Tuesday, 31 August — Let us reflect on, and anticipate the Night of Power [Lailatu l-Qadr] by remembering that one night of revealed knowledge is better than a thousand months [alfi shahrin] of ignorance. Let us ponder on the lessons of Ramadan as divine inspiration coming through the angels [Malaika] and the Spi…rit [Ruh] descending [...]

SPRAY. A farmer sprays  fertilizer in his ricefield in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao. Farmers normally apply fertilizers  between noontime and sunset because of the absence of dew on the leaves. Mindanews Photo by Keith Bacongco

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/30 August) – Police authorities here have recorded at least 65 gun-related killings, most of which reportedly involved suspected hired killers, during the last eight months. Supt. Maximo Layugan, deputy city police director, said their records showed that since January eight persons were killed on the average every month in various shooting [...]

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/30 August) – Sunday’s grenade attack on the San Vicente Ferrer church in Kalilangan, Bukidnon during a morning mass was related to a land conflict, the Bishop of Malaybalay, quoting parish priest Fr. Art Paraiso, said. At the same time, Bishop Jose Araneta Cabantan said that Paraiso, who is involved in the land [...]

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/30 August) – The military under the Eastern Mindanao Command will actively participate in the security sector reform, shed off its warrior image and “transform into conflict managers, peacebuilders and environmentalists,”  EastMinCom chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer said. In his speech on the fourth anniversary of the Command today, Ferrer, known nationwide and [...]

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/30 August) –  Peace is “a major policy platform” for President Aquino and his Cabinet is on the same page in the peace track, government peace panel chair Marvic Leonen said. “I stand witness to the fact that even within the Cabinet, it is clear what the dominant direction is. Una (First), peace. [...]

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/30 August) –  “How can we promote dialogue and cultural cohesion if in schools we churn out graduates every year who are not used to dialogue?”  Jesuit priest Albert Alejo asked the Philippine Economic Society’s “Regional Conference on the Development Agenda for Mindanao Under P-Noy” at the Ateneo de Davao University last Saturday. [...]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/30 August) – Close to a thousand tuna industry workers in this city who had lost their jobs due to the impact of the two-year fishing ban in the high seas off the Western and Central Pacific Ocean have so far received P3.629 million worth of assistance from the Department of Labor [...]

CITY NO MORE. The seal and signage of the newly built city of hall of Cabdabaran, Agusan del Norte will have to be changed back to “municipality” after the Supreme Court  declared the laws creating six cities in Mindanao (including Cabadbaran) and 10 cities in the Visayas and Luzon, unconstitutional.  Mindanews Photo by Keith Bacongco

Monday, 30 August — Mankind has very limited intellect, and the only way to expand it is to surrender to the Greater Intellect, where true wisdom is lodged and the universe’s secrets are kept. (Mehol K. Sadain)

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/29 August) – From 27 provinces and 33 cities in 2008, Mindanao is back to having only 25 provinces and 27 cities with the Supreme Court reiterating its November 18, 2008 decision declaring unconstitutional the cityhood laws converting 16 towns into cities, six of them in Mindanao. Earlier, the creation of two provinces [...]

A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS. As a “habal habal” driver struggles with his bike full of vegetables, fellow drivers help him maneuver a newly-repaired road in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.  Photo by Toto Lozano/AKP Images

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon  (MindaNews/29 August) —  A miracle, parishioners say, as the first of two grenades lobbed inside the San Vicente Ferrer Catholic church in Kalilangan, Bukindon during the first mass Sunday morning  exploded prematurely while the second did not  explode at all. Only two children, from an estimated 200 parishioners inside the church at [...]

DIGOS CITY  (MindaNews/29 August) — “Essentially, those who embraced the mining project did so because of the failure of the government to provide basic social services such as education, health and road networks. Government neglect made it easier for the entry of  (Saguittarius Mines, Inc.),” Meggy Nolasco, national spokesperson of the Kalikasan People’s Network for [...]

KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/29 August) –  Some P33.4 million from royalty tax for hosting the geothermal power plant of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) within the Mount Apo National Park is available for use by the provincial government of North Cotabato, according to the provincial board. The money, according to Cotabato 2nd district Board Members Jose [...]

SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/28 August) — The provincial government of Surigao del Norte wants a full implementation of the suspension of quarry and small scale mining permits here following reported violations of environmental laws. This after the office of the governor received reports that some quarry operations and small mining activities violated environmental laws and ordinances. [...]

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/28 August) — Bukidnon Gov. Alex Calingasan has appointed Damulog mayor Romeo Tiongco as an “investment reviewer” with a special task of going over project proposals submitted by investors to the  province. As explained by his memorandum on August 5, Tioncgo’s appointment was due to his expertise and experiences in the review of [...]

Sunday, 29 August — There is a direct and very obvious correlation between seeking GOD and being blessed; yet we don’t always see it when we are enjoying our blessings. As we seek GOD we are blessed; and as we are blessed so should we seek GOD. (Mehol K. Sadain)

Saturday, 28 August — In the days of prophets, GOD gave his Mercy through His Revelations and His Messengers. Nowadays, when GOD dispenses favors, He does so through providential events and acts of men. Remember then: The task you discharge maybe GOD’s answer to another man’s plea.(Mehol K. Sadain)

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/28 August 2010) –  The multi-awarded Teduray,  Ramon Piang, Sr., three-term mayor and now vice mayor of Upi in Maguindanao, is the fourth member of the government peace panel in the negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) government peace panel chair Marvic Leonen, said. Leonen,  also Dean of the University of [...]

Miss Cagayan de Oro 2010 Virnajenn Bacus and the four other finalists of the Miss Cagayan de Oro beauty pageant. MindaNews Photo by Froilan Gallardo

KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/27 August) – Thirty-seven families from a predominantly Moro village in President Roxas town in North Cotabato fled to safer grounds when some 50 suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attacked their area, around 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Inset Map Courtesy of Wikipedia.Police reports said the attackers were led by [...]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/27 August)  – The city council here is planning to pass an ordinance that would ban the carrying and public display of firearms, especially the rifle-type, by security escorts of politicians and other individuals visiting the area. Councilor Dante Vicente, chair of the city council’s committee on law and order and police [...]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/27 August) – Thieves have apparently found ways to skirt security measures at the offices of the vice mayor and city council here as evidenced by the spate of thefts that officials said the police and the National Bureau of Investigation should look into. Aside from the still unsolved incidents of theft [...]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/27 August) – Four emerging agro-industrial municipalities in South Cotabato have surpassed their annual assessment targets for taxable real properties during the first six months of the year. Eduardo Siason, South Cotabato provincial assessor, said the province’s consolidated assessment report showed that the municipalities of Surallah, Sto. Nino, Polomolok and T’boli have [...]

ST. AUGUSTINE. Street dancers perform on Friday, August 27, eve of the Feast  of St. Augustine in Cagayan de Oro City. MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo

As part of its targeted assistance to the most vulnerable families, affected by the consequences of the conflict in Central Mindanao, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will release 13 million fish fingerlings into the marsh areas to help people get back on their feet and regain normalcy. Around 220,000 tilapia fingerlings will [...]

Friday, 27 August — The best relationship for two people is that of two minds complementing each other, two souls uplifting one another, and two destinies intertwined in the service of GOD. (Mehol K. Sadain)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/26 August) – A private prosecutor for the families of several victims in the November 2009 Ampatuan massacre has questioned the release of several police patrol vehicles and passenger vans that were earlier recovered in connection with the gruesome killings. Lawyer Prima Jesus Quinsayas, counsel for some of the slain journalists in [...]

CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews/26 August) — The ancestors of Cagayanons could be the sea-faring sub-tribe of the Manobo, the Higaonons. Ethno-historian Dr. Antonio Montalvan, currently the curator of the Museum of Three Cultures in Capitol University said the deeper history of Cagayan de Oro would reflect the story of the marginalization of the indigenous people [...]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/26 August) — Police authorities filed charges against 28 members of a local religious group who were earlier arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms and deadly weapons and for violating the city’s declaration as a “no firearms zone.” Senior Insp. Philipp Castillo, police station no. 7 chief, said Thursday they filed [...]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/26 August) — In the aftermath of the bloody August 24 hostage crisis that splattered worldwide, President Bengino S. Aquino III rationalized, ordered the Secretary of Justice to conduct a “thorough” investigation; so did the Philippine National Police Director who, while admitting mistakes, yet justifying the “rescue?” operation. Has President Aquino realized [...]

Minister Motohiko Kato, Embassy of Japan’s Deputy Chief of Mission, will attend the turnover ceremony of “The Project for Acquisition of Garbage Compactors for Panabo City” on August 26, 2010. The project was funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) with a grant of US$52,748 (approximately P2.4 M). Panabo City is [...]

Lungsod ng Cotabato- Nilahukan ng mga sektoral na grupo sa lungsod ang “Poetry Concert” ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP-Cotabato City Chapter)bilang paggunita sa ika-9 na buwan ng Ampatuan Massacre. Ang CEGP ay ang pinakamalawak na organisasyon ng mga student publications at mamamahayag pangkampus sa buong bansa. Sa tema nitong, “Stop killing journalists; [...]

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) grieves for the loss of so many lives in the hostage-taking at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday. We condole with families of all the victims of this tragedy and we join the calls for a thorough and swift investigation on why and how the bloodbath happened. [...]

A day after the fire incident, some fire victims start erecting posts to build new homes. MindaNews photo by Roel N. Catoto

KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/25 Aug) – Environment officials in North Cotabato are readying charges against the owner of some 2,500 cubic meters of logs reportedly cut in a village in Makilala town in North Cotabato declared as a protected area. Walter Ruizo, municipal environment and natural resources officer (MENRO) of Makilala, said logging in areas near [...]

SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/25 Aug) — Victims of the fire that his this city over the weekend are complaining of alleged unfair distribution of relief goods. The fire at P. Reyes Extension in Barangay Taft last Saturday, which claimed the life of a 68-year-old woman, was reported to be the worst to hit the city in [...]

Thursday, 26 August — A leader assumes a heavy mantle of responsibility: He should be discerning enough to know the favors GOD intends for His creation, and competent enough to discharge them. This is what is meant when we say that the leader is GOD’s steward on earth. (Mehol K. Sadain)

PARANG, Maguindanao (MindaNews/25 Aug) — What the leadership of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) failed to establish in 20 years, five Maguindanao mayors did in less than two months after they were sworn into office last June. The five mayors — Nasser Imam of Matanog, Rocaya Dagalangit of Barira, Ibrahim Ibay of Parang, [...]

TRADE FAIR. Residents and visitors gather to see products displayed at the Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday. MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo TRADE FAIR. Residents and visitors gather to see products displayed at the Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday. MindaNews photo by Froilan [...]

MADE IN Northern Mindanao. Shopping bags, tote bags, wine bags and many more products made of abaca displayed at the Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair in Cagayan de Oro City . MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo

Wednesday, 25  August — Death is like a shadow that trails us wherever we go. Hence, before we sleep we beseech GOD to take our soul in His Mercy and to return it with His Protection; and when we awake, we thank Him for reaching another morning, and acknowledge that all Sovereignty belongs to Him,… [...]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/24 August) — An estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fisherfolk from this city and other parts of Mindanao are reportedly still languishing in various jails in Indonesia allegedly due to illegal fishing, Councilor Ronnel Rivera said. Rivera said they received reports from various sources that a significant number of fisherfolk and crew members [...]

KIDAPAWAN CITY  (MindaNews/24 August) —  Fifty-eight seedlings of the hardwood Lawaan species were planted on Monday  at the foot of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak, particularly at the watershed of the Kansal falls in Sitio Lapaan, Barangay Perez as a unique way of remembering the 58 persons, 32 of them media workers, who were [...]

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/24 Aug) – The Bukidnon provincial health office has recommended the creation and institutionalization of the provincial epidemiology surveillance unit for the early detection of diseases, a report on the dengue situation in the province to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan said. Dr. Teresita Damasco, the provincial health officer, proposed the provision of logistics, manpower, [...]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/24 Aug) – South Cotabato officials are pushing for the promotion of  tourist attractions in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao into a single package to help further build up their niche in the growing global tourism market. South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said he has initiated discussions with local government officials [...]

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/24 Aug) — Water districts around the country are mandated to attend to both water systems and sanitary sewers, but most local water districts have yet to supply water to the barangay level and cannot meet the requirements to manage sanitary sewers. “Water districts cannot access funds for this. It is practical to [...]

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/24 Aug) — Products ranging from colorful bags made from abaca to clay cups are being displayed at the Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair in the Lim Ket Kai mall here starting last Monday. The products, whose sales track records are among the highest, are considered the best in Northern Mindanao, said [...]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/24 August) — The provincial government of South Cotabato has intensified its tax awareness and information campaign in the wake of its sluggish tax collection performance during the first five months of the year. Provincial Treasurer Elvira Rafael said they only collected P61.4 million in real property taxes from January to May [...]