Editorial: NO to another urban warfare

The five-month “Battle of Marawi” is one for the book, not as an account of a world war but as an urban warfare. Like in other wars, it is costly --- loss of human lives, displacement of people, destruction of properties, and other forms of collateral damage. Rehabilitation or rebuilding that follow the urban warfare is also costly due to heavy expenses which could have been used for expanded development… but may trigger change of sorts such as the birth of a new community landscape after the damage of physical structures. After the battle, life has to go on, a rebirth of a community.

       
The war on terrorism does not end after the pronouncement by our President of the liberation of Marawi from the enemies of the state, the ISIS-inspired groups. Radicalism or extremism, ideological as they may be, may still continue to breed, not necessarily in its original nest despite the deaths of the leaders of the armed movement, but settling on other territories through its cells. Hence, our Armed Force or state defenders are still on the look-out of the spill-over. Our vigilance against terror threats stays to secure our lives… we don’t want another Marawi-type siege incident in our own backyard. We ourselves are supposed to be defenders of peace and not become the prey to non-sense armed movement that only cause us misery. We only support movements that further secure our security and prosperity, hence, our vigilance against threat to our lives and cherished ideology that is sane and fit for humanism.

Much to learn from the Battle of Marawi. Precious is the longingness of  mankind for security and oneness   regardless of religion, creed, or ethnicity… Both the Musliums and Christians found solace from each other for comfort and protection in the backdrop of danger and uncertainty. Assistance, both essentials and non-material, poured from people from afar just to reach out to the displaced people so they can feel cared by others yet unknown to each other.

At the expense of loses, lessons are learned from urban warfare: need to improve intelligence gathering to pre-empt enemy penetration and assault, urban warfare military and police training, disaster preparedness and response to urban warfare other than natural calamities, urban war reparation programme, and shifting of strategies to fight terror threat.

Even developed countries such as Germany, France, and United Kingdom are also vulnerable or susceptible to terror threats and attacks inspite of their security sophistication. So does our country to be more and much prepared against radicalism and extremism. Let not the Marawi incident be spilled over to other territories. Urban bomb attacks are already scary.

In the meantime, let us show our pace for the rehabilitation of the battered Marawi City so it can regrow with vigored life. It would be a nightmare if the Marawi incident could also happen to us.

         

MUNTREAL holds monthly meeting

MEETING --- MUNTREAL members in another gathering last October 26 to discuss organizational matters and fiscal perspectives. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATOCITY --- The Municipal Treasurers League (MUNTREAL) of Maguindanao gathered last October 26 to discuss organizational matters after the successful conduct of its three-day Capacity-building and Revenue Generation Seminar-Workshop for Municipal Treasurers and Collectors held last October 12-14 in Davao City.

Per assessment, Engr. Tokan Brahim, president of MUNTREAL, said the seminar-workshop for municipal treasurers and collectors was a success.

“We are grateful on the support of the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) in Region XII. Without them, our event could not have been possible,” Brahim said.

During their monthly meeting, the discussions revolved around the Local Government Unit Financial System and ICT Skills Survey and Utilization of 20 Percent Development Indicators to qualify for the Seal of Good Local governance, among others, and the reminder on the deadline for submission of the Statement of Receipts and Expenditures.

Brahim said the MUNTREAL members are also gearing up for the upcoming Basic Competency for Local Treasury Examination.

“They are going to take the exam soon and now they are having reviews,” Brahim said.

The scope of the examination covers Management of Local Treasury Services, Mobilization of Resources, Management of Inter-Government and Other Fund Transfer, Preparation and Analysis of Treasury Reports, Safekeeping of Local Funds and Records, Coordinating and Communicating Local Treasury Matters with Stakeholders, Management of Public Management, Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, and Leadership, Management and Analytical Thinking. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team and World Food Program

HELP COMES --- An elderly woman receives one sack of rice from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao - Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team and World Food Program headed by the newly installed Country Director Stephen Gluning (4th left) who led the distribution of 50 kilos of rice per family. Gluning is assisted by officials led by Madamba Mayor Daguruan Mindalano (3rd left) on October 26 in Madamda, Lanao del Sur. A total of 526 families displaced by the recent Marawi siege who are now living with their relatives in this town received the rice. The ARMM government has already spent more than P77 million for emergency relief assistance to the victims of the Marawi crisis.  (Omar Mangorsi/ Bureau of Public Information-ARMM – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Welcome our police heroes!

HEROES’ WELCOME --- Police troopers who figured in the liberation of Marawi city from ISIS-inspired local terror groups return to their base in Parang, Maguindanao where they were reunited with their loved ones and pinned medals for gallantry. (Photo by PRO-ARMM)

The Police Regional Office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao   accorded with a “Heroes Welcome” last October 24 the 205 PRO-ARMM troopers who have been deployed in Marawi City for five months since the onset of Marawi siege.

The troops are led by Police Senior Superintendent Rolando B Anduyan, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, PRO ARMM.

They were awarded with ‘’Medalya ng Kadakilaan’’ by the newly installed regional director of PRO-ARMM, Chief Superintendent Graciano J. Mijares, at Camp Brigadier General Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao.

Senior Superintendent Anduyan and his troops were among the first who had been deployed in Marawi City to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines in liberating the city after the Maute local terrorist and Abu Sayyaf group tried to take over the city last May 23.

Their services yielded numerous accomplishments such as the successful liberation of Amai Pakpak Medical Center; rescue of  78 hostages, the recovery of the cadavers of PSI Freddie N. Solar and two  others on May 24, 2017; arrest of Omita Romato Maute aka Farhana and 13 others on June 9; recovery of some nine kilograms of shabu; filing of criminal charges against 366  identified members of the local terrorist group of LTG to include Omita Romato Maute aka Farhana and her 13 companions for violation of Article 134 ‘’Rebellion’’ in relation to 136 RPC and RA 9851; recovery of  units of assorted caliber of firearms and several rounds of ammunition during the conduct of offensive and clearing operations; neutralization of 18 LTGs, eight sniper kills, and 10 confirmed kills;

Successful rescue of five female teachers of Dansalan College and three st. Mary’s Church Parish workers and other nine males on October 3; successful completion of the offensive and clearing operations of the areas of JTG-VECTOR/JTG PNP on October 8; rescue of JessaI Panes on October 14; rescue of Jenilita Libot-Libot on October 15; rescue of 18 civilian hostages on October 16 and 21 civilians hostages on October 19 wherein nine were children; recovery of 118 cadavers and skeletal remains; disposal of 184 unexploded ordnance or UXO and 109 improvised explosive devices; filing of eight  criminal charges against the LTG-Maute suspects of the crime of rebellion and other crimes; extension of  medical assistance to 292 PNP personnel and 861 AFP personnel who needed medical attention; and clearing of 264 buildings.

The troops had also painstakingly contributed significant intelligence information which are vital in the neutralization of Isnilon Hapilon aka ‘’Amirol Am’’ and Omarkhayam Maute aka ‘’Ustadz Omar’’ and several LTG members on October 16.

Further, Police Senior Superintendent Rolando B Anduyan and Police Superintendent Danny A. Bacas are both awarded with ‘’Gold Cross’’ medals for their gallantry in action during the five-month Marawi Siege. (PNP PRO-ARMM FACEBOOK)

Gold Cross Medal

LANAO DEL SUR --- Four policemen and 23 soldiers were awarded the Gold Cross medals for gallantry in fighting Maute and Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Marawi City.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. of the Western Mindanao Command told this contributing media partner  via mobile phone last October 24 that Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan and Superintendent Danny Bacas deserve the medals for putting their lives on the line in helping soldiers fight Maute and Abu Sayyaf gunmen for five months.

Anduyan is assistant director for administration of Police Regional Office - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao while Bacas is chief of the ARMM's Police Intelligence Division.

Galvez also awarded Gold Cross medals to Senior Inspector Seth Mark Alob and Police Officer 3 Isah Sangcad.

The symbolic medal pinning rite was held in Marawi City, witnessed by officers of Task Force Marawi and commanders of different military and police units that fought Maute and Abu Sayyaf gunmen.

“These police officers have exemplified courage under pressure and dedication to service in very dangerous, difficult moments,” Galvez said.

“The Western Mindanao Command is thankful to both of them and to all other policemen from across the ARMM and from other parts of the country who helped restore law and order in Marawi City,” Galvez said.

Both Mindanaons, Anduyan and Bacas, born and raised in Iligan City and in Maguindanao, respectively, led PRO-ARMM’s Regional Public Safety Battalion supporting military units since the trouble in Marawi City started last May 23.

Superintendent Ebra Moxsir, chief of the Marawi City Police, said  that morale in their ranks soared immediately when they learned that Westmincom will award Anduyan and Bacas with Gold Cross medals.

“That was more than enough recognition of our share in the sacrifices for the liberation of Marawi City from very misguided religious extremists,” said Moxsir, an Islamic theologian.

Moxsir was designated Marawi City police chief in July for him to lead religious programs meant to counter the recruitment activities of the Maute terror group.

Galvez said among the laudable law enforcement feats of Anduyan and Bacas at the height of the Marawi siege was the arrest in June in Masiu town in Lanao del Sur of Ominta Farhana Romato-Maute, mother of siblings Omar and Abdullah Maute.

She was intercepted by a team led by Anduyan and Bacas, acting on tips from vigilant Maranaos, while escaping from Masiu to another town on board a private vehicle.

Omar and Abdullah, who both studied in Islamic schools in Syria and Jordan, founded the Maute terror group.

        The group, which uses the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria as its revolutionary banner, first emerged in 2014 in Butig town in Lanao del Sur, hometown of their now detained mother.

Chief Superintendent  Graciano Mijares, director of PRO-ARMM, said he is thankful to Galvez for his tacit acknowledgement of how police units helped defeat Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists who laid siege to Marawi City.

The PRO-ARMM deployed hundreds of battle-ready policemen to Marawi City within two hours after Maute and Abu Sayyaf gunmen showed force and displayed the ISIS flag in strategic areas there on May 23.

Six members of the PRO-ARMM were killed while 61 others were injured in clashes that ensued in the next four months as a consequence of the attack.

“Seeing our men cited for serving country and people is heart-rending. It’s a morale booster for us, for police personnel in all parts of the region,” Mijares said.

Besides the four policemen, Galvez also pinned Gold Cross medals in the same event to 23 soldiers from the 2nd and 3rd Scout Ranger Battalions and the 10th Infantry Battalion. (CONTRIBUTED BY MEDIA PARTNER – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DSWD-Maguindanao initiates ‘Lakbay Munisipyo’

ADVOCACY--- Maguindanao Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu lauds the efforts of DSWD-Maguindanao under the stewardship of PSWDO Hadja Emma Ali on its initiative program "Lakbay Munisipyo."  (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- In keeping with President Rodrigo Duterte's promise of bringing government services directly to the grassroots and make information accessible to the people, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Maguindanao has started initiating its localized program called “Lakbay Munisipyo.”

Hadja Emma Ali, Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer of Maguindanao, said the “Lakbay Munisipyo” intends to bring the government closer to the people through the local government units for them to know and understand the various programs and projects implemented by the DSWD.

“We see this as a good approach because as we deliver to them our services, at the same time, they will understand the guidelines and processes set by our office,” said Ali.

The social welfare department’s regular services include programs related to family and community welfare, child and youth welfare, women welfare, disabled persons welfare, and emergency assistance.

“Aside from that, we also have special programs like the social pension, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Humanitarian Development Action Plan (HDAP), and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao BRIDGE,” Ali added.

Further, another objective of the “Lakbay Munisiypo” is to address the issues, concerns, and gaps on the ground.

“Together with the local government units and communities, we will give solutions to problems arising from the ground so it won’t anymore reach the social media that only adds up to the problem. Like for instance, should there be negative reports, the listening public of radio programs would have different perceptions and speculations without knowing the truth. This is also a good avenue to check and balance the implementation of our programs and delivery of services,” Ali said.

Ali stressed that “if only the local government units and the communities” would truly understand about their programs, they will get their full cooperation.

“Lakbay Munisipyo started in Datu Hoffer and then at General Salipada K. Pendatun. We are going to saturate the whole of Maguindanao,” said Ali. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)