Qurbani project for Ed’l Adha a resounding success in Marawi

RIC CLET

MARAWI CITY – A Qurbani Project was launched at the Basman Auditorium here from November 16 to 18 this year in celebration of Ed’l Adha, an important Muslim holiday.

The celebration of Ed’l Adha was spearheaded by the Islamic Community of Milli Gurus ( IGMG ) Hiffs-und Socialveren, CARE Association, Turkish-Filipino Friendship Solidarity Association (TUFIFSA) in cooperation with the Mindanao Muslim Teachers College (PMTC), the Mindanao Institute of Healthcare Professionals (MIHP)and the Commission on Higher Education-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CHED-ARMM).

Ed’l Adha celebration activities include distribution of cow meat, cooking competition, parlor games, quiz show, musical presentation of live band, martial arts exhibition among students, and sharing of  school supplies with school children.  Some five thousand (5,000) local community members graced the Ed’l Adha affair.

In an interview with mediamen, IGMG spokesman Mesut Erbash from Australia said that Qurban means “Closer to Allah”.  He said the project had been launched 25 years ago worldwide and it is the 4^th year that the project had been launched in the Philippines.  He said some 200 heads of cows were slaughtered for distribution to poor families in the city. He said similar meat distribution had been made in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, Madalum and Tamparan in Lanao del Sur and Davao City and Manila.  He added that the Qurdani Project will be a yearly undertaking of the IGMG and expressed optimism that a bigger blessings can be share by the group next year.

Spokesman Erbash was with Hasan Sula of Australia, Fatih Kara of Germany, and Enes Poyraz of the United Kingdom during the media interview.

Riza Dalkilic , president of Rizali who hails from Turkey express his gratitude for the support and cooperation of the officials and community members in the successful celebration of the Ed’l Adha.  He said, “It is time to recognize and remember the importance of being closer to Allah.  He said the more important consideration is the life or the world hereafter.  He said while  we are in this world we have to share our blessings with the less fortunate brothers and sisters in Islam.

On the other hand Dr. Norma Sharief, chairperson of the CHED-ARMM  said the she is elated by the overwhelming support and cooperation showed by the community members in contributing to the resounding success of the Ed’l Adha celebration in the city. Sharief is also the over-all coordinator of the Qurbani project  Philippines 2010.

Aga Khan “Binladen” Sharief, organizer and chairman of the Ed’l Adha Fiesta Celebration under the Qurbani Project thanked the multi-sectoral groups in making the ed’l Adha Celebration a resounding success with more than 5,000 people attended the said program.

 Sharief also noted that over 300 civilians who participated in the cooking competition were given certificates of participation by the Philippine Muslim Teachers College (PMTC), one of the project cooperating organizations. The first prize was awarded to the group of Habibati Frequency  radio forum.

Successful special election at Barangay Bangon,Poblacion Prec 5A and 6A ,Pagayawan,lanao del Sur last November 13, 2010

Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur -Police Files Tonite reporter, Mariz Revales interviewed mayoralty candidate Sailaney Benito during the special election on November 13,2010. (Delman Macapil)

104th brigade personnel received awards

Tacurong City – Several personnel belonging to the 104^th brigade were the recipients of military awards from Major General Romeo D Lustestica, Commander of the first Infantry (Tabak) Division assisted by 104^thth founding anniversary here. brigade commander ColMario A Mendoza during the 10

Major Alonto A Maamo with serial number 0-132217 (infantry)PA received the award of Bronze medal for acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy but involving risk of life as civil military operations officer of 104^th Infantry (sultan)brigade ,1^st Infantry (Tabak) Divison, Philippine Army during  the May 10,2010 national and Local elections. Initiated the conduct of Peace covenant, peace caravan dubbed as “Caravan for H.O.P.E/”, Distributed leaflets, conducted radio broadcasting and massive information campaign in the whole area of responsibilities which resulted to the successful conduct of honest, orderly and peaceful elections.

21Lt Norben J Bello O-139130 (INF)PA received the Bronze medal for acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy but involving  risk of life as members of the 33^rd Infantry (Makabayaan) Battalion,1^stth EOD team and K9 Battalion during the celebration of 10^th Talakudong festival on 18 September 2010. Upon receipt of urgent call from informant that certain Mosanif Solaiman had instructed unidentified person to deliver/plant  a bomb in Tacurong City. Immediately informed his Battalion commander on the reported IED and arrived in the area and were able to recovered /disrupted the said IED. Infantry (tabak) Division, Philippine Army and with the elements 65

Bronze Cross medal were received by CPL Rolando P Libuna 800370 (INF)PA and CPL  Jonathan C Yabo 827175,for acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy but involving risk of life during the successful conduct of law enforcement operations by joint elements of 33^rd Infantry (Makabayan) Battalion,1^st Infantry (Tak) Division, Philippine Army that resulted  to the arrest of Jamel B Abdul alyas Jonathan S Ampatuan on 13 October 2010 at vicinity of Leonora Homes Subdivision, Isulan,Sultan Kudarat, implicated in Maguindanao Massacre on November 23 2009.

!Lt Rodolfo L Lamban Jr )-133280 (INF)PA,CPL Roger B Gaoiran 801313(INF)PA for meritorious achievement as members reconnaissance platoon,33^rd Infantry (Makabayan)Battalion,1^st Infantry (Tbak) Division ,Philippine Army during the successful operations on Law enforcement that resulted to the Arrest  of Jamel “Balatukan” Kayansang AKA Armando Ambalgan implicated in Maguindanao Massacre on November 23,2009

Sgt Percival L del Pilar 805393,CPL Edgar G Olimberio 817028 (INF) PA and PFC Brain D Galabin 858070 for meritorious achievement as members of 46^th Infantry Battalion, 8^th Infantry Division , Philippine Army during the conduct of extensive security operations in relation to the 2010 automated national and local elections in the province of Maguindanao which resulted to the successful conduct of honest, orderly and peaceful elections in the different  municipalities within the 46^th Infantry Battalion area of operations

104th BDE celebrates 10th founding day

Tacurong City – The 104^th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade celebrated its 10^th founding anniversary last 29 of October, 2010 with its theme “104^th Bde: Sampung taong matapat na kaagapay ng Mamamayan sa kapayapaan” .

The history of 104^th brigade traces its humble beginning with the Task Force Sultan which was activated on April 5, 2000 at Camp General Teodulfo S Bautista, BusBus , Jolo, Sulu  in order to confront  the threats in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces, particularly the Abu Sayaff group.

The second quarter of 2000, the brigade conducted a massive manhunt operations to rescue the kidnap victims from Sipadan beach resort in Sabah, Malaysia whose victims were brought to its lairs in Sulu.

104^th brigade was also tasked to provide security assistance to negotiators and media men in order to ensure the safe release of hostages. ON October 26 October of 2000,the brigade was activated in accordance with General orders # 1195 dated 25 of October 2000 issued by headquarters Philippine Army with the personnel and equipment  of  the Task Force Sultan.

Col Romeo P. Tolentino, became the first commander of the 104^th brigade who would later become the 44^th commanding General of the Philippine Army.

The brigade has the following operation control units such as five infantry battalion, (4IB, 7IB, 59IB, and one composite battalion, the first Scout Ranger Battalion, and eleven rifle companies of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) integrees.

1104th brigade rescued 17 Sipadan hostages, religious leader Wilde  Almeda and 11 members of his Jesus Miracle Crusade, two French journalists and three Malaysian nationals that resulted  to 129 enemy killed, 244 high power firearms were recovered and 161 active Abu Sayaff members surrendered.

After more than seven years of campaign against Abu Sayaff group, the brigade arrived in Maria Cristina ,Iligan City on January 29, 2008 to assume responsibility over the whole province of Lanao del Norte as a result of the junking of the memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) by the Supreme Court.

The brigade was given a mission in Lanao del Norte to conduct, hold and contain the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), neutralize the armed and political structure of Southeastern Command of Mindanao party revolutionary committee, neutralize other lawless elements and provide security assistance to vital government installations.

 ON August 18, 2008, while observing the primacy of peace process and peace talks and monitoring the MOA-AD, the MILF 102^nd base command, NMF,BIAF terrorized  and pillaged  the coastal municipalities of Kolambugan and kauswagan, both in Lanao del Norte. This carnage threatened the security situation of the province and caused the burning of civilian houses, several civilians helplessly killed and taken hostages. The brigade was specifically tasked to destroy the lawless MILF groups in Camp Bilal complex in Poona Piagapo and Munai.

The brigade saw action against the 102^nd BC of the MILF with a total of 33 encounters.

On November 23, 2009, the political situation in the area of Maguindanao became tensed when a group of political supporters together with media personalities travelled to Sharif Aguak, Maguindanao to highlight the filing of candidacy of now governor elect Toto Mangudadatu. The group was stopped and brought towards barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao were they were indiscrimately shot. A total of 57 people were killed. This incident was later dubbed as the November 2009 Massacre.

On December 20, 2009, 104^th brigade arrived in the area after receiving its warning order on December 19, 2009. On December 22, 2009, the main body of the brigade arrived and officially assumed its new area of responsibility.

With the advent of 2010 elections, the brigade curved a plan to ensure honest and orderly election. Sultan kudarat province election was generally peaceful while in Maguindanao, the brigade experienced a rough sailing yet in the overall perspective it was a very successful and peaceful election.

The said affair was attended by commander of the first Infantry (Tabak) division, Major General Romeo D Lustestica. Welcome remarks were delivered by Col Gerardo F Barrientos INF, the deputy brigade commander. In his message, Barientos said the unit is rich in tradition and valor, the brigade is powered by responsible and dedicated soldiers in whose shoulder lies the responsibility of making a life difference in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. “We will continue to fulfill our commitment and dedication to serve, to protect, defend you and perform the mandate of our pledge just so we can achieve an environment conducive for development”, Barrientos said .  LTC Juanito E Galindo GSC (INF), the brigade Executive Officer also rendered his reading of the brigade history, it was followed by awarding of deserving personnel by Lustestica and  assisted by Col Mario A Mendoza, the  commander of the 104^th brigade. Followed by the message and introduction of its guest of honor and speaker General Lustestica .

Other guests in the said affair were members of media from different places, local officials of the host city.

The program ended with a press conference with General  Lustestica