5 years on and still no justice for Maguindanao massacre victims PAGE 2
Environmentalists protest coal policy forum
Housing project resumes in Zambo village attacked by rebels
Guns fell silent in Sulu as troops honor their dead
Slain student rebel, 3 others honored by NPA in Mindanao
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Nov. 24-30, 2014
Military photos show solar panels and other personal belongings abandoned by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province in southern Philippines. And troops pay their last respect to soldiers killed in fierce clashes in the province. Armed Forces Chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. also awarded medals to the wounded soldiers in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)
Military seized Sayyaf solar panels as troops pursue rebels in Sulu province TEOOPS pursuing the Abu Sayyaf have tumbled on a pile of solar panels left behind by fleeing rebels in the southern province of Sulu, officials said. Officials said the solar panels were used by rebels to recharge their cell phones and laptop computers and even radio transceivers.
Soldiers also recovered pots and pans, blackened by soot, and clothing, and rubber boots abandoned by rebels as they escaped a massive military operation in the hinterlands of Talipao and Patikul towns, known stronghold of the al-Qaedalinked Abu Sayyaf group in the province.
The military also released photos of the things troops recovered in Sulu. But the photos also showed the ill-equipped soldiers on the front line. They wore no Kevlar helmets and were not even wearing body armor. Fierce clashes in Talipao town on Novem-
5 years on and still no justice for Maguindanao massacre victims MAGUINDANAO - It has been 5 long years since 58 people, including over 30 journalists and media workers, were abducted at gunpoint on a highway in Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao, and brutally killed. More than 200 armed men, many of them militias and policemen, taking orders from the alleged mastermind, brought the victims to a remote location in Ampatuan town and raked them all with automatic weapons. The journalists were just covering the political convoy of Esmael Mangudadatu, who was challenging Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr. who is the patriarch of a clan that long held power in the province. His son and namesake, Andal, Jr., then mayor of Datu Unsay town, and another son, Zaldy Ampatuan, the former regional governor, and several other clan members along with dozens more who are now in jail, had been implicated in the massacre. The accused have all denied the charges against them. And many witnesses to the gruesome crime had been killed while others were bribed to prevent them from
testifying. The slow progress of the cases is also putting a stress – both psychologically and spiritually –to the families of those who perished in the massacre. Various local and international media groups and organizations have repeatedly appealed to President Benigno Aquino to stop the continued murders of journalists and end impunity in the country. The National Press Club of the Philippines has unfurled black drapes on the facade of its headquarters in Manila to symbolize 5 years of mourning over the Maguindanao massacre. “Almost half a decade had passed, impunity reigns as masterminds and perpetrators of this worst case of media killings in history were still unpunished. The promise of President Aquino for swift delivery of justice for the massacre victims remains unfulfilled,” NPC president Joel Egco said. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also released a 30-second video (Backhoe) to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the November 23 Maguindanao massacre in cooperation with the Philippine Integrated Advertising Agency and WYD Productions.
The International Federation of Journalists also launched the End Impunity campaign 2014 and urged authorities of the countries with the highest death tolls of journalists to investigate these killings and bring their perpetrators to justice. “We hope this high profile campaign will make a difference to the fight against impunity in these countries and we call for your support, solidarity and action in the months ahead,” IFJ said. The UN Day against impunity for violence targeting journalists was adopted on December 18, 2013 and marked for the first time on November 2 - the first anniversary of the killings of two RFI reporters, Ghislaine Dupont and ClaudeVerlon, in Kidal, Mali. “This will be another opportunity for the IFJ to press governments around the world on their obligation to investigate attacks on journalists and punish their perpetrators,” IFJ said. The launch of the campaign came ahead of the commemoration of the Maguindanao massacre - the single deadliest attack on media in the Philippines. Since 2011, this day has been adopted by IFEX members as the International Day against Impunity. (Mindanao Examiner)
ber 14 left five soldiers and ten rebels dead and at least four dozen injured on both sides. The bodies of all soldiers slain in the fighting have been sent home to their provinces after troops paid their last respect to the fallen heroes, who fought the rebels in close combat battle for
several hours that killed two notorious Abu Sayyaf commanders Hairullah Asbang and Julie Ekit. The military’s Western Mindanao Command identified the slain soldiers as Privates First Class Albert Villaluna, Alison Caro, Samuel Taluyan, Joey Blanche and Gabby Achas.
Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, led military officials in honoring the soldiers in Zamboanga City. Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang also awarded medals to the wounded soldiers in Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner)
Slain journalists in Maguindanao province.(Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)
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Nov. 24-30, 2014
Environmentalists protest coal policy forum
Environmentalists protest coal policy forum in Makati City. MAKATI CITY - Environmentalists held a rally outside the New World Hotel in Makati City to protest and condemn the ongoing Coal Policy and Business Forum. The recent forum aims to gather operators of power plants and other industrial heavy users of coal, coal producers or suppliers, policymakers, legal and tax experts, investors and stakeholders to discuss the role of coal in the energy industry. Leverage International, a consultancy company for foreign investors, organized the forum in collaboration with the Department of Energy along with the ASEAN Forum on Coal, the Philippine Chamber of Coal Mines and the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association. “We condemn this gathering of disaster designers as it considers coal as an essential part in the development of the country. There is no space for coal in the energy industry now and in the future,” said Gerry Arances, National Coordinator of the Philippine Movement for Cli-
mate Justice or PMCJ. “What is more unforgivable is that after retreating from the fiasco of emergency powers, the government, especially the Department of Energy has supported this event,” he said, adding, that Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla was even the keynote speaker. Pastora Diana Morales, of Coal-Free Bataan Movement, said in the recent UN Climate Summit held in New York, President Benigno Aquino boasted that the Philippines is now treading a climate-smart development pathway and that it continues to take steps to maintain and even improve its lowemission development strategy and the trajectory of the energy mix of the country. “By taking part in this forum, this administration is showing its unwavering support for climate change-drivers such as coal and other dirty-energy projects. This is contradictory to what the President claims in international forums,” Morales said. Morales said under the Aquino administration, at
least 26 coal-fired power plants across the country with approximately 9,000 MW generating capacity have been approved despite massive opposition from various groups and the devastating effect this has in the environment and human health. These power plants are expected to dominate the energy mix of the country by providing 70% of the electricity generation by 2035. “Behind the closed doors of forums like this, communities like ours continue to suffer the negative effects of coal. Our lives and our future is at stake but the government continues to push for projects which will cause our death,” Morales said. According to the Clean Air Task Force report, coal kills about 400,000 people annually. “We reject this forum because continued investment in coal will put additional burden upon the people. Coal will become more expensive based on market signals, especially as more countries pledge to
Proposed law to give PNP Women's Desk more responsibilities MANILA - House Deputy Majority Leader Rep. MarLen Abigail Binay said she is batting for new legislation that would require police units to put all female suspects in the custody of the Women’s Desk in every station across the country. “What are pushing for a system wherein if you are a woman, and you get apprehended or you are brought to the police station for any reason, the arresting officers will be dutybound, under pain of sanctions, to turn you over to the (station’s) women’s desk for safekeeping. Female suspects and (police station) detainees should be ‘untouchable’ by male officers,” she said. The National Bureau of Investigation previously filed criminal charges against a police superintendent accused of raping a 29year-old nightclub employee at the Eastern Police District headquarters in Taguig City. The alleged rape victim was among the 65 female workers of the Universe Entertainment and KTV Bar who were brought in for questioning following a police raid on the Pasay City club. Earlier this month, a 25-year-old female detainee at the Santa Teresita municipal police station in
Batangas province also accused an officer of raping her. The victim was arrested with her boyfriend three months ago for stealing cable wires. The case had been settled and the victim was just waiting for a court order for her release, when she was taken out of her cell and assaulted in a police van by the officer. Binay said the police has enough female officers to look after suspects of the same gender. Citing statistics from Camp Crame’s Personnel Accounting Information System, she said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has 21,024 female and 127,800 male officers, as of October 2014. Even so, Binay wants women to eventually comprise at least 25 percent of all PNP members, up from 14 percent. The PNP Reform Law of 1998 mandates Camp Crame “to reserve 10 percent of its annual recruitment, training and education quota for women.” As proposed by Binay, the women’s desk in will assume the added responsibility of looking after female suspects and detainees. “Right now, women’s desks do not attend to female suspects. Their function is limited to handling women and children filing com-
plaints of rape, sexual harassment, domestic abuse and the like,” Binay said. Created by law to improve the PNP’s gendersensitivity, the Women’s Desk prevents the embarrassment and eases the distress of female victims and children having to recount their sexual ordeal before male officers. “Giving the desk direct supervision of female suspects will further boost the PNP’s gender-sensitivity,” Binay said. “Apart from this, we really have to open up the opportunities for more women to gain employment and advance as officers.” As proposed by Binay, no female suspect or detainee may be tampered with, moved or transferred, except with prior clearance from the officer in charge of the women’s desk. The rule shall operate even if the male officer seeking custody of the female suspect or detainee is superior to the OIC of the women’s desk. Interrogations of female suspects or detainees may be performed only by a female officer, or in the presence of a female officer, unless the questioning is fully videotaped by the station. Violators of the rule shall face summary dismissal proceedings. (Mindanao Examiner)
phase out coal and increase the renewable energy (RE) share in their electricity mix,” Kathryn Leuch, Energy Campaigner of PMCJ, said. Only recently, China announced its target to increase the share of non-fossil fuels energy to 20% by 2030. Furthermore, China’s demand for coal is expected to peak by 2020. Furthermore, burning of coal accounts for the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. “Coal is a climate buster. It has no space in our world if we want to limit global mean temperature rise to 2 degrees. With our experience with the Typhoon Yolanda, unless we limit our emissions, stronger typhoons will happen and more Filipinos will be condemned to death,” Leuch said. Energy Undersecretary Zenaida Monsada said that the DOE is aiming to award to private sector investors the areas for coal exploration and development under the Philippine Energy Contracting Round 5 by December 18.
JUST SAY
NO! But Arances said the government needs to focus to achieve its original target of 50% renewable energy in the electricity mix as stipulated in its original plan. He said the government must lay the basis for more funds for renewable energy and not waste its time giving more impetus to a "killer" and dirty industry such as coal. “The government has no business taking part in a
forum that brings death to its people and the climate,” Arances said. In Zamboanga City, the Alcantara and Sons is also building a coal-fired power plant in San Ramon. It recently opened a coal-fired power plant in Sarangani province. And Aboitiz and other firms are also operating coalfired power plants in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Nov. 24-30, 2014
MILF member arrested in Zamboanga Sibugay province ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY – Police forces arrested a member of the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front tagged as behind a string of murder cases and kidnappings in southern Philippines, officials said. Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokesman, said
Anjang Abbas was arrested in the town of Talusan in Zamboanga Sibugay province after police tracked down his hideout last week. He said Abbas is one of the most wanted criminal in western Mindanao because of the huge number of cases against him. “He is a rogue MILF member and engaged in
several illegal activities such as carnapping, robbery, extortion and kidnapping, and is a known gunfor-hire,” Samuddin said. He said Abbas is currently being investigated by the police. There was no immediate statement from the MILF about the arrest of Abbas. (Mindanao Examiner)
Security forces foil bombing attempt in Basilan province BASILAN – Tight security here had foiled attempt by rebels to detonate a homemade bomb at a school in Lamitan City. Government soldiers disarmed the improvised explosive after it was discovered inside the Colonia Elementar y School. It was unknown how the bomber managed to smuggled the explosive inside the school. The discovery of the explosive came a day after a bomb attack in North Cotabato’s Kabacan town killed a student and injured 17 others. Officials said the improvised explosive, fashioned out from a mortar bomb, went off outside the Kabacan Central Pilot School. Soldiers and policemen who responded to the attack have recovered two more explosives nearby. “The IED exploded near the gate of Kabacan Central Pilot School. Two
more bombs were discovered at an overpass near the school and were immediately disrupted by in the area,” Captain Jo Ann Petinglay, of the 6th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, told The Manila Times. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the violence, but police and military were looking into the involvement of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, who recently pledged allegiance to the jihadist group ISIS or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. “We are suspecting the BIFF as the culprit,” Petinglay said. Another bomb, planted near an army post in the village of Banayal in North Cotabato’s Tulunan town, also exploded over the weekend. There were no reports of casualties, but the attack sent a chilling warning that even in
the presence of troops in the village, rebels can easily sneak and stage attacks undetected by security forces. The bomb was assembled from a 60mm mortar and rigged to a detonator. The 39th Infantry Battalion maintains several posts in the area. Just recently, a mortar attack also killed an eightyear girl and an adult man and injured three more people in nearby Pikit town where security forces are battling the BIFF. The 6th Infantry Division quickly blamed the attack on the BIFF, but the rebel group pointed to the soldiers as behind the shelling. The provincial government has offered P100,000 reward for anyone who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of the bombers. (Mindanao Examiner. Ely Dumaboc and Moh Saaduddin)
NPA rebels seize 2 cops DAVAO CITY – Two policemen were captured by the New People’s Army in Alegria town in Surigao del Norte province, a known stronghold of the communist rebel group in southern Philippines. Police have confirmed the capture of the cops and identified them as PO3 Democrito Polvorosa and PO1 Marichel Contemplo. They were seized November 16 near the village of Pongtud where the rebels had set up a road block. The two policemen were on a prowl car when
about two dozen rebels intercepted them. The fate of the prisoners was unknown, but their capture came barely four days after rebels snatched PO1 Junrie Amper in Malimono town in nearby Surigao del Sur province. The rebels have not issued any statement, although they are expected to claim responsibility in the coming days. Just this year, the rebels freed several policemen and soldiers they captured in eastern Mindanao following appeals from their families.
There was no immediate statement from the Eastern Mindanao Command about the latest attack by the NPA which boasted of mass support from villagers in the region. The military has lately been losing the propaganda war to the NPA because of the failure of its officials and spokesmen in the region to immediately address the rebel’s aggressive media campaign. The rebels have been fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Rebels ambush 3 soldiers in Maguindanao province MAGUINDANAO – Suspected rebels ambushed three soldiers on in the town of Datu Piang in Maguindanao province in the troubled Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, officials said. Officials said the recent attack killed an army major and two privates who were travelling in a car and their identities were withheld by the 6th Infantry Division. The army quickly blamed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the ambush. The soldiers also lost their weapons to the rebels. It was the second attack
in recent days in Maguindanao when some 500 rebels also assaulted the detachment of the 45th Infantry Battalion in the village of Sapakan in Rajah Buayan town. The attack sparked a six-hour firefight that wounded Corporal Charlie Dilangsoy, according to First Lieutenant Jethro Agbing, of the 45th Infantry Battalion. He said troops under Second Lieutenant Mike Vergel Concepcion, and pro-government militias headed by Kagui Teng Lumenda repulsed the rebels. It was unknown if there
were casualties on the side of the BIFF. “The 45th Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Bautista III, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a whole, together with the support of the local populace, remain steadfast in maintaining peace and order to counter adverse intentions and future atrocities of the BIFF, and to give what the people of Maguindanao truly deserves, a harmonious and peaceful community free of elements who want to destroy the peace in Central Mindanao,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner - Rose Muneza and Ely Dumaboc)
Housing project resumes in Zambo village attacked by rebels THE CONSTRUCTION of housing units for victims of rebel attacks here last year has finally resumed after it was suspended due to substandard materials used in the project. The project in Santa Catalina village is under the so-called Z3R or Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction. The suspension in the construction of 51 housing units was lifted after the National Housing Authority has committed to comply with the recommendations of the local government. Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar said the recommendations were based on the results of joint inspections conducted by the City Engineer’s Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator, NHA, the BillRay Construction Company and Santa Catalina village leaders. Foremost in the recommendations of the local government is for the housing contractor through NHA - to comply with the requirements for the issuance of appropriate permits for the project implementation and to retrofit the 51 units of houses. The retrofitting of the housing units was also suggested by the contractor on the condition that it will submit an affidavit of undertaking that in the event there is a failure in retrofitting, it would be solely responsible for it. The contractor is also to reconstruct the demolished housing units and those that were identified as beyond repair and that appropriate plastering would be undertaken on the walls, to include field density testing on the soil
One of the housing units in the village of Santa Catalina in Zamboanga City. And Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar during her typical day at work. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
bearing capacity, compliance to appropriate construction methods and, soil compaction of the housing area and assurance that construction materials will be in good quality and sourced from accredited suppliers. Salazar ordered the suspension of the construction and ordered a review of the housing project after discovering the use of substandard construction materials. The subsequent suspension order was issued by the NHA, the project’s implementing agency. She also assured that the local government will do everything it can to ensure compliance of all engineering standards to the best interest of the beneficiaries. “‘We cannot sacrifice quality with quantity,” she said. Several congressmen also inspected the area and were shocked to personally see the poor quality of the housing units and the substandard materials used in the con-
struction. It was unknown why the NHA failed to immediately discover the use of substandard construction materials in the housing units. Residents in the area said they noticed cracks on the housing walls and the poor quality of the construction with some officials even saying the defects were caused by an accident after a backhoe hit some of the units resulting to the collapse of the beams. It was unknown if there were sanctions or fines imposed on the contractor of the housing project. The project is intended to residents in the area whose houses were destroyed during the siege of Moro National Liberation Front here that lasted three weeks. The street battles killed and wounded over 400 people and displaced some 120,000 people. The attack was in retaliation to the government’s peace talks with rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (Mindanao Examiner)
3 men hunted for murder of villager POLICE were searching for three gunmen who killed a villager in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said. Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokesman, said the trio was responsible for
the murder of Arthur Sevilla in the coastal village of Recodo. Sevilla was walking home late when one of three gunmen shot him four times. Police recovered six bullet casings of .45-caliber pistol and two more bullets in the area.
“ The victim sustained four gunshot wounds on the different par ts of his body that caused his death,” Samuddin said. He said police are also investigating the motive of the killing. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 24-30, 2014
BIFF isinabit sa pambobomba sa Mindanao KIDAPAWAN CITY – Tuluyan ng isinabit ng militar ang Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters o BIFF sa madugong pambobomba sa bayan ng Kabacan sa North Cotabato province na kung saam ay isang estudyante ang nasawi at mahigit sa isang dosena ang sugatan. Sumabog ang bomba sa labas lamang ng Kabacan Central Pilot School at dalawa pa ang natagpuan ng mga sundalo at parak bago pa man sumambulat ang mga ito. "The IED exploded near the gate of Kabacan Central Pilot School. Two more bombs were discovered at an overpass near the school and were immediately disrupted by in the area," ani Captain Jo Ann Petinglay, ng 6th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, sa panayam ng Mindanao Examiner. Walang umako sa atake, ngunit sinabi ni Petinglay na ang BIFF ang pangunahing suspek sa pagsabog. "We are sus-
pecting the BIFF as the culprit," ani pa ng opisyal. Noon nakaraang buwan lamang ay sumumpa ang BIFF sa jihadist group na ISIS at nagbanta pa na lalong paiigitingin ang opensiba nito sa Mindanao na kung saan ay nakikibaka ang mga rebelde para sa sariling estado ng mga Muslim. Nakilala naman ang nasawi na si Monique Mantawil, 19, na nagaaral sa University of Southern Mindanao, habang nasa pagamutan pa rin ang mga sugatan na nakilalang sina Ibrahim Bantulan, Usman Dimacaling, Mohamad Masukat, Anwar Montokayan, Samra Sembaga, Queen Mary Alimuhanid, Ritchie Baguio, Hartzel Bragat, Giezel Mae Butil, Arvie Estrella, Vestoni Gevero, Tonton Kusain, Merwin Lagat, Rowena Nufies, Albert Pagatpat, Flo Rohana at Girlie Royless. Nag-alok naman ang provincial government ng P100,000 reward sa
sinuman na makapagbibigay ng impormasyon at sa ikadarakip ng mga bombers. Naganap ang atake matapos na sumabog rin ang isang bomba dikalayuan sa detachment ng 39th Infantry Battalion sa Barangay Banayal sa bayan ng Tulunan sa North Cotabato rin. Bagamat walang inulat na casualties sa pagsabog doon ay tila nagbigay naman ng mensahe ang mga rebelde na sa kabila ng dami ng mga sundalo sa lugar ay nalulusutan pa rin sila ng BIFF. Kamakailan lamang ay 2 katao ang nasawi at dalawa rin ang sugatan ng sumabog ang isang mortar sa bayan ng Pikit sa naturang lalawigan at agad naman ito ibinintang ng 6th Infantry Division sa BIFF, ngunit inginuso naman nito ang militar na siyang nasa likod ng pagsabog. (Mindanao Examiner. May ulat ni Moh Saaduddin)
Woman zapped by lightning in Zamboanga del Norte ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE – A 40-year old woman was killed by a lightning bolt that struck her house in Sergio Osmeña town in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Norte, police said. Police said the woman’s body was discovered by her son-in-law outside the kitchen that had been also ripped apart by the lightning strike which occurred in the village of Bagong Baguio on the afternoon of November 15. Joel Gerolada, 25, said it was raining hard when he discovered the body and immediately informed authorities about it. He said a baby’s cry attracted him to the house and was shocked to see his mother-in-law Eva Emit sprawled and lifeless outside the kitchen. He said the woman was still holding a piece of firewood which she prob-
ably gathered outside the house. The baby was unharmed. In May this year, a teenager Ronald Igod was killed by a lightning strike that also injured his threeyear old cousin Jelemae Igod in the village of Soguilon in Zamboanga del Norte’s Siayan town. The two were listening to a radio program inside their house when lightning struck them. Last year, at least five people were reported killed by lightning in separate areas in Zamboanga Peninsula. A 38-year old woman, Elsa Dumolon, was instantly killed from a lighting strike that went through her bedroom’s window in the village of Lumaping in Jose Dalman town also in Zamboanga del Norte. The woman was just sitting on her bed when the lightning hit her. A two-year old boy, Regie Francisco, was killed
and his mother, Angelyn, 22, also severely burned in a lightning strike in the village of Lanzones in Zamboanga City. A lightning strike in Zamboanga del Sur’s Tungawan town also killed an army sentinel, Pfc. Jaymar Tumarong, while another soldier, Pfc. Jemar Destrajo, was injured. The two soldiers, members of the 6th Special Forces Battalion, were guarding their post when lightning hit them. There was no immediate statistics as to the number of documented casualties or injuries from lightning strikes in the Philippines, but those struck by lightning and survived suffered from a variety of long-term symptoms, including memory loss, chronic pain, numbness, dizziness, muscle spasms and depression among others. (Mindanao Examiner)
Military honors Sunday, November 16, 2014 soldiers killed in fighting with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province.
Guns fell silent in Sulu as troops honor their dead GUNS fell silent as the military mourned the deaths of five soldiers killed in ferocious battle with Abu Sayyaf rebels in the southern Filipino province of Sulu. More than two dozen soldiers were also wounded in clashes in the hinterlands of Talipao, a known lair of the Abu Sayyaf tagged as behind the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the restive southern region. At least 25 rebels were killed and wounded in the clashes, officials said. Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, led military officials in giving honor to the slain soldiers, two of them - Joey Blanche and Gabby Achas, both private first class – were transported to their provinces on Sunday, according to military spokesperson, Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela. “Troops honored the slain soldiers and we sent their bodies to their respective provinces,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Muyuela said security forces were tracking down about 300 rebels under Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan
Sahiron. AFP Chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., who condoled with the families of soldiers killed in the clashes, has sent medical teams, mission-essential equipment and additional supplies for the troops battling the Abu Sayyaf. Despite the fighting in the hinterlands, residents continue with their daily activities as if there were no battles, local officials said, adding, the violence was too far away to affect the normal situation in other parts of the province. But police forces were ordered to stay vigilant and alert to ensure the safety of civilians and vital government installations in the capital town of Jolo and in Patikul town, the seat of the provincial government. Situation rremains emains nor mal normal Sulu has recently concluded a four-day sports competition participated by hundreds of athletes from different schools in the province. Thousands of people flocked to the annual sports event held at the provincial sports complex in Patikul town which was packed with people. Governor Totoh Tan,
who is the chairman of Sulu Sports Development Council, urged the youth and the students to get actively in sports because it is not only good for the health, but also improve the activity of the brains and every organ in the body. “The interest in sports, both as a hobby and a competitive undertaking, should be instilled among the youth, and if possible while they are still in their primary level of education and the fact that sports is integral to the holistic concept in education,” he said. Vice Governor Sakur Tan said the Sulu Provincial Athletics Association Meet was so successful that next year’s event is expected to draw thousands of people from different towns in Sulu. He said the sports competition showed the camaraderie and unity not only of teachers and athletes and their trainers, but the people of Sulu as well. He said he was elated to see the overwhelming response of the people to the annual sports competition despite the ongoing military campaign against the Abu Sayyaf in Talipao town. (Mindanao Examiner)
2 dead in NPA clash in Bicol region MANILA – Two people were killed and two soldiers wounded in a clash with communist rebels in Camarines Sur province in the Bicol region, military officials said. Officials said the fighting broke out in the village called Tinalmod in Pasacao town on November 16 after pro-government militias and soldiers ran into a group of New People’s Army rebels
who killed a civilian. There were no reports of enemy casualties and officials said a militia was slain in the fighting and that two more were injured. The fighting lasted over 30 minutes. Brigadier General Richard Lagrana, commander of the 902nd Infantry Brigade, ordered troops to pursue the rebels. “We have deployed forces in strategic areas to
capture the rebels,” he said. The NPA has been waging a secessionist war for many decades now. Peace talks in the past governments have failed and efforts to revive it under the Aquino administration also were not successful due to several demands by the rebels and among them was the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Abu Sayyaf man arrested ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police are interrogating an Abu Sayyaf militant – long wanted for a string of murder cases – following his arrest in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. Police said Rael Jumadil, who is working as a security
guard of a ferry here, did not resist when security forces arrested him at the local wharf. Authorities linked Jumadil to a bloody attack in Lamitan City in Basilan province in 2001 and the murder of at least 11 farmers seized
by the Abu Sayyaf in Lantawan town. Police said Jumadil was also acting as a liaison for the militant group in Basilan, one of five provinces under the troubled Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO
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Nov. 24-30, 2014
Slain student rebel, 3 others honored by NPA in Mindanao
Isa sa mga nakakalasong mushrooms.
6 nadale sa wild mushrooms CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Anim na katao ang nalason matapos na umano’y kumain ng wild mushrooms sa bayan ng Prosperidad sa lalawigan ng Agusan del Sur. Nakilala ang mga biktima na ang magasawang Gerry Laroa, 39, at Emilie Laroa, 38; at mga anak na sina Jake, 12, at Jermilyn, 10. Gayun rin ang kapatid ni Emilie na sina Rexso, 28, at Eric, 16. Nabatid na nabili lamang ng pamilya ang wild mushrooms sa isang lalaki na naglalako nito sa Purok Biyaisan sa Barangay San Joaquin kamakalawa. Niluto umano ang wild mushrooms at siyang naging hapunan ng pamilya. Ngunit wala pang 10
minuto ay sinakitan na ng mga sikmura ang mga biktima hanggang sa magsuka ang mga ito. Naisugod sa pagamutan ang mga biktima at doon nabatid na posibleng dahil sa nakain nilang wild mushrooms kung kaya’t nalason ang mga ito. Hindi naman agad mabatid kung anong uri ng fungus ang kanilang nakain, subali’t maraming mga mushrooms ang tumutubo sa kahuyan, lalo na kung matapos ng tag-ulan. Subali’t hindi naman lahat ng mga ito ay maaaring kainin dahil ang iba sa kanila ay mga may toxin o lason na puwedng ikamatay ng sinuman kakain nito. (Mindanao Examiner)
DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels honored a student leader and three others who were killed by soldiers in a clash in southern Philippines. The 23-year old Rendell Ryan Cagula, a student at the University of the Philippines in Davao City, was killed along with rebels identified only as Ka Payat, Ka Doming and Ka Jappie in the town of Maasim in Sarangani province on November 4. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) confirmed the death of Cagula, who was known in the New People’s Army as Comrade Lucas, and the three other rebel fighters. “The Southern Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines salutes Comrade Lucas whose young life ended in the battlefield while fighting the fascist enemy troops of the 27th Infantry Battalion in Maasim, Saranggani at 2 pm November 4, 2014,” it said. The communist group said Cagula, a known activist, became exposed to the basic ills of
society and the sorry state of peasants, workers, indigenous people and the urban poor. “His study of society led him to an awakening that the same ills can only be cured not by reforms but by a systemic change through an armed revolution,” it said. The CPP said Cagula joined the rebel group in December last year and was deployed in southern Mindanao where NPA fighters and civilians admired his innate leadership skills, critical thinking and fortitude. “Cagula became Comrade Lucas when he left the comforts of city life and became a Red fighter who followed the iron discipline contained in the NPA’s three rules of discipline and eight points of attention,” it said. Cagula also served as a medic in the NPA and conducted mass clinics in the villages. “He was happy with the masses. In between mass clinics, he taught the indigenous people and peasants of basic political education. In organizing the peasants, he participated in farm work for the commu-
nal production. He also did tapping rubber, planting vegetables and helping with the peasants in their individual farms,” the CPP said. It said in less than year, Cagula became the political instructor of a platoon belonging to the Guerrilla Front 73 and worked in its recovery areas. There he began learning four different dialects of the indigenous peoples, to help him effectively immerse with the masses. Last month, another young rebel Rhaim Buanjug, also known as Comrade Jack, also died from malaria. Buanjug was also a former activist in Davao City. “The deaths of the two young Red fighters from Davao City were untimely, indeed, for they could have given more for the well-being of the masses and for the national democratic revolution. But comrades and the masses who dearly loved them know that in so short a time in their young lives, the two have left an irreplaceable mark in history,” the CPP said. “The ever exploitative
and oppressive conditions of the Philippine society continue to provide fertile ground for the young to join the revolution. Comrade Lucas’s martyrdom teach that the youth should never fear sacrifice for there can be no revolutionary victory without sacrifice, to not waver in the face of any setback, to always uphold the revolutionary cause, to not let down guard, rely on the masses at all times, and to strive more in order to defeat the enemy.” “Thus, we shall prevail, because the people and the battlefield are our infinite sources of strength and support. Comrade Lucas’ example and the martyrdom of other Red fighters continue to inspire the revolutionary forces to steadfastly carry out the most urgent tasks in advancing the revolution, to outwit the enemy and to resolutely bring the people’s war to revolutionary victory,” it added. The NPA has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a separate communist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Police hold 14 people in Sayyaf lair POLICE authorities are holding 14 people, including two women, who were intercepted by soldiers near an Abu Sayyaf stronghold in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, officials said. Police were investigating them to determine whether they have links or members or supporters of the Abu Sayyaf group. “They are subject for questioning by the police since all of them were at the encounter site in Talipao town. We handed all 14 of them to the police,” said Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command. Muyuela said among
those being held for investigation are two women. “They were no arrested and are just being questioned by the authorities on why they were in the Abu Sayyaf area,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Troops were still pursuing the Abu Sayyaf in the hinterlands of Sulu where a recent encounter in Talipao town killed and wounded over 50 people from both sides. Just recently, soldiers also recovered a pile of solar panels left behind by fleeing rebels. The solar panels were used by rebels to recharge their cell phones and laptop computers and even radio transceivers. Soldiers also recovered pots and pans, blackened by
soot, and clothing, and rubber boots abandoned by rebels as they escaped a massive military operation in the hinterlands of Talipao and Patikul towns, known stronghold of the al-Qaedalinked Abu Sayyaf group in the province, according to Muyuela. Despite the on-going military operations, Governor Totoh Tan hosted the congressional public hearing and consultation on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law attended by thousands of people in Patikul town. The event was one of the series of consultations that Congress launched in Mindanao about the House Bill 4994. (Mindanao Examiner)
Police capture gunman in deadly Koronadal pawnshop heist TACURONG CITY – Police captured a prime suspect in the deadly pawnshop heist following a chase that ended in Sultan Kudarat province in southern Philippines, officials said. Officials said Misuari Bansil was cornered in the village of Didtaras in Lambayong town. Bansil was among three gunmen
that killed a security guard of the Agencia Brillantes in Koronadal City during a robbery on September 18. Bansil, a native of Maguindanao province, was first spotted in Tacurong City by informants who tipped off the police about his presence. But Bansil fled on a motorcycle after seeing policemen and this trig-
gered a long chase that involved police forces in Koronadal and Tacurong, and in Lambayong. Officials said policemen also seized a .45-caliber pistol and a magazine from Bansil, including a talisman. Bansil’s companions remain at-large and are being hunted down by the police. (Rose Muneza)
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Nov. 24-30, 2014
'Zambo vendors problemado na naman'
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
ni Al Jacinto
ITINIMBRE sa akin na may mga nagsusumbong sa Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper ang mga newspapers dealers sa downtown Zamboanga City, particularly sa labas ng Shopper's Central, na ipinagbawal na naman ng Office of the City Administrator ang pagbebenta ng newspapers sa sidewalk because of an existing ordinance. These newspaper dealers are earning so little, and yet they are being harassed from time to time by people from City Hall. Pero sinabi naman ni Administrator Antonio Orendain na mayroon ordinance na dapat sundin at bukod sa kanyang opisina ay mayroon rin kampanya ang local police sa mga street vendors, ngunit ayon naman kay Tony ay malinaw ang kanyang kautusan – huwag huhulihin ang mga newspaper dealers as long hindi sila nakakabara sa sidewalks! Okay lang umano yun mga newspapers na nakabitay sa mga pader as along as wala ito sa daanin sa sidewalk. Tama nga naman. Pero sa hanay ng kapulisan ay dapat pagtuunan na lamang nila ng pansin ang mga rugby boys, mga kawatan, mga snatchers kaysa naman pagdiskitahan ang mga newspaper vendors at iba pang mga nagtitinda ng
mais, mani at kakanin. Naghahanap-buhay ang mga iyan at huwag na sanang paginitan. Sana magawan ng aksyon ito ni City Police Chief Angelito Casimiro. Dahil sa kautusan ni Tony, tinanong ko na rin sa kanya ang mga tambak ng motorsiklong naka-parking sa mga tabing kalsada sa downtown Zamboanga at kung ito ba ay saklaw ng ordinansa at Inamin naman ng opisyal na aprub ng City Council ang naturang parking ng mga motorsiklo at mga sasakyan ang naturang lugar. Nakakaawa naman ang mga newspaper dealers at sa kakapiranggot na kinikita ay naaapektuhan pa ng ordinansa. And the same goes to vendors na nagbebenta ng mga mais, puto, bibingka at sigarilyo sa sidewalks. Minsan nga ay nakita ko ang mga city ordinance enforcers na nasa kontrol ni Tony at kagagaling lamang sa kanilang pangungumpiska ng kung anu-ano at nakita ko na may kanya-kanyang supot na hawak ang mga ito, at bagamat na hindi ko sila pinabibintangan ng pangugulimbat ay gusto kong malaman kung saan napupunta ang mga pagkain at kung anu-ano pang mga bagay mula sa vendors. Dapat rin sigurong bigyan aksyon ni Tony at ng
Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong kapulisan ang naglipanang mga shops ng pirated videos at pekeng cell phones sa downtown Zamboanga. Aba, eh paano naman nabigyan ng mga permiso ang mga ito na magbenta ng mga piniratang videos at palsipikado o cloned cell phones? Kahit ang malls at shops sa Zamboanga ay maraming rin mga ibinibentang fake goods! Ang dami rin mga tindahan o sari-sari stores na walang mga business permits, pati mga carenderia na walang sanitary permits. Meron pa nga sa Barangay Tetuan eh sa ibabaw pa ng tulay naka-park ang mga tricycle dahil kumakain ang mga driver sa carenderia na inilagay sa bukana ng jumbo bridge! Sana ay makita rin ito ni Tony at hindi lamang ang mga vendors ang siyang pinagbabawalan o pinaghuhuli. Las leyes son claras y éstas se aplican a todas las personas. No debe haber discriminación aquí para que los derechos de todo el mundo es muy respetado. Sólo espero que Tony iba a estudiar este asunto en serio y ayudar a los vendedores pobres. Estas personas sólo están trabajando para ganar un poco de la vida y espero que el gobierno para ayudar y proteger a ellos. Para que la paz, y el progreso.
ALAMIN kung ano ang carpal tunnel syndrome. Ito’y nakukuha sa sobrang pagta-trabaho, paglalaba, pag-type at paggamit ng kamay. Heto ang ilang tips: 1. Ipahinga ang kamay. Bawasan ang pagtatrabaho sa computer at pananahi. Mag-break at ipahinga kada oras ang iyong kamay. Mas gamitin din ang kamay na hindi apektado. 2. Huwag i-bend ang kamay. Kapag mali ang posture ng iyong kamay, puwedeng maipit ang median nerve. Dapat ay derecho palagi ang wrist kapag nag-ta-type.
PAANO MAKA-TIPID SA MEDIKAL NA GASTUSIN? 1. Pumili ng isang magaling na family doctor. Ito ‘yung doktor na mamamahala sa lahat ng inyong gamutan. Kaya ng isang doktor na gamutin ang karamihan ng inyong karamdaman. 2. Gumamit ng generics. Magtanong sa doktor tungkol sa generics na gamot at murang gamutan. Huwag mahiya. Kung P30 lang ang inyong budget para sa gamot sa isang araw, sabihin ito sa doktor. 3. Itago ang lahat ng laboratory exams sa isang me-dical folder.
The People’s Grace by Perry Diaz IT IS customary for a lot of people to say grace, a short prayer before eating a meal. The most common grace among Catholics is: “Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.” But to a lot of people in the Philippines, which is predominantly Catholic, saying grace is meaningless because they don’t have food or not enough food on the table. That’s the kind of existence that 43% -9.3 million families – consider themselves “food-poor” from a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The SWS survey was what Sen. Grace Poe referenced when she delivered a privilege speech on the Senate floor last October 27, 2014. She said that out of the 43 million “foodpoor” individuals, three million battled severe hunger, a condition she said of being "always" or "often" hungry. She prefaced her speech: “October 16 was World Food Day. But for many Filipinos it was ‘no food day’ as usual. That would be hard to believe in a country getting glowing economic report cards and whose capital is brightened by blinding billboards advertising all kinds of food. But the fact is millions of Filipinos go to bed, go to work, or go to school hungry.” Sen. Poe also referenced the 8th National Nutrition Survey, which found that 7.36 million children below the age of five are malnourished. However, she said, “The Food and Agriculture Organization or FAO gives a higher estimate -- 15 million or bigger than the population of Metro Manila. UNICEF says globally, we rank 9th in the most number of stunted kids.” Indeed, for a country that boasts of a robust economic
growth – highest GDP growth forecast among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-6 (ASEAN-6) members for 2014-2015 -- during the presidency of President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III, the hunger rate increased in the past two years. The SWS survey for the fourth quarter of 2013 showed hunger at 18.1% of families. For the same period in 2012, hunger was at 16.3% of families. It’s sad to note that at a time of unprecedented economic growth, poverty went up in large numbers. Where did all that money go? Or could it be that there was really no “economic growth” in spite of the country’s impressive Gross Domestic Product (GDP); thus, defying commonly-accepted economic truism? Corr uption vs ver ty orruption vs.. po pov erty This reminds me of PNoy’s campaign slogan, “Walang korap, walang mahirap,” which translates to “No corruption, no poverty.” If that equation were true, could it also be correct to presume that if corruption increased, then poverty would increase? In my article, “Rx for Poverty and Corruption” (December 9, 2005), I wrote: “What is the cause of corruption? Some people say that poverty is to blame for the ‘culture of corruption.’ A veteran Philippine Senator once said, ‘Poverty breeds corruption.’ Does it, really? Or is it the other way around, ‘Corruption causes poverty’? “A study made by Management Systems International in Washington, DC, in 2003, has concluded: ‘Corruption has direct consequences on economic and government factors, intermediaries that in turn produce poverty.’ The study produced two models.
On the one hand, the ‘economic model’ postulates that corruption affects poverty by first impacting economic growth factors, which, in turn, impact poverty levels. In other words, ‘Increased corruption reduces economic growth which would increase poverty.’ On the other hand, the ‘government model’ asserts that corruption affects poverty by first influencing governance factors, which, in turn, impact poverty levels. In other words, ‘Increased corruption reduces governance capacity which would increase poverty.’ “Is it then fair to presume that increasing economic growth and increasing government capacity would decrease poverty? If so, in order to eradicate poverty, corruption should be dealt with in a fashion that would deter people — particularly government officials — from practicing corruption. However, the problem is: The Philippines does not have an effective deterrence to stop corruption.” Str ong leadership trong So, what does it take to have an “effective deterrence” to stop corruption? It sounds like a simple question but that requires a complex answer. Or, could it be that the answer is as simple as the question, which is “strong leadership”? History tells us that a strong leader who is imbued with a fervent desire to change – nay, revolutionize -- the way our government is being run, produces the best results. And when I said “strong leader,” I’m not talking about the likes of Ferdinand Marcos but in the mold of Ramon Magsaysay, Lee Kuan Yew, and Nelson Mandela. And looking at the current crop of presidential wannabes who call themselves “leaders,” none qualifies
Dr. Willie T. Ong 3. Ipatong ang kamay habang natutulog. Ang tamang posisyon ay ang paglagay ng kamay sa ibabaw ng dibdib o ipatong ang kamay sa unan sa iyong tabi. 4. Puwedeng maglagay ng Splint o kalso sa kamay.
Kumuha ng isang matigas at pahabang cardboard. I-tape ito sa ilalim ng iyong palad at wrist. Ang layunin nito ay para hindi mo mai-bend ang iyong kamay kapag natutulog. 5.. Huwag balutin ang kamay. Huwag maglagay ng bandage o wrist band sa iyong kamay. Baka mapigilan lang ang pagdaloy ng dugo sa kamay. 6. Magbawas sa alat sa pagkain at magbawas din ng timbang. Ang asin ay nagpapadami ng tubig sa ating katawan. Ganoon din kung ika’y sobra sa timbang. Tataba din ang wrist at maaaring maipit ang nerve.
for the job. They’ll just be the same as most of those who held – and abused -- power before them; that is, corrupt to the core. What the country needs is a person untainted by corruption and who is committed to eradicating poverty. Does it sound like an impossible dream? Yes, it does. Yet, there is always hope. And sometimes it comes in a strange way… a miracle. But if we lose even a glimmer hope, and stop looking for the right person to lead our nation, then the Philippines would be consigned to perdition. Amazing G Grrace What we need is a modern-day Joan of Arc. Who I have in mind is Sen. Grace Poe, who stands out as someone who would galvanize the people waiting for the leader to free them from the clutches of poverty. Many people believe that Grace’s emergence from relative obscurity and rising to number one position in the 2013 senatorial elections was providentially inspired. Indeed, never in the history of Philippine politics had a neophyte politician -- who never held an elected or appointed position in government -- attracted the support of 10 million voters, one million votes more than the attractive and experienced politician who placed second. It is interesting to note that Grace’s father, the late action hero Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), garnered 11.7 million votes when he ran for president in 2004… and lost. However, many believe that he would have won had his opponent, then incumbent president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, did not cheat. Election experts averred that Arroyo cheated Poe of at least one million votes using dagdag-
Napakahalaga nito para hindi ulit-ulitin ang inyong lab tests. Kapag nawala ang inyong lab results, nawala na rin ang inyong perang ginastos. 4. Gumamit ng senior citizen card. Kapag kayo’y lampas 60 years old, puwede kayong makakuha ng 20% discount sa botika. Siguraduhing kumpleto ang reseta at sapat ang bilang ng gamot na nireseta ng inyong doktor. 5. Mag-enroll sa PhilHealth. Sa halagang P200 ba-wat buwan, may PhilHealth card na kayo.
Malaki ang maitutulong ng PhilHealth card kapag kayo’y maospital. Aabot sa P20,000 ang maaawas sa inyong bayarin sa ospital. Siguraduhing kumpleto ang lahat ng Philhealth requirements habang nasa ospital. 6. Umiwas sa mga bisyo para hindi magkasakit. Bawal magkasakit, kaya bawal din ang sigarilyo at sobrang alak. Kumain din ng gulay at prutas para lumakas ang inyong katawan. 7. Magbasa ng health tips at magpa-check up. Tandaan: Prevention is better than cure. Good luck.
The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions
Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Don Micael Moleño Graphics/Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales Central Mindanao
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Richard Suarez Pagadian City Zamboanga del Sur CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Ely Dumaboc/Jun Feliciano Zamboanga Peninsula The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines. The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in KISMET Cable TV and Pagadian Cable Television Channel 63. Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: 062- 9925480 Mobile: 0917-7103642 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
bawas (vote-padding/voteshaving system), which would have been enough to offset Arroyo’s lead. It is expected that FPJ’s “command votes” would go to his daughter if she runs. With the election still a year and half away, Grace is not expected to make known her plans. Not yet. But as the election gets nearer, a groundswell of support is ex-
pected to build up, which begs the question: Would there be a movement to draft Grace for President? Personally, I believe that a campaign to draft her would soon materialize and could easily get at least a million signatures. And riding high on the crest of popularity, Grace would be the people’s candidate… the people’s Grace, indeed. (PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
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Nov. 24-30, 2014
Cebu prays for inclusion in historic Papal visit
M
a y o r Michael Rama of Cebu City s aid he will write the Vatican to appeal for the inclusion of his city in the itinerary of Pope Francis' visit in the Philippines in January next year. Rama also appealed to the media, especially the Internet bloggers, and even the provincial
government to appeal to the Pope to include Cebu - which is hosting next year's International Eucharistic Congress - in the historic visit. He said Cebuanos were also victims of twin calamities - the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and the Super Typhoon Haiyan - thus "we also be deserving of such visit." The Papal itinerary also does not include
Bohol which was also devastated by calamities. The Pope's visit from January 15 to 19 was already announced by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, and this included Manila and Tacloban City, and Palo town in Leyte where he will say mass. He is also expected to mingle with typhoon survivors. (Cebu Examiner)
Pope Francis (Catholic News)
DBM wants additional P23-Billion for various projects
T Cebu Governor Hilario Davide with Energy Undersecretary Loreta Ayson and other officials during a recent meeting over the upcoming APEC Summit in Lapu-Lapu City.
Cebu to host 12th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting
T
he beautiful and bustling province of Cebu is hosting the 12th Energy Ministerial Meeting of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit which will held at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City next year. Governor Hilario Davide and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza are now preparing for the historic meeting by international leaders. Energy Undersecretary Loreta Ayson has recently met with the two officials to discuss the preparation of the summit. “We request support and cooperation from the local government officials
which we are already getting from them. They’re very cooperative and supportive,” Ayson said, adding, energy ministers from 21 APEC member economies are expected to come in October. These countries include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United States, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia and Vietnam. “Dakong dungog ni para sa (This is a great honor for) Cebu and a big opportunity for us to attract investors, especially with the coming of many foreign delegates for the meeting,” Davide said.
A dialogue between energy ministers and business leaders, and international energy exhibit will be held simultaneously with the 12th Energy Ministerial Meetings. Site visits and cultural shows are also being prepared for the visitors. The Philippines was one of the discussants during the 11th APEC Ministerial Meeting held on September 2-3 in Beijing, China. The use of clean energy remains a priority among APEC member economies subscribing to the aspirational goal of doubling the share of renewables in the APEC energy mix, including on the power generation, from 2010 levels by 2030. (Lianne Llesol)
he Department of Budget and Management said it is pushing for a P23billion supplemental budget to ensure sufficient funding support for crucial development initiatives, including various infrastructure projects for post-Typhoon Haiyan rehabilitation in the Visayas and government preparations for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Manila. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the National Treasury has already certified the availability of funds to support the projects, but these appropriations must likewise be supported by proper legislation. "With the proposed 2015 National Budget already subject to Senate deliberations, we need the support of the House of Representatives to pass a supplemental appropriations bill to fund these projects," he said. He said a total of P16.4
billion — comprising the bulk of allocations under the supplemental budget—has been earmarked for new priority initiatives. Of this amount, the post-Haiyan reconstruction and rehabilitation program will get P9.5 billion. Another P1.44 billion will support key projects in preparation for the APEC Summit, which the Philippines will be hosting next year. He said the supplemental budget will cover liabilities arising from obligated infrastructure projects worth P1.85 billion under the Department of Public Works and Highways. Abad said total of P5.08 billion will also be coursed to a number of priority projects under various government agencies. The funds will account for the budgetary requirements of priority projects that were partially implemented or previously approved for implementation this year. The breakdown of the supplemental budget is as
follows: New urgent projects and programs, mostly for post-Haiyan reconstruction and APEC Summit - P16.4 billion; obligations arising from infrastructure projects of the DPWH worth P1.85 billion, projects previously approved but have not been implemented or have been partially implemented P5.08 billion. "Most of these projects have already been completed, are on-going, or are urgently needed to sustain our socio-economic development. The passage of the proposed supplemental budget will allow us to allocate funds accordingly so we can complete these projects right away," Abad said. But opposition politicians fear the supplemental budget would be used to fund the political propaganda of the Aquino government in preparation to the upcoming national polls in 2016. (Cebu Examiner)
Who murdered Leyte Vice Mayor Claudio Martin Larrazabal?
W
ho killed Leyte town Vice Mayor Claudio Martin Larrazabal? Was it a hit by the New People’s Army or political killing? These were the questions asked by many following the recent murder of Larrazabal, ofVillaba town. Larrazabal, 48, was fa-
ARMM
tally shot by two motorcycle gunmen on November 17 just outside his resto-bar. He died from a gunshot wound in the chest. Police are still investigating the killing of the politician, who also served as a mayor of Villaba and in 2013 ran and won as vice mayor. The motive of the killing remains unknown and his
family has not released any public statement about the murder, but his supporters and followers condemned the violent slaying. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the killing of the politician, who was a cousin of former elections commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal. (Cebu Examiner)
Southern Mindanao
Davao
One of the tourist places in Cebu is the Mountain View Nature's Park in Busay. Local and foreigners frequent the place because of its beautiful scenery, especially at night. (Cebu Examiner Photo - Maritess Fernandez)
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Manila