Philippine Muslim Today by Philippine Muslim Today

FOR ADVERTISEMENT PLEASE CALL +63 63 2290965 OR TEXT 09152184388 Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

12 Pages | P20

BARMM Parliament condemns online trader’s kidnap-slay Misamis Oriental land offer for Islamic cemetery affirmed

isamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano

confirmed on Wednesday, Aug. 11 his administration agreed to donate five-hectare land for use as Islamic cemetery with a cultural hall to ease burden among his Muslim constituents in burying their dead decently and promptly.

(FULL STORY ON PAGE A10)

By ALI G. MACABALANG

he interim Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous governance has joined the bandwagon of public condemnations of the recent kidnap-slay of a Muslim female online jewelry seller, and demanded maximum punishment for the suspects, including five police elements in Nueva Ecija. (FULL STORY ON PAGE A2)

Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong.

Piñol vows continuity in Taraka solar-powered irrigation system, other MinDA projects

indanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairman Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol has vowed continuity in a collective vision to turn this town into the country’s “Muslim mode” in agro-industrial enterprise starting from enhanced rice farming backed by modern solar-powered irrigation systems. MinDA Chairman Secretary Manny Piñol. “I will not abandon you. We will not stop…until we see what we have begun collectively to start to turn into fruition,” Sec. Piñol said in a lunch meeting here capping the initial in-

A3 Across BIFF

auguration of the P218-million solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) here on August 10.Sec. Piñol pointed out that one of reasons behind the failure of past major state projects was the “absence of follow through” efforts. He said the MinDA in partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will continue to rally this town to become the model of agro-economic enterprise in the country.

A6 Across BARMM

13 more BIFF combatants Lacson-BARMM leaders yield, denounce violence meet on BTA extension – AFP urged

(FULL STORY ON PAGE A12)

A7 Across NCMF All 5 cop-suspects in N. Ecija kidnap-slay arrested; NCMF leads call for justice

A9 Tourism The Badjao: At the Edge of Utter Desolation

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443

BARMM Parliament condemns online trader’s kidnap-slay

145 GIP beneficiaries get 2-month stipends from MOLE By Ali G. Macabalang

By Ali G. Macabalang

OTABATO CITY – The interim Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous governance has joined the bandwagon of public condemnations of the recent kidnap-slay of a Muslim female online jewelry seller, and demanded maximum punishment for the suspects, includ- Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong. His written statement was ing five police elements in Nueva Ecija. backed up by Zia Alonto-Adi“I condemn in strongest ong, a member of the 80terms the kidnapping and seat Parliament, through a resolution assailing the incident, especially the involvement of police elements. Adiong’s resolution acknowledged PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar’s order for the swift summary dismissal from service of the five cops and the filing of criminal cases in the Department of Justice alongside Bangsamoro Parliament Member two civilian suspects named Zia Alonto-Adiong, as Dario Robarios and Franklin “Kelly” Macapagal. cold-blooded murder of… Ma- Like Speaker Balindong, ranao woman, Nadia Casar, Parliament Member Adiong by rogue members of the the “barbaric” acts by the Philippine National Police,” cop-suspects connoted “urgent need to institutionalize reforms in our security sectors, especially the PNP.” The five cop suspects – Staff Sgt. Benedict Matias, Staff Sgt. June Malillin, Corporal Julius Alcantara, Master Sgt. Rowen Martin, and Staff Sgt. Drextemir Esmundo – have reportedly been “under custody” or detained after Basilan lone representative Mujiv their arrests or surrenders. Hataman. Civilian suspect Macapagal allegedly contacted Casar to lawyer Pangalian Balindong, buy an item offered online. regional parliament speaker Casar hired a Grab driver, and erstwhile four-term mem- went to Nueva Ecija from ber of the House of Repre- Cavite and delivered to Masentatives, said Saturday. capagal in Nueva Ecija his Balindong, a Maranao like ordered stuff. While returnCasar, said the public outrage ing, Casar and the driver heightened amid the fact that were blocked by five men the “supposed servants and aboard a car and a motorprotectors” of “helpless” civil- cycle in Barangay Tagpos, ians burned the victim’s “body Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija at beyond recognition in an at- about 1:45 p.m. on July tempt to hide…the crime.” 20, investigations showed. lone represenBangsamoro Parliament Basilan Mujiv Hataman. Member Zia Alonto-Adiong, tative

Suspects took the Grab driver’s mobile phone and P4,500 cash and freed him the next day. The driver reported the incident to a nearby police station, where he recognized one of the outfit’s organizational chart photos as that of one of the cop-suspects, it was learned. On Aug. 1, the burnt remains of Cesar were recovered from a shallow pit in Sitio Pinagpala, Barangay Imelda Valley in Palayan City at around 2:30 p.m. Speaker Balindong said “the brazen acts of human rights violations perpetrated by scoundrels in uniform only serve to smear the good image and reputation of the PNP.” On Aug. 4, House Deputy Speaker and Basilan lone Rep. Mujiv Hataman berated the alleged role of cops in Casar’s kidnap-slay as “reprehensible” and an act of “savagery.” “Friends and relatives of Nadia Casar, including the whole Muslim community, are calling for justice. Hers was a life cut short because of the greed of people, people who are supposed to protect her in the first place,” Hataman said. Balindong said “the incident breeds enmity and distrust at a time when the Bangsamoro, as a people, is moving forward in our commitment for peace and cooperation.” Fellow Muslim traders in Nueva Ecija had staged street peace rallies, while religious, traditional and professional Moro sectors demanded “maximum punishments” for the suspects amid speculations that Casar could have also been raped before she was killed and her cadaver burned, placed in a sack and buried in a shallow pit. (PMT)

Your One-Stop RTWs Shop ADRESS: Consunji Street (front of Emcor), Poblacion, Iligan City 9200 PH. Tel: 63 228-3454

BARMM labor and employment minister Romeo Sema addresses Government Internship Program (GIP) beneficiaries on Aug. 6. (Supplied photo)

OTABATO CITY— At least 145 Government Internship Program (GIP) beneficiaries in Maguindanao have received two-month stipends from the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). MOLE Minister Romeo Sema led the releasing of P9,900 cash worth two months of stipends at P4,950 per month to the 145 beneficiaries in a symbolic ceremony here on Friday, August 6, the BARMM’s Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) said. GIP is a program of the MOLE under its Bureau of Employment Promotion and Welfare, aimed at giving opportunities to fresh college graduates to work in the government for three (3) months, the BIO said. Covered in Friday’s release were stipends for the months of June and July, even as the GIP beneficiaries are yet to complete their internship for August. Each monthly stipend is equivalent to 75% of the minimum wage, the BIO said. Minister Sema said the GIP is one of his ministry’s major programs to help unemployed college graduates in BARMM enhance their skills and talents. He said MOLE targets 1,900 beneficiary slots across the region for this year, 400 of which are set for graduates from Islamic institutions.

Sema urged the GIP beneficiaries to take advantage of their mobile phones while searching for permanent jobs. “There are other opportunities they can unearth (through their phones) while they are inside their homes, such as online selling. What we need now is to become creative while they are in search of greener jobs,” the BIO cited Sema as saying in Pilipino. Sema told GIP beneficiaries: “You have to be explorative. Don’t be discouraged. We will try our best in our ministry to help you under this program.” MOLE has also conducted continuing Labor Education and Career Coaching for GIP beneficiaries. Coaching ways included discussions on illegal recruitment and human trafficking, labor market information, stress management, and work ethics for productive workers, the BIO said. Aziza Guiamel, 30, a secondary education graduate from Cotabato State University, averred that under the training, she learned many things that will be of big help to improve her skills and knowledge, the BIO said. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Bangsamoro Government na binigyan ako ng opportunity na maging parte ng programa na ito. Sana sa future ay marami pa kayong matutulungan,” Guiamel was quoted as saying. Similar distribution of stipends will be done in the island provinces this month, the BIO said, not mentioning about the stance of Lanao del Sur. (AGM)

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

13 more BIFF combatants MAFAR builds solar dryer for yield, denounce violence – AFP SPMS box farmers By Ali G. Macabalang

By Ali G. Macabalang

BIFF SURRENDERERS: Above is a military-supplied photos showing the 13 surrendered BIFF members and their firearms on Aug. 6.

OTABATO CITY – Thirteen more combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have voluntarily surrendered to authorities and denounced affiliation with violent extremism they deemed affront to the teachings of Islam, according to Army officials. Lt. Col. Edwin Alburo, 40th Infantry Battalion based in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, received on Friday, Aug. 6 the returnees and their 13 assorted firearms in ceremonies attended also by local civilian officials, the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division (6ID) said in a statement. 6ID chief Maj. Gen. Juvyman Uy and Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, 601st Brigade commander, attributed the surrender of the 13 BIFF to the “relentless” military “surgical” operations alongside persuasions by civilian authorities in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. Friday’s surrender event came a week after another group of violent extremists in Maguindanao yielded, bringing to 96 the total number of BIFF combatants yielding since January of this year, the 6ID statement said. “We encourage other

members of the (BIFF) to…lay down their arms and accept the offer of the government,” Gen. Uy, concurrent head of the Joint Task Force Central, said referring to rehabilitative assistance offered by officials in Maguindanao and the Bangsamoro autonomous government. The latest returnees belonged to the BIFF faction of Imam Karialan operating in areas of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces, the 6ID statement said. The BIFF was founded by Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato in 2010 after he and his 300 loyal followers bolted their mother unit, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in 2008. Kato’s group was against the MILF’s decision to pursue peace talks with the government for meaningful autonomy in lieu of liberation. When Kato died of lingering illness on April 14, 2015, the BIFF vice-chairman for political affairs, Ismael Abubakar, alias “Imam Bongos”, took over leadership. Over time, Abubakar began to increasingly adopt the radical ISIS doctrine. This prompted Imam Karialan to split from the BIFF with

his followers and form a separate faction. Karialan’s faction was once quoted as stating: “We are not to be swayed by the ISIS ideology because we adhere to the cause of the Moro struggle and teachings of the Koran (Qur’an).” Hardline followers of Abubakar or “Kumander Bongos” and Imam Karialan formed another faction, electing Esmael Abdulmalik alias “Abu Toraife” as leader. Authorities tagged the “Toraife” group as the “most radical faction” of BIFF openly espousing ISIS ideology. Combatants of the “Toraife” faction attacked an MILF enclave on Oct. 4, 2019 at Sitio Tinulusan, Barangay Dasawao in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao. Seven MILF members were killed in the attack. In past statements, top MILF leaders now leading the Bagsamoro Autonomous government had admitted exerting efforts to persuade two of the three BIFF factions into giving a “meaningful autonomy” chance to take its course. The “Toraife” group was not included in the informal talks because of its “closed mind” for radicalism, they said. (AGM)

A MAFAR-supplied photo showing Agriculture Minister Mohammad Yacob and other officials breaking ground for the construction of a P5-million warehouse with solar drying facility on August 5 at Barangay Bialong in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) of the Bangsamoro region has started works for the construction of a warehouse with solar dryer in Maguindanao’s SPMS box, a government-coined communal area comprising parts of four towns reeling from havoc of poverty-triggered insurgency. MAFAR Minister Mohammad Yacob led the groundbreaking ceremony on August 5 at Barangay Bialong in Shariff Aguak and tasked workers of his ministry’s engineering division to administer the P5-million worth project sought by organized farmers as priority venture to enhance agricultural production, the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) said. “Their area is vast, which is why the ministry chose them as the beneficiary of the project. They are also centered inside the SPMS box where the

paddy field is extensive,” the BIO quoted Minister Yacob as saying in Pilipino. The official was referring to some 100 subsistence farmers belonging to the Salindab Farmers Marketing Cooperative cultivating areas believed cleared by government forces from threats of armed lawless elements in the SMPS Box. SPMS Box stands for adjacent areas in Shariff Aguak, Pagatin, Mamasapano, and Shariff Saydona towns which the military coined in years of clearing operations against armed outlaws including guerillas of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Reports said at least 128 BIFF guerillas have yielded to authorities following civil-military operations and rejoined the social mainstream being shaped by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-led interim administration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim

Mindanao (BARMM). Five surrendered BIFF combatants gained local limelight after they graduated from maiden training for 59 volunteers on calamity response and rescue operations jointly staged on July 7-August 2 by the BARMM’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidents (READi) unit and the military’s 6th Infantry Division. Farming villagers welcomed the justlaunched MAFAR project, saying the facility appeared “small with big cause” in the government campaign on pacifying and transforming insurgent elements to peaceful and productive life. In his ministry’s continuing information drive, Minister Yacob has encouraged residents, especially farmers to organize themselves into cooperatives and gain easy access to financial and technical assistance from his ministry and other line BARMM agencies. (PMT)

Jolo cop shoots dead Sulu provincial police chief By Ali G. Macabalang

An online-generated photo of slain Police Colonel Michael Bawayan Jr.

Sulu Provincial police director Colonel Michael Bawayan Jr. was shot and killed on Friday, Aug. 6 along a checkpoint in Jolo by an enlisted man named as Police Staff Sergeant Imran Jilah, 43, who was later slain, too. Col. Bawayan was inspecting a checkpoint outside Camp Jul-

asirim in Barangay Asturias, Jolo, and called out Jilah for his untidy hair at around 4:20p.m., field reports said. Reportedly slighted by the call, Jilah responded with bullets he fired at his superior. Bawayan’s security aides fired back and killed Jilah also, news accounts said.

“The crime scene is just two blocks away from the house of Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan,” the Rapples news said. Bawayan and Jilah were rushed to the Integrated Provincial Health Office in Sulu but were pronounced dead on arrival. It was not the first time the officer

had called out the suspect, a report attributed to the Jolo police said. PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar has reportedly ordered Bangsamoro Regional Police Director Eden Ugale to create a task force for the investigation of the incident. Col. Bawayan, a na-

tive of Baguio City, was among the police officers who had faced charges after the killing of four Army intelligence agents in what the military said was a case of murder but which the police deemed “misencounter,” a separate report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer said. (PMT)

Opinion/News

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

Philippine Muslim Today Inc.

Is police brutality a case seldom committed? But can’t it be stopped to gain the trust of our people?

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

CARTOON

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 PROF. JAHARA A. SOLAIMAN 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:

NCR SATELLITE OFFICE:

Cor. Mercury & Pluto Streets, Rabago Subd., Villa Verde, Iligan City, 9200 Phone: 0915 2184388 | 063 2290965 Email: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com Https://philmuslim.today

9052 Viscarra Compound, Molino 3, Bacoor City 4102 Cavite Province PHONE: +639778430218 | +639353138549 Email: managingeditor@philmuslim.today

ctto

Justice for Nadia Casar, Justice for the Moro People

n another blow to the precarious relations between the Bangsamoro and the Philippine mainstream, another untoward incident in the form of a grisly slaying of a Moro lady online seller by no less than suspects who happen to be the enforcers has left the nation’s Muslims shocked and outraged, as well as generating a debate on the safety of the Bangsamoro people, particularly women, outside of Morolandia. But one question sticks out like a sore thumb: will justice be served, or will the incident go down as another statistic in the long list of iniquities done to Muslims in the country? it is true that the Muslims in the country have been deemed Editorial While lucky enough to be allowed opportunities and privileges as citizens of the Philippines, it cannot be denied that even in these times, discrimination and the occasional atrocities from the mainstream still exist and are experienced by Muslims, especially when they are in distant shores far from their homelands in search of livelihood and sustenance, which they could honestly not get had they stayed put in their place of origin. What then, could possibly lessen, if not eliminate these unfortunate events? Perhaps it is now the collective responsibility of Moro leaders in the BARMM to sincerely move and dedicatedly fight for justice, for the unfortunate victim and her aggrieved relatives,and this would ne a victory for all Muslims in the Philippines experiencing prejudice and injustice all over the country. Should such a move become successful, this would set a valuable precedent that would teach both the Bangsamoro and the Philippine mainstream an important lesson in justice and maintaining good relations with every citizen of the land. But till then, while the suspects have been apprehended one by one, genuine redress for the harm done given in due course is still a big question. (PMT)

Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

MSU palliative alumni awarding system

fficials, constituents and alumni of the Mindanao State University (MSU) system will celebrate on Sept. 1, this year its 60th founding anniversary with various activities. One of the commemorative highlights is a maiden program meant to award some of several thousands of alumni of the premiere university now scattered in different parts of the country and even abroad, according to Violy Hunt, an alumna serving the MSU system. Hunt’s information, which elated me at first over a month ago, came as a reaction to my past online post encouraging the MSU leadership to replicate the University of the Philippines’ decades-old annual event of awarding UP alumni known for exemplary feats in their chosen callings, notably in public and private entities outside their Alma Mater. Among the UP alumni awardees was Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, now a member of the Bangsamoro parliament who received his award in pompous rites when he was Public Works and Highways secretary of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). I felt dismayed to learn last week from an online chat with Ms. Hunt that the MSU’s

maiden awarding program would be covering alumni who have served the 60-year old university administration for at least 40 years. “Why only those Punchline serving the university administration are to be awarded?” I asked Ms. Hunt. She did not reply. I bluntly told her that many aspiring MSU alumni have opted to serve in ALI G. MACABALANG public and private institutions because the university administration, especially the Marawi main campus’ rank and file personnel organization has for years been brimming with non-alumni individuals, some of them with questionable academic credentials. MSU was established on Sept. 1, 1961 through RA 1387, authored by the late Senator Domocao Alonto as one of the government’s answers to the so-called “Mindanao Problem.” The MSU original mission focused on instruction, research, and extension that led to the branching out of the system with eight autonomous campuses in Mindanao. MACABALANG | A11

Opinion

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

PANDEMIC – Misinformation, Disinformation, Lack of Information and Incompetence (2) As a brilliant force of evil –you have to give it to Xi Jinping! In the Philippines, we have our own force of evil and incompetence headed by President Duterte and his government minus the brilliance of Xi. Both incompetence and evil did not show at the beginning of Duterte’s term. As a matter of fact, President Duterte showed a lot of promise upon assumption of office – his painting of dreams of eliminating illegal drugs and graft and corruption in six months, amending or revising the Constitution, installing a parliamentary and federal system, organizing a revolutionary govern-

ment to have vital changes, having an independent foreign policy and bettering the lives of Filipinos. All promises failed and the paintings are not of oils but plasters of clay that totally vanished when the storms came. So you cannot expect from President Duterte an effective handing of the pandemic. He is a failed and incompetent President – a perfect example of what Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said, “A Man who assumes the presidency and does not know how to be President in his first day of office will never learn till the end of his term.” That’s why in his

Diliman Way

HOMOBONO A. ADAZA pandemic team, he has surrounded himself with an incompetent Secretary of Health and an incompetent IATF. As they say, birds of a feather flock together. Coming from Mindanao as President Duterte and I am a native Mindanaoan, all I can say with a lot of dismay - What a waste! (HAA)

WHY THE BARMM MUST SUCCEED? - 2 ARMM TO BARMM Subsequent laws enacted by Congress unified the two autonomous regions into the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Upon the signing of the Final Peace Agreement (FPA) between the Philippine Government and the MNLF, facilitated by the OIC, during the Ramos Administration, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari was annointed as Regional Governor, replacing Lininding Pangandaman, with Jimmy Matalam as his Regional Vice Governor vice Atty. Nabil Tan. After the term of Nur Misuari which ended with sour note, Dr. Parouk Hussin succeeded him as Regional Governor with Dr. Mahid Mutilan of Marawi City, as his Regional Vice Governor. The two MNLF leaders above that became Regional Governor was judged by some as failure in achieving its mandates. Some people call the ARMM as a 'recipe for failure' or 'a failed experiment.' They were succeeded by Zaldy Ampatuan as Regional Governor and Hooky Adiong as Regional Vice Governor. The former was among those later indicted in the infamous Maguindanao Massacre and is until now serving his prison term, while An-

saruddin "Hooky" Adiong is a Representative of the 1st District of Lanao del Sur. Finally, they were succeeded as Regional Governor by Mujiv Hataman,the annointee of President Noy Aquino and Rashid Alonto Lucman as his Regional Vice Governor. The former, despite his being young and has never been a local executive, managed to govern effectively and uses the resources of the autonomous region efficiently to deter extremism and to impact positively on the population of the region. Despite it was labeled by President Aquino as a "failed experiment," Regional Governor Hataman managed to steer the governance of the region by tapping some of the best and brightest to become part of his transformation team. This only shows, while a good law is important, but more important is a good leader to govern is what matters most in running government. With the transformation and abolition of the ARMM to BARMM by virtue of R.A. 11054: The Bangsamoro Organic Law, after the successful plebiscite in the 5 Provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Basilan and Lamitan City, Sulu and TawiTawi, plus Cotabato

Southern Frontier

GERRY SALAPUDDIN City opted to be part of the BARMM and 68 barangays from North Cotabato, BARMM is born out of the shadow of the ARMM, under the MILFled government. We owed it to ourselves to make the BARMM succeeds and blooms to full fruition so that we can immortalize the sacrifices and long struggle for selfdetermjnation of our forefathers and that of our people, to benefit everyone in our national homeland under the banner of freedom and Islam. In order to succeed, the MILF leadership must employ the best and the brightest of our people to make the long dream of our people a reality, living in peace, prosperity and security. We cannot afford to fail again, because if we do, our people will curse our leaders and they'll never trust us again. For us to fail is only to validate the notion and misconception of imperial Manila, that the Muslim Bangsamoro are not good leaders, corrupt and opportunistic. The only way to refute their wrong claim is to succeed!

Shout out DOH if vaccines are safe or unsafe!

hen the Vaccines arrived in Manila a few months ago many were excited to know its efficacy as well as to learn if it is safe or unsafe. However when there are reports of casualties like deaths many had put the blame on the vaccine. But the pro vaccines have defended the reasons for the deaths that should not be blamed on the vaccines since it could be due to the fact the patient himself has a comorbidity. Then several persons including some who introduced themselves as medical doctors have came out with several information that downgraded the efficacy of vaccines. This is what I am waiting for the Department of Health (DOH) to act on the proliferation of these information that are quite disturbing which one is a legit information or a fake news. Hence, I am glad in particular that the DOH is now condemning even health professionals who according to them have been spreading false information regarding life-saving interventions such as COVID-19 vaccines. The DOH in particular mentioned a certain health professional by the name of Dr. Romeo Quijano who was found to be circulating video saying that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe. Dr. Quijano who is reportedly from the University of the Philippines -Manila Toxicology and Pharmacology Department divulged in a radio interview at Station DZRH there are researches and studies conducted that the vaccines are more dangerous than the COVID-19 virus itself. However, according to Dr. Quijano there are influential groups who are hiding about the adverse effects of vaccines and the actual numbers of persons who died due to the vaccines. In an interview with DZRH’s Dos Por Dos hosted by Anthony Taberna and Jerry Baja, Dr. Quijano emphasized he

will not subject himself to a vaccination because in his researches and study made the Vaccines are far more dangerous than the Coronavirus itself. Taberna was surprised and let Quijano repeat the statement since he might have misheard it and according to the radio host announcer the revelation of UPManila doctor is very alarming considering the fact that he was vaccinated too already. Dr. Quijano opposed also the use of vaccines on children or teenagers. He said it is okay for him as a Senior Citizen considering he is in the twilight of his age, but he said the future generation might condemn us if these young children will die as a result of these vaccines. Hence, teenagers should not be vaccinated at this time, according to Quijano since it would be a sad thing if they are vaccinated and will meet their untimely demise. The UP-Manila doctor and at the same time a professor said that a private research group does not reveal the actual figure and try to divulge only around 10 percent of the actual figures. Dr. Quijano advised those people who have decided not to submit themselves for vaccination to strengthen their body system instead by taking regularly turmeric, Saluyot vegetables, Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), Vitamin C, at Ivermectin drugs. On the other hand, the DOH countered that there is a growing number of real-world evidence globally which have consistently shown that COVID-19 vaccines have led to significant reductions in hospitalizations and deaths among vaccinated individuals. Moreover, despite increases in COVID-19 cases in these countries, the same rate of increase is not seen in hospitalizations and deaths. The DOH also called the media outlets as irresponsible to allow such professionals to

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL use their Media Platforms to spread baseless information that stand to harm Filipinos, especially those who are in the process of deciding to get vaccinated. Post Script: Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family of Edison Lim who transferred his residence upon retirement from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to Mercedes, Zamboanga City. Edison was my former high school classmate at the Notre Dame of Jolo Boy’s Department (NDJBD Class 1972). Reliable information confirmed that he succumbed to death a few days after he was vaccinated. Then back here in Manila my cousins a husband and wife also succumbed to death due to COVID-19 virus. However, it is not confirmed if they got vaccinated although another close relative has made a confirmation that their 24years old daughter got vaccinated. I am referring to my 2nd degree cousin Hadja Embrayda Ishmael-Tapsirul who died some two weeks ago. Then on Wednesday night, August 11, 2021 her husband Engr. Nelson Tapsirul, my 3rd cousin died at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City due to COVID19. Both of husband and wife were brought one after the other to their final resting place side by side as if they follow the saying “Till Death Do Us Part.” They were entered in a Muslim Cemetery in Himlayan Liwanag ng Kapayapaan built by Muslim Balik Islam Actor Robin “Abdul Aziz” Padilla in Norzagaray, Bulacan. Yes For your Comments/Suggestions please send an email to: julmunir1845@gmail. com

NEWS

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

American couple perished in GenSan fire Sunday dawn By Ali G. Macabalang

KILLED IN FIRE: A published photo of the American couple killed in a fire on Sunday dawn in General Santos City.

OTABATO CITY– Fire of still unknown origin struck a housing village in General Santos City on Sunday dawn and left two American missionaries dead, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported. Senior Fire Officer 1 Filamer Acub, arson investigator of the city BFP station, named the fatalities as Jonathan and

Roberta Steffy, both in their late 50s and American missionaries. He said the victims were reportedly sleeping when the fire broke out past 4 a.m. and eventually got trapped inside a house in Queenies Love Subdivision, Barangay City Heights in General Santos City. BFP investigation was still ongoing to de-

termine the origin of the fire and assess the extent of damages, Acub said in a Philippine News Agency report. Acub said they immediately responded to the scene after receiving the fire call and managed to extinguish it around 5:05 a.m. The remains of the victims, who were church planters and missionaries of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI), were later found inside the gutted bungalow. Residents in the neighborhood, one of them Romeo Tagpuno, told reporters they were awakened by noise from the couple’s house and noticed something burning inside. Some of them took turns in calling out the fire station and tried to help put out the fire but could not en-

ter the gate as it was locked, Acub said. The couple had been staying in the Philippines since 1990 as church planting missionaries under BBFI and served for some time in Vietnam as well, it was learned. Online data said Jonathan grew up in the Philippines as a missionary kid while Roberta was from northern Indiana. The couple, blessed with two adult children, had served in Iloilo City as part of their seventh missionary journey that started in 2012 and was involved in relief works on disasters like the Super Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013. (AGM) (Attached are KILLED IN FIRE: A published photo of the American couple killed in a fire on Sunday dawn in General Santos City.)

Lacson-BARMM leaders meet on BTA extension urged C

OTABATO CITY – Senator Panfilo Lacson and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials should meet and iron out issues about the call for the extension of the regional entity’s interim operations, according to Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri. During plenary session on Aug. 4, Senator Zubiri asked the Senate to invite Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sheriff Abas or his commissioners on Aug. 23 for them to shed light on conflicting views about the call postponed the 2022 BARMM parliament polls as required in the extension move under Senate Bill 2214. “From there (Comelec presentation), we can move on,” Zubiri told the Senate leadership through its secretariat. At the Aug. 4 plenary session, Sen. Francis Tolentino, SB 2214 author, tried to continue his sponsorship testimony on scheduled interpellation by Sen. Lac-

By Ali G. Macabalang

Senator Migz Zubiri.

Senator Francis Tolentino. son, but acceded later to Zubiri’s proposal. Zubiri and Lacson said the latter was supposed to have a meeting with BARMM officials, but the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila for Aug. 6-20 prevented the convergence. “I strongly urge and appeal to the BARMM officials to set a meet-

ing with Senator Lacson as soon as the lockdown is over,” said Zubiri, the main author of R.A. 11054, which created BARMM. Among the regional officials highly expected to meet Lacson is BARMM spokesman Naguib Sinarimbo, a lawyer who had reportedly assisted Zubiri in the fine tuning of the edict, also known as

the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Sinarimbo earlier told The Philippine Muslim Today news that SB 2214 was likely to gain swift passage in the Senate because majority members were supportive with just about three quite opposed. Sinarimbo would not name names, but observers said the three lawmakers perceived to be opposing the bill were Senators Imee Marcos, Franklin Drilon and Lacson. At the Aug. 4 session, however, Lacson manifested that he was “not trying to delay” the deliberation of the bill, hinting at ensuring the need for refined legislative measures passed by Congress. Sen. Tolentino, for his part, manifested that by Aug. 23, the Comelec will have only 39 days to prepare for the 2022 synchronized elections through processes including crafting and printing of ballots. Amid snowballing calls for deferment of LACSON | A11

30 farmers graduate from DAR’s Farm Business School By Phil Muslims

SULAN, Sultan Kudarat — Thirty farmer-members of the Saranay Farmers’ Association of Malingon in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, graduated from the Farm Business School (FBS) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) during a ceremony recently held here. DAR-Sultan Kudarat Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer May Jane Aguilar said the FBS aims to develop agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to become agricultural entrepreneurs. “We want to make their farms profitable and make them understand the ins and outs of business so that they can respond to market challenges,” Aguilar said. Aguilar added that building up the capabilities of agrarian cooperatives in handling and marketing their farm products is among the priorities of the DAR. “The knowledge and skills we gained from this program will surely serve as our steppingstone to transform the land awarded to us into a fruitful, progressive and sustainable farm that will benefit our families and the future generation,” said FBS graduate Glenda Abubo. DAR support services division chief Rhea Marie Betque said the FBS

program is a unique educational system designed to help farmers learn and improve their knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship and farm business management. She said 19 females and 11 males graduated from the 25-session program which started last April 6 and lasted until July of this year. “The school trained them on various entrepreneurial skills and advance farming practices so they can properly manage their produce as they go out in the market,” Betque said. FBS coordinator Mary Joy Labanero said the student-farmers underwent a curriculum including assessing their current farm situation, devising a farm business plan and how to translate that plan into action, making their farms profitable, by managing their own farm business. “The participants gave clear visions and goals on what their farm should be and thought of ways to make those plans into a reality,” said Labanero. DAR, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, initiated the FBS which also teaches farmers essential matters on bookkeeping, cash flows, market surveys, selling and costing and proper packaging of their products.(PR)

Armed group leader, followers, surrender in Maguindanao By Mark Navales

OTABATO CITY — A leader of a notorious private armed group surrendered on Tuesday along with his followers to authorities in Maguindanao as the central government steps up its crackdown on criminals operating in the region. Tamano Kamaong Mamalapat, a former commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), was presented along with his four colleagues to Maj. General Albert Ignatius Ferro, National Director of Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG),duringhisvisittoDatuSaudiAmpatuan. Mamalapat alias Datu Tammy, 49, was in the Director Intelligence watch list. Mayor Bai Leah Sangki (center right) turned over on Tuesday afternoon seven loose firearms collected from unauthorized gun-holders in their area during the visit of Maj. General Albert Ignatius Ferro (center left), National Director of Philippine National PoArmed Group | A11

NEWS

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

All 5 cop-suspects in N. Ecija kidnap-slay arrested; NCMF leads call for justice

MSU-GSC partners with BFAR, Malaysian university By Ali G. Macabalang

By Ali G. Macabalang

Online-generated photos of the signing of agreements by the MSU-GSC leadership with the BFAR-12 and the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in physical and virtual ceremonies on Aug. 6.

NCMF officials meeting with Nueva Ecija provincial police director Col. Jaime Santos.

Images of slain Nadia Casar, SOCO operatives inspecting her charred remains, arrested Sgt. Benedict Matias, Sgt. Rowen Martin surrendering his pistol to officers. One arrested civilian suspect Dario Robarios not in photos.

ll five cops suspected in the kidnap-slay in Nueva Ecija of female Meranaw online seller have been arrested, even as the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) rallied surging demand for swift justice in the incident. Latest media reports said Senior Master Sgt. Rowen Martin, 41, of San Leonardo town police station, surrendered on Thursday, Aug. 5 in the wake of stern order by PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar for a manhunt of all cop-suspects, their summary dismissal and prosecution

leading to conviction. Images of slain Nadia Casar, SOCO operatives inspecting her charred remains, arrested Sgt. Benedict Matias, Sgt. Rowen Martin surrendering his pistol to officers. One arrested civilian suspect Dario Robarios not in photos. This developed as NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan dispatched his Northern Luzon-based team to Nueva Ecija also on Tuesday get updates on punitive sanctions against the five suspected cops and two civilians over the kidnap-slay of Nadia

Casar, 35, a Muslim online seller, Commission spokesman Jun Alonto-Datu Ramos said. Cabanatuan City Police Chief Lt. Col. Julius Caezar Manucdoc, briefed the NCMF team on their investigation status including the surrender of Sgt. Martin in the company of lawyer Sheila Gatchalian, it was learned. Bringing two relatives of slain Casar from Cavite, the NCMF team led by Regional Director Raihanah Macarimpas, a lawyer, and Administrative Services Director Abdullah Macarimpas

also met Nueva Ecija Provincial Director Police Col. Jaime Santos, Datu Ramos said. Sgt. Martin and four other cops – Staff Sgt. Benedict Matias Reyes of Sta. Rosa Municipal police station, Staff Sgt. June Malillin, of the Palayan City police Station; Cpl. Julius Alcantara, of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office’s Drug Enforcement Unit, and Staff Sgt. Drextemir Esmundo of the Cabiao Municipal Police Station – were identified as suspects in the brutal incident by a witness. The witness also identified two civilian suspects – Dario Robarios, who was earlier arrested, and Franklin Macapagal, who had reportedly contacted Caras in the guise of buying an online offered item. Some media reports said all five cop suspects have been placed “under custody” pending their dismissal proceedings and prosecution before the Department of Justice as ordered by Gen. Eleazar. The PNP chief had earlier vowed to personally see to it that the five cops will be dismissed from service and prosecuted. But a Philippine News Agency report said Thursday that Ma5 cops | A11

EN. SANTOS CITY – The Mindanao State University satellite campus here has formally linked up with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and a Malaysian university in separate rites that boosted its campaign for expanded collaboration with local and foreign institutions. Dr. Anshari P. Ali, chancellor of the campus known as MSU-GSC, inked agreements with BFAR Region 12 Director Elfeo Piloton and Dr. Ahmad Fauzi, vice chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), in physical and virtual ceremonies, respectively, on Aug. 6, according to Philippine Muslim Today news sources. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MSU-GSC and UTM will enhance “research collaboration and promotion of academics in the areas of social sciences and other disciplines offered at the two institutions,” the MOU signatories said. “(It) will promote the following areas of cooperation: student exchanges; exchange of information and publication; joint research activities and teaching programs; joint seminars and conferences; and other related fields as mutually agreed in the future,” the signatory officials said. On the other hand, the MSU-GSC’s memorandum of agreement (MoA) with BFAR-12 prescribed the rehabilitation of the host school’s hatchery of the Laboratory and Research Station of the College of Fisheries at Suguil, Bawing here with corresponding award of P1.3 Million for the purpose, Dr. Ali said. The project will “greatly contribute towards developing a SMART laboratory to improve ongoing fisheries research of the university,” said the signing ceremony. MSU-GSC Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Usman D. Aragasi, in his welcome address, emphasized the essence of support from the BFAR, through its regional 12 office, in terms of “fortifying the university’s fisheries research and encouraging students to take courses in fisheries.” The MSU-GSC’s hatchery laboratory and research station has for years been producing various marine products like prawns that are being supplied to local markets, with the sale proceeds supplementing the university’s maintenance and operational expenditures, audit units officials said. For his part, BFAR-XII Director Piloton acknowledged the need for the rehabilitation of the fisheries station facilities of the university campus, and assured a continuance of long-standing support by his predecessors in the bureau. “This is not the last support we will give you,” he stated. “BFAR cannot stand alone, that’s why we need the help and support of MSU,” Piloton was quoted as saying. “He also accentuated the need to upscale research and development capabilities that will help improve the quality of life of the members of society,” a campus website post said. Campus intensified collaborative linkages in both local and international circles have leaped upon the investiture of Dr. Ali as campus chancellor on April 28, 2019, with his creation of the Office of International Affairs (OIA), old-timer MSU-GSC workers said. The OIA, now led by Dr. Anderson Avila, has globalized the MSU-GSC campus operations and built linkages with counterpart universities in the Asian, Western and European regions, they said. (AGM)

NEWS

Lanao Sur Inter-Agency Task Force holds Emergency Meeting

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

Basilan schools receive nutrient foods from BARMM By Ali G. Macabalang

By Rocaya Sumndad Otical

IPHO chief Dr. Alinader Minalang co-presides over a meeting of the province’ IATF to discuss stringent enforcement of strengthened COVID-19 Protocols anchored to ‘Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Reintegrate’ (PDITR) strategies, among others.

ARAWI CITY — Lanao del Sur Provincial Inter-agency Task Force convened this morning for updates on the COVID-19 situation, Vaccination Operations and Hospital COVID-19 Bed Utilization, Integrated Provincial Health office (IPHO) here said. In a statement in social media outlets, IPHO said the Task Force is discusses stringent enforcement of strengthened COVID-19 Protocols anchored to Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Reintegrate (PDITR) strategies considering quarantine control classification in the presence of the Delta Variant threat; and, issues on how to address fraudulent vaccination cards, apprehension of the elements behind it and strengthening its security features. “Hospital preparedness to possible surge of Delta Variant cases and surge capacity management of our hospital and isolation facilities are also tackled,” it said. The province does not have any recorded Delta Variant cases as of posting but specimens of suspect cases are sent to RITM for genome sequencing. IPHO said, “Surveillance teams are on their toughest guards and contact tracing efforts are aggressive as Hospital Critical Care Bed Utilization threshold shows alarming increase to 66%.” The meeting is presided virtually by the PIATF Chairman Gov. Mamintal Bombit Adiong, co-presided by Deputy Chairman PHO Dr. Allen Minalang and was attended by the members of IATF including Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra, City Health Officer Dr. Ali Dalidig, and Amai Pakpak Medical Center Chief Dr. Shalimar S. Rakiin. (PMT)

Region-wide photo tilt to showcase Bangsamoro hidden treasure

By Julmunir I. Jannaral

OTABATO CITY — To showcase the pristine gems and tourist spots of the Bangsamoro homeland through the “art of photography”, the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tour-

ism (MTIT) kicked off Tuesday, Aug. 10, its region-wide photo contest dubbed “Bangsamoro: Revealing its Hidden Treasure”. The photo competition, which is spear-

NUTRIENT FOODS: Basilan students receive nutrients foods from the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education. (BIO photo)

OTABATO CITY – tribution rites covered The Bangsamoro 13,607 kilos of food items government’s Ministry including 11,107 kilos of of Basic, Higher, and anchovy and 2, 500 kilos Technical Education of mungo beans, the BIO (MBHTE) on Wednes- said, citing data from the day, Aug. 4 turned over office of MBHTE Minis13,607 kilos of food ter Mohagher Iqbal. items to Basilan aca- Another set of 62,100 demic districts in pursuit kilos of iron fortified rice of its school-based feed- is also set to be deliving program (SBFP) for ered in the island provschool year 2021-2022. ince in the following MBHTE Minis- weeks, added the BIO, ter Mohagher Iqbal. the media bureau of the Autono(File photo) Bangsamoro The MBHTE was sup- mous Region in Muslim posed to distribute hot Mindanao (BARMM). meals through the feed- According to Surayfa ing program, but the pre- Saddalan, nutritionist divailing pandemic deters etitian of MBHTE’s Health the plan. Instead, it opt- and Nutrition Unit, the ed to distribute to 10,000 SBFP is pursuant to R.A. elementary students in No. 11037 or the “Masusthe island province upon tansyang Pagkain para sa their enrollment, the Batang Pilipino Act.” Bangsamoro Informa- “The law stipulated tion Office (BIO) said. serving fortified meals to Wednesday’s dis- address the prevalence

headed by the Ministry’s Bureau of Tourism, will run from Aug. 10 until around 5PM on Sept. 20, 2021, and it is open for all interested participants across the Bangsamoro region. The priority areas of the theme of the photo contest are as follows: community-based economic sites and activities, social enterprise, gastronomies, eco-tourism and adventure tourism, sun, beach, diving and marine sports tourism, cultural, religious, historical parks and landmarks, meeting, incentive, conference, and events. MTIT Minister Abuamri Taddik encouraged

everyone, especially the youth, to be part of the contest and feature the culture and historical events of the Moros, and highlight the tourist attractions in the region through photogr a p h y. “ L e t us support this endeavor para maipakita natin [ang BARMM] hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong Mundo dahil ang

of malnutrition to school children. Thus, the Ministry allocated funds duly approved by the Bangsamoro Parliament to support the program covering 160,000 learners across the BARMM region,” Saddalan was quoted as saying. For his part, teacherin-Charge Rasid Khan Julkitli of Sibago Elementary School in the far-flung Sibago Island said their travel distance would not be a problem in ensuring that the ration will reach every learner in the school. “We are grateful to the BARMM government for prioritizing the feeding program. Rest assured that the distribution to beneficiary students will be done faithfully,” Julkitli was quoted as assuring MBHTE mahaga dito ang promotion [sa ating turismo],” Taddik said. In his video mes-

workers in Pilipino. Similar distribution processes will be done in the other component provinces Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the office Minister Iqbal said. In earlier statements, Minister Iqbal had emphasized the need for upgrading of physical and mental health among primary and elementary school populations in BARMM. “Physically and mentally-fit students easily absorb classroom teachings. This is a goal we want to achieve to make the Bangasamoro region at par in education development with other regions of the country,” Iqbal once said. (PMT)

country [and the world] would get to see the region’s rich tourism, trade, and industry assets. “It’s also prim and proper that this initiative comes from us, the locals, of this beautiful region as well. Because at the end of the day, there can be no better ambassadors of this region than those who live in it as well,” Ebrahim said. According to John Lomboy, Bureau of Tourism OIC Director, all entries of the participants must be strictly “geotagged photographs” (to indicate sage, BARMM Chief Min- their location) and with ister Ahod B. Ebrahim at least 300 PPI (pixels hopes that the rest of the Region | A11

Tourism

By JOHNNY R. LEE Ph.D.

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

The Badjao: At the Edge of Utter Desolation

AYAM MASAK MERAH (CHICKEN IN SPICY TOMATO SAUCE) BANGSAMORO HALAL DISH

he Badjao, also formally known as Sama Dilaut, is a highly recognizable ethnic group because of their unique culture, their way of life as ‘nomads’ of the sea and their physical appearance of having bronze colored hair and dark brown skin which clearly distinct them from other tribes. They are mostly fishermen and hunters on the bounties of the sea. A very gentle people and considered as the most peaceful tribal group in the Sulu Archipelago, the Badjaos can also be found in Malaysia, Indonesia and other Southeast Asians coun-

tries including northern Australia. In recent times, the Badjaos are seen roaming the streets of major cities of the country forced by circumstances like the protracted war in Southern Mindanao during the 80’s. The dwindling stocks of fish and fishery products, which has been their major source of their livelihood, are becoming scarce due to the entries of a huge number of modern-equipped fishing boats coming from Manila, Cebu and Zamboanga City. Staying in said urban areas are harsher because of the high cost of living which often turns them into ‘street beggars’ or

With Maria Fhebie Ortil

mendicants and even worse become slave workers to local underground syndicates that end up as drug peddlers and prostitutes for their young women.

sidered as citizens of this country? As a citizen they are also entitled to all rights and privileges that everyone is enjoying. And yet a Badjao is always last in

What has the Philippine government done to improve their lot since they are also con-

terms of priorities and the services accorded to its citizens. A clear example is the ‘doling

out’ of 4P’s in which only a few percentage of Badjaos received what they deserved. The ‘ayudas’ given-out during this time of pandemic seldom reached their food table. More often, the Badjaos and their communities are only used as ‘props’ for ‘photos-ops’ by unscrupulous political leaders and frontliner agencies to showcase and justify their socalled services for the poor and the destitutes. Time and again, the Badjaos have always been relegated to a second class citizen in their own country and domain. To sum it all, the Badjaos are among the most obscure, misunderstood and marginalized among Filipino ethno-linguistic groups. (To be continued on the next issue…)

An elderly Badjao woman, daughter and granddaughter using a banca for “begging” from passers-by. (JRL)

he Bangsamoro Halal Cuisine is now in Volume 2, Number 9 Issue of the Philippine Muslim Today. For this issue, I am going to feature a Malaysian Halal Cuisine known as “Ayam Masak Merah” or Chicken in Spicy Tomato Sauce. Ayam Masak Merah has unique flavours, the taste is beautiful and unforgettable although it shares some basic similar spices (cinnamon, cloves, star anise and chillies) to Chicken Curry. It is distinctively different, be it in the texture of the chicken or the tantalizing flavours in the sauce. INGREDIENTS 2 x 0.9-1kg chicken, cut into 8 pieces/chicken 20 dried chillies, soaked 2 red onion 5 cloves garlic 40 g (2 oz.) ginger 25 g (1 oz.) galangal, lengkuas 5 lemongrass 2-3 star anise 4 cloves 3 inch cinnamon 3 cardamom 1 can tomato soup 1 can (400 ml/13 oz.) coconut milk salt to taste vegetable oil for deep frying plus ¼ cup extra 1 cup peas, optional INSTRUCTIONS Preparing Chicken. Rub chicken with turmeric and salt. Set aside for 30 minutes. Heat up the oil in a wok and deep fry the chicken pieces until golden in colour. Set aside. Roughly chopped red onion, ginger, galangal and lemongrass, then transfer to a blender or food processors. Add in chillies and garlic. Process into a paste. Heat up the wok with ½ cup of oil. Sauté the spices : Cinnamon, star anise, cloves and cardamom until fragrant. Then add in the blended paste. Bring the heat up until the paste bubble then lower the heat. Simmer till the paste is thoroughly cooked, fragrant and the oil separates from the paste (pecah minyak). Add in canned tomato soup, coconut milk and chicken pieces. Bring up the heat for a quick boil, then lower to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickened. Add peas and season with salt to taste. Garnish with some spring onion before serving. (MFO)

news

A10

Misamis Oriental land offer for Islamic cemetery affirmed

MSU-GenSan readies opening of college of medicine By Ali G. Macabalang

OCULAR ASSESSMENT: Supplied photos show inspection of the MSU-College of Medicine building and facilities, and of the COM building perspective published in December 2020. AGM GEN. SANTOS CITY – The Mindanao State University (MSU) system satellite campus is bracing up to open its own College of Medicine this academic year, pending full completion of construction works for the corresponding P162.9-million`weeks. Officials of the university campus here, known as MSU-GSC, said a Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 12 (CHED-RO XII) has completed its initial assessment of the campus’ College of Medicine (COM) last May 25. The RQAT, led by Auditor-Physician Bonifacio E. Valdez alongside Annabelle R. Dafielmoto, Education Supervisor II, conducted an ocular inspection of the COM’s building, library, laboratories, equipment, and facilities, officials told the Philippine Muslim Today news. Dr. Anshari P. Ali, MSU-GSC chancellor, said regional assessment was a prelude to the intent of his administration’s stride to start accepting enrollees of medical studies this school year. His internal audit unit chief, Lorraine Sarigala, was more optimistic that their campus can accommodate enrollees for this current semester. Chancellor Ali, in a chat with the PMT, corroborated the optimism, citing also a positive signal from the MSU system leadership, notably University president Habib W. Macaayong and the Board of Regents (BoR). The BoR is chaired by CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III. The prospected COM opening will flesh out a 44-year dream among constituents in Central Mindanao (Region XII), including this city, for an institution where their children can study medicine to become physicians, Sarigala said. Upon installation as campus chancellor on April 28, 2019, Dr. Ali committed in his investiture speech to establish a College of Medicine alongside strides to link up his campus with national agencies and international institutions, upgrade organizational operations, and expand their academic activities. MSU-GenSan presently maintains colleges of law, agriculture, business administration and accountancy, education, engineering, fisheries, natural sciences and mathematics, social sciences and humanities, and a graduate school alongside a senior high school study. In the first quarter of his chancellorship, Dr. Ali proposed to the university BOR the creation of the COM even as an “extension” unit of the Marawi City-based main campus’ medical college. But the proposal drew objection from higher MSU officials purportedly undermining the satellite campus capability, inside sources said. “Due to Chancellor Ali’s persistence, the MSU system leadership approved the proposal but with a challenge for the MSU-GenSan campus to administer the proposed college independently,” a subordinate official disclosed. Dr. Ali said he accepted the challenge, but adMSU-GENSAN| A11

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

AAWAN, Misamis Oriental – Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano confirmed on Wednesday, Aug. 11 his administration agreed to donate five-hectare land for use as Islamic cemetery with a cultural hall to ease burden among his Muslim constituents in burying their dead decently and promptly. In an exclusive interview, Gov. Emano said his office would incorporate in the provincial budget for next year the fund for the purchase of the land, the fencing of the area and with a mosque to be built therein. A posterity photo of Gov. Bambi Emano with this writer in the same town on Aug. 11. (AGM) “Hopefully, by first quarter of next year, we will be able to start fencing the area (and building of) a mosque where to pray for the dead,” he told The Philippine Muslim Today news. He did not mention the specific area, but his staff said it will be located at Barangay Poblacion here where Christian, Muslim and indigenous tribal sectors have been coexisting peacefully for centuries. This progressive town is on the border of Misamis Oriental with Iligan City and Lanao del Norte. Naawan officials led by Mayor Jaime Roa received here Gov. Emano, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chair Manny Piñol and Development Bank of the Philippines president Emmanuel Herbosa for the ground-breaking of the P180-million multi-purpose center covering also a modern municipal hall Wednesday noon. Visitors and journalists saw the ceremony kicked off with ecumenical prayer representing Muslim and Higaonon tribal sectors, and Christian religious denominations. During the interview, three-term Gov. Emano proudly revealed that his family has a Muslim descent – something that confirms historical narratives that Misamis Oriental used to be among Mindanao areas with predominant Muslim and lumad natives prior to

By Ali G. Macabalang

An online-generated photos showing NCMF field officials inspecting the prospected land in Naawan town, Misamis Oriental for use as Islamic cemetery on Aug. 2.

A posterity photo of Gov. Bambi Emano with this writer in the same town on Aug. 11. (AGM)

the coming of Spaniards and succeeding foreign conquests. “We would like to share with you that we, too, have a Muslim blood with the Samporna. That was what my father told me. And we were taught when young that we might be a Muslim especially (as) lumad. We should all be respected. We have Mindanao and the only Mindanao we have. We have to help each other,” he said. The governor, more known as Bambi, is son of the late Vicente Emano, who had reigned as governor and mayor of Cagayan de Oro City for three full terms in both capacities. He recalled that for decades, his Muslim constituents have been facing difficulty in transporting their dead to Marawi Marawi City or Lanao del Sur for burial and in subsequent memorial visits. The odds are compounded in the advent of the Coronavirus

pandemic when highway checkpoints impose community quarantine protocols, he hinted. “It’s only just right that our Muslim brothers and sisters (should be spared from such difficulty). We have to establish a place where they can bury their dead and later visit at their convenience,” Emano said. “We will do that. We will do that,” the highly-admired Emano assured at the end of the brief interview. Earlier, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan, through NCMF spokesman Jun Alonto-Datu Ramos announced that their field officials in Region 10 met with Gov. Emano and staff on Aug. 5, and agreed on the provincial government’s donation of land for an Islamic cemetery with a cultural hall. Emano’s offer to donate land for Muslim cemetery with built-in mosque was the latest in a string of successes gained by NCMF central and field offices in elic-

iting land donations for construction of Islamic cemeteries in Luzon, Viasayas and Mindanao including urban centers. Last June, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Damagoso and national Muslim officials opened an international standard Islamic cemetery with a cultural hall cum mosque on a 2,400-aquare meter lot at San Andres District worth P49.3-million from the city government’s coffer. Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu attended the grand ceremony, even as he earlier filed a bill seeking a mandate for all LGUs across the country to donate lands for use as Islamic cemeteries in pursuit of the government campaign for “genuine” national unity. The university system now covers MSU-Main in Marawi City, MSU-IIT in Iligan City, MSU-TCTO in Tawi-Tawi, MSU-Naawan in Misamis Oriental, MSU-Maguindanao, CEMETERY| A11

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

A11

JANNARAL | from page A8

MACABALANG | from page A7

Region-wide photo tilt to showcase Bangsamoro hidden treasure

All 5 cop-suspects in N. Ecija kidnap-slay arrested; NCMF leads call for justice

per inch) resolution. Further, the photos must be taken within the BARMM area only, and are original, personally taken, or legally owned by the participants. Participants can submit no more than five (5) entries, provided, however, that the photographs to be submitted shall be in one (1) registration form per entry. The submission shall be on the MTIT’s official Facebook page (https://www.facebook. com/barmmmtit). Participants can also seek assistance from the provincial offices of MTIT internet connection is not available in the area. Three judging criteria

include relevance to the theme (40%), composition and creativity (30%), and the overall impact on the viewers (30%). Each province of BARMM (Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi) including Cotabato City and Special Geographic Area (SGA) will have its own winners, respectively. The winners will receive Php15,000.00 for the 1st prize, Php10,000.00 for the 2nd prize, Php5,000.00 for the 3rd prize, and an additional Php3,000.00 for the consolation prize allotted for five (5) participants from each province. (JIJ)

NAVALES | from page A6

Armed group leader, followers, surrender in Maguindanao lice-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, with PCol Tom Tuzon, regional chief of CIDG-BAR (left side), PDEG officer (2nd left), PD officer (2nd right) and LGU official in Ampatuan Municipality, Province of Maguindanao. Mark Navales Mamalapat and his companions, Butokan Latip Dodi, Adan Dibalaten, Mamalapat, Toto Bela Bugado, and Abidin Sabang Guimat, also surrendered assorted high-powered firearms that include an M16 Armalite Rifle, one M-79, two M1 Garand rifle and one homemade 50 Caliber barrett. The group was formerly utilized by late Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom as his private army. During Ferro’s visit to the town, seven weapons returned by locals were also handed over by Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Edris Sindatok in a ceremonial turn-over. “I am fully committed to supporting the disbandment of private armed groups so that we will achieve peace and development,” Sindatok said. “The program’s aim is to recover loose firearms deliberately to pave the way for a peaceful and honest upcoming election and also to encourage other private army groups’ members and lawless elements to return into the fold of law to live peacefully in the community together with their respective families,” Ferro said. In the afternoon of Tuesday also, Mayor Bai Leah Sangki turned over 7 loose firearms collected from unauthorized gun holders in their area during the visit of

Maj. General Albert Ignatius Ferro in Ampatuan Municipality, Province of Maguindanao. CIDG RFU BAR in receiving seven (7) firearms described as follows; two (2) units of Elisco M16A1 assault rifle with defaced serial number, three (3) units of Caliber 30M1 Garand Rifle One (1) unit improvised long firearm no serial number and one (1) unit of Homemade Shotgun without serial number. 155 PRIVATE ARMED GROUPS OPERATE NATIONWIDE Nationwide, around 155 private armed groups operate of which nearly half are highly active. The government identifies them as organized groups hired by politicians to intimidate or sow violence against opponents. These guns-forhire exist because of long-running gun culture in the Philippines, coupled with the presence of feuding clans in tribal areas as well as rival political dynasties trying to outdo each other. The Philippine Constitution stipulates that private armies and other groups not recognized by a duly constituted authority shall be dismantled. The group’s surrender was made possible thru the joint efforts of CIDG RFU BAR, PIU Maguindanao, TOG 12, Field Station- Eastern Mindanao 300 Air Intelligence Security Wing, PDEG and Datu Saudi Ampatuan MPS, and local officials in relation to the CIDG Flagship Project OPLAN PAGLALANSAG OMEGA and OPLAN SALIKOP. (Mark Navales)

capagal and Sgt. Esmundo remained at large. Authorities said Casar and a Grab driver she hired were kidnapped by armed men at around 1:45 p.m. on July 20 in Barangay Tagpos, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija. The Grab driver was robbed of his cellular phone and P4,500 cash, and released by their captors the next day. SOCO operatives discovered the burnt body of Casar from a shallow grave at Sitio Pinagpa-

la in Barangay Imelda Valley, Palayan City at around 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 1, reports said. Amid viral condemnations in social media channels, Gen. Eleazar promptly ordered a manhunt, summary dismissal prosecution, and filing of criminal cases against the five cops, saying the suspects deserved to “rot in jail.” Some netizens including veteran journalists demanded the stiffest punishments

against the seven suspects, including death penalty if possible. Datu Ramos said Secretary Pangarungan and other NCMF officials have assured to closely coordinate with the chief PNP and field police officials and ensure dispensation of justice on Caras, whom some supporters believed to have been raped before killed, burned and buried. The NCMF team, which included Atty. Nor-ainah Daragangan,

Cultural Division Chief Monadatu Datumanong, staff Sheik Acmad Pundogar, Ali Jefferson Beronio and Saad Muripaga, lauded the cordial reception of field police officials during its visit, Datu Ramos said. It also acknowledged the assistance of Nueva Ecija Muslim Association Officers led by Pres. Latiph Malambut, and other concerned supporters from Pampanga, and other areas of North Luzon, he said. (AGM)

MACABALANG | from page A10

Misamis Oriental land offer for Islamic cemetery affirmed MSU-General Santos, MSU-SuluinJolo,andMSU Buug in Zambo Sibugay. I know the evolution of the MSU not only as alumnus but as one of seven siblings reared in the Marawi campus since 1961 by our father, Macabalang Ganda-Alonto, a seasoned defense and law enforcement person chosen by the late senator, his cousin, as pioneer member of the campus security service system.

The first two administrations of the MSU system led by Dr. Antonio Isidro and Dr. Mauyag Tamano as presidents had given priority employment to alumni in the university bureaucracy. The third administration led by late former Lanao del Sur Governor Sultan Ali Dimaporo, who was perceived as President Marcos’ top political ally in Mindanao, saw the start of the influx into

the university offices of non-alumni such as relatives and followers. In recent years, highly qualified alumni have found themselves bumped off in employment and promotion processes by non-alumni individuals handpicked by ruling officials. In such a flimsy trend, the essence of inspiring MSU alumni to strive for exemplary professional practice is lost.

And this is particularly true to alumni who have been successful in their respective professions outside the MSU circle and excluded in the upcoming maiden university awarding program. The trend is double injury. Alumni are bumped off from the university system’s recruitment process and now not entitled to recognition by the Alma Mater. (AGM)

Macabalang | from page A6

Lacson-BARMM leaders meet on BTA extension urged the 2022 first BARMM parliament poll to extend the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) lifespan to 2025, Senators Koko Pimentel and Dick Gordon filed two similar bills, which have been harmonized into the substitute bill of Tolentino. Several quarters have urged President Duterte to certify

the bill urgently. But his spokesman Harry Roque announced on June 24 that the President opted for “neutral” stand due to two factors: The disagreement among BARMM officials and some local elected leaders; and the contrasting views of Justice Sec. Menardo Guevarra and Presidential Chief Le-

gal Counsel Salvador Panelo on the question of a plebiscite. In the House of Representatives, the four counterpart bills were being harmonized by the Technical Working Group of the joint Committees on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, Muslim Affairs and Peace, Reconciliation & Uni-

ty, Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said in a post on Aug. 4. Mangudadatu remained optimistic that the 18th Congress will be able to approve a harmonized measure before the filing of certificates of candidacy on Oct. 1-5 for the 2022 polls. (AGM)

Macabalang | from page A10

MSU-GenSan readies opening of college of medicine mitted having a mental “burden” as to sourcing out funds to construct the proposed College of Medicine building and in sustaining its operations. Fortunately, he said, his administration’s lobbies had gained the attention of key elected officials in Central Mindanao, notably those of Gen. Santos City government and Rep. Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles. Rep. Bañas-Nograles filed a bill seeking to

open an “independent” College of Medicine at the MSU-GenSan campus here, and providing appropriate funds for the purpose. The lady lawmaker alongside city elected officials and other key personalities broke the ground for the construction of the COM building last last Feb. 5. MSU System President Macaayong, to his amazement, even attended the event, it was learned. Construction works

worth P162-million for a four-level building have since reached substantial completion under Phase 1, Sarigala said. Of the project cost, the Ali administration allotted P46-million out of savings as counterpart, with the remaining P117-million being committed by the national government, it was learned. Sarigala said Chancellor Ali was “so eager” about the opening of COM classes

that he had earlier assigned some rooms in the College of Law building for medical study classes. Elected officials in Central Mindanao are reportedly equally eager about the COM opening, because the region lacks a medical center. The Cotabato Regional Medical Center is located in Cotabato City, which is now part of the infant Bangsamoro autonomous region. AGM

news

A12

Vol. II, No. 09 | August 13-19, 2021 (Muharram 4-10, 1443)

Piñol vows continuity in Taraka solar-powered irrigation system, other MinDA projects By Ali G. Macabalang

CEREMONIAL RIBBON CUTTING. MinDA Sec. Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol, Taraka mayor Nashiba Gandamra-Sumagayan and other officials lead the inauguration of a solar-powered irrigation systems project in Taraka, Lanao del Sur on Aug. 10. (Supplied photo) The SPIS project covers six units of irrigation systems, two of which were commissioned or opened l a s t T u e s day to water at least 700 hectares of farm l a n d s and ena b l e farmers to plant rice to a maximum of three times a year. It comes with supplies of hybrid seeds known for optimum harvest volumes. The six SPIS sys-

tems are built in barangays Salvador, Mangayao, Bukalan, Moriatao-a-lokes-a-da-

tu, Malungen, and Lumasa, all farming villages here seen by visitors and journalists in dormant stages. Sec. Piñol and DBP president Emmanuel Her-

bosa took turns in assuring continued assistance to help Taraka regain stable mass rice production that can evolve i n t o proper product packaging into halal rice saleable across Lanao del Sur, in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and elsewhere in the country. “The entire process, if successful, can make Taraka the ‘first Muslim

town’ to produce packed high quality halal rice in the country,” Piñol said, adding that organic inputs and fertilizers to be used in rice farming are free of elements or chemicals that may be haram. Thousands of residents would have witnessed the August 10 event here if not of the social movement-restraining Coronavirus pandemic protocols. But dozens of residents and local elected officials were seen shedding “tears of joy” in different rites. Taraka town Mayor Nashiba Gandamra-Sumagayan was seen teary eyed for the nth time, three times on Aug. 10. “I can’t help but rejoice inside me with tears… we see initial success in our dream to revive massive rice production and bring our town greater heights,” told The Philippine Muslim Today news in mixed Pilipino and Maranao dialect. Before the repressive Marcos Martial Law era, this town was one of over 20 towns making Lanao del Sur the rice granary in central and northern Mindanao. But abusive soldiers forced Maranao farmers to flee to urban cities like Metro Manila where many of them turned traders. Some of the abandoned lands were reportedly grabbed. Asked to comment on “anti-Muslim” tag imputed on Piñol for his role in the abrogated inking of the government’s pact on ancestral domain with the Moro Liberation Front in 2008 due to lack of prior coordination, Mayor Sumagayan said: “As far as we are concerned, that (accusation) was unfair.” Sec. Piñol would not risk himself going to conservative Muslim areas like Lanao del Sur if he is guilty of conscience, the lady mayor hinted. In separate interviews, a female resident and an elderly farmer said they saw in Piñol “the big heart” for Muslims who are striving for greater heights in decent life. The lady mayor recalled how they came to know Sec. Piñol, starting with the participation of Taraka delegation, she and her husband-Vice Mayor Odin Sumagayan led, in the launch of MinDA’s SPIS and waterworks system program on Dec. 6, 2019 in Davao City. She said Sec. Piñol promptly accepted her team’s request to avail of the program, making them the first LGU in the country to volunteer for a self-help-promoting venture. On January 14, 2020, Piñol and his team

cruised at least 500 kilometers from Davao City towards here to check the viability of modern irrigation and farming methods under the SPIS and water works program, and conduct orientation. Town residents were longing to revive massive rice production with systematic irrigation methods and at the same time transform the Taraka River into a source of potable drinking water. Both clamors could be squarely addressed by the MinDA Water Program, Piñol recalled. In March of same year, the MinDA used a minibus and brought from here the Sumagayans and their subordinates for ocular tour of the small-scale module of solar-powered irrigation system in M’lang, North Cotabato and other farms in nearby provinces. Technical people in the Taraka LGU were later assisted by MinDA experts in crafting the feasibility project, which the DBP granted with a P218-million loan for six units of solar-powered irrigation system and one water supply system unit in this town, published reports said. On January 21 this year, Sec. Piñol and DPB president Herbosa alongside their parties launched the construction of the SPIS and waterworks systems here, during which the lady mayor was seen shedding “tears of joy”

nitaries included DBP Director Jeanie Sandoval and field officials, PhilRice Director Sailila Abdula, BARMM Agriculture Deputy Minister Amal Solaiman, and dozens others from different agencies. An elderly resident drank from the outpouring water with obvious confidence for drinking river liquid in his lifetime. But Sec. Piñol that the Solar-Powered Water System with a Filtration Facility for drinking water is expected to be completed by November this year. Tuesday’s (Aug. 10’s) event here showcased a higher degree of actualization, with Mayor Sumagayan shedding tears twice, and the partnering MinDA and DPP officials turning more enthusiastic. In a separate event in Naawan, Misamis Oriental the next day, Pinol and Herbosa reiterated assurance for continuity in all projects they jointly initiated, especially the SPIS and waterworks filtration projects. “I will not leave projects hanging. We will continue until reaching the successful stages,” Sec. Piñol said as Misamis Oriental Governor Bambi Emano and other local officials kept encouraging to run for Senator. Agriculture development advocates in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao organized a social media movement titled “Sec. Pi-

for

nol for Senator” with over 70,000 members so far. Piñol said he felt “flattered” by the clamor, adding he would beg off in favor of continued stay in executive office “to make difference” in the litany of many palliative government projects and programs.

the first time. Last Aug. 10, roughly six months after the launch, the same people with more regional and national officials converged here to inaugurate two of the six SPIS units, witnessing the waters unleashed from big pipes powered by giant solar panels built nearby. The additional dig-

(AGM)