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[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr",
"Liwanag Para Sa Bayan",
"Lucas Temoteo",
"Rey David"
] | 2016-08-26T12:50:02 | null | 2016-08-02T06:22:36 | null |
http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindanews.com%2Fpeace-process%2F2016%2F08%2Fduterte-road-to-peace-is-always-rocky-but-talks-with-ndf-will-continue%2F.json
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Duterte: road to peace is “always rocky” but talks with NDF will continue
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/ 01 August) – The road to peace is “always rocky” and even if his declaration of unilateral ceasefire was not reciprocated, peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front (NDF) will continue, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday at the mass oath-taking of undersecretaries at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang.
“There is no negotiation that comes easy to us especially given the turmoil of our country. We are hoping that we could just talk, maybe we did not understand each other. And so, the best way is really, is to talk again and find out whether (peace) is reachable or beyond our reach,” he told the appointees.
At 7 p.m. on July 30, Duterte lifted his July 25 order for a unilateral ceasefire when the NDF did not reciprocate it by 5 p.m.
Duterte gave the NDF 24 hours or up to 5 p.m. on July 30 to also declare its unilateral ceasefire following the ambush by the New Peoples Army (NPA) on July 27 that killed a Cafgu member and injured four others in Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, Duterte specifically addressed the CPP/NPA/NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front): “ let us end these decades of ambuscades and skirmishes. We are going nowhere. And it is getting bloodier by the day.”
He declared a unilateral ceasefire “to immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks” and called on the NDF and its forces “to respond accordingly.”
Filipinos killing Filipinos for nearly half a century of conflict is “always a despicable thought to me but I hope that we can proceed with the talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines,” he said.
He also said he would spend “about 10 days after tomorrow” to firm up the framework on convergence of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) with the Moro National Liberation Front (MILF).
In a press conference after the mass oath-taking, Duterte said he would not comment on the claims by the NDF that they were going to declare their unilateral ceasefire at 8 p.m. last Saturday, or three hours after Duterte’s deadline.
“Hindi ko papatulan iyan eh. I am not an ideological poltergeist. I am the President talking properly to you to have peace in this land,” Duterte said, adding, “hindi naman ako insecure. Eh syempre, I got 16 million, a margin of (6) million plus. Eh sila hindi nga sila makahawak ng isang barangay” (they can’t even control one barangay), Duterte said.
But Duterte said he “cannot stop talking about peace.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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en
| 2016-08-02T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/4bae11bbb448f440731d71d413ccdeb26f4db3802387c086288a35aac44437de.json
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[
"Roel Catoto",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:44 | null | 2016-06-04T21:40:48 | null |
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40 suspected shabu peddlers in Placer “surrender,” vow not to engage in illegal drugs
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PLACER, Surigao del Norte (MindaNews / 04 June) — At least 40 suspected shabu drug pushers in this mining town have voluntarily “surrendered” to authorities and vowed not to engage in the illegal drugs trade.
Police Chief Inspector Manolito D. Parazo, chief of police of Placer Municipal Police Station told MindaNews that a total of 40 suspected persons presented themselves to Mayor-elect Micheal Jose Patiño.
“Six showed up on June 2 and signed a covenant before our newly-elected mayor Patiño and some elected officials and police force,” Parazo said.
On May 30, at least 34 suspected peddlers of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) promised the police and the mayor that they would stop their illegal activity.
Parazo said 12 of the 40 who turned in are considered big time drug pushers in the town.
He added these suspected drug pushers come from barangays Poblacion, Magsaysay and Sta. Cruz (Bad-as).
Parazo said they did not arrest the 40 but gave them a second chance. But he said they were monitoring them and if they push drugs again, would be arrested and if they resist, killed.
Placer mayor-elect Patino said eradication of illegal drugs is one of his governance agenda.
“I made a promise to my constituents during the campaign period to solve the drug problem,” he said, adding he will intensify his campaign against illegal drugs when he assumes post on June 30.
Parazo assumed the post of police chief in November and has since arrested at least 35 suspects in the illegal drugs trade, killing one who fought with arresting officers.
“Placer is one of the towns in Surigao del Norte where proliferation of illegal drugs is rampant; now we have arrested some and we are giving others a chance to change themselves,” he said.
Parazo said he will still give the drug pushers who did not show up a chance to surrender at the police station.
He said he will let them have a chance to reform themselves.
“Of course they are under monitoring,” he said.
A certain “Dondon” one of the suspected drug pushers, cried during the covenant signing at the house of Patiño.
“I promised to quit the selling of shabu,” he told reporters. (Roel N. Catoto / MindaNews)
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| 2016-06-04T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/b14dac6ce0103a668e51afd1af6b9d1cffd3fdd24c8b0bd37b2a841c16480d76.json
|
[
"Ferdinandh B. Cabrera",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Walter I. Balane",
"William R. Adan"
] | 2016-08-30T04:53:14 | null | 2016-08-30T12:19:37 | null |
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Grenade lobbed on roof of Cotabato City police station
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CEBU CITY (MindaNews / 30 August) — Unidentified men lobbed a grenade on the roof of Police Station 2 along Sinsuat Avenue in Cotabato City Monday afternoon, the second grenade attack on a police station since Saturday night.
But no one was hurt in the 3:45 p.m. attack as the grenade failed to explode, Senior Insp. Carlo Jurinario, station 2 chief, said.
Jurinario said police operatives heard a loud thud at the roof of police station 2 located at the corner of Sinsuat Avenue and Ramon Rabago Avenue.
They found a live hand grenade minus its safety lever. He did not say why the grenade failed to explode.
On Saturday night, unidentified men also tossed a smoke grenade at the roof of Traffic Management Unit office, just beside police station 1 and at the back of police lock up cell.
Senior Insp. Roel Zafra said investigation showed the smoke grenade could be part of a plot to “rescue” some of the detainees from the lock-up cell.
Jurinario said the attack on police offices here could be part of a diversionary tactic of the Maute group in Lanao del Sur or a retaliatory attempt against law enforcers for its intensified anti-drug operation in the city.
Late afternoon of the same day, heavily armed members of the Maute terror group stormed the Lanao del Sur provincial jail in Marawi City and freed all eight of their companions who were arrested by the Army and police last Monday while some 20 other prisoners escaped, Chief Supt. Agripino Javier regional police director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said.
In his report to higher headquarters, Javier said an estimated 50 men equipped with high-powered firearms stormed the jail at around 5:45 p.m. Saturday, leading to the escape of an estimated 28, including the eight alleged members of the Maute group, three of them women.
The provincial jail warden later announced a total of 23 inmates escaped.
Javier said the group also seized two weapons from the jail personnel — an M-16 and an M-14, and one Mitsubishi mobile car.
“We remain on alert, our anti-drug operation will continue,” Jurinario said. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)
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en
| 2016-08-30T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/f1678374bee80f8ef914fdbf58c8a9cefe4ded2958410d0426f23f7b9cae1a54.json
|
[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:02:51 | null | 2016-06-18T00:00:00 | null |
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One-on-one meeting: Duterte and Murad talk peace
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 June) – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte met with leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) late Friday night to discuss peace under his administration but held a separate one-on-one meeting with MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim afterwards.
Duterte met with Datu Abul Khayr Alonto of Lanao del Sur, chair of a faction of the MNLF and the MILF delegation led by chair Murad at Jacky’s Restocafe in Hotel Elena.
“The group pledged their support and cooperation to the new government and (to) move forward (in) the peace process,” Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Duterte’s Executive Assistant told MindaNews.
“One-on-one sila ni Murad,” said Go, who will be incoming Special Assistant and chief of the Presidential Management Staff.
President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim spent around 20 minutes to talk peace during a one-on-one meeting Friday night at Hotel Elena in Davao City. Photo contributed to MindaNews
He said the Duterte-Murad conversation, which he estimated at 20 minutes, took place after the group meeting.
Go, who was in the group meeting, declined to give other details. Murad could not be reached for comment but MindaNews sources who were present said the rest of the delegation left the function room to allow the two leaders to talk but returned later to formally close the meeting.
It was the first meeting between the 67-year old Murad and the 71-year old Duterte, who visited the MILF’s Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on February 27 en route to his campaign rally in Cotabato City. Murad was out of the country then and he was received by 1st vice chair Ghazali Jaafar and members of the Central Committee. Two more attempts for a one-on-one meeting before the elections did not push through.
MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim amd President-elect Rodrigo Duterte shake hands at the end of their 20-minute one-one-one talk. Photo by KIWI BULACLAC / Davao City Mayor’s Office
“Maganda ang nangyari. Very productive,” said a source privy to what Duterte and Murad talked about, but declined to provide details.
Expectedly, the fate of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was raised and the source said the discussion was “very positive.”
The 16th Congress under the Aquino administration failed to pass the BBL that would have paved the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro, the new autonomous political entity that would have replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The BBL’s passage is crucial in the peace process as it is tied up with the decommissioning of MILF weapons and combatants, as well as the gradual redeployment of the military from the “former conflict areas” during the normalization phase.
Earlier, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, Jr., Duterte’s choice for Speaker of the House of Representatives, told reporters in Manila that there was “no more need” for a BBL in view of the plan to amend the 1987 Constitution to shift to a federal system of government.
“Template”
Duterte during the campaign repeatedly said his administration would correct the historical injustices against the Moro people.
In his February visit to the MILF’s Camp Darapanan, Duterte spoke about his plan to have the Constitution amended to allow for the shift from the Presidential system to a federal form but “if it takes time, and if only to defuse tension, in my government I will convince Congress to pass the BBL then make it as a template for federal states.”
Ghazali Jaafar, 1st Vice Chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (right) introduces the other members of the MILF Central Committee to presidential candidate and Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte during his visit in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao on February 27, 2016. MindaNews photo by TOTO LOZANO
At the Cotabato City plaza, the lone Presidential candidate from Mindanao stressed the need to correct historical injustices committed against the Moro people and vowed that under his administration, “we will try to go federalism. Yang Bagsamoro sa mapa ngayon, wag nang galawin yan. Gawin na lang nating example na makopya sa lahat. Ang mangyayari nito, uunahin ko na lang pakiusapan ko ang Congress na we will pass the BBL (The Bangsamoro on the map now, let’s not touch that anymore. Let’s make it an example for the rest to copy. I will immediately ask Congress to pass the BBL).
He said he will also tell MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari “kopyahin na lang natin sila para sa Mindanao at buong Pilipinas” (let’s copy that in Mindanao and in the rest of the Philippines”). Misuari, whom Duterte considers a friend, is founding chair of the MNLF with whom government signed a Final Peace Agreement in 1996 and whose implementation has yet to be fully completed.
In the last Presidential Debate in April, Duterte said “nothing will appease the Moro people if you do not give them the BBL.”
Asked in a press conference at the “Malacanang of the South” in Panacan on March 31 for clarification on his campaign promise and Alvarez’ plan on the BBL, Duterte replied: “Federalism would recognize the territory you are in now… What Alvarez meant was that we will not adopt the BBL to the exclusion of others… I’m willing to let go of the configuration now, yung boundaries nila, okay ra. But we have to reconfigure the others also. What’s sauce for the gander is sauce for the goose. Liberally construed it means kasali ka in a bigger network, yung federalism. So it will not stand out as a BBL law, it could stand out as a part of a federal set-up. Yun ang ibig sabihin. I’m sure he could not have misconstrued that thing.”
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by government and the MILF on March 27, 2014provides, among others, for the passage of a BBL to pave the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro.
In a statement on June 11, Murad said the MILF “maintains its position that a CAB-based Bangsamoro Basic Law needs to be immediately passed into law, not only because it is part of the implementation of the signed agreements, but also because it effectively addresses the peculiarities unique to the Bangsamoro that are not necessarily found in other prospective federal states.”
He also cited Duterte’s earlier statements regarding making the BBL a possible template for federalism.
“Brother talking with brother”
Duterte’s meeting with the group on Friday night covered a broad range of concerns such as achieving peace under the Duterte administration, the BBL, the need for a unified approach among the Moro fronts, the shift to federalism, illegal drugs, kidnap-for-ransom.
BROTHERS ALL. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte listens as Datu Abul Khayr Alonto (right) of Lanao del Sur, chair of a faction the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) expounds on an issue during a “private meeting” late Friday night at Jacky’s Restocafé in Hotel Elena, Lanang, Davao City. To the left of Duterte are Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, 1st vice chair Ghazali Jaafar and Sammy Al Mansour, chief of staff of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces. Photo by KIWI BULACLAC / Davao City Mayor’s Office
Alonto, who was vice chair to Misuari in the early days of the MNLF and who surfaced as MNLF chair in 2014, referred to their meeting with Duterte as a talk of brothers. “Brother talking with brother,” he said.
Alonto told ABS-CBN News Channel that the Moro fronts expressed the support of the Bangsamoro people to Duterte as “true son of Mindanao and is a good brother from Mindanao.” He said they took Duterte’s victory at the polls “as a referendum” that the Filipino people are “willing to shift to the federal system of government which could very well have the Bangsamoro government fit well in that system.”
Asked by ANC if Duterte gave a timeline for the passage of the BBL, Alonto replied “that will be coming from his office after his oath-taking. “
BROTHER TO BROTHER. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte poses for a souvenir photo with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim (to his right) and Datu Abul Khayr Alonto (to his left), chair of a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) after a “private meeting” late Friday night at Jacky’s Restocafe in Hotel Elena, Lanang, Davao City. Photo by KIWI BULACLAC / Davao City Mayor’s Office
He said there will be an “all-comprehensive agreement and position to be presented by the Moro community through the leaders of the MILF and with support of the MNLF (that will be) submitted in due time.”
Returning Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, who was not in Friday’s meeting because he was still on his way home from Oslo, Norway after a successful two-day informal talks with the National Democratic Front, told MindaNews on May 30 that he will conduct consultations with various sectors on the Bangsamoro peace roadmap.
Inclusive
“It will have to be inclusive of all Moro fronts,” Dureza said, referring to the MILF and MNLF.
He said he is optimistic of the outcome of the unity talks brokered by the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2010 which led to an agreement between the MNLF and the MILF leaders that eventually led to the creation of the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum (BCF).
Only the MNLF under Alonto was represented in Friday’s meeting but the factions under Misuari, Muslimin Sema and several others, were not.
Misuari’s spokesperson Randolph Parcasio told MindaNews on Saturday that Duterte was going to meet with Misuari in Sulu “in due time.”
Sema told MindaNews also on Saturday that they are waiting for the OIC to convene the but “we are talking with the MILF on the issue of convergence of all signed agreements with the GPH under one autonomy law hinged on the 1976 Tripoli Agreement and 1996 Final Peace Agreement without abandoning the (MILF’s) CAB.” He said he hopes this would be tackled in the next BCF meeting.
Sema had earlier proposed a quadripartite talks involving the government, MNLF, MILF and the OIC “and under the present circumstance with the federalist thrust of President Duterte, the quadripartite talks will fit in well.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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| 2016-06-18T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/788744593b9fb4d2c2b3d4697f7c00772265bb0c817ffc46401f953f5606bfcd.json
|
[
"Patricio P. Diaz",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:11:15 | null | 2016-08-19T17:36:19 | null |
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COMMENT: Notes from SONA 2016
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On War vs. Drug
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, August 19, 2016 – In the first part of this “COMMENT” article last week, we noted at the end four major issues: (1) war against criminality and drug in disregard of human rights and rules of law; (2) federalization; (3) negotiating peace with the CPP/NPA/NDF; and, (4) implementing the peace agreements with the Moro rebels.
In this article, we will discuss the “(1)”; the “(4)” will be taken up in a separate series. Regarding the “(2)” and “(3)”, let’s wait for clear developments.
An Obsession
Ridding the Philippines of the drug menace was one major plank of his platform. By grimly revealing and vowing how he would wage the drug war, he could have lost the election; but he won. What he promised to do during his campaign was not a show off or threat; he is doing it right now – his election being invoked as his mandate to do so.
It is his obsession. He has repeatedly said he is staking his life, his honor and his presidency on this war. The killings and stern warning started before his proclamation and intensified after his inauguration on June 30.
He devoted a significant part of his SONA on the issue. In term of words, 18 percent of his 9,480-word; of time, 18 of the 98 minutes — five of his first 11 minutes; seven somewhere in the middle; and, six of his last seven minutes. What he told the Congress and the nation amounted to this: Of the many problems we are facing, the drug menace is the most daunting and has to be eradicated right now.
Grave Problem
The President must have presumed – and rightly so – that the members of the Congress and the rest of the nation are aware of the drug problem. Without delving in detail into the nature and evil effects of the drug menace, he stated that the solution of “the drug crisis that has engulfed — malawak (widespread) — the nation” he was puting in the hands of the police, the military and the local government executives particularly of the barangay chairmen – warning them, “Do not do drugs”.
He ordered what needs to be done – that to the police and the military implying “license to kill”. Warning them not to fail or betray their trust, he exhorted, “There will be no let-up in this campaign. Double your efforts. Triple them, if need be. We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier, and the last pusher have surrendered or that put behind bars or below the ground, if they so wish.”
Enormity
In warning the police, military, local government executives (LGEs), barangay chairmen and others in seats of power and authority “not to do drugs”, the President intimated his knowledge of the involvement in drug of many from their ranks. Since then, true to his vow, he has publicly revealed the names of police generals and other officials, LGEs, and judges involved in drug.
In the last seven minutes of his SONA, he cited statistics to show “the enormity of the problem of drug addiction”. Since July 1: 3,600 drug-related arrests done; 120,000 drug dependents surrendered, 70,000 of them pushers. He reiterated or elaborated some of the facts he had earlier revealed in the middle of his address.
Citing a report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency: Two years ago, there were 3 million drug addicts in this country. Giving “it a liberal addition” of “700,000”, the number now is 3.7 million – “quite staggering and scary” a number.
Media reports, to some extent, corroborate the SONA citations:
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella cited statistics from the Dangerous Drugs Board: 99 percent of barangays in Metropolitan Manila and 27 percent of the nation’s 42,000 barangays affected by drug addiction; 1.3 million Filipinos using illegal drugs as reported in PDI (8/12: Senate summons Bato).
In a PDI 8/11 report, “No shortcut in Duterte war on drugs—Palace”, Presidential Chief Legal Salvador Panelo cited the number of surrenderees at approximately 600,000.
As of August 11, 2016, Philippine Daily Inquirer’s “Kill List” listed by names the 603 killed since June 30; 650 since May 10. In a PDI report (8/12: Senate summons Bato), the PNP number is lower – 449 from police operations against drug dealers since Mr. Duterte took office.
Foreign Cartels
Speaking extemporaneously in Tabgilish – a mix of English and Tagalog-Bisaya – he said the drug trade in the Philippines is run by foreign cartels. The so-called Filipino drug lords are just their distributors or franchised manufacturers. He did not specify which drug; he must not be referring to shabu, the most common in the market.
The foreign drug lords operate with advanced technology. The drugs manufactured in boats in international waters or in other countries are packed in drums rigged with satellite-based GPS (Geographical Positioning System) and thrown in coastal waters to be picked up by their contacts. “We are hard put sa (in) intelligence” to intercept them.
Last August 5, Duterte identified the cartels as the Sinaloa in Mexico and the Chinese Triad. They also use the Philippines as transshipment point of drugs. (The Philippine Star, August 5, 2016: Duterte says Mexico, China drug rings operating in Philippines)
Controversy with Critics
All, including Duterte’s outspoken critics, agree with the President in his crusade against drug. However, they oppose his means of doing it on grounds of his evident disregard of human rights, rule of law and due process. Joining them are international human rights institutions, agencies and advocates.
In this brief statement, he was applauded twice: “Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. [applause] But human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country — your country and my country. [applause].” He upholds human rights but sees its likelihood to be misused.
He is for the rule of law. “Lest I be misunderstood, let me say clearly, that those who betrayed the people’s trust shall not go unpunished and they will have their day in Court. [applause] And if the evidence warrants, they will have their day of reckoning too.” But his orders to the police to kill – seen as killing with impunity and abetting vigilantism – are contrary to the rule of law and the principles of human rights.
Different Views
Evidently, Duterte and his critics differ in their views. They all see the seriousness of the drug menace – in the Philippines, dating back to the last half of the past century. But they weigh differently the relevance of human rights and rule of law to the solution of the problem. This is the heart of the controversy.
Like Duterte, his critics want the drug menace eradicated but it should be with utmost observance of the rule of law, the due process and the principles of human rights in the apprehension and prosecution of violators of the anti-drug laws. However, they don’t see the irony. Past governments had campaigned against the trafficking and illegal use of drugs. Yet the problem worsened.
Duterte sees not only the utter failure of past anti-drug campaigns but also the irony of how the campaigns had worsened the problem. He sees the cause. The drug lords, their traffickers and pushers shielded by human rights and rule of law, create an environment where they ply their trade with impunity.
Different Actions
Past administrations were helpless. Under the rule of law and due process, anti-drug law violators can be prosecuted only after having been charged in court strictly following the due process; otherwise human rights would be violated.
So, drug lords buy protection from the police and influential politicians to evade apprehension; they hire lawyers who have no scruples in bending the law and due process — even to the extent of bribing judges – to subvert justice.
Drug addiction, per se, does not appear to be a crime – tolerated if it is. Unless, drug addicts commit crimes against person or property, they are not considered as criminals. This abets the expansion of the drug trade.
Duterte flushed out the drug lords, their traffickers and pushers including drug users. He ordered them to surrender or be arrested with the warning of being killed if they resist or evade arrest. He named drug lords and police generals, mayors, governors, members of Congress and judges allegedly involved in the drug trade or dispensing protection. They, too, were ordered to submit to investigation.
In ignoring human rights, Duterte denied drug lords, traffickers and pushers their shields against apprehension and prosecution. He disarmed and cowed them to submission with his “name-and-shame” and “shoot-to-kill” approach. He refused to be drawn into the dilemma of the past administrations.
Different Premises
Duterte’s order shocked the drug world. Since May 10, thousands have surrendered including users with hundreds killed – by the police for allegedly resisting arrest and by vigilantes. This to his critics is justifying the end with the means.
His critics hold that human rights are inviolable. All persons suspected of any crime are presumed innocent under the bill of rights until proven guilty — their human rights to be respected. They enjoy the protection of law and due process from apprehension through prosecution and of human rights even after conviction. On this premise, the human rights of drug lords, traffickers, pushers and users must be respected; Duterte is wrong in ignoring these rights in his crackdown on drug trade and addiction.
Likewise, Duterte upholds the primacy of human rights: “…my administration shall be sensitive to the State’s obligations to promote, and protect, fulfill the human rights of our citizens, especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable and social justice will be pursued even as the rule of law shall at all times prevail. … [It] shall implement a human approach to development and governance, as we improve our people’s welfare in the areas of health, education, adequate food and housing, environmental preservation, and respect for culture.”
He was applauded twice when he said: “Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country — your country and my country.” Were the applauses in appreciation of his view concerning the contrary roles of human rights ?
His view was: Human rights are a double-edged tool – either as a means to uplift human dignity or to destroy the country. In the first, human rights must be upheld; in the second, they must be denied.
Zeroing in on Drug Menace
Respect human rights without exception, critics tell Duterte. Do the same with rule of law and due process. There must be exceptions, he counters. Those who violate the rights of others are in default of respect for their rights.
Do his critics see his moral sense? Drug dehumanizes; it destroys the humanity of any person. Drug lords, their associates and protectors responsible for leading more than three million Filipinos to drug addiction have defaulted on their human rights. They should not be allowed to continue using their human rights to evade apprehension, to subvert the rule of law and due process, to dehumanize more Filipinos and “to destroy the country”.
While he upholds the primacy of human rights in reference to the rights of the innocents, he withholds these together with the rule of law and due process in reference from drug lords, their associates and protectors to deny them protection from apprehension. Whatever rights and privileges they are still entitled to they can avail of during their prosecution and imprisonment if convicted.
Critical Question
Savage! Ruthless! That’s Duterte’s war against all involved in the drug trade as well as against their victims, the drug addicts. His dual strategies: For the lords, traffickers, pushers and addicts, “Shoot-to-kill” if they resist or evade arrest; to flush out top lords and their alleged supporters among the top echelons of the PNP, the local government unit executives, the Congress and. judges, “name-and-shame”.
Rallying the Local Government officials and the Philippine Nation Police behind him, he vowed, “We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier, and the last pusher have surrendered or [been] put behind bars or below the ground, if they so wish.”
Can he win his war?
To achieve meaningful victory, the drug trade must be completely stopped – all drug addicts rehabilitated to become social and economic assets for the country. This means the Philippines will be drug-unfriendly if not completely drug-free.
Can President Duterte, the local government unit executives and PNP do this alone?
Our anti-drug laws must be adequate to cope with the drug menace. This calls for the amendment or revision of our anti-drug laws and the enactment of new laws as the need demands. Only the Congress can do this. But at present, President Duterte and his top lieutenants are averse to the Senate investigation in aid of legislation of the killings in the light of human rights and rule of law.
As the President himself said in his SONA international drug cartels are behind the drug trade in the Philippines. To block these cartels, international cooperation and assistance are necessary. But President Duterte, this early in his presidency, has manifested little knack for diplomacy.
The rehabilitation of the millions of drug addicts may need assistance from international agencies and funding institutions. But President Duterte is contemptuous of the United Nations for opposing his anti-drug war and of the US ambassador in Manila for minding his foul language during Philippine election – sending wrong signals to the international community.
That President Duterte has emerged to wage war against drug menace is a blessing. He needs to unite all government machineries and resource behind his war and listen to all criticisms. But he is sensitive; instead of welcoming criticisms, he defied his top critics – Senator Leila de Lima in the Senate and Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno in the Supreme Court. He SHOULD NOT be vindictive like what he claimed not to be in his SONA.
To repeat the critical question: Can Duterte win his war? From what happens in the first 100 days of his administration, the answer can be drawn.
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http://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2016/08/comment-notes-from-sona-2016-2/
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en
| 2016-08-19T00:00:00 |
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CPP, NPA declare indefinite ceasefire
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/28 August) – The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Operational Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) issued on Sunday an indefinite unilateral ceasefire order after the lapse of its seven-day unilateral ceasefire at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
The ceasefire order is in response to the Duterte administration’s indefinite unilateral ceasefire, as well as boost effort to accelerate the peace process between the Philippine government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDF)
According to the five-page Joint Statement on the Resumption of the Formal Peace Talks in the Peace Negotiations signed by the GPH and the NDF peace panels in Oslo, Norway on Friday, the NDF and the CPP would issue an “indefinite unilateral ceasefire order” to the NPA and the people’s militia at the end of its seven-day unilateral ceasefire.
The week-long ceasefire was declared on August 19 and took effect from 12:01 a.m. August 21 to 11:59 p.m. on August 27.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire a month earlier, during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25 but lifted it on July 30 after the NDF failed to reciprocate and a Cafgu was killed and three others were injured in Kapalong, Davao del Norte on July 27.
Before departing for Oslo on August 20, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza announced that President Rodrigo Duterte “has restored the effects of the (July 25) unilateral ceasefire with the CPP /NPA/NDF effective 12 midnight tonight, 21 August, 2016.”
Dureza said the unilateral ceasefire will last “for as long as necessary to bring peace in the land” and also to provide an enabling environment for the success of the August 22 to 26 peace talks in Oslo.
The CPP/NPA’s “unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire” takes effect on August 28 and will remain valid during the peace negotiations “until superseded by a ceasefire agreement to be issued jointly” by the GPH and NDF within the next 60 days or “until a notice of termination of this ceasefire declaration takes effect 10 days after receipt of said notice” by the GPH panel from the NDF panel
The August 26 Joint Statement tasked the ceasefire committees of the GPH and NDF peace panels to “reconcile and develop their separate unilateral ceasefire orders into a single unified bilateral agreement within 60 days” from August 26.
The prospective bilateral ceasefire will be the second since 1986. The 60-day ceasefire that starte don December 10, 1986 was not renewed in February 1987.
The CPP/NPA’s August 28 Declaration said they are “encouraged by the positive outcome” of the first round of talks in Oslo and look forward to “vibrant talks” in the next months on the social and economic reforms (SER), political and constitutional reforms (PCR), and end of hostilities and disposition of forces (EHDF).
The ceasefire declaration, it said, is further encouraged by the prospective release of all political prisoners and remaining detained consultants of the NDF through the issuance of an Amnesty Proclamation.
The parties had earlier agreed that the Amnesty Proclamation is subject to the concurrence of Congress.
Cease and Desist
During the ceasefire, all NPA units and people’s militia have been ordered to “cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns and operations against the uniformed armed personnel” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The Declaration also said that AFP and PNP personnel “who have no serious liabilities other than their membership in their armed units” shall not be subjected to arrest or punitive actions and may be allowed individually to enter the NPA-held areas for personal visits to relatives and friends.
All units of the NPA and the people’s militias are tasked to be “on defensive mode at both the strategic and tactical levels” but at the same time “maintain a high degree of militancy and vigilance against any hostile actions, provocations or movements of the enemy armed forces including encroachment on the territory of the people’s democratic government, surveillance and other offensive operations that are labeled as ‘peace and development,’ ‘civil-military,’ ‘peace and order,’ ‘anti drugs campaign,’ ‘medical missions’ or ‘law enforcement.’”
It added that active-defense actions shall be undertaken only “in the face of clear and imminent danger and actual armed attack by the enemy forces” and only after exhausting counter-maneuvers to avoid armed encounters.
The Declaration tasked leading organs and branches of the CPP, commands and units of the NPA and people’s militias and revolutionary mass organizations to “monitor any hostile actions, provocations or movements carried out by the enemy armed forces that undermine the spirit of the ceasefire declarations” and urged them to report immediately to the NPA and CPP.
But the Declaration also noted that while the cease and desist order stands, the NPA “will continue to enforce policies and laws of the people’s democratic government, perform appropriate functions of governance, and mobilize the people and resources in territories under its authority;” maintain peace and order “including suppression of criminal groups such as drug traffickers and operators of the drug trade and large-scale gambling, private armies and private armed groups of warlords, local tyrants and vigilante groups, as well as spies;” enforce local economic policies pertaining to land rent, usurious loans, wages and others; and enforce policies for the protection of the environment and defense of the interests of national minorities, peasants and workers affected by large-scale mining, logging and plantation operations.
It also said the NPA will continue to deploy its forces “to carry out educational campaigns especially on progress of peace negotiations, cultural activities, medical missions and production support campaigns.”
The second round of formal peace talks is on October 8 to 12 also in Oslo. But the reciprocal working committees and working groups on SER, PCR and EHDF have agreed on a timeline to accomplish their tasks and have set meetings before the next round of talks .
The two panels are eyeing a year within which to craft a comprehensive peace agreement. (Carolyn O. Arguillas /MindaNews)
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http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2016/08/cpp-npa-declare-indefinite-ceasefire/
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en
| 2016-08-28T00:00:00 |
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Rodeo in de Oro
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Rodeo in de Oro
Aug 20
A rampaging bull steps over a fallen student cowboy in this rodeo bit of action in Manresa in Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro on Friday, August 19, 2016. Som
A rampaging bull steps over a fallen student cowboy in this rodeo bit of action in Manresa in Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro on Friday, August 19, 2016. Som
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en
| 2016-08-20T00:00:00 |
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CPP declares unilateral ceasefire; orders release of two captives
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/20 August) — The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) declared Friday evening a seven-day unilateral ceasefire starting 12:01 a.m. on August 21 to “celebrate and bolster” the formal resumption of the peace negotiations with government (GPH) in Oslo, Norway on August 22 to 26.
In a statement posted on the cpp.ph website on Friday, the CPP said it declared the ceasefire following the release of almost all detained rebels who have been identified as consultants by the NDF in the Oslo talks and hopes the GPH would reciprocate as a show of all-out determination to move forward in the resumption of peace talks.
But with or without reciprocation by the government, the NPA “must maintain a high-level of alertness against enemy troop movements,” said the CPP. “Even while ready to engage in defensive action, the NPA will exert efforts to carry out early counter-maneuvers to avoid armed encounters during the specified ceasefire period,” it said.
The statement added that they are open to declaring a longer ceasefire upon the release of all political prisoners “so that everyone can participate in the peace talks,” citing the case of Ka Eduardo Sarmiento who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Muntinlupa after he was arrested in February 2009 and convicted in December 2013 with alleged trumped-up charges.
In a statement released Saturday morning, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) secretary Martin Andanar said President Rodrigo Duterte has walked an extra mile for peace and is glad that the CPP-NPA-NDF “showed a similar gesture of goodwill as a sign of sincerity to the peace process days prior to our talks in Oslo, Norway.”
He said government is optimistic that the mutual efforts of both parties would lead to fruitful negotiations that will result to substantive discussions to finally put an end to one of “Asia’s longest-running insurgencies.”
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire effective immediately and expeted the CPP/NPA/NDF to reciprocate it.
No reciprocation was made the next day. Two days later, however, a Cafgu member was killed and four others were injured in Kapalong, Davao Del Norte on July 27.
On July 29, Duterte gave the CPP/NPA/NDF 24 hours or until 5 p.m. on July 30 to reciprocate the govenrment’s ceasefire or he will lift the ceasefire. He lifted the ceasefire at 7 p.m. on July 30, two hours after his deadline lapsed.
On August 7, Duterte warned the CPP/NPA/NDF he would call off the talks if they do not stop using landmines. Duterte issued the warning at the wake of four soldiers who were killed in Compostela Valley province on August 5. The NPA owned up the ambush.
In its August 19 statement, the CPP expressed its deep appreciation to President Rodrigo Duterte who is determined to push forward and accelerate the negotiation between the GPH and the CPP/NPA/NDF (CPP/New Peoples Army / National Democratic Front) as “a means of address the roots of the civil war in the Philippines.”
The members of both panels will discuss, among others, social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, end of hostilities and disposition of forces, ceasefire, joint security and immunity and release of political detainees.
Also on Friday, Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson of the NDF-Southern Mindanao Region, announced the release of Chief Insp. Arnold S. Ongachen, chief of police of the Governor Generoso Police Station, and PO1 Michael B. Grande, of Banay-Banay Municipal Station, in Davao Oriental as a gesture of goodwill.
The NDFP-SMR assured an “orderly and safe turn-over” of the captives “pending a GPH undertaking of suspension of military and police offensives.”
It added that the NDF-SMR is expecting the release of the remaining 540 political prisoners imn compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian law (CARHRIHL) and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.
“The success of the talks en route to a viable peace accord between the two governments in the Philippines rests in the main on GPH’s—especially the AFP, PNP and their paramilitaries’—adherence to previous agreements and the serious deliberation of the roots of the civil war,” it said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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en
| 2016-08-20T00:00:00 |
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Carnival in de Oro
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Carnival in de Oro
Aug 21
A student portraying the role of “Queen of the Carnival” performs along Divisoria in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday, 20 August 2016. The carnival parade ushers
A student portraying the role of “Queen of the Carnival” performs along Divisoria in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday, 20 August 2016. The carnival parade ushers
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en
| 2016-08-21T00:00:00 |
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NPA frees 6 cops, one civilian in Surigao, Davao Oriental
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SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/28 August) – The New People’s Army (NPA) released over the weekend six police captives and one civilian employee in three turnover sites in Davao Oriental and Surigao.
Of the six captives, two were turned over by the NPA to Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao in Davao Oriental last Friday while four others were released here on Friday and Saturday.
Last Friday, the NPA turned over to Pacquiao Chief Insp. Arnold Ongachen and PO1 Michael Grande in Barangay Kalapaga, Lupon, Davao Oriental.
Ongachen, police chief of Governor Generoso town was seized by the NPA during a raid on May 29 while Grande of Banay-banay station was arrested on June 19.
Also last Friday, Police Officer 1 (PO1) Richard Yu of the Philippine National Police (PNP) , who was seized in Carmen town in Surigao del Sur on July 5 was released in Tandag City.
On Saturday afternoon, the NPA’s Front 16 freed three police officers and a non-uniformed police worker in Sitio Brazil in the village of Mat-i in Surigao City. The four were captured in a cockpit in the remote village of Cagtinae in Malimono last July 24.
Ka Edroy, political officer of Front 16 of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) turned over to third party facilitators PO3 Jayroll Bagayas, PO2 Caleb Sinaca, non-uniformed police worker Rodrigo Angon, all of Malimono Municipal Police Office and Senior Police Officer (SPO)3 Santiago Lamanilao of Surigao City Police Office.
The third party facilitators who received the freed captives were Bishop Rhee Timbang of the Independent Church of the Philippines and Surigao del Norte Vice Governor Carlos Arthuro Egay Jr., and Surigao City vice mayor Alfonso S. Casurra.
Ka Edroy claimed the four were captured because of their involvement in the illegal drugs trade and illegal gambling in Malimono. He alleged that Sinaca is involved in illegal logging and extortion activities victimizing small-scale miners and grave threats to some farmers.
He said the release of the captives is a gesture of goodwill on the resumption of the peace talks in Oslo, Norway.
“We are now enjoying the temporary ceasefire and we need to work hard to attain the genuine peace,” Ka Edroy said.
In tears, fcamily members embraced the freed persons.
“I thought I would not see him again,” Sinaca’s wife Ritz said while sobbing.
An August 27 press statement signed by Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the NPA in Southern Mindanao Region, said Ongachen and Grande “underwent investigation of their possible crimes against the people and the revolutionary movement.”
Sanchez said Pacquiao, who took to boxing due to poverty, vowed to engage in issues that affect the Filipino people and work with revolutionary forces in order to address the problems.
“We urge him to make good on his commitment by actively deliberating in the Philippine Senate issues on genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization. He can also aid in the immediate and unconditional release of the remaining political
prisoners still in jails across the country,” Sanchez wrote.
Sanchez claimed that less than 24 hours after the release of Ongachen and Grande, “AFP troops are already conducting combat operation and terrorizing civilians in Brgy. Kalapagan.”
Capt. Andrew Linao of the Civil Military Operations of the 701st Infantry Brigade denied the allegations. “Wala po kaming combat operation” (We don’t have combat operations) and only the peace and development outreach program is ongoing, he said.
The Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) have each declared a unilateral ceasefire that took effect at 12:01 a.m. on August 21 and will continue indefinitely as their ceasefire committees “reconcile and develop their separate unilateral ceasefire orders into a single unified bilateral agreement within 60 days” from August 26. (Roel N. Catoto / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-28T00:00:00 |
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Martial law no solution to Abu Sayyaf menace - Gov. Hataman
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COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/15 June) — Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman has doubted the wisdom of putting Sulu and Basilan provinces under martial law in a bid to address security problems posed by the bandit group Abu Sayaff which beheaded on Monday another Canadian hostage.
Hataman said Wednesday there are better options in dealing with the Abu Sayyaf that would not result in human rights abuses.
The official was reacting to reports that incoming President Rodrigo Duterte was planning to declare martial law in the two island provinces to stop the Abu Sayyaf.
“It’s not necessary, no need as of this time. The Martial Law experience by Moros in Mindanao has been traumatic. Our fear now, instead of getting the support of the people we might face trouble from various human rights abuses,” he warned.
He proposed instead a “well-coordinated, intensified and participative” law enforcement using simultaneous military operations in Sulu and Basilan in Abu Sayyaf lairs.
He said the bandits only number around 200-300.
He suggested that for three to six months the civilians can be placed in one evacuation area with their needs provided while government forces run after the bandit group.
At the same time, Hataman warned local officials who would refuse to participate in the law enforcement drive or found to be supporting the Abu Sayyaf will be held liable.
He urged the people and officials of Sulu and Basilan to join in efforts to achieve the peace and order.
“If these local barangay officials and town officials cannot make actions or will not cooperate, then its time for the government to hold them accountable and responsible. We really have to put an end to this vicious cycle of ASG because they destroy the image of Muslims,” he stressed.
On Monday, the bandits killed Robert Hall after the 3p.m. deadline for the payment of the P600-million ransom lapsed. Last April 25, the group also beheaded Hall’s compatriot John Ridsdel.
Hall and his Filipina partner Maritess Flor, Ridsdel and Kjartan Sekkingstad were kidnapped from a resort in Samal Island in September last year and brought to Sulu.
In a video that has circulated, the bandits were chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) while cutting off the victim’s head.
Ghadzali Jaafar, vice chairman for political affairs of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front said “the act of ASG is not acceptable in Islam and we condemned it in the highest level”. (Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews)
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| 2016-06-15T00:00:00 |
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Police kills hostage-taker in Misamis Oriental jail
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CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews/28 August) – A member of the police Special Weapons and Action Team (SWAT) killed an inmate of the Misamis Oriental provincial jail after he hostaged and attempted to kill a political detainee on Sunday while the city was celebrating its fiesta.
The hostage victim, Vicente Libona, escaped with only a superficial wound on his chest after his hostage-taker stabbed him when policemen started to break their way into the jail compound.
City Police Director Senior Superintendent Ronnie Francis Cariaga said the hostage taker, Jomar Itong of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon died of multiple gunshot wounds when policemen fired at him during the rescue.
The hostage situation ended when four gunshots were heard after the police SWAT team entered the jail compound at around 1 p.m. Sunday.
Cariaga said the responding policemen had to fire the fatal shots when Itong allegedly started to stab Libona as they entered the compound.
He said the policemen were under instructions not to hurt Itong and was ordered to carry only pistols, not high-powered firearms.
“Itong was showing emotional stress and had become unreasonable. When our policemen entered the compound, he started hurting Libona,” Cariaga said.
“The police officers had no recourse but to shoot Itong. A total of four shots were fired at Itong,” he narrated.
Cariaga said the policemen were trying to end the three-hour hostage situation that started when Itong tried to electrocute his fellow inmates using a live electrical wire.
Talking to reporters, Libona, a political detainee, said Itong already showed signs of emotional stress late Satuday evening.
“He asked that his parents and brothers should visit him. He was agitated last Saturday night,” Libona said.
Libona said he found Itong trying to electrocute his fellow inmates Sunday morning but he was able to persuade him to abandon his plans.
“All of a sudden he grabbed me and pointed to my chest two improvised weapons that he fashioned into knives from the clothes hanger,” Libona said.
As the three-hour hostage situation dragged on, Libona said Itong was getiing more visibly upset and made several attempts to stab him.
When the police entered the compound, Libona narrated Itong stabbed him on the chest before the latter was killed by the policemen.
Libona is a former member of the New People’s Army. He was the co-accused of National Democratic Front consultant Alfredo Mapano who was released, in the robbery-homicide case filed before the Regional Trial Court Branch 17 in Cagayan de Oro, to join the NDF peace panel in Oslo, Norway, for the first round of formal talks under the Duterte administration last week. (Froilan Gallardo /MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-28T00:00:00 |
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Duterte: “I will release money and lands” to NPA guerrillas if peace nego succeeds
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 August) – President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to give guerrillas of the New People’s Army (NPA) “money and lands” when the peace negotiations between the government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) succeeds.
In a press conference he called for at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday outside a seafood restaurant where he had a late dinner with soldiers bound for Sulu, Duterte said he would be ready to release other political prisoners “if the successful talks are there for me to see and to hear (but) in the meantime, no.”
The GPH and NDF peace panels are in Oslo, Norway for the first round of formal peace negotiations scheduled August 22 to 26. The next round of talks will be announced Friday morning in Oslo.
He said he is “ready to give more” to the CPP such as positions in the banking and financing institutions.
“I can accommodate all of them and yun namang mga NPA soldiers, I will release money and lands for them, yung totohanan na (genuine) land reform but I will not confiscate lands which are owned tapos gi-land reform at ipinabili uli ng tenant tapos kunin ko uli doon sa owner. I will not do that. That will be an injustice. But here’s so much lands in the Philippines. Sabihin lang nila (Let them say so) and I will give them everything,” Duterte added.
Duterte called for the press conference at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday to declare a ceasefire in response to the NDF’s unilateral seven-day ceasefire declared on August 19. The NDF’s ceasefire was to begin at 12:01 a.m. on August 21 and end at 11:59 p.m. on August 27.
“Effective this hour, it’s 11:35 (p.m.) as of today (August 24), I am declaring a ceasefire so I am joining the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in its desire to seek peace… in the same manner I am ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines (and the) Philippine National Police as of today, meron tayong ceasefire, so we avoid hostile actions against each other, we do not go into antagonistic behavior in front of whoever.”
He said the duration of the ceasefire would depend on what is agreed upon in Oslo. “I really do not know. The success and failure will depend on the people talking there.”
Ceasefire declared four days earlier
Duterte’s near midnight declaration, however, came four days after Presidential Adviser on the Peae Process Jesus Dureza, in a statement before departing for Oslo, announced that the President had “restored the effects of the unilateral ceasefire with the CPP /NPA/NDF (Communist Party of the Philippine/New Peoples Army/NDF) effective 12 midnight tonight, 21 August, 2016.
Dureza had met with the nocturnal President at around 3 a.m. that day at the Matina Enclaves here “for last minute instructions.” Dureza said the government’s unilateral ceasefire “will last for as long as necessary to bring peace in the land and also in order to provide an enabling environment for the success of the peace negotiations that will start in Oslo, Norway on August 22,”
But while the unilateral ceasefire of both parties had supposedly started effective midnight on August 21, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a two-hour press in the early hours Sunday, August 21, that he still had to consult the Defense Secretary and the commanding generals of the military and police.
“As to … when I will declare the ceasefire, I will have to consult the Defense Secretary and the commanding generals of the Navy, Army, even the Police, Air Force. I would tell them: Are you safe? Or would it be safe for our country now to declare ceasefire vis-à-vis with the government or with the Communist Party of the Philippines because if I feel that it’s not, then it’s not high time really to do it,” Duterte said.
Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25 but lifted it on July 30 when the NDF did not reciprocate the ceasefire as he expected, and a Cafgu paramilitary personnel was killed and four others were injured in an ambush in Kapalong, Davao del Norte on July 27.
On August 7, Duterte warned the NPA he would call off the talks if it continues to use land mines. The warning was issued at the wake of four soldiers killed in an ambush by the NPA in Compostela Valley on August 5.
“I was the first to show good faith and I was reciprocated by a lot of ambuscades by the Left….,” Duterte said early Sunday.
“Significant event”
Reminded that Dureza had announced that he had restored the ceasefire midnight of August 21, Duterte replied, “I already ordered it (restoring the ceasefire) but I have to consult them just to make sure that my orders are followed.”
He urged people in government, the military and police “to be friendly with the forces of the revolutionary government of the CPP” during the ceasefire and hopes this would “go on a long, long period, for the peaceful resolution of the communist rebellion against the republic of the Philippines.”
He stressed that as President, “my task is to seek the peace for my country.”
“I am not a President who would enjoy waging war against the citizens of this republic. It pains me deeply to see people dying for an ideology” when this can be discussed peacefully as the two parties are talking in Oslo now.
“Why do we have to kill each other for 45 years only to end up talking, which is really a significant event for everybody,” Duterte said in mixed English and Filipino.
“And to think so many lives are lost on the government and the other side… That is my regret for my nation,” he lamented. “We cannot be at war at all times.”
As commander in chief, he said, “I would not like anybody there dying or dead.”
If the other side violates the ceasefire, Duterte said, “that’s their problem.”
“My problem is nobody violates my order and it behooves upon the CPP to do the same otherwise walang mangyayari dito,” he said. (Carolyn O. Arguillas /MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-25T00:00:00 |
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Nangka
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Nangka
Aug 27
Mother and child carry jackfruits from the mountains of Pugaan in Iligan City to the nearest market in the lowland, several kilometers away, on Saturday (27 Aug
Mother and child carry jackfruits from the mountains of Pugaan in Iligan City to the nearest market in the lowland, several kilometers away, on Saturday (27 Aug
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Reviewed byonRating:
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| 2016-08-27T00:00:00 |
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GPH, NDF peace panels start talks on substantive agenda
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/23 August) — Negotiations between the Philippine government and National Democratic Front started Tuesday with discussions on the remaining substantive agenda for the talks that were agreed upon during the Ramos administration in a bid to forge a final peace agreement within six to 12 months.
In a press statement from Oslo, Norway where the peace talks formally resumed on Monday, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said both panels and their committees started talks on the timeline for socioeconomic reforms, political and economic reforms, and end of hostilities and disposition of forces.
The first item in the agenda, respect for human rights and International Humanitarian Law, was given flesh in the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Law or CARHRIHL signed in 1992.
The statement said the parties have also agreed to affirm previously signed agreements such as CARHRIHL and The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992, and reconstitute the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) list.
Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, concurrent chair of the government peace panel, explained that both parties agreed to hold meetings in panel and committee levels to accelerate the process of discussion on substantive issues related to the talks.
Bello noted that past negotiations had been spent more on procedures rather than on the substantive agenda.
“We have learned our lessons from past experiences. Both parties have resumed the stalled peace negotiations and are now committed to explore all avenues possible to fast-track the process,” he added.
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus G. Dureza said President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed the government panel “to accelerate the peace negotiations…to bring a definitive and final peace settlement within six to 12 months.”
“We can all see now that there is renewed and fresh euphoria in the air. Our coming together starting today should be not in the context of out-witting or out-maneuvering each other across the table,” Dureza said.
“Neither is this a joust of one side unduly gaining strategic advantage over the other. But this should be more of a coming together of Filipinos interested to see changes in the land—in our land, to be shared for and by all. If we can, let’s no longer call our engagements as negotiations but instead a shared national ‘conversation’ a ‘dialogue’ where we find together common grounds, bridge the divides, and seek common dreams to share,” he added.
Aside from Bello, the government negotiators include former Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza, former Commission on Elections Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, and lawyers Angela Librado-Trinidad and Antonio Arellano.
The NDF, on the other hand, is represented by its chairman Luis Jalandoni, Fidel Agcaoili, Connie Ledesma, Asterio Palima, and Juliet de Lima-Sison.
Negotiations started a day after the opening ceremony that marked the formal resumption of peace talks currently being held at the Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel in Oslo, Norway.
Peace talks between the government and the NDF started in 1986 in a bid to resolve Asia’s longest running armed struggle being waged by the Communist Party of the Philippines through its armed wing, the New People’s Army.
The NDF serves as the umbrella organization of all revolutionary groups in the country. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-23T00:00:00 |
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TURNING POINT; Over-Zealous but Ill-Prepared
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NAWAAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 21 August) — The Philippine war on illegal drugs employed a mix of purposive and unintended strategies, to wit:
Project TokHang- the house to house visit by the police and barangay officials of suspected drug personalities inducing them to surrender Oplan Double Barrel – Anti-illegal drug operations on suspected drug dens, production or distribution centers and high value targets involved in the commerce of illegal drugs. Vigilantism apparently tolerated by the authorities for being inspired no less than by the President himself when he encouraged citizens to arm themselves and kill suspected drug criminals in their respective communities, or vigilantism pursued alongside government campaigns by drug lords or protectors of those in the illegal drug trade to silence and preclude the exposure of the former. The President’s naming–shaming approach to suspected drug personalities in government service.
Notwithstanding the issue on human rights violations, the super-zealous Duterte’s war on drugs is picking tempo and is evidently succeeding if reckoned from the piling of bodies of those killed in drug-related incidents; great number of surrenderees and those publicly named and shamed by the President of the Republic for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
But from the look of things, the government appears pitifully ill-prepared for the consequences of the campaign. The volume of those involved one way or another in the illegal drugs transcended the imagination and the expectation of everyone.
Those who surrendered under Project TokHang are reported to have already reached about half a million drug pushers and drug users. The nation has run out of rehabilitation facilities and trained personnel to attend to the needs of the latter.
Meanwhile, the government appears not ready with the necessary legal batteries to hail to court all suspected criminals beginning from those named by the President in government service and those who surrendered under Project Tokhang. In addition, it shows it has not the necessary capacities to run after those involved in collateral vigilantism, thus the killing of ordinary citizens continues to this day.
Generally, the drug pushers and users are back to their respective communities scot-free. Meanwhile the big time drug lords have not been neutralized. Thus, it’s business as usual in the commerce of illegal drug, even inside jailhouses… This is so because the pusher needs to earn a living and the drug addict to secure and use illegal drugs to “feel good” over and over again. “Everybody happy”, as the guys in the street say.
Notwithstanding the odds, it’s still possible, however to save the campaign. Government planners ought to look at the drug menace not simply from the angle of criminality but from a perspective that the drug menace is a complex socio-economic, health or disease and felony problem that needs to be addressed holistically. Corresponding programs thus have to be developed in the direction, like training and creation of wholesome livelihood opportunities, family and community-based drug education and prevention and ‘feel good” projects and activities, among others.
To win the war the government cannot do it alone. It must not alienate but secure the cooperation and support of the family, community, church, and other sectors of society. To have this, the government has always to consider and give due respect to the sanctity and dignity of human life which everybody values after all and remember that the ultimate aim of the struggle is to improve the quality of the Filipino life. Hence law enforcers need to uphold the law, due process and the rules of engagement at all times. This way we not only regain our self respect as a people but may perhaps earn the respect and admiration of the international community.
(Minda views is the opinion section of MindaNews. William R. Adan, Ph. D. is retired professor and former chancellor of the Mindanao State University Naawan campus, Misamis Oriental, Philippines)
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| 2016-08-21T00:00:00 |
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TURNING POINT: Misconception and Misapprehension
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NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 27 August) — Crimes committed by civilians against other civilians like theft, rape, murder and the like, are the concern and responsibility of the government law enforcing agencies like the Philippine Naitonal Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), etc… a task to pursue in coordination with the judiciary. In a nutshell, the protection and security of the human rights of citizens and other nationals within the territory of a state are the function of the government or its rightful agents.
The flagrant accusation that the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is negligent or selective in the exercise of it functions by focusing only on alleged abuses of police officers and turning blind eyes to rapists and murderers related to prohibited drugs is grossly misplaced. The CHR is institutionalized by the Constitution with the primary role to protect civilians from the excesses of the government or its agents in the exercise of their functions. The excesses could mean the deprivation of a civilian of his right to life, liberty or property.
It is therefore natural, as publicly observed, that the CHR has focused its attention and interest on allegations of abuses of PNP officers in the conduct of their law- enforcing activities, such as in warrantless search and arrest, forced confession, summary execution or the absence of due process, or the exercise of their duties outside the bounds of law.
The CHR has been in the receiving end of derision in the widespread and wild misconception of its role in governance.
******
Contrary to the paranoiac apprehension that the Senate probe on extrajudicial killing was aimed to embarrass the President and derail the war on illegal drugs, the Senate hearing instead came out very helpful and supportive in sustaining and winning the war. Of course the hearing inescapably exposed the weaknesses and lapses of the current campaign. But identifying weaknesses is vital to developing strengths. It is therefore something to welcome, not to deride or condemn. It was shown in the hearing that the combined law enforcing authorities are deficit in many fronts in conducting the fight on illegal drugs. Consider the following:
The gathering of evidence against most suspects is generally based on hearsay and those performed following intelligence standard procedures proved inadequate and insufficient to hail suspects to court.
Moreover there is evident shortage of appropriate manpower to move the drug battles to the proper court from the chilling carnage in dark alleys and stinking shanties and from the trial by publicity in the mass and social media..
Also, trained personnel and rehab facilities for drug addicts are non-existing in many parts of the country to attend to and accommodate thousands of surrenderers. And the detention facilities are already bursting to the helms to further accommodate convicted drug felons, if ever.
After identifying the weaknesses and lapses, a number of measures were proposed to correct them, such as rigid training, discipline and a foolproof recruitment policy to augment and develop a professional PNP; the organization of the ideal structure to handle the necessary programs for the purpose; the creation of a legal unit to assist PNP enforcers in court battles on cases resulting from the legitimate execution of their functions; the acquisition of pertinent equipment and tools; and the construction of attendant infrastructures for the rehabilitation of drug criminals and addicts; the need to revise existing laws or pass new ones to improve law enforcement especially in critical times like the present, and to increase budgetary allocations for all the proposed capacity building and strengthening measures.
There is no doubt that the crusade against the drug menace has the support not only of the Senate but by all sectors of society, except that many are alarmed by the lack of adherence to the rule of law in its conduct which perilously endangers the very foundation of our democratic society. (Mindaviews is the opinion section of mindanews. William R. Adan is retired professor and former chancellor of the Mindanao State University Naawan campus, Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines.}
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| 2016-08-27T00:00:00 |
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A SOJOURNER’S VIEW: Defend Life! Not Destroy It! A Plea To End Extrajudicial Summary Killings
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(Opening Talk at the forum at Pakighinabi Session at the Mateo Ricci Dialogue Center, 3/F Community Center of the First Companions at the Ateneo de Davao University on 18 August 2016. The topic of the Forum was Thou Shalt Not Kill Vs. Do Not Do Drugs!)
There is a tragic war taking place across the archipelago in the last hundred days (May 10 to August 18); this war erupted since Rodrigo Roa Duterte got elected as President of the Republic of the Philippines on 9 May 2016. By rough estimate the average death toll has been 11 to 13 per day. (Doronilla, Amando., “Rising death squad killings alarm UN.” Philippine Daily Inquirer,9 August 2016, p.1)
Last July 9, twenty-three (23) were killed in just one day! That means more than a thousand Filipinos have been summarily killed in this war!
The President’s fighting words: “I am waging a war. I am now invoking the articles of war.” He claims that he has no fear that this war would cause his impeachment and removal from office. (Gamil, Jaymee T. “Bato ordered” Probe killings.” Philippine Daily Inquirer, 7 August 2016, p. A1-A6)
This is the war against illegal drugs. The call to wage this war came from the declarations of the President himself even throughout the election period.
In his campaign promise, Pres. Duterte vowed to eradicate crime and illegal drugs in the first three to six months of his presidency and appointed Chief Supt Ronald dela Rosa as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to carry out his orders.
After his inauguration, Duterte went on to encourage lawmen to kill drug offenders if they put up a fight or resist arrest. He ordered “state security forces to arrest drug dealers and pushers, and shoot anyone who would resist arrest.” (Dizon, Nikko. “VP laments lack of outcry vs drug killings.” PDI, 5 August 2016, p. A1-A17)
His words: “For as long as it is done in the performance of duty of soldiers and police, I’ll answer for it. That is my official and personal guarantee.” (Nawal, Allan. “Shoot-to-kill order vs narcopoliticos”. PDI, 6 Aug 2016, A1-A10)
“Most of those killed have been impoverished drug users, with only one alleged drug lord being killed in an exchange of fire with the police. Alleged drug pushers and users have been killed by motorcyle-riding gunmen, or vigilantes, or by police, who claim that the suspects tried to wrest a gun from officers.” (Nawal 6 Aug, A10)
The statistics of arrests, surrenderees and actual extrajudicial killings
“According to media reports, more than 1,000 people described as drug suspects have been killed in police operations or by unknown gunmen since two months ago. Although the President had disavowed direct knowledge of so-called death squads, he has repeatedly said that drug pushers and users were beyond saving or rehabilitation.” (Ramos 2016 A17).
The PNP report as of early August indicated that Metro Manila tops the list of areas with “the most number of drug offenders killed by lawmen with 148 casualties, Other regions with high casualty figures include Central Luzon with 130 drug suspects. Calabarzon registered 69 deaths, Central Visayas with 25 killed, Bikol region with 23, Central Mindanao with 21. Northern Luzon came next with 20 drug suspects killed and Davao region with 19. PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said that 516, 430 drug users and 34, 363 drug pushers have surrendered to the police under Oplan Tokhang.” (Laude, Jaime. “MM with most number of drug offenders killed by lawmen,” The Philippine Star, 13 August 2016, p. 6.)
There are rough estimates as to the extent of the use of illegal drugs. “Officials say drug pushers are active in 99.1 percent of Metro Manila barangays; 26.9 percent of the 402,0000 barangays nation-wide are grappling with the problem and 1.33 million Filipinos are drug-users. (Ramos and Nawal 2016: A19.) There are of course other sources that indicate that the number could double or even triple.
The President said he cared nothing about the criticism from human rights groups. (Nawal 2016: A10). The international call to follow the rule of law were falling on deaf ears. In a speech on Thursday, “the President acknowledged the abuses in the war on drugs but is not backing down from a shoot-to-kill order for drug dealers.” (Doronilla 2016: 1) “(D)espite the stern opposition against his method in combating the illegal drug trade, Pres. Duterte remained unfazed and vowed to continue this kind of a campaign. His words: ‘There will be no stopping of the momentum until I have destroyed the apparatus”. (Revita, Juliet C. “Duterte unfazed by critics.” Sun Star, 17 August 2016, p. 2)
Why people support, thus no public clamor
Despite a growing number of casualties, there has not been a major public outcry. A number of key individuals in Philippine society – from Vice-President Robredo to Catholic bishops, from Senator Leila de Lima to heads of universities – have denounced these extrajudicial killings and wondered why there has not been a show of indignation on the part of the people.
Randy David offers an answer to why there has been no outcry. ”Because in a society like ours with a flawed justice system, criminal suspects tend to escape responsibility by exploiting the weaknesses of legal procedure. In defense of a shoot-to-kill order on suspected drug offenders, it has been argued that this approach, as harsh as it may be, is more efficient and more expedient. (David, Randy. “Human rights and the poor.” In Public Lives. PDI, 7 August 2016, p. A14)
He further added: “All this makes one wonder if the absence of a loud public outcry over these rampant murders does not somehow mirror our own stereotyped images of the urban poor – i.e., of how twisted their values are, of how easily they trade hard work for the fleeting pleasures of drugs and intoxication, of how they cynically invoke joblessness to justify their forays into petty crime.” (Ibid).
How the President and his men justify the campaign
Perhaps, the justifications offered by President Duterte himself and those tasked to implement his commands help to convince the people that such killings are justifiable. (Sauler 2016: A15). PNP chief Director General dela Rosa maintained the killings were the result of legitimate anti-drug operations and stressed that the PNP is strictly employing due process in all of its police operations.(Laude 2016: 6).
A number of Duterte’s key supporters – like Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez – expressed support for his war on drugs. Alvarez’ words: “What’s wrong with shoot-to-kill order when the situation requires it, especially when the lives of our law enforcers are in danger?” (Romero, Paolo. “Lawmakers on anti-crime fight: Follow rule of law, ” The Philippine Star, 8 August 2016, p. 19)
And yet, on the other hand, the President’s key staff spoke as to where President Duterte stood on extra-judicial killings. “Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella defended the anti-drug campaign by saying that the President had ‘never ordered extrajudicial killings’ and that ‘he is deeply concerned about what’s happening.’ He pointed out that Pres. Duterte had ordered the PNP and the National Police Commission to look into allegations of summary executions of drug suspects.” (Aning, Jerome, Tarra Quismundo and Marlon Ramos. “Senate summons Bato.” PDI, 12 Aug. 2016, p. A1-13)
However, even as President Duterte seems to back track a bit, still he goes around the police stations and military camps to offer soldiers and police his official and personal guarantee of immunity from prosecution for killings undertaken in the performance of their duties telling that that for as long as it is done in the performance of duty of soldiers and police, he’ll answer for it.
Being supportive of Duterte’s vision, but opposed to his approach
Voices have been raised to oppose Pres. Duterte’s drug war. However, in order not to antagonize him, those who spoke were careful in saying that on one hand they support the President’s social reform agenda but would still oppose his drug war policy.
“Vice-Pres. Robredo said she understood the government’s campaign against drugs, but she was worried about the campaign’s seeming diminution of the value of human life. Her words: ‘Right now…for the simplest reasons, people kill. That is what I am worried about, the culture of impunity and violence.’” (Dizon 2016: A17).
Sen. De Lima has commended Mr. Duterte for having a strong will and great determination to end the drug problem. Her words: ’To be honest, it is difficult to pass judgment on the style of the President, especially that a great majority of our people seem to approve of this naming and shaming strategy. If the President thinks its an effective strategy, then who are we to dictate to him?’” (Quismundo, Tara. “Senators call for due process in antidrug war.” PDI, 8 August 2016, p. A1 –A15). But she emphasized the constitutional requirement of due process.
Archbishop Jose Palma said that while he supported the President’s campaign, the fundamental requirements of due process and rule of law must be observed at all times. His words: “While we appreciate the efforts against illegal drugs, we also question the process things are done.” (Mayol, Ador Vincent S. “Bishop hits Duterte’s drugs list.” PDI, 11 August 2016, p. 2)
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) came up with this statement: “We appreciate Pres Duterte’s many initiatives at addressing the urgent needs of our nation. As churches engaged in works of compassion, we have also witnessed the destructive effects of drugs on individuals and society and the corrupting effects of drug money in our political system. We support the President’s commitment to address this problem. However, we call on the President to ensure that in the course of curbing this problem, legal processes are respected and human rights are protected; that drug dependents be treated with compassion and provided with opportunities to seek treatment; and that those who profit from this trade are made accountable. (Victorino Raoul V., Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan, Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, Lissa Belle R. Brown, Rev. Rex RB Reyes Jr. and Reynaldo M. Natividad. “Hope reintroduced into nation’s life. In Commentary. PDI, 5 August 2016, p. A13).
Critical comments registered against extrajudicial killings
While there have not been major public clamor demanding an end to the extrajudicial killings, there have been an increasing number of voices raised on this issue. “Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas asked whether the Philippines is becoming a killing fields nation as it seeks to stamp out illegal drugs. He said he shared the dream of a Philippines without the drug menace, but questioned whether killing crime suspects without due process was a morally acceptable way to eradicate crime.” (Aurelio, Julie M.. “Grieving Bishop Soc: Enough of killings; let our humanity speak.” PDI, 7 August 2016. p. A1-A6)
Sen Panfilo Lacson, Chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, questioned the government’s silence on the extrajudicial killings. His words: “I have to hear a pronouncement from the Palace and even from General dela Rosa that they are doing something to resolve those cases or looking for solutions to the summary killings”. (Dizon, Nikko. “VP laments lack of outcry vs drug killings.” PDI, 5 August 2016, p. A1-A17)
In a privilege speech at the Senate, Sen. Leila de Lima confronted the issue head-on saying: “We cannot go on being indifferent to the daily executions, without ultimately becoming a nation bound by a collective sociopathy… My concern is not only the killings tallied by the PNP as the formal law enforcement agency. At least we can put the PNP to task in our official legislative investigations. My gravest concern lies with the vigilantes of the night now operating almost all over the country, those harbingers of death spreading the apocalypse of our dehumanization.” (Editorial. PDI. 5 August 2016, p.A12.
Human Rights Watch expressed concern re the drug-related executions and the State or security forces’ continuing extrajudicial killings and has urged Pres. Duterte to seize the opportunity to “reverse the failings of previous administrations by giving priority to the human problems that have persisted in the country.” (Ocampo, Satur. “Impunity on Extrajuicial killings is a Marcos legacy,” in At Ground Level. The Philippine Star, 13 August 2016, p. 9.)
‘Also expressing alarm was a new coalition of human rights advocates, which called on the administration not to make its anti-drug war a war against the people. In a statement, the In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement or iDefend said human rights should never be compromised even in the pursuit of a noble objective by the sate like fighting criminality. (Regalado, Edith..”US”: EJK alarming,” Philippine Daily Inquirer. 12 August 1)
The United States government has expressed concern on this issue by this pronouncement: “We strongly urge the Philippines to ensure its law enforcement efforts are consistent with its human rights obligations. We strongly believe in the rule of law, due process and respect for universal human rights, and that these principles promote long-term security.” (Ibid.) When John Kerry, the US Secretary of State met with Duterte and Foreign Sec Perfecto Yasay, he mentioned the need to protect civil and human rights during talks. (Garcia, Robert Francis. “Death, drugs and the Duterte dilemma.” The Philippine Daily Inquirer, 9 August 2016, p. 1)
“The United Nations has warned that it was ‘greatly concerned’ with the rise of extrajudicial killings of suspected drug pushers and users…In the strongest warning yet issued by the UN, the executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Yury Fedorov said, ‘I join the UN Secretary General in condemning the apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killings, which is illegal and a break of fundamental and a breach of rights and freedom (Doronilla 2016: 1)
The viral photo showing the lifeless body of suspected drug pusher Michael Siaron being cradled by his weeping wife, Jennilyn Olayres landed on the front page of the New York Times thus humanizing the cost of war. Other news outlets like CNN, the Washington Post, the Guardian and the Daily Mail also provided critical reports.
A youth writer for the Inquirer asked these haunting questions: “Why the heartlessness of exacting massive collateral damage on our people? Why the need for sacrificial lambs? Is life too cheap for Filipinos today? Why curtail due process? The number of casualties or victims seems to rise by the hour. They are humans, sinners just like us that need forgiveness and salvation.. If the rotten judicial system is the obstruction that we complain about in bringing the culprits to justice, then by all means, why not attack the system instead of resorting to the rottenness of our very own hearts?” (Valenzuela, Reni M. “Drug use pandemic among rich, powerful.” In PDI Opinion, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 5 August, p. A14)
What are the moral issues involved
There are moral and ethical considerations related to the issue of human rights. Their foundation is found both in the field of philosophy and theology which provides underlying basis of the concept of human rights. “Several theoretical approaches have been advanced to explain how and why the concept of human rights developed. One of the oldest claim that these are a product of a natural law; others claim that human rights codify moral behavior which is a human social product developed by a process of biological and social evolution (Hume), as a sociological pattern of rule setting (Weber), or even as a social contract.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_human_rights, accessed 17 August 2016).
Appropriating Socrates to Plato, from Aristotle to St. Thomas Aquinas, human rights could be linked to reflections on natural moral and religious presuppositions. From the Stoics and on to the Church Fathers, natural law interfaced with Christian notions of human dignity. (Ibid).
The Jewish philosopher Levinas also provides a philosophical framework to human rights. “Levinas main thrust in his philosophical viewpoint is that the “I” is always responsible to the Other. This is signified in the Other’s face. The face led the “I” to be responsible to the Other beyond the mere face of him/her…This meeting of the I and the Other is known as the face-to-face encounter that results to responsibility. This responsibility is not just mere obligations or duty but an innate, enlarged, non-symmetrical relation to the Other. Thus, the I is always and more responsible than the Other.” (Sta. Ana, Christopher. “Missiological paper.” Unpublished termpaper for SATMI, 2016)
When the I is interrupted by the Other, it is as if the words arise: Thou Shalt not Kill.
The Catholic Church has always preached about the sanctity of human rights. A number of Popes have issued statements in this regard. Pope Francis’ words: “Every civil right rests on the recognition of the first and fundamental right, that of life, which is not subordinate to any condition…Today the Church is renewing her urgent appeal that the dignity and centrality of every individual always be safeguarded, with respect for fundamental rights, as her social teaching emphasizes…. (Pope Francis. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/pope_francis.html (accessed 18 August 2016). In Evangelii Gaudium, he states that the commandment “Thou Shalt not kill, sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life (No. 53).
“It is this fundamental sense of value and inviolability of the human person which makes The church tenacious in its insistence that the Duterte administration should desist from giving its operatives the license to kill. The church sources its dissent and disquiet from a conviction deeper than mere judicial-rights thinking as it has developed in the West….. In the words of French sociologist Jacques Ellul writes: ‘The Church is summoned in the course of human history to speak a discerning word to each concrete situation. These are the rights of man here and now.’“ (Maggay, Melba Padilla. “Church-state tensions on human rights.” Philippine Daily Inquirer,12 August 2016, p. A14.
How do we put forward the human rights discourse with a President who is hell bent on winning the war against drugs and has the popular support of his people?
Where do we go from here? For the moment, it seems as if the war will continue to claim lives if the country’s Commander-in-Chief will not give up on his prescribed mandate. But how do people of goodwill wishing for an end of this war reach out to him? It is said that he will fight back if confronted frontally. So a strong prophetic voice may, indeed, fall on deaf ears. But mobilizing resources from Filipino culture and having a deep understanding of the psyche of the President may provide us a window of opportunity. Like you, I came to this forum hoping that we can together find a light at the end of the dark tunnel. (Opening Talk at the forum at Pakighinabi Session at the Mateo Ricci Dialogue Center, 3/F Community Center of the First Companions at the Ateneo de Davao University on 18 August 2016. The Topic of the Forum was Thou Shalt Not Kill Vs. Do Not Do Drugs!)
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| 2016-08-20T00:00:00 |
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[
"Patricio P. Diaz",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr",
"Art Centeno"
] | 2016-08-26T13:02:00 | null | 2016-08-10T12:56:17 | null |
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MIND DA NEWS: Approved, Authorized But Wrong
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GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 10 Aug 2016) – President Rodrigo R. Duterte, with due respect to the 16 million Filipinos who elected him, has approved and authorized the burial of the disgraced President Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery of Heroes) but his autocratic act is wrong. No amount of tough words and rationalizing can correct the wrong.
Mr. President, ordering that the disgraced President Marcos must lie with the heroes of the land just to fulfill your election promise to the Marcoses and the Ilocano voters is ramming the sentiments of the Marcoses and the Ilocanos against the sensibilities of the majority of the Filipinos including those who voted for you. It is autocracy bullying democracy.
Mr. President, as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star, you dismissed the impending protests with a dare to the would-be protesters, “Go ahead … they can demonstrate all they want. They can decide if it would be one month for as long as they do not deny public access to roads … I will grant you permit”. That frankness should be properly respected but it can be misunderstood as being bullyesque.
Mr. President, the Inquirer quoted you, “As a former soldier and former President of the Philippines, I see nothing wrong in having Marcos buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani,” with your assurance that the “burial at Libingan is provided by law”. The Star also quoted you in the same vein. That’s being most cavalier about a president’s betrayal of his country and people.
Whatever privilege and right under the law Mr. Marcos had, he forfeited by his betrayal. As a lawyer and former prosecutor, Mr. President, you must be aware of the principle of entitlement and default.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines stated the following after the list of those qualified to be buried at the Libingan: “However, those who have been dishonorably discharged from service, or personnel convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude, do not qualify for interment at the cemetery.” How does Mr. Marcos stand in view of this disqualifying clause? By inference, the disqualification applies to all.
Mr. President, as Inquirer also reported, your comment “on criticisms that Marcos was never a hero-soldier as claimed”, was that “it was the contrary” … that “seven sources would say he was a soldier while only one would dispute it”. That is taking for granted the intelligence of the opposition to your wishes and order.
It is your “comment”, not the “criticisms”, that “was to the contrary”. For the moment, only you say that Mr. Marcos was a “soldier-hero” against seven. As Rappler.com reported, your running mate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and your PDP-Laban president, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, don’t consider Mr. Marcos a hero; so do four House representatives. The National Historical Commission says Mr. Marcos’s “record as a World War II soldier is ‘fraught with myths, factual inconsistencies, and lies’.”
Mr. President, by your order, you are denying Mr. Marcos’ betrayal of his country and people. That is the core of the opposition to the burial of Mr. Marcos at the Libingan by the victims of martial law and their relatives, of the majority you have silenced and of the minority that you have not. At the moment no pleadings from the opposition can change your mind; nevertheless, let’s hear them hoping that you will listen.
Vice President Leonor Robredo (philstar.com, August 8, 2016): “We strongly oppose the decision to bury former President Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.” She pleaded:
“How can we allow a hero’s burial for a man who has plundered our country and was responsible for the death and disappearance of many Filipinos? Those who have greatly committed crimes and moral turpitude to the Filipino people cannot be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.” The plunder was not a mere allegation. The government has already recovered some of the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies.
“This decision will not bring unity to our country; it will only deepen the unhealed wounds of the survivors and family members of victims of the terrible years under [the] Marcos presidency.”
“Furthermore, his heirs continue to deny that these sins against our people happened. They continue to have no remorse and still prevent the return of the wealth that they stole.”
Senate President Protempore Franklin Drilon (philstar.com, August 8, 2016), asking President Duterte to reconsider Marcos burial: “At this point in the history of our country where Filipinos are starting to hope again, what our nation need is unity in order for our country to succeed socially, economically and politically. Hence, such a sensitive issue would not help but only divide our people and reopen the wounds of the past that up to now, were not completely healed.”
Senate President Aquiline Pimentel III, PDP-Laban president, and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte’s running mate (Rappler.com, August 8, 2016), separately stated:
Pimentel: “If I were president, I would not allow it. I don’t consider him a hero. Ayun lang, di ako president. (But I am not president.) We will respect the decision of the President.”
Cayetano: He granted Marcos “had heroic moments during his life. But we do not consider it totality heroic because of the things that happened in martial law. Unless we change the name [of Libingan ng mga Bayani] to Cemetery of Heroes and Dictators, then we would not have problems.”
As staunch supporters, Pimentel and Cayetano alike respect the decision of Duterte. That they have openly came out shows they are sincerely against the burial although it is just a polite, timid, subdued expression of disagreement.
In the House of Representatives (Rappler.com, PM, August 08, 2016) four out of almost 300 lawmakers stood up against Duterte.
Akbayan Representative Tom Villarin: “Burying Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani is tantamount to burying the numerous atrocities he committed under his authoritarian regime.”
He urged the Duterte administration to review the decision as it may send a “wrong signal” concerning social justice. “The burial issue is a governance issue as this concerns how we judge the Marcos government. It has been proven that Marcos led a corrupt, brutal, and dictatorial rule that impoverished our people and nation.”
Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate: Marcos’ remains should stay in Batac, Ilocos Norte. “We should not allow the unrepentant Marcoses to use the burial issue in advancing their revisionist lies on the blood-drenched legacy of the dictator. No amount of embellishment can whitewash the plunder, terror, and grave human rights violations perpetrated during the reign of Marcos, a dictator and certainly not a bayani (hero)!”
Ifugao Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr: He has a brother, a cousin and an uncle buried at the Libingan. He said they are all heroes who fought not only war to free the country but also corruption. He could not reconcile with the thought of how Marcos would make all the heroes turn in their graves.
He laments: “Now we’re burying a dictator who plundered our economy, who made corruption a lifestyle. We’re giving full military honors to a president who suppressed freedoms, jailed, and tortured those who fought our freedoms, allowed killing of human rights defender and activists. We seem to equate moving on with forgetting the evils of martial law and extolling those who perpetuated it. Sad.”
Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman: He was set to deliver a privilege speech against the transfer of Marcos’ remains on Tuesday, August 9.
Mr. President, the opposition from the Vice President, three senators two of them your staunch supporters and four lawmakers from the House reported above, as well as from the victims of martial law and their relatives who you’ve dared to demonstrate may be summarized briefly: plunder, corruption, violation of human rights and suppression of freedom – a historic betrayal by a president of the country and people he had sworn to protect.
Your purposes in ordering the burial of Mr. Marcos at the Libingan are (1) to give him the honor due to him as a soldier-hero and President; and, (2) to unite the country so that we could move on. They sound noble but are fallacies. You either don’t see or refuse to see the fallacies because seeing could make you reconsider your election promise to the Marcoses and the Ilocano voters.
In your State of the Nation Address, you said, obviously to emphasize your fight against corruption, breach of law, etc: “Lest I be misunderstood, let me say clearly, that those who betrayed the people’s trust shall not go unpunished and they will have their day in Court. And if the evidence warrants, they will have their day of reckoning too.”
Yet, you are honoring the most corrupt president in our history with burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
You also said, obviously to justify your drug war: “Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country – your country and my country.”
You are right. Drug dehumanizes, destroying human dignity. It destroys the country. Drug lords and their traffickers when apprehended invoke their human rights to subvert justice and to continue their trade that destroys the country.
Mr. Marcos’ human rights violations had nothing to do with drugs. But he had thousands tortured, killed or caused to disappear. As president, his violations of human rights were historic betrayal of the country and people he was sworn to protect.
Yet, you are honoring the worst violator of human rights among presidents with burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Mr. President, no one else but only you can rectify your contradictions.
Incidentally, before finally editing this article early this morning, we scanned the Inquirer and other media on-line for latest related development. In the Inquirer story, “Rody wants issue buried but it just refuses to die”, more lawmakers and groups are gearing up to seriously challenge up to the Supreme Court Marcos’ burial at the Libingan. Let’s watch events in the next four weeks. In Pilipino, Abangan!
Author’s Note
: Mind da News, the alternate of COMMENT, is a comment on current news. The author may be contacted at [email protected] .]
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| 2016-08-10T00:00:00 |
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"Patricio P. Diaz",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:04:24 | null | 2016-06-27T15:37:16 | null |
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COMMENT: A Sober View of Duterte-Media Tiff
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Part 1: The Tiff
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, June 27, 2016 – At a May 31 press conference, reporters asked President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte what he would do about the long-nagging issue of media killing. The same question had been asked of past presidents and the outgoing President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III; they had been criticized for failing to stop the killing of journalists with impunity.
Asking the question was timely. How it was asked and initially answered, we are eager to see in quotes. It is unbelievable that a question of significant national concern had turned into a confrontational media subject for two weeks after May 31– the President-elect pitted against Philippine and international media organizations and the United Nations human rights agency including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Dismissive
As Rappler, June 3 recalled, Duterte was asked “what his administration would do about media killings in the Philippines”. He was “dismissive” about the question “saying that ‘most’ slain journalists are corrupt”, elaborating that “the best solution is a more honest media”; dismissively, “To end this problem, it has to end in your court, not in mine.”
How Duterte dismissed the question must have stung the reporters; they bombarded him with questions which angered him. As Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 31 reported: “At one point during the press conference, Duterte was apparently irritated by a barrage of questions from the media”, remarking he would like the reporters shot.
The reporters must have been seeking from the President a policy statement and action plan. The Aquino and past administrations “had acknowledged the problem and had pledged to put behind bars the killers of media personalities to deter future attacks. In 2006, the Arroyo administration created Task Force Usig to investigate the murder of media personalities and activists (Rappler, June 3).” Yet, the killings have continued.
Is Rappler right in speculating that “Duterte may become the first Philippine leader since the Marcos regime without a declared policy against media killings”?
That might be jumping the gun behind the clash of words and emotions. Duterte must have media killings on target in his vow to stop criminality together with drug menace and corruption.
Blunt, hurting
Evidently, the reporters fell into silence as Duterte lectured them spiced with curses, expletives and censure. Interestingly, the truth was admitted while the sting must have been felt deeply and the threat of more killing with impunity was met with fear, loud protests and condemnation. This hogged the headlines for more than a week.
Media got Duterte’s message: Corruption in the media and irresponsible reporting are the root causes for the killings of journalists in the country. Journalists who engage in corrupt practices are not exempted from assassination. Freedom of expression the Constitution guarantees cannot protect them.
Duterte classified journalists into three: (1) the crusaders; (2) mouthpieces of vested interest; (3) the lowlife. MindaNews, June 3, quoted Duterte’s description of each:
“The crusaders are telling the truth, baring it all before the public. Sometimes they hit big business or those who cannot tolerate the truth being exposed in the public. And they do not accept money. What is very important to them is their profession and telling the truth to the whole world.”
The “mouthpiece of vested interest (groups) — it could be mining, defending the miners. It could be anything, something, which is an agent of whatever and those engaged in business or enterprises which need to be defended and therefore (are) called the publicists and the PROs (press relations officers).”
“The lowlife of journalists — ito yung nagba-byahe (they are unscrupulous, resourceful enterprisers), accepting money from illegal sources, in return (for) keeping their mouth shut …. These are the guys whose greed is unlimited. They are paid now, (they) ask for more. If there’s nothing coming their way, they talk more, they destroy people and family and they die.”
The NUJP (National Union of Journalists in the Philippines) and the NPC (National Press Club), two leading organizations of Filipino journalists admitted some truth behind Duterte’s tirade and severe scolding. They should have rested there. They could have, perhaps, had Duterte not been blunt and scorching in conveying his message.
Boycott, Media Ban
But they were hurt. No past President including the outgoing Aquino had censured them. They accused Duterte for generalizing. They were appalled by his justifying of the killing of corrupt journalists; they feared it can incite more media killings. The Journalists Sans Frontieres, a Paris-based organization that promotes and defends freedoms of the press and information, urged Filipino journalists to demand an apology from Duterte and to boycott his activities if he does not.
The more they angered Duterte. In his June 2 press conference, he clarified his earlier statements – differentiating the “crusaders” from the “extortionists”. He dared the journalists to boycott him, calling them “cowards” if they would not. NUJP responded:
“As for your dare to boycott you, we are very sorry but we will not, cannot, indulge you. Besides, it was not a call made by the Philippine media; for, while we may have our differences, as we have had with past presidents, it has never occurred to us to abdicate our duty, which is to keep watch on government and help ensure it does right by the governed and to scrutinize and ask the hard questions.” It continued its critical objection to Duterte’s position on media killing. (MindaNews, June 3).
That did not pacify Duterte. “If you hit me, I will hit right back. … There are politicians who would accept and swallow [your attacks]. Not me (Inquirer, June 4).”
Then he declared his own boycott of media. That June 2 press conference would be his last; he will not call any other until the end of his term. Media can monitor him and the activities of his administration through the state televisions and information service.
He meant it. Last June 5, Manila televisions were banned from covering live on site “DU31”, the grand Duterte victory party at Crocodile Park in Davao City; last June 7, reporters were again banned from the meeting of Duterte and outgoing Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. On June 30, private televisions will not be allowed inside the Palace; they can monitor the inauguration from the Malacanang ground through state-run PTV4.
To complete the boycott, will Duterte also prohibit his cabinet members from giving interviews to media until the end of his term?
(To be continued: Part 2: Opportune Moment)
(Comment” is Mr. Patricio P. Diaz’ column for MindaViews, the opinion section of MindaNews. Mr. Diaz is the recipient of a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Titus Brandsma for his “commitment to education and public information to Mindanawons as Journalist, Educator and Peace Advocate. You may e-mail your comments to [email protected] )
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| 2016-06-27T00:00:00 |
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[
"Edwin G. Espejo",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:14 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null |
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Oslo Talks
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Oslo Talks
Aug 24
The GPH-NDF peace panels on Day 2 of the talks in Oslo, Norway on August 23, 2016. The reciprocal working groups on socio-economic reforms, political-constituti
The GPH-NDF peace panels on Day 2 of the talks in Oslo, Norway on August 23, 2016. The reciprocal working groups on socio-economic reforms, political-constituti
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en
| 2016-08-24T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/9e8806d53f1a18c237e64436c363777349d94bb030041136bb086dfd32e1f600.json
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[
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Jesus G. Dureza"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:09 | null | 2016-08-23T15:30:39 | null |
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A SOJOURNER’S VIEW: Davao down memory lane
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/23 August) — I stood at the corner of Claro Recto (formerly Claveria) and Palma Gil Streets as I watched the 12 entries of the Kadayawan Indak-Indak passed me by on Saturday, 20 August 2016. I made a conscious choice to be on this spot along with hundreds of those who flocked to this corner of Davao City wanting to see how this Indak-indak would fare on the 31st year of this Festival.
There was a sentimental reason why I stood at this corner. Once upon a time, this spot in the city was my playground. Before our family transferred to what is now Digos City just before I got enrolled in Grade I, our house was located where now stands a building with the offices of Cocolife and the Land Bank, adjacent to what is now the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Across the street now stands the building where one finds the RCBC Bank. At this very spot was my godfather’s house which doubled as a vulcanizing shop. Ninong Leo – an expert mechanic and one of my father’s best friends who remained a bachelor all his life – – owned this property.
Until my high school days, my parents would allow me to travel alone to the city to spend a few days with Ninong Leo. He always seemed very pleased when I would spend a few days with him. Nearby was the Eagle Theatre; today, one wonders if the theatre was named after what is now an iconic symbol of Davao, namely the Philippine Eagle. Because in my youth, this eagle had not entered into the consciousness of most Davaoeňos as an iconic bird they should be proud of.
Eagle Theatre had its famous neon light which was a sight thrilling to small kids, with the eagle’s wings moving up and down, as if the eagle was soaring to the sky! Inside this theatre, we had watched all kinds of Pinoy films starring the superstars of yesteryears from Dolphy to FPJ. Down the street was the Three Sisters’ refreshment parlor where Ninong Leo would take me for a refreshing halo-halo on a hot summer day.
Snippets of this memory came back to me as I waited for the Indak-indak entries to unfold at that very corner. It wasn’t a choice spot for this kind of viewing as one had to compete with a hundred people to catch a sight of the spectacles. The best view would have been in front of City Hall where the bleachers – reserved for guests and the city’s elite – provided the best view of the sights. However, one gets a thrill being in the streets despite the heat of the sun.
While the jaded Davao City dwellers have had enough of the Kadayawan sights and perhaps tempted to ignore the festival this year – leaving the sightseeing to out-of-towners and tourists – still I was curious how the street dancing would fare this year. Besides I had assigned my Cultural Anthropology class to go and immerse themselves in the festivities (and then later write a report on how the Kadayawan is truly a reflection of the multicultural reality of the city), so I better had an idea what was going on in the streets. As I have not set foot in my childhood’s playground for a number of years, I thought it best to stand at the corner of Claro Recto and Palma Gil Sts.
Is there really something spectacular about Kadayawan that would give us a compelling reason why our relatives and friends should come to our city and join the festival? If they have not been to our city nor attend this festival, then by all means invite them over. That first visit and exposure to Kadayawan might provide them a jolly good time. But for most people especially those above 40 years-old, perhaps experiencing Kadayawan once is more than enough. It is really mainly the millennials and the kids who yearn to be in the streets, participate in the festivities and visit the malls during Kadayawan.
For the Kadayawan – like the Ati-atihan, the Sinulog, the Mascara and all other festivals in our archipelago – are a welcome diversion from the mundane existence of most people. We need the occasional fix that would provide a momentary escape from the everyday problems we encounter. Kadayawan provides a good excuse for all to get into a circus mood; the eruption of bright colors in the streets creates a fiesta atmosphere without the trappings of a religious ritual thus allowing everyone to act as wildly as they can with little restraint from moral guardians.
There is no question that the streets of the city take on specific characteristics not present during the rest of the year even during the Christmas season! It is a minefield for those who are interested in doing anthropological fieldwork. Watching the people watching the indak-indak pass them by can be a most interesting exercise where one can learn a lot about human behavior. In the post-modern landscape, the most common scene is that of people taking selfies left and right, up and down. As soon as the dancing kids perform in front of them, the people go berserk as cameras and celfons commit to posterity the colorful scenes. It is as if they could only enjoy watching the scene through the eye of the camera.
The cast of characters in the streets covers a wide range. The tourists are out for an adventure, the onlookers a glimpse of the magic of the festival. Most attentive are the kids six years below; one pities them as they worm their way through the crowds hoping to be able to see the sights rather than the backs of their elders. The vendors have a field day selling everything from balloons to candies to cigarettes, fans and hats to keep off the heat. Even as descendants of migrant settlers – the children who make up the bulk of the musicians and dancers camouflage themselves into looking Moro or Lumad with their garish costumes – there are the true indigenous people – the Sama D’laut (more popularly known as Badjaos) reduced to begging in the streets. Their presence in the streets offers the most ironic element of this entire palabas!
I was about to conclude that the indak-indak of 2016 did not offer any new surprises – and I was about to abandon my watch considering that the noonday heat was becoming more oppressive – when from afar my eyes caught sight of giant Maranaw umbrellas twirling above the heads of the crowd. I reconsidered my departure and waited for this contingent to appear across where we stood. It proved to be a wise decision for with this contingent, the more than two hours I spent standing by the side of this road proved worthwhile. The contingent was the more than hundred students from the James L. Chiongbian National Trade School of Kiamba, Sarangani Province. (Another irony; those from outside Davao City mounted much more amazing productions than the Davaoeňo contingents!). Their dance production may not have been that original and could have easily turned out to be the quintessential pageantry show like so many others. After all, these festival dance productions all over the archipelago have now reached boring generic proportions.
But the manner that the Kiamba choreographers assembled the whole production together made it truly outstanding. And it was no surprise that in the end, it ran away with the first prize in this competition. What made it such an amazing piece of theatrical art? There is the combination of integral elements: all ethnolinguistic groups that constitute the population of Sarangani were artistically presented from the Ilonggos to the Blaans, from the Maguindanao to the Tboli and from the Maranaws to the Teduray. Their dances and music were interwoven so that the audience was provided with a summary of the province’s rich cultural legacies. How the rich cultural symbols seamlessly interfaced with each other – from the fans to the baskets, the bamboo poles to the agong, the Tboli headdress to the Bisaya guitar, the Maguindanao banners that dance in the wind to the forest backdrop – was truly a sight to behold.
This was not just a “tri-people” collage, but truly a multi-cultural spectacle in dance, music, song and mime of a number of ethnicities whose cultures remain intact. In the glare of the noonday sun, as the kids sweat it out on the streets with tremendous energy, one is swept into the magic of Kadayawan. If this production finds its way to the cavernous stage of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, complete with sophisticated lighting facilities and the best sound gadgets, this amazing production will further scintillate!
If Kadayawan is to continue to weave its magic, it can learn a lesson for two from the Kiamba contingent. The festival needs a soul if it hopes to remain part of the city’s identity in the decades to come. This is why the Ati-atihan will always be celebrated; perhaps this could be true of the Sinulog if it does not lose its soul which is slowly being eroded. The crass commercialism of any festival – for Kadayawan it was shown in its vulgar display during Sunday’s flower parade – will have to be downplayed because rituals of thanksgiving and for seeking divine favors do not enmesh well with commerce and trade fairs with only one goal, namely, to make a fast buck.
In my early childhood growing up among children of migrant settlers, we were insulated from the original inhabitants of the city. We sort of knew they were there, but our elders – in our homes, in the church and the government – hardy did anything to make us realize that there was a richness of cultures in the land of our birth. That it would have enriched us if we had opportunities to celebrate the multi-cultural identity of this city. What a pity that I my childhood friends never had a chance to stand at the corner of Claveria and Palma Gil Sts. to witness dancing in the streets that defined us as a people with a unique history and ancestry.
Today, our grandchildren are luckier. On a Kadayawan day, they could stand at some corner in the city center and watch the indak-indak unfold before their eyes making them realize that they can truly take pride in a city that has a multi-cultural soul! [Redemptorist Brother Karl Gaspar is Academic Dean of the Redemptorists’ St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute (SATMI) in Davao City and a professor of Anthropology at the Ateneo de Davao University. He is author of several books, including Desperately Seeking God’s Saving Action: Yolanda Survivors’ Hope Beyond Heartbreaking Lamentations, and two books on Davao’s history launched in December 2015 — Davao in the Pre-Conquest Era and the Age of Colonization and Si Menda ug ang Baganing gitahapan nga mao si Mangulayon. He writes two columns for MindaNews, one in English (A Sojourner’s Views) and the other in Binisaya (Panaw-Lantaw)]
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| 2016-08-23T00:00:00 |
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[
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"Jesus G. Dureza"
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PEACE TALK: A just peace must be founded on and sustained by reforms
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(Opening statement of Prof. Jose Ma. Sison, founding Chairman, Communist Party of the Philippines and Chief Political Consultant, National Democratic of the Philippines, at the GPH-NDF peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway, on 22 August 2016)
Hon. Foreign Minister of the Royal Norwegian Government Borge Brende
Hon. State Secretary Tore Hattrem
Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process, Ambassador Elisabeth Slattum,
Hon. Jesus Dureza Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Hon. Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Chairperson of the GPH Negotiating Panel
Luis Jalandoni Chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel
All compatriots in the GPH and NDFP Delegations
Distinguished Guests and Friends,
It is a great honor and privilege to speak at this solemn opening ceremony of the resumption of formal talks between the Negotiating Panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). The Filipino people rejoice over this signal event and the bright prospects of a just and lasting peace in the horizon.
I share with the Filipino people and the revolutionary forces a deep sense of gratitude to the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) for having served as Third Party Facilitator of the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations since 2001 and for having helped in a big way to keep the peace process alive. We have always appreciated highly the patience, kindness and wisdom of the Norwegian government and people in encouraging and supporting the process.
We in the NDFP are optimistic that objective conditions and subjective factors in the Philippines are more favorable than ever before for carrying forward the peace negotiations from one comprehensive agreement to another and reaching the ultimate goal of a just and lasting peace through basic social, economic and political reforms.
The chronic crisis of the semicolonial and semi-feudal ruling system has aggravated and deepened. The big compradors, landlords and corrupt bureaucrats have become more oppressive and exploitative in the context of unbridled greed under the neoliberal regime of global capitalism. The broad masses of the people are fed up with the rotten system. They are desirous of revolutionary change. They look forward to the possibility of change through fundamental reforms through the peace negotiations.
President Duterte won the presidency of his government on the promise of fundamental changes. For the first time in the history of the Philippines, a president has emerged by denouncing the abuses of the oligarchy and the folly of servility to foreign powers and by using street language and methods of the mass movement. He is proud to describe himself as the first Left president and as a socialist, willing to seek common ground and cooperation with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
The CPP, NPA and NDFP are ever willing to cooperate with the Duterte government in pursuing the just cause of national and social liberation against foreign and feudal domination. They have an ever growing revolutionary strength which can combine with a patriotic and progressive kind of government to fight for the national and democratic rights of the Filipino people. There are great possibilities for the benefit of the people which can be charted and blueprinted by the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.
Even as President Duterte has shifted from expressing a desire for a coalition government with the CPP to a preference for an inclusive government of the Left, Middle and Right, he offers more hope for the advance and success of the peace negotiations than previous presidents and regimes. After all, the people and the revolutionary forces can benefit from bourgeois democratic reforms in the next six years. The expressed socialist aspirations of President Duterte can be accomplished only if preceded by such reforms.
What do we mean by bourgeois democratic reforms? These involve the assertion of national sovereignty and territorial integrity and the abrogation of unequal treaties and agreements; the democratic empowerment of the working people, social justice, economic development through national industrialization and land reform; expanded free public education, a patriotic and progressive kind of culture; international solidarity of all peoples and trade and diplomatic relations with all countries.
Having mentioned all these as the essential content of reforms, we can say that it is necessary and possible for the negotiating parties to forge comprehensive agreements that lay the basis of a just and lasting peace. It is not enough to seek the end of hostilities. A just peace must be founded on and sustained by reforms that lift the people from the morass of underdevelopment, social injustice and poverty. In striving for such reforms, we can have truce and cooperation and form a government of national unity, peace and development.
President Duterte has shown magnanimity and generosity by promising the amnesty and release of all political prisoners upon the start of ceasefire, by offering cabinet posts to the Communist Party and agreeing to give such posts to highly qualified progressives and by agreeing to release political prisoners in accordance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) as well as on humanitarian grounds.
We have in our midst today the NDFP consultants who were imprisoned in violation of the JASIG and CARHRIHL. They have been released in accordance with the JASIG to enable them to participate in the formal peace talks. They are deeply committed and highly qualified. They can contribute greatly to the advance of the peace process. Let us give them a round of applause.
I am proud to say that President Duterte was my student in political science at the Lyceum of the Philippines when I was still a young professorial lecturer. He became a member of the Kabataang Makabayan of which I was the national chairman. This youth organization vowed to continue the unfinished revolution that was started by Andres Bonifacio. This meant upholding, defending and advancing the national and democratic rights of the Filipino people.
As a public official in Davao City, he knew how to cooperate with the revolutionary forces and act as member or supporter of legal patriotic and patriotic forces like BAYAN and Partido ng Bayan. This is a president who can understand and appreciate the principles and program of the national democratic movement and knows how to forge a just and lasting peace by addressing the roots of the civil war and satisfying the just demands of the people.
Why do I talk so long in praise of the principal of Secretary Dureza and the GPH negotiating panel? It is to express goodwill, show rapport and indicate that the two negotiating panels have a good basis for making the current formal talks successful and for bringing the entire process to a successful conclusion.
In conclusion, I wish to point out that President Duterte has done well in choosing an experienced and capable peace advisor and in composing his negotiating panel with patriotic and capable persons who have played significant roles in the past in forging agreements with the NDFP and have participated in the people’s struggle for national independence and democracy. I am confident that the GPH and NDFP negotiating panels will achieve significant success at this resumption of formal talks and will steadily proceed to the ultimate success of the entire peace negotiations. Thank you.
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| 2016-08-22T00:00:00 |
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[
"Roel Catoto",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Walter I. Balane",
"William R. Adan"
] | 2016-08-29T10:52:09 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | null |
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Reunited
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Reunited
Aug 28
PO2 Caleb Sinaca is reunited with his family on Saturday afternoon, August 27, 2016 after the New People’s Army freed them in Sitio Brazil, Barangay Mat-i, Suri
PO2 Caleb Sinaca is reunited with his family on Saturday afternoon, August 27, 2016 after the New People’s Army freed them in Sitio Brazil, Barangay Mat-i, Suri
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| 2016-08-28T00:00:00 |
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[
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Champion
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Champion
Aug 21
The contingent from Kiamba in Sarangani province is this year's champion in the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, a street dancing competition during the 31st Kadayawan
The contingent from Kiamba in Sarangani province is this year's champion in the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, a street dancing competition during the 31st Kadayawan
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| 2016-08-20T00:00:00 |
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Resumption of GPH-NDF talks
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Resumption of GPH-NDF talks
Aug 22
GPH peace panel chair Secretary Silvestre Bello III shares light moments with Fidel Agcaoili of the National Democratic Front during the resumption of peace tal
GPH peace panel chair Secretary Silvestre Bello III shares light moments with Fidel Agcaoili of the National Democratic Front during the resumption of peace tal
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| 2016-08-22T00:00:00 |
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[
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"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
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First Prize
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First Prize
Aug 21
Kisan Lu Lands’ float bagged the first prize at the Pamulak sa Kadayawan on Sunday, 21 August 2016 in Davao City. The floral float parade is among the highlight
Kisan Lu Lands’ float bagged the first prize at the Pamulak sa Kadayawan on Sunday, 21 August 2016 in Davao City. The floral float parade is among the highlight
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| 2016-08-21T00:00:00 |
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[
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HABAGATNONG HINAGAWHAW: Pistoks
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(Opening statement of Luis G. Jalandoni, chair of the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines at the start of the first round READ MORE
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| 2016-08-24T00:00:00 |
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[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"William R. Adan",
"Walter I. Balane"
] | 2016-08-31T04:54:39 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | null |
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Trumpeting Peace
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Trumpeting Peace
Aug 31
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza plays the trumpet with saxophonist Blue Villamor at the dinner for members of the peace implementing panels of the gover
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza plays the trumpet with saxophonist Blue Villamor at the dinner for members of the peace implementing panels of the gover
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| 2016-08-30T00:00:00 |
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[
"Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
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COMMENTARY: What “Imperial Manila” really means
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MELBOURNE, Australia (MindaNews/19 August) — Federalism is the mighty weapon that will destroy Imperial Manila!
Federalists actually treat this rallying call as self-evident. No wonder then that they never bother to provide the specifics of this “empire” in Metro Manila. Interestingly however, three decisions by the Supreme Court provide some enlightenment on the extent of its dominion.
First, the landmark case of Marcos vs. Manglapus where it was ruled that the executive authority of the President is all-encompassing and absolute:
“The powers of the President are not limited to what are expressly enumerated in the article on the Executive Department and in scattered provisions of the Constitution. This is so, notwithstanding the avowed intent of the members of the Constitutional Commission of 1986 to limit the powers of the President as a reaction to the abuses under the regime of Mr. Marcos, for the result was a limitation of specific power of the President, particularly those relating to the commander-in-chief clause, but not a diminution of the general grant of executive power.” [G.R. No. 88211 (October 27, 1989)]
Second, the case of Carpio vs. Executive Secretary where the Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency or the “alter-ego of the President” principle was explained and the notion of a “single executive” was further affirmed:
“Under this doctrine, which recognizes the establishment of a single executive, all executive and administrative organizations are adjuncts of the Executive Department, the heads of the various executive departments are assistants and agents of the Chief Executive, and, except in cases where the Chief Executive is required by the Constitution or law to act in person or the exigencies of the situation demand that he act personally, the multifarious executive and administrative functions of the Chief Executive are performed by and through the executive departments, and the acts of the Secretaries of such departments, performed and promulgated in the regular course of business, are, unless disapproved or reprobated by the Chief Executive presumptively the acts of the Chief Executive.” [G.R. No. 96409 (February 14, 1992)]
Third, the case of Pimentel vs. Aquirre which confirmed the enduring practice of top-down economic development planning despite its obvious inconsistency to the constitutional prescription of local autonomy, and thus further entrenching the supremacy of the central apparatus in the overall management of government:
“But to enable the country to develop as a whole, the programs and policies effected locally must be integrated and coordinated towards a common national goal. Thus, policy-setting for the entire country still lies in the President and Congress.” [G.R. No. 132988 (July 19, 2000)]
These rulings all sum up to the reality that practically all public service mandates intersect at the Office of the President. Consequently, we continue to be burdened with an over-centralized government structure.
Indeed, the imperial character of Metro Manila is but a manifestation of the fact that since colonial times we have placed our collective fate on the skills and caprices of the official occupant of Malacañang Palace.
I am fairly certain therefore that its current lord, President Rodrigo Duterte, street-wise as he is, is now realizing how the office can make tyrants, both for the good and the bad. He is now beginning to be aware how a president can begin his term as a patriot brimming with noble intentions but then end it with a slew of secret bank accounts and a plunder indictment.
Since the federalization of the Philippines is essentially a nation-rebuilding effort, it should, at the very least, entail a redesigning of executive power. This means moving away from the notion of a “single” and “all-compassing” Chief Executive. Accordingly, the duties covered by this state authority should be clearly allocated between the central and local bureaucracies.
The point to remember here is that the division of functions has to be formulated in such a way that the assignment of accountability is unequivocal. We do not want a distribution scheme that leaves everybody clueless as to which government office can be held answerable for our dissatisfaction. Neither do we want overlapping designations that allow government agents to pass the blame for failure to deliver public services to our satisfaction.
Furthermore, to shed the President’s “supreme emperor” image, his general supervision power over local government should no longer be retained. The conventional view that local governments are mere “agents” of the national government is already outdated. The more appropriate civil law analogy to characterize relations between the two levels of government is that in the pursuit of national development, they both actually should form a partnership.
It cannot be overemphasized enough that one solid truth about federalism is that it does not diminish the integrity of the nation-state. This undertaking is not just about the devolution of political and fiscal powers to the sub-national level, but it is also about a shared responsibility of shaping the future of the whole country.
According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in its May 2014 report, All on board: making inclusive growth happen:
“Yet, effective decentralisation for inclusive growth requires a solid whole-of-government coordination and a clear division of responsibilities for the actions taken at the different levels of government.”
To conclude, diffusing or de-centralizing executive authority should be a main component in any proposed federal design. Fortunately, the man at the helm, President Duterte, is a proven firebrand that can successfully break Malacañang’s firm and long-held chokehold on the powers of the state.
Indeed, his obvious disdain for the trappings of the office and the ruthlessness he has displayed in governing the nation will enable him to ignore the bloody trail of dynastic politicos (his allies included) left behind by the deconstruction of the imperial throne in Manila.
Of course, the Duterte administration is only a few months into a 6-year term. Therefore, we can only be cautiously optimistic. (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a practicing lawyer, is the author of the book “Rethinking the Bangsamoro Perspective.” He conducts research on current issues in state-building, decentralization and constitutionalism.”)
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| 2016-08-19T00:00:00 |
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"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:10:56 | null | 2016-08-21T15:35:15 | null |
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STATEMENT: Ferdinand E. Marcos and the Lumad and Moro of Mindanao
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Ferdinand E. Marcos, who was President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, did a lot of injustice to the indigenous peoples/Lumad and Moro of Mindanao.
Encroachment into the lands of the Lumad and Moro. Marcos facilitated the entry of big businesses in mining, logging and plantations—often in cooperation with foreign interests—into the lands of Lumad and Moro. In 1979 logging concessions in Mindanao covered five million hectares, nearly half the land area of Mindanao, and were mainly in the domains of the Lumad and Moro. War and Militarization. To allegedly go after lawless groups, many areas were militarized for a long time and wars frequently broke out in Mindanao. Because these conflicts often occurred in the countryside and mountainous areas, many Lumad and Moro communities were repeatedly displaced, and many were harmed and even killed. In truth the wars favored the big businesses who then set up mining and logging operations, and agricultural plantations in the areas forcibly abandoned by the Lumad and Moro, and Marcos himself who was able to hold on to power for a long time. Manipulation of leaders. Marcos sought to influence, coopt and manipulate many leaders of the Lumad and Moro. Among these the creation of the Presidential Assistant on Natural Minorities (PANAMIN) which was instrumental in declaring government-recognized and sanctioned leaders, and the use of the generic term “Datu” that replaced the traditional honorific titles of the Lumad. Leaders that could not be coopted were often harassed and even killed. Commodification of culture. Through PANAMIN, other agencies and schemes, the cultures of the Lumad and Moro were commoditized. Traditional dresses, dances, songs, rituals and artifacts were displayed for tourism without acknowledgement of and respect for the beliefs, customs and lifeways from which they originate.
On the 31st celebration of Kadayawan, one way to honor the 11 tribes of Davao is to ensure that the dictator who facilitated encroachments into their ancestral domains, terrorized their communities, coopted their leaders, and commoditized their cultures is not honored as a hero!
In the words of Dabawenyos:
Diktador at magnanakaw, hindi bayani! Huwag tularan; huwag parangalan! Ilibing si Marcos sa Batac!
Diktador ug kawatan, dili bayani! Ayaw sunda; ayaw pasidunggi! Ilubong si Marcos sa Batac! (Cebuano)
Nameges endu tanegkawn, dikena bayanan! Ndu dili dayt a ilingan; dili enggan sa gelal! E lebeng si Marcos sa Batac! (Iranun)
Su tamegesen na tegkaw, di kena bayani! Dili det a pag ilingan; dili det a pag enggan sa bantugan! El’beng si Marcos sa Batac! (Maguindanaon)
Diktador ago tekhaw, kena oba bayani! Di patot a perawaten; di patot a pembantogen! Sii sa Batac ilebeng si Marcos! (Meranaw)
Ma-missukoh, sugarul bukun mananabang! Subay dih singuran; subay dih pudjihun! Tup hikubul hi Marcos ha Batac! (Tausug)
A meaningful Kadayawan to everyone!
KONSYENSYA DABAW (Hugpong Dabawenyo para LNMBatac)
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| 2016-08-21T00:00:00 |
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No to Large Scale Mining
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No to Large Scale Mining
Aug 25
Rallyists stage a picket outside the regional office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Surigao City Thursday (25 August 2016) reiterating calls to stop lar
Rallyists stage a picket outside the regional office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Surigao City Thursday (25 August 2016) reiterating calls to stop lar
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| 2016-08-24T00:00:00 |
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Duterte threatens to leave UN
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/21 Aug) — President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to leave the United Nations (UN) amid its criticisms on the current administration’s campaign against illegal drugs that allegedly shot up the cases of extrajudicial killings.
He told an early morning press conference at the Malacañang of the South at the Department of Public Works and Highways 11 in Panacan that he might just decide to part ways with the UN and invite China and African countries to form a new organization.
“So the next time you issue it, I do not want to insult you. But maybe we’ll just have to decide to separate from the United Nations,” Duterte said.
He also criticized the international organization for not doing anything to help the country.
“So take us out of your organization – you have done nothing here, anyway, also. When were you here the last time? Never. Except to criticize. You do…Food world? Where’s the food? There’s the world, but there is no food. World Hunger Organization, maybe,” he said.
But Duterte said the country will only leave the UN if it would refund the Philippines with all its contributions and use the money to build more rehabilitation centers around the country.
“The joke is on you. You have to refund me with these so many contributions that we have made all these years. Isauli ninyo contributions namin and we will go out. We contribute a certain amount for the maintenance of UN, right? Oh, you return the money to us and we will go out,” he said.
He also asked the UN, “when have you done a good deed to my country?”
The UN, an intergovernmental organization that promotes international cooperation, with 51 founding member states including the Philippines, was established on October 24, 1945 after World War II.
A Filipino diplomat, Carlos P. Romulo, became President of the UN General Assembly from 1949 to 1950.
Amid the criticisms on the extrajudicial killings, Duterte hit the UN for falling short of respect to him as the country’s chief executive.
Duterte said that the UN must observe proper protocol by sending its representative to personally talk to him before the international organization issued a statement hitting him for the rising cases of extrajudicial killings when he assumed post on June 30.
“You observe protocol because if you do that directly you are addressing yourself to me. Remember that I am – I do not like to say it because I wanted to be called Mayor still – I am the President of the sovereign,” he told.
Duterte, who is known for his scathing words, was apparently irked with UN special rapporteurs Agnes Callamard and Dainius Puras’ pronouncements, and said, “ you have fallen short of the protocol for respect and you want me to respect you? You must be s**t. Do not criticize immediately.”
He told the American UN representatives “bastos ka (you are rude)” and went on to say they could even do anything about the killings happening within their country.
“Tell this American, show your respect first. Because sabihin ko, why are you Americans killing the black people there, shooting them down, when they are already on the ground? Answer that question, even if it is one, two, or three, it’s still human rights violations,” he said.
Unfazed with UN’s call to end extrajudicial killings, the President said he is willing to meet with these the UN representatives to disprove their accusations.
“Okay, you guys, you law expert of the United Nations, come here, come here and face me and make the accusations and I will show you the statistics and I will hold your finger and teach you how to count,” he said.
Duterte told the UN to also look at the efforts of the government in protecting its people and not only the increasing number of criminals who were reportedly killed after resisting arrest.
But the President said even the authorities could sometimes be killed in pursuing their fight against illegal drugs.
“The other day I lost two soldiers who where assisting the police. This time it is the police, a day after. We lose about two policemen a day in connection with the drug campaign,” he said.
Duterte said that he assumes full responsibility for the police drug operations that resulted to bloody combat with drug suspects.
Duterte challenged to compare the current statistics on killings with the previous administration.
“And I would ask him, compare it with the previous administration. Same deaths, but these are the innocent children being killed, raped, victims of hold-up and everything, this time, almost with the same number, but it is the criminals who are dying. You can hardly hear now of a student waylaid or a hold-up victim in a bus,” he said.
He also hit Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for just “counting the dead criminals and never made a comparison of the dead victims, innocent people, law-abiding people being killed in the streets.”
Duterte reiterated that he has obligation to protect the innocent, law-abiding citizens and “was never tasked by any law to protect the life of the criminals.”
“I was never born to protect evil. I was born in this universe to suppress evil. I was not raised by my parents, I did not go to Roman Catholic schools and Ateneo and San Beda and talk how to protect the evil doers. I grew up and (was) taught by my parents to be on the side of fairness, to protect the good, and to take care of your country,” he said.
He said that the drug menace is not just “epidemic but pandemic.”
“So what am I supposed to do as a President? Empower the military and the police for after all they are there to protect the integrity and preserve the people of the Philippines,” he added. (Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-21T00:00:00 |
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Rescued
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Rescued
Aug 29
A visibly shaken Vicente Libona, a political detainee, is led to safety by jail guards after policemen fired shots at the hostage-taker who attempted to harm h
A visibly shaken Vicente Libona, a political detainee, is led to safety by jail guards after policemen fired shots at the hostage-taker who attempted to harm h
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| 2016-08-28T00:00:00 |
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Tribal Fluvial Parade
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Tribal Fluvial Parade
Aug 19
Decorated outrigger boats of various tribes living in Davao City navigate the Davao River on Friday, August 19, 2016 during the Fluvial Parade, which is among t
Decorated outrigger boats of various tribes living in Davao City navigate the Davao River on Friday, August 19, 2016 during the Fluvial Parade, which is among t
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| 2016-08-19T00:00:00 |
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Duterte: prepare as country is “going to experience another spasm”
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/26 August) — “The Philippines is going to experience another spasm. When? I do not know. Sigurado? Sigurado ‘yan. So we prepare within our limited talent, our capacity,” President Rodrigo Duterte said during the 10th Eastern Mindanao Command anniversary at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan on Friday.
Duterte said the country has no capacity to produce “missiles and things” but emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will “fight the war, win or lose.”
“Basta we fight. It will come, maybe sooner than later. But we have to prepare, he said.
He explained that this is the reason why the government must resolve the “small wars” here, referring to the communist New People’s Army and the Moro groups such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front “because you have to focus on a new (war).”
Duterte did not specify against whom the preparations would be. He repeatedly said the country must avoid trouble with China.
“Hindi pa natin kaya” (We cannot afford it), Duterte said.
But he told the audience that he met with the Chinese Ambassador – he did not say when – and told him that during the bilateral talks with their head of state, “I would state my case… I have this arbitral judgment. We will not go out of the four corners of this paper. Then, let us talk. But not now. It’s not the right time to talk about it,” he said.
He said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had asked for additional 20,000 forces in the army but “I can only give you 10(,000) this year. I will give it – 10,000 more. Then I would like .. yung medyo bata talaga, because kung hindi magdating, magpasalamat tayo sa Diyos” (preferably younger ones, because if does not happen, then let’s thank God).
“There’s always the standing army to protect us. Never mind how many, even if it really causes an imbalance in the budget. It is always good to have men there ready to fight and die, rather than having them at all and just surrender just like a meek lamb there,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-27T00:00:00 |
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Stop sending scalawags to Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi, PNP chief urged
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 08 July) – The practice of sending scalawags in the Philippine National Police (PNP) to Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi should stop, especially under a President and PNP chief who are both from Mindanao.
“It reflects bias and prejudice. The mindset of Spanish colonizers who exiled Rizal to Dapitan. This is how Muslims live when they become part of a non-Muslim country,” Fatmawati Salapuddin, Commissioner representing Tausugs at the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) told MindaNews.
“Dela Rosa comes from Mindanao, a Mindanao settler who still carries biases and prejudice against Muslims and yet we shared MSU (Mindanao State University) with him. Dela Rosa spent a few semesters at the MSU main campus in Marawi City before he entered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
Fr. Eliseo Mercado, Jr., former President of the Notre Dame University in Cotabato City, said, he hopes Duterte, the country’s 16th President and the first Mindanawon to lead the country, “will put an end to this practice.”
“This is the usual practice and woe to poor provinces that deserve better…. The scoundrels and scalawags ought to be dismissed and NOT assigned to Sulu or Basilan or Tawi Tawi! These places deserve decent and good policemen snd women,” Mercado told MindaNews.
Duterte’s family settled in Mindanao when he was a young boy. Dela Rosa, whose nickname is “Bato,” hails from Barangay Bato in Santa Cruz town, Davao del Sur and graduated from the PMA in 1986.
His first among 83 medals received in his 30-year career is a “Mindanao – Sulu Campaign Medal” on April 24, 1987.
When dela Rosa assumed the post of PNP chief on July 1, he warned erring cops – those involved in drugs and criminal syndicates — that he would give them 48 hours to surrender. The deadline lapsed without anyone coming forward.
In a press briefing on Monday, Dela Rosa said he would send scalawags “to Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi to fight the Abu Sayyaf.”
Sharifa Pearlsia Ali-Dans, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Interior and Local Government in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), who hails from Sulu, said “if their intention to send the scalawags to Sulu is to punish them then they have achieved that at our expense.”
“The question is will their presence enhance the already worsening state of unpeace situation? This is a what bothers us. More than ever, Sulu is not a garbage can meant only for undesirables. What we need are officers with the zeal and dedication to restore public order, where everyone is safe and secure. This is the clamor of the people.”
Human Rights defender Temogen “Cocoy” Tulawie, also of Sulu, said “Ang gulo na ng Sulu (Sulu is in deep trouble) so definitely we don’t need police scalawags.”
“Gaya ni Bato ang kailangan ng Sulu, at hindi scalawags (What Sulu needs are policemen like Bato). If they want to finish those scalawags they should send them to jail and prosecute. Hindi dapat relieve at i-transfer lang….hindi po tama yan (They should not just be relieved or transferred.. that’s not right), Tulawie told MindaNews.
Fr. Jonathan Domingo, OMI, Chief Executive Officer of the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC) and Mindanao Cross, said sending sending scalawags to Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi “will not solve the problem.”
“It is like hitting only the tip of an iceberg. It is a mere shorter solution to a long term and persisting problem. The problems are systemic and structural, therefore solution needs systemic and structural reforms within the PNP,” Domingo told MindaNews.
“It is not good for people of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan and with due respect to their religion and cultures that they are (made) dumping site of scalawags. What they need are more professional men in uniform to help address and improve in collaboration with other sectors, the peace and order and social development in those areas,” he said.
Domingo said “more quality PNP officers and men” are needed “to have quality peace and order and quality of life.”
MindaNews sought Dela Rosa for comment but as of 9 p.m. Thursday he had yet to respond. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews
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| 2016-07-08T00:00:00 |
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15 killed, 12,000 drug users, pushers “surrender” in Davao region
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 10 July) – Fifteen persons were killed while nearly 12,000 users and pushers in the five-province Davao region (Region 11) have “surrendered” to authorities since the launch of the nationwide Oplan Tokhang (knock and plead) on July 1.
A total 11,606 drug users and 332 drug pushers in the provinces of Davao Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental and Compostela Valley and their component cities of Digos, Tagum, Panabo, Samal, and Davao City, presented themselves to authorities between July 1 and 5 a.m. on July 10, 5 since the implementation of nationwide Oplan Tokhang (Toktok Hangyo or Knock and Plead) on July 1.
Data from Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 revealed that Davao Del Norte recorded the most number with 3,496 drug users and 94 drug pushers, followed by Davao Oriental’s 3,466 users and 72 pushers, Compostela Valley province with 2,268 users and 130 pushers, Davao City with 1,299 drug users and nine pushers, Davao del Sur with 720 users and 14 pushers, and Davao Occidental with 357 users and 13 pushers.
PRO 11 spokesperson Andrea Dela Cerna said in a text message Sunday that the 15 persons who were killed resisted arrest or fired at the police.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Michael John Dubria maintained that police follow protocols in all operations and they do not shoot the suspects unless they fight with authorities.
“They were killed because they fought it out with the police,” he said.
Dubria also said he retained the program of his predecessor, Senior Supt. Vicente Danao Jr.,
“Isumbong mo Kay CD,” that allows the public to report directly to the local police chief any illegal drug operations in the community.
“We are intensifying anti-illegal drug operations in the region in line with the directives of the PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa under Project Double Barrel, “by implementing Oplan Tokhang and Project High Value Targets,” Dela Cerna said.
She said PRO 11 requires station commanders to deliver a significant performance in the fight against drugs within six weeks. Failing to do so, they will be relieved from their positions, she said.
President Rodrigo Duterte had vowed during his campaign sorties that he will stop illegal drugs and other forms of criminality within three to six months.
Dela Cerna said they intend to have an impact on the community, not just in having the most number of people turning themselves in .
PCG-Davao acting station commander LCDR Resituto Concio Jr. told a press conference last week that they were planning to hold random inspection on domestic or foreign vessels in the region to intercept smuggled goods and illegal drugs.
“We will prioritize those vessels coming from Taiwan and China making port of call in the region,” he said.
The PCG-Davao has already coordinated with other law enforcement agencies. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2016-07-10T00:00:00 |
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[
"Froilan Gallardo",
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"Eric S.B. Libre",
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] | 2016-08-29T10:52:02 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | null |
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Fiesta
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Fiesta
Aug 29
A huge statue of the Virgin Mary is carried on a boat along the Cagayan de Oro River during the fluvial procession of in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday, August 2
A huge statue of the Virgin Mary is carried on a boat along the Cagayan de Oro River during the fluvial procession of in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday, August 2
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| 2016-08-28T00:00:00 |
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[
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:47 | null | 2016-06-24T22:31:51 | null |
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Kidnap victim’s release allegedly a “gesture of goodwill”
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/ 24 June) – “No ransom” was reportedly paid to the Abu Sayyaf to secure the release early Friday morning of the lone Filipina among four victims kidnapped in Samal nine months ago, returning Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said.
Dureza quoted Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan as saying the release of Marites Flor was a “gesture of goodwill” on the part of the Abu Sayyaf. “They knew that President –elect Rody wanted badly the release of these hostages,” he said.
The terrorist group has kidnapped hundreds of persons, including foreigners, in the last two decades.
The 38-year old Flor was dropped off by her captors in front of Tan’s residence at around 4:30 a.m. Friday in Jolo, Sulu and was presented to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte onstage at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) parade grounds nearly 12 hours later, after the turnover of command from chief of police, Sr. Supt. Vicente Danao, Jr. to Sr. Supt. Michael John Dubria.
With Flor freed, only Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad, 56, remains in captivity. The two Canadian nationals who were seized along with them from a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal on September 21 last year, had been executed by the Abu Sayyaf – mining executive John Ridsdel on April 25 and Robert Hall, Flor’s fiancé, on June 13 for non-payment of P300 million ransom.
“We were able to negotiate,” Duterte said as Flor was presented to him onstage by Dureza and Tan. He said he was informed the Norwegian national “di pa naka-cross (was not able to cross) because of the rough seas.”
Dureza explained to reporters that there was no negotiation between Duterte and Abu Sayyaf but it was Tan who negotiated for Flor’s release.
Martial law
Tan denied ransom was paid. He told MindaNews he has no
Asked why he opted to present Flor to Duterte instead of the incumbent President Aquino, Tan told MindaNews: “why should I?”
He said Aquino went to Sulu on June 15 and told them he had considered declaring martial law.
Aquino was responding to a reporter’s query if he had considered declaring martial law in the Abu Sayyaf areas. He said yes, particularly in Sulu, in the three weeks before the Abu Sayyaf’s ultimatum to execute Hall but the assessment was that it would require a lot of troops to implement it and there is no guarantee that it would yield positive results.
“Baka magkaroon pa ng negative results. Baka magkaroon ng dagdag na simpatya doon sa mga kalaban” (It might yield negative results and might gain more sympathy for the enemies), he said.
Tan, a member of the Liberal Party, ran for Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as an Independent but was defeated by LP partymate, reelectionist Mujiv Hataman.
Tan’s son, Abusakur II, was reelected as Governor while his wife, Nurunisah, was elected to the post he is vacating.
6 days before June 30
Flor’s release came six days before June 30, when Duterte takes his oath as the country’s 16th President and first Mindanawon to lead the nation.
Dureza said Duterte had spoken to the Norwegian foreign minister who sought help for the release of Sekkingstad.
Dureza has helped work on the release of kidnap victims, having served as Presidential Assistant for Mindanao in 1998 and in various posts under the Arroyo administration from 2001 to 2010, including the post of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
Dureza said he learned about the impending release of Flor while in Oslo, Norway where he attended the June 14 and 15 talks with the National Democratic Front.
When he learned that Flor was due for release on Friday morning, he said he immediately flew to pick her up and waited until noontime, taking chances that Sekkingstad would be released as well.
“At 8:30 a.m., I stopped over in Zamboanga (City) but we knew she was already with us waiting in Jolo. We were waiting noontime for the possible release of the Norwegian,” he said.
Treated like dogs
Flor said they were treated like dogs by the Abu Sayyaf.
“Wala na yung dalawa. Ang fiance ko bago lang pinatay. (The two are gone. My fiancé was recently killed). Treatment nila parang aso kami, parang bata (They treated us like dogs, like children),” she said, adding “kung nagkamali binubugbug agad” (if you commit a mistake, they’d hit you).
She said she experienced being slapped by some members of the terrorist group.
Hall, Flor’s fiance, was beheaded on June 13. She said she was told that she would be next.
Flor recalled that a leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group woke her up at dawn Friday to tell her she would be taken somewhere.
She said as captives, their feet were cuffed at night. On Friday dawn, she was awakened by the leader of the group that held her captive, and ordered his men to remove her cuffs. She said they walked for some time until she boarded a vehicle that brought her in front of Tan’s residence.
Flor thanked Dureza, Tan and the “bagong (newly) elected President.”
From the DCPO, she was scheduled to leave for Bukidnon to be reunited with her family.
Days after the kidnapping, Flor’s parents appealed to Davao City Mayor Duterte to help them secure the release of their daughter. Duterte was not yet a Presidential candidate then.
Warning
Addressing his “mga kapatid kong Moro” (my Moro brothers), Duterte said he doesn’t want to fight with anybody “but there will be a time, ayaw ko lang sabihin, but I will have to confront Abu Sayyaf. It is not yet forthcoming.”
“Yung kidnapping nila must stop. It has given us (the country) a very bad image,” Duterte said.
He warned those who are thinking of joining the Abu Sayyaf, “kung hindi ka pa pumasok doon, wag ka nang pumasok (if you haven’t joined them, don’t) because there will be a reckoning of what really happened.”
He said he will pour money into social services to dissuade others from joining the terrorist group. (Antonio L. Colina IV and Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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| 2016-06-24T00:00:00 |
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Close to 4,000 drug pushers, users yield in Region 12
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GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/28 June) — Nearly 4,000 people in Region 12 who admitted to being illegal drug pushers and users have surrendered voluntarily in the past several weeks in line with the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., public information officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 12, said Tuesday said the suspects vowed to lead transformed lives, and shun illegal activities.
He said 2,490 of them are from South Cotabato, 1,342 from Sultan Kudarat, 114 from this city and 12 from North Cotabato.
On Monday, over a thousand alleged drug pushers and users gave up in Sultan Kudarat in a ceremony held at the provincial gymnasium in Isulan town.
The activity was witnessed by incoming Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno.
The PRO-12 earlier urged drug personalities in the region to surface voluntarily to local police units.
The move is in support to incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s calls to personalities involved in illegal drug activities who wanted to change to submit themselves to authorities.
Those who will surrender would be given proper assistance to ensure that they stay away from illegal drugs and related activities.
“This campaign is part of our enhanced illegal drug reduction efforts,” Galgo said in a statement.
He clarified that drug personalities who have pending warrants of arrest and would submit themselves to authorities will be considered to have surrendered voluntarily.
The official said those who would want to undergo drug rehabilitation will be assisted by PRO-12 in coordination with local stakeholders.
He said they will link up with the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority and local government units for the provision of livelihood assistance for those who would surrender.
“We will provide them the necessary assistance to ensure their proper reintegration to our communities,” Galgo added. (MindaNews)
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| 2016-06-28T00:00:00 |
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200 fishermen from Mindanao jailed in Indonesia sent home
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GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/22 August) — Around 200 fishermen from this city and other parts of Mindanao who were jailed in Indonesia due to illegal fishing and immigration violations have been repatriated by the Philippine Consulate General in Manado.
Daniel Te, head of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Regional Consular Office-12 here, said the fishermen are expected to arrive here on Thursday, Aug. 25, from Bitung in North Sulawesi, Indonesia through a vessel owned by Filipino businessman Voltaire Loma.
He said Loma, who is based in Bitung, volunteered to bring home the fishermen, most of whom have already completed their sentences.
“The vessel left the Bitung port last Friday and we were informed that its arrival is on schedule, barring weather-related problems along the way,” he told MindaNews.
Te said the Consulate General in Manado earlier processed the repatriation of the fishermen after being notified of their release from detention by the Indonesian government.
He said the Consulate immediately verified the citizenship of the fishermen, who are mostly undocumented or did not carry passports and other official travel documents, as the Philippine Constitution mandates that it can only repatriate or bring home Filipino citizens.
The official said they facilitated the verification process by sending the birth certificates and other legal identification documents of the fishermen.
Based on the identification documents that they sent, he said nearly 90 percent of the repatriates are from this city and nearby Sarangani Province.
He said these are mainly crew members of fishing boats owned by companies based in the city that were caught fishing illegally in Indonesia’s territorial waters and were later charged with illegal entry and fishing violations.
Since January, DFA records showed that a total of 229 fishermen who were jailed in Indonesia have already returned home.
Some 136 fishermen were repatriated in February and 93 more in May through the efforts of the Consulate General in Manado and assistance from Loma and the Philippine Navy.
As of Monday, Te said around 300 fishermen from parts of Mindanao are still languishing in various jails in Indonesia.
“The DFA, through the Consulate General, has been working with the Indonesian government for the release of these fishermen,” he said.
He said they have been closely coordinating with fishing companies here to prevent incursions in Indonesia’s fishing grounds.
The official said they were able to get commitments from fishing companies and vessel owners for the proper monitoring of their fishing operations.
“From Aug. 1 to 19, there were no reported apprehensions by Indonesia so I think our efforts are gaining ground,” he added. (MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-22T00:00:00 |
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Duterte asks China to treat Filipinos as brothers
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/29 August) – President Rodrigo R. Duterte appealed to China to treat Filipinos as their brothers not enemies, as he reiterated the country’s position to resolve the territorial conflict between the two countries through a peaceful means.
In his message during the National Heroes’ Day commemoration at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Duterte said he is hoping China would consider the conditions of the poor Filipino fishermen who depend on the West Philippines Sea.
“And I know the dynamics inside China, it has been explained to me very well. But if we’ll not be…the Chinese people this time might find a place in their hearts for the Filipinos. After all, I come from…there’s a Chinese blood in me, so I hope that you treat us as your brothers, not your enemies and take note of the plight of our citizens,” he said.
Duterte said he wanted to hold bilateral talks with China to avoid risk of the latter walking out of the negotiation.
He said he wanted to personally bring the country’s case to the representative from China based on the decision of the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea in The Hague, the Netherlands.
He said he will not use the judgment of the arbitral tribunal now, “but I would one day sit in front of your representative or you and then I will lay bare my position and I would say that this paper…I cannot get out of the four corners of this document and that’s just the arbitral judgment,” he told Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua who was among the audience during Monday’s commemoration.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio will grace a forum on “The West Philippine Sea Dispute: Now We Won, What’s Next?” Friday at the Ateneo De Davao University (ADDU) to explain what other options the Philippines may take in the face of post-arbitration challenge with China.
Speaking in Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City, ADDU law professor Cecilia Jover-Angeles said some 500 participants from local schools and organizations are expected to attend the forum.
“He (Carpio) will discuss what options we have and he will explain what this dispute all about. Now that the decision is out, he will explain, is there anything we can do to enforce the decision?,” she said.
She cited the importance of educating the Filipinos on the West Philippine Sea issue as a momentous victory for a small country like the Philippines against a superpower.
“We are happy that the Philippine position was upheld. People don’t realize it but this is a momentous victory for a small country. The decision (favoring the Philippines) is a big accomplishment in itself,” she said.
On July 12 this year the UN Arbitral Tribunal ruled that China has no legal basis to assert sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea and its “nine-dash line” is invalid.
The Tribunal said China has violated Philippine sovereignty over the disputed territories as well as the latter’s historic rights to resources within the “nine-dash line”.
“China’s claims to historic rights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction, with respect to the maritime areas of the South China Sea encompassed by the relevant part of the ‘nine-dash line’ are contrary to the Convention and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of China’s maritime entitlements under the Convention; and further declares that the Convention superseded any historic rights, or sovereign rights or jurisdiction, in excess of the limits imposed therein,” it said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-29T00:00:00 |
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Duterte names 3 more Cabinet secretaries
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/14 June) — President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has finally named his secretaries for the departments of Health, Tourism and Trade and Industry.
Health Secretary is Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, Tourism Secretary is Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo and Trade Secretary is Ramon Lopez. Their names were announced by Ernie Abella, ”one of the designated spokespersons” of Duterte, in a 38-second video clip given to the media Monday night.
Photo from Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial’s Facebook account
Ubial, currently Assistant Secretary at the Department of Health’s Office for Health Regulations, hails from M’lang in North Cotabato. Ubial is a graduate of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Center (UERMMMC) Class of 1987. She is the second member of Duterte’s official family who is from M’lang, after former North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pinol, the incoming Agriculture Secretary.
Teo, owner and President of the Mt. Apo Travel and Tours in Davao City is President of the National Association and Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS). A graduate of BS Business Adminstration at the St. Theresa’s College in Quezon City, she is a member of the Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA), the Davao Association of Tour Operators (DATO) and the Davao Regional Tourism Council (DRTC).
Teo is sister of Inquirer columnist Mon Tulfo.
Lopez is Exeuctive Director of Go Negosyo, an 11-year old “private sector advocacy movement to support the government in helping communities build a country of enterprising Filipinos and inclusive prosperity.”
According to the Go Negosyo website, Duterte, during the organization’s “Meet the Presidentiables” forum in February, vowed support for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as part of his poverty alleviation program.
Lopez met with Duterte in Davao City a week after the elections and vowed support for his administration’s programs on the MSME. The Go Negosyo report also noted that “with the support of the Duterte administration to the advocacy, we can expect a strengthened and empowered entrepreneurship community.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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| 2016-05-26T00:00:00 |
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Marcos’ burial in heroes’ cemetery OK on Sept. 11 if Bongbong feels that would be “fitting day”
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 07 August) — President RodrigoDuterte has given the Marcos family the go signal to bury the country’s strongman, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on September 11, his 99th birth anniversary, if they so wish.
Duterte told reporters at around 2 a.m Sunday at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario (NSFA) in Panacan, this city, that Marcos family now has the free hand to have the remains of the former president laid to rest at the heroes’ cemetery.
“If (former) Senator Bongbong (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) feels that it would be fitting day to celebrate his (Marcos Sr.) birthday at the the Libingan ng mga Bayani, so be it,” Duterte said.
Marcos Sr. was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte on September 11, 1917 and died in exile in Hawaii on September 28, 1989.
His remains are still encased in a glass for public viewing at the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac in Ilocos Norte.
Duterte explained that Marcos Sr. should be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani because he was a President and a soldier.
During the election campaign, Duterte had said he would allow the burial of the late dictator at the heroes’ cemetery.
“We are a divided nation. Out of 10, maybe nine nagsentimyento. Only one hates Marcos, but that is not the point. The point is, he is qualified or his the family has that right to bury their father or husband because he was president of the Republic of the Philippines and he was a soldier at one time of his life,” he said.
The president, who earned the moniker “The Punisher” for his hardline stance against drugs and criminality, said he respects the activists who would protest his decision to allow the burial of the late strongman.
He added he would allow them hold protest actions on the streets even for one month for as long as it will not worsen the traffic situation in Manila.
“Your right to air is a constitutional rights but that right is subject to the rights of others not of your liking or sharing your belief,” he added.
He shared that his father, Vicente Duterte, then governor of undivided Davao, served under Marcos as one of his cabinet members.
He had earlier said he was not inclined to appoint Vice President Leni Robredo to a Cabinet post because he did not want to offend Marcos, Jr., who was second to Robredo in the vice presidential race. Duterte later named Robredo to a Cabinet post as head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).
Marcos has filed an election protest.
Duterte has also repeatedly said that when he ran for President, he had only two or three governors supporting him and one of them was Governor Imee Marcos of Ilocos Norte. (Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-07T00:00:00 |
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"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:57 | null | 2016-08-24T12:48:06 | null |
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Dengue kills 6 in Maguindanao
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SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao (MindaNews / 24 Aug) – Health authorities in Maguindanao have expressed alarm over the rising dengue cases in the province, which to date have recorded six deaths due to the mosquito-borne disease that officials say was supposed to be preventable.
Dr. Tahir Sulaik, Maguindanao health chief and head of the Integrated Provincial health Office (IPHO), said that from January to the first week of August, 428 dengue cases have been reported, about six percent higher as compared to the same period last year.
To prevent an outbreak of the disease, Sulaik has urged provincial and municipal government units to help in the campaign to eradicate dengue.
“Let’s not wait that they [dengue victims] will arrive in the hospitals hopeless and almost on the brink of death,” he said.
Sulaik said he was saddened of reports from health providers in the field that about 90 percent of the dengue patients now confined in various hospitals in the province and in Cotabato City were already in critical stage when they sought medical attention.
“This is very alarming, considering this is 6 percent higher than the previous year’s record,” he said.
The health official said that they may need to strengthen their information and education campaign on how to prevent dengue, and urged patients to seek early treatment. “If you have high fever for two days, please go to the hospital immediately,” Sulaik suggested.
The municipality of Parang has the highest number of dengue incidents – 18 percent of the total number of cases from all over the province.
Maguindanao, a component province of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), has 36 municipalities. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)
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en
| 2016-08-24T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/f216d0f42cec36783cc08dab08f432d55bd8151b513439b508c5c173a8bb69af.json
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[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:14:03 | null | 2016-08-23T18:31:41 | null |
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SC issues 20-day status quo ante order re Marcos burial
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/23 August) – There will be no burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Edralin Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in the next 20 days following the issuance Tuesday of a status quo ante order by the Supreme Court which also re-scheduled from August 24 to August 31 the oral arguments on the six consolidated cases opposing his burial at the Heroes’ Cemetery.
Theodore Te, spokesperson and head of the Public Information Office of the Supreme Court told a press briefing there Tuesday afternoon that the six cases have been consolidated into one and that the status quo ante order is for 20 days, or until September 12.
The High Court also granted the request of the PIO to allow for the livestreaming of the oral arguments on August 31 starting at 10 a.m.
Te said the status quo ante order “brings us back to the prevailing situation before a certain event” or in this case, before the issuance of the August 7 memorandum of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on the Marcos burial at the LNMB .
In his memorandum, Lorenzana directed General Ricardo Visaya, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to “undertake the necessary planning and preparations to facilitate the coordination of all agencies concerned specially the provisions for ceremonial and security arrangements” for the burial of the remains of the former President at the LNMB in compliance to the verbal order of President Rodrigo Duterte on July 11 “to implement his election campaign promise.”
The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, which has supervision and administration over the LNMB, was tasked by Lorenzana to designate a person who shall oversee the preparations for the Marcos burial at a date chosen by the Marcos family.
Lorenzana directed Visaya to coordinate with the Marcos family on the date of interment and the transport of the remains from Ilocos Norte to the LNMB, and to submit to his office the Implementing Plan “as soon as possible.”
The memorandum was issued on the same day Duterte told a past midnight press conference in Davao City that the Marcos family can bury the remains of the former President at the LNMB on September 11, his 99th birth anniversary, if they so wish.
The late President Marcos was a lawyer who was elected Congressman and later Senator. He was Senate President before he was elected to a four-year term in 1965, was reelected in 1969 for a term that was set to end in 1973 but declared martial law on September 21, 1972 and ruled as a dictator until he was ousted by People Power on February 25, 1986.
Marcos Sr., who was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte on September 11, 1917, died in exile in Hawaii on September 28, 1989.
It took four years before his body could be flown back to the Philippines – on September 7, 1993, under the administration of President Fidel Ramos, Marcos’ cousin.
Marcos’ remains are still encased in a glass for public viewing at the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte.
“Discern more”
In a six-paragraph statement issued on Tuesday, the Davao City-based Konsyensya Dabaw welcomed the Supreme Court order as “an opportunity to fully articulate opposition to the plan before the highest judicial body and seek appropriate action, and is in keeping with the democratic traditions of the country.”
Composed of a mixed group of Dabawenyos opposed to the Marcos burial at the LNMB, including Duterte supporters who do not agree with him on this issue, Konsyensya Dabaw reiterated its appeal to the President who served as Davao City mayor for 22 years, “to consult with the Martial Law victims-survivors and their families” as he promised during the campaign.
It noted that while Duterte has recently said that conducting a plebiscite on the issue is ruled out because it will entail a huge expense, “at the very least he should fulfill the intention to consult with the victims-survivors, a key aspect of the aforesaid campaign commitment.”
“Such a move would further demonstrate the claim that the Duterte administration is one that listens and has tunay na malasakit,” it said.
It also urged Dabawenyos to use the 20-day window to “discern more about the issue instead of just waiting for the SC decision” and called on schools to conduct fora and discussions “to broaden the discourse beyond the soldier and former president status of Marcos, Sr., and to also connect it to the history of the Davao region.”
Human rights violations were rampant in the region during the Marcos dictatorship. It was also in the region, particularly in Davao City where most of the protest actions were held and where the series of Mindanao-wide Welgang Bayan ( strikes) paralyzed the island’s economy in the dying days of the Marcos dictatorship.
Duterte’s mother, Soledad, was among the key leaders in the anti-Marcos movement then, while the son was a government prosecutor.
Konsyensya Dabaw has staged two protest actions in the city – on August 14 at the Centennial Park in front of the San Pedro cathedral and on August 21 at the Ateneo de Davao University’s steps along Roxas Avenue, on the sidelines of the the 31st Kadayawan Festival, urging Duterte to reconsider his decision and to have the Marocs remains buried in Batac, Ilocos Norte instead.
Konsyensya Dabaw “honored the 11 tribes of Davao by dramatizing protest against the burial which would in effect make a hero out of a tyrant who had caused large-scale harm to the Lumad and Moro of Mindanao,” the statement read.
White umbrellas were used to spell out “Ilubong si Marcos sa Batac” (Bury Marcos in Batac) and “Martial Law, Never 4get.”
The group is proposing that the Marcos remains be buried in his hometown in Batac, Ilocos Norte, and not at the LNMB as doing so “would erase the massive human rights violations and the plunder of the national coffers that happened during the time of Marcos, and also abet the full return to power of an unrepentant oligarch family.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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en
| 2016-08-23T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/6effcd857af9201f223523d3d4fdde70dfc3c40c5e3443bc35be904e89670bc3.json
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[
"H. Marcos C. Mordeno",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
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"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:06:57 | null | 2016-08-26T18:20:07 | null |
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GPH, NDF peace panels agree on 6 major agenda in Oslo talks
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MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/26 August) — The peace panels of the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front on Thursday reached agreement on six major agenda taken up at the resumption of the formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway, the two parties said in separate press statements on Friday.
The Parties agreed on the following:reaffirmation of previously signed agreements, reconstitution of the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) list, acceleration of the formal talks in the peace negotiations, release of political prisoners, amnesty proclamation by President Duterte and mode of interim ceasefire.
The session reaffirmed all previously signed agreements namely, The Hague Joint Declaration in 1992, the JASIG in 1996 and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in 1998.
All three documents were signed under the Ramos administration.
“The panels also agreed to reconstitute the JASIG list after the first document was corrupted. The encrypted list will contain the photos and identities of NDF consultants who are still underground who will be immune to arrest while the peace process is undergoing,” the government statement said.
“The Philippine government will issue documents of acknowledgment for the NDF consultants still in hiding and for the 54 ‘publicly known NDF personalities’,” it said.
It added the parties agreed to accelerate the peace negotiations and set timelines for the completion of the remaining substantive agenda.
Still to be discussed in detail are socioeconomic reforms; political and constitutional reforms; and, end of hostilities and disposition of forces.
The parties also have to tackle the details of the amnesty proclamation, joint monitoring committees, further releases of detained NDF personnel, and the modality and mechanics of the ceasefire.
The parties were scheduled to sign a Joint Statement for this round of the talks at 11am (Oslo time) on Friday in the presence of Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brenden. The talks that marked the resumption of formal peace negotiations started on Monday.
The Royal Norwegian Government serves as the facilitator of the talks.
“The unprecedented and historic pace and conclusion of this Oslo round left the host Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) very pleased and satisfied,” the Philippine government’s statement said.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza called the Oslo round a milestone under the Duterte administration, and “an accomplishment that would be welcomed by the Filipino people.”
“Not only has President Duterte walked the extra mile. He has also taken a step back to give the NDF space under his democratic and inclusive government,” Dureza said.
“We will go home with a promise of a just and lasting peace and our soldiers and the combatants of the NDF finally coming to terms that the war must end,” he added.
Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello, chair of the government panel said they are looking towards “a final peace agreement with the NDF to end almost half a century of armed hostilities across the Philippine countryside.”
He said the releases of 21 detained NDF consultants were crucial in the resumption of the peace negotiations.
For his part, NDF peace panel head Luis Jalandoni acknowledged the determination of President Duterte of ending the almost 50-year old armed conflict in the country and forging peace with the rebel forces.
“Good news to the Filipino people that the political prisoners would be released, and land reform and other social and economic reforms will be seriously undertaken. So, the farmers of Hacienda Luisita and Hacienda Look may be gladdened that these steps are going forward,” Jalandoni said.
“But we need the people to continue building their strength to defend their rights and to work with us in bringing about a just and lasting peace in our country,” he added.
Both sides recognized the cordial attitude of their counterparts [during the talks].
Jalandoni noted the “significant, positive developments and friendly atmosphere in the peace talks, with excellent facilitation of the Royal Norwegian Government.”
Bello thanked the NDF negotiators for their “patience and candidness.”
RNG representative Elizabeth Slattum said she was amazed and her government was pleased with the success of the Oslo round of talks that took placeon August 22-25 at the scenic mountaintop Holmenkollen Park Hotel, venue of negotiations of armed conflicts across the globe.
Peace talks between the Philippine government and the NDF were suspended in 2011.
Duterte had promised to reopen talks and release all imprisoned rebel leaders during the election campaign period.
He appointed some leaders of the Left to Cabinet positions.
He announced a reimposition of an indefinite unilateral ceasefire declaration when talks were resumed on August 22.
The NDF had also earlier declared a seven-day unilateral ceasefire for the duration of the Oslo talks but has already committed to reciprocate the President’s announcement with an indefinite unilateral declaration of its own. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno/MindaNews)
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en
| 2016-08-26T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/c55b39f691d55ff8bd4217a2902ac49f3b7403bf11d93e94534bb860a5d05ade.json
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[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
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"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
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SOGIE 101
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SOGIE 101
Aug 21
Partners Aiza Seguerra and Liza Dino discuss SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression) at the Pink Ink Training at the Seda Hotel in Dav
Partners Aiza Seguerra and Liza Dino discuss SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression) at the Pink Ink Training at the Seda Hotel in Dav
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| 2016-08-20T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/273add1946e016967db1ecf2160753c375273e513f5e8986998684c1ca07c61e.json
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[
"Roel Catoto",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:49 | null | 2016-08-22T18:07:12 | null |
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Reds to free 5 cops in Surigao
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SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/22 August) — The New People’s Army will release this week five police officers held captive in the two Surigao provinces as a gesture of goodwill for the ongoing peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
“The release of the 5 POW is in response to the appeal of the 5 POW’s families with the facilitation of religious members of the different churches in the two provinces,” Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, NDFP spokesperson for Mindanao said in a statement sent to MindaNews on Sunday
“Their release signifies the revolutionary movement’s serious intent in pursuing peace talks between the NDFP and the GPH and as a gesture of goodwill for the resumption of formal talks in Oslo, Norway on August 22, 2016,” he added.
Members of the GPH and NDFP peace panels exchange pleasantries during the resumption of peace talks in Oslo, Norway on Monday (Aug. 22, 2016). Photo courtesy of Edwin Espejo/OPAPP
On July 5 this year, PO1 Richard Vaz Yu of the police station in Carmen, Surigao del Sur was abducted in Barangay San Vicente of the said town by members of the NPA Front 30 for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
On July 24, PO2 Caleb Sinaca, PO3 Jayroll Bagayas and non-uniform police officer Rodrigo Angob of the Malimono (Surigao del Norte) police station and SPO3 Santiago Lamanilao of the Surigao City Police Office were taken in Barangay Cagtinae in Malimono by a team of the NPA Front 16.
They were snatched for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs and illegal gambling in Malimono and Surigao City.
Sinaca was tagged as a protector of illegal drug syndicates and illegal logging in Malimono. He is also implicated in extortion activities against small-scale miners, and in the harassment of of peasants working for his father, Dario Sinaca.
Ka Oris said the “arrests” were made by the NPA as part of its own anti-drug campaign.
The NDFP-Northeastern Mindanao Region has done preliminary investigation of the five captives and will turn over the results of the NPA’s investigation to the third party facilitator and the Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, he said.
“We congratulate the custodial forces of the New People’s Army’s Front Operational Command 30 and 16 who continue to successfully ensure the safety of the POW despite the relentless combat and community operations for peace and development (COPD) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“The custodial forces painstakingly adheres to Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law on the treatment of prisoners of war,” he added.
Formal peace talks between the government and the NDFP resumed on Monday in Oslo, Norway. (Roel Catoto/MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-22T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/29a94b5c412d988d22525848d21d54a19a8ca424b6784165ff411b82c51e1c15.json
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[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:07:47 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | null |
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Selife with Digong
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Selife with Digong
Aug 25
SELFIE WITH DIGONG. Tourists and residents who happened to be in Magsaysay Park in Davao City in the wee hours Thursday (25 August 2016) for a durian treat got
SELFIE WITH DIGONG. Tourists and residents who happened to be in Magsaysay Park in Davao City in the wee hours Thursday (25 August 2016) for a durian treat got
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en
| 2016-08-25T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/7d4066181d6c72c39cf0a153e8368ffe5f2fe589dd563188ac57c1a4f1f95d17.json
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[
"Antonio L. Colina Iv",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:12:23 | null | 2016-08-19T18:21:26 | null |
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NDF consultants Benito and Wilma Tiamzon freed for GPH-NDF talks
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/19 August) – Two consultants of the National Democratic Front (NDF) were released Friday to enable them to participate in the formal resumption of the peace negotiations between the government and the revolutionary alliance on Monday in Oslo, Norway.
In a statement Friday, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said another stumbling block to peace has been removed with the release of couple Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.
Benito was believed to be the chairman and Wilma the secretary general of the Communist Party of the Philippines at the time they were arrested in Cebu City in March 2015.
Dureza said the GPH and NDF peace panels are looking forward to a fruitful but intense negotiations in Oslo.
In a press conference aired live on ANC, Benito said he is optimistic with the peace talks under the Duterte administration being the only president who expressed the will and determination to pursue it.
Speaking in Filipino, he said the talks will determine the extent to which reforms may be attained.
For as long as there is oppression, the revolutionary forces will not cease to exist to fight it, he said.
“Magiging passe lang ang rebolusyon kung wala na ang pangaapi at pagsasamantala,” (The revolution will only become passe if there’s no more oppression and exploitation) he said.
He said both parties have expressed the will to move forward despite the initial challenges to the peace talks.
During the previous administration backdoor efforts for the resumption of talks took place “through the backdoor channeling led by now Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III but these were brought to an abrupt stop after the Mamasapano incident in 2015.”
Peace talks between the GPH and NDF were halted in 2012 due to disagreements over the refusal of government to release the NDF consultants.
Duterte made a campaign promise to reopen talks with the NDF and assured to release all detained political prisoners, which need to “undergo the normal judicial procedures require by law and regulations.”
Dureza’s statement said the 22 NDF consultants were issued Philippine passports after last Monday’s directive of President Duterte to the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Foreign Affairs to assist them in getting travel documents for their trip to Oslo.
It added that the Embassy of the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG), as the third party facilitator, started issuing visas to all delegates from both panels.
“We have agreed to expedite the peace process by simultaneously holding negotiations on five major agenda items by creating respective reciprocal working groups,” Dureza said.
The talks will tackle social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, end of hostilities and disposition of forces, ceasefire, joint security and immunity and release of political detainees
Elderly and sick first
The statement also quoted Duterte as saying the planned release of 550 suspected CPP and New People’s Army members who are detained in various jails across the country will prioritize the elderly and sick on humanitarian grounds.
The release of the remaining political prisoners will be part of the negotiations but Duterte said he will declare a general amnesty for all communist rebels.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the GPH peace panel chair will travel to Oslo from Saudi Arabia where he is attending to displaced overseas Filipino workers.
The Oslo-bound GPH peace panel includes lawyers Rene Sarmiento, Antonio Arellano and Angela Librado-Trinidad. They will leave on Saturday evening.
Former agrarian reform secretary Hernani Braganza had left ahead to confer with the NDF panel in Utrecht, The Netherlands. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-19T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/690e9aa1e31afd450ab91879a8fb353cf71d8738638f6100b4a41bbe8b19b4be.json
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[
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"William R. Adan",
"Walter I. Balane"
] | 2016-08-30T10:53:29 | null | 2016-08-30T17:06:00 | null |
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PH economy loses P328 billion a year due to malnutrition - report
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MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/30 August) – The country is losing at least P328 billion a year due to the impact of childhood stunting on workforce productivity and education, a report released Tuesday by Save the Children said.
Stunting, considered the most prevalent form of undernutrition, has permanent effects on a child’s growth and development, the report said.
The report titled “Cost of Hunger: Philippines” suggests that, in 2013, childhood stunting cost the Philippines almost 3 percent of its GDP. The economic loss consisted of:
1) PhP166.5 billion worth of lost income as a result of lower level of education achieved by the working population who suffered from childhood stunting;
2) PhP160 billion in lost productivity due to premature deaths among children who would have been members of our current working-age population;
3) PhP1.23 billion in additional education costs to cover grade repetitions linked to undernutrition.
“If we add up health costs, the likely impact would be an additional 0.05 – 1.6 percent,” Ned Olney, Save the Children Philippines Country Director, said:
“The report shows that stunting is the best predictor of productivity and income, and that undernutrition is linked to lower human capital. Children who are stunted in the first two years of life are more likely to repeat grade levels, drop out of school, delay school entry and have lower income levels when they enter the workforce,” a statement from the group quoted Olney as saying.
“If stunting rates continue to rise, it would be difficult for families to break free from poverty. It is the poor and neglected sectors of society that carry the burden of stunting. Any investment in reducing childhood undernutrition will reduce suffering and poverty, and will ultimately stimulate economic growth for all Filipinos,” he added.
Save the Children noted that the country’s investment in nutrition programs was 0.52 percent of general government expenditures compared to the global average allocation of 2.1 percent.
It cited the need to invest in nutrition programs during the child’s first 1000 days, from pregnancy up to the second birthday, which is considered a critical period of care to avert stunting.
“Nutrition is the cornerstone of all development efforts. This new report tells us that for every US$1 spent on programs to avert stunting in children below 2 years old, the Philippines could save over 100 US dollars in health, education, and lost productivity costs.
“It should outrage us that 95 children will die every day because of malnutrition,” Olney said.
In addition to investing in the child’s first 1000 days, Save the Children recommended the following measures for the national and local governments, private sector and donors to end malnutrition in the Philippines:
· Equitable nutrition policies and programs and budgetary allocations that address the immediate, underlying and basic causes of malnutrition.
· Security of tenure and sustained training of the community front-liners e.g. such as barangay health workers and nutrition officers and scholars. Health and nutrition workers are highly politicized, lack incentives and support for trainings, have no security of tenure, the report said.
· Clear and separate budget for nutrition-specific interventions to avoid confusion between health and nutrition budgets.
· Intensification of health and nutrition-related training, research and extension support activities to support the First 1000 Days Program through the Barangay Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement Network Program of the Rural Poor and other relevant approaches, thereby strengthening delivery systems in partnership with the local governments.
· Scaling up of cost-effective and affordable high-impact nutrition interventions to prevent undernutrition that cripples the country, such as promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, vitamin A and iron supplementation, treatment of acute malnutrition and maternal nutrition.
· Stronger enforcement of the Milk Code (Executive Order Number 51), and the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act (Republic Act Number 10028) to protect, promote, and support optimal infant and young child feeding, both in private and public facilities and spaces.
Save the Children also said the conditionalities under the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program must include mandatory breastfeeding and education sessions on infant and young child feeding. (MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-30T00:00:00 |
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[
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T14:48:10 | null | 2016-08-26T22:04:46 | null |
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PEACETALK: Let us be steadfast in our peace work
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(Closing statement of Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, concurrent chari fo the government peace panel for peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front, on 26 August 2016 in Oslo, Norway)
We conclude today our first round of talks with much vigor to accomplish the bigger tasks ahead in peace building. Ours was a leap of faith when we braved to re-engage each other last Monday after more than half a decade of impasse and indifference. But no matter how difficult it was, we choose to believe and today, we start receiving the dividends of that faith. Our agreements reached during this round of talks should tell us how far can our faith bring us and what we can achieve together.
We readily commend the magnanimity of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in ending the impasse and in propelling our frank and cordial discussions in the past five days. However, I also have to credit the fortitude of both panels in forging those agreements meant to move the peace talks forward. We also recognize the enabling interventions in the discussion of Secretary Jesus G. Dureza and Professor Joma Sison which allowed the panels to understand each other’s fears and dilemmas, especially on contentious issues such as ceasefire, JASIG and prisoner release.
This round of talks is made doubly significant with the presence of 16 NDF consultants who were released from detention in order for them to travel and join us in the talks, such as Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, Tirso Alcantara and Alan Jazmines. Their inputs will enrich, indeed, our discussions not to mention the inspiration they can provide to other peace workers. We are also glad that the voices of Ka Satur, Vic Ladlad, Rafael Baylosis, Randall Echanis and other NDF consultants will now be part of our conversations in finding a peace settlement to the armed conflict.
Noticeable during our discussions is the NDF’s commitment to the peace process by agreeing to work with us for the possible completion of the negotiations within the period of nine (9) to twelve (12) months from this round of talks. In particular, we look forward to the fruitful discussions on socio economic reforms which the panels will endeavor to finish in the next six months.
We also commend the NDF’s commitment to extend its existing seven-day unilateral ceasefire for an indefinite period along with that of the government, to accompany the next rounds of talks. It is most welcome that during this period, the NDF will endeavor to work with the government to put in place a joint or bilateral ceasefire which will ultimately help us achieve an agreement for finally ending the hostilities.
I trust that the building blocks we laid down during this round of talks will provide us more confidence in the next round which we scheduled on 8 to 12 October, here in Oslo. I shall look forward to seeing you all for a more productive discussion.
I cannot end this round of talks without thanking and commending our host, the Royal Norwegian Government, especially RNG Foreign Minister Borge Brende for his unwavering support to our peace process, and the RNG’s Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process, Ambassador Elisabeth Slattum, for shepherding our discussions in her capacity as our third party facilitator. Hopefully, the Philippine Peace Process will add up to Rng’s recent achievement in peace settlement in Colombia. Congratulations, Honorable Minister and Madam Ambassador.
Lastly, I thank my panel members for the work well done along with the panel advisers, Mayors Pamintuan and Bautista and Congressman Yap as observer, our working teams, secretariat and technical committee.
In closing therefore, let me leave you with a Biblical quote, “never get tired of doing good cause in due time we will reap a harvest, if we faint not.” Let us be steadfast in our peace work until we have reached a logical conclusion of the armed conflict.
See you all in October. Thank you. Peace be with us always.
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| 2016-08-26T00:00:00 |
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[
"Walter I. Balane",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"William R. Adan",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-27T18:49:39 | null | 2016-08-28T00:40:02 | null |
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Lumads caught in crossfire welcome ceasefire
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MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 27 August) — The Lumads (Indigenous Peoples) of Bukidnon, many of them caught in the crossfire of the decades old conflict between the Philippine government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) welcomed the indefinite ceasefire declared separately by the two parties and other positive developments announced Friday at the end of the five-day peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway.
Bukidnon Datu Richard Macas, mandatory representative of the IPS in the Bukidnon Provincial Board, said the agreement is a “welcome development” as it would help pave the way for economic development in their areas.
“As we all know, economic development is very difficult in the conflict areas,” he told MindaNews.
The GPH and the NDF have each declared a unilateral ceasefire that took effect at 12:01 a.m. on August 21 and will continue indefinitely as their ceasefire committees “reconcile and develop their separate unilateral ceasefire orders into a single unified bilateral agreement within 60 days” from August 26.
Bae Inatlawan Adelina Tarino, tribal chieftain of the Bukidnon Daraghuyan in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City said they look forward to lasting peace.
For several decades, the Bukidnon Daraghuyan, among the tribes living in the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, have been caught in the crossfire of nearly half a century armed conflict. cThe Bukidnons, Talaandigs and Higaonons of Bukidnon province claim the Mt. Kitanglad Range as their ancestral domain.
“We can finally go back fully to our farming. Tension in our territory has hampered our livelihood,” Tarino told MindaNews in Cebuano. She said fear of further hostilities kept them from attending to their livelihood.
The military bombed portions of the Bukidnon Daraghuyan territory in 2012 while in pursuit of the New People’s Army (NPA). Tarino and other tribal elders said the bombing violated their rights and destroyed their ancestral domain. The tribe demanded an apology from both parties to the conflict and required them to undergo a ritual to appease the spirit guardians of their territory.
Only the military attended the ritual, represented by then Col. Romeo Gapuz, commander of the 403rd Brigade. Gapuz, who was later promoted to general, vowed to respect the rights of the tribe and to observe free and prior informed consent (FPIC) in future operations, a pledge ignored by his successors.
Supporters of the tribe tried to reach representatives of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).
Tarino said that as residents in communities where the conflicts occur, the IPs have the right to be heard in the peace talks.
She appealed to both panels to include in formal talks the concerns aired by the IPs caught in the crossfire.
“They should discuss FPIC just so they all understand it and avoid future violations,” Tarino said.
Datu Macas said the panels should not only consider national and international parties to the talks. “Definitely, the IPs want to be included in the peace talks at the local level,” he said.
He added that talks should cover the community level “where IP communities are, where the hostilities between the military and the rebels happen.”
Ma. Easterluna Canoy, executive director of the Kitanglad Integrated NGOs, also welcomed the prospect of a long-term peace in the country.
“We should be able to reach the point where rebellion ends…as one party listens then we can promote peaceful dialogue and humility as an effective means to resolve societal divides,” she added.
Malaybalay Bishop Jose Cabantan said the agreement is “good news for the country and for us here.”
He appealed for lasting peace, one that is a “fruit of justice and love.”
“There is really no peace through violence in the battle of the guns, (only) through the negotiating table, through dialogue,” he added.
In 2014, Cabantan condemned, among others, the killing of Impasug-ong mayor Mario Okinlay. The NPA owned responsibility for the slaying.
Lawyer Burt Estrada, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Bukidnon chapter, also welcomed the agreement adding “social reforms are very much needed in order to have inclusive development that is felt by the masses.”
But he expressed that all concessions should be “within our democratic framework”.
Another lawyer, Apollo Maguale, expressing personal stand, said he hoped the panels will finish what they have started this time. He cited a similar experience during the Corazon Aquino administration, which was stunted with the suspension of the talks because of “too many demands” on one side.
“This only requires enough political will, open-mindedness and much patience in the interest of the Filipino people,” Maguale, provincial board secretary of Bukidnon and a former president of the Rotary Club of Malaybalay, said.
Dr. Lourdes G. dela Torre, peace educator and community education director of the Piniyalan Reporting Governance Project in Bukidnon said the Oslo agreement is a good start.
“It is important to agree on what to agree on the negotiating table,” she added.
But Bienvinido Narciso, civil society leader from Abag-Kalamboan, said President Rodrigo Duterte immediately facilitated the release of political detainees as part of the agreement.
“The NDF should also honor their words not to provoke the Philippine government by allowing further activities in the field that can ignite hostilities again,” he added. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews contributor)
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| 2016-08-28T00:00:00 |
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[
"Antonio L. Colina Iv",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:11:40 | null | 2016-08-23T15:03:08 | null |
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Duterte tells Aquino appointees to submit courtesy resignations
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/23 August) – The Palace on Monday evening asked all heads of offices appointed during the previous administration to submit courtesy resignations within seven days.
This after President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Sunday complained that he still received reports of corruption despite his warning that the practice should stop.
The memorandum circular exempts cabinet officials and presidential advisers or assistants with equivalent ranks, other officials in the Executive Department, including state universities and colleges, and state-owned corporations, appointed by Duterte.
It also exempts career officials, judiciary, heads of constitutional bodies, and officials whose appointments are being processed or who may be appointed by the President shortly after the effectivity of the memorandum.
It adds that members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police will be dealt with separately.
Those who fail to submit their resignations within the prescribed period without a valid reason will be held administratively liable and will be penalized.
The memo includes officials in government-owned and controlled corporations who must submit their courtesy resignations to their respective department heads and to the Office of the President through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
It says only the President and the executive secretary may act on the resignations, taking into consideration the recommendation of the department heads in accordance with existing laws and jurisprudence.
The officials, however, may still continue exercising their functions until their resignations are acted on. Their deputies will take over their positions if the President accepts the resignations until he appoints a new official to run the office.
“All government officials and employees, particularly those in offices performing regulatory, investigatory, adjudicatory, and licensing functions, whether appointed by the President or not, including officials and employees of local government units, are hereby enjoined to comply strictly with ethical norms of honesty, integrity, efficiency, and fidelity to the people they are sworn to serve and protect,” it adds.
Last Sunday, Duterte told all appointed heads of the different government offices to “consider yourself resigned.”
“You know my mouth is they say ‘lousy’. But I would like to issue a warning that on Monday, I would declare all positions in the government that were presidential appointments or if you are there because of the presidential appointments, I will declare all your positions all throughout the country vacant,” he said.
”It will number in thousands, consider yourself in the crucible of the truth about corruption in this country,” he said.(Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
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en
| 2016-08-23T00:00:00 |
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"Froilan Gallardo",
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"Luis G. Jalandoni",
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"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-27T18:49:34 | null | 2016-08-28T00:43:46 | null |
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Maute group storms Lanao del Sur jail, frees 8 members; 20 other prisoners escape
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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 27 August) — Heavily armed members of the Maute terror group stormed the Lanao del Sur provincial jail in Marawi City late Saturday afternoon and freed all eight of their companions who were arrested by the Army and police last Monday while some 20 other prisoners escaped, Chief Supt. Agripino Javier regional police director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said.
In his report to higher headquarters, Javier said an estimated 50 men equipped with high-powered firearms stormed the jail at around 5:45 p.m. Saturday, leading to the escape of an estimated 28, including the eight alleged members of the Maute group, three of them women.
The group also seized two weapons from the jail personnel — an M-16 and an M-14, and one Mitsubishi mobile car.
JO3 Modasir Manwang was also seized but released by the suspects at Barangay Caloocan in Marawi City. “The other 20 prisoners were also released at the said barangay,” the report said.
The report said the suspects and the eight alleged members of the Maute group “escaped through motorized boat and fled to unknown direction.”
A press statement from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in Region 10 said the armed men were led by Abdullah Maute.
It said all intelligence units have been directed to “enhance monitoring” and that photographs and plate numbers of their getaway vehicles have been distributed to police checkpoints in the region.
Last Monday afternoon (August 22) , Army troops and policemen intercepted a Tamaraw FX van allegedly carrying explosives in Barangay Nanagun, Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur.
Maj. Felimon Tan, spokesperson of the Armed Forces Western Command said the soldiers arrested eight persons in the van, among them three women.
Tan said the troops found an improvised explosive device (IED) made of an 81-mm mortar attached to two other pipe bombs and triggering devices inside the Tamaraw vehicle.
Tan said they believed the suspects intended to target either the camp of Army 103rd Infantry Brigade in Marawi City; Iligan City or Cagayan de Oro, which is celebrating its fiesta on August 28.
The military identified those arrested as Hashim Balawag Maute, Abdul Jabbar Tominaman Macabading, Jamil Batoa
Amerul, Muhammad Sianodin Mulok and Omar Khalil.
The arrested women were identified as Hafidah Romato Maute, Nasifa Pandug and Norhanna Balawag Maute.
Tan said the group was on the way to Marawi City from Butig town in Lanao del Sur when troops, acting on intelligence report, blocked them at the checkpoint in Barangay Nanagun.
“The fast reaction of troops and the information of concerned citizens was the key for thwarting a terror attack intended to kill innocent people in populated target areas. IEDs do not select its victims, children, Christians or Muslims, young and old, lahat papatayin niyan and in a wide scale kaya napakalaking bagay na hindi natuloy ito dahil na din sa cooperation ng taong bayan at responde ng sundalo at pulis,” Tan said in a statement.
The Maute group pledged allegiance to the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) banner and is responsible for several attacks on Army detachments in Lanao del Sur.
In April, the group beheaded two lumberyard workers they earlier took captive, after the ransom they demanded was not paid. (Froilan Gallardo with a report from Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-28T00:00:00 |
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[
"Antonio L. Colina Iv",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:08:59 | null | 2016-08-25T15:34:05 | null |
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‘Matrix’ linking Sen. De Lima to drug personalities out
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 25 Aug) – President Rodrigo R. Duterte released early Thursday a “matrix” which indicated the links of Sen. Leila de Lima to drug personalities inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
The media obtained a copy of the “matrix” outside the President’s home at Dona Luisa Village here after he held a press conference and visit to Magsaysay Park where he ate durian with soldiers of the 69th Infantry Battalion during the wee hours of the morning.
The document shows the alleged relationship of De Lima, who was former chair of Commission on Human Rights and secretary of Justice, to drug personalities, namely: alleged boyfriend Ronnie P. Dayan, Raul Sison, Rep. Amado T. Espino, Raffy Baraan, former Justice Undersecretary Toti Baraan, and Gen. Franklin Bucayo.
It was not disclosed how the President got the information in the matrix.
De Lima’s alleged boyfriend Dayan was her driver since her stint at the CHR who is later known as “Boss De Lima” or the “case fixer” of some well-known politicians in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan.
The document also revealed that Dayan’s properties such as house and lot, a Montero and a Kia Sedan were allegedly titled to a certain Ms. Cardenosa, who is working for the local government unit of Urbiztondo.
It indicated that Dayan had allegedly been receiving monthly payola from retired Gen. Bucayo, the former director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 1, through a certain SPO1 Palisoc.
Soon after retirement, Gen. Bucayo was appointed chief of the Bureau of Correction (BUCOR) but he resigned after his name was dragged into illegal drugs inside BUCOR.
The matrix showed he acted as the broker between Rep. Amado T. Espino and De Lima.
Espino, a former governor of Pangasinan and now congressman of the province’s fifth district, was slapped with a plunder case due to his alleged involvement in illegal mining, but was freed on bail.
It also showed that Sison claimed Espino, the richest politician in Northern Luzon with questionable wealth, runs a black sand mining, quarrying and jueteng.
It also showed that former supervisor at the BUCOR and Justice Undersecretary Francisco “Toti” Baraan’s brother Raffy Baraan is a loyal follower.
Raffy, who was Pangasinan provincial administrator, was dismissed by the Ombudsman after his involvement in the black sand mining and quarrying business of Espino.
It said Raffy has knowledge on all illegal activities of Espino.
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| 2016-08-25T00:00:00 |
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[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"William R. Adan",
"Walter I. Balane"
] | 2016-08-31T04:54:46 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | null |
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Happy Place
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Happy Place
Aug 31
Irene Santiago and Mohagher Iqbal, chairs of the peace implementing panels of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front, enjoy the evening skyline from t
Irene Santiago and Mohagher Iqbal, chairs of the peace implementing panels of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front, enjoy the evening skyline from t
0
Reviewed byonRating:
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| 2016-08-30T00:00:00 |
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[
"Antonio L. Colina Iv",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
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"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
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Cayetano wants P50K minimum salary for cops
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/13 June) – Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said he will propose to increase to P50,000 minimum salary for members of the Philippine National Police in support to the campaign promise of his former running mate President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Cayetano told reporters during the opening of “36 Buttons” exhibit at the Abreeza Mall on Sunday the proposed increase will start from the rank of Police Officer 1.
Those with ranks of director will receive P100,000, he added.
He said this means allocating an additional P50 billion a year for PNP personnel who number 170,000 at present.
He believed this can be done without reducing the budget of other government programs since the country had always experienced budget surplus at yearend.
He said next year’s unprogrammed budget is about P300 to P400 million.
Cayetano said there would still be about P150-P250 billion left of the of P3-trillion 2016 budget at the end of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s term.
If the increase pushed through, police personnel would have a monthly take home pay of P35,000 to P40,000 net of tax, which would be more than enough for a starting officer in Manila where the cost of living is estimated at P35,000, he said.
He said the salary of an entry level police officer is only about P20,000, which includes the allowance and the base pay of P14,800.
He added the P50,000 salary would already include the benefits of an entry level police officer.
Cayetano said he hopes to get congressional approval of the proposal to have the increase implemented before Christmas this year.
He said increasing the PNP members’ salary is easy but that of the military is a “bit complicated.”
He noted that while Duterte was happy “that we are starting to put in the proposal” some members of Congress wanted simultaneous salary increases for all public servants. He said this would not be possible.
He said he has already submitted the proposal to Duterte and incoming PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa before he would submit a copy to incoming Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno for further review.
“Once ma-review ng ating pangulo (Duterte) and ng ating DBM (Diokno) ang numbers ire-release namin sa inyo. Ang ibinigay ko sa inyo is option 1, 2 , and 3 kasi ang pwede i-taas mo pwede allowance. Ang improtante sa amin makapag-take home sila ng P35,000 to P40,000,” he said.
He added that if the country’s economy continued to perform well they may be able to increase the salaries of other government workers.
Aside from salary increase, the senator is also planning to propose an additional P20 billion budget for the retirement pay of PNP members. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
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| 2016-06-13T00:00:00 |
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[
"William R. Adan",
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"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Walter I. Balane"
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TURNING POINT: Individual versus Collective Rights of Human Beings
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NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews/30 August) — In the current, popularly-backed crusade to end the drug menace in a tight timeframe of six months, apologists of the campaign have argued that Individual human rights need to be sacrificed, in favor of the rights of the collective or the majority in society, because in a democracy the interest of the majority is, accordingly, more important than that of the individual.
But is one really more important than the other so as to prioritize or sacrifice one over the other? No such thing, especially in the realm of the rights to life and liberty. What threatens individual rights threatens majority or collective rights of citizens.
Consider, for instance the killing of mere suspected criminals, this at first glance threatens only the right to life of the individual, but in the current finger-pointing justice system that is making a stronghold at the barangay or village level up, anybody can be a suspect sooner or later. Hence, eventually what threatens the individual threatens the majority as well.
(Incidentally, in the finger-pointing method of identifying drug criminals, the poor and defenseless are pointing at each other and suffer for their fear and perceived life-saving decision. How many would dare rant on their barangay chair or top town and police officials who could be their main local suppliers of the prohibited drugs?)
Lest we forget the majority is not an abstraction but is comprised of individual human beings? One might say the threat to the majority is not imminent or is not going to happen very soon. This is because it is uncommon for the majority to be a suspect, all at the same time. But at one time or another everyone in the majority will be affected directly or indirectly. It’s just a matter of time. Right thinking men should avoid not wait for that time to come.
One day, how would you feel if your teenage son is gunned down on his way home from school and left with a cardboard inscription (ADIK, HUWAG TULARAN) with no reason or basis at all except that he is thin with reddish bulging eyes because of a thyroid problem? Can you simply shrug your shoulders accepting the plight of your child as another statistic in collateral damage in behalf of the interest of the majority?
Meanwhile, the exercise of justice, however justice is construed by those in power ought to apply to all and not discriminate a certain class. In the current drug war the poor are generally the victims of summary execution. The rich, influential and well-connected are simply named, advised to clear themselves with the authorities, and thus given due process, a day in court.
In a democratic society supposedly governed by law and not by men due process cannot simply be dispensed with or just accorded to a particular class. Once done away with or applied with brazen discrimination, the human rights of the entire people in that society are compromised and put at great risk.
Human rights are about human life, the most valuable commodity, the highest value in a human community to uphold, secure and protect. As the late senator Jose W. Diokno immortally said:
“No cause is more worthy than the cause of human rights… they are what makes a man human. Deny them and you deny man’s humanity.” (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. William R. Adan is retired professor and former chancellor of the Mindanao State University Naawan campus, Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines.)
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| 2016-08-30T00:00:00 |
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[
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:12:40 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | null |
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Agro Trade Fair
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Agro Trade Fair
Aug 20
A worker of Sul Orchid waters orchids for sale at the annual Agro Trade Fair at SM Car Park, Davao City on Friday, 19 August 2016. The annual Kadayawan fair end
A worker of Sul Orchid waters orchids for sale at the annual Agro Trade Fair at SM Car Park, Davao City on Friday, 19 August 2016. The annual Kadayawan fair end
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| 2016-08-19T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/62964c6b839348ef3d6a2034ccc359299ba37caa24fd540817dfe572d6a6b638.json
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] | 2016-08-26T12:54:14 | null | 2012-02-19T00:00:00 | null |
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Philippines must catch up with ASEAN neighbors - Duterte
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 05 June) — President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said the country must catch up with its neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
He acknowledged that the Philippines needs to work on improving its production capacity because the country is very dependent on imported goods from the ASEAN neighbors, although he said most of these agricultural commodities can actually be produced by Filipino farmers.
In his “One love. One Nation” thanksgiving party at the Crocodile Park on Saturday, Duterte acknowledged that relying so much on imported goods has its dangers like placing the Philippines “at the mercy of other ASEAN neighbors” such as Thailand, Vietnam,Malaysia and Laos.
Farmers apply pesticides on the ricefield within the Philippine Rice Research Institute compound in Barangay Bual Norte, Midsayap town, North Cotabato. MindaNews file photo by RUBY THURSDAY MORE
He also scored large multinational companies for converting lands once planted to staple rice and sugar into large plantations for export commodities such as pineapples, bananas, and coffee.
He said the country has “given so much to the multinationals.”
“It is a corporate endeavor nga dagko lang ang makakaya (that only these firms can afford to undertake). Mahurot na ang atong yuta og wala nay katamnan para sa atong pagkaon. (We won’t have lands anymore for planting rice). Because we are dependent on importations from Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, so mao nay delikado sa atong sitwasyon (that’s why we are in a precarious situation) and we are always at the mercy of the other countries in ASEAN business,” he said.
Duterte acknowledged that the country still needs to “catch up and improve on everything” in the ASEAN Economic Community which intends to create a single market and production base within the economic region that allows free flow of goods, services, investments, and skilled labor.
He acknowledged that the Philippines needs to work on improving its production capacity because the country is very dependent on imported goods from the ASEAN neighbors, although he said most of these agricultural commodities can be produced by Filipino farmers.
“Ngayon kasi importation is allowed (by) WTO (World Trade Organization). There are special cases na magkakaroon ka ng tariff. That is not the rule, that is only the exception. The exception is lahat kung ikaw ay very talented man you can go to ASEAN countries… We cannot say we do not buy that particular food because we produce it here,” he said.
The Malaysian Trade (MATRADE) in Manila reported that Malaysia alone registered a total of $3.4 billion worth of exported goods to the Philippines.
Duterte said the country is losing P1.5 billion to P2 billion a day to corruption that, if used properly, could have been allocated for farm implements to awardees of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
“I could even buy your products and sell it at government price and to be competitive with the imports,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2012-02-19T00:00:00 |
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[
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GPH, NDFP agree to expedite peace talks
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 25 Aug) – The government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) agreed to accelerate the timetable to complete the discussion on the substantive agenda of the peace negotiations within the prescribed timetable of 6 to 12 months.
In a press statement issued by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) on Thursday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III , concurrent chair of the GPH peace panel, lauded the Reciprocal Working Committee (RWC) and Reciprocal Working Groups (RWG), which are composed of both panels, for setting a fixed timetable to settle the other substantive agenda.
“We, in the government panel, were surprised that the RWC and RWGs came up with agreements in so short a time. Discussions only lasted from 9 minutes to 30 minutes. It was really morale-boosting for both panels,” Bello said.
The press statement also noted that both panels took a longer discussion on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER) that would touch on “the most contentious issues such as agrarian reform, national industrialization and foreign policy.”
Human rights lawyer and political detainee Efren Moncupa leads the GPH-RWC on CASER and his counterpart from the NDF is Juliet de Lima-Sison, who is member of the NDF negotiating panel. The two vowed to complete work on CASER within six months.
Being the “heart and soul” of peace negotiations between the GPH and NDFP, Bello said that socio-economic reforms “would determine the outcome of the talks,” as it addresses the root causes of the conflict to attain just and lasting peace.
“The sooner CASER is wrapped up, the better for the peace negotiations,” Bello said.
To immediately settle CASER issues, Bello said, it would advance the process of seeking political settlement with the NDF and put an end to the decades-old armed conflict between government forces and rebel troops.
Talks on CASER and RWGs on Political and Constitutional Reforms (PCR) will hold first meetings in October in Oslo.
Meanwhile, the RWG on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (EoH-DF) will present their respective draft outlines for a Comprehensive Agreement on the substantive issue on October 24 or in the next scheduled Panel meeting.
Holding simultaneous discussions on the substantive issues would increase the possibility of forging a final peace agreement within the prescribed period of at least a year, according to Bello.
He said both parties “are right on schedule” and expect a final peace agreement after a year “so we can devote five more years of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term in implementing the reforms agreed upon by both parties.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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en
| 2016-08-25T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/e3917b3191dc903e6b001198b96893402051f69df887da13a2568bcb79246cf8.json
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[
"Malou Tiangco",
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] | 2016-08-26T13:06:06 | null | 2016-05-29T20:26:28 | null |
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COMMENTARY: Libingan ng mga Bayani
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 29 May) — Dear Mayor Duterte:
There are that feelings of sadness, anger, betrayal, and confusion when I heard you announce your approval of the late President Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Sadness.
Martial law broke my heart when the first person I truly loved was killed by the military and whose body was found in a tin improvised coffin in Davao Norte, was brought back here in Davao in that sealed improvised coffin We did not even dare look at his remains for the grief and fear that if we appeared intimate to the “dead”, we might be the next victim of the wanton killings that military had the power to do during martial law.
That victim was Atty. Nick Solana. He was a budding young lawyer then, brilliant, but opted to join the rebels in the countryside as he explained to me and the rest of the young activists then in Ateneo de Davao that the true liberation of the suffering masses will have to happen among the masses in the countryside. He explained that organic intellectuals were needed in the countryside to provide theoretical frameworks to the masses to complete their understanding of the whys, the whats, the whos, and the hows in the society that were shackling them in dire poverty.
Nick was the first intellectual I respected and he etched in my heart the meaning of “serving the people.”
Another bout of broken- heartedness happened when I loved again the second man who was another patriot during martial law and until the time he died three years ago. Our love story during martial law was something I always wish I could make into a screenplay. He was still a seminarian when we met. We fell in love. He was ordained a priest and chose to serve his remote parish in Bukidnon, but after two to three years, he left the priesthood and joined the revolutionary forces, again in the countryside.
The dangers of being in the full-time revolutionary movement was something I really did not understand fully at that time, that when we decided to “elope,” I will join him in the countryside, it was so fancy and thrilling, I said “yes!” As fate would have it, when he fetched me in Davao, I had left to meet up with him in the original rendezvous we agreed upon. That was our last contact and the next ones were when I learned he was captured twice by the military, tortured and almost got killed. Luckily, he was set free and the next thing I learned about him was that he continued being a revolutionary and the hard life in the underground caused him many ailments until he succumbed to death three years ago.
He was ex-priest Wilfredo Galleto.
The two men I loved most, victimized by martial law, concocted by the late President Marcos!
Angered and confused.
The thought of Marcos being buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani vexed.
The two men I loved and lost because of martial law left in me many unanswered questions and up to this writing grip me with grief.
The two men I loved and lost, I considered bayani in the truest form and substance.
There are thousands of Filipinos like me, silently grieving the loss of our loved ones who offered their lives for our people and our country, and pulling through the many forms of psychological tortures martial law has effected in our lives.
Healing?
Allowing the burial of Mr. Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani is re-opening wounds and pains!
The least I can do now in honoring the memories and deeds of Nick and Willie and the thousands of heroes like them felled by martial law is to be bold in telling you that I am angry and confused in your latest pronouncement about Mr. Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
You said: “I am allowing the late President to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, not because he is ‘bayani’ but as a Filipino soldier”.
If you have not considered him as ‘bayani,’ why allow him to be buried in a historical sacred place intended for bayanis?
I cannot see the logic, the rationale, the wisdom…in your pronouncement.
Mayor Rudy, now our President, please reconsider your decision about the burial place of Mr. Marcos.
Betrayed.
I have always looked up to you as protector of the ordinary people, you are on the side of the oppressed, and you will always serve the interest of the marginalized.
These are your symbols to me. That is why I supported and campaigned for you here in Davao and to all friends and relatives in the Philippines and abroad. To some extent I even loved you, as our beloved mayor, I have always been proud of you, positioning and defending your side among your critics, and declaring this love and reverence for you in public, and even among your intimate friends like Judge Dory Avisado. There was even one time, last year, when Inday Sara came to Dencia’s restaurant, I boldly presented myself to her, told her that I admired and respected her, and I dared asked her if it was true that you were planning to run as President, and when she said it was only you who would have the final answer to my question, I dared again and told her: “please, sana wag na, kasi, baka me magtangka sa buhay nya and we do not want to lose him.”
I cannot understand Mayor, why, in your announcement of allowing Mr. Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, I felt betrayed. I felt you are no longer feeling for an ordinary person like me, and somehow I feel you have forgotten to consider the sentiments of the thousands and maybe even millions of the ordinary people who voted for you, and make you now our President, on the issue of Mr. Marcos burial.
The issue of his burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani is creating chasm between you and us, your supporters, your ordinary people, the compatriots.
I still believe in your sincerity to bring about change in our rotten society, that you still have the heart for the poor, but please, do not make us doubt your love and understanding of the feelings of the direct and indirect victims of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
While burying Mr. Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani will gladden the Marcos’ clan and his loyalists, there are cries of those whose loved ones spilled blood in our lands, my/our question now: in whose hands are the blood of our “bayanis” glued?
Again, my dear Mayor, please reconsider your decision about Mr. Marcos’ burial site.
May God guide you and provide you wisdom.
Salamat! (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Malou Tiangco, is a social worker, a senior citizen who spent four decades in the social transformation movements in the Philippines, “and will continue to be such …for our country, for our people!”)
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en
| 2016-05-29T00:00:00 |
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Army nabs 8 people carrying IED in Lanao Sur
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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 24 Aug) – Army soldiers and policemen intercepted a van carrying explosives intended by the Maute terror group to be blown in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
Maj. Felimon Tan, spokesperson of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command, said the soldiers arrested eight people, including three women, who were riding a Tamaraw FX van in Barangay Nanagun, Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur last Monday afternoon.
Tan said the troops found an improvised explosive device (IED) made of an 81-mm mortar attached to two other pipe bombs and triggering devices inside the Tamaraw vehicle.
The military identified those arrested as Hashim Balawag Maute, Abdul Jabbar Tominaman Macabading, Jamil Batoa Amerul, Muhammad Sianodin Mulok and Omar Khalil. The women passengers were also identified as Hafidah Romato Maute, Nasifa Pandug and Norhanna Balawag Maute.
Tan said the group was on its way to Marawi City from Butig town in Lanao del Sur when troops, acting on intelligence report, blocked them at the checkpoint in Barangay Nanagun.
“The fast reaction of troops and the information of concerned citizens were the key for thwarting a terror attack intended to kill innocent people in populated target areas. IEDs do not select its victims – children, Christians or Muslims, young and old – lahat papatayin niyan and in a wide scale kaya napakalaking bagay na hindi natuloy ito dahil na din sa cooperation ng taong bayan at responde ng sundalo at pulis,” Tan said in a statement.
Tan said they believed the suspects intended to target either the camp of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade in Marawi City, or Iligan or Cagayan de Oro, which is celebrating its fiesta on August 28.
The Maute group composed of former rebels have pledged allegiance to the ISIS banner and is responsible for several attacks against Army detachments in Lanao del Sur.
The group beheaded in Butig town, Lanao del Sur in April 2016 two lumberyard workers, who they kidnapped and taken captives, when the ransom they demanded was not paid. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-24T00:00:00 |
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[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
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GPH-NDF’s ceasefire second after 1986
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/26 August) – Indefinite ceasefire.
The Philippine government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) have each declared a unilateral ceasefire that took effect at 12:01 a.m. on August 21 and will continue indefinitely as their ceasefire committees “reconcile and develop their separate unilateral ceasefire orders into a single unified bilateral agreement within 60 days” from August 26.
The proposed bilateral ceasefire is a major breakthrough in the three decades of peace negotiations across six Presidential administrations — Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Benigno Simeon Aquino and the President Rodrigo Duterte — as it will only be the second since 1986.
The last bilateral ceasefire was signed in November 1986, to cover a 60-day period starting December 10, 1986 but was not renewed following alleged violations by the military, as well as the massacre of protesting farmers in Mendiola in January 1987. The NDF issued a statement on February 8, 1987 declaring it “cannot see any justification for extending.”
Both parties traded accusations of violations of the ceasefire.
The latest agreement was reached at the end of the five-day talks in Oslo, Norway, the first round of formal peace negotiations that ended Friday and will resume on October 8 to 12 to hammer out a peace agreement hopefully within one year.
According to the five-page Joint Statement on the Resumption of the Formal Peace Talks in the Peace Negotiations, the NDF and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) will declare and issue “an indefinite unilateral ceasefire order” to the New People’s Army (NPA) when its seven-day ceasefire ends at 11:59 p.m. on August 27, in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order August 20 order to restore the indefinite unilateral ceasefire he declared on July 25, effective midnight on August 21.
Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire during his first State of the Nation Address on July 25, “to immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks.” He called on the NDF to “respond accordingly. “
Duterte lifted the ceasefire on July 30 after the NDF failed to reciprocate his ceasefire order as he had expected, when a CAFGU personnel was killed and three others injured in Kapalong, Davao del Norte on July 27. On August 5, five soldiers – four in Compostela Valley and one in Bukidnon were killed and 12 others injured, prompting him to warn the CPP/NPA/NDF in the early hours of August 7 to stop using land mines or he will call off the talks.
On August 19, the NDF declared a seven-day unilateral ceasefire that was to start at 12:01 a.m. on August 21 and end at 11:59 p.m. on August 27.
“A promise of just and lasting peace”
The parties also discussed the proposed adoption of annexes to the bilateral ceasefire agreement and the prospective role of a third party in ceasefire monitoring and mediation in case of complaints and alleged violations.
Both sides apparently want to avoid the problems that confronted the 1986-1987 ceasefire.
“We will go home with a promise of a just and lasting peace and our soldiers and the combatants of the NDF finally coming to terms that the war must end,” a press release from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) quoted Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza as saying.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, concurrent head of the GPH peace panel, said the first round of talks ended “with much vigor to accomplish the bigger tasks ahead in peace building.”
“Ours was a leap of faith when we braved to re-engage each other last Monday after more than half a decade of impasse and indifference. But no matter how difficult it was, we choose to believe and today, we start receiving the dividends of that faith.
NDF peace panel chair Luis Jalandoni told a press conference after the signing of the Joint Statement that there is “no statement that there is a deadline of one year,” adding it would be “realistic to leave it at best efforts.”
“We have to look at the concrete situation and make sure that the agreement will be stable and firm and there will be enough guarantees for something that will last for a long time.”
Other agreements
At the end of the first round of talks, the parties also agreed to “immediately recommend” to Duterte the issuance of an Amnesty Proclamation, subject to the concurrence of Congress, for the release of prisoners listed by the NDF. The parties have discussed the content and language of the prospective Proclamation.
The NDF thanked the Duterte administration for the release of the detained NDF consultants and “for committing to cause the early release of prisoners (as listed by the NDF) who are sick, elderly, overly long detained and women based on humanitarian grounds.”
The parties reaffirmed all previous agreements since The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992 and reconstituted the list of NDF negotiators and consultants who will be given safe conduct passes under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).
The NDF submitted a list of 141 names, 54 of them publicly known while 87 are assumed names.
The panels also agreed to accelerate the peace negotiations and set the timeline for the completion of he remaining substantive agenda for the talks: socio-economic reforms (SER), political and constitutional reforms (PCR), and End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (EHDF).
The Reciprocal Working Committees (RWCs) on the SER or what is popularly referred to as CASER (Comprehensive Agreement on the Socio-Economic Reforms), “will endeavor to complete their work within six months from August.
The RWCs-SER will exchange proposed drafts on the CASER framework and outline on or before September 15 and submit their respective comments on or before September 30, through e-mail and will meet between October 19 and 30 to “discuss and finalize the framework and outline of the CASER, their work schedule and methods of work and other matters.”
The Reciprocal Working Groups (RWGs) on the PCR will also exchange drafts in September, meet in Oslo in October, proceed to “respectively enflesh the agreed common draft of the outline” by November and in December spend a week in Oslo to do the common draft on the CAPCR (Comprehensive Agreement on the Political and Constitutional Reforms). Before end of January 2017, the RWGs-PCR are expected to continue drafting until the full text of the proposed CAPCR is completed.
The RWGs-EHDF agreed to present their respective draft outlines for the Comprehensive Agreement on the EHDF during the next panel meeting in October.
The chairs of the Joint Monitoring Committee agreed to meet on September 20-21 in the Embassy of the Royal Norwegian Government, the third party facilitator, in Taguig or at a neutral venue identified by the RNG, to discuss a five-point agenda. (Carolyn O. Arguillas /MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-27T00:00:00 |
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"Jesse Pizarro Boga",
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Duterte’s security team to come from Davao
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/16 May) — At least 70 police and military personnel from Davao City are being groomed to become the security escorts of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte, city police office director Senior Supt. Vicente Danao said.
Speaking in Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw, Danao said that Duterte himself wanted his security team to be composed of personnel from Davao City.
The same officers from the Davao Region are already coordinating with the current presidential security group for smooth transition and other trainings on VIP protection and SWAT skills.
The incoming presidency of Duterte is also going to bring about changes to the structure of the city police office.
Duterte himself will chose the incoming city police chief, and Danao’s recommendations will also serve as input in coming up with the choice.
Senior Supt. Michael John Dubria, deputy for operations in PRO XI; Supt. Filmore Escobal, chief of intelligence in PRO XI; and Senior Supt. Dario Gunabe, director Davao Del sur provincial police office have been recommended by Danao.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s spokesperson Peter Lavina dismissed criticisms that Duterte’s list of officials is being monopolized by people from Davao.
Lavina said that they are continuing to receive applications and the six members of the transition team was only initial.
“We are listing more names to create subcommittees,” he said, adding they are trying to be as transparent and as democratic and open as possible.
“The decision will be his (Duterte),” he said.
Applications, Lavina said, are being shortlisted and carefully evaluated.
In a press briefing at Matina Enclaves on Sunday, Duterte said he will not accept applications from people that are coursed through senators, mayors, congressmen and their recommendations.
“All applicants of government positions must agree that their names will he published in newspapers,” he said. “Endorsements from anybody–especially politicians–will be automatically deleted. I’ll do investigation if you’re fit for the job.”
Danao said that with Duterte’s proposal to double the salary of law enforcers, police will not have any reason to slack off and pursue dubious acts.
“We should deliver services needed by community,” he said, citing that this can start by “disciplining ourselves.”
Davao City, where Duterte is currently the mayor, is on heightened alert to ensure the presumptive president’s security.
The city has 1350 personnel and 98 of them are commissioned officers. The number means a police-people ratio of 1:1003.
Danao said the ideal ratio is one police officer per 500 people.
The city police office is in the process of recruiting new officers in time for the Duterte presidency.
Each personnel will be equipped with one short firearm and one radio.
Duterte said that three recommendations for Philippine National Police chief have already been made.
He said these are former city police chiefs who had worked closely with him and possess vision, integrity, ability and willingness to sacrifice. Seniority and loyalty also play a crucial role.
Duterte said Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, Chief Supt. Rene Aspera and Chief Supt. Ramon Apolinario are on the list.
Dela Rosa now serves as executive director of the PNP Human Resource and Doctrine Development. He was city police director from 2012-2014.
Aspera, currently with the Anti-Kidnapping Group of the PNP, was city police director from 2010-2012.
Apolinario, regional police director of Region IV-B, was city police director from 2008-2010.
“They have sterling performance. They’re good, honest, not corrupt and follow orders,” he said. “I’ll leave the three of them to talk [about who gets the position].”
Duterte added he will no longer allow licensing of heavy firearms. Those who already have licenses are okay, he said.
He also vowed to bring back the death penalty. “I need it to combat and deter crime.” (Jesse Pizarro Boga/MindaNews)
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| 2016-05-16T00:00:00 |
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[
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"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:11:46 | null | 2016-08-22T16:45:48 | null |
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Economy needs 5.1-percent growth rate for 2nd half to reach GDP target
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/22 August) – The Philippine economy must grow by 5.1 percent for the second half of the year to realize the 6- to 7-percent increase in gross domestic product (GDP), Finance secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said Monday.
In a press statement Monday, Dominguez expressed optimism that the country “will most likely hit” the targets by yearend by putting in place some countermeasures that will offset the impact of the Duterte administration’s tax reform plan on cutting personal and corporate income tax rates to improve revenue collection and develop the robust middle class.
Dominguez said they are already preparing the tax reform program for individuals and corporations which will result in more revenues.
He said attaining the GDP target of 7 percent for this year would keep the government growth targets on track for 2016 and next year.
“This is the 70th straight quarter growth since the Asian financial crisis, the 18th straight quarter above five percent, and we’re very happy that this growth has been strong and we foresee that it will continue to be strong through the coming years,” he said.
Dominguez said lowering the corporate income tax rates coupled with relaxing foreign ownership limits by amending the Constitution would attract foreign investments and build capital.
He also discussed earlier plans to implement “higher oil excise duties plus fewer Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions, rationalizing other fiscal incentives, enhancing collection by revenue-earning agencies, and improving the ease of doing business” in the country.
“We are looking towards increasing the amount of allowed foreign investments in nationalized industries, and we believe that will be a boost to our foreign direct investments,” he said.
The official cited the efforts of the Aquino and Arroyo administrations to sustain the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals to boost the country’s economic performance and vowed to sustain it to effectively implement the 10-point socioeconomic agenda.
National Economic Development Authority director general Ernesto Pernia reported last week that the country posted a GDP growth of 7 percent in the second quarter of this year.
This is higher than the 6.8-percent GDP growth recorded in the first quarter, he added.
The second quarter GDP this year surpassed the 5.9-percent growth noted in the same period of 2015.
“Among the major emerging economies – Asian economies – the Philippines likely remains the fastest or second fastest, at least among the growing economies, in the second quarter of 2016, followed by China which grew at 6.7 percent, Vietnam at 5.6 percent, Indonesia at 5.2 percent, Malaysia at 5 percent, and Thailand at 3.5 percent,” Pernia said
The second quarter GDP is well within the 6.1- to 7.2 percent market expectation for the current period, he noted.
Pernia said the growth in the second quarter is boosted by the industry sector with 6.9-percent growth from 6.1 percent during the same period last year, and the services sector, expanding to a growth of 8.4 percent from 6.7 percent.
The biggest GDP growth contributor were the services sector at 4.8 percentage points and industry sector at 2.3 percentage points, but the agriculture sector posted a -0.2 percentage point.
He said the growth improves the country’s probability to attain the revised 2016 Development Budget Coordinating Committees approved projection of 6 to 7 percent by end of the year.
Aside from infrastructure and education investments, Dominguez said the government will also “fully implement the Reproductive Health Law” in a bid to curb the poverty rate from the current 26% to 17% by the end of Duterte’s term by 2022.
He said more support will be poured in the “country’s human resources, to empower poor families to be active contributors in developing the economy” by sustaining the growth momentum through a stimulus program to accelerate spending on infrastructure, human capital, and social protection.” (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-22T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/cbd07490082c5f5108e9ad416ee5b9822fdeb4c602af2008243d746616396272.json
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[
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:04 | null | 2016-08-20T22:31:13 | null |
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Ceasefire!
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/20 August) – The guns will be silent by 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, August 21, as government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) have both declared a unilateral ceasefire – the NDF for seven days but open to discussing a longer period, and the government “for as long as necessary to bring peace in the land.”
“I am pleased to announce that President Rodrigo Duterte has restored the effects of the unilateral ceasefire with the CPP /NPA/NDF (Communist Party of the Philippine/New Peoples Army/NDF) effective 12 midnight tonight, 21 August, 2016,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said in a statement released before departing for Oslo on Saturday afternoon.
Dureza said the duration of the unilateral ceasefire “will last for as long as necessary to bring peace in the land and also in order to provide an enabling environment for the success of the peace negotiations that will start in Oslo, Norway on August 22,”
On Friday, the CPP and the NPA, acting on the recommendation of the NDF peace panel, declared a seven-day unilateral ceasefire to “celebrate and bolster” the formal resumption of the peace negotiations with the GPH.
The GPH and NDF peace panels are meeting in Oslo, Norway on August 22 to 27.
The ceasefire, issued following the release of 14 of the 22 detained NDF consultants in the peace process, is to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, August 21, to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, August 27.
But in a press release posted on the CPP website, it said that to “further bolster peace negotiations, the CPP and NPA are also open to discuss the possibility of a longer ceasefire upon completion of the release of all political prisoners.”
This ceasefire declaration is encouraged by the GRP’s facilitation of the release of 14 of the 22 detained NDFP consultants who are set to participate in peace negotiations in the course of the next several months.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire on July 25, during his first State of the Nation Address but lifted it at 7 p.m. on July 30 “due to the failure of the CPP/NPA/NDF to timely reciprocate with their own,” Dureza said.
“Today, the President restores the effects of that ceasefire declaration precisely at this strategic time when we are all at the onset of the formal resumption of peace talks that had previously stalled for the last four years,” Dureza added.
He said the operational guidelines of the July 25 ceasefire declaration for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and other security units of the government “are also hereby restored.”
The citizens “deserve no less” said the Presidential Adviser who will lead the Philippine delegation to Oslo
Enabling environment
The Duterte administration, he said, will walk the extra mile for peace as he explained that the enabling environment brought about by this ‘silencing of the guns’ “will hopefully go a long way in bringing about an expeditious and early resolution to our differences and aspirations that have long divided us as a people.”
Dureza noted how the President had “caused the unprecedented and historical release from detention of 20 prisoners who are needed in the peace negotiations” and that there is “continuing effort to make available in the Oslo peace talks resumption as many of them as possible.”
“Cease and desist”
The CPP/NPA/NDF statement said that during its seven-day unilateral ceasefire, “all NPA units and people’s militia shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military campaigns and operations” against the uniformed armed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
According to the declaration, AFP and PNP personnel “who have no serious liabilities other than their membership in their armed units” shall not be subjected to arrest or punitive actions and “may be allowed individually to enter the territory of the people’s democratic government to make personal visits to relatives and friends.”
All units of the NPA and the people’s militias “shall remain on defensive mode at both the strategic and tactical levels” but shall nonetheless maintain a “high degree of militancy and vigilance against any hostile actions or movements by enemy armed forces with the aim of encirclement and suppression.”
The NPA, it said, “shall consider as hostile action encroachments on the territory of the people’s democratic government by operating troops of the AFP and its paramilitaries to conduct surveillance, psywar and other offensive operation” that are labeled as ‘peace and development,’ ‘civil-military,’ ‘peace and order’ and ‘law enforcement operations.’
Active-defense operations by the NPA “shall be undertaken only in the face of clear and imminent danger and actual armed attack by the enemy forces and only after exhausting counter-maneuvers to avoid armed encounters.”
The declaration also directed the CPP’s organs and branches and the NPA’s commands and units to “closely monitor any hostile actions, provocations or movements being carried out by the enemy armed forces” and that information should be reported to the concerned commands of the NPA and leadership of the CPP. (MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-20T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/77ffa205196bfdb83b2efdce68dd927f00b696e5e2321cbb3cce43639909785f.json
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[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:45 | null | 2016-08-24T16:33:11 | null |
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NDF submits 141 names for safe conduct passes
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 August) – The National Democratic Front (NDF) has submitted a list of 141 names of consultants and other participants in the peace negotiations with the Philippine government (GPH) who will be given safe conduct passes in accordance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), GPH peace panel chair Silvestre Bello III said.
The GPH-NDF peace panels on Day 2 of the talks in Oslo, Norway on August 23, 2016. Photo by Edwin Espejo / OPAPP
“They gave a new list of 141 names, 54 of which are real identities and 87 are assumed names,” Bello said in reply to MindaNews’ query.
Bello said he will “give them letters of acknowledgement which will entitle them safety and immunity guarantees as provided by the JASIG.”
The submission of the new list is a major step in the negotiations that both parties hope to finish in one year.
Signed on February 24, 1995, the JASIG provides for safety guarantees for “all duly accredited persons … in possession of documents of identification or safe conduct passes” who shall be “guaranteed free and unhindered passage in all areas in the Philippines, and in travelling to and from the Philippines in connection with the performance of their duties in the negotiations.”
According to the JASIG, the documents of identification shall contain the official seal of the issuing party, the bearer’s photograph, name, sex, date and place of birth, height, color of hair and eyes, distinguishing physical features, the assigned number, designation or duty in the peace negotiations, and the period of validity.
Eighteen of 22 detained NDF consultants were temporarily freed last week and are now participating in the Oslo talks. Twelve of the 18 arrived in Oslo before August 22, for the first round of formal peace talks under the Duterte administration while six arrived Tuesday.
The JASIG defines “immunity guarantees” to mean that all duly accredited persons “are guaranteed immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation or any other similar punitive actions due to any involvement or participation in the peace negotiations.”
Five years ago
The NDF’s submission of a new list came five years after verification of JASIG-protected members of the NDF peace panel posed a problem to the peace process.
Then GPH peace panel chair Alexander Padilla said that due to the failure of both panels to verify the identities of the persons using aliases in the NDF’s list of alleged JASIG-protected persons, there was no way to verify the NDF’s claim that the 13 personalities it wanted released were indeed on the JASIG list.
“With no verification, there can be no JASIG protection,” Padilla said in a press release issued by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on August 31, 2011. He said all that the government holds is a list of aliases, with no real names to match.
“The JASIG remains operative for the persons whose real names are listed as JASIG-protected,” Padilla said, adding that “if we had rendered the JASIG inoperative, Louie Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma would not be able to go freely around the country as they are doing now.”
An attempt to verify on July 2, 2011 in Utrecht, The Netherlands failed when the safety deposit box where the NDF stored in 2003 the photos and matching aliases of their alleged JASIG-covered consultants was opened.
“The photos were encrypted in diskettes and could not be read, even with the use of their own decrypting software. It became necessary for both sides to verify the NDF’s claims when the NDF refused to hold bilateral or formal negotiations unless government released most if not all of the persons in its list of alleged JASIG-protected consultants,” the OPAPP press release said.
“In the first place, they should have not used encrypted diskettes to store the pictures since the JASIG called for individual photographs,” Padilla said. “Then their diskettes could not be opened. The failure of the verification process was entirely the fault of the NDF,” Padilla said.
In a press statement on February 13, 2012, Jalandoni said the NDF had “dutifully complied with the JASIG by faithfully respecting the safety and immunity guarantees of all those involved (negotiators, consultants, staffers, security and other personnel) in the peace negotiations on the side of the GRP/GPH” and that it was the latter that had “persistently violated the JASIG with the arrests, torture, killing and disappearance of those involved on the NDFP side, from the arrest and killing of Sotero Llamas, the continuing detention of Alan Jazmines and others, and the abduction and disappearance of Leo Velasco, Prudencio Calubid and Rogelio Calubad, among others.”
“If the GRP/GPH cannot be trusted to comply with the JASIG, how can it be trusted to comply with substantial agreements on social, economic and political reforms? As we have said earlier, palabra de honor or good faith is a key question in any negotiation,” Jalandoni added.
The two panels signed in February 2011 a Joint Statement to accelerate the timetable for the remaining substantive agenda of the talks on socio-economic reforms (SER), political and constitutional reforms (PCR) and end of hostilities and disposition of forces (EOH-DOF).
Oslo 2016
The GPH and NDF peace panels are back in Oslo for their August 22 to 26 talks on the five-point agenda earlier agreed upon: reaffirmation of previous peace agreements; reconstitution of the list of personnel covered by the JASIG; acceleration of peace talks on SER, PCR and EOH-DOF; amnesty declaration for the release of all detained political prisoners subject to concurrence of Congress; and the mode of interim ceasefire.
The panels are meeting at the Scandic Holmenkollen Park in Oslo. The third and fourth days – August 24 and 25 –are crucial as these are the days when the Reciprocal Working Groups (RWG) hold simultaneous meetings “to agree on the agenda, mechanics and schedule of joint meetings” of the RWG-SER, RWG-PCR, RWG-EOH,DOF and the RWGs on Ceasefire and JASIG/releases. The working groups will continue meeting morning of August 25 and in the afternoon will report to the panels. Closing ceremonies are scheduled for August 26.
Tuesday’s 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. session was “a frank and honest discussion among friends,” the OPAPP press release quoted Bello as saying.
“We are candid with each other, knowing that we share the common agenda of peace,” he said, adding there were “heated discussions, at times, which are normal during negotiations. In fact, we have to call a break on several occasions to cool off. But the general atmosphere was cordial as the session was punctuated by laughter and light banter.”
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said of Day 2: “more banter across the table kaya three items done morning.”
Among the agreements re-affirmed are The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992, Breukelen Joint Statement of 1994, the JASIG of 1994 and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or CARHRIHL of 1998.
Bello’s panel members are former Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza, former Elections Commissioner and OIC Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Rene Sarmiento, and lawyers Angela Librado-Trinidad and Antonio Arellano.
Jalandoni’s panel members are Fidel Agcaoili, Coni Ledesma, Asterio Palima and Juliet de Lima-Sison.
Braganza is assigned to supervise the SER committee for the GPH, Sarmiento for PCR and Arellano and Librado for EOH-DOF. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-24T00:00:00 |
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President to Chief Justice: “you are again wrong”
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNew/26 August) — President Rodrigo Duterte has criticized anew Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno for allegedly telling people not to allow arrest if there is no warrant.
In his speech at the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Mindanao Command Friday, Duterte said what the Chief Justice said was “a very dangerous statement” that might lead to more killings in the war against drugs.
“You know, I’d like to respond to the Chief Justice. And as much as possible, I want to be respectful as I can ever be. Madame Justice, you are again wrong when you say ‘do not allow yourself to be arrested if there is no warrant,’” he said.
“Dagdagan mo ang patay niyan. Kasi kung sabihin mo sa tao ngayon na walang warrant, eh may baril ako, may droga ako dito, hearing your words ‘do not allow yourself to be arrested without a warrant’ is a very dangerous statement. You will promote anarchy, the things that you really fear,” he said, as he assured there would be no anarchy under his term.
Duterte was apparently reacting to what Sereno may hve said during a press conference that followed her report on the Judiciary last Thursday. Sereno has yet to react to what Duterte said.
The President, a government prosecutor for a decade before he was named OIC Vice Mayor and later won the mayoralty, said he would like to lecture the public, “not the Supreme Court,” about arrests with warrant and warrantless arrests.
He said a warrant of arrest is issued by the court for law enforcers to arrest this person but arrests can also be made without warrants, when somebody commits a crime in your presence, or had in fact committed, or is about to commit a crime and authorities can “pursue them (criminals) to the ends of the world,” he said.
It was the second time Duterte took a swipe at the Chief Justice.
On August 9, during his visit to the headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division in Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan De Oro City, Duterte warned he would declare martial law if the Chief Justice would get in the way of his fight against illegal drugs.
Sereno had written Duterte on August 8 after the President included seven judges on the list of 163 persons allegedly involved in illegal drugs.
She said she would caution the judges named by Duterte not to ‘surrender’ to the police unless warrants of arrests have been issued against them.
Of the seven judges named by Duterte, Sereno said only four are in active service. One died in January 2008, another one was dismissed in 2007 for gross ignorance of law and misconduct and one retired in June this year.
“To safeguard the role of the judges as the protector of constitutional rights, I would caution them very strongly against ‘surrendering’ or making themselves physically accountable to any police officer in the absence of any duly-issued warrant of arrest,” she said.
Sereno disclosed the high court is “currently investigating a report on a judge who may be so involved” but is not on the President’s list.
A Philippine Star report said the chief magistrate expressed concern Thursday over the impunity relative to the drug-related killings in Duterte’s war on drugs with a tendency that law enforcement agencies will not observe proper court processes.
“I am alarmed by the situation of impunity in our country whereby our court processes are not effected by law enforcement agencies,” the report quoted Sereno as saying. (Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-27T00:00:00 |
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BEYOND THE FOUR WALLS: The Elf Band and a lesson on pride of identity
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MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/28 August) — I have been apprehensive about the decision to subscribe to P99 a month connection to cable television so that our home’s 3-year old son can watch what his cousins enjoy on TV.
This is specially so when the limited selection of cartoon channels includes the violent animated channel. Luckily, one option is a tamed channel for toddlers known to be promoting values. I soon realized that most of the series shown in this channel are dished out by American and British producers.
I came unprepared, however, to deal with an insight on pride of own identity, respect for diversity and uniqueness, straight from one of my son’s favorite cartoon series.
So on one of those nights when I would have wanted to watch Rio Olympics updates or an episode of ”Ang Probinsiyano” I was instead glued to “Paw Patrol” and then later to “Ben and Holly: The Little Kingdom.”
Holly, a fairy princess, daughter of King Thistle, was frantic like her mother on the prospect of a visit of King and Queen Marigold of the nearby kingdom. The host king tried to dissuade the other royals but instead had to deal with the Marigolds visiting them instead. King Marigold said they wanted to hear authentic music of the elves, who are part of King Thistle’s domain.
So he summoned the Elf Band, whose members were surprised at the request to play during the royal visit. When the band played, King Thistle knew the answer. They have never practiced because the King described their last performance horrible and commanded them never to play music again.
The elves’ music has an “um-pa, um-pa” percussion that the king finds a bit undesirable.
But the royal visit was inevitable and the kingdom only has the Elf Band to perform. So King Thistle used magic to “improve” the elves’ music.
On the day of the visit, the royals from other land immediately requested for the community’s music. So the Elf Band played “music” under the spell of their king’s magic.
But the Marigolds never liked it and instead demanded to hear the elves’ umpa umpa touch.
This made Princess Holly happy because in reality this was the music of their kingdom and King Thistle sad because he was embarrassed by his attempt to pattern the elves’ music after the Marigolds’ so the latter will like it.
My little boy was laughing at the animated face of the embarrassed king, who was forced to dance with King and Queen Marigold to the original um-pa um-pa music of the elves.
This episode is a relief for someone who looked for kiddy shows depicting Asian; if not Filipino values on television that toddlers like mine at home would like to watch.
At least the value transcends cultural boundaries.
Humane values, whether Asian, American or European, are the same. I thought the scene taught Holly and the children of Little Kingdom to be proud of who they are.
Of course, we would be happier to see characters on children’s television playing roles of people with history and culture more familiar to them.
For example, for my son whose mother is from the Bukidnon tribe, I would love to make him watch cartoon stories depicting the village’s favorite nanangen or oral folk stories.
Many years ago, we dreamt of children’s books from the tribes living in Mt. Kitanglad. I remember the energy of the Talaandig’s Waway Saway when he shared his discovery in South Korea of thousands of children’s books published from the tribes.
I hope we could relive and make that dream come true. Maybe we can publish booklets of the children’s stories. Then we can produce radio drama shows and eventually television shows.
Maybe, someday, our shows will be the ones that they will show on Nickelodeon or Disney Jr.
As an old friend would say, dream – and your dreams will fall short.
(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Walter I. Balane teaches journalism and economics at the Bukidnon State University and manages the university’s radio station.)
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| 2016-08-29T00:00:00 |
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[
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"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:08:11 | null | 2016-08-25T17:44:13 | null |
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NPA extends suspension of all offensive operations in Surigao provinces
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SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews / 25 Aug) – The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army has extended up to Aug. 31 its suspension of all offensive operations in Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte for the facilitation of the release of five abducted policemen, which is expected on Friday and Saturday.
The CPP-NPA declared Friday last week a seven-day unilateral ceasefire that started 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 21 to 11:59 midnight of Aug. 27 to “celebrate and bolster” the formal resumption of talks with the government in Oslo, Norway.
The extension, said CPP-NPA-NDF Northeastern Mindanao Region spokesperson Ka Maria Malaya, is intended to ensure the safety and security of the “prisoners of war (POW),” the third party facilitators, the NPA custodial units, and all those who will witness the release of PO1 Richard Yu of the PNP-Carmen in Surigao del Sur; PO2 Caleb Sinaca, PO3 Jayroll Bagayas and non-uniformed police worker Rodrigo Angob of the Malimono Municipal Police Station in Surigao del Norte; and SPO3 Santiago Lamanilao of the Surigao City Police Office.
“The [NDFP-NEMR] hereby orders all units of the New People’s Army whose area of responsibility covers San Miguel, Tago, Tandag City, Cortes, Lanuza, Carmen, Madrid, Cantilan and Carrascal in Surigao del Sur and the whole province of Surigao del Norte to continue to suspend all offensive operations until midnight (12:00) of August 31, 2016,” said Malaya.
She said that with President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire, they also expect that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit and paramilitary forces to suspend their offensive operations.
“Should the AFP-PNP-CAFGU units fail to comply with the directive, they shall be subject to counter-offensive and active-defense military actions of the NPA after the lifting of the NPA unilateral ceasefire at the dawn of August 28, 2016,” Malaya warned.
According to Ka Oto, the spokesperson of the rebel group’s Front 16 based in Surigao del Norte and portions of Agusan del Norte, the release of PO1 Richard Yu is scheduled Friday somewhere in Surigao del Sur while the release of other policemen is scheduled on Saturday in an undisclosed location in Surigao del Norte.
Ka Oto wished that the ceasefire would last until September 9-10 for the fiestas celebration in the cities of Surigao Tandag.
Malaya reminded NPA fighters to “maintain their active-defense posture within the given timeframe of the ceasefire, and must not hesitate to defend its forces and the masses within its area of responsibility.”
The policemen’s release, according to NDFP spokesperson for Mindanao Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, “signifies the revolutionary movement’s serious intent in pursuing peace talks between the NDFP and the GHP and as a gesture of goodwill for the resumption of formal peace talks in Oslo, Norway” that begun on August 22. (Roel N. Catoto / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-25T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/082f2e7291274178048c51a1978ea2334d25b3fb30b99ed7acf477dd802aefcf.json
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[
"Antonio L. Colina Iv",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:23 | null | 2016-08-25T18:07:44 | null |
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Duterte to change name of Malacañang Palace to “People’s Palace”
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 25 Aug) – President Rodrigo R. Duterte said that he will change within his term the name of the official residence of the country’s chief executive into “People’s Palace” to do away with “imperialism” attached to its current name, “Malacañang Palace.”
He told an early morning press conference Thursday that the centuries-old Malacañang Palace, which was constructed during the Spanish era where Filipinos were made servants to the elite class of the Spaniards, “sucks with imperialism”
“Sino man ang nagpangalan ng ‘Malacañang Palace’? Mga Español man yan. Why should I not just address it as the ‘People’s Palace of the Republic of the Philippines’?” he said.
The palace, which sits by the Pasig River, is located along Jose P. Laurel St., San Miguel in Manila.
He said that never has he called the president’s official residence as “Malacañang Palace” but rather a “palace of the people called Malacañang.”
The palace was constructed in 1750 and had since undergone remodeling, renovations, and expansions over the years.
According to www.malacañang.gov.ph, “the palace has two types of rooms” – historic rooms that have “significant value to former presidents” and state rooms “that serve specific state functions.”
He said that he is planning to invite different people to come to visit the palace to see for themselves how it looks like inside and invite wounded soldiers over dinner at the palace.
“And one day, I’ll invite also everybody,” he promised, adding that even those from Tondo, and from nearby Pandacan, will get to see the “palasyo ng tao. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-25T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/e79dcd9831afb7fa79552eb440c63ae7f08fc57c594880f78b800d857214cce7.json
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[
"Konrad Dabrowski",
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"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T12:51:08 | null | 2014-07-11T10:26:47 | null |
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COMMENTARY: Mindanao State University-General Santos education needs fast repair
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In December 2013 I was able to visit the General Santos City campus of MSU as part of the project aimed at “transfer of knowledge and scientific methods in the area vital to further progress in food security and economic growth”. In other words, as the president of my University, Dr. J. Alutto, put this in words, “academic passion of the university professors must translate into pioneering discoveries that will improve lives of everybody”. The program that allowed me to travel to Mindanao was born out of the ideas of distinguished scientist, Norman E. Borlaug, who was awarded the Nobel peace prize for his work on new varieties of wheat, saving millions from starvation. It was therefore my responsibility to make best use of this opportunity to visit MSU and make the lasting impact on its students.
I had a couple of lectures and met many enthusiastic students who were working on their dissertation thesis in order to graduate. After returning to Columbus I arranged an exchange of information to help them with experimental designs for their thesis research and suggested some current literature related to their scientific work for them to review. It took many hours of work but continuous correspondence with students of College of Fisheries assured me that they greatly appreciate this advice and help. In that very spirit I engaged myself and students I am teaching here at Ohio State and in collaboration with Prof. Arlyn Mandas and her advisees. We developed the plan for mutually beneficial relationship, not only professors but most importantly, American and Filipino students working on the same subject, fisheries and aquaculture. My students and myself reviewed their researcher proposals and made suggestions regarding experimental design, diet formulation for fish and shrimp nutrition studies and procedures to collect reliable results. We provided all students with the most recent world literature on the subject of their studies, and made sure that their objectives were original, innovative and would make a new contribution to science. Needless to say it took many hours of all of us, including 10 of my undergraduate and graduate students to accomplish this effort. I hoped it would be helpful to the educational process at MSU. I want to emphasize that I thought it would also spark an interest in my students in the geography, education and culture of Philippines, something that most American students know very little about.
I have read three of the dissertation theses produced as a result of this collaboration and in my opinion they meet all the criteria required for proceeding with their defense. However, I have been informed that these students (7 of them them) were denied their right to defend their scientific work because of some internal rule in the Department of Fisheries that requires experimentation to be carried out for “60 days”. In my understanding of scientific work in this field, there is absolutely no justification for such a criterion. As mentioned in my letter to the Chancellor of MSU there is no such criterion in any of the 100 journals I have worked with as a reviewer and have never experienced such an arbitrary and un-scientific requirement during my own 40 year career as a scientist which has led to the publishing of over 400 peer-reviewed articles. The Dean of Ronald P. Sombero and eight professors of Aquaculture Department signed the letter to MSU Chancellor specifically stating that “a simple rule of completing duration of the study was not met (60 days) and resulted in not allowing the said students to proceed” to graduation. There could not be more unjustified rule and as M.L. King once said “Unjust law is not law at all”.
In my letter to Chancellor A.T. Canacan on March 24, 2014, I wrote: I am willing to review dissertations of the students who were denied graduation and provide you with my judgment as to the scientific value of their work from the perspective of my teaching and research experience in many countries of the world. I strongly encourage you to step in and help to resolve this dilemma. I am convinced that the good of education and scientific merit will prevail as there are no borders to the right process. My letter remains unanswered until today.
I am of the opinion that an enormous injustice has been done to these students at MSU who have done great scientific work, were very receptive to our suggestions during their experiments and prepared dissertations that would certainly meet any scientific criteria for graduation set by a United States academic institution. In part my outrage and this letter is also response to my American students who could not understand why their Phillipino counterparts were punished for their collaboration and all their effort was wasted. To the contrary, my students at OSU were awarded for their collaboration as part of their evaluation and told me that their learned a lot about Mindanao aquaculture and established personal relationships with MSU students.
On a more personal note I would like to explain why I was inspired to write you this letter. I was listening to a lecture by Professor Jeffrey Sachs (a world renown economist) a couple of days ago whose message was that there will be no change in human progress if “old rules” are not abolished to make room for a wave of new ideas. I believe that this “60 day” rule at MSU is one of these old ideas, not only because it has no scientific merit but because it impedes the progress of young scholars who will define the future of all of us.
I strongly encourage you to publish this letter and inform public in the General Santos City. After all, University is responsible to provide to the community. The best way is to educate critically informed students who will be socially engaged and the example of change. It is imperative to change rules that make no sense and inhibit progress. I believed that association with Ohio State would provide them access to world-class education and opportunity to study further at the academic institutions worldwide. (Konrad Dabrowski, Ohio State University, Columbus,U.S.A.)
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| 2014-07-11T00:00:00 |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:07:59 | null | 2016-08-25T18:30:21 | null |
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Lorenzana stays as Defense Secretary; Duterte still scouting for Ambassador to US
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 August) – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will remain in his post and not return to the United States as the Philippines’ Ambassador there, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a midnight press conference.
“Gusto niya dito sa Pilipinas na lang,” (He wants to remain in the Philippines), the President said, adding, “so he stays.”
Duterte made the clarification after he again offered the Defense Secretary post to Gilbert Teodoro, in his speech during the oath-taking of newly-appointed Generals and Flag Officers at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace on August 23.
Teodoro, who had served as Defense Secretary under the Arroyo administration and who ran for the Presidency in 2010 but lost to Benigno Simeon Aquino III, had declined Duterte’s offer in May and again declined the recent offer.
Duterte told the generals that in the Cabinet meeting the previous day, they discussed who was going to be sent as ambassador to a country he did not name then. “Mukhang apurado na ang ano who’s the next ambassador,” he said.
The “ano” he referred to on August 23 he named in his midnight conference: the United States.
Duterte told reporters they were discussing on who should be the Ambassador to the United States during a Cabinet meeting and “I think it was Sonny Dominguez” who pointed to Lorenzana, a retired Major General in the Armed Fordes of the Philippines who had worked at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC since 2002. Until Duterte named him Defense Secretary.
Duterte said Lorenzana told him that if he orders him to accept the position, he would accept, but expressed his desire to remain in the country.
Lorenzana served as Defense and Armed Forces Attaché of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC from August 2002 until October 2004 and as Special Representative / Head of the Veterans Affairs from November 2004 to June 2015.
Born in Midsayap, North Cotabato in 1948, Lorenzana grew up in Parang, Maguindanao and first met Duterte when he served as battalion commander of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion based in Malagos, Davao City from April 1987 to August 1989 when Duterte was OIC Vice Mayor and was elected mayor in 1988. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-25T00:00:00 |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:07:14 | null | 2016-08-25T21:28:34 | null |
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Duterte is 5th President to wage war vs Abu Sayyaf
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 25 August) – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military and police to seek out the Abu Sayyaf and destroy them.
“Seek them out in their lairs and destroy them… Ang mga Abu Sayyaf destroy them, period,” Duterte said in a midnight press conference, hours after the Abu Sayyaf was reported to have beheaded an 18-year-old male resident of Sulu who was kidnapped by the terrorist group on July 16.
The Abu Sayyaf had earlier warned they would behead Patrick James Almodovar, son of a court stenographer, by Wednesday, August 24, if the million-peso ransom they demanded was not paid.
“That’s why I am sending the troops there and tell them to destroy (the Abu Sayyaf),” Duterte said in a press conference outside a seafood restaurant here after a near midnight dinner Wednesday with soldiers bound for Sulu.
“My orders to the police and armed forces against all enemies of the state: Seek out, seek them out in their lairs, whatever and destroy them. Ang mga droga destroy them. Ang mga Abu Sayyaf, destroy them. Period.”
Duterte is the fifth Philippine President to attempt to destroy the Abu Sayyaf. Former Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Simeon Aquino III had attempted to do the same but the Abu Sayyaf has remained, its kidnapping and other terror acts even worse than before.
Asked how different his war against the Abu Sayyaf will be from the previous administrations’, Duterte replied: “I’ll be harsh. But mind you, it’s not just a campaign-campaign. Go out and destroy them. So patay kung ano yan. Wag na kayong magtanong human rights. Even sa drugs.”
Duterte initially thought it was the Norwegian kidnap victim, Kjartan Sekkingstad, who was beheaded because if he were, “I would accuse now the Abu Sayyaf of in utter bad faith. Binayaran na yan sila” (They were already paid), he said, citing the figure P50,000 but later corrected to P50 million. Who paid the amount, he did not say.
He narrated he has Moro blood, having a Maranao for a grandmother, but abhors what the Abu Sayyaf is doing.
MindaNews later asked Duterte at Magsaysay Park after eating durian with the soldiers, how he will destroy the Abu Sayyaf. “My orders for them: destroy. I do not care if you destroy a physical being or a property there or a cement house. Go there and destroy because they have destroyed us,” he replied.
“But they are also staying within the communities,” MindaNews asked.
“Bahala na. Basta my orders to them, pati yung droga destroy them.”
In 2000, then President Joseph Estrada, a former movie actor known for colorful language, waged an “all out war” against the Abu Sayyaf. His battlecry then was “Pulbusin ang Abu hanggang maging abo” (literally: crush the Abu until they turn into ash).
Hundreds of troops were deployed to Sulu, transport to and from the island province as well as telecommunications were cut off for several days in September 2000. Thousands of Sulu residents were displaced and the livelihood of thousands of farmers and fisherfolk was adversely affected as they could not farm and fish while the military operations were ongoing. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-25T00:00:00 |
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"Jose Maria Sison",
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] | 2016-08-26T13:01:01 | null | 2016-06-12T21:07:19 | null |
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5 Mindanao provinces and 4 cities did not vote for Duterte
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 12 June) – Not all of Mindanao’s 27 provinces and 33 cities voted for Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the first Mindanawon to become President of the Philippines: five provinces and four cities did not.
Records from the Commission on Elections show that Duterte, standard bearer of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP-Laban) won in 22 provinces but lost to administration bet Manuel Roxas (Liberal Party) in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte, and to Independent bet, Senator Grace Poe in Zamboanga del Sur.
Duterte also won in 29 Mindanao cities but lost to Roxas in the cities of Bayugan, Lamitan, Ozamiz and Tangub.
Nationwide, Duterte won in 10 of 18 regions, including Mindano’s six, but lost four regions to administration bet Mar Roxas, three to Senator Grace Poe and one to Vice President Jejomar Binay.
In the Vice Presidential race, Vice President-elect Leni Robredo won in 14 Mindanao provinces and 16 cities, Senator Ferdinand Marcos in seven provinces and seven cities, and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano in six provinces and 10 cities.
In Zamboanga del Sur, the lone Mindanao province that gave Poe the highest votes, Poe got 149,570 votes against Duterte’s 141,065 and Roxas’ 81,348.
Among the four provinces that voted for Roxas, it was a tight race in Zamboanga del Norte, with only 460 votes as difference: 175,008 voted for Roxas, 174,548 for Duterte.
In Camiguin, Roxas got 35,613 against Duterte’s 11,285; In Misamis Occidental, 109,812 voted for Duterte while 137,015 voted for Roxas.
In Agusan del Sur, Roxas won with 150,613 votes against Duterte’s 115,869.
Misamis Occidental gave Roxas 137,015 and Duterte, 109,812.
Where Duterte won in Mindanao
Duterte won in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Basilan, Bukidnon, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Island, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tawi-tawi and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Duterte won in the cities of Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, El Salvador, General Santos, Gingoog, Iligan, Isabela, Kidpawan, Koronadal, Malaybalay, Marawi, Mati, Oroquieta, Pagadian, Panabo, Samal, Surigao, Tacurong, Tagum, Tandag, Valencia and Zamboanga.
In the city of Bayugan in Agusan del Sur, Roxas won with 23,347 votes against Duterte’s 16,008; in Lamitan, Basilan, Duterte got 14,137 votes against Roxas’ 17,529.
In Ozamiz, Roxas won with 26,696 votes against Duterte’s 24,378 but in Tangub City, Duterte’s loss was huge: only 3,244 votes against Roxas’ 23,385.
VP race
Robredo won in four of five ARMM provincies — in the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Tawi-tawi – but lost big to Marcos in Sulu: she got only 46,218 votes against Marcos’ 127,437.
She also won in Zambonga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay but lost to Marcos in Zamboanga del Sur.
Robredo won in all five provinces of Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) but fared poorly in the five-province Region 11 (Davao) which went for Cayetano.
Region 10 comprises the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental while Region 11 comprises Compostela Valley and the four Davao provinces: del Norte, del Sur, Occidental and Oriental.
The four-province Region 12, or what is also referred to as Soccsksargen – comprising North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat – went for Marcos.
In the five-province Caraga region, Robredo won in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte but lost Dinagat Islands to Marcos, and Surigao del Sur to Cayetano by 16 votes (88,519 for Cayetano and 88,503 for Robredo).
Robredo won in the cities of Bayugan, Cotabato, Dipolog, El Salvador, Gingoog, Koronadal, Lamitan, Malaybalay, Marawi, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Surigao, Tandag, Tangub, and Zamboanga.
Cayetano won in the cities of Bislig, Butuan, Davao, Digos, Iligan, Kidapawan, Mati, Panabo, Samal and Tagum.
Marcos won in Cabadbaran, Cagayan de Oro, Dapitan, General Santos, Isabela, Tacurong and Valencia.
Nationwide win
Nationwide, Duterte won in 10 regions – Mindanao’s six – and the National Capital Region, Region IVB (Calabarzon), Region 3 (Central Luzon) and Region 7 (Central Visayas).
Duterte got the highest number of regional votes – 2,127,273 — from the NCR or the 16-city and one-town Metro Manila. He lost in only one area, Makati, which voted for former Makati City Mayor Binay.
Cebu where Duterte attended a victory party on June 8, gave him the highest provincial vote nationwide, at 762,559.
Roxas won in the Negros Island Region (NIR), and Regions IVB (Mimaropa), 6 (Western Visayas) and 8 (Eastern Visayas).
Poe won in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 5 (Bicol), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) while Binay won in Region 2 or Cagayan Valley. (Carolyn O. Arguillas /MindaNews)
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| 2016-06-12T00:00:00 |
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"Jesus G. Dureza"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:44 | null | 2016-08-22T22:51:13 | null |
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PEACETALK: We can decisively move forward towards achieving a just and lasting peace
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(Opening statement of Luis G. Jalandoni, chair of the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines at the start of the first round of formal peace talks with the Philippine government in Oslo, Norway, 22 August 2016)
Hon. Foreign Minister of the Royal Norwegian Government, Borge Brende, Hon. State Secretary Tore Hattrem, Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process, Elisabeth Slattum, Hon. Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Hon. Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Compatriots and Friends,
We in the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Negotiating Panel, Consultants and Staff, warmly greet and convey our heartfelt thanks to the Royal Norwegian Government for its determined and painstaking efforts as Third Party Facilitator since 2001 in patiently and efficiently working to move the peace process forward.
Their unwavering assistance and support, and the uniquely significant commitment of GPH President Duterte to push ahead the peace negotiations to address the roots of the armed conflict in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, with the tremendous efforts of our dedicated staff of lawyers and other committed organizations, have brought us to this point of high expectations for the success of our endeavors to achieve a just peace.
It is our unique privilege that in this session, our newly released NDFP consultants are present. Surely, their long standing dedication to serve the people and their rich experience will be a major contribution to these peace negotiations and give a decidedly significant push to achieve our goals in attaining a just and lasting peace.
May I introduce our Negotiating Panel: Vice-Chairperson of our Panel is Fidel Agcaoili, also the Chairperson of our Monitoring Committee under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), Julieta de Lima, Chairperson of our Reciprocal Committee on Social and Economic Reforms, Coni Ledesma, Member of the Monitoring Committee and Chairperson of the NDFP Special Office for the Protection of Children, and Asterio Palima, our representative for the Nordic countries. Of course, all of you know, Prof. Jose Maria Sison, Founding Chairperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines and NDFP Chief Political Consultant. We have a further array of consultants, lawyers, and staff whom you shall surely get to know in the following days.
We are confident that both our negotiating panels, consultants and staff, will be able to take up the agenda we both agreed upon on our June 15 Joint Statement signed here in Oslo. We shall take up the following agenda points in the coming five days:
Reaffirmation of previous peace agreements;
2. Reconstitution of the list of personnel covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety
and Immunity Guarantees;
3. Acceleration of peace talks on social and economic reforms, political and constitutional
reforms, and end of hostilities and disposition of forces;
4. Amnesty Declaration for the release of all detained political prisoners; and
5. Mode of interim ceasefire
We shall once more take a point stated in our Joint Statement of June 15, namely, the release on humanitarian grounds of the sick and elderly, overly long detained, and women political prisoners.
More importantly, we expect the realization of the amnesty proclamation to release all political prisoners as a necessary incentive for the ceasefire between the two parties. Our constituency demand that there ought to be a substantive reason for the high risk of agreeing to an indefinite and prolonged ceasefire, which could amount to capitulation and mere pacification, without substantive incentives for the revolutionary movement and without assurance of success in forging satisfactory agreements on social, economic and political reforms.
Whatever is the mode of ceasefire for a start or in the long run, there must be clear premises, terms and mechanisms so that the ceasefire can be more stable, less prone to violations and less vulnerable to actual occurrences and allegations of ceasefire violations. At the same time, the ceasefire should promote the advance of substantive negotiations and agreements and not deter or delay the peace process. The two panels must discuss fully the subject of ceasefire before further work is assigned to the respective ceasefire committees of the GPH and NDFP.
With the commitment for just and lasting peace, declared by GPH President Rodrigo Duterte and the leadership of the NDFP, Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, we are confident we can decisively move forward towards achieving a just and lasting peace. The Filipino people, our Third Party Facilitator, our peace advocates in the Philippines and abroad, are one with us in aspiring for meaningful reforms like land reform and national industrialization, political and constitutional reforms that will strengthen our independence and national sovereignty, negotiate the end of hostilities, and attain a just and lasting peace.
Thank you very much!
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| 2016-08-22T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/dc08ff7613ac8b0b92b4293592415338fa0452e16ebb4e34388ab0b5543fbd9b.json
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[
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Duterte names Diokno to head DBM, Briones to DepEd
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/29 May) – Incoming Rodrigo Duterte asked two non-childhood friends to join his Cabinet as he defended himself from allegations that he is naming only friends and classmates to top government positions when he assumes the post on June 30.
Duterte announced in a press conference late Saturday night that he would appoint Benjamin Diokno to head the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Leonor Briones to the Department of Education (Deped), the position first offered to but declined by Lyceum President Peter Laurel.
Diokno was Budget Secretary while Briones was National Treasure under the administration of Joseph Estrada who was President from June 30, 1998 until his ouster on January 21, 2001.
“Ang mga bago kong appointee hindi ko kababata” (My new appointees are not my childhood friends),” he said.
Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte faces the media Saturday night in Davao City with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, returning Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza and senator-elect Manny Pacquiao. Mindanews photo by KEITH BACONGCO
Duterte said he is hopeful that Briones, who asked to be given until Tuesday to decide on his offer, would consider as he believes she would address the troubles that the shift to K to 12 will cause to both students and teachers.
“(I chose Briones) because she is quite familiar with the problem because of the implementation of the K to 12, that students will be marginalized students or will not be able to enroll and a good number of teachers also who (will) have lost their positions. So, problema yan,” he said.
As of Saturday night, the Duterte Cabinet, aside from Diokno and Briones, will be composed of the following persons whose names were given out in a series of press conferences starting May 16:
Arthur Tugade as Secretary of Transportation and Communication, Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez, Secretary of Finance; lawyer Perfecto Yasay as acting Foreign Affairs Secretary; lawyer Salvador Medialdea, Executive Secretary; lawyer Salvador Panelo, head of Malacanang Press and Presidential spokesperson; Mark Villar, Public Works and Highways Secretary; former North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pinol, Agriculture Secretary; lawyer Vitaliano Aguirre as Justice Secretary; Jose Calida, Solicitor General; Alfono Cusi as Secretary of Energy; Ernesto Pernia, chief of the National Economic and Development Authority; Leoncio Evasco as Secretary to the Cabinet; Silvestre Bello, Secretary of Department of Labor and Employment.
Also on May 16, Duterte offered the Communist Party of the Philippines “if they join my government” four departments – Agrarian Reform, Environment and Natural Resources, Labor and Employment, and Social Welfare and Development.
Dutere dubbed as “stupid allegation” his decision to name only personalities known to him.
He said he believes in the credentials and the capabilities of his appointees.
“Accusation na mga kaklase at kaibigan, that’s a very stupid allegation, or an issue you raised, hindi kami mayaman. You do not appoint somebody you do not trust. You have to know the person long enough to know his character and his capacity and his honesty,” he said.
He said he has not yet considered any Cabinet position for incoming Vice President Leni Robredo as he wants to talk to her first and establish a “good rapport in the meantime.”
“If that’s just opening of opportunity, it would come earlier. It doesn’t meant to say the door is open and there’s already the job waiting. An opportunity or chance maybe we can talk of just having a good rapport in the meantime. Kasi hindi nga kami magkakilala eh” (Because we still don’t know each other), he said.
He reiterated that he would not “be looking beyond my borders yet” and will consider looking for people who “are loyal to me all along.”
He added that he has names of potential choices for the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Transportation Office, and Department of National Defense, the position reportedly declined by its former Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro. He said the names will be out by Tuesday. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2016-05-29T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/ed437b55dbab42a29c294a2cea7fc7189bed619025d9fbc24565e87e6937cbbd.json
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"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
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3 members of armed group killed in Maasim
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GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/21 August) — Three members of an armed group were killed in an encounter with police operatives in the outskirts of Maasim town in Sarangani Province on Saturday afternoon.
Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., public information officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-12, said the three still unidentified suspects were allegedly members of the Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines, a local armed group allegedly sympathetic to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Galgo said operatives from the police Special Action Force (SAF) caught up with the group at around 5 p.m. at a portion of Upper Sitio Lebe, Barangay Daliao in Maasim.
Recovered at the site were a carbine rifle, an M-79 grenade launcher, a rifle scope, a black flag bearing an ISIS logo and an empty shell of an M-203 rifle grenade.
“This is part of our ongoing intensified operations against the Ansar Al-Khilafah, especially against its leader Mohammad Jaafar S. Maguid alias Tokboy,” Galgo said in a statement.
Early on Saturday, the police official said joint Army and police operatives arrested near the site an alleged member of the group identified as Mustapha Gansing.
He said the suspect was nabbed at around 4:30 a.m. at house owned by a certain Kupang Sahak.
Seized from the suspect were an Uzi machine pistol, a tee-shirt with an ISIS logo, suspected bomb-making components and a set of camouflage.
Galgo said the regional police initially deployed police teams to the area on Fridayevening as part of the operation.
He said the operating units were composed of elements from the SAF, Sarangani Police Public Safety Company, Regional Public Safety Battalion-12 and the Sarangani Police Provincial Office.
They were backed by troops from the light reaction company of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion.
Galgo said the clearing operations in the area are still ongoing as of Sunday morning.
“All operating elements are still in the area and on alert,” he said. (MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-21T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/58e8b3bae6e5247a103fd5d86510c571674242e423febbd5d210323ac5366625.json
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] | 2016-08-26T12:58:57 | null | 2016-07-07T18:24:29 | null |
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Davao City police chief on alleged terror threat: no ISIS-affiliated group here
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 07 July) – The hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte is reportedly facing threats from a global terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), according to his son, acting Mayor Paolo Duterte, but the Davao City Police Office maintained there is no ISIS-affiliated group in the region or Mindanao.
Newly-minted DCPO director Michael John Dubria told a press conference on Thursday that there are no reports from the intelligence community pertaining to the presence of any ISIS-recognized group here.
“(You) remain calm but stay vigilant, there is no truth to the information that there is ISIS group, but it doesn’t mean that we do not have threats directed towards our city,” he said.
Acting Davao City Mayor Paolo Duterte on Thursday told reporters that the city is facing threats from ISIS, that he has ordered the police and military to beef up security and intensify intelligence gathering to avert possible attacks from the international terror group.
He said he already has some information about the whereabouts of the group but refused to give details.
“We are intensifying the gathering of information. We cannot disclose details or confirm anything as of yet,” the acting mayor said.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon told MindaNews “we will look into this.”
“We will treat this as raw info but will exert big effort in verifying,” Esperon added.
Dubria said he was told by the acting mayor that a person told him of the threat but it remains to be validated and it did not specifically state Davao as the subject of the attack.
“Sinabi nya sa akin there was a person who informed him but it remains to be validated but he said to me that it did not state that the threat is in Davao City. Davao City has remained safe. Why can I say that? The police are spread out. I have directed station commanders to intensify checkpoint operations and to maximize the deployment of their personnel and so to try to gather as much information from informants and intelligence networks so that Davao City will stay safe and secure as it is,” he said.
The Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) echoed the police’s statement.
“Yun ang sabi ni Vice Mayor Duterte but this has to be validated, yan ang ginagawa namin ngayon with other security agencies dito sa area ng EastMinCom pati na rin yung WestMinCom. On our part continuous ang monitoring and naka-alert kami, so far wala pa naman but again yung threat naman always nandyan yan kaya ang ating mga units on alert and on our toes,” said Maj. Ezra Balagtey, EastMinCom spokesperson.
He said that they will do all they can to protect the city, this being the “Exhibit A” of the President in his campaign against drugs and criminality.
The Davao City Information Office posted an “additional quote” from Duterte on its Facebook chat group at 3:38 p.m., hours after the interview, that “whether the information is real or not, whether there is an actual threat from ISIS or none, what is important is that the people are now informed. And because of that, all of us are vigilant now. The public and all concerned agencies have been alerted and are doing everything to avert the threat from ISIS. Kailangan nating magbantay. I repeat, we are still verifying this information.”
Dubria acknowledged though that there are “ISIS-like” armed groups and terrorist groups like the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) operating in Mindanao who are trying to sow fear among the people in order to get the support of the ISIS.
“Per intelligence exchange with our units and operatives, there is no ISIS group in PRO 11 area of responsibility… or in Mindanao. These groups like the BIFF are terrorist groups and they are trying to get the support of the ISIS, so we call them ISIS-inspired, but we don’t call them ISIS. I do not believe that we have ISIS-inspired groups in Region 11, it is possible in other places in Mindanao,” he said.
Dubria acknowledged that there are other threats the city is facing, not only against the President who prefers to spend a few days in the city before returning to his official residence in Malacañang at the National Capital Region, but also from lawless armed groups.
“Other regions are experiencing threats from lawless armed group. Davao Region is different because we not only experienced threats from lawless armed group but also from BIFF, ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group)… most especially now that the police have stepped up their campaign against illegal drugs, so it is also possible that drug lords and personalities involved in drugs and those whose businesses were affected in our intensified campaign against illegal drugs na they plan to retaliate.”
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| 2016-07-07T00:00:00 |
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[
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PEACETALK: Dawn of a new day; let's stay the course
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(Opening statement of Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza during the formal resumption of peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF in Oslo, Norway , 9:30am , at Holmenkollen Park Hotel, August 22, 2016)
On this crispy cold Oslo morning, we are all convened here, thousands of miles away from our own homeland, ironically in a foreign clime and time, in yet another renewed effort to re-ignite the lost sparks that were once there, in our mutual search for that seemingly elusive peace in our land.
Today’s challenges , no doubt, are daunting. Consider the following stark realities:
* 40 years of conflict;
* Filipinos fighting Filipinos;
*about 40 rounds of
“off and on” peace talks;
* around 15 deadlocks
* last peace talks 5 years ago
* Spanning six ( 6) presidencies
I was a young Davao congressman then when I first joined the fray as Panel Adviser representing the House of Representatives. I and Secretary Bebot Bello were 30 years younger then and I am amazed that we are still here today! I still see old timers here on our side of the table like former PAPP Rene Sarmiento, former Sec Nani Braganza, including Secretariat chief Carla Munsayac, Atty Sedfrey Candelaria, among others. And as I scan across the other side of the table, I still see the same still familiar looking faces, Joma Sison, Louie Jalandoni, Fidel Agcaoili, Coni Ledesma, Julie de Lima , Asterio Palima , Ka Satur Ocampo and others.
We all went through several breakdown of talks. We stumbled due to “preconditions”, so-called “hardline non- negotiable positions”, the ghost of the now obsoletE” status of belligerency” rearing it’s ugly head from time to time. There were many more of these obstacles.
We have long worked together and we hope to learn from the lessons of the immediate past.
So, why are we still here today doing the same things as before and hoping to find better results this time than before? I recall an interesting post at my Facebook account which defined ” insanity” as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting and hoping that the results will be different at some other time.
Well, there’s a new, refreshing element now in that illusive peace equation that has unexpectedly entered the scene. And this is the dawning of some new hope with the onset of the Duterte presidency. President Rodrigo Duterte has committed his presidency to bringing a definitive and final peace settlement to our troubled land. We who are in government are working now under his leadership and guidance to bring about this commonly shared dream.
The bold and historic recent release of detainees and the record-time, hastily-arranged foreign travel in so short period of time to enable them to participate in the peace negotiations is unprecedented. I never imagined this could ever happen before, including the spontaneous ceasefire declarations that we now see happening.
Yes, the Duterte presidency is the main and compelling reason why we are all still here, confidently inspired and full of spirit , still with fire in our belly to hopefully find new breakthroughs and milestones together.
Please allow me to also mention an important factor that impels us to continue our difficult task, the daunting challenges notwithstanding. Let me pay tribute to the strong support, patient and creative facilitation of the Royal Norwegian government – our virtual common umbilical cord that tightly connected us and kept us from walking away from the negotiating table during those trying times. Likewise, we also cite the support of the other foreign governments and the donor community and we call on them to continue being with us in our peace journey.
We can all see now that there is renewed and fresh euphoria in the air. Our coming together starting today should be not in the context of out-witting or out-maneuvering each other across the table. Neither is this a joust of one side unduly gaining strategic advantage over the other. But this should be more of a coming together of Filipinos interested to see changes in the land– in our land, to be shared for and by all. If we can, let’s no longer call our engagements as negotiations but instead a shared national “conversation” a ” dialogue” where we find together common grounds, bridge the divides and seek common dreams to share.
But this peace journey is not on well-paved and concrete road. There will expectedly be humps and bumps along the way. The road to peace is not easy and rosy, considering the long history of animosity, suspicion and armed conflict that troubled our land.
Hopefully all this now belong to yesterday. Today is the dawning of another day.
As I always say: Let’s all stay the course! No matter what!!
Who knows. This may perhaps be our last chance in our own lifetime to make this shared dream come true.
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| 2016-08-22T00:00:00 |
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Duterte: US intervention in MidEast invited terrorism in America
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/08 July) — US intervention in the Middle East countries invited terrorism in America, President Rodrigo Duterte told a crowd of Moro religious and political leaders attending the Mindanao Hariraya Eid’l FItr 2016 at the SMX Convention Center Davao Friday night.
Citing the history of colonization of what is now the Philippines by Spain and later America, Duterte, the country’s 16th President and the first Mindanawon to lead the nation, said colonialism brought a lot of problems to Mindanao “and that is what is happening in the Middle East.”
“Ayaw lang mag-admita itong Britain pati America (Britain and America don’t want to admit it but) they forced their way to Iraq and killed Saddam (Hussein). Look at Iraq now. Look what happened to Libya. Look what happened to Syria. Put.. Nauubos ang tao doon, pati bata binobomba ng gasoline (The people are being killed, even children are bombed) because they were pushed to the wall for the failed promises,” Duterte said.
He said he has not been heard publicly to refer to the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf as criminals. “You’ve never heard me say ‘mga kriminal’ (criminals)” because “it is.. a different set up there because these are the guys who were driven to desperation.”
He acknowledged that “from MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) chair Nur Misuari to the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), there was no sufficient semblance of governance. And that is why they (were) pushed to the wall, then they became radicalized. That’s what happened in the Middle East. It is not that the Middle East is exporting terrorism sa America. America imported terrorism.” The crowd applauded.
“Sinira nila ang Middle East eh. Sino ba naman ‘yung si Saddam? (They destroyed the Middle East. Who was Saddam?) He was one dictator but he was in firm control of the country. And now that it turned out that after the investigation, you must have heard it over BBC, after a thorough, almost 10 years investigation, it turned out there was no legal basis to declare war against Iraq. Kita mo ‘yan? that’s why it’s such a useless war.”
Duterte was referring to the Chilcot report on the Iraq Inquiry, released Wednesday, which found that Britain’s decision to join the US-led war against Iraq was based on flawed intelligence and was launched before diplomatic options were exhausted.
The report said that Saddam, who was accused of building up an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction – chemical, biological and nuclear — “no imminent threat” when the U.S-led invasion was launched in March 2003, and that while military action against him “might have been necessary at some point,” the “strategy of containment” could have continued for some time.
Duterte noted the possibility of restoring peace in Mindanao by effecting a major change in government through federalism, to encourage the Filipino people to build a nation “founded on peace and understanding.”
” It will not be overnight, certainly not next year, it would be something two to three years from now but I assure you something will change before I end my term,” he said.
Duterte divulged plans of coming with framework that will effect a “reconfiguration of territory” if both members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) would be convinced (see other story).
He added that if the nation will not agree on federalism he will proceed with “whatever is in the (proposed) “BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law).” The BBL, a commitment under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed in March 2014, is supposed to pave the way for the establishment of a new autonomous political entity called the “Bangsamoro,” which would replace the ARMM.
The 16th Congress under former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III adjourned without passing the law. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2016-07-09T00:00:00 |
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10ID says soldiers did not encamp in Lumad school
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/23 August) – Soldiers did not occupy a Lumad school in a village in New Bataan town, Compostela Valley over the weekend, the 10th Infantry Division said in a statement Tuesday.
Capt. Rhyan Batchar, 10ID Public Affairs Office chief said the accusation against the 67th Infantry Battalion was “unfounded, baseless, and malicious” as the concerned area is already outside its area of operations.
The 10ID was reacting to a Facebook post by the Save Our Schools Network on Sunday that “several soldiers from both 66th and 67th IB stayed and encamped within the community which was just about 10 meters away from Salugpongan School in Purok 3, Barangay Panansalan, Compostela Town, Compostela Valley Province.”
“The students and teachers were anxious and fears further harassment from the soldiers since they’ve learned about the illegal arrest and detention of Salugpongan Teacher and Researcher Amelia Pond last August 19,” the post said.
But Batchar admitted there were personnel of the 66th IB who stayed in Purok 3, Panansalan.
He said Purok chair Artemio Magno allowed the soldiers to stay in the place but not in the houses and school.
He added the 66th IB provided some documents signed by Purok chair Rex Basta and Purok secretary Nerisa Gollodo of Sitio Bongloy, Brgy. Pagsabangan that troops were allowed to enter the sitio but denied that they occupied the Salugpongan School.
He said the 66IB stayed 100 meters away from the Salugpongan school.
“As we have always said, the 10ID welcomes reports against our troops and encourages those who were victimized to file their complaints in appropriate agencies as we do not tolerate any misbehavior by our soldiers,” he said.
He said issues against the military should “go beyond mere propaganda by filing charges against our misbehaving troops, so that we can purge our ranks of misfits.” (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-23T00:00:00 |
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[
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"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:58 | null | 2016-08-24T16:05:42 | null |
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Duterte to use gambling funds for medicines
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 Aug) – President Rodrigo R. Duterte said that he will use funds generated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to build “pharmacies for the masses” and make available free medicines for the poor Filipinos.
In a press conference aired live on ANC, Duterte said that the “botika ng bayan” will be situated right next to the government health centers to make the access to medicines easier.
“All earnings of PAGCOR, which is about P30 to P35 billion, will be used exclusively for the medicines of all Filipinos. They just need to go to the City Health Offices (CHOs),” he said.
The President added that he is hoping the funds will be used properly and will not go to the purse of some government workers.
“I hope it will be utilized correctly, ayaw ko yan nakawan ng medisina. I will revive the ‘botika ng bayan’ near the place where the health centers are para walang mag-uwi na walang medisina,” Duterte said.
He said that he is considering to revive online gambling, provided that it be located in places accredited by the PAGCOR for proper collection of taxes, and far from the churches and schools.
“Pay the right taxes, you gamble your death until you die. I do not really care. This will add to the special trust fund for the medicines of the poor Filipinos,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-24T00:00:00 |
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[
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"Jesus G. Dureza"
] | 2016-08-26T13:10:08 | null | 2016-08-22T22:49:01 | null |
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PEACETALK: Peace is the task at hand
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(Opening statement of Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, chair of the Philippine Government (GPH) peace panel in the negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF in Oslo, Norway, 22 August 2016)
After almost half a decade of impasse in the formal peace negotiations, we have once more come together today, to heed the call of our people for peace. No less than President Duterte has renewed our optimism in resuming the negotiations by bequeathing upon himself the weight of searching for peace with his declaration and I quote “The primary work of the president is to make peace with every group.”
Together with the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Secretary Jesus Dureza, therefore, I am honored to chair, for the second time, the GPH negotiating panel composed of committed peace workers, most of them are already known to our NDF counterpart as they are former members of the government panel – namely, former Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento who negotiated and signed with me in 1998 the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or CARHRIHL, and former Agrarian Reform Secretary Nani Braganza who chaired our previous reciprocal working committee on social and economic reforms, and Atty. Angela Librado- Trinidad and Atty. Antonio Arellano who are staunch advocates for reforms.
The road to peace is long and oftentimes tumultuous, but nonetheless the only virtuous way. It is not surprising, therefore, that our negotiations in the past decades have been difficult to the point of seemingly immovable discussions. We spent more time on procedures rather than on the substantive agenda before us. At times, our negotiations were more focused on what divided us rather than exploring possible common ground. Many times, both parties preferred to “walk away” than to find a way forward. Despite these difficulties, however, we always find our way back to the negotiating table.
We can draw lessons from these experiences that should keep us going until we responsibly answer the call of our people for peace. One, there is no giving up in peace work and peace making knows no limit. Two, we can never have a peace agreement if we do not talk. And lastly, it will take more than one party to make peace.
Both parties have complied with the first two lessons by coming here and resuming the stalled peace negotiations. Government is committed to the process as what President Duterte declared “we have done what it takes to re-open the negotiations and I am willing to walk an extra mile to achieve peace.
What remains to be accomplished for both of us, therefore, is to complete the negotiations.
I have high hopes that our discussion for the following days will be cordial and frank, but nevertheless exacting for our tasks at hand. I expect, however, that the parties are mindful of the correctness of our language in the discussion to ensure that we can implement any agreement we reached. I borrow the counsel of Confucius with regard to talking with correctness, and I quote “if language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant. And if what is said is not what is meant, then what ought to be done remains undone.”
In closing, may I also deeply acknowledge the unwavering support to our peace process of the Royal Norwegian Government, through Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brenden whose presence today is inspiring. The coming together of the negotiating parties to renew the peace process would not have been realized without the able facilitation and the disarming charm of Ambassador Elizabeth Slattum.
Thank you. Let us start the work at hand. Peace to all of us.
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| 2016-08-22T00:00:00 |
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] | 2016-08-26T13:08:24 | null | 2016-08-24T16:15:47 | null |
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2 battalions from Davao Region to be sent to WestMinCom to help fight ASG
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 Aug) – Two battalions of soldiers under the 10th Infantry Division in the Davao Region will beef up security forces in the Western Mindanao Command to help counter the Abu Sayyaf Group.
In a joint AFP-PNP press conference Wednesday, Capt. Rhyan Batchar, chief of the 10ID’s Public Affairs Office, said 400 to 500 soldiers under the 69th Infantry Battalion, which covers the Maragusan municipality in Compostela Valley province, have been deployed Wednesday to Jolo, Sulu.
Another 400 to 500 soldiers under the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion also based in ComVal would be transferred to the WestMinCom on Thursday, Batchar added.
He said that he cannot determine how long would the battalions be staying in the WestMinCom area but they would be detailed there “as long as their services are needed but we hope that they would return here.”
Batchar said the 69IB, which was previously detailed in Panabo City and Paquibato District of Davao City, was “instrumental” in the killing Leoncio Pitao of the New People’s Army in June 2015. Kumander Parago, as he was known, was chief of the Pulang Bagani Command 1 of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Command.
The transfer of troops, he said, was made as directed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte who vowed that he would be “10 times more brutal” than the ASG and that no negotiations will be made with the terrorist group.
“All Infantry Divisions were required to send troops because the focus is now on the anti-terrorism efforts in the WestMinCom, which has been listed as top priority of the Duterte administration,” he said.
He added that the pullout of two battalions will not affect the operations of the 10ID, although some readjustment will have to undertaken to fill the areas with troops vacated by the two battalions.
Even with two battalions out and with the declaration of ceasefire, Batchar said they are not putting their guards down within the area of operation of the 10ID.
“We are not lowering our guards. Our peace and development outreach program is still ongoing in the communities that we are serving. Our troops are now on defensive position and not launching any military operations against the NPA because of adherence to the suspension of offensive military operations,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-24T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/98d181cead4f8226e856792c86617024475ad409dee2a0aae80f7d78ecfec6a4.json
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Maglungsod vows to end contractualization, pushes for wage increase
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 03 June) — Incoming Labor undersecretary Joel Maglungsod, whom President-elect Rodrigo Duterte vows to end contractualization of workers, push for an increase in wages and ensure that there will be P2,000 pension hike for the seniors from the Social Security System.
Maglungsod, described by Duterte as belonging to the Left and who “once upon a time went to the mountains to be a cadre of the New People’s Army,” told reporters at the “Malacañang of the South” on Thursday that he will immediately recommend to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte some proposals for workers’ economic relief after he assumes the presidency on June 30.
Maglungsod had also served as Anakpawis partylist Representative to Congress from 2007 to 2010 and Secretary-General of the Kilusang Mayo Uno.
Among his recommendations will be to scrap the DOLE’s Order 18-A which, he said, legalizes contractualization. Such order provides the regulations that govern “contracting and subcontracting arrangements.”
He said he would also push for the P750 minimum wage. Currently, the minimum wage in the Davao Region is P317, even less than the 30 percent of the Family Living Wage valued at P1,089.
“Dahil supportive naman si President-elect sa dagdag sahod, immediately mag-uusap kung ano pwede idagdag na sahod ng manggagawa (We will immediately talk how much should be added to the workers’ salary since President-elect is supportive of wage increase),” he said.
He believes that this is doable because “total production cost is a little bit 10 percent of the capitalists’ income.”
He said he would also call on Congress to pass the Regular Employment Bill to put an end to contractualization.
“Sa 14th Congress, ako naging Anakpawis representative, ako yung nag-author sa Regular Employment Bill. (I-propose) i-certify as urgent, pang kontra sa malawakang kontraktualisasyon (During 14th Congress, I was Anakpawis representative and author of the Regular Employment Bill. I will propose to certify it as urgent to counter the massive contractualization),” he said.
Under his term, he said he would ensure and protect the workers’ rights, both domestic and overseas, to just living wages, to security of tenure, to organize and form units, and to strike.
Carlo Olalo, secretary general of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Southern Mindanao, said the government’s labor policies such as the Wage Rationalization Law prevented the workers from getting “meaningful wage increase.”
“We welcome the triumph of the workers in making contractualization a primary election issue this year but the relevant question really is, will any of the Presidential bets overturn the past and present regimes’ adherence to neoliberal dictates when it comes to labor? If not, the promise of ending contractualization remains a hollow one,” he said.
Maglungsod also hit the P5 to P15 increase in wages by DOLE, saying that these are but token benefits for the workers which are “rendered insignificant with the price increases, inflation and the people’s consistently declining purchasing power.”
“Contractual workers are also deprived of their right to unionize and demand benefits through collective bargaining, in violation of ILO (International Labour Organization) Convention 87 and 98,” he said.
The ILO Convention 87 ensures the freedom of association and protection of the right to organize while the ILO Convention 98 ensured workers of adequate protection against acts of anti-union discrimination in respect of their employment. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2016-06-03T00:00:00 |
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Marcos thanks Duterte for father’s hero’s burial and no Cabinet post for Leni
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/11 June) – Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., defeated vice presidential bet met with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte late Friday night until 3 a.m. Saturday and thanked him for, among others, allowing the burial of his father, Ferdinand Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in September and for considering his feelings in his decision not to appoint Vice President-elect Leni Robredo to a Cabinet post.
“Nagkwentuhan lang kami” (We were just talking), Marcos told reporters as he was leaving After Dark, Duterte’s watering hole.
DUTERTE-MARCOS. President-elect Rody Duterte meets with outgoing Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. at After Dark in Davao City near midnight Friday until the early hours of Saturday, June 11. Marcos was accompanied by his local supporters who used the tagline AlDuB, short for Alyansang Duterte-Bongbong, during the recently-concluded national elections. Photo by KIWI BULACLAC / City Mayor’s Office
Duterte on March 31 had told a press conference here that he was not considering any post for Robredo because he did not want to hurt Marcos’ feelings.
He said he and the Marcoses are old friends and that his father, who served as Governor of the undivided Davao province, even served as a member of Marcos Sr.’s Cabinet. Duterte’s father served as Secretary of General Services.
Ilocos Norte winner
Commission on Elections records show that Duterte lost in the four-province Ilocos region (Region 1) to Senator Grace Poe but won in Marcos’ home province in Ilocos Norte, with 103,394 votes against Vice President Jejomar Binay’s 66,007, Marcos’ Presidential bet Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (64,375), Poe’s 61,012 and administration bet Mar Roxas’ 13,162.
In his campaign sortie in Ilocos Norte on February 19, Marcos said he would allow the burial of the Marcos patriarch in the Libingan ng mga Bayani “because he was a great president and he was a hero,” Rappler.com quoted him as saying.
In a press conference in Davao City on May 23, Duterte said he will allow the burial of Marcos “not because he was a hero but because he was a Filipino soldier.”
Despite protests from various sectors, Duterte had repeatedly said burying Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani would lead to the country’s healing.
Duterte will be the 16th President of the Philippines. Of the 12 Presidents who are dead, only two were buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani: Carlos Garcia and Diosdadao Macapagal, Marcos’ predecessor.
The remains of the late President Elpidio Quirino were transferred from the South Cemetery in Makati City to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig on February 29 this year, on the 60th death anniversary of the sixth Philippine President.
Martial law
Marcos was elected President in 1965, was reelected in 1969 and declared martial law in 1972, a year before he was to step down from his post. Under the 1935 Constitution that was then operating, the President had a maximum of two four-year terms.
Marcos served as a dictator from the time he declared martial law on September 21, 1972 until he was ousted by People Power in February 1986 and fled to Hawaii where he died on September 28, 1989.
His remains were returned to the country only on September 7, 1993 because the administration of then President Corazon Aquino did not allow his burial in the country, citing national security concerns.
Aquino’s successor, Fidel Ramos, a relative of Marcos and the chief of the Philippine Constabulary who joined then Defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile in the People Power revolt that led to the ouster of the Marcoses, allowed the return of Marcos’ remains.
The Marcos body remains prerserved in a mausoleum in his hometown in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Marocs’ widow, Imelda, had repeatedly appealed to have her husband’s remains buried at theLibingan ng mga Bayani, an appeal that was not granted by the Ramos administration and succeeding administrations – Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno S. Aquino III, Corazon Aquino’s son.
AlDuB
Marcos said Duterte was eyeing September as the month his father would be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani although he acknowledged the discussion was still “very informal.”
September is the birth month and month of death of the Marcos patriarch. The patriarch was born on September 11, 1917 and died on September 28, 1989 at the age of 72.
Marcos also thanked Duterte for considering his feelings in his decision not to appoint Robredo to a Cabinet post. “Nagpasalamat nga ako sa kanya” (I thanked him), he said, as he described Duterte as “very kind and thoughtful.”
Marcos lost to Robredo by some 260,000 votes.
He said he and supporters of the AlDuB tandem (Alyansa ng Duterte at Bongbong) met with the President-elect. He said it was his “first chance” to personally congratulate him.
Marcos lost in Davao City and other parts of Region 11 to Duterte’s running mate, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. In Mindanao’s 27 provinces, Marcos won in seven: in all of Region 12 (North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat), in Sulu, Zamboanga del Sur and Dinagat Islands.
Asked by a reporter if he was “open to a Cabinet position” a year from now, Marcos replied: “Of course. If pagka naman nabigyan tayo ng pagkakakataon, siempre naman, napakalaking karangalan nyan (If given the chance, of course, that’s an honor).
He said he was going to file an election protest on June 28 but his lawyers are still determining on what grounds because there are many grounds to choose from.
It was the first time Duterte and Marcos met again in Davao City after Marcos’ visit here on September 30, 2015, a day after Duterte met with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who would later become Duterte’s running mate.
Vice Presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and then Presidential bet Rodrigo Duterte shared the same stage in Alabel, Sarangani on November 27, 2015, as guests in the provinces’ foundation day. Marcos spoke first before Duterte. MindaNews photo by TOTO LOZANO
The two met onstage on November 27, 2015 in Alabel, Sarangani, just hours after Duterte went to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Davao City to withdraw his certificate of candidacy for mayor and his lawyer in Manila filed his COC to substitute PDP-Laban bet Martin Dino, for President.
They were guests at the celebration of Sarangani’s foundation day. (MindaNews)
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| 2016-06-11T00:00:00 |
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President vows more support for ARMM
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 09 July) — President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to pour more support in the five-province, two-city Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which has the highest poverty incidence among 16 regions in the country based on the 2015 report of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).
During the Mindanao Hariraya Eid’l FItr 206 at the SMX Convention Center here Friday, Duterte said he was saddened to see young Moros suffering from hunger due to poverty.
He said ARMM has the highest incidence of hunger “so diyan ako magbuhos ng lahat, tulong, pagkain, pati ‘yung nutrition sa mga bata. Naawa ako sa mga bata” (so I will pour everything – including nutrition for the children). He said he is embarking on a national feeding program.
NAPC’s 2015 data showed that the poverty incidence in the ARMM provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi worsened in the first semester in 2015 rising to 53.4 percent compared 46.9 percent in the same period in 2012.
“This means that one out of two families in ARMM had an income lower than the poverty threshold or the minimum income to meet the basic food and non-food necessities,” it said.
Based on report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), ARMM has a total population of 3,781,387 as of August 1, 2015, with Maguindanao having the biggest population at 1.17 million, followed by Lanao del Sur at 1.05 million, Sulu at 825,000, and Tawi-Tawi at 391,000.
Duterte also reiterated his campaign platform of ending corruption to see governments transform to real social services on the ground.
“Marami akong plano sa ating bayan but I have to clean up…Even before the campaign, I was always stressing corruption must stop. Corruption must stop. At lahat ‘yung may ibinigay ng gobyerno para sa tao, kailangan dumating sa tao,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2016-07-09T00:00:00 |
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Duterte supports postponement of barangay elections
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/26 August) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he agrees with proposals to postpone the October 31 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, claiming money from illegal drugs “will seep into the electoral process.”
“You will just be adding to our headache, people na kung sinong manalo ngayon (whoever wins now) those that are funded by drug money will win at kailangan mo nang mag-martial law para (and you will need martial law) to eliminate all, which I will never do in the first place,” Duterte said.
The second reason he cited in favor of postponing the elections is money.
“You have to spend billions. Di itulong ko na lang yan sa mga rehab ” (That will help build rehab centers). I have to build a rehab center.”
Early Thursday morning, when asked about the proposed postponement of the elections, Duterte told reporters he was for it because “ako kasi walang pera. (I have no money). I will be saving millions.”
In jest, he said, “Tutal ang manalo ito rin yung mga ..sakay na lang natin yan sila ng barko, sabi ko nga, butasan na” (After all, those who will win are those.. let’s make them ride a ship with a hole).
Earlier, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez told reporters during the budget hearing of the Department of Agriculture that it would be more practical if the elections were postponed as President Duterte has yet to complete appointing officials in his government.
“If there is an election, the President is banned from issuing appointments. He cannot remove and replace officials,” the Philippine Star quoted Alvarez as saying.
It also reported that Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro and fellow deputy speakers Miro Quimbo and Raneo Abu want the elections to push through because the government has allotted a budget and the Commission on Elections is all set for the polls. “We should push through with it. These barangay chairmen should have fresh mandates,” Castro was quoted as saying. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-27T00:00:00 |
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"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:12:01 | null | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | null |
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Never forget
| null | null |
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Never forget
Aug 21
Konsensya Dabaw says bury Marcos in his hometown in Batac not in the Heroes’ Cemetery as it reminds the public on the sidelines of the Kadayawan’s floral float
Konsensya Dabaw says bury Marcos in his hometown in Batac not in the Heroes’ Cemetery as it reminds the public on the sidelines of the Kadayawan’s floral float
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en
| 2016-08-21T00:00:00 |
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[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Walter I. Balane",
"William R. Adan",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-29T06:51:48 | null | 2016-08-29T08:17:35 | null |
http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindanews.com%2Fpeace-process%2F2016%2F08%2Fooopss-its-gph-in-peace-process-with-bangsamoro-but-grp-with-ndf%2F.json
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Ooopss, it’s GPH in peace process with Bangsamoro but GRP with NDF
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/20 August) — It’s the same Philippine government but in the Duterte administration’s peace process, it’s “GPH” with the Bangsamoro and “GRP” with the National Democratic Front (NDF).
The Joint Statement of the government and NDF signed in Oslo, Norway at the end of the five-day first round of formal peace talks on August 26 referred to the Philippine government as “GRP” while the Joint Statement between government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Kuala Lumpur on August 14 referred to it as “GPH.”
The code “RP” was dropped in 2010 in accordance with international standards and since then, official documents have used PH or PHL, the country code assigned to the Philippines by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Even the peace processes between government and the MILF, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), NDF and other groups have been using “GPH” instead of “GRP.”
Asked if the peace process with the NDF is, indeed using “GRP” as the August 26 Joint Statement states, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza told MindaNews Sunday that the government and NDF peace panels decided on using “GRP” instead of “GPH” because “all previous important agreements used GRP, not a single important (agreement) in PNoy’s (President Benigno Simeon Aquino III) time using GPH” he said.
Government peace panel chair Silvestre Bello III, concurrent Labor Secretary, told MindaNews in a text message Sunday evening that yes, they are using “GRP” because “lahat ng (all) signed agreements under GRP.”
MindaNews noted that using GRP in the talks with the NDF and GPH with the MILF is confusing, considering that it is the same Philippine government but Dureza replied in Cebuano, “do not be confused.”
An Administrative Order, however, was issued with the intent to end the confusion on “RP” and “PH.” The AO has not been repealed.
Administrative Order No. 5, issued by then President Aquino on December 9, 2010, directed “all offices, agencies and other instrumentalities of the Philippine Government to adopt and use, as soon as practicable, the ISO two-letter code PH or three-letter code PHL is referring to the Philippines.”
The AO said the Philippines is a member of the ISO, a network of national standards institutes with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, and that the ISO developed ISO 3166-1 assigning two-letter (alpha-2) and three-letter (alpha-3) codes for member countries, and the codes assigned to the Philippines are PH and PHL, respectively.
It said the codes are used in international events and conferences, sports meets, airline ticketing, among others, abroad and in the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had also adopted and reflected the ISO three-letter codes, notably PHL standing for the Philippines, in the data page of the electronic passport;
Even before the issuance of the AO, however, the DFA had already shifted to the use of PH or PHL.
On October 20, 2010, then Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo issued Department Order 16-10 directing the DFA’s 67 embassies, 23 consulates general and four permanent missions to use PH or PHL instead of RP, to conform to the accepted code of the IOS.
The DFA order said the abbreviation PH or PHL is more widely known in the international community than RP, and that there would be less ambiguity and confusion if the ISO code is adopted.
Aquino’s AO5 also said the use of initials “RP” in referring to the Philippines “is not in accordance with the ISO 3166-1, leading to ambiguity and confusion” and that this confusion can be avoided “by following the codes assigned to the Philippines by ISO.”
In January 2011, the MILF asked the government peace panel to “state for the record” that the new abbreviation, GPH (for Government of the Republic of the Philippines), “replaces GRP.”
All the documents of the then 14-year old peace process with the government referred to the latter as “GRP.”
“We will formally ask GPH (to state) that these initials replace GRP. This is for the record, so that all documents that bear GRP binds GPH,” MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said.
In the peace process with the NDF, all documents under the Aquino administration, and even in their Joint Statements, referred to the Philippine government as “GPH.”
The parties signed on June 15 a Joint Statement indicating they will resume formal peace talks in July (this was reset to August 22 to 26) and stating the agenda items. The document referred to the Philippine government as “GPH.”
But in their Joint Statement on August 26, the Philippine government is now referred to as “GRP.”
The website and Facebook and Twitter postings of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process referred to the August 26 document as Joint Statement between the GPH and the NDF, even as the formal title of the document is “Joint Statement on the Resumption of the Formal Peace Negotiations between the GRP and NDFP.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-29T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/f2a302b7bb146220bbe23baaa435b7d0a26b98b296bb0583380fd687e21ee140.json
|
[
"Carolyn O. Arguillas",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"William R. Adan",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-27T10:49:17 | null | 2016-08-27T17:27:51 | null |
http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindanews.com%2Ftop-stories%2F2016%2F08%2Fdisarm-politicians-in-sulu-to-win-war-vs-abu-sayyaf-duterte-urged%2F.json
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Disarm politicians in Sulu to win war vs Abu Sayyaf, Duterte urged
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 27 August) – The recent order of President Rodrigo Duterte to “destroy the Abu Sayyaf” is “only good for the headlines but will definitely not work in the jungles of Sulu,” a multisecotral group in Sulu said in a press statement.
Instead, the Save Sulu Movement (SSM) appealed to Duterte to “first disarm the local politicians in Sulu” from Governor down to the lowest barangay official if he wants to win the fight against the terrorist group.
“Much as we want President Duterte to succeed, the recent order to destroy the Abu Sayyaf is nothing new. We have heard those fiery words before but these were only good for the headlines and will definitely not work in the jungles of Sulu. If the President is seriously bent (on) destroying the (Abu Sayyaf), he must listen to the voices of the ordinary people of Sulu who genuinely want him to succeed,” an August 26 press statement from SSM convenor Temogen “Cocoy” Tulawie said.
The group which Tulawie claimed is a grassroots-based movement, said disarming the local politicians is the key towards winning the fight against the Abu Sayyaf because doing so will be “akin to the strategy of removing the water at which the fish swims.”
“Disarm the local politicians and you will succeed where the previous Presidents have failed,” the SSM said.
“Unholy alliances”
The SSM said their recommendation to the Duterte is not new but “has long been there but buried deep underneath because of unholy alliances and patronage politics in the past between Malacanan and traditional politicians in Sulu.”
Sulu Governor Abudsakur Tan II dismissed the allegations.
He told MindaNews in a text message Saturday afternoon: “Save Sulu? Sino naman mga yan? Wala ako kilala.” (Who are they? I don’t know them).
When told that Tulawie issued the statement, Tan replied, “Ah yan ba? Nagpapapansin lang yan” (Oh that? He just wants to be noticed).
Tan’s father, former Governor Abdusakur Tan, who lost his bid for Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) referred to Tulawie as “mga human rights advocates kuno na talunan sa election” (alleged human rights advocates who lost in the elections). He said Tulawie is a suspected mastermind in the kidnapping in Samal of three foreigners and one Filipino.
The elder Tan said Tulawie’s group wants to divert the attention from the operations against the Abu Sayyaf “to other things kasi sympathetic and supporters yan ng Abu Sayyaf.”
Tulawie, who ran for Sulu governor but lost to Tan II, denied the allegations.
The Tans and Tulawie have been at odds for several years now.
The elder Tan had sent Tulawie to jail for his alleged involvement in the May 13, 2009 bombing in Patikul, Sulu that injured 12 persons including himself.
Tulawie was detained for three and a half years for a crime the court said he did not commit. He was feed on July 20 last year after the Regional Trial Court of Manila-Branch 19 ruled that the evidence and circumstances surrounding the case “point to a concerted design to focus the prosecution on Tulawie, with the use of rehearsed witnesses to falsely testify against him for allegedly committing multiple frustrated murder and multiple attempted murder.”
“Destroy them”
In a midnight press conference on August 24-25 outside a seafood restaurant here after a late dinner with soldiers bound for Sulu, Duterte said he ordered the military and police to seek out the Abu Sayyaf and destroy them.
“Seek them out in their lairs and destroy them… Ang mga Abu Sayyaf destroy them, period,” hours after the Abu Sayyaf was reported to have beheaded 18-year old James Patrick Almodovar of Sulu who was kidnapped by the terrorist group on July 16. The Abu Sayyaf demanded one million pesos for the release of the son of a court stenographer.
In his speech at the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Mindanao Command late Friday afternoon, Duterte said the Abu Sayyaf “is out of control,” and there is only one way to do it which is to destroy them, especially after beheading Almodovar.
5th President
Duterte is the fifth Philippine President to attempt to destroy the Abu Sayyaf. Former Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Simeon Aquino III had attempted to do the same but the Abu Sayyaf has remained, its kidnapping and other terror acts even worse than before.
Asked how different his war against the Abu Sayyaf will be from the previous administrations’, Duterte replied: “I’ll be harsh. But mind you, it’s not just a campaign-campaign. Go out and destroy them. So patay kung ano yan. Wag na kayong magtanong human rights.”
The SSM condemned the execution of Almodovar and said it supports the order to destroy the Abu Sayyaf but said past administrations vowed the same “but they all miserably failed.”
It added that even the US government through the Balikatan exercises “joined actual combat exercises in Sulu to destroy the ASG but despite its military advancement and sophistication – it also miserably failed.”
The statement noted that since the Ramos administration “all efforts to destroy, finish, pulverize, neutralize, annihilate and erase the Abu Sayyaf repeatedly failed.”
Where the Philippine government has failed, the Abu Sayyaf has in turned expanded and grown in military strength and numbers, the SSM said.
Influence
The statement added that with the billions of money raised from kidnapping, the Abu Sayyaf has managed to influence the highest echelons of government like the Department of Justice under former Secretary Leila de Lima “who under her watch, caused the release of three high-valued Abu Sayyaf inmates namely, Robin Sahiyal, Mohammad Sali Said and Julhamad Ahadi from the Special Intensive Care Area of Camp Bagong Diwa in February 2013.”
The SSM claimed it has “solid evidence to prove this factual information.”
“We hope the President will not repeat history by following the failed route that were used by the past presidents. For the sake of ‘tunay na pagbabago,’ (genuine change) we appeal that the President heed this practical advice. Disarm the local politicians and you will succeed where the previous Presidents have failed,” the SSM said.
“Nawala ang bilib ko sa inyo”
Addressing the Abu Sayyaf during his speech Friday, Duterte said: “Adre, nawala ang bilib ko sa inyo. Eh ako may respeto noon, your fighting for freedom. Tama kayo. Tama kayo. (Brother, I have lost my faith in you. I respected you before, your fighting for freedom. You were right. You were right). There was this historical injustice, committed against the Moro people.”
“Kayong mga Abu Sayyaf noon, medyo sumasaludo ako. (You Abu Sayyaf, I would salute you before). But when you began to slaughter people in front of the camera and then now you kill an innocent boy, anak ng… Nawawala ang respeto ko sa inyo” (son of.. I am losing my respect for you).
He said Tausugs and Yakans want peace “and here you are slaughtering people as if they are chickens in front of the public.”
He said he ordered government forces to destroy the Abu Sayyaf “because they are criminals. And we’ll never have peace in that area there and even if you grant them autonomy, and they maintain to be bandits, we will never have peace in that land,” he said.
The Abu Sayyaf’s history is replete with stories of terror, prompting administrations from Ramos to Aquino to wage war against them. The Abu Sayyaf, reported to have been founded in 1993 by Abdurajak Janjalani, was listed by the US State Department as a terrorist organization as early as 1997 and by the Australian National Security in 2002. It was also listed by the United Nations Security Council in 2001 as having links with the
Al Qaeda.
The Abu Sayyaf has allegedly expressed support to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in a video posted on YouTube in 2014. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-27T00:00:00 |
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[
"Antonio L. Colina Iv",
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:10:47 | null | 2016-08-21T18:11:11 | null |
http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindanews.com%2Ftop-stories%2F2016%2F08%2Fduterte-consider-yourself-resigned%2F.json
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Duterte: “Consider yourself resigned”
| null | null |
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 21 August) — President Rodrigo Duterte has directed all appointed heads of different government offices to “consider yourself resigned” for allegedly failing to stop corruption.
This after he received reports of corruption practiced allegedly by different government offices in his visits to provinces.
“You know, my mouth is, they say ‘lousy’. But I would like to issue a warning that on Monday, I would declare all positions in the government that were presidential appointments or if you are there because of the presidential appointments, I will declare all your positions all throughout the country vacant,” said Duterte in an early morning press conference Sunday.
Cabinet secretaries are not among the Presidential appointees who would be deemed resigned. Career Executive Service Officers are not considered resigned, too.
The posts vacated by the appointed office heads either “appointed by him or by the previous administration” that will “number in thousands” will be replaced by the deputy or the assistant heads so as not to derail their operations, he said
”It will number in thousands, consider yourself in the crucible of the truth about corruption in this country,” he said.
Duterte singled out the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation, Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTFRB) for corruption.
He also lambasted the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and other government financial institutions for its inefficiency to act immediately on the loans of the government workers.
“I hate it. I do not want to give the slightest headache to my fellow human being,” Duterte added.
He said that the official of the LTFRB must report to him in Malacañan Palace by Monday.
“I am also warning everybody there, and I said, all those appointed including those heads of the financial institutions. Consider yourself resigned. You go to this GSIS, you apply for a salary loan during enrolment time, it’s either no money or it is not acted upon for three months,” he said.
The President shared the experience of her late mother, Nanay Soling, a teacher, who applied for loans which were “not acted on or comes late.”
“You know we are not the sons and daughters of well-connected and moneyed (individuals). My mother was a teacher. She used to borrow money. The application sometimes not acted on or comes late. You go to Indian money lenders,” he said.
Revisit Napoles fund scam
Duterte said that the multibillion dollar fund scam masterminded by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and her cohorts in Congress who siphoned off the Priority Development Assistant Fund (PDAF) to finance fake non-government organizations (NGOs) deserves a second look.
“Let us revisit the Napoles case. I have some revealing things to tell you about it. You just wait. But I will…If that is the only thing that I’ll have to do until the end of my term, I will do it. For I shall have done a singular task of giving you the truth about your government,” he said
“There are lots of billions and billions of pesos lost. Even able just only to put several lawmakers there inside but only because the charge is —- the accusation is non-bailable. Otherwise, whether to tell — you want to reckon and telling whether eventually put in prison with finality or acquitted in the meantime just there in prison and that is not enough vindication for the Filipino people,” he said.
“The word corruption is there, so why limit? Go ahead and let the chips fall,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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| 2016-08-21T00:00:00 |
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|
[
"Eric S.B. Libre",
"Luis G. Jalandoni",
"Silvestre H. Bello Iii",
"Jose Maria Sison",
"Karl M. Gaspar Cssr"
] | 2016-08-26T13:10:37 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | null |
http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindanews.com%2Fphoto-of-the-day%2F2016%2F08%2Findak-indak-sa-kadalanan-3%2F.json
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| null |
Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan
| null | null |
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Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan
Aug 20
Students from Parang, Maguindanao perform during the street dancing competition in Davao City on Saturday, 20 August 2016. Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan is among the
Students from Parang, Maguindanao perform during the street dancing competition in Davao City on Saturday, 20 August 2016. Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan is among the
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| 2016-08-20T00:00:00 |
www.mindanews.com/31b764f405993612513ee8af6a519aa05ec6618ff5e0e456a1bf264bb8d677f3.json
|
[
"Jim Arnold"
] | 2016-08-26T12:58:02 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 |
Event in Kearney gives nearby schools a chance for a rare meeting and another opportunity to prepare for the start of the season.
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Wildcats, Ray-Pec tune up at jamboree
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It’s a game many would like to see, but probably won’t happen anytime soon.
On Aug. 12, Raymore-Peculiar and Harrisonville squared off on the gridiron for the first time in over a decade. It was only a preseason jamboree in Kearney, but it was fun anyway.
And for both teams, it was a much-needed final tune-up before tonight’s season openers. Ray-Pec will travel to Cass County rival Belton, while Harrisonville will be playing host to St. Joseph Benton.
“We were just at the point where we needed to hit somebody else,” said Wildcats head coach Brent Maxwell. “You just get tired of banging on each other. It’s always fun to come into a controlled environment and play against somebody. It gets your feet underneath you going into week one.”
When it was over, Panthers head coach Tom Kruse certainly thought the Wildcats gave Ray-Pec a run for their money.
“It was really good competition,” said Kruse, whose Panthers struggled last year through a 6-5 season.” I thought the scrimmage was pretty close; they actually got after us pretty good.”
Defensively, Harrisonville does not have the same size as years past, but they are quick and have good pursuit to the ball.
“We need to make sure that we have 11 blue hats around the football on every play,” said Maxwell. “We need to make sure the play gets stopped and then we need to make sure we get some turnovers.”
Only nine practices into the season going into the jamboree, the Panthers were still searching for their team identity. They’ve had less time to do that this year, Kruse said, because of new summer workout restrictions mandated by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
“You get to do some stuff in the summer, but they (MSHSAA) cut us back to 20 days this year, and it eliminated most of our seven-on-seven work,” said Kruse. “So the passing game is probably a little bit behind from where it needs to be.”
For the Wildcats, who are coming off a 12-1 season that ended in the Class 4 state semifinals, the goal is clear: Find a way to make it to the State Championship game in November.
“It’s a process. We can’t win a state championship today; we just need to get better,” Maxwell said. “We will evaluate personnel and make sure the guys are in the right spot.”
This year’s schedule will be challenging for both schools. Ray-Pec dropped Class 5 Staley and added Rockhurst to its already challenging Suburban Gold conference schedule.
Ray-Pec and Rockhurst did meet last year in the first round of district playoffs, with the Panthers recording their first-ever victory over the Hawklets 24-21.
“We have tried to schedule Rockhurst the last two years and it didn’t work out,” Kruse said. “We are in Class 6 and we aren’t leaving anytime soon, so we may as well play them.”
Harrisonville replaced Richmond with Pittsburg, Kan. This year the Dragons, who reached the Kansas Class 5A quarterfinals last season, are loaded with talent and expect to give the Wildcats and early season test.
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| 2016-08-17T00:00:00 |
www.demo-mo.com/244fa07e97e1824a5567e0914435c52239093e8ea1de5d659c79bb7fb2675a37.json
|
[
"Max Londberg"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:10 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 |
Councilman Jeffrey Stevens announced his resignation from the Raymore City Council. Council has options for filling his seat.
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Raymore councilman resigns to spend time with family
| null | null |
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Raymore’s Jeffrey Stevens announced he’d vacate his seat on the Raymore City Council last week.
Stevens, whose term ends April 2018, said he resigned for two reasons. He wishes to spend more time with his wife, who will retire at the end of the year, and he has ideological differences with the direction the council was heading.
The city budget made clear those ideological differences, Stevens said.
“The improvements I typically pursue are for infrastructure that promotes economic development and infrastructure maintainence,” Stevens said. “It didn't appear projects I wanted to see done were going to happen in this budget cycle, and there were various reasons for that.”
Despite differences, Stevens said he made many friends during his time on the council. But after 20 years of political involvement in various capacities, Stevens said he felt ready to resign.
“I really needed a break from it all,” Stevens said. “This was the last term for me regardless, but personal decisions accelerated the time table. You never know how long you have on this earth and I have far less in front of me than behind.”
Mike Ekey, Raymore’s communications manager, said the council will soon decide how to fill Stevens’ seat.
The most likely course will be for the council to appoint a candidate to fill Stevens’ seat until a special election can be held in April, when a new official will be elected to serve the remaining year of Stevens’ term.
Ekey said nothing has been set in motion yet by the council, but if the council chooses to appoint a community member to serve until April, there will be a two week window in which applications will be accepted, followed by a public hearing before an appointment made by the council.
Another option would be to hold a special election during the November cycle, but the deadline for putting candidates on that ballot has passed, Ekey said.
In a letter announcing Stevens’ resignation, Mayor Kris Turnbow wrote he was saddened to share the news.
“His support of the council and love of this city will be missed from our legislative body,” Turnbow wrote. “Jeff, we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and thank you profusely for all that you have done for your constituents and the city of Raymore.”
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| 2016-08-25T00:00:00 |
www.demo-mo.com/ddd78692e0130bdac5cac8219cadf1c751a15fe74e07a576975f7552a548a62b.json
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