Mindanao Examiner Newspaper

Security forces clash with notorious Zambo bandit leader

PCOS source code problem is 'bad omen,' says Anakbayan

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Zambo Norte ‘National Greening Program’ OK

It’s More Fun (With More Jobs and Income) in the Philippines

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Aquino urged to pursue peace talks with Reds

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Pinatay na radio announcer dahil daw sa love triangle?

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Apr. 29-May 5, 2013

NPA rebels warn politicians campaigning in ‘guerrilla zones’

C

ommunist insurgents warned politicians campaigning in socalled “guerrilla zones” in Mindanao following the killings of 2 political campaigners in a firefight that left a southern Philippine mayor wounded.

The insurgents vowed to continue implementing its revolutionary policies in the region and to ensure the peaceful conduct of election campaign ahead of the May 13 local and national polls.

The New People’s Army also apologized for

the April 20 clash that wounded Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie Guingona and killed her two campaigners and said her bodyguards rammed a checkpoint set up by rebels and fired on them, sparking a clash. The political matriarch was heading home from a beauty pageant when the firefight broke out.

Alan Juanito, a spokesman for the New People’s Army in Northern Mindanao, said blamed the politician’s police escorts for the violence. Despite the incident, he said they will continue to put up checkpoints in the implementation of revolutionary

policies and to ensure the peaceful conduct of election campaign in guerrilla zones.

“We offer condolences and express our deepest sympathy for the bereaved families of Bartolome Velasco and Nestor Velasco, who were both killed in the incident. Contrary to reports that the incident was an ambush, it started when Mayor Guingona’s armed escorts fired upon an NPA checkpoint in Capitulangan village,” he said.

“The lead vehicle of Mayor Guingona’s convoy rammed against the bamboo roadblock mounted by

NPA fighters during a jungle training. (From Ka Mine's photo file - Rodante Urtal Command) the Red fighters while her escorts opened fire at the NPAs flagging down the convoy.

The Red fighters immediately returned fire in self defense.”

“We wish to reiterate our warning to all candidates who are campaigning in guerrilla zones to avoid carrying firearms or armed escorts to avoid the occurrence of similar incident in the future,” he said.

He said NPA units were carrying out orders from the

Veteran army officers take over Mindanao security PAGADIAN CITY - A decorated army general was named as new commander of the 1st Infantry Division in the southern Philippines.

Brigadier General Daniel Lucero, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade in Lanao del Sur province and a veteran officer who started his career in Mindanao, has replaced Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz, an equally decorated officer who assumed as the new chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command.

Lucero, who belongs to the Philippine Militar y Academy Class 1983, is the first in his class to assume as army division commander.

He was first assigned as a platoon leader in the Muslim provinces of Basilan and Sulu and fought insurgents, until his assignments brought him to Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, also in Mindanao; and eventually to Aurora province in Luzon as infantry bri-

ARMM

Regional Command to implement the revolutionary policies regarding the conduct of elections and to flag down candidates and campaigners who carry firearms and armed escorts during their campaign sorties in guerrilla zones ahead of the May 13 local and national polls.

Juanito said the NPA earlier phoned Guingona and reminded her to avoid bringing armed escorts during campaign sorties in Gingoog.

Along time politician, who belongs to a powerful political dynasty is now on her last term, but is campaigning for her daughter, Marie, whom she is grooming to take her place. Guingona is the wife of formerVice President Teofisto Guingona and mother of Senator Teofisto Guingona III. The NPA has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a separate state in the country.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Gutom ang UNA press con sa Zambo!

Brigadier General Daniel Lucero and Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) gade officer.

A holder of Master Degree in International Studies from the University of the Philippines, and Masters Degree on International Relations in Australia, Lucero also served as the first commander of the Philippine contingent to the United Nations mission on the Caribbean island from 2004 to 2005.

Lucero was awarded three Distinguished Service Star Medals, Gold Cross Medal, Outstanding Achievement Medal and the Honor Graduate Medal and a number of

Military Merit Medals and one of the Metrobank Foundation 2011 awardees of The Outstanding Soldier of the Philippines.

Cruz, other hand, was instrumental in the successful government campaign against Moro and communist rebels in western Mindanao, particularly in Basilan and Zamboanga del Sur provinces. He was largely credited for maintaining peace and order in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Southern Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Nagmistulang kaawa-awa ang mga local media na inimbitahan kamakailan sa press conference ng United Nationalist Alliance sa pangunguna ni Vice President Jejomar Binay sa Zamboanga City matapos na pakainin lamang ang mga bitbit nitong media mula Maynila.

Tanghali pa lamang ay nasa Lantaka Hotel na ang mga local media upang icover ang pagdating ni Binay kasama ang ilang mga senatorial candidates, ngunit dakong alas 2 ng hapon na ito dumating. At ang makikita lamang na pinagsisilbihan ng mga waiters at waitresses sa nasabing hotel ay ang mga television news crew na kasama sa party ni Binay.

Kapuna-puna na pawang mga lamesa lamang ng

Davao

Manila

mga ito at mga staff at campaigners ng UNA mula sa Maynila ang puno ng pagkain, samantalang pawang mga baso lamang ng tubig at nasa harapan ng mga local media. Wala rin umaasikaso sa mga ito at dinaan na lamang ang kanilang paghihintay at gutom sa ibat-ibang isyu sa pulitika. Hindi rin sila pinuntahan at kinumusta ng mga kandidatong naroon. Namataan sa hotel sina Sen. Gringo Honasan, senatorial bets Mitos Magsaysay, Ernie Maceda, Audrey Zubiri at Nancy Binay.

Hindi naman naka-rating si Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada dahil naka-confine ito sa pagamutan matapos na madale ng heat stroke sa kanyang pangangampanya sa Ilocos region. Sa litrato sa

twitter account ni Ejercito Estrada ay makikita itong nakaratay sa kanyang kuwarto at may dextrose.

Kinaawaan naman ito ng marami dahil sa sinapit na sakit. “I think I must admonish you for not taking good care of yourself. I understand how passionate you are with the campaign.

But nephew dear let us please bear in mind how important it is to manage our health as best we can.

Let us be reminded health is wealth,” ani pa ni Gilda Reyes V sa kanyang comment sa Facebook wall ni Ejercito Estrada. Mahigpit ang siguridad sa Lantaka Hotel at puno ng parak at sundalo at kahit sa karagatan ay may mga nagpapatrulyang mga sundalo. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Peninsula

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The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 29-May 5, 2013

Honest cops not rare breed in Philippine police

Weapons left behind by bandits following a clash in Zamboanga Sibugay's Naga town.

Security forces clash with notorious Zambo bandit leader PAGADIAN CITY Government forces killed an undetermined number of bandits in a clash in Naga town in the souther n Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay, officials told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Officials said policemen, backed by army soldiers, clashed with the group of Baser Sakilan, a notorious bandit leader tagged as behind numerous extortion activities in the province.

Ar my Lieutenant Colonel Yegor Rey Barroquillo, Jr., commander of the 44th Infantr y Battalion, said the fighting in the village of Santa Clara lasted about

30 minutes. The gunmen, numbering about 15, split into smaller group and escaped along with their casualties.

“The villagers tipped off the military and police about the presence of Sakilan’s group in the area which prompted authorities to deploy forces in the town,” he said, adding there was no report of military casualties.

Barroquillo, citing intelligence reports, said the group may be planning to kidnap locals in the town.

He said security forces recovered assorted weapons, including an M203 rifle with grenade launcher and munitions.

Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said he ordered troops to track down the gunmen in the province and at the same time praised the public support to the military and police for helping authorities by providing information about lawless groups in Zamboanga Sibugay.

“The support of the populace to law enforcers in the spirit of Bayanihan is now overwhelming and I admire their vigilance to fight criminality and lawlessness. The timely information provided by the people encourages our law enforcers to double their efforts to attain lasting peace and security in this region,” Cruz said.

Bayanihan refers to the government’s anti-insurgency campaign in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Philippine National Police said it will never run out of heroes as there will always be someone who will rise to the occasion to perform the mission and his trustworthiness deser ves the utmost praise and recognition, said Western Mindanao police chief Juanito Vaño, Jr. He said many policemen are honest and truthful public servants as this was demonstrated

by SPO3 Edgar Lim, Officer-in-Charge of the Valenzuela Police Detention Center, for returning a bag containing cash money amounting to P8,000, cellphone and other important documents which he recovered on his way home.

The money was returned to Rubelyn Cruz, a public school teacher of Malinta National High School. Lim did not easily succumb to the temp-

tation of obtaining material gain, but instead stood firm on his conviction as a law enforcer and lived by the PNP Tenets of Justice, Honor and Service to the country.

Vaño, recalling another honesty of a policeman, said in 2006, then Police Regional Director Jaime Caringal, bestowed a plague of recognition to SPO3 Hardakar Mariwa, then Chief Clerk of Regional Comptroller Division, for his uprightness and righteousness for returning cash amounting to P150,000 and assorted checks worth over P84,000 to its owner through a public service program of a local television.

He said Mariwa was on his way home after making important transaction inside Camp Batalla and while passing through the R.T. Lim Boulevard, he saw a bulky large brown en-

velop along the road and decided to check it and discovered that it contained cash and checks in different denominations.

The cash and checks were traced to a shipping company operating in Zamboanga City.

Vaño said the highly commendable acts of Lim and Mariwa were exceptional as they reflect the epitome of ideal policemen. He said the PNP hierarchy encourages all police personnel to emulate the honesty and dedication to the service of both police non-commissioned officers as demonstrated by them.

"Policemen like them are not a rare breed in the Philippine National Police. There are others who promote and develop the culture of professionalism and excellence, the finest tradition of the police service," Vaño said.

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The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 29-May 5, 2013

PCOS source code problem is 'bad omen,' says Anakbayan

Vencer Crisostomo The body of Ruel Diamla who was shot in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province.

(Mindanao Examiner Photo - Joenette Yankee)

Bus dispatcher murdered PAGADIAN CITY – Police are facng a blank wall on the identity of the gunman that shot and killed a bus dispatcher in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province.

Police said the gunman killed Ruel Señora while he was buying bread at a bakery near the local market. He was shot in the

head and the assailant fled after the shooting.

Investigators said they were trying to gather witness to shed light on the identity of the attacker.

The motive of the killing is still unknown. It was not immediately known whether the killing had anything to do with

family feud or grudge, but the spate of gun attacks in Pagadian is worrying traders and residents.

Locals wanted more police patrols and checkpoints in the city to ensure the safety of the public from harm, especially general elections are set next month. ( Joenette Yankee)

MANILA - A Filipino youth group called Anakbayan has warned of massive automated cheating as the Commission on Elections announced that it might not be able to acquire the source codes for the Precinct Count Optical Scan machines and there may not be enough time to review it.

Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan national chairperson, said these are "clear signs of trouble" for the May local and national elections and this should be cause for alarm.

"Is the Comelec setting up hocus PCOS to ensure automated victory of the administration candidates? The continued refusal of the Comelec to tell the public the real

state of the automated elections is indicative of a lutong- makaw 2013 elections," he said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

The poll body insisted that cheating is impossible in the PCOS machines, but Crisostomo dismissed this.

"In fact, cheating can be faster and more rampant. The problem is that it can be set-up in a way which is harder to detect.

This is why we should be more vigilant and should demand a source code review," he said, adding PCOS machines can be set-up to do an "automated dagdag-bawas" and "automatic victory for (President Benigno Aquono's Team PNoy) yellow candidates."

"Tests have shown that it can double count for some candidates and not count some candidates. The voting public will not have a means to verify the accuracy of the counting," he said.

The watchdog group AESWatch have earlier warned of dangers with the automated elections system citing system failure and miscounts in the mock elections administered by Comelec.

Crisostomo also called on the public to be vigilant regarding the appointment of two new Comelec commissioners lawyers Louie Guia and Al Parreño - less than a month before the elections.

"The two appointed can either assert the poll body's independence form the Palace and save the sinking ship that is the 2013 elections, or further reinforce the Comelec's failures and obvious yellow bias. Given the context of their appointment, however, and the Palace's attempts to manipulate the elections, the latter seems more likely," he said.

He called on the public to be more watchful as the elections near. "We should be more vigilant.

The 2013 elections is turning out to be a project for massive yellow deception," he said.

UNA senatorial bet JV Ejercito Estrada remains in top in latest SWS survey MANILA - United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial bet San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada said he feels fortunate to remain in the top 10 preferred senatorial candidates in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey despite efforts to undermine his credibility and the pull-out of his television ads due to financial reasons.

The April 2013 PreElection Survey on voters' Senatorial Preferences fielded from April 13-15 showed that Ejercito Estrada ranked 7-8. He was favored by 43% of survey respondents.

Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada "The survey period coincided with the time when my political advertisements went off air because of financial rea-

sons. I am truly lucky to be included in the top 12 preferred senatorial candidates in the latest SWS survey despite the problems UNA encountered in previous days," Ejercito Estrada said.

He said the results of the latest SWS survey also proved that despite efforts to discredit him, the public is not easily swayed by lies spread by desperate people engaged in dirty politics.

"I am grateful for the continuous support of those who believe in my sincerity and capability to ser ve the Filipino people," he said.

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The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 29-May 5, 2013

Pneumonia vaccines padayong gihatag ngadto sa mga edaran

Subanen tribes mostly live in mountain like this in Zamboanga del Sur province.

(Mindanao Examiner Photo)

MIKABAT na sa 57 ka mga edaran o senior citizens ang malamposong nabakunahan sa Pneumonia Vaccine didto sa Barangay Santa Filomena ning dakbayan sa Dipolog nga gisugdan gikan sa Pebrero 28, diin kini ang magapadayon taman nga mahurot ang maong tambal nga gituyo ug andam alang kanila.

Nasayran ning buhatan sa impormasyon gikan sa CSWDO pinaagi sa OSCA nga usa kini sa mga programa karong tuiga alang sa mga edaran

nga libreng ihatag nga gisugdan sa milabayng Oktubre 2012.

Nasayran usab nga lifetime na ang gihatag nga pneumonia vaccines alang niadtong nagpangidaron nga 60 pataas.

Busa kalabot niini, padayon karong nagaawhag ang buhatan sa OSCA ngadto sa tanang mga edaran nga modangop ngadto sa matag Barangay Health Centers nila aron mabakunahan sa naasoyng vaccine isip pagsanong ngadto sa Akta Republika

Subanen leader’s house torched in Zamboanga’s Bayog town PAGADIAN CITY – Police said a group of gunmen torched the house of a Subanen tribal leader in Bayog town in Zamboanga del Sur province in the southern Philippines.

It said at least 15 gunmen burned the house of the 29-year old Endrilie Equit in the village of Liba.

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DIPOLOG CITY Gipalagsik karon ni President Benigno “Noynoy’’ Aquino ang National Greening Program sa nasudnong Pangagamhanan.

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Police hunt Pagadian City heisters

The motive of the arson is unknown and police did not say whether there were occupants in the house, but claimed Equit himself reported the incident to the police.

Police said it is investigating the arson or who were behind it. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zambo Norte ‘National Greening Program’ OK sa mga katawhan sa pagpananum ug kahoy aron nga mahibalik niini ang paglunhaw sa kabukiran.

Si Porferio Necesario Jr., naila sa pangalan nga “Jun’’ nagdasig karon sa mga katawhan sa tibook nasud nga Pilipinhon nga nananum ug kahoy ug ilabi na sa mga Grafted Fruit Trees. Kini basi sa nasinate karong panahona nga gikinahanglan ang mga Fruit Trees: sama sa “Longkong’’ Mangostien, Durian, Rambutan, Pomelo, Bayabas kini maoy dakong ikatabang sa ilang pamilya alng sa panginabuhain. Midugang si Necesario nga ha-

9994 nga giilang “An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens”.

Subay sa nasangpit nga kalamboan, malipayong naga-awhag ang inahan ning dakbayan Mayor Evelyn T. Uy ngadto sa tanang mga edaran nga kanunay magsanong sa kalagdaan alang sa pagmintinar sa ilang maayong panglawas aron maka-angkon pa sila ug lugway sa ilang kinabuhi sanglit nga sila ang nagbaton na sa taas nga pangidaron.

This stretch of road in Pagadian in Zamboanga del Sur province is perhaps one of the most photographed areas in the city because of its sheer length that extends up to the coastal bay. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) los tanang LGU’s dinhi sa Zamboanga Del Norte namalit niining Grafted Fruit Trees para sa mga katawhan sa kalungsuran. Dili lang ang Zamboanga Del Norte nahaapil niini ang mga kasikbit nga probinsya dinhi sa Mindanao.

Si Provincial Environment Natural Rsources Officer Nelson Velasco gipamonitor niini ang proyekto sa nasudnon nga Pangagamhanan nga Makita sa husto ang gigahin nga salapi sa nasudnon nga pangagamhanan. Samtang si CENRO Geoffrey Zayas nagdasig sa mga ka-

tawhan sa ilang EOR nga padayon ang ilang pagpananum sa kahoy.

Nanawagan usab karon si Jun Necesario niadtong mga LGU’s nga gusto magpakisayud sa mga Grafted Fruit Seedling sa pagpangutana kaniya o kaha sa mga individual nga farmer’s para sa ilang pagpananum sa mga bakanting luna aron nga adunay mamahimong abot sa umaabot nga katuigan maoy panapos nga pahayag ni Necesario. Kini matawagan sa cellphone number 0926-7854777 ug 0910-7420228. (Dodoy Mohametano)

POLICE mounted a manhunt for 5 gunmen who robbed a department store in Pagadian City in the souther n Philippines, officials.

Officials said a security guard was injured in the heist after one of the gunmen hit him in the head as they robbed the Marasigan department store in downtown Pagadian on Thursday afternoon.

“The Pagadian City police (force) is still conducting an investigation to identify who is responsible for this (robber y),” Insp. Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said.

He the robbers car ted away 9 Rado watches and assorted jewelleries valued at more than P1.3 million after breaking the store’s glass shelves. The gunmen then fled on three motorcycles. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 29-May 5, 2013

Secretary Mon Jimenez with (PTV 4) Gov@Work hosts Gio Tingson and Aika Robredo.

It’s More Fun (With More Jobs and Income) in the Philippines MANILA - “Tourism is not about the number of foreigners visiting our country, but rather the jobs and businesses we create for the Filipino people” this was the guiding principle and vision shared

by President Benigno S. Aquino III to Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr upon his appointment as Department of Tourism Secretary.

Since then, the Secretary has taken to heart that the be-all and endall of tourism is the welfare of the Filipino people.

This is also the inspiration behind the highly acclaimed It’s more fun in the Philippines slogan.

“Filipinos have to believe they are more fun as a people. We might not be the most glamorous, or most modern country

but everyone agrees it’s more fun to be around Filipinos,” the Secretary said, passionately.

Beyond the success of the slogan, the Tourism Secretary is aware of the importance of capitalizing on the spotlight now shining on the Philippines. “Tourism is a key driver of social and economic progress. Any tourist spending here signifies resources that were not here yesterday.” Sec. Jimenez cites the example of existing jobs referred to as boatman guide or butanding explainer. “Theoretically, we can invent 7,107 jobs and multiply that to the experiences possible in each island.”

The Department of Tourism boasts too of having surpassed their original target of 35 mil-

lion tourists by 2016. In 2011 alone, 37 million foreign tourists traveled the countr y while last year’s figure reached 42 million.

Sec. Jimenez estimates total tourism revenues have already exceeded P1 Trillion. That is how tourism is contributing to the greater agenda of Inclusive Growth.

“How can Metro Manila share its wealth to the rest of the country? The answer is tourism,” remarked Sec. Jimenez.

O ngoing P Prr ojects Secretary Jimenez assured the Filipino people that the country can absorb the increasing influx of tourists. 12,000 hotel rooms are set for construction next year. Airport expansions are ongoing, including plans of making 12 airports ca-

pable of handling international flights. Sec. Jimenez shared that the National Tourism Development Plan envisions the construction of infrastructure systems such as airports and highways in areas where there are at least seven tourist destinations relatively adjacent to each other.

“In Palawan,” Jimenez explained, “tourists don’t just go to the Underwater Caves, they also try zip lines, deer watching expedition, scuba diving and other travel experiences.”

“But the most important point here is that there are jobs waiting to be generated in each local tourist destination.” The DOT had just received $7M for training of local guides and other tourism related jobs. The agency is

also finalizing details for the awarding and recognition of local citizens in promoting tourist destinations. Sec. Jimenez stressed that tourism starts and originates in the local level.

Moving F or ce B ehind For orce Behind Tour ism C ampaign ourism Campaign When Sec. Jimenez was asked to compare his career in advertising and his job as DOT secretary, he replied, “There is no difference between promoting a brand and the country, except that for my current job, I cannot fail. I must succeed.” Secretary Mon Jimenez shared his insight behind his most successful project yet, the “More Fun in the Philippines” slogan. “It was all about the participation of Filipinos, especially the youth.”

For him, the cam-

paign proved Filipinos need not wait for DOT or other government agencies in promoting the beauty of the country. For this purpose, social media has been a most useful and effective medium.

“Social Media is about people checking with each other whether something is for real. Now, the success of the Philippines has been checked, double checked and triple checked. And it’s true: it is more fun in the Philippines. Now that propagates the stor y even more.”

“Tourism is love of country expressed as a warm welcome. So please, do two things,” the Secretary encouraged all Filipinos, “talk about the Philippines and the second is, talk about it some more.”

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The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 29-May 5, 2013

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The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 29-May 5, 2013

Aquino urged to pursue peace talks with Reds DAVAO CITY - A Filipino youth group called Anakbayan has urged President Benigno Aquino to pursue talks with communist rebels in an effort to attain peace in the country.

This after the group expressed its support to the call of the family of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona to pursue sincere peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in light of the recent shooting incident involving Guingona’s wife, Mayor Ruth Guingona. Anakbayan also expressed their solidarity with the former Vice President and his family, which they "recognize and respect" for their contribution in the anti-dictatorship struggle and consistent nationalist stance regarding various issues.

According to Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan national chairperson, the Aquino government should “show its sincerity in attaining just and lasting peace, sit down with the NDFP and not use the incident as pretext for warmongering, pushing for further fascist campaigns by the Armed

Police jeep ploughs into creek FOUR police officers and 2 civilians were injured after their jeep ploughed into a creek in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines while rushing a wounded man to hospital , a regional police spokesman said.

Insp. Ariel Huesca said the officers - SPO2 Cesar Rabuya, SPO1 Mitchel Bannister, SPO1 Edgardo Mondarte and PO3 Regalado Marquez, and the civilians Ronald Bejerano and tenyear old Leonisa Ramones – sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital. He said the policemen were on their way to the hospital to bring Ramones’ father Samuel, who was shot in the village of Vitali. The man never reached the hospital alive because of the road accident.

Huesca said the jeep lost its brake and fell into the creek.

Forces of the Philippines.”

“It is most unfortunate that the Aquino government and the rabid fascists in the AFP are seemingly using the incident to further wage fascist military campaigns which targets civilians,” he said.

Crisostomo called on the government to instead “work towards attaining just and lasting peace by addressing the root causes of the raging rebellion and pursuing sincere talks with the NDFP.” “The Aquino administration has been sabotaging the peace negotiations with the NDFP and has not really been engaged in a serious, sincere talks. It refused to honor previous agreements and placed various obstacles for the talks to proceed. Now is the time to go beyond deception and propaganda, really look into the root causes of the rebellion, and work towards just and lasting peace,” he said. He also urged senatorial candidates to “stand up for just and lasting peace” and call for the resumption of the peace talks.

Filipino cyclists gather to fight human trafficking Seafarers stranded in Kenya finally return home

MANILA - Three distressed Filipino seafarers, who were stranded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi in Kenya since last month, have returned to the Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the Filipinos - Edgar Tolentino (boson), Boyeto Banila (oiler) and Christopher Sembrano (cook) - were safely repatriated through the efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the seafarers’ Philippine recruitment agency, Stella Maris.

The three seafarers worked aboard the cargo ship MV Asahi.

According to Philippine Consul Donna Gatmaytan, the Philippine Embassy in

Summer job program inilunsad sa ARMM COTABATO CITY Tinatayang 400 mga estudyante at part-time workers ang nabigyan ng trabaho sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao bilang bahagi ng Summer Job Program sa Mindanao.

Sinabi ni Dir. Amir Mawallil, hepe ng ARMM Communications Group, na ang programa ay inilunsad ng Department of Public Works ang Highways sa nasabing rehiyon at ang kauna-unahan sa 23 taong ng naturang ahensya.

"Bahagi ito ng programa ng ARMM at marami ang makikinabang dito sa lahat ng limang lalawigan na sakop ng rehiyon dahil this covers the whole of eight DPWH district offices at ang maganda pa nito ay galing sa

Various cycling groups join Freedom Ride for a Human Trafficking Free Philippines in Iloilo province in central Philippines.

savings ng DPWH-ARMM ang ipangsu-sweldo sa mga summer job workers," ani Mawallil sa Abante.

Sinabi pa nitong "Oplan Linis Bayan" ang ipinangalan ni DPWH ARMM Secretary Emil Sadain sa nasabing programa na inilunsad sa lalawigan ng Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao at Lanao del Sur. Ayon naman kay Sadain ay P250 bawat araw ang kikitain ng mga summer job workers.

"The Summer Job Program is another first in the DPWH’s 23-year history and was made possible through the present administration’s prudent fiscal handling," wika pa ni Sadain.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Nairobi received a distress call from the trio who asked for help since they were stranded at the airport after their tickets from Nairobi to Manila via Doha were cancelled by their employer.

Gatmaytan said the Filipinos told the Embassy their work contracts with the ship had already ended and they were on their way back to Manila from the Congo where their ship was docked.

They took the plane in Congo to Nairobi, from where they were supposed to take the connecting flight to Doha. When they reached Nairobi, however, they were informed that their tickets were cancelled by their employer, leaving them helpless at the airport and unable to proceed to Manila.

Embassy personnel immediately took the seafarers under their care and custody.

Expenses for food and basic needs pending repatriation were charged against the Assistance-to-Nationals Fund managed by the DFA.

ZAMBOANGA CITY Dubbed as one of the biggest and broadest bike tour ever held in Panay, some 500 cyclists gathered at the Freedom Ride for a Human Trafficking Free Philippines in Iloilo province in central Philippines.

The campaign mobilized students, nongovernmental organizations, artists, sports and lifestyle enthusiasts, government officials and even participants from Manila and nearby provinces. The next Freedom Ride will happen on April 27 in Zamboanga City.

The Freedom Ride is organized by the artist collective, Dakila, a group creatively inspiring involvement in social transformation, in partnership with the Manila Fixed Gear, the Freedom from Debt Coalition Iloilo, Partido ng Manggagawa, and the Iloilo Folding Bike Riderswith the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Department of Justice Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

“A lot of people in the provinces fall prey to human trafficking because of the lack of information given to them. Iloilo is one of the more vulnerable provinces for labor trafficking especially with the number of Overseas Filipino Workers and seafarers coming from the province. Its proximity to Boracay and other tourist spots also make Iloilo a transit area for sex trafficking.”

“We are glad that the local government, nongovernmental organizations, the cycling groups, artists and advocates here in Iloilo have embraced the call to be Freedom Warriors. We hope that through the Freedom Ride more people here in Iloilo will learn more about human trafficking and contribute in the movement to stop modern day slavery,” Karen Bermejo, co-organizer and head of the Dakila Iloilo Collective, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Every year around 300,000 to 400,000 Filipinos fall prey to human trafficking in our own country and abroad. The Philippines re-

mains a source, transport and destination area for human trafficking.

In 2010, the Philippines was in danger of being downgraded to a Tier 3 status in the US Department of State human trafficking index for a poor performance in the fight against human trafficking and for being in the Tier 2-watchlist (a list that included countries having the most number of human trafficking victims and with less government efforts to stop forms of human trafficking) for two consecutive years.

This could have caused the withdrawal of some $700 million in non-humanitarian, non-trade related aid including grants from the millennium challenge program.

As a result of intensified efforts, the country’s status was upgraded a notch higher to Tier 2 in 2011 and maintained the status in 2012. Tier 2 countries are those, which have shown significant efforts to fight human trafficking but have yet to fully comply with standards set by the United States' Global Trafficking in Persons Report.

8

The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 29-May 5, 2013

Fever downs UNA fronliner JV Ejercito Estrada MANILA – United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate JV Ejercito Estrada was admitted in the hospital due to high fever following a rigid campaign sorties in Ilocos region.

Despite his condition, Ejercito Estrada still managed to thank his family and friends and followers for all their good health wishes; and their unwavering support behind his candidacy in the May senatorial race.

“I think I must admonish you for not taking good care of yourself. I understand how passionate you are with the campaign. But nephew

Gunman kills Zambo gasoline trader A GUNMAN shot dead a local trader in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, police said.

It said the victim Samuel Ramones, whose business included selling gasoline, was shot by one of two gunmen, who pretended to buy fuel, in their house in the village of Vitali.

Ramones was shot several times in the body and killed instantly. The attackers escaped on a motorcycle and police said the investigation into the killing is going on.

No individual claimed responsibility for the attack and the motive of the murder is still unknown.

(Mindanao Examiner)

dear, let us please bear in mind how important it is to manage our health as best we can. Let us be reminded

may lagnat sa kasalukuyan.

Mataas na lagnat. Ito ay dahil sa kanyang sipag sa pag-iikot sa mga probinsya. Dahil sa

JV Ejercito Estrada in his hospital bed. health is wealth,” said Gilda Reyes V in her comment on the photo of Ejercito Estrada.

One supporter, Janeth Jimenez, said: “Sir, I am praying hard for your speedy recovery. Get well soon and stay healthy.”

Jessant So, his provincial coordinator in Sorsogon, said: “Mga kasama, ipagdasal po natin na gumaling agad ang ating mahal na Senador Jv Ejercito-Estrada. Siya po ay

pagmamahal niya sa masa, minsan nakakaligtaan na niya ang sariling kalusugan.

Sana bumuti na ang pakiramdam ng Senador ng mg Kabataang Pilipino.”

Ejercito Estrada remains on top of pre-election surveys and in the latest Social Weather Station survey, he ranked 7th among the 32 candidates despite efforts by political foes to undermine his credibility and the pullout of his television ads due

2 wounded in Zambo Sur strafing PAGADIAN CITY – Police said 2 people were wounded after gunmen strafed a thatched house in the town of Lakewood in Zamboanga del Sur province.

Insp. Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokes-

JUST SAY

NO!

man, said at least 5 gunmen were involved in the attack that occurred in Purok 10 that wounded Junnifer Ungang, 33; and Jordan Lagud, 14. Their companion Marlon Aquino, 56, was unharmed.

He said the gunmen were armed with M16 automatic rifles and escaped after the strafing. The victims were rushed to the hospital in the town of Margosatubig.

The motive of the attack is still unknown, but Huesca said the local police are investigating the shooting. (Mindanao Examiner)

to financial reasons.

The April 2013 Pre-Election Survey on voters' Senatorial Preferences fielded from April 13-15 showed that Ejercito Estrada ranked 7-8.

He was favored by 43% of survey respondents.

"The survey period coincided with the time when my political advertisements went off air because of financial reasons. I am truly lucky to be included in the top 12 preferred senatorial candidates in the latest SWS survey despite the problems UNA encountered in previous days," Ejercito Estrada said.

He said the results of the latest SWS survey also proved that despite efforts to discredit him, the public is not easily swayed by lies spread by desperate people engaged in dirty politics.

"I am grateful for the continuous support of those who believe in my sincerity and capability to serve the Filipino people," he said.

(Mindanao Examiner)

‘Witch’ killed in Southern RP ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR - A Filipino woman accused by her neighbors as a witch died due to loss of blood after she was stabbed in her sleep by a lone assailant who sneaked into their thatched house in Aurora town in the southern province of Zamboanga del Sur. Police said the 33-year old Rosalita Requina died while being rushed to hospital by her husband. It said the assailant sneaked under Requina’s house shortly after midnight and stabbed her through the bamboo flooring.

The woman’s husband said his wife was stabbed in her behind and was not even aware of her wound until they realized she was

wounded.

Police said Requina was rushed to the Lagare Medical Clinic in the town, but was pronounced “dead on arrival” by the physician.

Investigators said villagers accused the woman as a witch, but it was not immediately known whether the killing was connected to the allegations.

Filipinos are traditionally superstitious despite the Philippines being a largely Catholic country.

And Zamboanga is a place where many locals believe in the supernatural and black magic and a long list of superstitious beliefs handed down from past generations. (Mindanao Examiner)

Veterans Party to fight for more benefits for veterans, non-veterans and families CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY The Veterans Freedom Party (VFP) said it has intensified its platforms on plotting beneficial programs for the World War II veterans and the non-veterans with an appeal to increase the old-age pension from P5,000 to P10,000.

Miguel Angelo C. Villa-real, Deputy Regional Director, NCRSouth of the Sons and Daughters Association Inc., said VFP espouses the full implementation of Section 7, Article XVI of the Philippine Constitution which states that the state shall provide immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other forms of assistance to war veterans and veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses and orphans. Funds shall be

provided therefore and due consideration shall be given them in the disposition of agricultural lands of the public domain and, in appropriate cases, in the utilization of natural resources.

He said VFP advocates not only the increase for old-age pension for all veterans but also the release of overdue total administrative disability benefits as mandated under R.A 7696, improved medical services including easier access to affordable, quality medicines, and expand the educational benefits to the families of veterans.

The veterans must be given enough attention and benefits; they are our heroes, living heroes, Villa-real said.

Aside from the proposed benefits for the vet-

erans, to benefit the nation as a whole, VFP keeps track in updating their beneficial programs and advocacies, including: ready access to quality education for the youth including additional funding for state universities and colleges; encourage entreneurship to spur job creation; expand the development of the agriindustrial sector to achieve self-sufficiency; and implement a fair social welfare program that will benefit all sectors of society.

All these will be realized if we have a representative in Congress who will work for these causes, Villa-real said.

Veterans Freedom Party is on the number 52 list for the May 2013 elections. (Business Daily Christine Cabiasa)

9

The Mindanao Examiner

Apr. 29-May 5, 2013

Children’s welfare is Enrile’s major concern in Senate MANILA - United Nationalist Alliance candidate for Senator Rep. Jack Enrile stated his bent on championing the welfare of children, especially those who are living in food-insecure households.

He pointed out that hunger in the family could lead to other problems like abandonment, exploitation or even children who are abducted or reported missing.

“Equally important as my advocacy for food sovereignty is my concern for the welfare of children who are rendered helpless by poverty and other circumstances,” Enrile said. He cited alarming reports that close to 40 children have been missing in Metro Manila since January last year.

Despite efforts of the Philippine National Police which created ‘Task Force

Sagip Angel’ to focus on unsolved incidence of child abductions in Taguig, Paranaque, and Quezon

Rep. Jack Enrile City, Enrile also wants measures that will clearly address this issue.

“It is unfortunate that we do not have the appropriate laws that cover cases of child abductions. While

Republic Act (RA) 7610 defines different forms of child abuse as criminal offenses such as physical abuse, neglect, and cruelty, among others, there is nothing that provides a clear guideline on missing or abducted children,” Enrile added. Millions of Filipino children, he said, are victims of exploitation as child laborers and are used by illegal drug syndicates as couriers.

He calls on all concerned government agencies such the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development “to pool their resources together to help create a social context that will ensure the safety and protect the rights of Filipino children.”

Grace Poe should be her own self COTABATO CITY - Independent senatorial candidate Grace Poe should prove herself as a person and not not solely bank on her stepfather’s name to win a seat in the Senate, political analysts said.

They said the truth is all she ever presents to the masses as her credentials and track record is being the stepdaughter of Fernando Poe, Jr (FPJ) and nothing more.

And a number of cause-oriented groups and members of the civil society now dared Grace Poe to be her own person and not ride on Fernando Poe Jr’s popularity.

"She must prove herself as worthy to become a public servant. Get her late stepfather out of this and let’s see if she can make it to the senate," a member of a cause-oriented group, said. "If we take a look at Grace Poe’s campaign poster, the picture of FPJ on the foreground is much bigger than hers. If one does not know that FPJ is already dead, he or she might think

that FPJ is the candidate, not her."

Analysts said she lacks the appropriate experience to become a public servant.

They said being a senator is not an easy job and it is not a popularity contest wherein a candidate can win by besting all other candidates for his or her popularity.

"Come to think of it, what can a nobody do in the Senate? Let me remind Mrs. Llamanzares that being a senator entails having much experience in crafting legislation and public governance and not merely having the surname Poe," one analyst said.

"If she has delicadeza, she will introduce herslef as Grace Llamanzares or stick to Llamanzares as her campaign name and by then we can really tell if she deserves the vote of the Masang Pilipino. Grace Poe must be reminded that voters are not swayed by her being a daughter of movie star - FPJ - as a qualification to public office."

Makikita sa larawan ito na ipinasa ng Police Regional Office 9 sa Mindanao Examiner ang bangkay ni Radio Natin announcer Mario Vendiola Baylosis na pinatay sa bayan ng Kabasalan sa Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Pinatay na radio announcer dahil daw sa love triangle?

ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY Love triangle o may kinalaman sa pag-ibig ang itinuturong motibo ngayon ng pulisya sa pagkakapaslang sa isang radio announcer sa Zamboanga Sibugay.

Si Mario Vendiola Baylosis, 33, ay binaril at napatay ng mga 2 armado sa bayan ng Kabasalan.

At ayon sa pulisya ay walang kinalaman ang trabaho ni Baylosis sa krimen. Pauwi na ito sakay ng motorsiklo mula sa trabaho ng tirahin ng mga salarin na nakasakay rin ng motorsiklo.

Binuntutan umano ng

mga salarin si Baylosis ng hindi nito namamalayan at saka binanatan sa harapan ng isang gasolinahan doon bago magtanghali. Tatlong bala mula sa .45-caliber pistol ang bumaon sa dibdib nito, ayon naman kay Insp.

Ariel Huesca, ang regional police spokesman.

“The victim suffered three gunshot wounds in the chest. He was rushed to hospital but died along the way,” sabi pa nito.

Tumakas naman ang mga salarin patungong bayan ng Ipil na katabi lamang ng Kabasalan. Walang umako sa pagpatay.

“Ang nakikita namin motibo dito ay love triangle at walang kinalaman ang trabaho nito sa pagpatay,” ani Huesca.

Nitong 2009 ay ilang dosenang mga journalists na nagko-cover lamang ng isang political convoy ni Esmael Mangudadatu ang pinaslang ng mga tauhan ng katungali sa pulitika nito sa Maguindanao province.

Ang mga atake sa mga journalists ay pangkaraniwan na sa bansa na binansagang kabilang sa mga pinakadelikado sa buong mundo. (May ulat ni Ely D. Umaboc)

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P10

Apr. 29-May 5, 2013

PROBE CONTINUES ON SERIES OF BOMBINGS, GUN ATTACKS IN BASILAN

Two vehicles were damaged after a powerful bomb exploded outside the house of Lamitan City Vice Mayor Arleigh Eisma and followed by a second bomb explosion near a Catholic chapel.

(Photos courtesy of Richard Falcatan)

A

uthorities continue to investigate the series of bombings and gun attacks targeting politicians in the restive province of Basilan, officials said.

Just last week, two powerful homemade bombs exploded near a

Catholic chapel and outside the house of Lamitan Vice Mayor Arleigh Eisma.

The blast outside the politician’s house destroyed his vehicles. And another explosion was also reported near the chapel.

There were no reports of civilian casualties in the attacks which occurred

ahead of the May 13 general elections.

Eisma, a prominent and popular politician in Basilan, is running for mayor against Liberal party’s Rosita Furigay, the wife of incumbent Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay who is on his third and last term as mayor - and is also

running for vice mayor; and Councilman Hegem Furigay, of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino.

Two others – Mario Mamang and Masandal Sahal – are also running for mayor.

The twin attacks came even as police launched a manhunt for gunmen who

shot and wounded 3 people, including Henry Furigay, the father of the councilman who is also the mayor’s nephew.

Police said the gunmen attacked the elder Furigay and his driver Bernard Cuevas and another supporter on April 13 in the village of Limook and es-

caped on a motorcycle after the shooting. The victims were heading to a political meeting when the attack occurred. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack and rebel groups are actively operating in the province.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Humanitarian workers held by military in Davao return safely DAVAO CITY – Dozens of members of a humanitarian fact-finding mission arrived in the southern Filipino city of Davao after being held by the military in the province of Davao Oriental.

The army held some 70 people who went there to investigate alleged human rights abuses by government troops in the town of Baganga and to hold a medical mission. Tribesmen have accused the soldiers of harassing them and that they are being branded as supporters or members of the communist New People’s Army.

The Philippine Army denied it held the members of the mission. Sister Noemi Degala, Executive Secretary of Sisters Association in

ARMM

Mindanao, has criticized Col. Leopoldo Rey Guerrero, commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade in Baganga town, for saying that soldiers “hosted” and not hostage her group.

Degala, also the convener of Bulig Alang sa Mindanao (Balsa Mindanao), said it was the Mandaya community that warmly hosted the mission delegates despite the threats of the military against them.

“We are not withdrawing our claim that we were held hostage by the military.

By the mere fact that we were stuck in a community between two military detachments, with all our means of transportation deliberately hampered by the soldiers to prevent our safe passage, we categorically say that we

were held hostage. We may not have been held at gunpoint, but the clear hand of terror of the military in intimidating us and causing us psychological trauma, clearly points to hostage taking,” Degala said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

“Cutting all means of transportation to prevent us from getting out of the remote areas of Binondo village left us with meager food and water and compelled us to trek for not less than seven kilometers. These were the circumstances perpetuated by the 67th Infantry Battalion and their masters. The drivers and the locals revealed with regrets that their refusal to help us was a consequence of the military’s rule

Southern Mindanao

Davao

of terror in their communities,” she said.

Rita Baua, of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan National Office, said one of the delegates told them that they would hold the army responsible should any harm fall on the communities that hosted them. “If the military were able to intimidate our team of nuns, pastors, doctors, nurses, professors, scientists, then it is certain that they could do even more to the already marginalized indigenous peoples who live in daily fear and military aggression,” the 68-year old Baua said.

Baua was one of those who braved the back-breaking ride and hours of long trek to deliver basic services to the victims of typhoon Pablo in Davao. She blamed

Manila

President Benigno Aquino’s counterinsurgency plan dubbed “Oplan Bayanihan” for their ordeal, saying the military had threatened them during their past humanitarian mission for typhoon victims.

“There is an apparent effort to militarize the relief services in Davao Oriental.

Even in one of the checkpoints that held us on our way to Baganga, the soldiers told us to turn over the relief goods and medicines to them and let them do the distribution. Because we were persistent, and because our mission had a fact-finding component, they did their best to delay and threaten us so we would not be able to discover and expose their anomalies,” Baua said.

Degala said the mission

was successful despite the military harassments. She said their medical mission served more than 200 people. They distributed 10 kilos of rice for each family in Sitio Mantapay, Limot and Tanggaan, and conducted psychosocial therapy for the children.

“Our noble cause was victorious despite many attempts to make us cower.

We consider the three-day mission as a blessing that helped us experience not only the condemnable hostility of the military but also the good-hearted Lumad brothers and sisters who are also potentiallycapable of rising up for the protection of creation and for the defense of their ancestral domain, their life,” Degala said.

Zamboanga Peninsula