AID

AID --- Grocery items for the internally displaced persons in the Marawi City Crisis have been repacked by employees of the 9^th Regional Legislative Assembly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanaoas part of their scheduled relief operation on the beleaguered city. The relief goods were donated by the RLA members.(VIVIAN GRACE MIGULLAS - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ASSISTANCE

ASSISTANCE --- The local government of Sultan Sa Barongisled by Mayor RamdatuAngas (2^nd from right) distributes rice assistance (5 kilos each pack) to 500 families affected by the recent flooding in PoblacionBarurao. Mayor Angas is also joined by Ligang mga Barangay president and PoblacionBaruraobarangay captain JuneeAngas.(ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Donations for Marawi crisis IDPs pour in

COTABATO CITY ---While the number of evacuees continues to rise due to the on-going law enforcement operations in Marawi City, donations from various individuals and organizations are pouring in to help ease the plight of those displaced by the hostilities. 

These relief efforts include young men and women in this city that hosts the regional offices of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Amino Sahabuddin, 20, has initiated a donation drive with his classmates and urged his professors to do the same, adding that people in Marawi and Lanao del Sur need humanitarian help, noting even small donations will make a difference.

“We cannot help them all, but at least we could help some. Kahit ‘yung isang araw na maitawid mo ang gutom ng (isang evacuee) ay malaking bagay na,” Sahabuddin said. \

He collects small amounts of money and gathers food packs and used clothing. These donations are delivered to the operation center of the ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency and Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART) here.

Myrna Jo Henry, ARMM-HEART information officer, said most of the donations come from private individuals, small organizations, and government offices from all over Mindanao and the rest of the country. These donations are distributed by the ARMM-HEART to internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are staying either in homes of relatives or in designated evacuation centers.

The center generally receive food such as rice, canned goods, noodles, dried fish, coffee, sugar, milk powder, biscuits, juice powder, bottled water, eggs, and fruits. Non-food items are also donated such as hygiene kits, used clothing, diapers, baby clothing, praying materials and mats, toys, and other items such as trapal, mats, malong, medicines, cadaver bags, and jerry cans.

ARMM's employees have also been active in raising donations since the crisis started in the third week of March. Employees of the region’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently delivered various items, including dried goods, used clothes, as well as cash donations that could support at least 25 families.

“The ARMM departments are committed to giving aid to the families displaced by the Marawi crisis,” Albashir Saiden, DENR-ARMM executive assistant, said.

Although many donations are pouring in, Henry underscored that the relief goods needed most by the IDPs are bottled water, halal food, hygiene kits, kumot (bedding), kulambo (mosquito net), banig (mat), and products babies need.

The ARMM-HEART has distributed some 20,000 bottled water and almost 10,000 relief packs to evacuees in Iligan City during the early days of the crisis. So far, some 26,082 families, or 130,410 individuals, have been provided with food and non-food items. As of 5 p.m. last June 4, evacuees totaled 47,116 families comprising of 235,580 individuals.

“Hangga’t may IDPs, patuloy and pagbibigay natin ng relief goods,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said.

While the regional government continues to call for donations, it has also earmarked P100 million in relief assistance to families adversely affected by the crisis. (Bureau of Public Information - ARMM/ MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

HYGIENE CONSCIOUSNESS

HYGIENE CONSCIOUSNESS ---Young evacuees at the Purakan Elementary School in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur, show the hygiene kits given to them last May 31by DepEd-ARMM's health and nutrition unit. The unit also conducted free medical check-up to the evacuees. (OMAR MANGORSI/BPI-ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

High powered firearms seized

CAMP SIONGCO,  Maguindanao--- Assorted high powered firearms were seized during the conduct of law enforcement support operation of the combined troops of the 5th Special Forces Battalion, 19th Infantry Battalion, 6th Military Intelligence Battalion, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at Barangay Dimapatoy inDatu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao in the morning of June 6.

The government forces responded to a report of the presence of ISIS-inspired local terrorist group in Dimapatoy area that resulted to the arrest of a certain Kamarudin Butocan Raguiab.

The apprehension led to the recovery high powered firearms ---one barret sniper rifle, one pal jet, one rocket propelled grenade, two M16 rifles, one M16 rifle attached with M203, one M653 with scope, one AK47, one M2 carbine, two shot guns, onecaliber 45 pistol, four improvised explosive devices, and one rifle grenade.

“The successful operation was a result of the focused and intensified military operation against the local terror groups in Central Mindanao following President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao last May 23,” said 603rd  Brigade commander Col. Jesus Sarsagat.

6^th Infantry Division Chief Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega commended the troops involved in the successful conduct of operation as he urged them to continue their efforts against terrorism. (6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, PA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Basic commodity prices in ARMM remain steady

COTABATO CITY ---Prices of prime commodities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) remain stable, the region’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said last June 5. 

 

“Hindi totoo ang kumakalat na balita na umabot na sa limang libongpiso ang presyo ng isang sakongbigas.  Stable ang presyo ng bilihin,” said DTI-ARMM Secretary Anwar Malang as he clarified issues on the alleged increases in prices of goods in Lanaodel Sur.
 

“We are reminding our retailers to comply with the set price ceiling,” he said.

A price freeze of commodities was automatically enforced in Mindanao after President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial Law for 60 days on May 23 following clashes between the government troops and terror groups in Marawi City.
 

Under Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act, price freeze on basic necessities shall be automatically implemented in areas under a state of calamity.
 

The measure covers basic goods including canned sardines, processed milk, bottled water, locally manufactured instant noodles, coffee, detergent soap, bread, candles, salt, rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh pork, fresh beef, fresh poultry meat, fresh and dried fish and other marine products, fresh egg, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, root crops, and sugar.
 

Malang said his office is conducting weekly price monitoring not only in Lanaodel Sur but in other provinces of the ARMM as well. “We are intensifying the monitoring to check if business establishments are complying with the price freeze order.”

Because of the recent crisis in Marawi City, the department has organized and deployed two special price monitoring teams in Lanaodel Sur, he said. The monitoring covers the municipalities of Buadipuso Buntong, Ditsaan-Ramain, Poona Bayabao, Tamparan, Malabang, Ganassi, Marantao, and WatuBalindong.

Reports from the field, Malang said, indicated price increases of only up to 10 percent in the municipalities of Marantao and Ditsaan-Ramain. “The minimal increases in prices (of basic goods) in those areas (Marantao and Ditsaan-Ramain) are justifiable on account of transportation costs incurred in the hauling of goods from suppliers in Iligan City,” he said.
 

Supply of basic commodities in Lanao del Sur comes from the cities of Iligan in Lanao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental, and Pagadian in Zamboanga del Sur. Penalties for those who violate the price freeze include a fine ranging from P5,000 to P1,000,000 and/or imprisonment from one to 10 years.
 

Price control of basic necessities remains while Martial Law is in effect. Billboards on the price ceiling of basic goods, price freeze advisories, and other relevant information will be posted all over the region through the DTI-ARMM’s provincial offices. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM /MINDANAO EXPOSE’) 

ARMM Gov. M. Hataman's statement on local terror groups' desecration of St. Mary's Cathedral in Marawi

A disturbing video has been posted online recently. In the video, alleged members of the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf are seen burning parts of St. Mary's Cathedral in Marawi City, destroying images of Jesus Christ and Mary, and desecrating our Catholic brothers and sisters' place of worship.

This is inhumane and unacceptable -- their acts mirror that of the Khawarij and their belief betrays those of our faith. These terrorists are nothing but hypocrites who undermine the true essence of Islam.

They are un-Islamic.

The acts of the Maute Group, the Abu Sayyaf, and their ilk show that they are unfortunate reincarnations of the Khawarij -- they who recite the Quran but the words do not pass beyond their throats, and who leave the religion as an arrow leaves its target and do not return as the arrow does not return to its bow.

They are the worst of the creation.

They are immature and reckless, quoting the Qu'ran and Hadith in perverse ways that fit their equally perverse cause. These infidels who represent the Khawarij of our time must be condemned and shunned away from the Muslim ummah, for they are unworthy of the promises of Allah and the pleasures of jannah (paradise).

The Prophet himself (peace be upon him) did not come to deprive those who did not follow him. Instead, he upheld their dignity and honor, and reminded us to treat others fairly regardless of faith, status, or ancestry. When the Christians of Narjan arrived in Medina during the time of the Prophet, they were not shunned away nor were they humiliated. Instead, they were allowed to pray in the mosques where Muslims also prayed. They were given a place to stay near the home of the prophet, and Muslims themselves helped the Christians pitch their tent.

Covenants of the Prophet with Christians from various places show kindness and compassion towards Christians, offering them protection and aid. The Prophet forbids desecration of churches, much more destroying them. Instead, he said that his horsemen and armies will protect Christians, as well as their churches and other places Christians deem sacred.

It is our responsibility as Muslims to denounce the actions of the members of the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf, and all other local groups whose actions are a disservice to Islam -- a faith that promotes compassion, kindness, and peace.

Let us not allow these terrorists to hijack  and destroy Islam. We cannot and must not tolerate them, and we must make sure that they are brought to justice.  (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’) 

Cotabato City zero crime rate since Martial Law

THANKSGIVING --- City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi threw a thanksgiving party last June 8 at the People’s Palace on occasion of her 49^th birthday.  At inset is the lady mayor delivering her message during a night celebration of her birthday at South Seas Convention Hall. She expressed gratitude to all those who became part of her journey, assuring fellow Cotabateños that the city government is doing everything to maintain peace and order amid threats to security. "It should be a collaborative effort. Kailangan ng pagtutulungan ng bawa’tisa." (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- This city government continues to strengthen security amid threats and as support measure to Martial Law in Mindanao.

In a thanksgiving celebration program of the city government for Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi on her birthday last June 8, the mayor happily announced that the city has recorded a “zero crime rate” since the implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao.

“Authorities have been patrolling the streets at night.The city government, the police, and the Army-led Joint Task Force Kutawato have also been enforcing a “no ID, no entry” policy on outsiders coming in. The city government also imposed a curfew from 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. since the start of the Marawi City crisis,” Guiani-Sayadi said.

The mayor became emotional when she said it was the first time that the late mayor “Jojo” Guianiwasn’t around to join her special day.

“Even without his presence, I know he will be in our hearts forever. We are now starting to fulfil all our plans and programs for the benefit of our fellow Cotabateños. Businesses are coming in and we are having good economy,” she said.

Further, Guiani-Sayadi lauded the efforts of the City PNP and the Joint Task Force Kutawato for continuously protecting the populace.

“I also take special mention to our barangay captains who have been supportive in our campaign to guard the city from any form of threats. They ensure that at the barangay level, no intruders will be able to penetrate and disturb the residents,” she added.

Recently, residents and travellershave been expecting tightened checkpoints along the city's entry and exit points.

Last June 7, authorities arrested a suspected member of the Ansar Al-Khilafa, which,accordingly,has links with the Maute terror group and the Abu Sayyaf.

Abdul Rafi Esmael was initially apprehended for violating the city’s evening curfew but eventually confessed to have been recruited by the Ansar Al-Khilafa more than two years ago. The Ansar Al-Khilafa was founded by Maguindanaoan Mohammad JaafarMaguid three years ago.

Last June 8, authorities here arrested an alleged recruiter for two jihadist groups claiming allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Nasser Dilangalen, 57, a construction foreman in the City Engineering Office, was immediately detained at a local police facility.

Dilangalen was arrested by combined personnel of the Regional Police Office-12, the military-led Joint Task Force Kutawato, the Cotabato City Police Office, and the Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion.

Reports indicated that the Maute group and a faction of the Abu Sayyaf, led by IsnilonHapilon, are now together with the DawlahIslamiya Philippines (DIP), founded by siblings Omar and Abdullah Maute.

Guiani-Sayadi said it has come to their attention of a text message regarding the presence of Mautegroup leaders in Cotabato City, circulating and spreading fear among those who have received it.

“I am telling you to please calm yourselves as our authorities are not letting their guards down. We are still on high alert and I am requesting everyone to stay vigilant,” the mayor said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA– MINDANAO EXPOSE’)