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Manny Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach confident against ‘best fighter in the world’ Mayweather FILIPINO boxing icon Manny Pacquiao remained humble during the press conference for his megabout with undefeated American Floyd Mayweather on Wednesday in Los Angeles, pointing to God for his meteoric rise in the sport but some of his confidence shone through while answering questions about the fight itself. “The most important thing is the Lord will be glorified. I want to let people know that there is a God that can raise someone from nothing into something,” Pacquiao said. After addressing the crowd, though, Pacquiao was asked about his opponent’s best attributes in the ring and he didn’t seem too concerned about the skill of the unbeaten Mayweather. “He has a good defense but I’m not worried about that,” he said. “I can easily break that defense.”

Roach, too, was confident during the press conference although he did acknowledge Mayweather, calling him “the best fighter in the world”. “I’d really like to thank all the people who made this fight happen. I love challenges. This is the biggest challenge of my life. It’s finally here. It’s finally in front of me. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long, long time,” the trainer said. “I’m going to get my fighter as ready as possible. We are in the toughest fight of our life. We’re fighting the best fighter in the world and we’re going to kick his ass.” Pacquiao also praised Roach during the event, speaking glowingly about their partnership. “Our team, we have loyalty in each other because we’ve been working (together) since 2001,” he said. ■ InterAksyon.com / March 12, 2015 / 6:59 AM

From Ruffa to Megan: 7 showbiz stars who became beauty queens

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March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

‘Hot money’ inflows increase twofold in February MANILA - Hot money inflows doubled last month on the back of foreign investments in two listed holding companies that sold additional shares. In a report, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it registered net inflows of $1.2 billion worth of foreign portfolio investments in February, double the $591 million the month before. The increase was due to a slightly bigger amount of inflows ($2.55 billion) matched by a lower amount of outflows ($1.36 billion). Compared with a year ago, the February net inflow was a turnaround from the net outflow of $355 million when the Philippines suffered huge outflows following the U.S. Federal

Reserve’s decision to wind down its economic stimulus in what has come to be called the “Fed taper.” That stimulus, which at its peak reached $80 billion in monthly purchases of bonds, had fueled rallies in emerging markets like the Philippines. Year-to-date, portfolio funds reached net inflows of $1.8 billion, also an improvement over the net outflows of $2.199 billion in the first two months of 2014. Unlike foreign direct investments (FDI), which help create jobs, portfolio funds end up invested in shares of stock of listed companies, government debt instruments and peso deposits, and so easily pull out at the slightest bad news, thus earning the moniker “hot money.”

Of the total amount that flowed into the country last month, two-thirds went into shares of Philippine-listed companies, mainly holding companies, property developers, banks, food and beverage manufacturers and utilities. Two holdings companies -- Metro Pacific Investments Corporation(MPIC) and GT Capital Holdings Inc -- raised fresh funds from overnight top-up placements. Less than a third was invested in government debt instruments, while the remainder went into peso time deposits. The top five sources of portfolio investments were Singapore, United Kingdom, the U.S., Luxembourg and Hong Kong. ■ InterAksyon.com / March 12, 2015 / 5:14 PM

3 groups prequalify for Laguna Lakeshore Expressway PPP project

MANILA - Three groups have prequalified for the Aquino administration’s biggest publicprivate partnership (PPP) project to date, with a fourth still under evaluation. The P122.8-billion Laguna Lakeshore Expressway and Dike (LLED) Project is the most ambitious PPP venture so far, involving the construction of a flood control dike, an expressway on top of it, and the reclamation of over 700 hectares of land for commercial development. “Initially, 3 were found to be prequalified, namely Trident, San Miguel Holdings and Alloy MTD,” Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Rafael Yabut told Interaksyon.com. Team Trident is composed of Trident Infrastructure and Development Corporation, Ayala Land Inc, Megaworld Corporation,

Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc, and SM Prime Holdings Inc. The Alloy-Pavi Hanshin LLEDP Consortium consists of Malaysia’s Alloy MTD Capital Berhad, Prime Asset Ventures Inc, and Hanshin Engineering Construction. Yabut said DPWH is still evaluating Rainbow Group, which initially was disqualiﬁed after it submitted prequaliﬁcation documents that failed to comply with the agency’s requirements. He expects to complete the evaluation of the Rainbow Group on Monday. The Rainbow Group is composed of Rainbow Holdings Inc, Pt. Nusa Konstrukski Enjiniring Tbk (NKE), The No. 4 Metallurgical Constn. Company of China Ltd. (4MCC), Shindong-Ah Constn. Company Ltd. (SCC), Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC), Sta. Lucia Land Inc (SLI), Kunhwa

Engineering & Consulting Company Ltd. and Dong Myeong Engineering Consultants & Architecture Company Ltd. Prequalified bidders have until July 6 to submit their technical and financial proposals. Technical proposals will be evaluated between July 7 and 26, while the financial proposals will be examined between July 27 and August 10. The DPWH aims to award the project on August 21 and sign the concession agreement on September 20. The LLED concession will last 37 years, including 7 years for design and construction and 30 years for operation and maintenance. It will be financed mainly by private capital with no government subsidy, except for right-of-way costs. The LLED is the fourth PPP project of the DPWH after the P34.5

billion Cavite Laguna Expressway (CALAX), the bidding for which Team Orion, a joint venture between AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation and Aboitiz Land Inc, topped. The government, however, decided to rebid the CALAX, after San Miguel Corporation’s Optimal Infrastructure

Development Inc successfully challenged its disqualiﬁcation. Other DPWH projects under PPP that had been awarded include the P15.5-billion NAIA Expressway and the P1.96-billion Daang Hari-SLEX Link. ■ Darwin G. Amojelar / InterAksyon.com / March 13, 2015 / 5:43 PM

Debate over incentives bill revives DOF-DTI tiff over tax perks MANILA – The Finance department has thrown its weight behind a bill that seeks to make investment promotion agencies (IPAs) more accountable for the ﬁscal incentives they provide investors. In a statement, the Department of Finance (DOF) asked Congress to pass the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (TIMTA) introduced by Albay Rep. Leni Robredo.

Finance Undersecretary Jeremias Paul Jr. said the Philippines lags behind other incentives-giving countries in terms of making the grant of these tax perks transparent. “The Department of Finance fully supports the proposed bill by Congresswoman Leni Robredo. The aggregate amount of tax incentives granted by the government is largely unknown,” Paul said.

“Without updating our policy tools and monitoring systems, we cannot gauge their effectiveness, nor can we properly calibrate government decisions to optimize our economic growth potentials. The current situation simply will not do,” he said. Among the salient features of the legislation is the creation of a tax expenditure account (TEA) in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) that would account for the incentives, pinning more accountability to how IPAs administer and grant such incentives, providing the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) authority to impose requirements before the award of such perks, among others. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had warned that TIMTA could open the incentivesgranting process to legal challenges. Specifying the amount of incentives, in so far as these are construed as

subsidies, could also violate the country’s commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Moreover, giving Congress the power to grant the amount of incentives could weaken the administration of the perks and so hurt the country’s competitiveness. The latest government data show that foreign investment pledges dropped by more than a fourth in the ﬁnal three months of 2014. The Joint Foreign Chambers has backed the DTI’s position on the bill, warning that the legislation as is would hurt the Philippines’ competitiveness as an investment destination. Paul belied the group’s fears, saying the transparency sought by the bill pertains to “reasonable amounts of information that investors have already been submitting to the IPAs in order to qualify for registration in the ﬁrst place.” He said the TIMTA is consistent

with international best practice, as OECD member countries like the United States, as well as a number of developing countries such as India, Thailand, Brazil, and Argentina report measures of tax expenditures in their budget to enhance transparency and inform policy debates. Unlike in those other countries, the Philippines’ DOF also has no role in the design and monitoring of tax incentives, which runs counter to the recommendations made by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. “There is no reason why we cannot show the public the amount of incentives availed if we assume that we are granting them based on investors’ performance. The Filipino people have a right to know how and how well their money is being used towards encouraging investment in the country,” Paul said. ■ Rain Castro /

InterAksyon.com / March 11, 2015 / 8:30 PM

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March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

12 Filipinos make it to Forbes’ list of world’s billionaires MANILA - The number of Filipinos who made it to Forbes’ annual list of the world’s billionaires increased, with Henry Sy of SM fame entering the ranks of the 75 richest people on the planet. According to Forbes, a dozen Filipinos joined this year’s list, up from 10 last year, with the 90 year-old Sy rising to the 73rd spot with a net worth of $14.2 billion, from 97th last year when he was worth $11.4 billion. Sy—who built a retail empire across the Philippines and China (SM Investments), and ventured into banking (BDO and China Bank), property (SM Prime) and mining— pulled away from the pack of other Filipinos who made it to the Forbes list, with the second richest Filipino, John Gokongwei Jr., placing a distant 254th given a net worth of $5.8 billion, or a little over half that of Sy. Despite being a distant second placer to Sy, 87 year-old Gokongwei— whose businesses include the country’s largest budget airline (Cebu Paciﬁc), food manufacturing (Universal Robina), property (Robinsons Land), retail (Robinsons Retail), banking and power—grew his net worth from $3.9 billion last year and overtook three others who ranked ahead of him in the 2014 list. Fifty-four year-old Enrique Razon Jr. climbed to the 291st spot this year from the 354th place last year, making him the third richest Filipino with a

net worth of $5.2 billion, up from $4.2 billion in 2014. Owner of the country’s biggest port operator, Razon through the years has expanded the operations of International Container Terminal Services Inc across six continents, and lately has ventured into the casino business (Bloomberry Resorts). 2 Tans slip. Sixty-two year-old Andrew Tan fell from 319th place last year to the 330th spot this year, even as his net worth rose to $4.8 billion from $4.7 billion in 2014. From third richest Filipino last year, Tan slipped to the fourth spot. He owns the country’s largest liquor company (Emperador), and is also in the property (Megaworld), tourism (Travellers) and food retail businesses (Golden Arches). Tied at the 369th spot are Lucio Tan and George Ty. The Philippines’ second richest man last year, 80 year-old Tan has dropped to ﬁfth after his net worth shrank to $4.4 billion this year from $6.1 billion in 2014. Tan’s tobacco (Fortune Tobacco) and liquor (Tanduay) businesses took a hit from higher excise taxes, while his banking (PNB) and property (Eton) units suffered setbacks. Last year also saw Tan buying back Philippine Airlines from the San Miguel Group. In contrast, 82 year-old Ty climbed from being the seventh richest Filipino last year to ﬁfth this year, as his net worth nearly doubled from $2.3

billion to $4.4 billion. Ty’s businesses include banking (Metrobank), auto assembly and sales (Toyota Motor Philippines), energy (Global Business Power), insurance (Charter Ping-An) and property (Federal Land). Ninety-three year-old David Consunji remains the Philippines’ sixth richest man, as his global ranking rose from 483rd last year to 405th this year. Consunji—who earns from construction (D.M. Consunji), infrastructure (DMCI), mining and power (Semirara Mining and Power) and property—grew his net worth from $3.3 billion last year to $4.1 billion this year. Jollibee founder Tony Tan Caktiong also climbed in the global ranking— from 1,046th last year to 690th this year—with his net worth increasing to $2.7 billion from $1.7 billion in 2014. Sixty-two year-old Tan Caktiong is now the country’s seventh richest man, up from eight last year, as he added mall development (DoubleDragon) to his business of running the country’s largest fastfood chain. 3 newcomers. Spouses Lucio and Susan Co joined Forbes’ list for the ﬁrst time at the 810th spot, as their combined net worth reached $2.3 billion. The Cos own Puregold, the country’s largest chain of supermarkets, and have diversiﬁed into property development, banking and liquor. Sixty-two year-old Roberty Coyiuto

The SM Group’s Henry Sy remains the Philippines’ richest man and has joined the world’s circle of 75 wealthiest people.

Jr. also climbed in the global ranking from the 1,154th spot to the 1,054th, as his net worth increased from $1.5 billion to $.18 billion. Coyiuto’s businesses include car dealership (PGA Cars) and a third of the country’s power transmission monopoly (National Grid). Rounding out the list of the 12 Filipinos who made it to Forbes’ annual ranking was Manuel Villar at 1,190. The sixty-ﬁve year-old former senator—also a new entrant to the global list with a net worth at $1.6 billion—built his fortune in property development (Vista Land), but has expanded into retail (Starmalls). Andrew Gotianun, who ranked 1,565th in 2014, dropped out of this year’s list. He operates in the property (Filinvest Land), banking (EastWest), sugar and mining businesses. The 12 Filipinos who made it to this year’s list have a combined net worth of $51.3 billion, or $3 billion shy of the world’s ﬁfth richest man, Oracle chief executive Larry Ellison ($54.3 billion).

According to Forbes, its billionaires’ list is a snapshot of wealth taken on February 13, 2015, when stock prices and exchange rates were locked in from around the world. It lists individuals rather than multigenerational families who share large fortunes. In some cases siblings and couples are listed together if the ownership breakdown among them isn’t clear; however, they still must be worth a minimum of $2 billion together to make the cut. Forbes’ list includes 1,826 billionaires, up from 1,645 last year. Their combined net worth has risen to $7.05 trillion from $6.4 trillion in 2014. Microsoft founder Bill Gates retained the crown of the world’s richest, with a net worth of $79.2 billion. Mexico’s telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helu, who is worth $77.1 billion, stayed on second spot. Investment guru Warren Buffett is the world’s third wealthiest man, but has seen his net worth rise the most to $72.7 billion. The Spanish owner of the Zara clothing line, Amancio Ortega, is the world’s fourth richest man with a net worth of $64.5 billion. Among this year’s new global billionaires are Uber founder Travis Kalanick, who is worth $5.3 billion; KakaoTalk founder Kim Bum-Soo ($2.9 billion); and Minecraft developer Markus Persson ($1.3 billion). ■ InterAksyon.com / March 2, 2015 / 11:30 PM

As power crisis legislation stalls, industry seeks last-minute rule changes to make ILP inclusive MANILA – Regulators are drawing up last-minute changes to rules of a scheme that would compensate heavy power users that resort to their own generator sets this summer. “Ang importante ay magamit yung expanded ILP kung kailanganin sa mga susunod na araw,” Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) executive director Francis Juan said, referring to the Interruptible Load Program. He said the agency will discuss the rule changes when it meets on Monday. The contemplated change in the rules of the ILP is meant to include the so-called “contestable market” comprising of heavy power users that are not Meralco customers. The ILP is a scheme whereby Meralco customers will be compensated whenever they opt out of the power grid and use their own gensets. The scheme aims to reduce demand in the grid this summer, especially during the one-month maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya natural gas platform that starts this weekend. The Malampaya fuels three power plants—Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo plants (both owned by First Gen) and the Ilijan plant (whose output is managed by San Miguel Corporation)—

that account for a combined 40 percent of the Luzon grid’s requirements. With the shutdown, these plants will have to resort to more expensive fuels. But even with this alternative, the three plants can generate only 1,920 megawatts (MW), or below their combined rated capacity of 2,700 MW. This is because one of the Ilijan’s 600MW units is on maintenance shutdown, while another unit can only produce 420MW using the alternative fuel. According to Department of Energy (DOE) estimates, the Luzon grid could suffer a shortfall of 780-megawatts (MW) for the duration of the Malampaya’s shutdown. Demand for power usually peaks during the summer months, as people resort more to cooling equipment, thus resulting in higher electricity bills.

Retroactive

compensation.

Taking part in today’s meeting with the ERC to propose the rule changes are representatives of Manila Electric Company, the Retail Electricity Suppliers Association (RESA), the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association (PIPPA) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. “Kami ay hindi titigil hanggang masiguro na ang amendments at marebisa, ma-review at kapag isalang nasa komisyon ay wala nang balakid sa pagkunsidera rito,” said Juan. To date, ILP participants can help reduce demand in the grid by only 400 MW. RESA members have pledged another 600 MW should they be allowed to participate in the ILP—and compensated accordingly. RESA has asked the ERC that compensation should apply retroactively. “Even without the guidelines, we participated. That affirms the industry’s commitment to make ILP work,” RESA president Raymond Roseus said, adding that its members took part in the ILP dry run last Friday. “The formula is still the same. There is assurance as well that any activation prior is recognized,” he said. Granting it would take time before the ILP rule changes are completed, Roseus

said RESA members need not opt out of the grid before April 5-15, which is when the Luzon grid’s reserves are expected to hit their lowest. “Majority of activity from industries comes in after the Holy Week. As retailers, we also coordinated with our members to schedule maintenance during that time to help alleviate the demand for power,” Roseus said.

Double

CBK

plant

output.

The power industry was banking on legislation to lay the ground for a more inclusive ILP, but a joint resolution on the matter has stalled in Congress, with legislators divided on who would foot the bill for the subsidy that ILP participants stand to receive. The ERC move serves as a back-up plan should legislation fail to prosper. Senator Serge Osmeña III, who chairs the Committee on Energy, today said the joint resolution may no longer be necessary, adding that an alternative exists to plug the electricity shortfall: more than double production of the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) hydropower plant from 300 MW to 750 MW. Osmeña said this is possible since the CBK plant, unlike ordinary hydro facilities, can tap two water sources: Laguna de Bay and the Caliraya Lake.

The only hitch is that the CBK plant requires additional electricity to draw water. “So sabi ko, ang dali-daling orderan ang NGCP to build a new line so puwede ng gamitin iyong three pumps. So now we will be getting, kasi de-rated na sila, we will be getting 720 MW for six hours, peaking hours ito ha—from 11 o’clock to 3 o’clock and 7 o’clock to 9 o’clock everyday. So, manna from heaven. Kaso nagkakandarapa kami dito, naghahanap kami ng 1,400 MW sa ILP na hindi naman magagamit ng full-time, one hour or two hours lang,” the senator said. He said Meralco should forge a power supply agreement (PSA) with the CBK plant operator to cover this capacity. “Sinabi ko sa kanila, here use this. Huwag niyong gamitin iyang Malampaya. Okay lang kung gagamitin iyong Malampaya pero ang problema ko, kapag sinira mo ang automatic pass-through, marami na ngayong hihingi ng exemption every time we have a problem like this. Now, sabi nila, malaking bagay iyong one centavo, ‘yung four centavos. Ang sabi ko, hindi kayo nagko-compute,” Osmeña said. ■ Michelle Orosa-Ople / News5 / March 12, 2015 / 9:58 PM

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March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

Senate economic committee chair pushes passage of bills removing foreign restrictions MANILA – The Philippines still lags behind its Asean neighbors in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows despite hitting an all-time high of $6.2 billion in 2014, according to an opposition senator. In a statement, Senator JV Ejercito, who chairs the Committee on Economic Affairs, said the record inflows are a very good indication of confidence by foreign investors. “However, the Philippines still remains behind our Asean neighbors,” Ejercito said, citing Singapore’s $58.202 billion, Indonesia’s $19.219 billion and

Sen. JV Ejercito chairs Committee on Economic Affairs

Thailand’s $14.064 billion. “This big difference is brought by the respective foreign policies in each country. Thailand for instance, decided to liberalize foreign ownership as early as 1986,” the senator said. “If we follow the example set by other developing countries, we can greatly improve our economic position and keep up with the others,” he said. Ejercito is pushing for legislation along these lines: Senate Bill (SB) No. 1424 proposes to shorten the Foreign Investment Negative List by excluding

the practice of profession, while SB 2517 aims to liberalize investment activities and areas that contribute to industrialization and socioeconomic development, such as lending, adjustment and ﬁnancing which are governed by speciﬁc laws. “I am optimistic that we can improve our position. The committee is doing its best to work on measures that will encourage more FDIs to maximize the opportunities from the upcoming Asean Economic Integration.” Ejercito said. ■

Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com / March 13, 2015 / 8:06 AM

February auto sales zoom on brisk demand for passenger cars MANILA – Strong demand for passenger cars pushed up motor vehicle sales by more than a fifth in February. In a statement, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc (Campi) said its sales combined with those of the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) rose by 22.6 percent to 20,663 units last month from 16,859 in February of last year. This brought year-to-date sales to 39,325 units, a 21 percent increase from 32,506 in the same two months of last year.

“There seems to be no let up in sales. With fewer calendar days for February, the industry is surprised to see sales reaching a level normally achieved during the peak month of December,” said Rommel Gutierrez, Campi president. “If this trend continues, industry may again exceed its target for the year,” he said. The industry is aiming for sales of 272,000 this year after closing 2014 with a new record of 234,747 units. Passenger car sales led the February growth, having increased by 44.4 percent

to 8,149 units this year from 5,644 the year before. Commercial vehicle sales remain higher at 12,514 last month, but went up at a slower pace of 11.6 percent from 11,215 units in 2014. Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation remains the best-selling brand, with a 44.7 percent share of the market, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation, which had 18.6 percent. American carmaker Ford trailed the two Japanese auto companies with an 8.64 percent share of the market. ■ Chelsea Cruz /

InterAksyon.com / March 12, 2015 / 8:10 PM

BUSINESS & FINANCE

March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

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Philippine stock index returns above 7,800-mark

MANILA - The Philippine stock market bounced back above the 7,800-mark today, shrugging off a drop on Wall Street. At the Philippine Stock Exchange, the benchmark index climbed 49.12 points or 0.63 percent to 7,839.82 from yesterday’s 7,790.70. The property counter led the rebound, gaining 1.98 percent, followed by the holding firms sub-index, 1.04 percent; industrials, 0.74 percent; and financials, 0.38 percent. The services and mining and oil counters however fell 1.29 percent and 0.22 percent, respectively. Advancers beat decliners, 105 to 67,

while 39 issues were unchanged. Value turnover reached P8.80 billion, as 1.26 billion shares changed hands. The most actively traded stocks were Metrobank, Global Ferronickel, Alliance Global, Ayala and Ayala Land. Top gainers were 2GO, Oriental Petroleum, ATN Holdings B and iPeople, while the biggest losers were iRipple, Lorenzo Shipping, Manila Mining, Discovery World and Philippine H2O Ventures. Jun Calaycay of Accord Capital Equities said local share prices shrugged off a jittery start to track its peers in the region. “Asian markets were trading higher

with the regional benchmark snapping consecutive losses this week. The Nikkei and the Topix rose as investors digested the boost in exporters’ earnings as the yen sustained its weakness,” Calaycay said. This as US stocks slipped, a couple of central banks stepped on the easing pedal and the ECB started its version of quantitative easing, he added. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 27.55 points to 17,635.39, while the S&P 500 dropped 3.92 points to 2,040.24 and the Nasdaq Composite, 9.85 points to 4,849.94. ■ Darwin G. Amojelar

/ InterAksyon.com / March 12, 2015 / 4:44 PM

Smart tops list of 500 biggest non-individual taxpayers MANILA – Smart Communications Inc is the country’s top non-individual taxpayer, displacing the Philippines’ largest electricity distributor. According to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Smart climbed a notch to top the list of 500 biggest non-individual taxpayers with an income tax due of P10.891 billion in 2013, up from P7.938 billion the previous year. Manila Electric Company (Meralco) slipped to second spot with P9.69 billion in tax due,

slightly up from the P9.346 billion in 2012. San Miguel Brewery Inc (SMB) jumped ﬁve notches to take the third spot, with an income tax due of P4.879 billion in 2013. Three multinational companies trailed the three homegrown ﬁrms above, with Nestle Philippines Inc landing on the fourth spot with an income tax due of P4.811 billion. It was followed by the two operators of the Malampaya natural gas platform: Chevron Malampaya LLC and Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., which had P4.517 billion and

P4.484 billion, respectively, in income tax due. Globe Telecom Inc came in seventh with a tax due of P4.003 billion. Rounding up the list of the top 10 taxpayers are Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (P3.422 billion), Chemwealth Inc (a newcomer to the BIR list with tax due of P2.909 billion), and SM Prime Holdings Inc (P2.777 billion). InterAksyon.com is the online news portal of TV5, which like Smart and Meralco is chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan. ■ Rain Castro / InterAksyon.com / March 11, 2015 / 4:24 PM

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March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

Employer working on safe release of 4 abducted Filipino workers in Libya THE employer of the four Filipino oil workers recently abducted in strifetorn Libya has vowed to do everything it can to locate them and work for their safe release. “What we can assure you is that we are doing everything in our power to establish the whereabouts of those missing and to have them returned safely,” said Value Added Oilﬁeld Services (VAOS) Ltd. in a statement Wednesday. The four Filipinos were seized from the Al-Ghani oil ﬁeld, along with two Bangladeshis, one from Ghana, a Czech national and an Austrian, after the facility was attacked by heavily armed men last Friday. In an interview on GMA News TV’s “Quick Response Team” on Wednesday, DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose said the

Philippine Embassy in Tripoli is doing its part in trying to locate the abducted Filipinos. “Lahat po ng network of contacts po ng embassy ginagamit ho nila, kahit mga informal channels ay ginagamit po nila para makakuha ng kahit maliit na lead para malaman natin ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan,” Jose said. The latest abduction came more than a month after the kidnapping of three Filipinos at the Mabruk Oil Field on Feb. 3. Their whereabouts are still unknown. VAOS, which refused to release the names of the victims, said none of its employees were physically harmed during the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction as of Wednesday. The Austrian-owned VAOS said it

is working closely with the Philippine and other concerned embassies, as well as with the Austrian and Czech crisis teams, in locating both captors and victims. It also said it will continue to give updates to concerned parties. However, it asked the public to avoid speculation to “safeguard those missing and ensure that we do not cause the families involved any more pain or anguish.” According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the seized workers were part of a group that remained at the ol ﬁeld despite two weeks of inactivity due to armed attacks on oil facilities. VAOS employs 52 other Filipinos who were evacuated from the AlGhani oil ﬁeld earlier and taken to the company headquarters in Tripoli. At

least 36 of them had expressed desire to be repatriated to the Philippines. The DFA has raised Alert Level

4 in Libya, mandating mandatory repatriation. ■ Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / March 11, 2015 / 4:28 PM

Close to 1,300 OFWs benefited from reintegration program –OWWA

A total of 1,257 OFW members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) had received over P800 million in ﬁnancial aid since the establishment of the agency’s

Reintegration Program in 2011. Designed to give returning workers enough funds to establish businesses, the program approved loans amounting to P865,118,529.80 from June 2011 to

Joven Esteva’s execution caught family oﬀ guard The execution of Filipino worker Joven Esteva in Saudi Arabia on Monday caught his family in the Philippines off guard, a television reports said Tuesday. According to a report on GMA News TV’s “News To Go,” Esteva’s widow Nerlyn, who is based in Koronadal City, was even able to talk to him on the phone a few hours before he was executed. It added that Esteva’s four children were actually in the process of securing passports so they could visit him in Saudi Arabia. The family wants Joven’s remains to be brought to the Philippines, although the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has earlier said that his body has already been buried in Saudi Arabia in accordance with Islamic law. “Alam ko na din na nag-Balik Islam siya baka meron pang chance na mabalik pa yung bangkay,” Nerlyn said in a separate report on GMA News TV’s “Balita Pilipinas.” Esteva, 39, was sentenced to death for murdering his Saudi employer and injuring his employer’s son in 2007. Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said they had given Esteva all the

necessary assistance. “We have provided Mr. Esteva all necessary and appropriate legal and consular assistance, including providing a lawyer, since his arrest in 2007,” Jose said Monday. The DFA said last September that there were 79 Filipinos abroad who were on death row. Meanwhile, a Catholic prelate expressed sadness over Esteva’s execution, and the Filipino faithful to pray for his soul. “We are saddened by the death of our kababayan in Saudi who was executed for a crime he committed there. Every life is important and we pray for him that his soul may rest in peace thru the mercy of God,” said Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos. The bishop noted that the incident should remind the public especially those with relatives working abroad about the difﬁculties their loved ones are facing while working in another country. “This unfortunate event is a reminder for us of the extreme difﬁculties our OFWs go thru and experience,” he said. ■ Andrei Medina / KBK,

December 2014, according to OWWA. In a statement Wednesday, OWWA said majority of these projects came from Region 3, 4-A, 6, and 12, with 59 percent of them comprised of nonagricultural enterprises. It said many of the beneficiaries invested their loans in groceries, real estate, water-refilling stations, and franchising stores, while popular agricultural endeavors include grains, fruits, and vegetable farming and livestock- and poultry-raising. Filipinos, especially those working in conflict areas, are actively encouraged to avail of the reintegration package upon their return to the country. In 2014, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz ordered OWWA to extend the Balik-Pilipinas Balik Hanapbuhay Program to all OFW’s from Libya and Iraq regardless of their membership status. She said the plan, which has a P2 billion budget, was crucial for migrant workers forced to abandon their overseas jobs due to armed conflict. ■Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / March 4, 2015 / 6:33 PM

CBCP exec says OFW’s execution in Saudi a challenge to bishops THE execution of an overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia this week should serve as a challenge to Catholic bishops to strengthen their ministry, a Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines official said Tuesday. CBCP Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People chairman Bishop Ruperto Santos also said they are concerned and saddened over the death of Joven Esteva, who was executed in Saudi Arabia on Monday for killing his employer in 2007.

“We in the Church are challenged even more to widen and strengthen our ministry and apostolate to our OFWs so that we can bring them pastoral, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs, especially in times of trials and tests in their lives. Let us continue to help them through our prayers and constant concern,” Santos said. Santos said Esteva’s execution is a reminder “for us of the extreme difficulties of our OFWs go through and experience.” “We are saddened by the death of our kababayan in Saudi who was executed for

a crime he committed there. Every life is important and we pray for him that his soul may rest in peace through the mercy of God,” he added. Esteva, working as a family driver since 2006, was convicted for stabbing his employer and wounding the victim’s son. He was executed after the Philippine government’s efforts to seek forgiveness from the victim’s family failed. ■ Joel Locsin / KBK, GMA News / March 10, 2015 / 8:22 PM

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Pinoy defeats brother to win UAE singing contest AL AIN, United Arab Emirates — Out of 14 weekly winners in a singing contest here, a Filipino senior sales associate in Rivoli Group emerged as winner with his renditions of Martin Nievera’s “Ikaw” and Shayne Ward’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” “I sang ‘Ikaw’ for my future wife. Tapos yung ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ ay ino-offer ko sa tatay ko. Yun kasi yung lagi niyang pinapakinggan the whole week before he died,” Renzo Saforteza, 28, shared in an email interview. Renzo said he did not know about the contest, called “Kanta mo, Upload ko! 2 WIN in 1 SINGING CONTEST,” until a close friend asked him to like his video entry. “I thought that was the right time to join again. Matagal na rin kasing walang competitions na nasalihan,” he said. For the contest, which was organized by Kabayan Weekly, the ﬁrst Filipino newspaper in the UAE,

an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) would have to visit and “like” Kabayan Weekly’s Facebook page then upload a recorded performance of another OFW. Launched in August last year, the contest ran until December and was opened to all OFWs aged 20 years old and above. “Plano ko kasi na ipa-contruct yung yero ng bahay namin sa Pampanga. Nayupi na kasi sa dami ng bagyo na dumaan sa Pinas. Siyempre, yung iba doon [ay] to share for good deeds,” Renzo said when asked what prompted him to join. Brotherly competition. Renzo’s brother, Ishmael “Bonz” Saforteza, was the one who uploaded his video. He also joined the contest and in fact won 1st runner-up. Even though his brother was among the contestants, Renzo said there was no sibling rivalry between them. He said he was actually proud of his brother.

“Nakaka-proud yung feeling na kasali kami pareho magkapatid tapos kami pa natirang dalawa sa stage. Nung in-announce na 1st runner-up at grand, mas nakaka-proud,” he said. If anything, what he felt at that time was inspiration. “Merong konti bilang competitor. Magaling din kasi ang kapatid ko. Nachallenge din ako sa kanya kasi hindi siya nahihiya kagaya ko.” Aside from Renzo and Bonz, Rodel Francisco, Jr. also went away victorious upon bagging the 2nd runner-up. Prizes. The grand champion winner got AED 5,000 (P60,000), the 1st runner-up AED3,000 (P36,000), and the 2nd runner-up AED2,000 (P24,000). Consolation prizes of AED500 (P6,000) and 10 percent discount in MediaCom products were also given to the “uploaders” and “singers.” ■ Lucky Mae F. Quilao / KBK, GMA News / March 5, 2015 / 2:46 PM

Renzo Saforteza says he dedicates his winning piece, ‘Ikaw,’ to his future wife. Contributed photo.

Man convicted for trafﬁcking Pinay nanny wins appeal, gets new trial

Franco Orr, right, had his human trafficking conviction overturned and a new trial ordered in a B.C. Court of Appeal ruling Tuesday. Orr is pictured with his wife, Nicole Huen, who was earlier acquitted on the same charges.

OFW loses P200,000 to Facebook scammer AN overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia lost some P200,000 to an Ilocos Sur resident who posed as a woman on Facebook. It was only last February that the OFW became suspicious because his Facebook “friend” refused his requests for a video chat, GMA Ilocos reported. The suspect, identified as Christopher Javanillo, was arrested in a sting operation arranged by the police after the victim, 28, sought help. According to the OFW, he met “Andrea Pauline Salvacion” on Facebook and “Andrea” would occasionally ask him for money. But the OFW became suspicious when “Andrea” refused his requests for a video chat, and secretly returned to the Philippines. He eventually learned “Andrea” was a man. “Gumagamit (ang suspek) ng ibang account ng Facebook para maka-earn ng pera, nagpakilala siya bilang babae at nagkaroon sila ng relasyon,” said PO1 Ar-Jay Ofiaza of the Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur police.

Investigation showed Javanillo would use the photos of a female model on his Facebook profile. “Nagawa ko yun syempre sa luho at mahilig kasi ako mag tour-tour ganun,” he said. Javanilla now faces charges of estafa, though the OFW said he would desist from pursuing charges if he can return the P200,000 he got from him. Meanwhile, in San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte, a minor is facing charges for violating the anti-cybercrime law for asking money from another minor via Facebook. Investigation showed the victim was introduced to the suspect via Facebook, and the suspect claimed to be a child of a doctor and engineer. But when the suspect asked for money, the victim got suspicious and told police, who arranged a sting operation. The suspect claimed being ordered by a friend to engage in the racket. “Tinakot nila ako na pati raw pamilya ko ay idadamay nila,” the suspect claimed. ■ Joel Locsin / KBK, GMA News / March 10, 2015 /

2:37 PM

A man convicted in Canada for putting his illegally-hired Filipina domestic helper through slave-like conditions in 2013 has been awarded a new trial after winning an appeal, reports said. Franco Orr Yiu-kwan, who was sentenced to 18 months for human trafficking, argued in his appeal that it was unreasonable to convict him and then acquit his partner and co-accused, Oi Ling Nicole Huen, a report on Vernon Morning Star said Tuesday. He added that the judge erred in allowing an expert witness give a testimony, a point the evaluating three-man panel

from the B.C. Appeal Court considered in granting his appeal. A report on Brandon Sun quoted Justice Peter Willcock, one of the panel members, as saying that there was “inefficient evidence of the probative value of the expert’s opinion.” He also said there was a “clear risk” of the admission being “wrongly relied upon as oath-helping”. However, the panel dismissed Orr’s claim that he suffered a “miscarriage of justice” during the trial proper. Reports said Orr and Huen made their Filipina helper, Leticia Sarmiento, believe

that she would have the same working conditions as she had in Hong Kong in 2008, where she was first hired by the couple. While her monthly pay of C$500 remain consistent with Hong Kong’s minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers, it was way below British Columbia’s minimum hourly wage of C$10.25. She was aslo made to work 16 hours a day for 21 months with no breaks. Sarmiento managed to call 911 for help in June 2010. ■ Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / March 4, 2015 / 3:02 PM

Taiwan ship carrying 49 crew missing in South Atlantic; 13 Pinoys on board TAIPEI - A Taiwanese ship carrying 49 crew has vanished in the remote South Atlantic Ocean without any sign of a mayday call but shortly after its skipper reported it was taking on water, authorities said Sunday. The “Hsiang Fu Chun,” a 700-ton squid ﬁshing vessel, lost contact with its owners “soon” after reporting that water was leaking on to the deck at around 3:00 a.m. on February 26, ofﬁcials said. The vessel was sailing about 1,700 nautical miles (3,148 kilometers) off the Falkland Islands when it vanished, according to recorded satellite data. Its crew include a Taiwanese

skipper and chief engineer, as well as 11 Chinese, 21 Indonesian, 13 Filipino and two Vietnamese sailors. Taiwan has launched a search effort, and is appealing for assistance from Argentina and Britain as well as other ships in the area. “We still don’t know where the ship is and what happened to it,” Huang Hong-yen, spokesman for the Fisheries Agency, told AFP, adding that the government had launched a searchand-rescue effort “immediately” after the ship’s owners said it had lost contact. He said there was no evidence the boat had sunk. The ship was equipped

with a system that automatically issues a mayday signal when placed under a certain water pressure, but no such signal was sent, he added. Huang gave no details on the weather in the area at the time, but said that conditions were often unsettled in there, with high waves. He also did not explain why it had taken authorities so many days to make the ship’s disappearance public. Some Taiwanese media have speculated that the vessel could have lost power and be adrift, or could have been hijacked by crew. But another official from the agency who asked not to be named said: “To be honest, the hope of finding the ship in that remote area is fading.” The South Atlantic Ocean is a traditional fishing ground for Taiwanese vessels, attracting up to 100 squid boats from the island each year. The Taiwanese fishing fleet caught around 200,000 tons of squid last year, mostly for domestic consumption, according to the Fisheries Agency. ■ AFP

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‘You start out with a lie, the lying never stops’ Bayan on PNoy’s latest take on Mamasapano MANILA – President Benigno Aquino III’s latest account of what happened in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25 is but the latest of “never-ending lies,” the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said Tuesday as it called for more protests against “the continuing deception and cover-up.” Activist Representative Terry Ridon of the Kabataan party-list called Aquino “a compulsive liar” and demanded he “stop fooling the Filipno people” and “resign instead.” At a prayer breakfast with leaders of various Christian denominations on Monday, Aquino, in a rambling reply to a question about Mamasapano, placed the blame for the deaths of 44 police Special Action Force commandos squarely on the shoulders of their sacked commander, Chief Superintendent Getulio Napenas who, he claimed, “fooled me.” At the same time, the account of Aquino, who has not been invited to give his account of what transpired before the disastrous January 25 SAF mission to get Malaysian terrorist Zulkiﬂi bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” by either Congress or the board of inquiry created by the Philippine National Police, was chockfull of information not known to the public before this. However, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. dismissed Aquino’s

account as “disingenuous,” noting how he “conveniently failed to explain why (resigned PNP chief Alan) Purisima was at all involved in running the Mamasapano operation despite his suspension” by the Ofﬁce of the Ombudsman over graft charges last December. “The President hardly even mentioned Purisima” in his Monday reply to the question posed by Pastor Ed de Guzman, Reyes noted. “The problem with starting out with a lie is that you end up spinning more lies. The lies have become neverending,” he said. When he ﬁrst spoke on Mamasapano in a nationwide address days after the bloody incident, Aquino claimed Purisima had only helped clarify some of the jargon used in the operation. However, during the hearings conducted by the Senate, “it was revealed that Purisima was directly reporting to the President on the status of the Mamasapano operation,” Reyes pointed out. Purisima himself also admitted “advising” Napenas to inform acting PNP chief Leonardo Espina and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who had been left in the dark during the planning of the mission, at “time on target,” or when the operation was already underway, and also volunteered to inform Armed Forces

chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. at the same time. Reyes echoed concerns raised by several quarters about Aquino’s Monday account, saying it “appeared timed to preempt whatever results that would be borne out of the Board of Inquiry investigation.” “The gist of the President’s speech was that it was all Napenas’ fault. It was Napenas who misled the President. It was Napenas who failed to coordinate. It is very likely that the BOI report will not veer away from the pronouncements of the President,” Reyes said. At the same time, Reyes also pointed out inconsistencies in Aquino’s account. “Strangely enough, Aquino … admitted that his communications regularly passed through the suspended Purisima because he claimed that he did not speak directly with Napenas. It was a strange admission that points out how Aquino himself violated the chain of command,” he said. However, it was established during the Senate hearings that Napenas had personally briefed Aquino on the mission at least twice in Malacanang, where he had been taken by Purisima. The last of these brieﬁngs was on January 9. “It is misleading for Aquino to lay the blame solely on Napenas when

President Benigno Aquino III talks to relatives of one of the 44 SAF commandos slain in Mamasapano

it was the suspended Purisima who, after talking to Aquino on January 9, ordered Napenas not to inform DILG secretary Mar Roxas and PNP OIC Leonardo Espina. Purisima would later claim this to be a mere advice, but no one believed him,” Reyes pointed out. He also said Aquino has “failed to explain why he himself did not inform his other ofﬁcials of the sensitive operation” when he, “as commanderin-chief, was in a position to inform the AFP and the PNP leadership as well as the government peace panel.” “Mr. President, the people are not satisﬁed with your latest, self-serving statements,” Reyes said. Calling for more protests, Reyes said, “Aquino to this day remains the biggest stumbling block to truth and

accountability. The lying President has to go.” In a separate statement, Ridon said Aquino was the “mambobola” (deceiver), as he pointed out that, “at the end of the day, we have to return the question: who greenlighted the mission? Who authorized the offensive? Napeñas cannot issue commands without delegated authority from his superiors. And Aquino as commanderin-chief is ultimately responsible.” Pointing to the variations in Aquino’s statements since he began speaking about Mamasapano, Ridon asked: “Mr. President, ilang version pa ba ng istorya ang ilalabas n’yo (Mr. President, how many versions of your story are you still to disclose)?” ■ InterAksyon.com / March 10, 2015 / 10:42 AM

Marcos praises Magalong for Miriam prods Senate on women’s rights bills taking politics out of BOI report MANILA – Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., on Friday congratulated and even saluted Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Director Benjamin Magalong for not taking sides and shunting politics aside in the report by the Board of Inquiry (BOI) on the Mamasapano incident. In a radio interview furnished the media, Marcos expressed the belief that the career advancement of senior officials in the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be affected by the report issued by Magalong, because the document practically disputed President Aquino’s version on Mamasapano. “Hindi ko malaman kung anong magiging reaksyon ng kanilang Commander in Chief, dahil si Pangulong Aquino ay talagang sinasabi nila ang alam lahat tungkol dito. At bukod pa dun ay sinabi dun sa report na pabago-bago at hindi naman tama yung mga salaysay ng Pangulo. Kaya’t baka nga maapektuhan ang kanilang mga promotions (I’m not sure what the reaction of the Commanderin-Chief will be, because here is the report indicating the President knew lots of things about the operation, besides which he also was apparently not consistent

Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos. File photograph by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.com

or forthcoming in his own accounts),” Marcos said. However, in spite of these foreseen effects borne of the honesty that went into making the report, the country should give credit to the PNP BOI, especially to Magalong since he set aside politics in order to come out with truth on Mamasapano incident. “Kaya’t saludo ako sa kanila (That’s why I salute them),” he added. Marcos said that with the issuance of the report, which has been widely published in mass media, the real picture on Mamasapano incident becomes clearer. “Dahan-dahan nang nabubuo ang istorya (The story is slowly coming together),” Marcos said. ■ Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com / March 13, 2015 / 9:29 PM

MANILA – As the country celebrates women’s month, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago sought wider public support for her bills aimed at placing Filipino women on equal footing with men. Santiago, author of the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710) and co-author of the Reproductive Health Law (R.A. No. 10354), said some of her proposed legislation on women and gender equality remain at the committee level. “I have written the committee on women, family relations, and gender equality earlier this year to ask that it prioritize public hearings for my bills,” the senator said. Among her measures pending in the committee is the proposed Child Support

Senator Miriam Santiago. Photograph from Senate PRIB

Act (Senate Bill No. 403), which seeks to penalize any parent who refuses to support a child. “This will protect single parents, especially women, from being financially abandoned by the child’s other parent,” she said. Santiago also filed the Safe Haven Bill (S.B. No. 2457), which caters to women unprepared or unfit for motherhood, while ensuring the safety of their babies. If enacted, the bill will allow women to leave newborns with governmentassigned safe haven providers rather than haphazardly abandoning them. The Battered Women’s Testimony Bill (S.B. No. 1558), meanwhile, seeks to facilitate the use of expert testimonies in cases of women subjected to domestic violence.

Santiago is also pushing for the creation of a task force that will recommend a national strategy to protect women against violent crime (S.B. No. 1801). Other pro-women bills filed by Santiago are: S.B. No. 1751, which, if enacted, will allow women to use their maiden first name and surname; S.B. No. 1771, which seeks to eliminate gender bias in adultery and concubinage in the Penal Code; and S.B. No. 1722, which seeks to establish a Commission on the Advancement of Women in Engineering, Science and Technology Development. Santiago is widely known as an advocate of gender equality through legislation. In 2011, she successfully led moves to lift Labor Code prohibitions on night work for women, which she said prevented women from exercising their right to equal access to jobs. She has also consistently been the top performer in the Senate by filing the most number of bills and resolutions. Despite her bout with lung cancer, Santiago filed 1,007 bills and resolutions from the start of the 16th Congress until the end of 2014. ■ Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com / March 13, 2015 / 9:07 PM

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FREE LISTING of events in HELLO PHILIPPINES newspaper. Please email info@hello-philippines.com to include your event. D I S C L A I M E R : The Events Diary r listing does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or fa f vouring by HELLO PHILIPPINES newspaper. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Hello Philippines newspaper and/o / r the Publisher. What’s On is a Filipino Events Diary r listing fo f r UK and Europe. 201 DATE / TIME

Saturday, 28th March 2015

EVENT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS – UK & EUROPE VENUE

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CONTACTS / REMARKS

LGBT-UK Charity Ball

Holiday Inn FilLGBT-UK Joel Medina filipinolgbtBloomsbury, London, uk@pinoyworld.eu UK Tel: 07834780490 May 2nd 2015 Mutya ng Pilipinas Manchester (Venue to MPUK Jassin Fuentes TBC 2015 be confirmed), Tel: 07557551624 Manchester, UK Website: mutyaunitedkingdom.com Saturday June 6th Independence Day Blaydon Rugby Club, Sally Sellars: 07886742417 at 09:00 - 18:00 sa Newcastle at Hexham Road, Bong Bangayan: 07859811648 Pista sa Nayon Swalwell, NE16 3BN, Rodger Mangnding: 07725892489 Newcastle, UK June 7th Yorkshire Barrio Ripley racecourse, Lolita Boddy Fiesta 2015 Ripley, Yorkshire , Ripley , UK Sunday June 14th Bradford Barrio Lady Hill Park, Allerton, N&N Independent Team Nelson Ginez: 07823338947 10:00 -17:00 Fiesta Chapel Road, Bradford, BD15 7RJ Friday 26th – Hertfordshire Fairlands Valley Park Fil-Herts Barrio Fiesta Joseph: 07534711757, Ivy: Saturday 27th June Barrio Fiesta Showground Arena organization 07428184063 08:00 – 18:00 (opposite Stevenage Michael: 07447588971 Football stadium) SG2 Email: 8RH barriofiestainhertfordshire@yahoo.com LKDance Contact Laurence at 07840 602 944 Every Sunday. Lahig Kayumanggi St. Andrew’s United 14:00 - 18:00 Rehearsals Reformed Church Hall, or Avery at 07805 239 801 or Frognal Lane (corner email info@lkdance.org.uk. Finchley Road), London NW3 7DY. Nearest tube: Finchley Road. Eevery 2nd SUN. Filipino Family English Martyrs Catholic Hosted by: Alyssa Gonzales Becky at 07949857699 / Lina B at 14:00 Mass at English Church. Chalkhill Road, 07579418510. Martyrs Catholic Wembley Park, HA9 Church 9EW. FREE LISTING of your events in HELLO PHILIPPINES newspaper. If you know of any events please contact us via info@hello-philippines.com to submit your event.

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201

MONTHLY FILIPINO COMMUNITY MASSES IN GREATER LONDON

5:00pm

Devotion in Honour of Our Lady of Fatima (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament / Rosary / Benediction / Mass) St Pius X Catholic Church, 108 Orme Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 3SB – Oliver Abasolo – 07782 661 922 2:00pm Five Precious Wounds Parish, Brentfield Road, Stonebridge Park, London NW10 8ER 1st Sunday Mervic Monocillo – 07894 636 140 5:00pm Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Friary Road, Peckham, London SE15 1RH 1st Sunday Allen Abeleda – 07713 625 888 4:00pm St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 103 Woolwich New Road, London SE18 6EF 2nd Saturday Moises Espanola – 07894 648 639 2:00pm English Martyrs Church, Chalkhill Road, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 9EW 2nd Sunday Becky Sarinas – 07949 857 699 / 07425 761 519 / Lina B – 07579 418 510 2:00pm St Dominic Catholic Church, 243 Violet Lane, Waddon, Croydon CR0 4HN 2nd Sunday Merlie Mirto – 07722 216 462 2nd Sunday 4:00pm St. Anselm and St. Cecilia, 70 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3JA Feliciano Ramirez – 07733 680 748 3:00pm Sacred Heart of Jesus, New Priory, Quex Road, Kilburn, London NW6 4PS 3rd Sunday Sheidrick de Leon – 07738 210 202 3rd Sunday 3:00pm Blessed Sacrament Parish, 157 Copenhagen Street, Islington N1 0SR Christy Sangalang – 07709 119 969 Last Saturday 6:00pm Our Lady of Dolours, Servite Parish Church, 264 Fulham Road, London SW10 4EL Fr Allan Satur – 020 7352 6965 / fulhamroad@rcdow.org.uk / Roland Adap – r_adap@hotmail.com Last Sunday 12:00pm St Pius X Catholic Church, 108 Orme Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 3SB Oliver Abasolo – 07782 661 922 Last Sunday 2:00pm St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 218 Roehampton Lane, London SW15 4LE Rafael Santiago – 07795 254 451 Every Sunday 5:00pm Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 20 Brixton Road, Oval, London SW9 6BU Ben Ortiz – 07723 318 486 First Wednesdays 6:30pm Filipino Mass and Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Farm Street Church of the Immaculate Conception (Jesuit House Chapel), access on 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AY – Josie Ramos – F R E E L I S T I N G o f y o u r e v e n t s i n H07723 E L L O 024 P H I591 LIPPINES newspaper. If you know of any events please contact us via info@hello-philippines.com to submit your event.

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March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

Executive Summary of the PNP Mamasapano Board of Inquiry Report ON January 25, 2015, sixty-seven (67) Filipinos died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, as a result of an encounter triggered by Operation Plan (Oplan) Exodus. The goal of Oplan Exodus was to neutralize high value targets (HVTs) who were international terrorists— i.e., Zhulkifli Bin Hir/Zulkifli Abhir (Marwan); Ahmad Akmad Batabol Usman (Usman); and Amin Baco (Jihad). Forty-four (44) members of the Special Action Force (SAF)—considered as the elite unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) against terrorism and internal security threats—lost their lives in Mamasapano, while sixteen (16) other SAF members sustained severe injuries. The tragic incident in Mamasapano raised several questions. How could a group of elite forces be massacred? Who was responsible for their deaths? What caused the tragic encounter in Mamasapano? Who were the hostile forces encountered by the SAF troops? The Board of Inquiry (BOI) was created by the Philippine National Police (PNP) primarily to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the Mamasapano encounter, to establish facts regarding Oplan Exodus, to determine possible lapses in the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus, and to provide recommendations in order to address such possible lapses. The methodology used by the BOI in preparing this Report is described in Chapter 1. The BOI notes that information obtained from certain key personalities were limited. For instance, the BOI failed to secure an interview with the President Benigno Aquino III, suspended Chief PNP (CPNP) Alan Purisima, Chiefof-Staff AFP (CSAFP) General Gregorio Catapang, and Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero. All concerned officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) refused to be interviewed by the BOI despite repeated requests. The BOI did not have access to other crucial information such as contents of Short Messaging System (SMS) or text messages, and logs of calls and SMS. BOI’s requests for the submission of cellular phones for forensic examination were also denied by CSAFP Catapang, Guerrero, suspended CPNP Purisima and AFP officers. However, the sworn statement of suspended CPNP Purisima included a transcript of his SMS exchanges with the President on January 25, 2015. Despite the foregoing limitations, the BOI succeeded in conducting several interviews, obtaining various types of evidence, processing and reviewing hundreds of documents, and conducting ocular inspection in Mamasapano to produce this Report. Based on the records, Oplan Exodus was approved by the President and implemented by suspended CPNP Purisima and the Director of SAF (Napeñas) Getulio Napeñas, to the exclusion of the Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine National Police (OIC PNP) Leonardo Espina, who is the concurrent Deputy CPNP for Operations. On December 16, 2014, the OIC-PNP

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas receives the report on the Mamasapano incident by the board of inquiry from BOI chairman, Director Benjamin Magalong and acting PNP chief P/Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.Photo by Krisken Jones, ©InterAksyon.com.

issued Special Order No. 9851 which directed suspended CPNP Purisima and other suspended PNP officers, to “cease and desist from performing the duties and functions of their respective offices during the pendency of [their respective cases filed by the Ombudsman] until its termination.” Napeñas and suspended CPNP Purisima ignored the established PNP Chain of Command by excluding OIC-PNP Espina in the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus. Napeñas and suspended CPNP also failed to inform the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Mar Roxas about Oplan Exodus, and made no prior coordination with the AFP. Based on the records, SILG and OIC-PNP were informed of Oplan Exodus only in the morning of January 25, 2015 when such operation was already being executed. OIC-PNP was first informed about Oplan Exodus through a phone call by suspended CPNP Purisima at 05:50 a.m. on January 25, 2015. SILG learned about the operation when he got an SMS from Police Director Charles Calima Jr. at 07:43 a.m. on January 25, 2015. The participation of the suspended CPNP in Oplan Exodus was carried out with the knowledge of the President. Records revealed instances when the suspended CPNP met with the President and Napeñas to discuss Oplan Exodus; and communicated with the President via SMS messages regarding the execution of Oplan Exodus on January 25, 2015. Records also show that suspended CPNP Purisima failed to deliver his assurances to coordinate with the AFP. At a crucial stage of the crisis, the suspended CPNP Purisima provided inaccurate information from an unofficial source, which further jeopardized the situation of the 55th SAC and 84th Seaborne in Mamasapano. There are indications that Napeñas may not have considered differing opinions raised by his subordinate commanders. The mission planning appears to have been done by a group of officers and not by a planning team, with inputs heavily influenced by Napeñas. Subordinate commanders expressed that Napeñas had unrealistic planning assumptions such as the swift delivery of artillery fire and the immediate facilitation of ceasefire. Napeñas chose to employ a “way-

in/way-out, by foot and night-only” infiltration and exfiltration Concept of Operation (CONOPS) for Oplan Exodus. During an interview with BOI, Napeñas admitted that he expected casualty of around ten (10) SAF Commandos to accomplish the mission. Napeñas also admitted that key variables for the success of Oplan Exodus, such as the coordination with the Sixth Infantry Division (6ID), and with the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) were not thoroughly considered in the mission planning. The established protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the AFP, CCCH and AHJAG in providing reinforcement and effecting ceasefire were not sufficiently discussed. Napeñas proposed to the President the adoption of the “Time-On-Target” (TOT) concept of coordination for Oplan Exodus. Application of the TOT concept restricted disclosure of information to a limited number of persons until the target is engaged. It appears that Napeñas’ primary consideration for adopting the TOT concept was operational security (OPSEC) to reduce the risk of having Oplan Exodus compromised. The records show that when the President gave instructions to CPNP Purisima and Napeñas to coordinate with the AFP, Napeñas raised his concern that the AFP might be compromised due to intermarriages of some AFP personnel with the local people. He cited previous SAF operations against the same HVTs that were coordinated with the AFP. Suspended CPNP Purisima and Mendez shared the qualms of Napeñas. When Napeñas proposed to the President the adoption of the TOT concept for Oplan Exodus, the President remained silent. Police Superintendent Raymund Train of the 84th SAC (one of the survivors from the Mamasapano encoutner) attested that, in case of heavy enemy fire, the first planned mitigating action for Oplan Exodus was indirect artillery fire support from the AFP. The second planned mitigating action was the commissioning of the peace process mechanisms to facilitate ceasefire. However, Napeñas failed to consider the consequences of the TOT concept visa-vis the required mitigating actions. He appeared to have relied heavily on the verbal commitment of the suspended

CPNP Purisima to arrange for the needed AFP support. Coordination with the 6ID and CCCH and AHJAG was planned to be made at TOT, that was, upon engagement of the target. There was no plan for close air support. With respect to the peace process mechanisms as mitigating actions in Oplan Exodus, the required coordination to trigger such mechanisms (such as a ceasefire) were not followed. Prior communication with Brigadier General Carlito Galvez could have informed Napeñas that, in past experiences, a ceasefire could only be achieved after at least six (6) hours of negotiation. By the time the AFP was informed about Oplan Exodus, a hostile encounter between the SAF Commandos and various armed groups in Mamasapano had already ensued. Considering that the CONOPS adopted the way-in/way-out-in/waythat the CONOPS adopted heavy support from other SAF Commandos to secure the withdrawal route of the Main Effort (Seaborne). The plan was for the 84th Seaborne to link-up with 55th SAC and progressively with 4SAB units along the withdrawal route. The delay in the movement of the Seaborne affected the movement of the 4SAB and other reserve forces. When the containment and reserve forces arrived at the Vehicle Drop-off Point (VDOP), the situation in the area of operation was already hostile. Heavy sound of gunfire were heard coming from the location of the 55th SAC. The troops immediately disembarked, organized themselves and rushed to their designed waypoints (WP). Midway between WP8 and WP9, the reinforcing troops came under heavy enemy fire. The exfiltration route became dominated by hostile forces. The Ground Commander at the Advance Command Post (ACP) was not able to maneuver the troops to break enemy lines and force their way to reinforce the 55th SAC Commandos near WP12. Ineffective communication system further exacerbated the situation. During the site survey in Mamasapano on February 24, 2015, the BOI took note of the unfavorable terrain faced by the reinforcing troops. The wide terrain between their location and that of the 55th SAC was literally flat without adequate cover and concealment. Tactical maneuvers, such as the “Bounding Overwatch” technique, would have been difficult and may result to more casualties. According to the platoon leaders, enemy fires were coming from all directions which prevented them from maneuvering and reinforcing 55th SAC. In a joint interview with BOI, Mayor Ampatuan of Mamasapano and the Barangay Chairman and Officials of Tukanalipao in Mamasapano claimed that in the past, armed elements would readily withdraw from the encounter site whenever white phosphorous rounds were delivered by the Field Artillery Battery of the 6ID PA. In an interview with BOI, Napeñas claimed that the 6ID immediately provided artillery fire support when one of its infantry company was harassed

by armed elements sometime in late November or early December 2014. However, during the execution of Oplan Exodus, three (3) white phosphorous rounds were delivered late in the afternoon and not earlier in the morning when such rounds could have mattered most to the 84th Seaborne and the 55th SAC. SAF coordinated and requested for indirect artillery fire support from the 1st Mechanized Brigade as early as 07:30 a.m. The Brigade Commander of the 1st Mech Brigade, Colonel Gener Del Rosario sought clearance for artillery fire from the 6ID Commander, Major General Edmundo Pangilinan. However, of the three recommendations given by Col. Del Rosario, only the dispatches of infantry support and mechanized support were approved by MGEN Pangilinan. The request for indirect artillery fire was put on hold since, according to Pangilinan, they still lacked details as mandated by their protocol. Based on the records, MGEN Pangilinan took it upon himself to withhold artillery fire support in consideration of the peace process and artillery fire protocols. However, pursuant to AAR, PA SOP No. 4, that decision could have been made by a Brigade Commander like Col. del Rosario. The primary objective of Oplan Exodus to get the HVTs was not fully completed. Two of its targets, Jihad and Usman, were able to escape and remain at-large. Three hundred ninety-two (392) SAF Commandos were mobilized for Oplan Exodus. Forty-four (44) SAF members lost their lives in carrying out this mission. In discovering the facts that lead to such deaths, this Report stresses the importance of command responsibility: “A commander is responsible for what his unit does or fails to do.”

FINDINGS 1. Chain of Command. The Chain of

Command in the PNP was violated. The President, the suspended CPNP Purisima and the former Director SAF Napeñas kept the information to themselves and deliberately failed to inform the OIC PNP and the SILG. The Chain of Command should be observed in running mission operations. For instance, the Manual for PNP Fundamental Doctrine , requires the Commander to discharge his responsibilities through a Chain of Command. Such Manual provides that it is “only in urgent situations when intermediate commanders may be bypassed. In such instances, intermediate commanders should be notiﬁed of the context of the order as soon as possible by both the commander issuing the order and the commander receiving it.” With respect to Oplan Exodus, the Chain of Command in the PNP should have been: OIC, CPNP PDDG Espina (as senior commander) to Napeñas (as intermediate commander). PDG Purisima could not legally form part of the Chain of Command by reason of his suspension. Continue to page 18

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March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

Executive Summary of the PNP Mamasapano Board of Inquiry Report 2. Command Responsibility. The principle of Command Responsibility demands that a commander is responsible for all that his unit does or fails to do. Command Responsibility cannot be delegated or passed-on to other officers. Under the Manual for PNP Fundamental Doctrine, Command Responsibility “can never be delegated otherwise it would constitute an abdication of his role as a commander. He alone answers for the success or failure of his command in all circumstances.” Based on the records, Napeñas admitted that he had command responsibility with respect to Oplan Exodus. 3. Coordination. The TOT coordination concept, which limits the disclosure of information to only a few personnel, is applicable only to ordinary police operations. This concept however does not conform to the established and acceptable operational concepts and protocols of the PNP. Even AFP commanders asserted that the TOT concept is alien to the Armed Forces and runs counter to their established SOPs. Without coordination, following the AFP definition, support to operating units such as artillery or close air support is not possible since these entails preparations. 4. Operation Plan. Oplan Exodus was not approved by the OIC-PNP. Napeñas dominated the mission planning, disregarding inputs from his subordinate commanders on how the operation will be conducted. The concept of the wayin/way-out, by foot, and night-only infiltration and exfiltration in an enemy controlled community with unrealistic assumptions was a high-risk type of operation. 5. Execution. Oplan Exodus can never be executed effectively because it was defective from the very beginning. Troop movement was mismanaged, troops failed to occupy their positions, there was lack of effective communication among the operating troops, command and control was ineffective and foremost, there was no coordination with the AFP forces and peace mechanism entities (CCCH and AHJAG). 6. Command and Control. Command and control is critical to a coordinated and collaborative response to the Mamasapano Incident. In Oplan Exodus, the SAF’s TCP and ACP were plagued by failures of command and control from the very start especially in the aspect of communication. As Oplan Exodus unfolded, mobile communication devices was used as a primary mode of communication. However, these devices fell short of what were needed to relay real-time information and coordination of activities to and from the chain of command. Radio Operators were assigned at the TCP one each for 84th Seaborne and 55th SAC. However, 55th SAC and 84th Seaborne lost contact during the crucial moments of executing Oplan Exodus. They had to rely on distinctive gunfire to approximate each other’s location. Radio net diagram was provided but failed when radio equipment bogged down. 7. Logistics. Some of the ordnance for M203 were defective. Although there

were sufficient rounds of ammunition for each operating troop, the overwhelming strength of the enemy caused the troops to run out of ammunition. The common Motorola handheld radios failed when submerged in water because these were not designed for military-type of operations. The battery life was short because of wear and tear. 8. AFP Response. Artillery fire support was factored in as one of the mitigating actions of the SAF. However, such support was not delivered when needed. In consideration of the peace process, AFP did not deliver the artillery fire support under the consideration of the peace process, and on the absence of compliance with the required protocol. AFP demanded prior coordination to enable them to react and deliver the requested support. Nonetheless, the AFP sent infantry and mechanized units to reinforce the SAF. White phosphorus artillery rounds were fired late in the afternoon. However, by then, all of the 55th SAC lay dead except for one who was able to escape. Local PNP units were not fully utilized to reinforce the SAF. The reinforcement from the local and Regional PNP units were not seriously factored-in during the mission planning process.

Peace

Process

Mechanisms.

Officials of the CCCH and AHJAG, when tapped by AFP, did their best to reinstate the ceasefire between the SAF and MILF combatants. The participation of other armed groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), private armed groups (PAGs), and other armed civilians in the firefight delayed the ceasefire.

10. United States (US) Involvement.

The US was involved in the intelligence operations and medical evacuations. No US personnel/troops were involved in the actual combat operation. The US supported the operation by providing technical support to enhance monitoring of the troops on the ground. They were also involved in the identification of Marwan through DNA analysis. 11. Post-Mission Actions. The report submitted by the PNP Crime Laboratory shows that around four (4) SAF commandos with fatal gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the head and at the midportion of the trunk were deathblows delivered by shooting at close-range. In other words, not all the forty-four (44) fatalities died during the actual firefight, but were literally executed at close-range by the enemy. A total of 16 SAF firearms and one (1) cellphone were returned by the MILF. It was observed that some parts of the returned firearms had been replaced.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the foregoing, the following conclusions were drawn: 1. The President gave the go-signal and allowed the execution of Oplan Exodus after the concept of operations (CONOPS) was presented to him by Director of Special Action Force (SAF) Police Director Getulio Napeñas. 2. The President allowed the participation of the suspended Chief Philippine National Police (CPNP) Police Director General Alan Purisima in the planning and execution of the Oplan

Exodus despite the suspension order of the Ombudsman. 3. The President exercised his prerogative to deal directly with Napeñas instead of Officer-in-Charge of the PNP (OIC-PNP) Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina. While the President has the prerogative to deal directly with any of his subordinates, the act of dealing with Napeñas instead of OIC-PNP Espina bypassed the established PNP Chain of Command. Under the Manual for PNP Fundamental Doctrine , the Chain of Command runs upward and downward. Such Manual requires the commander to discharge his responsibilities through a Chain of Command. 4. The suspended CPNP Purisima violated the preventive suspension order issued by the Ombudsman when he participated in the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus. He also violated the Special Order No. 9851 dated December 16, 2014 issued by OIC-PNP Espina, directing him and other suspended PNP officers to “cease and desist from performing the duties and functions of their respective offices during the pendency of the case until its termination.” 5. In the same meeting where the President instructed Napeñas and suspended CPNP Purisima to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) , PDG Purisima thereafter said to Napeñas: “Ako na ang bahala kay Catapang.” The PNP Ethical Doctrine Manual cites, “Word of Honor – PNP members’ word is their bond. They stand by and commit to it.” The statement of Purisima may be construed as an assurance of providing the coordination instructed by the President. 6. Suspended CPNP Purisima provided inaccurate information to the President about the actual situation on the ground when he sent text messages to the President stating that SAF Commandos were pulling out , and that they were supported by mechanized and artillery support. 7. Despite his knowledge of the suspension order issued by the Ombudsman, Napeñas followed the instructions of suspended CPNP Purisima not to inform OIC-PNP and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Mar Roxas about Oplan Exodus. This violated the PNP Chain of Command. 8. Napeñas failed to effectively supervise, control and direct personnel, which resulted in heavy casualties of the SAF Commandos. Under the Manual on Fundamental Doctrines, Command Responsibility means that a commander is responsible for effectively supervising, controlling, and directing his personnel. Under the same doctrine, a commander is responsible for what his unit does or fails to do. 9. Napeñas followed his Time-onTarget (TOT) coordination concept despite the directive of the President to coordinate with the AFP prior to the operation. 10. The TOT coordination concept adopted by the SAF does not conform with the established and acceptable operational concepts and protocols of the PNP.

11. The protocols of the established peace process mechanisms, through the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), were not observed during the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus. 12. The mission planning of Oplan Exodus was defective due to: (1) poor analysis of the area of operation; (2) unrealistic assumptions; (3) poor intelligence estimate; (4) absence of abort criteria; (5) lack of flexibility in its CONOPS; (6) inappropriate application of TOT; and (7) absence of prior coordination with the AFP and AHJAG. 13. The following factors affected the execution of CONOPS: (1) mismanaged movement plan from staging area to Vehicle-Drop-Off Point (VDOP); (2) failure to occupy the designated way points; (3) ineffective communication system among the operating troops; (4) unfamiliarity with the terrain in the area of operation; (5) non-adherence to operational/tactical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); (6) lack of situational awareness among commanders; and (6) breakdown in the command and control. 14. Artillery support from 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (6ID-PA) was not delivered when needed most because Major General Edmundo Pangilinan, Division Commander of 6ID, considered the ongoing peace process and protocols in the use of artillery. 15. The lack of situational awareness, limited cover and concealment, ineffective communication, and sustained enemy fire prevented the 1st Special Action Battalion (1SAB) and 4SAB containment forces from reinforcing the beleaguered 55th Special Action Company (SAC) troops. 16. CCCH and AHJAG undertook all efforts to reinstate the ceasefire. “Pintakasi” and the loose command and control of the MILF leaders over their field forces contributed to the difficulty in reinstating the ceasefire. 17. Some of the radios of the SAF Commandos were unreliable because these were not designed for militarytype tactical operations. The batteries had poor power-retention capability due to wear-and-tear. Furthermore, SAF radios were not compatible with AFP radios for interoperability. 18. There was a breakdown of command and control at all levels due to ineffective and unreliable communication among and between the operating units. 19. There are indications that 55th SAC was not able to secure its perimeter, conduct reconnaissance, occupy vantage positions and establish observation posts. 20. Several rounds of ammunition of M203 grenade launchers were defective. 21. The United States involvement was limited to intelligence sharing and medical evacuation. Only SAF Commandos were involved in the actual combat operation of Oplan Exodus. 22. Autopsy reports indicate that four (4) SAF Commandos were shot at close-range while they were still alive. Records also indicate the possibility that some SAF Commandos were stripped-

Continuation from page 18

off their protective vests prior to being shot at close-range.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on this Report’s findings and conclusions, the Board of Inquiry (BOI) recommends the following: 1. Where the facts of this Report indicate possible violations of existing laws and regulations, appropriate government agencies should pursue the investigation of the Mamasapano Incident to determine the criminal and/ or administrative liabilities of relevant government officials, the MILF and other individuals. 2. The AFP and the PNP, in coordination with OPAPP, should immediately review, clarify and strengthen the Joint AFP/PNP Operational Guidelines for Ad Hoc Joint Action Group especially in the area of coordination during Law Enforcement Operations (LEO) against HVTs. 3. The AFP and the PNP should jointly review related provisions of their respective written manuals and protocols to synchronize, reconcile and institutionalize inter-operability not only between these two agencies but also with other relevant government agencies. The National Crisis Management Core Manual (NCMC Manual) could be one of the essential references. 4. Crisis management simulation exercises (similar to fire and earthquake drills) should be regularly conducted among key players including local government units particularly in conflict prone areas. 5. The PNP should formally create and institutionalize a permanent office to orchestrate and synchronize institutional responses to various situations such as the peace process in Mindanao and other related situations. The understaffed and ad hoc arrangement provided by the existing PNP Focal Team on the Peace Process (FTPP) and the recent designation of a senior police official in AHJAG are examples of usual short-term solutions which do not appear to be sufficient. 6. The PNP should review its Police Operational Procedures to cover operations similar to Oplan Exodus and to clarify coordination issues. 7. The PNP should craft its own Mission Planning Manual and institutionalize its application in PNP law enforcement operations. 8. The capabilities of SAF and other PNP Maneuver Units for Move, Shoot, Protect, Communicate and Close Air Support (CAS) should be enhanced. 9. The PNP should review its supply management system to ensure operational readiness of munitions and ordnance. 10. Cross-training between the PNP and the AFP pertaining to management and execution of military-type tactical operations should be institutionalized. 11. The PNP should immediately grant 1 rank promotion to all surviving members of the 84th Seaborne and PO2 Lalan for their heroism and gallantry in action, posthumous promotion to the fallen 44 SAF commandos, and should give appropriate recognition to all other participating elements. ■ PNP Board of Inquiry into Mamasapano / March 13, 2015 2:40 PM

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March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

Hong Kong gets creative as Art Basel comes to town HONG KONG - A flying forest, a styrofoam mausoleum and a giant seesaw will greet visitors to Hong Kong’s Art Basel fair from Friday as the finance hub transforms into a creative playground. The annual show comes as Hong Kong’s status as a centre for collectors grows, with artists, gallerists and celebrities gathering at the harbourside convention centre. Greater China, grouping the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, maintained its market leader status in 2014, accounting for $5.6 billion in global art sales -- closely followed by the United States -- according to data firm Artprice. But while the slick international display of Art Basel, which drew 60,000 visitors last year, is the headline event during Hong Kong’s Art Week, smaller shows pop up all around town to coincide with the show -- many of them throwing the spotlight back on grassroots talent. “The art market in Hong Kong has seen such a boom in these last few years and yet local art is still pigeonholed as ‘emerging’,” says Katie de Tilly, of Hong Kong’s central 10 Chancery

Lane gallery and co-founder of the Chai Wan Mei Design Festival. Chai Wan is a mainly residential area in the far east of Hong Kong Island, where former industrial warehouses are now home to galleries and local artists’ studios. “It’s less polished than the whirl of the fairs and you really get a feel for Hong Kong’s artistic soul,” she said of the festival, which is in its fourth year. Co-founder Claudia Albertini compared the Art Week buzz to the atmosphere at European fashion weeks. “I don’t think Hong Kong is far behind art cities like Miami and Berlin, it plays an important part on the global art stage,” she said. A new event, Art Central, will also take place from Saturday on the Hong Kong waterfront. “The fair is completely rooted in our city, with a focus on Hong Kong galleries and artists, and regional market trends,” said co-founder Tim Etchells. ‘Natural curiosity’. Art Basel Hong Kong kicked off three years ago and is the newest addition to the international art show, which started in Switzerland

in 1970 and also has a Miami Beach edition. Champagne-soaked and glamorous it attracted celebrities including model Kate Moss and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to Hong Kong last year, with Victoria Beckham and Hollywood star Susan Sarandon set to attend this year. Central to the display will be the large-scale “Encounters” pieces, including a suspended forest of olive trees by Irish artist Siobhán Hapaska, a mausoleum made from styrofoam boxes by Hong Kong-based Portuguese artist João Vasco Paiva and a giant seesawing log propped up by Indian Buddhist statues by Indian artist Tallur L.N. The Asian artists on show will be displaying an experimental streak, while keeping true to their artistic traditions, says new Art Basel Hong Kong director Adeline Ooi. “I think the artists are approaching the mediums in a more daring way,” Ooi said. “It’s just a natural curiosity especially with the younger group.” Ooi added that collectors’ appetites are also broadening as they look

Art Basel Hong Kong kicked off three years ago and is the newest addition to the international art show, which started in Switzerland in 1970 and also has a Miami Beach edition

to snap up pieces from a variety of cultures. But while Art Basel can shine a spotlight on new talent, Hong Kongbased art critic John Batten said the city needs to go further if it wants to be taken seriously as an art hub, including boosting the number of art museums. Hong Kong, which is home to multiple gallery spaces, currently has just one museum dedicated to art, the Hong Kong Museum of Art. “We are very poorly furbished by our public arts sector,” says Batten. “That’s one of the reasons why this

week has such a big buzz in Hong Kong, because we don’t get much of it in the year.” The government is developing a new art and culture district on the Kowloon waterfront, where contemporary art museum “M+” is expected to boast a world-class collection. For Ooi, Art Basel is a chance to highlight “the best that Asia can offer”. “It also shines the light on the Hong Kong scene... you literally see the city light up in a different way.” ■ Laura Mannering / Aaron Tam / Liz Thomas / AFP / March 11, 2015 / 2:10 AM

China boosts Africa diplomacy

China’s nomination of a dedicated ambassador to the African Union underscores resource-rich Africa’s importance to the world’s second-largest economy

ADDIS ABABA - China boosted its diplomatic presence in Africa on Friday, becoming only the second country after the United States to have a dedicated ambassador to the African Union. “China needs to devote more attention and resources to Africa,” said Kuang Weilin, Beijing’s new ambassador to the Addis Ababa-based, 54-member pan-African bloc. “For many years, China has mainly

relied on bilateral cooperation. China wants to demonstrate to Africa and to the world that China is ready to do more with Africa,” he said after presenting his credentials to AU Commission Chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Prior to the appointment, China’s representative to the AU also held the position of ambassador to Ethiopia, a set-up shared by most other countries -- although the new envoy said China wanted to “expand and strengthen our

Pakistan court orders release of Mumbai attacks suspect

A Pakistan court on Friday cancelled a detention order against the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks potentially paving the way for his release, prompting outrage in New Delhi. It is the latest round in a tussle over Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, accused over the terror siege that left 166 dead, which has worsened already strained ties with India. The latest ruling means Lakhvi could be released as early as Saturday, though the government can still appeal to the Supreme Court. For now he remains in jail, but India is infuriated over his possible release. “If such a person, who is also a designated international terrorist by the United Nations, is released it will pose a threat that cannot be ignored,” India’s foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said in a statement late Friday, adding that his government has “conveyed its outrage” to Pakistan. Lakhvi was granted bail by an anti-

terror court in December, but quickly slapped with a detention order under public order laws. The Islamabad High Court suspended that order, only for the Supreme Court to reinstate it in January. On Friday the high court once again set aside the detention order, senior government lawyer Jehangir Jadoon told AFP. A detailed order handed down by the court said government lawyers had failed to provide evidence to justify Lakhvi’s detention. Throughout the three-month back and forth over Lakhvi’s detention, he has never been let out of Adiyala Prison in Rawalpindi. The original bail order in December prompted an angry response from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said it came as “a shock to all those who believe in humanity”. Pakistan has long been accused of playing a “double game” with

militantsm supporting groups it thinks it can use for its own strategic ends, particularly in disputed Kashmir. Releasing Lakhvi would violate “Pakistan’s professed commitment to combat terrorism, including its recently stated policy of not differentiating amongst terrorists”, Akbaruddin said Friday. Double game? The Mumbai attacks were blamed on banned Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). India has long seethed at Pakistan’s failure either to hand over or prosecute those accused of planning and organising the violence. Lakhvi and six other suspects have been charged in Pakistan but their cases have made virtually no progress in more than ﬁve years. Delhi accuses Islamabad of prevaricating over the trials, while Pakistan has claimed India failed to hand over crucial evidence. The horror of the Mumbai carnage played out on live television around

Pakistani security personnel escort Zaki-urRehman Lakhvi (C), alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, away from court after a hearing in Islamabad on January 1, 2015

the world, as commandos battled the heavily armed gunmen, who arrived by sea on the evening of November 26, 2008. It took the authorities three days to regain full control of the city and New Delhi has long said there is evidence that “ofﬁcial agencies” in Pakistan were involved in plotting the attack. Islamabad denies the charge but LeT’s charitable arm Jamaat-ud-Dawa

relationship with Africa”. The nomination underscores resource-rich Africa’s importance to the world’s second-largest economy -- as China’s economic growth has been partially fuelled by African natural resources, including oil, minerals and other raw materials. Zuma also said it “marks a very historic point in our relations with the People’s Republic of China”. ■ AFP

/ March 13, 2015

(JuD), seen as a front for the militant group, operates openly in the country. LeT founder Haﬁz Saeed leads a high-proﬁle life in Pakistan despite a $10 million (9.5 million euro) US government bounty offered for his capture, regularly appearing on TV and addressing large public gatherings of his followers. Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi, the head of the Kashmir chapter of JuD, welcomed the court’s decision. “It is a victory of truth which has a very positive impact on the judicial system of Pakistan,” Alvi said. Lakhvi’s bail order came just days after a Taliban massacre at a school in northwest Pakistan, an outrage that prompted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to say Pakistan would not distinguish between “good Taliban and bad Taliban”. Pakistan and India both control part of Kashmir but claim the whole of the territory and have fought two of their three wars over it since independence from Britain in 1947. ■ AFP / March 13, 2015

NEWS

March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

www.hello-philippines.com

ANALYSIS PNoy acted like tactical commander,

gave no apparent mind to peace process

MANILA, Philippines - Was President Aquino more intent on minding the operational and tactical plan of Oplan Exodus than the possible disruptive implications it could have on the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front? The report of the PNP Board of Inquiry that investigated the disastrous January 25 Special Action Force mission in Mamasapano, Maguindanao to get Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” while not explicitly shining the light on this point, nevertheless hints that this might have been the case. While Exodus is said to have left Marwan dead, it came at a high price: 44 SAF commandos, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and at least five noncombatants killed in the ensuing clash, and, most tellingly, the peace agreement between government and MILF hanging precariously in balance. In the section of the report titled, “The President as the Commanderin-Chief,” the report said sacked SAF commander Getulio Napeñas

“narrated that the input of the President was focused more on the details of the operational and tactical plan for Oplan Exodus.” In the next section, “Implications of Oplan Exodus on the Peace Agreement,” the BOI stated: “The implications of Oplan Exodus and its effect on the peace agreement and the passage of (the) Bangsamoro Basic Law should have been considered in the planning and execution [of the SAF mission].” The report said Mamasapano Mayor Tahirodin Benzar Ampatuan had pointed out to the BOI that a clash with the MILF was practically inevitable “when a law enforcement operations of this nature is conducted within their controlled territory.” The BOI also noted that, “as Chief Executive of the Philippines, the President could have given strategic guidance to Napeñas on the implications of conducting a law enforcement [operation] within MILF-controlled communities.” The area where Marwan was said to have been hiding out was adjacent to the stronghold of the MILF 105th Base Command, whose

ﬁghters directly engaged the 55th Special Action Company, which lost 35 of its 36-man strength. However, at the end of the preceding section on Aquino’s role as commander-in-chief, the BOI said, “records do not show any clear or decisive instruction from the President to take into consideration the ongoing peace process with the MILF as well as the role of the peace process mechanisms in Oplan Exodus,” which the report stressed, he had approved. Aquino appears to have been so granularly preoccupied with the tactical details of the operations that the report pointed out that, “from the standpoint of military operations, the President’s questions might be construed as tactical orders from the ground commander to follow, i.e., ‘Why was it left behind? The other two targets’?” [The “left behind” question was a reference to Marwan’s body. The SAF unit that is said to have killed him sliced off a ﬁnger, which was later given to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for DNA testing.] These questions were part of an exchange of text messages

President Aquino at SAF presser in Malacanang / MPB photo

between Aquino and resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima, who had been allowed oversight over Exodus even though he was already suspended in December over graft charges. The BOI cited a particularly lengthy text from Aquino to Purisima, after he was informed that the SAF had gotten Marwan but not the two other targets: Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman and another Malaysian, Amin Baco. Aquino’s text reportedly read: “If I remember correctly, 160 SAF troopers are involved in this

operation plus provisions for other PNP and AFP units to assist. The terrain is ﬂat and clear as opposed to upland, forested or jungle terrain. Why could they not contained and/ or overwhelm the 15-20 opposing forces? Are they still in contact with the two targets? If not and the opposing force has escaped? Are we now back to square one?” The BOI indicated these “messages show that the President had knowledge of the details of Oplan Exodus.” ■ Nonoy Espina / InterAksyon.com / March 13, 2015 / 8:42 PM

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HEALTH and Lifestyle

March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

Why lack of sleep is bad for your health MANY effects of a lack of sleep, such as feeling grumpy and not working at your best, are well known. But did you know that sleep deprivation can also have profound consequences for your physical health? One in three Britons suffers from poor sleep, with stress, computers and taking work home often blamed for the lack of quality slumber. However, the cost of all those sleepless nights is more than just bad moods and a lack of focus. Regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions including obesity, heart disease and diabetes – and it shortens your life expectancy. It’s now clear that a solid night’s sleep is essential for a long and healthy life. How much sleep do we need? Most of us need around eight hours of

good quality sleep a night to function properly – but some need more and some less. What matters is that you ﬁnd out how much sleep you need and then try to achieve it. As a general rule, if you wake up tired and spend the day longing for a chance to have a nap, it’s likely that you’re not getting enough sleep. A variety of factors can cause poor sleep, including health conditions such as sleep apnoea. But in most cases it’s a matter of bad sleeping habits.

What happens if I don’t sleep?

Everyone’s experienced the fatigue, short temper and lack of focus that often follow a poor night’s sleep. An occasional night without sleep makes you feel tired and irritable the next day, but it won’t harm your health. After several sleepless nights, the mental effects become more serious.

Your brain will fog, making it difﬁcult to concentrate and make decisions. You’ll start to feel down, and may drop off during the day. Your risk of injury and accidents at home, work and on the road increases. If it continues, lack of sleep can affect your overall health and make you prone to serious medical conditions such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Here are seven ways in which a good night’s sleep can boost your health: 1. Sleep boosts immunity. If you seem to catch every cold and ﬂu that’s going around, your bedtime could be to blame. Prolonged lack of sleep can disrupt your immune system, so you’re less able to fend off bugs. 2. Sleep can slim you down. Sleeping less can make you weigh more! Studies have shown that people who sleep less than seven hours a day are 30% more likely to be obese than those who get nine hours of sleep or more. It’s believed to be because sleepdeprived people have reduced levels of leptin, the chemical that makes you feel full and increased levels of ghrelin, the hunger-stimulating hormone.

3. Sleep boosts your mental wellbeing.

Given that a single sleepless night can make you irritable and moody the

following day, it’s not surprising that chronic sleep debt may lead to longterm mood disorders like depression and anxiety. When people with anxiety or depression were surveyed to calculate their sleeping habits, it turned out that most of them slept for less than six hours a night. 4. Sleep prevents diabetes. Studies have suggested that people who usually sleep less than ﬁve hours a night have an increased risk of having or developing diabetes. It seems that missing out on deep sleep may lead to type 2 diabetes by changing the way the body processes glucose, the high-energy carbohydrate that cells use for fuel.

5. Sleep increases your sex drive.

Men and women who don’t get enough quality sleep have lower libidos and less of an interest in having sex, research shows. Men who suffer from sleep apnoea – a disorder in which breathing difﬁculties lead to interrupted sleep – also tend to have lower testosterone levels, which can lower libido.

6. Sleep wards off heart disease.

Long-standing sleep deprivation seems to be associated with increased heart rate, an increase in blood pressure and higher levels of certain chemicals

linked with inﬂammation, which may put extra strain on your heart.

7. Sleep increases your fertility.

Difficulty conceiving a baby has been claimed as one of the effects of sleep deprivation – in both men and women. Apparently, regular sleep disruptions can impair fertility by reducing the secretion of reproductive hormones. How to catch up on lost sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, there’s only one way to compensate – getting more sleep. It won’t happen with a single early night. If you’ve had months of restricted sleep, you’ll have built up a significant sleep debt, so expect recovery to take several weeks. Starting on a weekend, try to tack on an extra hour or two of sleep a night. The way to do this is to go to bed when you’re tired, and allow your body to wake you in the morning (no alarm clocks allowed!). Expect to sleep for upwards of 10 hours a night, at first. After a while, the amount of time you sleep will gradually decrease to a normal level. Don’t rely on caffeine or energy drinks as a short term pick-me-up. They may boost your energy and concentration temporarily, but can disrupt your sleep patterns even further in the long term. ■ NHS Choices

Why am I tired all the time? FEELING exhausted is so common that it has its own acronym, TATT, which stands for “tired all the time”. Dr Rupal Shah, a GP in south London, says tiredness is one of the most common complaints she sees in her surgery. “I see loads and loads of patients who complain of feeling exhausted, even though they’re sleeping well. Often it’s been going on for several months.” At any given time, one in five people feels unusually tired, and one in 10 have prolonged fatigue, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Women tend to feel tired more often than men. “It’s unusual to find anything physically wrong. Most of the time, fatigue is linked with mood and the accumulation of lots of little stresses in life,” says Dr Shah. Dr Shah says she routinely takes a blood test from patients complaining of tiredness to rule out a medical cause, such as anaemia or an underactive thyroid gland. “There’s more chance of a medical reason for tiredness if there are other symptoms as well, such as heavy periods, weight loss, a change in bowel habits, hair loss, extreme thirst and so on.” If you want to work out how you became tired in the first place, it can

help to think about: • parts of your life, such as work and family, that might be particularly tiring • any events that may have triggered your tiredness, such as a bereavement or relationship break-up • how your lifestyle may be making you tired Physical causes of tiredness. There are lots of health complaints that can make you feel tired. Not just the well-recognised ones like anaemia and thyroid problems, but also more surprising ailments, such as diabetes, food intolerance and a sleeping disorder called sleep apnoea. Being overweight or underweight

can cause tiredness. That’s because your body has to work harder than normal to do everyday activities. If you’re underweight, you have less muscle strength, and you may feel tired more quickly. Pregnancy, especially in the ﬁrst 12 weeks, can also sap your energy. Psychological causes of tiredness Psychological tiredness is far more common than tiredness that’s caused by a physical problem. One key reason is anxiety, which can cause insomnia and, in turn, lead to persistent fatigue. A survey by the Mental Health Foundation found that nearly a third of the population are severely sleep-deprived, often

because of job and money worries. The Foundation’s report, Sleep Matters, suggests a link between insomnia and low energy levels. The worries and strains of daily life can be exhausting – even positive events, such as moving house or getting married. Emotional shock, such as bad news, bereavement or the break-up of a relationship, can make you feel drained. Mental health problems such as depression or anxiety can make you feel more tired. They can also prevent you from getting a proper night’s sleep.

Lifestyle

causes

tiredness.

Tiredness can often be attributed to lifestyle factors, such as drinking too much alcohol, or having a bad diet. If you drink alcohol in the evening, it tends to wake you in the middle of the

night. If you drink a lot regularly, it can make you depressed and affect your sleep. “I’m always surprised to ﬁnd how often patients who complain of tiredness are drinking far too much,” says Dr Shah. If you have a disturbed sleep pattern – for instance, if you work night shifts, sleep in the day or look after young children – it can be difﬁcult to get a good night’s sleep, and you’ll feel tired during the day. How to tackle tiredness. It may be common to feel tired all the time, but it isn’t normal. If you’re worried, see your doctor for advice and reassurance. “We can rule out anything serious,” says Dr Shah. “Just knowing there’s nothing wrong can be reassuring in itself.” ■ NHS Choices

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HEALTH andNEWS Lifestyle food

March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

Is broccoli a nutritional showstopper? ABUSED by canteen cooks everywhere, the much maligned broccoli has had a makeover in recent years. From school dinner mulch, broccoli has been reinvented as a tenderstem, purple sprouting nutritional showstopper. “Broc” fans claim this Sunday staple can help combat cancer, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Broccoli is a good source of vitamin C and folate (naturally occurring folic acid). It also contains vitamins A, K, calcium, ﬁbre, beta-carotene and other antioxidants (notably indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane). We’ve teamed up with the British Dietetic Association (BDA) to see if the many health claims made about broccoli stand up to closer scrutiny.

THE EVIDENCE Cancer. Eating more non-starchy

vegetables, such as broccoli, is associated with a reduced risk of some cancers (including mouth, throat and stomach cancers), according to a good quality 2007 review of the evidence on cancer prevention by the World Cancer Research Fund. It is possible that some of the compounds in broccoli may have health beneﬁts, but clinical trials are needed to investigate this further. High blood pressure. There is no evidence to suggest broccoli can help lower blood pressure. In a 2010 study, 40 patients with high blood pressure who ate 10g of dried enriched broccoli sprouts for four weeks saw no improvement to the health of their blood vessels and did not reduce their risk of atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries).

Cardiovascular disease. In a small study from 2012 of 81 people with diabetes, those in a group that ate 10g a day of enriched broccoli sprouts powder for four weeks saw a reduction in their levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood), both of which can cause cardiovascular disease. Diabetes. In a lab study from 2008, researchers applied the antioxidant sulforaphane to human blood vessels incubated with sugar. They found that sulforaphane appeared to prevent the damage to small blood vessels caused by high blood sugar (which can happen if you have diabetes). However, it is unclear from this study whether sulforaphane would protect a person with diabetes from damage. The dietitian’s verdict. Alison

Hornby, a dietitian and BDA spokesperson, says: “Broccoli may not live up to the hype, but nevertheless it contains many nutrients, such as folate, soluble and insoluble ﬁbre, vitamins C and A, and calcium, which are needed for numerous functions in the body. “It is a member of the family of

cruciferous vegetables along with cauliﬂower, bok choy and cabbage. These all contain compounds that are linked to improving the body’s ability to impede the growth of cancer cells. “Broccoli is a ﬂexible vegetable that works well in salads, stir fries, curries and soups. An 80g serving will count towards your 5 A Day.” ■ NHS Choices

Do goji berries deserve their A-list status?

What are superfoods?

WE examine the evidence behind the health claims of 10 of the most popular so-called superfoods. So-called, because in fact there is no official definition of a superfood and the EU has banned the use of the word on packaging unless it’s supported by scientific evidence. But that hasn’t stopped many food brands from funding academics to research the health benefits of their product. The superfood trend exploits the fact that healthy lifestyle choices, including diet, can reduce our risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke and cancer. The food industry wants to persuade us that eating some foods can slow down the ageing process, lift depression, boost our physical ability and even our intelligence. Many of us want to believe that eating a single fruit or vegetable containing a certain antioxidant will zap a diseased cell. The problem is that most research on superfoods tests chemicals and extracts in concentrations not found in the food in its natural state. Garlic, for example, contains a nutrient alleged to help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. But you’d have to eat up to 28 cloves a day

to match the doses used in the lab – something no researcher has yet been brave enough to try. Foods that have been elevated to superfood status in recent years include those rich in antioxidants (such as beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, E, flavanoids and selenium) and omega-3 fatty acids. Antioxidants are chemicals thought to protect against the harmful effects of free radicals, which are chemicals naturally produced in every living cell and known to cause cell damage. However, evidence about this and other health benefits of antioxidants is inconclusive. In a review of the scientific evidence in 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found no evidence that the antioxidant action on free radicals oberved in the lab was of any benefit to human health. On the other hand, some research suggests that certain antioxidant supplements may be harmful. While the miracle food remains a fantasy, it’s pretty well established that obesity and alcohol are the two most common causes of major longterm illness and an increased risk of premature death.

Importance of a balanced diet.

Diet plays an important role in our

POPULAR among celebs from Madonna to Mischa Barton, goji berries have been used in Chinese medicine for more than 6,000 years. These shrivelled red berries are alleged to boost the immune system and brain activity, protect against heart disease and cancer, and improve life expectancy. Goji berries contain vitamin C, vitamin B2, vitamin A, iron, selenium and other antioxidants (notably polysaccharides). We’ve teamed up with the British Dietetic Association (BDA) to examine whether the health claims about goji berries are supported by the evidence.

The evidence. Immunity, cardiovascular disease and life expectancy There is no reliable evidence to support these alleged health benefits. Most of the research into these conditions are smallsized, of poor quality, and performed in laboratories using purified and highly concentrated extracts of the goji berry. Wellbeing, brain activity and digestion One small study from 2008 found that a daily drink of 120ml of goji berry juice for 14 days improved feelings of wellbeing, brain activity and digestion. However, the study involved only 34 people and was attempting to measure the effects of goji berry juice on a variety of conditions. The results of the study were inconclusive.

health, but there is concern that too much focus on individual foods may encourage unhealthy eating. “No food, including those labelled ‘superfoods’, can compensate for unhealthy eating,” explains Alison Hornby, a dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association (BDA). “If people mistakenly believe they can ‘undo’ the damage caused by unhealthy foods by eating a superfood, they may continue making routine choices that are unhealthy and increase their risk of long-term illness.” Dietitians avoid the term superfood and prefer to talk of “super diets”, where the emphasis is on a healthy balanced diet, rich in fruit and

vegetables and wholegrain foods. When it comes to a healthy balanced diet, there is very good evidence that the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of some chronic diseases and increase life expectancy. This diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, olive oil and legumes, and less meat and dairy foods than the typical Western diet. Hornby says: “When it comes to keeping healthy, it’s best not to concentrate on any one food in the hope it will work miracles. “All unprocessed food from the major food groups could be considered ‘super’. All these foods are useful as part of a balanced diet. “You should eat a variety of foods, as described by the Eatwell plate,

Cancer. One of the most talked about clinical studies on goji berries is a 1994 Chinese study conducted on 79 patients with various advanced cancers. It found that those treated with immunotherapy in combination with goji polysaccharides saw their cancers regress. Unfortunately, information on the design of the study and the goji berry compounds used are lacking, so it is difficult to fully assess the significance of the results. The

dietitian’s

verdict.

Alison Hornby, a dietitian and BDA spokesperson, says the evidence behind the health claims about goji berries is weak. She says: “Various goji berry products are sold as health foods, but the evidence of their health benefits so far comes from scientific studies using purified extracts of the fruit at much higher concentrations than the products contain. “As these products tend to be relatively costly, it makes sense to stick to eating a range of fruits and vegetables rather than spending your money on this one item with no proven health benefits.” ■ NHS Choices to ensure you get enough of the nutrients your body needs. Focusing on getting your ﬁve portions of fruit and vegetables a day is a perfect way to start.” We’ve teamed up with the BDA to look at the best available research to see if the health claims of 10 popular “superfoods” add up. Click on the foods listed below to see the evidence: • blueberries • goji berries • chocolate • oily ﬁsh • wheatgrass • pomegranate juice • green tea • broccoli • garlic • beetroot ■ NHS Choices

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Scoop & From Ruffa to Megan: 7 showbiz 26

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ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITY

March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

stars who became beauty queens WINWYN Marquez set to take the beauty pageant stage in the Binibining Pilipinas coronation night this weekend. The Kapuso actress is looking to follow the footsteps of these showbiz stars who became beauty queens.

3. Krista Kleiner. Filipino American Krista Kleiner is started performing at age seven in local dancing competitions abroad. She became a runway model and made her way to Philippine television as a host and performer. In 2010, she took home the Binibining Pilipinas-International crown. After her beauty pageant stint, Krista entered the music industry. 1. Ruffa Gutierrez. The daughter of actor Eddie Gutierrez and actress Annabelle Rama, Ruffa entered the entertainment industry at a fairly young age, starting with modelling and eventually making her way into acting in the 1980s. She became part of German Moreno’s That’s Entertainment in the early 1990s. In 1993, at the age of 18, Ruffa was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-World and was the second runner-up in the 1993 Miss World pageant in Sun City, South Africa

2. Joanne Quintas. Joanne Quintas started modelling at the young age of 12 and appeared in movies in 1994, a year prior to her winning Binibining Pilipinas-Universe crown. At 18, she represented the Philippines in the 1995 Miss Universe in Namibia, placing 16th in the preliminary competition and coming in at ninth in the preliminary evening gown event. After Binibining Pilipinas, she continue her career as a model and later became an actress. Joanne also continued to pursue her beauty queen dreams, winning titles such as Miss Tourism International 1997 and Mrs. Philippines World 2003.

4. Megan Young. Before becoming the Philippines’ first Miss World, Megan Young joined the second season of GMA’s talent search ‘Starstruck’ and was among the top 6 finalists at age 15. In 2013, Megan was tasked to represent the country in the 2013 Miss World pageant in Indonesia. She also won “Top Model” competition, placed fourth in the “Multimedia Challenge” and fifth in the “Beach Beauty” contest in the competition. Megan stayed in England for her beauty queen duties and activities. She also supported relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, and eventually went back to the Philippines later in the same year.

6. Mutya Crisostomo. The daughter of action star Tony Ferrer and 1970 Mutya ng Pilipinas Alice Crisostomo, Mutya Crisostomo had the showbiz spotlight even as a young girl. She starred in various ﬁlms and appeared in “That’s Entertainment.” In 1990, she was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas and also became 2nd runner up in the 1992 Miss Asia Paciﬁc. After her beauty pageant success, she became a brand manager of a local brand and is now married to New York-based metal sculptor Jinggoy Buensuceso.

7. Lalaine Edson. Before her beauty pageant win, Filipina-English beauty Lalaine Edson had a brief stint in show business in GMA. In 1999, she joined Binibining Pilipinas and was chosen to represent the country in the 1999 Miss World pageant in London. According to reports, Lalaine is currently based in the United Kingdom with her family. ■ Bianca Rose Dabu / JST, GMA

GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon received the prestigious Global Leadership Award for Excellence in Media Sector on March 5 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Joining him in the photo are (from left) Chris Wong - CEO of the Leaders International; Arthur Carmazzi - Global Top 10 Most Influential Leadership Guru, Secretary General of ALDA; Tengku Suleiman Shah Alhaj Ibni - The Royal Chief Major of Selangor; and HE Abdulrahim Hassan Naqi - Secretary General of the Federation of GCC chambers (FGCCC).

GMA Network CEO Felipe Gozon wins Global Leadership Award GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon bagged the prestigious Global Leadership Award for Excellence in Media Sector, reaching another milestone in his distinguished career as a broadcast executive. The awards’ ceremonies were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 5. Gozon made history by being the first Filipino recipient of this international award, which recognized his excellent management of the Kapuso Network and the Company’s contributions to the local broadcast industry. “This award is significant to me not only because I did not apply for it, but more importantly, I am told that I am the first Filipino to be given this award,” Gozon said. Considered as the man who turned GMA Network around to become the leading local broadcast company today, Gozon believes that the Network is headed towards a greater future. “My vision for GMA Network is for its programs to enrich the lives of all

Filipinos everywhere in the world and for the Network to become the number one TV station in Asia,” he said. The Global Leadership Awards cited Gozon for his “keen involvement in spearheading the corporate business and community development, and for the continued effort and contributions done towards steering [GMA] to greater heights.” Moreover, Gozon was honored for “the leadership values that he had consistently imparted to move forward and transform according to times and needs.” Described as the “[ASEAN] Region’s most impactful event,” the Global Leadership Awards is organized by The Leaders International together with the American Leadership Development Association (ALDA). It aims “to convene and showcase the highest levels of Global Leaders representing the diplomatic, business, government, philanthropic, media, celebrity, and social sectors.” ■

News / March 13, 2015 / 8:43 PM

Marian, challenged sa new role pero suportado ni Dingdong

5. Valerie Weigmann. After graduation in Germany, Valerie Weigmann went to the Philippines and eventually became known as the bubbly, funny and spontaneous Filipino-German co-host of Eat Bulaga’s “Juan for All, All for Juan” segment with Paolo Ballesteros, Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola.

“TAKE it as a challenge.” Ito ang payong nakuha ni Marian Rivera-Dantes sa kanyang asawang si Dingdong. Wika ng Primetime Queen, tila mahihirapan siya sa bagong role na ibinigay sa kanya ng GMA Network para sa upcoming Telebabad show na The Rich Man’s Daughter. Sa ulat ni Lhar Santiago sa 24 Oras, itinuturing daw ni Marian na groundbreaking point sa kanyang acting career ang proyektong ito dahil sa naka-iintriga nitong tema. “Ang lalim kasi ng istorya, Tito Lhar eh. Kumbaga, kwento ito ng iba’t ibang klase ng pag-ibig. Palagi ko ‘yan sinasabi kasi meron ‘tong kwento

tungkol sa family namin, sa pag-ibig ko, at sa pag-ibig ng iba,” pahayag niya. Ayon sa kwento ay makikilala ni Marian ang karakter na gagampanan ni Glaiza de Castro sa kanyang paghahanap ng pag-ibig. Aniya, “Medyo natatawa kami ni Glaiza kung paano namin gagawin ‘yung mga tinginan namin, kung paano namin i-aapproach ‘yung bawat isa. Pero nakaka-excite kasi sobrang bago talaga siya sa aming dalawa.” Makakasama rin ni Marian sa naturang programa sina Gloria Romero, Al Tantay, Glydel Mercado, Pauleen Luna, Luis Alandy at TJ Trinidad. ■ Cherry Sun / March 13 2015

Photo by Elisa Aquino, ©GMANetwork.com

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Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes exudes charisma as clergyman in Pari Koy Father Kokoy, better known as Pari Koy, is a priest who is known for his non-traditional and non-conformist ways of bringing people closer to God, doing whatever it takes to show that it is cool to believe. But his own faith will be put to the test when he is assigned in the parish of Barangay Pinagpala and starts to deal with the people of the community. Set in a contemporary barangay, stellar performances will be delivered by some of the country’s respected and talented artists including Sunshine Dizon as Noemi, the secretary of the parish in Pinagpala who remains to be optimistic despite being maltreated by her husband; Chanda Romero as Martha, the self-righteous leader of the lay workers in the parish of Pinagpala who is against the unconventional ways of Father Kokoy; Luz Valdez as

KAPUSO Primetime King Dingdong Dantes takes on a role he has never done before in GMA’s newest inspirational drama series entitled Pari Koy. Dingdong, one of the country’s most sought-after leading men who is blessed not just with bountiful talents but also with the heart for pursuing his many advocacies, will portray the role of Father Kokoy Evangelista. Aside from having the complete package of good looks, humor, warmth, and wisdom, Father Kokoy is also admired for his virtuous principles in life. A go-to person in times of problems, Kokoy is the kind of friend who unconditionally offers a shoulder to lean on. He is the ideal guy, a Mr. Right, and the man any woman would like to introduce to her parents. But here’s the catch: Kokoy is a priest.

David Remo

Esther, one of the lay workers in the parish who loves to talk about gossips and rumors; and Dexter Doria as Salome, also a lay worker who loyally serves in the parish despite being teased by Martha and Esther. Father Kokoy will also be challenged to put his faith into action as he meets the people of Barangay Pinagpala – with Gabby Eigenmann as Jude, the inﬂuential and corrupt chairman of Barangay Pinagpala; Rap Fernandez as Sol, the right-hand person of Jude, who helps him with his illegal schemes; JC Tiuseco as Timo, the irresponsible brother of Noemi; and Carlo Gonzales as Simon, the abusive husband of Noemi who fails to provide for his family. Completing the cast are GMA Artist Center’s homegrown talents led by Jillian Ward as Sarah, the loving

Hiro Peralta

Dingdong Dantes

Lindsay De Vera

Sunshine Dizon Dexter Doria

Carlo Gonzales

Chanda Romero

Gabby Eigenmann

Jeric Gonzales

Rap Fernandez

Jojit Lorenzo

Jillian Ward

JC Tiuseco

daughter of Noemi; Jeric Gonzales as Eli, the son of Salome who thinks that going to the parish is uncool; Lindsay De Vera as Ava, the charming grandchild of Martha who will fall in love with Eli; Hiro Peralta as Sam, the closet homosexual brother of Father Kokoy; and David Remo as Pinggoy, the high-spirited “village’s son” of Barangay Pinagpala. How will Father Kokoy bring the people of Barangay Pinagpala closer to God? Will he be successful in instigating change in the community? Or will his faith and perspectives in life be moved by the people around him? At the helm of this primetime series is the award-winning director Maryo J. Delos Reyes. After the successful run of the primetime series Niño, GMA takes pride in having him as the director of Pari Koy as he is known not only for tackling social relevance but for uplifting the human spirit and evoking hope through his masterpieces. Pari Koy begins airing on March 10 on GMA Network’s ﬂagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV.■

GMA Network stays ahead of rivals in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila in February GMA Network held on to its unbeaten record in the important areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, where it continued to lead across all dayparts, in the month of February. According to data from the industry’s widely-trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, GMA outperformed rival networks from February 1 to 28 (with the dates of February 22 to 28 based on overnight data) by substantial margins. In Urban Luzon, GMA recorded a total day household audience share of 36.9 percent, 6.9 points higher than ABS-CBN’s 30 percent and 28 points higher than TV5’s 8.9 percent. The Kapuso Network also retained its dominance in Mega Manila with 38.7 percent average, surpassing ABS-CBN’s 26.7 percent by 12 points and TV5’s 9.2 percent by 29.5 points. Urban Luzon and Mega Manila account for 77 and 59 percent, respectively, of all urban TV households in the country. Meanwhile, GMA came ahead of

its counterparts in NUTAM (National Urban TV Audience Measurement) in the daytime blocks. GMA’s morning audience share reached 32.8 percent, up 2.1 points from ABS-CBN’s 30.7 percent and up 22.9 points from TV5’s 9.9 percent. In the afternoon block, GMA beat competition with its 35.8 percent average, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 30 percent by 5.8 points as well as TV5’s 10.3 percent by 25.5 points. Internationally-recognized news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho took the number one spot in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, while leading the roster of Kapuso programs in NUTAM. Compared to its closest competitor, more entries from GMA also made it to the list of top 30 regular programs across NUTAM, Urban Luzon and Mega Manila. Among those included in the list, besides KJMS, were Magpakailanman, 24 Oras, Ismol Family, Celebrity Bluff, The Half Sisters, Empress Ki, Pepito Manaloto, Eat Bulaga, More Than Words, and Once Upon A Kiss. ■

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TV5 bags Excellence awards at 13th IABC Quill Awards

Rescue5’s Chester Batongbakal, News5 anchor Paolo Bediones, TV5 public service Head Sherryl Yao, and TV5 legal analyst and Radyo5 anchor Atty. Mel Sta. Maria pose with the two Awards of Excellence TV5 won at the 13th IABC Quill Awards.

TV5 bested thousands of entries from the nation’s biggest corporations and took home Awards of Excellence at the 13th Philippine Quill Awards, the country’s most prestigious awards in business communication. The network’s Radyo5 Taxi Squad: Todo Radyo Serbisyo and Rescue5 Activity Book for Visayas bagged Excellence awards in the Communication Management division and Communication Skills division, respectively. Both campaigns are under News5, highlighting the network’s public service excellence and commitment to cause journalism. Present to receive the awards were Rescue5’s Chester Batongbakal, News5 anchor Paolo Bediones, TV5

Public Service Head Sherryl Yao, and TV5 legal analyst and Radyo5 anchor Atty. Mel Sta. Maria, at the awarding ceremonies held on March 9 at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila. Aside from winning the Excellence Awards, both Radyo5 and Rescue5 further made it to the ﬁve ﬁnalists that competed for the Top Award in the Communication Management and Communication Skills divisions, respectively. Radyo5 Taxi Squad: Todo Radyo Serbisyo empowers cab drivers by forming a sustainable community of taxi drivers who serve as citizen journalists and role-models to others. Rescue5, on the other hand, pioneered a fun and innovative way of teaching

disaster preparedness to kids in calamity-stricken Visayas through activity books in their mother tongues such as Waray and Sinugbuanong Binisaya. These award-winning campaigns strengthen News5’s own brand of journalism, “Higit sa Balita, Aksyon,” which does not stop in just reporting news but goes the extra mile by taking action for positive change and inspiring the general public to do the same. The Philippine Quill Awards is organized by the Philippine chapter of International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), a global network of around 15,500 business communicators in 80 countries. ■ March

11, 2015 / 8:51 AM

Richard Gomez, ‘Children’s Show’ win at Fantasporto festival in Portugal SINCE he started his acting career over 30 years ago, Richard Gomez has won a total of eight Best Actor awards, the last two courtesy of the FAMAS and the Film Academy of the Philippines in 1995 for the film “Dahas”. Now the actor known fondly as Goma wins his latest acting recognition, his first in 20 years and his first ever in an international film festival. On the same weekend that his film “The Janitor” took home five awards in the Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards for Movies, Richard was also honored with the Best Actor award in the Director’s Week competition at the 35th Oporto International Film Festival or Fantasporto in Portugal. Richard impressed the jurors with his portrayal of a senior police officer

who orders the execution of suspected criminals. Directed by Michael Tuviera, “The Janitor” has drawn comparisons to Erik Matti’s “On The Job,” another internationally acclaimed Filipino film. In a previous interview with InterAksyon, Richard said Matti first offered the role of another cop to him but it ultimately went to Joey Marquez. With “The Janitor”, which premiered in the Director’s Showcase section of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival last year, Richard was finally able to play a similar role in a similarly independently produced film and reap accolades for it as well. Goma’s win also came after the actor recently made headlines for his controversial views on the Mamasapano incident that resulted in the demise of

44 members of the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force. Another big winner in the Fantasporto film festival is Derick Cabrido’s “Children’s Show”, which won the Special Jury Award in the Orient Express section. Like “The Janitor”, “Children’s Show” premiered at last year’s Cinemalaya where it won four awards in the New Breed section, including Best Supporting Actor for indie child actor Miggs Cuaderno. Based on the true story of children ages 10 to 15 that were used by a syndicate for underground wrestling matches, “Children’s Show” also recently won Best Story for Cabrido in the recent Gawad Tanglaw awards. The film is next scheduled to compete in the Main Competition of the Fantastic

Richard Gomez in ‘The Janitor’’ and Buboy Villar and Miggs Cuaderno in ‘Children’s Show’.

Cinema Festival, Film Society of Little Rock in Arkansas in the United States from March 11 to 15 and in and in the International Competition: Long Films

section of the Fribourg International Film Festival in Switzerland from March 21 to 28. ■ Edwin P. Sallan / InterAksyon.com / March 10, 2015 / 4:12 PM

Rachelle Ann Go ready to move on after stellar stint in ‘Miss Saigon’ WHAT a difference a year makes. One year after taking on the pivotal role of Gigi Van Tranh in the ongoing West End revival of “Miss Saigon”, Rachelle Ann Go has turned into an overnight international sensation. She won the 2014 BroadwayWorld UK/ West End Award as Best Featured Actress in a New Production of a

Musical as well as Best Supporting Actress in a Musical award from the 15th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards. Despite all the accolades, the 28-year-old singer-actress said she’s ready to move on and grow as an artist. After deciding not to extend her contract, she will perform her very last “Miss Saigon” show as Gigi on May 9.

Rachelle Ann Go poses beside a billboard of Disney’s ‘Cinderella’, whose theme song she recorded and performed in a music video. Photo by Peter Marquez, ©InterAksyon

“As of now, I’m still thinking what I’m going to do next but I told production I want to do other roles, other musicals like ‘Wicked’ and ‘Les Miserables’ that are in my bucket list,” Rachelle told InterAksyon and other media during the recent press brieﬁng for her recent recording of the beloved Disney song “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes”, from the 1950 animated big screen adaptation of “Cinderella.” Disney has revived the song for its live-action remake of the wellloved Brothers Grimm fairy tale and has tapped Rachelle to record and perform it in a music video as part of the promotional efforts for the ﬁlm which opened in Philippine cinemas nationwide on Thursday. Even though Rachelle has been doing “Miss Saigon” eight times a week, she was more than happy to take time out from her busy schedule and sing the song. Disney was even gracious enough to send a team to London to supervise the recording and the music video shoot which took place on a Sunday during her day-off from the musical.

Rachelle is no stranger to Disney, having performed in local productions of “The Little Mermaid” and “Tarzan” before being cast in “Miss Saigon” by Cameron Mackintosh himself after a competitive casting call in Manila in 2012. In more ways than one, Rachelle said getting an opportunity to record a song identiﬁed with her favorite Disney princess is a dream come true for her. “Up to now, I still can’t believe I sang that song. It was really overwhelming for me. Bumalik lahat ng childhood memories ko. Naalala ko yung part na kinakantahan ni Cinderella yung mga birds,” she exclaimed. “It’s a very short song, just two verses and then repeat, but I didn’t have a hard time doing it. I did not have to make much of an effort to understand the song because its meaning is already in my heart. Kung baga, this is me, this is my song.” Rachelle further explained that she could relate to the song in a big way because she personally identiﬁes with Cinderella’s story.

“I love the fact that she was hardworking and she was very kind to everyone, even to the people who are mean to her like her stepmother and stepsisters,” she explained. “I’ve been in the industry for 11 years and nothing came easy for me, I have to work really hard for everything I have. There were also people who tried to pull me down. I didn’t mind them. I just kept dreaming and kept on pursuing what I love to do.” Like Cinderella, Rachelle Ann was able to realize her dreams through hard work and perseverance. Well, almost all of her dreams. As much as she is currently at the top of the world and at the top of her game, there is one other dream that has yet to come true for her. “Bata pa ako, mahilig na ako sa shoes. But until now, I’m still looking for my own glass slippers. Sobrang dami na ng shoes ko pero wala pa rin akong mahanap,” she mused. Watch Rachelle Ann Go perform “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” in the song’s ofﬁcial music video. ■ Edwin P.

Sallan / InterAksyon.com / March 12, 2015 / 11:49 PM

March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

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Philippines Banners Anti-Drugs Gains at 58th Session of Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna SPEAKING before delegates at the opening session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs on March 09 at Vienna, Austria, Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Jose Marlowe Pedregosa delivered the Philippines’ national statement, highlighting the great strides made in the nation’s antidrug campaign. Anchored on a ﬁve-pillar approach of drug supply reduction, drug demand reduction, alternative development, civic awareness, and regional and international cooperation, Undersecretary Pedregosa stated, “In 2014, the supply reduction efforts led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency resulted in the seizure of Php 6.35 billion worth of dangerous drugs and Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals (CPECs).” Undersecretary Pedregosa further

stated, “On drug demand reduction, the Philippines intensified its programs on Prevention, Education, Treatment and Rehabilitation and Research through the grass-roots level by involving communities and conducting capacity building programs, including the dissemination of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime International Prevention Standards on Substance Use.” “The fight against drugs is not a fight waged by each Member State alone,” said the co-head of the Philippine delegation, acknowledging the role of international and regional cooperation in helping the country achieve its accomplishments in 2014. On the second day of the seven-day conference, as representative of the Asian Group, Undersecretary Pedregosa participated as a panelist at the interactive

Co-head of the Philippine delegation, Undersecretary Jose Marlowe Pedregosa, delivers the Philippine national statement at the 5th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Austria.

discussion on “Demand reduction and related measures, including prevention and treatment, as well as health-related issues; and ensuring the availability of controlled substances for medical and scientiﬁc purposes.” Discussing the demand reduction strategies of the Philippines, he described the drug problem in the Philippines as one of national concern,

“One that is related, not only to security, but also to health, social and economic well-being of the country.” Through a comprehensive approach, Undersecretary Pedregosa described the multifaceted approach used by the Philippines which includes the strengthening of national legislation, collaboration with different government agencies, civil society and

the private sector, utilization of new technologies and the involvement of communities. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs is one of the United Nations organs with a prime responsibility on drug matters. The 58th session is estimated to draw one thousand delegates from all over the world. ■ Philippine Embassy Philippines / March 13, 2015

10th ACGTDT to Regale Participants in the “Queen City of the South”

THE 2015 edition of the Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) promises to be a memorable affair, as participants will be brought to Cebu, known as the “Queen City of the South.” Now in its tenth staging, the annual Tour will enable this year’s participants to visit historical sites and landmarks in the Philippines’ second largest city, such as Fort San Pedro, the oldest triangular fortress in the country; Magellan’s Cross;

Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, which now houses the statuette of Sto. Niño; Casa Gorordo Museum; and the Taoist Temple. The tour in Cebu also includes visits to local manufacturing industries, including the island’s world-renowned furniture, dried fruit, local handicrafts and fashion accessories. Should participants wish to explore more of the region, the ACGTDT has additional post tour packages to nearby popular tourism destinations such as Bohol, Boracay, Davao, Dumaguete, and Palawan.

Upon arrival in Manila, guests will be billeted at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza and have the option to experience different day tours, including Manila City, ABS-CBN studios and Corregidor Island, one of the most revered and hallowed sites of World War II. The ACGTDT was initiated in 2005 under the tutelage of then Ambassador to the United States and now Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. The flagship tourism project has become an annual activity, involving all Philippine Foreign

PHL Ambassador Meets with South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker

PHILIPPINE Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez called on South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa on March 10 as part of a series of meetings with top South Korean government officials to bolster bilateral relations. Ambassador Hernandez expressed gratitude to Speaker Chung for making time for the meeting, adding that it reflects the high regard leading South Korean officials have toward the Philippines as a “brother nation”.

Preceded only by President Park Geun-hye in terms of seniority, Assemblyman Chung will soon be making his ﬁrst visit to the Philippines as speaker of South Korea’s 300-seat unicameral parliament, a position he assumed at the start of the 19th National Assembly on May 30, 2014. During the call, Ambassador Hernandez and Speaker Chung discussed several topics crucial to Philippine-South Korea relations, such political and security cooperation,

Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez and National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa shake hands at the conclusion of their meeting.

South Korea’s deployment of troops to help rehabilitate and reconstruct areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, Filipino marriage migrants, the safety of South Koreans in the Philippines, and regional issues. Referring to the Philippines’ own help to South Korea in its hour of need during the Korean War (19501953), Speaker Chung light heartedly remarked that the yearlong deployment of the Republic of Korea Military Joint Support Group, more popularly known as the Araw Contingent, to Leyte until December 2014 was South Korea’s attempt to repay its debt to the Filipino people, “with interest”. Speaker Chung, who has represented two Busan districts through ﬁve terms in the National Assembly since 1996, is expected to call on senior ofﬁcials of the government of the Philippines, including Senate President Franklin M.Drilon and House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr. during the visit to the Philippines that is expected to take place this month. Ambassador Hernandez called the visit of Speaker Chung “timely” as the Philippines and South Korea recently marked the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which occurred on March 03, 1949. ■

Philippine Embassy Philippines / March 13, 2015

Service posts in the US, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism and Rajah Tours Philippines. It has also become a venue for Filipinos and Americans to explore trade and investment activities in the Philippines, whose economy has grown significantly since President Benigno S. Aquino’s assumption into office. “I invite my countrymen in the US as well as our American friends to take part in this amazing tour and witness for themselves the tremendous growth that

has been achieved in the Philippines in recent years,” Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said. “The organizers are hard at work putting together a wonderful program and I am certain they will not disappoint this year’s participants,” he added. Interested parties may visit ACGTDT. COM for additional information and pricing. Hurry as participation is limited. Deadline for registration is on May 15. ■ Philippine Embassy Philippines / March 13, 2015

Philippines to Participate in 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan IN response to high-level invitations from the Government of Japan and the United Nations Secretary General, the Government of the Philippines is sending an official delegation to the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and its Third Preparatory Committee Meeting (Prepcom3) to be held in Sendai, Japan from March 13 to 18. Aside from honoring these invitations, the Philippines, as a country highly vulnerable to disasters, is making sure that its voice is heard in a once-in-a-decade UN conference that shapes the global framework for reducing risks. Among the important issues at the Conference is the successor framework to the UN Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) negotiated 10 years ago. The delegation will take active part in the negotiations on the successor Framework, which has building back better in recovery and rehabilitation and measurable indicators as new features to ensure means of implementation in the international effort to reduce disaster risks. The delegation will also co-chair a high-level dialogue on women in disaster risk reduction, and attend

important ministerial roundtables, working sessions, dialogues and public forum events. Several members of the Philippine delegation have roles as panelists and speakers —a recognition of the country’s leadership and prominence in the field of disaster risk reduction and management. As reflected in the organization of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the delegation includes a significant number of partners from civil society who are members of the NDRRMC. If there is one important thing that the Philippines can demonstrate at 3WCDRR, it is this trust, openness and demonstrated inclusivity through government-civil society partnership, among others, that characterize the desired whole-of-society approach to effectively build resilience against disasters. Members of the media who are covering 3WCDRR are welcome to approach the delegation for interviews at a pre-arranged time. For media queries and interview arrangements, please e-mail 3rdwcdrr.gph@gmail. com. ■ Philippine Embassy Philippines / March

11, 2015

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PHL Delegation to 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction to Help Shape New Global Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction THE members of the high-level Philippine delegation to the 3rd United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (3WCDRR) began to arrive yesterday, March 12, in Sendai, Japan with the aim of helping shape the new global framework for disaster risk reduction. Philippine Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Head of the Philippine Delegation, and Senator Loren Legarda, Alternate Head of Delegation, lead the high-level group of government ofﬁcials, legislators and leaders of civil society groups to the 3WCDRR from March 13 to 18. Senator Legarda, who arrived Thursday evening in Sendai, said that “the new priority action framework for DRR must address the growing risks present in countries especially in vulnerable communities.” The Senator stressed, “Our concern now is how to effectively reduce disaster risk as it becomes more complex given the increasing frequency, intensity and uncertainty of extreme hazard events. We need to rethink approaches for DRR and sustainable development. The successor to the Hyogo Framework of Action should be able to effectively guide nations and communities in managing risks and preventing the creation of new risks.” Senator Legarda will deliver the Philippine statement at

the plenary session of the 3WCDRR. The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) explains, describes and details the work that is required from all different sectors and actors to reduce disaster losses. Its goal is to substantially reduce disaster losses by 2015 by building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters. This means reducing loss of lives and social, economic, and environmental assets when hazards strike. The Philippines, as a country highly vulnerable to disasters, is making sure that its voice is heard in a once-in-adecade UN conference that shapes the global framework for mitigating disasters. In the 3WCRR, the Philippine delegation will share experience in implementing the HFA and learn lessons from other countries in the implementation of DRR measures. Among the important issues at the Conference is the successor framework to the HFA negotiated 10 years ago. The Philippine delegation will take active part in the negotiations for the HFA2, which has international cooperation and indicators as new features to ensure means of implementation and measurability in the international effort to reduce disaster risks. During the negotiations for HFA2, the Philippines will also highlight the issue of the vulnerability of migrants and the contributions of migrants in building

disaster resilient communities. In the course of the Conference, Senator Legarda will co-chair with Ms. Sanae Takaichi, Minister of Internal Affairs of Japan, the High Level MultiStakeholder Partnership Dialogue on Mobilizing Women’s Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction to be held on March 14. The members of the delegation will attend important ministerial roundtables, working sessions, dialogues and public forum events. Several members of the Philippine delegation have roles as panelists and speakers -- a recognition of the country’s leadership and prominence in the field of disaster risk reduction. The Philippines will also open an exhibit of its best practices for disaster risk reduction and management including the experiences and lesson learned from the effects of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda that hit Central Visayas on 08 November 2013. As reflected in the organization of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the delegation includes a significant number of partners from civil society who are members of the NDRRMC. If there is one important thing that the Philippines can demonstrate at 3WCDRR, it is trust, openness and demonstrated government-civil society partnership that characterize the desired whole-of-society approach to

Senator Loren Legarda with Ms. Margareta Wahistrom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for DRR. Photo cortesy of the Official website of the Office of Senator Legarda.

effectively building resilience against disasters. Among the members of the Philippine delegation are Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA); Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Secretary Mary Ann Lucille Sering of the Climate Change Commission; Congressmen Rufus Rodriguez and Mel Senen Sarmiento of the House of Representatives; Undersecretary Alexander P. Pama, Administrator for the of Civil Defense and Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Council; NEDA Deputy Directors General Margarita R. Songco and Emmanuel F. Esguerra; Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Undersecretary Lesley Jeanne Cordero of the Ofﬁce of the Presidential Adviser on Recovery and Rehabilitation; DPWH Undersecretary Rafael Yabut; Undersecretary Gil Beltran of the Department of Finance; National Treasurer Robert Tan, and Mr. Gil Buenaventura, President and CEO of the Development Bank of the Philippines. ■ Philippine Embassy Philippines / March 13, 2015

Philippines Calls for an ASEAN Common Stand on Regional and Global Issues

Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan P. Garcia (2nd from left), shown here with the other ASEAN Senior Officials, calls for an ASEAN common stand on international issues when needed.

PHL Ambassador Presents Credentials to German President PHILIPPINE Ambassador to Germany Melita Sta. MariaThomeczek presented her credentials to the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck on March 04 at the Schloss Bellevue Palace, the ofﬁcial residence of the President. After the presentation, Ambassador Thomeczek and President Gauck exchanged pleasantries and shared updates on relevant concerns. After the presentation, the honor guards of the Defense Ministry gave

military honors to the Ambassador and the Philippine flag was raised. The Philippine Embassy hosted a cocktail reception at historic Adion Hotel to celebrate the event. Embassy officers, staff, Foreign Ministry officers and Embassy friends attended the reception. Amihan Melicor—the tandem of Isa Tabasuares, a Filipina singer songwriter in Berlin and Thomas Walter—and Bianca Cruz provided musical entertainment. ■ Philippine Embassy Philippines / March 13, 2015

PHILIPPINE Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan P. Garcia urged his ASEAN colleagues yesterday to foster common perspectives on regional and international issues as a measure of ASEAN solidarity and Centrality. Undersecretary Garcia emphasized that where needed, ASEAN can be a more active player in the international arena when it faces common concerns. The Undersecretary participated in a series of ASEAN meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from March 09 to 11 in preparation for the 26th ASEAN Summit to be held next month also in Malaysia. In these meetings, he noted that recent developments in the South China Sea highlight the need for

urgent action to reduce the rising tensions in the area. He said that what is actually happening in the South China Sea does not match the diplomacy that is being undertaken to manage regional tensions, which are increasing the level of mistrust and heightening the dangers of unintended conflict in the region. Undersecretary Garcia stressed that ASEAN Centrality necessitates finding the political will to address issues of common concern and improving ASEAN’s institutional capacity to do so. Discussions on centrality should be coordinated across ASEAN’s three Communities with the end view of taking a stand as a regional organization when needed. The

ASEAN Secretariat, he concluded, must further develop its capacity to provide policy scanning and recommendations on regional and international issues. At the Foreign Ministers’ Retreat early this year, Malaysia said that ASEAN would intensify efforts to conclude a code of conduct in the South China Sea under its chairmanship amid growing concerns from some members about land reclamation activities in the contested areas. The Philippines cautioned that ASEAN’s failure to address such critical issue in its backyard undermines ASEAN Centrality and unity. ■ Philippine Embassy Philippines /

March 11, 2015

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March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

Number of displaced people in Maguindanao fighting rises to 19,000 families MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao – The number of people displaced by the ongoing military offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao rose to 19,075 families, or 95,375 individuals, as of Friday morning as relief agencies intensiﬁed humanitarian efforts, ofﬁcials said Friday. The data was based on validated and assessed information gathered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWDARMM). The Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (HEART) of ARMM reported Friday that the internally displaced persons (IDPs) were housed in 72 evacuation sites from Maguindanao’s 11 municipalities. The IDPs call themselves “bakwit,”

derived from the word “evacuate”. Myrna Jo Henry of ARMM-HEART said the validated IDP families were issued Disaster Assessment Family Access Cards (DAFAC) for proper validation and relief distribution. While the region has enough funds for relief aid, lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary and chair of ARMM-HEART, appealed for nonfood items from donors and nongovernment organizations. She said as far as food is concerned, it is being addressed by the regional government but the non-food stuff, like water jars for potable drinking water, mosquito nets, tarpaulin, among others, are needed by the IDPs. ARMM is spending at least P13 million a week for food aid to the IDPs. The affected towns are Mamasapano, Datu Salibo, Shariff

Saidona Mustapaha, Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Talayan, Datu Anggal, Midtimbang, Guindulungan, Datu Unsay, Talitay and Rajah Buayan. Alamia said Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, regional health secretary of the ARMM, regularly leads medical missions which are complimented by the military’s medical team from Camp Aguinaldo. According to Alamia, the daily food requirement and medical needs of IDPs are addressed but their continued stay in 72 evacuation sites requires more than food and health concerns. She said the IDPs have to endure cold nights and excruciating heat during day time at the shelters, and they need tarpaulins, water jars and mosquito nets to prevent them from getting ill. “The evacuation centers are very

People displaced due to the ongoing military offensive against the BIFF live in a so-called Tent City in Maguindanao, March 12, 2015. Photo by Dennis Arcon, ©InterAksyon.com

conducive to highly communicable diseases so we are not letting our guards down, day in day out we are there to serve our people, that is our mandate as leading government agency,” Sinolinding told reporters. Meanwhile, the military continues its own medical mission in

coordinating with the ARMM HEART to areas difﬁcult to reach for noncombatant relief workers. Capt. Joann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said medical and dental missions are safely conducted far from combat zones. ■ Edwin O. Fernandez / PNA / March 14, 2015 / 12:28 AM

Three-year old girl dies in lumad IDP camp in San Luis, Agusan del Sur BUTUAN CITY – A three-year old girl has died inside an evacuation camp in Barangay Balit, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, as socio-civic and humanitarian groups expressed the fear that more children are going to suffer under distressful conditions there. Health workers identified the child as Jenalyn Matibulig, who moved to the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp together with her nine other siblings and parents. Jenalyn, who expired at 4 a.m. Thursday, is the fifth child to have died since the exodus of the Banwaon tribe from their hinterland communities last January 23. “The child had fever for three days and suffered diarrhea for two days; we have yet to confirm the exact cause of the child’s untimely demise. Medications for the fever and rehydration fluids were given, but it wasn’t enough to save the child,” said Emerita Lor, volunteer health worker of the Community-Based Health Services (CBHS) who has been working with the internally displaced persons (IDPs). Vilma Matibulig, the mother of the deceased child, said she thought

the child was on her way to recovery: “There were signs that her condition was getting better after she took her medications. We thought it was going to be all right, but at around 3:00 o’clock in the morning, she suddenly complained of chest pains.” The IDPs in this camp San Luis have had to ﬂee from their villages in the wake of armed clashes between government forces and the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels that escalated in January this year. Health and sanitation conditions are starting to become problematic. According to the health workers, cases of fever and measles are on the rise among the young children, as well as amebiasis that also afﬂicts older individuals. Several other individuals have also been tested positive with tuberculosis. An estimated 80% of the IDPs are women and children. In the early part of January, a fouryear-old child naming Jason Tilocan died days after their family temporarily evacuated from Sitio Tabanganan, Barangay Mahagsay. A few days later, Miguel Man-anito, a three-year old

The majority of around 1000 individuals stay in in makeshift tents.

boy, followed. On February 6, more fatalities were recorded: two-year-old Prenton Sayasaya, to fever, and a mother and her still-born baby. In both cases, fever had been plaguing the victims, who were already weak and sick from their difficult journey from their home villages to the evacuation camp. A statement from Karapatan Caraga attributed the armed conflict in the hinterlands as being spawned by running firefights between rebel forces and the military allied with paramilitary groups known as Bagani Forces. “The start of 2015 witnessed intensified Community Organizing for Peace Development (COPD) activities of the military,” said Karapatan. “Fearing for their safety – from the direct harassment of the military and the possibility of getting caught in a cross-fire should there be an encounter between the military and the NPA – the communities have demanded that the military pull out from their village centers.” “According to protocols, the military should be camping far from civilian

Food is rationed accordingly among the internally displaced families.

Lumads from the Banwaon tribe try to live “normal” lives in the IDP camp.

houses and establishments. However, this was not followed. The families decided to come together, believing they would be more secure if they would stay together,” the group’s statement said. Ariel Mandombuan, a council member of Barangay Santa Rita of the same town, points out that the cause of the problem could also be the issue of land ownership and the lumad’s ancestral domain: “The problem with all the communities involved started with Mario Napungahan, former member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), who wanted to include their lands under his Certiﬁcate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT). We resisted this act since we know that this would lead to the entry of mining companies into the ancestral lands of the Banwaons.” Capt. Patrick Martinez, deputy public affairs ofﬁcer of the 4th Infantry Division, expressed sadness in the loss of the child’s life. “We condole with the family of the child, the efforts of the Army has been directed toward addressing the problem of insurgency, and COPD operations are directed toward peace and not further bloodshed and war,”

said Martinez. Martinez added that the people will soon go back to their homes, “and, we hope, they would work with us in a an ambience of peace means and avert the possibility of more children getting sick and dying in the evacuation camp. Various accounts say there could be as many as 200 families (around 1,400 individuals), mostly lumads from 14 communities/sitios in Barangays Mahagsay, Sta Rita, Mahayahay and Binicalan of Municipality of San Luis, and Brgys Lydia and Angeles, Municipality of La Paz, who have evacuated since second week of January. The evacuation was allegedly triggered by ongoing military activities in the areas, and also the killing of the Brgy Chair of Balit, San Luis last December. Most of the IDPs are staying within the compound of the abandoned/ unﬁnished hospital building in Brgy. Balit, San Luis. Most of the basic needs of the IDPs are being supported on an ad-hoc basis by various humanitarian response groups operating in the area. ■ Text and

photos by Erwin Mascarinas / InterAksyon.com/ March 13, 2015 / 4:29 PM

PABASA 2015 Date & Time: 02 April 2015 (Thursday from 20:00H Ð 24:00H) 03 April 2015 ( Friday from 9:00H Ð 12:00H and 16:00 Ð 24:00H ) 04 April 2015 (Saturday from 07:00H onwards Place: HO LY CRO SS CHAPEL Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road,London W6 8RF

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March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

PNoy violated chain of command in Mamasapano mission, says BOI THE chain of command was violated when President Benigno Aquino III, then suspended PNP chief Director-General Alan Purisima and relieved Special Action Force director Director Getulio Napeñas planned and oversaw the execution of the Oplan Exodus, the mission to neutralize high-value targets in supposed Moro Islamic Liberation Front territory in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. This was the top ﬁnding of the Board of Inquiry that Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II formed to investigate the incident that led to the killing of international terrorist Zulkiﬂi bin Hir alias Marwan but also caused the deaths of 44 police commandos in the hands of the MILF and its breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on Jan. 25. “The chain of the command in the PNP was violated. The President, the suspended CPNP Purisima and the former Director SAF Napeñas kept the information to themselves and deliberately failed to inform the OIC PNP and the SILG,” the BOI said in its report. “The Chain of Command should be observed in running mission operations,” it added.

The panel found that Aquino “bypassed the established PNP (Philippine National Police) Chain of Command” by dealing “directly” with sacked Special Action Force chief Dir. Getulio Napeñas Jr. instead of with the ofﬁcer-in-charge Deputy Dir. Gen. Leonardo Espina. “While the President has the prerogative to deal directly with any of his subordinates, the act of dealing with Napeñas instead of OIC-PNP Espina bypassed the established PNP Chain of Command,” the BOI said. “Under the Manual for PNP Fundamental Doctrine, the Chain of Command runs upward and downward. Such Manual requires the commander to discharge his responsibilities through a Chain of Command,” it added. Aquino, together with Napeñas and then-suspended Purisima “kept the information to themselves and deliberately failed to inform” Espina, as well as Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, it said. Purisima has since resigned. Malacañang deferred comment on the BOI’s ﬁndings. Undersecretary Abigail Valte said the President needed to read the full report.

‘The President gave go-signal’. The BOI report said the President “gave the go-signal and allowed the execution of Oplan Exodus” after Napeñas presented the concept of operations to him. Furthermore, it pointed out that Aquino “allowed the participation” of Purisima, who was serving a six-month preventive suspension. During the presentation of the report on Friday, however, Roxas cleared the President of any liability in the incident, pinningthe blame on Purisima and Napeñas. Roxas said Aquino “was just doing his job” when he ordered the neutralization of Malaysian bomber Zulkiﬂi bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bomb-maker Abdul Basit Usman. He added that the President “recognized that Purisima was suspended,” thus an order to relay the mission to Espina. “Pero hindi nasunod ang kaniyang utos,” Roxas said. Although he acknowledged that Purisima delegated Napeñas to lead the mission, Roxas pointed out that Purisima was the higher ranking ofﬁcer between the two. “Siya ay four-star (general), ang

head ng PNP. Siya ang nangasiwa ng lahat ng operasyon simula’t simula pa lang... Ang supervision, ang quality control, ang pagsisiguro na tama ang trabaho ni Napeñas ay nasa kay Dir. Gen. Purisima,” he said. Oplan Exodus. According to the BOI, Oplan Exodus was approved by the President and implemented by suspended Purisima and Napeñas. On Dec. 16, 2014, the Espina issued Special Order No. 9851 which directed suspended CPNP Purisima and other suspended PNP officers, to “cease and desist from performing the duties and functions of their respective offices during the pendency of [their respective cases filed by the Ombudsman] until its termination.” “Napeñas and suspended CPNP Purisima ignored the established PNP Chain of Command by excluding OIC-PNP Espina in the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus,” the BOI said. Napeñas and suspended CPNP also failed to inform Roxas and made no prior coordination with the AFP. “The participation of the suspended CPNP in Oplan Exodus was carried out with the knowledge of the President. Records revealed instances when

the suspended CPNP met with the President and Napeñas to discuss Oplan Exodus; and communicated with the President via SMS messages regarding the execution of Oplan Exodus on January 25, 2015,” the BOI said. “Records also show that suspended CPNP Purisima failed to deliver his assurances to coordinate with the AFP. At a crucial stage of the crisis, the suspended CPNP Purisima provided inaccurate information from an unofﬁcial source, which further jeopardized the situation of the 55th SAC and 84th Seaborne in Mamasapano,” it added. ■ Rose-An Jessica Dioquino with a report from Amanda Fernandez / NB, GMA News / March 13, 2015 / 2:51 PM

Napoles lawyer: Witness only testifying to save herself THE lawyer for Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam, on Friday, attempted to discredit the testimony of whistleblower Merlina Suñas by saying she is only testifying to save herself. In his turn to cross-examine Suñas, Napoles’ lawyer Dennis Buenaventura questioned the motive of the prosecution’s witness for testifying against Napoles, her former boss. “Hindi kaya natatakot ka lang na kung hindi ka makipag-cooperate, you will be included as co-accused?” Buenaventura asked. Suñas was quick to respond in the afﬁrmative and even added: “Kung hindi po ako nag state witness, malamang po

ay kasama na ako sa mga akusado.” Buenaventura then asked Suñas if she was afraid to suffer the same fate of other employees of Napoles’ JLN Corporation who were named as coaccused in the pork barrel cases because they allegedly refused to cooperate with the investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the of the Ofﬁce of the Ombudsman. “Natatakot ka na magaya sa kanila. Alam mo na kahit hindi sila nag-participate, dahil lang hindi sila nag cooperate ay nasama sila (sa kinasuhan)?” Buenaventura asked Suñas. “Nagparticipate po sila kaya kasama sila as co-accused,” Suñas said, explaining that she was afraid because

she knew that she also participated in the pork scheme.

‘Not

Napoles

employee’.

Buenaventura then questioned Suñas’ proof that she was an employee of Jo Chris Trading, a company owned by Napoles’ daughter Jo Christine from 2001 to 2002 and of JLN Corporation from 2003 to 2012. Suñas said she has an ID as an employee of Jo Chris Trading signed by Jo Christine. “Were you aware that Jo Christine was only 17 years old in 2001?,” Buenaventura said. “Hindi ko po alam, sir,” Suñas replied. Suñas admitted that aside from that ID, she does not have any other proof that she used to be an employee of Jo

Shabu worth P1.2M, guns recovered from 2 suspects in Bulacan MANILA - Reports reaching Manila indicated that a pack of shabu with an estimated street value of P1,250,000 and high-powered firearms were recovered early Friday morning from two arrested suspects believed to be members of an illegal-drug ring in Barangay San Jose, Baliwag, Bulacan. The Bulacan provincial police director, Senior Supt. Ferdinand Divina reported that operatives of the Baliwag Municipal Police Station, led by Senior Insp. Diosdado Paragas Leal, with the support of elements of the First Maneuver Platoon of the Provincial Public Safety Company, flagged down the suspects on board a vehicle at around 2:15 a.m. The arrested suspects were

identified as June Acuña y Villegas, 30, and Christopher Juan y Valles, 26, both said to be residents at the Tumana area in Barangay San Jose. In his report, Leal said the two suspects were on board a Honda Civic (with license plate ZNH-314) that was stopped for record verification and visual inspection when suddenly one of the suspects tried to draw a pistol that prompted the policemen to arrest him. “Further search yielded a transparent plastic pack of white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, weighing approximately one fourth of a kilogram and worth an estimated street value of Php1,250,000. There was also money in cold cash amounting to P37,780,” Leal said.

Contraband confiscated from Baliwag checkpoint. Photograph from Bulacan PPO / PIO.

A thorough inspection of the car also yielded an Uzi machine pistol with 83 pieces of live ammunition. Another firearm described as a caliber 9 MM (Jericho) pistol, with five magazines and ammunition, was seized. ■ Jaime Sinapit / InterAksyon.com / March 13, 2015 / 9:41 PM

Chris Trading and of JLN Corporation. “Yung ID lang po na yun. Wala po kasing written document na ini-issue sa’min si Napoles. Puro verbal agreement lang po,” Suñas said. “So, you want us to take your word for it? Gusto mo na paniwalaan ka namin na empleyado ka ng JLN Corporation kahit sinabi na ng NLRC (National Labor Relations Commission) na hindi ka empleyado?” Buenaventura said. At the earlier point of the hearing, Suñas told the court that she filed an illegal dismissal case against Napoles before the NLRC in April 2013 after the latter barred her from reporting for work at JLN Corporation since December 20, 2012. Suñas said Napoles barred her from reporting for work after the businesswoman got angry at her and fellow employee Benhur Luy because Luy had allegedly been having PDAF transactions behind Napoles’ back. Suñas, however, told the court that her labor case against Napoles was dismissed. When asked by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, division chairman, on the reason cited by NLRC for the dismissal of the case, Suñas replied: “No employer-employee relationship daw po.” Carnapping case. Finally, Buenaventura also hinted on a possible irregularity in the timing of the dismissal of the carnapping case filed by Napoles against Suñas around the time that the latter submitted her sworn affidavit with the NBI on August 5, 2013 for the PDAF scam.

The case stemmed from Suñas’ alleged illegal possession of a Toyota Innova car owned by JLN Corporation since 2009. Upon questioning by Associate Justice Samuel Martires, Suñas admitted that the carnapping case filed against her by Napoles before the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) was dismissed some time beween July and August 2013. “As early as April (2013), JLN Corporation and Mrs. Napoles were already being investigated by the NBI for the Malampaya and PDAF scam…Before you executed your affidavit on August 5, may mga kumakausap na ba sayo,” Martires asked. Suñas replied that there were indeed some investigators from the NBI who talked to her prior to her execution of the affidavit. “Did anyone from the NBI promised you that they will help you with your case if you execute affidavit?,” Martires inquired further. “Wala po your honor,” Suñas replied. Suñas maintained that she has not stolen the car, as payment for it was deducted from her salary and from her commissions from the PDAF transactions. Suñas was named as the president of People’s Organization for Progress and Development Foundation Inc. (POPDFI), one of bogus foundations allegedly owned by Napoles. “Doon po na-prove na kahit maimpluwensya ang tao, dahil walang katotohanan ang ibinibintang ay na dismiss yung case,” Suñas said. ■ Elizabeth Marcelo / JDS, GMA News / March 13, 2015 / 10:13PM

March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

NEWS

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MAMASAPANO Mar absolves PNoy, blames Purisima;

resigned PNP chief says case shouldn’t be prejudged MANILA - The camp of resigned Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima on Friday cautioned Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas II against prejudging the Mamasapano case after the PNP Board Inquiry (BOI) came out with its ﬁndings on the January 25 incident in Maguindanao that resulted in the death of 67 people including 44 elite troopers of the Special Action Force. “It appears that the Secretary is prejudging the case and playing to certain sectors of the public. I would caution against entertaining conclusions at this stage,” said Kristoffer Purisima, lawyer of the resigned PNP chief.

“The mandate of the BOI was factfinding in nature. That is different from finding fault or liability. There is a separate process for that. We shall respond to allegations at the proper time and in the proper forum,” added Purisima’s lawyer. After reading the BOI report on Friday, Roxas absolved President Benigno Aquino III and put the blame on Purisima. “Matapos kong mabasa ang formal report ay confirmed sa aking pag-iisip na ang may pangunahing pananagutan dito sa pagkamatay ng 44 ay walang iba kundi ang suspendidong Director Gen. Alan Purisima,” said the DILG chief. [After reading the formal report

I confirmed in my mind that the one that has the primary responsibility on the death of the 44 is no other than the suspended Director General Alan Purisima.] Roxas said that based on the BOI report, “it is clear that Purisima led from the start Operation Exodus,” which was launched to neutralize two high-value targets Zhulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and Basit Usman. He said that after Purisima was suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman, the latter “should have relinquished the command over the operation to PNP Officer-in-charge Deputy Dir. Gen. Leonardo Espina.” “Hindi lang na hindi niya ipinasa, sinabihan pa niya si Napeñas na ilihim

MMDA OKs DPWH work on totally closed Ayala Bridge MANILA - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday gave the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) the green light to proceed with rehabilitation work on Ayala Bridge in Manila starting March 21. According to MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, he approved the month-long total closure of bridge, to last until April 21, as requested by

DPWH, because it is rushing to complete the work on the bridge in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. “I am appealing to the motorists for patience. They should avoid the area as much as possible and take alternate routes instead,” Tolentino said. Areas expected to be affected by the closure of the bridge include major thoroughfares such as Quezon Boulevard, United Nations Avenue, Taft Ave, Legarda

Ave, Quirino Ave, Recto Ave, Magsaysay Boulevard and Roxas Blvd. The rehabilitation and repair of the bridge started in stages in May last year, and is expected to be completed by July. ■ Clara Masinag / Photo by Bernard Testa / InterAksyon.com / March 13, 2015 / 9:50 PM

File photos of resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima, DILG chief Mar Roxas, and President Benigno Aquino III

ito, itago ito, huwag itong sabihin kay OIC Espina at sa akin,” Roxas said. [It was not only that he did not relinquish, he even told (sacked SAF chief Getulio) Napeñas to make it a secret, to hide it, not to tell it to me and OIC Espina.] Also, Roxas said Purisima “failed to follow President Aquino’s orders to coordinate the operation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which would have allowed the AFP to respond on time.” “Hindi nakakilos in a timely manner ang AFP because they didn’t

know, at ‘yong inaasahang responde, ‘resbak’ ay hindi nakarating hanggang naubos na ang 55th SAF sa kanilang kinalalagyan,” Roxas said. He, however, said that the President “had no accountability regarding the Mamasapano incident.” Acoording to the DILG chief, “the President twice ordered Purisima to coordinate the operation with the AFP, and when he was already suspended, to turn over the chain of command to Espina but the President’s orders were not followed.” ■ InterAksyon.com / March 14, 2015 / 3:12 AM

SPORTS

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March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

BOXING

‘I’VE NEVER WANTED TO WIN A FIGHT SO BAD’ Mayweather motivated to beat Pacquiao in megafight UNDEFEATED American boxer Floyd Mayweather has been in a lot of big fights against some great fighters but he knows that his upcoming May 2 megabout with Filipino boxing icon may very well be the most important of his career. In the press conference for the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight at the Nokia Center in Los Angeles, the fivedivision world champion admitted that he was as motivated as he’s ever been in his career. “This is an unbelievable matchup. Action-packed fight. I’m in the gym

FOOTBALL

working right now dedicating myself to the sport, pushing myself to the limit because I never wanted to win a ﬁght so bad in my life,” Mayweather said. The American, still unbeaten in 47 ﬁghts, will have a tough task to keep that slate clean against the Filipino, although he believes he will have a mental edge in the contest. “The thing I do know about any sport, when you lose – it’s in your mind. If you lost once, it’s in your mind. If you lost twice, it’s in your mind,” he said. Pacquiao holds a 57-5-2 record

with his five losses consisting of three knockouts and two decisions. He suffered back-to-back losses in 2012, the first a controversial split decision to Timothy Bradley and the other a knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez. His last defeat before that was a decision loss to Erik Morales in 2005. He has since won three consecutive fights, though Mayweather believes those defeats will stick with him. “From Day One, I was always taught to be a winner,” he added. ■

InterAksyon.com / March 12, 2015 / 6:12 AM

Fundraising campaign launched to help Azkals’ FIFA World Cup qualifiers campaign THE Philippine national men’s football team has sought the help from fans in its campaign in the FIFA World Cup qualiﬁers this June. The Azkals, in partnership with supermarket chain Puregold, have launched the fundraising campaign “Small Change, Big Change” which aims to encourage people to donate their loose change and help fund the

©AFP

BASKETBALL

The fundraising project will help augment the Azkals’ funds sourced through their boss businessman Dan Palami and the Philippine Football Federation. The Azkals will ﬂy to Bahrain for a training tour in March to kick off their preparations for the World Cup qualiﬁers. ■ InterAksyon.com / March 5, 2015

/ 2:28 PM

Meralco All-Star Reynel Hugnatan proving he belongs among PBA elite

FOR a player averaging only ﬁve points per game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, making it into the All-Star Game is no easy task. But there’s a very good reason why Meralco’s Reynel Hugnatan found himself selected among the league’s ﬁnest despite his modest numbers. He enjoyed a breakout performance on a Friday the 13th game, but his impact goes far beyond what appears on the stat sheet. In his lengthy 12-year career, the 36-year-old veteran forward-center has held his own against some of the great big men in PBA history. Hugnatan, standing all of 6-foot4, has battled against guys like Asi Taulava, Danny Ildefonso and Eric Menk and now, even June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter. He’s done it through plenty of hard work, something that he has had to dedicate himself to through the seasons.

BASKETBALL

team’s participation in the games. Donation cans for the project will be placed in selected branches and stores. The Azkals will play at least eight home-and-away games in the new World Cup qualifying format, with four of them being held overseas. The squad is estimating a cost of $150,000 to $200,000 every trip abroad.

“Kahit paano sumasabit pa rin (sila) hanggang ngayon,” Hugnatan told a small group of sportswriters after the game. “Disiplina lang talaga. Double workout pa rin yung ginagawa ko syempre medyo may edad na tayo kaya nakikinig talaga ako doon sa mga conditioning coaches natin.” Hugnatan isn’t known as a highvolume scorer but he’s managed to shine in his own way, making himself a valuable asset to any coach. He excels at doing the dirty work – defending, rebounding and playing speciﬁc roles – as well as making his teammates better. And while he gladly takes a backseat on offense to teammates like Gary David and Jared Dillinger, two members of the Gilas Pilipinas national team, or even to younger, more athletic thoroughbreds like Cliff Hodge and Sean Anthony, he’s proven time and again that he can explode for big games

when they needed him. On Friday, he scored again and again for 21 points, the first time this conference that he reached double figures in a game. He hit some big shots in the fourth quarter, including a threepointer that sparked an 8-0 run that put the game away late for the Bolts. For Hugnatan, though, it was just part of the role he had to play in the game. “Kanina kasi sa pick and roll na-oopen ako, yung import nila hindi ako pinupuntahan so open ako parati kaya tinitirahan ko. Mabuti pumapasok,” he said. He also played a key role on the defensive end, helping his team hold Barako Bull import Solomon Alabi scoreless through the first two periods of the game. He was quick to deflect credit away, pointing to his coach and teammates. “Hindi lang naman ako yun. Tulungtulong kami doon lahat. Ginawa ko lang

yung sinabi ni Coach (Norman Black) na huwag papuntahin sa kanan dahil kapag nakapunta sa kanan, mahirap,” added Hugnatan. After receiving a well-deserved breather during the All-Star break, Hugnatan believes he was able to

recharge from the tough PBA schedule and he felt it in this game. “Malaking bagay yun kasi nakakarelax kami ng konti, pahinga. Nakatulong yun kaya maganda nilaro ko ngayon,” he added. ■ Rey Joble /

InterAksyon.com / March 13, 2015 / 10:00 PM

Rain or Shine eyes share of top spot in tiff with SMB; Meralco, Barako Bull look to end slides

THE Rain or Shine Elasto Painters seek a share of the top spot as they face the San Miguel Beermen in the homestretch of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round Friday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum. Rain or Shine and San Miguel tangle at 7 p.m. after the opening tiff between the Meralco Bolts and Barako Bull Energy at 4:15 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on TV5. Currently on a three-game winning streak after a 103-91 triumph over Barako Bull two weeks ago, the Elasto Painters (52) are just a win behind Talk ‘N Text which is currently occupying the No.1 seed.

The top two teams after the elimination round are guaranteed a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals, making the match more crucial for Rain or Shine which has only four games left in its schedule. On the other hand, San Miguel (2-6) is fighting for tournament survival. The Beermen are submerged into 10th place, but still have a chance of making it to the playoffs. The signs for the Beermen’s mission of sweeping their remaining games are encouraging especially that they are coming off a 102-91 win against Barako Bull

last March 3. In the first game, Meralco and Barako Bull try to end their respective skids. The Bolts (5-2), who started the conference with five straight wins, bowed in their last two games but are still in a tie for second place with Rain or Shine. Meralco is fresh from a two-week break, with its latest loss coming at the hands of NLEX, 89-76. The Energy (4-4) also look to return to their winning ways to improve their place come playoff time. ■ InterAksyon.com

/ March 12, 2015 / 9:06 PM

March 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 6 • UK & Europe Edition

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SPORTS

www.hello-philippines.com

Arellano bests perennial champ Perpetual for NCAA cheerleading crown

THE Arellano University Chief Squad took home the cheerleading competition crown as NCAA Season 90 came to an end Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena. Arellano, the first school to perform, bested nine other school with 405.5 points after an almost flawless routine. The Chief Squad just led by one point ahead of perennial champion Perpetual Help Altas Perps Squad (404.5). Arellano finally took home the crown after finishing as a runner-up in the past two stagings of the event. College of Saint Benilde Pep Squad

garnered 359.5 points to complete the top three. “The cheerleading competition is a ﬁtting ending to what has been a successful and massive year for the NCAA,” NCAA Management Committee chairman Paul Supan said. Apart from the cheerleading showcase, awarding ceremonies for the league champions were also held. San Beda came home with the juniors division general championship while Benilde copped the overall seniors division title. ■ InterAksyon.com / March 10, 2015 / 6:05 PM

NCAA photo

VOLLEYBALL

Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez set to win second straight UAAP volleyball MVP

ATENEO Lady Eagles star Alyssa Valdez is set to win her second straight Most Valuable Player trophy in UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. Valdez bested all players in the statistical race while also taking home the Best Scorer and Best Server titles to run away with the MVP award. She beat out La Salle’s Ara Galang, who was sidelined with a knee injury in their ﬁnals showdown, for the plum. The 21-year-old Valdez led Ateneo

to an impressive 14-0 sweep of the elimination round, a feat that earned the Lady Eagles an outright entry to the ﬁnals. Valdez put up 25 points in Ateneo’s 25-18, 25-19, 25-19 win over rival La Salle last Wednesday that put the Lady Eagles just a win away from a second straight crown. Valdez’ teammates Jia Morado (Best Setter) and Denden Lazaro (Best Receiver)also made it to the honor roll.

Joining them are National University’s Jaja Santiago (Best Spiker), University of Santo Tomas’ Ria Meneses (Best Blocker), Far Eastern University’s Christine Agno (Best Digger) and Rookie of the Year co-winners Kathleen Arado of University of the East and EJ Laure of UST. Valdez and company will ofﬁcially receive their awards on Saturday before Game Two of the ﬁnals at Mall of Asia Arena. ■ InterAksyon.com / March 13, 2015 / 5:01 PM

sport

Fundraising campaign Meralco All-Star Arellano bests Ateneo star Alyssa launched to help Reynel Hugnatan perennial champ Valdez set to win Azkals’ FIFA World Cup proving he belongs Perpetual for NCAA second straight qualifiers campaign among PBA elite cheerleading crown UAAP volleyball MVP Story on page 38

Story on page 38

Story on page 39

BOXING

$1,500 the cheapest ticket to Mayweather-Pacquiao superfight THE cheapest ticket to the megabout between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao can be scored at $1,500, fight organizers announced. The most expensive seats will cost $7,500. Announcement on ticket availability will be made soon, according to organizers. It was earlier reported that the average ticket price of the bout would exceed $3,000, easily eclipsing the $2,887.69 figure Mayweather’s fight against Canelo Alvarez made, currently the most expensive fight in boxing. But even if fans have the money, they shouldn’t hope too much about securing live admission as it was earlier reported that “only a few hundred, maybe a thousand” tickets could be sold publicly due to the high demand from promoters, networks and casino operators. To just get consideration for ringside tickets, one must also reportedly have a credit line of $250,000 credit line with MGM. Watching the bout via pay-per-view can also cost around $100, but organizers have yet to release details about it. The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is expected to generate no less than $300 million, making it the richest bout in boxing history. ■ InterAksyon.com / March 12, 2015 / 6:08 AM