64th Araw ng SND successfully held despite challenges on terrorism, highlights Triathlon and Tulingan Festival

By Jun Enriquez

Presidential table during the culmination program of the Araw ng SND with SND Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo (3rd right seated) beside him is Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda "Angging" Quibranza Dimaporo.

SND, Lanao del Norte - Despite the issue on political dynasty in Lanao del Norte the Dimaporo political family served the people satisfactorily, this was the statement of Governor Imelda “Angging” Quibranza Dimaporo, Guest Speaker during culmination of the 64^th Araw ng Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) held October 4, 2017 with the theme, “Kalamposan diha sa Kalinaw” or the Success in Peace. The celebration was conducted for 3 days, October 2-4.

Gov. Angging Quibranza Dimaporo delivered a speech.

Lanao del Norte 2^nd district Congressman Abdullah “Bobby” Dimaporo and Congressman Khalid Q. Dimaporo, 1^st district Congressman of Lanao del Norte is the husband and son of Gov. Dimaporo respectively. She said that they talked what is good for the province of Lanao del Norte, bringing the government closer to the people.

In her message she said there is a need for unity to attain peace and despite the resolution of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on the withdrawal of police force deputized from the Provincial Government and some LGUs in the province, they did not cut their support to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and military. There was an alleged issue on private army in SND released in the national media that the said private army was started during the time of Lanao del Norte late Governor Ali Dimaporo, some five decades ago. SND is the hometown of the Dimaporo family.

Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo awarded the triathlon winners

Another allegation was the voters in SND only insects will vote in the area. Gov. Dimaporo said that the registration of voters in SND was renewed by the comelec to erase from the minds of the people outside SND that there is fraud during elections.

She said they met the Ambassador of the United States with Congressmen Khalid and Abdullah, asking assistance from the US intelligence to protect Lanao del Norte against terrorism. What they feared so much  is the recruitment of local terrorists the Maute group and ISIS offered 30,000 to 40,000 monthly pay to the recruited person which include their family monthly benefits. She said they were vigilant on the situation and prayed so hard not to happen in Lanao del Norte.

A replica of Ocean people during Tulingan Festival 

Lanao del Norte is free from threats and the provincial government will not allow the recruitment of local terrorists. Governor Dimaporo said if they know any Barangay or Municipality allows the recruitment of terrorist in their area will be their future enemy. What they received intelligence information that the next target of the local terrorist Maute group and Islamic state or ISIS is Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City. She said Martial law in Mindanao declared by President Duterte is a big help to normalize the situation in Marawi crisis prevented the escalation of conflict and suppress violence and lawlessness. She said President Duterte won in Lanao del Norte and proud to have a President from Mindanao.

She extend her appreciation to the Local government unit (LGU) of SND for the successful celebration of the 64^th Araw ng SND lead by the young an d active Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo and with the able support of Vice Mayor Motalib Dimaporo, the father of the Mayor. The Triathlon sport is now became popular in SND. Gov. Dimaporo hoped to lift the the NAPOLCOM resolution for the benefit of the safety and security of the people in Lanao del Norte and maintain peace and order.

Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo answers media interview

Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo said the 64^th Araw ng SND was just a simple celebration yet worth enjoying. He said the successful celebration is fully supported by the Barangay Chairmen in 37 Barangays. He said the celebration will overcome the alleged issue on shabu laboratory in SND was already validated by the Chief of Police and the Provincial Director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who conducted inspection for one week but nothing was found shabu laboratory including the alleged private army issue in SND town.

Mayor Ulwan said that the said issues were products of politically motivated and will not affect so far the normalcy of peace and order situation in SND. He said their support with the PNP and military still continue despite the resolution of NAPOLCOM for the withdrawal of the police force in SND Municipality. The 64^th Araw ng SND highlighted the activities on “Invitational Triathlon sports tournament” and the “Tulingan festival streetdancing” presentation.

People crowded at the entrance of SND  municipal hall

Lt. Col. Ericson Rosana (INF), Philippine Army, Battalion Commander of the 15^th Infantry “Molave Warrior” Battalion, Philippine Army  said the Araw ng SND held October 2-4 was very successful. He said the role of the military is to provide support operations for peace and development in the area with the Philippine National Police (PNP) led by Police Inspector Tago, SND Chief of Police. They conducted two checkpoints in Butadon, Kapatagan and in Pikalawag, SND to secure the celebration.

Rosana said that they did not receive any reports of recruitment of the local terrorist Maute group and ISIS in their area of responsibility. He said the conduct of the “Kalinga sa Bayan” activities for the youth and children  will prevent the possible recruitment of the youth on terrorism.  The LGUs in Lanao del Norte are supportive of the program that would last for 3 days. They already conducted the Kalinga sa Bayan in Nunungan and Magsaysay municipalities.  He said that the children are the important sector not to be recruited by the terrorist.

Lt. Col. Rosana with his men at 15th IB HQ in Salvador, LDN

Rosana said they conducted Lakbay-aral for the children and youth an educational tour for those who graduated from the Kalinga sa Bayan from Nunungan and Magsaysay, to educate the young people what is the real situation of the environment. They visited the National Power Corporation (NPC) Agus hydro power plant for them to understand the production of power, especially at Ma. Cristina falls. They also visited the Biak-na-bato in Bacolod historical site. They Also visited the city of Iligan to observe what is urban life situation. The youth and children participants also visited the military camp of 15th IB to know the life of the soldier.

Rosana said that the next schedule for the Kalinga sa Bayan activity is in SND on October 13-15. There will be 370 participants from the children and youth at 10 participants per Barangay for the 37 Barangays.

Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo said he will give his all-out support for the Kalinga sa Bayan ng SND because he believed that it is beneficial for the youth and children to educate about peace. He urged the parents to cooperate and advice their children to allow them to attend the said activity for the benefit of camaraderie and friendship to maintain peace and development. Photos by Jun Enriquez

Nationwide Peace Month Celebration culminates in Iligan City

By Jun Enriquez

Iligan City – Month of September is the observance of the nationwide Peace month celebration successfully culminated in Iligan City on October 1, 2017. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in cooperation with the Local government units (LGUs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) launched the 2017 National Peace Consciousness Month, A Solidarity for Peace with the theme “Puso para sa Kapayapaan Magkaisa para sa Bayan”. The activity was called Peace Buzz by holding peace caravan and peace rallies nationwide started in Baguio City on September 21; Quezon City Memorial Circle on September 22; Legazpi City on September 24; Catbalogan City on September 25; Butuan City on September 27; Davao City on September 29; Cotabato City on September 30 and Iligan City on October 1 held at the Iligan City Public plaza freedom park, the whole day event.

Mayor Celso G. Regencia, Iligan City 

Mayor Celso G. Regencia of Iligan City expressed his warmed welcome to the visitors, guests and the people of Iligan City who participated the event. Regencia expressed his commitments of extending help to evacuees with at least 100,000 Internally displaced people (IDPs) who are victims of the Marawi crisis now temporarily stayed in Iligan City evacuation centers. Regencia a former Police officer said he is not anti-Muslim, not anti-Moro and not anti-Maranao but he is anti-criminal and anti-terrorist ensures in maintaining peace and order of Iligan city despite the crisis in neighboring city of Marawi.

Iligan City Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz, a Priest on sabbatical leave, in his message said peace is not only the absence of war but the most important factor is to achieve genuine peace. Vera Cruz said genuine peace is to have better understanding across different cultures, good relations and respect among the people united despite diversity.   

L-r: USEC Andot; Vice Mayor Vera Cruz & City Councilor Plando

OPAPP Undersecretary (USEC) Diosita T. Andot, extended her thanks to the Local government unit (LGU) of Iligan City headed by Mayor Regencia of hosting plenty of IDPs in Iligan City and maintaining peace and order, and security for the protection of its people.

There is the presence of a strong family relationship to serve those relatives who are victims of Marawi crisis but in reality the host family will also have their own needs to survive. That’s why the government and the private sector have established cooperation because the government cannot work alone and needs help. She appreciated the LGU of Iligan of epitomizes what is peace in each heart of a person. It is a respect to others despite diverse cultures.  

USEC Diosita T. Andot, OPAPP

She extended her thanks to the people who help the IDPs affected the crisis in Marawi. The OPAPP gave peace citation award to Mayor Celso Regencia in appreciation of his peace efforts in behalf of the people of Iligan City. The Cordillera Regional government also offered the symbol of unity for the people of Mindanao.

Ms. Samira Gutoc, representing the CSOs, extended her thanks to the Iligan City government hosted at least 100,000 evacuees. She prayed for the freedom of the remaining hostages, 40 women and 30 men, under the hands of the terrorist Maute group. Hoping for a concluded crisis in Marawi so that they get back home. The Muslims are people of peace in every breath greets peace early in the morning daily.

Col. James Enriquez (left); Dr. Ali Laguindab (right)

Dr. Ali P. Laguindab, a Traditional leader (Sultan), academician and also an IDP, has a lot of learning insights. He said peace cannot be summoned but it should to do with peace. Love charity peace and good life. Marawi siege is just a beginning of something that have to learn.  There are challenges to go as one people. Sometimes ignore the commandments of God that allowed Marawi crisis happened. Before the siege Maranaos would like to go first especially in the bank before the others. But now here in Iligan city they will fall in line so there is learning of discipline.

Dr. Dipsy Maruhom (left); Jane Bernardo (2nd right)

Dr. Dipsy M. Maruhom, representing the Academe said her tears were already run-out. She hoped it will be the last bomb dropped in the morning in Marawi. She told to the people of iligan that Iligan and Marawi are one, during her elementary years in the 1960s the center of government was in Marawi, all major offices were in Marawi, the center of education was in Marawi. There was the Lanao School of Arts and Trade (LSAT) and the Lumbatan Agricultural College (LAC), the first President of LAC was the grandfather of Senator Teofisto Guingona III. The people from Iligan City will go up in Marawi to go on study. Marawi is the summer capital of the south, a beautiful place with hospitable people.

Atty. Dexter Rey Sumaoy

A Woman IDP representative expressed her sentiments said they have no choice but to stay in the evacuation center for their safety. As of now they already understand their situation to be in the evacuation center rather than stay in Marawi without nothing to eat. Youth representative, a student of the Mindanao State University (MSU) appreciated the Moro history of Mindanao started in the early 1970s up to the present. He preferred to continue his studies and still dreaming for the better future of the Bangsamoro especially hoping for the better Bangsamoro governance.  

Signature campaign for peace was conducted after the program with Atty. Dexter Rey Sumaoy, Iligan City Administrator, first signed the peace covenant followed by the CSOs, women, youth, among others. Food fair display at the freedom park were mostly IDPs entrepreneur. Children IDPs were also had a slogan writing contest initiated by the Balay Integrated Response for Total Human Development (BIRTHDEV) with ECOWEB, Inc. led the conduct of the program. Photo by Jun Enriquez; FB: Iligan City Web; with reports by Joan Eslit)