‘Darkness’
‘Women Power’ Shines in Sulu Province
Migrante appeals Saudi proposal for 2-year ban on exiting expat, workers
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Abu Sayyaf shows video of German ransom
Deadly Abu Sayyaf attack in Basilan, what went wrong?
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Malaysia says 2 Filipino gunmen killed in police clash in Sabah
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Nov. 10-16, 2014
“NO TO WAR!” H
Muslim groups reject all-out military offensive in Mindanao
uman rights group Suara Bangsamoro has warned that a full offensive against the militant group Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippine province of Basilan could lead to civilian abuses and destruction of properties, and massive displacement of people. A battalion of marines were sent to Basilan recently to reinforce army troops battling the Abu Sayyaf in the restive province. This, after Mujiv Hataman, the governor of the troubled Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao, recommended an all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf tagged as behind the killings of 6 soldiers, including a young army officer, in a recent clash in Basilan’s Sumisip town, a known stronghold of the jihadist group and birthplace of the politician. Amira Lidasan, the group’s leader, has cautioned Hataman - whose elder brother Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman is the congressman of Basilan - in his allout war announcement against the Abu Sayyaf fearing that civilians will be targeted in the military assault.
“Such policy is prone to abuse of power by the authorities and would lead to more cases of human rights violations such as massive displacement of residents, death due to strafing and indiscriminate firing, destruction of properties, exposing women and children to harm,” Lidasan said. She said previous wars against the Abu Sayyaf tied to alQaeda and Jemaah Islamiya had resulted in the exodus of civilians whose properties and livelihoods were affected by military operations. She said that in 2000, the government ordered a massive military assault, backed by US military forces, against the Abu Sayyaf and the biggest casualties were the civilians while the Abu Sayyaf still continues their criminal activities. Lidasan also accused Hataman of contradicting himself when two years ago he and the other governors in the autonomous region said “never again” to all-out war policy in dealing with rebels. She reminded Hataman that in the previous military operations against the Abu Sayyaf, there were also reports of military clashes with Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels who are
also in the mountainous area of Basilan. Various Muslim groups also opposed a full-scale offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province where security forces are pursuing the militants, saying, it would affect and displaced tens of thousands of innocent civilians. Magdalo Party-list Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo also rejecetd calls for an all-out war with the Abu Sayyaf. “Sang-ayon po tayo na tugisin ng gobyerno yung mga responsible rito para mahuli sila, makasuhan at makulong, (pero) hindi tayo sang-ayon na gawing all-out war,” he said, adding “maraming sibilyan ang madadamay kapag inilunsad ng gobyerno ang malawakang opensiba at sa Abu Sayyaf. Ang nasa losing end diyan, ‘yung ating mga sibilyan. Alam naman natin, hindi naman buong isla ang involved sa nangyari pero sila ay maaapektuhan lahat dito kapag nagkaroon ng massive military operation.” And this left Lanog Mindanao wondering why Hataman was pushing for war. “Baliktad na ata talaga. ang nagpakilalang HR (human rights) Fighter and Peace Activist noon (remember his Anak
One of six caskets of soldiers slain in fierce clashes with Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan province is being carried by marines in Zamboanga City. (Photos by Ely Dumaboc) Mindanao Party-List na asawa na naman niya ngayon ang naupo?) ang nanawagan ngayon ng all-out-war at ang isang (Magdalo)Party-List na mas linyado sa mga sundalo ay ang umawat at sumalungat sa mungkahing all-out-war? tama ba itong binabasa ko?,” asked Lanog Mindanao. President Benigno Aquino has ordered security forces to sustain the operations against the Abu Sayyaf group and at the
same time said the government is also trying to bring progress to the region by constructing infrastructure. “Ina-assure tayo ng ating militar at kapulisan na supisiyente ang ating mga pwersa para malipol itong mga masasamang-loob na ito,” Aquino said. He said the military has deployed several infantry battalions to sustain the operations against the Abu Sayyaf which is still holding more than
a dozen Filipino and foreign hostages in Mindanao. “Kapag several (battalions), hindi one or two, hindi three – several battalions composed of some of our most elite forces and the regular line infantry battalions, are going to all of these mountain lairs and very heavily wooded jungle and dense areas to precisely deprive them of (their) safe havens,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Aquino throws jab at Vice President
P
r e s i d e n t B e n i g n o Aquino has told Vice President Jejomar Binay that he is free to leave the Cabinet instead of continuously criticising his administration. Aquino told reporters that instead of merely criticizing his administration, Binay – who is eyeing the presidency in 2016 - has the obligation to share what he thinks are solutions to the gover nment’s problems. “Kung palagay niya meron kaming kulang na ginagawa, miyembro siya ng Gabinete, e di abisuhan
ARMM
niya kami, kung hindi man mag-advise, paano natin i-improve ‘yung sistema. At hindi choice iyon, obligasyon niya, miyembro siya ng Gabinete.” “Kung palagay naman niyang mali ang direksyon namin e di siyempre malaya r in siyang hindi na sumama sa aming mga kilusan. Pero at the minimum, as Vice President of the land, meron siyang mga criticisms, siguro kailangan, para constructive, meron ring solutions,” Aquino told reporters on Monday. Aquino said he was only able to read the first two paragraphs of the media repor t where
Binay supposedly criticized the administration. Binay, who is also head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, has repeatedly raised various issues in different events about the woes many Filipinos were complaining about, among them the public train system, r ising criminality and other concerns. “May kalayaan ang lahat na kumilos basta nasa ayon, umaayon sa batas sa kung ano ang palagay nilang tamang dapat gagawin. Pe ro ulitin ko lang, kung meron kang palagay na pagkukulang ng gobyerno, miyembro ka ng gobyerno, pangalawa
Southern Mindanao
Davao
kang pinakamataas na opisyal ng bansa, may obligasyon ka na ibahagi ang kaalaman mo para magkaroon ng mas hustong solusyon kung palagay mo meron kang mas magagawa,” Aquino said. Aquino is pushing Interior Secretary Mar Roxas as his presidential bet, although he has not public endorsed him. Binay’s criticism of Aquino coincided with the Senate investigation on his alleged ill-gotten wealth and the ove rpriced Makati City Hall building constr ucted dur ing his time as mayor. He denied all accusations against him. (Mindanao Examiner)
President Benigno Aquino (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Manila
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Nov. 10-16, 2014
‘Darkness’
ZAMBOANGA CITY – More and more roads in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines are becoming more dangerous at night for motorists and residents due to faulty and busted street poles, and it remains a perennial concerns for many people. And the people with the Zamboanga City General Services Office (GSO) under Engineer Rene dela Cruz tasked to maintain the street poles seem to be unaware of the problems or were ignoring them. Virtually every village within 30 kilometers of downtown area, including main thoroughfares in Zamboanga have portions which are unlighted at night due to broken street poles. And there were also areas that street lights are turned on even if it is daytime and obviously its daylight sensor – which turns on at dusk and
turns off at sunrise - is defective, and no one from the GSO is also fixing the problem. And added to the inefficiency of the GSO is the continuing theft of electrical wires in street poles that officials publicly used as alibis for their failure to efficiently maintain the road lighting system. Worse, even traffic lights are broken and nothing is being done to address the problems that add up to the rising criminality – robberies, hold-ups, snatching and gun attacks and killings – in Zamboanga City. And many motorists and residents have been complaining for a long time now about the failure of GSO in maintaining street poles with some dangerously leaning and could fall at anytime. "It's very scary to walk in the dark and many also, for sure, feel the same and the fear is just there be-
A portion of Veteran's Avenue in downtown Zamboanga City is in total darkness October 31, 2014 due to broken street poles. Many other villages have the same problem for many years now and making it very dangerous for motorists. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) cause we are not even safe during the day and what more at night with all these street lights broken," one resident Jeng Fernandez said. Councilman Percival Ramos has previously proposed to covert the street lights into solar lighting mainly to help save expenses on the part of the local government. He also passed a resolution and approved by the City Council
in May this year requesting the GSO through the Office of the City Mayor to study the possibility of converting all street lights, including traffic lights, from electric power to solar power. He said based on record, the local government spends about P3.5 million a month on electric bills for the street lights alone. And Councilman Vincent Paul Elago also proposed the change of the
present street lights to LED lights which is more economical in terms of power consumption. And just this year, executives from Lim Solar Philippines briefed the City Council about its services and even offered to build a 40mw solar-power plant here in an effort to help provide cheap electricity to Zamboanga which consumes as much as 90mw. The company’s offer is a build-operate-transfer
contract entirely financed by Lim Solar Philippines which will operate it for 20 years and then transfer the operation of the facility to the local government. It also offered to put up solar-power street poles on a build-operate-transfer contract. Lim Solar is a subsidiary of Mendoza Solar, LLC both a California and a Nevada Corporation with interim offices in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
OFWs cry over hefty airport fees
Photos of victims of extra-judicial killings and abducted political activists during an interfaith rally in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Families of 'desaparecidos' appeal to Pope Francis MANILA – Families of those who were abducted allegedly by state agents have written to Pope Francis - who is coming to the Philippines next year - to intercede for them in seeking justice for their loved one. “Your Holiness, please intercede for us in seeking justice for our disappeared loved ones,” wrote families of desaparecidos to Pope Francis as they gathered at Plaza Miranda on All Souls Day. As a renewal of vows to seek justice, they lighted
candles and offered flowers to remember those who were forcibly abducted and disappeared by state security forces since martial law up to the present. “It has been the practice of families and relatives of victims of enforced and involuntary disappearances to gather every November 2. Beyond remembering, we come together as a reminder that our loved ones have yet to be surfaced and the state’s policy of enforced disappearances be stopped,” Aya Santos, Desaparecidos' Sec-
retary-General, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. It has become more significant as families of desaparecidos gathered to join the nation in awaiting the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines in January 2015. Santos explained they have followed and listened to series of statements Pope Francis on justice and human rights. For the families, his visit is an opportune time to voice out the injustice and rights violations in the Phil-
A Filipino migrant rights group called MigranteMiddle East has urged President Benigno Aquino to respect a provision of a special law that exempt overseas Filipino workers from paying the P550 airport terminal fee. An agreement between the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), a government agency adjunct to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), and airline carriers was signed on July 1 this year stipulating the integration of the collection of International Passenger Service Charge otherwise known as terminal fee into the airfare cost. “President Aquino has the responsibility to implement a law or a provision of a special law in this case Republic Act 10022, the amended Migrant Workers
Act of 2010. RA 10022 mandated the exemption of overseas Filipino workers from paying airport terminal fees,” M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said. He said the MIAA and airline companies’ agreement to collect P550 terminal fee from OFWs was illadvised. “The DOTC and MIAA pay first-refund later scheme is a direct attack on OFWs mere common sense,” Monterona said. The DOTC and MIAA announced its plan to implement the integration of the P550 terminal fee on the airfare cost on October 1, but due to widespread protests by various OFWs groups around the world the implementation was moved to November 1. “We are receiving reports that at the MactanCebu International Airport, out-bound OFWs
were asked to pay the P550 terminal fees, especially those whose tickets did not indicate the payment of P550 terminal fee, and those who failed to obtain an exemption certificate from airlines ticketing office,” Monterona claimed. Monterona also called on pro-OFW legislators to question the legality of the accord signed by DOTC and MIAA with airlines companies. “To our fellow OFWs around the world, in various ways and means, let’s show and concretize our disgust against the Aquino government, which did not only failed to protect our inherent rights as migrant workers but also attacking the legal rights we have gained via legislative fiat. Intensify our protest and say no to P550 terminal fee,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner, Migrante)
ippines. “Hope springs when on several occasions he made clear his firm stands to defend human rights and in seeking social justice. We turn to the Pope for support because under the current regime of Noynoy (Benigno) Aquino, human rights violations against the people intensify without let up. We stand as testimonies to the gross situation of human rights here,” Santos said.
Santos said there have been 21 victims of abduction under President Aquino and has since added up to the number of desaparecidos since the Marcos dictatorship. Despite the passage of the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Law, the crime of enforced disappearance continues as a state policy under Oplan Bayanihan, Aquino’s counter-insurgency program, according to
Santos. “We pray that the good Pope will listen to our plea and stand one with us in calling to stop enforced disappearances in the Philippines. Dear Pope, please heed our call for justice. We cry out to surface all the disappeared, in the Philippines and other parts of the world, such as in Latin America and Argentina, the Pope’s homeland,” Santos said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Office Space For Rent Right in downtown Zamboanga City For more inquiries Call: 0929-2189937
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Nov. 10-16, 2014
DOLE Davao bags Best PESO awards DAVAO CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment has awarded the Public Employment Service Offices of Davao City, Tagum City and University of Mindanao-Tagum Campus in the recently concluded 14th National PESO Congress held in General Santos City. DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz expressed her appreciation to PESO managers and local chief executives for the continued strong partnership with the Department. "You are our partners and allies and as such, we recognize your achievements and performance as frontline conduits of the government's employment facilitation programs and services," she said. DOLE Regional Director Joffrey Suyao also praised the three PESO and acknowledged the dedication of its managers in their work. "We are happy and proud that the efforts of our PESOs in the region are acknowledged as we know how dedicated they are in their work. In partnership with the local government units, our PESO and its managers are our champions of employment facilita-
tion," he said. Davao city was awarded best PESO for highly urbanized city category. This is the third consecutive win of the city, elevating them Hall of Fame for the said category. Davao City PESO manager Lilibeth Pantinople thanked the support of the local officials and private partners that allowed them to further improve their performance. Among the strengths of Davao City PESO is its Fridays Job Fair, a weekly event that has attracted and assisted placement of thousands of applicants; and its innovative partnership with private establishments in the registry and placement of applicants. Tagum City PESO Manager Rogeneth Llanos said this is their second consecutive win. Tagum won Best PESO for the component city category and with this year’s win, the city will vie for Hall of Fame next year. "We are the more challenged to improve the delivery of our services and as in the past, we continue to look for innovative ways to serve better our constituents," Llanos said. She said, that although there is pressure, she is con-
fident to repeat the winning performance because of the trust and support Mayor Allan Rellon. "We are very thankful for the full support of Mayor Rellon who believed in the program and in us. He has increased our budget knowing that we are indeed helping our constituents through the various programs of the PESO. And of course for the support of the DOLE regional office,” she said. Suyao has personally presented the recognition to Rellon and the local city officials of Davao the Best PESO trophy in a ceremonial awarding held in their respective city hall grounds. Both Davao and Tagum PESOs are institutionalized. The University of Mindanao–Tagum City Campus bagged the Educational Institution/Non-governmental Organization/ Community-based Organization category. UM bested four other nominees. In 2012, the University of Mindanao-Tagum City Campus also won the same category. "There are many challenges in the implementation of PESO programs being-school based, but it has
given us advantage particularly in the employment preparation of our students as well as in guiding incoming college students," said University of Mindanao– Tagum City Campus PESO manager Alicia Sulayon. Aside from trophy, all winners received P50,000 cash. Being Hall of Fame awardee, Davao City received P100,000 cash. The Search for the Best PESO is an annual activity that recognizes the significant contributions and outstanding accomplishments of PESOs in the implementation of DOLE employment facilitation programs. Winners of other categories included - Region 1, Provincial PESO of Pangasinan for First Class Province category; Region 3, Provincial PESO of Zambales for Second Class Province category; Region 8, Provincial PESO of Southern Leyte for Third Class Province. While, the 1st-2nd Class Municipality category was awarded to Region 3, PESO Masinloc, Zambales.; Region 2, PESO Cordon, Isabela won for the 3rd-4th Class Municipality category; CARAGA, PESO Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte won the 5th-6th
DOLE Davao Region delegation pose for a photo op with after winning three major awards during the 14th National PESO Congress. And during the ceremonial awarding with DOLE Davao Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao (second from left), Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon (5th from left) PESO managers Rogeneth P. Llanos (3rd from L) and Alicia Sulayon (4th from L) in Tagum City. Also in photo are DOLE Davao del Norte Chief Milagros Gutierrez and DOLE Regional Employment focal Lariele P. Arce. Class Municipality category. The country has a strong network of 1,887 established PESOs; 326 of them already institutionalized, and has assisted 1.26 million and placed 700,000 job-seekers in the first semester of the
2014. Among the programs the PESO handles included the Skills Register System; Job Fairs, conduct of career advocacy and pre-emplyment seminar for local applicants. (Sherwin B. Manual)
3 NPA insurgents killed in Sarangani clash G O V E R N M E N T overnment troops killed three communist insurgents in a clash in Sarangani province in southern Philippines, officials said. Officials said troops also recovered 9 automatic weapons following the firefight in the village of Nomoh in the town of Maasim. The fighting erupted after patrolling
soldiers from the 27th Infantry Battalion encountered a group of New People’s Army rebels in the village. Just recently, members of the 9TH Special Forces Company also clashed with rebels and captured their camp in the village of New Tubigon in Agusan del Sur’s Sibagat town. The soldiers also re-
covered one M16 rifle, two grenade launchers, and an improvised explosive device and assorted ammunition, including communication equipment, personal belongings and subversive documents. The NPA has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Migrante appeals Saudi proposal for 2-year ban on exiting expat, workers MANILA – Migrante Middle East has appealed to the Labor Market Committee in the Council of Saudi Chambers that recommended a two-year ban on all expatriate workers who leave the Kingdom on final exit visas. Arab News reported that the Labor Market Committee agreed to put forward a recommendation to higher authorities for approval of the ban. The report prompted the Filipino migrant group to appeal the proposal. “We sincerely appeal to the chairman and members of the Council of Saudi Chambers’ Labor Market Committee to reconsider its two-year ban proposal for expatriate workers leaving the Kingdom on final exit visa,” John Leonard Monterona, Migrante’s regional coordinator said. Monterona said his group understood very well that imposing a ban on expatriate workers is within Saudi’s prerogative in order to boost its own nationalization program. “For one, we would like
the Committee to know and understand that not all migrant workers leaving the country on final exit visa has real desire to finally exit since many were only forced to exit due to labor disputes with their employers,” Monterona said. He said even the existing labor policy that stipulates a one-year ban on workers who refused to renew their contract with their employers is worth reconsidering. “This policy posed a stumbling block to attain a so called ‘expatfriendly labor market environment’,” he said. Migrante has called on the Philippine government to discuss the implications of the proposed two-year ban with Saudi Arabia. “There is an existing bilateral labor agreement between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. We are urging labor officials of both countries to openly discuss the implications of the proposed two-year ban to the existing labor agreement and to the deployment and demobilization of hired
Filipino workers,” he said. “We have to faced the grim reality that the Philippines even under the present Aquino administration has miserably failed to generate local jobs with reasonable income and benefits just enough to attain around P1,000 plus daily cost of living and the endless rising prices of commodities and basic goods.” “These are the so-called invisible hands that push Filipino workers to find and accept jobs abroad. That’s why we are giving our full support to the P16,000 minimum wage campaign by the progressive workers alliance led by the Kilusang Mayo Uno (May 1st Movement) and the government employees union COURAGE,” he added. Monterona said migration is not a choice, but at the present situation, many overseas Filipino workers have become victims of forced migration and are treated like a “cheap commodity for sale abroad.” (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 10-16, 2014
‘Women Power’ Shines in Sulu Province
Sulu Provincial Women Council recently held its 4th General Assembly at the gymnasium in Patikul town. With the theme “INDAH, Ang Tatag mo ay Tatag natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong,” the assembly tackled various development and livelihood projects planned for the years to come. (Photos by Franzie Sali) SULU – Hundreds of women have flocked to the Sulu Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Patikul town where the Sulu Provincial Women Council recently held its 4th General Assembly. With the theme “INDAH, Ang Tatag mo ay Tatag natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong,” the assembly tackled various development and livelihood projects planned for the years to come. Hadja Nurunisah Tan, who is the chairperson of the Sulu Provincial Women Council and very active in medical and humanitarian missions being a registered nurse, led the different activities. Officers and members of the 19 Municipal Women Councils in the province made up the bulk of the attendees with SPWC Vice President Dr. Fahra Omar opening the General Assembly. Sulu Vice-Governor Sakur Tan represented the provincial governor and he also spoke during the event. He also read the governor’s message before the ecstatic crowd. Vice Governor Tan said
he was privileged to represent Governor Totoh Tan and at the same time apologized because the Chief Executive was not able to attend the important gathering. He said through the years, the women of Sulu have proven their worth many times over and in many instances, serving communities even beyond the borders of the province to answer calls of distress from victims of calamities and extending consoling hands to those who are in need. He said the genuine concern they have demonstrated in the performance of their responsibilities in social services and outreach programs may have escaped the attention of the general public, perhaps for the reason that they go about their tasks and endeavors without begging for publicity and media mileage. He said such is the measurement of selfless service worth emulating. “I have always been guided by the principle that when offering assistance or help to anyone, I do so with pure intention, without counting the cost or expecting repayment in kind. In the
tradition of the Holy Prophet, sallallahualaihiwasallam, what you give with your right hand should not be visible to the left hand.” “This principle had served me well in both my public and private life and I do believe the same principle when applied by those who are in authority will not only be the in the service of God but of mankind as well,” Vice Governor Tan said. He said during his tenure as Governor, he had no second thoughts in initiating the construction of the Women and Children’s Center at the site of the old Provincial Jail. “At the inauguration of the Center, I said that from the site which formerly housed criminals and scourge of society arose a beautiful building for noble intentions and purposes. With resolve and dogged determination to pursue a set target for the common good, we can overcome challenges and hurdles strewn in our path,” he said. “I work by the same principle in efforts to bring changes to Sulu and in creating a new breed of Tausug with a different attitude and mindset from the usual type-
casting which places our province and people in a disadvantage. We cannot move forward when we are shackled by the chains of ignorance, mistaken beliefs and outdated traditions,” he added. Vice Governor Tan also encourage the women to set a goal in their life and to be able to achieve it. “I do admit that the task of changing attitudes and mindsets is daunting and bordering in the impossible. But shall we just sit down and accept defeat? We may not see an ideal situation during many lifetimes, but let us be consoled by the fact that we tried and took the initial few steps leading to that direction that posterity will judge us kindly.” “From the remains of a prison house, the Women and Children’s Center arose like a proverbial bird from the ruins and dirt. It is now the nerve center of Sulu women branching out to serve the most vulnerable sector of our society and reaching out to fulfil the many needs and demands of our people. Most of the credit goes to the leadership of the Sulu Provincial Women’s
Council. We may have built a house for their use but our women gave it soul and conscience,” he said. He said concerns in education, health services, peace and order and governance to name a few, are not the monopoly of any particular gender. He said they are shared concerns, responsibilities and tasks crossing over gender borders. “We are all in this together. As partners in nationbuilding and sharing common aspirations, let no particular sector be content with merely criticizing for the sake of criticism or fault-find just to elicit attention. It may sound overused, but if you cannot play your role as part of the solution, then do not attempt to be part of the problem. Women have indeed come a long way. Their presence is acknowledged in every field and their contributions to society are immeasurable,” he said. He also administered the oath-taking of the newly elected officers of the Municipal Women Councils. Aside from Hadja Nurunisah Tan and Dr. Fahra Omar, the other Sulu Provincial Women Council Officers for
2013-2016 are Charisma S. Ututalum, MHA Vice Chairperson for External Affairs; Eleonor N. Ilustre, Secretary; Nurhata M. Salahuddin, Treasurer; Aisa J. Akalal, Auditor; Sitti Kausar H. Sahijuan, PIO. And Merilyn J. Amin, Chairperson on Livelihood Programs Committee; Norma A. Abdulla, Chairperson on Education Committee; Lynde Moreno, Chairperson on Health Committee; Amelyn I. Tan, Chairperson on Environment and Sanitation Committee; Mercian Aspi, Chairperson on Membership Committee; Charina I. Isahac, Chairperson on Gender and Development Committee; Rufaida Tan, Chairperson on Peace and Governance Committee; Jainab Abdulmajid, Chairperson on Information and Communication Committee and Aisa J. Akalal, Chairperson on Cultural Affairs Committee. The assembly also held seminar and workshops on health, education, gender and development, livelihood, environment, peace and reconciliation and cultural heritage, among others. (Franzi Sali)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 10-16, 2014
BIR chief appointed in UN tax committee MANILA - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has appointed Kim Henares, Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, as a member of the UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters. The Committee, consisting of 25 tax experts and senior tax administrators from 10 developed and 15 developing countries and economies in transition, is responsible for exploring ways and means of facilitating the conclusion of tax treaties between developed and developing countries and for promoting international tax cooperation among tax authorities. Henares, whose sterling performance as tax commissioner in the Philippines has been cited by various groups, thanked the UN Secretary General for appointing her to the Committee and said it is an opportunity to advance the interest of developing countries in the formula-
tion of tax treaty commentaries and recommendations to various tax issues brought about by increasing globalization and integration of economies. Tax agencies, especially from developing countries, like the Philippines, face se-
rious challenges in enforcing laws and collecting taxes from cross-border transactions. In a 2014 report, Global Financial Integrity estimates that the Philippine government has lost at least US $23 Billion tax revenues
since 1990 from trade misinvoicing. “Globalization does not just create opportunities for doing business, it also creates risks for tax evasion and base erosion. Unlike advanced countries, we lack the capacity to tackle complicated cross-border tax problems. It is important to have this platform and be part of this body where developing countries are given special attention in dealing with these issues,” Henares said. Before being appointed to the UN Committee, Henares has been active in international dialogues on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting and exchange of information where she has been very vocal about the challenges by developing countries in implementing global standards on tax transparency and fairness. Henares’ term in the Committee begins in October 2014 and ends on June 30, 2017. (Mindanao Examiner)
THE COMMISSION on Audit said as much as P5 billion in cash advances by government executives and employees remain unsettled well beyond the prescribed period. And Rep. Roman Romulo said government officials and staff, including former heads of staterun corporations, may have put the taxpayers’ money to personal use. “The legal presumption is as clear as day. Under the Revised Penal Code, if you are a public officer and you’ve been advanced cash, and you fail to account for the money, then you must have put it to personal use,” Romulo said. Exasperated by the brazen disregard of the law and pertinent COA orders on the timely liquidation of all advances, Romulo now wants to hold the erring public officers instantly liable for stealing the funds obtained. “We’ve already filed House Bill 1287, which make the infraction prima
facie proof of embezzlement of the money received,” Romulo said. “The failure to settle a cash advance will be sufficient evidence that the recipient pocketed the money, unless the proof is rebutted.” This means the Office of the Ombudsman may already initiate a criminal charge for malversation of funds, according to Romulo. He said depending on the amount involved, malversation of public funds carries the maximum penalty of life imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from public office, plus a fine equal to the sum misused. Also under Romulo’s bill, advances in all government offices have to be liquidated within the following prescribed deadlines - for salaries and wages – within five days after each 15th day of the month pay period; for petty operating expenses and field operating expenses – within 20 days after the end of the year; for special operations, and
operating expenses or purchases of supplies, materials and the like in the amount exceeding P100,000 – within 20 days after completion of the operation or delivery and acceptance of supplies, materials and the like. And for local travel – within five days upon the officer’s return to official station; for foreign travel – within 60 days upon return to official station; and for other advances – within six months after performance of the purpose for which the advance had been granted. He said under a COA circular, a cash advance is settled either by returning the money if unspent, or by presenting vouchers, with details as to the items thereon paid, which must be in accord with the purpose for which the money was released, and further backed by proper receipts and other evidence of payment, subject to the result of a post-examination thereof by the auditor concerned. (Mindanao Examiner)
BIR Commissioner Kim Henares (PCIJ Photo)
COA says P5 billion in cash advances remain unsettled
A man reads the Philippine Star article on the ransom received by the Abu Sayyaf for the release of two German hostages Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Henrike Diesen, 55 – on October 17. The Abu Sayyaf has posted a video clip on Facebook showing militants stacking a huge pile of the ransoms in the hinterlands of the southern Philippines. The Facebook account of where it was posted recently had been taken down and deactivated.
Abu Sayyaf shows video of German ransom The Abu Sayyaf has posted a video clip on Facebook showing militants stacking up ransoms it got in exchange for the safe release of two German hostages in southern Philippines. The post had been taken down and the Facebook account deactivated after the video went viral in social media. The clip showed militants, some of them barefooted, surrounding the ransoms - all P1000 bill - wrapped in transparent plastic sheet and stacked in bundles of five, and is estimated to be worth P160 million. Abu Sayyaf spokesman, Aboo Rami, told Radio Mindanao Network in Zamboanga City, that they freed the two German yachters - Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Henrike Diesen, 55 – on October 17 after receiving the ransom. The Abu Sayyaf demanded P250 million ransoms from Germany in exchange for the freedom of the hostages. The Philippine military has strongly insisted that no ransom was paid for the release of two German nationals and even dared anybody to come up with evidence that ransom had been paid to Abu Sayyaf militants in Sulu province. The duo was heading to Sabah in Malaysia on a private yacht from a holiday in Palawan province when militants who were returning to the southern Philippines from a failed kidnapping in Sabah spotted the Germans and seized them on April 25. Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, a military spokesman, insisted the foreigners were freed by their kidnappers due to pressure exerted by security forces – a line which the military have used many times in previous release of foreign hostages by the Abu Sayyaf. “Just wondering if anyone here personally saw the P250 Million cold cash in the hands of Abu Sayyaf? Let's not believe the word of Abu Rami as if he is Jesus Christ. Di na natin mababawi ang ating pinagsasabi kung mali tayo. Unless, may magsabi dito saksi sya mismo nag abot si Mr You ng pera kay Mr Abu, walang nakakasiguro,” he said in a reaction to Facebook commentaries by “netizens” on the reported payment of
ransoms to the Abu Sayyaf. Sources in Sulu said a private jet delivered 12 trolley bags containing ransoms in Jolo and that several bags full of money had been left in the plane. Cabunoc branded the Abu Sayyaf statement as “propaganda” and even cited allegations in the past against the military that it delivered ransom to the militant group to buy the freedom of hostages in Basilan province in 2001. He said the military does not negotiate with terrorists. “Well, I’m used to shooting terrorists. We don't negotiate with those bastards when I was in the frontline. Soldiers like me have died fighting these bandits. Masakit din sa kalooban namin kung gawan ng kwentong ganyan. Kasuhan nyo kung sino may kasalanan. Kahit naman siguro kayo, kung nahuhusgahan sa social media ay di rin matutuwa kung pagtatawanan. Patas lang po. Tinatawanan din tayo ng mga Abu Sayyaf at ng mga kurakot at tiwali na dahilan di maubos ubos ang mga iyan,” said Cabunoc, who was previously assigned in Basilan where he fought the Abu Sayyaf. It was unknown what role the military played in the ransom negotiations, but shortly after the release of the Germans hostages, Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan, a spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said: “The AFP has no information on that (ransom payments) but suffice to say that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other security forces do not and will not negotiate with terrorists and kidnappers.” The military also kept the Sulu crisis committee and provincial and municipal leaders in the dark and were not even informed about the release of the hostages. The Germans were recovered by policemen near a checkpoint, but were immediately taken away by soldiers and brought to a military camp in Jolo town. The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) which formed a special adhoc crisis committee was not even informed by the military of the release of the hostages and learned about it on the news. The Philippine military now said the money maybe
fake and the statement coincided with the November 5 release of an 18-year old South Korean national who was kidnapped on September 11 in Kabasalan town in Zamboanga Sibugay province, about 130 kilometers east of Zamboanga City. The Western Mindanao Command said Li Pei Zhei was freed by his kidnappers in Alicia town and recovered by the police. It was not immediately known if ransom was paid for his safe release, but the military said the foreigner was held captive in Basilan province. It was unknown if the Abu Sayyaf was behind the kidnapping, but the group has threatened to kill Malaysian fish breeder Chan Sai Chuin, 32, if the ransom of 3 million ringgits (P41 million) is not paid this month. He was kidnapped along with a Filipino worker on June 16 this year from a fish farm in the town of Kunak in Tawau District. The Abu Sayyaf is also holding captive a Malaysian policeman Kons Zakiah Aleip, 26, who was seized on June 12 also this year following a clash in Sabah that killed another policeman. The militants are demanding 5 million ringgits (P68.3 million). Aside from the Malaysians, the militants are still holding a 64-year old Japanese treasure hunter Katayama Mamaito, who was kidnapped from Pangutaran Island in July 2010; and two European wildlife photographers Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, from Switzerland, who were taken captive in the coastal village of Parangan in Panglima Sugala town in the southern TawiTawi province in 2012. The Abu Sayyaf group now has hundreds of members in the southern Philippines, particularly in the Muslim autonomous region. The military failed to stop the growing influence and violent campaigns of the militant group because it did not sustain the combat operations needed to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf in the restive region. The US military is assisting the local military in anti-terrorism operation against the Abu Sayyaf, which previously attacked and killed American soldiers in Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 10-16, 2014
Deadly Abu Sayyaf attack in Basilan, what went wrong?
P400 million lost to ATM fraud MANILA - Filipino bank depositors have lost nearly P400 million as a result of 2,872 cases of automated machine teller fraud mainly card-skimming from 2012 to 2013, according to Rep. Roman Romulo. Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data, Romulo said that in 2013 alone, some P220 million in deposits were looted on account of the proliferation of illegal personal identification number-capturing devices on ATMs. He said the amount was P45 million, or 26% higher than the P175 million in deposits ripped off in 2012 due to the covert copying of information from the magnetic strip of an ATM card. "These losses do not include the sum lost by cardholders due to conventional ATM robberies or holdups at gunpoint," he said. Romulo has authored
House Bill 5036 - the proposed ATM Theft Insurance Act which seeks to require all banks to extend financial protection to their cardholders against losses due to fraud or robbery. "Banks are duty-bound to safeguard customers and their deposits against all forms of attacks at all times," he said. Card-skimming refers to the illegal capture of a cardholder’s PIN, mainly via a "skimming plate" sneakily installed by scammers on an ATM. Crooks then create a false or "cloned" card that enables them to withdraw or run up charges to the victim’s account. Skimming is also a way for identity thieves to steal a cardholder’s personal and account details, thus allowing them to borrow money or take out loans in the victim’s name. (Mindanao Examiner)
BASILAN– A military investigation into the recent deadly attack by the alQaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf in Basilan province showed that militants were targeting to kill the local brigade commander and probably other government officials in his group who was due to inspect a government road project in Sumisip town. Colonel Roland Bautista, who heads the 104th Infantry Brigade in the restive province, was to inspect a portion of the circumferential road in the town with Mujiv Hataman, the governor of the Muslim autonomous region, a day after militants led by Radzmi Jannatul attacked and killed 6 army soldiers sent to secure the area. Among those killed in the November 2 attack in the village of Libug was 2nd Lieutenant Jun Corpuz, platoon leader of the Alpha Company of the 64th Infantry Battalion. Two other soldiers survived, but were wounded in the fighting that ensued in Sumisip, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf. The soldiers were part a team of eight sent by Lt. Col. Melisan Raymund Recaido, the battalion commander, according to an army officer privy to the probe which was ordered by Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang.
“They group of Lt. Jun Corpuz were sent by the battalion commander to secure the area where Colonel Roland Bautista was due to visit the next day, November 3, to inspect the road project in Sumisip town, but unknown to them, the Abu Sayyaf (militants) were already encamped in Libug and were just waiting for the arrival of the brigade commander and his party.” “Colonel Bautista was the real target of the Abu Sayyaf and the presence of the group of Lt. Corpuz in the village of Libug was just coincidental and unfortunate. The eight soldiers broke into two groups and the four were killed because of an explosion from a grenade, probably fired from an M203, and one soldier was even hacked by the Abu Sayyaf, and Lt. Corpuz was eventually shot and killed while trying to maneuver. Two soldiers survived the fierce fighting, but they are wounded as well,” the source told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. The officer said the investigation does not stop there because probers are now looking into why Corpuz was sent to Sumisip to clear an area with only a squad of 7 soldiers instead of at least a section comprising 14 soldiers. Corpuz’s group
was one of three deployed one kilometer apart from each other in Sumisip that prevented soldiers from reinforcing the embattled squad. The source before troops could reinforce the embattled soldiers only a small group of Muslim progovernment militias manning a detachment from afar aided the group of Corpuz by sniping Abu Sayyaf fighters. But the same group may have known about the presence of the militants in the village of Libug because they refused to join Corpuz’s team in securing the area and gave various alibis. “That is also being investigated now. They may have intelligence information about the Abu Sayyaf, but did not share this to Lt. Corpuz and opted to stay in the detachment,” the officer said. The deadly attack on Corpuz also exposed the vulnerability of the 64th Infantry Battalion – it lack soldiers to effectively carry out its mission in Basilan. The battalion, which originally headquartered in Maguindanao province, has only about 380 soldiers instead of 525 troops, and many of its members had deserted or gone on leave without permission after learning they would be deployed to Basilan. It was unknown
whether Recaido would be relieved by Catapang as battalion commander following the death of Corpuz and his soldiers. Security officials said Corpuz’s team was patrolling the village when they engaged about 20 militants sparking a fierce gun battle that lasted almost 45 minutes. They said the Abu Sayyaf attack was meant to derail the completion of the 135-kilometer Basilan Circumferential Road project launched by the Department of Public Works and Highways during the time of President Fidel Ramos in the 1990s, but works continue up to now. The military also helped construct the road project which was financed through a concessional facility extended by Saudi Arabia. The loan of 75 million Saudi riyals was extended on October 2005 - to revive the project after being stalled for many years while the Filipino government provided a counterpart fund of 1.118 billion pesos. The circumferential road project is seen as a major infrastructure initiative to lift Basilan from poverty and bring prosperity in the province as part of the government’s campaign against local terrorism and lawlessness in the area. (Mindanao Examiner)
Marines kill ‘King Cobra’ in Mindanao ZAMBOANGA CITY – Marines killed a notorious gang leader allied with the communist rebel group New People’s Army in a clash in the southern Philippines, officials said. Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, said troops killed Ibrahim Dayao in the village of Baluan in Sultan
Kudarat’s Palimbang town. She said the fighting only lasted 5 minutes. She said troops also recovered from the area two automatic rifles, a grenade launcher and munitions and other personal belongings of the slain gang leader known in the province as King Cobra. Muyuela said Dayao was also behind last month’s killing of a farmer
in the province. “There is an ongoing operation to capture other members of Cobra’s gang which is allied with the NPA,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. The NPA has been waging a separatist war for many decades now and has been linked by the military to many attacks in the countryside. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 10-16, 2014
Kidnapped foreigner freed PAGADIAN CITY – Abu Sayyaf militants have freed Wednesday an 18-year old South Korean national after almost a month in captivity in Basilan province in the restive Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, officials said. Captain Franco Suelto, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Brigade, said Li Pei Zhei was freed in the town of Alicia in Zamboanga Sibugay province. He said the victim, who was kidnapped in the town of Kabasalan in September 11, had been held captive in Basilan. He said Zhei, who runs a merchandise store in Kabasalan, was brought to Alicia town by two gunmen on a boat and abandoned him there. Zhei then asked villagers for direction to the police headquarters where his friends were waiting. Suelto did not say if ransom was paid to the kidnappers, but he said Brigadier General Gerry Barrientos, the regional army commander, ordered troops to track down Li’s kidnappers. Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, also confirmed the safe release of Zhei, but was not aware if ransom
was paid or not by his family. Other reports said Zhei is a Chinese national, but police said the young man is a South Korean citizen. It said Zhei was kidnapped by four gunmen from his store and then dragged him to a waiting van which was found burned in the village of Timuay Danda also in Kabasalan town, about 130 kilometers from Zamboanga City. No individual claimed responsibility for the abduction, but suspicion fell heavily on the Abu Sayyaf tagged as behind previous ransom kidnappings in the province. Just recently, the Korean Embassy expressed alarm over the rising number of Koreans killed by criminals in the Philippines since early this year. Ambassador Hyuk Lee warned that Korean businessmen will avoid the Philippines and seek safer places for doing business if crimes against Koreans persist. “The rising incidence of crimes committed against Koreans while in the Philippines either on vacation or on business is a trend that has alarmed the embassy of the Republic of Korea,” he said, adding, specific measures should
be adopted by law enforcement agencies to prevent Koreans from being targeted by kidnap and robbery gangs. Businessman Bae Minju was killed when his car was stolen by armed men on July 27 in the Philippine capital. He was the ninth Korean reported killed in the Philippines since January. His wife was kidnapped, but later released unharmed. The victims’ family driver was arrested in connection with the crime. In March, the 21-year old college student Lee Ji Won was kidnapped and murdered by a taxi driver and other assailants. Police have arrested four people linked to the murder, but three others remain at large. The United Korean Community Association in the Philippines has started raising funds to support the investigation efforts of the police in relation to crimes committed against Korean nationals in the Philippines. The fund will be the source of incentives to be given for the speedy resolution of cases, as well as for publication of a bulletin that will inform Koreans on safety measures and selfdefense techniques. (Mindanao Examiner)
Malaysia says 2 Filipino gunmen killed in police clash in Sabah ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two Filipino gunmen were killed in a clash with Malaysian policemen in the eastern state of Sabah, reports said. According to Rakyat Post, Sabah Police said the Filipinos were behind a
string of robberies and were shot dead Thursday in Penampang Baru. The duo opened fire on policemen who were tailing them and a firefight ensued. State Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said they
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were investigating the backgrounds of the slain Filipinos – aged 50 and 42 – whether the duo had links with the Sultanate of Sulu which had previously clashed with security forces in Sabah. “For now, I can confirm that they are from the Philippines, aged 50 and 42, with one possessing an international passport, while the other was carrying a MyKad (Malaysian identification card), but using another person’s identity,” he said in a news conference at the Sabah police headquarters in Kepayan. Police said the two Filipinos were allegedly involved in at least three major armed robbery cases Seng Heng Electrical in Penampang on October 6; Tailored Seng Supermarket Sdn Bhd in Kota Kinabalu on October 9 and Kedai Emas Man-Man in Tuaran on October 16. “We believe their main purpose was to obtain money, but for what, we are not sure. In the three robberies, they had carted away over a million ringgit in jewelleries and cash,” Jalaluddin said, adding, they had been monitoring the duo for the past three months. He said a special task force has been formed to investigate the armed robberies. “We are investigating them, and while I am not denying about their links with Sulu, I would rather investigate their intentions and background to avoid any speculations,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner. With reports from Rakyat Post.)
Laguindingan Airport in Northern Mindanao.
Laguindingan Airport in Northern Mindanao braces for night landing operations CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY With all air navigation and airfield ground lighting systems at the Laguindingan Airport installed and tested, the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines are aiming to begin night landing operations at the Northern Mindanao gateway within this month. “We are happy to announce that the Laguindingan Airport is now equipped for night landing operations. We hope to activate evening flights by the end of November in order to give the public more flight options as well as to decongest the airport during the day,” Secretary Jun Abaya said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. In line with certain policies and procedures of the International Civil Aviation Organization and CAAP, officials from DOTC and CAAP are conducting a joint inspection for safety purposes in order to double-check on any possible system defects before they are put to use. CAAP will then prepare the standard guidelines for arrival and departure procedures, for compliance by the
airlines involved. After this, CAAP and the airlines will organize flight schedules to ensure orderly operations and to prevent air traffic and terminal congestion. This will kick start night landing operations at the airport. “Night flights mean more flights and more options for passengers. As the gateway to Northern Mindanao, this development will spur greater economic activity to the bustling business and tourist destinations in Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Iligan, and neighboring areas,” Abaya said. The more modern Laguindingan Airport was opened in June 2013 as a replacement to the older Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro. While determined by experts to be safer than Lumbia despite operating only under visual flight rules until now, one issue facing Laguindingan is its passenger capacity. As early as 2012, Lumbia was already serving a little over 1.6 million annual passengers, which is Laguindingan’s annual capacity. This issue is largely because the airport was meant to be completed way back in 2006, but was not fully executed until last year.
By that time, passenger volume had boomed. Per latest studies, the airport is projected to have 2.58 million passengers by 2017. “Due to years of delay, Laguindingan was already at capacity by the time we opened it last year. To spare future administrations from similar issues, we are incorporating an infra expansion component into the operations contract that we will bid out in December,” Abaya said. This contract is a 30 to 35-year Enhanced Operations and Maintenance concession and scheduled for award within the 3rd Quarter of 2015. It is meant to satisfy the projected of passengers for the next three decades, as well as to maintain the airport’s facilities and services at international standards. The Enhanced O&M’s infra or civil works component will entail the development and expansion of the cargo terminal building andthe runway, and the construction of a new passenger terminal building. The project cost is computed at P 14.6 million, and will be done in three phases beginning in mid-2016. (Mindanao Examiner, DOTC)
Lalaki, binurda ng saksak ang katawan! TACURONG CITY - Halos burdado ng malalaking saksak ang tagiliran at likurang bahagi ng isang lalaki nang matagpuan ng mga rumespondeng parak sa bahagi ng Purok Masagana sa Barangay Upper Katungal dito. Naganap umano ang krimen kamakailan lamang, ayon sa pulisya. Dalawang saksak na malalaki at malalaim sa kanang kilikili, tatlo sa ibabang bahagi nito, dalawa sa may sikmura at dalawa sa likod ang tinamo ng biktima base sa resulta ng otopsiya sa bangkay na nakilalang si Bernie Calderon, 34, at nakatira sa Purok Masagana sa Barangay Upper Katungal dito. Agad naman nasakote ng isang Barangay Tanod ang isang suspek na may mga bahid pa ng dugo at nakilalang si Marlon Apolonio, 19, at residente
rin ng nasabing lugar. Sa ibinahaging salaysay ng isang Rachel Evangelista, 21, sinundo umano siya ni Apolonio dakong 12:00 ng umaga ng nasabing petsa at bago tumuloy sa bahay ng biktima ay nadaan pa ang mga ito sa isang tindahan at bumili ng inumin. Dagdag pa ng dalaga, nagitla na lamang siya nang ilabas ng biktima ang isang CD kung saan naroroon ang aniya ay "shabu" at inalok pa nito ang dalaga subalit kanyang tinanggihan at tila may pagnanasang hinimas ang bahagi ng batok nito. Nahintakutan umano siya at mabilis na nag-text kay Apolonio na ihatid na lamang siya pauwi hangga't tila naulinigan niya ang tila pagpu-pumilit ni Calderon na dalhin na sa kanyang kama ang babae at dito ay nag-dahilan itong lumabas kung saan
sumunod umano si Apolonio at nagsabing "huwag kang matakot 'te akong bahala" at mula sa naturan sa pagpasok nito sa kusina ay nakita umano ni Evangelista ang pagsukbit nito ang isang malaking kutsiyong nang makita ay gamit sa "pang-matada" ng hayop. Dakong 2:00 na umano ng umaga nang magpasiya si Evangelista na umalis at naglakad palayo sa lugar hanggang sa makasakay sa isang tricycle kung saan siya ihinatid sa aniya ay kanyang tinutuluyang bahay at umaga na nang malaman niya na napatay ng suspek ang biktima dahil na rin sa text nito na tila nagsasabing tangka na nitong takasan ang pangyayari subalit bago pa ang naturan ay magtutungo ito sa kanyang lugar. Nahaharap ngayon sa kasong pagpatay ang suspek. (Rose Muneza)
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One-Stop Shop for permanent housing in ‘Haiyan’ ravaged areas
T
he government has put up a OneStop Shop for resettlement to facilitate the building of permanent housing units in areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan in central Philippines. The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council is the lead agency on this matter, according to a report by Secretary Panfilo Lacson, the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery.
This was also confirmed by Secretary Herminio Coloma, of the Presidential Communications Operations Office. He said Lacson made the report during a meeting convened by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa which was also attended by members of the Cabinet clusters directly involved in the implementation of the Comprehensive Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan. Coloma said during the meeting, Lacson noted that the delineation of safe, unsafe, and controlled zones
has been finalized through a joint memorandum signed by the respective secretaries of the departments of environment and natural resources, science and technology, national defense, interior and local government, and public works and highways. The One-Stop Shop is in accordance with Administrative Order No. 44 which streamlines the process of issuing permits, certifications, clearances and licenses for housing and resettlement projects in areas devastated
A scene in Tacloban City in Leyte province after Typhoon Haiyan. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) by the super typhoon. The or- Visayas after Haiyan ravaged destruction of the typhoon der was approved by Aquino many areas in the region. are still living in tents and on October 28. Thousands of And one year on, thousands bunkhouses in the provpeople had died in the of people who survived the inces. (Cebu Examiner)
Donating to disaster relief: Sending goods back home ‘expensive’
I Devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban City in central Philippine province of Leyte. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Typhoon victims continue to get Red Cross aid in the Visayas
O
ne year after Super Typhoon Haiyan ripped through the central Philippines, tens of thousands of families whose livelihoods were devastated are returning to work with the support of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Some 30,000 households have so far received cash grants of up to $220 as part of the Philippine Red Cross’s three-year $360 million recovery plan which will support 500,000 people across the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Panay and Palawan islands. Pigs, goats, chickens and stock for convenience or ‘sari-sari’ stores are among the most popular items being bought by Haiyan survivors as part of the livelihoods program. Initial data shows farming, rearing livestock and setting up local convenience shops are the top three income-generators for those who have received Red Cross support. “Kick-starting liveli-
ARMM
hoods is key to the long term recovery of disaster-hit communities and we have made this a priority in our work, as well as housing. One year after Haiyan robbed so many families of their income, we are seeing people return to work and others setting up new businesses,” said Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon. Peanut butter production, candle making, and turning truck tires into kitchen kit are also among the micro-enterprises that have been set up by entrepreneurs using the grants. Six million workers saw their livelihoods either wiped out or damaged by the disaster – of which 2.6 million were living on or below the poverty line before the typhoon. Vocational training such as sustainable farming techniques, hog rearing, book keeping, arithmetic and advice on how to diversify and grow businesses is also part of the Red Cross support package. Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said: “Recovery is well
under way but there are still humanitarian needs on the ground and we are working across 400 communities (barangays) to ensure people get the support they need to rebuild their lives.” Rice farmer Jessie Lape, Jr., a father of three from Luca in Ajuy, Panay, said: “The typhoon wiped out our crops and we had nothing to harvest – it was a desperate time. But the livelihood support has changed everything - I had the money to buy seeds, repair tools and now I have crop insurance. I can sleep easier knowing we are in a better position when the next typhoon hits.” More than 1.3 million people were provided with emergency relief in the aftermath and one year on, the Red Cross’s long term recovery plan is targeting some of the most vulnerable typhoon survivors. Philippine Red Cross said building back safer shelters and community training on construction practices are a central part of the plan, which places resilience and risk-reduction at its heart. It said courses for masons and
Southern Mindanao
Davao
n the lead up to the first anniversary of Super Typhoon Haiyan's (Yolanda) destruction of the Visayas islands, a Filipino donor group in Hong Kong - WIMLER Partnerships for Social Progress - learned the hard way how in-kind donations from abroad may be best sent back home to the Philippines. WIMLER said it was able to raise some HK$139,159,70 (P805,526) in cash donations and numerous relief goods from donors in the Crown Colony and in four other countries in the last 11 months since Haiyan wrought destruction that the world took notice. But as WIMLER volunteers and donors had been sending these donations to affected residents in the towns of Coron in Palawan province, Bantayan in Cebu and Estancia in Iloilo province, something was more expensive as the relief effort from the group progressed - the sending of the donated goods itself. “We realized that sending of goods from Hong Kong to the local beneficiaries was not only impractical, but even more expensive,” said Filipina-Dutch Leila Noel, WIMLER co-founder. What happened was some of the cash donations raised was used to defray the costs of shipping relief goods to WIMLER’s beneficiary-municipalities. For example, about HK$6,575 (some P38,059) was spent to ship tents, 12 boxes of baby milk and four boxes of Nestogen adult milk, 18 feeding bottles
and medicines to Coron. A separate HK$16,700 (P96,668) was spent to ship goods, blankets, tents and blankets benefiting 150 families in Bantayan. Noel wished that the cash donations raised could have been used to buy goods in affected areas for as long as the recipient of such amounts is well trusted. If another natural disaster happens, “it is better to collect the funds and send the money to the contact persons and who shall then be tasked to buy the goods locally instead of sending goods from Hong Kong,” she said. Nevertheless the lesson learned, WIMLER continued to attract donations to Haiyan-stricken areas. Like for the beneficiaries from Estancia, WIMLER’s young volunteers based in Hong Kong organized a Dodgeball tournament and raised some HK$37,584 (P217,555) that was used to buy 38 sacks of rice, 150 pieces of blankets, 12 boxes of Bearbrand milk, 100 pieces of aluminum kettles, and 20 liter kerosene. Some of that amount was also used to hand out three motorized fishing boats complete with fishing gears, support organic farming project, as well as provide financial support to 20 Estancia-based pupils who are victims of Yolanda. Apart from the Apart from the above fund campaigns,WIMLER also received a total of HK$78,300.70 (P453,244) from individual and corporate donors —including Filipino-run firms in Hong Kong, Netherlands, Bel-
gium, the United States and Mexico. On Nov. 8, 2013, Haiyan affected 11 million people and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that at least 6,268 died and 28,689 were injured and 1,061 were missing given the wrath of the world’s strongest weather system to hit landfall. Damage in agriculture and infrastructure is estimated at US$ 878.86 million. But months after some billions of donations had been raised worldwide, there are still concerns surrounding the judicious use of donations on the ground after a natural disaster. Even a recent report by the Commission on Auditshowed that over-P741.59 million in quick response funds that were coursed through the Office of Civil Defense and the NDRMMC have yet to be spent. On the part of Filipinos abroad and their organizations, known to be frequent donors to the motherland right after natural disasters strike, they continue to send in-kind donations. But given its own experiences in response to Haiyan relief efforts, Noel said a good” agreement with relevant parties, persons or group beneficiaries must be done before sending any goods. “Haste makes waste. Things not clearly communicated will not only resort to more confusion but would make the shipment of goods more expensive,” she said. (Cebu Examiner, Wilmer)
carpenters are being held and more than 6,500 fishermen have been provided with cash to buy or repair damaged boats. It added that almost
6,100 houses have been rebuilt and in the next 15 months, and 40,000 families will have received safer homes. More than 23,000 households have also received roofing sheets to
repair their homes. A total of 192 classrooms have been repaired or rebuilt so far and rural health facilities are also being restored. (Cebu Examiner, Red Cross)
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Manila