The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (February 20-26, 2023)

2 MNLF groups in Sulu unite for peace

SULU – For the sake of peace, the leaders of two opposing Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) groups in the southern Philippine province of Sulu have finally agreed to unite following a recent mediation facilitated by Vice Governor Toto Tan.

The peace talks, held in the village of Pasil in Indanan town, was attended by senior MNLF leaders and hundreds

Human traffickers warned

TAWI-TAWI – Philippine authorities warned human traffickers to stop their illegal activities or

face the full force of the law as consequences of their actions.

The warning came af-

ter security forces rescued over a dozen people, including three toddlers, Continue on page 5 Continue on page 5

China harassments continue

BEIJING CONTINUES to harass the Philippines following a recent incident where a Chinese Coast Guard vessel fired green laser light at a Filipino patrol delivering supplies to BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) inside Philippine waters of West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the harassment and condemned Continue on page 5 Continue on page 5

of members and supporters.

MNLF Vice-Chairman and BTA Parliament Deputy Speaker Ustadz Abdulkarim Tan Misuari

Continue on page 4 Continue on page 4

MNLF Vice-Chairman and BTA Parliament Deputy Speaker Ustadz Abdulkarim Tan Misuari (left) with Sulu vice Governor Toto Tan (center) BARMM Deputy Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Albakil Jikiri. (Contributed photo)

retired Philippine military generals and senior gov- ANILA - A group of retired Philippine and senior government officials called on public leaders to fight corruption, saying the ernment officials called on leaders to the problem remains the same even under the new Marcos administration remains the same even under the new Marcos administration. Continue on page 2 Continue on page 2

Marcos to review defense accord with U.S., Japan

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the Philippines will review a tripartite agreement with its two close allies, the United States and Japan, in an effort of fostering alliances with its long-time partners.

In an interview with Kyodo News during his recent visit to Japan, Marcos said: “It is something Continue on page 4 Continue on page 4

A Philippine Coast Guard photo shows a Chinese Coast Guard firing its laser at the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Malapascua and blinded its crewmen in the bridge. (Mindanao Examiner)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Former President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO)

Ex-generals call on govt, public leaders to fight corruption

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Calling their group “Advocate for National Interest”, some 20 former military officials, including past Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, released a signed statement and a copy furnished The Mindanao Examiner also urging electoral reforms.

“We, retired, senior military officers and government officials who advocate national interest support the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to tighten checks and balances in order to revitalize the economy, the proper usage of public funds so they are not reduced by the corrupt, not squandered, and not wasted. As we usher in a new administration, the enemy remains the same. It is corruption, it is corruption. That feeds crime, it worsens poverty, it erodes hope,” the statement reads.

It also cited a 2012 report by the Transparency International that ranked the Philippines – then under President Benigno Aquino 11 - 105th in the Global Corruption Index, but four years later in 2016during the administration of President Rodrigo Dutertethe country was rated 85th, but slid down to 117th out of 180 countries in 2021.

The group said the worsening state of corruption was supported by the statement of the Deputy Ombudsman in 2019 when he estimated that the country was losing P700 billion annually.

“Very recently, 13 out of 19 captains of major industries revealed that corruption is the biggest risk to economic recovery and the top deterrent factor in expanding foreign investments, based on a survey by two highly credible NGOs.”

“Other scandals in the past involving corruption, include the coco levy fund, unabated smuggling of illegal drugs rampant, misuse of PhilHealth funds, bribery in the Bureau of Immigration and overpriced purchases by the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service of medical supplies involving Pharmally and laptop computers for the Department of Education,” the statement further said.

These scandals occurred during the time of the Duterte administration.

“It is widely believed that the mislabelling of pork barrel funds to circumvent the Supreme Court decision outlawing the PDAF allows the continuance of misuse

of the funds such as for commissions of some legislators and government officials in charge of public works. The public funds diverted for private gains have deprived our people of resources that would otherwise have been wisely spent for improving basic government services,” the group said, referring to the scandalous and controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund, a discretionary fund available to members of Congress.

The group admitted that the limited data above do not represent the entire picture of actual circumstances

on the ground, “but they reflect a microcosm that needs our attention.”

“We observe that self-interest and disregard for the common good is pervasive among many public officials from the highest levels to the lowest, instead of honesty, sacrifice and discipline for the benefit of the majority. We believe that addressing these societal dysfunctions - corruption, poverty and injustice - will require good governance by elected and appointed officials imbued with integrity, intelligence and competence,” the statement said.

It added: “We therefore strongly recommend to the public officials concerned, that to institutionalize good

governance, the Constitutional provision on removing political dynasties be legislated as soon as possible and that electoral reforms to do away with money politics be initiated and implemented in due time, before the next national and local elections in May 2025.”

The former officials said corruption is indeed the enemy. “The tone, the example, the first step - it must start from the Government. Corruption first festers, and is most corrosive, in public office. And it is most damaging when perpetrated against the public coffers. We know the enemy, it’s time to slay it,” they said.

Yano, in a phone interview, said their group is

not siding with any political leaders, not even President Ferdinand Marcos, but is just raising the corruption issue that is houding the progress of the country. “Walang personalan ito at issue lamang. Ngayon kung may tamaan, bahala na sila,” he said.

Those who signed the statement were Ramon Farolan, Renato de Villa, Rodolfo Biazon, Edilberto Adan, Emmanuel Bautista, Guillermo Cunanan, Plaridel Garcia, Alejandro Flores, Victor Librado, Emilio Narayag, Eduardo Oban, Alexander Yano, Plaridel Abaya, Roberto Yap, Mariano Santiago, Renato Valencia, Recaredo Sarmiento, Mariano Santiago, Niceto Festin and Eliseo Rio. (Mindanao Examiner)

DOST broadens opportunities for MSMEs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–

With the fast-paced evolution of technology, the Department of Science and Technology here has urged the MSME sector to adopt new innovation in order to improve the standard of living for all.

MSME refers to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and DOST Science Research Specialist Jon Michael Semilla said the integration of technology will benefit the public and enhance MSMEs'operations.

“Just recently, wehelped a small business from Misamis Oriental adopt the iodine-rich drinking water or Tubig Talino from DOST, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute. Currently, the adopter and FNRI are on Step 6 on finalizing the licensing agreement, and eventually, they will start the production of Tubig Talino in CDO,” he said.

He said when a technology is adopted for commercial use, its intellectual property rights are protected, and the technology owner must pay a DOST licensing fee, a one-

in Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon province is processing fresh bellpeppers from local farmers and supplying the demand of NutriAsia Inc. The firmhas acquired an automatic washer and dryer through the Small EnterpriseTechnology Upgrading Program of the DOST.

time down payment fee, and a royalty fee, and technologies that benefit and help improve the lives of the general public will be exempt from licensing fees. DOST-10 technologies are developed by sectoral and research and development institutions, which are divided into five sectors: agricultural productivity; disaster resilience; IT development; MSME competitiveness; and quality healthcare, according to Semi-

lla. “Sa lima kaprovince, nagsugod nata og commercialize atong technology gitawag og enhanced Nutri-bun, gi-enhance na na siya sa DOST and ginabaligya na na siya sa mga adopters nga naa sa Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, ug Misamis Occidental. Usually ginagamit ni siya sa mga LGUs ug sa DepEd para sa mga feeding programs sa mga bata ug uban beneficiaries,” he said. (GKD)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development says there are over 5.6 million families living in poverty as of 2022. The Asian Development Bank reports that economic growth has gone through boom and bust cycles, and recent episodes of moderate economic expansion have had limited impact on the poor. Great inequality across income brackets, regions, and sectors, as well as unmanaged population growth, are considered some of the key factors constraining poverty reduction efforts. (Photos by Al Jacinto)

A DOST-assisted bell pepperprocessor

MNLF groups in Sulu unite for peace

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 joined settlement efforts for peace and unity between the two disputing groups. Misuari, in a post on his Facebook page, said he emphasized repeatedly the need for the MNLF to unite and work hand-in-hand towards the protection and preservation of our Hula, Bangsa, and Agama.

In pursuing peace and unity, Misuari cited the Quranic verse “There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allah’s Cause), or Ma‘roof (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind, and he who does this, seeking the good Pleasure of Allah, we shall give him a great reward.” [an-Nisa’ 4:114, The Holy Quran].

The move to settle the dif-

Marcos to review defense accord with U.S., Japan

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that we certainly are going to be studying upon my return to the Philippines. I think just part of the continuing process of strengthening our alliances because in this rather confusing, and I dare say dangerous situations, that we have, I’m not talking only about the South China Sea, I’m not only talking about the Indo-Pacific region but, of course, there is a conflict still ongoing in Ukraine and the rather disturbing effects that it has all around the world.”

He said the accord is part of a continuing and ongoing process to make more solid partnerships and alliances that we are beginning to put together in our areas.

“So that is, I think, a central element to…providing some sort of stability in the face of all these problems that we are seeing around us,” Marcos said.

Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed to bolster Manila and Tokyo’s defense and security relations. The two Asian leaders resolved to increase the defense capabilities of their own countries, and further strengthen overall security cooperation.

This will be done through strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, transfer of more defense equipment and technology, continuous cooperation on previously-transferred defense equipment, and capacity building.

Kishida explained the “National Security Strategy” and other documents, and Marcos welcomed Japan’s commitment to a free and open rules-based international order. The two leaders concurred to materialize the security and defense cooperation through bilateral

consultations including the Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting.

The two leaders also welcomed the signing of the terms of reference concerning the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in the Philippines, and concurred to continue to consider ways including additional frameworks to enhance and facilitate joint exercises and others between the two countries.

Marcos and Kishida agreed to advance consideration to promote cooperation in defense equipment and technology as well as trilateral cooperation among Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines. They also shared the view to further advance cooperation in economic security, cyber security and among others.

Japan made global headlines in December with its new National Security Strategy, which dropped the country’s post-World War II pacifist posture to call for counterstrike capabilities, the Foreign Policy reported.

It will double its military spending in the next five years, citing threats posed by China and North Korea, and will acquire the ability to strike enemy bases. The changes mark the most dramatic overhaul to Japan's security strategy since it adopted a pacifist constitution after World War II.

Under the plan, Tokyo will buy US long-range missiles capable of destroying enemy launch sites if it is attacked, according to BBC.

More loans

Marcos arrived back home on February 12 and trumpeted his “fruitful” working trip to Japan, sealing $13 billion worth of

agreements set to yield thousands of jobs for Filipinos.

“Coming back, we carry with us over $13 billion or P708.2B in contribution and pledges to benefit our people, or create approximately 24,000 jobs and further solidify the foundations of our economic environment,” the President said.

Marcos said Japan pledged to provide development loans for the North South Commuter Railway for Malolos-Tutuban and the North South Commuter Railway Project Extension totaling JPY377 billion, which is about $3 billion.

He said the completion of these projects, along with other ongoing large-scale Official Development Assistance projects such as the Metro Manila Subway Project and many more across the country, is expected to translate to better lives for Filipinos through improved facilitation of the movement of people, goods and services.

The President also cited his meeting with Kishida, which he described as something “bound by shared values and common aspirations for our peoples.”

“We committed to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan and mapped out a transformative, future-oriented partnership that is responsive to new developments,” he said.

Marcos said he also had the honor of having an audience with Their Majesties, The Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. The President said he was able to reaffirm his commitment to enhancing the close friendship and cultural ties between Filipinos and the Japanese people.

(Mindanao Examiner)

ferences of the two groups was made possible through the intervention of other prominent MNLF leaders, including BARMM Deputy Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Albakil Jikiri.

Jikiri emphasized the importance of MNLF unity and reconciliation. “We need to unite and reconcile if only to restore the glory and strength of our revolutionary past. As our revolutionary struggle is still halfway to the finish line,” he said.

The Vice Governor also assured the MNLF that the provincial and municipal governments are all supportive of the settlement efforts and sees it as a way to maintain peace and security of the people in Sulu. “Like a broom, when all are bound together, and not scattered all over we can be stronger and make a difference towards peace and

development of our province,” Tan said.

The two warring groups amicably settled their differences and misunderstandings in order to give full recognition and support to the current initiatives for MNLF unity and reconciliation.

The peace settlement was also witnessed by other government and security officials, including Indanan Vice Mayor Sharif Alan Jainal, among others. Other MNLF leaders who attended the peace talks were Ustadz Murshi Ibrahim, Secretary General of the MNLF Central Committee; General Abraham Joel, Chief of Staff of the MNLF-Bangsamoro Armed Forces; Commanders Tahir Usman Sali and Alandoni Hassan, Salip Annuar Jainal, Haji Abduraup, Salip Aloy Jainal. (Mindanao Examiner)

No aliens, but Chinese surveillance balloons global in scope, says U.S. official

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 unidentified aerial objects across the United States.

“I know there have been questions and concerns about this, but there is no — again no indication — of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns,” Jean-Pierre said from the White House podium. “I wanted to make sure that the American people knew that, all of you knew that and it was important for us to say that from here because we’ve been hearing a lot about it.”

John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council in the White House, said when President Joe Biden came into office, he directed the U.S. intelligence community to do a broad assessment of Chinese intelligence capabilities.

“We were able to determine that China has a high-altitude balloon program for intelligence collection that's connected to the People's Liberation Army. It was operating during the previous administration, but they did

not detect it. We detected it. We tracked it. And, we have been carefully studying it to learn as much as we can. We know that these surveillance balloons have crossed over dozens of countries on multiple continents around the world, including some of our closest allies and partners,” he said.

Kirby said the U.S. is consulting with allies and partners on the challenge of identifying aerial phenomenon. “The president has directed the secretary of state, secretary of defense and the director of national intelligence to engage with their relevant counterparts to share information and to try to gain their perspectives as well,” he said. “The president, through his national security adviser, has directed an interagency team to study the broader policy implications for detection, analysis and disposition of unidentified aerial objects that pose either safety or security risks. Every element of the government will redouble their efforts to understand and mitigate these events.”

Efforts by Canada and

the U.S. continue in recovering remnants of aerial objects shot down by fighter jets over the last several days, as well as the Chinese surveillance balloon downed on February 4. The objects in Alaska and Canada are in remote and wintry terrain, making the salvage operations difficult and the object shot down yesterday is probably in very deep water in Lake Huron, according to Kirby.

All of the operations to bring down the balloon were conducted in a safe and successful manner, he noted.

Slow-moving, high-altitude objects, even as large as the Chinese spy balloon, which was the size of three school buses, are difficult to track by radar, Kirby said, adding that tracking methods by North American Aerospace Defense Command radar are improving.

Also, the administration will continue to brief members of Congress and relevant state governors on what is being learned from salvage efforts, he said. (David Vergun and Mindanao Examiner)

MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari (Photo by Al Jacinto)

Video stills of the Chinese Spy Balloon after it was hit with an AIM-9X anti-air missile fired from a F-22 Raptor on February 4, 2023. (U.S. Naval Institute)

Human rights group releases Q&A on ICC probe of Duterte’s war on drugs

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accountability for extrajudicial killings in the country, Human Rights Watch said after recently releasing a question-and-answer document on the decision.

The Philippine government appealed the decision on February 3.

“The ICC judges’ decision to greenlight the prosecutor’s resumption of the Philippines investigation is a step toward justice for the thousands of victims of Duterte’s murderous drug war. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should recognize the suffering of the victims’ families and cooperate with the ICC investigation so that justice can be done,” said Carlos Conde, senior Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The ICC investigation in the Philippines covers alleged crimes committed from November 2011 to June 2016, including the large number of extrajudicial killings in Davao City while Duterte was its mayor, as well as thousands of killings throughout the country during his presidency’s “war on drugs” up until March 16, 2019, a day before the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, took effect.

In their decision, the ICC judges concluded that the Philippine government failed to demonstrate that it took sufficient action to investigate and prosecute the killings during Duterte’s administration.

The question-and-answer document provides background on the ICC investigation and discusses the key elements of the judges’ decision, as well as next steps in the proceedings.

1. Why did the ICC open an investigation?

Soon after taking office in 2016, then-President Rodrigo Duterte unleashed his “war on drugs,” which resulted in thousands of killings, mostly of the urban poor. Human Rights Watch and others found that the police regularly falsified evidence to justify the unlawful killings. The government reported that members of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency killed 6,252 people during anti-drug operations from July 1, 2016, to May 31, 2022. After Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became president in 2022, the government stopped releasing these statistics.

The official death toll does not include those killed by unidentified gunmen whom Human Rights Watch and other rights monitors have credible evidence to believe operate in cooperation with local police and officials. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) calculated in a 2020 report that the death toll was at least 8,663. Domestic hu-

man rights groups and the government-appointed Philippine Commission on Human Rights state that the real number of “drug war” killings is possibly triple the number included in the UN report.

The scale of the “drug war” killings prompted the then-ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, to announce in February 2018 the opening of a preliminary examination over the deaths, many of which are linked to “extrajudicial killings in the course of police anti-drug operations.”

In May 2021, following her analysis of these crimes, Bensouda requested the court’s authorization to open an investigation into the situation in the Philippines. The ICC pre-trial chamber authorized the opening of the investigation in September 2021.

2. What happened before the January 26 decision, and why was the investigation on hold?

In November 2021, the Philippine government asked the ICC prosecutor to defer the investigation, claiming that national authorities had begun their own investigations into cases of extrajudicial killings attributed to the police during “drug war” operations. Upon receipt of the request, the prosecutor temporarily suspended investigative activities pending his assessment of the request.

In June 2022, the court’s current prosecutor, Karim Khan, asked the ICC judges for authorization to resume his investigation, noting that the Philippine government had not substantiated its deferral request and that the domestic proceedings referenced “[did] not sufficiently mirror the court’s investigation.”

3. Why did the judges authorize the resumption of the ICC investigation?

In reaching their decision to resume the investigation, the ICC judges examined materials from the Philippine government and the ICC prosecutor, as well as observations by victims and their families, to assess the existence of domestic proceedings that would warrant a deferral of the investigation to domestic authorities through genuine investigations and prosecutions of crimes under the jurisdiction of the court.

This assessment included information on non-criminal proceedings allegedly concerning crimes under the jurisdiction of the court, namely:

A review conducted by a Philippine Department of Justice panel – This is “an ad hoc group of Department of Justice members chaired by the Secretary of Justice” tasked with reviewing administrative and criminal cases against personnel of the Philippine National Police involved in anti-illegal drugs operations resulting in deaths.” The ICC judges found that this review

does not amount to relevant investigations warranting a deferral of the ICC investigation and that the number of cases reviewed by the panel is low compared to the number of killings allegedly committed during “war on drugs” operations.

“Writ of amparo proceedings” – Under Philippine law, this is a “remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission by a public official or employee, or a private individual or entity.” These proceedings may lead to criminal investigations, but the judges found that this mere possibility is not sufficient to justify a deferral.

Activities of the Administrative Order No. 35 Committee and the United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights – The Administrative Order No. 35 Committee is an inter-agency committee chaired by the justice secretary and focusing on extra-legal killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave violations of the right to life, liberty, and security of persons. The United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights is a technical assistance and capacity building program. According to the judges, neither carried out concrete investigative steps relevant for a deferral.

Investigations conducted by the Philippine National Police’s Internal Affairs Services – These are disciplinary proceedings against police personnel that, according to the judges, do not have the primary aim to further criminal proceedings and thus do not justify a deferral of the ICC investigation. The judges’ assessment also included information on any criminal proceedings concerning alleged crimes committed in the Davao City region between 2011 and 2016, conduct other than murder that might amount to crimes against humanity, alleged killings outside of official police operations, including those by “vigilantes,” and any alleged state or organizational policy related to crimes against humanity.

Based on this analysis, the three-judge ICC panel concluded that the Philippine government had failed to substantiate its assertions that it was taking sufficient action to investigate and prosecute the killings that took place during former President Duterte’s administration. They stated that the Philippine government’s domestic initiatives “assessed collectively, do not amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps in a way that would sufficiently mirror the court’s investigation.”

4. Didn’t the Philippines leave the ICC? Why can the Continue on page 6 Continue on page 6

China harassments continue

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1

the incident which occurred on February 5 after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number 5205 directed a military-grade laser light at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Malapascua supporting a rotation and resupply mission of the Philippine Navy in Ayungin Shoal.

“As BRP Malapascua reached a 10nm distance from Ayungin Shoal, the CCG vessel was monitored approximately 4nm of the ship’s dead ahead maneuvering from the portside heading starboard side. The Chinese ship illuminated the green laser light twice toward the BRP Malapascua, causing temporary blindness to her crew at the bridge. The Chinese vessel also made dangerous maneuvers by approaching about 150 yards from the vessel's starboard quarter,” the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Because of the harassment, BRP Malapascua was forced to alter its course and headed toward Lawak Island to continue patrol and support the BRP Teresa Magbanua for its resupply mission to sub-stations in the Kalayaan Island Group.

“The deliberate blocking of the Philippine government ships to deliver food and supplies to our military person-

nel on board the BRP Sierra Madre is a blatant disregard for, and a clear violation of, Philippine sovereign rights in this part of the West Philippine Sea,” the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Last August, China also prevented Philippine Coast Guard ships from coming closer to the Ayungin Shoal while providing security to a Philippine Navy resupply mission. The Philippine Coast Guard said the same CCG vessel even readied its 70 mm cannon when BRP Teresa Magbanua came close to Ayungin Shoal at a distance of 2.5NM.

The CCG vessel, together with two Chinese maritime militia ships and another CCG with bow number 5102, blockaded and prevented the Filipino vessel from reaching BRP Sierra Madre manned by troops.

Philippine Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Artemio Abu said regardless of this challenging situation, they remain steadfast in protecting the sovereignty and rights of the country and Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.

“The PCG will continue to exercise due diligence in protecting the country's territorial integrity against foreign aggression. The AFP can always rely on the PCG to sup-

port their resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal. Despite the dangerous maneuver of the much larger CCG ships and their aggressive actions at sea, the PCG ships will always be in the West Philippine Sea to sustain our presence and assert our sovereign rights,” Abu said.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has summoned the Chinese ambassador, but Beijing insisted the Filipino boat was inside China’s territory. The Pentagon said the United States and the Philippines have agreed to resume joint patrols in the South China Sea following a decision reached during the recent meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Filipino Defense chief Carlito Galvez in Manila. The Philippines also allowed U.S troops in several areas in the country.

China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea continues because the government allows it, especially during the time of then President Rodrigo Duterte who even publicly said that he loves President Xi Jingping and likened the relationship with China to a blooming flower. “I simply love Xi Jingping,” the former strongman said in April 2018 before heading to Beijing with her daughter Sara, now the Philippines Vice President. (Mindanao Examiner)

Human traffickers warned

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 from two passenger vessels in the capital town of Bongao.

Officials said the victims, seven women, three children and five men were found among the passengers of M/V Trisha Kerstin II and M/V Ever Queen of the Pacific which originated from Zamboanga City.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, said the victims were rescued separately during recent operations. “The operation resulted in the rescue of four females who were potential victims of trafficking-in-person and five males and six females, including three female toddlers,” he said.

Racadio said the victims were recruited to work on a poultry farm in the agricultural town of Papar and in a

palm plantation in Semporna town, all in Sabah, Malaysia, just 237 nautical miles from Tawi-Tawi.

“Based on the report, the individuals will travel to Papar and Semporna, both in Sabah, despite the absence of any legal document for traveling outside the country. The victims revealed that upon arrival at Bongao Port, they were to be ferried to Semporna using a motorized vessel,” he said.

Racadio said the victims were supposed to be accompanied by a man and woman who were identified only by their first name - Gina and Marvin - in Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi. “They will be accompanied by Alias Gina and Alias Marvin, who according to them will do the processing of their papers and get them a job,” he said.

The rescue operation,

according to Racadio, was a combined effort from the Marine Battalion Landing Teams 7 and 12 and law enforcement agencies under the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Office and Municipal Interagency Committee on Anti-Trafficking.

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, lauded the successful operation. “Let us all be vigilant and avoid illegal recruitment and human trafficking schemes. Do not be fooled by false promises of individuals who resort to evil works to earn a living. Be reminded that we cannot travel abroad without appropriate documents and legal processes,” he said.

Racadio and Galido did not say whether the victims were all residents of Zamboanga or recruited elsewhere.

(Mindanao Examiner)

A Philippine Coast Guard photo shows the Chinese Coast Guard as it readies its 70 mm cannon and aims it a Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua off Ayungin Shoal inside the Philippine waters. (Mindanao Examiner)

Human rights group releases Q&A on ICC probe of Duterte’s war on drugs

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ICC prosecutor still investigate there?

On March 17, 2018, then-President Duterte formally notified the United Nations secretary-general that the Philippines was withdrawing from the ICC’s Rome Statute. In accordance with the ICC treaty, the withdrawal took effect one year later. The provisions of the Rome Statute permit the court to retain its jurisdiction over crimes committed prior to withdrawal. In the case of the Philippines, this was from November 1, 2011 – the date in which the Rome Statute went into effect in the Philippines – up to and including March 16, 2019.

In their January 26 decision, the ICC judges addressed the Philippine government’s claim that the court does not have jurisdiction over the situation in the Philippines under the principles of non-intervention and sovereign equality as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Non-intervention relates to the right of states to conduct their domestic affairs without outside interference. Sovereign equality concerns the equal standing of states within the international community.

The judges stated: “By ratifying the Statute, the Philippines explicitly accepted the jurisdiction of the Court, within the limits mandated by the treaty, and pursuant to how the system of complementarity functions.” They further noted that relevant “ensuing obligations remain applicable, notwithstanding the Philippines withdrawal from the Statute.” This includes the Philippine government’s obligation to cooperate with the court in connection with the investigation. The ICC relies on cooperation from its member countries to implement its mandate, including access to crime scenes, witnesses, and arrests.

5. What’s next? How long until a trial?

On February 3, 2023, the government of the Philippines appealed the January 26 decision authorizing the resump-

tion of the ICC investigation and requested the suspension of the investigation while the appeal is pending. If the judges in the ICC appeals chamber do not confirm the authorization to resume the investigation, the prosecutor will have to close his investigation into the situation in the Philippines. If they confirm the authorization to resume the investigation, the investigation will continue.

ICC investigations may or may not lead to trials.

In conducting an independent investigation, the prosecutor could determine that there is insufficient evidence that crimes committed within the court's jurisdiction have taken place. If the prosecutor decides not to proceed with prosecutions following his investigation, this decision can be reviewed by the pre-trial chamber.

If, based on the investigation, the prosecutor decides to pursue prosecutions, the ICC judges will need to approve the issuance of arrest warrants or summons to appear for individuals on the basis of specific charges. This requires a determination by the judges that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the individual named in the request has committed a crime within the jurisdiction of the court, and either that an arrest is necessary or summons to appear is sufficient to ensure the individual’s appearance before the court.

It is difficult to predict how long it might be between the beginning of an investigation and the issuance of arrest warrants or summonses to appear. In the court’s previous investigations in cases in other countries, the time before any arrest warrants or summonses to appear were issued has ranged from a little less than two months to over six years.

Once an individual appears before the court, either following an arrest or a summons, the next step is pre-trial proceedings known as "confirmation of charges.” During confirmation-of-charges proceedings, judges determine

whether the available evidence establishes “substantial grounds” to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged in the indictment. If a charge or charges are confirmed, a trial date is set.

6. Who is likely to be the target of ICC investigations? How many people could be charged?

Criminal liability before the ICC can apply to those who commit crimes, but also to those who give orders, as well as those in a position of command who should have been aware of the abuses and failed to prevent them or report or prosecute those responsible. At the ICC there is no exemption from liability based on official position.

It is a policy of the ICC prosecutor to target those most responsible for the crimes.

7. Even if the ICC issues charges against individuals for crimes committed in the Philippines, will arrests ever be possible?

Securing arrests is one of the ICC’s most difficult challenges. Without its own police force, the court must rely on states and the international community to assist in arrests. The court has issued arrest warrants against 14 individuals in various countries that have not yet been executed, and some of these warrants are now almost 18 years old.

However, arrests do happen. At least 13 ICC suspects have been arrested to date. Arrests can take time, particularly where those sought are high-ranking government officials, but usually have occurred with sufficient international support.

Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president, was apprehended to face charges at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone after three years of safe haven in Nigeria. Similarly, after many years of evading justice, high-level suspects were arrested and faced trial by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. (Mindanao Examiner)

COMELEC vows justice for murdered official

COTABATO CITY – TheCommission on Elections (COMELEC) has vowed to seek justice for the murder of its official in the restive southern Philippine region of Mindanao where two motorcycle gunmen shot dead Haviv Maindan, the municipal poll officer of Maguindanao delSur’s Sultan sa Barongis.

The poll body condemned the murder and called it a “brazen killing”. “The whole Commission on Elections committed to the family of EO (election

officer) Maindan that we will not rest until justice is served. ”The COMELEC said it is working closely with the police to solve the murder of Maindan, who was attacked in the village of Pingguiaman in the town of Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat province. Maindan was driving his car and heading home when gunmen attacked him.

Catholic radiostation Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation reported that Sultan sa Barongis Mayor Allandatu Angas was saddened by the killing of Maindan,

saying the poll official was a dedicated public servant. “We are deeply saddened by the untimely death of our Municipal Election Officer, Haviv Macabangen Maindan,” he said. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the murder and police launched an investigation into the killing to establish the motives and the brains behind the ambush. The killing of Mainden which occurred ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October. (Mindanao Examiner)

Powerful 2.2 diesel engine, manual transmission, 2-inch lift, Robinson suspension, 20-inch Black Rhino rims, thick tires, only 85,000 mileage.

The Truth About Christ

by Fr. Roy Cimagala (Cebu City)

THE PHARISEES argued with Christ asking him for a sign from heaven to test him. So, Christ got exasperated and said: “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then he left. (cfr. Mk 8,11-13)

This gospel episode reminds us that we should never dare to test God. We have to believe in God first if we want to know the truth about anything and everything, especially about God, about Christ, and about us. Human as he also was and is, Christ could also feel exasperated when he was questioned about something the proof and evidence of which are all over. He performed miracles, his teaching was very sublime, he showed compassion with everyone, mercy with sinners.

As St. Thomas Aquinas once said, “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” It’s always a question of faith if we want to know the truth about God, ourselves and everything else. Without faith, we would just be inventing things. Even if what we think and invent can appear convincing, without faith we will always miss the truth of anything we consider.

Let’s remember that faith is God, who is the truth himself, the creator of everything, the first and last lawgiver, sharing what he knows with us. It’s a tremendous gift that would set us on the right path on the many confusing ways of the world.

We cannot deny that we often get entangled with our worldly ways. This is the real problem of inflation that many people today complain about, but limiting it to its economic terms only. That’s when people complain about high prices and cost of production, because of some increase of money supply that is not properly spread out

and shared by the people, or without the corresponding productivity that money supply is supposed to generate.

Inflation in common terms can be described as that phenomenon where there is a lot of hot air in some persons or in some situation without the corresponding substance that such air should come as an effect.

In terms of our spiritual life and our relation to God, there can also be some kind of inflation— the real and ultimate inflation, in fact—when precisely things are done without faith and, thus, we can appear to be making and producing a lot of things and yet miss the real goal of our life. Christ articulated this phenomenon when he said: “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?” (Mk 8,36)

We should take care of our faith because that is the first means we have to establish our relation with God and to truly get in touch with the true reality of things, not just the reality of our own making.Faith unites us with God in whose image and likeness we have been made. It gives us the whole truth about ourselves, about who we really are. It provides us with all the means we need to face all the challenges of our life.

It is indispensable in our life as we go through the drama of our earthly pilgrimage. With it, we can manage to have hope even in our worst hopeless predicament, as well as charity especially in those moments when we don’t see or feel love around and instead hatred prevails. What faith also does is to enlighten our mind, enabling us to see and understand things beyond the simple material, temporal and the natural. It lets us enter into the spiritual and supernatural world to which we are poised. (FRC)

OPINION

Atomic Habits

by Engr. Carlos Cornejo (Cebu City)

IF YOU are the type of person who makes New Year’s resolutions like losing weight, or kicking off a bad habit but constantly end up not keeping them, and might have already made the ultimate New Year’s resolution to not make any more New Year’s resolutions (because you feel you are hopeless), then this book by JamesClear, “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” might be your saving grace.

The author says that we fail with our adoptive healthy or productive habit because our intended new behavior is not “obvious, easy, attractive and satisfying.” He calls them the “Four Laws of Behavior Change” that if our envisioned habit does not fall under those laws, we will fail in adopting that new behavior.

Let’s say your resolution is to exercise daily. “Obvious”, means you should have an obvious daily cue to do your physical exercise in the gym or at home for example. “Easy”, means you have an easy routine that will provoke you to do your regular exercise. “Attractive”, would mean that something is appealing to you to do that exercise. And lastly, “Satisfying” means that you should always get an immediate satisfying feeling when you have done your exercise.

To accomplish that, Mr. Clear suggest two strategies to make every new healthy and productive behavior (i.e., exercising, cooking, writing, reading, etc.) obvious, easy, attractive,and satisfying so that it may turn into a daily habit through “Stacking & Starting, along with Syncing & Scoring.” Stacking & Starting You’ve probably used ‘habit stacking’ to build new hygiene habits without realizing it. As a child, you stacked the habit of flushing the toilet with the habit of washing your hands. Flushing the toilet became the cue for your hand washing habit.

Habit stacking involves using an old and reliable daily habit as the trigger for anew habit. When you stack a new habit on an existing habit, you use the momentum of the old habit to make the new habit easier to initiate. Think of it as riding a bike down a hill to build up enough speed to get up the next hill with minimal pedaling.

But if the hill of your new habit is too daunting, the momentum of the old habit won’t be enough. That’s why you need to reduce your new habit to an easy two minute ‘starting ritual’. James Clear says, “Even when you know you should start small, it’s easy to start too big. When you dream about making a change, excitement inevitably takes over and you end up trying to do too much too

‘Reflection’

by Mayor Beng Climaco (Zamboanga City)

“BLESSED ARE they whose way isblameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who observe hisdecrees, who seek him with all their heart.” Christ is at the front and centermodel for forgiveness we concluded! Human nature alone is insufficient toforgive. Our reflection centred on FORGIVENESS as we went through our “BawatIsa Mahalaga,” module. I had to do more readings and listento homilies asking Fr. Tony de Castro’s synopsis! Conversion must come from theheart. The psalm above struck me. Because it is inherent in us to follow God’slaw. We need to live-out the law daily with a sincere and contrite heart. Ourintentions must match our actions. Our genuine desire to seek God is neededwith his grace to sustain us. The Gospel teaches us the value ofwhat Jesus preached. Laws are observed with humility. “I tell you, unless yourrighteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enterthe kingdom of heaven.” The tendency of these Religious leaders whose attention wasobserving the law was their “pride”. In the homily and biblical explanations,the Religious leaders were “self-righteous”. Sila lang el bueno.! They lookeddown on others. That is why Jesus challenges us, if we want to follow God wemust have humility in our hearts. Bien dificil perdona. Ang hirapmagpatawad! We saw the journey of Cherry Pie Picache who pardoned her mother’skiller. She prayed to God and agonized over the pain. One day, she was able toface the perpetrator in Jail who stabbed her mother multiple times. After herown conversion she was able to expressly forgive the killer. This enabled the killer to thank her.He couldn’t

ask for forgiveness because he thought he would never be forgiven.When the two were reconciled, the prisoner had freedom from the guilt ofimprisonment. He was saying he couldn’t walk for a year thinking how he killeda woman who he knew. He didn’t mean-to stab her, but he was high on drugs anddid not even remember his actions. Cherrypie, after forgiving, evenbrought him food. The legal system still prevailed for him to serve hissentence, but in their hearts forgiveness released both parties. During my husband’s wake, I wasfaced with people who caused us hurt. But, by God’s grace, their presence,their prayers was God’s way of healing. Internally, the trials we went through,softened my heart to humility before God. I would’ve wanted to turn my back on the persons, but in front of my husband’s coffin, God gave me the grace tochoose forgiveness. Mahirap! But God almighty transformsour hurt, our anger, our pain. Why? Because Jesus himself is the model. He diedfor the sinful humanity! Sinless as he was, he preached about God’s kingdom,healed the sick and performed miracles. He was humiliated, tortured and diedfor the love of us. He loved us immensely and forgave us all and brought salvation. I always tell myself, si yo ta sufri,if I am rejected, disliked and accused falsely, I know I am sinful! But, I lookat Jesus hanging on the cross, there I bow down to Him! He was innocent yet hecarried all our guilt, to suffer and save us. Perfect love and obedience to theFather! This is what gives me strength to persevere. By God’s grace we aresaved. By God’s love and compassion we are called to show mercy. God almightysaves. (MBC)

OPINION

Corporal punishment: Heal the wounds or continue to bleed

by Sir Frank Peters (Bangladesh)

soon. The most effective way I know to counter act this tendency is to use the Two Minute Rule, which states, ‘When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.’”Examples of Starting Rituals:

“Read before bed each night” becomes “Read one page.” “Do thirty minutes of yoga” becomes “Take out my yoga mat.” “Study for class” becomes “Open my notes.” “Fold the laundry” becomes “Fold one pair of socks.” “Run three miles” becomes “Tie my running shoes.” Syncing & Scoring Ronan Byrne, an electrical engineering student in Dublin, Ireland knew that he should exercise more, so he used his engineering skills to synchronize his stationary bike with his laptop. He wrote a program on his laptop to play his favorite Netflix shows on the TV in front of the stationary bike when he cycled at a certain speed. If he slowed down, Netflix would pause, and he’d need to cycle harder to finish the episode he was watching binge watching Netflix meant burning calories. Like Byrne, if you only allow yourself to enjoy your favorite experiences while executing a healthy and productive new habit, you’ll find the new habit is something you look forward to doing. Examples of Syncing Actions:

Allow yourself to play your favorite video game only on the treadmill. Allow yourself to enjoy your favorite protein cookie only if you’re at the gym. Allow yourself to listen to your favorite music only while you are doing your school or office work. When you synchronize an experience, you crave with a new habit you dread doing, the craving will counteract the resistance to executing the new habit and allow you to get started. Synchronizing is a great tool for building a new habit, but to make a habit stick the habit must become inherently satisfying. And to make a habit inherently satisfying you must keep a score. Imagine on January 30th you look up at your wall and see 27 red check marks, on 27 of the last 30 days. Each checkmark represents a successful workout. That calendar is visual proof that you are someone who cares about their health. You should take pride in that fact. If you take time to score the completion of a habit in a habit tracker (ex: calendaron your wall, app on your phone, or physical habit tracking notebook), you’ll start to see a pattern of behavior that proves you’re becoming the type of person you’ve dreamed of. The immediate pride you experience after using a habit tracker provides the satisfaction you need to return to the habit over and over until the habit sticks. (ECC)

ATROCIOUS! AWFUL! Abysmal! Appalling! Brutal! Cold-hearted! Cruel! Inhuman! Dreadful! Deplorable!

Distressing! Disgusting! Ferocious! Frightful! Ghastly!

Gruesome! Ghastly! Grisly! Hideous! Horrendous! Horrific! Heartless! Inhumane! Inexcusable! Outrageous!

Ruthless! Shocking! Sickening! Sinful! Scandalous! Terrible! Vicious! Vile! Upsetting! Wicked!

All of these ugly words (and more) have one thing in common – they’re regularly used worldwide to express the disgust, ignorance, and insanity of corporal punishment.

Often the abuse and torture of children is perpetrated somewhat surprisingly by ‘men and women of the cloth’, self-ordained representatives of their God and allegedly adhering to and practicing His teachings. They’re the worst of all. They argue (and believe), their deplorable inhumane actions are performing the work of God and in the best interests of the abused victims.

Rubbish!

Total rubbish! There are approximately 4,200 religions in the world. Of those the five most predominant religions globally are Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Not one... I repeat... not one... religion condones corporal punishment and I’m not just referring to those in the Top 5, but to the 4,155 other religions as well!

So where do people get these irrational ideas that corporal punishment is beneficial for children? Where is the proof? Some will retort they were given corporal punishment and it didn’t do them any harm, as they reach for their pick-me-up pills.

Child abuse

It would be crazy to think that a child from God – a child of God – would be sent by Him to be beaten, maimed, mentally and physically tortured, and damaged for life... if not killed by the hands of the abuser or even by their own hands in an attempt to escape the mental and physical torture and cruelty. Make no mistake, call corporal punishment by any name and it’s still child abuse.

It stands to commonsense, corporal punishment is inhumane and wrong...totally wrong. How could it be right for a human being to strike another human being, especially for an adult to strike a vulnerable defenseless child? It’s outrageously abominable and impossible to justify in any civilized society.

When an adult (Imam, ‘teacher,’ or parent) strikes a child they are spotlighting their own ignorance or evil. Unfortunately, it’s a painful and possibly a life damaging experience for the poor victims. Corporal punishment is

a senseless evil act committed by senseless, evil, ignorant people bankrupt of humanitarian virtues and compassion, Gift from God

Momentarily... (pause here...) imagine a loving couple whose one ambition in life from childhood is to parent children, embrace them with love, and teach them what’s right from wrong and help them to achieve their full potential to serve God, the nation, and humanity at large. They yearn and pray together, maybe even for years, for their wish to be granted by the Almighty. Then one day, by a stork express courier, their wishes/prayers are answered and a delivery is made.

Some years later, they send their pride and joy and most loved, to a hell-hole school or madrasa where hatred, violence and cruelty of different degrees are played out in front to their eyes as if they were watching a stage production of an evil drama and are punished in front of their peers for some silly inconsequential mistakes.

Their love of learning reduces dramatically. Their hate for school increases dramatically. They can’t wait to return to the safety of their loving home environment. The respect for those ‘teaching’ them is lost in a flash and most probably they wonder why their loving parents would subject them to such abject misery. Corporal punishment yields no benefits, only misery.

Children would benefit more if they were encouraged to do better, rather than be ridiculed for their efforts, even if their efforts are sub-standard. The greatest craving of mankind is to be appreciated. Those who show appreciation are rewarded beyond their wildest expectations and there’s an added golden bonus – the donors in turn are loved and appreciated.

In every child there are the makings of a saint. Imams, ‘teachers’ and parents should be encouraging and helping to foster this glorious manifestation and not hindering it through the evil of ignorance or their own limitations.

While they may not be satisfied with their own achievements in life, that should not prevent them from encouraging those in their charge to perform even better. Kindness and compassion are virtues that should be evident everywhere. For any nation to grow, prosper – indeed to have a worthwhile future – there has to be a national, decisive and collective effort to eradicate corporal punishment and not build dreams upon broken children. If you don’t heal the wounds of the past, you continue to bleed. (SFP)

Pictures in the News

Photos from the Office of the Sulu Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Maimbung Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Radyo Pilipinas Jolo, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz Salapuddin

Answer to last week’s crossword:

Weekly Sudoku:Answer to last week:

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Negros to sustain fight vs. ASF, Bird Flu

BACOLOD CITY

Negros Occidental Gov Eugenio Jose Lacson has vowed to

ACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has vowed to sustain the fight against the African swine fever and Bird Flu in an effort to sustain the the African swine fever and Bird Flu in an effort to protect the province’s multi-billion swine and poultry industry, and the live- protect the multi-billion swine and and the livelihood of Negrenses lihood of Negrenses.

“We’re very serious (with bird flu) as serious as we are with ASF. Anything that will threaten our livelihood, especially livestock. Whether it’s pork or chicken, we will continue to protect it. You must remember that losing this industry could have a very long-term effect on the province that we cannot afford,” Lacson told reporters.

This was Lacson’s assurance veterinary quarantine personnel disposed of some P1.4 million worth of undocumented eggs that entered Bredco port here recently. The seized shipment of 240,000 pieces or 8,000 trays of eggs arrived on a delivery truck en route to Iloilo.

According to the city government, the fake and expired shipper's permit presented at the port showed the eggs supposedly came from D. Santillan Piggery Farm in the village of Mancilang in Madride-

jos town in Cebu’s Bantayan Island which is not covered by the poultry ban in Negros Occidental and Bacolod. With the lack of proper documents, however, veterinary quarantine personnel could not confirm whether the eggs indeed came from a bird flufree area.

City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said the shipper failed to present all the other pertinent documents, including a veterinary health certificate; certification that the eggs were sourced from farms with no incidence of avian influenza in the past 14 days before shipment; veterinary shipping permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry; and certificate of acceptance from the Provincial Veterinary Office of Negros Occidental.

Lacson also noted that the province is cooperating with the city government in keeping watch over the prohibited poultry and pork products entering the Bred-

co port. “They have agreed to join us in our fight against avian flu and also ASF. It became the responsibility of Bacolod city government to handle those eggs that were left behind here,” he said, adding, the eggs could not just be shipped back to the place of origin since the owners of the shipment have already instructed the delivery truck personnel to just leave the eggs at the port.

Negros Occidental, which has an P8-billion poultry industry, has prohibited the entry of live birds and poultry products, such as meat and eggs, from areas affected by the bird flu in December last year.

Having a P6-billion hog industry, the province has banned pork and its by-products from ASF-affected areas, the latest of which include the neighboring islands of Panay and Guimaras. (Nanette Guadalquiver)

Pope names Archbishop Palma to Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education

values in people within the horizon of Christian anthropology, contributing to the full realization of Christian discipleship.

The dicastery also coordinates the activities of a number of pontifical academies, such as the Pontifical Academy of Archeology and the Pontifical Academy of Theology.

CEBU – Pope Francis has named Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu as a member of the recently established Dicastery for Culture and Education, according to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

CBCP said the dicastery is currently headed by Portuguese Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, who was appointed by the pope as its prefect last September. Divided into two sections, the dicastery works for the development of human

Cebu remains favorite among Japanese tourists

CEBU – The province of Cebu remains as one of the favorite destinations of Japanese tourists, according to Masao Okuyama, of Marine Creative.

Okuyama is organizer of one of Asia’s largest diving events, the “Marine Diving Fair,” and he said divers are eager to visit the Philippines, which is home to a number of award-winning dive sites, like those in Cebu, Batangas and Palawan provinces.

The 72-year old Palma is the newest member of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, formed as the result of a merger between the Congregation for Catholic Education and the Pontifical Council for Culture of which the archbishop was a former member. (Cebu Examiner)

“The Japanese love the Philippine ocean. There are so many reasons for it. As border restriction relaxes, many divers are excited to visit the Philippines again. We would like to send out more information so that more divers will visit the Philippines,” Okuyama said.

Takahashi Hiroyuki, chairman of the Japanese Association of Travel Agents, also said the Philippines is likely to attract a large num-

ber of Japanese visitors as leisure travel between Tokyo and Manila resumes.

Japanese stakeholders are bullish on Philippine tourism prospects, especially with a wide range of travel offerings, according to Hiroyuki. “Many Japanese companies have also established operations in the region. We anticipate further growth as a business travel destination,” Hiroyuki said.

“The Philippines is very appealing for Japanese people with its hospitality and cheerfulness. Furthermore, the Philippines has a mild climate all year, making it a popular destination for younger people to relax at beach resorts like in Cebu and Boracay Island. And for retirees, for an extended period of time,” he added.

The two Japanese executives were among those who attended the recent tourism meeting with the Depart-

ment of Tourism. Representatives from the ASEAN-Japan Centre, Association for English Studies in the Philippines, Japan Association of Overseas Studies, Japan National Tourism Organization, Japan Philippine Tourism Council and MICE Japan Magazine attended the event.

Air Asia, ANA Air, Cebu Pacific, Japan Airlines, Jetstar-Japan and Philippine Airlines took part in the high-level meeting, according to Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, who said the government would exert efforts to make travel for Japanese nationals as seamless as possible.

Japan has consistently been the Philippines’ fourth-biggest tourism source market prior to the pandemic. In 2019, the country recorded 682,788 tourists from Japan. (Joyce Ann Rocamora)

Archbishop Jose Palma of the Archdiocese of Cebu. (Sammy Navaja)

Negros Occidental has strengthened its campaign against African swine fever and Bird Flu in an effort to protect the province’s multi-billion swine and poultry industry. (Photo by Al Jacinto)