Explosion rocks Maguindanao town

 SEALED OFF --- Police cordoned the area at the back of the town hall of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao where an explosion took place on Friday night, August 21. The explosion, which created a small crater on the ground (inset), but hurt no one during the blast. (PHOTO COURTESY OF SHARIFF AGUAK LGU, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

COTABATO CITY --- A powerful explosion rocked the town of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao on Friday, August 21, 2020 creating panic among its residents.

Mayor Marop Ampatuan said the explosion took place around 8 p.m. at the back portion of the town hall near the local police station.

No one was hurt in the blast but damaged some structures nearby.

“Members of the police’s explosive ordinance disposal team are still trying to determine as to what type of bomb caused the explosion,” Ampatuan said.

Ampatuan said he earlier received information that Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) are out to “rescue” a cohort, identified only as a certain alias “Koreano”, who is detained at the municipal police lock-up facility.

“This ‘Koreano’, a high-profile criminal, ought to be transferred to the Maguindanao provincial jail as his BIFF accomplices seemed determined to bolt him out,” Ampatuan said.

“The local government remains on top of the situation,” he said, adding that town residents should remain calm and vigilant.

He urged residents to report to authorities whatever they see suspicious in their respective barangays.

“Suspicious-looking characters roaming around villages should immediately be reported to the police,” he said.

Checkpoints along strategic sections of the town have been set up since Friday night following the blast. (NOEL PUNZALAN, PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

Cotabato City cop hurt in shootout, kills attacker

COTABATO CITY --- An alleged gunman was killed Friday, August 21, 2020 while a police officer was wounded during a shootout along Sinsuat Avenue, this city.

Col. Richard Fiesta, city police chief, identified the wounded cop as Master Sgt. Salipuddin Pangawilan of Guindulungan police in Maguindanao who was driving his Toyota Innova when ambushed by gunmen riding tandem on a motorbike at 3:30 p.m.

Pangawilan was heading to the city proper when shot by one of two gunmen.

“Although injured in his shoulder, Pangawilan managed to return fire using his M-14 rifle, killing his ambusher,” Fiesta said in an interview by reporters following the incident.

Police later identified the slain suspect as Edir Sandigan.

Responding police rushed the victims to the hospital but Sandigan later died due to bullet wounds in the head and body.

The slain suspect’s companion who was driving the motorbike speed away but jumped off along Esteros River, leaving his motorbike on the highway.

The motive of the attack remains unknown as of posting, police said. (Edwin Fernandez, PNA)

Maguindanao guv urged to name replacement of slain councilor

REPLACEMENT --- Local officials of Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao prepare for the regular flag-raising ceremony in front of the town hall last August 17, sans one of its councilors who was slain in a drug buy-bust operation in Cotabato City the day before. Northern Kabuntalan Mayor Ramil  Dilangalen said the town council is leaving the decision to Maguindanao Governor Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu to choose the replacement for Councilor Jamar Nandang who was killed in a drug sting operation  carried out by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement  Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of Northern Kabuntalan LGU, MINDANAO EXPOSE'). 

 COTABATO CITY --- The decision as to who would take the vacant seat in the town council left by a slain Maguindanao town councilor is best left to Maguindanao Governor Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu.

Mayor Ramil Dilangalen of Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, said this after Councilor Jamar Nandang was slain during an anti-drug operation here last August 16.

DatuSalibo observes 11th founding day

DATU SALIBO, Maguindanao --- Amid the ongoing Covid-19 global pandemic crisis and the implementation of ‘no mass gatherings’ as well as social distancing, the supposed 11th founding  anniversary celebration of this locality last August 18, has turned to be a simple gathering, a boodle fight. 

Organized by Vice-Mayor Herodin Guiamano, the simple celebration was participated by the municipal employees, department heads and staff.

In an interview, Vice-Mayor Guiamano said that due to the crisis, they have decided to only hold a simple short program in respect to the creation or birth of their locality.

“The municipal government existed for 11 years and only last February of this year, when we finally received our Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) on a regular basis,” he said.

BTA Parliamentleads rice aid distribution in Poona Piagapo

 ASSISTANCE --- Member of Parliament (MP) Said 'Abu Salman' Shiek (standing) delivers his message during ceremonial turnover of rice aid to residents of Poona Piagapo town in Lanao del Norte. Also present were Lt. Col Domingo Dulay and fellow MPs Abdullah 'Bravo' Macapaar and Marjanie S.M. Mimbantas (seated from left to right). (Lovella Lastimosa with photo from MYAN)  

POONA PIAGAPO, Lanao del Norte --- Around 3,600 beneficiaries received one sack (25 kilograms) of rice aid from the Bangsamoro government during recent“Project TABANG”relief operation in this town, led by select members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament.

Attendees during simple ceremonial turn-over ceremony were several Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Members of Parliament (MP), Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders and other local officials including Jamael Ilupa of the Office of the Chief Minister, Municipal Councilor  Alibasher  Mustapha, MILF Provincial Chairman Ibrahim Digl, MILF Municipal Chairpersons Alibasher Maganuna and H. Ansary Macapodi, United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) Municipal Chairman Muslimin Bangon, Commanding Officer of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion Lt.Col. Domingo Dulay, barangay officials, staff and volunteers of MPs Said Shiek, Abdullah Macapaar, Marjanie  Mimbantas and Mohammad Zainoden Bato.

Pagalungan farmers receive agricultural assistance from MAFAR

 Selected farmers in Brgy. Kudal, Pagalungan, Maguindanao received 105 bags of hybrid yellow corn seeds and 50 bags of rice seeds from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform – BARMM. (MAFAR-BARMM, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

 COTABATO CITY --- As the livelihoods of the farmers are currently affected by the extensive and recurring flooding in Pagalungan, Maguindanao, their request for assistance was positively responded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform – BARMM last  August 20.

The ministry initially delivered and turned over 105 bags of hybrid yellow corn seeds and 50 bags of rice seeds for the farmers in Barangay Kudal, the birthplace of Amirul Mujahideen Salamat Hashim.

The request was facilitated by the Office of the Member of the Parliament Abdullah Hashim with the stewardship of Barangay Chairman Rabbani I. Hashim.

Assistant to the Minister for Operations Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel was sent by Minister Dr Mohammad S. Yacob to represent him and lead the group.

Former MNLF leader passes away

 Dimasangkay Pundato

COTABATO CITY--- Erstwhile Chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front - Reformist Group, Dimasangkay Pundato, 72 years old, died last August 12, 2020 in his residence in Mindanao State University in Marawi City.

This was announced Thursday in a Facebook post by Dr. Dimapuno Datu-Ramos Jr., Bureau Director for External Relations of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

“The NCMF officials and employees extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. Inna lillahiwain nailay hirajioon (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return),” Datu-Ramos said.

Lawyer Rasol Mitmug Jr., a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, said he is one of the co-authors of a proposed resolution set to be filed with the Bangsamoro Parliament ‘expressing profound sympathy and most sincere condolences to the family of the late Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Undersecretary Dimasangkay Alangadi Pundato.

Let law take its course, Palace on Sulu shooting probe

 

 MANILA --- Malacañang on Thursday, August 20 said it will let legal process take its course over the death of four military officers in the hands of nine police officers in Sulu last June.

 Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement after Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay expressed dismay that no charges have been filed in court against the police officers who were involved in the killing of the four soldiers.

 Roque reassured Gapay that President Rodrigo Duterte himself vowed justice for the slain soldiers and their families.

“No less than the President na po ang nangako ng katarungan (promised justice),” he said in a virtual Palace briefing. 

He said Gapay should let the law run its course

 since the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has finished their investigation and filed four counts of murder and planting of evidence against the nine cops.

Illegal drugs tag aims to muddle Sulu shooting: AFP

                 FP spokesperson Marine Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo (File photo)

MANILA --- Allegations that Cpl. Abdal Asula, one of the four military intelligence operatives killed by local police officers in Jolo, Sulu last June 29, was into illegal drugs aims to draw attention away from the senseless killings, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday, August 20.

"That is obviously a desperate attempt by the assailants to besmirch the reputation of Corporal Asula to justify or to divert the attention away from the senseless killing of the soldiers," said AFP spokesperson Marine Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo in a statement.

The military issued the statement after Brig. Gen. Manuel Abu, head of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, in a Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee hearing, made presentations Wednesday claiming that Asula had links with an illegal drugs syndicate.

Isabela City i-connect youth uses radio program for advocacy efforts

ISABELA CITY, Basilan --- Isabela City i-Connect Youth Network uses the radio as a platform to promote their activities, programs and advocacy.

Mohammad  Ashraf  Abubakar, President of i-Connect Youth Network highlighted during the Laging Handa Network Briefing this morning with PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar how their organization works in Isabela City especially at this time of pandemic.

He said that through their radio program “Vamos Jovenes” at DXNO-FM, they advocate standard health measures and other government initiatives to curb the spread of the coronavirus diseases or COVID-19.

Also on fake news, Abubakar emphasized the importance of verifying news with concerned agencies before dissemination to check the legitimacy of the information and not to cause panic

PALMA+PB Alliance to strengthen dissemination of dev’t info

LIBUNGAN, Cotabato Province --- Media practitioners, social media handlers, and information officers from the local government units (LGU) comprising the PALMA+PB (Pigcawayan, Alamada, Libungan, Midsayap, Aleosan, Pikit, and Banisilan) Alliance are set to intensify the delivery of developmental stories to the public.

This is to ensure that the public gets timely, accurate, and relevant information about the programs and projects of their LGUs. Also, this is to help LGUs promote and disseminate their development efforts for their respective municipalities. 

During the meeting facilitated by the Philippine Information Agency Region XII over the weekend, PALMA+PB project manager Orly Maraingan emphasized the importance of information dissemination to bolster people's awareness on the initiatives and actions of the local government being undertaken for the benefit of its constituents.

Halfway house in South Cotabato ready to accept ex-rebels

From left: Tantangan Mayor Benjamin Figeroa, DILG South Cotabato Director Rochelle Sero, 6ID Commander Diosdado Carreon and Executive Assistant to the Governor Rudy Jimenea. Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan were also present during the inauguration of the P5-M halfway house for former rebels. (PIA, MINDANAO EXPOSE')  

 KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato --- This provincial government is now ready to accept former rebels (FRs) in its facility in Tinongcop, Tantangan specifically intended for those who return to the fold of law. 

On Tuesday, August 18, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 12 turned over to South Cotabato Provincial Government the P5-million halfway house for FRs constructed in one of the properties of the provincial government in Barangay Tinongcop.

Atty.

BARMM holds joint simulation exercise for BIAF, Military

             BARMM Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua 

 COTABATO CITY --- Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) held a 2-day Joint Simulation Exercise and Incident Command System for the senior commanders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) and of the 6th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

MILG’s Bangsamoro READI (Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence) organized the said activity from August 15-16, held at the military’s Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Dubbed as “Sindaw nu Kalilintad”, it is the region’s first of its kind activity designed to convene in one gathering the members and officers of Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s BIAF and 6th Infantry Division (6ID) of the Philippine Army.

The activity provides capacity-building on emergency response through the Executive Course on Incident Management, and to forge a climate of cooperation and camaraderie between the former opposing forces, who are now partners in peace building and development in the BARMM.

During the activity’s opening ceremony on Wednesday, BARMM Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua, who represented Chief Minister Ahod ‘Al Haj Murad’ Ebrahim, emphasized in his speech the importance of peace-building amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our presence today is solid proof that all of us can be instruments or light bearers of peace especially in a time when the people clamour for hope and in dire need for motivation to rise up from a challenging period such as the COVID-19 pandemic,” Macacua said.

“The holding of Sindaw nu Kalilintad is our bare minimum in promoting peace during this difficult time but we will strive to continue our efforts to the best of our capacity,” he added. 

Meanwhile, MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, also head of the Bangsamoro READI, provided the context of Sindaw nu Kalilintad, stressing the importance of a Joint Simulation Exercise between the MILF-BIAF and the AFP’s 6th ID.

“This is an opportunity for both organizations not only to effectively discuss ways and means in managing disasters and emergency incidence in BARMM but also an opportunity to work together to defeat the pandemic and build enduring peace in the region and in the country,” Sinraimbo said.

“Sindaw nu Kalilintad is the Bangsamoro Government’s another way of expressing our sincere intention to put an end to the decade-long conflict that is wreaking havoc in our land whilst capacitating our people in disaster and emergency management,” he added. 

Leading the delegation for the Philippine Army and guest speaker during Wednesday’s ceremony was 6th ID Commander Major General Diosdado Carreon, PA. He was joined by 27 Brigade and Battalion officials and representatives under the 6th ID. 

The MILF-BIAF also welcomed the intention of the Bangsamoro Government by sending 20 of their top-calibre and experienced Base Commanders and leaders to represent their organization. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

P2-M shabu seized from 2 drug suspects in Lanao Sur

  BUSTED DUO --- Anti-narcotics agents in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao conduct an inventory of the items seized from two suspects (in handcuffs) during anti-drug operations in Balindong, Lanao del Sur on Wednesday, August 19. The confiscated illegal drugs have an estimated street value of PHP2 million. (PHOTO COURTESY OF PDEA-BARMM, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

 COTABATO CITY --- Anti-narcotics operatives seized on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 PHP2-million worth of suspected shabu from two drug suspects during a sting operation in Balindong, Lanao del Sur.

Director Juvenal Azurin of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao said the operation led to the arrest of high-value targets Musa Manding Saro and Kokodao Bobo Marangit.

Azurin said the suspects were nabbed after selling 300 grams of shabu to an undercover agent at past 5 p.m. in Barangay Lalabuan, Balindong.

The operation came five days after PHP13.6-million worth of shabu was seized in nearby Malabang town, also in Lanao del Sur. 

Azurin said an investigation is ongoing to determine if the two drug suspects have links with five other drug peddlers who were arrested on Aug. 14 in Malabang. 

Saro and Marangit are now detained at the PDEA detention facility in Cotabato City. Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) are being readied against them. (Edwin Fernandez, PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

Police trainee, 2 others latest Covid-19 patients in BARMM

COTABATO CITY --- A 22-year-old police trainee is one of the three new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), health officials said Thursday, August 20, 2020.

Dr. Elizabeth Samama, Maguindanao health chief, said the police trainee is now isolated in Covid-19 Ligtas Center inside the Police Regional Office (PRO)-BARMM in Parang, Maguindanao.

Currently, the province of Maguindanao has 59 confirmed cases with zero death and no reports of local transmission,” Samama said told reporters here.

Of the 59 cases, 15 are active and confined in various patient care centers.

Samama believes the police trainee could have contracted the disease from two police officers of PRO-BARMM--a police colonel and a corporal--who earlier tested positive for the virus. 

“The police colonel and the corporal are also in isolation at the PRO-BARMM Covid-19 facility in Parang town,” she added 

A report from the Ministry of Health-BARMM indicated that the two police officers could have acquired the virus from a tailoring shop in Iligan City while fitting for their new police uniforms and had close contact with the police trainee upon their return to the PRO-BARMM headquarters 

Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan, BARMM health minister, said the region has recorded a total of 544 Covid-19 confirmed cases with 445 recoveries, translating to an 82-percent recovery rate 

Lanao del Sur has the most number of recorded confirmed patients at 240, followed by Basilan and Lamitan with 105, Maguindanao (59), Sulu (16), Tawi-Tawi (4), and stranded individuals who are residents of Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (120).

“Across the region, 14 have so far died due to Covid-19,” Dipatuan said.

He said Lanao del Sur registered the highest number of fatalities at nine, followed by Sulu with three, and one each in Tawi-Tawi and Basilan. (EDWIN FERNANDEZ, PNA-COTABATO, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

Datu Piang receives ‘performance incentive’ from DILG

         Mayor Victor T. Samama  

 DATU PIANG, Maguindanao --- This municipal government received recently a ‘performance incentive’ worth PHP2.3 million after it passed the eligibility criteria for the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) 2019.

In an exclusive interview, Mayor Victor T. Samama said the 2.3 million performance incentive was a fruit of their labor and sacrifices.

“We already allocated the incentive to construct the 500-meter road concreting and widening project located in the barangays of Poblacion, Buayan and Kangguan,” Mayor Samama said.

The local chief executive said the award shall serve as their motivation to implement  priority projects for the benefit of their constituents.

“It is our goal to uplift the living condition and to change the image of this town in terms of development. It is my vision to turn this locality into a progressive, developed and peaceful community,” he stressed.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM's interior and local government minister, said the PCF was given to LGUs that passed the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) 2019.

Among the SGLG criteria is good performance in the areas of financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, peace and order, business friendliness, tourism, culture and the arts, and environmental protection.

"For 2019, we awarded PHP2.3 million each to the five LGUs for the performance challenge fund because many LGUs passed the SGLG bench marks, especially in BARMM, we ranked number one in Mindanao," Sinarimbo said.

In 2019, BARMM topped the list in Mindanao, with 28 LGUs complying with the SGLG criteria.

He said incentives for other PCF awardees in the region would soon follow.

Sinarimbo said this year's SGLG awarding will be suspended.

“It is because the focus of (the) national government and the LGUs is diverted due to the coronavirus diseases (Covid-19) pandemic,” he said, adding that BARMM would initiate a regional award system under the “Salamat Award” for LGUs.

Meanwhile, other LGU-recipients were the municipalities of South Upi, Guindulungan, Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Datu Abdullah Sangki. (Anne B. Acosta)