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Duterte may Pasabog!
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‘Pangulo may banat sa mga presidential candidates’
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IGLANG TUMIGIL si Pangulong Duterte sa kanyang banat kay presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos, na running mate ng kanyang anak na si Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio, ngunit may banta naman ito na muling titira sa mga kandidato. “I will personally them na kailangan mala- Sino ‘yung pinaka-corname the candidates and man ng tao because you rupt na kandidato, sino Continue on page 2 maybe what’s wrong with are electing a president.
Heroism of ‘SAF 44’ remembered Citizens told anew to get vaccinated THE NATIONAL government has renewed calls for citizens to get vac-
cinated against Covid-19 following the spike in fresh cases across the country
‘Justice still elusive 7 years later’
due to the Omicron variant which is more Continue on page 5
Protect journalists, media workers from poll violence: DILG INTERIOR SECRETARY Eduardo Año has vowed to protect the
safety of journalists and media workers in their line of duty ahead of the
May polls when violence against the members of Continue on page 9
Priests urge Filipinos to shoot down Marcos election bid Three prominent priests critical of Philippine President Rodrigo Dute-
ARMM
rte’s war on drugs have called on Catholics to be mindful not to vote for a
corrupt candidate in May's presidential election. Continue on page 3
Eastern Mindanao
POLICE REMEMBERED the 7th anniversary of the so-called “Mamasapano massacre” where 44 members of the elite Special
Western Mindanao
Action Force were brutally killed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Maguindanao province. Various police head-
Cebu
quarters in Mindanao commemorated the anniversary calling it a National Day of Continue on page 3
Manila
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Duterte may Pasabog! ‘Pangulo may banat sa mga presidential candidates’
Continued from page 1 ‘yung kandidato na… You know, this is part of --hindi ako namumulitika. I am talking to you as your President. There are things that which you must know sa aking trabaho and ito kailangan ilalabas ko kasi we are talking of elections, we are talking of our country and the next rulers, so to say, so to speak,” ani Duterte. Hindi naman ito nagsabi ng pangalan, ngunit ilang beses na rin nitong pinasaringan si Marcos dahil aniya ay mas dapat na maging presidential candidate si Sara. “Importante malaman nila na ano. Pero ito, bahala na kayo. If you want to believe in me, if you still believe me, I will tell you. But if you reject it, kung ayaw ninyong maniwala, ang masasabi ko lang bahala kayo. Tutal it’s your country, it’s not only mine, and kailangan may malaman kayo na alam ko na hindi ninyo alam because alam ko.” “Why? Because I am the President and I get all information from everybody, and not only that, from personal experience, nakita ko lang. Nakita ko. Hindi ako nagsabi na magmakarunong ako. From observation, makita mo man. Parang ang taong nakainom malaman mo na medyo sumobra siya sa limit ng botelya na kaya niya. Tapos mag-away, tapos mag-
tapang, mas sa ano -- magsalita masakit, akala mo may utang ang kaharap, kala niya may utang ‘yung tao sa kanya. Ganoon ‘yan eh,” wika pa nito. Ngunit kaliwa’t kanan naman ang batikos ng publiko kay Duterte sa kanyang banta dahil siguradong ikakampanya nito ng husto ang sariling anak at posible maging ang kandidatura ni Marcos, na anak ng dating dictador at plunderer na si President Ferdinand Marcos. Matatandaan na ang ama ni Duterte na si Vicente ay dating nasa Gabinete ng dictador kung kaya’t pinayagan nito na mailibing sa Libingan ng mga Bayani ang dating presidente. Inamin rin ni Duterte na si Senador Imee Marcos, na kapatid ni Bongbong, ang siyang tumulong sa kanyang kampanya noong 2016 presidential polls kung kaya’t malaki ang utang na loob nito sa Pamilyang Marcos. “Ang gusto ko lang sabihin dito na kung magkampanya ako dahil parang obligasyon ko kasi. So walang personalan ‘to because obligasyon ko lang na kailangan masabi ko sa tao. Pero sa lahat ng nakikita ko, para sa akin, well, except one, mayroong isyu eh na hindi maganda.” “So kung ito maging presidente, baka mapilitan ako araw magyawyaw, maging ano na tuloy ako. Kaya
kung na-presidente ito, masabi ninyo na may - ito si Mayor - may tama niyang - kung ‘yang paniwala niya tama rin na sabihin niya ang nalalaman niya na whether it is my truth or your true belief, ah bahala na. Basta inamin ko, sabihin ko na ngayon, alam ko, alam ko. So sa mga tao na Pilipino sabihin ko, kung magno - hindi man - kung maniwala kayo, okay man sa atin. Pero kung hindi, mabuti rin sa akin, wala, nothing at stake for me,” paliwanag pa ni Duterte. Hindi naman sinabi ni Duterte kung gaano ka totoo ang mga paratang nito at sa mga nakalipas na mga taon at noong 2016 presidential campaign ay maraming rin itong ikinalat na mga fake news. Ngunit pinangatawanan ni Duterte ang kanyang mga banta sa mga presidential candidates. “Mayroon diyan talagang hindi puwedeng maging presidente. Mayroon naman diyan na presidente pero masyadong corrupt. Akala lang kasi ng mga tao malinis pero ‘yung mga mga nag-transact sa business sa kanya, official business, pati ‘yung mga Chinese nagreklamo na na masyadong corrupt daw. Kaya naghihingi sa kanila, sabi kung may magawa ako. Sabi ko ang magawa ko is to charge him for corruption. It could be under the Revised Penal Code, it
could be under Republic Act 3019, ‘yung Corrupt Practices Act.” “Tapos ‘yung, well so many laws to, but fundamentally, it’s the Revised Penal Code or the Corrupt Practices and so ‘yun lang kasi maraming nagtatanong bakit ako hindi nagsasalita? Maaga pa eh. Gawain lang nilang pulutan ‘yung kalaban, tapos siyempre ako ‘yung reference point nila. Pati ako madale sa ano, sa galit o sa ano, mahirap rin ‘yan kasi ayaw ko ng away eh. Bakit ako maghahanap ng away? Magre-retire
na ako, tahimik na ‘yung buhay ko. Pero I feel that there are things which I would have to reveal to the Filipino people because it’s my job to tell the truth. Wala akong karapatan not even, I am not given a privilege of whatever for lying,” dagdag pa ni Duterte. Sinabi pa ni Duterte na hindi umano siya nagsisinungaling at lahat ng ibinibintang ay totoo. “Ang sinabi ko ang totoo, now ngayon kung ang mga tao maniwala, bahala sila, election eh. Kung ayaw nilang maniwala, ganoon rin.
So mayroon naman dito na hopelessly, I think, hindi dapat ma-presidente, medyo kulang talaga. Kulang na kulang. Everyday may sasabihin siya na mali o maski the fundamentals, ‘yung ano, of what a person na gustong ma-presidente dapat,” wika nito. Sinabi rin noon ni Duterte na may isang presidential candidate na gumagamit ng cocaine at walang nagawa para sa bayan hindi tulad ng ama. Hindi rin ito pinangalanan ni Duterte. (Mindanao Examiner)
Troops hunt Abu Sayyaf ambushers SULU - Troops were deployed to hunt down Abu Sayyaf militants blamed for the killing of a Muslim soldier in the southern province of Sulu, the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Divisiony. It said the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Ellam Nasirin ambushed a military truck in Patikul town that killed Private Joefrazen Tawasil, a member of the 45th Infantry Battalion. The attack, which occurred on the night of January 25, also wounded two infantrymen. “The 11th Infantry Division confirms that there has been an attack in Barangay Tugas, Patikul wherein 45th Infantry Battalion’s Pvt Joefrazen J Tawasil, 25 years old, perished. He was part of a team on board a military truck, facilitating admin movements of the battalion,” the Army said in a statement. It said the attack was in retaliation to the relentless military operation against the Abu Sayyaf in December. “This (ambush) is desperate vengeance. Our troops are currently in pursuit of the sub-leader,” it said. Tawasil just finished his military training last year and wanted to follow the footsteps of his elder brother who is also a soldier. “We are saddened by the untimely death of our brother-in-arms and we send our deepest sympathies to his family. He was born and raised in In-
A Philippine Army photo shows the file picture of Private Joefrazen Tawasil, a member of the 45th Infantry Battalion, who was killed in an ambush by the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Ellam Nasirin in Patikul town in Sulu province. danan, Sulu; a loving son to his parents who are farmers.” “Inspired by his brother, also a member of the Armed Forces, Joefrazen underwent basic military training in 2021. His bravery in joining the fight against terrorism embodies the values of a Tausug warrior. He will remain in our hearts and we guarantee that his sacrifices will not go in vain,” the Army said. Tugas village chieftain Saujar Bara also con-
demned the killing and the Abu Sayyaf. “Hindi sundalo, kundi Tausug ang mas talo sa ganitong klaseng pagkakataon. Namatayan tayo ng kapatid na Muslim. Para bang pilit na sinisira ng ASG ang pagpupursige ng mga Tausug at ng gobyerno na ibangon ang aming probinsiya. Hindi kami papayag diyan. Marami na kaming nagawa at patuloy kaming magsusumikap para sa kapayapaan,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Heroism of ‘SAF 44’ remembered ‘Justice still elusive 7 years later’
Priests urge Filipinos to shoot down Marcos election bid Continued from page 1 In an apparent swipe at presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, Redemptorist priest Father Amado Picardal, Vincentian priest Father Danny Pilario and Divine Word priest Father Flavie Villanueva said every Catholic should revisit history books to guide them in choosing their next president. Father Picardal said historical accounts would reveal who showed real concern for the poor. “In choosing our next set of leaders, let us support true servant leaders who truly seek the welfare of the people, especially the poor,” Father Picardal said in a Facebook post. Father Picardal, who once claimed he was hunted by Duterte funded hitmen, said the election was a time to shun the corrupt and the violent. “Let us avoid and reject those who are selfish and corrupt who just want to gain wealth, power and glory,” he said. “It is a moral choice not just a political decision — a choice between good and evil, between those who bring light amidst darkness and those who wish to perpetuate darkness.” Vincentian priest and theologian Father Danny
Pilario likewise criticized what he said were Marcos Jr’s efforts to revise history by spreading fake news that diluted facts with fiction. The election frontrunner is often accused of trying to whitewash events and abuses that occurred when the Philippines was under martial law imposed by his father Ferdinand Marcos. He said those who did not remember the country’s history like martial law did not deserve the support of the people. “Anyone who was an enabler of Marcos or Duterte does not deserve my vote. ‘Thou shall not kill’, is an absolute command,” Father Pilario told UCA News, adding no Christian could justify the suffering and pain extrajudicial killings brought about by martial law and Duterte’s drug war had inflicted on thousands of families. Meanwhile, human rights activist priest Father Flavie Villanueva said the number of deaths and illegal arrests during the martial law years would “hopefully enlighten Filipino voters.” “History should not repeat itself. During the Marcos regime, the family amassed both wealth and power. There were 35,000 documented tortures, 77
disappearances, 70,000 illegal arrests without warrants, and 3,257 known extralegal killings,” he told UCA News. He likened the Duterte regime to the Marcos dictatorship, saying there were numerous attempts to silence the truth. “During Duterte’s six-year rule, corruption has become obvious with his and his cronies' refusal to be transparent regarding their wealth and assets, as has the killing of the truth through fake news,” Father Villanueva said. The priest’s claim appeared to be backed up by Transparency International’s global corruption perception index for 2021, which was released on January 25. The report showed the Philippines’ continuous decline in the rankings. The country placed 117th out of 180 countries, down two places on its 2020 ranking with a score of 33 out of 100, its lowest since 2012 and well below the global average of 43. “Since the election of Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines has also seen a sharp decline in freedom of association and freedom of expression, making it harder to speak up about corruption,” the report said. (Joseph Peter Calleja / UCAN)
Continued from page 1 Remembrance in honor of the heroism and sacrifices of the slain commandos. Brig. Gen. Franco Simborio, Director of the Police Regional Office 9, led the National Day of Remembrance in Zamboanga City. The event was also attended by Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo and Erica Pabalinas, wife of Maj. Ryan Pabalinas, who was among the SAF 44. “Today we commemorate the gallantry of the SAF 44, today is also the day that someone lost their father, brother, son, husband, and friend. It has been 7 years since my dad died and I still miss him every day, but most especially, today. Growing up without a father makes me sad and jealous, sometimes, I think what would my life be if my dad was still around,” Pabalinas daughter, Camille Ryeanne, said in an emotional message read at the program. Malayo also read a message from National Police Chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos: “Today, we pause to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifices for this nation especially the 44 fallen brave Special Action Commandos. This commemoration is the day where we ought to reflect for their unselfish deeds for our country which symbolizes the heart of a true warrior. Though, we cannot repay their heroism, yet, they will always be remembered in our hearts for they fought bravely up to their last breath.” “The officers and men of Police Regional Office 11 commemorate the National Day of Remembrance for the heroism and patriotism of 44 PNP Special Action Force Troopers, who died in the anti-terror operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao seven years ago. PRO 11 will continuously honor the departed SAF
troopers. We will always remember their heroism as they sacrificed their lives in Mamasapano. We pray that ultimate justice be served to the families of our late heroes who paid the ultimate price in defending our country against terrorists,” the Police Regional Office in Region 11 wrote on its Facebook page. The Police Regional Office in Region 12 also posted this on its social media page and told the public not to forget the heroism of those who perished in the dangerous mission. “REMEMBERING THE #FALLEN44: Let us not forget the heroism, the courage, the sacrifice, the nationalism, the love of country, and people, that they demonstrate every day that they perform their duties, that they provide honor and bring glory to our country,” it said. “#SAF44: FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. On this day, we remember the SAF 44 who died a meaningful death on the side of justice and righteousness. The gallantry of the “SAF 44” is an inspiration to the PRO-12 personnel as they continue to fulfill their mandate to serve the country and defend the Constitution. Let us remain steadfast in fighting the injustices perpetrated by terrorists and lawless groups in the Soccsksargen region,” it added and the statement was followed by these hashtags: #PNPKakampiMo #WeServeAndProtect #TeamPNP #TeamPRO12 The police commandos were on a clandestine mission deep inside MILF territory to capture Malaysian bomber Zulkifli Abdhir, who was eventually killed in the operation in Tukanalipao village on January 25, 2015. The commandos were on their way to re-join their more than 300 SAF members waiting on the highway when MILF forces, aided by
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, attacked them and sparked daylong clashes. Zulkifli, alias Marwan, was also wanted by the United States which offered a $5 million bounty for his capture dead or alive. He was suspected of leading the Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia, being part of the central command of the Jemaah Islamiyah, and of involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings in Indonesia. At least 18 MILF and five BIFF were killed in the fierce fighting that the Aquino government later claimed was a mis-encounter so as not endanger the peace accord it signed with the rebel group on March 28, 2014. Barely a month later after the killings, the MILF which signed an interim peace deal with Manila, surrendered at least 16 specialized automatic rifles it took from slain commandos. The weapons were handed over to the police, but SAF sources claimed the rifles had been tampered and that many of its parts were either taken out or replaced with defective mechanisms. Kin of police commandos previously demanded that MILF leader Murad Ebrahim, now Chief Minister of the Muslim autonomous region, to surrender those behind the gruesome murders but he strongly refused. Because of the killings, lawmakers shelved the Bangasamoro Basic Law (BBL) until investigations into the deadly clashes between SAF and MILF were completed. The BBL was eventually passed in the current administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who even provided MILF members with over P1 billion in financial aids for their livelihood skills training to help them integrate into mainstream society. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Kusug Tausug, Maimbung Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz Salapuddin)
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Duterte ally wrests control of TV signals used by ABS-CBN: Al Jazeera A BILLIONAIRE businessman and political fundraiser linked to President Rodrigo Duterte has wrested control of the broadcast frequencies used by the country’s largest television network ABS-CBN before the government forced it to close, raising concern about a further erosion of media freedom. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said in a statement that it had granted Manuel Villar’s company, Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) a “provisional
authority” to operate a digital channel in Metro Manila, and to do a test broadcast through its companion analogue channel – both of which used to carry ABS-CBN’s news and entertainment shows. The authority was granted “after the determination of its legal, technical and financial qualification”, the NTC said, adding that Villar’s company had been waiting for an available digital television frequency since 2006. The analogue station, Channel 2, was seen as ABS-CBN’s flagship chan-
nel. NTC said it had been “temporarily assigned” to AMBS for simulcast broadcast until 2023. Villar, 72, ranked second in the Forbes List of 50 richest Filipinos in 2021, and has an estimated net worth of $6.7bn, mostly from property development. He previously served as House Speaker and Senate president and ran unsuccessfully for president in 2010. His wife is a current member of the Senate, while his son was Duterte’s public works secretary until his resignation in October to run as a
senator. Villar is known to have contributed to Duterte’s 2016 presidential campaign, although the contribution amount has not been revealed. In a post on social media, Danilo Arao, a journalism professor at the University of the Philippines, called the government’s decision “shameless” and “anomalous”, while pointing to Villar’s political connections to the Duterte administration. “It is a clear conflict of interest and blatant display of power and influence,” Arao told Al Jazeera. “Duterte claims to have dismantled the oligarchy, but he apparently tolerates oligarchs he is allied with,” he added. Arao also pointed out that Villar’s daughter, a current member of Congress, was among those who voted against the renewal of ABS-CBN’s 25-year-old operating licence, paving the way for the Duterte administration to shut down the channel. Ed Legaspi, executive director of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance in Bangkok, also wrote in a social media post, “This is big!” Duterte’s disdain of ABS-CBN Since becoming president in 2016, Duterte has repeatedly expressed his
disdain about the television network, which is owned by one of the richest families in the Philippines. Duterte claimed that ABS-CBN refused to run his political advertisements during the 2016 campaign season – allegations denied by the network. ABS-CBN’s coverage of Duterte’s so-called war on drugs, which has killed thousands of people, also upset him. Duterte threatened on numerous occasions to block the renewal of the network’s franchise, while suggesting the owners should sell the company to break the impasse. At the same time, he insisted his hand-picked leaders in Congress were free to decide on the issue. Duterte, however, failed to acknowledge that for several years while he was mayor of the southern town of Davao, one of ABS-CBN’s regional channels had regularly broadcast his weekly programme. In a statement to the media, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said it was “concerned” about the latest developments. “We are concerned at the concentration of power in a corporate media landscape already dominated by conglomerates and political clans. This has
dire implications on the people’s right to relevant information especially during times of crises,” the NUJP said. Since losing its franchise in 2020, ABS-CBN has continued to offer its news and entertainment programmes online, but it has been forced to shut down most of its broadcast operations in the Philippines. It has also tied up with other minor television stations to broadcast its shows. According to ABSCBN, at least 4,000 people lost their jobs when the network was shut down. The broadcaster reported a net loss of at least $263.6m the same year, which it attributed to the lack of free-to-air advertising space. It reported a further $70.3m net loss during the first nine months of 2021. According to news reports, Duterte’s justice department also cleared NTC’s latest decision to reassign the television frequencies from ABSCBN to AMBS, despite the former TV station’s continued push for the next Congress to reinstate its licence application. Villar’s daughter-inlaw has been serving as an undersecretary at the Department of Justice, but it is unclear if she was directly involved in the decision to approve NTC’s decision. (Al Jazeera)
Citizens told anew to get vaccinated
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Continued from page 1 contagious than the Delta variant. Acting Presidential Spokesman Karlo Nograles also underscored the importance of booster doses as additional protection against severe and critical Covid-19 cases. “Mismong si Pangulong Duterte ang nagbigay-diin noong Disyembre hinggil sa halaga ng booster shots, lalo na para sa pagkontrol ng pagkalat ng nakakahawang Omicron variant,” Nograles said, citing reports by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, Nograles emphasized that based on the information from medical experts, vaccine efficacy decreases over time that is why booster shots are a necessary protection against the deadly
respiratory disease. “Kaya kailangan natin ng Covid-19 booster shots. Proteksyon din ang booster shots laban sa umuusbong na bagong variants, lalo na laban sa Omicron variant na mabilis makahawa,” he said. Nograles said the national government is targeting to administer 72.16 million boosters for the adult population this year as part of the National Vaccination Program. He said included in the target population for vaccination are 12.74 million children ages 12 to 17 years old, and 15.56 million children ages five to 11 years old who will receive the primary series vaccines and booster shots. The Philippines has so far vaccinated at least 50% of the population. Dr. Lulu Bravo, Convenor of the Vaccine Study
Group of the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health, said a third shot of a COVID-19 vaccine may have long-lasting benefits, especially against the Omicron variant. Bravo, also the Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, citing a study, said the two vaccine shots are around 30% effective against Covid-19 infections and symptomatic infections and 50% effective against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. But she said that three shots or two doses plus a booster dose are 60% effective against infections and symptomatic infections, while it is 90% effective until two months and 80% effective at three months. (Mark Navales contributed to this report.)
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Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V effective vs. Omicron variant SPUTNIK V is twice more effective than the Pfizer vaccine in neutralizing activity against the Omicron - this is the main takeaway from the latest analysis by Italy’s Experimental Institute Lazzaro Spallanzani, Russia’s Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology and Moscow State Sechenov Medical University. The researchers pitted Russia’s Gam-COVID-Vac jab, which is marketed around the world as Sputnik V, and Pfizer-BioNTech COMIRNATY mRNA vaccine against each other in a comparative preprint study, which has been published by the wellknown MedRxiv portal – a global hub for medical, clinical and related health sciences. The goal was to explore the efficacy of the two COVID-19 vaccines against the Omicron variant. The examination has been done by the 12 Italian scientists in a lab setting in Rome, using blood serum samples of persons vaccinated with these jabs, who had similar levels of IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies and the same neutralizing activity against the initial variant of novel coronavirus registered in Wuhan, China. The group’s findings show that in comparison with the Pfizer jab, Sputnik V had 2,1 times more neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron in general, and 2,6 times more antibodies three months after vaccination. When it comes to in-depth analysis of protection mechanisms, researchers noted that Sputnik V neutralizes the Omicron variant because it
forms a stronger immune response due to the high level of antibodies. When reviewing the basic level of RBD (receptor-binding domain)-specific IgG antibodies, researchers pointed that within the upper 25% of samples with highest levels of IgG, 100% of individuals vaccinated with Sputnik V had these antibodies, compared to 83.3% in the Pfizer group. In total 74,2% of Sputnik V blood serum samples successfully neutralized the Omicron compared to 56,9% for Pfizer. As to reasons why Sputnik V forms such an immense response to Omicron, there are several factors at play, such as producing a much broader specter of neutralizing antibodies, whilst the Pfizer jab uses the S-protein in proline-stabilized form aimed against specific parts of the antigen molecules, which, in case of the Omicron are usually deformed by virus’s mutations. Sputnik V’s heterologous prime boost technology also plays a role, with Russian vaccine using two different carrier adenovirus vectors, with human adenoviral vector platform itself having an additional advantage of better imitation of the infection. The Spallanzani-Gamaleya MedRxiv publication mentions this approach as the most effective one: The Sputnik Light vaccine is based on the human adenovirus serotype 26, which is also used as the first component of the two-dose Sputnik V. Plans for its production have been announced by manufacturers in countries such as China and India,
South Korea and Vietnam, Serbia, Mexico, Argentina and Turkey. Among facilities on the list is the Serum Institute of India, which is known as the world’s largest vaccine producer. RDIF – the Russian Direct Investment Fund, is the country's sovereign wealth fund, established to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside international strategic and financial investors. is in charge of Sputnik V and Sputnik Light’s production and international distribution. RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev has underlined the importance of the Russian vaccine in providing protection against the Omicron, which has been confirmed by the Spallanzani-Gamaleya study: “The adenoviral vector platform has already shown high efficacy in combatting coronavirus mutations in the past. Heterogenous boosting with the use of Sputnik Light could raise the effectiveness of other vaccines, and partnership between various vaccine platforms plays a key role in light of challenges created by the simultaneous presence of Delta and Omicron variants.” Sputnik V is authorized for use in 71 countries with a total population of 4 billion people. The Omicron variant of SARS-Cov-2 has been identified in November of 2021 and has rapidly become the dominant type of the novel coronavirus around the world. The Omicron has been detected in at least 150 countries. (Mark Navales and Malou Cablinda contributed to this report.)
Dipolog LGU wala nag-endorso ug brand sa Covid-19 test kits GIKLARO NI Mayor Darel Dexter Uy nga walay gidapigang kompanya ang dakbayan sa mga gigamit nga Covid-19 test kits. Kining klaripikasyon gipadayag sa kagamhanang lokal human migawas ang isyu nga dunay espisipikong brand nga gi-endorso ang Dipolog nga maoy gigamit karon sa testing laboratory sa City Health Office. Gipahibalo ni Uy nga ang lokal nga kagamhanan sa Dipolog nagsubay sa Memorandum No. 2021009 (Minimum Performance Requirements for Covid-19 Test Kits Used for SARS-CoV-2 Infection) nga gipagula sa Food and Drug Administration pinirmahan ni Director General Ro-
lando Enrique Domingo. Base sa nasangpit nga memorandum, ang aprobadong mga brands alang sa PCR Based Test Kits mao ang mosunod; SARSCoV-2 Fluorescent PCR Kit, Bio Respiratory Panel 2.1 (RP2.1), i-Densy pack reagent (i-Densy pack universal SARS-CoV-2 Detection System), SARS-CoV-2 Detection primer probe set reagent (i-Densy pack universal SARS-CoV-2 Detection system, SARS-COV-2 Nucleic Acid Detection Kit (PCR-Fluorescent Probe Method) ug Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2. Samtang ang aprobadong antigen test kits gilangkuban sa Panbio TM COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device (Germany), Pan-
bio TM Covid-19 Ag Rapid Test Device (Korea), Sofia SARS Antigen FIA, Standard TM Q Covid-19 Ag Test Kit NowCheck Covid-19 Antigen Test ug Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Antigen Detection Kit (Colloidal Gold Method)/ Wondfo 2019-nCov Antigen Test (Lateral flow). Alang usab sa Antibody Rapid Test Kits, aprobado ang VivaDiagTM Covid-19 IgM/IgG Rapid Test ug Nadal Covid-19 IgG/IgM Test. Kining maong pagpa klaro ang gihimo sa kagamhanang lokal ning dakbayan aron sa pagwala sa mga haka-haka o pagduda nga mahimong paga-gamiton nga isyu batok sa kasamtangang liderato ni Uy. (LTD)
Senate approval of Marawi Compensation Bill hailed
Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman (I mage: Al Jacinto) DEPUTY SPEAKER and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Thursday praised senators who approved in second reading the Marawi Compensation Bill, referring to the southern Muslim city destroyed by five months of fighting between security forces and pro-ISIS militants. The House of Representatives approved in September 2020 the consolidated version of House Bills 3418, 3543 and 3922 which seek to compensate Marawi residents whose properties were lost or destroyed in the May 2017 battle. Hataman and Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan authored the House Bill 3543. The bill seeks to provide compensation to owners of real estate proper-
ties destroyed in the war at P1,500 per square meter for residential houses and P2,000 per square meter for commercial establishments. The Senate approved Senate Bill 2420 on January 26. “Lubos naming ikinagagalak ang desisyon ng Senado na aprubahan sa 2nd Reading ang Marawi Compensation Bill, at kami ay nagpapasalamat sa ating mga senador na bumoto para dito. Magli-limang taon na simula noong mangyari ang Marawi Siege noong 2017, at hanggang ngayon ay marami pa rin sa ating mga kababayan doon ang hindi pa nakakauwi sa kanilang mga tahanan, hindi pa maitayo uli ang kanilang mga negosyo, at hindi pa makabangon mula sa bangungot ng digmaan,” Hataman said
in a statement. If passed into law, Hataman said the Marawi Compensation Bill will greatly help the thousands of families affected by the war. “Alam nating hindi mababayaran ang mga sugat at pilat ng karahasang iniwan ng Marawi Siege, pero hangad natin ang agarang pagbangon ng ating mga kapatid na taga-Marawi, at malaking tulong itong sa pagsasagawa nito,” Hataman said. He also thanked Senators Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Ronald dela Rosa, chairman of Senate Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation, and Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva and Risa Hontiveros for their support. (Mindanao Examiner)
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2022
The Mindanao Examiner
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Sulu Pictures in the News
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Across : 1. Fuss 4. Tightwad 9. Monotonous routine 12. Family member 13. Fidgety 14. Small bill 15. Floor connector 17. 60 secs. 18. Emulate Michelle Kwan 19. Groups 20. Mailed 23. Confine 25. Large lizard 28. Hint 29. 14-line poem 30. Puts up 34. Wager 35. Capital of Minnesota (2 wds.) 36. Underwriter 40. Fidgety 41. Radio part 42. Kinder 45. Poetic dusk 46. Spoke to 50. Pretend 51. Kingly 52. Possessed 53. Ocean 54. Abounds 55. Tint
Answer to last week’s crossword:
Down : 1. Mule’s kin 2. Small spot 3. “Snakes ___ Plane” (2 wds.) 4. Grade 5. Machu Picchu native 6. Declare 7. Perfumes 8. Bread type 9. Juliet’s beloved 10. Single items 11. Keyed up 16. Turkey’s largest city 19. Dozing ones 20. Brother’s sib 21. Self-esteem 22. Cloistered one 24. Rudely abrupt
26. Not ever, poetically 27. Audience member 31. Rogue 32. Yank 33. Cagey 36. Notions 37. Brother’s daughter 38. December visitor 39. Blue ___ Mountains 43. Study hard 44. Long fishes 46. Picasso’s creation 47. Quiet! 48. ___ de toilette 49. ‘50s monogram
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Protect journalists, media workers from poll violence: DILG Continued from page 1 the Fourth Estate is notably rampant because of their reports. Año warned to prosecute politicians and their supporters harassing or threatening or engaging in any form of violence against journalists and media workers in the country. He said the DILG and the Philippine National Police have joined forces with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security to create safe and healthy spaces for media practitioners in the forthcoming elections following the official launch of the Media Security Vanguards. “This coming elections let us all together ensure the safety of our media practitioners to spare and protect them from the wrongdoings perpetrated by politicians. Let us keenly look out for their protection from any danger that could prevent them from doing their work efficiently, effectively, and honestly,” he said. Año said some 1,899 personnel assigned in 17 police regional offices, 81 police provincial offices have been designated as PNP Focal Persons for Media Security, on top of the 1,766 chiefs of police nationwide who will act as the operating arm in the implementation of the
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guidelines for media security vanguards at the local level. These police personnel, Año added, will work together with PTFOMS Special Agents in protecting, investigating, and addressing security concerns raised by media workers. National Police Chief General Dionardo Carlos has designated PNP public information officers as “Media Security Vanguards” and appointed General Roderick Alba as Chief Focal Person on Media Security. The designation of Media Security Vanguards was made upon the request of PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Ecgo for the DILG to assign PNP focal persons all over the country pursuant to President Duterte's Administrative Order No. 1. Among the tasks of PNP Focal Persons are to serve as a journalists’ first line of defense as they will be the first to receive information and respond to threats made against them. They will also be in charge of expediting the investigation and resolution of cases of violence, threats, and intimidation against journalists in collaboration with PTFoMS Special Agents. “The PNP is doing its
best to carry out their mandate to protect the people. Kapag magkakatuwang ang mga mamamahayag at ang ating kapulisan sa pag-uungkat at pagresolba sa mga karahasan at bantang kinakaharap, lalong napapaigting ang ating kampanya laban sa mga kapahamakan at katiwaliang nakapalibot sa halalan,” Año said. DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya also said that politicians will be prosecuted and held accountable should they attempt to cause violence against media practitioners. “Kami po dito sa DILG, we wish to issue this warning against all politicians who are planning to inflict harm on the media. Through the PNP focal persons or the media security vanguards, we will make sure that you are prosecuted and you are held accountable,” Malaya said. “The media (workers) need to be safeguarded against every threat of violence and other forms of peril that become even more prevalent during elections. They have an important job and this cannot be restrained by fear, harassment, or intimidation to tell the truth to the public,” he added. (Mark Navales and Malou Cablinda contributed to this report.)
Dipolog enumerators i-deploy alang sa census
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.
‘Hulog ng langit’ ZAMBOANGA CITY – Todo at taus-puso ang pasasalamat ng pamilyang Fernandez sa Zamboanga City matapos na makakuha ng malaking halaga ng abuloy upang maipalibing ang kanilang namayapang ina dahil sa komplikasyon ng renal disease. Halos isang linggo ng nakaburol ang labi ni Lydia Fernandez sa kanilang maliit na bahay sa Barangay Tetuan dahil hindi sapat ang perang nakuha mula sa mga abuloy. Kailangan umano ng pamilyang naulila ang halagang P37,000 upang maibayad sa nitso at lote sa sementeryo ng Barangay Tumaga. Isang larawan sa Facebook ng burol ng yumaong si Lydia ang napansin ni Sulu Rep. Samier Tan at naawa ito sa malungkot na sinapit ng pamilya kung kaya’t agad na nagpadala ng tao upang hanapin ang bahay ng mga Fernandez upang magpa-abot ng tulong. Hindi naman mailarawan ng pamilyang Fernandez ang kanilang kagalakan sa tulong mula kay Tan, na nakababatang anak ni Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan. Kilalang pilantropo at maawain ang pamilyang Tan hindi lamang sa kanilang lalawigan, ngunit maging sa ibang bahagi ng Mindanao. Tinawag naman ng pamilya na “hulog
Sulu Rep. Samier Tan mula sa langit” ang kabaitan ni Tan. Naulila ni Lydia ang kanyang asawang si Florencio, na walang trabaho dahil sa sakit nitong diabetes at hypertension; at limang anak na pawang may mga pamilya na rin at naghihikahos sa buhay. (Mindanao Examiner)
Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey
Mayor Darel Dexter Uy ug grupo sa mga enumerators. (LTD) GITAKDANG I-DEPLOY karon ang 75 ka mga enumerators sa kagamhanang lokal sa Dipolog nga mopahigayon ug Household Profile Census sa tanang mga kabaranggayan nga sakop ning dakbayan. Tumong ning nasangpit nga census mao ang pagkuha sa mga datus nga gikinahanglan sa kagamhanan aron kini gamiton alang na sa pagplano sa mga programang makahatag og dugang kalamboan sa matag barangay ug aron usab masayran ang mga problema ug kinahanglanon sa mga
lumulopyo aron mahatagan kini sa tukmang mga solusyon. Ang mga enumerators molangkob sa usa ka team nga dunay usa ka team leader ug lima ka membro nga maoy mobisita sa matag panimalay aron ma-profile ang ilang ekonomikanhong sitwasyon. Kining maong pamaagi makatabang dinha sa sayon nga pag-ila kon kinsa kadtong pamilya ang wala pa makapahimulos sa mga programa sa gobyerno nga naghatag ug subsidiya o mga benipisyo nga angayan nilang
madawat. Gi-awhag sa kagamhanang lokal sa Dipolog sa pagdumala ni Mayor Darel Dexter Uy ang mga lumulopyo sa mga kabaranggayan nga mo-koordinar sa mga enumerators kon kini mobisita sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka panimalay ug ihatag ang insaktong inpormasyon kabahin sa ilang panimuyo tungod kay kini alang man usab sa ilang kaayohan. Ang mga datus nga makuha, sumala pa, magpabiling nga “confidential” base usab sa Akta Republika 10173 kon Data Privacy Act of 2012. (LTD)
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)
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