PEF, Coke Foundation sign water project for Mindanao PEF Executive Director Roberto Calingo and CCFPI Executive Director Cecil Alcantara signed the memorandum of understanding together with PEF Partnership and Programs Manager Dennis Omar Salvo and CCFPI Program Officer Monina Pacheco. (With additional report from Rhoderick Beñez.) READ STORY ON PAGE 2
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PRESIDENT DUTERTE’S war on drugs remained the Philippines’ gravest human rights concern in 2019, the Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2020 released recently. Continue on page 2
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Muslim lawmakers want probe on alleged Hajj fraud schemes ‘Pilgrims support House Resolution 611’
M
USLIMS ARE supporting a proposed probe on alleged fraudulent schemes in the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia, saying, there had been persistent reports and complaints from pilgrims who paid huge amount of money for services and accommodations, but got less and worse, some had been left to fend for themselves in Mecca. Muslim lawmakers filed House Resolution islation in order to impleShernee Tambut, of the Number 611 directing the ment remedial measures Kusug Tausug partylist Committee of Muslim that will put a quietus to group; and Samier Tan, Affairs to conduct an in- the endless miseries being of Sulu province, have vestigation in aid of legContinue on page 3
Duterte wants restrictions on POGOs AFTER TELLING China last year not to interfere in the Philippine offshore gaming operations, now President Duterte wants to impose restrictions
on the games, citing high cases of corruption, extortion, and kidnappings linked to the Chinese operations of controversial online gaming.
China has previously appealed to Duterte to ban the offshore games, but the President rejected this because of the taxes Continue on page 5
Anti-Sayyaf ops continue in South PAGADIAN CITY – Security forces continue its operations against the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and Sulu, two of 5 provinces under the troubled Muslim autonomous region. President Duterte
has ordered the military to sustain the operations against the terrorist group so that government peace and development projects may not be impeded by the violent campaign of the Abu Sayyaf. Just recently, Filipino
troops rescued the last of three Indonesian fishermen kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf off Sabah in Malaysia last year. Muhammad Farhan, 27, was recovered in the village of Bato-Bato in Indanan Continue on page 2
Muslim pilgrims walk around the Kaaba. (Muhammad Mahdi Karim)
Militants urged to return to the fold of law, live peacefully COTABATO CITY – The Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division has urged
pro-ISIS militants to surrender peacefully and take advantage of the gov-
ernment’s amnesty offer and for them to Continue on page 7
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January 20-26, 2020
Duterte’s war on drugs worries human rights group Continued from page 1 “President Duterte’s anti-drug campaign remains as brutal as when it started, with drug suspects being killed regularly across the country. Four years into the drug war, the need for international mechanisms to provide accountability is as great as ever,” said Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director. In the 652-page World Report 2020, its 30th edition, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in nearly 100 countries. In his introductory essay, Executive Director Kenneth Roth says that the Chinese government, which depends on repression to stay in power, is carrying out the most intense attack on the global human rights system in decades. He finds that Beijing’s actions both encourage and gain support from autocratic populists around the globe, while Chinese authorities use their economic clout to deter criticism from other governments. It is urgent to resist this assault, which threatens decades of progress on human rights and our future. Duterte’s appointment in November of Vice President Leni Robredo as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee Against Drugs raised hopes that drug campaign violence would be tempered. But Duterte fired Robredo, an opponent of the anti-drug campaign, just days later. In July, the Philippine National Police reported that its forces had killed more than 5,500 people during drug raids. Local rights groups as well as the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights contend that the number could be more than 27,000. Except for three po-
lice officers involved in a highly publicized killing in August 2017, no one has been convicted in any “drug war” killings. Duterte continued to defend the drug war and promised to protect law enforcement officers who killed drug suspects in these raids. In December 2019, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reported that its forces had killed 5,552 people during drug raids from July 1, 2016 to November 30, 2019. The International Criminal Court had yet to conclude its preliminary examination into the alleged drug war killings, which it began in February 2018. A UN Human Rights Council resolution on the Philippines adopted in July 2019 directs the UN human rights office to issue a report in June 2020. The Human Rights Watch said there was an upsurge in 2019 in often deadly attacks against left-wing activists, including peasant leaders, environmentalists, tribal leaders, and religious figures who were deemed to be linked to the communist New People’s Army. Violence was particularly high on the island of Negros, where peasants, their leaders, environmentalists, religious leaders, and their community supporters had been killed. Left-wing, politically active groups faced police raids that resulted in arbitrary arrests and detention. Groups alleged that police planted weapons and other “evidence” to justify the raids and arrests. The government and military frequently labelled these groups and individuals as communist rebels or sympathizers, a practice commonly known as “red tagging.” Some journalists also faced similar political attacks. As with the anti-drug
campaign, the Duterte administration has done little to investigate and prosecute those responsible for politically motivated attacks against activists. Duterte has instead seemingly encouraged such attacks, for instance, in August calling on the military to “implement a more severe measure” against the insurgency. “There are sadly no signs that President Duterte is going to end ‘drug war’ killings or act to stop attacks on activists. That makes it all the more important for international institutions like the International Criminal Court and the UN Human Rights Council to do what they can to hold Duterte and other senior officials to account for their abuses,” Robertson said. Last November, CNN Philippines reported that Malacañang backed the suggestion of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin in barring Phelim Kine, former head of Human Rights Watch Asia, to the Philippines. Kine had previously tweeted about visiting the Philippines to advise Vice President Leni Robredo on how to end Duterte’s bloody drug war Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Kine should not be allowed in the Philippines because he had already made a conclusion about the drug war before investigating it. “He has already reached a conclusion: this is a murderous country. Tapos sasabihin niya arestuhin si Presidente Duterte? Ano ba yan,” Panelo said. The Duterte administration and the police have all denied involvement in extrajudicial killings and those who died in police operations were mostly killed in firefight. (Carlos Conde - Human Rights Watch)
PEF, Coke Foundation sign water project for Mindanao From page 1 SULTAN KUDARAT – The Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. (CCFPI) signed a new partnership agreement to boost water supply for thousands of villagers in three project sites in Mindanao. The second phase of the Scaling Up Program for Social Enterprises on Water Services or SCALE UP Water will provide residents of Kalamansig and Lebak towns in Sultan Kudarat, and Bansalan in
Davao del Sur with potable water through a grant of P12.7 million. Amaris Cabason, PEF program officer, said the next phase will bank on the success of its first phase, which brought water supply to 13,000 individuals in different municipalities across the country. “Before the program, households had to fetch their own water from open sources or hand pumps or buy water at high prices. Through the SCALE UP Water program, these households
now have access to safe and affordable water,” she said. From 2016-2018, PEF and CCFPI provided P22 million worth of grants to local water cooperatives for six water projects in South Cotabato, Davao, Cebu, and Surigao. These cooperatives developed new water sources, supplied water to their existing service area, accepted new applications for connection, and equipped their members on how to sustain the project. (Rhoderick Beñez)
Anti-Sayyaf ops continue in South Continued from page 1 town last week after soldiers following intelligence reports tracked him down. Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the intensive combat and intelligence operations launched by the military led to the rescue of Farhan. “Troops on the ground received information from the locals of Farhan’s whereabouts that led to the successful rescue,” he said. Sobejana said the fisherman was brought to a military hospital for a medical examination before his transfer to the Camp Navarro General Hospital for further medical attention and custodial debriefing. “We are very pleased with this remarkable accomplishment of our Joint Task Force Sulu. Our ground troops have succeeded in rescuing all remaining captives of the Abu Sayyaf group.” “This proves that our sustained rescue efforts and security operations to run down and degrade Abu Sayyaf have been very effective. Hence, this breakthrough will be sustained to thwart kidnappings, dismantle the terror group to bring about peace and
sustainable development in Sulu,” he said. Last December, soldiers also rescued Farhan’s companions Samiun Maneu, 26, and Maharudin Lunani, 48, after a firefight with Abu Sayyaf militants in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region. But one soldier and a gunman were killed in the clash. The trio was seized September 24 by masked gunmen on board a speed boat off Lahad Datu town, just several hours by sea from the Philippine border province of Tawi-Tawi. The hostages had previously pleaded to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to buy their freedom in a video released by the Abu Sayyaf demanding P30 million ransoms. In November, Special Forces soldiers and an elite Marine unit also rescued a kidnapped British man Allan Arthur Hyrons, 70, and his Filipina wife Welma Paglinawan following a clash with Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Sulu. The duo was recovered on Mount Piahan in Parang town after militants abandoned them to escape massive military operations. The November 25 rescue of the Hyrons occurred 3 days after troops killed 5 militants and
wounded four others in a firefight in the towns of Patikul and Indanan. Among those who perished was Sibih Pisih, an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader under Radulan Sahiron. Pisih was being linked by the military to cross-border kidnappings in Sabah and Tawi-Tawi province. He was also implicated in the mass murder of nearly 2 dozen civilians in Talipao town in 2014. The Hayron couple was seized by 6 armed men on the night of October 4 shortly after they arrived at their resort in Alindahaw village in Tukuran town in Zamboanga del Sur province. The abductors dragged the victims to the coastline where a motorized boat was waiting and then escaped under cover of darkness. A caretaker at the resort has confirmed that two of the suspects even rented a cottage. Aside from the resort, the couple also owns the Hyrons College in the town. The kidnappings occurred during an extended martial law in the South where security forces are battling Muslim extremist groups and communist rebels in the restive region. (Zamboanga Post and Mindanao Examiner)
The Mindanao Examiner
January 20-26, 2020
Muslim lawmakers want probe on alleged Hajj fraud schemes
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‘Pilgrims support House Resolution 611’
Continued from page 1 experienced by Muslim Filipino pilgrims. The resolution they introduced reads: “Directing the Committee of Muslim Affairs to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the fraudulent schemes during the registration phase to hajj or the annual Islamic pilgrimage, and other anomalous practices on the selection and accreditation of travel agencies that handle the travel ticketing and reservation of Muslim Filipino pilgrims, misrepresentation in the accommodation and provisions in Medina, Mecca and Mina, and grave abuse in the constitution and composition of the supervisory groups committed by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) in order to implement remedial measures that will put a quietus to the endless miseries being experienced by Muslim Filipino pilgrims.” The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca where pilgrims perform acts of worship and renew their sense of purpose in the world. It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime.
Tambut and Tan the investigation is necessary to shed light on all allegations of fraud. They said the paramount objectives of the government to put to task the NCMF to administer all programs, projects, and activities related to the Hajj have been defeated by condemnable acts of the same agency by employing fraudulent scheme and other anomalous practices to the detriment of the Muslim Filipino pilgrims. The lawmakers added that the NCMF was created to perform powers and functions such as, among others, to “administer all programs, projects, and activities, formulate the necessary rules and regulations, and coordinate with pertinent offices to ensure the success of the annual Hajj to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” “And promote the development of a Hajj Assistance Fund that shall be created from contributions of Muslim Filipinos and other donors which shall be used to support the financial needs of deserving Muslim Filipinos intending to participate in the annual Hajj.” Elyas Company
Last year, the state-run Philippine News Agency reported that pilgrims had nearly been blocked from attending the Hajj over a huge debt by the NCMF to a Saudi Arabian tourism company. It said Elyas Company, which took charge of some Hajj-related activities for Muslim Filipino pilgrims in 2017 and 2018, had filed a case against the Philippine government for an uncollected P11-million debt. An investigation into the mess alleged that the funds had been mismanaged by some NCMF officials who even brought many of their relatives to the Hajj using government money. There was also confidential report implying that the funds were allegedly pocketed by some officials. PDAF And in June 2017, the Office of the Ombudsman affirmed the dismissal of 5 NCMF executives for their complicity in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam. Then Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales affirmed the dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public office of Secretary and Commis-
sioner Mehol Sadain, Director III Galay Makalinggan, Acting Chief Accountant Fedelina Aldanese, Acting Chief Aurora Mabang, and Cashier Olga Galido. They were found guilty of Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service. An in-depth investigation uncovered that in May 2012, the Department of Budget and Management issued a Special Allotment Release Order covering P3.8 million in favor of NCMF, as implementing agency, charged against (former) Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong’s (who passed away in February 2017) PDAF. The money was intended to finance livelihood programs such as soap making, candle making and meat processing for the municipalities of Mamasapano, Ampatuan and Datu Abdullah Sanki. To facilitate the fund utilization, Datumanong requested that the P3.8million be coursed through the Maharlikang Lipi Foundation, Inc., as NGO-part-
ner, through the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement. Upon audit, the Commission on Audit found that the selection of the NGO was undertaken in violation of COA Circular No. 2007-01 noting the absence of public bidding in the NGO-selection process. In its order, Ombudsman Morales ruled that “it has been proven that respondents participated in the preparation and execution of the MOA on the implementation of Datumanong’s PDAF-funded projects covered by the SARO.” The Ombudsman added that “respondents miserably failed to measure up to the procurement policy standards when they failed to strictly comply with the Government Procurement Reform Act.” And in July last year, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division convicted 3 of them and a private individual of their criminal charges. It said Sadain, Mabang, Makalinggan and Maharlikang Lipi Foundation Inc. (MLFI) General Man-
ager Queenie Rodriguez were slapped with graft charges due to the endorsement of MLFI as the project partner in implementing the livelihood projects in Datumanong’s district, which was funded by his PDAF. It said the accused made an offer for plea bargaining on May 7, 2018, to plead guilty to the lesser offense of Section 7(a) of R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials instead of graft. So in a decision promulgated on June 14, the anti-graft court approved the plea bargain. Sadain, Mabang, and Rodriguez pleaded guilty to two breaches of conduct violations and were imposed a total fine of P10,000. Meanwhile, Makalinggan is imposed a fine of just P5,000 after he was found guilty of one breach of conduct violation, according to the report. The 10-page decision was written by Acting Chairperson Zaldy Trespeses with the concurrence of Associate Justices Georgina Hidalgo and Bayani Jacinto. (Mindanao Examiner)
Camiguin Gobernador gisiguro pagmentinar sa kinaiyahan taliwala sa kauswagan CAMUIGIN - Tungod sa paas nga paglambo sa economiya kung asa nitala ug P213 milyon ang investment value sa una tulo ka kwarter sa niaging 2019, gisiguro ni Camuigin Gobernador Jurdin Jesus Romualdo ang proteksyon ug pagsustenar sa kinaiyahan pinaagi sa pag-implementar sa Population Carrying Capacity sa probinsiya atol sa iyang State of the Province Address (SOPA) niadtong semana sa Camiguin Convention Center. “We are happy to share that we have started last year first steps towards establishing carrying capacity limits in our ecotourism sites to be able to determine the maximum number of individuals of a specie that can be sustained by the environment and sustain that same number in the future,” pahayag ni Romualdo. Aron ni mahitabo, ang mga survey enumerators sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office nagkolekta ug ikaduhang datos sa imprastruktura, kamulupyohan, pagkunsumo sa tubig sa mga panimalay, hote ug resort, pagdaghan sa basura, kasayangon sa tubig, biodiversity, municipal profile ug uban pang limiting factors nga kinahanglan para sa data analysis. “Gusto nako nga naa ta’y initial carrying capacity sa turista. Sauna gusto nato daghan kaayong tao, pero dili diay na insakto. Naa pud dapat carrying capacity aron masustinar ang tibuok kinaiyahan,” sulti sa gobernador.
Camuigin Gobernador Jurdin Jesus Romualdo. Gitala nga nitaas ug 11.56 porsyento ang mga byahe sa eroplano ug 7 ka porsyento ang gitaas sa pag-abot sa mga pasahero, busa giingon ni Romualdo nga kinahanglan magdugang ug lakang aron maprotektahan ug makunserbar ang kinaiyahan sa isla. Busa, ang Climate Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction Center nagsiguro nga ang tanan polisiya, balaod ug regulasyon, ug ordinansa kay mapatuman alang sa konserbasyon ug proteksyon sa kinaiyahan ug natural nga mga kahinguhaan. Sa laing bahin, ang Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) nagpatuman ug pipila nga programa nga nahisunod sa nasudnong prayoridad sa DENR. Kani naglangkob sa expanded national greening program, enhanced biodiversity conservation, scaling up of marine and coastal ecosystem, improved land ad-
ministration and management, intensified forest protection ug anti-illegal logging. Matod pa sa gobernador nga ang PENRO nagtutok sa pagmintinar ug protektar sa expanded national greening program kung asa aduna’y plantasyon nga natukod niadto pang tuig 2017 ug 2018 kung asa na’y 50 ektarya nga plantasyon sa kawayan, 3 ektarya nga rich forest ug mangrove enrichment, ug 50 ektarya nga plantasyon sa kawayan nga naa sa kilid sa suba. Alang sa protektado nga mga lugar, aduna’y kalihokan ang PENRO nga nagtutok sa adbokasiya, asistar ug monitor sa mga site ug tanom. Maayo sa paglambo sa ekonomiya ang pagsulod sa daghan investment sa isla, miingon si Romualdo ug sa bahin sa katawhan, kinahanglang siguraduhon nga ang kinaiyahan magpabiling nindot ug himsog kay tungod ani naila ang isla. (RTP)
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The Mindanao Examiner
January 20-26, 2020
Sulu Pictures in the News
Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor
Parade of the Palarong BARMMAA 2020 in Upi, Maguindanao.
Vice Governor Toto Tan went to Hadji Panglima Tahil to ran a check on the possibility of desalination of sea water on the island to make water potable or fit for consumption.
Gov. Abdusakur M. Tan visited Maimbung town with Sec. Isidro S. Lapena, Director General of TESDA; Olivia Limpe-Aw, President, Distileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., Sulu Food & Beverage Corp.; Benito Y. Aw, President Convoy Marketing Corp.; Gordon Laborada, Manager, SM Markets Senior Business Dev’t.; Vincent Dominic L. Doak, Manager, SM Markets Senior Business Dev’t.; and Kim V. Policarpio, President, CEO KVP Manila, Interior Design SM Savemore. They came to Maimbung to specifically visit the project on pis weaving which aims to preserve the culture of the Tausug and improve the livelihood of the locals.
Policemen led Provincial Director Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II pay the traditional New Year’s Call on Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan.
MOA Signing between Sulu Provincial Government represented by Governor Abdusakur M. Tan and TESDA, represented by Secretary Isidro Lapena at Sumadja Hall, SACC. The event was witnessed by local chief executives, Vice Governor Toto Tan and members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and heads of line agencies and other sectoral representatives. Sulu Gov. Abdusakur M. Tan and Vice Gov. Toto Tan warmly welcome Sec. Isidro Lapena, Diretor General of TESDA, Olivia Limpe-Aw and SM Markets executives.
Governor Abdusakur Tan engages the cooperation and partnership of the academe to enhance technical skills of Agri-Fishery sector in Sulu.
Governor Abdusakur M. Tan briefing the Secretariat for the visit and MOA Signing Event between the Sulu Provincial Government, represented by him and Sec. Isidro Lapena on behalf of TESDA. Also to witness the signing ceremony will be Mdm Olivia Limpe-Aw of Destileria Limtuaco and other captains of industry from SM Save More and companies, who will also be visiting Sulu to see areas for investments.
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The Mindanao Examiner
January 20-26, 2020
Heavier penalties sought for false testimony SENATOR PANFILO Lacson said there is a need for a stronger law that would impose heavier penalties on lying witnesses, including public officials and
employees who may be behind them. “Naging tig-singkong duling na lang ang pagsisinungaling under oath sa Pilipinas. That is why
there is a compelling need for a stronger perjury law,” he said, stressing this is “a matter of punishing not personalities but the act of giving false testimony.”
Duterte wants restrictions on POGOs Continued from page 1 the government collects from them. The Chinese foreign ministry called on the Philippines to ban all online gaming involving Chinese citizens, saying that “online gambling is a most dangerous tumor in modern society.” Duterte said he is now considering regulating the number of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country. “It’s a game for the overseas Chinese, but the thing is, this kind of, especially gambling, breeds so many things: corruption, increase in crimes of extortion and kidnapping,” Duterte said in an interview aired by dzMM. But he reminded POGO owners to remit their dues to government faithfully or face consequences. “If you make the mistake of not remitting, even if you’re a gambling lord, I don’t care who you are,” he said. The Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) suspended new POGO applications until all concerns have been addressed. There are some 60 POGOs operating in the country, according PAGCOR. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has collected about P200 million in taxes from foreigners working for POGOs which employs about 130,000 Chinese nationals in the Philippines. According to the Department of Finance, the government loses about P24 billion yearly for every 100,000 POGO workers who do not pay taxes. “If you add more to this number, presently operating, you will not be able to police them all. So you have to set a number for that. It cannot be in every town and city about so many POGO games going on,” Duterte said. Last November, Duterte imposed a three-day deadline for delinquent
POGOs to settle their tax liabilities. From January to August 2019, the BIR said it collected P1.63 billion in withdrawing taxes from POGOs. The Philippine National Police-Anti-kidnapping Group reported that there were six POGO-related kidnappings from January to November 2019. In October, the National Bureau of Investigation also rescued 91 Chinese and four Filipino women from a karaoke bar in Makati City that served as sex den for Chinese clients. Despite the incidents, Duterte in September said POGO operations will continue because it is good for the country. Duterte, in his latest remarks, said he had already received a commitment from China during his recent meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian that Beijing would not interfere in the Philippines’ policies on POGOs. (Ruth Abbey Carlos)
Lacson also cited lawyer Jude Sabio who said he will withdraw the case he filed against President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court, reportedly because the case he initially filed was politically motivated. Last year, Lacson scored police Maj. Rodney Baloyo for allegedly giving false testimony before the Senate investigation on “ninja cops.” He said Baloyo was cited for contempt. He also said that Peter Joemel “Bikoy” Advincula, who attempted to link the First Family to the drug trade, but recanted his claims after admitting he was used for political ends. These are aside from the harassment Lacson personally experienced due to the claims of lying
witnesses such as Angelo “Ador” Mawanay in the early 2000s. Mawanay was one of a host of paid witnesses unleashed by the Arroyo administration obsessed with putting Lacson in jail. “Our present perjury law only carries a prison term of six months up to two years and two months. With a penalty that light, we can expect lying witnesses not only in Senate hearings but even before the courts,” Lacson noted. In 2019, Lacson refiled a bill seeking heavier penalties against lying witnesses. Senate Bill 28 seeks to give lying witnesses – including public officials and employees who may be behind them – a dose of their own medicine. “It is noteworthy that because of these untruth-
ful and inconsistent statements, we have witnessed how some men were robbed of their youth and freedom for a long period of time only to be freed later on account that the reason for their incarceration was based on a ‘polluted source,’” Lacson said. Under the bill, anyone who gives false testimony in any criminal case shall suffer “the same penalty for the felony the defendant is being accused of.” A public official or employee who ordered such a false testimony shall face the penalty for the felony the defendant is being accused of, in its maximum period – along with a fine of up to P1 million and perpetual absolute disqualification from any appointive or elective position in the government. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong
Arthritis at Tamang Pagkain Sa arthritis, nasisira ang cartilage sa araw-araw na paggamit. Ayon sa pag-aaral, ang free radicals ay maaaring atakihin ang selula, tumaas ang pamamaga, at mapabilis ang proseso ng pagtanda, kabilang ang pagkasira ng joints at cartilage. Kaya naman maganda na i-dagdag sa iyong lutuin ang maraming anti-oxidants na makukuha sa prutas,
gulay at green tea. Kainin Ito: 1. Ang madahong gulay at citrus fruits ay mayaman sa antioxidant na nilalabanan ang mga free radicals at tumutulong para protektahan ang joints. Ang taong mayroong arthritis ay kinakailangan makakuha ng mas maraming antioxidants, lalo na ang vitamin C at beta-carotene mula sa pagkain.
RECIPE
Orecchiette w/ Chicken Meatballs
allrecipes.com INGREDIENTS : • 1 pound orecchiette pasta • 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten • 1 tablespoon whole milk • 1 tablespoon ketchup • 3/4 cup grated Romano • 3/4 teaspoon salt • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black
pepper • 1 pound ground chicken • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock, hot • 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan • 8 ounces bocconcini mozzarella, halved • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leavesd
INSTRUCTIONS : 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. 2. In a medium bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, eggs, milk, ketchup, Romano cheese, and the salt and pepper. Add the chicken and gently stir to combine. 3. Using a melon baller (or a teaspoon measure), form the chicken mixture into 3/4inch pieces. With damp hands, roll the chicken pieces into mini meatballs. 4. In a large (14-inch) skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook without moving until brown on the bottom, about
2 minutes. Turn the meatballs over and brown the other side, about 2 minutes longer. Add the chicken stock and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tomatoes are soft and meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. Transfer pasta to a large serving bowl and add the Parmesan. Toss to lightly coat orecchiette, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Add the meatball mixture, mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of the basil. Gently toss to combine. Garnish with the chopped basil.
Ang vitamin C sa citrus na prutas katulad dalandan, suha, calamansi, lemon at orange. May antioxidant na matatagpuan sa madadahong gulay, na nagpapababa rin ng panganib sa arthritis. 2. Ang pinya ay may bromelain, isang protein-digesting enzyme at lumalaban sa pamamaga. Ayon sa pagaaral, mabisa ito para
mabawasan ang pananakit dulot ng osteoarthritis, katulad ng rin sa pag-inom ng gamot sa kirot. Wala pang side effect ang pinya. 3. Ang matatabang isda tulad ng sardinas, mackerel, salmon, tuna at tamban ay mayaman sa omega-3 fatty acids. Ito’y nagpapalakas ng produksyon sa anti-inflammatory fats na tinatawag na resolvins, na kumokontra sa pamamaga. 4. Ang curry, turmer-
ic, luya at ibang spices ay lumalaban sa pamamaga sa arthritis. Ang luya, turmeric at curry ay may sangkap na curcumin, na pumipigil sa enzymes at protina na isinusulong ang pamamaga. 5. Ang green tea, sibuyas, strawberry, kamatis at citrus fruits ay naglalaman ng quercetin. Ang pagaaral sa laboratory, ang quercetin ay isang anti-oxidant at anti-inflammatory.
Militants urged to return to the fold of law, live peacefully Continued from page 1 live peacefully with their families. Just recently, a dozen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters surrendered in the restive province of Maguindanao where troops are battling Muslim militants. The militants surrendered to the 33rd Infantry Battalion in Sultan sa Barongis town and army officials said the group also handed different automatic weapons, including sniper rifles, grenade launchers and improvised explosives. The 6th Infantry Division identified those who surrendered as Wazire Talib Kumpas, Carlo Talib Maon, Alamansa Makungay Talib, Pair
Andongan Makapagal, Tomy Maslayboto Mato, Mama Daud Jainudin, Jomar Masla Boy, Muhamad Saylila, Urasay Badi, Ben Saptula, Usman Gandang and Agar Mangatug. Battalion commander Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, presented the BIFF members to Col. Jose Narciso, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade. He said the militants were attracted by the government’s offer of amnesty and livelihood assistance and wanted to live peacefully with their families. “They saw the sincerity of the (army) unit in dealing with the former rebels citing the unit’s effort in its previous area of operations with the hopes to return
to the mainstream of the community with the necessary assistance and livelihood from the government,” Boongaling said. Army Division commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon praised the surrender of the militants and urged other fighters to take advantage of the government’s peace offer and return to the fold of the law. “We are very thankful to the support and cooperation of the civil government in our journey of bringing long and lasting peace in Central Mindanao,” he said. The BIFF is one of the most notorious militant groups fighting for the establishment of a caliphate in the troubled region. (Rhoderick Beñez)
Tight security for Basilan BASILAN – Police and military have tightened security in Basilan province, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf group, following the capture of 2 suspected bombers in the capital city of Isabela. Police and soldiers continue to patrol the cities of Isabela and Lamitan and municipalities where the Abu Sayyaf is actively operating. Last week, security forces captured Mudzrim Ilaman and Kadir Ajanal after soldiers and policemen tracked them down in the village called Menzi and
seized improvised explosives from the duo. It was not immediately known whether the duo was planning an attack in Basilan or a strike in Zamboanga City, but police were interrogating the militants. Police said the 2 men were followers of a notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama, whose group pledged allegiance to the terrorist group Islamic State of Syria and Iraq or Daesh. Basilan is a major stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf also called Al Harakatul Al-Is-
lamiya, which has been founded in the province in the early 1990s by Ustadz Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani, who was killed by the police in 1998. Since then, the Abu Sayyaf - which was originally fighting for a Muslim homeland - split into many small groups and expanded in Sulu and other nearby provinces and eventually resorted to terrorism and ransom kidnappings to finance its violent campaign in the troubled South. (Zamboanga Post)
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Universal Health Care launched in Cebu C EBU CITY – The Universal Health Care (UHC) Law will protect every Filipino from the risk of financial burden in seeking medical treatment, said Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, at the launching of the UHC Law in Cebu. He said the national gov- two-pronged health-care assis- self-medication or consultation ernment’s health care program tance from the national govern- from quack doctors to avoid havwill give citizens access to the ment, the other one being the ing to pay huge amounts for the doctor’s fee and hospital bills. full continuum of health ser- Malasakit Center. vices they need, while protecting Dino lauded the Duterte This malady, he said, has resultthem from enduring financial administration for making Cebu ed in increasing morbidity rate hardship as a result. one of the UHC integration sites over the years. Health Secretary Francisco in the country. “Both the Universal Health Duque III and Governor Gwen“I would like to congratu- Care Law and the Malasakit Cendolyn Garcia signed the mem- late the Department of Health ter Act will work to the people’s adorandum of understanding headed by Secretary Duque for vantage. We are lucky to have such (MOU) shortly after announc- the efficient implementation of a strong-willed President and I’m ing the official start of UHC the Universal Health Care Law sure that we all feel his sincerity program in the province, in a with its implementing rules and that is why he has the highest trust ceremony at the Cebu Provin- regulations signed last year in and public approval ratings at 83 cial Capitol’s social hall. October and I believe congrat- and 87 percent respectively in the Duque said the UHC im- ulations are also in order for last quarter of 2019,” he said. plementation in Cebu will be Secretary Duque for having the “And it gives me pleasure done in a progressive scheme. highest awareness and perfor- knowing that the people here The implementation here will mance rating among Cabinet in the Visayas have seen and focus first on assessing and ca- members for 2019,” he said. felt this administration’s propacitating every level of healthDino said the President has grams and initiatives which care facilities in the towns and observed that many of the poor gave the President a 93-percent cities in the province. have been avoiding medical performance rating in Visayas With the UHC program, treatment because of financial for the same period,” he added. Dino said Cebuanos now have constraints and many turn to (John Rey Saavedra)
Cebu priests offer prayer for ‘Taal’ victims
A devotee prays before the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu. (John Rey Saavedra) CEBU CITY - A member of the Augustinian religious community overseeing the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño’s security has offered a prayer for the tens of thousands of residents affected by the Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas province. “Touch our hearts and depths of our brethren that those who can help become ready to share their resources to those who are in need,” Fr. Aladdin Luzon, a member of the Order of St. Augustin, said in his prayer which was also
played on radio stations here. Fr. Luzon prayed that through the mercy of God, the people affected by the volcanic ash eruption in Taal may get back on their feet despite the adversities. He said that God can be felt and experienced by victims of the catastrophe through the help of other people. Fr. Socrates Saldua, in his homilyat the Basilica’s Pilgrim Center, reminded churchgoers that calamities may strike to remind humanity that there are things or events not under man’s
control it. “Mao na nga panagsahan ta og linog, buto sa bulkan aron makahibalo ta nga di nato kontrolado ning kalibutan mao na nga mag-ampo ta,” Fr. Saldua said. Saldua, Archbishop Jose Palma’s episcopal vicar in farnorth Cebu, also underscored the Roman Catholic’s religiosity as expressed in their deep faith and devotion to the Santo Niño through dance prayers and other rituals unique from other religious denominations. Cebu Mayor Edgardo Labella said the local government is ready to help those affected by the calamity. “We will have to wait and assess the situation. But we will help,” he said, adding, they were contemplating on deploying disaster officers to the affected areas to determine the kinds of assistance they can send to the calamity-stricken areas in Batangas. (John Rey Saavedra)
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (second from right) talks with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino before the launching of the Universal Health Care Program. (Danjick Lim)
Bohol to increase milk production to combat malnutrition BOHOL GOVERNOR Governor Arthur Yap said the provincial government is eyeing for additional milk-producing carabaos at a government-run livestock farm in Ubay town to increase milk production intended to feed some 25,000 children. Yap said they are adding more cattle in the farms and the effort is in partnership with the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and the National Dairy Authority (NDA). Yap said he led a delegation from Bohol in visiting PCC in Nueva Ecija province recently to discuss the program of producing milk locally for the 1.6 million tourists, 1.3 million locals and for the nutrition program of the children in his province. Together with Bohol Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, Yap said they met PCC Executive Director Arnel del Barrio, Deputy Executive Director Caro Salces and NDA Project Development Officer Rowena Bautista and discussed all about carabaos and milk. He said that Lapiz has calculated that Bohol’s milk feeding program for 25,000 children alone would need around 800 carabaos.Yap said he targeted
to supply milk to children aged three to five years old for 120 days in the next three years. Lapiz calculated that this would need about 600,000 liters in 120 days at 200ml per child. At present, the Ubay Stock Farm has 300 milking carabaos. Yap said there is a need to recoup the balance of 500 to meet the required number of heads to achieve a certain number of liters of milk needed for the province’s milk feeding program alone. He noted that Bohol also caters milk to 1.6 million tourists and there are 1.3 million locals, but the Ubay Stock Farm cannot supply the existing demand. “If you go to all resorts, you can ask each one of them how much they are importing. They’re importing all their milk and their supply of cheese. Konti lang binibili from Ubay Stock Farm. More important than that, on the issue on malnutrition, Bohol has the highest level of malnutrition in Central Visayas. That’s about 20,000 children. So, we cannot even supply the milk needs of our children,” Yap said. The Bohol governor said his office is determined to address the first 1,000 days nutrition of
every Boholano child through milk production. “I think we, in Bohol, have to focus on the first 1,000 days. If you miss the first 1,000-day window, no matter how good the (teachers) are, even if you give one computer each (pupil) and one teacher each, hindi na papasok ang knowledge, hindi na kaya (they can’t absorb knowledge, they just can’t do it),” Yap pointed out. He also said that aside from agriculture as a way to increase food production, the provincial government will also bolster “1,000-day program” for pregnant women and lactating mothers. “(The) explanation for that is the amount of money that we are investing in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life will pay back later on when they find better jobs 20 years from now. It’s a long-term investment. If not, we will always be forever known as the suppliers of yayas (nanny) and drivers,” Yap said, as he pointed out that there is nothing wrong with aiming for other higher-paying jobs and not limiting the capabilities of some women to becoming house helpers. (John Rey Saavedra)
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