Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 149 | Friday-Saturday, October 4-5, 2019

VOL.12 ISSUE 149 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4-5, 2019

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PUSHER COP

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

Cop, police official's kin arrested in drug sting ops

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peratives of the Davao City Talomo Police Station arrested an active cop and a brother of a police of�icial in an anti-illegal drugs sting on Wednesday night.

The suspects were identi�ied as Staff Sgt.Elcelito M. Colita, who was assigned at Marilog Police Station, and Glenn Art L. Muring, brother of Maj. Peter John L. Muring who heads the administration section of the Davao City Police Of�ice

(DCPO).

Police report bared that the Drug Enforcement Team of Talomo Police Station launched the buy-bust operation outside the University of Southeastern Philippines in Barrio Obrero around 8:40 p.m. of October 2, as one of the suspects requested the said venue.

PUSHER, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 149 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4-5, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte receives a token from Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev following their successful bilateral meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Moscow on Wednesday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Sara, Japanese city mayor tackle WTE project today A

Armed Bahani forces in Paquibato proposed

By MAYA M. PADILLO he pending waste-to-energy (WTE) project in Davao City will be on top of the agenda as Mayor Sara Duterte and her counterpart from the Japanese city of Kitakyushu Kenji Kitahashi meet today, Oct. 4, in Davao City.

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April Marie Dayap, of�icer-in-charge of the Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC), told media that among the topics expected to be discussed during the meeting of the two mayors is the WTE facility to be built in Davao City.

Davao City has a sister city agreement since 2018 with Kitakyushu that will provide the technical support in the construction of

the WTE. “I think one of the reasons why they’re here today and they will meet Mayor Sara is because WTE is one of the things that they will be discussing and the updates on the WTE facility. I am not so privy about the updates from Kitakyushu and Davao side,” Dayap said in an interview during the business seminar session of the Davao Japanese Community 100

Years Anniversary held at the grand ballroom of Marco Polo Davao.

Dayap said the meeting of the two mayors will happen at SM Lanang Premier after the opening of the Davao Japanese Community 100 years anniversary trade and exhibit at the atrium that will be participated by various Japanese companies and which will run until October 6.

“They will have a meeting before mulakaw ang mayor sa Kitakyushu back to Japan,” she said.

Green advocates such as Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) and Ban Toxics opposed the construction of the WTE project claiming that emis-

sions from incinerators contain heavy metals, dioxins and furans, which may be present in the waste gases, water or ash. Plastic and metals are the major source of the calori�ic value of the waste.

Apart from the mayor of Kitakyushu, the City Council of Kitakyushu headed by their speaker will be in Davao City also.

She said the city council of Kitakyushu will also visit the Davao City Council.

Dayap also said Davao City will host a fellowship lunch for the Japanese visitors together with the Davao City Council at Marco Polo Davao.

Around 50 Japanese

SARA, P9

mu-protect sa ilang balay kung dili sila,” Baay said.

With the community-based approach, the initiative also aims to unify and de�ine the functions of Bahani within their sitios.

Baay said barangay captains in Paquibato District have gathered around 800 proposed Bahani members.

“Na excite jud ang mga Bahani nga na tap sila sa efforts to secure peace and security in their area,” he said.

Peace 911 is a localized peace and development initiative program of the City Government of Davao.

Baay said Peace 911 is more in coordination with other agencies in the ground.

“Naka-take off na ang Peace 911 and ang challenge is to sustain these efforts. Mahibal-an namo

ARMED, P9

Rare Sulu bird feared for extinction

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

A Sulu hornbill by Bim Quemado

proposal of arming the “Bahani” or the peacekeeping force of the Paquibato tribes not with guns but with traditional weapons for them to defend and protect lives will be endorsed to Mayor Sara Duterte.

Roger Baay, focal person of Peace 911 told media in I-Speak that the proposal aims to capacitate the Bahani to protect their ancestral domain by arming them pana (arrow) and itak (knife) and empowering them by de�ining their functions and responsibilities in protecting lives, properties, and territories.

“I-propose pa ni kay Mayor Inday Sara. Naa pa lng karon sa level ni Atty.

Nadela to nga initiative.

Ang bantayan nila ay ilahang ancestral domain ug paningkamotan nila na walay kasikas sa ilang sitios. Wala baya lain

n intergovernmental organization is calling for the preservation of the vanishing Sulu hornbill, one of the world’s rarest birds and endemic to the Sulu archipelago.

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is partnering with the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (PBCF) and the local government units of Tawi-Tawi in a project aiming to save the bird from extinction. “Sulu hornbills

have a genetic connection with other hornbills that can be found in other countries in Southeast Asia,” said ACB Executive Director Theresa Mundita-Lim in a statement released on Thursday.

Sulu hornbill (scienti�ic name: Anthracoceros montani) is facing “the possibility of imminent extinction” mainly due to the destruction of its forest home, according to Birdlife International and the In-

ternational Union for the Conservation of Nature.

The bird’s natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, states Wikipedia. Among those that the bird eats include fruit, insects and small lizards.

Only 27 of these birds are left in the wild and most of them can now be seen only in the island of Panglima Sugala, a municipality of Tawi-Tawi.

“Tawi-Tawi lies along

the borders of the faunal regions of the Philippines and Wallacea— a place of wonder, a living laboratory for the study of evolution, a melting pot for faunal genetic diversity,” she Lisa Paguntalan, head of the PBCF. More than 60% of the remaining forests in Tawi-Tawi are concentrated in Panglima Sugala, which Dr. Mundita-Lim has visited recently.

RARE, P9

VOL.12 ISSUE 149 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4-5, 2019

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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Davao City to host Mindanao art fair exhibit, conference

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Peace 911 focal person Roger Baay discusses Executive Order 70 which institutionalizes a “whole-of-nation approach”versus insurgency and its primary aim which is to bring basic services and development to far-

flung communities during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

rtists and gallery owners in Mindanao will converge in the city for a back-to-back event of the 1st Mindanao Art 2019 and Mindanao Art Talk that will run from October 4 to 6.

Top of�icials of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will grace the opening, to be led by executive director Al Ryan Alejandre, together with Commissioner for Cultural Heritage, Fr. Harold Rentoria, National Committee on Museums head Amado Alvarez, and National Committee on Art Galleries head John Robillos.

Rey Mudjahud Kublai Milan, president and executive director of Lawig-Diwa, Inc., said the Mindanao Art 2019 has been given a grant by the NCCA National Committee on Arts Galleries (NCCA-NCAG).

"It is the �irst-ever re-

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police of�icer nabbed in a buy bust operation Wednesday evening in Barangay Obrero will face criminal charges for violating the Dangerous Drug Act of 1972.

Police Regional Of�ice (PRO) 11 regional director Police BGen Marcelo Morales, during the media presentation of the suspects held in the Davao City Police Of�ice (DCPO) on Thursday, assured that Police Staff Sergeant Elcelito Macarandan Colita, designated in Marilog District, will face criminal charges apart from being relieved from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The Drug Enforcement Team of Talomo Police Station in coordination with Philippine Drug En-

forcement Agency (PDEA) 11 nabbed Colita who was arrested with with Glen Art Laurel Moring for selling “shabu” to a poseur buyer during the buy-bust operation conducted on Wednesday. The suspects were apprehended by the authorities along St. Barrio Obrero in front of University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) Campus at around 8:40pm.

Morales said Colita was considered the protector of Moring during the transaction.

“Bale ito si Colita yung tumatanggap ng pera,”

8 ex-NPA rebels get P1-M for surrendered firearms

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ight former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who turned in their �irearms to the provincial government of Davao Oriental received checks on Tuesday as part of the government’s �irearms remuneration program.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang personally handed over the checks amounting to PHP1.04 million in a ceremony at the Provincial Capitol in Mati City.

Aside from the �irearms remuneration, the former rebels also received bene�its under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), amounting to PHP65,000 for each surrenderer.

The Department of Labor and Employment

(DOLE) also handed out PHP20,000 for each surrenderer.

Dayanghirang reminded the former rebels to invest their money wisely “in a way that would help them sustain their income and improve their lives.”

Orle Cabaobao, provincial director of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), said the former rebels received twice the amount of their weapons’ assessed cash value.

Funded by the DILG, the remuneration of �irearms undergoes a process being facilitated by the Joint Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police Intelligence Committee (JAPIC), a special body which validates

8 EX-NPA, P9

said Morales. Morales divulged that Moring, who is included one of the watch lists of the PNP, was originally the target of the buybust operation.

PDEA 11 regional director Antonio Rivera, however, clari�ied that the two suspects are not included in their watch lists.

Morales, meanwhile, said DCPO personnel department chief Police Major Peter Jhon Moring, brother of the other suspect, was also relieved from his post.

“Nasa �loating status pa siya ngayon. Titingnan natin kung may involvement ba siya sa mga ginagawa ng kapatid niya,” Morales said, The regional director also revealed that Police Major Moring was aware of the illegal activities of

his brother and failed to take the action.

“Sabi nya pinag sasabihan nya yung kapatid nyan paulit-ulit but verbal advice is not enough,” Morales said.

According to Talomo Police Station commander Police Major Ronald Lim Lao, Moring was long been monitored as he already apprehended before with the same charge.

“Nadakpan na ni si Moring sa una sa Bunawan.

Nakagawas lang kay nag pa bail bond pero human sa ka dugay namo ug monitor sa iyaha, ning balik lang gihapon,” Lao said.

DCPO director Police Colonel Alexander Tagum, on the other hand, reminded the station commanders to ensure that no PNP personnel is involved in illegal drugs.

Davao Light and Power Co. president and chief operating officer Rodger Velasco (center), Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11) assistant director and DepEd-Davao City School’s Division Superintendent Maria Ines Asuncion (2nd from right), Junior Chamber International (JCI) Davao president Christian Roy Dela Paz (2nd from left), Aboitiz Equity Ventures sustainability manager Mirabel May Perez (leftmost) and De-

DAVAO, P9

Felipe Gozon, Paolo Prieto charged with tax evasion

Busted cop faces drug raps T

By ADAM B. MORRELL

gional art fair competitive grant that NCCA-NCAG offered during the application period last year," he said in a statement released Wednesday.

The art fair will be held at the Gaisano Mall of Davao while the art talk cum conference, at the Philippine Women's College.

Also expected to grace the opening activity on Friday are Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and Ateneo de Davao University President, Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ. Milan said art personalities in the country will come to share their expertise during the Mindanao Art Talk.

Topics to be discussed include the artist developing an audience, artist curating self, and art selling self.

he Bureau of Internal Revenue said Thursday it �iled a criminal complaint against media moguls Felipe Gozon and Paolo Prieto for alleged “willful failure to pay taxes” worth around P23.48 million.

Gozon is chairman of the board while Prieto is president of the defunct INQ7 Interactive Inc, “a domestic corporation primarily engaged in internet publishing,” noted the BIR. “Together with its responsible corporate of�icer, it (INQ7) is being sued for a total tax de�iciency tax liability for taxable year 2006 amounting to P23,479,467.13, inclusive of increments,” the agency said in a statement.

The company closed down in 2006 after Inquirer and GMA ended its partnership.

Gozon remains the chairman and CEO of media network GMA while Prieto is the president of

Philippine Daily Inquirer’s news website, INQUIRER. net INQ7 was among 11 corporations charged Thursday for failing to pay a total of P611 million in taxes from 2005 to 2013, the BIR said.

Ski Construction Group, one of the respondents, was sued for P467.25 million, said the agency.

Also among the respondents are Prestige Cars Makati Inc, Lucky Charm Pub and Restaurant Corp, Underground Logic Inc, JP Med Asian Paci�ic Inc, Information Products Corp, Tridem Asia Publishing Inc, Integrated Dynamic Service Inc, Calcarries International Inc, and Eurobrokers International Inc. “The respondents’ failure and continued refusal to �ile or pay their long overdue de�iciency taxes, despite repeated demands, constitute willful failure to �ile or pay the taxes due to government,” said the BIR.

partment of Environment and Natural Resources 11 (DENR 11) sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the first PawiCamp which will be established in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City. The MOA signing, which was witnessed by executives from DLPC, JCI, DepEd and DENR, was held at DLPC office in Ponciano Street, Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 149 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4-5, 2019

DOF exec hopeful e-cigarette excise tax to pass bicam

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ranking Department of Finance (DOF) of�icial is optimistic that lawmakers will adopt the proposal to have a PHP45 excise tax on electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) to fund the universal health care (UHC) program.

This after Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who chairs the Ways and Means Committee, expressed willingness to support the proposal due to rising health-related cases reportedly caused by e-cigarettes.

Asked for his outlook whether their proposed excise tax rate on vapor products will not be reduced after it received favorable assessment from Salceda, Finance Undersecretary Karl Chua said: “I hope so.”

Chua added the proposed excise tax on ciga-

rette is expected to bring in additional PHP2 billion to PHP2.5 billion to government coffers on the measure’s �irst year of implementation.

Last week, Salceda said he sees the need to impose excise tax on e-cigarette due to mounting evidence of health risks.

“There’s an increasing evidence that justi�ies the use of taxation to pursue precautionary principle for national health welfare,” he said.

Members of the House of Representatives already approved House Bill (HB) 1206) imposing PHP40 to PHP60 worth of duties on e-cigarettes, while senators okayed a bill setting PHP10 excise tax on e-cigarette per 10 milliliters (mL) of vaping liquid. (PNA)

Peso transfers still mainly cash-to-cash, study says

A vendor repacks roasted peanuts while waiting for customers at Rizal Park in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

Inflation seen sliding further in September P hilippine annual in�lation likely slowed further in September due to base effects and lower rice prices leaving the door open for more interest rate cuts to bolster a weakening economy.

The median estimate for September in�lation stood at 1.1 percent, the poll showed, which would be the lowest in more than three years and within the central bank’s 0.6 percent to 1.4 percent forecast for the month.

If the projection proves to be correct, it would be the second straight month that in�lation has come in below the bottom end of the central bank’s 2 to 4 percent target for the year.

In�lation peaked at a near-decade high of 6.7

Agri Dept. starts seed distribution under RCEF

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n line with the implementation of one of the components of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), Agriculture Secretary William Dar has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with seed growers’ associations and cooperatives in the country to ensure the supply of high-quality inbred rice seeds.

“Yes, RCEF is now rolling out and October 1 is such a milestone for this program as we are now set to distribute two million bags of high-quality inbred rice seeds to our rice farmers,” Dar said during the MOA signing Tuesday.

The two million bags of seeds, each containing 20 kilos, will be planted to around one million hectares of rice land, and will bene�it one million rice farmers in the country.

The seed growers’ as-

sociations and cooperatives that entered into an agreement with the Department of Agriculture (DA) are the Pangasinan Organic Seed Growers and Nursery Multi-purpose Cooperative, Isabela Seed Growers Multi-purpose Cooperative, Nueva Ecija Seed Grower Multi-purpose Cooperative, South Nueva Ecija Seed Growers Multi-purpose Cooperative, and West Visayas Federation of Multi-Purpose and Seed Producers Cooperative.

Dar said these cooperatives, accredited by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) National Seed Quality Control Services, are the top seed growers in the country that make up 25 percent of the total requirement and will supply the 2 million bags of high-quality inbred rice seeds under the

AGRI, P9

percent in September and October last year, providing a high base. Overall prices have since eased, allowing the central bank to start reversing some of last year’s 175 basis point interest rate hikes.

On Thursday, the central bank slashed its benchmark interest rate for a third time this year to support a slowing economy. The following day it reduced banks’ reserve requirement ratio by 100 basis points to boost cred-

it growth.

“We believe that the BSP has come to the end of its easing cycle for the year unless risks to growth necessitate further easing,” Robert Dan Roces, an economist at Security Bank in Manila, has said in a note.

“The BSP still has signi�icant policy leeway that it could choose to use to push for growth in 2020.”

The central bank has two more policy meetings before the year ends.

EXECUTIVE FORUM ON DATA PRIVACY. Sam Jacoba, founding president of the National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines (NADPOP), discusses the components of data privacy competency framework and shares his expertise on data protection, during the Ex-

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he Philippines is still largely a cash-based society as most of Filipinos who conduct money transfers have yet to try cashless payment solutions, results of a recent study commissioned by Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt) revealed.

According to results of the study conducted by The Nielsen Company, nearly 40 million or 81% of the 49 million Filipinos who transfer money still transact exclusively through the cash-to-cash scheme.

"There are 39.7 million who are still into exclusive cash-to-cash transfer and who have not tried a cashless solution," said Mynt president and chief executive of�icer Anthony Thomas.

"There are 2.9 million non-mobile wallet cashless remitters as well. These present a lot of potential for mobile wallets to expand and capture large, untapped segments," he elaborated.

Meanwhile, the remaining 19% or 9.3 million are said to have utilized cashless transactions for money transfers. Of this number, 4.9 million or 10% of the total use GCash.

GCash (G-Xchange Inc.) is operated by Mynt, providing �inancial services such as payments, remittances, loans, business solutions, and platforms.

According to Mynt chief commercial of�icer Fred Levy, the company plans to tap the unserved market through the aggressive push of new services.

"We are moving from simply the money transfer... We're going to keep on launching products. We already have direction that we will announce soon," he said in a press conference in Makati City.

In 2017 Chinese payment solution Ant Financial Services Group became a signi�icant shareholder in Mynt after it acquired a 45% stake in the Globe Telecom unit.

ecutive Forum on Data Privacy and Protection at the UnionBank Plaza in Ortigas Center, Pasig City on Thursday (Oct. 3, 2019). The forum, organized by NAPDOP and UnionBank, highlights the importance of data protection in the financial sector. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)

VOL.12 ISSUE 149 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4-5, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

PH improving market access to Russia: envoy

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hilippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta said the government is working “aggressively” to improve the Philippines' market access to Russia, particularly on agricultural products.

“Our primary objective is market access. Russian taste is evolving. They’re willing to try things that are new. So we have, I believe, a good market here for agricultural products,” Sorreta said in a media interview at the Philippine Embassy in Moscow on Wednesday.

As early as the �irst meeting between President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Asia-Paci�ic Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in 2016, Sorreta said the two leaders vowed to announce “good news” that will create more opportunities in the agricultural, �ishing, and manufacturing sector.

“There will be agreements that will create demand for our products which means more workers will be employed by the corporations. Farmers will get higher value for their products. Manufacturers will be creating more jobs and more importantly, the Philippines will be identi�ied as a major player in the agricultural market here, on the food market here --- food and drink," Sorreta said.

Sorreta said the government would have to overcome challenges such as Russia’s current impression of the Philippines.

“The problem is Russians have a very little knowledge of the Philippines. What little knowledge they have is stereotypical of the Philippines.

So dahil nga (because) we’re identi�ied more with another country where they have problems. So they identify us with that country,” Sorreta said, referring to the United States, the Philippines’ only military ally.

He has assured Russia that the Philippines will not get in between its problems with other countries.

“We’re not taking sides.

We just want to do business with you. We want to bring our peoples closer together and learn more from each other,” Sorreta said.

The envoy said that to promote its products, the Philippines should promote the country �irst.

“You just can’t promote our fruits without telling the story of the Philippines, of the Filipino people, of the sustainable farming of our long tradition of using healthy and organic inputs in our agriculture and you have to tell the story of a warm and friendly people, of beautiful places for tourists to visit, of a great culture, a great art, and music,” Sorreta said.

“We have to sell the whole country, our people, our places, our history,” he added.

To create that better knowledge and understanding of the Philippines, Sorreta said the embassy has organized events such

ECONOMY 5

Anflo Industrial Estate first vice president Ricardo F. Lagdameo walks the participants through the businesses and services of the company during the 100 Davao Japanese Community Business Seminar held at Marco Polo Davao on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

Davao-Manado tourism B2B rakes in over P1-M sales

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he joint tourism and business matching meeting organized to help boost the viability of Garuda Indonesia's foray into Mindanao raked in over PHP1 million in negotiated sales, the Department of Tourism in Region 11 PH, P9 (DOT-11) said Tuesday.

“This sale is accumulated out of Davao-General Santos tours and hotel accommodation bookings in Davao during the business matching,” DOT-11 Tourism Operations Of�icer Kervin Kyle Elijay said in a press release.

DOT Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Myra Paz Abubakar lauded the initial success of the Davao–Manado Joint Tour Packaging Workshop and Business Matching, held in support of the recent revival of Davao-Manado air linkage.

Abubakar commended the people behind the b u s i n e s s - to - b u s i n e s s event, as well as the participants, for turning in

PHP1.344 million in negotiated sales.

“My best wishes and congratulations to all. This is a very good development for the Philippines and the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) region. I hope that other airline companies will also see the potential of �lights coming to and from the Mindanao,” said Abubakar, who is also the Philippine-EAGA Tourism Cluster national coordinator.

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), as the Philippine Coordinating Of�ice for BIMP-EAGA (PCOBE), also expressed its gratitude to the DOT-11 and local tourism industry players for organizing the event.

MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro said the results of the event were promising to the revival of the Davao-Manado air connectivity.

"Let us work together, all Philippine-EAGA lead

agencies, in creating economic activities that will spur more tourist arrivals between the two areas,” said Montenegro, adding that “We have to collectively do our part for the sustainability of the route.”

DOT-11 said it plans to visit Manado in November to bring the Davao tour operators for the tourism market matching with their Indonesian counterparts.

MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol underscored the importance of the air link as it strengthens the position of Davao as the gateway to Asean, boosting investment and tourism potentials of Mindanao and North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Piñol has also proposed for a two-day business and trade matching on October 28-29 in Manado to allow Mindanao agribusiness leaders to engage with their counterparts in North Sulawesi for potential export of fruits and other products. (PNA)

with 48 percent, highlighting the need to �ight workplace stereotyping and discrimination.

"Stereotyped gender roles of ascribing to women the primary responsibility of taking care of homes and to men, as the provider of the family, undermine the labor force participation of women," said the study, published this week.

Such a low rate could eventually hurt economic development and hold back the progress of wom-

en's rights in the Philippines.

Remedial measures could range from laws for employers to offer daycare, boost paternity leave beyond 7 days now, or bring religious beliefs, civil status, and pregnancy status within the scope of anti-discrimination law, the study said.

In the family-oriented Philippines, women often quit work after getting married or having children, particularly during

Phils. looks for ways to boost the number of women in jobs

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omen in jobs or seeking work in the Philippines made up just under half the working-age population over the last two decades, a study commissioned by the government showed, held back by social expectations that they will care for homes and children.

The Philippine rate of 46 percent in 2018 pushed its female labor participation below regional peers, such as Indonesia at 52 percent, Malaysia at 51 percent and Myanmar

PHILS, P9

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 149 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4-5, 2019

EDITORIAL

Who is behind Bunal Gang?

They come out in the deep of the night and strike young kids in sight. They are the notorious ‘Bunal Gang’--the name given to motorcycle-riding gangsters who beat up young people after curfew hours.

Are they masquerading as vigilantes going after undisciplined youngsters?

Yes, this new band of violence-sowers in the city are the latest of the city’s peace and order distractions. Quite disturbing even because some of them are clad in police shirts. Armed with bats and steel wires, they crash into internet gaming cafes and beat everyone in sight. According to some reports, these are vendetta groups that came out after a spate of gang wars in the city. Some also say they are backed by the police and are out to get all curfew violators.

The emergence of the Bunal Gang has resulted into something positive in terms of obedience to curfew hours as

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CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL DR. MAURO L. PUYOD LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Layout/Cartoons Cartoonist Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist VP Operations General Manager JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

many youths have decided to stay home during these hours while internet cafes that usually operate 24 hours have shortened operations and abided by the curfew ordinance.

Amidst the reports, however, the police have denied involvement or links to these band of nocturnal beaters.

Nevertheless, it should end with denials. The police need to conduct an investigation into these malefactors as they have already injured a number of victims. Barangays must also look into these incidents as they are the frontline protectors of residents within their community.

Never mind if this has resulted into something good.

The fact remains that everyone should be safe and that no one should in�lict harm to another even for ‘disciplinary’ reasons.

Whatever the end, it cannot justify the means. Just as the means do not justify the end.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Product Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

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VOL.12 ISSUE 149 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4-5, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

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DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

FILIPINO SEAFARERS AS DISCIPLES OF THE CHURCH Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle has acknowledged the role of seafarers, Filipino mariners in particular, in propagating the teachings of the church, and not merely major contributors to the country’s economic growth.

Speaking during the holy mass of the 24th National Seafarers Day (NSD) at the Paco Arena, Tagle noted that Church has always been interested in seafarers since Christ �irst gathered his �ishermen-disciples around him who later disseminated his teachings.

Andrew, Peter, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were �ishermen. The bible relates that Andrew and Peter were �ishing, plying their trade when called, and James and John were mending nets with their father.

The bible also states that James and John weren’t just �ishermen, but business owners, along with their father, for they employed others in the business.

Thomas and Philip may have also worked as �ishermen, for they were all together and

�ishing when Jesus appeared to them following his resurrection.

Tagle also earlier noted in a previous NSD celebration that Filipino seafarers are ‘saint potentials’. The archbishop was referring to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod as he noted that these two martyrs of the Philippine Catholic Church were seafarers and missionaries at the same time before they became saints. He added that Ruiz and Calungsod sailed to other countries and died for a mission: “to teach the Good News.

He likewise reminded the faithful not to be blinded and numb by comfort, wealth and luxury.

“As we strive to make our lives better, may this not lead us to forgetting our roots, neglecting those who need our help.

Real progress also means progress in sympathizing and helping our fellowmen. But if it leads us to becoming numb and blind to the needs for others, then you cannot call it real progress,” Tagle stressed.

The estimated 337,502

deployed Filipino seafarers in 2018 remitted $6.14 billion or around P318.55 billion. The sea-based sector’s remittances comprise at least 22% of the total dollar remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

These remittances help spur domestic consumption in the Philippines and a key ingredient in the country’s drive to achieve higher but sustainable growth.

“If you are already well-off and live a comfortable life and you deny the Philippines and forget where you came from, that is not progress. That is regression. That is not the attitude of an upright person. And that is not the kind of Filipino I know,” Tagle added.

Tagle underscored that the pain brought by separation is a sign of the seafarer’s love, strength, and faith for the good of his family and the country.

(Even if you feel pain when you leave your family and your country, that suffering is not a reason for you to be ‘paralyzed,’ but inspire you to strive for more,” said Tagle adding that their hardships will not weak-

en them but make them even stronger.

The Philippines is considered as the major supplier of maritime labor globally as it is estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four to �ive complements on board a vessel at any time.

Former president Fidel V. Ramos issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring Aug. 18 as National Seafarers’ Day aimed at giving due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country. Later, Proclamation No. 1094 was issued in 1997 by President Ramos which moved NSD to every last Sunday of September every year.

The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) Philippines was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors in activities related to the celebration of said event. The Sunday masses all over the country were offered to the Filipino seafarers.

This year’s NSD was set on September 29, 2019 with the

theme “ Marinong Filipino- Kababaihan: Palakasin sa Industriya!” in line with 2019 World Maritime Day theme ( Empowering Women in the Maritime Community).

Other weeklong NSD activities nationwide led by AOS include the grand parade participated in by stakeholders, memorial at sea, novenas, and the search for the Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP) as well as oratorical, art, photo and singing contest ..

The NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week celebrated every last week of September spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). *** Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law of�ices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

MUJAHID NAVARRA UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

THE ANTICHRIST ACCORDING TO ISLAMIC TEACHINGS Judaism, Christianity and Islam are replete with teachings about the end times and perhaps one of the most wellknown of these is about the Antichrist. In Christianity, the antichrist is someone who will claim to be Christ before Jesus’ second-coming in the �irst and second epistle of John, where he is described as someone who denies the Father and the Son.’ Jesus also spoke about false prophets in Matthew chapter 24 and Mark Chapter 13 and other allegories mention that which are believed to be about the Antichrist.

These vague descriptions of the Antichrist has led many to believe that the Prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad is the Antichrist especially after John of Damascus and John Calvin interpreted verses in the New Testament to point out to Prophet Muhammad.

According to John Tolan, A Biblical historian. ‘In Daniel’s description of this beast, Alvarus sees the career of the Antichrist Muhammad and his disciples. This eleventh king who arises after the others, “diverse from the �irst,” who subdues three kings, is it not Muhammad, who vanquished the Greeks, the Romans, and the Goths? “And he shall speak

great words against the most High”: did he not deny the divinity of Christ, thus, according to Saint John, showing himself to be an Antichrist?

He “shall wear out the saints of the most High”: is this not a prediction of the persecutions in�licted by the Muslims, in particular of the martyrdoms of Córdoba? He will “think to change times and laws”: did he not introduce the Muslim calendar and the Koran?’

Sadly, this was the popular view among Christians upon their early interactions with Muslims which led to much animosity and blood-shed. But do Muslim teachings agree that Prophet Muhammad was indeed the Antichrist? Let’s �ind out.

The Antichrist in Islam is called the Maseeh Ad Dajjal which literally translates to the words ‘the fake annointed’ or ‘the fake messiah’ as Jesus is known in both Islam and Christianity as the true anointed and real messiah who was able to heal the sick, the blind, the lepers and give life back to the dead. The Antichrist, which will appear in the end times, according to Islamic sources and he will show the people that he possesses the same powers as Jesus himself.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ANTICHRIST Prophet Muhammad said, “No Prophet was sent but he warned his people about the one-eyed liar. He is one-eyed, but your Lord is not one-eyed, and between his eyes will be written ‘kaa�ir.’” Narrated by Imam Al Bukhari. According to another report: “Written between his eyes will be ‘kaf fa’ ra’ which means disbeliever.’”

Narrated by Imam Muslim.

According to a report narrated by Hudhayfah, “This will be read by every believer, literate or illiterate.”

Ibnu Hajar Al Asqalani elaborated on how could the illiterate read what is written between the eyes of the Antichrist, “This is because Allah causes people to understand something when looking at it, as He wills and when He wills.

So the believer will see this with his insight, even if he is illiterate, and the disbeliever will not be able to see it, even if he is literate. By the same token, the believer will see with his insight evidence that the disbeliever will not see. Allah will enable the believer to understand without him being literate, because at that time, extraordinary things will be happening.”

THE EMERGENCE OF THE ANTICHRIST Prophet Muhammad said, “The Antichrist will emerge from a land in the east called Khurasan.” And upon his emergence, he will cause great tribulations to everyone including the believers.

The scholars mentioned about the tribulations brought about by the Antichrist that the tribulation of the Antichrist will be the greatest tribulation from the time Allah created Adam until Judgement Day begins. This is because of the mighty miracles that Allah will create with him, which will dazzle people’s minds and amaze them.

It was reported that he will have a paradise and a hell with him, but his paradise will be his hell and his hell will be his paradise. He will have rivers of water and mountains of bread. He will command the sky to send down rain, and it will rain, and he will command the earth to bring forth vegetation and it will do so. The treasures of the earth will follow him, and he will travel rapidly, like clouds driven by the wind.

And he will do other extraordinary feats.

Prophet Muhammad said, ‘The Antichrist will be one-

eyed, blind in his left eye, and will have thick hair. He will have a paradise and a hell with him, but his paradise will be a hell and his hell will be a paradise.’

The scholars summarized the events of the victory of the real Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary against the false Messiah, “The Antichrist will die at the hands of the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, as is indicated prophetic narrations. The Antichrist will appear on earth and will gain many followers, spreading his tribulation far and wide. No one will escape his tribulation except a few of the believers. At that point, Jesus, son of Mary, will descend to the eastern minaret in Damascus, and the believing slaves of Allah will gather around him. He will lead them towards the Antichrist, who at the time of the descent of Jesus will be heading for Jerusalem.

Jesus will catch up with him at the gate of Ludd, a place in Palestine near Jerusalem. When the Antichrist sees him, he will start to melt like salt melting in water, but Jesus will say to him, “I have some business with you, you will not get away from me.” Then he will catch up with him and will kill him with his spear.”

8 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

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AIDS DOES MATTER “W

e know very clearly by a number of studies that if you treat a person who is infected with HIV and bring down the level of virus to below detectable that not only do you save the life of that person but you make it essentially impossible for that person to transmit the virus to another individual.” – Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the United States National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

As he was skinny and just average in the class, Kevin (not his real name) was not so popular among his classmates in high school. But this changed when he went to college in one of the universities in Davao City.

During weekends, he went to a gym. After a year, Kevin didn’t have only a body to die for but he had become so handsome that he could be mistaken for an actor. He became an overnight sensation. Kevin was seen going out with different girls every week.

To sustain his admiration from girls and for expenses he incurred during those dates, Kevin also went out with closeted homosexuals for onenight stands. He used condom during those trysts but there were instances when he was so drunk that he could not wear the protection.

Upon graduation from college, Kevin was set to conquer the world literally. He applied for a job abroad and one of the requirements was to undergo a medical examination, including HIV (human immunode�iciency virus) test.

He did. After going through with the process, he was given the result. When he received it, he felt as if the world seemed to collapse. He was positive for the virus that causes Acquire Immune De�iciency Syndrome (AIDS).

Kevin’s case is not part of the statistics of HIV/AIDS and ART (anti-retroviral treatment) Registry of the Philippines. In June of this year, 1,006 people have been con�irmed to be carrying the dreaded virus. Nineteen percent (194) had clinical manifestations of advanced HIV infection.

From January to June, the epidemiology bureau of the Department of Health recorded 6,372 cases – bringing a total of 68,401 cases since 1984, the time the country reported its �irst case.

Most of those infected were through sexual contact, particularly male to male sex. The June data showed 589 men (59%) were infected through this kind of sex while another 260 men (26%) got the virus through sex with both males and females. Only 134 people

(13%) were infected through male to female sex.

HIV infection is growing through the years, records from the health department showed.

From one case in 2008, it went up to 7 cases per day in 2011, 16 cases per day in 2014, and 32 cases per day in 2018. From January to June this year, there are 35 new cases each day.

In Davao City, the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) reported a total of 39 new HIV cases from January to February this year. That’s about 19 cases per month and most of them obtained through sexual intercourse.

Kevin must have not heard of transactional sex. These are people who engage in this kind of sex either pay for the service or accept payment for sex or both. In June 2019, 12% (123 cases) of the newly diagnosed engaged in transactional sex.

It’s a long way to go for those people living with HIV/ AIDS. “Workers and employees in the Philippines living with HIV who suffer workplace discrimination often do not seek redress,” Human Rights Watch

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO (HRW) said in a statement. It added that the government’s response to unlawful �irings and harassment is “weak.”

Take the case of a 26-yearold Elizabeth (not her real name), another HIV-positive.

A single mother of a 6-year-old boy, she worked as a cashier at a café. When she learned about her status, she was totally devastated. “I cried all the time, every time I’m reminded of what happened,” she said, adding that she cried even more “because of the discrimination I’m going through.”

Two years after she was diagnosed of having HIV, Elizabeth started to suffer from double vision and frequent headaches. Her doctor, who could not determine whether she was suffering from an opportunistic infection, suggested that she undergo an MRI on her eyes.

Because the doctor recommended rest, she needed to �ile a leave of absence from her company. “I told our human resources about my status so I can have a valid excuse for my leave, which was going to take a long time because the doctor wanted me to rest,” she said.

She was �ired as a result.

“My supervisor said she understood me and would like to help,” she said. The supervisor then referred Elizabeth to the manager of a manpower company that supplies workers for restaurants. The manager told her: “Since there may be people who won’t understand what happened to you, I need to pull you out of the coffee shop.”

The manager then asked Elizabeth to �ill out forms, one of which turned out to be a resignation letter from employment agency, not just the coffee shop. “I asked why and he told me it’s because I was exposed to food,” she said. “He was very good at convincing me to resign for my own good, that resigning would reduce my stress, things like that. But it was painful. I know what he was asking me to do was wrong. It felt wrong.”

At the manager’s urging, she signed the resignation letter.

Stories like this abound. So much so that in Davao City, the government is trying to help those PLWHA. In fact, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte has signed the Davao City Comprehensive STI, HIV and AIDS Ordinance of 2013. STI stands for sexually transmitted infection.

With a commitment “to �ight against the epidemic,” Ordinance No. 0679-19 aims to “prevent the spread of HIV and other STIs and mitigate any related social, psychological, and economic consequences.”

Through the ordinance, the Davao City AIDS Council

(DCAC) has been formed with the mayor as the chairperson and the City Health Of�ice as co-chair. Members include SP Committee on Health, City Social Services and Development Of�ice, Department of Education Davao City Division, Chair of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Integrated Gender and Development Division, City Information Of�ice, City Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Sangguniang Kabataan.

Five more members come from the non-government organizations, namely: LGBT, faith-based organization, PLHIV, entertainment industry and indigenous people’s representative. Another �ive members come from line-national agencies working on STI, HIV/ AIDS prevention.

The ordinance has come up with several initiatives. For one, it will conduct STI, HIV/ AIDS awareness campaigns, especially during the months of January, May and December (as World AIDS Day is commemorated on the �irst day of this month).

Another program is conducting age-appropriate HIV and AIDS education in schools.

Section 9 of Article IV states: “to integrate basic and age-appropriate instruction on causes, modes of transmission on STI, HIV and AIDS, national and local HIV related laws and other related issues of stigma reduction and discrimination in the workplace, public and private, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.”

The ordinance likewise conducts HIV and AIDS education in communities, among out-of-school youths and those going abroad. On the latter, Section 12 of Article IV explains: “all overseas Filipino workers shall be provided with information on how to access on-site STI, HIV and AIDS-related services and facilitates before certi�ication of overseas assignment.”

OFWs are not spared from HIV infection. “Sixty-one Filipinos who worked overseas within the past �ive years, whether on land or at sea, were diagnosed in June 2019,” the health department reported.

“They comprised 6% of the total newly diagnosed cases for the month.”

HIV/AIDS is one of the most dreaded diseases ever known to human beings. “A single sexual encounter can be suf�icient to transmit HIV,” wrote Dr. John Hubley, author of The AIDS Handbook. “Although the risk from an individual sexual act may be low, the more times a person has sex, the greater the likelihood that transmis-

sion will take place.”

Injection or infusion of contaminated blood, as occurs with blood transfusions, the sharing of needles or syringes, or an accidental prick from an HIV-contaminated needle is another mode of HIV transmission.

Transfer of HIV is also possible from an infected mother to a child before birth, during birth, or after birth through the mother’s milk. “A few children contract HIV infection through sexual abuse,” informs The Merck Manual of Medical Information.

In theory, medical experts say it is also possible, although extremely rare, for HIV to spread through oral sex (only if there are bleeding gums or open sores in the person’s mouth), being bitten by a person with HIV (only if saliva is bloody or there are open sores in the person’s mouth), and contract between broken skin, wounds, or mucous membranes and the blood of someone living with HIV. The website, healthonline. com, points out that HIV is not spread through: skin-toskin contact; hugging, shaking hands, or kissing; sharing food or drinks; saliva, tears, or sweat (unless mixed with the blood of a person with HIV), sharing a toilet, towels, or bedding; mosquitoes or other insects; and air or water.

“HIV is a virus that destroys the immune system,” says Dr. Louie Mar A. Gangcuangco, an infectious disease researcher whose expertise in HIV �ield is recognized internationally.

“This is something we should be concerned about. After about 5 years of not knowing that you are infected, if you engage in unprotected sex, the infected person can unwittingly transmit the virus, infecting more people.”

AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. “This can take from 2 to 5 years to develop, depending on the individual,” says the World Health Organization (WHO). It de�ines AIDS as “the development of certain cancers, infections, or other severe clinical manifestations.”

A person with HIV will never know he is positive of the virus unless he or she undergoes an HIV test. “Having an HIV test is the only way to know for sure whether you have HIV,” said the website, www.aidsmap.com. “If you have HIV, it’s very important that it’s diagnosed. This will give you the best chance of getting the treatment and care you need to stay well.”

The Davao City HIV/AIDS ordinance said DCAC shall en-

AIDS, P10

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STYLE

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DESIGN LEGACY & INNOVATION Staying true to Lee’s workwear roots, this year’s Fall/ Winter range is given a trendy injection of 80s and 90s street style. The collection also coalesces with the sheer joy-inducing magic that appeared on the scene in the 70s — the eye-catching emblem that is Smiley. Versatile and functional, this Lee X Smiley collection is a cool, comfortable and truly epochal collaboration

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ARTS AND CULTURE

THE NEW W

NEUE WILDEN (the new wild ones) is a German term for Neo-expressionism—an artistic movement from the late 70s and 80s of expressive painting trying to describe an abstract narrative of recognizable objects and manifested in a style of rough and highly-emotional vivid colours.

While Transavantgarde is the Italian version of this and was revived after World War II, encouraging back emotion—especially that of “joy” through figurative art. And truly, over the last decade or so, our society has been through many changes—politically, technologically, and environmentally— transforming in a rate that we could only try and cope up with, and most of the time with such high costs.

A DISCOURSE ON BELONGING

For some of us, it seems like in every advancement our society makes, there is a giant leap backwards for humankind.

For example, our reality right now is the most advanced that we have been in the shortest amount of time in history—we have been graced by all the conveniences of technology has to offer, and yet, this generation has become the loneliest of epidemic proportions. This concept of modern society’s “#blessed”, was what the group of young upcoming Davao Artists wanted to portray in their inaugural exhibit inexplicitly titled: “Thy Grace”.

The exhibit featured artwork by Winwin Pangaldin, David David, Gubb Sol Cruz, Kerwin Lorenzo, Patrick Bautista and Arvin Cantalejo, which attempted to relay the double-edged aspects of the word.

The Amalgamation of Hope & Despair, Shaira Ramirez Secuya

‘LUPA’ OPENS AT ARTPORTAL ART in Mindanao is undergoing rapid transformation and by the time you read this article, the first ever Mindanao Art Fair, Exhibit, and Conference (MindanaoArt 2019) should already be in full swing with the main exhibition area at the Gaisano Mall of Davao Atrium.

Aside from the main exhibit, the ArtPortal Gallery for Contemporary Arts is also holding its own

satellite exhibit at its Pelayo (Legaspi) Street venue.

Titled “Lupa”, the exhibit features young contemporary artists, Art Bongawan, MC Hope Loayon, Jeve Villagonzalo, Kim Vale, Vyankka Balasabas, and Shaira Secuya. Loayon and and Bongawan are two of the artists seen in The River Flows North at the NCCA Gallery.

Curator Laya Boquiren explained, “Lupa imagines the various significations on land in rela-

“Th contra you th thoug but in reperc the co and w and po suppo Gubb In e often t people the for ideas t in tha natura practi think, amply

Feet Corn, Jeve M. Villagonzalo tion to home, domain, property, territory, and the cosmos. Beyond the geological properties of physical earth, lupa alludes to issues on property, domain, or territory – the terrains traversed and occupied, with specific boundaries and borders. In the South, individuals, families, and communities give importance to land because personal and collective memories are embedded in it. Land is crucial to one’s identity and a sense of belonging. Land may also be inherit-

ed, gifted, stolen, usurped, claimed, contested, encroached upon, or permanently lost. Vale’s ‘They Relocate Us by Burning’ powerfully responds to dislocation, the loss of home, and disenfranchisement.”

“A similar sentiment can be seen in other works. In them, the artist is a poet, the obfuscations of colour suggesting rapidly fading memories. Loayon’s ‘Disarma’ shows a man whose face is cloaked in anonymity, his empty hands gesturing with an imaginary auto-

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WILD ONES

The show speaks about the binary ast of the word “grace”. When hink about the word, your first ght would be that of “good will”, n reality, it also has unthinkable cussions. All of us tried to relate oncept on our paintings from that we thank the universe for the happy ositive energy it gave us and the ort that we gained from everyone,” Sol Cruz shared. every historical movement, more than not, you would see—not old e—but the younger generations at refront, fighting and suffering for that would seem radically extreme at period of time, but then would ally evolve into the normalcy and icalities of everyday life, which I , the style of Neo-expressionism y encapsulates.

At face-value, it looks chaotic, dishevelled, and lack any meaning, but look at it closer and it reveals the true reflection of life and what it truly is—a snake that’s eating its own tail, confused. That is why there is respite in the creation of Neoexpressionism art, its vibrancy and fun palette tries to overcome the darkness of its subject, as our society does—blindly following daily routines and appreciating the minutest of splendours which life gracefully present once in a while.

The “Thy Grace” exhibit was held at The Morning Light Art Shop and Gallery from September 20-28, 2019. The exhibitors, as do I, would like to thank the supportive community of Davao City who have transformed into a people of art-lovers (and purchasers!); and we are grateful for all the active hard work of the trailblazing Davao Artists who

excited this movement from the get-go.

Despite the pessimism that comes with being alive and living, I leave you with a quote from one of my favourite series of modern streaming entertainment, and hopefully it will philosophically comfort you: “The more human I become, the less things make sense; but that’s part of the fun, right? If there were an answer I could give you to how the universe works, it wouldn’t be special; it would just be machinery fulfilling its cosmic design—it would just be a big dumb food processor. But since nothing seems to make sense, when you find something or someone that does, it’s euphoria...isn’t that remarkable? ”—Janet, ‘The Good Place’.

You can connect with me at: @introspectionandfiction and https://thekatcloset.wixsite.com/thekatcloset.

Disarma, Mayo Christian Hope “MC Hope” Loayon matic weapon. Cold light contrasts with a limited palette accented by the color of blood. Balasabas deals with issues on the body. Villagonzalo’s works are inflected by gender concerns and social commentary, with her images body parts conflated with fruits dancing together.

Bongawan’s works examine the ecocritical and the role of the youth in a precarious earth.” added Boquiren.

Lupa opened last October 1 and will run until the 15th of October.

They Relocate us by Burning, Kim Vale

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ICONIC LABELS FUELED WITH YOUTHFUL ENERGY Snapshots of streetwear informs this Fall Winter collection, with stretchable overalls and comfy oversized sweatshirts in sun-kissed yellow and dark forest green.

Smiley logos in distinct positions on Lee’s pieces give this

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Decorative texts of Lee x Smiley also run across the front and sleeves of rider jackets, as well as the new utilitarian belt bags which can be worn in multiple ways. These matching street style denim outfits are perfect casual looks with attitude.

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When Muring was about to hand a sachet of shabu in exchange of P1, 500 cash, to a police agent acting as a poseur-buyer, the operatives immediately arrested the suspects.

Seized from the possession of Muring were seven sachets of shabu with a total worth P10, 500 and a 9mm pistol while the service pistol of Colita was also taken by the operatives.

Police Regional Of�ice (PRO) 11 regional director Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales presented the suspects to the media in a press briefing on Thursday morning at the DCPO Conference Room.

Morales bared that despite the successful operations, he had mixed emotions to know one of the suspects is a policeman.

"I am furious and sad at the same time that despite the efforts of the command to guide and mold our police of�icers in the region to be the best in their given �ield," he said.

Morales said that with the incident, he also ordered the relief of Capt.

Merlito Tubog, station commander of Marilog Police Station for command responsibility and Maj. Muring for failure to advise his brother to stop the illegal activity.

For his part, Talomo

Police Station commander Ronald Lao said the subject of the operation was Muring since he was nabbed before for possesion of illegal drugs in a checkpoint in Barangay Lasang.

Lao said after the arrest of Muring, the latter posted bail and also availed a plea bargaining agreement, but he was monitored going back to his illegal activity.

In the case of Colita, Lao said he was present during the operation since he was serving as the protector of Muring.

The name of Colita , however, has been mentioned from the drug suspects arrested from previous illegal drugs operation.

delegates attended the three-day business seminar that opened on Oct. 2.

Dayap said there are several Japanese companies who are into waste-to-energy (WTE) businesses, waste and composting facilities, manufacturing, and tourism sectors.

She said primarily the gain of the city from the said business forum is investments. She added that if they do business here there is a huge gain in terms of generating job op-

portunities and income as well as additional revenue for Davao City.

“Thankful Kaayo ko nga naay industries nga ingon Ana that will help promote Davao City in the tourism aspect and also promote Davao City as an investment destination,” she said.

Dayap said potential industries for investments include manufacturing, food processing, and automobile.

“In terms of area for industrial parks we really

dont have. So Isa sa mga paningkamotan sa Davao City and DCIPC is to look for the possibility and if it is feasible for us to put up an industrial park but as of now there are other LGUs who are willing to host them but we would like to see Davao to have one. We further hope to bring them here and we are looking forward na makakita jud sila ug partners in Davao City so that they can start doing business here,” Dayap said.

with the help of AFP nga kailangan diay ug eskwelahan. A primary school was opened in the area. Gihinay hinay pud namo ug address tong mga immediate needs of the barangays,” Baay said.

Peace 911 is closely working with the barangay captains in the said district to address problems on water, infrastructure, and capacitate farmers to improve their yields and market their products.

“There are existing considators of their products. Pero ang margin sa price nga ginahatagan sa ila baba ra Kaayo. Based on my observation lisod ang kinabuhi sa atong mga igsoon nga naa sa Paquibato District and other areas in�luenced by the peace challengers,” said Baay.

A synergy of projects to Paquibato District, he stressed, is needed to address their immediate needs.

“Daghan program ang gobyerno. Ang uban programs wala natukma sa panginahanglan sa ground the synergy of projects of the National government is what needed ug inclusive projects for them,” he said.

He cited inaccessibility due to “fear” among reasons why some problems in Paquibato are not resolved.

“Seguro lamg kay ang Paquibato sauna dili masudlan for more than 40 years, now if we visit the area the Infra projects are visible such as concrete roads from Lacson to Malabog almost two ki-

lometers na lang wala na semento. Also now people of Paquibato can feel the basic services of the government. Ang kulang sa gobyerno kay synergy sa mga proyekto nga ihatag sa Paquibato,” Baay said.

He said with the cooperation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and military basic services slowly reached Paquibato District. “ Today the most challenging part in Peace 911 is to maintain that positive outlook and necessities in the area such as water system, roads, schools these are the things needed by the people of Paquibato.

Slowly, these are being addressed by the government with the help of government agencies,” he said.

By Maya M. Padillo

“The beautiful islands of Tawi-Tawi, with most of the vegetation still intact, are known to host terrestrial birds and endemic and migratory water birds.

However, the knowledge that we have about them,

including their behavior and distribution pattern, is limited,” she said.

Dr. Mundita-Lim said the ACB, as it taps into Tawi-Tawi’s biodiversity, hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the evolu-

tion of species in the rest of ASEAN. She said the baseline knowledge from Tawi-Tawi will have a signi�icant impact on the ongoing biodiversity conservation on a regional level.

"This has been a longed-for activity, considering that Mindanao has

not had anything like this ever. We want to stir up an art industry in the island

for it to become sustainable and pro�itable," Milan said. (PNA)

whether the surrenderers are authentic members of the NPA or Militia ng Bayan while also verifying the weapons being turned in.

Brig. Gen. Manuel Sequitin, the Army 701st Bri-

gade commander, hopes that with the �irearms remuneration, more rebels will be enticed to yield to the government and “take advantage of the many bene�its that await them upon their surrender.”

“In our statistics, more �irearms are being recovered as to its ratio with the NPA rebels,” Sequitin said, adding that, “this indicates that the NPA recruitment for new members is already weakening.” (PNA)

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

Accounting Clerks Qualifications: • BS Accountancy / Accounting Technology Graduate or any business related courses • Male/Female • Can work with minimum supervision • With or without experience

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AGRI... FROM4

RCEF seed program.

“They have outstanding track records and have been in the business for a long time. None of them are newly-registered, meaning, we have known them for a long time and they continue to step up their game to produce high-quality seeds that will help farmers to be productive,” he said.

“The 2 million bags of seeds that they will produce will be a tremendous boost to elevate the level of productivity in the countryside,” he added.

The seeds will be distributed among the 57 provinces with high-potential for competitiveness.

This is based on the size of area harvested, yield level, cost of production, and

share of irrigated area.

The municipalities and cities must also have an annual area of more than 500 hectares for the dry season 2019-2020. Eligible bene�iciaries must be listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Each can receive a maximum of four bags of inbred seeds depending on farm size for the October to December planting season.

“With the seed program of RCEF, we would like the Filipino rice farmers to be more productive, more competitive, and more pro�itable at the end of the day,” Dar said.

To ensure that only high-quality rice seeds will be distributed to farmers,

the DA chief said the regulation will be developmental oriented, with BPI constantly monitoring and overseeing that protocols and guidelines for seed production are followed.

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) will be assisting the rice farmers to achieve their optimum yield potential.

“The partnership will continue not only for the next six years. We will see to it that this will be a long-lasting partnership,” Dar said.

The MOA has a total value of PHP432.78 million, accounting for almost a quarter of the PHP2-billion fund released for the RCEF seed program.

(PNA)

the peak childbearing ages from 25 to 29.

"The disruption in active economic participa-

tion during this phase of the life cycle is observed only for women and not for men," the study said,

adding that a lack of affordable, trustworthy childcare services also held back women.

as food tasting and cooking demonstrations featuring its agricultural products.

Moreover, he said they are also boosting culture, art, and tourism promotion.

“We’ve been having slight increases over the years in tourism arrival from Russia. And they travel a lot to Southeast Asia.

Almost two million go to

Southeast Asia. The bulk goes to Thailand, about 1.4 million. We get about 30,000 to 35,000,” Sorreta said.

“So we need to exert more effort. There’s no doubt that Russians travel. They just need to know more about the Philippines and they travel to Southeast Asia,” he added.

Sorreta, meanwhile,

said he is con�ident that Duterte is in a “very great position to speak about the eastern perspective” in his bilateral meeting with Putin.

“We are located in the east. Our neighbors are all east and I think the President will have a very good perspective to share from that very unique point of view,” Sorreta said. (PNA)

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sure con�identiality in all matters pertaining to the disease as provided for in the National AIDS Law and other related policy issuances.

It added that those who are tested positive to HIV “is obliged to disclose his or her status and health condition to his or her spouse or sexual partner prior to engaging in penetrative sex or any potential exposure to HIV.” The HIV-positive person may also “opt to ask help from health providers in case of disclosure.”

Currently, there is no cure known for HIV but the virus can be controlled with proper medications called antiretrovirals. “These antiretrovirals are provided for free by the government,” Dr. Gangcuangco says. “With healthy lifestyle and if antiretrovirals are taken every day, people with HIV can have ‘undetectable’ virus in their blood.”

By “undetectable,” he means that the virus is still in the body but in very low amounts that it cannot be detected by the machine.

According to Dr. Gangcuangco, there are two bene�its of taking medications for HIV. First, it prevents HIV from destroying the immune system of someone with the virus. Second, it prevents the spread of HIV because the virus will also be very, very low in the semen and other body �luids.

Another good news: there is now a medication, when taken every day, can prevent HIV infection. It is called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP for short). “This medication is a

pill that contains antivirals,” explains Dr. Gangcuangco. “When HIV enters the body, a person who takes PrEP is protected against HIV infection. PrEP blocks the virus from reproducing in the body and is effective to prevent HIV transmission by more than 90%.”

Some years ago, the United Nations health agency issued a statement that said: “People at substantial risk of HIV infection should be offered PrEP as an additional prevention choice, as part of comprehensive prevention.”

Dr. Gangcuangco, however, dispel the idea that PrEP can now replace condoms and other preventive measures for HIV. On the contrary, PrEP should be offered together with them.

“PrEP is not meant to replace counseling and condom use but should be used as an adjunct to prevent HIV,” he explains.

According to the boyish-looking physician, HIV is not and should not be treated as a death sentence anymore.

“If HIV is detected early and if the patient takes antiretrovirals early,” he says, “the virus can be controlled. There is still no cure for HIV but the bad effects of the virus can be prevented if medications are taken early.”

His �inal words: “I urge everyone who has had unprotected sex to please have an HIV test in your nearest HIV treatment hub/social hygiene clinic. People with HIV need to get tested to prevent damage to their immune system that can cause infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, diarrhea that can lead to death.

Finding a connection with the country’s 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) hosting, Rosandich related that his father was one of the founding organizers of the Southeast

Asian Peninsula Games (SEAP), the precursor of the SEA Games before formally changing its name in 1975. He will be coming over to watch the Games in November.

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an “exhibition” in Tokyo, which Pacquiao blasted as “meaningless” and that he wanted a “real �ight”.

Pacquiao took another dig at Mayweather in Dubai, where he showed off his basketball skills in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League event (he scored 35 and 42 points in two games) at Hamdan Sports Complex, suggesting the American great wasn’t making ne-

gotiations for a rematch easy for anybody.

“Floyd, he came to Saudi [Arabia], Dubai and UAE [United Arab Emirates] many times looking for a �ight, but he is giving a hard time to the organisers, the promoter or the government [with] so many demands. I mean, he should not give the people here or the promoter here a hard time,” he said.

triathletes to train in the same place where the competitions will be held.

With the full support of

the PSC the Philippine team also previously trained in Johor Bahru and Putrajaya last year.

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NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ROSA S. DUMDUM-LIM died intestate on July 19,2016 at Davao City leaving parcels of land with TCT Numbers T-59710,T-267593,T-32468 has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE with waiver of share executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.87; Page No.18; Book No.63 Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. LANI M. GABUTERO 9/27,10/4,8 2019

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that category. Note that a maximum of two teams per gender can come from the same continent.

The �irst Olympic qualifying tournament will be staged in March 2020 and will feature 40 teams (20 per gender), quali�ied via the FIBA 3x3 federation tanking (taking into account universality criteria) or the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2019 (the medalists).

A total of 6 tickets (3 per gender) to the Olympics will be granted at the end of the event.

The universality Olympic qualifying tournament will offer a chance to win the last 2 tickets (1 per

gender) to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Twelve teams (6 per gender) will qualify, based on the FIBA 3x3 federation ranking and subject to not having been represented in basketball (irrespectively men or women) in the past 2 editions of the Olympic Games. This re�lects one of 3x3's missions to bring basketball to countries, which are not traditional basketball powerhouses.

The exact dates and locations of these 2 Olympic qualifying tournaments will be announced soon.

The 3x3 basketball event will be played on July 25-29, 2020.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE with Deed of Absolute Sale Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late FLORENCIA E. DENIEGA who died on January 6, 2013 at Aumbay, Samal District, Davao Del Norte, Philippines has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE with Deed of Absolute Sale executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.59; PageNo.13; Book No.178, Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY.FATIMA IRENE T. ADIN.

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NBA announces sports betting deal

N

Manny Pacquiao showed off his basketball skills in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League event in Dubai where he scored 35 and 42 points in two games at Hamdan Sports Complex.

BA of�icials announced a new partnership deal with sports bookmaker William Hill on Wednesday, making the England-based �irm an authorized sports betting operator of the league in the United States.

Under terms of tha deal, William Hill can utilize of�icial NBA betting data and league marks across mobile platforms and in its US sports books.

William Hill will be promoted on the NBA’s digital assets including the league’s website, app and social media platforms.

Ensuring the competitive integrity of NBA games will be a component of the deal.

The NBA and William Hill “will collaborate on best-in-class practices to protect the integrity of NBA games,” according to a joint statement.

“William Hill is a glob-

3x3 qualification system for Tokyo 2020 confirmed

Floyd has too many F demands: Manny

M

anny Pacquiao has con�irmed talks for a possible rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jnr have begun but complained that “Money” was giving promoters and governments a hard time with “so many demands”, South China Morning Post reported.

The reigning WBA super welterweight champion from the Philippines told the United Arab Emirates newspaper The National in Dubai last week that Pacquiao-Mayweather 2 could take

place – possibly in 2020 – but stressed they were only “preliminary discussions” and were far away from signing a formal agreement. Pacquiao and Mayweather fought in 2015 in what was the

PSC embarks on sports education partnership

T

he Philippines Sports Commission continues its efforts to improve sports education in the country by deepening its partnership with the United States Sports Academy (USSA).

USSA President Dr. Thomas Rosendich discussed with PSC Chairman William Ramirez last Friday, a future collaboration on what would be a “catalyst” for the development of sports in the country. Known as “America’s Sports Academy,” the USSA seeks to aid in uplifting sports excellence in the Philippines.

USSA is the only accredited sports educational institution offering bachelors, masters, and doctoral

degrees in sports science in the United States.

The optimization of the Philippine Sports Library became the highlight of the meeting. USSA gave their support in the sourcing of instructional materials and other learning resources to the Philippines, and also donating several reading materials.

Furthermore, the processing of the legal requirements of the lecturers were discussed.

Rosandich would also be inspecting the Philippine Sports Institute’s facilities in PSC-Philsports as renovations for the venue are undertaken before the slated International Diploma in Sports Management course early next year.

PSC, P10

richest boxing event in history with more than US$500 million generated, mainly from record 4.4 million pay-per-view sales.

Pacquiao is trying to lure the unbeaten 42-year-old American (50-0-0, 27 KOs) out of retirement and go toe-totoe with him again after the Filipino �ighter was hampered with a shoulder injury that required surgery in their 2015 clash.

Mayweather won that �ight by unanimous deci-

sion but the eight-division world champion “Pacman” (67-7-2, 39 KOs) wants to show the world he’s the better �ighter once and for all.

“My team and his team are talking right now.

This is just about negotiations, about the formal discussions. So I don’t know what will happen,” 40-year-old Pacquiao.

Last month, Mayweather suggested in a social media posting that he was working on a rematch with the Filipino in

FLOYD, P10

SPORTS EDUCATION. (L-R) PSI Grassroots Program Head Abby Rivera, PSC Legal Researcher II Diomarie Pedrozo, PSI National Director Marc Velasco, PSI Consultant and Adviser Dr. Sergio Opeña, USSA President

ally respected brand that has set an early standard for sports betting in the US market,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, NBA senior vice president and head of fantasy and gaming.

After a US Supreme Court decision last year opened the way for sports betting across the United States, William Hill expanded US sports betting operations to 10 states, with the company accepting one of every four bets placed in the United States.

William Hill struck a similar deal last March with the National Hockey League for an of�icial sports betting partnership.

Last month, the NBA announced that teams must submit starting lineups 30 minutes before tipoffs instead of merely 10, a move that will allow bettors and bookmakers more time to analyze the information.

IBA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have con�irmed the quali�ication process for the eight men's teams and the eight women's teams that will compete in the 3x3 event at the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year.

There will be three ways to qualify to the 3x3 event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: • Via the FIBA 3x3 federation ranking (4 spots per gender) • Via an Olympic qualifying tournament (3 spots per gender) • Via a universality Olympic qualifying tournament (1 spot per gender) After consultation with the IOC, it was agreed to grant an automatic ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to the Japanese national team (men or women) who ranks

highest in the FIBA 3x3 federation ranking.

The team of the other gender will get an automatic ticket to the Olympic qualifying tournament and, if not READ: PH con�ident in maintaining ranking for OQT ticket FIBA will announce the �irst eight teams – four per gender – that have quali�ied to the Tokyo Olympics on November 1. It will take place in Utsunomiya on the eve of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour �inal, and will be livestreamed.

These teams will be the four highest-placed countries per gender in the FIBA 3x3 federation ranking, except if Japan does not rank in the Top 4 in any gender. In this case their highest-ranked team will get a spot instead of the fourth best team in

3X3, P10

Dr.Thomas Rosendich, PSC Chairman William Ramirez, PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr., and PSC Executive Director Merlita Ibay during the meeting held at the RMSC building in Manila.

12 SPORTS

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VOL.12 ISSUE 149 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4-5, 2019

TRI THREE-PEAT Kim Mangrobang (first photo), Kim Kilgroe and Ma. Clare Adorna (second photo), and John Chinao (third photo).

PH triathletes seek three-peat title in SEAG T

he Philippine Triathlon Team is con�ident to retain the Southeast Asian Games crown for the third straight edition.

The SEA Games-bound Philippine National Triathletes is on track in their SEAG preparations with their impressive results at the 2019 ASTC Acaba Triathlon Asian Cup in Acaba, Jordan last Friday.

2017 SEA Games gold medalist Kim Mangrobang �inished 5th with a record of of 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 25 seconds, Filipino-American Kim Kilgroe placed 7th with 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 20 seconds while 2015 SEA Games champion Ma. Clare Adorna ranked 10th, clocking 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 48 seconds, all in the elite women’s category.

John Chicano and Edward Macalala �inished in 27th and 29th positions in the men's category.

Mark Hosana and Andrew Kim Remolino got eliminated failing to �inish the race.

Coach Melvin Fausto believes that the Philippines will dominate all six events in the upcoming 30th SEA Games as they did in the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games courtesy of Nikko Huelgas.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez is also con�ident that the Filipino triathletes will provide stiff competition to the other participating countries.

“Our athletes, through the proper management of

their coaches and the national sports associations, have remained deep in focus as they aim for medal victories in the Sea Games, They are also aware that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are just around. The SEA Games will be a takeoff point for some of them.

Let us support their bids and pray for their victory,” Ramirez said.

John Chicano and Andrew Kim Remolino are the country's entries in the men's Triathlon individual competition while defending champion Kim Mangrobang and Kim Kilgroe will vie for the women's individual gold in the event.

Emmanuel Kimpan Comendador and Jarwyn Banatao are competing in the men's duathlon while Jelsie Sabado and Monica Torres are the country's entries in the distaff side.

The Philippine mixed triathlon team is composed of Chicano, Mangrobang, Kilgroe, Ma. Claire Adorna and Filipino-Spanish Fer Caseres.

The Duathlon mixed team is made up of Emmanuel Commendador, Joey Delos Reyes, Monica Torres and Mary Pauline Fornea.

Efraim Hamadon Iñigo is the team's reserve player in the mixed duathlon event.

Fausto says that Singapore and Thailand are still the biggest threats for the golds. With the ongoing training of the team in New Clark City, Fausto added that it is best for

TRI THREE-PEAT, P10