Dimasangcay Pundato facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dimasangcay Pundato
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Pundato in 2011
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| Born | December 21, 1947 Dansalan, Lanao, Philippines
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| Died | August 13, 2020 (aged 72) Marawi, Lanao del Sur, Philippines
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| Citizenship | Filipino |
| Alma mater | University of Manila Jamiatul Philippines Al-Islamiyyah |
| Spouse(s) | Naima Macapundag-Pundato |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  MNLF MNLF Reformist Group |
| Years of service | 1973-1980 (MNLF) 1980-1985 (MNLF-RG) |
Dimasangcay Pundato (born December 21, 1947 – died August 13, 2020) was a respected Muslim Filipino leader. He was from the Maranao people and was known to his friends as "Kumander Dimas."
Pundato was a former revolutionary leader for the Moro people. He later became an important government official. He worked as an undersecretary for peace efforts in the Philippines. He also served for nine years in the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA). This office was part of the President's office. He worked under Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos. Pundato was also a Vice Chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). He led the MNLF Reformist Group and helped with peace talks.
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A Leader for Peace and Change
Fighting for the Moro People
From 1973 to 1985, Pundato led the Maranao people's forces within the MNLF. This was during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos's rule. He became the MNLF Vice-Chairman in 1978.
Pundato also pushed for changes within the MNLF group itself. He believed in making the movement better from the inside. He was one of the few leaders who actively fought on the ground. Other leaders often managed things from far away.
In 1980, he decided to leave MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari. Pundato wanted important changes in the organization. He felt that Misuari was leading the MNLF like a one-man show. This led Pundato to create his own group, the MNLF Reformist Group.
Working for the Government
Pundato worked for the Philippine government for a long time. He served under five different presidents. President Corazon Aquino appointed him as the Executive Director of the Office on Muslim Affairs. He held this position for nine years. He continued in this role through the entire Ramos administration and into the Joseph Estrada administration.
While at the Office on Muslim Affairs, Pundato became known for being very open and honest. He focused on helping Muslim communities grow and get resources. During the Arroyo administration, he became an Assistant Secretary. Later, he was an Undersecretary for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP). Here, he focused on peace talks and helping to solve conflicts.
Supporting Democracy
During a time when he was living outside the Philippines, Pundato met with Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. in Kuala Lumpur. Senator Aquino was President Corazon Aquino's father. Pundato believed in the changes Senator Aquino wanted for the country. He and the MNLF Reformist Group helped fight against Marcos's rule.
Even after Senator Aquino's death in 1983, Pundato continued to support his vision. He worked with the Ninoy Aquino Movement. In 1986, President Cory Aquino asked him to return to the Philippines. She wanted him to join her government. Pundato agreed to help with national peace and healing.
In 1987, Pundato returned to the Philippines without any special demands. He joined the government to support the return of democracy. He helped the Peace Commission in creating laws for the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.
From 1988 to 1998, Pundato was the Executive Director of the Office on Muslim Affairs. He created a better system for managing the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. He helped Filipino Muslims get lower travel costs and good places to stay in Saudi Arabia. He also built strong relationships with the organizations in charge of the pilgrimage.
Death
Dimasangcay Pundato passed away at his home in Marawi on August 13, 2020. He was 72 years old.
