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Muslim today PHILIPPINE

The Muslim National Paper

Vol. I, No. 11 | August 28-September 3, 2020 (Muharram 9-15, 1442)

BARMM condemns Jolo blasts; Security enhanced in other regions By Masiding Noor Yahya and Julmunir I. Jannaral

(Full story on Page A2)

Gov. Tan opposes Martial Law imposition in Sulu By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Group urges Bangsamoro chief to relocate displaced Muslims

(Full story on Page A2)

group of Muslim leaders have asked the leadership of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for the resettlement of displaced individuals such as the deportees from Sabah, expatriated Muslim OFWs, and displaced Muslims now in Luzon and Visayas. In a letter on August 25, 2020, addressed to Ahod “Al Haj Murad Ebrahim” Balawag, Bangsamoro chief minister, and to members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, the group said they are writing for the treatment of externally and internally displaced individuals. “We enjoin the Interim Chief Minister, and the good Members of the Parliament, to examine the potential of this time to address our issues in

the past (one for a secured and peaceful living) starting with settlement for our people,” they said. GROUP | A3

News

Gov. Tan opposes imposition of Martial Law in Sulu By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

UPAH SUG: Sulu Gov. Abdusakur M. Tan has vehemently opposed the imposition of martial law in the province of Sulu. This was in reaction to the proposal of Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commanding general of the Philippine Army after the recent twin bombings in downtown Jolo. Nahdin Jubaira, a staff of Gov. Tan and concurrently executive director of the Sulu Area Coordinating Center told the Philippine Muslim Today that the provincial governor has convened a multi sectoral meeting on Wednesday at the Sumadja Hall of the Sulu Provincial Capitol in Patikul, Sulu. Gov. Tan presided the meeting attended by high ranking officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) headed the list of AFP officers and Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, 11th Alakdan Infantry Division Commander based in Jolo. And from the PNP, in attendance were Brig. Gen. Manuel Abu, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR), and Police Col. Michael Bawayan, Jr., Provincial Director, Sulu Provincial Police Office (PPO); and other military officers. Then from the local government units (LGUs), Jolo Mayor Kerkhar Tan as well as representatives of the civil society organizations were in attendance too in order to discuss the elusive peace and order in Sulu. Gov. Tan recalled his actual experience when Martial Law was imposed in the whole country particularly in Sulu on September 21, 1972. "I was there, I was 22 years old in 1974. I was not a bystander. I had a first rate experience of the event. You cannot teach us anything about it, we knew it," Gov. Tan emphasized. Hence, he recalled his first rate experience about martial law particular in downtown Jolo where many residents were picked up by the dreaded military men known as the GHQ (General Headquarters). Some of the Tausug residents were invited for military investigation on suspicion for aiding the rebels notably the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), where some of them entirely disappeared and have not returned back home. Be that as it may, Gov. Tan was at all praising the behavior of the AFP troopers now assigned in Jolo. “You are not the soldiers that I saw in the 70s. You are better than them." Meanwhile, in his message, Maj. Gen. Vinluan said, “In spite of the recent unfortunate incidents, it is assured that the military remains steadfast in ensuring the safety and security of our Tausug brothers and sisters here in Sulu.” “To achieve peace, we need to harmonize all our efforts and establish an atmosphere of unity and understanding among us,” the WestMinCom commander added. Maj. Gen. Vinluan, also checked on the situation of the soldiers under the Joint Task Force Sulu during his unit visit at Headquarters, 11th Infantry Division, Busbus, Sulu on August 26. As the newly installed WestMinCom commander, he visited and conferred medals on the soldiers who are currently confined at Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital. They sustained injuries during the twin blasts in Barangay Walled City, Jolo on August 24. Conferred with the Wounded Personnel Medal were Sergeant Jose Alonzo, Corporal Philip Anthony Aleta, Corporal Aldrin Paj-dio, Private First Class Novin Guzman, Private First Class Jayson Paguirigan, Private Stephen Rey Oliveros, and the two Tausug Army troopers who were wounded also Private Alphasier Tapsi, and Private Alviner Hamsaji. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Vol. I, No. 11 | August 28-September 3, 2020 (Muharram 9-15, 1442)

BARMM condemns Jolo blasts; Security enhanced in other regions By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA and JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

his week’s twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu, which killed soldiers and civilians alike in a suspected terror attack, have alerted urban localities in the country including the National Capital Region (NCR) and thus increased security measures in their respective areas. As of this posting, seven soldiers, six civilians, and a police officer were reported killed, with more than 70 victims injured in the blasts that happened on Monday in Jolo, capital town of Sulu, one of the provinces of the Bangsamoro autonomous region. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) was on alert following the deadly blasts in Jolo, NCRPO chief Police Major General Debold Sinas said during a Tuesday press briefing. Sinas added that the Metro Manila police were monitoring whether anyone possibly involved in the Jolo attack arrived in the capital region. He admitted that police were alarmed over the large number of casualties from the bombings. "We have alerted our people, we have alerted the different district offices on the bombing incident and to monitor if there are from Jolo who came here to us," Sinas said. "We have also directed our intel community and our chief intel to coordinate with their counterparts in case there come from Mindanao who enter here," Sinas added. The NCRPO chief also said that police officers were patroling establishments such as malls, supermarkets, plazas, train stations, and terminals, adding that, it was also constantly coordinating with law enforcers in the Mindanao region. In Davao City, the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Davao Region told the media they are on full alert status following the Jolo bombings. PRO-Davao Director Brigadier General Filmore Escobal said on Wednesday, August 26, that the entire security sector in the region is on the lookout for possible terrorist-related activities. "We also anticipated a similar incident because of the prevailing information that there are some elements in our adjacent regions which are sympathetic to these groups," Escobal said in a virtual presser. However, he said it is "unlikely to happen due to geographical distance.” In Cebu City, the Police Regional Office in Cen-

tral Visayas (PRO-7) is also on full alert following the bombing incident. PRO-7 director Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro said on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, that he has directed the police chiefs that all critical infrastructures in each police station’s area of responsibility, including seaports, airports and terminals, must be monitored and be given proper security. “We issued a directive to be more alert and vigilant because of the incident in Jolo. We are not lowering our guards,” said Ferro. According to Ferro, the Jolo incident is a “barbaric act of terrorism,” which may happen in Central Visayas if not taken seriously by the police and the public. He said this is why there are immediate security measures done to be able to prevent any possible attacks. Though there have been, so far, no reports or incidents of terrorism attacks in the region. Nevertheless, staying alert is a must not only for the law enforcers but for the public as well. BARMM condemns the Jolo blasts In a statement on Wednesday, two days after the incident, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) condemned the Jolo carnage. “At a time when the world grapples with the challenges of a global pandemic and during a period when we are just entering a new phase for the

region, an act like this deserves nothing but condemnation and appropriate actions,” the BARMM said in a statement. It assured that it will “maximize all its resources to make sense of this tragedy and find out and put into justice the perpetrators behind the attacks.” “We will be coordinating with the local authorities and move forward with measures necessary for incidents like this,” the Bangsamoro government added. But a Muslim observer who preferred not to be named lamented that word of condemnation is not enough. He said the Bangsamoro government may fail if it cannot maintain peace and security in the region. “Peace, security and development were the main highlight of their advocacy when they were negotiating with the government for the Bangsamoro organic law,” He said the incident is not the first time to happen in the region. “In the same town last year, similar bombs exploded at the Jolo Cathedral that took scores of lives and wounded plenty." But what the BARMM did was issued a word of condemnation,” he said. “There was no concrete move to prevent the recurrence of similar incident.” Meanwhile Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday called for the suspension of entire Jolo police station amid probe into bombings. Hontiveros said doing so would allow authorities a freer hand to investigate the bombings. PMT

News

Vol. I, No. 11 | August 28-September 3, 2020 (Muharram 9-15, 1442)

Special Feature:

Ashura on the 10th of Muharram 1442 G

OLDEN MOSQUE, Manila: Once again Muslims both belonging to Sunni and Shia sects will commemorate Ashura nut in different manners. Ashura is a holy day observed on the tenth of Muharram 1442 on the Islamic calendar corresponding to August 29, 2020.

grandson — as well as the day Noah left the ark and Moses was saved from the Egyptians by God. Fasting on the day of Ashura Therefore, Sunni Muslim’s mark Ashura with a fast. While abstaining from food and drink, they reflect and seek forgiveness. Shia’s do not fast, as for them Ashura is not a day in which God asks anything of his followers, but rather a day to commemorate a loss. Aleem Basher said to perform fasting on the day of Ashura would mean Allah forgive one year sin of mankind. "That is the significance of Ashura," Aleem Basher emphasized. He also said Muharram is not only the 1st month of Islamic Calendar but also called ‘The month of Allah’ and Optional (Nafil) fasting during this month are called the best fasting after the month of Ramadan. This is evident from the following Sahih Hadith: "The messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said: "The best fasting after the month of Ramadan is the month of Allah, AlMuharram." (An-Nasai: 1613) Also Aleem Basher said, Muharram is one of the four sanctified months of the year. As Allah says in Qur'an: “Indeed, the number of

Bangsamoro In Focus

BTA condemns Jolo bombings; urges Bangsamoro Government to provide aid

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Aleem Said Ahmad Basher, an alumnus of Al-Azhar University in Cairo Egypt and religious in-house adviser of the Philippine Muslim Today explained to the Metro Manila News Bureau that Ashura marks the end of the remembrance of Muharram and martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad at the Battle of Karbala in modernday Iraq. Hence, Shia Muslims observe Ashura in mourning while Sunni's observe it as a fast day. For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a solemn day of mourning the martyrdom of Hussein in 680 AD in the said Battle of Karbala in Iraq. Aleem Basher said it is marked with mourning rituals and passion plays reenacting the martyrdom. Shia men and women dressed in black also parade through the streets slapping their chests and chanting. He said Ashura, also known as Yawm Ashura the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. Therefore it marks the day day of remembrance focused on Hussein's death in that Battle of Karbala. For Sunni Muslims, it marks the day Moses was saved from the Egyptians by God. While, Ashura marks the death of Hussein ibn Ali — the Prophet Muhammad’s

months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.” (Surah At-Taubah: 9:36) He said the four months mentioned in the Ayah are the months of DhulQadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. This is evident from the words of Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) on the occasion of his last Hajj sermon: “The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa' da, Dhul-Hijja and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab.” (Sahih Bukhari: 3197 This is the reason that Muharram is one of the sacred months and these words of our Prophet (S.A.W.) confirms its sanctity. Conclusion on Sunni Muslims Observing Ashura: In conclusion, for Sunni Muslims, it marks the day Moses was saved from the Egyptians by God. It is observed as a day of atonement for Sunnis, allowing those participating to be forgiven for the sins they committed in the previous year. Thus for them, Ashura is observed as a fast day. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

OTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) approved Thursday, August 27, a resolution condemning the twin bombings last August 24 in heavily populated areas in downtown Jolo, Sulu. Member of Parliament (MP) Amir Mawallil said during the 42nd session of the BTA’s 2nd Regular Session that the resolution (Proposed Resolution No. 289) also urges the Government of the Day to provide immediate cash assistance to the families of the bombing victims which accounted for 14 fatalities and injured at least 78 individuals, including government troops. “An initial news report said that the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) will respond to those displaced, the victims, and the survivors of the recent bombing,” Mawallil said. “Some of those who were affected and those who survived have the problem of how they’re going back to their livelihood, since some of them are selling on the streets when the incident happened,” he added. The said resolution was authored by MPs Hatimil Hassan, Amir Mawallil, Eddie Alih, Abraham Burahan, Don Mustapha Loong, Atty. Jose Lorena, Al-Syed Sali, Atty. Laisa Alamia, Atty. Nabil Tan, Adzfar Usman, Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Rasul Ismael, and Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr. “The entire parliament is one with this resolution condemning the twin bombing in downtown Jolo, Sulu,” MP Ziaur-Rahman Adiong stated, who was the Speaker of the Day during the said session. Meanwhile, a resolution “expressing profound sympathy” to the late Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Dimasangcay Alangadi Pundato (Proposed Resolution No. 286) was approved during the said session. The parliament also covered three committee reports, including the creation of the Bangsamoro Sports Commission (Committee Substitute Bill No. 52), an act institutionalizing policy for Bangsamoro overseas employment (Parliament Bill No. 36), and the special committee report on Marawi. (Bureau of Public Information)

GROUP | from Page A1

Group urges Bangsamoro chief to relocate displaced Muslims The letter was signed by Imam (P/COL) Ebra M. Moxsir, President, Imam Council of the Philippines, Inc. and Chairman, Muslim Inter-Organizational Meeting, Lanao Del Sur; Jadjurie H. Arasa, Chairman, Muslim Consultative Council, Taguig City, Jolo, Sulu; Ustadh Muammar M Adam, Arabic Instructor, Secretariat, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Barangay Bawing, General Santos City; Alireza C. Kunting, Secretariat, Muslim Inter-Organizational Meeting, Sapa Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi; H. Abdulatif S. Sangcupan, President/CEO, Halal Development Institute of the Philippines, Simsiman, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato. The group also called for practical solutions to address the issue, though this has been rooted in history and part of a divisive public debate. “We call for a comprehensive resettlement plan critical at this time — one that includes addressing the inconsistencies in legal and land laws in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the landscape and mapping of settlements in Mindanao, and a concrete plan for monitoring and evaluation,” they added. They said this should be a concerted effort through coordination with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and other concerned agencies. “We could only emphasize enough on your capacity and leadership to set the direction as deemed fit to address this issue,” they said. The group lauded the efforts of the government in addressing the many pressing issues in Muslim Mindanao and hoped for the Chief Minister’s commitment to this settlement concern. MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

EDITORIAL

A4 PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY The Muslim National Newspaper Operated by Muslimedia.PH

Editorial

Founded in June 2020

Jolo’s Elusive Peace

BOARD OF EDITORS: MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief and Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL, J.D. Managing Editor ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor MARK EDRIEL “TWISTER” ORTIL Cartoonist FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Advertising Sales Director for NCR COLUMNISTS | WRITERS: HOMOBONO A. ADAZA BENJ BANGAHAN JUAN PONCE ENRILE MACABANGKIT B. LANTO JOHNNY R. LEE FILEMON G. ROMERO MEHOL K. SADAIN ABDUL HANNAN M. TAGO DISCLAIMER: Opinion of the writer expressed herein is not necessarily the opinion of Philippine Muslim Today. RANAO PUBLISHING HOUSE Publisher Ad Interim and Consultant TEMPORARY BUSINESS OFFICE: Purok 4, Lower Kaplag, C3 Road Ubldo Laya, Iligan City, Philippines Phone: 09152184388 | +63 2283454 Email: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com Http://www.philmuslimtoday.wordpress.com NCR SATELLITE OFFICE: 9052 Viscarra Compound, Molino 3, Bacoor City 4102 Cavite Province PHONE: +639778430218 | +639353138549 EMAIL: munir1845media@gmail.com

Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

Vol. I, No. 11 | August 28-September 3, 2020 (Muharram 9-15, 1442)

n a story written two years after the vicious 1974 battle of Jolo, an old graveyard caretaker told a young man and his father, “Jolo is not yet dead. People who lived through the battle, like you and me, make Jolo dying, but not dead. Unless battle wounds are healed, memories forgotten… our town continues to live a suffering life.” Forty four years hence, Jolo continues to suffer. Barely nineteen months after the twin bombing of the Jolo Cathedral on January 27, 2019, two bombs again exploded in downtown Jolo on August 24, 2020. The usual suspects have been named, the usual stale analysis given, and the usual odd mix of victims mourned by their love ones, in tiring déjà vu too surreal to comprehend. Bomb blasts after all are planned violence that are not susceptible to logical explanations, and contain neither a sender’s nor a receiver’s address. The town of Jolo, and Sulu Province as a whole, have a long history of conflict beginning with the Spanish intrusions into the islands that were once governed by a sovereign Sultanate that had diplomatic and trade relations with its neighboring countries and European nations. Most of the huge land and maritime battles fought by the Spaniards in this part of Asia were against the Bangsa Sug and its allies. So with the Americans in the infamous Battles of Bud Dahú and Bud Bagsak, and the martial law Philippine government in the Battles of Jolo and Pata. All these battles, and the ominous martial atmosphere that periodically clouded the Sulu horizon contributed to the instability and backwardness that now reigns over Sulu. But then, can you really blame the Bangsa Sug for resisting and fighting a war brought to their shores? Can you fault their warriors for clinging to their cherished religion and culture, and choosing freedom over subjugation? These are people who knew peace when

the clouds of war would sometimes dissipate; and longed for the peace once enjoyed by their ancestors, and for the enjoyment of their future generations. But then, the war keeps coming with impunity, the cannons would roar again, the killings would begin again, wasting livelihood and generating widows and orphans of war who will rise to be-

come the next generation of warriors, whom the guardians against extremism will call terrorists. The cycle should make us pause and ask ourselves who started this cycle of violence, and who the real terrorists are. These are primordial questions that must also be asked across the other Muslimdominated provinces that now comprise the BARMM. The terror that has gripped Jolo is a common actual and potential terror in these areas, and the proposed solution of reimposing martial law has been proven by history and field reality as an ineffective solution to a problem that is deeper than the mindset of warmongers and harbingers of war. In a fiery place like Jolo, burnt to the ground many times over in its history of fighting against intruders, you do not put out a fire by starting another fire. Jolo and its islands have stood proud protected by the waters of the Sulu Sea from time immemorial. As a folksy song goes, “Let the water come and carry us away.” Let the native water of Sulu carry its land and people to peace, as it has always done so, before all these fighting and killings began. MKS

Opinion | News

Ijtihad WITH MEHOL K. SADAIN

et us take a break from our discussion on Islamic finance-related matters and take up another issue. In the forum on Breaking Biases: Debunking Misconceptions on Islam, focusing on Shari’ah sponsored by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, a question was raised on how takfir (excommunication due to apostasy) can affect the pursuit of peace, or peace negotiations in particular. The direct answer is there is no effect because in a peace negotiation or any other activity in pursuit of peace, the parties must continuously compromise, move from extreme positions to moderate ones, and meet each other

on mutually understandable parameters. Takfir is not one such parameter. Owing to its rigidity, and exclusivity as a classical Islamic punitive act, it cannot be a means for the mutual understanding of two opposing parties in a negotiation. But I was intrigued by the question; hence, I thought I should discuss it further outside of the topical limits of the forum to present its implications on peaceful coexistence, this time, among different Muslim groups who may harbor varying interpretations of the concept. Rather than breaking biases, this discourse will be on reconciling understandings. Apostasy in Islam is more

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi WITH JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

n untold secret cannot be forever secret. In the same manner a pregnant woman after carrying her baby for 9 months will have no option but to give birth. This is the case of Sarah Balabagan of Simuay, Sultan Kudarat in the Province of Maguindanao. Sarah was a Muslima when at the age of 17 years old she became a domestic helper at the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She was born on August 16, 1979 thus she was just 17 at the time she worked as an overseas Filipino worker in UAE. But she was imprisoned in UAE from 1994 to 1996 for murder after she confessed she was able to stab dead for 34 times her employer an 85 year old man identified as Almas Mohammad AlBaloushi who tried to rape her at his home in Al-Ain, UAE. She was sentenced to death by firing squad but it was not carried out after the AlBaloushi family accepted the blood money of $41,000 fine. The sentence of Sarah was reduced to a year in prison and 100 lashes. But this was the result of

the help of Philippine government under then President Fidel V. Ramos who tried to intervene in the case of Sarah Balabagan. Had the death sentence been carried out she would have died as a Muslima considering death sentence in UAE is being carried out by a firing squad. Sarah Balabagan now a devout Christian But now she is a devout Christian having dropped his Islamic religion and changed to Christianity and now she is known as Mrs. Sarah Balabagan-Sereno. In case she will die naturally she will be buried in accordance with Christian rite. In like manner if eating of Pork which is Haram for the Muslims, now Sarah although belongs to a Maguindanao tribe but now a devout Christian does not mind anymore if the food is Haram or Halal. After all Christian is not prohibited to eat even Haram food like Pork. In the Philippines freedom of religion is enshrined in the Philippine Constitution. Thus when Sarah Balabagan changed her religion she has

Vol. I, No. 11 | August 28-September 3, 2020 (Muharram 9-15, 1442)

Takfir and Peace properly termed as riddah with murtad as the apostate and irtidad as the condition like the mukaffir act, which in turn gives rise to the imposition or categorization of takfir. There are countries like Afghanistan, Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, among others, that consider riddah as a capital offense, and would sometimes impose death as a penalty. Lately however the judicial machineries and legal provisions of these states have made it increasingly difficult to find the accused guilty of the crime or to impose the death penalty. The infliction of the penalty seems to have been limited to people whose apostasy present a threat to the political stability of the State. If it does not, the act can be mitigated by the Qur’anic verse which

says that “there is no compulsion in religion”. [Surah AlBaqarah: Ayat 256] But while States are veering away from the harsh consequences of riddah, some groups have embraced the more perilous aspect of the concept of takfir by categorizing a person or a people as unbelievers and therefore deserving to be excommunicated, or worst, killed. This is similar with the “takfirist” advocacy of Sayyid Qutb for states or communities he labels as “Jahiliyyah” for not strictly applying Islamic law. In a recent study (May 18, 2020) authored by Jamileh Kadivar on Exploring Takfir, Its Origins and Contemporary Use: The Case of Takfiri Approach in Daesh’s Media, she says that the attack by AlQaeda on Muslim populations

is justified by their categorization of Muslims who do not share their view as kuffar (unbelievers) and therefore, deserving of takfir punishment which does not stop at excommunication, but can be as extreme as death. Takfir has become a license for inflicting violence by extremist groups on the Muslims themselves, which is definitely not countenanced by either the Qur’ān, and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. In sum, the institution of takfir has become an instrument of extremism which is against the teachings of Islam. Takfir may not directly affect the search for peace across negotiation tables, but a reconciliation of its meanings and application can contribute to promoting harmony in the Muslim community. MKS

Untold Secret of former Muslima, now Christian Sarah Balabagan not violated the Philippine laws because we have Freedom of Religion. However, under the Islamic Law or Shari'ah, Sarah Balabagan has committed a heinous crime in Islam. In other words she has became an apostate or one who changes her Islamic religion. The Merriam Webster Dictionary has the worst terminology for an apostate meaning Judas, serpent or snake or simply traitor. Incidentally when I was the Station Manager of PTV-4 in Cotabato City, one of my Engineers is a graduate of Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) and has a surname of Balabagan. I will not divulge his full name except for his surname as a Balabagan as a matter of respect. He admitted though that Sarah is his cousin and that the father of Sarah by the name of Karim Balabagan is his uncle. After he knew that Sarah has converted to Christianity, he said it was much better if Sarah's death sentence by firing squad in UAE Prison was carried out at least she died as a Muslima. Sarah Balabagan was released from UAE Prison At the time Sarah Balabagan was released from

UAE prison after serving her one year prison term with 100 lashes she was immediately flown back to Manila on board the Gulf Air plane on August 1, 1996. She was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to UAE Roy Seneres. I was just newly assigned in 1996 as News Reporter in PTV-4 and was assigned to cover the arrival of Sarah Balabagan at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and later on attended a Press Conference at the OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) whose Administrator at that time was Wilhem Soriano. Sarah Balabagan finally divulged her Secret Actually the secret is actually her love life as a 17 year old minor. As a journalist from Mindanao that time 22 years ago I came to know that TV journalist like me before had an affair with Sarah on the pretext of getting an exclusive interview that later on bloomed into an illicit relationship and that she became pregnant by this broadcaster. In the 90s together with another Muslim journalist from the Newspaper, we were about to divulge the secret of Sarah's love life. But considering she was a fellow

Muslim at that time I did not want to give a bad name to a Maguindanaoan. However, Sarah herself divulged her secret in a long distance interview with Ben Tulfo's BITAG Unfiltered segment from Las Vegas, USA. She finally divulged that it was Arnold Clavio of GMA7 Television who got her pregnant at the age of 17. And admitted that Clavio is the biological father of her first born daughter named Ara who was born on November 7, 1997. She is now 21 years old and stayed with them in Las Vegas after having been petitioned by Sarah's husband Sereno to join them in the USA. "Arnold Clavio is a pedophile. Sarah Balabagan trusted him because he was her interviewer in an exclusive, he took advantage of that trust and got her pregnant while she was a minor. GMA should fire him," a Twitter user wrote. "Akala ko ba wala kayong kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan @gmanetwork bakit wala man lang kayong aksyon laban kay Arnold Clavio. #JusticeforSarahBalabagan," another social media user said. JANNARAL | A9

Opinion

Diliman Way With

Vol. I, No. 11 | August 28-September 3, 2020 (Muharram 9-15, 1442)

China lovers and China

HOMOBONO A. ADAZA

“Let a hundred flowers bloom, Let a thousand schools of thought contend.” — Mao Tse Tung aka Mao Zedong “The best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market, and that truth is the only ground upon which their wishes safely can be carried out. — Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes

Fil-Chinese commented on my article entitled “Duterte, Enrile, China and Philippines” saying I will demolish Bono tomorrow. I was waiting for him to demolish me but not even his shadow appeared like a similar incident where the idol of this Fil-Chinese challenged journalist Waldy Carbonnell to a gun fight but not even his shadow appeared at the time and place of his choice. Possibly, in his rage against me due to my article and his obvious unfamiliarity with the English language, he meant he will demolish my article. I’ll give him the benefit

of the doubt despite his intransigence and low street level desire for a shouting match so familiar with the nonsensical current shouting matches between the Dutertistas and the Aquinistas. I have no desire to participate in a shouting match. It is demeaning, it being the normal method of the ignorant, vulgar and uncivilized. It is not constructive but reminiscent of the story about trial lawyers which goes this way: If you have the law, pound on the judge. If you don’t have the law but only the facts, pound on the jury. If you don’t have facts and the law,

Punchline

pound on the table. This Fil-Chinese doesn’t have the facts and the law, so he keeps on pounding the table. Pounding the table in this case means name-calling or argumentum ad hominem. But even on that level, he can’t win. Name-calling: Like an ignorant China man in a dirty Chinese market, he resorts to name-calling instead of presenting his counterarguments. Since he can’t win on the level of arguments, he thinks he can win by name-calling – “ungga unggas…American agents… bone head… pipitsugin promdi na walang alam kong anong sinasabi na walang saysay tulad ni Bono…usual diarrhea of words… incarnation of intellectual depravity and treason against the Filipino culture…a nation so poor to afford a decent life for its masses…” Qualifications: In court, a witness who claims to be an expert is first qualified as an

expert witness before he is allowed to testify. I am interested to know how your lawyer will qualify you, Herman Shio Nga Kalibang Suka as an expert witness. Herman Shio Nga: Of what I know of you, you are not a lawyer that is why your ignorance of the Constitution and Philippine laws are monumental, embarrassing and scandalous. I don’t know whether you finished college and what grade you got in English because your use of the English language is fractured and weird, your knowledge of argumentation is disjointed and dismal. And you argue like the Chinese taho vendor of old who claimed he is better than Filipinos prompting Filipinos to shout back at him – Intsek Shio Nga, kalibang suka and Baboy! You have never been elected in this country to any public office even as Barangay Captain or Chairman or anything. You only held a

government position once, as head of an agency based in Palawan courtesy of President Cory Aquino. You cannot be an authority on Philippine national interest because, as they say, you walk like a duck, you quack like a duck and you look like a duck – you must be a duck. Transposed to your situation, you walk like a China man, you talk like a China man, you look like a China man – you must be a China man. How can a dyed in the wool China man, hiding behind a Filipino citizenship know what is Philippine national interest? Certainly, he knows China’s national interest because it his, too. Because of your unmitigated arrogance, you must be of the same kind as Intsek Shio Nga Kalibang Suka parading yourself as a China lover as against the interest of Filipinos, scandalously pretending to champion Filipino interest. Johnny Ponce Enrile: ADAZA | A8

PRRD should walk the talk

ALI G. MACABALANG

he Senate committees on public order and dangerous drugs, and national defense and security conducted an inquiry last Wednesday into the killing of four Army intelligence soldiers by police elements in Jolo, Sulu on June 29, 2020. President Duterte has consistently pronounced his profuse hate on illegal drugs and corruption, which is something the overwhelming majority of the Filipino electorate elected him President. What impressed more the voters was his byword for readiness to “kill” people behind the trade of illegal drugs as well as corrupt practices in public service. But it seems that his byword coupled with his fisty stance has not discouraged some people to engage in subtle but grieve corrupt practices. The PhilHealth, the government’s frontline program to promote and sustain a healthy nation, is a typical example where some execu-

tives seemed to have defied the President’s staunch policy against corruption. Corruption among some PhilHealth executives has long been complained about even by people within the government health insurance entity. In the Manila Bulletin, I had written in 2018 four or five stories exposing complaints by 12 regional PhilHealth officials about alleged malpractices of their boss that time, Dr. Roy Ferrer. The 12 complainants accused before the Ombudsman-Mindanao in October 2019 Dr. Ferrer of graft and corrupt practices, malversation of funds, abuse of authority, and grave misconduct, gross dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to public interest. In a press statement, the 12 complainants alleged that the PhilHealth “lost P4.75billion (in 2018)” and that the problem has been “compounded” by purported malfeasances of Dr. Ferrer. In February 2017, they

said, Ferrer was made member of the PHIC Board of Directors, but three months later he applied for and was granted a three-year PhilHealth accreditation as healthcare professional by then PHIC Regional Vice President (Davao City) Rodolfo Del Rosario Jr. Del Rosario was earlier named head of PHIC-Davao allegedly at the behest of Dr. Ferrer, they said. They said Ferrer was appointed PhilHealth acting president/CEO by President Duterte on June 5, 2018 but he did not relinquish his healthcare accreditation, allegedly continuing to collect “professional fees” that had amounted to at least P604,080.00 in addition to his salaries and allowances worth P1.55M in 2017 alone as agency official. The complainants had called for a Congressional probe on anomalies in PhilHealth. But the call fell on deaf ears. In the advent of the lifetaking COVID-19 pandemic, similar complaints resurfaced. This time, the House

of Representatives started looking into it this month. In the House Committee hearings, probing lawmakers like Reps. Mike Defensor and Dante Marcoleta have discovered that corruption in the PhilHealth had even involved officials in the Civil Service Commission as well as the Human Management Inc., a group organized by the Archdiocese of Manila to administer the Cardinal Santos Hospital. In its initial hearing, the probing lawmakers have expressed profuse disgust that they vowed to file plunder case against the HMI and other officials. It is too saddening to learn that a life-saving program is even tainted with corruption under an administration touted to be graft-buster. The reported arbitration settlement of PhilHealth’s over payment to Cardinal Santos Hospital worth P270million I believe is just a tip of the iceberg. Because of easy ways to suck money from the PhilHealth, many physicians have grouped themselves

and built hospitals. These hospitals started small and in less than a decade, they turned giants as to grow into several-floors of buildings. My family has been a victim of overcharges by corporate hospitals in Region XII. In repeated cases, I had introduced myself a journalist to hospital administrators, who surprisingly cut the am9ounts of our bill into almost half. In their admission to medical practice, Doctors are sworn to “save life” by any possible means. But in real practices, some of these doctors have succumbed to the glitters of money. The government prohibits the vicious practice of hospitals exacting “deposit” from patients before treatment or confinement. But some private hospitals have been defying the state policy. President Duterte should walk his talk or exemplify his anti-corruption policy by cracking the whip on corrupt personalities under his watch. ALI G. MACABALANG

Opinion JP Enrile Commentary WITH JUAN PONCE ENRILE

few days ago in Clark City some individuals gathered and proposed a revolutionary government for the country. The proposal immediately triggered a panic reaction from some quarters. While the proponents of the idea might be well meaning, there is not enough time from now until the national

election of May, 2022 - to put across their proposal and to accomplish the task of their revolutionary government. But more than that, the proposal is, to me, nothing more than a pipe dream. I am glad the Palace distanced itself from the revgov proposal. That proposal would totally wreck the image of the

BY Abdul Hannan Magarang Tago

t an educational gathering here recently marking the graduation of grade ten (10) students. Thank to the organizer, I was guest of honor and so impressed by the school balanced system of education. They both study Western and Islamic-Arabic education making them bilingual in both major languages; Arabic and English with modern knowledge and moral values. The discipline inspired me to talk precisely on such unique and very ideal system

for our community. As a graduate of a Cairobased Al-Azhar university in 1991, and worked with multinational workforce. I was also exposed to the international issues in all aspects of life. I have seen and lived in the Middle East where major war took place or still taking place. The war in Iraq, Libya and now Syria that eventually caused the killing of heads of those strong Arab countries. It killed several millions of civilians also in these countries. The Westerners and their

BY Atty. Alexander A. Padilla

have not read nor have I been furnished the report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. But if reports are true, let me categorically state that the charges leveled against me for fund diversion is patently false, an outright lie. The so-called 10.6B fund intended for payment of senior citizenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premiums NEVER happened. No such funds were allocated in the 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or at anytime when I was then President/CEO of PhilHealth. It is IMPOSSIBLE TO DIVERT ANY FUNDS THAT DOESNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T EXIST. While PhilHealth may have requested at the time for the payment for the premiums of

senior citizens in order for it to augment its coffers, the request was never granted and the allocation never given. There is no correlation as well to the P9.392B Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) for barangay health stations and the like. First, the amounts are different and next, the HFEP budget came from savings of unused personnel funds from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund (MPBF), which was duly authorized by Congress in the 2015 GAA. Again, PhilHealth has nothing to do with HFEP as it is not in the business of funding infrastructure projects of DoH. I think a simple perusal of the budget allocations for Phil-

Vol. I, No. 11 | August 28-September 3, 2020 (Muharram 9-15, 1442)

A Pipe Dream Duterte administration. Imagine, the proposal would, in effect, call for President to be a rebel and adventurer against the constitution under which he was elected and which, by his oath of office, he swore to " preserve and defend." That, indeed, would have lastingly stained the achievements of the Duterte government. Installing a revgov is undoubtedly an unconstitutional act. Its aim is none other than

to destroy the current constitution and replace it with another without a formal consent from the people. I really doubt if the AFP and PNP will go along with a proposal like that. I am more inclined to believe that they will not. There is no parity between the Cory Aquino revgov and the newly proposed revgov. Cory did not take her oath under the 1973 Constitution. Justice Claudio Teehankee, who administered

her oath, prepared an oath for Cory when she assumed her position as President of the country. The theory then being that Cory derived her authority to govern the country from the EDSA Revolution and not from the snap presidential election of 1986. That is why Secretary of Justice Neptali Gonzales drafted the Revolutionary Constitution in March of 1986. JPE

Why we need Balance Education power travelled thousands of miles for a very clear mission and indeed succeeded at the expense of humanity. The Westerners are equipped with high worldly education and technology in all fields. Yet, the mankind did not benefit from such knowledge except their vested interests. It caused massive destruction of properties and infrastructures. Unfortunately, Muslims were the most target. They suffered the most. "Education without moral value is useless and cannot serve the very purpose for which mankind was created,"

I told the graduates. In this context, a country could be hightech best in science and medicine but it is immoral and against humanity. They live in selfishness and sacrifice others for their own vested interests. Nobody can control them except the power of unseen Almighty Allah S.W.T. One of His signs is the strong wind that only we feel its energy and nobody can touch it. The Covid-19 is a serious example and examine for a purpose. The invisible enemy paralyzed almost all Western

countries with several millions casualties without a single bullet. This is to correct and manifest that there is a real powerful Creator who cannot be ignored. He does not allow the poor human being to destroy others without valid reason. He created us to respect each and every nation. He encouraged us to live in harmony and passion. Everybody needs the support and products of others to boost cooperation and helping hand attitude. Only balance education can do that. AHMT

Diversion of PhilHealth funds? Health and DoH during those years would reveal these simple truths. Further, for even simple decency, observance of common courtesy and due process, I was never asked to appear, explain or comment on these baseless allegations at anytime in the entire duration of this investigation. It is indeed unfortunate that political grandstanding in our country has sunk to an all time low where lies are passed off as truth and facts exchanged for fiction. I am certainly innocent of these malicious accusations and intend to prove the same at anytime, any place and at whatever forum. *Atty. Alexander A. Padilla is one of the brilliant lawyers in the country today. He graduated from the College of Law of the University of the

Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. While at the UPLaw he became classmate of our very own Atty. Nasser Marohomsalic, one of the Board of Editors of Philippine Muslim Today. Atty. Padilla became a member of the Philippine Bar in 1981 and from thereon had occupied several high positions in government. His latest position was from 2013 to 2016 when he became the President/CEO of the PhilHealth. Then he became also the Peace Panel Chairperson in the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) from 20102013. Prior to his involvement in peace process negotiating with the National Democratic Front (NDF), he was also the

Undersecretary of the Department of Health in the year 2001-2010. He also served as Special Prosecutor at the Office of the Ombudsman from 2001-2003. He once worked with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as Undersecretary from 19992001. Of course prior to working in the government in several capacities, he was involved in private law practice upon passing the Bar Exam in 1981. Now since it is the time of pandemic, Atty. Alex as what friends call him has stayed home most of the time and tried to hone his singing prowess. Thus he can be called also as a Singing Lawyer. Editor

News

Vol. I, No. 09 | August 14-20, 2020 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 24, 1441-Muharram 1, 1442)

From financial fraud to mercenary: Davao Chamber event to tackle country’s updates on The Life of Wirecard’s Jan Marsalek the real estate industry D I By Muslimedia.PH

n a story authored by Sam Jones, Paul Murphy, and Helen Warrell, the Financial Times published not so long ago a suspect in one of Germany’s biggest financial frauds, Jan Marsalek, who talked of assembling a Libyan militia and bragged of adventures with Russian troops. The Times said it was early 2018 when Jan Marsalek, the young chief operating officer of German fintech champion Wirecard, held a meeting in his palatial home in Munich to talk about a new special project he was interested in: recruiting 15,000 Libyan militiamen. But Marsalek suddenly vanished in the wake of Wirecard’s implosion. An international warrant has been issued for his arrest. German prosecutors regard him as one of the key suspects in a vast fraud that for years inflated the payment company’s balance sheet and profits and helped propel it into the prestigious Dax 30 index. But as documents and testimony from first-hand witnesses reveal, Mr Marsalek’s

interests went far beyond unorthodox accounting. The 40year-old Austrian has led multiple lives, with complicated and overlapping commercial and political interests. Sometimes those interests cleaved to Wirecard’s aggressive expansion plans in frontier markets. Sometimes they coincided with Mr Marsalek’s own sprawling and unusual range of personal investments. And sometimes they seemed to fit neatly with the work of Russia’s intelligence agencies. Mr Marsalek is now a person of interest to three western intelligence agencies, according to officials in three countries. In particular, they are intrigued by Mr Marsalek’s association with individuals or networks linked to Russia’s military intelligence directorate, the GRU — the agency blamed for the attempted assassination of ex-spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, the covert war in Ukraine, and the manipulation of the 2016 presidential election in the US. He has an extreme affinity for security . . . I could nev-

ADAZA | from Page A6

China lovers and China You called JPE names. Herman Shio Nga Kalibang Suka. I knew you are filthy rich with your restaurant, eateries and other investments and properties in this country but even on that level you cannot be compared to JPE. You are an economic pygmy while Enrile is a giant. Again, on the level of resume, you are nothing but a piece of Chinese pebble in a dirty deserted Chinese beach oozing with Chinese corona virus, in comparison to JPE. While I don’t agree with him many times, you cannot deny he was Senate President, Secretary of National Defense, Secretary of Justice, Member of Parliament and Chief of the Bureau of Customs, headed prestigious law offices, ACCRALAW and PECABAR, and graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law. Me: I am just a poor boy from Misamis Oriental and Camiguin, born to a legendary mayor of a father and an iconic elementary public school teacher of a mother; topped my classes from grade one to my pre-law at the University of the Philippines, top ten in the UP College of law with a consistent

permanent membership in the Order of the Purple Feather, the UP College of Law honor society, and membership in two international honor societies –PHI KAPPI PHI, for over-all academic excellence, and PI GAMMA MU, for academic excellence in the social sciences; twice editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, the official student publication of the UP, main campus at Diliman, Quezon City on an annual term, the only one up to this day; took the Philippine Collegian editorial examination three times and made it each time, also the only one up to this day; was a political prisoner in Camp Crame and Fort Bonifacio for one year six months and eleven days during the Marcos martial law. I organized a political party, MINDANAO ALLIANCE (MA), the first Opposition party organized under martial law, in response to the Marcos challenge for the 1978 interim Batasang. Pambansa elections, where MA candidates overwhelmingly won in two regions in Mindanao but none of the victors were proclaimed except Reuben Canoy from Region X.

er tell whether it was real or staged. Since 2015, Libya has been a focus of Mr Marsalek’s world beyond Wirecard. His activities there — fragments of which have been pieced together by the Financial Times — are a window into his alternative work: secretive projects that took him across the Middle East, often into conflict zones. For the past decade, Libya’s bloody civil war has kept all but the most adventurous western investors and boldest politicians away. But it has become the locus for a hidden war of interests — both commercial and diplomatic. And a playground for spies. Over the past six months, the FT has spoken to half a dozen individuals who worked directly with Mr Marsalek on projects in the north African country, and gained access to documents and emails concerning his affairs far outside the scope of his job at the helm of a major German multinational. Most of those people spoke on condition of anonymity because they are fearful for Though the KBL leader in Region X admitted to Marcos in Malacañang that there were two winners – Canoy and Adaza- Marcos ordered to proclaim Canoy but not Adaza, in the presence of Secretary Antonio Raquiza. In 1980, I won as Provincial Governor of Misamis Oriental, one of two Opposition governors who got elected despite the formidable machinery and money of the KBL and the other one was Joey Laurel of Batangas I went on to win as Member of Parliament in 1984 where I single-handedly fought against the proclamation of Marcos while you Herman Intsek Shio Nga Kalibang Suka was worshipping at Marcos’ feet. Conclusion: Comparing Herman Intsek Shio Nga Kalibang Suka, Enrile and my qualification, it is overwhelmingly obvious that Herman Intsek Shio Nga Kalibang Suka is not an expert witness on Filipino national interest or on anything else for that matter. Analysis of charges and claims: It is quite clear that the way Herman Intsek Shio Nga Kalibang Suka writes and argues, he should study how to write in English and argue like a good debater or as a trial lawyer. Look at the-

AVAO CITY: The upcoming 7th General Membership Meeting of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) together with its event partner PRIME Philippines entitled: “Reimagining the Future of Real Estate” will highlight how the real estate industry is performing in the midst of COVID-19. The event, which will be held on August 28, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, presents PRIME Philippines Founder and CEO, Mr. Jettson P. Yu to discuss the current state of the Philippine real estate market and the potential new normal practices in the industry. With this, the business community is encouraged to attend as the event will significantly uncover real estate opportunities amid the pandemic. Meanwhile, members of the press are welcome to join for free. For interested parties, you can register at https:// event.webinarjam.com/channel/futureofrealestate. For more information about “Reimagining the Future of Real Estate”, visit Davao Chamber’s official FB page or call (082) 225-4021. GALIL JOEY MORADOS their livelihoods and their personal safety. “In general, Marsalek is a very strange character: he has an extreme affinity for security and is very mysterious,” said one of those who worked with him. “I could never tell whether it was real or staged.” Another recalls a lunch in June 2017, at the Käfer-Schänke in Munich, a luxury restaurant that was a favourite haunt of Mr Marsalek’s.

Across a table of starched linen and pristine crystal glasses, Mr Marsalek boasted to his two dining companions of a trip he had made — to the desert ruins of Palmyra, in Syria, as a guest of the Russian military. He was there with “the boys” right after they retook it from Isis, he said, and it had been a fantastic experience. Russia’s defence ministry did not respond to a request for com-

se:

dives. And also in the Philippines! American experience: China and Chinese, wherever they invest, as the experience of the United States and other countries, try to control strategic industries in these countries and get into the political mainstream so government policies in those countries will be in favor of China and the Chinese. Not only that, as international media, has exposed – China and Chinese bribe experts to steal scientific formulas and technological advances for the benefit of China and the Chinese. China and Chinese are experts in bribery and graft and corruption as we have experienced in the Philippines. That is why China and Chinese flourish in our country giving birth to and continuing with massive graft and corruption to the detriment of our people. A series: Considering the importance of this subject, “China Lovers and China”, for the survival of the Philippines as an independent country, I have decided to do a series on the subject with the view to educating our people and ridding the country of the influence and dominant presence of China lovers, Chinese and China. HOMOBONO ADAZA

“Diarrhea of words”: My article is four and a half (41/2) pages, his is in five and a half (51/2) pages. Which one is longer and a diarrhea? Huh, Intsek Shio Nga Kalibang Suka. “Unggas-unggas”: Enrile just stated a fact that control by Chinese, direct or indirect, of the Fuga island group is prejudicial to our national interest. It just happen I agree with Enrile as it gives China strategic control of the sea lanes and the island group is nearer to China than the nearest Philippine entry point, as Intsek Shio Nga Kalibang Suka pointed out in his reply article. Intsek Shio Nga Kalibang Suka says in his reply article that the entry of Chinese investors and developers in Fuga is just for business with the view to starting the development of Northern Luzon because the area is undeveloped. Absolute nonsense! First, wherever Chinese invest, they gain a foothold to promote China and Chinese interest. Many of the countries where China and Chinese invested are now in a China debt trap. They could not pay their loans to China, so China and Chinese have gained a part of these countries from Senegal to Mal-

FINANCIAL | A9

Vol. I, No. 11 | August 28-September 3, 2020 (Muharram 9-15, 1442)

National, Bangsamoro gov’ts should recognize LGU’s efforts in clearing of road obstructions

The Best of Halal Home-Cooked Muslim Filipino Dishes

ARAWI CITY: Several months have passed since the national government and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have ordered Local Government Units (LGUs) in Lanao del Sur to immediately clear obstructions of highways, provincial and municipal roads which posing dangers to commuters and motorists. Then suddenly, it seems forgotten.

By MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL

KURMA

e are now on the 4th important Halal Dish of the Tausug of Sulu, which is Kurma as mentioned in the Tausug Cookbook written by Tausug Chef Abdulaziz H. Hamsain whose handy Cookbook can be purchased at an affordable price. This is considering that the book is not a money making venture of the author but with the primordial objective to pass on this Halal Dishes from one generation to the next generation. While we are writing on the common Halal Dishes of Tausug, the next presentation will be the Halal Dishes of our Maranao and Maguindanao brothers including the specialties from other tribal groups like Iranun, Yakan, Sama, and even Kagan. Below is an easy procedure that housewife or anybody can follow while staying at home in this time of Pandemic. The order did not come easy for the LGUs because illegal concrete structures including residential and commercial buildings were rampantly built. Even public structures such as BPAT’s checkpoints were also illegally constructed. Worst, markets were even established along the highways and if you happened to pass along these highways, you have had probably hard time going through the traffic. The order stormed the LGUS. Most, if not all LGUs followed and implemented the order. Several concrete structures believed to be obstructing the roads are demolished. And building owners had to obey the order. Indeed, this is among the many government orders followed and implemented by the LGUs in the province. Then suddenly the program just disappeared in silence, or put into shelves. It is presumed its time has lapsed and there is a need to move on to other programs.

Be that as it may, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) should fairly reward the efforts of a local government unit (LGU) which religiously follow and implement the department’s order and has excelled among other LGUs. In Lanao del Sur, media covering the province has lauded how the municipality of Bacolod Kalawi follows in the letter the order of the department to clear those obstructions of roads including highways and town roads. The Mindanao Gold Star, a credible regional daily in Northern in Mindanao, said Bacolod Kalawi has led others in the clearing of road obstructions. Ranao Star, the one covering LGUs activities, could also attest to that. Bacolod Kalawi municipality, if ever DILG would award those who implemented the road obstruction clearing, deserves the award. Muslimedia.PH

FINANCIAL | from Page A8

From financial fraud to mercenary: ment. What has been hard to understand, one intelligence official stressed, is the degree to which Mr Marsalek was aware of who he was becoming entangled with, or whether his often maladroit actions were instead driven by a deluded sense of adventurism. The FT put a list of questions concerning Mr Marsalek’s activities to his lawyer in Germany, who declined to comment. A palatial home next to the Russian consulate Prinzregentenstrasse 61 was described by Mr Marsalek as his home. But the huge urban villa — which stands opposite

the Russian consular compound in Munich — was as austere inside as it was embellished outside. Guests would be welcomed by a female assistant and shown to the spotless salon. Polished floors and brilliant white walls, spartanly, if strikingly, adorned with modern works of art, gave the place an eerie formality, recall visitors — somewhere between an Apple store and an extremely expensive lawyers’ practice. It was an aesthetic Mr Marsalek cultivated in his dress, too, in what one source described as an unvarying “uniform” of a neatly

tailored suit and a brilliant white, crisp shirt, open at the collar. The official purpose of the meeting at Prinzregentenstrasse 61 in February 2018, was to discuss humanitarian reconstruction in Libya. Months earlier, through contacts he had made at the Austrian-Russian Friendship Society — an organisation backed by the Russian government to promote networking between senior policymakers in the two countries — Mr Marsalek had recruited a small group of Austrian security and international development experts for such a project. Muslimedia.PH

JANNARAL | from Page A5

Untold Secret of former Muslima, now Christian Sarah Balabagan “Has he issued any statement yet about Sarah Balabagan’s big revelation? It would be good if he provided support, and would not deny paternity. From the situation prevailing at that time, it seems Arnold Clavio took advantage of a traumatized minor," another internet user alleged.

Sarah is now an apostate Why Sarah formerly a Muslim from Maguindanao now a devout Christian in Las Vegas? That's the question why she turned as an apostate which is a heinous crime in Islamic Law. As interviewed by Ben Tulfo in his BITAG Unfiltered,

apparently Sarah BalabaganSereno really blamed Islamic law after having suffered 100 lashes inflicted by the prison authorities at Al-Ain Prison in UAE. Hence, that prompted her to change her religion to Christianity in addition to having a Christian husband. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Kurma Serves 4-5 INGREDIENTS: - 1 kilo beef/lamb - 2 cups of Coconut milk - 1 tsp Curry powder - 2 tbsp Tomato sauce/ paste - 2 tbsp Peanut butter - 2 inches Ginger chopped - 2 pinch Black pepper - 1 tsp salt - Sugar (optional- depend-

ing on taste) - 1 whole Bell pepper chopped - 3 medium size Potato chopped - 3 Garlic cloves minced - 1 Laurel leaves - 1 Lemongrass (optional) - 2 tbsp oil for sauteing and cooking

PROCEDURE: 1. Sauté garlic, onion, ginger and lemongrass in a pot then add the beef/lamb and 1 tsp of salt, stir then cover for 3-5 minutes. 2. Add 500 ml of water, stir well then cook until meat is tender (1-2 hours depending on cooking procedure). 3. Remove the beef/lamb from the pot then set aside. 4. Sauté the garlic, onion, ginger, peanut butter, black pepper , laurel leaves, to-

mato sauce, and coconut milk then add the potatoes. 5. Allow the potatoes to be cooked then add the beef/ lamb and curry powder. 6. Stir well, add salt and sugar depending on taste. 7. Mix well then add the bell pepper at the end. ** Kurma is best served with rice or pita bread/roti at any meal of the day. Maria Fhebie Ortil

A10

Eco-Tourism

Vol. I, No. 11 | August 28-September 3, 2020 (Muharram 9-15, 1442)

Tabawan: The Land of Ancient Rituals and Mysticisms By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D.

abawan Island, a very old settlement in the northern part of Tawi-Tawi and now part of the Municipality of South Ubian, mirrors the multiple ancient spiritual practices that are still keenly observed by its people. Although it is predominantly a Muslim community, it cannot deviate from its ancestor’s way of life and still retained the shadow of what their forbears taught them with the strong belief that it is a ‘good practice that delivers them from bad spirit and guide them to a better and successful future’. The most common traditional practices are ‘Pagomboh’ and ‘Pag-duwata’. The former is related to their ancestors – by paying homage and devotion to their departing loved ones whom they believed are ‘up there’ looking at their welfare and guiding them in times of trouble and disaster’ that may come their way. The latter is about offering to please the’ jinns’ or unseen spiritual beings – whom they can ‘consult’ and asked for whatever past or future awaits them. ABOVE: Beautiful women of Tabawan in their native constumes. LEFT: Tabawan women preparing native cakes for the rituals. RIGHT: The Langal, a century old mosque built without using a single nail. BELOW: A typical boat container loaded with food offerings for Tulak-Balah. (Courtesy of Dr. Johnny R. Lee) Both practices are performed in a planned and elaborate rituals complete with colorful costumes and food preparations. The rituals are usually headed by the ‘shaman’ or local imam who is recognized as the bearer of the ancient traditional practices. An incense(kamanyan) and a ‘tonics’ are important essentials in the conduct of the ritual. The former is usually taken in as drinks by the ‘shaman’ (either male or female) to bring him or her into a state of ‘trance’. A spirit will soon go through his or her physical body and a ‘conversation’ between the spirit and the ‘shaman’starts – in one single body! Another notable ritual is the so-called ‘pagtulak-balah’ or driving away bad luck. In here, a small boat is filled with food offerings from a family or clan and towed away to the open seas for good. Aside from the ancient rituals, Tabawan people exhibited other cultural practices like ‘Tabawan Night, which occurs during full moon. Young boys and girls, in separate dug-out bancas, drove out into the open water to celebrate the bright and calm ambiance brought about by the moonlight and high tides. As a sideshow, the young boys complete with musical instruments like guitar and music box will sing romantic native songs to serenade the young girls. It is a sort of the start of

‘courtship’that usually ends up with a pair soon getting married. Tabawan is noted for its olden mosque or ‘Langgal’ made of native ma-

LANGGAL IN P1,000 BILL: The lower figure at the back of P1,000 bill is known as Langgal or a typical Mosque (Masjid) taken from an actual Photo in Tabawan, South Ubian in Tawi-Tawi Province.

terials built without a single nail. The century old mosque was even featured in a P1,000.00 Philippine bill. Most of the old houses that are made of wood and light

materials still remained in their old form with distinguishing uniformed marker attached to the top front of the nipa roof. JOHNNY R. LEE

TABAWAN WATERWAYS. Majority of the houses are built on stitches.