MILG grants incentives to performing LGUs, launches ‘Salamat Awards’

Minister of Interior and Local Government Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo said this is through the Local Government Functional Appraisal Award (LoGFA) and Lupon Tagapamayapa Incentive Award (LTIA) under the said ministry. The awarding ceremony was conducted on Friday, December 18, at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in the city.

Fifty-one (51) LGUs from the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi were awarded with the LoGFA, wherein each received P200,000 and plaques of recognition. LoGFA aims to define, operationalize, and assess the functionality of LGUs in the region.  

Meanwhile, eight barangays bagged the LTIA where the champion received P125,000; first place with P100,000; and P75,000 for the second placer.

DOH-12 provides health facilities to Cotabato gov’t

 Photo shows Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Aristides Concepcion Tan, MD, MPH, CESO III (right) and City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia J. Guiani-Sayadi (center)

 Eight barangay health facilities were turned over by the Department of Health Region 12 to the city government of Cotabato during the ceremonial activity on Wednesday, December 16, at the Social Hall of People's Palace.  

A total of P13.5 million pesos was funded and allocated for the construction and renovation of the barangay health facilities.

Out of the recipient barangays, four barangays received newly-constructed health stations. These include barangays Tamontaka Mother, Bagua 2, Rosary Heights 11, and Rosary Heights 9.

Also, three barangays had their health stations repaired and renovated. These barangays include Rosary Heights Mother, Bagua 1, and Rosary Heights 8. One barangay had a newly-constructed birthing home in Kalanganan 2.

DENR regional offices turn over supervision to BARMM

COTABATO CITY – Bangsamoro Governments’ Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) now officially oversees Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) protected areas, documents, maps and other resources, covering Cotabato City and the 63 Barangays of North Cotabato.

In line with the city’s ceremonial inclusion to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), DENR Undersecretary of Enforcement, Mining and Muslim Affairs Jim O. Sampulna formally turned over its National Office to Executive Secretary Abdulraof A. Macacua on Thursday, December 17. 

“We are willing to provide guidance in the administration of ENR projects in the BARMM. That is what DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu told me, ‘Tulungan’,” said Sampulna.

BARMM-MPOS engages youth in peacebuilding, conflict transformation

MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) conducted its 1st Bangsamoro Peace Promotion Fellowship dubbed "iMPOSing Peace" to the youth in remote and vulnerable conflict-affected areas in five (5) provinces, including special geographic area and communities outside the Bangsamoro region.

Fifty (50) youth members participated in the activity from December 15 to 17, at Kinason Resort, Initao in Misamis Oriental.  click above to read more.....

MPOS Planning Consultant Dr. Jolly Lais, representing Minister Hussein P. Muñoz, assured that the ministry will engage the youth in achieving peace through integrating peacebuilding transformation to their respective communities.

6ID commander witness’s turnover of Cotabato to BARMM

    Major General Juvymax Uy, commander of 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), attended the ceremonial turnover of Cotabato City and 63 barangays of North Cotabato to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Tuesday, December 15, at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City.

MGen Uy said that “the troops of JTFC and 6th Infantry Division will remain in the areas of Central Mindanao to sustain peace and stability, in coordination with the respective local government units (LGUs) and local government agencies.  

“Our security forces will remain on alert at all times despite the pandemic and the celebration of yuletide season. Rest assured that any major threat in the BARMM region will be addressed accordingly,” he added.

Saudi nat'l with alleged links to ISIS, BIFF nabbed

 ARRESTED. Members of police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) present the search warrant issued by a local court to Saudi national Abdel Solaiman Alsuhibani, a suspected Islamic State of Iraq and Syria member operating in East Asia with alleged links to Maguindanao-based terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CIDG-BARMM, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY – Police and military troops on Wednesday, December 9, arrested a Saudi national believed to be a member of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) linked to Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez, regional police director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), identified the Saudi national as Abdel Solaiman Alsuhibani, alias “Khalid”, who was nabbed at his house in Sitio Bubong Barangay Balabaran here at around 1 p.m.

“He was arrested based on a search warrant issued by a court in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat,” Rodriguez said in a radio interview.

Elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), backed by Philippine Marines, arrested Alsuhibani based on a search warrant issued by Judge Allan Edwin Boncavil of Regional Trial Court 12 Branch 19.

Initial investigation showed that the suspect belongs to ISIS operating in East Asia and has personal links with the BIFF under Abu Toraife Group.

“He was placed under surveillance for more than a month,” Rodriguez said.

Police also invited Alsuhibani’s Filipina wife, Norhaya, after the police seized an improvised bomb component, a laptop, flash drives, a passport, and passbook at their house.

Rodriguez said the suspect claimed he was a money-lending businessman who arrived in Manila a few years ago, met a Muslim woman, and married her. He then moved and lived in Cotabato City.

Residents near Alsuhibani’s house told reporters he has been living in the village for the past two years.

Rodriguez said the suspect is still being investigated as of this posting. (EDWIN FERNANDEZ, PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

P680-K shabu seized in Maguindanao drug op

COTABATO CITY – Anti-narcotics agents collared a drug suspect and seized some P680,000 of shabu in a drug buy-bust operation in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on Thursday morning, December 10.

Arrested in the 9:45 a.m. drug operation was Allan Sambutan Abdul, according to a report by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) Director Juvenal Azurin.

“The suspect has long been on our watchlist,” Azurin said, adding Abdul was caught in an entrapment following a month-long surveillance. 

Abdul yielded some 100 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P680,000, drug paraphernalia, and other pieces of evidence.

Azurin said the suspect is currently detained at the PDEA-BARMM detention facility here, as charges for violation of R.A. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) are being prepared against him.

On Wednesday evening, December 9, PDEA agents also seized some P102,000 worth of shabu in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, and arrested three suspects.

The fourth suspect, identified as Angkino Mamalangkas, was killed after he allegedly tried to lob a grenade at the arresting team. (NOEL PUNZALAN, PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

NoCot hospitals get modern facilities vs. Covid-19

 North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco (2nd left) inspects one of the new hospital beds and other modern equipment distributed to the provincial, district, and municipal health stations in the province on Wednesday, December 9. The governor said the new facilities intend to boost the capabilities of health units in the province in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019. (PHOTO COURTESY OF NOCOT PIO, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)  

COTABATO CITY – In anticipation of a possible spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the coming days, the provincial government of North Cotabato acquired more facilities to improve its anti-Covid-19 response measures.

On Wednesday, December 9, North Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco inspected the P100 million worth of facilities and equipment that will be distributed to the provincial and district hospitals in North Cotabato.

The provisions include hospital beds, medicine cabinets, stretchers, anesthesia machines, ventilators, and oxygen regulators, among others.

“All of these are meant to equip our health facilities with modern equipment that will help save the lives of every Cotabateño,” Catamco said.

Newly-appointed MAFAR officials take oath, pledged to instill moral governance

 MAFAR Minister Mohammad Yacob administers the oath-taking of eighty-eight (88) newly-appointed officials and employees in a ceremony held Wednesday, December 9, at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, Bangsamoro Government Center. 

 COTABATO CITY – Minister Mohammad Yacob of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) administered the oath-taking of his ministry’s newly-appointed officials and employees in a ceremony held Wednesday, December 9, at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, Bangsamoro Government Center, this city.

Of the newly-appointed personnel, 45 are designated in MAFAR’s regional office, while 10 are assigned at Maguindanao provincial office, another 10 in Sulu, eight in Lanao del Sur, eight in Basilan, and seven in Tawi-Tawi.

MBHTE grants scholarships to 799 BARMM students

COTABATO CITY – Bangsamoro Government’s education ministry granted scholarship to 799 incoming first year college students from the cities of Cotabato and Marawi, provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, and from the 63 barangays in North Cotabato.

On Monday, December 7, some of the scholars started signing their Notice of Award (NOA) and scholarship contract at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, Bangsamoro Government Center in the city.

The students passed the qualification process for the Access to Higher and Modern Education Scholarship Program (AHME-SP), one of the flagship programs of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) introduced this year.

Also known as the Bangsamoro IQ Scholar, the scholarship complements existing higher education scholarship, subsidy, loan, and similar programs implemented in BARMM for qualified Senior High School and Alternative Learning System graduates who will enroll as freshmen college students. The students must enroll to AHME-SP priority programs on Science, Technology, and Mathematics; Engineering; Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; and other programs for economic development.  

Islam 'religion of peace': AFP chief

FOSTERING PEACE. AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay meets with local officials and religious leaders in Sulu at the Provincial Capital on Thursday, December 10, 2020. During the meeting, Gapay said the AFP believes that Islam is a religion of peace and stressed the importance of cooperation between various stakeholders to prevent radicalization as part of efforts to combat terrorism. (PHOTO COURTESY OF AFP PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)  

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) believes that Islam is a religion of peace, its chief said on Thursday, December 10.

Gen. Gilbert Gapay made this remark following a meeting with Sulu local government officials and religious leaders in Sumadja Hall, Provincial Capitol on the said date.

“We in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, kaming mga kasundaluhan, believe that Islam is a religion that espouses peace above all matters,” Gapay said in a statement.

In attendance during the meeting were Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, First District Rep. Samier Tan, and several municipal mayors and Ulamas of the province.

“Again, I would like to clarify that I never said that the madaris are spreading radicalization or sowing terrorism among its students,” Gapay said, referring to an October 13 statement where he said “Madrasas and other schools in Sulu” are being monitored by the military.

He added that this is a call for unity and cooperation between the AFP and the Muslim community to protect and shield vulnerable sectors of the society from attempts of radical groups to “infiltrate our educational system”.

Joining Gapay in the proceedings were Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr and 11th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales and senior officers from the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Also present were Ustadz Abdul Muhaimin Abubakar, chairman of Sulu Ulama Council for Peace and Development; Jul-Asiri Abiron, Mufti of Sulu, and Adbulgafar Mangabong, head of Tablig.

Entry of smuggled cigarettes in Cotabato monitored

 SEIZED. Marine soldiers and Bureau of Customs personnel inspect the seized smuggled cigarette boxes loaded at the back section of a commuter van while passing through a Marine checkpoint in Cotabato City on Tuesday, December 8. On Monday, authorities intercept a motorboat (inset) loaded with 500 boxes of cigarette contraband valued at P15-million at Tamontaka River in the same city. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF COTABATO CITY MEDIA GROUP, MINDANAO EXPOSE’) 

COTABATO CITY – Authorities here have doubled their efforts in monitoring the entry of smuggled items, particularly cigarettes, being sneaked into the city lately before its distribution to the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

“We managed to intercept two deliveries of smuggled cigarettes the past two days using this city as a transshipment point,” Col. Richard Fiesta, city police director, told reporters Wednesday, December 9.

This came after Marine troopers intercepted on Tuesday afternoon, December 8, 15 boxes of smuggled New Berlin and Royal Rania cigarette brands aboard a commuter van in Barangay Biniruan.

Fiesta said two suspected smugglers, Adin Musa Piang, 41, driver, and Esmael Gampong Abubakar, 41, were arrested after failing to present appropriate documents for their cargo.

“The two were on their way to Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao when intercepted at the Marine checkpoint,” he said of the suspects currently held at the city police detention facility.

The Marines handed over the seized cigarette boxes to the police, which in turn forwarded it to the local customs office for proper value assessment and custody.

On Monday, December 7, authorities also intercepted an estimated P15-million worth of smuggled cigarettes loaded on a motorboat along Tamontaka River in Barangay Kalanganan.

At least 10 suspects were arrested as they were all on board the motorboat together with some 500 boxes of smuggled cigarette items that allegedly came from Basilan.

Cotabato City is crisscrossed by tributaries of two big rivers, the Tamontaka River and the Rio Grande de Mindanao. (NOEL PUNZALAN, PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DOLE-12 turns over Cotabato field office to MOLE-BARMM

 DOLE-12 Regional Director Raymundo Agravante turns over the office's programs and functions to MOLE Minister Romeo Sema on Friday, December 11, in Koronadal City. 

KORONADAL CITY – The field office of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-12 in Cotabato City was recently put under the supervision and control of Ministry of Labor and Employment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOLE-BARMM) in a turnover ceremony on Friday, December 11, this city.

DOLE-12 Regional Director Raymundo Agravante turned over the office's programs and functions to MOLE Minister Romeo Sema in the said event.

Minister Sema underscored that the regional government, through the MOLE-BARMM, shall continue to maintain the uniform implementation of labor laws, rules, and regulations in the implementation of its programs, projects, and services.

"It must be emphasized that the transfer of the powers and functions of the DOLE-12 and its attached agencies to MOLE is not the end of our working relationship but a beginning of a more cohesive and stronger collaborative partnership," Sema said.

Aside from Cotabato City field office, MOLE will also undertake the governance and delivery of services in the 63 barangays from the six municipalities of North Cotabato such as Midsayap, Aleosan, Pigcawayan, Pikit, Kabacan, and Carmen.

"We are confident that the people behind MOLE shall continue the programs and services of the DOLE-12," Agravante said.

DOLE is set to conduct series of technical assistance to capacitate the partners from MOLE, which aims to ensure the continues delivery of labor and employment services in the region.

Present to witness the ceremonial turnover were Assistant Regional Director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez, MOLE Chief of Staff Dong Anayatin, and other officials from DOLE and MOLE. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Cotabato City’s ‘no movement Sunday’ stays till yearend

COTABATO CITY – The city’s inter-agency task force addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis has maintained that the “no movement Sunday” policy here will stay until yearend.

Lawyer Kitem Kadatuan Jr., speaking for the city government, said on Friday, December 11, the directive takes effect on December 13, 20, and 27.

Kadatuan, however, noted that on December 20, the “no movement policy” would be suspended from 3 a.m. until 7 a.m. to allow people to attend the “Misa de Gallo”. 

“The decision to continue the “no movement Sunday’ is meant to contain the continuing prevalence of (the) coronavirus disease 2019 in the city,” he said.

As of December 11, the city has 94 active cases.

Kadatuan appealed to all Cotabateños to observe minimum health protocols at all times, adding that staying at home is still the best precautionary measure. (EDWIN FERNANDEZ, PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)