SULU - Governor Sakur Tan called on the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel and independent investigation into the deadly ferry fire that killed nearly three dozen of his constituents. Tan said he will also commission a battery of Continue on page 6 Continue on page 6
THE UNITED States must remain the most powerful nation on Earth if peace is to continue between the U.S., China and Russia, said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, who recently testified about the Defense Department’s fiscal year 2024 budget request at a House Armed General Mark A. Milley
Services Committee hearing.
For the first time, the United States is facing two major nuclear powers, whose vital national security interests are in competition with the U.S. Both China and Russia have the means to threaten U.S. national Continue on page 5 Continue on page 5
THE INTERNATIONAL Criminal Court (ICC) has trashed the government’s re-
HE INTERNATIONAL Criminal Court (ICC) has trashed the request to suspend its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in quest to its investigation into crimes against in the Duterte administration’s deadly war on drugs, removing one hurdle for the Duterte administration’s war on one hurdle for the resumption of the probe the of the probe.
“In the absence of persuasive reasons in support of ordering sus-
pensive effect, the Appeals Chamber rejects the request. This is without
prejudice to its eventual decision on the merits of Continue on page 2 Continue on page 2
MANILA – Binansagan na “demonyo” ni Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos ang utak sa pagpatay kay Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo at dapat aniya na sumuko na lamang ng mapayapa ang mastermind sa likod ng naturang krimen.
Sinabi ni Abalos na lahat ng ebidensya ay nakaturo sa mas-
termind, ngunit hindi naman nito pinangalanan ang utak sa pagpaslang kay Degamo, ngunit isa sa mga iniimbestigahan ng mga awtoridad ay si Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves na ngayon ay nasa ibang bansa.
“Alam ko na alam mo kung sino ka. Sumuko ka na. Lahat ng mga
Continue on page 6 Continue on page 6 Governor Roel Degamo
DAVAO CITY - The Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC), builder of the first 5-star residential complex Davao City - the dusitD2 Davao Hotel, and the Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort in Davao de Continue on page 5 Continue on page 5
Executives from the Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation, the developer of the Dusit Thani Hotel Davao, break ground on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 on the company's showroom for its newest property in Davao City in southern Philippines - the Crown Residences at Tierra Davao - which is located just behind the Dusit Thani Hotel Davao. The executives were (L-R) Kristel Chavez, Sales Division Head; Cathy Casares-Ko, TLDC Chief Operations Officer; Tomas P. Lorenzo, TLDC Chief Executive Officer; Mae Valdez, Area Sales Head for VisMin; Jennifer Umali, TLDC Chief Finance Officer; Jonee Abella, Sales Division Head. (Photos by Romeo Braceros Jr.)
Former President Rodrigo Duterte (OPS) and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
DIPOLOG CITY - Kapin kon kulang 2,000 ka mga residente sa Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon ug Baliguian kon Triple SB ang nakapahimulos sa ikaduhang hugna sa relief goods
Gov. Rosalina 'Nanay Nene' Jalosjos
nga gihatag sa Kagamhanang-Probinsyal nga gipatuman pinaagi sa Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) ug Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
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ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippines said it will soon announce the sites of at least four U.S.
Continue on page 4 Continue on page 4
Sailors assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Porter man an M240B machine gun during a sea and anchor evolution in Rostock, Germany, March 5, 2023. (Photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sawyer Connally)
‘Probe
Duterte’s deadly drug war continues’Photo released by Hadji Muhtamad town Mayor Arsina Nanoh shows the burning MV Lady Mary Joy 3.
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Continued from page 1 the Philippines’ appeal against the Impugned Decision,” the ICC’s Appeal Chamber stated in an eight-page decision dated March 27.
The five-member Chamber noted that the Office of the Solicitor
General (OSG), failed to substantiate its claim that the ICC lacked jurisdiction over the investigation that would create an irreversible situation and have far-reaching consequences that would be “difficult to correct.”
This is the second
blow to the government’s efforts to stop the controversial ICC investigation following a recent decision allowing families and victims of the bloody campaign to submit their statements on the OSG’s appeal to reverse an earlier decision allowing the
MALAYBALAY CITY –
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started its project aimed at providing emotional and psychological support to teenage mothers.
Dubbed as Project ProtecTEEN, it serves as a platform that provides an enabling environment by increasing young mothers' parenting and responsibilities awareness to help them attain developmental tasks, cope with the demands of parenting, and perform their social roles, according to its
team leader Jelie Barceta Barceta.
Based on the latest data, Malaybalay City is among the top five cities with the highest teenage pregnancy cases, with 591 girls giving birth at a young age.
The first batch of mothers, aged 10 to 19, will undergo the process for five days in close coordination with the DSWD and trained implementers of the local government.
The ProtecTEEN project was launched by the DSWD and the Commission on Population
and Development on August 10, 2022, to provide psychosocial support and other interventions for teenage mothers and their families.
The project is a social welfare intervention model that intends to create a supportive environment for adolescent mothers and their families. This framework's strategy is to give teenage mothers more power by giving them direct social services and help, referring them to other agencies, and getting together peer advocates. (Mindanao Examiner)
resumption of the probe into heinous crimes during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte from July 1, 2016 to March 16, 2019 and the 2011-2016 Davao Death Squad killings.
While the government was given access to all filings on the case, the Chamber refused to provide information on the identities of those who file their statements for their own safety and security.
The Appeal Chamber also noted the government’s failure to promptly include its arguments on the suspension request when the OSG submitted the notice of appeal on February 3, doing so only when it filed an Appeal Brief on March 13.
In response to the OSG’s notice, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan had argued in a February 16 response that a suspension is “not necessary in the circumstances of this case.” He noted that there is no irreversible situation that would be very difficult to correct or could defeat the purpose of the appeal.
The Chamber has not yet decided on the government’s appeal which presented four arguments to support its position, including the alleged lack of jurisdiction of the Netherlands-based court and the alleged failure to place the burden of proof on the prosecutor.
If the Chamber grants the Philippine petition for reversal, Khan said his office would discontinue any relevant investigation into the drug-related killings and other crimes.
Marcos
But President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., who has protected Duterte from the ICC probe, said his administration will no longer cooperate with the ICC, the government will finally disengage from any contact and communication with the international court after it rejected the country's appeal to suspend its drug war probe.
He said the ICC’s decision “ends all our involvement with the ICC. We don't have the next move... Hindi na tayo puwede mag-appeal. The appeal has failed and in argue, there is nothing more that we can do,” he said, insisting the ICC does not have any jurisdiction over the Philippines.
“We ended up with the position that we started with: we cannot coop-
erate with the ICC considering there are very serious questions about their jurisdiction,” said Marcos, the son of Dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted from power in 1986.
Welcome development Welcome
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines welcomed the ICC decision. “The ICHRP congratulates the ICC for cutting through the fog of lies and false claims laid out by the Marcos-Duterte government that the Philippine judicial system is functioning and can address any concerns about the President, the regime and the military’s roles in these gross violations of human rights and crimes against humanity,” it said.
On January 26, the ICC announced that it had granted the Prosecutor’s request to resume investigation into the “Situation of the Republic of the Philippines.” The ICC indicated that “following a careful analysis of the materials provided by the Philippines, the Chamber is not satisfied that the Philippines is undertaking relevant investigations that would warrant a deferral of the Court’s investigations”.
Having examined the submissions and materials of the Philippine government, and of the ICC Prosecutor, as well as the victims’ observations, the Chamber concluded that the various domestic initiatives and proceedings, assessed collectively, do not amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps in a way that would sufficiently mirror the Court’s investigation.
This conclusion of the ICC mirrors the earlier findings of Investigate Philippine Commission of Inquiry which found that domestic measures were effectively not functioning, and there was no evidence to support the Philippine government’s contention that victims could find justice in the Philippine courts. The judicial system itself was in fact being wielded as an instrument in the Philippine government’s campaign of state terror.
The ICC decision to continue the pursuit of justice lays bare the Marcos Administration’s culpability in shielding the Duterte regime’s policies of impunity and state terror that killed perhaps 30,000 or more, and vic-
timized Filipinos for six long years, according to Peter Murphy, ICHRP Chairperson.
“We are extremely appreciative of the decision of the ICC. It offers a mechanism for victims to continue their pursuit of justice against the Duterte Regime’s brutal war on drugs, on dissent and on the Moro and all indigenous peoples. Justice will still be served despite the Marcos administration’s decision to keep the Philippines outside the jurisdiction of the ICC and cover-up the crimes against humanity committed by the police and the military under Duterte,” he said, adding, the Marcos administration functions simply as a continuation of its brutal predecessor.
ICHRP - a global network of organizations, concerned about the human rights situation in the Philippines - believes the prosecution by the ICC may not stop the Marcos government from sheltering the perpetrators from prosecution or prevent such crimes from continuing to occur, but it can provide some constraint and a measure of justice to the victims.
In November 2022, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla reported to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review that over 17,000 cases of drug killings involving police officers had been reviewed, resulting in a small number of disciplinary actions.
But Murphy said there is no way that this level of inquiry - most unlikely to be genuine -amounts to an investigation of the crime against humanity of murder which the ICC was investigating.
“ICHRP has full confidence in the impartiality of the ICC. We urge the ICC to vigorously pursue the full investigation of the previous Duterte administration for these crimes against humanity so that, finally, justice may be served and impunity ended,” he said.
Murphy, an Australian-based human rights advocate, led Investigate PH, a three-part investigation by an international commission on the extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, abductions and disappearances in the Philippines since July 1, 2016, when Duterte came into power. (Ivel John Santos - Vera Files; Job Manahan, Katrina Domingo - ABS-CBN News; Mindanao Examiner)
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military bases in the country which is part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Washington and Manila as both countries prepare to hold joint war games in the South China Sea.
President Ferdinand Marcos also confirmed this information, saying the sites are located in northern and southern Philippines, including Palawan between the South China and Sulu seas.
“We’ll make a formal announcement. But yes they have been identified and we can already – before I announce it, we will formalize it with our partners in the United States so that sabay-sabay…hindi natin i-prempt ‘yung kanilang pinaplano,” he said, adding, “so there are four extra sites scattered around the Philippines. There are some in the North, there are some around Palawan, there are some further South. So iba-iba talaga.”
Marcos said the goal of the EDCA is to defend the country’s eastern coast, noting the Philippines’ continental shelf on Luzon’s eastern side was also put into consideration.
His statement came ahead of the joint Philippines-U.S. war games which Filipino security officials claimed is the largest ever military exercises as the longtime allies seek to counter China’s growing regional influence.
A total of 17,680 soldiers will take part in the annual drills, which for the first time will include live-fire exercises in the disputed South China Sea and a simulated defense of a tiny Philippine island nearly 300 kilometers (190 miles) south of Taiwan.
The countries will also stage an amphibious landing on the western island of Palawan, the closest Philippine landmass to the Spratly Islands — a flashpoint for Beijing and Manila.
“Any armed forces has the right to conduct military exercises,” said Colonel Michael Logico, the Philippine spokesman for the war games called Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder.”
“It’s really part of our combat readiness,” he said.
The announcement comes less than six weeks after Manila and Washington agreed to restart joint patrols in the South China Sea, and struck a deal to give U.S. troops access to another four military bases in the Southeast Asian country.
The countries have been seeking to repair ties that were fractured under Marcos‘s predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.
Beijing’s growing assertiveness on Taiwan and its building of bases in the South China Sea have given fresh impetus to Washington and Manila to strengthen their partnership, which is underpinned by a mutual defense treaty.
The exercises, scheduled for April 11-28, will involve more than 12,000 American, nearly 5,000 Filipino and 111 Australian soldiers – about twice as many as last year, Logico said.
A U.S. official confirmed the figures. One of the drills will involve military helicopters landing on Calayan island, off the northern tip of the main island of Luzon. The maritime and coastal defense drill has been held in the past, but this will be the first time on Calayan. It will also be the first time Philippine and US navy frigates will fire their weapons towards the South China Sea from waters off Zambales province, north of Manila, Logico said.
Previous live-fire exercises were held on land. The Americans will also use their Patriot missiles, considered one of the best air defense systems in the world, and the HIMARS precision rocket system during the drills.
The Australian troops
involved will mainly take part in “special operations” type exercises, Logico said, while Japan will send an observer delegation. This is the first Balikatan to be held since Marcos took power in June 2022.
Marcos has insisted he will not let China trample on the Philippines’ maritime rights – in contrast to Duterte who was reluctant to criticize Beijing. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including the Spratlys, ignoring an international ruling that its claims have no legal basis.
The Philippines and several other countries have rival claims. The US and Australian embassies in Manila did not immediately comment on the exercises.
AFP modernization AFP
Last February, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin vowed to help the Philippines modernize its defense capabilities as well as increase the interoperability of American and Filipino military forces.
“From defense perspective, we will continue to work together with our great partners and to build and modernize your capabilities as well as increase our interoperability,” Austin said during his visit to Manila.
Marcos said he sees the future of the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific tied up with the United States, citing the country’s and the region’s strong and historic partnership with Washington.
“I have always said that it seems to me that the future of the Philippines and, for that matter, the Asia Pacific will always have to involve the United States simply because those partnerships are so strong and so historically embedded in our common psyches that can only be an advantage to both our countries,” Marcos said. (Mindanao Examiner, AFP, The Defense Post)
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Matod pa ni Assistant Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, Alex Sabal, 500 ka mga food packs, tag-singko kilos nga commercial rice ug mga de-latang pagkaon ang nahatag sa mga residente sa Sibuco, 500 ka food packs sa Sirawai, 800 ka food packs sa Siocon ug 200 ka mga food packs sa lungsod sa Baliguian, ning lalawigan sa Zamboanga del Norte.
Alayon niini, nagpaabot sa ilang dakong pasalamat kang Rosalina "Nanay Nene" Jalosjos sila si Sibuco Mayor Joel Ventura ug Municipal Administrator Ruth Molina Ventura sa tabang nga gilugway sa Kagamhanang-Probinsyal pinaagi sa PSWDO sa mga residente sa Sibuco nga nabiktima sa pagbaha nga dala sa nasinatiang low pressure area sa lalawigan di pa lang dugay, diin daghanang mga panimalay ang nangaguba ug panginabuhian ang nawala.
Susamang pasalamat usab ang gipalanog nila
Sirawai Mayor Aljazar Janihim ug Siocon Mayor Cesar Soriano, sa gipanghanghatag nga relief goods para sa mga biktima sa kalamidad nga nagpakita ug kausaban sa pagpangalad diin kini nagtunol ug hinabang sa tanang mga nanginahanglan nga walay pagpihig o pagpili sa tawo nga angayng tabangan.
Alayon niini, nagpaabot sa ilang dakong pasalamat kang Jalosjos sila si Sibuco Mayor Joel Molina Ventura ug Municipal Administrator Ruth Molina Ventura sa tabang nga gilugway sa Kagamhanang-Probinsyal pinaagi sa PSWDO sa mga residente sa Sibuco nga nabiktima sa pagbaha nga dala sa nasinatiang low pressure area sa lalawigan di pa lang dugay, diin daghanang mga balay ang nangaguba ug panginabuhian ang nawala, sama sa mga mag-uuma ug fisher-
folks nga wala makadawat sa unang hugna sa relief goods.
Si Junaida Sujad, 47, sa Barangay Poblacion sa Sibuco nga usa sa mga biktima sa miaging pagbaha, nagpasalamat ug dako sa ilang nadawat gikan sa Kagamhanang-Probinsyal. Matod pa nila nga dako na kining tabang alang kanila nga nabiktima sa miaging kalamidad.
Sila si Janihim ug Soriano ang mipabati usab sa susamang pasalamat kang Jalosjos sa relief goods nga ilang nadawat para sa mga biktima sa kalamidad sa ilang lungsod.
Matod pa sa duha ka mayor nga gipakita lang ni Jalosjos ang kausaban sa pagpangalad sa Kagamhanang-Probinsyal, diin nagtunol kini ug hinabang sa tanang mga nanginahanglan nga walay pagpihig o pagpili sa tawo nga angayng tabangan. (A.T. Ruda, Rafael Lagasca, Raymund Garovillo)
BUKIDNON - The Department of Agriculture (DA) recently turned over some P6.73 million worth of assistance to coffee farmers who are members of the Bayanihan Millennium Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BMMPC) in Pangantucan town.
DA Regional Executive Director Carlene Collado led the handover of the 12-component assistance to the BMMPC. Pangantucan MayorMiguel Silva Jr. and BMMPC chairman Porferio Sayson received the assistance.
The coffee farming intervention includes a hauling truck worth P2 million; 31,250 coffee seedlings valued at P1.5625 million; a processing facility worth P1 million; a coffee roasting machine worth P625,000; a plant nursery worth P500,000; and two depulper units valued at P240,000. The package also includes six production and sorting tables worth P226,000; a grinding machine worth P190,000, a dehuller worth P147,000; five moisture meters worth P139,000; a vacuum pack sealer worth P70,000; and three grass-cutters worth P30,000.
“The project is just
among the interventions that DA Regional Office 10 has provided for your cooperative. We hope it will greatly help to provide labor to your community, increase coffee farmers' income, and expand the reach of your coffee products outside of Bukidnon," Collado said.
The package of interventions, carried out by the High-Value Crops Development Program, aims to increase coffee production.
It was allocated through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act forits coffee community-based farm enterprise development—farm rehabilitation and improvement component. The project is also being carried out in
Talakag town in Bukidnon, with coconut growing intercropped with cacao and coffee.
Collado also encouraged BMMPC to submit project proposals whenever they were needed because the cooperative was making progress and was sending coffee to Luzon and even in other countries. Here minded the members of the cooperative that DA will help as long as their goals fit within DA's budget and overall goal for the Philippine coffee industry. BMMPC is known for producing high-quality coffee beans. Seven of its members won the Northern Mindanao Coffee QualityCompetition on March 18. (Mindanao Examiner)
tary
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Oro - has announced the launching of its Crown Residences, the company's newest residential complex here.
TLDC executives led by its CEO Tomas Lorenzo broke grounds for the Crown Residences’ showroom, which is scheduled to open by the end of the
year.
“We are in Davao for the long haul. The Davao region is one of the country’s top-performing economies, so it’s a very attractive investment destination for industrial, residential, hospitality, and leisure industries. We hope to cater to the growing property demand here
and elevate lifestyles as we bring Torre Lorenzo’s signature quality residences in Davao,” he said.
He said Crown Residences is deliberately master-planned to be close to dusitD2 Davao Hotel and Dusit Thani Residence Davao, just minutes away from the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, as well as the commercial and business districts, and is situated in its integrated-use development Tierra Davao.
Crown Residences, designed to deliver a new standard of life to Davao City, would contain 40% open space to enhance residents’ physical and emotional well-being. A yoga and meditation garden, jogging trail, swimming pool, children’s playground, fitness facility, and event rooms are just a few of the upscale features. A pet park, specifically for its residents, is included in the design of the amenities because the development is also pet-friendly.
TLDC has developed a reputation for its high-quality residential complexes, according to its COO Cathy Casares-Ko. “Crown Residences will provide our standard in-house property management for the tenants’ comfort and peace of mind. With its renowned location, first-rate construction, and intelligently planned amenities, Crown Residences will provide both a great halfway house and a profitable investment for the Davaoeños,” she said.
After completion, Tierra Davao will be a P3.2 billion mixed-use development with the dusitD2 Hotel and Dusit Thani Residence as its anchors, two residential towers called the Crown Residences and the Crest Residences, and future office and commercial towers. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)
Thailand and the Philippines, along with partner nations — provides increased security in the region in the face of aggressive behavior from China.
Milley noted that there are nearly 250,000 troops deployed in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America, combating terrorism and working with allies and partners.
Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 security, he said. "But war with either is neither inevitable nor imminent."
Fighting a war with Russia and China simultaneously would be very difficult, he added.
A high state of readiness and modernization will deter aggression, and the fiscal year 2024 budget request of $842 billion will ensure that the joint force remains the most lethal and capable military in the world, he said.
"There is nothing more expensive than fighting a war. And preparing for war is also very expensive, but fighting a war is the most expensive. Preparing for war will deter that war," he said.
Milley outlined global security efforts by the United States and its allies and partners. Security assistance for Ukraine should continue, as it is in the interest of national security, he said, adding, Iran has taken actions to improve its capabilities to produce a nuclear weapon.
"From the time of an Iranian decision, Iran could produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon in less than two weeks. And it would only take several more months to produce an actual nuclear weapon," Milley said. "The United States military has developed multiple options for our national leadership to consider if or when Iran decides to develop a nuclear weapon."
The United States remains committed, as a matter of policy, that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon, according to Milley.
North Korea's continued ballistic missile testing and nuclear weapons development pose threats to the U.S. homeland and allies and partners, he said. "We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Republic of Korea to continue to deter North Korea aggression," he said.
In addition to South Korea, bilateral alliances with other countries — such as Japan, Australia,
"Operational readiness rates are higher now than they've been in many years. Currently, 60% of our active force is at the highest state of readiness and could deploy to combat in less than 30 days, well exceeding the minimum of the one-third standard that we've always had. Ten percent of our force could deploy in less than 96 hours. The United States military is ready," he said.
Secretary of Defense
Lloyd J. Austin III also testified, emphasizing the importance of passing this "strategy-driven budget" in a timely manner. Besides readiness and modernization, the requested budget will take care of service members and their families, he said.
"The single most effective way that this committee can support the department and our outstanding troops is with an on-time, full-year appropriation," Austin said.
Washington is also preparing a joint war exercise with the Philippines this month after both countries signed a Continue on page 7 Continue on page 7
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ebidensyang ito, nakita naman natin sa mga nakaraang araw. Habang tumatagal, ang dami na. Alam mo kung sino ka. Sumuko ka na. Sa ibang hindi pa sumusuko, iba ang utak ng tao na ‘to, baka kayo ang isunod nito. Iba ito, he is very, very devious and evil. Lahat ng kasamaan, nasa kanya na,” ani Abalos.
Naunang itinanggi ni Teves na may kinalaman ito sa krimen na naganap noong Marso 4 matapos pasukin ng mga armado ang compound ni Degamo at niratrat ito. Patay rin ang ilang mga sibilyan sa naturang atake. Raid
Kaliwa’t-kanan naman ang raid ng pulisya sa mga ari-arian ni Teves sa Negros Oriental sa bisa ng search warrant laban sa mga hinihinalang kasabwat sa pagpatay sa gobernador.
Ayon kay Abalos, kamakailan lamang ay naglabas ng search warrant ang korte para sa isang nagngangalang Marvin Halaman Miranda, na sinasabing go-between o middleman sa pagitan ng mastermind at mga pumaslang; at kay Nigel Electona, ang Chief security ng HDJ Tolong, na isa sa tatlong indibidwal na naaresto ng pinagsanib na puwersa ng militar at pulisya sa Bayawan City sa Negros Oriental.
Nabawi sa operasyon ang mga baril at granada, at mga litrato ni Degamo at ng kanyang pamilya, litrato ng kanilang tinitirhan at gate ng Degamo compound, house routes at isang sketch plan ng gusali na pinaniniwalaang ginamit ng mga kasabwat sa pagplano ng pagpaslang.
Pinresenta rin ni Abalos sa isang press conference ang iba’t ibang matataas na kalibre ng baril, ammunition at explosives na nakumpiska sa operation na isinagawa sa isang compound na pag-aari diumano ni Pryde Henry Alipit Teves sa bayan ng Santa Catalina sa Negros Oriental sa bisa ng isang search warrant na inisyu ng Regional Trial Court ng Mandaue City.
Ayon pa kay Abalos, nasabat din ng raiding team mula sa HDJ Bayawan Agri-Ventures Corporation sa Bayawan City ang dalawang digital vault na may lamang mahigit sa P18 milyon sa isang nakaparadang sasakyan sa loob ng compound. Dinakip rin ang tatlong lalaking manggagawa ng HDJ Tolong na nakitaan ng mga armas na walang kaakibat na lisensya.
“In light of these recent developments, the Special Task Force Degamo is very confident that we are nearing the end of unmasking the masterminds behind the shocking and gruesome murder of Gov. Degamo and others,” wika pa ni Abalos.
Good job Good
Pinasalamatan rin ni Abalos ang pulisy, militar at National Bureau of Investigation sa kanilang pagsisikap sa imbestigasyon upang maresolba ang kasuklam-suklam na pagpaslang kay Degamo at ilan sa kanyang mga nasasakupan.
Kumpyansa rin si Abalos at ang Task Force Degamo na, sa pamamagitan ng tuloy-tuloy na suporta ng Negrense sa pagbibigay kaalaman sa mga awtoridad, malapit nang madala sa hustisya ang mastermind at iba pang mga kasabwat sa krimen.
“We would like to thank the people of Negros Oriental for the outpouring of support by providing information that led to the discovery of these loose firearms and other instrument of violence,” sabi pa ni Abalos.
Ex-military Ex-military Matatandaang limang suspek sa pagpatay kay Degamo ang sumuko. Naunang sumuko ang limang iba pa. Ibinunyag din ni Abalos na sa 10 suspek na hawak na ng Task Force, siyam ay dating miyembro ng militar at may direktang partisipasyon sa pagpatay, habang ang isa naman ay isang ex-military trainee.
“From this, makikita mo ang training ng mga taong ito. That’s quite interesting. Direct, talagang direct na an-
doon. Ang sinasabi naming direct participation, it means within the crime scene itself,” sabi pa ni Abalos.
“These suspects have relevant testimonies that will help the Task Force build a strong case against the perpetrators, as well as the intermediaries and mastermind. The National Task Group Investigation and Legal under the Special Task Force Degamo is now in the process of completing the documentation of the initial statements taken by investigators from the suspects presently under custody,” ani Abalos.
Matatandaan na ilang oras pagkatapos ng pagpaslang kay Degamo, tatlong suspek ang nadakip ng pulisya at militar sa isinagawang hot pursuit operations sa Bayawan City. Pagkatapos nito ay isa pang suspek ang nakorner at nakipagputukan sa mga awtoridad na nagresulta ng kanyang pagkamatay. Isa pang suspek ang sumunod na nasakote sa kanilang patuloy na operasyon.
Ani Abalos, patuloy ang case build-up at imbestigasyon sa pangunguna ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) upang kuhanin ang kumpletong detalye ng pagpatay kay Degamo ngayong 10 suspek na ang nasa kustodiya ng pamahalaan. “They are still undergoing tactical investigation under NBI.”
Hinikayat naman ni Abalos ang mga natitira pang suspek na sumusuko sapagkat patuloy ang pagtutulungan ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaan upang sila ay madakip. “Para sa mga natitira pang suspect, paulit-ulit naming sinasabi — sumuko na kayo. Marami na ang mga sumuko, magisip isip na rin kayo. Sisiguraduhin namin ang inyong kaligtasan, pati na ng inyong pamilya. Asahan n’yo rin na rerespetuhin ng gobyerno ang inyong mga karapatan at bibigyan kayo ng patas na paglilitis na naaayon sa ating batas,” wika ni Abalos. (Mindanao Examiner)
Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 lawyers which will help the victims and families of those who perished in the fire that hit MV Lady Mary Joy 3 on Wednesday evening. At least 29 people, including children were killed in the tragedy after a fire broke out in a ferry off the southern Philippine province of Basilan. It was unclear whether the fire was an accident or deliberately set up, or an act of terrorism.
The MV Lady Mary Joy 3, owned by Aleson Shipping Lines, departed Zamboanga City and was sailing to Sulu provincewhen the fire broke out near Hadji Muhtamad town and the ferry drifted to Baluk-Baluk Island where it ran a ground, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
“I have no wish to preempt or influence the outcome of investigations into the mishap by issuing early statements at the height of the incident. I believe that it is more prudent and proper to wait for the composition of an investigating body to look into the matter, which among others will include the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Maritime Authorities, Bureau of Fire Protection and other agencies and instrumentalities of government,” Tan said.
“I call on the National Bureau of Investigation and request for them to conduct a parallel and independent investigation which we hope will shed more light into the cause of the incident. I will commission a battery of lawyers which will legally assist complainants and offer legal services for claims and other purposes,” he added.
The legal team will be headed by Provincial Legal Officer, lawyer Ryan Jumaani and private lawyer Wendell Sotto.
Parliament
Two Muslim lawmakers Amir Mawallil and Deputy Speaker Laisa Alamia also filed a resolution in the Bangsamoro parliament on March 31 seeking an inquiry into the incident to determine the cause of the fire.
“While we grieve with the families of those lost in the tragic ferry fire, we in the
Bangsamoro government should also make sure we take steps to ensure that this incident does not happen again. It is very unfortunate thatthis tragedy occurred during the Holy Month of Ramadan, which only adds to our sorrow,” Mawallil said.“
Our people have plied these waters for millennia, and so such an occurrence begs painful questions: How could this have happened? Who is responsible? And how can we prevent it from happening again?” he added.
The Resolution No. 209 proposes that the appropriate committee look into the following issues:
1. The cause and circumstances of the fire, including any negligence or violations of safety protocols by the owner, operator, crew, or any other party involved in the operation of the vessel;
2. The adequacy and effectiveness of the safety measures, equipment, and protocols of the vessel and the shipping company in ensuring the safety and security of the passengers and crew;
3. The compliance of the vessel and the shipping company with relevantlaws, regulations, and standards on maritime safety and security, including those promulgated by the Bangsamoro Government and the national government;
4. The immediate and long-term impacts of the incident on the survivors, the families of the victims, the environment, and the local economy, and the appropriate measures that the government should undertake to mitigate and address these impacts;
5. The policy and legislative measures that the Bangsamoro TransitionAuthority should propose or enact to enhance the safety and security of sea transportation within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, including the regulation, monitoring, and enforcement of safety standards and the provision of support and assistance to the victims and survivors of maritime accidents.
“The cause of the fire is still unknown, and there
is a need to investigate the incident to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Pursuant to the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Bangsamoro Government has the authority and responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of the people, including those who use the transportation systems in the region for their livelihood and daily activities,” the resolution read.
Explosions
Mayor Arsina Nanoh, of the Hadja Muhtamad town, said at least 195 passengers were rescued. The ferry had 205 passengers, but there could be more not listed on the manifesto.
Nanoh, quoting a rescued passenger, said there were explosions in the ferry before and after the fire broke out.
Aleson Shipping Aleson
Aleson Shipping Lines released a statement and urged the Bangsamoro regional government to immediately respond and provide for the needs of the victims’ families.
“We urge the Cabinet of the Bangsamoro Government to immediately respond and provide for the needs of the families of those who were lost in this tragedy, as well as the needs of those who were injured and still seeking medical care,” it said, adding, it has started to reach out to the victims and their families to as certain how it could be of assistance to them.“We grieve with the families of those lost in the tragic ferry fire in the waters near Basilan last March 29. We grieve especially for our Morobrethren who were lost. That this happened during the holy month of Ramadan only adds to our sorrow. Our people have plied these waters for millennia, and so such an occurrence begs painful questions: How could this have happened? Who is responsible? And how can we prevent it from happening again? We await the results of the ongoing investigation for the answers to these questions,” it said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Continued from page 5
Continued from page 5 deal that will allow the U.S. to put up bases in at least four locations as part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
China has strongly warned the Philippines after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the accord.
The accord comes as the U.S. seeks to counter China’s increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea. The agreement aims to support combined training, exercises and operations.
As part of the agreement, the U.S. has budgeted $82 million toward structural improvements at five current EDCA sites.
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippine said the U.S., to secure its hegemony and selfish geopolitical interests and out of the cold-war mentality, keeps upgrading military cooperation with the Philippines by adding EDCA bases and military deployment in this country.
It said the U.S. claims that such cooperation is intended to help the disaster relief efforts of the Philippines and some Americans even tout the EDCA sites as driver of local economy, it is plain and simple that those moves are part of the U.S. efforts to encircle and contain China through its military alliance with this country.
“To bundle the Philippines into the chariots of geopolitical strife will seriously harm Philippine national interests and endanger regional peace and stability. On the South China Sea issue, there is no problem of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea,” the Chinese Embassy said.
“When talking about free and open waterways, what the U.S. has in its mind is actually the freedom of rampage of its warships in the South China Sea. The U.S. military has been coming all the way from the other side of the Pacific to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and ganging up with its allies from other parts of the world to flex muscle in the South China Sea,” it added.
Warning
It also warned that by doing these, the U.S. has not only heightened tension, driven wedge between China and the Philippines, but also has disturbed and upset the joint effort of countries in this region to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.
“Now that China and
the Philippines, among other countries of the region, are at a critical juncture of post-COVID recovery, we should keep to the right track of maintaining good-neighbourliness and attaining mutual benefit rather than getting distracted by forces who are fanning the flame and driving a wedge between us, even less inviting a bully into our community. We need to focus on cooperation and development, and truly safeguard, promote and build peace, stability, and prosperity of our region and bring more tangible benefits to people of our two countries,” it added.
But Beijing’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea continues with Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Chinese maritime militia ships harassing Filipino patrol boats and fishermen.
Marcos to fight for Marcos to for territories
Marcos has said the Philippines will not cede an inch of its territory in the West Philippines Sea largely being claimed by Beijing following repeated harassment by the Chinese Coast Guard vessel at a Filipino patrol delivering supplies to BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) inside Filipino waters.
Marcos promised to work with the nation’s allies to ensure the safety of Filipinos. “The country has seen heightened geopolitical tensions that do not conform to our ideals of peace and threaten the security and stability of the country, of the region, and of the world,” he said.
“This country will not lose one inch of its territory. We will continue to uphold our territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with our Constitution and with international law. We will work with our neighbors to secure the safety and security of our peoples,” he added.
Marcos noted that the current operating environment is uncertain and grows increasingly complex and his administration has been working hard to steer the country to a high-growth trajectory in the past seven months.
He said as the Philippines continues to develop its internal resources, the country must pursue a path of prosperity that contributes to goals shared with the international community. “We have cemented our bilateral relations with our allies, with partners, with our friends. And as we work on trans-
lating these investments into material benefits for our people, we must ensure that we continue to preserve the security and the safety of our nation,” he said.
Harassment
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 Chinese Coast Guard vessel even readied its 70 mm cannon when BRP Teresa Magbanua came close to Ayungin Shoal at a distance of 2.5NM.
The Chinese Coast Guard vessel, together with two Chinese maritime militia ships and another Chinese Coast Guard vessel 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 support 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.
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. (David Vergun and Mindanao Examiner)
PRESIDENT FERDINAND
Marcos Jr. again thanked Malaysia and also Brunei for bringing stability in Mindanao, saying he remains hopeful that the country’s two Southeast Asian neighbors will continue supporting the region’s development initiatives to uplift the living condition of its people.
“We have to thank Brunei for the assistance and support that we have been receiving in southern Philippines, in the Muslim Autonomous Region, which have been big factor in what we think is going to be a successful Autonomous Region,” Marcos said as he welcomed Brunei’s Ambassador Megawati Dato Paduka Haji Manan in Malacanang Palace recently.
“So again, I hope that Brunei continues to give our Muslim community in the Southern Philippines whatever opportunities are available because that is the best way to assert that having peace is to give a good life to the people, a life that they would like to deserve,” he said.
The approach that the government has taken is the best formula: by bringing as much development as quickly as possible in the area that will increase
economic activity so people will have good living conditions and all the essentials to turn them away from fighting and the secessionist activity, Marcos said.
Manan, in response to Marcos, said it would certainly be Brunei’s direction — to increase the level of cooperation with the southern region as well because Brunei knows there are certain commonalities.
“And so we hope that we will branch out, you know, expand the existing cooperation to give some – a little bit more opportunities for the south side. As Mr. President is saying, give them more opportunities so that they’ll feel that they’re more empowered in terms of uplifting their lives as well,” Manan said.
Both Marcos and Manan also underscored the importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in resolving regional concerns such as the South China Sea issue and the civil unrest in Myanmar.
Marcos said although its members sometimes differ in certain areas for the most part, in essence, idea and concept, they agree that the ASEAN still remains the “most im-
portant mover for all of what we attempt diplomatically in terms of the conflicts that we are seeing.”
He also welcomed Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Bin Anthony who presented his credentials.
Marcos said he recognized Kuala Lumpur’s role in bringing peace to the Southern Philippines, expecting it to continue participating in the development of the Bangsamoro region.
“It’s going to be very, very important because as long as we can provide… One of the complaints over the many, many years from the Muslim community in the Philippines was that they are underrepresented and underdeveloped. And they were absolutely right. So we are trying to fix that. We are trying to return a balance,” Marcos said.
The Malaysian ambassador said as the region gains stability, he believes that what Malaysia has done so far will sustain the progress of Mindanao.
Brunei and Malaysia were also part of an international peace keeping force in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
Across
Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief Reynold Toribio Graphics/Video Editor
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Maritess Fernandez
EBU
General
ordered the de-
Centino has ordered the de-
help augment security forces of additional troops in the to help augment security forces in battling the communist rebel group New People’s Army in the communist rebel group New Army. Lapu-Lapu City. He said the deployment of more soldiers in central Philippines is necessary to further intensify the campaign against the rebel group, especially in Samar and Negros provinces where the NPA is operating.
“It is important for the Visayas Command to be on top of the situation, supervise the activities of the different Joint Task Forces, and ensure that the plans are understood and implemented on the ground,” Centino said.
He did not say how many troops, military air crafts and navy boats were being deployed in the Visayas.
The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Netherlands in December 2022.
Sison had lived in self-exile in The Netherlands since then-President Corazon Aquino released him from detention in 1986, shortly after the “People Power” revolt overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the father and namesake of the current Philippine president.
Battle setbacks, surrenders and infighting, how-
ever, have weakened the guerrilla group, which is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and remains a major Philippine security threat.
The communist rebellion has left about 40,000 combatants and civilians dead.
It also has stunted economic development, especially in the countryside, where the military says about 3,500 insurgents are still active.
Past administrations
had engaged in on and off peace negotiations with communist rebels represented by the umbrella organization National Democratic Front of the Philippines, where Sison served as chief political consultant. Former President Rodrigo Duterte ended peace talks in March 2019, and negotiations have not resumed. (Priam Nepomuceno, AP, Cebu Examiner)
where a former overseas Filipino worker who invested his hard-earned money to buy 10 sows and later progressed to about 100 heads, but all lost to culling.
Centino was recently in Cebu where he inspected troops at the Visayas Command headquarters in
CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, 83, died in exile in The
Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseur thinks.
Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated with other fecal matter, they are collected.
In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad.
But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lover for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee seller in Zamboanga City.
The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink.
Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a backyard reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection.
Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who want the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice.
And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 0915-3976197. (AJC)
CEBU– Governor Gwendolyn Garcia stood firm against the slaughter of pigs suspected of carrying the African swine fever (ASF) virus which is deadly to hogs.
Garcia reiterated her call on the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to forgo the culling of pigs citing the impact of this on the local supply of pork. She insisted that there is no ASF outbreak in the province, but only in six out of 53 localities here.
The BAI announced on March 20 that it has detected ASF in Cebu City and the towns of Tuburan, Sibonga, Liloan and Bogo City, in addition to Carcar City where the deadly virus afflicting pigs was first discovered on March 1.
Garcia said the provincial government will exert all efforts to save the P11-billion local hog industry and protect the consumers from the effect of a shortage of pork if culling is pursued even in pigs
that have not displayed clinical signs of the virus. "So you continue to kill these pigs, you continue to reduce our local supply, and, in effect, kill our local hog industry in exchange for imported meat,” she said.
The governor said she suspected a classical swine fever inflicted on the pigs in Cebu, adding that although this disease is endemic in Asia, it can be prevented through the anti-hog cholera vaccine. She also ordered mayors to form the so-called “Barangay Swine Fever Task Force” as a way to combat the spread of the ASF in their areas.
Lawyer Donato Villar Jr., the capitol’s legal officer, said they went to Carcar City to gather sworn statements from backyard hog raisers who are opposed to the culling policy. He said many of the piggeries in the province have become a source of livelihood for the Cebuanos, citing a case in Carcar City
Dr. Jessica Maribojoc, head of Cebu City’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fishery Office, said the local government managed to control the further spread of the ASF after culling pigs infected with the virus. “We were able to mobilize our team to act on the reported ASF infection based on the blood collection result,” Maribojoc told the Philippine News Agency.
The blood sampling, she said, was conducted in 11 villages declared as “hot spots” following the occurrence of symptoms and deaths. ASF was discovered in a few pigs in a backyard farm in just one of the 11 areas declared as hot spots, thus culling was performed to prevent the further spread of the virus.
“We have to justify to BAI based on the definition of infected areas under Administrative Circular 2 that an area is a red zone if there is an ASF outbreak and the virus has spread in other villages within 15 days,” Maribojoc said, adding, border restrictions against undocumented hogs and pork meat will continue in Cebu City.
(John Rey Saavedra)