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Basilan ambush death toll now 2
The number of fatalities in the weekend ambush in Ungkaya Pukan town in Basilan climbed to two yesterday after one of the eight wounded officers died while being treated in a hospital......»»
BARMM Governors Caucus, for what?
As this column had predicted, it was bound to happen. There is no stopping the confrontation between the leadership of the Bangsamoro Regional Government, dominated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the incumbent governors in the region. It’s a clash between status quo and change. The emerging Moro leaders in the region were personified by the governors advocating reforms versus the well-entrenched dynasties. Everything pointed to it happening. They can swear to high heavens that no such thing will happen, but their actions betray their intentions. This column sees them as being civil to each other only for public consumption. But below the sea of calm is a raging current with each side preparing to unleash their powers. Their body language says it all. A political showdown is imminent for what Moro political opinionist, Sultan Pangnal Datu Ramos, describes as a Battle Royale. In a move that was nothing but an alignment and consolidation of political forces, the five elected governors in the BARMM convened what they conveniently called the “BARMM Governors Caucus (BGC)” in Cagayan de Oro City on 6 June. Present were Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. (Lanao del Sur) who played host, Abdusakur Tan (Sulu), Bai Mariam Mangudadatu (Maguindanao del Sur), Ysmael Sali (Tawi-Tawi), and Malusso Mayor Hanie Bud, president of the Basilan League of Municipalities, representing Governor Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman. This was not the first time they met. In fact, after every major political development in the region that they saw as a threat to their political sway over their turf, they met and made known their position which was not always in sync with that of the BARMM leadership. In a press statement heavy with motherhood phrases meant for public consumption, they claimed that the BGC is “a platform that will advocate and promote the issues our constituents have identified as critical. The Caucus will engage in dialogue toward greater cooperation and collaboration with the national and regional governments and multisectoral groups.” If their intention is honest and true, why did they not involve the BARMM as the immediate tier in the governance set-up in addressing critical issues? Why sideline the regional government which could help them promote the interest of their public? Why was the newly appointed governor of Maguindanao del Norte not invited to the caucus? Is it because he is identified with the leadership of the BARMM having been a senior minister before his appointment by the President? If they wanted a dialogue, why didn’t they involve national and regional officials or their representatives in the forum? The manifesto likewise said that “the Caucus is committed to supporting the peace process and the BARMM. But of course, who would want unpeace? A disruption of the peace will adversely affect their decades-old dynasties. Their actions belie their claim of support for the BARMM. They look at BARMM as nothing but a threat to their political grip on their individual fiefdoms. The BGC is the sum of past dialogues and meetings of these governors with the agenda manifestly not in tandem with the interest of the BARMM leadership. When BARMM was being conceptualized and was later submitted for legislation, Gov. Tan challenged the move before the Supreme Court and when the BARMM officials lobbied for the postponement of the parliamentary election which led to the extension of their terms of office, most governors opposed it. And they likewise opposed certain provisions of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code which was passed by the regional parliament over their objection. The recent ambush of Gov. Adiong alerted these governors to a serious threat to their leadership and they decided to band closer together to protect their political interests. They raised concerns about the non-completion of the decommissioning process, which has allowed the armed MILF to continue carrying their firearms in public with impunity. How can you face and win over an enemy whose followers are allowed by the government to pack six shooters? This scenario could definitely put the MILF’s Bangsamoro Justice Party at a huge advantage. These factors and many more gave birth to the Caucus. More on this in my next column. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post BARMM Governors Caucus, for what? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Basilan village chief wounded in ambush
A barangay chairman and his two companions were wounded in an ambush that killed their driver in Lamitan, Basilan yesterday afternoon......»»
Barangay chairman, 3 others killed in Basilan ambush
Bin Saudi Sarakil, chairman of Barangay Matata in Ungkaya Pukan, and three companions died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds......»»
Money lending firm collector killed in Zamboanga del Sur ambush
Gunmen killed a collector of a local money lending firm in a daytime ambush in Barangay Lutlutan in Dimataling town, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday......»»
2 hurt in another gun attack in Cotabato City
Two local residents were wounded in another ambush incident in this city at about 11:00 p.m. Monday......»»
Drug suspect slain in Davao sting
An alleged major drug trafficker was killed in a sting in Davao City on Saturday......»»
Davao City’s top shabu dealer slain in police operation
Policemen shot dead an uncooperative narcotics trafficker who is in the list of most wanted shabu and marijuana peddlers in Davao City in an entrapment operation that went awry on Saturday......»»
Catapang tightens security after ambush
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. yesterday said security measures were doubled following the recent shooting incident involving his vehicle along the Skyway on Tuesday......»»
Islamic religion student slain near scene of deadly Maguindanao Sur ambush
Relatives want an extensive probe on the brutal killing of a 16-year-old Islamic religion student, found dead on Monday in Barangay Tuayan in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur near where four soldiers were fatally ambushed by local terrorists the day before......»»
BARMM gov’t condemns ambush-slay of 4 soldiers
BARMM gov’t condemns ambush-slay of 4 soldiers.....»»
4 Army soldiers killed in Maguindanao ambush
4 Army soldiers killed in Maguindanao ambush.....»»
Beermen return to action vs E-Painters
With San Miguel Beer just getting its feet wet in the PBA Philippine Cup, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao feels it’s the best time to ambush the defending champions......»»
Soldier, companion hurt in Maguindanao del Sur ambush
An off-duty motorist soldier was wounded in the neck in an ambush at a stretch of the Cotabato-Davao Highway in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur that also left his civilian companion injured on Wednesday......»»
Multi-awarded police intelligence agent killed in General Santos ambush
A police intelligence agent based in Carmen, Cotabato province, credited for his accomplishments in locating members of local terrorist groups wanted in courts for heinous crimes, died in an ambush in General Santos City at about dusk Sunday......»»
Agusan mayor offers P100k bounty for arrest of suspects who killed 2 farm workers
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews / 8 March) – San Francisco Mayor Grace Carmel Paredes-Bravo has offered a P100,000 cash reward for residents who can provide information leading to the apprehension of the suspects behind the fatal shooting of two oil palm workers and the injury of another during an ambush on February 29 […].....»»
Abra village chief survives ambush
A barangay captain in Tayum, Abra was unhurt in an ambush in Bangued yesterday......»»
P500K reward offered for arrest Cotabato City disaster unit chief s killers
The mayor here has offered a P500,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the killers of the operations chief of the Cotabato City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, who died in an ambush along a busy thoroughfare here last week......»»
Rido eyed in Lanao del Norte ambush incident
Local officials are certain that Thursday’s ambush incident in Lala, Lanao del Norte that left two individuals dead and two others injured is related to a “rido” involving the victims......»»
Maranao couple killed, two hurt in Lanao del Norte ambush
A Maranao couple got killed while two others were wounded in an ambush at a stretch of a highway in Barangay Magpatao in Lala, Lanao del Norte on Thursday morning......»»