Kapihan sa Bangsamoro with MLG Minister

For the first time on September 5, the Bangsamoro Government and the Mindanao Humanitarian Team (MHT) conducted a joint meeting in one of the island provinces of the region – Basilan. 

“It is an important step to signify that there is relative peace in the islands, and that people from different countries can actually go there,” BARMM spokesman and local government minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo said during the 4th Kapihan sa Bangsamoro on Tuesday, September 10.

 “For a long time, the UN (United Nations) agencies as well as INGOs (International Non-governmental Organization) were prohibited to send their personnel in the island provinces for security reasons,” Sinarimbo added.

According to Sinarimbo, the reason for conducting meetings in the island provinces was for the Bangsamoro government and its partners from the humanitarian sector to see the actual conditions of the communities so that they can respond better to the people’s needs. 

He said the next joint BARMM-MHT meeting will be held in the province of Tawi-Tawi. 

During the Kapihan, Sinarimbo also said the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) is now working on the cascading of legislation from the parliament down to the Local Government Units (LGUs).

“Unang-una dahil meron tayong panibagong batas,” Sinarimbo said. “Dapat merong context yung mga kasama nating LGUs kung ano yung bago at kung ano yung maaring makapagpabago sa areas of legislation.”

The MILG is holding a 3-day orientation and enhancement of local legislation for BARMM vice governors and vice mayors which started Monday, September 9.

Source via Bangsamoro Government FB Page

The Decommissioning of the MILF-BIAF Combatants and Weapons

Photo Credits to: Jab LA (Facebook) 

 

1,060 MILF-BIAF Combatants, Moro fighters and their weapons turned-over and decommissioned in line with the group's peace deal with the National Government granted them greater autonomy in the Bangsamoro region. 

This is the second phase; of the 30% of the 4,000 MILF-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces members to be decommissioned until 2020.

The event was held at the Old Provincial Capitol of Maguindanao in Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat Municipality, Province of Maguindanao.

According to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman and now the BARMM Interim Chief Minister, Hadji Ahod “Al-Hajj Murad” Balawag Ebrahim, the  decommissioning of combatants does not mean they are surrendering their cause. “I would like to emphasize that the decommissioning does not mean we have given up on what we used to fight for. It simply demonstrate our sincere and full commitment to fulfilling our obligations and responsibilities in the peace agreement we signed with the National Government”.

Over a thousand MILF-BIAF Moro fighters and some 900 weapons, including rocket launchers, propelled grenades, was the first batch undergo to be decommission in   Maguindanao.

The process is a key component of the normalization structure in accordance to the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and will be overseen by an International Decommissioning Body (IDB).

The IDB has guidelines and protocols to ensure that the decommissioning process will be conducted efficiently with utmost impartiality, integrity and confidentiality.

The decommissioned combatants will receive aid packages worth some P1 million. It will include P100,000 cash, housing projects and livelihood training, among others.

"The decommissioning is the first step in achieving the group’s goal to return the combatants to civilian but productive life," the BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ebrahim said.

The MILF camps will also be turned into civilians communities.

"Through this intervention, our combatants will be able to return to mainstream society. From revolutionary forces into civilian life," the BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ebrahim added.

The decommissioning event was witnessed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his presidential party. 

Last August 2019, more than 219 MILF and Moro fighters completed their basic military training in the Philippine  Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade in Cotabato Province. They are now part of the joint peace and security team that will help secure the BARMM region.

Photos Credits to the owners  

Phases of Decommissioning (Part of Normalization Annex)

Source: BTA-MP Lanang Ali

First Phase : Ceremonial decommissioning: 75 weapons and 145 MILF Combatants. 

Condition: submission of the BBL to the President of the Philippines then endorsement of the BBL to the Philippine Congress. (completed)

2nd Phase : Decommissioning of 30% of 40,000 MILF combantants which is 12,000 and 30% of 7,000 weapons of MILF which is 2,100.

Condition: Passage and ratification of BOL and establishment of Bangsamoro Transition Authority. (On-going process)

3rd phase : Decommissioning of 35% of combatants and weapons of the MILF. Condition : Establishment and Operationalization of the Bangsamoro Police as provided in Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro or CAB (Coming soon)

4th phase : Decommissioning of the remaining combatants and weapons of the MILF. Condition : Implementation of all signed peace agreements in CAB to be certified as such upon signing of the Exit Agreement by the GPH, MILF and the Third Party Facilitator (Malaysia).

(Coming soon)

Note: There is no agreed timeline between the two panels as to when the 100% Decommissioning of MILF combatants. What was posted in social media as to the timeline (2022) of the MILF decommissioning is the version of OPAPP alone. The MILF Peace Implementing Panel response to the query as to when the 100% decommissioning of the MILF combatants is AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

The Official BARMM Flag under its first law

After several months of deliberations in the parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) unvealed its official emblem on 28 August 2019.

BARMM Chief Minister Hadji Ahod “Murad” Balawag Ebrahim, signed the law, creating the region’s official flag. The first law passed by the Regional Transitional Parliament.

The BARMM flag has four distinctive colors, a crescent, a

OPAPP and TESDA-BARMM signs MOA

SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT 

between OPAPP and TESDA on the Socio-economic Assistance for the Decommissioned Combatants under the Program for Normalization in the Bangsamoro 

On September 6, 2017 -  The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through its Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, with its committee, received full assistance in the performance of its functions in support to the forthcoming “Decommissioning of MILF-BIAF Combatants and Weapons on September 7, 2019”, with the signing of Memorandum of Agreement from the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) through Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. 

 

The signing of the MOA was witnessed by TESDA Secretary, Isidro S. Lapeña, OPAPP Assistant Secretary, David B. Diciano,  Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education Minister, Mohagher Iqbal, Ministry of Finance Minister, Architect Eduard Guerra and IDB Chair, Ambassador Fatih Ulusoy. 

This is in relation to the commitment of the National Government to give support and assistance to the BARMM government.

By: HADJI HARRIS M. ISMAEL | My Bangsamoro

Updates on the Bangsamoro and Consultation with BASULTA Stakeholders

September 4, 2019 (Wednesday) - Bangsamoro Member of the Parliament Don Mustapha Loong  and Minority Leader, MP Atty. Laisa M. Alamia gave a briefing on the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as well as consults BASULTA stakeholders on their pressing concerns that can be made into a resolution or a bill in the Bangsamoro Government held at Zamboanga City last September 1, 2019.

 

Source: BTA-MP, Don Mustapha Loong

The Pit Smokehouse in Cotabato City

The Pit Smokehouse (512’s Pit)
By: Harris Mukaram Ismael

We’ve seen an increase of Halal Resto, Restaurants and Cafés in Cotabato City, The Pit Smokehouse (512’s Pit) is the right one for you. So, to those who are looking for a delightful meal, give this place a try. This newly opened steak house offers you for some seriously delicious steaks in Cotabato City. It’s a walking distance from the City Mall-Cotabato, Jollibee, Metro Cotabato Water District and Estosan Garden Hotel. 

   

The Pit Smokehouse main course are Smoked Beef Short Ribs, Crispy Roasted Chicken, Honey Garlic Roasted Chicken and the Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken. 

Some people says that the beef back ribs are tasty but are very slim-picking when it comes to actual meat and quantity. These beef short ribs are the way to go since they are a lot more juicy and meaty and there's quite a bit of fat marbled into the meat to keep them moist during the cooking process. Beef short ribs have a lot of fat from inside and outside of the meat and this makes them perfect for handling the high heat that they must get to in order to reach tenderness.

The cooking of short ribs are being well-used, important protective parts of the body, are filled with collagen. The connective tissues must be broken down by long, slow cooking to unwind into gelatin, with the unraveling beginning at 170 degrees and accelerating as the temperature increases. It’s really about what type of beefsteak you want, but in the end, what you want to do is get the beef time on smoke for a few hours, and then finish the cook by getting the internal temperature of the beef ribs between 200-205 degrees. This is when that fat and collagen all melt away and the texture of the short ribs is soft like butter and melts in your mouth, it’ll be super juicy and deliciously amazing. 

The Pit’s also offers seafoods, chicken meals, frappes, shakes, coolers, rice toppings, veggies and snacks that are affordably priced and one can fill your hungry tummy without spending too much. 

This stakehouse wants you to try their “Smoked beef short ribs”. A very special beef, slowly smoked until tender and rich and incredibly delicious that melts in your mouth. 

The Pit Smokehouse is located at Governor Gutierrez Avenue, Cotabato City. 

#EatandTravel #LakbayKainan #DailyFoodTrip #HalikaKumainKa

BARMM Bags the Champion Spot in the Provincial Category during the 30th Philippine Travel Mart 2019

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through the region’s Department of Tourism, Bags the Champion Spot in the Provincial Category on Booth Competition during the 30th Philippine Travel Mart 2019, held on 30 August to 1 September 2019 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. 

Photo from: Department of Tourism - BARMM

DOT-BARMM headed by Shalimar Amerkhan Candao and team together with the Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu and Lanao del sur also showcased the latest cultural tourism offerings in the Bangsamoro region.

Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) is the longest running travel exhibition. PTM is strongly committed to the promotion of domestic and inbound tourism. The annual event showcases Philippine destinations and updated tour product offerings for domestic and foreign visitors in the country.


Through the years, the Philippine Travel Mart has been a platform for opportunities to develop both domestic and foreign tourism in the country. Being part of the global tourism community, it also caters to international destinations especially in the ASEAN region and its strategic partners namely China, Japan, and Korea.

Exhibitors include travel and tour agencies, hotel and resort owners, tourist transport companies, local government units (LGUs), national tourism organizations (NTOs), the Department of Tourism and its attached agencies, and tourism-related enterprises, providers and suppliers.

Aside from the travel exhibit, special cultural performances and competitions, including the Philippine Tourism Quiz Bee Finals, will also be a highlight of the Philippine Travel Mart.

The Philippine Travel Mart is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA).


- Hadji Harris M. Ismael, MPA

My Opinion on Youth and Community Development through Peace Empowerment

To prevent the problems on peace and security in the Bangsamoro Region. Let just support the helping parties in conflict making peace, peacekeeping and creating the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish.

Our community’s volunteers has the primary responsibility for peace and security.

We need to clarify the nature of peaceful approaches and behaviors in community settings, and learn how to develop, refine, and utilize them in community practice. Everyone should be committed in the matter of peace and to do everything that they can.

This is not a solution, this is just a prevention. The only prevention for this is to promote peace and empower the youth in the community to prevent and avoid violence, extremism and abuse on women and children. 

Promoting peace requires valuing and considering both oneself and others. As such, peace is a “center” to every situation throughout our lives. 

Just as a child is enriched as he or she learns to take on more responsibilities, the meaning in our lives grows as we learn to recognize and take more responsibility for one another and to the world.

By: Hadji Harris M. Ismael, MPA

      Youth and Peace Advocate | MY BANGSAMORO