Rebels trumpets ‘audacious attack’ in North Cotabato
KIDAPAWAN CITY – Communist rebel group New People’s Army has taken responsibility for its daring attack on a military post in North Cotabato’s Makilala town that resulted in the seizure of weapons and grenades. But it said 3 of its fighters were also slain in the recent clash in the village of Luayon. The NPA’s
Founded 2006
Valentin Palamine Regional Operations Command, which carried out the raid, boasted its “audacious attack” against the 39th Infantry Battalion and its militias. “The NPA confiscated M14 rifle and M16 rifle, and five rifle grenades, assorted ammunition, vests and military equipment. A portion of the camp was burned down
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by the Red fighters. The action is a decisive riposte against the US-Duterte regime’s impudent terrorism and perfidious imposition of martial law in Mindanao. The NPA is ever ready to wage war against terrorist suppression in order to protect the rights and welfare of the oppressed and exploited people.” Continue on page 2
Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2018
Mindanao security tightened A
The Abu Sayyaf pledges allegiance anew to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in these screen grab from a video released recently by the notorious rebel group. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
UTHORITIES HA VE tightened secur HAVE security ity in nP hilippines follo wing southern Philippines following Mindanao in souther the rrecent ecent captur e of a S panish militant and capture Spanish thr ee other F ilipinos being linked b y the pothree Filipinos by lice and militar y to the IIslamic slamic S tate military State tate,, officials said. Officials said Abu Sayyaf whose leadAbdelhakim Labidi Adib, ers have pledged 20, was apprehended allegiance to the Islamic January 22 by soldiers at a State. checkpoint in Basilan No other details were province and seized gre- made available by the nades and explosives from military about the forthe Spanish man. His eigner who was taken to companion, who was be- Manila last week where lieved to be a member of he is currently being inthe Abu Sayyaf, managed terrogated. The Spanish Embassy was informed to escape from soldiers. Adib’s arrest was not of his arrest. immediately made public The military said by the military for a still three other Filipino supunknown reason, but the porters of the Islamic foreigner had entered the State were captured in Philippines in October last the town of Piagapo in year and travelled to Lanao del Sur province, Zamboanga City where he also in the autonomous took a boat for Basilan, a region. Continue on page 2 known stronghold of the
Looted cash, gold help Islamic State recruit in Philippines MARAWI CITY -Islamist insurgents looted cash, gold and jewelry worth tens of millions of dollars when they occupied a southern Philippines town last year, treasure one of their leaders has used to recruit around 250 fighters for fresh attacks. The military said Humam Abdul Najib escaped from Marawi City, which the militants had hoped to establish as a
stronghold for Islamic State in Southeast Asia, before it was recaptured by the military in October after five months of ferocious battles and aerial bombardment. Since then, Najib, also known as Abu Dar, has used the booty looted from bank vaults, shops and homes in Marawi to win over boys and young men in the impoverished southern province of Lanao del Sur, military officers in the area
said. Hardened mercenaries are also joining, lured by the promise of money. As a result, Islamic State followers remain a potent threat in Southeast Asia even though hundreds of militants were killed in the battle for Marawi, the officers said. “Definitely they haven’t abandoned their intent to create a caliphate in Southeast Asia,” Colonel Romeo Brawner, the
deputy commander of Joint Task Force Marawi, told Reuters. “That’s the overall objective, but in the meantime while they are still trying to recover and build up again - fighters and weapons - our estimate is they are going to launch terrorist attacks.” On Saturday, militants wounded eight soldiers in two attacks in Lanao del Sur, Brawner said, the first
such violence since the recapture of Marawi. In the early days of the occupation of Marawi last May, as black-clad fighters burned churches, released prisoners and cut the power supply, other militants targeted banks and the homes of wealthy citizens, commandeering hostages to help with the plunder. “It was in the first week. They divided us into
three groups with seven people each,” said J.R. Montesa, a Christian construction worker who was captured by the militants. Using explosives, the militants blew open the vaults of the city’s three main banks, Landbank, the Philippine National Bank and the Al Amanah Islamic Bank, Montesa told Reuters in a town near Marawi. Continue on page 5
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Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2018
Mindanao security tightened!
Continued fr om page 1 from Soldiers seized automatic pistols from the trio, Apao Macod Dimacaling, Brad Alexander and Jalal Ramal Berongon, who were also linked to the murder of three Christian vendors in the town in December last year. Just last week, pro-government militias killed an Abu Sayyaf militant in a gunfight in Basilan.Officials said militias responded to a report
by civilians that the Abu Sayyaf member was spotted in the village of Sungkayut in Ungkaya Pukan town. But the Abu Sayyaf gunman attacked militias as soon as they entered the village, sparking a firefight that eventually killed the militant who was identified as Munir Kahum, a follower of notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Puruji Indama. Militias recovered
Kahum’s automatic rifle and handed the weapon and his cadaver to local authorities. Security has been tightened in the town for fear that the Abu Sayyaf may retaliate for the death of Kahum, whose group has been blamed for the spate of killings and terrorism, and ransom kidnappings in Basilan, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. (Mindanao Examiner)
Mamasapano folks get ARMM humanitarian aid
COTABATO CITY - Over 25,000 families displaced by the Mamasapano conflict in 2015 received assistance from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through its Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (HEART). ARMM-HEART, one of the flagship programs of regional governor Mujiv Hataman, aims at providing humanitarian assistance and development interventions to families affected by law enforcement operations launched by the military in Maguindanao after the Mamasapano incident. It also provides assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by natural and human-induced disasters in the region. Jo Henry, ARMMHEART communications officer, recalled that as soon as they received the news on the Mamasapano
clash between rebels and police commandos in the morning of January 25, 2015, ARMM started monitoring the condition on the ground and sent a team to respond to the situation. Since then, ARMMHEART had reached the 15 municipalities inside the so-called ‘SPMS box’, which include the adjoining towns of Sharrif Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi), Mamasapano and Datu Salibo. These towns, which were adversely affected by the clashes, were given humanitarian assistance as well as capacity-building training on disaster preparedness and response. ARMM-HEART has conducted activities such as Rapid Disaster Needs Assessment, Hazard Incident Management, and Water Rescue Training in target areas. The number of IDPs, meanwhile, reached 96,240 who all received food and non-food items. In partnership with other organizations, the office
also conducted a series of psycho-social interventions with students in some schools near conflict areas. Last year, 30 responders from ARMM-HEART rescue team as well as from other line agencies and the focal persons from the 15 municipalities underwent training courses on Disaster Response and Rescue and Basic Life Support. “This is important, so that the local communities will be well-equipped with proper skills in times of need. Mamasapano is different now, we no longer have evacuues as a result of armed conflict,” Henry quoted Mamasapano Mayor Benzhar Ampatuan as saying. Aside from medical missions, distributions of seeds and farm imports, ARMM-HEART will be holding a Mine Risk Education briefing, which will address concerns on unexploded ordnances in areas left by rebels. (Bureau of Public Information)
Rebels trumpets ‘audacious attack’ in North Cotabato Continued fr om page 1 from “The raid also serves as a punitive action against the mercenary 39th Infantry Battalion and its CAFGU minions for their numerous atrocities towards the civilians. The battalion is notorious for the killings of activists and Lumads and the incessant harassment of innocent civilians in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur. Three Red fighters were martyred at the gun battle,” a rebel spokesman, Dencio Madrigal, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Madrigal identified those killed in the fighting as Raymart Rusiana, Roger Labajo Jr. and a certain Ka Tomas. “Red salute to the NPA
Red fighters who courageously fought and perished in the fighting. We express our utmost revolutionary homage and comradely adulation though saddened by their death, the revolutionary forces and masses they have served were inspired by their determination and sacrifices in pursuing the people’s revolutionary aspirations.” “This stout triumph of the NPA is an attestation that the reactionary state’s policy to quash the revolutionary movement is bound to fail. It is because amidst the setbacks, glitches, capitulation, and the call for NPA members to surrender in exchange of cash, a genuine revolutionary’s unwaver-
ing fervor will continue to thrive and strengthen,” Madrigal said. Police said one militia, Jolito Apala, was killed in the fighting and 6 others wounded, Joel Daguan, Edgar Delima, Jose Angcog, Oligario Rollurta, Raffy Aguanan at Jimmy Gonzaga, all members of the Civilian Active Auxiliary under the supervision of the 39th Infantry Battalion. The rebels have been waging a secessionist war for many decades now and there is no indication the communist insurgency would be resolved during President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration or until his term ends in 2022. ( With a report from Rhoderick Beñez)
Basilan mayor being held by authorities ZAMBOANGA CITY – Philippine authorities are holding a municipal mayor from the Muslim province of Basilan in the autonomous region in Mindanao who is accused of rebellion while attempting to flee the country. Jamar Mansul, of Hadji Muhtamad town, was apprehended by Filipino agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last week. Mansul was sup-
posed to take a flight for Malaysia when members of the National Bureau of Investigation arrested him. The politician among hundreds of names of personalities included in the so-called watch list issued by the Department of Defense following the declaration of martial law in the restive region. It was unclear whether Mansul took part in any rebel fighting against the
Duterte government in Basilan or Mindanao. The mayor did not issue any statement. The governor of Basilan, Hadjiman Saliman, also did not give a statement on the arrest of his mayor. It was unknown why Mansul was never arrested in Basilan or at the pier or airport in Zamboanga City on his way to Manila. (Mindanao Examiner)
Special Area for Agricultural Development Area Coordinators paid a courtesy call and conduct consultation meeting with the President of The Association of Barangay Captains Hon. Edzfar Tan.
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Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2018
Over 4,000 fisherfolk, residents benefit from ARMM-HDAP projects COTABATO CITY – More than 4,000 fisherfolk in the province of Maguindanao will benefit from several fisheries-based livelihood projects of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through its Humanitarian and Development Assistance Program (HDAP). Janice Musali, Executive Director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-ARMM, said residents from the second district of Maguindanao who are dependent on fishing will be assisted with livelihood projects to “help them generate income and improve their living conditions.”
The projects are will be implemented in all 15 towns. “Aabot ng 4,351 na fisherfolk ang makakatanggap at makikinabang ng mga proyekto natin na ipatutupad hanggang 2018,” Dir. Musali said, adding, as of December 31, 2017, a total of 2,535 fisherfolk have already benefited from these projects. Immediately following armed clashes between rebels and police commandos in Mamasapano town on January 25, 2015, the HDAP was drafted by the ARMM regional government as an anti-poverty initiative covering villages
in 15 towns affected by intensified law enforcement operations. “The beneficiaries are fisherfolk affected by natural and man-made calamities, especially ‘yung mga displaced fisherfolk nung nagkaroon ng intensified law enforcement operations noong 2015,” Dir. Musali said. Since its implementation, BFAR-ARMM has distributed a total of 162 motorized boats, 875 nonmotorized boats, 4,280 cribs of fish corals, 2,000 fish pots, and 50 fish cages. These were turned over to beneficiaries in Datu Salibo, Mamasapano, Datu Anggal Midtimbang,
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Guindulungan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Talayan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Rajah Buayan, and Datu Piang. Currently, three community fish landing centers with market stalls are being constructed in the towns of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Talitay and Datu Piang. The landing centers will house fish and fishery products, equipment and tools. “The community will also benefit from the projects because they will have a better access to safe and quality fish commodities,” Dir. Musali said. He said eight community-based hatcheries were also awarded to fishermen in Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Mamasapano, Guindulungan, Talitay, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Rajah Buayan, and Sahriff Saydona. Three ice plants and ice storage facilities for fisherfolk in Mamasapano, Talitay and Datu Piang are also being constructed worth more than P5 million each. The HDAP-ARMM projects being implemented by BFAR-ARMM cost about P45.29 million. The HDAP consists of government initiatives and programs geared towards improving the living conditions of families in conflict-affected areas, and building resilient and empowered communities
in a secure environment. These cover social support, livelihood programs, infrastructure, and basic social services. The regional government has allocated a total of P2.3 billion for HDAP projects. Infr a pr ojects nfra projects Some 30 kilometers of paved roads in the conflict-affected affected town are also expected to be completed this year under the Humanitarian and Development Action Plan (ARMM-HDAP). At least 22.5 kilometers have already been paved. The regional government is spending P371.1 million for the concreting of roads in conflict-affected areas. The infrastructure projects implemented by the Maguindanao 2nd district engineering office cover the municipalities of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Mamasapano, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo and Talayan. These municipalities suffered from both man-made and natural disasters in previous years. Projects in these towns include the concreting of: · Nunangen-Tungal and Nunangen-Tungal Phase II roads in Datu Anggal Midtimbang; · Philippine TradeDuguengen-Tukanalipao,
Malingao-Malibutan Phase II, and DadoMuntay Phase II roads in Mamasapano; · Timbangan-Labu-Labu, Kayakaya-Tukanalugong, Guinibon-Sugadol, and Talisawa-Mao roads in Datu Abdullah Sangki; · Dilembong-Duguengen road in Shariff Saydona Mustapha; · Municipal road in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan; · Kitango-Maganoy and Sitio Taguan-PanaangBalanakan roads in Datu Saudi Ampatuan; · Sambolawan-Madia road in Datu Salibo; and · South and North Binangga road in Talayan. Engr. James Mlok said the road improvement projects in these towns would help boost the local economic situations. “The projects will make the transport of products easier, thereby, increase profits,” he said, noting the projects would also address issues of peace and development in the communities. Sharing his story in the improvement of lives of the people in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, barangay chairman Ismael Hashim said: “Nakatulong ng malaki ang kalsada at tulay dito sa Barangay Tukanalipao dahil hindi na nahihirapan ang mga tao magdala ng mga produkto sa palengke.” (Bureau of Public Information)
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Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2018
ARMM provides health-related infra in conflicted-affected Maguindanao towns COTABATO CITY – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao continues to provide health and social protection assistance to communities in Maguindanao, the most conflict-affected province in ARMM, through the construction and enhancement of health facilities. As of November 2017, over P216 million was allocated for such projects, which are being implemented through the ARMM’s Humanitarian and Development Action Plan (HDAP). The HDAPARMM is a project of Hataman administration that implements various government initiatives in conflict-affected areas of the region. These initiatives include relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of both horizontal and vertical infrastructures and provision of livelihood programs that will promote peace and help the situation in calamity-affected communities specifically in 15 towns of Maguindanao. The projects include 34 Barangay Health Stations, with 86.45% physical accomplishment, constructed in the different towns in Maguindanao namely: • Brgy. Poblacion II, Tapikan and Satan in Shariif Aguak; • Brgy. Ganta, Pusao and Linantangan in Shariff Saydona Mustapha;
• Brgy. Talisawa and Sugadol in Datu Abdullah Sangki; • Brgy. Tambunan and South Binangga in Talayan; • Brgy. Kabingi in Datu Saudi Ampatuan; • Brgy. Bakat in Rajah Buayan; • Brgy. Labu Labu II and Tuayan in Datu Hoffer; • Brgy. Lusay and Pidsandawan in Mamasapano; • Brgy. Tanuel , Lower Capiton, Ambolodto and Sibuto in Datu Odin Sinsuat; • Brgy. Midtimbang, Tulunan and Muslim in Datu Anggal Midtimbang; • Brgy. Mileb, Macadayon and Pageda in Talitay; • Brgy Malangug and Brgy. Kyamko in Datu Unsay; • Brgy. Butilanin, Pandi, Andavit and Pindetan in Datu Salibo; • Brgy. Damabalas in Datu Piang; and • Brgy. Macasampen in Guindulungan. Meanwhile, three Rural Health Units (RHUs) were expanded in the municipalities of Mamasapano, Talitay and Datu Piang, while the RHUs in Talayan and Datu Salibo are yet to be constructed. Fifteen deep wells with elevated water tanks worth P7.5 million and 15 communal toilets worth P3.75 million were also constructed in the municipalities of Rajah Buayan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal
Midtimbang, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Hoffer, Sharrif Aguak, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Talitay, Shariff Saydona, Guindulungan, Datu Piang, and Mamasapano. On April 21, 2017, a c e r e m o n i a l groundbreaking was conducted for the construction of the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital - Datu Piang Annex, which has a 25-bed capacity and would be worth over P46 million. As of November 2017, the project has 38.86% physical accomplishment. The provision of support package equipment for the hospital is still under bidding, while the personnel salary for operations will be covered by a memorandum of agreement upon the completion of the hospital building. HDAP-ARMM aims at establishing a well-coordinated and systematic approach to address and mitigate effects of disasters and calamities. It also aims at addressing the needs and at providing immediate interventions to families affected by violent encounters between the military and the rebels. To ensure that the projects are properly implemented, the HDAPARMM’s Project Management Office is strictly supervising and monitoring these projects. (Bureau of Public Information)
SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO Sulu’s Maimbung Mayor Samier A. Tan inked the Senor Citizen Identificaton Card and Booklet for the constituents of Maimbung Municipal Government. (Photo from Maimbung Government)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2018
Looted cash, gold help Islamic State recruit in Philippines
A view of the damaged facade of Marawi's Grand Mosque, which was used as a hideout by Islamic State militants during the five-month siege in the city in May last year. (Reuters by Tom Allard) Continued fr om page 1 from They trucked away the booty, easily slipping out of Marawi because a security cordon was not fully in place. They also raided jewelry stores, pawnshops and businesses. Landbank and Al Amanah did not respond to requests for comment. Philippine National said recover ing losses because of the Marawi fighting was a concern, but did not give details. The Islamic celebration of Ramadan was looming at the time the militants struck and banks, businesses and homes had more money than usual, said Marawi City police chief Ebra Moxsir. The Maranaos, the ethnic group that dominates the area around Marawi, are mostly Muslims. “There was a lot of money inside the battle area,” he told Reuters. “Maranaos keep millions of pesos in safety vaults in their homes. Gold, also. It is a tradition of the Maranao to give gifts of money (during Ramadan).” Montesa said vans they loaded with the spoils of the raids were
“overflowing”, with money, gold and other valuables stuffed into ever y crevice of the vehicles. “They were saying it was a gift from Allah. They would say ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is greatest) while we were stealing.” D anger ous R egr ouping angerous Regr egrouping The military and police have also been accused by rights groups and by Marawi residents of looting during the conflict. Brawner said a small number of soldiers had been disciplined for looting but the practice was not widespread. However, the center of Marawi - home to its major banks, main market and grandest residences - was under the control of militants for months. Brawner said authorities were unclear exactly how much was taken by the militants. “It’s hard for us to say. We have heard about 2 billion pesos ($39.4 million) but that’s just an estimate.” “In the first days, when we were not able to establish that security cordon around the main battle area, that was the
time when they were able to slip out with their war booty.” The government also said the regrouping of militants in Mindanao, the southern region of the Philippines that has been marred by Islamic and Communist uprisings for decades, was dangerous. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque told Reuters: “There is always the danger of these groups regaining strength enough to mount another Marawilike operation.” Najib is believed to have fled Marawi early in the battle. There are conflicting reports about whether he had a dispute with other leaders or left as part of a preconceived plan. He attempted to retur n in August with 50-100 more fighters to reinforce the militants, who by then were losing ground, but he was prevented by an improved security cordon, said Brawner. “According to reports, they were able to recruit another 100 to 150. So the estimate is 250 all in all, and this includes children,”
Warring MILF leaders trigger exodus in Maguindanao
COTABATO CITY – Thousands of villagers have fled their homes in Mindanao following deadly clashes between two warring commanders of the Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front. At least 2 people were reported killed and many more wounded in sporadic fighting that began last week in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province. The commanders of the MILF’s 105th and 118th Base Command and their clans are locked in bitter feud and control over a large area of lands being claimed by both sides. The military could not provide details of the clashes and it was unclear
why it failed to prevent the skirmishes between the two armed groups. The MILF also failed to control its commanders. The governor of Maguindanao, Esmael Mangudadatu, remains silent over the breakdown of peace and order in the town. The clashes coincided with the senate hearing on the MILF-proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law that will govern an expanded Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines if approved by Congress and passed the plebiscite. The MILF signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014. The violence erupted while the army managed
to patch up a clan war involving Vice Mayor Jafar Dipatuan of BacolodKalawi and Mayor Al Fatah Pacalna Balindong of Tugaya, both of Lanao del Sur province. Both families engaged in deadly fighting over the past decade. Clan leaders also surrendered high-powered firearms, including two .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifles, six M14 rifles; seven M16 rifles; four M203 grenade launchers; three M79 grenade launchers, one .30-caliber rifle and a Browning automatic rifle, according to Captain Joann Petinglay, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command. (Mindanao Examiner)
Brawner said. “They are trying to recruit orphans, relatives of the fighters who died and sympathizers.” Parents of children are offered as much as 70,000 pesos ($1,380) plus a monthly salary of as much as 30,000 pesos ($590) to hand over their sons to the group, according to security sources and community leaders briefed on the recruitment. The average family income in the Philippines is 22,000 pesos per
month, according to a 2015 government survey. It was about half that in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, where Marawi and surrounding areas lie. Brawner said local residents had told the military that the militant group was also offering bonuses of up to 10,000 pesos ($200) for killing a soldier. Rommel Banlaoi, a Manila-based security expert, said more experienced fighters had also been recruited. These were “mercenaries” attracted by the payouts, he said, but Najib has also tapped into disaffection among Maranao angered by the destruction of large par ts of Marawi by the Philippine military’s bombing campaign. “That kind of narrative is being used by ISIS to lure people to continue the fight,” Banlaoi said, using an acronym for Islamic State. mir? Next E Emir? With the looted funds and a loyal following, Najib, could become the new “emir” of Islamic State in Southeast Asia following the death of Isnilon Hapilon in the battle for Marawi, security analysts say. Najib is a hardened fighter and cleric who studied in the Middle East and reportedly
trained with militants in Afghanistan, they say. He co-founded Khalifa Islamiyah Mindanao, an insurgent group formed in about 2012 that launched a ser ies of bombings in Mindanao. “He is a very, very important person because he has been there from the start,” said Banlaoi. Najib had links to Al Qaeda, which earned him the nickname “al Zarqawi of the Philippines”, a reference to the slain leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), Abu Musab al Zarqawi. AQI morphed into Islamic State, to which Najib pledged allegiance in 2014. According to Banlaoi, Najib worked closely with Mahmud Ahmad, a Malaysian militant believed to have died in Marawi who was the key conduit between the Philippines fighters and the Islamic State leadership in Syria and Iraq. Banlaoi said the recruitment effort by the pro-Islamic State remnants led by Najib was “massive and systematic”. “If you are well funded, you can do a lot of things.” (Reuters by Tom Allard. Additional reporting by Martin Petty, Neil Jerome Morales and Manuel Mogato; Editing by John Chalmers and Raju Gopalakrishnan.)
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LETTERS FROM DAVAO
HEALTH: Murang Check-Up: Blood test at Urinalysis
by Jun Ledesma
Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong
'Mga K uskos-B alungos' Kuskos-B uskos-Balungos' Nagareport na ko sa karera sa politika ni Pangulong Rodrigo R. Duterte gikan sa una pa lang gyud niyang adlaw sa pagsulod sa natad sa politika isip tinudlo nga Bise Mayor sa Davao City. Kaming mga gagmayng peryodista sa lokal nga komunidad nga nakatariya sa City Hall masuod gyud sa maglingkod sa posisyon sa pagka Mayor, mga pangulo sa mga departamento ug mga staff nga naka-assign sa iyaha. Masinati namo sila sama sa among palad. Ilis-ilis ra ang mga pangulo sa mga departamento depende sa maglingkod nga Mayor ug kini ang kamatuoran kang Mayor Rodrigo ug sa iyang anak nga si Inday Sara. Ang nakalahi lang niini mao si Presidential Assistant (PAS) Christopher 'Bong' Go isip personal assistant sa nahauna nga nagapadayon gihapon hangtud karon. Kining pagkasuod nagapadayon ug ninglungtad tungod kay si “Bong”, nga maoy gusto niyang angga, kasaligan gyud kaayo ug hugot nga maunongon ug nakahibalo sa utlanan sa iyang katungdanan ug responsibilidad. Kini nga hisgotanan ninghatod kanato sa isyu mahitungod sa “frigate contract” o “kontrata sa prigata” o bapor de-gira nga ang on-line media Rappler gustong kutawon aron mahimong unos aron makapanimalos sila kang Pangulong Duterte nga maoy ilang gipasanginlan nga nagpaluyo sa desisyon sa Securities and Exchange Commission sa pagsira sa ilang operasyon isip media. Sa tinud-anay lang, ang mga personahe nga nalambigit sa kaluha nga kontrobersya ug maoy ninghimo sa mga desisyon pulos mga tinudlo sa administrasyong Aquino. Ang kontrata sa prigata napirmahan na sa wala pa makatungtong si Duterte sa Malacanang samtang upat sa lima ka SEC Commissioners nga ningdesisyon sa pagsira sa Rappler mga tinudlo gihapon ni Aquino. Demodo, ang pagguroy sa pangalan ni Presidential Assistant Bong Go ug paglambigit kaniya sa kontrata sa prigata usa ka aksyon nga puno og malisya. Hokus-pokus nga pasangil ni sa mga desperadong magsusulat sa Rappler. Nagtuo sila nga kun tirahan nila si Bong Go, si Duterte ang masakitan. Ilang gibale-wala ang kamatuoran nga bisan si Vice Admiral Ronald J. Mercado, ang gipulihan nga Hepe sa Philippine Navy, ningdiklara nga si Bong Go way labot sa negosasyon sa makontrobersya nga kontrata sa prigata nga natapos ug napirmahan na sa ning-aging administrasyon. Bisag asa nimo tan-awon, giguroy lang si Bong sa unos sa sulod sa tasa sa tsa tungod sa gahian ug masuklanon nga pagtuo sa Rappler nga may labot si Duterte sa pagsirado nila. Layo ra gyud ni sa tinuod. Ang papel ni Bong Go klaro kaayo ug si Pia Ranada sa Rappler angay nga nakahibalo niini. Isip PAS siya usab ang nagadumala sa Presidential Management Staff nga ang nag-una nga trabaho mao ang pagdawat sa mga reklamo nga ginapadangat sa Opisina sa Presidente pinaagi sa 8888
electronic window, mga sulat ug personal nga pag-asoy sa mga lungsoranon. Kini nga opisina mao ang moduso sa mga reklamo ngadto sa mga hingtungdan nga departamento sa gobyerno. Ang reklamo bahin sa kontrata sa prigata nga gipadala ngadto sa Malacanang ug giendorso ngadto sa Defense Department usa lamang sa mga daghan kaayong isyu nga ginaendorso ngadto sa DD sumala sa nalatid na nga sistema ug batasan. Nan, nganong aduna may kuskosbalungos? Sa estilo sa pagsulat ni Pia, abi gyud nimo og hadlok gyud kaayo siya kang Pangulong Duterte. Mora og gusto niyang ipalabas sa publiko nga ang pagsira sa Rappler usa ka hulga sa press freedom o kagawasan sa pamahayag. Layo ra gyud ni sa tinuod. Libo-ka-libo ka mga gul-anan sa media ug ang mga journalists sama kang Pia ug Ressa lingaw kaayo sa ilang kagawasan nga walay sama. Pagsumpo sa kagawasan sa pagpahayag? Ang ilang kagawasan ug sa uban nga mga taga media, tinuod o mini, nga nagaapil-apil sa ilang mga walay hinungdan nga mga rallies ang pinakaepektibong argumento nga manghimakak sa ilang akusasyon. Ang gihimo unta ni Pia mao ang personal nga pagdala sa kaso ngadto sa Pangulo. Wa koy pagduhaduha nga bisan sa mga paglatigo nga ilang gihimo sa Presidente, si Duterte, sa iyang personal nga kapasidad, mangita og pamaagi nga matabangan sila pinaagi sa pagtul-id sa legal nga mga kahuyang kun diin morag nataop ang Rappler sa tae nga lawom pa sa taga tuhod. Angay nga kahibalo si Pia niini kay di ba siya tong bag-ohan nga peryodista nga gipunit gikan sa kanal sa kandidatong Duterte ug sa iyang “sidekick” Bong Go? Nahulog si Pia sa kanal samtang nagreport sa kampanya sa Davao City. Gikanselar ni Duterte ang maong bahin sa kampanya aron dalhon sa ospital ang naluya nga peryodista ug wa niya biyai si Pia hangtud nga segurado na ang kandidato nga maayo ug baskog na ang peryodista. Hinoon, nangagi na man na, kaniadto pa. Basig nakalimtan na ni Pia. Much A do Ado About A Done D eal Deal I HAVE COVERED the political career of Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte since the first day he stepped into the political arena as an appointed Vice Mayor of Davao City. For us community journalists whose beat is City Hall, we get real close to whoever sits as Mayor, his department heads and personal staff. We know them like the back of our hands. Talking of department heads, they all come and go depending who sits there as Mayor and this is true between Mayors Rodrigo and daughter Inday Sara. An exception to this is Christopher Go for his engagement as personal assistant with the former persists to date. This intimacy lasts because "Bong", which he prefers to be called, is trustworthy and unquestionably loyal and he knows the parameters of his duties and responsibilities. Which brings us to the issue of the frigate contract
which online media Rappler wants to stir into a storm in an apparent move to get back at President Duterte whom they faulted as behind the Securities and Exchange Commission decision to shut them off. What is actually a common denominator in these twin controversies is that involved in the decision process were all officials of the Aquino administration. The naval contract was a done deal before Duterte stepped into Malacanang while four of the five SEC Commissioners who decided to close Rappler were also appointees of Aquino. Dragging the name of Presidential Assistant (PAS) Bong Go to the frigate deal therefore stinks of malice. It's journalistic witchcraft which the desperate writers of Rappler have conjured. They thought that by training their guns on Bong Go they will hurt Duterte. They virtually stonewalled the fact that even Vice Admiral Ronald J. Mercado, the relieved Philippine Navy Chief, said that Bong had nothing to do with the negotiation of the controversial deal which was concluded during the previous administration. Any which way you look at it Bong was drag into the tempest in the teacup because of their obstinate belief that Duterte had a hand in the closure of Rappler. Far from it. The role of Bong Go had been defined and Pia Ranada, Rappler's writer, should know this. As PAS, he too supervises the Presidential Management Staff, the primary function of which is to received complaints sent to 8888 electronic window, letters and personal gripes sent to the President's office. It is this office that parcels out which complaint should be referred to the proper government department and bureau. The complaint arising from the naval contract which was sent to Malacanang and referred to the Defense Department was just one of the many concerns sent to the DD as a matter of course. So why the fuss? Pia writes as if she is too scared of President Duterte like she wants to impress to the public that the closure of Rappler is a threat to press freedom. Far from it. Thousands of media outlets and journalists including Pia and Ressa enjoy their liberties like no other. Suppression of freedom of expression? Theirs and those of other media practitioners and pseudo-journalists who join them in the pipsqueak rallies are the best argument to disprove their claim. What Pia could have done was to bring her case to the President personally. There is absolutely no doubt that despite the flagellation they did the President, in his personal capacity he will find means to help them by way of curing the legal infirmities which Rappler is in deep shit. Pia should know this personally for wasn't she the newbie journalist who candidate Duterte and his "sidekick" Bong Go picked up from the canal where she fell while covering the campaign event in Davao City? Duterte cancelled the rest of his campaign sortie to personally bring the frail Pia to the hospital and did not leave her until he was assured she is well and hale. But then that was then.
ALAM KONG marami ang ayaw magpa-check up sa doktor. Una, mahal magpa-konsulta sa doktor. Pangalawa, takot malaman ang sakit. Ikatlo, akala nila ay mahal ang magpaexecutive check-up. Sa mga takot magpa-check up, mayroon akong matipid na paraan para malaman ninyo ang lagay ng inyong kalusugan. Simple lang po. Magpa-blood test at urinalysis. Heto ang mga dapat i-check sa inyong dugo. 1. Complete blood count o CBC – Makikita rito kung ikaw ay anemic o kulang sa dugo. Makikita rin kung may impeksiyon ka sa katawan. 2. Fasting blood sugar o FBS – Kung lalampas sa 126 mg/dl ang inyong blood sugar, ibig sabihin ay may diabetes kayo. Umiwas sa matatamis at matataba para bumaba ang inyong blood sugar. Mag-exercise din. 3. Lipid profile – Kasama sa test na ito ang cholesterol, triglycerides, good cholesterol (HDL) at bad cholesterol (LDL). Kung mahilig kayo sa
Dr. Willie T. Ong matatabang pagkain, puwedeng tumaas ang cholesterol ninyo. Magiingat po. 4. Creatinine – Tumataas ang creatinine kapag may sakit na sa bato. Kaya, uminom ng 8 hanggang 12 basong tubig araw-araw para malinis ang ating katawan. Kapag malakas tayong uminom ng tubig, masaya ang mga kidneys natin. 5. Uric Acid – Kapag mataas ang inyong uric acid, puwede kayong magkaroon ng isang klaseng arthritis na kung tawagin ay Gout. Umiwas sa mga pagkaing mataas sa uric acid tulad ng monggo, beans, karekare, taho, laman loob at lahat ng klaseng mani. 6. SGPT – Itong test ang nagsasabi kung may sira na ang inyong atay.
Kapag lampas ng 100 ang inyong SGPT, dapat na kayong magpakonsulta sa doktor. Ang mga sakit na hepatitis, cirrhosis at ang paginom ng alak ay nakasisira sa ating atay. 7. Urinalysis – Maliban sa blood test, mainam din na ipasuri ang ihi. Sa urinalysis, makikita din kung kayo ay may impeksyon, may diabetes o may diprensiya sa kidneys. Ang halaga ng mga nabanggit na blood test at ur inalysis ay humigit-kumulang P700 lamang. Pumunta sa isang kilala at murang laborator yo. Tandaan din na may 10 hours fasting ang blood test. Kung 8 pm ang huling kain ninyo, puwedeng magpablood test ng 6 am, bago pa mag-almusal. Magpakuha din ng blood pressure. Kung ang blood pressure ninyo ay lampas sa 140 over 90, magpakonsulta sa doktor at baka may altapresyon. Tandaan, mas mura ang gamutan kapag maaga itong matutuklasan. Mas hahaba pa ang inyong buhay. Ano pa ang hinihintay n’yo? Magpa-check na!
RECIPE: Rosemary Crusted Roast Rack of Lamb
INGREDIENT S: INGREDIENTS:
– 1 rack of lamb (7 to 8 bones at approximately 1½ to 2 lbs) – 3 tablespoons Panko breadcrumbs – 3 tablespoons chopped Rosemary
– 2½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil – 6 cloves garlic, minced – 1 teaspoon salt – ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
INSTR UCTIONS: INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Rub salt and ground black pepper all over the lamb. Let it stay for at least 12 minutes. 2) Meanwhile preheat oven to 450F 3) Combine Panko bread crumbs, Rosemary, garlic, and olive oil in a bowl. Mix well. Rub the mixture all over the rack of lamb. Arrange on a baking tray and roast for 18 minutes. 4) Remove from the oven. Let it cool down for 8 to 12 minutes. 5) Slice the lamb between each bones. 6) Serve. Share and enjoy! (http://www.panlasangpinoy.com)
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DOT seeks budget for restoration of old churches TOURISM SECRETARY Wanda Corazon Teo bared the agency's plan to propose a budget for the restoration and development of historical shrines and old churches all over the archipelago to boost faith-based tourism in the country. Teo said the Philippines’ diversely-rich religious culture, though predominantly Roman Catholic, provides a strong catalyst for “faith tourism,” a promising niche of this country’s booming tourism industry. She said the pro-
posed project would be part of preparations for the 2021 commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu, marking the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines. “The Philippines is an ideal destination of religious pilgrimage, not only for sight-seeing but to actually experience time-honored Filipino traditions dating back to pre-Spanish era, and then the Christianization period,” Teo said. The Visayan region’s two major religious festivities showed the country’s potentials of
drawing more international visitors, who seek to personally witness and experience unique traditions, particularly Filipinos’ veneration and devotion to Jesus Christ. According to the Department of Tourism, nearly 2 million people gathered to celebrate Sinulog, the feast of Santo Niño or Child Jesus in Cebu City, culminating in a grand parade of contingents of performers from neighboring cities and provinces, including Catbalogan City, Samar, Leyte, Bohol and North Cotabato. The DOT head said
that there are 6.6 million Catholic faithful in Asia which was the prospective market for faith-based tourism in the Philippines. In South Korea alone - the Philippines’ top tourist market - there are
5 million Catholics while there are 800,000 in Malaysia; 500,000 in Japan; 200,000 in Thailand, and 185,000 in Singapore. “We are coordinating with the stakeholders, particularly tour operators to come up with
attractive spiritual tour packages that will attract millions of visitors from all corners of the world,” said DOT erstwhile Faith Tourism director Marissa Diploma. ( Joyce Ann Rocamora)
LTFRB limits transportation network vehicle services THE LAND TRANSPORTATION Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has set a common supply base for transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) units which aims at creating a distinct denomination for the transport service that will facilitate regulation of the ridesharing industry. The initiative was derived out of the current practice of TNVS drivers who are accredited by more than one transportation network company (TNC). “The policy on a common supply base for TNVS was envisioned to create a distinct denomination for this type of public transport service and not defined by the individual business models of the TNCs, thus giving the Board a more focused regulator y function on such service,” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said. “As it is now, the current TNCs and several other TNCs who have
ARMM
expressed interest to the Board to provide this type of service are now free to get the supply from the common supply base for their respective network unbridled by any preference over any TNC,” he added. The LTFRB, in a recent memorandum, imposed a common base of 45,700 TNVS units nationwide which were broken down as follows: Metro Manila - 45,000 TNVS units; Metro Cebu 500 TNVS units; and Pampanga - 200 TNVS units. The cap on TNVS units was determined from relevant data given by the leading TNCs, taking into consideration churning rate, percentage of full-time and part-time TNVS, peak and off-peak hours and average daily bookings, among others. The LTFRB Board will review the policy three months after it becomes effective as demand varies from time to time. The common base will enable TNVS drivers to register under ridesharing companies that are accredited
by the Board. All valid and existing certificates of public convenience (CPCs) to operate TNVS and those with pending applications are included in the common supply base. The validity of existing CPCs to operate TNVS shall remain effective subject to the new terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Board. Accredited TNCs should accept and process for accreditation only valid CPC holders. For its part, Grab Philippines Country Head Brian Cu said LTFRB’s move would adversely affect the number of TNVS units that they are operating amid increasing demand from their passengers. The ridesharing firm needs around 70,000-80,000 units in order to replenish their supply of transport services to the commuters. There are around 125,000 TNVS units in Metro Manila, according to the LTFRB. The new guidelines is effective staring February 3. (Aerol John Pateña)
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