Shariff Aguak town celebrates its 55th founding anniversary

GROUP SUPPORT --- Shariff Aguak Mayor Datu Marop Ampatuan (standing 3rd from left) is joined in the Foundation Day celebration by key government officials and development stakeholders, among them Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu (seated 2nd from left). --- Photo by Anne Acosta 

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao---The local government of this town celebrated its 55^th Founding Anniversary whose ceremonies were held at the municipal gymnasium last September 11.

Municipal Secretary to the Mayor Anwar Emblawa, speaking for Mayor Datu Marop Ampatuan, said the anniversary day was“historic” because, for the first timesince the incidence of the so-called Maguindanao Massacre on November 23, 2009, the Mangudadatu siblings visited the town and celebrated with the folks theirFoundation Day. 

The attending siblings were Governor Esmael “Toto” G. Mangudadatu, former Buluanmayor Ibrahim “Jong’ G. Mangudadatu, Congressman (2nd District, Maguindanao) Zajid “Dong” G. Mangudadatu, Maguindanao 2nd District Assemblyman Khadafeh “Toy”G. Mangudadatu, Maguindanao Mayors’ League president Mayor Freddie ‘Ogie” G. Mangudadatuof Mangudadatu and Maguindanao 2^nd District Board Member King Jhazzer  T. Mangudadatu, the son of Governor Mangudadatu.

All of the siblingsextended their message of support and commitment toward unity, progress, and development in the locality.

Governor Mangudadatu, in his message, said not all ofthe Ampatuans are bad and criminals but only a few of them…“there are some or most of them are good and kind-hearted,like, what we have seen now, development-oriented, the father and son-tandem Mayor Engr. Marop B. Ampatuan and  Vice Mayor Datu Akmad Ampatuan of this locality. They are my allies in politics and very supportive in my administration.”

“I’m calling all of you to support this administration.We work hand in hand in peace and unity because I strongly believe that in unity and peaceful community, development and progress would follow,” he said.

Mayor Engr. Ampatuan, in histalk, thanked those who have extended their unconditional support to the municipality, citing, among them, Governor Mangudadatu and the siblings, 6th Infantry Division Commander Brig. Gen. Cirilito L. Sobejana,  601st Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon, Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado, OMI, Provincial Director Engr. Amina Dalandag of the Department of the Interior and local Government, barangay chairmen, municipal government officials, and development stakeholders.

“All of the developments, the progress and lot of changes you have seen right now, it is because of the untiring support, cooperation, and unity among our stakeholders and the barangay officials of this municipality… I assure you that this administration will continue to work as one for the attainment of further progress and development towards our vision of unity and solidarity,” he said.

The mayor also announced that the municipal government is one among the aspirants for the 2018 Seal of Good Local Governance.“We are among those hundreds of aspirants in the entire Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao the Philippines as a whole… But if we will not make it, it’s okay for me and instead we have to continue working hand in hand in unity for development.”

The three-day celebration was capped by games, Zumba dance contest, and bingo, among others, highlighted by the motor-cross competition and exhibition as participated by the famous champion Glenn Aguilar.

The mayor also took pride of the  status of Shariff Aguakas “drug-clear” which was declaredin this category last July 17 by the oversight committee headed by Director JuvinalAzurin of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

He said the declaration justifies that Shariff Aguak municipality is drug-free already. “But my role as mayor never ends up to this declaration.Rather, I will still work hard to maintain the good image of this town. And lastly, I hope and pray that lastingpeace and unity among our people will reign in our hearts and minds.”

        6th ID commander Sobejana, the celebration guest speaker, emphasizedthe military command’s support and commitment “not only in this locality, but in the entire Maguindanao province as a whole…  I assure all of you that I’m doing my best to protect this town as part of my area of responsibility fromlawless elements. We are going to run after them ---the criminals, extremism, terrorism, illegal drug traffickers, and anyenemy of the state.”

Fr. Eliseo “Jun’ Mercado, OMI also gave his message of peace and unity, saying that the “real peace must come from the bottom of our hearts and not coming only from the tip of our mouth. Just remember this:peace must come first, then, development will follow.” (Anne Acosta)