7K micro-enterprises to benefit from BARMM cash grant

COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) social services arm is eyeing to distribute cash assistance to 7,557 small businesses in the region within the year.

Ministry of Social Services and Development chief Raissa Jajurie said this during Wednesday's launching of the Sustainable Livelihood Program - Seed Capital Fund (SLP-SCF) in Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao.

While in Kabuntalan, the MSSD minister dispensed PHP15,000 each to 47 selected small business owners.

3 nabbed, P3.4-M shabu seized in NoCot

BUSTED. The three handcuffed drug suspects sit on the ground following their arrest in Barangay Poblacion, Pikit, North Cotabato, on Thursday afternoon, October 1, 2020.Acquired from them were PHP3.4-million worth of suspected shabu, a .45-caliber pistol, and a motorcycle, authorities say. (PHOTO COURTESY OF PDEA-BARMM, MINDANAO EXPOSE') 

 COTABATO CITY – Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents arrested three suspects and seized some PHP3.4-million worth of suspected shabu in Pikit, North Cotabato Thursday afternoon.

Director Juvenal Azurin of PDEA-BARM said the operation was jointly conducted with the PDEA-Region 12 and the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion around 4 p.m. at Barangay Poblacion.

BIFF ex-combatants receive skills training from BARMM

 

Photo shows Atty Naguib S. Sinarimbo, Minister of MILG-BARMM, speaking to the crowd about the rehabilitative importance of skills training, together with Commanding General MGen. JuvyMax Uy and other officials. (BANGSAMORO GOVERNMENT, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

 COTABATO CITY –  A total of 64 ex-combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) started skills training on carpentry, masonry, and plumbing on September 28 at the Farasan Institute of Technology, Inc. in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao

The training, which will run for 39 days, is conducted by the Bangsamoro Government’s Ministries of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) and Interior and Local Government (MILG). 

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod ‘Al Haj Murad’ Ebrahim said: “Ako po ay lubos na nagagalak na makita ang ating mga kasamahan na nakiisa sa inisyatibong ito. Alam ko na hindi magiging madali ang lahat.” 

34th IB cites 2 BIFF surrendereesin Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Major General Juvymax R. Uy, commander Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division lauded the 34th Infantry Battalion for the surrender of the two members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) at Barangay Balong, Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao last September 25, 2020.

“Their surrender will help entice more BIFF to return to the folds of the government while we are intensifying our focus military operations against the terrorist group that continuously spoil the peace and security in the province of Maguindanao,” he said in his speech.

 

The two former rebels were members of the BIFF Karialan Faction under Rasul Dubpaleg in Northern Kabuntalan town.

 

They carried along with them a one caliber .50 Barrett rifle, one caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle, one anti-personnel mine made of 105mm High Explosive Cartridge with cellphone detonator and one clip of M1 Garand with six ammunition.

 

“Together with the local government unit and our local government agencies, we will help you as you rejoin the mainstream society and live peacefully with your families”, Maj. Gen. Uy added. (DPAO, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

Army finds 6 abandoned LTG havens

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao --- The Army troopers of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) discovered six abandoned nipa huts of the local terrorist group (LTG) fugitives due to massive and sustained military operations in Maguindanao on September 28.

Initially three (3) huts were found by the members of 7th Infantry (Tapat) Battalion in Barangay Tuntungan, Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao around 9:07 a.m. Upon searching, the troops found one empty magazine and one holster for .45 pistol. 

At 11:25 in the morning of the same day, troops discovered another three houses which resulted to the recovery of one Bao Feng commercial radio and six cell phones in the same area. 

“This is not a victory announcement, but it is a significant progress in our fight against the local terrorist in the area. Our efforts to end this cycle of violence that is hampering our nation's progress will not stop until the said terrorist group is eradicated”, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Central said. (DPAO, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

BARMM joins 31st National Statistics Month celebration

COTABATO CITY - Philippine Statistics Authority of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PSA-BARMM) led the virtual opening of the 31st National Statistics Month celebration in the region on Friday, October 2.

Bearing the theme “Bridging Digital Gap: Making Information Available for All”, OIC-regional director Razulden Mangelen emphasized that technology plays a vital role to power the information that must be available with reliability, credibility, and timeliness.

“Amidst the pandemic situation we are all facing in, we must face to adopt the changing processes, flows, and progressions suitable in embracing the new normal of service delivery through adaptation of technological innovations and a digitization approach,” he said.

'Baste' welcomes verdict on Davao night market bombers

Davao City Vice-Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte. (PNA file photo) 

DAVAO CITY –  Acting City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte hailed Tuesday the guilty verdict on the seven individuals responsible for the September 2, 2016 terror attack at the Roxas Night Market here that resulted in the death of 17 people and injuries to 69 others.

Handed down Monday by Judge Marivic Vitor of the Regional Trial Court Branch 266 in Taguig, the decision found the accused TJ Tagabaya Macabalang, Wendel Apostol Facturan, Musali Mustapha, Jessy Vincent Guinto Original, Zack Haron Lopez, Jackson Mangulamas Usi, and Ausa Abdullah Mamasapano “guilty beyond reasonable doubt for multiple murder and multiple attempted murder”.

The seven individuals were sentenced to reclusion perpetua and ordered to pay damages to the families of the deceased and the injured victims.

Body cams to ensure integrity of PNP ops: solon

Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon. (File photo) 

 MANILA –  A lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Friday welcomed the plan of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to roll out body-worn cameras (bodycams) to ensure the integrity of the police in anti-drug operations.  

Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon said the use of body cams will hold erring law enforcers accountable and at the same time, disprove false accusations made against the police.

"Although it took years of reluctance and even a procurement corruption controversy before the PNP decided to implement the use of bodycams, we now look forward to police operations where any abuse of law enforcement will have video-recorded evidence, which can be used to hold erring policemen accountable," Biazon said in a statement. "On the other hand, false accusations against law enforcers will be easily disproved as the recordings from cameras worn by the police personnel will show the step-by-step actions they take in operations."

Cotabato City tallies 11 Covid-19 recoveries

COTABATO CITY – This city recorded 11 new recoveries from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the highest among the 28 recovered patients in the region as of Tuesday evening.

Recoveries were also recorded in South Cotabato (6), General Santos City (5), Sultan Kudarat (3), North Cotabato (2), and Sarangani (1). 

Meanwhile, the region recorded 30 new cases, 13 from South Cotabato, General Santos City (9), Cotabato City (4), Sultan Kudarat (2), and North Cotabato (1). 

“There is still no room for complacency with the  prevailing figures on recoveries and new cases,” said Arjohn Gangoso, speaking for the Department of Health in Region 12 (Soccsksargen). 

He noted, however, that the number of recoveries the past several days was “quite encouraging” for the region. 

Soccsksargen logged 36 and 26 recoveries on Tuesday and Monday, respectively. 

To date, the region has cumulative cases of 1,404 since March, with 884 recoveries for a 63 percent recovery rate. 

There are 485 active cases with South Cotabato having the most number at 174, followed by General Santos City (157), Cotabato City (72), North Cotabato (57), Sultan Kudarat (16), and Sarangani (9). 

There are 34 Covid-19 deaths recorded so far as of Tuesday evening. (NOEL PUNZALAN, PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

LTFRB approves Koronadal city’s new routes

KORONADAL CITY –  The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the opening of new public transportation routes here as it moves to upgrade the area’s transport system, an official said on Friday.

Paterno Reynato Padua, LTFRB-Region 12 director, said the move was in line with the city’s newly completed Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), which outlines the route network, mode, and required number of units for the delivery of public land transport services in the area.

He said they formally handed over to the city government on Thursday a notice of compliance for the completion of the plan, which underwent a series of assessments by public transportation experts commissioned by their central office.

Macasalong, Adiong recover from Covid-19

 (MP) Marjanie Macasalong Lanao del Sur Regional Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong. 

 COTABATO CITY –  Member of Parliament (MP) Marjanie Macasalong and Lanao del Sur Regional Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong recovered from Coronavirus disease (Covid-19), according to Bangsamoro Inter Agency Task Force (BIATF) spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun on Monday.

“Let this be a reminder that these officials risk their lives to deliver services to the public in light of the pandemic,” Pendatun said.

Macasalong, who is seated as the chairperson of Bangsamoro Youth Commission, announced on his social media on Sept. 9 that he tested positive for Covid-19. 

Maguindanao town councilor killed in ambush

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines –  Gunmen killed a municipal councilor in Guindulungan town in an ambush on Monday morning.

Morsid Lauban, a member of the Sangguniang Bayan in Guindulungan, Maguindanao, died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds. 

He was driving his black Toyota pick-up truck when gunmen, positioned along a stretch of a highway at the border of Maguindanao’s Guindulungan and Talayan towns, opened fire, killing him on the spot and wounding two of his companions. 

Guindulungan Mayor Midpantao Midtimbang, Jr. said Lauban was headed to the town proper from Cotabato City to attend their Monday flag ceremony at the municipal government compound when he and his companions were attacked. 

"I condemn this atrocity. We are hoping for a prompt action on this by authorities," said Midtimbang, chairperson of Guindulungan municipal peace and order council. 

The mayor called on the Maguindanao provincial police and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to put closure to the fatal ambush of Lauban. 

"Our local government unit will cooperate in the investigation," Midtimbang said. (PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE') 

 

MP Esmael reaches out to storm surge victims thru aid

COTABATO CITY - The Office of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Member of Parliament (MP) Abduladzis “Kagi Jordan” M. Esmael has extended aid last September 21, to the storm surge victims in the coastal town of Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat province through his initiative program, the Project RAHMA (Reinforcement Action for Humanitarian and Magnanimous Assistance).

Chief of Staff (COS) Khalid S. Esmael led the Project RAHMA team, where they personally assessed the situation of the families living in the northern part of the municipality hit by a storm surge last September 17. 

On behalf of Mayor Joenime Kapina, the team was warmly received by Tourism Officer Datu Jun E. Mangulamas and Executive Secretary Mr. Abdulsatar U. Baddrudin together with Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) Bai Maria Zaira S. Yusuf.

MP Latiph distributes protection kits, IEC materials

 Photo shows Member of the Parliament Atty. Maisara C. Dandamun – Latiph who leads the initiative in providing protection kits and IEC materials to 500 private school teachers, putting emphasis on health security and quality education. 

The Office of Member of Parliament Atty.Maisara C. Dandamun – Latiph conducted a series of relief distribution of ‘Teachers Personal Protection Kit’ in order to strengthen personal protection against Covid-19 and offered extended assistance to 500 private school teachers from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur I and II.

The activity was conducted on September 2, 4 and 9, respectively. Every kit contained a bottle of 250 ml antiseptic disinfectant, 20 pieces of face mask, hand soaps, and face shields. 

MP Shiek upraises awareness against COVID-19

INFO CAMPAIGN.Volunteers of the Office of MP Said Shiek (OMPSS) prepares printed copies of Covid-19 reminders to be posted on conspicuous areas in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte. (GALAO WITH PHOTO BY OMPSS, BTA PARLIAMENT, MINDANAO EXPOSE') 

 BALO-I, Lanao del Norte –  Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Member of the Parliament (MP) Said Shiek continues to strengthen its battle against the ongoing Covid-19 global health crisis with its awareness campaign program in this town, dubbed as Project Gonanao (Awareness) Ko Covid-19 (Project GKC19).

NCIP vows to address issues of IPs

  (Photo from NCIP Facebook page) 

 MANILA –  The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has vowed to address various issues among Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in the country.

As the country celebrates the 2020 Indigenous Peoples Month this October and the 23rd anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act or the IPRA law of 1997 on October 29, NCIP Chairperson Allen Capuyan shared his experiences visiting IP communities across the country.

Capuyan, during the opening event for the commemoration of the passage of the IPRA Law on Thursday, said he visited 110 ancestral domains in Mindanao from August to October of this year. 

Public school teacher falls in Maguindanao drug buy-bust

 NABBED. Drug suspect Roy Martin Ledesma, 43, was arrested on Wednesday night September 30, 2020, during a drug sting operation in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. The suspect has been under surveillance by police since last year. (PHOTO courtesy of PDEU-Maguindanao, mindanao expose')  

 COTABATO CITY - Police agents nabbed a public school teacher following a drug buy-bust operation in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on Wednesday night.

Col. Erwin Tabora, Maguindanao police drug enforcement unit chief, identified the arrested teacher as Roy Martin Ledesma, 43, widower, of Barangay Broce in the municipality.

The suspect was arrested around 7 p.m. following an entrapment operation at his home in the village.

SC clears NoCotguv, ex-husband of criminal charges

 CLEARED. North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco (center) receives the news about the dismissal of the 2004 graft and malversation case filed against her and ex-husband Pompey Perez while presiding over a meeting of the Provincial Development Council in Kidapawan City on Tuesday, September 29. The case against Catamco, who was still a private individual at the time, stems from her and her ex-husband's business dealing with the local government of Poro in Cebu province involving the supply of fertilizer products. (PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COTABATO PIO, MINDANAO EXPOSE') 

COTABATO CITY    –  North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco on Tuesday said she felt vindicated by the Supreme Court ruling dismissing the criminal charges filed against her and her former husband, Pompey Perez, over the alleged misuse of PHP5-million fertilizer funds by the local government of Poro in Cebu province in 2004.

“Justice has triumphed as the trumped-up case filed against me years ago has just been trashed by no less than the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines,” Catamco said in a statement.

“I'm ecstatic and overjoyed by this development as my case has even contributed to the rich annals of jurisprudence, especially in the meaning and concept of the right to speedy disposition of cases. I feel grateful for this gift,” she added.