BALIK BARIL PROGRAM

BRIEFING - 2^nd Mechanized Battalion commander Col. Alvin Iyog gives 
his final briefing and instruction to Mayor Hja. Bai Anida A. Dimaukom of 
Datu Saudi Ampatuan regarding the “Balik Baril” Program and the 
drive against criminalities such as illegal drugs, extremisms and terrorisms 
in his area of responsibility

SILENT MOMENTS - The Philippine National Police headed by Superintendent  Jonathan 
Degracia and the Armed Forces of the Philippines led by Brig. Gen. Diosdado Carreon 
of the 601st Brigade join hand in hand together with Mayor Dimaukom 
and all of the staff and employees of the municipality in prayer before
 the formal turn-over of assorted loose firearms to the proper authority.

EXCHANGES -- 601^st Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Carreon and Mayor 
Dimaukom in a conversation before the start of th“Balik Baril” Program 
proper in the municipality. The Brigade Commander emphasized that the 
drive is implemented not only in Maguindanao, but nation-wide as per
 instruction or directive by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to sustain the 
country’s peace efforts.

ACCOUNTED GUNS - 57^th Infantry Battalion commander Col. Enrique 
Clemente (left) accepts the 60mm mortar turned over by Mayor 
Dimaukom in rites held at the GAD Building of the DSA compound. 
Looking on are 2^nd Mechanized Battalion commander Col. Alvin Iyog 
and 601^st Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Carreon.

PROGRAM - Brig. Gen. Carreon (left), Mayor Dimaukom, Col. Iyog, DSA 
Municipal Administrator Akmad Doña, Municipal Local Government 
Operations Officer Anisa Abdulkarim, and DSA Chief of Police Inspector 
in a photo documentation during turn-over of assorted loose firearms.

SHOWN are the 17 assorted loose firearms turned over to the 601^st 
Brigadewitnessed by the Battalion Commanders of the 57^th IB and 2^nd 
Mechanized Battalion and top police officials of the PNP-Maguindanao.

SURRENDERED loose firearms are composed of two M203 grenade 
launchers, one M65 (baby armalite), four Snipers, two.60mm 
mortars, two,M79s, one.RPG launcher, one Ingram, one home-made 
Uzi, one 45 cal. pistol, one.38 cal. pistol, and one home-made shot gun.

DIALOGUE — Mayor Dimaukom with Brig. Gen. Carreon (left), Col. Iyog, 
and Col. Clemente in a close-door meeting after the turnover of loose firearms.

POSTERITY POSE with (L-R) Col. Enrique Clemente of the 57^th Infantry 
Battalion, Brig. Gen. Carreon and 2nd Mechanized Battalion Commander 
Col. Iyog at the Office of the Municipal Mayor.

KAPAMAGAYUN Inter-Agency Task Force 6th Regular Meeting

PEACE AND SECURITY ASSESSMENT --- Officers and members  of Task Force KAPAMAGAYUN conducts its 6th Regular Meeting held at Kabuntalan 
Municipal Hall Building headed by Brig. Gen. Jesus Sarsagat of the 
603rd Brigade.

Kabuntalan Mayor Diocolano turns over loose firearms to Chief of 
Police Inspector Harold Manampa as barangay officials look on.

GUN RECEIPT - Capt. Princeton Teniedo, 11^th SF Commanding Cfficer, 
accepts one of the assorted loose firearms handed over by Kabuntalan 
Mayor Diocolano as part of the  “Balik Baril” Program mandated by 
President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

ACCOUNTED are 17 assorted loose firearms in support to the 
“Balik Baril” Program of the national government. 

SUPORT STANCE --- 90th IB commanding officer Col. Crisaldo Fernandez, 
in an interview, stated that the “Balik Baril” Program is a good indication
 that the people or constituents of Maguindanao, especially in Kabuntalan,
 show their desire to be law-abiding citizens by voluntarily surrendering 
their loose firearms to the proper authorities. “I do hope that 
more civilians, who until now are still keeping their firearms with 
them, to please surrender them now.” 

City mayor gives green light, support for Cotabato's first aviation school

FLY HIGH - Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi and 
Secretary to the Mayor Aniceto Rasalan (extreme right) with ATSC 
officials and aviation investors. 
(City Government of Cotabato/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi has committed her support to the Aviation Technical School of  Cotabato (ATSC), the first and only aviation school in Cotabato City.

In her mission to give Cotabateños, especially the young ones, a chance to be part of a more modernized and competitive society, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi is thrilled to learn about the operations of the ATSC and how it can produce world class graduates in the future.

The ATSC is the first and currently the only educational institution in the city that provides technical courses like Associate in Aircraft Maintenance Technology and Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology.

It has already produced a number of graduates since it started its operation in 2013. Some are already connected with the  airline industries and airports all around the country.

In 2017,  the school was accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and is planning to offer more courses this year, including Cabin Crew Training.

In a meeting among the city mayor,  ATSC president Michael Mustapha, and a Malaysian investor who is one of the school's directors, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi  committed to provide scholarship to future deserving students of the ATSC and to become partners in promoting aviation industry, not only in Cotabato City, but in its neighboring towns as well.

With the anticipated construction of a Technical Training School to be donated by a group of Chinese investors in Cotabato City, the local government and the ATSC will also be forging a partnership in managing the institution.

"I am excited for the future of the school. It is both an honor and an opportunity for Cotabato City to have the ATSC. And the city government is ready to extend its helping arms, especially to institutions that will help us shape the future of our next generation," Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said.

With the growing demand in aviation professionals all around the world, it is highly possible that more and more Cotabateños and other young ones will be interested in taking aviation courses.

According to www.aviationcv.com, aircraft mechanics are the third highest paid in the world in the field of aviation, coming behind pilots and air traffic controllers.

Being an aviation professional himself, ATSC president Michael Mustapha said he has already seen and experienced the vast opportunities that await future aviation professionals and Cotabateños have a high potential of making it in the global arena.

"It has been a grueling journey for me as I started to build up a name for the school. But I know that all the hardships will be worth it because I believe in the potentials of our young Cotabateños," Mustapha said.

The school offers aviation courses at a much cheaper cost as compared to other aviation schools in the country.

Consul officers from Malaysia were also present during the meeting and were impressed as the lady chief executive shared about the current situation of Cotabato City where investments are at  high level and the peace and order situation is remarkably improved. With this, they also expressed their willingness to solicit from a Malaysian education investment entity support to the ATSC.

This confidence that foreign investors have is proof of Cotabato City's dynamic growth and the security that its local government provides for its people.

(https://www.facebook.com/Atty.Cynthia/posts/1973141223014885)

Q1 sees crime drop by 51% in Cotabato City

Cotabato City Hall (PNA - Cotabato file photo)

COTABATO CITY --- Crime rate in this city dropped by 51 percent during the first quarter of this year, the police said.

In a report during the Ugnayan sa Rehiyon Dose held at the City Hall last April 19, police officials led by City Police Director Senior Superintendent Rolly Octavio told visiting Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 personnel that the city only recorded 90 index crimes from January to April this year.

Index crimes were categorized as theft (27), robbery (27), physical injury (12), homicide (11), murder (nine), and motorcycle theft (four).

“This year’s 90 index crimes are much lower compared to 169 offenses committed during the same period in 2017,” Octavio said.

Superintendent Aldrin Gonzales, PRO-12 information office chief, expressed joy over the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO) report and indicated that the nightly “Ronda” patrol initiative led by City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani–Sayadi will serve as template for local government units in the region to emulate in their local law enforcement operations.

The 300-strong city police force is currently being augmented by elements of the 5th Special Forces Battalion and Joint Task Force Kutawato with personnel from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division headquarters situated in nearby Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

This developed as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) said that it is closely monitoring the activities of nine village officials, including one from this city, who are currently included in their drugs watchlist.

Juvenal Azurin, PDEA-ARMM chief, said those in the watch list include four barangay captains and five barangay council members. He did not elaborate.

Last April 17, members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – ARMM arrested a village councilor in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, for possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 13 Judge Bansawan Ibrahim, lawmen swooped down on the residence of Barangay Ampatuan Poblacion Councilor Mohammad Usman in the area and arrested him over an unlicensed 9mm - caliber pistol with 12 rounds of live ammunition.

Usman was charged with violation of R.A. 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition) and R.A. 9516 - Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives. (Noel Punzalan, PNA – Cotabato/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Barangay heads back PRRD push for federalism

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --- Incumbent barangay chairs here and in neighboring areas have rallied behind President Rodrigo R. Duterte in efforts to shift the country’s governance to the federal system.

Barangay chairs from this city, Sarangani province, and the municipalities of Polomolok and Tupi in South Cotabato gave their support to the move during a dinner meeting with the President at the Mt. Sabrina Resort here last April 25.

Joseph Alvin Veneracion, Barangay Dadiangas South chair and president of the city’s Liga ng mga Barangay, said last April 26 the President emphasized that the country will be in a better position to develop further under a federal system.

The President noted that it would mainly benefit local governments in the countryside, especially those in Mindanao, he said.

Citing the President’s speech, Veneracion said the “most basic” benefit would be the bigger percentage share of income generated by local government units (LGUs).

“Under the present system, our revenues go directly to the national government and it then gives a small share to LGUs. That will be reversed under a federal system, with the LGUs retaining a bigger share,” he said in an interview over Brigada News FM.

In terms of over-all governance, he said localities under a federal unit will have proper representation compared to the present system.

He cited as example, the present composition of the Senate, who are all

elected by the entire country.

Under the proposed federal system, he said local units will elect and have representatives at the national level.

Veneracion said the President also called for their continuing support to the national government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality.

President Duterte reiterated that he is fully focused on cleansing the bureaucracy of corruption and local communities of illegal drugs, he said.

He said the President stressed that the campaign against corruption will spare no one, including his close allies.

Duterte has already dismissed a number of senior officials, including members of the Cabinet, who were reportedly involved in graft and corruption.

“It’s also warning for us at the barangay level, especially those running in the coming elections, to shun these activities,” he added. (PNA - Cotabato)

PEACE FORUM ON BBL

A forum on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) with the ARMM officials and employees was conducted last April 26 in Cotabato City.

It aimed to engage the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao employees, particularly those who are critical of the Bangsamoro government as prescribed in the BBL once the ARMM is replaced; to clarify misconceptions of dissolutions; to provide information on the transition phase; and to generate a constituency of supportive communities to the Bangsamoro Peace Process.

During the forum, Atty. Raissa Jajurie, Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) commissioner, answered questions from participants concerning the transition and possible changes in the regional bureaucracy.

BTC Commissioner Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel, said the BTC will help facilitate the transition of the present autonomous political set-up to what is set to replace it after the passage of the BBL.

He said they will also be on hand to assist the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is being selected.

For his part, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the regional government is now making necessary preparation for the transition to the Bangsamoro political entity.

He said he has ordered all ARMM agencies, including the locally created offices, to prepare the documents and reports that will be turned over to the BTA.

The forum was organized by the Forum Civil Peace Service (ForumZFD), a German International Non-Government Organization (INGO), in partnership with the KuMuNet (Kutawato Multimedia Network), and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.  (Bureau of Public Information – ARMM/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Barangay, SK aspirants undergo mass drug test in Cotabato

COTABATO CITY --- All aspirants for the forthcoming village and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in this city voluntarily submitted themselves last April 25 for drug test to prove they are not in illegal drug trade.

The candidates, numbering to more than 1,000, gathered at the city hall  to undergo the drug test upon invitation of Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi.

During the program with local police, military, and the representative from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in attendance, the mayor challenged all the aspirants to submit themselves to drug test.

No one refused and everybody underwent the drug test, although many of them know such testing is not compulsory.

“I am doing this to prove I was never a drug user, pusher, or into the illegal drug in any way,” an aspirant for village council member, who requested anonymity, said.

Zamirah Kasan Kadil, one of the candidates for the SK polls, lauded local officials for posing the challenge.

“Through this drug test, we can be sure all candidates are not into drugs,” she said.

Director Juvenal Azurin of PDEA in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao who has administrative jurisdiction that includes Cotabato City as far as narcotics issues are concerned, also lauded the mayor and the poll aspirants for the initiative.

“Let us make the city drug free, all of us will benefit from it, especially our children,” Azurin said in a phone interview.

Atty. Michael Ignes, city election officer, said the move was a very welcome development as far as poll officials and the coming electoral exercises are concerned.

He said the final list of candidates will be known once the Commission on Elections’ legal division in Manila confirms the Certificates of Candidacy filed by more than 1,000 aspirants here for both barangay and SK polls.

In the city’s 37 villages, 19 of the candidates for village chairperson are unopposed while 16 are facing challengers.

Senior Superitendent  Rolly Octavio, city police director, said the drug test, that turned out to be “negative” for all those who submitted themselves for testing, was an indication the city is moving in the right direction. (Edwin Fernandez, PNA – Cotabato/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

FUTURE CHAMPS

FUTURE CHAMPS --- Students participating in the quest for medals in this year's Palarong Pambansa jump for joy at the Quirino Stadium in Ilocos Sur. The Palaro ran from April 15 to 21, 2018. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros, Jr.)

PEACE PURSUIT

PEACE PURSUIT --- Kabuntalan Mayor Salaban G. Diocolano (right) is seated with Brig. Gen.  Jesus Sarsagat of the 603rd Brigade and Datu Anggal Vice Mayor Nathaniel Midtimbang during the 6th regular monthly meeting  of the Inter Agency Task Force “KAPAMAGAYUN” held at the host municipality of Kabuntalan, last April 26.

Brig. Gen. Sarsagat revealed that the 6^th Infantry Division based in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao is now rated as number one among the 10 Philippine Army Divisions in the country.

       

He said one of the contributions for the high rating is the functionality of the Inter Agency Task Forces, citing the best practice of the 603^rd Brigade in collaboration with the Task Force “KAPAMAGAYUN” and other Inter Agency Task Forces in the area of the brigade.

How much more if this will be adopted by other Infantry Brigades, just like in 602ndBrigade covering North Cotabato, the 601^st Brigade covering the SPMS box, the Mechanized Infantry Division in Tacurong and Sultan Kudarat area, and the Marine Brigade in the DBS area. He commanding general so infused.

“This is the reason if why  the Task Force KAPAMAGAYUN is very important to us, because it has the  biggest contributions in putting the 6th 1D on top among the 10 Infantry Divisions all over the Philippines,”  Brig. Gen. Sarsagat said.

The main purpose or objective of activating the Task Force “KAPAMAGAYUN, is to focus on collaborative efforts on peace and security, environmental protections, disaster response operations, anti-illegal drug campaign, and development support.

The technical working groups are behind the task of pursuing development support in collaboration with the Armed Forces, police units, and local chief executives.

The technical working groups submit and indorse project proposals to Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and to Governor Mujiv S. Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for support and approval intended for implementation by the Task Force KAPAMAGAYUN, composed of the municipalities of Kabuntalan, Datu Odin Sinsuat,  Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Talitay, Talayan, and Guindulungan.

This is to unify efforts of these adjoining municipalities or local government units in the campaign against illegal drugs, terrorism, extremism, and other forms of criminalities in the areas of concern in our respective areas of concern, added Col. Crisaldo Fernandez, commander of the 90th Infantry Battalion. (MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Editorial

Choice in governance

Opening salvo for the nine-day campaign period incidental to the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections starts on May 4 after such poll had been postponed twice due in part to illegal drug menace that haunts the country.

Some barangay chair seats are uncontested, so either the incumbent returns or a new face emerges in leadership. Why uncontested? It could be that the incumbent is trustworthy to be retained or the new aspirant is surely a winner or lack of interest in public service pervades in a community. Whatever, so long there is no vacuum in barangay leadership or seats… but there is always a succession based on law of vacancy.

Other than house-to-house visitation, board display, and distribution of pamphlets, we expect the social media to be a longitude in the campaign.

Internets and cellphones will be fully busy these days for the barangay and SK elections. For close contests, there will be intense interfacing or one-on-one approach to win votes; hopefully no more vote-buying which pervaded in some areas in the past. “That guy won because of money,” is one comment by a number of voters or the losers in the past elections. But how much money (is it by the thousand?) that the choice of a candidate becomes unintelligible… a foolish decision to cast a vote.

Barangay governance is at stake here come the barangay and SK elections. If we care for good governance in our barangay, the choice of leaders have to be rationale and responsible. Voters hold the key to the right and qualified leaders. Voters should not be guided by peer persuasion but by wisdom on qualifications of candidates. One good vote and another wise decision spell the difference in the choice of the probables but never it be a gamble for you lose in the end.

Remember, the barangay council is the frontline of governance and the SK holds the welfare of the youths. Let your vote count for good and functional barangay government that empowers the smaller communities. Powers of government, though regulated, are defused to smaller units for more participatory governance. Be aware that the people owns our representatives who should be most hold the government and its management fitted to serve.

The choice of rightful leaders belongs on your hands, your ballots. Let your vote count through the right choice.