Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #153

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VOL. 2 NO. 153

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

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Don't blame the military

Lawmakers want full report on massacre

Binay son arrested, detained, released

Snowden urges caution on new terror bill

Who are the middle class?

HONOR THE FALLEN Bangsamoro

deal on brink of collapse

BY AMANDO DORONILA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas II, along with acting PNP chief Leonardo Espina, DOTC Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya Jr., Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang and Presidential Spokesperson Sec. Edwin Lacerda lead the arrival honors for the slain members of the Special Action Forces (SAF) at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

‘Philippines is not worth dying for if government can’t protect us’

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — “This country is not worth dying for, sir, kung ‘yung gobyerno natin hindi kami kayang protektahan as a

warrior (This country is not worth dying for, if the government cannot protect us as its warriors.)” This was the sentiment expressed by Senior Inspector Michael Melloria to Interior Secretary Mar

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

❱❱ PAGE 9 Bangsamoro deal

Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Super Visas and Parental Sponsorships ❱❱ PAGE 26

❱❱ PAGE 7 ‘Philippines is’

THE MASSACRE of 44 elite police commandos in the clash with Moro guerrillas in Maguindanao province on Jan. 25 sent the government’s agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF) on the establishment of an autonomous Bangsamoro substate in Mindanao to the brink of collapse amid recriminations over who was responsible for the carnage.

The encounter, in which government forces were slaughtered with savage atrocity, took place inside a territory held by the MILF and inflicted the heaviest casualties in more than a decade of desultory talks on the proposed ancestral domain for a Bangsamoro Juridi-

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FRIDAY

Philippine News

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

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3 tagged in SAF massacre Moro rebel chiefs emerge as top suspects INQUIRER MINDANAO BUREAU COTABATO CITY—IN the search for answers, and perpetrators, in the treacherous slaughter of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), three names of Muslim rebel leaders stand out—Zacaria Goma, Kagi Karialan and Waid Tundok.

Goma heads the 105th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Karialan belongs to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), an MILF splinter group.

Tundok is a ground commander of the MILF’s 118th Base Command.

Goma had not issued a categorical denial of his involvement in the clash that led to the massacre of the SAF men.

In a phone interview on Wednesday, Goma told reporters he could not give a detailed account of what happened because the MILF central committee had issued orders that all queries about the massacre would be addressed only by the central committee. “It’s better for us to listen to what the MILF (central committee, chaired by Ebrahim Murad) has to say because that is the truth,” he told the INQUIRER in an intriguing text message on Wednesday.

Goma became 105th Base Command chief after his superior, Ameril Umra Kato, broke away from the MILF to form his own armed command, the BIFF. Karialan’s involvement in the massacre was not surprising to many sources.

They said the rebels who fought another group of SAF commandos that was serving as a blocking force against a group of rebels pursuing the main SAF group that got Marwan, belonged to the group headed by Karialan.

The names of Goma, Karialan and Tundok have emerged as authorities—and the relatives of the SAF commandos killed on Jan. 25 while on a mission to arrest the Malaysian bomb maker Marwan—demand why the troopers suffered what acting PNP Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina described as an “overkill.”

Not first time

It is not the first time that Goma and Karialan, and the groups that they head, have been accused of attacking government forces in violation of a ceasefire agreement between MILF and the government.

On Dec. 24 last year, Goma’s group, combined with a BIFF force, stormed the town of Rajah Buayan in Maguindanao, where the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion was securing a highway concreting project.

The combined MILF-BIFF force, led by Goma and Karialan, engaged soldiers in a nightlong gun battle, sending hundreds of

civilians, many of them women, fleeing.

The reasons for the gun battle were known to residents. They said that Karialan had accused an Army unit of raiding his house at Kabalukan Hills in Mamasapano, the town in Maguindanao province where the massacre of the 44 SAF commandos took place last Sunday.

Following the Dec. 24 raid, Rajah Buayan Mayor Zamzamin Ampatuan said he had received a report that Karialan had warned that he would attack Rajah Buayan in retaliation against the 45th Infantry Battalion stationed there.

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro (top left) leads the nationwide simultaneous candle lighting ceremony in schools on Monday (February 02, 2015) at the DepEd main office in Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. The DepED, together with its schools and offices, observed 44 seconds of silence and one second for peace nationwide during Monday's flag-raising ceremonies to honor the 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action force (PNP-SAF) who perished during the antiterrorist operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last week.

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Where SAF were headed

The Kabalukan Hills has been the site of several recent raids by government forces, whose objectives remained unclear to local authorities and residents.

But based on the location where the bodies of the slain police commandos were found after the Jan. 25 fighting in Sitio Inugog in the village of Pidsandawan, it is possible that the SAF men were headed for Kabalukan Hills in pursuit of their Malaysian quarry.

The path to the Kabalukan Hills is swampy and goes through some cornfields.

It was in Sitio Inugog that the smaller group of SAF commandos clashed with MILF forces under the command of Goma.

Goma has not categorically denied his involvement in the fighting that resulted in the death of the 44 SAF commandos.

Highly unlikely

There were reports that another MILF leader, Waid Tundok, was also involved in the fighting. But the sources said Tundok’s involvement was highly unlikely.

The sources said Goma and Tundok are at odds and could not possibly be on the same side.

Recently, a small armed group of Goma’s MILF 105th Base Command rescued a man being arrested for murder and arson in the town of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. Authorities, with the help of Tundok, had gone to the town to arrest the suspect but Goma’s group intervened, allowing the subject of the arrest warrant to flee.

Post MOA-AD rampage

Tundok himself is responsible for many atrocities when the MILF went on a rampage following the defeat at the Supreme Court of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOAAD), the peace agreement that the Arroyo administration had offered the MILF. In February 2014, Tundok was arrested for murder in connection with his role in the attack on civilian villages

by MILF members led by Kato after the

high court ruled the MOA-AD to be unconstitutional.

Kato is said to have broken away from the MILF because of disagreements in the handling of the peace talks with the Aquino administration and is now recognized as the BIFF founder.

Upon his release after a court recalled the warrant for his arrest, the 62-yearold Tundok promised to follow the path of peace.

“We have had enough of violence as a means to resolve animosity and misunderstanding, and now is the time to

overcome evil with good by supporting the government-MILF peace initiative,” Tundok said in an earlier interview.

Karialan is reported to have taken over the leadership of the BIFF after Kato suffered a stroke. This was, however, denied

by BIFF spokesperson Abu Misri Mama who said Kato was still calling the shots in the supposed MILF breakaway group.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, former spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, in an earlier interview, described Karialan, whose real name is Muhaiden Animbang, as a “hard-liner.”

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Philippine News

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

FRIDAY

‘Don’t blame the military’ AFP to submit report finding SAF leader at fault

BY CYNTHIA D. BALANA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINE Army was allegedly kept in the dark by the tactical commander of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) in the botched operation on Jan. 25 to arrest two top international terrorists, resulting in the massacre of 44 US-trained police commandos, the INQUIRER has learned.

This conclusion will come out in the investigation report of the board of inquiry, convened following the carnage in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao province, that will be submitted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to President Aquino next week. The AFP conducted its own investigation into why the military reinforcements came too late.

An expert on military operation planning procedure privy to the military investigation said the inquiry had concluded that the debacle was the fault of Philippine National Police Director Getulio Napeñas, the sacked SAF commander who kept the mission a secret.

The AFP inquiry, according to this source, said that several lapses were committed in the conduct of the operations against two “high-value targets”—the Malaysian bombmaker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and his Filipino aide Basit Usman, with a combined bounty of $9 million on their heads.

The source gave the military version of what happened that fateful day as a result of the absence of coordination between the PNP and the AFP, both headed by President Aquino as Commander in Chief, as questions lingered on who gave final authorization for the mission: On Jan. 25, about 3 a.m., 392 members of two SAF teams who were heading to Barangay Pidsandawan in Mamasapano town were first stopped in an Army detachment checkpoint and were asked who they were.

The two teams were headed by Insp. Ryan Pabalinas and Supt.

Raymond Train. “Pulis kami, may lakad lang. (We’re from the police, we have a mission),” said one of the officers. They were then allowed to pass.

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, chairperson of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, presides the public hearing on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) amid the hounding issue on the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos at the hands of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front (BIFF) members during an anti-terror operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last week.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

At 5 a.m., the 6th Infantry Division headed by Maj. Gen. Eduardo Pangilinan received a text message from Napeñas that Marwan had been killed.

At 6 a.m., gunshots were heard by the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion about 4 kilometers away from the supposed site of the encounter between the SAF commandos and guerillas from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). The battalion commander then reported this to the brigade and investigated where the shots were coming from.

At about 9 a.m, Pangilinan received a call from Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, about the request for reinforcements from his “mistah” in the Philippine Military Academy, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, who was apparently not informed

of the SAF operation. By that time, the team of Pabalinas had been wiped out.

No grid coordinates

The source said it was then that Pangilinan ordered his men to mobilize reinforcements for the embattled SAF commandos. The source said it usually took at least one hour to put together a rescue team because the troops were coming from different military detachments.

The reinforcement group, however, did not know where to proceed, as the SAF did not give grid coordinates. The source said the coordinates were important to prevent a misencounter, as the Moro rebels were also wearing fatigues. The reinforcing teams, who were trained to operate behind enemy lines, were at a loss as to where to look for the hapless SAF commandos.

“It’s like writing news. We also have the five Ws (who, www.canadianinquirer.net

where, when, what, why) and one H (how). If you do not have these, especially in the forest, your troops will be confused,” the source said.

The source said the radio frequency being used by the military was different from the police so there was no way the SAF could radio the military.

the source quoted the caller.

It was only then that the Army reinforcements got under way. The rescue force met one SAF company, which did not enter the marshland, and got the commandos out before the soldiers proceeded to the encounter site.

Coordination

‘We are surrounded’

The military figured out the encounter site only after receiving an unknown call from a mobile phone of a member of Train’s team who was able to escape the carnage.

“Sabi ng tumawag, bundok, sa bundok kami ng Barangay Tukanalipao.

Napapaligiran ng MILF dala namin 8 dead, 3 wounded and may one missing.

Hindi kami makalabas (The caller said ‘we are on the mountain at Barangay Tukanalipao, We are surrounded by the MILF. We are carrying eight dead, three wounded. One of us is missing. We cannot get out’),”

“Coordination means meeting in person and discussing the peculiarities of the operation. We call it SMESC (situation, mission execution, service support, command and signal).

Nothing like that happened,” the source said.

As the reinforcement went to Train’s location, there was no one in the SAF who knew how to direct an artillery to identify target locations.

“There should have been a white phosphorous, or ammunition round that is delivered in order to mark a position. That’s the target reference, the call for fire procedure,” the source said.

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done in the battlefield. We call it ered.

The source also pointed out cover and concealment. Before that there were only two SAF you go to that kind of mission, ‘Don’t blame the Army’ platoons of about 73 men who it’s a mountain, you should first The source likewise said that entered the marshland by foot. identify your cover and how to obviously, there was no planThis means there were still 319 conceal (yourself ). Why was ning consideration when the others who could provide rein- the enemy in a good position?” SAF went to the MILF lair. “We forcement. the source said. call it infiltration and exfiltra“So where is their reserve tion. It is necessary to study the force of 300 plus who were also Body retrieval terrain.” there? They should be the first That same day, Pangilinan The source said that had the reinforcement in that kind of went to Shariff Aguak to per- mission been coordinated with situation. But it the military, the appeared they outcome would themselves were have been diflost. Did they referent because We are on the mountain at Barangay ceive the radio rethe military has Tukanalipao, We are surrounded by port of their commany contacts rades? Nobody the MILF. We are carrying eight dead, in the MILF. is asking what three wounded. One of us is missing.

The source happened to the We cannot get out. said there had 300 plus at that been no encountime. That numter between ber is enough to the Army and give their comrades a fighting sonally oversee the retrieval the MILF since 2010, “which chance,” the source said. operations. There, he had an means the MILF is faithful to The group of Inspector Paba- altercation with Napeñas who the peace agreement.” linas was positioned in the corn wanted to resume the retrieval “We in the military respect plantation while the Moro reb- of bodies the next day as it was the decision to give the misels had good positions. already 7 p.m. sion to the PNP. We mourn the “That angered (Major) Gen- deaths of the SAF commanCorn plantation eral Pangilinan,” the source dos,” the source said. “But don’t “In short, they were sur- said.

Pangilinan berated blame the military for the abrounded in the cornfield. At the Napeñas and ordered his men sence of reinforcements. You outset, they should have taken to continue retrieval until five should understand what really a vantage position, that’s what’s more SAF bodies were recov- happened on the ground.”

Lost commandos

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MNLF: Marwan not dead

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) said that international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, is still alive, denying reports that he was killed during the bloody clash between police operatives and Muslim rebels in Maguindanao last week.

“As far as the MNLF is concerned, Marwan is alive,” said MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla.

According to Fontanilla, when the officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Forces (SAF) raided the residence of Zulkifli, the latter was in Lanao del Sur. During the bloody encoun-

ter, 44 SAF members died under the arms of members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Given this, Fontanilla is asking the government to get a DNA report from an independent body to ensure that Zulkifli was indeed killed during the raid.

Regarding the photos that surfaced, he claimed that it could have been modified or “Photoshopped.”

He added that they received a military intelligence saying that Zulkifli knew of the raid because of an asset and was able to escape by riding a pump boat.

“The high-value target of the PNP was not in the area when the raid took place,” he pointed out.

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Philippine News

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

FRIDAY

Javier leaves Antique Capitol; Cadiao officially takes over as governor PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY SAN JOSE, Antique — The long drama, the fears of bloodshed, chaos and the tension are now over in the province of Antique as former governor Exequiel B. Javier did not even wait for the arrival of the Regional Director of the Department of Interior and Local (DILG) and regional officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to personally serve him the Writ of Execution of his Disqualification by the poll body.

At around 10:30 this morning, February 3, DILG Regional Director Atty. Anthony Nuyda, Comelec Assistant Regional Director Atty. Tomas Valera and Comelec Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Roberto Salazar went to the New Capitol of Antique to serve the Writ of Execution issued last January 23 by Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes.

The Office of the Governor was empty except for the tables and chairs. Neither a piece of paper nor a pencil was there. There was also no one to receive Javier’s copy of the Writ of Execution that Atty.

Nuyda and his team posted the copy of the Writ on the door instead.

After posting the copy of the Writ outside the Office of the Governor, Atty. Nuyda and his team went to the Old Capitol where former vice governor Rhodora Cadiao, who had taken her oath as the new governor last week, holds office and presented to her a copy of the Writ of Execution and declared the latter as Governor of Antique.

Atty. Nuyda also declared Senior Board Member Edgar Denosta as the Vice Governor based on Section 44 of the Local Government Code and as stated in the Writ of Execution.

Atty. Nuyda and the rest of the team from DILG and Comelec accompanied Governor Ca-

PHOTO FROM RUFFYBIAZON.PH

diao to her office in the New Capitol.

“Now, all these apprehensions, confusions and restlessness are over. What I want is for peace to reign in the provincial government and the province of Antique. We can now get to work as everything is now back to normal,” Cadiao said as she

assured the dozens of employees of the provincial government who met her in the lobby of the New Capitol.

To recall, the Comelec disqualified Javier in a decision dated January 12, 2015 in connection with the Petition for Disqualification filed by Atty.

Cornelio Aldon and former

PCSO Director Ray Roquero.

Javier sought a Temporary Restraining Order with the Supreme Court but the SC did not grant his motion.

Last January 23, 2015, when Javier failed to secure a TRO from the Supreme Court, Comelec chairman Brillantes issued a Writ of Execution.

Sandiganbayan names National Museum as official repository of 15 paintings seized from the Marcoses

BY SAMMY F. MARTIN Philippine News Agency MANILA — Sandiganbayan named the National Museum as the official repository of 15 paintings seized by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on September 30 from the Marcos family in connection with a pending ill-gotten wealth case.

In a five-page resolution issued on Monday, the court’s Special First Division ordered the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Sheriff and Security Services Office to transfer the artworks to the National Museum from BSP’s Compartment No. 12 where they were turned over by the NBI for safekeeping.

The special anti-graft court noted that the manifestation of Director Jeremy Barns that the National Museum “has the technical, curatorial, and orga-

nizational expertise needed to properly care for and manage the subject paintings.”

Barns added in his manifestation that the museum is ready to assist the PCGG and the Sandiganbayan to preserve the condition of the artworks while under custodia legis (court custody) pending final determination of legal ownership.

The move was supported by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), the agency that was specifically tasked to go after hidden assets of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, his family and close associates.

A list submitted by Sheriff Albert A. de la Cruz showed among the seized paintings were three copies of “Madonna and Child”

by Michael Angelo Buonarroti; 11 works by Paule Gobillard including five versions of “Vase De Fleurs (Vase of Flowers), “Femme Au Chapeau” (Woman with a Hat), “Paysage”, “Jeune

Femme En Rouge”, “Coupe De Fleurs”, “Panier De Fruits”, “Jeune Femme S’habillant / Chavalet”; and a Picasso Replica Bass strokes.

BSP Cash Department manager Divina L. Hernandez informed the court that her office cannot vouch for the authenticity and genuineness of any of the artworks taken from the Marcos residence in San Juan City.

BSP officials likewise said that it has no suitable longterm storage for the paintings, some of which are already showing signs of damage and deterioration.

The anti-graft court issued a garnishment order on 156 artworks by European artists last September 29 after declaring them to be part of the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family.

Aside from the 15 paintings now with BSP, nine other artworks displayed in the office of Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos at the House of Reprewww.canadianinquirer.net

National Museum of the Philippines.

sentatives have likewise been attached by court sheriffs.

The 85-year old widow of former President Ferdinand Marcos has petitioned the court to lift the garnishment and return

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

the 15 paintings on the ground that Civil Case no. 0141, which was cited as the basis by the Sandiganbayan directive, has already been resolved with finality 11 years earlier.

Philippine News

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

MILF: Don’t blame us; we suffered heavy casualties, too

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer KUALA LUMPUR — Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal on Saturday said the MILF was not coddling international terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and Basit Usman.

Iqbal also neither confirmed nor denied that President Aquino had asked the MILF to clear the way for government security forces to arrest Usman, who eluded arrest by police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao province.

“The truth will show that we have not been coddling Marwan. Marwan was in the company of the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters),” Iqbal told reporters at a joint press conference with the gov-

ernment peace panel led by Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.

Usman was also not with the MILF, Iqbal said.

“I don’t want to sound philosophical but you cannot turn over someone who is not with you,” Iqbal said when asked if the MILF would turn over Usman if he was in MILF territory.

Don’t blame MILF

Iqbal said the MILF also suffered heavy losses in the bloody encounter in Mamasapano: 18 fighters killed and 14 others wounded.

He gave journalists a list of the names of the dead and the injured.

“I am very hopeful that as soon as the truth comes out, the MILF will be vindicated and I think we are doing everything, including this press conference, so that we will approach ❱❱ PAGE 14 MILF: Don’t

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‘Philippines is...’

Roxas, when the latter paid a visit to Philippine National PoliceSpecial Action Force (PNPSAF) troopers at Camp Bagong Diwa on Sunday.

One week after the tragic slaughter of 44 PNP-SAF commandos in a violent confrontation with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, this sentiment is echoed by others in the special forces.

In what was an emotionfilled visit, the best Roxas could do was give the men and women of the PNP-SAF the assurance that the government is doing everything in its capacity to obtain justice for their fallen comrades.

Roxas told the PNP-SAF troopers that like them, he is disturbed by the fact that he had no prior knowledge of the raid, and that he was not advised by suspended Special Action Force (SAF) commander Police Director Getulio Napeñas of the operation.

“Sa personal ko na puso at kaisipan, interesado ako sa board of ❰❰ 1

President Benigno S. Aquino III personally extends his condolences to the immediate families of the fallen Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) members during the necrological services held at the Multipurpose Hall in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

inquiry dahil bumabagabag sa akin gabi-gabi, di ako nakakatulog, ang katanungang ‘kung nalaman ko ito, may natanong ba ako, may nagawa ba ako, may na-contribute ba ako? (In my heart and in my mind, I am interested in the board of inquiry because it hounds me night after night, I cannot sleep, the question of ‘if I had know about it, could I have asked something, could I have done something, could I have contributed

something?),’” Roxas said.

“Ako ‘yung SILG [Secretary of Interior and Local Government] na pumirma sa appointment ni Napeñas. So bilib ako sa kanya.

Pero hindi natin maiwasan ang katotohanan na hindi niya ako sinabihan [tungkol sa raid] (I was the one who signed the appointment of Napeñas. Which means I had faith in him. But we cannot avoid the truth that he did not inform me [about the raid]),” he added.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2015 FRIDAY

Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Inc. Managing Editor Earl Von Tapia earl.tapia@canadianinquirer.net Community News Editor Mary Ann Mandap maryann.mandap@canadianinquirer.net Correspondents Ching Dee Angie Duarte Lei Fontamillas Frances Grace Quiddaoen Socorro Newland Bolet Arevalo Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Photographers Angelo Siglos Solon Licas Operations and Marketing Head Laarni Liwanag (604) 551-3360 Advertising Sales Alice Yong (778) 889-3518 alice.yong@canadianinquirer.net Jennifer Yen (778) 227-2995 jennifer.yen@canadianinquirer.net sales@canadianinquirer.net 1-888-668-6059

The House of Representatives will suspend all hearings on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) until authorities have provided lawmakers with a complete report on what happened in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Jan. 25, specifically the slaughter of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos.

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Lawmakers want full report on massacre

PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Phoebe Casin Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 400-13955 Bridgeport Rd., Richmond, BC V6V 1J6 Canada Tel. No.: 1-888-668-6059 or 778-8893518 | Email: info@canadianinquirer. net, inquirerinc@gmail.com, sales@ canadianinquirer.net Philippine Canadian Inquirer is published weekly every Friday.

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BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer

today would be the last if the four agencies did not submit their reports. He said his committee conducted three hearings last week but these focused solely on minor issues and not national security and defense matters, among the thorniest provisions in the draft BBL.

submitting yourselves to the will of the people. Should we trust them (MILF) because as it turned out that trust has been broken and there might be some element of treachery in what happened,” Acedillo said.

THE HOUSE of Representatives will suspend all hearings on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) until authorities have provided lawmakers with Surrender rebels involved a complete report on what happened in Still in support of BBL He said he disagreed with the governMamasapano, Maguindanao, on Jan. 25, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said ment’s chief negotiator Miriam Corospecifically the slaughter of 44 Special the Liberal Party remained committed nelFerrer’s declaration that the MILF’s Action Force (SAF) commandos. to support the BBL. Nationalist People’s signing of a decommissioning protoCagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodri- Coalition spokesperson Rex Gatchalian col in Malaysia during the national day guez, chair of the ad hoc committee said his party had not changed its posi- of mourning for the SAF 44 on Friday tackling the proposed BBL, said his tion in support of the BBL. should erase all doubts on the Moro rebpanel had given the els’ sincerity.

Philippine Nation“It’s easy to comal Police, Armed mit by signing on Forces of the Phila paper or make ippines and Office promises, because of the PresidenThe report is crucial to help members make a it will benefit the tial Adviser on the decision on the BBL. Without the facts, we cannot BBL, it will benPeace Process until move forward. efit them. But the 5 p.m. today to subharder thing (for mit their findings the MILF) to do is on the botched preto surrender the dawn raid by the firearms, equipSAF commandos on the hideouts of Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said ment uniforms and personal effects two terrorist bombers. the National Unity Party had no stand of our dead troops. The MILF should “The report is crucial to help mem- yet on the BBL. “I personally support it also surrender all MILF members bers make a decision on the BBL. With- but there must be justice for the slain involved in the Mamasapano massaout the facts, we cannot move forward. SAF members,” he said. cre,” Acedillo said.

There is a strong feeling among memMagdalo Rep. Ashley Acedillo said he He said his group of former police bers for justice and more sincerity on would reiterate his call for the House to and military officials turned lawmakers the part of the MILF ( Moro Islamic Lib- suspend its BBL hearings immediately would oppose any plan by the adminiseration Front) to cooperate and return after the Senate suspended its own BBL tration to railroad the BBL. “We’d rather the firearms they took away from our hearings. not have peace because this is not the SAF,” Rodriguez said.

“This is not just a matter of discussing kind of peace we want, no surrender and He said the BBL hearing scheduled provisions of a bill but ultimately this is no justice,” he said. www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

9

Bangsamoro deal ... cal Entity (BJE). The clash erupted despite a ceasefire agreement between government forces and Moro guerrrillas.

The Aquino administration declared a period of mourning for the slain policemen, extolled as heroes, but as the corpses in coffins draped in the Philippine flag arrived in Manila for necrological services, the sight ignited public indignation and clamor to scrap the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) amid accusations of treachery by the MILF and that the government sent the policemen to be slaughtered in hostile territory in operations marked by blunders described by the government and its apologists as mere “misencounter.”

The encounter unmasked the fragility and imperfections of the MOA-AD that calls for the BJE with its own “basic law,” police and internal security force, and system of banking, finance, civil service, education, and legislative and electoral institutions, as well as full authority to develop and dispose of mineral and other natural resources. The BJE includes the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

On Aug. 4, 2008, the Supreme Court stopped the signing of an earlier MOA-AD amid strong public opposition and clashes in Mindanao, prompting the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to announce that it would not sign the agreement and to dissolve its peace panel.

On Oct. 14, 2008, the Supreme Court declared the MOA-AD unconstitutional, describing the process that led to its drafting as “whimsical, capricious, oppressive, arbitrary and despotic.” It affirmed its decision on Nov. 11, triggering MILF attacks on Christian communities in Mindanao that sent 750,000 people fleeing ❰❰ 1

from their homes and leaving 400 dead.

In July 2010, the successor administration of President Aquino formed a new panel to resume peace talks.

Three years after the revival of the talks, things took a turn for the worse when Mr. Aquino secretly met with Murad Ebrahim in Tokyo in August 2011, where they agreed to speed up peace negotiations, which implied that the Aquino administration had given recognition to the MILF as a sovereign entity ruling a territory separate from the Philippine Republic.

In that meeting, the MILF was reported to have insisted on its proposal that a Moro substate be formed in Mindanao based on the assertion: “Let the Moros run their affairs.

Let them decide their destiny…

Gone [are] the days when the government in Manila designed everything for them.”

MILF demands

Since then, this concept of Bangsamoro autonomy framed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that has defined the peace talks between the Aquino administration and the MILF and its unruly Moro satellites in a relationship that held hostage the issue of war or peace in Mindanao to the demands of the MILF. The tragic ramifications of this paradigm to escalate violence in the region came to a head in the Jan. 25 massacre of police commandos in Maguindanao.

The encounter flared up when a battalion of 392 police commandos—members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) sent to arrest wanted terrorists “Marwan,” a Malaysian member of the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah allegedly behind numerous bomb attacks in the country, and Filipino

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the necrological services for the fallen Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) members on Friday at the Multipurpose Hall in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

Basit Usman—was attacked by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and MILF guerrillas as they withdrew from the village.

Marwan, a bomb expert, was on the list of most wanted terrorists of the US government and had a $6-million price on his head.

Director Getulio Napeñas, the SAF commander, was relieved pending investigation of the fiasco leading to the massacre of his commandos. He has admitted that the operation to get Marwan and Usman was deliberately not coordinated with the military and the MILF, which were observing a ceasefire following the the signing of the peace agreement. He also said he did not coordinate with the MILF because he did not trust them.

Against sovereignty

The peace process has put in place coordination systems as joint action committee precisely to keep government se-

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curity forces and MILF guerrillas from fighting. But without coordination with the military and the MILF, the SAF commandoswent into hostile and treacherous territory. Napeñas said the MILF base commands were all in Mamasapano.

As a result, the commandos walked into a trap where they were vulnerable to slaughter.

According to the MILF, it was the SAF commandos who fired the first shot, triggering a gun battle where the commandos were outnumbered. The policemen found themselves like sitting ducks contained in an open cornfield.

Even the government security forces were uncoordinated in the secret operation, where senior interior department officials were kept in the dark by suspended PNP Director General Alan Purisima, who was calling the shots on the operation.

President Aquino has come under fire for being late in receiving the dead bodies as they

arrived in Manila, during which he was inaugurating a car manufacturing plant, even as he called a period of mourning for the fallen police heroes. It did not help that the MILF laid the blame for the massacre on the Philippine security forces for venturing into their area “without proper coordination.”

Mr. Aquino was slow in holding the MILF responsible for the carnage by guerrillas who have gone out of control of their leadership. Why should the Philippine government be obliged to ask for the permission of the MILF to allow law enforcers to serve arrest warrants to terrorists who have been given sanctuary by the MILF on Philippine territory?

Obviously, the peacekeeping mechanisms set up by the peace process are not working to ensure Philippine sovereignty over its national territory. Why should we be collaborating with a rebel group we cannot trust to save the Bangsamoro enterprise from collapse?

10

Philippine News

FEBRUARY 6, 2015 FRIDAY

16 fallen heroes go home for the last time

BY JULIE M. AURELIO AND KRISTINE FELISSE MANGUNAY Philippine Daily Inquirer EVEN IN THE DEAD of night, everyone of the fallen was uniformly but heartily saluted and honored.

Shortly after midnight, slow but heavy footsteps and a mournful tune that played over and over again filled the quaint road that leads outside the police camp in Taguig City.

Before dawn on Saturday, the remains of 16 SAF commandos who were killed days earlier in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, were sent off with befitting honors.

The sight of caskets of the slain Special Action Force (SAF) troopers being loaded in a waiting van shushed a crowd of onlookers and policemen who wanted to see the elite police commandos one last time.

A few meters away, vans, trailed by mourners, joined the long, slow procession.

The send-off began shortly after President Aquino left Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City at past midnight, following more than 12 hours of meeting and talking with the families of the 41 troopers whose remains were brought to the police camp the night before.

Before leaving, the President dropped by the SAF headquarters, avoiding reporters who waited for him outside a chapel where the families were gathered.

He did not attend the arrival honors at Villamor Air Base the day before.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who visited the wake of the slain policemen, said each bereaved family received a P250,000 check from the Presidential Social Fund, given by the President himself.

“I saw him and listened to him speak with each of the families. He learned of their background, their needs ... It’s good that the government really takes to heart each family’s welfare, and even those wounded,” Belmonte said after paying his respects to the families.

Solemn moment

At past 1 a.m. yesterday, policemen lined up as the band began playing the Christian hymn

The immediate families of the fallen Special Action Force (SAF) personnel cry besides the caskets during the necrological services on Friday, January 2015 at the Multi Purpose Hall, Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

“Nearer, My God, to Thee,” the of Cagayan Valley, PO2 Glenn slowly for at least 100 meters, signal to begin departure hon- Bedua of Leyte, PO2 Noel while somber music was played ors for the flag-draped caskets, Balaca Jr. of Taguig, PO1 Mark by a band composed of men in which were brought out of the Lory Clemencio of Leyte, PO2 uniform.

National Capital Region Police Roger Cordero of Sultan KudaPolicemen who had been Office (NCRPO) multipurpose rat and PO3 John Lloyd Sum- prepositioned on the sides of hall. billa of Eastern Samar. the road right outside the hall Earlier on Friday, full deparPast 10 a.m., PO3 Victoriano saluted each dead trooper. ture honors were given to four Acain Jr. of Zamboanga del After the salute, they joined policemen—Senior Insp. Max Norte and PO3 Junrel Kibete the policemen’s families and Jim Tria, Senior Insp. Ged- of Meycauayan, Bulacan, were friends in a slow march behind nat Tabdi, PO3 the funeral veRodrigo Acob hicle. and PO3 Andres At the end of Duque. the send-off cerTheir remains I saw him and listened to him speak emonies for the were brought with each of the families. He learned day, only the rehome to their of their background, their needs ... mains of Insp. respective provRennie Tayrus of inces—Tria in Zamboanga del Catanduanes, Sur and PO3 VirTabdi in Bengel Villanueva guet, and Acob and Duque in also given departure honors. also of Zamboanga del Sur were Isabela.

Each casket carrying a slain left inside the hall.

On Saturday, 10 of the 12 trooper was carried by fellow NCRPO Director Carmelo remaining slain policemen policemen who marched slowly Valmoria said they were schedhoused in the NCRPO were toward the exit of the multipur- uled to be given departure honreturned to their respective pose hall where each casket had ors at past 12 midnight yesterhometowns after an emotion- been housed since Thursday day. ally charged send-off ceremony night.

Authorities said most of in Camp Bagong Diwa.

Each policeman’s family and the remains of the policemen friends trailed behind the cas- would be transported back to Departure honors ket, carrying a picture of their their hometown via a commerThe first batch were given de- slain loved one. cial flight, with the expenses parture honors around 7 a.m.

Upon reaching the hall’s exit, fully paid by the government.

This included Insp. Joey each casket—draped in the Valmoria said the fallen heGamutan of Negros Occiden- Philippine flag—was boarded roes would be buried in a site of tal, PO1 Olibeth Viernes of into a St. Peter’s funeral vehicle. the families’ choice.

Cagayan, PO2 Richelle Baluga The vehicle then traveled “Although they can be buried www.canadianinquirer.net

in Libingan ng mga Bayani, that would be far from the families,” Valmoria told reporters.

He said all burial expenses would be shouldered by the Philippine National Police.

PNP officer in charge Dep. Dir. Gen. Leonardo Espina, National Capital Region Police Office chief Dir. Carmelo Valmoria and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas also joined the slow march of the mourners.

The remains of the SAF troopers which left for the provinces were: PO2 Nicky Nacino, Baguio City; PO2 Godofredo Cabanlet, Lanao del Norte; Senior Insp. Ryan Pabalinas, Zamboanga City; PO2 Romeo Senin, Iligan City; PO1 Romeo Cempron, Cebu; PO1 Windel Candano, Cebu City; PO3 Noel Golocan, Baguio City; PO2 Peterson Carap, Benguet; PO2 Walner Danao, Baguio City; PO2 Jerry Kayob, Benguet; PO2 Noble Kiangan, Benguet; PO1 Russel Bilog, Baguio City; PO1 Gringo Cayang-o, Mt. Province; PO1 Angel Kodiamat, Benguet; PO2 Rodel Ramacula, Northern Samar; and PO2 Joseph Sagonoy, Northern Samar.

The rest of the caskets of the SAF commandos are expected to be brought home by their loved ones over the weekend.

Philippine News

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

11

Lawmakers, local execs one in opposing all-out war

Binay son arrested, detained, released

BY DJ YAP, ALLAN NAWAL AND EDWIN FERNANDEZ Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer

strengthen the peace process.

“Sustaining the momentum of the peace process, which we have painstakingly supported from the very beginning, should be the goal,” he said.

Among the approved resolutions during the meeting was to compel village officials to report the presence of “undesirable individuals or groups” in their areas.

In Cotabato City, Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo called for sobriety amid calls for an all-out war against the MILF. Quevedo said what should be done, as wisdom demands, “is to hold back the natural response of revenge and desire to break off the peace process.”

“Peace talks remain to be the surest way to attain peace,” Muslimin Sema, a veteran of wars under the Moro National Liberation Front, said.

Salma Pir Rasul, executive director of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), said that while the Mamasapano incident was tragic, it should not hold hostage the peace process.

SEVERAL LOCAL officials and lawmakers yesterday declined to back calls for an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas cautioned against declaring war against the MILF amid public outrage over the deaths of 44 police commandos in Sunday’s clash with MILF guerrillas.

He said such calls could be just an attempt to incite more violence in Mindanao at the time the government had already forged a peace deal with the rebels, and while Congress was working on the Bangsamoro Basic Law on order to concretize it.

Treñas said that while the nation was hurting with the treacherous massacre of 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force, an all-out war against the MILF was exactly what Islamic extremist groups like al-Qaida, Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Reject calls to would want to hapOur rage and abandon pen. our yearning In Zamboanga “Our rage and our for vengeance City, Basilan Rep. yearning for venshould not Jim Salliman Hatageance should not cloud our sense man rejected calls to cloud our sense of of reason. abandon the peace reason. Waging an Waging an alldeal with the MILF. all-our war against our war against “Any abrogation the MILF will only the MILF will move would only reaggravate the situaonly aggravate inforce damage to tion in Mindanao,” the situation our country,” Hatahe said. in Mindanao. man said, adding North Cotabato that for decades now, Gov. Emmylou TaliMindanao has been ño-Mendoza meansuffering from war. while told the INQUIRER by phone that Rommel Banlaoi, executive director civilians would be at the losing end again of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Viif another all-out war broke out. olence and Terrorism Research, said the Mendoza said that while she did not peace process “if sustained will contribwant war, she was in favor of a military ute to peace-building.” operation “directed against those who Arlyn Jawad, a councilor of Lamitan slaughtered our men and the civilian City, said what was needed was “peace victims.” that is just and lasting.”

Mayor Zamzamin Ampatuan of Rajah South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Fuentes Buayan, Maguindanao, whose town had and Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isaalso been recently rocked by violence, belle Salazar called for justice for the 44 said an all-out war would mean that no slain SAF troopers. The two called for area would be spared. punitive action against those responsible.

Strengthen peace process Zamboanga City 1st District Rep. CelLike Mendoza, Ampatuan believed so Lobregat, who is also against all-out that a military operation should have war against the MILF, pushed for “a fair, specific targets to spare civilians from acceptable and feasible Bangsamoro Bathe cost of war. sic Law within the bounds of the ConstiMaguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangu- tution.” dadatu, speaking on the sidelines of the peace and order meeting held in Bulu- With reports from Julie Alipala and Nash an, Maguindanao, stressed the need to Maulana

THE SENATE didn’t bend backward when it let go of Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. hours after serving the arrest order on him, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said on Thursday.

In its briefest hearing yet, the blue ribbon subcommittee released the mayor after allowing him to speak for a few minutes, avoiding a protracted legal drama with the family of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“There’s a script here,” Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV was overheard as saying.

As soon as he arrived in his SUV, the younger Binay holed up at the detention room of the Senate Sergeant at Arms for more than two hours, virtually holding the subcommittee hostage.

When finally escorted to the session hall, packed with allies including former Senators Joker Arroyo and Rene Saguisag, the mayor remained defiant, saying he had said everything, and saw no reason in taking part in the hearing.

“No reason to appear here,” he told

the committee.

The blue ribbon committee issued orders for the arrest of Binay and five others for skipping the subcommittee’s hearings on the allegations of corruption and ill-gotten wealth against the elder Binay.

“Not really,” Pimentel, subcommittee chair, said when asked if the Senate bent over backward for the Binays, “because he was arrested, and the order is to arrest him, and bring him to the hearing.”

The reason for the issuance of subpoena was for Binay to air his side, react and refute charges against him in connection with the allegedly pricey buildings in Makati, including a carpark and a Science high school building, the senator said. All these were satisfied, he added.

If at all, the subcommittee sent the message across: “Whoever you are, you have to comply with lawful processes and procedures,” Pimentel said.

“This is democracy at work. It’s not productive in terms of hearing, because we made a lot of people from BSP (Boy Scouts of the Philippines) attend. It’s ❱❱ PAGE 12 Binay son

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12

Philippine News

FEBRUARY 6, 2015 FRIDAY

Makati Mayor Erwin Binay show a minor bruise and pacifies supporters after he was brought to the Senate plenary when he refused to testify at the Senate hearing at the Senate Building in Pasay City.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

Binay son... productive in terms of messaging: You can’t ignore an arrest order from the Senate,” he added.

While waiting for Binay’s arrival, Pimentel began the hearing around 10:30 a.m. mainly to tackle charges of irregularity against the Vice President involving BSP, of which he is the national president.

After quizzing Pag-Ibig Fund president Darlene Berberabe and Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Teresita Herbosa, he suspended the hearing at 10:50 a.m. to wait for Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, whowas a no-show.

Then it became clear, Binay, who had by then been escorted to the detention room at the Senate basement parking, didn’t want to attend the hearing, prepping the media for the drama that was about to unfold.

Lawyer JV Bautista and Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, former spokesperson of the Vice President, told reporters that the mayor was ordered to be detained, but not to appear at the hearing.

Besides, they added, the mayor respected the Senate as an institution, but not the subcommittee.

“This is not a stunt,” Remulla said of Binay’s acceptance of ❰❰ 11

the arrest order and refusal to When Trillanes asked Bi- over the case, and asked for an appear at the hearing. nay if he was in any way hurt advance list of questions.

During the lull, Pimen- en route to the Senate, he was “When we were issued a tel went down to the detention greeted by shouts from the gal- ‘ show cause’ order, we reroom to talk to Binay and his lery, prompting Pimentel to sponded. That’s why we believe lawyers, and then Arroyo and briefly suspend the hearing. there’s no reason to cite us in Saguisag strode into the session After pacifying the crowd, contempt. But let me be clear, hall supposedly as the mayor’s Trillanes reiterated his ques- we’re not fighting the Senate as lead counsels. tion, and Binay said he was an institution,” he said.

“We will be asking questions “slightly bruised” as the camera “What we’re saying is, we on the substance, but honor the focused on a bruise on his left have rights, too, that have to subpoena. Don’t be apprehen- arm. be heard. That’s why my posisive about what will be done to Asked if he needed medical tion has been clear, since I was you. You will not be disrespect- attention, the mayor said he cited in contempt, that I have ed. I have some questions, but was fine. faced the Senate, and given all I will not force the documents you to answer asked of the city them,” Pimentel government,” he recalled assuradded. ing Binay during It was never my intent to oppose the “That’s why their one-on-one subpoena of the subcommittee . . . In there’s no reatalk. fact, when asked to answer, we son for me to It took at least obliged to answer the subpoena. appear here. I’ve two hours before said everything Binay decided to that’s needed to go up. be said. That’s When the hearing resumed Pimentel then gave Binay, why I’m opposing this proceedat 1:30 p.m., Trillanes moved to clad in a white polo, the floor to ing. I would like to respectfully call for Binay, and Makati City issue a statement. manifest, Mr. Chairman, that I Administrator Eleno Mendoza, “Yes, Mr. Senator, let me be will no longer participate in the and former City Administrator clear. It was never my intent ongoing proceedings,” he conMarjorie de Veyra. to oppose the subpoena of the tinued.

As Binay was escorted from subcommittee,” he began. “In Since the subcommittee disthe detention room to the ses- fact, when asked to answer, we agreed with his stand that it sion hall at the second floor, a obliged to answer the subpoe- lacked jurisdiction over the crowd of supporters pressed na.” matter, Pimentel advised him around him, with one egging The mayor reminded the sen- “to run to a referee, a third parthem to shout, “Grabe ’to! (This ators that they questioned the ty, to tell us who has the correct is too much!).” subcommittee’s jurisdiction interpretation of the situation, www.canadianinquirer.net

of the Senate rules.”

Pimentel then asked Binay if he was willing to answer questions, but the latter reiterated his lawyers’ advice “not to attend the hearing.”

“That’s why we were firm that the order of arrest states that I be detained in the Senate Sergeant at Arms because I’m not willing to participate. Again, as advised by my lawyers, there’s no reason to participate,” the mayor said.

Pimentel explained that he wanted to elicit answers from him, specifically on the Makati City Hall Building II and the Makati Science High School building.

“Thank you for your cooperation. At least you’re here before us,” he said, but reminded Binay that even former President Fidel V. Ramos and former Vice President Noli de Castro heeded a Senate subpoena.

“Nothing personal here.

We’re enforcing the processes of the institution. We followed the procedures as we understood them,” he said.

Otherwise, Pimentel said he was aware that Binay is facing cases in the Ombudsman over the carpark and high school building.

The subcommittee set the next hearing for Feb. 12.

Philippine News

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

13

Health expert presses govt, PhilHealth to expand coverage for heart disease treatment

BY LEILANI S. JUNIO Philippine News Agency MANILA — A health expert from the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) urged Tuesday the government, through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), to consider in its line of priorities on giving coverage for management of heart diseases as a way of giving love to Filipino patients suffering from heart disease.

“We call on the government and PhilHealth to make the cost affordable and reachable for our countrymen through extensive Philhealth coverage and also subsidy on the management of medications,” said Dr. Helen Ong-Garcia, PHA director/advocacy committee chair in a health forum conducted by the Philippines College of Physicians (PCP) at Annabel’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Garcia also said that it would be beneficial for the people if the cost of medicine for those suffering heart disease would be subsidize because more often, the very same people suffering from heart diseases were also those taking other expensive medications.

Ong added that it was sad to note that almost 60 percent of the population who belongs to class D sectors are not taking medicines because of financial constraints and lacking enough awareness on how they can avoid the diseases associated with the heart.

She cited as an example that the usual cost for somebody who has a confirmed heart disease is at the average of Php 1,000 a month for the medication alone because there are other related expenses that need treatments like cholester-

PHILHEALTH FACEBOOK PAGE

ol, diabetes and hypertension. shot deal for if that medication “Automatically, angioThe expert further added will not work, then treatment plasty cost ranges from Php that severe heart disease are of- goes more expensive for such 300,000.00. Actually, the covten costly for it requires throm- will require “angiogram” (x-ray erage under the Philhealth at bolytic medication (medication of the arteries near the heart to present is not specific. While that dissolves blood clot in time see blood vessels) which cost there is a coverage such was of emergencies).

Php 60,000 to Php 80,000. limited for those admitted hyThromobolytics drug ranges She added that after that the pertension. For heart diseases, from Php 20,000 the coverage was to Php 60,000 not specific for per vial,” she the treatment,” said. she said.

Thrombolytics I am not saying that there is none, She said that it are used in the but it is very much low compared to will be a big help hospital as soon actually what is being needed by our if PhilHealth can as possible after people. provide a bigger a heart attack. intervention and They work best medical manif they are given agement can be within 3 hours of a heart attack. next procedure will be “angio- enjoyed by the people who will After a heart attack, throm- plasty/bypass” (a procedure undergo bypass or angioplasty. bolytic medicines help to get use to open the block to allow “I am not saying that there blood flowing back to the heart. blood and oxygen to delivery to is none, but it is very much low She added that such was a one the heart’s muscle). compared to actually what is

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being needed by our people,” she said.

She said that they are actually trying to coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) and had been discussing such with PhilHealth people to actually include specifics on the management of heart disease.

She added that for a start it will be a big leap to help if the “stents” used in the treatment can be subsidized for such was very costly.

She said that if the PhilHealth coverage for those with heart ailments will be more better, more people will seek early treatment and medications before everything comes to worst due to undecided conditions resulting from fear on financial inadequacy in the treatment and medication.

Heart diseases are often results of lifestyle modifiable and non-modifable factors.

The modifiable risk factors means that they can be prevented through lifestyle habits.

These are smoking, sedentary lifestyle and obesity.

The non modifiable factors includes age and sex.

Based on the global statistics, cardiovascular diseases account for 17 millions deaths globally this year.

Other components of cardiovascular disease are stroke, hypertension, disease of blood vessels.

Coronary artery disease accounts to almost half or 48 percent of all deaths cause of death.

In a WHO statistics it was estimated that in 2020 the global number of deaths from coronary artery disease will rise from 7.6 million to 11.1 million.

14

Philippine News

FEBRUARY 6, 2015 FRIDAY

International monitors to conduct own probe of clash

BY EDWIN FERNANDEZ AND CHARLIE SEÑASE Inquirer Mindanao COTABATO CITY — The International Monitoring Team (IMT) that oversees the implementation of the cease-fire agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it would start its own investigation of the Jan. 25 clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, which claimed the lives of 44 members of the police’s Special Action Force (SAF) and 14 MILF rebels.

Malaysian Gen. Yaakub Samad, IMT head, said the IMT board of inquiry would start its investigation on Feb. 7 “to determine the real circumstances that led to the SAF-MILF encounter.”

The IMT is made up of representatives from Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, Indonesia, Japan, Norway and the European Union. It has been in existence since 2003.

Asked why the IMT would start its investigation 13 days after the incident, Samad said they had to coordinate with potential witnesses first.

The IMT’s inquiry into the incident would be done in partnership with the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities of the government and the MILF, according to Samad.

The IMT was instrumental in the disengagement that led

to the retrieval of those who were killed and the evacuation of those wounded in the Mamasapano clash.

IMT’s Norwegian member, William Hovland, said it took them hours to establish contacts “due to lack of telecommunications signal in the area.”

Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., government ceasefire panel chair, said the entry of IMT representatives in Barangay Tukanalipao during the firefight helped “deescalate” the situation and allowed other government troops to evacuate wounded policemen from the clash site.

Sen. Teofisto Guingona, meanwhile, sought the creation of a Truth Commission to conduct a thorough and impartial probe.”

“While I respect the planned creation of a PNP Board of Inquiry to conduct a probe, I believe the Maguindanao massacre has farreaching consequences and implications which make it necessary for an independent commission to do the work. The massacre struck at the very heart of the nation and of the peace process,” Guingona, who chairs the Senate peace, reconciliation and unification committee, added.

Guingona suggested the Truth Commission be made up of “veteran statesmen” such as former Supreme Court Chief Justices Reynato Puno and Hilario Davide Sr. and former Sen. Wigberto Tañada.

A senior citizen (left) and group of farmers from Central Luzon led by former Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Jerry Pelayo (4th from right) have their heads shaved in front of Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday as a show of sympathy to the bereaved families of the 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos who were killed in an encounter with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

JOEY O. RAZON / PNA

Senator Teofisto Guingona III (center), chairperson of the Senate Committee on Peace and Reconciliation, holds a copy of a bill calling for the creation of a Truth Commission to investigate the Jan. 25, 2015 killing of 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Flanking Guingona are Senators Paolo "Bam" Aquino IV (right) and Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III,, co-authors of the bill. Also in photo are Quezon City Rep. Jorge Banal (extreme left), Partylist AMIN Rep. Sitti Turabin Hataman, and Marikina City Rep. Marcelino Teodoro (extreme right), authors of the counterpart bill in the House of Representatives.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

MILF: Don’t... the problem in a very objective manner,” Iqbal said.

He also appealed to the public, “especially to members of the media … not to fan the emotions of hatred and prejudices.”

“The Bangsamoro people have also suffered a lot in the conflict in Mindanao, as a result of several massacres in the various parts of the Bangsamoro,” Iqbal said.

“The encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, was not intended by either side. It was a pure and simple misencounter.

The operation was intended for the BIFF, which is coddling Marwan and Basit Usman,” Iqbal added. ❰❰ 7

Biggest loss

Marwan was killed in the SAF operation, but the police commandos lost 44 of their own, the biggest single-day combat loss by government security forces in recent memory. Usman managed to escape.

The nation has been outraged by the deaths of the commandos, with many blaming the MILF. But Director Getulio Napeñas, the sacked SAF commander, admitted skipping coordination with the military and the MILF in the operation to get Marwan because he “did not trust the MILF.” Ferrer said that in the peace process, there had been “cooperation” between the government and the MILF in running after terrorists and other criminals. www.canadianinquirer.net

Peace mechanisms

Ferrer said the Philippine National Police had the mandate to arrest criminals, being the country’s law enforcement agency.

Short of saying the MILF does not have power of arrest, Iqbal said it was the peace mechanisms such as the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) that should work toward giving government security forces the time and space to arrest terrorists like Marwan and Usman if they were found to be in MILF communities.

Aside from the AHJAG, the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) are the other mechanisms employed to minimize the chances of clashes between government security forces and MILF guerrillas.

Iqbal said the AHJAG had been tasked to “interdict or isolate” criminals in Mindanao.

“I think the issue of the AHJAG has to be considered in the light of the current situation, meaning if there is a need to upgrade the mandate of the AHJAG in relation to the current situation, the MILF for one is willing to consider it,” Iqbal said.

Containing criminals

The MILF’s Von Al Haq, a member of the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), said that through the AHJAG, MILF forces could “block the exits” for criminals the government security forces wanted to

arrest.

“But to run after them is the sole world of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP. We can provide them information (on the terrorists),” Al Haq said.

A well-placed INQUIRER source said President Aquino had sent word to Iqbal, through Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, for the MILF to clear the way for government security forces as they intensify the hunt for Usman.

The source said Mr. Aquino’s letter was handed by Deles to Iqbal in a meeting following the Mamasapano incident.

Iqbal said at the press conference that he did not receive a letter addressed to him from the President.

“Perhaps to the chairman … I would presume it is the proper way. But to me directly, I have not to received a letter or any communication from the President,” Iqbal said.

‘We’ll get Usman’

In his eulogy for the 44 SAF commandos on Friday, President Aquino promised their families that the government would get Usman.

“Number one on our list of things to do is to arrest Basit Usman. I have directed authorities to do a careful planning of the operations to arrest this person …. We will prove that the rule of law prevails in the entire Philippines. I assure you, we will get Usman,” Mr. Aquino said.

Philippine News

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

15

Mabilog ranks 5th in World Mayor 2014 PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

and innovative laboratories that produce concrete solutions to various metropolitan issues like transportation, shelter education and employment.

The City Mayors Foundation is an international think tank dedicated to promoting strong and prosperous cities as well as good local governance, accord-

awareness, ability to provide security and to protect the environment as well as having the skill to cultivate good relations ILOILO CITY — Iloilo City between communities with difMayor Jed Patrick Mabilog ferent cultural, racial and social landed in the Top 5 of the World backgrounds.”

Mayor 2014 search conducted Meanwhile, the 2014 World annually by the City Mayors Mayor prize was won by NaFoundation. heed Nenshi, mayor of Calgary, In his stateCanada.

The ment released commendation through the city for services to g o v e r n m e n t ’s European citpublic infories will be given mation office to mayor Dan(PIO), Mabilog iel Termont of To be named among the world’s expressed his Ghent, Belgium top 5 is a huge honor for me, for my gratitude to city while mayor Tri family, for my country, the Philippines residents for Rismaharini will and my city. their “trust and receive the comove r w h e l m i n g mendation for support.” services to the “To be named city of Surabaya, among the Indonesia. world’s top 5 is a Other mayors huge honor for me, for my fam- ing to the PIO statement. in the Top 10 are Carlos Ocariz ily, for my country, the PhilipIn its official website www. of Sucre, Venezuela; Albrecht pines and my city,” stressed worldmayor.com, the organizer Schroter of Jena, Germany; AnMabilog. defines an outstanding mayor nise Parker of Houston, USA; The prestigious award hon- as “having possess qualities Yiannis Boutaris of Thessaors city mayors with the vision, such as honesty, leadership loniki, Greece; Giusy Nicolini of passion and skills to make their and vision, good management Lampedusa, Italy and Aziz Kocities sustainable urban centers abilities, social and economic caoglu of Izmir, Turkey.

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Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, The Chief Executive and City Mayor of Iloilo City, Republic of the Philippines FACEBOOK PHOTO

Opinion

16

FEBRUARY 6, 2015 FRIDAY

AS I SEE IT

Success in papal visit, failure in Maguindanao mission

By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer ISN’T IT sad that the very successful visit of Pope Francis was followed, in the same month, by the massacre of 44 policemen of the Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao? Maguindanao is now famous for two massacres: first, the killing of 58 persons, including media men; and now the Mamasapano incident.

The two incidents provide contrasting perspectives of the roles of the Philippine National Police. The first role has to do with public service and domestic law enforcement, which was highlighted by the sterling performance of the PNP during the papal visit. The second role has to do with “combat,” which unfortunately, did not end well in the Mamasapano incident.

To be fair, the PNP-SAF did a good job during the Zamboanga City siege last year, but that was a different setting—close quarters urban warfare, for which the skills of the unit seem to have passed with flying colors. However, something terribly wrong happened in the assessment, deployment and management of the SAF units involved in the Mamasapano massacre.

There is no sense making an armchair

analysis at this point, however, as a board of inquiry has been constituted to find out what really happened. Let us hope that the board has the courage and professionalism to get at the truth and redeem the name of the PNP as an institution.

Nevertheless, this is a good time to remember the good performance of the PNP during the papal visit. The PNP achievement in that event speaks highly of the traditional role of community service. This is fittingly described in the phrase coined by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas: “Pulis Panalo.”

Getting the Pope to fly to the Philippines and arranging the logistics of his stay here are relatively easy compared to the gargantuan responsibility of ensuring his safety, as well as the security of the millions of people who wanted to see him. They weren’t kidding when they described the papal visit as a “security nightmare.” But the PNP, under Roxas, pulled it off without a glitch.

Given that more than six million people attended the Pope’s concluding Mass at the Luneta, it is easy to see that all the security preparations made, including the presence of a massive police force, were necessary. Roxas requested supplementary funds for the deployment of addi-

tional PNP forces, and almost 38,000 policemen from several regions were stationed in Manila and Leyte to form the security front line. The PNP held simulation tests so its troops would know what to do in any situation, so that all the policemen would come to work well-prepared.

Roxas also talked to several owners of fastfood chains to provide meals for the policemen. And while being a part of Pope Francis’ security contingent is already a great honor, Roxas also awarded the Pope Francis Service Medal to each cop who served during the papal visit as a recognition of their exemplary service.

The news programs were rife with reminders of what to bring and what not to bring, what to do, and other safety reminders. That is because the Department of Interior and Local Government, under Roxas, coordinated with the television networks in disseminating information on risk management. He also asked the media to refrain from using drones to gather footage of any of the events during the papal visit as these could pose security risks.

The DILG also asked the National Telecommunications Commission to request that cell sites be shut down along

the routes of the papal convoy to prevent the detonation of bombs using cell phones as triggering devices. Though there were people who grumbled about the lack of cell services, they still understood that it was necessary for the safety of the Pope and the good of all.

Anticipating a massive crowd, Roxas ordered anti-stampede measures, including the use of elevated platforms and the sectioning of devotees into quadrants, which proved to be an effective method to preclude overcrowding and stampedes during the Mass at the Luneta, and allowed the Pope to easily move through and interact with the crowds.

In the end, Roxas and the DILG’s hard work paid off. A few hours before Pope Francis returned to Rome, he personally thanked them for the security preparations. It was a job well done and worth commending.

But let us not forget the devotees.

Except for the tons of trash left behind, they were welldisciplined all along the routes of the Pope.

Going back to the Mamasapano massacre, some people wonder whether things would have turned out differently had Roxas been consulted on the operation. But although he is the head of the DILG and the PNP, he

was not even informed of the mission.

But all that is water under the bridge now. Let us wait for the PNP board to submit its findings, which should be made public so we can all make a reasoned opinion on all these issues. *** My daughter has been a Globe subscriber for more than 10 years now. She recently availed herself of the recontracting/loyalty promo for the newest iPhone gadget. But Globe made a mess of her request. It has been three weeks and she has yet to receive her phone. Worse, the new plan took effect without her getting the promised unit. Every time she calls for a follow-up, the call center agents seem incompetent to handle the situation.

More than once, she was answered with a “Ganun na nga po, Ma’am, hindi namin kayo matutulungan (Precisely, Ma’am, we can’t help you).”

She even went to a Globe store but the same thing was said to her. The staff there did not even offer any help to rectify the situation. They keep giving her reference numbers and promises to call for feedback, but she has never received any. Our family has been loyal Globe subscribers for many years, and this is how Globe is repaying us. ■

of the dead have been quite a provoca- pano, asks all of us to broaden the the fighters with the MILF and the tion—then all gloves are off. Politicians margins of our hearts: Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fightfall all over themselves to be first at the “The President has called for a day ers who perished along with them. line to denounce not just the killings but of mourning for those who perished With other public figures, I join also the accused perpetrators, threat- in Mamasapano. When we fly our the call for an investigation into the ening to jettison all the years of careful flags at half . . . and call upon the God circumstances that led to the carnage peace-building. Media commentators whom we know to be merciful and in Mamasapano. I, too, would like carelessly throw epithets and resurrect compassionate, I shall be mourning justice to prevail, an impartial look all the hoary clichés about treacherous the deaths of the policemen who died at the factors that created what InteMoros. Why, even former president on mission to serve warrants of arrest rior Secretary Mar Roxas called “the and Manila Mayor Erap Estrada goes on known terrorists. But I shall also be fog of war,” and assign blame where on a publicity campaign to tout the mourning the deaths of the members blame rightly belongs. “superiority” of his approach to the of the MILF and of the BIFF who perBut we cannot have that fair hearMoro insurgency—the “total war” that ished in the same encounter. I shall ing in the midst of the heated atmosucceeded in clossphere prevailing ing down the camps today. And everyone It is not just the BBL or the peace agreement that is at of the Moro Islamic with a public proLiberation Front, file—government stake here. At stake, too, is the peace we as a people and natrue, but also created or media—would do tion have striven to achieve, the future we had hoped to build a vast humanitarwell to tone down in Mindanao and elsewhere in the country. ian emergency with the rhetoric, to dial thousands of civilians fleeing their mourn them, Filipinos all, driven to down the fury, to “get the other side” homes and settlements, dodging gun- foolhardy carnage or savage violence in pursuit of the most basic calling of fire and missiles. by obedience, ignorance, recklessness our journalistic duty. *** or fear. In silence, I will pray for peace.

And perhaps it’s time, too, to admit AGAINST this cacophony of brash “I will also pray that we not be de- to our prejudices, and to recognize talk and blame, few voices are raised terred from the path of peace. This how these could color our judgments to counsel reason, reasonability, san- has been an arduous path travelled and reactions. And knowing these, be ity and charity. with much sacrifice and pain. But it is more conscious of our motivations, These days, even the mere men- the only way of hope.” and seek to unravel the complications tion of peace is met with hostility, *** of the history behind the tangled mess with accusations of “pandering” to I DO not see how abandoning the that now prevails in Mindanao. the enemy, even if the “enemy” are move to pass the BBL, thus destroyWe could read more, study the hisfellow Filipinos. ing any hopes for a lasting peace with tory, and better yet talk with the peoFr. Joel Tabora, SJ, in his blog re- the Bangsamoro, would honor the ple—with Muslims who’ve inherited flecting on the tragedy of Mamasa- 44 dead PNP-SAF men, much less the legacy of grievance and hurt, but

also with people who live in Mindanao and who live intimately with the Muslim community and know the daily tension and apprehension that years of armed violence have wrought. *** IT IS not just the BBL or the peace agreement that is at stake here. At stake, too, is the peace we as a people and nation have striven to achieve, the future we had hoped to build in Mindanao and elsewhere in the country.

Haven’t we had enough of war and killing? Wasn’t the death of Filipinos—police and past and present rebels alike—enough of an incentive to us to continue to follow the path of peace and reconciliation? To escalate the conflict because of our “fog of grief” would be the biggest disservice to the sacrifice of all those who died in Mamasapano.

And as Father Tabora cautions, passage of the BBL, far from being derailed, should all the more be pursued with force and determination.

“On the contrary,” he says, the tragedy “makes its passage—through ‘the wisdom of the Congress of the Philippines’—more urgent. Here, we need the wise legislator, the statesman obedient to the common weal. This is a longstanding debt to the Filipino Muslims in justice. We owe it to them in respect. We have agreed to this. We owe it to them in self-respect.” ■

AT LARGE

‘The fog of grief’

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer THERE is, of course, grief, anger, frustration and the entire gamut of emotions that follow a tragedy.

But we need only scratch the surface of our public sentiments—as doubtless the “Mamasapano massacre” of Philippine National Police Special Action Force troopers has done—before our virulent anti-Moro sentiments come gushing out. These are sentiments born of centuries of indoctrination, of annual “Moro-Moro” plays to glorify the Christian campaign against the Muslims (somehow connected to the crucifixion), of lingering suspicions against the “villainous” and “untrustworthy” Moros, the “othering” of a people who do not share our faith or our culture.

We have, in the last few years especially, tried to hide our raw feelings and deep distrust of the Moro community, burying these beneath the surface of civility and political correctness. With peace talks running apace, and a Bangsamoro Basic Law in the works, we, but especially our leaders and politicians and commentators, have kept our language and demeanor circumspect, not wishing to offend.

But given one incident—and admittedly, the killings and alleged mutilation

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Opinion

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

17

GET REAL

Questions for government and MILF

By Solita Collas-Monsod Philippine Daily Inquirer THE STATEMENT of the Community Engagement and Advocacy Council and Ateneo de Davao University officials, members and friends published in the INQUIRER (page B10, 1/30/2015) regarding the “misencounter” in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, is the most sober and objective analysis I have read so far. The questions it raises deserve to be answered by the authorities, and the conclusion it arrives at—a call on all to stand for peace and for Congress to stay the course—deserves to be heeded. God bless the Jesuits for their clear thinking. Also, they are the only ones who point out that everyone who died in that unnecessary violence (with the possible exception of the Malaysian Marwan, if he is dead) were Filipinos.

The word “misencounter” to describe what happened in Maguindanao (again!) was coined by government officials led by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Defense Secretary Volts Gazmin and Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina. I say “coined” because this is the first time I heard the term, but it is a brilliant description. “Mis,” I read, is a prefix that means “bad,” or “wrong,” or “erroneous” (as in misunderstanding, misleading, mis-

treat), and one of the meanings of by prior coordination with the latter.” de Davao: “How then could a police ac“encounter” is “a hostile and/or adAh, you say, but if there was prior tion for any motivation have violated versarial confrontation.” Thus, the coordination with the MILF, it is this agreement? Does the suspected government, knowingly or not, has highly possible that it would deny the presence of a terrorist wanted by the admitted that what happened in Ma- presence of Marwan and Filipino Ab- United States warrant that we break masapano was wrong. It would help dul Basit Usman, and the two would our agreements with the MILF?” very much if the Moro Islamic Lib- conveniently (for them) disappear.

Which leads to another digression eration Front admitted its mistakes, But that’s what the peace process is and another question: What role did too. That’s the way trust is built. all about, isn’t it? Realizing the hope the United States play in this “misenThus, the investigation—let us that “dialogue, negotiations, trust counter”? Was it (God forbid) the hope that it is done by an indepen- and kept agreements could replace initiator? dent group—should use the Ateneo guns and violence”?

Then comes the strongest asserde Davao questions as a starting I have questions of my own: If the tion of the Ateneo de Davao statepoint: “Why did we ment: “Whoever again take the path bears responsibilWhy did we again take the path of guns and violence and of guns and violence ity for the mission and covert secret order to our men in covert secret action to solve any problem, when we had already action to solve any uniform recklessly chosen, we had already agreed, that we would take the path of problem, when we violated the agreenegotiation, consultation and trust to solve the problems? had already choment we had with sen, we had already agreed, that we Special Action Force commander the MILF. That person bears responwould take the path of negotiation, could not trust the MILF, surely the sibility for the carnage in Mindanao. consultation and trust to solve the PNP could trust the military, so it That person derails us from the path problems?” could provide backup if necessary. of peace the merciful and compasAteneo de Davao quoted Article II of Why was the military not informed? sionate God leads us to. In God’s the Operational Guidelines of the 1997 Does the PNP have trust issues with name, bring that person to justice.” agreement between the government the Armed Forces of the Philippines?

The investigation should provide and the MILF on the General Cessa- After all, it is not as if the SAF mis- us with the name of that person or tion of Hostilities: “Police and military sion was a spur-of-the moment ac- persons. The operation was so big actions and administrative logistic tion—my understanding was that (350 SAF commandos, almost as activities shall continue to be under- SAF units all over the country were large as a battalion) and so fraught taken by the [government] throughout mobilized. And Marwan has been the with risk that, according to Rep. (forMindanao and the entire country. In object of monitoring since 2011, and mer senator and AFP chief of staff ) the pursuit thereof, confrontational even of past attempts at “extraction.” Rodolfo Biazon, it needed approval situations between the [government] But that is a digression. Let us go at a very high level. The Executive and the MILF forces shall be avoided back to the questions raised by Ateneo Secretary, who is in charge of coun-

terterrorism? The President? I know that the SAF head accepted all responsibility, but that has no credibility. He is too low in the chain of command to have that discretion.

So far, we have concentrated on the government’s mistakes, some of which it has owned up to. But the MILF also has to be brought to account. Why did not the MILF authorities stop the carnage? Surely, they must have surmised that it wasn’t an attack on them, but rather an extraction operation (if it were an attack, many more of them would have been killed and more government forces involved). The SAF commander is quoted as saying that in the early morning of the fighting, the joint monitoring team of the government and the MILF called for a ceasefire but that the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters continued firing. This needs to be verified.

And more to the point, if the MILF and the BIFF were like family, why did the MILF even condone the BIFF’s protection of the terrorist Marwan, who apparently was married to the widow of the Abu Sayyaf founder? Was that not bad faith on its part? And if it is true that some bodies were mutilated, why was that allowed? If the MILF leadership is weak, we should know now. Answers, please. Trust is a two-way street. ■

WORLD VIEW

The social science of medicine

By Jeremy Farrar Philippine Daily Inquirer DAVOS—When I was a medical student in the mid-1980s, I contracted malaria in Papua New Guinea. It was a miserable experience. My head ached. My temperature soared. I became anemic. But I took my medicine, and I got better. The experience wasn’t pleasant but thanks to cheap, effective malaria drugs, I was never in very much danger.

The pills that cured me, chloroquine tablets, do not work anymore.

Even at the time I was taking them, the parasite that causes malaria had already become resistant to chloroquine in many parts of the world; Papua New Guinea was one of the last places where the pills continued to be effective, and even there they were losing their potency. Today, chloroquine has basically disappeared from our medical arsenal.

The growing capacity of pathogens to resist antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs is turning into the greatest emerging crisis in contemporary healthcare—and it is a crisis that cannot be solved by science alone.

Other pharmaceuticals are following in chloroquine’s wake. Multi-

drug-resistant strains of tuberculo- as it includes only the direct costs to areas not traditionally associated sis, E. coli, and salmonella are now in terms of lives and wellbeing lost with medicine. In rich and poor councommonplace. Most gonorrhea in- to infections. Many other aspects of tries alike, we have become systemfections are untreatable. Superbugs, modern medicine also rely on an- atic abusers of antibiotics. The key to like methicillin-resistant Staphy- tibiotics. Cancer patients receiving combating resistance is to delay the lococcus aureus and Clostridium chemotherapy take them to suppress rate at which the pathogens can adapt. difficile, are proliferating. In India, bacteria that would otherwise over- But, by overprescribing antibiotics antibiotic-resistant infections killed whelm their weakened immune sys- and failing to complete the required more than 58,000 newborns in 2013. tems. Many surgical operations now courses of treatment, we are exposToday, malaria is often treated considered routine, including joint ing germs to just enough medicine with a combination of artemisinin—a replacements and caesarean sec- to encourage resistance. In effect, drug derived from a Chinese herb— tions, can be performed safely only we are vaccinating germs against the and other antimadrugs we want to use larial drugs. But against them.

The growing capacity of pathogens to resist antibiotthese revolutionary That is because ics and other antimicrobial drugs is turning into the greatest medicines are now we have come to emerging crisis in contemporary healthcare—and it is a criin danger of folregard antibiotics sis that cannot be solved by science alone. lowing chloroquine almost as consumer into obsolescence; goods—ours to deresistant strains of malaria have been when antibiotics prevent opportu- mand from doctors, and ours to take documented in Southeast Asia. nistic infections. or stop taking as we see fit. Even This is more than a medical probThe origins of drug resistance are a the most informed patients misuse lem; it is a potential economic disaster. well-understood matter of evolution. these wonder drugs. Research in Research commissioned by the Review If pathogens are exposed to the selec- the United Kingdom has found that on Antimicrobial Resistance, headed tive pressure of toxic drugs, eventually even people who understand how by the economist Jim O’Neill, has cal- they will adapt. The Wellcome Trust, resistance develops often contribute culated that if current trends continue, which I lead, has invested hundreds to the problem by taking antibiotics drugresistant infections will kill 10 of millions of dollars into researching without a prescription or giving their million people a year by 2050 and cost these mechanisms, improving diagno- drugs to members of their family. the global economy some $100 trillion ses, and creating new drugs.

Changing such destructive behavover the next 35 years.

In order to address the problem ef- ior will require that we better underEven that dramatic prediction fectively, this effort must be extended stand the social and cultural factors may be a substantial underestimate, beyond the realm of biological science that drive it. Disciplines like history,

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psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, market research and social marketing can help.

This is true not only for antimicrobial resistance. It also applies to outbreaks like the Ebola epidemic. Combating the virus requires knowledge about its biology, the epidemiology of its transmission, and the drugs and vaccines that could potentially be deployed against it. But it also requires an understanding of the behaviors that have allowed infection to spread in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Explaining what made these societies so vulnerable requires learning about the region’s recent history and understanding why people there are deeply distrustful of public authorities.

Isolation of patients and safe burial of the dead are crucial to containing Ebola, but both need to be introduced with cultural sensitivity, not just explanations of the science behind them.

Today’s great public-health threats have profound economic consequences. Minimizing the risks they pose requires recognizing that they are intertwined with the social, behavioral and cultural landscape.

Science provides powerful tools. But we need more than science to use these tools effectively. ■

18

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Canada News

NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS

MILITANTS’ VIDEO SHOWS JORDANIAN PILOT BURNED ALIVE

Former U.S. intelligence contractor turned whistleblower Edward Snowden says Canadians should be “extraordinarily cautious” when their governments try to pass new laws under the guise of an increased threat of terrorism, such as legislation tabled last Friday that would give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service powers to actively disrupt threats, not just collect information about them.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Edward Snowden speaks to Toronto students, urges caution on new terror bill

BY ADAM MILLER The Canadian Press TORONTO — Former U.S. intelligence contractor turned whistleblower Edward Snowden says citizens of the world, including Canadians, should be “extraordinarily cautious” when their governments try to pass new laws under the guise of an increased threat of terrorism.

Legislation tabled last Friday would give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service powers to actively disrupt threats, not just collect information about them.

Snowden, who remains in Russia after leaking U.S. National Security Agency documents, says citizens of any country should have concerns about this type of legislation.

“I would say we should always be extraordinarily cautious when we see governments trying to set up a new secret police within their own countries,” Snowden said Monday night during a video conference organized

by Upper Canada College in Toronto.

Intelligence powers used by governments in ways related to political

ideologies, radicalization, influence of governments and how people develop their politics are cause for concern, the former NSA analyst added.

“We need to be very careful about this because this is a process that is very, very easy to begin. It always happens in time of fear and panic — emergency legislation — they say we’re facing extraordinary threats and again if you look at the statistics while the threats are there, they’re typically not as significant as presented.”

“Once we let these powers get rolling its very difficult to stop that pull though,” Snowden said. “So I would say that we need to use extraordinary scrutiny in every society, in every country, in every city, in every state to make sure that the laws we live under are the ones we truly want and truly need.”

Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney has said he believes that the Security Intelligence Review Committee — which reports to Parliament — has the expertise to keep an eye on CSIS. Glenn Greenwald, who received documents from Snowden and re-

ported about them for The Guardian newspaper, told the conference that Canadians have a greater chance of dying from being struck by lightning or slipping in a bathtub than from a terrorist attack.

Snowden and Greenwald shared their knowledge of privacy rights with more than 900 high school students at the conference and hundreds of others via a livestream.

Greenwald called the threat of terrorism in Canada “infinitesimal,” and accused the Canadian government of “fearmongering,” saying it’s a very dangerous yet effective way of persuading people to accept things to which they wouldn’t normally submit.

“Your government continuously hypes the threat and tells you that unless you give it more and more power it will be incapable of saving you from this threat,” Greenwald said.

The terror legislation would also make it easier for police to control the movements of terror suspects and to detain them longer without warrant.

Opposition MPs and civil liberties advocates have expressed concern that the bill doesn’t boost oversight of Canada’s spy agency.

AMMAN — Islamic State militants put to death a captured Jordanian fighter pilot by burning him alive in a cage, according to a video the group released Tuesday. The kingdom vowed a swift and lethal response to what it called a “barbaric” act.The military confirmed the death of Lt. Muath Al-Kaseasbeh, who was captured by the extremists in December when his F-16 crashed while he was flying a mission as part of the U.S.-led air campaign against the Islamic State.

KEYSTONE CRITIC SPEAKS UP IN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON — A critic of the Keystone XL pipeline within the Obama administration has weighed in, as colleagues complete a longawaited review of the project.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is challenging the basic logic cited by project supporters, which includes the Canadian government and the oil industry.

GASOLINE PRICES ON THE RISE ACROSS CANADA CALGARY — It was too good to last — bargain gasoline prices are creeping back up.Dan McTeague, a senior petroleum analyst at Gasbuddy.com, says wholesale gasoline prices are in for a two- to three-cent overnight increase across the country, which should filter through to consumers shortly thereafter.

SUMMER BEFORE CANADA DECLARED FREE OF AVIAN FLU VANCOUVER — It could be as late as June before British Columbia farms are declared free of the avian flu, but recovering from the international trade implications may take far longer, an expert says. Robin Horel, head of the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council, said a clean bill of health from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is “just the beginning” and that more work will be needed to resume overseas trade.

Canada News

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

19

Opposition parties treading carefully on new anti-terror legislation

BY STEPHANIE LEVITZ The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Anti-terrorism legislation introduced by the Conservative government last Friday received a cautious reception by the opposition parties who said they want to study the bill before deciding on whether it will receive their support.

Among the questions it raises, said the NDP’s Paul Dewar, is whether the new powers it proposes for security agencies are the best way to handle the threat of terrorism.

And meanwhile, asked the Liberals’ Wayne Easter, what about the tools that are already in the arsenals of Canada’s security agencies, yet remain unused?

But aside from the legislative elements of the bill, opposition parties are also carefully manoeuvring around it for political reasons, mindful that any quick move to contradict it could wind up with them being cast by the Conservatives as being soft on terror.

Both stressed the reality of the terrorist threat and the need for Parliament to ensure Canadians are as safe as possible.

Here is some of what they and other observers had to say: *** New Democratic Party Foreign Affairs critic Dewar.

“Everyone in Canada is united in our determination to keep this land strong and free. From time to time we will disagree on how to achieve this goal but no matter what differences we may have, we believe all parliamentarians must approach this complex issue with the respect and dignity it deserves and we know that every member of Parliament is committed to the

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announcing anti-terrorism measures to protect Canadians from the evolving threat of terrorism and extremism in Richmond Hill, Ontario last week. The opposition parties are carefully maneuvering around the bill for political reasons, mindful that they could be seen as being "soft" on terror.

JASON RANSOM / PM.GC.CA

safety and security of all Cana- politics with these issues.” need the tools to keep pace with dians.” *** the times so they can challenge On the bill itself: Liberal Public Safety Critic those that would do Canadians “We are concerned Con- Easter: harm out there.” servatives have steadily given “We are supportive of all reaOn the new measures: CSIS more pow“We’ve been ers while ignorexpressing to ing calls from the government, experts and even asked Comcommissions of We are concerned Conservatives missioner Paulinquiry that our have steadily given CSIS more son of the RCMP intelligence and powers while ignoring calls from why some of security agencies experts and commissions of inquiry those authorities also need better that our intelligence and security that are already oversight. agencies also need better oversight. in place have “We are also not been used to concerned about the extent that the cuts Conwe believe they servatives have could have been made to the police, intelligence sonable measures that will keep to arrest and detain those that and broader security agencies the public safe in Canada and might want to do Canadians in recent years. Unfortunately, we understand that in order harm. In terms of the additionall too often in the past we’ve to fight terrorism that police al powers that are in this legisseen the government playing agencies and security agencies lation, as I indicated we will be

reviewing it, see how far they go and question the various authorities on why what’s in place hasn’t been used and are these additional powers absolutely necessary for the agencies to do their job.” *** The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, on the elements of the bill which give police greater powers to go after terrorist propaganda online: “Criminalizing people’s words and thoughts is misguided and won’t make Canadians any safer. We will be less free, less democratic and less likely to know who to keep an eye on. This new law will impose a broad chill on legitimate political speech without enhancing public safety, and is likely unconstitutional.” — Micheal Vonn, policy director of the British Columbia Civil Liberties’ Association. *** Susheel Gupta, whose mother died in the Air India terrorist attack: “We’re very pleased to see any laws that thwart terrorism.

We want to ensure that no other Canadians suffer as we have.” *** Privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien: “This act would seemingly allow departments and agencies to share the personal information of all individuals, including ordinary Canadians who may not be suspected of terrorist activities, for the purpose of detecting and identifying new security threats. It is not clear that this would be a proportional measure that respects the privacy rights of Canadians. ... I am also concerned that the proposed changes to information sharing authorities are not accompanied by measures to fill gaps in the national security oversight regime.”

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Canada News

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

FRIDAY

He’s No. 1: Urban research group names Calgary’s Naheed Nenshi top world mayor

BY BILL GRAVELAND The Canadian Press

Prime Minister Stephen Harper thanks John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, for his years of dedicated service after accepting his resignation in the House of Commons this week.

DEB RANSOM / PM.GC.CA

John Baird to resign as foreign affairs minister and not run again

BY JENNIFER DITCHBURN The Canadian Press

For Harper, Baird is the second key minister to resign from cabinet in less than a year. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty died last April shortly after announcing his departure from cabinet. Like Flaherty, Baird is also well-liked by his caucus colleagues.

Baird has spent a lifetime in politics, joining the Progressive Conservative youth wing and going on to work in the Parliament Hill office of cabinet minister Perrin Beatty. In 1995, he won a seat in the Ontario legislature, and went on

in ushering through the first major piece of legislation, the Federal Accountability Act, as president of the Treasury OTTAWA — John Baird, one of Board.

Prime Minister Stephen HarpLater, as environment miner’s most trusted and high-proister, he helped to sever Canafile cabinet ministers, is resignda’s commitment to the Kyoto ing his foreign affairs post and Accord on climate change. As will not seek re-election later Transport and Infrastructure this year. minister, he ushered through Multiple Conservative sourcmillions in stimulus spending es tell The Canadian Press that in the midst of the economic Baird announced the news downtown in 2008-2009.

Monday, shocking even some of In this last portfolio at forhis cabinet colleagues. eign affairs since 2011, Baird It is still unclear where Baird has gone from being the prime is headed, and minister’s pitInternational bull during quesTrade Minister tion period to Ed Fast appears taking on a more poised to take The minister is looking to turn the statesman-type over as acting page on 20 years of public service, role on the world foreign minister. and like anyone in public office, is stage.

Baird is schedlooking for new opportunities at the He has been uled to address young age of 45. the voice of Parliament on Harper’s foreign Tuesday mornpolicy, one that ing to officially is resolutely proannounce his resignation. to hold a variety of posts in the Israel, outspoken against Rus“The minister is looking to government of Tory Premier sia’s incursions into Ukraine, turn the page on 20 years of Mike Harris. and openly critical of the Unitpublic service, and like anyone Baird was one of the “blue” ed Nations. in public office, is looking for Tories who supported the Baird has taken on some key new opportunities at the young merger of the Progressive issues, including speaking out age of 45,” said a Conservative Conservative and Canadian forcefully on discrimination close to Baird who spoke on Alliance parties, but more im- against gays and lesbians intercondition of anonymity. portantly supported Stephen nationally, and against forced Some Tories are speculating Harper’s bid for the leadership child marriages. the Ottawa politician is headed of the new Conservative Party Just this week, Baird has been to a career in the private sector. of Canada. working to secure the release of “These are potentially peak When the Conservatives Egyptian-Canadian journalist earning years for him,” said one formed a government in 2006, Mohamed Fahmy from a Cairo Toronto-area Conservative.

Harper gave him the lead role prison. www.canadianinquirer.net

CALGARY — Naheed Nenshi (nah-HEHD’ NEHN’-shee) of Calgary has received an unexpected birthday gift after being named the No. 1 mayor in the world by an international urban research institute.

Nenshi, who was nominated

by Calgarians and other Canadians, has been awarded the 2014 World Mayor Prize.

The urban research group says he has become the “most admired mayor” of any large Canadian city.

It describes him as an urban visionary who doesn’t neglect the nitty-gritty of local government.

It says Nenshi is a role model to many in North America and Europe for decisive management, inclusivity and forward thinking.

The mayor of Ghent, Belgium, was the runner-up.

The only other North American mayor to make the Top 10 in the honours given out every two years is from Houston.

“What a great surprise. What a great birthday present even,” Nenshi said Monday on his 43rd birthday.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

“I understand there were scores of people — Calgarians and Canadians — who wrote in letters of recommendation, who wrote in their own comments. To me that’s very humbling. It’s very kind of people to take that time.”

Nenshi is to be awarded a trophy later this year. An official with the City Mayors Foundation based in London praised Nenshi for his work.

“Mayor Naheed Nenshi is a great communicator and listener. He is sincere when discussing everyday problems with folks in the street and can mesmerize a learned audience when talking about the future of Calgary,” said Tann vom Hove.

Vom Hove also praised Nenshi’s leadership and management skills, which proved vital in 2013 during extensive southern Alberta flooding that hit Calgary hard. He proved his mettle again during a power outage in the city’s downtown that lasted for several days last October.

In thousands of tributes received by the organizers of the World Mayor Project, Calgary citizens described their mayor as honest, inclusive and generous.

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Canada News

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

21

Via Rail terror plot suspects ‘motivated by Islamic extremism’, trial hears

BY DIANA MEHTA The Canadian Press

Canada,” he said.

Jaser, a permanent resident of Palestinian descent, got involved with Esseghaier and wanted to “conduct multiTORONTO — Two men accused of plan- ple missions so people in Canada would ning a terrorist attack on a passenger realize they would not be safe until they train travelling between Canada and the left the lands overseas,” Michaelson U.S. were motivated said.

by Islamic extremism An undercover FBI and spent months officer, however, was plotting to murder able to gain the pair’s as many people as Mr. Esseghaier trust, which was how they could, their trial explained conversations about heard on Monday. that their plan the men’s plans were Raed Jaser and Chiwas to make recorded, forming heb Esseghaier both a five- to sixcrucial evidence in face multiple charges metre hole in a the case. in the alleged Via Rail railway bridge, The undercover plot. Not-guilty pleas which would officer, posing as a have been entered for cause a ‘big wealthy businessboth of them. accident.‘ man involved in real On the first day of estate, first met Esthe trial, Crown lawseghaier in June 2012 yer Croft Michaelson on a flight to Califorsaid the pair made up a terrorist group nia. operating in Canada in 2012.

That officer testified Monday after“Mr. Esseghaier and Mr. Jaser, moti- noon that the relationship he built with vated by Islamic extremism, agreed that Esseghaier led to the man calling him they would murder persons to instil fear one of his brothers. in the community,” Michaelson said in A conversation which took place at his opening remarks.

Esseghaier’s apartment was played for “They did this so that Canadians and the trial, in which he spoke about his Americans would remove their troops time in Iran and “a Palestinian friend” from Muslim lands.” in Toronto — a reference to Jaser — who Esseghaier, a Tunisian national who was “in the Jihad truly,” court heard. was doing doctoral research on nano“Him and I, we have projects togethsensors in Quebec, travelled to Iran in er,” Esseghaier said in Arabic in the inearly 2012 and met with people who tercepted conversation. were, in his words, “carrying out Jihad One project was the alleged attack on for the sake of Allah,” Michaelson said. a train between New York and Toronto.

“Mr. Esseghaier returned to Canada “Mr. Esseghaier explained that their intent on establishing a terrorist cell to plan was to make a five- to six-metre hole facilitate and carry out terrorist acts in in a railway bridge, which would cause a

‘big accident,”‘ Michaelson said. “He said it was to be executed in December.”

Part of the plan was also a video, which would be posted online to deliver a message after the attack that “it’s just the beginning, if you don’t get out of our land we will do more,” Michaelson said.

The undercover officer was introduced to Jaser by Esseghaier and got involved in their plans, Michaelson said, at which point more conversations were intercepted.

“Mr. Jaser stated that he could care less who dies. He said that everyone is a

Two men are currently under trial for an alleged terrorist attack involving a VIA Rail passenger train travelling between the US and Canada.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

www.canadianinquirer.net

target,” Michaelson said.

Jaser also told the undercover officer of a “long-term” plan to use a sniper to target leaders in Canada, he added.

Jaser and Esseghaier took trips to at least two railway bridges as they plotted their attack and determined the ideal location would be a bridge on the eastern edge of Toronto.

At one point, however, Jaser became concerned about the impact their attack would have, court heard.

“Jaser said that it seemed like too much work for a small result. He indicated that the train plot would result in the killing of a few ‘sheep,”‘ Michaelson said. “He said, ‘we don’t want the sheep.

We want the wolf.”‘ In late September 2012, during a scouting trip to a bridge, the pair’s plot started to unravel when they were approached by uniformed police officers who questioned them and took down their identification information, court heard.

It was at that point that Jaser explained he didn’t want to get caught because he wanted to “continuously fight.”

Esseghaier, who was angry at Jaser for abandoning the train plan, remained intent on carrying out the plot, court heard, and sought to reach out to his contacts overseas while trying to recruit others in Canada to join him.

Jaser and Esseghaier were arrested in April 2013.

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World News

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

FRIDAY

Preventing radicalization a key in terrorism fight, imam tells senators

BY JIM BRONSKILL The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Canadians must work harder to prevent young people from becoming radicalized instead of simply dealing with the aftermath, says an Ottawa imam.

There is little talk of steering vulnerable people away from extremism, Zijad Delic told the Senate national security committee Monday. Instead, the focus is on trying to deradicalize them after the fact.

Political leaders, social services, teachers and others need to “find ways of tackling” the lure of extremism, Delic said.

Last fall, the RCMP said it had some 63 active security investigations on 90 suspected extremists who intended to join fights abroad or who had returned to Canada.

The federal government has since introduced two bills aimed at reinforcing or expanding the ability of Canadian se-

curity agencies to investigate and deter terrorist threats.

Legislation tabled last Friday would give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service powers to actively disrupt threats, not just collect information about them. It would also make it easier for police to control the movements of terror suspects and to detain them longer without warrant.

Opposition MPs and civil liberties advocates expressed concern Monday the bill did not boost oversight of Canada’s spy agency — concerns the Conservative government quickly dismissed.

Delic’s comments came shortly after two Muslim organizations said they were deeply troubled by language Prime Minister Stephen Harper used in presenting the bill.

“It doesn’t matter what the age of a person is, or whether they’re in their basement, or whether they’re in a mosque or somewhere else,” Harper said Friday. “When you are engaged in activities that explicitly pro-

mote or advocate terrorism, that is a serious criminal offence no matter who you are.”

The National Council of Canadian Muslims and the Canadian Muslim Lawyers’ Association took offence Monday at the reference to mosques as seedbeds of terrorism.

“We remind the prime minister that Canadian mosques and Islamic associations across the country are at the forefront in confronting radicalization towards violent extremism and have and continue to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement and security agencies to promote public safety.”

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said it was irresponsible of Harper to “throw the mosques into his comments.”

“It was a form of Islamaphobia, and it was wrong.”

Harper did not say that all radicalization occurs in mosques, but that it could happen anywhere, said Carl Vallee, a spokesman for the prime minister. Harper has recognized

www.canadianinquirer.net

An imam from Ottawa says that the key to the fight on terrorism is to prevent radicalization from happening, rather than dealing with the aftermath.

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the Muslim community for their efforts in fighting extremism, he added.

The federal government says it is working with communities to prevent radicalization and intervene when people show signs of turning to extremism.

It insists stronger security powers and tougher criminal penalties are also needed to stamp out Islamic extremism.

In the House of Commons, Liberal MP Ralph Goodale noted key allies have robust parliamentary oversight of their intelligence services — something he says Canada needs.

Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney repeated his view that the Security Intelligence Review Committee, which reports to Parliament, has the expertise to keep an eye on CSIS.

World News

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Jailed Canadian journalist gives up Egyptian passport for freedom

BY COLIN PERKEL The Canadian Press CAIRO — An Egyptian-Canadian journalist imprisoned for more than a year in Cairo has relinquished his Egyptian citizenship as a condition of his freedom, his fiancee said Monday.

Marwa Omara said it was “a very hard” decision for Mohamed Fahmy.

“He is a proud Egyptian that comes from a family of military servicemen,” Omara said in an email to The Canadian Press.

“They told him: ‘Nationality is in the heart, and you can come in as a tourist’.”

It remained unclear when exactly Fahmy would be released.

However, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird told CBC on Monday that Fahmy’s release was “imminent.” He declined to provide any more details.

The 40-year-old was expected to be deported to Canada

when released.

Fahmy’s mother sent a public letter to Egypt’s president on the weekend, calling her son an “innocent” man in urgent need of medical treatment.

“Mr. President, as a journalist my son never strived to tarnish Egypt’s image. It’s this Al-Jazeera case that now smears Egypt’s reputation abroad,” wrote Wafa Abdel Hamid Bassiouni.

Fahmy and two Al Jazeera colleagues — Australian journalist Peter Greste and Egyptian Baher Mohamed — were arrested in December 2013 and convicted of terror charges related to their coverage of the violent crackdown on Islamist protests. They were sentenced to between seven and 10 years.

Their trial sparked condemnation from human rights and media groups around the world.

Greste was finally freed on Sunday. In his first public comments since his release, Greste told Al Jazeera English that he

experienced a “real mix of emotions” when he was freed because his colleagues remained in prison.

Greste said his freedom was something of a “rebirth” and that the key to his well-being while incarcerated was exercising, studying and meditating.

Prison officials and Egypt’s official Middle East News Agency said Greste’s release resulted from a “presidential approval” and was co-ordinated with the Australian embassy.

Egyptian authorities had accused the three journalists of providing a platform for ousted president Mohammed Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, now declared a terrorist organization.

But authorities provided no concrete evidence.

The three were widely seen as having been caught up in a regional power struggle between Egypt and Qatar, which funds Al Jazeera and had been a strong Morsi backer.

www.canadianinquirer.net

23

Former Korean Air Lines executive says cabin crew erred in last day of nut rage trial

BY YOUKYUNG LEE The Associated Press SEOUL, KOREA, Republic Of — South Korean prosecutors on Monday recommended three years in jail for the former Korean Air executive charged with endangering flight safety during a tantrum over how she was served macadamia nuts.

Cho Hyun-ah, the daughter of Korean Air’s chairman, has pleaded not guilty to four charges. In the final day of testimony, she defended her actions as the result of devotion to work and said cabin crew in first class had erred by not following proper procedures.

Cho ordered the chief flight

attendant off a Dec. 5 flight after a heated confrontation with cabin crew, forcing the plane to return to the gate at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.

She was angry at being offered nuts in a bag, instead of on a dish. Park Chang-jin, the chief attendant, told the court he and others were treated like “feudal slaves” by Cho. Her behaviour, dubbed nut rage, caused an uproar in South Korea. The incident touched a nerve in a country where the economy is dominated by family-run conglomerates known as chaebol that often act above the law.

Prosecutors are seeking a 2-year jail sentence for Yeo ❱❱ PAGE 27 Former Korean

24

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

THE INDEPENDENT Vince Tan of Ayala Land, welcomes guests during the exclusive supporters’ preview event of The Independent, the latest project of Rize and Ayala Land in Vancouver, B.C.

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

FRIDAY

AWITAN Kimwell del Rosario, musician, arranger and recording engineer, put together a show featuring OPM classics by local Filipino-Canadian artists in Vancouver. ‘Awitan’ showcased the talents of The Singing Nannies, Grace del Rosario, Aneska Alvarez-Endique, Andrei Endique, No Name Band, PBJ with Phoebe Jacobsen, Himig Society, Nina and many more.

JOB FAIR The Multicultural Helping House Society organized a free “Career Training, Job Fair and Understanding Community Resources” event at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Centre on Jan. 31. Community leaders like Tatay Tom, Deputy Consul General Anton Mandap, Labor Attache Jimmy Jimenez, Agnes Tecson, Cynthia Tamondong, Mary Tecson, Monette Ledesma, and Dr. Gloria Samosa, among others, graced the occasion.

MAHARLIKA AWARDS The Filipino Canadian Cultural Heritage Society, through the Maharlika Awards, honored the achievements and contributions of 27 outstanding Filipino-Canadians and Filipino organizations during the Awards Night on Jan. 31, at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown. Here are some photos of the event (Photos by Freddie Bagunu).

For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net

Seen & Scenes: Toronto

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

VIETNAMESE LUNAR NEW YEAR Prime Minister Stephen Harper and and Senator Enverga joined representatives from the government of Canada during the Tet Festival celebrating Vietnamese Lunar New Year at the International Centre in Mississauga, On. on Feb. 1. Here are highlights of the event (Photos from Senator Enverga’s FB).

KNIGHTS OF RIZAL Photo shows Joaquin (Jojo) T. Taduran, Jr., KCR, chancellor of the Scarborough Chapter of the Order of the Knights Canada Region, as the official representative of the OKOR Scarborough Chapter and flag bearer during the 20th International Assembly of the Order of the Knights of Rizal which will be held from Feb. 19 to 22, in the heritage city of Vigan, Ilocos Norte (Romy Zetazate, St. Jamestown News Service).

REFUGEE PROGRAM Senator Enverga was honoured to have met the Nguyen family, who came to Canada under the Viet-Phi Refugee Program. Mrs. Nguyen, a Filipino, thanked the government of Canada for her family's resettlement. (Photo from Senator Enverga’s FB). www.canadianinquirer.net

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26

Immigration

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

FRIDAY

TANONG MO KAY KUYA BOY

Super Visas and Parental Sponsorships KUYA BOY, I want to bring my parents here to Canada. What are my options?

- Manny from New Westminster, BC MANNY, last Saturday, on my Juan Radio program, I interviewed Atty. Aris Daghighian Aand we discussed your question. Atty. Daghighian is an immigration, refugee, and citizenship lawyer with Edelmann & Company in downtown Vancouver. You may contact Atty.

Daghighian at 604 646 4684.

Q: What are the options for people who want to sponsor and bring their parents or grandparents to Canada?

A: Well there are two primary methods, the first most available method is the parent or grandparent super-visa, the other is the limited sponsorship program. With the supervisa they come as visitors, with the sponsorship program they become Permanent Residents.

Q: Can you explain a little bit more about the Super Visa?

A: Currently, most visitors to Canada may visit for up to six months when they first enter Canada. Visitors who wish to stay longer must apply for an extension, and pay a new fee. However, the Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that allows parents multiple entries for a period up to 10 years. And each time they enter Canada during that time, they can stay for up to two years, without having to renew their status.

Q: You said they can enter Canada each time for up to two years; after 2 years can they simply exit Canada and come right back for another two years?

A: Technically, yes they can do that; there is no minimum period they must be away before being allowed to re-enter.

So technically for the entire 10 years of their visa they can stay for two years, leave briefly and stay again for two years.

BUT they still have to keep in mind that even on a super-visa they are still visitors and they still have to meet the burden of proof that they are "temporary entrants" and not "intending immigrants". What this means

is that at the port-of-entry the CBSA officer has to be convinced that they are temporary long-term visitors, and NOT simply using a super-visa as a default permanent immigration method. Of course, the line is very blurry and hard to distinguish at times.

Q: How much does a supervisa application cost?

A: The actual application fee to CIC is $150 per person, so $300 for two parents. And it is non-refundable if the application is denied for whatever reason. A lawyer’s office will charge you more to prepare the application, but it may be worth it to ensure the application is successful.

Q: So what else are the requirements for a super-visa?

A: The requirements include all the basics you need for a regular visa, but for a parental Super Visa, you must also include: 1) Proof that they are the parent or grandparent of the person they want to visit (for example, a birth certificate, baptismal certificate or other official document naming them as a parent).

2) A written and signed promise of your financial support for your parents or grandparents for their entire stay in Canada. This is different than simply a letter of invitation for a regular visa, which does not make the person responsible.

The signed promise of financial support does make the child financially responsible.

3) Proof that you have private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company valid for at least one year and that it (a) covers health care & hospital costs, and (b) covers the parent for at least $100,000 and is valid for each entry into Canada. You must be able to show the port of entry officer your proof of private medical insurance.

4) Proof that the child or grandchild meets the low income cut-off (LICO).

Q: What is the “low-income cut off”?

A: The Canadian child who’s sponsoring the parent has to have a minimum level of income in order to qualify. That

amount is calculated based on the number of people in the Canadian household in total, including spouse and children, plus the parent who will be coming to live with them. There is a chart: Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) * Effective from January 1 to December 31 2015 * Your child or grandchild may use the following income scale to assess their ability to meet the income requirements.

SIZE OF FAMILY UNIT 1 person (your child or grandchild) 2 persons 3 persons 4 persons 5 persons 6 persons 7 persons More than 7 persons, for each additional person, add

MINIMUM NECESSARY INCOME $23,861

$29,706 $36,520 $44,340 $50,290 $56,718 $63,147 $6,429

I think this is perhaps the biggest problem or oversight in the super-visa system. Five siblings who all want to have their mother come to Canada cannot combine incomes for the purposes of meeting the minimum income requirements. So if each of their households on their own is just shy of LICO, but together they have more than enough resources to support their mother, it doesn’t matter. There has to be one applicant child who meets LICO. This of course is ridiculous because five children who earn a combined $100,000+ are much better able to support their parents than a single child.

ent in Canada for at least a year in advance. Upon the parents entering Canada, they will have to provide proof to the officer that they are covered by a medical insurance company for a full year of coverage.

Q: And how much does this medical insurance cost?

A: That really depends on the insurance company and which company and coverage plan you choose. And it also depends on the age and health of the parents. But in any event, it’s not cheap. I’ve previously seen around $250 per month per person.

Here are some examples, on how the calculation is done: • The inviting child or grandchild in Canada is not married and has no children. He or she has invited one parent to visit Canada for a two-year stay. The family size is two, therefore $29,706.

Q: So, if you • The inviting qualify, and once family in Canayou have an enda is a family of tire package prefour (the inviting The government much prefers pared, how long child or grandpeople simply use super-visas so the does it take to rechild, the spouse costs of the parents medical and ceive the superand two depenother expenses are always on the visa? dent children). children.

A: ProcessThey plan to host ing times vary two visiting pardepending on ents. The family which visa is prosize is six, therefore $56,718. cessing the application. Usually Q: Can you tell me more the wait time is not too long, Q: So, in calculating the mini- about the medical insurance a matter of weeks normally. mum income requirements requirement?

Currently for regular visas at can multiple children, brothers A: Yes, this is among the big- the Manila office the processand sisters, who want to bring gest requirements for obtain- ing time is listed as 9 days. Altheir parents, combine their in- ing a super-visa. Prior to the though that time may be somecomes? parents’ arrival, the sponsor- what longer for processing a A: Unfortunately, as it cur- ing child must purchase private super-visa as there’s a bit more rently stands, the answer is no. medical insurance for the par- evaluation that goes into it. www.canadianinquirer.net

Immigration

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Q: If a parent is currently in Canada on a regular visa, can they apply for a super-visa so they can remain in Canada longer?

A: No. Importantly, a supervisa must be applied for from outside Canada. However, there is the possibility of applying from within Canada for what’s known as an extended-stay visitor visa. The extended stay visitor visa can be issued for a 2 year stay and has the same requirements as the super-visa, medical insurance, LICO etc.

The difference with the extended stay visa is that it is not for multiple-entry like a supervisa. So every two year period, you would have to renew it.

Q: Ok, so we’ve talked about all the long term visa options for parents, what about actually sponsoring parents as Permanent Residents. How is that possible?

A: Well, the current government has really moved away from allowing people to sponsor their parents and grandparents as Permanent Residents who can then become citizens.

The government much prefers people simply use super-visas so the costs of the parents medical and other expenses are al-

ways on the children.

However, the government has opened up a limited Parental Sponsorship program with only 5,000 spots per year. This program opens on January 1st every year, and there are lineups at the CIC offices to get completed applications submitted at 9am that morning.

This year on January 16, 2015, CIC issued a notice saying the cap had been reached, meaning no one else can sponsor their parents or grandparents until next year in 2016.

Q: So what are the requirements for this sponsorship then?

A: The requirements are much the same as for the supervisa, except the minimum income necessary is 30% higher.

So it’s the low-income cut-off amounts we talked about before, plus 30% more income.

The other major requirement is that the child and his/her spouse as a co-signer have to sign a 20 year undertaking for the parents. This means they have to cover all the costs for their parents’ life in Canada, including food, clothing, utilities, personal requirements, shelter, fuel, household supplies, etc…

They don’t have to get private

medical insurance because provincial medical will cover them when they arrive as PRs, but the children do have to pay for everything not covered by the province, such as eye and dental care.

Q: So what does someone have to do if they want to prepare an application to sponsor their parents as soon as the program opens again?

A: Well they should contact a lawyer well in advance to prepare a complete application before January 1, 2016 – and the lawyer’s office will have a courier waiting at the CIC door at 9am January 1st to deliver their package. It’s a shame the government only allows such few sponsorships, but that’s the strict approach they take to families these days.

We invite you to tune in to our weekly legal advice program “Tanong Mo Kay Kuya Boy” every Saturday from 130 pm on JUAN RADIO 96.1 FM. Every week, we will feature various professional lawyers who will discuss and give advice about different legal topics. If you have any legal questions, send an email to kuyaboycanada@ gmail.com

www.canadianinquirer.net

27

Former Korean...

Woon-jin, the Korean Air executive accused of pressuring cabin crew to cover up the incident and lie to investigators from South Korea’s transport ministry.

They also called for two years in jail for Kim Woon-sub, a transport ministry official and former Korean Air executive accused of leaking secrets about the ministry’s investigation.

In seeking three years in jail for Cho, prosecutors said she stood atop the airline’s systematic efforts to cover up the incident, compel employees to lie to government investigators and discredit and blame Park, the chief flight attendant.

The three trial judges are expected to announce their verdicts before Lunar New Year holidays later this month.

During the trial, Cho admitted using violence against one flight attendant by pushing her shoulder and throwing an object at her. A statement from one crew member described Cho as behaving like an “angry tiger.”

Lawyers for Cho have not ❰❰ 23

disputed the major elements of the prosecutor’s account of events. Instead, they have focused on a technical rebuttal of the charges. That has included trying to demonstrate that the flight attendants didn’t know proper service procedures.

On the most serious charge of changing a flight’s route, they argued that events fell short of that definition because the plane was only meters (yards) from the gate when it turned back.

Cho, who has been in custody since Dec. 30, said she did not realize the chief flight attendant has law enforcement authority during the flight and that ordering him off the plane was consequently a risk to safety. The “final call” about returning to the gate was made by the captain, she said.

“I think this case happened because of devotion to my work and because I could not be considerate to other people,” Cho said.

Last week, cabin crew told the court they were pressured

by Korean Air executives to cover up the incident and lie to investigators.

28

Community News

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Philippine posts hike consular fees THE NEW fee schedule for passports, travel documents and consular services fees of the Philippine foreign posts in Canada came into effect starting Feb. 1. The new rates will be implemented at the consular section of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, and the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and Vancouver and for applicable services provided

by Philippine consular offices in Charlottetown, Edmonton, Halifax, St. John’s, and Winnipeg, as well as in all full service consular outreach missions across Canada.

The adjustment in fees is the first since September 2007, and the first increase in passport fees since the Philippine machine-readable passport, and subsequently the biometric e-passport passport was intro-

A passport applicant being served during a consular outreach program in Canada.

duced in Canada. The new fee structure reflects adjustments necessary due to foreign exchange fluctuations and is determined based on prior study by and due approval from the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.

The adjustments enables the Philippine Foreign Service in Canada to continue to provide

quality and timely services to its clientele, and facilitate secure travel for Filipinos — while maintaining and adopting one of the more advanced passport systems available, and exceeding the minimum level of international standards established for passport issuances around the globe.

Below are the new rates:

FRIDAY

Ontario launches Filipino-Chinese radio forum A CREATIVE group of Filipino-Chinese in Ontario is set to launch a radio program soon.

The two-hour 13-week episode will be in both English and Chinese languages.

According to the show’s producers, a Filipino-Canadian and a Chinese-Canadian will be co-hosting the show. Usual topics will include but not limited to arts, culture, leisure, food, music, entertainment and business. Upcoming artists, entertainers, community leaders and the like will also showcase their talents and skills.

Expected to be featured are those coming from the worldrenowned International Professional Entertainment Network (IPEN) headed by Edgar Sulit; Superstar N Company Inc. (headed by Julie Suen - RBC’s 2015 Top New Immigrants In Canada) that performed at events in Chinese malls and street festivities; locally-based entertainers and upcoming community leaders.

The group aims to help bridge the gap between the people of the Philippines and China but also those from other Asian countries residing in Ontario.

“Merging both Filipino-Chinese communities through this radio program would be a big challenge for all participants, producers and supporters of the talk show. But, it would be a force to be reckoned with in these growing communities,” according to Efren Faldas, the show’s promoter.

The first week of March 2015 is the launching date. It will be aired once a week at Canadian Chinese Radio (CCR) with loyal listeners in the Chinese communities in Ontario of up to 200,000 and growing.

Canadian Chinese Radio is the only Chinese radio station in Ontario that offers 24-hour, seven-day broadcast in Chinese languages with some programs being translated to English language. It had been keeping its mission serving the public faithfully in the past 25 years.

All listeners can tune in or check www.ccradio.ca, Mobi-ccradio. ca/iphone and follow it up on YouTube for more listening pleasure. For more information, send inquiries via email to adm. cchineseradio@gmail.com or ebongfccr@yahoo.ca.

THE FILIPINO Canadian Cultural Heritage Society recognized the 2014 Maharlika awardees, shown here as they gathered for a souvenir photo during the awards night in Hilton Vancouver Metrotown last Jan. 31 (Photo by Ron Fierro).

www.canadianinquirer.net

Immigration

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

29

PANGARAP : SO, OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

So, What Jobs Are Available Door-to-Door?

BY BOLET AREVALO YOU HAVE to be aware that there is no promise of longterm future in a temporary or seasonal job you get doing doorto-door. But there certainly is a possibility of getting into a new career path or going back to a career if you do this well.

When we discuss this topic, we will refer more to the temporary or seasonal nature of the jobs. I will be citing retail store jobs only because it is nearest to my knowledge and experience at the time of this writing.

But door-to-door can also mean one clinic to another, one travel company branch to another, one security agency to another, and so on.

Door-to-door literally means walking in and out of the doors of the type of company or employer that you want to apply for. Thus, even if you get stuck with retail stores, you do doorto-door to pharmacy stores if you used to be a pharmacist; an optical shop if you used to be an optician; a furniture and home decor store if you were an interior designer, and the like.

Obviously, when you walk from store to store, the positions or work available are those that they do at the store— sales, cashiering, bookkeeping, records clerk, warehouseman, inventory clerk, and store manager. But since the hiring officer will most likely be the store manager, he is not about to hand his job over to you when you apply.

Let us be clear also that academically, when you are doing door-to-door hunting, you are looking for a job, not a career or a chance to practice your profession. When I did my first

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store job, I was tempted to pity myself. Well, in fact, I have to admit, I cried in bed for two nights at least. But that was all.

This was because on my way home after my third day at the store, on the train ride home I was engaged into a conversation by another lady on her way home too. She was a sales assistant like myself, but she was a medical doctor by profession.

From my country, I know how expensive and how difficult it is to become a doctor, which is on the average eight to ten years of studying, residency and internship.

While I was an assistant vice president from my past professional life, it did not cost me that much nor did it take me that long to prepare academically for my career. So why cry on the third day?

But do you believe in destiny?

In an earlier column I said, where you are is your destiny.

What you will be will be the re-

sult of what you do where you are.

While you may be out looking for a store job, it can happen that you will get to meet some other people who will be instrumental in putting you in an entirely different job or another job. Your very act of walking in and out of these stores is networking in itself. In that, along the way, you may meet someone who will bring you what could have been designed for you.

You may call me fatalistic.

But you cannot tell me now that it does not happen, because it does.

It can also happen that your store job may mean the start of an entirely new career path for you. You may have always known you were good with people and convincing people, but you never really tried selling to people. Suddenly, you discover that you enjoy meeting people from all walks of life at the store, helping them make

www.canadianinquirer.net

choices, and sending them off happy and contented with your brand of service.

While I cried on my first two nights of my store job, I was also very delighted because there is unspeakable satisfaction and joy in being able to make customers happy. You feel good when they tell you that you are a good salesman, that you make good suggestions, that you are very attentive and helpful.

I even had husband-and-wife customers who had to hug me when they left the store because they were just too happy that I helped them out. Or the very thoughtful daughter who was buying a present for her Mom and went back a week after to introduce me to her Mom and told her that I was the lady who assisted her with her gift choice.

Or the retired gentleman who had to apologize for changing his mind about a purchase but promised to buy something else next time because I had been

warm and hospitable.

Never underestimate what a door-to-door job can do for you.

Most jobs you will find available door-to-door will be temporary or seasonal. Even if you are looking at it from this point of view, remember that the exposure and the experience will stay with you for all time. Thus, do your best and gather as much learning and experience even in the most menial job. You will look back and will be happy that you did it.

Bolet is a marketing communications practitioner and dabbles in writing as a personal passion.

She is author-publisher of the book: The Most Practical Immigrating and Job Hunting Survival Guide, proven simple steps to success without the fears and the doubts.

Please check out https://www.amazon.com/ author/boletarevalo

World News

30

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Entertainment JUAN RADIO ENTERTAINMENT NOTES

Talented teenage jazz singer from B.C. captivates international audience

BY BABES NEWLAND

JASMINE STACEY is a 12 year old budding singer from South Surrey who is gaining recognition outside her home country.

She recently got back from Orlando, Florida, after bagging a Special Achievement Award; and an award as Overall Top Child Singer at the Actors, Models & Talents for Christ or AMTC 2015 Talent Show.

AMTC is a Christ-centered avenue for breeding new artists and connecting them to some of the most important key players in the entertainment industry.

As part of a week-long talent showcase, Jasmine along with 550 performers from the United States, Canada and South Africa demonstrated their singing, acting, dancing and modeling skills to over 80 of the top VIP's in the entertainment industry. Jasmine was invited to callback interviews with several producers and talent agents from New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Nashville; including one of the producers for America's Got Talent.

Amongst all the top awards recipients, Jasmine was the only Canadian which made her and her parents doubly proud.

Jasmine displayed compelling skills in singing, acting and modeling. She honed her vocal calisthenics through rigorous practice and determination.

Jasmine’s parents, Brian & Luz Stacey, were asked what sort of preparation their daughter went through to qualify competing at said talent showcase in Florida, U.S.A. A screening usually starts with AMTC talent scouts visiting various cities looking for fresh talents (young and old alike) while

Vice Ganda says: ‘We should all be inspired’ even without a partner

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Jasmine Stacey.

advertising their upcoming presence at nearby locations.

With Jasmine, she had to go to Washington State to attend the preliminary screening. And only the best talents get callbacks. Talents are introduced to in-depth training programs in singing/performing, dancing, acting and modeling. These programs prepare them to advance to the semi-annual Shine Showcase in Florida to perform in front of 80 to 100 of the top industry VIP's in the United States and Canada. These meetings get them opportunities to network with influential people in the entertainment business.

Jasmine started taking singing lessons three years ago when she was only 9. From then on, she became a regular habitué of local talent competitions, community events and private

functions to include “Theater Under the Stars” for the City of Surrey. Jasmine has done well in a good number of amateur competitions in British Columbia to include South Surrey Talent Search, BC Junior Talent Search, Philippine New Talent, Angel Award Talent Contest, Kelowna, BC and Journey's Got Talent, to name a few.

She was recently honored with an interview and live performance guesting on Vancouver’s Juan Radio 96.1 FM under Fairchild Media Group.

Jasmine will be performing at this year’s Chinese New Year’s Eve celebration on February 18 at the Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, BC together with another local multi-awarded teenage male performer, J.J. Cepeda.

(Email: babescastronewland@ gmail.com)

MANILA — Television show host-comedian Vice Ganda says that it is important to always be inspired, with or without a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Speaking with reporters after his contract signing with Star Cinema on Monday Ganda said: “Lahat naman tayo, dapat lagi tayong inspired. Hindi naman kinakailangang dyowa mo ang isang tao. Pwede namang nai-inspire ka niya everyday, hindi kinakailangan na mayroon kayong relasyon.” (“All of us, we should always be inspired. A person does not have to be your boyfriend to inspire you. You can be inspired by that person everyday, even if you are not necessarily in a relationship.”)

When asked if he had a “special

someone” who inspires him, Ganda said : “Inspired ako.

Ang showbiz nung chikahan.” (“Yes, I am inspired. Our communication and conversations are very much like showbiz.”)

As for his Valentine’s date plans?

“Paano kami magba-Valentine’s date hindi nga kami lumalabas? Last year sa bahay lang. Ngayon, hindi pa namin alam.” (“How will we have a Valentine’s date when we do not even go out? Last year, we celebrated at home. Now, we don’t know yet.)

On last week’s episode of TV variety show, It’s Showtime, Ganda revealed that he is “happy with a partner.”

31

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Kris Aquino speaks up, defends PNoy against critics

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer

“…by continuing to read #justsaying posts condemning my brother, I will also end up having my #justsaying piece,” said Kris.

“You know me, I trained myself to ignore (attacks against my family), but when my brother’s life is threatened a line is crossed that I will stand up to defend,” she said in answer to @lovelyalvarezmojica Aside from this, the actress host also said that she takes death threats seriously after her father, the late Senator

one who kept me safe,” she said to @estrada_kaye.

Kris was firm in saying that she will continue to support her MANILA — Queen of all media brother as long as there will be Kris Aquino on Sunday defendpeople convicting him. ed her brother President BenigPrior to this, last January 31, no Aquino III on social media Kris posted a photo of her with against criticisms and negative singer Michael Buble with a comments about the President caption saying how she prenot meeting the returning bodpared herself for all types of ies of the elite cops who died reactions once she visited the last week in Maguindanao. families of the soldiers.

Even though the President “On a day when I just had was present and spent time to stay strong & accept with with the families of slain Spesteadfast courage all the anger, cial Action Force on a day when I troops during felt how hard it the necrologiwas to practice cal services held quiet dignity, on last January 30, You know me, I trained myself to a day I taught many criticized ignore (attacks against my family), myself that it’s his absence but when my brother’s life is not about me, when the bodthreatened a line is crossed that that my pain ies of the police I will stand up to defend. is minuscule arrived at Vilin comparison lamor Air Base. to the widows, The hashtag #nasaanangpan- Ninoy Aquno, was assassinated mothers, fathers & brothers I gulo (Where is the President?) way back in 1983. spent quiet, private time with trended on various social me“You seem to forget, my dad last night, when not one of them dia platforms including Twitter was assassinated, so I will never spoke to me harshly or blamed and Facebook. take a death threat. Even just me in the way I had to endure Using her Instagram account, an “expression.” I was 16-years- from those who have the abilKris answered the comments old when we were attacked dur- ity to post but not the will to against her family and her ing one of the coup attacks dur- do actual good, when in actualbrother. ing my mom’s time. Noy was the ity from those most hurting I

Kris Aquino.

KRIS AQUINO (@BEINGKRISAQUINO) / INSTAGRAM

received sincere appreciation even when I was so prepared for hatred, I went to work & did my job w/ self respect and grace.

To all of you who made me feel

the love and respect, I shall hold in my heart those posts. To my guardian angel, thank you. #humbled #strong #faithful,” she wrote.

Angelica, Guy share Gawad Tanglaw: ‘Walang himala!’

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer “ATE GUY, walang himala — this is for real!” exclaimed Angelica Panganiban, when asked for a message to Superstar Nora Aunor, with whom she shares this year’s best actress award from the 13th Gawad Tanglaw (Gawad Tagapuring mga Akademisyan ng Aninong Gumagalaw).

Panganiban, 28, won for her performance in Antoinette Jadaone’s romantic comedy, “That Thing Called Tadhana”; Aunor, for Perci Intalan’s psychological thriller “Dementia.”

“I worked with Ate Guy (Aunor) in ‘Whistleblower’ (2015),” Panganiban said. “She’d always tell me, ‘Magpatawa ka nga!’

Second for same film

The Gawad Tanglaw is Pan-

ganiban’s second for “Tadhana.” The first was from the 2014 Cinema One Originals Film Festival, where the movie debuted.

She didn’t expect to win even then, she said. “I [was up against] Ms Shamaine (Buencamino for ‘Lorna’). That was like competing with Meryl Streep. John Lloyd (Cruz, her boyfriend) broke the news to me. We were in New York and he woke me up, saying friends were congratulating me on Facebook. I was like, ‘How was that possible?’”

In “Tadhana,” Panganiban plays Mace, a heartbroken girl who meets a guy (JM de Guzman) in a Rome airport. The movie will be released in theaters nationwide Feb. 4.

It is Panganiban’s second project with Jadaone. They did the 2014 comedy flick “Beauty

in a Bottle.” She related, “This second time with Direk was more casual and relaxed.” For her part, Jadaone said, she used to be intimidated by Panganiban. “Everything changed when we did our first movie. I was amazed at her comedic timing.

I became an Angelica fan.”

The actress wasn’t too excited about “Tadhana” when Jadaone gave her a copy of the script to read. “I was preparing for a trip to Norway and promised to read it in the plane. I forgot. When I found the time, I was so moved, I couldn’t put it down. Afraid that she might have found another actress, I immediately sent her a message through Instagram.”

She drew parallels between Mace’s heartbreak and her own: “I would cry all day, fall asleep, wake up and cry again. Eventually, I got up from bed, went out www.canadianinquirer.net

Angelica Panganiban.

ANGELICA PANGANIBAN (@IAMANGELICAP) / INSTAGRAM

of the room, took a shower and had something to eat.” She remembered singing “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?” all night with another broken-hearted friend.

Did she think Cruz was the one? “I really hope so,” she replied. “You try to make a relationship work because you want to spend the rest of your life with that one.”

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Entertainment

FEBRUARY 6, 2015 FRIDAY

Rom-com directors open up about their reel and real love story

BY RICA AREVALO Philippine Daily Inquirer

Heart Evangelista and Chiz Escudero.

HEART EVANGELISTA (@ IAMHEARTE) / INSTAGRAM

Heart hopes parents will attend wedding, but is ready to walk down the aisle alone

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Actress Heart Evangelista is hoping against hope that her parents will be part of the ceremony, as she weds Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero this February; but she also said that she is okay with walking down the aisle on her own, if need be.

“Actually ever since before, ‘yun naman talaga ang naging problema namin ng parents ko.

It’s very hard for them to let go.

So matagal ko na rin sinasabi, even in my previous interviews, na baka hindi sila pumunta. Siyempre may konting hope ako na dumating sila. But I’ve accepted that,” Evangelista told reporters on Monday. (“Actually ever since before, that has been my problem with my parents. It’s very hard for

them to let go. So I have been saying for a long time, even in my previous interviews, that they might not go. Of course I have a little hope that they will be there. But I’ve accepted that.”)

She added that if she had to walk solo, this would stand as testament to how she has been brave in the face of challenges in her life.

“It is also big for me to walk na mag-isa kasi parang ‘yon na rin ang naging journey ko, na maging brave. Pinaninindigan ko ‘to and this is my lifetime choice. As a woman, this is where I will go,” she added. (“It is also big for me to walk alone because this has somehow already been my journey, to be brave. I have stood by my decision and this is my lifetime choice. As a woman, this is where I will go.”)

In the possible absence of her

parents, Evangelista’s siblings will walk her halfway down the aisle, instead.

“Actually, they [siblings] wanted to walk me down the aisle. Pero sinabi ko na daddy ko lang talaga ang gusto kong maglakad sa akin. So walang magre-replace sa kanya.

Maglalakad ako pero sa bandang gitna, nandoon ‘yung mga kapatid ko. Sila ang magbibigay sa akin kay Chiz,” she said. (“Actually, they [siblings] wanted to walk me down the aisle. But I said that it is only my dad who I want to walk me down the aisle. So no one will replace him. I will walk alone, but towards the middle, my siblings will be there. They will give me away to Chiz.”)

The Evangelista-Escudero nuptials will be held on February 15, at the Balesin Island Club in Quezon province.

www.canadianinquirer.net

DIRECTORS DAN Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone first met at the gala night of the latter’s “Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay” in 2011. At the time, they were in relationships with other people.

Villegas recalls, “Her speech was very funny, and she had to stretch it because Lilia was late. She was so cute. She was a brilliant writer and director, and I wanted to work with her!”

They met again two years later on the set of “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo?,” where Villegas was the cinematographer and Jadaone the script continuity supervisor.

Jadaone shares, “When I broke up with my boyfriend, tinodo ni Dan ang panliligaw sa akin (Dan courted me with his everything). He’s thoughtful. He sends me flowers and picks me up.”

The couple, who will spend Valentine together in Spain, have made a pact to collaborate on their film projects. Last year alone, they did “Beauty in a Bottle,” “Relaks, It’s Just Pagibig,” “English Only, Please” and “That Thing Called Tadhana.”

How do they take care of their relationship? Villegas replies, “Always say yes. I’m objective, she’s more emotional. Last year was hard for us—we were working on four films! We didn’t know what to prioritize—those projects or our relationship!”

But, they “survived” because

Dan thinks that what they have is true love.

More demonstrative

The 32-year-old director of “English Only, Please” elaborates, “Between the two of us, I am more mushy. She isn’t comfortable when I tease her, but she’s more demonstrative in social media.”

Jadaone discloses, “Dan has been guiding my career. Initially, I was against it. Why steer my life for me? Everything is in order, after all. But, later, I realized that what he was giving me was focus and direction.”

Villegas’ successful directing stint at the MMFF was orchestrated by Jadaone. He says, “I’m happy working as a cinematographer—I find it fulfilling. When Atty. Joji Alonso, producer of the film, wanted to join the festival, it was Antoinette who suggested that I direct it.”

On Feb. 4, Jadaone’s “That Thing Called Tadhana” will be shown in cinemas nationwide.

Why are her rom-coms wellreceived? She answers, “Like me, my movies are light and talky. I don’t like melodramas.

I think my films are grounded in reality—and they’re inspired by real people and situations.”

Any advice to new filmmakers? Antoinette stresses, “You have to have the right attitude to be in this business. Start from the bottom. You can’t learn directing overnight. We don’t know when opportunities will come, so you better be ready when they do!”

Entertainment

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

33

Super Bowl game sets standards for viewership, social media

BY BARRY WILNER The Associated Press NEW YORK — An estimated 114.4 million people watched New England’s thrilling win over Seattle, making it the fifth time in six years that a Super Bowl game has set a record for the most-watched event in U.S. television history.

The viewership eclipses the 112.2 million who watched Seattle beat Denver in the 2014 game, the Nielsen company said. The game also set standards for social media and online.

“Right now the NFL and the Super Bowl are defying media gravity,” Mark Lazarus, NBC Sports Group chairman, said on Monday. With the buildup involving the league’s two top teams and a controversy over the inflation of footballs in the Patriots’ conference championship, the game may have set another record even without the compelling finish, he said.

But that finish — a circus catch to put the Seahawks on the doorstep of a last-minute

win and a game-saving interception by the Patriots’ Malcolm Butler — kept viewers glued to the tube. An estimated 120.3 million people were watching during the last 10 minutes that the game was being shown, Nielsen said. Lazarus said there were likely even more viewers, because Nielsen doesn’t count people watching in sports bars, for example.

In Canada , CTV reported in a release that an average audience of 9.2 million viewers on CTV and RDS watched the big game. That’s a 13 per cent increase over the previous average of 8.18 million viewers for the 2012 Super Bowl and a 16 per cent increase compared to last year’s game.

The ratings attest to the continued strength of the NFL as a television property despite a year of controversy over the league’s response to domestic violence, and also to the ongoing power of live events to bring viewers together before their televisions.

Katy Perry has bragging rights, too. The singer’s halftime performance was seen by

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118.5 million people, the biggest audience ever for the halftime entertainment dating back to 1991, Nielsen said.

Facebook said an estimated 65 million people conversed about the game on the social

media site, more than any other Super Bowl and second only to two World Cup games last year for most talked-about events.

There were some 265 million individual posts, comments or “likes,” Facebook said.

The moment drawing the most Facebook comments was just after the Patriots sealed the 28-24 victory, with the second being when Katy Perry soared ❱❱ PAGE 37 Super Bowl

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

The stars are reminding you to always keep your door open as greater opportunities will come knocking at your door this week. There are a lot of good things coming your way so do not be afraid to open that door, Aries.

There will be a lot of changes in your calendar this week. If you are the type who wants to get things done according to plan, this might not be an easy week for you so you better prepare! Trying to understand the urgency of your tasks will help you ease the tension.

Being flexible will help you ace the tasks assigned to you this week. There will be a lot of ups and downs and your work will be demanding a lot of your time.

Don’t worry. The stars will surely reward you for all your efforts.

People may try to bring you down with their words. You will be hearing a lot of negative feedback this week, but don’t be discouraged Capricorn. Take those words positively and use it to plot your next big steps. You will amaze them with the changes you’ll make, so start working!

TAURUS

LEO

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

You will be meeting new people today so you have to be extra careful in divulging personal information.

Remember that appearance might be deceiving at times so try to withhold information that needs not to be told.

You will get the most out of this week if you learn to organize your plans according to your priorities. Recalibrate your actions in the next week by considering the goals that you really want to pursue. This will help you save yourself from wasting your time doing unnecessary activities.

Try allotting more time for your personal goals, Scorpio. You have been busy the past weeks and you might have forgotten to balance your time for work and for your family. You wouldn’t want to worsen family problems in the coming week so start planning to take your family out.

Now is the best time to recharge your battery packs, Aquarius.

You’ve been having a hard time figuring out where to start, given the workload you have. You might be needing a week-long relaxation so you can recharge and prepare yourself for tiresome days.

GEMINI

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

(FEB 19 - MAR 20)

Building your contacts might be necessary in your professional work, Gemini. Start working on your ability to communicate with people. You might need to begin with going out with friends on Friday night so you can improve your social skills.

Instead of mourning over a relationship that didn’t worked out, a goal you failed to achieve, or a conversation that caused you so much pain, try diverting your attention to restructuring your life goals. Grab a pen and a paper and write what needs to be done.

Creating a check-list will help you ease the gravity of your workload this week. Grab a paper and list down all that needs to be done in order of urgency.

Try focusing those on the top list and you’ll just find yourself staring at a list full of check marks!

www.canadianinquirer.net

Being too demanding might cause you trouble this week, Pisces. You will need to rethink before you speak to avoid any further conflict with the people around you. Understanding the limitations surrounding your requests will help you ease up a bit.

34

Entertainment

FEBRUARY 6, 2015 FRIDAY

As Whitney Houston’s daughter remains hospitalized, haunting parallels emerge

BY KATE BRUMBACK AND TAMARA LUSH The Associated Press ROSWELL, GEORGIA — The parallels are haunting: Bobbi Kristina Brown and her mother, Whitney Houston, were both found face-down in bathtubs as the music industry prepared for the Grammy Awards.

Both lived in the constant glare of entertainment industry attention, both struggled with drugs; both married men criticized by family and friends as wrong for them.

As the pop star’s 21-year-old daughter lay hospitalized Monday, police in Roswell, Georgia, issued a very brief incident report, saying officers were called Saturday in response to her “drowning” at her home in suburban Atlanta. Her husband, Nick Gordon, was at the scene and tried to revive her while a friend called 911.

“Bobbi Kristina is fighting for her life and is surrounded by immediate family,” a Houston family statement said Monday.

“We are asking you to honour our request for privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your prayers, well wishes, and we greatly appreciate your continued support.”

With no details forthcoming from police or family about her condition or what may have caused the tragedy, many people looked to see what she’s been posting online. Her last tweet, from Thursday, reflected obvious frustration over her failure to break out as an entertainer: “Let’s start this career up&&moving OUT to TO YOU ALLLL quick shall we !?!???!”

Two days later, her non-responsive body was discovered, in circumstances eerily similar to her mother’s death.

On Feb. 11, 2012, just before the Grammys, Houston’s assistant found the singer’s lifeless body face-down in a foot of water. Authorities found a dozen prescription drug bottles in the Beverly Hills Hotel suite and listed heart disease and cocaine use as contributors, but concluded that she accidentally drowned.

Bobbi Kristina, then 18, be-

Bobbi Kristina Brown (left) performing with her mother, Whitney Houston, in 2009.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

came so distraught that she Bobbi Kristina inherited her Brown at the Soul Train Muneeded to be hospitalized. mother’s entire estate, but not sic Awards in 1989. The gifted “She wasn’t only a mother, her voice. Aside from her fam- singer and her bad boy partner she was a best friend,” she told ily’s short-lived reality TV show married in 1992, much to the Oprah shortly after her moth- “The Houstons: On Our Own,” dismay of Houston’s family. It er’s death in 2012. she has mostly appeared in on- was a toxic relationship, charBobbi Kristina identified line “selfies” and images cap- acterized by domestic violence herself on Twitter as “Daughter tured by paparazzi. and drugs. A year later, she gave of Queen WH,” “Entertainer/ She told Oprah she wanted birth to Bobbi Kristina, and by Actress” with the time she was William Morris a toddler, Hous& Co., and “LAST ton told S2Sof a dying breed.”

Magazine that But her mother Bobbi Kristina identified herself on she was a “funcwas an impossiTwitter as “Daughter of Queen WH,” tioning junkie.” ble act to follow. . . . But her mother was an impossible Her husband’s Houston had act to follow. struggles with her first No. 1 hit addiction also at 22, and then have been also a flurry of No. well-chronicled.

1 songs, selling Around 2002, more than 50 million records to sing, act and dance, like her the family decamped to the in the United States alone. Her mother — and that she was cop- Atlanta area, drawn to a healvoice, an ideal blend of power, ing as best she could. ing service by a singer-turned grace and beauty, made classics But in the years after her evangelical preacher. out of “Saving All My Love For mother’s death, she mostly Houston’s love for her only You,” “I Will Always Love You,” made headlines for drug use, child was evident throughout.

“The Greatest Love of All” and weight loss and family disputes, She sang “Happy Birthday” “I’m Every Woman.” Her six failing to escape the tumult she to Bobbi Kristina while on Grammys joined many other had known all her life.

Oprah, and often brought her awards.

Houston met R&B star Bobby on stage. www.canadianinquirer.net

The girl made a few appearances on “Being Bobby Brown,” the reality show that infamously captured her parents fighting, swearing and appearing in court. The Hollywood Reporter said “not only does it reveal Brown to be even more vulgar than the tabloids suggest, but it manages at the same time to rob Houston of any last shreds of dignity.”

Soon, Gordon joined the family. Houston never formally adopted him, but he became like a brother to Bobbi Kristina.

Houston took the kids with her when she sought rehab in California in 2004, and then divorced Brown in 2007.

The pair who had called each other big brother and little sister went public with their romance about a month after Houston’s death.

Later that year, Houston’s mother Cissy and sister-in-law Patricia were so concerned that others would prey on the young woman’s fortune that they petitioned a judge to delay part of the inheritance, and Bobbi Kristina agreed.

The young couple’s announcement of their marriage in January 2014 troubled some members of the family. Her aunt Patricia Houston soon obtained a restraining order against Gordon, effective through April 2015.

“Damn, lol, it’s incredible how the world will judge you 4ANY&EVERYthing,” Bobbi Kristina tweeted last March.

But by September, Patricia Houston was praising her niece.

“I’m very proud of Krissy.

You know, young people today are up against so much with social media and everything else that presents itself to them, and they have to use everything within their power to stay abreast and to keep a foundation, and that’s what the family does,” Patricia Houston told the Associated Press. “We try to be there for her, just to try to guide and direct her.”

Throughout, Bobbi Kristina expressed love for her husband.

Just last week, she tweeted again: “Littlelady&yourgrowing young man bnickdgordon miss you mommy ..:’) SOmuch.. loving you more every sec. #Anniversary!”

35

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Lifestyle

This year’s flu vaccine offered little or no protection in Canada: study

BY HELEN BRANSWELL The Canadian Press TORONTO — This year’s flu vaccine offers little or no protection in Canada against becoming sick enough to require medical care, a study published last Thursday suggested.

The research, based on data from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, found the vaccine offers most people virtually no protection against the strain that’s causing the lion’s share of the illness this year, H3N2.

There weren’t enough cases of flu caused by H1N1 or influenza B viruses to assess whether the vaccine would have been more protective against them.

That may change as the flu season progresses — it is not uncommon to see late-season surges of influenza B illness.

But for now, this year’s shot’s performance looks pretty dismal.

“I would say overall it’s signalling no protection,” said lead author Dr. Danuta Skowronski, an influenza expert at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control.

The study, an interim estimate of this year’s flu vaccine effectiveness, was published Thursday in Eurosurveillance, an online journal belonging to the European Centre for Disease Control.

Skowronski said the message people should take from the study is that if they are at high risk of developing pneumonia or getting seriously ill if they

contract influenza, they should take other steps to protect their health.

“There’s still H3N2 circulating. So probably the most important message to get out now is for high-risk individuals not to count on vaccine to have protected them this season,” she said, noting those steps include avoiding people who are ill and going to the doctor to get a prescription for a flu antiviral drug if they become infected.

“Other backup options should come to the fore because the vaccine protection is so disappointing this year.”

Health authorities in other jurisdictions have been putting out that message as well. On Thursday, the New York City Health Department issued a health alert notification urging doctors citywide to prescribe influenza antiviral medications to all high-risk or severely ill patients suspected of having the flu.

An interesting finding of the study is that people who did not get a flu shot last year appeared to get more protection from the vaccine this year than people who got shots both years. For those people, the vaccine appeared to offer about 43 per cent protection against developing influenza that required medical help.

There is an emerging school of thought that repeated vaccination in some circumstances may actually undermine the protectiveness of the vaccine.

Skowronski said the area needs additional research.

Earlier this month the U.S.

A study based on data from several provinces has found that this year's flu vaccine offers virtually no protection against the strain that's causing the lion's share of the illness this year, H3N2.

EUROPEDISTRICT / FLICKR

Centers for Disease Control published interim vaccine effectiveness data for that country. The flu season south of the border has been very similar to the one in Canada — almost all caused by H3N2 — and their early findings suggested the vaccine lowered a recipient’s risk of contracting the flu and getting sick enough to need medical care by 23 per cent.

That’s well below the 50 to 70 per cent effectiveness estimate that is often cited for flu vaccine.

The Canadian estimate was a negative figure, minus eight per cent. That doesn’t mean the vaccine made people who received a flu shot more susceptible to getting the flu. The confidence intervals — the range within which the true number falls — went from well below zero to 23 per cent. But because the num-

bers cross zero, the study did not find a statistically significant benefit of the vaccine.

Skowronski said that in statistical terms, the closer you get to showing that an intervention had no effect, the more people you need in your study to come up with narrow confidence intervals. For instance, to show a one per cent benefit of the vaccine, the researchers would have needed one million people in the study — an unachievable feat. They actually had nearly 861, which is a good size for an interim analysis of flu vaccine effectiveness.

Still, Dr. John Spika of the Public Health Agency of Canada cautioned against drawing too many distinctions between the U.S. findings and this Canadian study because the confidence intervals are so wide.

“All you can say is ‘It’s not

good,”‘ said Spika, director general of the agency’s centre for immunization and respiratory infectious diseases.

Skowronski said the lower effectiveness in Canada may relate to the fact that here essentially all the H3N2 viruses that have been tested are not a good match for the H3N2 virus included in the flu shot. In the U.S., about one-third of the viruses seen have been a match for the H3N2 component of the vaccine.

As well, the U.S. study included more children. That could influence the results because children are less likely to have had repeated vaccinations and because they are more likely to get the live-virus vaccine FluMist, which generally induces a better response in children than the killed-virus vaccine most Canadian adults receive.

36

Lifestyle

FEBRUARY 6, 2015 FRIDAY

Hot chocolate or cocoa cold weather indulgence enjoyed by adults and kids alike

BY SUSAN GREER The Canadian Press LONDON, ONT. — Is that delightful chocolate-flavoured drink that warms us from the inside out on a cold winter day called “hot cocoa” or “hot chocolate”?

The terms are used interchangeably so often that one might assume they’re the same thing, but connoisseurs know differently.

Hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder, which has had most of the cocoa butter pressed out of it. Hot chocolate is made from solid chocolate pieces that have all their cocoa butter and results in a drink that is richer and higher in fat.

Whatever name you use, the closely related beverages are beloved around the world in myriad variations. And although there are many “instant” chocolate drink mixes available commercially, making hot cocoa or hot chocolate from scratch is absolutely the way to go, says Jennifer MacKenzie, a freelance professional home economist from Lakehurst, Ont., north of Peterborough, and a recipe developer for Dairy Farmers of Canada.

“When I make it myself, it’s basically just four ingredients — chocolate, a bit of sugar, milk and I always like a touch of vanilla,” she says.

“Commercial mixes usually have salt in them and many also have anti-clumping agents to keep them a standard (pouring) consistency. I find some of the prepared ones are overly sweet and you don’t get that chocolate flavour,” while others “have preservatives and additives that aren’t necessary.”

When MacKenzie is making a hot chocolate drink for herself or developing a new recipe, her goal is “to make sure my hot chocolate tastes like chocolate and not just sugar.” Making your own gives you total control.

In terms of milk, the higher the fat content, the richer and creamier the chocolate drink will be.

“But people who only drink one per cent (milk) would be more than happy with hot chocolate made with one per

cent,” MacKenzie says. And if stirring occasionally to prevent home and tried various things, you want to add a little touch of a film from forming on the milk. including melting solid chococream for extra richness, that’s When bubbles form around the late with various percentages fine too. edge and the milk is steaming, of cocoa, but finally settled on The sweetener used also has it’s ready to serve. a good organic (unsweetened) an effect. Confectioner’s or She says she finds this meth- cocoa powder we buy online.” powdered sugar, for example, od “really infuses the chocoHis personal “go-to” recipe dissolves quickly and does not late flavour and it blends really is flavoured with cinnamon become grainy. Brown sugar well.” and cayenne pepper and he adds a slight butterscotch flaMike Mulhern, a farmer and uses a full 30 millilitres (two vour. Those wishing to cut hot cocoa “hobbyist” from West tablespoons) of cocoa powder back on sugar can use artificial Lorne in southwestern Ontario, to make a 250-ml (one-cup) sweeteners, says MacKenzie, says he’d always liked hot choc- drink, although he concedes who recomthis might be mends reducing too much for the amount by most people. He about one-third sweetens it with if using an artifiCommercial mixes usually have salt honey, never cial sweetener. in them and many also have antisugar.

Her chocolate clumping agents to keep them a His method of choice is unstandard (pouring) consistency. is entirely difsweetened cocoa ferent from powder.

MacKenzie’s. He When makmakes a smooth ing hot cocoa or paste of the cochocolate, it is important never olate but got really interested coa powder, honey, spices and to boil the milk, says MacKen- about 10 years ago when he a little warmed milk in the botzie. Her method is to combine tried “Mayan Hot Chocolate” tom of his mug. When the rest the cocoa and sugar in a sauce- from a Toronto chocolatier. of the milk is steaming, he adds pan and then slowly whisk in “It was wonderfully spicy it to the mug and stirs well to the cold milk to create a smooth, with a bit of burn to it and I combine. non-lumpy mixture. Then she thought ‘Wow! You can do a lot Mulhern’s spiced cocoa takes adds a little vanilla and warms with cocoa or hot chocolate.’ chocolate drinks back to their the mixture on medium heat, “I started experimenting at ancient roots. Archeological evwww.canadianinquirer.net

idence suggests the Maya may have been the first to consume chocolate in drink form in what is now southern Mexico, perhaps 3,000 years ago.

Their concoction, which was not “hot” in terms of temperature, was spicy and bitter, made from cocoa seeds ground into a paste and mixed with water, cornmeal, chili peppers and other spices. They would create a thick foam by pouring it back and forth from one container to another.

The first Europeans who tasted the Aztec version in the 1500s were not impressed. One Spanish missionary reportedly called it “loathsome.”

That changed over the centuries, with the addition of sugar and later milk. But both MacKenzie and Mulhern are fans of one trait of the ancient drink _the frothing, which makes the beverage extra creamy.

Neither is particularly fond of topping their chocolate drinks with marshmallows or whipped cream.

“I think that’s just a distraction,” Mulhern says. “For me, I’m looking for that pure chocolate flavour.”

Lifestyle

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

37

Wait times for seniors to see doctor in Canada exceeds other countries: report THE CANADIAN PRESS

Canadian seniors also had more difficulty getting after-hours or weekend care than counterparts in other counTORONTO — A new report says Cana- tries, with 37 per cent going to a hospital dian seniors have longer waits to see a ER for conditions that could have been health provider when they need medical treated by their doctor. attention compared with older people in CIHI president and CEO David 10 other high-income countries. Howev- O’Toole says waits for primary and speer, older Canadians say that when they cialist care in Canada have not improved do see their doctor since they were first the results are more reported on in 2007. positive for many as“In terms of wait pects of their care. times, Canada’s posiThe report from tion among the 11 surthe Canadian Instiveyed countries has tutes for Health Innot improved signififormation is based cantly,” he says. “Oldon a Commonwealth The conclusion, er Canadian patients Fund survey of pabased on the are telling us where tients aged 55-plus evidence, is our system is meetfrom Australia, Canthat we don’t ing — or not meeting ada, France, Germameet their — their needs. The ny, the Netherlands, needs when conclusion, based on New Zealand, Norit comes to the evidence, is that way, Sweden, Swittimely access we don’t meet their zerland, the U.K. and to doctors and needs when it comes the U.S. nurses. to timely access to Among the 5,300 doctors and nurses.”

Canadians who comHowever, when pleted the survey, Canadian seniors do more than half said get in to see a doctor, they had to wait at they report receiving least two days to see quality care that is a doctor or nurse, on par with, or better while nearly a third waited six days or than, the international average. longer.

Older Canadians are more likely to get The survey found older Canadians their medications reviewed by a health also have the longest reported wait professional than seniors in other countimes to see a specialist, with 25 per cent tries and more likely to have discussions waiting two months or more for an ap- about treatment goals for chronic conpointment. ditions and healthy lifestyle habits.

While Canadians might be waiting a bit longer to see a doctor, they receive good care and service when they finally do get to see them.

Super Bowl... through stadium for her “Firework” finale to the Super Bowl halftime show.

Twitter estimated there were 28.4 million tweets posted between the kickoff and 30 minutes after the game’s conclusion, surpassing last year’s game to be the most tweeted-about Super Bowl ever. It was second only to the 35.6 million tweets sent about last year’s World Cup semifinal between Brazil and Germany.

Butler’s interception really set the Twitter engines revving, with an estimated 395,000 tweets per minute, with 379,000 tweets per minute coming when the game actually ended, Twitter said.

The television record came despite other options to view it. NBC Sports offered a live stream of the game to desktop computers and tablets, and an average of 800,000 people per minute were following the game in this manner, according to Adobe Analytics. Last year’s game streamed by Fox had an average audience of 528,000 viewers.

An additional 600,000 watched the game with Spanish-language announcers on an NBC Universal cable network, Lazarus said.

For NBC Universal, the true value of broadcasting the game may be learned in the next few weeks. The company advertised upcoming shows on NBC, USA ❰❰ 33

www.canadianinquirer.net

and E! Entertainment, and tried to drive viewers to the struggling “Today” show by featuring an interview with President Obama by that show’s Savannah Guthrie during the pregame.

An estimated 26.5 million people kept their sets on to watch an episode of NBC’s “The Blacklist” following the game, making it the most-watched scripted program on the network in more than a decade.

A special edition of the “Tonight” show had 9.8 million viewers, Fallon’s second-biggest audience after his debut last year.

Meanwhile, the digital video recorder maker TiVo reported that the top commercial played back by its users was Budweiser’s “lost dog” spot. The second most played-back was the public service announcement about domestic violence involving a woman’s 911 call for help.

Given the game’s large audience, that indicates the ad was a real conversation-starter on the issue of domestic violence, said Tara Maitra, TiVo’s senior vice-president and general manager of content and media sales.

TiVo’s ad ranking is also a reflection of the more serious tone taken by advertisers, she said. In the past, humorous and sometimes raunchy ads have generated the most TiVo playbacks.

38

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Business

As Canadian politicians focus on the ‘middle class,’ who are they talking to?

BY ANDY BLATCHFORD The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Canada’s middle class is the darling of doting politicians everywhere — the focus of a growing list of election promises, the subject of endless speeches, the precious vote-rich prize whose support can make or break a political party in this year’s federal election.

The importance of the middle class is not in question. But its membership certainly is. Who belongs to this club anyway?

Politicians and economists often have different definitions of the middle class, a demographic Canadians will hear more and more about as the October election date approaches.

“One of the troubles with the term middle class is it’s so elastic and there’s not a clear-cut definition,” said Charles Beach, an economist and Queen’s University professor emeritus.

In research literature, Beach said there are two different arbitrary yet conventional definitions of the middle class.

One ranks family incomes from poorest to richest and then isolates the middle 50 per cent. The other method, Beach added, orders all family incomes from lowest to highest, selects the middle income (the median) and then includes everything from between 50 and 150 per cent of that number.

But when it comes to politics, Beach describes the term “middle class” as a convenient phrase politicians can sculpt

any way they like to relate to a large segment of the population, particularly since surveys have shown most Canadians consider themselves part of this group without quite defining what it is.

Politicians have recently offered clues on who they believe fits into the middle class, to varying degrees of detail.

Federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver suggested recently that families with kids that have pre-tax, annual incomes of about $120,000 were part of the middle class.

The Opposition New Democrats’ definition focuses on the middle 60 per cent of income earners, while the Liberals describe the segment as the largest group of Canadians whose earnings allow for things like decent housing, education and retirement.

Economists feel more comfortable sticking to statistical models, but even those within the research community have different methods of characterizing it.

An internal Finance Department document produced for Oliver shows that differences exist between political and statistical interpretations of the middle class.

The July memorandum, signed by deputy minister Paul Rochon, defines the middle class as a narrow, 20-per-cent slice — or the middle fifth — of all Canadian households.

In its example, the department described middle class as households where members 16 and older took home an average

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2010 income between $34,400 and $44,900, after adding government transfers and deducting taxes.

The department, which included its interpretation in a broader document exploring the “economic situation of Canadians in middle-class families,” acknowledged the subjective nature of the term.

“There is no consensus definition of ‘middle class,’ nor is there an official government

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definition,” said the memo, obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act. Major political parties have already made the middle class a focus of their pre-election discourse.

“If you want to fight for the middle class, you do it by putting more of their money back in their pockets,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said at a Jan. 25 campaign-style event in

the Ottawa area.

NDP finance critic Nathan Cullen said parties attempt to woo the middle class because so many people think of themselves as part of this demographic — even some of those making more than $250,000 per year.

Cullen doesn’t think there’s a perfect statistical definition for the middle class, but he says his party focuses its policies on the middle three fifths of income earners — or 60 per cent of Canadians.

Economically speaking, he described the well-being of that segment as a key indicator of the country’s economic health.

“That’s a critical component of an advanced economy,” Cullen said in a recent interview.

“If that middle group is not doing well, it’s almost impossible for the economy in general to be doing well.”

The Liberals were less specific in describing the middle class.

Liberal finance critic Scott Brison said in an email that many experts have differing views on where the middle class starts and ends, particularly when accounting for the regional cost of living and family size.

Without setting statistical parameters, Brison defined the demographic recently as “the broadest swath of Canadians whose working income gives them the capacity to provide decent housing, quality of life, and a good education for their families, while saving for a dignified retirement.”

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Business

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Kevin Milligan, an economics professor at the University of British Columbia, says economists prefer to leave middleclass descriptions to people in other fields.

“That’s very much a sociology concept that I’m not comfortable defining,” said Milligan, who has been an occasional adviser to the Liberal Party on economic policy.

“I tend to prefer to look at numbers and I define things in those ways .... I’m happy to talk about what happens in the middle of the income distribution or the median or the middle quintile.”

One method of defining the middle class from a median income is by setting parameters that encompass all incomes between 75 and 150 per cent of the median number.

The Finance Department document also crunched the numbers this way using the 2010 income data. In this example, it identified “middle class” as 47 per cent of Canadians.

The department says the range included households where members 16 and older took home an average income

between $24,800 and $49,600, after adding government transfers and deducting taxes.

And the health of the middle class?

The Finance document says “controlling for the changing composition of Canadian families and accounting for the impact of taxes and transfers, the income of middle-class Canadians has increased by 31 per cent in real terms since 1976.”

Looking at recent figures, here are some other potential statistical definitions of the middle class.

• The middle 60 per cent of families earned an average of $53,500 after tax in 2011, according to numbers posted on the website for Employment and Social Development Canada.

• The total median 2012 income for families, defined in this case as all couples with or without kids, was $81,980, according to Statistics Canada.

But as political campaigns have shown, the malleable definition of middle class reaches beyond the numbers.

“Politicians can use it however they like,” Beach said.

39

Macau casino operator opens new gambling and entertainment resort in Manila THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Melco Crown Entertainment formally opened its $1 billion casino and entertainment resort in Manila on Monday, hoping to cash in on a fast growing Philippine economy and increased tourism.

The company’s cochairman and CEO Lawrence Ho said the opening of the City of Dreams Manila is part of the company’s plans to have casinos across Asia.

It operates casinos in the world’s biggest gambling market, Macau. China’s corruption crackdown has deterred highrolling mainland gamblers from Macau’s casino tables in the past year.

www.canadianinquirer.net

The Manila casino will cater to the growing influx of tourists to the Philippines, but Clarence Chung Yuk Man, chairman of the Philippine arm of Melco Crown, said it would also target local gamblers who are estimated to have parted with $2.3 billion last year.

He said out of the casino operators with licenses in the Philippines, Melco is the only one with a customer base in Macau and can bring in VIP customers and high-rollers.

“We will promote cross marketing and also try to promote

this property to our customers so that there is additional choice for them,” Chung told a news conference.

Australian billionaire James Packer, who is Melco’s cochairman, said the Philippines’ strong economy, its 100 million people and rising tourism offer a huge market potential.

The resort houses a casino; the Crown, Nobu and Hyatt hotels; two premium nightclubs; the world’s first DreamWorks-inspired interactive play space DreamPlay; restaurants and retail shops.

Nobu is part-owned by Hollywod star Robert de Nero, who appears in a video commercial for the resort, alongside Leonardo Di Caprio and director Martin Scorcese.

40

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Travel

Permitting kids to travel without adult supervision may help foster independence, but how can parents determine if their kids are ready for the responsibility?

SHUTTERSTOCK

When is a child ready to travel solo?

Maturity levels and street smarts are key

BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press TORONTO — “Free range” parents who believe in raising selfreliant kids have made headlines and generated debate for allowing their children to commute on their own.

Lenore Skenazy — who spearheaded the Free-Range Kids movement — was dubbed “America’s Worst Mom” after writing a column about letting her thennine-year-old son, Izzy, ride the New York subway alone.

Maryland parents Danielle and Alexander Meitiv are being investigated for neglect after allowing their 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter to walk home alone from a neighbourhood park, about two kilometres away.

Permitting kids to travel without adult supervision may help foster independence, but how can parents determine if they’re ready for the responsibility?

“Age is one factor, but it’s actually a small factor when you compare what else you need to take into account. Really,

it’s more about the individual they can be doing or what kind bit, but most of the places he child,” said Sara Dimerman, of hazards (they) may see as would want to walk to would a Thornhill-Ont.,-based psy- they’re walking,” Fuselli said. involve crossing a busy street in chologist, author and parenting It’s also important that par- Toronto,” said Cuneo Keenan, expert. ents adhere to the same prac- 36, a freelance writer and mom Parents should know wheth- tices they want their kids to fol- blogger at playgroundconfidener their child has a good sense low, Fuselli noted. tial.com of their surroundings, as well as “By being a good role model, “I think that is (the fear) the maturity and street smarts crossing the street at a light, not for me, more than any kind of needed to travel solo, she noted. talking on your cellphone when stranger-danger, or abductions, “You can find some 10-year- you’re walking — those kinds of or fears of that nature, is just olds who are like walking GPS’s things will communicate the (concern about) traffic.... and and they’re like: kids getting hit ‘Oh, yes, is the by a car, which direction to my does happen.” house and you Cuneo Keenan turn left here You can find some 10-year olds who — who also has and you turn are like walking GPS’s . . . And other two daughters, right here.’ And kids may not have a clue where you aged six and other kids may are — even if they’re teenagers. three — started not have a clue teaching her kids where you are — about road safety even if they’re early on, and will teenagers.” sometimes have Parents should be talking correct behaviour to your chil- her son lead the way as the famto kids as toddlers about road dren.” ily commutes home. There’s safety, and gradually teach Rebecca Cuneo Keenan grew a little parkette at the end of them more as grow up, said Pa- up in Toronto in the 1980s and their lane, and she will allow mela Fuselli, vice-president of didn’t go anywhere on her own her kids to ride ahead as she folParachute Canada, a charitable until she was at least nine. The lows. She’ll also hang back and organization dedicated to inju- mother of three said her eldest observe their interactions with ry prevention and saving lives. child — an eight-year-old son — store employees as they make a “You can engage them in dis- “really isn’t chomping at the bit purchase. cussion as you walk and as you for independence.”

“To have those independent cross the street about what “I do try to push him a little experiences is worthwhile, ab-

solutely — but you do ease them into it,” she said.

Dimerman and Fuselli agree the transition from supervised trips to solo commutes must be gradual.

“You want to wean your child off of you and monitor, watch, observe how he or she handles themselves in certain situations before you gradually let go of that umbilical cord,” said Dimerman.

Parents should also ask questions and pose scenarios to determine how kids may handle unexpected situations.

“Kids’ brains are not often ready or developed enough to think these things through, and it’s not because they’re unintelligent or they don’t know what they’re doing,” said Dimerman, “it’s just because they don’t have ability to reason things out as we do as adults. They don’t have the ability or the life experience.”

Online

http://www.helpmesara.com http://www.parachutecanada.org www.playgroundconfidential.com

Travel

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

41

After 126 years Capilano Suspension Bridge still drawing in visitors

BY BILL GRAVELAND The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — He built it and they came — in droves — but it wasn’t the original goal of George Grant Mackay who built the Capilano Suspension Bridge in the District of North Vancouver 126 years ago.

Mackay, a Scottish engineer and park commissioner for Vancouver, purchased 6,000 acres (2,428 hectares) of land for $1 an acre back in 1888. He kept 25 acres for himself and what is now the popular Capilano Suspension Park for his own use as a summer home.

“It was just his property — his backyard. The bridge was built simply because he wanted to get to the other side of his property,” explained Samantha Bulmer, a media spokeswoman for the park.

“It took about a year to build and it was finished in 1889.

The first bridge was built from hemp rope and cedar planks.”

The bridge spans the Capilano River and is 140 metres long and 70 metres high.

Bulmer said the number of people drawn to the bridge prompted Mackay to get rid of it fairly quickly.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Greater Vancouver area, attracts about 800,000 visitors a year.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

“He actually sold the park in 1892 simply because there were too many people traipsing through his backyard. The bridge became very, very popular, but it was never intended to be a tourist attraction when he first built it.”

The new owner, Bruno Stelzer, saw its potential as a tourist attraction and charged visitors 10 cents to cross it. He commissioned engineer Harry Burgess to draw plans for a new wire

bridge to replace the rope bridge.

The bridge has had a number of owners. The bridge in its current incarnation of steel cable and cedar planks was built at the request of Ray Mitchell in 1956. His family has owned it ever since.

Crossing the bridge is not for the faint of heart. Although relatively stable on a busy day, the number of visitors on it can cause it to jump and sway slightly.

“You do find the occasional person who is very, very scared.

Some people have to try it a couple of times before they make it across,” said Bulmer.

“We do have staff around that if people do need help they will help them get across. We try to encourage people to face their fears and if they need help we’re there to help them.”

The park expanded from just the bridge about a decade ago.

It now includes Treetops Ad-

WEATHER FORECAST VANCOUVER

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ventures, consisting of seven footbridges suspended between old-growth Douglas fir trees on the west side of the canyon, forming a walkway up to 30 metres above the forest floor.

The park also features rainforest ecotours, gardens, nature trails, North America’s largest private collection of First Nations totem poles, period decor and costumes, and exhibits highlighting the park’s history and the surrounding temperate rainforest.

“When George MacKay first sectioned off that land he also was the person to set aside the land for Stanley Park. A lot of his land was purposely set aside for recreation to preserve the natural beauty,” said Bulmer.

“With our current owners we are going back to the trends of wanting to keep it for its natural beauty.”

The park can attract up to 6,000 visitors on a busy day and about 800,000 a year.

If You Go ...

Capilano Suspension Park is at 3735 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver, B.C. Open yearround except for Dec. 25. Shuttle service is available. http:// www.capbridge.com

Long term forecast taken from: www.weathernetwork.com

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42

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Sports

Edelman’s touchdown, Butler’s interception cap Pats comeback for 28-24 win over Seahawks

BY HOWARD ULMAN The Associated Press GLENDALE, ARIZ. — Another big comeback for the New England Patriots. And, finally, another championship.

A superstar quarterback who attacks adversity like an overmatched cornerback erased a 10-point deficit. Then an undrafted rookie from an unheralded school preserved it with an interception in the end zone with 20 seconds left.

That unlikely duo of Tom Brady and Malcolm Butler made the biggest plays in the final minutes of the season, and the Patriots dethroned the Seattle Seahawks with a 28-24 win in the Super Bowl on Sunday night, New England’s first championship in a decade.

“Every team has a journey and a lot of people lost faith in us early,” Brady said after winning his third Super Bowl MVP award, “but we held strong, we held together and it’s a great feeling.”

The doubters emerged when the Patriots fell to 2-2 with a 41-14 loss at Kansas City. Then they won their next seven games.

Fans despaired when they trailed the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC divisional game then became the first team in NFL playoff history to overcome two 14-point deficits. They won 3531.

But no one gave up on the Patriots sideline after the Seahawks scored on four consecu-

tive possessions to take a 24-14 lead with just under five minutes left in the third quarter.

“We never lost faith. We never stopped believing,” defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said.

The 11-year veteran who clogs the middle won his first title

since his rookie season in 2004.

That was the Patriots’ third championship in four years.

But in the next nine seasons, they lost their only two Super Bowl appearances, both to the New York Giants and both on come-from-behind touch-

downs in the final minutes.

“We’ve been on the other end of this twice now,” Brady said, “being ahead late and not being able to make the plays to win.

And, this time, we made the plays to win. Just awesome.”

Butler is new to all this, a

lightly regarded cornerback from West Alabama who played in 11 regular-season games with no interceptions. But like the Patriots, he overcame adversity.

“I always said that I could play in this league,” Butler said.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from. It’s what you do when you get here.”

He fits in. Brady was drafted in the sixth round. Wide receiver Julian Edelman was taken in the seventh. Running back LeGarrette Blount started as an undrafted rookie.

“There’s a lot of guys that have their stories on this team,” Edelman said. “I guess we’re just a team of misfits.”

When it counted most, the fit was just fine.

Brady’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola cut the lead to 24-21 with 7:55 left in the game. Then Brady completed all eight of his passes on the winning drive, capped by a 3-yarder to Edelman with 2:02 remaining.

Then the Seahawks drove to a second-and-goal at the Patriots 1. But rather than hand the ball to Marshawn Lynch, who rushed for 102 yards and one touchdown, Russell Wilson threw toward Ricardo Lockette, cutting in from the right. Butler picked off the pass.

“I knew it was going to happen,” Butler said. “I didn’t know how I knew, but I knew.”

Maybe it’s because the Patriots never give up, no matter how bleak the outlook.

“As long as we have (Brady) on our team,” Blount said, “we have a chance.”

Sports

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

43

No rest for the champion quarterback: Tom Brady, still loving the game at 37, eyes more titles

BY BARRY WILNER The Associated Press

That team — or previous versions of the Patriots he has quarterbacked — won three Super Bowls in four years, then lost in its next two trips to the big game. Brady knows how close the Patriots came to a third straight flop against the NFC champion, needing an interception with 20 seconds to go to clinch the crown.

“We’ve been on the other end of this two times in the last seven years, being ahead late in the game with the chance to win it, and not closing it out,” Brady said of losses in 2008 and 2012 to the New York Giants. “I’m glad we had the opportunity to do it. Coach talked all week about how it was going to take all 60 minutes and it certainly did.

“It never broke our will. We were down 10 in the fourth quarter and (Seattle) being on the 1-yard line with 20 seconds

PHOENIX — Tom Brady knows what’s next: more Super Bowl wins.

At least he hopes so.

The most successful quarterback of his era was still riding the high of his fourth NFL championship on the morning after New England’s 28-24 victory over Seattle. Brady had every right to look back at his four touchdown passes against the NFL’s top-ranked defence and beam. Instead, he was looking ahead.

“I am still kind of in the midst of my career,” Brady said Monday before being presented with a car and his third Super Bowl MVP trophy, tying him with his boyhood idol, Joe Montana. “I just love the game.

I love playing. I love representing our team.”

left, but the guys never gave up.

And you fight until the end and great things happen.”

Brady knows all about great things, obviously. A twotime league MVP, he threw for four touchdowns against the NFL’s stingiest defence, and led a comeback from a 10-point deficit through three quarters. He connected on all eight of his throws on the decisive drive that ended with a 3-yard TD pass to Julian Edelman.

Brady is 37 and has said he hopes to play well into his 40s, and he works hard to stay in top physical shape. So he doesn’t see his winning toss to Edelman as his final Super Bowl moment.

But he certainly recognizes how difficult the journey is.

“Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “I was a young kid when we won those first three. I know in ‘04 after we beat the Eagles, I was

like, ‘I’m just ready for this to be over, get the off-season started,’ just because we had experienced it. Obviously, with some perspective of that game, it’s a hard thing to get here and then it’s a hard thing to win the game.

“Playing against the other best team, obviously, one play here, one play there, all things change, and we’ve been on the other end of that, too. So I’m just proud that we really got a chance to finish it out.”

His coach, Bill Belichick, recognizes the value of a likely first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback running his offence.

When the Patriots were being dominated by the Seahawks in the third quarter Sunday, Belichick understood that if they could keep it close, they had the closer.

“He’s a great player,” Belichick said. “It’s been a great privilege to coach Tom for the last

15 years, 14 years as starting quarterback. We have a great relationship. We meet on a regular basis weekly several times.

“I can’t think of a more deserving player than Tom to be the recipient of the accolades that he has this week, and particularly last night and today here. He’s our leader. He competes as well as any player I’ve ever coached. He’s well-prepared. He has great poise and great presence. He may not always be perfect, as it is for any of us. We all have our moments, but Tom, like many other players on our team, is the guy that fights to the end and competes until the end.

“There’s no player I respect more for that than Tom. That’s been a great pillar of strength for our football team for the past decade and a half.”

And, according to Brady, for a while into the future.

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Seen and Scenes

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

WINTER ESCAPADE Delegates from Toronto enjoy Filipino hospitality during the Winter Escapade Tour 2 in Dumaguete, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor from Jan. 30 to Feb. 6. (Photos from Toronto Consul General Junever Mahilum-West’s FB).

For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

Events

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Lav-2-Laff in Edmonton

By GSP Promotions WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Feb. 8, at Fantasyland Hotel Banquet Hall MORE INFO: a pre-Valentine show featuring Daniel Matsunaga, Aldred Gatchalian, Ate Gay, Cacai and Renzo. Call Bethel at

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780-710-1249; Arlene at 780-267-5630.

Calgary Travel Expo 2015

By Flight Centre and Cruiseabout WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m., Feb. 7 at North Building, Hall C Calgary TELUS Convention Centre 136 - 8 Avenue SE Calgary, AB

CANADA New WelcomePack Canada Distribution Centre

By WelcomePack Canada Inc. WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 5 p.m., Mon, Tues, Thu & Fri at the Filipino Centre Bldg., 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, On. MORE INFO: Call (416) 928-9355

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By Filipino-Canadian Community of New Brunswick WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Feb. 14, The Fredericton Inn 1315 Regent St., Fredericton, New Brunswick

ronto Convention Centre North Bldg., 255 Front St. West, Toronto, On. 7:30 p.m., Feb. 28, at Century Casino, 1010 42 Ave. SE, Calgary, AB MORE INFO: Featuring DJ Mike (formerly of Akafellas), Jimmy Bondoc, Luke Mijares, Paolo Santos and Jinky Vidal

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View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting

EVENTS

QUEBEC NEW BRUNSWICK

Breast Cancer Support Group- Merienda Organizational Meeting

By The Breast Cancer Research Agency & the Canadian Cancer Society WHEN/WHERE: 2:30 p.m., Feb. 7, Room 203 , MultiCultural Helping House Society, 4802 Fraser St., Vancouver, BC MORE INFO: If you're a breast cancer survivor, come for an afternoon reception to launch a regular weekly psycho-social oncological support group for breast cancer survivors.

Sinulog 2015

By Bisdak Christian Society of Vancouver WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Feb. 7, St. Patrick Church Gymnasium, 2881 Main St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets: Adult - $15; Children - $5 Masquerade Gala Dinner Dance Fundraiser By the Holy Cross Mission Team WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., Feb. 8, at IC Delta Parish 8842-119 St. Delta, B.C. Valentine Dinner Dance for a Cause

By Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Association of British Columbia WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Feb. 8, Riverside Banquet Hall, 14500 River Road, Richmond, B.C.

Jazz Band. $28.50 per person. All-you-can-eat buffet dinner, bottomless pop, coffee and tea BC Home and Garden Show WHEN/WHERE: Feb. 18 to 22, at BC Place Stadium Winter-Spring Training 2015

By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: 14 Saturdays till Apr. 18, at the Immigrant Services Society of B.C., Royal City Centre – Rm. 280 610 – 6th St., New Westminster MORE INFO: Contact Liza at 604-395-8000 ext.

1706 or email: liza.delarosa@issbc.org

My Tween & Me Multicultural Mom’s Support Group

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursdays, Dunbar Hts. Church, 3320 Crown St., Vancouver MORE INFO: call Daisy 604-254-9626 ext. 273

English Corner

By Richmond Public Library WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 12 nn Fridays, up to to Feb. 27, and on Sundays, Jan. 11 to Mar. 1 at the Brighouse (Main) Branch, 2nd floor Community Place Rm., 7700 Minoru Gate.

Canadian Citizenship Preparation MORE INFO: To register, visit any branch of

By Mosaic Richmond public Library, register online at www.

WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 4 p.m., Feb.18 & 19 at MOSAIC yourlibrary.ca/events or call 604-231-6413 Vancouver, 2nd floor, 1720 Grant St. Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: 604-254-9626 ISS of BC Hiring Fair

By ISS of BC Interwoven Stories: Textiles, Costumes, Cultures – WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 7 p.m., Feb. 27, at A Multicultural Fest Douglas Recreation Centre, 20550 Douglas By the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver Crescent, Langley, B.C. WHEN/WHERE: Exhibit runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MORE: Bring your questions and resumes.

Tuesday to Sunday till Feb. 15, at the Chinese CulBe prepared to have on-site interviews. Now tural Centre of Greater Vancouver at 555 Columbia accepting online registration at http://goo.gl/ Street, Vancouver, B.C. forms/7BIW9P81lY or by phone 604-684-2504.

Valentine Dinner and Dance By the Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association and Western Union WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Feb. 8 at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre 3220 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets - $22/pax

Drop-in Conversation Circles for Work Permit Holders (Burnaby)

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m., till Mar. 21at Brentwood Community Resource Centre, 2055 Rosser Ave., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-292-3907 for details.

St. Valentine’s Day WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Feb. 14, at Java Jazz Bistro, 412 Sixth St., New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: Live Music. Ed Dayao and the Java

Ms. Valentine 2014

By Filipino Canadian New Era Society of BC WHEN/WHERE: 12:30 to 6 p.m., Feb. 16, at 3925 Capri Hall, Fraser www.canadianinquirer.net St., Vancouver, B.C.

Family Sunday

By Richmond Art Gallery WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 4 p.m., Feb. 22, Mar. 22, Apr. 26 and May 24, at Richmond Art Gallery, 7700 Minoru Gate Richmond, B.C. What About

By PBJ Band WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m., Feb. 27, at Hippos Sports Bar & Grill, 725 SE Marine Dr. Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 778-918-1135

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2015

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