LABANAN ANG COVID-19! ISANG PAALALA MULA KAY GOV. SAKUR TAN, VICE GOV. TOTO TAN AT CONG. SAMIER TAN.
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January 24-30, 2022
Covid-19 response is inept: Ex-Defense Chief
F
ORMER DEFENSE Chief Norberto Gonzales said the Covid-19 response of the national leadership remains sorely inept, saying the pandemic constitutes the biggest threat to the country’s national security. “It is time to take the that this is a matter of na- stake here,” he said, more correct perspective tional security which is at Continue on page 2
Indonesian terrorist Zulkarnaen sentenced to 15 years’ jail A TOP Indonesian terror suspect who evaded capture for 18 years de-
spite a $7 million bounty has been sentenced to 15 years’ jail – though not for
his alleged role in the 2002 Bali bombings after a Continue on page 6
TUPAD program benefits Sulu OVER 2,000 people will benefit from the government employment pro-
gram called TUPAD after the Sulu provincial government received a check
worth some P10.3 million from the Department of Continue on page 3
President Rodrigo Duterte
China won't bully neighbours over South China Sea, says foreign minister Provincial government photos show Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and DOLE Western Mindanao Regional Director Roy Buenafe during the recent turnover of a check worth some P10.3 million for the beneficiaries of the TUPAD program.
Military intensifies ops vs. terror groups KIDAPAWAN CITY – The Philippine military intensified its operations
ARMM
against terrorists following the slaying of four proISIS militants, including
their leader, tagged as behind the bombing of a Continue on page 2
Eastern Mindanao
CHINA WILL not use its strength to bully its smaller neighbours including the Philippines, its foreign minister said on Monday, as he highlighted the importance of settling disputes in the South China Sea peacefully. "Stressing only one side's claims and imposing one's own will on the other is not a proper way for neighbours to treat each other and it goes against the oriental Continue on page 3
Western Mindanao
Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi pictured in Laos in 2020. (Image: Xinhua)
Cebu
Manila
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The Mindanao Examiner
January 24-30, 2022
Covid-19 response is inept: Ex-Defense Chief
Norberto Gonzales
Continued from page 1 adding, “the entire country witnessed how the pandemic cost us our security in all these aspects. The cost in lives alone cannot even be quantified. With the Omicron variant’s arrival in the Philippines, the number of new cases jumped to record highs.” Gonzales, who also served as National Security Adviser, said the country let its guard down, which in part allowed the bearers of this more transmissible virus to sneak in and infect others. “Unfortunately, corruption played a role in how some personalities were able to skip the
Military intensifies ops vs. terror groups Continued from page 1 provincial bus in North Cotabato’s Aleosan town that killed a minor and wounded six others. Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Central Mindanao and 6th Infantry Division, said troops raided the hideout of the militant group Dawlah Islamiya and killed its emir Norodin Hassan, alias Andot; and three other gunmen in North Cotabato’s Carmen town on January 15. He said two of the slain gunmen were identified as Abdonillah and Abdonhack Hassan and the third remains unknown. “The death of alias Andot and three of his cohort only shows that justice is given to the victims of the Mindanao Star Bus bombing,” Uy said. Uy did not say how many soldiers were involved in the operation or how the military tracked down the bombers, but he claimed the Dawlah Islamiya emir was the
mastermind of the attack. Hassan’s group - which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State - planted the bomb under a seat and exploded while the bus was travelling in Aleosan town. “Our continuous effort to go after these terrorist groups has been unyielding. There will be no let-up and slowing down against these terrorists who continue to attack civilian populace, properties, and communities. Together let us stand against these terrorist groups. In due time we will defeat them and the people of Central Mindanao will finally realize the peace and security that they longed for,” Uy said. Col. Jovencio Gonzales, commander of 602nd Infantry Brigade, who commanded the operation, said troops recovered numerous firearms and war materials at the Dawlah Islamiya hideout. “After we identified the perpetrators who
are responsible for the bombing, we immediately launched the manhunt operation in order to prevent them from doing similar atrocities in other areas thus preventing further loss of lives and damaged to properties,” Gonzales said without further elaborating. Lt. Col. Bernard Tayong, a police spokesman, also issued a statement after reporters quoted the police as saying the bombing was perpetrated by the criminal gang called Al Khobar. “Wala pong katotohanan ang mga kumakalat na mga balita na ang Al Khobar ang nasa likod ng pagpapasabog sa isang bus sa Aleosan, North Cotabato. It’s just very disappointing that some media outlets quoted us as the source of the said information. It is unfortunate as well that some people from the press have the temerity of putting words in the mouth of the police,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
mandatory quarantine, enabling them to party while transmitting the virus to the many who came in contact with them,” he said. He also cited the effects of the health crisis in the country. “One after the other, the results of the contagion manifested - medicines are in short supply in drugstores; the
food supply stands in peril; alert levels imposed renew the people’s anxiety, and limitations on travel impact not only people but farm produce and other goods that must be transported. Jobs must revert to WFH (work from home) again; businesses will likely contract. As the cases of Covid spiral up, the health care system is
in danger again of being overwhelmed,” he said. Gonzales, who served the administrations of Cory Aquino to Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, said in the next batch of possible leaders, the choices should be limited to the ones who are steeped in experience and knowhow. (Mindanao Examiner)
More benefits for health care workers FOLLOWING THE massive public outcry for additional benefits for health care workers, the Department of Health announced that the provision of Covid-19 benefits will continue this year. The DOH said it allocated P1.08 billion in the General Appropriations Act 2022 for the grant of sickness and death benefits to health care workers who contracted the deadly respiratory disease in the line of duty. It said the Active Hazard Duty Pay for Public Health Workers; Meals, Accommodation and Transportation Allowance; and the Special Risk Allowance for health care workers directly catering or exposed to Covid-19 patients shall be discontinued and replaced by a more inclusive and responsive under the new One Covid-19 Allowance (OCA) this year.
The OCA shall be provided to all health care workers involved in Covid-19 response. The allowance shall be equitably distributed to health care workers, taking into account their Covid-19 exposure classification - this considers the type of health facility where they are assigned, work setting, and nature of work. The DOH said those deemed classified to be high risk will be eligible for P9,000 per month while those classified as moderate and low risk shall be given P6,000 and P3,000 respectively. The OCA shall also be pro-rated. The DOH has issued Administrative Order No. 2022-0001: Guidelines for Covid-19 Risk Exposure Classification in order to have a national database of health care workers involved in the Covid-19 re-
sponse and their respective risk classification. The funds for health care workers’ benefits will be approved by the Department of Budget and Management once all documentary requirements have been fulfilled. It also called on all public and private health facilities to comply and cooperate to ensure that guidelines are properly reiterated to health care workers and prevent any miscommunication and fast track the implementation of the OCA. “We are working hard to make certain that all our health care workers are well-taken care of by providing them with benefits that will recognize their efforts in fighting through the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. (Mark Navales and Malou Cablinda contributed to this report.)
Health care workers in field work. (Image: Mindanao Examiner)
Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
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The Mindanao Examiner
January 24-30, 2022
TUPAD program benefits Sulu
Provincial government photos show the beneficiaries of the government’s TUPAD program.
China won't bully neighbours over South China Sea, says foreign minister Continued from page 1 philosophy of how people should get along with each other," Wang Yi, the Chinese government's top diplomat, told a virtual forum organised by China's embassy in Manila and a local advocacy group. His remarks come less than two months after the Philippines condemned China's blocking of a military resupply ship in the South China Sea, which prompted a warning from treaty ally the United States that an attack on Philippine vessels would invoke its mutual defence commitments. China's extensive
territorial claims in the South China Sea, which it says are based on historic maps, have put it at odds with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, which have competing claims to islands and features. Beijing has been accused by Western countries of aggression and provocations by deploying hundreds of coast guard and fishing vessels in the exclusive economic zones of its neighbours, including the Philippines, far off its mainland. China says its actions are justified, because the vessels are in its territory.
The Philippines has objected to what it calls "incursions" and "swarming". Wang said China hopes with the Philippines it can "properly manage and resolve the issue in the spirit of goodwill and pragmatism." Chinese deputy foreign minister Fu Ying told the forum that China hopes that whoever wins a Philippine presidential election this May could "wisely, courageously, responsibly carry on Philippines' independent foreign policy." (Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Writing by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty)
Babayeng minyo, gi-kabayo! WALA NAKA-pangisda ang 33-anyos sa dihang nasakpan nga mikabayo sa babayeng minyo didto sa Glan, Sarangani province. Giila ni Police Maj. Basher Alendo ang suspetsado mao si alyas “Gogong” kinsa naaktuhan sa bana sulod sa ilang panimalay sa Barangay Kablalam nga lingaw kaayong nag ukubay ang mabudhion. Dugay na matod pang naka matikod ang bana nga si alyas Juan nga may kulukadidong ang iyang
asawa pero wala pa siya’y prueba. Niadtong Nobyembre, iya kining nasakpan ang asawa apan miingon nga gilugos siya sa suspek. Didto na nag duda ang bana sanglit lahi na ug lihok ang iyang asawa nga si alyas Marimar. Padulong na unta ang bana sa lawod, pero aduna kini gipamati hinungdan nga mibalik siya sa ilang balay, nakurat nalang siya nga nailawom ang iyang asawa nga murag gi wrestling rason nga nangayo siyag tabang sa kabalak nga
mabalian iyang asawa. Didto na niya na kumpirmar nga panahon mo lawod siya ukoyon ni Gogong si Marimar ug wala na kini nakapamalibad ang asawa sanglit mismo ang iyang bana naka akto sa iyang pagpa jugjog-ah ah sa lain. Pasakaan ug kaso ang lalaki tungod sa pakig relasyon sa minyo ug pursigido ang bana nga kasohan usab iyang asawa nga parehong anaa na karon sulod sa rehas. (OneTV Philippines)
Continued from page 1 Labor and Employment. Western Mindanao labor officials led by Regional Director Roy Buenafe handed over the check to Gov. Sakur Tan that will benefit at least 2,130 beneficiaries of the TUPAD or the “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers.” TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed. Only the following types of projects can be supported with such assistance: Social community projects, such as repair, maintenance, and/or improvement of common public facilities and infrastructure such as schools and health centers, debris clearing, de-clogging of canals, debris segregation and materials recovery, stockpiling and clearing; Economic community
projects like repair, maintenance and/or rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, bridges, post-harvest facilities, public markets and common service facilities such as production and display centers, fishports and Agro-forestry community projects, such as tree planting, seedling preparation, and reforestation. Buenafe thanked Tan Sulu Rep. Samier Tan and Kusug Tausug Partylist Rep. Shernee Tambut for making the TUPAD program possible. Tan said thousands of people have received various assistance from the provincial government since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Both lawmakers also provided
aid to residents in Sulu’s 19 municipalities. But Tambut’s partylist is far more reaching in the distribution of aid as Kusug Tausug is active not only in Sulu and in the Bangsamoro autonomous region, but other parts of the country as well. The governor lauded the TUPAD program and thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello, including DOLE Western Mindanao. “Definitely, this will help ease some hardships and uncertainties. “Ipaabot niyo ang pasasalamat ng Sulu kay President Duterte at Secretary Bello,” he said. TUPAD beneficiaries also received a sack of rice and packed lunch during the program. (Mindanao Examiner)
Business permits renewal extended hangtud Pebrero 28 DIPOLOG CITY – Malamposong na-aprobahan sa mga sakop sa Sangguniang Panlungsod ning siyudad ang “Lugway o Extension” alang sa deadline sa pag-renew sa mga business permits alang sa tanang balay patigayon sulod ning dakbayan, atol sa regular nga sesyon niadtong nakalabay nga Enero 11 Ilawom sa pagpangamahan ni Konsehal Eduardo Baron, ug gisegundahan nila ni Konsehales Julius Gajonera ug Marilou Calibo, malamposong na-aprobahan ang Resolusyon No. 22864, nga naglugway sa deadline sa business per-
mits renewal ngadto na sa Pebrero 28 nga walay molta o surcharge. Sumala pa nga ang pag-extend sa deadline ang nagsumikad sa hangyo gikan sa buhatan ni Mayor Darel Dexter Uy ngadto sa Sangguniang Panlungsod alang na sa extension kalabot niini, basi usab sa report gikan ni Permits and License Division Chief, Viola Pino, nga dili igo ang 20 ka adlaw nga unang gitakda sa balaod gumikan sa pag-usbaw sa gidaghanon sa mga balay patigayon dinhi sa dakbayan, busa nagkinahanglan na kini ug extension. Kalabot ning mao-
ng kalamboan, subling gi-awhagan ni Pino ang tanang mga magpapatigayon dinhi sa dakbayan sa pagpa-renew na sa ilang mga business permits samtang sayo pa, aron makalikay sila sa posibleng pagpunsisok unya sa mga tawo, ilabi na kon ang paghikay sa mga papeles alang niini ang pagahimoon haduol na sa gikatakdang deadline. Dugang gipaklaro sa License Chief nga kadtong mapakyas sa pagpa-renew sa ilang mga business permits alang karong tuiga, taliwala sa gihatag nga lugway ang mapahamtangan sa silot sigun sa gitakda sa balaod. ((AFB)
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The Mindanao Examiner
January 24-30, 2022
Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Kusug Tausug, Maimbung Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz Salapuddin)
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The Mindanao Examiner
January 24-30, 2022
8 Sulu villages cleared from Sayyaf influence
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SULU– Eight villages in the southern Philippine province of Sulu are now free from the influence of the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf which Gov. Sakur Tan said was largely due to the concerted efforts of the local and regional governments, the police and military. Tan also signed the certification clearing the following villages from the Abu Sayyaf influence – Timpuuk, Igasan, Kabbun Takas, Liang and Kan Ague, all in Patikul town; and Masjid Punjungan in Kalinggalan Caluang town; Tayungan in Panamao town and Bagsak in Talipao town. The villages were formerly strongholds of the notorious militant group whose leaders pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Tan said the cooperation of the citizens and the efforts of various stakeholders resulted in the stable peace and order in the four towns. He said the success of the Community Support Program (CSP) played a key role in achieving peace not only in the four towns, but the province as well. CSP is a flagship program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines used to clear communities of rebel infestation while neutralizing the politics-military structure the rebels established in the villages. It involves immersion of personnel in the identified barangays and the conduct of various community engagements geared towards addressing the needs of the people. “The result of (this successful program which cleared the eight villages) was a product of concerted efforts of the AFP, PNP,
Sulu provincial government photos show Gov. Sakur Tan signing Wednesday, January 19, 2022 the certification clearing eight villages in four towns from Abu Sayyaf influence. MILG, and the Province of Sulu after a year-long CSP program, and the succeeding CSP area clearing validation board meeting conducted last December 21,” Tan said after signing the certification which cleared the villages. The certification, Tan said, prepares the villages to be recipients of concrete development efforts and initiatives from the provincial and national government. Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista Jr, the Assistant Commander of the 11th Infantry Division; Cols. Jose Emmanuel Mariano, Gregorio Nieveras and Christopher Tampus; and Capt. Joshua Barrio witnessed the signing of the certification held at the
Capitol. Sulu has previously declared the Abu Sayyaf and its supporters as “persona non grata” and Tan ordered the creation of the Provincial and Municipal Task Forces to End Local Armed Conflict in support of the government peace and development efforts in the South. The total number of Abu Sayyaf fighters who surrendered in Sulu the past decade was not immediately available, but based on military press releases this may have reached thousands and most of them were either living peacefully as civilians or working alongside soldiers as government militias. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
January 24-30, 2022
Indonesian terrorist Zulkarnaen sentenced to 15 years’ jail Continued from page 1 Jakarta court found the statute of limitations for those charges had expired. Aris Sumarsono, 58, or Zulkarnaen, former military commander of Indonesian militant group Jemaah Islamiyah, was facing a possible life sentence for charges related to the Bali attack, in which 202 people were killed including 88 Australians, as well as for his alleged role in establishing a terror training camp in the Philippines. The militant was named a suspect soon after the October 2002 attacks on Padi’s Pub and the Sari nightclub in Bali’s Kuta tourist strip but eluded capture until his 2020 arrest in Lampung, the same southern Sumatra town where JI bombmaker Taufik Bulaga was arrested a week earlier. A three-judge bench in the East Jakarta District Court dismissed charges that Zulkarnaen masterminded the deadly Bali attack but found him guilty of harboring fellow terrorist Taufik Bulaga, and of withholding information of terrorism plans and ¬activities.
The same court sentenced ¬Bulaga to life imprisonment last month for his involvement in three terrorist strikes on central Sulawesi between 2004 and 2006 that killed 29 people. He too avoided indictment on Bali bombings-related charges. District Court Chief Justice Alex Adam Faisal said the bench had no choice but to dismiss charges submitted by prosecutors ¬related to the Bali bombings – which Zulkarnaen had denied – “because they had passed their time limit”, which was 20 years. “The verdict is still ¬related to the Bali bombing in the sense that the defendant had the information about that incident but hid it,” Justice Faisal said, adding the senior JI operative – who attended sentencing via Zoom – “was aware of all JI activities”. “Before the Bali bombing he was very involved in JI activities but he began to distance himself before the incident. He was not involved in the incident but, yes, he had the information. He was also aware of the equipment used. He also hid Taufik Bulaga though he knew he was on
the run.” Zulkarnaen argued during his trial, which began last September, that he was a leader of JI’s military wing but had little involvement in the Bali bombings because he was focused on sectarian conflicts in Ambon and Poso, and in the southern Philippines. Other militants convicted for their roles in the Bali attacks, ¬including Umar Patek and Ali Imron who were sentenced to 20 years and life in jail respectively, also gave evidence that Zulkarnaen knew about the plot but played no operational role. Still, for more than two decades Zulkarnaen was one of Indonesia’s most senior terrorism figures, and the only Indonesian to be included on the US ¬“Rewards for Justice” program that offered a $A7 million bounty for his capture. He became JI’s operations chief in 2003 after the arrest of his predecessor, Encep Nurjaman, also known as Hambali, in Thailand, and has been on a UN ¬Security Council al-Qa’ida sanctions list since 2005 for associations with Osama bin Laden or the Taliban. (By Amanda Hodge / The Australian)
Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey
KIDAPAWAN CITY Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think. Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated
with other fecal matter, they are collected. In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad. But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee
seller in Zamboanga City. The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink. Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a home reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection. Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice. And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 09153976197. (AJC)
Mga nabahaan sa Barangay Lison Valley, midawat og ayudang pinansyal gikan sa DSWD Region 9. (Victory Zamboanga del Sur)
Biktima sa baha sa Lison Valley, midawat og ayuda PAGADIAN CITY – Midawat og financial assistance ang 74 ka mga biktima sa nahitabong flashflood sa Lison Valley nga giapo-apod mismo sa ilang barangay hall. Gipangunahan sa Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 9 ug Development Regional Team sa pagpanguna ni Agnes Sia kauban ang Provincial DSWD sa pagpanguna ni Ermilina Bacatan ang distribusyon sa maong ayuda alang sa mga residente sa maong lugar. Girepresentahan usab
ni Atty. Jackie Bana ang kagamhanang probinsyal kauban ang mga political aspirants sa Team Yu Pagadian nga nakighimamat sa mga biktima sa baha nga nahitabo kaniadtong bulan sa Nobyembre. Sumala ni Kapitan Joel Babayson sa Lison Valley, kasagaran sa mga beneficiaries sa ayudang pinansyal mao ang mga mag-uuma nga adunay mga uma nga nabanlas tungod ka kakusog sa tubog-baha. Siyam sa 74 ka mga benepisyaryo ang nawad-an og panimalay diin modawat usab og
laing cash assistance gikan sa Provincial Government. Gilauman nga madawat sa mga apektadong pamilya ang P5,000 alang sa partially-damaged nga balay ug P10,000 alang sa mga totally-damaged nga pinuy-anan. Mapasalamaton ang mga mag-uuma nga aduna na silay ikagasto sa pagpanglimpyo sa ilang umahan nga natam-ukan ug balas ug bato aron makapadayon sila sa pagpananom nga naundang tungod sa trahedya nga karon pa nila nasinatian. (VZDS)
January 24-30, 2022
The Mindanao Examiner
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Sulu Pictures in the News
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The Mindanao Examiner
January 24-30, 2022
Across : 1. Revered person 5. Baseball’s ___ Ruth 9. Stir 12. Nevada resort 13. Genesis site 14. Peeved 15. Most snobbish 17. Sis’s sibling 18. Child’s game 19. Simpler 21. Average 24. Sale acknowledgement 26. Bullring shouts 28. Creamy pastries 31. Religious order 32. Stadium shout 33. Horn sound 34. Manors 36. Japanese wrestling 37. Eternal 40. Stitch together 41. Dwarfed shrub 43. Eighth mo. 45. Apparatus 46. Boundary 51. Not healthy 52. Kiln 53. Salad fish 54. Private ___ 55. Printed words 56. Flower stalk Down : 1. Tax inits. 2. Cozy place 3. Singer Yoko ___ 4. Burglar’s booty 5. Light tan 6. Fruit beverage 7. Beg 8. Involve 9. Enterprising 10. Be bold 11. Stench 16. Pitch 20. Minor disagreements 21. Model 22. Tavern drinks 23. Four-sided figure 25. Desist
Answer to last week’s crossword:
27. Fawn’s father 29. Caesar’s city 30. Pack away 32. Alleviate 35. Oolong server 38. Canonized person 39. Total 41. Soft cheese 42. Slick 44. Obtains 47. Tyrannosaurus ___ 48. Mummy name 49. Opposite of WSW 50. Ewe’s mate
Weekly Sudoku:
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January 24-30, 2022
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OPINION
Benefits of Doing Our Best by Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo (Cebu) MANY SELF-HELP books would tell us to always do our best in all that we do. Holy Scripture advises us the same thing: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Doing our best in everything that we do will help us grow into the person God wants us to be. Our physical growth is a given. It’s a done deal unless of course we stop eating. But our intellectual, emotional, social, psychological and spiritual growth are up to us. We can choose not to grow in these areas and remain stunted, ignorant and immature. We can discuss how to grow in these different areas some other time. For now, let’s focus on the benefits we and others acquire if we always give it our best in everything that we do. Our physical growth is a given. It’s a done deal unless of course we stop eating. But our intellectual, emotional, social, psychological and spiritual growth are up to us. We can choose not to grow in these areas and remain stunted, ignorant and immature. We can to grow different areas some other time. For now, let’s focus on the benefits we and others acquire if we always give it our best in everything that we do. For now, let’s focus on the benefits we and others acquire if we always give it our best in everything that we do. First, we will have fewer regrets in life. When we don’t give it our best we will always have “what if’s” scenarios. “What if I devoted more study hours in college, I could have graduated with honors. “What if I was more caring with my wife, we would not have separated. “What if” I worked harder in my workplace, I could have been promoted and earned more while still young. We have to learn from the words of the late John Wooden, a multi-titled coach in U.S. college basketball when he said: “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” “What devoted more study hours in college, I could have graduated with honors. “What was more caring with my wife, we would not have separated. “What if” I worked harder in my workplace, I could have been promoted and earned more while still young. We have to learn from the words of the late John Wooden, a multi-titled coach in U.S. college basketball when he said: “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” “What if” I worked harder in my workplace, I could have been promoted and earned more while still young. We have to learn from the words of the late John Wooden, a multi-titled coach in U.S. college
basketball when he said: “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” When we have done our best, regardless of the outcome, it will give us peace of mind because that is the only thing we can control, our effort not the outcome. But most of the time the outcome will be favorable to us since we always reap what we sow. Even after you failed to get the reward you expected (the job, the trophy, etc.), you have no reason to reject yourself because you did what you have to do. Second, we will acquire resilience and become good problem solvers. Since we will always give it our best, obstacles and problems along the way will not easily discourage us. We will encounter many problems but our fighting spirit will push us to exhaust all means possible. Thus, we become more creative in solving our problems. Third, others will benefit much from us. If we always give it our best, we could easily become the best doctor, the best accountant, the best manager, the best mechanic etc. More people will come to us for our expertise. If you are an athlete, many will come to watch you play. If you work for a company, you will help it grow and earn more profit. If you are a businessman, your business will grow by leaps and bounds and quickly expand. We have to learn from the words of Marianne Williamson, “You are a child of God. You playing small (or not doing your best) does not serve the world. In other words, your smallness doesn’t make the world a bigger place. Your success benefits everyone and everyone else’s success benefits me.” Society is thankful and happy for people who always give their best. Can you imagine how much growth our country would achieve if all our workers would always render their best? Giving our best can even bring great honor to our country. Just look at our “pambansang kamao” Senator Manny Pacquiao. Manny always gives his 100% in every fight he undertakes. Most of the struggle in boxing comes before the fight, and I know of no other boxer who practices as intensely as our beloved Manny P. The fruits of Manny’s best effort are phenomenal. An unprecedented eight division title that gives him a strong argument to be the best pound for pound boxer of all time. But for me what impresses me most about Manny above and beyond his boxing accolades is his humility. He does not let his success get into his head but instead uses it to bring honor to the country and service to his countrymen. (CVC)
Airfunding rolls out free online medical consultations AIRFUNDING, a global crowdfunding platform, said it is set to give thousands of unlimited medical e-consultations to Filipinos as part of its commitment especially this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. The company will give out free digital vouchers from one of the Philippines trusted e-consult providers, KonsultaMD that can be used at any time for the whole month starting its activation. It said recipients will have access to a huge range and list of doctors for the whole month with no cost to them. It said the free medical e-consultation will provide medical advice to those who either cannot afford it or do not have access to it. It also aims to reduce the pressure on hospitals and clinics in these times of pandemics. Through this program, the elderly and the most vulnerable groups who can’t go to hospitals and clinics will be able to receive high-quality, professional, and timely e-medical consultations through this platform.
“Airfunding has deeply cared for Filipinos since we started in 2018 and over 7,000 projects were created, and to show our appreciation, we are giving them a gift of health that they can use almost instantly. We do hope that our relationship with Filipinos will continue for years on,” said CEO and Founder of Kiheitai Inc, Ryosuke Abe. Airfunding is owned and operated by Japan-based company Kiheitai Inc. The company aims to eliminate boundaries and distance barriers across the globe by providing help through its 10 million subscribers worldwide. Airfunding has helped raise over $3 million in donations worldwide. Some $600,000 was raised for the Philippines alone. Crowdfunding is the use of small amounts of capital from a large number of individuals to finance a new business venture. Those who are interested to avail of the free consultation may visit this website www. airfunding.net (Mark Navales)
Troops kill Sayyaf supporter, recover IED in Basilan BASILAN – Security forces gunned down an Abu Sayyaf supporter after he tried to shoot soldiers and policemen searching his house for improvised explosives in Sumisip town. Army Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said soldiers and policemen killed Ajie Gomez in the village of Limbo Candis last week and recovered his weapon and a homemade bomb. Rosario said security forces were searching Gomez’s hideout after receiving reports that he was spotted in the area carrying a home bomb and an automatic rifle. But instead of surrendering, Gomez tried to shoot soldiers and policemen and was gunned down. “During the conduct of the search operation, the suspect Ajie Gomez resisted as he attempted to use his M16 rifle against the operating troops which prompted the government forces to retaliate,” Rosario said. He said troops recovered a container of ANFO or ammonium nitrate/fuel oil connected to a battery and a tripwire, and his automatic rifle and two magazines loaded with bullets, and a revolver. “The (military’s) Joint Task Force Basilan continues to heighten its security operations in areas infested by the terror group and other lawless elements to ensure the safety and security of the Basileños,” Rosario said. Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan, said Gomez was a sympathizer of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Pasil Bayali, whose group is responsible for the series of bomb threats and extortion in Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. It was unknown whether Gomez was also responsible for the death of a Mus-
Photos released by the military's Western Mindanao Command show the body of the slain Abu Sayyaf supporter Ajie Gomez and his weapons, including an improvised explosive recovered by security forces in his hideout in Basilan's Sumisip town. lim woman, Junayra Saad, in Sumisip town on January 11. Saad was killed in a bomb explosion after stepping a tripwire in Upper Benembengan village. Army soldiers are known to frequently patrol villages in the town. The victim’s family did not release any statement, but authorities have in the past blamed the Abu Sayyaf group for the spate of bombings and attacks on innocent civilians in Basilan. Leaders of the Abu Sayyaf have pledged allegiance to the ISIS or Islamic State and vowed to fight for the establishment of a strict caliphate in the restive, but mineral-rich region of Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
January 24-30, 2022
January 24-30, 2022
The Mindanao Examiner
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