Edge Davao 7 Issue 230

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

MOBILE CHILD CARE. Bibing, a sidewalk vendor, tends to her one-year-old son’s needs while selling ice cream at Rizal Park in Davao City yesterday. She brings her son, Ivan, and daughter, Missy, to work every day because no one will look after them at home. Lean Daval Jr.

NO MASS LEAVE PRO 11 ‘in control of police force’

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

P

olice Regional Office (PRO) 11 chief of staff Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan yesterday assured the public that regional police director Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario is in control of all the police force in the region and that no mass leave would be staged by the police officers.

“There is no such thing as

a mass leave here in Region 11 and even in the neighboring towns and regions. What we can assure you is that we have a very tight and cohesive unit especially here in PRO 11,” he said.

Talks has been rife that personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are planning to go on mass leave in the aftermath of the deaths of 44 members of the

PNP Special Action Force (SAF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25.

“We do not have low morale. We are affected but this will not affect our duties here in the region,” Cascolan said.

Cascolan also brushed aside rumors of animosity between the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), saying the two

units are “in a good relationship and will always abide by the law.”

He said there is no need for a loyalty check for the police force in Region 11, adding that they are simply sympathizing with the Fallen 44.

A number of police officials have been posting rants on Facebook expressing their dismay over the incident.

INSIDE EDGE

FIT AND FAB

Indulge A1

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

BP SERVICES. Richard offers blood pressure services to bystanders at Centennial Park along San Pedro Street in Davao City for P5 during his free time to earn extra cash. He worked as a call center agent before getting laid off from work two months ago. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody backs Truth Commission

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte agrees that a Truth Commission needs to be created to investigate the deaths of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25.

In an interview, Duterte said he supports proposed Senate Bill 2603 “calling for the creation of the Mamasapa-

no Truth Commission” filed by Senator Teofisto Guingona III. “I will go for the truth commission if it is possible,” the mayor said.

He said every government investigating body such as Department of Justice (DOJ) and Office of the Ombudsman has its own way of investigating the incident.

He also said the DOJ was

2 Abu Sayyaf men killed in Sulu clash

T

WO Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were killed while four members of the 32nd Infantry Battalion were wounded following a 30-minute encounter at Barangay Tagbili, Patikul town, Sulu Thursday morning.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the clash took place 9:10 a.m.

He said that troops were conducting law enforcement operations in the vicinity when they engaged the bandits, numbering an estimated 20, killing two and wounding an undetermined number before

the ASG made their escape.

Four soldiers were hurt in the firefight and now undergoing treatment in a medical facility at the Kutang General Teodolfo Bautista in Sulu.

The operation also resulted in the recovery of seven high-powered firearms and capture of the terrorist camp in Barangay Tagbili.

Cabunoc said the terrorists were under Hatib Sawajaan, a sub-leader under the group ASG leader Radullan Sahiron.

He said that “reliable informants” confirmed the death of the two terrorists of which was identified one as a certain “Marasil.” (PNA)

originally tasked to do the probe since the Ombdusman cannot investigate the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “Remember that the Ombudsman should only investigate government people,” he said.

As for the Philippine National Police (PNP) which has formed its own Board of Inquiries (BOI), “it will discuss

internal matters within the organization.”

He also said the people will only suspect that the BOI will only justify the PNP regarding the incident.

Duterte said because of popular clamor, he supports the call for the formation of an independent Truth Commission.

The proposed Truth Com-

mission will be composed of a chair and two commissioners.

President Benigno Aquino will have to appoint the members of the truth commission.

He floated the names of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Sr. and former Senator Wigberto Tañada as possible appointees.

“The creation of this Commission shall be our humble

way of honoring our fallen heroes, who served the country with excellence, valor and patriotism. We should not allow their deaths to be in vain,” said Guingona, chair of the Senate committee on peace, unification and reconciliation.

He said there is a need for a “credible” fact-finding body “independent” of the executive department’s board of inquiry.

Dureza sticks to stand on SAF operation

By CHENEEN R. CAPON AND JON JOAQUIN

F

ORMER Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and chief government negotiator Jesus Dureza yesterday said he was maintaining his position that prior coordination with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not necessary in operations against high profile targets but added that he was yielding to a clarification made by GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.

In a statement, Dureza said Ferrer called her up yesterday to clarify a section of the Manual of Instructions for the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH)) and local monitoring team (LMT) which he had cited.

The section said the fol-

lowing: “Except for operations against high priority targets, a list shall be provided by the GPH Panel to the MILF Panel, the AHJAG (Ad Hoc Joint Action Group) shall inform the GPH and MILF CCCH at least 24 hrs prior to the conduct of AFP/PNP operations in order to allow sufficient time for the evacuation of civilians and to avoid armed confrontation between the GPH and MILF forces.”

Dureza said Ferrer acknowledged that there may be “some possible ambiguity of the of the language of the implementing guidelines that a mere reading may give the impression that indeed, there is no need for prior coordination in the operations against Marwan.”

“According to her, on actual operational level, THERE IS NO SUCH EXEMPTION and this was clear to all operating units of the AFP/PNP,” he said.

“According to her, what was exempted was the 24hour minimum requirement to do prior coordination; meaning the operatives can technically inform the other side one-minute before jump-off to avoid compromising the operations; the judgment call is left to the operatives who shall bear full responsibility for any consequence,” he added.

Dureza said his take on the exemption to the 24-hour rule “in actuality allows the operatives to skip the coordination requirement. In the case of the SAF operations in Mamasapano, they claimed ‘coordination’

was done but only AFTER THE FACT.” “Although I maintain the same position that prior coordination is not necessary in operations against HPT as clearly provided in the said provision, I yield to the clarification of Chair Ferrer who is now privy and authoritative on internal matters in the peace process. I am no longer there,” he said.

Earlier, GPH Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) chair Brigadier General Manolito P. Orense criticized Duterte for his statement, saying what Dureza said was “erroneous and misleading.”

Orense said the “exception” cited by Dureza “refers only to the requirement that

FDUREZA, 11

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

3

Work stoppage order on Aeon stands: OCBO

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. and CHENEEN R. CAPON

A

CTING assistant city building official Joseph Dominic Felizarta yesterday said the partial lifting of a work stoppage order issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) does not conflict with the work stoppage order issued by the Office of the City Building Official (OCBO) on Aeon Towers “There will be no conflict if it is only on repair because our stoppage order will be on the construction activities,” Felizarta said.

Aeon Towers marketing manager Gen Marchan told Edge Davao in a text message yesterday that construction resumed on Tuesday afternoon because the order was lifted.

“Yes, there was a notice that was issued on a Tuesday morning but was lifted in the afternoon,” Marchan said.

This writer called Felizarta to ask if the order was indeed lifted on Tuesday afternoon, but he said it was not.

It was DOLE that had issued a statement saying it was partially lifting its own work stoppage order to allow repairs for the damaged pavement at Abreeza Mall.

The OCBO had given the FTC Group of Companies, developer of Aeon Towers, five days from last Tuesday to comply with the requirements submit a report.

In the OCBO work stoppage order signed by acting building official Engr. Roland C. Reyes, the developer was tasked to submit its incident report signed by its supervising civil engineer or architect and geological and geotechnical site investigation or soil erosion report five days upon receipt of the order.

The order was served to FTC’s partner I.A. Campbell & Association office last Tues-

day, February 3, and was received by the company on the same date.

The OCBO ordered a stoppage on all works on the settlement of structures or concrete pavement other than the adjacent to its excavation and construction of the foundation since it can cause “danger, constitutes hazards to safety and public welfare, life and property.”

The DOLE partially lifted its work stoppage order on Tuesday as the developer already complied with some of the items in the action plan intended to eliminate the presence of imminent danger.

Aeon management vowed to comply with the rest of the items in the action plan, like placing additional safety signages and conducting construction safety orientation.

Workers assigned in the repair of the eroded Abreeza Mall road will be allowed entry in the restricted area and safety officers will be posted in strategic locations.

Felizarta said the developer should repair the damaged road for the safety of the motorists of the mall.

He said if the developer cannot comply with the requirements there is a possibility that its permit will be revoked.

“Pero imposible man pud na og dili na mag-comply, kadako ana nga project (But it is impossible for it not to comply with the requirements since it’s a big project),” he said.

He said if the developer will not follow the stoppage order it can be sanctioned based on the provisionsof the National Building Code of the Philippines.

Felizarta said he is sending personnel to the site to ensure that the order is followed.

FWORK, 11

DAR set to distribute 5K hectares in R-9

T

HE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is set to distribute this year 5,940 hectares of land to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) here in Region 9.

This year’s target in land distribution is higher by 3,385 hectares compared to the land the DAR regional office distributed last year to ARBs. Julita Ragandang, DAR regional director, said Thursday that the 5,940 hectares will be distributed to 4,212 ARBs they have identified in the different parts of Region 9.

Ragandang said that 2,741 hectares will be distributed to ARBs in Zamboanga del Norte, 1,605 hectares in Zamboanga Sibugay, and the remaining 1,594 in Zamboanga del Sur. “The banner program of the DAR is land distribution.

This is really the major program that we are undertaking every year. We are pursuing to distribute to the farmer beneficiaries at the different barangays region wide,” Ragandang said.

She said that last year they distributed 2,555 hectares, which was lower by 3,385 hectares compared to this year’s target, to 2,416 ARBs in the region.

Meanwhile, she said that there are 128,000 farmer-beneficiaries of DAR who are members of Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in the region.

She urged the individual farmer-beneficiaries to become members of ARCs in order for them to easily avail of the programs being implemented by DAR.

PRESSURE. Office of the City Building Official (OCBO) building inspector Engr. Larry Fernandez says water and soil pressure caused the collapse of Abreeza Mall’s service road last Saturday. Fernandez was a guest of the I-Speak media forum at City Hall yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

South Korean freed after paying ransom A

KIDNAPPED South Korean businessman was released in Saguiaran town, Lanao del Sur Tuesday night after his family reportedly paid his abductors P500,000 as “board and lodging” expenses.

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., PNP Northern Mindanao director, said they immediately whisked Sung Ki Yoon after his captors released him about 10 p.m. in Saguiaran.

An official of the PNP Anti-kidnapping Task Force who asked not to be identified said Sung’s wife, Jung Hyoung Sook, paid the kidnappers P500,000 to release her hus-

band.

Cruz has neither confirmed nor denied this report.

A report from the Army’s 1st Infantry Division said that Sung is a mining executive.

The Cagayan de Oro-based Sung was reportedly in Iligan City last Jan. 19 for business, but decided to proceed to Marawi City after receiving a phone call.

Capt. Franco Salvador Suelto, 1ID information officer, said that Sung opted to go to Marawi despite the advice of his bodyguard not to proceed. Along the way, they were then met by three persons in

FSOUTH, 11

Senators Trillanes, Cayetano belittle destabilization rumor

S

ENATORS Antonio Trillanes IV and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano belittled on Thursday rumors of a destabilization plot against President Benigno Aquino.

“I don’t see it will happen,” Trillanes, a former Navy officer who led the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny aimed at ousting then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said in the Kapihan sa Senado media forum.

Trillanes said any destabilization plot would not succeed without the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“This humor of destabilization plot is purely social movement or at worst, mass action only. The meetings are for building up mass action only,” Trillanes said.

Trillanes said the emotions of the public should be diverted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and

Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Fighters (BIFF) who killed and took away the weapons and even clothes of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in an encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

“Emotions should be diverted to the killers,” Trillanes said.

Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, was killed in the SAF operation as confirmed by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through DNA test.

BIFF commander Basit Usman was able to escape.

Cayetano also expressed doubt whether the destabilization would prosper, saying President Aquino can handle the situation.

“I doubt that there is destabilization. The police and the military were just expressing their sentiments.

There might be tension but I believe they are professionals

FSENATORS, 11

ROVING TEAM. Davao City Demolition Unit personnel roam around downtown Davao City to confiscate carts and other belongings of street vendors who violate the city’s 1/3-2/3 sidewalk policy. Lean Daval Jr.

DFA protests ramming of 3 boats by China T

HE Philippines protested to Beijing on Wednesday after a Chinese coast guard ship allegedly rammed and damaged three Philippine fishing boats at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila also said it lodged a separate protest with Beijing over the collection of endangered giant clams by Chinese fishermen, destroying in the process coral outcrops at Scarborough Shoal off the northwestern Philippines.

The reported Jan. 29 ramming is the latest incident involving the territorial rift. In February last year, the Philip-

pine government summoned China’s top envoy in Manila to protest what it said was the firing of a water cannon by a Chinese government vessel to drive away Filipino fishermen from Scarborough. China ignored the protest and called its sovereignty there “indisputable.”

The Chinese Embassy did not issue any immediate comment on Wednesday.

“The Philippines strongly protested China’s continuing actions to harass and prevent Filipino fishermen from legitimately pursuing their livelihood in that area,” the Philippine foreign department said in a statement Wednesday.

“Philippine fishing vessels have been routinely, continuously, peacefully and sustainably fishing in the Philippines’ Bajo de Masinloc,” the department said, using the Filipino name for Scarborough, a rich fishing ground and storm shelter.

Department spokesman Charles Jose said the Chinese coast guard’s action damaged the bamboo outriggers of the three Philippine-flagged boats, adding that the Filipino fishermen on board were reportedly stunned but unhurt.

In a separate incident on Jan. 22, Chinese fishermen on at least 24 boats were seen collecting giant clams in Scarbor-

Panlungsod. Lepardo, together with Local Civil Registrar chief lawyer Leo Anthony Braceros, graced yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

FDFA, 11

Mayday call before plane crashed into Taipei river

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UNDERGROUND MOVEMENT. City Engineer’s Office Urban Drainage Maintenance acting head Engr. Andrew Lepardo (left) discusses the updates on the planned underground cabling system for City Hall and the Sangguniang

ough Shoal’s sprawling lagoon, the foreign affairs department said, citing a report by the Philippine coast guard.

“The Philippines strongly protested this destructive and illegal activity,” it said. “The act of harvesting giant clams, which are among the most endangered marine species, entails the crushing and destruction of surrounding corals which result in the permanent destruction of the reef itself.”

“China’s toleration of, and active support for, the environmentally harmful fishing practices by its nationals at Bajo de Masinloc constitute breaches of its obligations under the

OMENTS before the TransAsia Airways propjet banked sharply and crashed into a river, one of its pilots said, “Mayday, mayday, engine flameout,” according to a Taiwanese aviation official.

“Engine flameout” refers to flames being extinguished in the combustion chamber of the engine, so that it shuts down and no longer drives the propeller. Causes could include a lack of fuel or being struck by volcanic ash, a bird or some other object. “Mayday” is an international distress call.

At least 32 people on board the ATR 72 were killed and 15 survivors were injured in the crash in Taiwan’s capital, the latest in a series of aircraft disasters befalling Asian airlines. Divers were searching in the river for the remaining 11

people on board, including the two pilots. The plane’s black boxes were found overnight.

Video images of Flight 235’s final moments in the air captured on car dashboard cameras appear to show the left engine’s propeller at standstill as the aircraft turned sharply, its wings going vertical and clipping a highway bridge before plunging into the Keelung River in Taipei minutes after take-off Wednesday.

An audio recording of the pilot’s communications with the control tower at takeoff and during the brief, minutes-long flight were widely broadcast.

A Taiwan Civil Aeronautical Administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the distress call and its wording Thursday, but did not say how it might relate

FMAYDAY, 11

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

NEDA 11 records hike in inflation rate

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

COLLECTION HIKE. City Economic Enterprise units coordinator Reynan C. Librado bares that the agency’s collection increased by 12-percent last year with the collection from public cemeteries as the highest contributor. Librado was a guest of I-Speak media forum at City Hall yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Power outages on Feb. 8 C

USTOMERS in the northern part of Davao Light and Power Co’s franchise will experience two 30-minute switching power interruptions on February 8, Sunday.

Communication Officer Ross Luga said that the scheduled outages are necessary to facilitate the final phase of the line upgrading works of the electric utility’s San Vicente Feeder 4.

To keep the power interruptions within the least possible time, loads connected to the said feeder will be transferred to Tadeco feeder line from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m..

Normalization or return of loads back to its normal set-up will be from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m..

Customers affected by these service disruptions are those from crossing Maryknoll in Panabo up to New Malitbog.

Areas of Carmen, Tubod, Manay, Upper & Lower Mabuhay, Dalisay, Tebongol, Paquibato proper, Consolacion, Malatibas, San Roque, Fatima, Malabog, Panalum, Kiblawan, Kasilak and other nearby areas will also be affected by these service disruptions.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconvenience of these scheduled power interruptions. But it will exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier. However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

crc@edgedavao.net

HE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 11 recorded a minimal increase in the region’s inflation rate last year.

“Davao Region posted a 3.7 percent rate, accelerating by only 0.5 percentage point compared to its level in 2013,” NEDA 11 regional director Maria Lourdes Lim said.

The increase in inflation rate is attributed to the rising cost of education at all levels, but more pronounced in the elementary and secondary levels since schools all over country accelerated their implementation of the K+12 program.

This brought increased costs due to needed personnel, facilities and supplies to cater to an expected surge in student population, according to Lim. Lim also said the higher inflation rate in 2014 was also attributed to higher cost of vegetables and fruits after production in the provinces were adversely affected by weather disruptions.

It can be noted that during this period, Low Pressure Area (LPA) Agaton hit the country in January 2014 and Typhoon

Seniang in the fourth quarter of 2014, Lim said.

“It should be noted that despite the slight increase, the regional inflation rate was stilllower than the national average of 4.2 percent, and very much within the range of 4.05.0 percent inflation rate set by the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) of the NEDA Board, which was adopted as the same target for Davao Region,” Lim said.

However, Lim said that the region’s inflation rate this year is likely to go down because of the forecasted that the world oil price will remain low throughout 2015 “due to dampened demand and increased usage of renewable energy.”

She said that there’s an expected decrease in prices of commodities in the region.

She said there will be a gradual decline in the prices of basic commodities in the region as world oil price continues to go down.

Aside from the prices of prime commodities, prices of consumer products and services will likely to go down this year “as production and trans-

FNEDA, 11

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

6 convenience store firms to enter city

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

T’S not just 7-Eleven that’s coming to Davao City but five other leading convenience stores in the country.

Davao City Investment Promotions Office (DCIPC) chief Ivan C. Cortez said

among the new players in the convenience store industry in the city are Filipino-owned All Day of the Villars which has over a hundred branches nationwide, Puregold Express, Family Mart which is a partnership

Davao-based Muslim biz chamber to push projects

T

HE Mindanao Islamic Chamber of Commerce (MICC) in collaboration with the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) will present series of proposals that will draw investors during the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai on March 29 to 30.

The proposals for various projects are mostly intended to cater to Muslim tourists both foreign and domestic, MICC secretary Marilou W. Ampuan said during the Davao Business Forum organized by DermPath, SM City Davao and San Miguel Purefoods.

Ampuan said MICC will put more emphasis on the construction of Halal slaughterhouse with an aim to make Davao City as Halal hub.

She said there is also a need to establish an Islamic University.

According to her, the Malaysian government offered to help MICC in setting up the Halal hub here during the October 2014 BIMP EAGA Business Conference.

Ampuan said they welcome the offer but it needs coordination with the city government and other agencies like the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Right now.

She said their group is working on an extensive information campaign with regards to Halal, saying, “Our advocacy is to correct the misconception associated with Halal.”

She clarified that Halal is not only about food or other product. It is about standards and procedures, she said.

The Halal advocacy campaign, she added is also being done in coordination with DOT-XI. The campaign she said is done through conduct of briefings for individual establishments or as a group.

Of late, they already briefed the Restaurants Association of Davao.

Ampuan being the president of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) Davao chapter, said most of their Muslim foreign tourists would look for Halal establishments in the city.

As the number of foreign Muslim tourists here is increasing, she said there is a need to also address this concern.

She said the demand is great and the market is big.

But our country is not a Muslim dominated country where everything must follow Halal practices, she said.

between Rustan’s and Itochu, and Mini-Stop of Gokongwei’s.

Cortez also said SM is negotiating with an Indonesian Group to bring Alfamart to Davao City.

“We will now be more

convenient in living life with the invasion of the leading convenience stores in the country,” he said.

Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) chairman Vicente Lao lauded the entry of the six big names in the

C

Last November 20, 2014, both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Davao Trade Expo and International Banana Symposium to establish a UPLB satellite campus in Panabo City, Davao del Norte as well as to initially offer graduate school courses in Davao City.

The program commenced

He said the entry of foreign-based stores could saturate the local market and kill local brands.

“They will fight each other but that’s OK because the consumers will benefit from it,” he said.

SP SUPPORT. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte (center) welcomes the members of the Visit Davao Fun Sale Execom and secretariat bed by Department of Tourism 11 director Roberto Alabado III at his office at the Sanguniang Panlungsod (SP) last Tuesday.

Visit Davao Fun Sale 2015 gets SP support T

HE Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Davao City on Tuesday passed a resolution supporting the Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDFS) 2015, a tourism sale program of the Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO).

The SP approved the resolution during its regular session in recognition to the invaluable contribution of tourism to the socio-economic growth of the city.

No less than DOT 11 director Roberto Alabado III presented the background and details of the tourism campaign to the 17th City Council.

VDFS aims to primarily promote Davao City as a complete travel and tours destination for the vacation period, Holy Week and the summer season.

As an offshoot of last year’s Big Davao Fun Sale program, VDFS 2015 will feature sales and discount packages not

last weekend with UPLB offering its Master of Science in Entomology (MSE) courses.

The first batch consisted of students from the Tagum Agricultural Development Company (Tadeco) and from other neighboring schools.

UPLB looks to expand its academic program as well as the number of students in the succeeding semesters.

“This is the first time that UPLB established an off-campus program outside Luzon, and this is in partnership with Anflocor,” said Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Dean of the UPLB Graduate School.

“The professors and everyone running the program are of high caliber and very competent. Of course, the point of this is to bring UP quality education accessible to all,” Camacho said.

The classes are scheduled every Saturday and Sunday at the Anflocor Corporate Center in Damosa. Following the academic calendar of the University, the classes will end in June this year.

Dr. Celia Medina, director of Crop Protection Cluster of UPLB-College of Agriculture and one of the esteemed professors of the program, added: “There will be challenges [but] we will maintain the standard of UP education”.

She further said that they are aiming to heighten the scientific capability of the students.

The ultimate goal of this

UPLB kicks off first graduate school program at Anflocor ONSISTENT with its commitment of providing world-class agricultural education to the people of Mindanao, the Anflo Management and Investment Corporation (Anflocor) and the University of the PhilipppinesLos Banos (UPLB) kicked off their partnership with the offering of graduate level courses here in Davao City.

convenience store industry, saying it only means there is a huge potential in the Davao City market because of its growing population.

“This will promote competition, and competition always good,” he said.

Dr. Celia Medina, one of the professors of the program, starts her lecture for the Master of Science in Entomology classes.

FUPLB, 11

only on tours and accommodation facilities, but also on other sectors of tourism including dining, shopping, health and wellness, and adventure.

The SP also recognized VDFS 2015 as a venue for private tourism sectors to “promote their individual properties by participating in this project through promos, gimmicks and special packages.”

With the resolution, the campaign will have stronger local government support in

terms of logistics and support facilities, as well as institutionalization of the tourism program.

VDFS 2015 is Davao City’s biggest sales event as of yet that features sales and promos from tours consortium (including hotels, accommodation facilities and travel and tours operators), 12 malls and shopping centers across the city, and a total of 106 participating restaurants. It will run from April 3 to May 17, 2015.

LOBE Telecom ended 2014 with impressive financial performance, posting a core net profit growth of 25 percent to a record level of P14.5 billion, driven by solid performance of its mobile, broadband, and fixed line data businesses.

Consolidated service revenues reached a new high of P99.0 billion, besting the previous high of P90.5 billion in 2013.

The solid full-year results were buoyed by a strong second half performance, with fourth quarter revenues at an all-time quarterly high, peaking at P26.3 billion, 5 percent higher than the previous best of P25.0 billion in the preceding quarter and a 13 percent improvement from the P23.2 billion from the same period last year. This was driven by the sustained demand for data connectivity across the

mobile, broadband and fixed line data businesses, which improved by 7 percent, 22 percent and 17 percent, respectively, given the increasing affordability of the service and compelling gadget bundle offers backed by Globe’s improved network with 100 percent 3G and 4G coverage completed during the year.

“2014 is another banner year for Globe Telecom, reaching the best-ever consolidated service revenues, EBITDA, net income and core net income, despite intensifying competition Our full year results are testaments of our continued commitment in creating a complete digital experience, delivering best-in-class products and services and a whole new level of customer service experience for our customers,” Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said.

Globe ends ‘14 with record-high results G

FGLOBE, 11

7 AGRITRENDS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

Waging a different kind of war Text and Photos By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“

We are part of God’s creation, and God gave it to us to take care of it. And we’ve done a pretty lousy job. Our land is sick and part of our Christian responsibility is to heal it.” -- Harold Ray Watson, 1985 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee In the hinterlands of southern Mindanao, a non-government organization is waging a different kind of war. It’s a war that does not involve fighting but rather stopping the unseen enemy from totally grabbing the land that has been handed from one generation to another.

It’s an unseen enemy because it happens every time there’s rain, flood and winds.

Although everyone sees it happening, no one seems to notice it. Soil erosion is the nemesis.

It scraps land of its topsoil, the primary resource in food production.

“Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation -- far worse than any external enemy coming into a country and conquering it because it’s an enemy you cannot see vividly,” Harold R. Watson told the audience when he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985 for peace and international understanding. “It’s a slow creeping enemy that soon possesses the land.”

Watson is now retired; he is back in his birthplace -- in Mississippi, United States. For almost half of his life, he tried to find some methods to solve the erosion problem by innovating some technologies in the rolling foothills of Mount Apo. Here, he founded the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) in Kinuskusan, a barangay some 10 kilometers away from the town of Bansalan in Davao del Sur. Watson, an agriculturist by profession, said that soil erosion is likely to imperil the country’s food production in the coming years. “Land is not being remade,” he pointed out. “Soil is made by God and put here for man to use, not for one generation but forever.”

According to Watson, “it takes thousands of years to build one inch of topsoil but only one god strong rain to remove one inch from unprotected soil on the slopes of mountains.”

As such, soil erosion should be given a top priority. “We must consider ourselves in a state of emergency,” he said in his speech. “Our topsoil is all going…”

In his book, The Nature and Properties of Soils, Nyle C. Brady wrote: “No other soil phe-

Hedgerow spacing

The SALT system

nomenon is more destructive worldwide than soil erosion. It involves losing water and plant nutrients at rates far higher than those occurring through leaching. More tragically, however, it can result in the loss of the entire soil.

“Furthermore, the soil that is removed finds its way into streams, rivers, and lakes and become a pollution problem there. Erosion is serious in all climates, since wind as well as water can be the agent of removal,” Brady added.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated some 25 billion tons of soil being washed into the rivers each year. In drier areas, the topsoil is being blown away.

All in all, the world is losing an equivalent of 5-7 million hectares of farmland each year. To correct the problem would cost US$250,000,000,000. “The alternative,” if the problem is not solved, “is famine,” FAO said.

The Philippines is not spared from the problem. In 1988, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources came up with a list of provinces which had “alarming” soil erosion rate. Batangas and Cebu topped the list with 80-85 percent of their topsoil already lost to erosion.

Marinduque had 75-80 percent soil erosion while Ilocos Sur and La Union had 60-70 percent.

The following had more than 50 percent soil erosion: Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, and Antique.

Lester R. Brown and Edward C. Wolf, authors of Soil Erosion: Quiet Crisis in the World Economy, explain that soil erosion affects crop production in two ways. “The loss of topsoil reduces the inherent productivity of land, both through the loss of nutrients and degradation of the physical structure. It also increases the costs of food production,” they wrote.

“When farmers lose topsoil,” the two authors further explain, “they may increase land

productivity by substituting energy in the form of fertilizer.

Hence, farmers losing topsoil may experience either a loss in land productivity or a rise in costs of agricultural inputs. And if productivity drops too low or agricultural costs rise too high, farmers are forced to abandon their land.”

But there are some ways to arrest soil erosion. At the MBRLC, the solution is found in its SALT or Sloping Agricultural Land Technology. Just like the prophet David defeated giant Goliath with just a sling shot and a stone, erosion can be solved by going back to the basics. “We don’t need modern technologies and high gadgets to defeat the enemy. All we have to do is use what God has provided us through the years,” says Roy C. Alimoane, the current MBRLC director.

“Basically, the SALT method involves planting of field and permanent crops in 4-5 meter bands between double-controlled rows of nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs,” explains Alimoane.

Examples of field crops are the legumes (beans, peas, and pulses), cereals (upland rice, corn, and sorghum), root crops (sweet potato, cassava, carrot, and taro), and vegetables (cabbage, ampalaya, tomato, eggplant, etc.). Permanent crops include cacao, coffee, banana, citrus, and fruit trees.

This is where food security comes in. “Most farmers are locked into one crop,” Alimoane points out. “When the crop is harvested, he has much money, but it is soon gone, and he has overspent. He’s called a millionaire for one day.”

With SALT, a farmer can harvest every now and then. “He has something to look for,” Alimoane says. “Because the harvested crops are just enough for the market, there is a tendency that the price of his produce is much higher.”

Organic farming is practiced in the SALT scheme. Double hedgerows of leguminous perennials are planted at 4-5 meters intervals on equal-elevation contours. The hedgerows are pruned frequently (every 5-6 weeks) and the cuttings are applied to the crops as source of fertilizer. The cuttings also served as mulching materials.

In the SALT farm, you find a mix of permanent crops, cereals, and vegetables. Every third strip of available land is normally devoted to permanent crops. A combination of various cereals and vegetables are planted on the remaining two strips of land.

Each has its own specific area so that there can be a seasonal rotation.

“Crop rotation helps to preserve the regenerative properties of the soil and avoid the problems of infertility typical of traditional agricultural practices,” explains Alimoane on the importance of regular rotation of crops.

The principle of SALT is the same as that used by the Ifugao tribes 300 years ago. “All we are doing is suggesting using nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs instead of rocks,” Alimoane points out.

Examples of nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs include “ipil-ipil” (Leucaena leucocephala) and “madre de cacao” (Gliricidia sepium). Introduced species like Desmodium rensonii, Flemingia macrophylla, and Indifogera anil are also good hedgerow materials. “We recommend that a combination of these species be planted all over the SALT farm,” Alimoane suggests.

The SALT model Yes, SALT can help control soil erosion. A seven-year study conducted at the MBRLC showed that a farm tilled in the traditional manner erodes at the rate of 1,163.4 metric tons per hectare per year. In comparison, a SALT farm erodes at the rate of only 20.2 metric tons per hectare per year.

The rate of soil loss in a SALT farm is 3.4 metric tons per hectare per year, which is within the tolerable range. Most soil scientists place acceptable soil loss limits for tropical countries like the Philippines within the range

of 10-12 metric tons per hectare per year. The non-SALT farm has an annual soil loss rate of 194.3 metric tons per hectare.

As SALT is an example of agroforestry (a collective name for all land-use systems and practices where woody perennials and crops are planted together), it offers other valuable ecological advantages.

“SALT greatly reduces the risk of drought, landslides, floods, the silting over of low-lying areas, and wind erosion -- all of which are linked to the radical transformation of the natural

environment and the destruction of the mountain forests,” Alimoane says.

Brown, the environmental guru who received several awards for his work, believes the immediate effects of soil erosion are economic but in the long run its ultimate effects are social.

“When soils are depleted and crops are poorly nourished, people are often undernourished as well,” Brown points out. “Failure to respond to the erosion threat will lead not only to the degradation of land, but to the degradation of life itself.”

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

A

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

Beat the bullies

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl was recently awarded a Pride of Australia medal for her fight against bullying. The pint-sized crusader from Perth, West Australia isn’t afraid to take on the fight against bullying.

As a victim herself, Sian Williams said she had had “enough” of constant taunts over her stutter – a speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds.

This bullying victim took a video of herself and uploaded it on YouTube where she talked about her experience and how she beat the bullies. This also led the way to her organizing the Kidzucate Inc, a not-forprofit group that aims to stop bullying. Sian has offered a helping hand to hundreds of children by posting messages of support on YouTube.

Last month, she was recognized with a Human Rights Hero Award at the Youth for Human Rights Summit in Brussels, making her one of the youngest children in the world to receive the honor.

“I know how it feels to be bullied and I wanted to teach other kids to stop bullying. A lot of people get bullied so I wanted to teach other people to stop bullying. It is something very terrible. It made me feel so sad and unhappy and then I said, ‘Mum, this is enough. I’ve had enough of this.’”

The other day, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte said his own daughter is a

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victim of bullying. Apparently, there has been no action from the school concerned.

If we look at Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, it is very clear that the law mandates all elementary and secondary schools in the country to adopt an anti-bullying policy. Among the provisions in the Implementing Rules and Regulations is the creation of a Child Protection Committee as provided in DepEd Order No. 40, s.

2012. This body is designated as the school’s Anti-Bullying Committee.

Now, the question is: Have our schools put up Anti-Bullying Committees as mandated by RA 10627 and provided for by DepEd Order No. 40? In the vice mayor’s daughter’s case, apparently not. But perhaps that is providential, for now the problem of bullying has come to the public’s attention. If anything, the incident paved the way for bullying to find a face among our children in order for people – especially school administrators and officials – to respond with concrete actions against bullying.

Our children ought to be protected and empowered. We have a good law installed but apparently, our schools have not complied with it. It’s time a massive inventory and monitoring of compliance to the law by schools be implemented by the Department of Education.

Bullying is no joke. No kiddie game either. If it happened to the daughter of the Vice Mayor, it could happen to everyone’s kid, too.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Consultant

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. KENNETH IRVING K. ONG CHENEEN R. CAPON BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Reporters MEGHANN STA. INES AQUILES Z. ZONIO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle Photography CHA MONFORTE JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA ARLENE D. PASAJE Correspondents Contributing Photographer Cartoons MUNDA • HENRYLITO TACIO • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY Columnists: CARLOS MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. ANN “ADI”• C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • VIDA MIA VALVERDE • Economic Analysts:• ENRICO BORBON MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN EMILY “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER PEREZENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA EconomicM. Analyst:

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Elusive peace

L

AST January 25, 2015, 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

People from all over the country, particularly those not from Mindanao, are calling for a war against the perpetrators. Is war really the end to achieve peace in the country’s second largest island?

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno shared a piece of her mind when she said: “A call for war and retribution should never be made lightly and should remain always a final option. It should certainly not be made in the heat of the moment and in the face of, as yet, unclear facts and confusing narratives. Let us instead all contribute to our nation’s search for just and lasting peace by encouraging all parties to bring any conflict to the table of peace instead of the battlefields of war.”

Archbishop Socrates Villegas, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), wrote in a statement posted on CBCP News: “While the CBCP vehemently condemns this act of violence against human life no matter what the avowed purpose of such violence may be, we cannot side with those who call for the discontinuance of peace talks.”

“What price peace?” the editorial of Philippine Daily Inquirer asked. “Do we want peace despite the vehement objections of Christians and minority tribes (like the lumad) in the MILF areas? Do we want peace so much as to give the same concessions of sovereignty, territory and other privileges to the minorities in the Cordilleras and other regions?”

Why is peace so elusive? “Peace is not the product of terror or fear,” pointed out Oscar Romero, a bishop of the Catholic Church in El Salvador. “Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.

Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism.

Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty.”

Peace is rare. Someone once said that less than eight percent (8 percent) of the time since the beginning of recorded time has the world been entirely at peace. In a total of 3,530 years, 286 have been warless. Eight thousand treaties

have been bro- THINK ON THESE! ken in this time.

“Peace, peace; where there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14).

American President Ulysses S. Grant wrote in 1868: “Let us have peace.” In 1955, Seymour Miller and Jill Henrylito D. Tacio Jackson urged: “Let there be henrytacio@gmail.com peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” Even before that, when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, the angels chorused: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill toward men.”

But until now, peace is elusive as ever. Nobel peace prize winner Mother Teresa commented: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Dwight David Eisenhower pointed out: “We seek peace, knowing that peace is the climate of freedom.”

Someone once said that without war, there is no peace. John Andrew Holmes, in Wisdom in Small Doses, penned: “Yes, we love peace, but we are not willing to take wounds for it, as we are for war.” Filipino national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, wrote in ‘Hymn to Labor,’ “For our country in war, for our country in peace, the Filipino will be ready, while he lives and when he dies.”

It reminds me of a story I read. It goes this way: “Tell me the weight of a snowflake,” a coalmouse asked a wild dove. “Nothing more than nothing,” was the answer.

“In that case, I must tell you a marvelous story,” the coal-mouse said. “I sat on the branch of a fir, close to its trunk, when it began to snow – not heavily, not in a raging blizzard – no, just like in a dream, without a wound and without any violence. Since I did not have anything better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch. Their number was exactly 3,741,952. When the 3,741,953rd dropped

T

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW

onto the branch, nothing more than nothing, as you say – the branch broke off.”

After saying those words, the coal-mouse flew away.

The dove, since Noah’s time an authority on the matter, thought about the story for some moment, and finally said to herself, “Perhaps there is only one person’s voice lacking for peace to come to the world.”

British singer John Lennon, when he was still alive, even thought of world peace. “Imagine there’s no heaven,” he sang. “It’s easy if you try, no hell below us, above us only sky. Imagine all the people living for today. Imagine there are no countries. It isn’t hard to do: Nothing to kill or die for, no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace. Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people sharing all the world. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.”

War, indeed, is not the answer. “I have seen war,” said American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt. “I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed. I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war.”

It is only when the war is over that peace can totally be felt. In Hiawatha, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote: “Buried was the bloody hatchet; buried was the dreadful war club; buried were all warlike weapons; and the war cry was forgotten. There was peace among the nations.”

Is peace really impossible to attain?

“If you want to make peace,” said Moshe Dayan, “you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.” Martin Luther King, Jr. also said, “One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means.”

The peace we are longing for will really happen. The time for peace will come when, as the Holy Bible states so, “they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spares

into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4).

How can peace be achieved in the midst of all the troubles that are going on? The story below gives some hint: There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them. One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest – in perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize?

The king chose the second picture. Do you know why? “Because,” the king explained, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”

In the midst of all the chaos going in Mindanao, Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban wrote a very thought-provoking piece in Philippine Daily Inquirer. He ended it with these words: “If we truly love peace, then we should all be prepared to pay its price, and to change massively— yes, massively—our political, social and governmental structures and mindsets by amending the Constitution forthrightly and asking all our people (not just those in the autonomous region in Mindanao) to join a national debate, and to decide this great milestone in a nationwide plebiscite.”

In so empowering and enfranchising them as never before, their barangay was to have transformed into a productive political, social, and economic unit. ***** In other words, the barangay would attain the stature of a small republic from which the Big Philippine Republic would draw its strength.

Yes, every barangay a small republic—complete with a polity of sovereign citizens, a defined territory, a government, and, though limited, sovereignty.

Once the constituents were empowered, the barangays, collectively, would constitute a strong, durable foundation for our Big Republic.

This transformation was necessary so that the old system at the grassroots—dominated by traditional politicians and their corrupt practices—would yield to the new regime of People Power and Assertive citizenship.

Too bad that no one, not even the DILG, nor Malacañang or Congress, saw to the Code’s proper implementation, if only to monitor the status of autonomy in the local governments. ***** Consequently, the entrenched trapos with vested interest in the old, corrupt system took full advantage of the opportunity to avert the empowerment of the people so they could retain control.

Today, not even citizens or civil society groups monitor the conduct of local governance; it is why virtually all localities are dominated by trapos and their greedy dynasties. Against them, advocacy groups and activists are in no position to counter their deftness in corruption and impunity.

Employing dirty tricks, subterfuge, and circumvention, these trapos make short-shrift of anti-graft-and-corruption laws. And with their cronies and co-conspirators, they dominate and freely manipulate the primal level of the economy, cornering its benefits.

Hence, citizens should learn to monitor their own government’s operations (barangay’s), which is way below the line of vision of national agencies and other watch dogs. Unless they do, things will get worse, especially with Congress perennially failing to perform its statutory duty to monitor and guide the implementation and effects of the Local Government Code.

(Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, Development Academy of Philippines; member, Philippine Mission to the UN; vice chair, Local Government Academy; member, Cory Government’s Peace Panel; awardee, PPI-UNICEF outstanding columnist. He is chairman/convenor of the Gising Barangay Movement Inc. valdehuesa@gmail.com)

Federal, parliamentary: It’s been ready to go since 1991!

HOSE who want to shift to the federal system with a parliamentary government shouldn’t find it such a big challenge. Such a system has been prescribed by law since long ago (1991) to operate at the closest and most intimate level to everyone—the primary level of government, the barangay.

If we had been earnest about implementing or making it work, by now we would have attained mastery of its dynamics; the grassroots would not be such pathetic victims of traditional politics.

As for federalism, it’s simply a more advanced form of political autonomy, where some powers and functions of the central government are devolved or decentralized to the lower level.

And political autonomy is simply another term for self-governance; and it’s already at hand—prescribed and provided for by the Local Government Code (R.A. 7160). ***** Under this Code, Filipinos are empowered to govern their own community—formulating its policies, enacting its regulations, passing its ordinances, expending its budget, and developing its economy.

But even after 23 years on the books, it seems that neither our officials nor our citizens have learned how autonomy works, its processes and its mechanisms.

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA It’s high time we determine whether or to what extent autonomy is operative in our own community and do something to exemplify it. If inoperative or dysfunctional, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has a lot of explaining to do.

This department was created precisely to implement the Local Government Code and related autonomy laws. ***** From the outset, the DILG was capacitated with a huge bureaucracy so it could undertake a grand education-information-communication (IEC) campaign to ensure that people were primed for autonomy.

The objective was—and always has been— to empower the people and their community by ushering them to the home of People Power, the barangay.

They were to be drilled in the dynamics of local governance, to exemplify their role as active partners in governance and development, no longer passive recipients of government goods and services.

10 ICT HUB EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

SILICON VALLEY TECH ECONOMY BOOMING

But it’s bad news for low wage earners

BOOM AND BUST. A boy rides his skateboard through the Buena Vista Mobile Home Parkin Palo Alto, Calif. Silicon Valley’s tech economy is continuing to boom but low wage earners are being priced out of housing, roadways are increasingly congested, and public rail service is overwhelmed throughout the greater Bay Area. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

S

ILICON Valley’s tech economy is continuing to boom, with 58,000 new jobs and 42,000 new residents last year and all indications the record growth will continue, according to study released Tuesday.

The annual Silicon Valley Index released by Joint Venture Silicon Valley, representing businesses, government and the broader community,

also shows record venture capital investment in technology.

“The world’s hottest regional economy keeps getting hotter,” said Joint Venture President Russell Hancock, pointing to the highest growth rate since 2000.

And unlike 15 years ago when the tech sector spiked and then crashed, this time economists say there’s a solid economic base.

“It’s not bubblicious, we have grown into this and we’ve done this incrementally,” said Hancock. Silicon Valley, home to Google, Apple, Facebook and many other tech firms, was the last economy to succumb to the recession and the first to emerge from it. The 1,900-square-mile (5,000-sq. kilometer) region south of San Francisco also saw some of the highest income gains and housing prices in the country

SAN FRANCISCO man was swiftly convicted Wednesday on charges he created a multimillion-dollar marketplace for illegal drugs and other contraband on the Internet by promising buyers and sellers anonymity through use of encryption and bitcoins.

Ross William Ulbricht was convicted of seven drug and conspiracy counts. The Manhattan federal court jury’s verdict came after just over three hours of deliberations and one day after prosecutors urged jurors to follow Ulbricht’s “digital fingerprints” as the mastermind of a website known as Silk Road.

Ulbricht’s supporters expressed outrage after the guilty verdict was announced. After the jury left the room, one shouted, “Ross is a hero!” Another called out to him: “It’s not over Ross.

We love you.”

The boyish-looking Ulbricht, 30, waved toward the spectators as he was led out of court. His mother, Lyn, exited complaining that the defense had been barred from putting on evidence that would help prove its claims that her son was a harmless,

college-educated computer geek who was framed by others in a murky Internet world where nothing is what it seems.

Ulbricht’s sentencing in New York is scheduled for May 15, and some charges carry a maximum of life in prison.

Prosecutors had alleged that Ulbricht’s website — with thousands of listings under categories like “Cannabis,” ‘’Psychedelics” and “Stimulants” — brokered more than 1 million drug deals worth $213 million before his arrest in 2013. They also said Ulbricht collected $18 million worth of bitcoins in commissions.

At a three-week trial, Homeland Security Agent Jared Der-Yeghiayan testified that the website’s shipments came to his attention in June 2011 when X-rays and canine detection dogs at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport turned up envelopes from the Netherlands containing Ecstasy pills wrapped in vacuum seal and foil. By late September, he said, he learned about Silk Road and began infiltrating it, taking over staff member accounts each time someone was arrested or agreed to co-

operate.

The agent testified that the website’s online boss went by the alias Dread Pirate Roberts — a reference to the swashbuckling character in “The Princess Bride” — and prosecutors presented numerous instant message conversations involving a person using that persona.

Der-Yeghiayan further countered defense attempts to cast doubt on whether Ulbricht was Dread Pirate Roberts by describing communicating online with Ulbricht when he was arrested while sitting at his computer at San Francisco’s Glen Park Library. Agents, he said, were instructed to snatch the laptop before arresting Ulbricht.

On it, he said, they discovered that Ulbricht was signed in as Dread Pirate Roberts and was immersed in a chat with Der-Yeghiayan, he said.

During closing arguments Tuesday, defense attorney Joshua Dratel said his client quit Silk Road soon after creating it to sell anything on the Internet and before the website was overrun by drug dealers.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Serrin Turner said Ulbricht operated the site from

last year.

The report shows that with the income and population growth, low wage earners are being priced out of housing, roadways are increasingly congested, and public rail service is overwhelmed throughout the greater Bay Area.

In addition, the income gap is the largest in the U.S., with world-class firms paying top wages to computer scientists while those who work for

them, as housekeepers, landscapers or caretakers, haven’t seen significant wage increases. Thus almost one out of three households needs food or shelter subsidies.

“The gap is growing, not because most people are doing worse here, but because people at the top are growing faster,” said economist Stephen Levy, who directs the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Econ-

omy.

While the report focuses on Silicon Valley, it also shows San Francisco to the north is a major driver of the region’s economic prosperity. New companies in San Francisco, including Uber, Dropbox, Lyft and AirBnB, received $7.2 billion in venture capital last year, about the same as Silicon Valley companies. MARTHA MENDOZA, AP National Writer

US man convicted of operating underground website Silk Road A

END OF THE ROAD. Lyn, center, and Kirk Ulbricht, fourth from left, parents of Ross William Ulbricht, speak to reporters outside Manhattan Federal court Wednesday in New York. Ross William Ulbricht was convicted beginning to end and was willing to do anything to protect it. He cited emails that he said showed Ulbricht was willing to spend hundreds of

Wednesday of creating and operating an underground website that prosecutors said enabled drug dealers around the world to reach customers they would never find on the street. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

thousands of dollars to kill as many as five people he thought were threats to his operation.

Ulbricht faced no murder

charges in New York, but still awaits trial in Baltimore in a murder-to-hire plot. LARRY NEUMEISTER and TOM HAYS, Associated Press

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 11

Work... FFROM 3

“We will monitor it,” he said.

Private contractor Vicente T. Lao, who is chair of the Mindanao Business Council (MBC), said the validity of the soil investigation result to be submitted by Aeon Tower should be double-checked because of “possible tampering.”

“We have to make sure that the soil investigation result is accurate and conducted

by a reliable third party,” Lao said in a roundtable meeting at the Caffé Firenzo-Damosa Gateway Branch yesterday.

The OCBO order, however, states that it is the developer that should do a geological and geotechnical site investigation.

But Lao said a third party, not FTC, should do the soil investigation for it to be credible and not corrupted by any private interest.

Saguiaran, the town before Marawi, and forced Sung to transfer to another vehicle.

In the press conference at the PNP regional office in Camp Alagar here Wednesday afternoon, Sung has requested not to face the media

because “he is very tired,” said South Korean Consul Yong Jeung Park.

Yong added that Sung’s kidnappers deprived him of sleep during his captivity.

(Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews, with reports)

who follow the chain of command,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano also rejected call for the President to resign but urged Malacanang to listen to the reasons why Presi-

dent Aquino is being asked to step down.

“If the President would resign, it would only complicate the situation,” Cayetano said. (PNA)

to a cause for the crash.

Among the injured was Huang Jin-sun, a 72-year-old passenger who said he tried to help others struggling in the river outside the wreckage.

“I saw others are drowning,” he told the ETTV broadcaster from his bed at Tri Service General Hospital in Taipei.

“If I did not move quick enough to help them, soon they would be dead.”

He suspected trouble with the flight from the start.

“I felt something was not right after the plane took off,” he said. “I said to the woman next to me to buckle seatbelts, hold on to the seat and cover our heads. I (had) just finished saying it and then plane went down.”

About 10 Taipei fire agency divers were looking for any more bodies that may be at the cold river bottom. A crane was used to bring the rear section of the plane to the shore Wednesday night. The fuselage of the turbo-propeller jet was largely dismantled by hydraulic rescue tools and now lay alongside recovered luggage.

At midday Thursday, about a dozen relatives of Taiwanese

victims arrived at the riverbank in the capital to perform traditional mourning rituals.

Accompanied by Buddhist monks ringing brass bells, they bowed toward the river and held aloft cloth inscriptions tied to pieces of bamboo meant to guide the spirits of the dead to rest.

Relatives of some of the 31 passengers from mainland China reached Taipei on a charter flight Thursday afternoon.

Taiwan President Ma Yingjeou visited two Taipei hospitals Thursday to check on the recovery of people injured in the crash and stopped by a morgue to comfort relatives who were examining bodies of crash victims, his office said.

“This kind of air safety incident not only wrecks countless happy families but also affects trust in our tourism climate among tourists from outside Taiwan,” Ma’s office said in a statement on the visits, a reference to the 31 mainland Chinese passengers. “We must undergo this bitter experience and make all-out improvements.” RALPH JENNINGS, Associated Press

“Reaping the benefits of our modernized network, with 100 percent 3G and 4G coverage, we have seen a steady and healthy growth in both our mobile and broadband businesses, surpassing all of our expectations, and we are confident in sustaining this momentum moving forward. Even as we face new challenges in the coming year, we are optimistic that the new innovations and product offerings we have lined-up will continue to be relevant to our customers, provide growth across all our businesses and

create value for our shareholders,” Cu added.

Mobile telephony revenues, which contributed 79 percent of consolidated revenues, grew 7 percent year-on-year from the prior year’s P72.8 billion to P78.1 billion in 2014, propelled by growth in the Globe Postpaid and mass-market TM brands.

Driven by the rapid expansion of the postpaid base, which stood at 2.3 million at the end of the year, Globe Postpaid revenues improved 11 percent to P29.9 billion from P27.1 billion last year.

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BACKGROUNDER. Nutrilite brand marketer Joy Marie Bacay presents to members of local media the history and the background of the company during a press briefing on Wednesday evening at Amway Distribution Center in Quimpo Blvd., Davao City. Lean Daval Jr. Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TH FREIGHT TRUCK Service

Case No.2015-XI-00041 FOUR LEAF CLOVER TRUCKING SERVICES, Applicant x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE OF HEARING Applicant request authority for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TH FREIGHT TRUCK SERVICE for the transportation of freight on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY AND FROM SAID PLACE TO ANY POINT IN THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO ACCESSIBLE TO MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND VICE VERSA with the use of ONE (1) unit.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on FEBRUARY 23, 2015 at 09:50 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Officer In-Charge, this 23rd day of January 2015 at Davao City

EDGAR CRISANTO R. VIOLOAN Acting Chief Transport Development Officer

Dureza... FFROM 2

the AHJAG shall inform both panels 24 hours prior to the conduct of operations.”

“Klaro ang ating guidelines. Walang exception. Kailangan na laging makipag-ugnayan o mag-coordinate bago ang isang law enforcement operation. Kapag hindi high priority target, dapat hindi kukulang sa 24 oras na pakikipag-ugnayan, at kung high priority target naman, pwedeng mas maiksi, basta sapat ang panahon na makalikas ang

civilians at armadong miyembro ng MILF. Nang sa ganoon, maiwasan natin ang armadong kumprontasyon,” Orense added.

(Our guidelines are clear.

There are no exceptions. There is a need to coordinate before a law enforcement operation is mounted. If the target is not high priority, the information must not be less than 24 hours.

If it’s a high priority target, the time frame can be shorter, just enough so that civilians and

armed members of the MILF can be evacuated. This is in order to avoid armed confrontation.)

Orense appealed Dureza “to be more prudent in making statements such as this in the future.”

“It is a dark and difficult time for our nation, and we are not helping our countrymen by rashly stating erroneous and misleading ‘facts’ without first confirming and verifying them,” he said in the statement.

1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea” and two international conventions aimed at preserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species, the department said.

China took effective control of Scarborough in 2012 after a tense standoff that ended when the Philippines withdrew two of its ships ahead of an approaching storm.

Chinese coast guard ships have also surrounded Second

Thomas Shoal, another contested offshore territory where Filipino marines have manned a grounded, rusty navy ship in a standoff that started in 2013.

Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines have separately protested Chinese land reclamation at a number of reefs in the contested Spratly Islands, which they fear could be transformed into an air, naval and logistics base to reinforce Beijing’s territorial claims far from the Chinese mainland.

The Philippines asked a U.N.-backed international tribunal in The Hague last year to declare China’s seizure of Scarborough Shoal and at least seven other South China Sea reefs, and its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, illegal.

The vast sea and its chain of islands, reefs and atolls straddle some of the world’s busiest sea lanes and are believed to have vast undersea deposits of oil and gas. JIM GOMEZ, Associated Press

portation costs will be tamed as a result” of the decrease in oil price.

“There has already been reported price reductions of some agri products, including livestock, vegetables, and rice, as early as the second

week of the year,” Lim said during a press conference at the Kapehansa PIA last Tuesday.

Lim said that this year regional and local economies will likely see improved trade and higher levels of economic

activity, particularly involving transportation and travel, given the affordable prices of oil.

Inflation, she said, is also seen to take downward adjustments in response to low prices of oil products.

partnership will be to establish a UPLB campus in the heart of the center of agriculture in the Philippines - Panabo City, Davao del Norte. On this site will be established a multi-use, fully functioning community with residential, commercial, institutional, and recreation components. The project, which will be part of the envisioned “AnfloCity” will be a flagship project of Damosa Land, an affiliate of Anflocor.

Forming a partnership with the country’s premiere national university, Anflocor looks to realize the vision

of the late Don Antonio O. Floirendo, which was to establish a center of excellence in the field of research and development and bring world-class agricultural education to the region.

“It has always been his vision to have national development and economic upliftment through education. I know that in one way or another, his vision will be realized in this project,” said Ricardo Floirendo Lagdameo, Vice President of Damosa Land, Inc., Anflocor’s real-estate arm and the developer of the busi-

ness- and lifestyle-oriented commercial center Damosa District and the groundbreaking residential community,Damosa Fairlane.

Anflocor is the management and investment company of the Anflo Group of Companies, a conglomerate which ventures into agriculture, industrial services, real estate, and resort development. Its flagship company is Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (Tadeco), which is one of the highest yielding banana plantations in the world.

DFA... FFROM 4

NEDA... FFROM 5

UPLB... FFROM 6

Senators... FFROM 4 Mayday... FFROM 4

Globe... FFROM 6

12

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EDGEDAVAO CLASSIFIEDS NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 21110737 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 187845-1/NNN43000 issued to AL DAVID T. UY was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

FIT AND FAB

YOU’LL have more reason to be fit and fab in the New Year with the new Forever 21 Activewear collection.

Get fit and fab with Forever 21’s Colorblocked Track Jacket, Sports Bra and Running Seam Workout Leggings.

With Fit Function Fashion as its key theme, Forever 21 has selected Top Australian model Shanina Shaik as the face of the campaign. Her healthy physique and relaxed model off-duty style make her a natural to represent the Forever 21 Activewear fitness movement.

The high tech collection is made for high performance activity with a tight form fit, wicking, flat lock seams, key pockets and a gusset design that allows functional comfort. On-trend details including abstract prints, vibrant colors and cut-outs will make heads turn both on and off the treadmill.

FIT A4 Make your move with the Forever 21 Activewear collection.

Top Australian model, Shanina Shaik, is the face of the Forever 21 Activewear collection.

Fit. Function. Fashion.

Shanina Shaik in Forever 21’s abstract prints and vibrant hues.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

UP AND ABOUT

ENTERTAINMENT

A celebration of love on Valentine’s day at Park Inn by Radisson Davao CELEBRATE Valentine’s evening in any of the food outlets at Park Inn by Radisson Davao.

The RBG hosts an elegant and romantic dinner event for couples in its relaxed and contemporary dining space. Their extensive buffet features intercontinental cuisine and decadent desserts.

RBG also relives the “Thrill of the Grill” experience as it sets up a station where guests can choose from a selection of savory meat cuts and the freshest local fish and seafood for grilling.

“Our Kitchen team, headed

by Sous Chef Ma. Kristina ‘Teng’ Collantes, is filling up our buffet stations with a delicious spread from appetizer to dessert. The dishes we are serving are prepared with unique flair and perfection that’s sure to delight you with every bite. Complementing the restaurant’s romantic mood are love tunes from our guest musical artists,” enthuses the hotel’s General Manager, Mr. Pavan Kakar.

“Aside from premium grilled items for your main course, we also have Seafood Paella, Morcon, Chicken & Tomato 4-Cheese Melt and Shrimp Scampi.”

Regular buffet rate is at Php950.00 net per person, inclusive of bottomless juice and one glass of wine. Premium buffet package is at Php1,250.00 net, with unlimited local beers and spirits. Dinner is served from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Couples may also head up to

the Pool Lounge at the second level where they can enjoy some drinks under the moon and stars.

For only Php850.00 net per couple, they get unlimited local beers

and spirits, added with a platter of bar chow.

“Lovers old and young will find their senses indulged with aromas, essences, flavors and

dreams sights and sounds on Valentine’s Day here at Park Inn

by Radisson Davao,” adds Mr. Kakar.

Planning a romantic getaway on the 14th? Book the Romance Package and delight your loved one with a number of treats to add sparkle to your overnight stay.

This package for Standard Room accommodation is priced at only Php4,500.00 net per night. Aside from the complimentary bottle of wine and breakfast for two, you also get to partake in RBG’s Valentine dinner buffet. Log on and book through the website page http://www.parkinn.com/hoteldavao/hotel-deals/romancepackage-2013 or email reservations.davao@parkinn.com. You may also call and book your table at RBG through 272 7600.

AirAsia reconnects Cebu and Kota Kinabalu with four flights weekly

AIRASIA Philippines, the Filipino Low Cost Carrier that flies hand in hand with AirAsia, voted the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for six consecutive years, has announced it will recommence direct flights between Cebu and Kota Kinabaluon 27thMarch 2015 with 4 flights weekly or every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Promotional seats from as low as P699, one-way, are available for booking now until 8th February 2015 at www.airasia.com with travel period from 27 March 2015 to 26 March 2016.

AirAsia Philippines’ Chief Executive Officer Joy Cañeba said, “Part of our commitment is to

build connectivity outside Metro Manila. We picked Cebu because it’s bustling with activities and the traffic from Southern Philippines is growing rapidly. We’re thrilled to re-open Cebu-Kota Kinabalu route to provide the much needed connectivity at affordable fares for Cebuanos and overseas Filipino workers.”

As one of the most highly developed cities in the Philippines, Cebu or the Queen City of the South is also a hub for education, trade and commerce, business process outsourcing and shipping. Local and foreign tourists continue to flock this place for various attractions such as heritage walk, food and music festivals, fi-

estas and unforgettable nightlife.

“Cebu and Kota Kinabalu are wonderful places for adventure and outdoor sports. Every visitor would be delighted to know that Cebu has one of the most accessible beaches, resorts, entertainment, shopping and food districts,” Cañeba said.

AirAsia also flies to Kota Kinabalu from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

For more updates on AirAsia Philippines and its latest promotions and activities, follow them on social media through Facebook (facebook. com/AirAsiaPhilippines) and Twitter (twitter.com/ AirAsiaPh).

THE SM STORE HOLDS FINE JEWELRY SALE THIS FEBRUARY. Say yes to forever at the SM Accessories Fine Jewelry Sale from Feb 9 - 28 at The SM Store! SMAC members get an additional 20% off on precious jewelry.

Unu Ang

Marian in GenS A month after tying the knot with long-time partner Dingdong Dantes, Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera is back to her busy showbiz schedule.

Aside from her hosting stint in Eat Bulaga’s “Juan For All, All For Juan” segment, Marian also continues on with her regional tours around the country.

This month of hearts, Marian sweeps Kapuso fans in General Santos City off their feet as she visits them for the third time on Friday, February 6, via a Kapuso Fans’ Day to be held at the KCC Mall of GenSan at 5:00PM. It was in 2013 when Marian joined the celebration of the Tuna Festival. In 2014, she came back to GenSan for a Kapuso Outreach Activity and fulfilled her duties as Ambassador for Women and Children with Disabilities. And this year, she is set to give the local audience a preValentine treat they will surely never forget.

To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA Regional TV on Twitter and Instagram via @GMARegionalTV.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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usual ending in g Lihim ni Annasandra AS GMA Network’s romance and fantasy afternoon series Ang Lihim ni Annasandra comes down to its final week, lead cast Andrea Torres (Annasandra), Mikael Daez (William), Pancho Magno (Enrico) and Rochelle Pangilinan (Esmeralda) share their thoughts and what to expect in the series.

For Andrea, the viewers need to stick to their TV screens to find out what’s going to happen in her character’s (Annasandra) life and the reaction of the people once her secret is revealed.

“Ano ba talaga ang mangyayari sa buhay ni Annasandra kasi ngayon ang gulo-gulo. Magkakatuluyan ba sila ni William (Mikael) and ano’ng magiging reaction ng mga tao pag na-reveal na talaga ‘yung lihim at kung ano ang magiging effect nun sa kanya,” Andrea said, adding that the ending will be an unusual one. “Naexcite kami kasi hindi siya usual ending. Maraming magugulat.”

For Mikael, at the end of the day, Ang Lihim ni Anna-

sandra is still a love story so the audience can watch out if his character William and Andrea’s character will end up together.

“Dapat nilang abangan kung ano ang mangyayari sa relasyon nina William at Annasandra kasi at the end of the day love story ito. At kung ano ang gagawin ni William once na nalaman niya ang lihim,” Mikael said.

Meanwhile, Pancho, who plays the character of Enrico, the man in love with Annasandra to the point of being obsessed already, shared, “Aabangan dito kung ano ang mangyayari ‘pag nalaman na ng lahat ang tunay na pagkatao ni Annasandra and kung ano ang gagawin ni Enrico para maipakita pa rin niya ang pagmamahal niya. Ipaglalaban pa rin niya ang pagmamahala niya kay Annasandra. At kung babait pa siya o kung sasama siya hanggang sa dulo.”

On the other hand, Rochelle’s character as Esmeralda is the one who cursed Annasandra to become an awok but eventually learned

to love Annasandra as her own daughter.

“Dapat abangan dito kung paano ko mababawi si Annasandra o kung mababawi ko pa ba siya. Kung magiging mabait pa ba ‘ko sa kanya. Kung gaano ang pagmamahal niya para sa anak niya, kung

paano niya ito ipaglalaban,” Rochelle disclosed.

Will Annasandra’s life return to normal? Will she ever find true love and happiness once her secret is revealed?

Don’t miss the finale week of Ang Lihim ni Annasandra after Yagit only on GMA Afternoon Prime.

n Rivera takes Kapuso fans San to a pre-Valentine date Never-ending love in Wagas this Saturday WITNESS another enduring story of love in Wagas this Saturday as Assunta de Rossi and Neil Ryan Sese breathe life to the real-life tales of Jesusa and Mario, a couple who had to stand many of love’s tests.

Just like every couple, Jesusa and Mario both strived to have a happy and strong family. They led normal lives and were blessed with three children until a tragedy struck. Mario, who raised hogs for a living, met an accident. What made it worse was a surgical malpractice that rendered him paralyzed. And just like that, the head of the family became its biggest burden.

Jesusa struggled to provide for Mario’s medical needs, dealt head-on with hardship and weariness just so her husband can live a longer, if not normal life.

She took good care of Mario, loving him in spite of everything, staying true to her vow when she agreed to be his wife.

How was Jesusa able to carry on 17 long years of tending to her family with Mario almost always giving up on life itself? What’s left of the happy family they both have always dreamt of? What does the future hold for Jesusa and Mario’s undying love for each other?

Written and directed by Eduardo Roy, Jr., be inspired and believe in the wonders that love can do in this Saturday’s episode of Wagas, 7PM, only on GMA News TV.

February 5-10, 2015

JUPITER ASCENDING Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum PG 13

11:40 | 2:15 | 4:50 | 7:25 | 10:00 LFS

PROJECT ALMANAC Jonny Weston, Sofia Black D'Elia PG 13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

WILD Reese Witherspoon R16

R-16

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

THAT THING CALLED TADHANA Angelica Panganiban, JM De Guzman PG13

12:25 | 2:20 |4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

STYLE FIT A1 Make your move with Forever 21 Activewear’s sports bras, leggings, tops and jackets geared towards high impact activity and workout sessions that break a serious sweat.

The new Forever 21 Activewear collection is available at Forever 21 at the Upper Ground Level of SM Lanang Premier. It is also available in other Forever 21 branches in SM Megamall, SM Makati, North Wing at SM City Cebu, The Block at SM City North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, SM City Fairview, SM City Clark and SM Southmall.

Get connected with Forever 21 through www.facebook.com/Forever21PH and via Twitter: @Forever21PH and Instagram: @ f21philippines.

Mesh Pullover Hoodie and Grey leggings are great for warm ups and cool downs.

On trend details set the collection apart: Abstract Print Windbreaker Jacket, Sports Bra and Heathered Colorblock Yoga Leggings.

Vibrant colors highlight Forever 21’s Activewear Collection.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

13

EDGEDAVAO

Battle-hardened Marines to conduct stress debriefing on surviving SAF men B

ATTLE-HARDENED Marines who experienced bloody battles during their tour of duty in Mindanao will provide stress debriefing to Special Action Force (SAF) members who survived the bloody battle encounter in Maguindanao last January 25.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc on Thursday expressed hopes that the initiative would help ease the pain suffered by surviving SAF men.

Around 44 SAF men were killed in the battle with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters last Jan. 25.

The encounter stemmed from a operation to neutralize Malaysian terror-bomber Zulkifli bin Hir alias “ Marwan” and Basit Usman, a bomb expert believed to be behind the bombing of Fitmart Mall in General Santos City on April 22, 2002 that led to the deaths of 15 individuals.

Cabunoc said stress debriefing was conducted by Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 (MBLT-1).

He also said that the PSP (psychosocial processing) for 42 surviving members and comrades of the 55th SAF Action Company (SAC).

“My unit has experienced

bloody encounters in the past and this helped us connect with our comrades from the Philippine National Police.

They were able to unload most of the pain and this is important for people who are grieving,” MBLT-1 commanding officer Lt. Col. Ronald Juan said.

MBLT-1 is stationed in Zamboanga City as part of the Joint Task Group-Zamboanga.

Zamboanga City Mayor Bheng Climaco-Salazar, who is also a qualified counselor and Dr. Lolina N. Bajin, of Camp Navarro General Hospital in Western Mindanao Command joined the MBLT-1 in the stress debriefing.

The PSP, or stress debriefing, was conducted to help the SAF troopers talk about their experience and reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Based on the feedback of their battalion commander, the SAF troopers felt a sense of relief after the activity. We are very fortunate that our team was prepared and are capable to conduct the stress debriefing,” Juan said.

Being the only qualified, authorized, and capable unit of the Marine Corps in the area, the MBLT-1 facilitated the stress debriefing for the SAF troopers under the 55th SAC. “We conducted the psycho-social processing to the members of the 55th SAC who

are not directly involved but have lost their close friends and buddies in the operation in Mamasapano,” Juan said.

He added that the effect of the encounter was obvious among the SAF personnel.

“The moment they en-

tered the discussion group, we could already feel the sadness,” he said.

Juan described that during the debriefing process, the SAF troopers were at first hesitant, but after a while they were able to let go of their emotions

and unload their grief.

“According to their battalion commander, the SAF commandos felt relieved after the debriefing. We were deeply appreciated not only by the participants but also their commander,” the MBLT-1 com-

mander stressed.

The Marine unit went through a four-day training and workshop on mental health and psychosocial support capacities (MHPSC) in Combat Operations under Dr. Bajin.

14 BIGGER PICTURE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

PAF Huey chopper crashes inside military camp in CDO A

PHILIPPINE Air Force UH-1 Huey helicopter crashed moments after it tried to take off from the golf course of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City Wednesday afternoon.

The Vietnam-vintage helicopter had just ferried 4ID chief Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao and his staff from Butuan City when it met the accident.

Lactao said no one from the helicopter’s four-man crew was hurt.

He said the helicopter was part of a two-chopper mission that brought him back to Cagayan de Oro from Bangasi, Butuan City.

“We rode on the chopper from Butuan and there was no problem with it. I was already in my office when I heard a

loud crash,” Lactao said.

He said when he looked outside his window he saw the helicopter laying on its back at the far end of the golf course.

4ID spokesperson Maj. Christian Uy, who rode in the second chopper that accompanied Lactao, said it was the helicopter that the general rode that crashed.

Uy said the helicopter was lifting its nose to take off when it just overturned and rolled on its back on the golf course.

“The helicopter was only able to lift about three feet when it rolled on its back,” he said, The Philippine Air Force is expected to ground all of its Huey helicopters pending the investigation of the accident.

DOWNED HUEY. A flight crew checks on a Philippine Air Force UH-1 Huey helicopter that crashed upside down as it tried to take off from the golf course of the 4th Infantry Division in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City Wednesday afternoon. MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallado

EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015

Filipino boxers Jason Pagara (5th from left), Genesis Servania (4th from left) Arthur Villanueva (3rd from left) Mark Magsayo (2nd from left) and Arjan Canillas (leftmost) pose in their fighting stance with Mexican challengers Cesar Chavez (5th from right), Juan Luis Hernandez (4th from right), Julio Cesar Miranda (3rd from right), Thai Sukkasem

15

Kietyongyuth (2nd from right) and Indonesian Stevi Ongen Ferdinandus during yesterday’s Pinoy Pride 29: Fist of Fury press conference at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

GOING FOR KNOCKOUTS Pinoy Pride 29 protagonists vow stoppage wins

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

S

KIP the popcorn at the counter.

The main event of Pinoy Pride 29 in Davao City could end real quick after both Filipino champion Jason “El Niño” Pagara and Mexican challenger Cesar “El Dolar” Chavez vowed to go for a knockout victory when they step into the ring for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) international junior welterweight crown at the USEP Gym Saturday night.

“I will try my best to knock him out,” Pagara said in the vernacular during a well-attended press conference Thursday at

The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

It was Pagara’s bold reply to an earlier statement issued

by Chavez and the rest of the Mexican camp upon their arrival in Davao City Tuesday for the scheduled fight card dubbed “Fists of Fury” and promoted by the ALA Promotions.

In fact, it was not only Chavez who predicted a stoppage win for him, but even the two other Mexican fighters who will climb the ring tomorrow night also against Filipino boxers.

“If they are going for a knockout, then we will also go

for a knockout,” said Edito Villamor, head trainer of the ALA Boxing Stable.

Chavez, though, refused to declare what round he is going to stop Pagara.

“I didn’t come all the way from Mexico to lose, but to win,” Chavez said through an interpreter. “Either by decision or by knockout, I came to win.”

Though the 26-year-old Chavez earlier admitted he is facing a fast champion in Pagara, he promised to work hard and bring the crown back to Mexico.

“I’m a boxer. I watched his fights and I prepared two

months for this. I come very well prepared,” he said at an earlier press conference.

Chavez will enter the ring carrying a record of 23 victories with seven defeats and 11 knockouts.

Pagara, ranked No. 4 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), has a fight slate of 34 wins, two defeats with 21 knockouts.

Pagara said the titular showdown with Chavez this Saturday is important for him as he will be fighting before Filipino fans.

When the Filipino champion was reminded of the fate suffered by compatriot Rey

“Boom Boom” Bautista at the hands of a Mexican warrior the first time the ALA Promotions staged Pinoy Pride in Davao City in 2013, his eyes lit up.

“Knowing what happened then gives me an added motivation,” Pagara told Edge Davao. “This will be an opportunity for me to avenge his defeat.”

ALA Promotions president and CEO Michael Aldeguer said boxing fans in Davao will be treated to an explosive card in Pinoy Pride 29.

“We’re looking forward to a great show come Saturday,” Aldeguer said.

Seven other bouts are in card, including the fight between Filipino Genesis “Azukal” Servania (25-0, 11 Kos) and Mexican Juan Luis “Perla Negra” Hernandez (17-3, 9 KOs) for the WBO intercontinental junior featherweight crown.

Also displaying his skills before Davao fans is Arthur Villanueva of the Philippines, who will trade punches with the crafty Julio Cesar Miranda of Mexico.

Another Filipino prospect, Mark Magsayo, squares off with Sukkasem Kietyongyuth of Thailand.

S Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum giving up on the much-awaited mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao?

Arum only had one word to describe the ongoing negotiations between the camps of superstar boxers: crazy.

“I’ve never been through a situation as crazy as this,” Arum told RingTV yesterday.

“I’m tired of it.”

“I’ve negotiated for 50 years, and I’ve never been through some (expletive) like this,” he added.

Talks between the Pacquiao and Mayweather camps have reportedly stalled despite

a chance face-to-face meeting between the fighters in Miami last week.

And Arum’s latest statement is not cause for renewed optimism.

“Nobody’s listening to anybody,” said the promoter.

“I have no idea what’s going to happen.”

The Pacquiao camp have previously said it has agreed to all terms, including giving Mayweather a larger share of the financial split, and that virtually all that is left to do is for the American superstar to sign on the dotted line.

But reports that came out in recent days revealed that

there are still several points of contention between the camps, especially between the networks that represent the two fighters – Showtime/CBS for Mayweather, and HBO for Pacquiao.

Arum has been relying on CBS chief executive Les Moonves to get things done, and HBO Sports insisted that it is not an “impediment” to the fight.

Despite this, it appears the talks have hit yet another roadblock.

“It’s craziness. It’s just crazy. If you knew what was going on, you would know how bizarre it is,” Arum told RingTV.

sportscribe Jon “Boy Negro” Develos. We could have had a great time with them with all the tacos and Mexican tequila.

But we were having a gloomy late dinner in the early morning after the fight. Boom Boom accidentally walked in too and boy, he looked awful in shades. His eyes both half shut after the beating.

Now, according to the Mexican camps, Cesar “El Dolar” Chavez, Juan Luis “Perla Negra” Hernandez and Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda are all

going for a knockout.

Chavez, said that he will need only five rounds to dispose off reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) International junior welterweight champion Jason “El Nino” Pagara) of the Philippines.

Hernandez also vowed to send to submission WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight champion Genesis “Azukal” Servania in four rounds.

That’s fearless.

Arum tired of Manny-Floyd negotiations

I Nutrilite Health Run Davao City leg organizer Kenneth Sy presents the race route to members of local media during Wednesday night’s press briefing at Amway Distribution Center. Lean Daval Jr.

S

O the Mexican fighters have vowed to knockout their rivals from the Philippines?

Nothing new.

Part of boxing fight hype.

But that’s boxing. And that’s how you sell a fight.

These Mexicans are brave warriors and they don’t back down from a fight. Remember that the first Pinoy Pride in Davao ended with the Mexicans celebrating.

I remember the manager of Jose “Negro” Ramirez tell-

ing the media in the pre-fight presscon at the Park Inn by Radisson that there will be some celebration after the fight. It’s not going to be ordinary celebration, he said it will be complete with tacos and tequila.

The Mexican manager was right.

They did celebrated after their boy Ramirez, who was nary an inch “Negro” (black) in description, forced Boom Boom Bautista into another retirement.

Ciete de Febrero LET’S GET IT ON

Neil Bravo Oh, Negro Ramirez is no brother of our fellow

So, would the Mexican camp make the brag again and throw in some friendly bet? Forget about the tacos and the tequila. That’s history.

For a change, let’s make Ciete de Febrero our version of Cinco de Mayo.

Say, a bunch of nachos for starters. Burritos to boot.

For the washing, bring in a bottle of mezcal—the elixir of the gods.

Para todo mal, mezcal, y para todo bien también.

That’s if Mexico wins.

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 7, 2015