Mindanao Examiner Newspaper Aug. 5-11, 2013

Figaro Coffee Company Eyes Zamboanga and Davao Provinces Expansion PAGE 2

Malaysia to establish negotiations with Sayaff

Police release composite images of bombers

Killings continue in Isabela City

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Kaayohan sa pills gibatbat atol sa 2nd Buntis Congress

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Smart Bro Internet slows down; blame it on ‘Fair Use Policy’

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BANGSAMORO REPUBLIK!

T

he M or oN ational Liber ation F Mor oro National Liberation Frront which signed a peace deal with M anila in 1996 has rrepor epor tedly rreleased eleased a stateManila eportedly ment and rread ead this to its members in vvar ar ious camps in the arious souther nP hilippines southern Philippines hilippines..

The statement, which sug- lution in the Mindanao conflict. gested a “United Federate States Deles said after almost six of Bangsamoro Republik,” said it years of tripartite review, a joint rehas established a revolutionary view process had already estabgovernment constitution in the lished consensus points and some southern region, home to minor- joint mechanisms and actions parity Muslim tribes in the largely ticularly between MNLF represenCatholic region. tatives and the Muslim autonoPreamble mous regional government.

It said: “We, the united “From the start, what the govpeople, Lumads, Muslims, and ernment proposed to complete Christians of Bangsamoro was the review process, not the cloRepublik, exercising our inherent sure of the peace process or the absovereignty, do hereby establish rogation of the 1996 Final Peace this constitution. We manifest Agreement,” she said. our common wish to live together The review process is being fain peace and harmony, to pre- cilitated by the Organization of Isserve the heritage of the past, and lamic Cooperation, specifically its to cherish and sustain the prom- Peace Committee for the Southern ise of the future.”

Philippines (OIC-PCSP) which is “We uphold the diversity of headed by Indonesia. our religions, cultures and tradiIndonesia’s Foreign Affairs tions. Our differences enrich us. Minister Marty Natalegawa adThe seas brings us together, they vised Manila to continue to exerdo not separate us. Our islands cise patience even in the face of sustain us; our aspirations and provocation as he reiterated dreams as a nation enlarge us and Jakarta’s support for the peace promake us stronger.” cess in Mindanao.

Bangsamor oS tate It added: “Our ancestors, angsamoro State who made their homes on these Misuari has previously deislands, displaced no other nounced the peace talks between people. Having known war, we the Aquino government and rival hope for peace. Having been di- rebel group Moro Islamic Liberavided, we wish unity and we seek tion Front after negotiators signed freedom. We extend to all nations an accord that would create the what we seek from each: peace, Bangsamoro state. friendship, cooperation, and love The Muslim homeland would in our common humanity. With replace the existing Muslim authis constitution we humbly im- tonomous region which is complore the aid of our Maker and do posed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, ordain this constitution.”

Maguindanao and Lanao provJust recently, Libyan fire- inces, including the cities of brand Nur Misuari, who heads Marawi and Lamitan. And several the MNLF, expressed his disap- more areas in the provinces of pointment over Manila’s failure to Lanao del Norte and North comply with the provisions in the Cotabato would also be included peace accord and warned of re- in the new autonomous region, newed war if the government ab- whih Misuari said violated the 1996 rogates the agreement. peace accord.

Misuari also asked the Misuari previously said that United Nations to send peace the Bangsamoro agreement might keepers in Mindanao to prevent be a recipe for a crisis which may the possible breakout of war. include war. He and Mujahab End Tripar tite R eview ipartite Review Hashim, the MNLF’s Islamic ComBut Teresita Deles, the Presi- mand Council chairman, have dential peace adviser, denied raised strong objections to the Misuari’s allegations that Manila government’s signing of the accord wanted to abrogate the peace ac- with the MILF. cord.

“Because there is no other reDeles explained that while course now for the (MNLF), at least the government’s position is to the majority of the senior leaders bring the tripartite review pro- of the MNLF, we have no other recess to a proper completion, she course but to go back to the origisaid the Aquino administration nal objective of arms struggle,” will continue to engage relevant Hashim warned.

Independence parties of the MNLF, through the existing mechanism, to find a just Misuari also backed off from and comprehensive political so- his plan to declare independence

ARMM

Southern Mindanao

A video grab of Nur Misuari while speaking in front of supporters in Southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner) in Sulu province, but hundreds of his followers, many of them armed, showed up to support their ageing leader.

And the military did nothing and failed to prevent the daring public display of weapons and forces, fearing any attempt to stop them would trigger a fierce battle.

Misuari, who met with his commanders in the town of Indanan, almost declared independence, but changed his mind, saying he still needs to consult with his senior leaders before making the announcement in the right time.

Surrounded by his most trusted leaders and loyal lieutenants – Ustadz Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibun – Misuari was many times interrupted by the huge crowd of MNLF members chanting “Allahu Akbar” and raising their weapons in the air as a show of support to his cause.

“We are going to find the right time to for the formal declaration (of independence. I still need to communicate with the OIC so we still have to discuss this with among us leaders,” he said in the local Tausug dialect.

OIC refers to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation which helped broker the peace talks between the MNLF and the Philippines that led to the eventual signing of the agreement in September 1996.

Davao

Misuari said it has been three decades now since the OIC mediated in the peace talks, but Manila has failed to comply with the provisions in the accord.

“It is more than 30 years now since the OIC mediated in the peace talks and up to now nothing has been achieved. And that’s why we need to carefully plan on what steps to take. Let us wait, we cannot just jump into something which will not bring good to us,” he said.

Misuari said Filipino government officials scrambled to meet with Indonesian leaders in Jakarta to ask them to intercede and stop him from declaring independence.

“I tell you Indonesia and the Philippines will again talk to us and try to stop our determination and this is to declare independence, complete, pure independence of our nation,” he said.

Failur e ailure The MILF, a breakaway faction of the MNLF, previously branded the Muslim autonomous region as a failure. The region has been rocked by corruption scandals and remains as one of the poorest in the country.

It previously called on the government to amend the Constitution that would allow the creation of a Muslim sub-state in Mindanao. President Benigno Aquino’s allies in Congress are now

Manila

pushing for the amendment of the Constitution, saying, there is a need to change many provisions in the Charter that would benefit the country’s economy, among others.

After the 1996 peace accord with the MNLF, Misuari became the governor of autonomous region. But many former rebels were disgruntled with the accord, saying, the government failed to uplift their standards of living.

They accused the government of failing to develop the war-torn areas in the South, which remain in mired in poverty, heavily militarized and dependent financially on Manila.

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 his followers launched a new rebellion in Sulu and Zamboanga City, where more than 100 people were killed.

Misuari escaped by boat to Malaysia, but was arrested there and deported to the Philippines.

He was eventually freed in 2008 after Manila dropped all charges against him for lack of sufficient evidence. He was also ousted by Muslimin Sema, the MNLF Secretary-General, but Misuari maintained that he is the true leader of the former rebel group.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Peninsula

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 5-11, 2013

Figaro Coffee Company Eyes Zamboanga and Davao Provinces Expansion

F

ollo wing its successful opening of local ollowing and inter national stor es igar o, the leadstores es,, F Figar igaro international ing F ilipino coffee company plans to Filipino complete its 100 stor es befor e the end of stores before 2014, ey eing Z amboanga and D av ao P eyeing Zamboanga Dav avao Prrovinces as one of its pr ovincial fr anchise location for this franchise pro year ear..

Zamboanga and Davao Provinces is the perfect location of Figaro’s next branch. Zamboanga and Davao Provinces locals will soon enjoy Figaro’s wide array of beverage and food products from specialty and traditional European coffee, ice blended concoctions to delectable pastries, gourmet sandwiches, pasta, personal sized pizza and salad greens for the health buffs.

Figaro’s European store concept and design will soon be built in Zamboanga and Davao Provinces.

Figaro will let Zamboanga and Davao Provinces experience the European coffee shop ambiance with a very relaxed atmosphere conducive to short business meetings, social gatherings or simply having your lunch, dinner and night cap.

Figaro now plans to offer a semi-fine dining style of service, introducing Filipinos’ love for coffee from the crop to the cup. Its excellent customer service will leave a long lasting impression to its cli-

ents and this will complete the wonderful coffee experience that the customers will encounter in a Figaro coffee shop.

It is Figaro’s vision to share the passion and love of the Filipino coffee worldwide in its continued global expansion tapping also the Philippines’ lo-

cally produced coffee beans to better serve its customers.

Sharing the passion to love coffee from the crop to the cup, Figaro had established the coffee pas-

sion in the Philippines and in other parts of the world to redefine coffee experience. A necessity for people on the go, coffee had grown more than just a breakfast beverage as Figaro continues to share the heritage of coffee making industry in different parts of the globe.

Figaro currently has 81 branches including outlets in China, Saudi Arabia, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia. Recently, the Figaro Management signed a Master Franchise Deal for United Arab Emirates making it the 6th international destination for Figaro.

Omniscient of the coffee culture, Figaro is the best choice for franchise as they continue to provide continuous comprehensive training and marketing support to all its franchisees.

Get a Full Store, Kiosk or a Cart Type to start your dream of an ideal coffee business. Total investment includes franchise fee, site assessment, store design, store construction, equipment, and a comprehensive training for the initial store team.

An outstanding comprehensive marketing support entailed at your franchise is guaranteed at Figaro. It is always time for a cup of coffee and we can now start to enjoy. For franchise inquiries, you may visit www.figarocoffee.com or call (63) 917 523 7864 and (632) 632 1526 for more details.

Si Sulu Gov. Totoh Tan habang nagbibigay ng talumpati sa isang Ramadan symposium.

(Kuha ni Kim Uddin)

Mindanao Examiner Tele-Radyo is a Commentary & Opinion Show (news talk) broadcast in Mindanao Examiner TV in Pagadian City (KISMET Cable TV & Pagadian City Cable TV Channel 63).For block time, booking or guesting, advertisements and sponsorship, please call our Zamboanga Studio on telephone number (062) 9925480 and mobile number (0917) 7103642 or email us at mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com.

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 5-11, 2013

Malaysia to establish negotiations with Sayyaf MAL AYSIAN A UTHORIMALA AUTHORIe wanted to eshave TIES hav tablish contact with F iliFilipino kidnappers holding two M alaysian citiz ens Malaysian citizens in the souther n P hilipsouthern Philipts said. pines epor pines,, rrepor eports It said Sabah Police Commissioner Hamza Taib was quoted by Malaysia Chronicle as saying that they wanted to re-establish contact with the captors of palm plantation manager Chong Wei Fei, 33, and his cousin and assistant manager Chong Wei Jie, 25, who

were kidnapped in November 13 in Lahad Datu town.

Five gunmen, disguised as policemen, seized the two men while inspecting the plantation. The kidnappers dragged the duo on a boat and fled towards the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi.

The kidnappers have sent a photograph by email of the two men holding a piece of paper marked March 7, 2013 to The Star newspaper. The

photo also showed two rifles trained on the men by their captors.

Reports said ransom negotiations for the safe release of the hostages were disrupted by the intrusion of Sulu Sultanate forces in Lahad Datu which eventually ended in a fierce battle that left dozens of people dead.

Malaysian authorities believed the Abu Sayyaf was behind the kidnappings and the hostages are still alive.

“It is good news for

their families and we pray for their well-being. But the case again shows how weak is our security in East Malaysia where the borders are so porous that foreign thugs can enter at will and whisk away our citizens for ransom," PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng told the Malaysia Chronicle.

"It is time for Prime Minister Najib Razak's government do more than just put our fires.

There must be a better

and more cohesive plan to protect our citizens in Sabah and Sarawak.”

There was no immediate statement from the Philippine government about the Malaysian hostages. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding several foreigners and Filipino captives in the southern region. And Manila has not released any progress reports on the Abu Sayyaf hostages.

In 2010, suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen also kidnapped two Malay-

sian seaweed farmers Vui Chung, 42, and Lai Wing Chau, 33 – in a daring raid on Semporna near Lahad Datu and brought them to TawiTawi where they had been ransomed off for two million ringgits.

And on 2001, the Abu Sayyaf raided the islandresort of Sipadan and seized 21 mostly Western holidaymakers and ransomed them off to Malaysia and Libya for millions of dollars. (Mindanao Examiner)

Salug town, Philippine Army hold community services in Zambo Norte ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE – Thousands of villagers benefitted from a joint medical mission and community outreach programs in Salug town in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Norte, officials said.

The programs, which began July 8 last for three weeks and officials said a total of 4,715 patients availed of various medical services; 342 pa-

tients in dental services; 149 livestock and other veterinary services; 234 people availed haircut services and 461 others were provided assorted vegetables seeds, including 115 people who availed of civil registrations.

The activities, launched in almost all villages in the town, were headed by Mayor Jeffrey Lim and Lt. Col. Leonel Nicolas, commander

Medical and community outreach programs in Salug town in Zambonga del Norte province in southern Philippines.

KISMET Cable Channel 63 Pagadian City

of the 10th Infantry Battalion under the 1st Infantry Division.

“The activity aimed to bring basic social services to the depressed and impoverished people in the hinterland and far flung areas which served as sanctuaries of both New People’s Army and lawless elements,” the army said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

It said the successful endeavor was participated by 101st Infantry Brigade, the 1st Medical Forward Company and 1st Dental Detachment, the 20th Special Forces Company, 6th Special Forces Battalion, the Philippine Air Force Reserve, the local municipal police force and the town’s agencies.

“In the performance of its non-traditional roles, the army, particularly the 10th Infantry Battalion, ceaselessly pushed through its civic actions and developmental projects in tandem with other stakeholders as a means of attaining peace in support to the AFP Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan.”

“The recently concluded activity helps the local government unit and other stakeholders in addressing the socio-economic exploitable issues which are being capitalized by the NPA in motivating, organizing and mobilizing the people to revolt against the duly constituted government. By helping the local governments to address these issues, the AFP will triumph in winning the peace without defeating the enemy through armed combat,” it said. (Mindanao Examiner)

DAR Regional Director Julita Ragandang gestures during a news conference in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Dodong Ramos)

DAR outlines accomplishments in Western Mindanao ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform in Western Mindanao trumpeted its accomplishments in the acquisition and distribution of lands to Filipino beneficiaries as part of the government’s land reform program.

DAR Regional Chief Julita Ragandang said the agency has distributed some 221,829 hectares of land to 119,544 agrarian reform beneficiaries as of June this year.

She said they also surveyed over 94,000 hectares and subdivided more than 50,000 hectares of land under the Collective Certificates Land Ownership Award and a total of 32,451 hectares have been placed under the leasehold covering 17,707 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Ragandang said the DAR, which is now celebrating its 25th anniversary, resolved some 353 cases under the so-called Agrarian Legal Assistance program. This involved 398 agrarian reform beneficiaries from January to June, also this year.

The DAR Agrarian Re-

form Adjudication Board, she added, also resolved 298 cases.

“We have been working hard to really implement the DAR programs and projects and so far, we are doing well and we hope to continue as long as necessary so more Filipino farmers will benefit from all these efforts,” Ragandang said.

She said the total number of Agrarian Reform Communities have reached 152 in the region and 121 of these are benefiting from foreign-assisted projects.

The DAR in Western Mindanao covers the provinces of Zamboanga Si-bugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Basilan, including Zambo-anga City.

Ragandang said in Zamboanga del Sur, the agency has the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services among its ongoing projects are the integrated rice-duck farming and processing worth over P12 million, and organic agriculture and social enterprise with

a budget of P3.7 million.

Those are on top of the 2.2 million service facilities – combine harvester, reapers and hand tractors.

And in Zamboanga del Norte, the P31.6 million cacao production and processing development pro-ject and the rice mechanization and palay production project worth P3.4 million, and also the abaca p r o d u c t i o n a n d p r ocessing worth P1.1 million. These are also on top of equipment such as combine harvester and flat bed dryer.

In Zamboanga Sibug a y, ov e r P 2 9 m i l l i o n w o r t h o f p r o j e c t s a re benefiting the agrarian re f o r m b e n e f i c i a r i e s and these include sust a i n a b l e t ra i n i n g s o n rubber e n t e r p r i s e, project enhancement to assist coconut farming enterprise, among others.

The DAR approved a total of P1.2 billion w o r t h o f r u ra l i n f ra s t r u c t u re p ro j e c t s i n We s t e r n Mi n - d a n a o, Ra g a n d a n g said.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Police rescue woman held hostage in Zambo store POLICE ARRESTED a man who took hostage a sales lady of a local shopping store in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga, officials said.

Officials said Asari Pangalasan, of Sinunuc village, grabbed Maria Barbara dela Cruz, who works at OK Bazaar, and held a kitchen knife on her throat.

Policemen who responded to the hostage-taking managed to disarm Pangalasan and safely rescued the woman.

Pangalasan, according to police investigators, could be suffering from a mental

problem and that he held the woman hostage in exchange for a blood supply.

It was not immediately known how the Pangalasan managed to pass through security and walked through the third floor where the woman was working.

Dela Cruz, apparently shaken by the incident, was trembling throughout the police investigation.

Store supervisors did not give any statement about the failed security in OK Bazaar, one of the oldest stores in Zamboanga City. (Dodong Ramos)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 5-11, 2013

Police release composite images of bombers

The people behind the successful civic action program in Iligan City in southern Philippines.

4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion holds civic action program ILIGAN CITY - The Philippine Army's 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion said it ended a civic action program in partnership with the local government in Iligan City in Mindanao.

Lt. Col. Danilo Ibon, the battalion commander, said the community outreach was held in the village of Dalipuga. He said the mission provided 80 medical

services; 30 tooth extractions and provided 33 haircuts to villagers.

Some 300 villagers also benefited from the feeding and deworming programs.

“We will continue to extend our humanitarian assistance together with our partners to the community while at the same time securing the peace and order of our Area of responsibility,” Ibon said.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Police have released a set of facial composite image of three alleged suspects in the bombing of a restaurant in the southern Philippine city of Cagayan de Oro. Police said the images were based on the description of witnesses, but the identities of the attackers remain unknown.

Eight people had died from the bombing of Kyla’s Bistro in Lim Ket Kai Center on July 26 and no individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Police are still investigating the motive of the attack, but Interior Secretary Mar Roxas has also blamed policemen in

Cagayan de Oro City for tampering with the crime scene after they allowed bistro workers to clean up the area despite the continuing probe. The local policemen are now being investigated for this.

Police suggest that a mortar bomb was use in the attack that also left over 40 people wounded, but this is not conclusive since no fragments had been recovered in the area.

Kyla’s Bistro is a popular restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City and it was not immediately known whether the owner received any prior warnings or whether the attack was connected to extortion or not. (Mindanao Examiner)

Kyla's Bistro after the bombing in this photo provided by the Mindanao Daily Newspaper in Cagayan de Oro City.

(Mindanao Examiner) And a photo of The Manila Times shows PNP's Public Information Office chief Reuben Theodore C. Sindac holding sketches of the three suspects in the blast. (Photo By Mike De Juan)

Sayyafs free kidnapped Zambo professor ZAMBOANGA CITY – Kidnappers have freed a Filipino professor after more than 5 weeks in captivity in the southern Philippines, police told the Mindanao Examiner.

Police said Al Rashid Rojas was released in the town of Jolo. It was not immediately known whether ransom was paid for his freedom, but kidnappers originally demanded P20 million for his safe release.

Rojas - who is also a researcher at the Western Mindanao State University here - was kidnapped June

22 in his house in Campo Islam village in Zamboanga City by gunmen clad in military uniform on June 22.

Authorities have linked Abu Sayyaf rebels under Idang Susukan to the kidnapping of Rojas.

Police said Susukan’s group was also involved in the kidnappings of a local school principal Flordeliza Ongchua in November 2012 and a restaurant owner Edgar Fabella in January this year. Both had been freed unharmed after their family paid ransom to the gang.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding a number of Filipino and foreign victims in

the southern Philippines.

(Ely Dumaboc and Dodong Ramos)

The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Ahmed Baldomero Joanna Valerie Wee Graphics/Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales ARMM

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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.

Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: 062- 9925480 Mobile: 0917-7103642 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

A policeman inspects a motorcycle at a checkpoint in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Suspected gun-for-hire nabbed in Zambo City A SPECIAL POLICE team has captured a suspected gun-for-hire, who was allegedly involved in a recent robbery in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said police are now investigating Joel Into, who was arrested in his hideout in the village of Tetuan.

Into was also tagged as behind the robbery on a Chinese trader in the village of Guiwan.

It was unknown how many people had Into killed or who contracted him to carry out the murders, but his capture was praised by local officials.

Suspect Joel Into (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Dodong Ramos) Gun attacks are not uncommon in Zamboanga where hired killers actively operate and many of the killings remain unresolved. (Dodong Ramos)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 5-11, 2013

Rebels free 5 captured soldiers in South

Police investigate the murder of Aurelia Ablao in Isabela City in Basilan province in southern Philippines. And slain victim Rakib Hatib. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Richard Falcatan)

Killings continue in Isabela City BASILAN PROVINCE – Gun attacks continue unabated in Basilan province in southern Philippines and there is no sign that it would end just yet.

An unidentified gunman shot dead a pro-gov-

ernment militia Rakib Hatib at the bus terminal in the village of Menzi.

The motive of the killing is still unknown, but police said an investigation has been launched to identify the assailant.

News photographer killed in General Santos City GENERAL SANTOS CITY– An unidentified gunman shot dead a freelance news photographer in an attack in the southern Philippine city of General Santos, police said.

Police are investigating the killing of Mario Sy who was shot inside his home last Friday.

The motive of the murder is still unknown, but Sy contributes to Mindanao Bulletin and Sapol Bulletin newspapers in the region.

Police said Sy’s family witnessed the killing, but it was not immediately known whether the

victim’s wife has provided any information or spoke to investigators about the murder.

Sy’s killing is the 18th since President Benigno Aquino was elected into office. Aquino has repeatedly vowed to bring justice to the families of journalists murdered in the country.

Just recently, two tabloid columnists Bonifacio Loreto and Richard Kho – who wrote for Aksyon Ngayon - were fatally shot by motorcycle gunmen in Commonwealth village in Quezon City in Luzon.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Just recently, motorcycle gunmen also shot and killed a woman and wounded her husband in the same village. The couple Aurelia and Virgilio Ablao was heading home on a motorcycle from a cockpit arena after winning a game when gunmen attacked them.

The woman tried to escape from her attackers, but she was shot in the head as she ran for safety. Her husband, Virgilio, was also shot, but managed to flee from the gunmen.

Police said the gunmen took the woman’s bag containing some P50,000 in cash believed to be part of the winning in the gambling, and the husband’s .45-caliber pistol.

Basilan is one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. ( With a repor t from Richard Falcatan)

DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels have freed five government soldiers taken captive 6 weeks ago in the southern Philippines after their families and humanitarian groups appealed for their safe release.

Rubi del Mundo, a spokesperson for the New People’s Army, said the order to free the prisoners-ofwar came from the National Democratic Front - Southern Mindanao.

The soldiers - Cpl. Emmanuel Quezon Pfc. Vernie, Pvt. Marteniano Pasigas, Pfc. Ronald Gura and Pfc. Donato Estandian – were handed over to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in Paquibato district, a known communist stronghold, here.

“The NDFP’s act of goodwill was a favorable response to the appeals of

the families of the POWs and the request of wellmeaning parties and personages that have expressed support for a negotiated settlement on the issue of Prisoners of War within the purview of the CARHRIHL and the Geneva Conventions and its Protocols,” Del Mundo said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

CARHRIHL refers to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, the first substantive agreement by the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, signed in 1998 in The Hague.

“The NDF also said the Release Order was “an act in

the exercise of the political power and authority of the People’s Democratic Government and is done on humanitarian grounds,” Del Mundo said.

Del Mundo said the soldiers are members of the 60th Infantry Battalion who were tried by the people's revolutionary court for cases of harassment, intimidation and other violations against the peasant and Lumad masses in Paquibato.

The battalion is under the supervision of the 10th Infantry Division based in Davao City. The army has not issued any statement about the release of the soldiers.

The rebels have been fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

Fire marshal urges public to stay safe ZAMBOANGA CITY - The bureau of Fire has urged the public to turn off their cooking gas and electricity when not in use following an increase in firerelated incidents in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines.

The local fire marshal, Superintendent Dominador Zabala said BFP noted a 68% increased in the number of fire incidents from January to July compared to the same period last year.

He said there is a need for the public to be educated on how to prevent accidental fire. ?I must admit that fire incidents had increased compared to last year and this is the very reason why all proactive measures are now in place in a bid to avert fires in the future,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

Zabala said the damage to properties due to fire from the January to July also soared to P11. 9 million – with 38 struc-

tures destroyed - compared to P4.8 million for the similar period in 2012, a staggering 149% increase.

He said electrical fire topped the most number of incidents in the villages and followed by bonfires and open flames, including sparks, gas leak, lightning and arson. And most of these, Zabala said, were largely due to negligence and accidents, although there were two cases of arson. ( Jun Feliciano)

The Mindanao Examiner

The Peace And Grace Of Allah Rest Upon Your Shoulders Eid ul-Fitr 2013!

Col. Andrelino Colina Task Force Zamboanga

Atty. Aminola “Alex” Abaton LTO - 9 Director

Councilor Percival Ramos Zamboanga City District 2

Councilor Miguel “Mike” C. Alavar Zamboanga City District 2

Councilor Juan “Kim” C. Elago Zamboanga City District 2

Councilor Melchor “Mel” Sadain Zamboanga City District 1

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 5-11, 2013

May the blessings of Allah be with you!

Eid ul-Fitr 2013!

INSP. USMAN A. HUSIN Bureau of Fire Protection Tetuan, Zamboanga City

Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, GMA Foundation inaugurate new Davao school

A NEW HOPE. Students of Kinablangan Elementary School in Baganga, Davao Oriental will have a new reason to get motivated going to school. Thanks to Mariwasa-sponsored GMA Kapuso Foundation’s classroom buildings. Alberto Descalzo, AVP for Manufacturing and Maintenance of Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. (third from left) joined by his team and some school and local officials in the inauguration of 2-classroom building in the said school. A total of 39 GMAKF classrooms will be completed by the end of August 2013 in Davao Oriental.

DAVAO CITY – The Philippines' leading tile maker Mariwasa Siam Ceramics has joined the inauguration of the newly- built, twoclassroom building constructed by GMA Kapuso Foundation in Kinablangan Elementary School in Davao Oriental's Baganga town.

“We are very happy that we are now reaping the rewards of our efforts in helping the people of Davao Oriental rebuild their lives. We are very thankful to GMA Kapuso Foundation for allowing Mariwasa to be part of their school rehabilitation projects. Mariwasa is a socially responsible organization and this is our way of giving back to the people,” Alberto Descalzo, AVP for Manufacturing and Mainte-

nance, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said the turnover ceremony was the initial phase of the inauguration of the total of 39 classrooms being built in the towns of Boston, Cateel and Baganga, the hardest hit places of Typhoon Pablo last year.

Just this year, Mariwasa donated some P500,000 worth of ceramic tile products for the rehabilitation efforts in those areas, particularly aimed in the construc-

tion of school buildings.

On top of that, the company also donated over P500,000 and additional P40,000 contributed by its employees in order to provide relief assistance such as food, medicines and basic necessities to the typhoonhit areas of Mindanao.

GMA and Mariwasa have been constantly joining hands together in reaching out to underprivileged Filipinos and both share the same business philosophy in caring for the community.

Kaayohan sa pills gibatbat atol sa 2nd Buntis Congress DIPOLOG CITY - Mokabat ngadto sa 99.9 % ang kaepektibo sa pildoras alang sa ‘pugong-panamkon’ sa mga Pinay sigun sa makuting pagtuon nga gihimo sa tibuok kalibutan alang sa pagplano sa pamilya.

Kahibaloan nga ang pildoras makadulot usab ug daghang kaayohan alang niadtong mga kababayenan nga mogamit niini sama sa; (1) Dili makapatambok ang pills. Apan pili-on lamang ang ma-angayan sa lawas aron dili mogana ang kaon. Busa pili-a lamang ang ma-angayan sa lawas.

(2) Duna’y masinati nga mga reaksyon kung mag-inom sa pildoras sulod sa tulo ka bulan sama sa pagsakit sa ulo. Apan kung makasinati ug panagsakit, mokonsulta lamang sa usa ka doktor aron mao’y maka-prescribe sa pills nga maangayan.

(3) Human sa paghunong sa pagtomar sa pildoras gikan sa usa ka bulan ngadto sa unom ka bulan, ang usa ka babaye ang duna’y posibilidad nga maburos.

(4) Ang paggamit sa Progestin-Only nga pil-

doras mao ang matang sa pills nga dili maka-apekto sa kalidad sa gatas sa inahan ug dili usab maapektahan ang kahimsog sa puya.

(5) Ang paggamit sa pildoras dili matigom sa lawas sa usa ka babaye gumikan kay ipagawas man kini niya pinaagi sa pagkalibang sa matag adlaw. Busa imnon kini sa matag adlaw aron dili mawala ang bisa niini sa lawas.

(6) Dili maka-apekto sa pagpakighilawas ang paggamit sa pildoras apan hatagan lamang ug tulo ka bulan nga adjustment ang lawas.

(7) Kung modaghan ang regla samtang nagainom ug pills normal lamang kana ug dili angayang ikahadlok.

(8) Kung nahitabo nga nakalimtan ang pag-inom sa pills sulod sa pipila ka adlaw, gikinahanglan nga mogamit sa back-upmethod sama sa paggamit sa condom ug hutdon usab sa pag-inom ang nahibiling pills.

(9) Dili na kinahanglan pang undangan ang pagtomar sa pildoras kung dugay nang naga-inom ang

usa ka babaye gumikan kay wala man kini mga negatibong epekto sa lawas . Gani daghang benepisyo ang makuha sa usa ka babaye kabahin sa kahimsog sa panglawas.

(10) Aduna’y nagkalain-laing klase sa pildoras sumala sa kinahanglanon sa matag babaye.

Duna’y makahatag ug tin-aw ug hamis nga panit.

Samtang ang uban usab ang aduna’y proteksyon batok sa sakit nga cancer sa matris ug sa obaryo.

Makatambal usab kini sa sakit sa pus-on ug magahatag usab kini ug iron nga gikinahanglan sa usa ka babaye alang sa iyang lawas.

Kahibaloan nga ang matag babaye ang aduna’y katungod aron mahatagan ug impormasyon alang sa reproductive health.

Subay sa nasangpit nga kalamboan, nagaawhag ang inahan ning dakbayan Mayor Evelyn T. Uy ngadto sa matag pamilya nga magplano sila sa ilang pamilya sanglit nga duna’y mga kontraseptibo sama sa pills nga mao’y magamit aron mahatagan ug gintang ang pagpanganak. (MECC)

8

The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 5-11, 2013

Smart Bro Internet slows down; blame it on ‘Fair Use Policy’ ZAMBOANGA CITY - More and more Smart Bro subscribers are complaining about the company’s socalled Fair Use Policy which

automatically puts a cap on the user’s Internet bandwidth.

One customer service representative of Smart Bro,

who only identified himself as John, said the policy was implemented as early as April in an effort to accommodate new Internet sub-

Top communist rebel leader captured in Digos City DAVAO CITY – A top communist rebel leader in the southern Philippines has been captured in a raid by security forces in Digos City, officials said.

Officials said Maria Loyda Tuzo Magpatoc, the Front Secretary of the Far South Mindanao Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines, was tracked down in her hideout following a long intelligence operation.

Magpatoc heads the operations of the New People’s Army in Mindanao.

Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, head of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said Magpatoc is one of the most wanted rebel leader in the

country. “Magpatoc will be accorded with fair trial before the court for the crimes she committed. This is how our justice system works,” Cruz said.

He said Magpatoc is responsible for the series of murders, extortion and kidnappings in Mindanao, mostly in the provinces South Cotabato, Saran-gani, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, including General Santos City.

Cruz said security forces were armed with several arrest warrants against Magpatoc when soldiers and police commandos swooped down on her hideout.

In an intelligence report

Captured rebel leader Maria Loyda Tuzo Magpatoc during a news conference.

passed on by the army to The Manila Times, it said that Magpatoc also was the former Front Secretary of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee early on 2000 and her operations covered the areas of Surigao and Agusan provinces.

She is also a member of the Executive Committee of Mindanao Commission, the main party organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines in the region.

Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, also praised the arrest of Magpatoc and said her capture was the result not only of the continuous intelligence operations from various law enforcement agencies, but also from intelligence information provided by the communities.

“We urged the rebels and their leaders to surrender peacefully and join us in peace and development efforts instead of fighting a senseless war,” he said.

There was no immediate statement from either the CPP or the NPA which has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate state in the country.

(Mindanao Examiner)

scribers.

“The Fair Use Policy was implemented in April this year and this is to accommodate the growing number of Smart Bro subscribers,” he told the Mindanao Examiner after the newspaper company filed a report with Smart Bro on dropped and slow Internet connection. He said Smart Bro services are being refreshed every first week of the month and subscribers would have to wait before the bandwidth returns to its normal speed. He said The Fair Use Policy is implemented in the whole country where there is Smart Bro services.

Internet experts call the failure in the system as “bandwidth bottleneck.”

Smart Bro offers several Internet subscription plans and packages that customers may avail and among the most popular for users is the 1mbps at P999 a month.

The company also lure customers to renew their contract in exchange for a computer set or a tablet with minimal charges payable in two years.

With the Fair Use Policy, the Internet download and upload speed is drastically affected since Smart Bro automatically slows down the system.

Usually, a Smart Bro bandwidth allocation is only around 15 gigabytes, according to blogger Jaime Lacson, of blogmytuts.blogspot.com

and said that PLDT also implemented the same Fair Usage Policy for its myBro Internet service.

“Monthly bandwidth allocation for Smart Bro/ myBro/PLDT subs is only 15GB. If you have downloaded that much data before the month ends then you will experience a slowdown with your connection. Your normal speed will return the following month,” he said, adding only Bayan Tel and Sky Broadband have not put a cap on their Internet services.

Disgruntled Smart Bro users have launched an online petition against the company’s Fair Use Policy.

“We are loyal customers and we did not sign anything about the bandwidth cap. When we signed for unlimited Internet, we expect unlimited. Even normal browsing easily exceeds the cap they implement. This is not fair use policy. This is plain stealing the service that the people paid,” according to the petition which can be viewed on this link - https://www.change. org/ph/mga-petisyon/noto-smart-pldt-fair-usepolicy-trash-the-fair-usepolicy.

According to Smart Communications, the Fair Use Policy is part of its continuing commitment to provide high-quality service to its subscribers.

“Smart is putting forth

the Fair Use Policy for Call and Text Services. This ensures that commercially available voice and SMS products are used properly to preserve the integrity of the Smart network in order to provide ALL subscribers with the best call and text services,” it said.

It said Smart’s Fair Use Policy promotes pleasant use of call and text and aims to avoid the following: activities that may cause network congestion and those that can adversely impact the overall quality of service experienced by other subscribers; any unlawful, invasive or fraudulent purposes that violate the legal rights of other subscribers; any manner which affects the Company’s ability to provide and maintain the quality of its network and services; any means aimed towards exploitation of mobile usage that may cause any loss or damage to the Company.

It said Smart reserves the right to disallow, suspend or terminate service of customers whose improper or abusive use of call and text services may jeopardize its ability to deliver the best customer experience to the other subscribers.

“Smart also reserves the right to modify the Fair Use Policy without prior notice in order to maintain the integrity of its network services,” it said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Greetings for a Blessed & Joyous Eid ul-Fitr!

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wabarakatuhu!

Peace be with you and may the blessings and mercy of Allah be with you all.

blessing and mercy of Allah, as we observed the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan.

At the outset, we would like to extend our utmost desire May the spirit of peace reign to congratulate every in our country, in the Island Filipino Muslims for the of Mindanao, in every day of the perfection on the community and in every observance of fasting on the soul. ALLAHU AKBAR holy month of Ramadan Auxiliaries and dependents of WALILLAHIL the 1st Infantry (Tabak) 2013. The officers, enlisted HAMDU! Happy HariDivision, Philippine Army, personnel, civilian Raya Eidil Fitri Alemployees, CAFGU Active pray and wish you all the Mubarak .

Br igadier G ener al F elicito Vir gilio Trinidad, Jr Gener eneral Felicito irgilio Jr..

1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army - Kuta Major Cesar L Sang-an, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur

9

The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 5-11, 2013

Pencing

By Jun Feliciano (Zamboanga City)

Zambo Vice Mayor's Wonder Twig!

THE WORD: IN the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and theWORD was GOD that became flesh and dwelled amongst us.

IT was the sameWORD that ultimately took a form of one of us (human beings), and named JESUS CHRIST by his parents during the Jewish setting.

HE primarily came to be a model for our own eternal salvation… (to be continued.. more spiritual refreshment in).

ZAMBOANGA CITY VICE MAYOR Cesar “ITu” S. Iturralde was truly ‘smitten’

by Lady Mayor Beng Climaco’s delectable statement - depicting him (in Chavacano: “Hinde lang mysterioso, milagroso pa gayot. Ese el diaton Vice Alcalde Cesar Sebastian Iturralde.”

She sincerely uttered this, extolling Iturralde and others, individually (“Pero’ mas substantial con el aton VM Iturralde.

Como’ special mention gayot, Pencing,” asegun cun Bogs, mio loyal espiya) during her inaugural address last July 3 prior to her assumption as the new city executive.

“FALTA akel Jun, cosa ya abla el diaton Alcalde Beng (Climaco-Salazar).Hinde’ lang este mysterioso o milagroso, pate’ peligroso pa gayot… pero’ bien sabroso,” the ever amiable vice mayor wittingly came up with his own hilarious postscript, drawing laughter from those habitués frequenting his office in the council.

AS ever, the good vice mayor is unmatched in playing game with words. Keep it up vice!

ITURRALDE is now a byword amongst folks hereabout that has even spread like wildfire in these days of crucial needs.

HIS gifted skills/talents - perhaps more to come, as he’s destined to surprise us with yet more abundantly stored exceptional wealth of such endowments only possible if indeed gifted from the Almighty GOD, as such skills and talents are unbelievably being unveiled right before our very own eyes.

THE soft-spoken VM Iturralde could even be the most sought-after-local official from ZC in our generation, and his name will even be etched for the future to ever remember by.

SUCH ‘unrivaled’ talent/skill will certainly come to address the dearth of mankind’s most precious need for his own

survival.

EVEN, the Scripture cites its utmost importance for without it, man never can ever live this long. HOLY MAN’s prophesy in earlier times, is for man to ultimately fight to the death each another for such precious possession.

WATER! of course, one that’s safe to drink and quench our thirst…

THE ever low-keyed top city official already has raised eyebrows here with such GOD-given gem known endowed only on him.

BY equipping himself with simply a plain stick from a cassava twig, Iturralde can accurately maneuver such a tiny cassava stick to a spot where exactly safe potable water can be extracted, and with so much pressure, suddenly bursts out with so much vigor, and inestimably unmeasured in wealth coming from its source.

THE man Iturralde has truly proven not merely in word but in deeds as well.

SUCH knack of his has so far profited scores of people, some at first in doubt of his statement.

TO buttress the Iturralde - ‘unorthodox’ water searching flair, a number of beneficiaries have boldly given their own eye-popping testimonies with regards on the Iturralde find.

THE Iturralde ingenuity has reached wide proportion with such fervor.

Nearby provinces like Sibugay where water is said to be that scarce to discover, and even as far as Sarangani Province, Iturralde’s name has gone in frenzy, a close source noted.

“Siempre, agua gat se, que bien escaso este mga tiempo,” c Bogs yan sabiondo ya tamen.

Iturralde’s exceptional trademark has even caught the fancy of my good friend cartoonist Arsenio Nuevo when he recently featured VM Iturralde in his widely - peeped RAWHIDE - portraying him in such a role in the company of an anxious wealthy Arabman from their oil-rich but water-hungry Middle East countries, out to pirate Iturralde in a desperate effort in search of such an extreme necessity for mankind to live and survive in this known cruel world.

For comments and reaction, please email: jayfeliciano2@yahoo.com

Herlita Caraan, NSCB regional chief and Arturo Valero, NEDA regional director with Olivia Sudaria, regional chief of the PIA during a news conference in General Santos City.

Central Mindanao economy posts robust growth GENERAL SANTOS CITY The economy of SOCCSKSARGEN Region posted a robust growth of 8.1% in 2012 from 5.3% in 2011 as all its major sectors continued to expand, according to the Philippines' National Statistical Coordination Board.

SOCCSKSARGEN is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and one of its cities - South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranganiand General Santos City in Region 12.

Herlita Caraan, NSCBRegion 12 head, said the Service sector, accounting the bulk of the regional economy, sustained its share of 37.2% in 2012. The Industry sector, accounting for 33% of the regional economy in 2012, slightly expanded from its share of 32.2% in 2011.

The Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing sector contributed 29.9% of the region’s total economic output in 2012, slightly lower than its 30.6% share the previous

year.

The Service sector almost doubled its previous year’s performance registering a growth of 8.1% in 2012 from a 4.3% growth in 2011. All its sub-sectors posted accelerated growths except Transport, Storage and Communication, which slowed down to 5.5% in 2012 from 7.3% in 2011.

Financial Intermediation posted an impressive growth of 12.6% from 4.7%, Real Estate, Renting and Business Activities grew by 10.5% from 6.8%, Trade expanded by 9.0% from 3.5%, Public Administration and Defense rebounded to 7.4% in 2012 from a negative 0.1% growth in 2011, while Other Services posted a growth of 6% in 2012 from 3.1% in 2011.

The Industry sector slightly expanded by 0.8% point from 10% in 2011 to 10.8% in 2012. The strong performances of Construction, Electricity, Gas and Water Supply, and Mining and Quarrying

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cushioned the lackluster performance of Manufacturing. Construction rebounded to 9.4% growth in 2012 from negative 12% in 2011.

The Electricity, Gas and Water Supply sub-sector expanded by 5% from 2.4%, while Mining and Quarrying expanded to 12.1% from 6.6%. Manufacturing, the biggest Industry sub-sector, decelerated to 12% from its 19.1% growth the previous year.

The AHFF sector grew faster at 5.4% in 2012 from a modest growth of 1.8% in 2011. Fishing, which comprised 5.2% share of the region’s AHFF, rebounded from negative 11.5% in 2011 to 16.8% growth in 2012.

The lustrous performance was attributed to the remarkable increase in the region’s commercial fish production brought about by the lifting of the ban for tuna fishing in the deep seas around Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Micronesia which are the fishing grounds of fishing companies in the region.

Commercial fishing accounted for the biggest share of the region’s fishing industry at about 75%.

General Santos City, a highly urbanized city of SOCCSKSARGEN Region, is tagged as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

The Industry sector contributed 3.5% points to the region’s economic growth in 2012 while the Service sector chipped in 3.0 percentage points. The Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing sector managed to contribute 1.6 percentage points to the total economic growth of the region.

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P10

Aug. 5-11, 2013

SPORADIC FIGHTING THREATENS PEACE IN MINDANAO

S

por adic fighting betw een M or o rrebels ebels and seporadic between Mor oro cur ity for ces in centr al M indanao continue in curity forces central Mindanao Mindanao and the violence is no w thr eatennow threatening the peace and or der in the souther n rregion. egion. order southern Just last week, rebel opened at around noontime forces an oil tanker in after troops cleared the area Maguindanao province of improvised explosives.

“We have recovered and and launched fresh offendetonated several IEDs assive in nearby areas.

Officials said eight sembled from 81 mm mortar members of the Bang- bombs. They were left besamoro Islamic Freedom hind by fleeing gunmen,” he Fighters were killed and a said.

Hermoso said soldiers still undetermined number of gunmen wounded in the also stopped a team from the clashes in Guindulungan Mindanao Human Rights Action Center and several town.

“They attacked the oil journalists from getting into tanker and luckily no civil- the town to protect them ians were killed, but fight- from harm. The group was ing are still going on be- on its way to evacuation artween the lawless elements eas where villagers displaced and our troops,” Col. by the fighting are currently Dickson Hermoso, a staying.

Hermoso said the attack spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division, told the on the oil tanker triggered a rgional newspaper Minda- military deployment to protect motorists and travellers nao Examiner.

He said the highway in from rebel offensives. “We Maguindanao was closed don’t want any civilian casufor several hours because of alties and troops were dethe skirmishes, but re- ployed to protect innocent

DAVAO CITY – The Philippine military has condemned the continued recruitment of minors by the communist rebel group New People’s Army and use them as combatants in fighting the democratic government.

Lt. Gen Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the NPA has been arming their young recruits and forcing them to fight security forces.

“This is a clear violation of the CARHRIHL, arming

ARMM

Government tanks in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines. And a rebel encampment is on fire following an army strike. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales) villagers and properties,” he said.

He said rebel forces have been attacking civilian and

military targets in the Maguindanao despite the observance of the holy month of Ramadan.

“They have been disturbing the peace. They are targeting civilians and military targets,” he said.

The human rights center said the clashes broke out in the village of Bagan and that 200 people fled the area and several groups also escaped the violence from nearby villages.

It said a hardware store in the village was also hit by a cannon round, but there was no report of casualties.

Rebels also harassed an army detachment in the village of Buayan in the neighboring town of Datu Piang.

Most of the members of the Bangsamoro Islamic

Freedom Fighters headed by Ameril Umra Kato, are mostly former rebels from the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is now negotiating peace with the government.

Kato’s group broke away with the main rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which is currently negotiating peace with Manila. Kato split with the MILF, headed by Murad Ebrahim, whom he accused of abandoning their demand for an independent state in Mindanao.

Kato - who has formed his own rebel group - vowed to fight for an independent Muslim homeland. The 60year old rebel leader has several times criticized Ebrahim for talking peace with the

Communist rebels continue to recruit minors and forcing children to become rebels. Exploiting the youth’s innocence to become criminals is even tantamount to violation of RA 7610 which provides children with special protection against exploitation,” he said.

Cruz was referring to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, the first substantive agreement by the Philippines and the National Democratic

Front, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, signed in 1998 in The Hague.

He said their data showed that many of the NPA rebels who surrendered to the military were teenagers.

“Let us give our youth the chance to grow up while peacefully learning from their youthful experiences and contributing in their own unique ways, as only the young can do, in building a peaceful and pro-

Southern Mindanao

Davao

gressive Philippines,” Cruz said.

He urged rebels to return to the folds of the law and avail of the government’s livelihood program. “We will work with other stakeholders to ensure your safety and well-being and that of your family,” Cruz said.

Just recently, four NPA rebels, who were recruited in their teens, had surrendered to the 43rd CMO Company led by Lt. Leah Pura in Bukidnon province in northern

Manila

Mindanao.

Cruz said Pura facilitated the surrender of the rebels Digo Antian, now 23; Jun- Jun Calimpit, now 25; Robert 18; and Jhen, 15. He said Robert was recruited at age 16 and Jhen when she was 13 years old.

“They brought with them three high-powered firearms with assorted ammunition and magazines to the troops of 43rdCMO Company led by Lieutenant Leah Pura,” he said,

Aquino government which insisted on granting wider autonomy to some four million Muslims in Mindanao.

He accused Ebrahim of abandoning their original demand for an independent state and opted instead to negotiate with Manila for a Muslim sub-state.

Kato is facing a string of criminal charges in connection to the series of attacks that he led after the failed signing of the Muslim homeland deal in 2008 between the MILF and the government. The Supreme Court declared the accord as unconstitutional and the aborted deal triggered a series of deadly attacks by Kato’s forces in Mindanao.

(Mindanao Examiner) adding the four are now undergoing debriefing process and would be included in the military’s Guns for Peace and the Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

“The four said they were deceived by their recruiters that joining the NPA will solve their problem of poverty. All of them further exposed that the NPA capitalized their desire to become soldiers when they were assured that they can hold a gun even without finishing school,” he said.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Peninsula