Mindanao Examiner Newspaper Aug. 19-25, 2013

Press freedom sinisikil ni Sen. Jinggoy Estrada PAGE 3

Owners of Zambo firecracker store face charges

Bomb scare kalat ngayon!

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PAGE 5

Bomb scare hits Pagadian City anew PAGE 6

Figaro Coffee seeks franchises in Zamboanga and Davao

Confused?

Understanding Hashtags on Social Networks

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 19-25, 2013

BIFF hugas-kamay sa Mindanao bombings

Ang ekslusibong larawan na kuha ng Mindanao Examiner regional newspaper sa panayam nito sa grupo ng BIFF na tumangging sila ang nasa likod ng mga bombahan sa magulong rehiyon. At ang facial composite ng mga suspected bombers na nasa likod ng madugong Cotabato City blast habang ipinapakita ni police chief Senior Superintenden Rolen Balquin. (Kuha ni Mark Navales) MA GUINDANA O PR OVINCE – M ar iing itinanggi ng MAGUINDANA GUINDANAO PRO Mar ariing Bangsamor o IIslamic slamic F ovement na ito ang angsamoro Frreedom M Mo nasa likod ng mga malalagim na pambobomba sa ibat-ibang panig ng M indanao Mindanao indanao,, ngunit inamin naman ang mga atake sa sundalo at militar y tar military tar-gets sa magulong rrehiy ehiy on. ehiyon.

Sinabi ni Abu Misry rismo dahil ito ay isang Mama, ang tagapagsalita jihad. ng rebeldeng grupo, na “Wala kaming kinaang kanilang ipinag- laman diyan sa mga lalaban ay ang kalayaan bombahan na iyan. Iba ng mga Moro sa bansa at ang ipinaglalaban namin hindi umano ito maa- at ito ay ang karapatan aring ituring na tero- ng Bangsamoro,” ani

Mama sa ekslusibong panayam ng Mindanao Examiner.

“Hindi kami gumagawa ng anumang bagay na madadamay ang mga inosenteng sibilyan, lalo na ang mga kababaihan at mga bata. Hindi ito naaayon sa Koran,” dagdag pa nito habang hawak ang isang kopya ng pahayagan ng Mindanao Examiner na kung saan ay ang grupo nito ang laman ng balita.

Mariin rin ang pagtanggi ni Mama sa paguugnay ng pamahalaan sa Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters sa grupong Jemaah Islamiya o ng al-Qaeda.

Maging ang pagsabog ng bomba sa Cotabato City at Cagayan de Oro ay pinasinungalingan nito, subali’t inamin ang atake sa truck ng 2nd Mechanized Battalion sa Maguindanao province kamakailan.

Naunang sinabi ng mga awtoridad na kinukupkop ng grupo ni Mama ang Malaysian Jemaah Islamiya bomber na si Zulkifli Abdul Hir alias Mar wan. Mali

POLUSYON. Makikita ang maputing usok na ito na bumubuga sa kailaliman ng gabi mula sa pribadong kumpanya na National Grid Corporation of the Philippines sa Sangali substation nito sa Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

umano ang intelligence report na natanggap ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino ukol sa grupo ng BIFM at ang army nitong BIFF. Nagsiwalat rin ng malaking pagdududa si Mama sa mga sunodsunod na bombahan at kung paanong nakakalusot ang mga ito sa

mga checkpoint ng militar sa central at northern Mindanao.

Patuloy pa rin ang pagtugis ng mga tropa sa rebeldeng grupo na nitong buwan lamang ay nakasagupa rin ng militar sa Maguindanao at North Cotabato.

Ang BIFF ay pinamumunuan ni Ameril

Umra Kato, na dating lider ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front na ngayon ay may peace talks sa pamahalaang Aquino. Kumalas si Kato sa MILF matapos nitong akusahan ang pinuno na si Murad Ebrahim sa pagabandona sa kanilang independence war sa Mindanao. (Mark Navales)

North Cotabato hosts first forum on rubber industry NORTH COTABATO - The gover nment of Nor th Cotabato is hosting this year’s first Regional Rubber Forum aimed at strengthening the promotion of the rubber industry in the province.

The forum, which will be held at the University of Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research Center in Kabacan town on August 19, will highlight the presentation of speakers from the High Value Crops Development Program – Manila and reports from the provincial Technical Working Group for Rubber Production in North Cotabato regarding the updates in the industry and latest technologies.

Governor Emmylou Mendoza urged the Provincial Agriculturist Office to also discuss in the forum the leading issues affecting the rubber industry, more particularly on the issue of buying as well marketing problems.

Mendoza said that the forum is designed to focus on doable programs that the provincial government can provide to the stakeholders while also giving emphasis on solving the primary concern, which is the low buying price of rubber cup lumps amid the large scale production.

She said since rubber is one of the major products of the province, it

should consistently be a high income generating produce brought about by competitive and

North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza healthy buying price in the market.

North Cotabato has more than 55,000 hectares of land planted with rubber, making it the number one rubber producing province in Region 12.

As a priority highvalue crop, rubber has found itself with high potential for substantial income among rubber planters, tappers and the rest. In fact, rubber production has become a priority or even considered as flagship programs of some local governments in North Cotabato, according to Mendoza.

For years , the provincial government has implemented various programs for rubber farmers to further enhance their production and earn better revenues.

But with the concerns faced by rubber farmers today, such as the relatively low buying price in the market and the alleged dictation in the price of rubber, the governor is optimistic that this upcoming forum can help address the issues.

There is a high demand in rubber cup lumps in neighboring countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Thus , the province is aiming to be one of the suppliers.

The forum will also be an opportunity for the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industr y in North Cotabato to update the participants on the interventions of the agency to the concerns being raised by rubber farmers.

Rubber farmer organizations based in North Cotabato and the rest of Region 12 are expected to come up with situation report and corresponding proposals or recommendations for possible augmentation of assistance from government agencies.

Rubber planters and tappers in the province praised the provincial government for the holding of the forum. They are grateful for the initiative as this could be the venue to formulate solutions to the problems confronting the industry today. ( Jimmy Sta. Cruz)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 19-25, 2013

Zambo East Coast hit by blackouts

Pagod ang mga sundalong ito habang pabalik sa kanilang kampo sa bayan ng Aleosan sa North Cotabato dahil sa sagupaan sa pagitan ng milutar at rebeldeng Moro. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)

Sagupaan sa North Cotabato, walang Tigil NORTH COTABATO – Walang humpay ang sagupaan sa central Mindanao sa pagitan ng militar at mga rebeldeng Moro na nakikibaka para sa kanilang kalayaan.

Apat na rebelde mula sa Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement at dalawang sundalo ang nasawi sa matinding labanan sa lalawigan ng North Cotabato, ayon kay Col. Dickson Hermoso, ang spokesman ng 6th Infantry

Division sa rehiyon.

Sumiklab ang sagupaan sa bayan ng Aleosan na kung saan ay inatake ng mga rebelde ang mga sundalo sa Barangay Tubak at Pagangan.

“Our operations against the ATG continue to protect the civilians and communities from terrorism,” ani Hermoso sa Mindanao Examiner.

Ang ATG ay ang acronym ng Auxiliary Threat Group na nagpapa-

Press freedom sinisikil ni Sen. Jinggoy Estrada MANILA - Sinuportahan ng media group Alab ng Mamamahayag ang petisyon ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines kontra Senate Bill 380 o Magna Carta for Journalists.

Ayon kay ALAM President Jerry Yap, ang batas na iniisponsor ni Senator Jinggoy Estrada ay magagamit upang masikil ang kalayaan sa pamamahayag.

Sa ilalim ng na isinumite ni Estrada noong 14th Congress, magtatatag ng isang organisasyong tatawaging Philippine Council for Journalists kung saan ikaklasipikado ang mga mamamahayag sa dalawang klase.

Mayroong tatawaging ‘legitimate’ journalists na daraan sa isang examination o test at ang makapapasa ay siya lamang magiging accredited journalist.

Ang mga hindi naman makapapasa ay malalagay sa kategoryang non-accredited journalists.

Ang mga ’legitimate’ journalists lamang umano ang makatatanggap ng mga benepisyo ng PCJ pati na ang kanilang mga employers.

Gayunman, kapag 10 taon nang practicing journalist ay hindi na kailangan pang kumuha ng test.

“Gusto siguro nila, bigyan ng board exams ang mga journalist,” ani Yap. Sinadi pa ni Yap na hindi nakukuha sa exams ang pagiging isang mamamahayag at tulad ng dakilang mamamahayag na si Teodoro Valencia na itinuturing ng lahat na

‘Ama ng Pamamahayag’ ay Grade 6 lamang ang tinapos.

Kahit ngayon, ani Yap ay hindi binibigyan ng bigat ng mga publisher kung nagtapos sa kolehiyo o hindi ang kanilang mga reporter. Ang mahalaga ay marunong silang magsulat at mayroon silang ‘nose for news.’

Kinukwesyon din ni Yap kung sino ang napipisil ni Estrada na gagawa ng board exams para sa mga mamamahayag.

“Kung ang mga elitista na takot na takot sa mga mamamahayag dahil sa mga ginagawa nilang kalokohan, hindi kami sold d’yan,” dagdag pa ni Yap na dating presidente ng National Press Club. “Iba ang standard ang academe at iba rin ang mga journalist.

Kaya nga tinawag kaming Fourth Estate, dahil naiiba kami sa karaniwang professionals.”

Sinabi ni Yap na ang nasabing Magna Carta ay hayagang pagsikil sa kalayaan ng pamamahayag sa bansa.

Hindi rin umano kailangan ng mga mamamahayag na ma-accredit ng gobyerno dahil kahit saan pang panig ng mundo, nirerespeto ang mga matitinong mamamahayag.

Bukod ditto, magkakaroon umano ng diskriminasyon sa pagitan ng mga mamamahayag.

“Ano ang gagawin ninyo sa mga journalist na hindi makakapasa sa inyong exam? Itatapon kahit mahusay maghanap ng balita? Ano’ng trabaho ang ibibigay ninyo sa kanila?” pagwawakas pa ni Yap.(Nanet Villafania)

tungkol sa grupong Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement at ang mga freedom fighters nito.

Ayon naman sa Mindanao Human Rights Action Center ay maraming nagsilikas na mga sibilyan at karamihan sa mga ito ay tumakas sa takot na madamay sa kaguluhan.

Nagsumbong rin ang mga barangay officials sa naturang human rights center na ilan mga cannon shells ang sumabog sa residential areas sa Barangay Lagunde sa bayan naman ng Pikit, ngunit wala naman inulat na casualties doon.

Naunang isinabit ng militar ang mga rebelde sa pambobomba ng isang truck ng militar sa bayan ng Shariff Saydona Mustapha sa Maguindanao na ikinasugat ng 7 sundalo mula sa 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion.

Karamihan naman sa mga rebelde ay dating miyembro ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front na ngayon ay may peace talks sa pamahalaang Aquino.

(Mark Navales)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Most parts of the Zamboanga City's eastern coast have been rendered with no power at all after its 5 megavolt ampere transformer bogged down.

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative said it has found a replacement and is working on the installation of a 10 megavolt ampere transformer.

"Our 5 megavolt ampere transformer right now is not in operation as it got busted. But, we’re lucky enough because the replacement of 10 MVA has now arrived and presently being installed that’ll take 2 or 3 days to finish," Engineer Mike Ramillano told the Mindanao Examiner.

Numerous complaints from villagers in Curuan, Vitali and Bunguiao have flooded state-owned dxMR-Radyo ng Bayan and expressing their utter disgust over the electric cooperative's poor services in their areas.

"We have been agonizing for more than a week now, as we have been denied of power in our place. Worse, we don’t have drinking water in our homes, as our water system in the area depends on power to provide us our usual potable water. Without the electricity in our

place, means no water also,” griped a group of residents in Bunguiao.

Ramillano, the dispatching officer from the main power plant in the village of Putik, informed electric consumers that the whole city populace will soon be relieved of energy woes as the coalfired power plant in Misamis Oriental province which supplies 210 megawatts of electricity in Mindanao based is expected to resume operation by September following a routine maintenance this month.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla has ordered all power-producing firms in Mindanao to restore back to shape their bogged down generator sets or explore other sources of electrical power to help address the long crisis Mindanao is sugffering.

Zamboanga City is presently plagued with continuous power curtailments from two to four hours a day from its previous six to eight hours a day the past months.

The city’s required energy load daily is 90 megawatts and currently the local electric cooperative can only supply 62 megawatts the most, hence the

need to impose the power curtailment, according to Jongjong Mendoza, another dispatching officer of the cooperative.

Zamcelco’s current power allocations are coming from state-owned PSALM with 47 megawatts; and the private Therma Marine Inc. with 13 megawatts, and from another private power firm Mapalad with 2 megawatts for a total of only 62 megawatts.

"We appeal to our member-consumers to bear with us," the usual appeal from Zamcelco’s National Electrification Administration-designated Project Supervisor and Acting General Manager Sherwin Mañada.(Jun Feliciano)

Farmers shot in Pagadian City PAGADIAN CITY – Two persons were shot and wounded in an attack by an unidentified gunman in Pagadian City in the southern Filipino province of Zamboanga del Sur, police said.

Police said the attack occurred in the village called Buenavista. The victims, farmers Randy Bahunsua, 38, and Carlito Bahunsua, 58, were drinking when the gunman arrived and without any warning opened fire on them.

The attacker escaped after the shooting and the two men were rushed by villagers to the Jamellarin Hospital which reported the incident to the police.

Investigators said they recovered three bullet casings of a .45-caliber pistol in the crime scene, but the motive of the attack is still unknown.

(Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 19-25, 2013

Erring Zambo business establishments fined THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry in Western Mindanao said it collected some P182,000 in fines and penalties from 23 business establishments for various violations of the country's Fair Trade laws.

The fines and penal-

ties were collected from January to June this year, according to Provincial Director Rolando G. Acuña.

“To date, there are actually 45 firms that were charged if we are to include the most recent enforcement activity we

Ambusher ng ermat ni Sen. TG Guingona, nadakip na The building that housed the CT Fireworks and Pyrotechnics and other establishments. And Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar inspects the blast site. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Owners of Zambo firecracker store face charges ZAMBOANGA CITY – The local government is preparing charges against the owners of a firecracker store in Zamboanga City following a huge explosion which authorities said occured in the establishment.

The explosion destroyed a two-storey building housing other establishments.

The blast was so huge that it shattered the glass windows of adjacent buildings and sent debris flying in the village of Guiwan near a provincial bus terminal.

Officials said there were no casualties in the blast, but the explosion also burned the building and its second floor collapsed on its weight.

The roof was also blown off from the powerful blast.

The explosion sent

mangled roofing sheets and steel doors flying across the street. A piece of the green roof could be seen hanging by an electrical wire and glass shards scattered the street.

It was not immediately known what cause the blast at the CT Fireworks and Pyrotechnics or why authorities were not aware the store had stocked firecrackers in the building. Autorities said the store has no business permit.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar rushed to the site to see personally see the situation as firemen fought to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.

Councilmen Miguel Alavar, Rommel Agan, Rodolfo Bayot and Eduardo

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 Central Mindanao

Alan Navales North- South Cotabato

Richard Suarez Pagadian City Zamboanga del Sur

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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Richard Falcatan Basilan Province Ely D. Umaboc Zamboanga Peninsula The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.

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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

Saavedra also accompanied the mayor.

Just in April, a store selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics also burned down in Veterans Avanue in Zamboanga City and killing two people.

And in January 2011, a warehouse full of pyrotechnics and firecrackers also exploded in Zamboanga City wounding at least a dozen people, and razed many houses, mostly shacks.

(Mindanao Examiner)

PAGADIAN CITY – Hawak na umano ng mga awtoridad ang isang lider ng New People’s Army na itinuturong kasama sa ambush kay dating Gingoog Mayor Ruthie Guingona.

Ayon sa ulat ng pulisya ay nadakip umano ng mga parak at sundalo si Reynaldo Agcopra alias Ka Tarik sa kanyang hideout sa bayan ng Claveria sa Misamis Oriental province sa northern Mindanao.

Walang ibinigay na detalye ang pulisya at militar ukol sa pagkakadakip kay Arcopra, ngunit Sabado pa umano ito nasukol matapos na makatanggap ng impormasyon ang mga awtoridad ukol sa pinag-

tataguan nito.

Ang pulitiko ay asawa ni dating Vice President Teofisto Guingona at ina naman ni Senator TG Guingona III. Matatandaang tinambangan ng mga rebelde ang convoy ni Guingona matapos na buwagin ng driver nito ang isang checkpoint ng NPA sa Barangay Binakalan. Sugatan si Guingona sa naturang palitan ng putok ng kanyang mga security at rebelde.

Humingi naman ng tawad ang NPA sa naganap na kung saan ay nasawi ang driver ni Guingona na si Tomas Velasco at ang utol nitong si Nestor. (Mindanao Examiner)

have conducted on July 17 wherein out of the 50 firms inspected, 22 were found in violation of FTLs and hence, were subsequently penalized,” he said.

“Thus, the amount of fines we have imposed would probably double if we are to include the penalties for the 22,” he added.

Acuña said most of establishments violated the laws on standards, price tag, labeling and on sales promotion. He said the campaign on Fair Trade laws is part of DTI’s mandate to protect the welfare and interest of consumers. “ The DTI enforces FTLs involving consumer product quality and safety; deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts and practices; consumer products and service warranties; price tag; mislabelling and fraudulent advertising; service and repair shops; advertising and sales promotion,” he said.

Acuña also appealed to business owners to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Fair Trade laws. (Lowell Vallecer)

2 commies abandon unit, surrender to military in Surigao del Norte DAVAO CITY – Two communist rebels have abandoned their unit and surrendered to the military in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the duo Bryan Corminal and Jonathan Arguelles – surrendered to the Army’s 42nd Reconnaissance Company under the 4th Infantry Division in the village of Sico-sico in Surigao del Norte’s Gugaquit town. They also led troops near a riverbank where they hid their weapons – 2 M16

and 2 Ak47 automatic rifles – which they took from the New People’s Army.

Corminal and Arguelles said that they could no longer bear the hardship running away from government forces and wanted to live peacefully with their respective families.

“The firearms of Corminal and Arguelles will help them start anew through the AFP Guns for Peace Program. We will ensure that what is due for them

will be provided including the livelihood package from the Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process,” Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

“We are continually inviting all NPA members to lay down their arms. It is obvious now how they have suffered and experience hardship from their leaders

and the rotten communist ideology. We are encouraging everyone to facilitate and assist the surrender of our brothers who are still in the mountains because it is only through "bayanihan" that we can achieve lasting peace," Cruz added.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines which is fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 19-25, 2013

Army and police bomb experts search this bus in Zamboanga City after its K9 unit reacted on the presence of chemicals in the cargo bay. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

K9 stops bus in Zamboanga City, EOD finds no explosives ZAMBOANGA CITY – Philippine police and army bomb experts have briefly stopped a provincial bus from leaving a terminal in Zamboanga City after a K9 unit detected the presence of chemicals in its cargo section during a routine inspection.

Soldiers and policemen secured the area as members of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team searched the cargo bay

and found about a dozen sacks full of soil containing mining waste and byproducts.

Its owner told police that he bought the soil from gold miners and would deliver this to Cagayan de Oro City in northern Mindanao. He said the soil may have contained chemicals used by small scale miners.

EOD members said they found no explosives

and the bus was allowed to travel.

Police said the chemicals in the mining waste could have triggered the bomb-sniffing dog to react during the inspection.

“The K9 just sat near the cargo section of the bus during the inspection and the dog reacted probably from the chemicals in the soil,” one EOD member told the Mindanao Examiner.

Just recently, the EOD team also inspected a suspicious motorcycle parked inside the compound of a Catholic Church in Zamboanga City, but found no explosives.

In Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur, a bag left on a roadside in the business center was disrupted by police bomb experts using water jet on suspicion it contained an improvised explosive. The

bag was abandoned in front of Master Hardware along Rizal Street. The bag only yielded an aluminium cooking pot and a pair of slippers.

A suspicious car left for two days at the parking area of Gaisano Mall also in Pagadian also caused a bomb scare and police have to break the windows to be able to search the interior of the vehicle.

Two suspicious bags

abandoned in downtown Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province were also destroyed by army bomb squad using water jet disruptor. The bags were left at a public square and at the market.

No explosives had been found in both bags, but it also caused panic in the town which was previously pillaged by Abu Sayyaf rebels. (Mindanao Examiner)

Bomb scare kalat ngayon!

ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY Dalawang bagahe na iniwan sa sentro ng bayan ng Ipil sa Zamboanga del Sur ang pinasabog ng militar sa hinalang may bomba ito.

Sa Zamboanga City ay isang motorsiklo na iniwan naman sa Cathedral ang naglikha ng matinding takot matapos na paghinalaan itong may nakatagong bomba, ngunit wala naman nakita ang miyembro ng Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.

Sa Ipil ay nagkaroon ng malawakang takot matapos na matagpuan ang isang bagahe sa plaza, ngunit wala naman nakitang bomba ang EOD ng army doon, subali't nauna itong inupuan ng K9 bombsniffing dog ng militar.

"May traces kasi ng explosives yun bagahe kung kaya't nag-react yun aso natin, pero nega-

tive naman sa bomba," ayon sa isang miyembro ng EOD sa Mindanao Examiner.

Ngunit kinagabihan ay isang bagahe na naman ang iniwan sa harapan ng branch ng M. Lhuiller sa downtown Ipil sa kasagsagan ng ulan at inabot ng halos isang oras ang EOD na maingat ang pag-inspeksyon sa naturang balutan.

Nabalam rin ang mga provincial bus at mga sasakyan dahil hindi na pinadaan ang kahabaan ng highway habang tuloy ang trabaho ng EOD ng army.

Napilitan na ilayo ng isang EOD member na balot na balot sa kanyang armor ang naturang bagahe upang hindi ito magdulot ng malaking pinsala kung sumabog man at dinala sa bakanteng lote na kung saan ay doon ito ginamitan ng water jet disruptor upang

madisarmahan ang anumang nasa loob nito.

Subali't wala naman nakitang bomba sa bagahe. “Ginamitan natin ng water (jet) disruptor yun bagahe upang makasiguro tayo, pero mabuti na lamang at walang bomba ito," ani pa ng isang opisyal ng EOD. Kamakailan lamang ay isang kotse na iniwan ng dalawang araw sa parking area ng Gaisano Mall sa Pagadian City sa Zamboanga del Sur ang napaghinalaang car bomb at ginamitan rin ito ng water jet disruptor, at wala naman nakitang bomba sa sasakyan.

Ang disruptor ay ang pangunahing gamit ng mga EOD upang sirain ang anumang electronic component ng bomba sa pamamagitan ng tubig o water jet na tumatagos sa mga bagahe. (Mindanao Examiner)

Troops pursue rebels who disarm town mayor, bodyguards in checkpoint PAGADIAN CITY – Government troops continue to track down a band of communist rebels who disarmed a southern Philippine town mayor and his bodyguards at a checkpoint in San Miguel town in Zamboanga del Sur province, police said.

The army said rebels flagged down the vehicle of Pitogo town mayor Richard Garban and ordered him and his group to disembark in the village of Mati where the New People’s Army set up a checkpoint.

The rebels seized the politician’s gun and weapons of his escorts before allowing them to leave.

Garban told the police that at least 15 gunmen, clad in police uniform, were manning the

checkpoint.

Police also said the rebels were stopping all vehicles passing the village that leads to Pagadian City, the provincial capital.

Garban said the rebels carted two automatic rifles and three automatic pistols. Police have dispatched two teams to track down the

rebels. The military also deployed troops to pursue the gunmen.

There was no immediate statement from the NPA about its operation, but the province is a known lair of the rebel group which has been fighting for decades for a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

Google map of San Miguel town in Zamboanga del Sur province in southern Philippines.

Makikita ang sentro ng bayan ng Ipil sa Zamboanga Sibugay habang sinusuyod at pasabugin ng EOD ang isang bagaheng hinihinalang may bomba.Naka-cordon ang buong lugar habang sinusir ito ng EOD. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) Ang miyembro ng bomb squad sa Zamboanga City habang sinusuri ng maingat ang isang motorsiklo na iniwan sa Cathedral at nagdulot ng takot sa mga nagsisimba sa akalang may bomba ito. (Kuha ni Jacques Aldous)

Gunmen strafe police officer’s house in Dipolog DIPOLOG CITY – An eleven-year old daughter of a police officer was seriously wounded after gunmen attacked their house in Dipolog City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Norte, a police spokesman said.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca said the gunmen

escaped on motorcycles after the attack and that police have launched an operation to hunt down the assailants.

Huesca said six gunmen strafed the house of Senior Inspector Rolando Matinong, intelligence officer of the Dipolog City police force, in the village of Estaka.

He said Matinong exchanged gunfire with the attackers and that the officer has identified two of the assailants as brothers Anito and Arbiv Batingal.

Huesca said the girl was shot in the head during the strafing.

Police did not say the motive of the attack.

(Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 19-25, 2013

North Cotabato now prepared for calamities NORTH COTABATO - Residents of the landslideprone village of Kinawayan in Aracan town in the southern Philippine province of North Cotabato are bracing themselves against calamities in an effort to reduce the possible impacts of disasters.

Home to 216 families mostly belonging to the ethnic Manobo, the village of Kinawayan situated 800 meters above sea-level, is highly susceptible to landslides, according to the as-

sessment made by the Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesMines and Geosciences Bureau.

The geo-hazard mapping of the village shows specific features that may affect ground stability of 7 areas in the village.

Early this year, Jimmy Montero, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer, sought the relocation of families, especially those living in steep slopes, away from

critical areas where landslides can occur without warning. Despite living in safer grounds, families are wary as rains pound risk zones.

To limit the impact of disasters, the Arakan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Council and the Kinawayan Disaster Risk Reduction Council held recently a day-long community-wide contingency plan and disaster preparedness drill designed to simulate a major storm in

The Arakan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Council and the Kinawayan Disaster Risk Reduction Council recently held a community-wide contingency plan and disaster preparedness drill designed to simulate a major storm in the north-eastern part of Arakan in North Cotabato province. The activity was initiated by ACF International through the project “Scale Up, Build Up: Strengthening local alliances and advocacy and empowering champions on disaster risk reduction in partnership between the Disaster Preparedness Program of the European Community Humanitarian Office and is implemented by a Consortium composed of ACF International, Care Nederland, Plan International, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Handicap International. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)

the north-eastern part of Arakan.

The activity was initiated by ACF International through the project “Scale Up, Build Up: Strengthening local alliances and advocacy and empowering champions on disaster risk reduction (SUBU),” in partnership between the Disaster Preparedness Program of the European Community Humanitarian Office (DIPECHO) and is implemented by a Consortium composed of ACF International, Care Nederland, Plan International, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Handicap International.

The activity was conducted with oversight from the Provincial Government of North Cotabato, the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Center for Disaster Preparedness.

“This exercise is designed to test the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, and to look at actions that may need improvement, so that when disaster strikes, we will have a clear understanding of how things should run.

This activity showed the urgency of families working together to reduce the effects of landslides, flash floods, and avert loss of life,” Felix Patrimonio, the MDRRMC chairman and Municipal Administrator, said in a statement sent by

ACF International to the Mindanao Examiner.

The exercise was segmented into three scenarios to run-through a specific procedures dealing with preparedness mechanisms, response to and recovery from the heavy rains.

Head of Base and Program Coordinator Faramarz Hashtarkhani explained that ACF International assisted the local government in capacitating the vulnerable communities and family members in disaster management.

“This activity engages families to take action to reduce their risks to disasters and raise awareness on DRR, promoting a local culture of disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness, and to increase their knowledge on the importance of food security, good nutrition and proper care practices, and

adequate hygiene and sanitation such as proper hand washing to prevent and mitigate occurrences of diseases during disasters,” he said in the same statement.

Kinawayan village leader Dahines Lagcuman said he no longer fear for his family and his constituents even if rains continue to hammer Mindanao because they are now more prepared to handle disaster situations.

“We are now heading to the height of rainy season, but my family and the entire community already know what to do in the event when disaster hit us.

The responsibility to save lives and reduce the effect of disasters now rest among us. The impacts of Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) and Sendong ( Washi) should serve as a warning for us to prepare and be ready,” Lagcuman said.

(With a report from Mark Navales)

Rebels raid Japanese fruit exporter in Cotabato DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels raided a Japanese fruit exporter in the southern Philippines, but security officials said there were no casualties in the latest attack in the troubled region.

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, the regional army commander, said he dispatched troops to track down New People’s Army rebels tagged as behind the raid on Sumitomo Fruits Corporation in the

village of Bangbang in North Cotabato’s Matalam town.

He said the rebels disarmed the guards and seized a shotgun and radio equipment before torching four trucks.

“There is an operation against the rebels and we have alerted troops in the province and neighboring towns about the NPA raid,” Cruz told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

The company did not issue any statement about the attack, but it started its operation in the southern Philippines in 1970 – growing bananas and in 1990 it introduced Gracio brand of bananas.

It now engages in the sourcing, production, shipment and marketing of various fresh fruits, primarily the bananas, pineapple

and papaya and exports them to Japan, China, Korea, the Middle East, New Zealand and Russia.

The motive of the attack is still unknown, but the NPA - which is fighting for a separate state in the country - has been demanding so-called revolutionary taxes from various companies in the region.

(Mindanao Examiner) Downtown Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province in southern Philippinbes. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Bomb scare hits Pagadian City anew PAGADIAN CITY – A bag left on a roadside in the business center of Pagadian City was disrupted by police bomb experts on suspicion it contained an improvised explosive.

Police said the bag was abandoned in front of Master Hardware along Rizal Street and inspected by members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, who used water jet dis-ruptor to disable any electronic component in the bag.

But the bag yielded an aluminium cooking pot and a pair of slippers only. Police said there were no traces of explosives in the bag or the cooking pot.

Just recently, police also used water jet disruptor in a suspected car bomb left at the Gaisano Mall parking in

Pagadian City but no explosives were found in the car, although it caused a bomb scare in the city.

Two suspicious bags abandoned in downtown Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province were also destroyed by army bomb squad.

In Zamboanga City, a motorcycle left at a Catholic Church sent police bomb squad into the compound to inspect the vehicle, but they found no bomb.

The disruptor is a tool commonly used by EOD to disable an explosive device without detonating or exploding it. It uses a shot of water to pierce through thin walled items, such as packages and bags, or briefcases, to destroy any circuitry before detonation occurs.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Aug. 19-25, 2013

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The Mindanao Examiner

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 leadinternational stores es,, F Figar igaro 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 pro franchise 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.

Cooperative officer killed in Basilan province BASILAN PROVINCE – An identified gunman shot and killed an employee of a farmers' cooperative in Basilan province in the southern Philippines, police said.

Police said Joseph Fernandez was on a motorcycle when shot in the village of Sengal in Lamitan City.

Fernandez worked as a finance officer with the Arco Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative in the province.

The gunman took Fernandez's bag before escaping and police are looking into robbery as the possible motive for the killing.

Just recently, motorcycle gunmen also shot a college student, Hadzmin Ilaham, 20, outside the Basilan State College in Isabela City.

The assailants fled after the shooting and police are investigating the attack to determine the motive and the identities of the gunmen.

Police said Ilaham is a resident of Sumisip town.

Gun attacks are not uncommon in Basilan, particularly in Isabela City where the spate of shootings have caused fear and anxiety among civilians. (With a report from Richard Falcatan)

A policeman points to the body of Joseph Fernandez, who was fatally shot in Lamitan City in the troubled province of Basilan.

(Mindanao Examiner Photo - Richard Falcatan)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 19-25, 2013

Confused? Understanding Hashtags on Social Networks Facebook was the last of the major social networks to introduce the hashtag earlier this month. This has been greeted by mixed emotions ranging from excitement by those who use it on other social networks, to confusion at this strange symbol suddenly appearing in status updates, to indifference. Check out the informal poll run on our Facebook page which captured these sentiments.

Are you #Confused? Here is a quick guide on understanding hashtags. It will enable you to use them with confidence and impress your friends and colleagues! The information presented here should translate across the major social networks which all use hashtags (with some minor variations).

So what exactly is a hashtag?

My simplified definition is hashtags are like keywords which can be used to organize messages on a social network. This then facilitates the searching and grouping of messages with given hashtags.

Hashtags are preceded by the pound sign (#) and can be a word or a short phrase (i.e. #Hashtag or #ThisIsAHashtag) More technical definitions can be found on Wikipedia and Wiktionary.

An interesting look at the life and different uses of the hashtag across history can be found in this Infographic.

Who defines hashtags?

You do. You can place a pound (#) sign in front of any keyword(s) in your message and turn them into hashtags. However, the power of hashtags comes from other people using the same keyword(s) so that by clicking on a hashtag you can get a group of other messages on that topic.

How can I use hashtags?

Typical uses of hashtags: Express emotions: #surprised #speechless #frustrated Identify places or brands or events: #Hawaii #Ferrari #CoolEvent Make recommendations: #MustRead #MustWatch #NowPlaying Connect with like-minded individuals: #CatLovers #TVaddicts Hashtags should make your messages easier to organize and find. The trick is to

hashtag keywords that other people would use when looking for the content contained in your message. You can do a quick search for keywords prior to posting your message to see which hashtags are popular (called “trending”).

Three common mistakes to avoid: Hashtagging every word (i.e. #I #am #so #excited #today) Hashtagging the same word more than once (i.e.

It is my #birthday.

Here is a photo of my #birthday cake, my #birthday presents, and my awesome #birthday party!)

Separating keywords. If your keyword is “black cat” your hashtag should be #BlackCat. If you write it as #Black #Cat this will give you two different keywords: “black” and “cat”.

Wher e can I place hashtags?

Where You can use hashtags anywhere in your message – in the main body itself or as a postscript at the end. Here is an example with a hashtag in the main body of the message and two hashtags at the end.

Check out this #awesome site: www.digitalbuzz.me #SocialMedia #Marketing Why should I use hashtags?

Two reasons: Increase exposure Organize content Both of these are compelling reason to use hashtags on your personal messages.

They are even more compelling when it comes to using social media to promote your business.

What about privacy on Facebook? (source) If you write a post with limited privacy (ie. Friends), then only those who you have authorized to see the post in the first place will be able to find your post when they search for the hashtag.

If your post’s privacy is set to public, then anyone searching for that hashtag will be able to see your post.

Ready to go out and conquer your social networks with hashtags? (http:// socialmediatoday.com/faris-samawi/ 1565656/confused-understandinghashtags-social-networks)

Philippine troops and civilians prepare relief aid to villagers trapped by floods in Zamboanga del Norte's Gutalac town.

Military transports relief aid in flood-hit Zamboanga villages DIPOLOG CITY – Philippine soldiers aided local government in Zamboanga del Norte in delivering relief goods to villagers trapped by flash floods in the town of Gutalac, officials said.

Officials said the military dispatched two helicopters to deliver the aid in the areas worst hit by floods.

The 10th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Leonel Nicolas orchestrated the inter-agency collaboration to ensure the immediate delivery of relief goods from the provincial and

municipal governments and Department of Social Welfare and Development to affected families.

He said Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, facilitated the immediate deployment of two helicopters from Tactical Operations Group 9 under the 3rd Air Division in Zamboanga City.

The helicopters delivered over 600 packs of relief goods and 41 bottles of four-liter mineral water were distributed in the villages of Canupong and

Map. Each pack contained 12.5 kilos rice, 13 cans of sardines and one pack of noodles, according to Nicolas.

Nicolas said the aerial operations will be complemented by simultaneous ground relief operations to fast track the delivery of food supplies to the villagers, particularly in Tipan, Sibalic and Panganuran.

He said it will take several days before roads in the villagers are cleared by debris and rocks due to the continued rains. (Mindanao Examiner)

Man shot in Zambo ZAMBOANGA CITY – A motorcycle gunman shot a suspect in the killing of a Muslim man in Zamboanga City, police said.

Police said the gunman shot Idar Barahama, 37, who was implicated in the killing of Totoh Abdulla three months ago. Barahama was shot in the back as he was getting his parked motorcycle in downtown Zamboanga. He died in the hospital. The attacker escaped after the shooting.

Police said the shooting was connected with the killing of Abdulla. (Mindanao Examiner)

Hindi alintana ng mga batang ito sa Zamboanga City ang peligro sa kalye. Kalat ang mga street children sa Zamboanga at karamihan sa mga ito ay lulon sa pagiging adik sa pagamoy ng rubgy. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

KISMET Cable Channel 63 Pagadian City

Dateline Mindanao

By Al Jacinto KALIW A’T KANAN ang pagsabog ng mga KALIWA bomba sa Mindanao at mistulang mga ‘sitting ducks’ ang publiko ngayon sa banta ng terorismo. Ngunit sa dami ng mga sumasabog na bomba sa ibta-ibang lugar sa katimugan at tila hirap ang awtoridad na mapigil ito. Umamin na ang Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters ng grupo ni Ameril Umra Kato na sila ang nasa likod ng ilan, ngunit target nito ay ang militar.

Paano naman ang ibang mga pagsabog? Yun sumabog sa Cotabato City nitong buwan lamang ay iniuugnay naman ng mga opisyal doon sa pulitiko at target diumano ng malagim na pagsabog ay si City Administrator Cynthia Sayadi – ang dating kanang-kamay ni ARMM Gov. Zaldy ‘Datu Puti’ Ampatuan na isa sa mga pangunahing suspek sa binansagang Maguindanao Massacre.

Ngunit ano nga ba ang motibo kung bakit ipinagpipilitan ni Sayadi na siya ang target ng atake? Ang iginigiit nito ay ang mga nasagasaang mga drug dealer sa Cotabato na galit umano sa kanilang pamilya. Ngunit kung ito ay totoo aba eh bakit hindi pa madakip ang nasa likod ng pambobomba? Kilala naman pala, ngunit wala namang pinapangalanan si Sayadi.

Itinanggi na ng grupo ni Kato na may kinalaman sila sa pagsabog sa Cotabato.

Ngunit sa panig ng pamahalaan ay tila bulag ang mga awtoridad dahil parang mga naghahabol ito sa wala at hirap na hirap matukoy kung sino nga talaga ang utak sa pagsabog na ikinamatay ng 8 katao!

ABA A T TATL ONG taon na palang AT TLONG nakaupo ang Pangulong Benigno Aquino at sa ilalim ng kanyang administrasyon ay masasabi kong naging maganda ang pamamalakad nito sa Mindanao.

Nabigyan ng sapat o mas maraming proyekto ang Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao na kinabibilangan ng

Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao at Lanao – at ang lungsod ng Lamitan at Marawi, kung ihahambing sa nakaraang gobyerno nitong si Gloria Arroyo, na ngayon ay isang mambabatas.

Mismong si dating Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, na ngayon ay ang vice governor ng lalawigan, ang nagpatotoo na malaki ang ibinigay na tulong ng pamahalaang Aquino sa kanyang lugar. Maraming mga proyekto mula sa ibat-ibang ahensya ang dumating doon tulad ng Department of Agriculture at ang Department of Social Welfare and Development na ilan lamang sa maraming mga tulong na naibigay sa Sulu.

Kung kaya’t sinabi ni Vice Gov. Sakur Tan na malaki ang utang na loob ng mga Tausug sa kasalukuyang pamahalaan at hindi umano ito kayang suklian, ngunit sinigurado naman ng pilantropong pulitiko na patuloy nitong susuportahan ang mga programa ng Pangulong Aquino.

Kaya nga landslide ang panalo doon ng senatorial at ARMM slates ng administrasyon sapagkat ‘blood, sweat and tears’ ika nga ang naging kapital ni Vice Gov. Tan sa Sulu upang matiyak ang panalo ng pamahalaan. Matindi ang pangangampanya ni Vice Gov. Tan at kahit halos mapuyat at ubuhin na ito sa kakakampanya ay naging matagumpay naman siya!

Samanta, tuloy naman ang ligaya at kasiyahan sa ARMM dahil nanalo itong manok ni PNoy na si Mujiv Hataman. At lalong yumayaman ang mga nakikinabang sa panalong ito. Dami rin reklamo sa ARMM dahil sa mga diumano’y ibat-ibang katiwalian at karamihan sa mga ito ay mababasa sa Facebook - sa grupong ARMM Watch - pero dedma lang ang mga natatamaan ng batikos. Abe eh kung sasagutin nga naman nila ay lalong hahaba ang isyu at baka kung ano pa ang sumingaw!

Hanggang sa susunod mga kaibigan...

Task Force Zamboanga pinuri ng Tabak Division ZAMBOANGA CITY – Pinuri ng pamunuan ng 1st Infantry ‘Tabak’ Division ang Task Force Zamboanga dahil sa pagsuko sa kanila ng isang rebeldeng Abu Sayyaf na nasa watch list ng militar.

Kinilala ng 1st Infantry Division ang rebelde na si Abdurahin Nasalon at ikaanim umano sa watch list ng militar sa western Mindanao. Sumuko si Nasalon sa anti-terrorist Task Force Zamboanga sa Barangay Curuan.

Nabatid na tumulong ang pamilya na Nasalon na sumuko ito. Sa Zamboanga umano naka-base si Nasalon at ang matinding takot sa operasyon ng militar at pulisya ang nagtulak dito na sumuko na lamang, ayon kay Capt. Jefferson

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The Mindanao Examiner

Aug. 19-25, 2013

Somera, ang spokesman ng 1st Infantry Division.

Sinabi ni Somera na sumuko si Nasalon kay Capt. Jerry Doldol ng Task Force Zamboanga.

“The surrender of Nasalon was largely credited on the continued military and police operations.

The presence of security forces also pressured Nasalon to surrender peacefully,” ani Somera sa Mindanao Examiner.

Hindi naman nagbigay ng karagdagang detalye si Somera ukol sa negosasyon o background ni Nasalon at sinabing patuloy pa ang interogasyon ng Task Force Zamboanga sa ilalim ni Col. Andrelino Colina.

“Hindi pa tapos ang interogasyon at inaalam pa natin ang mga kinasa-

sangkutan nitong si Nasalon,” ani Somera.

Inamin naman ni Somera na malaki ang naging papel ng patuloy na operasyon ng militar at pulisya kontra Abu Sayyaf sa pagsuko ni Nasalon. “Nasalon admitted to interrogators that he was scared of the continued operations of the military and police and so he decided to surrender peacefully,” wika pa ni Somera.

Pinuri ng army division ang naging papel ng Task Force Zamboanga sa pagsuko ni Nasalon. Aktibo ang Abu Sayyaf sa Zamboanga at gayun rin sa lalawigan ng Sulu at Basilan, na bahagi naman ng Muslim autonomous region sa Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

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

Any transaction entered by Pilar Gina Fernando shall not be honored by the company.

HR Department 062-9925480 Email mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

Pencing

By Jun Feliciano (Zamboanga City) THE WORD ORD: THE BODY TO RETURN TO GROUND, SOUL TO FACE JUDGMENT IT is said, based on the Scriptures, that man’ body, when he dies, returns to the ground where he supposedly came from.

But, his soul within his body, returns to GOD (his Creator) to face Judgment.

LIFE is so short: LIFE is indeed so short.

Based on the Word of the Father, man has only 3 scores plus 10 or only 70 years to live that long. That means: 60 years (as 1 score is equivalent to 20 yrs, and plus 10 more is 70 years. That’s man’s lifespan here on the earth.

If he outlives that long, then a bonus year/s given him by the Almighty. But, in the end, he’ll eventually die, just the same.

THAT’s his physical. BUT, on the issue of his soul, he’s destined to be somewhere in eternity—either to suffer endlessly in Hell, or live in Glory with God for good…

(That’s a bit of spiritual enlightenment for our hungry souls).

TUGB UNGAN REMAINS FL OODED TUGBUNGAN FLOODED Barangay Tugbungan remains under water to this date. That’s how grave its flooding as a result of the continuous heavy rains and strong winds the past days brought about by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone that develops into a Low Pressure Area, and later becomes a storm.

The Palawan storm was named after KIKO. But, it was short-lived and hurriedly left the country to hound other nearby countries somewhere in our Pacific rim.

THE storm out there, badly affected all the western portions of the Visayas and Mindanao, and that’s where Zamboanga Peninsula lies. Our city of Zamboanga wasn’t spared at all.

BASED on news reports, specifically those emanating from City Hall, total of 497 families with 1,374 dependents were rendered homeless as most if not all are staying near or within the city’s riverbanks that normally swell and even overflow to lowlying portions where shanties flourish these days.

THE new government here under Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar should better address this woefulness as well, cay bien grabe ya gat este clase de problema ki.

NO W SECURIT Y IS TERR OR NOW SECURITY TERROR OR-THREA TENED TOO THREATENED FOLLOWING the series of bombing incidents in Central Mindanao just recently, Zamboanga City is on heightened alert as declared by both the local PNP here and the AFP through its Task Force Zamboanga, backing up internal security measures stepped up these days by the Zamboanga City Police Office in the light of the bomb blasts in Cagayan de Oro City, Maguindanao and Cotabato.

Zamboanga City is almost always in the list of these terrorists here with supposed strong links to the Al Qaeda’s global terror network.

EVEN U.S.A. RAISES TERR OR TERROR THREA T AL ARM THREAT ALARM AMID, the United States’ stern warning of a global terror threat believed stemmed from the dreaded AL Qaeda terrorists’ group, the country has been once again in the limelight in large media outlets across the globe due to the Mindanao bombings that claimed at-least 9 lives and dozens others were left with injuries, many are still in critical condition.

BENG UR GES TO BE VIGIL ANT URGES VIGILANT IN lieu of the present situation which is pretty scary, Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar has advised city residents here to be wary and vigilant in their own places, and never take chances of simply take things for granted.

DEBE lang tamen, el de aton mga men in uniform, both the PNP and AFP here, should show to us here, their own readiness, their own security capabilities, their own discipline, their own sincerity and all their dedications in protecting lives, limbs and properties of the civilian population.

UNDER oath, they darn swear to afford such security and protection to the civilians, as mandated of them and well enshrined

under our constitution.

We don’t see these qualities anymore in most of our men in uniform these days.

Sorry, but this is the awful perception of the general public in here, and even in most parts of the country.

TO borrow the words of former Zamboanga City Police Director and now retired police Colonel Rex Miravite. “ Napaka-lousy ang ating mga pulis ngayon.”

Ese pah!

LOCAL C ONTRA CT ORS HA VE CONTRA ONTRACT CTORS HAVE REASON TO BEAM ZC contractors (meaning the local ones) are beginning to sport their wide grins these days. Why? Cay puede ya sila saca grande proyecto ki, unlike in the past, according to them through one of their bigtime peers in the construction business.

ONE contractor was in the City Engineer’s Office the other day, and for the first time was overheard inquiring with high expectations of the Lady Mayor’s nod to their requests or their asking, so that finally they can get good projects here fair and square.

Cosa man se mga requests ke el past administration nohay canila dale, sila yalang se? (Whatever such requests of theirs that supposedly were not granted them by the past government here, well, let’s give them a break by allowing them to keep those to themselves.

The bottom-line, we learned, is that it’s both for the good of the City Government and the contractors as well. Quire decir, nohay mas mga palpak proyecto tene ki, hinde’ na dao ay tene como conese ‘palpak’ ‘Sangunniang Panlungsod (modern kuno) building, which up to now, remains with same defects, cay incurable dao se..Ese pa!

PHIL TEAM R OO TED IN FIBA GAMES ROO OOTED THE Philippine team represented by Gilas in the ongoing FIBA tournament being held in the country from Aug. 1 to 11, is showing a semblance of being a tough competitor in the game.

EXCEPT for the unlikely defeat in the hands of Chinese Taipei, the locals have been pretty impressive in their games against more hyped teams like Qatar with their ex-NBA naturalized player named Jeffrey Hayes; Jordan that played in the FIBA Finals vs. eventual winner China in 2011 tournament and Japan, described as a sweet-shooting team that can score an upset.

LET’s root and cheer the GILAS team.

At-least, their quickness and their neversay-die attitude in the games, make us all very excited and just anxious in buying hopes of winning for the country the FIBA crown this 2013.

IN being champs, this can qualify us to participate in the 2016 Olympic Games.

NEVER have we ever gone to the Olympics with our national basketball team for so long, cay pirmi man talunan na elimination rounds palang.

THE last time we ever played basketball in the Olympics was in the 60’s when our very own Zamboangueño Boy Marquez was among the top national players then.

BUT, don’t you know that none of the Asian teams to this date has ever beaten our highest finish in any World basketball tilts, so far? Not even China has ever duplicated such feat done by us in a Globallycompeted cage tourney with the U.S.A. team participating.

IT was sometime in the 50’s, when our national team steered by Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga participated in the World Basketball Games, and placed 3rd just behind USA and was it USSR or Brazil?

INFACT, the Loyzaga-led Philippine team lost only to the United States, but because of its low quotient in scoring (that was how they decided games then) compared to their other closest rivals, they ultimately landed 3rd.

CAN we ever regain cage supremacy in this part of the globe—I mean in whole Asia? I really doubt. (jayfeliciano2 @yahoo.com)

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Aug. 19-25, 2013

Hari-Raya festival sa Sulu dinagsa!

L

ibo-libong katao ang dumagsa sa H ar i-R aya Har ari-R i-Raya ovincial go ver nment sa al ng S ulu pr festival Sulu pro gov ernment festiv bayan ng M aimbung na kung saan ay Maimbung nagmistulang “people-po w er people-pow er”” ang natur turang turang lugar dahil sa kapal ng mga taong nagsaya sa pagtatapos ng R amadan.

Ramadan.

Katuwang ng pro- ya ang pagdiriwang dahil vincial government sa sa pagdating ng mga ilalim ni Gov. Totoh Tan kilalang komedyante at ang munisipyo ng Ma- artista sa Hari-Raya festiimbung sa pangunguna val at Kabilang dito sina naman ni Mayor Samier Rosanna Roces, Blak Tan at Vice Gov. Sakur Dyak, Danny Labra, Tan sa naturang kasi- Fernando Poe, Jr. (lukalayk) at iba pang mga yahan.

At sa kauna-una- show bands na inimhang pagkakataon sa bitahan upang lalong loob ng maraming de- mapasaya ang mga tagakada na napabayaan ang Sulu sa pagdiriwang ng Maimbung ay ngayon Hari-Raya.

Halos hindi na malamang nabigyan ng lubos na atensyon ang rinig ang mga performers mga tagaroon sa pag- dahil sa matinding hiupo ni Mayor Samier yawan at pagsabay sa mga kanta ng tinatayang Tan. Lalong naging masa- 15,000 katao o mahigit pa.

Nagsayawan rin ang mga ito sa tugtog at musika ng mga banda.

At tulad ng nakagisnan ng pamilyang Tan ay nagpakain naman ito sa mga tao sa Maimbung at nakilahok sa ibat-ibang mga programa ng HariRaya. Kasama rin si Hajja Nurunisah Tan, ang maybahay ni Vice Governor Sakur Tan sa pagplano sa festival. Pawang mga pilantropo ang pamilyang Tan at respetado sa Mindanao.

Malaki na ang ipinagbago ng Maimbung dahil na rin sa dami ng proyektong ibinuhos ni Vice Gov. Sakur Tan doon ng ito’y gobernador pa. Ngayon ay may malaking central market na ang nasabing bayan, at

may fish port at cold storage facilities na rin.

Nagpagawa rin ito ng malaking children’s park doon sa tulong na rin ni Mayor Samier Tan at maging ang mga paaralan at pabahay ay naipatayo na rin.

May restoran na rin sa Maimbung at ngayon ay may elektrisidad at Internet connection na at maging ang mga mangingisda ay naka-wi fi tablet at smart phones na rin.

Nangako naman si Sulu Gov. Totoh Tan at Mayor Samier Tan na lalong pagagandahin hindi lamang ang nasabing bayan, kundi maging ang ibang munisipyo sa lalawigan. (May ulat nina Kim Uddin at Ahl Salinas)

Dinagsa ng maraming katao ang Hari-Raya festival ng Sulu provincial at Maimbung municipal governments. Makikita sa larawan si Gov. Toto Tan at Mayor Samier Tan at ang grupo nina Rosanna Roces. (Kuha nina Ahl Salinas at Kim Uddin)

Republica de Zamboanga: Spain, America, Vicente Alvarez and Datto Mandi ANISH American THE SPANISH HE SP War of 1898, witnessed the decline of the Spanish prestige and power in the Philippines. As in Luzon, this was also true for the district of Zamboanga and the rest of Mindanao. In Zamboanga, the Zamboangueños was led by a native son, Vicente S. Alvarez.

Alvarez was the son of Alejo Alvarez. His father was known as the Prince of Sibuguey and the leader of the Iranun during his younger years. In1872 the Queen of Spain had conferred upon the pueblo of Zamboanga the title “Leal y Valiente Villa de Zamboanga” for the heroic deed of Alejo in subduing the prisoners in Fort Pilar, Vicente was a boy of ten when he witnessed the gallantry and heroic deed of his father. He realized that the Spaniards were not invincible.

ARMM

Vicente organized the Zamboanga Revolutionary forces and successfully fought against Gen. Diego delos Rios, the last Spanish governor general who made his last stand in Zamboanga’s Fort Pilar. He eventually surrendered the fort and his forces to Alvarez on May 18, 1899. Immediately after, Alvarez established the “Republica de Zamboanga” Between May to November 16, 1899 the revolutionary government took possession of the entire district of Zamboanga.

The hostilities between the colonial and revolutionary forces was marked by chaos and confusion.

The town was burned, the church as well as the people were robbed of their properties.

During the entire period, the Muslim of Zamboanga chose not to cooperate with Alvarez.

Datu Rajah Muda Mandi who had control on the

Muslim of Zamboanga and Datu Pedro Cuevas of

Datto Mandi, Moro, Mindanao, Philippines, late 19th or early 20th Century. Celebrated Datto Mandi upon whom honors were conferred by the Queen Regent of Spain.

Southern Mindanao

Davao

Manila

Lamitan were two of the prominent datus who withheld their support.

Mandi’s position could have been influenced by his background whose father was a Spaniard and a Muslin mother. Mandi was well respected by the Spanish government because of his exemplary work in maintaining peace and order among the moros of Zamboanga. Under the American regime Mandi stood out as the first datu to abolish slavery.

The Muslim were not completely sympathetic to the revolutionary cause.

There was resentment because of Alvarez inability to instill discipline among the insurgents. The general lack of law and order led to the occasional acts of violence committed against the local residents. Mandi chose to cooperate with the Americans. Unfortunately

the Republic of Zamboanga was betrayed by one of Alvarez trusted man.

Some historians believed that the events in Zamboanga was isolated and cut of from the national aspirations of the revolutionary movement of Aguinaldo. This was not true because no less than Aguinaldo had commissioned Baldomero Aguinaldo, Buencamino and Mariano Trias to solicit the help of Alvarez’s group and that of the Muslims.

Aguinaldo planned a coordinated campaign where the Zamboangueños could carry out the revolutionary activities in the south. To insure Alvarez cooperation, Aguinaldo appointed him military chief of the District of Zamboanga and Basilan. (John Tewell Collection)

Zamboanga Peninsula