Mindanao Examiner Newspaper July 22-28, 2013

2 women murdered in Pagadian City

MILF wealth-sharing deal praised

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Bomb scare hits Zamboanga village

Mga kagamhanang lokal gidasig paghimo ug lakang batok sa droga

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Philippine human rights group tagged as 'enemy of state'

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Publiko pinaalalahanan sa chikungunya virus

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July 22-28, 2013

‘DRONE WAR’ Spy planes to fight illegal logging in rebel areas P

hilippine author ities ar e set to use unmanned authorities are aer ial vvehicles ehicles to combat illegal logging in the aerial souther n pr ovinces of D av ao Or iental and southern pro Dav avao Oriental Compostela Valley wn str onghold of comalley,, a kno known stronghold munist rrebels ebels ebels..

The use of drones in United States conducted at combating illegal logging is least one drone strike in a joint project of the Depart- Mindanao.

“Under the Aquino ment of Environment and Natural Resources and the regime’s Oplan Bayanihan, Armed Forces of the Philip- Davao is the most militarized region in the country with pines.

But for League of Fili- the presence of 21 military pino Students (LFS) and the battalions under the three inBagong Alyansang Maka- fantry divisions of AFP - 1st bayan (Bayan), the use of ID, 4th ID and 10th ID - and spy planes in the country is this resulted to 11 cases of exnot new despite the “colos- trajudicial killing in the resal denial” of President gion alone and widespread displacement of lumads and Benigno Aquino.

They said a recent New farmers due to military York Time article by Mark atrocities,” Arnielyn Nudalo, Mazzeti called “The Drone LFS-UM spokesperson, said Zone” claims that the in a statement sent to the

Mindanao Examiner.

“The Aquino government and AFP cannot fool the people. If it is truly sincere in protecting the environment, then the Aquino regime should not allow foreign and large scale mining and logging in the region,” he added.

LFS said the reasoning of DENR and AFP in using drone to intensify anti-illegal logging operation is “unbelievable and unthinkable.”

“It is dubious to say that drone plane be deployed in the region just to track down illegal loggers and be used for the implementation of national greening program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

It is a common knowledge that Davao Oriental and

Compostela Valley are the strong-hold areas of the New People’s Army,” it said.

Bayan said unmanned aerial vehicles fall into two categories - those that are used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes and those that are armed with missiles and bombs. A lowcost drone, it said, for instance cost anywhere from $5 million to $10 million.

According to a 2010 report of Philip Alston, a UN human rights rapporteur, the use of drone planes has become a vaguely defined and unaccountable to thousands of killings in Iraq and Afghanistan.

An article in The Guardian, the American Civil Liberties Union stated that as

many as 4,000 people have been killed in U.S. drone strikes since 2002. Of those, a significant proportion was civilians. The numbers killed have escalated significantly since Barack Obama became president, according to LFS. The Philippine military has previously used Chinamade hobby helicopters and air planes controlled remotely to monitor rebel strongholds. But U.S. troops deployed in Mindanao have a fleet of UAVs that they commissioned to spy on communist and Moro rebel areas in the region and that some of them had crashed at sea or recovered by rebels themselves. (Mindanao Examiner)

Komunidad sa Sulu nabiyayaan SULU PROVINCE – Nabigyan ng mga PVC pipes para sa kanilang patubig ang isang komunidad sa bayan ng Indanan sa lalawigan ng Sulu.

Sinabi ni Provincial Engineer Abdurasad Baih na mismong si Gov. Totoh Tan ang nagbigay ng mga PVC pipes bilang donasyon sa komunidad matapos na lumapit sa butihing opisyal ang kinatawan nito upang maidulog ang proyekto.

“Maraming proyektong ang lalawigan at sa ngayon ay prayoridad ang lahat ng mga

ARMM

iyan dahil nais ni Gov. Totoh Tan na mas paigtingin pa ang mga ibat-ibang programa ng ating lalawigan na mapapakinabangan ng lahat,” ani Baih.

Tinatayang mahigit sa P300,000 ang halaga ng PVC pipes at tuwang-tuwa naman ang komunidad sa tulong na ibinigay ni Tan sa komunidad.

Ipinangako naman ni Tan na tuloy-tuloy ang proyekto ng pamahalaang-panlalawigan at prayoridad nito ang mahihirap na komunidad sa ibat-ibang bayan sa Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner)

Southern Mindanao

Kausap ni Sulu Gov. Totoh Tan ang mga kinatawan ng komunidad ng bayan ng Indanan ukol sa proyektong patubig doon.

Davao

Manila

Zamboanga Peninsula

The Mindanao Examiner 2 Teachers hurt by insulting statement MANILA – The Alliance of Concerned Teachers has criticized a senior Filipino education officials over a controversial statement that was left a bad impression on public school teachers.

Education Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo has said that “It’s just fitting to reward teachers who perform, because in the past, without the PBB, teachers tend not to perform. Unlike now, when you perform, you will be rewarded.”

PBB refers to Performance-Based Bonus system

which is a merit-based incentive program that recognizes and rewards exemplary performance in government. It was launched last year and it aims to improve the delivery of goods and services to all Filipinos, as well as institute a culture of excellence in public service across the bureaucracy.

The group is demanding a public apology from Mateo and called on the official to be more cautious in issuing such statements because it is so insulting to professional teachers.

2 women murdered in Pagadian City

PAGADIAN CITY – Police have launched an investigation into the murder of two women in Pagadian City in southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the bodies were left on a road in the village of Poloyagan. Both women, whose identities remain unknown, were shot behind their right ear and that police recovered two bullet casing of .45caliber pistol not far from the bodies.

The ages of the women were believed between 1820 years old. The bodies were brought to Gamalinda Funeral Homes in Tuburan village and are still unclaimed. The motive of the twin killings is still unknown.

Just this month, gun-

men also killed a teenager and wounded her sister in an attack in downtown Pagadian.

The two sisters – Sarah Jane Malagar, 16, and Jane Rose Malagar, 18, - were just standing in front of a bar when the gunmen stopped in front of them and without any warning shot the duo.

The assailants escaped after the shooting. Jane Rose died before she could reach the hospital. 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.

(Mindanao Examiner)

“We are angered by his statement. Is Assistant Secretary Mateo saying that, we teachers are not performing well? That we, teachers tend not to perform our duties?

That the P5, 000 cut on our Christmas Bonus last year is because we do not deserve it due to our poor output and performance? This is a clear underestimation of our vocation as teachers. We demand a public apology from Assistant Mateo on this matter,” ACT Chairperson Benjamin Valbuena said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

ACT also dared Mateo to teach in a public school to experience and to understand the realities and sacrifices of teachers so that he will be cautious in his public statements.

“We don’t understand where Assistant Secretary Mateo got his litany. Despite government neglect on overcrowded classrooms, incomplete teaching guides and materials, delayed salaries, no sick leave and no overtime pay, we teachers manage to perform our best and painstakingly overcome these obstacles that hound the bureaucracy,” Valbuena said.

In November last year, ACT also denounced President Benigno Aquino’s Executive Order No. 80 or the adoption of the Performance-based Incentive System (PBIS) saying that this is a “divide and rule tactic” by the administration to pacify the call of teachers and employees for a salary increase .

Search is on for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in Philippines The National Youth Commission is calling for youth organizations to participate in the annual search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) in the Philippines as the countdown to its deadline for submission of project entries begins.

Now on its 11th year, the search continuously aims to recognize and reward exceptional youth organizations from all over the country, which have contributed to the development of their local communities, schools and workplace, through their innovative and valuable projects.

The search committee is accepting entries from

interested youth groups, organizations, clubs and societies that are composed of at least 15 members, more than half of which are between 15-30 years old. Submitted project entries must be a recently concluded or an on going project or program by the organization.

Entries are judged on the following criteria - impact on stakeholders; harnessing the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship; creativity and innovation; and sustainability and effective use of resources.

The winning organizations will receive a "commissioner" trophy sculptured by Toym De Leon Imao, and a grant of

P50,000 to fund and sustain the organization’s project.

NYC said the deadline for submission of entries is on Julu 30 this year. It said project entries may be submitted online through email address tayo11entry@gmail.com or through the National Youth Commission, Southwestern Mindanao Area Office, 3F VHW Bldg., Veterans Avenue, Zamboanga City or National Youth CommissionCentral Office, Social Marketing Division, 4F Bookman Bldg., 373 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

Application forms may be downloaded at www.tayoawards.net.

July 22-28, 2013

A grade school student drinks milk in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines where the local government is set to begin a milk feeding program that will start on August until January 2014. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Zamboanga City to launch milk feeding program ZAMBOANGA CITY Zamboanga City is set to begin a P10-million milk feeding program that would benefit some 5,000 kindergarten and Grade 1 students in public schools, officials said.

Officials said the National Dairy Authority (NDA) is tasked to implement the program – in partnership with the Zamboanga City government and the Department of Education - which aims to provide the necessary nutrition to students and livelihood to dairy operators.

“We will implement a school-based milk feeding program here in Zamboanga City, the funding comes from the national government but this was initiated by Mayor Salazar when she was still in Congress, but we were not

able to implement it during her term [in Congress] due to time constraints,” NDA’s Marilyn Mabale said.

The feeding program was first initiated by Salazar when she was still congresswoman and Mabale introduced this to the local school board during a meeting recently with the mayor.

Mabale said the program’s funding will include administrative costs as the NDA will have to make sure it is implemented according to its guidelines to ensure the improvement in the nutritional status of the students.

The program is expected to start next month and end in January 2014.

Mabale said the NDA partnered with Nonito Bernardo, who operates the

NJB Farm in Ayala village in Zambanga City. Bernardo is a recipient of the NDA’s dairy program and under the partnership agreement, the NJB Farm would avail dairy cattle from NDA and operates the processing plant that will process, produce and supply the milk products to the program.

Salazar said she is happy by the realization of the program, saying health and nutrition for the children is one of her advocacy “We are also happy that this is happening as we celebrate Nutrition Month,” she said.

Mabale said she is optimistic the feeding program will become an avenue to promote the consumption of milk, especially among children.

Grenade blast kills wife of Basilan village chieftain BASILAN PROVINCE – A wife of a village chieftain was killed and another injured in a grenade explosion in the restive province of Basilan in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the explosion occurred in the house of Reynaldo delos Santos in the village of Matibay in Lamitan City.

The blast killed Sapiya Mansul, wife of Gais Mansul, the village chieftain of Sibago Island off

Mohamad Ajul town in Basilan.

“Authorities are investigating the blast that killed the wife of village chieftain Gais,” Capt.

Jefferson Somera, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, told the Mindanao Examiner.

No other details were made available by the military, but other reports said an unidentified man tossed the grenade in the house. It was unknown whether the target of the

attack was the house owner or Mansul.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the blast, but violence and gun attacks are not uncommon in Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, where rebels are actively operating and clan war and family feud remain a serious problem in peace and order situation in the area. (Mindanao Examiner)

July 22-28, 2013

The Mindanao Examiner

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MILF wealth-sharing deal praised COTABATO CITY – Various organizations and backers of the peace process in the southern Philippines have praised the recently concluded negotiastions following the signing of the wealth-sharing annex between the Aquino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front ending a long delay in the peace talks.

Miriam Ferrer, who heads the Philippine peace panel, said they agreed on a 75-25 wealth sharing agreement basically in natural resources in favor of the MILF, but both sides also said that resources derived from energy would be on an equal sharing.

Peace negotiators ended six days of marathon talks in Malaysia, which is brokering the peace process, and released a joint statement on the signing of the Annex on Wealth Sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

Bangsamoro accord refers to the Muslim homeland agreed by the Aquino government and the MILF last year. It will replace the current five-province Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao before presidential elections in 2016.

Commitment “In a show of true commitment, the Parties extended the meeting, originally scheduled for four days to six days to be able to overcome their concerns and reach an agreement on the Annex. The Parties believe that the Annex, which forms part of the FAB, will provide sufficient guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law’s provisions on wealth sharing and revenue generation for the Bangsamoro as envisioned by the FAB,” the statement

said. on Revenue Generation ing and revenue genera- the shares of the local govFerrer and her coun- and Wealth Sharing seeks tion. ernment units, will go to the terpart in the MILF, to fulfill the aspirations for The signed annex Bangsamoro Government.

Mohagher Iqbal, thanked meaningful Muslim au- stated that wealth creation With regard to other Filipino President Benigno tonomy in Mindanao that or revenue creation and sources of revenue, “govAquino for his commit- was envisioned in the Con- sourcing is important for ernment income derived ment to a just and lasting stitution. She said it will the operation of the from the operations of peace in Mindanao and correct the flaws in the cur- Bangsamoro, considering Bangsamoro governmentowned and also to Macontrolled laysian corporaP r i m e tions, finanMinister cial instituDato' Sri tions, ecoM o h d nomic zones, Najib Bin and freeports Tun Haji operating A b d u l therein, shall Razak for go to the his continBangsamoro ued supGovernport in the ment.” facilitation T h e of the Bangsamoro p e a c e shall have talks. authority They and control a l s o over existing praised governmentmembers owned and of the MI LF Central A Philippine government photo shows Philippines and MILF peace negotiators in Kuala Lumpur. c o n t r o l l e d corporations Committee headed by the secluded rent fiscal system in the that the Muslim territory is and financial institutions re-bel chieftain Murad Muslim autonomous re- among the most underde- operating exclusively in the veloped in the country due Bangsamoro territory, after Ebrahim for their contin- gion in Mindanao.

“With the insights pro- to the decades-old conflict. determination by the interued commitment to the peaceful resolution of the vided by the technical ex- Moreover, the existing tax governmental fiscal policy perts, Cabinet secretaries base therein is very limited. board of its feasibility.

Mindanao problem.

On fund transfers from The eight-page “It was a close call. But and several legislators conboth parties' persistence sulted by the government wealth-sharing annex has Central Government, a Speand goodwill bore fruit,” panel and the intense dis- sections on taxation, other cial Development Fund will Ferrer said. “We have a cussions we've had with sources of revenue, fees be provided by the former good package, one that we our counterparts, we are and charges, grants and to the Bangsamoro “for rebelieve would make fiscal confident that the Annex donations, fund transfers habilitation and developautonomy in the will withstand scrutiny and from Central Government, ment purposes upon the the tests of implementa- contracting of loans and ratification of the Bangsamoro a reality.”

Annexes tion,” Ferrer said, adding overseas development as- Bangsamoro Basic Law.” When it comes to natuThe Annex on Revenue the peace negotiators ex- sistance, natural resources, Generation and Wealth erted their best effort to re- and additional fiscal pow- ral resources, 75 percent of income derived from exploSharing is one of the four solve the language issues ers, among others.

How it wor ks works ration, development and annexes that, together with and succeeded because One of the highlights is utilization of metallic minthe FAB, will complete the they exercised flexibility comprehensive agree- and worked hard to find the agreed sharing formula erals within the region will ment. The other annexes the appropriate solutions. on taxing powers. The pan- go to the Bangsamoro GovIn the joint statement, els agreed that 25 percent of ernment. With respect to are on power-sharing and normalization, and are still the Parties said the Rev- the “Central Government non-metallic minerals enue Generation and taxes, fees and charges col- sand, gravel, and quarry reunder discussion.

The Annex on Transi- Wealth Sharing Annex will lected in the Bangsamoro, sources - such revenues will tional Arrangements and provide sufficient guid- other than tariff and cus- go to the Bangsamoro govModalities was signed in ance for the crafting of the tom duties” will go to the ernment and its local govBangsamoro Basic Law's Central Government, while ernments.

February.

On the other hand, inFerrer said the Annex provisions on wealth-shar- 75 percent of it, including come derived from fossil fuels - petroleum, natural gas, and coal - and uranium will be shared equally between the Central and Bangsamoro Governments.

Commendation The Lanao Peace Partnership, in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner, said it commends the hard work and sacrifice put up by the peace negotiators that led to the agreement.

“We note that the hoped for breakthrough came after 12 hours of session on their sixth day of meeting. Hence, it is but fitting to applaud their tenacity, which we are sure is founded on an unflinching commitment to bring lasting peace in Mindanao.” ”Like the landmark preliminary accord, the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the wealth-sharing deal embodies the true spirit of partnership of the peace panels. With this, we look forward with confidence on the completion of the remaining Annexes to the FAB, and eventually, the comprehensive agreement,” the LPP said.

The LPP is composed of the GIZ-Civil Peace Ser-

vice partner organizations Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits, MSU-IIT Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao and Pailig Development Foundation, Inc. The signing of the Annex on Wealth Sharing came as talks of amending the Philippine Constitution persisted since early this year. There were talks that the amendments would include important changes in the Charter that may include the issue on Muslim homeland in Mindanao.

Char ter change Charter But Muhammad Ameen, chairman of the MILF Secretariat, said despite the long-held belief that real solution to the Bangsamoro Question requires amending the Constitution, the rebel group “is not jumping its gun to support, at least in principle, the charter change initiative reverberating in the House of Representatives.”

“It is an internal legal process that the MILF is not supposed to participate,” Ameen said in an interview posted on the MILF website. He was commenting on reports that charter change is again up in the air, with Speaker Sonny Belmonte stating that he will file a resolution that would call for a constituent assembly.

“We are not there; let us wait for the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to finish its job and make a stand whether amending the Constitution is required or not,” he said.

He said that to this day, the Aquino government and MILF continue to disagree on whether this amendment is necessary or not. The government said that the present Constitution has the flexibility to accommodate and entrench the Basic Law and the MILF firmly taking a contrary view that changing the status quo form of government to asymmetrical relationship (ministerial form) would require amendment of the Constitution.

According to the MILF, one of the functions of the BTC is to make proposals, if necessary, to amend the Constitution. The first function is to draft the Basic Law and the third is to coordinate socio-economic development projects, if necessary.

It said in the past, many senators and congressmen also favored charter change. Their main focus is on the economic provisions of the Constitution, which to them, are very rigid that stunted development of the country. They referred to the ownership of certain industries and those that are involved in the exploration, development and utilization of our natural resources.

Some lawmakers favored ownership of lands by foreigners, a move opposed by others especially the nationalists and leftists.

They branded this move as a sell-out, it said. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

July 22-28, 2013

2 abducted women rescued, 2 captors arrested in Iligan City PAGADIAN CITY – Security forces rescued two abducted women and arrested their two captors in Iligan City in the southern Philippines, army officials said.

Captain Jefferson Somera, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, said the hostages - Kathlyn Jane Dapol and Jingle Bation Rebosora - were reunited with their families following Friday’s rescue at a road block put up by authorities along the highway in Iligan City.

He said the abductors, Mark Rebosora, 28, and Rogelio Bation, 60, were handed over to the police and are facing criminal charges. He said the abduction stemmed from a family feud.

Somera said the two men snatched the women while they were walking near an army base and dragged the duo to a waiting car that was eventually intercepted by soldiers at the road block.

“The timely intelligence information helped in the operation that led to

Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, commander of the 1st Infantry Division. the rescue of the two victims,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, lauded the rescue of the women and commended the troops and policemen involved in the joint operation.

“In time of needs, our people always look upon us to help them. Because they know that they are the reason why we are here and I applaud you for this successful operation, we helped and never failed them,” Trinidad told the soldiers, who are members of the 4th Mechanized Battalion, and the local police force. (Mindanao Examiner)

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Ex-MNLF rebels free hostages BASILAN PROVINCE – Moro National Liberation Front gunmen have freed all their 8 hostages following the release of three abducted daughters of the gang’s leaders in Basilan province in southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said MNLF leader Hassan Duwalay alias Commander Addang released the hostages in Tipo-Tipo town a day af-

ter his daughters Umma, Kelma and Pubu Duwalay – who had been abducted also on July 9 in Lamitan City in Basilan province – were freed.

“The release of the hostages is the result of joint efforts between the military and other stakeholders and we are glad it’s all over and peacefully settled,” Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad,

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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Asa Madale Lanao Provinces Ely D. Umaboc Zamboanga Sibugay/Zamboanga del Sur/Zamboanga del Norte The Mindanao Examiner Newspaper/Business Week/Mindanao Daily is published weekly/daily in Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao, Philippines.

The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in Skycable 54 in Zamboanga; Lupah Sug Cable in Sulu province and Basilan Cable in Basilan province.

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commander of the 1st Infantry Division, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

The former rebels abducted a dozen people in a raid on the village of Bohe Baca on July 11.

Among those taken by the raiders were 7 minors, including an infant, who were earlier freed following a negotiation led by Lieutenant Colonel Paolo Perez, commander of the 18th Infantry Battalion, and village officials.

Capt. Jefferson Somera, a regional army spokesman, said the abductions were triggered by a long family feud that stemmed from a land conflict. (Mindanao Examiner)

Members of the police bomb squad leaves the village of Tetuan in Zamboanga City after inspecting an abandoned bag. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Bomb scare hits Zamboanga village ZAMBOANGA CITY – An abandoned bag thought to contain a homemade explosive briefly disrupted traffic on a village in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.

Police dispatched a team of explosives expert and sealed off Alfaro Street in Tetuan village near downtown Zamboanga after receiving reports from civilians about the suspi-

cious bag.

Policemen manned the traffic and diverted vehicles away from the area where the bag had been left unattended.

Members of the local bomb squad and their dogs cordoned off the area and inspected the bag, but it only contained clothes.

“Negative, thank goodness. It just contained clothes,” a mem-

ber of the bomb squad told the Mindanao Examiner.

It was unknown who left the bag or whether it was deliberately abandoned to test how swiftly the police would react to such an emergency.

Zamboanga has been bombed many times in previous attacks largely blamed to rebels. (Mindanao Examiner)

Over 200 participants finish SMERA training in Zamboanga Peninsula DIPOLOG CITY - A total of 210 micro, small and medium enterprises in Zamboanga Peninsula participated in the recently launched SME roving academy or SMERA project spearheaded by the Department of Trade Industry.

Regional trade director Nazrullah Manzur, who led the SMERA launching ceremonies in Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte province, said two trainings and seminars - Accounting Made Easy for Non-Accountants and Marketing Eco-Tourism – were held here.

Two other trainings -

Quality and Productivity Management in Abaca Production and Processing were also conducted in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur and in Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Manzur said the SMERA project aims to develop and grow more SMEs and its training courses and other services like product development and on-site, one-onone consultation with other agencies are offered free of charge. The first phase of the roving academy this year was successful because of the support of its partner agencies in the SME Core Group, the Bu-

reau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Philippine Trade Training Center, and others from the private sector “We are confident that the second phase of the trainings in August and September will be just as successful.We call on those who want to go into rubber or those interested in visual merchandizing to make your reservations now with the DTI offices in Zamboanga City, Isabela City, or Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay. Participation is free but strictly on a first come, first served basis,” Manzur said. (Lowell Vallecer)

The Mindanao Examiner

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The Mindanao Examiner

July 22-28, 2013

Mga kagamhanang lokal gidasig paghimo ug lakang batok sa droga DIPOLOG CITY Pinasubay sa Memorandum Circular Numero 2013- 50, ang buhatan sa Department of the Interior and Local Government ang naga-awhag sa tanan alang sa “Observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking ubos sa tema nga “Global Action for Healthy Communities Without Drugs”, nga ilawom sa Presidential Proclamation No. 269 nga pinetsahan Hunyo 26, 1998.

Alayon sa gihisgutan sa unahan, diin ang tanang Provincial Governors, City Mayors, Municipal Mayors, DILG Regional Offices ug ARMM Governors ang

gidasig alang sa paghimo ug tukmang kalihukan alang sa dugang nga pagpa-amgo sa publiko ilabi na sa mga kabatanonan.

Alang kini sa bili sa usa ka "healthy lifestyle" ug sa makadaut nga epekto sa druga ngadto sa lawas sa mga tawo ug ingon man, aron makagama social response alang sa pagpakgang ug sa pagkontrol sa suliran sa droga dinhi sa nasud.

Busa gi-awhag ang tanan alang sa pag-display ug mga streamers ug mga bandera nga magadala sa tema niining tuiga ngadto sa mga istratehikong mga dapit .

Gi-awhag usab ang

tanang DILG Regional Directors ang gi-awhag nga makatabang alang sa pagpalapad sa diseminasyon sa maong Circular ngadto sa tanang local authorities sulod sa matag hurisdiksyon nila ug magsumitir ug report sulod sa 15 ka adlaw human sa katapusan sa naasoyng kalihukan diretso ngadto sa Dangerous Drugs Board.

Subay sa nasangpit nga circular, naga-awhag ang inahan ning dakbayan Mayor Evelyn Uy ngadto sa tanang katawhan sa nagkada-iyang dapit alang sa pagtabang sa pagpakaylap sa maong balita ilabi na ngadto sa mga kabataan. (MECC)

Troops kill Sayyaf rebel in Basilan clash BASILAN PROVINCE – Government troops killed an Abu Sayyaf rebel in a firefight in the restive province of Basilan in the southern Philippines, army officials said.

Officials said the fighting erupted in the village of Sapah Bulak in Sumisip town where soldiers and pro-government militias were escorting rubber plantation

2 men survive Pagadian City shooting PAGADIAN CITY – An unidentified gunman attacked early a representative of the indigent sector in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province, police said.

Police said the gunman shot the vehicle of Rio Olimpio Lingating, 47, in the village of Dao. His driver, Trifil Jay Macarial, 22, was slightly injured from debris of shattered wind shield of their pickup truck.

Lingating was not hurt in the shooting and police said an investigation was launched into the motive of the attack.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the shooting. (Mindanao Examiner)

workers. “The rebels attacked the soldiers, triggering the fighting that killed Omar Akbar Suwaire,” Capt.

Jefferson Somera, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said troops recovered the body of the slain rebel and his weapon – an automatic rifle with a grenade launcher – and handed the cadaver to municipal officials. Somera, quoting a report from Lt. Col. Leonardo Dacumos, commander of the 64th Infantry Battalion, said the fighting lasted over 10 minutes and the rebels fled only to attack again after an hour and sparking a fierce battle.

He said the Abu Sayyaf gunmen tried, but failed to

retrieve the body of the slain rebel. “No one was injured or killed in the fighting on the part of the military or the civilians,” Somera said, adding Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, the regional army commander, ordered troops to pursue the attackers.

“General Trinidad has ordered the army forces in Basilan to track down the Abu Sayyaf and intensify intelligence operation in the province to prevent similar attacks,” he said.

The Abu Sayyaf is a small, but the most notorious rebel group involved in terrorism and kidnappings for ransom and extortion and operating mostly in Basilan and Sulu provinces, which are all part of the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Abducted boy rescued in Zamboanga City ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police captured three men and rescued a two-year old boy they allegedly abducted in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the boy was reunited with his parents following the daring rescue in the coastal village of Recodo.

Those arrested were identified by the police as

Ryan Asali, 30; Alvin Saudani, 20, and Asiri Andak, the driver of the get-away vehicle. A fourth man, who was only identified by his first name as Buddy, is still being hunted by the police.

Officials said the boy was abducted inside their house in Tumaga village.

Police launched an investigation into the motive of the abduction. (Mindanao Examiner)

Army troops deployed in southern Philippines listen to their commander during a security briefing. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Maguindanao school suspends classes due to presence of soldiers COTABATO CITY – A Southern Philippine school suspended its primary classes due to the presence of huge number of government troops hunting down Moro rebels.

The Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC) reported that troops assembled at the Bagan Elementary School in the town of Guindulungan in Maguindanao province.

The town was scene of recent clashes between army soldiers and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters that triggered an exodus of civilians.

MinHRAC said the presence of troops in the school compound interrupted the classes and that soldiers had

told the students to go home.

“Troops assembled at Bagan Elementary School in Barangay Bagan, Guindulungan, Maguindanao, causing interruption of the classes and then sending home of the students. As of this writing, the AFP forces are conducting clearing operations at Barangay Kateman, Guindulungan,” agency said in a bulletin sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

There was no immediate statement from either the Western Mindanao Command or the 6th Infantry Division about the report.

Just last month, MinHRAC reported that troops arrested 8 innocent

civilians in Sultan Kudarat on suspicion they were rebels. They were seized by army soldiers while trying to get their belongings in the village of Kulasi where rebels and soldiers had clashed.

It said those arrested were villagers who fled the fighting, but the military said the group was carrying explosives, an accusation strongly denied by the victims.

Zainudin Malang, MinHRAC executive director, said those arrested were civilians displaced by the fighting in the village and that they were taken by soldiers while on their way to briefly go to their homes to get their belongings. (Mindanao Examiner)

8

The Mindanao Examiner

July 22-28, 2013

Philippine human rights group tagged as 'enemy of state' MAGUINDANAO PROVINCE - Defense by offense is a classic case of someone who is cornered and has nowhere to go, and there’s no other way but to punch one’s way out, this, according to the human rights group Kapapatan, is straight from the horse's mouth - the Armed Forces of the Philippines finally confirmed that it considers the group its enemy.

"By calling Karapatan its enemy, the AFP justified that the victims of human rights violations are also its enemies," Cristina Palabay, Secretar y General of Karapatan, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Palabay’s statement came at the heels of newspaper reports that quoted Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes as say-

ing the "opposition to Baladad's appointment was expected from the 'enemy'... You don't expect any positive statement from the enemy."

Coballes was referring to Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, who according to Karapatan is among those responsible for the torture and illegal detention of 43 health workers known as "Morong 43".

Karapatan called the appointment of Baladad as commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, as "exemplary display of impunity under the Aquino government."

"The AFP and its officials are making a fool of themselves by saying they are human rights advocates. The military’s record of human rights violations speaks for itself,” Palabay said.

"Coballes’ statement signifies the AFP’s contin-

ued operations against those whom they perceive as 'enemies' of the Aquino administration, and that includes not only members of Karapatan but also leaders and members of people’s organizations and communities opposed to the Aquino government's anti-people policies."

Karapatan said it documented 142 cases of extrajudicial killing and 164 frustrated killing; 16 incidents of enforced disappearance; 76 cases of torture; 293 cases of illegal arrest and detention.

“Hindi namin papatulan yang work-work together na linya ng AFP. Any respectable human rights organization will not be trapped into their lies on security sector reform. We have, and will always, work with the poor and marginalised Filipino people,” Palabay said.

Security still tight in Maguindanao province COTABATO CITY – Security is still tight in Maguindanao following the recent ambush by Moro rebels on a \n army truck in the southern province, officials said.

Officials said troops have put up road blocks and checkpoints to ensure the safety of travelers in the province.

At least 7 Moro rebels and soldiers were killed and 4 more wounded in fierce fighting this month in Maguindanao.

Rebels attacked soldiers travelling in a truck on a highway in Guidulungan town. The ambush sparked a fire fight between troops from the

2nd Mechanized Battalion and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, a spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division, has confirmed the fighting and said the clash lasted about 15 minutes.

Hermoso, quoting army reports, said 5 rebels were killed in the clash and that soldiers recovered the bodies of the slain gunmen.

“The slain soldiers and the wounded are now in Camp Siongco Station Hospital in 6th Infantry Division. Their names are withheld (from the public) pending notification of their next of kin,” he told

the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said troops were pursuing the BIFF gunmen who had clashed earlier this month with military forces in Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces.

The BIFF is led by Ameril Umra Kato, a former leader of the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is currently negotiating peace with Manila.

Kato broke away with the MILF after accusing its chieftain Murad Ebrahim of abandoning their secessionist war in Mindanao, and formed his own group which is composed of mostly MILF rebels. (Mindanao Examiner)

An old woman begs for money in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. The lack of facilities for the elderly and livelihood program for the poor largely contribute to the worsening poverty problem in Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner Photo).

Lending firm sa Dipolog City nilooban DIPOLOG CITY – Nilooban ng dalawang armado ang isang lending firm sa Dipolog City at nalimas ang tinatayang P200,000.

Sinabi ni Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, ang regional police spokesman, na patuloy ang imbestigasyon sa robo at pinaghahanap na rin ng mga awtoridad ang dalawang lalaki.

Nabatid na pinasok ng dalawa ang MCD Credit Corporation sa ikatlong palapag ng Lordel Building sa downtown Dipolog.

Armado umano ng baril at granada ang dalawang lalaki kung kaya’t walang nagawa ang mga empleyado.

Agad nilimas ng dalawa ang drawer ng manager na si Jimmy Dampios. Ilang minuto lamang umano nagtagal ang hold-up at mabilis na tumakas ang dalawa.

Hindi naman agad mabatid kung may security guard o CCTV ang nasabing lending firm.

Iniutos naman ni Supt.

Joven Parcon, ang hepe ng pulisya, ang isang masu-

sing imbestigasyon sa kaso. (Mindanao Examiner)

3 people shot in Zambo, Lamitan cities ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three people were shot in separate gun attacks in the cities of Zamboanga and Lamitan in southern Philippines, police said.

Police said a local meat trader Richard Enriquez was shot at around 7 a.m. at Santa Cruz market in the village of Tetuan.

The attacker fled after the shooting. The motive of the shooting is still unknown and police are investigating the attack.

Gunmen also shot a

provincial government employee Omar Hadjatul and his wife in Isabela City in Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.

Hadjatul and his wife were on their way to work when shot before 8 a.m.

No individual claimed responsibility for all the shootings, but gun attacks are not uncommon in Zamboanga and Basilan, where hired killers and rebels are actively operating. (Mindanao Examiner)

KISMET Cable Channel 63 Pagadian City

Publiko pinaalalahanan sa chikungunya virus SARANGANI PROVINCE Maliban sa nakamamatay na dengue, naka-alerto rin ang probinsya ng Sarangani sa isa pang sakit mula sa kagat ng lamok, ang chikungunya virus.

Napabalitang nagkaroon na ng outbreak ng sakit sa mga karatig lugar sa SOCSKSARGEN o South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani at General Santos City. Hindi man ito nakamamatay, pero kung hindi agad nagamot, maaaring tumagal ang epekto nito sa isang tao at magdulot ng arthritis.

Ayon kay Dr. Arvin Alejandro, ang provincial health officer, hindi dapat bale walain ang chikungunya. Kaya para maiwasan, naipakalat na rin

ang impormasyon hinggil sa sakit sa mga munisipalidad.

Kahalintulad sa den-

gue ang mga sintomas ng chikungunya tulad ng lagnat, pananakit ng ulo, pagkakaroon ng rashes na may kasamang pananakit ng kasu-kasuan o severe joint pains.

Parehong vector o uri ng lamok ang nagdadala ng chikungunya virus, kaya mabisa pa ring tanggalin ang lahat ng

maaaring pamugaran ng kiti-kiti. Hindi lang nangingitlog ang lamok sa mga naka-pondong tubig, kundi pati na rin sa mga kagamitang laging nababasa ng tubig.

Panawagan naman ni Governor Steve Solon sa mga residente, mag-report agad sa mga health center sakaling may napansing sintomas sa miyembro ng pamilya.

Ang chikungunya ay hindi agad nakukumpirma sa simpleng blood test lang.

Kailangan pa itong ipadala sa Research Institute for Tropical Medicine o RITM. Huling nagkaroon ng kaso ang Sarangani sa bayan ng Kiamba noong Disyembre 2012 hanggang Enero ng 2013. (Charito Ansagay)

Blood collecting unit solusyon sa kakulangon sa dugo sa Dipolog DIPOLOG CITY - “Ang gipundar nga Blood Collecting Unit dinhi sa City Government sa Dipolog, ang tuyong gi-istablisar gumikan sa nagkadugang nga panginahanglanon sa dugo dinhi sa dakbayan”, mao kini ang giluwatang pulong ni Bise Mayor Horacio Velasco sa milabayng Hulyo 9, 2013.

Sigun sa nasayran nga gipangwagtang na ang mga Commercial Blood Banks gumikan sa isyu nga nagabaligya kini sa mga kontamindaong dugo sa tawo. Busa gumikan niini, ang dakbayan sa Dipolog ang mitukod ug kaugalingong Blood Collecting Unit niini aron ang mga Dipolognon ang makaseguro na sa limpiyong dugo.

Dugang pa ni Bise Mayor Velasco nga karon, dinha sa matag barangay ang mga katawhan ang gipahigayonan na sa bloodtyping aron masayran ang matag blood- type sa matag

usa niini. Busa sa panahon nga duna’y magkinahanglan sa dugo, nahibawan na dayon kung kinsa ang angay duolon aron makadonar sa iyang dugo.

Alang usab sa mga donor, ipa-ilawom usab kini sila ug mga blood-testing aron maseguro nga wala’y kontaminasyon o luwas ba gikan sa mga sakit nga mananakod.

Kahibaloan usab nga duna’y daghang tawo ang andam ug tagana nga modonar sa ilang mga dugo ug nasayran nga nagapa-abot lamang sila kung kanus-a tawagon.

Sanglit nga hapit na man ang operation sa kaugalingong tambalanan ning dakbayan, nga mao ang Corazon C. Aquino Hospital, samut nga mas

daku ang kapuslanan sa blood Collecting Unit dinhi sa dakbayan bisan ug dili kini hospital based.

Bulahan kaayo ang dakbayan sa Dipolog gumikan kay nakadawat kini ug donasyon gikan sa DOH nga usa ka refrigerator nga gituyo alang sa pagpreserbar sa gidonar nga mga dugo.

Subay sa nasangpit nga kalamboan, nagmapasalamaton ang mga katawhan ngadto sa inahan ning dakbayan Mayor Evelyn T. Uy gumikan sa paghatag niini ug pagtagad kabahin sa kinahanglanon sa dugo aron duna’y magamit sa bisan unsang orasa. Busa kini ang usa sa mga gabayan alang sa damgo sa dakbayan alang sa Swigapore 2030. (MECC)

Pencing (Esfada) by Jun Feliciano (Zamboanga City)

‘BENG’S governance under acid test’

THE WORD: ANYTHING of the flesh is not of GOD. We’re in the flesh, but not of the flesh. GOD sees only our spirit.. that’s what counts most to HIM. DON’T ever try to understand GOD, or you’ll end up a fool, in the end. Just believe, and that’s FAITH. FOR without Faith, it is impossible to please GOD.FAITH is GOD’s language.

WHEN man talks to GOD, that’s Prayer.

BUT when GOD talks to man, to most, that sounds weird. IN most cases, they recommend that he be taken to the mental hospital.

BUT, GOD works amid our impossibilities. HE can verily do such a thing.

NONETHELESS, GOD only talks to man, when there’s such a very special calling from HIM, especially when GOD senses the sinfulness of man beyond its repair.

THAT’S the very reason why he had to talk to Abraham, to Noah, to Moses, to Saul(who later became St. Paul) and to the other great prophets or the so-called messengers of GOD... with one thing in mind for man to comply —REPENT! For the Kingdom of GOD is at hand!..(More enlightenment to come in next issue. WE nothing to lose here, except our Sin...)

-oOoSEVERAL sectors in our local community here in the City of Zamboanga, are keenly watching the supposed much-ballyhooed governance of our new Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar.

SO MUCH is being expected of her, albeit her own admission that she’s not a Superwoman to turn things around here in an overnight fashion. HENCE, she’s in dire need of our help, as she readily implored to our televiewers in one of the episodes’ during PENCING’s weekly TV talk show aired shortly after Mayor Beng’s rousing triumph in last May 13’s local polls here.

IF SO, these are some of the few handson tips for the lady mayor to heed if only to help her succeed in her quest to see a better Zamboanga one day: “I want her (Mayor Beng) to form immediately an executive-legislative agenda, as a roadmap- server towards better governance.”

IN that manner, all leaders of the various sectors can be convened in one assemblage wherein all their suggestions, recommendations and their other salient concerns, with all their relevance in sight, can be pooled all together to aptly attain our common goal—that’s a peaceful & orderly community to live in and a truly and genuinely progressive and highly developed ZC to be proud of.

“I give her one-full term before I can ably grade her performance, either with plus or minus points.” – Atty. Arsenio Gonzales (business leader); “I GIVE her at-least one-year period to be able turn things around here,”—former Mayor Vinnie Atilano III; “I’LL only salute her and give my thumbs-up, if she can solve the peace & order problem, poverty and ignorance of our people,”—Fr. Max Rodriguez (Claretian Priest); “I give her one-full term to succeed. Let’s help her realize all our dreams for a better ZC to live in. Definitely, she needs everybody’s help to attain this.”—Tessie Uy Sebastian (banker); “I’ll grade her performance after her one-year in office. Let’s help her.” – Pedro Rufo N. Soliven (President- Zamboanga Chamber OF Commerce and Industry, Inc.); “I’ll give our new lady mayor, 1-year grace period to address our major issues here, especially our deteriorating peace & order condition.”— Engr. Edmund Dimaano (Contractor).

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Zambo cockpit arena ‘bleacher’ collapses ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least a dozen people were injured after a wooden stage collapsed inside a cockpit arena in the southern Filipino port city of Zamboanga, reports said.

It said the stage, which is also being used as seats for customers, collapsed due to the huge number of people betting and watch-

9

The Mindanao Examiner

July 22-28, 2013

ing a cock fight in the village of Ayala.

At least 8 of the injured aficionados were rushed to hospitals.

The cock fight, which started shortly after noontime, was stopped following the accident.

The mayor of Zamboanga, Maria Isabelle Salazar, rushed to

the hospitals to see the condition of the injured.

“We are here to ensure the injured victims are being taken care of,” Salazar told reporters.

Cock fighting is a favorite gambling game among many locals and Zamboanga has dozens of similar arena across the city. (Mindanao Examiner)

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC This is to inform the public that Pilar Gina Fernando is no longer connected with the Mindanao Examiner Newspaper and Television effective May 15, 2013.

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P10

July 22-28, 2013

PONDO NG ARMM, NASILIP NG COA! P10 milyon cash advance nasaan na?

M

ay anomalya ba o wala. M atuwid nga ba Matuwid ang daan? IIto to ngay on ang tanong ng ngayon publiko sa A utonomous R egion in M uslim Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao matapos na lumutang ang ulat ng C ommission on A udit na halos P10 mily on cash adCommission Audit milyon vances ang hanggang ngay on ay undocumented pa. ngayon Ayon sa pagsusuri ng COA, ito ay sa pondo pa lamang sa tatlong accounts mula sa Philippines. Hindi naman ARMM Social Fund - IBRD pinangalanan ng COA ang 7912, JICA 235 at General mga taong nasa likod ng Fund na kanilang binusis. mga cash advances at hindi Sa ulat naman na rin mabatid kung bakit ito inilabas kamakailan ng The pinayagan at pinabayaan ng Manila Times ay sina- pamunuan ng ARMM. Sinabi pa ng COA na sabing pawang mga cash advances ito ng mga mahigpit ang tagubilin nito opisyal at empleyado ng sa mga ahensya ng pamaARMM at walang mga halaan ukol sa mga cash adpapeles umano na magpa- vances na kailangang ay patunay kung saan ito dokumentadong lahat ang ginamit o napunta kung mga pinaglaanan ng salapi kaya’t undocumented ang dahil kung hindi ito masusunod ay posibleng may ito.

“Moreover, several un- anomalya itong kinapapaliquidated cash advances looban. Dapat umanong babelong to the same employ- yaran ng mga opisyal at ees. It simply connotes that empleyado ang kanilang such employee is being al- cash advances at kung hindi lowed to take additional naman ito magagawa ay cash advance without set- maaari ibawas sa kanilang tling first his or her previous mga sweldo.

Hindi rin maaring cash advance, thus, contrary to Section 89 of Presi- bigyan ng mga pani-bagong dential Decree 1445,” ayon advances ang mga ito kung pa sa COA sa naturang ulat. hindi pa nila maibigay ang Ang Section 89 ng mga supporting documents Presidential Decree 1445 ay o papeles sa kung saan ang Auditing Code of the napunta ang salapi.

Ang Cotabato riverside na pangunahing lugar ng mga bankero sa lungsod. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) Hindi naman mabatid kung nabusisi rin ba ang pondo sa tanggapan ni ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman at iba pang mga opisyal nito sa naturang rehiyon.

Kin of murdered Dutch missionary in Philippines seek justice MANILA - The family of Dutch missionary Willem Geertman, who was a victim of extrajudicial killing last year in the Philippine city of Angeles, made strong exception to the statement of European Union ambassador Guy Ledoux lauding the Aquino government's human rights record.

Herman Geertman, brother of Willem and spokesperson of the Geertman family, said the EU ambassador's praise of the human rights record of the Aquino government is like rubbing salt to the wound and pain they are suffering with the unresolved killing of his brother.

“We are in the Philippines right now and participating in an international mission to continue to seek justice for my murdered brother. The EU

ARMM

ambassador's statements inflict pain and further suffering to us and to the families of the other victims of political killings,” Herman said in a statement released to the Mindanao Examiner by the International Coordinating Committee on Human Rights in the Philippines.

Herman said the fact that impunity continues in the Philippines is proof that EU aid has been a waste of European taxpayers' money. He was referring to 10 million Euro aid that was recently committed to the Philippine government to supposedly improve the human rights situation.

In May 2010, Aquino, then presumptive presidential-elect, promised the 13 diplomats from EU member states to solve extrajudicial killings and capturing and jailing the perpetrators.

July 2010 to April 2013, Karapatan documented 142 victims of extrajudicial killings and 164 cases of frustrated extrajudicial killings.

This number includes Dutch missionary Willem Geertman, and Italian Catholic priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio, whose killings remain unsolved and perpetrators have not been prosecuted.

Herman and his wife, together with several Dutch human rights advocates, researchers, filmmakers, journalists, Danish trade unionists, and local church lay leaders, are among the participants of the International Solidarity Mission that is conducting visits to three central Luzon provinces, including Aurora province where murdered Dutch missionary Geertman lived for several years as an advocate for peasant and indigenous peoples rights.

Southern Mindanao

Davao

Kaliwa’t-kanan ang akusasyon ng mga anomalya sa

ARMM. (Mindanao Examiner. May karagdagang ulat

ni John Constantine Cordon ng Manila Times.)

'Adik sa pork' DAVAO CITY - Kinondena ng grupo ng mga kabataan si Pangulong Benigno Aquino bilang 'adik' sa pork barrel dahil sa pagtutol nito sa mga panukalang tanggalin na ang Priority Development Assistance Fund matapos makaladkad ang ilang mga mambabatas sa eskandalong kinapapalooban ng mga umano'y pekeng nongovernmental organizations.

Sinabi ng grupong Anakbayan na mistulang peke at palamuti lamang ang mga kampanyang

kontra-katiwalian ng gobyerno na "daang matuwid" dahil baluktot naman umano ang tinatahak ng pamahalaan.

Naglabas ang mga partylist groups sa ilalim ng Koalisyong Makabayan ng panukalang batas para tanggalin na ang "pork barrel" dahil pangunahing dahilan ito ng korapsyon at katiwaliaan. Bukod sa PDAF na tinatayang magkakahalagang P27 bilyon para sa 2014, pinapaalis rin ng panukala ng Makabayan ang sariling pork barrel ni Aquino na

nagkakahalagang P25 bilyon noong nakaraang taon.

"Sobrang na-adik na sa pork barrel itong sila Aquino kaya hindi nya mapakawalan ito. Tulad ni dating Pangulong Gloria Arroyo, ginagamit nila ito para magbigay pabuya sa mga kaalyado nila, at parusahan ang mga mambabatas na kumakalaban sa kanilang mga kontra-mamamayang hakbangin," pahayag pa sa Mindanao Examiner ni Vencer Crisostomo, ng Anakbayan.

Taiwanese man arrested for selling porn videos ZAMBOANGA CITY – Philippine authorities arrested a Taiwanese national for selling pornographic videos in an operation in the southern province of Zamboanga Sibugay.

Police said Eric Chang was nabbed after he sold pornographic movies to undercover agents of the National Bureau of Investigation and the municipal

Manila

police in Kabasalan town.

The 26-year old Taiwanese is said to be residing in the town, but officials did not say whether the foreigner was illegally staying in the country or not.

Authorities are investigating the Taiwanese in the NBI provincial official in Pagadian City where he is being detained, according to Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca,

a regional police spokesman. He said the foreigner is facing charges for violating the Revised Penal Code Article 201 or Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows.

If found guilty, the Taiwanese can be jailed for 6 years or fined up to P12,000 or both. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Peninsula