Mindanao Daily
Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
P10/RM1
Zamboanga City, Philippines
Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013
OPENSIBA NG NPA PATULOY! T
ahasang inako ng New People’s Ar my ang
paglusob nito sa Del Monte at DoleStanfilco at nagbabala pa na hindi ito titigil sa kanilang opensiba sa Mindanao. Sa pag-ako ay sinabi ng rebeldeng grupo na ang paglusob nito nuong nakaraang linggo sa dalawang multi-nationals ay isang coordinated at simultaneous attacks ng NPA unit na kabilang sa Mt. Kitanglad Sub-Regional CommandNorth Central Mindanao Region. Isang secur ity guard ang nasawi at dalawang iba pa ang sugatan sa naturang opensiba. Inatake nito ang motor pool at administration building sa main camp ng Del Monte Philippines sa bayan ng Manolo For tich sa Bukidnon province at gayun rin ang satellite camp nito sa bayan ng Sumilao. Nasamsam r in ng mga rebelde ang ibatibang ur i ng ar mas mula sa mga security guards ng DoleStanfilco sa La Fortuna Plantation sabayan ng Impasug-ong ng naturang lalawigan. Umabot umano sa 9 na heavy equipment ang sinira nito, kabilang ang dalawang warehouse at isa pang tanggapan ng satellite camp nito Villavista. Bukod pa diumano ang 19 na mga ar mas at computers. “This simultaneous and coordinated militar y operation is a for thr ight statement that the revolutionary mov ement is determined in meting out punitive actions against the giant agr ibusiness companies for exploiting and oppressing the workers, peasants and Lumads, and seriously ravaging the environment.” “After a ser ies of killer typhoons wrought havoc to the hapless victims, the culpability of the environmentally-destruc-
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tive operations of logging, agribusiness and mining companies is repeatedly exposed. Now is the time to serve justice to the victims of these man-made calamities,” wika pa ng NPA. Isinisisi ng mga rebelde sa dalawang kumpanya ang matinding mga pagbaha sa lalawigan at iba pang lugar na siya umanong pangunahing sanhi ng paghihirap ng mga magsasaka at o r d i n a r y o n g mamamayan doon. “In its foothills are waves upon waves of pineapple and banana plantations owned by the imper ialist Dole and Del Monte companies. Dur ing heavy downpours, tons of soil contaminated with toxic chemicals is washed out to Cagayan River. The environmental damage caused by pineapple plantations is comparable to that of mining, since the natural terrain is levelled using heavy machineries in preparation for planting,” pahayag pa ng NPA. Pinur i naman ng Communist Party of the Philippines ang naturang opensiba. “ The punitive attacks against the multinational plantations have long been demanded by the indigenous people and peasant masses in Bukidnon and other parts of Mindanao whose ancestral lands have been seized, plundered, despoiled and poisoned by big foreign multinational corporations,” wika nito. Ang atake ay patunay lamang umano sa kahinaan ng militar na pigilan ang opensiba ng NPA. Ngunit kinondena naman ito ng Philippine Army at binansagang terorista at human rights violators ang mga rebelde dahil sa pagpatay nito sa isang katao at pagtarget sa mga k u m p a n y a n g nagbibigay ng hanapbuhay sa maraming m a m a m a y a n . (Mindanao Examiner)
Bakas sa mukha ng batang ito ang pagiisip sa kung bakit may hawak na baril ang lalaking ito sa Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)
Agri sector sa Zambo Norte sinuportahan PAGADIAN CITY Pinalakas ngayon ng mining firm TVI Resources ang sektor ng agrikultura sa Zamboanga del Norte matapos itong lumagda ng kasunduan sa Kennemer Foods International para sa isang joint agri-enterprise ng Cacao production. Malaki umano ang pakinabang ng mga magsasaka ng Cacao sa lalawigan sa naturang kasunduan dahil makapagbibigay ito ng maraming trabaho at livelihood sa kanila. “Our partnership with Kennemer comes at an opportune time that TVIRD is windingup its mineral processing operations in Canatuan. We are confident that this cooperation will further improve the economic condition of our local community members who are also our key partners in this endeavor,” ani TVIRD President Atty. Eugene Mateo. “TVIRD’s strategic foray into agribusiness with Kennemer underscores its corporate objective to sustain social services and job creation among its present beneficiaries. Moreover, it strengthens its social commitment – making good on a long-term promise made to the community. Agribusiness is the natural direction given the geographic composition of the area. This is testament that mining, agriculture and other revenue-generating enterprises like tourism can coexist and actually support each other,” dagdag pa
Northern Mindanao
Davao
nito. May operasyon ang TVI sa Mount Canatuan sa bayan ng Siocon, ngunit patapos na rin ito kung kaya't ang konsentrasyon ng kumpanya ay mapalawig ang agri sector sa lalawigan bilang bahagi ng social responsibility at iba pang community program nito sa Mindanao. “Kennemer and TVI both believe in fostering partnerships. Our knowledge in the production and trade of Cacao also dovetails with TVI’s resolve to imbibe sustainable liveli-
hood on its host community. I welcome this partnership,” wika naman ni KFI President Simon Bakker. Under the agreement, both companies shall undertake the development of plantations through consolidated landholdings either through lease or revenue sharing agreements together with individual farmers and lot owners and recognized indigenous peoples communities, ayon kay Kaycee Crisostomo, ang public affairs chief ng TVIRD. "It also projects to pro-
vide an estimated P100 million in wages annually. The companies agree to combine resources, technology and knowledge on both trade and the local landscape - demographics, economic profiles, studies and other technical information that will contribute to achieving program objectives, which include conducting Information Education and Communication programs to prepare and gain support and social license for the project," wika pa ni Crisostomo. (Mindanao Examiner)
Grade school 'Science' no more DAVAO CITY - The League of Filipino Students deplored the Philippines' decision to remove the Science subject from Grades 1 and 2 classes, saying the move denied students their right to learn. “Instead of coming up with ideas on how to advance education and making it accessible to every Filipino youth, the Department of Education has chosen to deny them of their right to learn. The only achievement of Department of Education’s illogical decision would be to get every Filipino youth dumb down to their level of reasoning,” Kayong Garduce, a LFS spokesman, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner. Garduce questioned the validity of Education Secretary Armin Luistro’s conclusion that the inclusion of science makes studying less enjoyable. According to the youth leader, the Philippines would actually benefit much from a more scientific education considering the country requires intensive development of its industries if it is to become self-reliant.
Manila
The LFS has been one of the most vocal critics of Aquino’s K to 12 program and it also cited the reorientation of education, from being an essential component of nation-building to a mill churning out semi-skilled laborers for export to other countries, as one of its main points why it disapproves of the K to 12. “Yet the K to 12 opts for a more watered-down version of scientific learning. It is clear then that the future of the Philippines and the Filipino people was not what Aquino had in mind when he adopted this flawed education program,” Garduce said. “The LFS reiterates the call for the junking of the K to 12 in favor of a nationalistic, scientific, and mass-oriented education accessible to every Filipino youth. The Aquino administration is already running out of excuses in establishing the K to 12 in the curriculum of basic education. We call on every Filipino who refuses to be manufactured as mindless slaves for foreign countries to take to the streets and decisively rid our schools of the K to 12,” he added.
Zamboanga Peninsula
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013
Traditional Moro leaders consulted on Bangsamoro region COTABATO CITY - Peace negotiator Miriam Ferrer has encouraged traditional leaders of royal houses in the South to come up with a paper on how they envision their roles and further contribute to building peace in the future of a new Bangsamoro region. “Magandang input kung ano ho ba talaga ang role ninyo na pamumunuan ninyo mismo,” Ferrer told leaders of a royal clan in Maguindanao called the Maharadjah Tabunaway Descendants Council of the Philippines who organized a peace forum on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Cotabato City. Some 200 participants attended the forum that brought together the Royal Houses of Rajah Buayan; Maguindanao; Dungun in Tawi-Tawi; Sibugay in Zamboanga del Sur; Kapatagan Valley in Lanao del Norte; and Kabuntalan. “Traditional leaders and royal houses can play a role in the FAB by participating in the consultations that will be conducted by the Transition Commission in drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” she said. The Bangsamoro accord was signed by the Aquino government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front last October and serves as the road map for the creation of a new political entity that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Hadja Bai Putri Marieta Nor-Aisha Mindalano, who heads the MTDCP, stressed the importance of the gathering. “We gathered here to promote peace and accelerate the role of royal house because achieving peace is everyone’s responsibility,” she said. Traditional leaders of royal Houses cited the importance of preserving customary laws and enhancing its usage as a source or reference to the administration of justice and promotion of peace and order in the Bangsamoro. Explaining its significance, Mindanlano said:
“Customary law has been part of our Bangsamoro system of life that provided for maintenance of peace and welfare in our communities. It can define how traditional cultural heritage is shared, developed, and appropriately sustained within a community. It can also define rights and responsibilities of every community members on important aspects of their life and culture.” She said they recently signed a manifesto and submitted it to the peace panels where they expressed “hope that the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will be drafted by the Transition Commission will consider preserving the historic existence and the role of the royal houses and the traditional leaders in the establishment of the Bangsamoro government. Hadja Bai Cabaybay Abubakar, who is also a leader of MTDCP, said that the peace process, particularly the developments on the FAB, is being followed by the Bangsamoro people.“The FAB is a manifestation that the parties are committed to end the war. The challenge is for people to come together for the success of the FAB,” she said. MILF representative Nurudin Salam, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to President Aquino for his commitment to implement the FAB within his term. “We are very thankful to the FAB which recognized the Bangsamoro.” On the same note, 6th Infantry Division spokesman Col. Dickson Hermoso, who was also present in the forum, thanked the royal house for its support in pushing for peace in Mindanao, and the Aquino administration for putting the peace process a priority. “We thank President Aquino whose concern is peace and development which can be achieved if we all cooperate,” he said. MTDCP is composed of members who belong to the same clan who traced their descent from Radjah Tabunaway and his brother Radjah Mamalu who led the Rajadom or royal lead-
Si UNA senatorial candidate JV Ejercito Estrada at ang angkan ng mga Dimaporo sa Lanao del Norte.
UNA senatorial bet JV Ejercito Estrada inindorso ng Lanao del Norte LA N AO D E L N O RT E To d o a n g s u p o r t a n g maimpluwensyang political clan at respetadong pamilya ng m g a Di m a p o ro k a y United Nationalist Alliance senatorial bet JV Ej e rc i t o E s t ra d a n g bumisita ito sa lalawigan ng Lanao del Norte sa Mindanao. Mi s m o n g s i G ov. Khalid Dimaporo at Rep.
Im e l d a D i m a p o r o, kabilang si Bo b by Di m a p o r o at mga alkalde ng Lanao del Norte ang siyang personal na nag-endorso kay JV Ejercito Estrada na kabilang sa mga nangunguna sa ibatibang survey sa bansa. Lu b o s n a m a n a n g pasasalamat ni JV E j e rc i t o E s t ra d a s a suportang ibinigay ng
mga Dimaporo at mga alkalde ng lalawigan sa kanya at sinabi pa nitong: "I will always be a friend of Lanao del Norte!" Malakas na malakas s i J V s a Mi n d a n a o a t kung hindi magbabago ang mga surveys ay posibleng landslide ang panalo nito o mag-number 1 pagka-senador sa d a ra t i n g n a h a l a l a n ,
a yo n n a m a n s a m g a supporters nito sa Lanao. Kilala si JV sa kanyang pagiging magaling na mambabatas at dating mayor n g Sa n Ju a n n a k u n g saan ay naging maganda ang takbo ng ekonomiya ng lungsod sa ilalim ng kanyang p a m a m a h a l a . (Mindanao Examiner)
Taguig police file charges vs 14 drug suspects MANILA – Police filed charges against 14 arrested members of a notorious drug syndicate in Taguig City, officials said. Officials said ers in Maguindanao during the pre-colonial period. According to the organization, Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan, who was said to be the first Islamic missionary who came to the Philippines, was welcomed by Tabunaway who was the ruler in Maguindanao. With consent, the people converted to Islam and began adopting the Sultanates system of leadership. In the process, Tabunaway conferred Shariff Kabunsuan the honorary title of sultan. Mamalu, on the other hand, chose to practice indigenous beliefs and moved upland. Non-Muslim indigenous peoples now called the Lumad thus trace their ancestry to Mamalu while the traditional rulers who adopted Islam revere Tabunaway. Both brothers swore to live together in peace and to always help each other, a message that continues to resonate today.
Professor Miriam Ferrer (center) who heads the Philippine peace panel, receives a certificate of appreciation for speaking at a forum on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro organized recently by the Maharadjah Tabunaway Descendants Council of the Philippines in Cotabato City. Also in the photo are (from left) Hadja Bai Putri Marieta Nor-Aisha Mindalano, Hadja Bai Bing Bacar, Datu Abdullah Adam,Hadja Bai Cabaybay Abubakar; and Hadja Bai Sittie Rahma Calugtiao.
among those charged in court was a former policeman. They were arrested during a raid by members of the Taguig City Police Office and P h i l i p p i n e Dr u g E n -
f o rc e m e n t A g e n c y i n the village Ususan. Senior Superintendent Arthur Felix Asis, acting city police chief, said they are still tracking down other suspects
who managed to escape. Just last month, police in Taguig also arrested 19 drug suspects, including five who were on a target list.
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013
'One Billion Rising' successful DAVAO CITY – The socalled "One Billion Rising Davao" gathered more than 2,000 people in a mass dance protest against all forms of gender violence. Organizers of the event said those who participated to the event were mostly students, professionals, development workers, and government employees in Davao City who are oppose to the escalating cases of violence on women and girls. “The problem of violence on women and girls is a global one. One Billion Rising is an act of protest against the horror of gender violence experienced by women and girls around the world on a daily basis,” Mary Ann
Sapar, regional spokesperson for the Gabriela Women’s Party, said in a statement to the Mindanao Examiner. She said trafficking for sexual exploitation has been on the rise and is happening in 118 countries, including the Philippines. A report by UN agency UN Office of Drugs and Crime says that 58% of trafficking cases are for sexual exploitation and among this, “women account for 55-60% of all trafficking victims detected globally, and women and girls together account for about 75%.” “The increasing number of trafficked women, around 300,000 to 500,000 in the Philippines alone, shows that the present
economic system make women into a commodity and turn their bodies into vehicles for profit. Most of those who are vulnerable to sexual trafficking and prostitution are poor women. Ending violence on women also requires ending poverty and an economy that thrives on the sale of women’s bodies whether as labor export or in the global sex industry,” Sapar said. In the Philippines, she said, there is one woman beaten by an intimate partner every 43 minutes. According to the Women Studies and Resource Center, data from WCPC indicates that 3,935 VAWC cases were recorded in Southern Mindanao in 2012, accounting for the
second highest (15.38%) of all VAWC incidence in the country, next to Western Visayas. Alarmingly so, there has been a noted rise in cases of abuse involving persons in uniform. The IGDD has noted that 54 cases of violence in the city reported involved police and military. “Incidences of rape by women detained by police or the military are nothing new. This tells us of a prevailing mindset in society which treats women not as humans but objects,” Sapar said. One Billion Rising is considered as a powerful message of solidarity among 190 countries who participated in the global event.
Relatives of a Maguindanao massacre suspect gather in front of the police headquarters in Cotabato City to protest the arrest of Talembo Kahar Abdulrahman in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao province on February 16. And a police photo shows the murder suspect during an investigation. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)
Kin of arrested massacre suspect protest in Cotabato City
Photo released by the Sulu Provincial Government shows Sulu Government Sakur Tan with Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman during a recent inspection of provincial government housing projects in Mainbung town. Tan says more than 500 shelters are to be constructed in Sulu as part of a massive housing program for the poor. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
C OTA B ATO C I T Y – Relatives of an arrested Muslim man who is accused as among those involved in the brutal massacre of 58 people protested his continu e d i n c a rc e ra t i o n i n Co t a b a t o C i t y i n t h e southern Philippines. Tr o o p s a r re s t e d Ta l e m b o Ka h a r Abdulrahman following a recent firefight with a group of gunmen in Maguindanao’s Mama-sapano town.
Abdulrahman is being accused as part of a private army that was responsible in the 2009 massacre, whose victims included dozens of journalists and media workers covering a political caravan. Kin of Abdulrahman said the m i l i t a r y a r re s t e d t h e wrong man and that he was not involved in the brutal k i l l i n g s. (Mindanao Examiner. Mark Navales)
United Nationalist Alliance leading senatorial candidate San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada gives Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma a souvenir campaign t-shirt during his recent courtesy call to The Most Reverend at the Archbishop’s Palace in Cebu City.
JV Ejercito Estrada visits Cebu Archbishop C E BU CITY United Nationalist Alliance leading senatorial candidate San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada has visited Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma during a recent sortie where he also met with supporters.
Ejercito Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, said he was thankful to the The Most Reverend Archbishop Palma for kindness and support during his courtesy call at the A r c h b i s h o p’s Pa l ace in Cebu City.
The lawmaker also gave Archb i s h o p Pa l m a a souvenir campaign t-shirt during his courtesy call. Some 70,000 people attended the UNA proclamation rally in Cebu . ( Mi n d a n a o E x a m iner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013
Philippines trumpets handling of ‘USS Guardian’ incident MANIL A-M anila has tr umpeted its handling and car e MANILA Manila trumpeted care of the Tubbataha R eef in the wake of the damage it Reef sustained as a rresult esult of the gr ounding of the USS grounding Guar dian which ignor ed war ning fr om par k rrangers angers uardian ignored warning from park that it was heading to the World H er itage S ite Her eritage Site ite.. The U.S. Navy mine- the World Heritage Comsweeper remains mittee from 1991 to 1997, grounded since January and served in the Commit17 in Tubbataha Reef, but tee Bureau from 1992 to the Philippines said its 1996. The incident has prompt and proficient response to the unfortunate brought to fore the Philipincident was enabled by pines’ capable stewardan exemplary law, hailed ship of a World Heritage by environmental experts Site, and hopes to bring as a model piece of legis- this competence to the lation in coral reef conser- United Nations Educavation, and the presence tional Scientific and CulOrganization of effective institutional tural (UNESCO) World Herimechanisms. These mechanisms tage Committee where it have since provided the is seeking a seat for the accountable party clarity term 2013 to 2017 at elecon its obligations under tions scheduled in Nothe law, as well as paved vember this year during the way for efforts towards the 38th Session of the restoring the damaged UNESCO General Conferarea and that it is a testa- ence. The DFA said the Philment to the country’s capability in upholding the ippines hopes that its exvalues of the World Heri- perience in caring for tage Committee ( WHC), World Heritage Sites will according to a statement enhance the Committee’s sent by the Department of effectiveness as it carries Foreign Affairs to the re- out its mandate of congional newspaper serving nature and cultural priorities. Mindanao Examiner. Tubbataha Reef was The Philippines sat in
USS Guardian (US Navy website) declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. And in 2009, the Philippine government enacted the Tubbataha Reefs
Natural Park Act (Republic Act 10067) and declared Tubbataha a protected area and mandated its protection and conser-
vation through a no-take policy. The law also created the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board, which counts as its members’ stakeholders from the national and local governments, and groups from the academe, civil society and the private sector, including the Philippine chapters of the World Wildlife Fund and Conservation International. The park’s day-today administration is supervised and directed by the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO). The reef, which sits in the center of the Sulu Sea, is about 157 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province and located within the Coral Triangle, an area of important biological and marine diversity. Covering almost 97,030 hectares, it serves as a sanctuary for over 350 species of corals, almost 500 species of fish, and one of the few remaining colonies of breeding seabirds in the region. Tubbataha park rang-
ers said they tried to approach the ship to talk to its officers, but the crew instead went to battleship position forcing the Filipinos to back off. The arrogance of the officers and crew of the ship drew wild protests from various patriotic and environmental groups. The 68-meter USS Guardian, which came from Subic Bay in Zambales province in Luzon Island, hit the protected atoll of Tubbataha Reef after ignoring warning from Filipino authorities that the ship is nearing the marine sanctuary. DFA said since the grounding of the USS Guardian, the TMO has been ensuring the enforcement of the relevant provisions of Republic Act 10067, including the payment of fines and compensation for damages and added that it is also readying its resources, through its vast network of marine and conservation experts, for the assessment of the extent of the damage and subsequent restoration efforts.
More aid to Davao typhoon victims MARIKINA - The City Government of Marikina has donated half a millions pesos for typhoon victims in Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines. Mayor Del De Guzman handed over the cheque to the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental in a simple ceremony in Marikina City
recently. We all know how it is to be in that situation,” De Guzman said while expressing his sympathy for the families affected by the recent disaster. Davao Oriental Vice Governor Almario said expressed his appreciation to the people of Marikina and the local government for the donation, which
The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Gregorri Leaño Joanna Valerie Wee Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales ARMM
Giovanni Solmerano Eastern Mindanao
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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Asa Madale Lanao Provinces Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Sibugay/Zamboanga del Sur/Zamboanga del Norte John Shinn III California The Mindanao Examiner Newspaper/Business Week/Mindanao Daily is published weekly/daily in Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao, Philippines. The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in Skycable 54 in Zamboanga; Lupah Sug Cable in Sulu province and Basilan Cable in Basilan province. Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: +63 62 9925480 Mobile: +63 9152756606 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
was turned over to Provincial Treasurer Adelinda Amacna. The Zamboanga Del Norte Association of California, a group of Zamboanga natives residing in California, also turned over to the Provincial Government a total of 13 boxes of medicines and medical supplies for the three severely-hit municipalities of Boston, Cateel and Baganga. ZAMNAC coordinated with the Mati Masons represented by lawyer Arturo Ladera to formally turn
over their relief donations to the Provincial Government through Vice Governor Joel Almario at the S a n g g u n i a n g Panlalawigan Complex in Mati City. Earlier this year, different local governments also donated cash to the Davao Oriental to help victims of Typhoon Bopha which devastated the province. The Provincial Treasurer’s Office said it has raised a total of P36.7 million from local and international cash donations as of February 19.
Filipino Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala leads Sulu provincial officials headed by Governor Sakur Tan to the groundbreaking ceremony of a huge fishing port complex and cold storage facility worth over P32 million in the town of Maimbung. Once completed this year, the complex is expected to hasten trade and commerce in the provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in the Sulu archipelago, a favorite fishing ground in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013
The Mindanao Examiner
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013
Media absentee voting OK na, grupong ALAM natuwa! MANILA - Ikinatuwa ng Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) ang pag-apruba ng Commission on Elections na makaboto ang mga mamamahayag at brodkaster sa kaunaunahang media absentee voting sa bansa. Ayon kay ALAM Chairman Jerry Yap, malaking bagay na makaboboto na ang mga journalist sa nalalapit na midterm elections dahil ilang eleksyon na rin ang nakaraan na hindi sila nakaboboto dahil sa pagtalima nila sa kanilang tungkulin. Tulad ng mga guro, sundalo at pulis ay may tungkulin ding ginagampanan ang mga mamamahayag, kung saan dahil sa nasabing tungkulin ay napipilitan silang magtungo sa ibang lugar kaya hindi sila nakaboboto, ayon kay Yap. Sa Comelec Resolution 9637, magkakaroon
ng pagkakataong makaboto ang mga mamamahayag bago ang mismong araw ng halalan. Gayunman, tanging ang mga lehitimong mamamahayag na rehistradong botante ang bibigyan ng ganitong prebiliheyo. Bukod dito, maaari lamang ihalal sa media absentee voting ang mga nasa national positions. Hihingan ng Comelec ang mga media networks ng kanilang listahan ng mga tauhang ibig magavail ng media absentee voting, kung saan nakatakda sa darating na Abril 28, 29 at 30. Gayunman, sa kabila ng papuri, nilinaw ng ALAM na tuloy pa rin ang kanilang pagkilos na madisbar sina Brillantes, et al dahil sa pagsuway sa utos ng hukuman. (Nanet Villafania)
‘Lapit ka dito anak... ang tila’y bigkas ng isang sundalo ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front habang inaaya ang paslit. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)’
Some 3,000 people benefit from the “All-in-One Community Outreach” held in Talipao town in Sulu province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Nash Abduhadi)
Sulu Medical Seminar Pioneer Class 01, A Healthy Success SULU - “A healthy community is a peaceful society,” this was proven true by the collaborative and strengthened efforts of the security sectors, local government units, health workers and academicians in Sulu province in the southern Philippines at the resounding success of the first-ever six-day “Medical Seminar” or MedSem held recently in Talipao town. A total of 31 health workers, volunteers were trained as the first pioneering Class 2013. The MedSem’s thrust deals on enhancing the capacity of medical health workers in Sulu who shall provide health services, among others, to the grassroots in the different parts of the province and in return they would train ordinary citizens from barangays and sitios so they can provide medical health care ser vices even without their formal education. The initiative was a consolidated effort of the Sulu Provincial Government, Talipao Municipal Government, Marine Battalion Landing Team 2, Community Relations Training, U.S. Task Force, Notre Dame of Jolo College, U.S. Medics, AFP Medical Workers, and Philippine Marine Medics. The par ticipants were given lectures and demos on the first few days and were able to conceptualize the conduct of the “All-in-One Community Outreach,” that included Medical and Dental Civic Action Programs, Free Haircut, Free Circumcision, Dis-
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tribution of School Supplies, Playground Sets, Children’s Games, held at Barangay Kagay in Talipao and benefitted more then 3,000 recipients. Islamic injunctions on the essence of a healthy community were also lectured by the religious sector representative Ustadz Gabir Kasim (Tumikang Sama-Sama/ Sulu Ulama Council for Peace and Development). Messages of support from the different line agencies were also rendered underscoring the relevance of sustaining a healthy community as keys to living harmoniously. The All-in-One Community Outreach
was a product of the MEDSEM and was made possible also by the support of partners for peace - Talipao Municipal Government, Marine Battalion Landing Team 2, Lifeline Foundation, Kusug Batah Sug, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asia Foundation, CRT, among others. The MEDSEM paved the way in establishing the ties and relationship between the security sectors, medical health workers, local government units, academicians and other stakeholders in the province, who in one way or the other, showed their commitment to attaining not only a peaceful but healthy Sulu province as
well. MEDSEM proved that the government and the people could work handin-hand in the quest for the elusive peace in the province of Sulu through the conduct of healthful activities with the main objective of living in a peaceful and healthy community. The challenge is to replicate this noble worthy endeavour to other par ts of the province. With what the MEDSEM Pioneer Class has proven, certainly these efforts would be all worth it. “Bang masambu in pamaranan, awun kasambuhan sin lawm Kawman.” (Mindanao Examiner. Nash Abduhadi)
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Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013
Philippines g ets $6-million in U .S gets U.S .S.. disaster rresponse esponse assistance
Ito ang Falcatan street sa Zamboanga City na ginawang tambakan ng mga buhagin at graba na nagsisilbing nakaambang panganib sa mga motorista. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Kalsada sa Zamboanga, ginawang tambakan ng graba't buhangin! ZAMBOANGA CITY Walang paki-alam ang may-ari ng mga graba at buhangin na itinambak lamang sa dalawang gilid nitong kalsada sa Falcatan sa Barangay Tetuan sa Zamboanga City. Malaking abala sa mga motorista ang tambak dahil hindi na makadaan sa magkabilang linya ng naturang kalsada ang mga
sasakyan. Ilang araw na rin itong naroon, ngunit wala naman aksyon na ibinibigay ang mga awtoridad upang mai-alis ang graba at buhangin sa kalsadang ginawang tambakan. Maging ang Barangay at wala rin ginawa sa naturang paglabag sa kabila ng isa ang kalsada sa kalimitang dinaraanan
DAVAO CITY – The United States donated an additional $6 million for disaster risk reduction initiatives in the Philippines, U.S. Ambassador to Manila Harry Thomas, Jr. said. Thomas made the announcement during his recent visit to Cateel town in Davao Oriental province where he also personally hand over some 2.1 million kilograms of rice for about 90,000 typhoon victims in the southern Philippines through the United Nations World Food Program. Prior to the $6 million donation, Washington has provided a total of $12.4
million in disaster response assistance for communities most affected by the typhoon. The assistance will bring disaster risk reduction programs to local government units and communities, including Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. These will include trainings for communities on how to set up disaster early warning systems, develop contingency plans for evacuations, and establish structures to quickly and appropriately respond when disaster strikes. “We stand ready to
partner with your government to carry out midterm and long-term recovery efforts in the areas of health, education, smallscale infrastructure reconstruction, and environmental activities,” Thomas said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. “We sincerely hope that our assistance will help meet the crucial needs of the most affected Filipinos and support their recovery. We truly applaud your unsinkable and steadfast bayanihan spirit,” he said.
ng mga sasakyan. Isang malaking peligro rin ang sanhi ng mga nakatambak, partikular sa gabi dahil wala rin itong signs na nakalagay. Hindi naman agad mabatid kung sino ang may-ari ng mga construction materials na mistulang may-ari ng kalsada. (Mindanao Examiner)
Militia shoots pal in Zambo Sur PAGADIAN CITY – A member of the army-led militia unit shot and wounded his companion in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, police said. It said victim Mario Ambongan, 25, was accidentally shot by Nonie Sigva, 42, after being mistaken for somebody else in the village of Suminalum in Kumalarang town. Police said the shooting occurred on night time. Ambongan suffered from shotgun wounds in his chest and right leg and was rushed to the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City. Police said the Sigva voluntarily surrendered to the authorities and said the shooting was accidental. It was not immediately known whether the victim’s family would file criminal charges or not. (Mindanao Examiner)
Ambassador Harry Thomas speaks to Gov. Sakur Tan during past visit in Sulu province.
Philippines, Sweden vow to forge stronger ties MANILA – The Philippines and Sweden have recently concluded their second bilateral consultations in Manila and both countries vowed to vigorously pursue stronger links and expand business opportunities. The meeting was cochaired by Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso and Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General for Trade Eva Walder. Since holding their first bilateral consultations last year in Stockholm, the Philippines and Sweden have
been working together to forge stronger people-topeople links and expand bilateral business opportunities by focusing their discussion on areas of cooperation such as, trade and investment, tourism, renewable energy, water and waste management, sustainable urban development, labor migration and education/cultural exchanges. Both countries agreed to move forward the proposals taken up during this consultation that would lead to further expansion of cooperation between them. And as agreed during the first bilateral consultations, Swe-
Matatamis na halik ang mistulang regalo sa isa't-isa ng mga magsing-irog na ito matapos silang ikasal ng saby-sabay sa Kidapawan City Gymnasium na sponsored naman ng PAG-BIG fund sa programa nitong "Libreng Kasal sa Daan-Daang Magkasintahan." (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Geonarri Solmerano)
den, through Business Sweden (formerly known as the Swedish Trade Council), brought in a business delegation composed of 12 Swedish companies composed of around 20 businessmen to provide the much-needed boost to jumpstart the bilateral trade relations between the two countries. These companies represent both old companies already doing business in the Philippines and new companies that are possible new entrants into the Philippine investment market, which signify the best of what Sweden has to offer in terms of knowledge, technology, products and services. They are Atlas Copco, Celemi, Clean Motion, Comex Intl., Electrolux, Ericsson, Handelsbanken, Ikano, Swedish Foreign Trade Association, SEK,
Tetrapak and Volvo. Further, in view of the interest expressed by the Philippine side in exploring how to apply the SymbioCity of concept of Sweden in the Philippine setting, a separate seminar was organized by Sweden for Philippine government agencies, such as Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Department of Energy, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council the following day in Makati. SymbioCity is the trademarked term for Sweden's approach to sustainable urban development. Established in 2008, the program's primary goal is to export Sweden's knowledge and experience with sustainable cit-
ies. It was created in order to assist Swedish environmental technology companies with their international marketing by creating a common trademark. According to the SymbioCity approach, environmental and economic gains result from unlocking synergies between urban systems. Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Sweden were established on 17 January 1947. Sweden is considered a regional political and economic power in Northern Europe and holds a premier position among the Scandinavian and Nordic countries. On the other hand, the strong economic performance of the Philippines has attracted the attention of Swedish businessmen to revisit their economic cooperation with the country.
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013
NBI-BJMP nagturuan na naman! MANILA – Dismayado ngayon ang Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) party list matapos na magturuan naman ang mga pamunuan ng National Bureau of Investigation at Bureau of Jail Management and Penology sa anggulong “suicide” ni Dennis Aranas, isa sa mga pangunahing testigo sa pagpatay kay environmentalist-broadcaster Doc Gerry Ortega. Matatandaang batay sa post-mortem examination na ipinalabas ng Public Attorney’s Office ay strangulation o pagsakal ang ikinamatay ni Aranas. Ayon kay ALAM Chairman Jerry Yap, ngayon ay sinasabi ng NBI na hindi galing sa kanila ang anggulong "suicide" ni Aranas. Idinahilan pa umano ni NBI-medico-legal division head Dr. Alvin David na kahit ayon autopsy report nila ay "asphyxia by hanging" ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ni Aranas, hindi umano ito
nangangahulugang nagsuicide ang biktima. “Eh sino ngayon ang may kasalanan?” Sino ang dapat panagutin sa pagkamatay ni Aranas?,” tanong pa ni Yap. Matatandaang pinagpapaliwanag ni Justice Sec. Leila de Lima si NBI Director Nonnatus Ceasar Rojas hinggil sa aniya'y "unofficial" autopsy report ng kaniyang tanggapan matapos ilabas ng PAO ang resulta ng postmortem examination nito. Sa naturang report ay natukoy na hindi nagpakamatay si Aranas kundi pinagtulungang patayin ng apat na suspek sa loob ng piitan. Ayon naman kay PAO Chief Persida Rueda Acosta, lumitaw na pinatay si Aranas, na magsisilbi sanang testigo laban sa magkapatid na suspek na sina Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes at Coron Mayor Mario Reyes. Iginiit naman ni BJMP Calabarzon Director, Chief
Supt. Serafin Barretto na nagpakamatay si Aranas sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigti sa kanyang selda sa Quezon District Jail (QDJ) sa Lucena City. “Ngayong nagkakabulgaran na ng totoo dapat din nating alamin kung nagkaroon ba ng kapabayaan sa panig ng BJMP o nagkabayaran para manahimik ang dapat manahimik,” ani Yap. Iginiit pa ni Yap na dapat at may mga ulong gumulong dahil sa nasabing kapalpakan. Bukod dito, hiniling din ni Yap na panagutin ‘kung sinuman’ ang nagbayad upang patayin si Aranas. “Sino ba ang makikinabang kapag namatay si Aranas? Ang problema kasi, alam na ng buong mundo kung sino ang pumatay hindi pa rin natin maikulong. Ano pa ba ang hinihintay natin? Malagas ang lahat ng journalist at brodkaster sa Pilipinas?,” tanong pa ni Yap. (Nanet Villafania)
Groups throw support to DSWD whistle blower DAVAO CITY – An umbrella group of progressive organizations has thrown its support to a former social worker who accused government officials of corruption and other anomalies in connection to the distribution of humanitarian aid to typhoon victims. The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Southern Mindanao said it is supporting June Obenza, who recently filed charges against officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development at the Ombudsman. It also called on the public to support Obenza. “June Obenza’s statements have unearthed worms that
have long been eating this social welfare agency, a major source of corruption money for many past administrations, including the current policy regime of President Benigno Aquino,” Bayan said, adding there should be a thorough investigation into the accusations. Obenza accused some officials working with the DSWD project called KapitBisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (KALAHI-CIDSS) of faking documents, among other allegations. KALAHI-CIDSS is a community-driven devel-
opment project implemented by the DSWD. Under the project, communities and local governments are trained to choose, design and implement subprojects that address their most pressing need. “The whole DSWD agency as well as KALAHICIDSS, must be penalized while the relief funds in its hands must be transferred to independent and credible church or non-government organizations so as not prevent any more acts of corruption,” Bayan said. There was no immediate statement from the DSWD about the allegations. (Mindanao Examiner)
Zamboanga Fun Run 2013.
Zambo fun run benefits cancer patients ZAMBOANGA CITY – Some 2,000 people have joined the Fun Run 2013 in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines as part of fund raising campaign for the benefit of cancer patients. The fun run was sponsored by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and was also participated by the Army’s 55th Engineer Brigade under Colonel Vicente Yordan. Lieutenant Colonel Alfonso Enriquez, of the 55th Engineer Brigade, said the simultaneous the
event was composed of three to eighteen kilometer-run categories for children and adults respectively. He said some 2,000 runners from government and non-government agencies, including students and civilian, participated in the fun run. “The thirst and exhaustion after the run were quenched by the objective of the activity which aims to raise funds for the benefit of patients afflicted with cancer through the Philippine
Children’s Medical Center Ward in Quezon City as the national beneficiary, and the Paediatric Oncology Unit of Zamboanga City Medical Center as local beneficiary,” Enriquez told the Mindanao Examiner. “Your Philippine Army will continue to build partnership with other stakeholders through cause-oriented activities to maintain the brand new image of the Army in winning the peace, particularly in Mindanao,” he added.
Man loses bike, but survives death in Zambo Norte DIPOLOG CITY – Gunmen shot and wounded a motorcycle rider in the town of Leon Postigo in Zamboanga del Norte province, police said. It said the victim, Junel Otod, 22, was travelling when he was shot in the face by armed men who were on pick-up truck in the village of
Talinga. The gunmen, thinking that Otod was killed, carried and threw him in the river and then stole his new motorcycle and sped away. Otod, despite his wound, managed to seek help from villagers who rushed him to the hospital in Sindangan town. He told police investigators
that the gunmen on a red truck blocked his path and then without any warning shot him once in the face and threw him to the nearby river. Police said village chieftain Charlito Patoc reported the said incident to the local police station. (Mindanao Examiner)
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SULU – Nilagdaan na ni Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan ang Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan 2013 ng lalawigan upang lalong mapalakas ang paghahanda sa anumang kalamidad. Pinuri ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaan ang maagang paglalagda ng Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan, ayon kay Fazlur Rahman Abdulla, ang pinuno ng Area Coordinating Council ng Sulu. Si Tan ang umuupong chairman ng Sulu Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at ang paglalagda ng Disaster
Risk Reduction Management Plan ay nasaksihan ng mga miyembro ng Council. Maging ang mga alkalde at ibat-ibang grupo sa lalawigan ay punuri si Tan sa maagap nitong pagpaplano sa anumang kalamidad at paglagda sa Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan. Matatandaang ilang beses binaha ang lalawigan ng Sulu at maging ang bahay ni Tan ay lubog rin sa tubig. Kabilang sa mga sumaksi sa paglalagda kamakailan lamang ay mga opisyal ng ibatibang ahensya ng
P10/RM1
Zamboanga City, Philippines
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan ng Sulu ayos na!
Ang larawan sa paglalagda ni Gov. Sakur Tan sa Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan 2013. pamahalaan na sina May Bahjin, Sitti Kausar
Sahidjuan, Engr. Bertrand Chio, Hairun-
ARMM envisions peaceful and progressive region
T
he Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is now on its last leg of its convergence program called H.E.L.P.S. which aims to bring uplift living conditions in five provinces under it, Gov. Mujiv Hataman said. Hataman said H.E.L.P.S. is the acronym for Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy which is a banner program of the regional government. “Our aim here really is to bring the regional government closer to the people of ARMM, unlike in the past administration that provincial governments are at the mercy of those who were in power in the ARMM. We are now bringing basic services and infrastructure projects right at the doorstep of those who really need them,” Hataman told the regional newspaper
Mindanao Examiner after leading the program in Sulu province just recently. He said H.E.L.P.S. has been launched in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan and TawiTawi and that Maguindanao is next. “We have launched this convergence program in every provinces of the ARMM, especially in the most depressed villages,” Hataman, a former lawmaker from Basilan province, said. He said the H.E.L.P.S. is targeting about 153 poor villages in the whole of ARMM and that all Cabinet secretaries themselves are also part of this program. “Cabinet secretaries are present in every launching of the program so they can better assess the situation on the ground and learn more about what the people need. Our objective is to create a functional com-
Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 2013
nihma Ferrer, Engr. Ben Akalal, Malcon Tulawie, Taha Hajiron, Daren Limpasan, Muhaymin Adjid, Rocky Undug, Nida Dammang, Sydney Imlan, Penon Madjilon, Engr. Abdurasad Baih,
Dr. Fahra Omar, Kadra Annil, Madam Hja. Nurunisah Tan, Shernee Tan, Preciosa Chiong, Julkipli Ahijon, Jr., Engr. Abdel Jalani, at iba pa. (Mindanao Examiner. Ahl Salinas)
China rejects Philippines claim on South China Sea islands
ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) munity,” Hataman said. He said the program also complements provincial and national projects. The amount already spent for the H.E.L.P.S. is not immediately available since these projects are still ongoing, but Hataman said another P1.5 billion has been allocated to various infrastructure programs, particularly roads and bridges, and piers in the island provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and other
areas determined by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Hataman appealed to residents in the ARMM to help in promoting peace and development in the region. “We need the cooperation of all. This is a convergence program in the spirit of Bayanihan so everybody must help each other so we can attain our goal of a peaceful and progressive ARMM,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
MANILA – Beijing on Tuesday rejected the Philippines claim on a chain of islands in the South China Sea and reiterated its previous position that it has indisputable sovereignty over the entire South China Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it received a Note Verbale from Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing stating that Beijing rejects and returns the Philippines’ Notification and Statement of Claim. In the Note Verbale, China reiterated its often stated position that it has indisputable sovereignty over the entire South China Sea encompassed by its 9-dash line claim.
“This excessive claim is the core issue of the Philippines’ arbitration case against China,” the DFA said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner. “The Depar tment stresses that China’s action will not interfere with the process of Arbitration initiated by the Philippines on 22 January 2013. The Arbitration will proceed under Annex VII of UNCLOS and the 5-member arbitration panel will be formed with or without China. “ It said the Philippines remains committed to arbitration which is a friendly, peaceful and durable form of dispute settlement that should be welcomed by all.
Zamboanga business chamber, Israel counter par t discuss trade, investments ZAMBOANGA CITY – The president of the local business chamber Pocholo Soliven has met with top Israeli business investors and government officials and discussed trade opportunities for Zamboanga City. Soliven, of the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., met with the 14-member Israel business delegation headed by Ran Cohen, president of the Israel Asia Chamber of Commerce, at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Taguig
ARMM
City. Cohen was accompanied by Menashe Bar-On, the Israel Ambassador to the Philippines, and Generoso D.G. Calonge, the Philippine Ambassador to Israel, including Doron Hemo, the Israel Trade attaché, among other officials. PCCI president, lawyer Miguel Varela and Oscar De Venecia, the cochairman of the PCCI International and Trade Affairs, welcomed the Israeli visitors. Mario Oreta, the president of Alpha Land Development, also gave a business overview of the
Philippines as the rising economic power in Asia with Filipino Honorary Consul to Jerusalem Shimon Weinbaum. Soliven, a well-respected business leader in Mindanao, underscored the strategic location of Zamboanga City as the "Front Door" to the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore economic growth corridor. The area will serve as a vital link once the ASEAN integration is realized on 2015. Members of the Israel business delegation come from diverse sectors and are looking for invest-
Northern Mindanao
Davao
ment opportunities in Zamboanga City and areas outside Metro Manila, Cebu and Palawan. Soliven said Zamboanga was the only city which made a pitch to lure Israel investors into putting up trade and commerce, and as an investment hub in Southeast Asia. Israel’s business interests include Homeland Security and Smart House Technology, Water Treatment and Desalination, Seed and Agri Technology, Tourism and Real Estate Development. (Mindanao Examiner)
Manila
ZCCIFI President Pedro Rufo Soliven and Madam Ann Ellison-Demene having a meaningful meeting with the Israeli business delegation headed by Ran Cohen.
Zamboanga Peninsula