1. Straight from the Heart
By Abs Damahan
Newswriter/ USTREAMING TV 13 on
Cuento Politica Y Otro Pa and
AbsDamahan’sLive
MPOC Meeting at Tipo-Tipo Municipality Basilan
Tipo-Tipo Municipality, Basilan, Friday November 16, 2012- The recent Municipal Peace and Order
Council meeting was conducted at town Sangguniang Bayan Hall of this municipality with the Theme:
“Peace and Development can be attained Thru Bridging the Divides”. The hosting Mayor Ingatun ‘Tong’
Istarul, MPOC Council Members, SB Members and ABC President, Barangay Chairmen/ Chairwomen and
Head of the Department offices, Honored Guests and Participants in the attendance were presents from
the ARMM- Government led by Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman and some of his Cabinet
Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries and staff of the ARMM Officials. In the scene is also Vice Governor
Alrasheed Sakkalahul who sat alongside with RG Mujiv Hataman.
From the Local government Units who represented the Governor’s Office led by the super-active
Provincial Administrator Tahira Ismael-Sansawi with the acumen of a long engagement in NGO and CSO
vast experienced in peace advocacy. We were go along with the “TEAM Basilan” are: Col. Charlie Galvez,
Jr. 104th Brigade, PD Supt. Mario Dapilloza, PNP, Major Akmad Muhalli, 104th Brgde, Major Ramil, 104th
Brgde, and others AFP and PNP Junior Officers Team in RS Duty along the BCR dilapidated road of
Basilan, Ms. Mariam ‘Dedeth’ Suatico, Executive Director, Nagdilaab Foundation, Inc., Ms. Myra
Mangkabung-Alih, Dir. DOST, and Staff, PARO Swaib ‘PM’Ismael, DAR & Staff, Ms. Marilou Cruz, CDA
Officer and Staff, Ms. Lilia Bucoy, PSWD head and Staff who distributed Pantawid CCT and Philhealth ID’s
at Tumahubong beneficiaries. Hon. Yusop Alano, Board Member District-I, Commissioner Ust. Kaizer
Totoh, NRUC, UST. Rajad Basri, BSUC Religious Consultant, Ms. Nurkaisa Alidain, Assistant Provincial
Admin has also expertise in NGO & CSO Works, Ms. Emily Trumata Provincial Admin Officer the same
experienced has also expertise in NGO & CSO works, Yours Truly AbsDamahan’Live from the
press/media has also long engagement on Peace, Conflicts and Development media so to says for
decades, Mam Sabala, NFI I’m sorry, I forgot her first name she is group in peace works for so long time,
Ms. Myra Sarikin-Tan, Provincial CDA officer, Ms. Shaada Jingkatal-Sali Provincial Admin Staff and
facilitator, my first cousin and drivers and the security escorts of the convoy team I could mentioned
one-by-one. And rest companions who join the team could be mislook pasenya na lang marami kasi tao
who join the caravan.
The elected Local Officials who join the TEAM Basilan convoys are: Mayor Rustam Ismael of Lantawan
municipality and Vice Mayor Abdulbaki ‘Panther Ajibon of Isabela City.
The MILF side were presents: Commander Abbas Salun from 112 Base Command-Basilan, and close
aides sat beside him and BIAF security station in the Municipal Compound area. MILF declares to

2. support peace efforts of the GPH-MILF on the Framework Agreement to end the 30 years struggles of
Philippine internal conflicts and they promise to support Peace and Development programs strategy of
the government if the GPH ask their support from the field were BIAF have Base Commands post.
RG Hataman said, in his opening message based on COA reports ARMM Government accumulated
unpaid loan to WB amounting Php 5.8B. He revealed also that the Road maintenance from DPWH not
Devolve to DPWH-ARMM. He also mentioned dilapidated road along Parangbasak and Lagayas portion it
need road maintenance. DPWH has road maintenance funds of Php1B for the province, but it cannot be
disbursed by DPWH-ARMM if DPWH Central Office will not transfer the said to their office.
He made mentioned also has allocated funds for Basilan in the amount of Php375M, allocated Php36M
road construction for Al-Barkah Municipaality and Php60M for Baiwas Rod for Sumisip Municipality.
The main reasons why foreign donors’ projects are hesitance to pore more investments for Basilan and
Jolo is because of the peace and order situation in the area. RG Hataman said. He even revealed the
intention of one big top Corporation in Malaysia, the Berjaya Group of Company has the interest of
putting their capital investment for Banana and Farm Oil Company in ARMM region if our peace and
order condition so to says improved.
He even divulged the European Union of having to invest for Mindanao of 320M EU Currency and JICA
formulate plan for the reconstruction economic development for Mindanao after post conflicts and
after the signed peace deal of GPH-MILF on the Framework Agreement. But of course the hindrance is
there, the issue of threats and security.
Travel advisory of the foreign nationals by their countries and embassies Basilan and Jolo not included in
their routinely visits.
One main cause of travel advisory, the Kidnap for Ransom (KFR), and peace and order situation of the
two provinces of ARMM, Added to the problems 1. Lost Commands and, 2. Rido- family feuds.
Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakkalahul said during the MPOC meeting “quote and unquote” Kidnap in
Zamboanga City, Kidnappers from Zamboanga area brought to Basilan sino kawawa at sino affected tayo
mga Basilenos. So, we are the victims’ hindi natin kasalanan Sakkalahul said. He advise the AFP, PNP,
Barangays, Civilians and MILF it needs collaborative works for peace if want peace will reign for the
whole Basilan.
On PNP Crimes reports by PDSupt. Mario Dilloza has recorder 59 cases on crime incidents and the Index
Crimes are: Homicides, Murder and Crimes against properties. They are two cases of murders recorded
in Tipo-Tipo proper. Business sector is requesting more police visibility in the town proper according to
the business association. They are now number 4 business group of among 13 Municipalities and two
cities of the province. And also they are requesting for a PNP Personnel to be posted for the town of
Tipo-Tipo.
The AFP reports from Col. Charlie Galvez Jr., 104th Brgde Com has recorded of 31 incidence most
happens at Sumisip area and related cases or crimes are RIDO family feud. He said, as CMOs they join

3. TEAM Basilan for a works collaboration on the Celebration of Week of Peace from November 29 to
December 5, 2012. Our direction he said, remain committed to: Peace, Security, Justices and Prosperity.
He reminds everybody, the importance of the road networks along the line for the completion of BCR is
now under constructed by four contractors.
He also recommends for a success of the Forum “Framework Agreement of Bangsamoro” between the
GPH-MILF peace deals done in Malacanang Palace.
Provincial Administrator Tahira Ismael-Sansawi delivered message on behalf of the Governor Jum J.
Akbar upon assumption to office, she said, bundle of problems naka bindin sa aking opisina ( problems
pending in the office) more particularly on conflicts and Rido family feuds. She special made mentioned
the internal crisis of TARBIDC.
She announced during the MPOC meeting the incoming Forum on Framework Agreement of
Bangsamoro (FAB) on November 24, 2012 at Basilan State College, GYM Isabela City, Basilan a joint
projects of the Provincial Government and Regional Government, the concept papers prepared by the
TEAM Basilan and the Secretariats BasComNet Basilan base Communicators group. The target
participants by sector identified from: Academe, Business/ chambers, Religious, LGUs, NGAs, NGOs/CSO,
Youth Leaders, AFP/PNP, MNLF, MILF and Non-formal sector.
The next project of TEAM Basilan will be Mindanao Business Congress (MinBizCom) and to be
announced later anytime upon completed the documentation by the Secretariat.
Note: This news write-up to be continued…