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Written by Inquirer Reporter
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Tuesday, 08 July 2008 |
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Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:23:00 07/08/2008
MARAWI CITY – Faculty members of the Mindanao State University (MSU) here have appealed to the kidnappers to release their captive, a biology teacher who has been in captivity for more than a week now.
Sherwin Nacua, a faculty member of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the MSU, was kidnapped on June 26.
Nacua was with 22 (not 19 as earlier reported) other MSU faculty members in a commuter Sarao jeep bound for Iligan City when their vehicle was stopped by four armed men wearing military uniforms in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur.
The kidnappers commandeered the vehicle towards Poona Piagapo town. But while traversing a dirt, narrow road, the jeepney stopped before a logging truck that had been stalled. The kidnappers then took from the passengers their mobile phones and ID cards.
Nacua was held at gunpoint and he reportedly stayed on so the rest could escape when the kidnappers became nervous because Maranao residents refused to heed the kidnappers’ request to push the jeep away from the muddied road and instead urged the passengers to run to the highway.
In the confusion, the faculty members took their chance and walked towards the highway to freedom.
Nacua, the only breadwinner in the family, is married to Elena, a housewife. They have three children.
No demands in exchange for Nacua’s release have been made, but talks circulating within the MSU campus here suggest that the motive behind Nacua’s kidnapping was personal because he had flunked a student. Inquirer Mindanao
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Written by Sinab D. Cabugatan
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Sunday, 29 June 2008 |
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It was a long day for the participants of the longest parade ever in the history of the Lanao del Sur 49th day Anniversary. It was participated by National and Local Government Officials, Government Officials, Department of Education Employees and Teachers, Students of the different Schools in Marawi City and its officials. The crowd was highlighted by colorful floats and Maranaw Costume, Landap.
We can easily track down our markers by their color codes. Yellow Landap malong green upper suit for the secondary high schools officials and teachers, together with the local officials of different Municipalities in the province, a green landap malong and yellow-upper suit for the elementary schools officials and teachers and assorted attires for the others parade pariciapants. It was really a long walk when all access to the down town area were stacked by parade participants. We have to walk into the assembly area to the Provincial Capitol where the most awaited events will be hosted. The rain do not excuse parade participant as it pour down in nearly the end of the parade. The most artistic use of Malong was being tested here. Participants were too creative that they have touse their malong instead of umbrellas. This memorable event was celebrated by more than hundred thousand observers and visitors, not to mention the parade participants.
This event were headed by Gov. Mamintal A. Adiong Jr and the provincial officials both local and National. The Department of Education officials and Teachers were there to mark for this memorable occasion. The vendors who sold all sort of foods run out of supply, that is why, participants have to walk for another kilometer to satisfy their hunger. Though, it is tough to have this long day, but we see this event as a symbol of unity among the people of the province. The rains that pour were not reasons to proceed until the portal of the provincial Capitol. Congratulations to our participants and all concerned officials in this province and MABUHAY! Be the first to comment this article | Add as favourites (40) | Quote this article on your website | Views: 652 | E-mail | Read more... |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 July 2008 )
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Written by Samira Gutoc
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Sunday, 29 June 2008 |
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What do ABS-CBN’s Singing Bee lead singer Sue Castrodes and United Opposition spokesperson Adel Tamano have in common? They are Maranaos, who proudly trace lineage to Lanao del Sur.
In a region thirsting to see good news about them, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), where most Maranaos reside, can stand proud of a culture that has been preserved despite the impact of pop culture in global media.
Home of the Sultanates, sarimanok, and Islam, visiting Lanao del Sur province of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is like going back to centuries ago when women walked around gracefully in their malongs (wrap-around clothing) and men who had betel-stained golden teeth played chess all day. But although being transported to a place that seems stuck in time could be soothing to a frazzled urbanite, the truth is Lanao del Sur is that way largely because it is one of the poorest provinces in the country, while ARMM is the poorest region in the Philippines in all indicators of human development.
As Lanao del Sur celebrates its 48 years of being chartered in week-long rites starting today until the anniversary on July 4, the province is challenged to overcome perceptions of insecurity due to recent kidnappings of non-natives, including a Mindanao State University Professor last June 26 in Saguiaran town.
Where is Lanao del Sur?
Because of this negative image, few know about the tourism potentials of the province. Lanao comes from the word ranao, meaning "lake." Lanao centers on the basin of the majestic Lake Lanao , where a mountain shaped like a lady called Sleeping Beauty catches visitors in awe.
Lanao del Sur forms the western portion of Northern Mindanao . It is bounded on the north by Lanao del Norte on the east by Bukidnon, on the west by Illana Bay , and on the south by Maguindanao and Cotabato . One can travel to Lanao del Sur 3 hours away from Cagayan de Oro's Lumbia airport.
The landscape is dominated by rolling hills and valleys, placid lakes and rivers.
The climate in the province is characterized by even distribution of rainfall throughout the year, without a distinct summer season. The province is located outside the typhoon belt.
The Filipino’s Last Samurai
Few also know the rich history of the province , which some find to be fascinating as its colorful artifacts. When the Spaniards first explored Lanao in 1689, they found a well-settled community named Dansalan at the lake's northern end.
In 1895, Lanao was created as a district of Mindanao. In 1903, Lanao was incorporated into the Moro Province by the American government. In 1914, the province of Lanao was born with the organization of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu.
Lanao hosted some of the bloodiest revolts in Philippine history. Hundreds of natives battled thousands of American troops in the wars in the towns of Taraka and Bayang . In May 2, 1942 , the former chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Jose Abad Santos was killed by the Japanese Imperial forces by the firing squad at Malabang. Maranao guerrilla units used the infantry weapons together with the Maranao Kris, Barong and Kampilan swords against the Japanese forces during in the Battle of Lanao .
When Lanao was divided into two provinces under Republic Act No. 2228 in 1959, Marawi was made the capital of Lanao del Sur.
Lanao also hosted several uprisings led by the Bangsamoro Liberation Organization (BMLO) in the 70s against national government.
Because of the peace agreements between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government, Lanao del Sur in a plebiscite voted to join the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 1989.
The Warrior-turned Trader Community
The Maranaos are said to be the most conservative and religious, yet the most mobile and business-minded among the 13 ethno-linguistic Muslim cultural communities. Decades after the traumatic martial law period in Mindanao, thousands of Maranaos after acquiring education and civil service opportunities have traveled and made home across the country and the Middle East to work and help their poor families back home. From Bataan to Jolo, Maranao traders selling DVDS, jewelry and clothing can be found in most of the public markets and shopping centers anywhere. They have also set up mosques in the mostly-Christian dominated towns where they have settled.
With the rise of income of many of the Maranaos, today Lanao del Sur hosts the most number of Islamic schools and the biggest Islamic university .
Keeping traditions and customs alive in the traditional Sultanate system, the Maranaos still follow many folk rituals when it comes to persons and family relations.
One can find many prominent individuals among the Maranaos - former Senator Mamintal Tamano, former Governor Ali Dimaporo, former ARMM Governor Lininding Pangandaman, founder of the Mindanao State University (MSU) Domocao Alonto , the first lady president of MSU Emily Marohombsar, Bishop Ulama Conference co-convenor Mahid Mutilan . Be the first to comment this article | Add as favourites (39) | Quote this article on your website | Views: 700 | E-mail | Read more... |
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Written by By Samira Gutoc (26-June-08)
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Friday, 27 June 2008 |
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Another Mindanao State University (MSU) professor is kidnapped. This time in Lanao del Sur. Biology professor Sherwin Nacua, English professors Herbert Taberdo, Frank Amarillo and some 20 other faculty were on the way home from classes after 3 in the afternoon on board an ARMAC jeep from Marawi City en route to Iligan City , an hour away, when unidentified armed men accosted the vehicle in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur fifteen minutes away from the city.
The MSU-Main campus is within Muslim-dominated Marawi City, the capital of Lanao del Sur. More than fifty percent of its student and faculty population are non-Muslims.
Witnesses said the passengers, mostly females and Visayans, jumped out the windows, fearing for their lives. Only Sherwin Nacua was taken aboard an FX vehicle said to be on the way to Piagapo town, a hilly undeveloped town, said to be a traditional hideaway for local kidnapping syndicates.
Philippine National Police Provincial Director Paniares Adap was in Piagapo Thursday evening, negotiating for Nacua’s release.
Silliman University graduate Sherwin Nacua, 45, had been teaching in the MSU-Main Campus for the past 24 years. Described as quiet, soft-spoken, sharp , diligent and sincere, Nacua was a former employee of the Aga Khan Museum.
Just last Sunday, another faculty from Jamiatul Muslim Integrated Foundation (JMIF), Lolita Rodriguez, was kidnapped and released two days ago in Saguiaran town.
According to Provincial Government sources, the modus operandi of the Maranao kidnappers was to use networking, passing the victims from one kidnapping group to another to leave no trail. “They are organized kidnap for ransom groups and are purely out to gain money,” said Governor Mamintal Adiong’s Chief of Staff Amenodin Macalandap. The victims are mostly non-Muslims, who are not residents of the province, one of the poorest in the country, populated by mostly Muslims.
Lanao del Sur is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which will undergo elections this August 11.
Nacua’s abduction is the third kidnapping incident this year but faculty members of MSU have been kidnapped in the past. Last March 29, Jung Tae-yung, a Korean businessman, and Victor Macasera Jr. had been abducted in the province. Yung was a mining investor interested in chromite potentials in Butuan City and Ditsaan Ramain , Lanao del Sur.
Macasera and Jung Tae-yung were released after 56 days in captivity due to a concerted effort of negotiations by traditional leaders, local government units, intelligence group , PNP and military .
Local lawyer Bayan Balt condemned this “latest assault on the personal liberty of Prof. Nacua. This proves the incompetence of our local officials and the impotence of the police authorities to protect the people.”
One analyst blames the standstill in peace talks to the rising criminality in ARMM. Just this morning, some five employees of the Basilan Electric Cooperative (BASELCO) were abducted in Tuburan, Basilan. More than two weeks ago, a band of outlaws held an ABS-CBN television news team and their university professor guide for nine days in the jungles of Talipao in Sulu province. Allegations that ransom was paid for their release was confirmed by police.
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Written by Al Jacinto, Correspondent
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Friday, 13 June 2008 |
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source: manilatimes.net
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Suspected rebels have captured two Marine intelligence agents on Basilan island, where security forces are fighting Abu Sayyaf militants blamed for terrorism and kidnappings in southern Mindanao.
The soldiers were identified as Corporals Jesse Duatin and Bernard Alcantara. They were believed to have been abducted early this week.
Intelligence sources on Thursday said the rebels wanted to swap the soldiers for a captured Abu Sayyaf militant, Sali Alih, who was implicated in the beheading of 14 Marines in fierce clashes last year in Basilan province’s Al-Barka town.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said he instructed Armed Forces chief Alexander Yano to look into the alleged kidnapping after receiving sketchy reports on it.
The two Marine intelligence agents were said to have been “lured” into setting a meeting with an emissary of commander Hadji Mas’ud alias Commander Long of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF. Mas’ud earlier supposedly sent surrender feelers to Col. Leonard Vincent Teodoro, commander of the Seventh Marine Battalion. The MILF has been battling for an independent Islamic state in Mindanao for more than 30 years.
Navy spokesman Edgardo Arevalo said Col. Teodoro sent the two soldiers to the area after he received a report on Mas’ud’s plan to turn himself in. The colonel would later learn that the soldiers were held and brought to a rebel camp.
Arevalo said the Defense secretary is working on the immediate release of the two hostages. He added that rescue, however, has been ruled out to give way to talks between Col. Teodoro and Mas’ud.
The Navy spokesman said the colonel was able to talk to the two Marines on Wednesday through a cell phone. The conversation, Arevalo added, proved that communication lines between the two parties are still open.
Arevalo assured that the military would not entertain the “prisoner swap” proposed by the MILF because such exchange is not government policy.
“We are consistent with our adherence to the stand of the government not to succumb to demands of ransom payment or agreeing to concessions,” he said.
It was learned that Mas’ud wanted the government to release Salih, his nephew, who was arrested recently by the military.
The military is preparing a protest against the MILF over the kidnapping of the two Marines. The protest will be submitted to the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities as the incident, the Armed Forces said, is considered as a “violation” of a ceasefire between the MILF and the government.
The MILF confirmed the abduction of the two soldiers, but it was unknown whether the abductors are connected with the rebel group, which is negotiating peace with Manila.
It said the soldiers are being held captive by followers of Mas’ud. “We have to verify this report, whether the soldiers are really being held by the MILF forces in Basilan, but for sure the MILF has no links whatsoever to the Abu Sayyaf group,” Eid Kabalu, a rebel spokesman, told The Manila Times.
The Philippine military did not give any statements about the captive soldiers, but sources said there are negotiations to free the hostages.
Intelligence sources said the rebels threatened to execute the two Marines if Alih is not freed from military custody. Alih belongs to the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama, blamed for the spate of attacks on military patrols on Basilan.
--With Jefferson Antiporda
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Written by Sulu Reporter
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Wednesday, 11 June 2008 |
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PRESS RELEASE 10 JUNE 2008
Drilon and crew missing in Sulu
QUEZON CITY - ABS-CBN anchor Ces Drilon and two other cameramen are reported to be missing for four days now in Southernmost part of the country -- Sulu.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) sources disclose that they were abducted by rebel groups in Maimbung municipality though it has yet to be confirmed.
Primary suspects are Albader Parad and Gafur Jumdail, reported to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group. The latter is the younger brother of Dr. Abu Jumdail of ASG. There were prior reports that the younger Jumdail has been causing chaos in the said municipality.
Local residents however say that there is still no group coming out to claim that they abducted Drilon.
Drilon went to Sulu to cover a special event by the invitation of Professor Octavio Dinampo of Mindanao State University . Dinampo is also reported missing along with Drilon and company.
Representative Yusop H. Jikiri of the 1st District of Sulu is now coordinating with PNP Director General Avelino Razon to find Drilon and her cameramen.
“We are doing all the necessary steps to locate Ms. Drilon and group,” said Rep. Jikiri. “If proven true that they were abducted, we cannot tolerate this kind of act disturbing Sulu peace over and over.”
“We have worked hard to regain stability, and peace and order in Sulu the past years and this incident inflicted by only few lost commands shall be put to a halt in order to prevent similar occurrence.
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Written by Ali B. Panda, Ph.D.
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Wednesday, 28 May 2008 |
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Marawi City- The MASSS Ranao Integrated Farmers Livelihood Development Service, Inc. with the support of Tarompong sa Ranaw Radio Forum announced the special free registration and short vocational-technical education seminar workshop from April 19 to June 1, 2008 every Saturday and Sunday at Al-Hakemma School, Inc. Compound, Bo. Salam,
Marawi
City
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The following are the selected vocational-technical education short courses offered with specific dates:
1. Major and minor crops growing technology, April 19-20,
2. Home family herbal healthcare technology, April 26-27,
3. Backyard fish culture and home gardening technology, May 3-4,
4. Food trades and home industries technology, May 10-11,
5. Goat raising and poultry management technology, May 17-18,
6. Electronics and home appliance repair technology, May 24-25,
7. Selected Islamic education and traditional cultural leadership values,
May 31 to June 1, 2008.
Prof. Solaiman Bali, MASSS Ranaw Chairman, revealed that said “training seminar workshop was chosen to help enhance the re-building of Maranao socio-economic living conditions through better farming and laudable leadership for remarkable culture of peace and progress in Lanao del Sur which will be demonstrated and explained in Maranao language by invited qualified and competent lecturers for ease and effective learning of the participants.”
All the interested participants were asked to come early to fill-up the membership registration form with 1”X1” picture on or before April 19, 2008 to avoid delay of their attentive and participation to this lucky and promising training seminar,
Bali
said.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 May 2008 )
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Written by Sunny Rasheed Lucman Pacasum
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Thursday, 22 May 2008 |
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The BANGSAMORO LABOR ORG. (BMLO) is inviting all the bangsamoros living in the UAE to once again join us this coming 20th of JUNE, 2008 in visiting our brothers who are stranded in POLO-OWWA, Dubai UAE. we are sure that the results of our 2nd visit will make an important contribution to increase awareness in other parts of the world of the critical situation affecting thousands of our OFW. as some of you had the opportunity to see more closely, making this reality known is an important factor in raising awareness amongst more people in a situation to express their solidarity and support for those people today living unprotected and in a situation of extreme poverty. we hope to be able to count on your continued support and carry out new activities together in a joint contribution to improving the living condition of every bangsamoro worker. with this objective in mind we should identify other initiatives and put them into action. Please help our brothers and sisters bring anything u can offer such as rice, soap ,used clothing etc.........
May Allah bless everyone of us as we participate to this kind of noble work....
Thank you and More Power!!!!!!
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Written by Hasan Hatab
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Wednesday, 23 April 2008 |
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The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, a newly formed organization, had marched around the town of Jolo last April 20, 2008 in an obvious bid to relive the grandeur of the ancient Sultanate of Sulu. About 70 people mostly unschooled men and women, distributed leaflets stating that they are not Filipinos but Tausug by nationality. The group has about 300 members throughout the island province of Sulu.
During the parade, they brought placards bearing the words "Filipinos get out from the Tausug Homeland". They also distributed some phamplets which contained United Nation Resolution on human rights and the right to self-determination under the UN charter.
The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo was organized in June 2007 and headed by Atty. Meltino Sibulan which holds office at Jolo, Sulu.
However, some residents in Sulu are in doubt of the real motives and plan of Atty. Sibulan in organizing people who are mostly unschooled and aging.
One school teacher told Luwaran reporter based in the island province, on condition of anonymity, that while the parade reminded of the glorious past of the Sulu sultanate but a the same time it also made the impression that the sultanate has really shrunk so lowly that it could only attract few people.
This organization based its concept on historical accounts of the Sulu Sultanate starting from the time of Said Abubakar who bore the title of Shariful Hashim as the first sultan of Sulu, who held office at Buansa, Indanan Sulu.
In last Sunday's parade, most of the marchers wore native Moro attire.
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