Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News December 2014

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Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao Archived News
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Seal of ARMM

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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

ARMM approaches end as creation of new Bangsamoro region nears

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Year 2014 could be the last for the 25-year Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) if Congress enacts into law within 2015 the enabling measure for its deactivation to pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity.

The ARMM, which operates under a charter, the Republic Act 9054, was created 25 years ago, during the time of President Corazon Aquino, through a referendum in predominantly southern Muslim areas.

What is saddening for thousands of employees of ARMM agencies is that the region’s replacement with a Bangsamoro entity will come after the regional government’s having risen from what is for them a cesspool of corruption, as a result of the reforms and stringent handling of its coffers in the past three years by the present administration.

“Even then, it’s the peace process that we value most and it is something that we need to support. Sometimes we need to do sacrifices for peace to reign among us,” said Amir Mawalil, ARMM’s information director.

Mawalil said the ARMM’s chief executive, Mujiv Hataman, is so ready to facilitate the gradual turnover of the regional government to a special body, comprised of representatives from Malacañang and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, as part of the transition process as initial stride in the putting up of the MILF-led Bangsamoro government.

Vice-Mayor Roderick Furigay of Lamitan City, capital of Basilan province, said it was only in the past three years that the ARMM, touted as hotbed of corruption in the past, performed well in terms of delivery of government services to far-flung communities and in implementing very costly infrastructure projects benefiting local folks.

“We will have very fond memories of the ARMM. The best years for this regional government were from 2012 to 2014,” Furigay said.

It was only during the time of Hataman, who first assumed as appointed caretaker of ARMM in December 2011 and was, subsequently, elected as the region’s eighth regional governor in May 2013, that officials had become so vocal about their support to Malacañang’s peace overture with the MILF.

Hataman and his subordinate-officials have also been always reassuring of their readiness to vacate their posts once the region is replaced with a new, more politically and administratively empowered political entity the rebel group is to govern.

Insiders, mostly career service regional employees, said mismanagement of ARMM was at its worst when Nur Misuari, Parouk Hussin, and Zaldy Ampatuan were at the helm of the regional government as third, fourth and fifth regional governors, respectively.

It was during their time when provincial and municipal officials had wanted their local government units reverted to the administrative regions where they belonged prior to the ARMM’s establishment in 1989 due to political and administrative differences with the region's leadership.

President Benigno Aquino III, no less, had branded the ARMM, her mother’s brainchild, a “failed experiment.”

“But from 2012 to December of 2014 we have seen how the failed experiment became functional. That implies that if all past ARMM governors had only worked religiously, the region must be at par now with other more progressive regions in other parts of Mindanao,” said an Indian businessman, who asked not to be identified for his not being a Filipino citizen.

The source, who has been operating a merchandising business in Mindanao since the 1970s, said what the President has labeled as “failed experiment” could have long been "a good, feasible experiment" if managed properly since its inception 25 years ago.

So unique is the ARMM that it has an executive department, under the Office of the Regional Governor, and a 24-seat Regional Assembly, touted as “Little Congress” of the region.

“The upcoming Bangsamoro government will be more unique and viable. It will have much better political and administration functions that can efficiently respond to the needs of the very people it is to serve,” said the MILF’s Muhaquer Iqbal, chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

Iqbal, as chairman of the MILF’s peace panel, was instrumental in the crafting of the March 27, 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB), the rebel group’s final peace compact with government.

Iqbal said the CAB is a product of the MILF's almost two decades of peace talks with government, stalled repeatedly by misunderstandings and odds that were met along the way.

The CAB is the basis for the ARMM’s replacement, via a legislative initiative, with an MILF-led Bangsamoro government.

Hataman said he members of his regional cabinet are ready for the transition, from the ARMM to the Bangsamoro government, once the legislative measure for such process, the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, is passed and ratified via a plebiscite in the proposed Bangsamoro homeland in early 2015.

ARMM launches ‘Libro’ for kids

By A. Perez Rimando

COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao—The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Department of Education (DepEd) launched recently “Learning Improvement through Book Reading Opportunities (LIBRO) Para sa Batang Bangsamoro” project, a top education official announced here recently.

Lawyer Jamar Kulayan, education regional secretary, said the donation is meant to benefit school children in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

He said LIBRO is based on DepEd central office’s “Every Child A Reader Program” (ECARP) to make pupils competent readers at Grade 3 level.

“Reading with understanding is a vital key to increasing children’s learning outcomes, especially in the core subject areas of English, Science and Mathematics,” Kulayan said, noting measures of the regional government following the Australian-funded Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao (BEAMM) program.

He said BEAMM involved a “comprehensive education and youth development initiative designed to alleviate poverty and improve peace in Muslim Mindanao through targeted investment in basic education” even as it “delivers accessible and healthy learning facilities, quality teachers, learning materials and a protective environment for learners in need and out-of-school youth, through effective, transparent and accountable management systems.”

According to Kulayan since BEAMM’s inception in 2012 Muslim Mindanao was able to rehabilitate school buildings and libraries, and trained teachers and school administrators in its five provinces.

Palace optimistic Bangsamoro bill will be passed by early 2015

By Kristine Angeli Sabillo (INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Monday said it is optimistic that the Bangsamoro basic bill will be passed by Congress during the first quarter of next year.

“Hopefully, first quarter mapasa ‘yon tapos, magkakaroon ng plebiscite and then during that time after the plebiscite magkakaroon ng capacity building so that in time by 2016, maisabay na sa synchronized elections ‘yung bagong Bangsamoro Juridical Entity,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a Palace briefing.

(Hopefully, it will be passed during the first quarter, then we’ll have a plebiscite and after that there will be capacity building activities so that by 2016, we’ll be able to synchronize the elections for the new Bangsamoro Juridical Entity with that of the national government.)

Lacierda said the Bangsamoro law is among the priorities of the Aquino administration for 2015.

“There are lot of possible opportunities in the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao), so many untapped opportunities that have not been fully utilized,” he explained.

The Bangsamoro bill is a product of the final peace deal between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). It will pave the way for a Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the current ARMM.

Earlier in the day, Senate President Franklin Drilon said the Senate will also prioritize the Bangsamoro bill. However, he said the committee report on the bill is expected in the first week of February. The Senate has been conducting hearings and consultations on the measure.

In addition to the Bangsamoro bill, Lacierda said the administration is also pushing for greater government spending to bolster growth.

He said the country was guilty of underspending last year.

“Our overall purpose is really to provide inclusive growth for all. So any specific measures will be lay it all out in the coming year,” he said.

Gov’t, MILF peace panels to strengthen 2014 milestones

By Albert F. Arcilla

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Members of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels hail 2014 as a milestone year for finding a resolution to the drawn-out conflict in Muslim areas in southern Philippines and they are intent on fortifying what has been achieved on paper through actual work on the ground.

“We achieved many milestones for the peace process in 2014. Of utmost importance, we signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the MILF on March 27, successfully concluding more than 17 years of negotiations and signaling an end to the decades-old conflict,” Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Q. Deles said in an interview.

Consequently, the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was submitted on Sept. 10 to both houses of Congress and public consultations were held in various parts of Mindanao as part of the deliberation process.

Members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate have committed to pass the BBL within the first quarter of 2015.

Ms. Deles, whose office oversees the government’s peace initiatives with armed groups, said the historic signing of the peace agreement has once again demonstrated that the longstanding problem in Mindanao could be resolved through a genuine negotiation.

Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the government chief negotiator with the MILF, described 2014 as a year when the government and the MILF established foundations to ensure that the southern peace process will not suffer a setback in the future.

“[E]verything is on track and moving steadily towards the establishment of the Bangsamoro by 2016. There will definitely be humps and grinds along the way but we know that, with the support of our people, we will be able to overcome all challenges in the spirit of true partnership with the MILF,” Ms. Deles said.

However, one of the challenges is making the people understand that the peace deal between the MILF and the government is separate from the previous pacts that were signed between the government and another Muslim group, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“It is, in fact, an enhanced version of all previous peace agreements to make the autonomous region in Mindanao as genuine as possible,” Mohagher Iqbal, MILF’s chief negotiator, said, stressing that the BBL built on the gains as well as the lessons of the past agreements.

Some hardliners in the MNLF -- an organization from which the MILF broke away from and has since disintegrated into several other factions -- are opposing the MILF-government arrangement, claiming that it oversteps the previous peace agreements.

The MNLF faction under Nur Misuari, who led the previous peace deal with the government signed in 1996 under the Ramos administration, launched a siege in Zamboanga City in September 2013 ostensibly to express its disagreement to envisioned new Bangsamoro territory.

However, other MNLF senior leaders have expressed support for the proposed BBL.

Abdul “Kong” Sahrin, secretary-general of the MNLF central committee under the Sema faction, said his group believes there are ways on ensuring that the gains of the previous peace agreements will not be forgotten.

MNLF faction’s leader Muslimin Sema is among those pushing for the harmonization of all southern peace agreements and is part of the so called “Jeddah Formula” that composed the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum (BCF) along with senior leaders of the MILF.

The BCF was created by the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Cooperation to bridge the differences of the two Moro groups. The BCF was reactivated in Saudi last October.

Once the BBL is passed by Congress and signed by the President, the future Bangsamoro region, which will be run under a parliamentary form of government, will replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

According to Ms. Deles, the Bangsamoro law “will entrench the Bangsamoro that is expected to bring shared security and shared prosperity in Bangsamoro and the rest of the country, which we expect to radiate to our ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) neighbors and beyond.”

“Preparations are under way for the implementation of the normalization process. The normalization bodies have been activated and operationalized and we hope to start the first phase of decommissioning by early next year,” she added.

Abu Sayyaf frees Zamboangueña businesswoman in Sulu

By Hader Glang

A Zamboangueña businesswoman abducted by the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the west coast of the second district of Zamboanga City has been released after four months in captivity.

Joint Task Force Zambasulta information officer Ensign Ian Chester Ramos announced that Michelle Panes, 36, was freed by her captors in Sulu province – a known Abu Sayyaf stronghold — at around 09.00 a.m. (01.00 a.m. GMT) Wednesday, a day before Christmas.

The businesswoman was abducted Aug. 18 from her family’s grocery store in Labuan village, 38 kilometers west of Zamboanga, by unidentified gunmen in camouflage claiming to be from the country’s drug enforcement agency.

While her husband managed to fight off the kidnappers and flee, the victim was dragged to the shore where getaway pump boats were waiting.

Ramos said in a text message that Panes was “brought to the headquarters of the Joint Task Group Sulu in Jolo [Sulu’s capital] by a civilian who found her after she was released.”

Meanwhile, Colonel Allan Arojado, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu, said Panes was airlifted by a Huey helicopter from Sulu to Zamboanga City and already reunited with her family after undergoing custodial debriefing.

Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf — armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles — has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortions in a self-determined fight for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines.

It is notorious for beheading victims after ransoms have failed to be paid for their release.

Troops’ Christmas feast: Spaghetti, bread

By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Not even threats from the Abu Sayyaf could stop the troops from celebrating Christmas with an early noche buena while pursuing the bandit group in the dense jungles of Sulu.

With their firearms at hand, troops from the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Company regrouped in the jungles of Patikul on Wednesday and posed for a souvenir Christmas photo after partaking of a Christmas meal of loaf bread and spaghetti set on banana leaves.

The unit lost five if of its men in heavy fighting against some 300 Abu Sayyaf gunmen in nearby Talipao town last month.

Twenty other soldiers were wounded in the fighting, including Sgt. Castro Kitang and Cpl. Joey de Guzman.

De Guzman and Kitang had to be evacuated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) hospital in V. Luna, Quezon City from the Zamboanga-based military hospital where the critically wounded soldiers were initially evacuated for severe bullet and grenade blast injuries.

At the hospital, De Guzman said he could only wish to be with his colleagues back in Sulu this Christmas, a wish next to impossible as he lost his left arm in the fighting in Talipao last November that left more than a dozen Abu Sayyaf dead and wounded.

And just like the rest of his colleagues in Sulu, the 26-year-old De Guzman celebrated Christmas in his hospital bed, away from his 26-year-old wife who was back in their hometown of Carlos City, Pangasinan with their two children.

“I only wish that I could go back to Sulu to rejoin my colleagues. But with my present physical state, I think it’s no longer feasible. Maybe my superiors will now just confine me to do office work after my discharge,” he said.

Asked about his wife, De Guzman said like the rest of the families of his colleagues back in Sulu, she fully understands the nature of his job, where the unexpected could happen anytime.

“We already accepted the risks that goes with the job of being a soldier,” De Guzman said, adding that his wife is a teacher.

De Guzman was among the Scout Rangers’ forward unit that was engaged in close quarter combat against Abu Sayyaf gunmen at Bud Bungao in Talipao last November.

An M14 bullet ripped through his left upper arm and he also sustained shrapnel injuries in various parts of his body from a grenade thrown near his location.

With his consent, military doctors at V. Luna had to amputate his left arm to avoid complications.

“Always pray and stay safe,” was De Guzman’s Christmas message to his comrades in Sulu.

‘We will humanize politics’—MILF

By Nash B. Maulana

CAMP DARAPANAN, Maguindanao — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) officially declared Wednesday morning that it was shifting from armed struggle to democratic engagements as a non-armed political organization.

Sammy Al-Mansour, MILF military vice chairman, said the transformation began with the organizing of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and the presentation of its platform of principled politics to the Bangsamoro people.

“Today, we are shifting from armed to parliamentary struggle,” Al-Manshour, interim UBJP secretary-general, told a crowd of close to 100,000 people here.

Al-Mansour said the three-day gathering from December 23 to 25 had also been held to comply with a requirement set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for a political party to have visible supporters and constituents.

MILF security personnel manning the camp’s entrance gates had summed up the number of entry-registrants to 91,801 individuals, as of 11:00 a.m. Wednesday.

MILF chief negotiator Mohaguer Iqbal, UBJP interim vice-chairman for Southern Mindanao, said the MILF was facing new challenges as a revolutionary organization, including the struggle to “humanize politics” tainted in decades by irregularities.

Iqbal said he was informed that the Comelec has passed a resolution providing for a three-day re-registration periods on January 9-11, 2015 in the Bangsamoro proposed core territories, mainly the five provinces comprising the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Comelec figures have indicated that the number of ARMM registered voters varied from 1.7 million prior to the May 2010 elections to 1.2 million in July 2012.

“From armed struggle, we have been through years of peace negotiation starting in July of 1977, and this is the time that we are shifting our struggle to the democratic arena (where) we will humanize politics, as we move from bullets to ballots, or so they say,” Iqbal declared.

“War is temporary and is meant to be temporary in all revolutionary timetables, because the people cannot bear with situations of war and in communities in state of conflict most of the time,” Iqbal added.

Iqbal said UBJP is designed to become a principled political party, despite MILF leaders’ lack of experience in the mainstream politics.

But he said the MILF can offer principled politics based on the UBJP political platforms that:

1) the party should be run and managed by the Bangsamoro for the Bangsamoro people; 2) it has to be pro-people and inclusive;

3) it has its own standards of discipline; 4) the party should have human resources above all forms of assets; and

5) it has to be service-oriented.

“None of us here can claim that we have enough experience in the realm of politics, having been to armed struggle and to on-and-off peace negotiations for so long.

Al-Mansour said the UBJP preparation also included training programs for its members on running, management and lessons from rise and fall of political parties, from courses offered by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung through the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (KAF-IAG) and study tours to the Malaysian ruling Umno party.

Al-Mansour said all appointments in the UBJP were made interim until such time the Bangsamoro people have sealed its approval to the party’s formation and ratify its by-laws and cast their votes in approval in subsequent assemblies.

Earlier, Al-Mansour said the general assembly would be the party’s highest policy-making body.

MILF Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ibrahim, chairs the party as its concurrent president, backed by five vice-presidents, namely: Gazali Jafaar (Central Mindanao); Hussin Munoz (Eastern Mindanao); Alim Ali Solaiman (Northern Mindanao); Mohaqer Iqbal (Southern Mindanao); and Ma’amor Estino (Western Mindanao).

Lawyer Raiza Jajurie has also been named deputy party president for women’s affairs.

The UBJP assembly had also caused slight traffic congestion in a small section of the 330-kilometer Cotabato-Davao highway here.

Maguindanao youth groups launch province-wide network

By John Unson (philstar.com)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — At least 188 youth organizations, mostly led by Moro students, on Tuesday pledged support to the Mindanao peace process and vowed to help push the socio-economic agenda of the provincial government forward.

Most members of the youth groups are beneficiaries of the provincial government's Maguindanao Program for Education and Empowerment (MagPEACE), which bankrolls the schooling of more than 5,000 students from across the 36 towns in the province.

Provincial Administrator Wahab Tunga said the officials of different youth organizations gathered in Buluan town, the new provincial capital, where they committed support to diplomatic means of fostering cultural and religious solidarity among the local Muslim, Christian and lumad communities.

The youth leaders also fused ranks under the Maguindanao Youth Network (MYN), which they formed and launched during the gathering.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu personally administered their oath of membership to the pioneering MYN, Tunga said.

Tunga said the MYN was established as a "peace and development vehicle" for Maguindanao's youth sector, whose educational advancement the office of the provincial governor aims to sustain through college scholarships and other interventions.

Mangudadatu told reporters one objective of the MYN is to engage Maguindanao's youth sector in various continuing academic and extra-curricular activities to prevent them from getting hooked to drugs and other illegal activities.

Members of the pioneering MYN also committed support to the efforts of the government to address domestic security concerns through traditional and religious interventions, with the help of the local Islamic and Christian elders.

"Most importantly, this youth network will play a big, active role in spreading peace and sustainable development in the province," Tunga said.

Mangudadatu also issued documentary accreditation to the 188 youth groups that gathered in Buluan town last Tuesday to launch the MYN.

Maguindanao town celebrates unity through dancing

By JAKE SORIANO

UPI, Maguindanao—Drums beat loud and fast. A showcase of moves with the bilao and the indigenous basket biton for props, a splash of colors and folk rhythms thundering from the agong and the kulintang filled the streets of this town up in the mountains.

Already on its 12th installment, Upi’s Meguyaya festival on Monday had its biggest year yet with nine teams of street performers from Cotabato City, Datu Piang in Maguindanao and Esperanza in Sultan Kudarat, as well as a local team of grade school pupils.

The festival serves as a great reminder for Mindanao and the rest of the country that unity among people with different religious and cultural backgrounds is not only possible but is here a reality.

“We can’t help but reminisce the good relations, the good working together of everyone to make the Meguyaya festival more meaningful, especially for the tri-people of Upi,” said Mayor Ramon A. Piang Sr.

The mayor was referring to the lumad group Teduray whose thanksgiving feast the festival takes its name from, the Bangsamoro people, and the Christian settlers from Luzon and the Visayas.

Upi’s own delegation of elementary pupils in the end won the competition for their performance that highlighted the tri-people’s varied courtship and marriage rituals.

“Kung titingnan po natin ang ating Meguyaya festival, nakatulong ito para mas lalong maging buo, para lalong maging mag-isa ang ating pananaw: pananaw sa ating kaunlaran, pananaw sa development, pananaw sa pag-buo ng ating samahan dito sa ating bayan ng Upi (If we observe the Meguyaya festival closely, we see that it helps us unite and be one in our outlook for progress, development and harmony here in our town of Upi),” said Piang.

Datu Piang Mayor Genuine Piang Kamaong, a guest at the festival celebrations, praised the Meguyaya festival for being “a manifestation that the municipality of Upi is not only a peaceful municipality but also one of the progressive municipalities in the province of Maguindanao.”

The festival is now already making its name in important festivals across the country, he added.

In fact, earlier this year, the Meguyaya festival placed second in the annual Aliwan Fiesta street-dance championships in Manila presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, among others.

“Upi has actually leveled up in terms of tourism,” said Nelly Nita Dillera, the Department of Tourism’s director for Region 12 and chairperson of the board of judges of the Meguyaya street-dance competition.

“Festivals are just one area of tourism because they’re seasonal,” Dillera added, before further challenging the Upi local government to also capitalize on its other tourism potentials. “Hindi pa last ito (This won’t be the last),” promised Piang.“We will move on and upgrade our festival celebration.”

Sulu’s mock village wins ARMM cultural competition

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

The Sulu “mock tribal village” depicting the oldest Southern Philippine Muslim civilization was voted as overall champion in various cultural contests that capped the month-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The construction of the mock Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi villages inside the 32-hectare compound of ARMM in Cotabato City was one of the highlights of the 30-day anniversary festivities.

The designated chieftain of the Sulu village, Engineer Emil Sadain, who is concurrent public works secretary of ARMM, received the P1 million cash prize for the contest and a trophy from the region’s chief executive, Gov. Mujiv Hataman, during a program here Friday night.

The Sulu village depicted the customs and traditions of the Tausog people, their traditional day-to-day activities, their native cuisine, and the governance practices of their sultans whose unbroken chain of rule started as early as the 13th century.

In an emotional speech, Hataman, the eighth elected regional governor of ARMM, said the organizers of the four other mock tribal villages that failed to win the grand prize should not be saddened by their loss.

“We must bear in mind that in the past 30 days we have shown that contrary to the perception of people in Visayas, in Metro Manila and in Luzon, people in the autonomous region can co-exist for the sake of peace and development,” Hataman said.

Close to 30,000 local tourists visited the mock tribal villages from November 18 to December 19 as indicated in guest registry books.

“This could be our last anniversary celebration. Next year there will be a transition from ARMM to the new Bangsamoro political entity,” Hataman said.

He said his administration is ready to turn over all the assets, regional rank-and-file personnel and all savings in the ARMM’s coffer to the Bangsamoro government.

The enabling measure for the replacement of the ARMM with a new Bangsamoro self-governing entity, the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is now in Congress, is expected to be enacted into law by first quarter of 2015.

The mock village of Tawi-Tawi, which showcased the rich cultures and traditions of ARMM’s Samah people, ranked second in the regional cultural contests.

Industrial psychologist John Magno, assistant education secretary of ARMM and designated chieftain of the Tawi-Tawi mock village, said he is thankful to local officials and employees of the regional government who hails from the island province for helping put up a typical fishing enclave depicting their ethnic identity.

Hataman said this year’s celebration of the ARMM’s 25th founding anniversary is also an advance thanksgiving feast in anticipation of next year’s establishment of the Bangsamoro entity based on the government’s final peace accord with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the March 27, 2014 Comprehensive agreement on Bangsamoro.

“This early we are ready to turn over to the government and the MILF a reformed ARMM, touted as a `failed experiment’ which this administration managed to let function efficiently in the final three years of its existence,” Hataman said.

Hataman said his administration had also succeeded in correcting wrong notions on the disunity of ARMM’s Muslim, Christian and lumad communities.

“The mock tribal villages we ran in the past 30 days was a good showcase of how these three groups in the region have been co-existing peacefully,” he said.

Armm sees P3.8B in investments this year

By Edgar Fuerzas

COTABATO CITY -- A total of 3.8 billion pesos in investments was made in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) this year, Regional board of Investments (RBOI) Chair Ishak Mastura reported.

It was learned that the nickel-mining project of Pax Libera Mining Incorporated brought in the most money, raking in P495 million in investments.

The project is based in Languyan, Tawi-tawi.

ARMM is also seeing large draws from Banana Plantations, Palm Oil and other agricultural processors, Mastura said.

The RBOI is hoping that in 2015, they will see the approval of the investments from Biomass power generation, oil depot in Tawi-tawi and other agriculture plantations.

Mastura also said the peace talks between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao are going smoothly, resulting in the influx of investors in the region.

ARMM to construct 6 women peace and training center

(Bureau of Public Information)

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will set up a total of six women peace and training centers, one in each of the region’s five component provinces and at its seat in this city.

The centers are intended to cater to all the women in the region especially those affected by conflict and other related issues. It will provide various materials on gender and development and can serve as safe house for victims of violence against women.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said the women peace center is aimed not only to provide capacity building on gender and development but to also to train women to be economically empowered.

“We need to capacitate and train women to go beyond poverty level,” Alamia said.

All six centers will be funded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) with other forms of assistance from ARMM’s Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women (RCBW) and Department of Public Works and Highways.

It is in line with the government’s Localizing the National Action Plan (LNAP) on women, peace and security program in the ARMM, which targets to bring national programs to grassroots level, especially in conflict-affected areas.

Sittie Jehan Mutin, RCBW-ARMM chairperson, said that by 2015 the six women peace centers will be completed and operational.

Earlier today, officials from ARMM led by Regional Vice-Governor Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia, DPWH Secretary Emil Sadain and Chairperson Mutin conducted an ocular inspection of the ongoing construction of the P11 million-worth peace and training center at the ARMM compound in Cotabato City.

Local residents, ARMM execs begin construction of Rio Grande dike

By Nash Maulana (With reports from Dennis Santos and Edwin Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao)

SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao —Armed with shovels and other earth-moving equipment, local residents and officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have been piling up dirt on the northern bank of the Rio Grande de Mindanao to build a nearly four-kilometer-long dike meant to stop floodwaters from invading the town’s farms and homes.

The perennial overflowing of the Rio Grande leaves substantial damage to farms and homes in the area apart from disrupting land transportation between the neighboring city of Cotabato and Davao City and slowing down trade and commerce.

Led by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and other officials, local residents started piling up soil on a 3.75-kilometer stretch of riverbank between Barangay Katuli dowstream to Barangay Bagobo.

Makmod Mending Jr., ARMM’s secretary of agriculture and fisheries, said the dike would also serve as a farm-to-market road between the two villages.

“The project started Wednesday with a first-tranche of P3 million from the ARMM government. This would help [prevent] huge damage to crops and properties and even lives from risks posed by floods,” Mending said.

He said the initiative was the result of a region-wide consultation among member-organizations of the Regional Agriculture Fishery Council (RAFC), during which ARMM farmers and fishermen presented their problems and concerns.

Hataman noted that road traffic between the cities of Davao and Cotabato gets regularly disrupted by the flooding of a section of the highway in this part of Sultan Kudarat town, slowing down regional trade and commerce.

This affects Maguindanao and the rest of the ARMM as well. Despite not being part of the ARMM, Cotabato City remains a major center of commerce and trade for the region, Hataman said.

The problem of flooding here appears to worsen each year, especially when the rains come. From June this year, the floods have become a monthly problem.

In October, a 10-year-old child died when floods submerged the low-lying villages of this town and at least 9,800 villagers were affected, according to the Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Relief Team (HEART) of the ARMM.

“It’s been a constant problem (flooding) here,” Sultan Kudarat Mayor Shamim Mastura said back then.

The problem has been aggravated by the overgrowth of water hyacinth and siltation.

The Mindanao River Basin Project, led by the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), formed a technical working group to find ways to address the recurring problem on flooding here and in other parts of Mindanao.

During its meetings, the technical working group said there was a need for structural interventions such as flood-control projects and non-structural interventions that include reforestation, mangrove rehabilitation, and sustainable watershed management.

“Both of these structural and non-structural interventions are aimed to address the issue of flooding beyond a piece-meal method and are part of the strategic programs prioritized in the MRB Master Plan which adopts the ridge-to-reef approach,” Luwalhati Antonino, the Minda chair, said in July.

MILF political party gears for 2016 polls

By John Unson (philstar.com)

MAGUINDANAO - Stakeholders on Thursday welcomed the start of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) conversion from a revolutionary group to a political organization, aiming to pit candidates for local positions during the 2016 elections.

The MILF announced on Wednesday that it has filed an application for the United Bangsamoro Justice Party's (UBJP) accreditation from the Commission on Elections so the group can field candidates for local positions and elective posts in the Bangsamoro government.

“This is a very positive indication that the MILF will now pursue its struggle for peace and development in Mindanao’s predominantly Muslim areas through peaceful political initiatives. This is a very positive development, a pro-people, pro-peace initiative and worthy of our support,” said Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Hataman, who belongs to the administration’s ruling Liberal Party, even volunteered to help the MILF disseminate to the public the importance of its political venture to the propagation of "culture of peace" among local communities and in the promotion of socio-economic stability in the proposed Bangsamoro core territory.

The ARMM’s scattered provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, will become the main bastions of the Bangsamoro if the enabling measure for its creation, the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, passes Congress and enacted into law and ratified via a plebiscite in 2015.

The MILF central leadership is expecting thousands of Moro volunteers to pledge support and allegiance to the UBJP on December 23 in Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Party secretary-general Sammy Al-Mansour told the Mindanao Cross that the participants to the first ever gathering of applicants to UBJP's "volunteer bloc" will come from provinces and towns included in the proposed territory of the Bangsamoro political entity.

“These volunteers planning to join the UBJP will play big, very important roles in the forthcoming 2016 elections in the Bangsamoro homeland,” Al-Mansour said.

The applicants to UBJP membership will converge in Camp Darapanan, the MILF’s main bastion, located in northwest of Sultan Kudarat.

“This is part of our preparations for the political empowerment of the Moro people that are major stakeholders to the on-going peace initiatives of the MILF and government,” Mansour said.

Peace activist and Mindanao autonomy expert Fr. Eliseo Mercado, Jr., director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in Cotabato City, said politics, governance and peace dialogues are the best means of addressing socio-economic, political and social issues besetting underdeveloped and troubled areas.

The IAG, a partner of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung of Germany, is engaged in cross-section dialogues and educational programs meant to educate Mindanao’s culturally-pluralistic communities and their leaders on the importance of interfaith and political cooperation to hasten the attainment of peace and sustainable development in the country’s troubled south.

For Mercado, the use of guns and violence as a means of seeking redress are not just outmoded and primitive, but counter-productive as well.

Even the governor of Maguindanao, Esmael Mangudadatu, now in his second term as chief executive of the province, said his administration is in favor of the MILF’s fusion into the political mainstream via its newly-formed UBJP.

“The political arena, under Mindanao and Philippine settings, is the best venue where all sectors can wage a peaceful and democratic struggle for the protection and welfare of the Bangsamoro people,” Mangudadatu said in a text message.

The military has assured to help provide security to the participants to the first ever UBJP conclave in Darapanan on December 23.

Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said their security efforts will be facilitated under the guidance of the joint government-MILF ceasefire coordinating committee.

“These are peaceful and very democratic activities that run parallel with the peace efforts of His Excellency, President Benigno Aquino III,” said Pangilinan, who was deputy commander for the peace process of the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City prior to his assumption as 6th ID commander last May 2014.

ARMM agri-fishery council revitalized, vows more services ahead of Bangsamoro government

(PNA), LAP/NYP

COTABATO CITY, Dec. 17 (PNA) -- Agriculture officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) today launched the revitalized and more inclusive Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AFC) to capacitate farmers ahead of the establishment of the new political entity in the region.

Abdulrahman Macabangon, AFC chair and Lawyer Macmod Mending Jr., vice chairman and other officials took their oath of office before Engineer Ariel Cayanan, executive director of the Philippine Council on Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF). Mending is the regional secretary of the ARMM agriculture department.

It was preceded by the sectoral peace and development dialogue, organized by Mending’s office, among members from the provinces of Maguidnanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Cayanan said he was hoping for a successful transition from the current ARMM to the Bangsamoro government expected to happen next year.

ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman and agriculture officials have allotted Php500 million worth of agricultural grants like farm inputs, equipment and seed assistance to farmer-beneficiaries.

Macabangon vowed the AFC will be more active and revitalized in the upcoming Bangsamoro government to ensure the success of the new government as far as agriculture programs are concerned.

4 ARMM fire officials honored by DILG inspired to do best as firefighters

(PNA), SCS/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) – The fire chief in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said on Tuesday the awards he and three of his subordinates received from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) serve as an inspiration for them to perform better in firefighting and saving lives.

Fire Supt. Adam Ali Guiamad, regional director of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the ARMM, was one of the four ARMM fire officials who were recognized by the DILG for their dedication and commitment in the performance of duties.

Aside from Guiamad, Senior Fire Officer 3 Allain Anthony Funcion, SFO3 Gary Mueco and SFO2 Sailama were recognized during the 41st Fire Service Recognition Day in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday.

Also awarded was Fire Inspector Bayani Sambrano of the BFP in the SOCCSKSARGEN region.

They received “Medalya ng Kagitingan,” “Medalya ng Pagtulong sa mga Nasalanta,” “Medalya ng Kagalingan at Kadakilaan” from DILG Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II.

ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi while the SOCCSKSARGEN region is composed of the provinces of North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and General Santos.

Guiamad said the award was another achievement for him and his personnel as well as the BFP-ARMM and will serve as an “inspiration” for them to perform better.

”We risk our lives to save others’ lives and properties,” he said in an interview.

He said the theme of the celebration is a fitting description of fire officers which says, "Bombero, Simbolo ng Kabayanihan, Laging Maaasahan."

Guiamad and his men always keep themselves busy in conducting information dissemination and organizing volunteers to help the BFP prevent fire in its areas of assignment.

Occasionally, the BFP-ARMM personnel keep themselves fit by regularly doing exercises.

Guiamad said the BFP-ARMM is active on propagating preventive measures to the people of the autonomous regional government to avoid loss of properties and lives.

Maguindanao provincial ‘WaSH’ plan launched

By Frinston L. Lim, Joselle R. Badilla

Stakeholders on Thursday pledged support to a pioneering water and sanitation thrust of the now partners United Nations Children’s Fund, the A Single Drop for Safe Water (ASDSW) and the office of the provincial governor of Maguindanao.

Local officials from Maguindanao’s 36 towns and representatives of different civil society organizations signed a manifesto committing unanimous support to the provincial Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) initiative of the three cooperating outfits during a summit in Buluan town.

The summit capped the launching of Maguindanao’s provincial WaSH plan, which the UNICEF, the ASDSW and the provincial government are to jointly pursue to ensure supply of safe, clean water for Maguindanao’s “tri-people,” comprised of Muslim, Christian and lumad sectors.

The WaSH plan is also meant to maximize sanitation and cleanliness in enclaves of the tri-people thriving in all parts of the province, a component area of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“To have clean water for the people and to maintain sanitation and keep hygiene among them are the objectives of these WaSH efforts,” said Engineer Wahab Tunga, Maguindanao’s provincial administrator.

Tunga, speaking on behalf of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, said the provincial government assured, during the summit, the program’s two key benefactors, the UNICEF and the ASDSW, of its religious implementation of the WaSH plan for Maguindanao.

Officials of the UNICEF and the ASDSW attended Thursday’s WaSH summit in Buluan, the new capital town of Maguindanao.

In a statement, Mangudadatu said the UNICEF and ASDSW-supported Maguindanao WaSH plan will bolster the common efforts of the provincial government and the Department of Health to reduce cases of water-borne diseases plaguing far-flung areas in the province.

“This program will ensure that our people are always healthy. Healthy people means healthy, productive peasants and fishermen everywhere,” the governor said.

Tunga said mayors from different towns and leaders of different sectors manifested their support to the implementation of the Maguindanao WaSH plan by affixing their signatures to a large tarpaulin manifesto draft in the presence of UNICEF and ASDSW officials.

The ASDSW has actively been helping communities in different parts of the Philippines gain access to clean water and in educating stakeholders on the importance of sanitation and hygiene to ensure good public health.

The organization teaches beneficiary-communities to address water and health issues autonomously, through environment-friendly technologies supported by local and foreign benefactors.

Mangudadatu and his 36 constituent-municipal mayors have been trying to address sanitation issues in remote areas, where villagers get water for cooking and drinking from swamps and marshes that connect to the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Delta in the center of the province.

“The provincial government is also invoking Islamic values in furthering this provincial WaSH plan. Water is very important for Muslims because of the obligatory ablution rituals that precede all of the five prayer rites a Muslim performs every single day,” Mangudadatu said.

Story on mosque eye-opener for kids

By Frinston L. Lim, Joselle R. Badilla

ZAMBOANGA CITY–Nine-year-old Jerny Laurice Anova sat attentively as the stranger read her a story inside a familiar place, where she and her classmates spend at least an hour every day to enjoy their favorite books.

“This is an unusual day for me because it’s one of those few times I get to enjoy a book being read by someone else,” said the Grade 3 pupil of Claret School of Zamboanga City.

Anova and 25 of her classmates were the audience of the Inquirer Read-Along session in the school’s library on Tuesday.

Lawyer Jamar Kulayan, education secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)—whom the students had met for the first time—read the story of the first mosque in the Philippines.

Titled “Ang Unang Mosque sa Pilipinas (The First Mosque in the Philippines),” the story is about the more than 600-year-old Muslim house of worship in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi province. The story is part of the “Mindanao Tales” collection published by the nongovernment organization Kids for Peace for its “Big Books” project.

It was a quick and fitting lesson about history and culture, according to Thea Eliza Tumacas, 9, another Claretian elementary school student.

When asked if they knew what a mosque was, all but two of the children chorused in the affirmative.

The children were in amazement as the story unraveled. The reader told them about the four original pillars still standing inside the present structure in Tubig Indangan in Simunul.

“It’s that old?” some of the students asked among themselves, as if in disbelief when told that the Sheik Karim al-Makdum Mosque was built in 1380.

For Shawn Allian Bejemil, the story taught him about the rich and enduring culture of the people of Tawi-Tawi.

Spicing up the children’s excitement was the giving away of Guyito stuffed toys—the Inquirer’s mascot—as prizes for correctly answering trivia questions.

Anova, a 9-year-old math lover, said the story gave her a new perspective about reading and learning.

“Listening to a story is better than just reading it, because you can ask questions later,” she said.

She said the story taught her about the colorful history and culture of Muslims, some of them her classmates and friends.

The activity highlighted the National Reading Month celebration, which included the distribution of books to children by various groups.

Kulayan also graced the Department of Education-ARMM’s book donation drive in Zamboanga City on Tuesday in an effort to help Bangsamoro schoolchildren improve their reading habits.

“Reading is the key to increasing their learning outcomes, especially in core subjects such as English, science and math,” the regional education chief said.

Aptly dubbed “Learning Improvement through Book Reading Opportunities (Libro) para sa Bangsamoro,” the project is one of the department’s initiatives aimed to improve education in the ARMM with the help of the Australian government’s Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM).

BEAM-ARMM has been helping the strife-torn region make strides in education since 2012 by repairing damaged schools and training teachers and school administrators.

Civic groups and organizations such as Junior Chamber International-Davao and Young Moro Professionals have supported the book donation drive, according to Kulayan. Public and private schools like Claret, Ateneo de Zamboanga University and the state-run Western Mindanao University have also joined in the initiative.

‘Yaman ng ARMM’

By Ayunan G. Gunting (BusinessMirror)

THIS year Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) marked its 25th anniversary and the celebration was much grander than previous festivities, showcasing the life and culture of the ARMM people, among them the Maranaos, Yakans, Tausogs, Iranuns and Maguindanaons. After 25 years, the ARMM will give way to a new Bangsamoro government that will inherit a “silver lining from a reformed ARMM bureaucracy,” Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman said during the ARMM 25th anniversary program at the ARMM compound in Cotabato City.

He added that the ARMM is ready for the transition to the Bangsamoro with only a few minor kinks still being worked out. The passing of the Bangsamoro basic law will legalize the Bangsamoro government. This new order is the crux of the final peace pact, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Hataman said the ARMM government under his term has introduced reforms in the bureaucracy that will lay a solid foundation for the new dispensation.

President Aquino called Hataman a “ghost buster” for fighting corruption by exposing anomalies, such as nonexistent teachers and schools. “Our experiences will ‘lighten the load’ of the new political entity,” Hataman said in Filipino.

He also urged the incoming leaders of the new Bangsamoro government to be considerate of the welfare of the majority of some 4 million Moros that include the ethnic groups of the Tausugs, Maguindanaos, Maranaos, Iranuns, Samals and Yakans. “Set aside your self-interest and that of your family in behalf of the interest of all the Muslims, Christians and indigenous peoples in the new Bangsamoro government,” he said.

The anniversary event opened with the launch of a cultural village that featured mini-villages typical of their provinces. A colorful float and costume parade and a dance contest depicted the culture and tradition of the different ethnic tribes in the ARMM.

The monthlong 25th anniversary celebration will culminate on December 19, the Shariff Kabunsuan Day, a holiday in the ARMM.

SOUTHERN CHARMS

“FOR those who have not been in the ARMM provinces, we put up a cultural villages in the compound for visitors, so that tourists can have an idea what these provinces can offer,” ARMM First Lady Princess Sitti Djalia Hataman said.

The “Yaman ng ARMM” of course includes Tawi-Tawi, a faraway island province with pristine white shorelines, breathtaking vistas, rare birds and sea houses on stilts. As the new Bangsamoro government is installed, it will be promoted as a tourist destination, together with other Muslim provinces, such as Sulu, Basilan, Lanao del Sur and Basilan. Hopefully, travel advisories that once banned or warned tourists will soon give a nod to Muslim Mindanao.

It is hoped that the negative publicity regarding the peace and order situation in the region will soon be a thing of the past, as tourism officials trumpet the natural wonders and rich culture of these provinces. For instance, no longer the battleground between the military and rebels, Tawi-Tawi beckons travelers to its mountain views, ancient underground chambers and crystal-clear waters.

Its neighboring island Sulu is home to the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, which is the first natural site in the Philippines to be included by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in the prestigious World Heritage List. Among other cultural attractions include Sulu being the world’s smallest walled city, its Moorish architecture, and the pangalay, the exotic Muslim dance that mimics the fluidity of the ocean waves.

In Lanao del Sur, Lake Lanao has a mythic quality. Folktales have the lake being formed by angels to prevent the world from drowning. In ancient times, a giant named Umacan threw clay balls at the rajah that formed into islands and mountains. Today it has become the settlement of the Maranaos, or People of the Lake. The Maranaos are known for the torogan, the residence of Muslim royalty.

The architecture is characterized by its elevation from the ground, steep roof and okir, or curlicued designs, carved on wood. The Maranao’s malong, a vibrantly patterned tubular sarong, is a versatile accessory as it is used for clothing, head cover, drape, hammock, cradle and sack. Visitors can learn more about the local culture at the Aga Khan Museum in Mindanao State University.

“The M’ranaos have shared their culture for years through legends of the Lake Lanao, sophisticated weaving techniques, artworks, metal crafts and wood carvings. In our village, we offer tourists a series of traditional music and dances like “Kakolintang,” “Kasipa sa Minggis,” “Kasipa sa Abun,” “Kambayoka,” “Kasayaw sa Singkil,” and “Kanggarotay” performed by talented M’ranao performers from different municipalities,” Regional Vice Gov. Haroun Al Rashid Lucman said.

Meanwhile, Maguindanao boasts of a rich biodiversity and cool dive spots in the marine sanctuary in Parang and the Ligawasan Marsh which lies by the Mindanao River. Next to Lake Lanao in size, freshwater Lake Buluan attracts visitors for its soothing waters and rare fish. Golfers can enjoy the picturesque fairways at Camp General Salipada K. Pendatuin, a tribute to the great Muslim statesman. For those who seek solitude, there are sanctuaries for the soul such as the Sultan Bolkia Grand Mosque, or a zipline in Padang-Padang Adventure Park in Parang. A local government unit-operated and a community-based project that was launched late last year, the park spans 60 hectares and features two zipline attractions and a teahouse adjoined with mini cottages nearby. Poised to be the hottest summer destination in the south, it is also being planning to install a cable car, a function hall, swimming pools, cottages, and other amenities within the park.

Scrapping exaggerated stories of kidnapping, pirates and warfare, Basilan is making a bid as the region’s island paradise. The largest island in the Sulu archipelago, it is famous for Punta Matangal, whose massive waves have made it the surfers’ mecca in the Philippines. Panigayan has become a noted spearhead fishing destination. People who want to connect with the primal forces of nature hie off to Lantawan and Lamitan for the dramatic waterfalls. For beach havens, Tenusa Island with its powdery white sand, White Beach of Malamawi Island, and the Hami Beach of Baluno in Isabela. The Yakans warmly welcome visitors to their houses on stilts along the mangrove areas.

Highlighted in the ARMM anniversary celebration was the fashion show by A-list Tausog designer, the Manila-based Amir Sali, who proudly showcased his stunning collection during the Gabi ng Kultura at Kasaysayan ng ARMM, and no less than Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj strutted down the runway as the lead model.

NGOs distributes 90 bancas in ARMM's remote villages

(IEroy/PBC/PIA Cotabato City)

COTABATO CITY, Dec.12 (PIA) – A total of 80 bancas for students and 1 motorized boat for teachers was given away by the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation (YBHF) on Sunday in Pagalungan, Maguindanao.

The YBHF is a non-government organization (NGO) that aims to extend assistance to communities in remote areas.

Pagalungan, Maguindanao is surrounded by the Linguasan Marsh where students ride on bancas everyday to attend school; children here are often affected by floodwaters.

According to Jeffrey Mendez, head Implementer of YBHF "these will serve as a school bus for the students."

“About 6 to 10 pupils can ride each banca. This is a big help for the students to take them to school and from school to their houses,” Mendez said.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia personally witnessed the current situation of the students and their families in the two towns of Maguindanao.

On the same day, Alamia was assisted by the members of Proud Emergent and Empowered Pinoy (PEEP), they also distributed 10 bancas and school supplies to the 400 students of Lower Banguinged Elementary School in Barangay Talitay,Datu Montawal, Maguindanao.

“It is good that we are able to come here and we are able to address this situation to the concerned agencies and help them to improve through other programs of ARMM,” Alamia cited.

We are encouraging, Alamia stressed, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Montawal and Pagalungan to submit proposals based on the needs of their Municipalities and expect positive response from ARMM Government.

ARMM committee marks International Human Rights Day

By Dennis Arcon (InterAksyon.com)

SULTAN KUDARAT - Officials of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Human Rights Committee led ceremonies Wednesday marking International Human Rights Day.

A hundred pupils from various schools in the province of Maguindanao were recipients of soccer balls from the Regional Human Rights Commission of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RHRC-ARMM) in cooperation with Maharlika Sports Development Institute, Inc., to impress upon them their right to play and wholesome recreation and also to help divert them from becoming too affected by the armed conflict situation.

The day's program was led by human rights lawyer and ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia.

The spate of encounters between government security forces and rogue militant rebels and criminal outlaws in many parts of Muslim Mindanao have caused much trauma and disruption of normal lives for thousands of internally displaced families caught in the cross-fire.

The theme of this years commemoration of International Human Rights Day was Celebrating 20 years of changing lives through Human Rights.

Many of the students who received soccer balls are themselves children of followers or fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.


Former ARMM DepEd exec faces graft raps, for late payment of GSIS premiums

By Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - For failing to pay the teachers’ and employees’ premiums to the government state fund on time, a former head of the Department of Education (DepEd) office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is facing graft charges.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said graft investigators found probable cause to indict Leovigilda Cinches, former officer-in-charge of DepEd-ARMM.

Records showed that from October 2001 to November 2004, the regional DepEd office remitted late the employee’s contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) amounting to P232.9 million.

The delay resulted in the suspension of employees’ loan privileges and benefits, the Office of the Ombudsman said.

As DepEd’s regional officer-in-charge and director for administrative, finance and other support services, Cinches should have ensured that the monthly GSIS premiums of the employees were collected and remitted on time, said the anti-graft agency.

Cinches was also found guilty of grave misconduct and was ordered dismissed from the service.

The ombudsman dismissed the complaints against three other DepEd officers – accountant Pangalian Maniri, budget officer Mosbicak Ibrahim and cashier Norensa Arimao – for lack of evidence.

It also junked the charges against former GSIS officials Winston Garcia, Leonora de Jesus, Elmer Bautista, Florino Ibañez, Reynaldo Palmiery, Fulgencio Factoran Jr. and Aida Nocete for lack of merit.

DENR-ARMM turns over seedling nursery to local environment group in Maguindanao

(PNA), FPV/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Dec. 9 (PNA) -- In its desire to ensure nursery care, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has officially turned over Monday seedling nursery for the region's greening program to the provincial DENR office, officials said Tuesday.

Kahal Kedtag, DENR-ARMM region secretary, said the nursery, built inside the watershed area in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao and beside the pumping station of the Cotabato City Water District (MCWD), is now under the care of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO-ARMM).

Kedtag said it was part of the transition and transfer of assets to concerned government agencies ahead of the coming of Bangsamoro Government which will replace the current ARMM set up. The nursery is now under the care of environmentalist Doming Dagadas.

The nursery was Kedtag’s brainchild project together with UN-World Food Program. He managed to convince local residents to avoid cutting small trees for charcoal business and "Kaingin," a slash and burn practice of farmers in the hinterlands.

Since the project was launched, residents nearby helped protect the watershed in the village of Dimapatoy and helped the government in propagating trees.

“We are happy we succeeded in convincing the locals to shift from charcoal making to seedling preparation and nurturing," Kedtag told reporters.

Kedtag stressed that the DENR-ARMM financial savings were used to increase nursery as the region needs more trees.

Without sufficient funding acquired from the national budget, the savings of DENR-ARMM worth P820,000 this year was used in putting up a bigger nursery and distribute to environmental groups for tree planting and for free.

Kedtag said the nursery hosts endemic species to be used to mitigate flash floods and landslides in Maguindanao and other parts of the region.

ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Kedtag said among the seedlings are Antipolo, Narra, Mahogany and bamboos.

First to benefit from the nursery is the 2,300 hectares watershed area composed of community of six villages whose leaders were formed ito a cooperative called "Lupa Sinaka," a long time partner of DENR seedling propagation and planting.

Children in a remote village receive school supplies from ARMM

(Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 8 (PIA) -- Close to 400 pupils in Lower Baguinged Elementary School in barangay Talitay, Datu Montawal town, Maguindanao received bags and other school supplies from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Sunday, December 7.

ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia, together with the team from Proud Emergent and Empowered Pinoy (PEEP), a people’s organization, turned over learning materials and ten bancas as means of transport for pupils who live in communities along the riverbank and in the Liguasan Marsh.

The school, which is around 20 meters away from the Rio de Grande river bank, is regularly flooded.

Alamia said the regional government will look into ways to assist the school.

“The community and our teaching force are very happy to receive this assistance. We are thankful that ARMM officials have finally visited the place and see the condition of our school and children,” said Fatima Abubacar, head teacher.

Abubacar said the children continue to attend school despite the perennial flooding they experience.

“The support of their parents serves as inspiration to our pupils to do well in their studies despite the tough situation they face,” Abubacar added.

Alamia meanwhile urged the local government to send proposals to avail of assistance from programs like the Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Security and Synergy (HELPS), a flagship program of the Hataman administration.

PWD-inclusive ARMM polls sought

By JAKE SORIANO

COTABATO CITY- Lack of information dissemination, accessibility of polling centers, and security are some of the major issues raised by groups promoting the rights of voters with disabilities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

In a dialogue here between government agencies and nongovernment organizations a year and a half away from the 2016 presidential elections, PWD advocates across the region raised concerns over difficulties faced by voters with disabilities.

These voters will also have to take part in a plebiscite next year should the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) be signed into law soon, and the election of Bangsamoro officials in 2016.

In some areas in Maguindanao, for instance, stigma against PWDs is still pronounced, said Majeed Andong of the organization Kabalikat Civicom during the dialogue on Thursday organized by the ARMM coalition of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

“Ayaw bumoto ang PWD kasi kakantyawan siya (PWDs hesitate to vote because they would face ridicule),” he said.

Mahdie Amella of the Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initiatives (MAPAD) also said that PWDs and their families not only contend with “hiya” or shame but they also fear unforeseen violence.

“Sa context ng Maguindanao na conflict-affected area, natatakot ka pa rin na may maglagay ng bomba (Because Maguindanao is a conflict-affected area, people are still scared that bombs might suddenly go off in public places),” Amella said.

He added that those with disabilities are left at home, away from harm’s way

Andong and Amella agree these factors contribute to challenges in getting PWDs to register.

In Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, age-old security and logistical concerns continue to marthe overall voter registration and elections.

ARMM Police Community Relations Officer John Roderick Morales said that the lack of proper recording of PWD voters creates problems for authorities tasked to monitor the peace and order situation in these difficult areas.

“There is no problem with obvious PWDs,” he noted. “Kapag dumating sila pananaka-wheelchair, iyong queue, umaatras (When an old man in a wheelchair arrives at a polling precinct, people in line immediately give way).”

But he said that people with questionable intentions are “manipulating these terms” like “PWD voter” or “illiterate voter” for possibly dubious ends.

Morales cited his experience in the town of Butig, Lanao del Sur, where close to the end of polling, some 80 men arrived and told officials they were illiterate. Authorities later found out most of them were not.They arrived after three in the afternoon, he said.

“Kasi three o’clock, malapit na dumilim (Three o’clock in the afternoon is close to dusk),” he explained. “Kapag dumilim na, hindi na kami safe (And when it’s dark, it’s no longer safe).”

Aiding PWDs to vote

Meanwhile, in the island provinces of ARMM – Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) – the geographic landscape itself is a barrier to a successful information drive to encourage PWDs to register and to vote.

“Sa Bongao proper, hindi problema kasi pwedei-motor(Centers like Bongao are easy to navigate via motorcycle),” said Jose Abendaño, the coordinator for the PPCRV BaSulTasub-region.Reaching island municipalities, however, is a challenge because of lack of transportation options.

On the part of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Election Officer Mary Ann Mangudadatu urged barangay officials within ARMM to request for off-site registration, as they have the power to do so.

“Even the mayor cannot request. It should emanate from the office of the barangay chair,” she explained.

Based on Comelec data as of the October 2013 barangay elections, there are 2,353 registered PWD voters for Maguindanao; 1,333 for Basilan; 667 for Tawi-Tawi; 333 for Lanao del Sur; and 326 for Sulu.

“The Commission has a very favorable policy for PWDs,” added Mangudadatu.

But in some areas, accessibility during registration and elections day remains a huge concern.

“Pagdating sa elections, hinihingi ng PWDs na sana doon sila sa ibaba (During elections, PWDs want to be allowed to vote on the first floor of poll buildings),” said Mariam Ali of the Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP).

She reminded stakeholders to take note of lessons and mistakes from the previous voter registration period.

“Last registration, nakaligtaan yung supplemental form (The supplemental form for PWDs was not provided for them during the last registration period),” Ali pointed out.

In 2012, VERA Files reported that the Comelec in ARMM allowed PWDs to register but failed to provide them with the formwhere they could input the types of assistance they would need for the day of elections.

“Panawagan natin sa Comelec na sana maayos ito (We urge Comelec to address this concern),” added Ali.

Raising awareness

Maribel Buenaobra of The Asia Foundation said PWD issues in ARMM are now competing for attention with other developments such as the creation of the Bangsamoro.

“Maraming nangyayari ngayon sa Mindanao.Baka ang usapin tungkol sa persons with disabilities, hindi masyado mapansin (With recent developments happening now in Mindanao, PWD issues might not be given proper attention),” she said.

Some of the action steps decided towards the end of the meeting were the creation of a unified campaign message encouraging PWDs to register, and the translation of materials relevant to the elections into local dialects.

Fr. David Procalla, PPCRV’s regional coordinator for Mindanao and the ARMM, vowed that where before information dissemination campaigns were “school-based, community-based and media-based,” the coalition would now also make it “church- and mosque-based.”

The meeting was the second in a series by PPRCV to discuss the ongoing registration of PWDs and other issues in ARMM. The first was in June this year. Another stakeholders meeting is being set for January.

ARMM chief urges Muslims to form delegation to meet with Pope Francis

By Nash B. Maulana (Inquirer Mindanao)

COTABATO CITY–Pope Francis’ visit next month could become an opportunity to strengthen dialogue between Christians and Muslims, Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said.

With this in view, Hataman urged the country’s Muslim religious sector to form an official delegation to meet the Pope as they did in 1981, when Pope John Paul II made his first visit to the country.

At that time, Filipino muftis (Islamic scholars who interpret or expound Islamic law) and ulama (Muslim legal scholars) met with Pope John Paul II at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila.

Hataman said a meeting between Pope Francis and Filipino religious leaders could show that dialogue was the better option between followers of various religions.

“Even the Prophet Muhammad in his time encouraged dialogue with followers and leaders of other religions,” he said, noting that the prophet’s companions also had fruitful exchanges with a famous Christian king, the Negus of Abyssinia.

Hataman said the prophet always respected Christians by referring to them as “Adhjal Qitaab” or “People of the Book” and not Kafir (unbeliever).

Aside from forging better relations, the country’s Islamic leaders could also demonstrate that the path to real Islam was peace and not the ideology that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has been spreading.

Hataman said he believed that muftis and ulama–including those in the country–have sincerely condemned the ISIS group in several religious and scholarly articles on Islam.

He said Pope Francis also aimed to forge better relations between religions.

“Last Friday, the Pope urged Muslims in Turkey to strengthen cooperation (between religious groups) to put a stop to the violence perpetrated by people who misinterpret religions,” Hataman added.

Gov’t officials, CSOs hail Hataman’s 2nd SORA

(Bureau of Public Information)

COTABATO CITY --- Government officials and civil society organizations hailed the second State of the Region Address (SORA) of Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for its substance and concrete indicators of reform happening in the region.

Father Eliseo “Jun” Mercado, executive director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) lauded Hataman for his passion to bring the people to a unified direction through a solid roadmap.

“The SORA was very impressive. Pinakita niya kung saan siya nagsimula, kung ano ang pinatutupad, at kung saan siya patutungo. Yun ang pinakaimportante,”Fr. Mercado said, underscoring the concrete milestones achieved under the Hataman administration.

Gauging the Hataman leadership on a performance scale of one to 10, Fr. Mercado said Hataman deserves a 9.

Guiamel Alim, chairperson of the Consortium of the Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), also commends Hataman for introducing reform and building the foundation for change in ARMM governance.

“The social contract with the civil society is continuing. We laud the Hataman administration for the instituted reforms,” Alim said.

Meanwhile, Mohaquer Iqbal, information chief of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said “all systems go” for the establishment of the Bangsamoro new political entity.

“We will build on the gains of the ARMM under Hataman, then, we’ll see to it, that when the Bangsamoro is established, there will be much improvement as far as the life of our people is concerned,” said Iqbal.

On the challenge posted to continue the reforms, Iqbal said “that remains a challenge to cope with,” affirming that the ARMM has moved forward with the Hataman leadership.

Secretary Teresita “Ging” Quintos-Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process said the ARMM administration records and accomplishments attest that Hataman has carried the responsibilities expected of him.

“Masaya talaga tayo na itong term ni Regional Governor Hataman from the time na na-appoint sya na OIC and his elective term na iyun na nga ang ginagawa, ang maitawid ng husto ang ARMM doon sa inaasam-asam na Bangsamoro,” she said.

Deles, together with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin of the Department of National Defense, were among the national dignitaries present during the delivery of the SORA.

MILF assures UNICEF: No more child soldiers

By FERDINAND CABRERA (KG, GMA News)

CAMP DARAPANAN, SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is set to make history as the only non-state armed organization seriously exerting all means to remove itself from the United Nations list of armed groups using child soldiers.

MILF first vice-chairman Ghadzali Jaafar signified this intention on Tuesday during the orientation of MILF base commanders on the UN-MILF Action Plan on the recruitment and use of children. The event was attended by UNICEF officials and MILF commanders headed by Jaafar.

Jaafar said he hopes this will set an example to other armed groups like the New People's Army, Abu Sayyaf, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, among others in the country, to respect international children’s rights.

“We approved this code of conduct as our sincere effort to show our concern to children’s future, but it was never the policy of the MILF to use children,” he said.

Child soldiers have figured in the battlefield, said one MILF element who refused to be identified.

He added it is hard to exclude young soldiers who want to join the rebel troops especially when their loved ones or male family members had already sacrificed and there is no one else to continue the struggle.

“But now realizing the improvements of the peace talks and the recent developments with the sincerity of the present government, we rather wanted to see young fighters in schools,” he said.

“MILF is the only non-state armed group in the whole world attempting to be delisted from the list of armed groups that engage children in armed conflict and this is something very very unique,” UNICEF country representative Lotta Sylwander said.

Aside from MILF officials, military commanders and troops also underwent a series of orientation sessions on the Action Plan to ensure that its command structure adheres to international law.

740,000 people killed annually

Globally, every year, at least 740,000 people die directly or indirectly as a result of armed violence.

One third of these deaths can be attributed to armed conflicts in war zones.

In the Philippines, it is estimated that around 30,000 to 50,000 children were displaced by armed conflict every year for the past years, of which the majority were in the southern Philippines.

The UN-MILF Action Plan is a key component in ensuring that children in situations of armed conflict are protected.

Originally signed in 2009, the Action Plan commits the MILF to concrete, time-bound activities pertaining to the prevention of recruitment and use of children as combatants or in supporting roles.

It also commits the MILF to the separation of any children under 18 from the command structure, unimpeded access for UN verification, and awareness raising on child rights and child protection for its military rank and file, as well as for MILF communities.

Orientations are currently being carried out across all 31 MILF base commands and seven front commands in Mindanao for Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) commanders and troops.

So far, 4,151 BIAF elements from 26 base commands and four fronts have received these trainings.

At the end of these sessions, MILF front and base commanders publicly commit to ensure that no children are associated with their respective commands, and that if there are cases, these children will be separated from the command structure.

MILF: ARMM projects to continue under Bangsamoro entity

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO City, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday assured to be at par or even surpass the efficiency of the present administration of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao once the Bangsamoro political entity replaces the present regional government.

Muhaquer Iqbal, chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, told reporters at the office of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman in Cotabato City that they will continue the religious implementation of whatever costly unfinished projects the regional government shall turn over to the new entity once it is established via the draft Basic Bangsamoro Law.

The bill, which aims to replace the ARMM with an MILF-led Bangsamoro entity, is now in Congress, expected to be enacted into law by the first quarter of 2015.

“We will continue all the projects of the ARMM and all its programs benefiting all people in the region,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles were among the special guests on Monday’s state of the region address (SORA) of Hataman at the ARMM’s Sharif Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.

Hataman’s SORA delved on his administration’s accomplishments in introducing reforms in the graft-ridden regional government and in the implementation of some P2 billion worth of infrastructure projects from 2012 to November 2014.

Hataman, through his SORA, punctuated by impromptu acknowledgement of the gains of the Mindanao peace process, again gave a vote of confidence to the on-going diplomatic overture between Malacañang and the MILF.

In a press conference with Hataman and Deles after the SORA, Iqbal said the projects and humanitarian programs of the ARMM administration will hasten the efforts of the MILF to foster peace and development in the autonomous region and other areas inside the proposed territory of the Bangsamoro entity.

The ARMM covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“We can assure the public that the Bangsamoro will continue these projects and do its best to be at par if not surpass the performance of the present ARMM administration,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal said they find consoling Hataman’s assurance to relinquish his post and turnover to the incoming Bangsamoro entity whatever savings there are in all coffers of the ARMM’s line agencies and support offices under a transition process agreed by the MILF and government.

Hataman's administration had saved in the past two years more than P1 billion in state funds from the national government for the ARMM's education and public works departments, earmarked for projects and operating expenses of the two agencies, both touted as the region's most corrupt during the time of past regional governors.

Hataman said that his SORA last Monday could be his last owing to the possibility of the replacement of the ARMM government with a Bangsamoro entity next year.

ARMM gov Hataman: I delivered reform, good governance

By Karlos Manlupig (Inquirer Mindanao)

COTABATO CITY - All is set for the second, and maybe the last, State of the Region Address (Sora) of Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) on Monday.

The Sora is scheduled at 2 p.m. at the compound of the Office of the Regional Government (ORG) in the city.

Inside sources said Hataman is expected to focus on the accomplishments of his administration for the past two years as the elected governor of Armm. He was elected to the post in 2013.

Among those who are expected to attend Hataman's Sora are Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles and Mohaqher Iqbal, head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel.

All of the department heads and elected officials from Armm's five provinces are also attending Hataman's Sora.

Armm comprises of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Monday's Sora of Hataman may be the last since the Armm is set to be replaced next year by the Bangsamoro entity.

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