Philippine Muslim Today

RevGov — Crime Against the People and the Constitution

Takfir and Peace Mehol K. Sadain | Page A3

Corruption, a pandemic itself

Innovative Journalism

Homobono A. Adaza | Page A4

Ali G. Macabalang | Page A4

Abdul Hannan M. Tago | Page A5

Muslim today PHILIPPINE

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442) | 12 Pages

The Muslim National Paper

BARMM probes Kabacan massacre; CHR-12 unearths cops involvement

By Ali G. Macabalang

Editorial: Padang Karbala of Bayang Where Thousand of Maranao Leaders were martyred

A

s the Bangsamoro government assures to look into the massacres of nine Moro farmers on Aug. 29 in Kabacan, North Cotabato, the Commission on Human Rights in Region 12 is eyeing an angle for possible police involvement in the carnage that happened along a highway in broad day light.

On May 2, 1902, the celebrated war between the Maranaos and the Americans invaders took place in a plateau in Bayang, in the Pat a Pungampong ko Ranao.

At the time, there was no Lanao del Sur nor Lanao province. There was only Ranao, home of the native Iranuns or Maranaos with a few immigrants. (See Page A2)

News Inside: Piñol pushes ‘whole-ofnation approach’ for Sulu, opposes Martial Law option

BARMM PROBE. Bangsamoro chief minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, left, and Minister Hussein P. Muñoz. (AGM)

Cascolan reshuffles PNP UNESCO Classifies Ampatuan

By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairman Emmanuel F. Piñol wants ‘whole-of-nation approach’ for the resolution of intermittent violence in Sulu, even as he averred that military solution alone would fail as usual.

—————————————-

“Isolate for 14 days” BARMM health minister warns those in close contact with them after he, wife tested Covid positive COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Health Minister Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan urged those in close contact with them for the past two weeks to isolate themselves for 14 days and immediately go to the nearest health facility if they begin experiencing manifestations of the virus.

(See Page A7)

Massacre Case as “Resolved”

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Shortly after the latest bombing attack that killed civilians and soldiers in Jolo town, Sec. Piñol in an online statement expressed objection to declaration of martial law in the town.

Piñol, a former veteran journalist, posted a statement on the incident. entitled 'Wholeof-Nation Approach: Key to Peace in Troubled Sulu. (See Page A6)

(Full story on Page A6)

BOOSTING COPS' MORALE. New PNP chief, Gen. Camilo Cascolan, vows to implement measures aimed at taking care of the welfare and boosting the morale of policemen in his assumption speech as the country's 24th top cop in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Wednesday (Sept. 2, 2020). Cascolan replaced Gen. Archie Gamboa who mandatorily retired from the service. (Photo courtesy of PNP PIO)

N

ew Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan on Thursday, Sept1 3, ordered the reorganization of the three top posts in the Command Group.

Cascolan named Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar as deputy chief for administration, the PNP's second highest official.

Lt. Gen. Hawthorne Binag, the chief directorial staff, will replace Eleazar as the deputy chief for operations, making him the police force's third ranking official.

Maj. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz will take the place of Binag.

Cascolan also ordered a reshuffle of ranking police officials to other positions. The reorganization takes effect Sept. 3.

CASCOLAN | A9

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially classified the Ampatuan Massacre as “resolved”, proof that the country’s justice system in safeguarding press freedom is truly working under the Duterte Administration.

According to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) this was announced by UNESCO’s Assistant DirectorGeneral for Communication and Information Mr. Moez Chakchouk in his letter to Ambassador Theresa Lazaro.

UNESCO acknowledged the concrete efforts of the government in bringing to justice the suspects in the Ampatuan Massacre. ”I am pleased to confirm that we will classify these as resolved, both in the UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists and in the 2020 Director-General Report on the Safety of Journalists," Chakchouk said, referring to the “killings of journalists” in the Ampatuan Massacre.

In a report to the PTFoMS from the Department of Foreign Affairs - United Nations and International Organizations (DFA UNIO), it was likewise announced that UNESCO is ready to “provide support to the Philippines in the form of capacity-building for the judiciary on international standards regarding freedom of expression.”

Department of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, the PTFoMS Chair, lauded UNESCO’s pronouncement saying that the Philippine justice system is fair and effective.

PTFoMS Co-Chair and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin M. Andanar also praised UNESCO’s decision, stating that “This is a testament to the Administration’s steadfast resolve to protect our media workers against violence and to defend freedom of the press. We are grateful for this latest recognition given to the Philippine Government by UNESCO.” UNESCO| A11

EDITORIAL

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Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY The Muslim National Newspaper Operated by Muslimedia.PH Founded in June 2020 BOARD OF EDITORS: MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief and Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor PHIL MUSLIM Layout Artist 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.

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Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

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EDITORIAL

Padang Karbala of Bayang

WHERE THOUSAND OF MARANAO LEADERS WERE MARTYRED

O

n May 2, 1902, the celebrated war between the Maranaos and the Americans invaders took place in a plateau in Bayang, in the Pat a Pungampong ko Ranao.

At the time, there was no Lanao del Sur nor Lanao province. There was only Ranao, home of the native Iranuns or Maranaos with a few immigrants.

That plain field was later called Padang Karbala, or Karbala Plains, in memory of Karbala in Iraq where the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (saw) and about a hundred of his relatives, followers and supporters were killed as they fought against the tyrant rulers in the Hijaz.

Imam Hussein or Ameer Hussein (as) and his group of supporters were killed in Karbala, Iraq, by the army of Yazid, son of Mu’awiyyah, son of Abu Sufffyan.

It was believed the battles in Bayang and that of Karbala in Iraq did happen on the 10th of Muharram now commemorated by Muslims all over the globe as Ashura. And it was also believed the reason for the bloody martyrdoms in Karbala and in Bayang was the same — in defense of Islam religion and their homeland. Hence, the Maranao People, especially the descendants of Diwan who are the natives of Bayang call the very spot in Bayang where the Maranaos were martyred as Padang Karbala.

The Battle of Bayang in Padang Karbala has originated a patriotic monument in the heart and soul of every Maranao of any generation. It remains a guiding spirit in the defense of the homeland and in the fight for self-determination and freedom.

It was said around a thousand Maranao lives were lost during the battle called the first fiercest battle in the Philippines.

Recalling that fateful event in Bayang, Dr. Federico V. Magdalena, said in his work “Revisitng the 1902 Battle of Bayang: “What

was it that led to its occurrence?

“It all began when the administration of the Philippine Islands changed hands.

“As a colony of Spain, the Islands fell on the lap of the United States by virtue of the Treaty of Paris in 1898, owing to the victory of the United States over Spain in the war precipitated by the Cuban affair.

“But the transfer included Mindanao and Sulu, which were territories unconquered by Spain. As the United States occupied the southern islands, it also inherited the 300-year conflict with the "Moros" (then a derogatory term for the Muslims in the Philippines).

“Learning from its experience in winning the western frontier from the American Indians, the United States began to explore Mindanao and Sulu after concluding a "treaty" on August 20, 1899, with US General John C. Bates and Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram II as signatories (see Tan, 1994).

“A year later, US authorities would send troops to survey the rest of Mindanao island and establish sovereignty of United States over the inhabitants, who had always remained free from foreign dominion “ Dr. Magdalena further wrote: “ The Battle at Bayang was concededly an uneven fight, with the odds stacked against the Maranao warriors at a ratio of 6 to 10.

“Outnumbered and outgunned, the "battle" would have easily been called a Moro massacre, or a "murderous retaliation," according to Jacob Shurman, president of Cornell University and first head of the Philippine Commission...”

EDITORIAL | A7

Opinion

Ijtihad WITH MEHOL K. SADAIN

L

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

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

A3

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

Batanes On SIA's World Philosophical Forum to of the Philippines Tawi-Tawi WITH JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

‘

BATANES TO TAWITAWI’ for this week has devoted the topic on the World Philosophical Forum (WPF) chaired by a fellow Tausug of Sulu, Shariff Ibrahim (SIA) Albani as WPF spread out now all over the Philippines.

As we go on discussing the important details about WPF, I learned from the WPF Chairman that the on-going Pandemic caused by COVID19 and just like anyone else they were affected too and has to close down their office for one month. But though the Pandemic is dreaded enough they did not allow it to affect their daily lives.

Instead, Shariff Ibrahim said they launched "Operation Tulong COVID19," the giving of "Ayuda" or grocery items that included rice and other basic commodities to those in need from Batanes to Jolo a month ahead before the government launched their mandate of giving of grocery items sent through the different barangays.

Shariff Ibrahim said WPF is the only place and platform

where humanity can discuss solutions to the general earth's issues.

He said some of the essential elements in all modern societies is where the WPF has focused on are like education, humanitarian, business, environment, and economics.

WPF had its first convention here in the Philippines last year in 2019 based on the theme "philosophy is the solution to peace, unity, and economic prosperity."

Thus WPF was also aimed to promote peace and unity in diversity worldwide.

He said "complex problems are ailing not only in our nation or region but of the entire world. where bickering, vindictiveness, and nepotism have become ills of the society."

According to the WPF Philippines Chairman, the Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. He added that the goals interconnected and in order to leave no one behind, it is important to achieve each goal and target by 2030.

There are 17 goals in all that must be achieved by this timetable.

Goal 1: No PovertyEconomic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality.

Goal 2: Zero Hunger- The food and agriculture sector offers key solutions for development, and is central for hunger and poverty eradication.

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being- Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the wellbeing for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development.

Goal 4: Qualify EducationObtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people's lives and sustainable development.

Goal 5: Gender EqualityGender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation-Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in.

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy- Energy is essential to nearly every major challenge and opportunity.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthSustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs.

Goal 9: Industry Innovation and Infrastructure Investments in infrastructure are crucial to achieving sustainable development.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities- To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesThere needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionResponsible production and consumption involve recycle paper, plastic, glass & aluminum.

Goal 13: Climate ActionsClimate change is a globe challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.

Goal 14: Life Below WaterCareful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of sustainable future.

Goal 15: Life on Land-

Sustainably manage forests, combat decertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.

Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAccess to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.

Goal 17: PartnershipsRevitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

In a nutshell, according to Shariff Ibrahim Albani, chairman of Philippine Branch of Unesco-World Forum (WPF), "peace, unity, national reconciliation are the essential elements in modern societies."

He suggested that the Philippines must build a progressive and developed nation anchored on philosophy while preserving the religious values and cultural traditions.

What is really WPF and where it has originated? The Website of WPF says it is a Greek non-profit organization which was founded by Dr. Igor Kondrashin in Athens, Greece in 2009.

It is supported by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and has 57 member countries across the globe, led by forJANNARAL | A11

Opinion

A4

Diliman Way With

HOMOBONO A. ADAZA "Revolutions have never lightened the burden of tyranny: they have only shifted it to another shoulder."

-George Bernard Shaw “There is not a week nor day nor hour when tyranny may not enter upon this country. if the people lose their roughness and spirit of defiance.” – Walt Whitman, poet and famous author of the Leaves of Grass

W

hat is a revolutionary government? It is a government born out of a revolution. What is a revolution? It is a dramatic political move executed by forces either from within the government or forces outside of government.

What is the meaning of a dramatic political move? It is the ouster or removal of the existing government.

Reason: What is the reason for a revolution? It is due to the failure of government to perform its duties to the country and the people. Its purpose is to overthrow a government so there will be better leaders to effectively

respond to the needs of the people.

The country is agog over the news of some persons urging the people of this country to support the organization of a revolutionary government.

These persons are so brave they even had a photo opportunity published in the leading national dailies with public statements urging everyone to support their advocacy for the organization of a revolutionary government with President Duterte as its head.

Is this legal, constitutional and acceptable?

Nature of Revgov: A revolutionary government is an

Punchline ALI G. MACABALANG according to J ournalism, western experts, is “the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information.

It is also the product of these activities.”

Authors of related books say that the purpose of journalism “is thus to provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, communities, societies, and governments,” though citing its being subject to changes in time evolution and societal settings.

In Central Mindanao including the autonomous region where I have spent most of my over four decades of media practice, I had experienced doing more than heralding issues and events by persuading concerned people or authorities to resolve prevailing problems promptly.

With Divine blessings, my decisions to “walk my talk” in journalism had generally paid off in some urgent situations, including the following: Armed dispute in Maguindanao’s Dinaig (now Datu Odin Sinsuat) town Sometime between late

1980s and early 1990s, news about intermittent armed skirmishes between the family of an MILF field leader named Abas and the town’s political clan led by then sitting Mayor Datu Odin Sinsuat.

The protagonists had been trading not only bullets but rocket-propelled grenades for months. Each time they engaged in shootout, the portion of the national highway in Dinaig town had been closed to traffic.

In my running stories in PDI, I had always included public calls for the government to pacify the warring clans, investigate the root cause and resolve it. But I felt dismayed by the usual passive reactions of police and military hierarchies. They tagged the dispute as rido that can be resolved

by Moro traditional leaders.

Amid profuse dismay, Blah Bagundang (of Philippine Star then) and I took the cudgel, and brought some bottles of rum (Tanduay) to the office of Col. Jose Halcon, the regional head then of the PC/INP based in Parang, Maguindanao.

While drinking, the three of

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

Revolutionary Government — Crime Against the People and the Constitution (1) organization that takes over the reins of government which means that the government is the law and the leader or leaders are the lawgivers.

He or they are the executive, legislative and judiciary rolled into one. Whatever he or they say is final and irrevocable. Nobody can contradict them. Everyone has to say yes to them even if they confiscate your wife or your daughters as their sex slaves.

You can be stripped of your rights and properties without anyone to intervene because they are the lawgivers and the holders of the law. This is the revolutionary government as defined by the behavior and statements of the current organizers. Why? Genuine revolutionary government: Anyone who organizes a revolutionary government after a successful revolution or a coup defines his concept of what is

his revolutionary government.

First, it must show its vision of the country. Second, it must lay down the goals and principles of that vision. Third, it must have a definite organization tailored to achieve its goals operating within its principles. Fourth, it must identify the personalities composing the apparatus that will implement the methods to achieve the goals of the vision.

Fifth, it must show the qualifications of such personalities in terms of ability, integrity, character, discipline, in its commitment to the vision and to God, country and people.

Without these components, it is a fake revolutionary government just like the Cory Aquino government and a scandalous and shameless power grab.

Admission of failure: The group slaps itself and President Duterte with its statements. Among these state-

ments are the following: FIRST slap and admission: According to the organizers, one of the reasons for the installation of a Revgov is: “This is to save our country from crumbling and falling apart, our people from desperation, the Filipino youth from hopelessness.”

Questions: Who is the President of the country for the past four years, is it not President Rodrigo Roa Duterte?

Who are some of the fanatics following President Duterte all over the place, are they not the organizers of this Coalition for a Revgov?

Who have been saying that Duterte is the greatest President and he has great achievements more than any other President of this country including President Marcos, are they not President Duterte and the revgov proponents?

ADAZA | A10

Innovative Journalism us alongside some junior officers talked about trivial issues for over three hours. In the fourth hour, or about 8:00p.m., I started injecting in our huddle the Moro community’s concern about the passiveness of government authorities in addressing rido.

Blah and I explained that such passiveness had been taking tolls on human lives, not to mention the onus of innocent civilians being displaced Col. Halcon, obviously affected by reasons, suddenly ordered his men to get ready for a “surprise” trip to Dinaig town that night. He asked me and Blah to join him inside one of two V-150 armored personnel carriers, which were tailed by three six-by-six trucks filled with PC/INP elements in full combat gears.

(One or two Moro junior officers whispered to me words of mixed rage and hesitance, saying he and us could meet untimely death because of our persuasion. But they joined the trip to obey Halcon’s order.)

While on the highway towards Dinaig town, Blah and I prodded Col. Halcon to use a megaphone first and address the warring families residing at the opposite sides of the

road.

When we reached the troubled town, the convoy of combat vehicles parked at both sides of the rode, and Col. Halcon paged via megaphone the respective leaders of feuding families to come out, and join him for a talk.

Both clans heeded the call, with Mayor Sinsuat and Abas with their respective adult family members. The meeting was held first at a waiting shed, where Col. Halcon appealed for truce.

And the truce gained foot hold because the families had since refrained from shooting one another to date.

Bloody skirmishes among MILF and MNLF field groups In the then undivided Datu Piang town in Maguindanao, field groups of the MILF and the MNLF figured in intermittent armed skirmishes. Similarly, their bloody fights became a running story in the local and national media.

After almost three weeks of sporadic armed clashes, then Vice Governor Norodin Matalam was interviewed by me, Blah and Roy Sinfuego (of Manila Bulletin then) at his office in Sultan Kudarat town.

After the brief interview, we persuaded Matalam to accompany us to Datu Piang for us to get the pulse of affected rural people. He heeded the

request.

Along the narrow road of Lower Salbo in Datu Piang town, our convoy of vehicles was forced to stop as the warring revolutionary groups resumed their trade of bullets.

While taking safety covers, we witnessed men falling down on both sides of the road for over two hours. I took time to take photos using a zoom lens.

As stray dogs started to approach the cadavers, which we estimated to be over two dozens, Roy Sinfuego took off his white shirt and attached it to a long bamboo stick. He asked me to join him in standing visibly at the middle of road and floating the white makeshift flag to gain the attention of both camps.

The daredevil act paid off.

Both camps stopped firing guns. And we yelled to tell the protagonists that dogs were about to devour the cadavers.

After few seconds, unarmed men emerged from both sides of the road and took the bodies of their respective fallen comrades.

By the grace of God, both warring groups retreated to different directions, bringing corpses. We, too, sped back to Cotabato City, with Matalam almost cursing us for our act. He named me “kumander Ugis.” Ugis is a Visayan term for white. And Matalam coined the tag out of the makeshift white flag. AGM

Opinion

BY Abdul Hannan Magarang Tago

T

he PhilHealth corruption scandal recently ignited us to divulge and voice out our concern as veteran Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) including our clamor to have a separate OFW Department that would guarantee their protection and safeguard their due rights as key part of the change and vital source of income for the agency and the country at large.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte is so honest and committed to his promises but our country's long century problem in corruption has infected many in both public and private sectors. Especially those obtained their positions by the influence of money. These ill people always find access to the decision makers at the expense of the real and competent calibers.

OFWs have proven themselves as part of the global development in all fields with competence and honesty attitude.

I led the campaign for then Mayor Duterte in the Middle East in 2016 Presidential election. My first to

A

s war drumbeats to frown what peace achieved over decades of gov't and rebel talks, the MNLF & MILF obviously, were they are said obviate victors; in minds of many Muslims, it would have gained the peace and the prosperity it sought, more importantly, and an end to warring which has spanned decades.

Except heading local autonomous outfits it sought, ARMM and BARMM respectively, war for Mindanao reeked worse to have become now lairs for global terrorists, making conflict even more the high road in a more complex global radical terrorism, a truly dreary metamorphosis.

I'd say talking peace hasn't addressed concluding to its end. The long pestering war problems in Mindanao is unending, ironically, this too many decades claiming hundreds, thousands lost lives, displaced people and business, immeasurable.

But as far as the MNLF & MILF rebellions, one ended in 1996 MNLF taking reign of ARMM and the other, MILF, the BARMM, have all forth-

campaign and vote for a presidential candidate in my whole life while living in such very strict country, Saudi Arabia.

A group of campaign team of then Mayor Duterte, under Charito "Ching" Plaza leadership who is now the head of the Philippines Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the former Regional Land Transportation Director in Caraga, Alex Mamao, I had the chance to meet then the presidential candidate on February 8, 2016 before the election traveling all the way from Saudi Arabia for the historic interview I conducted for the leading English daily based in KSA. The mission has paid off and indeed delivered almost landslide victory for then Mayor of Davao. My one-onone interview at Crown Plaza Hotel, Ortigas in Metro Manila was mainly focused on OFWs affairs and concerns. (The two parts talks are vailable on Arab News online version).

The historic meeting convinced me to lead his overseas campaign in the Middle East.

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

Corruption, a pandemic itself Almost all OFWs voted for then Mayor Duterte for their strong belief that our country will be free of corruption as one of his top agenda among others to finish such as illegal drugs and criminality.

He indeed did his best.

I was one of those supporters from abroad who were invited to Davao on May 16, 2016 victory celebration and to meet the people choice who just won the election.

I was surprised to see politicians and job seekers who did not campaign for him were presents. I saw some even talked against him during the campaign.

They were so proud to have selfie with then the new elected head of the nation.

Apparently those opportunists penetrated and had the access by the help

of their close influential friends who actually helped the Mayor during his campaign.

From such political high profile occasion I have ever attended I felt that politicians or those who can pay will always have a chance to penetrate whoever in the position

The Complex Mindanao War

By AMINULLAH ALONTO LUCMAN with concluded, but to no avail. Meanwhile wa r, conflicts, continue unabated. It is rather heavily perceived two rebel groups to have formed part of the solution measures, pretty much the option we liked to further promote peacemaking.

Undoubtedly, no question indeed.

Certainly, Jolo or Marawi's terrorism experiences cannot be a Muslim rebellion just because of ISIS or others in the Middle East based war machineries, as terror experts say, simply for support eked from there and firing up local terrorism doesn't mean it is Islamic. It just doesn't add up. Targets are Muslim majority cities, for instance Jolo and Marawi; such heinous acts grossly bury such places deep in poverty, this is un-Islamic in all preponderance, it doesn't make any sense.

There still are unseen hands in all these. For instance known supporters of

A5

the terrorist siege of Marawi in 2017, politicians and criminals, evaded prosecution.

Gov't failed to grasp t he opportunity to exemplify leadership, it sadly chose the safer road, by doing nothing.

However, attacks as these by terrorists portrays a rather ominous design to further glorify global terror, a dilemma very new to us in Mindanao. Something gov't has failed to grasp. Instead,

they made scapegoating its exit strategy, thus carpet bomb Marawi City to smithereens. In their mind, the city's ruin will make residents, everyone forget.

As seen from afar, terror attacks as these funded from global terrorists, certainly cannot be our origin, or our rebellion, this can't be it.

Common sense say we know recruiting tool of overseas based terrorists to be simply luring recruits with money, so I say, this is no ideology based Islamic radicalism.

But rather is caused by squalid poverty, due to being poor and desperate.

But terrorism expert Prof Banlaoi has with dexterity assure he knows his subject well.

True to form, he lay framework from framework, dust to dust, how terrorists think, eat, perhaps fornicate, but none about tracing root issues by which I know we need to be able to under-

may be.

I was a little bit disappointed. I return to KSA after few days only but because of commitment to my fellow OFWs as team leader of Duterte Middle East Movement I kept such personal observation.

I was told, following the interview that he keeps his promises. And that time OFWs needs a fellow from their rank to serve them abroad.

My doubt apparently surfaced when the president himself discovered and noticed some actual acts of corruption among his appointees and indeed fired them immediately.

For me I decided to return home for good following such victory, which I did not only personally take part but also led it for the first time in my life risking my position as mediaman in such politically strict country.

From such experience, OFWs have proven their capability in installing their choice candidates. They were important players of the real change we have seen in place in addition to their huge financial contributions to our economy recovery. AHMT

stand why this war triggered, what for and how does it end.

Wherewithal is being, how war in Mindanao can end quick, would their expertise say how?

From a Mindanao insider view, this acts of terrorism wrecking havoc to both our cities #Jolo and #Marawi is our version of 911, first for Southeast Asia. For the first time, the country engaged a prolonged siege of more than 5 months, wall to wall hand to hand combat. The precursor to failure in winning people's confidence in Marawi reverberated in multiple terror acts by suicide bombers, in Jolo few days ago, a thing very expectedly to happen.

To wrap it up, this wars in Mindanao tr iggered from an international incident uncovered by the Philippine legislature in the 1968 Corregidor massacre in which says, it was a territorial dispute over the State of Sabah between the Philippines and Malaysia.

This serious incident was ignored by the international community, particularly the United Nations. AAL

News

A6 Whole-of-Nation Approach: Key to Peace in Troubled Sulu

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

Chairman, Mindanao Development Authority

BARMM probes Kabacan massacre; CHR-12 unearths cops involvement

"The greatest victory is that which requires no battle." Sun Tzu, The Art of War.

By ALI G. MACABALANG

By Sec. Emmanuel F. Piñol, PhD

T

he recommendation to place the whole of Mindanao under Martial Law again because of the recent terror bombings in Jolo should be given a second thought.

"Been there, done that," is the cliche often used in response to suggested solutions which obviously did not work.

It is evident that our current strategy of relying entirely on military power in bringing peace, order and stability in Sulu is not working.

A new approach should be employed in solving the Sulu problem, one which addresses the whole gamut of issues and grievances and where the military action is only a component.

The problem in Sulu and its capital town, Jolo, in particular is not the threat by terror groups but an apathetic population so discontented that they do not seem to care about the presence of terrorists.

I was in Jolo twice as Agriculture Secretary, first was in 2016 when I was personally directed by President Rody Duterte to check on the problems raised by Governor Sakur Tan, and then in 2018 during the so-called "Rice Crisis" when I went to as far as the Abu Sayyaf lair, Patikul.

My last trip to Jolo was in February this year following the fire which gutted over 2,000 houses and shanties.

Purposely, I decided to stay overnight, eve of Valentine's Day, because I really wanted to get the feel of the atmosphere of Jolo.

In the short time that I stayed in Jolo, I sensed the air of discontent and despair.

The city suffers from chronic brownouts with power interruption occurring as many as 30 times a day, water hoses (not pipes) from the local water district are strewn by the side of the roads and there are as many as 6,000 houses on stilts right in the coastal frontage of the city.

Almost all of these houses do not have a sewage system and all wastes and garbage are just thrown into the water below the houses.

These areas are ideal breeding nests for extremists who find strength in the discontent of people.

The province does not produce enough food for its people and people depend on imported rice spirited in through Sandakan or Labuan in Sabah.

Chicken, eggs, fruits (except Durian, Lanzones and Mangosteen), meat and other food supplies come from the main island of Mindanao.

Phone signals are faint to weak and internet connection is a gift from heaven.

Jolo is the capital of a Kingdom led by Sultans whose powers stretched far and wide centuries ago, one of whom was received as a guest of a Chinese Emperor who died during the sojourn and whose remains were buried in China.

This is the Kingdom which has a standing claim on part of the island of Borneo yet decades of neglect and misguided approaches turned into the sorry state that it is now.

This is not a hopeless case though.

Last year, shortly before I resigned as Agriculture Secretary, President Duterte unraveled a strategy called "Whole-ofNation-Approach" in ending the half-century-old Communist insurgency.

It calls for a concerted effort of all instrumentalities and agencies of government.

So, how do we use the "Whole-of-Nation-Approach" to solve the Sulu Problem?

In the recommendation I submitted as early as 2016, I proposed that alongside the military campaign to clear the island of armed bandits and terrorists, government must implement a "Shock and Awe" program of rural development and dramatic transformation.

First, we provide a sustainable power, preferably Solar Power, and water supply to the capital town of Jolo, improve the infrastructure, including communications facilities.

Then, we rebuild the homes burned in a series of fires and transform the area from a squalid maze of huts into a wellplanned community of houses-on-stilts to restore people's pride and perhaps convince them not to give refuge to suspected terrorists.

Simultaneous with the rehabilitation of Jolo, a campaign to penetrate the rural areas of the main island and the other island communities must be undertaken.

In areas cleared by the military, basic infrastructure projects should be implemented - farm to market roads, schools, health centres, sports facilities, livelihood projects and even internet services.

Water facilities, including desalination equipment, should be established in each and every community.

How would the people of Sulu, or any other conflict area for that matter, react when they would wake up one morning seeing all of these simple symbols of governance right in front of them?

I believe we could win back their sympathy, hearts and minds.. EFP

C

OTABATO CITY– Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim announced the formation of its own probe team to look into the killing of nine Moro males on Aug. 29 in Kabacan, North Cotabato.

At the BARMM cabinet meeting here on Tuesday, CM Ebrahim directed Public Order and Safety Minister Hussein Muñoz to create and lead the probe body, the Bureau of Public Information (BPI) said.

Ebrahim has underscored the need for thorough investigation of the incident, despite its being outside the BARMM core territory.

But BARMM Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua said the regional government is mandated under its charter to attend to the welfare of other Moro people living outside the region.

Ebrahim and Macacua said the BARMM probe team will properly coordinate its efforts with the municipal government of Kabacan and the North Cotabato provincial government.

The chief minister said the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC) should also conduct its own parallel probe.

He said the upcoming Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting on Sept. 9 will discuss the massacre of the nine Moro farmers on Kabacan and the earlier bombings in Jolo, Sulu.

“We can (ask) other National Government agencies like National Bureau of Investigation and Department of Defense (to look into the massacre) but we will not wait for their actions. Our investigation has to be immediate,” Ebrahim was quoted as saying at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.

Cops involvement?

Meanwhile, The Commission on Human Rights in Region 12 (CHR-XII) has disclosed that one of the nine fatalities was able to confide to his relatives before expiring at a local hospital the involvement of policemen in the carnage.

Citing information from grieving kin, CHR-XII Director Erland Deluvio said the 9th victim - as Nasher “Tong” Guiaman - revealed police involvement before he expired of gunshot wounds in hospital hours after the noontime carnage.

While fighting for life, Guiaman at his hospital reportedly told his relatives that police-

KABACAN MASSACRE. Some of the massacre victims as viewed by responding BARMM coordinator Jabib Guiabar. (AGM) men stopped him and eight other motorcycle-riding Moro farmers, herded them to the roadside and shot them in the heads and bodies.

“This dying declaration of the victim who managed to speak to his relatives before he died alleging that policemen were behind [the killings] will be very important to the case,” journalist Ferdinandh Cabrera of the MindaNews online quoted Director Deluvio as saying.

Deluvio reportedly wanted more details, adding though that the CHR would classify the incident as an “extrajudicial killing” case.

“When we say EJK, usually it involves law enforcement agents but it doesn’t end there. It could be the inaction, if they did nothing to the investigation or it is ineffective,” Deluvio was quoted as saying.

The CHR official has reportedly deployed people and arranged more interviews for them to gather accounts from other witnesses to support the filing of charges against the police.

“For now we will corroborate the utterances made by several witnesses and formalize their statement,” he said.

When asked for comment, North Cotabato Provincial Police Director Henry Villar reportedly said: “It’s up to them (CHR probers).”

In an interview over the phone by the Philippine Muslim Today, Col. Villar said the Region XII police office mulled at a meeting on Aug. 31 for a probe of the incident by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Villar confirmed that other entities and organizations, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), have also been investigating the incident.

“We don’t want to speculate. There are some angles and we are making our best to (get) accurate result of our investigation,” Villar said.

Major Peter Pinalgan Jr., Kabacan town police chief, said in earlier reports the victims were strafed while standing by the roadside along Aringay Road inside the staterun University of Southern Mindanao (USM) campus.

“They were allegedly ordered to stop by unidentified suspects and when they all alighted from their motorcycles, they were shot (at) several times,” Pinalgan said.

BARMM PROBES | A7

News

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

“Isolate for 14 days” BARMM health minister warns those in close contact with them after he, wife tested Covid positive

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor

C

OTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Health Minister Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan urged those in close contact with them for the past two weeks to isolate themselves for 14 days and immediately go to the nearest health facility if they begin experiencing manifestations of the virus.

Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, Health Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of BPIBARMM) Dr. Dipatuan gave the warning after he and his wife have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a statement released on Wednesday night, Dipatuan said that he and his wife tested positive despite following all the precautionary

measures.

“This makes one realize just how vicious this virus is.

It spares no one,” Dipatuan said.

“Thus, in this situation, I cannot emphasize enough how it is of utmost importance that all should strictly adhere to our health

protocols and advisories,” he added.

Dipatuan and his wife are currently at the isolation facility of the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) in Marawi City.

“I am asymptomatic but is currently in APMC’s isolation area for further observation, and treatment if needed,” he said.

Dipatuan added that his wife is experiencing mild to moderate symptoms and also in isolation undergoing treatment.

As this developed, the BARMM Health Minister advised the Bangsamoro “health warriors” to “stay safe out there and remain vigilant,” noting that “all of us in this field of health services delivery are at high risk of contracting this infection.”

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

BARMM PROBES | From Page A6

BARMM probes Kabacan massacre Pinalgan said they recovered from the bloodied scene several empty shells of Armalite rifle, Carbine rifle and caliber .45.

He earlier identified the nine fatalities as: 1. Kons Kalilangan, 35 years old, married, farmer and resident of Aringay, Kabacan, Cotabato, 2. Saganding Sailon, 30 years old, farmer and resident of Osias, kabacan, Cotabato, 3. Benladin Dimanalao, 25 years old, single, farmer and resident of Aleosan, Cotabato, 4. Jaiden Musaid, 25 years old, farmer and resident of Midsayap, Cotabato, 5. Romeo Balatamay, 35 years old, married, driver and resident of Aringay, Kabacan, Cotabato, 6. Katindig Kagayawon, 25 years old, farmer and resident of Buluan, Kabacan, Cotabato, 7. Fahad Mandigan, 30 years old, married, farmer resident of Sitio Agpa, Kayaga, Kabacan, Cotabato, 8. Budsal Jakaria Lipusin, 37 years old, married,

farmer resident of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao (fatal) and 9. Tong Guiaman, 30 years old, married and resident Buluan, Kabacan, Cotabato (wounded and later expired).

BARMM has likewise announced it will conduct a probe on the killings even if it is outside its jurisdiction, noting that “all of the victims were identified as Bangsamoros.”

Interreligious condemnation rally Jabib Guiabar, BARMM caretaker for the seven barangays of Kabacan that are part of the autonomous government, said there will be an interreligious rally this com-

ing Saturday to condemn the massacre.

Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo and Social Services and Development Minister Raissa Jajurie said that cash and relief assistance will be provided for the victims’ families. Both ministers will also visit the victims’ families upon the direction of the Chief Minister.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlos Galvez Jr. and BARMM Minister Romeo Sema, speaking for the Moro National Liberation Front, have issued separate statement condemning the massacre and pressing for prompt dispensation of justice for the victims. (AGM)

Read Philippine Muslim Today Https://philmuslim.today Email:

muslimtoday2020@gmail.com

A7

2020 census in BARMM underway COTABATO CITY — This year’s population and household census for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is underway, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In a statement from the Bureau of Public Information, PSA-BARMM Regional Director Razulden Mangelen said the month-long count was to begin last Sept. 1, even as he appealed to target-households to cooperate for the sake of ascertaining the exact regional population needed to come up with sound basis in planning of government efforts in the region.

Razulden Mangelen Director Mangelen said his office has commissioned some 5,000 enumerators to carry out the house -to-house count across BARMM. BARMM comprises the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Lamitan, Marawi and Cotabato, and 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato.

Mangelen said the enumerators are equipped with personal protective equipment in observance of the standards set for the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim encouraged the region’s constituents to cooperate and support the 2020 CPH by answering accurate information.

He said it will be vital in the development of policies and programs for the Bangsamoro.

“Mas makikita natin ang tunay na hitsura ng ating rehiyon at mas (matutugunan) pa natin ang mga pangangailangan nito,” CM Ebrahim was quoted as saying during last week’s virtual conference here.

Mangelen echoed CM Ebrahim’s sentiments, calling for the public’s understanding in the conduct of the census amid the pandemic.

“Mangyari po sana ay maglaan po tayo ng kaunting panahon para sagutin ang kanilang (enumerators) mga tanong,” the BPI quoted Mangelen as saying.

“Layunin nitong makakuha ng tamang datos na siyang gagamitin ng ating pamahalaan, mapa lokal man, national o pribado, sa pagbabalangkas ng mga polisiya at programa para sa ating mga lugar,” Mangelen said of the census.

ALI G. MACABALANG

BARMM lends emergency loan to Covid victims COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform – Agriculture Credit Policy Council (MAFAR-ACPC) has extended an emergency loan assistance last Friday to the first batch of farmers, fisherfolks, and micro and small enterprises.

MAFAR Minister Dr. Mohammad Yacob; Deputy Minister Ammal D. Solaiman; MAFAR Maguindanao Provincial Head Abdulnasser K. Badawi; ACPC focal person Lindi Cati-ir; and OISCA Lending Conduit Manager Sammy Batao led the releasing of loans for the first batch of grantees who were from the province of Maguindanao.

A loan assistance amounting to P25,000.00 payable in 10 years at zero-percent interest was provided to the marginalized small farmers and fisherfolks (MSFF) to finance their emergency and production capital requirements.

Meanwhile, a working capital loan amounting to P10-million payable in 5 years at zero-percent interest was granted to micro and small enterprises that are engaged in agriculture and fisheries food production, delivery of products/commodities, and other activities in the supply chain to ensure the availability of food supply.

Said emergency loan assistance was provided through the Expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project, in support of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) “Ahon Lahat, Pagkain Sapat’’ Kontra sa Covid-19 (ALPAS Covid-19).

MAFAR Minister Yacob shared that the program has undergone challenges in the area of Maguindanao since it is the sole province in BARMM that has no qualified organizations to be a fund-conduit of DA-National.

Through the help of ACPC, organizations who are not yet eligible to avail loans will be provided with credit and capacityBARMM LENDS | A12 building assistance.

News

A8

Peasant women group condemns Kabacan massacre HOLDS STATE FORCES ACCOUNTABLE FOR ATTACKS VS MINORITIES

T

he National Federation of Peasant Women (Amihan) condemned the massacre of 9 Moro farmers, including 2 minors, in Kabacan, North Cotabato on August 29.

The farmers were ordered to stop and get off their motorcycles by the suspects along Aringay Road inside the University of Southern Mindanao campus when they were fired at. 32 empty shells from different high-powered firearms were found on site.

The Commission on Human Rights Region 12 (CHR12) eyed a possible angle that police forces were involved in the killing based on the dying declaration of one of the victims.

The victims were identified as Nasurdin Kalilangan, 41, and Romeo Balatamay Pioto, 38, both from Brgy.

Aringay in Kabacan; Sandigan Zailon, 46, of Brgy. Osias, Kabacan; Zaiden Musaed, 21, of Brgy. Basagen, Aleosan; Datu Fahad Dimanalao Mandigan, 24, of Sitio Abpa, Brgy. Kayaga, Kabacan; Budsal Lipusan, of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao; Benladin Dimanalao, 19, of Brgy.

Pedtad, Kabacan; Esmael Pagayon, 17, and Nasher Guiaman, 16 or 17 years old, both from Brgy. Buluan, Kabacan.

The Kabacan Massacre took place 3 days after the attack on Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. (MISFI) Academy campus in Bukidnon by the paramilitary group ‘Bagani’ and 6 days

Across Mindanao

29th Mindanao BizCon aims to bolster food security in PH

In a statement, Amihan said they also blame they blame government troops for the incident even as they hold government forces accountable for all attacks against the national minorities.

after the killing of Manobo leader Merlin Ansabu Celis in Magpet, Cotabato by unidentified assailants.

September 1 also marked the fifth anniversary of the Lianga Massacre where justice is yet to be served.

Lumad leaders Dionel Campos and Datu Juvello Sinzo and Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (ALCADEV) executive director Emerito Samarca, were brutally killed by paramilitary group ‘MagahatBagani’ in front of ALCADEV students.

On August 21, a total of 659 families evacuated due to repeated bombings of Aeta communities in Sitio Lumibao, San Marcelino, Zambales. Witi Ramos, Jepoy Ramos, and Nalin Ramos were physically assaulted, tortured and detained by soldiers of the 7th IDPA. Nalin was reportedly forced to eat one of the soldier’s feces.

After the incident, the victims were traumatized and were afraid to go home.

Residents of the community said that the military operations is meant to drive them away and pave way for the mining exploration of Dizon Copper-Silver Mines, Inc. which they oppose as it will lead to the destruction of the environment and their ancestral lands.

“We condemn the intensifying series of attacks of state forces against national minorities. Ipinakikita nito ang mersenaryong tradisyon ng mga armadong pwersa ng gobyerno para lamang protektahan ang interes ng mga malalaking kompanya at mga burukrata kapitalista,” Amihan national chairperson Zenaida Soriano said.

“We demand for an independent and thorough probe to ensure that all the perpetrators are held accountable for their brutal crimes and for all the victims to attain justice. We demand for the immediate pull-out of military troops in rural communities and the dismantling of paramilitary groups,” Soriano said.

“It is enraging that these atrocities continue despite the ongoing pandemic. Malinaw na wala ni katiting na intensyon ang gobyernong Duterte na unahin ang pagtugon sa epekto ng COVID19 sa kabuhayan at kalusugan ng mamamayan.

Prayoridad nito ang maghasik ng takot at terorismo laban sa mamamayan upang pagsilbihan ang mga kaibigan nitong oligarko at manatili sa pwesto sa gitna ang lumalawak na galit at diskontento ng mamamayan sa palpak nitong pamumuno,”Soriano added. (PR)

EDITORIAL | From Page A2

Padang Karbala of Bayang “Despite this notorious reputation, the US troops received profuse commendations from their superiors, including the US President, and earned for Col. Baldwin a meteoric promotion to BrigadierGeneral and a new assignment.

“To General Chaffee, the battle reaffirmed "respect for United States authority in the center of savagery..."

Magdalena has the following impressions on the battle of Bayang “More than these results, the Battle of Bayang demolished the invincibility of Maranao resistance as the battle paved the way for more military expeditions during the ensuing years, under the command of Captain John J. Pershing.

“Such expeditions also broke the insularity of the

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

Lake Lanao region which, for centuries, had remained relatively untouched by outsiders.

“All these consequences would open the Lanao region to free trade and its absorption into the economic and political systems of an emerging Philippine state.

“The deadly encounter between the kris and the krag would soon come to an end.

But the overriding significance of the Bayang battle is that it symbolized the triumph of globalism as well as the integration of the Bangsamoro homeland into the world system that gave life to modern states.

“In particular, it meant the perfection of the three stars of the Philippine Republic and the union of two communities, the Filipinos and the Muslims, under the same flag.”

To the Muslims, Magdalena’s impressions meant the battle broke the Maranao sovereignty. But not all know that the Maranaos shall ever fight to regain, even if it takes them forever, they will do the fight never to be erased in their heart and soul.

The Marawi Siege of 2017 is another tragedy that will remain forever in the heart and soul of the Maranaos. It was a result of the breaking of the Maranao insularity and their sovereignty. And they will not stop educating their posterity especially of that tragic event in Marawi and how their forebears sacrificed their lives against the invaders if only to defend their homeland and Islam and their peace.

All these define the message of Padang Karbala. Muslimedia.PH

DAVAO CITY — Top businessmen, key industry players, government executives, and members of the diplomatic and consular corps will once again convene for the 29th Mindanao Business Conference, one of the biggest and most anticipated business events in Mindanao.

With the theme, “Mindanao: Journeying to the New Normal,” MinBizCon 2020 is expected to bring in a much bigger audience through a series of online conferences in September and October.

Hosted by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), the first-ever virtual MinBizCon will kick off on September 10, 2020. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and PCCI president Amb. Benedicto Yujuico will give their special messages to the delegates during the opening ceremony.

The keynote speaker for the event will be DOF Sec. Carlos Dominguez III. The first round of sessions will highlight the role of Mindanao as the food basket and an emerging manufacturing hub in the Philippines. Department of Agriculture Sec. William Dar will discuss Mindanao’s position as the country’s food hub. He will be joined by guest panelists ECCP Southern Mindanao Business Council chairman Mr. Antonio Peralta and PCCI Director of Agriculture Mr. Roberto Amores. The agriculture session will be followed by a presentation on the opportunities in Mindanao’s manufacturing sector led by Board of Investments governor Mr. Napoleon Concepcion and Senate Committee on Economic Affairs chairperson Sen. Imee Marcos. A representative from Holcim Philippines will serve as the guest panelists for this session.

On September 11, PCCI Committee on Tourism, Retail, and Franchising chair Mr. Samie Lim will talk about the challenges and prospects in the travel sector, while Alibaba Cloud Intelligence International president Ms. Selina Yuan will present the best innovation practices under the new normal with guest panelist Coca-Cola Philippines CEO & president Mr. Gareth McGeown. Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) chairman Sec. Emmanuel Piñol will also give delegates a preview on the “Mindanao Road Map.” Representatives from the private sector will also get to react to the speakers’ messages and share their key takeaways and learnings.

In the subsequent sessions in October, delegates will get to to join the series of webinars that will tackle the following topics: Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) (October 1); Innovation: Key to Mindanao’s New Normal (October 9); Ease of Doing Business-ARTA (October 16); Opportunities in the Halal Industry (October 23); and Export Opportunities for Agri Products (October 30).

For a ONE-TIME registration fee of Php 500, participants (regular or non-chamber members) will get to join the series of web conferences.

To register, kindly fill out the Google form in this link: https://forms.gle/9NXTdZT4wDEuh3Am6.

If your organization is an active member of DCCCII, sign up here: https://forms.gle/YWRxynnvrz1nS66z9.

For more inquiries about the event, please call 0917-4419596/0908-693-5335 or email Ms. Anna Loren Gingco (annagingco@davaochamber.com) or Ms. Kathleen Dalig (kathleendalig@davaochamber.com).

The Mindanao Business Conference is an annual event organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) that aims to create an avenue for representatives of the private and public sectors to discuss economic concerns and opportunities in Mindanao which will eventually lead to the crafting of better policies and strategies for the development of the region.

ANNA LOREN O. GINGCO/DCCCII

News

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

Media Workers Welfare Act a Game Changer: Lawmaker

By ULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Bureau Chief, Metro Manila News Bureau Chief

M

ALACANANG PALACE, Manila: All Filipino media workers will enjoy full protection in the performance of their duties as the bill on the Media Workers’ Welfare nears final approval at the House Committee on Labor and Employment.

“It’s a fact that there are still media workers who are underpaid and unprotected.

Binabarya-barya lang ng mga pinagta-trabahuhan nila. It’s a cruel and thankless job but media workers keep on doing their best because of the desire to inform and entertain,” says Taduran, a former broadcast media person of TV5.

“The Media Workers Welfare Act will be a game changer. All media workers will be accorded wages mandated by law, enjoy security of tenure, will be given hazard and overtime pay, insurance and other benefits,” adds Taduran.

The House Asst. Majority Leader says that under the bill, media workers who are assigned to cover dangerous and hazardous events or situations shall be given an additional ₱500 daily pay. Death and disability benefits amounting to ₱200, 000 shall also be awarded to the affected media worker.

ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Niña Taduran, who sponsors House Bill No. 2476 with fellow Partylist Representatives Eric Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, believes that this will empower the Fourth Estate.

Representative Niña Taduran “They should also be provided with bullet proof vests and helmets and medical grade personal protective equipment during hazardous coverages. Hindi na sila pasusugurin sa laban nang walang proteksyon,” says Taduran.

A Media Tripartite Council shall also be formed.

After passing the second reading at the House Subcommittee level, the bill will be submitted to the House Committee on Labor and Em-

ployment for final approval, then it will be sent to the plenary for the third and final reading.

Taduran expresses her gratitude to House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, House Committee on Labor and Employment Chairman Eric Pineda and Subcommittee Chairman Democrito Mendoza for their immediate action on the bill for the protection of media workers.

The solon also noted the immense support of PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar and Presidential Task Force on Media Security Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, both former mediamen, as well as Asst. Secretary Kris Ablan and Undersecrerary Jing Paras.

“Matagal nang nagtitiis ang maraming manggagawa sa media kaya panahon na upang maisabatas ang magbibigay ng proteksyon sa kanila,” ends Taduran.

JIJ

CASCOLAN | From Page A1

Cascolan reshuffles PNP In his assumption speech as the country's 24th top cop, Cascolan said the police force's master development plan include giving equal opportunity and leveling the playing field in the placement and promotion of personnel based strictly on performance, service reputation, and merit and fitness in establishing a "succession planning" and "career path".

He vowed to ensure the development and the presence of ranking police officials "at all levels and at all times".

"Close mentoring and coaching will be emphasized, and we will exact discipline in all aspects of policing. Following the principle of command responsibility, we will hold unit commanders and leaders accountable in the accomplishment of their tasks and in upholding human rights and enforce rule of law at all times," he added.

Cascolan officially takes over as the new PNP chief on Wednesday replacing

Gen. Archie Gamboa who reached the mandatory retirement age. during the Change of Command Ceremony held at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“I will lead the PNP along with the vision of a highly capable, effective and credible PNP that provides better and more reliable, more efficient and more effective police services,” said Cascolan, the country's 24th top cop.

Cascolan, likewise, expressed optimism that the PNP will regain the public’s trust amid the controversies surrounding the institution.

He also asked for the continuous cooperation of the public for the PNP to properly perform its duty.

“We will do what is right, we will do what is proper and we will do what is just,” he said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, meanwhile, assured full support to Cascolan's leadership.

“I call on you (police officers) to rally behind General Cascolan as you march for-

ward as the guardians of society. Be more flexible and adaptable because volatile threats demand dynamic response among law enforcers. Despite having your hands full because of the various roles we play particularly the war on criminality, illegal drugs, terrorism and insurgency but make sure that always human rights are respected,” he said.

Año told Cascolan to respect human rights along with the police operations against crimes, illegal drugs, terrorism, and insurgency.

Cascolan is also a member of the Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala class of 1986 along with Gamboa and former PNP chiefs Ronald dela Rosa and Oscar Albayalde.

“I am confident that with your equally remarkable knowledge, skills and reputation you will do your best to charting a clearer race ahead not only for the PNP but for the nation as a whole,” Año said.

MNY

A9

The Nation in Focus Department of Foreign Affairs:

39 Filipinos onboard a missing cargo ship in E. China Sea The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday confirmed that 39 Filipinos were on board a cargo ship that went missing after sending a distress signal from the East China Sea on Wednesday.

"39 Filipino crewmembers onboard the vessel. We are waiting for new updates from the Japanese authorities on the status of the rescue operation. We are praying for their safety, too," Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Robespierre Bolivar told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

A report from Japan's Kyodo News said that one of the Filipino crewmembers was earlier rescued and that his "health condition was not life-threatening". The embassy, however, has yet to confirm this as of posting.

The Panamanian-registered freighter carrying 43 foreign crewmembers and about 5,800 cows was on its way to the Chinese port of Tangshan from New Zealand when it issued a distress signal about 185 kilometers west of AmamiOshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.

The crew also reportedly include two New Zealanders and two Australians.

The call for help came as strong winds and torrential rain lashed the area due to Typhoon Maysak.

"The Philippines Embassy in Tokyo and the Philippines Consulate General in Osaka are coordinating with Japan Coast Guard on this. No additional details as of this time," Bolivar said.

PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

House panel oks proposed Marawi compensation bill The Committee on Disaster Resilience of the House of Representatives has approved on Thursday a proposal providing monetary compensation for residents affected by the 2017 Marawi City siege.

The committee approved its report on the substitute bill to House Bills 3418, 3543, and 3922, otherwise known as the proposed "Marawi Siege Compensation Act".

Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman said an estimated 95 percent of the infrastructure was damaged in the main battle area, which is "definitely one of the greatest challenges" facing the government's rehabilitation effort in Marawi City.

"The armed fighting not only created housing problems but livelihood issues of the residents, as well. It is, therefore, the duty of the State to address the loss and destruction of property of Marawi City residents," said Hataman in an explanatory note.

The bill proposes to institutionalize the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) to attain the objectives set in the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Program (MRPP), as well as provide for the compensation to those who lost their homes and other properties to the siege.

Earlier, Hataman joined Marawi displaced persons seeking to revamp TFBM allegedly due to its failure to rebuild the city for three years.

A compensation subcommittee under the TFBM shall be formed to receive all claims and resolve claims filed within 30 working days.

Under the measure, lawful owners or possessors who have become internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of the destruction of their private property due to the siege may file a claim with the compensation subcommittee.

While there is no specific amount regarding the allocation for compensation, the budgetary requirement shall be sourced from the following year’s General Appropriations Act upon ratification into law.

The TFBM was created under Administrative Order No. 3 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 28, 2017, to ensure collaboration and convergence among national agencies and the local government units.

TFBM facilitates the rehabilitation, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in the war-torn city after the Islamic Statelinked Maute group stormed Marawi on May 23, 2017. It also seeks to help displaced families to recover from the tragedy brought by the siege.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

News

A10

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

Japan to have new premier Iran: It doesn't matter who will be next US President mid-September A

NKARA – Potential successors of outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have accelerated lobbying for the top post.

T

he ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will hold a leadership election on Sept. 14 and the parliament will meet three days later when the new LDP leader will have to prove majority to be elected as the prime minister, Kyodo News reported.

Abe refused to comment publicly on his successor.

“I have decided to step down as prime minister as poor health should not lead to wrong political decisions,” Abe, 65, told the nation in a live address Friday.

The outgoing premier is suffering from ulcerative colitis which seems to have revived and came to light last month when he reportedly vomited blood.

He, however, will hold the office until the successor is chosen.

“In politics, the most import thing is to produce results,” said Abe, who leaves a legacy of making Japan the world’s third-largest economy. His four-year term would normally have ended in 2021.

According to local daily Mainichi, current government Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, 71, Sunday “decided to a run for the leadership of the LDP”.

Japan’s former Defense Chief Shigeru Ishiba is also said to be in the run for the top post while Fumio Kishida, former foreign minister and

After working for the country as the longest-serving premier, Abe, in a surprise statement last week, stepped down owing to his complicated health conditions.

now policy chief of the LDP, are also solidifying efforts to move up to lead the party and the country.

Trump calls Abe ‘greatest prime minister’ of Japan Calling Abe “greatest Prime Minister in the history of Japan”, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s outgoing premier held a 30- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe minute phone call rounds of golf together. on Monday.

“The two leaders said they The duo discussed Abe’s look forward to continuing their move out of the office, North wonderful friendship for years Korea's abduction of Japato come!" the White House nese nationals in the 1970s said in a statement. and 1980s, the ongoing coroCovid-19 hits new high in navirus pandemic, and Tokyo Japan's plans to renew its Meanwhile, Japan’s capital missile defense strategy, Tokyo recorded a new monthly Suga said. high of 8,126 Covid-19 cases “Just had a wonderful con- in August after 100 new cases versation with my friend, were reported today, the local Prime Minister @AbeShinzo government said. of Japan, who will be leaving Tokyo had reported 6,466 office soon. Shinzo will soon such infections in July. There be recognized as the greatest are at least 20,817 coronaPrime Minister in the history virus cases in the capital. of Japan, whose relationship Nearly 69,000 people have with the USA is the best it has tested positive for the coronaever been. Special man!” virus in the country. Over Trump tweeted.

1,264 patients have died due Abe and Trump had grown to the Covid-19. Japan has closer ties ever since Trump conducted 1,290,979 tests to the infection. rose to lead the US in 2017 determine and they also played several (Anadolu)

ADAZA | from Page A4

Revolutionary Government If they are such outstanding achievers, why must the country be saved from “crumbling and falling apart, our people from desperation, the Filipino youth from hopelessness”? Since Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte heads the government and in control of the country, are not Duterte, his government and his followers responsible for the present condition of the country?

If that is the case, then are they not the ones to blame for what the Revgov organizers claim as the inevitable “crumbling and falling apart of the country, the desperation of our people”?

If the country is such in good shape, why organize a revolutionary government?

Why destroy and replace a constitutional government headed by Duterte? Are the organizers of the Revgov in-

terested in a power grab so they and Duterte can continue in power and enjoy the prerequisites of power at the expense of our country and our people?

Answers: You don’t have to grope for answers because they are all rhetorical questions which mean the answers are integrated into the questions – plain and simple common sense.

SECOND slap and admission: Revgov organizers are also saying that the other reason why there is need for a Revgov, in a PDI news story is “to seek more powers for Mr. Duterte apart from his powers under the Constitution ‘to eliminate the ills of society’ and to purge the government of corrupt officials.

Questions: Why more powers?

Has President Duterte not exercised powers beyond those granted him under the Constitution and

even violating his oath under the Constitution, and the people did not resist?

Did he not turn over our victory in the West Philippine Sea at the UN Arbitral Tribunal to China and his friend, President Xi Jin Ping to the prejudice of our country and our people, in violation of our Constitution and his oath where he is “to preserve and defend the Constitution, and the people did not resist?

Did he not send Senator Leila Delima to jail for unmasking the murderous activities of his DDS, known either as the Davao Death Squads or Duterte Death Squads, and the people did not resist?

Did he not demolish Marawi City, the center of Maranao culture, even as he claims of his Maranao ancestry which was proved entirely false by his unauthorized biography, and the people did not resist?

Did he not orchestrate the extra-judicial killings of more than thirty thousand poor

TEHRAN(IP)- The spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry said on Thursday: "It does not matter to the Islamic Republic of Iran who becomes {the next} president of the United States."

Iran Press/Iran News: "Americans are accustomed to launch counter-intelligence campaigns against some countries," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Thursday in response to remarks by the Director of National Intelligence in the Trump administration claiming that Iran was allegedly involved in the US elections.

Khatibzadeh stated: The Islamic Republic of Iran does not really care about US domestic policy; What happens inside America is about the American people.

The spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized: "The important issue for Iran is for the United States to fulfill its international obligations, to stop rebellion and arrogance;" Most importantly, it must respect the rights of the Iranian people and compensate for all the damage it has done to the Islamic Republic.

John Ratcliffe, the is Director of National Intelligence in the Trump administration, recently claimed that Iran, along with Russia and China, is trying to interfere in the US presidential election.

The Director of National Intelligence in the Trump administration. Added that China, Russia, Iran, and other factors are trying to achieve their goals by interfering or influencing the US elections. IRAN PRESS

2 Filipinos die in Abu Dhabi gas explosion The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that two Filipinos have died in a recent gas explosion in a restaurant along Airport Road, Abu Dhabi.

In a report by PTV News Thursday morning, it said Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana has reached out to the families of the deceased to express condolences and to give assurance that they will be provided all necessary assistance.

“It is with deep sadness that the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, shares the latest information that two Filipinos died from the unfortunate accident yesterday caused by a gas explosion at a restaurant at Sheikh Rashid Bin Seed Road, (also known as Airport Road) in Abu Dhabi, as reported by UAE authorities,” the DFA said in a statement.

Likewise, the Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates has been continuously coordinating with the authorities to help afflicted Filipinos who are currently recovering in hospitals.

The DFA has also reminded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to take the necessary precautions and be aware of UAE’s safety measures.

Quintana, meanwhile, advised the Filipino community to "remain safe and to be always mindful of security and safety protocols of the host government." (PIA NCR) drug users and small time drug pushers, according to human rights watchers here and abroad, even as claims that he loves the poor, and the people did not resist?

Did he not initiate and approve the Anti-Terrorism Act which violates scandalously provisions of our Constitution, and the people did not resist?

Did he not shamelessly engineer the denial of application for renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN for entirely personal reasons, and the people did not resist?

Did he not orchestrate the removal of Supreme Court Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno also for personal reasons on what many believed is in derogation of the constitutional provision that a Chief Justice can only be removed through impeachment, and the people did not resist?

So what more power do you want when in a famous line of a song, whatever Lola wants, Lola gets? Under the present Duterte national gov-

ernments, is it not also true that whatever Duterte wants, Duterte gets?

Answers: Like a refrain of a song, I say: You don’t have to grope for answers because they are all rhetorical questions which mean the answers are integrated into the questions – plain and simple common sense.

THIRD slap and admission: The Revgov proponents say that by granting more powers to President Duterte, they will “eliminate the ills of society’ and purge the government of corrupt officials.”

Questions: President Duterte is heading the government. For the past four years, has he solved the ills of the country – poverty, injustice, selective justice, illegal drugs, extra-judicial killings, graft and corruption, abuses of the police and the military, oppressive behavior of the oligarchies, incompetence in government?

(To be continued)

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

16 NCR cops, employee test positive for illegal drugs

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The Best of Halal Home-Cooked Muslim Filipino Dishes

By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

S

By MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL

ixteen cops assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and an employee tested positive for illegal drug use, a state media reported on Thurs-

day.

State media Philippine News Agency (PNA) quoted NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas as saying on Thursday the random drug testing has been done to weed out drugusing police officers within their ranks.

Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas NCRPO covers five police districts namely, the Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD).

The surprise random drug test has been an effective tool initiated by the NCRPO from Oct. 12, 2019 to Sept. 1, 2020. A regular updating of the internal cleansing records is also being done by the office.

A total of 20,231 personnel were already tested dur-

ing the said period.

Of the 20,231 personnel who underwent the random drug testing are from Regional Headquarters with 2,130; NPD with 1,781; EPD has 2,516; MPD with 1,759; SPD has 3,451; Quezon City Police District QCPD with 3,267; Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) with 848; Regional Internal Affair Service (RIAS) with 93; Regional Finance Service Office 16 (RFSO16) has 20; Regional Support Units (RSUs) with 864; Special Action (SAF) has 117; Avia-

tion Security Group (AVSEGROUP) with 319 and cops on Schooling with 3,066.

Sinas said appropriate charges were filed against the policemen and follow-up investigations are being done.

"The NCRPO unceasingly cleanses its ranks of those who taint its image. We have successfully separated our colleagues who use illegal drugs from those who are dedicatedly performing their tasks. Rest assured that we will not stop in this quest," he said.

Sinas ordered further investigation of personnel who were confirmed positive in using illegal drugs substances after the random drug test.

He also ordered the dismissal of the contractual employee who tested positive for illegal drug use and continuous monitoring of other personnel suspected of using illegal drugs.

A

fter I have presented in this column most of the Top of the Line Tausug Delicacies classified as among the Best of Halal Home-Cooked Muslim Filipino Dishes as listed in this rare recipe book featuring the delicacies of the People of Lupah Sug written by Abdulaziz H. Hamsain, I would like to present here parts of the cooking having the two opposite tastes.

These are the Piypis Itum or Pamapa that is salty and spicy hot and Hinti which is basically sweet.

Piypis Itum is being used as a major condiment when one is cooking it as a spice for authentic Tausug dishes like; Tiyulah Itum, Pyanggang manok, Junay, Piyassak, and Siyagul.

PIYPIS ITUM (Pamapa) Ingredients:  1 whole coconut meat  1 tablespoon whole black pepper  2 pc of 3 inches red ginger (or regular ginger)  5 cloves garlic- 3 inches turmeric  5 pieces red hot chili Procedure: 1. Burn coconut meat then grind.

2. Grind the other ingredients.

3. Add and mix gradually all the ingredients together. *Used as a spice for authentic Tausug dishes like; Pyanggang manok, Junay, Tiyula' Itum, Piyassak, and Siyagul.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

UNESCO | from Page A1

UNESCO Classifies Ampatuan Massacre Case as “Resolved” PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco expressed elation to the latest achievement of the Duterte Administration. “With UNESCO acknowledging the finality of the Ampatuan Massacre, we can proudly proclaim to the world that any violence against our media workers will never go unpunished, that the so-called “culture of impunity” against journalists in the country has finally come to an end,” Egco said.

The Malacanang Palace official added that he is confident that the country’s rank in the Global Impunity Index by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) will dramatically improve. “In view of

UNESCO’s pronouncement, combined with the two Duterte legacy bills—the Media Workers Welfare Bill and the Freedom of Information Bill that we are pushing for enactment in Congress—the future is bright for the members of the Fourth Estate.”

“Once these bills are approved, we will be one of the best countries in the world where the freedoms of information and of the press, as well as the economic rights of journalists, are all protected,” Egco ended.

PTFoMS also gave its support to UNESCO’s project of “Fostering the Role of the Philippine Judiciary System in Promoting Key Aspects of the 2030 Agenda,” a series of

online and onsite courses and seminars based on the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists.

Such capacity-building project is an opportunity for the Philippines to build better relationships with the international community.

The Philippine government’s collaboration with UNESCO will further strengthen PTFoMS’ mandate to protect the life, liberty and security of all journalists and media workers in the country. As long as the Presidential Task Force exists, the investigation and prosecution of all cases of media violence in the Philippines will be guaranteed.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

JANNARAL | from Page A3

On SIA's World Philosophical Forum of the Philippines mer heads of state, ambassadors, philosophers, bankers, and economists.

UNESCO's mission is to

contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural

dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.

JIJ

PIYPIS ITUM (PAMAPA) (Photo by Abdulaziz H. Hamsain) HINTI On the other hand, Hinti which is more of sugar and being used as a form of a 'Sandwich' for delicacies like Daral, Pitis Patani, and Putli Mandi.

Ingredients:  1 kilo grated coconut  ¾ kilo sugar (brown)  2 tbsp flour Procedure: 1. In a cooking pot (medium heat), add 1 cup of water then add the sugar.

2. Mix well till the sugar dissolves.

3. Add the grated coconut, constantly mix, sprinkle the flour then mix well till it dries. ** Used in many other Tausug recipes, please refer to the following recipe that has Hinti' in it: A. Daral B. Pitis Patani' C. Putli' Mandi ** All recipes mentioned above are all the best served in the afternoon as a merienda or snacks.

MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL

Eco-Tourism

A12

Is Tawi-Tawi the most beautiful province in the Philippines?

By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D.

M

any writers, vloggers and casual tourists both local and international, who have set foot in the islandprovince, have swore in their diaries and narrations through social media, that TawiTawi is probably the most beautiful prov-

ince in the country based on several aspects -historical landmarks, richness in natural resources, unspoiled natural surroundings, biodiversity hotspots, unique cultural and traditional practices of its people and peacefulness.

Consists of 106 major islands and islets, Tawi-Tawi group of islands, when viewed from the top via an airplane, are like shining jewels, with every green islands being surrounded by natural beauty of its white sandy beach and untouched coral reefs.

The province prides itself as the first seat of Islam in the Philippines when Arab missionary name Sheikh Karimul Makhdum built the first mosque in the island munici-

pality of Simunul in Tawi-Tawi in 1380. Other important cultural discovery includes the 800-500 million years artifacts found in Balobok Cave located in Lakit-Lakit, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Other natural attractions include the iconic Bud Bongao and Panampangan Island which is noted for its white powdery beach and considered as

having the longest sandbar in the country.

Tawi-Tawi is noted for its unique cultural and ancient traditional and spiritual practices distinct from the Islamic teachings which they inherited from their forebears.

The province has retained its richness and biodiversity in terms of natural resources.

In fact it is at the center of

Biodiversity Triangle in Southeast Asia.

Their person, which is 80% Sama tribe, is considered as one of the most peaceful ethnic group in the country.

Tawi-Tawi offers a modest infrastructure facility for visitors and tourist to enjoy their stay in the province by having at least six hotels (3 star) and beautiful resorts plus budget Inns and ‘home-stays’ rooms. JRL

Vol. I, No. 12 | September 4-10, 2020 (Muharram 16-22, 1442)

DOT eyes to expand Baguio’s travel bubble plan across PH The Department of Tourism (DOT) threw its full support behind the Ridge to Reef Corridor Plan, one of the key strategies being explored to ensure Baguio City's gradual and safe reopening to tourists from nearby provinces within the year.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat expressed that the plan, which seeks to enable seamless travel for tourism in BLUPISIN—or between Baguio City and the provinces of La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte, is worth emulating in other parts of the country in the DOT's process of reopening domestic tourism.

"This corridor plan of the BLUPISIN is truly admirable, not only because of the variety of tourism products involved but because of how advanced inter-provincial protocols are in terms of border control, as well as in assuring the health and safety of tourists and communities. It is a clear manifestation of the strong support of the local and provincial leaders to jumpstart tourism, which thousands of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region rely on. This can serve as a pilot project, and when successful, can be replicated where applicable," Puyat said in a statement on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Puyat witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and governors from the Ilocos region, including Governors Amado Espino III (Pangasinan), Matthew Manotoc (Ilocos Norte), and Ryan Singson (Ilocos Sur). A Technical Working Group (TWG) will establish the Corridor Plan and conduct research and other strategies to facilitate tourism and economic recovery in BLUPISIN. In support to this convergence and the recovery of Baguio's tourism industry, the tourism chief also announced that the DOT, through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), will dedicate funds to support programs such as the

Baguio V.I.S.I.T.A. (Visitor Information and Travel Assistance), a multi-platform digital monitoring application; the set -up of the baguiocreativecity.com website and ecommerce platform; and the revival of the city's weaving and fashion industry.

The tourism chief, who served as the Keynote Speaker at the 111th Baguio Day celebration on Tuesday, underscored the importance of sustainability of reopening tourism in the City of Pines and other parts of the country.

"With sustainable tourism as our core advocacy, we have and will continue to ensure that policies are in place for the protection of the environment and the local community," Puyat said. "As Baguio readies to open its doors, we are being given the opportunity now to refocus on sustainable and responsible tourism, taking into account the quality rather than the number of tourists entering this iconic and beloved destination.”

Puyat also cited the advanced and responsible crisis management system of Baguio City that resulted in the highest testing per total population for any local government unit (LGU) in the country.

She lauded the impressive contact tracing technique employed in the city and the implementation of contactless payment and strict health and safety protocols.

"Given these protocols in place, Baguio can anticipate reopening cautiously first to visitors from Region 1. Tourists will be regulated and monitored through the Baguio V.I.S.I.T.A.. Everyone is encouraged to pre-register and pre-book accommodations.

Upon entry in Baguio, visitors are expected to go thru mandatory triage and the required testing protocols of either RTPCR or antigen, once the guidelines are approved. The tour operator or hotel management shall closely monitor the movement of the tourist, and the city will limit the capacity of visitors depending on risk levels," Puyat explained. DOT PR

BARMM lends emergency… from Page A7 “We [MAFAR] and the government are very much concerned of our farmers and fisherfolks. The ministry is here to help them improve their livelihood and alleviate them from poverty,” Yacob said.

“The ministry is committed to provide any form of assistance for the benefit of our marginalized farmers who struggle to survive daily,” he added.

Mohalidin Ensu, a 44-year old farmer from Datu Piang, Maguindanao who received P25,000 was thankful to the support given by the Bangsamoro Government. “Ang plano po namin ay gawing kapital ang perang natanggap at bibili rin ng kambing para pagkakitaan,” Ensu said.

ACPC focal person Cati-ir ensured that the provided emergency loan will create a huge impact on the farming job and will create a more sustainable livelihood for its beneficiaries. JULMUNIR I. JANNARA