3 human trafficking victims rescued in Tawi-Tawi
Bam Aquino, binansagang ‘oportunista, ambisyoso’ PAGE 2
Chiz Escudero tagilid sa Mindanao PAGE 4
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Pagadian City may Acting Mayor na!
Police campaign intensified in Western Mindanao
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Philippines condemns Boston Marathon bombings
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Apr. 22-28, 2013
SULU SULTANATE MEMBERS FACE DEATH PENALTY IN MALAYSIA
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leven more Filipinos with links to the Sultanate of Sulu have been charged with t errorism in Malaysia for waging war with the King Yang di-Pertuan Agong bringing to 19 the total number of Filipinos detained on similar charges. They face the death penalty if proven guilty. The identities of those charged were Hussin Abu Bakar, Basad Manuel, Lin Mad Salleh, Holland Kalbi, Habil Suhaili, Timhar Hadir, Kadir Uyung, Masir Aidin, Ismail Yasin, Anwar Salib Akhmad, Binhar Salib Akhma, Lating Tiong Virgilio Nemar Patulada, Salib Akhmad Emali, Al Wazir
Osman, Hadi Mawan, Tani Lahad Dahi, Julham Rashid and Aiman Radie. They would be represented by lawyer Datuk N. Sivananthan. All the accused were linked by authorities to the group of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, whose 200 followers clashed with security forces in Sabah in March following a deadly standoff that started in February when he sent his brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin to Lahad Datu town to exert determination and historical claim over the oil-rich island, just several nautical miles off the Filipino province of Tawi-Tawi. Malaysia rejected the claims and mounted a deadly
assault that killed over 60 of the sultan’s men and detained more than 400 Filipinos - suspected of aiding Raja Muda Agbimuddin – under a strict anti-terrorism law. Ten Malaysian policemen and soldiers were also killed in the fighting. A Malaysian policeman, Corporal Hassan Ali Basri, was also arrested for allegedly failing to providing information about Sultan Jamalul’s group. Hassan pleaded not guilty during Friday’s court trial. He was charged under Section 130m of the Penal Code which carries a sentence of imprisonment which may extend to seven years or a fine or both. (Mindanao Examiner)
UNA senatorial bet JV Ejercito Estrada sinuportahan ng El Shaddai!
Makikita sa larawang ito sina El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde at UNA senatorial bet JV Ejercito Estrada na nagpasalamat sa charismatic leader sa suporta nito sa kanya. PAGADIAN CITY - Umani ng malaking papuri at suporta ang pagkaka-endorso ng El Shaddai - isa sa pinakamalaking religious group sa bansa - kay United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate JV Ejercito Estrada na-ngunguna sa ibat-ibang pre-elections surveys. Mismong si El Sha-ddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde ang siyang nag-endorso kay JV Ejercito Estrada. Si Bro. Mike Velarde ang tumatayong taga-pagsalita ngayon ng “White Vote Movement,” isang umbrella group ng ibat-ibang religious organizations sa bvansa na siyang nagsulong ng endorsement ni JV Ejercito Estrada dahil sa matibay nitong pananalig sa Diyos at magandang track
ARMM
record sa pulitika. Isa rin sa JV Ejercito Estrada sa mga bumoto laban sa Reproductive Health bill at dahil sa kanyang malakas na paniniwala sa Simbahan at sa kahalagahan at ka-pakanan ng pamilya, ay inendorso rin ito ng Simbahang Katoliko sa Iloilo province at nanguna sa talaang ng kanilang “Team Buhay.” Todo naman ang pasasalamat ni JV Ejercito Estrada sa El Shaddai at sa bumubuo ng “White Vote Movement” dahil sa kanilang pagtitiwala sa kanyang kakayahan. Ma-ging ang pamilya ni JV Ejercito Estrada at mga ka-alyadong grupo ay nagalak at nagpasalamat kay Bro. Mike Velarde. “Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat kay El Shaddai leader (Mariano)
Bro. Mike Velarde, sa kanyang pag-endorso sa aking kandidatura bilang Senador sa darating na halalan. Isang ka-rangalan po na ako ay suportahan ng El Shaddai,” ani JV Ejercito Estrada sa panayam ng media. “Ikinalulugod ko rin na mapabilang sa hanay nina Pangulong Joseph Estrada, na ilang beses na rin na inendorso at nanalo dahil sa suporta ng El Shaddai, isa sa pinakamalaking Catholic organizations sa bansa na may limang milyong kasapi. Napakalaking tulong ng inyong suporta sa aking kandidatura. Maraming salamat po at pagpalain nawa ng Pangi-noon ang El Shaddai,” dagdag pa nito. (Mindanao Examiner)
Southern Mindanao
Davao
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III reads a copy of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper in his residence in Taguig City. (Photo by Mark Navales)
Rajam Akbar malakas sa Basilan BASILAN – Nangunguna ngayon sa ang mga pangangailangan ng mga paborito sa Basilan province Basilan, partikular sa peace and deang vice gubernatorial candidate ng velopment programs ng pamahalaan. Prayoridad Puwersa ng Masang rin nito ang agrikultura Pilipino na si Assembly at impraistraktura ng woman Rajam Akbar. lalawigan, gayun rin Suportado ng ang kabuhayan upang marami si Rajam, ang maisulong ang Kakapatid ni dating unlaran ng Basilan na Basilan Gov. Wahab mayaman sa natural Akbar, dahil sa resources. magandang track Si Rajam ang sa record nito at sa ngayon ang pinakanyang ibat-ibang kamalakas sa lahat hg programa para sa Assembly woman mga kandidatong lalawigan na kabilang Rajam Akbar. tumatakbo bilang vice sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Sinigurado naman ni Rajam na bibigyan nito ng kaukulang aksyon
Manila
governor dahil na rin sa kanyang kakayahan at kagalingan sa pulitika.
Zamboanga Peninsula
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 22-28, 2013
More Filipinos search for extra jobs, pay to augment income THE TRADE UNION Congress of the Philippines said that the number of Filipinos aspiring to have extra jobs to augment their income and make both ends meet
Even today, the fertile soil of Mindanao provides our country with a significant share of its total agricultural output. Investing in the people and infrastructure of Mindanao will unlock its full potential as the breadbasket of the Philippines, says Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada which is why it's one of his main platform components.
Bam Aquino, binansagang ‘oportunista, ambisyoso’ MANILA – Hinahabol pa rin ng kanyang nakaraan si Bam Aquino - na ngayon ay nagaambisyon maging senador sa ilalim ng kanyang pinsan na si Pangulong Beningo Aquino – dahil sa pagiging oportunista umano nito. Si Bam ay nanilbihan sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Gloria Arroyo bilang pinuno ng National Youth Commission. Kaliwa’t-kanan ang
eskandalo ng dating administrasyon mula sa alegasyon ng pandaraya sa halalan hanggang sa isyu ng korupsyon at maging ang pagsupil sa media at sa mga grupo ng kabataan at organisasyon na ayaw sa pamamalakad sa pamahalaang ni Arroyo. Kinunsinti rin umano ni Bam ang mga kabuktutan ng pamahalanag Arroyo sa kabila ng kaliwa’t-kanan protesta ng taong-bayan at
JUST SAY
NO!
ibat-ibang mga civil society organizations kontra kay Arroyo. At ngayon ay ginagamit naman ni Bam ang slogan ng pamahalaang Aquino na “matuwid na daan” sa kanyang propaganda. Binansagan pang “oportunistang ambisyoso” si Bam ng mga aktibista at mga grupong kontra sa dinastiyang Aquino dahil ng nanalo si Pangulong Benigno ay sinamantala akad ito ni Bam upang maipasok ang sarili sa senatorial line-up ng Team PNoy para sa May elections. Isyu pa rin ang television campaign ad nito dahil sa pag gamit kina dating Senador Benigno Aquino at dating Pangulong Cory Aquino kahit pa namayapa na ang mga ito. Nasa nasabing campaign ad rin si Pangulong Benigno. (Mindanao Examiner)
The National Statistics Office record also showed that there are 7.934 million underemployed in January 2013, up by 916,000 since January 2012 (7.018 million) and 7.050 million in 2011. The alltime high u n d e re m ployment rate in six years was recorded in July 2012 with 8.55 million with more than 80% of them in the agri-
h a v e reached almost 9 million and it attributed this to job mismatch and low salary. “A s i d e from mismatch, it is highly possible that because of low salary—notably, the daily take home pay—the underemployment rate grows at a very alarming pace. It’s puzzling trade unionists and causing discomfort to some concerned government officials,” Gerard Seno, TUCP Secretary General, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. He said more and more people are looking to have an additional job or to work for longer hours to augment their income. “Totoo na dumarami ang mga manggagawa na nagsa sideline or rumaraket so to speak, to have extra income for their families to survive,” he said. Seno, citing a recent TUCP study, said in Metro Manila, although the minimum daily pay is P456, the real daily take home minimum pay is only P306 pesos after factoring inflation of basic commodities and after mandatory deductions of taxes, Philhealth, Pag-ibig, and SSS.
culture and services sector like security guards, tellers, clerks, waiters, mechanics, technicians, salesaldies, and service crews. The TUCP has recently filed an P85 wage increase petition for Metro Manila before the wage board and also an P80 wage increase in Davao regional wage board. If approved, Davao workers will receive a minimum nominal pay of P381. Currently, the P301 minimum pay in Davao region has a buying capacity of only P216.24 and after mandatory deductions, the real take home pay would only be around P191.75. In the light of the issue, the Labor department has introduced the Community Entrepreneural Development Training and the Integrated Livelihood Program to encourage workers to engage in livelihood like selling home-made food and items to augment family income.
Lalaking nag-cowboy, nadakpan PAGADIAN CITY – Usa ka lalaki nagdala-dalag armas ang gi sumbong sa kapulisan ning dakbayan sa Pagadian sa Zamboanga del Sur. Gi sumbong sa kapulisan sa usa ka Leizel Pulmones, 27, ug anak sa tag-iya sa usa ka boarding house ug Junior Tan-awon, 20, na nag-abang sa
nahisgotang balay mi tugan sa opisina sa kapulisan sa usa ka Nonoy Talley hingkod ug pangidaron walay klarong pinuy-anan ug bag-o lang mi balhin sa Purok Makugihon, sakop sa Barangay Santiago. Nasayran nga ng disturbo ug nagsamoksamok sa maong balay gamit ang kalibre 45 nga
pistola. Ang duha mi reklamo dayon sa atong kapulisan ug nasayran nga walay papeles ug ilegal ang pagdala ug armas. Ang kasamtangang akusado gisikop jud dayon sa mga kapulisan ug nag atubang sa kasong pag lapas pagdala sa ilegal nga mga armas. (Mindanao Examiner - Joenette Yankee)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 22-28, 2013
Anakbayan leader challenges Akbayan politician in public debate
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III reads a copy of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper in his residence in Taguig City. (Photo by Mark Navales)
Drinking spree turns bloody Police were searching for two men who stabbed dead their drinking buddy in the town of Diplahan in Zamboanga Sibugay province. Police tagged Sonny Suposo and Ambok Dandan as behind the killing of Eddie Du-mandan in the village of Natan.
It said Dumandan was drinking at a store when the duo arrived and joined him. The two men later attacked and mauled Dumandan and dragged him away from the store and stabbed repeatedly. The assailants fled after the stabbing, leaving behind the bloodied
Dumandan who succumbed to his fatal wounds. The motive of the attack is still unknown and police are investigating the killing, according to Insp. Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman. (Mindanao Examiner - Joenette Yankee)
MANILA - Dismissing attempts to create a 'Risa Hontiveros-Nancy Binay' debate as a 'last-ditch effort to save Hontiveros' failing Senate bid,' a youth leader has challenged her to have a public debate with him instead. In an attempt to pressure the UNA bet, supporters of Hontiveros have spammed the social networking sites Twitter and Facebook with 'memes' and other calls for a public debate between the two. Hontiveros, despite having the resources and backing of the Aquino administration, has been lagging behind election surveys. "Clearly, Mrs. Binay does not want a public debate. If Risa truly wants to inform voters and clarify stances on various social issues, we are more than
available to be her counterpart in a public debate. Name the time and place, we'll be there," Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of Anakbayan, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Crisostomo took the 'public' nature of the debate one step further by asking Filipino netizens on Twitter and Facebook to suggest topics. Crisostomo's challenge has gone 'viral', with his original challenge on Twitter (@venzie), as well as screen captures of his challenge on Facebook, being shared hundreds of times. Yet until today, there has been no response from Hontiveros. "No one in Anakbayan would be surprised if Risa would chicken-out from
the challenge. After all, she is most likely scared that her carefully cultivated image of a 'social reformist' would be easily crushed, and her role as 'presidential chuwariwap' and defender of President Aquino's anti-people and anti-poor policies would be bared for everyone to see," he said. "Siguro na-trauma siya sa pagkapahiya ng mga kapwa niya Akbayan noong nakaraan. But Risa can take her time. Our offer’s good until Election Day,” he added. In October, leaders of Akbayan and Crisostomo engaged in a word war in several TV and radio appearances after the latter, along with several other youth leaders, filed a disqualification complaint against Akbayan from the party list race.
3 human trafficking victims rescued in Tawi-Tawi Mag-uuma gipusil sa Zambo Sur
PAGADIAN CITY - Usa ka aksidente sa pag-pamusil sa Sitio Tumog sa Barangay Dalapang sakop sa munisipyo sa Labangan sa Zamboanga del Sur. Matod pa sa mga elemento sa kapulisan sa Labangan nga gi panguluhan ni Insp. Nedzpar
Mohammad Hassan kay usa ka maguuma nga si Jerry Aranes,51, ug lumulupyo sa nahisgutang dapit kalit lang gipusil sa suspetsado samtang siya nagpabulkit ug nagpahangin sa iyang ligid. Gipusil siya sa ikatulong higayon sa ulo ug
maoy hinundan sa iyang hinanaling kamatayon. Ang suspetsado kalit lang mi sibat sa wala nailhang direksyon. Ang kapulisan sa Labangan mi himo dayo'g lakang para madakpan ang suspetsado. (Mindanao Examiner - Joenette Yankee)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have rescued 3 women, who were victims of human trafficking, in the southern Filipino province of Tawi-Tawi after being recruited to work in Jordan. The trio arrived by boat in Zamboanga City and was brought to the headquarters of the nongovernmental organiza-
tion Visayan Forum where police and social workers interviewed them. The women, ages 21, 22 and 27, are all natives of Zamboanga City and claimed they were recruited by Janrenon Julian, 25, a local salesman, to work in Jordan. Julian, who was tracked down by the police for investigation, said his cousin, Julieta
Araneta, 48, was his principal. He said his cousin, who was working for a recruiter Axam Hajirul, asked him to recruit workers for Jordan. Hajirul also recruited Julian’s sister who is now working in Jordan. Police said it is investigating the confession of Julian and Araneta. (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.
The Mindanao Examiner 4 Chiz Escudero tagilid sa Mindanao
Apr. 22-28, 2013
MANILA – Malaking problema ang kina- inindorso ng Jamio Mindanao Al Islamie o kaharap ngayon ni senatorial candidate Mindanao Islamic Center ang nasabing Chiz Escudero sa Mindanao dahil sa fatwa na ngayon ay kalat na sa Mindanao. Unang na-eskandalo si Escudero ng pagkalat ng fatwa na maaaring makaapekto sa kandidatura nito. isuka ito ng mga magulang Sa naturang fatwa na ng magandang aktres na si inilabas ng mga ulama ay Heart Evangelista dahil sa binansagan ng mga ito si diumano’y pagiging laEscudero na isang antisenggo nito at pagpatol sa peace at anti-Muslim, at batang modelo. Hiwalay si gayun rin ang iba pang mga Escudero sa kanyang asawa kandidato na sumuporta at at naging isyu ang moralidad lumagda sa pagsasabatas ng nito at ang kinabukasan ng Reproductive Health bill. aktres sa mga kamay ng mas Ang fatwa sa Islamic matandang pulitiko. Matatandaang faith ay kalimitang Senatorial candidate nagpatawag ng press conferpinakikinggan ng mga MusChiz Escudero lim dahil galing ito sa ence ang mga magulang ni kanilang mga religious leaders. Binabasa rin ang fatwa sa ibat-ibang mosque hindi lamang sa Mindanao, kundi sa buong bansa. Nagalit umano ang maraming mga Muslim groups dahil rin sa mga nakalipas na pahayag ni Escudero ukol sa peace talks ng pamahalaang Aquino sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front, partikular ang naging paghaharap nina Pangulong Beningo Aquino at rebel chieftain Murad Ebrahim sa Tokyo, Japan nuong Agosto 2011 na kung saan ay sinabi diumano ni Escudero na “ill-advised” ang naturang pagkikita ng dalawa dahil sa kasalukuyang peace talks. Napabalita na rin kamakakailan ang paglabas ng fatwa ni Sheikh Jamil D. Yahya, ang grand imam ng Marawi City at tumatayong chairman ng Bangsamoro Supreme Council of Ulama sa Mindanao. At
Heart at tahasang tinuligsa ng mga ito ang naturang pakikipag-relasyon ng kanilang anak kay Escudero. Sinabi pa ng ama at ina ni Heart na sa tuwing haharap sa kanila si Escudero ay palagi itong lasing o nakainom at hindi marunong magbigay ng respeto sa sarili nilang tahanan. Binansagan pang arogante ng mga magulang ni Heart ang pulitiko na umano'y na-brainwash na ang dalaga. Paulit-ulit naman na nakikiusap ang mga magulang ng batang aktres sa matandang si Escudero na layuan ang kanilang anak dahil wala umano itong kinabukasan sa kanya dahil sa pagiging hiwalay nito sa asawa. May balita pang ginagamit lamang diumano ni Escudero ang kasikatan ng batang aktres para sa sariling political gains. (Mindanao Examiner)
Gwardiya nisupak sa Comelec gunban PAGADIAN CITY - Usa ka Marlon Navaja, security guard sa Spiote Disco House, nga nahimutang ning dakbayan sa Pagadian sa Zamboanga del Sur. Si Insp. Rolando Hinoctan nakadawat ug
tawag sa niaging gabie kay ang gwardiya nagkanayon nga dunay usa ka kustomer nga nagpaila ra sa ngalang Villanueva nagbilin o nagdeposito sa iyang armas nga kalibre 9mm ug usa ka magazine nga mga bala,
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 ARMM Merlyn Manos Iligan City
Giovanni Solmerano Eastern Mindanao Geonarri Solmerano Southern Mindanao Joenette Yankee Zamboanga del Sur
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. The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in Skycable 54 in Zamboanga; Lupah Sug Cable in Sulu province and Basilan Cable in Basilan province. Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: +63 62 9925480 Mobile: +63 9152756606 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
apan nasayran nga maong tawo hubog ug busa gipasa dayon sa gwardiya sa mga kooperatiba sa kapulisan ang maong armas. Nasayran ka nga ang nagdala ni-ini usa ka Rey Valenzuela, pangulo sa mga gwardiya sa Pichel Security Agency, nga naga basi sa Zamboanga City, ang kasong pagsupak sa Commission on Election gun ban ang gipasang-at sa nahis-gutang gwardiya. (Mindanao Examiner Joenette Yankee)
Mayoralty candidate Hegem Furigay campaigns in Lamitan City in Basilan province in southern Philippines. (Photo courtesy of Richard Falcatan)
Police launch ops to arrest shooter in Basilan BASILAN – Police launched a manhunt for gunmen who shot and wounded 3 people, including the father of a mayoralty candidate in the troubled province of Basilan in the southern Philippines. Police said the gunmen attacked Henr y Furigay and his driver Bernard Cuevas and an-
other supporter, and escaped on a motorcycle after the shooting in the village of Limook. Furigay’s son council man Hegem Furigay, is r unning for mayor in Lamitan City against his aunt Rosita Furigay, the wife of incumbent mayor Roder ick Fur igay, his uncle who is now on his third and last term, and
is also running as vice mayor in Lamitan City. The victims we re heading to a political meeting when the attack occurred. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack. Police said it is still investigating the motive of the attack. (Mindanao Examiner - Ely D. Umaboc)
Cadaver found in Dipolog City DIPOLOG CITY – The body of an unidentified man was found in Dipolog City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Norte, police said. Police said the body was discovered by a civilian in the village of Turno and reported it to the authorities. Investigators said the body was found alongside the road and had gunshot wounds. The victim was wearing a pair of black
pants and a brown shirt and had the name “Gardo” tattooed on his left hand and another name “Gumobal” on the right arm. The man was shot at least 6 times in the different parts of his body based on initial investigation, but the
identity of the cadaver remains unknown. Villagers told the police that they heard gunshots in the area and saw a man on a motorcycle speeding away. The motive of the killing is still unknown. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 22-28, 2013
Pagadian City may Acting Mayor na!
Mga supporters ni Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co ang nagbarikada sa City Hall at nagdaos ng vigil bilang pakikisimpatya sa pulitikong pinaghahanap ng batas. Pormal naman na umupo si Vice Mayor Romeo Pulmones (larawan sa kaliwa) bilang acting mayor ng Pagadian City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Joenette Yankee) PAGADIAN CITY– Iniluklok ni Pagadian City Vice Mayor Romeo Pulmones ang sarili bilang acting mayor habang nagtatago sa batas si Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co dahil sa arrest warrant nitong may kinalaman alegsasyon ng kasong P12-billion investment scam sa Mindanao. Sa kanyang memorandum sa mga government agencies at department heads, kabilang ang pulisya at militar, at mga banking institutions, ginamit na dahilan ni Pulmones ang batas - Section 46 ng Local Government Code - bilang basehan ng kanyang pag-upo bilang alkalde. “Pursuant to Section
46...the undersigned officially assumes office as acting city mayor Pagadian effectively immediately. In compliance with the said mandate, all documents, financial vouchers, reports, communications and other concerns from your end should be addressed now to the undersigned who is temporarily holding office at the Sanguniang Panglunsod,” ani Pulmones sa naturang memorandum na ipinasa sa Mindanao Examiner. Sinabi pa ni Pulmones na ang mga lalabag sa kanyang memorandum ay may karampatang parusa ng naaayon sa batas. Kinatigan naman ng Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) si Pulmones at sinabing legal ang pag-upo nito bilang acting mayor ng Pagadian base sa Section 46 ng Local Government Code. “By operation, there is no question about it and as far as we are concerned the assumption of Vice Mayor Pulmones as acting mayor of Pagadian is legal,” ani Pedro Cuevas, DILG Assistant Regional Director, sa panayam ng Mindanao Examiner. Inakusahan ng mga awtoridad si Co ng syndicated estafa at nagtago matapos na malaman may lumabas na arrest warrant sa kanya nuong Abril 11. Ngunit iginiit naman ng mga abogado nito na hindi
nagtatago sa batas si Co, subali't pinasinungalingan naman ito ng National Bureau of Investigation at ng lokal na pulisya. Si Co ay nasa ikatlo at huling termino na at tumatakbong vice mayor ng kanyang asawang si Priscilla na kanya naman pinatatakbo bilang mayor ng Pagadian sa ilalim ng partido Liberal ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino. Makakalaban ni Priscilla si Pulmones na miyembro ng Nationalist People’s Coalition. Bukod kay Co, ipinag-utos rin ni Judge Alberto Quinto, ng Regional Trial Court, ang pagdakip sa 9 na iba pa kabilang ang Malaysian national na si Manuel Amalilio, na siyang
founder ng Aman Futures; Fernando Luna, Lelian Gan, Eduardo Lim, Welanie Fuentes, Naezelle Rodriguez, Lurix Lopez, Jerome Sanchez at Oliver Dequinto. Sinabi ng Malakanyang na hindi nito bibigyan ng speacial treatment si Co at kakasuhan ang mga nagtatago o kumakanlong sa kanya. Sinisi noon ni Co ang mga kalaban sa pulitika - kabilang sina Pulmones at Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Antonio Cerilles - na siyang nasa lijkod ng bintang sa kanya o pagdadawit sa Ponzi scheme na kagagawan ng Aman Futures. (May dagdag na ulat sina Joenette Yankee at Ely D. Umaboc)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 22-28, 2013
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 22-28, 2013
Police campaign intensified in Western Mindanao
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police have ordered an intensified campaign against criminality in the southern Philippines ahead of local and national polls in May. Western Mindanao police chief Juanito Vaño, Jr., directed all provincial and city police chiefs to personally supervise the conduct of the anti-crime operations in their respective jurisdiction. This, after Interior Secretary Mar Roxas ordered the Philippine National Police to go hard against all types of orga-
nized crime groups, criminals, illegal gambling, wanted persons, loose firearms and dismantling of private armed groups. “The solemn thrust of the Philippine National Police is the active presence of policemen on the streets, places of convergence and at business establishments. They are to be seen, felt and experienced by the community,” Vaño said. “The public is assured that the police is doing its utmost best to prevent and control crimes, and
at the same time, encouraged the populace to assist the authorities by providing relevant and timely information that will lead to the neutralization of the criminals,” he added. Vaño said the result of police operations in the region manifests that the PNPs anti-criminality campaign has greatly improve particularly on the aspect of collecting illegal weapons, dismantling of organized and syndicated crime groups and private armies, illegal gambling, among others. (Mindanao Examiner)
Family feud sparks gun battle at sea off Zambo town
PAGADIAN CITY – An undetermined number of people were believed killed when two warring families clashed at sea in the southern Philippines, police said. It said the protagonists – who are members of the Lam and Lao families - arrived in boats and engaged in a fierce sea battle off the town of Dinas in Zamboanga del Sur province.
Insp. Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said Lam’s boat was sunk by Lao’s family in the fighting. “The boat sunk with undetermined number of passengers,” he said. He said the Lam’s family is native of Dimataling town, while the Lao’s is from Dinas town. He said the fighting was the result of a long time family feud, but it
KISMET Cable Channel 63 Pagadian City
was not immediately known what triggered the latest clashes. Clan war or locally known as “rido” is common in many parts of the southern Philippines. The U.S. Agency for International Development and think-tank Asia Foundation said that more than 3,000 people have been killed over the past seven decades in family feuds in the southern Philippines. Rido can involve disputes among family members or among two or more rival families, pitting neighbors or different ethnic groups against each other. The disputes center on issues of land, money, marriage or political power and involve revenge killings. The violence increases with each act of retaliation, broadening to include those not directly involved in the dispute, including women and children, according to the Asia Foundation, adding, some feuds lasted for decades. (Mindanao Examiner)
Cops say ‘grudge’ tied to Zambo lawyer shooting Police in Zamboanga City said personal grudge was likely motive behind the slay try on a prominent lawyer whose 2 companions were killed in a recent attack. Motorcycle gunmen opened fire on the car of lawyer Homer Mabale who was heading home in Lopez Subdivision in the
village of Tugbungan. The attack killed brothers Jomer and Emmanuel Lozada. The ambushers escaped after the attack. Police recovered empty of shells of .45-caliber pistol from the area. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack and police were still search-
ing for the assailants. Gun attacks are not uncommon in Zamboanga City in western Mindanao where killings have reached more than 180 last year. Hired killers are known to actively operate in Zamboanga and police authorities could do little to stop the killings. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 22-28, 2013
New hike in Metro electricity bill criticized MANILA – A Filipino media group called Alab ng Mamamahayag has criticized the a new hike in electricity bill in Manila, saying the Manila Electric Company has yet to refund to power consumers millions of pesos in excess collections. ALAM Chairman Jerry Yap said: “Puro pahirap at kalbaryo ang ibinibigay sa atin ng Meralco. Bago sana sila magtaas ng singil, isoli muna nila ang sobrang singil nila noon.” He said Meralco will charge an additional 27 centavos per kilowatt hour or 22% increase per P1.4917 for every kilowatt hour starting April after the Energy
Regulatory Commission approved Meralco’s request of additional fees on utility distribution. “Pangit ang tiyempo ng pagtataas nila ng distribution charge. Kung kelan taginit na kailangang bukas lahat ng electric fan at air conditioners maghapon at magdamag, saka pa sila magtataas ng singil. Hindi bale yung mayayaman na may pambayad. Paano naman ang mahihirap na inaagaw lamang sa pambili ng pagkain ang ibinabayad sa kuryente? Magtitiis na lamang sa pamaypay?” asked Yap. He also urged the lawmakers to do something to withdraw the Electric Power
Industry Reform Act. “Ang pagbawi sa EPIRA law ang unang hakbang upang bumaba ang presyo ng kuryente sa bansa,” Yap said. EPIRA contained the legal framework of the privatization of the National Power Corporation and the deregulation of the power industry. It promised that electricity bills will lessen but became the result of it was the opposite. Yap said since the EPIRA was not able to perform its purpose the law should be trashed. The Philippines pays the second highest electricity bills in Asia , second only to Japan. (Nanet Villa-fania)
Piniriso napusilan kay mipuga sa prisohan PAGADIAN CITY – Usa ka Shem Rallos, 46, ug lumulopyo sa Purok Bakhaw sakop sa syudad sa Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur, priso ug nagabutang sa salang pagpatay kalit lang miikyas agi sa purtahan sa maong selda kay anang tungura gi repair ug gi
patrabaho pa. Matod pa ni PO3 Rogelio Ortega nga maoy nag-duty anang tungora mikalit lang ug dagan si Saberon ug iya kining gi gukod padulong sa may Ariosa Gate, Sagun Street dakbayan sa Pagadian mga 400 metros ang gilayun gikan sa estasyon, iya
kining gipa-salbahan apan wala kini mihunong maong nakadesisyon siyang pusilon punterya sa iyang walang tiil. Ang mi eskapong priso gidala gyud dayon sa duol nga tambalanan aron sa pag patambal sa samad pinusilan. (Mindanao Examiner - Joenette Yankee)
Store owner wounded in Zambo town burglary ZAMBOANGA CITY – A store owner was injured after two gunmen attacked her following a daring daylight robbery in the town of Siay in Za m b o a n g a Si b u g a y p r ov i n c e i n s o u t h e r n Philippines, police said.
Police said Rosie Fe Queral, 50, was hit in the face with the pistol by one of four armed men who barged in her store in the village called Batu. In v e s t i g a t o r s s a i d the robbers took some
P90,000 from the store and escaped on two mot o rc yc l e s t ow a rd s t h e town of Kabasalan. It was not immediately known what triggered the gunman to att a c k t h e s t o re ow n e r. (Mindanao Examiner)
2 farmers shot in Zambo del Norte town DIPOLOG CITY – Unidentified gunmen killed a farmer and seriously wounded his companion in an attack in Zamboanga del Norte’s Godod town, police said. It said the assailants, armed with M16 automatic
rifles and pistols, opened fire on Jun Baldecasa killing him instantly, and Bobong Baldecasa, who was wounded in the attack in the village of Banuangan. The gunmen fled after the shooting. The motive of
the attack is still unknown, but police said it recovered 16 empty shells of M16 and a .45-caliber pistol. Police said it is investigating the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the shootings. (Mindanao Examiner)
United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate and Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile visits a market in Nueva Ecija province which accounts for the largest number of farms in Central Luzon. Enrile is known for his advocacy that’s focused on agriculture and food sovereignty.
Jack Enrile: There’s a way to alleviate hunger experienced by 20 million children in Philippines United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Senatorial bet and Cagayan Representative Jack Enrile expressed alarm over the growing incidence of hunger among Filipino children. Based on data provided by Akap Bata Party List, a children’s welfare advocacy group, there are around 12.4 million children today who are living in food-insecure households in addition to 5 million child laborers, and around 2 million street children throughout the country.
“These statistics prod me to vigorously push for the advocacy of a food security program that will effectively fight hunger and poverty, especially among children,” said Enrile, a staunch food security advocate. “The welfare of Filipino children must be on the agenda of everyone who aspires to be in public service,” he added. He pointed out that something is fundamentally wrong with a society where millions of children experience hunger on a
daily basis. “Until such time that we can secure the future of our children, we should not claim economic progress, regardless of accolades made by organizations that cite statistics saying that we as a country and as a people are moving up,” Enrile said. House Bill 4626 or the “Food for the Filipinos First Bill” was filed by Enrile who envisioned it as a means to attain self-sufficiency and security in food and help in bringing down the price of food products.
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 22-28, 2013
Body of Filipina chef arrives from Bahrain MANILA – The body of a Filipina pastry chef who was found dead inside the Philippine Embassy shelter in Bahrain has arrived in Manila and claimed by her grieving family. Kathleen Ann Ilagan, 31, was reported to have committed suicide while in the shelter, but her family disputed the police report in Bahrain and has asked Philippine authorities to investigate her death. John Leonard Monterona, a regional coordinator of the MigranteMiddle East, said Ilagan’s remains was flown by Gulf Airlines and that her sister Micheileen confirmed to him the arrival of the body. “The Ilagan family
doubted the police report they received from the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain that OFW Kathleen committed suicide as they seriously cast doubt on the circumstances surrounding her death.” “The family said she could not have fatally hanged herself from the doorknob which is only waist-high. Secondly, there was no clothesline or any source at the Embassy-shelter that would provide a cord for hanging, and thirdly, there could or should have been other persons or security personnel at the Embassy’s shelter who could have witnessed the
incident if indeed she hanged herself,” Monterona said. Ilagan’s sister also said that along the remains of Ilagan inside the casket were a death certificate and the police report, and other documents related
to repatriation formalities. However, there was no autopsy report. Monterona said the Ilagan family is poised to have the body autopsied. “Yes po, meron po kaming plan na ipa-autopsy. Aayusin po namin,”
Monterona quoted Ilagan’s sister as saying. Monterona said he, too, was puzzled by the swift repatriation of Ilagan’s remains. “We could certainly notice the time difference in the repatriation formalities between an OFW remains on mysterious death case and to natural death due to illness or due to accident of an OFW abroad. The former will only take 2 to 3 days, while usually remains repatriation will take at least three months to a maximum of 6 months,” he said. “There is really something wrong why the Philippine Embassy did not thoroughly probe her
death. Is there something they need to cover up?” he asked. Monterona said the Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain will have a lot of explaining to do in connection with the death of the Filipina. “We demand the recall of Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain and the caretaker of its shelter. All embassy and labor officials in Philippine Embassy in Bahrain should be investigated,” he said. There was no immediate statement from the Philippine Embassy or Ambassador Maria Corazon Bahjin about the allegations. (Mindanao Examiner)
Muslims benefit RP condemns Boston Marathon bombings from Sulu Sultanate relief mission
A collage of Google photos of the Boston Marathon bombings shows the aftermath of the twin attacks in the United States. (Mindanao Examiner)
Princess Pulalun, daughter of Sultan Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun (see top photo), addresses a huge crowd in the southern province of Sulu where the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo launched a humanitarian mission. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Ely D. Umaboc) SULU – Thousands of mostly poor Muslims in the southern Philippine province of Sulu benefited from a recent humanitarian mission launched by the Sultanate of Sulu and Nor th Borneo. Her majesty Princess Pulalun, whose father Sultan Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun, the heir to the Sultanate of Sulu, led the
relief mission along with dozens of loyal followers in the capital town of Jolo. They distributed necessary supplies, especially rice, to the Muslims who flocked to Jolo to welcome the relief mission. She spoke lengthily to the Muslims, appealing to them to stay in Sulu and not return to Sabah following clashes between Malaysian secu-
The Philippines joined nations around the world in condemning the Boston Marathon bombings in the United States and sympathized with families of those killed and wounded in the attacks. Three people, including a child, were killed and over 150 others injured in the twin blasts near the marathon finish line and no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the daring
attacks that occurred despite a strict blanket of security imposed by the U.S. authorities to the annual event. “We condemn those who dared defile this event and who have cast such a pall of loss and suffering in the city of Boston and the entire United States. The President personally conveys a message of deep sympathy, concern, and solidarity with the people of Boston, where he and his
family had found refuge during martial law, and which so many Filipinos call home,” President Benigno Aquino’s Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. She said the Aquino administration joins the international community in extending its sympathy to those who have lost loved ones in the bombings.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations has taken the lead in the investigation into the bombings, although no suspects have been named by authorities as behind the attacks. The latest bombings brought fears among many Americans who are still trying to overcome the horrific 9/11 suicide attacks in the U.S. carried out by al-Qaeda militants. (Mindanao Examiner)
rity forces and the group of Sultan Jamalul Kiram that intruded Lahad Datu town in the oil-rich island on February. Among those given provisions were FilipinoMuslims who escaped the violence in Sabah. The clashes, which killed more than 60 of Sultan Jamalul’s men, triggered an exodus of Filipinos after Malaysia mounted a crackdown on illegal migrants and workers in Sabah. Those who received food supplies have praised Sultan Pulalun and his royal family for providing provisions that will last for days. Last month, the secluded Sultan, surfaced in Zamboanga City and made an appeal to Kuala Lumpur not to harm innocent Filipinos residing or working in Sabah. The Sultanate of Sulu is claiming histor ical ownership on Sabah or
known by its old name as North Borneo, which was ceded to the Sultan of Sulu by the Sultan of Brunei in the 17th century for helping quell a rebellion. Some 800,000 Filipinos, mostly Muslims, are either residing or illegally
working in Sabah. And thousands have been deported or escaped the strife in Sabah, just several hours by speedboat from the nearest Philippine province of TawiTawi. A known supporter of President Benigno Aqui-
no, Sultan Pulalun, a descendant of 18th century Sultan Mohammad Pulalun, of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, also issued an official appeal calling to all Muslims in the Philippines to stay calm. (With a report from Ely D. Umaboc)
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his southern province, which is at the forefront of a massive humanitarian mission to save and assist Filipino refugees from Sabah, continues to work silently f ree from media blitz and publicity - in an effort to alleviate the harrowing situation of thousands of people fleeing the crackdown on illegal migrants and workers in the eastern state of Malaysia. One dramatic an elder man of that event occurred in group where they were Parang town as nar- assured that the presrated to the Mindanao ence of the authorities Examiner by Fazlur in the wharf was to welAbdulla, head of the come and appropriately Sulu Area Coordinat- help them. When they ing Center, when a were convinced, one by boatload of Muslim one they disembarked refugees, mostly from from the boat to the Sulu province, arrived waiting teams who profrom Sabah, but re- vided them attention fused to disembark on and care. It is the esthe sight of policemen sence of Sulu Humaniassisting in the hu- tarian Reception for Sabah Evacuees, which manitarian mission. This is Abdulla's includes MLGU of narrative. "This is a Parang and Jolo, DSWD, tr ue story of a brief Parang Health District, drama when the sea PNP, Marines, RPMA, vessel M/L Anraisa and other local officials docked in the sub-port and groups. Abdulla said the of Parang town in Sulu province. I sent the early preparation of the Sulu Area Coordinat- Sulu provincial governing Council team led ment ahead of the huby Munir A. Dail, Ex- manitarian crisis in ter nal Relations Of- Sabah was critical to the ficer, to join the group efforts of the Aquino adof Department of So- ministration to effeccial Welfare and Devel- tively address the exoopment to the town dus of Filipinos followwhen report of Sabah ing the intrusion of 200 evacuees reached us. followers of Sulu Sultan According to Mr. Dail, Jamalul Kiram to Lahad some evacuees were Datu town to exert the hesitant to disembark historical rights of the probably due to their Sultanate of Sulu on the apprehension with the the oil-rich island. He said Sulu Goverpresence of police group and other reps nor Sakur Tan immediof authorities meeting ately convened the Provincial Peace and Order them. He boarded the Council to discuss conboat and talked with tingencies on the possi-
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Fazlur-Rahman Alfad Abdulla, left, speaks to a reporter in Sulu province. And photos of dramatic scenes in arang town, top, and Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan inspects refugees from Sabah who arrive in the provnce.
bility that thousands of Filipinos might flee Sabah due to the conflict. Tan said although he was worried that the provincial government resources are not
enough to accommodate the number of evacuees that would come to Sulu, and the negative impact this would bring on the peace and order situa-
tion in the province, he said "our province must be prepared for any eventuality that may arise from the situation in Sabah." Tan created the Ad
Hoc Task force through the Sulu Area Coordinating Center which is compose of different government agencies, according to Abdulla. (Mindanao Examiner)
JV Ejercito Estrada pushes for Bangsamoro representation in Congress
Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada
ARMM
COTABATO CIT Y UNITED Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial bet San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada urged the government to include in the discussions on the proposed creation of Bangsamoro the representation to Congress of the envisioned entity to not only to help address socio-economic woes in areas it will cover but to ensure the Bangsamoro people's meaningful participation in the Philippine's politics. Ejercito Estrada said the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Southern Mindanao
Davao
Mindanao which is proposed to be replaced by the new Bangsamoro, has consistently lagged behind other provinces in Mindanao, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board. To remedy this, he pushed for a "champion or champions" to represent the region in Congress. "Bangsamoro should be represented in the halls of Congress. The representative should help oversee the needs and uplift the lives of our Muslim brothers and
Manila
sisters who will be cove red by the new entity," said the young lawmaker. A Bangsamoro representative would also help hasten the development of the impoverished region given its economic potential as the country's top producer of fish and marine resources, Ejercito Estrada added. "We are all Filipinos and, together, should reap the benefits of development equitably and have our voices represented meaningfully as well on the political
system," said the young solon. The Bangsamoro Framework Agreement was signed October last year by President Benigno Aquino III and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The P hilippine government and the MILF are still working on the details that will form the different annexes to the agreement. The framework document and the annexes will constitute the final agreement on the Bangsamoro entity.
Zamboanga Peninsula