Mamasapano mayor: “Nothing to fear…”

STRENGTHENED CAMPAIGN --- Barangay Officials reiterate their commitment in the local government’s fight against terrorism and illegal drugs during the LGU summit last July 17 held at the Mamasapano municipal gymnasium. Mayor Tahirodin Benzar Ampatuan (2^nd row, 3^rd from right) has solicited earlier the support of the barangay leaders to win the battle against threats to security. (ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao --- This municipal government is determined to ensure peace and order within the locality with the conduct of LGU Summit against Terrorism and Illegal Drugs last July 17 held at Mamasapano municipal gymnasium.

In the midst of Martial Law in Mindanao, Mayor Tahirodin Benzar A. Ampatuan assured his constituents that they have nothing to fear.

“As long as you know you are a law abiding citizen and has done nothing illegal, you have nothing to worry,” he said.

In his message, 601^st Brigade Commander Col. Diosdado C. Carreon  reiterated that checkpoints are in place all over Mindanao to further ensure peace and order.

“I appeal to everyone to please bear with us and in whatever circumstance. Should you see any unusual activity within your communities, please report it to proper authorities. This is the only way we could ensure the safety of everyone,” he said.

Provincial Director Engr. Amina T. Dalandag of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Maguindanao discussed the Role of LGU in Ensuring Peaceful and Secured Communities.

Understanding 2017 Martial Law AFP Peaceful and Security Measures was tackled by 40th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Edgar L. Catu.

The Mechanisms and Strategies in Protecting LGUs (Municipal and Barangay) against Terrorism and Illegal Drugs Activities was discussed by Col. Jibin Bongcayao of the Maguindanao Provincial Police Office.

In addition, Assistant Regional Director Jet Carriño of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) presented the Policies, Parameters and Approaches in Sustaining Drug-Free Communities/Drug-Free Barangays, while Procedures and Process in the Conduct of Investigation against Terrorists Groups was presented Superintendent James Allan I. Logan of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-ARMM.

ISLAM as a Region of Peace-Loving People was delivered by Shiek H. Abe HurairaLogioman

Commitment of Support were also given by various sectors: non-government organizations, barangay officials, Armed Forces of the Philippines, religious groups, Mamasapano PN, Sangguniang Bayan, DILG-MLGOO, civil society organizations, Municipal Health Office, academe, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Masa Masid CF, and Department of Education - District Office. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA– MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Several villages flooded

FLOOD PROBLEM --- Residents of RS Buan Street at Barangay Poblacion 1 in Cotabato City soak in flood waters following recent heavy rainfalls which submerged   24 barangays in the city. These youngsters though have to be away from the almost waist-deep flood or run the risk of water-borne diseases. (PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIE BHERT A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- Around 18,684 families in this city have been affected by flooding due to the recent heavy and continued downpours resulting from the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, the rainy season, and overflowing of the river system.

The number of affected families was gathered from the Office of Social Welfare and Development Services (OSWDS) as of July 22.

Halima Satol-Ibrahim, city information officer, said the OSWDS has deployed its staff to the 24 barangays in the city that went submerged in water to distribute food packs, including essential non-food items, and further validate the situation of the affected households.

“Barangays Poblacion 7 and 9 are the ones mostly affected with 2,022 and 1,321 households flooded, respectively,” said Satol-Ibrahim.

Other barangays affected by the flooding are Barangay Poblacion Mother with 1,374 families, Poblacion 1 (2,105), Poblacion 2 (883),Poblacion 3 (383),andPoblacion 8 (1,045).

Rosary Heights 2 with 20 families, Rosary Heights 3 (567), Rosary Heights 5 (310), Rosary Heights 6 (90), Rosary Heights 7 (690), Rosary Heights 8 (566 families), and Rosary Heights 9 (530);

Tamontaka Mother with 1,232 families, Tamontaka 1 (741) Tamontaka 2 (510), Tamontaka 3 (527),Tamontaka 4 (750 families), and Tamontaka 5 (315);

Bagua Mother with 412 families,Bagua 2 (1,168), and Bagua 3 (547).

In Kalanganan 1, families numbering 576 are also affected by the flooding.

Earlier, dozens of families have also evacuated to higher areas and to the identified evacuation centers in their barangay,most of them from the riverbanks and other low-lying areas in the city.

City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia J. Guiani-Sayadi said during a meeting with the barangay chairpersons and other concerned departments of the city government that they have identified several items that must be distributed to the victims as soon as possible.

“These include food packs, ointment for itching, medicines for common colds and cough, portalets, tarpaulins, and lumber to build temporary shelters,” said Mayor Guiani-Sayadi.

Accordingly, 10 schools are flooded,causing the suspension of classes in some areas, among these the Diocolano Elementary School, DatuKalantunganSema Elementary School, MB Mohammadali Elementary School, Pagalamatan Elementary School, UsmanBaunga Elementary School, Muamad Elementary School, J. Marquez Elementary School, J. Marquez National High School, and Datu Siang Elementary School.

For the Notre Dame Village National High School, shifting of classes will be implemented instead of a total suspension.

Further, the City Schools Division of Cotabato City will also be introducing the Education in Emergency program of the Department of Education that is especially created for crisis situations. In this program, the teachers will gather all students in one area, regardless of their levels, and hold special classes altogether. These classes, though, are not like the regular ones but are already modified only to fill in the number of days required by the department.

Meanwhile, City Social Welfare Officer Cheribin Viloria said the city government has already distributed relief packs and tarpaulins to several barangays but is set to augment these to cater to the other home-based victims.

“We have already made contact with our partners in the private sector for them to accommodate our emergency requests for rice and other food items,” Viloria said.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said the city government aims for zero casualty in this crisis situation“which is why all the barangays officials are directed to continuously monitor their areas and assist in the evacuation of the victims.”

“We also gave warning to those living along riverbanks to follow forced evacuation orders for their own safety.We will be implementing forced evacuations giving priority to our senior citizens, children, and pregnant women who are living along riverbanks,” said the mayor.

Cotabato City is considered the catch basin of Central Mindanao. Every time the areas in the upstream experience heavy rainfall, all the water go down to the Rio Grande de Mindanao, causing it to overflow. Aside from water, other silt materials and water hyacinth fill the river, hampering the normal flow of water. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH CITY GOVERNMENT OF COTABATO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM sets Marawi recovery

ILIGAN CITY ---The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has established “Internal Task Force Bangon Marawi” to ensure proper coordination and implementation of programs and projects in Marawi City after the current crisis is over.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, through Memorandum Order 444 that he signed on July 5, created the task force following Administrative Order (AO) 3 of President Rodrigo Duterte creating the Task Force Bangon Marawi for recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other localities in Lanao del Sur.

“It is clearly noted in AO 3 that the ARMM will assist the national task force in getting data, so Governor Hataman immediately formed an internal task force for proper coordination and implementation of all the projects and programs in Marawi City,” ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia said.

The ARMM’s Internal Task Force is chaired by regional government’s executive secretary and co-chaired by the executive director of the Regional Planning and Development Office.

Different line agencies in the region are clustered into four sub-committees, which will focus on housing and reconstruction; education, health, and social welfare; business and livelihood; and peace and order.

Members of the internal task force comprise heads of the following regional agencies and offices:Department of Public Works and Highway; Department of Education; Department of Health; Department of Social Welfare and Development; Department of the Interior and Local Government;Department of Transportation and Communication; Department of Science and Technology; Department of Trade and Industry; Department of Environment and Natural Resources;Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; Department of Agrarian Reform; Department of Labor and Employment; Regional Housing and Rural Development Authority; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority;

Regional Human Rights Commission; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; Commission on Higher Education; Cooperative Development Authority; Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board; ARMM Humanitarian Emergency and Action Response Team; Regional Darul Ifta; Bureau of Madaris Education; Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs; Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women; Bureau on Cultural Heritage; and  Regional Reconciliation and Unification Commission.

The internal task force will facilitate the immediate repair, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of public schools, national roads, bridges, buildings, temporary or permanent shelter, and restoration of water, electricity and other utilities. It is also responsible for taking measures to provide education, sanitation and health facilities, medical supplies, food, potable water, and other basic necessities.

Governor Hataman ordered the internal task force to oversee the implementation of an active campaign for the immediate revival of businesses and livelihood projects in Marawi City. It is also accountable for the restoration and maintenance of peace and order and the continuity of public services in the city.

Atty. Alamia said the internal task force will submit consolidated reports and damage assessments to the national task force.

She also said the ARMM government is continuously working and coordinating with the provincial government of Lanao del Sur on local issues and concerns.

“The ARMM's Internal Task Force will work with its counterpart at the national and local levels,” she added.

She also announced that the ARMM government will be purchasing a property either in the town of Saguiaran in Lanao del Sur, or in Marawi City, to be utilized as a public cemetery.

A continuing validation and cleansing of data on displaced individuals from Marawi are still underway. Tracking of students who enrolled outside Marawi is also being conducted. A transitional shelter city will also be created in order to decongest crowded evacuation centers. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Pagalungan commits to peace initiatives

PERSEVERANCE --- The municipal government of Pagalungan has remained committed to the campaign of the national leadership against against terrorism, criminality, and illegal drugs as it conducted its peace summit last July 18.  At inset is Mayor Salik P. Mamasabulod (left) together with guests: (L-R) 602^nd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Anolo Samarita, Maguindanao Provincial Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Agustin J. Tello, and PDEA-ARMM Assistant Regional Director Jet Carriño. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’) 

PAGALUNGAN, Maguindanao --- This municipal government is persistent to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs and terroristic threats with the conduct of “LGU Summit against Terrorism and Illegal Drugs” last July 18 at the town’s municipal gymnasium.

Mayor Salik P. Mamasabulod said it has been a long-time commitment of the local government to strengthen security measures for the safety and welfare of its constituents.

“Earlier, I released a policy statement that would reaffirm the commitment of the barangay officials in the government’s fight on the aforementioned. We gathered our barangay officials from the 12 barangays and reiterated their specific tasks,” Mayor Mamasabulod said.

Mamasabulod said he ordered the barangay officials to closely coordinate with the municipal government and authorities regarding peace and security issues.

“I told them to coordinate at all times with our local police and the Armed Forces to ensure the safety of our populace. Our Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams and Barangay Anti-Drug Action Councils are in place,” Mamasabulod said.

“This LGU summit reinforced our endeavour in helping the campaign of the national leadership to combat terrorism and illegal drugs,” he stressed.

During the summit, Department of the Interior and Local Government -Maguindanao Provincial Director Amina T. Dalandag discussed the Role of LGU in Ensuring Peaceful and Secured Communities while Understanding 2017 Martial Law as well as Peaceful and Security Measures was tackled by 7^th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Ciriaco Lomas-e, Jr.

Further, the Mechanisms and Strategies in Protecting Barangays against Terrorism and Illegal Drugs Activities were discussed by Maguindanao Provincial Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Agustin J. Tello, who recommended to lift the stripping off of police power to the local government of Pagalungan.

“At present, the populace themselves are now aware on the threats of terrorism. As a result, we’ve been receiving bulks of reports from our constituents. It is the result of our sincere campaign. They become more aware and it’s the good thing, crime incidence has lowered,”  Tello said.

In addition, Policies, Parameters and Approaches in Sustaining Drug-Free Communities/Barangays was presented by Assistant Regional Director Jet Carriño of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao while ISLAM as a Region of Peace-Loving People was expounded by Ustadz Abdulgafor Mokalam.

Commitment of Support were given by the municipal and barangay officials as well as different sectors, organizations, and the tri-media. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

AWARENESS

AWARENESS --- The 57^th Infantry Battalion in partnership with the Local Government of Datu Saudi Ampatuan spearheaded a Symposium on Illegal Drugs Prevention and Bomb Awareness last July 20 held at Dimaukom National High School. Mayor Bai Anida A. Dimaukom said their target audience were primarily students. (PHOTO COURTESY OF DSA ADMINISTRATOR MASTURA S. TAPA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ASSURANCE

ASSURANCE --- Rajah Buayan Mayor Zamzamin L. Ampatuan vows to strengthen security measures in the town with the recent conduct of LGU Summit against Terrorism and Illegal Drugs. “The safety of our populace remains to be my first priority,” said Mayor Ampatuan during interview of Mindanao Expose’. (Anne Acosta– MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ASSISTANCE

ASSISTANCE --- The regional office of the Department of Transportation and Communication in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will extend assistance to the affected employees in the Marawi City crisis on July 26-27. DOTC Regional Secretary Datu Ombra S. Sinsuat, Jr. said, among others, the relief packs would also contain personal hygiene kits: tooth brush, diapers, and ‘tundong.’ Aside from that, Sinsuat added they would also give minimal cash assistance. (ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Shariff Aguak holds summit vs. terrorism

­­COMMITMENT --- Various sectors gathered last July 17, 2017 at James Convention Hall in Shariff Aguak town to reaffirm their commitment to the government’s fight against terrorism and illegal drugs. At inset is Mayor Marop B. Ampatuan (center) with local officials. (ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

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SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao --- This local government spearheaded a peace summit last July 17 to strengthen its fight against terrorism and illegal drugs held at James Convention Hall, this town.

Mayor Marop B. Ampatuan said the intent of the activity is to instil among his constituents that a terrorism-free and drug-free community is the best way to preserve families.

“It is the responsibility of everybody to safeguard our families and the rest of our community in general against threats of terrorism and illegal drugs. Let us help one another,” said Mayor Ampatuan.

Engr. Amina T. Dalandag, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Maguindanao emphasized the importance of the role of the local government unit  in ensuring peaceful and secured communities.

“We must understand thatsecuring our abode is not the sole responsibility of the LGU but with the full cooperation of every member of the community,” said Dalandag.

Understanding 2017 Martial Law Peaceful and Security Measures was tackled byLt. Col. Enrique L. Clemente of the 57^th Infantry Battalion.“We would want you to understand that the ultimate function of Martial Law is to restore peace and order in Mindanao.”

Further, the Mechanisms and Strategies in Protecting Barangays against Terrorism and Illegal Drugs Activities was discussed by Maguindanao Provincial Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Agustin J. Tello.

The Policies, Parameters and Approaches in Sustaining Drug-Free Communities/Barangays, on the other hand, was presented byPhilippine Drug Enforcement Agency Assistant Regional Director JetCarriño.

ISLAM as a Region of Peace-Loving People was ventilated byUstadzAbdulrahmanSinggon.

In his message, 601st Brigade commander Col. Diosdado C. Carreon emphasized the importance of cooperation of all sectors to prevent the spread of terrorism and illegal drugs.

“I tell you, drugs are the enemies of our ambitions and hope,” Col. Carreon said.

Last March 25, the local government also spearheaded a fun-run, dubbed as “KabataanIwasDroga,” to stir awareness against the use of illegal drugs.

Mayor Ampatuan said the activity was well participated by some 2,000 runners from different walks of life.

“The fun-run was a success in the sense that the goal of drumbeating awareness among our populace in the war against illegal drugs was achieved,” Mayor Ampatuan said.

Mayor Ampatuan reiterated that he wants his constituents to understand through different activities, like the fun-run, that a drug-free community is the best way to preserve families.

“Our local officials and operatives have earned the grateful appreciation of the municipal government and the people of Shariff Aguak for their unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs, which has helped in bringing us nearer to the realization of having a “drug-free” Shariff Aguak,” he said.

In the past months, the Municipal Peace and Order Council has worked out the surrender to the police of local drug dependents and peddlers.

The partnership of Mayor Marop and Vice Mayor Datu Akmad Mitra Ampatuan has been a perfect tandem in the call of the national leadership to fight illegal drugs.

Since last year, this town has been conducting regular “nightly ronda patrol” to safeguard communities against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.

“The aim of this activity is to promote awareness on the effects of illegal drugs and the importance of having a healthy lifestyle. The local government of Shariff Aguak is determined to push through with this campaign. The current leadership is doing its utmost best to make Shariff Aguak a drug-free and terrorism-free municipality,” said Mayor Ampatuan.

Representatives from different sectors then signed the commitment of supportto the peace campaign of the municipal government:religious sector –Ustadz Abdulrahman Singgon, private sector- Hassan Santiago, barangay officials – Liga ng mga Barangay President Abby B. Aguak, women sector - Raquila D. Bolodo, municipal officials – Vice-Mayor Datu Akmad B. Ampatuan, youth sector –Jessaline Jerraiyah B. Ampatuan, Council of Elders - Abdulrahman L. Ampatuan, civil society organizations - Kaharudin A. Kalianget, the media, Philippine National Police –Chief Inspector Armando A. Liwan, Municipal Government Operations Office - Heria P. Dalantay, PhD, Rural health Unity - Clara Fe T. Chiong, Municipal Social Welfare and Development - Farouk S. Romancap, Municipal Agriculture Office –Bai Naida A. Baguindali, Municipal Agrarian Reform Office - Noraida B. Ampatuan, Department of Education District Office -- Kalim L. Timbao, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources –BaiTarhataB. Ampatuan.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA– MINDANAO EXPOSE’)