Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (August 31-September 6, 2020)

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President Duterte disowns supporters, thumbs down ‘revolutionary government’ WHILE SUPPORTERS of President Rodrigo Duterte are pushing for the establishment of a revolutionary government and prolong his term, the Filipino leader rejected the campaign, saying, he did not even know the

people behind it.

Members of the socalled “Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee” or MRRD-NECC have been campaigning for the Duterte-led revolutionary government

which they claimed will help fast-track the establishment of federalism before the President’s term ends in 2022, according to a report by CNN Philippines.

The group said a Continue on page 2

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Committee National Convention at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on March 21, 2018. (PCOO)

Martial law, opposed!

‘Proclamation 55, Anti-Terror Law sufficient to fight terrorism’

S

Sulu multi-sectoral meeting called by Gov. Sakur Tan. Inset is Vice Gov. Toto Tan. (Jaques Tutong)

ULU REJECTED fresh proposals to place the province under martial law following the recent twin suicide bombings in the capital town of Jolo that killed and wounded dozens of people, mostly civilians.

Gov. Sakur Tan, who commanders led by Maj. called a multi-sectoral Gen. Corleto Vinluan, meeting to discuss the se- the chief of the Western curity situation there, lis- Mindanao Command; tened to participants and and Brig. Gen. Manuel leaders of various civil or- Abu, the regional police ganizations, academe, re- chief in the Muslim auligious and business sec- tonomous region. tors, including municipal “The meeting dismayors as they thumbed cussed several issues, down the martial law pro- ranging from the recent posals by Philippine Army twin bombings in the Chief, Gen. Cirilito Sobe- town of Jolo, to the efjana, and Philippine Na- forts of LGUs in combattional Police Chief, Gen. ing Covid-19 pandemic, Archie Gamboa. the suggestion to possiIt was also attended by bly impose martial law senior police and military Continue on page 3

Sayyaf readying attacks in West Mindanao captured

A police photo released to the Zamboanga Post newspaper shows Brig. Gen. Jesus Cambay Jr, the regional police chief, (left) and 2 other officials with captured Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Jamiul Nassalon in Zamboanga City.

ARMM

PAGADIAN CITY – Security forces recently captured a notorious Abu Sayyaf sub-leader that police said was plotting terror attacks in the Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines.

Brig. Gen. Jesus Cambay Jr, the regional police chief, said Jamiul Nassalon was tracked down in his hideout in Caliran village in Zamboanga Sibugay’s Mabuhay town.

“Presently, Jamiul Nassalon is in the process of organizing his group intended for another terroristic activity Continue on page 3

Eastern Mindanao

Virtual meeting of U. S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim, and Mayor Sara Carpio.

Davao gets U.S. donation DAVAO CITY – The United State donated some 1,450 hygiene kits and protective personal equipment for the local government,

Western Mindanao

adding, it will support Davao City’s efforts to address the coronavirus pandemic.

This was announced

Cebu

recently by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim, during a recent virtual conference Continue on page 3

Manila

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Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Tight security for Zambo

Mayor Beng Climaco speaks with military officials at the Zamboanga border.

ZAMBOANGA CITY tightened its security following the recent twin suicide bombings in the southern town of Jolo that killed over a dozen people and wounded many others.

Mayor Beng Climaco, who joined other security ang government officials in condemning the bloody attacks, ordered the local police force and military to step up efforts in securing Zamboanga and its people from threat of terrorism.

She told security commanders to “triple efforts to keep Zamboanga City safe and secure.”

Climaco also thanked the military’s Joint Task Force Zamboanga, the Marine Battalion Landing Tea, 11, the 24th Infantry Battalion, the local police force, the Coast Guard and all “force multipliers”for quickly responding to her heightened alert directives.

She said shortly after the explosions in Jolo, the military and the police immediately deployed sea and land patrols and personnel in downtown Zamboanga as part of precautionary measures.

The mayor also appealed to residents to stay vigilant and alert and cooperate with authorities by reporting suspicious individual or unattended bags and containers which could possibly contain explosives.

Suicide Bombers Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said the attacks were carried out by a pair of suicide bombers – one of them was an Indonesian widow of Abu Sayyaf suicide bomber Norman Lasuca, who blew himself up outside a military base and killed 8 people in Sulu’s Indanan town last year.

The other suicide bomber, he added, was

the wife of an Abu Sayyaf explosives expert Talha Jumsa, who was also slain in a clash with soldiers in Patikul town, also in Sulu.

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the first explosion was near two military trucks and followed by another blast minutes later while soldiers and policemen were rushing to the scene to aid the victims.

The 11th Infantry Division in Sulu said 8 soldiers and one policeman were killed and 24 soldiers and six policemen were also wounded in the bombings. It said six civilians also died and 48 others were injured in the attacks. “The severely wounded individuals were airlifted to Zamboanga City for more extensive medical care,” it said.

The Joint Task Force Sulu also imposed stricter security in Jolo following the daring attacks. “The Joint Task Force Sulu is implementing more stringent security measures to prevent further atrocities.

We urge the public to remain calm and be vigilant for suspicious individuals,” it said.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of soldiers, policemen, and civilians who perished and offered the ultimate sacrifice. Rest assured that we will bring into justice those who are responsible in these twin bombing incidents,” it added.

ISIS ISIS has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

Authorities said the Abu Sayyaf, a small group notorious for its brutal campaign for a self-rule and whose leaders pledged allegiance to ISIS, was behind the bombings.

The daring attacks occurred barely two weeks after security forces ar-

rested a senior Abu Sayyaf leader, Idang Susukan, from the house of former rebel chieftain Nur Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, in Davao City.

Susukan reportedly surrendered in April to Misuari in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, and brought him to Davao on a private jet to have him fitted with a prosthetic arm after losing one arm in a bloody battle with soldiers in the province.

It was unclear whether the twin bombings were in retaliation of the Abu Sayyaf for Susukan’s arrest.

U.S. Warning Just this month, the U.S. Department of State warned Americans to stay away from the restive southern region due to terrorism. “Do not travel to the Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. (And) Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest,” it said in an updated advisory August 7.

“Terrorist and armed groups continue plotting possible kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in the Philippines.

Terrorist and armed groups may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. The Philippine government has declared a State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence in Mindanao,” it added.

The bombings were timed while the country is battling the spread of the coronavirus that had killed nearly 3,000 people since the start of the pandemic in March. (Zamboanga Post)

Aug 31-Sept 6, 2020

President Duterte disowns supporters, thumbs down ‘revolutionary government’ Continued from page 1 revolutionary government is the way to go to heal “all the ills of our society” without amending the 1987 Constitution.

“Wala akong pakialam diyan, wala akong kilala sa mga tao na ‘yan, at hindi ko iyan trabaho,” he said.

But despite his denial, Duterte attended MRRD-NEC national convention in March 21, 2018 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City and spoke lengthily and full of expletives about his political life, among other topics, in front of thousands of supporters.

The video of his speech can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/ mF_eUGDa3e0.

In November 2017, Duterte threatened to declare a revolutionary government if his political opponents tried to oust him from power.

He also cited the precedent set by Corazon Aquino, who established a revolutionary government soon after leading an uprising in 1986 that ended the Marcos dictatorship.

Aquino sacked all elected officials, abolished Congress and tore up the 1973 Constitution in favor of a provisional charter. She handpicked a commission to write a new Constitution, which was ratified by plebiscite in 1987.

Duterte repeatedly vowed to push for a change in form of government – from presidential system to federal – and even threatened to make Mindanao a federal region if lawmakers fail to amend the Constitution to pave the way for new federal government.

He said the current unitary system has spelled so much trouble. When he was mayor in Davao City in southern Philippines, Duterte had been strongly campaigning for the establishment of a federal form of government and in many of his public appearances and speeches the President said federal-

ism is the next best thing for the country.

Last year, Duterte warned his critics that he would declare a revolutionary government and arrest his detractors if he is pushed against the wall.

“I have enough problems with criminality, drugs, rebellion and all, but if you push me to the extreme, I will declare the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and I will arrest all of you,” he said.

In October 2018, a nation-wide opinion poll conducted by SurveyNgBayan, showed that 60% of Filipinos would support Duterte if he decided to declare a revolutionary government to carry out his reform agenda.

Considering that the question of declaring a revolutionary government had been publicly debated for some time, the pollster, presented this question once again squarely to the people nationwide: If Duterte is forced to declare a revolutionary government to fulfill his promises, would you support him? The question set in Tagalog (Kung mapilitang itatag ni DU30 ang Revolution Gov. para matupad ang mga pangako nya payag kba?) for the clear understanding of people at all levels was transmitted via SMS to 300,000 subscribers of Philippine-based mobile phones.

The poll targets were selected randomly from the pollster’s databank of 182.5 million Philippine-based mobile phone numbers. The question sought Yes or No answer with the age, gender and the location of the respondent. A total of 3,255 raw responses came by the end of the one-week period from October 1-7 and the clean response set after deduping and purging for nonsense replies came to 1,841. Among them, 1,117 said “Yes”, and 652 said “No”.

The survey had a 99

President Rodrigo Duterte with MRRD-NEC members. (PCOO)

percent level of confidence and a 3 percent margin of error.

SurveyNgBayan had posed this question to the people nationwide previously just before Duterte took office as president on June 30, 2016, then in August 2016, after he was in office barely two months, and again in November 2017 when the public clamor for a revolutionary government was at its height.

In June 2016, the support for a revolutionary government was only 43 percent, but after the general public watching their new president for some two months, and also the activities of his opponents, the support of a Duterte-led revolutionary government climbed to 67 percent.

Over a year later, in November 2017, amid a persistent clamor for a revolutionary government, 71 percent of the people tuned in favor of it. Developments since then—particularly the president stating publicly that he did not encourage such a move, and the public attention shifting towards the mid-term election due next year—the mass support for a revolutionary government has somewhat waned, but still holding at a significant 60 percent.

Several reasons can be attributed to this continuing popular support for a Duterte-led revolutionary government. Among them: • The Glenn Chong revelations of problems in the electoral system. Certain quarters have claimed that flaws in the electoral system provide the environment for declaring a revolutionary government which can tackle this problem and install an impartial election commission.

• The elite resistance to restructuring the government into a federal system.

• The need to reform the judiciary to make it impossible for the monied class to manipulate the courts for its advantage, and make the judiciary function fairly for the benefit of all and deliver justice fast.

SurveyNgBayan is composed of Filipino social researchers based in the Philippines and the United States, as well as other research and information service professionals. It employs a unique method of researching to measure the true pulse of public opinion. (Mindanao Examiner)

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Aug 31-Sept 6, 2020

Martial law, opposed!

‘Proclamation 55, Anti-Terror Law sufficient to fight terrorism’

Sayyaf readying attacks in West Mindanao captured

Vice Gov. Toto Tan speaks during a multi-sectoral meeting in Sulu. (Jaques Tutong) Continued from page 1 in the province of Sulu which was resoundingly opposed by those in attendance led by Gov. Tan himself, and even suggestions of looking seriously at other strategies to counter peace and problem in the province, not just military strategy or solution,” the Office of the Provincial Governor said in a post on its Facebook page.

Even Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana opposed military rule in Sulu, saying, the whole of Southern Philippines remain under state of lawlessness following President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 55 which he signed in September 2016 after a terror attack at a night market in his hometown Davao City

that killed over a dozen people and injured at least 75 more.

The latest bombings in Jolo also killed more than a dozen soldiers and civilians after a pair of women, who were widows of Abu Sayyaf terrorists, blew the explosives they were carrying.

Lorenzana said Duterte also recently signed the Anti-Terror Law so there is no need to impose martial law in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senators Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson also shared Lorenzana’s view.

Lacson said: “We have passed a strong Anti-Ter-

rorism Law for our security forces to better address terrorism in Mindanao and the rest of the country. Unfortunately, amidst the numerous petitions against the measure, the agencies tasked to craft the implementing rules and regulations of the law have not yet issued the same which could have given our law enforcement agencies and the AFP the impetus to fully implement the law with efficacy and confidence, even proactively as we have included even inchoate offenses punishable for even at the stage of planning and preparation.

With all that said, another declaration of martial law in Mindanao or Sulu may not be necessary.” (Mindanao Examiner)

Continued from page 1 within the Zamboanga Peninsula,” he said.

Cambay described the police operation that led to Nassalon’s capture as “high risk and intelligence-driven” with at least six different land and sea units tapped to seize the terrorist.

“Jamiul Nassalon was arrested (by police forces) after a 3-hour travel using high-speed sea craft which surreptitiously entered the shorelines of Mabuhay municipality, taking advantage of the darkness of the night and unknown to him a police asset and members of the Barangay Intelligence Network had been monitoring his activities,” he said.

He said the 41-year old Nassalon, who uses

various nom de guerre, is facing a string of criminal charges in connection to his bloody attacks against civilians in the region.

Nassalon was also implicated in the 2009 kidnapping of 71-year old Doroteo Gonzales, a carpenter in Zamboanga City who was eventually beheaded in Basilan province after his family failed to pay P25 million ransom in exchange for his life.

He was tagged as involved in the bombing of a provincial bus in Zamboanga City in 2012 that wounded at least 6 people. And the killings of 8 fishermen off Siromon Island, also in Zamboanga in 2017; and the strafing of a provincial in Buenavista village here that injured at least 8 passengers.

“His terrorist activ-

ities have caused death and injuries to a considerable number of persons and damaged substantial amounts of property,” Cambay said.

Nassalon’s capture came after National Police Chief General Archie Gamboa ordered an intensify campaign against the terrorist group linked to ISIS and Mayor Beng Climaco also ordered the police and military to tighten security in Zamboanga City following the August 24 twin suicide bombings carried out by widows of slain Abu Sayyaf fighters in the capital town of Jolo in Sulu province.

The attacks, claimed

by ISIS, had killed over a dozen people and injured many civilians. (Zamboanga Post and Mindanao Examiner)

Davao gets U.S. donation Continued from page 1 with presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio.

Kim said the donation - through the United States Agency for International Development together with U.S. company Procter & Gamble - will distribute the kits to facilities caring for vulnerable sectors.

He said the hygiene kits contain face masks, soap, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, toothbrushes, and sanitary napkins. And the PPE donation is part of the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s previously announced nearly P15 million pesos worth of PPE and medical

supplies to hospitals across the country.

This assistance is part of the U.S. government’s nearly P1 billion ($20.5 million) investment to support the Philippine’s Covid-19response, according to Kim. “These efforts are the result of a longstanding special partnership between the United States and the Philippines. While the pandemic tests all of us, I know from my four years in the Philippines that the deep bond between our two countries will help us meet this challenge. In fact, I’m confident that we will come through this stronger together,” he said.

The donation, he add-

ed, will augment on-going U.S. government efforts in Davao City to respond to the pandemic.

The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency has previously supported Davao’s Bureau of Fire Protection with decontamination training and equipment, as well as boosted biosecurity efforts in both human and animal populations.

Kim said Washington has provided more than P228 billion ($4.5 billion) in development assistance to the Philippines over the past 20 years, including over P29 billion ($582 million) in health assistance. (With a report from Rhoderick Beñez)

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Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Task Force Covid-19, and Jolo Municipal Government)

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19 barangay apektado ng ASF sa North Cotabato NORTH COTABATO Umaabot na ngayon sa P10.7 milyon ang lugi sa industriya ng pagbababoy sa North Cotabato matapos na manalasa ang African Swine Fever o ASF sa ibat-ibang lugar sa lalawigan.

Ito’y makaraang umabot na sa 19 na barangay na kinabibilangan ng apat na mga bayan at isang lungsod ang apektado ng ASF. Kinumpirma naman ni Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) Dr. Rufino Suropia na nasa 40 mga baboy

na ang na-depopulate sa Barangay Malungon sa bayan ng Makilala matapos na mag-positibo sa pinakahuling laboratory test ang kinuhang blood sample mula sa ilang alagang baboy doon.

Sa pinakahuling datus ng OPVET, abot na sa 2,138 na mga alagang baboy ang na-depopulate kung saan nasa higit 500 hog raisers ang naperwisyo ng ASF. Samantala, sinisimulan na rin ang culling activity na pasok sa 500 meter radius mula sa Ba-

rangay Muaan at Barangay Gayola sa Kidapawan City kung saan nakitaan na rin ng positibong kaso ng ASF. Patuloy namang isinagsagawa ng tanggapan ang information dissemination sa iba pang mga lugar sa probinsya upang hindi na madagdagan at lumawak ang epekto ng ASF. Hinihikayat din ng OPVET ang mga barangay officiald na makipagtulungan sa kanilang kampanya lalo na sa kanilang mga lugar.

(Rhoderick BeĂąez)

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‘The Great Cebu Sale 2020’ coming soon C

Negosyo Center opens in Mandaue City MANDAUE CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Cebu province has opened its 29th Negosyo Center here to cater to more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Jonas Cortes and DTI-Cebu OIC Rose Mae Quiñanola led the recent opening of the facility together with Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) executives and other local officials.

Quiñanola said the Negosyo Center will be assisting local MSMEs through business registration assistance, business advisory services, business information and advocacy, and monitoring and evaluation.

Cortes, for his part, vowed to continue his support to all local entrepreneurs and potential ones for inclusive development.

The city government has also pioneered several advancements in developing MSMEs, such as weekly promotion of local delicacies in the Mandaue Investment Promotions Action Center social media page bannered with “Tatak Mandaue”.

The Republic Act 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act, mandates the creation of Negosyo Centers in every municipality, city and province throughout the country to help grow the MSME sector which accounts for around 99 percent of registered businesses in the Philippines.

The Mandaue facility is the 64th Negosyo Center in the region aimed to promote ease of doing business and facilitate access to services for MSMEs. Other Negosyo Centers in the province are present in the cities of Cebu, Naga and Carcar, Bogo and Danao; municipalities of

Moalboal, Dalaguete, Consolacion and Medellin; and the islands of Camotes and Bantayan.

DTI-Cebu is also set to launch another Negosyo Center in Talisay City.

During the launching of the latest Negosyo Center, officials also opened the Small Business Corporation’s Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (P3 CARES) loan borrowers.

This program provides interest-free loans to micro-businesses with assets not exceeding P3 million, and small businesses with assets not exceeding P15 million. The SB Corporation can lend from P10,000 to P200,000 for micro-enterprises, and up to P500,000 for small enterprises payable for 18 to 30 months. It is also DTI’s response to help MSMEs survive amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (Carlo Lorenciana)

EBU CITY – In a bid to stimulate trade and bring back consumer confidence, a retailers’ group said it will hold a virtual shopping event dubbed “The Great Cebu Sale 2020” which will run for one-and-a-half months.

The Philippine Retail- trend of Covid-19 cases, Lim mont Hardware Depot and ers Association (PRA) Cebu said now is “a good time to Cebu Bionic Builders, also Chapter said it conceptual- purchase anything from dis- automotive companies ized the virtual sale of Cebu’s counted room accommoda- such as JMC Vehicles and top brands in the hospitality, tions to the best deal in work Deco Sales, Loalde and wellness, travel, automotive, and study from home gad- ATE Clothier for fashion fashion, hardware, electron- gets or simply enjoy a visit in will pitch in their different ics and food industries. your favorite family destina- products and services.

Inspired by the great tion”.

Gaisano Main, Fresco, Singapore sale, the event will He said Cebuanos will D+B Wines, Prosel Pharhighlight exceptional deals, surely get the best deal for ma, Aerophone, Remplex promos and packages of par- their peso, as all businesses Productions, Twinbee, and ticipating brands throughout have to submit their appli- Third Team Media are other the sale period from Septem- cations to the Department of businesses that signed up ber 15 to October 31.

Trade and Industry. “Cebua- for the activity.

The event will also Chester Lim, PRA-Cebu nos can be assured of legitiChapter president, said the mate and fair business deal- highlight how Cebu businesses have gone digital long period of quarantine ings,” he added. since March and the lockNine hotels – Seda Aya- and embraced the online downs amid the resurgence la Center and Seda Central platform to sell their prodof coronavirus disease in Bloc, Golden Prince Hotel ucts and services. The event June have crippled business- and Suites, Bai Hotel, Marco organizers thus tapped es and jobs lost.

Polo Plaza Cebu, Movenpick Foodpanda, Maxim, Mober, “We need to start build- Hotel, Cebu Grand Hotel, Lalamove and Grab Deliving up business and con- Citadines Cebu City, and ery as partners for the event.

The Resort and Restausumer confidence through a Mezzo Hotel – participating movement of consumption. the virtual trading will treat rant Association of Cebu, The Great Cebu Sale will Cebuanos with 50 percent Inc., Cebu Chamber of hopefully create favorable discounts on their products Commerce and Industry, Mandaue Chamber of conditions for business- and services. es to go online during the Wellness facilities like Commerce and Industry Covid-19 pandemic. It’s a Maayo, LH Prime Medical and Cebu Filipino Chinese great opportunity for Cebu Clinic will also present their Chamber of Commerce businesses to promote their services while restaurants are collaborating with PRA product and services via like Cafe Laguna, House for the event. Also helpe-commerce,” he said. of Lechon, Lantaw, Top of ing them are the Hardware Lim said this first virtual Cebu, 10 Dove Street will give Consolidated, Inc., Cebu shopping event will be con- Cebuanos best choices of Alliance of Tour Operation Specialists, Inc., Cebu Busiducted collectively by retail- cuisines. ers in Cebu, along with the Tourism and amuse- ness Club and the Mactan different businesses, organi- ment brands like Island Export Processing Zone zations, and chambers here.

Souvenirs and Anjo World Chamber of Exporters and As Cebu is reopening Theme Park, and hardware Manufacturers. (John Rey the economy with the down- establishments like Bel- Saavedra)

First Standard Finance Corporation Zamboanga City 0995-5202358 FOR SALE

Mitsubishi Strada P850,000

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Toyota Hiace P650,000

Eastern Mindanao

FOR SALE

Toyota Altis P750,000

Western Mindanao

FOR SALE

Toyota Fortuner P2,300,000

Cebu

Manila