Sunday, May 5, 2024

Islamic teachers receive stipends from Cotabato provincial gov't

From the Philippine Star (May 5, 2024): Islamic teachers receive stipends from Cotabato provincial gov't (By John Unson)



The grant of stipends for Islamic teachers in Cotabato province from their provincial government began on May 2, 2024 facilitated by employees under the office of Gov. Emmylou Talino Mendoza.
Photo courtesy of Philstar.com / John Unson


COTABATO CITY — Around 300 Islamic teachers in Cotabato province each received a P1,500 cash allowance for January to March from their provincial government in support of their efforts to promote religious solidarity among local Muslim and Christian communities.

Islamic teachers in Cotabato province are active in programs addressing violent religious extremism being espoused by misguided radical groups fomenting animosity for non-Muslims.

Radio reports in this city and in nearby provinces on Sunday stated that the program, pioneered by the office of Gov. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza, complements the peace process between MalacaƱang and Mindanao’s Moro sectors.

The grant of a P500 monthly stipend to Islamic teachers in Madaris, or religious schools in Cotabato, which covers 17 towns and more than 40 barangays in its capital, Kidapawan City, shall be a continuing program of the office of Mendoza, who is chairperson of the multi-sector Regional Development Council 12.

The three-month allowance for each of the 300 Islamic teachers in Moro-dominated areas in Cotabato province were personally released by employees of the Moro Affairs section of the provincial government led by Edris Gandalibo, himself a Muslim.

Teachers in government-accredited Islamic schools in different towns in Cotabato are also known for their subjects promoting cultural and religious solidarity among culturally-pluralistic communities.

A member of the 80-seat Bangsamoro parliament, the physician-ophthalmologist Kadil Monera Sinolinding Jr., who has peacebuilding projects in Bangsamoro barangays in Cotabato province, told reporters the allocation of a P500 monthly cash assistance to Muslim preachers by Mendoza’s office is meaningful owing to her being a non-Muslim and that her province is under Region 12, not part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“Many of the preachers who got the initial allowances are from Bangsamoro barangays in that province. For that, we are thankful,” Sinolinding said.

Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said many Islamic missionaries in Cotabato province were even instrumental in negotiating the surrender of more than 300 members of the outlawed Dawla Islamiya and its ally, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, in the past 12 months.

https://qa.philstar.com/nation/2024/05/05/2352814/islamic-teachers-receive-stipends-cotabato-provincial-govt

Rifles, pistol seized from 2 illegal dealers in CIDG operation

From the Philippine Star (May 5, 2024): Rifles, pistol seized from 2 illegal dealers in CIDG operation (By John Unson)



The two illegal gun dealers arrested in Alamada, Cotabato are now both detained, awaiting prosecution.  Photo courtesy of Philstar.com / John Unson

COTABATO CITY — Policemen seized two M1 Garand rifles and a .45 caliber pistol from two illegal gun dealers entrapped in Alamada, Cotabato on Saturday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Allan Huesca, regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters on Sunday that the duo,
Marlon Danding and Saddam Polayagan, are now clamped down in a police detention facility.


Danding and Polayagan fell in a sting by CIDG-BAR agents in a secluded area in Alamada town in Cotabato, a component-province of Region 12, but close to towns in Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, both in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The CIDG-BAR shall use the two .30 caliber M1 Garand rifles and .45 caliber pistol confiscated from them during a tradeoff on Saturday afternoon in Alamada as evidence in prosecuting them for violation of the Republic Act No. 10591 or the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act”.

RA No. 10591 prohibits possession, or sale of firearms, ammunition and explosives without permission from the Philippine National Police.

Text messages have been spreading around Alamada and nearby towns stating that Danding ang Polayagan have long been peddling unlicensed firearms clandestinely in Cotabato and Maguindanao del Norte provinces and that they both have links with the outlawed Dawlah Islamiya and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/05/05/2352798/rifles-pistol-seized-2-illegal-dealers-cidg-operation

2 ‘illegal gun dealers’ nabbed in Cotabato City

From the Philippine Star (May 6, 2024): 2 ‘illegal gun dealers’ nabbed in Cotabato City (By John Unson)



The suspects, identified as Marlon Danding and Saddam Polayagan, were collared after they allegedly tried to sell firearms to police undercover agents in a remote barangay in Alamada town.
Philstar.com / Jovannie Lambayan


COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Two suspected illegal firearms dealers were arrested in a sting that also resulted in the seizure of two rifles and a pistol in Cotabato on Saturday.

The suspects, identified as
Marlon Danding and Saddam Polayagan, were collared after they allegedly tried to sell firearms to police undercover agents in a remote barangay in Alamada town.

Danding and Polayagan were allegedly connected to the outlawed
Dawlah Islamiya and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, police said.



Charges of violation of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, will be filed against the suspects.

https://qa.philstar.com/nation/2024/05/06/2352867/2-illegal-gun-dealers-nabbed-cotabato-city

5 PNP officials get new posts in latest reshuffle

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5, 2024): 5 PNP officials get new posts in latest reshuffle (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)



MANILA – Five ranking police officials will get new assignments in the latest reorganization of the Philippine National Police (PNP) effective May 6.

Based on PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil's order dated May 4, Police Regional Office-Caraga Director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Mata will be the director of the Drug Enforcement Group.

Mata will replace Brig. Gen. Dionisio Bartolome, who will be transferred to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit, Directorate for Personnel and Records Management.

Directorate for Police Community Relations chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo will be the new director of the Civil Security Group while Maritime Group Director Brig. Gen. Romaldo Bayting will be assigned as Area Police Commander (APC) Western Mindanao.

Philippine National Police Academy Director Brig. Gen. Jonathan Cabal will replace Bayting.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco assumed office as the 48th director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in a turnover ceremony in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Friday.

Francisco replaced Maj. Gen Romeo Caramat Jr. who will take the post of Acting APC of Northern Luzon. The movement is necessary for Caramat to be promoted to lieutenant general.

Under Caramat’s term for over a year, the CIDG conducted 20,290 operations, arrested 22,802 suspects, confiscated PHP16.8 billion worth of evidence, and seized 2,652 firearms.

Francisco, on the other hand, wants all CIDG officers to the lowest ranks to be investigators.

Marbil said he has full confidence that all officers will exert their best efforts.

“Sa ating mga kapulisan (To our police officers), I urge you to always respect the law and value human life. Let us professionalize our beloved PNP dahil ang gusto ng pulis, ligtas ka (because the police want you to be safe),” Marbil said in a statement.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224068

No-sail zone in Ilocos Norte waters for Balikatan

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5, 2024): No-sail zone in Ilocos Norte waters for Balikatan (By Leilanie Adriano)



READY FOR BALIKATAN. Exercise Balikatan 2024 executive agent Col. Michael Logico talks to reporters during a press conference at the Office of Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc on Sunday (May 5, 2024). A no-sail zone will take effect in the waters off Ilocos Norte on May 6 to 10 due to live-fire exercises. (PNA photo by Leilanie Adriano)

LAOAG CITY – A no-sail zone will take effect Monday in the coastal waters of Ilocos Norte to give way to the counter-landing live-fire exercises at La Paz Sand Dunes in this city as part of the “Balikatan” military exercises.

Balikatan 2024 executive agent Col. Michael Logico said the notice to mariners was published three weeks in advance as approved by the Philippine Coast Guard.

“The displacement (of fisherfolk) will take effect tomorrow. It is for the safety of fishermen and commercial vessels entering the exercise area,” Logico said in a press conference Sunday at the office of Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc.

The exercises will last until May 10.

He said around 600 Filipino and American troops have arrived in the province with high-powered weapons systems.

Counter-landing live-fire refers to a military tactic aimed at preventing or repelling hostile forces from establishing themselves in a country's territory.

In a media advisory, the joint counter-landing fires will feature the United States Army, Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps artillery, and the Philippine Marine Corps' Littoral Combat Team Rifle Company.

The military assets to be used in the exercises include 105mm and 155mm howitzers from the Philippine Army and Marines; four tanks from the Armor Division; a fast attack craft from the Philippine Navy; caliber .50 platforms from the US Marine Corps along with their Javelin anti-tank missiles and multi-role anti-armor anti-personnel weapons systems; and the US Air Force MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle and B-52 heavy bomber.

Logico clarified that the B-52 heavy bomber will be used in the simulation but it will not be fired.

In welcoming the Exercise Balikatan troops, Manotoc assured residents that he would closely monitor the military exercises.

“We just want our people to be informed and protected and our environment is not adversely affected. If anything happens or there is any untoward activity (during the exercise), my office door is open to any complaint. I want everyone to be safe and well taken care of,” he told reporters.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224066