Mindanao Examiner Newspaper

Mindanao Daily

Founded 2006

mindanaoexaminer.com

P10/RM1

Zamboanga City, Philippines

Jan. 21-27, 2013

PNP talamak ang paglabag sa checkpoint guidelines!

PAGADIAN CIT Y – Talamak ang paglabag ng pulisya CITY sa kar apatan ng mga motor ista sa mga checkpoint sa karapatan motorista ibat-ibang panig ng M indanao na kung saan ay Mindanao ipinatutupad ang total gun ban.

Sa mga checkpoints ay parak ang mga nakasakay kinakapkapan ng mga sa motorsiklo at

Checkpoint in Kidapawan City.(Mindanao Examiner Photo Geonarri Solmerano)

pinabubuksan pa ang mga utility box sa ilalim ng kanilang mga upuan.

At may mga nakunan pa ng video sa mga television reports na pinababa ng mga parak ang maraming pasahero ng bus upang makapaginspeksyon sa loob nito at maging sa pag-akyat ng mga pasahero ay ipinatataas pa ang kanilang mga t-shirt upang masigurong wala silang dalang armas.

Sa Zamboanga Peninsula ay malimit rin ang kapkapan ng mga nakasakay sa motorsiklo at ilang beses na rin itong nakukunan ng video ng mga television reporters

subali’t dedma lamang ang pulisya sa patuloy na paglabag sa mismong guidelines ng Philippine National Police sa checkpoints.

Sa inilabas na guidelines ay ito ang nakasaad: “Checkpoints must be well-lighted, properly identified and manned by uniformed personnel; Upon approach, slow down, dim headlights and turn on cabin lights; Never step out of the vehicle; Lock all doors of vehicles during inspection since only visual search is allowed.”

“Never submit to physical and body search; Motorists are not required

Checkpoint in Davao City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) to open glove compartment, trunk or bags; Be courteous but firm in answering, assert your rights, have presence of mind and do not panic; Keep your driver’s license and

car registration handy; Be ready to use your mobile phones at any time; speed dial emergency numbers at Report violations immediately.” (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine Army commander is new Armed Forces Chief of Staff Z A M B OA N G A C I T Y – Pre s i d e n t Benigno Aquino has named the head of army, General Emmanuel Bautista, as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Ba u t i s t a , w h o b e longs to the Class 1981 of Philippine Militar y Ac a d e m y, s u c c e e d e d General Jessie Dellosa who retired on January 20.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Lieutenant General Em m a n u e l T. Bautista as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of

ARMM

the Philippines effective January 20, 2013. He will b e re p l a c i n g G e n e r a l Jessie D. Dellosa who is set to retire,” Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement sent to the re g i o n a l newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

“We thank outgoing A F P C h i e f o f St a f f De l l o s a f o r h a v i n g served the country and our uniformed personnel with exemplary dedication and commitment. We look forward to the stint of the incoming AFP Chief of Staff in continuing the reforms

New Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista

Northern Mindanao

Davao

Manila

s e t i n m o t i o n by t h e Pre s i d e n t a n d i m p l e mented by his predecessors in advancing the interests of our soldiers and the enhancement of the defense capabilities o f o u r c o u n t r y,” s h e added.

Senior military commanders in Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City and Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City earlier said they preferred Bautista to replace Dellosa.

“Gen. Bautista is a very good commander a n d h a rd w o r k i n g a n d

always maintains a low profile at work and despite the many accomplishments of the Philippine Army under his able leadership you will not hear or see him releasing information or h o l d i n g n e w s c o n f e rences to trumpet all these in the media.” “ He j u s t l e t t h e higher headquarters do the talking while he works silently and effectively on the g r o u n d ,” o n e a r m y colonel told the Mindanao Examiner on Sunday. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Peninsula

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The Mindanao Examiner

Jan. 21-27, 2013

Jalosjos brothers barred from running in May polls Z AMBOANGA CITY – Former Zamboanga del Nor te congressman Romeo Jalosjos, Sr. who was convicted of statutor y ra p e, and his younger brother Dominador, also convicted of robbery, were both barred from running in the mid-ter m elections in the Philippines, reports said.

It said the Commission on Elections has cancelled the candidacy certificates of the two brothers – with the elder Jalosjos r unning for mayor in Zamboanga City, and his brother for governor in Zamboanga del Sur province.

“In two separate resolutions promulgated January 15, the Comelec unanimously cancelled the certificates of candidacy of the Jalosjos brothers. In one of the resolutions, the poll body said the Commission is under a legal duty to abide by the final judgment issued by the judiciary,” according to a report by television giant GMA News.

It quoted lawyer Sixto Br illantes, the chairman of the Commission on Elections, as saying that the Regional Tr ial Court of Zamboanga City found out the elder Jalosjos

Dominador Jalosjos (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

whose lifetime sentence was commuted to 16 years in 2007 by thenPresident Gloria Arroyo, was not a resident of Zamboanga.

“Nagkaroon ng findings ang RTC Zamboanga kay Romy Jalosjos na hindi siya resident ng Zamboanga.

Therefore, he is not registered… kaya tinanggal na namin sya sa listahan kahapon,” Br illantes said, adding Jalosjos cannot run for mayor unless he files a petition with the Supreme Court.

The Local Government Code requires that any political candidates should be a registered voter in the place he or she is seeking elective post.

The younger Jalosjos was also disqualified to run after the Supreme Court affirmed a decision of a court in Cebu convicting him of robber y. “ We are implementing it so he cannot r un for gover nor of Zamboanga del Sur. It’s part of the perpetual disqualification,” Brillantes said.

The law bars a convict from r unning for public office.

But Jalosjos’ supporters said he is likely to bring the matter to the Supreme Cour t and if worse comes to worst, he may support Zamboanga City Re p.

Erico Fabian, who is also running for the mayoralty post against former political ally Zamboanga City Rep. Maria Isabelle

Salazar.

Jalosjos’ group is allied with the United Nationalist Alliance of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Last year, Municipal Trial Court Judge Nancy Cuaresma, in a 16-page resolution, said (Romeo) Jalosjos cannot exercise the right of suffrage or the right to vote because he is disqualified.

“Jalosjos is not qualified to and cannot vote or be voted upon in any national or local elections until his perpetual absolute disqualification s are expressly remitted and restored by pardon,” the judge said.

The Regional Tr ial Court also upheld the ruling.

The aging political kingpin, who was convicted in 1997 for raping an 11-year old girl, was able to register with the Commission on Elections in Zamboanga City, but this was opposed by Salazar on the grounds that the former politician is disqualified to register as a new voter here because of his conviction.

Jalosjos, who was convicted with two counts of statutory rape and six counts of acts of lasciviousness, insisted his right to suffrage, adding he had ser ved his sentence.

But Salazar said Jalosjos who was sentenced to suffer “reclusion perpetua” and “reclusion temporal” for each count of his crimes, is not qualified to run.

Romeo Jalosjos, Sr. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) The penalty for reclusion perpetua shall be from 20 years, while reclusion temporal is from 12 years. And Salazar said Jalosjos was granted a mere commutation of sentence by then President Glor ia Arroyo in 2007 which resulted in the reduction of his original sentence.

Official records with the Bureau of Corrections also show that Jalosjos was discharged from the National Bilibid Prison only on March 18, 2009, less than the 5-year period prescribed under the Voter’s Registration Act, according to Salazar.

The Election Regis-

tration Board also ruled in favor of Salazar, who is also gunning for the mayoralty post in Zamboanga.

“The decision of the Honorable Court serves to strengthen our faith in our justice system. With this, we will continue our advocacy of protecting the electoral system from unqualified or ineligible voters and candidates alike, whose participation in the election would only serve to desecrate and insult the electoral system whose sanctity we seek to preser ve,” Salazar said. ( With reports from GMA News, Mindanao Examiner)

JUST SAY

NO!

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The Mindanao Examiner

Jan. 21-27, 2013

Abu Sayyaf rebels reject MNLF demands to free foreign captives ZAMBOANGA CITY – Abu Sayyaf rebels holding at least 5 kidnapped foreigners have rejected demands by a former Muslim rebel group to free their captives being held in the southern Philippines, security officials told the Mindanao Examiner.

Officials said a senior leader of the Moro National Liberation Front, Habier Malik, tried to negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf for the freedom of the hostages in the hinterlands of Sulu Island.

“As far as we know, the Abu Sayyaf has rejected the MNLF efforts to secure the release of the hostages, not without ransoms,” said Army Col. Rodrigo Gregorio, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City.

Just recently, about 2,000 MNLF members headed by Malik, tried to persuade the Abu Sayyaf to free the foreign captives, including two Filipinos.

Gregorio said Malik’s group has returned to their bases. “The efforts of the MNLF to secure the freedom of the hostages are unilateral on their part and have the permission of the local government officials and

military commanders on the ground. But our efforts are also continuing to safely recover all the victims,” he said.

Police said the Abu Sayyaf is holding a Japanese treasure hunter, Toshio Ito, 66, since 2010 and he was last reported to have been helping the rebel group in cooking food for them and freely moves around.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, the Sulu police chief, said aside from the Japanese, the Abu Sayyaf is also holding Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani, 43, and his two Filipino assistants Rolando Letrero, 22, and Ramelito Vela, 39.

The trio, he said, went to Sulu province in June last year to secretly film the Abu Sayyaf for a documentar y on Al Arabiya News Channel.

Prior to his detention, Atyani has had previously travelled to the province in secrecy to interview terrorist leaders, the Philippine military said.

The military has previously said it would arrest Atyani for espionage should he be released by the Abu Sayyaf. Atyani had also clandestinely interviewed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden before the 9/11 attacks in

the United States.

Freyra said two European wildlife photographers Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, from Switzerland, kidnapped in February his year in Tawi-Tawi province had been brought to Sulu.

“As long as the MNLF (members) don’t put the law in their own hands or violate the law in pursuance of their efforts, I don’t see any problem.

We welcome all efforts in securing the safe release of the hostages,” Freyra said.

Police in Tawi-Tawi said the duo was allegedly seized by members of the Moro National Liberation Front. Another group of kidnappers are also holding a Malaysian fish trader Pang Choon Pong, who was seized in October 2011 in TawiTawi, but his fate remains unknown.

In November last year, Malaysian authorities said two of its nationals were seized by 5 gunmen disguised as policemen from a palm oil plantation in Sabah near the Philippine border.

It said the two, who are cousins, were both working for the plantation in Lahad Datu, and had been taken at gun-

point. Their companions said the gunmen spoke in Malayu and Tausug, a dialect commonly used in the southern provinces of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

There were no immediate reports whether the foreigners are being held in either of the two provinces, but Malaysia said the victims could be

in Tawi-Tawi.

Abu Sayyaf rebels are also holding an Australian adventurer, Warren Rodwell, a former soldier, who was kidnapped in the seaside town of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province in December 2011. Rodwell, 54, is married to a Filipina Miraflor Gutang, 28.

The rebels have originally demanded $1 million ransom for the release of Rodwell, but eventually lowered this to only $460,000. It was not immediately known how much ransoms the Abu Sayyaf is asking for the remaining captives, who are being held by different rebel commanders.

(Mindanao Examiner)

11 Philippine frogs added to list of ‘threatened’ species BUKIDNON - At least 11 rare Philippine frog species are fast dying out due to rapid environmental degradation, according to the environmental group called Pilipinas Ecowarriors.

It said the frogs have just been added to the Philippines’ official list of “threatened” species, and tagged either vulnerable or endangered.

The frogs have been identified based on their common names as the Mindanao fanged frog, Mindoro tree frog, Hazel’s forest frog, Gigante Island limestone frog, Lawton’s forest frog, Negros forest tree frog, Polillo Island forest tree frog, Rabor’s forest frog, Negros limestone frog, Mt. Data cloud frog, and Taylor’s Igorot frog.

Species are officially tagged “threatened” once their habitats have suffered extreme depletion and their populations have shrunk to a level below which the species or subspecies will be totally extinct.

Threatened species are further

sub-classified either as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.

Vulnerable species are under threat from serious adverse factors all over their range and are believed likely to drop to the endangered category in the near future. And endangered species are at great risk of being wiped out and survival is unlikely if casual factors continue to function.

Frogs play a crucially important role in the maze of life and in the food chain. They prey on insects, including mosquitoes, as wells as pests such as locusts that could possibly damage farm crops. The predators of frogs include humans, birds, monitor lizards, snakes, civet cats and other frogs.

The Philippines keeps a registry of wildlife species of priority concern for protection and conservation, in compliance with existing international and national laws. The catalogue is updated regularly by the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau.

Distressed OFWs claim sexual abuses in Saudi shelter MANILA - A Filipino working for a Philippine diplomat has been accused of sexual abuse by two runaway Filipina workers in Saudi Arabia, according to Migrante Middle East.

It said the Samahang Ilocano Global Alumni Council (SIGAC) has sent a letter detailing the victims’

complaints, who claimed they were sexually abused while seeking safe refuge at a Philippine-run shelter for distressed workers in Saudi.

In her 9-page letter, the woman who is native of Isabela province detailed her ordeal from the hands of her abuser. “Sir, ginawa

ko po ang sulat para makapag-paliwanag sa biglaang pag-alis sa custody ninyo at para humingi ng hustisya sa nangyari sa akin sa loob ng home base,” the woman said in her letter also sent to Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago and Labor Attaché Adam Musa.

“Hindi ko po alam ang intension niya pero nakakaranas po kami ng pangha-harass mula sa kanya tulad ng panghihipo, nanunusok siya ng tagiliran, humahawak siya ng tiyan, nangingiliti at nangyayakap at marami pa pong iba,” the woman added.

She said it all started when the accused offered to bring her home, but suddenly grabbed her and

then embraced and kissed her in the mouth, and then pulled her tops and mashed her breasts. The woman said she fought back until the man stopped, but the sexual abuses continued on her and other women every time the accused had an opportunity to do it.

But despite the woman’s complaints, both Tago and Musa failed to act on it. A letter was also sent recently by SIGAC to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz asking her to look into the accusations and file charges against the accused.

OFW Join ForceMigrante chairperson Sonny Rivera said they and other Filipino community groups will press the De-

partment of Labor and Employment to file charges against the accused and to recall Musa for his alleged failure to act on the complaints.

John Leonard Monterona, MigranteMiddle East regional coordinator, and also Vice-chairperson of MIGRANTE Sectoral party of OFWs and Families, vowed to bring the matter to the attention of Philippine authorities.

He said they will call for an independent probe on the reported sexual abuses on OFW wards at Bahay Kalinga or Filipino Workers Resource Centers in Saudi Arabia.

Monterona noted that OFW wards in Riyadh and Jeddah are also complaining about the inhumane

treatment to them by embassy and labor officials.

“They reported to us that they could not even use their own mobile phones and lap tops, some alleges that such items were confiscated,” he said.

“Nakakabahala na ang ganitong reports at complaints mula mismo sa mga OFW wards na nasa custody ng Philippine Embassy and labor officials.

Kung sa loob mismo ng Philippine shelter may mga hayok sa laman, so di nga ligtas ang mga OFW wards na biktima na nga nang pang-aabuso ng kanilang employer. Dapat itong imbestigahan, may maparusahan at mabigyan ng hustisya ang OFWs na nagrereklamo,” Monterona said.

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The Mindanao Examiner

Jan. 21-27, 2013

CALABARZON regional police force axed!

MANILA – Two dozen policemen, including three officers, were relieved following the spate of killings involving police forces in CALABARZON region.

CALABARZON is the acronym for the provinces that makes up the region – Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon – where 13 people, including a senior police officer and a financier of illegal gambling, were ambushed by policemen who set up a roadblock in the town of Atimonan in Quezon.

The ambushers insisted there was a shootout and those who were killed were members of a gun-for-hire syndicate, an allegation strongly denied by the victims’ families. A police investigation said the victims, who were in two vehicles, were ambushed at the checkpoint.

And just recently in San Juan town in Batangas province, police also killed Fernando Morales, who was working for one of those slain in the ambush. Morales’ family said the victim was executed by policemen.

“As a result of the incident that occurred in San Juan, Batangas, the President has ordered Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas to relieve officials of the Philippine National Police with jurisdiction over the area. The

following have been ordered reassigned from the Police Regional Office CALABARZON (Region IVA) to the National Headquarters of the PNP by command of Police Director General Alan Purisima,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

She said: “The protection and safety of our citizens and the maintenance of peace and order remains a priority of government authorities. We will not hesitate to remove and challenge any individual or group that seeks to disrupt the lives of our peace-loving and lawabiding citizens.”

Among those who had been removed from the regional police force have been identified as CALABARZON police chief James Melad and Superintendent Raul Mendita Tacaca, Inspectors Cris-titio Villaruel Acohon, Rodolfo Montes Ama, Kent Jerek Flores Capadosa, Senior Police Officer 4 Arturo Pelito Patulot, Senior Police Officer 2 Edgardo Ilagan, Senior Police Officers 1 Edilberto Adan Ele, Danilo de Sagun Piol, Rodrigo Silang Arguelles, Erwin Lajara Cevon, Gener Putian Pineda.

And also Police Officers 3 Jonathan Man-docdoc

The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Gregorri Leaño Joanna Valerie Wee Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales ARMM

Giovanni Solmerano Eastern Mindanao

Merlyn Manos Iligan City

Geonarri Solmerano Southern Mindanao

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Asa Madale Lanao Provinces Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Sibugay/Zamboanga del Sur/Zamboanga del Norte John Shinn III California The Mindanao Examiner Newspaper/Business Week/Mindanao Daily is published weekly/daily in Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao, Philippines.

The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in Skycable 54 in Zamboanga; Lupah Sug Cable in Sulu province and Basilan Cable in Basilan province.

Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: +63 62 9925480 Mobile: +63 9152756606 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

Cansanay, Allan Cacao Natanauan, Mark Christopher Garcia Aala, Luis Alexander Binay Capacia, Ruel Casas Dimaano, Florencio Marasigan Austria, Christian Atas Caguimbal, Marlon Arevalo Aguado; Police Officers 2 Herbert Gaor Rellora, Reynold Perlas Ramirez, Bernie Dalanon Alday and Police Officer 1 Michael Ulpindo de Castro.

It was not immediately known whether the officers were involved in the killings or not.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Brouhaha over the ‘Marcos Loot’

by Perry Diaz

THE HUNT FOR THE FABLED “Marcos Loot” is beginning to look like an Indiana Jones sequel. The only difference is that this one is for real with real life characters, tons of real gold bullions, and a 2,000-pound solid gold Buddha filled with real diamonds, emeralds, and other precious stones that would make the Queen of England look like a pauper.

And after three decades of hunting for the Marcos Loot that began the day the late President Cory Aquino kicked the Marcoses out of power, the hunt is finally coming to an end during the presidency of her only son, Benigno Aquino III. Not that the Marcos Loot has been recovered but that the government had seemingly lost the will to continue the hunt.

The “Loot” Soon after Cory took over power and established a revolutionary government in 1986, she formed the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and mandated it to hunt for the Marcos Loot.

Twenty-six years later, the PCGG claimed that it had recovered $5 billion of the estimated $10 billion loot in the form of hard cash, artwork, jewelry, secret bank deposits, and corporate assets. But where is the gold?

But nobody really knows how much the Marcos Loot is valued at. Some experts estimate it to be more than $60 billion. Some say at least $100 billion. But here is the stinger: Imelda Marcos showed evidence that her husband deposited a very large sum in a bank in Brussels, Belgium that would make the loot PCGG was trying to recover look like loose change.

And if you don’t believe this, click http:// globalbalita.com/2009/08/25/news-flash-marcostreasure-video/ and you’ll see a video of Imelda Marcos giving a live interview to a BBC reporter in February 2009. During the 5-minute video, Imelda showed the British reporter several paintings by masters hanging on her living room walls. When the reporter asked where she got her wealth, she said that her husband was a very rich lawyer who worked for gold mining companies and also traded in gold. She then showed the reporter a piece of paper, which the reporter read.

It was a Treasury Certificate for a deposit made by Ferdinand E. Marcos in a bank in Brussels, Belgium for the amount of… are you ready for this? Nine Hundred Eighty Seven Billion United States Dollars. That’s the equivalent of 41.5 trillion Philippine Pesos!

Yamashita’s gold In his 2003 book, “Gold Warrior,” Sterling Seagrave told the story of the hunt for Yamashita’s gold, which began when Gen. Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines in October 1944. A team of men, whom he personally selected, wasted no time searching for the treasure sites.

They found several treasure sites. MacArthur used the recovered gold to establish a trust fund for Emperor Hirohito after Japan surrendered in August 1945.

Known as Showa Trust, the fund’s trustees were Hirohito and MacArthur himself. Nobody knows the exact amount of Showa Trust but by 1982 it was paying nearly $1-billion interest per year! MacArthur also set up the M-Fund to back up the newly formed Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which became the dominant political force in Japan to this day.

So, what happened to the rest of Yamashita’s gold?

First of all, Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita had nothing to do with the loot. He was wrongly linked to the loot because he happened to be the top Japanese commander in the Philippines during the waning days of the war.

The real person who was responsible for looting Asia was Prince Chichibu, younger brother of Emperor Hirohito. As head of the “Golden Lily” campaign, Chichibu oversaw the plunder of conquered territories.

His first cousin, Prince Tsuneyoshi Takeda, was in charge of hiding the loot at 175 secret vaults scattered around the Philippines. Takeda had a young Filipino valet named Ben Valmores. When Takeda sneaked out of northern Philippine when the Americans were clos-

ing in, he gave a copy of the maps to Valmores for safekeeping and to be given back to him upon his return.

He never came back.

Enter Marcos But some of the treasure maps found their way to then President Ferdinand E. Marcos. In 1968, he sent a team of military officers to Japan to make a deal for joint recovery of “Yamashita’s gold.” They met with a prince, a cousin of the Emperor, who told them that Japan hid over $100 billion worth of loot in the Philippines that would take “more than a century” to recover it all. It’s not known if an agreement had been reached. However, Marcos proceeded with the hunt.

In January 1971, Rogelio Roxas, a Filipino locksmith and amateur treasure hunter found a tunnel behind the Baguio general hospital and crawled inside.

He found a 28-inch tall solid gold Buddha that weighed one ton, and thousands of gold bars! This was the first treasure site discovered since the end of the war. Roxas, with the aid of 10 men, took the golden Buddha home.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos heard about the discovery and sent his men to confiscate the golden Buddha. When Roxas protested, he was arrested and allegedly tortured.

It is said that by the time Marcos was deposed from power during the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986, his men had recovered tons of gold and precious stones from 12 treasure sites. Where did Marcos hide his loot?

Australian connection In 2004, an illegitimate daughter of Marcos by a German-born mother of Hungarian descent, Evelin Hegyesi, surfaced in the news in Australia. Her name is Analisa Josefa Hegyesi. Josefa is the name of Marcos’ mother.

Investigations by The Sun-Herald revealed that Evelin’s Australian companies have financial links to Marcos’ secret accounts in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The Sun-Herald provided a dossier of the Australian link to the Marcos loot to the PCGG. But the trail went cold.

In 2011, Analisa was in the news. Now 40 years old and an interior designer, Analisa was reported by The Daily Telegraph that she was fired from a TV reality show “Renovators” after she revealed to her producers that she was Marcos’ daughter.

PCGG Chairman Andres Bautista heard about it when his staff showed him The Daily Telegraph news account. “We will look at the money trail and see if the amount to be recovered would be worth the lawyers’ fees we would be spending for it,” Bautista told the media.

Recently, it was reported in the news that PCGG would be abolished. However, Bautista said that the hunt for the Marcos Loot would not end; the job will be continued by the Department of Justice. He said that the reason for closing the 200-man agency is that it is no longer cost effective to hunt for the $5-billion leftover from the Marcos Loot.

But who says there is only $5 billion left in the loot?

The original estimate was made 26 years ago, at which time the extent of the loot was not fully accounted for.

And it may never be accounted for. But like an iceberg, what you see is only the tip of the iceberg… until you submerge into the water. It’s the same with treasure hunt; you never see the loot until you dig it.

P-Noy’s broken promise?

In September 2009, then presidential candidate Benigno Aquino III, made his first campaign promise: “I will recover the Marcos Loot.”

On the day Congress declared him the winner in the 2010 presidential elections, he announced that he had reconciled with the Marcoses after receiving a congratulatory call from one of the Marcos siblings. Is that all it took to break a promise?

At the end of the day, it can be said that treasures don’t just vanish; they are where you least expect them to be. So, never stop the hunt! (PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

Jan. 14-20, 2013

The Mindanao Examiner

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The Mindanao Examiner

Jan. 14-20, 2013

The Mindanao Examiner

Jan. 21-27, 2013

Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada is welcomed by thousands of residence in the towns of Iguig,Peñablanca and Solana during a recent visit in Cagayan Province.

JV gets warm welcome in Cagayan CAGAYAN - San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada during his recent visit to Cagayan province where he received a warm welcome from thousands of residents in the towns of Iguig, Peñablanca and Solana.

Ejercito Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, met with local leaders and

townsfolk and supporters, including senior citizens who went all the way to personally see and embraced the young lawmaker.

Locals vowed continued support to the programs and advocacy of Ejercito Estrada, who is running for senator in the May polls.

For his part, Ejercito

Estrada said he appreciated the warm reception he got in Cagayan province and pledged also to continue ser ving the public and the welfare of the Filipino people, especially the youth and the poor as he did when he was mayor of San Juan, now one of the country's most progressive cities.

(Mindanao Examiner)

A woman uses her baby to beg for money in downtown Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Bata, tigok sa gulpi ng sariling ina

PAGADIAN CITY – Nahaharap sa kasong kriminal ang isang ina matapos nitong mapatay sa bugbog ang paslit na anak sa bayan ng Dumalinao sa Zamboanga del Sur. Sa ulat ng pulisya ay nabatid na ginulpi ng inang si Ritchie Remasog, 24, ang anak sa loob mismo ng kanilang Bahay sa Barangay Baga at sa kabila ng pagsusumamo ng bata ay tila bingi ito. Wala rin nagawa ang mga kapitbahay sa pagmamalupit ng ina.

Nabatid pang naisugod

sa pagamutan ang 8buwang bata dahil halos hindi na ito makagalaw sa tinamong mga pasa sa katawan. Subalit sa murang katawan ng bata ay hindi nito nakayanan ang matinding gulpi na tinanggap mula sa ina.

Hawak na ng pulisya ang ina at ngayon ay nakapiit na sa Zamboanga del Provincial Jail, ayon kay PO2 Cyril Macasasa.

Base sa imbestigasyon ng pulisya ay may diperensya sa utak ang babae at pasulpot-sulpot

ang sakit nitong namana pa umano sa ina.

"Base sa imbetigasyon ni PO3 Maricar Felina ay may diperensya ang ina, pero kinasuhan pa rin namin siya sa pagkakapatay sa bata at ang korte na ang siyang magdedetermine nito," ani Macasasa sa panayam ng Mindanao Examiner.

Nabatid pang battered wife ang babae at nakasuhan na rin noon ang asawa ng physical abuse, ngunit wala rin nangyari sa asunto.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Mindanao Examiner Tele-Radyo is a Commentary & Opinion Show (news talk) broadcast in Mindanao Examiner TV in Zamboanga City (Sky Cable Channel 54), Mindanao Examiner TV in Pagadian City (KISMET Cable TV & Pagadian City Cable TV Channel 63), and Mindanao Examiner TV in Basilan province. For block time, booking or guesting, advertisements and sponsorship, please call our Zamboanga Studio on telephone number (062) 9925480 and mobile number (0926) 1401713 or email us at mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com.

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The Mindanao Examiner

Jan. 21-27, 2013

Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada asks PNoy for more funds for OFW legal assistance SAN Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada urged President Benigno Aquino to allocate more funds intended for legal assistance to overseas Filipino workers who are facing criminal charges in their respective host countries.

Ejercito Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, made the call following reports that some 3,000 OFWs around the world are facing criminal charges, ranging from immigration-related cases, murder, theft, to drug trafficking. In China alone, 78 Filipinos are reported to have been convicted for drug trafficking and are awaiting death sentences.

Ejercito Estrada, who is the vice chairman of the House labor and employment committee, noted that a measly P60 million was appropriated this year for the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) that could be used by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to bail out OFWs who are in conflict with the law in at least 68 host countries.

"I cannot imagine the fact that our OFWs whom we refer to as the ‘modernday heroes’ are getting less out of their contribution to

Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada our country," he said. "If not for the remittances of these hardworking OFWs, our economy could have been in the red. And, yet, the present government seems lukewarm in attending to their needs, especially in terms of providing legal assistance to those who are locked in legal battle in their respective host countries."

He said under Republic Act (RA) 10022 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, the government is under obligation to allot P100 million for legal services to migrant workers and overseas Filipinos in distress. The

allocation is coursed through the DFA, which is mandated to provide legal assistance to OFWs. Of the amount, P50 million would come from the Contingency Fund of the President and P30 million from the Contingency Fund of the President Social Fund, and another P20 million from the Welfare Fund for Overseas Workers.

An additional P30 million is also taken from the General Appropriations Act. Records from the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA) showed that OFWs have paid more than P1 billion in membership contribu-

tion, as every outbound worker is required to pay $25 for their protection.

For the whole of 2012, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas projected that OFW remittances would reach $24 billion or 19.4% higher than the level registered a year ago. These remittances fuel consumption spending which is considered the backbone of Philippine economy.

Ejercito Estrada is running for the Senate in upcoming elections under the United Nationalist Alliance of Vice President Jejomar Binay, and has topped separate surveys by the Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia on the preferred senatorial candidates by Filipinos.

39 Filipinos who escape war-torn Syria arrive home safely MANILA – Philippine officials said 39 more Filipinos, including an infant, have arrived home recently after a gruelling escape from the strife-torn Syria.

Officials said the Filipinos travelled along icy roads and through heavy traffic from Damascus to Beirut in Lebanon and brought to the Masna’a border by members of the Philippine Embassy.

They spent the night at a Caritas shelter in Baabda assisted by personnel of the Philippine Embassy in

Beirut who made representations with Lebanese Immigration authorities to facilitate the repatriates’ transit through the country’s territory, officials said, adding the total number of repatriates has reached 3,349.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also urged all Filipino workers who are still in Syria to seek immediate repatriation as the violence in the country remain unabated.

“They may contact the Embassy for assis-

tance at 963-11-6132626.

The family members of Filipinos in Syria may also provide the DFA with latest information regarding their loved ones’ current location and contact details in Syria. Those who wish to do so may call the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs at (02) 834-4996 or the DFA Action Center at (02) 8343333,” the DFA said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

iPs.t.a.r draws foreign investors for its E-Kiosk Project in Philippines MANILA – Satellite services company Integral Process Starlight Technologies And Resources Solutions Philippines Corporation has welcomed over a hundred foreign investors from Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan during a three-day tour of its satellite and E-Kiosk project facilities held recently in Angeles Industrial Park in Pampanga province.

IPSTARSPC said its utmost priority is to provide rural connectivity by providing broadband internet access to areas where it is generally classified as unserved or under-served in the Philippines.

The E-Kiosk project, packaged under its “business-in-a-box” concept, allows the company to provide connectivity to a wide variety of locations throughout the country while allowing interested consumers to easily start a telecommunications business right in their own villages.

“We want all villages

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The Mindanao Examiner

Jan. 21-27, 2013

in the Philippines to have access to connectivity and fully functional telecommunication capabilities, creating a technological and developmental equalization between the rural areas and major cities,” Dr. Joey Aranal, President and CEO of IPSTARSPC, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

IPSTARSPC’s E-Kiosk Project works under a business model—a portable internet café business—that is expandable to extend and propagate Wi-Fi hot spots or Wi-Fi mesh in various remote municipalities. This is seen to aid money remit-

tance services, provide link for ATM services, and provide any type of data, video, and voice services for both domestic and international routes.

With the technological progress that IPSTARSPC brings in these areas such as increased internet access to schools, government agencies, police and military units, the rural private sector can be more abreast with commerce and industry practices in urban circles.

In addition to that, IPSTARSPC has also recently acquired the lease of the land adjacent to the current IPSTAR satellite in

Angeles Industrial Park that hosts the link to providing Wi-Fi internet access to the company’s EKiosk project. This has been done to accommodate the expansion of the company’s telecommunication services.

“There are still areas in the country that have no access to internet and phone services and these call for a strengthened satellite service. By expanding our facilities, we are creating the groundwork for us to provide faster internet connectivity and signal transmission to our E-Kiosk sites,” Aranal said.

“With the Philippines now moving forward to a more connected citizenship an enhanced telecommunications service found in IPSTARSPC’s EKiosk Project is definitely a gift to all unconnected areas,” he added.

EDITORIAL Total gun ban only enforces criminals to strike more D E S PI T E t h e t o t a l gun ban the killings perpetrated by hired guns still continue unabated. And this pr ove t h a t p o l i c e should run after hired killers instead of trumpeting its socalled checkpoint duties...

The total gun ban will also worsen the crime situation in the Philippines because legitimate gun holders who carry license and permit to bring their guns are like sitting ducks and without protection against criminals and kidnappers.

In Zamboanga City, the killings still continue with or without the total gun ban and now is a dan-

gerous time for traders and their kin bec a u s e h i re d k i l l e r s s t i l l r o a m f re e a n d kidnappers are even bolder...police should go after hired killers and kidnappers and not wait for them to strike again.

Un l e s s t h e y a r e totally neutralize, there shall be no peace of mind in Zamboanga and other places in Mindanao and the Philippines.

The best thing to do now is to take extra precaution and stay safe in our conf i n e s. A n d i f w o r s e comes to worst, fight back and fight h a rd t o d e f e n d l i f e a n d p r o p e r t y. . . a n d liberty!

Mindanao Daily

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Zamboanga City, Philippines

Jan. 21-27, 2013

Sulu inaugurates Women and Children’s Center

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and First Lady Nurunisah Tan welcome Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles in Jolo town for the inaguration of the new Women and Children’s Center. (Photos by Ahl Salinas) SUL U – The S ulu P over nment has inaugur ated a SULU Sulu Prrovincial G Go ernment inaugurated newly -constr ucted two-stor ey building that will house the newly-constr -constructed two-storey Women and Childr en enter in the capital to wn of JJolo olo in Children en’’s C Center town the souther nP hilippines southern Philippines hilippines..

Presidential Peace Ad- as a people was put into acid viser Teresita Deles graced the tests in many instances in our occasion led by Sulu Gov. history. The bravery shown by Sakur Tan and First Lady our forefathers and the resolve Nurunisah Tan and attended and determination they disby top provincial and munici- played assured our survival as pal officials, and women a people. We have weathered many storms that swept over groups.

Gov. Tan said the con- our province, and now that struction of the center was same spirit is again called to completed in just a little 10 fore; not to survive another months.“Thus far it is the most war but to survive in peace beautiful building in the town with our dignity intact,” he of Jolo, but not as beautiful as said.

Gov. Tan said many the ladies of the Sulu ProvincialWomen’s Council led by its buildings rising in the landChairperson, Hajja Nurunisah scape, including the new cenA. Tan, the inspiration who ter, underline the growing drove us to undertake a labor confidence of the people and of love for the construction of the business community that normality is steadily returning this building.”

“For many years this par- to Sulu which suffered not

ticular site housed the Sulu Provincial Jail where hardened criminals and other misfits of society occupied its dark and filthy cells. Now in its stead rises this building, beautiful both in appearance and purpose. Rising from the ruins and ashes like the proverbial phoenix, this building is analogous with our espousal for the changes we envisioned for Sulu.The transformation of this site from a house of social rejects to a halfway home for women and children is poetic justice taking its course,” he said in his inspiration speech.

He said the past can be an inspiration in shaping the present that can fulfil the promise of a better and secured future. “We refer to our glorious history as a people and a civilization not out of pride or vanity, but as a bridge to facilitate our steady and unfaltering crossover to the modern world. Our character

ARMM

only from war and clashes, but also from the unkind perceptions which shackled her as a typecast. said the time is rife for the local people to break out from the box and transcend the curtailing limitations which stunt their growth, blunt their capabilities and hamper their march to excellence. While some misgivings harbored by the people are effects of the turn of events in history or what some sector termed as “historical injustices”, but“the real enemy is within us, residing in our minds.”

“I am not calling for the all-out reinvention of the Tausug, but call on their traditional boldness and resolve to muster the strength to realigned their focus towards a more positive and progressive target. There is no need for us to organize a revolution or a rebellion for independence or autonomy. With our abun-

dant resources, fertile lands and rich marine life, let us rather struggle for economic self-sufficiency where true freedom can be achieved; freedom from hunger, poverty, illiteracy and the freedom to advance as a people with a glorious past and a secured future,”

“But on the other hand, it is the lack of knowledge on the laws governing the rights of our young citizens and the responsibilities of society itself as a whole to nurture and protect them, that are still lacking and in want. A civilized society is measured by the way it takes

Gov. Tan said.

“If we have sown the seed of something beautiful like the Sulu Provincial Women and Children’s Center and allowing it to rise and bloom from the soil of filth and discards of society, there is no reason then, on why we cannot make a difference and prove to the world that we can be better. Let us take the bull by the horn; swim against the tide of misperceptions and let Sulu come out from the shadows which for a long while kept her in the dark,” he added.

For her part, Mrs.Tan said the new center is a good start for the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council as their efforts and services are recognized and appreciated in the most concrete and tangible way by the construction of this building through the combined efforts of the Sulu Provincial Government and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to which Sec. Deles heads.

She said the rights of the most vulnerable sector in our society, the women and children, are at times not given due attention or appreciation, especially so in what is perceived to be a tradition-centered community.

Gender equality is already a non-issue in this time and age and the related issue of the rights of women and children are already enshrined in international protocols and local laws, she said.

care of its children and others who are still considered susceptible to abuse and maltreatment,” Mrs. Tan said.

She said economically, there are still a large number of people, especially women who are struggling to make ends meet in sustaining their families that they may live a decent life.

Even with both parents working, she said, it is still insufficient when considering the costs of education and other daily expenses.“Imagine how a single parent who is left to fend for herself and for her children living under such a condition. Added to that is the stigma that she will carry as an additional burden to an already heavy load. There are parents who cling to the traditional thinking that they carry a blank check when disciplining their children, forgetting the fact that there is a thin line between a disciplinary scolding or spanking and child abuse,” she said.

Mrs. Tan said those and other facts of everyday life are not given due attention owing to ignorance and the absence of an institution that will take extra effort to develop social consciousness about the rights of women and children and the responsibilities of society and the state.

She said the Sulu Provincial Women and Children’s Center will serve as a half-way house for those who felt transgressed, traumatized and vio-

Northern Mindanao

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lated and will counsel and offer advices on the options open to them.

“We will engage the services of trained counsellors who are professional enough to lend sympathetic ears to those who are in need to talk about their problems. Financial independence will go a long way in alleviating the hardship of women who are left on their own, abandoned and in a state of helplessness.

The center will coordinate with concerned agencies concerning livelihood training and other programs designed to offer even just a glitter of hope,” Mrs. Tan said.

She said the many wars and clashes which swept the province left scars upon the lives of many and created a generation of widows and orphans giving roots to social problems. All efforts geared towards resolutions of the offshoots of the war are part and parcel of the peace process, which is a continuing and open-ended process, she said.

“We hope that the Sulu Provincial Government and national government agencies like the OPAPP, will continue to render support and assistance to the Sulu Provincial Women and Children’s Center, as we in the Sulu ProvincialWomen’s Council commit to continue to partner with the government and share in the responsibilities in the service to society and fulfil our obligations to the people,” Mrs. Tan said.

Sulu Provincial Women's Council is composed of Mrs. Tan, herself who is the Chairperson and the following; Norma A. Abdulla, Vice Chair for Internal Affairs; Charina I. Isaac,ViceChairforExternalAffairs; Eleanor N. Illustre, Secretary; Nurhata M. Salahuddin, Treasurer; Aisa J. Akalal, Auditor; Charisma S. Ututalum, P.I.O.; Board of Directors: Sitti Kausar H. Sahidjuan, Fahra T. Omar, Maydelyn M. Bahjin, Nurunnihar B. Mohammad, Hairunnihma Ferrer (With a report from Ahl Salinas)

Zamboanga Peninsula