Balabagan celebrates 59th founding anniversary

FOUNDING DAY --- Balabagan Mayor Edna V. Ogka Benito (center) is joined by OPAPP Assistant Secretary Dickson Hermoso, BTA representative Ebrahim Alih, FO3 Emmylou Ogka-Benito, Retired PInsp Camilo B. Benito and Vice-Mayor Jover Ogka-Benito during culmination program of the town’s 59th Foundation Anniversary. (Anne Acosta)

BALABAGAN, Lanao Sur --- This local government steps another milestone as it celebrated its 59th Foundation Anniversary last March 15.

In her message, Mayor Edna V. Ogka Benito challenged the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to continue the unfinished programs and projects of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“I would like to cite the housing project of HDAP. We call on the attention of Interim Chief Minister Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim to please continue with the housing project, and other projects left unfinished by the DPWH-ARMM,” said Mayor Ogka-Benito during culmination program where she also delivered her State of the Municipal Address (SOMA).

Further, the lady mayor was thrilled on the success of the town’s 59th foundation anniversary.

“We prepared various activities such as ball games and we also invited a national artist to perform before the people of Balabagan. Former Rivermaya lead singer Jason Fernandez entertained our constituents last March 14 with their signature songs. Local entertainers from North Cotabato were also around and brought laughter to the audience. There were also fireworks,” Mayor Ogka-Benito said.

Mayor Ogka-Benito was a bit emotional upon seeing thousands of her constituents flocked at the municipal grounds.

"I would like to show my love to all of you through socialization. Kahit sa ganitong paraan lang ay maipadama ko ang aking pagmamahal sa inyo. Binigyan ko kayo ng makapagpapasaya sa inyong mga puso dahil mahal ko kayo,” she cited the concert with Jayson Fernandez of River Maya in Plaza square, fireworks display, laugh time with Davao Comedian and other activities to make them satisfied and happy", Mayor Benito said.

Visitors present during the culmination program include Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Assistant Secretary Dickson Hermoso, BTA representative Ebrahim Alih, former ARMM Vice-Governor Haroun Al-Rashid A. Lucman, Jr., and former Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) assemblymen Atty. Abol Alam Padate and Farouk “Froxy” Macarambon. (Anne Acosta

MNLF celebrates 51st anniversary

OBSERVANCE --- Thousands of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members converged last March 18 at the Cotabato City Hall grounds to celebrate its 51st Foundation Anniversary. At inset is City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi with Misuari’s wife, Eleonora Rohaida Tan Misuari. (Anne Acosta)      

COTABATO CITY – Some 20,000 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) gathered in this city last March 18 to celebrate its 51st Foundation Anniversary.

Nor-Ainie Misuari-Lim, daughter of MNLF founding chairman Prof. Nur Misuari, who represented his father, led the Foundation Anniversary and the peace summit held at the Cotabato City Hall grounds.

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi hosted the event and ordered the suspension of classes from all levels, both in public and private schools.

“Rerouting took place during the activity,” she said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.....

The participants came from various areas of Mindanao and converged here to celebrate the birth of the MNLF and the Moro struggle for self-determination.

The MNLF is also commemorating the so-called Jabidah massacre on Corregidor Island in Bataan in 1968 that gave birth to the MNLF organization.

Misuari was teaching Islamic studies at the University of the Philippines when he learned of the Jabidah massacre, which pushed him to form the MNLF. (Anne Acosta)

Editorial

PH withdraws from ICC

The Philippines’ withdrawal from the International Criminal Court has taken effect.

Last year, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he will pull the country out from the international court’s jurisdiction following a case filed against him for in relation to his violent anti-drug campaign.

The case was filed by lawyer Jude Sabio, who also represents self-confessed ‘Davao Death Squad’ hitmen Edgar Matobato and Arturo Lascañas. Matobato and Lascañas had previously admitted to killing people in Davao City under Duterte’s orders, when he was still city mayor. 

In April 2017, Sabio submitted to the ICC a 77-page document on the killings, formally called by the tribunal as a "communication." This was followed by supplemental information from opposition lawmakers Senator Antonio Trillanes and Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano. They said over a thousand were killed by the so-called Davao Death Squad, while thousands more were killed in the war on drugs since Duterte became president.

A preliminary investigation was launched by ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.

The case on the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC is still pending at the Supreme Court.

Duterte, in his recent speeches, slammed Bensouda, and threatened to slap her if she would come to the Philippines.

He also recently said that he is willing to face a death sentence from the ICC for his alleged crimes. The ICC does not implement a death sentence, and instead has life imprisonment as its maximum penalty.

Should the ICC push with its investigation, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government will not assist them. “Why will we cooperate when they have no jurisdiction?,” he said.

 

Critics of the withdrawal said that withdrawing from the ICC would leave the Philippines vulnerable to future attacks, including a possible invasion from China.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said earlier that we cannot bring President Xi Jinping to the ICC if he invades PAGASA or build a military base in Scarborough shoal.

The Commission on Human Rights said that the withdrawal is a reversal of the country’s commitment to international treaty obligations. It also casts doubt on the government’s innocence in the recent spate of drug-related killings.

CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement that the task before the Philippine government is to show beyond words that it is willing to investigate, prosecute, and punish perpetrators of alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the government’s anti-drug war. The best way to move forward is to cooperate in ICC’s preliminary examination and demonstrate its commitment in ending impunity, rather than blocking avenues in seeking justice and perhaps reconsider its withdrawal from the Rome Statute as stronger sign of its dedication to the rule of law and human rights. (CNN Philippines)