AFP law enforcement operation continues against pro-ISIS militants in Lanao Sur and BIFF in Maguindanao

Marawi City - An airstrike and subsequent armed confrontation occurred in Barangay Guiarong, Tubaran and Barangay Padas, Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur when the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched a law enforcement operation (LEO) on 17 June 2018 against “pro-ISIS” militants in the area. The airstrike was launched between 9:00am to 12:00 noon from Barangay Wago and Dinaigan, Tubaran. This encounter was reported in connection to an earlier armed confrontation between the two groups two days prior to the just recently concluded Barangay Elections in Barangay Malaganding in the same town.

The AFP LEO against an alleged number of people led by Abu Dar considered to be rebuilding a group based on the remnants of the ISIS-inspired group that caused the five (5) month Marawi conflict started in May 2017.

An estimated 1,024 families have been displaced from the municipalities of Tubaran and Pagayawan. Local Government units of the two municipalities have opened designated evacuation centers for Internally displaced persons (IDPs) to take temporary shelter. In the municipality of Pagayawan, a total of 255 displaced families have been recorded that are both home-based and in evacuation centers. These IDPs came from seven barangays of Padas, Rangiran, Ilian, Guiarong, Bangon, Linindingan, Madang and Diampaca. Two evacuation centers are located near the municipal hall and are housing about 57 displaced families.

In the municipality of Tubaran an estimated 769 displaced families have been recorded, with 312 families currently being sheltered in four designated evacuation centers, and the rest taking temporary shelter with friends, families and relatives. These IDPs came from ten barangays of the same town.

More IDPs were reported as being trapped in Barangays Diampaca and Padas of Pagayawan. A subject for validation is the burning of 27 houses in Barangay Malaganding, Tubaran.

A total of 2,325 families (11,605 individuals) have been displaced from the municipalities of Tubaran and Pagayawan as of 11:36 am of 20 June 2018. Of this total, 1,791 families (8,935 individuals) have evacuated to the homes of friends, families and relatives (home-based), while 534 families (2,670 individuals) have taken shelter in ten (10) designated evacuation centers.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices of Tubaran and Pagayawan are presently conducting validation and assessment and have made initial distribution of humanitarian assistance in the form of family food packs.

Thanks and appreciation were extended to Protection Cluster Members of the United Nations on High Commission on the Refugees (UNHCR) based in Lanao del Sur, who contributed to this report and continue to send updates from the ground. This included the Community and Family Services International (CFSI), Casamila Sedic, MSWDO, Tubaran, LDS, Haima Manongkarang, MSWDO, Pagayawan, LDS for providing information on this report.

In another development in Maguindanao, airstrikes by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on 10 June 2018 were launched against a faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the marshy areas of the municipalities of Datu Montawal, Pagalungan, Gen. SK Pendatun, and Sultan sa Barongis in the province of Maguindanao, as well as in the municipality of Pikit in the province of North Cotabato. 

As of 13 June 2018, prompted approximately 4,200 families (20,279 individuals) were forced to flee from the municipalities of Pagalungan, Datu Montawal, Sultan sa Barungis, General SK Pendatun and Pikit. This figure is expected to rise as military operations continue against the BIFF armed men. 

Thanks and appreciation were extended to all UNHCR Protection Cluster Members based in Cotabato who contributed to this report and committed to continue sending updates from the ground. (News reports filed by Jun Enriquez; UNHCR reports)

Iligan 68th year charter celebrations to refocus on unity for one direction - Vera Cruz

OIC Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz awarded token to "Lolo Iking" as guest speaker of the event with members of the city council.

Iligan City - On June 16, 2018 was the 68th year of existence since Iligan became a chartered city. The celebration was held at the public plaza freedom park here. City Councilor Ryan Ong in his message said that Iligan history is a foundation of the youth and Iliganons that cannot be forgotten owed respect to people who were instrumental in the creation of Iligan City.

Mr. Salvador H. Ong fondly called “Lolo Iking”, the granfather of Councilor Ong,  was the invited Guest Speaker, the lone survivor and son of the late Mayor Benito Ong, the first Mayor of Iligan City. “Lolo Iking” said the plan of the national government in the 1950s was to make Iligan City the Industrial center of the southern Philippines due to the presence of Agus power plant of the National power corporation (NPC). During this time Muslims and Christians in Iligan were united and live peacefully looking forward towards development. 

at right, Councilor Ryan Ong and his "Lolo Iking"

“Lolo Iking” said that Iligan City is not only for the Iliganons but for all the people living in it. He was apprehensive of the closures of the industries mentioning vested interest to some of the previous local politicians. “Lolo Iking” added that Cagayan de Oro was once part of Iligan City before but now it was one of the most develop industrial cities in the country the so called the “city of friendship.”  He said there is a need to unite the people for the development of Iligan City. 

Vice Mayor now Officer-in-charge (OIC) Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz, assumed the office of the Mayor of Iligan City due to the suspension of Mayor Celso Regencia for 90 days, in his message said it was the time of President Elpidio Quirino, Iligan City became a chartered city on June 16, 1950 by virtue of the Republic Act (RA) 525 signed by President Elpidio Quirino through House Bill 425 sponsored by the late congressman Ali Dimaporo. President Quirino appointed Mayor Benito Ong as the first Mayor of Iligan City. The first elected Mayor of Iligan City was the late congressman Mariano Badelles.

Iligan City OIC Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz

Iligan City was part of the history of the divided Lanao provinces, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, with significance to the efforts of the then late congressman Ali Dimaporo, a Maranao and Muslim. There were six Mayors served Iligan City since it became a city, with Mayor Camilo P. Cabili, the son of Senator Tomas P. Cabili, served as mayor of Iligan City for 28 years.

Vera Cruz said the politics in Iligan city before was only up to word confrontations but no use of physical and violence or court battles to discredit the local administrations after elections, respecting the will of the people’s decision. In recent years since 2013 the political landscape in Iligan City was change, political oppositions are disrespectful to local administration.

The singing dance troupe of Iligan City East Natl high Sch.

Vera Cruz added the rise and fall of the economy of Iligan City have many factors to consider affecting the situation such as global economic crisis, political crisis among others. He said let the people decide for the right direction of the future of Iligan City. There should be unity among the people of Iligan City leading into one direction and focus to real politics to serve the people.

Vera Cruz urged his fellow local and government officials to set aside the personal interest and carry the interest of the people. He said there is no meaning of being a public servant if the focus is only for personal interest. Indeed He said the present administration is committed to move heaven and earth to let National Steel Corporation (NSC) will go back to its operation so that Iligan City will overcome crisis and the people will live in peace and prosperity in the near future. (News reports and photos by Jun Enriquez)

SND local govt. turnover 52 loose firearms to military

SND Barangay Chairmen posed with Philippine Army Col. Dauz, Lt. Col. Manalo and Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo.

Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND), Lanao del Norte – There were 52 loose firearms turned-over from the 37 Barangays thru their chairmen and 15 civilians, Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo told reporters during the turnover ceremony on June 13, 2018 at the Municipal gymnasium this town.

LTC Ronel R. Manalo CAV (GSC) PA, Battalion Commander, 5^th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army extended his thanks to the local officials of SND headed by Mayor Ulwan M. Dimaporo including the Barangay officials for their utmost cooperation for the turnover of 52 high powered firearms. Manalo said the turnover of firearms is a gesture of peace leading towards development of SND as part of the thrust of the national government program on peace and development to stop the proliferation of loose firearms.

 

Turnover signing, R-L: LTC Manalo, Mayor Dimaporo & Col. Dauz

Dimaporo said the turnover of 52 loose firearms were coming from the 37 Barangays and 15 civilians who voluntarily turnover without any remunerations to benefit peace. He assured that the Local government of SND will always support the program of the Military and the national government headed by President Duterte to stop the proliferation of loose firearms. Dimaporo said the people of SND are united for peace and development aiming to boom its tourism industry with the presence of environmentally friendly beaches and guaranteed peaceful environment. SND is the center of attraction between the Zamboanga peninsula and Cotabato peninsula. That’s why peace is very important to invite more visitors in the area, said Dimaporo.

The turnover of 52 loose firearms.

Col. Robert C. Dauz CAV (PCSC) PA, Commander, 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Philippine Army. In his message he borrowed the idea of MGen Murillo, AFP, Commander, 1^st “Tabak” Division, a simple equation of the turnover of firearms is to save lives. The turnover of 52 loose firearms will save 52 lives at the minimum. He extended his thanks to Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo for leading the people in SND united towards peace and development, a beautiful and peaceful place. Dauz further explained about the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). He said the military supports the Government efforts on dealing with peace with the Bangsamoro. The final decision of the BBL will be watched on July 23 as soon as congress will resume their session and probably announcement will come during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte.  

Dauz said the 52 loose firearms turned-over to the military will be demilitarized and cut into pieces. Loose firearms will be the responsibility of the Military while expired licenses of firearms is the responsibility of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for safekeeping while processing the licenses renewal. Firearms is part of the culture and tradition of the Maranaos because it symbolizes power and security of a family to protect from “rido” or family feud. 

The boodle fight!

Col. Dauz said comparing to the analogy on half full-half empty glass. He said people looking at the half empty are pessimistic while those who are looking at the half-full are optimistic. The pessimist will look at the situation in a negative perception while the optimistic will look at the situation on a positive perception. Dauz added that there are some chief executives in their area of responsibility (AOR) who have lack of support and cooperation in the calling to stop the proliferation of loose firearms. Indeed, the 2^nd Mechanized Brigade is committed to protect the people in their AOR at all times and supports the development program of the municipality of SND, said Dauz. (News reports by Jun Enrique

z, photos by Salve Gimena)