Muslim soldiers observe Ramadan in Mindanao
Basilan mayor’s van chased in Zambo, bodyguards disarmed
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President Aquino urged to bring home sick and stranded OFWs in Saudi
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Gunmen raid Zamboanga Sur village chieftain house
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Remember the Payatas Landslide
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Motorcycle gunmen strike anew, kill woman in Zambo
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July 15-21, 2013
SLOW DOWN SUPPORT TO MILF ‘Manila tells other countries, international organizations to slow down support to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels’
MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim and President Benigno Aquino during a meeting in Tokyo, Japan.
T
he P hilippines gest M usPhilippines hilippines’’ lar largest Muslim rrebel ebel gr oup M or o IIslamic slamic group Mor oro Liber ation F Liberation Frr ont has accused M anila of tr ying to Manila slo w do wn dev elopment suppor ts it slow down development supports is rreceiving eceiving fr om vvar ar ious inter nafrom arious international or ganizations and countr ies organizations countries back ing the peace pr ocess in backing process M indanao indanao.. Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF’s chief peace negotiator, has expressed grave concern over how the Aquino government is trying to exert influence in an effort to slow down international support to the rebel group which is currently negotiating peace with Manila. “We express our grave concern over the reported government's changing policy on our relations with development partners and the GPH instruction to these development partners to slow in their engagements with the MILF,” Iqbal said. He said there engagements are essential for the success not only of the conclusion of the peace talks, but more importantly of the implementation of the peace accord that both panels may sign. “Given the short period of the transitions for the MILF and the continuing delay in the completion and signing of a comprehensive peace agreement, it become even more urgent that the MILF receives technical assistance, capacity development, development planning and resource mobilization to
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insure that when it takes the reign of Tenkgu Dato AB Ghafar Tengku government it is able to deliver and Mohamed arrived in Manila last month meet the expectations of the to talk to key government officials and Bangsamoro MILF leaders to people. It is our hasten the peace firm conviction process. He said the that a strong MILF two peace panels is good for the declared its compeace-making in mitment to solve Mindanao, not oththe Moro problem. Mur ad letter to erwise,” Iqbal said. urad Restlessness A quino Iqbal said the He said MILF long delay in the rechieftain Murad sumption of the Ebrahim also wrote peace talks have a letter to President generated so much Benigno Aquino negative speculaand reiterated his tions and restlessunwavering comness among some mitment to resolve MILF members. “It the conflict peaceis not good to hear fully. But Murad these, but they were also informed all expressed loud Aquino of the growand clear. To many, ing frustration of the impression is the people and that there is an imsome members of passe of the peace the MILF as a result talks,” he said. Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator of the delay of the The MILF has (Mindanao Examiner Photo) talks. earlier rejected a Iqbal said the government draft on wealth-sharing in President replied at Murad’s letter, but the proposed Muslim homeland, saying the content of the letter was not made it was not what the rebel group is expect- public. “The President responded posiing. tively to the letter. But I am so sorry I Iqbal said there was only a sigh of cannot disclose the content of the letter relief after the Malaysian facilitator because I don’t have the mandate to do
Southern Mindanao
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so. Our chairman did not allow that copies be made except one that is intended for the Facilitator for the record of the Malaysian Secretariat,” he said. He said the peace talks are now in the critical stage and warned that “there are many spoilers who are waiting in ambush.” “As a negotiator for more than ten years, I have learned a lot of hard lessons. My experience tells me that there is no easy part of any real life negotiation. For this reason, I know that the road ahead of the current peace talks is still full of humps and bumps. But this is no reason to cause the failure of these talks. Sincere and committed partners in peace process will always find creative formula to get through any differences. If they don’t find one, this means one of the parties or both of them change policy from solving the conflict to not solving it,” Iqbal said, “truth is that too much pressure is building against us, especially on government. The civil society organizations way back home has already sounded the clarion call that we wake up and finish the process.” He said a recent summit on the Bangsamoro peace talks held in Davao City called on the government and MILF to “sign the peace agreement now because time is running out.” The MILF is fighting for decades for self-determination in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
Zamboanga Peninsula
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July 15-21, 2013
Lawmaker appeals for release of 2 kidnapped Moro filmmakers DAVAO CITY - A Filipino lawmaker has appealed to Abu Sayyaf rebels to safely release two Moro sisters kidnapped in the southern province of Sulu. Sisters Nadjoua and Linda Bansil, who are both filmmakers, were seized on June 22 while working on a documentary with members of the Sultanate of Sulu Darulm Islam. “I sympathize with the Bansil family and pray for the swift release of
Nadjoua and Linda," said Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. The appeal coincided with the Muslim’s observance of the holy month of fasting. “Islam teaches peace and unity not only for the Moro people but for the whole world, and this observance is more pronounced during the holy month of Ramadhan,”
Zarate said. He also appealed to the military and the police to also respect the right of the Moro to observe the Ramadan, noting that previous reports that government operations continue in Muslim areas in Mindanao during Ramadan, a double burden for them who have to get away from militarized and bombarded areas and at the same time religiously observing fast.
Muslim soldiers observe Ramadan in Mindanao ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR Some 1,000 Muslim soldiers under the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division have joined the observance of the fasting month of Ramadan. Captain Jefferson Somera, a spokesman for the division, said Major Adzramien Sahisa, an imam, led the observance of the Ramadan, one of the
five pillars of Islam and one of the most important holiday in the Muslim world. “The Command joins you as you observe your Holy Month. May this month of Ramadan cleanse your heart and your soul as you renew your faith to our Divine God (Allah). May you include in your prayers and devotion the realization of
peace in Mindanao and the whole country for the people, our brothers and sisters, and for our families. May Allah bless us all,” said Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, Jr, the acting division commander. Somera said the soldiers belong mostly to the Tausug, Yakan, Maranao and Maguindanao.
A solar corona wows local residents in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. Corona is produced by the diffraction of light from the sun by water droplets of a cloud. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Alvin Lardizabal)
Cop arrested for beating wife
Muslims pray outside the Sulu Capitol building in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police authorities arrested a cop who is accused of domestic violence in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. Officials said the policeman has been detained after his 37-year old wife complained that she was hit several times by her husband during a heated argument.
“A police operation was conducted which resulted to the arrest of the policeman. He is presently detained at the Zamboanga City Police Office while a case is being prepared against him in court,” said Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman. He said the accused is assigned in Basilan province, but the couple lives in the seaside village of Baliwasan Grande. The policeman is facing charges of violation of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 and could lose his job and jailed if proven guilty.
According to the Philippine Commission on Women, the reported cases under RA 9262 continue to increase from 218 in 2004 to 11,531 cases in 2012. Since 2004, wife battering cases have been categorized under ‘ Violation of RA 9262’ that is, if the victim files a case under such law, otherwise the reported cases will fall under physical injuries category. It said physical injury is now the second most prevalent case across the nine-year period, accounting for 21.1% of all repor ted cases of violence against women nationwide. (Mindanao Examiner)
Teener killed, sister wounded in Pagadian City shootings PAGADIAN CITY - Motorcycle gunmen killed a teenager and wounded her sister in an attack in Pagadian City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, police said. It said the two sisters – Sarah Jane Malagar, 16, and Jane Rose Malagar, 18, - were just standing in front of a bar along Jamisola Extension when the gunmen stopped in front of them and without any warning shot the duo. The assailants escaped after the shooting leaving behind the two teenagers bloodied and fighting for their life. The
duo was brought to hospital, but Jane Rose died along the way. The condition of her sister is still unknown. Police said crime scene investigators recovered bullet casings of .45caliber pistol in the area. It said the teenagers were shot several times. The motive of the attack is still unknown and no witness has come forward to help police in the investigation. Gun attacks are not uncommon in Pagadian City, the center of the regional government agencies in Western Mindanao. (Mindana0 Examiner)
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July 15-21, 2013
Basilan mayor’s van chased in Zambo, bodyguards disarmed Z AMBOANGA CITY – Zamboanga police authorities have seized weapons issued to two policemen who were bodyguards of a municipal mayor in Basilan province in southern Philippines, officials said. Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said the weapons – one M16 rifle and a .45-caliber pistol issued to PO2 Nasser JulAsri and an M16A1 rifle with grenade launcher is-
sued to PO1 Dar win Darong – have no proper documents. Huesca said both policemen were bodyguards of Mayor Jamar Mansul, of Hadji Mutamad town. “The firearms were without any pertinent papers to present and forwarded to regional crime laboratory for ballistic examination,” he said. Jul-asri and Darong were with the politician and other people traveling in a van that was
chased by policemen. Senior Superintendent Jose Chiquito Mayo, the local chief of police, was roving around Zamboanga when they intercepted the van for violating traffic laws, but it sped away prompting them to chase the and eventually caught up with the vehicle, according to Huesca. Huesca said the weapons were discovered during an inspection of the vehicle. (Mindanao Examiner)
High alert in Cotabato City COTABATO CITY – Security forces were high alert in Cotabato City in southern Philippines following two small explosions that left several people injured
on the eve of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, but police said no casualties were reported. The twin explosions occurred in downtown
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Cotabato, but it was unclear if the blasts were perpetrated by rebels or not. Police said one of the blast was caused by a grenade launcher that hit the roof of a small restaurant. Just recently, a grenade exploded at a mar ine encampment in Cotabato City following an attack by unidentified two men riding tandem on a motorcycle. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the latest explosions, but these occurred days after rebel forces clashed with troops in Maguindanao province that left dozens of people dead and wounded on both sides. Officials would not say whether the blasts were connected to the talks or fighting between Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and government forces. The blast also coincided with the peace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation front and the Aquino government. (Mindanao Examiner)
Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, Jr speaks during a forum on Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan at the Mindanao State University in Iligan City. And poses with students during a break in the forum. (Photo by Sgt. Dante Akiatan)
Forum on ‘Bayanihan’ held in Iligan City ILIGAN CITY - The Bantay Kalilintad, the local version of the Bantay Bayanihan, composed of civil society organizations in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, convened for the conduct of Bantay Bayanihan forum dubbed as “Civilian-Led Security Sector Reform: Popularizing Bantay Bayanihan and Expanding its Constituencies” held at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in
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Iligan City. Captain Jefferson Somera, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, said the forum was initiated by Musa Mohamad Sanguila, lead convener of the Bantay Kalilintad and Director of Pakigdait Incorporated, a civil society oversight body on the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan in Lanao Provinces. He said Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, Jr, the acting division commander, represented Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista. Trinidad gave an update on the gains of IPSP Bayanihan campaign both at the national level and in the Lanao Provinces. “General Trinidad stressed the significant decrease in the violent activities initiated by both the
Abu Sayyaf Group, especially against the civilians in Basilan Province, and the New People’s Army and this indicate that their capability have been reduced thru the effective countermeasures of government forces,” Somera said. Trinidad acknowledged the initiative of the Bantay Kalilintad, but emphasized the importance of the involvement of more stakeholders in the implementation of the IPSP Bayanihan in the pursuit of peace and security in the community and to “create a broad united front against the use of armed struggle.” Somera said the forum was attended by leaders of the different civil society organizations, religious sector, members of the Non-Violent Peace ForceInternational Monitoring Team and military commanders.
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The Mindanao Examiner
July 15-21, 2013
President Aquino urged to bring home sick and stranded OFWs in Saudi MANILA – A Filipino migrants’ rights group feared that more stranded Filipino workers, particularly the old and sick, in Saudi Arabia would succumb to illness if Manila will not immediately act to bring them back home. Migrante, in a statement, said the Aquino government should act soon before it is too late. Just recently, a son of a Filipino worker had died while inside the Philippine consulate in Jeddah. “More deaths could occur among the old and sick stranded overseas Filipino workers though they’re temporarily shel-
tered at the Philippine consulate in Jeddah,” said Migrante vice-chairperson John Leonard Monterona, who is also the group’s coordinator in the Middle East and North Africa. “Our group is not praying for this to happen, but seriously we are re-issuing a warning for the Philippine government and its concerned agencies to fast track the repatriation of still thousands undocumented and stranded OFWs in Saudi,” he said. Monterona, citing various reports from stranded OFWs in Jeddah, said a two-year old child also died sometime mid-
3 dead in murder-suicide ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY – Three people were killed in what police said was a case of murder-suicide that occurred in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay. Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said Reneboy Nadila, 41, stabbed his wife, Gladys Nadila, 26, and Ricky Suan, 28, in the village of Palinta in Kabasalan town. He said the woman and Suan were together on a motorcycle taxi when Nadila intercepted them in the village. Nadila confronted his wife and eventually stabbed her in front of Suan, who ran to evade the woman’s husband. Nadila pursued his wife’s reported paramour and also stabbed him dead. He then stabbed himself
several times after seeing his wife dead. Huesca said the taxi driver Romel Medrano was unhurt in the attack. Local police investigator SPO1 Rex Subibi said love triangle was likely motive for the killings. “We are still investigating the case, but love triangle is likely the motive behind these killings,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. The woman was stabbed at least 5 times while Suan succumbed to a knife wound that pierced his heart. Nadila used a hunting knife in the attack and in killing himself. The bodies of the three were brought to Kabasalan Pathfinder Hospital for autopsy, police said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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June at the Philippine consulate shelter. “There was also an old and sick woman who died last month at the consulate shelter in Jeddah, now totaling to 5 deaths, and 3 were already confirmed by the Philippine officials in Saudi Arabia, while 2 is yet to be confirmed,” he said. “It seems that Philippine officials in Saudi Arabia want to keep this information only to themselves. We want this information investigated to prevent more deaths to occur again and what’s really Philippine officials in Saudi Arabia have been doing in providing on-site assistance especially to sick and old and toddlers who need medical care and attention.” He there are 285 stranded OFWs, mostly women and some of them are pregnant, in the consulate shelter in Jeddah. And alongside the consulate building, some 1,800 other stranded OFWs are awaiting documentation and repatriation.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar is brief by security officials during a meeting in Zamboanga City.
Zamboanga mayor prioritizes security ZAMBOANGA CITY – Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar has met with security officials to discuss measures that would ensure the safety of the public against criminality and lawlessness. Salazar said there is a need for a stronger coordination among the police and military and other law
Bank manager hangs self in Pagadian City PAGADIAN CITY – A manager of the Asia United Bank in was found dead and hanging by the ceiling of his house in Pagadian City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, police said. Police said a civilian, Elmie Recapente, phoned the police to say that body of Jeremy Manco, 43, was found inside his house in Alta Tierra Subdivision in Tiguma village. It said Recapante was the man-
ager of the Asia United Bank which is to open soon in Pagadian City. “The victim was immediately rushed to Mendero hospital for medical treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician,” said Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman. He said the body was found by neighbors. No other details were made available by the police. (Mindanao Examiner)
enforcement agencies to ensure the safety not only of the people but of Zamboanga as a whole. “We should not only take care of the land assets but also the territorial waters of the city and I will also be reviewing the profile of our environment,” she said. “We want to ensure that there is efficient and capable police visibility and that sea and air assets are maintained.” Salazar herself has been going around Zamboanga and inspecting police detachments and meeting with village and business leaders, taking their suggestions and proposals on how to fur-
ther improve the security here. She said every agency and sector should work together and share in the effort to maintain peace and security in Zamboanga. Salazar, a former House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao, has recently handed over to various police precincts at least 9 new patrol trucks in an effort to equip authorities with vehicles that can quickly respond to any emergencies. Gun attacks and killings in Zamboanga City are almost a daily occurrence here and most of the murders have been blamed to hired killers. (Mindanao Examiner)
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July 15-21, 2013
Gunmen raid Zamboanga Sur village chieftain house ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR Unidentified gunmen fired a grenade and strafed the house of a village chieftain in Labangan town in Zamboanga del Sur province in southern Philippines, officials said. Officials said no one was reported killed or wounded in the attack on the house of Lower Sangan village chieftain Haron
Guiabar. Gunmen fired a rifle grenade and hit the house of Guiabar and this was followed by a barrage of automatic gunfire. The town’s police chief, Inspector Felixberto Rule, responded to the shootings, but the attackers escaped even before authorities could arrive. Officials said Rule’s group recovered five
dozen bullet casings fired from M16 and M14 automatic rifles, including the shell of the rifle grenade. The motive of the attack is still unknown, but this occurred ahead of village elections set in October. Police would not say whether the attack was connected to politics or not. (Mindanao Examiner)
Kagamhanang lokal miduyog sa Nutrition Month DIPOLOG CITY - Atol sa pag-obserbar sa Nutrition Month ning bulan sa Hulyo sa tibuok nasud, miduyug ang kagamhanang Lokal sa Dipolog sa pag-obserbar niini pinaagi sa paghan-ay ug mga kalihukan alayon sa nasangpit nga selebrasyon. Sa gihapon, nagapadayon ang pagbulok sa mga kalihokan pinaagi sa pagpahigayon sa supplemental feeding inubanan sa mga kompetisyon sa pinaka-himsog nga puya, pinakahimsog nga buros nga nanay, quiz bee sa mga nanay may kalabot na sa programang nutrisyon, milk-drinking contest, banana ug
boiled-egg eating contest, kompetisyon sa nutritional food cooking, bansay-bansay sa mga programa sa nutrisyon, ug nutritional cooking demo alang sa mga nanay, ilabi na ang pagkunhod sa malnutrisyon sa mga kabataan nga nagpangidaron ug 5 ka tuig paubos. Kahibalo-an nga ang dakbayan sa Dipolog ang kanunay nga makadawat ug pasidungog may kalabot na sa nutrition gumikan sa mga best pratices nga giimplementar niini. Alayon usab niini nga kalihokan, ipasabot usab sa mga personahe sa Buhatan sa Impor-
Jeep overturns in Zamboanga Sur, 1 dead PAGADIAN CITY – A jeep carrying 11 people overturned and killing one passenger in the town of Dumingag in Zamboanga del Sur province in southern Philippines, police said. It said Zenaida Lugas was killed in the accident in the village of Ditulan after the driver, Edgardo Egos, the municipal engineer, lost control of the jeep due to mechanical failure. The group was returning home when the accident occurred. Lugas died
before reaching the hospital in Bonifacio town in Misamis Occidental province. Police identified the injured as Margie Selverio, Bernie Rivera, Arnold Gealon, Trinidad Oliverio, Ricky Oliverio, Ronilo Campomanes, Analyn Lugas, Delia Esparcia and six-year old Ara Rodriguez, and Egos. Police said the group just came from the house of Lugas’ son’s girlfriend to propose marriage. (Mindanao Examiner)
masyon ang may kalabot na sa paglantaw sa Kagamhanang Lokal nga mao ang Swigapore 2030, ilabi na ang pagkab-ot niini sa 14 ka mga inisiyatibo nga gihan-ay atol sa implementasyon sa Performance Governance System. (cio-prr)
Man shot over traffic spat in Zamboanga ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police are searching for a man who shot a motorist following an altercation over a traffic accident in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said. Officials said Masuhud Yasin is being sought by the police after he was implicated in the alleged shooting of Rizal Baiting in the coastal village of Recodo. “Man-hunt operation is being conducted by the Zamboanga City Police Office for possible arrest of the suspect,” Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said. He said Baiting was shot in the neck and rushed to the hospital. Yasin escaped after the shooting. (Mindanao Examiner)
Philippine Army armored personnel carriers and trucks and villagers pass by a checkpoint in Maguindanao province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)
Fighting in Southern Philippines triggers exodus of civilians COTABATO CITY – Thousands of people have fled fierce fighting between military and rebel forces in the southern Philippines, officials said. Clashes were reported last week in the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato between army soldiers and members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. Officials said fighting had subsided. Rebel sources said at least a dozen soldiers had been killed in the fighting and that several BIFF members were also reported slain and wounded. The Mindanao Human Rights Action Center also
reported that at least 7 people, including a fouryear child, were wounded from the shelling in the village of Ganta in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao. There was no immediate statement from the provincial and regional governments about how it would resolve the crisis. Many of those who fled their homes are in temporary shelters and have no access to medical facilities or food. Most of the members of the BIFF were former fighters of the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front which is currently negotiating peace with Manila. But the slow progress
of the peace talks is also threatening the negotiations and many rebel leaders are becoming restless and some have threatened to wage war if a peaceful settlement to the Bangsamoro problems is not settled soon. Manila has downplayed the threats and said the talks are going on smoothly even though the MILF has rejected a government draft on wealth sharing in the so-called Bangsamoro homeland. The MILF is the largest Muslim rebel group fighting for self-determination in the restive southern Philippine region. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
July 15-21, 2013
Remember the Payatas Landslide MANILA - The youth group Anakbayan marked the 13th anniversary of the Payatas landslide with a reminder to the public that the same conditions which led to the tragedy still face the more than two million urban poor in Metro Manila. On the morning of July 10, 2000, a part of the mountain of garbage in
the Payatas dumping site in Quezon City collapsed. 434 homes were buried, 300 people were confirmed dead, while 87 remain missing and are presumed dead and buried alive under the garbage. Among the dead are four members of Anakbayan's local chapter in Payatas. The original residents of the affected area in
New advisory council formed to help police in Zamboanga
Zamboanga’s most wanted criminal killed DIPOLOG CITY – Security forces killed a notorious bandit leader after he tried to toss a grenade on police commandos and army soldiers sent to arrest him in Zamboanga del Norte province in southern Philippines, officials said. Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said Yacob Iyong, also one of the most wanted criminals in western Mindanao, was killed in his hideout in Sirawai town where security forces tracked him down. He said the body was brought to the town of Tungawan in Zamboanga
Sibugay province and handed over to his family. “While serving the arrest warrants, Yacob resisted arrest and attempted to throw a hand grenade to the arresting officers which prompted the operating troops to shoot the subject that led to his instantaneous death. Yacob had multiple murder cases,” Huesca said. The warrants were issued by Judge Reubin Lo. Maraon, of the Regional Trial Court Branch 24 in Zamboanga Sibugay. No other details about the slain bandit leader was released by the police or military. (Mindanao Examiner)
KISMET Cable Channel 63 Pagadian City
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Prominent leaders in Zamboanga City have formed a multi-sectoral council that would serve as an advisory body to the national police, particularly in western Mindanao. Organizers said the new council called the P.A.T.R.O.L. Plan 2030 which stands for Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and Upholding of the Rule of Law, aims to support the Philippine National Police in the successful implementation and monitoring of their transformation roadmap.
It would support the implementation of the Philippine National Police Integrated Transformation Program-Performance Governance System or PNP ITP-PGS 2030. Among those who are members of the council is respected businessman Pedro Rufo Soliven, peace advocate Father Angel Calvo, prominent lawyer Katrina Mohammad, Macybel Sahi, of the Civil Service Commission, and Macapado Guro, regional director of the National Police Commission, among others. (With a report from Albert Francisco III)
RP-Bahraini firms ink joint banana plantation venture SARANGANI – A multimillion investment on growing Cavendish bananas in Sarangani province would soon supply the demands of Asian and Middle East markets. These were the projected markets that RP Bahrain Harvest, Inc., a joint venture between AMA Group of Companies and NEH Group of Companies, disclosed during the project’s
groundbreaking recently. The project is expected to start this year in an 85-hectare plantation in the village of Domolok in the capital town Alabel. Land development would immediately takeoff as soon as the irrigation facility arrived from Israel. RPBH would initially put up P85 million for the project. (Beverly Paoyon)
Payatas settled there before the existence of the garbage mountain which only begain in the early 90s. The settlers, victims of demolitions and relocatees from the Tatalon area and several other communities in Quezon City, arrived in 1987. A relocation site was offered to the survivors of the landslide in Montalban. With a lack of a stable power and water supply in the said site, as well as livelihood opportunities to replace their jobs, the majority quickly returned to Payatas. "The story of Payatas is the story of just about every urban poor community in Metro Manila and the Philippines. They are forced to reside in 'danger areas' because the circumstances of grinding poverty. They are expected to live in relocation sites without any means to make a living, and any ba-
sic amenities or social services," said Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of Anakbayan. “Understanding Payatas will help the public, many of whom are laboring under misconceptions about the urban poor, understand why the latter fight back in North Triangle, Corazon de Jesus, Silverio Compound, among others," said the youth leader, referring to urban poor communities where the residents have fought back against demolition teams under the Aquino administration. "You cannot sweep poverty under the rug. So long as the government does not treat urban poverty as the complex, multi-factorial issue that it is, the urban poor will continue to settle in danger zones, no matter how many demolitions happen," he added.
Man who raped daughter is shot PAGADIAN CITY – A Filipino man accused of raping and impregnating his 14-year daughter was shot and seriously wounded in an attack by a lone gunman in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, police said. It said the 47-year old man is facing criminal charges after his daughter, who is now six-months pregnant, told her family that she was abused by his own father. The girl's mother is also pregnant, according to police investigator SPO2 Alberto Capadngan. "We have taken the statement of the girl, her mother and a grandmother, including one of her uncle, and we are still trying to find out whether her father also
abused her other siblings. They are ten in the family," he told the regional newspaper Min-danao Examiner. Police said the man, who worked as a motorcycle taxi driver, was rushed to hospital after being shot by motorcycle gunmen in the village of Upper Landing in Dumingag town. No individual claimed responsibility for the shooting, but police investigators suspect that the attack was connected to the rape of the teenager. The man is under police guard at Mhars General Hospital in Ozamis City in Misamis Occidental province. The girl’s family did not give any statement about the shooting. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
July 15-21, 2013
NPA leader yields to military
Kibitzers mill around the scene of the shooting in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Motorcycle gunmen strike anew, kill woman in Zambo POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING the motive behind the killing of a woman who was fatally shot by motorcycle gunmen in Zamboanga City. “We are still investigating this (case),” one po-
liceman said. The woman was identified as Jocelyn Lo Franca, 27, who worked at a local foreign exchange and was heading home when shot along Governor Alvarez Street.
Police said the woman was shot twice in the chin and back and one of the bullets also hit a nearby beauty salon. The victim was rushed to hospital but died while undergoing operation, according to Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman. Huesca said one witness saw the gunman picked up the bag of Franca and then shot her again in the back before escaping. Gun attacks and killings perpetrated by hired killers are common occurrence in Zamboanga City and many of the cases remain unsolved. (Mindanao Examiner)
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DAVAO CITY – A senior communist rebel leader has surrendered to the Philippine Army following a series of negotiations in the southern region of Mindanao, officials said. Officials said Narciso Pulbos Ruben is the leader of New People’s Army forces operating in Compostela Valley province. Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the rebel leader’s surrender only proved the effectiveness of the military’s socalled Peace and Development Outreach Program. “More than forty years of armed struggle have not solved any of our problems. It has caused more problems for our society. Senseless deaths and miseries to hundreds of thousands of Filipinos and destroyed the future of many Filipino youth. Let us actively support the program of government to peacefully resolve
all armed conflicts in the country,” Cruz said. Cruz urged other rebels to return to the folds of the law and avail of the various government integration and humanitarian programs. He said the rebels can avail of the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program which provides livelihood and financial aid to those who would surrender and use these to start a new life with their family. “Please take advantage of the government's integration program. It will provide you an opportunity to return back to your families and communities through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government and together we shall solve our problems the peaceful way,” Cruz said. He said Ruben will undergo a process where he can avail the livelihood assistance program. The rebel leader will receive cash for the weapons he surrendered
to the military under the “Guns-for-Peace Program”. Cruz said the surrender of Ruben was made possible through the efforts of the peace and development teams under the Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of 10th Infantry Division. He said an emissary, whose identity was withheld for security reasons, helped in the negotiations for Ruben’s peaceful surrender. Ruben told military interrogators that he joined the NPA in 1997 and held various positions with the Samahang Yunit Pampropaganda and became a team leader of a medical unit and a political instructor of the Pulang Bagani Command 5 until he assumed as Front Secretary in February last year. He said the NPA, which is fighting for a separate state, lured him to join the rebel group promising him and his family monetary support and alleviation from poverty. (Mindanao Examiner)
3 Pinoy Muslims participate in Al-Qur’an Reciters’ Assembly in Malaysia ZAMBOANGA CITY Three Filipino Muslims are competing at the 55th International Al-Qur’an Reciters’ Assembly which is being in Kuala Lumpur. The contestants are Male Reader (Qari) Ustadz Numan Pimbayabaya of Cotabato, Female Reader
(Qari’ah) Ustadza Nurjariya Pantao of Zamboanga, and Female Reader Escort Sawia Punut of Lanao Del Sur. They are among 72 contestants participating from 42 countries comprising of 42 Qari and 30 Qariah. They are accom-
Commies kill army soldier in Zambo Sur PAGADIAN CITY – A government soldier was killed in an ambush by communist rebels in the town of Guipos in Zamboanga del Sur province in southern Philippines, a military spokesman said. Captain Jefferson Somera said the soldiers – Corporal Danilo Saavedra and Private First Class Rommel Taneo - were returning to their headquarters on a motorcycle when New People’s Army rebels attacked them in the village of Magting. He said Saavedra was hit in the back and managed to return fire, but eventually died from his wound. While Taneo defended his position until army reinforcement arrived. The rebels escaped to the hinterlands. Somera said the soldiers were part of the so-called “peace and de-
velopment” team engaged in community and humanitarian projects in the town. Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, has condemned the killing of the soldier. “This action of the enemy manifests their antidevelopment and antipeace programs. Our troops were there to uplift the socio-economic condition of our fellows but were fired upon in a desperate attempt to disrupt them. This incident will not stop the 1st Infantry Division to bring peace and development in every community,” he said. The NPA has been fighting the democratic government for the establishment of a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
panied by National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Commissioners Salem Demuna and Director Masideng Salic, among others. Embassy Attachés Mustapha Lucman and Shamina Saidamen and intern Kimberly Gamez are assisting them, and attended the competition. The International Qur’an Reading Competion or Tilawah AlQuran is an International Islamic Quran reading event held annually since 1961 in Malaysia. Malaysia’s First Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman founded the competition. It started on March 9, 1961 at Stadium Merdeka, and the seven original countries which took part were Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Sarawak and then Malaya. The Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin officiated the opening ceremony on June 29. Minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom of the Prime Minister’s Department announced that the prizes will be a 350gm gold bar worth RM70,000, cash of RM40,000, trophy, token and certificate.
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July 15-21, 2013
MNLF SHOWS FORCE, FIREPOWER IN SURPRISE BASILAN MARCH
S
ecur ity for ces w er e thr own into aler esiecurity forces wer ere thro alertt and rresidents panicked after hundr eds of for mer M or o hundreds former Mor oro rebels med with anti-tank ebels,, many of them ar armed rockets and automatic w eapons aded rreeweapons eapons,, par paraded cently nP hilippine pr ovsouthern Philippine pro cently in Lamitan City in the souther ince of B asilan, ar my officials said. Basilan, army Officials said mem- up to troops securing bers of the Moro National Lamitan. Army officials Liberation Front, clad in have met with the leader of military uniform, the MNLF, Nurin Ismael, to marched through the city convince his group to - some of them waving red peacefully leave the city beflags - and caught local cause the presence of former rebels has caused authorities by surprise. MNLF leaders said panic to the locals. Officials said Ismael’s the march last week was part of their peace consul- group has apologized to the tation in Basilan, one of authorities for the uncoorfive provinces under the dinated march and eventuMuslim autonomous re- ally returned to their bases. It was not immediately gion. The show of force was unprecedented in re- known why the MNLF forces managed to march to cent decades. The unannounced Lamitan undetected by the parade sent soldiers and authorities. There was no immedipolicemen scampering for cover and defensive ate statement from local positions as security government officials about forces hurriedly put up the incident, but the daring check points and road march by former rebels has blocks to ensure control of proved that security is still a big problem in Basilan the tense situation. But despite the layers province, just several nauof road blocks, the former tical miles off Zamboanga rebels insisted on march- City. The MNLF under Nur ing through them and further caused tension in Misuari has signed a peace Lamitan. Security com- accord with Manila in Sepmanders, in an effort to tember 1996 ending deavert any confrontation, cades of bloody war in allowed the MNLF mem- southern Philippines. After the peace agreement was bers to pass through. Two army armoured signed, Misuari became the personnel carriers were governor of the Muslim aualso sent to the city as back tonomous region, but de-
ARMM
spite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted. And in November 2001, on the eve of the elections in the Muslim autonomous region, Misuari accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement, and launched a new rebellion in Sulu and Zamboanga City, where more than 100 people were killed. Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and jailed and released after several years. 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. But Misuari's fall had severely affected the MNLF which is now heavily divided and rift among its leaders is becoming more apparent. Misuari also ran thrice for governor in Sulu province and again in the Muslim autonomous region, but lost. However, Misuari’s popularity among many Muslims remains high and his influence over them is unquestionable. (Mindanao Examiner)
Southern Mindanao
Davao
MNLF members march through Lamitan City in Basilan province in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. (Photo by Richard Falcatan)
Media hindi priority ng militar ZAMBOANGA CITY – Daig pa ng isang civilian writer ang mga commander ng Western Mindanao Command sa Zamboanga City matapos itong mapikon sa tutyada ng media dahil sa hindi paglalabas ng militar ng mga balitang nagaganap sa area of responsibility nito. Sinabi ni Pai Paglala, na siyang writer ng Public Affairs Office ng Western Mindanao Command, na ang misyon umano nila ay abisuhan ang publiko at hindi ang media ukol sa mga kaganapan sa nasasakupan ng naturang kampo. “Ang primary mission namin is to inform the public and not to inform the media,” ani Paglala. “You have your own interest to protect and kami rin. There are news sa level namin na kailangan pang i-sanitize for public consumption. But if the news you want is those that are coming from the fields (sic) pwede kayo maghanap ng source dun. They are authorized to disclose essential information to the media,” dagdag pa nito Ipinagtanggol pa ni Paglala ang Western Min-
Manila
danao Command at sinabing naglalabas naman sila ng balita, ngunit karamihan sa mga ito ay pawang mga activities naman ng militar tulad ng pagdating ng mga bisita o opisyal sa kampo nito sa Zamboanga City. “Try to check, reminisce and everything. You will realize na hindi lang ganun pinapalabas namin. Masyado ka namang nagdedemand, di ka nman nag-eeffort magtanong kung anu ang news,” ani pa ni Paglala. Sinabi pa nito na kung gustong makakuha ng balita ay kailangang pang pumunta sa Western Mindanao Command upang makapanayam ang mga opisyal doon. “But we appreciate the effort of the media in helping us in this crusade. And in addition, while demanding sabayan mo din ng effort to ask, to interview or anu pa diyan. Huwag mong daanin sa kung anu-anong tira ginagawa mo diyan wala ka naman bases,” wika pa ni Paglala. Maraming reporter ang nagrereklamo dahil sa walang makuhang mga balita sa militar ukol sa kaguluhan sa Western Mindanao. At maging ang
pagkuha ng mga litrato at video ng media sa mga sundalong sugatan sa labanan ay mahigpit na rin ipinagbabawal ng Western Mindanao Command. Dahil dito ay hindi na rin naging interesado ang mga miyembro ng Defense Press Corps na magtungo sa kampo dahil sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Malayo umano ito sa kapanahunan ni dating Western Mindanao Command spokesman Col. Randolph Cabangbang at mga iba pang nauna pa sa kanya. Si Col. Rodrigo Gregorio ang kasalukuyang spokesman ng Western Mindanao Command at ito naman ang sinabi niya: “Just to set the record straight: I might be the Chief, PIO of WMC pero ako po ay isang hamak na extension po lamang ng Commander at WMC po. Anything we publish here, be it press or 'praise' release is not entirely my own because they are all cleared by my boss. Please don’t take it personal. Trabaho lang po tayo. Napag-utusan din lang po ako.” (Mindanao Examiner)
Zamboanga Peninsula