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Apr. 8-14, 2013

7 FILIPINOS CHARGED WITH TERRORISM IN MALAYSIA M

alaysia has filed terrorism charges against 7 Filipinos accused of aiding or supporting a rag-tag army of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram in Sabah where the group is battling security forces. joining a terrorist group.

It said 7 Filipinos, The two other Filipiwhose ages are 20 to 63, nos are facing charges of were could face the death recruiting and harboring penalty if found guilty. A terrorists or participating police corporal in Sabah in terrorism which carries was also charged for not a maximum 20 to 30 years disclosing information in jail if they are conabout the “terrorist acts” victed. in Lahad Datu town and Malaysia has charged he could be jailed for 7 a total of 16 people with years if proven guilty by terrorism-related acts in the court. connection with the inof Sultan Five of those charged trusion were accused of waging Jamalul’s men in Lahad war against the Yang di- Datu in February.

Pertuan Agong or the He said his brother King of Malaysia whose Raja Muda Agbimuddin position is now being held and about 200 loyal folby Tuanku Abdul Halim. lowers to exert historical They were also accused of claims over Sabah and de-

mand recognition from Kuala Lumpur, which tagged the group as terrorists.

The deadly standoff resulted in the deaths of at least 66 people on the side of Sultan Jamalul and 10 on Malaysia; and over 400 people had been arrested in suspicion of supporting or aiding the group of Raja Muda Agbimuddin.

The fighting forced thousands of Filipinos to flee Sabah and returned to the southern Philippines.

Sabah or North Borneo was ceded to the Sultan of Sulu by the Sultan of Brunei for helping quell a rebellion in the 17th century. But Malaysia annexed the oil-rich

state following a referendum in 1963, although it continues to pay an annual “cession”

m o n e y amounting to P77,000 to the Sultanate of Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner)

Malaysia kills Sulu sultanate member, arrests 6 others in Sabah operation

Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia Almu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah (Salahudin Omar – Wikipedia)

MALAYSIAN security forces shot dead a member of the Sultanate of Sulu and captured 6 others following an operation in Sabah’s

ARMM

Lahad Datu town.

The slain Filipino was not immediately identified, but Malaysian authorities said he attacked

one of the police commandos with a machete and was shot dead in Kampung Simunul at around 9 a.m. during a house-to-house

Northern Mindanao

Davao

search. The commando was unhurt in the attack.

Police said those arrested were four men and two women and are being

Manila

investigated by authorities.

More than 400 people have been arrested by Malaysian authorities on suspicion they were either supporting or aiding the group of Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram who intruded in Sabah in February.

Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram sent his brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin and about 200 armed followers to exert their historical claims over the oilrich state which now forms part of Malaysia.

But fighting erupted between Malaysian forces and the intruders following a deadly standoff.

At least 66 members of the Sulu sultanate had been killed in Sabah since

last month.

Malaysian authorities said the security situation in Sabah is now under control except for some areas where the operation against the group of Raja Muda Agbimuddin is continuing.

Security forces have allowed residents to return to their villages after days of so-called “clearing” operation.

Sabah or North Borneo was ceded to the Sultan of Sulu in the 17th century by the Sultan of Brunei for helping quell a rebellion.

Malaysia annexed Sabah after locals voted to join the Malaya federation in 1963. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Peninsula

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Apr. 8-14, 2013

Migrante appeals to Saudi to respect migrant rights

The Department of Public Works and Highways in Western Mindanao continues to lay asphalt over concrete roads in Zamboanga Peninsula despite its good condition. In other areas, such as Zamboanga City, concrete roads - depite their good condition - were also broken and then poured concrete again only to be asphalted later. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Filipino couple lands in hospital in failed murder-suicide PAGADIAN CITY – A man who was suffering from a serious illness had stabbed his wife in a failed murder-suicide in the southern Philippines, but police said both survived and are seriously injured.

Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said the couple – Caria and Salima Bandara – were rushed to different hospitals.

“Investigation revealed that the suspect was suffering from serious illness and had undergone major operation and she was always

threatened by the suspect that he will kill her first before he will commit suicide,” he said.

Huesca said the man attacked his sleeping wife with a knife and repeatedly stabbed her until she was able to run and sought help from neighbors in the village of Panduma in Tukuran town.

She said while running for safety, she saw her husband stabbed himself several times before leaping from the window of their house and hitting the

ground where he bled profusely until his sister arrived and rushed him to hospital in Lanao del Norte province.

“The woman, Salima, sustained stab wounds in the left thigh, left side of her sexual organ and left portion of her behind, while her husband sustained multiple stab wounds in his abdomen and fractured spinal column and was brought by his sister to the hospital,” Huesca said.

He said the police are still investigating the case.

(Mindanao Examiner)

MANILA – Saudi Arabia continues its crackdown on illegal and overstaying migrants in an effort to flush out undocumented workers and force private firms to heed on the full implementation of the “Nitaqat,” or localization of labor force, according to the Migrante party list.

“We have been receiving confirmed repor ts since last week about the crackdown on illegal and overstaying workers led by composite teams of police and Saudi labor officials in the cities Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Dammam. Since then we have received numerous calls from Filipino undocumented workers and other nationalities asking for guidance and assistance,” said MigranteMiddle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.

Monterona, who is also the vice-chairperson of Migrante Sectoral Party of OFWs and families, said that since last week and as reported in several newspapers in Saudi Arabia that the Labor Ministr y hav e

amended Saudi labor law specifically Article 39 giving it more power to inspect and investigate violations related to expatriates employment in the Kingdom.

The Interior Ministry will arrest and depor t those surplus workers who do not work for any company.

It will also punish Saudi individuals and companies who employ such workers, according to the new article 39 of Saudi’s labor law.

While calling for the Saudi authorities to respect the rights of undocumented migrant workers, Monterona, however, clarified that their group understands the move by the Saudi government to rid the Kingdom of about a million undocumented and overstaying migrant workers, saying: “It is within the Saudi government local labor priorities, immigration and internal peace and order concerns.”

“Many of our fellow expatriate workers were forced to run away f ro m t h e i r s p o n s o r s due to alleged numerous labor violations such as non-payment

of salaries and overtime pay, working more than 8 hours, and contract substitution and illegal deductions by their rec r u i t m e n t a g e n c i e s,” Monterona said, adding expatr iate workers in Sa u d i i s b e l i e v e d t o m o re t h a n 8 m i l l i o n comprising Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshi, Egyptians and Filipinos.

“We urge the Saudi authorities to implement first a general amnesty as it announced weeks ago covering all undocumented and overstaying migrants.

The amnesty will include provisions of free a n d s w i f t m a s s re p a triation of undocumented and overstaying migrant workers in the Kingdom. Foreign d i p l o m a t i c p o s t s a re awaiting the guidelines of this general amnesty” Monterona said.

“We also appeal to the Saudi govt. to res p e c t o u r f e l l ow m i grants, though undocumented and overstaying, basic human rights as enshrined in UN Conventions on the Protection of Migrants and members of their Fa m i l i e s. We c a l l o n them to implement free a n d s w i f t m a s s re p a triation on undocumented migrants in the Kingdom.”

Last week, Monterona said his group called on the Philippine Embassy and consulate officials to provide assistance to all undocumented and overstayi n g Fi l i p i n o w o r k e r s, especially women OFWs, who have children.

JUST SAY

NO!

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The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 8-14, 2013

Troops kill notorious bandit leader in Western Mindanao

This old woman, begs for money outside the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Poverty remains one of the biggest problems in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Dekoradong Marine commander, hepe na ng WesCom ITINALAGA NI PANGULONG Benigno Aquino III si Marine Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero bilang commander ng Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command sa Palawan province.

Pinalitan ni Guerrero si Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban na nagretiro sa serbisyo nitong Abril 1 matapos na umabot sa mandatory military retirement age na 56.

Isinagawa naman ang turn-over ceremony sa naturang araw sa Puerto Princesa City.

Bago pa man maitalaga sa kanyang bagong posisyon, si Guerrero ay nanungkulan naman bilang Marine Commandant noong Agosto 2010 at naging Commander din ng Military Anti-Terrorism unit joint Task Force Comet na nakabase sa Jolo, Sulu.

Ang opisyal ay miyembro ng PMA Dimalupig Class 81, at nakompleto nito ang kanyang Master's of Military Study and Command and Staff College sa Marine Corps University sa Quantico, Vir-

PAGADIAN CITY – Government troops killed a notorious leader of gang tagged as behind the spate of kidnappings and extortion in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the fighting in the coastal village of Danganan in Lapuyan town killed Amie Andi and his aide Ambak Maragusan.

Lt. Col. Yegor Rey Barroquillo, Jr., commander of the 44th Infantry Battalion, said the fighting lasted almost 30 minutes. The bodies of the slain bandits were recovered by their kin and buried immediately in the town.

He said Andi is one of the most wanted persons in Zamboanga del Sur and that his group was previously involved in the killings of 6 people, including three children, in the village of

Tininghalang also in Lapuyan town last year. The local government offered a P300,000 bounty for the capture of Andi.

General Ricardo Rainier Cruz II, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, commended the soldiers in the operation that led to Andi’s death. “The soldiers will remain vigilant against lawless elements to ensure the safety and well-being of the peaceloving people in the region,” he said. He also praised the cooperation of civilians to the military, saying the locals provided vital information that allowed troops to track down and neutralize Andi.

In November last year, Andi escaped a raid by government soldiers at their hideout in Pagadian City, but troops captured two of his most trusted lieutenants, Montasser Ratarta and

Rachmodin Andi.

The military said Andi’s group was behind the kidnappings of Filipino traders and foreigners in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Among those kidnapped in the Zamboanga was Irish missionary Michael Sinnott, seized in October 12, 2009 in Pagadian City. Aside from Sinnott, kidnappers also seized Italian Catholic priest Giancarlo Bossi in Zamboanga del Sur’s Payao town in June 10, 2007.

And in 1998, gunmen kidnapped Italian missioners Luciano Benedetti in Zamboanga del Norte province and in 1998 and Giuseppe Pierantoni in Dimataling town in Zamboanga del Sur. It was not immediately known whether Andi was also involved in those kidnappings.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Pondo para sa maralita, mas maagang ilalabas

Marine Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero (Philippine Marine Corps Photo) ginia.

Humawak din si Guerrero ng ilang mahalagang posisyon sa AFP tulad ng pagiging Commanding Officer ng 1st Marine Brigade

KISMET Cable Channel 63 Pagadian City

sa Basilan, Superintendent ng Marine Corps Training Center, Chief of Staff ng Philippine Marine Corps, at Chief of the Plans and Policy Division ng Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training, J8.

BILANG paghahanda sa nalalapit na halalan at upang matiyak na hindi masasakop ng election ban and pagbibigay ng ayuda, mas maagang matatanggap ng mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program ang kanilang mga cash grants, ayon sa Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“Alam natin na ang mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya ay kabilang sa mga mahihirap na sambahayan at ang nakukuha nilang tulong sa programa ay ginagamit nila upang matiyak na sila ay maging malusog at makakapasok sa paaralan ang mga bata, mas maaga nating ibigay ang kanilang cash grant para siguraduhin na hindi sila maantala sa pagsunod sa mga kondisyon ng programa” ani DSWD Sec-

retary Corazon Soliman.

Ibibigay ng DSWD nang mas maaga ang cash grant ng mga benepisyaryo para sa buwan ng Enero at Pebrero, ngunit ito ay hindi nangangahulugan na hindi na kailangang sumunod ng mga benepisyaryo sa mga itinakdang kondisyon para sa programa.

“Gagamitin pa ring batayan ang pagsunod sa mga kondisyon para sa mga susunod na cash grant. Para sa mga hindi tutupad sa mga koondisyon, ang kanilang sobrang natanggap na cash grant ay ibabawas sa mga susunod na pagbabayad” wika pa ni Soliman.

Ang Pantawid Pamilya ay programa ng pambansang pamahalaan na namumuhunan sa kalusugan at edukasyon ng mga mahihirap na sambahayan pangaunahin

sa mga batang may edad 014.

Upang makatanggap ng tulong, ang mga benepisyaryo ay kailangang sumunod sa mga kondisyon na itinakda ng programa.

Kabilang sa mga kondisyon na ito ay ang pagdalo ng mga magulang sa buwanang Family Development Session; regular na pagpapakosulta ng mga buntis at mga batang may edad 0-5 taon gulang; pagpasok sa paaralan ng mga batang may edad mula 3-14 taon gulang ng hindi bababa sa 85% ng kabuuang pasok kada buwan; pagpapapurga sa mga batang may edad 6-14 taon gulang.

Ayon sa talaan ng DSWD, mayroon ng 3,954,836 na naitalang benepisyaryo ang Pantawid Pamilya base sa datos nitong Marso 13.

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The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 8-14, 2013

Philippines reaps fruits of government reforms

MANILA - The Philippines has progressed a lot Aquino said there is now sufficient food when the true power of government was given supply for Filipinos today while in the past, the back to the people, President Benigno Aquino country was importing millions of metric tons III said in his Easter message Saturday, adding of rice that eventually rot in government storthe resurrection of Christ mirrors age facilities. the hope of the Filipino people to “Kung dati, ilang milyong rise from the ill effects of corrupmetrikong toneladang bigas ang tion and despair. inaangkat at binubulok lang sa “Mula nang naibalik sa mga mga bodega, ngayon, natatanaw Pilipino ang tunay na lakas ng na natin, hindi lang ang pagiging pamahalaan, at naiwaksi ang self-sufficient sa bigas kundi ang kultura nang pagkakanya-kanya pagiging exporter nito,” he said. at panlalamang, nagawa nating Aquino said his government buhatin sa landas ng kaunlaran is now truly a government by the ang ating bansa,” the President people that selflessly focuses on said. their welfare, the chief executive He said for the past several said. With the ongoing initiatives, years ago, many Filipinos left the the government was able to save country to find better opportuni- Pres. Benigno Aquino III the country from chaos and ties elsewhere, but today there is a renewed interest for them to return to the hopelessness and in the future will start to reap Philippines because of an improving economy. the fruits of its labor, he said.

He said millions of marginalized and poor The President also highlighted in his mespeople are being prioritized by government to sage the spirit of volunteerism that strengthimprove their living condition through the ened the country’s unity.

Pantawad Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

“Ang pagtulong ay nagbibigay-lakas at More than three million households are re- kalayaan hindi lamang sa natulungan, kundi ceiving assistance from the government un- maging sa nag-abot ng tulong. Muli’t muli der the program. The government also has nating pinatutunayan: wala tayong hindi made strides to remedy the shortage in class- makakamit kung imbes na magkakanyarooms in the country, the President said. The kanya ay magsimula tayong magbigayan. Sa government has been expecting to eliminate ating kolektibong pagtutulungan, tiyak na the 66,800 classroom backlog before the end magdudulot ito ng pag-asa at kaunlaran para of this year, he said. sa lahat ng mamamayan,” he said

This is the viral photo na kumakalat ngayon sa mundo ng Facebook. Larawan ito ni Kevin Villanueva pagkatapos ng graduation. Simpleng litrato lang naman ito pagkatapos ng kanyang graduation pero yung background ang umantig sa mga nag like ng picture nya with caption: "Akala nyu kayo lang ang may picture kasama parents nyu ha :)) pero Mama, Papa this is for the both of you I hope that you are proud of me :))"

Youth groups, students rally vs hikes in tuition fees DAVAO CITY – With coffin marked ‘iskolars ng bayan’ and satirical school logos depicting the commercialized state of Philippine education, multi-sectoral organizations led by progressive youth groups held a rally Monday at the regional office of the Commission on Higher Education here and called for a halt on unabated tuition and other fee hikes.

“Today is the deadline for petitions on impending

tuition fee increases. And we came to show the present and grim state of the youth and the education system under the neoliberal, elitist and antipeople policies of Aquino,” Rendell Ryan Cagula, coordinator of League of Filipino Students Davao, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Protesting groups carried the satirical logos of schools in Davao City with

The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Gregorri Leaño Joanna Valerie Wee Ahmed Baldomero Graphics/Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Pilar Gina Fernando Sales Mark Navales Giovanni Solmerano Eastern Mindanao ARMM Merlyn Manos Iligan City

Geonarri Solmerano Southern Mindanao

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Asa Madale Lanao Provinces Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Sibugay/Zamboanga del Sur/Zamboanga del Norte The Mindanao Examiner Newspaper/Business Week/Mindanao Daily is published weekly/daily in Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao, Philippines.

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names changed to expose the present state of educational institutions. The University of the Philippines is lampooned as University of Profit, while University of Mindanao as University of Money.

“This is not to ridicule the schools, but this is the youth’s expression denouncing the further commercialization of HEIs and to register our calls for radical solutions and systemic change,” Cagula said.

Penelope Gil, regional coordinator of the Kabataan party list, has challenged CHED to prove that it is not a “literal stamp pad,” which is apparent in its previous actions that contributed to the skyrocketing cost of education. Gil, citing reports, said of the 1,800 HEIs nationwide, at least 451 have already filed petitions to increase tuition for the academic year 2013-2014; and 95 of which are from the National Capital Region, while 31 are from the Davao Region.

“We grimly remember how CHED approved petitions of more than 300 HEIs to increase tuition fee collection for the present

school year, and this is not far from happening again given the CHED’s toothless regulatory mechanisms” Gil said.

Gil also cited how CHED admitted, when asked by National Union of Students of the Philippines last month that it has no clear mechanism to ensure the compliance with the minimum standards set by CHED Memorandum 3 series of 2012. She added that this only shows that CHED is inutile. “We urgently call for the Aquino and CHED to implement the moratorium to all tuition hikes for next year in both public and private schools” she said.

Apr. 8-14, 2013

The Mindanao Examiner

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Apr. 8-14, 2013

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The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 8-14, 2013

Travel magazine names Philippines among world top destination

A boy plays his harmonica in exchange for coins in Zamboanga City. Many children in Zamboanga resort to asking money or alms to help feed their family. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Hugtanong pag-atiman sa mga iro gi-awhag ni Dipolog Mayor Uy DIPOLOG CIT Y Mikabat sa 18 na ka mga iro ang kasamtangan karong gi-preso dinha sa Diplog City Dog Pound nga nahimutang didto sa buhatan sa City Veterinarian sa Dipolog Slaughterhouse.

Sumala pa nga kining nasangpit nga mga nadakpang mga iro ang mahiuli lamang ngadto sa mga tag-iya niini pinaagi sa pagkulat sa mga tag-iya niini sa kantidad nga usa

ka gatos ka pesos, isip impounding fee.

Nasayran ning buhatan sa impormasyon gikan sa buhatan sa City Veterinarian pinaagi ni Dr. Russel Ganub nga ang ilang dog pound ning kasamtangan ang nagkinahanglan nang maayom-ayom, busa hugtanong niyang gi-awhag karon ngadto sa tanang mga tag-iya sa paglukat sa ilang mga binuhi kon kini ang nadakpan sa ilang

mga personahe.

Subay niining paghangyo, nagapahinumdom karon ang inahan ning dakbayan Mayor Evelyn Uy ngadto sa tanang mga nanag-iya ug mga iro nga atimanon nila pag-ayo kini aron dili maglatagaw bisan asa sulod dinhi sa dakbayan ug ila gayud nga pagasigurohon nga dinha lamang kini magasuroysuroy sulod sa ilang mga lagwerta.

MANILA - The Philippine Ambassador to Australia Belen Anota welcomed Condé Nast Traveller’s - a leading luxury travel magazine published by London-based Condé Nast Publications Ltd. -inclusion of the Philippines among the top 10 destinations to watch in 2013.

“The inclusion of the Philippines among the top 10 destinations for 2013 is indeed welcome news. We encourage our friends from Australia and other nationalities to visit our country as it is truly more fun in the Philippines,” Anota said, citing the Philippines tourism slogan.

The magazine’s January 2013 online edition listed the Philippines among the top 10 destinations for 2013, along with Brazil, Amsterdam, The

Congo, the Galapagos Islands, Kashmir, the Mayan Riviera in Mexico, New Zealand, Panama and Oman.

The CNT write-up on the Philippines states that “the Philippines has around 7,000 of the most heavenly islands in the world.”

Citing Bicol (region in Luzon) and Siargao (Island in Surigai del Norte province in Mindanao), the magazine reports that the Philippines is “becoming particularly popular among serious divers, who come for the incredible underwater life, unspoiled coral gardens with rainbow-bright fish, green sea turtles and dugongs.”

Other recommended places to visit include Bacuit Bay and other resorts in Palawan province,

Pamalican Island and the capital, Manila.

The Department of Tourism recorded 3,830,723 visitor arrivals to the Philippines for the period January to November 2012 - an 8.73% increase compared to the previous year’s volume of 3,522,887 for the same period. A total of 163,270 Australians visited the Philippines for the same months in 2012.

The Bureau of Immigration also reported that many foreign tourists who visited the country in 2012 opted to stay longer or beyond their visa validity.

From January to December 2012, the Bureau’s extension office processed and approved 172,055 applications for extension, 13% higher than the extensions granted in the previous year.

2 army militias killed in NPA clash CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Communist rebels killed two pro-government militias in firefight in Butuan City in the southern Philippines, reports said.

It said the fighting occurred in the village of Antical where militias were deployed to secure

the area during the holy week.

It was unknown what triggered the fighting, but the clash coincided with the 44th anniversary of the New People’s Army, which has been waging a separatist war the past decades.

There was no immediate statement from the NPA about the clashes, but rebel leaders have previously warned that they would continue offensive operation against police and military targets in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

2 brothers who ganged up farmer end up in hospital PAGADIAN CITY – Two brothers were wounded after they ganged up on a farmer armed with a bolo in the town of Guipos in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga

del Sur, police said.

Police said the two – Oliver Penazo and Olizer Penazo – were drunk when they ganged up on Emilio Vergara who was walking home with his

Cadaver recovered in Zambo town Police recovered a decomposing body of a man floating at sea in the town of Margosatubig in Zamboanga del Sur province in the southern Philippines.

Police said the cadaver was discovered by

residents in the coastal village of Digon. The body bore hacked wounds and it remains unidentified.

It said the body was handed over to the local health office and is likely to be buried in the town.

(Mindanao Examiner)

wife. Vergara said he was forced to defend himself and his wife from the attack and hacked the duo.

Both brothers ran to escape from Vergara, who immediately surrendered to the police after the incident.

The victims sustained multiple injuries and laceration on the different parts of their bodies and were rushed to Margos Regional Hospital for medical treatment.

It was not immediately known whether the brothers would file criminal charges against Vergara. (Mindanao Examiner)

Mindanao Examiner Tele-Radyo is a Commentary & Opinion Show (news talk) broadcast in Mindanao Examiner TV in Pagadian City (KISMET Cable TV & Pagadian City Cable TV Channel 63).For block time, booking or guesting, advertisements and sponsorship, please call our Zamboanga Studio on telephone number (062) 9925480 and mobile number (0917) 7103642 or email us at mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com.

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The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 8-14, 2013

Freed Australian hostage unlikely to file charges vs Sayyaf

F

reed Abu Sayyaf hostage, Australian adventurer Warren Rodwell, is unlikely to pursue criminal charges against his kidnappers despite earlier statement by Philippine authorities.

Rodwell, 54, went to the in Zamboanga del Sur provDepartment of Justice on ince by gunmen who posed Monday to sign his affida- as policemen - was freed on vit of abduction, but State March 2 after his Filipino Prosecutor Aristotle Reyes wife, Miraflor Gutang paid said the Sydney man has no P4 million ransom to the plans of filing charges Abu Sayyaf, which origiagainst the al-Qaeda- nally demanded $2 million. linked Abu Sayyaf group, Gutang claimed that according to a report by she herself raised the television giant GMA News. money by selling off their “The purpose of the af- house and vehicle and wafidavit is for the processing ter refilling business in of the investigation of the Zamboanga del Sur provcase...so far, Rodwell has ince, but her story raised not decided whether to more doubts because she press charges (against his had previously accused abductors), but (his sworn) Rodwell of physical abuse statement can be used by and abandoned him days the PNP to pursue a com- before he was kidnapped in plaint,” GMA quoted Reyes their seaside house in Ipil town in Zamboanga as saying.

PNP refers to the Phil- Sibugay province.

Rodwell married the ippine National Police.

Rodwell has evaded the Filipino woman in June Philippine press and would 2011 after they met on the not talk to journalists who internet. Gutang’s fantastic covered his arrival at the claim of herself raising the ransom was far from her Department of Justice.

Rodwell - kidnapped previous statement followon December 2011 from his ing Rodwell’s kidnapping in seaside house in Ipil town which she said in a radio in-

terview that “whoever had kidnapped my husband, he is not rich. Return him to us

Photo released by the Western Mindanao Command to the Mindanao Examiner shows freed Abu Sayyaf hostage Warren Rodwell is escorted by members of the US military in Zamboanga City. and please don’t hurt him.

My husband is ill.”

General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said the ransom received by the Abu Sayyaf would further threaten peace and security in the Muslim province, saying the terrorist group would likely to use the money to

2 collectors held up in Zamboanga Sur PAGADIAN CITY – Two gunmen held up two collectors of a micro-finance company in the town of Dinas in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, police said.

It said victims – Redwadbin Apaon, 23, and Marham Libre, 22, - were held up at gunpoint in the village of Lower Dimaya.

The two men are working for the Taytay sa

Kauswagan, Inc. Insp. Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said the victims were riding tandem on a motorcycle when the gunmen blocked their path and announce the stick up.

“Investigation disclosed that the victims, while on their way on onboard of their motorcycle, travelling from Barangay Poblacion in

purchase illegal weapons and fund kidnappings and terrorism in Basilan and

Pitogo bound to Pagadian City and upon reaching at said place, two unidentified persons armed with hand gun suddenly blocked their way then pointed their guns to both victims and declared holdup,” he said, adding the gunmen took the victims’ collections amounting to P37, 000, including their cell phones. (Mindanao Examiner)

probably other parts of Mindanao.

“We are worried about this situation now because

the Abu Sayyaf may use the ransom to fund terror activities and kidnappings and endangering civilian lives,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Gutang now lives with her parents – her father works as a farmer and mother, a housewife – in a modest house in Naga town. Both parents claimed Gutang was a battered wife.

She even filed police reports several times claiming she was allegedly assaulted by Rodwell, and police said that she was also planning to file charges against her husband with the Australian embassy in Manila. Rodwell’s sister Denise and his brother Wayne, who flew to Manila from Australia to be reunited with the freed adventurer, did not meet with

Gutang.

President Benigno Aquino has ordered an investigation into the payment of ransom to the terrorist group, saying, he has not seen any reports on the Rodwell case. “I haven’t seen a report from the concerned (authorities, the) PNP antikidnapping group and others,” he said.

Aquino said the government has a strict no-ransom policy. “We don’t negotiate with terrorists,” he said.

There were suspicion the ransom money either came from Rodwell’s family in Australia or from the Australian government and only used Gutang as a cover to justify the payment to the terrorist group, blamed for many kidnappings and bombings in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippines warns of online scam offering jobs in Portugal MANILA - The Philippines has warned Filipinos of false job recruitment in Portugal following numerous complaints from individuals who transacted with spurious companies offering employment and working visas over the Internet.

The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon reminded Filipinos to be extra cautious in making transactions over the Internet with spurious companies and individuals offering employment and issuance of entry and working visas for Portugal.

It noted an upsurge in the number of Filipinos who were victimized or have received emails from alleged companies or law firms in Portugal which offer jobs or promise to process entry and visa permits for employment through payment of exorbitant fees through money transfer.

In some cases, unscrupulous individuals have

misrepresented real and even reputable companies in Portugal by using information on their websites but replacing their contact information. It said these individuals require payment of fees for "EntryClearance Certificates," or “International /Overseas Employment Certificates" and "Affidavits of Guarantee Fund," all of which are not required by Portuguese authorities.

The Embassy said the IOEC that these unscrupulous individuals were asking payment for is not the OEC legitimately issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

"The public is hereby advised to exercise due diligence and caution in dealing with unverified parties to avoid being victimized by these scams. Be aware that business companies with international dealings rarely hire employees solely

on the basis of a curriculum vitae but will always require personal interviews."

"Prospective employees should likewise be wary of job offers from individuals who ask for fees for testing or processing of documents prior to employment because this is a sure sign of a scam," the Embassy said.

The Embassy said it is now coordinating with local police authorities and has also requested companies in Portugal to come up with their own public advisories.

It said Filipinos who wish to travel or work in Portugal or have other transactions may contact the Portuguese Embassy in Jakarta through, the following contact information: Embassy of Portugal Jalan Indramayu No.2 Menteng 10310 Jakarta, Indonesia Phone: +6-221-319-0830; +6-221-319-08022 Fax: +6-221-319-08031.

Grace Poe capitalizing on FPJ to the hilt DAVAO CITY – What is there to boast? This is the question posed by voters whether Grace PoeLlamanzares would be as popular as her stepfather or not at all, but she is obviously riding on the popularity of the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., to push thru with her ambition to be one of the 12 senators come the next Congress.

To begin with, Grace Poe dropped her husband’s surname “Llamanzares” in her campaign propaganda apparently to have a name recall that she hopes to transform into votes since her father is very popular among the Masang Pilipino, according to political analysts.

She knows very well, and others would definitely agree, that she cannot make it to the Senate without using “Poe” as her campaign name. By doing so, Grace Poe is deceiving the Masang Pilipino, who her stepfather loves so well.

Analysts said the only

thing that she can “boast” about was being chairman of the Movie and Television

Grace Poe Review and Classification Board.

In other words, Grace Poe lacks the experience needed to become senator of the land just like Nancy Binay, daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who like Poe, is also eyeing a seat in the Senate.

Grace Poe became active in politics after she joined several protest rallies in various parts of the country soon after FPJ’s death in 2004 and the eventual discovery of massive cheating purportedly orchestrated

by FPJ’s closest political rival, the former President Gloria Arroyo.

Political analysts said it was evident that Grace Poe joined in the organization of Kontra-Daya, a coalition of civil society groups opposed to the 2010 electoral fraud, for her own personal gains, and that is to seek a seat in the Senate come 2013.

“She is a nobody. Even her credentials show that she is unfit to become a senator. What does she know about being a senator when she had not even experienced to become at least a municipal councillor or even a barangay kagawad?” one observer asked.

“The voting populace should think not once, not twice but a million times before they consider her to the senate. Sayang ang boto natin sa kanya (Grace Poe).

We better give our vote to other deserving candidates.

God save the Philippines if she should win,” he said.

(Mindanao Examiner)

9

The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 8-14, 2013

President Aquino elated over Investment Grade Status by the Fitch Group MANILA – Philippine President Benigno Aquino said he is elated over the latest Fitch Group announcement that the country’s Investment Grade Status has been upgraded from BB+ to BBB-.

“This marks the first time in history that our nation has been granted investment grade status by a major credit ratings agency,” he said, adding “this means much more than lower interest rates on our debt and more investors buying our securities.”

Aquino, in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner, said greater access to low-cost funds gives more fiscal space to sustain and further improve on social protection, defense, and economic stimulus, among others.

He said: “More companies in the real economy can now consider us an investment destination. Investment grade for sovereign debt should also lead to lower borrowing costs for Philippine companies in the international markets, consequently allow-

ing for higher valuations for their securities.”

“This in turn enables

Pres. Benigno Aquino III industries to expand and generate more jobs for our countrymen - fostering a virtuous cycle of growth, empowerment, and inclusiveness that will redound to the benefit of Filipinos across all sectors of society.”

Aquino said the upgrade represents the perception of lessening risk in the markets and it formalizes the investment grade level at which the Philippines has already been securing credit.

“This is an institu-

tional affirmation of our good governance agenda: Sound fiscal management and integrity-based leadership have led to a resurgent economy in the face of uncertainties in the global arena. It serves to encourage even greater interest and investments in our country,” he said.

He said it is one among many other positive developments that demonstrates the reclamation of the national pride. He said what was once known as the perennial laggard of Asia is taking off, and is accelerating towards its goal of an equitably progressive society.

“The task now is to ensure that expected inflows will be used to maximum effect towards a sustainable, progressively empowering economy. We are determined to build on our economic gains to usher in a society wherein every Filipino, today and for generations to come, may be given the wherewithal to realize their full potential,” he said.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Farmers in the village of Balaguiao in the town of Lambunao, Iloilo, show off their natural grown organic 1 kilogram tilapia fishes (St Peter's fish) caught in a water impounding system after a windfall catch. (Photo by Pinoy Gonzales)

Kayod para sa Sabah evacuees, dapat tutukan: Jack Enrile

Rep. Jack Enrile NANAWAGAN sa pamahalaang Aquino si United

Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate Rep. Jack

Enrile na sana ay mabigyan ng hanap-buhay ng gobyerno ang dumaraming mga kababayang Muslim na bumabalik sa bansa upang matakasan ang nagaganap na sigalot sa Sabah sa pagitan ng pwersa ng pamahalaan ng Malaysia government at ng mga tauhan ni Sultan Jumalul Kiram ng Sultanato ng Sulu.

Sa huling tala, mahigit nang 60 katao ang napaslang sanhi ng giyera doon. Karamihan dito ay Pilipino.

Nagpahayag ng pagkabahala si Enrile dahil sa sinapit ng mga Muslim sa mga apektadong bahagi ng Sabah. Bukod sa relief goods at tulong pangkalusugan, sabi ni Enrile mas mabibigyan ng hanapbuhay ang mga dati’y may trabaho ngunit napilitang lumisan sa kanilang mga tahanan at pinagkakabuhayan.

Ani Enrile: “Malaki ang magagawa ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno, lalo na ang Department of Labor and Employment upang maibsan ang hirap na dinaranas ngayon ng mga evacuee na nadadagdagan ang dami bawat araw.”

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P10

Apr. 8-14, 2013

Anti-Sayyaf ops launched

Z AMBO ANGA CIT Y – The P hilippine militar y has AMBOANGA CITY Philippine military launched an oper ation to captur e the notor ious leader of operation capture notorious the al-Q aeda-linked A bu S ayyaf gr oup tagged as behind al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group the kidnapping of A ustr alian adv entur er Warr en R odw ell Austr ustralian adventur enturer arren Rodw odwell on the souther n rregion egion of M indanao southern Mindanao indanao..

The 54-year old Rodwell Sur province, but her story was freed in Pagadian City in raised more doubts because Zamboanga del Sur province she had previously accused on March 23 after his Filipino Rodwell of physical abuse wife, Miraflor Gutang, paid and abandoned the Sydney P4 million ransom to terror- man days before he was kidnapped in their seaside ist leader Puruji Indama.

Gutang sought the help house in Ipil town in of Basilan Vice Governor Al Zamboanga Sibugay provRasheed Sakkalahul in nego- ince.

Rodwell married the tiating with the terrorists who originally demanded $2 mil- Filipino woman in June 2011 after they met on the lion ransom.

“The operation has internet. Gutang’s fantastic started already. There is an claim of herself raising the ongoing operation against ransom was far from her preIndama’s group in Basilan vious statement following province,” General Ricardo Rodwell’s kidnapping in Rainier Cruz III, a regional which she said in a radio inarmy commander, told the terview that “whoever had regional newspaper kidnapped my husband, he Mindanao Examiner. is not rich. Return him to us Cruz said the ransom re- and please don’t hurt him. ceived by the Abu Sayyaf My husband is ill.” would further threaten peace Gutang, now lives with and security in the Muslim her parents – her father province, saying the terrorist works as a farmer and group would likely to use the mother, a housewife – in a money to purchase illegal modest house in Naga town. weapons and fund Both parents claimed kidnappings and terrorism Gutang was a battered wife. in Basilan and probably Gutang even filed police reother parts of Mindanao. ports several times claiming “We are worried about she was allegedly assaulted this situation now because by Rodwell, and police said the Abu Sayyaf may use the that she was also planning to ransom to fund terror activi- file charges against her husties and kidnappings and en- band with the Australian dangering civilian lives,” he embassy in Manila. said.

On Thursday, Gutang claimed that she Sakkalahul in a news conferherself raised the money by ence said Gutang – who was selling off their house and not invited by the Australian vehicle and water refilling embassy in Manila to receive business in Zamboanga del Rodwell – was no longer an-

swering her phone and her whereabouts are unknown.

Rodwell’s sister Denise and his brother Wayne, who flew to Manila from Australia to be reunited with the freed adventurer, also did not meet with Gutang.

“I don’t know what happened to Flor or where she is now. I keep on calling her on the phone, but got no answers,” Sakkalahul said, adding Gutang never even thanked him after the safe release of Rodwell.

Sakkalahul now claimed that his political foes are spreading lies in Basilan, accusing him of taking a cut on the ransom and even linked him to previous kidnappings in the province.

“I strongly deny all these accusations. I never benefited not even a single centavo in the ransom. I have no participation in any of the kidnappings in Basilan. I am the committee chairman on the provincial peace and order, and cochairman of the crisis management committee of Basilan. This is politically motivated,” he said, adding that his son, Kimhar, is running for the vice gubernatorial race in the province this mid-term elections.

“My only motivation in the negotiation is to save the life of Rodwell because the kidnappers will execute him, behead him on Easter Sunday, if their demand is not met,” Sakkalahul said.

He said it was also the same for other kidnapped victims - about a dozen of

them - in Basilan whose family he also helped.

Sakkalahul’s wife Maria Teresa, who is also the Regional Assistant Tourism Secretary, also spoke about allegations against her husband and broke out in tears as she defended him and her family’s integrity and honor.

“It was so painful to us.

It is not true. My husband’s concern as the vice governor is only to save the life of Rodwell and other kidnapped victims. I just told my husband to be strong because his conscience is clean, his heart is clean, his mind is clean and above all, God is with us, the truth is with us,” she said.

President Benigno Aquino has ordered an investigation into the payment of ransom to the terrorist group, saying, he has not seen any reports on the Rodwell case. “I haven’t seen a report from the concerned (authorities, the) PNP antikidnapping group and others,” he said, referring to the Philippine National Police.

Aquino said the government has a strict no-ransom policy. “We don’t negotiate with terrorists,” he said.

There were suspicion the ransom money either came from Rodwell’s family in Australia or from the Australian government and only used Gutang as a cover to justify the payment to the terrorist group, blamed for many kidnappings and bombings in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

Finally, Mindanao power crisis is now being addressed MANILA - President Benigno Aquino said his government is working on a mechanism that will assist power distribution utilities to buy diesel-fed electric generating plants as an immediate stop-gap measure to the current energy crisis in the southern Philippines.

He said the Department of Energy presented a plan that details how the government could assist distribution utilities in purchasing generating sets and using diesel power plants are seen as the quickest remedy to the Mindanao power problem.

"With these plants the

ARMM

government could set these up in six months to one year. Yung one year kasama na doon ‘yung four months na procurement ng gobyerno. So we’re working on the mechanism para madala itong distribution utilities nitong mga generators na ito,” Aquino told reporters.

He said the government is working in an immediate solution that is lawful.

“Ang state of emergency will only help in terms of ‘yung baka mas mapadali ang procurement. Ngayon, ayaw naman nating madaliing sobra na baka magkaroon ng shortcut sa batas, tapos

sasabihin ng COA (Commission on Audit) hindi pwede lahat ‘yan. Balik na naman tayo sa wala,” he said.

“Gusto lang natin from the start, ‘pag na-deploy ‘yan, talagang sumusunod sa lahat ng mga alituntunin, lahat ng patakaran, at lahat ng batas para ‘pag naranasan na ay hindi naman mawawala kaagad,” he added.

The government response is also intended to make sure that the upcoming elections will not be affected and all the voting precincts will have enough power to transmit all the election results, Aquino said.

Northern Mindanao

Davao

But by 2015, when the permanent plants start to produce enough energy, the President said he expects the Mindanao power problem to go away.

It takes between three to four years to set up the power plants, he said noting the earliest target date is about 300 megawatts from coal-fired power plant by 2015. Similar other plants will also start going online after that until 2017, he explained.

Also augmenting the insufficiency of power in Mindanao is the Iligan diesel power plant, which has been operating and returning to its rated capacity, he said.

Manila

General Ricardo Rainier Cruz, commander of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Division in Pagadian City, and Tourism Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Sakkalahul burst out in tears as she defended her husband, Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakkalahul, of Basilan province in the southern Philippines, from accusations that he pocketed part of the ransom paid to the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in exchange for the safe release of Australian adventurer Warren Rodwell. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Zamboanga Peninsula