Australian, Filipino troops conduct ‘Bikoy’ links Trillanes, Liberal Zamboanga pushes for 3rd joint anti-terror exercises in South Party to ‘Oust-Duterte’ plot congressional district Read Story on page 3
Australian soldiers participate in a joint anti-terror training with Filipino troops in southern Philippines.
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Read Story on page 2 Peter Joemel Advincula, alias Bikoy.
Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar speaks during a news conference at City Hall where she announced the proposal to establish an additional legislative district. (Kathy Wee Sit)
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Dutch hostage joins Abu Sayyaf Read Story on page 2
The remains now of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Sulu’s capital town of Jolo in this photo taken May 12, 2019. (The Zamboanga Post)
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May 27-June 2, 2019
Dutch hostage joins Abu Sayyaf
Police released to the Mindanao Examiner photos of abducted Dutch and a Swiss wildlife photographers Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland, and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, of Switzerland. The duo was taken by gunmen on February 1, 2012 in the town of Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi province in the southern Philippines. (Library Photo)
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HILIPPINE POLICE SAY a Dutch hostage of the Abu Sayyaf has joined the notorious pro-ISIS terrorist group 7 years after he and Swiss wildlife photagrapher were captured in the southern province of Tawi-Tawi. In February velop a psychological alliance and at the same time maintain 2012, Abu Sayyaf militants with their captors as a survival the operation against the Abu under Hajan Sawadjaan and strategy during captivity. “We Sayyaf. “The operation against suspected Moro National Lib- received information that he the Abu Sayyaf is continuing,” eration Front members kid- has developed Stockholm syn- he said. napped Lorenzo Vinciguerra, drome and has been spotted Philippine authorities from Switzerland; and Ewold carrying a weapon,” Labra told blamed the Abu Sayyaf and Horn, 54, from Holland, in the The Zamboanga Post. ISIS in the twin suicide bombcoastal village of Parangan in It was not immediate- ings of a Catholic cathedral in Panglima Sugala town in Ta- ly known whether Horn had Sulu’s capital town of Jolo early wi-Tawi. fought security forces side by this year. The attacks, carried Vinciguerra had escaped side with the Abu Sayyaf. “We out by an Indonesian couple, from his guards and recovered really don’t know if he had had killed and injured dozby soldiers in December 2014 fought troops, but if he engag- ens of people, mostly soldiers after he allegedly killed one of es security forces and the lives guarding the Cathedral of Our his guards – Juhurim Hussien – of our troops are put in grave Lady of Mount Carmel on Janwith a bolo. danger then we have no other uary 27. Horn, according to Sulu recourse but to fight back,” he The bombings on the police commander Pablo said. church occurred 2 years after Labra, has developed StockLabra said police forces hundreds of Abu Sayyaf and holm syndrome, a condition continue to search for Horn pro-ISIS militants and civilian which causes hostages to de- and other foreign captives supporters took over Marawi
Zamboanga pushes for 3rd congressional district
From page 1 ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar on Tuesday welcomed a proposal to establish additional legislative district in Zamboanga City, an advocacy she has been espousing since 2007 when she became a member of the 14th Philippine Congress. Salazar, who won her 3rd and last term by a huge margin against Rep. Celso Lobregat in the May 13 midterm elections, said newly-elected Zamboanga Rep. Cesar Jimenez and Rep. Mannix Dalipe, who won his second term, are supporting the proposal. The proposal was first broached during Salazar’s incumbency as 1st district representative; unfortunately it did not push through because of disagreements with her counterpart Erico Fabian, who was then representing the 2nd district. Lobregat also rejected Salazar’s proposal for additional legislative district for fear that politicians from nearby provinces may took advantage
of this and run for a congressional seat in Zamboanga City. “This time, the proposal to create the third district has been revived with two congress-elect persons—Rep. Jawo Jimenez of District 1 and Rep. Mannix Dalipe of District 2— are supportive of the move, making it possible for the proposal to succeed,” Salazar said. She said an additional legislative will give Zamboanga 3 “voices in congress and an opportunity for more leaders to serve the Zamboangueños.” Salazar was also elected as House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao on her second term as congresswoman in 2010 and served until 2013 and then ran as mayor of Zamboanga and won overwhelmingly. At present, there are over 230 legislative districts in the country, each composed of about 250,000 people. And according to the 2015 census, Zamboanga City has a population of 861,799 people and is the 6th most populous and 3rd largest city by land area in the Philippines.
Zamboanga was granted separate representation for the first time in 1984 after being re-classified as a highly urbanized city on November 22, 1983. And the enactment of Republic Act No. 9269 on March 19, 2004 increased Zamboanga’s representation by re-apportioning it into two congressional districts which began to elect their separate representatives in the 2007 elections. Salazar also appealed to defeated politicians, including Lobregat, to support the call for unity and reconciliation among all sectors that had been divided during the “very divisive elections.” “The people of Zamboanga have already spoken that they voted for those that have platform of governance. Negative and mudslinging did not sell and was rejected by the voters,” Salazar said as she vowed to continue working for the betterment and progress of Zamboanga. “We are looking forward to a third term full of possibilities and opportunities.” (The Zamboanga Post)
City in Lanao del Sur province. The city was recovered by troops after 5 months of houseto-house and close-quarter battle that killed and wounded hundreds of soldiers, militants and innocent civilians trapped in Marawi President Rodrigo Duterte also recently warned foreigners to stay out of Zamboanga
following intelligence report that ISIS and Abu Sayyaf militants are targeting foreign nationals. “There’s a certain place which I would not recommend to anybody to go there, not just as yet, is Zamboanga. Some Europeans go there for the bird watching and they are captured and eventually they are decapitated even after the pay-
ment of ransom. It is the ISIS actually. It used to be the Abu Sayyaf. Now it’s an Abu Sayyaf territory. They do nothing but to kill and destroy,” he said, but Duterte may have confused Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi when he said that some Europeans birdwatchers were kidnapped there. (The Zamboanga Post)
‘Bikoy’ video uploader pleads not guilty to sedition raps EMBATTLED WEBSITE DEVELOPER Rodel Jayme has pleaded not guilty to charges of inciting to sedition filed against him by the Department of Justice or DOJ for the spread the “Bikoy” videos implicating President Rodrigo Duterte and his family to the illegal drug trade, Jayme, who admitted creating webpages where the videos were posted, was arraigned before the Parañaque Regional Trial Court Branch 258. He underwent inquest proceedings before the DOJ after the National Bureau of Investigation
or NBI recommended charges of “inciting to sedition” against him. In its charge sheet filed before the inquest prosecutor, the NBI Task Force on Cybercrime Division under Senior Agent Francis Señora said Jayme violated Republic Act 10175 otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Jayme had earlier been identified as the beneficiary in the Google ad sense account by a number of online personalities, and as the primary source of the video featuring “Bikoy”, an anonymous accuser who
appears in the video criticizing the administration’s war on drugs and slandering the Duterte’s family, including his daughter. The NBI, in its report to the inquest prosecutor, said its investigation showed the first uploader of the video was a YouTube account under the name of “Ang Totoong Narcolist” and was subsequently posted and shared by different social media sites namely: Pinoy Ako Blog, Change Scamming, Metro Balita, Madam Claudia and What the Fact Blog. (Benjamin Pulta)
‘Bikoy’ links Trillanes, Liberal Party to ‘Oust-Duterte’ plot From page 1 A SELF-CONFESSED member of a drug syndicate, Peter Joemel Advincula, who admitted to be “Bikoy,” the hooded man in the viral videos “Ang Totoong Narcolist” who linked President Rodrigo Duterte and his family to the illegal drug trade, has surrendered to the police and tagged politicians and the Liberal Party as allegedly behind the black propaganda as part of a campaign to oust the Filipino leader. Advincula said all the accusations in the videos were all lies and that he was promised P500,000 by his recruiter to malign Duterte and his family, but he had not been paid. He linked Sen. Antonio Trillanes to the production of the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos, and implicated Sen. Risa Hontiveros and several lawyers in the alleged plot to unseat Duterte and install Vice
President Leni Robredo as President and Trillanes as Vice President. Prior to his surrendered on May 23, Advincula issued a statement at the office of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines reiterating his accusations against Duterte, including son Paolo and close aide Bong Go who denied all the allegations against them. Paolo, in his Facebook page, has called an investigation into Advincula’s admission that linked the opposition to the “oust-Duterte plot.” “From the very start, it was clear that the Bikoy videos were fabricated with a narrative taken straight from the playbook of people whose desire is to destroy our name and our reputation. All the lies presented were also meant to crush the trust of the Filipino people in the authorities and inspire public disgust against
the government — truly the handiwork of people who want to undermine the Duterte administration.” “Without a doubt, as I have said before, Senator Antonio Trillanes was behind it. And now that many names have also surfaced, to include Sen. Risa Hontiveros and several lawyers, I believe a proper investigation is in order,” he said. Trillanes strongly denied Advincula’s allegations and said he would file charges against Advincula. “I deny the allegations made by this Bikoy character. This could be another ploy to harass the opposition. For now, I will be consulting with my lawyers so that we could also file the appropriate charges against him,” Trillanes said. The Liberal Party also denied Advincula’s accusations. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
May 27-June 2, 2019
Australian, Filipino troops conduct joint anti-terror exercises in South From page 1 HUNDREDS OF FILIPINO soldiers took part in a joint anti-terror training exercise with Australian Army and Navy in southern Philippines, officials said. Second Lieutenant Angel Manglapus, a spokesperson for the 1st Infantry Division in Zamboanga del Sur province,said the exercise, which opened recently, will last for 27 days. Dubbed as “Phil-Aus Exercise”, Manglapus said the training aims to enhance the combat skills, competence on urban warfare operations and interoperability of Philippine Army and Australian Defense Force.
“It will provide an opportunity to conduct combined mission planning and combined resolution of a terrorist incident,” Manglapus said, adding, the Philippine Army contingent is composed of 540 troops from various units, while Australia has 47 soldiers. Manglapus said the joint training will strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two armies. Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, the division commander, urged soldiers to make the most out of the training and apply it when the time comes. Australian Ambassador to Manila, Steve Robinson,
Philippine Army photos released to The Zamboanga Post show Australian and Filipino soldiers participate in a joint anti-terror training in southern Philippines.
Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar welcomes Australian Ambassador Steve Robinson and crew of HMAS Childers in these photos released by City Hall. was also in Zamboanga City with the crew of the HMAS Childers, of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), for the 7th Philippine-RAN Maritime Training Exercise. The annual maritime exercise is inter-operability training and complements the current maritime security operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in terms of naval presence and deterrence of movement of lawless elements at sea. Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar welcomed Robinson and the crew of the HMAS Childers. Robinson also visited the century-old City Hall where Salazar thanked the Australian government for its continuous partnership, not only through maritime exercises, but also through programs and projects implemented following the 2013 rebel attacks in Zamboanga. Salazar cited interventions that helped in the rehabilitation of those affected by the siege which lasted three weeks. “We pray that your partnership with us will not only bring about
development, prosperity and progress of the 2 countries but also form deeper ties of the two governments,” she said. Among the local projects funded by Australia are the Social Development Center in
Santa Barbara village; the construction of houses for indigenous Badjaos, as well as literacy programs for women and children and other programs that gave Zamboanga the opportunity for growth and develop-
ment. For his part, Robinson said the possibilities are also being explored to implement more projects for the benefit of the people of Zamboanga. (The Zamboanga Post)
No course of action yet vs. Huawei in Philippines PRESIDENT DUTERTE will wait for recommendations from National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and the Defense department on matters concerning Google’s decision to bar Chinese smartphone company Huawei from some security updates to the Android operating system. “I suppose the Department of National Defense as well as the National Security Adviser are studying that matter and the President will be waiting for whatever recommendation they have on that,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said. These restrictions came
after U.S. President Donald Trump placed the Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. on a trade blacklist which prevents access to future versions of the Android operating system after trade talks with China failed. Despite this development, the Philippines’ major telecommunications companies assured that customers will not yet be affected by the U.S. restriction. In a statement, the Philippine Long-Distance Telephone Inc. and Smart Communications vowed to work closely with Huawei to address concerns regarding firmware and software updates for
their devices. Globe Telecom Inc., on the hand, has assured Huawei that it will continue to provide their devices with security updates and after-sales services. Google is one of the first American companies to comply with Trump’s order. Huawei will be barred from purchasing U.S. licensing part and technology without special permission. The U.S. Commerce Department granted Huawei a 90-day relief for transactions necessary to maintain existing networks and minimize disruptions to its customers. (Azer Parrocha)
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The Mindanao Examiner
May 27-June 2, 2019
Stiftung Solarenergie Philippines brings ‘bright’ hope to Sarangani community SITIO LAGINAN in Malungon town in Mindanao’s Sarangani province has been chosen to be a model of rural communities to access sustainable solar energy solutions by Stiftung Solarenergie Philippines (StS). Because of its inaccessibility, electricity in Laginan has not yet been installed for many years. And now, StS paartnered with Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Philippines) to help raise funds to help bring electricity to the community. From August to October 14, 2018, they have gathered a total of P2,128,979 to provide solar panel to the homes in Laginan in the village of Lutay. The installation of solar panels on December 1-5, gratified 70 households that were presented by Sitio Laginan and Tagakaulo Women Association. The turn-over was also participated in by the Provincial Governor’s Office—Sulong Tribu. As part of convergence, Sulong Tribu will implement agriculture and cultural projects in the area. The donor of solar panels, Coffee Bean Tea Leaf, will also support the coffee production of the community through marketing and promotion. In 2016, StS initially donated four solar cases to Laginan Integrated School which sits on top of a mountain. The school caters to a
total of 331 students from kindergarten to Grade 10. Sulong Tribu project coordinator Celito Terando said “there are other communities that we wanted to model.” “Nangita gyud mi ug community nga haom, eksakto ang proyekto (We were looking for a community that fits, the project just right) and we recommended Sitio Laginan because of their receptivity also to government projects,” Terando said. Laginan is a remote sitio located in the mountain ranges. The population comprises 90% Tagakaolo and the rest is Blaan tribe. Their main livelihood here is farming where corn, coffee, abaca, and vegetables are the major crops. To reach Laginan, it would take an hour and 30-minute motorcycle ride from the town proper to reach its adjacent sitio Dalamuan, which is about 15 kilometers or approximately 6 to 8 hours trek or, a faster 3 to 4 hours horse ride to finally reach Laginan. This situation also goes for the students who live far from the Laginan. Most of them walk 3 to 5 hours to reach the school, and as well as going home. Angelo Tamesa, 19, a Grade 10 student, is eager to study despite of the hard-
ship. “Magmata mi sa kaadlawon tig alas dos, mangaon mi tig alas tres. Naa mi’y maagihan sapa, diha mi maligo. Human namo ligo mga alas singko, maabot mi diri mga alas nuwebe o alas otso y medya (We wake up at 2’o clock in the morning and eat at 3a.m. If we happen to pass by the river, we take our bath there. After taking our bath probably at 5 a.m., we arrive here maybe at 9 or 8:30a.m),” Tamesa said. “Gusto gid nako kuhaon nga course kay pagkapulis kay akong ginikanan naga pangandoy gyud to sila nga makapadayon ko ug eskwela kay kami ra’y pag-asa nila (I really want to get a police course because my parents really wish that I continue to go to school since we are their only hope.” StS previously installed solar panels in different municipalities of Sarangani: Glan (8 units), Malapatan (5 units), Alabel (6 units), Malungon (15 units), Maasim (3 units), Kiamba (4 units), and Maitum (3 units). The StS is also known as Foundation for Rural Electrification for Economic Development (FREED) which is a non-profit organization aimed to empower rural and marginalized villages throughout the Philippines by providing access to sustainable solar energy solu-
tions. “What we would try to do is light up, provide a solar system for the homes of the children so that they could study at night, and at the same time use solar to be able to encourage the parents to support the education of the students such as reduction of malnutrition through vegetable gardening program,” StS executive director Bambi Reyes said. Aside from empowering education, they also wanted to help and make changes towards communities,
health, and emergency response. The process also includes trainings and meetings in the communities they cater on how to use the solar cases and how to fix them in case of malfunction. After installation, they regularly monitor the areas on how the solar cases affect the beneficiaries’ lives. “Pag-abot aning proyekto (2016), dako kaayo ang natabang (This project was really a great help when it arrived in 2016). Number 1 is pagprepare sa mga lesson
plan and visual aids, prepared name sa among mga lessons pagka-ugma,” said teacher Albert Rhyen Tapitan of Laginan Integrated School. Tapitan added that it is now easier for them to contact the nearest town in case of emergency because they can charge their phones. And Sulong Sarangani Program continues to forge partnership with Stiftung Solarenergie Philippines for possible electrification of the whole rural community. (Donna Mahusay)
Philippines protests Beijing’s fishing ban in South China Sea MANILA PROTESTED the fishing ban imposed by China in the South China Sea, saying, it is against Philippine sovereignty. “That’s against the sovereignty – that’s our position,” said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo when asked by reporters if the fishing ban imposed by Beijing in the area being claimed by the Philippines was objectionable. “Is it objectionable for a sovereign country to have its property or island assaulted or intruded into? Your question, if your answer is yes, then the answer to your question is yes,” he
said. The Chinese agricultural ministry said the annual fishing ban, which covers both Chinese and foreign fishermen, will run from May 1 until August 16. Vietnam has rejected China’s unilateral fishing ban decision, according to media reports. Panelo said the government will always be consistent with its policy “that it will assert its sovereignty over the areas claimed to be its own”. “So, it will always pursue that line,” he added, however, Panelo said he will leave it to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
to make a statement on the issue. “I will leave that to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to make a direct statement on that,” he said. In April, President Rodrigo Duterte met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting on the side lines of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing from April 25 to 27 where both leaders reiterated their respective stands on the sea row. Panelo said the two leaders also agreed to use a bilateral consultation mechanism to resolve the conflict. (Azer Parrocha)
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The Mindanao Examiner
May 27-June 2, 2019
100,000 Maranaos still have no homes 2 years after Marawi siege MARAWI CITY - The deep scars left by the 2017 conflict in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province in southern Philippines continue to haunt over 100,000 people who still do not have a home to return to. “Despite the numerous aid efforts that have truly helped those in need over the two years, the people of Marawi have grown tired and frustrated. They want to stand on their own feet again and stop depending on assistance,” said Martin Thalmann, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in the Philippines. Whether they have been living with relatives or are in evacuation centres and transition sites, the displaced people of Marawi struggle for access to potable water, viable livelihood opportunities and most importantly, permanent shelters, according to Thalmann, who noted that the authorities were trying to address complex issues so that the rehabilitation of the most affected area (MAA) could begin. But the conflict has left more vulnerable groups, such as families of missing people and
victims of violence, with invisible scars. “The wounds that do not bleed are the wounds that become scars. And these are the most painful because they will always leave something to look at. And it is something that will always bring back memories of what had happened. Nevertheless, it is still important because it is still a lesson,” recalled Mel, a 34-year-old resident who was severely traumatized by the Marawi conflict. Launched in October 2018, the ICRC’s mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programme has reached close to 700 people. Among them, 47 people who were severely traumatized in the Marawi conflict—including “Mel”—have reported feeling “relieved, comfortable, safe and understood” after undergoing individual MHPSS sessions. “They need sustained support to recover mentally from the trauma caused by the conflict that has affected their overall well-being,” Thalmann said. He said ICRC would work on strengthening the capacity of the public health system in the
area of psychosocial support to victims of violence. He said the ICRC, with its partner the Philippine Red Cross, has been supporting people affected since the onset of the Marawi conflict. People who were injured during the fighting received ICRC support to cover the cost of their medical treatment. Those with physical disabilities as result of injuries were supported by ICRC to receive prosthesis and physiotherapy, Thalmann said. The ICRC, he said, continues to help the displaced people by restoring sources of income and improving access to water and sanitation in various sites. It has also been working with families whose loved ones went missing due to the conflict. “We have been filling the gaps in the recovery response in coordination with the authorities and other aid organizations. But we can only do so much. The authorities still have the primary responsibility of providing sustainable solutions to help the people of Marawi,” Thalmann said. (With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)
Duterte to ship back Canada’s garbage, ready to sever ties over trash?
Overseas Filipino Bank continues to attract OFWs THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO Bank or OFBank - owned by the Land Bank of the Philippines or LANDBANK - continues to attract more overseas Filipino workers because of its many services that cater to land-based OFWs, seafarers, immigrants, and Filipinos with working visas. Remittance services are likewise available to OFBank clients through LANDBANK’s extensive network of remittance partners worldwide. As of end-April 2019, around 2,000 new OFW accounts have been opened with OFBank, according to Catherine Rowena Villanueva, First Vice President, Corporate Affairs Department of LANDBANK.. She said OFBank, which has been operational since its launch in January 2018, has already
introduced various products and services for its target markets. And these services include deposit products such as the EMV-enabled Visa Debit Card, Checking Account, Easy Savings Plus, High Yield Savings Account, USD Savings Deposit, and USD Time Deposit; along with various loan products such as housing, multipurpose, salary, and SME loans. OFBank is currently in a transition process to move toward a “One Branch Digital Bank” model and this includes consolidating OFBank branches which started in March 2019 upon receipt of approval from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Villanueva said part of the transformation to utilize mobile and online platforms is the integra-
tion with LANDBANK’s iAccess retail banking portal, which allows OFBank clients to conduct banking transactions online. She said the OFBank Mobile Banking App was launched in July 2018 and the OFBank Board of Directors is further reviewing the Bank’s business model to ensure that the needs and concerns of the target clientele are aptly addressed. Currently heading the OFBank is a nine-member Board of Directors composed of six Directors from LANDBANK and three Directors on holdover capacity, pending official appointment of the three Directors to represent the Department of Labor and Employment, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and an OFW Representative. (Mindanao Examiner)
UPSET BY CANADA’S failure to get back tons of garbage it dumped in the Philippines in 2013, President Rodrigo Duterte now said he is willing to pay a private shipping company that will return the trash to the North American country. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte has decided to take matters in his own hands following the long delay. “As a result of this offending delay, the President has instructed the appropriate office to look for a private shipping company which will bring back Canada’s trash to the latter’s jurisdiaction,” said Panelo. The Canadian government earlier committed to shoulder the expenses of shipping out the waste, but failed to meet the May 15 deadline set by Duterte. “The government of the Philippines will shoulder all expenses. And we do not mind,” Panelo said, stressing that the search for a private shipping
company is already being carried out. Panelo said if Canada refused to take their trash back, the Philippines will be forced to dump the waste on their shores. “If Canada will not accept their trash, we will leave the same within its territorial waters or 12 nautical miles out to sea from the baseline of any of their country’s shores,” he said. Panelo assured that Filipino workers in Canada will not be affected by the trash row between the two countries. Asked if Duterte is also prepared to sever ties with Canada over the issue, Panelo said: “I think that is going to that direction.” He said Duterte is upset about the delay and is extremely disappointed that Canada has yet to give a clear timeline as to when it would retrieve its trash. “You must remember the deadline was May 15 and thereafter no word from it. He just says he will do something about it. I think we’re
just being given the runaround,” Panelo said. “Their pronouncements are neither here nor there. There is no definite position when they will take back the trash and the President is so upset about this. It’s been there for five years.” According to Panelo, Canada is not taking the Philippines seriously by dumping their trash in the country which is an insult to Filipinos. “The President’s stance is principled as it is uncompromising: The Philippines as an independent sovereign nation must not be treated as trash by other foreign nations. We hope this message resonates well with the other countries of the world,” Panelo said. “The President has already made his position. He in fact even said he will declare war so that’s how annoyed he is. Every Filipino should really feel insulted by this trash staying with us for five years and any head of state can just get that within a week, within a few days,” he said. (Azer Parrocha)
Police crackdown on illegal vehicle, motorcycle accessories POLICE DIRECTOR GENERAL Oscar Albayalde has ordered the Highway Patrol Group or HPG to intensify the operation nationwide against vehicles and motorcycles with illegal sirens and other banned accessories. Just last week, HPG led by Brigadier General Roberto Fajardo, destroyed thousands of sirens, LED and fog lights, including horns confiscated in operations across the country. Fajardo said Albayaldehas directed them to strictly enforce Presidential Decree
(PD) 96, which prohibits the use of siren, bell, horn, whistle, or other similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including dome lights, blinkers, and other similar signalling or flashing devices. “The illegal attachments, such as LED lights, blinkers, can distract other motorists and can cause accidents. The moment they put those attachments on their vehicle, they become illegal,” he explained, adding, violators of PD 96 will be fined P5,000 for first offense and risk cancel-
lation of the owner’s vehicle’s certificate of registration. Under the law, the use of attached gadgets is allowed only for motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, police departments, fire departments, and hospital ambulances. Fajardo called on the public to report to the authorities any vehicle found to be using prohibited car and motorbike accessories. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)
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The Mindanao Examiner
May 27-June 2, 2019
Across : 1. Appends 5. Short sleep 8. Minute particle 12. Ark skipper 13. Fruit punch 14. Heredity carrier 15. ___ Moore of “A Few Good Men” 16. Fatherly 18. Painted 20. Look happy 23. Convenes 26. Compact 30. Spoil 31. Circle parts 32. Approvals 33. Nothing more than 34. Disfigure 35. Dislike 37. Earnest requests 40. External 41. Aardvark 45. Hindrance 47. Important times 51. Troubles 52. Egg source 53. Recedes 54. Godiva’s title 55. Fall mo. 56. Kind
Answer to last week’s crossword:
Down : 1. Plus 2. Stag’s mate 3. River barrier 4. Knight protectors 5. ___Valley(vineyard site) 6. Eve’s partner 7. Tennis’s ___ Sampras 8. Concur 9. Most sore 10. “___ Clear Day...” (2 wds.) 11. Producer ___ Brooks 17. Graceful tree 19. Born 20. Rascal 21. Fable’s lesson 22. Enlarged 24. Rich cake
25. Guide 27. Head movement 28. Go downhill 29. Hazardous curve 33. Actress ___ Stapleton 36. Foot part 38. Restless 39. Depot (abbr.) 42. Reverberate 43. A Baldwin brother 44. Camp shelter 45. Hooting bird 46. Python’s kin 48. Slugger’s stat 49. CBS rival 50. Compass direction (abbr.)
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May 27-June 2, 2019
Palace backs calls to review pact on OFWs’ protection with Kuwait MANILA IS SUPPORTING calls by various Philippine migrant rights groups for a review of the memorandum of understanding on the protection of Filipino workers in Kuwait following the death of a Filipino household worker in the Gulf state. Constancia Lago Dayag, a native of Agadanan town in Isabela province, was found dead in Kuwait just this month. The 47-year old Dayag was first deployed to Kuwait in January 2016 and returned in 2018 on a second contract with her Kuwaiti employer. The Department of For-
eign Affairs (DFA) said it has has sought for the immediate release of the forensic report on Dayag’s death. “I think we should because according to Secretary (Silvestre) Bello (III) there has been a breach in the agreement signed by the two countries,” said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who cited Bello that there is a need to revisit the pact since there has been a breach of the employment contract by the foreign employer. Panelo was referring to the agreement on the employment of domestic
workers signed between the Philippines and Kuwait on May 11, 2018 which contains a contract of employment template where provisions “particularly stated” by President Rodrigo Duterte are enumerated. These provisions include requiring workers’ passports to be deposited to the Philippine Embassy and not confiscated by employers; workers given one day off every week; workers given seven hours sleep a day; workers provided with decent meals and sleeping quarters; and workers provided with cell phones.
Prior to the signing of the deal, Duterte imposed a total deployment ban of new workers to Kuwait after the murder of domestic helper Joanna Demafelis, along with a series of reported abuses and maltreatment of Filipino maids there. The Department of Labor and Employment
culture and tradition of Mindanaons especially the Maranaos. Keno Elumbaring, Project Assistant for DOSTTask Force Bangon Marawi Programs, said the project supports the rebuilding of Maranaos’ livelihood. He said the beneficiaries include the homebased internally-displaced people who are currently staying within Iligan City, Cagayan De Oro and other areas of Lanao del Norte. The target beneficiaries will undergo skills training on weaving and hands-on
activities. A loom weaving equipment will be provided to the beneficiaries including the installation of loom weaving machines in the identified sites. “This is part of DOST’s support to rebuilding and reorganizing the loom weavers affected by the conflict in Marawi City,” Elumbaring said. He said DOST will also help in the production and promotion of local hand-woven crafts. “DOST will monitor and assess the beneficiaries if they are able to improve and enhance
incident. “The Secretary of Labor has already issued an official statement. He’s putting the government of Kuwait to task for the murder of our countryman. So he is investigating it and DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is waiting for an autopsy report,” Panelo said. (Azer Parrocha)
Indonesian escapes drug smuggling conviction in the Philippines AN INDONESIAN convicted in the Philippines in 2012 for drug trafficking has returned
DOST launches project to preserve weaving skills of Maranaos ILIGAN CITY – In an effort to revive the handloom weaving among Maranaos, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has provided technical and financial assistance to Maranaos displaced by the 2017 siege of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province. The project – a collaborative efforts by DOST, the Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology’s Maranao Collectible and the local government - aims to preserve and strengthen the weaving industry as it represents
(DOLE) said it is looking to re-impose a ban on the deployment of Filipino household service workers to Kuwait. Asked if government is considering the reimposition of the deployment ban, Panelo said the executive department will await the labor department’s report on the
their skills in handloom weaving,” Elumbaring said. The project implementation includes the setting-up of weaving center within selected areas in Marawi City and its neighboring communities, which were also affected by the siege. The DOST is a member agency of the Task Force Marawi’s Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood. It targets to preserve the cultural and artistic value of the weaving industry among Marawi residents. (Lade Jean Kabagani)
home after years of ensuing court hearings, the Foreign Ministry announced after an appeals court recently overturned her life sentence. Dwi Wulandari, 38, was charged with smuggling 6 kilograms of cocaine into the Philippines after she was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sept. 29, 2012. She was handed a life sentence by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (Br. 231) in 2017 but appealed the verdict with the help of public attorneys. “On March 29, [...] the presiding judge at the Manila Court of Appeal (Div. 7) ruled that [she] was not guilty of all charges and overturned the previous verdict,” said Judha Nugraha, the Foreign Ministry’s acting director for overseas citizen protection, in a statement late Monday.
With assistance from Indonesian Embassy officials in Manila, Dwi returned home to her family in Blitar, East Java, last week, Judha said. Indonesia and the Philippines have some of the harshest antinarcotics initiatives in the region. Indonesia executes convicted drug traffickers and faced a backlash in 2015 when it executed several foreign nationals. Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina convict, escaped execution at the last minute because of a pending legal case. Since coming to power in 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has waged a brutal war on drugs that has seen the summary execution of tens of thousands of people, a claim by human rights groups that Manila denies. (Dian Septiari - The Jakarta Post)
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May 27-June 2, 2019
Cebu Governor-elect Gwen Garcia warns outgoing guv on midnight appointments, deals
C
EBU CITY – To ensure smooth transition upon assumption of newly-elected officials on noontime of June 30, Cebu Governor-elect Gwendloyn Garcia sent a formal letter to outgoing Governor Hilario Davide III asking him to refrain from issuing midnight appointments and entering into so-called midnight deals. village in Naga City which vide that she has designated Garcia reminded Davide Davide wanted sold to the lawyers Manolette Dinsay, “to refrain from issuing mid- local government of Naga Marino Martinquilla, Lito night appointments pursu- for P100 million. Astillero, and Frank Eduant to existing laws, and regGarcia, who was gover- ard Dinsay as members of ulations” and “refrain from nor of Cebu for three con- her transition team and entering midnight deals, secutive terms until 2013, that they have “specific incontracts, and transactions said she will not recognize structions to coordinate that are proscribed under any possible midnight deal with your Local Governance laws, rules, and regulations.” by the current adminis- Transition Team to guaran“Most importantly, I am tration. “I am serving no- tee a seamless transition of formalizing my strenuous tice that any appointment my administration” into the objection to the sale of any and, or deals, contracts and provincial Capitol. province-owned real estate transactions entered into Copies of the incoming property to the public,” Gar- during the transition period governor’s letter were also cia wrote, referring to the will not be honored by me,” furnished to the provincontroversial 24.7-hectare Garcia said. cial government’s bids and Balili property in Tinaan She also informed Da- awards committee, human
Cebu Governor Gwendloyn Garcia (FB page)
resources management office, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. In an earlier press statement, Garcia said her reminders were meant to ensure smooth transition until she formally assumes office. “Basically, the outgoing governor’s role from now on until the inauguration is merely just to prepare for the orderly transfer of authority to the incoming governor. He should not do anything to obstruct the policies of, or undermine, embarrass his successor,” Dinsay said. (John Rey Saavedra)
Include Metro Cebu in emergency powers revival to solve traffic woes CEBU CITY – Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Michael Lloyd Dino, expressed full support to proposals that will grant President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers to solve the traffic problem in Metro Manila, and other big cities like Cebu. Dino backs proposal made by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to give Duterte emergency powers to solve road congestion in the remaining three years of his term. He said this proposal is backed with facts and realities. He wanted Metro Cebu to be included in the scope of the presidential emergency powers, saying that the metropolis has been “experiencing traffic congestion due to lack of mass transport system and narrow roads not having been widened for so many years.” According to Dino, unresolved traffic problem in Metro Cebu has caused at least P1.1 billion in economic losses a day. “I am confident that our
lawmakers will look into Sec. Tugade’s proposal. Lawmakers who frequent Metro Manila to attend to their official functions have also experienced being stuck in traffic in Metro Cebu,” Dino told the Philippine News Agency. Dino also recalled having proposed to include Metro Cebu when Tugade pushed for the emergency powers on the side lines of the presentation of 10-point socio-economic agenda of the Duterte administration at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on June 21, 2016. “I have presented our case in Metro Cebu when the idea on emergency powers was hatched in Davao in 2016. The national government supported our cause and local government officials supported the call to include us in case Congress passes that emergency powers bill,” he said. Dino said he attended several public hearings by the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation, headed by Rep. Cesar Sarmiento of Catanduanes,
and pitched in strategies on how to solve the traffic problems in Metro Cebu. “It has long been recognized that Metro Cebu’s traffic is brought about by lack of efficient mass transport system and overcapacity of our existing roads,” he said, stressing that
“while the crisis is still manageable, we need to act now”. Dino said Tugade has offered Metro Cebu a “basket of solutions” to solve the traffic woes. “The Cebuanos believe that such emergency powers will hasten the implementation of
infrastructure projects aimed to add more capacity on our existing roads and the mass transport backbone which is the Light Rail Transit,” he noted. He said he already conducted a series of consultation with the local government units in
Cebu, the business community, and the regional executives from transportation-related agencies of government to ferret out more ideas on how to solve the woes on Metro Cebu’s thoroughfares. (John Rey Saavedra)
Cebu private landfill closed! CEBU CITY - The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Central Visayas (Region 7) has ordered the closure of a private sanitary landfill in Consolacion town in Cebu province after a mountain of trash collapsed and killed a truck driver. Engineer William Cuñado, regional director of the EMB-Central Visayas, issued the cease and desist order against the sanitary landfill owned and operated by Asian Energy Systems Corporation located in Polog village because of the recent tragedy. He said the landfill was found to have violated the provisions of Environmental Impact Statement System (Presidential Decree 1586) and the Clean Air Act of 2004 (Republic
Act 9275). “Based on the findings of the inspection conducted by EMB-7 personnel on April 23, 2019 and May 5, 2019, Asian Energy Systems Corp., failed to implement their Environmental Management Plan (EMP) that resulted to a landslide last May 4, 2019,” EMB-7 said in a statement sent to the Philippine News Agency. The EMP is listed as among the conditions of the landfill’s Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the EMB-7 last February 10, 2010. “These ECC conditions are ought to be complied by the proponents,” the statement read. Cindy Pepito, information officer of EMB-7, also said that the piles of garbage that fell from the top have slid
all the way down to the service road. She said EMB-7 investigators also found the landfill’s failure to comply with the fifth condition of the ECC and the regulations laid down under RA 9275 as it reportedly “exceeded the wastewater effluent standards for chemical oxygen demand, ammonia, and total coliform parameters”. The cease and desist order was served last month, but the appraisal of the landfill’s compliance to the conditions as directed by the Technical Conference between the EMB-7 investigators and the management is ongoing. The statement said the EMB-7 ordered the landfill to pay a fine of P100,000. To ensure commitment to solve the problem, the corporation that runs
the landfill is required to submit rehabilitation plan in the area where the garbage-slide occurred within 15 days. EMB directed the landfill management to conduct and implement a full rehabilitation and assessment of the area affected by garbage-slide. The landfill is also required to immediately stop discharging wastewater and seal all leakages to avoid violating the Clean Air Act. Re-inspection will be conducted by EMB-7 to determine compliance. The corporation is required to observe the provisions of the closure order. Otherwise, they will be fined P50,000 per day of illegal operation, the statement said. (John Rey Saavedra)
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