Edge10 issue137 October 11, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

CLARIFICATION. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 11 spokesperson Dean Ortiz provides the updates on the clearing operation being conducted in C.P. Garcia highway after a landslide last week which made the area impassable for a couple of days that caused monstrous traffic jam in the city’s thoroughfares. Ortiz also answers queries from Councilor Conde Baluran and other councilors during a regular session at SangguniangPanlungsod on Tuesday regarding the agency’s projects in the area which they believed to have contributed to the landslide. Lean Daval Jr.

YES TO APO AGUA

Council gets 22 votes to okay bulk water project EDGEDAVAO Sports T

By ANGIE SAVERON

SPORTS P15

PSC to bolster collegiate sports

he City Council on Tuesday has approved on third and �inal reading an ordinance that would pave the way for the establishment of a bulk water treatment facility of the Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. in Baguio district’s Barangay Gumalang.

“I would like to thank the City Council for making this historic move that would provide potable water in the second district,” said proponent Councilor Rene Elias c. Lopez in extending his gratitude to his fellow councilors for the approval of

the ordinance. The ordinance was co-sponsored by Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang.

The ordinance is entitled “A Resolution To Enact An Ordinance Granting The Application Of The Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. Represented By Cirilio C. Almario, Autorized Representative, In His Request For Additional Allowable Use Of A Certain Parcel Of Land With A Total Area Of Eighty Five Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Eight (85,258) Square Meters More Or Less Or Lot 5207, OCT No. P-2150, In Accordance With

The Pertinent Provision Of The Davao City Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Of 2013 For The Establishment Of A Water Treatment Facility Located At Barangay Gumalang Baguio District, Davao City.”

The water treatment facility upon construction is projected to provide potable water for the second district and would on the other hand provide breathing space for the Dumoy aquifers.

Those who voted af�irmatively for the ordinance included Councilors Nilo M. Abellera Jr., Maria Belen S. Acosta , Victorio

U. Advincula Jr., Bernard E. Alag, AlRyan S. Alejandre, Dante L. Apostol Sr., Conrado C. Baluran, Joanne M. Bonguyan-Quilos, Cherry Ann M. Bonguyan, Pilar C. Braga, Danilo C. Dayanghirang, April Marie Dayap, Jimmy G. Dureza, Edgar P. Ibuyan, Rene Elias c. Lopez, Diosdado Angelo A. Mahipus Sr., Avegayle Dalodo-Ortiz, J. Melchor B. Quitain, Marissa P. Salvador Abella, Councilor Bai Halila Sudagar, Villafuerte, Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III voted for the approval of the ordinance. The council ses-

 YES, 10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

NOT TO BE TRIFFLED WITH. Cigarette butts attached to citation tickets issued to Anti-Smoking Ordinance violators are piled on a table inside Sta. Ana Police Precinct in Davao City on Monday evening. The Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) collected almost P2 million fines from violators from April to July 2017.Lean Daval Jr.

SC junks De Lima PRRD names Mendoza plea to void arrest as member of the JBC

T

he Supreme Court dismissed the petition �iled

by Senator Leila De Lima seeking to nullify the arrest warrant issued by a Muntinlupa court in connection with the illegal drug traf�icking charges �iled against her and to order her immediate release from detention.

SC spokesman Theodore Te, in a brie�ing, announced the directive was issued following Tuesday’s regular en banc session of the magistrates.

Te said the magistrates voted 9-6 to junk de Lima’s

petition for lack of merit.

“The SC, 9-6, voted to dismiss the petition of Senator Leila De Lima. There are 11 separate opinions (�ive concurring, six dissenting) Summary to be released as soon as dissents and concurrences are released,” Te said.

Those who voted to junk De Lima’s petition were Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr, Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano Del Castillo, Samuel Martires, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes and

SC, 10

Five California counties under threat of wildfires

C

alifornia Governor Jerry Brown Monday evening issued an emergency order for �ive more counties affected by wild�ires erupted Sunday night.

The proclamation released by the Governor’ s of�ice said Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Nevada and Orange counties were kept in state of emergency due to the effects of multiple wild�ires, including the Cherokee, LaPorte, Sulphur, Potter, Cascade, Lobo and Canyon Fires.

The governor also requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to

support the state and local response to �ires burning in Northern California, following an emergency proclamation issued earlier Monday for Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties.

In a �ive-page-letter sent to President Donald Trump, Brown said: “Thousands of �ire�ighters were deployed to �ight the �ires, including California National Guard members.”

Due to an extreme wind, the wild�ires cannot be controlled immediately, and “in last 24 hours, more than 18

FIVE, 10

P

resident Rodrigo Duterte nominated retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Mendoza as member of the Judicial and Bar Council , the body tasked to screen applicants for positions in the Judiciary and Of�ice of the Ombudsman.

Mendoza, who retired from the SC upon turning 70 last August, will replace fellow retired SC Associate Justice

Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez in the JBC. “I am pleased to transmit the nomination letter of Mr. Jose Catral Mendoza, signed

by President Rodrigo Duterte, as member, representing the Retired Justices of the Supreme Court, Judicial and Bar Council, Supreme Court of the Philippines, for a term expiring on 09 July 2021 vice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez,” read

the letter signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea dated Oct. 4, 2017 but was made public Monday.

The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees to the President for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Of�ices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman.

The council is chaired by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes

Sereno, with ex-of�icio members, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, along with the legislative branch namely Sen. Richard Gordon and Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali, who shall have a term sharing seat in the JBC. President Duterte is expected to appoint at least 11 Associate Justices in the SC during his six-year term. (PNA)

A

to report them to civil authorities and be always safe for sake of their loved ones,” Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines - Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) said.

“We always beg God to grant our OFWs safety, peace to our country and change of hearts to those harbouring death and destruction to society,” Santos added.

Santos made the statement following reports stating that 37-year-old Filipino orthopedic surgeon Russel

Salic was among the three persons charged by US authorities for allegedly plotting terror attacks in New York City last year.

Salic is currently under custody in the Philippines after he was arrested early this year for kidnapping and

ment in wake of a United Nations Security Council report claiming that the AFP was involved in the alleged killing 11 children sometime in 2016.

“Regarding (the UN report), the AFP welcomes any complaint just provide us the data, circumstance and we will conduct the investi-

gation. We do not condone any extra-judicial killing or violation of human rights (as) from top up to the lowest unit of our troops in the �ield, we have a designated human rights of�icers,” he added.

Also, Año said the leftist groups often �ile unveri�ied reports against the military, hence, his desire for com-

plainants to give exact data and circumstances.

The AFP chief added that complaints similar to those mentioned above should be �iled in the proper forum.

“We have a Commission of Human Rights so welcome any �iling of cases against our personnel,” he stressed. (PNA)

Prelate urges OFWs to shun illegal acts

Catholic prelate on Monday reminded Filipinos in other countries not to engage in illegal activities and to always take care of themselves.

“We always remind our OFWs to shun away from people or group with violent and hatred ideologies, and

PRELATE, 10

Año dares UN, activists to show proof of abuses

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hile it welcomes any complaints against alleged abusive members of the military, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Gen. Eduardo Año said groups planning to do so must provide the proof so it can launch an investigation.

Año issued this state-

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

200 researchers to meet in Davao

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ome 200 researchers from all over Asia will convene in Davao City for the 10th Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network (ARRCN) International Symposium on October 18-22 at the Ateneo de Davao University.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation,, being a member of ARRCN and the only raptor center and research facility in the Philippines, is selected to host this year’s event, in partnership with the Davao City government, Department of Tourism, and AdDU. The delegates will come from 30 ARRCN member countries, including Japan, India, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.

PEF conservation education administrator Bai Kristie Salve Gomez said this is a rare opportunity “because the event is the �irst to be held in the Philippines.”

“We would like to invite the students especially so they would learn how these researchers conduct raptor research monitoring in their respective countries,” she said.

Gomez said there are only few people conducting research about raptors and through them (researchers) “we would be able to learn how other countries are conserving and protecting their raptor species”.

She said there are other raptors in the country aside from the Philippine Eagle.

“This event will give us the chance to get to know the researchers and their works,” she said.

Raptors or birds-of-prey play a prominent role in human culture.

Among several traditional societies, eagles are spiritual symbols of divine protection and charismatic representation of desirable human traits

such as courage, �irmness and leadership.

Unfortunately, people’s attitude towards raptors is not always positive. In northern Philippines for instance, hundreds of migrating Greyfaced buzzards are slaughtered for food at their roost sites.

In Nagaland, thousands of Amur falcons migrating in 2012 were butchered by locals who regarded the bird multitudes as like “manna dropping down the heaven”.

But there are good reasons for hope like the community-managed annual raptor festivals in Taiwan and Thailand, for instance, demonstrate how people and migrating raptors can maintain a harmonious co-existence.

In Nagaland, Gomez said local apathy has been replaced by care and concern just a matter of two years.

Gomez said the change was

he was proclaimed dead.

Aguirre said that Trangia opted to voluntary return to the Philippines.

“We were informed that the US authorities are preparing to deport him. So I believe that he opted to return voluntarily rather than be deported,” Aguirre noted.

Upon his arrival, Aguirre said Trangia could be invited for questioning “because there is no warrant for his arrest.”

“The NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) or MPD (Manila Police District) will be waiting for him and perhaps they will be asking for time within which to investigate and interview him,” Aguirre

said.

Ralph’s mother, Rosemarie, is with him on the �light, Aguirre said.

Meanwhile, Immigration Spokesperson Atty. Maria Antonette Mangrobang said “upon arrival in Taipei, Immigration of�icials in Taipei, we will make sure to board him bound for Manila �light BR271 ETA (expected time of arrival) 11:20 a.m.”

“Coordination is now being made with PNP (Philippine National Police) and the NBI,” said Mangrobang in a text message to reporters.

Trangia is facing charges of murder and violation of the Anti-Hazing Law �iled by MPD.(PNA)

200, 10

Fratman in Atio hazing to return to PH Tuesday

SLOW BUT SURE. A mason works on the base of the Centennial statue as part of the rehabilitation of the Centennial Park along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

KWF eyes official translation of PH Constitutions

K

omisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) is aiming to come up with of�icial translations of the Philippines’ 1935, 1973 and 1987 Constitutions.

KWF set such goal to help the public better understand and appreciate such Constitutions, noted the agency’s education and networking chief, John Enrico

Torralba.

“The Constitutions were originally written in English but different translations of these can generate various interpretations,” he said.

He said having of�icial translations in Filipino and other regional languages nationwide would help minimize misinterpretation of the Constitutions’ provi-

Top aide of Malaysia’s wanted terrorist slain in Marawi-AFP

T

he military on Monday said its troops have killed the top lieutenant of Malaysia’s most wanted terrorist who was �ighting alongside the ISIS-inspired militants in this city.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said Muhammad Joraimee Awang Raimee, 39, also a Malaysian, was killed along with 15 others in the battle to retake Bato Ali Mosque last month.

“We can con�irm he was killed along with the others in the �ighting around the mosque,” Galvez said.

He did not present solid proof of Raimee’s death but said the Malaysian government con�irmed it in an exchange of intelligence information.

He said Malaysian intelligence agencies knew of Rai-

mee’s death when it was announced in various chat rooms in the social media.

He said statements from the 17 hostages who escaped from their Maute captors last week corroborated this information.

Raimee was the most trusted lieutenant of Malaysia’s most wanted terrorist Dr. Mahmud Ahmad who along with another Malaysian reportedly went to Basilan and Sulu in 2014 to establish an Islamic caliphate.

Ahmad played a key role in planning the attack of Marawi City based on a video footage showing him and other militant leaders being briefed by Abdullah Maute, one of the leaders of the Maute group.

Galvez said they don’t know the whereabouts of Ahmad but they are certain

TOP, 10

sions.

According to the 1987 Constitution, Filipino is the country’s national language.

“This Constitution shall be promulgated in Filipino and English and shall be translated into major regional languages, Arabic, and Spanish,” the 1987 Constitution also reads.

KWF, 10

R

alph Trangia, one of the persons suspected involved in the hazing rites which led to the death of University of Santo Tomas law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, is expected to return to the country on Tuesday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said.

“Ralph Cabales Trangia, a suspect in Horacio Castillo III hazing case, will be arriving in Manila from Taipei via Eva Air �light BR 271 ETA 11:20 a.m. We will offer security if he asks for it,” Aguirre said.

Immigration records showed Trangia left for the US on Sept. 19, a day after Castillo’s body was taken to the Chinese General Hospital where

NOBLE IDEA. Councilor DiosdadoMahipus Jr. proposes to the City Council the creation of green building ordinance which will become a guideline for developers in the city. Mahipus made the proposal in his privilege speech

during a regular session at SangguniangPanlungsod on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

DOF czar lauds EO Creating OFW bank F ELATED AND GRATEFUL. Councilor Rene Lopez congratulates fellow councilors for the passage of Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc.’s request for its planned

bulk water system development project during Tuesday’s regular session at SangguniangPanlungsod. Lean Daval Jr.

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Monday hailed the signing of an Executive Order for the establishment of a bank speci�ically for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

This after Malacanang made public on Monday EO 44, signed last Sept. 28, directing the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) to transfer their Postalbank shares to the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) at zero value.

Dominguez, in a Viber message to reporters, said the Finance department “moved quickly to help deliver on the President’s campaign promise to create a �inancial institution totally dedicated to catering to the needs of all overseas Filipinos.

“This �inancial institution will be a subsidiary of Landbank, the govenrment-owned and -controlled bank with the most extensive branch network that will cater to the needs of

the families of foreign-based Filipinos,” he added.

Establishment of an OFW-focused bank was �irst broached by the Department of Finance as part of the Duterte government’s way to help alleviate lives of the more than nine million OFWs and their families.

Under the EO, Landbank was ordered to ensure the capitalization of Overseas Filipino Bank, which will be headed Landbank’s chairperson.

Postalbank offcials who will be affected by this transfer will be offered an early retirement incentive plan.

Dominguez earlier said Landbank, after due diligence, has placed the Postalbank’s valuation at negative PHP580 million.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. earlier said there is no need for a Congressional approval for this transfer since it does not involve any changes in Landbank’s Charter. (PNA)

Japanese firm to put up coco factory in Davao Foreign chambers back

By ANGIE SAVERON

T

here is one Japanese company who wants to put up a chocolate factory here in Davao Region next year. “ Instead of sourcing its beans from Davao, this Japanese company has decided to put up its chocolate factory here,” said Val Tutur, executive director of Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao (CDAMI) at the Kapehan sa Dabaw on October 9, Monday.

Since it is still under negotiation, the name of the company has been withheld. It is also in negotiation whether it would put up its plant in Panabo or in Madaum.

“The reason why they wanted to put up a factory

here is because it will be cost less compared to bringing the raw materials to Japan,” said Tutur.

He said the Japanese company has been closely working with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry. “We are closely coordinating with them to ensure the quality of our cacao,” he said.

The promotion of cacao in the country for the last �ive years has resulted to a production of a good quality of cacao. “We teach the farmers on the right thing to do, the good manufacturing process and we taught them how to nurture their cacao on farm,” said Tutur

This also attracted the European market which is now interested in sourcing beans from Davao.

The cooperatives under CDAMI will be the primary source for the Japanese and European market. It will be coming from two cooperatives from Paquibato, four cooperatives from Calinan and one from Marilog.

Meanwhile, the Davao Chocolate Festival will be held at Sm Ecoland Davao on October 12 to 15. “The good thing about this Davao Chocolate Festival is it is on its fourth year and a lot of farmers are encourage to venture in chocolate making industry,” said Tutur.

The four day duration of

the festival will feature the story of making chocolate and other activities that will sure be enjoyed by the people.

Meanwhile the Cacao city located in Pasalubong Center at Palma Gil Street is now open to the public. “Maganda talaga ang supporta ni Mayor Sara, in fact siya talaga ang nag push sa ideya ng Chocolate Capital where in meron talagang Chocolate center,” said Tutur.

The City Government of Davao supported CDAMI in establishing of the chocolate center in order to live up the vision of the Mayor that Davao city will become the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines.

for ethical business practices.

Protect our environment,” Dominguez said in a speech that was read for him by Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua at the commencement exercises held at the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) main campus in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

Dominguez also thanked the AdMU in his speech for bestowing upon him the honor of being considered one of the university’s outstanding alumnus.

“I am not sure what exactly I have done to deserve this honor. I suppose it gives me the privilege of badgering you from time to time to contribute talent for government work,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez said the best business schools should produce conscientious graduates who are “more than artisans in the craft of creating wealth,” but also “leaders for modern

societies driven by enterprise.”

Ateneo de Manila, for one, produces more than graduates with functional skills but also persons inclined to be of service to others, he said.

“This year’s graduates surely learned everything there is to learn about doing business. The challenge now is to be leaders in our communities, to use the problem-solving skills you learned here to actually solve real-life problems that beset our society,” Dominguez said.

“I challenge all of you to seek not the comfort of air-conditioned of�ices early in your careers. Those of�ices dull the conscience and blunt your skills. Instead, you who are young and bright-eyed and full of idealism must go out to communities that are cluttered, disillusioned and disheartened,” he added.

The �inance chief urged

AdMU to pioneer small business immersion programs in its graduate school curriculum that would assign students to poor communities so that they could help micro enterprises, small agribusinesses and similar struggling endeavors to thrive and expand.

“Working for an established corporation is easy.

With a good credit history, �inancing is readily accessible. With better pay, human resource is rarely a problem.

With accumulated experience, management approaches rarely need to be inventive,” Dominguez said.

But for small enterprises, it is “a different world,” he noted. “They do not have the credit history to readily access �inancing. They may have excellent products, but no distribution networks for them.

They need your expertise.

You will need the experience working in the raw.” (DOF)

Business graduates urged to become servant-leaders

F

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has challenged fresh business graduates to become “servant-leaders” by helping impoverished communities develop micro and small enterprises that will serve as catalysts for growth and save society’s marginalized sectors from the poverty trap.

In his commencement address before graduates of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, Dominguez said that instead of rushing into cushy corporate jobs inside air-conditioned of�ices, today’s business graduates should �irst go to the country’s “cluttered, disillusioned and disheartened” communities to help solve real life problems besetting our society.

“Help sort out the problems there. Build social enterprises. Organize the poor.

Create capacity where there seems very little. Be crusaders

no VAT for PEZA firms

T

he Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines is batting to maintain the status quo of exempting locators in Philippine Economic Zone Authority from the 12-percent value added tax (VAT).

JFC said in a statement Monday that should long-committed investors be placed under a VAT refund scheme, this would harm attracting investments in the country since it will be an additional cost of doing business and it is also seen to create red tape.

“In order to maintain and to expand foreign investments in PEZA zones, the incentive structure must be attractive in comparison to what competing countries offer in �iscal incentives, labor incentives, electricity and logistics pricing, number of paid holidays, and other costs,” JFC stated.

The business group noted that some investors are delaying its investment decisions in the Philippines or opt to invest in other countries due to uncertainties that may be brought by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill.

It mentioned that foreign investors would prefer a zero-rated VAT scheme rather than seeking refund because the government has poor record in making these refunds.

During the plenary discussion on TRAIN bill in the Senate, Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara revealed that the government has current pending payment of around PHP30 billion as refund.

“Foreign investors would

prefer not to have any refund arrangement for zero-rated �irms, as this would be consistent with President Duterte’s policy of making doing business in the Philippines easier and support an improvement in country’s rating in the Global Competitive Index of the World Economic Forum,” the JFC said.

Moreover, the JFC stressed that retaining the zero VAT provisions for PEZA locators in the Senate Bill No. 1592 or the TRAIN bill is crucial to both investors and the investment promotion agency.

PEZA houses over 3,500 investors in more than 350 economic zones nationwide.

Big investors in PEZA are from the electronics sector and information technology (IT) parks developer, which support the IT and business process outsourcing (ITBPO) industry in the country.

Both electronics and ITBPO industries are growth driver of the country’s export revenues.

JFC is composed of American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines, and Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

ECONOMY 5

Four chocolate brands grace festivals abroad

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our artisan chocolate brands produced in Mindanao will be showcased in international festivals this year in Paris, France and Seattle in the US, an of�icial of Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao Inc. said.

The four brands are Malagos Chocolates, NutraRich Davao Fine Table and Rosario’s Davao Artisanal Chocolates, all from Davao City, and Kablon Farms from South Cotabato.

These will be exhibited in Salon du Chocolat on October 28 to November 1 in Paris in Porte de Versailles and The Northwest Chocolate Festival on November 11 to 12 in Seattle, CIDAMI executive director Valente Turtur told reporters during Kapehan sa Dabaw Monday.

He said they will also bring Bohol’s Ginto Luxury Chocolates and other national brands that source cacao beans produced in Davao Region like the Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates, Hiraya 72% Single-Origin Dark Chocolate Bar, and Auro Chocolate.

Joining the international festivals gives an opportunity to showcase the world-class

chocolates from the country and connect local producers to Western markets.

“With over 500 participants from 60 countries, including over 200 renowned chefs and pastry chefs, the Salon du Chocolat is the must-see event for all chocolate lovers,” a press release posted on www.salon-du-chocolat.com said.

Meanwhile, The Northwest Chocolate Festival is a “top show for chocolate in North America today and one of the best shows for chocolate in the world for the past six years running”.

Turtur said the quality of beans used to be a challenge in the past but he acknowledged that many of the farmers in Mindanao have improved on their technology, techniques, and husbandry and are now producing better quality cacao beans.

As of 2016, the Philippine Statistics Authority recorded 6,262.77 metric tons (MT) of cacao produced in the Philippines that has an annual demand of 50,000MT. Of this volume, 5,073 MT was produced in the region – Davao del Sur (1,702.54MT), Davao City (1,606.80), Davao

FOUR, 10

NEDA: foreign companies upbeat on PH biz climate

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he National Economic and Development Authority on Tuesday gave the assurance that foreign investors remain con�ident to do business in the Philippines despite the 14 percent decline in foreign direct investments (FDI) in the �irst half of 2017.

The NEDA likewise clari�ied that foreign equity placements, which Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon pointed out during the Senate interpellation last week on NEDA’s proposed budget, is only a component of total FDI. Other components of FDI are reinvestment of earnings and intra-company loans or debt instruments.

According to the data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas , FDI posted a net in�low of US$674 million in June 2017, an increase of 182.7 percent from US$238 million for the same period last year.

For the �irst half of 2017, FDI registered net in�lows of US$3.6 billion, 14 percent lower than the US$4.2 billion net in�lows posted in the same period last year. This was due to a sharp decline in the net equity capital. Equity capital declined to US$141 million in the �irst half of 2017 from US$1.448 billion in the same period last year.

Drilon at the Senate plenary on Friday expressed concerns over what he said

“a signi�icant deceleration in the in�lux of new investments.”

But NEDA, however, explained that �igure on foreign equity placements is not the entire FDI. “While the data on equity placements serve as a gauge of new FDI entry and overall investor con�idence, the �igure is not complete.

The �igure does not show the total inward investments made by foreign investors in the country,” NEDA Of�icer-in-Charge, Undersecretary Rolando G. Tungpalan said.

The huge decline in the net equity capital is also attributed to a high base year.

The BSP data in the �irst half of 2016 showed that the net equity capital grew by 121.5 percent on account of the combined effects of higher gross equity capital placements and lower gross equity capital withdrawals.

Tungpalan also underlined the rosy business outlook for the last quarter of 2017, citing results of the Business Expectations Survey (BES) quarterly conducted by the BSP.Respondents in the BES were drawn at random from the combined list of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Top 7,000 Corporations in 2010 and Business World’s Top 1,000 Corporations in 2015.

(NEDA)

A visitor checks on the products on display at the Cooperative Trade Fair and Exhibit in time for the Cooperative Month 2017 celebration at the lobby of SangguniangPanlungsod on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte signs EO for creation of OFW bank

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order that will pave the way for the creation of an Overseas Filipino Bank (OFB) dedicated to provide �inancial products and services tailored to the requirements of overseas Filipinos.

EO No. 44, which was signed by Duterte on September 28, approved the acquisition of Philippine Postal Savings Bank (PPSB) by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) through transfer of shares.

The PPSB would then be subsequently converted

to a new entity to be named the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFB).

Philippine Postal Corporation, which owns PPSB, and the Bureau of Treasury were directed under the EO to transfer their PPSB shares to Land Bank at zero value.

In converting the PPSB to a bank that will service the various �inancial and banking needs of overseas Filipinos, EO No. 44 noted that PPSB, which has 31 branches nationwide, is strategically equipped to provide the needed �inancial and remittance services to

overseas-based Filipinos and their families.

To strengthen the capital base of OFB and enable it to attain its primary agenda, Land Bank was ordered to infuse the necessary capital to the OFB. The board of directors of the OFB will consists of nine members with the LPP president as the chairperson.

The other eight members of the Board are the LBP-designated president as the vice chairperson, four LBP-designated directors as members; a member representing the Department of Labor

and Employment (DOLE); a member representing the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); and a private sector member representing overseas Filipinos.

The members of the Board representing the DOLE, OWWA and overseas Filipinos shall be appointed by the President.

Meanwhile, EO No. 44 provided for an early retirement incentive plan for all PSSB of�icers and employees who elect to be retired or may be separated from the service. (PNA)

conduct carries with it all accessory penalties, including the perpetual disquali�ication from holding public of�ice and forfeiture of retirement bene�its.

Concerned ERC employees have alleged, among others, that Salazar usurped the power of the ERC as a collegial body when he unilaterally issued orders in connection with the application for the renewal of the Electric Power Purchase Agreements (EPPAs) to several distribution utilities; and when he appointed certain ERC of�icials and employees without the imprimatur of the other Commissioner.

Salazar was also named by the late ERC Director Francisco Villa Jr. in the rigging of the selection process for an audio visual presentation (AVP) project in favor of a certain Luis Morelos.

Villa, who chaired the agency’s bids and awards committee (BAC), killed himself on November 9 after allegedly being pressured to approve procurement contracts and hiring consultants without proper bidding and procedure.

The ERC chair had previously denied any wrongdoing in all the charges �iled against him.

In the decision, the Of�ice

of the President said that Salazar was guilty of simple misconduct relative to the renewal of the EPPAs of the distribution futilities, as well as appointing ERC of�icers and personnel without the concurrence and approval of the ERC Commissioners.

“In both infractions, the elements of corruption, clear intent to violate the law, or �lagrant disregard of established rule were not adequately proven,” the decision read.

In the case of the AVP project however, the Of�ice of the President found Salazar guilty of grave misconduct.

Duterte dismisses ERC chairman for misconduct

P

resident Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the dismissal of Energy Regulatory Commission chair Jose Vicente Salazar who was found guilty of two counts of simple misconduct and one count of grave misconduct in connection with various administrative charges �iled against him by concerned ERC employees.

The decision was signed

by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, by authority of the President on Friday.

A statement issued by the Of�ice of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs on Monday, said the dismissal from Grave Mis-

6 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

Soldiers spend their time off from combat duties in Marawi City inside a mall in Iligan City on Sunday, October 8, 2017. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

Remains of OFW arrive in MisOr from Qatar C

Soldier kills comrade inside military outpost

T

he remains of a female overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who died in Qatar last month, is now in the hands of her family in Misamis Oriental, the provincial government said Tuesday.

The body of Mariah Edna Daaca, 48, a native of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, arrived at the Laguindingan airport from Manila on Monday, said Nicole Managbanag, the provincial information of�icer.

Managbanag said Daaca died in Qatar due to an acute asthma and had to be frozen to preserve her body by the hospital where she was con-

�ined.

The exact date of her death has yet to be determined, but the Philippine authorities in Qatar said her remains had been frozen since mid-September.

The Provincial Employment Services Of�ice (Peso) said Daaca’s body was turned over to her mother Maura Cutanda.

“We are very grateful to Gov. [Yevgeny Vincente] Emano for helping us bring back my daughter Edna to Jasaan from Qatar,” Cutanda said in an interview.

Cutanda said that last time she spoke to Daaca was

on Sept. 11, 2017.

For his part, Emano said it was the provincial government’s responsibility to bring back a dead Misamisnon working in other countries so they could be properly buried in their birthplace.

“No matter where you are in the world, if you are from Misamis Oriental, we will help you get back home,” the governor said.

Managbanag said it was the PESO that sought the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

(OWWA) to retrieve Daaca’s remains.

In most cases, it would take three to four months for the body of a dead OFW to be returned to the country, but Managbanag said it was hastened due to the PESO’s intervention.

According to the provincial government, Daaca worked in Qatar since 2012 as a beauty consultant.

A mother of two girls, Daaca had a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree at the Tagoloan Community College in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

(PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)

riminal charges are set to be �iled against a soldier who allegedly killed his comrade at a military outpost in Basilan province, the police reported Monday.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Of�ice-9 (PRO-9) information of�icer, disclosed the incident happened at around 5:27 a.m.

Sunday in Barangay Masola in the capital city of Isabela.

Galvez identi�ied the victim as PFC Jerry Arasain, 27, a member of the 15th Special Force Company of the Army’s 4th Special Forces

Battalion.

Galvez identi�ied the suspect as PFC Arkim Julain, 26, who belong to the same military unit.

Arasain and Julain are residents of the towns of Jolo and Panamao, Sulu, respectively.

Galvez said investigation showed that Arasain was sleeping in a hammock when the suspect repeatedly shot him. The victim died instantly.

She said that the company commanding of�icer immediately arrested the suspect. (PNA)

he Martial Law Special Action Group (ML-SAG) arrested two men for possessing unlicensed �irearms and illegal drugs, one of whom is said to be a member of the dreaded Kuratong Baleleng gang.

Authorities identi�ied the suspects as Rico Bacon and Virgilio Toledo Jr. Toledo is said to be Bacon’s brother-in-law. Con�iscated from the suspects was a Beretta 9mm handgun loaded with magazine and an extra clip, an M2K fragmentation grenade,

and nine sachets containing suspected “shabu”.

Adrian Alvariño, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-10 (PDEA-10) director, said Bacon is an active member of the Kuratong Baleleng, an anti-insurgency militia that had turned into an organized crime syndicate based mainly in Ozamiz City.

The group was said to be founded by the late Octavio Parojinog Sr., whose son Reynaldo Sr., the former Ozamiz mayor, was

Cops nab man with ties to ‘Kuratong’ Power utility grants aid to poor school in Cotabato T B elieving education as a way to bring out the best among the poor yet deserving students, the Aboitiz owned Cotabato Light and Power Company (Colight) on Sunday extended assistance to a public school in its franchise area.

“With that conviction, the �irm had offered scholarship program to students and help improve education institutions and facilities,” according to Anna Lea Lee Nataño, chief of Cotabato Light Human Resources and Reputation Enhance-

ment Department.

The latest recipient of assistance was the Pagalamatan Elementary School (PES) in Barangay Tamontaka 3 here.

The powerutility had turned over major projects to school administrators. It included the refurbishment of reading as a “Peace Hub” and concreting of classroom �looring.

Nataño said the project cost was pegged at PhP160, 000 and would bene�it 288 pupils. As to why PES was chosen as bene�iciary, Na-

taño put forward the project rationale citing that the school is one of the remote educational institutions within the Colight franchise area that regularly experience �loods when rivers around the area over�low.

Nataño said the old “peace and reading hub” of PES was made of “nipa” and looked like a “purok center.”

She added that with the peace and reading hub now concreted and refurbished, it has become conducive for studying and learning.

Nataño believed the stu-

dents are now encouraged to read and learn through the hub. “ Pupils and teachers can now continue daily class discussions even during rainy season,” she stressed.

During the turn over program, about 59 volunteers from Colight and stakeholders helped polish the two elevated and concreted classrooms. Present during the turnover were Cotabato City education of�icials Colight employees, parents, teachers and students. (PNA)

COPS, 10

EDGEDAVAO

COMPETITIVE EDGE

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

7

PEZA investment approvals up 94% in first nine months

I

Smoke rises from Marawi City after an aerial bombardment Monday (October 9, 2017) on areas where the military believes the ISIS-inspired Maute gunmen are making a last stand. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

Mock exam for the UPCAT, now available online!

T

he �irst ever mock exam for the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) in the country is now available for everyone with a computer and internet connection for every student taking the UPCAT this year.

AHEAD, the leading and most awarded tutorial and review center in the country once again introduced this innovation to prepare students who will take the UPCAT this coming October 21-22, 2017.

Only the creme dela creme are admitted in the University of the Philippines. UP graduates are deemed to be more ready for work and are given more opportunities in the past decades. UP produced 7 of 14 presidents of the the Philippines, national scientists and artists, chief justices, renowned entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, among others. UP has 15 campuses nationwide.

UP remains to be the university with the largest number of applicants every year. UPCAT is one of the country’s most competitive exams, having 70,000 examinees of which only 10 percent pass. Tuition in UP will be waived next year so more students are expected to take the UPCAT. AHEAD’s mission and vision include reaching more students; and through the internet, students from as far as Visayas and Mindanao can now experience taking the exam under time limit.

With the UPCAT online mock exam, students will be able to take a simulated test that will give them an idea about their chances of passing the UPCAT. AHEAD helped create the tutorial and review industry in the country. It is known for creating many �irsts. AHEAD published the �irst UPCAT book and UPCAT APP. It is the �irst review center that offered review spe-

ci�ically for UP, Ateneo and De La Salle. AHEAD is also the �irst center to offer a program that guarantees passing, or your money-back.

Aside from UPCAT, AHEAD also offers an online mock exam for the De La Salle University, and in the following months the University of Asia and the Paci�ic and other state universities’ entrance exams. Like UP, other state universities will also waive their tuition fee next year.

The mock UPCAT is like the real exam -- it contains the same subjects and it’s also four hours long. AHEAD advises that students be ready with two bond papers to be used as scratch papers for math; snacks and drinks; and to go to the restroom before they start the test.

The test must be taken in front of a desktop or laptop with the following speci�ications and programs.

A minimum internet speed of 1MBPS Desktop or laptop computer with at least 2GB of RAM Windows 7 or higher / OS X Mavericks (Version 10.9) or higher Taking mock tests will help students have a feel of the exam so they will be more at ease during the exam. To take this online U Students who need support after getting their scores can get explanation from AHEAD tutors in AHEAD branches in Quezon City, Ortigas, Alabang, Antipolo, Tuguegarao, Baguio, and Makati. Or they can get online tutorial so they don’t have to travel to the tutorial center but speak to a teacher live.

They can inquire about this by emailing online@ahead.edu. ph or calling 09178911187.

Education will always be the best investment. And education from the best universities will always have the best ROI.

nvestment approvals of Philippine Economic Zone Authority in the �irst three quarters of the year reached P196.46 billion, up 94 percent from P101.20 billion in the same period in 2016.

In a brie�ing Monday, PEZA Director General Charito Plaza said developments of new economic zones have driven the increase in investment approvals in January to September 2017 period.

Plaza said the top economic zone developer in the �irst nine months of the year was First Pangasinan Property Development, a joint venture of Filipino, Taiwanese, Chinese, and Singaporean companies.

Its initial project is the development of a 400-hectare economic zone in Dasol,

Pangasinan amounting to PHP20.79 billion, the PEZA chief said.

She said the PHP20.79-billion investment is part of the USD360-billion, or over PHP18-trillion total planned investments of companies which Chinese businessman You Hao Chen initiated to come to the Philippines.

Plaza noted that registration of manufacturing projects also backed the growth in investment approvals in PEZA for the �irst nine month of the year.

Investment pledges in PEZA remained strong from January to September this year despite the number of projects declined by 2.01 percent year-to-date.

Number of projects reg-

 PEZA, 10

INVITATION TO BID The Mindanao Development Authority is offering for sale through public auction Eight (8) Unserviceable Motor Vehicles on an “AS IS WHERE IS” basis: QTY

1 Unit

1 Unit

1 Unit

1 Unit

1 Unit

1 Unit

1 Unit

1 Unit

ITEM

MINIMUM FLOOR PRICE

TOYOTA PICK-UP HI-LUX Color: Grayish Brown Model: 2005 Plate No. SLA 754 Motor No.:1KD 9526909 Chassis No.: MROF229G 901521029 MITSUBISHI L-2OO STRADA PICK-UP Color: Silver Model: 1995 Plate No.: UBU 555 Motor No.: 4D56 GS1319 Chassis No.: 340SP-05861 TOYOTA PICK-UP HI-LUX Color: Lithium Model: 2005 Plate No. SLA 763 Motor No.: 1KD 9528003 Chassis No.: MROF229G801521135 MITSUBISHI PAJERO WAGON Color: White Model: 1999 Plate No. SFM 633 Motor No.: 4M40CX0380 Chassis No.: JMYHNV360YJ000266 FORD RANGER PICK-UP Color: White Model: 2004 Plate No. SKL 547 Motor No.: WLAT 381898 Chassis No.: MNCLSFE403W331402 MITSUBISHI DELICA VAN Color: Blue Plate No. RAM 603 Motor No.: 4D56- FK8208 Chassis No.: P35W-0316406

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The above units are available for sale on cash basis only and on an “AS IS WHERE IS” basis. The motor vehicles are available for inspection during office hours at Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) at Old Airport Compound, Old, Airport Road, Km. 9, Sasa, Davao City ISSUANCE OF TOR/BID FORMS to the prospective bidder of the Eight (8) Units of Unserviceable Motor Vehicles will be undertaken upon payment of a NON-REFUNDABLE fee of FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (Php500.00) payable to MinDA. Bid Forms can be secured from the Secretariat of the Disposal Committee of MinDA at the Admin Office, G/F Old Airport Building, Old Airport Road, Km. 9, Sasa, Davao City.

DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION OF SEALED BIDS will be on October 24, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the MInDA Conference Room, G/F Old Airport Building, Old Airport Road, Km. 9, Sasa, Davao City.

The bid shall be accompanied by a bidder’s bond in the form of Cash, Manager’s/Cashier’s Check, in an amount equivalent to 10% of the bid proposal, as guarantee that the successful bidder shall, pay the full amount and withdraw the vehicles from its present location within the prescribed period.

OPENING OF SEALED BIDS will be on October 24, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at the MinDA Conference Room, G/F Old Airport Building, Old Airport Road, Km. 9, Sasa, Davao City.

Highest and acceptable bid is subject to review by the MinDA Disposal Committee. The MinDA reserves the right to reject any or all bid proposals, to waive any required formality or defect therein and may accept the bid which is deemed most advantageous to the government. Pull-out of item/s awarded to winning bidder/s will be undertaken upon payment of the accepted bid price and completion of documents.

For further inquiry and prescribed bid forms, please visit us at our office at the Old Airport Building, Old Airport Road, Km. 9, Sasa, Davao City or you may contact us at telephone nos. 221-7060 and look for Ms. Mary Ann M. Verzosa.

SECRETARY DATU HJ. ABUL KHAYR D. ALONTO Chairman

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

J

Another rejection

ust like that and another cabinet appointee is gone.

After four others fell by the wayside at the hands of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA), Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial became the latest casualty among President Rodrigo Duterte’s appointees.

The CA voted Ubial down for the �inal time on Tuesday. Ubial is the �ifth appointee disapproved by the commission. She joins former Foreign Affairs Secretary Pefecto Yasay, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael “Paeng” Mariano.

The decision on Ubial came after the CA

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committee on health conducted an executive session and recommended to reject the Health secretary’s appointment. There were 13 votes to “withhold consent to the ad interim appointment of Ubial.” Voting at the CA is con�idential and not explained to the appointee. Her appointment was bypassed by the commission twice and she faced four oppositions during her con�irmation hearing.

Sad it may seem, that’s how the life of appointive of�icials go. Their fate is subject to the judgment of the CA members who could be guided by a number of factors in their decision process. In most cases, the process could be very cruel.

Ubial will just have to accept her fate just as those four others before her.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

JIMMY K. LAKING Associate Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ANGELIE SAVERON BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Reporter MEGHANN STA. INES NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle CHA MONFORTE LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARLENE D. PASAJE Correspondents Cartoons Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. Columnists: D. TACIO G.•DELIGERO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • VIDAGOTIANSE-TAN MIA S. VALVERDE•• NICASIO FRED C. LUMBA • ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA BORBONHENRYLITO • MARY ANN “ADI”• GREGORIO C. QUISIDO LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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OLIVIA D. VELASCO D.D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI SOLANI MARATAS General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist General Manager Director of Sales Finance OREAL L. REAL Marketing Assistant

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

A

t the speed the PDP-Laban has been swallowing up new recruits from semi-dormant political parties, it is not farfetched to see some of these cliques, i.e.

Nacionalista Party, etc., moving to oblivion, moribund, dissolved, and dead. In the annals of Philippine politics, parties have been an indispensable aspect of strength.

The stronger the bloc the more people are lured to it.

During the Japanese occupation, political parties survived only for a year. On December 4, 1942, four days to the day Davao City was bombed by Zero planes a year earlier, the Japanese Military Administration came out with an announcement that was curiously titles as ‘Voluntary Dissolution of All Political Parties in the Philippines.’

Why it was considered ‘voluntary’ when the Imperial order was actually a mandatory enforcement is actually a misnomer.

Probably, the Japanese thought that a little persuasion was kinder than when it was outright declared as compulsory. The announcement reads in part: “Today, all vestiges of American power and authority in the Philippines have been completely obliterated and this country, after being freed from the heavy shackles of American domination, under whose foreign and unnatural suzerainty she has suffered for the last 40-odd years, returns to

S

ince there is a law, I thought dynamite �ishing would be a thing of the past. But I was wrong.

While reading the website, I came across a news report in Iloilo City that two �ishermen were “sued for violation of Section 92 of Republic Act 10654 after they were caught using improvised explosives in gathering �ish.”

Among those that were seized from there were “shafting, propeller, ruder, improvised air compressor, compressor tank, two rolls of air compressor hose, three scope nets, improvised clippers, and other paraphernalia,” the report said.

Like other outlawed �ishing methods, dyna mite �ishing is indeed still rampant. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), a line agency of the Department of Agriculture, said that on a single day an average of 10,000 blasts occur in various parts of the country.

Perhaps it may come as a surprise that dynamite �ishing in the Philippines is well documented.

In fact, it was mentioned in the book, “Storm of Steel,” the memoir of German of�icer Ernst Jünger’s experiences on the Western Front during the First World War. According to Gregg Yan, communication of�icer of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WW),

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Political parties as ‘curse and blight’ her former Oriental self, and with courage and fortitude, proudly faces the dawn of a new day, the start of a new era, full of hope and faith in her glorious future.

“At this crucial moment in the course of Philippine rejuvenation, when the governmental, industrial, social, cultural, as well as other agencies and organizations are rapidly being renovated to conform more closely with the fundamental ideas and prevailing conditions in East Asia, it is most expedient and opportune that the existing political parties have decided, of their own accord and through their sincere desire to more fully meet with the present requirements of the country, to dissolve and liquidate their respective organizations for the purpose of fostering closer harmony, concordance, and unanimity among all Filipinos who are devoting themselves, unreservedly, to the reconstruction of their country.

“The Japanese Military Administration expresses its complete agreement to, and high commendation of, this decision and action of the existing political parties, to dissolve themselves.”

Putting the blame on American hegemony and politics, the Imperial declaration, without batting an eyelash, went on accused the United States for the “curse and blight” of the people and promoted its new agenda of Co-Prosperity Sphere, saying:

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa “Unquestionably, the most urgent and paramount problem facingthe[Filipinos]istheextirpation of all traces of the American brand of politics and misgovernment from these Islands; the eradication of the ape-like mimicking of AngloAmericanism from their manner of living and outlook on life, which, in the past, have been a curse and blight to the Filipinos, and to install, in their stead, a new system of things such as will assist and enable the Philippines to take her place as a valuable and worthy member of the Co-Prosperity Sphere—a sphere of common interest and mutual prosperity formed among Oriental peoples, with Japan as the nucleus

and central force.

“The pages of history are replete with countless cases of governments being prevented from carrying out necessary policies by partisan strife and political bickerings which failures eventually led to the disruption, decline and, �inally, the disappearance of the nations concerned.”

Additionally, the statement postulated that politics, which was introduced by the Americans as part of what we know now as democracy, played a role in undermining public welfare.

“A brief study of the political history of the Philippines reveals that there has always been a strong tendency among the people to believe that a democratic and representative form of government is impossible unless political parties exist. On the other hand, it has been the common experience of all countries in the past that it is an inherent characteristic of political parties to invariably place �irst importance on party interests and party gains, sacri�icing, at times, the good of the people whenever these two interests con�licted.

“Furthermore, political parties have their origins and their very excuse for being only when there exists conscientious differences of opinions over fundamental principles and issues over governmental policies, but it has been the common experience of all

countries to have political parties continue to exist and carry on their meaningless strife and bickerings long after any fundamental differences between them had ceased to exist. As to the conditions which prevailed in these Islands, the mass of the Filipino people is the best judge whether the political parties in the Philippines have always been true to their policies and platforms and whether they conducted themselves at all times in strict accordance with the highest standards of integrity, honor and justice in all their public dealings.

“Today, when the whole world is undergoing complete metamorphosis and social, economic and political systems of the past are rapidly undergoing drastic changes and adjustments, the time is opportune to subject the prevailing political systems and structures to careful scrutiny and thorough reexamination to determine whether they are in complete consonance with the clearly denned tendencies of the present or whether they should be drastically overhauled to meet the demands of the new age and conform to new deals and standards.”

The Imperial declaration sounds current, it is because of the fact that we have continued to embrace the same rotten philosophies that characterized politics even before World War II.

Endangered Special International.

“Large blasted areas are very slow to recover because corals have dif�iculty establishing on loose or sandy substrate.”

That’s not all. “The damaged coral reefs from blast �ishing lead to instant declines in �ish species wealth and quantity,” Wikipedia reports.

“Explosives used in blast �ishing not only kill �ish but also destroy coral skeletons, creating unbalanced coral rubble. The elimination of the �ish also eliminates the resilience of the coral reefs to climate change, further hindering their recovery.”

Several studies have shown that single blasts cause reefs to recover over 5-10 years, while widespread blasting, as often practiced, “transforms these biodiverse ecosystems into continuous unstable rubble.”

But what is even more appalling is the loss of human lives.

“Dynamite �ishing is prohibited in the Philippines, but many Filipino �ishers still use homemade bombs,” Yan wrote. “Some �ishermen lose limbs and sometimes even the sight in one or both eyes due to bombs exploding prematurely.”

But despite all these, �ishermen are still doing it and the government seems to have had little success in stemming the practice. The reason is that some �ishermen use some

tricks so they cannot be caught by authorities. Among these are the following: · Blasting arti�icial reefs (ARs) which have become effective �ish aggregating devices. In most instances, ARs – which are designed to increase �ish population in degraded coastal area – are blasted beyond repair; · Piggybacking on the operation of commercial �ishermen.

By tailing the big boys of the industry who use sophisticated equipment, the explosive experts are able to track down schools of �ish which they blast away before the other side could even cast their cumbersome net; and · Employing local residents to gather the blasted �ish. In areas protected by some authorities, the blast �ishers explode and run, leaving the task of collecting the dead �ish to trusted local contacts.

This arrangement enables them to minimize brushes with law enforcers.

“Dynamite �ishing is an inhumane way of �ishing,” someone wrote. “It is an effective way for �ishermen get a lot of �ish fast and simple. By having the abundance of �ish to sell, the �ishermen slowly get out of the poverty cycle. Most local Filipino �ishermen do not realize that by destroying the coral reefs, they destroy the homes of the �ish, resulting in less area to �ish.”

Thunder under the sea

dynamite �ishing – also known as blast �ishing – became rampant in the Philippines after the Second World War. “American soldiers would sometimes lob grenades into shoals of �ish, providing local �ishing communities with a lucrative new means of instantly increasing their catches,” Yan wrote.

Unfortunately, dynamite �ishing is an incredibly destructive practice.

“These days, blast �ishermen use powdered ammonium nitrate (usually from fertilizer), kerosene and small pebbles, which are packed inside a glass bottle and covered with a blasting cap,” Yan wrote.

“New designs integrate long metal rods which absorb sound and act as sinkers.”

The impact underwater is devastating.

“A single blast’s shockwave typically travels at about 1500 meters per second (the length of 15 football �ields), killing or maiming every �ish in range and often liquefying their internal organs,” Yan wrote. “The �ish are then collected either by divers using hookah air compressors where an on board engine pumps air through a garden hose, or using nets.”

Researchers believe that destructive �ishing practices like blast �ishing are one of the biggest threats to the coral reef ecosystems. “Coral

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

reefs that may have taken thousands of years to grow are reduced to rubble in a matter of seconds, obscured by wafting clouds of silt,” Yan wrote.

An estimated 10-15 per cent of the total �isheries come from coral reefs. About 80-90 per cent of the income of small island communities comes from �isheries. “Coral reef �ish yields range from 20 to 25 metric tons per square kilometer per year for healthy reefs,” says Dr. Angel C. Alcala, former environment secretary.

“Dynamite �ishing has contributed to massive destruction of Southeast Asian coral reefs over the past 20 years,” deplored the

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

YES... FROM 1 sion was chaired by Councilor Bonifacio Militar in the absence of Vice-Mayor Paulo Duterte.

Lopez also credited Councilor Dayanghirang for the passage of the ordinance. “May I also point out that the passage of the ordinance was because of the inspiring eloquent and passionate plea of Councilor Dayanghirang which practically moved all the hearts and all the minds of these

councilors,” said Lopez.

In approving the ordinance, the City Council said the applicant (Apo Agua Infrastructura) has complied with all necessary requirements and documents.

It added the project will create a major impact in the socio-economic, environmental and educational development of the city and its people.

wild�ires...have collectively burned more than 80,000 acres (323.7 square km),” he said.

He said the Golden State has been suffering a terrible �ire season, which cost the government a huge amount of resources.

“I have proclaimed state of emergencies for ten �ire events throughout the state

since July 2017. Additionally, there have been over 7,484 �ire starts in California since January 2017,” the letter read.

More than 20 wild�ires, scorching California from north to south, have killed 10, serious injured at least two, destroyed at least 1,500 structures and forced 20,000 people to be evacuated. (Xinhua)

Alexander Gesmundo.

Velasco wrote the decision which was concurred in by the majority of the justices.

On the other hand, those who voted in favor of granting De Lima’s petition were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justices Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Francis Jardeleza, Marvic Leonen, and Benjamin Caguioa.

The high court said it is the Regional Trial Court that has jurisdiction over the Information that charges petitioner with violation of Section 5 in relation to Section (jj), Section 26(b), and Section 28 of Republic Act No. 9165.

The Court did not agree with petitioner’s characterization of the offense as “Direct Bribery” under the Revised Penal Code but maintained

that the allegations in the Information are suf�icient to characterize the offense as a violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165). For this reason, the Court pointed out that RA 9165 speci�ied only one court with jurisdiction to try offenses under the law, the Regional Trial Court.

It also noted that the exclusive original jurisdiction of the RTC over violations of RA 9165 is not transferred to the Sandiganbayan whenever the accused occupies a position classi�ied as Grade 27 or higher, regardless of whether the violation is alleged to have been committed in relation to the of�ice being occupied. The Sandiganbayan’s jurisdiction is limited to violations of the anti-graft laws and do not extend to violations of the drugs law.(PNA)

killing two Filipinos.

The Department of Justice earlier said it has yet to process the US government’s request for Salic’s extradition.

Meanwhile, Santos hopes that people from other races will not judge Filipinos solely based on the matter, noting that many Filipinos, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have shown the world how they value life

you went to three straight Finals and you’ve been the starting 2-guard. But like I said, it’s about sacri�ice if you want to win. J.R. was great about it. Just knows he has to have a different role right now so we’ll see how it works.’’

Lue opened training camp with Wade as the point guard for Cleveland’s second unit.

But the coach said he decided in the past few days to move the 35-year-old in the starting lineup along with James, who has been slowed by a sprained ankle.

FIVE... FROM 2

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ADMISSION. Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 11’s Beverly Mae Brebante bares that the road widening being conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways contributed to the landslide in C.P. Garcia high-

way. Brebante made the statement during a regular session of the City Council at SangguniangPanlungsod on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

brought by advocacy, education and grassroots conservation.

“Several equally-inspiring community-based raptor conservation programs across Asia exist hence posaitive human attitudes can be devloped,” she said.

Gomez said the conference will highlight how sup-

port to community-based actions can result to healthy people-raptor relationships.

The goal of the ARRCN is to further promote raptor conservation and determine the link between raptors and local communities to encourage appreciation and protection of raptor species. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)

that there are still six foreign terrorists �ighting in Marawi.

“We believed there are still six foreign �ighters down from 19,” he said.

Galvez added they have checked on reports that 15 Indonesian terrorists have �lown in through Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental to join the �ighting.

He said that with the help of the Indonesian consulate in Davao City, they have tracked down all the Indonesians and found they were legitimate visitors who joined an international conference for Muslim preachers in Marawi.

(Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

and peace.

“The whole world through the sacri�ices and services of OFWs to them have shown that we are God fearing people, trustworthy and hardworking,” the Bataan prelate said.

“It is indeed a black eye on our image. And there will be a cloud of suspicions over us. But it is an isolated case.

That is not the true face of the Filipino,” he added. (PNA)

RA 7104 (Commission on the Filipino Language Act of 1991) created the Commission on the Filipino Language which eventually became known as KWF. Such commission shall create and maintain “a division of transaction which shall encourage through incentives, undertake and vigorously support the translation into Filipino and other Philippine languages of important historical works and cultural traditions of ethnolinguistic groups, laws, resolutions and other legislative enactments, executive issuances, government policy statements and of�icial documents, textbooks and reference materials in various disciplines and other foreign materials which it may deem necessary for education and other purposes,” reads RA 7104.

KWF came up with its

early translations of the Philippines’ three Constitutions based on inputs the agency generated during a forum on the matter, said Torralba.

He said KWF would present such translations during another forum this month to gather feedback from lawyers and other participants on these versions.

The forum scheduled on Tuesday (Oct. 24) in Metro Manila also aims in generating additional inputs that will help KWF further re�ine the agency’s translations of the Constitutions, he noted.

KWF may further conduct similar fora in the future so the agency can come up with the most accurate translations possible, Torralba said.

Inputs generated during the discussions will help guide KWF in translating other laws as well, he added.

(PNA)

Wade and James have developed a unique chemistry on the �loor, where they are able to move separately and in unison.

Lue wanted to take advantage of that bond and will team them up again. ‘’Just something we’re going to do to start the season and see how it works,’’ he said.

Lue’s biggest challenge will be keeping everyone happy with their playing time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing with all the talent at his disposal.

As for his starting �ive, Lue loves the group’s versatility.

gunned down by law enforcers in a raid on July 30, 2017. The Parojinog family has maintained they are not involved in criminal activities.

Some members of the Parojinog family and supporters were killed in the operation, while Reynaldo’s daughter and the city’s vice mayor, Nova Princess, was arrested along with his brother, Reynaldo Jr. Alvariño said they have reason to believe that Ba-

con is merely a dummy for Parojinog’s properties in this city, one of which is a luxurious residence with a swimming pool in Apovel Subdivision, Brgy. Bulua.

Bacon supposedly transferred the property to his name after the death of Reynaldo Sr., the PDEA-10 director said.

The PDEA director said Bacon and Toledo have been on the agency’s watchlist. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)

del Norte (945.31MT), Davao Oriental (507.26MT), and Compostela Valley (311.92MT).

The city government of Davao opened a “Cacao City” at the Pasalubong Center on Palma Gil St. that showcases various cacao-based products of the city.

A press release from the City Information Of�ice said, “Cacao City would serve as a show window and a retail outlet for cacao products, including chocolates. Davao City has been aiming to become the country’s chocolate capital”.

“We envision that this is the venue for the buyers and suppliers together… This is a venue where we can help more SMEs and more small farmers get into cacao farming and cacao processing,” City Mayor Sara Duterte was quoted as saying.

Cacao City aims to to make “cacao farming to become a pro�itable venture — eventually transforming lives of farmers” as well as providing opportunity to small entrepreneurs, mar-

ginal farmers, and the indigenous people to become major players in the cacao and chocolate industry.

“We hope in the end, it will help uplift the lives of fellow Filipinos. This is one of our projects under our program on poverty alleviation,” she said.

“We want our farmers to become producers of globally-competitive quality chocolates,” she said.

Leo Leuterio, head of the Davao City Agriculture Of�ice, said the city government is serious in helping the cacao sector, considering that the city has already made a mark as a destination for cacao enthusiasts — as it now boasts of the “tree to bar production chocolate experience”.

“If you want to do it right, the chocolates and cacao are right here in Davao,” Leuterio said. “Davao is now part of the global map for cacao and chocolates that is why we put up a centerpiece of cacao here through Cacao City. (Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews)

istered in PEZA in the �irst three quarters of the year decreased to 438 projects from 447 projects last year.

As of end-July 2017, total job generation in PEZA improved by 6.12 percent to 1.36 million from 1.28 million at end-July 2017.

Likewise, export revenues of PEZA-registered

enterprises rose 11.47 percent to USD29.26 billion at end-July this year from USD26.25 billion in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Plaza has been leading PEZA for more than a year since the Duterte administration took of�ice in 2016. She started as PEZA chief on Oct. 5, 2016.(PNA)

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INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137•WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

Allysa Lyn Damole

The world on a

RUNWAY

Shanna Palileo

FIDA’s 2017 graduation show IT WAS A WHIRLWIND OF A RIDE as the Fashion Institute of Design and the Arts held its latest graduation show at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier last September 30.

Yoko Cansancio

Marvin Jed dela Rama

Paris, Milan, London, New York and Tokyo. The graduating students of FIDA took on the challenge to represent five global capitals that lead the fashion paradigm with each city representing different fashion aesthetics that embody what is fashion.

This year’s theme may be simple but as one can expect, global cities pulse with a life of their own with vibrant scenes in culture, arts, lifestyle, religion, flavors and even sensibilities.

Yoko Cansancio took inspiration from Paris’ Chateau de Versailles with floral details juxtaposed with elegant feminine silhouettes while Marvin Jed dela Rama went for a sleek utilitar-

Marvin Jed dela Rama

ian street look for his New York-inspired collection.

London was the inspiration for Allysa Lyn Damole and Patricia Ann Garcia but the collections they produced night and day next to each other.

While Allysa chose to use modern street shapes peppered with the busy traffic signs of London’s Soho district, Patricia’s collection harkens back to

Patricia Ann Garcia

a night out in town at the busy West End. Two designers, Shanna Palileo and Mark Ortiz were both inspired by Tokyo. I was impressed by Shanna’s collection which brought me back to the busy and fashion forward streets of Harajuku, where prints were unashamedly paired with prints, over prints. Mark, on-the-other-hand went with clean lines and boxy silhouettes evoking kimonos and yukatas with prints that are inspired by koi fish.

This year’s batch of

Mark Ortiz

FIDA graduates may be lesser, but the quality of the designs produced this year are truly outstanding and I cannot wait for

these young designers to grow out of their shell to make their own mark in Durianburg’s fashion scene.

Mark Ortiz

Mark Ortiz

A2INdulge!

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137•WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

Philam Life holds #LiveBetter Expo

By KENNETH IRVING ONG DABAWENYOS were inspired to live a life of wellness with an amazing mix of wellness experts at the #LifeBetter Expo held last October 7 at SM Lanang Premier. Through the event, Philam Life hopes to empower Filipinos to start living better.

The #LiveBetter Expo took consumers through an experiential journey of the brand’s four key pillars: fitness, food, wellness, and financial health. Together with partner companies, consumers were in for a treat with various health and wellness-oriented offerings and activities that inspired everyone to live a healthier and more holistic lifestyle.

This approach is in line with the company’s shift to the wellness space in an effort to help Filipinos live longer, healthier, and better lives. Launched earlier this year, the #LiveBetter campaign aims to help Filipinos bridge the gap between what they want to achieve with regard to their health and their current lifestyle, creating a positive difference in their

lives.

“Live Better is a campaign that signifies the change that is taking place in the over-all strategy of Philam Life”, said Tim Marriott, Philam Life’s Chief Marketing Officer.

“At the core of Live Better is Philam Vitality, a wellness program that helps Filipinos Live Better, by letting them take charge of their overall health, their mind, body, as well as their financial wellness.

In the long term, it seeks to help Filipinos live life to the fullest by helping them take charge of their overall wellness.”

Apart from engaging booths from partner lifestyle brands, guests also learned how to #LiveBetter, straight from Philam Life ambassadors Nico Bolzico and Mond Gutierrez and other thought

leaders in the health and wellness space.

“Through the #LiveBetter Expo, we want to be able to show Filipinos how they can live better through the different pillars of wellness”, said Bernadette Chincuanco, Philam Life’s Head of Brand and Communications. “Live Better is not just our brand promise, but a commitment supported by Philam Vitality, the platform from which we can help them achieve it. We have products powered by Philam Vitality

that will allow them to earn points for knowing and improving their health. We are the only life insurance company who has the actual tools to deliver on the promise of helping Filipinos achieve total wellness,” added Chincuanco.

Discover how you too can #LiveBetter! Philam Life is on Facebook at PhilamLifeAlA, visit www.philamlife.com, or call (02)528-2000 to learn how you can start living a longer, healthier, and better life.

Win a Suzuki Ciaz at SM Davao 3 Day Sale!

AFTER SCORING UP TO 70% OFF ON AWESOME SELECTIONS, shoppers can elevate their shopping experience with a chance to drive home a brand new Suzuki Ciaz at the SM City Davao 3-Day Sale on October 1315.

With a minimum single or accumulated purchase of Php 1,000 from any mall tenant during the 3-day sale, shoppers may claim a raffle coupon from the redemption booths. Exciting consolation prizes also await those shop more.

Prestige cardholders enjoy exclusive discounts on Friday, October 13 while SMAC and BDO Rewards cardholders enjoy the same on October 14, from 9AM to 12NN at participating SM affiliate stores. On Sunday, October 15, SM Advantage and Prestige cardholders can avail of the same exclusive treats at the Final Hour Sale, from 5PM to 7PM. To give its mallgoers more time to shop, SM City Davao extends its mall hours are also extended until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. The mall opens 9AM on Saturday for the SM Advantage Card specials.

For online contests and promos, like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and Instagram. For inquiries, call 297.6998.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137•WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Promoting learning-conducive homes FILIPINOS place a high value on education. As an old saying goes, “Ang edukasyon ang tanging kayamanan na hindi maaaring nakawin ninoman.” Parents work the hardest just so they can send their children to the best school they can afford, no matter the sacrifice this entails. They support their children’s aspirations and provide them with the means to make learning more conducive and productive.

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Creating an environment conducive to learning Carrying out school tasks and responsibilities can be difficult in constantly changing weather conditions, which can affect one’s mood and worse, even cause illnesses.

Make study time more comfortable with the Hanabishi Ceiling Fan. Available in two variants— the HTRIFAN 48 and HTRIFAN 56—the ceiling fan creates a wind chill effect to make the room feel 6 to 8 degrees cooler. Both fans are equipped with a metal blade, oscillation control and a thermal fuseprotected motor, the last to prevent

overheating. The products are compact in design to save space. With their powerful blade and oscillation control, they can cool a room down, eliminating the need for air conditioning and saving on electric costs.

For studying or completing school projects during warmer days or nights, the Hanabishi Air Cooler provides a cool break. For a starting price of Php5,345, this product cools a room but consumes less energy than ordinary air conditioners, in the process resulting in more savings.

The Hanabishi Air Cooler, which comes in seven models, is equipped with a honeycomb filter, a remote controller, an ionizer and a 24-hour timer. It has a 5.5-liter water tank capacity. It also requires less maintenance and has no harmful gas emission such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Stay awake with a cup of coffee Burning the midnight oil is quite common among students, particularly when preparing for an exam, completing a project or working with a group. Students usually turn to junk food to boost their energy or keep them awake.

Offer a healthier option with the Hanabishi Coffee Maker. Students already allowed to have coffee can opt for a warm cup instead of getting their alertness or caffeine boost from soft drinks or other energy drinks.

Available in six variants, the Hanabishi Coffee Maker comes in modern ergonomic design and a nonstick heating plate. It features an illuminated on/off switch, a conestyle permanent filter, a water-level indicator on the tank, a heat-resistant glass carafe, a hinged tank lid and a stylish reservoir for coffee. The price ranges from Php615 to Php1,100.

EDGEDAVAO

A4INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137•WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

MVT Bridges Philippines, Purok Malakas, General Santos City for more Information Please contact Cellphone Number 09460154748. Look for Shane S. Liquit Marketing Consultant

11 GAME CHANGER

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

SEC. ROY CIMATU

Passing the CA with track record

By BEN CAL Philippine News Agency

T

his is one for the books.

Newly-con�irmed Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu’s storied past as a brilliant tactician and strategist during his illustrious long military career where he saw action in the Mindanao war in 2001, is worth recalling now that his department is �ighting another battle to protect the country’s remaining rich natural resources from illegal mining, loggers and poachers.

His achievement in the military, particularly during the all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Central Mindanao in 2001 gave him the edge to be promoted as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the four-star rank, the highest in the military service.

Here is Gen. Cimatu’s story worth reading as written by this writer in his book, “Gallantry in Mindanao.”

As a brilliant tactician and strategist, Cimatu earned the sobriquet “General Pacman” for capturing most of the 46 MILF camps one after the other, referring to the character in the once highly popular computer game that devours everything that blocks his way.

The aggressiveness of General Cimatu at the height of the �ighting between government forces and the rebels was so well-known that then AFP chief of staff Gen. Angelo T. Reyes himself dubbed Cimatu as “General Pacman.’’

At the turn of new millennium, the MILF became restive in Central Mindanao. Its camps sprouted in various parts of the region, which was a blatant violation of the Cease�ire Agreement signed in 1997. The military was watching keenly the unfolding events of the “takeand-talk” strategy the MILF was pursuing. It was a creeping invasion right under the very nose of the AFP, whose hands in the ongoing peace process at that time had been tied.

From 1995 up to 2001, the MILF increased its strength by 20 percent annually and its �irearms procurement by 21 percent based on the monitoring done by the AFP and police intelligence community.

The military has also recorded intermittent clashes between government forces and MILF rebels. When the tempo of the unprovoked attacks escalated starting January 2000, AFP authorities expressed serious concern. Then in February, the unexpected happened.

The MILF carried out a series of bombings, the heinous of which was the blasting of an interisland barge the MIV Mediatrix in Ozamiz City (Misamis Occidental), killing 39 people

and wounding many.

On March 16, 2000, the MILF’s 303rd Brigade led by Abdul Rakman G. Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, attacked and occupied the town of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte. The 4th Infantry Division responded swiftly. Fortunately, the First Marine Brigade under Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio had arrived two days earlier in Cagayan de Oro City from Palawan for deployment to Balabagan, Lanao del Sur to contain the perimeter defense of Camp Abubakar, the largest MILF camp and seat of power of the rebels.

“That was the original plan,” General Cimatu said.

But the sudden attack on Kauswagan changed all that.

He said he diverted the deployment of the 1st Marine Brigade and the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion of the Philippine Army to the besieged town where the MILF was holding some 300 civilian hostages.

The arrival of additional troops was timely, he said because he only had a small force at the time and there were 400 MILF rebels occupying Kauswagan. The general added his decision to redeploy the Marines “was very crucial because had I not used the Marines, it would have been dif�icult to launch a counterattack.”

The Marines struck with blitzkrieg precision that sent the MILF retreating in wild abandon, leaving their hostages behind. Kauswagan was under the command of the two brigades, the 1st Marine Brigade and the Army’s 402nd Brigade under Army Col. Samuel Bagasin.

Cimatu personally went inside an Aglipayan church, where some of the hostages were kept, and told them that the rebels had �led in disarray.

To avoid being arrested, they discarded their �irearms, took off their fatigue uniforms and changed into civilian clothes.

The rebels then mixed with the civilian populace. The next day, Cimatu ordered his troops to conduct clearing operations to ensure that all the guerillas had left.

On March 18, 2000, the Marines proceeded to Inudaran to attack another MILF camp. It was during the heavy �ighting there that Lt. Dhon Alfonso Javier, a godson of President Joseph Estrada, and �ive other soldiers were killed.

With the success of the �irst two counterattacks by government forces, Defense Secretary Orlando S. Mercado and AFP chief Gen. Angelo Reyes �lew to job well done. The two top of�icials told the 4th ID commander that President Joseph Estrada would visit Kauswagan to see for himself the ongoing

PRESIDENT’S MAN. File photo shows President Rodrigo Duterte swearing in DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu. military operations.

On March 21, 2000, Estrada went to the war zone in Kauswagan. It was there that he issued his order for an allout offensive against the MILF rebels responsible for the attacks and atrocities in that town and other municipalities in the Lanao area. On his way back to Manila, the President dropped by Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro to pay his last respects to the remains of his godson and the other �ive fallen heroes to whom he awarded the Gold Cross medal posthumously for bravery in combat.

With the marching order, Cimatu’s forces proceeded to the municipality of Delabayan, the hometown of Commander Bravo, to capture Camp John Mack. After the fall of John Mack, the next order was to hit Camp Belal, the third biggest MILF camp, located deep in the jungles of Munai, Lanao del Norte.

Anticipating stiff resistance, Cimatu formed Task Force Diamond 3 and put it under Army Col. Felipe Berroya, a battle-tested of�icer and a graduate of PMA class 1972. The attack on Camp Belal called for careful planning because of the rugged mountain terrain. And there was only one road to that MILF fortress. Cimatu deployed one brigade to trudge over one side. His armored assets with some troops took the road. The job of the two brigades was to clear the forested mountains of rebels and prevent them from ambushing the armored column below.

As the troops made their way across the rugged mountainous terrain, the enemy was waiting for them. The rebels put up a strong resistance to stop the advancing soldiers.

But the task force was more than prepared to engage the

MILF guerillas in a head-on clash.

For four days, the battle raged. When it ended, the MILF headquarters was in government hands. The guerillas �led and hid in the thickly forested mountains.

When the �ighting subsided, Cimatu decided to go to Iligan City. With one Simba armored vehicle and a security detail on board two 6 x 6 trucks, he left Camp Belal early evening. The trip nearly ended in tragedy when MILF rebels opened �ire on the convoy with B-40 rocket launchers and automatic gun�ire. The ambush took place barely two kilometers away from a Marine base.

Staying calm under �ire, Cimatu immediately ordered his men to turn off their vehicles’ lights. The shooting continued and in the dark they saw gun�ire �lashing from the right �lank. The Simba immediately returned �ire with its .50 caliber machine gun, the soldiers jumped out of their trucks and �ired back. There was a heavy exchange of �ire for 10 minutes, resulting in the death of two rebels.

Then the general shouted to his troops, “Let’s get out of the killing zone.” The convoy managed to make a U-turn and avoided being trapped in the killing zone just in the nick of time. Upon reaching the nearby Marine base, General Cimatu ordered an artillery bombardment of the MILF position.

Assessing the incident, he said that the MILF had sprung the ambush prematurely. “If they had waited for our convoy to pass through to the killing zone, there would have been many casualties on our part. We were lucky we did not sustain any casualty. The only damage was the shattered search light of the Simba,” he said.

Camp Belal was the sanctuary that the MILF rebels used whenever they attacked government forces in nearby areas. “That was my reason for hitting the MILF there because, if we did not do that, we would be attacked by the same group,” he said.

The rebels laced their attacks with terroristic activities, according to General Cimatu.

It was the rebels, he said, who blasted the Napocor towers in Baloi, plunging practically the whole island of Mindanao into darkness in the last week of April. To check such terrorist activities, the 4th Infantry Division launched an offensive to �lush out a big number of MILF guerillas in Baloi.

“It was there that MILF felt the might and �irepower of the Armed Forces. All weapons available in our arsenal were used, including air assets. The rebels were so many as remnants of the group of Commander Bravo and reinforcements from Lanao del Sur poured into Baloi to help the embattled MILF forces there,” said the 4th ID commander.

One factor that favored the MILF at the outset of the battle was their control of a vital bridge. The rebels, too, had occupied a large area adjacent to the town center. General Cimatu said he told Mayor Hatefa Ali that military would attack the MILF, unless town of�icials could convince the rebels to leave the area to avoid a bloody confrontation.

“They could not. I had no recourse but to attack,” he said.

“We had a hard time crushing the strong rebel force that fought hammer and tongs. The �ight lasted for four days and we suffered several casualties,” he recounted. “In the end, after sustaining heavy battle casualties, the rebels retreated towards Lanao del Sur.”

While the 4th ID posted victory after victory, the 6th ID’s drive had ground to a halt in Matanog where it had encountered �ierce resistance from well-forti�ied enemy positions. There, 21 soldiers and one CAFGU member were killed on May 3, the biggest single battle loss sustained by government troops throughout the war. Morale ebbed to its lowest then, prompting General Reyes to order General Cimatu to temporarily forego his planned attack on Camp Busrah, divert his forces to the Narciso Ramos Highway in Maguindanao and link up with the 6th ID to wrest control over the vital road from the MILF. After several days of heavy �ighting, Cimatu’s forces �inally cleared the highway. The victory came as a welcome equalizer to the loss of 22 troopers in Matanog and buoyed up morale. “The expectation of the people was for Task Force Diamond 3 to crush MILF resistance along the vital national highway, the general said. “And when we did it, the government breathed a sigh of relief.

“Practically, my division cleared the Narciso Ramos Highway,” General Cimatu said, noting that the planned link-up with the 6th ID did not materialize because it remained pinned down in Matanog.

During the �ighting for the control of the highway, Cimatu recalled how Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, who was in the front commanding his troops, was wounded when a B-40 rocket hit the V-300 armored vehicle he was in. The incident, he said, provoked the general to devise a way to neutralize the powerful antitank weapon which had been a big headache for the AFP armor assets.

The idea for a device to stop the B-40 rocket from blast-

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12 ICT HUB EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

Car GPS device vs smartphone gps app?

D

o you need a dedicated GPS screen on your car dashboard, or is a smartphone app actually smart enough to get you from A to B these days?

This guide will help you decide which type of device suits you best, and what to look for when you’re shopping for reliable car navigation.

With a good quality GPS unit, you should be able to “reach your destination” without having sworn once at that smarmy, know-it-all, robot-voiced son of a... send me down a dead-end street, why don’t you?

A GPS navigation device consists of: -a Global Positioning System (or GPS) receiver that picks up satellite signals to determine your exact position -a screen displaying maps and route instructions -a loudspeaker for verbal instructions -a computer processor to calculate routes, distances and times -a map database, including points of interest such as schools, police stations, car parks, petrol stations and hospitals. Most car navigation systems available in the market use the same mapping data, so the difference between models is how they let you use and display the data.

How you use them Type in where you want to go and your device plots a route, calculates the travel distance and estimated time of arrival, and displays the route on a map.

You can usually choose between the fastest or the shortest route – which aren’t necessarily the same – or speci�ically exclude toll roads or highways.

Some units want you to put in the suburb �irst, which can be frustrating if you don’t know; however if you simply put in the city, the GPS unit should be smart enough to suggest addresses with a selection of suburbs.

Using satellite signals, the system keeps track of your position and guides you along the plotted route with visual instructions on the display and verbal instructions via a computer-generated voice.

While car navigation systems started off a bit clunky back in the old days (it seems everyone has a story about arriving late and �lustered because their GPS led them down somebody’s driveway or across a wheat �ield), the technology has improved enormously.

Depending on the robustness of the map database, they can really come in handy when navigating unfamiliar terrain.

Portable or integrated?

Portable units sit in a cradle with a suction cap that can be attached to the windscreen.

They plug into the cigarette lighter, but also have a battery that provides a few hours of operation. They’re installed within moments, and can therefore easily be moved from car to car.

Integrated systems are usually connected to the car’s electronics, and can overcome some of the limitations of portable units. For example, they can use speed information to keep calculating your position when there’s no satellite signal (for example, in a tunnel).

How much should I pay?

GPS navigation devices range from P3,600 to P20,000.

GPS smartphone apps range from P0 to P2,800.

What to look for in a car navigation system Data entry: Check how easy it is to enter addresses and routing preferences.

Display: This should be large and glare-free, and show the information you want to see – such as a two- or three-dimensional map view, distance to the next turn, current street name, time of arrival, and distance to destination.

Installation and portability: Check how easy the system is to attach, but also how easy it is to remove and carry or stow away.

Necessary features Most units offer these necessary features, but it’s worth checking to make sure.

Battery for use away from the car for a short amount of time (no more than a couple of hours) Advanced lane guidance tells you when to move to the exit lane and displays complex multi-lane manoeuvres clearly.

SD memory card slot USB PC connection

Touchscreen Option to store your home address Option to select a location on the displayed map Option to calculate fastest or shortest route Option to exclude highways and toll roads Display car speed, distance to destination, and estimated time of arrival Display street name and distance to the next turn Option of two- or three-dimensional map display Volume control for voice instructions Points of interest: schools, police stations, car parks, fastfood outlets, post of�ices, petrol stations, airports, railway stations, hospitals Option to search for a point of interest.

Advanced lane guidance tells you when to move to the exit lane and displays complex multi-lane manoeuvres clearly.

Optional features If you’re a multilingual walker who’s prone to visiting obscure neighborhoods and foreign lands, some units offer the following handy features: Walking option: The system can plot a route for pedestrians – for example, ignoring one-way streets, or using walkways through parks.

Languages: You can select a number of other languages for the display and voice instructions (such as French, Spanish, German, Italian, Swedish, Danish and Dutch).

For more information see our car navigation system reviews.

GPS apps for smartphones In the age of the app, many drivers have turned to their smartphones for guidance, with a range of GPS apps to choose from for the Apple iPhone, Android and Windows Phone.

Most smartphone owners know about G o o gle Maps, which provides basic information on where you are and how to get from A to B. Android

and iPhone users also have access to the free Google Maps app, which shows your current position and offers voice direction.

However, if you are willing to spend P800 to P3,600, you can get an app on your phone that will work just like a car navigation device, with safety camera warning, trip planning and advanced lane guidance.

See our review and comparison of car GPS apps.

Downloading a GPS app You can download apps directly to your phone, but because most contain the maps as part of the app itself, the �ile size will be so large you’ll need to use Wi-Fi (wireless local area networking) rather than 3G. Alternatively, you can download iPhone GPS apps using iTunes on a computer and then transfer them to your iPhone.

What to look for in a GPS app Points of Interest (POI) are a great way to quickly �ind landmarks such as hospitals, police stations, shopping centres, tourist attractions, and so on. Some apps also allow you to phone these places by selecting the phone number on the screen. While the free apps Google Maps, Apple Maps and Nokia Drive do have some POI categories, they largely depend on a search function rather than category selections available on the other apps.

Advanced lane guidance tells you when to move to the exit lane and displays complex multi-lane manoeuvres clearly.

Routing options can e x-

clude toll roads, unsealed roads or highways from the calculated route.

Walking mode allows you to plot a route for pedestrians, such as taking a short-cut through a park this is a great feature for a mobile phone and arguably more important to have than on a dedicated device which is less likely to be in your pocket.

Speed alert warns you when you exceed the speed limit for the road you’re currently on. However, speed limit data can sometimes be inaccurate so don’t rely solely on the GPS for this information - check the speed limit signs.

Text to speech (TTS) announces the street name so you know when to turn without having to glance at the screen.

Some apps provide a choice of more than one voice (though no guarantees of correct pronunciation!).

School zone alerts when you’re approaching a school.

Some units show a speed alert only.

Full-route display - shown as a line on the map from your existing position through to your destination.

In-app purchasing allows you to start off with a basic car navigation app and add features and functions you may want later on.

Remote trip planning (also known as A-B routing) allows you to plan and run

through your driving route in virtual mode before leaving.

Trip log records your trav-

els and saves the information to post online in an application such as Google Earth. Although common on dedicated car GPS devices, this feature is also beginning to appear on car GPS apps as well.

Traf�ic information usually available as an in-app purchase, with live traf�ic information delivered to you as you drive.

Liveview is a fairly new feature with photographic representation of the street to help you more effectively determine where you are.

Different rules Unless you live in is ateas where it is prohibited, you can use a smartphone as a car GPS as long as it is in a dedicated hands-free mount. In some countries, drivers are only allowed to use a phone with a car GPS app if it is in a cradle and the driver doesn’t have to touch the device while driving in order for it to operate.

There are several in-car mount kits available ranging from simple cradles to hold the phone, to devices with an embedded GPS chip to enhance the phone’s inbuilt GPS performance.

Chargers If you plan to use the app often and for more than a few minutes, you’ll need a car charger, as GPS can quickly drain a phone’s battery.

Free vs paid GPS apps Free apps, such as Google Maps and Apple Maps, offer social networking features - for example, peer reviews of destinations along your route and photo images instead of illustrated maps.

A mobile network signal will help all n av i g a t i o n apps to establish a positional �ix faster, but it is important to note that all the free apps we have tested require internet access, either through Wi-Fi or a mobile network signal, to �ind a new destination.

The paid apps continue to �ind destinations even when the smartphone doesn’t have a SIM card – the free apps don’t.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

Water service interruption ROTARY... FROM 7 in city parts, Oct. 12-13

D

avao City Water District informs its customers of two separate sets of water service interruption.

First set is on October 12, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM affecting these areas in Dumanlas: portion of Dumanlas Street (from corner J.P Laurel Avenue to corner Sto. Rosario Street), Southern Philippines Medical Center, Department of Health, and Barresa Compound.

This water service interruption will give way to the tapping of a newly installed pipeline to DCWD’s existing pipeline for the mainline improvement at Dumanlas Street, (SPMC Cooperative to DOST) in Brgy. Buhangin. Once completed, the project will allow for accommodation of additional service connections.

Second set is on October 13, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Affected are some areas in Ma-a particularly Truscon Road (from junction of Ma-a Road to Villa Azalea), Villa Azalea, Orchid Ville, Nacilla Village, Juario Village, and Bugac Ma-a Road (from Nacilla Village to Juario Village). DCWD will tap a newly installed pipeline to its existing pipeline for the

mainline improvement at Nacilla Road to Juario Village in Ma-a. The project, once completed, will allow for accommodation of additional service connections and increase water pressure in Nacilla Road to Juario Village, Ma-a.

On behalf of the DCWD management, general manager Engr. Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers. They are also advised to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruptions.

Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www.davao-water.gov. ph) and of�icial Facebook page (www.facebook. com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates. Contact 09277988966, 0925-5113293, and 0908-4410653 for other updates, complaints, queries, and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Shaira Angelica S. Magno)

care by providing medical treatment to 600 children under �ive years of age and maternal care to more than 200 mothers, and improve health facilities bene�itting 3,000 community members; and capacitate intended bene�iciaries through vocational training for 200 community members, basic literacy for 15 school children, and training for 25 school teachers to teach special subjects to both schoolchildren and out-ofschool youth.

Supporting this proj-

ect are the Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc., Silingang Dapit sa Sidlakang Mindanao, Department of Education-Davao City Division, Southern Philippines Medical Center, and barangays Caliclic and Tibungco Health Center.

On behalf of RCWWD, club president Evangelista-Lapiña thanked both project partners and stakeholders for their continued service to humanity and stressed that working hand in hand does make a difference.

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION AND SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE CARMEN PIMENTEL NUEZ

NEWS 13 SEC... FROM 14

of love and unity, General Teodosio volunteered to donate his blood to the badly wounded MILF rebel.

A similar act of brotherhood happened in 1977 when a Muslim guerilla also donated his blood to a wounded Army soldier.

Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, Commander of the First Marine Brigade, was awarded two Gold Cross Medals for his leadership in combat. Gen. Roy Cimatu a.k.a. General Pacman, earned his second star, a well-deserved promotion to the rank

of major general, and the Distinguished Conduct Star, for his splendid combat record in driving the rebels out of their encampments.

As DENR secretary, Cimatu has a gargantuan task to do in stopping once and for all the illegal mining and logging, and against poachers of the country’s teeming �ishing industry.

Will he be successful in his crusade to preserve the country’s natural resources?

In all likelihood and sincerity, he most likely will.

(PNA)

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SIMULTANEOUS DEED OF SALE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late CARMEN PIMENTEL NUEZ has been the subject of an Extrajudicial Partition and Settlement executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.164; Page No.33; Book No. CLXXVII; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC RODOLFO C. RAPISTA.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EMILIANA T. NINTE, who died on April 21, 2003, in Davao City, has been the subject of an extra-judicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale, executed among her heirs, per Doc. No. 380; Page No. 76; Book No. CLXIII; Series of 2013, of the Notary Public MELQUIADES E. CEDEÑO.

Sept. 27, Oct. 4 and 11, 2017

Oct. 11, 18 & 25, 2017

14 COMMUNITY SENSE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao launches community service projects

T

he Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao (RCWWD) launched back-to-back community service projects that embody the Rotary Year 2017-2018 theme “Rotary: Making a Difference”.

First was the provision of ophthalmic equipment for vision screening under District Grant No. 1737556, “Healthy Eyes for Smarter Child”. The PhP175,000 worth of equipment are installed in the Mobile Clinic of San Pedro College, a health facility donated

by Rotary Club of Pikesville, Maryland, USA. The ophthalmic equipment was formally turned over to San Pedro College on October 2, 2017.

To ensure smooth project implementation, RI 3860 District Governor Art O. Tan and RCWWD President Elisa D. Evangelista-Lapiña signed

SEC... FROM 14

ing armored vehicles came to General Teodosio when he saw cut timber littering the way. As an innovative experiment, he placed the timber around the armored vehicle to serve as a “shock absorber“of sorts. The simple and inexpensive “armor” worked. Instantly, the armored vehicles became “invincible.”

To test their “invincibility” the armored vehicles valiantly charged without hesitation in the open. As soon as the V300s were within �iring range, the rebels �ired their B-40 rockets at the approaching tanks decorated like �loats. The rockets hit their targets, but the deadly warhead exploded on the wooden planks without damaging the armored vehicles.

“It was an ingenuity not found in the books,” General Cimatu declared. From then on, tank commanders fearlessly drove their vehicles into the killing zones.

The victorious Task Force Diamond 3 proceeded to Daguwan, Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur, where it fought MILF suicide commandos toe-to-toe. Armed with B-40 rocket launchers, the suicide commandos were divided into three-man squads that attacked simultaneously from three sides.

“Their mission was to block the leading armored vehicle in a convoy. With a stalled vehicle in front, the rest of the convoy stops. Immediately the suicide squads appear from nowhere, go near the tanks and �ire their B-40.

That’s what they did to us in Daguwan,” Cimatu recalled.

To counter the menace, he said, he called in the Scout Rangers to act as snipers. They were deployed in advance on high ground along the route of the armored vehicles.

He continued: “My order was to let the armored vehi-

the Memorandum of Understanding with San Pedro College president Sr. Aida T. Frencillo, O.P. The ceremony was graced and witnessed

by RI 3860 District Of�icers Rodel Riezel S. J. Reyes and Vincent Edward L. Ang, RCWWD members, and the San Pedro College administration.

The project is also supported by the Department of Health-Regional Of�ice XI, Davao City Health Of�ice, Davao Doctors College Department of Optometry, Prevention of Blindness Program, Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists, Mindanao Medical Foundation College, and Davao Society of Ophthalmology.

Healthy Eyes for Smarter Child is aligned with the government’s Vision 20:20 Program that aims to eliminate cles pass through the killing zone. But the moment the MILF suicide squads appear to �ire their rocket launchers, our snipers would pick them out.

It was a successful strategy.

And this is not found in the infantry books we studied in school, but just a simple ingenuity we came up with during combat for our soldiers to survive.”

Cimatu pointed out that the unorthodox team-up proved to be very effective because the Rangers are excellent snipers. “They can hit their target even from a great distance. So what we did was to use the armored vehicles as bait. When the rebels took the bait, our snipers hit them,” he said.

He recalled an incident when a rebel apparently forgot he was in a shooting war.

Dazzled by a formation of Air Force planes �lying overhead, the guerilla got out of his fox hole and looked up. A sniper’s bullet fatally hit him in the head.

“Our snipers were perched on hill 300 meters away from the road,” he recalled adding: ”… where the road can only accommodate one vehicle at a time there is no way the infantry can be protected. We had to be resourceful and innovative by using snipers and wooden planks for our armor,” Cimatu said.

“After we cleared Langkong, I called up General Reyes to report that Langkong had fallen,” he said, adding that he told the Chief of Staff that no elements of the 6th Infantry Division with which the 4th ID was supposed to link-up were in sight.

Given that report, Reyes responded by ordering Cimatu to proceed to Matanog and help extricate government forces that were pinned

Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao launches community service projects. (From L, seated) RI 3860 District Gov. Art O. Tan, RCWWD represented by club president Elisa D. Evangelista-Lapiña, and San Pedro College president Sr. Aida T. Frencillo, O.P. signed the Memorandum of Understanding to officially turn-over the ophthalmic equipment.

avoidable blindness, empower communities to take proactive roles in the promotion of eye health and prevention of blindness, provide access to quality eye care services for all, and work towards poverty alleviation through preservation and restoration

of sight to indigent Filipinos.

In a separate undertaking, RCWWD also launched the Global Grant Project Number 1640035 entitled “Davao Medical and Health Project” in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of East Davao, Adelaide, and Pros-

pect during its 12th regular meeting held at Grand Men Seng Hotel on September 21, 2017. This three-year project aims to increase the access and improve the quality of health and education in three disadvantaged communities in the Davao Region namely

down there.

“Yes Sir, I will take over,” was his snap reply.

When his troops arrived in Matanog, MILF forces under Al Haj Murad, who had been driven out from the Narciso Ramos Highway, were being repositioned. “I knew the rebels were trying to save face from the defeat they suffered in defending the Langkong area,” General Cimatu said. “The MILF declared a unilateral one-day cease�ire to evacuate their battle casualties. At that time, we had already started bombing Camp Sarmiento (the major rebel camp guarding Camp Abubakar).”

When Camp Sarmiento was overrun, the MILF resistance dwindled substantially.

Meanwhile, elements of the 6th Infantry Division arrived and the link-up with Cimatu’s 4th ID �inally came about.

The advance of the 6th ID bogged down when it met a strong MILF force deployed in Mount Bito, a strategic area overlooking a vast area in Maguindanao.

General Cimatu cited an instance when the attacks of Task Force Diamond 3 lost momentum. The peace accord the government and the principal separatist group, the MNLF, signed in 1996 provided for the establishment of “no �ire zones”, which could not be attacked by either side. He recalled that at one point in the �ighting, he observed that the MILF guerillas were using one such “no �ire” zone as a sanctuary.

During an air raid, the general narrated, “we saw .50 caliber machinegun �ire coming from the MNLF settlement. Cimatu said he had the machinegun nest silence, adding he lost one soldier while a number of guerillas were killed. The weapon was not

recovered.

With many of the MILF camps out of the way, the general said he asked higher authorities to allow the 4th ID to attack Camp Abubakar. Instead, he said, he was ordered to take out Camp Busrah. As a good soldier, the division commander obliged. After several days of �ierce combat, General Cimatu’s forces seized Busrah.

The war in summer of 2000 in Central Mindanao was now in the third week of June.

Camp Abubakar remained untouched by the AFP’s counter offensive. While the government would not say when it would attack the MILF headquarters, the rebels knew that their principal fortress would now be the military’s next target.

Tension in the region of con�lict rose as the MILF braced for the attack and the AFP assembled a vast array of troops, armor and �irepower, including air assets, to ensure the capture of Camp Abubakar.

On June 27, �ive days before government forces stormed the main MILF stronghold, General Reyes spoke before the Makati Business Club. He explained to the country’s top business executives the present state of the nation’s security and the prospects of securing peace in Mindanao.

In his speech, the AFP chief of Staff did not mention that an attack on Camp Abubakar was being planned. But he dropped broad hints that the military would soon undertake a decisive action to thwart the MILF uprising.

Reyes cited this piece of advice from Kenichi Ohmae about strategy: “In business as on the battle�ield, the object of strategy is to bring about the conditions most favorable to one’s own side,

judging precisely the right moment to attack or withdraw and always assessing the limits of compromise correctly.”

“After reading that passage,” the Harvard educated general said, “I was comforted by the thought that a brilliant mine like Kenichi Ohmae would probably have approved of our strategic approach to the current Mindanao situation.”

Reyes also quoted author Michael Porter, who wrote that “good defense is creating a situation in which competitors, after doing… analyzing … or actually attempting a move, will conclude that the move is unwise. As with offensive moves, defense can be achieved by forcing competitors to back down after a battle. However, the most effective defense is to prevent the battle altogether. To prevent a move, it is necessary that competitors expect retaliation with a high degree of certainty and believe that the retaliation will be effective.

Once a competitor’s move has occurred, the denial of an adequate base for the competitor to meet its goals, coupled with the expectation that this state of affairs will continue, can cause the competitor to withdraw.”

Reyes discussed extensively the MILF threat to carve out an independent Islamic state in Mindanao.

He said the MILF has a �ivephase, 20-year program that started in 1981.

He cited AFP records showing that at the end of 1999, the rebel strength was placed at 15,690 men, with 11,280 �irearms; that from January 1, 2000 to June 27, 2000, the MILF launched 144 terrorist activities, the most blatant of which were: the MILF roadblocks on the

Brgy. Caliclic in Samal, Brgy.

Tibungco, and Brgy. Balete in Marilog.

With more than PhP5 million pesos grant from the Rotary Foundation, the project aims to train 15 MC8 professionals; improve health

ROTARY, 13

Talayan-Shariff Aguak Highway on January 8; occupation of the Talayan town hall on January 17; the MILF attack in Carmen, North Cotabato; spate of bombings in Zamboanga del Norte, Ozamiz City and Cotabato City; establishment of check-points along the Narciso Ramos National Highway from February 20 to 29; and the series of attacks on several municipalities in the Lanao provinces from March 15 to 17.

To counter the MILF threat, General Reyes said the AFP deployed three Infantry Divisions, 13 Infantry Brigades, three Marine Brigades, four Ground Task Forces, two Naval Task Forces, two Engineer Brigades, one PAF Composite Tactical Wing and 24,000 CAFGU auxiliaries.

On July 2, government forces started pounding Camp Abubakar. Warplanes bombed the MILF stronghold, while artillery �ire pulverized the perimeter defenses.

The AFP used two divisions in the attack. The 4th ID under Major General Cimatu advanced towards Camp Abubakar taking the high ground, while the 6th ID under Maj. Gen. Gregorio Camiling was assigned to take the low ground. The searing air and ground assault resulted in the capture of Camp Abubakar after a week of heavy �ighting.

On July 9, President Estrada �lew to Camp Abubakar to raise the Philippine �lag over the sprawling territory the MILF had claimed as their own since 1995.

A day before the President arrived, a heart-stirring drama unfolded when a seriously wounded MILF rebel was given a blood transfusion right then and there by military doctors. In gesture

SEC, 13

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

PSC to bolster collegiate sports I

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez

n a bid to enhance the development of collegiate sports, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will hold a national consultative meeting for collegiate sports on Oct. 17-18 at the Philsports Multi-Purpose Arena in Pasig City.

In a statement released to the media on Saturday, the PSC said the purpose of the meeting is to help bolster university sports.

The PSC said representatives of about 140 schools, colleges, universities and athletic associations are expected to discuss how to strengthen school sports in line with the agency’s efforts to deepen sports engagement among the youth.

PSC Chairman William Ramirez said he has been actively campaigning for more partnerships with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd) as he recognizes the unquestionable link between education and sports in the molding of a well-rounded citizen.

“Remember that no less than the President has instructed us to make sports accessible to all, to involve the youth more,” said Ramirez in the statement.

The PSC said the meeting is a follow-up to the school-based athletic associations gathering last November. The government sports agency was also hoping that from the �irst meeting, positive developments have opened up to allow more partnership between universities, colleges, athletic associations and the PSC. Ramirez emphasized the importance of enriching the university athletic associations, which train future national and professional athletes.

“University sports has always played a big role in elite sports. It has been a rich ground of sports talent and we want to continue to support them,” Ramirez explained.

“PSC is very serious in strengthening grassroots sports.

School sports is a pertinent component of that effort,” he added. (PNA)

HARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -Hornets owner Michael Jordan is donating $7 million to launch medical clinics that he hopes will help atrisk communities in Charlotte.

It’s the largest philanthropic donation ever by the former NBA champion.

The donation will fund two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics, which are projected to open in 2020. ‘’Through my years of working with Novant Health, I have been impressed with their approach and their commitment to the community,’’ Jordan, who grew up in North Carolina, said in a release Monday. ‘’It is my hope that

these clinics will help provide a brighter and healthier future for the children and families they serve.’’

Jordan’s spokeswoman Estee Portnoy told The Associated Press Monday that the Hornets owner ‘’feels so great about being able to impact the Charlotte community and help people who really deserve it. Michael and Novant are really excited about this project.’’

Portnoy said Jordan, 54, was motivated by a study that found poor children in Charlotte have the worst odds of those of any of the top 50 cities in the United States to lift themselves out of poverty.

Wade to sart at guard for Cavs C

Air Jordan shows heart

C

LEVELAND (AP) -- Dwyane Wade signed as a free agent with the Cavaliers without being promised a starting job.

He’s got one anyway.

After toying with other lineup combinations, Cavs coach Tryonn Lue said Monday that Wade will start at shooting guard alongside Derrick Rose in Cleveland’s remodeled backcourt. Wade recently signed a one-year contract with the Cavs, reuniting with LeBron James in Cleveland after the two superstars spent four seasons together in Miami.

Now they’re together

A

again in the starting lineup.

Lue will unveil Cleveland’s new lineup - Wade, Rose, James, Jae Crowder and Kevin Love - on Tuesday night in an exhibition against Chicago, Wade’s team last season. The 12-time All-Star will replace J.R. Smith, who will come off the bench after starting 112 games over the past two seasons.

Lue said Smith didn’t have any problem moving into a new role on Cleveland’s second unit, which will also include Tristan Thompson, Kyle Korver and Jeff Green and is liable to undergo numerous modi�ications throughout the

ll endeavors succeed because sacri�ices were offered.

Success is not easily achieved. There will always be struggles, opposing ideas and obstacles. Even in the movies, a happy ending – usually good triumphing over evil – results when somebody sacri�ices himself to save somebody else’s life.

In Philippine sports, this is the opposite.

Masquerading as leaders in their own �ield, sleek operators grab every position available in the sports hierarchy to push their hidden agenda. Once they get what they desire, they will prevent anyone from booting them out of their trenches.

This has been the sports scene since way. Aah, Philippine sports is in such a sorry state.

Despite the continuing downslide of the country’s performance in IOC-organized sportsfest, speci�ically in the recently-concluded Malaysian SEAG, POC of�icials led by the ageing Peping Cojuangco have refused to acknowledge this accountability.

season.

It’s a big change for Smith, who has been a major contributor the past three seasons for the defending Eastern Conference champions. ‘’He was �ine,’’ Lue said of Smith, who missed 36 games last season after undergoing surgery on a broken thumb. ‘’It’s tough, you’ve been in position where

STARTER. Dwyane Wade will get a starting job with the Cavs as J.R. Smith moves to reliever position.

 WADE, 10

Success depends on sacrifices

Obviously, Cojuangco does not know the meaning of the term “sacri�ice.” He is stubbornly clinging to his post as a fourth-termer president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, this despite loud protests that he steps down in favor a young, energetic and progressive thinking replacement.

In a sports committee hearing in Congress, Rep. Manuel Lopez confronted Cojuangco and his POC ilk and forthwith ask them to resign if the negative scorecards of Filipino athletes continue unabated.

Lopez cited that millions of taxpayers’ money are being used to subsidize the training and preparation of Filipino athletes only to see them go down in embarrassing defeat.

“Shouldn’t they be bringing honors for the country?” Lopez asked. There was only a quiet response.

The Philippine Sports Commission is on an aggressive mission today in bringing the sports gospel among the lowly grassroots.

There is a long way to go because sports development cannot be

SPORTS KEN Fred C. Lumba achieved overnight.

For one thing, potential athletes from the ranks of out of school youths are not being tapped yet.

Talent scouts usually set their eyes on school-organized sports competitions like the Palarong Pambansa and PRISAA, the NCAA and the UAAP. PSC chair Butch Ramirez will need to produce a uni�ied blueprint of a nation-wide all-encompassing

grassroots sports program that will simultaneously include those out of school.

Sports fans and observers alike raised quizzical eyebrows when Cojuangco recently predicted that in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Filipinos will bring home four gold medals.

As to which sports will succeed in collaring a gold, Cojuangco did not however identify the winner.

As you read my premise, it is the personal sacri�ices of sports leaders that will spell victory after victory for our national athletes.

Because of the millions of taxpayers’ money poured into sports, one suspects that this is what attracts pseudo-leaders to get into the fray.

Corruption is everywhere, I tell you.

If there is no money in sports, do you think presidents of national sports associations will last longer in their posts?

If there is no money in sports, why do you think POC of�icials like to stay put? Would you like to believe that they are spending their own

money for their athletes?

Only the �ilthy rich like Danding Cojuangco, Manny Pangilinan, Lucio Tan, Hans Sy and a few others would be credibly regarded as freely spending in the name of sports.

Many NSA of�icials are there because they are also using sports as a business endeavor. Everytime they get back from an international competition as representatives of the country, they bring in many balikbayan boxes full of dutiable items that they sell locally. This is technical smuggling, isn’t it?

So, if being sports earn you extra money without spending cash out of your pocket, would you ever make a sacri�ice ang cede it to a better sports person?

This, gentlemen and ladies, is why the word “sacri�ice” is never in the vocabulary of our present crop of sports leaders.

If you look them straight in the face, you will see the PESO sign in their eyeballs.

Butch Ramirez has indeed a BIG problem in his hands. (Email your feedback to fredumba@yahoo.com.)

GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 137• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

TOP OF THE WORLD Dabawenyo pool star Corteza wins World Straight Pool title D

avao’s pool pride Lee Van Corteza added the prestigious 77th World 14.1 Straight Pool Championship to his rich trophycase becoming the �irst Asian to win the title.

His victory on Sunday at the Steinway Billiards in New York City wasn’t easy though.

The 38-year old Dabawenyo veteran internationalist came from behind to hack out a gallant 300-183 triumph over four-time World 14.1 Straight Pool champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany in the championship round of the tournament sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association.

The win also made Corteza the �irst ever Asian to win the World 14.1 Straight Pool Championship crown and join 10-time champion Ralph Greenleaf, seven-time winner Willie Mosconi and �ive-time titlist Irvin Crane in the elite list of winners.

It was Corteza’s third major title this year. He also ruled

the US Open 14.1 Straight Pool Championship in April at the Windsor Locks in Connecticut, US where he defeated Hohmann in the �inals, 200-149. He also topped the World Pool Series – Kamui Challenge in April.

In the previous editions of the tournament, two runner-up �inishes were the highest placings the Philippines got when legendary cue masters Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante wound up second in the 2012 and 2008 editions, respectively.

Hohmann was actually hot in the early goings as he grabbed a 146-92 lead.

But Corteza capitalized on Hohmann’s erratic game in the second half to take the upper hand, 205-159, and eventually won the game.

Corteza made it to the �inals by ousting American Jonni Fulcher in the semi�inals via a 200145 decision. He also defeated Americans Hunter Lombardo in the �irst round (200-43) and Max Eberle in the quarter�inals (200-

44) of the knockout phase.

In the group stage, Corteza blasted Americans Tom Karabotsos (10018), James Heller (10015), Jorge Rodriguez

(10036), B o b Coates (100-45) and John Schott (1000), and Jamaican Rhys Chen (10069).

For his part, Hohmann reached the �inals after trouncing former world champion Darren Appleton of Great Britain, 200-87, in the other semis match.

ANOTHER WORLD TITLE. Davao’s Lee Van Corteza (in file photo) won the World Straight Pool title in New York on Sunday.