President Duterte Is Repeating My Mistakes
read story on page 7
FOR SALE
PLACE YOUR PLACE YOUR PLACE YOUR PLACE YOUR P735,000 ADS HERE! ADS HERE! ADS HERE! ADS HERE! Toyota Fortuner G
CALL 0995-5202358
CALL 0995-5202358
CALL 0995-5202358
-
Call broker: 0995-5202358 Zamboanga City
CALL 0995-5202358
FREE 2017 CALENDAR INSIDE Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9925480 or (082) 2960658
P15
Feb. 13-19, 2017
D
AVAO CIT Y–F ar mers fighting for genuine land rrefor efor m hav e appealed on S unday to CITY Far armers eform have Sunday odr igo D uter te to continue the peace talks with communist rrebels ebels after Rodr odrigo Duter uterte President R he scr apped the negotiations follo wing the spate of deadly attacks b y insur gents in scrapped following by insurgents souther nP hilippines southern Philippines hilippines.. Duterte’s decision to rebels in separate attacks and Duterte flatly rejected the abandon the negotiations three more are being held demand, saying, a peace acwith communist leaders prisoners in the troubled re- cord must be signed first came after he terminated the gion. before he could grant amgovernment’s unilateral The rebels demanded nesty to political prisoners, ceasefire with New People’s the release of some 400 po- although he had ordered the Army rebels who also ended litical prisoners – mostly release from prison at least earlier its own truce. NPA fighters and their lead- 21 senior rebel leaders to Since then, at least 4 sol- ers – languishing in jails join the peace talks. Continue on page 2 diers had been killed by across the countr y, but
President Rodrigo Duterte (Photo by Rolando Mailo)
Estonian businessmen to invest in Sulu SULU – A group of Estonian investors recently visited the province of Sulu in southern Philippines on the invitation of Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram and met with local
officials headed by Gov. Toto Tan. The executives – Sten Hans Vihajar, David Ericson, Meelins Niin and Viljar Jaamu – expressed interest in investing in
Sulu. The foreigners also toured some areas in the province and thanked Tan for his warn reception. Continue on page 2
Subanen indigenous people oppose (open-pit) mining activities by TVI Resource Development Inc., in Bayog town in Zamboanga del Sur province in this undated photos. The mining firm also mined inside ancestral domain at Mount Canatuan in Siocon town in Zamboanga del Norte province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Environmentalists praised closure of 23 mining firms CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Environmentalists and anti-mining groups lauded the closure of nearly two dozen mining firms and vowed to support government efforts to curb destructive mining practices in the country. Environment Secre-
ARMM
tary Gina Lopez ordered the closure of 23 metallic mines in the country, while suspending five more, for serious environmental violations discovered during the industry-wide audit conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) since July last year.
“My issue here is not about mining. My issue here is social justice. If there are businesses and foreigners that go and utilize the resources of that area for their benefit and the people of the island suffer, that’s social injustice,” Lopez said. Continue on page 5
Eastern Mindanao
Sulu provincial photo show Governor Toto Tan and Sultan Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram with Estonian business executives Sten Hans Vihajar, David Ericson, Meelins Niin and Viljar Jaamu – who expressed interest in investing in Sulu.
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Manila
2
The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 13-19, 2017
WAR!
Sulu provincial photos show Governor Toto Tan and Sultan Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram with Estonian business executives Sten Hans Vihajar, David Ericson, Meelins Niin and Viljar Jaamu – who expressed interest in investing in Sulu.
Estonian businessmen to invest in Sulu
Continued fr om page 1 from Vihajar is an economist whose business interests include power generation and shipping, and sits as chairman of National Regulatory Board in Estonia. Ericson is a telecom executive and a marketing Mogul, while Niin is a top banker and owns a construction company that specializes in housing project, among others. And Jaamu’s business interests
in food manufacturing. Vihajar said Sulu has a lot of potential investment opportunities. “We see in Sulu many potential economic investment opportunities, the environment and resources of Sulu is far better that of Estonia,” he said after the tour, adding, their group would like to seriously explore the possibility of investing in Sulu, with preference to a partnership with local gov-
ernment. Tan said the Estonians wanted to invest in the power sector, infrastructure, food manufacturing and even in agriculture. The business executives also presented Tan with a commemorative silver coin of the Republic of Estonia. And in return, tan gave the visitors a book on “the sights and treasures of the Sulu Island.” (Ahlfranzie Salinas)
ARMM holds blood drive COTABATO CITY - The National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Department of Health (DOH-ARMM) launched the first of its four bloodletting activities as it intensified the program aimed at promoting voluntary blood donation. The activity was held at the DOH-ARMM Center here last week. Blood-letting is a fundamental reason for the creation of the NVBSP through R.A. 7719, or the National Blood Services Act of 1994, that promotes voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood. Baibon A. Piang, support staff of the NVBSP, said the volunteer team running the activity was composed of DOH-ARMM officers, as well as medical technologists, nurses, and doctors from the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center. Dozens of blood donors showed up for the event. The maximum amount of blood a person
can donate every three months, or depending upon physician’s advice, is 450 ml. Piang said families of patients in need of blood can go to the DOH-ARMM office and seek assistance from the NVBSP team. They, however, need to have a request from their doctor and that the blood would be replenished immediately through another donor coming from a member of the requesting family. All the blood collected in the quarterly activity will go to the CRMC Blood Center. “Kung sino po ang may kailangan at lalapit sa DOH ire-release po namin ang dugo pag may authorization to withdraw galing rin sa DOH,” said Anthony Francis de Dios of the CRMC Blood Center. “As long as may pondo at continuous ang blood donation, makakapahiram kami sa mga nangangailangan,” he added. Clients served by CRMC Blood Center are mostly from Cotabato City, Maguindanao, and from
South and North Cotabato. Kadil Sinolinding, DOH-ARMM Secretary, encouraged all ARMM employees and those outside of the compound to donate blood during the day, or in their next quarter of collection. More donors, he said, mean sufficient supply of safe blood to meet demands in emergency cases within the CotabatoMaguindanao area. To be a qualified blood donor, one must at least weigh 50 kilograms, must have a normal blood pressure, and should pass the hemoglobin testing and physical check-up. The benefits of donating blood include reduced risk of hemochromatosis, a health condition caused by excess absorption of iron by the body due to drinking alcohol or anemia; prevention of cancer as the iron stores in the body are maintained at healthy levels; healthier heart and liver; weight loss as you lose around 650 calories by donating; and the generation of new and healthy blood cells. (Bureau of Public Information)
Continued fr om page 1 from Duterte said he cannot free all political prisoners and claimed that such action may trigger unrest in the police and military. Peace talks and land refor m eform But Joseph Canlas, chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, one of the biggest farmers’ organizations in the country, said the continuation of peace negotiations is in the best interest of farmers, who are pressing for genuine land reform, land distribution and real change under the Duterte administration. “Farmers want the peace negotiations to continue. We want the peace talks to help address the problem of land monopoly, landlessness of farmers, unemployment and to realize the equitable distribution of social wealth,” Canlas said. “The peace negotiation is a separate and distinct track of struggle to press for significant pro-people reforms. While the New People’s Army and President Duterte announced the termination of the unilateral interim ceasefires, it should not hinder the continuation of the talks that is gaining relevant developments with regard to discussions on the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms, particularly agrarian reform and rural development,” he added. Canlas said based on the reported outcome of third round of the peace talks in Rome recently, the government, in principle, acquiesced to free land distribution to farmers and farm workers and that alone is a milestone with regard to pushing for socio-economic reforms and enough grounds to continue the talks. Pedro Arnado, leader of the farmers’ group in southern Mindanao, also urged Duterte not to abandon the peace talks, saying, the resumption of war with rebels may spark a series of illegal arrest and human rights violations, and even extrajudicial killings of civilians by government soldiers. “We call for the continuation of the peace talks and compliance to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Law to avoid rights violations of ci-
vilians,” said Arnado, who noted that at least 20 farmers and national minorities were killed during the ceasefire period. “For us farmers, a just peace means food for our families, education for our children and recognition of our right to the land we till.” Arnado said while the ultimate goal of the peace talks is to resolve the armed conflict and achieve cessation of hostilities, that wouldn’t be possible at this period when there are conflicting social classes and interests. “Big land estates, haciendas and landholdings remain intact and under the control of a few landlord families. That is in contrast with the situation of millions of tillers,” Arnado said, adding, Duterte should realize that people in the countryside are supporting and even joining the armed revolution because of the systemic and chronic crisis that is worsened by the government’s failure to address the most basic problems in rural areas. “Historically, it is the peasant masses that have made the ultimate sacrifices to achieve peace. Buhay na ang ibinuwis ng mga magsasaka para sa lupa at kapayapaan. The cost of peace is too expensive, farmers have paid it with their lives,” Arnado said. Cancel passpor passportt of communist negotiators Duterte also threatened to cancel the passports of the representatives National Democratic Front of the Philippines – the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA – who make up the peace panel negotiating with the government, saying, “they are in the wanted list, so I will alert the International Police to arrest them where they are because they are in wanted list. I’ll cancel their passports.” “They can return, all of them. For those released by the government, they should, on their own volition, return here and go back to prison. Or else I will be forced to, I am alerting all the intelligence community to keep track of where they are now,” Duterte said. “Iyon narelease temporarily to talk with us in Oslo, they should come back and submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the government
because they are still in prison. Walang pardon, walang amnesty, wala lahat.” He already cancelled the immunitynguarantee of all communist peace consultants and negotiators and soldiers arersted one of them last week in Davao City. Blame D uter te Duter uterte te,, AFP The NPA blamed Duterte for the breakdown of the talks and accused the military of sabotaging the peace negotiations, saying, security forces encroached and attacked rebel territories in Mindanao, and murdered innocent civilians suspected of supporting the communist group. “To conceal their own ceasefire violation, the spin doctors of the Armed Forces of the Philippines concocted yet another storyline of an anti-criminality operation to assist the Philippine National Police in going after lawless elements such as their botched combat operations in Makilala and Matalam (towns) in North Cotabato which resulted in armed encounters with Red fighters, the AFP is hoping that the media will play along to being fed with outright lies,” said Rigoberto Sanchez, a rebel spokesman. “This latest armed skirmish, whose storyline bears resemblance to the Makilala and Matalam incidents, clearly exposes the duplicitous scheme of the AFP: conduct civic-military operations and combat operations, ensure engagement with the NPA and feign indignation over the incident. It must be noted that only in these last few weeks did the series of armed encounters break out between Red fighters and AFP and PNP troops as the CPPNPA ceasefire order had become increasingly untenable in the face of the latter’s sustained offensive operations,” he added. Sanchez said the termination of the CPP and the NPA’s unilateral interim ceasefire is an assurance of revolutionary justice against the fascism of the military and police and for the Duterte government to comply with its peace obligations and take the negotiations seriously. The NPA has been fighting for the past six decades for the establishment of communist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Earn Mor e, Be an Ad ver tising Ag enc y! More Adv ertising Agenc ency! Do you want to earn more? Be an ADVERTISING AGENCY for the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper and earn hefty commissions. Apply now. This offer covers Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon. ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: Unit 15, 3rd Floor, Fairland Building, Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue Phone: 062-9925480 Mobile: 0995-5202358
DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Unit 3B, 3/F Ledesma Building, 26 Juna Avenue, Juna Subdivision, Matina Phone: 082-2960658 Mobile: 0947-4823453
URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
Feb. 13-19, 2017
The Mindanao Examiner
3
RUSH SALE
Villa Teresa Subdivision at Mercedes, Zamboanga City Peaceful and Clean High-end Subdivision 300 sq. meters corner lot Tiled floors 4 Bedrooms with 2 air con units 1 Master Bedroom with air con unit 3 comfort rooms
For more information, call broker
Kitchen with built-in cabinets, Dirty Kitchen Garage and Mini Garden - all for P3.8 million only. Please follow link to watch video: https://web.facebook.com/mindanaoexaminer/videos/ 1225170104172968/
0995-5202358
4
The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 13-19, 2017
5
The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 13-19, 2017
Environmentalists praised closure of 23 mining firms
Citinickel Mines and Development Corporation. Narra and Española, Palawan (DENR Photo) Continued fr om page 1 from She said the closure orders were based on the final results and recommendations of the multisectoral audit teams formed to look into the compliance of mining operators with the existing environmental laws and regulations. The mining firms ordered closed were the following: • Benguet Corp. Nickel Mines Inc., Eramen Minerals Inc., Zambales Diversified Metals Corp., and LNL Archipelago Minerals Inc., all in Zambales province, due mainly to siltation of rivers, destruction of a functional watershed and illegal tree-cutting. • Mt. Sinai Mining Exploration and Development Corp., Emir Minerals Corp., and TechIron Mineral Resources Inc. in Homonhon mainly for siltation of coastal waters and destruction of functional watershed. • AAMPHIL Natural Resources Exploration, Kromico Inc., SinoSteel Philippines H.Y. Mining Corp., Oriental Synergy
Mining Corp., Wellex Mining Corp., Libjo Mining Corp., Oriental Vision Mining Phils. Corp., in Dinagat Islands mainly for siltation of coastal waters. • ADNAMA Mining Resources Corp., Claver Mineral Development Corp., Platinum Group Metals Corp., CTP Construction and Mining Corp., Carrascal Nickel Corp., Marcventures Mining and Development Corp., and Hinatuan Mining Corp. in Surigao del Norte mainly for siltation of coastal waters and mining in functional watersheds. • Benguet Corporation in Itogon, Benguet and Ore Asia Mining and Development Corp. in Bulacan were likewise issued suspension orders by Lopez. She also deferred to give a decision on the fate of Filminera Resources Corp. pending further investigation. The five mining companies that were issued suspension orders are Berong Nickel Corp., OceanaGold Phils., Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corp., Citinickel
Mines and Development Corp. and Strong Built Mining Development Corp. According to DENR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Maria Paz Luna, the companies can file for a Motion for Reconsideration to the DENR within 15 days from receipt of the order. Luna said the DENR decision can still be appealed to the Office of the President. The DENR had earlier assured the mining sector and the general public that due process was “meticulously observed” in the audit of all existing metallic mines nationwide. It also assured that the audit results “really promote the common good and social justice” espoused by Lopez and President Rodrigo Duterte. A staunch advocate of responsible mining, Lopez has made it clear that the common good and the protection of the environment would be her paramount concern, not money. She emphasized that no mining company can operate in a functional watershed which protects water sources. “Water is life. We
ARMM ports, airports among priority BIMP-EAGA projects COTABATO CITY - Select ARMM ports and airports have been included for the first time in the project list of the Philippines for the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area) Vision 2025 (BEV 2025). Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) as head of the Secretariat of the Philippine contingent to the BIMP-EAGA planning meeting on January 31 to February 3 in Jakarta, Indonesia invited ARMM to participate in the meeting. ARMM’s participation took place after a long hiatus from the BIMP-EAGA scene. This is due to the efforts of MinDA chair, Secretary Abul Khayr Alonto, who made sure that ARMM is part of the Duterte administration’s renewed efforts to push the BIMP-EAGA agenda for economic development. Alonto said that the
ARMM is in fact the doorstep to BIMP-EAGA and Mindanao is the front door to BIMP-EAGA. Lawyer Ishak Mastura, Chairman of the Regional Board of Investments, who led the ARMM delegation in Jakarta as head of the economic growth and linkage regional cabinet cluster, announced that the Port of Polloc in Parang town in Maguindanao province, the Port of Bongao in Tawi-Tawi and the airport of Sanga-Sanga in Bongao have been included in the priority list of transport facilities due for improvement, upgrade and development, as part of the Philippines commitment to its BIMPEAGA partner countries. “The ports and airports of the ARMM are the frontline ports for BIMPEAGA initiatives of the Philippines, particularly those in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Since time im-
memorial the people of the ARMM, particularly in the Sulu archipelago have been doing traditional barter trade with Sabah, other parts of Malaysia and Indonesia, which are now under the BIMPEAGA”, Mastura said. “In fact, the traditional barter trade is the origin of the cross-border trade in the BIMP-EAGA which has survived into the 21st century in the form of conventional trading and transshipment”, he added. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said it is about time due recognition is given to the role of the pre-existing cross-border trade of ARMM in the BIMP-EAGA. Hataman said: “We are grateful to President Duterte and MinDA Secretary Alonto for reviving the BIMP-EAGA as a pillar of their economic development strategy for Mindanao since ARMM is a natural fit for BIMPEAGA.”
will not allow the water of our people to be at risk for any business interest,” Lopez said. 16 A udit Teams Audit Barely a week at the DENR, Lopez ordered an industry-wide audit in July last year to look into the adequacy and efficiency of environmental protection measures taken by the mining companies, determine gaps in those measures and identify the appropriate penalties for violations of mining and environmental laws. A total of 16 audit teams were formed to review the environmental compliance of mining companies in all regions in the country. Each team is composed of representatives from the DENR central and regional offices, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and civil society organizations. The audit focused on safety and health; mine environmental management; social development; mining tenement; and compliance with laws on clean air, clean water, hazardous waste and solid waste. Technical experts from the different government offices that have been invited to conduct the audit all abide in the standards of truth, service, and the common good. “We based the checklist of the criteria for the audit on the items in compliance with the different mining and environmental laws. A cross-audit was also done, which means that the auditors who reviewed one site, have come from a different region,” Lopez said. “We also gave seven days for the companies to respond to the results of the audit, providing a leeway for them to clear the issues that were raised. We had to review the reported results of the audit for five months before we have to release it, ensuring that we followed the process meticulously.” Lopez said the issue is not about mining, but social justice. “If there are businesses and foreigners that go and utilize the resources of that area for their benefit and the people of
that island suffer, that’s social injustice. We assure the industry and the general public that due process was meticulously observed in the mining audit conducted by the agency and that the results would be always anchored on integrity, social justice, and the common good,” she said. Zamboanga del S ur Sur ur,, Tawi-T awi awi-Tawi E n v i ro n m e n t a l i s t s also urged Lopez to review again the mining operations of TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc. in Zamboanga del Sur’s Bayog town where Subanen natives opposed the entry of the company in Balabag for various reasons. TVIRD also operated in Zamboanga del Norte’s Siocon town where natives also opposed the mining operations. Different anti-mining groups, including Save Tawi-Tawi Movement, have similarly appealed to Lopez to conduct an aerial inspection in Languyan and Panglima Sugala towns in Tawi-Tawi, one of the 5 provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Destr uction estruction Just in August last year, the Regional Legislative Assembly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao also asked the DENR-ARMM to issue an order stopping all destructive mining activities in the region, especially in TawiTawi, where nickel mining has severely affected the environment. Assemblyman Hanibal Tulawie, the chairman of the Committee on Environment and Ecology, said a resolution was passed asking the DENR in the ARMM to immediately issue a “cease-and-desist” order on all mining companies operating in the region. Tulawie said he had received numerous complaints from the public and environmentalists who are opposed to destructive mining methods. “In response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call and the growing complaints of residents,
landowners including indigenous people and different nongovernmental organizations against the destruction of forest lands in the area, the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has asked Regional Secretary Kahal Q. Kedtag, of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to issue a cease-and-desist order to all mining firms and operators within the territorial jurisdiction of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” the resolution read. “These operators (mining firms) are not environment-friendly and do not practice their corporate social responsibility to the affected areas but they are contributing destruction and degradation of our forest lands within the areas of ARMM and in gross violations of Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995) and Republic Act 9054 (strengthening and expanding the ARMM Organic Act), as these complainants that include residents, landowners including indigenous people in the affected areas are not properly compensated,” it said. Photos of nickel mining operations posted on Facebook showed huge trucks and barges hauling off red soil, which is allegedly being shipped to China where it is processed. Tulawie even said that his committee will conduct public hearings, including inspections, in areas affected by mining activities and present its recommendations to the plenary, but it was unknown whether he pursued this or not. He said reports indicate that Tumbagahan Island is totally devastated because of mining explorations and the nickel mining activities in Languyan municipality and Panglima Sugala, adding, copies of the resolution were given Lopez and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. (Mindanao Examiner)
OceanaGold Phils., Inc. Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya (DENR Photo)
6
The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 13-19, 2017
Acr oss: cross: 1. Gasoline, e.g. 5. Brim 9. Cow's comment 12. Emerald ___ 13. Heavenly body 14. Swiss peak 15. Rebounds readily 17. Once named 18. Burns' "before" 19. Declaration 21. Brother's sib 22. Nevertheless 23. ___ decorator 28. Not any 31. Individual 33. Lincold and Vigoda 34. Old 35. Propose as a candidate 37. Head gesture 39. Nov. preceder 40. Interest benchmark (2 wds.) 44. Invite 47. Dixie general 48. Acceptance of others 50. Naval off. 51. Shade sources 52. Hang around 53. Polka ___ 54. Coffee break 55. Towel pronoun Do wn: Down:
Answ er to last w eek osswor d: Answer week eek’’s cr crosswor ossword:
1. Dismiss 2. Customer 3. In addition 4. Oahu garland 5. Car exhaust 6. Performs 7. Vanished 8. Way in 9. Winnipeg's province 10. Toast spread 11. Unclosed 16. Dragon's home 20. Lodger 21. Infrequently 23. Fin. fund 24. Opposite of pos. 25. Smallest 26. Lennon's Yoko ___ 27. Most distant 29. Tennis divider 30. Wind dir.
36. Froster 38. Discourage 40. Begged 41. Nevada city 42. Portrayal 43. Gifts to charity 44. Opening wager 45. Old wound 46. Lock openers 49. Hardwood tree
The Mindanao Examiner
Newspaper, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez (On Leave) Publisher/Executive Producer Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Carl Deala Graphics/Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master
Weekly S udoku: Sudoku:
Answ er to last w eek: Answer week:
REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales Central Mindanao Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Peninsula
Marilou Cablinda Davao Region - Eastern Mindanao
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Ely Dumaboc / Jun Feliciano
The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines. ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: Unit 15, 3/F, Fairland Building, Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue Phone & fax: 062-9925480 Mobile: 0995-5202358
House & Lot F or S ale For Sale Zamboanga City Area
Z ambo Chocolate M arshmallo w Lollipops arshmallow
The B ig H ouse D av ao Big House Dav avao A Heritage Home
Call us 0917-7001023
Call us 0928-9752091
Call us 0925-8824601
Mindanao D aily Daily Newspaper A dv er tising Adv dver ertising Call us (062) 992-5480 (082) 296-0658
Yaki Herbal Labor ator y Laborator atory
Zamboanga City Air con Cleaners Aircon
etr oH otel LM M Metr etro Hotel Zamboanga
Zambo SSpecial pecial C upcakes Cupcakes For all occasions
www.yakilab.com
Call us 992-5480
Call us (062) 955-3834
Call us 0928-9752091
FOR SALE Jansport Bags
MICHAEL SANTIA SANTIAGO GO Inkpit Tattoo Zamboanga
L.A. Z amboanga Times Zamboanga A non-profit publication
Zamboanga City T-shir esigns Prrinting D Designs -shirtt P
Call us 0915-8135450
Call us 0927-7215494
www.lazamboangatimes.com
Call us (062) 992-5480
Lispher IInn nn 13 Juna Ave., Davao City
Metr itness C enter etroo Lifestyle FFitness Center
The Values School
F. Torres Street, Davao City
8 Juna Ave., Matina, Davao City
Gar den Or chids H otel arden Orchids Hotel Zamboanga City
Call us (082)299-1610
Call us (082)299-6180
Call us (082)227-2049
Call us (062) 991-0032
CLASSIFIED ADS FOR AS LOW AS P100
DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Unit 3B, 3/F Ledesma Building, 26 Juna Avenue, Juna Subdivision, Matina Phone: 082-2960658 Mobile: 0947-4823453 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
We are moving to film and television productions!
ALL RIGHTS FOR SALE Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper Mindanao Examiner Television mindanaoexaminer.com ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: Unit 15, 3/F Fairland Building, Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue Phone & fax: 062-9925480 Mobile: 0917-7103642
DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Unit 3B, 3/F Ledesma Building, 26 Juna Avenue, Juna Subdivision, Matina Phone: 082-2960658 Mobile: 0918-9180895
7
The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 13-19, 2017
President Duterte Is Repeating My Mistakes
by César Gaviria
BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Illegal drugs are a matter of national security, but the war against them cannot be won by armed forces and law enforcement agencies alone. Throwing more soldiers and police at the drug users is not just a waste of money but also can actually make the problem worse. Locking up nonviolent offenders and drug users almost always backfires, instead strengthening organized crime. That is the message I would like to send to the world and, especially, to President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. Trust me, I learned the hard way. We Colombians know a thing or two about fighting drugs. Our country has long been one of the world’s primary suppliers of cocaine. With support from North American and Western European governments, we have poured billions of dollars into a relentless campaign to eradicate drugs and destroy cartels. I was personally involved in taking down the planet’s most notorious drug trafficker, Pablo Escobar, in 1993. While we managed to make Colombia a bit safer, it came at a tremendous price. My government and every administration since threw everything at the problem — from fumigating crops to jailing every drug pusher in sight. Not only did we fail to eradicate drug production, trafficking and consumption in Colombia, but we also pushed drugs and crime into neighboring countries. And we created new problems. Tens of thousands of people were slaughtered in our antidrug crusade. Many of our brightest politicians, judges, police officers and journalists were assassinated. At the same time, the vast funds earned by drug cartels were spent to corrupt our executive, judicial and legislative branches of government. This heavy-handed approach to drugs did little to diminish the drug supply and demand in Colombia, much less in markets like Western Europe and the United States. In fact, drugs such as cocaine and heroin are as accessible as ever from Bogotá to New York to Manila. The war on drugs is essentially a war on people.
But old habits die hard. Many countries are still addicted to waging this war. As Colombia’s current president, Juan Manuel Santos, said, “We are still thinking within the same framework as we have done for the last 40 years.” Fortunately, more and more governments also concede that a new approach is needed, one that strips out the profits that accompany drug sales while ensuring the basic human rights and public health of all citizens. If we are going to get drugs under control, we need to have an honest conversation. The Global Commission on Drug Policy — of which I am a founding member — has supported an open, evidence-based debate on drugs since 2011. We strongly support reducing drug supply and demand, but differ fundamentally with hard-liners about how this should be achieved. We are not soft on drugs. Far from it. What do we propose? Well, for one, we do not believe that military hardware, repressive policing and bigger prisons are the answer. Real reductions in drug supply and demand will come through improving public health and safety, strengthening anticorruption measures — especially those that combat money laundering — and investing in sustainable development. We also believe that the smartest pathway to tackling drugs is decriminalizing consumption and ensuring that governments regulate certain drugs, including for medical and recreational purposes. While the Filipino government has a duty to provide for the security of its people, there is a real risk that a heavy-handed approach will do more harm than good. There is no doubt that tough penalties are necessary to deter organized crime. But extrajudicial killings and vigilantism are the wrong ways to go. After the killing of a South Korean businessman, Mr. Duterte seemed as if he might be closer to realizing this. But bringing the army in to fight the drug war, as he now suggests, would also be disastrous. The fight against drugs has to be balanced so that it does not infringe on the rights and well-being of citizens.
Winning the fight against drugs requires addressing not just crime, but also public health, human rights and economic development. No matter what Mr. Duterte believes, there will always be drugs and drug users in the Philippines. But it is important to put the problem in perspective: The Philippines already has a low number of regular drug users. The application of severe penalties and extrajudicial violence against drug consumers makes it almost impossible for people with drug addiction problems to find treatment. Instead, they resort to dangerous habits and the criminal economy. Indeed, the criminalization of drug users runs counter to all available scientific evidence of what works. Taking a hard line against criminals is always popular for politicians. I was also seduced into taking a tough stance on drugs during my time as president. The polls suggest that Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs is equally popular. But he will find that it is unwinnable. I also discovered that the human costs were enormous. We could not win the war on drugs through killing petty criminals and addicts. We started making positive impacts only when we changed tack, designating drugs as a social problem and not a military one. A successful president makes decisions that strengthen the public good. This means investing in solutions that meet the basic standards of basic rights and minimize unnecessary pain and suffering. The fight against drugs is no exception. Strategies that target violent criminals and undermine money laundering are critical. So, too, are measures that decriminalize drug users, support alternative sentencing for low-level nonviolent offenders and provide a range of treatment options for drug abusers. This is a test that many of my Colombian compatriots have failed. I hope Mr. Duterte does not fall into the same trap. (César Gaviria was president of Colombia from 1990 to 1994 and the secretary general of the Organization of American States from 1994 to 2004. Originally from the New York Times.)
HEALTH: Ingat Sa Matatamis Na Inumin Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong KUNG KAYO po ay sobra sa timbang, may diabetes, may altapresyon o gusto maging healthy, sundin ninyo ang payo ko: Umiwas tayo sa Iced Tea, soft drinks at kung anuano pang matatamis na inumin. Malaki ang mababawas sa timbang ninyo. Huwag po agad maniniwala sa mga advertisements. Maging matalino. Bakit Masama Ang Soft Drinks at Iced Tea? Alam ba ninyo na ang isang basong soft drinks ay may 7 kutsaritang asukal. Kapag uminom kayo ng soft drinks, para ka na rin kumain ng 7 kutsaritang asukal! Ganoon din ang iced tea. Puro asukal din iyan kaya grabe ang tamis! Ayon sa siyentipikong pagsusuri, ang pag-inom ng soft drinks ay puwedeng maging sanhi ng diabetes. Mabilis din itong makataba at magpalaki ng tiyan. Kahit “No-sugar” o “Lite” pa ang inyong inumin ay may peligro pa rin. Dahil ang diet soft drinks ay may halong phosphorous na nagtatanggal ng calcium sa ating katawan. Puwede
Dr. Willie T. Ong kang magka-osteoporosis. Ang payo ko ay mag-tubig na lang! Nakatataba ang Pineapple Juice at iba pa Kung kayo’y may katabaan, ang payo ko ay umiwas din sa mga fruit juices. Orange juice, pineapple juice at kung anu-ano pang juices. Mataas ito sa calories at asukal kahit sabihin mong “unsweetened” pa. Hindi ko alam saan nanggaling ang paniniwala na maganda sa altapresyon ang pag-inom ng pineapple juice. Hindi po ito tunay! Gamot, diyeta at exercise lang ang magpapababa ng blood pressure. Anong prutas ang puwede sa mga nagpapapayat? Mansanas,
peras at konting saging lang ang puwede. Bawal na bawal ang mangga at ubas dahil sobra itong tamis. Kung gusto ng mangga, isang pisngi lang ang puwedeng kainin. Sa ubas ay 6 na piraso lang ang pinakamadami. Umiwas sa Coffee at Energy drinks Walang mabuting makukuha sa mga coffee drinks. Lalo na kung may halo pang whipped cream, chocolate, at full cream milk. Alam niyo ba na ang katumbas ng isang cappuccino with whipped cream ay 3 platong kanin na! Masama din sa kalusugan ang mga energy drinks dahil mataas ito sa caffeine. Nakaka-addict ang caffeine at nakabibilis pa ng tibok ng puso. Kung ika’y may altapresyon, bawal ang energy drinks, at kahit mga green tea drinks. Puwedeng tumaas ang blood pressure mo. Kaya kaibigan, tubig lang ang dapat inumin. Iwaksi mo na ang soft drinks at iced tea sa buhay mo. Papayat ka at makaiiwas ka pa sa maraming sakit!
RECIPE: Steamed Snow Crab Legs INGREDIENT S: INGREDIENTS:
– 2 lbs snow crab legs, cleaned – rind from 1 lemon – 1 tablespoon – 6 cups water – ½ cup apple cider or white vinegar – 4 to 6 pieces crushed garlic INSTR UCTIONS: INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Pour water on a tall steamer. Let boil. 2) Using a grater, grate the skin of the lemon to produce lemon rinds and then add these in boiling water. 3) Arrange the crab legs in the steamer. Steam for 4 to 5 minutes. 4) Prepare the vinegar dip by combining vinegar and crushed garlic in a small bowl. 5) Arrange the snow crab legs in a plate and serve with vinegar dip. 6) Share and enjoy!
(http://www.panlasangpinoy.com)
ADVERTISE WITH US IN NORTHERN MINDANAO!
WE ARE HIRING! Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is in need of one news writer with experience in newspapering and broadcast media and has a good command of the English language and Visayan dialect. Applicant must be female and not more than 25-years old and a graduate of Mass Communication or AB English or its equivalent. Preferably a resident of Zamboanga City, hardworking and can work under extreme pressure and less supervision, and is willing to travel in any parts of Mindanao. Please e-mail your bio-data and photo or résumé: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Unit 3B, 3/F Ledesma Building, 26 Juna Unit 15, 3rd Floor, Fairland Building, Avenue, Juna Subdivision, Matina Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue Phone: 082-2960658 Phone: 062-9925480 Mobile: 0947-4823453 Mobile: 0995-5202358 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
PLACE YOUR PLACE YOUR PLACE YOUR PLACE YOUR ADS HERE! ADS HERE! ADS HERE! ADS HERE! CALL 0995-5202358
Founded 2006
CALL 0995-5202358
mindanaoexaminer.com
CALL 0995-5202358
CALL 0995-5202358
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9925480 or (082) 2960658
P15
Feb. 13-19, 2017
Duterte tells big companies to pay correct taxes CEBU - President Rodrigo Duterte told big companies and corporations to pay the correct taxes as he assured the business sector of a clean government. "Basta kung ‘yung ibinayad ninyo accurate and correct, on time collection, the spending will be there for you to see," Duterte said during the recent launch of Bureau of Internal Revenue's (BIR) 2017 Tax Campaign. He said the government will not have problems with large corporate taxpayers for as long as they pay the right taxes. "I think that we have a responsible taxpayers base. Kayo ‘yung malalaki...No more, no less ako. I will not tax you to death if I think it’s unrealistic. Hindi masyado ako sa taxation," Duterte said, stressing that there will be no corruption during his administra-
tion as he vouched for the integrity and efficiency of his Cabinet officials. "This I can promise you: There will be no corruption. It behooves upon you to stop it," he said. Duterte added that he would implement strict rules on government corporations promising to stop giving exorbitant and excessive allowances to them. He cited his hometown Davao as an example of a corruption-free government and noting that the city recorded high economic growth rate. He also encouraged the public to be assertive to effectively fight graft and corruption. He also warned companies joining government bidding to follow regulations and told those in government to do away with red tape. The Large Taxpayers Service (LTS) of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officially launched its 2017 Tax Campaign at the Phil-
ippine International Convention Center. The year's tax campaign kickoff program unveiled LTS' thrust to attain its collection target as well as improve taxpayer service in keeping with the President's call for change. Handling the country's 2,320 large corporate taxpayers and contributing at least 62.4 percent of the BIR's revenue collection, LTS wants to boost its collection for this year with an assigned collection goal of around P1.1 trillion. Last year, LTS collected P963 billion, surpassing its 2015 revenue collection of P881 billion with a collection growth rate of 12.1 percent. "Ako, Kaisa sa Pagbabago" is LTS' theme for its tax campaign this year. The BIR has a collection goal of P1.8 trillion for 2017 as compared to P1.6 trillion in 2016.
Bring and promote your business in Mindanao, ADVERTISE in our newspaper and website and get fast results! ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: Unit 15, 3rd Floor, Fairland Building, Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue Phone: 062-9925480 Mobile: 0995-5202358 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com
DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Unit 3B, 3/F Ledesma Building, 26 Juna Avenue, Juna Subdivision, Matina Phone: 082-2960658 Mobile: 0947-4823453 E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
Minglanilla Cebu Business Chamber organized
Advertise on Mindanao Examiner Radio - also broadcast daily from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on RPN-dxXX 1008 kHz covering Western Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and Central Mindanao. For radio advertisements and sponsorship, please call 062-9925480 or 082-2960658 or text 0995-5202358 and 0947-4823453. For more details, please visit http:// mindanaoexaminer.com/ad-rates.
ARMM
Eastern Mindanao
CEBU CITY - Minglanilla town finally composed its own Minglanilla Cebu Business Chamber (MCBC) and according to Eric Pagar, Minglanilla Municipal Public Information Officer, some 20 top businesses of the town had several meetings for the past months for the organization of the business chamber. He said they were guided by president of Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Glenn Soco. The group conducted its first election with construction businesswoman Filomena Selma Canedo of
Western Mindanao
Canedo Equity Ventures as its first MCDC president. Soco reminded the group that business chambers will work as partners with the government but must remain apolitical at all times. Minglanilla Mayor Eleanito Pena said it is high time for the businesses to organize considering that a lot of major economic developments are already calendared for implementation in the next years. “It’s the right time for Minglanilla's business sector be organized so that it will be an effective partner of the LGU in implement-
Cebu
ing programs beneficial to the people of this municipality,” Pena said. The town is set to have major infrastructure projects including the Reclamation Project; ongoing International Port; the 30 meter-wide ByPass Road and the downtown Minglanilla financial district which are expected to bring more progress and job opportunities for the residents. The town is located in between the cities of Talisay and Naga of the first district of Cebu. (Ferliza CalizarContratista)
Manila