Duterte to meet China’s Xi over South China Sea arbitration win
PRESIDENT DUTERTE will meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping soon to discuss a 2016 arbitration case over the South China Sea as domestic pressure builds for the firebrand leader to stand up to Beijing. Duterte has a consistent approval rating of about 80 percent but the same surveys show
Founded 2006
people in the Philippines mistrust China and want the government to fight its perceived maritime bullying. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the leaders are likely to meet at the end of this month for talks that Duterte has said were his idea. “Remember that I
mindanaoexaminer.com
Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Xi Jinping (PCOO)
said before that there will be a time when I will invoke that arbitral ruling?” Panelo told a regular briefing, quoting Duterte. “This is the time. That’s why I am going there’ that’s what he said.” China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Continue on page 2
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9925480 or (082) 2841859
P10
August 12-18, 2019
Dutertes’ influence, power very strong ‘Sara Duterte-Carpio could be next President’
Read Story on page 3
President Rodrigo Duterte with Elizabeth Zimmerman and children - from left, Sebastian Duterte and wife; Sara Duterte and husband; and Paolo Duterte with wife. (Photo by King Rodriguez)
ARMM
Eastern Mindanao
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Manila
2
The Mindanao Examiner
August 12-18, 2019
Duterte to meet China’s Xi over South China Sea arbitration win Continued from page 1 Duterte’s move follows sharp criticism during his first three years in office for not pressing China to abide by a historic arbitration win, preferring instead to curry
favor with Beijing. That ruling in international law invalidated China’s claim, based on its so-called nine-dash line, to historic sovereignty over most of the busy South China Sea water-
way. In exchange, Duterte received vague pledges of billion-dollar investment, most of which have yet to materialize. Opponents say Duterte has been duped.
Plans for the visit come as countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines and its ally the United States push back over the activities of the Chinese coastguard and a fishing militia that is
Malaysia refuses to recognize children of Filipino refugees born in Sabah
Deputy Home Minister Azis Jamman. (Photo from The Malaysian Insight) MALAYSIA HAS REFUSED to recognize the birth right of children of Filipino refugees despite being born there and holder of birth certificate. Malaysian media reported that Deputy Home Minister Aziz Jamman stressed these children are only given IMM13 - a visit pass issued by the Immigration Department to Filipino refugees who escaped to Sabah following unrest in Mindanao during the Marcos administration in the 1970s.
IMM13 holders are allowed only to stay in Sabah and Labuan, but they can seek employment, attend school and get medical services from the government. Jamman said these children are not considered Malaysians although they have been issued birth certificates. But birth certificates issued to these children are different from Malaysian citizens – they are all with distinctive red color. Just last October, the
Sabah Immigration Department also suspended a program to accept new applications for IMM13 from children of other IMM13 holders. And in 2014, the Sabah National Registration Department said birth certificates were issued to foreign children born in Sabah for record purposes and to monitor their presence, but they were not considered citizens. “Sabah has a lot of documents like IMM13 and Sijil Burung-Burung (state-issued documents). So we want to see how to manage all these documents,” Free Malaysia Today quoted Jamman as saying. “If they are born in Sabah, they are given birth certificates, but this does not make them citizens,” he added. The Malaysian Insight also quoted Jamman as saying that IMM13 pass holders registered with the Immigration Department form only a fraction of the true migrant population in
Sabah. He said the number of migrants is likely larger than reported due to the issuance of fake papers by illegal syndicates and pointed out the problem has become “chronic”. Malaysia’s decision not to recognize children of Filipino refugees born there is racial discrimination. But there was no immediate statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila or Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
thousands-strong in disputed areas of the South China Sea. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blasted Beijing for “decades of bad behavior”, in trade and at sea. While Duterte continues to defend his policy of non-confrontation with China, his U.S.-leaning security top brass have spoken out strongly, indicating their patience with China is wearing thin. Two diplomatic protests have been filed, the first over what the Philippines said was a recent “swarming” of more than 100 Chinese fishing boats near a tiny Philippine-occupied island. The other concerned the unannounced passage in July of five Chinese warships through the Philippines’ 12-mile territorial sea. Duterte has been accused of gambling with sovereignty for repeatedly saying he had told
Xi the Chinese were fine to fish in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In June, a Chinese vessel smashed into a Filipino boat in the EEZ, stranding its 22 crew. Panelo said Duterte wanted to discuss joint exploration of offshore energy reserves, a revival of a plan aborted almost a decade ago. Separately, Duterte decided to end a practice of immigration officials refusing to stamp Chinese passports because maps in them feature the contested nine-dash line. Instead, they will use a stamp that challenges the Chinese claim. “The stamp has the map of the entire Philippines EEZ to the widest extent,” Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said on Twitter. “So tit for tat”. (Reuters By Martin Petty, Karen Lema. Editing by Darren Schuettler and Clarence Fernandez.)
Earn More, Be an Advertising Agency! Do you want to earn more? Be an ADVERTISING AGENCY and DEALER for the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper and earn hefty commissions. Apply now. This offer covers Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon. ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE Unit 15, 3rd Floor, Fairland Building, 44 Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue Phone: 062-9925480 Mobile: 0995-5202358
DAVAO CITY OFFICE Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines Phone: 082-2841859 Mobile: 0947-4823453
URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
3
The Mindanao Examiner
August 12-18, 2019
Dutertes’ influence, power very strong W
‘Sara Duterte-Carpio could be next President’
ITH PRESIDENT DUTERTE at the helm of the ruling majority Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan and daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio with her own regional political party called Hugpong ng Pagbabago, and brother Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte joining the National Unity Party – the Dutertes have virtually cemented their hold and influence over the House of Representatives ahead of the 2022 national and local elections. Another sibling, Se- father’s term ends on 2022. Pastor Apollo Quibastian Duterte, is currentHugpong ng Pagbabago boloy, a supporter of the ly the vice mayor of Davao also forged an alliance with Duterte, who claimed that City and Paolo is also now various political groups God has chosen Sara to be Deputy Speaker, and still even before the midterm the next president. eyeing to join more politi- polls, pushing further specQuiboloy, the founder cal parties, saying, he is up ulations of Sara’s presiden- and leader of the “Kingfor adoption. tial ambition. She and her dom of Jesus Christ, The “To all other political father even supported op- Name Above Every Name,” groups out there, I am still posing politicians in the last has previously claimed to up for adoption! If being elections to ensure power be the “the Appointed Son adopted by most, if not all, and support whoever wins. of God” and “Owner of the political parties is to be of Now, Sara said she is Universe.” service to the people, then praying to God to give her Duterte has repeatedI am more than willing to wisdom to ultimately de- ly said publicly that he will join all of you,” he said. “In cide whether to run for the step down in 2022 and told unity there is strength. Let presidency or not. Sara not to run for presius show the Filipino people “Everything is easier dent. Politicians opposed to that we can all be united to- if it is the plan of God. Be- Duterte’s rule have threatwards one common goal.” fore I think about that, I ened to file criminal charges And all these are on should ask God first if this against Duterte after his top of the support of Dute- is for me. So we would not term ends in connection rtes’ allies in the Senate make mistakes, we need to allegations of extrajudiand mayors and governors to pray for wisdom on how cial killings in the country, across the country - will also to go about it and how to among other accusations. ensure Sara’s ambition to be decide,” Sara said at a reliJust last month, the the next president when her gious television show of UN Human Rights Council voted to set up an investigation into alleged crimes committed during Duterte’s deadly war on drugs. The resolution, which passed by a narrow margin, mandates a comprehensive written report into the human rights situation in the country, according to a report by the BBC. It said the UN probe will focus on reports of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances. Duterte launched the war against illegal drugs in 2016 after winning the presidency to deal with a rampant drug problem. President Rodrigo Duterte with children Davao City Mayor Sara Thousands of drug users Duterte, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao City Vice and dealers had been killed in police operation or murMayor Sebastian Duterte, partly hidden. (Presidential Photo)
Gilas not bothered by Duterte’s remarks, look at them as a challenge THE GILAS PILIPINAS men were all over the headlines after President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his belief that the Philippines has no chance to succeed in the FIBA World Cup, but the team itself is unflustered. Word reached the Gilas Pilipinas players and coaching staff, who are in the middle of training camp in Spain, through social media. Head coach Yeng Guiao heard the President but says the team is not bothered by his remarks. “It doesn’t really bother us,” Guaio said. “I guess you just have to take that from a positive point of view, your attitude should be positive. We should be able to just keep believing in ourselves.”
President Duterte also said that he would rather bet on China in international basketball’s showpiece event. According to Guiao, the entire team took that as a challenge to perform well beyond Duterte’s expectations. “We look at it as a challenge. The best approach is to look at it as a challenge, just keep believing in what you can do,” Guiao said. As for Gilas Pilipinas’ chances in the tournament, Guiao previously stated that he hoped to catch Italy on a bad night to get a victory. The fiery mentor emphasized though that beyond the result, he wants his players to carry the flag with pride. “Whatever happens,
we’re here to represent the Philippines the best way we can,” Guiao added. “Whether we win or we lose, it’s really the way you carry yourself, the way you put out a good performance.” Regardless of what Duterte said about their chances, Guiao believes that the President will have the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s back in the World Cup. “At the end of the day, I think the president will still be rooting for us anyway,” Guiao concluded. The Philippines opens their FIBA World Cup campaign in the group stage against Italy on August 31, before taking on Group D favorites Serbia on September 2 and Angola on September 4. (Paolo Del Rosario - ESPN)
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte greets father President Rodrigo Duterte. dered by masked gunmen. Manila has strongly opposed the UN resolution and branded it a travesty. The resolution was backed by 18 states in the 47-member council, while 14 nations opposed it and 15 countries abstained. But majority of the Filipinos support Duterte and his anti-drug campaign. Duterte blamed the opposition and fake news for the criticisms he is getting from the government’s deadly war on drugs and perception of his pro-China stance. Majority of politicians in Mindanao and even
in Luzon and Visayas are supporting Sara and wanted her to run for the presidency so she can continue her father’s legacy and pro-poor programs. Unlike her father’s foul-mouthed rants, Sara is more of a stateswoman, but do not mistake her being feminine as she is more of a tigress - fierce and passionate - and proof of this was when she assaulted a court sheriff Abe Andres during a demolition of squatter houses in Davao City in July 2011. Sara appealed to the sheriff to delay the demolition of the shanties and
prevent the escalation of violence between residents and authorities, but Andres ignored this and went on to enforce the court order and a melee erupted. When Sara arrived, she punched the sheriff several times and the demolition of the houses was stopped. For Davao residents, the improved peace and order situation and the progress of the city are all because of the political will and honest leadership of the Dutertes and the discipline they instil in the heart of the people. (Mindanao Examiner)
4
The Mindanao Examiner
Philippines is 5th in highest number of detected online threats THE PHILIPPINES NOW ranks 5th in Kaspersky’s global ranking of countries with the highest number of detected Internet-borne attacks. In its Global Q2 2019 Security Bulletin, data from the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) showed nearly seven million or 37.4% of Kaspersky users in the Philippines were attempted to be attacked by threats while surfing the Web from April to May this year. With the newly-recorded figures, the country went a few notches up from last year’s ranking of ninth overall with 10.7 million Internet-borne malware incidents monitored and blocked by Kaspersky products. The Philippines rounds off the top five in the cyber security company’s global list, namely: Algeria (44.1%), Nepal (43%), Albania (40.1%), and Djibouti (37.9%). The statistics in the report are based on completely anonymous data obtained from Kaspersky products installed on users’ computers in the Philippines. The KSN generates reports for countries with more than 10,000 Kaspersky users each. Data from Kaspersky revealed that its users in the Philippines were attacked by cybercriminals through the popular attack method called drive-by download. Attempts to infect users’ computers and devices normally happen when a Web surfer visits a website that he/she didn’t know was infected. Such
an insecure website is planted with malicious scripts that install malware directly onto the computer or device. A drive-by download attack requires no action on the part of the Internet user. Once in an infected website, the user’s computer or device gets infected automatically, and silently, particularly if the computer is vulnerable in some way, such as when its operating system, any of its applications, or its Web browser contain security flaws due to unsuccessful updates or lack of updates. Another technique that cybercriminals use to attempt to attack computers and devices of Philippine-based Kaspersky users is social engineering. In this method, cybercriminals convince an unsuspecting user into sending to them their confidential data, infecting their computers with malware or opening links to infected websites. Hackers also try to take advantage of a user’s lack of knowledge by persuading them to disclose only a few pieces of information such as name, date of birth or address to gain access to multiple networks by pretending to be friends or families or even as IT support personnel. In the same report though, Kaspersky also noted a minor increase in cyberthreat incidents caused by servers hosted in the Philippines. About 67,000 or 15% more incidents were recorded from April-June this year compared to the same quarter in 2018. These
figures placed the Philippines at 34th this year from 36th in 2018. Meanwhile, Kaspersky products detected and blocked about 13 million local incidents on computers of Filipino users in this period, positioning the Philippines in the 65th spot worldwide compared to its 59th ranking in April to May last year. Local threats or incidents are those that are caused by malware spread via removable media such as USB drives, CDs and DVDs, and other “offline” methods. “The targeted Kaspersky users are about nine percent of the total Internet users in the Philippines today which, from a cyber security point of view, is a big number and is worth paying attention to. We can still point at the general carelessness and lack of online security awareness among our Filipino Internet users. Like it is a known fact that when one buys a new smartphone, he or she will buy a protective case or some accessories, but not an Internet security solution,” said Yeo Siang Tiong, general manager for Kaspersky Southeast Asia. “On social media alone, the 18-34 years old age bracket account for 63% of users this year compared to only 41.7% in 2018. And with recent data that says each Internet user now owns an average of 10 social media accounts, we need to be resolute in our push to have every person using the Internet to learn how to actively safeguard his or her data,” Yeo added. (Newsbytes.PH)
August 12-18, 2019
5
The Mindanao Examiner
August 12-18, 2019
TIMES INSIDER
If These Walls Could Talk: A War Correspondent Revisits a Hotel of Ghosts ‘The Liwan - where journalists such as Anthony Shadid often stayed once hummed with Syria’s hopes and fears’.
Lebanese war correspondent Hwaida Saad at the Liwan Hotel in Antakya, Turkey, in January.CreditCreditLaura Boushnak for The New York Times Times Insider explains who we are and what we do, and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together. ANTAKYA, Turkey — When I step into the narrow, dim cafe, I expect to see them sitting there on the stiff, brocade-covered chairs. I expect to hear their murmurs and arguments echoing off the walls of rough yellowish stone. The Syrians. This cafe at the Liwan Hotel, a century-old mansion in the southern Turkish town of Antakya, used to hum with Syria’s hopes and fears. For the first few years of the war just
across the border, Syrians opposed to their government met and networked here. There were people from Aleppo, Homs, Idlib, Damascus: doctors and engineers; army defectors and civilian activists; the secular and the religious; the severe and the flirtatious. And me. And my notebook. I had my own corner in the back, where the Syrians, one by one, opened a window to their country for me and my Times colleagues. But now, the room is silent, often empty. Antakya, better known to the wider world as the Antioch of the Bible, has
A century-old mansion near the Syrian border, the Liwan Hotel has returned to a sleepier normal. The pedestrian street outside rings with the quiet that comes after a storm has passed. CreditAnne Barnard/The New York Times
returned to a sleepier normal. The pedestrian street outside rings with the quiet that comes after a storm has passed. In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad has prevailed over what began as a revolution. The war spawned by that contest — multiple wars, really — has contracted. President Trump has declared victory over one of its progeny, the Islamic State. And the Syrians of the Liwan? Some are dead. Some are missing, disappeared by Mr. al-Assad’s secret police or by the Islamic State. Some became killers. Some held to their ideals. Most are scattered, across the region and the world. But the Liwan cannot shake Syria. It is a hotel of ghosts. In a corner of the bar hangs a photograph of James Foley, the journalist beheaded by the Islamic State. Then there is Room 203. Our own friend and colleague, Anthony Shadid, stayed there before his last trip into Syria in 2012. I booked the room for him. In the cafe, he met one of our earliest revolutionary contacts, Rami, a pony-tailed Damascus activist, to arrange his trip. Anthony was on his way back to meet his family at the Liwan when, trying to reach the border via a difficult smugglers’ route, he died of a severe asthma attack. Rami is gone, too. He went back to Syria, where he was detained by the government and never seen again. We ask to see the room, a ritual every time
we visit. The manager gives me a sad smile and grabs the keys. Last time, someone else’s clothes were on the bed. This time, the housekeeper is busy inside with her daily rounds. Anthony loved the Liwan for its intricate floor tiles, made in the Mediterranean style called cemento. Built in the 1920s, it was once the home of Subhi Barakat, the president of the French Mandate’s Syrian Federation. Back then, Antakya was part of French-ruled Syria. Mr. Barakat later supported the rebellion against the French. I don’t know if Syria’s modern-day rebels were aware of that history. I was too busy learning about their present. The Liwan cafe was where I met many online Syrian contacts in person for the first time, and made the acquaintance of others with whom I later kept in touch online. All of us — the Syrians and me, a Lebanese journalist who grew up amid civil war — were enthralled by the chance to talk with people we wouldn’t have met if not for the conflict, about subjects, such as politics and religion, that were once taboo. Anthony never made it back, but I did, again and again. The rooms are tiny and the internet connection isn’t great, but the place has a charm, especially in the rain; you can hear the drops tickling the skylights. From 2012 to 2014, the hotel stayed busy. The talk was about Syria’s future. Some of the Syrians wanted a freewheeling secular model like Beirut’s; others wanted a religious state; others’ only dream was to get rid of all the pro-Assad slogans, especially the ones that labeled their country “Assad’s Syria,” as if it were a family possession. Some resisted the militarization of the rebellion; others repeated, “What is taken by force must be regained by force.” Some smoked and drank wine; at first even some of the Islamists did not mind sitting alongside them and me, a single woman. (Inevitably, the talk would turn to my marital status.) But Abdelrahman, a skinny Palestinan-Syrian fighter with a gray hat pulled low over his face, insisted on moving to a different cafe with no alcohol. He avoided eye contact and,
though he spoke softly, he did not hide his hatred for Shiites and Alawites. His unlikely friend Abdelkader Dhon was the opposite: cheerful and chatty, tolerant of everyone, excited about his humanitarian work for refugees. Both of them are now missing and probably dead: Abdelrahman joined the Islamic State, but later it turned against him, detaining him as well as Abdelkader. Abu Hamza had defected from Assad’s Republican Guards and was trying to build a secular rebel group. He gazed boldly at my face from behind a cloud of smoke that yellowed his teeth. He always looked tired. I told him to quit smoking to improve his skin, creased beyond his age. I will never forget his sarcastic look. “We will die anyway,” he said. “Bashar will kill
held for a year in solitary confinement, accused of spreading secularism. I never finished asking the Syrians at the Liwan all my questions. I would take breaks at the city’s famous spicy shawarma stands and at shops selling silk scarves. I was sure we would meet again in some kind of changed Syria. Today, I regret not treating every conversation as the last. The furniture at the Liwan is still the same, but there is a deadly silence. Syrians can barely cross the Turkish border anymore: Guards shoot at them; smugglers charge hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Sometimes I blame the Syrians for not telling me the secrets the fighters whispered about before I joined their tables. Sometimes I blame the hotel walls for not revealing them now, as if they
A photograph of James Foley, the journalist beheaded by the Islamic State, in a corner of the Liwan Hotel’s bar. CreditAnne Barnard/The New York Times us, whether I have good skin or not.” He told me something else that I didn’t take seriously: “If the international community and the United States don’t help us, all the Syrians will become Al Qaeda.” That was in 2013. Some ordinary people there — plumbers and carpenters — ended up joining extremist groups, issuing religious orders. Abu Hamza was later arrested by Jabhat al-Nusra, a Qaeda offshoot, and
had a loyalty pact with the Syrians. Upstairs in the breakfast room, a covered courtyard like the ones in Damascus and Aleppo, I still hear the same ’80s tunes they played when the hotel was packed. The other day I heard a song I used to play in my old Fiat in 1991, driving the still-ruined streets of Beirut as it recovered from civil war. It’s by Roxette: “Must have been love, but it’s over now.” (Hwaida Saad, nytimes)
6
The Mindanao Examiner
August 12-18, 2019
Across : 1. Before, to Keats 4. Beaver construction 7. Road guide 12. Gun an engine 13. WSW’s opposite 14. Stock unit 15. Uncompromising 17. Desert animal 18. Consolation 19. Mail friend (2 wds.) 20. One (Sp.) 21. Long period 22. Once more 24. Person on a pension 29. Greek consonant 30. Actor ___ Hanks 31. Close tightly 32. Voted in 34. Warning signal 35. Hatchet’s kin 36. Lass 37. Chicken serving 41. Of the mind 44. Send money 45. Venetian taxi 46. Dwell 47. Find a total 48. Disintegrate 49. Palm fruits 50. Nay’s opposite 51. Visualize
Answer to last week’s crossword:
Down : 1. Time periods 2. Modernize 3. Appraise 4. Church officer 5. Green Gables girl 6. Bumped into 7. Climb 8. Comparison word 9. Desk light 10. Length times width 11. Broker’s advice 16. Lunatic 19. Verse 21. Wash away 22. Pres. Lincoln 23. Harden
25. Rhode ___ 26. Housing agents 27. Lobe locale 28. Graceful tree 30. Printed words 33. sips 34. Program 37. Small nail 38. ___ McEntire of country music 39. Discharge 40. Assistant 41. Manner 42. Healing plant 43. Overdue 45. cheerful
Weekly Sudoku:
The Mindanao Examiner The Zamboanga Post
Newspaper, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez (On Leave) Publisher/Executive Producer Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief / Producer (OIC)
Answer to last week:
Reynold Toribio Graphics/Video Editor
Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star ADVERTISING Eduardo A. Sode (0917) 3087366 044 Mabini St. Cebu City Rhoderick Beñez (0927) 4757936 Central Mindanao/ Kidapawan City/Cotabato City North Cotabato
Marilou Cablinda (0997) 3172021 Davao Region/ Eastern Mindanao Jeng Fernandez (0917) 7930652 Zamboanga Peninsula
Richard Suarez (0910) 7348600 Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera sts., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines. ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: Unit 15, 3/F, Fairland Building, Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue Phone & Fax: (062) 9925480 Mobile: (0995) 5202358 DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero Phone: (082) 2841859 Mobile: (0925) 7621914 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
We are moving to film and television productions!
ALL RIGHTS FOR SALE Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper mindanaoexaminer.com ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: Unit 15, 3/F Fairland Building, Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue Phone & fax: (062) 9925480 Mobile: (0995) 5202358
The Mindanao Examiner
August 12-18, 2019
Duterte praises Zambo mayor PRESIDENT DUTERTE praised Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco during the recent oath-taking of the newly-elected officers of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) in Malacañan Palace in Manila. Duterte even noticed Climaco’s simple, yet beautiful blue, red and burgundy-striped blouse and a pair of electric blue pants and doll shoes while she was seated along other well-dressed mayors. In giving importance to dozens of mayors and officials
of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Duterte said the local chief executives are tough public servants and singled out Climaco. “Yan si Beng, oh galing pa ng Zamboanga yan. (Ma)tigas ka talaga (at) bilib ako sa iyo,” Duterte told Climaco who defeated Rep. Celso Lobregat in the midterm polls to win her 3rd and last term as mayor. Lobregat was even endorsed by Duterte himself after personally coming to Zamboanga just to campaign for the former lawmaker who served Zamboanga for over 20 years as congressman and
mayor. But Zamboangueños rejected Lobregat’s candidacy and not even Duterte’s endorsement of him matter and Climaco won with a huge margin. Despite being with another political party, Climaco has strongly supported Duterte and his programs and advocacies. She was among the few who immediately responded to the President’s call to help the government in supporting other agencies to hasten public service. Climaco has donated many new prowl cars to the
President Rodrigo Duterte at the oath-taking ceremonies for new sets of officials of the League of Cities of the Philippines and Liga ng mga Barangay last week at Malacañan Palace in Manila.(PCOO) local police force and a dozen
US warships arrive in Philippines THE RONALD REAGAN Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Philippines for a brief port call that highlights the strong community and military connections between Philippines and the United States. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike group includes Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS
Antietam (CG 54). “This visit is a great representation of our strong friendship, partnership and alliance with the Philippines, as well as a testament to our joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim. While in the country, the U.S. Navy and the Philippine Navy will participate in sporting events, engage in
senior leadership exchanges, and take part in community relations and cultural events. The Reagan will also host ship tours for students and youth. “This port call is a direct reflection of the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines and underscores our strong support to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Rear Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, Task Force 70.
The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan anchors outside Manila while arriving for a port visit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Codie L. Soule)
7
“Visiting the Philippines is always incredible and I’m glad that the officers and Sailors of Carrier Strike Group 5 will have the chance to deepen ties with our critical ally, while enjoying the culture and beauty of this wonderful country.” The routine port visit is part of the continuation of the relationship as treaty allies and furthers the friendship, partnership, and alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines. For over 65 years, the U.S. and the Philippines have maintained a Mutual Defense Treaty demonstrating our joint commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Ronald Reagan, Chancellorsville, and USS Antietam are forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
new fire trucks to the Bureau of Fire Protection and is active in Duterte’s anti-drug and anti-smuggling campaigns in Zamboanga. Aside from Climaco, Duterte also praised three members of his Cabinet— Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez—for their excellent performance. Duterte assured the local chief executives of equal distribution of government money, particularly on infrastructure spending. He also told the mayors that Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado can act as intermediary between him and them. “Wendel is just a worker. You can go to him. If there’s a really need for you to tell him, just tell them. Just tell anybody, ‘Del, can I talk to the President?” he told the local officials. “The money of the people
of the Republic of the Philippines will be equally divided, yung proportionately. Pero makita ninyo ang pinakamaraming infrastructure dito sa Luzon and sa mga Visayas… the airports there. Ang Mindanao, sabi ko maybe towards the end of my term kung may maiwan pa,” he added. Duterte also made an assurance that he would defend local officials from prosecution and harassment similar to the protection he has extended to the members of the police and the military for as long as those are in connection with the performance of their duties. “If there’s anything…kung kaso…if it is in the performance of your duty, do not worry. I will defend you to death. Lakarin ko basta performance of duty, lalo na sa pulis pati ‘yung sa mga military. Pati kayo, so that you can do your duty without fear na matakot kayo,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner and Zamboanga Post)
Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9925480 or (082) 2841859
P10
August 12-18, 2019
‘Daghan Salamat Cebuanos’ - Sara Duterte C EBU CITY – Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte expre ssed her deep gratitude and thanked Cebuanos for their continued and unwavering support to President Rodrigo Duterte. sustainable development. Sara, who was recently half centuries.” “The Province of Cebu is For her part, Garcia said in Cebu for the opening of the month-long celebration definitely a force to be reck- there were hardships and of the 450th founding an- oned with. And the proof challenges, “yet we stood niversary of the province, of the province how it has firmly, ready to face the next spoke to the locals and re- positioned itself as a main tomorrow. That is the indubipeatedly thanked them tourism and investment des- table unbreakable skills of the for supporting Duterte’s tination south of Manila is Cebuanos.” “I say with deep sense of remaining three years of something other places and his term. Duterte is to step local government units can hope because throughout the learn from, especially Davao four and a half centuries, we down on 2022. Cebu Governor Gwen- City and Davao Region,” Sara have seen the colonization dolyn Garcia accompanied also told members of the pro- of Cebu, the coming of the Sara during her visit. Sara vincial board, town mayors Americans, the occupation by also hailed the province’s so- and their vice mayors, and the Japanese, the typhoons, the earthquakes and the atcio-economic development other officials. Sara noted the efforts of tempts to break up Cebu into and for being the “center of trade, commerce, educa- the officials of Cebu’s 44 towns four provinces…we not only tion, and industry in the Vi- and seven cities in coming to- survived, we prevailed,” she sayas for the past four and a gether in the shared pursuit of said. (John Rey Saavedra)
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia hands over a statue of the Santo Niño de Cebu to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte at the opening of the month-long celebration of Cebu’s 450th founding anniversary. (John Rey Saavedra)
Improved business environment to boost manufacturing growth THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC and Development Authority said efforts to improve the business environment should be ramped up to help manufacturing grow, which is on a declining trend. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in its Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI), reported the sixth consecutive month of decline for the sector this year. The year-on-year growth of the Volume of Production Index (VoPI) shrank by 10.5 percent while the Value of Production Index (VaPI) declined by 9.6 percent. “We need to instil a sense of urgency in government to implement economic reforms. Manufacturing output will likely remain muted in the near term as business and consumer outlook for the third quarter of 2019 turned less upbeat,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.
Pernia said production could be stifled as the seasonal slack in domestic demand and business activities during the rainy season limits overall manufacturing growth. “Moving forward, domestic demand expansion is needed to support the growth of manufacturing, especially given the slowdown in global demand” he said. “The now markedly slower inflation rate, which is back to government’s target range, bodes well for producers of manufactured goods.” He said lower prices of food staples such as rice, the anticipated downward adjustment in electricity rates, and the recent peso appreciation tempered inflation pressure in July. Pernia said that the significant reduction in the intensity of El Niño will also soften the risk to the supply of raw materials for the food manufacturing subsector. As of end-July 2019, only nine provinces are expected to experience drought compared to 32 provinces as of
end-June 2019, he said. “The government has been working to strengthen the transport and logistics sector as it is crucial to prop up manufacturing growth,” Pernia said. A joint administrative order among various relevant agencies has been proposed, which aims to reduce shipping costs and port congestion. “The passage of the amendment to the Public Service Act is expected to encourage competition in the air, maritime and road transport, as well as logistics services, and enhance the productivity and efficiency of service delivery,” Pernia said. Moreover, the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act is expected to boost cooperation among agencies, as well as encourage the alignment of efforts to address bureaucratic concerns. “We need to also accel-
erate public works spending during the second semester of 2019 which will contribute
to increases in employment and disposable incomes, thus raising the demand for
consumer goods,” he noted. (With additional report from Cebu Examiner.)
Watch your children, military tells parents CEBU CITY – The military’s Central Command urged parents to monitor their students who may fall prey to the brainwashing and recruitment by leftist organizations and communist insurgents to join the New People’s Army or NPA and wage war to overthrow the democratic government. Lt. Gen. Noel Clement said there were reports that members of the leftist groups are trying to lure students to join them in various anti-government crusade and propaganda and later as fighters of the NPA. “Mao na atong mga ginikanan bantayan ilang mga anak aron di magpataka apil-apil ani nga grupoha. Eventually didto lang na sila
puniton sa bukid nga naa nay bala sa ilang lawas,” Clement said, adding, some parents do not even know the activities of their students. “It is better for the students to stay in school and study hard instead of falling to the trap set by rebels,” he said. Clement cited some tactics used by leftist groups and NPA rebels, including street protest and rallies and advocating anti-government activities. “These are just a prelude for the organizers to prod unsuspecting students into joining the NPA or going up the mountains, in the guise of immersion activities, but will eventually pick up firearms and fight against government forces,” he said.
He warned that when government troops pursue the rebels in the hinterlands, they could no longer identify who are students and minors if fighting erupts. He also lamented that some government scholars have been brainwashed and worse, joined the NPA and eventually killed during fighting and leaving behind grieving families. “It is ironic that while taxpayers’ money is used to pay for their studies and their board and lodging, they work to overthrow of the same government that sends them to school to become good citizens,” Clement said. (John Rey Saavedra)
First Standard Finance Corporation Zamboanga City 0995-5202358 RUSH SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE
Fortune G P680, 000
ARMM
Montero GLS SE P680, 000
Eastern Mindanao
Mitsubishi Strada P700, 000
Western Mindanao
Hyundai Accent P550,000
Cebu
Manila