‘Ningas cogon’ ang traffic operation sa Zamboanga City
MILF accuses military of attacking rebel forces PAGE 2
Pagadian City Anti-Drug Abuse Council gi-reactivate
Sulu Photograpeace Club conducts ‘SelPeace’ photo seminar
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PAGE 3
Rebels free captive soldier
PAGE 5
Police capture Sayyaf man plotting to bomb Zambo
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inagiingat ngayon ng Department of Health ang publiko dahil sa kumakalat na Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus o MERS-CoV. Mahigit sa dalawang dosenang katao ang isinailalim sa quarantine sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao at patuloy ang pagbabantay ng Bureau of Quarantine sa mga dayuhan at overseas Filipino workers na dumarating sa bansa mula sa Middle East at iba pang bahagi ng mundo upang makatiyak na walang makakapasok na karagdagang pasyente o may mga simtomas ng MERS-Cov. Patuloy rin ang panawagan ng pamahalaan sa mga pasahero ng eroplano na kung saan sumakas ang isang Pinay nurse na positibo sa naturang virus. Ilan sa mga nasakabay ng nurse ang positibo umano sa MERSCoV. Galing sa Middle East ang nurse at nahawa umano mula sa isang pasyente doon. Isang OFW na ang nasawi sa Saudi at hindi pinayagan ang bangkay nito na maibalik sa bansa. Huminahon Sinabi ni Health Secretary Enrique Ona na ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino ang pagbuo sa Task Force MERSCoV upang mabigyan ng sapat na kaalaman ang publiko ukol sa sakit. “Upon the President’s instructions, the Department of Health has mobilized Task Force MERS-CoV to create heightened awareness among our people on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus and prevent the spread of this communicable disease. At the outset, let me point this out: there is still no epidemic or outbreak of MERS-Coronavirus in the Middle East or the Arabian Peninsula. That is why the World Health Organization has not imposed travel restrictions to and from the Middle East.” “As a health precaution, however, I have approved the issuance of a Bureau of Quarantine alert bulletin to those travelling from the Middle East and through our international airports so that those who may be affected by the MERS-Coronavirus will be given prompt assistance. As there are tens of thousands of Filipinos working in the Middle East and hundreds of them who travel to the Middle
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Takip sa ilong at bibig ang tanging proteksyon sa pagkalat ng sakit. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) East or return home from their jobs daily, it is important that their families, relatives, friends, neighbors and all members of their local communities fully understand all that must be known about MERS-CoV,” ani Ona. Sinigurado naman ni Ona sa publiko at lalo na ang mga OFWs sa Middle East na ginagawa lahat ng pamahalaan ang bawat paraan ukol sa MERS-CoV. “The DOH assures our people, especially our Overseas Filipino Workers based in the Middle East and their families and communities, that government will exert maximum efforts to keep you informed and aware of all vital developments. We shall also extend our fullest assistance through our various regional and district hospitals, regional offices, the Bureau of Quarantine and attached agencies such as PhilHealth. We have established
Southern Mindanao
24-hour hotlines that may be called by our citizens and foreign nationals residing in the Philippines that may need assistance: (02) 711-1001 up to 1002; 09228841564; 0920-9498419 and 09157725621.” “MERS-Coronavirus is a communicable disease, so it is important that we all work together to prevent the infection from spreading. Maging handa, maagap at mapag-masid po tayong lahat. Pairalin natin ang diwa ng Bayanihan para sa kalusugan at kaligtasan nating lahat,” sabi pa ni Ona. Kabilang sa mga simtomas ng sakit ay ang lagnat, pagdudumi, paguubo at pangangapos ng hininga. At upang makaiwas sa sakit, sinabi naman ng US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention na dapat panatiliin malinis ang mga kamay o palag-
Davao
ing maghugas gamit ang sabon sa loob ng 20 segundo at kung walang tubig ay maaaring gumamit ng alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Dapat rin takpan ng panyo o tissue ang bibig at ilong sa tuwing umuubo o bumabahing at agad itapon sa basurahan ang ginamit na tissue. Iwasan rin ang paghawak sa mga mata, ilong at bibig gamit ang maruming mga kamay at huwag humalik o gumamit ng anumang baso o pinggan at kubyertos ng isang taong may sakit. Ano ang MERS-CoV? Natuklasan ang MERS-CoV noon 2012 at ayon sa World Health Organization (WHO) ay wala pang sapat na kaalaman o impormasyon ukol dito. “Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that includes viruses that may cause a range of illnesses in humans, from the common cold to SARS. Viruses of
Manila
this family also cause a number of animal diseases. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, this particular strain of coronavirus has not been previously identified in humans. There is very limited information on transmission, severity and clinical impact with only a small number of cases reported thus far,” pahayag pa ng WHO. Advice Sa babala naman ng WHO ay sinabi nito na: “Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns. Infection prevention and control measures are critical to prevent the possible spread of MERS-CoV in health care facilities.”
Continue to Page 2
Zamboanga Peninsula
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Apr. 28-May 4, 2014
MERS-CoV SCARE! Continued from Page 1
“Health-care facilities that provide for patients suspected or confirmed to be infected with MERSCoV infection should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus from an infected patient to other patients, health-care workers and visitors. Health care workers should be educated, trained and refreshed with skills on infection prevention and control. “ Sinabi pa ng WHO sa naturang babala na “it is not always possible to identify patients with MERS-CoV early because some have mild or unusual symptoms. For this reason, it is important that health-care workers apply standard precautions consistently with
all patients – regardless of their diagnosis – in all work practices all the time.” “Droplet precautions should be added to the standard precautions when providing care to all patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection. Contact precautions and eye protection should be added when caring for probable or confirmed cases of MERSCoV infection. Airborne precautions should be applied when performing aerosol generating procedures. Patients should be managed as potentially infected when the clinical and epidemiological clues strongly suggest MERSCoV, even if an initial test on a nasopharyngeal swab is negative. Repeat testing should be done when the initial testing is negative, preferably on specimens
MAGUINDANAO – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has accused the Philippine military of attacking its forces in the southern province of Basilan and said three of its fighters had been killed by soldiers in recent fighting. It said one civilian, Julamri Bapakil was also killed and three others wounded - Adzmar Abdurahim, 14; Hudri Julamri, 16; and Basri Pamasad, 17; and Jihad Abdurajim, 17 - by the military assault in the towns of Ungkaya Pukan and Tipo-Tipo. The MILF identified its slain members as Basir Kerok, Soy Tarung and Mohammad Soh. Two other fighters, Totong Ausal and Muthim Imam, were also wounded in the fighting. It said the military violated the cease-fire agreement between the MILF and the government. Abu Sayyaf The military’s Western Mindanao Command said it launched the opera-
tion on April 11 against the Abu Sayyaf which is being blamed for the spate of terrorism and ransom kidnappings in Basilan and other parts of western Mindanao. The clashes also killed two soldiers and wounded 29 more. Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the military assault targeted Abu Sayyaf leaders Puruji Indama and Nurhassan Jamiri, who have been harassing workers at a government road project there. She said the military operation was coordinated with the MILF in Basilan, one of five provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and is also a known stronghold of the rebel group. “The launching of the combat operation has been coordinated with the AHJAG, CCCH and the PNP in pursuit of the lawless elements, primarily the Abu Sayyaf, which is believed to
from the lower respiratory tract.” Nanawagan rin ang WHO na ipagbigay alam agad sa kanila ang mga kasong naitala sa ibat-ibang mga bansa. “All Member States are reminded to promptly assess and notify WHO of any new case of infection with MERS-CoV, along with information about potential exposures that may have resulted in infection and a description of the clinical course. Investigation into the source of exposure should promptly be initiated to identify the mode of exposure, so that further transmission of the virus can be prevented.” “People at high risk of severe disease due to MERS-CoV should avoid close contact with animals when visiting farms or barn areas where the virus is
known to be potentially circulating. For the general public, when visiting a farm or a barn, general hygiene measures, such as regular hand washing before and after touching animals, avoiding contact with sick animals, and following food hygiene practices, should be adhered to. WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions,” ayon pa sa WHO. Saudi Arabia Pinaigting naman ng Saudi Arabia ang kampanya nito kontra sa MERS-CoV matapos na maitala ang 50 kaso sa loob lamang ng isang lingo at 7 na ang kumpirmadong nasawi sa sakit. Umabot na sa 257 ang kaso na naitala sa Saudi
at patuloy ang pagtaas ng bilang nito at hindi mabatid kung may mga OFWs doon ang nahawa sa sakit. Inaasikaso na umano ng Saudi Ministry of Health ang mga biktima, subali’t hindi pa rin malinaw kung paano mapipigilan ang pagkalat o pag dami nito. “In continuation of the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Health and its interest in pinpointing the scope of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus spread, the MOH has expanded the surveillance and search work regarding its spread, and has tested big numbers of those mingling with the infected. AS a result, the MOH noticed an increase in the number of cases as well as the appearance of some cases without MERS CoV-related symptoms.”
“In meantime, the MOH pointed out that it constantly communicates with the scientific, specialized bodies and universities and companies manufacturing the vaccines. This aims at reaching the information which together with the rest of the world's states, enable it to identify the ways of virus transmission, look into ways of treatment, and manufacture the appropriate vaccine,” ayon pa sa Ministry of Health ng Saudi Arabia. Dah il sa epidemia ng MERS-CoV sa Saudi ay sinibak sa kanyang tungkulin si Saudi Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah at pinalitan siya ni Labor Minister Adel bin Mohammad Faqih. (Min-
danao Examiner)
MILF accuses military of attacking rebel forces be responsible in several extortion and kidnapping cases here in the Mindanao area,” Myuela said. AHJAG refers to the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group and the CCCH is the abbreviation for the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities which is part of the peace panels of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that ensures the mechanism of the cease-fire agreement is not violated. Truce violated But the MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which recently signed a peace deal with Manila, denied the military report, saying the assault was launched without any coordination and this sparked fierce gun battle between its forces and government troops after security forced encroached into its territories. “The movement of the AFP (Armed Forces of the
A goverment soldier looks in his rifle scope during a patrol in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales) Philippines) soldiers was not in any way coordinated with CCCH neither the military informed the AHJAG. The encounter could had been avoided had the military coordinated with the GPH-MILF CCCH and the International Monitoring Team,” the MILF said. It said the military assault against the Abu Sayyaf in the village of Kurellem lasted only for two hours, the exchanged of gun fire between the aggressed MILF forces and the government troops took several hours. “Heavy damages were also reported on a school building, madrasah, mosque and agricultural crops due to relentless artillery shelling and helicopter machinegun fire,” it said. MILF rebels aided Abu Sayyaf AFP chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said they have reports that MILF rebels fought alongside Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan.“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 kamag-anak sila sa Abu Sayyaf (and) they probably joined (the fighting) in their individual capac-
ity (and) not as MILF (as an 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 said some MILF members who have relatives with the Abu Sayyaf were involved in the fighting. “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 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 Manila Times. Despite the massive military assault, the militants escaped, but the military said the operation against the Abu Sayyaf will not stop. Some 200 soldiers under the command of Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez had taken part in the offensive. (Mindanao
Examiner)
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Apr. 28-May 4, 2014
Police remain focus to duty, public service Z A M B OA N G A C I T Y – Police said it remain focused on the fulfillment of its mandated tasks following reports that there is favoritism or rivalry between those who graduated from the Philippine Military Academy and the Philippine National Police Academy. Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño, Jr., who heads the regional police force in Western Mindanao, said the officers under his command - whether they belonged to the Philippine National Police Academy
or Philippine Military Academy, are working as one with the crucial goal of attaining peace and order in entire region and assured the public they all stand committed behind the duly constituted authorities. “The chain of command remains firm and well-built, and every police personnel stick to it, contrary to the alleged existence of so-called bata-bata or patronage system in the organization,” he said, adding “there is no divisiveness among the officers in the region because it has
long nurtured for a strong rapport, comradeship and esprit-de-corps in the service.” Vaño said the promotion and assignment of police officers – whether he is from the Philippine Military Academy or the Philippine National Police Academy - in sensitive positions is being measured based on their meritorious performance, leadership, accomplishment, discipline, dedication to duty, and most but not least loyalty to the police service.
(Mindanao Examiner)
Town mayor killed by rebels in daring attack MANILA - A Filipino town mayor was assassinated in a daring attack by communist rebels during a flag ceremony in the northern province of Cagayan, officials said. Officials said the New People’s Army was behind the murder of Mayor Carlito Pentecostes, of Gonzaga town. The politician was about to address civil employees when two gunmen in camouflaged uniform attacked him. The two hit men were believed part of a larger
An undated photo by the Philippine Information Agency of Gonzaga town Mayor Carlito Pentecostes. group of rebels that penetrated the town.
The rebels also disarmed several policemen near the town hall before the politician was shot. The attack was believed connected to illegal mining operations in the town. There was no immediate statement from the NPA about the killing, but it has previously warned mining companies and those who protect them to stop their operations which the rebel group said is destroying the environment and affected the people and their communities. (Mindanao
Examiner)
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 batas-trapiko 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 nakasakay 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 pasulput-sulpot na operasyon nito ay tila bulag naman ang mga awtoridad sa mga pampasaherong jeep at mini-bus na walang humpay ang paglabag sa batas-trapiko. Sa araw-araw na tanawin 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)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 28-May 4, 2014
Pagadian City Anti-Drug Abuse Council gi-reactivate PAGADIAN CITY - Gibutyag ni City Councilor Ernesto Mondarte ang pag-reactivate sa Pagadian City Anti-Drug Abuse Council ni Mayor Romeo Pulmones. Sa Pakisayod sa Alindahaw, iyang giingon nga gi-convene nila ang mga sakop sa maong kunseho ning bag-o pa lang ug aduna silay importanting gipanghisgutan ang kabahin sa mga plano ug programa, lakip niini ang pag-organisar sa Barangay Anti-Abuse Council. Samtang kabahin sa pagkig-away batok sa illegal nga droga, giingon pa niya nga iyang napasar ang usa ka proposed ordinance sa Sangguniang Panlungsod alang sa pagmugna ug pag-establisar sa usa ka administrative board. Kini mao ang modeklarar nga usa ka nuisance place sa mga
public establishment nga gigamit niining mamaligyaay og shabu sa ilang negosyo ug may gihimo nga usa ka drug den. Tingali niining puntoha, gipuno pa sa kunsehal nga makatabang pod ang mga tag-iya sa mga establishment nga mag-police pod sa ilang mga area aron walay illegal drug activities sa sulod mismo sa ilang mga establishment kay kun naa ug mapamatud-an ang administrative board na maoy mo-deklarar isip isip nuisance place ug maka-rekomendar kini alang sa pagpasera o revocation of permit to operate niini. Gipasabot pa kunsehal nga kini ilang gihimo tungod kay walay presensiya dinhi sa Dangerous Drug Board isip usa ka policy making body ug wala kiniy personal nga pag-monitor sa problema
sa droga dinhi sa siyudad sa Pagadian. Busa matod pa niya, kining anti-drug abuse council maoy mohulip sa sa Dangerous Drugs Board kay mahimo man kining usa ka policy making body base sa drug statistics ug activities dinhi. Mao usab kini ang mogunit ug mosuperbisar sa demand reduction ug educational campaign ngadto sa atong mga eskwelahan ug labaw sa tanan sa mga ginikanan. Mokuha usab kini og mga data nga maoy basihan sa mga policy nga ipakanaug sa kunseho. Ang nahilakip sa kunseho gidugtong pa ni Mondate mao ang atong mayor ug bise-mayor, ang chief of police, tinugyanan gikan sa Department of Education, religious group, ug giila nilang force multiplier nga anti-drugs organization.
MANILA - The Philippines has tightened its watch on high-profile personalities facing criminal charges or those in the government's watch list following reports that some of these people had tried to flee the country. Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said persons, especially those prohibited from leaving the country, will be prevented from doing so even as he assured that each individual’s legal rights will be respected. Mison said they will continue to
strictly enforce hold departure order, blacklist order and alert list order. "Any person whose name is in the hold departure list shall be denied departure. If the person is a subject of a warrant of arrest, he or she shall be turned-over to the Philippine National Police or the National Bureau of Investigation." "If the person is a subject of a pending deportation case, his or her passport shall be confiscated and turned over to the legal division. A foreign national whose name is in
the blacklist shall not be denied departure provided that there is no other derogatory record against him. Otherwise, the foreign national and his passport shall be referred to the Intelligence Division who shall eventually turn over the subject and his or her passport to the legal division for implementation of the deportation," Mison said. Mison also required immigration officers to prepare within 24 hours a detailed report on any failed attempt to depart as a result of an enforcement of a hold order, blacklist or alert order. Authorities did not say who were the personalities that tried to leave the country, but confirmed that some had attempted to flee, however, they were stopped at the immigration counter at the international airport.
PHL tightens immigration watch
The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Joshua Alvia 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
Alan Navales North- South Cotabato Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat
PNP gibutyag nga nagkadaghan ang droga sa Pagadian Gibutyag ni Zamboanga del Sur provincial director Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre ang ilang nasinati nga mga problema niining nagpayuhot sa gidiling droga dinhi sa siyudad ug lalawigan. Kini kay ning miaging semana naay nadakpan ang taga-Pegsot sa Camp Abelon apan naay gamay nga problema sa fiscalia, apan ila na kining napangitaan og sulbad. Apan bisan niini dinhi sa lalawigan nagtaas ang mga kalampusan batok sa mga tigpayuhot sa mga gidilingdroga ug significant kaayo ang pagtaas sa ilang accomplishment. Pero iyang giangkon nga na-discourage siya kay bisan kaayo agresibo kaayo ang Pegsot sa ilang trabaho nagkadaghan man hinoon ang mga droga dinhi. Seguro kini tungod kay nasudlan man ang nasod sa Mexican drug syndicate ug mao tingali kini ang hinungdan
kun nganong nagtaas ang supply ug mikunhod ang presyo sa droga. Busa iyang giingon n g a a n g a y g a yo d n g a mag-double time ang pulis ug ang PDEA, ang ilang Pegsot nga gipamunuan ni Mondarte nga gisuportahan sa ilang mga police personnel. Gidugang pa ni Ecaldre ang gisuportahan sa provincial government ang Pegsot kay ang operation kontra sa gidiling droga kinahanglanon man gyod ang kuwarta niini. Mao kini ang hinungdan nga kun aduna man silay accomplishment batok sa gidiling droga tungod sa suporta sa provincial government ug ni Mondarte. Gidugtong pa usab ni Mondarte nga mao kini ang nakahatag og peligro dinhi sa atong lugar kun ang hisgutan ang kalabot sa gidiling droga, busa gikinahanglan gayod nga mahimo kitang tanan mabinantayon ug ma-edukar ang mga ginikanan. Kini matod pa niya, kining atong lugar mao ang
nahimong sentro sa operasyon, ug ang kilid-kilid ilang na-obserbahan basi usab sa taho sa Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency ug Philippine National Police mao ang nahimong distribution area. Kini sama sa Zamboanga Sibugay, Misamis Occidental ug Lanao provinces. Giingon pa niya nga nalipay siya nga wala na karoy narco-politician nga nagingkod dinhi pero kining mga ginagmay moabot gihapon dinhi kay ania kita sa kinatung-an niining mga giilang lugar. Kini matod pa niya dili ikalimod kay adunay gihimong operation diha dapit sa Lanao ug nakuha ang 300 ka mga sachet ug 11 ka mga high-powered fire arms ang nakuha. Dinhi usab sa kasadpang bahin, ang Malangas ang nadungog nga maoy ganghaan sa gidiling droga nga mikuyanap karon sa probinsiya. Busa sa kanunay iyang giawhag ang katawhan nga magpakabana ilabi na ang mga ginikanan.
Philippine Nikkei-Jin Legal Support Center Inc. Rm. 312 Asian Social Institute Inc. No. 1518 Leon Guinto St. Malate Manila, Philippines SEC Reg. No.: CN 2007 14774 / Telefax No. 02-3533096 / Cell. No. 0918-979-9843 / Email: pnlsc_mla@yahoo.com Para de todo decedencia de hapon de aquel antes de guerra pati durante de guerra …. Ultimo llamada para de todo rehistracion... para mga priguntas pabor llama vosotros na local Nikkeijin na…) (To All Pre and War Displaced Japanese Descendants (Nikkei-Jins) last call for filling of General Registration. For inquiries please call local (Nikkei-Jin Kai) chapters in: ) Luzon: Metro Manila : Manila Central Luzon Nippi Association (Region I, II, III, IV-A,IV-B, V, & NCR)
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Chinese intrusion in Philippine territories condemned
Participants to the recent 'SelPeace' seminar-workshop conducted by the Sulu Photograpeace Club.
Sulu Photograpeace Club conducts ‘SelPeace’ photo seminar
SULU - In an attempt to capture Sulu province’s undiscovered sights and sceneries, the Sulu Photograpeace Club conducted the first-ever “SelPeace” Photography seminar held at the Sulu Area Coordinating Center’s Sumadja Hall in Patikul town. SelPeace is a coined word of “selfie” and “peace” and aims at promoting local tourism, capturing peace through photography, exposing the precious gems of Sulu - its rich culture, religion and tradition - and at the same time recruit new members for Sulu Photograpeace Club. The two-day seminar was attended by different photo enthusiasts and aficionados from various schools such as University of the Philippines, Western Mindanao State University, Sulu State College, Notre Dame of Jolo College, and also from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 6, Department of Agriculture and Tibuuk Lupah Sug, among others. Ju l k i p l i A h i j o n J r. served as the lecturer of the topic entitled Digital Pho-
tography Basics. He shared his knowledge on photography to the participants and also taught them how to capture beautiful photos using his techniques and strategies. SelPeace is actually the sequel of Sulu Photograpeace Club’s to the resounding success of the Photograpeace seminar-workshop conducted by the Kusug Batah Sug on February 2013 with renowned photographer Mon Corpus. An overview of the Sulu Photograpeace Club was presented by the event manager Aldimar Mudjairi during the April 19-20 seminar. He stressed that the Sulu Photograpeace Club contributed a lot by promoting Sulu’s pride through the power of social media. It also held photo walks and launched the Kusug Lupah Sug Book 2, and held outreach programs and exhibits in the province. Sulu Photograpeace Club officer-in-charge President Munjir Mukarram also shared his experiences in photography and how it
changed his life as a youth. Participants were keen to know more about the procedures in securing one-of-a kind photos that would not only showcase its beauty, but more importantly, its meaning and emotions. A hands-on photo session was made to test them their captured photographs. Mahmoudar Hassan, a member of the Sulu Photograpeace Club, also shared his knowledge on cyber crimes so that the participants would be responsible in posting their photos using social media. The seminar was made possible with the support of their avid partners such as the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council, Marine Battalion Landing Team 2, MTD Pharmacy, Tibuuk Lupah Sug, Department of Agriculture, Sulu Area Coordinating Center, and other humble individuals who made the event a huge success. Sulu Photograpeace Club has proven that through the power of lens, it can promote peace.
(Nash Usman Abduhadi)
Sayyafs free kidnapped engineer
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Abu Sayyaf rebels have freed a kidnapped Filipino engineer after two months in captivity in the southern Filipino province of Sulu, police said. Police said Bonifacio Salinas, 54, was released in the village of Bangkal in Patikul town. His freedom came barely a month after the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf released his wife, Claire, 52. The couple was seized outside their house in Kasalamatan village in Patikul town on February 16. Both husband and wife work at the Jolo Mainland
Water District. “Engineer Bonifacio Salinas was released by his abductors in the vicinity of Bangkal village in Patikul and he is presently at the hospital for medical check up,” Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, the provincial police chief, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. It was unknown whether the family paid ransom for the safe release of Salinas. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding several hostages, among them two European wildlife photographers
Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, from Switzerland who were kidnapped in Tawi-Tawi province on February 2012. The two foreigners, along with their Filipino guide Ivan Sarenas, 35, were seized at gunpoint by five men in the coastal village of Parangan in Panglima Sugala town while taking photographs of wild birds, and handed them over to the Abu Sayyaf. Sarenas managed to escape, but the fate of the two foreigners is unknown. (Mindanao Ex-
aminer)
Kelot na dumagit sa teenager hinahanting
DIPOLOG CITY – Pinaghahanap ng pulisya ang 55-anyos na lalaki matapos umano nitong isama ang teenager na kanyang nililigawan sa bayan ng Baliguian sa Zamboanga del Norte province. Dumulog sa pulisya ang pamilya ng 16-anyos na biktima at sinabi na isang araw itong nawala matapos na isama ni Ferdinand Franco, isang crew ng fishing boat at nanliligaw sa teenger, ng walang per-
miso sa mga magulang ng dalagita. Huling nakita nitong Abril 19 ang teenager kasama si Franco na sakay ng isang scooter patungo sa bayan ng Gutalac. Umuwi lamang ang bata kinabukasan na, ngunit hindi naman agad mabatid kung ano ang nangyari sa kanya. Mahigit na umanong isang buwan nililigawan ni Franco ang bata, ngunit hindi na matagpuan ito
mula ng umiwi ang teenager. “The suspect Ferdinand Franco is still at large. The Baliguian Police Station is now preparing proper charges to be filed in court against the perpetrator,” ani Insp. Dahlan Samuddin, ang regional police spokesman. Wala pang ibinigay na pahayag ang pamilya ng teenager. (Mindanao Ex-
aminer)
MANILA - A Filipino youth group League of Filipino Students has condemned China’s aggressive incursion in Philippine waters and demanded Beijing to immediately withdraw its forces. “We assert our sovereign and territorial rights over the Kalayaan group of islands and Panatag shoal and condemn China on its arrogant maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea,” LFS national chairperson Charlotte Velasco said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. “We are jogging the Chinese government’s memory of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea which the Philippines and China have signed in recognition that the aforesaid pieces of territory are within the 200-nautical miles of our country’s exclusive economic zone. These are our legitimate rights and the Chinese government should recognize these claims,” she said. She said the LFS has demanded the Chinese government to back off the Philippine waters and withdraw its troops. She stressed that if the Chinese government is serious about its claims, then it should appear before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea and Arbitral Tribunal to resolve the case wisely. “Claiming the disputed islands through violent military measures does not prove their rightful claim
on those islands but rather shows China’s desperate attempt to prevent the downfall of its economy based on neo-liberal policies of the US,” Velasco said. Velasco also pointed out that while standing firm in the case filed by the Philippine government before the ITLOS and Arbitral Tribunal is necessary in showing our country’s unwavering stand, it is essential to reject US war-instigation in the region to peacefully and diplomatically resolve the conflict. She stressed that in order to get the Chinese government open for bilateral and multilateral negotiations, the Philippines should resist US military intervention. Sh e h a s c r i t i c i ze d President Benigno Aquino for inviting US forces in the country and further putting the Philippines in danger from Chinese aggression. “Since 2011, President Aquino has been pouring oil to fire by inviting more US military intrusion and allowing US military activities in the country. Worse, the US-Aquino government is using the Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises as reason to hold US military exercises over the disputed islands inciting China.” “Despite the fact that the US has been the biggest violators of Philippine sovereignty and has incomparable heinous crimes to our people, the puppet
Aquino regime has been insistent in welcoming the US show of aggression in the region making the Philippines as one of its military springboard in Asia-Pacific,” Velasco said. Citing the Chinese publication People’s Liberation Daily that the US presence in the Philippines is creating conditions which raises the risks of armed confrontation over the disputed pieces of territory, Velasco noted that Aquino should stop relying on US militaristic and conceited methods. She also added that the US has no intention of going to war for our country because it has more economic and political interest in China than in the Philippines. “ We r e f u s e t o b e dragged into unnecessary war or even meaningless shows of military force and provocations. We can only demand peaceful resolutions with China on the basis of equality, respect, and mutual benefit only if the US is out of our country and Asia-Pacific Region,” Velasco said. “As citizens of the county, it is our responsibility to defend our national sovereignty, patrimony, and territorial integrity against foreign domination, may it be China or the US. And in the upcoming visit of US President Obama, it is high time we get this message across through the strength of our collective action,” she added.
Zambo Sur legal officer, mipasabot sa gi-dismiss nga kaso batok kang kanhing Gobernadora Cerilles PAGADIAN CITY - Gipasabot ni Provincial Legal Oficer Atty. Felix Escalate, Jr. ang mahitungod sa gi-dismiss nga kaso nga gipasaka batok kang kanhing gobernadora ug kasamtangang Congresswoman Auring Cerilles ug iyang mga kaubanan sa kagamhanang probinsiyal kaniadto. Aduna kiniy kalabutan sa mga pasangil nga kuno adunay gipalit kaniadto ang pro-vincial government nga mga medisina ug uban pang mga hospital equipment nga matod pa overpriced kini. Kining maong kaso nasang-at sa Ombudsman ug human ang walo ka tuig sa pag-file sa maong reklamo ayha usab kini gi-file sa Sandigan Bayan ug ang nahitabo gani niini ang mga respondent o mga akusado nag-piyansa sa Sandigang Bayan aron makakuha sa temporaryo nga kagawasan. Matod pa ni Escalante nga ang mga abogado sa mga akusado nag-file og mga nagkalain-laing motion aron ipakita nga dili na magpadayon ang kaso sa Sandigan Bayan tungod kay adunay konstitusyonal nga mga katungod sa mga akusado nga nalapas sa Ombdudsman sa dihang
gi-file kining maong kaso. Kini kay ang matag akusado o respondent sa usa ka criminal investigation nga himoon sa Ombudsman aduna silay katungod nga ang preliminary investigation mahuman sa labing dali nga panahon kay kun dili mahuman sa daling panahon mahimo kining violation o paglapas sa constitutional right sa due process ug cons-titutional right sa speedy trial kay apil niini ang preliminary investigation. Mao nga tungod kay dugay kaayo nga na-file ang kaso sa Ombudsman ngadto sa Sandigan Bayan nahimo kining basihan sa mga abogado sa mga akusado para mag-file og motion to dismiss ug didto ilang gipasabot nga adunay mga miagi nga kaso nga nadesisyunan sa Supreme Court nga nagsulti nga ang paghimo sa preli-minary investigation sa Ombudsman sa bisan unsan government agency kabahin niini kinahanglang dili langay-langayon. Kay kun moingon kita nga “justice delayed is justice denied” kana siya mo-apply sa proseso ug panahon nga gigugol ug gihatag sa pagpahigayon sa prelimineary investigation. Matod pa ni Escalante
nga malipayon sila kay ang motion nga gi-file ni Congresswoman Auring Cerilles ug Estita Tago ug mga kauban gihatagan og gibug-aton sa Sandigan Bayan ug ning bag-o lang niadtong Marso 13, 2014 nagpagawas ang Sandigan Bayan sa usa ka resolution nga nag-ingon nga ensakto ang argumento sa mga akusado nga sila si kanhing gobernadora Cerilles ug Tago nga ang ilang constitutional nga katungod nga mahuman og dali ang preliminary investigation ayha kini na-file sa Sandigan Bayan nalapas gyod. Ug kining paglapas tungod kay constitutional man kini siya puwedeng mahimong hinungdan aron ma-dismiss ang kaso, matod pa niya ug tuod man nagpagawas ang Sandigan Bayan sa usa ka resolution ug ang unod niini nagsulti nga kining mga kaso dismissed na. Kining maong kalambuan migawas sa pamantalaang Philippine Daily Inquirer niadtong Abril 10 ug kining maong dismissal matawag nga on the merit kay bisan maabot kini sa paghusay ang prosecutor para mapakanaugan og conviction ang mga akusado.
The Mindanao Examiner
7
The Mindanao Examiner
Apr. 28-May 4, 2014
Rebels free captive soldier DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels have freed a government soldier they captured in the southern Philippine province of Compostela Valley, the army said. It said Sergeant Jeric Bucio Curay was released last week to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who negotiated with the New People’s Army for the soldier’s freedom. Curay, a member of the 72nd Infantry Battalion, was captured by rebels at a checkpoint in the village of Andap in Laak town on April 4. According to the 10th CMO Battalion, Curay was released in the village of Casoon in Monkayo town. “Sergeant Curay was unarmed during the time of his capture. His abduction was a CARHRIHL violation. Sergeant Curay will undergo physical and psychological stress debriefing at the Camp Panacan Station Hospital for further evaluation,” it said in a brief statement released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. CARHRIHL refers to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, the first substantive agreement by the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, signed in 1998 in The Hague. The army quoted the soldier’s wife – who was reunited
with him in Davao City - as saying that “Curay is a dedicated soldier, responsible father and a good husband.” Kilab Multimedia also reported that the Exodus for Justice and Peace served as third-party facilitator for the safe release of the soldier. “I am so thankful that they released me and I really missed my family, my children right now,” it quoted Curay as saying. It said Bishop Modesto Villasanta, of the EJP, praised the rebels for the release of Curay. He appealed to the government and the rebel group to resume long-stalled peace talks. The bishop said the soldier’s wife sought help for the release of the prisoner. “Without hesitation or doubt, we expressed to her our willingness to act as facilitator. EJP’s mandate is to actively initiate and participate in various human rights and peace efforts especially in pursuing the need for the resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front.” “We believe that the on-going civil war in the country is complex and deeply-rooted. The worsening impoverishment characterized by hunger, landlessness and joblessness of the majority of the Filipino people are results of system that purports unequal distribution of wealth and resources,” he said in a separate statement to the Mindanao Examiner.
He said the resumption of the peace talks will address the systematic problems assailing the country; the problem on peace and human right abuses, the inaccessibility of justice mechanisms, and most especially, the reeling socioeconomic woes suffered by the population. The rebels have declared Curay as prisoner of war and interrogated him to determine his involvement in “counterrevolutionary and anti-people” activities in Laak town. The capture of Curay coincided with the NPA’s renewed campaign against the 72nd Infantry Battalion whom the rebels accused - along with the 60th Infantry Battalion - of protecting big logging firms “which have wiped out the forests of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Agusan del Sur provinces.” The rebel group said the wanton destruction of remaining forest cover and unchecked commercial logging in the provinces have greatly impoverished indigenous Lumad tribesmen and peasants and have made them more vulnerable to environmental disasters and climate change. It also accused politicians and policemen as among those behind indiscriminate logging operations in eastern Mindanao. “ The NPA has previously taken soldiers as prisoners of war, but eventually freed them on humanitarian grounds.
(Mindanao Examiner)
Environmental group calls for moratorium on issuance of mining permits MANILA - Environmental group Alyansa Tigil Mina has urged the Aquino government to stop the issuance of new mining permits and prioritize the passage of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill. “It is a fact that mining disasters are no end in sight with the current policy in mining industry through the Mining Act of 1995. Back in 1988, the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines issued a letter on the environment, What Is Happening to Our Beautiful Land? In this letter, the CBCP lamented the onslaught being perpetrated against the envi-
ronment nationwide,” Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Garganera said the many communities and people are affected by large-scale mining activities and that their rights are violated with impunity. “The testimonies of mining affected communities of Marinduque and Compostela Valley paint a picture of the gravity of environmental degradation and human rights violations brought by the large scale mining in these areas,”
Garganera said. These conditions, he said, impair the communities rights to adequate housing, safe water and to an environment that does not harm their well-being. The past nineteen years since the Mining Act of 1995 enacted, it is very disheartening to witness the worsening rural poverty and continuing disaffection of mining affected communities on mining.” Garganera said his group and the CBCP are calling for a moratorium on the issuance of new mining permits and the passage of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill.
Stranded OFWs in Saudi susceptible to MERS-CoV THE MIDDLE EAST-BASED overseas Filipino workers’ rights group Migrante-Middle East expressed alarm over the safety of Filipino workers stranded in Saudi Arabia following the breakout of there Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. It said even the old and sick OFWs, including children of those stranded, are more susceptible to MERS-CoV. Saudi has ordered the distribution of vaccines to fight and contain the spread of the deadly disease. Just recently, four people, among them two Filipino medical staffs in hospitals in United Arab Emirates, were tested positive for the virus. There were also reports of MERS-CoV cases in Doha, Qatar. “This situation requires an immediate action by the Philippine government through its diplomatic posts not only in Saudi Arabia but in other mid-east countries where there are MERS-CoV spread and huge OFWs concentration,” John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional
coordinator, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Monterona cited that in UAE for instance, the host government already raised ‘Orange’ alarm which means its citizen and expatriates were advised to wear mask especially going to public places. He said Saudi has sent out text messages cautioning its citizens and the millions of expatriates, including himself, about the disease. Monterona said the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah should conduct not only information dissemination and education campaign on how to avoid MERS-CoV, but also to conduct medical missions and monitor the health condition of an estimated 200 stranded OFWs, some with children, who have been staying since October last year inside the deportation facility there. “We likewise call on Philippine Embassy officials in Riyadh to do the same,” Monterona said, adding that there are around 100
stranded OFWs temporarily staying at embassy-rented accommodation, while there are 40 women and children at the Bahay Kalinga, also in Riyadh. “We are urging President Aquino to issue a clear marching order to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Health to quickly attend on the medical needs of the distressed and stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries; form a medical team and deploy them in MERS-CoV hit countries where there are large concentration of OFWs, distressed and stranded,” he said. Monterona also called on the Aquino government to seriously attend on the repatriation of the distressed and stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia. “We need action from his administration not just mere words of praises to OFWs whom the government hails as modern heroes due to its economic contribution through their billion dollars remittances,” Monterona said.
Photos released by the 10th CMO Battalion to The Mindanao Examiner regional newspaper show freed army soldier Sergeant Jeric Bucio Curay with his family at the Camp Panacan Station Hospital inside the Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters in Davao City in southern Philippines. And photos of Curay’s release were also provided by Kilab Multimedia to the Mindanao Examiner.
Amok shot in mall
ZAMBOANGA CITY – A man who ran amuck was shot and wounded after he knifed a policeman who tried to disarm him inside a shopping mall in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said. Inspector Dahlan Samuddin a regional police spokesman said the wounded cop, SPO2 Francisco Enot, was rushed to hospital after being stabbed in the face and shoulder by the 23-year Ronnie Dagodog inside the Gateway Mall. Dagodog was shot by Se-
nior Insp. Jade Mandi to save Enot from being killed by Dagodog, a native of Tampilisan town in Zamboanga del Norte province. Samuddin said the man took a kitchen knife at the 4th floor of the mall and went berserk, sending shoppers scampering for safety. Enot, who is assigned at the traffic section of the local police, and Mandi who were both outside the mall, responded to the commotion and tried to convince Dagodog to surrender
peacefully. Enot, who was trying to prevent the man from getting away, grabbed the knife from Dagodog, but he had been stabbed. The wounded attacker was also rushed to a separate hospital where he is being guarded closely by policemen. It was unknown why Dagodog ran amuck. Police did not say whether Dagodog was only visiting Zamboanga or has been residing here. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
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Zamboanga cops hunt 2 men implicated in killings ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police are searching for two men who were implicated in two separate killings in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. Police identified the duo as Rommel Alvarez and Nino Fernando who were allegedly involved in the killings of Emil Sulay, a welder; and widow Isidra Rudy. Sulay, a resident of
Purok 7 in Tugbungan village, was allegedly shot by Alvarez, who lives in Marcelino Drive in Logoy Grande in the village of Talon-Talon. Police said Sulay was shot several times with a .45-caliber pistol. Police said the killing was probably connected to work. Police said Fernando, a native of Malangas town in Zamboanga Del Sur prov-
ince, is being sought for the death of Rudy and that robbery was likely the motive behind the killing which occurred in the victim’s house at Dionio Compound in Tumaga village. The woman’s body was found inside the bathroom - her hands were tied and she was apparently stabbed in the chest, according to the police.
Apr. 28-May 4, 2014
Leader of youth group, father arrested over hacienda row
MANILA - A Filipino youth group called Anakbayan has condemned what it claimed was the unlawful arrest by the police and military of one of its leaders in the town of Nasugbu in Batangas province just outside Manila. It demanded the immediate release of Alaiza Mari Lemita and her relatives, who are known peasant leaders in Hacienda Looc. Lemita is Anakbayan vice chairperson in Southern Tagalog region. The group said soldiers and policemen arrested
Lemita and her father Armando and other relatives. Armando's group founded the Ugnayan ng mga Mamamayan Laban sa Pangwawasak ng Kalupaan ng Hacienda Looc (UMALPASKA) to advocate genuine land reform and oppose the alleged land grabbing in Hacienda Looc which is is being developed into resorts. Diego Torres, Anakbayan regional chairman, said the incident ticks another record in the government's bloody history in failing to uphold the rights
of the people, particularly those of the youth and peasants. "The intensifying repression and suppression of dissent only agitates the youth, peasants and all of the people to tear off the facade of good governance, and pushes them to call for a change of the country's leadership in the short run, and the of the overthrowing of the rotten system in the long run," Torres said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
Police arrest Belgian man who trashed Filipino gathering in hotel DIPOLOG CITY – Philippine police arrested a 51-year Belgian national who attacked two Filipinos in a hotel in Dipolog City on the southern island of Mindanao. Police said Dany Eric Roelandt, a native of Bruges City in Belgium, was apparently drunk when he trashed a gathering of a Filipino family at Hotel Camila. Roelandt, also a guest in the hotel, allegedly hit Wilson Flores, 29, after he confronted the foreigner when he occupied the family’s table at the pool side and then started cursing the
Filipinos. Roelandt’s Filipina fiancée, Gloria Trazona, tried to pacify the foreigner, but she too, was ignored and further pushed Flores. The hotel’s security guard Luceno Dalap told police that he was also chocked by the foreigner when he tried to stop him from disturbing the guests. The foreigner also destroyed the hotel’s door. Police arrived at the hotel after its manager Alma Cuenca, 35, phoned authorities to report about the incident, according to Insp. Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokes-
man. He said the Roelandt was immediately arrested before he could do further harm on other hotel guests and brought to the hospital where a doctor conducted breath alcohol test on the foreigner. “The foreigner is currently detained at the Dipolog City Police Station,” Samuddin said. It was not immediately known whether the Royal Belgian Embassy in Manila was informed about the arrest of Roelandt, who was just visiting the Philippines. (Mindanao
Examiner)
2 army militias wounded in clash TWO PRO-GOVERNMENT militias were wounded in a clash with a group of armed men in Zamboanga del Norte’s Siayan town, police said. Police said Marcial Seguyo and Jhunny Fabillar,
were shot in the legs during the firefight in the village of Pange. The duo was returning to their detachment when gunmen attacked them and sparking a brief fire fight. Both militias, who are assigned with the 20th
Special Force CAA Detachment, were brought to their base and given first aid before being evacuated to hospital. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack. (Mindanao
Examiner)
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Apr. 28-May 4, 2014
Police capture Sayyaf man plotting to bomb Zambo
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Z A M B OA N G A C I T Y – Government commandos captured an Abu Sayyaf rebel who was allegedly plotting to bomb civilian targets in the southern port city of Zamboanga. Officials said a composite team of police and military commandos swooped down on the seaside village of Baliwasan and captured the rebel who uses the alias of Abu Darren. Darren was tagged as involved in the ransom kidnappings of 21 mostly European holidaymakers from the posh Malaysian resort of Pulau Sipadan in 2000 and he is also being linked by the police to a
foiled kidnapping at a posh pearl farm resort in Davao that left two people dead in 2001. Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokesman, said Darren has a string of criminal cases against him. “Subject was also identified by a government witness as involved in kidnapping incidents with the Abu Sayyaf group in Davao and in Sidapan in 2001. Subject is believed casing probable bombing targets within Zamboanga City proper,” Samuddin said. Darren is currently being interrogated by authorities to further determine his mission, but it was
not immediately known whether the rebel was acting alone or if with other companions. Police did not say if security forces had seized any weapons or explosives from the Darren. The Abu Sayyaf, which means “bearer of the sword,” has been linked by Philippine an US authorities to Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya and was also tagged as behind the spate of terrorism and ransom kidnappings over the last two decades. The group is still holding several foreigners and Filipinos in captivity in the troubled region. (Mindanao
DIPOLOG CITY – Philippine police briefly held a Malaysian national after the foreigner disrespected an airport security in the southern city of Dipolog, officials said. Officials said Teck Chon Low was stopped at the pre-departure area by Reyna Cantilla after six disposable gas lighters were found in the bag of
the foreigner. Cantilla informed the Malaysian that lighters are prohibited in the plane, but the foreigner suddenly threw all of it on the inspection table and disrespected the officers. Other airport security men tried to pacify the Malaysian, but he continued to be unruly and even more when he was
not allowed to board a Philippine Air Lines flight for Manila by the airline manager Raymund Baylon because of his behavior. The foreigner was eventually released to his Filipina fiancée Jorgie Bitonga Rabong after Cantilla did not pursue if filing charges against the Malaysian. (Mindanao Ex-
MANILA - The environmental coalition Alyansa Tigil Mina said the Philippines needs a more sustainable future, not just for the environment, but for the people themselves. “When it comes to environmental issues, there are just so many things to deal with. There is deforestation, destruction of biodiversity and of course destructive and irresponsible mining, among others. The issue even extends to human rights violations and the abuse of rights of our Indigenous Peoples.” “But these issues are not hopeless. International and local groups from different sectors are doing their best to resolve these problems. The question however, is how willing are we to open our minds and assert our rights for a clean and safe environment. As long as we let the dysfunctional system and the culprits behind these environmental atrocities do what they do, we can continue to fight for 50 years or more and not even make a dent to save the Earth,” Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. He said ATM and other environmental organizations and sectors are urging the public to take part in preser ving the environment. He said Filipinos must use their right as a power against
the environmental offenders especially now that climate change is threatening to intensify. “We do not have to look so far behind our history to recount instances when our vulnerability as a nation was intensified by mining, coal-fired power plants operations, deforestation and other acts and operations that are clear desecration of our environment.” “And 19 years ago, the Mining Act of 1995 was enacted and it has brought an imbalanced development but inconsiderate extraction of our national resources, destruction of our environment, health risk to the people and a long list of mining disasters that have left irreversible consequences to the affected communities,” Garganera said, adding just 5 months ago, typhoon Haiyan struck the country and deforestation and mining have largely contributed to the devastation it brought stressed. He said the social, environmental and political costs of mining far outweigh its supposed economic benefits. According to the most recent climate change report released by the United Nations on March 30, the intensifying global warming will gravely affect countries that rely on agriculture and fishery, and linking it to the booming population that is estimated to become
9.7 billion by 2050, worldwide hunger has been foreseen. The Philippines, which mostly depends on agriculture and fishery as livelihood resources is bound to suffer more as climate change aggravates. The effects of mining and other activities that are considered detrimental to environmental services - such as vast deforestation and coal plant operations - do not help in averting the climate crisis. T h e c o n t ra d i c t i n g policies on addressing climate change and mining and other development projects are going to lead nowhere, he said. For this, he said, ATM is calling on Filipinos to stand up against these environmental atrocities because it has to stop, o t h e r w i s e, h o p e f a l l s short for the rest of the Filipinos. “Environmental organizations, other concerned sectors even the government, can only do so much if we do not fight against these environmental aggressors. Moreover, let us fight the biggest aggressor, which is the apathy that we have when it comes to environmental concerns. Protecting our environment starts in our homes, the way we think, the way we act. Let us make Earth Day not a one day event, let us celebrate it every day of our lives,” Garganera said.
Examiner)
Unruly Malaysian fails to board PHL plane
aminer)
Filipinos should assert rights in protecting the environment
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. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Villager wounded in Tacurong gun attack
TACURONG CITY – A 37year old man was shot and wounded in an attack in Tacurong City in southern Philippines, police said. Police said Ronnie Pa-
jenado was attacked near his home at Purok Rose in the village of Baras and that his alleged shooter has been identified as Ricky Palomillo, who remains at large.
Police are investigating the motive of the shooting, but initial reports suggested that the attack was due to an old grudge. (Rose
Muneza)
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D
OZENS of war refugees staying in tents and filthy evacuation site have been t ransferred 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 hundreds of 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 1520 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 thanked the local government for assisting and transporting them to Mam-
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) pang 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 and wounded over 400 people and displaced some 120,000 villagers. “There is an urgent need to
Southern Mindanao
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 low in the dry season,” he said, adding general food distribution to the affected people ended in December 2013. Just recently, hundreds of
Davao
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 Tawi-Tawi province engaged in fishing and other traditional livelihoods - were being relocated to the far-flung 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. Local officials said many of those sheltered at the beachfront are “fake IDPs” who are out to take advantage of whatever aid or assistance they can get from the government. Many of those relocated said
Manila
they are happy with what the government provided them. 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