Founded July 2019
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (0915) 3976197
P10
July 12-18, 2021
Covid cases down in Zambo Z AMBOANGA’S ACTIVE Covid-19 cases are heading south and continues to go down as the local government is slowly reopening up the economy as it battles the spread of the deadly respiratory virus. While the number of gone down since the past maco, who chairs the local Covid-19 has drastically months, Mayor Beng CliContinue on page 2
Travellers using fake RT-PCR test results warned MAYOR BENG Climaco warned persons against using falsified negative RT-PCR tests to enter Zamboanga City after lo-
cal authorities intercepted 40 people, including 10 policemen, from Basilan and Sulu provinces bearing fake RT-PCR test
results. The violators, she said, were issued citation tickets and fined P5,000 Continue on page 7
ZCWD has no problems with City Government THE ZAMBOANGA City Water District or ZCWD has virtually thumbed down insinuations made by political foes of Mayor Beng Climaco over the issue of the local government’s alleged unpaid water bills. Arnold Martin Atilano, Continue on page 7
DILG chief praised
President Rodrigo Duterte speaks to Mayor Beng Climaco at the naval base in Zamboanga City where the remains of soldiers who perished in the C-130 plane crash in Sulu province are brought. Climaco joins Duterte and other security officials in honoring the victims of the July 4, 2021 crash.
Biz sector scramble to get uniformed safety requirements DOZENS OF commercial establishments have received their Safety Seal Continue on page 3
A security guard stands beside a huge sign outside the LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, one of many establishments granted the Safety Seal certificate by the local government for strictly adhering to the health protocols. (Zamboanga Post)
Simariki inhabitants exploited? UNSCRUPOLOUS INDIVIDUALS are reportedly exploiting native inhabitants of Simariki Island Continue on page 2
Mayor Beng Climaco reads the Certificate of Appreciation the local government presented to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año for his invaluable support to the Covid-19 response of the Zamboanga City Government. (Bong Serondo) THE ZAMBOANGA City government thanked Interior Secretary Eduardo
Año, who was here recently, for his strong support to the local Covid-19 re-
Zamboanga Peninsula
A photo taken in April 2018 shows a family enjoying a boat ride on Simariki Island. (Photo from Simariki Island Ancestral Domain)
sponse and the deployment of hundreds of Continue on page 3
Basilan
Sulu
Tawi-tawi
2
The Zamboanga Post
July 12-18, 2021
Covid cases down in Zambo
Continued from page 1 force in battling the disease, said the public must not be complacent and strictly follow the health protocols and community quarantine guidelines to prevent another surge in infections. The emergence of a new Philippine variant of Covid-19, and also the U.K. and South African variants in Zamboanga City resulted in the surge in coronavirus cases here and is being handled aggressively by Climaco in an effort to lower the tab and at the same time vaccinate the residents. The Covid-19 cases here is just a few hundred compared to nearly 3,000 in May that forced the government to declare a stricter community quarantine that lasted almost 2 months. Zamboanga now is under General Community Quarantine classification until end of July. “As we are thankful that we are now under GCQ, we really need to maintain our Covid protocols to continue lowering the cases. We need to exert more effort,” she said, referring to personal health responsibilities of each resident to help fight or control the spread of the virus. “Our death toll and the daily positive cases are not a sign for us to relax. It is a sign for us to continue to cooperate, to strengthen our safety measures, self-regulate and self-discipline. All our frontliners have dedicated and poured out their efforts to keep you safe. It’s about time that we cooperate,” Climaco further said. The mayor assured economic stakeholders and business sector that the local government is doing its best to revive the economy. “We are supportive. We opened our economy, our venues for weddings and similar events. But, let us always remember to do the things that are essential,” Climaco said. Last month, the Regional Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team commended Climaco for her active role in addressing the health crisis. Manuel Luis Ochotorena, regional director of
the Office of the Civil Defense, and other members of the CODE Team cited the local government’s Covid-19 response, especially the creation of the Inter-Agency Compliance Team, the Barangay Sita Task Forces and Barangay Information Officers Network which ensure compliance of health and safety protocols and community quarantine guidelines. Ochotorena described the local government’s Covid-19 initiatives as “very commendable and impressive” and complied with the PDITR strategy in fighting the spread of the deadly virus which are Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment and Reintegration. He said the CODE, which was approved in September last year by the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) on the recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH) , aims to demonstrates active case finding strategies to prevent and eliminate clusters of community transmission of the virus and to provide guidance and recommendations to strengthen the implementing measures and mechanisms in fighting against the impact of pandemic while maintaining the balance between health and economy. CODE is headed by the National Task Force on Covid-19. Good Job Also in March before the spike in Covid-19 cases here, DOH Assistant Secretary Romeo Ong congratulated Climaco and the local government for keeping the number of active Covid cases below 100. Zamboanga’s lowest active Covid-19 cases then were only about three dozen. “I congratulate the City (Government of Zamboanga) for keeping the active cases to below 100, we should not keep our guards down, especially on our borders,” he said. Ong also urged residents to follow the strict health protocols, especially after Covid cases spiked in other parts of the country, especially in the National Capital Region and
nearby provinces. “This pandemic proves again this is not only a national, but a global challenge. The virus recognizes no national boundaries, no difference in political system, in culture, in religion whatsoever. It attacks all of us the same way. So there is an even greater need for closer and more effective cooperation, it has to be a whole of government and whole of society approach,” he said. “My message is to always keep the minimum health standards, keep masks and face shields on, social distance and washing of hands. No matter whether it is the variant or not, it is the same virus and the transmission is the same. For our health care workers, get vaccinated. We are about to go to the next batch of vaccines,” Ong added. Climaco said the “raging battle” to stop, if not reduce the spread of the deadly respiratory virus and other Covid variants, is not only the work of government alone, but of everyone as everybody is vulnerable to the dreaded disease. She again reminded residents to always use face mask and face shield in public places, and sanitize or wash hands with soap and water frequently, and comply with the community quarantine guidelines. “I am enjoining the public to please cooperate with and help government in the implementation of these health protocols,” she said. City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite also echoed the same appeals. “While we have the vaccines, this is no time to relax and we still have to practice proper wearing of face mask and face shield, practice hand hygiene and observe physical distancing. Until we get 70% of our population vaccinated, we will not be really protected from infection and surges,” she said. Climaco has repeatedly ordered the strict enforcement of health protocols at the borders and in different barangays to prevent the spread of Covid-19. She emphasized anew the need for mandatory RT-PCR testing for all
travellers entering Zamboanga City. “The strict enforcement of the regulations and protocols is be-
ing done to ensure that Covid-19 will not thrive in the city. All persons should be subject to compliance with the IATF-MEID and
local government health protocols for everyone’s safety and protection. (Claudine Uniana, Zamboanga Post)
Simariki inhabitants exploited?
(Photo from Simariki Island Ancestral Domain) Continued from page 1 off Zamboanga City with some even managed to acquire land tiles from the indigenous people, according to Mayor Beng Climaco. Climaco now wants the Department of Justice and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to look into the alleged exploitation of natives, including the Bajaus and Sama Bangingi, and the encroachment on their ancestral domain. “The issues and concerns of the IPs, to include the Bajaus, who are exploited by individuals, are being addressed by the
City Government through the efforts of our office in collaboration with the Department of Justice, (City Councilor and) IP Sector Representative Tungkuh Hanapi, and the IP leaders aqui na ciudad,” Climaco said. She said the lands under ancestral domains are protected by the provisions of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, which recognizes IPs and their communities’ ownership over their ancestral domains and lands, to include sacred areas, culturally and historically significant sites, forests, water sources, and seas.
“The local government is also preparing long-term programs to address and alleviate the needs and concerns of IPs. El bienestar y proteccion de nuestros IPs junto con otros sectores vulnerables, han sido parte de nuestra agenda,” Climaco said. Simariki Island is mostly surrounded by mangroves and sandbars, and a popular destination of picnickers because of its pristine beaches, cottages and fresh seafood. The island is also a bird sanctuary. (Jasmine Mohammadsali, Zamboanga Post)
3
The Zamboanga Post
July 12-18, 2021
Biz sector scramble to get uniformed safety requirements
DILG chief praised
Mayor Beng Climaco with DILG Chief Eduardo Año and other officials. (Bong Serondo) Continued from page 1 contract tracers here. Climaco also presented Año with a Certificate of Appreciation during a brief meeting at the Edwin Andrews Air Base. The mayor also discussed with Año her request to extend the services of the contact tracers. Año said the Department of the Interior and Local Government has submitted its recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte to extend the tracer’s employment contract. He also vowed to work out for the provision of more vaccines for the local security forces since they are also on the front line of Covid response. Climaco said there is
a need to extend the services of contact tracers as the local government continues to battle the spread of the deadly respiratory disease, especially now that the Delta variant of the Covid-19 first detected in India has spread around the world. She has written Año and also Health Secretary Francisco Duque as early as December last year requesting them to extend the services of contact tracers and other Covid-related personnel until December 2021. Climaco said the invaluable services of the nurses and contact tracers are crucial to Zamboanga’s sustained effort in battling the spread of the Covid-19. She said one of the challenges of the
local government has always been the shortage of healthcare workers, as well as effective contact tracing. “Our country is still suffering from Covid-19 pandemic and while it is true that our country is slowly opening up the economy with concomitant increased of people mobility, the virus is still here and its threat to our health and safety is ever present. Thus, the need to extend the services of Covid-related personnel until December 2021,” the mayor emphasized in her letter. Climaco has repeatedly expressed her gratitude to the contact tracers and commended them for their dedication in helping the City Health Office. (Zamboanga Post)
Continued from page 1 certification and StaySafe QR Codes as the local government continues to verify and process over 700 new applications with Mayor Beng Climaco calling on business owner to register. “The implementation of the Safety Seal together with the StaySafe QR Code is still ongoing,” Climaco said, referring to the national government’s official digital contact tracing application. The mayor said records from the City Administrator’s Office show that more than 700 establishments have applied online for Safety Seal certification and inspection teams have been deployed to check their conformity with the specifications set by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). “A total of five teams are going around the city to inspect the 16-point checklist from the DILG. We have certified 80 of these establishments,” Climaco said. Critics Some local businessmen have criticized the digital contact tracing application, saying their businesses were affected by the strict implementation of the StaySafe.Ph and called it “anti-poor” since not all can afford to own a smartphone to download it. But business establishments must designate a help desk or customer assistance desk for the registration with the StaySafe.Ph or for the generation and printing of the QR code for those who do not have smartphones. Climaco issued Executive Order BC 657-2021 in May this year adapting the StaySafe.Ph application as the official digital contact tracing system in Zamboanga City as ordered by the DILG.
In her executive order, Climaco said all city and national government offices, including private establishments, and the public are enjoined to use the application and utilize a uniformed quick response (QR) code in all entrances. The order also clearly states that all establishments should put up a help desk or customer assistance desk for the registration with the StaySafe. Ph or for the generation and printing of the QR code for those who do not have smartphones. The executive order makes it mandatory for citizens - whether local residents or visitors who will enter, work or do business in all indoor and enclosed public and private establishments here - to download and register at the StaySafe. Ph application which can be accessed on App store for iPhone, Google Play for Android devices and App Gallery for Huawei. There is also a penalty for those, including establishments which fail to adapt the digital contact tracing system and for the first offense, the penalty is P2,000 and P3,000 for the next offense, and P5,000 for the third offense. The application was developed by Multisys Technologies Corporation in collaboration with PLDT-Smart Group and PLDT Enterprise, and the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the National Task Force on Covid-19. Follow Order DILG Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr. said the online application is an effective tool for contact tracing nationwide to ensure consistent, and unified contact tracing reporting.
“Instead of using other apps, it is imperative for local governments to use the StaySafe app for a unified system that will allow seamless, fast, and efficient contact tracing efforts,” he said, adding the digital contact tracing application will make it easier for government authorities and medical experts to keep track of the cases all over the country and carry out decisive actions to stem the rapid transmission of the virus. “Hindi po puwedeng kanya-kanya tayo. We need a macro view of the situation on the ground so that we will be armed with up-to-date information that will aid us in implementing Covid-19 response policies and measures,” Florece said. The StaySafe.Ph application is currently being used by some 15 million users and 700 local governments in the country, according to the DILG. It aims to reach at least 50 million users and connect all 1,634 city and municipal governments across the country. David Almirol, President and CEO of the Multisys Technologies Corporation, said the digital contact tracing application is designed to aid in the management of Covid-19 cases by reminding people to maintain physical distance, as well as recording and monitoring symptoms of the deadly respiratory disease. The application engages the public against the spread of Cobid-19 and aggregates all reports available in desktop and mobile versions, allowing the government to respond quickly to people’s needs and make informed and timely decisions to keep the public safe during this time of the pandemic. (Claudine Uniana, Zamboanga Post)
4
The Zamboanga Post
July 12-18, 2021
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.
July 12-18, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
5
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo, Christine Lim, CHO, ZCPO, Claire Pesebre, Vic Larato, and Claudine Uniana.
6
The Zamboanga Post
July 12-18, 2021
Across : 1. Ice pellets 6. Tax org. 9. Neighbor of Mex. 12. Monte ___ 13. Spasm 14. Egg drink 15. Coral island 16. Least fresh 18. Use coupons 20. Locale 21. Poet’s “before” 22. French preposition 24. Concerned one 27. Sumphony 29. Skyrocket 33. Retiree’s acct. 34. “All ___ Jazz” 35. Escapade 38. Desist 39. Mr. Franklin 40. Nile snake 43. Actual 45. Capital of the Philippines 47. Radiated 50. Military doctor 51. Dry, as wine 52. Conclusion 53. Upright 54. Flock female 55. ___ versus Wade 56. Misplaces Down : 1. Startle 2. In a while 3. Wear away 4. Model ___ Macpherson 5. Ohio port 6. ___ a boy! 7. Ms. Hayworth 8. Uncommon 9. Dig up 10. Distress call 11. CIA employee (abbr.) 17. Slightest 19. Deserve 23. Rub clean 25. Gay Nineties, e.g. 26. Mouse’s kin 28. Sheik’s wives
The Zamboanga Post
An Edition of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper
Maritess Fernandez
Publisher/Executive Producer
Al Jacinto
Editor-in-Chief
Reynold Toribio Graphics/Video Editor
Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master
REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star
ADVERTISING Jeng Fernandez (0917) 7930652 Zamboanga Peninsula
Answer to last week’s crossword:
29. Cul-de-___ 30. Certain poem 31. Greed 32. Put back to zero 36. Tidier 37. Tooth covering 40. Assistants 41. Cake portion 42. Agreements 44. TV host Jay ___ 46. Fiddling emperor 47. Compass pt. 48. Cat’s sound 49. Ike’s monogram
Weekly Sudoku:
Richard Suarez
(0910) 7348600 Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera sts., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
The Zamboanga Post
is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.
ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE:
3rd Floor, JLC Building, Don Alfaro St., Tetuan, Zamboanga City Phone & Fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0915) 3976197 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
Answer to last week:
CEBU CITY G/F Dreamfield bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan (0923) 1670009
Rodil P. Ybañez
DAVAO CITY Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines (082) 2841859 / (0932) 4323301 / (0997) 3172021
Marilou Cablinda
ADVERTISE WITH US IN ZAMBOANGA!
NORTH COTABATO KIDAPAWAN CITY CENTRAL MINDANAO COTABATO CITY Rhoderick Beñez (0927) 4757936
PAGADIAN CITY
Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera st., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur (0910) 7348600
Richard Suarez
DAVAO CITY OFFICE
ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA BASILAN, SULU, TAWIͳTAWI ΈBARMMΉ
Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines (082) 2841859 / (0932) 4323301 / (0997) 3172021
3rd Floor, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / (0915) 3976197 / (0917) 7930652
ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE
Jeng Fernandez
mindanaoexaminer.com
mindanaoexaminer.com mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / 0915-3976197
7
The Zamboanga Post
July 12-18, 2021
Travellers using fake RT-PCR test results warned Mayor Beng Climaco (Bong Serondo)
Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey KIDAPAWAN CITY Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think. Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated with other fecal matter, they are collected. In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad. But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee seller in Zamboanga City. The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to
Continued from page 1 and ordered to return tothe province. “Necesitamos tomar medidas disciplinarias porque no queremos que nos traigan Covid-19 ni queremos que se infecten con el virus,” she said. Climaco previously ordered security forces to intensify patrols and prevent the entry of people without the necessary health requirements after receiving intelligence reports that travellers are using Simariki Island off Zamboanga to sneak into the city without negative RT-PCR tests. She said all travellers and even individuals are required to present their negative RT-PCR test results upon entering Zamboanga City as part of stricter health protocols in combating the spread of the deadly virus. Simariki Island is populated by mostly indigenous people. Citing reports, the may-
or said motorized boats operated by unscrupulous individuals make at least 3 trips to the island where they transport passengers who do not have negative RTPCR tests and other requirements. Most of the passengers would then enter coastal barangays. “Zamboanga City is strictly implementing the No RT-PCR Test, No Entry Policy for all travellers, including those from Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur,” she said. Climaco said travellers must have negative Covid-19 test results – whether by Saliva RT-PCR test or nasopharyngeal RT-PCR test. She previously issued Executive Order 651-2021 that mandates all inbound passengers, whether APOR (Authorized Persons Outside Residence) or private individuals, regardless of
reason or purpose of entry, including transit travellers to present negative RT-PCR test result within 5 days from date of specimen collection and their valid identification cards before they can enter Zamboanga City. “These are temporary measures designed to curb the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases in order to promote the health and safety of the general welfare of the citizens,” the mayor said. Soldiers and policemen had intercepted dozens of people trying to enter Zamboanga the past months without the health requirements. Zamboanga, which has a long coastline, is dotted by over two dozen islands and islets which makes it extremely difficult for security forces to guard. The city is near the provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte. (Jasmine Mohammadsali, Zamboanga Post)
ZCWD has no problems with City Government
give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink. Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a home reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection. Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and
resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice. And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 09153976197. (AJC)
Continued from page 1 ZCWD Chairman of the Board, said they have no problems with the local government. “Nohay gayot kita problema con el LGU. Bien bueno el partnership diaton na LGU,” Atilano emphasized. He said the local government’s account with the ZCWD is still being reviewed due to the strict rules of the Commission on Audit or COA. “It is true, but there are matters still under review and for verification as the process of working out payments due to strict COA rules are taking time to sort out,” Atilano said. He added that ZCWD extended due considerations to the local government so as not to hamper critical services and assistance it is providing the public, particularly during calamities and disasters. Atilano said the City Government is paying its obligations and not negligent in its duties to the ZCWD. The ZCWD, Atilano said, also suspended tem-
porarily all disconnection of water meters of its consumers who have unpaid bills last year due to the pandemic, but resumed this only last month. Atilano also cited the benevolent support of the Climaco administration to the ZCWD and its consumers, saying nearly P80 million in assistance were provided by the local government for various water projects in different barangays. “Sabe gayot kita el local government ta ayuda gayot con el Water District,” he said. Last year, the local government also handed over some P29.36 million in cheque to the ZCWD as part of its assistance to tens of thousands of bonafide concessionaires. The P500 one-time cash subsidy to water concessionaires - as promised by Climaco - was credited to the account of the concessionaires upon payment of their bill and part of the City Government’s assistance due to the pandemic. Climaco also inaugu-
rated last year the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (Salintubig) Program and assured that the local government will continue working with the ZCWD to ensure potable water supply where it is needed. The mayor said some 12,000 meters of pipelines were laid to provide potable water supply to Barangays Talon-Talon, Maasin, Patalon, Recodo, Cawit, Mampang and Quiniput. The program is designed to provide water supply systems for barangays and enhance the capacity of the local governments and water service providers in the planning, implementation, and operation of water supply facilities. It also aims to increase water service for the waterless population by 50% and reduce incidence of water-borne and sanitation related diseases by 20% and to improve access of the poor to sanitation services by at least 10%. (Jasmine Mohammadsali, Zamboanga Post)
8
The Zamboanga Post
July 12-18, 2021
July 12-18, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
9
Founded July 2019
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (0915) 3976197
P10
July 12-18, 2021
Thank you Mayor Beng
T
HE MILITARY has thanked the local government for assisting in the emergency which saw Mayor Beng Climaco rushing to the Edwin Andrews Air Base to help bring soldiers injured in a plane crash in Sulu province that killed over 50 passengers and left dozens wounded. Climaco sent ambu- cluding three civilians, lances to help the mili- were killed in the crash. tary transport the victims It said 49 soldiers and to hospitals. four civilians were also Military chief Gen- wounded when the careral Cirilito Sobejana, go plane crashed after it who was supervising the overshot the runway in the transport of the wound- capital town of Jolo. The ed soldiers, also met with plane was transporting Climaco. soldiers from Cagayan de The mayor condoled Oro City in northern Minwith Sobejana and the danao. families of those who were The military is investikilled in the fiery crash of gating the crash, adding all the air force C-130 plane passengers and crew of the in Patikul town on July 4. ill-fated aircraft had been “We pray for all who per- accounted for. ished for God’s perpetual Photos of the crash rest. Condolences to the quickly went viral on sobereaved families and cial media with several the AFP and prayers for pictures showing the two recovery of survivors con soldiers lying on the grass abrazo de Sagrada Famil- near the wreckage. The ia,” she said. crash site is surrounded by President Rodrigo small trees and a bamboo Duterte also flew to Zam- fence indicating it is a ciboanga City with Defense vilian area. Secretary Delfin LorenzaOne photo shows two na and visited the wound- an army lieutenant, his ed soldiers, who were all head bloodied and anothgiven medals. The dead er soldier nearby being were also conferred the assisted by unidentified “Order of Lapu-Lapu” men, probably soldiers with the Rank of Kalasag. too, who were on the Duterte also spoke scene. And another photo to Climaco, who joined shows the burning wreckthe President in honoring age of the aircraft – its tail those who perished in the number 5125 is visible crash. even as black and white The military said a smoke billowed from the total of 50 soldiers, in- plane. Uniformed soldiers
Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco rushes to the Philippine Air Force base in Barangay Santa Maria to help in the evacuation of soldiers to the hospitals. The soldiers were among dozens who are wounded in the C-130 plane crash in Sulu province on July 4, 2021. (Bong Serondo) were also on the scene trying to help put out the fire. According to a report of MaxDefense Philippines, the transport plane was the former MC-130 Combat Spear aircraft of the US Special Operations Command. The aircraft, it said, was purchased under Horizon 2 phase using Philippine funding and U.S. military assistance grant. The crash came four days after a Philippine Air Force S-701 Black Hawk helicopter crashed during night flight training in the town of Capas in Tarlac province in central Luzon, killing all six airmen aboard. The downed Pol-
Beng reaffirms support to peace efforts ZAMBOANGA CITY Mayor Beng Climaco reaffirmed her strong support to the government’s peace and development efforts and committed her administration’s unyielding campaign in preserving the peace and order here. Demonstrating her firm resolve in her administration’s three-pronged program in Security, Health and Education, Climaco said the local government will continue to support security forces in Zamboanga. In virtual early this month
with other local chief executives in Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Climaco assured Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Defense Assistant Secretary Angelito de Leon of the local government’s efforts in ensuring Zamboanga remains safe from all security threats. Año thanked Climaco and other mayors in Zamboanga Peninsula and BARMM for taking harder and bolder steps in the campaign against lawlessness and private armed groups
Zamboanga Peninsula
in the regions. “Patuloy ang pag-arangkada ng ating mga plataporma upang labanan ang mga banta sa ating kapayapaan at seguridad. Maraming armadong grupo pa rin ang pilit na humaharang sa ating mga hakbang.” “Bukod sa mga terorista, rebelde at violent extremists, patuloy ang paglaganap ng private armed groups sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa at kabilang dito ang Region IX at BARMM,” he said. (Claudine Uniana, Zamboanga Post)
Basilan
ish-built chopper was under the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing based at Clark Air Base. The cause of the crash is still being investigated. The helicopters are manufactured by PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of
Lockheed Martin, which had also previously acquired Sikorsky, the original manufacturer of the Black Hawk. The Philippines acquired the helicopters under a government-to-government deal with Poland,
signing a contract worth $241 million in 2019. The Black Hawks are being bought under the U.S. ally’s five-year Horizon 2 modernization program, which will run from 20182022. (Zamboanga Post, Mindanao Examiner)
Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco 14th Sunday Ezra 2:2-5; Psalm 123:1-2, 2, 3-4 2; Corinthians 12:7-10 and Mark 6:1-6 SIR ANDITO na po kayo sa Zamboanga! Welcome po! The soldier heard me and gave me the snappiest salute in acknowledgment. He was among the victims of the C-130 transport plane that crashed in Sulu. Responding to the request, we were there to assist the wounded. The aircraft landed as rain poured, and patients brought in the ambulance suffered burns and some walking barefoot. The responders where quick to give needed assistance. Fr. Arnel Ong, S.J., asked: “What we would do or react to people who bashed us?” The sense of “negativity and cynicism” (p. 258 “Sacred Space”) is what prevails because of Pandemic lockdowns. I am no stranger to discontent, viral attacks, bashing and bullying, and fake news. I get affected, true but I am numbed by the pain inflicted that I no longer know whether to react in anger or keep quiet in passivity. I hang on to beg God’s
Sulu
mercy. We hang-on in FAITH for God’s love. With the newest Executive Order on Social Gathering the angry mob strikes viciously. We sought to dialogue, listen and collectively respond for the greater safety especially because of Covid-19. However despite reaching-out there are those who are cynical and negative. Dissatisfied, disappointed. But Jesus in the Gospel was met with similar reactions. “And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “a prophet is not without honor, except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. In Verse 7, Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Jesus was met with doubt, his “kababayans” had little faith in him. But Jesus, after feeling astonished, did not brood over the “rejection” but he continued doing God’s mission
for him. Despite of people’s disappointment which we try to temper, I continue working. I just pray that circumstance in life will be important lessons to learn and improve one’s attitude, outlook and disposition. By God’s grace alone we persevere. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. I look at Jesus who was sinless and bore our sins by suffering insults, taunting, torture and crucifixion. Who are we to feel privileged? We are sinful and finite, and because of these we bear our crosses asking Jesus to help us carry the cross daily. Finally, we end with this beautiful verse from the second reading. “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong!” (MBC)
Tawi-tawi