PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY by Philippine Muslim Today

Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

12 Pages | P20

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Lanao Sur ruling parties to Sara:

‘Run for President’ By ALI G. MACABALANG

FATHER AND SON: Lanao del Sur Governor “Bombit” Alonto-Adiong, left far above, and his son Vice Governor Mujam Rakiin -Adiong, left above, deliver messages at the Ompia-SIAP coalition caucus last July 19, urging Sara, above, to run for President. (Supplied photos)

Eleazar orders dismissal, censure of 5 cops Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Guillermo Eleazar has ordered the summary dismissal from service and indictment of five cops suspected in the kidnap-slay of a female Muslim online seller in Nueva Ecija on July 20. Eleazar on Tuesday, Aug. 3 tasked the PNP Inter-

A3 Across BARMM

BIFF ex-combatants turn disaster responders for BARMM

Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) lead by Commander Binladen (2nd from left in Maong Jacket) and his six followers raise their right hands as they swear allegiance to the flag of the Republic of the Philippines during their surrender ceremony at the headquarters of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

OTABATO CITY – The two ruling political blocs of Lanao del Sur – Siap ko Inged Ago Pagtao (SIAP) and Ompia Party – have formed alliance for the 2022 elections and agreed to rally together Davao City Mayor Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio if she would finally decide to run for President, coordinating officials announced over the weekend. (FULL STORY ON PAGE A2)

in kidnap-slay of Moro woman in Nueva Ecija nal Affairs Service to swiftly initiate summary dismissal proceedings against five cops in police investigation as: • Police Staff Sergeant Benedict Matias Reyes of Sta. Rosa Municipal Police Station • Police Staff Sergeant June Malillin of Palayan City Police Station ELEAZAR| A12

A6 Across BARMM

A9 Across Mindanao

A10 Across Mindanao

BARMM serious about vaccines sans coercion — officials

TURMERIC CHICKEN

ECQ ayuda distribution in CDO starts Aug 6

COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) governance is seriously pushing the observance of vaccination among its close to five million constituents, but sans the element of coercion that may contravene existing laws, especially the prescriptions of Islam

Turmeric chicken (Ayam Kunyit) is a Malay recipe, an easy turmeric chicken recipe with chicken, turmeric, & chili.

About 300 disbursing officers of Cagayan de Oro City Hall will be designated in the city’s various barangays to distribute cash aid to families and persons affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) implementation in the city sometime this week.

The Bangsamoro

BARMM secures 8 Tedurays from illegal Army recruitment

Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

LANAO SUR RULING PARTIES TO SARA:

‘Run for President’ By ALI G. MACABALANG

C A TV footage-culled photo showing the eight young Teduray victims of illegal recruitment at their brief presentation upon arrival in Cotabato City on July 31. COTABATO CITY – Eight (8) young Tedurays victimized in illegal military recruitment have finally returned home in Maguindanao with the intercession of the Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA). Upon arrival on July 31, the victims were shown in brief presentation at the MIPA office in this city were they narrated how they were duped to chip out cash recruitment fees and stayed miserably in Bulacan province, the supposed area of their training and enlistment to the Army service. The victims, accompanied by their parents at the presentation, said each of them paid 35 thousand pesos to a certain former Master Sgt. Diwat, who allegedly promised them an immediate training for enlistment in the military service. They said they stayed for five months in Bulacan waiting for the training that never happened. Their anxious parents asked for help from the MIPA, one of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ministries. “We were promised after paying cash for prompt training. But in five months of waiting, we sensed that we were being fooled,” victim Benzar Cornelio, a Tedurary from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, told MIPA officials in Pilipino. He said they worked as construction laborers in Bulacan to earn for their daily needs while waiting for the training. Cornelio and his fellow victims named their recruiter as a certain retired Army Master Sgt. Diwat, also a Teduray. With assistance of the San Jose City police in Bulacan, MIPA officials helped file a complaint at the Barangay Hall of Gayagaya where Diwat reportedly promised to pay back what he had collected from the victims. In a report from the BARMM’s Bangsamoro Information Office, Michael Garrigues, head of MIPA’s Ancestral Domain Section, said their legal officer would assist the victims in case they want to pursue a criminal case in court. The report said MIPA officials facilitated the victims’ transport from Bulacan to Maguindanao, and provided them with food and financial assistance. “We are very grateful to the MIPA and the BARMM government for securing our children,” Jose Timpadan, a father of another victim, was quoted as saying in Pilipino. Timpadan recalled in grief how he mortgaged his landholding for his son to pay the 35 thousand-peso fee. The victims appealed to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to help them pursue their failed desire for enlistment in the Army service. ALI G. MACABALANG

OTABATO CITY – The two ruling political blocs of Lanao del Sur – Siap ko Inged Ago Pagtao (SIAP) and Ompia Party – have formed alliance for the 2022 elections and

agreed to rally together Davao City Mayor Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio if she would finally decide to run for President, coordinating officials announced over the weekend.

Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid “”Mujam” RakiinAdiong, SIAP chairman, and his father, Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto–Adiong Jr., Ompia Party provincial chairman, alongside their members and supporters converged on a joint caucus in Marawi City on July 19 to formalize the alliance, Board Member Nasser Mariano-Ganda Sr. said over the weekend. Ganda provided The Philippine Muslim Today news e-copies of the resolution and manifesto forged at the caucus, which he said was attended by board members, mayors, vice mayors, councilors, traditional leaders and politically-inclined traditional and religious leaders and representatives of various sectors from all 41 towns of Lanao del Sur as well as Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra. “It is with great pride and honor that (all participants) have come united to support and witness this historic ceremony (meant to fortify collective political strides) for a more peaceful and prosperous province,” said the alliance manifesto. The document said the Ompia and SIAP parties agreed to form a political alliance to pursue common interest, vision and platforms, put up a single slate for provincial, municipal and city elective positions in Lanao del Sur, and support Mayor Duterte-

Party, which has sustained respect and influence in political undertakings nationwide. The SIAP-Ompia alliance will also promote comprehensive initiatives supportive of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) administration’s campaign for meaningful autonomy and good governance, the bilateral agreement said. Ompia, which means progress in Meranaw dialect, was formed by late Alim (Islamic cleric) Mahid Mutilan when he ran and won as Marawi City mayor in 1989. Mutilan used the same party in his successful bid for provincial governor in early 1992. He further tapped the Ompia Party backing in winning the Muslim Mindanao regional vice governorship in 1997. The Ompia Party is now chaired in the province by Gov. Adiong Jr. He had completed gubernatorial terms (June 30, 2007–June 30, 2016), served one vice gubernatorial term (June 30, 2016-June 30, 2019), and was elected again as governor under

FATHER AND SON: Lanao del Sur Governor “Bombit” Alonto-Adiong, left, and his son Vice Governor Mujam Rakiin-Adiong, right, deliver messages at the Ompia-SIAP coalition caucus last July 19, urging Sara, above, to run President. (Supplied photos) Carpio in the event of her Presidential candidacy in 2022, the coalition covenant said. “We believe Mayor lnday Sara can successfully carry on the reforms started by her father, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Under President Duterte, Mindanao is not Left behind. We are confident that Mayor Sara will continue with this inclusive agenda, the biparty manifesto said. “Like her father, Mayor Sara is a strong, fierce, and independent leader who chooses to do what she thinks is right for her constituents. She is an effective leader as embodied in her excellent track record as three-time mayor. She is wellversed about the concerns and aspirations of LGUs in both peace and challenging times,” it added. Butig town Dimnatang “Jimmy” Pansar, president of Lanao del Sur’s leave of municipal mayors and regional chair of the Ompia Party, had reportedly admired Mayor Sara for initiating the regional Hukbong Pagbabago

the Ompia Party in 2019. His mother, Soraya Alonto-Adiong sered as governor for one term (June 30, 2016-June 30, 2019. On the other hand, SIAP, which literally means “concern of community and constituents,” is now led as president by Vice Mujam Adiong, son of the sitting governor. It was founded by the late Engr. Mamintal Adiong Sr., a former three-term congressman of the province’s 1st district congressman (1992– 2001), said incumbent governor, popularly known as “Gov. Bombit.” The father, who was elected governor in 2021, registered the SIAP party with the Commission on Elections after he won gubernatorial reelection in May 2004. He succumbed to cardiac arrest on July 4 of the same year, said Bombit. Bombit said he discovered early this year that the SIAP Party registration was “still active” in the Comelec records. (AGM)

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Across Bangsamoro

Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

BIFF ex-combatants turn disaster responders for BARMM

Maranao official slams ‘Online Fixing’ in govt service BY ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

By ALI G. MACABALANG

OTABATO CITY – Five (5) former combatants of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have turned into disaster quick responders for the infant regional

autonomous governance in what officials described as “good sign” for the state peace and pacification efforts in Muslim Mindanao.

LTO-( Regional Director Aminola Abaton. (Supplied photo)

I Photos show Minister Naguib Sinarimbo and 59 WASAR training graduates. (READi supplied photos) The five unnamed former BIFF guerillas were among 59 participant-graduates of the seven-day Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training that culminated last August 2 under the auspices of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim governance, training facilitator Jo Henry said. The former-rebelsturned-rescuers belonged to different batches of at least 128 BIFF combatants that have returned to the folds of law this year, through the combined initiatives of the civilian and military authorities within BARMM, it was learned. They were among 59 trainees – 53 male and six female – who

were nominated as volunteers from the municipalities of towns of Northern Kabuntalan, Sultan Kudarat, and Sultan sa Barongis in Maguindanao, barangay Rosary Heights 7 of this city, and from the BARMM’s Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), Henry said. “The 59 graduates, trained on land and water emergency actions, will form part of the first responders from their own respective communities,” Henry told The Philippine Muslim Today news. The completed basic courses required the WASAR training, which was the maiden segment of the venture kicked off on July 29 by the BARMM’s Ministry of the Interior and Local

Government (MILG) in partnership with the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, she said. The WASAR is another training program designed by the MILG’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidents (READi), a unit tasked to provide quick responses and relief operations in BARMM. The other training program is the regional replication of the global Incident Command System (ICS), which involves more comprehensive exercises and has already produced hundreds of graduates in batches since 2019, Henry said. The first WASAR graduation rite was graced by MILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, represented by READi Executive Assistant

Norhassim Sinarimbo. “Take every opportunity to train for humanitarian efforts and make the most of it. Our aim is for every responder, every family and communities to be always ready in times of crisis,” Sinarimbo’s written message for the WASAR graduates said. Minister Sinarimbo, in an online chat with The Philippine Muslim Post news, described the participation of the ex-BIFF combatants in the training as “self-actualizing” because it signified an “initial success in inviting lawless people to rejoin the social mainstream and help the BARMM governance sail it due course.” (AGM)

1,240 PWDs receive cash assistance from MSSD-BARMM

OTABATO CITY – Some 1,720 persons with disabilities (PWDs) have received P6,000 cash each from the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in what was described as unprecedented humanitarian intervention in the country. MSSD workers distributed the cash aids to villages in North Cotabato that now form part of BARMM – namely those in the towns of Kabacan (150 PWDs), Carmen (236), Pikit (836), Midsayap

(267), Pigcawayan (205), and Aleosan (19). They also distributed assistive devices to physically handicapped PWDs such as 13 wheelchairs, and four varied types of canes for some of the cash beneficiaries in the same municipalities during the observance of the observance of the 43rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week last July -23, MSSD information officer Jidday Lucman said. The cash assistance is under the “Kalinga Para sa May Kapansanan Program (KPMKP),” through

Minister Raissa Jajurie. (Supplied photo) which the MSSD recognizes the social protection and rights of PWDs specially the disadvantaged and underprivileged sectors. It helps support PWDs’ daily subsistence, medicines, and other needs thereby uplifting their living conditions, Lucman said. The KPMKP is the

“first of its kind” in the country ordered by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim for MSSD Minister Raissa Jajurie to design and launch across the autonomous region in 2020, Lucman said. “MSSD has set up different programs for PWDs and elderly persons as part of BARMM government’s comprehensive response to providing social protection intervention,” ministry’s Program Specialist Sandra Macacua said during one segment of the week-long observance. 1,240 PWD | A12

LIGAN CITY — The Land Transportation Office in Zamboanga Peninsula or Region 9 (LTO-9) has lately taken a serious stand in dealing with the so-called ‘Online Fixing’ in government service after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between LTO-9 and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Unit 9 in Zamboanga City late last month. LTO-9 Regional Director Aminola “Alex” Abaton said this is a manifestation of the commitment that both agencies have to address the issue of online fixing as he shed light on the significance of the MOU. Lawyer Abaton said, “This is not only a challenge in LTO but also in other frontline services to intensify their efforts in putting an end to online fixing services.” He said online fixing should never be patronized because not only does it increase the risk for getting fake documents but also defeats the purpose of why we came with a new guidelines in acquiring a driver’s license. Abaton said, “We in LTO only want to ensure that only qualified drivers get their licenses and there is no shortcut for that.” Abaton is an strong advocate of road safety to minimize traffic accidents in the country

Army in Iligan welcomes another 3 former rebels

LIGAN CITY --The 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade welcomed back to the fold of law three former New People's Army (NPA) fighters from Agusan del Sur who abandoned the armed struggle and surrendered to one of the operating units of the Brigade on Sunday, August 1. Brigade Commander Col. Rey Alemania lauded the former rebels (FRs) for making the right decision to withdraw their membership from the NPA saying it would lead them to a new and more peaceful life with their families. “We welcome your return to normal life. You will see your family, your desire to be home back to your families and live a normal life, you can now fulfill it,” he said in the local dialect. Alemania said the government, through the Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), will try its best to give what the FRs need for as long as they are sincere in returning to the government's fold. Under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), former rebels will receive a complete set of benefits. On top of the E-CLIP benefits, they can also avail of various programs from different government agencies such as financial, livelihood, housing, educational, and medical assistance. Alemania also told the FRs that the government's anti-insurgency program is about bringing meaningful and sustainable development to the countryside. (PIA)

Opinion/News Philippine Muslim Today Inc. Co. Reg. No. 2021030008913-02 DATU YUSOPH B. MAMA Chairman, Board of Directors MASIDING NOOR YAHYA President/CEO JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Vice President for Internal Affairs ALI G. MACABALANG Vice President for External Affairs

ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Treasurer MACOD D. RASCAL Secretary CASAN C. CANA Auditor AMANODING ESMAIL Chairman, Special Committee on Administration & Finance

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief and Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor Bureau Chief for Bangsamoro & Central Mindanao Regions FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Bureau Chief for NCR-Plus ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Bureau Chief for Northern Mindanao & CARAGA Regions JOHNNY R. LEE Bureau Chief for Western Mindanao Region & BaSulTa NUR-ALI A. MACABALANG Correspondent AMIR HUSSEIN ABBAS Correspondent

COLUMNISTS | WRITERS: ATTY. HOMOBONO A. ADAZA DR. BENJ BANGAHAN IMADODIN BASAR DIMAO ATTY. JUAN PONCE ENRILE JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D ATTY. MEHOL K. SADAIN MA. FHEBIE ORTIL DISCLAIMER: Opinion of the writer expressed herein is not necessarily the opinion of Philippine Muslim Today nor of its management. BUSINESS OFFICE:

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Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

Casar’s kidnap-slay: A ‘tip of iceberg’ on cops’ crimes vs. Muslims

n the latest episode of the “Sulong Mindanao” weekly (every Wednesday) broadcast program over Manila’s DWIZ radio network, regular host veteran journalist Lolly Acosta and I as co-host tackled various issues affecting Muslim or Bangsamoro communities, highlighting the reported order by PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar for the immediate summary dismissal and indictment of cops involved in the kidnap-slay of Nadia Casar in Nueve Ecija on July 20. Casar, a 35-year old Maranao online seller, a Grab driver she hired were kidnapped by at least five men in Barangay Tagpos, Sta. Rosa at around 1:45 p.m. on July 20 while delivering an ordered item to Franklin Macapagal, who was one of the suspects, according to reports. Reports said Macapagal and fellow civilian Dario Robarios, and at least five policemen took the Grab driver’s mobile phone and P4,500 cash and freed him at around 3 a.m. on July 21. On Aug. 1, the burnt and buried body of Cesar was recovered in Sitio Pinagpala, Barangay Imelda Valley in Palayan City at around 2:30 p.m.

service and held accountable…These criminal-minded people who are wicked to the bone deserve to rot in prison…I will personally look into this case and will make sure that these rotten eggs will face justice Punchline in court and be accountable for their crimes,” reports quoted Eleazar as saying in Pilipino. News about Casar’s kidnapslay went viral in the social media, ALI G. MACABALANG with some nitizens posting photos of the slain victim, of the arrested civilian, of lockedup Staff Sgt. Reyes, and of SOCO agents scouring the burnt remains of the fatality. Tip of iceberg The Mindanao-based Moro Consensus Group (MCG) and the Bangsamoro Press Corps (BPC) strongly condemned Casar’s fate, and urged Gen Eleazar to punish all suspects, and reinvestigate previous killings of Muslim civilians by suspected cops.

The BPC said another unresolved incident was the massacre in broad daylight of nine Muslim farmers along a road near the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) campus in Kabacan, North Cotabato on Aug. 29, 2020. Gen. Eleazar on Tuesday, Aug. 3 ordered the PNP Internal Affairs Service to initiate summary dismissal proceedings against five cops named as: •

Police Staff Sergeant Benedict Matias Reyes of Sta. Rosa Municipal Police Station.

•

Police Staff Sergeant June Malillin of Palayan City Police Station

•

Police Corporal Julius Alcantara of Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office Drug Enforcement Unit.

•

Police Master Sergeant Rowen Martin of Cabanatuan City Police Station.

•

Police Staff Sergeant Drextemir Esmundo of Cabiao Municipal Police Station.

•

Eleazar also ordered the PNP Anti-Kidnap Group to file criminal charges against the five cops and two civilians, even speculations were high that the suspects could have gangraped Casar before killing her and burning her cadaver. Published reports said Sergeants Reyes and Malillin alongside Alcantara, and Robarios are in police custody, while Martin, Esmundo, and Macapagal remain at large. They have been charged in the Justice Department, PNP said. “We strongly condemn this incident. I assure you that all the police involved in the kidnapping and killing of Nadia Casar will be dismissed from

MCG leader Drieza Lininding said Gen. Eleazar should exemplify his “intensified cleansing drive” in the PNP ranks, even as other concerned quarters believed that Casar’s tragic fate was just a “tip of iceberg” in past crimes involving suspected cops against Muslim civilians in different parts of the country. The BPC cited the brutal ambush and robbery attack by suspected cops on Kulingan Haji Jamil Saad and Junaid Haji Farhan Saad, a Muslim couple engaged in jewelry business, in the evening of Sept. 3, 2020 in Pasay City. The attackers allegedly included two cops seen by residents fleeing aboard a motorbike with a vault-like box containing P15-million cash as claimed by relatives. The BPC said another unresolved incident was the massacre in broad daylight of nine Muslim farmers along a road near the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) campus in Kabacan, North Cotabato on Aug. 29, 2020. Investigators from the Commission on Human Rights in Region XII, citing narratives at hospital by one of the victims before succumbing to bullet wounds, that “our attackers were policemen.” The information was corroborated by some USM campus security guards watching the incident from a distance. Dozens of “hulidap” (short of arrest and holdup) modus operandi by unscrupulous cops victimizing Muslim business people in Metro Manila and other urban areas in the country had been reported without justice dispensed. (AGM)

Opinion

Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

PANDEMIC – Misinformation, Disinformation, Lack of Information and Incompetence “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” - Winston Churchill This statement of Winston Churchill, the great British leader, is well illustrated in the past and present of this country. That is why with every problem of our country, we have a parade of elected and appointive leaders who say that that the problem is insoluble. Concrete examples of this is – graft and corruption, illegal drugs, poverty, inequality, limited freedom and injustice. They say the problems are insoluble because they are engrained in our culture. Of course claims of insolubility of these problems are bald lies. The claims are the inventions of oppressors, oligarchs, ignoramuses and exploiters who furtively delight in the misery of our people. Their happiness over peoples’ misery is well defined by this edited line of a famous song – crying in the outside, laughing in the inside cuz I made fools out of you.” Our people should stop swallowing this line about insolubility. To quote the great Napoleon Bonaparte, “The word impossible is found only in the dictionary of fools.” My humble contribution to this subject is this line – The impossible is only in the mind. Misinformation and disinformation: These quotations from Churchill and Bonaparte are good jumping points to the problem of the corona pandemic. These quotes give us insight into how to solve the problems created by the corona pandemic. Let us first tackle the issue of vaccination. The government wants everyone vaccinated. Millions of people here and almost everywhere in the world don’t want to be vaccinated. Why? It is primarily due to disinformation and misinformation. And let us enumerate a number which until this minute remains in Facebook, Youtube and other internet providers: 1) It is not

a virus but bacteria, citing the Ministries of Health of Italy and Russia; 2) Vaccination will cause complications that could lead to death; 3) Many people who got vaccinated were still infected which caused their death; 4) Two years after vaccination, your immune system will weaken resulting to death or if you don’t die, you’ll become a zombie; 5 The pandemic is a hoax and there is really no need to be vaccinated; 6) Vaccination is designed to reduce the population of the Earth; 7) Vaccination nothing but an effort on part of pharmaceuticals to enrich themselves at the expense of the people; and Vaccination will result later to the placement into your body of a microchip which could control human behavior. The disinformation or misinformation is absurd but millions of people in the world believe them. That’s how people are – they believe what they hear and what they see, especially if it supports their fear of vaccination. Lack of information: The government floods us with a lot of information – how many died, how many are still sick, how many are infected within the day throughout the country, where there is a surge, where there is a lockdown, and how to get vaccinated. But where are the vaccines? There is a lot of red tape before one can be vaccinated. While information of this kind is good for government agencies, media, monitoring institutions in business and academe, they are not that important to the ordinary citizen like me. What are necessary are the following kinds of information which we need: 1. What is the most effective and cheapest medicine used to cure a corona virus infection

Diliman Way

HOMOBONO A. ADAZA as shown by the thousands who got cured? 1a. Where is it available and how much? 2. What is the most effective treatment? 2a. Where is it available and how much? 3. My helpers say that in Bukidnon some of their relatives got cured by using the TUOB treatment – inhaling steam from hot water laced with salt. The cure happened after a day or two. 3a. Friend of mine from Mambajao, Camiguin and Cebu City, Raul Corrales, also says that TUOB is used by some people for treatment of the corona virus. 3b. A Filipina nurse in California used the same TUOB treatment and she also recovered after a day or two. 4. A nephew of mine from Catarman, Camiguin, Spartacus Abing, reported to me a few days that he, his wife and one of his sons were infected with corona virus. They only used a Chinese herbal medicine taken three times a day after each meal coupled with the TUOB treatment. And they recovered fast. When I asked him whether he is vaccinated, he said, “Why, we defeated corona virus without vaccination?” 4a. I also got the same kind of medicine from my friend, Wilson Ganipan. 5. What are the other medicines used by those who recovered from the disease, and they number hundreds of thousand? 5a. Where can they be secured and for how much? 6. What are the other effective treatments used by those who recovered from the disease? ADAZA | A11

Philippines is a land of the Brave and the Free!

es this is the Philippines, the land of the Brave and the Free! That is brave enough to face the COVID-19 Pandemic unvaccinated. And Free for anyone to decide for himself to be vaccinated or not to be vaccinated. This is what Senate President Vicente Sotto III said who opposed the restrictions made by authorities against the unvaccinated individuals. “The Senate President emphasized: “This is a free country.” On Monday, August 2, he rejected a reported plan of a local government to deny unvaccinated individuals access to certain places. Sotto said the Interagency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases pushed to restrict movement for people who have yet to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This would be “utterly wrong,” Sotto said. He added that vaccinated individuals may still contract the coronavirus and infect others. We should not force our people to be vaccinated if they refuse. Last time I heard this a free country! In NCR Plus that includes Cavite, Laguna, and Bulacan the most restrictive Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) started on Friday, August 6, 2021. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said that he wanted to prohibit unvaccinated individuals from leaving their homes to control the spread of the disease, especially with the emergence of the Delta coronavirus variant. Duterte also called for a law that would penalize unvaccinated individuals. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, however, clarified last

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL July 29, that the government will not yet impose restrictions against the unvaccinated as majority of the Philippines’ population have yet to get inoculated against the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the “No Vaccine, No Entry” Policy is a form of human rights discrimination and should immediately be stopped. This is like what happened recently to a member of the Royal Family in Sulu but now residing in Zamboanga City. She is Princess (Dayang-Dayang) Sirikit JANNARAL | A11

WHY THE BARMM MUST SUCCEED? - 1 Brief Historical Background

he State of the Nation Address or SONA of any President is always of great interest to us for various reasons. The SONA of the President contains the major accomplishments of the administration and on the other hand, it also spells out the future plans and legislative agenda of the President to Congress. On the same occasion, the President endorses to Congress his Proposed Budgetary Expenditures for the following year. The Muslims of the archipelago later called and named the Philippines after the Spanish monarch King Felipe II or Philip II by the Spanish colonizers was inhabited by the different ethnic cultural communities and the Muslims, who came from Indonesia and later Malaysia, to include Brunei, during the height of its power as a Kingdom. The first Muslim Malay settlement in Luzon was in Batangas and later in Morong, Bataan.

As the Muslim Malays expanded, they made Manila their capital, under the leadership of Rajah Sulaiman. In the Visayas, the most noted ruler of Mactan, Cebu, was Lapu-Lapu and Rajah Humabon in Bohol. When the Spaniards conquered Manila, under the leadership of Ferdinand Magellan, they came to Cebu. They managed to coopt Rajah Humabon and the other datus of Visayas, to help them subjugate Rajah LapuLapu. But during the Battle of Mactan, LapuLapu, a fiercely anticolonialist, killed Magellan. In the next day battle of Mactan, as the Christianized Indios reinforcements and the support of the other Datus of Visayas arrived, Lapu-Lapu and his men were greatly outnumbered. During the heat of the battle, Lapu-Lapu was wounded. In the evening, under the cover of darkness, his son

Southern Frontier

GERRY SALAPUDDIN and other loyal followers decided to take him to safety to supposedly get treated and to recover. They sailed to Mindanao, but Lapu-Lapu died during the voyage. His son and followers decided to land in Sangbay Nahut Island, an island in Muhtamad Municipality, Basilan Province, populated by Sama Bangingi, to bury him in a secret and unmarked grave. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) confirmed that the first Muslim Hero of the Philippines was a Sama Bangingi. Probably, that was the reason why they buried him in an island SALAPUDDIN | A11

A6 TESDA distributes AICS in Lanao Norte towns of Kapatagan, Salvador

News

Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

BARMM serious about vaccines sans coercion - officials By ALI G. MACABALANG

OTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) governance is seriously pushing the observance of vaccination among its close to

LIGAN CITY — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Northern Mindanao (TESDA-X) headed by Regional Director Ashary Banto has led the distribution of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) in Lanao del Norte towns of Kapatagan and Salvador on July 29 and 30, 2021. This is a part of TESDA’s series of distributing disaster response to AICS in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte towns coming from the Office of Senator Cristopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go (OSBG) Disaster Team and from other government line agencies including TESDA. Dr. Noralaine R. Rasul, TESDA provincial director for Lanao del Norte, told Philippine Muslim Today there were 627 beneficiaries from Salvador and 656 from Kapatagan. Rasul said each beneficiary received 3,000 cash, food packs and health protective equipment such as face masks and face shields in order to be protected from the new variant virus ‘Delta.’ Rasul said the distribution of the disaster response was facilitated by the staff of TESDA Provincial Office in Lanao del Norte, the personnel of Salvador Trade School Cluster headed by Administrator Engr. Fred Naigue, and in collaboration with various government line agencies in the region. (Please read related stories.) Provincial Director Rasul also said that TESDA-Lanao del Norte will provide a scholarship grant to beneficiaries to undergo training on qualifications they choose. The exit of their training will be their “passport” to find employment or livelihood, she added. ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

This is was the gist of messages of Dr. Bashary Latiph, BARMM health minister, and Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun, in separate phone interviews by The Philippine Muslim Today news on Thursday, August 5. Dr. Latiph and Pendatun, regional spokesman of the InterAgency Task Force (RIATF) on COVID-19, cited as “bold sign of serious campaign” the acts of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim and Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua, and Regional Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong in undergoing separate inoculations last week. But the two officials clarified that while the BARMM administration is “serious” about the campaign, it cannot resort to coercion because Islam “does not allow compulsion” on matters of introducing ideas or methods among mankind. They acknowledged the support in the campaign also of the heads of local government units (LGUs), the BARMM’s Darul Ifta (House of Opinions) led by Grand Mufti (Islamic jurist) Sheikh Mohammad “Abuhurayra” Udasan, and the private media led by Bangsamoro Press Corps, which exemplified initially inoculation of 44 members and then kin. Latiph and Pendatun were asked for their comments on an earlier statement by President Duterte that he wanted to prohibit unvaccinated individuals from leaving their homes to control the spread of the disease, especially with the Delta coronavirus variant emergence. Duterte also called for a law that would penalize unvaccinated

five million constituents, but sans the element of coercion that may contravene existing laws, especially the prescriptions of Islam.

Photos show BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim and Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua being inoculated. (File photos) individuals, stating even the possibility of arrest. Palace spokesman Harry Roque, however, clarified last July 29, that the government will not yet impose restrictions against the unvaccinated as majority of the Filipinos have yet to get inoculated against the coronavirus. Nonetheless, the President’s remarks drew reactions from local legal minds, including lawyer Manny Fontanilla, who argued that vaccines for the pandemic are on “trial stage” and cannot be administered mandatorily on persons lest their rights under the 1987 Constitution are violated. Senate President Tito Sotto on Aug. 2 rallied objection to restrictions on unvaccinated people, saying that imposing inoculation is “utterly wrong” in a “free…country” like the Philippines. “We should not force our people to be vaccinated if they refuse,” Sotto said in media reports, noting that inoculated persons can still “carry viruses.” So far, no national restriction has been issued. Only an executive order by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has pushed restrictions. But LapuLapu residents protested, prompting the mayor to look into his order further. The national InterAgency Task Force

revived varied degrees of containing social movement in the country, imposing an enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila starting August 6 to 20. On Aug. 5, thousands of Manila residents were seen lining up to get inoculated in designated areas. Many queued at the SM Manila, but police elements reportedly persuaded many one them when the 2,500 doses allocated at the mall were exhausted. In the Bangasamoro region, the campaign for vaccination has been ongoing in regional, city, municipal and barangay levels, with most of top officials and local government unit (LGU) executives leading persuasion narratives and acts for the constituents to get inoculated, Dr. Latiph said. The autonomous government has faced “more challenges” in the vaccination campaign in contrast to other regular administrative regions in the country, said Dr. Latiph, who heads the BARMM’s Ministry of Health. Foremost of the challenges were the archipelagic characteristic of the autonomous region, and the pervasion of orthodox Muslim residents’ suspicion that the vaccines against the pandemic contain elements that are haram or forbidden in Islam, it was learned. Residents’ suspicion

has been gradually fizzling out after a series of clarifying testimonies through traditional and social media platforms by Sheikh Mohammad “Abuhurayra” Udasan, BARMM grand mufti or Islamic jurist, that the vaccines contain elements permissible in Islam. BARMM covers five provinces, three cities, 118 towns and 2,590 barangays with a total population of close to five million as of the 2020 census. The component provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur are located in mainland Central Mindanao that are adjacent to the BARMM government seat here, while the island constituent provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are closer to Sabah, Malaysia than towards this city. Dr. Latiph said MoH workers face difficulty in transporting medical supplies including vaccines to and inoculating residents in distant Basilan, Sulu and TawiTawi provinces that comprise island towns. In the reporting of vaccination data to the regional and national task forces, MoH workers have also been saddled by inadequate or fluctuating internet signals from the island provinces and municipalities, Latiph said. As of August 5, the MoH has recorded more than 280,000 people inoculated with two doses, he said. (AGM)

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Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

BIFF ex-combatants turn disaster responders for BARMM

BARMM housing project in Wao town nears completion

By ALI G. MACABALANG

OTABATO CITY — Five (5) former combatants of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have turned into disaster quick responders for the infant regional The five unnamed former BIFF guerillas were among 59 participant-graduates of the seven-day Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training that culminated last August 2 under the auspices of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim governance, training facilitator Jo Henry said. The former-rebelsturned-rescuers belonged to different batches of at least 128 BIFF combatants that have returned to the folds of law this year, through the combined initiatives of the civilian and military authorities within BARMM, it was learned. They were among 59 trainees – 53 male and six female – who were nominated as volunteers from the municipalities of towns of Northern Kabuntalan, Sultan Kudarat, and Sultan sa Barongis in Maguindanao, barangay Rosary Heights 7 of this city, and from the BARMM’s Ministry of

autonomous governance in what officials described as “good sign” for the state peace and pacification efforts in Muslim Mindanao.

SHELTER UNITS: BARMM Assistant Senior Minister Abdullah “Dong” Cusain leads his team in inspecting the implementation stage of 50 core shelter units in Wao, Lanao del Sur on Aug. 3. (Supplied photo)

Photos show Minister Naguib Sinarimbo and 59 WASAR training graduates. (READi supplied photos) Social Services and Development (MSSD), Henry said. “The 59 graduates, trained on land and water emergency actions, will form part of the first responders from their own respective communities,” Henry told The Philippine Muslim Today news. The completed basic courses required the WASAR training, which was the maiden segment of the venture kicked off on July 29 by the BARMM’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) in partnership with the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, she said. The WASAR is another training program

designed by the MILG’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidents (READi), a unit tasked to provide quick responses and relief operations in BARMM. The other training program is the regional replication of the global Incident Command System (ICS), which involves more comprehensive exercises and has already produced hundreds of graduates in batches since 2019, Henry said. The first WASAR graduation rite was graced by MILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, represented by READi Executive Assistant Norhassim Sinarimbo. “Take every oppor-

tunity to train for humanitarian efforts and make the most of it. Our aim is for every responder, every family and communities to be always ready in times of crisis,” Sinarimbo’s written message for the WASAR graduates said. Minister Sinarimbo, in an online chat with The Philippine Muslim Post news, described the participation of the ex-BIFF combatants in the training as “self-actualizing” because it signified an “initial success in inviting lawless people to rejoin the social mainstream and help the BARMM governance sail it due course.” (AGM)

MinDA eyes use of banana rejects for children nourishment KIDAPAWAN CITY – Cavendish banana production, one of the country’s top dollar-earning and local jobs-generating industries, has been posting hefty output rejects of no use or value – a largely unknown fact that has caught attention lately from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) in its innovative thrusts. MinDA Chairman Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol revealed this opportunity-laced production odd in his Sunday, August 1 leg of serial live video footages he made from an ocular visit of the Manupali AgroDevelopment Corporation (MADC) Cavendish Banana farm in Valencia City, Bukidnon. In a two-minute footage at the foreground of the MADC’s rejects pond, Sec. Pinol and two residentofficials disclosed that eight percent (8%) of the gross production of the firm’s 471-hectare farm could not fit to foreign and local market standards, and therefore becoming wastes. The interviewees said the MADC employs some 1,000 workers and is exporting an average of 4,000 boxes at 13-kilo each of “class A” Cavendish banana per year, posting 8% wastes not suitable to foreign and local markets. The rejects are either given out to workers’ groups to feed their animals or process these into chips or flours, with the rest simply dumped in are-

as that often turn naturally into organic soil elements, they disclosed. Out of some 90,000-hectare Cavendish farms across Mindanao, a glaring average of one millionton rejects is posted in an annual production, Sec. Piñol estimated in his narrative. “We will come up with a project to make use of this (hefty production waste),” Sec. Piñol said in the conclusion of his video clip. He said MinDA will “look for partners” in a venture that can process the banana waste into flour to supply government and humanitarian organizations involved in addressing child malnutrition. A considerable number of Filipino children belonging to poor and less affluent families suffer from malnutrition, state data showed. MINDA | A12

COTABATO CITY – Fifty core shelter units intended for internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Marawi City and indigent families in Barangay Bo-ot, in Wao, Lanao del Sur are now over 70% completion, the interim governance of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) announced this week. Abdullah Cusain, Assistant Senior Minister at the BARMM’s Office of the Chief Minister (OCM), revealed the project completion stage in a statement on his inspection of the site last Tuesday, August 3. Cusain, serving as focal manager for the Kapayapaan sa Pamayanan (KAPYANAN), said the project is one of the special programs of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim aimed at improving the living condition of the poorest of the poor in the Bangsamoro region. “I would say nasa more than 70% na rin itong physical structure ng mga pabahay, and I really tried my best to visit the area, dahil I want to see for myself kung ano yung actual accomplishment or percentage of implementation sa (project) area,” Cusain said in a statement released by the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO). Equipped with solar power and water components, the 50-units shelters cost over Php20.3 million, with each unit costing Php406, 254.64, he said. Cusain said the shelters are part of the 1000 housing units planned for Lanao del Sur by the OCM in 2019 budget appropriations. For fiscal year 2020, additional 900 units were pipelined for the province, and another 1000 units for 2021, he said, hinting at giving priority to some of the IDPs from the war-torn Marawi City. He said his team for the Wao project assessment visit also brought food packs and water containers for prospective housing units’ recipients as a component of the KAPYANAN program. Each of the assistance packages can last for two to three months among the recipient families, he said. Last month, KAPYANAN conducted a similar food distribution for the beneficiaries of the 50 core shelters units in Barangay Dimapatoy, Bubong of Lanao del Sur. Bubong and Wao were among Lanao Sur towns that sheltered some of the 40,000 residents displaced in the infamous 2017 Marawi siege. One of the IDP recipients – Assalan Ampatua, 42, a father of six, thanked the Bangsamoro Government for the relief aid and the permanent shelter intended for them, the BIO statement said. “Pag nag-uusap po kaming limampung benepesyaryo ay natutuwa po kami at nagpapasalamat po kami sa nagbigay ng mga bahay, lalong lalo na po sa BARMM government,” Ampatua was quoted as saying. Municipal Councilor Jamal Adiong and Bo-ot Barangay Chairman Lominog W. Magondacan represented the local government during the food packs distribution last Tuesday, the BIO said. ALI G. MACABALANG

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Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

Mindanao banana farm curbs ‘Panama Disease’ – MinDA

MSSD adds P39-M medical aid for poor patients in BARMM

By ALI G. MACABALANG

IDAPAWAN CITY – Threats from Fusarium Wilt or “Panama Disease,” a soilinhabiting fungus that ruin thousands of hec-

Bangsamoro Social Services and Development Minister Raissa Jajurie. (Online-culled photo)

OTABATO CITY — The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) has already downloaded P39-million complementary funds to support indigent patients availing medical services in 11 hospitals in the Bangsamoro region that have forged partnership with the welfare agency, according to Philippine Muslim Today news sources. MSSD Minister Raissa Jajurie inked a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Dr. Jackie Lou Eisma-Castillo, OIC-head of Basilan’s Lamitan District Hospital last July 13, bringing to 11 the number of medical outfits she had forged MoAs with since last year, the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) said in a statement. Jajurie, a lawyer, forged partnerships with the 11 field hospitals under her ministry’s “Bangsamoro Critical Assistance in Response to Emergency Situation” (B-CARES), a healthrelated intervention providing aids to poor patients over and above existing packages coming from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM), it was learned. The OCM launched in 2019 its special project called – Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government (AMBAG) Program, which has so far served 8,552 indigent constituents during its first 12-month operation. Under the AMBAG project, the OCM shoulders at least P10,000 worth of hospital bills by indigents. But the BIO) said the program had extended P50,000 aid to Pelagio Ado, a 51-year old traffic enforcer of South Upi, Maguindanao who needed over P100,000 worth of medication after an almost-fatal road accident late last year. Under the B-CARES program, the MSSD provides each of the 11 partner hospitals a minimum of P1-million to P10-million each, and the amount is replenished when exhausted, Minister Jajurie said in a recent online broadcast here. The B-CARES program covers hospitalization expenses, medicines, and medical treatment and procedures ranging from laboratory, CT scan, dialysis, MRIs, and anti-retroviral therapy to chemotherapy of identified and validated poor and eligible beneficiaries, said the BIO, the media bureau of the Bangsamoro autonomous region. Minister Jajurie said the B-CARES assists individuals and families in the region who are experiencing hardships on health and medical concerns, especially in the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic. The MSSD partner hospitals are: Cotabato Regional Medical Center, P10M; Marawi City’s Amai Pakpak Medical Center, P10M; Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, P5M; Sulu Provincial Hospital, P3M; Sulu’s Pangutaran District Hospital, P1M; Basilan General Hospital in Isabela, P2M; Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, P2M; Maguindanao Provincial Hospital, P2M; Community Health Services Coop in Midsayap, North Cotabato, P1M; and Dr. R.A.M. Albutra Hospital in Kabacan, North Cotabato, P1M. (ALI G. MACABALANG)

“A team of Filipino plant pathologists and agriculture experts has finally discovered the formula to solve the menace,” MinDA Chairman Manny Piñol said in a recent online post after visiting the Manupali Agri-Development Corp. (MSDC) Cavendish Banana farm in Valencia City, Bukidnon. The team, led by Jose Barosa, Lalaine Albano Narreto and soil experts of Unifrutti Tropical Philippines, succeeded in saving and rehabilitating the MADC farm, whose farm suffered heavy devastation since 2014 from the disease, Sec. Piñol said in an online post Saturday. After a 6-year field experiment started in 2015, MADC was brought back to life with the banana farm area expanded from 280 to 371 hectares, Pinol said, noting that negligible signs of Fusarium Wilt presence “is effectively under full control and easily prevented from spreading.” “In 2014, this was a virtual ghost farm and we had to lay off workers because the whole plantation was devastated by the Panama Disease,” Piñol quoted Barosa as telling him during my visit to the farm on July 28. The Panama Disease is a soil-inhabiting fungus which causes bananas, mainly the export variety Cavendish, to wilt and die, said Piñol, who once helped authorities in nearby regions to brace up against entry of the disease. The Cavendish Banana Industry, Mindanao’s major agricultural export commodity, dawdled off from the devastation of the disease believed to have originated from Panama, thus the name, he said.

tares of southern Cavendish Banana farms, are curbed nowadays, according to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar in his meeting with Minister Naguib Sinarimbo on July 20. (Photo supplied)

MinDA Chairman Manny Piñol interviewing officials and experts of the Manupali Agri-Development Corp. (MADC) Cavendish Banana farm in Valencia City, Bukidnon, and the MADC’s plantation span. (Supplied photos)

Even the most advanced banana producing countries in South America suffered because of the unabated spread of the Fusarium Wilt, said Piñol, who himself is a farmer. In 2014, plant pathologist Lalaine Albano Narreto said they started an experiment on fields where diseaseaffected farms were totally abandoned and all growing plants, including weeds, turned dry leaving the area barren for some months. Narreto recalled: “We replanted after three months but the disease manifested again. We extended it to six months, but the disease came back. Finally, we ‘scorched’ the land for one year and denied the fungus any host to survive.” She said that following the third fattempt, a new variety of Cavendish Banana which is

more tolerant to the Panama Disease was introduced. “Today, the farm has totally been rehabilitated with some 1,000 workers and producing one of the highest yields for Cavendish Banana in the country with 4,200 boxes of Class A bananas per hectare every year,” the pathologist said. Since then, the MADC has been posting “the highest production in the country and outstanding banana quality,” said MinDA Banana Industry consultant Robert Soriano, who joined Piñol in Wednesday’s ocular visit. The MADC success story had already spread and banana in-

dustry stakeholders from as far as South America visited the rehabilitated farm to learn from the Filipino banana experts, according to Soriano. The MinDA will undertake efforts to share the farm management and disease control methods formulated by MADC banana experts with other farmers in Mindanao to boost the country’s Cavendish Banana Industry. Mindanao accounts for at least 90,000 hectares of farms planted to Cavendish bananas, according to the MADC. With this development, the Philippines could again regain its status as one of the top Cavendish Banana producers in the world, Piñol said. (AGM)

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JRL)

Tourism & Culture

By JOHNNY R. LEE Ph.D.

Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

The Struggling Seaweed Industry

TURMERIC CHICKEN

BANGSAMORO HALAL DISH

he success of seaweed farming and the industry as a whole, which started in 1973, may have seemed to be a per-

problems that this country are facing: mainly the pandemic and the consequences that it has brought to the country’s economy and

showed its ugly face. Lockdowns and stricter movements of the populace due to the national policy in observing health protocols had

phasizing a quote from the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism,:’Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to

fect solution to the major problems that beset the people: poverty and, at the sideline, the violence that had been caused by the then secessionist movements. It could be said that it was a timely natural intervention in extinguishing the flame of insurgency in this part of southern Mindanao. The series of articles on the seaweed industry by this writer may not seem to be appealing to most readers, apparently because it is an issue that is not relevant to the prevailing

the rising unemployment. The other factor is the ‘election fever’ which is already in the air – as politicians and political parties are already in active mood – flaunting, discussing and speculating who’s who in the ticket especially for the national positions at stake. It is sad to note that in times of crises like this country is facing, everything else is relegated to second priorities below politics. The Tawi-Tawi seaweed industry has been buried to oblivion since the Covid19 pandemic

been paralyzed and grind into halt. What will happen now to the 30,000 families whose livelihoods have been snatched and overtaken by these turn of events? The number of 30k families who were deprived of their usual normal lives is disturbing to say the least. It is a very significant number to just let it be swept under the rugs. This writer has not heard from the concerned government policymakers on what to do with their sad plight. We have been em-

fish and you feed him for a lifetime’. The seaweed industry is most relevant to this famous quotation. The significant number of coastal dwellers were already relatively independent to fend for themselves because the industry can provide them well for their basic needs and no longer depend on ‘dole-outs’ handed out by local and national government entities as practiced in other poor provinces. At this moment, this writer is still pondering on what could be done to resuscitate this struggling and dying industry. (JRL)

SEAWEED HARVESTS LEFT TO HANG DRY FOR SEVERAL DAYS IS NO LONGER IN DEMAND DUE TO RESTRICTED SHIPMENT TO MARKET. (JRL)

With Maria Fhebie Ortil

e are still on Volume 2, but now on Number 8 issue of Philippine Muslim Today. As a Bangsamoro Halal Cuisine, we have featured so many Halal recipes of the Bangsamoro Region. Considering our common denominator is the word Halal, let me introduce to you another Halal recipe of our neighboring Malaysia. This is the Turmeric Chicken. Hence, Turmeric chicken (Ayam Kunyit) is a Malay recipe, an easy turmeric chicken recipe with chicken, turmeric, & chili. Turmeric powder is derived from the turmeric root. You can get the spice easily at the spice aisle at regular supermarkets or Asian supermarkets. Turmeric powder is yellow in color and has a nice aroma. It’s a simple stir-fry dish that anyone can make at home, and takes less than 30 minutes to make. INGREDIENTS 8 oz. (226 g) skinless and boneless chicken meat, breast or thigh and cut into strips 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 2 teaspoons oyster sauce 2 tablespoons oil 1/2 onion, sliced 1 red chili, deseeded and cut into thick strips 2 oz. (56 g) French bean, cut into 2-inch strips 3 tablespoons water 1/2 teaspoon sugar salt to taste INSTRUCTIONS 1.Marinate the chicken with the turmeric powder and oyster sauce for 15 minutes. 2.Heat up a wok and add the oil. Stir-fry the onion until aromatic, then add the chicken and do a few quick stirs. 3. Add the red chili, French beans and stir well with the ingredients in the wok. 4. Add the water into the wok and continue to cook the chicken. 5. Add the sugar and salt (to taste), and continue stirring until the chicken is cooked through. 6. Dish out and serve immediately with steamed rice. (MFO)

TURMERIC CHICKEN

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Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

Hotels assured of govt support for tourism robust revival By Phil Muslims

ANILA — Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has assured hotel owners that the Duterte administration is doing all it can to support the revival of more robust hospitality and tourism sectors in the post-pandemic era, while scaling up the country’s mass vaccination program to protect people and prepare for the safe reopening of the economy. While he cannot predict when the pandemic will be over to allow for the economy’s full reopening, Dominguez said he can assure the hotel industry of the government’s readiness to support local businesses through expanded credit, lower interest rates, and by maintaining fiscal prudence in managing the country’s financial resources. Dominguez also cited the enactment of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law, which will leave more cash resources for businesses to sustain employment or use for investments, as another measure that will help the tourism and hospitality sectors bounce back from the pandemic. “In the meantime, I urge the hotel industry to take this opportunity to maintain infrastructure systems; strengthen health and safety protocols; and embrace

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. (Supplied photo) digitalization to be their customers feel ready for the upcoming safe, confident and sedemand in travel,” he cure enough to go out said in his message to of their homes and members of spend on goods and the Philippine Hotel services during less Owners Association, stringent quarantine Inc. (PHOA) during their periods. webinar with the theme He acknowledged “How Philippine Hotel- that the hospitality and iers Navigate the tourism industries have COVID Crisis to Sur- been the hardest hit by vive.” the imposition of move“Be assured that the ment restrictions that Duterte administration are necessary to conis doing all that it can to tain infections since the support the revival pandemic swept across of even more robust the world over a year hospitality and tour- ago. ism industries in the “The crisis is not post-pandemic era,” he over. The virus continadded. ues to mutate, keeping Dominguez com- us all on edge. The mended the PHOA, led threat posed by the Delby its president Arthur ta variant of the coronaLopez, for leading the virus forced us to escapack in ensuring that late restrictions once hoteliers are responsi- more,” Dominguez bly adhering to the high- said. est levels of hygiene Dominguez said the and safety, which is success of the country’s vital in rebuilding con- anti-COVID-19 vaccinasumer confidence and tion program is the key in making to a strong and sus-

tained economic recovery. He said the Philippines is on the right track as it has now been receiving a steady supply of vaccines from multiple sources and the local government units (LGUs) have proven their ability to administer vaccines on a wide scale in a fast and efficient manner. “I wish I could give you a clear timetable for fully reopening the domestic economy. But, as you know, the virus dictates our timelines. It will continue to do so until we are able to inoculate the majority of our population,” Dominguez said. “We have endured much since the outbreak of this pandemic. Nevertheless, every indicator tells us that we have gone through the worst part of this global health emergency,” he said. (PR)

Metro Manila curfew hours on ECQ: 8 pm to 4 am MANILA — Mayors in Metro Manila are expected to impose an 8hour curfew from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. when the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) takes effect at the National Capital Region (NCR) on August 6. MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said the adjustment on curfew hours was approved unanimously by the 17 Metro Manila local chief executives comprising the Metro Manila Council (MMC) due to the rising number of COVID -19 Delta Variant cases in NCR, according to report from Philippine

Information Agency (PIA), a state-owned and controlled media. “The new curfew hours had been unanimously voted and agreed upon by the Metro Manila mayors,” lawyer Abalos said. MMDA Resolution No. 21-16, Series of 2021 cited that “in view of the ECQ, as warranted by the rising number of COVID-19 Delta Variant cases in the NCR, there is an urgent need to regulate the mobility and movement of persons while at the same time ramping up the vaccination efforts of the National Government

and the Local Government Units during the said period in order to broaden population protection.” The standardized and unified curfew hours across the cities and municipality of NCR will last until August 20. Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR), as specified by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and individuals who will be vaccinated shall be exempted from the curfew hours provided that they present appropriate documentation to authorities, such as their quarantine passes used

during previous ECQ. The MMDA Chairman, meanwhile, leaves to the Metro Manila local government units the decision on whether or not to impose a liquor ban in their respective jurisdiction. Valenzuela, Mandaluyong, Parañaque, Pasay, Navotas, Pateros, Quezon City, and San Juan earlier announced they will prohibit sale of liquor and other alcoholic beverages during the ECQ. The Metro Manila Council, composed of the 17 local government units of Metro Manila, is the governing body and policy-making body of the MMDA. (With agencies)

ECQ ayuda distribution in CDO starts Aug 6 By Phil Muslims

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY —About 300 disbursing officers of Cagayan de Oro City Hall will be designated in the city’s various barangays to distribute cash aid to families and persons affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) implementation in the city sometime this week. “Most likely this coming Friday musugod ang atong financial assistance. I hope daghan sa atong mga empleyado mo-volunteer. Pinakagamay nga disbursing officer nga atong ma-mobilize karon is 300, kon puede 500 nga disbursing officer. The more, the better. Because, can you imagine, mag-distribute ka house-to-house? Dili sayon na,” acting City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said. (the distribution of the financial assistance will commence. I hope that a lot employees would volunteer. The least number of disbursing officer that we can mobilize is 300, if possible, we are targeting to have 500 disbursing officers. The more, the better.Why? Can you imagine distributing cash house-to-house? That’s not easy) Sabuga-a made the disclosure during Monday’s virtual flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, a day before Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno signed an agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) -10 for the Special Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) cash aid program.

CASH AID FOR FAMILIES: Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno signs an agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 for the Special Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) cash aid program for families in the city affected by the ECQ, August 3. (CDO-CIO) In their regular Monday afternoon session, the 19th City Council approved an ordinance authorizing Mayor Moreno to sign the agreement with DSWD. The cash aid program is intended for families affected by the enhanced community quarantine status over the city. “We have a 15-day time frame to distribute the cash assistance to the beneficiaries. Last time the city received 130,000 slots for the SAP (social amelioration program) cash aid and it took us almost a month to finish the cash distribution. We had people line up in gyms for the cash aid program so this is a big challenge for us,” Sabuga-a said. He added that the City Hall will coordinate with the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office and even the military to ensure security and monitoring of compliance to public health protocols during the cash distribution activity. In the meantime, Sabuga-a said about 9,950 family food packs were distributed to employees who lost their jobs at the onset of the city’s ECQ. The companies that closed were also tapped to distribute the family food packs to their former employees. (PR)

Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

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ADAZA | from Page A5

PANDEMIC – Misinformation, Disinformation, Lack of Information... 6a.Where and how can these treatments be secured? 7. Is it true that are complications resulting from vaccinations? 7a.If so, what are these and are they curable? 7b.What are the cures for these complications; how cheap; and where can they be secured? 8. Define in a detailed manner how the original corona virus is transmitted and how the transmission can be

prevented and why? 8a. Specify in a detailed manner how the Delta Variant is transmitted. 8b. Why is the Delta Variant more deadly than the original corona virus? 8c. Are all brands of vaccines effective against the corona virus? 9. Is it true that persons who are fully vaccinated can infect those who have not been vaccinated? 10. Why are face

shields prescribed for us when other countries do not prescribe them? 11. What is reason why in America CDC requires the use of mask even in residences? The answers to these questions are the needed information for the citizen to be well informed. Knowing the answers to all these questions will allay the fears of the deadly virus. Instead of Duque and Vergeire of DOH, Galvez and the IATF

blabbering on matters that do not interest the citizens, they should answer these questions for the enlightenment of the citizen and to drive away fears that are eating their vitals with every passing. The answers they should distribute to all mainstream and social media outlets. Incompetence: The pandemic has been handled incompetently throughout the world except in few countries like – New Zealand,

Vietnam, Cuba, China and possibly Germany. New Zealand and Germany have methodical brilliant women leaders – Jacinda Anders and Angela Merkel. The other three are leaders of the Left – a doctor in Vietnam, Communist leaders of Cuba and Communist China The most outstanding in the handling of the pandemic is President Xi Jinping of Communist China. That country created the corona virus. The spread of the virus

has been managed effectively by Xi consistent with his desire for world domination. The corona virus killed millions throughout the world, infected tens of millions of people, destroyed the lives of hundred of millions and devastated the economies of all countries in the world except Communist China – the creator of the corona virus and the pandemic! (To be continued)

JANNARAL | from Page A5

Philippines is a land of the Brave and the Free! Jamasali who was barred entry into Yubengco Super Mart in Sutterville, Zamboanga City. Princess Sirikit said she was about to go on shopping for grocery items when Security Guard on duty did not allow her to get inside the Super Mart when the guard learned that

she is not yet vaccinated in the absence of Vaccine Pass to probe she was vaccinated already. So the Princess asked the guard to show to her the guidelines as basis to bar her entry. However the guard as what they usually practice the “No ID, No Entry,” policy could

not produce any proof to substantiate the barring of a customer inside the Super Mart. All the guards have said that it is the guideline that they have to implement with the policy of “No Vaccine, No Entry.” Princess Sirikit said with the failure of the concerned Security Guard to justify the poli-

cy, she could have created a vehement protest. But she said she just maintained her cool and silence and avoid creating a commotion as she wants to maintain her Royal status as a respected Princess or DayangDayang belonging to the known Royal Family of Sulu.

“Let us hold on to that Freedom,” Princess Sirikit advised all others unvaccinated individuals. Post Script: On the 10th of August 2021, it is the Amon Jadid or Muslim New Year that falls on 1 Muharram 1443. The Batanes To Tawi-Tawi including the

Law by President Marcos, which caught imperial Manila by surprise, First Lady Imelda Marcos was sent on a peace mission by President Marcos in 1973 to Tripoli, Libya, accompanied by Admiral Romulo Espaldon and some top Philippine officials, to negotiate for a ceasefire through Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi, which led later to the Tripoli Agreement signed between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), facilitated by the OIC. As implementation of the Tripoli Agreement which called for the establishment of an autonomous region in Mindanao covering 13 Provinces and 9 cities. Instead of creating a single autonomous region as stipulated in the Tripoli Agreement, President Marcos subjected it to a plebiscite and created two autonomous regions of IX and XII. This was done after

consulting the Muslim leaders from Mindanao. Cognizant of the historical realities, where Mindanao was never part of the Sultanate of Sulu, President Marcos created the Autonomous Regions of Region IX, with Zamboanga City as its capital and seat of government and Region XII, with Cotabato City as its capital and seat of government. This was not accepttable to the MNLF. Firstly, it was a direct violation of the Tripoli Agreement which stipulated for only one autonomous region. Secondly, the Philippine Government did it unilaterally without the participation of the MNLF and the OIC. Thirdly, the Philippine government subjected it to a plebiscite. The provision of the Tripoli Agreement was cleverly worded and phrased by the Philippine negotiating panel headed by DND Usec. Carmelo Barbero as advised by President Marcos in

Management & Staff of Philippine Muslim Today (PMT-19) would like to greet everyone Happy Amon Jadid or Happy Muslim New Year. 10-August-2021 Tuesday 1-Muharram-1443 For your Comments/Suggestions, please send an email to: julmunir1845@gma il.com

SALAPUDDIN | from Page A5

WHY THE BARMM MUST SUCCEED? - 1 populated by his people. In Mindanao, all the Muslim sultanates were all up in arms against the Spanish colonizers. The most famous among them was Sultan Kudarat. In the Sultanate of Sulu which covered Sulu, Palawan, the western part of Basilan and Sabah, were fighting ferociously the colonialists. The Sultanate of Lanao was also independently fighting the Colonizers. What was missing in their struggle against foreign domination and servitude was unity. There was no united and coordinated resistance against the colonizers. They fought against the colonizers independently. That was the recipe for failure in their resistance against foreign colonizers. THE BANGSAMORO STRUGGLE The yearning for independence and freedom among our patriotic Muslim political leaders was burning bright in their hearts. Among the visionary leaders of the

Muslims of Mindanao was the late Congressman Rashid Lucman. In order to unite the Muslims of Mindanao, he organized the Ansarul Islam, presumably inspired by the supportive and dedicated Ansars of Madina, that welcomed and supported the Messenger of Allah and his followers from Makkah, better known as the 'Muhajireen.' While Maguindanao Governor organized the Mindanao Independent Movement (MIM). On the other hand, Sen. Domocao Alonto created the Bangsa Moro Liberation Organization (BMLO), while Cong. Salipada K. Pendatun organized the Philippine Muslim Association (PMA), all meant to later staged a struggle to liberate our people from the clutches of Imperial Manila. Inspired by the success of Gamal Abdelnasser of Egypt, to free his country and cut the yoke of imperial colonialism, the late Congressman Lucman

initiated the recruitment of Muslim youth to be trained abroad, to become cadre officers, purposely to promote and create a revolutionary movement in Mindanao, better known as the Top 90 First Batch or F1. More than one half of the 90 were Maranao youth. Among them was Aboul Khair Alonto, Dimasangkay Pundato, Jimmy Lucman, better known as 'Jungle Fox,' Punduma Sumndad Sani and the others. And among the rest of 40 plus remaining recruits were UP Prof. Nurullaji "Nur" Misuari of Sulu and Uto Salahuddin of Basilan, Alawi Mohammad of Zamboanga City, Bian Lai Lim of Jolo and the others. THE FIRST AUTONOMOUS REGIONS After the successful outbreak of Moro rebellion was ignited and spread like wild fire in Mindanao in the early '70s, after the Jabidah Massacre and later the declaration of Martial

their phone conversation. It was worded convincingly that the Philippine government will exert all efforts to create an autonomous region in the provinces and cities mentioned "subject to constitutional and democratic processes." When the Libyan Foreign Minister Dr. Ali Treki questioned the Philippine panel what the phrase above means, they replied: "It's just a process of consultation with the leaders and population in those areas, so they'll not object to the inclusion of their areas." After the conduct of a plebiscite, in Region IX, only the Province of Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi opted to join the Autonomous Region IX. In Region XII, only Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur opted to join the Autonomous Region XII while the Cities of Cotabato and Marawi opted out of it. (To be continued)

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News

Vol. II, No. 08 | August 6-12, 2021 (Dhu’l Hijjah 27-Muharram 3, 1443)

BARMM sends desalination machines to Sulu, Tawi-Tawi COTABATO CITY – The infant governance of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) dispatched desalination machines to potable waterless islands towns in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in what officials described as another bold step in making the difference in the evolution of southern autonomy and in addressing inadequacies. Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo inspected the machines and supervised their loading onto container vans for shipment from Polloc Port in Parang, Maguindanao on Friday, July 30. Operators took samples of sea water and processed in the machines into drinking fluid, part of which the two officials and other BARMM workers drank to demonstrate the feasibility of their well-conceived intervention for island towns. “The purpose of the desalination machine dispersal is to squarely address the lack or inadequacy of drinking water in some distant towns of the island Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces,” CM Ebrahim said in the TV news report. In corroboration, Minister Sinarimbo said the BARMM government introduced the water desalination method after its technical people failed to derive potable water in some island towns of the two provinces after repeated deep well drilling. Sinarimbo signed last May 27 a contract with the Water Equipment Technology Industries Inc. (WETII) here for the purchase of 10 units of desalination machine worth P144-million from the 2020 contingency fund of the Office of Chief Minister. WETII is a known supplier of desalination machines, employing expert installers, it was learned. “The machines will convert sea water into drinking fluid for (recipient) island towns, which for generations have been lacking potable water because no amount of drilling would yield drinking fluid,” Sinarimbo told reporters on May 27. In his Facebook post shortly after signing the contracts, Sinarimbo identified the initial project recipient-towns in Sulu as Pata, Pangutaran, Pandami, and Panglima Tahil. The names of project recipient-towns in Tawi-Tawi were not given as of press time, even as the Philippine Muslim Today new asked for a specific list. Record-setting intervention According to past research, deficiency of drinking water has been a problem

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo and a WETII official inspecting the desalination machines prior to loading to container vans at the Polloc Port in Parang, Maguindanao and drinking sample of fluid desalinated sea water on Friday, July 30. (Photos supplied) in Sulu since its creation and even after Tawi-Tawi was carved out of it under the Marcos government. Before and during the Marcos government, then Sulu Governor Murphy Sangkula had proposed projects aimed at

providing the then undivided province with an institutional source of potable water, including a plan to build a giant underwater pipe to draw potable water from mainland Zamboanga or purchase desalination machines. Both plans were never realized due to insufficient funds or lack of support from higher authorities and the national government, it was learned. In past years, affluent families tried drilling deep wells to generate any form of potable water in what residents and local aid providers deemed as another failed venture. Sometime in 2017, eight people died and over a hundred others were downed by diarrhea, dysentery and typhoid caused by intakes of water from “contaminated” deep wells in some Sulu villages. The incident prompted relief and technical teams from the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to respond. Then ARMM Public Works Secretary Don Loong, who led a technical team, confirmed the presence of contaminated deep wells in some Sulu areas and provided the media some photos of the deep well water that appeared greenish. The brief diarrhea outbreak prompted the ARMM government to allocate P200-million for the regional public works, with the assistance of a Manila-based consultancy firm, to scout spring sources in mainland Sulu and develop water supply systems for Indanan, Patikul, Parang, Maimbung and Talipao. The systems continued to work, deriving most water from the so-called “Kiram Spring” in the capital Jolo town, a published report said. But for the rest of the 20 island towns in Sulu, no springs have been found and residents in such distant waterless municipalities, especially the poor, have relied upon rain water impounding or stocking or bottled water donations from affluent or donor quarters. Sources from the MILG said Minister Sinarimbo, in one of his recent visits in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, received fervent requests from residents for the BARMM government to provide them desalination machines. According to initial information, each of the desalination machines to be stationed in a plant can convert 20,000 liters of drinking water daily from sea water. ALI G. MACABALANG

ELEAZAR | from Page A1

Eleazar orders dismissal, censure of 5 cops... •

Police Corporal Julius Alcantara of Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office Drug Enforcement Unit. • Police Master Sergeant Rowen Martin of Cabanatuan City Police Station • Police Staff Sergeant Drextemir Esmundo of Cabiao Municipal Police Station Aside from these cops, two civilians Franklin Macapagal and Dario Robarios were also suspected in the kidnap-slay of Nadia Casar, 35, a female Muslim online seller in Nueva Ecija, a Luzon province known with considerable number of reverts to Islam like action move Robin “Abdul Aziz” Padilla. Published reports said Reyes, Malillin, Alcantara, and Robarios are in police custody, while Martin,

FROM LEFT: Cuffed Police Staff Sgt. Benedict Matias Reyes, arrested civilian suspect. Esmundo, and Macapagal remain at large. They have been charged in the Department of Justice, a PNP statement said. Eleazar ordered the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) and the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) to conduct manhunt operations against the three suspects at large. “We strongly condemn this incident. I assure you that all the police involved in the kidnapping and killing of Nadia Casar will be dismissed from service and held accountable…

These criminal-minded people who are wicked to the bone deserve to rot in prison…I will personally look into this case and will make sure that these rotten eggs will face justice in court and be accountable for their crimes,” reports quoted Eleazar as saying in Pilipino. News attributed to AKG investigators said Casar and a Grab driver she hired were kidnapped by at least five men in Barangay Tagpos, Sta. Rosa at around 1:45 p.m. on July 20. Suspects took the

Grab driver’s mobile phone and P4,500 cash and freed him at around 3 a.m. on July 21. On Aug. 1, the burnt and buried body of Cesar was recovered in Sitio Pinagpala, Barangay Imelda Valley in Palayan City at around 2:30 p.m. Eleazar expressed his sympathies with the victim’s family as he vowed swift justice for her killing. Initial reports about Casar’s kidnap-slay went viral in the social media, with some nitizens posting the photos of the slain victim, of an arrested civilian suspect, of locked-up Staff Sgt. Reyes, and of SOCO agents scouring the burnt remains of the fatality. There were speculations that Casar during her captivity was gang raped before being slain, burnt and buried. Tip of iceberg The Mindanao-based Moro Consensus Group (MCG) and the Bangsamoro Press Corps (BPC)

strongly slammed Casar’s fate, and urged PNP Chief Eleazar punish all suspects, and reinvestigate past killings of Muslim civilians allegedly involving cops. MCG leader Drieza Lininding said news about Casar’s kidnap-slay after the Grab driver (named withheld) narrated the crime details, including an earlier effort by arrested suspect Macapagal to contact the slain victim in the guise of buying an online stuff. Lininding and BPC officers said Gen. Eleazar should exemplify his “intensified cleansing drive” in the PNP ranks, believing that Casar’s tragic fate was just a “tip of iceberg” in past crimes involving suspected cops against Muslim civilians in different parts of the country. The BPC cited the brutal ambush and robbery attack by suspected cops on Kulingan Haji Jamil Saad and Junaid Haji Farhan Saad, a Muslim couple

engaged in jewelry business, in the evening of Sept. 3, 2020 in Pasay City. The attackers allegedly included two cops seen by residents fleeing aboard a motorbike with a vault-like box containing P15-million cash as claimed by relatives. The BPC said another still unresolved incident was the massacre in broad daylight of nine Muslim farmers along one of the access roads of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) campus in Kabacan, North Cotabato on Aug. 29, 2020. Investigators from the Commission on Human Rights in Region XII, citing narratives at hospital by one of the victims before succumbing to bullet wounds, that “our attackers were policemen.” The information was corroborated by some USM campus security guards watching the incident from a distance. (AGM)

1,2440 PWD| from Page A3

1,240 PWDs receive cash assistance from MSSD-BARMM The MSSD has also provided similar aid to PWDs and elderly citizens in the component provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi as well as the cities of Marawi,

Lamitan and Cotabato. But data on the separate dispersal ceremonies were not immediately available. Despite various challenges besetting the twoyear old BARMM govern-

ance, most if not all agencies of the regional bureaucracy have launched some breakthrough programs and initiatives in collective efforts meant to prove that the new parliament-type autonomous

governance “can make the difference” in the history of regional autonomy, Minister Jajurie once told reporters. For the MSSD, Jajurie said, another recordsetting program is its

launch of partnership ventures with 11 provincial and district hospitals across the region, through which the ministry allocated P2-million for each health unit to cover expenses of indigent pa-

tients for this year. “The MSSD replenishes the allocation in each hospital when exhausted,” Jajurie said in an online news report. (Read separate related news.) [AGM]

MINDA | from Page A7

MinDA eyes use of banana rejects for children nourishment Observers said Sec. Piñol’s plan is “highly probable,” citing some nutritious children supplementary feeds brands, a notable of which is the Cerelac which remains sold out in the mar-

ket using banana-based powder concoction. Dr. Adrian Tamayo, MinDA media public affairs and media relations chief, corroborated Sec. Pinol’s intent, echoing a popular saying that “in every prob-

lem lies an opportunity to harness.” Tamayo said the Piñol administration has upgraded the MinDA operations, notably in introducing “innovative means” ranging from unprecedented aquat-

ic and agriculture-based productions, energy development via solar powers, and convergent infrastructure projects implementation to fortification of field monitoring ways to curb corruption.

Sec. Piñol promotes modern technologies for amplified rice production and other value crops productions, featuring successes in combating oddities in the aquaagriculture sector such as

the recent discovery of formula against pests’ invasion of banana farms in Mindanao. (Read a separate MinDA story about banana farm pest infection.) ALI G. MACABALANG)