Mindanao Daily
Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
P10/RM1
Zamboanga City, Philippines
Nov. 19-25, 2012
DALAWA SA ‘AMAN’ SCAM SUMUKO!
PAGADIAN CITY – Hawak na ng mga awtoridad ang dalawa sa umano’y opisyal ng Aman Futures, na siyang nasa likod ng P12-bilyong investment scam sa Pagadian City sa Mindanao matapos na sumuko sa takot na mapatay ng kanilang mga naloko. Naunang pinatay ng mga paghahanap sa mga nasa di-kilalang armado ang isang likod ng scam. Nauna ng ipinag-utos ng broker ng Aman Futures na si Anwar Zainal matapos itong Department of Interior and dukutin kamakailan sa Local Government na Pagadian City. Si Zainal ay imbestigahan ang financial natagpuan may tama ng bala status ng Internal Revenue ng baril sa dibdib sa loob ng Allotment ng mga local govkanyang kotse sa kalapit bayan ernment units sa Western ng Tambulig sa Zamboanga Mindanao at sa Lanao provdel Sur. Kinumpirma ng Na- inces upang mabatid kung tional Bureau of Investigation nagamit ang pondo ng at ng Philippine National Po- pamahalaan bilang puhunan lice na nasa pangangalaga na sa scam. Sinabi naman ni nila si Maria Donna Coyme, NBI Pagadian chief, Atty. Caburnay na ang tumatayong financial Alex manager ng Aman, at si Jacob sasampahan nito ng kaso ang Razuman, na isa sa mga bro- lahat ng may kinalaman sa scam na mas kilala bilang kers ng kumpanya. Ponzi scheme. “As long as Kumanta na Inamin ni Coyme na they are one or another conumabot sa mahigit kalahating nected with this swindling bilyong piso ang naproseso scheme they will be charged nito sa Aman bago tuluyang (in court),” ani Caburnay. Marawi connection mag collapse ang kumpanya. Ayon naman kay Supt. Nais umano ni Coyme na maging state witness laban sa Romero Magsalos, ang proiba pang mga sangkot sa scam vincial police chief ng Lanao na kung saan ay sa Pagadian del Sur, ay hawak na nila si City sa Zambvoanga del Sur Razuman matapos itong province nagmula nitong sumuko at humingi ng Pebrero. Sa ulat naman ng proteksyon sa kanila sa GMA News ay inamin rin ni Marawi City. “Ang ginagawa Coyme na kabilang sa mga natin ngayon eh dahil nga sa investors ng scam ay si voluntary custody na Pagadian City Mayor Samuel hinilining niya eh naglagay Co at umano diumano sa P30 tayo ng pulis na nagbabantay milyon ang inilagay ng doon sa kanya,” wika ni pulitiko sa Aman at nag-re- Magsalos. Tahimik naman cruit pa ng ibang mga kliyente. umano ang Marawi, ngunit “Coyme also alleged that inamin ni Magsalos na Pagadian City Mayor Samuel mataas ang tensyon ngayon Co invested around P30 mil- dahil sa mga galit na galit na lion in Aman Futures Group mga nagoyo ng Aman Fuand even referred investors to tures. “Although relatively the company. She also said Co peaceful pero may word is distributed checks from very volatile (at) ang ibig Amalilio,” ayon pa sa ulat ng sabihin (nito ay) hanggang sila na GMA. Idinagdag pa ng ulat na naniniwala itinanggi ni Co na may maibabalik sa kanilang ang kinalaman siya sa scam at sa pera nila eh andoon ang hope halip ay biktima rin umano. at yun feeling na maghintay,” “In a separate report, Co de- ani Magsalos. Sinibak nied being involved in the Pinaghahanap pa rin ng scam, saying he himself is a victim. He also said he only mga awtoridad si Malaysian invested P5 million — and not national Manuel Amalillo na P30 million as Coyme said — siyang utak ng Ponzi scheme and that he used his own at ang Pinoy na kakonsaba money,” wika ng GMA News. nito na si Fernando Luna. Napabalita rin sa Pagadian na Kamakailan lamang ay si Co mismo ang nagbibigay sinibak na rin sa puwesto ang ng mga tseke sa mga investors hepe ng pulisya sa na umano’y galing sa Aman Zamboanga del Sur na si Sr. Futures, ngunit lahat ng ito ay Supt. William Manzan at ang nagtalbugan rin. Hindi naman hepe ng pulisya sa Pagadian mabatid kung bakit mismong City na si Sr. Supt. Kenneth si Co ang namahagi ng mga Mission, dahil sa kanilang tseke sa kasagsagan ng kapabayaan at kabiguan na
ARMM
umaksyon sa naturang scam kahit alam nilang large scale swindling ang mga ito. Maging ang 21 mga parak sa lalawigan at lungsod ay sinibak na rin matapos na mabatid ng pulisya na investors rin ang mga ito sa Aman Futures. Sinabi pa ni Regional police chief Napoleon Estilles na nagsisilbing escorts pa ang mga parak kina Amalillo at Luna. Isasalang naman ni Estilles sa re-training ang mga nasibak na parak at opisyal, ngunit nais naman ng mga mga nagoyo ng scam na kasuhan at tanggalin sa serbsiyo ang lahat ng mga parak. 1-2-3 Pumutok sa Pagadian City ang nasabing scam at agad na kumalat ang balitang malaki ang interest na ibinibigay nito sa mga investors. At sa loob lamang ng dalawang linggo ay tumataginting na 50% agad ang tubo ng salaping ipinundar sa nasabing money trading scam. Sinabi ng ilang ay nagbibigay umano ng 31% hanggang 50% tubo sa loob lamang ng dalawang lingo sa investors ang mga nasa likod ng money trading business na nagsimula ngayon taon lamang. Ngunit kalat na rin ang reklamo ng ibang mga investors na pumapalya na umano ang pagbabayad sa kanila sa oras at dahil dito ay natatakot ang karamihan na posibleng gumuho ang nasabing trading scheme. Madalas umanong ikinakatwiran ng mga nasa likod ng investment trading na matagal umano ang proseso ng pagpasok ng pera sa bansa at hinihintay na lamang ang papeles mula sa Securities and Exchange Commission. Ngunit sinabi ng SEC na walang pahintulot ang nasa likod nito na magsagawa ng investment trading - sa bansa o sa abroad. Ngunit nabigyan umano ito ng permiso mula sa tanggapan ng Office of the City Mayor sa Pagadian. At maging mga pulitiko ay nakinabang ng malaki sa mga unang buwan ng naturang raket, ngunit karamihan sa kanila ay binawi na rin ang mga investments at malaking tubo na kinita sa scam. Epekto Sa panayam naman ng Mindanao Examiner sa ilang mga na-onse sa Ponzi scheme
Northern Mindanao
Davao
Children look a the rifle of this government soldier in Pagadian City in the southern Philippines. Thousands of people had been duped by the Aman Futures into investing over P12 billion only be victimized by its Malaysian owner Manuel Amalilio and his Filipino henchman Fernando Luna who used the Ponzi scheme to amassed the huge fortune. (Mindanao Examiner) ay sinabi nila na dalawang yumaman at marami ang operation took in so much teacher ang nagpakamatay naging milyonaryo dito sa money that it was the first to dahil sa matinding depression Pagadian City dahil sa invest- become known throughout the na sinapit mula sa scam. ment trading na yan. United States. Ponzi’s origiNaubos umano ang lahat ng Maraming pera ang mga tao nal scheme was based on the ari-arian ng mga ito ng ibenta ngayon dito at lalong arbitrage of international reang lupa at bahay at dumarami ang mga bagong ply coupons for postage mangutang ng malaking nagiinvest kasi malaki ang stamps; however, he soon dihalaga upang mailagak sa in- tubo ng pera,” wika naman ni verted investors’ money to vestment trading, subalit lahat Rick Santiago, ngunit hindi make payments to earlier inng puhunan ay parang bulang naman nito sinabi kung may vestors and himself,” nawala kasabay ng kanilang inilagak siyang salapi sa paliwanag pa ng online encypangarap na guminhawa. nasabing investment. clopedia. Ponzi scheme Sinabi pa ng isang Ayon pa sa Wikipedia: “A Ang naging modus oper- Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent nagpakilalang Michael na tatlong katao rin ang nasiraan andi ng kumpanya ay investment operation that ng bait at ngayon ay nasa hikayatin ang mga nais na pays returns to its investors pagamutan sa Pagadian. maglagay ng pera sa overseas from their own money or the Naubos rin umano ang mga trading at patubuan ito ng money paid by subsequent inari-arian nila at pati mga malaking porsyento. Ngunit vestors, rather than from lupang minana pa sa mga halos kapareho nito ang profit earned by the individual magulang ay naibenta rin binansagang “Ponzi scheme,” or organization running the upang magamit na capital sa isang scam na pumutok nuong operation. The Ponzi scheme Aman. 1920s at ginaya ng mga usually entices new investors Warning sindikato mula sa ibat-ibang by offering higher returns Naunang nagbabala ang bansa na hanggang ngayon ay than other investments, in the Department of Trade and In- nagpapatuloy pa rin. Ang in- form of short-term returns that dustry ukol sa scam subali’t vestment trading sa Pagadian are either abnormally high or marami pa rin ang ay halos kapareho diumano ng unusually consistent. Perpetunahumaling sa pangako ng Ponzi scheme at ang malaking ation of the high returns remalaking kikitaoin sa Aman tubo na ibinibigay sa mga in- quires an ever-increasing flow Futures. “Maraming beses na vestors ay galing rin sa salapi of money from new investors namin sinabi sa publiko na ng mga bago o ibang inves- to keep the scheme going.” mag-ingat sa kanilang mga tors. At hanggang may mga “The system is destined transaksyon,” ani Maria investors ay patuloy ang pasok to collapse because the earnSocorro Atay, ang provincial ng salapi, subali’t kailangan ings, if any, are less than the director ng ahensya sa ay mas maraming mga bagong payments to investors. UsuPagadian City. Pati mga ven- investors ang papasok upang ally, the scheme is interrupted dors at tricycle drivers at masigurong hindi kukulangin by legal authorities before it maging isang television re- sa pondo ang kumpanya para collapses because a Ponzi porter mula sa Zamboanga ay maibayad sa malaking halaga scheme is suspected or benaloko rin ng scam. ng interest. Ang Ponzi scheme cause the promoter is selling Nanawagan naman ang ay hango sa pangalan ni unregistered securities. As pulisya sa mga naloko ng in- Charles Ponzi, ayon sa more investors become investment trading na Wikipedia. “The scheme is volved, the likelihood of the magsadya sa awtoridad upang named after Charles Ponzi, scheme coming to the attenmakapaghain ng kanilang who became notorious for us- tion of authorities increases.” reklamo. “Marami ng ing the technique in 1920. His (Mindanao Examiner)
Manila
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 19-25, 2012
Coal-fired power plants opposed in Davao, Zamboanga DAVAO CITY – Environmental groups and villagers continue to oppose the proposed coal-fired power plant in Davao City in the southern Philippines, saying its carbon emission and other hazardous pollutants would affect the ecology and human health. The Aboitiz Power is building a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Toril, but residents are opposing the plan. Greenpeace has also opposed the building of the fossil fuel plant in the area, citing the effects to the environment of carbon emission in the air. The power firm insists its plant would address the electricity problem. Davao Light and Power Company, which provides electricity to the city and other areas, is also owned by Aboitiz Power. Last year, it sold 1.583 billion kilowatt-hours to some 294,000 customers with a peak demand of 288 megawatts. The environmental group Greenpeace has repeatedly called for the full implementation of the Renewable Energy (RE) Law. The RE Law was passed in 2008, but after four years, is still in the shelf, with decisions on provisions, such as the Feed-In-Tariff rates, delayed by two years. But it said the biggest obstacle to the RE Law is the blatant pro-coal stance of the Department of Energy then under Sec. Rene Almendras, who in his two years in office, had given the green light to at least 10 coal-fired power projects. The firms which were given the go green light to
operate coal-fired power plants are Trans Asia in Batangas, SMI Power in Davao del Sur, Masinloc Power in Zambales, San Ramon Power (Conal Holdings) in Zamboanga city, GN Power in Bataan, Alsons Consolidated in Sarangani, San Miguel Corp. In General Santos City, Steag PowerAboitiz Power-La Filipina in Misamis Oriental, Palm Concepcion Power in Panay, and RP Energy in Subic. Many people in those areas are also strongly opposed to coal-fired power plants. In Zamboanga City, the village chieftain Josephine Pareja is leading a peaceful protest in Talisayan where San Ramon Power is building a 100megawatt coal-fired power plant. Greenpeace said any investment in dirty coal plants means investment and opportunity lost for clean and safe RE systems. It said: “Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel. From mining through combustion to waste disposal, coal has a dire impact on the environment, human health and the social fabric of communities living near mines, power plants and waste sites.” “Coal plants are among the major causes of catastrophic climate change. Coal burning also severely damages ecosystems and contaminates water supplies. It emits other greenhouse gases like methane, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, as well as chemicals like arsenic and mercury which can disrupt human mental and physical development,” Greenpeace
said. It said clean and longlasting solutions to the country’s energy challenges are already available, just waiting to be tapped. Greenpeace said the role of the DOE is to catalyze and develop investments in RE, in order to provide a safe, secure and independent energy future for the country. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, in an average year, a typical coal plant (500 megawatts) generates the following amounts of air pollutants: - 3.7 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), an amount equivalent to chopping down 161 million trees. CO2 pollution is the principal human cause of global warming and climate change. - 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which causes acid rain and forms small airborne particles that can cause lung damage, heart disease, and other illnesses. - 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx), equivalent to half a million late-model cars. NOx leads to formation of smog, which inflames lung tissue and increases susceptibility to respiratory illness. - 500 tons of small airborne particles, which can cause bronchitis, reductions in lung function, increased hospital and emergency room admissions, and premature death. - 220 tons of hydrocarbons, which contribute to smog formation. - 720 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), which causes headaches and places additional stress on people with
PAGADIAN CITY – The Philippine Army ordered troops to rescue a kidnapped Filipino teacher who is believed being held in Zamboanga del Norte province, a spokesman said. Capt. Alberto Caber said kidnappers seized Flordeliza Ongchua, 49, inside her house in the village of Labuan in Zamboanga City. Caber said only the woman was taken by gunmen late Tuesday. “Maj. General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III (the regional army chief) directed concerned military units in the area to help the Zamboanga City Police to pursue the lawless armed group for the im-
mediate safe rescue of the victim,” Caber told the Mindanao Examiner. Citing military report, Caber said the kidnappers fled toward the town of Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte province. “The motive of the kidnapping is still unknown and the perpetrators have not yet contacted the victim’s family,” he said. At least a dozen gunmen barged in the house of Francisco after failing to find their target, the village chieftain Ronald Maravilla, who is a relative of the victim. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction that occurred
in the village of Labuan. Police and military officials were not immediately available to make a statement about the incident, but kidnappings-for-ransom is not uncommon in Zamboanga City. In 2009, suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels also kidnapped three government teachers Freires Quizon, Janette delos Reyes and Rafael Mayorada - in Zamboanga City. And three more teachers - Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noime Mande – in the town of Naga in the neighboring province of Zamboanga Sibugay also in the same year. (Mindanao Examiner. With a report from Ely Dumaboc)
heart disease. - 170 pounds of mercury. 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury deposited in a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat. Mercury also causes learning disabilities, brain damage, and neurological disorders. - 225 pounds of arsenic, which leads to cancer in 1 out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion. - 114 pounds of lead, 4 pounds of cadmium, and other toxic heavy metals. These toxic metals can accumulate in human and animal tissue and cause serious health problems, including mental retardation, developmental disorders, and damage to the nervous system. It said coal contains minor amounts of the radioactive elements, uranium and thorium. When coal is burnt, the fly ash contains uranium and thorium at up to 10 times their original levels. And solid waste from a 500-megawatt coal plant contains 120,000 tons of ash and 193,000 tons of coal sludge from the smokestack scrubber. Toxic substances in ash and sludge include arsenic, mercury, chromium, and cadmium. (Mindanao Examiner)
JUST SAY
NO!
2 US soldiers trash night club, maul bouncer in Philippines
Army orders rescue of kidnapped Zambo teacher
Filipinos protest stay of US troops in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) MANILA - Philippine authorities are investigating two US soldiers who mauled a local bouncer at a night club in Palawan province. The soldiers - Keith Brautigan and Anthony DeSalvo - ganged up on Allen John Gapulao who was only pacifying the two drunken soldiers who were quarrelling with Filipino customers in a bar in Puerto Princesa City. It was not immediately known why the local police failed to arrest the soldiers, who were taking part in a joint military exercise with Filipino troops in the province. The group called Anakbayan condemned the arrogance of the two US sol-
diers and called on the government to act on the abuses committed by the foreigners, but feared that Manila would cover up the scandal. “Judging from the track record of our government especially that of the Aquino administration, in prosecuting offending foreign soldiers, we doubt that justice will be given to Mr. Gapulao,” Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of Anakbayan, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner. Crisostomo blamed the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the U.S. for the continued abuses of American soldiers deployed in the country.
US troops were also accused of raping a Filipino woman in the past, but the US Embassy took custody of the soldiers and invoked the VFA in absolving the military men. “For sure, President Benigno Aquino and his fellow puppets at the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the VFA Commission will come to the defense of these offending foreigners by invoking the need to not offend the U.S. and the myth that we need American military aid,” Crisostomo said. There was no immediate statement either from the U.S. Embassy or the VFA Commission about the mauling. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Nov. 19-25, 2012
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Sulu sports fest successful SULU – The Sulu provincial government ended the fiveday sports festival where thousands of students and teachers participated in Patikul. The Sulu Provincial Athletic Association Meet 2012 was one of the most awaited events in the province because it opens the opportunities for local athletes to compete with each other and for the champions to battle the best in the regional meet and eventually to national competitions. “Our athletes are capable champions and this sports festival brings together the best of the best. The event also promotes camaraderie and professionalism among all athletes and those behind them,” Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan said. Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman and Education Secretary Jamar Kulayan, including Public Works Sec. Emil Sadain, also flew on a private jet from Cotabato City to attend the opening of the sports competition. Hataman praised Tan for the successful sports competition and also took the oppor-
tunity to reward outstanding teachers for their dedication and professionalism. “We are proud of our teachers who devote their time to provide quality education to our students and I am sure these young men and women will be a responsible citizen and our partner in nation building and in peace and progress,” Hataman said. While in Sulu, Hataman also released P47,000 for each of 97 government schools in Sulu and signed several memorandum of agreement with Tan for the construction of a two-storey school building in the capital town of Jolo and P60 million more in stimulus fund for farm-to-market roads in 7 towns in the province. The money for the projects is part of the Aquino administration’s P8.5 billion stimulus fund for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, including Marawi and Lamitan cities. He released at least 13,000 reference books for el-
ementary and high school as part of the government’s literacy program; and vegetable seeds for the military in Sulu to support its greening program. Tan said there is a shortage of school classroom and teachers in Sulu and asked Hataman and the Aquino government to address the problems. “We do admit that the shortage of teachers and classrooms is a perennial national problem; but coming to terms with the situation does not mean that we will remain in stagnant acceptance of the state of education which is far below the national standard not only in terms of passing rates but also in educational facilities both for the educators, the pupils and students,” he said. He asked Hataman, whose term is to end in June next year, to help the province. “We call on the Regional Government to work doubly hard that the shortage of class rooms in Sulu be addressed as soon as possible for we don’t
have the luxury of time.” Tan also appealed to the ARMM to hire more teachers for Sulu. “As we call for the provision of ample classrooms for the students, we likewise call for better working facilities and, when possible, amenities for teachers. Conditions which are conducive to the rudiment of teaching and learning must be made available or else there will be a disruption or decline in the result of any educational exercises,” he said. Hataman said they are working on the problems on the shortage of teachers and schools in the ARMM. “We are working on it and we assure that the government is addressing all these problems we are facing in the ARMM,” he said. He also announced that teachers may soon be able to get a livelihood loan as much as P500,000 from the Land Bank of the Philippines. “We are doing all these progress step by step and little by little as part of the government’s reform agenda in the ARMM,” Hataman said. (Al Salinas and Mark Navales)
Governors Mujiv Hataman, of the Muslim autonomous region, and Sakur Tan, of Sulu province, during the Sulu Provincial Athletic Association Meet 2012. (Mindanao Examiner Photos by Mark Navales and Al Salinas)
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Nov. 19-25, 2012
Oc hoa lob bied vs Ochoa lobbied vs.. FOI Bill MANILA - Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., touted as the country’s “little president,” was named as top Malacañang official who has been lobbying against the passage of the controversial freedom of information (FOI) measure now pending in congress, according to a report by The Manila Times. It said an ally of President Benigno Aquino, who asked not to be identified because he is not authorized to speak on the matter, disclosed that the FOI bill is not getting anywhere because of strong opposition from Ochoa. According to the source, who is also a member of the House of Representatives, Ochoa relayed his opposition to the bill to a Cabinet member who strongly supports the FOI measure. Spooked “The Cabinet official told me that the Executive secretary doesn’t like the FOI because he doesn’t want the minutes of the Cabinet meetings made public. He’s scared of the media,” the source said in a text message sent to The Manila Times. The FOI codifies the right of the people to information on matters of public concern and the state policy, receive full disclosure from officials of all transactions involving public interest, including transcripts and minutes of official as well as Cabinet meetings. The bill has been pending before the House committee on public information since February 2011. Malacañang’s version
of the measure was submitted to the committee in January 2012. Besides public disclosure of minutes of Cabinet meetings, the source added that Ochoa fears that the passage of the bill will pave the way for a witch-hunt. “ES told the Cabinet member, would you want the media to know what we talked about in the Cabinet? But this Cabinet member stood pat in his longstanding position for the passage of FOI,” the source further said. During his campaign for the presidency in 2010, President Aquino vowed to support the passage of the FOI measure. His promise, however, has yet to see the light of day since he has refused to issue a marching order for his allies in Congress to act with dispatch in passing the bill. Furious Rep. Rodolfo Antonino, of Nueva Ecija province, was furious over the exclusion of his version of the FOI under the proposed substitute bill. Antonino, who has been pushing for a right of reply (ROR) provision in the bill, questioned deputy spokesman Lorenzo Tañada 3rd’s decision to exclude his proposal. Tañada argued that Antonino’s version should not take precedence over the inputs of Malacañang. Antonino was questioning the draft substitute bill on the FOI, which implements the right of the people to information on matters of public concern and the state policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.
The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Gregorri Leaño Joanna Valerie Wee Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales ARMM
Giovanni Solmerano Eastern Mindanao
Merlyn Manos Iligan City
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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Asa Madale Lanao Provinces Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Sibugay/Zamboanga del Sur/Zamboanga del Norte John Shinn III California The Mindanao Examiner Newspaper/Business Week/Mindanao Daily is published weekly/daily in Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao, Philippines. The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in Skycable 54 in Zamboanga; Lupah Sug Cable in Sulu province and Basilan Cable in Basilan province. Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: +63 62 9925480 Mobile: +63 9152756606 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
Likewise, the FOI provides access to information being used for decisionmaking or project management as well as transcripts and minutes of official meetings. Tañada, one of the authors of the bill, headed the consolidation of the 12 measures filed by him and other lawmakers in his capacity as chairman of the Technical Working Group (TWG). “I am questioning the process of the TWG because I don’t think it is fair that the inputs of Malacañang would take precedence over the bill filed by a House member,” Antonino said, referring to the provisions of the draft FOI substitute bill, which has the Palace proposals such as mandatory posting of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth on the internet by public officials. Malacañang submitted its inputs in January 2012. Undersecretary Manolo Quezon, of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, attended the Committee hearing on the FOI in March 2012. Tañada said that he cannot include Antonino’s version, citing existing House rules, which provide that the mother committee, in this case the House committee on public information, should take cognizance of the measure filed before it can be referred for integration in the substitute bill by the committee. The TWG has reported its consolidated version of the FOI in February 2011. The bill, however, gathered dust because the House committee on public information never called a committee hearing on the measure for the entire year of 2011. At a press briefing, Reps. Lorenzo Tañada and Teddy Baguilat Jr., of Ifugao province, said that the success of the FOI bill lies on whether Congress will be able to come to an agreement before it goes on recess this December. They believe that the bill could have been passed if they had more sessions to discuss the few contentions and different opinions on what should be contained in the bill. One such contention is the inclusion of Antonino’s ROR provision that gives any person involved in an issue relating to an obtained document equal opportunity to comment or explain in the media. Tañada also said that the House’s failure to approve the measure before the recess would be the final nail in the coffin of the FOI bill. But the lawmakers explained that even if the bill failed to hurdle the committee level, they can still pass it by striking a compromise between those opposed to and those who are for the bill’s passage. (With a report from Khristopher Vincent Defensor)
Students smoke cigarettes outside their school in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines. Many students in Zamboanga are now hooked in cigarette smoking despite its ill effects to human health. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Proposal to ban smoking in public places in Zambo gains public support ZAMBOANGA CITY – Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines is studying a proposal to ban smoking in public places just as other key cities in the country which penalized cigarette smokers who violate local ordinances. Council woman Myra Paz Abubakar, who authored an ordinance to ban smoking in public areas, is optimistic that the bill would be approved following an overwhelming support from many residents and health advocates. In Davao City, smoking in public places has long been banned and the penalty for violators could reach as high as P10,000 and dozens of cities and municipalities have also the same anti-smoking ordinances because of the dangers posed by exposure to second-hand smoke. According to the World
Health Organization, over 600, 000 people die each year from exposure to second-hand smoke and the annual death toll could rise to more than eight million by 2030. Second-hand smoke is the smoke that fills restaurants, offices or other enclosed spaces when people burn tobacco products such as cigarettes. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, it said. WHO said less than 11% of the world's population are protected by comprehensive national smoke-free laws and that the number of people protected from second-hand smoke more than doubled to 739 million in 2010 from 354 million in 2008. It said almost half of children regularly breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke and that over 40% of children have at least one smoking parent.
WHO said there are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, of which at least 250 are known to be harmful and more than 50 are known to cause cancer. In adults, second-hand smoke causes serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including coronary heart disease and lung cancer. And it causes sudden death in infants and also causes low birth weight in pregnant women. It said the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. It kills nearly 6 million people a year of whom more than 5 million are users and ex-users. Nearly 80% of the more than 1 billion smokers worldwide live in low and middle-income countries, where the burden of tobacco-related illness and death is heaviest, WHO said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Nov. 19-25, 2012
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2 Malaysians dinukot sa Sabah, posibleng nasa Pinas na!
Zamboanga City Rep. Maria Isabelle Salazar gestures during the bicameral conference of the expanded law on anti-human trafficking in the Philippines.
‘Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012’ passes bi-cam conference ZAMBOANGA CITY – The House of Representatives finalized the bicameral conference of the “Expanded AntiTrafficking in Persons Act of 2012,” said Zamboanga City Rep. Maria Isabelle Salazar. Salazar, also the House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao, said the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 aims to strengthen the law in protecting citizens against human traffickers. “Leading our battle against trafficking in persons, we have finalized in the bicameral conference of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 that
will strengthen the force of law in protecting our vulnerable citizens against human traffickers,” she said. She also praised Zamboanga City Prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron and Assistant Prosecutor Darlene Pajarito for their dedication in fighting and prosecuting human traffickers. Both Cabaron and Pajarito were awardees of the prestigious Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Fellowship in Public Service Award (in 2007) and 2011 Heroes for Global Trafficking in Persons (in 2011), respectively. “We draw inspiration from Zamboanga City Pros-
ecution Team led by Zamboanga City Prosecutor and Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Fellowship in Public Service Awardee in 2007, Atty. Ricardo Cabaron; and Zamboanga City Assistant Prosecutor and one of the 2011 Heroes for Global Trafficking in Persons, Atty. Darlene Pajarito, for being the first in winning a conviction against human trafficking in the country,” she said, adding it was Carbon who penned the decision that made Zamboanga City the model for the Philippines and for the World. (Mindanao Examiner)
Group raises PNoy human rights issues MANILA - Philippine President Benigno Aquino feigns his administration’s concern for human rights with the adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, while his state security forces continue to commit human rights violations with impunity, said human rights group called Karapatan. "This is hypocrisy, at the very least, and an international PR paradox, at most," it said after the Aquino government adopted the ASEAN HR declaration at the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said the Aquino administration duplicitous play is underscored by the several reported cases of rights abuses by the Phil. military and its paramilitary forces, especially against farmers, indigenous peoples and women human rights defenders. Among the recent cases documented by Karapatan is the massacre of anti-mining activist Juvy Capion and her two sons in Tampakan, South Cotabato; the beheading of village councilor and peasant activist Ely Oguis in Guinobatan, Albay; and the labeling and harassment of Karapatan workers Jose Luis Blanco and Judde Baggo. Karapatan documented 114 victims of extrajudicial killings, 12 victims of enforced disappearances, 70 cases of torture, 447 illegal arrests and 29,613 victims of forced evacuation during the past two years of the Aquino administration. Palabay said that while the Philippines signed the declaration and various international HR instrumentality it has been more adept in violating these treaties, covenants and agreements. “Pray
tell, has justice been served the victims, has the state professed compliance to these instruments resulted to prosecution and arrest of perpetrators, has there been a substantial departure from the government’s resolve and framework to put an end to the violations? On the ground, it just all look like mere PR stunts,” she said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner. Karapatan said the ASEAN HR declaration may be considered a step backwards for human rights advocates and the poor peoples in the region as it allows the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms to be
put in the “regional and national context” and “to meet the just requirements of national security, public safety,” instead of fully adhering to internationally accepted human rights standards. “These are not just mere loopholes of the declaration which may be suited to the State parties’ interests, but we fear these provisions will be used to justify the States’ continuing violations of human rights in the region. The declaration will not only be deemed meaningless in the promotion, protection and realization of human rights, it may likewise be used as a blueprint for further rights violations,” Palabay said.
Dalawang Malaysian nationals ang dinukot sa isang palm oil plantation sa Sabah at malaki ang hinala na nasa lalawigan ng Tawi-Tawi ang mga ito. Nabatid na isang plantation manager at ang kanyang assistant ang dinukot kamakailan ng 5 armadong kalalakihan sa Lahad Datu habang bumibisita sa lugar. Nagpanggap na mga parak ang kidnappers na marunong pa umanong magsalita ng Malayu at Tausug. Hindi pa mabatid kung ano kinahantungan ng mga biktima, subalit kinumpirma ng Malaysia na nakalabas na ng kanilang bansa ang mga kidnappers at mga biktima. Apat sana ang dudukutin ng mga armado subali’t iniwan na lamang ang dalawa sa hindi pa mabatid na kadahilanan. Ayon sa Malaysian authorities ay tumakas ang mga armado patungong international waters sakay ng asul at puting speed boat. Katabi lamang ng Tawi-Tawi province ang Sabah at isa ang Lahad Datu sa mga lugar doon na kung saan ay maraming mga naninirahang mga Pilipinong Muslim. Sa ulat naman ng Malaysia media ay sinabi umano ni Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib na may ideya na ito sa kinalalagyan ng dalawang bihag, subalit hindi naman nagbigay ng karagdagang detalye. “We have identified the victims' whereabouts. We have a rough idea where they are. They may be out of Malaysian waters,” wika pa ng opisyal. Wala rin umanong contact ang mga kidnappers sa pamilya ng mga biktima. Nuong 2010 ay dinukot rin ng mga armado ang dalawang seaweed farmers na sina Vui Chung, 42, at Lai
Wing Chau, 33, sa Semporna na katabi lamang ng Lahad Datu at dinala sila sa TawiTawi na kung saan ay ipinatubos ang mga ito sa kanilang pamilya sa halagang 2 milyong ringgits.
At nuong 2001 ay dinukot rin ng Abu Sayyaf ang 21 mga Western holidaymakers sa Sipadan Island sa Sabah at ipinatubos rin sa Libya at Malaysia. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 19-25, 2012
Radulan Sahiron now in FBI list! ZAMBOANGA CITY - The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has added a senior Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron on its list of the most wanted terrorist in the world for his involvement in the kidnapping of US missionary Charles Walton in the southern Philippines province of Sulu. Walton, then working for the Summer Institute Linguistics, a missionary organization involved in translating the Bible, was kidnapped in November 14, 1993 in Pangutaran Island where he lived for nearly 20 years. He was freed a month later. “Raddulan Sahiron is wanted for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a United States Citizen. On November 14, 1993, the victim was abducted from his residence at Simbahan, Pangutaran, Sulu, Philippines, by approximately 14 armed members of the terrorist organization Al Harakat al Islamiyyah, also known as the Abu Sayyaf Group. The vic-
tim was transported to the terrorist’s jungle camp on the Southern Philippine island of Jolo. He was held captive for 23 days until his release on December 7, 1993,” the FBI said. It said Sahiron was indicted in the US District Court in Columbia on February 27, 2007, and was charged with hostage taking and aiding and abetting and causing an act to be done. It added that an arrest warrant was issued on the same date. Sahiron, a former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front, is believed to be hiding in Sulu’s Patikul town. The US State Department has offered a bounty of $1 million for the capture of Sahiron, who was also linked to the 2001 kidnappings of a US missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, and California man Guillermo Sobero, along with 17 Filipino holiday makers in Palawan Island in Western Visayas in central Philippines and brought them by boat to
Basilan province in southern Philippines. Sobero was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf and his body was left in the jungle to be devoured by wild animals. While Martin Burnham was killed ans his wife wounded during a USled rescue operation in Zamboanga del Norte province where the Abu Sayyaf tried to
flee. “Many innocent men, women and children have died or have been seriously injured as a result of Sahiron’s actions. Sahiron played a role in the May 2001 Dos Palmas kidnapping of three US citizens, including Martin and Gracia Burnham, and 17 Filipinos from a tourist resort in Palawan, Philippines.
Several of the hostages, including U.S. citizen Guillermo Sobero, were murdered,” according to the Rewards for Justice Program. The State Department said Sahiron is continues to plot terror schemes that impact many communities. “Because of his leadership position within the ASG, whose terrorist
attacks have resulted in the deaths of U.S. and Filipino citizens, U.S. authorities consider Sahiron to be a threat to U.S. and Filipino citizens and interests,” it said. Sahiron lost his right hand fighting security forces in the 1970s and usually goes around on horseback. (Mindanao Examiner)
OFW in Saudi death row gets 4 more months to live
Dedma lamang ang traffic enforcer na ito sa kanyang paglabag sa helmet law dahil kahit walang suot na helmet ang kanyang angkas na pasahero ay wala itong paki-alam sa mga nakakapansin sa kanila sa Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Traf or cer sa Zambo afffic enf enfor orcer Zambo,, tr af tor rin! traf afffic viola violator Mistulang walang paki-alam sa mundo ang traffic enforcer na ito ng Zamboanga City Government dahil kahit walang suot na helmet ang angkas ay dedma lamang ito sa mga mapanuring mata ng publiko. Maging ang parak na nagmamando sa trapiko ay nagmistulang bulag sa nakitang paglabag nitong traffic aide. Isang paglabag sa batas ang hindi pag gamit ng helmet sa Zamboanga City dahil
sa ‘helmet law’ na ipinatutupad ng Land Transportation Office at ng lokal na pamahalaan. Malimit na makita sa Zamboanga City ang mga traffic enforcer at parak na lumalabag sa batas-trapiko at kung kaya’t kaliwa’t-kanan ang batikos sa kanila ng publiko at mga motoristang. At kahit na may paglabag ang mga traffic enforcerl ay dedma rin ang pamahalaang lokal sa mga reklamo laban sa kanilang
mga tauhan. Umaabot sa P1,500 ang bayad sa mga motorcycle rider na mahuhuling walang suot na helmet, ayon kay LTO regional director Aminola Abaton. At ngayon Enero ay lalo pang paiigtingin ng LTO ang kampanya laban sa mga motorcycle riders na walang helmet hindi lamang sa Zamboanga, ngunit sa buong Western Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
MANILA – Saudi Arabia stayed the execution of a Filipino worker charged of killing his Sudanese landlord. The family of the Sudanese victim is asking about P44 million in blood money in exchange for the life of Joselito Zapanta, a native of Pampanga province. Zapanta, who is on death row, has been granted four months reprieve. Filipino migrants’ rights group Migrante-Middle East welcomed the suspension of Zapanta’s execution and called on President Benigno Aquino to save the Filipino. “We warmly welcome the decision by the Saudi authorities to suspend the execution of OFW on-deathrow Joselito Zapanta. The suspension will certainly bring ease to the worried Zapanta family, while this will give the Philippine government the time and realization of the need to intensify its efforts to save the life of not only OFW Zapanta but as well as the other OFWs in Saudi death row,” John Leonard Monterona, Migrante’s regional coordinator, told the Mindanao Examiner. He said at least 6 more Filipinos are on death row and a number still awaiting final court ruling. “We reiterate our call to the Aquino administration to
form a high-level team of diplomats who will be sent to Saudi Arabia to once and for all look into the individual cases and status of OFWs on death row including of OFW Zapanta, so that they can come up legal actions and strategies to concretize it’s efforts saving the lives our doomed fellow OFWs who were, firstly victims of forced
migration. We are urging our fellow OFWs to keep on praying and contribute in any way, small or big, saving the lives of our fellow OFWs in Saudi death row,” Monterona said. Zapanta killed his landlord during a quarrel in 2009. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 19-25, 2012
Keep Mindanao hydro-power facility MANILA – San Juan Representative Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito Estrada has urged the Aquino administration to exempt the Agus-Pulangi Hydro-power Complex in Mindanao from the government’s privatization program, saying it accounts for more than half of the region’s power requirements. Estrada said what the erates only 635 MW from its government should do is to capacity of 982 MW. He said immediately start the rehabili- the Agus-Pulangi cannot pertation of power facility. He form at full capacity because said the reduced output of the of the reduced water flow in hydro-power complex is one the heavily-silted river that of the main reasons for the drives the turbines. rotating power outages in the Estrada said the river southern region. must be dredged, but said the He said the complex gen- government is slow in the re-
habilitating the facility. “If that is so, the obvious solution is to dredge the river system. Unfortunately, the government moves at an exceedingly slow pace,” he said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. He said as early as August 2010, the government approved a P2.5 billion budget for the rehabilitation program, but the Department of Energy and the National Power Cor-
poration failed to implement the project. Estrada said: “The AgusPulangi is actually making money for the government generating power at less than P1 per kilowatt-hour and selling it for P3 per kilowatt-hour. That is why I don’t understand why NAPOCOR is bent on privatizing these hydroelectric plants, which by the way are dispersed throughout Lanao and Bukidnon.” “NAPOCOR tries to jus-
tify this move by telling us privatization is the solution to the brownouts. I don’t see how you can generate more electricity by selling off these power plants.” He said the power shortage could have been prevented had the government begun rehabilitation work two years ago, when the budget for it was made available. “Now the (power) shortage is being taken advantage of by some players in the power industry,
by offering inordinately high power rates, and the government is only too willing to acquiesce,” Estrada said. He warned unbridled increase in the cost of electricity will force families to drop education as a priority. “For only through education can our people improve their economic status. If we deprive them even that opportunity, we consign hem to a life of poverty and ignorance,” he said.
witness,” he told the Mindanao Examiner. He said Francisco, the principal of the Mindanao State University-Laboratory Elementary School, was shot at close range during a power outage. “She came from mass and was shot outside the church. One woman who was near her was also hit by stray bullet and slightly injured,” Jocson. No individual claimed responsibility for the attack, but Jocson the killing was probably connected to the victim’s work. “This is murder and we are looking into several angles and among this is the woman’s job as school principal,” Jocson said. “There is a witness,
but we cannot get anything from him. He is probably scared to talk to us and fears for his life,” he said. Police said Francisco was a devout Catholic and frequently went to hear mass in Bongao and had been appointed principal just last year. It was not immediately known whether the assailant is a hired killer or a member of the Abu Sayyaf group. In 2008, Abu Sayyaf militants raided a Catholic convent at the compound of the Notre Dame High School in TawiTawi’s South Ubian town and killed Father Rey Roda in a botched kidnapping. Roda was praying when 10 gunmen barged
in the convent and seized the priest and dragged him outside, but was eventually killed when he struggled to free himself. It was not the first time that the Abu Sayyaf killed a priest. In 2002, militants also kidnapped, tortured and killed a Claretian priest Roel Gallardo in Basilan province, several nautical miles south of Zamboanga City. In 1997, the Abu Sayyaf also assassinated a Catholic bishop Benjamin de Jesus in Jolo town in Sulu province. He was shot several times outside his church in a broad daylight attack. Three years later, the Abu Sayyaf also ambushed a Catholic mis-
sionary, Benjamin Inocencio, in Jolo town while buying gifts for poor Muslims. The Abu Sayyaf also randomly attacked and bombed Catholic churches in Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and in Mindanao the past decades. The Abu Sayyaf, which means “Bearer of the Sword,” was originally
fighting for a separate Islamic state similar to Afghanistan, but resorted to banditry and kidnappings for ransom after its Libyan firebrand founder, Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani, was killed in 1998 in a gun battle with policemen in Basilan province. (Mindanao Examiner)
Police unmasks gunman who killed Tawi-Tawi school principal
ZAMBOANGA – Police have identified the killer of a school principal who was shot outside a Catholic church in the capital town of Bongao in the remote southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi. The gunman shot Conchita Francisco, 62, shortly after stepping outside the church and one woman was also slightly wounded after being hit by the stray bullet. Sr. Supt. Rodelio Jocson, the provincial police chief, said all they needed now is a signed affidavit of a witness who was near the church when the woman was killed. “We have identified the killer and what we need now is the testimony of the
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Zambo court OKs hijab, niqab in UZ ZAMBOANGA CITY – A local court has ordered the Universidad de Zamboanga to allow female Muslim students to enroll in the school which bans students from wearing hijab and niqab. Judge Reynerio Estacio issued a writ Estacio, of the Regional of preliminary injunction Trial Court Branch 14, and ordered the univerordered the school to ad- sity to allow the students mit the Muslims students to re-enroll. after they questioned the The Universidad de ban on the wearing of Zamboanga banned the veils at the Universidad use of veil among its de Zamboanga. Muslim students, saying
it is the school’s security protocol. But the students said the ban violated their rights. Warina Sushil Jukuy, the Secretary-General of the Hijaab-Niqaab Advocacy Network, praised the court order and said Estacio “sets example that Philippine justice can grind swiftly when propelled by astuteness,
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education for our niqaabis who stopped for one whole semester pending resolution of the case,” she said. Jukuy said the court order has lightened up their faith in the justice system and that Estacio’s ruling “sends a message across that peace and pro-activity is a way, and never violence.”
There was no immediate statement from the Universidad de Zamboanga. Pilar College in Zamboanga City also banned the wearing of hijab and niqab among its Muslim students. Various Muslim and human rights groups protested the school’s policy. (Mindanao Examiner)
A Muslim student wearing hijab sits dangerously on the edge of this overloaded motorcycle taxi in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines where thousands of these vehicles operate. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Students paint peace graffiti on a wall outside Ateneo de Zamboanga University. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
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prohibit and sincerity.” “Judge Estacio erases bigotry against veiled Muslim women in Zamboanga City. Judge Estacio re-bonds the once broken veils, shattered dreams of Mutanaqqibat (niqaab wearing students in Universidad de Zamboanga). He brings hope through right to
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