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Muslims must lead the fight against terrorism JORDAN’S K ing A bdullah II said terr or ism is the King Abdullah terror orism “gr eatest thr eat to our rregion egion uslims must greatest threat egion”” and that M Muslims lead the fight against it, the Ar ab news rrepor epor ted. Arab eported. It quoted the King in societies and generations his speech last week, that with intolerance takfiri confronting extremism is ideology.” “both a regional and “Takfiri” refers to the i n t e r n a t i o n a l radical Islamic practice of responsibility, but it is declaring one’s enemies to mainly our battle, us be infidels worthy of death. Arab News said the Muslims, against those who seek to hijack our speech did not specifically
FORCE BEHIND ARMM. (From left to right) Governors Totoh Tan and Vice Governor Sakur Tan of Sulu, Nurbert and Sadikul Sahali of Tawi-Tawi, Jum Akbar of Basilan, and Mamintal Adiong of Lanao del Sur. refer to the attacks in Paris that killed 129 people, but Abdullah has previously condemned them as a “cowardly terrorist act.” It said Jordan is taking part in the US-led airstrikes against the Daesh (Islamic State) group, which has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks. Continue on page 5
MILF joins Philippines in condemning terror attacks in France COTABATO CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has joined the Philippines in condemning the deadly terrorist attacks by ISIS across civilian targets in France that had killed and wounded over 300 people in Paris. The MILF, which signed a peace accord with Manila in 2014, said
it was saddened by the tragic events in Paris. “These blind, indiscriminate acts of violence deserve nothing but condemnation. This is unacceptable. The MILF rejects such acts of terror against humanity and all peace-loving peoples.” “Our thoughts are with the victims and their
families. May we all find our way through these troubled times and emerge with a stronger resolve to pursue peace for all peoples in all parts of the world,” the MILF said as it also condemned the violence against civilians in Palestine, Myanmar and elsewhere in the world. Continue on page 5
The aftermath of the 2010 suicide bombing outside the Zamboanga International Airport in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ARMM
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Eastern Mindanao
Skin whitening creams laced with mercury found in Davao stores DAVAO CITY – Two environmental health groups have cautioned consumers seeking fairer skin tone to watch out for banned skin whitening cosmetics laden with toxic mercury. The Davao City-based Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) and the Quezon City-based EcoWaste Coalition issued the joint warning against dangerous cosmetics with undisclosed amounts of
mercury after finding them in store shelves in Davao City. The illegal products are still available on the market despite the ocular inspections conducted by the City Health Office and the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Region XI in some retail outlets last April, the groups observed. “The continued sale of banned mercury-laden skin
whitening products is a serious threat to public health and should stop at once. Cosmetics retailers should only offer registered products that are safe from mercury and other substances that are damaging to human health,” Ann Fuertes, Executive Director of IDIS, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Continue to page 2
ISIS-inspired rebels threaten civilian targets MAGUINDANAO – ISISinspired rebels have warned of more attacks on civilian targets, particularly Christian areas in the Philippines, as security forces continue its offensives on insurgent and radical groups in the restive southern region of Mindanao. Masked gunmen released a video recently on Facebook threatening attacks on innocent civilians and to pursue an Islamic caliphate in Mindanao. The video came out following bombing and suicide attacks by ISIS on various civilian targets in Paris, France and in Beirut just this month. The threats also coincided with the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila attended by world leaders. The gunmen, with the ISIS flags behind them, spoke lengthily in fluent Tagalog,
Western Mindanao
Young Muslims in Marawi City in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Sur pledge their allegiance to IS in Iraq and Syria in these photos sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. mimicking ISIS style threats Front which signed a peace made against the United deal with Manila in 2014. Late last year, some 100 States, Britain and France. But the military said local local Muslims in Marawi have pledged insurgents were riding on the City notoriety of ISIS also known allegiance or bai’ah to the as Islamic State of Iraq and ISIS following trends from the Levant or ISIL. The Abu radical jihadist groups in the Sayyaf has pledged allegiance Philippines. Those who to ISIS and so is the pledged their allegiance Bangsamoro Islamic took their mass oath-taking a surprise Freedom Fighters, whose in members were mostly announcement inside the former rebels from the larger Masjid Islamic Center there. Continue to page 2 Moro Islamic Liberation
Cebu
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The Mindanao Examiner 2 ISIS-inspired rebels threaten civilian targets Continued fr om page 1 from An elderly Muslim cleric who was a former senior member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; and members of the Khilafah Islamiyah Mindanao-Black Flag Movement allegedly organized the mass oath-
taking. Dozens of Muslim detainees in Taguig City just outside Manila also pledged their allegiance to ISIS and was believed organized by Ahmad Santos, the jailed leader of the radical Muslim-converts group Rajah Solaiman Movement
or RSM. The Khilafah Islamiyah Movement which is being linked by police and military with the Abu Sayyaf and the BIFF, and the Al-Khobar group and RSM, was the first local jihadist vowed support to the ISIS. (Mindanao Examiner)
ARMM strengthens commitment to help Basilan young leaders BASILAN – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is strengthening its commitment to empower young leaders in the province of Basilan. The commitment was sealed through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Autonomous Regional Government and Ayala Foundation, Inc. with the region’s Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Basilan provincial office. The agreement was signed on November 13 in Isabela City, Basilan with ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman leading the ceremony. The MoA includes support to the implementation of the projects of the Basilan Young Leaders Alumni, through the Leadership Communities (LeadCom) program. Moreover, it also provides for stakeholders to handle the program’s administrative and logistical support and skills and livelihood training requirements. The Basilan Young Leaders Program is an
initiative that empowers, inspires and involves the next-generation leaders of Basilan. It conducts plenary discussions, workshops, teambuilding activities, educational tours and institutional visits to various sites and locations all over the country. The LeadCom, on the other hand, is a program that teaches youth leaders to explore and implement projects like skills and livelihood training, youth capacity building, health and alternative medicine awareness campaigns, and peace and governance initiatives for the province’s conflict-affected residents. The project trains and empowers communitybased youth organizations by helping them design and implement projects that address their communities’ most pressing needs. It enables young leaders to meaningfully contribute to the development of their communities. Governor Hataman said the LeadCom project would “respond to the challenge of creating stronger and more sustainable growth and development opportunities
in the province of Basilan.” He added that “the project helps fulfil the youth leadership and development thrust of the Basilan Development Program,” a framework designed to contribute to the fulfilment of the peace agreement for the Bangsamoro as the foundation of lasting and durable peace in Mindanao. The ARMM has earmarked P5 million to fund the project while the Ayala Foundation extended P100,000 as seed money. The amount was downloaded to the DILGBasilan office. LeadCom Basilan, with its partners Office of the Regional Governor-ARMM, Nagdilaab Foundation, Inc., and the Eisenhower fellowship Association of the Philippines, started in 2012. It has implemented 97 youth projects, and trained 953 youth leaders and 754 facilitators. It has awarded P 970,000 to different youth groups all over the country and reached 6,771 direct beneficiaries as well as mobilized 827 volunteers from local communities. (Bureau of Public Information)
Nov. 23-29, 2015
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Skin whitening creams laced with mercury found in Davao stores Continued fr om page 1 from The World Health Organization (WHO) describes mercury as “toxic to human health” and lists it among the ten chemicals of major public health concern. “Exposure to mercury even at very low doses is detrimental to health and should be avoided,” Fuertes said. Thony Dizon, coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect, also said: “We hope that the Davao City authorities will take immediate action to cut the supply of these dangerous cosmetics and severely penalize those involved in the illegal trade of mercury-added skin lightening creams.” IDIS and EcoWaste Coalition urged the authorities to conduct frequent surprise inspections on a regular basis to rid the market of these contraband goods, as well as pass an ordinance to systematically address issues and concerns on toxic chemicals. In a test-buy, Dizon said they managed to buy nine skin whitening products that were among those banned by the FDA for violating the 1 part per million (ppm) threshold limit for mercury under the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive.
He said the products obtained from cosmetics and herbal product retailers at DCLA Shopping Center and from a kiosk at Plaza Luisita sell for P50 to P150 each. Among these were Bihuayn, Erna, Jiaoli, S’zitang and Yinni skin whitening creams. Subsequent screening in Quezon City using an XRay Fluorescence device detected mercury up to 5,445 ppm in the samples, way above the allowable limit of 1 ppm. The top three samples with the highest mercury content were a S’Zitang two-jar skin whitening cream in gold box with 5,445 ppm, Yinni Green Tea Quickacting Whitener & Speckle Remover Package with 5,085 ppm and a S’Zitang single jar skin whitening cream with 4,899 ppm. Health studies have indicated that exposure to mercury – even in low amounts – may have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive, immune, respiratory and urinary systems, may damage the skin and may present “a threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life.” Direct users of mercurylaced skin whitening cosmetics may experience skin discoloration, rashes and scarring and reduced
skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, while repeated applications can cause damage to the brain, the nervous system and the kidneys. Mercury compounds in skin whitening cosmetics can enter the human body mainly via skin absorption as well as inhalation. In February this year, the EcoWaste Coalition published the “Beauty and the Risk” report documenting the widespread sale of contraband mercurycontaining skin whitening cosmetics in 50 cities, including in Davao City and 11 other cities in Mindanao. To curb the illegal trade in mercury-containing skin lightening cosmetics, the report stressed that Filipinos should “take pride in our natural skin complexion.” “There is beauty and dignity in our ‘kayumangging kaligatan,’ so refrain from using skin bleaching, lightening or whitening products, particularly contraband cosmetics that have not gone through formal notification or registration with the FDA and not guaranteed safe from mercury, hydroquinone and other harmful substances,” the report said.
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 23-29, 2015
Zamboanga power coop executive removed ZAMBOANGA CITY – The National Electrification Administration has approved the termination of the general manager of the debt-ridden Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative following a resolution by the cooperative’s board members due to various reasons. George Ledesma, who assumed as general manager two years ago, has been replaced by Ed Ancheta in an acting capacity. Ledesma has been widely criticized for his failure to address the worsening power situation here and the ballooning debts of the cooperative which stands to more than P1.4 billion. The board members of the cooperative are Omar Sahi, Rodolfo Lim, Victor Liozo, Ernesto Perez, Gammar Hassan, Wilhemino Bazan, Efren Famindalan, Oscar Tiu, Michael dela Serna and Edgar Lim. Since last year, Zamboanga City has been suffering from severe power curtailment – as much as 6 hours a day and at worst, 8 hours or more. And local electric cooperative officials quickly blamed the lack of electricity to the onset of El Nino and the dry season, and maintenance shutdown of hydro and coal-fired power plants in Mindanao for the power crisis. Zamboanga City needs at least 80 megawatts of electricity. The National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms or NASECOR said it wanted Ledesma to answer allegations against him. Ramon Follosco, local head of the NASECOR, alleged that under Ledesma's rule, the power cooperative spent more than the amount allowed by the NEA and this included excess "utilization" of funds for employees' benefits - P58 million; sundries - P23.5 million and cash for "sinking" funds - P139.6 million, among others. "We, the NASECOREZamboanga City Chapter, strongly manifest our
extreme disappointment over the dismal and poor performance of Mr George Ledesma as NEA's sppointed general manager of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative since November 2013," Follosco wrote in one of his letters to NEA. He said since Ledesma's assumption, Zamboanga was beset by up to 4 hours of daily power outages and increase in system's loss by as much as 21%. Ledesma has denied allegations against him, saying, the coop's huge debts was incurred during the past administrations. "As as matter of fact, all our (account) payable are in current status. The huge debts was due to past administrations," he said. The long hours of blackout are affecting not only many business establishments, but also hundreds of thousands of households here and there is no tangible solution in sight, not until 2016 when the proposed 100megawatt coal-fired power plant of the Alsons Power Holdings begins operations in the village of Talisayan. But villagers have been opposing the establishment of the coalfired power plant in the village due to the serious health hazards this pose to humans and animals. And Alsons have not started building its facility and cited many reasons for the alarming delay – from the failed rebellion in 2013 to the P900-million enhancement program it wanted from the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative – in the construction of the 100 megawatt coal-fired power plant, although it finished another coal-fired power plant in Sarangani province. Mindanao has been hit by repeated power crises in the past and nothing has been done by the government except to promote the use of coalfired power plants – but this too, comes with a price and that translates to huge electric bills and
Linemen of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative work on a high-tension electrical wire without safety helmet, leather or rubber gloves and safety shoes. (Mindanao Examiner File Photo) environmental pollutions. The same problem occurred in 2013 when the region suffered to as much as 14 hours of blackout. And the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the acute power shortage has affected many business establishments here – big and small – and continues to threaten the vibrant economy. “Sixty hours of power interruptions last March is bad for business. It increases our cost of operation and decreased the productivity of everyone, public and private offices. Even small businesses like Internet shops, beauty parlors and restaurants. No power, no business,” Edwin To, president of the local business chamber, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. He said business owners who can afford the use of power generators were also complaining because it adds up to the cost of running their establishment. “For those
Tight security in Davao following explosion DAVAO CITY – Police and military have tightened security in Davao City following a bomb explosion in a commuter van. Two people were injured when an improvised explosive device went off inside the UV Express van parked near SM City Ecoland. The van came from North Cotabato’s Pikit town, said Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte. “A bomb exploded in a van which came from Pikit, North Cotabato. No one died from the explosion, but 2 persons were hurt,” he said. “Police and military are conducting thorough investigation into the blast and are intensifying the check points inside the city and at its borders. Your
local government is on top of it,” he added. The Eastern Mindanao Command has ordered stricter security in military checkpoints in Davao City following the blast which occurred at around 9.40 a.m. at the Ecoland 4000 Residences at the back of mall. Troops are in heightened alert since November 15 two days after deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, France that left over 300 people dead and wounded, and the on-going Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Manila. “We have increased security not only in Davao, but elsewhere in the region following the latest bombing and the Paris attacks and APEC meeting in Manila. We are closely
working with the police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure operational readiness and deployment of troops in case of emergency,” Capt. Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Caber said initial report suggested that a 60mm mortar bomb was used in the attack. “It was left in the van; the bomb was placed inside a cardboard box. Authorities are investigating this now to determine the motive of the bombing,” he said. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack, but several rebel groups are operating in the region. (Mindanao Examiner)
with generator, power costs are double. The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative charges P8 per kilowatt hour while diesel generator is P18-P20 per kilowatt hour. Even if you have a generator, it’s not cheap to operate,” To said. He also said that the entry of big business establishments in Zamboanga city will further affect the current power situation if the local electric cooperative cannot provide additional supply into the grid. “And this means more and longer power interruptions. Zamboanga chamber is always concern with the welfare of the
entire city. We see it in a macro-perspective. We oversee the interest of the businesses and the people in the community,” To said. At least 2 new malls have opened this year in Zamboanga – City Mall and Yubenco Tetuan – and another, the KCC Mall de Zamboanga, is expected to open in December. And all these are on top of other smaller shops and establishments. The Department of Energy said the acute power shortage is expected to improve by 2017, and in the meantime, To said the Aquino government should push for the so-called Interruptible Load Program or ILP. “In the meantime, the government should push for the ILP implementing rules and regulations and make it attractive for c o m m e r c i a l establishments with excess power to join. Manage the demand side and advise users to conserve energy,” said To, who is also the president of Budgetwise supermarket, one of the biggest in Zamboanga; and the chairman of the modern Ciudad Medical Zamboanga. According to the Retail Electricity Suppliers Association, ILP – a program established by the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission aims to help mitigate the energy supply deficiency in the country until new capacities become available on the grid. Companies with stand-by generation capacities who participate in the ILP will be compensated under this
program should they use their own generating facilities during instances of power supply deficit. But companies that will participate in the ILP will be asked by the distribution utility to “deload” for particular hours in a day when the power supply in the grid will not be enough for the power demand. “De-loading” will mean having to run its embedded stand-by generation sets to provide for its own electricity requirements. For Pedro Rufo Soliven, regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Western Mindanao, said everybody must do their share in helping the government find a solution to the acute power crisis. Soliven, former president of the Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “We would like to be part of the solution and we are working hand-in-hand with the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative and the Local government of Zamboanga and look for solution to address this problem of power curtailment.” “And we are also looking for short term and long term solutions on how we can really solve immediately the lack of electricity supply in the city and be able really to come up with something to address the (power) demand of the city.” The cost of the power shortage to the businesses and Zamboanga City’s economy is not readily available. (Mindanao Examiner)
ARMM anniversary: simple celebration of reform gains, peace agenda COTABATO CITY - This year's commemoration of the anniversary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will be marked with a muted celebration in the wake of terror attacks that claimed hundreds of lives around the world. “Given recent events, we feel that it is best to direct our attention to expressing solidarity with the rest of the world that mourns over the countless deaths resulting from indiscriminate attacks against humanity,” ARMM's Bureau of Public Information’s Executive Director Amir Mawallil said. Early this year, thousands were also displaced by the armed conflict in Maguindanao. They are currently in the process of rebuilding communities and transitioning back to their everyday lives. Because of this, the executive committee of this year's celebration has decided to cancel a number of events, including the street
dancing competition and tribal parade. Mawallil said this year's celebration, no matter how simple and modest, will still highlight the history of the region and its achievements over the past 26 years. It will pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives fighting for the Bangsamoro people. It will also underscore the agenda of peace and reform that Gov. Mujiv Hataman have set to ensure that the people will benefit from the regional government's services and enjoy life without armed conflicts. "The ARMM leadership now has achieved many things that many were skeptical about in the beginning," Mawallil said. "The gains of Hataman leadership based on a strong reform agenda and its all-out support for peace in Mindanao are just some of the things we surely must celebrate." Because of this, activities geared towards providing services and promoting a better understanding of Islam
will push through, such as the ARMM People’s day and an exhibition of Quran readers who have recently won local and i n t e r n a t i o n a l competitions. Both events are scheduled on November 19. Events in line with the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace, which will begin on Nov. 26, are not also affected by the changes. “The regional government feels that we should all continue our engagement in the ongoing peace process and seek a deeper understanding of the Muslim community, instead of letting the national discourse be swayed in favor of prejudice and hate,” Mawallil said. The ARMM anniversary is commemorated every year in the month of November, following the creation of the region on November 6, 1990 by virtue of Republic Act 6734, during the administration of former President Corazon C. Aquino. (Bureau of Public Information)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 23-29, 2015
SULU PICTURES IN THE NEWS
Governor Totoh Tan with representatives from the Philippine Business for Social Progress accompanied by Education officials during a discussion on the construction of classrooms in the in Sulu. (Sulu Provincial Government)
Sulu Governor Totoh Tan with Vice Governor Sakur Tan at the Sulu Job and Career Fair held at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium. (Sulu Provincial Government)
Maimbung town Mayor Samier Tan meets with the peace program officers of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process and officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to discuss various programs for Sulu. (Maimbung Municipal Government)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 23-29, 2015
Bible study ng Jesus Miracle Crusade maiinit na tinanggap CAGAYAN PROVINCE – Patuloy ang pamamayagpag ng Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry sa Cagayan province sa northern Luzon na kung saan ay maraming mga mamamayan sa ibat-ibang barangay ang nakiisa sa bible study na inulunsad ng maimpluwensyang grupo. Bukod sa mga sibilyan, nagsagawa rin ng bible study ang Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry sa mga kasundaluhan ng 17th Infantry Battalion at Regional Public Safety Battalion ng pulisya sa bayan ng Bag-gao. Pinangunahan ni Brother Danny Cuarteros ang naturang bible study na isinasagawa rin sa ibang bahagi ng Luzon, kabilang na ang Visayas at Mindanao at gayun rin sa labas ng bansa sa pangunguna naman ni Minister Wilde James Almeda. Kamakailan lamang ay maraming mga rebelde sa Bukidnon province sa Mindanao ang sumama at umanib sa Jesus Miracle Crusade matapos na mamulat ang kanilang mga mata at kaisipan sa Salita ng Diyos na dinala ni Cuarteros sa kabundukan ng mga Manobo natives. Isa ang Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry sa pinakamalaking religious groups sa Pilipinas. (Mindanao Examiner)
Ang matagumpay na bible study na idinaos ng Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministrysa mga miyembro ng militar at pulisya sa Cagayan province sa northern Luzon.
MILF joins Philippines in condemning terror attacks in France
Continued fr om page 1 from “We take this opportunity also to condemn in same strong terms the violence against civilians in Palestine, in Myanmar, and elsewhere in the world,” it said, obviously referring to Israel’s aggression against innocent Palestinians and the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The MILF - which was previously accused by authorities as behind many terror attacks in the southern Philippines and harbored al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya militants – is seeking Muslim autonomy in the troubled region. President A quino Aquino President Benigno Aquino has condemned the Friday attacks in Paris. “Terror and brutality have plunged the City of Light, Paris, into the darkness of horror and grief. The Philippines and its people stand in solidarity with the people of Paris and all of France, in this time of deepest sorrow and the gravest outrage against the perpetrators of these crimes.” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, also condemned the Paris
attacks, and the suicide bombings in Lebanon perpetrated by ISIS. “We condemn the separate terror attacks that killed over a hundred in Paris and Beirut - acts that are designed to sow terrorism, implant hatred, and test humanity. We offer our sympathy and prayers to the families of the victims and to the people of France and Lebanon as we call for unity in the face of this horrendous adversity,” Hataman said. While many nations and people offered prayers for Paris, Mayor Samier Tan, of Sulu’s Maimbung town, said citizens should also offer prayers to the Philippines where the culture of violence had killed many innocent victims. Pray for P hilippines Philippines Tan, who survived a suicide bombing in Zamboanga City in August 5, 2010, cited bombings in Basilan province, Zamboanga city and elsewhere in southern Philippines with latest attacks wounding at least 10 people in North Cotabato and Cotabato City. “I am just annoyed by this Pray for Paris posts (in social media), sorry hindi ako agaw-trip pero recently many (people) were also killed in Basilan bombing
at isang buong tricycle ang pinasabog, but nobody prayed for Basilan.” “Sa Zamboanga City, lintek ang mga bomba sumasabog and many Filipinos were also killed, nobody prayed for Zamboanga! I am also a victim of a suicide bomber in Zamboanga (International) Airport, first in Asia daw na may suicide bomber at sa akin pa tumalsik ang ulo, but until now nobody even posted to pray for our country,” he said. Tan was with his father, then Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, when the backpack carried by the bomber detonated outside the arrival area of the airport. The bomber, Reynaldo Apilado, and Hatimil Haron, one of his cohorts, were killed in the blast that also wounded dozens of people, inclduing the governor. Police had implicated the governor’s political foes as behind the bombing. The elder Tan also survived a roadside bombing in 2009 in Sulu province, but ten of his companions, including him and a town mayor, were wounded in the attack also blamed by the police to Tan’s political opponents who have links with the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)
A little girl closely follows hand washing instructions from Mayor Beng Climaco during the orientation on WASH in day care centers and schools organized by the City Social Welfare and Development Office and other government agencies in Zamboanga City. (Joey Bautista)
Muslims must lead the fight against terrorism
Continued fr om page 1 from Arab News said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that participants at talks in Vienna on Syria have agreed that Jordan will coordinate efforts to compile a common list of terrorist groups in Syria. “The work will be coordinated on supplementing the terrorist (groups) list, Jordan will be in charge of coordination,” Lavrov told reporters on the sidelines of a G20 summit of world leaders in the Turkish coastal province of Antalya. In Jeddah, the Secretary General of the world’s largest body of Muslim nations, the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC), has condemned the terrorist attacks in Paris and has expressed the organization’s “unwavering solidary and support to France.” Arab News also reported that OIC chief Iyad Madani said the organization firmly rejects any terrorist acts that violate the right to life and that seek to undermine the “values of freedom and equality that France has consistently promoted.” Sunni scholars with the Muslim World League based in Islam’s holiest city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia also condemned the attack in Paris and one that took place in Lebanon a day earlier.
At the request of France, the European Union held a special meeting of its interior and justice ministers to assess the impact of the Paris attacks, the report further said. It said French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve asked for the meeting, saying “our battle against terrorism must be, more than ever, steadfast,” and must be reinforced at the European level. The EU presidency, held by Luxembourg, immediately obliged. French President Francois Hollande has vowed to crush Daesh extremists.
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The Mindanao Examiner – FOREIGN
Nov. 23-29, 2015
Hollande calls for grand coalition to defeat ISIL FRENCH President Francois Hollande has called for a global coalition to eradicate the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group following the deadly attacks in Paris. Speaking to members of the French parliament at the Palace of Versailles last week, Hollande said he wanted to extend the state of emergency for three months and would meet US President Barack Obama and Russia's Vladimir Putin to "unite our forces to achieve a result that has taken too long". Beginning his speech with the words "France is at war," Hollande declared: "We will defeat terrorism." ISIL claimed responsibility via statements and videos for Friday's attacks that killed at least 129 people and
wounded hundreds more in the French capital. Politicians from all political parties responded with a standing ovation and by singing the national anthem. In a show of patriotic defiance, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was reopened and lit up in the colours of the French flag. Hollande said he had ordered air strikes on headquarters of ISIL in the Syrian town of Raqqa overnight and would continue to wage war "mercilessly", sending an aircraft carrier to triple French air power in the region. The strikes were carried out in coordination with the US. The US and Russia are conducting separate campaigns in Syria, but Russia's has focused largely on Syrian rebels not aligned with ISIL.
Hollande said France wanted more effective controls of the EU's external borders to avoid a return to national border controls and the dismantling of the 28nation EU, Reuters news agency reported. Additional security spending would be needed and France would not let EU budget rules get in the way, Hollande said. France will also increase police recruitment and halt previously planned cuts to the army. Security forces have so far put more than 100 people under house arrest and raided 168 premises since he declared a state of emergency, which he asked parliament to extend for three months. Arrests and raids have also taken place in Belgium, where a vehicle involved in the attack was
The Eiffel Tower in Paris was reopened and lit up in the colours of the French flag [AP] rented out and one of the attackers, Salah Abdeslam, was born. Separately, German police have detained an
Belgian suspected as mastermind of Paris attacks A BELGIAN national currently in Syria and believed to be one of ISIL’s most active operators is suspected of being behind the attacks in Paris, according to a source close to the French investigation. “He appears to be the brains behind several planned attacks in Europe,” the source told Reuters of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, adding he was investigators' best lead as the person likely
behind the killing of at least 129 people in Paris, which was claimed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The naming of Abaaoud comes as French and Belgian authorities conducted early morning raids and arrests searching for other people connected to the suicide bombings and shootings, the deadliest attacks in Europe since the 2004 Madrid train bombing.
According to RTL Radio, Abaaoud is a 27-year-old from the Molenbeek suburb of Brussels, home to other members of the armed cell suspected of having carried out the attacks. A French official told The Associated Press that Abaaoud was a suspect in thwarted plots against a high speed train and church. Media in Belgium said Abaaoud had been involved in a series of planned attacks
‘Pagbaugbug Ha Kamaruan Iban Martabbat’
‘In defense of Honor and Dignity’
in Belgium foiled by the police last January, when Belgian police in the town of Verviers killed two men who opened fire on officers during one of about a dozen raids against an armed group. Federal prosecutors said the group was about to launch “terrorist attacks on a grand scale.” At the moment of the Verviers events, Abaaoud's cellphone was located in Greece, RTL said.While there was no clear link established, French prosecutors said fingerprints from one of the suicide bombers matched the prints of a man registered in Greece in October. In February of this year, ISIL’s online magazine Dabiq carried an interview with a man bearing the name of Abdelhamid Abaaoud and boasting of having traveled through Europe unnoticed by security forces to organize attacks and procure weapons. Abaaoud was also named in various media last year as the elder brother of a 13-year-old boy who left Belgium to become a childfighter in Syria. Interviewed by Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws earlier this year, their father Omar Abaaoud disowned his older son. “Abdelhamid has brought shame to our family. Our lives are equally destroyed. Why would he want to kill innocent Belgians? Our family owes everything to this country,” he said. (Al Jazeera and Reuters)
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Algerian man in a refugee reception centre in connection with the attacks in Paris. The man, detained in the town of Arnsberg in western Germany, is being investigated on suspicion of having told Syrian refugees at the centre in
recent days that fear and terror would be spread in Paris. He is also alleged to have spoken about a bomb. Officials said checks were being made into whether the allegations were credible. (Al Jazeera)
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Letters to the Editor: Militarization of education in Mindanao Dear Editor, Militarization of education in Mindanao You can see how messed up and at risk our education is when the military is bending all laws just to get to it. I mean what’s more worse than soldiers being taught to teach at school instead of employing educators who, in years, have trained themselves for every bit of difficulties in handling a child, or an IP student for that matter. Indeed, militarization of education, “it’s more shameful in the Philippines” In Northern Mindanao, the AFP’s 4th Infantry Division was said to have tapped about 125 Lumad soldiers for an education program which will be provided by the Department of Education. By the end of the year, they are scheduled to be deployed in 35 pilot villages where they are said to organize their respective Alternative Learning System (ALS) units. As preposterous as it is! Militarization of education has become a policy by the Aquino government using both the AFP and the DepEd, the agency expected to ensure that schools must be zones of peace. I could not forget the attempt of Dr. Josephine Fadul, a DepEd official in Davao del Norte, to close down lumad schools in Southern Mindanao Region before the school year start this year. Following her request for the closure of three lumad schools was the establishment of a new public school utilizing military as para-teachers. Worst part, during a congressional budget hearing it was revealed that the closure of these schools was in fact discussed during a meeting with the National Intelligence Board-Regional Intelligence Committee
7
The Mindanao Examiner
Nov. 23-29, 2015
which is under the Office of the President. This, not to mention the approval of the president to recognize and legitimize paramilitary groups such as the ones implicated in Surigao killings and the move to increase the budget for the establishment of more CAFGU and Special Cafgu Armed Auxiliary. This should have stirred our minds. Using soldiers as teachers is like employing engineers to perform a surgery. It spells out disaster. Moreover, it is an insult to thousands yet unemployed or graduating educators. More to this, are the continuing military attacks on Lumad schools in Mindanao, thus proving they are not fit to teach. For just a year we have documented 95 cases of attacks on schools perpetrated by the military and it’s paramilitary all over Mindanao since September 2014. The continuing encampment of not just lumad schools but also DepEd schools, threat, harassment and intimidation among students and teachers, destruction of school property and killings have caused 40,000 lumad in Mindanao to evacuate from their communities. This dire situation of our lumad brothers and sisters has caught the attention of national and even international advocacy groups. However, underlying these events is the scheme to close down lumad schools – just what they did recently in Brgy. White Culaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon where a lumad school was demolished by the barangay captain and the military over an accusation that it is owned by the NPA. The AFP’s move to use IP soldiers as teachers will ignite more disunity than the proliferation of
military-backed paramilitary has done. This is clearly an attempt to divide the indigenous people and discredit their historical resistance to defend their ancestral lands against imperialist plunder and militarization. After all, education has become an effective tool for the lumad in defending their ancestral lands and fundamental rights. Education has sharpened their knowledge and made them more critical in asserting their right to selfdetermination and legitimate demands. The government is on trembling knees over the growing resistance of the Lumads and is now hellbent to shut down the schools they built through years of hard work. The incessant military attacks on schools is one of the reason why over 700 lumad, peasants and human rights defenders of Manilakbayan ng Mindanao are now headed to the National Capital Region, and bring these issues at the doorstep of the Malacanang palace where the president is hiding from his accountabilities to the people of Mindanao. As we get closer to the capital, we call on the people of Luzon and other parts of the country to s u p p o r t #Manilakbayan2015. As the saying goes “the first step to solve a problem is recognizing there is one”. We are from Mindanao, we are here, so please hear us. Thank you and more power. Rius Valle Spokesperson, Save Our Schools Network Southern Mindanao Lot 3, Sputnik St., Dona Vicenta Village, Davao City 8000, Philippines Email Address saveourschoolsdavao@ yahoo.com.ph
HEALTH: Kulebra (Herpes Zoster): Masasakit na Butlig sa Katawan Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong ANG kulebra ay isang pangkaraniwang sakit ng mga may edad at mga taong mahina ang immune system. Ang medikal na tawag dito ay Herpes Zoster o shingles sa Ingles. Ang kulebra ay nanggagaling sa isang virus (varicella-zoster virus) at ito din ang virus na nagdudulot ng chickenpox o bulutong tubig sa mga bata. Paano nakukuha ang kulebra? Noong bata pa tayo, nagkaroon muna ng bulutong tubig. Kapag gumaling na ang bulutong ay mananatili pa rin ang virus sa ugat o nerve ng tao. Sa ating pag-edad ay puwedeng magising muli itong virus at magdulot naman ng kulebra. Madalas makita ang kulebra sa mga pasyenteng edad 50 pataas. Ayon sa mga survey, 50% ng mga taong umabot na sa edad 85 ay nagkaroon na ng kulebra. B i l a n g paghahambing, ang mga butlig ng chickenpox ay nakikita sa buong katawan. Ngunit ang butlig ng kulebra ay nakatuon lamang sa isang parte ng katawan. Makikita ito na nakalinya at magkakasama. Kadalasan, lumalabas ang kulebra sa parte ng balakang, sa leeg o sa malapit sa mata.
Dr. Willie T. Ong Bukod sa butlig, ang pangunahing sintomas ng kulebra ay ang pananakit ng mga butlig. Magkakaroon ng tubig sa loob ng butlig. At pagkaraan ng ilang araw ay puputok ang mga butlig na ito at magiging tuyo, mapula at mag-uumpisa nang mangati. Kapag tumigas na ang mga butlig ay hindi na nakahahawa ang pasyente. Ngunit habang naguumpisa pa lamang ang kulebra ay puwede itong makahawa sa ibang tao kaya lumayo muna sa iba. Gamot Sa Kulebra: 1. Magpatingin sa doktor kapag kayo ay nagka-kulebra. Kapag tumubo ang kulebra sa tabi ng mata, magpatingin din sa isang espesyalista sa mata. 2. Kapag maaga kang magpapatingin sa doktor, puwede kang bigyan ng gamot (tulad ng Acyclovir o Valacyclovir) na
maaaring magpabilis ng iyong paggaling. May kamahalan nga lang itong mga gamot. 3. Kapag mahapdi masyado ang kulebra, puwedeng uminom ng mga pain relievers tulad ng paracetamol tablet o mefenamic acid capsule. 4. Huwag putukin ang mga butlig at baka ito magkaroon ng impeksyon. 5. Maghanda ng isang litrong tubig at lagyan ng 1 kutsaritang asin. Ibuhos ang solusyon na ito sa lugar ng butlig. Pagkatapos ay dampi-dampian ang mga butlig para matuyo. 6. Palakasin ang iyong katawan. Magpahinga at matulog ng sapat. Uminom din ng isang multivitamin tablet bawat araw. Good news po. May bakuna nang naimbento para mabawasan ang tsansang magkaroon ng kulebra. Binibigay ito sa mga taong edad 60 pataas. Ang tawag dito ay varicella-zoster vaccine. Kung may perang pambili, magpaturok na nitong bakuna. Tandaan lamang na bawal magpabakuna ang mga taong kasalukuyang may sakit, mahina ang katawan at may kulebra na. Ang bakuna ay bilang pag-iiwas o prevention lamang. Good luck po.
RECIPE: Chicken Nuggets with Dip
INGREDIENT S: INGREDIENTS: 500 gm chicken mince 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1/2 cup corn flour 2 eggs 4 green chilies, finely chopped 4 tbsp chopped fresh coriander 1 tbsp red chili flakes 1 tbsp cumin seeds 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste 1/2 tsp all spice powder 1/2 tsp black pepper
For D ip: Dip: 2 cups mayonnaise 1 cup chili garlic sauce 2 tbsp mustard powder 2 tbsp honey 1/2 tbsp red chili flakes 1/2 tsp black pepper salt to taste
To M ake Chicken N uggets Make Nuggets Place chicken mince, green chilies and coriander leaves in a large bowl.Season with red chili flakes, black pepper, all spices powder and cumin seed. Mix until well combined. Shape into nuggets form. Coat with Cornflour.Dip in beaten egg then roll in bread crumbs; turn to coat evenly. Heat oil in a deep wok over medium heat. Deep fry nuggets for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towel. To M ake D ip Make Dip In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise,mustard powder and honey. Stir in chili garlic sauce. Season with chili flakes, black pepper and salt. Mix well. (http://www.kusinamaster.asia)
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ASEAN declares Tubbataha Reefs as heritage park
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Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, Philippines. (Image taken from tubbatahareef.org)
Public warned vs. fake meds CEBU CITY - The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has warned the public against fake medicines following the recent seizure of about two dozen counterfeit products in Central Visayas. Sarah Oriol, of the
FDA, said the public should be aware of the medicines they buy, adding, that 12 pharmacies have been padlocked since February up to September due to counterfeit drugs, among others violations. Of the 1,654 drugstores in the region, she said only
1,212 are licensed by FDA with 238 in Cebu City North; 248 in Cebu City South; 483 in Cebu towns; 135 in Mandaue City and 108 in Lapu-Lapu City. Oriol urged the public to report to authorities any drug store or persons selling fake drugs. (Hazel F. Gloria)
DOH advises public protect skin from extreme heat
CEBU CITY – The Department of Health has advised the public to stay away from over exposure to direct sunlight to prevent skin cancer. DOH's Dr. Joanri Riveral said due to climate change, we are experiencing extreme heat most of the time. “Although we have no statistics for now on skin cancer as these are in the private doctors, but considering climate change let us avoid prolong exposure to the
ARMM
heat,” he said. He said maximum exposure to sunlight should not be more than 30 minutes and the maximum temperature should be around 37 degrees Celsius. There is also a need to apply sun blocks on skin which is SPF 15 (sun protector factor). Personal hygiene still tops as the best prevention since a clean skin will not be home to fungi and bacteria. Riveral said barangay health centers
are equipped to conduct initial skin examination and are even giving out ointments and medications for treatment. “We should not be neglecting a simple rash or other allergies as these may be symptoms of something more serious internally. Kidney and liver problems usually show skin discolorations and abnormalities,” Riveral said. (Ferliza Contratista)
Eastern Mindanao
EB U – The Association of S outheast Asian EBU Southeast Nations (ASEAN) has declar ed Tubbataha declared R eefs N atur al P ar k ( TRNP) as an ASEAN Natur atural Par ark H er itage P ar k (AHP), making it the 35th eritage Par ark AHP date.. AHP to date In a ceremony held in biodiversity. In 1993, Puerto Princesa City in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Palawan, the ASEAN Park was declared a Center for Biodiversity UNESCO World Heritage (ACB) formally handed site. Angelique Songco, the certificate of the AHP Declaration to the Protected Area representatives of the Superintendent of the TRNP Management Tubbataha Reefs Natural Office. Park said that the Tubbataha Reefs declaration assured the Natural Park also serves management team that as the first marine-based they have been doing the AHP in the Philippines. right thing. “We hope we The nomination of can serve as a role model the Tubbataha Reefs to other marine natural Natural Park was parks.” approved by the She noted the need to environment ministers of be more vigilant in the 10 ASEAN Member protecting the richness States at the 15th and beauty of Tubbataha. Nelson Devanadera, Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Director of the Palawan the Environment held in Council for Sustainable October last year. Development, said this is Known as an “ultimate a welcome development diving destination” in the adding that there is a to highlight Philippines, the park “need boasts of a wide array of Tubbataha not just as a marine biodiversity. The diving site, but as a newest ASEAN Heritage biodiversity haven that is Park is home to almost worth exploring for a total 80% of all coral species in unique experience.” the Philippines and to at He stressed that this least half of all coral also opens an opportunity species in the world. to replicate the good It has 10,000 hectares practices of Tubbataha in of coral reef and at least other protected areas in 86,000 hectares of the Philippines. surrounding waters right Atty. Roberto V. Oliva, at the heart of the Coral ACB Executive Director, Triangle, the center of also said that Tubbataha global marine Reefs Natural Park – the
7th AHP in the Philippines – “is a testament of this country’s rich natural resources and biological diversity. This also underscores the need to conserve the park as it benefits the entire Southeast Asian region.” Oliva explained that the AHP Programme supports the management of a regional network of national protected areas of high conservation importance that provides a complete spectrum of respective ecosystems to generate greater awareness, pride, a p p r e c i a t i o n , enjoyment, and conservation of ASEAN’s rich biodiversity. ACB serves as the secretariat of the AHP Program. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park joined the ranks of other AHPs in the Philippines – Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve in Laguna province, Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental province, Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park in Mindoro province, Mt. Apo Natural Park in Davao, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Bukidnon, and Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park in Misamis Occidental.
Aquino blames slow court action in anti-corruption fight THE GOVERNMENT's anti-corruption efforts would be more effective if the court act more expeditiously, especially in sending wrongdoers to jail, President Aquino said. President Aquino, in an interview with CNN's Andrew Stevens last week, vented his frustration on the courts' inability to act quickly that affects the anticorruption fight. “ We have three branches of government. And what I tell the executive whom I hold is that the key to the corruption fight is not the ability to file cases against somebody, but actually sending
Western Mindanao
somebody to jail,” Aquino said when asked if he is satisfied with the efforts to fight corruption. “If we can remove this belief that you can get away, literally, with murder then we will have achieved something. But you now, we are expecting some major decisions on cases that have been pending.” The snail-paced judicial process has been frustrating for him, Aquino said, adding, the Constitution says that once a case is submitted for resolution, the Supreme Court has a maximum of two years to decide on that particular case. And he said that
Cebu
there are cases that have been languishing in the court for decades. This also impacts on g o v e r n m e n t infrastructure projects, as some projects being delayed by the rather slow court litigation process, according to Aquino. “For instance, they are not able to give a restraining order obstruction. So the new method was on valuation questioning, the valuation effectively delaying the projects so that some of the targets we are hoping to accomplish before we step down will not be met,” the President further said.
Manila