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July 4-10, 2016
Indon Military To Rescue Abu Sayyaf Hostages
NDONESIA ’S DEFENSE M inister R yamizar d NDONESIA’S Minister Ryamizar yamizard R yacudu has secr etly arr iv ed in souther n secretly arriv ived southern P hilippines wher e A bu S ayyaf militants ar e where Abu Sayyaf are holding 7 IIndonesian ndonesian sailors ilipino sailors,, but F Filipino secur er e not awar e of his visit. security wer ere aware security officials said they w Indonesia’s TV 1 said pine Defense chief Voltaire Ryamizard visited Gazmin, according to Zamboanga and stayed Kyodo News Agency. The report said the there from June 24-24. And on June 29, reports move is possible under a broke out that Manila has 1975 Border Crossing allowed Indonesian mili- Agreement between the tary forces to enter two countries that enables Philippine territory in ef- Indonesian forces to hunt forts to free the hostages terrorists and pirates being held by the Abu across the border. It also quoted Gazmin as saying Sayyaf in Sulu province. The Western that the accord “allows InMindanao Command donesian security forces, in said it did not know that coordination with ours, to Ryamizard travelled to conduct the hot pursuit of Zamboanga, just 9 hours lawless elements on the by boat from Sulu, one of sea across the maritime five provinces under the borders shared by our Muslim autonomous re- countries.” In the meeting, Manila gion. “They approved us to reportedly decided to alenter into Philippine wa- low Indonesian soldiers to ters and land,” Ryamizard escort Indonesian vessels told reporters, saying that sailing to and from the the arrangement was de- Philippines so they can cided on June 26 during take quick action if the his meeting with Philip- ships come under attack.
President Rodrigo Duterte formally take his oath in Malacañang Palace as his family looks on.(Photo by Michael Rey Baniquet) But the official Philippines News Agency also quoted Gazmin as saying “They (Indonesians) can only conduct operations to pursue within our area if
Sulu, Zamboanga leaders ready for next term
the incident occurred within their waters, based on the principle of hot pursuit.” Gazmin said Indonesian military units cannot just enter Philippine territory in a bid to rescue the hostages. He said it was the responsibility of Philippine security forces to rescue the victims. He said this is consistent with the Philippine
and Indonesia 1975 agreement where Indonesian security forces are allowed to enter Philippine maritime zones under the concept of hot pursuit in the same way that Filipino forces are allowed to enter Indonesian maritime zones. When pursuit operations reaches land, Indonesian forces are only allowed to conduct lim-
ited operations, such as sharing information with Philippine authorities, not operations using arms, he said. Both the Indonesian and Philippines militaries are also discussing a possible deployment of “sea marshals” that would escort citizens entering each other's countries. Continue on page 7
Duterte hits out at critics of death penalty DAVAO CITY - President Rodrigo Duterte hits out at “stupid” human rights campaigners, as he defended his imminent war on crime and emphasised the death penalty was for retribution. Duterte gave a lengthy speech recently in Davao City
to outline his vision for the nation with a heavy focus on his controversial plans to fight crime. “These human rights [groups], congressmen, how stupid you are,” Duterte said, as he highlighted their criticism of his plans to impose
late-night curfews on children being out on the streets and to reintroduce the death penalty. “I believe in retribution. Why?You should pay.When you kill someone, rape, you should die,” he said. Continue on page 9
Pagbabago sa Tawi-Tawi inaasahan
Re-elected Sulu Governor Totoh Tan with his family takes his oath of office on June 30, 2016 and so is re-elected Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco with her husband, Trifonio Salazar. Read stor y on page 4 story
ARMM
Eastern Mindanao
TAWI-TAWI – Isang malaking pagbabago ang inaasahan sa lalawigan ng Tawi-Tawi matapos na maluklok sa puwesto si Governor Rashidin Matba na nagwagi sa nakaraang halalan. Tututukan ni Matba ang ekonomiya, turismo at seguridad sa naturang lalawigan na isa sa magagandang lugar sa katimugan ng bansa dahil sa likas-yaman na taglay nito at makulay na kultura. Sinabi naman ni Engr. Wahab Bakil, ang provincial planning and development
Western Mindanao
coordinator, na ngayon pa lamang ay handang-handa na ang administrasyon ni Matba na magpatupad ng ibat-ibang programa sa Tawi-Tawi at kabilang dito ang ibibigay na atensyon sa mga malalayo at mahihirap na barangay na napabayaan noon ng pamahalaan. Maging ang patubig at mga basic health at infrastructure program ay nakalinya na rin ngayon at suportado ng publiko ang administrasyong Matba. Continue on page 9
Cebu
Manila
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The Mindanao Examiner
July 4-10, 2016
Inaugural Address Abdusakur A. Tan II Governor, Province of Sulu Bismillah her Rahman ner Raheem. As Salaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu. Greetings of Peace and a very warm welcome to all, most especially to my mother, Vice Governor Hadja Nurunnisah Abubakar Tan. I congratulate my mother for her achievement and ascent to politics, in which everything else is made possible. Certainly, she is a whiff of fresh air that can spur change in the provincial government. A scion of politician, her bearing gave her unusual opportunities to make the thoughts in her head the work in her hands. My mother always teaches us that it is charming to be loved by everybody, and the way to obtain it is never to be angry with anybody but to be kind and conciliating. I cease this rare opportunity to further commend my mother and her dedicated colleagues at the provincial women center for their bold initiatives in preventing and curing an array of diseases that afflict kids, adolescents and elderly. The women center has taught our people the value of health and sanitation that fast became their habit. I greet my father, Abdusakur M. Tan, Al Haj, our outgoing vice Governor with highest compliments. I cannot find words to express to him the feelings that lie in my heart. 36 months or so ago, he asked me to run for governor. on becoming governor, no other period in my life has brought so many struggles or so much satisfaction. The struggle would have been infinitely greater and the satisfaction immeasurably less if I had not received his full support every step of the way. Indeed, all good thins come to a end. My father's break from public service is one such thing. As for the days ahead of him, they are bright. I know my father has foun the means to endure and prevail. He is a builder controlled by any abusive power. I assure him that though our lives will change, we will not. And we whom he has awakened and inspired by his example will be lasting in admiration and gratitude. I also greet all my noble partners in the LGU, AFP, PNP, academe and line agencies of government, as well as, our traditional leaders, our religious scholars, our guests, visitors and all my friends. I cannot fail to be proud of your collective support for all our endeavors in various fields of public service. Let us continue to personify our ideals and values as the
guiding standards of our personal lives as well as in the practice of our different trade and profession in life. Our people will benefit for decades to come from the discipline we have shown and the reforms we have pushed. Of course, I greet my brothers, sisters, relatives - you know who you are. But most of all may I in all gratefulness acclaim the love, patience and understanding of my better half Charina and our kids, who stood by me all the times, good or bad. Politics is an exacting mistress. They have to bear with me for another three years. And so today, alhamdulillah, I praise and thank the Almighty Allah for making it easy and safe for all of us to be here today. In a sense, we won't be here if Divine Providence did not sustain our bod for re-election. Ya Allah thank you again and again for giving us another oppirtunity to serve and for this peacegul continuation of power. Thank you Ya Allah for rescuing Sulu from the evil disturber of peace and the enemy of all rank and order. Initially, I was reluctant to have this program and to speak our for fear that I might just sound self-serving, defensive or vindictive, which I wish to avoid. Besides, it is un-Islamic to orchestrate charitable achievements. God suffices as witness for every good thing we have done. But protocols have to be obser ved. I have a duty to tell and you have the right to know the purpose and direction of your provincial government. The beginnings of all things are small, and the story of my administration is no different. When I became governor I faced the complex and growing crisis in Sulu with sparse knowledge, scant experience and simplistic assumptions. Since I assumed my duties 3 years ago today, our defining vision and compelling goals has been waging reform, preventing disease, fighting poverty and building hopes among the neediest sectors. In these respect, a need clearly exist for basic infrastructures to be in place and for a working peace to reign for us to shape the province we envision in the future, where there is safe water and electricity at hand in every home, food in every table and economic parity among families. In pursuit of these ends, our reform initiatives and development agenda and strategies in the next 3 years will not be different from the past. As before, we must make sure that our limited funds and supplies go directly to fulfill our goals.
We need to vigorously sustain basic quality education for our youth to make them at par by giving them eligible teachers. This we did through the extensive school support system, such as, the relevant review classes the provincial government has been offering free of charge right here in Jolo to our prospective teachers. By this initiative, alhamdulillah 840 of our BSE graduates easily passed the Licensure Examinations for Teacher this year, in addition to the 1108 more that also made it earlier. This initiative we began in 2013 also generates productive employment keeping in mind that for each graduate, a job means not merely material income, but social usefulness and self-respect. Our goal is to make this trend continue. Other projects to enhance Madaris education and cultural support programs are also in place. This will balance cognitive development, character formation and moderate Islamic orientation of our youth in particular and our Muslim brethren as a whole. This program is part of our robust counter against terrorism associated with Islam. Our Madaris and Imams must be vibrant, active and progressive. We have to nurture our Islamic institutions and dedication of our religious leaders. Ma'hlum na katuh, in hulah natuh Lupah Sug gimba iban Kapu'an. Maka hansul in kahalan sin kamanghuran ha gimba iban kapu'an. Mahang atawa kulang in kala-lamihan nila. Amu pag-iyahun, masamut sila mag-la'as. Thy lack delightful entertainment and recreation. Ma awun sadja in paglami-lami sin kabataan ha kagimbahan iban kapu'an bang timpu sawa bulan. Karnah way kapag punpunan nila pag sadlup sin Suga. Tigidlum in katilibut. Mga tuan, mahalgah
ha pag-sangput sin kabataan in pag panunp a n u n , pang-panayam-nayam, pag-langug iban paglami-lami. Sports, recreation and entertainment are vital to human growth and development. Ha sabab ini tiyagnaan taniyo ilawan in sasukuh sin ka-lubukan sin tao ha katan municipality sin Lupah Sug. Amun pag-tawagun Solar ligh in piyakay ta. Pasuh sin suga in lana atawa kurente niya. Misan taga halgah nag-a-amu ra halgah iban sin kaluargaan niya. Magbuhih na-siya baran niya damikkiyan mag pung da isab siya isa-isa niya. Alhamdulillah, bihaun, dih na in kabataan humajat magtagad pa atawa magandakay sin guwah sin sawa bulan bang sila baya'an mag pahayang atawa mamanaw-panaw, mang-hunat-hunat ha halaman misn sadlup suga na. We have installed more or less 1500 units of state of the art solar powered street light in major thoroughfares and promenades in all municipalities in Sulu. Our next challenge will be to spread this project to as many areas possible. Our constituents in the hinterland are often isolated and neglected. They do not live near running streams or have water wells, and their entire lives are spent walking distances just to fetch water from local rain-fed warer hole. This is the case in Angilan, Municipality of Omar, Maimbung, Kulasi and Siasi, where we have established a clean drinking water supply available throughout. Unclean water is the prevalent cause of disease and death in the hinterland that we can prevent. Political rights are important to everyone; we have seen that they fade into secondary importance when the family does not have food, shelter, and an prospect for
peaceful existence. The easy resolution for this apparent dilemma is for political rights to include poeple's need. On this theme, we have established and completed 500 core shelter units in 12 Municipalities. These shelters are real place to call home, modest in size but livable - a show case by all means of our downtrodden brethren. We have also rebuilt various farm-to-market roads, in Indanan, Patikul, Talipao, Jolo and Parang and refurbished several commercial ports in Pangutaran, Lugus, Maimbung and Parang. Unpaved roads and unserviceable ports affect agricultural productivity, because they limit access to markets. Progress cannot be attained by nslogans but rather through the application of workable solutions to problems. Our stream of achievements includes the construction of Covered Court and Flea Market in Maimbung, Classroms and Police Outposts in Pandami, Kalinggalan Caluan and Patikul and Barangay Halls in Indanan and Jolo. Now more than ever our municipalities are the better enabled and equipped to serve their constituencies. Our 20% development funds all went to our public investment programs. Part of this is invested in the construction of a Commercial Building in Jolo Port Area that is nearing completion. All these projects and constructions are intended to provide the framework for sustaind growth. It is interesting to note that we hare achieving considerable infrastructure requirements with but limited resources, because, of sincerity and plain dealings. We thank our elders and brothers in the MNLF for tempering their estrangement with the national government that gae us space for peace that provides an arena for economic progress. I noted with pleasure, that in in the era of peace few people suffered more, andmany face more unprecendented oppirtunities for the alleviation of their sufferings. Our livelihood assistance enable our poor and marginalized to earn for themselves. In Maimbung, as it is, elsewhere in Sulu, not even one Samal is a beggar. Sambil iban natuh Samal taga-usaha. Amu rakuman, dih sila magtanum atawa mag-ipat sin daga-ngan nila. Managat hadja in ka-agi nila. Amu isab ini in piyag bid-daan sin lupah iban dagat. Ha lupah subay kita mag-ulih sin iyani a. Ha ragat magulih isa-isa in gamay iban panagatun. By all account our re-
cent election was relatively peaceful indication clearly that a period of political stability has reigned. The automation of our election drastically cut vote counting time and insured peace and stability. On the other hand, we must improve and intensify our anti-crime and anti-drug campaign. We receive nothing but criticism and charges of inefficiency on law enforcement. The overall crime rate appears to be increasing. I grievously lost my unsuspecting Army Security, who was disdainfully murdered in his house. I have no patience with the myth that our peace and order cannot be managed. Only, we need to shake things up and inject new untainted blood. My goal in the coming years is security for the province at the lowest possible cost. We will make sweeping changes with the new Mayors of Jolo and the adjoinging towns to achieve economic developments, criminal justice, sidewalk and traffic improvement, social services, housing and sanitation. It is difficult to predict the future. But I am certain that we don't have to surrender our rights for the sake of the security of our country. When we surrender some of our rights in order to achieve security, we might end losing both. But as a transformative leader, when faced with insuperable odds, I should be creative and flexible and consider your wellbeing not just my preferences and glory. I understand the difficulty of waging war and the pain of nurturing peace. Dinanas na natin ang lahat ng kahirapan at karahansan. Matagal na tayo gustong burahin sa mapa. Sinabihan na nga tayo noon pa "Goodbye Sulu". Nevertheless, we all see the steady and surprising progress we have made despite years of repression during Martial Law and intermittent disruption of law and order until now. We have proven ability to take advantage of unforeseen challenges. And we shall continue to have the courage to take a chance on possible failure if the goal is worthy. This is the glory of Bangsa Sug. Fighting is the heart of our legacy. We will continu to reach out to all other organizations that share our goals and to form constructive partnershio without concern about who receives credit for successes. With the blessings and guidance of the Almighty we cannot fail. With your commitment and support we will succeed. Thank you. Ei'd Mubaraq and Was Salaam.
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The Mindanao Examiner
July 4-10, 2016
Farewell Address Abdusakur M. Tan Vice Governor, Province of Sulu Auzubillah hi minas syaytan nirrajeem Bismilla hi Rahman Nirraheem The Honorable Abdusakur A. Tan II, reelected Governor of Sulu; the Honorable Hja. Nurunisah A. Tan, the newly-elected Vice Governor and Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; Honorable Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Sulu; Honorable Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors and Municipal Councilors; the Honorable Alsad Alfad Jr, Presiding RTC Judge of Branch 25; Mufti Sharif Julasiri Abirin; distinguished and honored guests; Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatu. Three years ago today here at this same place, we gathered in this Gym to install a new Governor, Abdusakur A. Tan II, a new Vice Governor, yours truly, and a host of other Local Chief Executives. Today we are about to witness the Oath-taking of the reelected Governor of Sulu and the new Vice Governor Hadja Nurunisah A. Tan and a combination of new and old Provincial Board Members, Mayors, Vice Mayors and Municipal Councilors. Admittedly we will be holding this ceremony in a rather laid-back manner as we are in the fasting month. Nonetheless, you will agree with me that this event marks another milestone in our province’s history and another stride in its journey towards a destination of peace and development for Sulu and its people. In 2013 when I had another term left as Governor I decided to let my eldest son Totoh to run in my place and instead I opted to make a bid for Vice Governor. Many asked why. I said why not! To shorten the episode, we both won with convincing majority. My memory is still vivid on the inaugural ceremony on that day in 2013 and in my inaugural speech and turn-over I quoted a poem by Rudyard Kipling - If. It was a father’s advice and caution to a son who will soon be a man. Of course Governor Tan was already a man of age when he stepped into my shoe, but in the bittersweet political arena he still lacked enough experience to wriggle his way through the labyrinth and maze and also the traps in the way of politics. One is never guilty of being too protective of one’s family and one cannot stand judgment for doing the most primordial of human nature. In the three years of being Governor, Totoh has proven to be a man any father would be proud of. The vast majority he obtained over his next close rival in this year’s elections is proof enough of the people’s confidence in him and his team, and should silence the cynics and other sour grapes.
With this new term he has another two terms to prove his worth, and I’m certain he will prove it well. In the inauguration and turn-over ceremony in 2013, my youngest daughter Shernee co-emceed for the occasion. In the processional as I walked along the aisle strewn with accolade and praises, she was in tears and emotional; perhaps she could not let go of the thought that her father whom she grew accustomed to of being always at the top, was then relegated to be the 2nd best. In the three years that followed she now realizes the wisdom behind the move. Look at her now as she will soon be walking the halls of Congress as first nominee of the Kusug Tausug partylist. She does the family proud and I’m certain, too, that she will build her own niche in Congress for the pride of Sulu and the Tausug! Hitukbal ku in malagguh pagsarang sukul ku pa katan gausbug namuh labi awla na tuud pa Tuhan taniyu Rabbul Alameen in tunggal salaggu laggu sasanglitan, ha kiyabusan Niya aku ummul iban kusug-kaya, sartah kiyaridaan Niya aku lidjikih amuin nahinang ku pagun ha pagsangsah ku ha mahadjanah iban hulah sibuh da sin ha way pa ku ha kawasa sampay pa sakarang ini. Masanyang ha pangatayan ku iban pagsukulan ku isab ha katan namaugbug ha napih ku sumubli kakuh mag Gubnul sin 3 tahun limabay amu, na hi Governor Totoh Tan, iban huwat-huwat aku isab sin hituy niyu in pamaugbugi kaniya sampay maubus niya in 3 terms bilang gubnul sin Lupah Sug. Today I will be turning over the baton of Vice Governorship to Hajja NurunisahA. Tan. She deserves to be the new Vice Governor of Sulu and Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan not because she is my wife or the mother of the reelected Governor but simply because she deserves it. Her quick responses to calamities and incidences where relief and assistance are called for, and her outreach activities which extend even beyond the borders of Sulu, made her endearing to many. Her advocacies in promoting cleanliness of surroundings and her unheralded advocacies in adult education and livelihood training programs are bearing fruits. Madrasas are named after her in many parts of the province. Her staunch support for the welfare of women and the care of children are exemplary. The office of the Vice Governor will be in good hands. Ha adlaw ini timubtub na in kawajiban ku bilang Vice Governor. Ha lawm kuyag daysab aku tumukbal sin pagsarang-sukul ha panukuhi niyu ha sumubli kakuh mag Vice-Governor, in kakasih ku salama-lama,
panun ku naglukuh-ligad dayn sin tagnah, inah sin manga anak ku, inah sin gubnul, hambuuk babai panday-pandikal hi Vice Governor-elect Hadja Nurunisah A. Tan. Pangayuun ku daysab kaniyu anduh ayaw nyu pasari, abayan iban tukuhun ha supaya mapaintul nya in kyawajiban kaniya tungud sin mahadjanah iban na sin hulah. The national elections this year saw the emergence of a new President, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and he mesmerized the Filipino people with his direct and no-nonsense approach. On Friday of last week, June 24, I was in Davao with the new OPAPP Secretary Jess Dureza to handover Marites Flor, the Filipina who was among the victims in the Samal Island kidnap incident. We caught Mayor Duterte while he was officiating at the turnover of command of the Davao PNP and we were ushered onto the stage to hand over Marites and the new President acknowledged our presence in public. I personally heard how passionate he was about the changes he wants to see in our country and how angry he was, as he had always been, about the evils of drugs and criminality. And he is deadly serious about it. We in Sulu have to attune ourselves to the dare and challenge of the new President if only to take them as opportunities to mend the damages done to the image of our province because of incidences of kidnapping, the drug trade and other criminal activities by a few in our midst. No one can block the wave of changes. The imposition of Martial Law by the new leadership is being considered on areas known to be lairs of KFRs and other armed groups. We are of the opinion that we should tread lightly and with utmost care on the matter of imposing Martial Law. Even the mere mention of it reawakens the stigma of that bygone era more than four
decades ago. Some of us who are present here today personally experienced that dark episode which was punctuated by abuses of the military authorities, and ignited a devastating and destructive rebellion. If and when Martial Law be imposed as the only option left to take, then it must be well-defined and limited only to target areas. The emergency powers that go with it should not be intrusive on the civil rights of the people and should maintain, protect and respect the mandate of the duly-elected local government. We will not get in the way of the law against those who are proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt whatever their positions in the government or status in society may be. Tiyatalih sin bagu pamarinta hi Duterte in pagpapanaw sin pagtawagun Martial Law. In banu-banu ini bang ta taliun hikarayaw iban hikahanung sin hulah bang sawpama in maksud amu na in pagsiksah ha manga sila amu in limalanggal sarah atawa naghihinang sin manga karupangan makalummu sin kawman. Asal da in miyamaksud sin kita amu na in mapapanaw in sarah amu way pagpinig iban way pagnapi. In manga kahihinangan langgalsarah nag-puun dayin ha kamiskin. Ha way na malingih kasawahan ha katigidlum sin pamutangmutang nila, na nalugus in kaibanan lumawag sin unuunu na hika-pakaun nila ha manga ahli atawa anakasawa nila. In pagpapanaw sin sarah Martial Law subay daysab awun abay niya manga hibal dayin ha parinta ARMM iban na sin National, amu in katudjuhan nya kaubatan in hapdi sin sila kulang in gaus iban maukab para kanila in lawang sin makabak sila kabuhianan halal bukun sadja ha sarah sin manusiya labi-lubah na ha sarah sin Tuhan. Incidences of criminality cannot find solution by iron-hand alone. The causes of such crimes and the
emergence of armed groups trading in what they term as a “thriving industry” of kidnapping and drug trade should be seriously looked into. There should be parallel actions by the national government to the military operations and law enforcement, in the shape and form of social, economic and livelihood programs, and the necessary infrastructures that are basic and prerequisites in nation-building, such as roads, schools and hospitals, ports, post-harvest facilities and so forth. On hindsight if the huge allocations to the region were prudently and diligently spent for which they were earmarked, there would have been less persuasion to attract adventurism from any group. Development remains to be a formidable deterrent. We take exception to the tirades of some sectors that the proliferation of crimes, specifically the kidnappings, as indicative of the failure of local governance. The local government is not in the chain of command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police where competency lies in maintaining peace and order. People should not be barking on the wrong tree and instead let those who are mandated with responsibilities do so with due diligence and they should be held to account for any dereliction of duties and tasks. We have always maintained the position that law enforcement operations to be more effective should entail the involvement of the community and local leaders. It is not fair to pass judgment that local leaders and the people in the communities are coddling criminals and in one way or the other alleged to be committing the crimes themselves. We must bear in mind that this outlook is not healthy and may aggravate the situation further and ignite the flame of resistance against the authorities. The peace-loving and the exponents of the rule of law are still in the majority. Where will true justice be if we bundle the good and the bad together and judge the entire province to be in cahoots with criminals? Let the law take its course and do not let the innocent be the collateral damage to over-zealousness or self-agenda of some players in the field. Some said that this is my exit call. Maybe they said it in jest and maybe not. I am not an old soldier who simply fades away.God has been kind and generous with me. I cannot thank God enough. Allah, in His Magnifence, Greatness and Abundance is not in need of anything. Being of service to my people is my own way of gratitude for God’s Blessings and Compassion. Misan ha way na iyuulinan ku kawasa dayin ha adlaw ini, dih ku manjari bugtuun in panindug iban
pamamawbugi ha kamaruwan iban martabbat sin Tausug amu timutubuh ha lawm bigijantung ku iban na sin kamu katan. Way na tawaran ku pa Tuhan taniyu Rabbul Alameen ha katan lidjikih tyukbal Niya kakuh iban na ha family ku. Wayra tuud dapat bang bukun hikakuyag ku magsangsah ha pagkahi ku bilang pagsarang sukul pa Nagpapanjari. I have spent my entire life as a public servant and I chose politics as a discipline. At my age I have witnessed how Sulu went through many phases, some good and others bad. But through the good and bad I have never abandoned her and the many storms that swept through this land were experiences that molded my principles and outlook in life. I still have many good years left in me and I will not waste them by sitting idly and just watch sunsets or read books on a rocking chair to while away time. That is not me. In the realm of serving my people, retirement will never be an option. To rest and be idle are not in my vocabulary. I will be around in whatever capacity I opt to take or if and when my people still need my services. I have nurtured the seed of a better Sulu and it has already gained roots. Maybe I will be a gardener. I will continue to sprinkle the water of experience that those roots will grow stronger and sturdier and able to weather storms and strong winds and blossom in vibrant colors to add glow in the landscape of my homeland. I shall continue to tend the growing tree with care and attention that it bears the fruits of sustenance for this generation and the next, inshallah! It is in the nature of the democratic exercise of elections that people tend to be polarised into opposing camps, and many unkind and brutal accusations and counter-accusations are hurled by one side against the other. There is nothing personal about this feature of election campaigns. Now that the exercise is over and the people have spoken let the process of nation building continue. The healing hands of time will prove that differences can be resolved and that everyone must play a role and has a share of duties and responsibilities for our one and only Sulu. Mangayuh kita duwaa ha bang man in Lupah Sug tattap ha Kasi iban Ulung sin Allahu Taala; ha bang mayan papasun Nya in iggil, jangki iban abughu ha pangatayan sin katan ha supaya hikatunay sin Tausug in pagtaymanghud ha antara sin sila hangka bangsa, hangka agama, Ameen! Magsukul kaniyu katan, wabillahi taufik wal hidaya, wassalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatu.
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The Mindanao Examiner
July 4-10, 2016
Sulu, Zamboanga leaders ready for next term SULU – Governor Abdusakur “Toto” Tan II, who was reelected following a landslide victory in the May 9 national polls, has officially took his oath alongside her mother, Nurunisah Tan, as the new vice governor, in a fitting ceremony attended by thousands of people in Sulu province. Tan’s sister, Rep. Shernee Tan, of the Kusug Tausug party-list, and her brother Samir, the mayor of Maimbung town, were
also present during the ceremony held at the gymnasium in Patikul town on June 30. Sulu’s winning mayors and vice mayors also took their oath in the same ceremony. The governor thanked his supporters and followers for their trust in his hardworking administration and vowed to continue his transparent governance. He also promised more peace and development projects, and
anti-poverty alleviation programs, and to pursue a rigorous economic program for Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, that will benefit his constituency. His father, Abdusakur “Sakur” Tan, gave his farewell speech and was many times interrupted by applause, and said pledged to help the government in his private capacity. Both father and son thanked each other in the end for their
cooperation and support to the advancement of various government programs in the province. The governor also thanked the Moro National Liberation Front – which signed a peace deal with Manila in 1996 – for its support to the government’s peace program. The Tans, along with their mayors, supported the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte in the elections. In Zamboanga City, Mayor Maria Isabelle
“Beng” Climaco also took her oath and officially began her second term as chief executive in simple, but elegant ceremonies in City Hall, where she vowed to further push the local economic development to full circle and make Zamboanga City more relevant to the present time. Salazar was sworn into office by Court of Appeals Justice Ramon Garcia. With her is First Gentleman Trifonio Salazar and cousin Pepi Climaco.
Climaco assured that the local government will pave the way to strengthening its priorities as guided by her main thrusts on security, health and education with particular attention on water, economic, energy, environment and human security. She also expressed categorically her full support to the administration of Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sulu provnce inaugural ceremony on June 30, 2016 with re-elected Governor Totoh Tan leading other officials who won the May 9 polls. (Photos by Ahl-franzie Salinas)
July 4-10, 2016
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Tawi-Tawi Provincial Governor Rashidin H. Matba Inaugural Ceremony
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Indon Military To Rescue Abu Sayyaf Hostages Hostages in good condition Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on June 28 also that based on information she had received the condition of the seven hostages - crew of tugboat Charles - was good. The Kyodo News Agency also quoted Retno that although the Indonesian sailors were initially taken hostage by two different groups they were being detained together, but sometimes moved to a different place and divided into two groups. “They keep moving, but they are still in or around Jolo Island,” she said. Indonesian Defense Force Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo has said the military believes the hostages are being held by Abu Sayyaf’s Alhabsi Misaya. He said the militants are demanding P200 million ransoms for the safe release of the hostages. The sailors have been identified as Ferry Arifin, the tugboat skipper; M. Mahbrur Dahri, Edi Suryono, Ismail, M.Nasir, M.Sofyan and Robin Piter. The boat owned by PT Rusianto Brothers - was heading to Samarinda in East Kalimantan following a trip from the Philippines when gunmen on speedboats intercepted it on June 22. Indonesian media reported that the boat captain phoned his wife and told her that they were intercepted at
sea by gunmen, who introduced themselves as Abu Sayyaf and were demanding 20 million ringgits for their safe release. The Abu Sayyaf previously kidnapped 14 Indonesian tugboat crewmembers in separate attacks at sea and brought them to Sulu province and eventually released through the intercession of the Moro National Liberation Front. The militant group has recently beheaded a Malaysian man and two Canadian hostages in Sulu after their family failed to pay ransom money. MNLF commitments President Rodrigo Duterte said he will need to get the commitments of the Moro National Liberation Front - which signed a peace deal with Manila in 1996 – before he can address security problems posed by the ISIS-affiliated Abu Sayyaf group. Duterte has asked for more time to deal with the radical group that already beheaded a Malaysian and two Canadian hostages in Sulu province in southern Philippines where the MNLF is actively operating. “Just give me the luxury of time, I cannot do it just immediately. There are things which I need which we do not have now. But there will be a time, there will be a reckoning. And when it comes, I will just say surrender unconditionally. Release
Continued fr om page 1 from all prisoners, hostages or we "We in Sulu have to atfight, but I have to have a firm tune ourselves to the dare commitment from our and challenge of the new brother Moro about the con- President if only to take them tinuity of the talks, hayaan na as opportunities to mend the muna iyan, huwag silang new damages done to the sumama.” image of our province be“As soon as I get that cause of incidences of guaranty na talagang peace- kidnapping, the drug trade ful ang intentions ninyo and and other criminal activities you are not protecting terror- by a few in our midst. No one ists and when I have it in my can block the wave of hands, I will be ready to con- changes," Tan said. front and if we confront "The imposition of marthem, we’ll confront them, tial law by the new leadership tapusin na talaga natin para is being considered on areas wala ng gulo so that, my known to be lairs of kidnapdream is really that one day for-ransom and other armed all Filipinos, we just say Fili- group. We are of the opinion pinos and we do not at all that we should tread light mention he’s left or right, he’s and with utmost care on the a Moro rebel or a Moro ter- matter of imposing martial rorist,” Duterte said. law. Even the mere mention There was no immedi- of it reawakens the stigma of ate reaction from the MNLF the bygone era more than under Nur Misuari in Sulu. four decades ago. Many us Mar tial Law in S ulu, artial Sulu, personally experienced that Basilan dark episode which was Duterte is also consider- punctuated by abuses of the ing imposing martial law in military authorities, and igSulu and Basilan province to nited a devastating and address the Abu Sayyaf prob- destructive rebellion," he lems. added. But for former Sulu Vice He said if and when Governor Sakur Tan, who martial law is imposed as the was with Duterte in Davao only option left to take, then City recently, said he person- it must be well-defined and ally heard how passionate limited only to target areas. the President was about the The emergency powers, Tan changes he wants to see in said, that goes with it should the country, and how angry not be intrusive on the civil he was - as he had always rights of the people and been - about the evils of should maintain, protect drugs and criminality. And and respect the mandate of Duterte is deadly serious the duly-elected local govabout it, according to Tan, a ernment. "We will not get in the known philanthropy and reway of the law against those spected political leader.
who are proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt whatever their positions in the government or statue in society may be," Tan, who supported Duterte's presidency in the elections, said. He said that incidences of criminality cannot find solution by iron-hand alone. He said the causes of such crimes and the emergence of armed groups trading in what they term as a "thriving industry" of kidnapping and drug trade should be seriously looked into. Tan said there should be parallel actions by the national government to the military operations and law enforcement, in the shape and form of social, economic and livelihood programs, and the necessary infrastructures that are basic and prerequisites in nationbuilding such as roads, schools and hospitals, seaports, post-harvest facilities and so forth. He said on hindsight, if the huge allocations to the region were prudently and diligently spent for which they were earmarked, there would have been less persuasion to attract adventurism from any group, development remains to be a formidable deterrent. "We take exception to the tirades of some sectors that the proliferation of crimes, specifically the kidnappings, as indicative of the failure of local governance. The local
government is not in the chain of command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police where competency lies in the maintaining peace and order. People should not be barking up the wrong tree and instead let those who are mandated with responsibilities do so with due dilligence and they should be held to account for any dereliction of duties and tasks," Tan said. "We have always maintained the position that law enforcement operations to be more effective should entail the involvement of the community and local leaders. It is not fair to pass judgment that local leaders and the people in the communities are coddling criminals and in one way or the other alleged to be committing the crimes themselves. We must bear in mind that this outlook is not healthy and may aggravate the situation further and ignite the flame of resistance against the authorities. The peace-loving and the exponents of the rule of law are still in the majority. Where will true justice be is we bundle the good and the bad together and judge the entire province to be in cahoots with criminals? Let the law take its course and do not let the innocent be the collateral damage to over-zealousness or self-agenda of some players in the field," he added. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Scenes from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s inaugural ceremony with his families on June 30, 2016 at the Malacañan Palace. Also shown below is the formal assumption of Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa. (Photos by Michael Rey Baniquet)
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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte with Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte meets with multi-sectoral groups at the Osmeña Room of the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang after he takes oath as the next President of the Republic of the Philippines.
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ARMM, UN-WFP implements food-for-work program COTABATO CITY – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), through its foodfor-work program, has distributed close to 3,000 sacks of rice and containers of palmoline oil to farmers in South Upi, one of 10 towns in Maguindanao province severely hit by drought. The program is implemented by the region’s humanitarian and emergency action response team in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP). ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia and UN-WFP Program Officer Michael Argonza led the food distribution on Tuesday, June 28. “This is just the first batch of assistance in the three barangays in South Upi that include Barangay Biarong, Lamud and Bongo, we will also implement this program in other barangays,” Atty. Alamia said. The food-for-work program is only one response in the ARMM
action plan for areas recently hit by El Niño as well as areas expected to suffer from La Niña, which is now felt in various parts of Mindanao. The ARMM government has earmarked P7 million for the food-for-work program in South Upi alone. Under the program, Atty. Alamia said, the government hires target beneficiaries in planting root crops and in cleaning up drainage canals and other infrastructures. Each beneficiary will be paid each month one sack of rice and palmoline oil. The farmers will receive the assistance for three months and they will get the bulk of harvest (from the farms they planted with crops), Atty. Alamia said. She also reiterated that her office will continue to monitor the progress of the program. Among the beneficiaries is Jonjie Leon, a 22-year old farmer, who expressed his gratitude for the aid. “Malaki po talaga tulong ng programang ito para sa amin, minsan po kasi sa pagsasaka walang
kasiguraduahan kung may maiuuwi kami sa aming pamilya, pero sa ganitong klaseng programa sigurado po na may makakain ang pamilya ko araw-araw. (This program helps us a lot since there is no assurance if our regular harvest would be enough to feed our family on a daily basis),” Leon said. Prior to the food distribution on Tuesday, the UN-WFP already provided the same assistance in three barangays namely Barangay Looy, Romangaob and Kuya. “With the help of the ARMM government, we send assistance to different barangays in South Upi not only to help mitigate the effects of drought but also in preparation for the impact of La Niña,” Argonza said. “We will strengthen the disaster risk reduction management councils in all the municipalities that are severely affected by El Niño and those that would be affected by La Niña,” Atty. Alamia said. (Bureau of Public Information)
Duterte hits out at critics of death penalty Continued fr om page 1 from Duterte, 71, won the May presidential elections in a landslide after campaigning largely on a platform of ending rampant crime, warning that the country was in danger of becoming a narco-state. He promised that tens of thousands of people would die, with security forces being given shoot to kill orders. Since winning Duterte has also promised to give
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bounties to police for killing drug dealers, and also encouraged ordinary citizens to kill or arrest suspects. “When they describe or characterise a human rights violator, these fools make it appear that the people you kill are saints, as if they are pitiful or innocent,” he said. Duterte said European ambassadors were also among those who had expressed concern over the death penalty
and extrajudicial killings. The Philippines abolished the death penalty in 2006 following fierce opposition from the Catholic Church, the religion of 80 per cent of Filipinos. Duterte previously said he preferred death by hanging to a fir ing squad because he did not want to waste bullets, and because he believed snapping the spine with a noose was more humane. (AFP)
HEALTH: Polusyon Sa Hangin: Masama Sa Kalusugan Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong HINDI ALAM ng publiko na maraming sakit ang idinudulot ng polusyon sa hangin (air pollution). Sa p a n a n d a l i a n g paglanghap ng maduming hangin, puwedeng kumati ang iyong lalamunan, at magbara ang iyong ilong. Maya-maya, mamumula na rin ang iyong mga mata. Sa katagalan, ay posibleng dapuan ng mga sakit tulad ng pulmonya, bronchitis, asthma, istrok at atake sa puso. Ang mga dumi sa hangin ay tinatawag na sulphur oxides at nitrogen oxides na nagdudulot ng pamamaga ng mga ugat. Ipatupad ang Clean Air Act: Sa katunayan, ang Metro Manila at Cebu ay kabilang sa mga siyudad (sa buong mundo) na may malalang air pollution. Sa 1,082 siyudad sa buong mundo, nasa numero 214 ang Maynila na may pinakamasamang kalidad ng hangin. Ayon sa isang pagsusuri sa UP-College of Public Health, 32% ng mga jeepney drivers ay may emphysema o may sira na ang baga. Sa mga aircon bus driver, 16% ang may emphysema at 14% naman sa mga taong
Dr. Willie T. Ong nag-co-commute. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay wala sa atin ang ligtas kahit nakasakay tayo sa airconditioned na sasakyan. Papasok pa rin ang mga dumi ng hangin sa loob ng sasakyan. At hindi lang iyan, ayon pa kay Dr. Gerard Hoek ng Netherlands, ang mga taong nakatira sa tabi ng malaking kalsada (tulad ng EDSA) ay mas maikli ang buhay kumpara sa mga taong malayo sa malaking kalsada. Paano Iiwas Sa Polusyon: Ang solusyon sa air pollution ay ang paghuli sa mga sasakyan na nagbubuga ng maiitim na usok. Iyan sana ang pangunahing layunin ng ating gobyerno. Ngunit para sa ordinaryong tao, heto muna ang ating magagawa. 1. Maglagay ng screen sa mga pintuan at bintana ng bahay. Makababawas ito sa polusyon at sa pagpasok din na lamok.
2. Isara ang karamihan ng pintuan at bintana. 3. Magtanin ng bamboo trees at halaman. Mas maraming oxygen ang binibigay ng bamboo tree kumpara sa ibang puno. 4. Ihinto ang paninigarilyo. 5. Huwag mag-siga o mag-ihaw sa tabi ng bahay. Baka hikain ang iyong kapitbahay. 6. Kumain na lang sa loob ng mall, at huwag sa labas kung saan may dumadaan na mga sasakyan. 7. Sa mga nag-mom o t o r s i k l o , nag-co-commute at sa mga traffic enforcers, puwedeng magsuot ng face mask para mabawasan ang dumi na papasok sa baga. 8. Mahalagang paalala: Sa mga drivers, isara ang makina ng kotse kapag nasa parking lot o garahe. Huwag magpa-aircon sa loob ng kotse at baka malason kayo ng carbon monoxide mula sa tambutso ng sinasakyan. 9. Magbakasyon sa lugar na mahangin. Paminsan-minsan, pumunta sa tabing dagat o lugar na maraming puno. 10. Kung puwede, umiwas tumira sa tabi ng malaking kalsada o highway.
Pagbabago sa Tawi-Tawi inaasahan Continued fr om page 1 from “Governor Rashidin is already putting everything in place, especially mga ibat-ibang projects niya at solution to address the problems in the poorest barangay such as potable water system and we also take this opportunity to ask the support of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the national government upang mai-deliver ng maayos ang programa ng pamahalaan at kabilang na rin dito ang food security and clean environment at ang lahat ng ito ay nasa basic program ni Governor Rashidin,” ani Bakil sa panayam ng Mindanao Examiner. Idinagdag pa ni Bakil na lalong palalawakin ang fishing industry sa Tawi-Tawi dahil ang lalawigan ang siyang may pinakamalawak na fishing ground na pangunahing source ng live-
lihood doon. Magkakaroon rin ng support facility ang lalawigan tulad ng cold storage at marina doon. Isa rin ang Tawi-Tawi sa may pinakamagandang diving spots sa bansa bukod pa sa mga white sands beaches at resorts na paboritong pasyalan ng mga turista. Naroon rin ang Sheikh Karim-ul Makhdum Mosque na itinayo noon 1380 sa Tubig Bohe sa Indangan sa bayan ng Simunul na isang national shrine at iba pang mga tourist destinations. “With Governor Rashidin and the magnanimous support of the public, we shall make Tawi-Tawi even more progressive and this is the promise of the good governor and all these for the benefit of our people,” wika pa ni Bakil. Suporta rin umano ni Rashidin ang pamahalaang Duterte. (Ely Dumaboc)
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Program For Young Parent intensified THE DEPARTMENT of Health and the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center have come up with a program for young parents and teenage mothers. In a recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers-Philippine Information Agency, VSMMC Medical Specialist Dr. Irish Manguilimotan said they are already intensifying their Program for Young Parent (PYP). Manguilimotan said that PYP addresses the needs of young parents to gather information vital to the health of the young mothers during and post pregnancy as well as the baby. “Aside from the
regular checkup we are also into information education campaign on mother and family support,” she said. At present, the number of pregnant teenagers availing of the PYP in VSMMC have increased. There were some cases that have been referred to Department of Social Welfare and Development as some of the pregnant teenagers were reported to be victims of abuse. She added that majority of their clients range from 16 to 17 years old, although they have had one as young as 14. Manguilimotan stressed that they still extend their health services to the clients they referred to DSWD. Department of Health
has also partnered with the Population Commission in the advocacy to promote proper health awareness among the youth. DOH-7 Medical Officer Dr. Hayce Famor said that “we are gaining grounds in partnering with POPCOM in giving health education to youth.” Aside from this, Famor stressed that DOH is ensuring and taking measures for pregnant women to include young mothers to be free from anemia. “DOH ensures pregnant mothers are not suffering from anemia because vitamins are distributed for free in all public health centers up to barangay levels and other public health facilities," she said. (Amor Y. Saludar)
Companies told to provide lactating stations CEBU - Companies must provide lactating station for its female employees who are breastfeeding their infants amid government’s advocacy on exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Dr. Parolita Mission, regional nutrition program coordinator of National Nutrition Council (NNC-7), said the first 1,000 days of a baby’s life is crucial for optimal physical and mental growth and development. “The first 1,000 days of a baby starting from conception until two years of age is a golden window of opportunity to nurture the child for the best possible growth and development, both physically and mentally,” said Mission during this morning’s forum of the Association of Government Information Officers Philippine Information Agency 7 that featured the observance of July as National Nutrition Month. According to Mission, the first 1,000 days are broken into three phases which are the pregnancy period of nine months or equivalent to 270 days; the first six months of life or 180 days where pure breast milk is given to the baby;
ARMM
and the remaining 550 days or until two years of age where the baby is introduced to slight solid foods or complementary feeding. “ E x c l u s i v e breastfeeding for six months of a baby’s life is part of the crucial 1,000 days,” said Mission. Executive Order 51 issued in 1986 by the late former President Corazon Aquino stipulated the implementation of measures to encourage and promote breastfeeding to ensure adequate nutrition to infants. Breast milk has colostrum which contains antibodies to protect newborns against disease. Mission however, acknowledged that most mothers are working to augment family income and that this should not be a hindrance to the practice of breastfeeding. Under RA 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, establishments are required to put up a lactating station in the workplace for their female workers who breastfeed their babies, said Mission. “We are linking with the different business chambers to inform them about this law and the need to put up a lactating station,” bared Mission adding that they are gaining ground in the advocacy but much needs to be done in this area.
Central Visayas ranks third among all the regions in the country in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for six months with an average of 4.4 months, said Mission. Mission also said that since some breastfeeding mothers cannot bring their baby to the workplace unless they have a ‘yaya’ to take care of the baby while the mother is working, lactating mothers can instead use the lactating station to pump out breast milk and place this inside the refrigerator for storage. Mission said the major factors why most companies cannot establish a lactating station are the additional cost it entails as refrigerator is required for storage of the breast milk and the inadequate office space. But Mission said space is not an issue as a company can just designate a small area at a corner and place a curtain barrier as a lactating station although requiring micro and small companies to buy a fridge on top of additional increase in electric bill is an additional expense. There is an exemption to the law which includes that if there are only a few women employees then the establishment of a lactating station is not practical, said Mission. (Fayette C. Riñen)
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