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Zamboanga City, Philippines

Sept. 17-23, 2012

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan and other ARMM governors and politicians take their oath July this year as new members of the ruling Liberal Party of President Benigno Aquino in Manila. And in Zamboanga City, T he Movement for Sustainable Good Governance has endorsed Sulu Governor Sakur Tan as the official candidate of the Aquino administration to the ARMM polls. At least 30 civil society organizations from the five-province Muslim autonomous region passed the manifesto following a summit in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales) AN UMBRELLA organization of civil society groups in Mindanao has endorsed the governor of Sulu province as the government’s official candidate to next year’s elections in the Muslim autonomous region.

The Movement for Sus- Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and tainable Good Governance, Lanao provinces, including whose members include at the cities of Lamitan and least 30 civil society organi- Marawi. zations from the five-province “Gov. Sakur Tan has all Muslim autonomous region, the good qualities of a true passed a resolution and a leader and as representative of manifesto endorsing Gov. the Muslim people; we have Sakur Tan to President endorsed the Sulu governor to Benigno Aquino. be the official candidate of the Tan, who recently Aquino administration to the joined Aquino’s Liberal Party upcoming ARMM elections in along with other provincial May.” governors and mayors, was “The civil society orgaearlier endorsed by the Moro nizations strongly support the National Liberation Front to leadership of Gov. Sakur Tan the President as the official LP because of his genuine and uncandidate for the elections in tainted political career and the Autonomous Region in sincerity to serve the people Muslim Mindanao.

The Muslim region is and bring peace, progress and composed of Basilan, Sulu, development not only to Sulu

ARMM

province, but to the whole of the ARMM,” said Dr. Amildasa Annil, the leader convener and president of the Movement for Sustainable Good Governance.

The manifesto was passed following the 1st Zamboanga-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi CSO Summit held recently in Zamboanga City.

Some 300 CSO members from Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Zamboanga City participated in the summit sponsored by two of the country’s largest sardine canning factories, the Mega Sardines and Amadeo Fishing Corporation.

“We, the undersigned, convener and members of the Movement for Sustainable Good Governance in the Au-

Northern Mindanao

Davao

tonomous Region (in Muslim Mindanao), imbibing the true essence of political participatory governance, asserting the advocacy of social justice, promotion and protection of the basic constitutional rights of the Bangsamoro people, and the entire constituents of the Autonomous Region, do hereby declare and manifest to the Public and to his Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III...after due discussions and deliberations in a summit assembled, We, therefore, adopt and resolved this manifesto to call and declare our full support for the candidacy of the Provincial Governor of Sulu, Governor Abdusakur M. Tan as the next Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim

Manila

Mindanao,” reads the signed manifesto, a copy of which was obtained by the Mindanao Examiner.

Ustadz Noreen Pallong, Basilan provincial convener and internal vice president of the Movement for Sustainable Good Governance, said they will also hold a similar summit in the cities of Cotabato and Marawi, and Davao, to further spread the strong clamour of the Muslims for Tan’s candidacy.

“There is a strong clamour from various Muslim civil society organizations and Bangsamoro people for the Sulu governor to govern the ARMM and bring peace and development to the region and progress to all its provinces and constituents. Governor

Tan is the only leader we see fit to be the next ARMM governor,” he said.

Pallong, an influential Muslim religious leader in Basilan, said provincial constituents are strongly supporting Tan. Tan, a known philanthropist and one of the most respected politicians, in the southern Philippines, did not give any statement about the manifesto, but he previously said that he is willing to serve should Aquino chooses him to be the official ARMM candidate in the synchronized regional and national elections.

Tan, a religious man, also sits as an observer to the government peace talks with Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Peninsula

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Sept. 17-23, 2012

More peace and development projects lined up for Sulu

Photos released by the Sulu provincial goverment show Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles and Governor Sakur Tan with Maimbung mayor Samier Tan and other provincial and municipal officials during the inauguration of the P25 -million market place.

SULU - “(This is) a place of convergence and will showcase the abundance of potential for economic enterprise of Maimbung and the province as a whole,” and this was how Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles described the P25million Maimbung Integrated Public Market which she recently inaugurated along with Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and Mayor Samier Tan. The market project is tion of the modern market is under the Payapa at the commitment of President Masaganang Pamayanan or Benigno Aquino to the people Peaceful and Resilient Com- of Sulu though the provincial munities) program, which is government. “It is also a way Aquino government’s peace for the people to realize the and development framework benefits from government gofor empowering conflict-af- ing down to the grassroots and fected areas in the country. to send a strong signal that the Deles said the inaugura- government is serious in mak-

ing peace a reality in conflictprone areas,” she said.

Provincial and municipal officials led by Tan expressed their gratitude to the President and his peace adviser for taking cognizance of the needs and aspirations of the locals and taking concrete actions by funding projects which will help improve the lives of the people.

“We are so thankful to the President and to all those who continuously hear the people’s pleas for peace and development assistance and to

Secretary Deles, who has been very supportive of our efforts, we also thank you and all government agencies which contributed largely to various projects in Sulu,” Tan said.

Tan also called on market stall holders to maintain cleanliness and conduct business in an orderly manner to make the marketplace conducive for good economic enterprise.

“The project is one way to improve the lives of our people. This is a big step in pursuing improve economic

activities in this municipality,” the local mayor said.

He said the market is now open for business and is fast becoming a trade center for other towns near Maimbung. Several restaurants are also opening soon in Maimbung, including a coldstorage and school that will give free fisheries and agricultural education to the locals.

Tan said other noted projects in Sulu include the Provincial Women’s Council, a hospital and site of the proposed new textile building in

the capital town of Jolo, housing and other infrastructure programs.

Telecommunication giant, Globe Telecom, also installed a new cell site, making mobile communication in Maimbung and other areas possible.

“We have so many development projects and all these are for the people of Sulu. We want peace and progress and development so we may again bring back the good old glory of Sulu as a major trading hub in the South,” Tan said.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Five influential politicians in the southern Philippines have joined the ruling party of President Benigno Aquino and vowed to support his administration and program in Mindanao. The five politicians are all governors in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – Dr. Sakur Tan, of Sulu province; Jum Akbar, of Basilan; Mamintal Adiong, Jr., of Lanao del Sur; Esmael Mangudadatu, of Maguindanao; and Sadikul Sahali, of Tawi-Tawi.(Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)

Sept. 17-23, 2012

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Sept. 17-23, 2012

Poll body disqualifies ex-Zamboanga Norte congressman Romeo Jalosjos from voter's list

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Commission on Elections has disqualified former Zamboanga del Norte Congressman Romeo Jalosjos, Sr., to vote in Zamboanga City where he is running for mayor in the May 2013 local and national elections.

The Election Registration voter here because of his conBoard (ERB) ruled in favor of viction. the petition filed by “We at the Liberal Party Zamboanga City Congress- are delighted by this developwoman Maria Isabelle ment and we commend the Salazar, who is also gunning ERB for upholding the rule of for the mayoralty post. law and for resolving our opSalazar, also the House position in a prompt and juDeputy Speaker who belongs dicious manner.” to the ruling Liberal Party of “We also laud the memPresident Benigno Aquino, bers of the ERB for displayand her supporters and politi- ing impartiality, fairness and cal allies in Zamboanga City, righteousness for the duration praised the ERB for uphold- of the proceedings despite ing the petition they filed to frantic efforts to confuse and disqualify Jalosjos from the muddle the issues before local voter’s registration. them, it is clear that the Board Jalosjos, who was con- has a clear appreciation of the victed in 1997 for raping an underlying question that 11-year old girl, was able to needed to be answered – register with the Commission whether or not Mr. Jalosjos is on Elections in Zamboanga disqualified to register as a City, but this was opposed by voter by virtue of his convicSalazar on the grounds that tion of the crimes of (two the former politician is dis- counts of) Statutory Rape and qualified to register as a new (six counts of) Acts of Lasciviousness,” Salazar said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

Jalosjos insisted his rights to suffrage, adding he had served his sentence, but Salazar said Jalosjos who was sentenced to suffer “reclusion perpetua” and “reclusion temporal” for each count of his crimes.

The penalty for reclusion perpetua shall be from 20 years, while reclusion temporal is from 12 years. And Salazar said Jalosjos was Former Zamboanga del Norte granted a mere commutation Congressman Romeo Jalosjos, of sentence by then President Sr. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) Gloria Arroyo in 2007 which

The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Gregorri Leaño Francisco Mendoza III Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales ARMM

Giovanni Solmerano Eastern Mindanao

Merlyn Manos Iligan City

Geonarri Solmerano Southern Mindanao

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Asa Madale Lanao Provinces Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Sibugay/Zamboanga del Sur/Zamboanga del Norte John Shinn III California The Mindanao Examiner Newspaper/Business Week/Mindanao Daily is published weekly/daily in Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao, Philippines.

The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in Skycable 54 in Zamboanga; Lupah Sug Cable in Sulu province and Basilan Cable in Basilan province.

Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: +63 62 9925480 Mobile: +63 9152756606 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

House Deputy Speaker and Zamboanga City Congresswoman Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and her supporters in this photo from the lawmaker's social media page. resulted in the reduction of his original sentence.

“In other words, Mr. Jalosjos was not granted an

absolute pardon. Official records with the Bureau of Corrections also show that Mr. Jalosjos was discharged

from the National Bilibid Prison only on March 18, 2009, less than the 5-year period prescribed under the

Voter’s Registration Act. Our laws are very clear and explicit on this matter,” Salazar said.

Jalosjos’ group said they would appeal the decision of the ERB. Salazar has appealed to citizens to stay vigilant and protect their votes in next year’s polls.

“While we are extremely pleased with this development, the ERB resolution is merely the first step in our crusade to uphold the rule of law and ensure that it applies equally to everyone. We foresee further battles ahead.

Thus, I implore our people to maintain consciousness and vigilance in the coming days in order to ensure that our initial gains will be protected, that the rule of law will be upheld, and that no man, regardless of his wealth, influence or social stature, will be allowed to circumvent our laws and gain undue advantage at the expense of our people,” she said.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, who is on his third and last term, also lauded the ERB decision and rallied the locals to support Salazar, one of the most respected politicians in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sept. 17-23, 2012

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Sept. 17-23, 2012

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Sept. 17-23, 2012

HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE COAL?

MANILA - The fight against coal has always been a battle between David and Goliath.

Stories from host communities themselves can attest to the fact that power, authority and deception are the tactics used to coerce people into “accepting” coal projects.

Energy is a burgeoning problem for the Philippines therefore the only way to address it is thru coal energy – a line that is often repeated by the Department of Energy.

The premise may be correct but the conclusion is absolutely wrong. The Philippines is rich in renewable energy. We need not look far or dig deep for coal when we have renewable energy whose fuel is virtually free and limitless.

Just recently, Greenpeace along with anti-coal communities from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao came together in a National Anti-Coal Summit ‘to raise their opposition to coal, reassert their rights to a safe and healthy environment, and to demand that the government reverse all coal projects immediately’. This initiative saw the formation of a Nationwide Anti-Coal Network, the Anti COALition and the signing of the AntiCoal Manifesto.

COAL IS NOT CHEAP

The quest for energy has left our government scrambling for the “cheapest” option, which is coal. This myopic view that coal is cheap is not true. It only refers to the business cost and underestimates the construction cost, and cost overruns. Given the historic rise of the price of

coal, due in large part to the direct correlation of oil & coal prices globally, we run the risk of putting ourselves hostage to price volatility.

The failure to assign a risk factor for coal-fired power plants where it is economically flawed shows that government as well as power producers have failed to understand the economic realities of coal energy. As the cost of finite fossil fuels continues to increase, renewable energy is becoming more competitive in an increasing range of circumstances & countries.

In developed countries, coal projects are quickly being cancelled and abandoned, as the upside-down economic model for coal-fired power has clearly been proven untenable.

It has become clear that coal economics is deteriorating.

TRUE COST OF COAL From mining, burning to disposal of coal, every link in the chain of custody causes irreparable damage to people and the planet. The true cost of coal, which is not included in the accounting ledger or business cost model of coal proponents, include climate change, toxic pollution, destroyed livelihoods, displaced communities, health effects on the respiratory and nervous systems, acid rain, smog pollution, water scarcity and reduced agricultural yields.

At the centre of it all, bearing the brunt of the impacts and the costs are the host communities – the marginalized sections of society who live near power plants that are affected.

Communities from exist-

ing coal-fired power plants in the Philippines have seen the dire effects of coal. In the beginning, coal proponents come in as bearers of hope with promises of employment and a better life. However, apart from the basketball courts, barangay clinics and fiestas that they sponsor, they leave nothing but devastation and destruction in their wake.

Greenpeace conducted a study on fly ash from 5 coalfired power plants in the Philippines. The results show the presence of toxic elements such as aresnic, chromium, lead & mercury that can cause poisoning, cancer, neurotoxicity and developmental effects in the fetus.

It may sound coldhearted to weigh a human being’s life against the cost of a product, even one as valuable as electricity – but that is what it all boils down to. The pollution and irreparable damage from coal-fired power plants impose significant social costs that far outweigh the retail value of the electricity from coal.

COAL LOCK-IN These coal plants would lock the Philippines into three to four decades of reliance on this dirty and harmful fossil fuel. Coal contravenes the Renewable Energy Law. Every coal power plant built prevents renewable energy projects from taking off, with coal taking over the demand in the market that could otherwise have been supplied by RE. DOE has said that RE will be mainstreamed only by 2017. Why wait until 2017 when these can be developed and harnessed today? By then, coal projects would’ve locked us to a lifetime of coal, thereby edging out opportunity for renewable energy to flourish.

COAL IS EQUALS TO CLIMATE CHANGE Coal fired power plants are the biggest source of manmade CO2 emissions, making coal energy the single greatest threat facing our climate.

In 2011, the Philippines topped the list of most disaster prone countries in the world, following the weatherrelated calamities which claimed over 3,000 lives, affected 15.3 million Filipinos, and resulted in economic losses of over 26 billion pesos. It is a narrative that we have all become familiar with – what we are experiencing now is the ‘new normal’.

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable yet least prepared to deal with the anticipated and escalating impacts of climate change – the greatest humanitarian and environmental threat the world faces today.

While it is true that the industrialized countries have the greatest share of responsibility to avert the climate crisis, it should not be construed as an excuse for developing countries to continue "mimicking the destructive path that is pushing the climate to a tipping point the world may never recover from".

GO RENEWABLE For the Philippines, Greenpeace sees a target of 50% RE by 2020. It is ambitious but realistic. This is a golden opportunity for the government, particularly the Department of Energy, to implement and enforce the Renewable Energy Law. It is also the main agency responsible for translating the vision of the National Renewable Energy Plan into reality.

President Aquino, who

has committed to phase out of coal and the immediate implementation of the Renewable Energy Law, said that renewable energy will fuel our future. The decisions being made by Energy Secretary Almendras must be mindful of delivering the commitment made by the President. If he cannot implement the RE Law and phase out coal, then he is doing a disservice not only to the President, but to the Filipino people who are his

“bosses.” As a public servant he should be serving the interests of the people, and not the coal industry. If he cannot be held accountable to uphold the interests of the Filipino people, then he must make way for a visionary leader who will make this sustainable future possible for the Philippines. (By Anna Abad. The author is a climate and energy campaigner at Greenpeace SEA-Philippines.)

NPA rebels own up attack on civilians DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels have apologized to civilian victims of a grenade attack that targeted soldiers guarding a circus show in the southern Philippine city of Davao.

The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division has earlier tagged communist insurgents as behind the attack that left at least 47 people wounded. Officials said among those wounded in the September 1 attack in Paquibato district were 13 minors.

Rebel forces are actively operating in Davao City, especially in the outskirts where they have put up bases.

Rigoberto Sanchez, a rebel spokesman for the New People’s Army – Merardo Arce Command, said “the NPA will take concrete mea-

sures to indemnify the victims consistent with the principles of revolutionary justice and the policies governing the New People's Army and the revolutionary movement.”

He said the Merardo Arce Command takes full responsibility for the September 1 attack at a military detachment in the village of Fatima in Paquibato district.

“The NPA issues this self-criticism to apologize to the public and the families for the scores of casualties, including children,” he said in a statement to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner, adding the rebel group “erred in considering the circumstances, combat intelligence and all pertinent operational information in instigating the NPA action.”

“The NPA's 1st Pulang Bagani Company made a

wrong decision in initiating a tactical offensive against the AFP detachment located in a civilian population,” Sanchez said.

The rebel group has begun an investigation and is ready to take appropriate courses of action, to include among others, disciplinary action on the responsible unit.

“The NPA stands firm for justice and truth and is prepared to rectify mistakes.

By issuing this unflinching public apology and self-criticism, the NPA abides with the principled standpoint, viewpoint and method adopted by the NPA and the revolutionary movement,” Sanchez said.

The NPA is fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country.

(Mindanao Examiner)

8 Migrants group slams RP officials in Saudi Arabia

MANILA – The migrants’ rights group in the Middle East has criticized Philippine labor and welfare officials and accused them of delaying the repatriation and for failing to provide adequate assistance to a 72-year old sick Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, citing reports from Migrante officers in Jeddah, identified the Filipino worker as Mateo Amaro, who hailed from Caloocan City.

“Amaro is suffering from diabetes and tuberculosis, and no doubt his health is deteriorating as shown on his latest photo sent to us by our colleagues in Jeddah,” Monterona said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said Amaro has been working without proper documents in Saudi Arabia for the past 20 years.

“His being undocumented deprived him to be home, just like the thousands of undocumented overseas Filipino workers, and reunite with his family,” Monterona said.

He said Migrante officers and members in Jeddah contributed to provided an air ticket for Amaro.

“Though we already paid and secured an air ticket for OFW Amaro, still he could not be repatriated pending the issuance of exit clearance from his sponsor-employer,” Monterona said.

He said Migrante officers in Jeddah keep on following up his repatriation from the Philippine Labor Attaché Vicente Cabe and a certain Qassim, an OWWA welfare

officer in Jeddah, but both simply ignored their appeals.

“If only our Migrante officers in Jeddah are in a position and authority to talk and negotiate with OFW Amaro’s employer for the issuance of his exit clearance, then they’re more than willing to do so,” Monterona said.

Monterona noted that just recently, Philippine Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz issued an order to labor officials abroad to be ready to serve Filipino workers, but this does not hold true in the case of Amaro.

“We call on Secretary Baldoz and Welfare Administrator Dimzon to recall and replace Labor Attache Vicente Cabe and Welfare Officer Qassim, as both were negligent on their respective duties and have been a subject of numerous complaints from distress OFWs,” Monterona said.

The Mindanao Examiner

Sept. 17-23, 2012

Motorists amazed by Zambo cop’s dedication to dut dutyy Motorists in Zamboanga City were amazed when the saw a lone police officer manning a traffic intersection despite a driving rain.

The unidentified officer, clad in vinyl raincoat and water-soaked black leather shoes, was spotted manning the traffic all alone at the intersection

of Tumaga village during rush hour.

Motorists blew their horn in admiration as they passed by the traffic policeman, who continued doing his job despite the bad weather.

The rare scene was witnessed by many motorists.

(Mindanao Examiner)

A photo released by the Migrante-Middle East to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner shows Filipino worker Mateo Amaro.

‘Gulayan sa Paaralan’ project successful in Davao Oriental

The successful “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project in Davao Oriental’s Lupon town.

DAVAO CITY – Philippine troops and students and their teachers have participated in the Harvest Festival in the southern province of Davao Oriental, an army spokesperson said.

Lt. Ice Achanzar said the festival yielded over 30 kilos of bitter gourd and 1,000 bundles of Chinese cabbage from the 400-square meter of vegetable farm in the town of Lupon.

She said government militias and soldiers from the 72nd Infantry Battalion were joined by students and teachers from the Tagugpo High School, including village officials. The farm is where the army maintains a patrol base on the request of municipal officials and civilians to protect them from lawless elements.

Achanzar said military detachment “Gulayan” is among the model projects on vegetable production using organic fertilizer especially prepared by the CAFGU Active Auxiliary and army soldiers who were trained by the

A lone cop mans a traffic intersection despite a driving rain in the village of Tumaga in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines and motorists blow their horn as they pass by to show their admiration to the hardworking policeman. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) Department of Agriculture.

Lt. Benedict Joy Corpuz, commander of the battalion’s Bravo Company, said they would extend technical expertise and manpower to train and assist the so-called “Gulayan sa Paaralan Projects’ and will expand this to other areas.

“We hope to motivate and organize youth and students to support Gulayan sa Paaralan Project and hopefully encourage them to bring the technol-

ogy in their respective homes having Davao Oriental being rich in agricultural lands,” Col. Reuben Basiao, the battalion commander, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

Basiao said they are putting efforts to transform the CAFGU Active Auxiliary, involving in various community-based activities to support the local chiefs in their respective areas in creating productive and secure communities.

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Sept. 17-23, 2012

ARMY VOWS TO HUNT DOWN AMBUSHERS OF ZAMBO TRIBE CHIEF PAGADIAN CITY – The Philippine Army has vowed to help police forces in hunting down other assailants tagged as behind the ambush of a tribal chieftain and his son in Zamboanga del Sur province in Mindanao.

Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said he ordered troops to help the provincial police in tracking down those behind the ambush that killed a 12-year old son, Jordan Manda, of Timuay Luciano Manda.

Manda was also wounded in the attack this month that occurred in the town of Bayog.

"We will continue to support the police in this investigation in order to apprehend other personalities involved in this heinous crime," Cruz told the regional newspaper, Mindanao Examiner.

Soldiers from the 53rd Infantry Battalion and policemen had captured two men implicated in the ambush that also left the tribal leader wounded.

The suspects - Coloy Entag, 26, and Marlon Luao, 25, - were captured in the village of Conacon, where Manda, a Subanon tribal leader, is also the village chieftain.

Manda has positively identified the two men as their alleged attackers.

Luao was arrested following a chase in Conacon village while his accomplice had been nabbed in a hideout also in Bayog town. Several weapons were seized by soldiers and policemen from Luao.

Cruz said criminal charges have been filed against the suspects in the ambush and that authorities are investigating the motive of the attack or who was the mastermind behind it.

Cruz commended the sol-

diers for assisting the local police in their investigation that led to the arrest of Entag and Luao.

Manda was bringing his son to school when six gunmen ambushed them near the village of Conacon. The motive of the attack is still unknown.

He also denied published reports which branded him as an anti-mining advocate. He said he did not release any statement and that nobody interviewed him either personally, by phone or text message.

The Alyansa Tigil Mina, an anti-mining group, in a news statement sent to media, quoted Manda as saying: “In my effort to assert our rights and to protect our people and ancestral domain, my beloved son was sacrificed. It is very painful and I thirst for justice.

I vow to continue my struggle in order not to make my son's death in vain. I need your support in this most trying time of my life as a father and a leader.”

Manda also denied making such statement to the group. “While I appreciate the sympathy of some groups about what happened and their condemnation to the assailants, I cannot afford to make this matter as their avenue for expressing their antimining advocacy to which I do not subscribe.”

“To set the record straight, I am not anti-mining.

I am instead anti-illegal mining. I am a government official - a barangay captain of Barangay Conacon, Municipality of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur - and I swore to uphold the law. We have our laws in mining and other environmental laws. On the other hand, I am calling the attention of those who mine of those who are planning to mine in our ancestral lands

Zambo folks air concerns over asphalt factory pollution ZAMBOANGA CITY – Villagers have complained about the air pollution caused by thick smoke billowing from a huge chimney of a factory in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga.

One resident said the factory produces asphalt and usually operates at night in the village of Boalan. Local health inspectors have surveyed the area during day

time, but it was not immediately known why the factory operates during the night.

It was not immediately known whether Department of Environment and Natural Resources o its local counterpart inspected the factory.

Residents fear the pollution would cause respiratory and other health problems, particularly to children and those who have weak immune system. (Mindanao Examiner)

without valid or legal documents to stop now. You only bring trouble in our peaceful community and destruction to our environment,” Manda said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

Manda called on those who are into illegal mining activities in Bayog, but are not from the town, to stop exploiting the indigenous people leave now.

He also appealed to President Benigno Aquino to stop the illegal mining activities in Bayog town. “There must be something wrong why the law cannot be enforced effectively in our place. Let this tragic incident be a wake-up call to all government officials concerned,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III gestures during an interview with the Mindanao Examiner newspaper.

225 OFWs in Syria seek refuge in RP Embassy MANILA - Some 225 Filipino workers have sought refuge at the Philippine embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus as they await emergency repatriation to escape the strife in the Western Asian nation.

Syria has waived the Filipinos’ exit visa following a negotiation by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario to allow the workers to leave the country.

Operasyon vs. ASG tuloy sa Basilan Ipinagutos ng Philippine Army sa mga tropa nito sa Basilan na tugusin ang grupong Abu Sayyaf na siyang nasa likod ng mga ambush ng mga rubber farm workers sa magulong lalawigan.

Samantala, inilabas naman ni Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commander ng 1st Infantry Division, ang mga nasa likod ng ambush

nitong buwan lamang sa bayan ng Sumisip na pumatay sa isang sibilyan at 36 rin ang sugatan sa pag-atake ng mag rebelde sa truck ng mga biktima.

Nakilala ang mga lider ng Abu Sayyaf na may kinalaman sa atake na sina Wims Wakil, Umair Wakil, Abul Wakil, Madie Sahirin, Kursie Sahirin at Cabot

The migrant’s rights group called Migrante-Middle East has welcomed the Syria’s decision to waive the required exit visa or clearance for some 225 Filipino workers who are temporarily seeking refuge at the Philippine Embassy in Damascus.

“While we welcome the Syria waiver on exit visa clearances so that the 225 stranded OFWs could be repatriated, the DFA honchos should have done this last year,” John Leonard Monterona, Migrante’s regional coordinator, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

OFW refers to overseas Filipino workers.

He noted that the public and various OFW groups have been demanding in the past from the Department of Foreign Affairs to assess the deteriorating peace and order condition in Syria so that an appropriate evacuation and repatriation plan have promptly been implemented by the Philippine government without waiting for the situation to deteriorate.

Atatul.

“The cooperation of the civilian populace with the military and police should continue so that we may prevent future terror attacks in the province,” ani Cruz sa panayam ng Mindanao Examiner.

Personal na tinututukan ni Cruz ang operasyon ng militar sa Basilan at umapela ito sa mga sibilyan na ipagatuloy ang kanilang

Monterona said the lives and safety of the stranded OFWs have been compromised by the late action of the Philippines to negotiate for the exit visas of the workers.

He said there are still a considerable numbers of OFWs still trapped in Syria where pro-democracy groups are fighting oppressive government forces.

“To our conservative estimates, there are still around 2,000 OFWs trapped all over Syria, awaiting to be rescued and evacuated, aside from those 225 Filipinos now housed at the Philippine embassy,” he said.

“It is not yet mission accomplished. Evacuation efforts to secure our fellow OFWs in safe refuges are still wanting, and it’s the most difficult task. The Philippine government through the DFA must continue to explore with the Syria govt. how the remaining trapped OFWs all over Syria could be rescued and evacuated to safer places and eventually be repatriated,” he added. (Mindanao Examiner) pagbibigay ng impormasyon ukol sa mga rebelde at masasamang loob upang matuldukan na ang karahasan ng Abu Sayyaf.

"Civilians have been providing information about the rebel group and other lawless elements to police and military in Basilan and we are thankful to them for supporting us," wika pa ni Cruz.

(Mindanao Examiner)

10

The Mindanao Examiner

Sept. 17-23, 2012