Homemade bomb planted in bus in Mindanao turns out to be dud
Groups perform songs for peace, environment for the Talaingod war evacuees in Davao
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Rebels ambush troops in Compostela Valley, own up attacks on mining firms PAGE 4
Tribes demand pull out of troops in Davao province
‘Ningas cogon’ ang traffic operation sa Zamboanga City
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An Atenean’s Journey: Ateneo and Beyond PAGE 9
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WAR REFUGEES VOW TO FIGHT RELOCATION
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OZENS of war refugees staying in tents and filthy evacuation site have been transferred to a government school, but many also vowed to fight the planned government relocation saying they wanted to return to their villages to rebuild their lives. Musa Bulahaw, one of the refugee leaders and member of the indigenous Badjao tribe, said it would be difficult for them to relocate to temporary bunk houses in the villages of Mampang or Tulungatung and even in Taluksangay because fishing is their sole means of livelihood. "If they relocate us in those areas, our livelihood would be greatly affected and our families, our people will go hungry because fishing is the only livelihood we know. We live by the sea, we are Badjao and we belong to the sea," he said. Bulahaw said his 65-year old mother Kim has suffered a stroke and cannot walk and now lives with them in the tent along coastal Roseller Lim Boulevard. "Look at her, she cannot walk, she is now paralyzed and the poor condition we are in makes it more difficult for her to live and we have been appealing repeatedly to the government to send us back home in our villages," he said. "If they use force to evict us, then blood shall be in their hands if anything bad happens here." Government trucks hauled about 100 refugees to Mampang village where at least 23 school rooms have been converted into temporary shelters. Each room can accommodate at least 2 families or about 15-20 people. Villagers and teachers have protested the relocation of the refugees in the school, but the local government said it has the approval of the Department of Education and refugees will stay there until new bunk houses are built for them far away from their original habitat. Police closed the stretch of the boulevard and guarded the hauling of refugees. Some of the refugees favored their relocation and
ARMM
Refugee leader Musa Bulahaw conforts his paralyzed mother Kim inside their tent in Zamboanga City. Thousands ofwar refugees are still languishing in filthy evacuation centers since September 2013 following attacks by Moro National Liberation Front rebels. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) thanked the local government for assisting and transporting them to Mampang and other transitory sites, but they also asked for livelihood skills training after learning that the government has provided other refugees with short-term training on food processing, among others. The United Nations has expressed alarm over the poor conditions of tens of thousands of war refugees still at different filthy evacuation centers and transition sites here. More than 100 refugees had died from diseases in the evacuation centers and the number is increasing due to lack of sufficient medical and emergency facilities there. Those in the evacuation areas were villagers affected and displaced by rebel attacks mounted in September by the Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari. The attack sparked three weeks of street battles that killed
Southern Mindanao
and wounded over 400 people and displaced some 120,000 villagers. “There is an urgent need to find shelter solutions for these IDPs,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs, at a press briefing in Geneva, referring to internally displaced persons. Citing current figures from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Laerke said that the refugees currently lack access to adequate and safe water and sanitation and there are serious health concerns – acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea and skin diseases – due to overcrowding in the two largest evacuation centers hosting some 20,000 refugees, including the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex. “There is, for example, a need for 940 extra latrines to meet global standards. There is also a water shortage because of rationing imposed last month as reservoirs were
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low in the dry season,” he said, adding general food distribution to the affected people ended in December 2013. Just last month, hundreds of Muslims protested the government’s failure to facilitate the return of refugees to their original villages. The refugees, many of them Tausug from Sulu;Yakan, from Basilan; and indigenous Badjao tribe from TawiTawi province - engaged in fishing and other traditional livelihoods were being relocated to the farflung villages of Tulungatung and Taluksangay from their original habitat in the coastal villages of Rio Hondo and Mariki and other areas. The government has built bunkhouses as temporary shelters to those affected by the violence, 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.
Manila
Gamar Hassan, also a refugee leader, said refugees had died from diseases the past months in evacuations sites due to poor health services and malnutrition and lack medical and emergency facilities there. He said the government has prevented them from returning to their villages and has forced the refugees to relocation sites far away. He said majority of the refugees 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. 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. (Mindanao Examiner)
Zamboanga Peninsula
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Apr. 21-27, 2014
Philippine officials urged to take public transport MANILA - A group calling itself TREN or Train Riders' Network has called on government officials, including members of the Aquino cabinet, to take the daily commute from their homes to their offices on public transport. The group, an alliance of employees, students, and other commuters who demand that the government improve the quality of train and railway services, said unlike members of President's cabinet who are known for their "inefficiency" and are not penalized for being late for work,
the ordinary student and employee continue to suffer due to the incompetence of the administrators of the Metro Rail System and the Department of Transportation and Communication. "Students earn undeserving absences in some of their classes, while employees are hit with salary deductions or even threats of being laid-off. We reiterate - the public has a right to a quick, efficient, and affordable means of public transportation," TREN said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
It also took a swipe on government spokesman Herminio Coloma who told public commuters to find an alternative mode of transport instead of queuing on long lines at railway stations around metropolitan Manila. Coloma has already apologized for his statement after various groups, including TREN, criticized him. "Coloma's statement is tantamount to a declaration that the government is abandoning its duty and obligation to the commuter public," TREN said.
Homemade bomb planted in bus in Mindanao turns out to be dud TACURONG CITY – Security forces in the southern Philippines have recovered a homemade bomb, but it out to be a dud after soldiers said it contained no explosive charge. The bomb, assembled from a 60mm mortar attached to an old mobile phone and placed in a cardboard box, was left inside a bus in Tacurong City when discovered by two
passengers. The wires were still protruding from the box when the bus conductor picked it up and threw it on a vacant lot before calling the authorities. Members of the police and army explosives ordnance units carefully inspected the bomb and declared it unarmed because it has no explosive charge. It was not immediately how the bomb managed to pass through the security of
the bus, owned by Rural Transit Mindanao. It was unknown whether pranksters were behind it or if it was a warning by rebel groups or extortionists to the bus firm which has been targeted in previous bombings in the restive region. Police said the discovery of the bomb only showed the active participation of the public against terror threats. (Rose Muneza and Deanna Diaz)
Police arrest 5 men in anti-drug ops
A policeman stands guard as a government truck hauls war refugees and transfer them to a government school converted into temporary shelter in Zamboanga City. Thousands ofwar refugees are still languishing in filthy evacuation centers since September 2013 following attacks by Moro National Liberation Front rebels. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
SULTAN KUDARAT – Police arrested 5 people and charged them for allegedly possessing illegal drugs and a homemade gun in the town of Isulan in Sultan Kudarat province in southern Philippines. Inspector Haron Sumensil said the operation was covered with search warrants issued by
Judge Renato Gleyo, of the Regional Trial Court Branch 19. He identified those arrested as Thor Musa, Rustom Mupak, Mustapha Mindo, Joel Dumile and Ogie Galmak, who are all residents of
Bual village. He said except for Dumile, police recovered several sachets of suspected “shabu” from the four men, including the shot gun found in Galmak’s house. (Rose Muneza)
NPA owns up raid on town mayor's house DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels took responsibility over the raid on the house of a Filipino town mayor in the southern province of Davao Occidental. A spokesman for the New People’s Army, Ka Efren Aksasato, said rebel forces under Alex Ababa Command stormed the house of Mayor James Joyce, of Jose Abad Santos town and seized five automatic rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, four shotguns and a revolver, including munitions. Aksasato accused the politician of human rights violations and counterrevolutionary actions
against the NPA, among other crimes against innocent civilians. The politician and his family were not in the house when the rebels attack. There were no reports of casualties from the raid. Aksasato warned that the raid was only the beginning against the politician, who is wanted by rebels for his crimes. There was no immediate statement from the military or the mayor about the daring raid which occurred on April 13. The NPA has been waging a separatist war for decades now. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 21-27, 2014
Natives who fled military offensives in Davao del Norte's Talaingod town enjoy songs by various groups in Davao City in southern Philippines. One photo sent by Kilab Multimedia to the Mindanao Examiner regional newspaper show a young fire performer.
Groups perform songs for peace, environment for the Talaingod war evacuees in Davao DAVAO CITY - The group Samahan ng mga Artista at Manunulat para sa Bayan or Sambayan held a cultural night for some 927 Talaingod Manobo evacuees from Davao del Norte province now staying at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines Haran compound in the southern Philippine city of Davao. The performances rendered songs calling for peace and the protection
of the ancestral land and the environment. Niel Cervantes, chairperson of Sambayan, said: “What we are witnessing is only a bit of the rich culture and arts of the Lumad through their dances and songs. But more than our performances, this is a night to unite with the roots of our country.” “Our lumad sisters and brothers here are calling for the pull-out of military troops in their areas after
they experienced aerial bombing and many forms of abuse from the soldiers. Any form of aggression upon their land like military operation ultimately destroys their culture,” he added. Several artists’ groups from Davao also joined the event - the group Kaliwat, in their songs, expressed their solidarity with the evacuees whom the group considered as “the defenders of Pantaron Range,” the
source of all our bodies of water in Mindanao, and the Manobos are the ones defending it against its aggressors like the big logging and mining companies. The group said sung Agila, a song written by Joey Ayala. Kathara, also one of the performing groups, rendered the traditional Manobo dance. The groups Silab, Jazzistas de Davao, Spiral and Kuntaw
likewise performed. Children evacuees from the Salugpongan Learning Center in Sitio Dulian also performed, singing their school anthem “Salugpongan”, and “Tagumpay nating lahat” popularized by Lea Salonga. The group Sambayan stated: “We are joining the evacuees in their quest for genuine peace. We believe in peace that is based on justice- it also means re-
spect for human rights and asserting the rights of the lumads to self-determination and their ancestral domain.” The group is calling for the immediate resumption of the peace talks between the government and communist rebels as it hopes for the approval of significant agenda in the said negotiation particularly on Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms.
New buildings for Romblon hospital unveiled MANILA - Government officials have led the unveiling of new buildings at the Romblon Provincial Hospital which was constructed under the the Department of Health's facilities enhancement program. Health Secretary Enrique Ona with Romblon Governor Eduardo Firmalo, Vice Governor Jose Riano and Congressman Eleandro Jesus Madrona led the unveiling of the project in Odiongan town. Ona said the objective of the Health's Facilities Enhancement Program is to upgrade health facilities and provide training to health professionals, and at the same time improve access of people to quality health care services. It also aims to enhance the delivery of basic, essential, and specialized health services in the community. Also inaugurated were the Romblon Blood Collection Unit and the Conference Hall. The hospital was upgraded and modernized with an allotment of P138 million in 2010 and 2011 for Phase 1 of the project. It included the repair of the emergency room and intensive care unit, and the construction of a twostorey building for patients’ wards, surgery and obstetrics, out-patient department, x-ray and additional offices for hospital staff. In 2012, it received an additional P118 million
and and P140 million for Phase 2 of the project. In his inauguration speech, Ona stressed that health is part of the major strategy for poverty reduction and inclusive growth which shall be felt by the poorest of the poor. "Government hospitals are for the people and if one does not like to be admitted or confined in such facilities, then there must be something wrong. In short, whether it is a government or private hospital, it must be best for all – the services must be the same, the facilities must be, in terms of diagnosis and curative aspects, must be the same. This concept is affirmed today, that public hospitals are not dilapidated but presentable," Ona said in a statement sent by the DOH to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. The Romblon Provincial Hospital is a Level 1 health facility, with a 75bed capacity and a 63 percent bed occupancy rate. It is operated by the provincial government. Among its existing ancillary services includes a clinical laboratory for blood services, pharmacy, diagnosis, and x-ray and ultrasound services. "We thank the national government through the DOH for supporting our health programs especially facility development which is a vital necessity for a geographically iso-
lated and disadvantaged area like the archipelagic province of Romblon,’ said Firmalo, who is a medical doctor himself. "One of our top priorities is health as embodied in our program H.E.A.R.T. – health, education and environment, agriculture, revenue generation, tourism, transparency and true public service – all for the people of Romblon towards sustainable and inclusive development," he said. Madrona was also elated that Firmalo managed to encourage private doctors to become consultants for Romblon’s hospitals. "We need this kind of facility and we want our people to have the best health care through this facility towards a better life and we will support any measure that will increase the salary rates of our doctors," Madrona said, who also assured that the funding for the Phase 3 of the hospital shall be appropriated in the 2015 national budget. With a population of 289,867, Romblon is one of the provinces under DOH Region IV-B. "This hospital is the symbol of hope for the people of Romblon – proof of the Aquino administration’s commitment to the universal health care program for all," said Hospital Chief Dr. Benedict Anatalio.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Romblon Governor Eduardo Fir-malo, Vice Governor Jose Riano and Congressman Eleandro Jesus Madrona led the unveiling of the project in Odiongan town.
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 21-27, 2014
2 Sayyafs dead in police raid in Zamboanga City ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police commandos raided an Abu Sayyaf hideout and killed 2 militants in a firefight in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said. Officials said the fighting also wounded one commando - PO2 Carlos Bocaig - in the village of Santa Maria where six militants were also captured by the police. The wounded policeman was rushed to hospital. It was not immediately known if his wounds are life threatening or not, but he was shot by militants during the raid. The commandos were part of a composite police force sent to serve the warrants against the gang tagged
as behind the spate of kidnappings for ransom in Zamboanga and other areas in western Mindanao. Inspector Joseph Ortega, a regional police spokesman, said commandos also recovered four .45caliber pistols and three fragmentation grenades from the hideout. “We are still interrogating those arrested to determine the extent of their criminal operation. Two gunmen were killed by police forces in the firefight,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. He said the operation was launched following a long surveillance by the po-
lice. At least 7 police units were involved in the operation. The identified of those captured were Alan Abdulla, 29; of Ayala village in Zamboanga City; Jackaria Jamani, 22, of Sibuco town in Zamboanga del Norte province; Nasser Allama, 24, also of Sibuco town; Alaraf Apion, 27, of Santa Barbara village in Zamboanga City; PO1 Saudi Apion, 35; also of Santa Barbara in Zamboanga City; and Mamarin Pilay, 51, village chieftain of Lakiki in Sibuco town. It was unknown if any of the gang’s leaders were among those arrested. (Mindanao Examiner)
Rebels ambush troops in Compostela Valley, own up attacks on mining firms DAVAO CITY – The New People’s Army ambushed government troops in the southern Philippine province of Compostela Valley where the communist rebel group earlier attacked two mining firms it accused of destroying the environment. Daniel Ibarra, a rebel spokesman, said the latest NPA offensive was a followup to an earlier attack on the US-owned St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd., and the Malaysia-owned Apex Mining on April 7 and 10. Ibarra said a still undetermined number of gov-
ernment soldiers were either killed or wounded in the NPA attack that targeted the 9th Infantry Battalion deployed at the Apex tenement complex in the village of Masara in Maco town. He said the two mining companies “grossly and repeatedly violated regulations of the People’s Democratic Government with regards to environmental protection, workers’ welfare and people’s livelihood.” He said rebel forces destroyed mining tunnels, trucks and heavy equipment of Apex Mining, including portable drills
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owned by St. Augustine mines in Pantukan town. Tribesmen have longed complained against the intrusion of huge mining firms in their ancestral domain and sought help from the rebels to stop the destruction of their lands and exploitation of their natural resources. Army Captain Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, the regional military chief, has ordered troops to pursue the attackers. He said the rebels have been extorting money from mining firms and even civilians to raise money for terror attacks in the region. The NPA, which has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country, has warned mining firms to stop its operations in Mindanao or face assault. (Mindanao Examiner)
Cadets of PMA Class 2017
PMA Class 2017 visits Eastern Mindanao Command MORE THAN 200 cadets, support staff and faculty members of the Philippine Military Academy visited the Eastern Mindanao Command in the southern city of Davao, officials said. Officials said the visit is part of the “Southern Cruise” and educational tour of the Class 2017 cadets to various military units in the country to
provide them a better appreciation of the organization that they will belong after graduation. The visit also promotes PMA in Davao region, especially to those who are interested to become part of the prestigious academy in Baguio City in northern Philippines. Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, chief of
the Eastern Mindanao Command, welcomed the cadets headed by PMA Superintendent Maj. Gen. Oscar Lopez. Cruz, who belongs to PMA Class 1980, also spoke with the cadets and told them to live up to the honor code of the institution. “The Honor Code must be a way of life even outside the PMA walls,” Cruz said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Apr. 21-27, 2014
Close down mining firms violating laws in Philippines MANILA - The Alyansa Tigil Mina has called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau to close down many mining companies in the Philippines found violating environmental laws and those that committed human rights abuses. This is in light of the recently issued environment protection cases against two Chinese mining companies Liaoning Fenghua Group Philippines Mining Company Inc. and Bohai Top International Mining Corp. for operating without the necessary mineral processing permits in Camarines Norte province. "We have to stem the tide of mining disasters such as the Marcopper toxic mine tragedy in Marinduque in 1996 and Philex's Padcal mine spill in 2012. The government should immediately shut down those min-
ing companies who found culpable of violations of environmental laws," Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. The government's Executive Oder 79 states that a performance review of all existing mining operations has to be done. It said the performance review can be the basis for the indictment of violating mining companies. This has been the basis of the environmental protection cases filed against the two Chinese mining companies, according to Garganera He said the mining in the country has taken severe tolls on access to water, health, and the development of agricultural activity and brought about drastic change in the environment. "With climate change already upon us, mining disasters are most likely to
happen with a flawed mining law and inadequate regulatory environment. Geo-hazard areas should be declared a no-go zones to mining. This should be immediately acted upon by MGB,” he said. On April 22, various environmental groups, including ATM will participate in the celebration of Earth Day by holding public actions in different parts of the country. ATM is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups which are opposing the aggressive promotion of largescale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of Executive Order 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995 and passage of the proposed Alternative Minerals Management Bill which is better than the current mining laws.
Print media still strong, UPMG assures PRINT MEDIA remains to be relevant and strong, industry experts asserted following a statement from Globe Telecom chief operating advisor Peter Bithos that the telco company would no longer be advertising in the medium. "People still rely on print when they want accuracy, length, detail," United Print Media Group (UPMG) president and BusinessMirror vice president for corporate affairs Ricky Alegre told adobo in a telephone interview. At the launch of Globe's mobile advertising platform last March 27, Bithos said that the company decided to pull out of print and out-ofhome media to improve on their ROI. However, Alegre said that according to a cross-
media study by GfK Research, print still presents the highest ROI. The study, conducted in Europe, found that print advertising had an ROI of 120 percent, with magazines producing the highest ROI of all media channels. "A lot of content of digital comes from us," Alegre added. "Print is the biggest and only manufacturer of content in the world." Alegre also shared that the UPMG met with Globe Telecom's head of corporate communications Yoly Crisanto, who assured them that despite Bithos' statement, the company's other business levels will continue to advertise in print. "We're confident. We do not fear digital," Alegre said. Meanwhile, Lucien Dy Tioco, UPMG corporate sec-
retary and senior vice president for sales and marketing at the Philippine Star said "in the slew of things, whether you're traditional or digital, the bottom line for any media is to evolve and to be current." "Advertisers have to see beyond the numbers and see the value of each medium and how it can help you reach those touch points…even if we have smaller numbers, we have a good number of influencers because of our credibility and the reputation that newspapers in particular have established," he said. "It's sad that Globe won't be able to appreciate what actual capabilities print can do in enhancing their brand image and reputation," he said. (Adobo Magazine)
A group of tribesmen, who were among those who fled a massive military assault on communist rebels in Davao del Norte’s Talaingod town, hold a rally outside the Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters in Davao City to protest military abuses against indigenous tribes and villagers in the province. (Photo by Jaazaniah Necosia)
Tribes demand pull out of troops in Davao province DAVAO CITY - Tribal leaders demanded the pull out of troops in Davao del Norte's Talaingod town, blaming them for widespread human rights violations and suffering of indigenous people in the area. Security forces launched an operation in the town to flush out the communist New People's Army rebels largely blamed for attacks on government and military targets, and on mining firms. Tribesmen also rejected food aid offered by Mayor Basilio Libayao to villagers who fled the town for fear of being caught in the crossfire or become victims of military assaults in the area. “We do not need your relief goods, our demand is to pull out the soldiers from our community,” the Salugpongan ‘Ta Tatanu Ig Kanogon (Unity in Defense of Ancestral Land) told the politician.
More than 1,000 tribesmen have sought refuge to Davao City and are currently being sheltered by the United Church of Christ of the Philippines. The group's leader Datu Duloman Dawsay said many evacuees refused to return to the town due to the widespread militarization in the area. He also cited several cases of harassment, including sexual assault against an elderly tribeswoman, aerial bombing and threats and intimidation allegedly perpetrated by the military. PASAKA or the Federation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao, one of the groups that helped facilitate the safe evacuation of the natives, was also threatened with a lawsuit by Libayao, according to Dawsay, for forcing the villagers to evacuate to Davao. Sidro Andao, the group's spokesman, denied the mayor's allegations. “We did not violate any customary tradition of our Lumad brothers and sisters in helping them vacate their communities after the military launched aerial bombings in the area. The ones who violated our culture and our human rights are the soldiers, and the local government was the one that allowed them in,” he said. The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command strongly denied all accusations of human rights violations and also branded the allegations as “propaganda.” Captain Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the military command, said the operations were aimed at weakening the NPA in the province following reports by civilians of massive abuses and atrocities committed by the rebel group. “We are the protector of the people and we uphold human rights of every citizen and our operation is aimed at the communist terrorists who continue to their atrocities not only in Davao, but elsewhere in the region,” he said in a separate interview.
Caber also released statements by tribal leaders and politicians in Talaingod denying reports of military abuses in the town. “For truth and peace, there were no abuses committed by the soldiers in the area. If indeed there are, then I myself will defend my people,” Caber quoted Libayao as saying. “The mayor also revealed that the residents were discreetly gathered by a group called PASAKA at night to leave their residences in order to make it appear that the soldiers on peace outreach in the area committed abuses. Mayor Libayao further said that they are seeking assistance from Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to let the evacuees return to Talaingod,” Caber said. “We are capable to attend the needs of our constituents. The organizers did not inform local authorities of their plan to bring the evacuees to Davao City. We are seeking assistance to the good mayor of Davao City to bring back our constituents here in our municipality. We also apologize for any disturbance, in one way or another, they may have caused,” the mayor was quoted as saying. Caber, citing reports by social workers, said only 300 tribesmen have evacuated to Davao City. Datu Ruben Labawan, leader of the Supreme Tribal Council for Peace and Development, said the evacuees need to return to their respective homes and farms to live normally. “I appeal to the organizers, do not exploit the plight of the indigenous people, do not put us at risk. Please respect us,” he said. Other tribal leaders said PASAKA does not represent the indigenous tribes in Talaingod and has not right to speak in their behalf. Caber said troops have captured several rebel camps and recovered landmines during the operations which began just recently.
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Ito ang karaniwang tanawin sa Zamboanga, ngunit dedma lamang ang Traffic Section ng lokal na pulisya at City Hall, gayun rin ang Land Transportation Office sa walang humpay na paglabag ng batas-trapiko ng mga abusadong tsuper ng jeep at bus. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
‘Ningas cogon’ ang traffic operation sa Zamboanga City TILA ‘NINGAS COGON? lamang ang operasyon ng Land Transportation Office at Traffic Section ng lokal na pulisya sa kanilang kampanya kontra motorista na lumalabag sa batastrapiko sa Zamboanga City. Kaliwa’t-kanan ngayon ang paglalagay ng checkpoint, partikular sa gabi, ng mga kawani ng LTO at traffic policemen, upang mahuli ang mga lumalabag sa batas, partikular ang mga naka-
sakay o pasahero ng motorsiklo na walang suot na helmet o kaya ay walang dalang lisensya at iba pa, at gayun rin sa mga nagmamaneho ng kotse at mga sasakyan. Sa kabila ng pasulputsulpot na operasyon nito ay tila bulag naman ang mga awtoridad sa mga pampasaherong jeep at mini-bus na walang humpay ang pag-labag sa batas-trapiko. Sa araw-araw na tana-
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win dito, kapuna-puna ang mga bumibiyaheng overloaded jeep at bus at bukod pa ang maraming mga pasaherong nakasakay sa ibabaw ng mga bubungan nito, subalit sa kabila nito ay dedma lamang dito ang mga awtoridad. Hindi lamang peligro ang dulot nito sa mga pasahero kundi ang tahasang kawalan ng respeto ng mga tsuper sa naturang batas. Naunang idinahilan ni LTO regional director Aminola Abaton na kulang sila ng tauhan kung kaya’t hindi maaksyunan ang mga paglabag na ito. Maging ang City Hall at ang Traffic Section ng pulisya ay wala rin aksyon sa matagal ng problema sa mga abusadong tsuper. (Mindanao Examiner)
Apr. 21-27, 2014
Trade officials orient SME core agencies on business continuity planning in Zambo ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry in Zamboanga City has recently conducted a seminar and workshop on the concept of business continuity planning attended by representatives of member agencies of the Zamboanga Peninsula Small and Medium Enterprise Core Group. Director Rolando Acuna, of the DTIZamboanga City, said the seminar aims to capacitate not only trade officials in Western Mindanao, but also those from other government agencies so they can become effective advocates of the program. Former DTI-Davao Regional Director Marizon Loreto, who was tapped as resource person for the seminar, underscored the rising frequency and ferocity of natural disasters in the Asia Pacific region which she said threaten not only the growth, but the longterm survival of many SMEs.
“To date, SMEs have rarely been addressed as a target group for emergency preparedness despite the fact that they are highly at risk from disasters and are pivotal in economic recovery. They must be encouraged to reduce the on-going risks to their operations. And this is where you in the government can come in. SMEs and the government should work hand-in-hand to make businesses more resilient against disasters – for their own sake, for their community’s sake, and for the prosperity of the whole country,” Loreto said in a statement sent by DTI to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. According to Loreto, the business continuity planning is a roadmap that would help enable a business to prepare for disasters; operate under adverse conditions; identify the critical operations, risks, and impacts; respond and set recovery measures; and main-
tain operation while avoiding long term disruptions to their business. “I commend DTI in Western Mindanao under the leadership of Dr. Sitti Amina Jain for spearheading the activity, so far, the first business continuity planning seminar workshop in the country. I therefore, expect you to be among the first advocates of business continuity planning in this part of the country,” Loreto told the participants in the seminar. “SMES comprise 97% of all private companies in the Asia-Pacific region and employs 50% of the region’s workforce. In the Philippines, they account more than 99% of all registered businesses and employ roughly 70% of the country’s labor force. Needless to say, SMEs play a crucial role to the country’s economic growth, hence the need to help them survive when a disaster strikes,” Loreto added.
Sayyaf gunman killed in Patikul PHILIPPINE military officials said one Abu Sayyaf rebel was killed in a brief clash in the southern town of Patikul. Officials said troops were patrolling the town when they ran into a group of Abu Sayyaf gunmen and a firefight ensued. There was no report of military or civilian casualties in fighting. Troops were not able to recover the body of the slain gunman because officials
claimed the cadaver was allegedly taken by fleeing rebels. No other details were made available by the military about the clash or whether the Abu Sayyaf group involved in the fighting was behind the spate of kidnappings and terrorism in the region. Troops also battled about 60 Abu Sayyaf rebels who killed two soldiers and wounded 28 others in Basilan, one of five prov-
inces under the troubled Muslim autonomous region in Min-danao. The military said 12 rebels were killed in the fierce clashes, but none of the bodies had been recovered by soldiers and security officials admitted the casualty report came from civilians in the towns of Ungkaya Pukan and Tipo-Tipo where the fighting erupted. There was no military confirmation of the report. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 21-27, 2014
An Atenean’s Journey: Ateneo and Beyond By Adriel Earl Albaladejo Toribio, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Cum Laude,Class Valedictorian
Adriel Earl Albaladejo Toribio (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Kidnapped scion of a wealthy family freed in Zamboanga ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine military said kidnappers have freed the 27-year old son of a gas station owner in Zamboanga City after 11 days in captivity. It said Michael Kho was released in the village of Labuan and was fetched by her family and members of the police anti-kidnapping task force. Kho was brought by her parents to the hospital for medical check up. Kidnappers seized Kho at the family’s Petron gas station in Zamboanga del Norte’s Siocon town on April 2. It was unknown how much ransom was paid by his family in exchange for his freedom, but his release came a
week after police arrested Omar Wahab in the village of Bucana in Siocon town. The 25-year old man was implicated in the kidnapping of Kho. Inspector Dahlan Samud-din, a regional police spokesman, said witnesses pointed to Wahab as one of those who acted as lookout during the kidnapping. It was not immediately known whether Wahab is a member of any rebel groups operating in Zamboanga provinces which is a known lair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. (Mindanao Examiner)
JUST SAY
NO!
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES; Reverend Father Karel S San Juan of the Society of Jesus, President of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University; Brother Roseller L Atilano of the Society of Jesus, our commencement speaker; Dr Rebecca V Fernandez, Academic Vice President; Members of the University administration; Members of the Faculty; Jesuit Fathers; Fellow graduates; Honored guests; Ladies and Gentlemen. Buenas Noches a todo! Thirteen years ago, I met a boy. He was tall, dark and thin. A simple boy who has dreams not just for himself but for his family. He told me that their house was burned when he was in grade 2 and they needed to stay in a bahay kubo for more than two years. He needed to study his notes in school before sunset because they had no electricity for nearly a year. He had to wake up early in the morning to carry water from the neighborhood for they have no water connection, at that time he was 10 years old. After all, he graduated Valedictorian in Tetuan Central School Class 2005. In High School he experienced going to school with no baon. He helped his family by selling pizza and burger every day. When he was in College, every time the rain pours so hard, they are wide awake observing the water to rise because their roof has holes and their house is low. He had days when he needed to dress up along the road because the water in their house is knee level. There were days when his mom needed to be far from them and his dad needed to drive a tricycle to bring food to the table. These were days when he was tested more than just challenged to be strong. These were the days when most of us will say: I give up, I am done. But in these days he learned and his family taught him to say: This too shall pass. Let us move forward. That boy, after thirteen years is now standing in front of you. Our journey in the Ateneo may not be that smooth for it has been a daily struggle and full of challenges. But Ateneo makes us feel that as we are challenged, people are behind us, to accompany us, to raise us. In the Ateneo we are inspired by the value of compassion, pag-alalay sa ating paglalakbay, and preserved knowing that we are not alone in the journey, that we have companions as we go along. Challenge, Compassion and Companionship – a story of an Atenean’s Journey. We have daily worries, personal crosses to bear, family and personal problems that we bring every step of the way. But that should not hinder us to dream. That should not stop us to move forward. That should not let our spirits die. Those challenges even motivate us to dream bigger because you believe that there is and there could be a better and brighter tomorrow. My life and journey has never been easy. I would even say unimaginable in a young boy’s journey. But I have shown you that your life yesterday has a reason where you are today and is not a barrier to your success tomorrow. I stand here knowing that my journey is part of the greater journey of this batch, that it has been a challenge of how we are able to be where we are today, at this very moment, in this graduation. Some of us missed meals to be able to comply with academic requirements, some of us needed to have sleepless nights to prepare for a paper and a defense, some needed to be in a graveyard shift to take care of the patients, some of us needed to retake subjects and some extended for a year or years in college. Jokingly they say quality education takes time but I say that quality and transformative formation in the Ateneo is a lifetime. Our pride as Ateneans is not just about the name that we bring, not just being in Ateneo, but it is anchored in our deeper formation and value that amidst darkness, we see light; amidst the challenge, we see the opportunity to grow; and amidst the sacrifice, we see the purpose of our existence. That is the true spirit of an Atenean. Do not get me wrong. We are no superheroes to do all things for the world. We are not here to turn the world upside down. People do not expect us to be saints to do miracles. But they believe, deep within their spirit that with our values and formation, we can make a difference. But we are called to make a difference as Ateneans. Atenean nurses who see the poor mothers and children in Mindanao dying because they do not have access to basic health services. We could be teachers instilling values to children as they grow. We could be business people who will strive for sustainable engagements in communities more than just profits. We could be engineers and system analysts who would build and create wonders for the future. Or we can simply be good examples to our siblings as they grow. In this batch we offer that change, after this graduation we begin the journey beyond Ateneo and beyond rhetoric. That is what we are called for. That is what we are formed for. This is our mission and this is who we are as Ateneans. After the Zamboanga Crisis or just after the fire incident in Canelar last night wherein we have friends affected like our fellow graduate, Rein Ran, who still managed to be here after that challenging time, what is it now for us to do? We are not just here to see the problem. We are not just there to extend a hand. We are there to suffer with them and assist them to rise again. We are connected as Ateneans beyond Ateneo. Every time we see children begging outside La Purisima that matters to us even if he is not our brother or sister. If there is an IDP who cannot eat for a day and having no option
at all, that should move our spirits. Every time there is someone in the Ateneo who cannot have a decent meal for a day that must push us to move and extend a helping hand. It is that fundamental belief that we are men and women for and with others that makes us as Ateneans. Recognizing that there is a problem does not solve the crisis. Seeing the problem does not restore peace. Feeling the problem does not restore dignity. Recognizing, seeing and feeling begins it, but acting on it is being an Atenean. In the Ateneo it not just about you. It has never been a journey alone. There are people with us as we go: Benefactors who supported and believed in us that we can make it, friends who are beside us in our up and down moments, and parents who would do everything to meet our need and make us happy. These are not just ordinary people in our journey. These are our companions who will never leave us and will always be there for us. They allow us to pursue our individual dreams, to work for our aspiration and dream bigger as tomorrow comes. The Ateneo rekindled the fire in our hearts for service and taught us that in the Ateneo it is Service Beyond Words and beyond just service, it is companionship at work. To us Ateneans, I say, we have more work to do – More to do for the kids who have the will and drive but do not have money to go to school. These are the kids who should be formed and prepared for life as we believe that they are the future of our nation, and more to do for the internally displaced people after the Zamboanga Crisis. This year in this graduating batch, we are called to reaffirm our values and our commitments as we say – Men and Women for Others and Pro Deo Et Patria – against a harsh reality. That they may find the sense of community again. More to do for others and less of ourselves, for in the end this is what we have committed for. Tonight, we will start another journey of our life – a life of more challenges and struggles. Tonight we eagles will be leaving our home to be of service to others – a calling we must respond to. Tonight we will go beyond Ateneo and be men and women for others – the mission we are formed for. Tonight we will show the world who we are as Ateneans. Do not just say those magical words, live out those into action. Do not look for your mission and calling from afar, sometimes you just need to look around and listen where you are needed, where you are called. Open your eyes so you could see, open your ears so you could listen, open your hearts so you could love and extend your arms so you could serve. Do not just be Ateneo graduates holding those diplomas, but be an Atenean – with values and character. If we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all over the country where there is an Atenean, and all over the world, the people will rise, the eagles will soar and will lift us from all the challenges society has to offer. This batch will take on that journey beyond Ateneo and will make a difference in the future that awaits us – a brighter tomorrow wherein eagles will soar high with stronger wings lifting people from poverty to restore dignity, lifting injustice to restore harmony and lift violence to restore peace. Before I end, allow me to recognize my companions in my journey in the Ateneo – reasons behind who I am today. To Sir Santi Araneta and Sir Shing Balatbat. These men allowed me to dream and not only dream but to dream the Ateneo dream. I will forever be thankful to you. To the Jesuit Community, especially to Fr. Willy Samson, who did not just ask if there is anything they could do for me but did more than what is needed. Indeed, more than being priests and brothers, Jesuits are companions in our journey in the Ateneo. To my El Consejo Atenista and Ogilvie 2009 Family. Thank you for reminding me that I am not alone in this journey, for being with me in my ups and downs. As I said, I am not saying goodbye but see you soon. To all our Faculty and Staff, most especially to the A Team and the Golden Ladies (Mrs. Leonora Pena, Mrs. Elizabeth Parreno, Mrs. Brenda Molina and Mrs. Thelma Wee). You have not only taught us Accounting but you taught us to be human amidst all. Thank you for the constant inspiration. On October 2014 we will not only pass the CPA Boards Exam for ourselves, not just for our school – we will pass the boards for you. To my mentor and tormentor, Mr. Aryx Ismael who constantly reminds me to be better, to speak not from the mind but from the heart and challenges us to show service beyond words, thank you very much. To my parents, Mama Yeng and Papa Arnel, and siblings, Dale, Patrick, Aaron, Brian and Bituin, to whom I do not only dedicate but offer with all my heart what and who I am. For without you along the roller coaster journey, I would not be the Earl today. To God – for all these is His will, His time, His plan – Kairos. Thank you for the constant push to persevere and never ending inspiration to keep our spirits high. Ateneo is not just our school. It is not just a University. It is not just a place. Ateneo is our HOME. We are not a diploma factory. We are forming leaders, men and women whose spirituality and skills compel them to work for social transformation and peace. Hundreds of graduates but few Ateneans. One Atenean can make a difference, but he cannot do it alone. Let us all be Ateneans in our ways. Thank you and to God always be the glory.
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Apr. 21-27, 2014
MILF FIGHTS ALONGSIDE ABU SAYYAF IN BASILAN
M
ORO ISLAMIC Liberation Front rebels have aided the al-Qaedalinked Abu Sayyaf in fighting Philippine government forces in the troubled province of Basilan in the Muslim autonomous region. Military chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said they have reports that MILF rebels fought alongside Abu Sayyaf militants that killed two army soldiers and wounded 29 more in the towns of Tipo-Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan. Fierce fighting erupted last Friday after troops stormed an Abu Sayyaf lair and clashed with about 60 militants whose group has been blamed in the spate of terrorism and kidnappings for ransom in Basilan and other parts of the southern Philippines. “We were running after the ASG, yun MILF kinausap sila through our mechanisms that we are going to launch enforcement operations and they supported that. Kung saan ay mayroon silang mga members that they cannot control, may mga kamaganak sila sa Abu Sayyaf (and) they probably joined (the fighting) in their individual capacity (and) not as MILF (organization), as relatives...naguusap yun MILF and AFP so it’s very clear yun,” Bautista told reporters while visiting wounded troops in Zamboanga City. Bautista defended the MILF, which has recently signed a peace deal with Manila, saying the country’s largest Muslim rebel group had no participation
An aerial view of Basilan province in the troubled Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) in the clashes, although some of its members who have relatives with the Abu Sayyaf were involved. “There is no participation of the MILF in the operations. May usapan tayo with the MILF and it is working and kausap natin yun mga commander nila during the operations and they support our operations. Ngayon alam naman
natin na ang MILF ay irregular force yan, minsan mayroong kamag-anak ang ASG doon, Ganoon ang nangyari,” he said. Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan, who accompanied Bautista, said they are still verifying reports that as many as 32 rebels were killed and wounded in the fighting. “We are
checking this report that at least 18 rebels were killed and 14 others were wounded in the clashes. All these (reports) came from the grounds,” Tutaan told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Despite the massive military assault, the militants escaped, but the military said the operation
against the Abu Sayyaf will not stop. The army said the offensive targeted Abu Sayyaf leaders Puruji Indama, Nurhasan Jamiri and Isnilon Hapilon, but there were no reports whether they had been killed. Some 200 soldiers had taken part in the offensive. (Mindanao Examiner)
Photos released by the Western Mindanao Command to The Mindanao Examiner regional newspaper show Marine Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the military's Western Mindanao Command, and Army Maj. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, Jr., pinning medals to soldiers wounded in fierce fighting with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Basilan province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
ARMM
Southern Mindanao
Davao
Manila
Zamboanga Peninsula