Maguindanao holds bike tilt to show province is safe

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — More than 700 cyclists from across the country competed in the Maguindanao mountain bike challenge meant to show that the province is safe for tourists.

 

The competition was held Sunday in Buluan, the capital town and one of 36 municipalities in Maguindanao. 

 

The event was the symbolic start of the Nov. 22, 2017 commemoration of the 44th founding anniversary of Maguindanao province, carved from what began as the American-era Cotabato Empire Province.

 

The empire province evolved into what are now Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the adjoining provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, all in Region 12.

 

Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu told reporters Monday that the mountain bike challenge helped disprove notions that it is dangerous to visit Maguindanao.

 

“The military and the police have a strong partner in maintaining law and order in our province, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, so how can we not be safe here? There are isolated conflicts once in a while but in very far-flung areas,” Mangudadatu said.

 

The MILF, considered a government peace partner since signing the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2014, assists the government in going after criminals and armed groups in its communities.

 

Lynette Estandarte, chief budget officer in Mangudadatu’s office, said on Monday that some of the cyclists who joined in the day-long mountain bike challenge were from Metro Manila and other regions in Mindanao.

 

The contest was supervised by senior provincial officials led by Jhazzer Mangudadatu, a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

 

The youngest biker who joined the mountain bike challenge was six-year-old Kian Leosana of Lutayan town in Sultan Kudarat, who was born on December 12, 2010.

 

The oldest from among more 700 competing bikers, Armand Guintua, 73, born on January 10, 1946, hails from Kidapawan City.

 

The final tally of competition results showed Jaynard Daraydo, Red Fortuza and Rey Navarro excelled in the veteran, junior and master’s category.

 

Michael Abad, a member of the Philippine Army, topped in the lawmen-military category while Angelica Acedo emerged as champion woman biker.

 

Other category champions were James Perfas (senior), Dominic Carpio (grand master) and Rosell Leysander (fat boys, a type of bicycle with oversized tires).