Notorious Sayyaf leader surrenders to Nur Misuari A NOTORIOUS Abu Sayyaf leader - Idang Susukan whose group is behind the series of cross-border kidnappings in Sabah and gruesome attacks on soldiers and beheadings of civilians, is reportedly being sheltered by Nur Misuari, chieftain of the Moro National Liberation Front or MNLF, following his surrender. Misuari allegedly brought Susukan recently in Davao City - President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown to have him fitted with a prosthetic replacement for
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his left arm, which he lost during a battle with security forces in Sulu province last year, according to an exclusive report by Malaysia’s The Star newspaper. It said Susukan - who is wanted both by the police and the military for his atrocities - surrendered to Misuari in April this year. But Major Arvin Encinas, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said they have no official Continue on page 7
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Russian Covid vaccine coming P
RESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte lauded Russia’s efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine and is willing to participate in trials, as he welcomed a supply offer from Moscow that he expects will be free of charge. Russia said it expects pines, or team up with a lo- tions with over 60,000 regulatory approval for a cal firm to mass produce it. active cases since the potential Covid-19 vaccine The Philippines has start of the pandemic in this month and is ready among Asia’s highest num- March. to provide it to the Philip- bers of coronavirus infecContinue on page 3
Zambo Mayor ensures projects, programs to help siege victims President Vladimir Putin and Rodrigo Duterte
DOH raises alarm on use of convalescent plasma vs. Covid-19 THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) has warned the public
against buying and selling of convalescent plasma of recovered Covid-19
patients, saying, studies have shown that it could Continue on page 2
MAYOR BENG Climaco has directed members of the Local Inter-Agency Committee to ensure continuity of various projects and programs amid the Covid-19 pandemic to help alleviate the plight of families displaced by the 2013 Zamboanga siege. Last week upon the order of Climaco, the City Continue on page 2
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Zambo Mayor ensures projects, programs to help siege victims
One of transitory sites sheltering siege victims in Zamboanga City. (CSWDO) Continued from page 1 Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Socorro Rojas provided family food packs to hundreds of people comprising 88 families in Masepla and Mampang – all victims of the siege. Supporters of Nur Misuari, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman, attacked Zamboanga after declaring independence and their failed attempt to raise the Bangsamoro Republik flag at City Hall. Misuari publicly denied involvement in the siege of Zamboanga that displaced over 200,000 people and affected the economies of Basilan and Sulu which are dependent on Zamboanga for their trades and goods. Climaco set September 9 as a “Special Day of Remembrance” in honor of all those who perished in the siege that lasted for 3 weeks. Seven years after the deadly attack, residents here are still crying for justice which remains elusive for the innocent victims of the siege. In 2016, Climaco – who stood firm against the MNLF during the entire period of the crisis – has banned any so-called peace rally or gathering of the
MNLF members in Zamboanga City. She said such rallies will not be allowed in the as this might disturb Zamboanga anew. “I am giving you a categorical no; you must not disturb Zamboanga anymore. If you want to come up with your rally, make it in your area, Zamboanga will not welcome a rally by MNLF, not at this time because you still have to be accountable with the killings and devastations we are suffering from,” Climaco said in the past. “The destruction wrought by the 2013 siege continues to linger, as internally displaced persons – both Muslims, Christians and Lumads, most of whom are those who eluded the conflicts in Sulu and Basilan – have suffered the brunt of the MNLF attack in Zamboanga,” she said. Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, he said there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted. Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal
Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards. It was the second attack by MNLF in the past decade. In November 2001, hundreds of MNLF members occupied the Cabatangan Complex and held hostage dozens of civilians, including children; and another group also attacked a military base in Sulu province in an effort to stop the elections in the Muslim autonomous region after Misuari was ousted as governor. More than 100 people were killed in the fighting and in the end, then Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat allowed the attackers to leave Zamboanga in exchange for the hostages. Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and was eventually pardoned and released by President Gloria Arroyo in 2004. He also ran several times for governor in Sulu even while under detention, but lost. Now, President Rodrigo Duterte said he wanted to resume the peace process with Misuari and ordered police and military not to arrest the MNLF chieftain. (Zamboanga Post)
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DOH raises alarm on use of convalescent plasma vs. Covid-19 Continued from page 1 pose serious risks to other patients, who may contract transfusion-transmissible infections such as HIV, hepatitis, and malaria. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood. Researchers hope that convalescent plasma (therapy) can be given to people with severe Covid-19 to boost their ability to fight the deadly respiratory virus. But the DOH issued the warning following reports from families of critically-ill Covid patients buying convalescent plasma from recovered patients, hospital staff, or fixers. It said there are also other reports that some intentionally infect themselves so that their plasma can be donated after recovery for which they are promised remuneration. “The DOH emphasizes that these alleged transactions and practices are illegal, reckless and dangerous. Those individuals do not only place their lives at risk, but they also put their families and communities at risk when
Covid-19 Convalescent Plasma. (Witsanukorn Oya / Shutterstock) they voluntarily get infected,” it said. DOH said only the Philippine Blood Center and the Philippine Red Cross-Port Area are the certified non-hospital-based convalescent plasma collection facilities, while Philippine General Hospital and St. Luke’s Medical Center are the only hospitals certified to collect convalescent plasma for use in its treatment protocol. Though used for Covid-19 treatment protocol in some local hospitals, its effectiveness as a therapy is still being
evaluated and not yet part of the standard of care. To date, there is no concrete evidence to show that it is effective against SARSCov2, according to DOH. Health Secretary Francisco Duque also said that trading blood and other blood products, including those from recovered Covid-19 patients, is not only illegal but highly dangerous. “Convalescent plasma (therapy) should not be for sale and should be voluntarily donated for Covid-19 patients in need,” he said. (Zamboanga Post and Mindanao Examiner.)
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Russian Covid vaccine coming Continued from page 1 “Maligaya ako. Ang Russia kaibigan natin. Magbigay sila ng bakuna. Wala silang sinasabi na bayaran. Tulong ni President (Vladimir) Putin ito. Libre. Tinatanggap natin. Kung ilan ang supply at kelangan natin, pag usapan. May clinical studies,” Duterte said. Duterte said he will even volunteer to receive the first shot of vaccine during the trials
in the Philippines. “Ako, pagdating ng bakuna, in public, para walang tsatstat diyan, ako mauna,” he said, adding, “We are extremely grateful to Russia. In the fullness of God’s time, hopefully, we will have a Covid-free December.” He also thanked Putin for his promise to provide Manila with the trial vaccine. “Galing sa puso ko, nagpapasalamat ako sa loob ninyo sa Pilipi-
no. Someday, makabayad kami sa utang na loob sa inyo. I promise, the Philippines and Russia will remain friends forever. Russia, salamat po,” Duterte said. In July, Duterte made a plea to his Chinese counterpart to make the Philippines a priority if it develops a vaccine, amid concern in developing countries about availability. (Zamboanga Post and Reuters.)
All fourteen volunteers who received the vaccine against the novel coronavirus developed by the Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology are feeling well, the press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing tells TASS.
North Cotabato transitional shelters, pinasalamatan
The Philippines is ready to take part in the clinical trials of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine, according to President Rodrigo Duterte, who says he will have himself injected in public.(Photo by Artyom Geodakyan - TASS. Caption by the Mindanao Examiner.)
Todo-pasasalamat ang mahigit sa 3 dosenang pamilya na apektado ng lindol noong nakaraang taon sa Barangay Paraiso sa bayan ng Tulunan sa North Cotabato sa mga bagong transitional shelters na kanilang natanggap. Pinangunahan ni North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmylou Mendoza kasama si Tulunan Municipal Mayor Reuel Limbungan ang turn over ceremony noong nakaraang linggo lamang. NORTH COTABATO – Mahigit sa tatlong dosenang karagdagang transitional shelters ang nai-turn over sa isang barangay sa bayan ng Tulunan dito na matinding tinamaan ng lindol noong nakaraang Oktubre, ayon kay North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmylou Mendoza. Pinangunahan ni Mendoza at kasama si Tulunan Municipal Mayor Reuel Limbungan ang turn over ceremony noong nakaraang linggo lamang sa Barangay Paraiso. Nagpasalamat naman ng husto ang mga nabi-
yayaan ng transitional shelters kay Mendoza at sa iba pang mga opisyal at donors. Unang nai-turn over ni Mendoza noong Marso ang 20 shelters sa nasabing barangay sa pamamagitan ng personal na kapasidad nito at sa pakikipagtulungan ng iba’tibang sektor. Simple ngunit malaking tulong naman sa mga biktima ng lindol ang naturang mga bahay, ayon kay Limbungan at sa pamamagitan nito ay makakapagsimulang muli ang mga pamilya sa Barangay Paraiso na nawalan ng ba-
hay dahil sa malakas na lindol. Kaugnay nito, pinasalamatan naman ni Barangay Paraiso Chairperson Regino Talingting si Mendoza gayun rin ang iba pang mga tumulong tulad ng Provincial Councilors League-Cotabato Chapter, USM Kabacan Alumni Association, 602nd Infantry Brigade, at iba pang mga donors mula sa Cotabato Province at Davao City. Mga materyal at labor naman ang iniambag ng bawat donor sa naturang proyekto. (Rhoderick Beñez)
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Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Task Force Covid-19, and Jolo Municipal Government)
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Sulu Pictures in the News
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Notorious Sayyaf leader surrenders to Nur Misuari
A photo published by Malaysia’s The Star newspaper shows Nur Misuari shaking hands with notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Idang Susukan following his surrender in Sulu province in April this year.
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Continued from page 1 confirmation on Susukan’s surrender to Misuari, or his trip to Davao. “We have no confirmation of Susukan’s surrender to Misuari or his reported trip to Davao City. We consider Susukan a wanted man,” Encinas told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. The Star reported that Susukan had been involved in ransom kidnappings in Sabah since 2013 and among his victims were Chinese national Gao Huayun and Filipina Marcy Darawan, who were abducted at Singamata Reef Resort in Semporna waters on April 2, 2014. And Malaysian Chan Sai Chun, who was snatched from his fish farm in Kampung Sapang in Kunak on June 16,2014, including Sabah restaurateur Thien Nyuk Fan, who were kidnapped from Ocean King Seafood Restaurant in Sandakan in May 14, 2015. Singapore’s Asia One reported that Susukan was the key kidnapper and executioner of the 39-year old Malaysian engineer
Bernard Then, who was beheaded in November 2015. It also said that Susukan is under the refuge of the MNLF. There was no im-
mediate statement from Misuari or the Duterte administration on Susukan’s surrender or his clandestine trip to Davao. (Mindanao Examiner)
A cropped photo published by Malaysia’s The Star newspaper shows the notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Idang Susukan in Davao City in Southern Philippines.
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MCIA requires face shields for passengers
C
EBU CITY – Passengers departing and arriving through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) are now required to wear face shields, together with face masks. The MCIA said the move of the airport. “The well-be- time for the airlines to reis in compliance with the ear- ing of passengers and staff re- spond. He said airlines resumlier pronouncement of the mains MCIA’s topmost priority ing flights to and from Cebu Department of Transporta- in this continuing global battle will also have to work to martion for the public transport against Covid-19,” it said. ket their routes as travel desector. “All other individuLocal airlines executives mand remains low this time. als, including airport staff, have also announced they will Before the Covid-19 panmeeters, and greeters, are also require all passengers to have demic, MCIA can accommorequired to wear face shields their wear face shields and date some 1,900 commercial and face masks while on air- masks on while on flights. flights weekly and 31,100 port premises,” it said. MCIA Authority general passengers daily. The MCIA is The MCIA has urged manager Steve Dicdican said projected to get back its prepassengers to adhere to the while the aviation industry is Covid-19 passenger traffic in health and safety procedures slowly recovering, it will take two years.
Mactan Island hospitality sector ready for ‘new normal’ CEBU – The Tourism, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (TCHAC) in Lapu-Lapu City said it is now prepared for the reopening the hospitality industry in Cebu’s resort island once its community quarantine status is downgraded. City officials have been visiting hotels and resorts to check their preparations on safety and wellness protocols and the guidelines set by the local government and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging
Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). “We look forward to opening up the domestic tourism market to revive the hospitality industry,” TCHAC chairperson Cindi Chan said. She said Mayor Junard Chan’s administration, through the TCHAC, continues to serve the Oponganons “wholeheartedly, gearing towards the new normal in implementing safety protocols and precautionary measures, considered as the utmost priority.” Accompanied by city health
The Tourism, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (THAC) of Lapu-Lapu City visits various resorts and hotels to see the preparations for the reopening of the hospitality sector, says THAC chairperson Cindi Chan.(Lapu-Lapu City PIO)
officer Grace Mary Carungay and sanitation inspector Ferdinand Tepait, Chan has paid visits to hotels and resorts the past weeks. With the decreasing number of Covid-19 positive cases and steady increase in the number of recoveries from the deadly respiratory disease, Chan said Lapu-Lapu City is expecting to be placed under the Modified General Community Quarantine soon. “With God’s grace, we hope He will continue to bless us with lower positive cases and higher recoveries,” Chan said. Philippine Export Zone Authority locators and other business establishments in Lapu-Lapu City are now reaching almost 100 percent operational capacity as 50 to 70 percent of their employees has already returned to work, according to Chan. “We really appreciate all the efforts shown, adhering to the safety protocols and precautionary measures as we are all reshaping our tourism industry,” she said. (Carlo Lorenciana)
Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority For 2020, the country’s second-biggest air gateway is likely to see passenger traffic plunging to about three million, a level that was last seen more 10 years ago, Dicdican said. In 2019, the airport had
registered 12.6 million passenger volume in 2019. Official data showed that for the month of June 2020 alone, MCIA’s passenger traffic reached only 26,018, marking a 98-percent drop from the 1.074 million re-
corded June last year. The passenger traffic for the first half of 2020 reached only more than 2.463 million, down 61 percent from 6.353 million in the same period last year. (Carlo Lorenciana)
‘Build, Build, Build’ projects to boost Visayas trade, tourism THE GOVERNMENT’S “Build, Build, Build” projects in the Visayas are expected to be completed this year and are expected to benefit trade and tourism in the region. Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Secretary Jonji Gonzales, said constructions have already resumed as most of the provinces are now placed under less strict General Community Quarantine (GCQ). He said among the notable infrastructure projects are the port rehabilitation, bypass-road construction, airport, and tourism road projects. In Western Visayas, the twin projects at the Iloilo Commercial
Port Complex in Lapaz, Loboc, Iloilo City have been completed. These are the construction of the back-up area with RoRo ramp-onfill which started in September 2017, and the paving of back-up areas which began in July 2018. “Ang dalawang project na ito will boost trade and tourism in the province of Iloilo,” he said. Gonzales also said that a bypass road connecting the towns of Santa Barbara, New Lucena and Zarraga in Iloilo City is expected to be completed in November. “Itong Metro Iloilo radial road will help decongest the major thoroughfares in the central part of Iloilo. It will cut down 30 minutes
of travel,” he said. A Tourism access road project is also underway for Negros Oriental, connecting the bays of Siit and Tambobo in Siaton. Gonzales is also optimistic that the construction of tourism access roads in the province will encourage more tourists to visit the town of Siaton. In Cebu province, the 1.2km runway extension project at the Bantayan Island airport terminal is expected to be completed by the end of the year and access to the towns of Bantayan, Santa Fe and Madridejos will be much easier for travellers.(With a report from Cebu Examiner.)
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