MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – In a place once marked by conflict, discovery and learning took center stage as around 130 Evolutionary Biology (BIO48) students from Central Mindanao University (CMU) conducted a two-day field research activity at Mount Malimumu in Barangay Magkalungay, San Fernando, Bukidnon, on April 24–25, 2026

The site, previously known as a conflict-affected area, has now become a venue for academic
exploration, signaling a shift from unrest to progress.
In a press statement, the 89th Infantry (Makatao) Battalion said its Alpha (Arbiter) Company
provided security assistance to ensure the safety of students and faculty researchers throughout
the activity. Prior to the fieldwork, the CMU delegation—led by Dr. Noel E. Lagunday of the Institute of
Biological Sciences and student representative Rodge Danniellette A. Tan—coordinated closely
with the Local Government Unit of San Fernando, alongside the Municipal Tourism Office, the
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), and the Indigenous Peoples
Mandatory Representative (IPMR).
As part of the cultural observance, Barangay IPMR Datu Tagyaman Sinangkap and Tribal
Chieftain Bae Layden Esteban led a traditional ritual, invoking guidance and success for the
research endeavor. San Fernando Mayor Rogelio C. Yeke commended the students for their proactive coordination, emphasizing the importance of compliance with Executive Order No. 049, or the municipality’s
“Culture of Security” policy. He noted that Mount Malimumu was once utilized as a guerrilla base by the Communist Terrorist Group–New People’s Army (CTG-NPA), but has since been declared cleared of
insurgent influence. “Any activity conducted in the area must be properly documented and coordinated,” the mayor stressed. Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Antonio G. Bulao I, commander of the 89IB, reaffirmed the military’s
commitment to supporting peaceful and developmental initiatives in formerly conflict-affected
communities. “Our mandate is to protect the people from threats of terrorism. This activity highlights the
strong collaboration among the academic sector, local government, Indigenous Cultural
Communities, and the security forces,” Bulao said. The successful field research underscores a growing narrative in Bukidnon—where areas once shaped by conflict are steadily transforming into spaces for education, cooperation, and sustainable development. (melbmadera)