PERSONA NON-GRATA

PERSONA NON-GRATA --- Village officials, religious leaders, and representatives from other sectors join the signing of manifesto during a Peace Covenant Meeting last February 19. The attendants have declared the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as “persona non-grata” in the town of Parang, Sulu. (PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTERN MINDANAO COMMAND PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

MILF-BIAF decommissioning resumes

GUN FIRING GONE --- Shown are inventoried weapons of the 106 decommissioned MILF-BIAF combatants from Lanao del Sur. (PHOTO SUPPLIED, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

THE resumption of the Phase II Decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front - Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF) combatants and weapons resumed last  February 18 at the Old Provincial Capitol, Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao.

A total of 106 MILF-BIAF combatants from Lanao del Sur underwent the decommissioning process led by the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB).

Malaysian experts train BARMM leaders on parliamentary governance

CURBING ILLEGAL GAMBLING --- Police officials destroy video karera machines in Camp Crame on February 18, 2020. PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa has given regional police directors one week to eradicate illegal gambling operations in their respective areas. (PNA PHOTO BY JOEY RAZON, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

COTABATO CITY --- Members of the Parliament (MP) of the Bangsamoro government wrapped up Monday a three-day training on parliamentary rules and procedures facilitated by a foreign agency in support of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) moral governance.

“The three-day activity also included MP’s staff and personnel,” BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim said over a local radio station.

Order: Stop illegal gambling

CURBING ILLEGAL GAMBLING --- Police officials destroy video karera machines in Camp Crame on February 18, 2020. PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa has given regional police directors one week to eradicate illegal gambling operations in their respective areas. (PNA PHOTO BY JOEY RAZON, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

BAGUIO CITY --- Regional police directors have one week to wipe out illegal gambling operations in their areas.

"I give you one week. If (illegal gambling in your areas) will not stop, then I will relieve you," Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa said in a press briefing at the Baguio City Police Office.

He said regional directors have already benn provided with the list of illegal gambling operators in their respective areas.

Japan reiterates support to BARMM

COTABATO CITY - AS friends for years, Japan has pledged to continue its full support for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through projects that will “bring greater stability and prosperity in the region.

The chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan, Yamamoto Yasushi,  said this last February 18 during the ‘Bangsamoro Friends Forum’ hosted by the Embassy of Japan and United Nations Philippines held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.

The forum was also supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Bangsamoro gov't elated with recall of memo targeting Muslim students

COTABATO CITY --- Officials in the Bangsamoro region were elated with the recall of the police memorandum to have Muslim students in Manila listed as part of a counter-extremism program.

Police Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, Metro Manila’s police director, ordered the recall late Friday (February 21) of the January 31 memorandum that drew flak from various groups, among them central Mindanao’s business community and officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Bai Sandra Siang, a senior official of the Metro Kutawato Muslim Business Chamber, said Saturday (February 22) that she and her colleagues are thankful to Sinas for revoking the memorandum.

Medicine price cap makes PH prices at par w/ neighbors

MANILA --- The newly-signed Executive Order (EO) No. 104 which regulates the prices of drugs and medicine will now make prices in the Philippines “at par” with its Southeast Asian neighbors, a Palace official said last February 18.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar hailed the signing of the medicine price cap, saying it is a testament of President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment to improve access to healthcare goods and services.

“We laud President Duterte for signing Executive Order No. 104 which will regulate and set the maximum retail prices and/or maximum wholesale prices on certain priority drugs and medicines for Filipinos, particularly those for diseases that are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality,” Andanar said in a statement.

Quarantine measures up against ‘ASF’

MANILA --- Agriculture Secretary William Dar has ordered for the strict implementation of veterinary quarantine measures against the African Swine Fever,  in partnership with the local government units  and concerned national agencies, following the confirmation of ASF cases in Mindanao.

“I am directing the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and other concerned agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to implement the establishment of the checkpoints on 24/7 operations with disinfection equipment and facilities, including foot baths, in all entry points in Mindanao,” Dar said in a memorandum.

“We now have peace and justice in Bangsamoro:” MILF leader

Shown in the Mamasapano joint MPOC-MADAC meeting are OIC police chief  Lt. Col.  Henry P. Biñas  (right),  Sangguniang  Bayan  Secretary Julieta D. Tercero, Municipal Local Government Operation Officer Edgardo “Egay” Padolina, Mayor Datu Akmad A. Ampatuan, Jr. (Center), 33rd IB commander Lt. Col. Elmer M. Boongaling, and (Left) Vice Mayor Tahirudin Benzar A. Ampatuan. (Anne B. Acosta)  

SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao --- Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal and his comrades have witnessed the atrocities of war. But now, after more than four decades, they are finally reaping the dividends of peace and development in their homeland.

"If you ask us about our condition now, it's better than being a combatant. We now have peace, justice, and socio-economic interventions from the government and the international community so Inshallah, we hope that the quality of our lives will improve, most especially the MILF combatants," Iqbal said during a press briefing here last February 18, as the second phase of the decommissioning process of MILF combatants officially resumed.

PH-Japan partnership 'stands test of time

MANILA --- Under the Reiwa Era, the Philippine-Japan engagement is seen to increase. Manifested in the milestones it achieved in the past few years, Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koji Haneda said the two countries' partnership proved it is one that "stands the test of time."

"The 30 years of the Heisei Era brought about Golden Strategic Partnership between Japan and the Philippines. In the new era of Reiwa, we will engage in our best efforts to further promote stronger ties with the people of the Philippines," he said in the latest issue of Japan Bulletin, a publication produced by the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

The commitment was echoed during the celebration of Emperor Naruhito's birthday in a reception in Makati last February 20.

Mamasapano LGU peaceful; registers “zero” crime rate

MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao --- Except for some petty crimes, the prevailing social climate in the barangay level of this town is “totally” peaceful as the police also reported a “zero” crime rate since last January.

The 14 barangay chairmen in this town presented their respective reports and observations on peace and order and security situationers during the joint conduct of the 2nd Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) meeting last February 20 at the Sangguniang Bayan Conference Room in the Mamasapano Municipal Hall Building.

        Municipal Mayor Akmad A. Ampatuan, Jr. presided over the joint MPOC-MADAC meeting for an over-all assessment of the state of security in the barangay level and purposely to follow up development programs and activities related to their anti-crime drive, citing their concerns on illegal drug trafficking and terrorism.

Maguindanao town executives turn over loose firearms to Army

LOOSE FIREARMS --- Army Col. Joel Mamon (center), deputy commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, receives one of 11 firearms from officials of Sultan Sumagka, Maguindanao, led by Mayor Moner Sabal, during  turn-over ceremonies held at the Army headquarters in neighboring Shariff Aguak town on Sunday, February 23.  (PHOTO COURTESY OF 601ST BDE, MINDANAO EXPOSE') 

COTABATO CITY --- Local officials of Sultan Sumagka, Maguindanao on Sunday (February 23) turned over to the military 11 loose firearms collected from civilians.

Sultan Sumagka (formerly known as Talitay) acting Mayor Moner Sabal said the hand-over of the firearms at the headquarters of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade) in Shariff Aguak town signified their continuing support to the government’s campaign against illegal firearms.

Successors fill gaps in Talitay municipality

LINE POSTS --- Seated (L-R) are 1Lt. Bladimer Suanque of the 90th IB, Vice Mayor Morshed A. Manibpil,  Mayor Moner K. Sabal, and MLGOO Leilile A. Limba on occasion of the first meeting of the newly seated successors. (Anne B. Acosta) 

SULTAN SUMAGKA, (formerly Talitay), Maguindanao --- By law of succession, following the untimely death of mayor Abdulwahab M. Sabal in an ambush last February 11 in Malate, Manila, the first termer and first municipal councilor  Moner K. Sabal took his  oath of office as chief executive of this town in rites held last February 12 at the local government unit sub-office/

        Then, Morshed A. Manibpil, the second municipal councilor, also took his oath of office as vice mayor.

The 22-year old newly assumed Mayor Moner  K. Sabal is the eldest son of  the slain father while  Vice Mayor Manibpil is the youngest brother of the late mayor.

Embassy of Japan, UN hold ‘Bangsamoro Friends Forum’

PARTNERSHIP --- Parliament Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong (4th from left) and Deputy Speaker Hatimil E. Hassan (center) are joined by delegates from the Embassy of Japan led by its Deputy Chief of Mission Yasushi Yamamoto (3rd from left) and officials from the United Nations Philippines during the “Bangsamoro Friends Forum” held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex. The Japanese government reaffirmed earlier its support to development of the infant Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (GALao, OPS, BTA PARLIAMENT, MINDANAO EXPOSE') 

COTABATO CITY --- The Embassy of Japan together with the United Nations Philippines hosted last February 18 the  “Bangsamoro Friends Forum” held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, this city.

The one-day activity was attended by members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ministers, partner stakeholders, and representatives from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The forum served as venue in sharing key developments related to the Bangsamoro Peace Process and of the BTA in order to identify the needs and the gaps.

Lanao del Sur youths urged to end culture of violence

YOUTH ROLE --- A participant interacts during the Provincial Youth Leadership Summit held in Butig, Lanao del Sur on Saturday (February 22). The youth leaders have been urged to help the government put an end to the culture of fear and violence in their communities. (OPAPP PHOTO / MINDANAO EXPOSE')  

BUTIG, Lanao del Sur ---  Youth leaders from seven municipalities across Lanao del Sur have been urged to help the government put an end to the culture of fear and violence in their communities during the Provincial Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) held here Saturday (February 22).

With the theme “Developing thru Genuine Friendship and Service to Humanity,” the summit aimed to harness the potential of the 123 youth delegates and transform them into agents of peace and development.

The event included lectures and workshops on leadership development, peace building and advocacy, environmental awareness, causes and effects of terrorism, and ways to prevent criminality and drug addiction.

Building an army of peace builders

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Director Pamela Ann Padilla-Salvan encouraged the youth leaders to play a more active role in helping prevent and counter the spread of radical ideologies and beliefs in their communities.

First of 11 barracks for decommissioned weapons completed

SUPPORT PERSONNEL --- A contingent of the Joint Peace and Security Team composed of former MILF combatant and elements from the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines following their special training for the purpose of securing their assigned communities. (PR, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

CAMP ABUBAKAR, Barira, Maguindanao  --- The first of eleven Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) barracks to be built in seven provinces across Mindanao was officially turned over to the Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) last February 19  in this former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) stronghold.

The barracks are being constructed with funding support from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through its Support to Peacebuilding and Normalization (SPAN) Program.

Editorial

Heeding medical advisories as disease prevention norm

Scary as it is, the outbreak of corona virus disease (COVID-19), which originated from Wuhun City of the province of Hubei in mainland China, shook the tables of world governments and filled the quarantine halls of hospitals  following deaths of more than 2,000 in China alone, not to mention the voluminous contaminations.  And now Italy has the highest toll outside of China.

        Scary as it is, our Department of Health has further intensified its medical advisories and advocacy for healthy lifestyle and hygiene as preventives or shields from virus and bacterial infection. We should heed these information and educational program since medical exigencies are really costly, especially for the wage earners who often don’t have enough savings for such emergencies. As the saying goes: “Prevention is better than cure…” and this phrase is a social medication by itself. Take note, remorse comes in the end when remedies are already defaulted.