting President.

Before the firm’s opera-

Vol. I, No. 05 | July 17-23, 2020 (Dhul-Qadah 26-Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1441)

Punchline ALI G. MACABALANG tions could get reprimanded anew, then MB editor-in-chief Ben Rodriqgues (now deceased) called me up to seek personal appearance at the editorial office in Manila. In our one-on-one meeting, the EIC told me: “Ito ay pakiusap lang kung pwedee. Hinto ito mando (order). Pwede ka bang mag-lie low on Consunji?” He mentioned the names of MB publisher Emilio Yap and BOD member (retired SC Justice Sarmiento) as interceding. *** Even in sphere of press freedom, there always lies

kumpadre system that censors free press. Publisher/ business people of major media entities, whom Pres.

Duterte fondly called oligarchs, maintain personal interests that writers, no matter how dedicated to true journalism, cannot contravene. *** By the way, the ABS-CBN still has a chance to gain franchise, which the 18th Congress voted down to grant. Watch for my upcoming vlog in the Youtube. Part of the vlog will be reprinted in this column hopefully. Salaam.

Prayers as effective COVID-19 precautionary ABDUL HANNAN TAGO

A

s Muslim citizens we pray five times a day as we do believe firmly that this is the powerful weapon, among others, to prevent this deadly Covid-19.

With the increasing number of affected Filipinos, the health and medical theory is not enough to control the virus. We need moral discipline and law-abiding measures as well. That can be possible only when we return to our Creator and a community with God-fearing citizens.

The very mission of this unseen virus is to correct behaviors especially the uncontrollable desire and too much freedom in this world.

In our case, the first priority that people did among others was to open the liquor business as part of utmost freedom. People cannot celebrate their birthday without alcoholic drinks as such they become unconscious and get affected easily.

Prayer will give us strong fighting spirit to resist as such boost immune system.

Ijtihad | from page A4

The Almighty Allah alone has the absolute power to stop this virus and cure us from it provided that we abide and undergo preventive measures.

For the sake of knowledge we do the following terms and conditions: 1) In every prayer we make body ablution (thorough cleanliness).

2) We have to be sure that the place we perform our prayer is absolutely clean.

3) We don't allow shoes inside the prayer room. We vehemently prevent dogs to get inside the prayer room to insure hygienic environment.

4) To be sure that our prayer is answered or valid we don't consume prohibited (unhealthy) food. We only eat Halal, human consumable

food.

5) We must be sure that our dress/clothes are totally in hygienic shape.

6) We have to observe the dress code that cover the body properly especially women.

Medical doctors suggest that some of those practices are considered precautionary measures against viruses.

Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world that strictly implements Shariah Law, has the most highest in terms of recoveries. Lately, the country has registered all time high new recoveries of 7,718 recoveries in a single day.

China where the virus originated is not only totally against divine religions but also eliminate them hence a new emerging virus is appear-

ing again, according to a report.

Here we wonder why the most advanced country in medicine and technology like the United States of America suffer the most and the largest number.

In our country we supply medical and health workforce to Saudi Arabia and Gulf in particular and yet we cannot cure ourselves as KSA does.

We need to seek refuge from the Creator that has sent one of His soldiers (Covid-19) with a disciplinary message and mission. It is coincidence that most of religious acts and mission are the effective measures to get rid of this pandemic. Without these we see more cases and prolong mission of this virus on earth.

ABDUL HANNAN TAGO

tion of Islam with terrorism or the attribution of terrorism to Islam. If Islamic concepts can be twisted to support dubious activities by people who call themselves Muslims, so can terrorism by equally twisted by scheming people intent in

depicting Islam as a malevolent faith and ideology.

Hence, Muslims should wage their real jihad against those who portray Islam as purveyor of fanaticism, intolerance and violence.

PMT

political maneuvers flopped. It was met with the collective condemnation and resounding howl of protest, not only from Muslim countries, but surprisingly European countries. It in fact triggered unity among Muslim countries who forgot their schism of being Shiite and Sunni or of being Arabs or Persians.

Suspiciously, these are strategies to serve the interest of Trump and Netanyahu,

who are both facing political problems. Trump is fighting for political survival, and if reports from international media are to be believed, his chance of reelection is getting bleaker by the day. Netanyahu is facing investigation for corruption, and the ruling government coalition might collapse.

The move of Israel will not wash. It’s plain bullying.

MACABANGKIT B. LANTO

signifying that the other forms of jihad do not involve killing or physical violence.

A most basic rule, therefore, in qaatiluu fiy Sa-

bilillah is if the enemy ceases hostility, then Muslims should also cease to fight, for as Allah in the Qur’an exhorts: “But if they cease, Allah is

Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful… if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.” (Surah 2; Verses 192193) For this reason, Muslims object to the identifica-

LANTO | from page A4

dered the goodwill that his predecessors have laboriously cultivated with Muslims.

The Plan legitimized the illegal Israeli settlements over Palestinian territories historically owned by them. It will leave only about “70 percent of the West Bank to a Palestinian state compared to the 94-96 percent offer by the Clinton administration.” Jordan Valley will also be part of Israel. Another jugular blow to

the Palestinians’ cause was the denial of refugees “right of return” to homes lost in past wars.

Not that the world is surprised by the bias of the US towards Israel. It has historically played Big Brother in promoting Israel’s interest. But its brazenness and audacity are so palpable that it defies logic why it needs to shake the status quo.

Fortunately, these past

TWISTED TERRORISM

Israel is at it again!

The second move was the Peace Plan prepared unilaterally by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, a Senior White House adviser. The Plan stinks of repugnant proposals no right-thinking Palestinian will accept. This ignited an intifada and political turmoil in the region. Trump in one fell swoop has squan-

News

Vol. I, No. 05 | July 17-23, 2020 (Dhul-Qadah 26-Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1441)

A7

return to the fold of law BARMM education ministry to 5inNPAs Sultan Kudarat province use blended learning approach I

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor

C

OTABATO CITY: The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) will be using a ‘blended learning’ approach for school year 2020-2021. This is in order to ensure that the educational services in the Bangsamoro region will not be hampered amid shifting to the ‘new normal’ brought by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim said "MBHTE is now leading a massive shift from the traditional face-to-face classes to blended learning modes” to ensure that teaching and learning continue despite the circumstances that affect normal school operations.

It can be recalled that ‘blended learning’ is part of the MBHTE’s Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) for the upcoming school year. This includes distance learning, home-based learning, and module learning designed for far-flung areas in BARMM. Chief Minister Ebrahim and Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal led the official launching of the ministry’s six flagship programs for year 2020-2021, which include: 1.) Abot Kaalaman sa Pamilyang Bangsamoro (AKAP) Programs intended to provide contextualized K to 3 education access to unserved barangays; 2.) MBHTE Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) Review Program, to be conducted in partnership with the Office of the Chief Minister; 3.) Tahderiyyah Curriculum Program for Madaris Education that provides a balanced education of Bangsamoro children with groundings on Islamic tenets and values; 4.) Recruitment of Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) Teachers; 5.) Scholarship Program for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET); 6.) Access to Higher and Modern Education Scholarship Program (AHME-SP), also known as the Bangsamoro IQ Scholar which complements higher education scholarship, subsidy, loan, and similar programs implemented in the BARMM. Complete details for the application on the abovementioned programs will be announced on the MBHTE’s official Facebook account.

"I am confident that the flagship programs launched here today can also be implemented under any given cir-

cumstances, and hopefully become significant tools in redefining the importance of education in our region, In Shaa Allah,” the chief minister said.

The said programs, which are aligned with the MBHTE’s 12 key priority areas, are designed to enhance the Bangsamoro educational system under Basic Education, Madaris Education and Islamic Studies, Higher, and Technical Education and Skills Development.

Ebrahim recalled that the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) provides that education shall be the top priority of the Bangsamoro Government.

“The Bangsamoro Government shall develop an educational framework relevant and responsive to the need, idealism and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. Therefore, when we say education is our priority, it is driven with legal basis and shared vision of the Bangsamoro,” he emphasized.

“We need to strengthen the academe in order to produce minds that can eventually help the region in attaining its utmost potentials be it in madrasah, in technical, or in mainstream education,” he added.

Minister Iqbal stressed that immoral practices that have obstructed the development in the region, such as corruption, in any form, is unacceptable in BARMM. “As far as the Education Ministry is concerned, I can think of no greater injustice than cheating our children of a potentially bright future because valuable resources are siphoned off due to unethical practices,” Iqbal said.

“To mitigate the impact of our efforts to improve the status quo, the Ministry shall ex-

haust all legal means to ensure a proper transition process. No doubt, we will consider humanitarian factors in our decision-making,” he said.

“However, to protect our children’s welfare and secure the future of the Bangsamoro nation, we cannot compromise integrity, good governance, and the rule of law,” he added.

Meanwhile, the education ministry has announced recently its humanitarian assistance for the provisional teachers and temporary employees affected by the cease and desist order it issued under Memorandum Order No. 154 released last March 11 which provides that, ‘Provisional Appointment as defined in the 2017 Omnibus Rules on Appointments (ORA) and Other Human Resource Actions (OHRA) (Revised July 2018) shall not be effective beyond the school year during which it was issued.’

Iqbal said BARMM will allot some P1.9 million for the laid-off teachers and incoming applicants as contractual services. “These provisional teachers will be re-employed [if they wanted to] with a salary of P15,000.00 per month and some additional Php5,000.00 annual funds for administrative assessment activity,” Iqbal said.

Part of the allotted budget include appropriation of P10Million for free-LET review for the provisional teachers; request the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to conduct special examination for teachers; and, as approved by the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM), will hire them for one year as contractual of services. (With BPIBARMM)

SULAN, Sultan Kudarat: Five members of the New People's Army (NPA) also dubbed by the military as communist terrorist group returned to the fold of law in the morning of July 13.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force (JTF) Central Commander identified those who surrendered as Billy Tayan, Bobby Tayan, Iga Tayan, Untong Tayan, and Waning Tayan who turned themselves to the troops of the 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB) in Sitio Kamanga, Barangay Laguilayan, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Carreon said the five handed over one Garand Rifle with magazine and ammunition, one M16 with magazine, one Cal. 30 Carbine with magazine and ammunition, one Cal. 30 Springfield US Rifle with ammunition, and one M79 40mm Grenade

Launcher.

“We appreciate their gesture of embracing peace through their voluntary surrender and handing over of firearms to the government forces,” said Maj. Gen. Carreon.

He said subject personalities and turned over firearms were temporarily placed under the custody of 7IB for debriefing and proper documentation.

“The Western Mindanao Command, through its Joint Task Forces, continue to fulfil its mandate of assisting returnees in their reintegration to the mainstream society.

While we intensify our operations in critical areas, we remain steadfast and committed in bringing about stability in our area of operation,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Commander of WestMinCom. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Mindanao press group mourns ABS-CBN franchise denial

D

AVAO CITY: A media group here has said it mourns the decision of the House Committee on Franchise that denies the application for another 25 years of ABS-CBN which thousands depend for their livelihood and survival Edith “Ging” Z. Caduaya, president of Mindanao Independent Press Council Inc. (MIPCI), said in a statement, “The travesty of proceedings and the mindless theatrics of the so-called representatives of the people simply made an end to a mission that served the Filipino nation.”

The Davao-based MIPCI said it represents various media entities in Mindanao.

Caduaya said they do not just condemn the act, as it also serves as stern warning to their ranks as independent and critical purveyors of truth.

She added they do not stand for the Lopezes especially in their legal battle against the government when Meralco or Maynilad was the issue.

“But, when ABS-CBN, as a media outfit became the issue, we deemed it necessary to stand with the network, because there lies media freedom and freedom of the press,” said Caduaya..

The statement further said: “While many of us have been bashed, insulted and isolated by friends because we stand with ABS-CBN, their criticism has weaponized us to forge our links and stand together in the name of press freedom.

“While people kept on harping that the issue is not press freedom but franchise, many of them do not see the thin line between media franchise and press freedom.

“We need not pick a fight with those who believe that the ABS-CBN issue does not entail press freedom, but it is clear to us that there was pressure amongst politicians at the lower chamber.

“Let us not be governed by hatred in the midst of this pandemic, let us show compassion amongst people.

“Lest, we stand with ABSCBN because they deserve the franchise. Had there been breach of freedom in the line of their service to the people, or, economic violations committed, they could have taken the measures to correct it and penalize the network if necessary.

“It is a fact, that while we stand with our colleagues at ABS-CBN who at anytime will lose their jobs.

We do not stand for the Lopezes, “We stand for press freedom because we believe that Media Freedom is one of the basic tenets of a democratic country.

“The myopic and culture of decadence amongst politicians is a new pandemic, and, the malevolence of our elected officials is taking us all to a common graveyard if we cease to defend what is truly free and democratic.

“We stand together because we know, our existence is guaranteed in our Constitution.” (JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL)

World Round Up

A8

Malaysia’s Islamic university scores three firsts on Sustainability Institution Award

By DZULKIFLI ABDUL RAZAK - July 15, 2020

T

he International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) created history last week when it was awarded the prestigious Green Gown International Award for the 2020 Sustainability Institution of the Year. This was announced in conjunction of the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, July 8th, in New York.

The feat honoured IIUM as the first Malaysian recipient, also being the first in Asia as well as the Muslim world. IIUM was listed among eight other finalists among universities from Australia, Britain, Columbia, Mexico, the Philippines and Peru.

It reaffirms IIUM's resolve to make a difference in the transforming the university based on the whole-ofinstitution approach. The Sustainability Institution of the Year category "recognizes sustained, whole-institution commitment and impact to becoming a sustainable organization," with emphasis on at least three key areas: Leadership and Governance; Learning, Teaching and Research; and Partnership and Engagement.

The International Green Gown Award is supported by UN Environment and are open to any university or college across the world. It embraces the "exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by the world's universities and colleges," and "set the bar and put every learning institution at the heart of delivering the UN Global Goals."

This is further enhanced by working in partnership with four major academic organisations worldwide, including The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) L'Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), the International Association of Universities (IAU) and the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI).

The Awards are administered by The Alliance of Sustainability Leadership in Education (EAUC) and governed by a local cross agency steering group. This marked a very great departure from several others that used "sustainability" as a commercially-driven ranking exercise. As a result, it skewed and distorted the meaning and aim of sustainability as a development tool to mainstream Education for Sus-

International Islamic University of Malaysia campus in Gombak.

(New Straits Times photo) tainable Development (ESD) under the purview of the UN Education 2030 agenda.

It therefore provides global benchmarks for excellence and are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2016-2030 ).

Established in 2004, the Green Gown initiatives move the sustainability agenda up by becoming "the most prestigious recognition of best practice within the further and higher education sector.

Since then it grows every year and have an increasing international presence, especially following the introduction of the 6 United Nations Environment Programme regions (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and West Asia) known collectively as the GUPES Green Gown Awards.

The judging panel composed of the specialists from the sustainability and higher education fields, representing organisations such as EAUC, ACU, UN Environment, and the Institution of Environmental Sciences.

The 2019 winner for the same category was McGill University in Canada, while University of Edinburgh was listed as one of the "highly recommended" among the finalists. This time University Charles Sturt, and University of Worcester from Australia and the UK made the same category. Additionally, Universidad Tecmilenio, Mexico also make it into the list.

Indeed, several universities from the developing countries were also among the top

in the other categories like Benefiting Society, and Student Engagement. Some made it to the topmost. For example, for 2020, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Peru for the former, while Facens University in Brazil and University of Strathclyde, UK made it for the latter.

Similarly, for previous years.

This inclusive trend is a far cry from the commercially -driven ranking exercise where more often than not universities from developing countries are not among the top, let alone the topmost.

Usually, the "winners" among the top five hardly change, year by year.

The reasons for this are plenty, putting developing countries at a disadvantage to start off with. Especially in commercial terms as reflected by their academic handicaps.

Some term it as the "elitism" phenomenon. On the contrary, universities in developing countries tend to be more egalitarian in their approach, and thus adopted a development framework instead.

In April, IIUM was officially acknowledged by the United Nations University as the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development making it the first Islamic university to receive such an honour. Like the International Green Gown Award, this goes well with the IIUM vision and mission where the former reads: contributing to the improvement and up-grading of the qualities of human life and civilisa-

Vol. I, No. 05 | July 17-23, 2020 (Dhul-Qadah 26-Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1441)

Feature

Why We’re Losing the Battle With Covid-19

By JENEEN INTERLANDI

The escalating crisis in Texas shows how the chronic underfunding of public health has put America on track for the worst coronavirus response in the developed world.

In the early days of May, Umair Shah, director of the publichealth department in Harris County, Texas, was feeling hopeful. It looked as if his county might succeed in controlling the coronavirus outbreak. The number of new cases per day had plummeted to an average of about 50 from a peak of 239 in early April, and it was holding steady. On the charts that Shah studied on his computer each morning, the uptick — a mountain that had been rising into existence for weeks — had given way to a plateau. The virus wasn’t disappearing. But it wasn’t spreading rapidly anymore, either.

That stalemate was no small feat. For one thing, Harris County stretches across 1,800 square miles of the state’s southeastern edge. The region includes two international airports, four international seaports and the city of Houston. The first case was confirmed there in early March, around the same time that cases first popped up in New York, and modelers initially worried that the county’s hospitals and morgues would be overrun — just as New York City’s eventually were.

For another thing, the work itself was grueling. By early May, Shah’s staff had logged 16-hour days, six or seven days a week, for two months. Contact tracers and outreach workers had made thousands of phone calls: to persuade people exposed to the virus to report their symptoms, get tested and self -isolate; and to prevail on businesses, apartment complexes and nursing homes to hang more hand-washing signs and distribute informational pamphlets. Scientists had processed reams of data that flooded the health department’s offices through every conceivable portal. And computer engineers had labored ceaselessly over urgently needed technological upgrades. This work was done in what felt like the forgotten shadows of a roaring public spectacle. None of it inspired nightly rounds of public cheering, nor even much media attention. But Shah felt that it had made the difference. The fight unfolding in hospitals around the country was truly heroic, but the key to stopping a pandemic was preventing as many people as possible from landing in hospitals in the first place.

Pamela Miller, a nurse, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston on July 1, during a surge in coronavirus cases. (Agency Photo) tion (rarely mentioned in modern universities) which is very much in line to the overarching SDG goals of 5Ps – Planet, People, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership.

More specifically, the second mission of IIUM speaks about producing agents of change of "comprehensive and balanced progress as well as sustainable development in Malaysia and in the Muslim world."

Whereas mission number 6, "intercultural understanding" as well as to "foster civilisation dialogues in Malay-

sia as well as across communities and nations," with "a deep sense of social responsibility among staff and students" (as in mission number 7).

All these augur well within the global context of Sustainability in the Education 2030.

Kudos IIUM for impressive performance.

(The writer, a New Straits Times columnist for more than 20 years, is International Islamic University Malaysia rector.)

NEW STRAITS TIMES

Section 2 Vol. I, No. 05 | July 17-23, 2020 (Dhul-Qadah 26-Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1441)

Peoples, Places and Events

B1

SIBUTU: Boat Builder of the South

By JOHNNY R. LEE, PhD.

T

he Municipality of Sibutu is famous for its wooden-hulled boat industry. Practically all boats registered in Tawi-Tawi are made or built in Sibutu since time immemorial. The natives craftsmen of Sibutu, mostly Sama of Tawi-Tawi, receive orders from other provinces in the region including Zamboanga, Basilan, Cebu and Sabah Malaysia. Boats range from small ‘kumpit’, designed for operating in sheltered water, to huge cargo vessels for deepwater navigation, that ferries commercial goods to and from the port of Tawi-Tawi to above-named places.

The advent of ‘barter trading’ with Malaysia during the 80’s made the boat industry a windfall for its traditional boatbuilders due to high demand of sea crafts for transporting commercial goods. Building a boat nowadays can cost up to a couple of million pesos excluding the motor engine, painting and roofings.

The thick forest of TawiTawi mainland provides the basic materials (wood and lumber) to build their boat. It takes months or years to build a medium to large boat by the local craftsmen using traditional tools like ‘patuk’ (an axe -like chopping tool attached to a wooden handle that can be rotated 360 degrees for easy adjustment to chop and shape angular fittings). Other important tools include handsaws, chisels, clamps, manual planer, hammers. Ancient craftsmen use dowels instead of nails for joints and attachments. Some of the traditional tools are slowly fading out due to availability of modern power tools like drills, mechanized bandsaws to speed-up work. Nowadays boatbuilders

fied in a plebiscite held on October 21, 2006.

Within its municipal waters lies the so-called Sibutu Passage which is a significant maritime landmark of the province. It is a deep channel that divides Borneo

TAWI-TAWI BOATYARD: A boatyard at the coastal community in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi where a boat owner can order a customized wooden boat from the local ship builders for any size of their boat locally known as "Lansa or Kumpit."(Photo by Johnny R. Lee) adopt the application of man Datu Alawaddin Bandon, from the Sulu Archipelago. ‘fiberglass’ materials to the Jr. were both natives of the Accordingly it is estimated boat’s hull to increase durabil- place. The first Muslim associ- that 17,000 vessels pass ity and prevent growth of bar- ate justice of the Supreme through this passage every nacles, tubeworms and foul- Court , the late Justice Abdul- year. This vital passage links wahid Bidin came from this international shipping routes, ing organisms. and the amount of trade can Sibutu Island is also home place.

The municipality was cre- be translated into US$ 40 bilto numbers of ‘kadatuan’ or the royal family in Tawi-Tawi. ated out of Sitangkai Munici- lion annually. Primarily, the Tawi-Tawi’s three-term House pality by virtue of Muslim Min- trade volume is expected to of Representatives Datu Nur danao Autonomy Act No. 197, increase tremendously in the Jaafar and the late Congress- which was subsequently rati- coming years due to the

emerging economies in Southeast Asia. The economic importance of this sealane prompted the then Congressman Bandon to introduce a bill in congress to impose maritime toll in all passing international vessels patterned after the Panama Canal of South America. But the bill did not see the light in the house of congress as he was unseated by then Admiral Romulo Espaldon, via election protest, in the middle of his term.

Sibutu is also noted for its handicrafts known as ‘tutop’ or food cover. The coastal communities are engaged in seaweed production, mariculture of exotic species of fishes like grouper or lapu-lapu. It used to be the biggest supplier of highly-prized cultured fish called Mamieng ( Napoleon Wrasse). But due to the dwindling supply of said marine species due to overfishing of its wild stocks it was declared as Endangered and on Red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

Sibutu, specifically in Barangay Tandubanak, is found the shrine of Sheik Karimul Makhdum, the Arab missionary who introduced Islam in the Philippines.

DR. JOHNNY R. LEE

Basilan hostile no more but made peaceful by its own LGUs

By JOHN FELIX UNSON Special Correspondent

I

SABELA CITY, Basilan: The once hostile Basilan has now attained the elusive peace, after it was made peaceful by a common peace program of local government units (LGUs) and the offices of Gov. Jim Salliman and House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman, who is the lone congressional representative in the province, where local fishermen can now freely sail out and catch all kinds of fishes in the fishing ground within the island province.

Fishes in Basilan are always fresh and sold unfrozen and not by kilo but by piece. Prices are more than half lower than prices in markets in provinces outside, in the Visayas, in Metro Manila and elsewhere.

Basilan’s economy was badly devastated by the “cocolisap” infestation that destroyed thousands of hectares of coconut farms and by conflicts instigated from the early 1990s until 2012 by the Abu Sayyaf terror group.

BASILAN FISH: Mata Ng Agila Lantawan, an entrepreneur-merchant, shows the kind of fishes Basilan’s fisherfolk catch from the sea everyday and are peddled around by motorcycle-riding vendors, or are sold in the local markets. (Contributed Photo The Abu Sayyaf’s reign in Basilan died out after more than 200 of its local members returned to the fold of

law through the joint intercession of provincial leaders and the LGUs in the 11 towns and

two cities in the province, the military’s Western Mindanao Command and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, through the Basilan provincial police The economy of Basilan has obviously been bouncing back in the past five years owing to the economic diversification efforts of its provincial government, now helping improve the productivity of farmers propagating short-term crops, including vegetables, corn and rice.

These Facebook images from netizen Mata Ng Agila Lantawan, an entrepreneurmerchant, show the kind of fishes Basilan’s fisherfolk catch from the sea everyday and are peddled around by motorcycleriding vendors, or are sold in the local markets.

JOHN FELIX UNSON

Tourism

B2

Vol. I, No. 05 | July 17-23, 2020 (Dhul-Qadah 26-Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1441)

Puerto Princesa retrofitting tourism sector M

ANILA – The city government of Puerto Princesa is retrofitting programs for the tourism industry, including agri-tourism, as it starts to gradually welcome more economic activities while ensuring that safety protocols are in place.

hotspot Meanwhile, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) has named Puerto Princesa City as one of the digital cities being eyed to be developed into information and communication technology (ICT) hubs to serve as business and innovation centers that would help sustain the rapid growth of the industry.

Socrates said the city government would focus on undertaking revamps on its ICT infrastructure as part of its Covid19 recovery plan and preparing the city for more Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) investments.

(PCOO PR)

Masks are effective only if you wear them properly. Here's the right (and wrong) way

By Scottie Andrew, CNN

Puerto Princesa Underground River Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday agreed with the local government’s push for agritourism as one of the diversified methods to respond to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.

“I definitely agree with your take in this direction. Mahalaga po talaga ang agrikultura ngayong panahong ito (Agriculture is very important nowadays),” he said.

Speaking as a guest during the Network Briefing News, Puerto Princesa City Vice Mayor Maria Nancy Socrates shared that the agri-tourism initiative was made to ensure food security and likewise become an additional source of income for local farmers.

“We are also encouraging our farmers to go into that (agri-tourism). Additional income din po ito sa kanila (This is also additional income for them), not only additional food for everyone,” Socrates said, adding that continued efforts are being done to retrofit the tourism sector in compliance with the

new normal and guidelines set against Covid-19.

She also commended the health sector for earnestly providing inputs in their preparations.

“Tuluy-tuloy po ang ating paghahanda. As for preparations, andyan po lagi and very commendable po yung ating health sector, mula dun sa aming mga doctor at health frontliners, sapagkat talagang very serious po sila sa kanilang mga recommendations para po maensure yung safety at health nung ating mga bisita, pati rin po ng ating mga mamamayan. (Our preparations are ongoing. Our doctors and health front-liners are very commendable for their earnest efforts to provide recommendations to ensure the safety and health of visitors, as well as the residents),” Socrates said.

Puerto Princesa as new ICT-BPM

BANGAHAN | from page A5

More on cigarette smoking... bring about low sperm count, deformity of and genetic damage to sperm, and impotence may set in secondary to the damage to the blood vessels of the penis. In the females, fertility is re-

duced, menstrual cycle may become abnormal and menopause may set in much earlier; chances of cervical cancer are enhanced and for those over 35 years of age

JANNARAL | from page A5

Of COVID-19 pandemic...

Muslims but only they are happy to publish anything bad about us or the Bangsamoro people, the Philippine Muslim Today is here as the answer.

Another Trivia in my life as a Journalist that I owe it to a prolonged Stay At Home due to this COVID-19 Pandemic is my career development aspect as a Journalist. Bring-

ing the banner of Philippine Muslim Today as its Managing Editor, I have just successfully completed on July 14 this year an international training for Journalists. It is the recently concluded Webinar by Zoom Platform of the Online Training for Conflict Sensitive Journalism (CSJ) in Mindanao that is being hosted by the Andrea Marshall

So, about masks -- they do next to nothing if you don't wear them properly.

Yep, even the cloth coverings touted as the best thing since social distancing have instructions. We've laid them out below, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

And remember: Masks are effective only if they cover your mouth, nose and chin. And however tempting it may be to remove your mask for a moment, doing that could expose your fingers and face to the very virus you're trying to avoid.

Keep that and more in mind when wearing your mask -- If we all do it right, we could save 33,000 lives.

Tinago Falls, never to miss in Iligan

Tinago Falls is a waterfall on the Agus River, located in between the town of Linamon and Iligan City, Lanao del Norte in the northern part of the Philippine island of Mindanao. It is one of the main tourist attractions of Iligan, a city known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls. Wikipedia

and taking contraceptives, brain stroke and heart attack become riskier.

Pregnant women who are smoking increase the chances of miscarriage, sitillbirth and premature birth, and babies will have weak lungs, low birth weight and increased risk of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes when they

reach adulthood.

Perhaps the salient features covered are convincing enough to the people involved that the only way to offset the bad effects of smoking is not to start it.

Those who are already smokers should believe that stopping smoking is the most beneficial method to obviate

the side effects. In as far as aids in doing it, there are now many nicotine methods: gum, spray, patch and others are available. But one has to be handled by a doctor in the line, and seeing one is the best advice to give so that the most appropriate method can be prescribed.

Good luck…. Māssalām..

M.A., Project Manager |Journalist Trainer, Asia & Europe Division Deutsche Welle (DW), Akademie; and Online Lecturer Sheila Mysorekar, and Martin Schmidt who are all based in Berlin, Germany.

To my Filipino fellow trainee like Karlon Rama of the University of San Carlos in Cebu City who always supplied me with the missing lessons due to the problem of poor internet connectivity.

And most of all to Marlon Pe-

ter Dedumo the Cotabato City-based Staff of international NGO Nonviolent Peaceforce who facilitated my enrollment in this Online journalism training.

This international training on Journalism that I have taken is not the first one. My first training also the lecturer was also from Berlin, Germany but it was under the Manila Training Program.

The 1st course that I took was in 1997 just in time when I joined as News Reporter of

PTV-4 and being from the print media I have no background at all in television broadcasting.

Thus my completion of this first course "Diploma for Broadcasters in News Reporting" as hosted by International Institute of Journalism BerlinBranderburg (IIJB) in e. V. GERMANY, Manila Training Program- November 4-14, 1997 had equipped me well in my transition to television reporting.