BANGSAMORO NEWS UPDATES

COTABATO CITY --- The newcomers North Cotabato governor and Isabela City mayor broke tradition Monday by starting their first day in office with outdoor activities predecessors never did.

Instead of entertaining well-wishers in her office, the first-termer Gov. Nancy Catamco went around and inspected the provincial hospital and the heavy equipment pool at the capitol in Kidapawan City to assess the serviceability of both outfits.

MAGUINDANAO --- Congressman Esmael Mangudadatu assured Monday to continue helping Muslim, Christian and Lumad students get through college using whatever grant he can secure from Congress.

Mangudadatu was governor of Maguindanao for three consecutive terms that lasted from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2019.

He told reporters Monday he is unsure, however, if the scope of his education program as congressman would be as extensive as the Maguindanao Program for Peace and Community Empowerment, most known as MagPEACE.

ZAMBOANGA CITY-- Government authorities have recovered the 10 Filipino fishermen kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits on Tuesday in Lahad Datu, Malaysia.

The Sulu Provincial Police Office said the fishermen were sighted by the men of Talipao Municipal Police Station around 10 p.m. Friday in Barangay Kahawa, Talipao in Sulu.

The Talipao mobile patrol saw a group of people walking along the Barangay Kahawa road and when questioned they learned that they are the fishermen seized in Lahad Datu and were released by the ASG.

MAGUINDANAO --- Soldiers found Sunday assault rifles and grenade launchers in the hideout of two militants implicated in recent terror attacks in the province.

Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division said Monday the firearms stockpiled by the wanted duo, Nords Plantis and Guialil Mohamad Dalundong, are now in the custody of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion.

LAMITAN CITY --- The provincial government of Basilan and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao launched here Saturday a P36 million worth hospital project.

Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman led the symbolic launching of the project, to benefit Muslim and Christian residents in Lamitan City and nearby towns.

The construction of the facility is a joint initiative of Salliman’s office and the health ministry of BARMM.

COTABATO CITY - Four years ago, Norombai Utto graduated from high school just days after a heavy military bombardment of Mamasapano in 2015, and her valedictory address moved the audience to tears at Hji. Salik National High School in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano.

On Tuesday, June 11, Norombai is graduating cum laude from her course of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in General Science at the Mindanao State University’s Maguindanao campus.

COTABATO CITY (June 5) – Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi today lauded all Muslim faithful for making the Eid’l Fitr celebration in the city and its environs solemn, peaceful and full of hope.

The city had been very quiet and solem as the More than 600,000 Muslims in the city end fasting month at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

No motorcade, known among Muslims as “Takbir” was conducted unlike in previous Eid’l Fitr celebration, no gun fire, not firecracker and everything was solemn as Muslims pray, give alms, share blessings, among others.

COTABATO CITY – The Metro Cotabato Water District (MCWD) is reminding all water concessionaire in the city and the towns of Sultan Kudarat and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao to conserve water and save water in containers at home in cases of unexpected water service interruption.

The MKWD issued the reminder as the rainy season official begins this month of June.

In a post to its official FB page, the MCWD said concessionaires must develop the habit of saving water in containers and huge jars or tanks so water supply at home is enough when emergency comes in.

COTABATO CITY --- Middle Eastern states are celebrating today the Eid’l Fitr after Arab clerics saw the crescent moon rising Monday but their Asian counterparts were not as lucky.

The Saudi Arabian Royal Supreme Court was reported to have declared June 4 as culmination of Ramadhan, where Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, focus on good deeds and prayers for one lunar cycle, which lasts from 28 to 29 days.

Muslims celebrate the Eid’l Fitr in the first day Shawal in the Hijrah lunar-based calendar, which marks the completion of Ramadhan, a holy month in Islam.

MAGUINDANAO --- The Australian government reiterated Friday its willingness to help promote quality education in the Bangsamoro region where it has on-going projects complementing regional literacy thrusts.

Ambassador Steven Robinson was in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao on Friday morning, along with Education Minister Muhaquer Iqbal of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, for a Brigada Eskwela activity.