Tribesmen threaten to evacuate villages occupied by military
Sanggol na akalang patay, buhay pala!
Sulu police gets new outpost, gov't prosecutor new building PAGE 2
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Graft charges filed vs. Aquino critic
PCIJ: DAP in ARMM
Korean firm urged to invest more in Philippines
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Professor na dinakip ng militar, laya na!
I
kinagulat ng militar ang pagpiyansa ng isang dating professor ng University of the Philippines na kanilang nadakip umano sa isang sagupaan sa New People's Army sa Davao Oriental province sa Mindanao. Ipinag-utos ng korte nitong Agosto 1 na palayain si Professor Kim Gargar matapos itong maghain ng piyansa na kinatigan naman ng huwes. Sinabi naman ng Easter n Mindanao Command na nadakip ng mga tropa si Gargar ng ito'y masugatan sa naturang sagupaan sa Barangay Aliwagwag sa bayan ng Cateel. Tu w a n g - t u w a naman ang mga kaanak
Si Professor Kim Gargar sa kanyang paglaya mula sa piitan sa Davao Oriental province. (Photos courtesy of Kilab Multimedia) at kaibigan ni Gargar na siyang sumalubong sa kanyang paglaya. Nanawagan rin si Gargar sa pamahalaang Aquino na palayain ang lahat ng political prisoners sa bansa.
Sinabi ng Eastern Mindanao Command na si inamin umano ni Gargar na sumapi ito sa New People's Army noon 2012 at tumulong pa sa paggawa ng mga propaganda books para kay
communist leader Jose Maria Sison. Nabawi rin umano mula kay Gargar ang isang automatic rifle ng ito'y madakip na mga tropa ng 67th Infantry Battalion sa ilalim ni Lt. Col. Kr ishnamurti Mortela. Dating Physics professor si Gargar sa University of the Philippines sa Quezon City at sa Don Mariano University sa Cagayan de Oro City sa Misamis Oriental at nagturo rin sa Polytechnic University at Mapua University sa Maynila at isang doctorate scholar ng University of Groningen sa The Netherlands. Nakikibaka ang mga rebelde upang maitatag ang sariling estado sa bansa. ( J. Magtanggol)
After DAP, Aquino now plans to borrow P283 B to offset budget deficit
A
fter trumpeting government projects funded by the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program, President Benigno Aquino now is eyeing to borrow money from local and international creditors to offset the P283.7 billion deficit of the recently submitted P2.6 trillion 2015 national budget, according to Senior Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Neri Colmenares. Colmenares said the figure is an approximation of the 2% of the projected Gross Domestic Product of the Philippines for 2014. “This is a very huge amount and it would further mire us in debt. As we learned from experience, the Disbursement Acceleration Program was at least P144 billion, which the Aquino government said were funds that the agencies were not able to spend and should be called savings. But if that is so, then why do we have to borrow money plus interest. To claim so many saving
ARMM
while borrowing hundreds of billions is terribly wrong,” he said. “The allocation of scarce resources should be efficient. If the budget of the Department of Transportation and Communication gets bloated by P14 billion this means that there were fewer funds for health and education. If in the end, the DOTC is incapable of implementing its projects, this is P14 billion which could have been used in hospitals and building classrooms. This is very absurd and we oppose this kind of budgeting especially if it is accompanied by a budget deficit which will be funded by more loans. Sabi nila madami tayong savings tapos ngayon mangungutang pa sila,” he added.
The Supreme Court has ruled the Disbursement Acceleration Program as illegal and unconstitutional, but Aquino insisted the program is legal and benefited many Filipinos and many times took a swipe at the decision in public talk. Aquino approved the Disbursement Acceleration Program in 2011 on the recommendation of the Development Budget Coordination Committee and the Cabinet Clusters as a “stimulus package” by the government for the projects. From 2011 to 2012, Disbursement Acceleration Program funding reached P142.23 billion P83.53 billion in 2011 and P58.70 billion in 2012 – and most of the funds went to healthcare, public
Southern Mindanao
Davao
works, housing and resettlement, agriculture, tourism, road infrastructure, school infrastructure, rehabilitation and extension of light rail transit systems, and electrification project in the villages. Last year, some P15.13 billion in DAP funds were also released by Abad and these went to the police and redevelopment of the Roxas Boulevard in Manila and other rehabilitation projects in areas affected by typhoons. “The Aquino administration should know that deficit spending is not a good practice because it increases that debt of the country and it also binds us to the economic policy conditionalities of the lending institutions and countries. These conditionalities like those coming from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the World Trade Organization open up our economy to foreign interests and ensure their profits while at the same time killing our local industries and pushes more of our countrymen to poverty,” Colmenares said.
T
EBOLA!
he Philippines has stepped up measures to monitor possible carriers of Ebola virus that may enter the country, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said. She said the Department of Health is now on high alert to make sure the deadly Ebola virus which has killed scores of people in Africa in recent weeks will not reach the country. She said the government has a standard procedure especially in monitoring airports to track people who may have the disease. "At siguro dahil na rin doon sa mga naunang experience natin with other contagious viruses that we have dealt with, mas naging matibay ang mga procedure natin and of course, I’m referring to the MERS-CoV. Nagkaroon ulit ng pagsasanay kumbaga ang mga procedure na nasa manual lang natin dati, naisabuhay na ng DOH. In short, the DOH has had practice with it," she said. "Right now the DOH is strictly monitoring migrant workers arriving in the country, assessing their origin, and always ready to carry out quarantine measures, especially those coming from countries with reported Ebola infections," she added. Health officials have also issued advisories on the importation of exotic animals from Africa which could carry the virus, according to Valte. According to the World Health Organization, Ebola virus disease, formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a se-
Western Mindanao
Cebu
vere, often fatal illness in humans. Ebola virus disease outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 90%. The outbreaks occur primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered to be the natural host of the Ebola virus. Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. No licensed specific treatment or vaccine is available for use in people or animals. Ebola first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, in Nzara, Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter was in a village situated near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name. Ebola virus disease is a severe acute viral illness often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes. People are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus. The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days.
Manila
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 11-17, 2014
Sulu police gets new outpost, gov't prosecutor new building SULU – Sulu Governor Totoh Tan has formally turned-over a newly-built police outpost funded by the provincial government in support to the local police force, provincial engineer Abdurasad Baih said. He said Gov. Tan also led government officials in the groundbreaking of a building project for the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor. Both projects are in the capital town of Jolo. Baih said the twin ceremonies were also attended by Vice Gov. Sakur Tan, Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin and Vice Mayor Edsir Tan; provincial police chief Abraham Orbita, Prosecu-
tor Annie Marie Ledesma, and other town and provincial government officials. The total amount of the two projects is worth over P5 million, he said. "We have finished many infra projects in the province and there are also more and all these will benefit the people because this is a priority program of Governor Totoh Tan," Baih told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Traders praised provincial officials for the new outpost, saying, police visibility will add more confidence to businessmen
and deter lawless elements. "This is a good development because traders like us, are now more confident in our business and police visibility is important not only to us, but to the safety of the public against lawless groups," a local trader, Hajji Abubakar, said. The new police outpost is located in Jolo's main business district where the Grand Tulay Mosque is also situated. Prosecutor Ledesma also thanked Gov. Tan for the construction of a new building in Jolo which will be used by the judiciary. (Franzie Sali)
Pinangunahan ni Sulu Gov. Totoh Tan, Vice Gov. Sakur Tan at Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin at Vice Mayor Edsir Tan ang handover ng police outpost at groundbreaking ceremony ng isang gusali na gagamitin bilang Provincial Prosecutor's Office sa bayan ng Jolo. (Kuha ni Franzie Sali)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 11-17, 2014
Sanggol na akalang patay, buhay pala!
Grandmother Adelina Bacus sells pure native or barako coffee at the Kidapawan City public market. She says the small family business keeps her busy and at the same time helps her family survive this hard times. Bacus says she has been selling coffee for the 25 years. (Mindanao Examiner Photo -Geonarri Solmerano)
Teleperformance Davao celebrates first anniversary
TELEPERFORMANCE Davao recently celebrated a milestone as the site marked its first anniversary. Consistent with Teleperformance’s thrust to provide the best working environment for its employees, Teleperformance Davao has made significant investments to improve its services and
facilities. Since 2013, the site has expanded its production and added new training rooms to accommodate its growing clients. It has likewise upgraded the recreational facilities for employees with the installation of cable TVs, gaming consoles, and internet lounge.
Travis Coates, Teleperformance Philippines Managing Director, congratulated Teleperformance Davao’s successful first year and thanked the committed men and women who have helped transform the site to its leadership position in the region today.
Bulldozer, backhoe gisunog sa Mati City MATI CITY – Duha ka bulldozer ug duha ka backhoe ang gisunog sa mga sakop sa New People’s Army didto sa Purok Sawidan sa Barangay Tagbinonga, sakop niini nga ciudad.
Matud pa sa driver sa motorsiklo nga namasahero nga dili magpabutyag sa iyang pangalan nga gipara sila sa mga sobra 50 ka armadong mga tawo nga nagpa-ila nga sila NPA ug paglabay sa pipila ka
minuto ilang gidauban ang mga nahisgutang ekipo. Matud pa sa drayer nga ang gipangsunog nga mga ekipo mao ang gigamit sa pagmina sa lugar nga nahasulod sa area sa DMC. (Cesar Lanos)
P1.7-B inilaan para sa 'waterless' tourism spots MANILA - Sisimulan ngayong taon ng Department of Public Works and Highways ang implementasyon ng Tourism Water Supply Infrastructure Program na magdadala umano ng tubig sa 30 "waterless tourism spots" sa iba’t-ibang panig ng bansa. Kasunod ng paglabas ng Department of Budget and Management sa P1.73 bilyon para TWSIP, inihanda na ng DPWH ang “detailed engineering design” ng mga proyekto na pinag-aralan at pinili kasama ang Department of Tourism, Local Water Utilities Administration at National Anti-Poverty Commission. "Para makatanggap ng mas maraming turista, kailangang mayroong ligtas at sapat na tubig ang
mga tourism hotspots. Ang pangangailangang ito ay matutugunan oras na matapos ang ating water source projects. Layunin nating masimulan ang pagpapatupad ng TWSIP sa taong ito o sa lalong madaling panahon," anii DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson. Kabilang sa 30 na munisipalidad na mabibigyan ng proyekto ay ang Currimao at San Nicolas sa Ilocos Norte (Region 1); Baguio City sa Benguet (Cordillera Administrative Region); Roxas at El Nido sa Palawan (Region 4B); Aroroy sa Masbate (Region 5); Murcia at San Carlos City sa Negros Occidental, Balete at Libacao sa Aklan; Jamindan at Pres. Roxas sa Capiz at Passi sa Iloilo (Region 6).
At sa bayan ng Central Visayas, kabilang ang 5 sa Cebu - Aloguinsan, Toledo City, San Fernando, Sibonga, at 3 naman sa Bohol: Jetafe, Talibon, at Trinidad. Gayun rin ang Dapitan City sa Zamboanga del Norte at Zamboanga City (Region 9), Cagayan de Oro City (Region 10), Nabunturan at Montevista sa Compostela Valley at Asuncio, Braulio E Dujali, Carmen at New Corella sa Davao del Norte. Ang TWSIP ay proyekto ng DPWH, DOT, LWUA, NAPC, kaakibat ang U.S. Agency for International Development. Layunin mitong mapaunlad ang lokal na ekonomiya at turismo sa Pilipinas.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Isang pre-mature baby na inakalang patay na ng kanyang mga magulang ang muli umanong nabuhay ilang oras bago ito isalang sa embalsamo sa General Santos City sa Mindanao. Ayon sa mga ulat, hinihintay na lamang ng mga magulang ng sanggol ang pageembalsamo nitong August 3 sa bata ng ito’y biglang umiyak sa loob ng morgue.Mabuti na lamang umano at narinig ng isang pulis na si PO3 Jepson Corsit ang pag-iyak ng sanggol at agad itong ipinaalam sa ina ng bata na si Cathy Arcala, 24, na hindi makapaniwala sa narinig na balita. Agad naman dinala sa pagamutan ang sanggol, na dalawang lingo pa lamang ang edad, upang matignan ang sitwasyon nito at hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay ginagamot pa rin. Nabatid na dinala ng mga magulang ang sanggol sa morgue noon hapon ng August 2 dahil sa wala na umano itong pintig sa kanyang puso at sa pagaakalang patay na. Unang dinala sa pagamutan ang bata noong July 20 dahil sa
matinding panghihina ng katawan at ito’y inilagay sa incubator, ngunit iniuwi naman ito ng mga magulang dahil sa laki ng gastos sa ospital. Walang deklarasyon ang pagamutan na patay ang bata, maliban lamang sa desisyon umano ng ina na ito’y dalhin sa morgue sa akalang nasawi ang anak sa kanilang bahay. Hindi pa matiyak kung sasampahan ba ng kaso ng pulisya ang mga magulang dahil sa kanilang desisyon na alisin ang bata sa pagamutan at sa huli’y ipasok sa morgue sa pagsasabing patay na ito. Noong nakaraang buwan ay kumalat rin sa Facebook, ang video clip ng isang namatay na 3-anyos na bata na diumano’y muling nabuhay sa loob ng simbahan habang inihahanda ang paglibing nito sa bayan ng Aurora sa Zamboanga del Sur. Naganap umano ito noong July 12 at sa 48 segundong video na inilagay sa Facebook account na “Pinoy Estilo” ay makikita ang bata na binabalutan ng kanyang ama ng lampin matapos na ito’y dumilat sa kanyang maliit na ataul na nakapatong lamang sa apat
na silyang plastic. Pinagkaguluhan ng mga taong sasama sana sa paglilibing sa bata ang naturang eksena sa simbahan. Sa huli ay nabatid na opisyal na idineklarang patay ang bata matapos ng isang pagsusuri ni Municipal Health Officer Dr. Mary Silyne Cabahug, na gumamit pa ng cardio monitor at wala itong nakitang vital life signs at inabisuhan ang mga magulang ng bata na ilibing na agad ang bangkay. Umani naman ng ibatibang reaksyon mula sa mga netizens na nakapanood sa video at marami sa mga ito ay agad naman tinawag na milagro ng Diyos ang naganap. Nitong Pebrero lamang ay isang 2-anyos na bata rin na si Jelyn Bejec mula sa bayan ng Maramag sa Bukidnon province ang muling nabuhay ilang oras bago ito ilibing, ngunit namatay rin matapos na matulog at hindi na magising ilang minuto ng manumbalik ang tibok ng puso nito. Namatay umano ito dahil sa kombulsyon sanhi ng sobrang taas ng lagnat. (May ulat ni J. Magtanggol)
Kelot tinira ng ‘riding-in-tandem’ TACURONG CITY – Patay ang isang lalaki matapos itong pagbabarilin ng mga armadong nakamotorsiklo sa Tacurong City sa Sultan Kudarat province. Sinabi ng pulisya na sakay ng kanyang kotse ang biktima kasama ang isang babae ng ito’y
ratratin ng 4 na kalalakihan sa Barangay New Carmen kamakalawa ng hapon. Kinilala naman ng pulisya ang biktima na si John Yog. Agad na tumakas ang mga salarin at ayon sa pulisya ay hindi naman nasugatan ang babae na
nagsabing syota nito ang biktima. Walang umako sa pamamaslang at hindi pa malinaw ang motibo sa atake habang patuloy naman na iniimbestigahan ng pulisya ang naturang kaso. (Rose Muneza at Sheen Pania)
Sundalo tinira sa loob ng bar ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE – Isang sundalo ang pinatay ng di-kilalang salarin sa loob mismo ng bar sa bayan ng Sindangan sa Zamboanga del Norte province. Ayon sa ulat ng pulisya, binaril sa kanyang mukha at dibdib ang sundalong si Corporal Medel Tabbada, 35, at miyembro ng Special Forces at detachment commander sa Barangay
Bucana. Naganap ang pamamaril kay Medel sa Freeway Disco Bar sa Barangay Laroche at habang nagkakagulo ay kinuha pa ng salarin ang armas ng sundalo bago tumakas sakay ng isang motorsiklo. Tubong-Kidapawan City si Medel at hindi pa mabatid kung may kinalaman ang New People’s
Army sa pamamaril sa sundalo. Hindi naman agad malaman kung bakit may armas si Medel gayun mahigpit ang kautusan ng militar sa pagbabawal ng pagdadala ng baril sa loob ng mga bars o night clubs. Ibinigay naman ang katawan ni Medel sa kanyang superior na si Lt. Syrill Fervez. (Mindanao Examiner)
Students and faculty members of the Sinunuc National High School pose with Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar after the distribution of bags which is a personal project of the Chief Executive in line with her advocacy on education. (Photo by Joey Bautista)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 11-17, 2014
Tribesmen threaten to evacuate villages occupied by military
LOCAL tribesmen and various human rights groups have accused the military of using civilians as shield against its anti-insurgency operation in the southern Philippines. They said governNow, tribesmen and ment troops have put up villagers have threatened encampments in civilian to leave their communicommunities, especially ties if security forces connear schools and tinue to stay in civilian churches and other pub- areas. lic buildings making Karadyawan, a local them vulnerable from at- indigenous people’s ortacks or fighting between ganization in Kapalong government and rebel town, also accused the forces. military of killing a mo-
Sino ang tumira sa murder witness? DAVAO CITY - Hindi pa rin matukoy ng pulisya kung sino ang tumira sa isang saksi sa pagpatay sa manunulat na si Nestor Bedolido, ngunit patuloy umano ang imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad sa krimen. Binaril ng tatlong armado si Ritchie Manapol, 34, nitong Hulyo 31 sa isang bilyaran sa Davao City at saka tumakas ng masiguradong wala na itong buhay. Ayon sa mga nakakita sa pagpatay ay nagtangka pang tumakas si Manapol, ngunit hinabol naman ito ng mga salarin at ng ma-
korner sa bilyaran ay tinadtad naman ito ng bala. Si Manapol ay saksi sa pamamaslang ng mga armado kay Bedolido noong 2010 sa Digos City. Nabatid na nasa Witness Protection Program ng Department of Justice si Manapol at hindi pa mabatid kung bakit wala itong bantay gayun isa ito sa mga pangunahing saksi sa pamamaslang kay Bedolido. Naunang sumuko noon ang isang suspek sa pagpatay sa mamamahayag at isinabit nito ang ilang politiko sa krimen. (J. Magtanggol)
The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) 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
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Ely Dumaboc/ Jun Feliciano Zamboanga Peninsula The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines. The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in KISMET Cable TV and Pagadian Cable Television Channel 63. Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: 062- 9925480 Mobile: 0917-7103642 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
torcycle taxi driver Wilfred Estrebillo and other human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by members of the 60th and 68th Infantry Battalion. Lito Sampag, a spokesman for the Karadyawan, said: “The military is using our communities as shields; they are occupying our churches and schools, accusing and forcing some of us to surrender, and forcing our children to act as their guides in their pursuit of New People’s Army rebels.” He said troops are currently encamped at Sitio Kapatagan, Taongatok, Upper Tagasan, Lower Tagasan, Mangkay, Maguimon, Aminipat and Ngan all in the village of Gupitan, and other areas nearby. “Their presence brings threats and violations to the rights of the villagers. Their targets and vivid victims are us,” Sampag said. “If the military will not pullout from civilian areas, we shall be forced to leave our villages and protest this continued militarization.” Human rights group Karapatan said it is documenting all reported
cases of human rights violations in the areas identified by Karadyawan so that appropriate charges or legal actions can be filed against the perpetrators. “But we will not rely on the filing of legal cases alone; the courageous protest of the people is more effective based on our experience because many of our government instrumentalities and offices are futile especially in addressing the complaints of poor people like the farmers and lumads.” Said Hanimay Suazo, Karapatan’s Secretary-General in Southern Mindanao. Not tr ue true But the military has denied all allegations and accused the NPA of human rights violations in the province. Lt. Col. Norman Zuniega, commander of the 10th Civil-Military Operation Battalion, said the rebel group was behind numerous cases of killings, intimidation, coercion, extortion and recruitment of young villagers, including children to fight the government. He said even local gover nment agencies and officials have re-
ported serious difficulties in the delivery of basic services and infrastructure projects in the villages due to the presence of rebels. He said tribesmen were also being intimidated and coerced by human rights groups, including Karapatan, Bar ug Katawhan and other front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Zuniega said: “Residents reported the utilization of school classrooms by the NPA for anti-government propaganda and revolutionary activities, disrupting the schedule of students and causing fear among them.” “Also, it was found that indigenous peoples are the most exploited and deceived, purposely isolated by the NPA from any service or help from the governments as are the main targets of recruitment to become NPA fighters. The rebels do not have any regard for the welfare of indigenous tribes and their customary laws and they brainwashed and arm them and teach them violence.” He said the soldiers are continuing their
peace and development outreach program in the province and are working closely with local governments in an effort to address the growing threats of the NPA. “ The 10th Infantry Division is mandated to secure the welfare of the people and we cannot allow this armed group to continue its exploitation of this area and its residents. We will continue to pursue this cr iminal group involved in extortion, exploitation of minors, deception, murder and the use of banned explosives. Regardless of whatever setbacks and unfounded accusations by groups with malicious intentions, the 10th Infantry Division will continue pursuing the peace and development that the citizens of the farflung areas have long aspired for.” “ We assure the people that we will continue to work with the local government and its agencies to address the people’s concerns, and to help the people in the area live normally and freely, without the constant psychological fear caused by the NPA,” Zuniega said. ( J. Magtanggol)
The Mindanao Examiner
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The Mindanao Examiner
MANILA – The Movement for People Empowerment or MPE has filed graft charges against Senior Deputy Minority Leader Neri Colmenares, but the lawmaker said the action was an “unadulterated harassment case” and denied all accusations against him. The case filed at the DBM agreed and funded Office of the Ombudsman it directly through the Dein Iloilo City is connected partment of Public Works to a supposed over priced and Highways,” he said. two-classroom building He said the project of the Dela Peña Primary was completed in FebruSchool in Barotac Viejo ar y. “And like in other town. projects, not a single Colmenares said he is centavo was given or ready and willing to prove passed through me,” he that the charges are false said. Colmenares, a strong and malicious. “This of President project was requested critic from my office by Barotac Benigno Aquino, has acViejo Mayor Niel Tupas III cused the government as and the municipality was behind MPE. “Malacanang is again the one that implemented it. I asked the Department trying to discredit the opof Budget and Manage- position instead of heedment if the project worth ing the call of the people funding to which the to investigate even ad-
Rep. Neri Colmenares ministration allies. As a response we challenge
Malacanang to open to the public all the projects
Aug. 11-17, 2014
of departments and agencies under the President and all members of Congress who endorsed projects thru the Disbursement Acceleration Program. We also ask all members of Congress to open all their bank accounts for public scrutiny. Additionally, we should all submit ourselves to a lifestyle check,” he said. “I have never stolen a single centavo from public funds and Malacanang should desist from attempting to destroy my credibility and instead heed the people’s demand to come out with all DAP related projects including those endorsed by members of Congress,” he said. Colmenares’ ally, Rep. Carlos Zarate, also de-
cried the case filed against the lawmaker. “The made-up case is a clear harassment act ex cathedra and we fear that similar cases will be filed against members of the Makabayan Bloc as the hearings on the impeachment cases against Pres. Aquino draw near.” “As in the past, this renewed harassment against us, particularly against our colleague, Rep. Neri will not cow or deter us from continuing our advocacies. On the contrar y, it will only embolden us to continue with our expose and opposition on the corrupt and anti-people policies of this administration,” Zarate said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sayyaf frees kidnapped woman ZAMBOANGA CITY – Abu Sayyaf gunmen have freed one of two Muslim women they abducted in Patikul town in the souther n Philippine province of Sulu, officials said. Marine Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, said Nursalyn Alih, 26, was released at Sitio Kantitap in the village of Danag, but the fate of her companion Shekinah Hope Hamsain is still unknown.
Both women were traveling on a motorcycle when three gunmen seized them on August 3 in the village of Kaunayan in Patikul. Two of the gunmen have been identified as Ramsid Sali and Injie. Muyuela said marines brought Alih and her some members of her family to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for a routine medical examination. It was unknown if ransom was paid by
Alih’s family to the kidnappers in exchange for her safe release. “Authorities have yet to confirm whether the family of the victim paid ransom money for her safe release. Militar y troops continue to conduct pursuit operations to locate the remaining kidnapped victim,” Muyuela said. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding several kidnapped foreigners and Filipinos in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
Goldsmith Jasper Penales, who is also a polio victim, works at his shop in Kidapawan City public market. Penales, an IT graduate, says he took over the job of his father who is now paralyzed, to be able to help feed his family. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Geonarri Solmerano)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 11-17, 2014
Korean firm urged to invest more in Philippines
Photo released by the Western Mindanao Command show some of the victims of Abu Sayyaf attack in Talipao town in Sulu province in southern Philippines.
Police file charges vs. Sayyaf militants in deadly attack ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police filed criminal charges against dozens of Abu Sayyaf militants, including their leader, tagged as behind a deadly attack in the southern Philippine province Sulu, officials said. Officials said 69 people were charged in connection to a recent attack that killed at least 25 civilians, including women and children in Talipao town. Among those charged were Ustadz Yasser Igasan, the group’s leader; and his commanders Idang Susukan, Tawing Umair and Sibih Pisih. “We have filed multiple murders and frustrated multiple charges against them and there is an operation going on to arrest them,” Sulu police chief Abraham Orbita told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. The attack occurred at during the Muslim celebration of Eid’ul Fitr, which marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Most of the victims were Eid revelers
traveling on two civilian vehicles. Provincial government officials headed by Gov. Totoh Tan and military commanders condemned the attack on innocent civilians. Officials said the militants attacked the civilians in retaliation for their support to local authorities against the Abu Sayyaf atrocities. The attack could trigger retaliation by families and relatives of the victims against kin of the Abu Sayyaf members involved in the ambush. The filing of murder charges against the Abu Sayyaf militants coincided with the release August 4 of one of two Muslim women they abducted in Sulu’s Patikul town. Marine Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, said Nursalyn Alih, 26, was released at Sitio Kantitap in the village of Danag, but the fate of her companion Shekinah Hope Hamsain is still un-
known. Both women were traveling on a motorcycle when three gunmen seized them on August 3 in the village of Kaunayan in Patikul. Two of the gunmen have been identified as Ramsid Sali and Injie. Muyuela said marines brought Alih and her some members of her family to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for a routine medical examination. It was unknown if ransom was paid by Alih’s family to the kidnappers in exchange for her safe release. “Authorities have yet to confirm whether the family of the victim paid ransom money for her safe release. Military troops continue to conduct pursuit operations to locate the remaining kidnapped victim,” Muyuela said. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding several kidnapped foreigners and Filipinos in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
MANILA - The Department of Foreign Affairs said Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd is considering expanding its business in the Philippines beyond its current interests. It said Hyundai's head called the country “a competitive location for investors,” in a recent meeting with the Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul Hernandez at the Embassy Chancery in Seoul. The meeting, set up by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, led by Special Trade Representative and Commercial Counselor Nicanor Bautista, is part of the Embassy’s economic diplomacy to boost the government’s efforts in attracting Korean invest-
ments into the country. Hernandez invited HDEC officials led by President and CEO Soo-Hyun Jung to increase its presence in the Philippines for the mutual benefit of both countries. He suggested that HDEC, one of South Korea’s largest construction and civil engineering companies, look into possible participation in the government’s public-private partnership projects, noting that close to US$20 billion worth of infrastructure projects are scheduled to be rolled out in the near term. Jung, praising the Philippine’s improved fundamentals, expressed Hyundai’s interest in exploring new projects outside of its current engi-
neering, procurement, and construction contracts undertaken in partnership with local contractors in the Philippines. A recognized leader in the Korean construction industry since 1947, the company provides services for a wide variety of projects, including harbors and terminals, bridges and highways, dams, nuclear and other power plants, petrochemical plants, commercial buildings, and high-rise apartments. HDEC designed and built, among others, the Incheon International Airport, the Kyeong-bu (Seoul-Busan) expressway and more recently, the Songdo Suspension Bridge, one of the longest in Asia.
Sundalo sugatan sa labanan sa NPA PAGADIAN CITY - Isang sundalo ang sugatan matapos na makipagsagupaan ang grupo nito sa mga rebeldeng New People's Army sa bayan ng Tigbao sa Zamboanga del Sur. Sinabi ni Insp. Dahlan Samuddin, ang
regional police spokesman, na naganap ang labanan sa Barangay Tuburan na kung saan ay 20 mga rebelde sa pangunguna ni Ka Natan ang naka-engkuwentro ng mga sundalo sa ilalim ni Lt. Gelapia. Hindi naman agad
Man killed in Tacurong City TACURONG CITY – A man was killed in a gun attack in Tacurong City in southern Philippines in what police said was probably connected to illegal drugs. Police said the victim, Long Karatong, a native of Sultan Kudarat’s President Quirino town, was with two companions when he was attacked by two motorcycle gunmen along Alunan Avenue.
Karatong died instantly from multiple gunshots, but his two companions were unhurt from the shooting. The assailants fled after the attack. Policeman Reggie Runia said Karatong was shot at least 5 times and that drug paraphernalia and a glass tooter used in sniffing shabu were recovered from the victim. (Rose Muneza and Deanna Diaz)
mabatid ang unang pangalan ng opisyal, ngunit kinumpirma naman ni Samuddin na sugatan ang isang tropa ni Gelapia na nakilalang si Corporal Sakilan. Umabot ang labanan ng halos 10 minuto, ayon kay Samuddin. "Exchange of gun fire lasted for about ten minutes that resulted in one Woundedin-Action on the government side identified as Corporal Sakilan. Wounded AFP personnel were immediately brought to nearest hospital for medical treatment," ani Samuddin. Tuloy pa rin umano kahapon ang pagtugis sa mga rebelde ng 2nd at 3rd Maneuvering Companies ng Regional Public Safety Company 9 ng pulisya. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Aug. 11-17, 2014
NPA rebels strafed army patrol base in Zamboanga Sur PAGADIAN CITY – Suspected communist rebels strafed an army detachment in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, but police said there were no reports of casualties. Police said the attack was believed carried out by the New People’s Army which is fighting for a separate Maoist state. It said the gunmen strafed the detachment in the village of Libayoy in
Tigbao town used as patrol base by members of the 10th CAAC of the army. “The enemy approximately prepositioned at more or less a distance of three hundred meters away direction from the said patrol base particularly at the bridge situated at said place.” “The strafing incident lasted for about two minutes. The AFP troops detailed in the area deployed at their respective
sector of fire and observed the enemy’s location whereby the enemy withdrew towards unknown direction. There was no reported killed or wounded during said incident,” police said. Just recently, one soldier was also wounded in a rebel attack in the village of Tuburan, also in Tigbao town, a known stronghold of the NPA in the province. (Mindanao Examiner)
Gunman shoots 2 in Isabela City BASILAN PROVINCE – One person was fatally shot and ten-year old boy injured when a lone gunman attacked them in Isabela City in Basilan province in southern Philippines, police said. Police said the attacker shot and killed Gapur Tukul and also the
boy in the village of Binuangan. The victims were residents of Guiong village in Sumisip town. Gapur was shot several times in the body while the boy sustained a gunshot wound in the stomach, police said, adding, investigators re-
covered 7 bullet casings of .45-caliber pistol. The motive of the shooting is still unknown, but gun attacks are not uncommon in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. (Mindanao Examiner)
Bebot, kelot inupakan sa Dipolog City ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE – Patay ang isang ginang at sugatan naman ang isang lalaki sa hiwalay na pamamaril sa Dipolog City sa Zamboanga del Norte province. Sinabi kahapon ni Insp. Dahlan Samuddin, ang regional police spokesman, na parehong under investigation ang dalawang kaso na naganap ilang oras lamang ang pagitan. Nauna umanong nabaril ng mga “riding-intandem” si Juancho Regencia, 43, sa Purok Evergreen sa Barangay Santa Felomina na kung saan ay tinugis ito ng mga salarin habang sakay ng kanyang
motorsiklo. Ilang beses na pinaputukan si Regencia at nahagip ito ng isang beses sa katawan, ngunit nakuha pa nitong tumakas at magtungo sa pagamutan. Ngunit hindi naman sinuwerte si Alma Tan, 43, at napaslang ito sa loob ng kanilang bahay sa Malvar St. sa Barangay Miputak. Karga-karga pa ni Tan ang kanyang sanggol ng ito’y barilin sa kanyang ulo ng salarin. Hindi naman nasaktan ang animbuwang sanggol. Nabatid kay Samuddin na tumaya pa ang salarin ng ‘swetres’ sa live-in partner ni Tan na si Eddie Rinos
at matapos nito ay tumambay ito sa labas ng bahay at hihintayin umano ang resulta ng bola sa swetres. Ngunit ng makita ang babae na umupo sa sala at manood ng telebisyon ay doon na umano tumira ito ng salarin. Sa bintana mismo sa labas ng bahay pumuwesto ang lalaki at saka inupakan si Tan. Mabilis rin na tumakas ang salarin matapos ng pamamaril, ayon sa pulisya. Hindi pa mabatid ng awtoridad ang motibo sa dalawang krimen, ngunit talamak ang barilan at patayan sa Dipolog City. (Mindanao Examiner)
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PCIJ: DAP in ARMM NOTHING IN the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has ever been easy or simple, but the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) seems to have complicated matters even more for projects it was (and is still) supposed to fund. According to a July 2014 official report on ARMM’s Transition Investment Support Plan (TISP), implementation of the DAP-funded TISP projects had involved a multi-layered network of 11 agencies assigned to various programs and projects, including six ARMM line agencies. Summing up the figures listed in the report, the TISP should have accomplished an astounding total of 4,133 projects, powered up 246 sitios, offered 8,970 scholarships, and launched various activities in 47 project sites, in ARMM. To do all these, four “implementation schemes” were apparently adopted. These schemes, though, saw at least 11 agencies implementing projects separately, in tandem, or through a series of back-toback memoranda of agreement. In addition, the report said that with supposedly no involvement from ARMM regional or local agencies, five executive departments — Interior and Local Government, Public Works and Highways, Science and Technology, Energy/National Electrification Administration, and Transportation and Communication — received funds and implemented TISP projects assigned to them. These five national agencies then implemented the projects through their regional offices. ARMM consists of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao, which are among the country’s poorest provinces. The total population of ARMM, as of the 2010 national census, is 3.26 million. The Commission on Audit (COA), in its 2012 annual audit report on ARMM, had scored the “circuitous transfer of project funds” from one to another department or agency in the implementation of the TISP projects. It was in early 2012 that the national government had launched TISP for ARMM to serve as “a road map for Governance Reforms in the region,” said the 2014 report on TISP. TISP focuses on eight “key action and reform points,” namely: * “Improvement of delivery of basic services; * “Creating an enabling environment for public and private partnership towards equitable growth; * “Stepping up peace and order initiatives for sustained growth and development; * “Performing and strengthening bureaucratic reforms; * “Cleaning up the electoral process and ensuring peace in the region;
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Aug. 11-17, 2014
* “Ensuring good governance benchmarks in ARMM; * “Fully engaging CSOs and people’s organizations in governance; and * “Maximizing the potential of ARMM.” TISP seeks to achieve these objectives: * “To increase the reach, access, and quality of essential public services; * “To create the enabling mechanisms to promote and sustain publicprivate partnerships in economic development and good governance; and * “To institutionalize vital governance reforms in the ARMM regional and local government bureaucracies.” The four “implementation schemes” adopted for TISP projects include * “National Government Agency (NGA) — programs and projects are directly implemented by the NGA, either through the Central Office or the Regional Office; * “Regional Government — the NGA enters into an agreement with the Regional Government through the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG) or the NGA enters into bilateral agreements with its regional counterpart; * “Local Government Unit (LGU) — the NGA enters into an agreement with the concerned LGU; “Others — the NGA enters into an agreement with another entity (e.g. local electric cooperative or Philippine Fisheries Development Authority or PFDA).” Under the third scheme, LGUs “implemented the water and selected infrastructure under the DILG component,” while “under the fourth scheme, the fishing port component was implemented by PFDA, and the DOE component by the local electric cooperatives,” said the TISP report. “DPWH-ARMM, DILGARMM, DOST-ARMM, and DOTC-ARMM were only tasked to monitor the implementation of the projects which were implemented by their counterpart national line agencies or regional line agencies from the administrative regions,” the report added. For overall supervision and management of TISP, a Project Management Office (PMO) was created at the Local Government Academy of the DILG central office. With offices in Pasig City and Los Baños, Laguna, LGA has 70 employees assigned to four operating units. But until January 2014, it was still hiring personnel to fill the positions needed to support its supervision and management of TISP. And that could well be one reason why it apparently failed to stop kinks from forming in the TISP implementation process. For instance, while the original total TISP fund allocation is P8.589 billion, the ARMM report on TISP said P200 million of the total “has no SARO or Special Allotment Release Order
from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).” This amount should have gone to the Department of Health-Central Office. In short, according to the ARMM report, the TISP total allocation was only P8,389,953,412. Notably, this figure matches the amount enrolled in DBM’s official list of DAP-funded projects for ARMM. But the TISP report also said that of the total amount, “only P8.098 billion was obligated” as of July 2014. Moreover, it said that of the total TISP funds, “only P2.638 billion (was) for ARMM line agencies implementation.” The ARMM report said as well that as of July 22, 2014, or 30 months after TISP’s launch, the up to P379 million or 14.4 percent of the total TISP funds from DAP had yet to be disbursed. This made for an implementation rate of only 82.5 percent for all the projects assigned to ARMM line agencies. ARMM reported that its TISP funds from DAP were downloaded separately to these agencies. About P2.63 billion of the funds had been obligated with participation of ARMM regional and local agencies, including: * Department of Agriculture (DA), 162 projects, P326.76 million; * Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 47 project sites, P49.59 million * Department of Health (DOH), 476 projects “for the procurement of equipment”, P330.75 million * Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 2,100 projects and 284,811 beneficiaries, P1.82 billion * Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), 1,054 projects, P45.21 million * Technical Educational Skills Development Authority (TESDA), 8,970 scholarships, P61.63 million The projects under DENR and TESDA were all implemented through their ARMM line agencies. For DA, DOH, DSWD, and DTI, only some of the projects were implemented through their line agencies. Meanwhile, the bigger balance of P5.75 billion was downloaded to the following national agencies: * Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), 289 projects, P1.28 billion * Department of Energy/National Electrification Administration, (DOE/ NEA), 246 sitios, P200 million * Department of Science and Technology (DOST), 25 projects, P24.65 million * Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), 2 projects, P80 million * Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), 25 projects, P2.85 billion * Department of Agriculture (DA), P733.25 million
Letters to the Editor: ‘PNP miserably fails to present proof on significant headway in investigation of media killings’ THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines welcomes the Philippine National Police's statement that it is "implementing more tangible actions to fulfill its crucial role in complementing national government efforts to resolve media killings and other threats to press freedom," except for one very, very crucial item -- the statement miserably fails to present any proof towards achieving this goal, much more what PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac calls significant headway in the investigation of cases. Sindac claims Task Force USIG of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management has investigated 42 cases resulting in "the successful prosecution of eight (8) accused responsible in separate cases of media slay(sic)." He cites the murders of Marlene Garcia-Esperat (3 convicted), Edgar Damalerio (1 convicted), Klein Cantoneros (1 convicted), Armando Pace (1 convicted), Rowel Endrinal (1 convicted), Gerardo "Doc Gerry" Ortega (1 convicted) and Arecio Padrigao Sr. (1 convicted). But not only are the figures wrong to begin with, these convictions pale if seen against the 171 media murders in the country since 1986. And, may we point out, all these convictions are of those who pulled the triggers or served as lookouts. None of these are of masterminds. In fact, in the case of Esperat, the accused brains continue to report for work at the Department of Agriculture while, in the case of Ortega, they remain at large, allowed to slip out of the country by hirelings in government. If this is all the PNP has to report, it is really all but admitting failure. And may we also point out that the reason most of these cases even reached conviction is because of the relentless efforts of media organizations and the victims' families. The PNP also says it has "intensified the campaign against Wanted Persons and Organized Crime Groups, particularly gun-for-hire syndicates who may * Department of Health (DOH), P625.25 million * Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), P146.83 million * Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), P14.79 million The ARMM report said that as of July 22, 2014, only P2.177 billion had been released to the ARMM line agencies, while the remaining P379.034 million had yet to be “downloaded
also be involved in media killing." This should, of course, be welcome news not only for media but for all citizens of this republic. However, news report after news report will bear out the fact that syndicates that hire out their expertise in assassinations continue to thrive. The Human Rights Watch report on the "Digos death squad" and its hand in the murder of broadcaster Rogelio Butalid last year remains fresh. And lest we forget, close to a hundred suspects in the Ampatuan massacre remain at large, most of them members of a private army that, at its height, boasted more firepower than the government's security forces in Maguindanao. Sindac says there is "no pattern" to the killings and he is right, but only insofar as there is no official program to murder journalists unlike the targeted killings of activists and other dissenters. However, as we have pointed out again and again, there IS one pattern, not only behind media murders but, come to think of it, of the myriad of other social problems plaguing our country. And that pattern is the continued system of governance that not only tolerates but actually nurtures corrupt warlord politicians, who are the primary suspects in ordering the deaths of so many of our colleagues, but whose loyalty is indispensable to the national government. It is likewise infuriating that Sindac, like President Benigno Aquino III, engages in the sickening charade of blaming the victims for their fates, by citing motives such as "personal grudge, double-cross, land dispute, and business rivalry" for the killings. These are clear attempts to downplay the continued assaults on journalists and freedom of the press in the country. And, as we have said before, questions of ethics may have played a role in a number of cases but this is still no justification for murder. For if, as Sindac and Aquino seem to imply, corruption justifies murder, it should be food for thought why those most guilty of it continue to thrive in the corridors of power.
particularly for DAF (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries)-ARMM, DOH-ARMM, DSWDARMM, and DTI-ARMM.” “There are still undisbursed funds amounting to P82.206 million in the DAF-ARMM, DENRARMM, DOH-ARMM, DSWD-ARMM, DTIARMM and TESDAARMM,” it said. “For TESDA,” said the report, “there is an undis-
bursed amount of P3.573 million because the schools have not billed them yet, and the DENR undisbursed amount of P1.249 million is due to the pending validation of accomplishments of the established plantations.” (Malou Mangahas, Fernando Cabigao Jr., and Charmaine P. Lirio, PCIJ, August 2014) Link: http://pcij.org/ stories/dap-in-armm
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Aug. 11-17, 2014
Pilipinas, nagpabiling ‘Ebola-free’
G Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III tries to access the mobile tourism guide on his cell phone.
Cebu launches 'digital tourism' project
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he Cebu provincial government signed an agreement with Smart Communications, Inc. and Cebu-based InnoPub Media formalizing the roll-out of its Digital Tourism Project here. Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III signed the deal with SMART Senior Manager for Public Affairs in the Visayas, lawyer Maria Jane Paredes, and InnoPub CoFounder Max Limpag, and Cebu Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera. Davide said the project will help make tourists’ visit in the province more convenient. "They don’t have to bring with them maps or books about Cebu anymore," he said, adding the digital tourism utilizes mobile technology to deliver timely, accurate, and relevant information on tourism, cultural, and historical information of Cebu. Interactive markers
will also be set up in identified tourist spots bearing quick response codes and near field communication chips which visitors can scan using their smartphones and this will trigger the download of information about the tourist site. "By providing tourists with context and correct information with relevant information will make their visit much more meaningful and memorable, and they will hopefully keep coming back," Limpag said. He said under the project, free ebooks and mobile apps will be produced to serve as tourism guides. "Printed guidebooks are expensive, and also they are limited in the sense that a limited space is allotted for some places because of the limited number of pages," Limpag explained. The ebooks, he said, will contain relevant information about Cebu, including hotel accommodations and restaurants, among others.
Limpag said the digital tourism project will provide more information about local tourist sites and destinations. The mobile guide contains a portable directory of service providers accredited with the Department of Tourism or local governments and other information. The digital tourism project was first implemented in Carcar City, Argao, and Boljoon. It is now currently being deployed in Boljoon, Oslob, Samboan, and Santander and the project is set to be expanded to cover other areas in Cebu. Davide also posted on his Facebook account this entry: "#Cebu Get your QR scanner ready! Visit w w w. c e b u . g o v. p h / socialmedia to access links. Scan this QR Code on your iOS, Android, Windows or Blackberry phone to visit the website straight on your mobile. Cebu is #unified! Spread the word." (Rachelle Nessia)
Cultural education pushed in schools
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eaching subjects using culture and the arts is now being integrated in the curriculum of the Department of Education and the Commission for Higher Education for students to better understand, appreciate and value the country's heritage. Commissioner Orlando Magno, of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts
ARMM
(NCAA), said its is part of an aggressive campaign to promote culture and the arts and instill a strong sense of nationhood and pride among students as Filipinos. "There is a need to promote, develop and preserve our country’s culture and the arts and one way of doing that is publicize this inside the classrooms," Magno said. He said for five years now, the NCCA has been giving free scholarships to pub-
lic school teachers on how to effectively teach subjects using culture and the arts. “Our conduit schools in Central Visayas are Holy Name University in Bohol and the Cebu Normal University in Cebu,” Magno said. Magno said teaching subjects using the vernacular for better understanding is also one way of valuing and preserving the local culture unique to that certain area. (Fayette Riñen)
Southern Mindanao
Davao
iseguro sa Department of Health nga nagpabiling luwas batok sa ebola virus ang Pilipinas. Matud pa sa tigpamaba sa DOH nga si Dr. Lyndon Suy, nakaalerto ang gobyerno sa mga tugpahanan ug pantalan aron ma-monitor ang lihok sa mga pasahero pasulod sa nasud. Base sa labing ulahing taho, tulo ka nasud sa West Africa ang nagdeklara og ebola outbreak. Sa pagkakaron, wala pa hinuoy indibidwal nga natalang natakdan dinhi sa Asya. Bisan pa niini, mas
gihingosgan pa sa hiniusang pwersa sa DOH ug Bureau of Quarantine ang pag-monitor niini sa mga tugpahanan ug pantalan. Matud pa nga mas maayong masumpo kini sa dili pa makasulod sa nasud. Gipahibalo usab sa DOH nga nag-negatibo na sa ebola virus ang 5 sa 15 nga gi-monitor sa ahensya human kini nibalik sa nasud gikan sa Sierra Leone diin sila nagtrabaho. Gipasalamatan usab sa DOH ang 15 ka mga trabahante sa padayong pakig-alayon niini sa ahensiya alang sa ilang kahimtang sa panglawas.
Sa pagkakaron, hapsay nga makasulod ang mga turista sa mga tugpahanan apan gitumbok sa DOH nga ang mga turista ug mga balikbayan gikan sa mga nasud nga sama sa Liberia, Guinea ug Sierra Leone moduso sa ilang lokal medical clearance gikan sa mga nahisgotang nasud. Dungan niini, tugotan ang DOH nga imonitor sila sulod sa usa ka buwan kun naa na sa nasud ug mo-report dayon sa mga regional office nga ahensya kun makasinati kini og bisan unsang sakit.
2015 National Budget maghatag kahigayonan nga paninglan ang gobyerno sa katawhan
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ng 2015 National B u d g e t makadugang sa kahigayonan nga paninglan ang gobyerno sa resulta sa mga gasto niini alang sa katawhan, matud ni government spokesman Herminio Coloma, Jr. Sa budget sa 2014, ang gitawag nga mga ‘performance targets” gitumbok tumong sa mga about kun “outputs” o mga kaayuhan ug serbisyo nga makita diha sa mga ahensiya nga modala niini, samtang ang sa giduso nga budget sa 2015 naglakip sa mga ilhanan kun mga “indicators” sa sangputanan sa mga proyekto. “Padayon nato’ng ipatuman ang mga nagunang mga gitawag nga mga “basic management principle,” nga matag usa
ka peso nga gastuhon sa gobyerno adunay bugti nga resultang ma-ihap,” matud ni Coloma nga mikutlo sa pulong ni Presidente Benigno Aquino, sa iyang 41 ka pahina sa iyang mensahe sa budget. “Busa, kini nga budget wala lamang magpakita unsa ka daghan ang mga panimalay o pamilya ang makabenepisyo, sama sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, apan nagpakita usab kini unsa ka daghan sa benepisaryo ang naka haw-as na sa kawad-on ug naka-angat na sa kinabuhi nga aduna na’y makaon ug maka-irog na sa level nga puede na silang magpakabuhi nga sila ra,” pasabot ni Coloma. Sa iyang mensahe kabahin sa budget, ang
Presidente subling mipasabut nga ang iyang giduso nga 2015 budget makapabibo sa ekonomiya ug mosuporta sa uban pang ekonomiya sa nasud. Nitutok usab kini sa mga angayan nga himoon alang sa kalambuan sa tanan, naghatag prayoridad sa mga kinahanglanon sa katawhan nga anaa sa kawad-on ug mga dapit nga nameligro sa kalamidad. Ingon man, maghatag kini’g tingog sa katawhan kalabot sa ilang mga buhis, ug maghatag dugang kahigayonan nga paninglan ang gobyerno gi-unsa paggasto ang salapi sa katawhan, dugang sulti ni Coloma.
Kenyan man held in Cebu
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h i l i p p i n e authorities are holding a Kenyan national acc used of raping a local saleswoman in Cebu City in the Visayas region, reports said. It said the foreigner was arrested by the local police after the 22-year old woman accused him of physically and sexually abusing her, an allegation he strongly denied.
The suspect alleged that he paid the woman for sex, but police claimed the Kenyan man was also involved in a similar case in the past. The woman, who works as a sales agent, said she went to the Kenyan man’s rented house in Banilad village on an official business, but the foreigner allegedly prevented her from leaving and eventually
Western Mindanao
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abused her. She was able to escape after he went to the bathroom. Police are investigating the case. No other details were made available by the authorities about the foreigner and it was unknown whether the Kenyan Embassy in Manila has been notified about the recent arrest of its national. (Cebu Examiner)
Manila