‘Strongman ang gikinahanglan’ Children of Jihad: Terrorism
shifting gears in Indonesia
ni Jun Ledesma MAKABALAKA ang panahon. Ang presyo sa oil ningkatkat na sa atop ug ang mapahimudsanon nga mga magpapatigayon ug ang mga tiggubot sa gobyerno nagpahimulos sa kahimtang gamit ang tanang mga pamaagi ug kahigayonan. Mga Obispo, mga pari kauban ang mga tiggalgal ug tigpainit sa dugo sa
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pagkamiserable sa masa. Kulang pa gyud ni para kanila.Gidugang nila sa tighaling ang mga establisimiyento sa media nga sinuholan sa mga langyaw ug mga media nga gidumala sa lokal nga mga bossing nga nanumpa sa pagtibhang sa popularidad sa Duterte administration. Continue on page 7
The ability to carry out a series of attacks in a shorter period of time — with better explos i ve s a n d a h i g h e r number of casualties — indicates that terrorist g ro u p s i n In d o n e s i a a re b e c o m i n g r u t h lessly efficient and potentially more dangerous. They have changed
their strategy of attack and, what is more frightening still, have shown how the so-called Islamic State (IS) group is flourishing and wielding its influence to make Indonesia its hotbed. In fact, Islamic State has become increasingly vocal in claiming responsibility for a wave of recent attacks, beginning
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with deadly riots at a police detention facility in Depok, West Java on May 9. The group also claimed a number of successful attacks on churches and a police station in Surabaya, the capital of East Java province, and in Sumatra's Riau. Continue on page 7
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June 4-10, 2018
MILF happy over BBL approval T
HE MOR O ISL AMIC Liber ation F ike MORO ISLAMIC Liberation Frront or MILF said it managed to str strike out many amendments b y law makers in the pr oposed B angsamor oB aby proposed Bangsamor angsamoro Basic Law or BBL which they said is the aspir ation of the M uslims in souther n aspiration Muslims southern Philippines hilippines.. Ghazali Jaafar, the they also got this down to the sake of the Muslims in MILF vice chairman for 9. the restive region. political affairs, said the “We are happy by this Both the Senate and House of Representatives development,” Jaafar said, the House of Representahad over 300 amendments but he was quick to say that tives last week approved to the original version of they face a bigger chal- their own BBL draft laws the BBL and claimed to lenge ahead and that is to and lawmakers are set to have brought this down to convince Islamic militants meet in a bicameral conabout 20, while the Senate fighting for a separate ference committee to had dozens of amend- homeland to put a stop to reconcile their versions of Continue on page 2 ments to the draft law and war and embrace peace for
Zambo mayor vows to seek justice for siege victims
The Bangsa Sug Consensus on the BBL and Federalism have reached Malacanang, when Rep. Shernee A. Tan of the Kusug Tausug party list hands over to President Rodrigo Duterte the Bangsa Sug Consensus Position Paper on the BBL and Federalism which multi-sectoral groups overwhelmingly supported on May 9, 2018. The Bangsa Sug Consensus was initiated by former Sulu Governor Dr. Sakur Tan, also known as Datu Shah Bandar, the Special Envoy and Spokesman of the Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate.On the BBL, the gist of the position taken was for the opt-in opt-out provisions and that the core territory votes individually and that the Sulu Sea retains its name. On federalism, the configuration should be Basilan, TawiTawi and Sulu should be lumped with Zamboanga Peninsula in contemplation of a federal state. (From the Facebook Page of Rep. Shernee Tan.)
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June 4-10, 2018
MILF happy over BBL approval
Continued fr om page 1 from the bill and to ratify it in July during the opening of the 3rd regular session before this could be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for his approval and signature. Duterte is likely to sign the BBL, which he had certified as an urgent measure, into law before his State of the Nation Address in July also. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said it has taken more than a decade of negotiations that led to the BBL. And he praised Duterte for certifying the BBL as urgent, saying it came at an important time, not just in Congress' legislative calendar, but in “our people's long history of working towards peace.” Hataman said the BBL should bring forth an institution that is capable of responding to the challenge of the times and to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro, unimpaired and free of the maladies that have afflicted the ARMM. He said the BBL is envisioned to codify not only a law, but a history of struggle and sacrifice—by countless mujahideen, their families, and fellow Moros, as well as all of the Filipino people who were unwavering in their hope and their actions for peace, social justice, inclusiveness, and progress.” Appeals Muslims had repeatedly urged Duterte to consult all different tribes in southern Philippines on the BBL. There are over a dozen Muslim tribes in the region, mostly in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao that comprise the Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM; and also in Palawan province. There are an estimated 11 million Muslims or approximately 11 percent of the Philippine population, but their leaders are not well represented in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission or BTC the government has put up to draft the BBL. Majority of the Muslims do not even know the provisions in the BBL and previous consultations during the time of the Aquino administration were mostly staged with Muslim leaders saying they were not consulted. Separ ate M uslim R egion eparate Muslim Region Even provincial governors of the Muslim provinces were not part of the BTC which was chaired by Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator, which signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014. The MILF - whose influence is concentrated only in Maguindanao - now wanted to rule over the proposed new Bangsamoro homeland that would replace the ARMM. Muslims in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Palawan belong to two ethnic tribes – the Yakan (in Basilan); and the Tausug (of Sulu, TawiTawi and Palawan) – and they do not want to be ruled by the MILF, of majority of its tribe and members. They wanted a separate autono-
mous region with Tausug as their leader; and for the revival of the Sultanate of Sulu and give political powers to their sultans. Representative Shernee Tan, of the party list group Kusug Tausug, said there are still unconstitutional provisions in the BBL. Tan said she is not against the proposed Muslim law, but was concerned about Section 3(a), Article XV of House Bill Number 6475 which states that once the majority of the people in the ARMM vote in favor of BBL, the Bangsamoro will be established and all ARMM provinces, cities and areas will be part of the Bangsamoro territory. Tan said this is unconstitutional and cited Section 18, Article X of the Constitution “which provides that only those geographic areas voting favourably in a plebiscite for the creation of the autonomous region shall be included.” She also said that Muslims in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi wanted to be part of the Zamboanga Peninsula as it was originally in the past. The three neighboring provinces were originally part of Region 9 in Western Mindanao which comprised of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, and now the addition of Zamboanga Sibugay. Bangsa S ug C onsensus Sug Consensus Muslim leaders and various stakeholders in Mindanao are now pushing for the separation of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi from the ARMM and include the provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula to form a federated state should Congress approve the proposed federalism government which Duterte is strongly advocating. In a consensus held last month in Zamboanga City, stakeholders from Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao trooped there to read their manifesto as a show of strong support to the proposal for the creation of ‘Federal State of ZamBaSulTa’. Among the valid justifications for the proposed Federal State of ZamBaSulTa are Economic Viability and to ensure this is to group together Zamboanga Peninsula with Zamboanga City as the center, and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; Historical Reality as the shared history of the area and proposed federal state is a strong argument for its unity as one federal state. This history stems from the once dominant force exerted by the Sulu Sultanate over these areas, including Southern Palawan and the islands of Sulu and South China Seas, but the consensus also maintained that this is not to say the Sultanate of Sulu will again lay claim to these areas, instead, the region is now witness to different operative local government units that wield the real power and that cannot be changed. It also cited other justifi-
cation for the union such as Geographical Proximity because the provinces and Zamboanga City is contiguous to each other by land, and Basilan, Sulu and TawiTawi are situated next to each other like a chain of island south of the Zamboanga Peninsula. And Demographic and Cultural Identity because of similarity in culture and peoples – Muslim and Christian relationship, education and interfaith engagements have strengthened this identity in the region. Sultans of S ulu Sulu At least 5 influential Sulu sultans, Ibrahim Bahjin, Muizuddin Jainal Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin and Phugdalun Kiram who are part of the Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate, also attended the event dubbed “The Bangsa Sug Consensus – ZamBaSulTa. A People of Significance.” - and threw their all-out support for the proposal along with Muslim religious leaders led by the Grand Mufti, His Eminence Abdulbaqi Abubakar. Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde, who represented Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar, read a message in front of some 1,500 people. Christian and Muslim political leaders, among them former Sulu governor and a strong ally of Duterte, Dr. Sakur Tan - also called Datu ShahBandar – and his son, Totoh Tan, the current governor of Sulu, spoke in the event. Position paper The Tan patriarch, in a position paper he read before the huge crowd, enumerated several concerns and reaction of Muslims to the proposed Bangsamoro Bill and federalism. He said the main objections of the people of Sulu through its Sultanate to the proposed Bangsamoro law center on the provisions on Territory that would change the historical name of the Sulu Sea to “Bangsamoro Waters.” He said Sulu Sea should retain its name. Tan said the constituents in the provinces under the ARMM (including Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao) should be given the option to vote against inclusion in the new Bangsamoro entity. “The position is anchored on the principle of democratic consultation which is an essential element of plebiscites and a basic concept in Islam, as embodied by the principle of Shura (or consultation) in the Holy Qur’an.” “The method of plebiscite and the counting of votes should be based on real democratic consultation and should not be hampered by what may be considered as the tyranny of the majority,” the elder Tan said. He said the present version of the bill provides that the establishment of the Bangsamoro and the determination of the Bangsamoro territory shall take effect upon ratification of the Basic Law by majority votes cast in plebiscite. The present bill,
Tan said, takes for granted that all five constituent provinces favor inclusion in the new Bangsamoro entity. “This should never be presumed because presumption destroys the democratic essence of plebiscites. Precisely for the reason that the Bangsamoro entity is new, and is not just an amended version of the ARMM, the consent and option of the ARMM constituent provinces should be respected,” he said. Tan said when the con-
stituent provinces voted for inclusion to the ARMM in past plebiscites, they consented to be included in the ARMM, and not in the Bangsamoro which is completely new legal entity. “Ratification therefore should be on the basis of the majority votes of each constituent province and not of the entire geographical area of the present ARMM,” he said. He said the territorial lines of federalization should not be dictated by religious dogma for this would be lim-
iting, counter-productive and contrary to the spirit of nationhood. “The federal territorial divide is not a divide of peoples and religions; it is a realistic and practical divide of administration and governance, so that the people get the best and most viable governance that befits their needs and circumstances,” Tan said, adding, a copy of the consensus was submitted to Duterte by the Kusug Tausug party list, the House of Representatives and Senate. (Mindanao Examiner)
ARMM holds forum on Islamic Heritage COTABATO CITY – A forum on Islamic heritage was held here by the Bureau on Cultural Heritage of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BCHARMM) as part of the National Heritage Month celebration. Engr. Marites K. Maguindra, BCH-ARMM Executive Director, said the forum highlighted the Islamic heritage of the Moro people and its influence in their culture. “It is very timely that we have this activity because it is the Holy month of Ramadhan. Also, in this activity, we want to help ensure the preservation of this heritage for the sake of future generations,” she said. Bangsamoro Grand Mufti Abuhuraira Abdurrahman Udasan, the guest speaker, said the most important Islamic heritage is the glorious Qur’an, which is a blessing from Allah and a guide to all Muslims. “In this sense, we have to rely on the Qur’an
in recording the history of Islam. It plays the role of correcting all the corruptions and extortions,” he said. Representatives from different agencies of the ARMM participated in the activity. It was also supported by the Regional Darul Ifta’ and the Bureau of Madaris Education of the region’s Department of Education. The highlight of the activity was an open forum on Islamic heritage that encompasses Islamic history; culture and traditions; beliefs and practices; and marriage and family values. A panel discussion was opened after the talk of the Grand Mufti and was facilitated by experts on Islamic studies namely Ustadz Alzad Sattar, Bureau of Madaris Education representative, and Ustadza Jihan Batiting, Bangsamoro Development Agency representative. During the discussion, it was clarified that not all cultural practices are still in accordance with the teachings of Islam and that is why
it is important to take a look on the deeper sense of Islam for Muslims and to be guided on everything without compromising culture. “We must examine our culture. If these cultural practices are inconsistent with the teachings of Islam, then we must avoid doing them,” Ustadz Sattar stressed. The 2018 National Heritage Month celebration carries the theme, ‘Pambansang Pagkakaisa para sa Pamana’. It highlights the role of a common heritage as a unifying force, contributing to national unity. Moreover, the celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 439 series of 2003 that declares May as National Heritage Month. This is in recognition of the need to create among the Filipino people consciousness, respect, and love for the legacies of the Filipino cultural history. (Bureau of Public Information)
Military hunts down BIFF in Mindanao KIDAPAWAN CITY – Security forces continue to track down members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters following an operation that dismantled an alleged BIFF weapons factory in the restive region. Troops last week seized old and rusty guns from an alleged “firearms factory” being used by militants, whose group is tied to the Islamic State. Officials said police commandos, backed by army soldiers and armoured vehicles, raided several houses in the village of Tonggol in General Salipada Pendatun town suspected of being a weapons factory for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). The raid, led by Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, was part of an operation aimed at weakening the BIFF’s access to illegal weapons. The raiders recovered a lathe machine, two anti-tank rocket launchers, one .45caliber pistol, a shotgun, rifle grenades and several homemade guns. “To keep our winning edge against a highly adap-
Military photo released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show illegal weapons seized from an alleged weapons factory in the troubled province of Maguindanao. Also troops headed by Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, and an armoured vehicle used in the operation. tive enemy in a complex environment, we employed different capabilities to maximize combined arms effects. The synergized effort enables the police commandos to serve the warrants against the suspects,” Cabunoc said. Military and police forces failed to arrest or capture any BIFF militant, but over a dozen civilians were
briefly held for questioning and eventually freed. BIFF militants have previously attacked police and military targets in the province and in neighboring towns and have been fighting for a separate homeland in the troubled, but mineral-rich region. (With a report from Rhoderick Beñez.)
June 4-10, 2018
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The Mindanao Examiner
Zambo mayor vows to seek justice for siege victims
MNLF Commander Usong Ugong speaks with then Interior Secretary Mar Roxas following his surrender in Zamboanga during the 2013 siege. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Local Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar has vowed to seek justice for victims of a deadly siege by Moro rebels following the release from jail of dozens of gunmen who participated in the 2013 attack. The Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 158 ordered the release of 96 out of over 200 members of the Moro National Liberation Front rebels who were captured or surrendered to security forces after a plea bargaining agreement between the accused and the Department of Justice. “The release was a result of the Plea Bargaining Agreement entered into by the Department of Justice and some of the MNLF accused over the objection of the City, which resulted to the lowering of the penalty imposed on the accused since their imprisonment has already exceeded the penalty agreed upon in the Plea Bargaining Agreement,” Salazar said. “The City Gover nment is saddened by the release of the accused MNLF members but will continue to fight for justice despite the recent order of the Regional Trial Court,” she added. Salazar also ordered police and military forces to tightened security in Zamboanga following the release of the rebels.
“As City Mayor, I have ordered a thorough review on the secur ity measures and directed the city police and military to closely coordinate with my office. I am still positively hoping that justice will be served to the victims of the Zamboanga siege and the remaining 100 MNLF accused shall be held accountable for the crimes committed,” she said. MNLF chieftain Nur Misuari is among those facing charges of rebellion and violation of the Philippine Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes against Humanity, but President Rodrigo Duterte is protecting him. Some 300 of Misuari’s loyal followers from Basilan and Sulu provinces arrived by boats in Zamboanga and then attacked several villages, sparking house to house fighting with rebels taking dozens of innocent civilians and held them hostage and shield against security forces. One of his commanders, Usong Ugong, had surrendered to Senior Super intendent Jose Chiquito Malayo, then the local police chief, in the village of Mampang in exchange for a safe passage back to Basilan province. Ugong claimed that Misuari misled them into believing they would
attend a peace rally in Zamboanga, but ended up hiding in the village when fighting erupted. Malayo was initially reported to have been taken hostage by Ugong’s group, but this had been denied by the police officer who admitted he went to the village to negotiate for the surrender of the rebels. Assorted weapons were also seized by the police from Ugong’s group. More than 400 people were killed and wounded in the fighting that lasted three weeks and displaced over 120,000 residents. Salazar previously said she will not allow the rebels to go unpunished. In 2001, loyal forces of Misuari also attacked militar y bases in Zamboanga City and Jolo town in Sulu province and the clashes killed over 100 people. Misuari, who signed a peace accord with Manila in 1996, then became governor in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, but was removed after losing in the succeeding elections. He also ran thrice as governor in Sulu in previous years but was repeatedly defeated. Then out of frustration, he accused the Aquino government of reneging on the peal deal that triggered him to launch attacks in Zamboanga City twice and once in Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
June 4-10, 2018
Privacy Commission backs creation of nat'l ID system THE NATIONAL PRIVACY Commission (NPC) said it is backing the establishment of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), adding, the creation of a national ID system will facilitate the access of Filipinos to public and private sector services which need proof of identity. NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro said a national ID is a valuable possession of every Fili-
pino because the proposed national ID system allows the disclosure, collection and recording of information of registered persons. He said this is very important in the following instances when there is consent of the registered person; when the compelling interest of public health or safety so requires, relevant information may be disclosed upon order of a competent court, provided that the risk of
significant harm to the public is established and the owner of the information is notified within 72 hours of the fact of such disclosure; and when the registered person requests the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to provide access to his or her registered information and record history. Liboro assured the public that measures are in place to ensure the privacy of personal
DOLE awaits wage boards' proposals to cushion TRAIN impact THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR and Employment (DOLE) said it is expecting the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) to issue recommendations to cushion the effect of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) law on workers. “We expect the Wage Boards to immediately act on their current wage orders to help minimum wage earners cope with the rising cost of living,” said DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who earlier ordered all RTWPBs in the country to convene and assess the impact of rising costs of goods on workers' income and purchasing power. “We are doing this to provide daily wage earners the capability to cushion
the impact of spiralling prices, if not totally recover the lost value of their income,” Bello said. On the other hand, National Wages and Productivity Commission Executive Director Maria Criselda Sy is hoping that actions from regional wage boards will be done within a month. “Usually, they may have recommendations already within 30 days... such as declaring a supervening condition in the region,” she explained. Under the Republic Act No. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Law, wage boards may adjust wage rates if there are supervening conditions affecting the capacity of workers to cope with inflation, even if it falls within the 12month prohibited period from the last wage order
issued. With this, Bello is pushing the six RTWPBs that have reached one-year anniversary of salary adjustments. The six regions are Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Davao Region. “Expected to issue new wage orders are Boards whose wage orders have already reached their anniversary dates. I have instructed them to fast track their public hearing and immediately issue a new wage order,” Bello said. Consumers have complained of spike in prices of fuel, grocery items, electricity rates, and other basic commodities in the past weeks. (Ferdinand Patinio)
information once the PhilSys is implemented. “The consent of an individual or court orders are some of the requirements needed for any government agencies or other organizations to acquire personal data,” he said. “This is consistent with the policy recognized under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 or DPA of protecting the fundamental human right to privacy while ensuring free flow of information.” Liboro said. The PSA must also ensure that individuals are informed upon registration on how their data will be used and how they can
access their registered information and record history to uphold their data privacy rights. The DPA ensures that sanctions will be imposed against violations under the proposed national ID system such as unauthorized collection, disclosure or access, or malicious disclosure of personal data. The Palace has earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte will sign into law a bill establishing the PhilSys once this is ratified by Congress. The bill seeks to integrate and interconnect some 30 redundant government IDs
by coming out with a single national ID system. The PhilSys will have three key components: the PhilSys Number or PSN, the PhilID and PhilSys Registry. The PhilID will be a non-transferable card containing on its face the PSN, full name, facial image, date of birth, address and fingerprints of the individual. The PSA is mandated to act as the PhilSys Registry, a repository and custodian of all data including the PSN, registered records, and information of all persons registered in the PhilSys. (Aerol John Pateña)
Transport projects up in Davao region DAVAO CITY – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it is pursuing various transportation projects in Davao region to ensure ease of travel and spur economic progress. It said the projects are being undertaken in the region: Ongoing study of a high priority bus system project and local public transport route planning program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) which is subject to the approval of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and set to be operational by 2019. Interim point to point (P2P) bus service which will start on August 2018,
implementation of intercity and inter-regional bus services starting August 2018, Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project which will connect Tagum City with Davao City and Digos in Davao del Sur set to be operational by 2021, approval of a supplemental traffic management program amounting to more than P500 million that will provide additional traffic lights, CCTVs and pedestrian walkways, and body cameras and breath analyzers will likewise be provided to city enforcers within this year. DOTr also vowed to exert all efforts to address the current passenger congestion at Tagum Overland
Transport Terminal in Davao del Norte. Secretary Arthur Tugade directed Undersecretary for Road Transport Tim Orbos to undertake all the necessary measures to ease congestion in the Tagum transport terminal and to ensure that concerns of commuters are addressed efficiently. “Please note that in line with the thrust of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the DOTr will exert all efforts to stay true to its mandate of providing all Filipinos with a safe, comfortable, convenient, and efficient transportation system,” Tugade said. (Aerol John Pateña)
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The Mindanao Examiner
June 4-10, 2018
Financial literacy program for schools launched
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DepEd), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Banco de Oro (BDO) Foundation have launched a financial literacy program for schools that would provide lessons on responsible handling of personal finances and manage resources. The program seeks to educate public school teachers, non-teaching personnel and learners to manage their personal finances responsibly, through short videos which convey age-appropriate lessons on saving and investing. DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said the program is a direct response to the law which requires the teaching of financial literacy to all high school students and the celebration of financial literacy week. "This will help us in our personal capacitation, improvement. It's always a good thing to learn the latest in a particular field because it makes us better teachers. It's also good to learn something that will help us manage our personal affairs," she said. DepEd Undersecretary
Tonisito Umali said the program is "a faithful compliance of what the law requires from the department for the benefit of both the learners and teachers." Umali said the project intensifies public and private partnership which helps the department in the creation of lifelong learners by engaging actively the parents, community and stakeholders. BDO Foundation President Mario Deriquito said the program would help young people to learn the value of money and saving as preparation for the future. It would also help the teachers and nonteaching personnel to acquire knowledge and skills on handling their personal resources effectively. "The program is expected to contribute to DepEd's efforts to strengthen financial literacy in its K to 12 curriculum and to the consumer protection pillar of BSP's National Strategy for Financial Inclusion," Deriquito said. BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla said the program is a good investment in the future of the young genera-
tion. "BSP believes that financial literacy can contribute to financial growth that's why financial education has been our advocacy since 2010. All the good habits in saving begin as a child, when instilling financial management skills in children the younger the better," he said. The first five of the financial literacy videos that were presented in the event delved on the different practical ways by which students, teachers and non-teaching personal can save and manage their resources to achieve their financial goals. Apart from saving and investing lessons, the short videos also cover topics on financial planning, responsible use of credit and sharing of resources to others especially to the less fortunate. Deriquito said each of the videos is accompanied by lessons plans that will be developed by DepEd's master teachers. They will be uploaded to DepEd's learning portal for easy access for teachers and learners. Schools with no internet connection can access the videos in USB sticks. (Maria Teresa Montemayor)
‘Labor-only contracting’ companies face sanctions
Agri modernization should not come at expense of the poor, says DSWD MODERNIZATION OF THE agriculture sector should not come at the expense of the 4.4 million poor households benefiting from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and this after the Department of Agriculture's (DA) pronouncement recently to convert the P70 billion 4Ps budget into livelihood funds to help the agriculture sector program promote countryside development. D S W D Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco said that while they support the need for the agriculture sector to achieve modernization and reinforced its benefits to the farmers and fisherfolk, it should not happen that would be detrimental to indigents who are beneficiaries of 4Ps. “We support the aim to advance farmers and fisherfolk productivity. But not at the expense of the poor,” Leyco said. Leyco said it would be better if DA and DSWD
programs would be done simultaneously and intensified for better outcomes. He noted also that the subsidy provided for the poor household benefiting from 4Ps are not actually dole out but an incentive for them to improve their quality of life. He said the subsidy typically received by 4Ps recipients is used to buy food, and basic needs for their daily survival. “What the poor actually receives from the program is barely enough to sustain them but at the same time it is something for them not to ignore also. A typical household receives P2,600 a month to fulfill conditionality of 85 percent school attendance.” “The household is also provided with healthcare services but members should regularly attend family development sessions,” Leyco said, adding, “It is not a dole out. In comparison to a scholarship scheme of the government, it acts as support fund for them to continue going to
school and to seek healthcare. I think it’s is totally justifiable for the government to subsidize the poor people so that they can be motivated, incentivized and be supported to pursue education,” Leyco said. Leyco admitted that 4Ps alone is not the overall solution to reduce the poverty incidence rate because a convergence of programs are actually needed to enable the poor to be self-sufficient. He said that stopping the 4Ps program will actually have a negative impact to the poor, making the situation even harder for them. "I think what we need is to come out with comprehensive reforms that will address the problems to make their products viable in the area," he said, adding, it is also important to create a system wherein farmers can actually have a market to transport directly their goods and be empowered to dictate the price of their harvest. (Leilani Junio)
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR and Employment (DOLE) may impose appropriate sanctions against business and commercial extablishments practicing so-called “labor-only contracting” after more than 700 companies were found practicing the prohibited labor scheme. Malacañang also said DOLE will be the one responsible to impose fines or prosecute erring companies. Labor-only contracting happens when a contractor or subcontractor merely recruits, supplies, or places workers to perform a job, work, or service for a principal. “Alam na po ng DOLE ang gagawin nila because the law already provides what they will do. They will provide fines and they may even order closure and criminal prosecution,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said. DOLE has released a list of top 20 labor-only contracting companies in the country and these include Jollibee Foods Corporation, Dole Philip-
pines Inc., Philippine Long Distance Telephone, Philsaga Mining Corporation, General Tuna Corporation, Sumi Philippines Wiring Systems Corporation, Franklin Baker Inc., Pilipinas Kyohritsu, Inc., Furukawa Automotive Systems Phil., and Magnolia Inc. Also included are KCC Property Holdings, Inc., Sumifru Philippines, Corp., Hinatuan Mining Corporation, KCC Mall de Zamboanga, Brother Industries (Philippines) Inc., Philippine Airlines & PAL Express, Nidec Precision Philippines Corporation, Peter Paul Phil. Corporation, Dolefill Upper Valley Operations, and DOLEStanfilco. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier asked the DOLE to give him a copy of the list of labor-only contracting companies. However, Roque said that the President does not micromanage, adding that although Duterte asked for the list. Roque pointed out that the Labor Code is very
clear that it is within the power of DOLEI to close these establishments, provide fines and even the prosecution. In 2017, DOLE issued Department Order No. 174 which bans illegal job contracting or Endo. Duterte also signed the executive order banning illegal contracting or subcontracting which strengthens employees’ security of tenure. Duterte, however, pointed out that Congress also needs to do its part to amend the existing Labor Code. “I remain firm in my commitment to put an end to ‘endo’ and illegal contractualization. However, I believe that in order to implement an effective and lasting solution to the problems brought about by contractualization, Congress needs to enact a law amending the Labor Code. A mere executive order can only do so much because you have to change or modify or entirely aggregate some of the provisions,” Duterte said. (Azer Parrocha)
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The Mindanao Examiner
June 4-10, 2018
Acr oss: cross: 1. Tortoise's opponent 5. Vietnam's neighbor 9. Right you ___! 12. Rind 13. Car part 14. London's Big ___ 15. Poise 16. Calming drug 18. Sphere 20. Internet access device 21. Proportion 23. Majestic 25. Objective 27. School gps. 28. Assoc. 29. Run easily 33. Prizes 35. Dressed 39. Reads quickly 40. Throw 41. Humor 42. Performance group 46. Assistant 49. Interrogate 50. Mine products 51. High ___ 52. French preposition 53. Source 54. Fairy tale starter
Do wn: Down:
Answ er to last w eek osswor d: Answer week eek’’s cr crosswor ossword:
1. Truman's monogram 2. Alias abbr. 3. Cottage cheese's kin 4. Logbook items 5. "Viva ___ Vegas" 6. Chopping tool 7. Antique 8. Sailor 9. Remain 10. Make merry 11. Foe 17. Wee one 19. ___ voyage! 21. Tear 22. Army insect 23. Fathered 24. Dress for Caesar 26. Pulled apart 29. Tenor ___ Pavarotti 30. Formal speech 31. Writer's tool
32. Tricky curve 33. Earth vibration 34. Compass pt. 35. In front 36. Nervous 37. Chores 38. "___ Got a Secret" 43. Sis's sibling 44. Author ___ Tolstoy 45. Philadelphia time zone (abbr.) 47. Trumpeter ___ Severinsen 48. Wind direction (abbr.)
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‘Strongman ang gikinahanglan’ ni Jun Ledesma Continued fr om page1 from Gipabuylohan nila ang mga makinarya sa propaganda aron dugangan ang kalibog ug katimawa sa nawad-ang og paglaum nga han-ay sa katawhan. Ang burukrasya sa gobyerno dili usab limpyo. Bisan sa maisog nga warning ni Pres. Rodrigo Duterte batok sa kurapsyon, duna pa gihapoy mga personalidad sa taas ug ubos nga ang-ang sa gobyerno nga dali ra kaayong nakakamkam og kinawat nga bahandi. Ang Pangulong Ehekutibo, intawon nag-inusara sa kinatumyan, nadismaya sa kadaghan sa iyang palagputon nga gikan sa hut-ong sa mga tawo nga nagkumbinsi kaniya nga modagan pagka Pangulo sa nasud. Sa laing bahin, makapasuka ang mga nawong sa pipila nga di lang kontento sa usa ka posisyon kundili gigamit pa gyud ang burukrasya aron mahimong employer sa ilang pamilya. Bagaa og nawong oi. Samtang ang nasud nagsangkiig sa epekto sa pagsulbong sa presyo sa oil, makuyawan ta sa nga panghitabo sa ubang mga departamento. Sa Senado ang kinutoban sa pag-unong ginadeterminar sa kolor sa kwarta ug sa interes nga mapili og usab ug mabalik sa pwesto. Gipalagpot si Koko Pimentel isip Presidente sa Senado tungod kay bisan og ang iyang jacket PDP, ang iyang tibuok lawas kolor Yellow. Di siya kahulat sa oposisyon nga mobanat sa Quo Warranto nga ningputol sa termino ni Ma. Lourdes Sereno. Ninglutaw ra gihapon ang kamatuoran nga oposisyon siya. Si Koko nga bar topnotcher ninglektyur puntirya sa mga Mahistrado sa Korte Suprema gamit ang linggwahe sa oposisyon ug sa diehard nga mga kritiko ni Duterte. Ilang demand ang pag-impeach kang Sereno tungod kay sa ilang kasinatian, dako og kita ang maong kwarta-rota, sama sa natagamtan panahon sa way kalooy nga pagpalagpot sa namatay nga Chief Justice Renato Corona. Sa Ubos nga Balay Balaoranan, si Speaker Bebot Alvarez gikuninitan ug gisumsuman tungod sa mga isyu sa iyang mga asset. Nagahagit siya kang bisan kinsa nga ipakita ang pruyba nga ang iyang mga asset sa Siargao ug uban pang lugar kinawkaw.
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The Mindanao Examiner
June 4-10, 2018
Gipasanginlan niya ang kanhi higala ug numero unong kampanyador, si Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo, nga maoy tinubdan sa maong expose. Wa lay kibo ang naulahi bisan og si Bebot ningpasaka og kaso batok kang Tonyboy nga nakaabot na sa Sandiganbayan. Ang abogado ni Floirendo gusto nga i-hearing dayon ang maong kaso aron mapugos ang Speaker sa pagtestigo. Hulaton nato ang sunod nga senaryo. Kun si Tonyboy di kaantigo modagpi og langaw, nadunggan nako nga pwerte kabagis ang iyang abogado. Sa kasamtangan, makit-an nato nga ginarekrut sa PDPLaban ang mga hardcore nga anti-Duterte, ma kongresista man o lokal nga politiko. Lisud na karon ilhon kun kinsa ang PDPLaban gikan sa Yellow. Kini nga kahimtang ang nagtukmod sa mga lideres sa politika nga moporma og mga partido sa rehiyon ug mobulag gikan sa mga tawong nagyanang ug nataop na og maayo sa kalapokan sa politika nga gahum ug kwarta ang diyosdiyos. Sa situwasyon nga ang mga politiko nga ginakonsiderar nga mga alyado ni Duterte nagpabilin nga tig-a og kasingkasing atubangan sa mga problema sa nasud apan kugihan kaayo nga nag-atiman sa ilang hinakog ug personal nga agenda, dapat ang Pangulo mamalandong na nga mohimo og lahi nga mga opsiyon nga lagmit kusganon apan haum. Ideklarar na dapat niya ang revolutionary government o, isip emergency measure aron sa pag-atubang sa nagtubo nga krisis ug sinuholan nga pag-alma, ipailawom ang tibuok nasud sa Martial Law. Sa tinudanay lang, pagtuman lang ni sa akusasyon sa iyang mga kritiko nga lider siya nga kusgan, o “strongman” nga may tendensiya nga magdiniktador. Kun himoon ni, seguradong mapaubsan dayon ang presyo sa pagkaon ug nanag-unang palaliton ug masilotan ang mga way kalooy nga mga rice traders ug mga kooperatiba nga nagbaligya sa ilang NFA rice allocation ngadto sa nahauna imbes ibaligya ni nila og retail sa ilang mga outlet. Segurado ko nga dunay mga opisyales nga apil niining maong raket. Kining mga nagasabotahe sa ekonomiya dapat silotan og kamatayon pinaagi sa musketry. Wagtangon ang kongreso aron maputol ang dinagko nga kurapsyon ug
makadaginot sab ang nasud kay wa na may dakong tapok sa grabe kahakog nga mga tawo nga sweldoan. Ang kwarta nga malibre sa panudlanan sa publiko magamit na sa ubang kaayohan. Pwedeng isuspinde dihadiha dayon ang excise tax sa oil kun gikinahanglan, ibalik sa nasud ang pagpanag-iya sa industriya sa oil kun gikinahanglan, ug tanggalon ang industriya gikan sa pag-angkon sa oligarkiya nga maoy nagadiktar sa presyo sa oil ug sa sugnod ug sa renta sa mga asset sa gobyerno nga ilang gigamit. I-award ang mga kontrata sa mga megaproject ilawom sa BUILD BUILD BUILD human madeterminar ang pinakamubo nga mga bidder nga ilawom sa kasamtangang sistema pwedeng pugngan pinaagi sa TRO ug ubang aksyong pangbabag nga mao ang hinungdan nga ang mga proyekto dugay kaayo mahuman. Ibalik ang death penalty. Ilakip sa death penalty ang silot sa pagsabotahe sa ekonomiya. Ideklarar ang CPP/ NPA/NDF nga mga teroristang organisasyon kun sa sulod sa usa ka buwan human madeklarar ang RevGov o Martial Law di sila mopirma og Peace Agreement. De modo, kun aduna nay panagsabot nga makab-ot, ideklarar sab dayon ang general amnesty sa NPA ug apudapuran sila og yuta tagsa-tagsa o komon sa sulod sa unom ka buwan. Apan kinahanglan nga ilang iindosar dihadiha dayon ang ilang mga pusil. Tugotan nga magpadayon sa ilang trabaho nga walay pugongpugong ang tanang establisimiyento sa media gawas niadtong sinuholan sa mga langyawng kapunongan ug indibidwal. Mopatawag og constitutional convention tulo ka bulan human ang deklarasyon sa RevGov o ML. Ang tahas sa constitutional convention mao ang pagsulat og batakang balaod alang sa Gobyernong Pederal nga maoy ipuli sa kasamtangang sistema ug batakang balaod. Kini iimplementar human sa upat ka tuig nga pagpadagan sa RevGov o ML. Suntok sa buwan? Ayaw og hagita ang tawong kusgan ug ang kapalaran.
Children of Jihad: Terrorism shifting gears in Indonesia Continued fr om page1 from Those attacks led to the deaths of 12 civilians and seven police officers. In their wake, police have arrested at least 74 terrorist suspects in various locations in Java and Sumatra. They come from different groups. Some are related to previous extremist groups while others are new players. What they have in common is the proven ability to develop new ways of carrying out their mission. The recent attacks in East Java by members of two families are evidence enough that the terrorists have changed their strategy, which was previously male dominated but now includes women (mothers) and children. Of the 13 attackers killed, five were children aged 9 to 17. Analysts say the involvement of children in these and possibly future attacks indicates how the masterminds have shifted their recruitment tactics from peer indoctrination to "brainwashing" at the nuclear family level. In several schools where government control is sadly lacking, children are taught to practice some of the basics of radicalism such as developing a sense of hatred for government figures and law enforcers while disavowing the prevailing ideology of the state. According to experts, the inclusion of female jihadists in suicide bombings — including those, in some incidents, who planned to stab police officers — also highlights this broad shift. The involvement of women is not entirely new, however. IS operations in Syria and the Boko Haram group in Nigeria have used female combatants to achieve their goals. Several IS propaganda videos depict women joining various forms of training such as fighting, shooting, archery and showcasing other skills required in the field. Observers maintain that one of the chief advantages of using female jihadists to carry out attacks is that they can garner more media attention when they are caught or killed. Also, they say it is easier for female combatants to pass security checks in targeted locations. Such examples confirm that terrorism is no longer only the domain of male jihadists, which is something the Indonesian government and law enforcement agencies should be concerned about if they hope to anticipate future attacks by women. Back to the bad old days? The recent attacks targeting churches in East Java are reminiscent of what transpired over a decade ago when terrorist bombings began to be keenly felt in the country. Again, the main targets were places of religious significance or symbols of Western influence. The emergence of ter-
rorism in Indonesia in the early 2000s is simultaneous with the sectarian conflicts in Ambon and Poso in Central Sulawesi. Terrorists tried to get support from Muslims at that time by attacking a number of churches throughout the country. In the succeeding years the attacks fanned out, with some allegedly being staged in retaliation for the persecution of Muslims. In one of the highestprofile cases, nightclubs and other symbols of Western culture on the tourist island of Bali came under attack, as did the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta, followed by the JW Marriott hotel and the Australian Embassy in 2005. Experts claim that at least some of these bombings were meted out in response to what was perceived as the unfair treatment of Abu Sayyaf fighters in Mindanao. The terrorists only began strategically targeting police from 2010. But while pundits contend that security personnel remain the main target of attackers, this new (old) pattern of striking places of worships and anything associated with Western culture suggests they are now adopting a twopronged approach. Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian who worked his way up into the echelons of power within IS leadership, instructed his followers earlier to divide up into small cells to avoid detection by police and intelligence officials. According to Noor Huda Islamail, a terrorism expert, these small cells continue to multiply and produce new jihadists. What is surprising, however, is that many of them have no links with previous or bigger terrorists groups or networks. He said anyone can launch an attack without being trained in an IS camp, unlike in earlier times when recruits had to ally themselves with groups such as Jamaah Islamiyah before they were authorized to carry out attacks. Now the process of joining a terrorist cell appears to have become considerably easier. All it takes is a bit of radical ideology, which can be delivered anywhere, even through social media, to convince them to strike. In the hands of local leaders Cahyo Pamungkas, a researcher at the Indonesian Science Institute, said extremist ideology is growing among families because it is being transferred from people who are either directly or indirectly linked with terrorists. But he said Indonesian society is not tolerant enough of other religions and ideologies, which is making more families succumb to radicalism and extremism. He suggested that ridding society of this religious intolerance would be a stronger foundation for a more harmonious society, rather than one that has be-
come a fertile ground for breeding terrorists. President Joko Widodo has on many occasions emphasized the importance of adopting both a soft and hard approach in eradicating terrorism. The latter approach, which hinges on stricter law enforcement, has shown itself to be inadequate in conquering the spread of both terrorism and radicalism. To be more effective it must be balanced with a soft approach, such as involving former terrorists in the process of de-radicalization. Many former terrorists who have served time for their crimes have subsequently gone on to help the government battle intolerance and radicalism, under police supervision. In some cases, regular millennials have been drafted in to serve as ambassadors of peace by the nation's counter terrorism agency (BNPT). As the recent attacks indicate an "awakening" of splinter groups like Jamaah Ansharud Daulah and Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid, which have both pledged allegiance to IS, the government needs to boost its efforts to curtail the growth of such groups. Society and religious organizations must be encouraged to openly condemn and speak out against any Islamic group that promotes extremism or hatred, and prohibit them from associating with certain religious groups. Some critics contend that the Justice Prosperous Party (PKS) is home to many radical groups, and its officials rarely condemn the actions of extremist organizations such as the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) However, families must be shielded from the influence of extremists, either through social media or personal indoctrination. The Information Ministry has already blocked some radical content online but more needs to be done. The National Anti-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) recently signed an agreement with the Ministry of Domestic Affairs to create a support system for families, convicted terrorists and former terrorists. As of now more than 600 former terrorists have been freed and returned to their respective districts, mostly in Java. At least three are known to have re-joined terrorists groups, according to police. They were arrested last year. Some continue to carry out attacks despite having undergone deradicalization programs. One of the roles of local governments, even at the lowest level, is to monitor the activities of ex-cons who are known to have either carried out attacks before or affiliated with terrorists so they do not return their former ways or ideology. Their movements need to be restricted so that other families do not stray down the wrong path. (UCAN)
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Stay in jail, Duterte tells drug suspects THE HUMAN RIGHTS Watch said President Rodrigo Duterte has again threatened drugs suspects following his televised speech during a recent visit in Cebu province. Phelim Kine, Deputy Director for Asia of the Human Rights Watch, said Duterte issued the televised death threat against detained drug suspects in Cebu and quoted him. “You know if I were you guys in Cebu, stay in jail. You want to live longer? Stay in jail,” Duterte said, adding, “Do not go out of that facility. It would not be healthy for you.” Kine said the targets of Duterte’s threat have good reason to be afraid. The brutal lesson of the antidrug campaign that Duterte launched on June 30, 2016 is that people he threatens with summary execution often end up dead in suspicious police “buy-bust” operations, or at the hands of unidentified gunmen. That campaign has targeted mainly urban slum dwellers and resulted in the deaths of more than 12,000 suspected drug dealers and users, including children, by police and police-backed vigilantes, according to Kine. He said Duterte’s suggestion that drug suspects
who are behind bars are safe from summary execution is perilously wrong. “Last year both the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Senate concluded that Philippine National Police officers had committed premeditated murder when they shot to death Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. in a Manila jail cell in 2016. Those 18 police officers were released on bail in June 2017 and subsequently returned to active duty,” he said. Kine said Duterte’s propagandists may try to deflect criticism about this latest threat by asserting that he was “joking.” But these kinds of comments send a clear message to police officers and other security force members that certain kinds of crimes not only can be committed with impunity, but might even draw praise from the President. Rule of Law Malacañang has assured the public that government will continue to adhere to the rule of law while pursuing the relentless campaign against illegal drugs. “We continue to adhere to the rule of law in our efforts to get rid the country of illegal drugs and protect the rights to life of our citizens and create an environment of peace and order,” Presi-
dential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during the launching recently of #RealNumbersPH: Year 2 at the national police headquarters in Quezon City. As the government intensified efforts to provide accurate information and data, Roque urged the law enforcers to follow due process in the war against drugs that Duterte started. “We must likewise demand due process to be accorded to policemen accused of alleged abuses,” he said. Despite a marching order given by the President to policemen, Roque said Duterte has never tolerated abusive policemen. “Never, never has the president said that abusive policemen should evade responsibility for their wrongful acts,” he said. “The President demands this level of accountability because he knows at the end of the day, as President and Commander-In-Chief, he becomes accountable for the action of everyone who serves with him in government,” Roque added. Contrary to criticism, Roque said Duterte does not and will never condone illegal killings. He said the President’s critics have politicized the war on drugs which the #RealNumbersPH showed
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has resulted in the death of 4,729 drug personalities and not 12,000 as claimed by human rights groups. “It is, however, unfortunate that despite the #RealNumbersPH and overwhelming support of the people on the war against drugs, the critics of the administration have politicized the Philippines campaign against illegal drugs considering that our legal processes are effective and functioning well,” Roque said. Roque said the drug war
has been bearing fruits with crime rate in Metro Manila under the Duterte administration recording its lowest for the month of May. He commended the different government agencies led by the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for their efforts to create #RealNumbersPH. “ T h e #RealNumbersPH is proof of the concerted efforts of the government in report-
ing empirical, truthful and updated information regarding the results of the anti-illegal drug campaign,” Roque said. For his part, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said the #RealNumbersPH is the government’s platform to combat misinformation, disinformation and fake news. “The #RealNumbersPH will guide us to our liberation from destructive drugs,” Andanar said. ( Jelly Musico)
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