More war materials recovered by JTFC troops from terror groups

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao ---  As the government troops continue to scour and track down the terror groups, more improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and high-powered firearms have been recovered during their operation last December 3 in one of the villages of Shariff Aguak town of Maguindanao.

Combined troops of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, 5th Special Forces Battalion, and 3rd Light Armor Company under Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) were conducting clearing operations in Barangay Lupos against the terror groups Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Dawlah Islamiya Terror Group (DITG).

At around 6:00 a.m., while conducting clearing operations in Barangay Lupos, troops recovered two caliber 50 homemade sniper rifles, two  caliber 7.62mm M14 rifles, one rocket-propelled grenade, one M203 40mm tube, one M79 grenade launcher, one 81mm mortar round (unexploded ordnance), three upper projectiles of  81mm mortars, IED components making, bandoliers, and magazines.

The recovery of firearms and explosives are the result of the ongoing security operations by the JTFC troops against the terror groups who are planning to conduct bombing and atrocities in Central Mindanao.

“Our JTFC troops will continue to track down the terror groups that threaten the peace and security situation in the communities in Central Mindanao,” JTFC and 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon said.

He also said that the clearing operation will continue because more IEDs are being discovered in the different areas of engagement in Maguindanao. (DPAO, 6TH ID / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Editorial

Christmas as gift of life and charity

Care for a little reflection on the meaning of Christmas, especially among Christians? In celebrating the start of the traditional “Simbang Gabi” in Manila, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, in his homily, reminded the faithful of the true essence of Christmas --- which is “the birth of Jesus Christ.”

He asked: “Are the others excited for Jesus this Christmas?” Answering the question, he commented: “What they are excited about is the bonus. Even if there’s no Jesus as long as there’s a bonus… They know where to shop (Christmas) sales but the Gospel seems to be not important.” 

The cardinal also expressed lament on the losing tradition of home Nativity scenes where people nowadays “just place gifts beneath the Christmas tree… And when some people did not receive gifts, they would go for money instead.” 

While bonuses are considered as extra dimes for certain necessities, what the cardinal is stressing is celebrating the essence of  Christmas --- “to be charitable and to take every opportunity to witness to the good news of salvation.”

“We should give witness to Jesus at all times, even if it’s not Christmas,” he said in his homily.

BARMM holds 1st Food Security Summit

COTABATO CITY --- The Bangsomoro government’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) spearheaded the conduct of the first ‘Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Food Security Summit’ last December 10 to 12 here.

The summit, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Halal Food Industry Development Program, carried the theme, “Bangsamoro ay Paunlarin: Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita, Halal at Organikong Pagkain ay Siguruhin.”

        MAFAR Minister Mohammad Yacob said the summit was aimed at discussing  the current challenges affecting food security, presenting programs and projects that are geared towards addressing the challenges, and bringing together support and agreements to pave way for a profitable agriculture and fishery sector.

“We have carried out the development of the first Bangsamoro security road map – envisioning a self-reliant, food secure and resilient Bangsamoro. […] This will ensure that food is accessible, available, utilized, and stable for every Bangsamoro,” Yacob said.

Datu Saudi Ampatuan yields unlicensed firearms to JTFC

BEAR NO ARMS --- Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Edris Sindatok  (right) and Barangay Chairman Anwar Kedtag of Elian (3rd from right) turn over to military officials unlicensed firearms surrendered by certain personalities in different villages of the town.

 CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao --- Seven barangays of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao handed over unlicensed firearms to the 57th Infantry Battalion and 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion under the 601st Infantry Brigade last December 10. 

These were voluntarily turned over by the barangay chairmen of Madia, Gawang, Elian, Salbu, Kitango, Kitapok, and Dapiawan to the municipal mayor.

The firearms were received by Lt. Col. Edwin M. Alburo, commanding officer of the 57th IB, and Capt. Dominador G. Tagorda III, company commander of the 14th Mechanized Company, during the town’s Municipal Peace and Order Council meeting at the Municipal GAD Office presided over by Mayor Edris A. Sindatok.

                                                                                

Among those surrendered firearms were one homemade caliber .50 rifle, three 40mm M79 grenade launcher, one homemade 7.62mm M14 rifle, one 12-gauge shotgun, and one caliber .45 pistol.

“The municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan has proven their support and cooperation on our government's campaign against loose firearms,” said Lt. Col. Alburo.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon, commander of Joint Task Force Central and 6th ID, expressed his appreciation to the local chief executive and the barangay chairmen of Datu Saudi Ampatuan for their genuine gesture to participate in the campaign of the government against loose firearms. (DPAO, 6th ID / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

BTA to pass bill creating Bangsamoro Youth Commission

Dr. Marianie Macasalong

 
COTABATO CITY --- The drafted bill for the creation of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) is now on its second readingin the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

        Executive Director Dr. Marianie Macasalong of the Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA), who is also a member of the  BTA, said the BYC will replace the OBYA, which was created under the defnct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The OBYA was created to plan, prepare, and implement development programs that will address the concerns of the ARMM’s youth sector.

Macasalong said the BYC will be patterned with the National Youth Commission (NYC) and will  exercise the autonomous privilege given to the BARMM.”

        He said there will be minor changes in the mandate, powers, and functions of the BYC “in order to widen the scope of the office and strengthen it.”

He said it will address one of the main challenges of the previous administration, which is the coordination of the OBYA with other departments in the ARMM.

“We would strengthen the coordination of our office with the other ministries in order to maximize the programs and activities related to the youths.

The BTA will also pass the bills drafted for the creation of the following offices: Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, Bangsamoro Economic Development Council, Bangsamoro Women Commission, Attorney General’s Office, Bangsamoro Sports Commission, and the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission.  (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION, BARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Editorial

Dynamics of feast days

We in our geographical region markedly celebrate and commemorate three religious and historical events in the month of December. These are feast days and holidays for fitting observance of these dates.

        Last December 8 was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. To the Christians, this reflects a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. The feast marks the continuity and strengthening of faith through her.   

        The yuletide season is associated with the birth of Jesus Christ set by the Church every December 25. In historical viewpoint, Christ is the founder of the religion of Catholicism which spread at an era when the Roman Empire was at its height and glory, though there were religious persecutions.

        Come December 19 is Shariff Kabunsuan Day which commemorates the introduction and spread of Islam in this part of Mindanao and the rest of the country. This will be highlighted by the traditional fluvial parade from the Bucana, mouth of Rio Grande de Mindanao, where missionary Shariff Kabunsuan and his fellows laid anchor and then established a system of government whose vestiges remain culturally rooted up to this time.