Philippines: Rebel Executions Violate International Law

Philippines: Rebel Executions Violate International Law

Communist New People’s Army Killing of Mayor, Son May Worsen Human Rights Situation of Lumads

Press release by Human Rights Watch

(Manila, October 28, 2015) – The communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the Philippines executed the mayor of a small town and his son on October 19, 2015, in violation of international humanitarian law, Human Rights Watch said today. Throughout its four-decade insurgency, the rebel group has frequently executed people found “guilty” by its so-called people’s courts, which do not meet basic fair trial standards.

In a statement on October 25, the NPA took responsibility for the killing of Dario Otaza, 53, mayor of Loreto town in Agusan del Sur province, and his son Daryl, 27, calling their execution “revolutionary justice.” NPA fighters, posing as law enforcement agents, raided the Otaza home in nearby Butuan City on October 19. Authorities found the two men’s bodies the next day with multiple gunshot wounds.

“The killing of the Otazas – like other NPA executions – is just plain murder,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The NPA’s actions and claims of revolutionary justice handed down by people’s courts are flagrant violations of international law.”

The NPA accused the Otazas of working for the Philippine armed forces and masterminding the killing of at least three people. They also accused the victims of taking part in attacks on and the forced displacement of indigenous peoples in the province, torturing children, attempted murders, and arson, among other crimes.

As a party to an internal armed conflict, the NPA is obligated to abide by international humanitarian law, including common article 3 to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and its Second Additional Protocol of 1977 (Protocol II), to which the Philippines is party. International humanitarian law prohibits killing civilians, mistreating anyone in custody, and convicting anyone in proceedings that do not meet international fair trial standards. Article 6 of Protocol II specifies that criminal courts must be independent and impartial, and the accused shall have “all necessary rights and means of defense,” among other guarantees. Those tried by people’s courts are typically convicted in absentia, thus denied the right to be tried in one’s presence before an impartial court.

Claims by the NPA that defendants receive a fair hearing during its people’s court proceedings are not supported by the facts, Human Rights Watch said. Philip Alston, the former United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions who investigated extrajudicial killings in the Philippines in 2007, described the people’s courts as “either deeply flawed or simply a sham.”

The NPA has long admitted to killing government officials and civilians whom the NPA deems to have engaged in acts “against the people.” They have also killed allegedly traitorous NPA or Communist Party members.

On April 21, 2014, NPA rebels shot and killed Mayor Carlito Pentecostes Jr. of Gonzaga town, Cagayan province.  On July 27, 2012, they killed Datu Causing Ogao, a leader of an indigenous people’s group, in Davao City. On February 28, 2011, they killed Jeffrey Nerveza, a civilian, in Albay, Bicol. On August 19, 2011, the NPA killed Raymundo “Monding” Agaze in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. On July 13, 2010, NPA members shot and killed Mateo Biong, Jr., a former mayor of Giporlos town, Eastern Samar. That same month, they shot and killed Sergio Villadar, a sugar cane farmer, in Escalante City, Negros Occidental. All of these people, the NPA claimed, had been found guilty by its people’s courts.

In its October 25, 2015 statement announcing the deaths of the Otazas, the NPA said it is waging a “people’s war” and it “has been pursuing revolutionary justice by meting appropriate capital punishment against war criminals to remove the continuation of the human rights violations and render justice.”

The NPA killings may worsen the human rights situation in Agusan del Sur and other provinces in the southern Philippines, where the military and its paramilitary forces have been implicated in extrajudicial killings and forced displacement, particularly against indigenous peoples, Human Rights Watch said. Human Rights Watch has documented several of these abuses and has called on the Philippine government to bring perpetrators to justice.

“By resorting to vigilantism in the name of justice, the NPA is only serving to harm its own demands for justice for victims of military human rights violations,” Robertson said. “The NPA should end this charade of unjust ‘people’s courts’ and cease all executions.”

Lanao CSOs consult stakeholders on community policing continue

Lanao CSOs consult stakeholders on community policing   

By Jun Enriquez

Iligan City (September 30, 2015) - Consultation phase is the third phase in the current community policing process implemented by the “Bantay Kalilintad” means peace watch, a network partner of the Security Reform Initiative (SRI) in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City to implement community policing project in Mindanao, especially in the Bangsamoro areas, supported by the British Council.  The community policing project is implemented in the proposed Bangsamoro area in response to the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) states that the “Bangsamoro shall adopt community policing.” The CSOs Bantay Kalilintad in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City implemented the community policing project in the model areas of Munai, Tagoloan, Kolambugan, all of Lanao del Norte and Rogongon, Iligan City.

 

Participants on trainors' training in Samal Island, August 13, 2015

The community policing processes started its implementation in the Baseline phase to assess the peace and order, and security situation in the identified pilot areas. The second phase is the Awareness raising, to let the people know the roles of the community, police and community policing. It also discussed on how the people understands the five basic principles of community policing such as the Service delivery, Partnerships, Problem solving, Empowerment and Accountability.

Brief information on community policing principles was shared for better understanding like Service delivery, is a service oriented promoting the concept of community as client, and police as provider. The Partnership principle is to determine the community needs and policing priorities to promote police accountability and effectiveness. The Problem solving principle is the actual and potential causes of crime and conflict within the community can be jointly identified and analyzed with the results guiding development of measures that address the problems in the short, medium and long term.

 

Phillip Thomson, center standing, facilitated the trainors training
in Samal Island resort, August 13, 2015.

Problem solving also involves conflict resolution and other creative methods to address service delivery and police community relations problems. The community policing is an agent of Empowerment, creating a sense of joint responsibility and a joint capacity for addressing issues of concern to the campus community and personnel and this will require training about community policing so that everyone has a constructive role. The Accountability principle is achieved by making the provider responsible to the client, creating mechanisms through which the police are accountable for addressing the needs and concerns of the community they serve. It is important to realize that after any action of a police official there will be the question of accountability for their actions.

 

Participants on consultation activity held in Munai,
Lanao del Norte, September 23, 2015

The objective of the Consultation phase is to come up with an outcome that will result in the development of the community policing strategy and the current project will be finalized in the Feedback phase. The consultation phase will focus on the details of the five principles on community policing. Consultation phase activity was already implemented initially in Lanao del Norte and conducted in the two pilot areas, in Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte on September 19 and in Munai, Lanao del Norte on September 23. In addition, the SRI have conducted the multi-stakeholders’ forum on September 22 in Iligan City. The forum was attended with an average of 40 participants and discussed about the details of the principles of community policing.  

 

Participants during the consultation in Inagongan, Tagoloan,
Lanao del Norte, September 19, 2015.

In the principle of Service delivery, is best to know the services of the police to deliver based on the five sub-principles. First, Customer service, is to know and describe the good qualities of a good police officer. Second, Accessibility, is the wishes of the people to access police services. Third, Visibility is the effectiveness of the police visible to the people at all times. Fourth, Engagement, is the manner of the police work of doing to improve the relationship with the community. Fifth, Re-assurance, is to know the police doing to make the community feel safe.

In the principle of Partnership, this will establish the police and community working together. In the Problem solving principle, will establish the respective roles of police and community to identify and solve problems encountered. In the principle of Accountability, is to ensure the police and community perform their respective roles and agreed actions. Lastly, the Empowerment principle, is working with the available resources and the things the Philippine National Police (PNP) could do to make the problems solve easier within the community.

 

Participants during the multi-stakeholders' forum in
Iligan City, September 22, 2015.

During the forums the participants have common understanding in the five principles of community policing. In the Service delivery, the participants wanted to have an effective police service, should wear complete uniform during the day of duty, law abiding, visible in the community, gender and culture sensitive, pro-active, will not impose culture of fear, conduct patrol 24/7, establish community relations, among others; In the partnership principle, the participants agreed that the police and community shall be partner in some social activities such as disaster response, medical missions, tree planting, peace and security and many others; in Problem solving, the police must have open line communication, police must share to capacitate the community on legal education, community must cooperate with the police in the fight against crimes, among others; in the Accountability principle, the police must be transparent in their operation, comply all the elements of the searches and arrests operations, establish peace and order plan with the police and community, work and assess the plan frequently, etc. ; in the Empowerment principle, conduct symposium on the rights of women and children, training on disaster risk reduction and management, there must be hotline numbers, police patrol car, the police and community should be trained human rights education, and many others.

 

    Kathline Tolosa, left, at Samal Island resort on a live interview
    by Malyne Gungob at DXTA Real Radio, Iligan City on
    Aug. 13, 2015, assisted, at right, by Jun Enriquez.

During the training of facilitators on August 13, 2015 in Paradise Island Resort, Samal Island, Davao del Norte, Ms. Kathline Tolosa, SRI Executive Director, emphasized that the consultation phase is the most important phase of the community policing as it is where the inputs of the communities will be solicited to form the community policing strategy. She said that the objective of the community policing is about the design of the policing that depends on the needs of the community to address the prevailing problems and issues on peace and order, internal security matters. Whatever it was already implemented in other countries but in our local communities they are the final people to decide what type of community policing they wanted to have on their community. It is very important to have consultations to address the questions from the community and it will be the basis in the formulation of the action plan for an effective community policing. She said at the end of the day, there is a need for the Bantay Bayanihan partners (Bantay Kalilintad in Lanao del Norte) to be on the same page regarding the questions they are asking as well as the answer they are looking for.

 

Army Capt. Belmonte of 15th IB presented workshop results
during the multi-stakeholders forum in Iligan City.

In the same event in Samal Island, Phillip Thomson, Community Policing expert and team leader of the British Council, presented a short update regarding the current status of the project. He said that the Awareness phase of the project is almost complete and that about 23,000 face to face engagements have been made, which is 3 to 4 times of what he expected. In addition, several thousands of people through media, i.e. posters, radio, interview, television, online, etc., have also been reached. He also emphasized the importance of the Consultation phase because the project believes that the consultation process is a key part of community policing, and is about asking what the people want for community policing, how they want the service to be delivered. This also sets aside this community policing from other community policing strategy because other community policing projects got their strategies from the shelf and transplanted it to the host communities.

Jun Enriquez, left, on a one-on-one interview with Phillip Thomson

Phillip Thomson had a wide experience on community policing and devout his time in Police service and served his own country, the United Kingdom (UK), for decades. As an expert on community policing he served in many countries like Abu Dhabi, Kenya, Myanmar, Africa and many others. Thomson said that community policing is a mindset, a way of policing, not a law, a community together with the police to solve problems on peace and order. He said that there is a need to engage the community based on its culture. Thomson said that community and the police in United Kingdom (UK) was well engaged on community policing, established mature relationship between the police and the community, and the UK government is very supportive. The community policing works on the post conflict in Northern Ireland, with similar peace situation of the Bangsamoro in Mindanao. Thomson said that community policing is a real opportunity for the Bangsamoro people because this is the first time for them to experience in their life and should take the said opportunity to shape the Bangsamoro community for good. With reports & photos by Malyne D. Gungob

MNLF turn-in high power firearms in Lanao

Video file: Message of Commander Abedin Sanguila during 
the ceremonial turn-in of weapons, translated by PSSUPT Paitao. 
Video by Jun Enriquez

MNLF turn-in high power firearms in Lanao

By Jun Enriquez

Bacolod, Lanao del Norte (Sept. 24, 2015) – It was a mountainous area of the former MNLF camp Datu Tomanong in Barangay Pagayawan, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte to celebrate the “Panagtagbo sa Kalinaw”, it means convergence for peace in celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month 2015, organized and spearheaded by the Pakigdait, Inc., a civil society organization based in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, in cooperation with the Department of social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace process  (OPAPP), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Interior and local Government (DILG), with the theme, “Pagkakaisa  tungo sa patuloy na Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran,” it means, unity towards a continuing peace and development.

 

Lanao del Norte Border Command MNLF members with
their turn-in high powered firearms.

As part of the conflict transformation program, a ground breaking ceremonies of Pagayawan-Dimarao farm to market Road had a distance of 1.2 kilometers, another 1.2 kilometers farm to market Road in Datu Tomanong, Pagayawan and a 1.2 kilometers farm to market in Pagayawan–Delabayan west. This include livelihood projects with six (6) lives carabao dispersal, seeds and seedlings for planting, farm implements, machineries and equipments, a development projects from the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) of the OPAPP funded by the National Government.

During this day, people came together to witness the turn-in of high powered firearms by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) border command with at least 200 members led by Commander Abedin Sanguila, a supporter of MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari. Hundreds in attendance during the event were coming from the people and public officials of Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, the Military, Philippine National Police, Civil society, religious sector and the MNLF families.

OPAPP Usec Luisito "Louie" Montalbo

There were 12 high powered firearms in the possession of Commander Abedin were turn-in to the Government, especially to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), represented by the Executive Director and  Undersecretary Luisito “Louie” Montalbo. Other witnesses during the event were Bacolod Municipal Mayor Joselito E. Miquiabas; Musa Mohammad Sanguila, Executive Director, Pakigdait, Inc.; Brigadier General Glenn Macasero, Assistant Division Commander, 1^st Division Philippine Army based in Pulakan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur; Region 10 Philippine National Police (PNP) Assistant Deputy Regional Director for Administration PSSUPT Aurelio C. Trampe; DSWD Assistant Regional Director Aldersey dela Cruz; Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, Brigade Commander, 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Philippine Army; Lanao del Norte PNP Provincial Director Madid Paitao.

Bacolod Municipal Mayor Joselito Miquiabas

The 12 high powered firearms that were turn-in are following, four (4) units of M-16 rifle armalite, two (2) units M203 grenade launcher, two (2) units Rocket propelled grenade (RPG), one (1) unit Barrett rifle caliber .50, one (1) unit machine gun caliber .30, one (1) unit M-14 rifle, one (1) unit pistol 9mm berretta. All these weapons were put into the box and properly locked and received by PSSUPT Madid Paitao and Col. Gapay for proper custody.

Bacolod Municipal Mayor Joselito Miquiabas in his welcome message, emphasized the theme, “Pagkakaisa  tungo sa patuloy na Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran”. Miquiabas said that the people of Bacolod should continue to be united towards the achievements to a lasting peace and prosperity. He said people enjoyed the benefits of peace especially from the PAMANA livelihood projects for the MNLF members funded by the OPAPP. Miquiabas said there is no more hassle in terms of transporting their farm produce to the market because access road from farm to the market place is now in good condition.

Musa Mohammad Sanguila, Executive Director, Pakigdait, Inc.

In a rationale, Musa Muhammad Sanguila said for two reasons on the day’s celebration, first, was the Eid’l Adha to sacrifice ourselves in the context of Islam.  Second, as a peace builder, witnessing the community-based management program especially the transformation of Commander Abedin one’s a MNLF commander into farm manager. Sanguila said Today’s “Panagtagbo sa Kalinaw” is very special because it will be going to witness the turn-in ceremony of 12 cruiser weapons of firearms of commander Abedin. The government’s gratitude for the development project they received was the PAMANA project. This is a way of contributing the attainment of peace not only in the province of Lanao del Norte but also in the entire Mindanao.

Sanguila said inventory of firearms was jointly conducted by the Philippine army and PNP. He said this activity is not a balik-baril program, nor the turnover of fire arms, much more not an act of surrender, but it is within the framework of the MNLF - Government peace process. Sanguila said the unexpected positive reason is putting the firearms at the hands of the revolutionaries beyond use or useless. He said this activity is a classic example of the success of the Internal peace and security program (IPSP) Bayanihan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and in Lanao del Norte, headed by Col. Gilbert Gapay, Brigade Commander of the 2^nd mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade Philippine Army.

Govt. officials led by OPAPP Usec, Montalbo met MNLF members
during the ceremonial "Panagtagbo sa Kalinaw"

In a message of MNLF border commander Abedin Sanguila in a Maranao dialect translated into English and Tagalog dialect by PSSUPT Madid Paitao, PNP Provincial Director for lanao del Norte, said the reason for the event was held this day was due to the atrocities happened in Zamboanga city by the MNLF Misuari faction three years ago against the government forces and held hostage hundreds of civilians. During that time, the MNLF commanders in Lanao del Sur coordinated commander Abedin Sanguila and convinced him to allow their men with 200 armed MNLF forces from Lanao del Sur to launch an attack in Lanao del Norte including Iligan City to divert the attention of the government forces from the Zamboanga City siege. During that moment, commander Abedin was in a dilemma to decide if he will allow the plan of the MNLF from Lanao del Sur. Abedin asked more time to evaluate the situation but prevailed in his heart the peace message not to allow the plan to happen. In that instance they had a meeting with Mayor Miquiabas together with Col. Demy Tejares, the former Brigade Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized “Magbalantay” Brigade and PSSUPT Madid Paitao. Commander Abedin said he is not keen to agree of what was happened in Zamboanga will happen in Lanao del Norte including Iligan City. Later on after their meeting, Abedin informed his counterpart commanders in Lanao del Sur not to push through with their plan. Likewise, the MNLF group of Lanao del Sur respected Abedin’s decision and the plan to attack Lanao del Norte and Iligan City was aborted.

Commander Abedin, 2nd from right, turnover the RPG to
PSSUPT Trampe & Col. Macasero, during the ceremonial
turn-in of weapons.

Abedin said that his enemies are those proliferating illegal drugs, thieves, kidnappers and other criminalities. He became MNLF commander not to wage atrocities against the government and people but to fight against the enemy of the people. Abedin said he believed the sincerity of the military, PNP in Lanao del Norte and the OPAPP, were the basic reasons he was very confident to talk for peace with them for good. Abedin said that war is not a solution to problem but he believed on dialogue is the best option for better understanding for peace. In the end Abedin said he and his men agreed to turn-in their firearms to the government and in exchange they received development projects.  

Commander Abedin said in the early years in his life he slept with his guns for security and kept it in good condition. He said he will not allow his children to grow up with guns but instead he will teach them the proper living, send them to school and become good citizen. Abedin said he is thankful to the government for giving them the opportunity to transform their lives into better citizens and access sustainable livelihood for the welfare of their families and community.

Col. Gilbert Gapay, center, preparing to keep the RPG weapon
in the box for safekeeping. at the background is Lt. Col. Doctolero
bringing with him the same RPG weapon.

In his message, OPAPP Executive Director and Undersecretary Luisito “Louie” Montalbo in his message as Guest speaker said two years ago he is in doubt to come to the former Camp Datu Tomanong (he suggested to delete the word camp), because during that time the atrocities happened in Zamboanga City was just newly ceased and neutralized by the government forces due to the MNLF siege by the Misuari group and apprehensive of the spillover. Montalbo said he trusted the local government for the security assurance and visited the area. During that time on his first visit, it was very difficult to come at Datu Tomanong because it takes two hours to arrive the place 10 kilometers from town proper of Bacolod, due to the absence of access road the car will only traversed under the coconut trees and in the farm just to reach the former camp Datu Tomanong,  especially during rainy days your car will slide down back where you came from. But now it will take only 15 minutes to arrive in the area from town proper because the access road was already provided from farm to the market place.

PSSUPT Paitao, center, preparing to keep the RPG weapon in
the box for safekeeping. At right, Usec Montalbo & 3rd from right
is MNLF Commander Abedin.

Montalbo said that the problem of commander Abedin now was how he can bring his farm produce to the market not like before was the maintenance of his weapons. Montalbo said that it was a change of heart by Abedin to turn-in their weapons for the benefit of peace. Sometimes before some of the MNLF members were frustrated because it was very difficult to undergo the processes of the government to access assistance benefits. It’s not an accident that this event coincided with the feast of Eid’l Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice for the Muslim brothers and sisters. montalbo said that “we are reminded today that it is not easy to talk and work for peace but if we rendered sacrifice we will be blessed by Allah.” He said trust was asked by everyone because in the environment surrounded us we will hear the doubt and fear. Montalbo said somehow we are given the chance to correct the past history that caused armed conflict while tempt will continue that will results to armed confrontation due to disagreements. Finally, Montalbo said the continue working for peace should be included in our prayers to create a peaceful place to live on and to do away with conflict, which is the call of God for peace. Prior to the event, Montalbo said that the government is working hard for the passage of the Bangsamroro Basic Law (BBL) pending before both houses in congress.

Gen. Macasero keep the proper placement of the Barrett cal .50 

In a statement, Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, Brigade Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized “Magbalantay” Brigade, based in Iligan City said that the event was a victory for peace and coincided with the celebration of Eid’l Adha festivities, the feast of sacrifice. Gapay said it is big step in their efforts as part of the whole of nation approach to win the peace not only in Lanao del Norte but in the whole country. Gapay said it demonstrated the constant engagement with the MNLF in Lanao del Norte and build relationship over time with the group of commander Abedin have made a difference for the benefit of peace. He said bearing and use of arms is not the way to effect change in a society but rather by peaceful means through cooperation or “Bayanihan” is the right direction towards peace and development. With reports & photos by Malyne Gungob.        

“Sayaw Saulog” highlighted Iligan City Fiesta “Diyandi” Festival 2015

“Sayaw Saulog” highlighted Iligan City Fiesta “Diyandi” Festival 2015

By Malyne Gungob

Iligan City (September 27, 2015) – Diyandi is a ritual performed by an all-female group outside the Cathedral during the Pagpakanaug (St. Michael the Archangel will be moved down from the Altar), usually a week before the fiesta. Iligan City fiesta is celebrated every 29th day of September. The “Pakanaug” will be done before every novena and before the start of the Komedya, or Comedia de San Miguel, a folk stage play depicting the celestial battle. The ritual depicts the courtship between a Maranao male and Higaonon female, and culminating into an offering symbolic of their union and bountiful harvest to St. Michael the Archangel. The ritual aptly describes the peaceful co-existence of Iligan’s tri-people-Maranaos, Higaonons and Christians. Diyandi in the Higaonon context means a celebration or thanksgiving.

Acting Mayor Rudy Marzo in his fiesta message said, the success of Diyandi Festival, just like the festivals in other cities, is commonly gauge on its “kabibo” or gaity. This is why I made my instruction to the Executive Management Board in three words, “Pabibohon ang Iligan!”, meaning make iligan more festive. “Pagpabibo” includes the holding of crowd-fascinating socio-cultural activities, sports competitions and special events in parallel with Iligan tri-people’s distinctive devotion to our patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel. Rest assured that peace and order is also a priority of the celebration.

During this day in the early Sunday morning, the Iligan City fiesta celebrated “Sayaw Saulog 2015” successfully conducted at the Anahaw Amphitheater, City Hall, Buhanginan Hill, Palao, Iligan City. The “Sayaw Saulog” was organized by the Iligan League of Barangay Councilors (ILBACO) in cooperation of Local Government Unit (LGU) of Iligan City. Thousands of Iliganons and visitors witnessed the event.

The “Sayaw Saulog” started with a street-dancing competition assembled in the port area, west of Iligan City at 6:00 O’clock in the morning. There were eight Barangay contingents participated in the of Sayaw Saulog, namely Barangays Dalipuga, Abuno, Sta. Elena, Tipanoy, Acmac, Mahayahay, Ditucalan and Cabacsanan. The contingents walked traversing in a 3-kilometer distance going to the Anahaw Amphitheater at the City Hall, east of Iligan City for the final showdown. 

The final showdown started at 10:00 O’clock in the morning and each Barangay was composed of 160 member-participants with their props. Each contingent have 12 minutes to perform their movements of “Sayaw Saulog” showdown with the criteria for judging, 20% mastery, 40% choreography and 40% Musicality, a total of 100%. A 3-tribal concept was presented by each contingent, the Maranao, Higaonon and Christian Tribes.

The winners of the Sayaw Saulog dance and stage showdown competition received cash prizes and Barangay Projects from the LGU of Iligan City. The winners of the Sayaw Saulog 2015, the champion was contingent # 3, Barangay Sta. Elena received 150 thousand pesos cash prize and 700 thousand pesos worth of barangay project. They also received minor awards like best in Higaonon presentation, best in Maranao presentation, best in Senior San Miguel presentation and best in Skrima presentation. 

The 1^st runner-up was contingent # 4, Barangay Tipanoy, received 100 thousand pesos cash prize and 500 thousand pesos worth of barangay project. The 2^nd runner-up is contingent # 2, Barangay Abuno and they received cash price of 50 thousand pesos and 300 thousand pesos worth of barangay project with minor award like best in musicality.

In addition, all the participating contingents performed extraordinary synchronized shouts and dances emphasized thanks to the Patron St. Michael the Archangel. The street-dancing competition is a replica of the war between good and evil, in which St. Michael the Archangel is the angel of the light fighting for the good of humanity and Lucifer is the angel of the dark fighting for the interest of the evil, the pitfall and sufferings of humanity. In the end, St. Michael the Archangel won over Lucifer and in real sense good always prevail over evil.   

The Iligan City fiesta “Sayaw-Saulog” competition was in honor of the St. Michael the Archangel, reminding the People of Iligan to open their minds, especially the tri-people of Iligan City, the Lumads, Muslims and Christians for the better cultural understanding and peace.

During the press conference in preparation for the Iligan City fiesta celebration, Acting City Mayor Rudy Marzo said there were at least 200 fiesta activities with a budget of 12 million pesos to attract more tourists and visitors to come and witness the fiesta celebration, especially inviting businessmen and investors. Fiesta activities considered were street-dancing competition, civil-military parade, sports, beauty contest, and many others. 

Upon assumption as the Acting Mayor of Iligan City started in April 2015, due to the suspension of incumbent Mayor Celso Regencia for 6 months on the alleged usurpation of the power of the Vice Mayor, Marzo organized the Crime and calamity action team (CCAT) chaired by his office and assured the people of Iligan City of having a very peaceful fiesta celebration by mobilizing the security sector who are also members of the CCAT lead by the Police personnel in cooperation with the military, National Bureau of Investigation, land transportation office, Barangay tanods and civilian volunteers, the Iligan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Civil Security Unit, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the media and many others, to secure all the places in Iligan City into safe communities. In general situation, the Iligan City fiesta celebration 2015 was commemorated peacefully and successfully. With reports, video & photos by Jun Enriquez.