Before Police Brigadier General John Bulalacao leaves his post as Police Regional Office-6 director, he should enlighten local residents on the alleged “massive” recruitment drive in Calinog, Iloilo to enlist with the “Royal Maharlika Tribes 1-Nation” and to confirm if the activity was legal and authorized by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army. According to sources, the group has been recruiting “soldiers” from Mindanao and the Visayas with several recently drafted from the said Iloilo town.
Recruits reportedly complete applications under the subtitles “Panay Tribal Governance for Self-Determination and Empowerment” and “Rajahnate of Panay” – is there a separate state governing within the borders of the Philippines? Are the police and military turning a blind eye to the supposed enlistment of a private army?
The soldiers will purportedly serve with the Royal Maharlika Federal Force, an entity registered with both the Securities and Exchange Commission and Bureau of Internal Revenue. Sources also claim the group’s main headquarters is located at the Country Homes-Ayala Subdivision in Zamboanga City, led by a certain Bae Putri Princess Fatimah Hassah Dominguez, the Princess Rajanahnate of Panai.
If the Royal Maharlika Tribes 1-Nation is a legal entity, is this recruitment process also authorized? Does the law allow their forces to be armed? If not, why are they allowed to recruit without supervision by the PNP or military? Why aren’t they arrested?

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As expected, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI), headed by Ramon Cua Locsin, will be phased out in favor of the Iloilo City Festivals Foundation Inc. (ICFF), which will be created under the incoming administration of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
Aside from his spat with bow-resigned IDFI Vice President Marissa Segovia when the incoming city mayor earlier complained about not being invited to the annual festival, it’s a common knowledge that Locsin openly campaigned for Treñas’ rival, outgoing Mayor Jose Espinosa III, in last month’s midterm elections.
Locsin, for his part, gambled not only his friendship with Treñas but the IDFI’s “lucrative” enterprise when he opted to support Espinosa.

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Alex P. Vidal, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo./WDJ