Pagadian City remembers 1976 tsunami tragedy
DOTC dismayado sa estado ng Zambo bus terminal PAGE 2
Rebels own up attack on dam project PAGE 4
PAGE 3
Reporma sa Pagadian suportado ng publiko
One of 'Morong 43' killed in clash with soldiers
PAGE 5
Zambo gets P2B in development projects with little PDAF
PAGE 6
PAGE 7
This space is for you. Call us now! (062) 9925480 Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9925480
P10 Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2013
SEDITION CHARGES HANG OVER MISUARI'S HEAD
P
hilippine author ities hav e thorities have failed to stop a for mer M or o former Mor oro rebel chieftain – who accused M anila of failing Manila to honor pr ovisions of a pro peace deal signed 17 years ago - fr om fomentfrom ing sedition. Nur Misuari, head of the Moro National Liberation Front, has met tens of thousands of former rebels and their commanders and supporters in gatherings in southern Philippines where he told them about the government’s failure to fully implement the 1996 peace agreement. Now, the regional police are gathering evidence to charge the former Libyan firebrand of sedition because his fiery statement and pronouncement against the Aquino government. The Sulu provincial police chief Abraham Orbita did not answer phone calls from journalists who wanted to get information over the order. Wher e is N ur? Where Nur? Misuari’s whereabouts is unknown, but he was in Sulu province last month where met with his commanders and hundreds of followers in the town of Indanan. And police and military authorities did nothing to prevent the daring public display of weapons and forces of the MNLF, fearing any attempt to stop them would trigger a fierce battle. There, he almost declared independence, but changed his mind, saying he still needs to consult with his senior leaders before making the announcement in the right time. “We are going to
ARMM
General Ismael Parnan, commander of MNLF forces in Central Mindanao, reads a news article about their group on the headline of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper during an exclusive interview which coincided with a meeting of rebel leaders in Maguindanao province. (Photo by Mark Navales) find the right time to for the formal declaration (of independence. I still need to communicate with the OIC so we still have to discuss this with among us leaders,” he said in the local Tausug dialect. OIC refers to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation which helped broker the peace talks between the MNLF and the Philippines that led to the eventual signing of the agreement in September 1996. Disgr untled isgruntled Misuari said it has been three decades now since the OIC mediated in the peace talks, but Manila has failed to comply with the provisions in the accord. “It is more than 30 years now since the OIC mediated in the peace talks and up to now nothing has
been achieved. And that’s why we need to carefully plan on what steps to take. Let us wait, we cannot just jump into something which will not bring good to us,” he said. Misuari has repeatedly accused the Aquino government of trying to abrogate the peace accord it forged with the MNLF, and strongly denounced the peace talks between the Aquino government and rival rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after negotiators signed an accord that would create the Bangsamoro state, saying it violated the MNLF-Philippines agreement. The Muslim homeland would replace the existing Muslim autonomous region which is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguin-danao and Lanao
Southern Mindanao
Davao
provinces, including the cities of Marawi and Lamitan. And several more areas in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato would also be included in the new autonomous region. The MNLF forces in central Mindanao under General Ismael Parnan said they are all behind Misuari. Riv al Rival The MILF, a breakaway faction of the MNLF, previously branded the Muslim autonomous region as a failure. The region has been rocked by corruption scandals and remains as one of the poorest in the country. The MILF previously called on the government to amend the Constitution that would allow the creation of a Muslim sub-state in Mindanao. President
Manila
Benigno Aquino’s allies in Congress are now pushing for the amendment of the Constitution, saying, there is a need to change many provisions in the Charter that would benefit the country’s economy, among others. ARMM After the 1996 peace accord with the MNLF, Misuari became the governor of autonomous region. But many former rebels were disgruntled with the accord, saying, the government failed to uplift their standards of living. The rebels accused Manila of failing to develop the war-torn areas in the South, which remains in mired in poverty, heavily militarized and dependent financially on Manila. In November 2001, on the eve of the elections in the Muslim autonomous
region, Misuari again accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement, and his followers launched a new rebellion in Sulu and Zamboanga City, where more than 100 people were killed. Misuari escaped by boat to Malaysia, but was arrested there and deported to the Philippines. He was eventually freed in 2008 after Manila dropped all charges against him for lack of sufficient evidence. He was also ousted by Muslimin Sema, the MNLF Secretary-General, but Misuari maintained that he is the true leader of the former rebel group. Misuari also ran thrice as governor in Sulu province, and once in the ARMM, but he lost miserably. (Mindanao Examiner)
Zamboanga Peninsula
2
The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2013
DOTC dismayado sa estado ng Zambo bus terminal ZAMBOANGA CITY – Dismayado umano ang Department of Transportation and Communications sa estado ng bus terminal sa Zamboanga City sa Western Mindanao dahil sa malalang kondisyon nito at mga butas sa siguridad. Nagtungo umano ang isang DOTC team sa bus terminal sa Barangay Guiwan at nagulantang sa kanilang nakita dahil sa kalunos-lunos na estado nito samantalang ang Zamboanga ay itinuturing na isang highly-urbanized city sa katimugan. Unang napansin ng DOTC team ay ang mga tila-squatter na mga tindahan sa terminal na kung saan ay labas-masok lamang ang kahit sino at malaking problema umano ito sa siguridad ng mga biyahero. Maging ang outpost ng militar ay pulisya ay gawa lamang mula sa isang
tent. Kinausap umano ng naturang team ang pamunuan sa terminal na ginagamit ng Rural Transit Mindanao at iba pang mga bus liner na bumibiyahe mula Zamboanga hanggang Dumaguete at Bacolod, at Cagayan de Oro City. Wala naman magawa ang mga supervisor ng bus company sa terminal dahil sa nangungupahan lamang ang mga ito doon. Hindi rin maipagawa ng may-ari ng lote ang mga baku-bakong daanan doon na sa tuwing umuulan ay nagpuputik naman ng husto. Nais umano noon ng Rural Transit Mindanao na lumipat sa sarili nitong terminal sa Barangay Divisoria ngunit hindi umano sila binigyan ng permiso ng pamahalaang-lokal. Gusto ng pamahalaan na ito mismo ang gu-
mastos at magtayo ng sariling integrated bus terminal, subali’t ng ito ay ginawa ay minalas naman ng husto dahil nagkaroon naman ito ng kaso sa korte ng maghain ang isang contractor laban sa Zamboanga sa paglabag diumano sa awarding ng proyekto sa isa pang contractor. Hanggang ngayon ay nakabinbin pa rin sa korte ang kaso. Ilang dekada ng walang maayos na bus terminal ang Zamboanga at matagal na rin ito naiwan ng Pagadian City at ibatibang bayan sa Zamboanga Sibugay at Zamboanga del Sur na may magagara at malalaking terminal kahit hindi kasing-yaman ng kaban ng Zamboanga ang kanilang Internal Revenue Allotment at mga buwis. (Mindanao Examiner)
Fearing fresh fighting, hundreds flee villages in North Cotabato COTABATO CITY – Hundreds of villagers have fled their homes for fear of renewed fighting between Moro rebels and government troops in North Cotabato’s Midsayap town. Troops also disarmed two roadside bombs in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao province and the army blamed this on the rebels. The Mindanao Human Rights Action Center re-
The Zamboanga City bus terminal. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
6 commies surrender to military DAVAO CITY – Six members of the New People’s Army have surrendered to the military in the southern Philippines, where security forces are battling the communist rebel group, officials said. Officials said five of those who yielded were facilitated by the socalled “peace and development” teams of the 10th Infantry Division under Major General Ariel Bernardo, while the other surrendered through the effort of the 4th Infantry Division headed by Brigadier General Ricardo Visaya. Three of those who surrendered were identified as Dike Espinosa, Levy Pugoso and Ronnie Tiguasan, who was a team
leader of the NPA. They also handed over their weapons to the military in exchange for government amnesty and aid. “All of them narrated the hardship they experienced with the armed group with false hopes and promises, and this had led to their surrender which was assisted by local government officials,” an army statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner said. “We are sincere in our call for peace and we are very much thankful that the local government units are supportive with our efforts by directly assisting those who wish to surrender,” said Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, com-
mander of the Eastern Mindanao Command. Cruz also said that any individual or organization can help facilitate or assist those they know who wish to surrender peacefully. “We also encouraged everybody to be an advocate of peace. You can help in saving not only lives but also the souls of our misguided brothers by convincing them to live a peaceful life with their families other than allowing them die in vain because of false promises by the communists,” he said. Cruz said some 147 rebels have surrendered to the military since early this year. (Mindanao Examiner)
ported that at least 785 civilians fled the village of Olandang following the presence of gunmen in the area. It said war refugees in the village of Dasawao in the town of Shariff Saydona in Maguin-danao province reported hearing mortar explosions. “Per our grassroots monitors, the families from the villages of the municipalities of Shariff Saydona
Army tanks patrol southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)
and Datu Piang towns in Maguindanao displaced by the gunfight between AFP troops and BIFF forces at Barangay Dasawao, on August 12 are still in the evacuation camps at Macasendeg, Midsayap and Damabalas Proper, Datu Piang.” “Further, the approximately 785 households from the 6 Sitios of Barangay Olandang, Midsayap also vacated to the houses of relatives and friends near the Olandang Bridge due to fear that fighting between the two aforementioned forces may erupt anytime. According to these residents, armed men are visible in the vicinity,” it said in a bulletin sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Security forces have been fighting members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement which is pursuing an independent Muslim state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2013
3
President Aquino told to give up 'pork barrel' fund
Pagadian City coastline. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Pagadian City remembers 1976 tsunami tragedy PAGADIAN CITY - After 37 years, the local government of Pagadian City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, looked back to the devastating tsunami that killed 1,440 people in August 17, 1976. Mayor Romeo Pulmones and Vice Mayor Divina Grace Yu, along with Rep. Victor Yu unveiled a commemorative marker and written on it was the number of casualties in the whole province of Zamboanga del
Sur - 1,440 dead and 7,701 injured; and 909 people missing. The tsunami left 49,848 villagers homeless. Pulmones personally related the incident as he and his family were among those who survived the destruction left behind by the tsunami. He was only 10 years old when the tsunami occurred. Many of his neighbors perished. He said it was exactly 12:11 a.m. when a powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 in
the Richter scale struck off the Moro Gulf and it was followed by the tsunami. The commemoration was held to remember those who perished in the tsunami. Local officials and villagers offered prayers and lighted candles, and some offered flowers outside their houses to remember the tsunami victims. Disaster officials also held a seminar and attended by students and civilians. (Ely Dumaboc)
"No amount of new guidelines can MANILA - The Alliance of Concerned Teachers in the Philippines renewed its calls to cover a crime. Misuse of public funds is a abolish so-called "pork barrel" given to law- crime. We therefore hold President Aquino makers and President Benigno Aquino, him- equally responsible of this crime for a deciself, following a corsion glowing with self-serving interruption scandal inest," Benjie volving kickbacks Valbuena, ACT from shady projects. president, said in a Aquino has restatement sent to peatedly said that he the Mindanao Exdoes not favor abolaminer. ishing the Priority "We maintain Development Assisthat the pork barrel tance Fund enjoyed system should be by senators and conabolished because it gressmen. But he is inherently antisaid that the release people and anti-deof the fund would be velopment. In the suspended until infirst place, how and vestigations into the where to use scandal are compeople’s taxes is not pleted. a function of the Senators get P200 million while lawmakers. It is the congressmen take national governP70 million annually ment that decides for their develop- President Benigno Aquino on priorities, not ment projects. And Aquino reportedly has lawmakers who use pork barrel funds to” over P1 trillion in pork barrel at his disposal. buy back," he said. Rep. Antonio Tinio also said Aquino's "Wed were not surprised to Aquino's decision to suspend only the disbursement suspension of releases of pork barrel funds of pork barrel funds. Essentially, he likes to is a token act intended to take the heat off of keep the pork barrel system for himself and the hated pork barrel and then save it ultihis political allies. mately.
75 tons of rice shipment seized in Zamboanga City ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines have seized 75 tons of rice suspected to have been smuggled inside the country from the neighboring Malaysia. Police said some 3,000 bags of 25-kilo rice were seized from two boats which arrived here from the southern province of
Sulu. Smuggled rice cost about P600-P700 a bag compared to local rice which sells for up to P1,100 a bag of 25 kilos. It said the boats’ skippers have failed to present any importation documents and permits from the Bureau of Customs when authorities inspected the cargoes. Authorities did not re-
JUST SAY
NO!
lease the identities of the owners of the rice. Smuggling of rice and diesel fuel from Malaysia to the southern Philippines is rampant and many of the contraband are being shipped to Zamboanga City. Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar has recently ordered an intensified campaign against smuggling activities in Zamboanga City in an effort to stop the nefarious activities. (Mindanao Examiner)
An overloaded bus in Zamboanga City. This is a typical scene in Zamboanga where authorities ignore the traffic violations of public transports. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
4
The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2013
Rebels own up attack on dam project
President Benigno Aquino leads the distribution of relief goods to villagers displaced by floods in San Pedro town in Laguna province.
PNoy leads relief operations in typhoon-ravaged province MANILA - Filipino leader Benigno Aquino has assured citizens that the government is ready to extend any form of assistance to the victims of widespread flooding in the country. Aquino gave the assurance during his visit in a school in Laguna province where he helped distribute food aid to villagers displaced by the typhoon Maring.
The food packs consisted of rice, noodles, coffee, cans of sardines and corned beef, as well as mattresses and blankets. The school has been used as a temporary shelter to over 6,000 people. “Ready po ang inyong gobyerno dito sa kalamidad na ito at huwag tayo magaalala, marami tayong resources pa na magagamit para maibalik tayo sa maayos
sa lalong madaling panahon,” Aquino said. “Nandito nga kami lahat para tumulong, para makita kung ano — kung may kakulangan pa.” Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman briefed Aquino on the relief efforts in the province where the government put up 47 evacuation centers to serve thousands of people affected by the floods.
Robbers shoot Pagadian City trader PAGADIAN CITY – Two masked robbers barged in a store and fatally its owner in Pagadian City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, police said. Police said the gun-
men shot Chito Veran, 50, several times after he tried to fight off the robbers. Veran was with his wife, Naomi, when the gunmen barged in their store along Jamisola Extension in the village of Santa Lucia.
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
Marlowe dela Cruz Maguindanao- Sultan Kudarat
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Richard Falcatan Basilan Province Ely D. Umaboc Zamboanga Peninsula The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines. The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in KISMET Cable TV and Pagadian Cable Television Channel 63. 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
The robbers also heldup Veran’s brother-in-law, Albert Macabudbud, 53, a native of Pasig City who was just visiting the family. The woman was unhurt from the heist, police said, adding Veran was rushed to the hospital after the robbers escaped, but the victim died along the way. Police are still investigating the robbery and the identities of the gunmen. (Mindanao Examiner)
DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels have owned up the attack on a construction firm working on government dam project in the southern Philippines. Ka Isabel Fermiza, a spokesperson for the New People’s Army Mount Apo Sub-Regional Command, said the project is threatening to damage a major source of drinking water in North Cotabato’s Arakan town and other parts of Davao City and affected thousands of peasants in the process. Fermiza said the project is linked to a planned stock farm pasture land program in Mount Sinaka watershed area and part of the 4,100 hectares of University of the Philippines-Mindanao Reservation in the village of Datu Ladayon in Arakan town. “Without even bothering to secure a token environmental compliance certificate from the reactionary regime's own environment agency, project proponents have went on to pursue the dam construction, at the expense of Mount Sinaka, an important watershed area that is
also home to wildlife, rich forests and endangered species,” Fermiza said. She also accused Agriculture Assistant Secretary Dante de Lima of bribing farmers to give up their lands and transform it into stock farms, and even village officials. “Worse, Assistant Secretary Dante de Lima of the Department of Agriculture also spearheaded in bribing peasants to give up their lands and transform it into stock farms for hundreds of cattle; one cattle head would need one hectare of land. The land grabbing in the name of a cattle project would dislocate thousands of vegetable farmers in the area,” Fermiza claimed. She said the rebels torched at least 5 heavy equipment used in the project. “The NPA not only targeted De Lima's project due to its huge environmental impact and the dislocation of peasants, but also because it committed gross abuses of workers' rights. Daily wage for lowly dam construction workers is at P200 a day with 10% de-
duction to be pocketed by village officials, while for stock farm workers, P150 daily for 10 hours of work,” Fermiza alleged. Fermiza warned that rebels will continue its operation against “destructive” projects. “The NPA is sending the message that it will not tolerate destructive projects that are grossly disadvantageous to the people. The NPA punishes capitalists and reactionary agents responsible for plundering the forests, introducing projects that will further exacerbate the disastrous impact of climate change, and dislocate lowly peasants and abuse workers,” she said, adding Mount Sinaka is one of the remaining forest frontiers in the boundary of Davao and North Cotabato provinces. There was no immediate statement from the Department of Agriculture about Fermiza's allegations. The NPA has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
NOTICE
Please report to us any individual or persons who are illegally soliciting money or donations for or in behalf of THE MINDANAO EXAMINER REGIONAL NEWSPAPER and/or MINDANAO EXAMINER TELEVISION – PAGADIAN CITY. We have a strict company policy against solicitation in any forms and the Company shall not be responsible for illegal practice of unscrupulous persons, who pass themselves off as Reporter, Stringer, Correspondent or Sales Executive of The Mindanao Examiner. When in doubt, please call or SMS us at these numbers (062) 9925480 or SMS (0917) 7103642 or email us – mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
5
The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2013
Prime suspect in slay of Zambo fish trader charged in court ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police filed murder charges against a prime suspect in the killing of a fish trader in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said. Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said the charges were filed against Shabry Nhubin Hinnang, who was arrested in July in his house in Talon-Talon village. Hinnang was accused of killing Giovanni Ito ang downtown Pagadian. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Reporma sa Pagadian suportado ng publiko PAGADIAN CITY – Nagbabala ang pamahalaan ng Pagadian City sa mga may-ari ng negosyo na pumapalya sa pagbabayad ng kanilang renta sa C3 commercial building na pag-aari ng gobyernong lokal. Maging ang mga negosyong walang permiso at hindi nagbibigay ng mga resibo sa kanilang customer ay pinagbalaan na rin. Kamakailan lamang
ay dalawang kilalang mga negosyo ang ipinasara sa C3 dahil sa hindi pagbabayad ng renta at pinayagan lamang ng makabayad sa pamahalaan. “Mabuti yun ganoon dahil kung hindi naman gagawin ng pamahalaan ay tayo rin ang malulugi dahil pera at buwis ng publiko ang ginagamit diyan. Okay itong ginawa ng ating mga opisyal,” ani Toto Mangubat sa Min-
danao Examiner. Nanumbalik na rin ang tiwala ng publiko sa pamahalaan dahil sa mga repormang ipinatutupad ni Mayor Romeo Pulmones sa lungsod. Nanawagan naman si Pulmones sa publiko na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang suporta sa pagbabago upang lalong mapaunlad ang Pagadian. Ang lungsod ang siyang sentro ng kalakal sa Western Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
3 men wounded in Zambo Norte gun attacks THREE PEOPLE were wounded in separate gun attacks in Zamboanga del Norte province, police said on. Police said an uniden-
tified gunman shot three people, but hit only one in Dapitan City and escaped on a motorcycle after the shooting. It said the attack
Grand pa attacks teener in Zamboanga del Norte DIPOLOG CITY – Police arrested a septuagenarian who attacked a teenager in Zamboanga del Norte province in southern Philippines. Police said the 72-year old Marcelo Aquino approached and punched the victim for no apparent reason while the teenager was painting a basketball court with his friends in the village of Tinuyop in Leon Postigo town. The victim said he saw
the old man kicked a bucket of paint and then attacked him in front of the others without warning. The family of the teenager reported the attack to the police and Aquino was arrested and detained at the local jail. There was no immediate statement from the family of the old man or whether the victim would press charges against his attacker. (Mindanao Examiner)
wounded Allan Adlawon, who was rushed to hospital. His two companions – Roy Galleposo and Randy Rocamora were both unhurt from the shooting which occurred along Ferdinand Blumentritt in the village of Linabo. The trio were travelling on a motorcycle when the gunman attacked them. Police investigators recovered about a dozen bullet casings fired from a .45caliber pistol. Motorcycle gunmen also shot Carlos Bigota and Basser Naser in downtown Sindangan and his attacker escaped after the shooting. Police said the two men were selling fruits when the gunman, who arrived on a motorcycle, shot them with without warning. Police are investigating the motive of the attacks. (Mindanao Examiner)
Mindanao Examiner Tele-Radyo is a Commentary & Opinion Show (news talk) broadcast in Mindanao Examiner TV in Pagadian City (KISMET Cable TV & Pagadian City Cable TV Channel 63).For block time, booking or guesting, advertisements and sponsorship, please call our Zamboanga Studio on telephone number (062) 9925480 and mobile number (0917) 7103642 or email us at mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com.
Almazan. The 46-year old trader was shot in the head . “The case was formally filed in court at the Sala of Honorable Peter V. Eisma, presiding judge of Regional Trial court 9th Judicial Region in Zamboanga City and docketed under Criminal Case number 28151 with no bail bond recommended. Hence, accused was committed to Zamboanga City Reformatory Center,” Huesca said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Gun slay suspect Shabry Nhubin Hinnang. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Dodong Ramos)
6
The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2013
One of ‘Morong 43’ killed in clash with soldiers DAVAO CITY – One of 43 health workers who were captured and accused by
the Philippine military as communist rebels, had been killed in a clash with
security forces in Bulacan province in Luzon Island. The 10th Infantry Divi-
Photo of some members of the Morong 43 that surfaced on the Internet. (Mindanao Examiner)
sion in Davao City said Ramon dela Cruz was slain along with two other gunmen while fighting on the side of the New People’s Army rebels in the village of Kabayunan in Dona Remedios Trinidad town. It said the 43-year old Dela Cruz was among those captured in February 6, 2010 in Morong town in Rizal province. His parents have confirmed the identity of the slain rebel. Called the “Morong 43,” the military said members of the group were captured by soldiers while manufacturing improvised explosives. The Morong 43 denied the accusations and said they were only conducting health training and seminar in the village when security forces arrested them. President Benigno Aquino ordered the release
OFWs in Hong Kong join calls to abolish 'pork barrel' funds MANILA - Filipinos working in Hong Kong have joined in the clamor to abolish the Priority Development Assistance Fund, inclduing President Benigno Aquino’s own discretionary fund, and to resolve the rapidly unraveling web of corruption in the government. Members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan-HK), Gabriela-HK, the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR-HK) and the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFILMIGRANTE-HK) trooped to the office of the Philippine Consulate General to call for the prosecution of those involved in the corruption. "Heads must roll and investigation and prosecution must continue regardless of who is involved – even the president himself. The deeply entrenched system of corruption is now getting exposed in the public’s eye who have been carrying the brunt of poverty and lack of social services while government officials cum profiteers corner the bulk of public funds for their own selfish means." "The hardships now experienced by our people with the typhoon and severe flooding just highlight the disgusting crimes happening right inside the Aquino government,” BAYAN-HK Country Information Officer, Norman
Carnay, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Filipino migrants, according to the protesters, have a lot at stake in the "large-scale robbery" of the people’s money. "It is immoral that while millions of Filipinos are forced by poverty and unemployment to seek survival overseas, there are the few government officials and their individual cohorts who are wallowing in billions of the people’s money," said Sol Pillas, vice chairperson of the UNIFIL, in the same statement. "While thousands are stranded in the Middle East, those in distress are turned away from government assistance for lack of funds, the number of embassies and consulates that should be a refuge for migrants with problems is trimmed down, and OFWs have to beg for any help, the humongous PDAF fund is transformed into a personal kitty bank of unscrupulous politicians," Pillas said. Gabriela-HK vice chairperson Rowena dela Cruz also assailed the Aquino government for its failure to take actions and get to the bottom of the “pork barrel” scams. "Who is Aquino trying to protect and what is he not willing for the public to uncover? Is it the fact that the corruption in PDAF
Filipino protesters in Hong Kong demand the abolition of pork barrel funds in the Philippines. does not only involve opposition politicians but also his cohorts in Akbayan and other administration allies?" "Is it the fact that billions of similar funds at his disposal as President are also in question? Is it because his boasts of good governance and “daang matuwid” are built on lack of complete transparency, absence of accountability, and impunity?” Dela Cruz asked. Protesters said that investigation on corruption should not only involve the PDAF, but also the funds allocated for Aquino’s programs such as the Conditional Cash Transfer, and in the negotiations with private businesses under the Public Private Partnership program. "The evil of corruption is long-running and pervasive as government officials treat public office as their own profitable business. It is the moral responsibility of the people to seek a resolution of this issue and to demand for more long-lasting solutions in the corruption-ridden system in the country," said Rev. Joram Calimutan, Secretary-General of the PCPR-HK. OFW protesters said that an independent body must be formed to investigate in full and pursue the prosecution of corrupt of-
ficials without prejudice. "Long have the Filipinos suffered from public officials who build their personal wealth at the expense of the people forced to scrape despite the availability of funds that should have been used for the needs of the people and for strategic national development." "It is said that the PDAF scams are just the tip of the iceberg and if so, the revelation and resolution of the whole problem of corruption must be done," Carnay said.
of the Morong 43 after rebels demanded the government to free the health workers before it can resume stalled peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines. Many soldiers and military officers opposed the release of the Morong 43. Following the release of the Morong 43, communist rebels abandoned the peace talks. In December 2010, photos of the Morong 43 have surfaced on the Internet. The pictures posted by a military official who uses the alias “Peace Builder” on the social networking site Facebook showed some of them conducting first aid training with NPA rebels. Along with the photos was a statement saying that five of the Morong 43 admitted to be members of
the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging a bloody secessionist war for decades now. It also linked FilipinoAmerican Melissa Roxas who was allegedly abducted and tortured by government soldiers into admitting she is a communist rebel. Roxas, who denied all accusations against her, was eventually freed. The military denied abducting her and security officials accused the NPA as behind the abduction. Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused then President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country, and Aquino tried to revive the negotiations, but failed. (Mindanao Examiner)
7
The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2013
Zambo gets P2B in development projects with little PDAF
The aftermath of the fire in Isabela City in Basilan province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Richard Falcatan)
Fire hits Isabela City village BASILAN PROVINCE – A huge fire has left dozens of villagers homeless in Isabela City in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, authorities said. It said at least 3 dozen houses had been burned from the conflagration in the village called Kaumpurnah where 90 were displaced. The local mayor
Cherry Akbar and her sister, Maria Jennesa Tubongbanua, a council woman, have distributed groceries to the families affected by the fire. The Bureau of Fire and Protection said it is still investigating the incident. There were no reports of casualties. (With a report from Richard Falcatan)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Former House Deputy Speaker and now Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar defended herself from erroneous reports that she got more than her allocated “pork barrel” funds following a report released by the Commission on Audit. Salazar said she has sought clarifications from COA pertaining to projects funded through the Priority Development Assistance Fund released annually to lawmakers – P70 million for members of Congress and P200 million for senators. She said there were inaccuracies in the COA report for her district’s PDAF allocation for Zamboanga’s 1st District from 2007-2009 which totalled only P117.54 million. Salazar said she was
Mindanao's hydro-electric power plant undergoes repair ILIGAN CITY - The National Power Corporation in the southern Philippines has totally shut down the Agus 4 hydro-electric power plant that resulted to rotating brownouts in Mindanao. After Agus 4, the NPC said it would also schedule the Pulangi hydro-electric power plant Number 2 for repair because of damage it took during the typhoon Bopha last year. Lawyer Romero Pacilan, the legal counsel and spokesperson of NPC, has told the Iligan City Council that it shut down the power plant on August 15 to allow major repair of the 25-year old hydro-electric facility. He said the repair is necessary so it could serve more to the power needs of Mindanao. Pacilan said Agus 4, which has a generating capacity of 150MW, was supposed to undergo a scheduled repair in May, but deferred it following a request by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) due to dangerously low supply of electricity in
the region. The NGCP maintains the distribution of power to the different areas in the country. Pacilan said they can still supply about 930MW in Mindanao even without Agus 4. "We are just talking here of about 30MW shortage due to the repair of Agus 4," he said. Engineer Pedro Ambos, chief of NPC Planning and Operations Division, said the of Agus 4 will last about 66 days, but he was quick to say that they will try their best to finish it within 45 days. He said the Pulangi repair will come as soon as the Agus 4 repair is completed. The repair of Agus will cost about P425 million. Iligan City Vice Mayor Ruderic Marzo has expressed concern over effect to the local economy of the rotating brownouts. The Iligan Light and Power, Inc. (ILPI) has a contract with NPC for 15MW and another 10MW from Mapalad Power Corp. (MPC) of the Alcantara Group of Companies, to cater to its electric
needs. Engineer Robin Ramillo, the MPC plant manager, said the ILPI has sought an additional 5MW, but its electric power had been allocated to other clients in Mindanao. "We are trying our best to find ways and means to help the consumers of Iligan City," Ramillo said. Engineer Keenan Erigbuagas, a spokesman for the ILPI, said Iligan City is now experiencing at least 2 hours of brownout every day. With the present levels of power drawn from MPC and the state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., the generation cost component of electricity bill in Iligan has increased by as mush as P1.63 per kilowatt hour for residential customers because of "pass-on" charge and "revenue-neutral" to ILPI. The ILPI said it would explore the best power supply options with the least rate impact to the customers and appealed to consumers to conserve electricity, "as it is becoming an expensive commodity." In Zamboanga City, at least 3 hours of rotating brownouts are being implemented by the local electric cooperative, while 2 hours in Pagadian City. (Richel Umel)
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
entitled to P175 million, but received less, but still managed to deliver over P2 billion in development projects for Zamboanga at the end of her term. “It is significantly less than the supposed allocation of P175 million considering that the annual PDAF allocation is P70 million per House member,” she said. “In my State of the City Report during my first term, I said my priorities were to perform my work in Congress and to deliver projects for the people. I was able to bring half a billion pesos in my first term and at the end of my second term, the amount became P2 billion,” Salazar said. “The allegation that I had an over allocation of P8 million is incorrect because we were able to bring more or less P2 billion worth of development projects and programs. Zamboanga and our people benefitted from all these projects.” She said other govern-
ment agencies also benefit from her PDAF allocations through various projects and programs and these include the Department of Education for scholarships to poor, but deserving students, feeding program for indigent children and other education-related projects, and the Department of Interior and Local Government for the purchase of patrol vehicles for the local police force, among others. Salazar said pointed out that in the COA audit report, the bulk of the allocation is in the form of "Various Infrastructures, including Local Projects” which are projects carried out in the district represented by the concerned member of Congress whose funding came from various sources and not necessarily from the PDAF allocation. “In other words, it is possible for a congressional district to receive more funding for various
local infra projects than the PDAF allocation of its representative since such funding may come from other sources as identified and approved by the Department of Budget and Management,” she said, adding that in case a congressional district receives more funding for infrastructure projects, it is the constituents of the district that benefit from all these. Salazar said she is yet to receive a copy of the COA audit report, but stressed that she is supporting the investigations into the pork barrel funds. “Given the fact that we have yet to receive a copy of the COA audit report, as well as due to time constraints and the voluminous records involved, my office cannot ascertain the veracity or accuracy of the details contained therein,” she said, adding “its good to know the issue and speak about it. Let all those who want to criticize speak up, but we all need to get the facts.” Just recently, Compostela Valley Rep. Manuel Zamora also was reported by COA to have received P3 billion in PDAF, but the former lawmaker strongly denied this. The Budget department later admitted that there was an error on its reports which was cited by the auditing body. (Mindanao Examiner)
CMFR: Two wanted for murder of columnists MANILA – The police have formally charged two suspects for the July 30 murder of two tabloid columnists in Quezon City, Manila. The suspects have yet to be arrested. The police have not concluded that the victims were killed for their work. But the family members of one of the slain said they could not think of any other motive for the killing. Police have filed two counts of murder charges on August 13 against Clemente Bersoza and Roel Manaog. Witnesses identified the suspects, police said, after going through the mug files of people with criminal
records. Bersoza and Manaog are suspected to have killed Aksyon Ngayon tabloid columnists Bonifacio Loreto Jr. and Richard Kho. Men riding a motorcycle in tandem fired several times at Loreto and Kho, as well as a witness, in front of Loreto’s convenience store. Senior police officer Pascual Fabreag, case investigator, told CMFR August 16 that the police have yet to establish the motive for the killing since the suspects have not been apprehended. Loreto’s family members however, could not think of any other motive aside from his entering the
tabloid business. But, Loreto’s common law wife, Nora, told CMFR on August 5: “The threats only began when he published the tabloid.” Aksyon Ngayon came out with only one issue dated February 26 to March 4. Nora said her husband was already planning a second issue and looking for an office to rent before the killing happened. Nora also told CMFR 16 August that she had not received updates from the police and that she is moving back to her home province. Loreto’s other family, his mother and siblings, will remain in the city. Nora’s store-aide, who witnessed and survived the July 30 shooting by playing dead, fled the city days after the incident. CMFR has yet to make contact with Kho’s family. At the time of their shooting, Loreto and Kho’s cases brought the number of work-related media killings in the Philippines to 133 since 1986 and to 15 under President Benigno Aquino III’s administration. These numbers increased by one less than 48 hours later when photojournalist Mario Sy was shot in General Santos City, some 1,600 kilometers south of Manila, last 1 August 2013.
8
The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2013
Former rebel chieftain Nur Misuari told to give peace a chance
BAN Toxics! trained over 50 public school teachers in Baguio City in northern Philippines for the Toxics-Free Schools Program. The environmental group also distributed story books and other reference materials to be used by the teachers in their own respective classes.
Teachers act to eliminate toxic substances in schools MANILA - Dozens of state teachers in the Philippines have banded to eliminate toxic substance in schools and created their own action plans following a two-day training and workshop by the Manila-based nongovernmental organization BAN Toxics. The training and workshop which was held recently at Fort del Pilar Elementary School in Baguio City was conducted under the Toxics-Free Schools Program or TFSP through a partnership between BAN Toxics and the Department of Education or DepEd. Organizers said the teachers created an action plan on how to integrate the concepts of a toxic-free school plan to their lessons. The action plan not only covered science and nonscience subjects and even Music, among others. The output will be forwarded to the DepEd as reference materials for the development of a teachers’ manual as supplemental material for teaching their respective subjects. “We believe that the teachers and school personnel have big roles in disseminating information and raising awareness, especially to
sensitive issues such as toxic poisoning,” Misael Santos, Mercury Projects Coordinator of Ban Toxics, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Santos, who also facilitated the workshop, said: “They are the school’s first line of defense so it is imperative that they know what to do in case of toxic contamination.” She said toxic substances abound in schools and causing harm and exposing schoolchildren to great danger without them knowing it. The seminar highlighted the “Fearsome Five” toxins commonly found in schools - mercury, lead, asbestos, cadmium, and arsenic. Santos said toxic substances can be found in items and materials normally used by children such as crayons, markers, and school bags and children are exposed to harm on a daily basis. In 2006, a science teacher brought a sample of mercury in the classroom and the flask containing the mercury broke during the experiment, exposing some 80 students to high levels of
mercury during the accident, which caused the temporary closure of the school and hospitalization of the vicitms. “We recognize the importance of this training because this empowers us as teachers to protect our students from unnecessary harm. As administrators, it is our responsibility to keep our schools safe from all kinds of danger, especially from these invisible yet highly dangerous toxic substances,”Julia Ladiong, principal of Fort del Pilar Elementary School, said in the same statement. Other schools that participated in the training are Kias Elementary School, Bakakeng Elementary School, Pinget Elementary School, and Lindawan Elementary School. Some parents of Fort del Pilar Elementary School students also joined the training. The TFSP engages the school community to be more aware and vigilant against these toxic substances that are present in our environment. It also promotes solutions and alternatives that the school can use to avoid, or gradually phaseout and minimize the health and environmental risks.
Former rebel cheiftain Nur Misuari during a visit in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner) ZAMBOANGA CITY – A respected Muslim lawyer and a top-notch legislator of Zamboanga City, Melchor Rey Sadain, has advised former Moro rebel chieftain Nur Misuari to give peace a chance. Misuari, who heads the Moro National Liberation Front which signed a peace deal with Manila in 1996, has accused the Aquino gover nment of failing to honor the provisions of the accord. The former Libyan firebrand was reported to have declared independence in Minda-nao with his as president of the socalled Bang-samoro Republik. Sadain said Misuari, who has a house in Zamboanga City, may have been misguided when he declared independence. The politician said Misuari was not abandoned by the government in his quest for peace in the southern Philippines. After Misuari signed the peace accord with Manila, he became the
governor of the Muslim autonomous region which covers the prov-
Zamboanga City Councilman Melchor Rey Sadain. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) inces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao. “He was given a chance when he was governor of the Muslim autonomous region, but unfortunately he squandered such opportunity. The better option now for
Misuari is for him to support the current peace initiative (of the national government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front) by coming up with one voice and join the march towards attaining a long and lasting peace in Mindanao,” Sadain said. The lawyer said Misuar i should shun from further sowing more fears, confusions and add to the chaos on the already troubled Mindanao reeling in other major woes like poverty, criminality, power crisis and calamities. “How could he ever declare independence in Mindanao when he even requested authorities to provide him security in his desire to come back here (in Zamboanga City,” Sadain said. ( Jun Feliciano)
KISMET Cable Channel 63 Pagadian City
9
The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2013
Dateline Mindanao By Al Jacinto GRABE ANG BAHA sa Luzon! Talagang kalunos-lunos ang sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan at marami ang nawalan ng tirahan at ang perwisyong dulot nito sa bawat pamilyang apektado ng matinding pag-baha, lalo na sa Marikina City. Rhetorical na rin itong problema ng baha at sa tuwing may bagyo o malakas ang ulan ay tiyak lulubog ang malaking bahagi ng Metro-Manila. Pero sino nga ba ang dapat sisihin sa ganitong kalamidad? Unang pipiyok ang Metropolitan Manila Development Authority at ang pamahalaan at agad na ibabato ang sisi sa mga squatter at sa iba pang mga Pilipino na nagtatapon ng kanilang basura sa mga estero at kanal. Sa ganang akin, ang dapat sisihin dito ay MMDA mismo, ang pamahalaan at ang Department of Public Works and Highways dahil wala silang mahusay na flood control system! Puro satsat at trapiko sa EDSA Avenue at ang mga dambuhalang bus ang pinagtitripan ng MMDA sa halip na atupagin ang maayos na flood control upang matigil na ang sobrang pagbaha sa mga lansangan. Maaari naman linyahan ito ng sapat na pondo upang maisaayos ang flood control sa mga lugar na madalas bahain, kabilang na ang Navotas! SA KUWEST YON naman ng pork barKUWESTY rel, aba eh laganap na ngayon ang panawagan na ibasura na ang pagbibigay ng pondo o ng Priority Development Assistance Fund o PDAF sa mga kongresista – P70 milyon - at senador – P200 milyon bawat taon. Kung hindi pa sumingaw ang anomalya sa mga kahina-hinalang proyekto na ibat-bang nongovernmental organizations na nakinabang sa pork barrel ay hindi pa malalaman ng sambayan ang maling katotohanan. Halos P10 bilyon ang ngayon ay sinusuri ng pamahalaan sa mga transaksyon ng mga NGOs na may kinalaman sa proyekto na nakuha mula sa mga mambatatas na diumano’y pinakinabangan rin nila dahil sa mga porsyentong nakuha. Eh si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino nga umano ay umaabot sa P1 trilyon ang pork barrel at hindi na kataka-taka kung bakit mahigpit ang hawak nito sa kanyang sariling kaban. Sinabi pa ng Kongreso na iimbestigahan ang maanomalyang PDAF ng mga mambabatas in aid of legislation, cojones! Malabong maimbestigahan ang sariling kabaro ukol sa mga anomaly na kinapapalooban ng PDAF. Ang siste nga naman eh baka nagmamalinis ang iba eh yun pala ay puno rin ng putik ang kanilang mga kamay. Kung ang dahilan ng mga mambabatas ay para sa mga soft projects ang PDAF eh ang sagot ko naman ay maaari naman itong makuha sa pamahalaan sa kaparehong halaga. Ang importante ay mai-alis sa kamay ninyo ang PDAF at pabayaan sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan ang mga proyekto. Ang trabaho naman ninyo ay gumawa ng batas! Basta salapi na nga ang nanaig ay kahit ang sariling anino ay gugulangan pa! So, ingat sa mga kaduda-dubang NGOs. Maraming mga grupo diyan ang kumukuha ng pork barrel sa ibang bansa at kung anu-anong isyu ang ginagamit upang mai-justify ang release ng mga pondo. Ang dami niyan at yun mga iba eh ay talagang nagkukumahog na gumawa ng isyu at ginagamit pa ang media para sa kanilang interest! NA GL ABAS ANG C OA ng ulat nito NAGL GLABAS CO ukol sa disbursements ng mga pondo sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao o ARMM at ayon sa website ng Commission on Audit na makikita sa link na ito -http:// w w w. c o a . g o v. p h / G W S P A / 2 0 1 0 / special_audit.asp - ay sinasabing: “The audit concluded that funds received by the ORG (Office of the Regional Governor) for its own operation were not properly utilized and managed taking into consideration applicable laws, rules and regulations. Moreover, transactions amounting to P1.003 billion may not be considered valid and legitimate as these were supported with documents that may be considered spurious.”
Ito pa ang nasilip ng COA: “The total disregard of applicable laws, rules and regulations are evident in the following cases: • Cash advances granted to the disbursing officers amounting to P866.513 million, represents 80 percent of the total disbursements of the ORG. This indicates a total disregard of the general rule that payments must be made by check. Significant amounts of these cash advances were granted on the date of, or within five days upon, receipt of funds. These were also granted without specific purpose and used for payments in amounts ranging from P15,172 to as high as P5.5 million. In a number of instances, a highly improbable daily cash payments range from P7.0 million to as high as P13.48 million, to purported payees from Cotabato City, Zamboanga City and Metro Manila. At one point, one accountable officer was holding P99.881 million in cash, which may already be considered unconscionable in view of the risks involved in maintaining such amount. • Purchases above P250,000 to as high as P5.0 million, in the aggregate amount of P650.987 million, were not subjected to public bidding in violation of RA 9184. There is, therefore, no assurance that the most reasonable cost for the government is obtained. These were merely supported with three price quotations from various suppliers, without any indicated addresses in most cases. Thus, existence of the supposed participating suppliers could not be verified. These procurements were among those paid in cash out of the cash advances of Mr. Patadon, Special Disbursing Officer. These transactions were also not adequately documented to establish their necessity and legitimacy. • Majority of the programs and projects funded out of the Special Purpose Fund (SPF) of the Regional Governor were not implemented as P153.49 million, representing 95 percent of the funds intended therefor, were used in the procurement of relief goods, medicines, construction materials, and for payment of catering services which have a total allocation of only around P10.7 million. These transactions are also among those not subjected to public bidding, not fully documented and paid out of cash advances. • Receipts and disbursements out of trust funds amounting to P50.128 million and disbursements out of MDS accounts amounting to P2.944 million were not recorded in the books of the ORG. Moreover, disbursements amounting to P35.505 million and P180.364 million out of MDS accounts and trust funds, respectively, were not documented. There were no disbursement vouchers forwarded to the team for audit. • The maintenance of Manila Liaison Office at a cost of around P29.256 million from January 2008 to September 2009 may not be considered reasonable. The extraordinary high expenses may have been due to maintaining an office in an exclusive village with 45 personnel, grant of unauthorized transportation allowances, and uncontrolled and questionable traveling and meal expenses. • The grant of travelling allowance was not in accordance with the provisions of EO No. 298 dated March 23, 2004, as amended and COA Circular No. 96-004 dated April 19, 1996. This resulted in total claims exceeding the allowable expenses by a total of P5.914 million for the period January 2008 to September 2009. In a number of instances, travel claims have overlapping duration and insufficient supporting documents. Of the total cash advances for travel of P9.008 million, P1.334 million remained unliquidated as of audit date in further violation of Section 14 of EO No. 298, as amended. Grabe ang laki ng salaping nalustay sa ARMM at sa tanggapan pa lang ng Gobernador ay nakakalula na ang limpaklimpak na kuwarta na kinukuwestyon ng COA. Hindi na rin nakakapagtaka kung bakit walang asensyo ang ARMM dahil sa puno at ugat ang problema! Hanggang sa susunod mga kaibigan, opinyon lang!
Pencing By Jun Feliciano (Zamboanga City) THE WORD: THE WORD I HA VE SPOHAVE KEN “THE Word that I have spoken will be the same word to judge you in the last days,” thus saith the Lord. This means disobedience to His Word is absolutely a sin. This means if you make your own word/s by setting aside His Word, you’re an abomination and a curse in His sight. If you make your own righteousness, your own way and your own interpretation of what is good and what’s evil, and not any of the Father’s, it’ll boil down to one thing: disobedience to his Will. Remember, when we face HIM in judgment after our physical death, He’ll only ask one thing: “Son/ daughter, did you obey My Will while on the earth?” And our being smart, our being clever and dexterous can never outfox the Lord Almighty. We can never fool the Lord of our being so, while here in this material and secular world where we can do our thing with impunity, especially while in power, while having such influence and affluent at that. No, never! (More of spiritual enlightenment by then) ‘ VISA ASSES FOR NEXT HEAR VISA’’ P PASSES HEAR-ING DISTRICT 2 Councilor Mike Alavar III’s proposed ordinance met a roughsailing during its committee hearing held last Thursday afternoon at the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s session hall. In the end, it concurred, through the strong participation of all those present (resource persons included most) that it be given a chance for the sake of peace in this petrified city marred by a wave of gun-assaults most of which have remained unsolved to this day. While it may run counter to certain laws enacted by the national government like those of the Land Transportation Office which falls under the Department of Transportation and Communication, the fact that local LTO-Region 9 officials aren’t that hard in their interpretation of its laws when summoned for the committee hearing that Thursday, shows that the Alavar measure is up for its possible strict implementation here despite the foreseen odds that they raised as certain “gray areas”. “That’s why we might have another (committee) hearing to fine tune this proposed ordinance,” District 1 Councilor Charlie Mariano, committee chair on Ordinances and Resolutions, who presided over the hearing, disclosed. Let’s keep a close watch on this particular issue as LTO is very specific when explained by their District Officer here Noel Noche and buttressed by its Operations Officer Shan Amilhassan that for
as long as it won’t entail to superseding its national law/s, it’s okay with them— referring to the Alavar VISA (Verification/Identification of Stickers Authenticity). Pruba gane’ kita, if only to ultimately curb or even minimize cases of senseless and barbaric gun-related incidents in our beleaguered city of Flowers with so much brandings, the latest as Asia’s Latin City if only to help improve its tarnished image. MY FRIEND VICTIMIZED BY P ICKPOCKET S ICKPOCKETS MY good friend Diong Capeña claimed he was a victim of a pickpocket right at the old public market of ours, whose short distance to our Zamboanga City Police Office defies logic. Keber, serca lang na aton otoridad, yet this thing could still happen. Similar complaints reached us as well, not only pickpocket, but other petty as well as grievous crimes too. Can’t we do something against such pernicious incidents happening right under the very noses of our authorities, supposedly the ones to provide us ample security and protection? This is absolutely absurd, and even an insult to our own law enforcers, meaning they’re helpless and worse they are inutile! BIEL DESER VES KUDOS DESERVES District 1 Councilor Luis “Noning” Biel III is one public-servant leader who’s among the few “early birds” arriving in the Sangguniang Panglunsod, religiously attending to papers reaching his office for immediate attention. A simple and modest guy with less talks, but a lot of actions, as we see him move out of his own comfort zone— meaning his air-con office, to be with simple folks in the barrios where the presence of our elective local officials is more needed. Biel is a byword in the barrios because of his dynamic role in attending to the basic needs of the poor in impoverished areas of the city, specifically in depressed villages of his district. He’s instrumental in providing potable water projects in far-flung sitios of his district by using his City Development Funds. This December, he’s on the go, as usual, in providing for free bunches of bamboo splits for our inmates whose ingenuity in the making of lanterns every time yuletide season arrives, is beyond compare. “Dimiyo se promesas canila Jun, todol diciembre, cay grande ya se ayuda cunel diaton mga inmates basta benidero ya de paskua,” the ever affable city lawmaker from Baliwasan declared (in Chavacano). Bale! (jayfeliciano2@yahoo.com)
Advertising Department Tel. (062) 9925480
Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9925480
P10 Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2013
NPA HOLDS ARMY SOLDIER DAVAO CITY – A government soldier, whose unit was accused as behind the murders of innocent civilians in the southern
Philippine province of Compostela Valley, has been captured by communist rebels. Daniel Ibarra, a
spokesman for the New People Army – Compostela Valley Davao Gulf Sub-Regional Committee, said Private First Class
Army hits commies, human rights group DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Army has slammed the human rights group Karapatan for its silence over the atrocities of the communist New People’s Army rebels, blamed for a recent arson in North Cotabato province. Army officials also strongly criticized the Communist Party of the Philippines and National Democratic Front for tolerating the NPA, its armed wing. Lt. Col. Noel dela Cruz, commander of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said rebels raided the Davao Concreting Product Construction in the village of Ladayan in Arakan town and torched equipment. “This is very disheartening to the community and the people who are the direct beneficiaries of the projects. Burning down the equipment is simply
delaying the entry of the basic services that the government wants to deliver to the people. It is clear that the NPA is anti-development,” he said in a statement sent by the Eastern Mindanao Command to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, Eastern Mindanao Command chief, said the CPP and the NDF should explain to the public the atrocities of the NPA and its human rights violations. He said Karapatan human rights group should also explain its continued silence over atrocities committed by rebels in southern Philippines. Cruz said: “The NDF represented the CPP and NPA when it signed the agreement on CARH-RIHL. However, it seems that it is tolerating the NPA in violating the provisions by turning its back when civilians
and their properties are attacked.” “Self-claimed Human Rights Advocates like KARAPATAN, just like the NDF, is also mum on the violations of CARHRIHL by the NPA. Their silence is suspicious when the NPAs are the ones victimizing the civilians.” CARHRIHL refers to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, the first substantive agreement signed in 1978 in The Hague between the Philippines and the CPP and NDF. The military linked Karapatan and several other human right groups and nongovernmental and church organizations to the CPP and NDF, and the NPA, which have been fighting for a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Rodello Canada Arigonan is being held as prisoner of war. The soldier was captured during a rebel raid on the headquarters of the 71st Infantry Battalion in the village of Pangibiran in Mabini town. Ibarra said11 army soldiers were killed and wounded in the attack. Ibarra said the attack was in retaliation to the killings of Eddie Canon, who was a municipal coordinator of the Anakpawis party list group, and Ramil Lintas, a motorcycle taxi driver. Both were allegedly snatched and killed in May by members of the Military Intelligence Battalion under the 101st Infantry Brigade on suspicion they were rebels. “The AFP perpetrates the worst forms of violence in the countryside with its US-designed Oplan Bayanihan. The military's counter-revolutionary campaign forces the evacuation and dislocation of peasants to kowtow to the interest of land grabbers and big miners in Compostela Valley. Military units, like the children killer 71st Infantry Battal-
Women's platoon. New People's Army members in Southern Philippines. (philippinerevolution.net) ion, are responsible for the most despicable crimes against the people,” Ibarra said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. AFP refers to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “As the NPA keeps custody of Arigonan as its prisoner of war, it will hold accountable elements of the reactionary armed force who continue to abuse poor peasants and indigenous peoples in the countryside. The NPA actively seeks and pursues revolutionary justice in the face of the US-Aquino regime’s continuing apathy. The hated regime condones human rights abuses that have only emboldened the AFP, PNP, paramilitary forces under
the prevailing culture of impunity,” he said, referring to the national police and government militia forces. Ibarra did not say what awaits the captured soldier, but NPA rebels usually interrogate their captive before facing the people’s court to stand trial for their war crimes. There was no immediate statement either from the 71st Infantry Battalion or the 101st Infantry Brigade which is under the 10th Infantry Division and Eastern Mindanao Command. The NPA has been fighting for decades to overthrow the democratic government and install a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sulu sends 6 students to U.S. for study program SULU PROVINCE – The Sulu provincial government is sending six Muslim students to the United States under the KennedyLugar Youth Exchange and Study program. Jainab Abdulmajid, a spokeswoman for the provincial government, said the recipients of the program are all high school students chosen from among the hundreds of applicants who went through rigid regional and national screening conducted by the American Field Study Program Management Staff. The students Fatimatuzzahra Abdulmajid, Firash Zyed Ututalum, Jianazen Hapas, Khaizer Jawari from the Sulu State College Laboratory High School, and Aisa Dammang and Ahda Sangkula from the Notre Dame of Jolo for Girls – passed the written and oral interviews, including a battery of psychological examinations, the spokeswoman said.
ARMM
She said Sulu Governor Totoh Tan praised the students for passing the examinations. The students met Tan during a courtesy call and were impressed by the youth, vigor and idealism of the young politician, who also wished them the best in their journey and offered prayers for their successes. Abdulmajid said Tan assured the students of his unwavering support to better the quality of education in Sulu. “I am very much aware that education is a priority area in the development of the quality of our human capital in Sulu. Fatima, Firash, Jianazen, Khaizer, Aisa and Ahda are role models of today's Tausug youth,” Tan was quoted as saying. “The opportunity of Education and experience awarded to these students was earned thru exemplary performance and hard work. This is the kind of mindset and level of quality of human resources that we should be aiming for. Parents, teachers,
students, all of us, must realize that education gives us a chance to be better individuals, better parents and better Tausugs, essential in moulding a better future for the province of Sulu.” Tan is shouldering the allowances of the students, who will stay with their respective host family and hosted in different U.S. states. The program aims to promote mutual cultural understanding between Americans and Filipino Muslims and the students are expected to share their culture with their host parents, school, state and country while also learning the American culture. The students, upon their return are expected to voluntarily and actively get involved with the affairs and programs of their community and share their learning to their peers. The Sulu State College Laboratory High School has been sending students under the Kennedy–Lugar
Southern Mindanao
Davao
Sulu Governor Totoh Tan and four of the 6 student and their teacher pose during a courtesy call to the young politician. Youth Exchange and Study program since 2009. Besides the U.S., it has sent a number of students to Japan and each one of them becoming
Manila
ambassadors of their province and country and bringing back with them wonderful experiences, broader understanding, deeper appre-
ciation of their own and other foreign cultures, and develop their leadership and social skills. (Mindanao Examiner)
Zamboanga Peninsula