Sulu province donates 600-horsepower speedboat to military PAGE 3
Zamboanga war refugees still languishing in shelters PAGE 4
Dubai braces for 25 million visitors in Expo 2020 PAGE 6
Army praises capture of top female NPA leader in Zambo province
Malaysia intercepts Syrian man trying to sneak into Zambo City
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Trawler attacked off Tawi-Tawi PAGE 9
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Armed Forces Chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista together with Lt.. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, and Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, chief of the 4th Infantry Division receive surrendered members of the communist rebel group New People's Army during a ceremony in May this year. (Photos from Eastern Mindanao Command)
I
t comes with different names and with it is billions and billions of pesos in funds and the communist rebel group calls it the “milking cow” of the government and the military officials – from Balik-Baril Program to Guns-for-Peace Program – it lures rebels to return to the folds of the law in exchange for rewards and livelihood aid for those who surrender their weapons - dilapidated, vintage or not. Despite the corruption tag it is associated with, the Balik-Baril Program – first introduced during President Corazon Aquino’s time stands for “Bring a Rifle Improve your Livelihood,” where the government pays as such as P25, 000 for every weapon surrendered by rebels, aside from at least P18,000 in initial aid. Formerly under the National Reconciliation and Development Program (NRDP) which was intended to coordinate and integrate efforts of the government and non-governmental organizations, and the private sectors for the rebel returnees. The B eginning Beginning According to the govern-
Where are the rebel returnees?
ment, although launched in December 24, 1986, it was not until 1988 that the NRDP went into full swing providing loans to rebel returnees under Balik-Baril Program. The Aquino administration said the program was so successful that it transferred Balik-Baril to Peace and Order Councils which facilitated and hastened the processing of assistance to the rebels at the lowest levels of government. It said NRDP had greatly contributed to the substantial neutralization of the secessionist movement in southern Philippines as well as improved peace and order situation in erstwhile insurgent affected areas with over 1,800 rebel returnees from the New People’s Army; and 837 Cordillera People’s Liberation Army members, and 12,978 Muslim rebels returned to the fold of the law between 1987 to 1991. The rebel returnees were granted P53.8 million in financial assistance to start their livelihood, resettlement, and training programs. Another
1,845 subversive mass activists and 4,655 NPA sympathizers also availed of the program. With the success of the program, the government called expanded this and called it Social Integration Program and offered rebel returnee higher cash aid of P20,000 improved emergency assistance, P50,000 livelihood fund and increased amount for the Balik-Baril component, which used to be only P18,000 on M14 and M16 automatic rifles. Ramos rregime egime And in July 1992, newly elected President Fidel Ramos continued the BalikBaril with Abu Sayyaf members in Basilan and Sulu provinces being included in the amnesty program. But many rebels had returned to the mountains shortly after receiving government aid. Others who surrendered to the military were not even members of any rebel group, but recruited and paraded as rebels for propaganda and many of the weapons they
yielded were mostly defective Garand and homemade rifles. And worse, the military has no monitoring or full records and inventory of those who surrendered the past decades and in recent years. Under President Gloria Arroyo, communist rebels accused the government of pocketing billions of pesos in Balik-Baril program, saying, military commanders paraded “fake” rebel returnees and handed them dilapidated weapons to be able to collect from the fund which was coursed through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. With the current presidency of Benigno Aquino, the Balik-Baril Program continues under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, but it has scrapped the inclusion of the Abu Sayyaf and other terror groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Mindanao. Silent Request of data from the Armed Forces of the Philippines related to the BalikBaril and the amount of money spent on the program was unanswered by officials, but in 2000, the Commission on Audit released an executive summary of the annual audit report on the National Program for Unification and Development Council involved in the program showed that more than P124 million were unsettled or disallowed. In 2011, Major Christopher Patindol, a disbursing officer of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines, went into hiding after being accused of pocketing some P1.4 million in Balik-Baril funds following an audit into the funds. Judge Maria Filomena Singh, of the Regional Trial Court Branch 85, issued a warrant for his arrest last year. Guns-for -P eace uns-for-P -Peace Following the controversy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines scrapped the Balik-Balik and launched the Guns-for-Peace Program, the same mechanism used for the Balik-Baril, but this time rebel returnees are paid much higher for the weapons they surrender P200,000 for a machine gun; P60,000 for an M14 rifle; P50,000 for M16 rifle, and P40,000 for an M203 grenade launcher aside from other government livelihood aid and financial assistance as part of its amnesty program. In Southern Philippines, the Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City said the Guns-for-Peace Program has so far attracted many communist rebels who surrendered in recent months. The 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City headed by Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, which is also under the Eastern Mindanao Command, has presented at least 98 rebel returnees to Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Lt.. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III during a ceremony in May this year. The Eastern Mindanao Command said the surrender of the communist rebels were part of the so-called "Pagbabalik-Loob," a campaign under the Guns-forPeace that encourages NPA members to surrender
peacefully and avail of the government amnesty program and eventually integrating them back to mainstream society. It said 33 returnees, including two women, were regular NPA members, while 64 belonged to the NPA's underground Barrio Revolutionary Committees or Militia ng Bayan. And 70 of them are Manobo tribesmen, to include 12 minors recruited by the NPA to fight the democratic government. The Eastern Mindanao Command said the rebel returnees received a total of P881,750 from the Guns-forPeace Program in payments for 93 assorted high-powered firearms they surrendered. "For the record, the 4th Infantry Division's Pagbabalik Loob (program) helped 204 NPA rebels with 201 assorted firearms return to the folds of the law safely. A total of 4.2 million pesos was released by the Eastern Mindanao Command taken from the AFP’s Guns-forPeace Program fund. NPA returnees are also entitled to receive another cash and livelihood assistance from the OPAPP," it said. Cumulative data of rebel returnees in southern Philippines were not immediately available from the army. Through the years since the Balik-Baril Program was introduced, some of the rebel returnees have been used as military and police informants, others had rejoined their group and continued fighting the government, while some had been killed by their former comrades for abandoning their cause. And others, who have assumed false identities for fear of being assassinated, have live quietly with their families. (Mindanao Examiner)
July 14-20, 2014
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Sulu province donates 600-horsepower speedboat to military SULU – The Sulu provincial government handed over a 600-horsepower speedboat it donated to the Philippine Marines in support to its law enforcement operations in the southern Philippines. The 10-meter boat also serves as a multi-purpose vessel which the military can use in its rescue or logistic operations, among others. Governor Totoh Tan and Vice-Governor Sakur Tan led the turnover of the Malaysian-made speedboat to Brigadier General Martin Pinto, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade,
and Brigadier General Orlando del Leon, the deputy chief of the Western Mindanao Command who represented Lt. Gen. Rustico Guererro. Both Pinto and De Leon thanked the provincial officials for the donation, saying, the speedboat equipped with three outboard engines, is a big contribution to the efforts of authorities in maintaining peace and order in the province. "This is a welcome move by the provincial government, a manifestation of the strong partnership and collaboration of the local government and
the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The water craft is capable of conducting maritime patrols to intercept and apprehend lawless elements engaged in illegal activities." The speed boat, a Malaysian-made watercraft, will enhance the capability of the AFP in maritime law enforcement operations within the waters of Sulu and nearby island municipalities," Pinto said. The provincial government has been very supportive of the military and police authorities in Sulu in an effort to professionalize the uniformed personnel here. (Franzie Sali)
Libreng mobile alert sa panahon ng sakuna at kalamidad asahan na MANILA Muling ipinaalala ng pamahalaang Aquino na isinabatas na ang Republic Act No. 10639 o ang pagpapadala ng mga telecommunications service provider ng mga libreng mobile alert sa panahon ng sakuna at kalamidad, gawa man ng tao o kalikasan. Layunin ng batas - na nilagdaang noon nakaraang buwan lamang - na maiwasan ang mga aksidente, pagkawala ng buhay, at pagkasira ng ariarian dulot ng mga bagyo, lindol, tsunami, at iba pang kalamidad. Kung kaya, inaatasan ang mga mobile phone
service providers na magpadala ng mga babala at pinakabagong impormasyon direkta sa mga nakatira at malapit sa mga apektadong lugar tuwing may paparating na sakuna. Nakatakda ang mga telecom firms na regular na magpadala ng mga mensahe ayon sa pangangailangan ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology at iba pang mga kaugnay na ahensya. Ang mga babala ay maaaring SMS o text
message, MMS, o email. Laman ng mga mobile alert ang sumusunod na impormasyon: Numero kung saan maaaring kontakin ang inyong lokal na pamahalaan at iba pang ahensyang kailangang tumugon sa inyong sitwasyon, lugar na maaaring paglikasan, lugar kung saan namimigay ng mga relief goods at iba pang kakailanganing impormasyon. Ayon sa batas ay walang gagastusin, sa kahit anong anyo, ang mga tatanggap ng mga mobile alert na ito. Ang paalala ay inilabas dahil sa kapanahunan na ng tagulan sa bansa
8 members of NPA group surrender DAVAO CITY – Eight members of a communist underground organization have surrendered to the military in the southern Philippines, officials said. Army Capt. Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said among those who surrendered were two women. He said the group surrendered last week to the 27th Infantry Battalion in the village of Tasiman in South Cotabato’s Lake Sebu. He identified those who yielded to the army as Ruben Dalisan, Ruben Timbang, Torib Tuan, Dicky Tuan, Banas Sodaw, Jomer Dalisan, Jemma
Sulu Governor Totoh Tan and Vice-Governor Sakur Tan hand over a 600-horsepower speedboat the provincial government donated to the Philippine Marines. Brigadier General Martin Pinto, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, and Brigadier General Orlando de Leon, the deputy chief of the Western Mindanao Command who represented Lt. Gen. Rustico Guererro, received the boat recently. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Franzie Sali)
Dalisan and Finish Timbang. “They all belonged to an organizing group of the New People’s Army,” Caber told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. He said the villagers gad been exploited by the NPA. “They were deceived and exploited. The NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines use these people in anti-government rallies, extortion activities, and as support role in the conduct of atrocities and other criminal activities,” Caber said. He said some 450 members of this group had surrendered to the Eastern Mindanao Command since early this year.
Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, warned villagers no to fall into the propaganda of the communist rebels. Cruz also praised local village officials and the 27th Infantry Battalion for its “Bayanihan” effort that led to the surrender of the 8 villagers. “We are thankful to the people and the local officials in the area for helping our peace and development teams achieve their mission and that is to rescue civilians exploited by the CPP-NPA,” he said. The NPA has been waging a secessionist war in an effort to put up a communist state in the country. (J. Magtanggol)
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Zamboanga war refugees still languishing in shelters ZAMBOANGA CITY – A lawmaker Carlos Zarate called on the Aquino administration to seriously reassess its priorities and address immediately the appalling humanitarian condition of the more than 100,000 war refugees who are in different shelters in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. The refugees were displaced by three weeks of fighting in September last year between Moro National Liberation Front rebels and security forces. The fighting killed and wounded over 400 people and displaced over 120,000 residents. More than 130 refugees have so far died from diseases in evacuation centers since last year. “Dapat singilin ang gobyernong Aquino sa pagkamatay ng mga evacuees dahil sa pagpapabaya ng estado para ibigay ang mga batayang serbisyong panlipunan na kailangan nila tulad ng malinis na tubig, maayos na tirahan at relokasyon sa isang komunidad na may access sa kabuhayan.” “Makikita rin natin na naka-angkla ang hindi pagpapabalik sa mga evacuees sa kanilang mga tirahan dahil sa no-build zone policy ng administrasyong Aquino na nakapaling sa interes ng mga korporatista at malalaking kapitalista,” Zarate said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. He also condemned the government’s “gross inefficiency in responding to the effects of so-called Zamboanga siege.” He said many refugees were also reported to be sick
Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar speaks to war refugees in Mampang village during one of her regular inspection of transitory sites where residents displaced by war in September last year are staying. (Photo by Joey Bautista) and afflicted by different forms of ailments that were aggravated by the unsanitary conditions in the evacuation centers and reports also of many rape cases in the shelters. Zarate said the refugees still have no permanent housing, lack food support and rice supply, medical and financial support and sources of livelihood despite huge funding released by the government to address these problems and alleviate the conditions of evacuees. He said Congress last year allocated P14 billion as supplemental fund for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of devastated areas due to natural and manmade calamities, including the aftermath of the Zamboanga siege. And this year, some P20 billion was also allocated as Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program Fund and another
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P13 billion from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Fund, and a stand-by P80 billion unprogrammed fund for reconstruction and rehabilitation. Zarate said various movements in Zamboanga City have already been formed to press the government to act on the poor conditions of the refugees. He said the group called Bangon Zamboanga, composed of refugees themselves, and the Al Muhminat Group, which is comprised of mostly of Muslim women and mothers, have condemned the inaction of the government in providing them with sufficient support and access to basic social services. He said the Moro-Christian People’s Alliance have already claimed that the harsh situation poses serious distraction in fulfilling our Ramadan obligations of deep meditation and worship by reading the Holy Quran. Because of these problems and mounting com-
plaints, Zarate said they will call for an investigation on the condition of refugees in evacuation centers designated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. He said the House Committee on Social Services would conduct the investigation “The Aquino government should reassess its priorities. It must be accountable for its continuing negligence in providing to basic social services and immediate permanent housing to the people displaced by the September Zamboanga siege,” Zarate said. Senator Nancy Binay has earlier filed Resolution 566 urging the Senate to investigate the reported deaths of the refugees and look into the health of children living in filthy evacuation centers and lack medical and emergency facilities there. Red C Crross The International Committee of the Red Cross also said the poor sanitation practices and unsuitable facilities in evacuation centers
create ideal conditions for the spread of disease. “Progress has been made in relocating a number of displaced people to transitional sites around the city. Nevertheless, efforts should continue to ensure that services such as water supply and sanitation are provided before moving people to these transitional sites. Especially now with the start of the rainy season, which will put additional strain on an already vulnerable population,” said Pascal Mauchle, head of the delegation of the ICRC in the Philippines. In a bid to improve the overall health situation, the ICRC said it is refurbishing health stations damaged in the fighting and providing medicines, other supplies and technical and financial support to the local health authorities and the Zamboanga City Medical Center. In May, the ICRC also set up a nutrition program for malnourished children under 5 years of age and for pregnant and lactating
women with a view to reducing the number of preventable deaths. So far 225 children and 32 women are being followed under this program. In addition, multipurpose halls are being built in three evacuation centers to carry out hygiene promotion, nutrition and health-care activities, it said. Buil dB ack Better uild Back Zamboanga Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabella Salazar said the government has been busy working on the rehabilitation of areas affected by the siege. She said construction of housing projects is now ongoing while thousands of refugees have been transferred to various transitory sites which are far better than evacuation centers. She said the National Housing Authority have started the construction in June of at least 172 permanent housing units, duplex loftable-type, under the socalled Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction or Z3R Plan. Salazar also ordered the implementation of necessary sanitation measures at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex where thousands of refugees are still staying while waiting for new transitory sites. She said at least 30 bunkhouses for evacuees have been completed in June and construction of the boardwalk and other facilities such as additional latrines and community kitchen, including installation of light and potable water system, and temporary health centers. “We are continuously coordinating with the national government for the Z3R implementation and to ensure that the houses and other facilities will be constructed within the 18month time frame set by Malacañang,” she said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Philippine authorities renew commitment to respect human rights PAGADIAN CITY – Philippine authorities have renewed its commitment to respect and uphold human rights following a recent forum organized by Amnesty International in Pagadian City in the southern province of Zamboanga del Sur. The forum brought together various law enforcement agencies, the police and military authorities, among others. The Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology also vowed to implement fully the Anti-Torture Law. Antonio Bayamban, Amnesty International coordinator, said the law guarantees full respect for human rights. It also ensures the human rights of all persons, including suspects; detainees and prisoners are respected at all times. Under the law, no per-
Human rights forum in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Jong Cadion) son placed under investigation or held in custody of any person in authority or, agent of a person authority shall be subjected to physical, psychological or mental harm, force, violence, threat or intimidation or any act that impairs free will or in any manner demeans or degrades human dignity. It also ensures that secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado or
other similar forms of detention, where torture may be carried out with impunity, are prohibited. The law fully adheres to the principles and standards on the absolute condemnation and prohibition of torture as provided for in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and various international instruments to which the Philippines is a State party. Lt. Col. Victor
Tanggawohn, Jr, of the Philippine Army, said assured troops follow the strict implementation of law and the respect of human rights of every citizen. “The Anti-Torture Law has set direction to government troops be professional soldiers,” he said, adding, the military’s Oplan Bayanihan program showed transparency and good acceptance among stakeholders where military operation was remove to address insurgency problems. Tanggawohn they continue to educate government soldiers and incorporate human rights in the conduct of training of troops. Among those who participated in the forum were representatives from the City Prosecutor’s Office, Public Attorney’s Office, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and members of the media. ( Jong Cadion and Ely Dumaboc)
The Mindanao Examiner
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July 14-20, 2014
Dubai braces for 25 million visitors in Expo 2020 DUBAI is hosting the much-awaited Expo 2020 and it is expected to attract 25 million visitors, mostly from other countries. The expo, which will run from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021, will be the first in the United Arab Emirates in which the majority of visitors will come from outside the UAE. It will also coincide with the country’s Golden Jubilee celebration and serves as a springboard from which to inaugurate a progressive and sustainable vision for the coming decades. “Dubai’s World Expo is held under the theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, echoing the powerful spirit of partnership and co-operation that has driven the UAE’s success in pioneering new paths of development and innovation. Through this theme, Dubai Expo 2020 will serve as a catalyst, connecting minds from around the world and inspiring participants to mobilise around shared challenges, during a World Expo of unprecedented global scope, under the sub-themes of: Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity,” according to organizers. The UAE last year has won the right to host the World Expo in Dubai in 2020. This will be the first
time that the World Expo is staged in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. It is one of the largest and most enduring global mega-events lasting six months and World Expos continue to attract millions of visitors who explore and discover pavilions, exhibits and cultural events staged by hundreds of participants including nations, international organisations and businesses. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, is the Chairman of the Expo 2020 Preparatory Higher Committee which is working with the Bureau of International Expositions, the governing body of the World Expo. With this, Dubai is now bracing for an upsurge in job opportunities and the benefit of the expo in the economy and its people, including the expatriate community. Mohammad Seidawi, a prominent and key official of an oil company in UAE, said Dubai's hosting of the World Expo creates an atmosphere of prosperity for all the economic stakeholders, especially the Middle East and Asia. Seidawi - who has
been a working resident of UAE for more than two decades now – said with the hosting of the Expo 2020 Dubai, employment opportunities in various sectors and industries such as in the construction, hospitality, aviation, and support services, among others is expected to increase because it would attract more people to the UAE. He said with the influx of more people, it will further strengthen economic demands and provide more opportunities and at the same time boost the local market and the economy. This is translated to the construction of additional malls to meet the growing demands of goods and services; more restaurants to cater to a growing number of clients and consumers by the millions and an increase in remittance businesses, more transport system, aviation, demands in housing and real estate, banking system, tourism, according to Seidawi. Seidawi said Dubai is bent on upgrading its roads, public transport system, infrastructure, education and healthcare, and promotes its unique culture as well. The impact of these programs and projects is translated to economic opportunities for all sectors of soci-
ety.
He said the system works best for UAE notwithstanding the growing number of workforce with more people and families living in UAE spend their money; get accommodations for thousands of incoming guests and expatriates, all of whom will eat in restaurants, purchase goods and other needs, send kids to schools, visit the hospitals when ill and the multiplier effect goes on and on. “Given Dubai's multinational workforce system, the impact will be felt as far as the Philippines, India, Pakistan and other Asian countries with increased remittance system offering families the opportunity of quality life,” Seidawi said. With the Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” the concept opens up new horizons that will create multi socio-economic milestones for UAE and all its stakeholders. This economic windfall will benefit the country and its people. The Expo 2020 Dubai is a multi-billion investment package that would create vast opportunities practically in the business sector that promotes prominent respective bilateral ties among all countries involved. This way the gross do-
mestic product gets a good boost all these years bracing the economic impact en route to the event proper and even after it closes its doors. Given a good economic management, the concept will continue to build a more prominent economic culture for all. UAE’s economy is the second largest in the Arab world after Saudi Arabia with a gross domestic product of $377 billion (AED1.38 trillion) in 2012. UAE has been successfully diversifying its economy with 71% of its total GDP comes from non-oil sectors. According to Seidawi, the booming business industry is expected to draw more local and foreign investors that will further enhance a more prolific future for everyone. “And the cycle will go on and on,” he said. Organizers said Dubai Expo 2020 is expected to attract 25 million visitors, mostly from other countries. The expo, which will run from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021, will be the in which the majority of visitors will come from outside UAE. It will also coincide with the country’s Golden Jubilee celebration and serves as a springboard from which to inaugurate a progressive and
sustainable vision for the coming decades. “Dubai’s World Expo is held under the theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, echoing the powerful spirit of partnership and co-operation that has driven the UAE’s success in pioneering new paths of development and innovation. Through this theme, Dubai Expo 2020 will serve as a catalyst, connecting minds from around the world and inspiring participants to mobilise around shared challenges, during a World Expo of unprecedented global scope, under the sub-themes of: Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity,” according to organizers. The UAE last year has won the right to host the World Expo in Dubai in 2020. This will be the first time that the World Expo is staged in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. It is one of the largest and most enduring global mega-events lasting six months and World Expos continue to attract millions of visitors who explore and discover pavilions, exhibits and cultural events staged by hundreds of participants including nations, international organisations and businesses. (Gertrude Sienes, Special to the Mindanao Examiner)
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July 14-20, 2014
Army praises capture of top female NPA leader in Zambo province
BAYANIHAN. In a real Bayanihan spirit, residents in Barangay 23-C help one another as they build new dwellings three months after a huge fire hit Isla Verde. (Photo by Sherwin Manual)
At Isla Verde in Davao City, the Bayanihan spirit lives on DAVAO CITY – Residents of the fire-stricken Isla Verde in the southern Philippine city of Davao have started rebuilding their houses – helping each other in the traditional Bayanihan way – in an effort to put back the once healthy community
there. Isla Verde, particularly Barangay 23-C, was hit by a huge fire on the night of April 4 this year after a lighted candle was left unattended in the house of Tisay Mohammad. The fire also spread to Barangay 21-C and 22-C and lasted
over 5 hours. More than 1,000 families were affected by the conflagration and some 15 million in damages were reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. (Mindanao Examiner)
PAGADIAN CITY – The 1st Infantry Division commended troops behind the capture of a senior communist rebel leader following a firefight in the town of Siayan in Zamboanga del Norte province last week. Brig. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos, Jr, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said troops captured Mercy Maghinay, who heads the New People’s Army forces in the province. Barrientos, quoting an army intelligence report, said Maghinay, a native of Zamboanga del Sur province, had been arrested in 2008 in General Santos City and eventually freed on bail only to rejoin the NPA in Zamboanga del Norte province. Citing reports from Col. Apolinario Alobba, commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade in Zamboanga del Norte, Barrientos said troops and government militiamen also recovered a shot gun, a .45-caliber pistol, a hand grenade and some P100,000 in cash from Maghinay. Alobba said members of the Special Forces and 10th Infantry Battalion were patrolling the hinterland village of Guibo when it encountered Maghinay’s group near a rebel encamp-
ment and firefight ensued. He said there were no reports of military casualties and it was unknown if there were rebels killed or wounded in the fighting.
Mercy Maghinay He said Maghinay’s group was also behind last year attack on a construction firm in the village of Titik in Zamboanga del Norte’s Sindangan town where rebels torched some P50 million in equipment. Barrientos, quoting an army intelligence report, said Maghinay, a native of Zamboanga del Sur province, had been arrested in 2008 in General Santos City and eventually freed on bail only to rejoin the NPA in Zamboanga del Norte province. “I commend the troops and militias involved in the
capture of Maghinay. It is a big blow to the leadership of the NPA in Western Mindanao,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Barrientos also urged rebels to surrender peacefully and avail of the government’s amnesty program and various livelihood aids and reunite with their families. “The NPAs is on the run and they are tired and hungry and we urge them to return to the folds of the law and reunite with their families, join the mainstream society and live peacefully with the community,” he said. “We shall ensure the safety and well-being of the NPAs who will lay down their arms. This is an opportunity to live peacefully and return to the comfort of their families. We are Filipinos and we all aspire for a peaceful country,” he added. The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a secessionist war for decades now and previous peace talks had collapsed after Manila rejected several demands by rebel leaders and among them is for the government to free all political prisoners languishing in jails across the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
STEAG executive urges ASEAN firms to adopt vision for resiliency CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Dr. Carsten Evers, the highest ranked executive of Mindanao’s biggest power plant STEAG State Power Inc., has urged ASEAN companies to build up their resiliency to cope with natural and man-made disasters to assure the continuity and sustainability of their respective enterprises. “As a leader, you must “Business Continuity is more than just about recov- have a vision for crisis resoering business functions lution. Without a clear and from a disaster. It is ensuring compelling vision for rethat critical business func- sponse and recovery, you tions continue promptly in will not be able to adthe event of a disruption or equately lead your people disaster,” stressed Evers, during times of crises.” “Your people will be power plant manager of STEAG State Power Inc. dur- stressed out and deadlines ing the Personnel Manage- time-compressed. Informament Association of the tion will be inadequate and Philippines (PMAP) 16th the high consequences of Mindanao Summit recently your responses could deterhosted by Cagayan de Oro mine if people will be harmed, careers ruined and City. STEAG owns and oper- your company seriously ates Mindanao’s largest and damaged,” he said. The BCM Institute demost modern plant. In his talk, “Business fines BCM as “an organizaContinuity Management: tion-wide discipline and a Leadership in Crisis and Di- complete set of processes saster Preparedness Re- that identifies potential imsponse,” Evers shared his pacts which threaten an orcompany’s recent crisis ex- ganization. It provides a caperience when the power pability for an effective replants two turbines were sponse that safeguards the damaged in an industrial interests of its major stakeholders and reputation.” accident.
Dr. Carsten Evers speaks at the Personnel Management Association of the Philippines 16th Mindanao Summit hosted by Cagayan de Oro City. Evers cited the five guiding principles for managing a crisis and how STEAG closely observed them in dealing with its disaster: Well-being of people first, with caring and compassion; Assume appropriate responsibility; Address needs of all stakeholders in a timely manner; All decisions and actions based on honesty and ethical guidelines; and Available, visible and open communication with all impacted parties. According to research conducted by the Center for Risk Communications, demonstration of caring is more important than all other leadership traits combined. “If you come across as
uncaring, people will become outraged.Caring during crisis response is not a feeling. Caring is a set of corporate and personal behavior that elicit the perception in impacted stakeholders that you and your company truly care,” Evers said. The executive singled out the importance of twoway communication in clearly coming across with caring. “Simply put, you will never be any better at responding to crisis than your communication. That involves how well you listen to obtain facts, and how well you speak openly to impacted stakeholders,” Evers said. He also cited how all too
often human communications fail during a crisis. “Unclear goals, misunderstood instructions, poor delegation, incomplete feedback systems - lack of decision-making - these are the core communication failures within most crisis situations,” Evers said. “Leaders must therefore continually focus on crafting and sending clear, unambiguous communications with little or no error of misinterpretation by their supervisors, peers, subordinates, customers, community, or the media,” he added. He urged crisis managers to adopt specific, concise, and action-focused language to effectively connect with everyone impacted by the crisis. “Experience and empirical research all seems to agree. It is best to prepare. Crisis leadership planning, training, table top exercise and simulations, they all play an important part in helping you become a crisis leader,” he said. The summit was focused on the theme “Gearing Up for ASEAN Integration” which is scheduled to be implemented next year with the planned creation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
The AEC envisages the creation of a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region, equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy. Human Resources Development and Capacity Building ranks high among the AEC areas of cooperation along with recognition of professional qualifications; closer coordination on macroeconomic and financial policies; trade financing; enhanced infrastructure and communications connectivity; development of electronic transactions through e-ASEAN; integrating industries across the region to promote regional sourcing; and enhancing private sector involvement for the building of the AEC. The AEC aims to transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor, and freer flow of capital. ASEAN Leaders adopted the ASEAN Economic Blueprint during the 13th ASEAN Summit held 20 November 2007 in Singapore to serve as a master plan for the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community 2015. (Mike Baños)
Police to get new patrol jeeps, transceiver radios MANILA - The Philippine National Police will soon get 1,865 brand new patrol jeeps to enhance police mobility, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said. Roxas said the Department of the Interior and Local Government has allocated P1.864 billion for
the purchase of the patrol vehicles. He said the government will also purchase additional hand-held radios to boost communication among patrolling policemen. He said based on specifications, the patrol jeeps must have a modular
seating arrangement, or have seats configurable to face both outwards and inwards; and must be capable of transporting up to 12 persons at one time, to provide tactical and quick deployment of police forces. Roxas said they intend
to provide at least one patrol jeep to each of the 144 cities and 1,490 towns in the country. “Ang distribusyon ng mga bibilihing bagong police patrol jeeps ay depende sa panganga-ilangan ng mga lungsod at munisipalidad,” Roxas said.
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Malaysia intercepts Syrian man trying to sneak into Zambo City ZAMBOANGA CITY – Malaysia has intercepted a Syrian national who was trying to slip into the southern Philippines using a forged Malta passport, reports said. Malaysia’s The Star Online said the 32-year old Khaled Abdul Rahman Mohamad has been arrested in Sandakan town in Sabah before he could board ferry bound for Zamboanga City in southern Philippines on July 17. Mohamad arrived in Kuala Lumpur on July 6 using a Syrian passport. Authorities are still investigating Mohamad, who pleaded guilty on July 7 for violating Malaysia’s Passport Act 1966. Investigation said that Mohammad has paid money to obtain the fake Malta passport. But authorities did not say where
he got the passport and his reason for trying to sneak in the Philippines. Just last month, Malaysian authorities arrested three of its citizens, one of them came from fresh training from southern Philippines, where a Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir who goes by the alias Marwan, is actively training recruits alongside with the militant group Abu Sayyaf. Zulkifli, a leader of the Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia and member of the Jemaah Islamiya, had trained a significant number of bombers and new cadre of Malaysian militants who are looking for combat experience before joining militant groups active in Syria and Iraq, among them the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, according to another
report by the Kuala Lumpurbased newspaper New Straits Times. Citing intelligence sources, the report said those who had gone for training at the Abu Sayyaf camps had also participated in the group’s militant and criminal activities. It said militants were required to pay a significant amount of money for the training that would provide them with the skills and confidence needed in battle. It was not immediately known whether the spike on ransom kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippines and cross-border raids in Sabah was connected to the training of the militants or if ransom money is being used to finance the training and for the purchase of weapons by the group. (Mindanao Examiner)
July 14-20, 2014
Human rights group cries unfair treatment of detainees MANILA - The Human rights group Karapatan in Southern Tagalog strongly criticized the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for its ongoing construction of a state-of-the-art detention facility for high-risk detainees at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. It said the new detention facility is another move to provide preferential accommodation to politicians and influential prisoners, possibly to include Janet Napoles and senators involved in the pork barrel fund scam. Pastor Gil Sediarin, Karapatan Deputy Secretary, said the construction of the facility is another display of insensitivity and preferential treatment of the Aquino government to accommodate supposedly high-profile detainees, but in reality, they may just be comfortable excuse to accommodate special prisoners away from the regular prison facilities in city jails. “This is a sham because while many ordinary and political prisoners are suffer-
ing in congested and inhumane conditions in regular jail facilities, including the Camp Bagong Diwa where political prisoner Andrea Rosal was detained, ironically they are constructing this costly facility at the expense of people’s money to provide modern comfort to criminals and corrupt officials,” he said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Rosal, daughter of communist leader Gregorio Rosal wgo was arrested in March this year, is being accused by authorities as a rebel leader. He also expressed doubt if rules will really be implemented given the preferential treatment of the government in favor of high profile politicians implicated in the pork barrel scam who are currently detained the police custodial center, where facilities were upgraded and visitation rules were ignored to accommodate celebrity visitors. Sediarin also refuted BJMP spokesman Aris Villaester statement boasting
their adherence to fair treatment among detainees, saying that BJMP is making a double talk. “If they are really walking their talk, how come they allowed ordinary detainees and political prisoners like Andrea Rosal to suffer, which led to baby Andrea’s death? And now, they putting in that same scenario another political prisoner Maria Torres who is 3 months pregnant,” Sediarin said. Karapatan earlier reported that prior to the transfer of Torres to a hospital due to her critical condition, she was detained in a poorly ventilated cell together with detainees suffering from TB among other illnesses. The group also documented that in 2013, at least two inmates died in the female dorm, namely Leticia Socito and Marica Adobe who were already comatose and dehydrated, respectively when brought by BJMP to the hospital. There was no immediate statement from the BJMP on the allegations of Karapatan.
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The Mindanao Examiner
July 14-20, 2014
Troops continue operations vs NPA
Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar, accompanied by Council members Josephine Pareja and lawyer Mel Sadain, distribute bags to students in two schools in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. (Photo by Joey Bautista)
GOVERNMENT troops continue their hunt for communist rebels tagged as behind the spate of attacks against military and civilian targets in Mindanao. Just last week, New People’s Army rebels wounded 6 policemen and a soldier in a clash in Davao City’s Toril District. Capt. Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the fighting erupted in the villages of Baracatan and Catigan. He said regional military chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III has ordered army commanders to stay vigilant and continue the operations against the NPA and any other threat groups. In Butuan City, rebels also killed a government militia Eddie Toda, who was assigned with the 6th Agusan del Norte CAFGU Active Auxiliary, and wounded his wife Susan Toda and nephew Giovanni Balbosina. Maj. Christian Uy, a spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division, said the
trio was travelling on a motorcycle when rebels attacked them in the village of San Mateo. He said the rebels fled after the ambush. “CAA Toda was unarmed and off-duty and travelling with his wife and nephew, who are both civilians, when NPA rebels ambushed them,” he said. He said the militiaman died from multiple gunshot wounds in the body. Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, the army division commander, has urged the Commission on Human Rights and the human rights group Karapatan and other allied organizations to investigate the murder of Toda, saying the NPA must pay for its crimes. He also condemned Toda’s killing. “We strongly condemn the brutality and inhumane atrocities of the NPAs who are killing helpless civilians. Again, we will file charges against the perpetrators of the said ambush. We also urge the Commission on Human Rights, Karapatan and other human rights advocacy
groups to investigate this matter. These NPAs must be punished for the crimes they committed and must be condemned by the whole nation,” Visaya said. “For the family of CAA Toda and Giovanni, who are currently grieving for the loss of their father and son, we are saddened for your loss. We will ensure that the necessary support will be provided as soon as possible. This is how we care for the families of our fallen comrades and civilians,” he added. Troops recently captured a rebel Rene Lucasan after a brief chase in the town of Lakewood in Zamboanga del Sur and seized a pistol from him. Col. Ignacio Obligacion, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade, in a report to Brig. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos Jr, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said Lucasan was eventually handed over to the town’s police force for further investigation.
UNIDENTIFIED gunmen attacked a fishing trawler off the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi and killing its skipper, reports said. The attack occurred off Mapun Island after a group of armed men on a speedboat hijacked the trawler and shot the skipper. One fisherman jumped off the
boat for fear of being killed, but he remains missing. Nine other crewmen were unharmed by the gunmen, who fled after the shooting. The identities of the slain skipper and the missing crew man were not immediately known, but the trawler came from the province of Palawan
and was on a fishing expedition in Tawi-Tawi. It was unknown if the attackers were locals protecting their rich fishing ground in the area. The trawler has returned to Palawan last week. There was no statement from local authorities on the attack. (Mindanao Examiner)
Zamboanga City students get bags from Mayor Salazar Trawler attacked off Tawi-Tawi
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Local Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar has recently distributed bags to students in two schools in Zamboanga City. Salazar, accompanied by Council members Josephine Pareja and law-
yer Mel Sadain, handed over the bags to Grade 7 students of the Tulungatung National High School and Talisayan National High School. She also spoke to students and mingled with them. Tulungatung village
chieftain Esther del Rosario and teachers were also present during distribution of the bags. The distribution of school bags is part of Salazar’s priority program on education. (Mindanao Examiner)
JPE wants hospital arrest MANILA – After surrendering last week, Senator Juan Enrile, accused of pocketing kickbacks from his pork barrel fund, now wants to stay in hospital due to his failing health. Enrile, 90, is the third senator to surrender since last month. His request for a hospital arrest is likely to be granted by the court due to his health condition. Former Congressman Jack Enrile denied all the
charges against his father, who was defense minister of President Ferdinand Marcos, who fled the Philippines after being ousted in a bloody coup in 1986. Enrile, a former Senate president, still managed to wave his hand to a group of television journalists who waited outside the national police headquarters where he is being detained together with two other senators - Jose ‘Jinggoy’
Ejercito Jr and Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, who are also facing similar charges. Jessica Lucille “Gigi” Reyes, Enrile’s chief of staff who was implicated in the pork barrel funds scandal, also surrendered separately. Enrile, a key figure during the Marcos martial law regime and a prominent lawyer, questioned the allegations against him. (Mindanao Examiner)
Land Bank to put up more ATMs in Sultan Kudarat SULTAN KUDARAT – The Land Bank of the Philippines said it will add more automated teller machines in the province to be able to serve its client, particularly the beneficiaries of the government’s anti-poverty program called Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino. Erwin Europa, of the Land Bank of the Philippines in the capital town of Isulan, said one more ATM will be added soon in the town of Esperanza. At present, he said the bank has a total of 6 ATMs in Isulan serving some 10,000 government beneficiaries from the towns of Isulan, Esperanza, Senator Ninoy Aquino and Bagumbayan. Europa bared this during the session of the
Sanguniang Panlalawigan on June 7 after he was invited by lawmakers who asked him about the long queue of 4Ps beneficiaries every time they withdraw their money. Beneficiaries receive as much as P1,400 a month from the government as assistance for health, nutrition and education. The long queue of people in ATMs was also noticed by Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Suharto Mangudadatu and Vice Governor Ernesto Matias. Provincial social welfare officer Henry Albano said they have reported the matter to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino is a
human development program of the national government that invests in the health and education of poor households, particularly of children aged 0-18 years old. Patterned after the conditional cash transfer scheme implemented in other developing countries, the Pantawid Pamilya provides cash grants to beneficiaries provided that they comply with the set of conditions required by the program. The program is being implemented in 79 provinces covering about 1,484 towns and 143 cities in all 17 regions in the country. It has 3,996,967 registered households as of February this year. (Rose Muneza and Deanna Diaz)
Bata paulit-ulit ginahasa ng amahan sa Zambo Norte DIPOLOG CITY – Isang dating CAFGU militia ang dinakip ng pulisya at sinampahan ng kasong rape matapos umano nitong gahasain ng paulit-ulit ang 10-anyos na anak-anakan sa bayan ng La Libertad sa Zamboanga del Norte province. Sinabi ni Insp. Dahlan Samuddin, ang regional police spokesman, na nadakip si Richard Mag Usara, 33, matapos na ireklamo ng lola
ng bata ng madatnan ang amahan na pinagsasamantalahan ang biktima sa loob ng kanilang bahay sa Barangay Paraiso. Wala umano ang ina ng bata ng maganap ang kahayupan ng lalaki. Salaysay pa ng lola ay lumabas lamang ito ng bahay upang sumalok ng tubig at ng makabalik ito makalipas ng kalahating oras at laking gulat na lamang ng makita si Richard
sa ibabaw ng bata. Nagulantang umano ang amahan at tumakas. Inamin ng bata na siya ay pinagsasamantalahan ng kanyang amahan mula pa noon Abril nitong taon at tinatakot umano ng lalaki kung kaya’t hindi makapagsumbong sa ina at lola. Nakapiit na Zamboanga Del Norte Provincial Jail sa bayan ng Manukan si Richard, ayon kay Samuddin. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Minahal nga katawhan sa Dios sa Artsidyosesis sa Sugbo SAMTANG ang Artsidyosesis nangandam sa International Eucharistic Congress karong Enero 20, 2016 nga ipahigayon dinhi sa Sugbo, kita nagpadayon sa pagtubag sa mga hagit sa Bag-ong Pagsangyaw. Kabahin sa pastoral thrust mao ang atong pagpakiglambigit sa mga tawo, sa pag-uban kanila sa pagmugna og katilingban diin ang mga mithi sa ebanghelyo sama sa kamatuoran, hustisya, ug gugma nagtunhay. Si Santo Papa Francisco sa iyang Apostolic Exhortation, EVANGELII GAUDIUM (EG), nagpahinumdum kanato sa pagkamakanunayon sa atong paningkamot sa pagsangyaw sa Maayong Balita sa hustisya ug gugma, kon buot kita nga mohari ang kalinaw sa atong katilingban. “Ang katawhang kabos sa kalibutan gipasanginlan sa kabangis, apan kon walay patas nga kahigayonan, ang nagkalainlaing hulagway sa panagbangi makakaplag og tabunok nga yuta ug sa ngadtongadto kini mobuto. Kon ang katilingban – ma-lokal, nasyonal o pangkalibotanandam mosalindot sa bahin sa iyang kaugalingon ngadto sa daplin, walay programang politikanhon o gastos sa pagpatuman sa balaod o pagpaniid, nga makagaratiya sa kalinaw. (EG, 59)" Kining mga pulong bililhon kaayo sa atong paghandom sa ika- 29 ka tuig sa pagkawala ni Padre Rudy Romano, CSsR, usa ka Redentoristang misyonaryo nga pari, nga gidagit sa mga suspetsadong militar niadtong Hulyo 11, 1985. Dugang pa niini, kon si Padre Romano buhi pa karong panahona, magsaulog siya karong tuiga (2014) sa iyang Golden Anniversary sa ordinasyon sa iyang pagkapari. Si Padre Rudy Romano kinasingkasing midawat sa mga hagit sa mga katilingbanong pagtulon-an sa atong Simbahan, sama sa pagdapig sa mga kabos ug pagpanghimaraut sa inhustisya sa atong katilingban. Isip pagsunod sa lakang sa atong Ginoo, si Padre Rudy Romano nagpas-an usab sa iyang kaugalingong krus hangtod sa kataposan sa dihang gihalad niya ang iyang kinabuhi sa pagsunod kang Kristo. Iyang gipuy-an ang iyang bokasyon isip pastor. Ang iyang lawom nga pagtuo sa mga mithi sa ebanghelyo mao ang mga gasa nga iyang gihalad alang kanato
ARMM
hangtod karon bisan pa og siya wala na uban kanato. Sa atong nasod karon, kanunay kita nag-atubang sa mga nagkalainlaing katilingbanong suliran. Ang korapsyon nakatampo sa pagpasamot sa kakabos sa daghang katawhan sa atong katilingban. Bisan pa sa relatibong hataas nga Gross National Product (GNP), wala kini molakip sa tanan. Ang atong Santo Papa, Papa Francisco, mipadayag sa iyang pagpakabana mahitungod sa relasyon tali sa kakabos ug “sa kuyanap ug nakagamot na nga korapsyon diha sa daghang mga nasod- sa ilang mga pangagamhanan, negosyo ug mga institusyon. (EG, 60)” Sa Sugbo, makita nato ang sulaw nga timailhan sa kakabos. Makita nato ang liboan nga nagpakilimos diha sa mga kadalanan. Adunay mga vendors sa bisan asa nga dapit tungod sa pagkawalay laing katrabahoan. Bisan pa sa ilang pagpaningkamot sa pagpakabuhi, ginudnod hinoon sila palayo sa sidewalk nga ilang gipanginabuhian. Dili maihap nga mga informal settlers ang gipapahawa gikan sa ilang pinuy-anan bisan pa kon ang mga relocation site wala pa maandam. Ang mga mamumuo padayon gihapong nangayo og mas taas nga suholan apan ang ilang panawagan wala dungga. Samtang ang atong mga maguuma ug mga mananagat nagpadayong nagpuyo sa kakabos tungod sa pagka-walay yuta ug sa abuso sa kalikupan. Niining ika-29 nga kasumaran sa pagkahanaw ni Padre Rudy ug niining tuig sa iyang Golden Jubilee sa pagkapari, isip Simbahan sa mga Kabos, atong tahoron ang Panawagan sa atong halangdong Santo Papa Francisco nga “mopaambit kita sa atong kinabuhi ngadto sa uban ug mahigugmaon natong ihatag ang atong kaugalingon ngadto kanila. (EG,274)” Hinaot nga ang Dios nga Makagagahum sa tanan, pinaagi sa Iyang anak, si Hesu-Kristo, atong manluluwas, manalangin kanato sa kanunay. Hinaut si Maria, ang Bitoon sa Bag-ong Pagpangsangyaw modasig kanato sa pagtan-aw kaniya isip atong modelo sa pagpuyo sa usa ka kinabuhi nga nagsubay sa kaangayan, kalumo, pagkamapamalandungon ug pagkamapabanaon sa uban. (EG,288)” Sa ngalan ni Kristo, +JOSE S. PALMA, D.D. Archbishop of Cebu (archdiocesandiscernment@gmail.com)
Southern Mindanao
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July 14-20, 2014
PDIC nakakuha P118-M gikan sa pagbaligya sang mga asset
A
ng Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation madinalag-on nga nakakuha sang may k abilugan nga P118 milyones gikan sang pagbaligya sang mga nagsara nga mga bangko kag mga assets sang mga korporasyon sa isa ka public bidding nga ginhiwat sang sini lang sa opisina sang PDIC sa siyudad sang Makati. Ang kabilugan nga bili sang 21 ka mga propyedad may premium nga P11.31 milyones batok sa aggregate minimum disposal nga presyo sang propyedad nga P106.70 milyones. Sa kabilugan nga propyedad nga ginbaligya, 16 ang ginapanag-iyahan sang mga bangko nga ginsarhan, kag ang lima mga corporate assets. May kabilugan nga 186 ka mga propyedad nga gin bid out sa pampubliko nga bidding. Ang mga propyedad ara sa mga
siyudad sang Caloocan, Parañaque kag Pasay; sa Calamba, Laguna; Tuguegarao, Cagayan; kag sa probinsya sang Camarines Norte, Cavite, Cebu, Ilocos Norte, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Romblon kag Sorsogon. Ang bili sa ginbaligya sa mga nasara nga bangko gilayon ginabutag sa mga pundo nga gina butang sa trust sang mga nasara nga mga bangko kag ginagamit sa pag-areglo sang mga claims sang mga nautangan kag mga wala ma-insure nga mga depositor. Suno sa laye, ang pagbayad sa sini nga mga partido magasunod sa sulondan sa concurrence kag preference sang mga utang. Samtang ang nakuha gikan sa pagbaligya sang mga corporate assets ginadugang sa Deposit Insurance Fund, ang mayor nga ginahalinan sang pagbayad sang mga na-insure nga mga deposito.
Ang PDIC bilang liquidator sang mga nasara nga mga bangko nagahiwat sang pampubliko nga bidding suno sa iya strategic direction sang gilayon nga pagbaligya sang mga indi financial assets. Ang mga propyedad nga indi mabaligya sa bidding sarang ma roperties not sold during the negotiated sale ukon puweded ma bid uli. Ang mga interesado nga mga manugbakal ginahinyo sa pagbisita sa PDIC website at www.pdic.gov.ph kag maggamit sang PDIC’s Property Finder para sa impormasyon sa for available inventory sang mga assets nga ginabaligya. Ang mga manugbakal sarang man makatawag sa Asset Management and Disposal Group sa (02) 841-4650 para sa iban pa nga mga pamangkot. (Atty. Maria Janet Mesa)
BI magapatigayon sang wala cash nga mga transaksyon
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gud mapatigayon ang serbisyo publiko kag ang pagpahapus sang transakyon sang mga dumoluong nga may opisyal nga kinahanglan sa opisina sang Bureau of Immigration, ang nakalainlain nga mga balayran sarang na mabayaran sa palaabuton paagi sa paggamit sang automated teller machines card ukon prepaid card. Ining “cashless payment” mangin posible paagi sa pagpirma sang memorandum of agreement sang mga opisyales sang BI kag sang Land Bank of the Philippines sa pagpatigayon
sang point-of-sale nga mga terminal sa mga opisina sang BI. Ang POS nga mga terminal magabaton sang ATM kag debit cards sa idalum sang Bancnet network kag iban pa nga pareho nga sistema katulad sang Megalink kag Expressnet. Si Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison nagsiling nga ang nemorandum of agreement upod sa LBP ginapatigayon sang Hunyo. Ang POS nga mga terminal igapatindog sa nga opisina sang BI sa Magallanes Drive sa Intramuros, Manila kag Cebu sa sulod sang duha ka semana.
Ang paggamit sang ATM o debit card sa pagbayad sang mga balayran sa nakalainlain nga mga transaksyon isa pa ka maayo nga kabaylohanan sa idalum ni Mison nga nakakita sang mga paagi agud mautod ang red tape kag pagpangsaborno. Si Mison nagsiling nga ang mga pagbayad sa ATM sa lugar mismo makapadasig sang mga transaksyon sang mga dumoluong katulad sang katuigan nga pagreport, pagpalawig sang visa kag aplikasyon kag iban pa. (Atty. Maria Janet Mesa)
Public urged to take HIV test
T
he Department of Health in coordination with the Philippine National AIDS Council urged the public, especially those engaged in risky multiple sex partners, to undergo HIV/AIDS testing as part of the government's campaign to prevent diseases. HIV/AIDS refer to human immunodeficiency virus infection/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Dr. Chito Avelino, Executive Director of the Philippine National AIDS Council, said HIV cases have increased the past ten years. Avelino said that there is also an increase in HIV cases among young Filipinos. "Previously, most Filipinos who are infected with HIV are over-
Davao
seas workers, but now, professionals as young as 29 years old are reportedly infected with the virusm," he said. In Eastern Visayas, there are at least 151 reported cases of HIV in which 121 are males and 30 are females. The global AIDS report in 2012 disclosed that the Philippines is one of the nine countries in the world where cases of HIV/AIDS rapidly increased by 35% from 2001 to 2011. The DOH underscored the need for those who are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS to get themselves tested to help curb the epidemic in the country. While many people are now being tested for the AIDS virus because of increased awareness, many more others resist the test-
Western Mindanao
ing.
Those at risk of contracting the virus are people who have partners that are infected; men who have unprotected sex with men, and those who engage in unprotected hetero-sexual sex. The next problem is when those who were diagnosed with HIV virus do not want to avail of the free anti-retroviral therapy by the DOH. The stigma is still the primary reason why infected individuals do not want to go to treatment hubs. From 1984 to June 2012, the DOH had registered a total of 9,964 HIV cases including 1,061 AIDS and 353 deaths in the country. New data are not immediately available. (With a report from Consuelo Alarcon)
Cebu
Manila