Philippines assures respect for sovereignty in new US defense deal
Customs file charges vs trading firm, brokers
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Rebels accuse Aquino of ‘selling out’ sovereignty to US
Coast Guard men face charges over death of Taiwanese poacher
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Transport group opposes Urban Sustainable Transport Project in Davao City PAGE 8
Emergency workers get indemnification from rebels
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Basilan Province Maguindanao Province Zamboanga City
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Mar. 24-30, 2014
Senate probe on deaths of refugees in Zamboanga hailed V
arious sectors have welcomed a senate resolution that would investigate the deaths - due to diseases of many war refugees in government evacuation sites in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. More than 100 people had died from diseases the past months and deaths continue in evacuation centers. Alarmed by the rising casualties, Senator Nancy Binay has filed Resolution 566 urging the Senate to investigate the reported deaths and look into the health of children living in evacuation centers and many of these are filthy and lack medical and emergency facilities. One leader of the refugees, Gammar Hassan, said they welcome the senate probe and called on Binay to come to Zamboanga and look into the heart-breaking plight of those living in evacuation areas. “Senator Nancy Binay, we welcome you to grandstand in Zamboanga. Hoping for your fair and just investigation on the death in our evacuation centers, IDPs' hope are on you now,” he said, referring to internally displaced persons at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex. Hassan also pins his hope to the new Archbishop of Zamboanga, the Most Rev. Romulo dela Cruz, to help them. “It's a challenge to him as new church head in the city, since no Christian communities and churches reached their hands to us aside from some Christian families helping by bringing foods and clothing,” he said. He also urged the local government to allow the refugees to return to their places instead of holding them in evacuation centers. “Build back better till we all die in pain. Who will enjoy the promised development and rehabilitation? Send us home now, not tomorrow,” Hassan said. Even access to clean and potable water and portable toilets are also a huge problem in refugee centers, particularly at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, where thousands of people displaced by fighting between rebels and security forces in September last year are struggling to survive. Binay said: “The health of families, especially those of the vulnerable - children and the eld-
Muslim refugee, Felomina Abdulhamid, whose child has died at an evacuation center in Zamboanga City in Southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Ely Dumaboc) erly - must be continuously monitored and evaluated by the authorities.” Citing medical reports from Zamboanga City, Binay said many of those who died had suffered from diarrhoea and other fatal diseases among children and adults in evacuation camps. Diarrhoea is the leading cause of the children's deaths while acute gastroenteritis and other respiratory ailments such as pneumonia and asthma leading to cardiac arrest are the primary causes of adult deaths, she said, quoting a medical report from Zamboanga. “This is an alarming trend, as many people continue to stay inside the camps,” she said, adding the health of the displaced persons is a paramount concern and the reports of continues deaths of refugees in Zamboanga has alarmed the senator, who is also the daughter of Vice
President Jejomar Binay. Reacting to the reports on Binay’s resolution, a local resident, Juanito Delgado said: “With all the health facilities available in Zamboanga, all the money profited from the September 9 rebel attack in this city should be enough to pay for the health care of these war refugees. These war refugees are actually hostages of the government, and are used to justify the continued solicitation and recipient of millions of pesos in rehabilitation work for Zamboanga. Ours for a Better Zamboanga at the expense of these war refugees dying within reach of withheld medical help.” Another respected politician and civic leader, Nung Ajihil, said: “Such probe will also determine and find out so far what the local government headed by Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar have done to address the problem she has been
tasked as both Chief Executive of Zamboanga City and also chairperson of the Crisis Management Committee (during the rebel siege).” “People would like to know the truth. This is in order and the right thing for the Senate to undertake showing they are concern of the sad plight of poor victims of unwanted war as IDPs wallowing in squalor for more than six months already.” More than 100,000 residents in 15 villages here were displaced by three weeks of street battles between Moro National Liberation Front and security forces that killed and wounded over 400 people. Majority of those displaced by the fighting have opposed the government’s relocation plan to put them in other areas saying it would be extremely difficult for them to rebuild their lives. The government has built bunkhouses as temporary shelters to those affected by the vio-
lence, but it also warned that villagers who are not natives of Zamboanga would not be allowed to return to their former abode, unless they can provide certificates to show they are landowners. Just before Christmas, President Benigno Aquino flew to Zamboanga City and briefly inspected temporary shelters occupied by refugees. Aquino assured them of the government’s rehabilitation efforts, saying his administration is working closely with various agencies to rebuild houses destroyed during the war. Aquino, who was then accompanied by Salazar, said the government already spent some P273.8 million in relief aid and cash-forwork program for those displaced by the fighting and that he allocated an additional P3.5 billion for the rehabilitation efforts here. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Mar. 24-30, 2014
UP-PGH surgeons hold humanitarian mission in Sulu SULU – A surgical mission composed of a group of doctors from the University of the Philippines and Philippine General Hospital arrived in the southern province of Sulu, a local doctor said. Doctor Raden Ikbala said the doctors arrived on a Philippine Air Force C130 transport plane and bringing along with them their state-of-the-art surgical instrument. “They are all volunteers and would not be receiving any pecuniary compensation,” he said. He said the surgical mission, an initiative of Doctor Fahra Omar, of the Integrated Provincial Health Office-Sulu Provincial Hospital, would benefit hundreds of patients. The doctors, he said, would conduct surgery operations on patients with goiter - which refers to the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland; and herniorrhapy – the operation for hernia that in-
Sulu Province (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
volves opening the hernial sac and returning the contents to their normal place and closing the opening with strong sutures. They will also perform surgery on patients with cleft lip and palate. Doctor Ikbala said the surgery mission will run until March 20. He said Sulu Governor Totoh Tan also donated P600,000 for the surgical mission. The Sulu Area Coordinating Center under Fazlur Rahman Abdulla said the supplies and other expenditures for the mission is shouldered by the Sulu Provincial Government. “Air transportation from Manila to Jolo and back will be provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The IPHO is in charge of their (surgeons) food and accommodation. All services will be provided by team of specialists from UP-PGH,” it said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Bernama report leads Malaysian pa to missing daughter DAVAO CITY – A Malaysian father who tracked down his missing daughter in Basilan province in southern Philippines has finally contacted her, according to Bernama. The Malaysian news agency said Abdul Ghani Md Yassin, 45, was able to speak with his 20-year old daughter Siti Nor Shafika, who went missing two years ago before being located on Basilan by the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Malaysian Consulate
in Davao City. Bernama last year reported about how Abdul Ghani desperately tried to trace his daughter in the Philippines after she went missing in March 2012. Now, father and daughter finally spoke via Skype from a police headquarters in Basilan. The woman has apparently left her home in Malaysia and eloped with a Filipino man, Tontong, whom Abdul Ghani was also able to speak.
Malaysian authorities have phoned Abdul Ghani last month to say that her daughter has been found alive in the village of Kuhun Lenuh Al-Barka town. She also has written a letter saying that she had married and wanted to continue staying in Basilan. The woman’s father, however, raised doubt about the veracity of the letter, saying, during past phone conversations with his daughter, Siti Nor Shafika, expressed concern over her safety
and wanted to go back to Malaysia. “After two years I can now look at my daughter's face again. We talked and I asked her to return to the family. She agreed and wants to return to Malaysia to celebrate Hari Raya Aidil fitri with the family this year,” Abdul Ghani told Bernama. “In my conversation with Siti Nor Shafika, she confirmed that she had married Tontong, but she still wanted to come back to Malaysia,
possibly with her husband,” he said, adding he is willing to accept the Filipino as his son-in-law, but wanted them to live in Malaysia. Abdul Ghani said the Malaysian Consulate in Davao City is helping her daughter secure a passport to enable her to return to Malaysia. “The Malaysian Consulate in Davao will help to process my daughter's international passport to enable her to return immediately,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Philippines assures respect for sovereignty in new US defense deal MANILA - Manila has guaranteed that a new defense cooperation between the Philippines and the United States is consistent with the country's Constitution and laws. Both countries are currently negotiating a new treaty that would allow more access to US military forces in the country and raising new threats of attacks from communist rebels who are waging a secessionist war for decades now. The treaty is expected to be completed soon, according to a Philippine government spokesman Herminio Coloma. “The proposed agreement will allow the sharing of defined areas within certain AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) facilities with elements of the US military on a rotational basis within parameters consistent with the Philippine Constitution and laws. This fresh round (of talks) has clearly shown the shared commitment of both parties to enhance cooperation in defense, security and related fields, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” Coloma said. “At the instance of the Philippine panel, the United States panel agreed to the inclusion of provisions on environment and safety, and opportunities for potential Philippine suppliers of goods, products and services,” he added. Coloma said the aspects of humanitarian assistance and disaster response in this agreement are significant given the country’s experiences following the onslaught of super typhoon Haiyan last year.
“Mahalaga po ‘yung aspeto ng humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Nakita po natin ito noong tayo ay tinamaan ng super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ at naging hayag po ang suporta ng Estados Unidos sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala ng mga modernong kagamitan na malaki ang naiambag sa pagtugon sa emergency situation,” he said. Quoting Defense Under-secretary Pio Batino, who heads the Philippines’ negotiating panel, Coloma said the agreement remains “guided by the principles of full respect for Philippine sovereignty, non-permanence of US troops, and no US basing in the Philippines, mutuality of benefits and respect for the Philippine Constitution, including the prohibition against nuclear weapons.” Senator Miriam Santiago, who heads the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations, said the deal has to be approved first by the Senate first because “it cannot be classified as an executive agreement, but as a treaty to which the Philippine Senate must give its concurrence.” Coloma said it is appropriate that she and other critics of the agreement wait for the completion of the deal first to have a better grasp of all the issues at hand. “Ang aking panukala ay hintayin na lamang natin na maging pinal at matapos nang ganap (ang pag-uusap) dahil ongoing pa naman, hindi pa naman po completed, at hindi pa finalized. Hintayin po natin ang magiging final and complete form nitong kasunduang ito para po masuri ang mga isyung tinatalakay sa kasalukuyan,” he said. President Barack Obama is expected tovisit the Philippines in April.
Marine soldier arrested in Zamboanga City ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police arrested a marine soldier for carrying an unlicensed pistol in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said. Officials said the soldier, Corporal Reymundo Atienza, 35, was nabbed at Sampaloc Drive in the village of Lower Calarian. Policemen, who are members of the Quick Reaction Unit 3 of the Zamboanga City Public Safety Company, seized Atienza’s .45-caliber pistol and four magazines and 20 bullets. Chief Inspector Ariel
Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said the police team responded in the area following “alarm and scandal” report from villagers. It was not immediately known whether the soldier fired his weapon indiscriminately or not, but Huesca said the marine was arrested and detained at the local police on charges of “alarm and scandal.” There was no immediate statement from the Philippine Marines about the arrest of the soldier. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Mar. 24-30, 2014
Customs file charges vs trading firm, brokers
Arrested drug suspects Grace Eliseo and her partner Jonathan Morales. (Rosemarie Muneza and Dado Diaz)
PDEA nabs 2 couriers in Tacurong City TACURONG CITY – Two alleged drug couriers were arrested by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province in southern Philippines, officials said. Officials said PDEA agents under regional director Aileen Lovitos arrested
Grace Eliseo and her partner Jonathan Morales along Ledesma Street following a surveillance operation on them. The two had previously eluded arrest. Agents recovered from Eliseo and Morales assorted sachets containing suspected shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride, and drug
paraphernalia and a sealer. The arrest was also witnessed by village chieftain Lorraine Llavore, City Councilors Rodrigo Jamorabon and Jay Neal Galios, of the City Prosecutor's Office and a journalist who was embedded with the PDEA agents. (Rosemarie Muneza and Dado Diaz)
Sultan Kudarat river is likely source of electricity SULTAN KUDARAT – Proposed hydroelectric power plant in Sultan Kudarat pushed through, it could have provided additional electricity in the province or perhaps in nearby areas. According to Community and Environment Of-
ficer Jerry Dalauta, there was a proposal in 2007 to tap and develop the Kabulnan River into a hydroelectric plant and generate power, but there were apprehension that it could affect or flood the villages of Masiag, Kabulnan, Lagandang and
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Sina-gandal. Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Suharto Mangudadatu said the project is a good alternative to the power woes in Mindanao and would support it should it be revived again as long as it would not compromise the safety of locals and the protection of the environment to which he is strongly advocating. (Dado Diaz)
MANILA - The Bureau of Customs said it filed charges against the owner of a trading firm and the company’s customs brokers for allegedly smuggling steel angle bars. It said the cases have been filed against Shine Rapadas Montes, owner and proprietress of Thunder Birds Trading based in Manila and the firm’s customs broker, Jolly Lareza, after they allegedly misdeclared the importation of steel angle bars. The shipment arrived in 25 containers from China through the Port of Manila in five batches from January 2 to 5 and was declared as “steel bar, clamp, flexible tubing and hinges” in the import documents, but upon inspection however, customs examiners discovered that shipment contained “steel angle bars.” Under the law, importers of steel products must have their products tested and certified by the Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Product Standards that these meet safety and product quality standards. Products that meet Philippine National Standards for safety and product quality are issued a Philippine Standard License. The BOC said product certification is mandatory to obtain the required Import Commodity Clearance to be able to import steel angle bar products. Importers of products covered by the mandatory Philippine National Standards are issued ICCs and are allowed to use the ICC Mark after samples of the product to be imported have been tested and evaluated by the DTI-BPS.
It said Thunder Birds Trading never applied for product certification nor it is a registered Philippine Standard License holder for any steel products which is a mandatory product certification requirement of the government meant to avoid the proliferation of sub-standard steel products from circulating in the market. “Aside from curbing smuggling, we at the Bureau of Customs are mandated to stop the entry of substandard products in the market. These products pose risks for our people’s health and safety,” said Customs Commissioner John Sevilla. He said Thunder Birds also misdeclared their import entries allegedly to evade payment of the additional Safeguard Duty for imported steel angle bars of P3,706.03 per Metric Ton or a total of P1,556,532. He said Montes and Lareza also misdeclared the quantity of steel bars imported by Thunder Birds by as much as 140%. The import documents declared a quantity of 175 Metric Tons, but the customs examiners found that the actual weight of the shipment was 420 Metric Tons. Consequently, Thunder Birds’ owner and brokers also cheated on the Dutiable Value declared for the shipment. Instead of a $306,600.00 (P14.495Million) total Dutiable Value, which would result in total Duties and Taxes of P4.458-Million, they only declared $105,000.00 (P4.974-Million) and Duties and Taxes of P1.417Million. Data from the Bureau
of Customs also showed that Thunder Birds was the second largest importer of steel products in 2013, bringing in about 7.6-Million kilograms of iron and steel products under HS Code 7214. However, as compared with other large importers in the same steel product classification, Thunder Birds paid the second lowest amount of duties and taxes per kilogram of steel product they imported at just P16.15 per kilo, and way below the weighted average import valuation for the same HS Code for products coming from China. Local steel manufacturers have been appealing to government to stepup measures that will stop the unabated entry of smuggled steel products that are sold at a much lower price in the market. This has caused harm to the local steel industry, putting at risk at least 20,000 jobs. “We will not stop in our drive to curb smuggling and plug the loopholes that have allowed unscrupulous traders to illegally import goods that have hurt local industries, caused the closure of companies and loss of jobs and hampered our economic growth. Hindi makikita ang kabit-kabit na tangkang pandarayang ito kung hindi na pagtutulungan ng iba’t ibang opisina sa Bureau of Customs. Our stakeholders in the steel industry have long complained about the unhampered smuggling of steel products. Hindi na natin pwedeng patagalin pa ang pagsugpo sa mga smuggler na walang-awang pinapatay ang kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan.”
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The Mindanao Examiner
Mar. 24-30, 2014
Rebels accuse Aquino of ‘selling out’ sovereignty to US DAVAO CITY – Filipino communist rebels have accused President Benigno Aquino of selling out the country’s sovereignty by forging a deal with the United States that allows American forces more access to the Philippines. “The new military treaty is bound to be as perfidious and violative of Philippine sovereignty as all previous agreements such as the Mutual Defense Treaty, the Military Bases Agreement and the Visiting Forces Agreement,” the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said. It also condemned the Aquino government for granting US forces the privilege of setting up military facilities in the country. “For over three years now, the Aquino regime has displayed out and out puppetry to the US military and government that socalled negotiations with its imperialist master can only turn out to be farce,” it said. US President Barack Obama is set to visit the Philippines next month and both leaders are expected to announce the Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation that would allow American forces set up bases or use Filipino bases as its camps. “This agreement is a throwback to the era of US military bases, where thousands of US combat troops, their warships, jet fighters, communication facilities, nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction were stationed within the country, and where the bases were used as launching pads for aggression in defense of US
interests,” the CPP said. “The so-called enhanced cooperation will be bringing back the Military Bases Agreement and worse, allow the US military access to facilities practically all over the country,” pointed out the CPP. “Wherever the AFP is, the US military can be also. Wherever the AFP is not, the US military can finance the AFP to set up or expand its military camps,” it added, referring to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The CPP also cited the Aquino regime’s rush to construct and expand facilities within and around the AFP’s naval bases in Oyster and Ulugan Bays, both in Palawan, in order to address the demand for larger and more modern ports to accomodate the increasing number of US warships docking in the Philippines. “Thus, the funds of the AFP modernization program are essentially being used to upgrade facilities to be used by the US military.” “Aquino’s Amboy officials are fooling the people when they claim that the servant who prepares the best room for his master can and will demand his master to let him enter the room to look around to make sure that the master will follow his house rules,” it said. “The pretentious master can allow his servant to look around to make him feel as if he actually owns his home, but will not actually allow the servant to scrutinize his luggage.” Amboy refers to Filipino government officials who favor or lobby for the US. It is a contraction of
The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Ahmed Baldomero Joanna Valerie Wee Graphics/Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales Central Mindanao Richard Suarez Pagadian City Zamboanga del Sur
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“American boy.” “How can the Filipino people ever trust the Philippine military and the puppet Philippine government to defend national sovereignty in the face of its obsequiousness to the US military which supplies its weaponry and provides for its “modernization,” training and indoctrination.” “Negotiations between the US military and the Aquino regime have been going on for close to two years now, yet very scant information as to the details of the draft agreement has been made public. Aquino’s defense and military negotiators must be held responsible for keeping the Filipino people in the dark on a matter of crucial importance as one involving the country’s sovereignty,” the CPP said. But since 2001, US forces have been using Philippine military bases in Mindanao following the kidnappings of three American citizens – Kansas missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, and California man Guillermo Sobero - by the Abu Sayyaf. In Sulu province, the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines is using the then army brigade headquarters and now a marine camp, as its forward base. And in Zamboanga City, JSOTF-P has utilized the Western Mindanao Command as both intelligence and command post, and a Philippine Air Force base there as its aircrafts and drones hangar. And the Mactan Air Base in Cebu has been used as a base for Orion spy planes. Those American camps are also off limits to Filipino military commanders and soldiers unless they are given clearance or pass to go inside the bases. And US troops are also deployed in Basilan and Tawi-Tawi provinces and other parts of Mindanao in the guise of training Filipino soldiers in fighting terrorism. (Mindanao Examiner)
US troops in Southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Where is solution to Mindanao power shortage? DOE lays out solutions to Mindanao power problems MANILA – The Department of Energy said it has provided immediate and long-term solutions to address the power shortage in the southern Philippines. It said it has laid down ground works for Mindanao given that the region has been experiencing power shortage of about 200-400 megawatts or an average of 4-hour rotating brownouts affecting businesses, but the power shortage is as much as 10 hours in a day in some areas. And the problems on power shortage has been going on for years and citizens were asking Manila to provide solutions to these predicaments which is affecting the region's economy and citizens as well. The DOE blamed the outages to the increasing supply-demand gap brought about by the lack of entry of new power projects, and the derating and non-operation of power plants in the region in the prior years. In the short-term, the DOE in partnership with the energy stakeholders, said it has added 128 MW in capacities through the introduction of new power capacities which includes the 15 MW EEI Diesel Peaking Power Plant and 15 MW
Mapalad Diesel Power Plant last year, and re-commissioning of the 98 MW Iligan Diesel Power Plant also in 2013. The DOE said it also pushed for the rehabilitation and uprating of the Agus 6 Power Plant Units 1 and 2 from 50MW to 69MW as well as the infrastructure development along Balo-I plains in coordination with Department of Public Works and Highways to maximize the capacities of Agus 1 and 2. Alongside these measures, the DOE also initiated several programs and measures to provide the power of choice and draw in all available resources for the benefit of the region: the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market, Interruptible Load Program and the Modular Gensets Program. “These programs are on a voluntary basis and serve as options for electric power providers and consumers to manage their power requirements with the corresponding costs,” Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said. He said for the longterm, the DOE has facilitated the entry of new power investments such as the 300 MW Coal-Fired Therma South Energy Project located in Davao del Sur and the 200 MW Southern Mindanao Coal-Fired
in Sarangani that will add another 500 MW by 2015. Meanwhile, the 405 MW Coal-Fired Power Plant of FDC Utilities Inc. in Misamis Oriental will come online by September 2016. “It takes 2-4 years to build a new power plant. We in the energy sector realize that the problems that we face now require long-term solutions,” Petilla said, adding that facilitating investors’ interest to bring in new capacities to meet the increasing demand is a priority not only in Mindanao but across the country. In addition, he said, the DOE, in collaboration with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, is also looking into the completion of the Leyte-Mindanao Interconnection Project by 2018. Once completed, it will enable to share capacities with the Luzon and Visayas Grids, especially during supply shortfall. Petilla said the DOE recently issued the Department Circular 2014-03-0006 which directs the operation of all existing generation companies in Mindanao to operate and offer their power to the grid to increase supply capacity. All these measures and projects, he said, are envisioned to provide the best possible solutions to address the Mindanao power situation.
Copra seller, bata niratat sa Zambo City ZAMBOANGA CITY – Sugatan ang isang 28-anyos na copra seller at isang bata matapos silang ratratin ng di-kilalang armado sa magulong lungsod ng Zamboanga. Sinabi ng pulisya na posibleng holdap ang motibo sa pamamaril kay
Jeffrey Tubat at sa 8-anyos na batang kasama nito. Naganap ang atake sa Sito Tagpangi sa Barangay Vitali na kung saan ay nagbenta umano ng copra si Tubat na isa rin habal-habal driver. Nabatid kay Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, ang tagapagsalita ng pulisya, na
parehong tinamaan ng bala sa katawan ang mga biktima na mga residente rin ng naturang lugar. Natangay rin umano ng salarin ang P4,000 dala ni Tubat. Mabilis na tumakas ang holdaper, subali’t hindi naman mabatid kung nakilala ba ng dalawang biktima ang umatake sa kanila. Talamak ang barilan, patayan at maging ang serye ng kidnappings sa
Zamboanga at ikinababahala ito ng publiko. Maging mga negosyante ay apektado na rin ng mataas na kriminalidad sa Zamboanga at ilan sa mga ito ay inilipat na sa ibang lugar ang kanilang mga pamilya at anak sa takot na madukot o mabaril. Kalat ang mga hired killers sa Zamboanga na siyang nasa likod ng maraming pamamaslang. (Mindanao Examiner)
Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Peninsula The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines. The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in KISMET Cable TV and Pagadian Cable Television Channel 63. Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: 062- 9925480 Mobile: 0917-7103642 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
For all your publications and advertisements in Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur, please call Richard Suarez 062-2142706 and 0910-7348600
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The Mindanao Examiner
Mar. 24-30, 2014
Proposed law to force OFWs to remit salaries criticized
Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary Education Graduates Achieve 100% Passing Rate in Teachers’ Exam For three years in a row since 2012, all education graduates of Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary (EBCS) taking the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) have made it, achieving a 100% passing rate each time. “We are so happy; they all did their best! We praise God for making this possible,” exclaimed EBCS President Roland Don S. Dulaca. The following — all BEEd major in Preschool Education graduates of EBCS — are the successful examinees in LET given this year: Shellah Mae P. Dapitan; Marifel G. Luberas; Esperanza D. Manantan; and FionaVale F. Ribo. Manantan
and Ribo are currently teaching at the EBCS Basic Education Department or Ebenezer School. Another passer, Ailene L. Legaspii, who works for the Ebenezer Community Alliance Church, took an 18-unit Certification in Professional Education course at EBCS. EBCS has been making a record of astounding success for all its education graduates who take the LET, owing partly to its high standards and relevance. According to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board for Professional Teachers (BPT), only 30 percent or 11,120 elementary teachers out of 38,377 examinees, and
only 28 percent or 12,033 secondary teachers out of 42,358 examinees successfully passed the teachers’ exam given on January 26, 2014. Located at Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City, EBCS is the first and largest school of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP), and one of the oldest and finest co-educational schools in the country. Through a balanced, relevant, and CHED-compliant curriculum, EBCS remains committed to educating young men and women to become catalysts of change in church and society, all for the glory of God.
Coast Guard men face charges over death of Taiwanese poacher The Philippines said it will file criminal charges against 8 members of the Coast Guard in connection to the death of a Taiwanese poacher following an investigation launched by Aquino government. The soldiers are facing homicide charges over the killing of Hong Shi Cheng last year during a standoff with the Philippine Coast Guard. A panel of Filipino prosecutors who investigated the case have found probable cause to charge the Coast Guard members and their commanding officers. The eight Coast Guard personnel were identified as Commander Arnold dela Cruz, Seamen 1st Class Edrando Aguola, Mhelvin Bendo, Andy Masangcay, Andy Golfo, Henry Solomon, and Seaman 2nd Class Nicky Aurello and Petty Officer Richard Corpuz. In a resolution, the prosecutors said: “This resolution to prosecute the respondents for homicide should not be construed as carte blanche for Taiwanese fishermen to illegally enter and poach within the Philippines territorial waters with impunity. The Taiwanese law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities should not take this to mean as res judicata or unbending precedent for future incidents involving Philippine monitoring, control and surveillance operations in the Balintang Channel.” “More importantly, this resolution should not weaken the resolve of the rest of the professional Coast Guard men who are doing their mighty best, despite limited resources, to carry on and strictly enforce Philip-
pine criminal laws within Philippine territory in accordance with established rules of engagement. This homicide case arose from a very peculiar set of facts and our findings are surely pro hac vice only.” The panel also found probable cause to charge Dela Cruz and Bendo of obstruction of justice after they allegedly submitted falsified gunner report of the incident which occurred on May 9. The Coast Guard opened fire on a Taiwanese boat Guang Da Xing No. 28 and killed Hong. Taiwan has protested the incident and imposed sanctions on the Philippines. The incident has been the subject of a comprehensive and indepth investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation upon the instructions of President Aquino. “The respondents all acted in unison with the common purpose of firing at the Guang Da Xing No. 28 to force it to submit to MCS3001's inspection or else,” the panel said, but it also stated that a “conspiracy was established by the NBI when it presented the fact that orders were given and the orders were obeyed and efficiently implemented with fatal consequences. That they all acted with that common purpose is crystal clear. When there is conspiracy, the act of one is the act of all.” The Coast Guard personnel said they were only acting on self-defense when they fired on the Taiwanese boat to disable its engine. They said the Taiwanese boat rammed their patrol ship.
“In this case, the NPS (National Prosecutor Service) found no evidence to indicate or prove that the Taiwanese boat posed an imminent or grave danger to the Respondents before and during the pursuit. Absent clear evidence of such, the argument of self-defense cannot prosper in this preliminary investigation where probable cause is all that is needed for the filing of an information in court: The argument of self-defense is thus better left threshed out in the trial and determined by the trial court after a full-blown hearing,” the resolution said. “As to the claim of fulfilment or performance of lawful duty, the NPS held that being a hostile vessel per se does not authorize the use of deadly force under the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) Rules of Engagement. Even if it conceded that, at the first instance, MCS-3001 may have been regularly performing its duties at the Balintang Channel, at some later point, the successive firing at the Guang Da Xing No. 28, when there was no imminent and grave danger to MCS- 3001 and when other less extreme means could have first been undertaken, exceeded the performance of lawful duty. Citing jurisprudence, the Panel stated that a law enforcer is never justified in using unnecessary force or in treating the offender with wanton violence, or in resorting to dangerous means when the arrest could be effected otherwise.” There was no immediate statement from Taiwan about the development in the case. (Mindanao Examiner)
MANILA – Migrante said many Filipinos working abroad are up in arms against a proposal filed by the party list group called OFW Family that would impose a so-called “forced remittance” to their families back home. Migrante branded the proposal as “notorious” and said the House Bill 3576 filed by Rep. Roy Seneres is a resurrection of (Philippine dictator Fer-dinand) Marcos’ draconian Executive Order 857 which was protested widely by overseas Filipino workers around the world. “Nag-aala-Marcos itong si Rep. Seneres, shame on him for once again shoving this down our throats. It is a blast from the past and a slap in the face of OFWs around the world that are already knee-deep in debt and barely coping with the global economic crisis,” Connie Regalado, chairperson of Migrante Sectoral Party, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. She said the proposed bill would require all landbased and sea-based OFWs to send regular remittances through the “Philippine banking system or any authorized credit unions, money transfer operators or through the postal mail” or else suffer penalties. Likewise, private recruitment agencies are authorized to facilitate and “assist OFWs in the remittance of their foreign exchange earnings.” The bill also authorizes Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Chiefs of Missions or Charge d’ Affairs to order and direct OFWs to send support to his or her legal dependents as required by existing laws. And Section 5 of the House Bill 3576 further directs Philippine authorities abroad “to withhold the renewal or approval of the passport of an earring OFW unless proof of compliance of the remittance requirement” is submitted. Marcos’ Executive Order 857 had compelled OFWs to remit up to 70% of their total monthly earnings and decree also prohibited the use of non-banking channels such and restricted OFWs to remit “only through government-authorized channels.” Those who failed to do so faced punitive acts such as
losing their rights to renew their contracts and passports, thus effectively banning OFWs from eligibly working overseas. Regalado has criticized Seneres for his “doublefaced posturing,” recalling that he was one of those opposed to the same punitive measures when he became commissioner of the National Labor Relations Commission. “We were in the same meeting, in the same congressional hearing years ago, asking for the review of the mandatory remittance and its punitive provisions in the Labor Code.Why the change of heart now? Is his party list connected to big remittance centers or recruitment agencies? These agencies will solely stand to benefit from this forced remittance bill, not OFWs and their families,” she said. In 1985, the punitive provisions in the Labor Code were repealed following widespread protests from OFWs and their families worldwide. On May 1, 1985, Marcos was forced to issue Executive Order 1021, abolishing the punitive provisions of Executive Order 857. The OFW movement against forced remittances gave birth to the formation of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong from its precursor United Filipino Against Forced Remittance. Regalado said that Seneres’ house bill clearly manifests “how he and his party list are obviously not in tune with the interests of OFWs.” “It is stupid, unnecessary and obviously just another money-making scheme. It was precisely the previous forced remittance law that further drove OFWs in deeper debt. It gave rise to the proliferation of loan sharks and lending institutions that fed on the desperation of OFWs. Sagad sa buto ang pangungutang ng mga OFW nang ipatupad ang batas na iyon. Lalo na ngayon ang sitwasyon ng mga OFW ay baon na nga sa utang bago pa man makarating sa ibang bansa.” She said. She said that Seneres should stop portraying himself as a “representative” of OFWs. “Clearly and certainly, he and his party list do not
have OFWs’ interests and welfare at heart. It is more evident now that Seneres is toeing the line of the BS Aquino regime in institutionalizing state exactions and more taxes on OFWs to salvage the ailing economy. Like Marcos, BS Aquino is now banking on revenue from OFW remittances to cope with alarming fiscal deficits and huge external debt, alongside the government’s incapacity to generate much-needed income due to massive corruption and mis-governance,” Regalado said. What’s in the bill? Under the bill, Seneres said it is in furtherance of relevant provisions of the Constitution, and the Family Code of the Philippines. He said as more Filipinos work abroad; the necessary consequence is for them to leave behind their families in the Philippines. He said Filipinos primarily go to work abroad in order to provide for the needs of their family, however, there have been reports of families or dependents of OFWs who have complained of the failure of their relatives to send support to them. This is particularly true for many families of landbased OFWs since there is no law or rules and regulations which require them to remit a portion of their foreign exchange earnings to their families in the Philippines. “Recognizing that the State also needs to protect the welfare of the families or dependents of OFWs who have been neglected and abandoned by their OFW relatives, this measure aims to mandate our OFWs to remit or send a portion of their foreign exchange earnings to their family or dependents in the Philippines.” “In order to secure the solidarity of the family and the protection of children, this measure seeks to address the unfortunate experiences of families or dependents of OFWs who do not receive the financial support that they are entitled to under existing laws. For this reason, it also seeks to authorize Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Chiefs of Missions or Charge d’ Affairs to order and direct an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) to send support to his or her legal dependents as required by existing laws,” Seneres said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Mindanao Examiner Tele-Radyo is a Commentary & Opinion Show (news talk) broadcast in Mindanao Examiner TV in Pagadian City (KISMET Cable TV & Pagadian City Cable TV Channel 63).For block time, booking or guesting, advertisements and sponsorship, please call our Zamboanga Studio on telephone number (062) 9925480 and mobile number (0917) 7103642 or email us at mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com.
The Mindanao Examiner
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The Mindanao Examiner
Mar. 24-30, 2014
Emergency workers get indemnification from rebels
Scenes from the outreach mission in Sultan Kudarat province in southern Philippines.
Sultan Kudarat launches outreach program SULTAN KUDARAT - The provincial government of Sultan Kudarat has launched an outreach mission as part of its continuing program and commitment aimed at providing free medical and humanitarian services to the public. The program, which has been long in existence during the administration of Sultan Kudarat Governor Sultan Pax Mangudadatu, has been proven effective in delivering basic health services, among others, to the villagers, especially those in remote areas. The outreach mission
has utilized its mobile hospital and medical teams, including health workers and other stake holders. Former Sultan Kudarat’s First Lady and now Mayor Bai Meriam Sangki Mangudadatu led the latest outreach mission which visited different villages in the province. Among those who attended the mission were Doctors Rex Lamfria, Bong Figuracion and Posadas, including the governor’s staffs Arlene Chio and other groups. The mission coincided with the opening of the 71st Foundation Anniversary
in Quirino town. The outreach mission also provided free hair cut to villagers, feeding program and veterinary care though Doctor Edwin Nacito. Several animals were also handed over to local farmers’ organization as a support to its livelihood program. Village leader Sancho Salamanca and other praised the mission of Governor Suharto Mangudadatu and 1st District Congressman Datu Raden Sakaluran. “Hindi po ito ang kauna-unahang ginagawa
ng aming mga lider kundi ito po ay patuloy at nagpapatuloy kung kaya sa muli kami ay nagpa-paabot ng aming taus pusong pasasalamat sa ngalan ng aking kabarangay,” Salamanca told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Chio said the outreach mission will also go to other areas to provide services to the people. The locals praised the leadership of the provincial government and all those behind the humanitarian program. (Dado P. Diaz)
Filipino group says anti-disappearance law is a failure MANILA - A Filipino group has criticized the Aquino government for its failure to fully impose the AntiEnforced and Involuntary Disappearance Law, saying the number of cases of enforced disappearance is steadily climbing. Lorena Santos, Secretary-General of Families of Desaparecidos for Justice, said another farmer-activist Romulo de la Cruz was reported missing since February 28 in Roxas City in Isabela province. She said Dela Cruz is the sixth victim of enforced disappearance since the law was enacted in December 2012. "Benigno Aquino should also apologize to the public for the persistence of this heinous crime despite the law," Santos said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Citing a report by the human rights group Karapatan, Santos said there are now 20 victims of enforced disappearances under the Aquino regime. Dela Cruz, a member of the local farmers’ organization Agbiag Matusalem AssociationRoxas Isabela (AMA-RI), affiliated with a progressive Danggayan Dagiti Mannalon iti (Dagami) based in Isabela, was reported missing by his family. She said Dela Cruz’s son and relatives, with the assistance of AMA-RI members, immediately reported the abduction to the San Manuel police station. The police inspected the site of the incident and declared that the case is outside their jurisdiction because Dagami has several rival organizations. "Where else will victims and their families seek help when govern-
ment authorities are not cooperating? The authorities don’t seem to know the law," Santos said. "The Aquino government takes pride on the Anti-Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance Law as the first in Asia. Yet, not one perpetrator has been prosecuted. Not even the poster boy of impunity, Gen. Jovito Palparan who was already served with a warrant of arrest more than two years ago," Santos added. Coming from his son's wedding, Dela Cruz was driving a motorcycle together with one of the wedding sponsors while his son Romy and his wife were on another motorcycle behind the farmer when a van suddenly blocked their path and a man, whose face was covered with a handkerchief, alighted from the vehicle and seized the victim. The man said he was a member of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Santos said the Aquino government, despite the anti-enforced disappearance law, has not yet signed and ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All
Persons from Enforced Disappearance, an instrument of the United Nations to prevent enforced disappearances. The ICCPED was adopted in 2006 by the UN General Assembly.
Man charged with murder of own brother killed in Zamboanga ZAMBOANGA CITY – A man who was previously charged for murdering his brother in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines had been shot and killed, police said. Police identified the man as Hadjirul, 34, whose killing – according to officials - was probably connected to illegal drugs after initial investigation suggested the man was allegedly selling drugs. The victim was shot at
least 9 times in the village called Campo Islam. A knife was also found near the man’s body. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the killing, but police are continuing its investigation into the murder. The proliferation of illegal drugs is rampant in Zamboanga. And police linked many of the killings here to the drug problems. (Mindanao Examiner)
DAVAO CITY - Communist leaders have ordered rebels to indemnify four emergency workers who were wounded in a roadside explosion while heading to evacuate government soldiers injured in clashes with the New People's Army in southern Philippines. It was not immediately known how much the rebels would indemnify the four workers, but Rubi del Mundo, a spokesperson for the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), said the NPA has also apologized for the attack that wounded Genaro Doronio Dumayas, Bonita dela Cruz, Arnel Comandante Veloroso and Alber to Simbajon Cabual in the village of Managa in Davao del Sur's Bansalan town during the NPA's tactical offensive. "The order acts upon the apology and recommendations submitted by the Southern Mindanao Regional Command of the New People's Army. This is a unilateral exercise of revolutionary political authority by a government of the working class and peasantry that has its own legal and judicial system and rules in accordance with its political principles and circumstances," Del Mundo said. The move, Del Mundo added, is in compliance with the Geneva Conventions for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces, the Comprehensive Agreement on Human
Rights and International Humanitarian Law, the NDFP Declaration of Undertaking to Apply the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Protocol I of 1977, the Constitutional Guide for Establishing the People's Democratic Government, and the Basic Rules of the New People's Army. The NDFP also denounced the military for endangering medical responders by concealing their identities in the battlefield and by putting their lives in danger. Del Mundo said rebel forces are intrinsically founded on the absolute respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. "It holds in high esteem members of the medical and emergency response profession who have the noble occupation of preserving life amid strenuous circumstances," Del Mundo said. The rebel offensives have sparked the revival of anti-communist vigilante group called Alsa Masa in Davao del Sur. Del Mundo said the Alsa Masa will not only be used to deter the NPA, but it will also target civilians, ordinary peasants and progressive leaders. "By sponsoring Alsa Masa, covert vigilante groups and arming civilians, local government officials and the military are opening the floodgates for more human rights atrocities," Del Mundo said. NPA rebels have been waging a secessionist war for decades now in order to put up a communist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Mar. 24-30, 2014
Transport group opposes Urban Sustainable Transport Project in Davao City
Members of the transport group Transmision Piston-Southern Mindanao protest the Urban Sustainable Transport Project in Davao City. (Jaja Necosia) DAVAO CITY - A Filipino transport and drivers' group called Trans-mision Piston-Southern Mindanao have protested the Urban Sustainable Transport Project being pushed by the government through the socalled public private partnership. The group said the project would not only have a serious impact to public transport drivers, but will also affect the poor majority here. Transport drivers have been steadily protesting the project.
But according to the Asian Development Bank which is involved in the project, there is a need for a sustainable transport system in Davao City. In the project rationale, it said: "Strong economic growth has generated rapidly growing demand for travel within urban centers such as Davao. Worsening congestion, higher travel times and costs, deteriorating local air quality, and a failing road safety record are all symptoms of a transport system under pressure.
Sustainable urban transport systems have modern, efficient, and affordable public transport services at their core." "Public transport is the main mode of transport in Davao, accounting for 80% of trips. The public transport system has tricycles primarily for short trips and jeepneys, or multi-cab vehicles for longer distances within the city. Regulations governing Davao s public transport system are outdated, the city lacks an effective transport master-
plan, and institutions responsible for managing urban transport presently do not coordinate their planning and enforcement. Current public transport routes, the coverage area, connectivity, and the frequency of service are poorly planned and fail to provide satisfactory service." The project - with a 1$ million technical fund - is being implemented by the ADB, Department of Transportation and Communications, Davao City government and the Japan Fund
for Poverty Reduction. "Public transport is not a choice for many; it is the only mode available to them. The vast majority of Davao’s population does not have access to private vehicles or motorcycles and, thus, are captive public transport users,” said
Kunio Senga, Director General of ADB’s Southeast Asia Department. “It is our duty to provide services that are safe, clean and affordable, and allow passengers to travel to the places they need to go at times when they need to be there." (Mindanao Examiner)
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Senior Superintendent Conrado Capa, chief of PNP Task Force Tugis, shows a photo of Delfin Lee following his arrest in this police photo.
Real estate developer Delfin Lee was not delisted from wanted list until his arrest MANILA – Philippine Police Director General Alan Purisima has said that arrested real estate developer Delfin Lee is still in the lost of wanted persons, denying reports that the controversial businessman had been removed from that roster. But Purisima said there was a plan to remove Lee following procedures set forth in the PNPI-3 Circular Nr 98-01 dated July 23, 1998 from the wanted list prior to his arrest on March 6, however, the process had not been completed. Lee, president of Globe Asiatique, was arrested by Senior Superintendent Conrado Capa, of the PNP Task Force Tugis. “Let me emphasize that the process of delisting the
name of Delfin Lee from the PNP List of Wanted Persons was simply acknowledged, but not completed, thus, the suspect remained in the roster of Wanted Persons until the time of his arrest in Manila last March 6, 2014,” he said. Purisima also said it is only the police which have authority to remove persons from the wanted list because “PNPI-3 Circular No. 98-01 as well as the executive practice of the police, places the authority to de-list or remove a person from the Most Wanted List principally on the PNP's Reward and Valuation Committee.” He also said that the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s role is limited in approving the
names to be placed on said wanted list, and the corresponding reward, as previously recommended by the Reward and Valuation Committee. “As such, the matter did not reach the office of the SILG (Secretary Mar Roxas). The request remained at the PNP level for further processing. The DILG never issued any order delisting Delfin Lee. I have never discussed Delfin Lee’s case with Secretary Mar Roxas in any of our meetings. The PNP never requested for his approval in the process of delisting Mr. Lee,” Purisima said. He said the inclusion of Lee in the wanted list remained in effect until the time of his arrest. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Mar. 24-30, 2014
Aquino administration working to solve Mindanao power woes
100.7 One Radio News FM Tagum in Tagum City
New radio station opens in Tagum City TAGUM CITY – A new radio station dxDS-One Radio News FM was inaugurated in Tagum City and now broadcasting on a powerful 5,000 watt state-of-the-art transmitter that reaches as far as Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley provinces in southern Philip-
pines. “We aim to contribute and provide the common people with quality entertainment and relevant information,” said station manager Zea Correa. Correa said the One Radio News, which is on 100.7 FM band, is being run by
Infomedia Resources Management, Incorporated and Rizal Memorial Colleges Broadcasting Corporation. The 100.7 One Radio News FM Tagum is the latest endeavor of Radyo ni Juan network, a group of small community radio stations in the country.
Davao Oriental magtanom og oil palm sa nabagyohang lungsod DAVAO ORIENTAL - Sa dili madugay pagasugdan na pag-implementar ang pagtanom sa Oil Palm didto sa mga lungsod nga naigo sa bagyong Pablo nga mao ang Cateel, Baganga ug Boston. Ang pasiunang pagtanom sa oil palm pagahimuon sulod sa 4,000 ka ektaryang kayutaan sa mga mag-uuma nga kaniadto kalubihan nga gipang-ibot sa bagyong Pablo. Sa tigum nga gipangulohan ni Gober-nador Cora Ma-lanyaon nga gitambongan usab sa mga Regional Directors sa Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Philippine Coconut Authority, ug Agumill Processors nga gipahigayon Marso 19 sa Grand Conference Room sa Capitol Building, Mati City, nasayran nga ang Land Bank magpahulam og salapi nga gastoson sa mag-uuma sa pagpahinlo ug pagmintina, patanom
ug sa uban pang gastohanan lakip na ang ipalit sa semelya sa oil palm. Sa matag ektarya, mokabat ngadto sa P200 ka libo ka pesos ang magastos sa pag-ugmad hangtod nga mobunga na ang oil palm sugod sa ikalima nga tuig gikan sa pagtanom. Ang presyo sa pro-
dukto sa oil palm magabase sa presyo gikan sa world market. Ang pagtanom sa oil palm sa Davao Oriental isa ka proyekto ni Governador Malanyaon alang sa pagbangon sa kalungsoran nga nalusno gumikan kay naigo sa super typhoon Pablo niadtong Disyembre 4, 2012. (Cesar Lanos)
Police probe blast in Pagadian City PAGADIAN CITY – Police are investigating the grenade blast on a house in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur. Police said two men arrived on separate motorcycles and that one of them tossed the grenade in the house of Virginia Tano at Purok Citrus in the village of Dumagoc. There was no report of casualties from the at-
tack and police recovered fragments of the grenade which had been identified as M67 which is commonly used by the military, but is widely available in the black market and illegal gun dealers. The motive of the attack is still unknown, butthe rising criminality here has alarmed local residents and traders. (Mindanao Examiner)
MANILA - The Aquino government said it is carrying out several measures to address the recurring problems on power shortage in Mindanao in southern Philippines. A government spokesman Herminio Coloma said President Benigno Aquino met with Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla and told him to pursue efforts addressing the tight power supply situation in the region. “The President also directed the Department of Energy to coordinate with the Department of Science and Technology in monitoring the inquiry into the causes of the unexpected breakdown. According to the DOE, the tightness in the Mindanao power supply situation is expected to persist through the months
of March, April, and May,” Coloma said. He said Petilla suggested three measures to address the worsening Mindanao power shortage - first is the uninterrupted load program that is expected to generate around 93.71 megawatts and under this program, distribution utilities may tap into their generator sets, instead of availing themselves of the system power supply, and they will be compensated for the cost differential through a formula already determined by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Another measure is the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market, which is similar to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market by which the available supply in a particular grid is made
open and public so that those that need additional supply may buy directly from those who offers it. Coloma said Aquino has issued an executive order enabling the acquisition of modular generator sets which is expected to generate 48 megawatts. “Through the additional capacity of 265 megawatts that will be generated from these three measures, the DOE hopes to be able to bridge the gap between demand and supply, and thus, lessen the frequency and duration of the rotating brownouts,” he said. Mindanao has been beset by power shortage almost every year and many electric cooperatives are forced to buy expensive electricity from various firms.
Ginang nakaligtas sa kidlat! ZAMBOANGA CITY Masuwerteng nakaligtas sa tiyak na kamatayan ang isang ginang matapos na sumabog at masunog ang kubo nito ng tamaan ng kidlat sa Zamboanga City. Nagpasiya umanong lumabas ng kanyang kubo si Cloteldel Apolinario sa Zone 5 sa Barangay Cacao upang pakainin ang alagang baka ng bigla umano itong makarinig ng malakas na kulog at nagulantang na lamang ng tamaan ng matalim na kidlat ang kanyang bahay. Hindi naman maka-
paniwala si Apolinario sa nasaksihan at kung paanong masunog at maabo ang kanyang kubo dahil sa kidlat at masuwerte umano at walang ibang tao ang nasa loob ng kubo. Noon nakaraang Nobyembre lamang ay isang 2- anyos na bata na si Reggie Francisco ang nasawi dahil sa tinamong sunog sa katawan at malubha naman ang ina nitong si Angelyn matapos silang tamaan ng kidlat sa Barangay Lanzones sa Zamboanga City.
At Hunyo rin ng nakaraang taon ay namatay rin sa tama ng kidlat si Elsa Dumolom, 38, sa katabing lalawigan ng Zamboanga del Norte. Nakaupo lamang sa kanyang kama si Dumolom ng lumusot sa bukas nitong bintana ang kidlat at tinamaan ito at masunog. Kalimitan ang kidlat ay nagmumula sa tuwing may thunderstorm sa makakapal at maitim na ulap na may electrical charge. (Mindanao Examiner)
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SULTAN OF SULU & NORTH BORNEO SPEAKS OUT Condemns kidnapping, warns public vs black propaganda
T
he reigning Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo has condemned the series of kidnappings in the southern Philippine of Sulu and urged the public to stay vigilant and also warned them against the spread of false and unfounded accusations against local authorities and provincial leaders. “As the reigning Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, I am condemning this act of crime to the highest degree and I am calling my constituents to be vigilant for only these kidnappers will benefit from false and unfounded accusations,” Sultan Muedzul-Lail T. Kiram said. He said some sectors in the province are pointing to the local government, the military and the police being behind the kidnappings. “This is a baseless accusation for I am in constant touch with these authorities concerning the peace and order of the province. I would like to appeal to the people to refrain from issuing such baseless statements,” Sultan Muedzul said. “They are doing their best to solve this problem or perhaps eradicate it. One thing we know for sure the kidnappers are the one feeding you these false information and to capitalize on the situation,” he added. Sultan Muedzul also branded the spate of kidnappings in the Muslim province as “un-Islamic in any perspective.” He said even ordinary citizens were kidnapped and ransomed off for a small amount of cash. And because of the kidnappings, some citizens were reportedly arming themselves into a vigilante group, but Sultan Muedzul said this move could further complicate matters in Sulu. “Some concerned citizens are now trying to arm themselves and form a vigilante group (and it’s like an eye for an eye, a) tooth for a tooth. There is nothing wrong with the vigilantes, but what is wrong is when they will put the law into their hands and the more it will
ARMM
complicate the matters,” he said. No to kidnappings Locals have condemned and others protested the spate of kid-nappings in Sulu and some also launched online campaign in social media to denounce the kidnappings in the province. But while local government officials and multi-sectoral groups work hand in hand to address the rising criminality and the threats posed by the Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements, some people with political agenda have resorted in spreading false reports of kidnappings and killings and other black propaganda in social media, including Facebook, to further scare the public and destroy the reputation of different leaders in Sulu. Sulu police chief Abraham Orbita also confirmed the spread of black propaganda, but said this will not affect law enforcement operations in Sulu. “There are a sudden and massive disinformation campaign and a lot of false reports being spread by unscrupulous people,” he said. Orbita said they will continue to protect the citizens from lawless groups and urged locals to support the campaign by helping authorities in providing information about suspicious persons in their community. But while local authorities also condemned the kidnappings, civil groups and those who advocate
Southern Mindanao
Sultan Muedzul-Lail T. Kiram human rights have not spoken against the Abu Sayyaf atrocities and the kidnappings perpetrated by drug addicts and other criminal groups for a still unknown reasons. Some preachers also remain silent over the spate of kidnappings for fear of Abu Sayyaf retaliation. But various sectors and civil society organizations have thrown their support to the efforts of the provincial government and local authorities to address to the peace and order situation in Sulu. One resident of Sulu has use Facebook to appeal to fellow Tausug for cooperation and unity. In her emotional appeal, she said: “The distressing events that have unfolded over the past few days are intolerable. Sulu is our home. The Tausug people are
Davao
our brothers and sisters. We are a family and family members are supposed to take care of each other. From one private citizen who is deprived of my freedom to enjoy the beauty of my province because of negative elements that are threatening my sense of security, I plead to my fellow Tausugs to galvanize in unity to thwart the wrong doers.” “Let us be vigilant. Let us look after one another. Let us help the local government, in our own little way, with their efforts to bring back the peace that some are trying to steal away from us. Let us not be selfish and think only of ourselves. Let us refuse to live in fear. Let us fight for our right to have a good life. If we work hand in hand, barbarity can never dominate us. Again, Sulu is our home. Let us protect and defend it with our very own life. This province belongs to the majority and not to the very few whose only aim is to wreak havoc. The majority wants peace and that is what should prevail. No amount of bullet can surpass the power of prayers. So tonight let us pray for everyone's safety. As cliché as it may sound but this too shall pass,” she said. Appeals Authorities have also appealed to the public to cooperate and be vigilant in their day to day activities. “Please report to authorities any suspicious persons or activities in your community. Your cooperation in crime pre-
Manila
vention is very important,” the Sulu Area Coordination Center said. “The relentless barrage of evil acts by lawless and dubious elements against peace-loving communities of Sulu can never cow the Tausug residents and their authorities to stoop down to mimic their ill-fated ways. Some call for oppressive interventions, in clear endorsement to imitate their preferred style, as a mean for reprisal against those criminals. But Sulu's leadership and its network of allies for peace and development will never ever deviate from the rule of law and respect for human rights that is the better option.” “The nemeses are the culprits, not the authorities, no matter deficiencies may have been committed by those in the front line. Help them to be stronger and more effective, not help lawless to strike them down. All are in agreement that more solid actions must be taken, though the current leadership has never been remiss in the collective resolve to combat lawlessness,” the coordinating body said. The Sulu Area Coordination Center - built during the time of then Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan - is where various agencies converge to address issues, resolve conflicts and find the best solution to current problems besetting the province. It is headed by local government officials and the military and police as members. It was is a facility established as a proactive, reactive, and post conflict mechanism to address various concerns at regional and local levels of governance and to solve problems of coordination and response. The Sulu Area Coordinating Center also functions both as a system and as a council for planning, integrating, directing, supervising, and implementing line-up government programs and projects particularly on political, socioeconomic, cultural, religious, development, security and information issues. The province has a total of 20 Area Coordinating Centers – one for each of Sulu’s 19 towns and the central headquarters in Patikul town. (Mindanao Examiner)
Zamboanga Peninsula