139-626: The Mindanao Railway , previously known as the Trans-Mindanao High Speed Railway , is a proposed railway system in Mindanao , the southernmost major island of the Philippines . Originally proposed in 1936 as part of Manuel L. Quezon 's efforts to strengthen the presence of Commonwealth government in Mindanao against the rising influence of Imperial Japan before World War II , the line
278-420: A 45-minute trip per way. According to an interview with POW survivor Hayes Bolitho in 2009, the line is estimated to be 7 km (4.3 mi) long. He also commented that prisoners were forced to push the train in case of rain or when ascending steep grades due to the poor conditions of the tracks. A few years after the war, a two-car train welcomed the party of then-president Elpidio Quirino during his visit to
417-450: A battle that started at Malabang (a town close to Gandamatu Macadar, Lanao ) and ended close to the town of Ganassi, Lanao . Davao City was among the earliest to be occupied by the invading Japanese forces. They immediately fortified the city as a bastion of the Japanese defense system. Davao City was subjected by the returning forces of Gen. Douglas MacArthur to constant bombing before
556-422: A communist and called for the overthrow of the government. With the communist organization estimated to still have more than 40,000 duly registered members by March 1951, the government went on with its sustained campaign to cope with the worsening peace and order problem. The 1951 budget included the use of a residue fund for the land resettlement program in favor of the surrendered HUKS. The money helped maintain
695-650: A cycle of violence are still felt today due to the creation of the Ilaga. The Jabidah massacre in 1968 is commonly cited as the major flashpoint that ignited the Moro insurgency, and the ensuing ethnic tensions led to the formation of secessionist movements, such as the Muslim Independence Movement and the Bangsamoro Liberation Organization . These movements were largely political in nature, but
834-480: A decision from President Quirino. Quirino's administration excelled in diplomacy, impressing foreign heads of states and world statesmen by his intelligence and culture. He had official travels to the United States, European countries, and Southeast Asia. During his six years in office, he and his Foreign Affairs Secretary , Helen Cutaran Bennett , was able to negotiate treaties and agreements with other nations of
973-522: A facility for American POWs after its occupation by Imperial Japanese Army forces in 1942. Davao Penal Colony survivor Raymond C. Heimbuch wrote in his book that the line suffered from poor condition of the rolling stock and lack of maintenance of the tracks. There were 40 flatcars and a sole diesel locomotive , which replaced a steam locomotive whose tender survived after the war. The diesel locomotive would pair with 5 or 6 flatcars that carried prisoners, sacks of rice, or forestry products. The train took
1112-573: A feasibility study conducted by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP are expected to be submitted in July 2024. The contract “will involve project preparation services for a preliminary assessment of the viability of MRP Phase 3 in Northern Mindanao,” the DOTr said in a statement. Among the aspects that will potentially be studied are the alignment of the railway, the number of stations, and the economic impact. It
1251-529: A future alliance of these neighboring nations for common protection and aid. The Quirino administration faced a serious threat in the form of the communist Hukbalahap movement. Although the Huks originally had been an anti-Japanese guerrilla army in Luzon, communists steadily gained control over the leadership, and when Quirino's negotiation with Huk commander Luis Taruc broke down in 1948. Taruc then openly declared himself
1390-597: A growing call center sector in the region, mostly centered in Davao City . Some 2,130 government-led infrastructure projects worth P547.9 billion have also been lined up for Mindanao until 2022. NEDA official said that 68% of that budget will be allotted for the transportation sector, while 16% will go to water resources, and 6% to social infrastructure. Of this amount, 18 infrastructure projects have been identified as "flagship projects," five of them have already been approved by President Rodrigo Duterte. The projects include
1529-622: A headway of 13 minutes during partial operations for Phase 1. Lastly, the project suggests the use of the European Train Control System for its signalling and train control systems with at least Level 1 to be installed on the line. A section of Phase 1 in Davao City shall also be connected to the Davao People Mover by a connecting bus service. The line will be initially constructed as a single-track line that will be by operated with diesel rolling stock, although upgrades to
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#17328452792101668-559: A network 1,544 km (959 mi) long in its present form, totalling 2,278 km (1,415 mi) of track, with the centerpiece being a circumferential mainline that connects some of the major cities of the island. An east–west radial mainline will also be built to the Zamboanga Peninsula , and a number of other radial lines will serve as branch lines . As with other projects of the Philippine National Railways ,
1807-533: A number of his followers had either submitted themselves to the conditions of the Amnesty proclamation or surrendered their arms. In the face of countercharges from the Huk to the effect that the government had not satisfied the agreed conditions, President Quirino ordered a stepped-up campaign against dissidents, restoring once more an aggressive policy in view of the failure of the friendly attitude previously adopted. To bring
1946-545: A regional conference sponsored by the Philippines. Taiwan and South Korea did not attend the conference because the latter did not contemplate the formation of a military union of the Southeast Asian nations. On the other hand, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, and others were not invited because, at the time, they were not free and independent states. Due to the request of India and Indonesia, no political questions were taken up
2085-538: A resettlement area for families affected by the project. As of April 2021, land acquisition from Panabo to Carmen was almost complete. On April 19, 2021, the city government of Panabo issued an ordinance prohibiting any unrelated construction on the right-of-way of the Mindanao Railway. The Project Management Consultant Contract for the Tagum–Davao–Digos segment of the project was signed on October 20, 2021. It
2224-626: A short period in 1662 when Spain sent soldiers from the city to Manila after a threat of invasion from the Chinese general Koxinga , was Zamboanga City which was settled by soldiers from Peru and Mexico. The sultanates resisted Spanish pressure and attempts to convert them to Christianity during this period. The Sultanate of Ternate of the Maluku Islands formed a close alliance with the sultanates of Mindanao, especially Maguindanao . Ternate regularly sent military reinforcements to Mindanao to assist
2363-492: A staff of twenty workers, following their period of stay in the Philippines, beginning in July 1950, finally submitted its report on October of the same year. The report made several proposals, most noteworthy, of which were that the United States on, President Quirino gamely and patriotically, took in the recommendations and sought to implement them. Thus, in November 1950, President Quirino and William Chapman Foster , representing
2502-417: A standard electrified double-track mainline will be constructed in the future. The specific type of electrification system that will be adopted on the Mindanao Railway is yet to be determined. On the other hand, expansion of the single-track line to double-track has already been considered for at least the Tagum–Davao–Digos section, which is included in the total of 2,278 km (1,415 mi) track length of
2641-708: A state of martial law following the Maguindanao massacre . On September 9, 2013, an MNLF faction attempted to raise the flag of a self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republik at Zamboanga City Hall in an armed incursion into parts of the city. On January 25, 2015, a shootout took place during a police operation by the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao. The operation, codenamed Oplan Exodus,
2780-546: A symbol of the country's contribution to the cause of freedom outside native shores. Other Philippine Combat Teams successively replaced the first contingent sent, and they all built a name for discipline, tenacity, and courage, until the armistice that brought the conflict to a halt. By the time of the creation of the Integrity Board, the Bell Mission, led by American banker Daniel W. Bell and composed of five members with
2919-557: Is a 54.8-kilometer railway line connecting Cagayan de Oro, connecting the municipalities of Laguindingan and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center is also backing the proposal. Based on the project description, the railway project will include passenger railway stations, maintenance depots, operations control centers, connectivity to Languindingan Airport , connectivity to seaports, and transit-oriented developments (TOD). The railway will be designed to be capable of handling freight cargo at cargo terminals in
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#17328452792103058-481: Is comparable to PNR's Luzon System's maximum speed and would count as higher-speed rail . The 2016 JICA study suggests the use of overhead catenaries on or before 2045. In 2018, the project was initially given the marketing title of "Trans-Mindanao High-Speed Railway". This was later simplified to "Mindanao Railway" after a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) was determined, which is less than half that of true high-speed rail . The name change also happened with
3197-541: Is considered the major breadbasket of the Philippines. The name Mindanao is a Spanish variation of the name of the Maguindanao people , the dominant ruling ethnic group in the Sultanate of Maguindanao in southwestern Mindanao during the Spanish colonial period . The name itself means "people of the lake", although it is usually translated to "people of the flood plains " in modern sources. Archaeological findings on
3336-665: Is divided into six administrative regions: the Zamboanga Peninsula , Northern Mindanao , the Caraga region, the Davao region , Soccsksargen , and the autonomous region of Bangsamoro . According to the 2020 census, Davao City is the most populous city on the island, with 1,776,949 people, followed by Zamboanga City (pop. 977,234), Cagayan de Oro (pop. 728,402), General Santos (pop. 697,315), Butuan (pop. 372,910), Iligan (pop. 363,115) and Cotabato City (pop. 325,079). About 70% of residents identify as Christian and 24% as Muslim. Mindanao
3475-531: Is not part of any region after the Supreme Court declared its inclusion in Bangsamoro unconsitutional as the majority of its residents voted against it during the 2019 plebiscite . The list of largest cities and municipalities in Mindanao in terms of population is shown in the table below. Mindanao is the second-largest island in the Philippines at 97,530 square kilometres (37,660 sq mi), and
3614-405: Is now developing into a center for agro-industrial business, trade and tourism. Its competitive advantage is in agri-industry as its products, papayas, mangoes, bananas, pineapples, fresh asparagus, flowers, and fish products are exported internationally. The region can be a vital link to markets in other parts of Mindanao, Brunei Darussalam and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia . There is also
3753-419: Is one defined growth corridor in the island, namely Metro Davao . Other growth centers are: Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Zamboanga City, Cotabato City, and Pagadian City. Being the top-performing economy in Mindanao, Davao Region has the 5th-biggest economy in the country and the second-fastest-growing economy next to Cordillera Autonomous Region. While the region's economy is predominantly agri-based, it
3892-510: Is the second-largest island in the Philippines , after Luzon , and seventh-most populous island in the world. Located in the southern region of the archipelago , the island is part of an island group of the same name that also includes its adjacent islands, notably the Sulu Archipelago . According to the 2020 census, Mindanao had a population of 26,252,442, while the entire island group had an estimated population of 27,021,036. Mindanao
4031-624: Is the seventh-most populous island in the world . The island is mountainous, and is home to Mount Apo , the highest mountain in the country. Mindanao is surrounded by four seas: the Sulu Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, the Celebes Sea to the south, and the Mindanao Sea to the north. The island itself is part of an island group of the same name, which consists of the mainland,
4170-664: Is under study from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center. The first attempt to construct a rail line in Mindanao was made in the 1890s, when the Spanish colonial government attempted to build a Decauville railway between Iligan and Marawi . However, this was never finished. Not long after, a series of narrow-gauge railroads were opened by the American government in Mindanao. These short lines were constructed to transport supplies and United States Army personnel. A line
4309-700: The ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation . There are a number of memorials dedicated to Quirino. In 1964, the municipality of Angaki in Ilocos Sur was renamed to Quirino in his honor. The province of Quirino , established in 1966, was named in his memory. Streets like the Quirino Avenue in Manila and Elpidio Quirino Avenue in Parañaque are named for him. The Novaliches–Ipo Road, where his retirement home
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4448-633: The Agusan River would pass through 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) of broad saddle across the mountains at a maximum elevation of less than 250 meters (820 ft); while the existing east–west road from Lianga , 48 km (30 mi) north of Bislig , reaches a maximum elevation of only 450 m (1,480 ft). The Diwata Mountains, north of these low points, are considerably higher and more rugged, reaching an elevation of 2,012 m (6,601 ft) in Mount Hilong-Hilong , 17 miles (27 km) along
4587-580: The Anglo-Saxon bloc, as well as by the group of Spanish-speaking nations, thus underscoring the hybrid nature of the Filipino people's culture and upbringing. Incumbent President Quirino won a full term as President after the untimely death of President Manuel Roxas in 1948 in the November 1949 presidential election . His running mate, Senator Fernando López , won as Vice President . Despite factions created in
4726-580: The First Lady . On July 17, 1948, Congress approved Republic Act No. 333, amending Commonwealth Act No. 502, declaring Quezon City as the new capital of the Philippines , replacing Manila . Nevertheless, pending the official transfer of the government offices to the new capital site, Manila remained to be such for all effective purposes. The term Hukbalahap was a contraction of Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon (in English: The Nation's Army Against
4865-696: The Free World . Two Asian heads of state visited the country—President Chiang Kai-shek of the Republic of China in July 1949 and President Sukarno of Indonesia in January 1951. In 1950, at the onset of the Korean War , President Quirino authorized the deployment of over 7,450 Filipino soldiers to Korea, under the designation of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK). While I recognise
5004-476: The Nacionalista and Democratic Parties formed a coalition to ensure Quirino's full defeat. On Election Day , Quirino was defeated by Magsaysay with a landslide vote margin of 1.5 million. Quirino was accused of a Golden arinola scandal which led him to losing the 1953 Philippine presidential election Upon assuming the reins of government, Quirino announced two main objectives of his administration: first,
5143-688: The North–South Commuter Railway in Luzon and the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem railway in Israel , both of which were marketed as "high-speed" to distinguish themselves from the much slower existing train services there. Despite the change in the project title, there are plans for a genuine high-speed rail network in the region, and the proposed infrastructure of the Mindanao Railway was planned with future high-speed rail development in mind along as with all
5282-585: The Philippine Congress to a three-day special session. Congress enacted Commonwealth Act No. 725, setting the date of the election on April 23, 1946. The act was signed by President Osmeña on January 5, 1946. Quirino was nominated as Senate President Manuel Roxas 's running mate. The tandem won the election. As Vice President, Quirino was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Quirino's five years as president were marked by notable postwar reconstruction, general economic gains and increased economic aid from
5421-501: The Philippine National Railways , it will be built in 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ) standard gauge . This is part of the larger efforts by the agency to convert its network from narrow to standard gauge, the first in Southeast Asia to do so. The maximum speed of trains on the line is 120 km/h (75 mph) and the average speed is 77–81 km/h (48–50 mph). Commuter trains will also have
5560-428: The Sulu Archipelago and the outlying islands of Camiguin , Dinagat , Siargao , and Samal . The mountains of Mindanao can be grouped into ten ranges, including both complex structural mountains and volcanoes. The structural mountains on the extreme eastern and western portions of the island show broad exposures of Mesozoic rock, and Ultrabasic rocks at the surface in many places along the east coast. Other parts of
5699-558: The Supreme Court Ricardo Paras administered the oath of office. On the same day, Quirino delivered his short, 47-word inaugural remarks at the same room. His first official act as the President was the proclamation of a state mourning throughout the country for Roxas's death. Since Quirino was a widower, his surviving daughter, Victoria, would serve as the official hostess and perform the functions traditionally ascribed to
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5838-548: The United States Congress . In 1935, he was also elected to the 1935 Constitutional Convention that drafted the 1935 Philippine Constitution for the newly established Philippine Commonwealth . In the new government, he served as secretary of the interior and finance under the cabinet of President Manuel L. Quezon . After World War II, Quirino was elected vice-president in the April 1946 presidential election , consequently
5977-644: The United States government , signed an agreement by virtue of which the former pledged to obtain the necessary Philippine legislation, in keeping with the Bell Mission Report, while envoy Foster promised the necessary by the same report. However, much as he tried to become a good president, Quirino failed to win the people's affection. Several factors caused the unpopularity of his administration, namely: Following his failed bid for re-election, Quirino retired to private life. He offered his dedication to serve
6116-611: The economic reconstruction of the nation and second, the restoration of the faith and confidence of the people in the government. In connection to the first agenda, he created the President's Action Committee on Social Amelioration (PACSA) to mitigate the sufferings of indigent families, the Labor Management Advisory Board to advise him on labor matters, the Agricultural Credit Cooperatives Financing Administration (ACCFA) to help
6255-456: The sarong (known as malong or patadyong ), the pudong turban , silk , and batik and ikat weaving and dyeing methods were introduced. Artifacts found from this era include a golden kinnara , a golden image believed by some to be a Tara , and a Ganesha pendant. These cultural traits passed from Mindanao into the Visayas and Luzon , but were subsequently lost or heavily modified after
6394-572: The ₱ 35.26 billion Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment of the Mindanao Railway , the ₱40.57 billion Davao airport, the ₱14.62 billion Laguindingan airport, the ₱4.86 billion Panguil Bay Bridge Project, and the ₱5.44 billion Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project, Phase II. Projects in the pipeline are the second and third phases of the Mindanao Railway; the Agus-Pulangi plant rehabilitation; the Davao expressway;
6533-588: The 1920s and the 1930s. In Malabang , Lanao del Sur , a local company also ran freight trains through the town during the 1930s. In Misamis Oriental, the Anakan Lumber Company operated Heisler locomotives in the town of Gingoog during the 1920s and 1930s. These short lines were either destroyed during World War II or dismantled (the Davao Penal Colony line was dismantled due to its condition sometime after President Quirino's visit). The metal used
6672-427: The 1952 right-of-way. The government planned to build the railway in six phases, with the first running from Iligan to Gingoog . A pre-proposal conference was conducted in 2015, but the railway was not included in the Public-Private Partnership program. The railway in its present form began development in the late 2010s. While JICA was conducting initial studies, then-presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte supported
6811-547: The 60th anniversary of his death. Quirino was married to Alicia Syquía (1903–1945) on January 16, 1921. The couple had five children: Tomás, Armando, Norma, Victoria , and Fe Angela. On February 9, 1945, his wife and three of their children (Armando, Norma and Fe Angela) were killed by Japanese troops as they fled their home during the Battle of Manila . His brother Antonio Quirino was the owner of Alto Broadcasting System, which later merged with Chronicle Broadcasting Network to form
6950-483: The 6th President of the Philippines from 1948 to 1953. A lawyer by profession, Quirino entered politics when he became a representative of Ilocos Sur 's 1st district from 1919 to 1922. He was then elected as a senator from 1925 to 1935. In 1934, he became a member of the Philippine Independence Commission that was sent to Washington, D.C. , which secured the passage of Tydings–McDuffie Act to
7089-766: The American Liberation Forces landed in Leyte in October 1944. Filipino soldiers and local guerrilla fighters were actively fighting Japanese forces until liberation at the conclusion of the Battle of Mindanao . Mindanao was peaceful and increasingly progressive in the postwar period, including the 1950s and the mid-1960s. Ethnic tensions were minimal, and there was essentially no presence of secessionists groups in Mindanao. Under Ferdinand Marcos 's administration, Christian groups began to settle in Mindanao, displacing many locals. The population boom resulted in conflicts as
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#17328452792107228-594: The Economic Development Corps (EDCOR), with its settlements of 6,500 hectares in Kapatagan ( Lanao ) and 25,000 hectares in Buldon ( Cotabato ). In each group taken to these places there was a nucleus of former Army personnel and their families, who became a stabilizing factor and ensured the success of the program. Indeed, less than ten percent of the Huks who settled down gave up this new lease in life offered them by
7367-517: The Filipino people, becoming the "Father of Foreign Service " in the Philippines. In the evening of February 29, 1956, Quirino was preparing to attend a meeting when he suffered a massive heart attack. He died shortly thereafter at 6:35 pm, at the age of 65, at his retirement house in Novaliches , Quezon City. President Ramon Magsaysay later declared March 1 to 15 as a " period of national mourning ", wherein all flags at all government establishments in
7506-495: The House of Representatives prepared a five-count accusation ranging from nepotism to gross expenditures. Speaker Eugenio Pérez appointed a committee of seven, headed by Representative Lorenzo Sumulong to look into the charges preparatory to their filing with the Senate , acting as an impeachment body. Solicitor General Felix Angelo Bautista entered his appearance as defense counsel for
7645-614: The Japanese Soldiers), members of which were commonly referred to as Huks . With the expiration of the Amnesty deadline on August 15, 1948, the government found out that the Huks had not lived up to the terms of the Quirino-Taruc agreement. Indeed, after having been seated in Congress and collecting his back pay allowance, Huk leader Luis Taruc surreptitiously fled away from Manila, even as
7784-422: The MILF after it committed a series of terrorist attacks on government buildings, civilians, and foreigners. A number of livelihood intervention projects, from organisations such as USAID and the Emergency Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), aided in the reconstruction of areas affected by constant battles on the island. In December 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officially placed Maguindanao under
7923-421: The Marcos dictatorship led to the killings of many Mindanao journalists, with prominent examples being Alex Orcullo of Mindanao Currents and Mindaweek , and Jacobo Amatong of the Mindanao Observer . In 1989, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was established, constituted by several provinces in Western Mindanao. In March 2000, President Joseph Estrada declared an "All Out War" against
8062-416: The Mindanao Railway Project Office (MRPO) under the control of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). Both were charged formulating plans for, identifying funding mechanisms for, and developing railways in Metro Cebu and Mindanao, respectively. The government made numerous studies and technical assessments during the 1990s. In the early 2000s, the Mindanao Strategic Railway Development Plan
8201-418: The Mindanao Railway were published by the Daily Bulletin and The Far Eastern Review as early as August 1906. These proposed corridors include those surrounding Cotabato , Davao City , Lake Lanao , and Sulu . There were no proposed interconnections between these four lines due to the technology and rather low population density of the region during that time. Then-president Manuel L. Quezon proposed
8340-480: The Mindanao Railway will be constructed in phases covering segments of various lengths. The first phase, the Tagum – Digos segment of the circumferential mainline, will be the first section to be constructed. This segment was initially set to be partially opened by 2022, with the rest of its 17 segments being completed by the 2030s , but the entire project has been beset by delays with funding and construction. An official development assistance (ODA) loan from China
8479-551: The Muslim polities in mainland Mindanao was the Sultanate of Maguindanao , which controlled the southern floodplains of the Rio Grande de Mindanao and most of the coastal area of Illana Bay , Moro Gulf , Sarangani Bay and Davao Gulf . The name Mindanao was derived from this sultanate. But most of Mindanao remained animist, especially the Lumad people in the interior. Most of the northern, eastern, and southern coastal regions inhabited by Visayans ( Surigaonon and Butuanon ) and other groups were later converted to Christianity by
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#17328452792108618-426: The PACSA, charges with extending aid, loans, and relief to less fortunate citizens. Both the policy and its implementation were hailed by the people as harbingers of great benefits. As part of his agrarian reform agenda, President Quirino issued Executive Order No. 355 on October 23, 1950, which replaced the National Land Settlement Administration with Land Settlement Development Corporation (LASEDECO) which takes over
8757-457: The Philippine government announced that it officially withdrew its request for Chinese ODA funding. After China withdrew from funding the project in 2024, the government decided to re-study the first phase of the project with the inclusion of freight services as part of its adjustments to the DOTr, and at the same time, the transportation department revamped the feasibility study of the project to use environmentally friendly or electric trains. At
8896-434: The Philippines Huang Xilian and Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista held formal talks ending in an agreement to restart negotiations for the three railway projects. On September 30, 2022, the DOTr said that the project could be finished by 2028 if the loan for the project was finalized by 2023. However, such plans between the governments of the Philippines and China never progressed and materialized, and on October 25, 2023,
9035-405: The Philippines, reviving the movement started by congressman Pantaleon Alvarez . Mindanao's economy accounts for 14% of the country's gross domestic product. The region grew 4.9% in 2016 against Luzon's 5.5% and Visayas' 9.1%. Agriculture, forestry and fishing make up more than 40% of Mindanao's market, being the country's largest supplier of major crops such as pineapples and bananas. There
9174-718: The Philippines. Quirino had lost his own wife and three children to the Japanese, along with five other members of his family. Despite this great personal loss, he said, "I do not want my children and my people to inherit from me hate for people who might yet be our friends, for the permanent interest of the country." Due to the high anti-Japanese sentiment at the time, many observers considered his actions to be political suicide. Controversially, Quirino even pardoned Japanese war criminals who murdered, raped, and inflicted other serious crimes towards Filipinos during World War II. The Manila Bulletin , an influential Filipino newspaper, has described his actions as "a historic gesture of 'forgiving
9313-407: The Portuguese manuscript Summa Orientalis, noted that Mottama in Burma (Myanmar) had a large presence of merchants from Mindanao. In 1521 Antonio Pigafetta wrote an account of reaching 'Maingdano.' He was with Magellan on the first circumnavigation of the globe and sailing for the king of Spain. On February 2, 1543, Ruy López de Villalobos was the first Spaniard to reach Mindanao. He called
9452-435: The Senate. Quirino ran for re-election to the presidency with José Yulo as his running mate in 1953 despite his ill health. His Secretary of National Defense , Ramon Magsaysay , resigned from office and joined the Nacionalista Party . Other prominent Liberals including Vice President Fernando Lopez, Ambassador Carlos Romulo, and Senators Tomás Cabili and Juan Sumulong also bolted Quirino's party. On August 22, 1953,
9591-429: The Spanish arrival in the 16th century. Hindu-Buddhist cultural influence took root in the coastal settlements, syncretizing with indigenous animist beliefs and customs among the tribes of the interior. The Butuan Rajahnate , a Hinduized kingdom mentioned in Chinese records as a tributary state in the 10th century, was concentrated along the northeastern coast of Butuan Bay . The Rajahnate of Sanmalan in Zamboanga,
9730-503: The Spanish. Mindanao was then embroiled between a conflict with the Boholano (Visayan) Dapitan Kingdom and the Moluccan Sultanate of Ternate . Dapitan which was originally at Bohol was destroyed by an expeditionary force from the Ternate Sultanate and Dapitenyos were forced to relocate to Northern Mindanao where they waged war against the Sultanate of Lanao and established a new Dapitan there. Mindanaoans then spread out of Mindanao across Southeast Asia, Historian William Henry Scott, quoting
9869-695: The United States as a great builder in this country, I have never surrendered the sovereignty, much less the dignity and future of our country. In 1951, the Philippines signed the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States to deter the threat of communism that existed during the Cold War . The military alliance remains to this day a key pillar of American foreign policy in Asia that also includes defense pacts with Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Australia. In an apparent show of genuine forgiveness and an attempt to improve public relations with Japan, Quirino granted amnesty to all Japanese war criminals and Filipino collaborators who were serving time or on death row in
10008-474: The United States for $ 20 million. The 1900 Treaty of Washington and the 1930 Convention Between the United States and Great Britain clarified the borders between Mindanao and Borneo. In early 1900s the Commonwealth government (led by Americans) encouraged citizens from Luzon and Visayas to migrate to Mindanao. Consisting mostly of Ilocanos, Cebuanos, and Ilonggos. Settlers streaming into Soccsksargen led to
10147-630: The United States. Quirino assumed the presidency on April 17, 1948, taking his oath of office two days after the death of Manuel Roxas two days earlier of a heart attack after delivering a speech at Clark Air Base in Pampanga . The inauguration took place at the Council of State Room of the Malacañang Palace in Manila as the second non-scheduled extraordinary presidential inauguration . Associate Justice of
10286-921: The Zamboanga Fish Port Complex rehabilitation; the Balo-i Plains Flood Control Project; Asbang Small Reservoir Irrigation Project; the Ambal Simuay Sub-Basin of the Mindanao River Basin Flood Control and River Protection Project; as well as the Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao project. The island consists of six administrative regions , 23 provinces , and 30 cities (28 provinces and 33 cities if associated islands are included). Sulu
10425-511: The administration party, Quirino won a satisfactory vote from the public. It was the only time in Philippine history where the duly elected president, vice president and senators all came from the same party, the Liberal Party. The election was widely criticized as being corrupt, with violence and fraud taking place. Opponents of Quirino were beaten or murdered by his supporters or the police and
10564-476: The area. At the same time, local plantations and lumber mills also built their own systems during the 1920s and the 1930s, typically serving freight trains from the production facilities to a port. At Port Lamon, Surigao del Norte , trains carried timber from the jungle and sawmill to the pier. One Class B Shay locomotive was used by the Kolambugan Lumber and Development Company of Lanao del Norte during
10703-593: The battle, although Marawi residents believe the number of civilians killed was far higher. The official death toll in the five-month conflict is 1,109, most of which were members of a militant alliance which drew fighters from radical factions of domestic Islamist groups. In 2019, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was established, replacing the former ARMM. In 2024, former President Rodrigo Duterte called for Mindanao to secede from
10842-592: The ceramic objects are from the Yuan and Ming periods. Evidently, there was a long history of trade between the Subanon and the Chinese. In the classic epoch of Philippine history (900 AD onwards), the people of Mindanao were heavily exposed to Hindu and Buddhist influence and beliefs from Indonesia and Malaysia. Indianized abugida scripts such as Kawi and baybayin were introduced from Java and an extinct intermediate from Sulawesi or Borneo respectively. Cultural icons of
10981-533: The chief executive. Following several hearings, on April 19, 1949, after a rather turbulent session that lasted all night, the congressional committee reached a verdict completely exonerating the President. In September 1949, the Fourth General Assembly of the United Nations elected delegate Carlos P. Romulo as its President . The first Oriental to hold the position, Romulo was strongly supported by
11120-732: The committee directed the Philippine National Railways, Public Estates Authority, and the Southern Philippine Development Authority to conduct preparatory studies for the Mindanao Railway System. On June 28, 1999, Estrada signed Administrative Order 74, series of 1999 which allocated ₱10 million to the Mindanao Rail System Task Force to, as stated in the order, "act as the clearing house for policy and operational issues affecting
11259-477: The conference. Instead, the delegates discussed economic and, most of all, cultural, problems confronting their respective countries. Strangely enough however, the Baguio Conference ended with an official communiqué in which the nations attending the same expressed their united agreement in supporting the right to self-determination of all peoples the world over. This initial regional meet held much promise of
11398-598: The construction of a 100 km (62 mi) segment between the cities of Tagum and Digos , passing through Davao City . It will have eight stations alongside two depots to be located in Tagum and Davao City, with the former being the segment's main yard. This is the only segment confirmed to have planned double-tracking and electrification upgrades in the future. The total length of the Koronadal–Cagayan de Oro and Davao City–Bukidnon segments, as well as future extensions on
11537-578: The construction of an electrified railroad between Cagayan de Oro (then known as Misamis) and Davao City passing through the province of Bukidnon . It would have been electrified by overhead lines powered by the Maria Cristina Falls ' hydroelectric power plant (now the Agus VI Hydroeletric Plant). This proposal was made in January 1936, and was taken note by Quezon's adviser Francis Burton Harrison . Some track bed construction began
11676-557: The construction of the railway. Upon Duterte's election, he aimed to begin construction of the first phase between the cities of Tagum and Digos by 2017 and open it partially before the end of his term in 2022. In 2018, the project, initially called the Trans-Mindanao High Speed Railway, was approved and received initial funding from Congress . The rest of the funding would have come from an official development assistance (ODA) loan from China . However, construction
11815-726: The country were flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning. Quirino's remains lay in state at the Malacañang Palace from March 2 to 4. On March 5, a necrological service was held for him at the Legislative Building in Manila and his remains were later interred at the Manila South Cemetery . On February 29, 2016, his remains were relocated and reinterred at a special tomb site in the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig , in time for
11954-552: The country, and violent crackdowns on protests led to the radicalization of many students, with some joining the New People's Army , bringing the New People's Army rebellion to Mindanao for the first time. Marcos' declaration led to the shuttering of press outlets – television stations, national newspapers, weekly magazines, community newspapers, and radio stations – throughout the country, including in Mindanao. The remaining years of
12093-538: The design-and-build contractors from the Chinese government . The Mindanao Railway is planned to be constructed in ten phases, with a total of 2,278 kilometers (1,415 miles) of track to be built for the system. Phase 1 will be partially opened between Panabo and Carmen, Davao del Norte , by 2022, and full operations are expected by 2024. Also known as the Tagum–Davao–Digos (TDD) segment , this phase involves
12232-535: The displacement of the Blaan and Tboli tribes. In April 1942 Mindanao, along with the rest of the Philippines, officially entered World War II after Japanese soldiers invaded key cities in the islands. Many towns and cities were burned to the ground in Mindanao, most notably Davao City, Zamboanga City, Lanao, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City, and Butuan. In the months of April and May 1942, Japanese forces defeated US troops commanded by William F. Sharp and Guy Fort , in
12371-459: The east, and Davao in the island's gulf coast. Spain continued to engage in battles with Muslim sultanates until the end of the 19th century. At the same time as the Philippine revolution against Spain, the Republic of Zamboanga rose as a revolutionary state in Mindanao before it was absorbed by the oncoming Americans. In the Treaty of Paris in 1898 Spain sold the entire Philippine archipelago to
12510-441: The eastern portion of Cabadbaran . The southern portion of this range is broader and even more rugged than the northern section. In Davao Oriental , several peaks rise above 2,600 m (8,530 ft) and one mountain rises to 2,910 m (9,547 ft). Elpidio Quirino Elpidio Rivera Quirino ( Tagalog: [kiˈɾino] ; November 16, 1890 – February 29, 1956) was a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as
12649-700: The election continues to be seen as corrupt. Quirino's second inauguration took place on Friday, December 30, 1949, at the Independence Grandstand in Manila . Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Manuel Moran administered the oath of office. In May 1950, upon the invitation of President Quirino and through the insistent suggestion of United Nations General Assembly President Romulo, official representatives of India , Pakistan , Ceylon , Thailand , Indonesia , and Australia met in Baguio for
12788-422: The entire system. For the current station arrangement however, passing sidings shall be used to allow trains to stop without obstructing traffic from the opposite direction, especially with the target headway being 13 minutes. If the electrification and double-tracking plans were adopted, the current 120 km/h (75 mph) maximum speed for the diesel line would be raised to 160 km/h (99 mph), which
12927-530: The extensions and branch lines featured in the 2019 proposal. In its current state, the project has 18 segments to be divided into 10 phases. On March 24, 2021, the DOTr Undersecretary for Project Implementation in Mindanao, Eymard Eje, Tagum mayor Allan Rellon, and Carmen mayor Virginia Perandos signed a deed of absolute sale for land to be used for the construction of the Tagumpay Train Village,
13066-454: The farmers market their crops and save them from loan sharks, and the Rural Banks of the Philippines to facilitate credit utilities in rural areas. Enhancing President Manuel Roxas' policy of social justice to alleviate the lot of the common mass, President Quirino, almost immediately after assuming office, started a series of steps calculated to effectively ameliorate the economic condition of
13205-559: The formulation of the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan 1993–1998. Section 4.4.2 of this plan focused on Transportation. Sub-paragraph "M" called for a feasibility study for the Mindanao Railway under a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) arrangement. President Joseph Estrada created the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects to identify projects for the administration. On October 7, 1998,
13344-410: The future for arrangement of four- and eight-car unit trainsets. An earlier order also cited the purchase of rolling stock for the intercity section. This order includes 33 DMU cars for the passenger service, which include six 5-car units and three spare cars for passenger trains, and 4 diesel-electric locomotives with 15 freight cars. The whereabouts of this order is yet to be determined. In 2024,
13483-449: The future. Construction has yet to begin on the first phase of the system. Prior to the withdrawal of the Chinese loan in 2023, the system was originally set to begin construction in the third quarter of 2021, with partial operations by 2022. The rest of the system will be opened between 2032 and 2037. The start of construction was delayed in May 2022 as the DOTr did not receive the shortlist of
13622-442: The government announced the proposed plan to change the system from a diesel-hauling to an electric one for the train sets. According to Transportation Secretary Bautista, he said that the diesel-powered trains were identified in the original study, but they will adopt a more modern and environment-friendly (eco-friendly) technology. Mindanao Mindanao ( / ˌ m ɪ n d ə ˈ n aʊ / MIN -də- NOW )
13761-488: The government closer to the people, he revived President Quezon's "fireside chats", in which he enlightened the people on the activities of the Republic by the periodic radio broadcasts from Malacañang Palace. Riding on the crest of the growing wave of resentment against the Liberal Party, a move was next hatched to indict President Quirino himself. Led by Representative Agripino Escareal, a committee composed of seven members of
13900-513: The government. To promote the smooth restructuring of the Armed Forces of the Philippines , the military were made to undergo a reorganization. Battalion combat teams of 1,000 men each were established. Each operated independently of the High Command, except for overall coordination in operational plans. A total of 26 Battalion Combat Teams were put up. New army units were also established, such
14039-621: The implementation of the MRS Project". However, on February 11, 2002—after Estrada's impeachment the year before—President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Executive Order 72, series 2002, which abolished the MRS Task Force. Later, however, Arroyo replaced the task force with another organization. On May 25, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Executive Order 536 which created the Cebu Railway Project Office (CRPO) and
14178-475: The independent South Korea. The United Nations immediately took up this challenge to the security of this part of the world. Carlos Romulo soon stood out as the most effective spokesman for the South Korean cause. On behalf of the government, Romulo offered to send a Philippine military contingent to be under the overall command of General Douglas MacArthur , who had been named United Nations supreme commander for
14317-524: The influence of Muslim merchants from the western Malay Archipelago . The first mosque in the Philippines was built in the mid-14th century in the town of Simunul , Tawi-Tawi . Around the 16th century, the Muslim sultanates of Sulu , Lanao and Maguindanao were established from formerly Hindu-Buddhist rajahnates. As Islam colonised Mindanao, the natives of the sultanates had to either convert to Islam or pay tribute to their new Muslim rulers. The largest of
14456-572: The island "Caesarea Caroli" after Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire (and I of Spain). Shortly after Spain's colonization of Cebu, it moved on to colonize the Caraga region in northeast Mindanao and discovered significant Muslim presence on the island. Over time a number of tribes in Mindanao converted to Catholicism and built settlements and forts throughout the coastal regions. These settlements endured despite attacks from neighboring Muslim sultanates. The most heavily fortified of them, apart from
14595-579: The island consist mainly of Cenozoic and Quaternary volcanic or sedimentary rocks. In the eastern portion of the island, from Bilas Point in Surigao del Norte to Cape San Agustin in Davao Oriental , is a range of complex mountains known in their northern portion as the Diwata Mountains . This range is low and rolling in its central portion. A proposed road connecting Bislig on the east coast with
14734-609: The island point to evidence of human activity dating back about ten thousand years. Around 1500 BC, Austronesian people spread throughout the Philippines. The Subanon are believed to have settled in the Zamboanga Peninsula during the Neolithic era c. 4500–2000 BC. Evidence of stone tools in Zamboanga del Norte may indicate a late Neolithic presence. Ceramic burial jars, both unglazed and glazed, Chinese celadons , gold ornaments, beads, and bracelets have been found in caves. Many of
14873-508: The island. Only the specifications for the commuter trains for the Tagum–Digos section was given as of December 2020. The design speed of the commuter trains is at 130 km/h (81 mph), although speed will be limited to 120 km/h (75 mph) for passenger trains and 80 km/h (50 mph) for freight trains. The diesel multiple units that will be used in the commuter service are arranged in married pairs , and will be combined in
15012-551: The line beyond Phase 10 such as the double-tracking of the Tagum–Digos segment, amounts to 645 kilometers (401 miles). The Mindanao Railway will be initially constructed as a single-track line with future upgrades to dual tracking and rail electrification . The right-of-way acquired for the alignment is sufficient for a dual-track system, thus facilitating the upgrade. Timothy John Batan, Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Railways, said he wanted these upgrades to be implemented at once. Like all proposed intercity lines of
15151-456: The local sultanates in their war against Spanish-controlled Manila. By the late 18th century Spain had geographic dominance over the island, having established settlements and forts in most of Mindanao, including Zamboanga City and Misamis Occidental to the northwest, Iligan City , Misamis Oriental , Bukidnon , and Camiguin Island to the north, Surigao and Agusan in the Caraga region to
15290-492: The main hubs for the network. Although never realized, it influenced the right-of-way of the present Mindanao Railway proposal, particularly on the circumferential main line. When the Philippine National Railway (PNR) was created by virtue of Republic Act 4156 in 1964, establishment of a railway in Mindanao was made part of its mandate. Section 5 of the law explicitly stated that ₱ 50 million had been allocated for
15429-559: The original owners sought their ancestral land domains. The Marcos administration encouraged new settlers who had emigrated to Mindanao to form a militia, which was eventually called the Ilaga . Anecdotal evidence states that the Ilaga often committed human rights abuses by targeting the Moro and Lumad people, as well as attempting to seize additional territory. It resulted in a lingering animosity between Moro and Christian communities. Mistrust and
15568-471: The people. After periodic surprise visits to the slums of Manila and other backward regions of the country, President Quirino officially made public a seven-point program for social security which included the following: President Quirino also created the Social Security Commission and appointed Social Welfare Commissioner Asuncion Perez as its chairperson. This was followed by the creation of
15707-714: The prohibition of political parties after Marcos' 1972 declaration of Martial Law led to the founding and dominance of armed groups such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Ethnic conflicts continued to escalate, leading to incidents like the 1971 Manili massacre , the Pata Island massacre , and the Palimbang massacre . Additionally, an economic crisis in late 1969 led to social unrest throughout
15846-410: The proposed railways for PNR. The two shortlisted Chinese proponents also stated interest in designing a high-speed line that will be capable of running speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour (160 mph) once the present project achieves successful operations. The system was supposed to accommodate both passenger and freight rolling stock, the latter due to its dual purpose to connect seaports around
15985-669: The punitive expedition. The Philippines, thus, became the first country to join the United States in the offer of military assistance to beleaguered South Korea. President Quirino took the necessary steps to make the Philippine offer. On a purely voluntary basis, the first contingent – the Tenth Battalion Combat Team – was formed under Colonel Azurin, and dispatched to Korea, where its members quickly won much renown for their military skill and bravery. The name of Captain Jose Artiaga, Jr., heroically killed in action, stands out as
16124-548: The reconstitution of the Commonwealth government in 1945, Senators Manuel Roxas , Quirino and their allies called for an early national election to choose the president and vice president of the Philippines and members of the Congress. In December 1945, the House Insular Affairs of the United States Congress approved the joint resolution setting the date of the election on not later than April 30, 1946. Prompted by this congressional action, President Sergio Osmeña called
16263-543: The responsibilities of the Agricultural Machinery Equipment Corporation and the Rice and Corn Production Administration. To cope with the insistent clamor for government improvement, President Quirino created the Integrity Board to probe into reports of graft and corruption in high government positions. Vice President Fernando Lopez was most instrumental through his courageous exposés, in securing such
16402-540: The said project. In November, Vice President Sara Duterte lamented the delay of the construction of the railway and made the pronouncement in a press conference in Butuan when asked that regarding the development, particularly its rumored cancellation. The pre-construction activities are still ongoing. The third phase of the project, also known as the Northern Mindanao Railway, started its development in 2022 and
16541-407: The same time, JICA announced that the funding decision for the project is not ready yet as it awaits the completion of a feasibility study with the revised project. In July of that year, 3 foreign firms expressed interest interest in pursuing the project. Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno said that there were 2 Korean and 1 Japanese firms their willingness to design and build
16680-610: The same year, but the project was left incomplete without a single track placed when construction was halted in 1940. After the war, Manila Railroad General Manager and later- Senator Prospero Sanidad proposed a standard-gauge railway in 1952 with consideration for a future electrified network. A network 1,170 kilometers (730 miles) long was proposed for construction with the assistance of American firm De Leuw, Cather and Company . The following lines were proposed, each at least 100 kilometres (62 miles) long: According to this older plan, Kibawe (then known as Kibawa ) and Davao City were
16819-560: The second and last for the Commonwealth and first for the Third Republic . After the death of incumbent President Manuel Roxas in April 1948, he succeeded to the presidency. He won a full term under the Liberal Party ticket , defeating Nacionalista former president José P. Laurel as well as fellow Liberalista and former Senate President José Dira Avelino . The Quirino administration
16958-478: The survey and establishment of a railway on the island. When Republic Act 4156 was superseded by Republic Act 6366 in 1971, the same explicit mandate to create a Mindanao Railway, under the PNR, remained. However, when the law enabling the PNR was amended by Presidential Decree 741 in July 1975, reference to a railway in Mindanao was omitted. On December 15, 1992, Fidel Ramos signed Memorandum Circular No. 23 which directed
17097-486: The system would be privately managed or run by the Philippine National Railways , which intermittently operated inter-city rail services in Luzon at the time. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Economic and Development Authority conducted studies for the construction of a rail system in the island of Mindanao along with its partners starting in 2015. The proposal in 2015 resembled
17236-547: The unforgivable'". All of the convicts were released by December 1953. They had been tried by the American-operated Philippine War Crimes Commission or Filipino civil courts. The pardons contributed to the reconciliation between the Philippines and Japan which eventually led to a friendly relationship. On June 25, 1950, the world was astonished to hear the North Korean aggression against
17375-498: Was aimed to cut the 90-minute travel time by bus between Cagayan de Oro and Iligan to 15–20 minutes. The project was slated to start construction in 2011, and Saudi Arabia expressed interest in funding the project. The project was later discontinued. As part of the updated 2011–2016 Philippine Development Plan, ₱400 million (US$ 8.85 million) was allotted for conducting feasibility studies to develop infrastructure projects such as railways and roads. In 2014, there were debates on whether
17514-540: Was also announced that the final length of the system would be 1,544 km (959 mi). In July 2022, the project funding was withdrawn after the Chinese government failed to act on the funding requests by the Duterte administration, including the Subic–Clark Railway (later Subic–Clark–Manila–Batangas Railway under a new initiative) and PNR South Long Haul projects. A month later, on August 11, Chinese Ambassador to
17653-584: Was also in Mindanao. The Darangen epic of the Maranao people harkens back to this era as the most complete local version of the Ramayana . The Maguindanao at this time also had strong Hindu beliefs, evidenced by the Ladya Lawana (Rajah Ravana ) epic saga that survives to the present, albeit highly Islamized from the 17th century onward. The spread of Islam in the Philippines began in the 14th century, mostly through
17792-554: Was approved by the NEDA board in March 2023. At the same time, PPP Center granted MRP Phase 3 P100 million in funding for its feasibility study via the agency’s Project Development and Monitoring Facility, a revolving fund that supports infrastructure projects. It became one of the 194 flagship infrastructure projects under the Marcos administration 's Build Better More program. The planned project and
17931-599: Was baptized on November 19, 1890. His daughter, Victoria , became the youngest hostess of Malacañang Palace , at 16 years old, when Quirino ascended to the presidency on April 17, 1948. She married Luis M. Gonzalez in 1950, who became Philippine ambassador to Spain from 1966 to 1971. Quirino was engaged in private law practice of until he was elected as member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Ilocos Sur's 1st congressional district from 1919 to 1922, succeeding Alberto Reyes. He served for only one term and
18070-471: Was delayed after several eminent domain issues, specifically after residents of a high-end gated community near Davao City has requested the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to realign the railway line to avoid hitting an 18-hole golf course . The railway's route was modified into a system centered around a circular mainline. However, it was later reverted into the old right-of-way, but now incorporates
18209-410: Was formulated. The planned railway, with a total length of 1,533 km (953 mi), was designed to span the entire island in a loop and was estimated to cost ₱66.5 billion. The plan for a railway divided into four phases: Laguindingan to Cagayan de Oro , Cagayan de Oro to Tagoloan , Laguindingan to Iligan , and Iligan to Linamon . The network would have linked urban centers across the island and
18348-630: Was generally challenged by the Hukbalahap , who ransacked towns and barrios. Quirino ran for president again in November 1953 but was defeated by Ramon Magsaysay in a landslide. Elpidio Quirino y Rivera was born on November 16, 1890, at the Vigan Provincial Jail in Vigan , Ilocos Sur . He was the third child of Mariano Quirino y Quebral of Caoayan , Ilocos Sur and Gregoria Rivera y Mendoza of Agoo , La Union . A Chinese mestizo descendant, Quirino
18487-494: Was intended to capture or kill wanted Malaysian terrorist and bomb-maker Zulkifli Abdhir and other Malaysian terrorists or high-ranking members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). In May 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law on the entire island group of Mindanao following the Marawi siege by the Maute terrorist group. More than 180,000 people were forced to evacuate Marawi City . Around 165 security forces and 47 residents were confirmed killed in
18626-400: Was opened in Camp Keithley in what is now Marawi where trains carried war materiel on flatcars . A 2 ft ( 610 mm ) gauge short line was also opened in Jolo , Sulu . The best-documented system built by the government was the single-track line of the Davao Penal Colony in Davao del Norte . The prison was established in 1932 by the American government. It was converted into
18765-435: Was planned for funding most of the project; however, the Philippine government backed out of pursuing it in 2023. While the project is still stalled, the government is starting again on the project in 2024. Another proposal is the third phase, or the Northern Mindanao Railway, a 54.8-kilometer high-capacity line connecting Cagayan de Oro , connecting the municipalities of Laguindingan and Villanueva , Misamis Oriental , which
18904-454: Was shelved. Other proposals and studies were made in the 1950s, 1990s, and the 2000s, but never materialized. The current line began development in 2018; however, construction has yet to start. It will be initially built as a single-track standard gauge system to be operated by diesel-powered rolling stock , but will have provisions for upgrading to double-track and electrification through overhead lines. The system will be constructed as
19043-407: Was succeeded by Vicente Singson Pablo in 1922. Quirino was first elected as a senator from the 1st senatorial district in 1925. He was re-elected in 1931 and served until the bicameral Congress was abolished in favor of the unicameral National Assembly of the Philippines . He was later secured a comeback to the Senate in 1941, but was not able to serve until 1945 due to World War II . Soon after
19182-434: Was the first Airborne Unit, the Scout Rangers , the Canine Unit, and the Cavalry Unit. These units all showed considerable ability. After a sweep by the Liberals in 1949, many Filipinos doubted the election result. This brought a sweep by the Nacionalistas in the 1951 elections. There was a special election for the vacated Senate seat of Fernando Lopez , who won as vice president in 1949. The Liberals won no seats in
19321-457: Was then sold to the Chinese black market due to the high market value of iron there. Despite closures of local freight railroads due to the rise of truck traffic, one line was established in the Davao Region by the Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO). It started operations in 1950 and had two diesel locomotives that hauled abacá and Cavendish banana produce. The locomotives were decommissioned and stored in 2010. Proposals for
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