Philippine Muslim Today

12 Pages | P20

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

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P400-M water system in Marawi City begins

By ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

Patikul people’s response on C-130 plane crash act of solidarity amid adversity

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By Julmunir I. Jannaral

The Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (WestMinComAFP) is extremely grateful to the assistance extended by our brothers and sisters Tausug in Sulu who were among the first responders that rescued several survivors of the air mishap on July 4, 2021.

(FULL STORY ON PAGE A7)

A2 Across BARMM

Officials see potentials for finer journalists serving BARMM

Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, interim Bangsamoro government spokesman, and Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, among others, graced the induction of the BPC pioneer officers and members in Cotabato City on July 3, airing optimistic forecasts of the group’s future.

GROUND-BREAKING: MILG-BARMM Minister Naguib Sinarimbo (right) and Lanao del Sur Mamintal Adiong Jr. (2nd from right) lead other officials in the groundbreaking ceremony at Barangay Pugaan on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, for a P400-million water system that would serve 40 barangays of the City. (Photo Courtesy of MILG-BARMM)

A3 Across Mindanao

Stalled construction of 3 bridges in Lanao Sur completed

Stunted construction works on three bridges along MulondoWao highway in Lanao del Sur have been completed, ending earlier online tirade of barbs between workers and concerned commuters. The good news was revealed by the owner-manager of CDH Construction firm involved in the projects.

A6 Across PH

ARAWI CITY: Minister Naguib Sinarimbo of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Lanao del Sur Provincial Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. led officials in the groundbreaking ceremony for a P400-million water system that would serve 40 barangays of the City.

(FULL STORY ON PAGE A3)

A8 World Round-Up

WHO, NCSC urge LGUs to hasten vaccination of senior citizens

US welcomes Prince Khalid linked to Khashoggi murder

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) have urged local government units (LGUs) in the country to speed up the vaccination of priority groups, especially the elderly citizens amid increasing cases of COVID-19 variants called SARS-CoV-2.

The US administration has sparked outrage over welcoming Saudi prince Khalid bin Salman, the younger brother of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who is linked to the murder case of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with human rights advocates saying President Joe Biden has fallen short of punishing Saudi Arabia for the prevalent human rights violations under MBS.

Ranao Star

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The Bangsamoro

Officials see potentials for finer journalists serving BARMM

Solon seeks probe on Teduray-Lambangian killings in BARMM

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

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OTABATO CITY: A member of the House of Representatives has asked the lower house to look into the alleged killings of the Teduray indigenous peoples in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist Representative Amihilda Sancgopan filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1926 last Monday, enjoining the Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the struggles of various indigenous tribes in the BARMM areas, including the spate of killings of non-Moro IP leaders despite the existence of Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM and Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.

HR 1926 cited that the number of killings of non-Moro IP leaders and farmers in the autonomous region began to escalate immediately after the signing of the BOL. The inquiry will probe the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) with regards the promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples in the BARMM. Sangcopan explained Wednesday on Alerto Bangsamoro radio show on DXMS Radyo Bida Cotabato City.

According to Sangcopan the BOL originated from Congress therefore Congress can exercise its oversight powers over its implementation.

She said it is alarming and heart-breaking that Bangsamoro tribes such as the Tedurays, Lambangians, Dulangans and other non-Moro IPs continue to struggle despite their outpouring support to the ratification of the BOL or RA 11054 in 2018.

The AMIN Partylist Representative also discussed the issue of land in her radio guesting, she added that the IP groups continue to be driven away repeatedly from their ancestral lands by lawless armed groups instigating conflicts and harassments resulting to the deaths of several nonMoro IPs. Relatedly, Timuay Leticio Datuwata reported that since 2018, twenty-three Teduray Lambangian had already been killed and thousands have been displaced from their homes.

Timuay Datuwata, Timuay Labi of the Timuay Justice and Governance of the Teduray and Lambangian tribe, said armed Maguindanaoan groups have been launching attacks in their communities in Upi and South Upi Maguindanao to claim parts of their ancestral land.

Datuwata opposed the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) for its Resolution No. 38 that had asked the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to cease and desist from delineating lands and processing the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADT) in BARMM. This delays the ancestral domain claim of the TedurayLambangian to 208,258 hectares that covers 8 towns of Maguindanao and parts of Sultan Kudarat province.

He said putting the CADT issuance on hold has opened opportunities for armed Maguindanaon groups to claim Teduray-Lambangian ancestral land, some bearing land titles, which shows the complex system of property rights in the region.

Datuwata emphasized that national laws such as the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA) should take precedence over regional policies.

As this developed, Sangcopan agrees: “The BOL is quite clear, that it recognizes the IPRA. If there will be an IP Code that will be passed, it would have to be not less than the IPRA. That’s what I’m looking at,” she further said. (JIJ)

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

By Philippine Muslim Today News Team

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OTABATO CITY: Public officials have acknowledged the potentials of the infant Bangsamoro Press Corps (BPC) in promoting media workers’ welfare, professionalizing their

ranks and honing their skills for harmonized reportage of events, thrusts and aspirations underlying the new autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao.

Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, interim Bangsamoro government spokesman, and Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, among others, graced the induction of the BPC pioneer officers and members here and July 3, airing in separate messages their optimistic forecasts of the media group’s future.

Usec. Egco administered the oath-taking of the BPC pioneer officers, board of directors and members at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex lobby inside the Bangsamoro government compound here. The BPC officers and board of directors led by Philippine Muslim Today news editor Ali Macabalang were elected here last April 17.

Journalists’ safety and welfare Egco, buoyed by the BPC formation, urged the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to create a regional counterpart of the PTFoMS to ensure the safety of media workers and prevent a semblance of the infamous 2009 “Maguindanao massacre” from happening.

In complementation of a regional task force, he said, the BARMM government through its parliament may also find it imperative to enact a “Media Welfare Act” similar to a national proposal now pending in Congress that seeks to meet the age-old inadequacies in common media workers, especially those in the countryside.

Egco furnished the BPC and the office of BARMM Spokesman Sinarimbo copies of the original enabling bill on media welfare, which

After almost 10 years of court trials, two masterminds in the massacre were convicted on Dec. 19, 2019 for 57 counts of murder and sentenced to reclusion perpetua without parole.

Twenty eight coaccused including cops were meted similar penalties and sentenced to 40 years, while 15 others were sentenced to 6 –10 years for being accessories to the crime.

The Duterte administration through the PTFoMS was credited for the initial dispensation of justice.

Egco said his office will work closely the BARMM government and the BPC to craft the operational guidelines of the proposed regional task force in “deference to Bangsamoro’s parliamentary system.”

He said the PTFoMS data showed the autonomous region as one of regions vulnerable to

BANGSAMORO PRESS CORPS INDUCTION: Oath-taking of the elected executive officers, above, and board of directors, below, of the Bangsamoro Press Corps in Cotabato City on July 3 – Photos by Nur-Ali Macabalang and Juma Mariquit respectively.

seeks to provide reasonable monthly income from the state and its local government units (LGUs). He said Sinarimbo, being the concurrent Local Government Minister, could fittingly craft with the BPC a regional version of the bill.

He said the mechanism being implemented by the PTFoMS has been “acknowledged by international organizations as an effective deterrent against media violence,” said Egco, a National Press Club (NPC) past president.

Organizers are contemplating to affiliate the BPC with the NPC. “A BARMM Task Force on Media Security could be the only solution in preventing a repetition of the gruesome 2009 Maguindanao massacre that left 58 people killed, 32 of them media workers,” Egco said.

violence against media workers that peaked in killing of 32 journalists in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009 in a caravan to cover the filing of gubernatorial candidacy of then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu in 2010.

The PTFoMS was created by President Duterte in 2016 through Administrative Order No. 1 with a mandate to protect the life, liberty, and security of media workers.

Bangsamoro media networks of national scope In their separate remarks, Minister Sinarimbo and Rep. Mangudadato assured full support to Egco’s proposals and the BPC plans to professionalize the ranks of its members, hone its members’ skills, promote their ssafety and socioOFFICIALS | A11

Across Bangsamoro

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

P400-M water system in Marawi City begins

By ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

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ARAWI CITY: The Bangsamoro government-funded P400-million water system to serve 40 barangays in this Islamic city start-

ed construction after its ground-breaking on Tuesday at Barangay Pugaan.

GROUND-BREAKING: MILG-BARMM Minister Naguib Sinarimbo (right) and Lanao del Sur Provincial Governor Mamintal “Bombit” A. Adiong Jr. (2nd from right) lead other officials in the groundbreaking ceremony for a P400million water system that would serve 40 barangays of Marawi City in Barangay Pugaan on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Courtesy of MILG-BARMM) Minister Naguib Sinarimbo of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Lanao del Sur Provincial Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. led officials in the project’s groundbreaking ceremony.

Sinarimbo who represented BARMM chief minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said the Marawi Water Construction and Rehabilitation Project (MWCRP) is a joint venture of the BARMM and the provincial government of Lanao del Sur. “The project will serve 40 barangays, which is not covered by the Task Force Bangon Marawi Rehabilitation Project and will complement the same,” he said on Wednesday.

The national government earlier approved a P3.56-billion fund for the rehabilitation of Marawi City following the May 2017 siege staged by the Maute terrorist group.

Sinarimbo said the MWCRP is fully funded by the Office of

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim.

In behalf of the regional government, Sinarimbo also handed over to Adiong checks representing 50 percent of the project cost to fast track the project's implementation during the ceremony.

“This demonstrates the continuing commitment of the Bangsamoro government to respond to the needs of our communities and partner with willing and able LGUs (local government units) in the region,” he said.

(RSO)

A3

Stalled construction of 3 bridges in Lanao Sur completed

By ALI G. MACABALANG

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OTABATO CITY: Stunted construction works on three bridges along MulondoWao highway in Lanao del Sur have been completed, ending earlier online trade of barbs between workers and concerned commuters.

The family of Abdulraheem Hadjimalic, ownermanager of CDH Construction firm involved in the projects, announced the good news in a phone interview with the Philippine Muslim Today (PMT) news last week.

Some commuters, including the staff of Dr. Anshari Ali, chancellor of the Mindanao State University-General Santos City campus, corroborated the announcement, furnishing the PMT with some photos.

Mohammad Fahad Mocsir HadjiMalic, son of the CDH Construction firm owner-manager, said the three bridges were ready for formal turnover to the government, even as he expressed gladness for his family’s fulfillment of its commitment to complete the construction works this month of July.

In the interview, the son mentioned about their current works on a fourth and bigger bridge his family is also building along the highway of Maguing, Lanao del Sur. Last February, the father and son tangled with some nitizens in heated arguments about the stunted construction of the bridge. The trade of barbs went viral in the “Mindanao Tapatan Lane,” which this writer created on Facebook.

The Hadjimalics were ostensibly piqued by some nitizens’ insinuations that the funds for the construction of the three bridges, which reportedly began in 2012, might have been misspent. They clarified that the work delays were caused by interrupted fund releases from the national government through the Department of Public Works and Highways in Region 10.

STALLED| A11

Sinarimbo (2nd from right) hands over to Adiong checks amounting to 50 percent of the project funding. (Courtesy of MILG-BARMM)

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COMPLETED BRIDGE IN LANAO SUR: Photos show the states of the Maguing bridge in Lanao del Sur while under construction and its completion. – Photos supplied

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Opinion/News

Late DPWH Director Ibrahim and “moral leadership’ (A repost)

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he “Moral Governance” (MG) that the Bangsamoro government is espousing to achieve has faced skepticisms from the people including Moro professionals either residing in the region or concerned with the evolution of new autonomy.

Critics have painted the regional MG slogan with a dismal prospect for realization if not next to Punchline impossible. I argue that skepticism or pessimism is affront to a Persian adage: “He who does not hope to win has already lost.”

Moral leadership in contemporary life is not a far-fetched dream because the late Hadji Mastor Ibrahim, who served as regional director for over a decade of the graft-laden Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), had successfully ALI G. MACABALANG lived by and exemplified it.

Fact 1: In the advent of the Marcos Martial Law regime, a Moro politician known for unprecedented influence to the deposed “dictator,” went to the office of then DPWH (MPWH) Secretary (Minister) Jesus Hipolito and asked for the replacement of Ibrahim by another Moro engineer allied with him.

Hipolito rejected the request, telling the politico that “Ibrahim is the most honest regional director his ministry has.” The influential politico, obviously not used to rejection of his requests, smashed the minister’s glass table with a clenched fist. The politico went to Marcos and mentioned his experience with Hipolito. The late President reportedly also told his influential leader in Mindanao: “Request something else.”

Hence, the late Ibrahim continued to serve as regional director until his retirement, without having a personal car with a simple house he built for his family constructed out of bank loan plus personal incomes.

Fact 2: One day Ibrahim left his sick wife at a hospital in Manila and went home to Mindanao to seek loan to pay the bills of his spouse. When he returned to hospital, the billing section told him the bills were already settled by somebody he later recognized a contractor. He asked the contract: “Retrieve your money if you want to maintain a link with my office.” With his order heeded by the donor-contractor, Ibrahim paid the bills out of his fresh bank loan.

Fact 3: My late wife was sick at home and a friend doctor prescribed medicines worth P800. I went to Director Ibrahim and confided my dilemma of incapacity to buy the medicine. He pulled out his wallet and picked one of three 50-peso bills and gave it to me, saying: “Orak (little brother), please accept this (P50) as ikhlas aid from available money earned honestly.” But he advised me to drop by at the offices of his two assistant regional directors for possible help. I did as instructed and the two ARDs gave me P1,000 cash each.

Fact 4: A son of Ibrahim had a conversation on recess time with two classmates, who happened to be children of district engineers under the honest director. The two classmates asked Ibrahim’s son: “Why do come to school alone with a car transporting you…when your daddy is the boss of our fathers?” When the son confronted his son, Ibrahim could just say: “Your daddy is living by amanah (honesty) ordained by Allah (God) for all mankind.”

In a nutshell, it is not true that “moral leadership” cannot happen nowadays. The real problem is many public officials do not live by the commandments of God. MACABALANG | A12

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he Philippine Muslim Today is published every Friday by Philippine Muslim Today Inc. with main offices at Mercury and Pluto Streets, Rabago Subdivision, Villa Verde, Iligan City 9200 PH. Phone: +63 63 2290965 (PLDT); +63 9152184388 (Mobile) Email: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com Portal: Https://philmuslim.today/

NCR SATELLITE OFFICE: ADDRESS: 9052 Viscarra Compound, Molino 3, Bacoor City 4102 Cavite Province PHONE: +639778430218 | +639353138549 Email: julmunir1845@gmail.com | managingeditor@philmuslim.today Opinion of the writer expressed herein is not necessarily the opinion of Philippine Muslim Today nor of its management.

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

Haiti police hunt down president’s assassins as uncertainty grows Police chief Leon Charles said there were still more members of the hit squad at large

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ORT AU PRINCE, Haiti: Haitian police killed four “mercenaries” they said were behind the assassination of President Jovenel Moise Wednesday and took two more into custody, as the impoverished and crisis-hit Caribbean nation was pitched into uncertainty.

Police did not identify the suspects or say what their motives were for the gun attack on Moise and his wife Martine, who survived, at their private residence in the capital Port-au-Prince early Wednesday.

Police chief Leon Charles said there were still more members of the hit squad at large.

“As I speak, the police are engaged in battle with these assailants,” he said late Wednesday. “We are chasing them so that either in the exchange of fire they will be killed or we will apprehend them.”

Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph declared a national “state of siege” and said he was now in charge.

At the UN Security Council, members unanimously called “for the perpetrators of this abhorrent crime to be swiftly brought to justice,” and for “all parties to remain calm, exercise restraint” and avoid “any act that could contribute to further instability.” An emergency meeting on the crisis has been set for midday Thursday.

The airport was closed in Port-auPrince, but witnesses said the city was quiet with the streets deserted and no extra security forces on patrol.

“Four mercenaries were killed, two were intercepted under our control. Three policemen who had been taken hostage have been recovered,” said Charles, the head of Haiti’s national police.

The attack took place around 1:00 am (0500 GMT) at Moise’s home. Shell casings could be seen on the street outside as forensics experts combed the scene for evidence. A nearby car was peppered with bullet holes.

Magistrate Carl Henry Destin told the Nouvelliste newspaper that the president’s body had twelve bullet holes in it, from large caliber rifles and smaller 9mm weapons, to the forehead, chest, hips and abdomen.

“The president’s office and bedroom were ransacked. We found him lying on his back, blue pants, a white shirt smeared with blood, his mouth open, his left eye gouged out,” he said.

Moise’s wife was first treated at a local hospital then rushed by air ambulance to the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami.

Joseph said she was “out of danger,” later adding that “her situation is stable.”

Their daughter Jomarlie was in the home during the attack but hid in a bedroom, Destin, the magistrate, said.

He said a maid and another domestic staff member had been tied up by the commandos who allegedly shouted “DEA operation” as they burst in.

Joseph said the president was “assassinated at his home by foreigners who spoke English and Spanish.”

“This death will not go unpunished,” Joseph said in an address to the nation.

Haiti’s ambassador to Washington, Bocchit Edmond, also said the killers were “professional” mercenaries disguised as

US Drug Enforcement Administration agents.

The unpopular Moise had ruled Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, by decree after legislative elections due in 2018 were delayed.

In addition to the political chaos, kidnappings for ransom have surged in recent months.

The capital’s streets were at a standstill in the hours after the assassination, with just a handful of citizens outdoors.

“We didn’t expect it. This is another earthquake in Haiti,” said a mother of two who gave her name only as Bernadette, referring to deadly 2010 quake.

“I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it,” said 50-year-old Jacquelyn.

Haiti will observe two weeks of national mourning from Thursday.

Joseph — who spoke by telephone to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Wednesday — has only been in his post for three months, and was due to step down within days after Moise named his replacement on Monday.

As well as presidential, legislative and local elections, Haiti was due to hold a constitutional referendum in September after it was twice postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

US President Joe Biden condemned the killing as “horrific” and said Washington was ready to assist in any way.

Washington also called for Haiti to proceed with the elections, with the State Department spokesman saying a fair vote would “facilitate a peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected president.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Haitians to “remain united” and “reject all violence.”

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned of “risk of instability and a spiral of violence.”

Moise, a successful businessman, burst onto the political stage in 2017 and campaigned as a populist. He was sworn in in February 2017.

The end date of his mandate however became the source of a standoff, as Moise maintained that his term of office ran until February 7, 2022, but others said it ended on February 7, 2021.

The disagreement is because Moise was elected in a 2015 vote that was canceled for fraud, and then re-elected in November 2016.

Without a parliament, the country fell further into crisis in 2020.

Many feared Haiti could tip further into violence.

“How much worse can hell get?” asked Haiti expert Irwin Stotzky at the University of Miami.

“Haiti faces even more violence and death and failure as a democratic nation than ever before, which is hard to imagine given its recent and chaotic history.”

The killing comes days after Moise appointed Ariel Henry, a French-trained neurosurgeon, as Haiti’s new prime minister.

Henry, 71, is close to the opposition, but his appointment was not welcomed by the majority of opposition parties.

AFP/ARAB NEWS

Opinion Questions for 2022 Presidential Candidates “Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.”

- From A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longellow

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he political pot is already boiling. The followers of Mayor Sara Duterte of Davao City and Senator Manny Pacquiao of Saranggani Province started the whole exercise by hanging tarpaulins and bill boards in many strategic places in the country urging their idols to run for President of the Philippine in the 2022 presidential election.

The PDP of President Duterte added more heat to the boiling pot by passing a resolution urging President Duterte to run for VicePresident and choose his presidential bet.

Then, Duterte came out with a statement that he had several presidential

bets in mind – driving many people to think that Rodrigo is determined to run for VicePresident.

Since many personalities are ambitioning to run for President, it is important for voters to know what questions to ask these presidential wannabes so they can make the right choice come election time.

Questions: Here are the questions which voters should ask these possible candidates now on why they are running for President.

Purpose, vision and blue print: Why are you running for President?

What are the specific reasons why you are running? What in very

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one We have occasionally heard the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence ever since – this is the nature in every human being that may either push him toward progressive life in all aspects or may cause insecurity to others and to himself alike. Indeed, everyone’s life is unique, and so are couples. The habit of comparing yourself to others causes unpleasant feelings to us and might even affect our fondness for our loved ones.

In the same way, nobody wants to experience the difficulties, not even those who are handling the most difficult jobs had they controlled the directions of life. None in this world is either given everything he wants. Remember Jeff Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie ended in Divorce when they be-

came the richest couples in the world in 2019. However, this doesn’t critically mean that you have nothing to do but to wait for the blessings from the sky.

Believe me our needs will not rain on us; we have to sweat enough to earn them.

There is no perfect relationship Yes, there is no “perfection” in a relationship, and it’s synonymous with impossible in this specific issue – half of the marriage is filled with challenges and mazes. What is therefore expected is, for couples, to orchestrate the future according to their desired goal and to get influenced by each other that could muster workable teamwork wherein the success of the family depends upon. Misunderstanding is part of a relationship basically because you are from different backgrounds and meant for divergent purposes and

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Just hold on Sir, We will come back!

Diliman Way

HOMOBONO A. ADAZA specific terms is your vision of the country?

What is your specific blue print to implement your vision?

Cabinet: Do you have persons who are to be members of your Cabinet? Why have you chosen them? What are their specific qualities as the basis of your choice? Do you have any specific task for then to do within the first hundred days of your term – in justice, national defense, local government, legislative system, foreign affairs, finance, monetary policy, agriculture, national resources, public works ADAZA | A10

Towards Happy Marriage (5): Love and Compassion or Mawaddah wa Rahmah on’t compare yourself to any-

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

IMADODIN BASAR DIMAO fates. Married life is a day-to-day experiment, so couples have to work regularly for the welfare of the family heading in the right direction. If someone is expecting a flawless outcome, it instead causes frustrations in the end, given that life is full of uncertainties and surprises, and so the marriage specifically. That being said, couples have to buckle up and get ready to face the endless trials that are destined to happen along the way. In every challenge survived is real happiness and harmony that forms an ideal union a strugDIMAO | A10

“

Kapit lang Sir ha.

Babalik kami.” (Hold on Sir, we will come back) This is what the Tausug civilians of Patikul, Sulu gave the assurance to the survivors immediately after they responded to the crash site in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul. They have to retrieve the wounded soldiers one by one to safety. Thus they assured the rest of the survivors to hold on as they will surely come back to rescue them.

These words of assurance from the rescuers have deeply touched the netizens following the social media. That also including the ranking military officials who have made recognition of the residents of Patikul mostly young men for their heroic deed of trying to help so that others may live.

These civilians have risked including their lives while in the process of helping the crash victims as they

rescued them one by one from the burning wreckage of the illfated C-130 Philippine Air Force plane that crashed at the end of the runway of Jolo Airport in the Province of Sulu last July 4.

As the crash investigators have found already the black box of the C-130 plane they still have to determine the real cause of the accident.

Chief of Staff of the AFP (CSAFP) Gen. Cirilito Sobejana visited also the Province of Sulu in order to see for himself the crash site in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul.

Ironically the Patikul residents were sometimes suspected as supporters of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). But yet they were acknowledged by the military as the first responders to the air tragedy that fell upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

No less than the

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., who acknowledged the heroism of the Tausug from Patikul for helping the wounded military men and helped the retrieval of wounded soldiers from the wreckage of C-130.

“To the survivors and all of us, our brothers and sisters Tausug are our heroes. They risked their own lives to save their fellow Filipinos whom they consider as their protectors from the malefactors,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. further JANNARAL | A10

The COVID-19 PANDEMIC and IATF PROTOCOLS

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fter more than a year under the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) Protocol to counter the spread of COVID19 and the new Variants that surfaced in many countries, the situation is getting more stressful and inconvenient to everybody. Normal lives, works, businesses, studies, livelihoods, travels and tourism are disrupted and our freedom of movement curtailed, as health and safety measures, to prevent the contamination and spread of the virus.

Some other medical experts identified it as bacteria, not virus, and must be treated as such.

When will this mysterious pandemic be fully and effectively eradicated? When the pandemic started, we are told that everthing will return to normal after a year. But the results is it did not turn out that way. Instead, we were told to live with it and embrace and

adopt to the ‘New Normal,’ which in fact is not normal because when in the beginning of the pandemic we were just obligated to wear face mask, later we are made to wear face shield as additional requirements and our body temperature being scanned and our hands sprayed with alcohol or antiseptics whenever we enter a mall, airport, seaport or public and private offices or buildings.

THE LATEST HEALTH PROTOCOLS The latest health protocol enforced by national and many local government units before we can travel to Zamboanga City as prescribed by the City Government is – we must undergo swab or saliva test with a NEGATIVE test results from the PNRC laboratory in Zamboanga. With this new health protocol prescribed by Zamboanga City Government to entrants to the City from BASULTA Islands

Southern Frontier

GERRY SALAPUDDIN and the Zamboanga Peninsula and from other localities of Mindanao, Luzon and Visayas, the more travelling is made difficult.

BASULTA Island residents are the most affected. And since the effectivity of the negative swab or saliva test results is only for 5 days, every time we travel to Zamboanga, we must pay for the swab or saliva test which ranges from P6K, P5K, P3,500 in different private hospitals and P2,500 at Basilan General Hospital.

Buying face mask and face shield every SALAPUDDING | A12

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Across PH

Comelec may step in to resolve PDP-Laban squabble

WHO, NCSC urge LGUs to hasten vaccination of senior citizens

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ANILA: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may step in to resolve the conflict within the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP)-Laban, Malacañang said on Thursday.

In a meeting on Tuesday with some party officials led by PDP-Laban vice chair and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his desire to “legally” settle what he described as a “mess” between factions of the party that he chairs.

“Legally, there’s a procedure. If there’s an intraparty dispute, then the Comelec will have jurisdiction to rule on it,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

Asked if Duterte is inclined to endorse a faction that will be fielding candidates for the 2022, elections, Roque said the President had already addressed persons who he believed are the “rightful” leaders of PDP-Laban.

Former PDP-Laban president Senator Koko Pimentel III and current head Manny Pacquiao were absent during the meeting.

Pimentel has yet to explain his absence while Pacquiao is in Los Angeles to prepare for his fight against unbeaten welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. on August 22 (August 21, US time).

Some members joined the meeting via video conference platform Zoom.

“I’m saying that he met with individuals who he thought and believed are the rightful the rightful leaders of the PDP-Laban. But that’s without prejudice to the role of Senator Koko Pimentel because we know that his family founded PDPLaban,” Roque said.

He added he has no information on whether Duterte will also be meeting Pimentel and his team.

COMELEC | A12

Strict border, quarantine rules can keep Delta variant away

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ANILA: There are is no better way to stop the coronavirus stain Delta variant from entering the country than by imposing strict quarantine policies and border controls.

National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa said Thursday the Philippines should not let its guard down as the Delta variant remains a threat.

"Ang Indonesia ay katabi lang ng Pilipinas.

Napasok sila. Hindi pa sila tapos sa kanilang pagbabakuna. And isa sa mga nakita ko sa nangyari sa kanila eh binaba nila kaagad iyong kanilang quarantine rules. So parang ginawang five days yata so maraming nakapasok na Delta variant (Indonesia is near the Philippines. It was penetrated. They are not yet done with vaccination.

One of the things I saw is that they loosened up their quarantine rule, reducing it to five days)," Herbosa said in an interview during the Laging Handa press briefing.

The Department of Health (DOH) said there is no local case yet of the highly transmissible variant.

"We need to keep our border control strict.

Pero aside from that, kailangan tuluy-tuloy pa rin iyong pagsuot ng face mask, face shield at huwag masyadong magpunta sa mga matataong lugar (But apart from that, there is still a need to wear face masks and face shields and avoid going to crowded places)," Herbosa said.

It is also important to intensify mass testing, contact tracing, and treatment, he added.

Earlier, the DOH said the Delta variant should not be a cause for alarm if health protocols are properly observed.

Lade Jean Kabagani /PNA

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

By ALI G. MACABALANG

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OTABATO CITY: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) have urged local government units (LGUs) in the country to As of 28 June 2021, 28.3% of the recorded 8.2 million senior citizens – the A2 priority group – have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Senior citizens are at highest risk of deaths due to COVID-19. In the Philippines, 7 out of 10 deaths are in patients 60 years old and above, according to a WHO-Philippines report.

“We strongly urge our LGUs to ramp up efforts to improve access of the elderly to vaccines, along with improving convenience at vaccination sites. Let us give our elderly the protection they need and the best quality of life they deserve without delay,” Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHOPhilippines head, said in a virtual media briefing on July 1.

“Vaccines are an essential addition to our protective measures against COVID-19, especially with the risk of fast-spreading variants.

We need to protect our senior citizens the soonest and with the highest coverage,” he added.

Focal vaccination efforts on those at greatest risk of severe disease or death will have the biggest immediate impact on saving lives, especially amid limited global supply of vaccines, the WHO said.

“Our senior citizens are the ones most likely hospitalized due to COVID-19. If we don’t protect our elderly, we run the risk of overwhelming our hospitals and overburdening our health workers and frontliners. We would again require further lockdowns, which are detrimental to the economy,” Dr. Abeyasinghe explained.

An overwhelmed health system can also lead to increased infec-

speed up the vaccination of priority groups, especially the elderly citizens amid increasing cases of COVID-19 variants called SARS-CoV-2.

Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO-Philippines head

NCSC chairman Franklin Quijano and MinDA chairman Manny Pinol. tions among healthcare workers and the inability to be responsive to severe COVID-19 cases and other health threats, the global health body said.

The WHO official was reportedly joined in the media briefing by NCSC Chairman Franklyn Quijano and Dr. Beverly Ho, director of Health Promotion Bureau and Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the Department of Health.

“Vaccine confidence and access go hand in hand in making sure our senior citizens are well-protected,” Dr. Ho said.

Dr. Ho pointed out the need for support “in motivating our senior citizens to get their jabs, and thereafter

facilitate access for those who have decided they want it,” saying the LGUs and civil society partners can provide great support.

She also urged vaccinated senior citizens or family members to become influencers in their own communities since they are the most credible endorsers that can attest to the safety of the vaccines.”

Health authorities have lauded vaccinated prominent citizens like Secretary Manny Piñol, chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) for showcasing in social media channels their actual receipt of vaccine lately.

Sec. Piñol enjoys a great number of followers not only in Mindanao

but across the country, they said.

NCSC Chair Quijano, for his part, said that “senior citizens often feel they are running out of time, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made this even more pronounced.”

“We thank and commend the LGUs who are succeeding at vaccinating older people faster, such as bringing vaccines closer to seniors via mobile clinics or house-to-house visits.

These laudable endeavors bring us one step closer to being with our families again. We hope to see more LGUs showing more compassion by prioritizing our elderly as we get more vaccine supply,” Quijano said.

WHO | A12

News

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

SPECIAL REPORT

Patikul people’s response on C-130 plane crash act of solidarity amid adversity

By Julmunir I. Jannaral

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AMP NAVARRO, Calarian, Zamboanga City: “The Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (WestMinCom-AFP) is extremely grateful to the assistance extended by our brothers and sis-

The AFP experienced one of the worst tragedies in history when the newly acquired Lockheed C-130 Hercules with tail number 5125 crash-landed in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu on Sunday, according to Colonel Alaric Avelino P. delos Santos, WestMinCom spokesman.

Colonel Santos told the Philippine Muslim Today during this hard time, the armed forces received overwhelming support from the villagers who unhesitatingly responded to the crash site and rescued injured victims, and brought them to safety.

“To the survivors and all of us, our brothers and sisters Tausug are our heroes. They risked their own lives to save their fellow Filipinos whom they consider as their protectors from the malefactors,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. further stated.

Aside from the villagers, the CAFGUs

and cadre from Bangkal Patrol Base are also among the first responders who aggressively extricated more than 20 wounded soldiers from the incident site.

“Their heroic deeds are worthy of praise and recognition. This

ters Tausug in Sulu who were among the first responders that rescued several survivors of the air mishap on July 4, 2021,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., WestMinCom commander.

exemplifies that at times when we, protectors of the people and the state are in trouble, we have the peace-loving people to depend on. Muslims or Christians, we are Filipinos with one flag and one country,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. continued.

“Rest assured that the Western Mindanao Command will work doubly to bring lasting peace and sustainable development in Sulu, and to keep all our brothers and sisters Muslim in the province safe and secured,” he expressed.

As of this writing, 47 soldiers are undergoing medical treatment at the private and public hospitals in this city. Army PFC Nathaniel Bongcayao is one of the survivors now recuperating in a hospital in Zamboanga City.

However the latest update stated on July 5, 2021 that the investigators have found already the black box of the C130 plane that crashed at the end of the runway of Jolo Airport in order to determine the real cause of the accident.

As the search and recovery teams recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of the C-130 and both the FDR and CVR will be shipped to a facility capable of evaluating and analyzing data.

But the big question now confronting the investigators put up by the Chief of Staff of the AFP (CSAFP) Gen. Cirilito Sobejana is to determine why the plane went out of the runway of Jolo Airport in the Province of Sulu.

Ironically, the Patikul residents that sometimes suspected as supporters of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists were the one that helped the wounded military men and they helped the retrieval operations of the wounded soldiers from the wreckage of C-130.

Based on the approved report of CSAFP Gen. Sobejana, there was a total of 96 passengers on board the ill-fated military aircraft.

PATIKUL | A11

A7

Davao City raises alert vs. dengue DAVAO CITY: Apart from coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the City Health Office (CHO) on Thursday also warned Dabawenyos against the deadly dengue fever which has so far claimed five lives in the city this year.

In a radio interview, Beth Banzon, CHO Tropical Diseases Prevention and Control Unit Coordinator and Nutrition Division head, urged the residents to remain vigilant against the water-borne disease as the rainy season officially started in the country.

Banzon said the city’s dengue cases climbed from 102 in May to 133 in June this year.

She reminded the residents to constantly clean their surroundings, and properly dispose of their garbage, especially plastics and bottles which is a contributing factor to attract dengue-carrying mosquitos.

“We have found a lot of breeding areas in the city during our recent inspection. With dengue, one needs to be on alert all the time. A fever should not be taken lightly as it could be a symptom, not just of dengue but also of Covid-19,” she added.

She also cited that the first to three days of fever could be an indication of dengue while the fourth to sixth days are critical since other symptoms such as nose bleeding, stomachache, rashes, dehydration, and vomiting blood would start to manifest.

She also said drinking a lot of fluids could help address dehydration.

The Office of Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Banzon said, helped them in their information drive campaign with a dengue advisory being handed out to every household.

“The rainy months of June to September are expected to have more dengue cases that’s why we need to keep our homes and surroundings clean and to never be complacent. Once a dengue symptom manifests, patients had to be checked-up immediately,” she added.

Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo PNA

Father, son killed in shootout; P1.3-M shabu seized in NoCot COTABATO CITY: A father and his son were killed in a shootout with law enforcers after both resisted arrest while being served with a search warrant in Pikit, North Cotabato Thursday morning.

Naravy Duquiatan, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Region 12 (Soccsksargen), identified the suspects as Datu Ronnie Mangansakan, and his son Banji, both of Barangay Macasandag.

“They started firing at the approaching lawmen, resulting in the shootout," Duquiatan said of the 6 a.m. operation.

Assisting the PDEA-12 were personnel from the North Cotabato provincial police and soldiers from the Army’s 34th and 90th Infantry Battalions.

Recovered from the slain suspects were shabu worth PHP1.3 million, an M16 rifle, an M14 rifle, and ammunition.

“Both father and son were included in our highvalue target list in North Cotabato," Duquiatan said.

Nabbed in the same operation were Gutierrez Abit and Nissan Mangansakan who were both found in the area during the exchange of gunfire, and believed to be the slain suspects' cohorts in their illegal activities.

Noel Punzalan/PNA

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Around the Globe

Haiti prexy assassinated at his residence: official

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

US welcomes Prince Khalid linked to Khashoggi murder, angers human rights activists

By PMT FOREIGN NEWS DESK

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he US administration has sparked outrage over welcoming Saudi prince Khalid bin Salman, the younger brother of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who is linked to the murder case of dissident journalist Jamal

Haiti President Jovenel Moise ANKARA: Haiti President Jovenel Moise was assassinated at his residence while the first lady was injured, the country's interim prime minister said on Wednesday.

According to a statement by Claude Joseph, a group of unidentified people, including those speaking Spanish, attacked the private residence of the president and fatally injured him.

First lady Martine Moise was also injured in the incident that occurred around 1 a.m. local time (0500GMT), and later taken to a hospital for treatment.

Joseph condemned the "heinous, inhumane and barbaric" attack, and urged all citizens to remain calm as security forces in the country are controlling the case.

Haiti has endured decades of political upheaval, poverty, and a devastating earthquake in 2010 and remains highly vulnerable to natural hazards - mainly hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.

The tiny Caribbean island of nearly 12 million people has been hit hard by an economic crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus outbreak as the country is one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere. Anadolu

Russia sees Asean as reliable ally amid global instability MOSCOW: Russia regards the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as a reliable and predictable ally in an unstable geopolitical situation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday at a special meeting of the Russian and Asean Foreign Ministers in Jakarta.

"Amid unstable geopolitical situation in the world, exacerbation of both traditional and new challenges and threats, we see the Association as strategic, reliable, and predictable ally in international affairs. We are ready for an open dialogue on the entire spectrum of pressing problems of the global and regional agenda,” Lavrov said.

Lavrov said it is important to coordinate the approaches of Russia and Asean “to solving the difficult problems before us.”

"Despite the fact that last year and a half have been difficult due to the pandemic, we were able not only to maintain the existing level of our cooperation but also to take a number of steps to expand it, create new channels of interaction," he added.

The Foreign Minister noted that 2021 is a special year for Russia and Asean.

"It is the 30th anniversary of Russian-Asean relations and the 25th anniversary of the full-scale Russia-Asean dialogue partnership, which was given the strategic status in 2018. During this period, a branched system of interaction mechanisms has been formed, which makes it possible to effectively promote cooperation in all areas -- in the field of politics and security, economics and sociocultural ties, and others," he said.

Humanitarian contacts continue to develop between Russia and Asean, issues of regional architecture, post-crisis economic recovery, and the fight against terrorism are being discussed, the minister continued.

"We hope that the epidemiological situation will allow us to hold the sixth Russia-Asean Youth summit in Kazan in the foreseeable future," Lavrov added. TASS

On Tuesday, Prince Khalid, who is also Saudi Arabia’s deputy defense minister, became the highest-ranking visitor from the kingdom to arrive in Washington since Biden took office, marking a vast symbolic difference with the era of former US President Donald Trump, whose first foreign visit was to Saudi Arabia.

Trump and his adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, fostered a close relationship with MBS, who is known as the architect of the devastating war underway against neighboring Yemen since 2015 with the aim of installing a pro-Riyadh government in Sana’a.

Predicting the outrage, the Biden administration did not publicly announce Prince Khalid’s visit in advance.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that Khashoggi’s murder would likely come up in the talks, but later readouts from the prince’s meetings did not clarify whether the issue was brought up by the US officials.

Psaki also said that the talks would cover Saudi “defense” needs, underlining the US commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against what she called “Iranian-aligned groups” – making a reference to the Ansarullah movement in Yemen, which has been the target of the Saudi-led ongoing onslaught against Yemen since 2015.

The White House announced later that the Saudi prince met with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who emphasized “the importance of progress in advancing human rights in the kingdom.” It did not mention whether Khashoggi’s murder was brought up, but said the two “agreed to stay in touch regularly over the coming

Khashoggi, with human rights advocates saying President Joe Biden has fallen short of punishing Saudi Arabia for the prevalent human rights violations under MBS.

This photo tweeted by Khalid Bin Salman shows him with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan. months.”

The prince also met with Colin Kahl, the US defense undersecretary for policy, to discuss “efforts to end the war in Yemen and the shared US-Saudi commitment to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities” and other issues, the Pentagon said.

Prince Khalid on Wednesday held a meeting with senior US State Department officials Victoria Nuland and Derek Chollet, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken only briefly attending the meeting to discuss a number of issues.

“Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined the group for part of the meeting to discuss efforts to achieve a comprehensive, nationwide ceasefire and transition to a political process in Yemen, the need for economic reform and humanitarian relief for the Lebanese people, and other key bilateral issues, including human rights,” according to the State Department.

‘Prince Khalid involved in Khashoggi murder’ The trip comes almost six months into the administration of Biden, who had vowed to make Saudi Arabia “the pariah they are” when campaigning for presidency last year.

While Biden published an assessment by US intelligence

agencies that MBS personally ordered the murder of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, he later cited national interests for not punishing Mohammed bin Salman.

“We held accountable all the people in that organization — but not the crown prince, because we have never that I’m aware of, when we have an alliance with a country, gone to the acting head of state and punished that person and ostracized him,” he said in an interview with ABC News on March 17.

Prior to Khashoggi’s murder, Prince Khalid had told the victim that it would be safe for him to go to the consulate, according to the Washington Post.

“Khalid himself is implicated in the plot to lure Khashoggi from the United States to Istanbul, where they proceeded to butcher him,” Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), told the Middle East Eye on Wednesday.

“How is it that the so -called ban is not used in the very first case when it could be?”

Whitson asked.

Under MBS, Saudi forces arrested dozens of princes and prominent business figures in November 2017 and imprisoned them inside

the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh under the pretext of an anticorruption drive ordered by the thennewly appointed Mohammed bin Salman.

Mohammed bin Nayef, Saudi Arabia’s former crown prince, was also arrested and charged with treason along with his halfbrother Nawwaf bin Nayef and his uncle Ahmed bin Abdulaziz on March 6, 2020, as part of MBS’s efforts to consolidate power and eliminate potential rivals.

According to sources familiar with his situation, the former crown prince has suffered serious injuries to his feet from beatings and can no longer walk unaided.

Bin Salman is also accused of ordering assassination missions against a former Saudi intelligence official, Saad al-Jabri, who currently resides in Canada and revealed earlier this year that he has faced repeated threats on his life.

Last month, Riyadh was named by the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) as the second-worst country in the world in terms of human rights, due to its ban on protests, limits on free expression and civil society organizations, and the inability of citizens to vote or participate in public life. AGENCY

JRL)

Tourism & Culture

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

Taking a Closer Look at the Tawi-Tawi Seaweed Industry

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SPICY GRILLED FISH BANGSAMORO HALAL DISH With Maria Fhebie Ortil

By JOHNNY R. LEE Ph.D.

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an the Tawi-Tawi seaweed industry bring back its old glory years when things are back to normal?

A

s emphasized in my previous posts regarding the seaweed industry, life among the 30k coastal families, who engaged in cultivating this ‘green gold’ from the sea, has never been so good.

My research, which became a part of my doctoral dissertation, indicates that the seaweed industry has become a ‘life-changing’ industry for almost all the seaweed farmers who engaged in it. It is one of the main reasons that Tawi-Tawi extricates itself from the top 20 of the poorest of the poor provinces in the Philippines.

Seaweed industry is a ‘family enterprise’ where everyone in the family is involved. The father is usually the one who carries the heavy burden. He is the one who takes the ‘readymade’ seaweed strands or cultivars to the field while the rest of the members stay at home and are responsible for ‘attaching’ the newly cut strands (also known as seedlings) to a long nylon line (at least 10 meters). The ready-madeat-home propagules/ cuttings from the mother plant are ferried away to a nearby coastal area and therein stretched between two staked poles and left to grow.

Within 45 days, the seaweed matures and is ready to harvest, sundried (2-3 days) , sacked and sold to seaweed buyers. Buying price of dried seaweeds, pre-pandemic time, was at P45-60 per kilogram.

Depending on the size of their farm plots, a family usually earns at least an net average of P10,000-15,000 per month after a 45-day planting season. This is already a good income.

S

Compared to their previous occupation as traditional coconut farmers and fishermen, said family incomes from seaweed farming are far better. The buying price of copra that time was only at P20.00 per kilogram. The latter entails tedious preparation and processes before it

reaches the buyer. Also, coconuts have a longer number of days (50-60 days) before they can be harvested. And so the almost 360 degree turnaround to embrace the seaweed’s preferences as lucrative source of income.

Human development indicators such as fami-

ly income, number of children attending schools, type of houses built, properties acquired, savings, lifestyles and other basic needs are all ‘positives’ when my research was conducted in 2015. The trend continued but was uncertain in this time of pandemic. (JRL)

picy Grilled Fish – grilled fish wrapped with banana leaves with spice marinade and seasoning. The fish is so tender, moist, with intense aroma and flavors.This is probably one of the best grilled fish recipes ever, with juicy, tender, moist fish with complex flavors. The banana leaves impart intense aroma and earthy fragrance to the fish.During summer it’s just timely to fire up the grill. This is a classic dish found in country like Malaysia.

Grilled fish is very popular in Malaysia. It’s called ikan panggang and sold by street vendors or in restaurants.

This fish grill is usually wrapped with layers of banana leaves, marinated with spice-laden marinade called sambal (spice paste) and grilled over charcoal fire.

This is probably one of the best grilled fish recipes ever, with juicy, tender, moist fish with complex flavors. The banana leaves impart intense aroma and earthy fragrance to the fish.

GRILLED FISH MARINADE Fresh fish is marinated with sambal or spice paste; it lends the fish grill with layers upon layers of complex and delicious flavors. The sambal consist of ingredients below: • Fresh red chilies • Lemongrass • Belacan or Malaysian shrimp paste • Sugar and salt as seasoning HOW TO GRILL FISH ON GAS GRILL • Heat up the grill. When the heat hits 300 degrees Fahrenheit, place the fish and banana leaves on the rack or the side with no direct heat.

• Cover the lid to barbeque the fish with the circumventing hot air for about 5 minutes.

• Open the lid and flip the fish over to cook the other side.

• Add more sambal marinade or seasoning on the fish.

• Cover the lid to bbq the fish again until it is cooked through.

•

Place the fish and the banana leaves on direct heat for 1 minute, or until the banana leaves start to burn.

• Remove the fish from heat and serve immediately.

(MFO)

Advertise with Philippine Muslim Today, it brings results.

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News

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

ADAZA | from Page A5 campaign – and presto, you have an ignoramus for a winner.

Time: It’s been a long, long time from February of 1986 to June of 2021 – thirtyfive years. But nothing significant has changed for the better in this period of three and a half decades – a time of one and a half generation.

How time flies, yet there is more criminality – extrajudicial killings, abuse against women and children, numbing poverty, graft and corruption, plunder, illegal drugs, unabated and unconscionable abuse of power, nonpayment of huge taxes, oppression and injustice.

It is like the river – the waters come and go but the bedrock remains, rotten and unclean. Presidents come and go like the waters of the river but the rotten elements remain – undisturbed, unmoved and seemingly permanent.

People and leaders: It takes more than prayers to change things in this country, especially so because many of those praying, including many leaders of churches, are unrepentant and habitual delinquent sinners. And worse – pretenders!

We need a national purgation. We need leaders, not pretenders.

We should all be involved in serious reflection and introspection.

We all should realize that most of our leaders are the problems and we put them in place for six years. And we allow them to savage, terrorize, bully and shame us.

And to think that under the Constitution and the law – we are the sovereigns and they are our servants.

So we are primarily to blame. Why can we not stand on our rights?

As I wrote in many of my columns, articles and a collection of my speeches delivered in public during the Marcos martial law years –

Freedom is for the Brave! And that too is the title of one of my twelve published books.

Relevant to the subject of our present condition, I am reminded of this line in Julius Caesar where Cassius told Brutus – “The fault dear Brutus is not in our stars but in our selves that we are underlings.” Why do we allow ourselves to be treated like slaves?

Even the President is our servant – not our master. But President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been treating us like his slave and we allow him to do that.

Thus, the need for us to awaken! And in so awakening, ask these presidential aspirants these questions to remind them that we, the people, are their sovereigns. And if they cannot give us satisfactory, intelligent and intelligible answers – they have no business running for President to make fools out of us. We will not allow it. Not this time!

On the other hand, 3 civilian Patikul residents on the ground and not among the plane passengers died too, while

4 were critically injured.

Their houses were situated near the end of the runway of the Jolo Airport.

For your Comments/ Suggestions, please send an email to: julmunir1845@gmail.com

Questions for 2022 Presidential Candidates and highways, agriculture, natural resources, education, energy, science and technology, trade and industry, transportation and communication?

What if they cannot do their tasks within the assigned period, what do you intend to do with them?

In very specific terms what are the revolutionary reforms you will introduce in the – justice system, national defense, finance, foreign affairs, legislative system, local government, education, monetary policy, agriculture, natural resources, public works and highways, energy, science and technology, trade and industry, transportation and communications?

Specific problems: What are your detailed solutions to the problems of graft and corruption, illegal drugs, insurgency, criminality, poverty, control of the economy and inevitably the

politics of the country by Filipino citizens whose loyalty are to their countries of origin, mining industry, monopolies of various utilities and industries, recovery of the Marcos wealth and the treasures of Yamashita and West Philippine Sea? Motherhood statements will not serve any purpose. We need solutions with very specific details.

System change: What is your position on system change – unitary to federal, presidential to parliamentary, capitalist economy to a welfare state? If you are – what are the specific structures of your federal government? If not – why not?

What are the specific structures of your parliamentary system? If not –why not? Will you maintain the defense alliance with the United States of America? Why or why?

What is your take on

a total revision of the Constitution? What are the contents of the revised Constitution?

Are you in favor of a Constitutional Transition Government (CTG) for a period of six to ten years? Why? What is the detailed content of your CTG? If not – why not?

Are you in favor of divorce? Why and what are the details of the divorce in your mind and what are its detailed effects? Why or why not?

Are you in favor of restoring the death penalty? Why or why not?

Are you in favor of continuing to maintain the Shari’ah courts? Why or why not?

Interminable: You can ask a lot more questions to the presidential wannabes but nobody is doing it for the enlightenment of the candidates, the voters and the people. A damn fool can just breeze through a presidential

HAA

JANNARAL | from Page A5

Just hold on Sir, We will come back! stated.

Based on the approved report of CSAFP Gen. Sobejana, there was a total of 96 pas-

sengers on board the ill -fated military aircraft.

Out of these total 96 passengers, there were 47 cadavers retrieved.

In the flight manifest, there were 3 pilots on board and 5 crew members of the Philippine Air Force.

DIMAO | from Page A5

Towards Happy Marriage (5): Love and Compassion or Mawaddah wa Rahmah gling society like ours needs dearly to get healed.

Avoid WHATIF The danger of whatif to us is what virus to the system of the computer; it awakens our mindsets while we are already in the middle of the humpy and bumpy road of married life in which unfortunate situations and endless frustrations are regularly along the way to surprise us and to test our resilience and sturdiness. Living in the shadow of whatif burns gradually our unparalleled affection for our spouses and starts to create doubt in us that may lead the man to think about the counterproductive solution – to search for temporary relief in different places where there’s no way

out once committed at the expense of the innocent family.

Choose the religious woman, for you will be blessed This is the parameter for a man while looking for his better half, a real comrade for better or worse. Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) has advised us to select a religious one: “A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty or for her piety.

Select the pious, may you be blessed.” The wisdom of this noble Hadeeth implies the significant role of religion on successful marriage. A pious wife understands its limit though she is the real boss of her husband and knows her irreplaceable part to help

unload the burden of the unbearable responsibilities on his shoulder that keeps him working under the sun just to provide a decent life to his family.

But there’s a misinterpretation on a few that piety is mostly for those who studied Arabic to a certain level only, which is not correct; everyone becomes good-fearing by following the commandments and refraining from prohibitions. The first three characteristics of a woman above mentioned are yet important factors to a successful marriage, but that would be temporary without the presence of religious facets.

Accept the religious man; else, expect the catastrophe The Prophet (PBUH) has likewise

prescribed the specifications for an ideal husband when He has said “When someone whose religion and character you are pleased with proposes to (someone under the care) of one of you, then marry to him. If you do not do so, then there will be turmoil (Fitnah) in the land and abounding discord (Fasad).” Some of us might, however, refer to this as the ones who are almost living in the mosques; those who don’t care about politics, science, and other fast-paced innovations that have remarkably changed the world into digitalized one coupled with just “one-click” features. Indeed, the most pious who are looked up to are those prophet’s companions and their followers who

left indispensable significance in Politics, Science, Economy, and the likes that form a strong society.

Be patient Patience is virtue in Business Process Outsourcing BPO, and I have seen it myself that our patience are frequently tested of many forms: Sometimes you have to patiently review both relevant unnecessary details to make sure you can provide accurate information, and the other time you will have to quietly listen to the customer’s frustration though you know that there’s no solution for this complain because there’s no yet existing policy that can accommodate such issue to make sure you can keep both “customer retention” approach and at the

same time uplift policies and standards; and many instances that patience plays tremendous role in resolving them.

In married life, similarly or more so, we believe that surprising our spouses with presents marks it in their lives and makes them feel special regardless of the amount or value of the items wholeheartedly given. In fact, it’s not the present itself that matters; it’s the dynamics of giving that does. However, it’s just 15% or less that brings happiness to them, and the remaining 85 % are all about patience. Every time we patiently forgive and understand them, it strengthens the structural factors of togetherness spiritually and emotionally.

DIMAO | A12

Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

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PATIKUL | from Page A7

Patikul people’s response on C-130 plane crash act of solidarity amid adversity Out of these total 96 passengers, there were 47 cadavers retrieved. In the flight manifest, there were 3 pilots on board and 5 crew members of the Philippine Air Force.

Major Michael Vincent Benolerao, Philippine Air Force, was one of three pilots who perished in the July 4, 2021 crash of a Lockheed C-130 Herculas plane in Sulu province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

On the other hand, 3 civilian Patikul residents on the ground and not among the plane passengers died too, while 4 were critically injured. Their houses were situated near the end of the runway of the Jolo Airport.

Thus WestMinCom commander, Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr., had earlier said: “To the survivors and all of us, our brothers and sisters Tausug are our heroes. They risked their own lives to save their fellow Filipinos whom they consider as their protectors from the malefactors.”

As of this writing, there were 49 soldiers who have availed of the medical evacuation to Zamboanga City so that they can be treated at the well advanced medical hospitals in Zamboanga City.

Of course, first in the list is the Camp Navarro General Hospital, a military hospital inside the

WestMinCom in Zamboanga City where there are 5 injured victims of the plane crash admitted for treatment.

Likewise, there were 18 injured soldiers where their injuries do not really need a hospitalization at the advanced hospitals remained confined at the 11th Infantry (Alakdan) Division Station Hospital in Jolo.

Finally, other injured soldiers of the plane crash were confined in the different private hospitals in Zamboanga City, where 3 patients are now confined at Ciudad Medical Center; 17 patients in Zamboanga City Medical Center; 4 in West Metro Hospital; and 2 patients in Zamboanga Doctors Hospital.

As this developed, another update of the C130 plane crash, it says most of the passengers were fresh from the military training of the Philippine Army and they were brought to Jolo for their first deployment in the field.

Another assurance made from the AFP is that the Gen. Sobejana as the chief of staff of AFP is on top of the situation as he visited Jolo last Monday in order to see for himself the present situation.

Likewise, the AFP hierarchy also assured the families and next of kin that they will receive the

necessary assistance or benefits that they are entitled to.

However, the AFP appealed to the public to avoid speculations. “We assure you that the AFP will be transparent in the conduct of investigation.

Now that the blackbox or the flight data recorder and voice cockpit recorder have been found already,” Col. Delos Santos, WestMinCom spokesman said.

He also admitted while the aircraft is not brand new but it is in very good condition. And it has 11,000 flying hours left.

“There’s is no truth to the rumor that the aircraft is defective. We have to wait for the result of the investigation as to whether the flight exceeded the desired number of passengers, he further said.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Maynard P. Mariano, speaking from the Headquarters of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Public Affairs Office at Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City said the PAF particularly the members of the 220th Airlift Wing Aircraft Accident Investigation Board are currently on -site investigating the crash of C-130 with tail number 5125 in Jolo.

Lt. Col. Mariano said the team is composed of personnel of various specialization like pilots, maintenance, medical and other technical fields.

The team gathered evidence and conducted interviews, among others, to determine the cause of the accident. The PAF has grounded its C-130 fleet pending the result of the investigation.

The search and recovery teams were able to recover the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of the C-130. The FDR and CVR will be shipped to a facility capable of evaluating and analyzing data.

The said C-130 was not overloaded. It was well within the operational limits and capacity when it left Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City with 96 passengers compared to its maximum capacity of 120 passengers; this is contrary to the circulating rumor that the aircraft was overloaded.

There were 12 PAF personnel together with 84 Army troopers onboard the ill-fated C-130. Of the 12, three (3) were pilots, five (5) crew members, three (3) S-7 team members, and one (1) thru passenger.

Currently, the priority effort is identifying the bodies of the PAF personnel through various means with the help of a SOCO team. Details on the casualties, particularly their names, shall be withheld until their loved ones

have been properly informed.

Lt. Gen. Allen T. Paredes, PAF Commanding General, recognizes the sacrifices and dedication of all soldiers and airmen. He condoles with the families of soldiers and airmen who perished in the crash. He has directed concerned PAF units to coordinate with affected families, make tentative arrangements, provide necessary assistance and information, and address other concerns. The families of PAF personnel will receive benefits and assistance, and PAF personnel will stand by their side.

Right after the accident, the Vice Commander, PAF; Commander, Air Mobility Command; and, Wing Commander, 220th Airlift Wing immediately proceeded to the area. The PAF also activated the Battle Staff “Alpha” at Headquarters, PAF to orchestrate and coordinate efforts of all PAF units involved.

As the passengers are from the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army, the search and recovery efforts were jointly conducted with Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu as onscene Incident Commander. AFP units in the area assisted.

Efforts to provide the immediate assistance is ongoing, as per latest update, on the 6th of July

2021, the remains of Air Force Captain Nigello R. Emeterio and TSgt. Mark Anthony Agana, PAF arrived at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga from Zamboanga City via NC212i aircraft.

Appropriate military honors were rendered to the PAF Officers.

Since Lt. Gen. Parades assumed command last year, the PAF has embarked on the Safety Transformation for Enhanced Performance and Unit Preservation or STEP UP program.

Notably, the PAF discarded the 1970s-inspired PAF Manual 17-5 “Safety Program” and institutionalized the Safety Management Systems Manual that adopted applicable principles and standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

It also launched the PAF Safety Climate Assessment and Notations (PAF SCAN) to gauge prevailing safety culture in units in terms of just, informed, learning and reporting cultures; and launched online safety courses for Squadron Commanders and other personnel, among others.

These, notwithstanding, the PAF will institute necessary corrective actions based on the results of the ongoing investigation.

(JIJ)

STALLED | from Page A3

Stalled construction of 3 bridges in Lanao Sur completed Earlier, some nitizens aired dismay over uncomfortable experiences in passing through detours of the three bridges along Maguing town, prompting this writer to float their sentiments in a post titled “3 bridges along Maguing, Lanao Sur unfinished despite releases of funds long ago, commuters complained.”

In the trade of arguments, Chancellor batted in to confirm that he “personally passed by the 3 bridges and we found

them looking like (they were) just started but we heard that said projects were certified as completed projects.”

The three bridges form part of the construction of 53-kilometer MulondoWao road, which the national government on instigation of Gov. Bombit Alonto-Adiong launched in 2012 to end decades of isolation of Amai Manabilang and Wao towns in road link from Marawi City and the rest of Lanao del Sur.

In August 2015, Gov. Adiong announced the completion of 41 kilometers of the total stretch, saying that succeeding appropriations would eventually lead to full opening of concreted highway between Marawi City and Wao. He said the project was cherished by his constituents and his father, the late former governor and excongressman Mamintal Sr. as a “provincial dream.”

The Department of

Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through its Region 10 office in Cagayan de Oro City, had awarded to local contractors the opening and concreting of the 53-kilometer road alongside six bridges. One of the contractors was the FIAT Construction firm owned

by Hadji Farouk Macarambon, who reported on Monday that his team had “finished” its 20-kilometer assignment “four years ago.”

Hadjimalic said his

CDH Construction firm was awarded 17.5kilometer of the stretch along Maguing town including the controversial three bridges. He said their road concreting assignment was more than “80 percent” completed as of last February.

The remaining uncompleted 800-meter section has been allocated fund under the 2021 General Appropriations Act expected to be released soon for the DPWHRegion 10 to issue Notice

to Proceed, according to Hadjimalic’s son, who owns the Lecar Builders undertaking the unfinished road section.

“Rest assure sir that we will work hard to finish (the 800-meter section)…

Taga (Maguing) po kami mismo… and it is our pride and honor na taposin at gandahan ang projects (including bridges) kase at the end of the day kami po at aming mga kababayan ang pangunahing makikinabang,” Mohammad Fahad, told the PMT last February. (AGM)

OFFICIALS | from Page A2

Officials see potentials for finer journalists serving BARMM economic welfare, and provide harmonized reportage of events, concerns and aspirations in the Bangsamoro region and of its regional governance.

Sinarimbo and Mangudadatu, both known for utmost con-

cern for local journalists’ plight, even suggested the creation of a regional news network of national scope that can operate at par with Metro Manila media entities and maximize reportage about the Bangsamoro aspira-

tions and potentials.

“You should explore the adoption of the teleradyo systems applied by giant networks in Manila. I, for one, will provide corresponding support,” Mangudadatu told the BPC officialdom in Pili-

pino.

Usec. Egco and Minister Sinarimbo met some BPC members and presented to them possibilities of replicating in the Bangsamoro region the state-funded British Broadcasting Company (BBC) of the

United Kingdom and the Barnama of Malaysia that have been operating for decades on global scales.

The BPC officers and their induction guests were one in belief about the wide gap between the realities in

BARMM and the ideals stipulated in the government peace accords with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as translated in R.A. 11054. The perceived gap was attributed to lack of comprehensive media reportage. (PMT)

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Vol. II, No. 04 | July 9-15, 2021 (Dhu’l Qidah 29-Dhu’l Hijjah 5, 1442)

SALAPUDDIN | from Page A5

The COVID-19 PANDEMIC and IATF PROTOCOLS now and then and undergoing swab or saliva test when Basilan residents go to Zamboanga to buy their needs, is too taxing to the pockets of the population with business on the downtrend during this pandemic. After the 5 day effectivity of the swab or saliva test, anyone travelling to Zamboanga must undergo and pay for another test with a negative result in order to travel again to Zamboanga. Anyone that gets a positive test results will have to go to a quarantine area of the LGUs or impose a home based self quarantine for 14 days or 1 month like I did to myself.

THE NEW COVID VARIANTS In India and in other countries, their Health Ministry reported an upsurge of the COVID19 pandemic Variant, that infected many more and killing thousands in India.

What is in the name?

To us who are not from the medical sector, we are not familiar with the new variant, by whatever name. More than anything else, the questions raging in our minds are as follows: When and how will the COVID pandemic and its variants be completely eradicated?

Are the vaccines from different pharmaceutical companies similar in efficacy or they have varying level of efficacy?

What are the probable side effects after the first and second doses of vacvination?

Why are the DOH and the health personel and hospitals not giving a clear narratives on who can and cannot get vaccinated?

Why only 60% of the population must be vaccinated? What about the remaining 40%? What if there are among the 40% who are carrier of the virus or bacteria. Since there are 122 million Filipinos, does it mean our government must accomplish the vaccination of 60 to 70 million people? Is this figure attainable?

If even after having been vaccinated twice the person is not still immune from being infected, then what is the soundness of vaccination?

Why are several international medical experts,

virologists and scientists are strongly expressing their objection and opposition to the declaration by the WHO of pandemic and the speedy manufacture of the vaccines without thorough clinical testings, which to them takes 10 to 15 years to manufacture a safe and efficacious vaccine for certain sickness or virus?

There are still many other questions raging in my mind, but I limit it to these 7 questions for now.

THE ANTI-COVID VACCINE It is reported that the different vaccines manufacturef by different pharmaceutical companies have different level of efficacy and side effects.

Different provinces and cities in our country are getting different types or brands of vaccines. For instance, during a meeting

in Iloilo City recently attended by no less than Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Mayor Jerry Treñas questioned why Iloilo was getting the Sinovax Vaccines while Metro Manila is getting the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines?

He said: “Are we Ilonngos monkeys to deserve the less efficacious Sinovax Vaccine?”

THE NEW NORMAL Is the ‘New Normal’ here to stay to replace the freer and convenient ‘Old Normal?’ Since the symptoms of COVID19 are common sicknesses that long ago existed, from a non-medical point of view with a critical analysis of the COVID pandemic and its variants, I guess it stays longer than we think, to may be up to 2025, according to my research. I hope I am wrong. I am afraid that

we’ll never return back to the ‘Old Normal’ way of life because in today’s world even virus and bacteria are genetically engineered by crazy scientists and convert it into biowarfare weapons by powerful countries and private multinational companies for profits.

Adding to this new twist is the inevitable entry to the picture of technology and Artificial Intelligence or AI. They are intertwined and complementing with different fields and aspects of human and societal development. And we are all witnesses to the fast phase of technology and AI. We may not realize it, today we are largely dependent on technology and machines or gadgets with AI to make our life, work and business more convenient, faster and easier. PMT

DIMAO | from Page A10

Towards Happy Marriage (5): Love and Compassion or Mawaddah wa Rahmah Finally, it’s my undying hope that these pieces – passionately discussed about the divorce and the ideal marriage in an unconventional approach – do

streamline the process on how to cure marital problems that will cause, if Allah wills to fix it, reconciliations from every misunderstanding. In fact, everyone of

us dreams of CHANGE, and this is attainable only if it starts from our homes.

The Prophet said “The best of you is the one who is best to his

wife, and I am the best of you to my wives.”

Also said “The most loved people to Allah are the most beneficial to other…” in which I hope these write-ups

serve the meaning of this noble Hadeeth, concluding it in the name of Islam that promotes Peace and Tranquility. Our last prayer is to thank our Almighty

God for his blessings to us countlessly and for His mercy onto us despite our shortcomings every now and then.

IBD

council meeting on May 31.

Pacquiao urged party members to ignore Cusi’s call for an

assembly but Duterte instructed that the meeting proceed. Lade Jean Kabagani /PNA

sion.

The country’s genomic biosurveillance has detected the Delta variant in 17 cases from May to June 2021, the

WHO said, adding though that community transmission has not yet been documented.

(AGM)

STALLED | from Page A6

Comelec may step in to resolve PDP-Laban squabble Before leaving for the US on Saturday, Pacquiao accused some government

agencies of corruption.

The Palace downplayed the allegations while Duterte implied

that Pacquiao is itching to be picked as the party’s presidential bet.

Pimentel previously

sided with Pacquiao by denouncing Cusi's decision to preside over PDP-Laban's national

WHO | from Page A6

WHO, NCSC urge LGUs to hasten vaccination...

Meanwhile, variants of concern (VOC) have continued to spread

and pose challenges across the world. The fast-spreading Delta

variant, identified so far in at least 85 countries, has stretched health

workers and health systems in countries with community transmis-

MACABALANG | from Page A4

Late DPWH Director Ibrahim and “moral leadership’ (A repost) ‘Moral Governance’ definition Dr. Anshari P. Ali, current chancellor of the Mindanao State UniversityGeneral Santos City (MSU -GSC) campus, who also looks up to the late Engineer Ibrahim as an icon of morality in public service, defined “moral leadership” in a statement sent to this columnist.

“Theologically speaking, moral governance is founded on the concept of Khilafah (vicegerency) as stated in a verse in the Qur’an verse, in which Allah says: Inni jailun fil ardhi khalifa (verily I will make a representative to the Earth,” said Ali, who holds a doctorate in Islamic Civilization at the Inter-

national Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), International Islamic University in Malaysia and master’s degree from UP-Diliman.

“While God is the King of the Universe, the soul is deemed as king over human-body representing God. Being God’s vicegerent, the main task of the soul-king is to enforce God’s commandment over its human-body first, prior to ruling the affairs of the society,” he said.

“The first trial for moral governance of the soulking is one’s leadership over his human body. If he failed to govern himself, he is expected to fail in governing other persons or reforming the affairs of

his domain. In the human body kingdom lie entities called five external senses and five internal senses,” he explained.

He said the five external senses include the power of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touch -feeling, while the internal senses are the faculties of common sense, power of thought, power of imagination, power of memory and power of judgment.

The internal and external senses often translate to like and dislike, which usually evolve to desire leading to greed and disgust leading to hatred, respectively, when the beholders failed to moderate them, Ali said.

Desire and anger lie in

the heart of every person.

The heart is the temple of goodness and badness, which reflect godliness and impiety (evil), respectively.

God sent down guidance to mankind through His prophets/ messengers to profess and exemplify His commandments towards piety, he said.

As a trial for human piety (submission to God), Satan has been allowed to mislead mankind towards the opposite (impiety), tempting people to the glitters of worldly comforts, and swaying them to develop desires into greed and dislikes to hatred. Greed manifests in profuse desire for something exceeding one’s needs, while hatred is revealed in one’s exces-

sive dislike of people, things and affairs in his environment, Dr. Ali hinted.

He said this theory is interpreted in a Hadith, which says that when the heart is contaminated by greed and hatred, the beholder destroys himself, his household, other people around him, and later the society.

God revealed Suratul Asr (103rd chapter in the Qur’an):“By Al-’Asr (the time). Verily, man is in [deep] loss, except for those who believe and do good deeds, urge one another to the truth and urge one another to patience,” he said.

This surah opens with admonition to human-

kind. Allah (s.w.t.) takes an oath by “time” and declares that humankind is in a state of loss. Every single human being, man or woman, is in a state of loss except those who strive and do four things; believe, do righteous deeds, and recommend one another to truth, and to sabr (observe patience).

Sabr is one of four principal traits of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) bequeathed to his followers starting from his four caliphs (vicegerents). The three other traits are sukhr (contentment and gratefulness to whatever God provides), fikr (utmost concern for oneself, community and environment), and Zikr (constant remembrance of God). AGM