Mindanao Examiner Newspaper

Mindanao Daily

Founded 2006

mindanaoexaminer.com

P10/RM1

Zamboanga City, Philippines

Oct. 8-14, 2012

HIGH-TECH SURVEILLANCE, GAMIT NG U.S. SA MINDANAO INAMIN NA RIN NG ESTADOS UNIDOS na gumagamit ito ng mga “advance surveillance” system sa Mindanao sa pakikibaka nito sa terorismo.

Sa ulat na inilabas ng Stars and Stripes na may pamagat na “US provides advanced surveillance capabilities to track down terrorists,” ay sinabi ni Col. Mark Miller, ang commander ng Joint Special Operations Task ForcePhilippines (JSOTFP), na “when the Armed Forces of the Philippines requests information, we take their information requirements and we try to answer within whatever means we have over here in country. That includes aerial surveillance, which provides full-motion video.”

Ang JSOTFP ay may malaking kampo sa loob ng Western Mindanao Command sa Zamboanga City.Sinabi pa sa ulat na: “The high-tech gear has been used to locate terrorists, with the U.S. providing crucial information to Philippine ground forces in capturing or killing several high-ranking Abu Sayyaf leaders.”

Naunang lumutang ang paggamit ng mga Kano sa spy planes at unmanned aerial vehicles sa kanilang operasyon kontra Abu Sayyaf at kahit sa makapal na kagubatan ay natutunton ang mga terorista, ayon kay Miller.

“But perhaps the most important U.S. military contribution has been advanced surveillance capabilities to track down terrorists in dense, remote jungle,” ayon pa sa Stars and Stripes.

Nais naman ni Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, hepe ng Western Mindanao Command, na magkaroon ng mga naturang high-tech equipment, subalit nasa Estados Unidos naman ang desisyon nito, ayon kay Miller.

“While Miller empathized with Coballes’ desire for socalled intelligence-surveillancereconnaissance equipment, he said it was not within his power to do so because that’s a bigger U.S. government decision on how they want to do that — if they’re going to do that at all,” ayon pa sa ulat.Tikom naman ang bibig ng mga opisyal ng militar sa naturang pag-amin ng Kano sa kanilang sikretong operasyon sa Zamboanga at iba pang bahabi ng Mindanao.

(Mindanao Examiner)

ARMM

Isang miyembro ng Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines ang nagbibigay ng briefing kay John McHugh, Secretary of the Army, ukol sa paggamit ng unmanned aerial vehicles tulad nito, sa kanyang pagbisita sa Zamboanga City sa larawan ito na kuha ni Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Cassandra Thompson. (http://www.army.mil/article/59338/Army_Secretary_visits_U_S___Philippine_forces_during_Pacific_tour/)

PNoy breaks promise, anoints Hataman to run in ARMM COTABATO CITY – Civil society groups and various people’s organizations called on President Benigno Aquino to make good his promise that all those he appointed as officers-in-charge in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will not seek or run in the regional elections.

This after Aquino pushed the President to build political in the for the candidacy of ARMM winnability Gov. Mujiv Hataman, citing synchronized local, regional the former lawmaker’s reform and national elections.

“No less than President in the regional government.

They said fielding Aquino, in a press conference Hataman as the government’s held June 30, 2011, stated bet for the ARMM guber- that one of the qualifications natorial race may cause for OIC appointment is yung divisions among Muslims in walang balak tumakbo sa the five-province autonomous ARMM Regional Governregion, and Mindanao as ment. It is best for the President to show that his well.

In a statement sent to the move of appointing Hataman Mindanao Examiner, the to the ARMM post as being Davao-based Movement for aimed at bringing goodwill Sustainable Good Governance and social contract with said such action may also Muslims in Mindanao; and cause the Palace to lose the that such move was not a goodwill with the people in political scheme by the Mindanao, who are likely to President to later anoint see the President’s appoint- Hataman the administration ment of Hataman to the top candidate for ARMM post in 2011 as a mere politi- governorship this 2013 cal charade to increase his elections,” Annil said.

He said they are winnability in the ARMM endorsing the candidacy of elections.

MSGG convenor, Dr. Tan to run for regional Amildasa Annil, admonished governor and as official political groups against administration candidate and fanning talks of alleged standard bearer of the Aquino-led conspiracies to country’s ruling Liberal Party.

“Civil society organizadivide Muslim leaders by creating scenarios that tions in Mindanao strongly Hataman was appointed by support the leadership of

Northern Mindanao

Davao

Governor Sakur Tan because of his genuine and untainted political career and sincerity to serve the people and bring peace, progress and development not only to Sulu province, but to the whole of the ARMM,” said Annil, who described the philanthropic governor as an “alternative Muslim leader.”

The Bangsamoro Women’s Committee of the Moro National Liberation Front led by Nurunniaar Mohammad and some of Mindanao’s influential clerics and scholars, including Mahdi Baguinda, Muhamin Sakili, Jul Asli Abirin, Jamal Munib, Abdulwahid Inju and Abdul Khabier Jamani also strongly endorsed Tan’s candidacy to the ARMM gubernatorial post.

But supporters of Hataman, who are members of other civil society and religious groups, also pushed for his candidacy.

“We, the undersigned, representing the Ulama (religious leaders), the youth sector, the women sector, and other Civil Society Organizations in Mindanao have come together to convey to our President His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III our firm commitment to continuously

Manila

support the reform in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao being initiated by OIC-Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman for open governance, integrity of leadership, quality delivery of services, and for peace and development in the region,” the group said in an open letter sent to Mindanao Examiner.

The letter was signed by Sheikh Abdulwakil Tanjilil, of the Darul Ifta in Western Mindanao and Palawan; Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, of the National Ulama Conference of the

“ We

are confident that, with your support y o u r excellency, the fight against corruption, to regain the trust and confidence of our

(President Benigno Aquino.

Office of the President)

Philippines; Sheikh Jamal Sakaluran Munib, Ulama and Muslim Professionals Association of the Philippines; Sheikh Abdulmuhmin Mujahid, ZamBaSulTa Ulama Supreme Council; Ustadza Mona Aiyub, of the Al-Muhminat Organization; Raisa Ismael, United Youth of the Philippines; Meriam Abba, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society; and Atty. Hasan Kiram, of the Kasajahitraan sin Kawman Bangsa Movement.

people to support their leaders as p u b l i c servants not as warlords or l a n d l o r d s , and for moral recovery, and to continue our efforts in peacemaking and peace-keeping in Mindanao to make our people and communities free from fear and free from want, the continuation of the leadership of Hon. Mujiv S. Hataman would pave the way to make all these a reality,” they said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Peninsula

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Oct. 8-14, 2012

‘Innocence of Muslims’ protests subside

Angry Muslims burn US flags in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province in protest to the film ‘Innocence of Muslims.’

MARAWI CITY – While the protests against the antiIslam film “Innocence of Muslims” have subsided in the southern Philippines, anger among individual Muslims in Mindanao still persist, particularly in social media sites where the issue continues.

Some Muslims called on his probation after being conmore radical and violent pro- victed on bank fraud - used the tests and fanning the already name Sam Becile as the film’s volatile situations brought director.

A group of Muslims in about by the showing of the film on YouTube. The low- Mindanao who are members budget film stroked violent of the so-called Bangsamoro protests that resulted in deadly Nation petitioned the Suattacks on US diplomatic mis- preme Court to ban the public showing of the film in the sions in the Middle East.

In the Islamic City of Philippines. They said the Marawi in Mindanao’s Lanao film is an “invasion of condel Sur province, thousands of stitutional guarantee of free Muslims gathered on the exercise of religion and to streets and burned US and Is- practice religion without fear rael flags in protest of the film or hatred.”

The country’s largest believed made by EgyptianAmerican Nakoula Basseley Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and Nakoula.

Nakoula - who was ar- the National Commission on rested in the US for violating Muslim Filipinos have ap-

pealed separately to local Muslims not to resort to violence.

“We cannot address violence with violence. Islam is peace and a peaceful protest is better that a violent protest to express disgust,” Von AlHaq, a spokesman for the MILF, which is currently negotiating peace with Manila, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Army Col. Daniel Lucero, commander of military forces in Lanao provinces, said the Muslim protests over the film were peaceful. “The protests were peaceful and so far there had been no reported violence in connection with the film Innocence of Muslims. The government is on top of the situation,” he said in a separate interview.

“The National Commis-

sion on Muslim Filipinos appeals to all concerned to stop further stoking the flames that have been started by the “Innocence of Muslim” video.

We believe that there will be no rallies, no demonstrations, and no recriminations if the film is neither acknowledged nor dignified in any manner from here on,” said Mehol Sadain, head of the NCMF. Just recently, UP Law Professor Harry Roque screened the film in his class, citing freedom of expression and academic freedom as his reason, despite appeals by the school administrators and various groups, and a Philippine ban on public showing of the “Innocence of Muslims” which is considered blasphemous by Muslims.

YouTube also refused to take down the film which generated over 14 million views already since it was uploaded to the popular video site on September 12.

“It is just frustrating how we work so hard for the success of inter-faith dialogue and reconciliation, and then somebody comes up with something completely absurd and unnecessary to wreck the foundation we have so painstakingly built. The producer may have his reason for doing it; but I do not see any rhyme or reason for the good professor to show it in his class, in spite the plea of some UP administrators,” Sadain said.

“Freedom of expression simply doesn’t wash in a situation like this. First, there is other less controversial and

less insulting ways to demonstrate freedom of expression.

Second, I don’t really know whether such is a sane application of the principle of freedom of expression,” he added.

Sadain said his understanding of freedom of expression is that it is used to stand up against persecution and tyranny, and not to abet them.

“It is used against the abuses of government or some authoritative institution, and not to abuse other peoples and faiths. It is used to prevent the trampling of our rights, and not to trample on other people’s rights and sensitivities. I don’t see how the grand principle of freedom of expression or its concomitant right to form one’s opinion, can benefit from a film that foments disinformation and arouses hatred,” he said.

One Muslim, Zed Sahi, said: “The Innocence of Muslims is not a form of freedom of expression. It is an intention to insult and malign the Prophet Muhammad, the Muslims and Islam. It should never be allowed and tolerated by any decent society.”

The National Ulama Conference of the Philippines also appealed to Muslims to stay calm.

“We called on all Muslims not to be easily provoked and trapped in vicious cycles of violence, in our reaction to criticisms and black propagandas against Islam.

Please be mindful, the holy Prophet faced extreme criticisms and other inhuman

treatments during his time but he reacted humanely with patience and compassion that made the people realized their own mistakes, and they appreciated the beauty of Islam as reflected in the behavior and attitude of the holy Prophet towards them,” it said.

In Zamboanga City where the US military maintains a base, Filipino army commanders assured the safety of American forces.

“Forced protection is integral to US forces activities in Mindanao. Even before the attack of their embassy (in Libya), they have been implementing strict security procedures to protect their soldiers, equipment and temporary facilities. They do not move around without their AFP and PNP counterparts and make the necessary coordination if they require additional security,” the Western Mindanao Command said.

In the Middle East, Filipino workers were told to stay vigilant amid the growing anti-US protests over the film.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said: “To emphasize the need to be safe and to secure ourselves from harm and violent acts, we strongly urge our fellow OFWs to stay clear of protesting crowds especially near the diplomatic posts of the US and similar establishments as targets of massive protests.”

“Once again, we strongly advised our fellow Filipinos in the Middle East to be respectful of the host government state religion and their symbols,” Monterona said, adding that Filipinos abroad must refrain from maligning any religion and their prophets as what Innocence of Muslims had disrespectfully conveyed.

“Our Muslim brothers won’t rise up in arms for nothing. Certainly, the movie Innocence of Muslims had done wrong or maliciously conveyed that is something protesting or even revolting courtesy of some war-monger US propagandists,” he said.

In the film, Nakoula portrayed the Prophet Muhammad as a child molester and a womanizer and showed Muslims attacking and killing innocent people.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Oct. 8-14, 2012

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Marines complete tour in Sulu province SULU – Sulu provincial officials praised the 3rd Marine Brigade for its support to the government’s peace and development efforts as it completed its tour of duty.

The marine brigade is heading to its new mission in Palawan province after a long stint in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Abdusakur “Tutuh” Tan II, the Chief-of-Staff

of Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, represented his father during the send-off ceremony for the marine brigade.

He said his father cannot catch with the ceremony due to a hectic schedule. But the young Tan, who is also the acting provincial governor, read a message by his father for the troops.

“Nevertheless I hope I can do justice to this ceremony by delivering the send-off message of

Governor Tan to these brave men in uniform,” he said.

Tan cited the role of the marines in winning the peace and safeguarding the safety and security of the people of Sulu. “For us here in Sulu, this is not a goodbye but a wish and a prayer that you fare very well in your next tour of duty in other destinations. We hope, too, that the officers and men of the 3rd Marine Bri-

gade will be bringing with them good memories of the people here and of the many beautiful sights in this place as they leave the shores of Sulu,” the young Ta n said.

The ceremony was also attended by senior military officials headed by Lieutenant General Noel Coballes, of the Western Mindanao Command; and Rear Admiral Armando Guzman, of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.

Photos released by the Sulu Provincial Government to the Mindanao Examiner show acting Sulu Governor Abdusakur "Tutuh" Tan during the send-off ceremony for the 3rd Marines Brigade.

Cops track shooters of Basilan politician ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police continues to track down gunmen in the failed assassination of a Basilan vice mayoralty candidate in Zamboanga City.

Police said Farouk Alfad escaped with a minor wound after gunmen opened on his car while driving home from a gymnasium in the village of Canelar. The attack-

ers escaped after the shooting.

Alfad, who is running as vice mayor in Tabuan Lasa in nearby Basilan province, said politics could be the motive of the failed assassination.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the shooting, but gun attacks are not ucommon in Zam-

boanga City where hired killers are actively operating.

Just before the attack, an unidentified gunman shot dead an electronic technician Rey Reyes inside his house in Tumaga village. The attacker escaped after the killing. (Mindanao Examiner)

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New Philippines ‘Cybercrime’ Law Will Harm Free Speech MANILA - A new Philippine “cybercrime” law drastically increases punishments for criminal libel and gives authorities excessive and unchecked powers to shut down websites and monitor online information, Human Rights Watch said.

President Benigno Aquino III signed the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 into law on September 12 this year.

The law’s criminal penalties for online libel and other restrictions are a serious threat to free expression in the Philippines, Human Rights Watch said.

Several legal cases have been filed in the Philippines Supreme Court, in-

cluding for the law to be declared unconstitutional because it violates guarantees to free expression contained in the Philippines constitution and human rights treaties ratified by the Philippines.

“The cybercrime law needs to be repealed or replaced,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “It violates Filipinos’ rights to free expression and it is wholly incompatible with the Philippine government’s obliga-

tions under international law.”

The new law defines several new acts of “cybercrime.” Among the acts prohibited are “cybersex,” online child pornography, illegal access to computer systems or hacking, online identity theft, and spamming.

A section on libel specifies that criminal libel, already detailed in article 355 of the Philippines Revised Penal Code, will now apply to acts “committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.” The new law drastically increases the penalty for computer-related libel, with the minimum punishment raised twelve-fold, from six months to six years. The maximum pun-

ishment is doubled from six to twelve years in prison.

“Anybody using popular social networks or who publishes online is now at risk of a long prison term should a reader – including government officials – bring a libel charge,” Adams said. “Allegedly libelous speech, online or offline, should be handled as a private civil matter, not a crime.”

Human Rights Watch called on the Philippines government to repeal its existing criminal libel law.

The Aquino administration has shown little inclination to support legislation pending in the Philippine Congress to decriminalize libel.

Aside from the section on libel, the new law has a provision that grants new powers to the Depart-

ment of Justice, which on its own and without a warrant, can order the shutdown of any website it finds violating the law. It also authorizes police to collect computer data in real time without a court order or warrant.

The use of criminal defamation laws also has a chilling effect on the speech of others, particularly those involved with similar issues, Human Rights Watch said.

When citizens face prison time for complaining about official performance, corruption, or abusive business practices, other people take notice and are less likely to draw attention to such problems themselves, undermining effective governance and civil society.

Several journalists in

the Philippines have been imprisoned for libel in recent years, leaving a blot on the country’s record on press freedom. In the case of Davao City radio journalist Alexander Adonis, who was convicted in 2007 of libel and spent two years in prison, the United Nations Human Rights Committee determined that the Philippine government violated article 19 on the right to freedom of expression and opinion of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The committee called on the Philippine government to decriminalize libel.

“So long as it stands, the new cybercrime law will have a chilling effect over the entire Philippine online community,” Adams said.

DSWD-ARMM, Sulu province end successful anti-poverty caravan

The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Gregorri Leaño Joanna Valerie Wee 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

ARMM Vice-Governor and concurrent DSWD Regional Secretary Bainon Karon and Governor Sakur Tan during the 3-day Convergence Caravan held in Sulu province. (Photo by Gilmhar Lao)

SULU – The Department o f S o c i a l We l f a r e a n d Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Sulu provincial government have finished a three-day caravan dubbed as “Kagausan sin Ta u - s o g M a d a w h a t i n Kasambuhan” (Kayangk a y a N g Ta u - s o g N a Makamtan Ang Kaunlaran).

The caravan was launched in an effort to sustain support for the g o v e r n m e n t ’s antipoverty alleviation “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” or the Conditional Cash Transfer Program.

Thousands of people, who are beneficiaries of the program from Sulu’s 19 towns, flocked to the capitol gymnasium in the town of Patikul, and

joined the caravan spearheaded by ARMM Regional Vice Governor and Concurrent DSWDARMM Secretary Bainon Karon and participated by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan together with town mayors, regional and local DSWD staff headed

by Maydelyn Bahjin.

Highlighting the “Convergence Caravan 2012” was the most anticipated “Search for Ginang Pantawid Pamilya” which showcased Pantawid Pamilya mothers from the different municipal-ities w i t h t h e i r t r a d i t i o n -a l Ta u s u g c o s t u m e s . T h e Ta l i p a o e n t r y b e s t e d other candidates when she bagged the title of the very first-ever “Ginang Pantawid Pamilya 2012.”

Karon said the caravan was not a joint e ff o r t w h i c h a i m e d t o bring social services and development programs closer to the people.

“This is just the beginning and there will be more caravans in ARMM because it signifies the rigorous effort to bring beneficiaries closer to opportunities and ensuring that their voices are heard, not only for them but especially for their children who are the real beneficiaries of this program,” Karon said.

Tan, for his part, said that the convergence caravan served as a venue for the beneficiaries to share their Pantawid Pamilya experience and advocate to their local leaders

with the hope in pursuing their children’s dreams by supporting programs which would be beneficial for the welfare of their children.

Sulu has more than 80,000 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a rights-based program that invests in the condition of children by giving assistance to poor households so they can continue sending their children to school and provide them proper health care and nutrition.

The program believes that by promoting the right of children to have education and good health, poor families have fair chances of rising out of extreme poverty. (Gilmhar Lao)

Oct. 8-14, 2012

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Philhealth increases benefit of members with renal disease PAGADIAN CITY - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) has set forth its single largest benefit payment ever and spending up to P600,000 for kidney transplant procedure of every member and dependent suffering from end-stage renal disease.

“We are affording every year, or 120 per one million member and dependent with population. They have a kidney failure the chance to mean age of 53 years, and enjoy a superior quality of six out of 10 of them are life. We are now subsidiz- male, according to the Naing the full cost of a kidney tional Renal Disease Registransplant procedure, up to try.

P600,000,” said Dr. Despite being the “gold Eduardo Banzon, Philhealth standard” of care for papresident and chief execu- tients with end-stage renal tive officer, in a statement disease, Banzon said less sent to the regional newspa- than a thousand kidney per Mindanao Examiner. transplants are performed in “This is our way of giv- the country every year, ing every member consider- largely due to the steep cost ably greater value for of the procedure. money. They will be entitled With the P600,000-bento a P600,000-benefit in re- efit payment, Banzon sees a turn for premium contribu- dramatic increase in lifetions as low as P2,400 per saving kidney transplants in annum or less than P7 per the months ahead. day by January 1, 2013,” Before Philhealth unBanzon said. veiled the large subsidy for Philhealth has members every low-risk kidney transas young as 23 years old plant, the national health inwith chronic kidney disease, surer covered only up to according to Banzon. eight percent of the total “While they have their medical bill for the procewhole lives ahead of them, dure. they have to undergo con“With this new benefit, stant dialysis. Some of them our members and dependie young. Hopefully not dents with kidney failure, anymore with this new ben- especially those from povefit,” he said. erty-stricken households, Some 12,000 Filipinos can readily avail of a transdevelop kidney failure every plant procedure, and look

forward to more productive and fuller lives,” Banzon said.

The Philhealth benefit is available in specialized centers with proven capabilities to provide first-rate kidney transplant services and care - the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, and the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City.

“These centers have excellent track records of more than 98 percent survival rates for kidney transplant patients. We are balancing high-quality service with accessibility. We’re starting with only four centers where members can avail of the benefit, but we have at least one facility each in Luzon and the Visayas plus two in Mindanao. We may add to the four later on,” he said.

“The four centers will apply the No Balance Billing Policy with respect to kidney transplant patients from families earning P30,000 or less annually.

Patients will not be charged extra expenses on top of what Philhealth pays. The P600,000-benefit already

covers everything, including medication, hospitalization and professional fees,” he added.

The leading causes of kidney failure among Filipinos are diabetes, inflammation of the kidneys and high blood pressure.

To stay alive, patients with end-stage renal disease have only two treatment options - lifetime dialysis or a one-time kidney replacement. Owing to the high cost of both options, some 25 percent of Filipinos with kidney failure die every year without receiving any treatment.

“The P600,000-benefit package also makes economic sense. Over time, both patient and Philhealth end up spending a lot more to support lifelong dialysis,” Banzon said.

At present, Philhealth subsidizes a maximum of 45 sessions per year of dialysis.

In dialysis, a machine acts as an artificial substitute for 15 percent of lost kidney function, and removes waste and excess fluid from the patient’s blood. The patient has to visit a dialysis center three times a week, with each session lasting up to four hours.

'Cyber' crackdown on lesbians, gays feared

Transgender and gay members of an activist group are wary that the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 signed this month by President Benigno Aquino III will unleash a massive wave of extortion, harassment, and sufferings in the hands of law enforcement and anti-gay groups.

The Progressive Organization of Gays (ProGay) said that Republic Act 10175 contains vague provisions that can criminalize a wide array of shared electronic activity between consenting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adults, and also invade their personal privacy.

It said particularly worrying to LGBTs is the definition of Cybersex crime, which could fetch six to 10 years of jail time or a fine of up to half a million pesos. "The wilful engagement, maintenance, control, or operation, directly or indirectly, of any lascivious exhibition of sexual organs or sexual activity, with the aid of a computer system, for favor or consideration," part of the new law reads.

"There are many transgenders who are forced by poverty into baring their bodies be-

fore a webcam just to feed their families and send their siblings to school, and they are unwilling victims of trafficking by profiteers. This law can potentially double the victimization of poor trans and gay persons because the terms willful and favor and consideration are so vague. The law can deem trafficked persons consented to work for pay," Clyde Pumihic, secretary general of ProGay Baguio, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

Pumihic said that for almost a century, transgender and gay Filipinos engaged in sex were targetted by police who used the recently abolished Anti-Vagrancy provision of the Revised Penal Code in the streets and bars. "But now, they have this PNP and NBI fielding the Office of Cybercrime agents who will stalk LGBTs by the thousands without even having to prowl on patrol cars, they just have to use a keyboard to down LGBTs. It's like having the Vagrancy Law on Internet," he said.

Pumihic also warned that the Cybercrime law can also be used by thugs, syndicates, and other private violent groups in entrapping and blackmailing in-

nocent LGBTs who are simply surfing online for dates or fleeting acts of exposure.

"Instead of protecting us from the real cybercriminals, this law is indeed unwittingly turning us into cybercriminals," he said.

The group also foresees increase risk for HIV and STD transmission if online sex is criminalized. "Consenting online sex using just shared images and words in real time are a safer alternative to meeting strangers who may use force to commit unsafe sex or life-threatening violent behavior. This law clearly can contribute to deaths by hate crimes or illnesses if

A blind woman asks for alms inside a passenger bus in Kidapawan City in the southern Philippines. The woman regularly climbs up on commuter buses to ask for money to help feed her family. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Geonarri Solmerano)

online sex is penalized," Pumihic said.

The ProGay leader appealed to the Supreme Court to declare the law unconstitutional because

of its invasive threats against the private lives of LGBTs. The group also called on Aquino to instead work to pass the Antidiscrimination Law

in Congress and provide decent jobs with living wages to save trans and gay persons from the clutches of cyber prostitution.

House Deputy Speaker, umaani ng suporta sa Zambo ZAMBOANGA CITY Patuloy pa rin na umaani ng malaking suporta ang kandidatura ni Zamboanga City Congresswoman Maria Isabelle ClimacoSalazar bilang pagkaalkalde dito sa darating na halalan.

Pormal ng naghain ng kanyang kandidatura si Salazar kasama ang kanyang opisyal na lineup sa tanggapan ng Commission on Elections sa Zamboanga.

Makakabangga ni Salazar si Zamboanga

City Congressman Erico Erbie Fabian at dating Zamboanga del Norte Romeo Jalosjos, Sr., sa naturang posisyon.

Ngunit sa mga naglalabasang surveys ay malaki pa rin ang laman ni Salazar at pumapangalawa si Fabian na nasa ikatlo at huling termino na kanyang posisyon.

Matunog rin sa surveys si Councilor Rommel Agan, anak ng dating Zamboanga City Mayor Vitaliano Agan, na hinihikayat tumakbo

bilang congressman o vice mayor sa Zamboanga City. Pasok rin sa surveys sina Councilors Melchor Sadain at Cesar Jimenez at dating Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Mannix Dalipe.

Malakas rin ang posisyon ng dating Catholic priest Crisanto dela Cruz, na ngayon ay tumatakbo bilang congressman sa Zamboanga City. Kilala si Dela Cruz bilang isang pilantropo at nasa likod ng matagumpay na Nuevo

Zamboanga College at Lantaka Hotel.

Maging si Councilor Gerky Valesco, na nasa likod ng mga ibatibang tourism campaign sa Zamboanga City ay nangunguna rin sa mga surveys at tumatakbo ito sa ilalim ng Liberal Party ni Salazar. Pasok rin sa surveys ang civic leader na si Councilor Myra Abubakar, at sina Councilors Eduardo Saavedra, Percival Ramos, Luis Biel III at Miguel Alavar. (Mindanao Examiner)

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Oct. 8-14, 2012

OFWs also target of Aquino ‘Cybercrime’ Law

MANILA - Saying that overseas Filipino workers are also likely target of the folly of the Cybercrime Law, the migrants’ right group Migrante-Middle East called on fellow OFWs around the world to register their strong opposition against the measure signed into law by President Benigno Aquino.

“Noting that many s o c i a l n e t w o r k i n g OFWs are fond users a r e i n d e e d v e r y of various social critical to the govnetworking sites, it is ernment especially if not farfetched that it pertains to OFWs some of them will be r i g h t s a n d w e l f a r e unfairly or malicious- a n d r e l e v a n t i s s u e s the s e c t o r, ” ly charge courtesy of t o C y b e r c r i m e L a w, ” Monterona said, citJohn Leonard Monte- i n g a s a n e x a m p l e rona, M i g r a n t e - the proposal by lawMiddle East regional m a k e r t o i n c r e a s e coordinator, said in a t h e i r O W WA m e m statement sent to the b e r s h i p p r e m i u m r e g i o n a l n e w s p a p e r from $25 to $50.

O W WA r e f e r s t o Mindanao Examiner.

For instance, the Overseas OFW-activists are us- Wo r k e r s We l f a r e ing social networking A d m i n i s t r a t i o n , a n sites as a medium to a t t a c h e d a g e n c y o f air their legitimate the Department of grievances against the L a b o r a n d E m p l o y government or any of ment.

“Another OFW its agencies and officials, he said. issue at hand is the “OFWs postings in 1 5 0 % P h i l i p p i n e

Health Insurance premium hike, where our fellow OFWs are actively and vocally criticizing the Aquino govt. and Philhealth board in what we say illegal, unjustified hike on OFWs health premium. May hibo pa ng martial law ang Cybercrime law na eto. Kaya dapat tutulan at hindi na sana pa isina-batas,” Monterona said.

“Let us register our opposition in various and peaceful ways to tell these martial law-admirer legislators that we will defend our constitutional right to freedom of expression. Let us better maximize the social networking sites by calling the junking or scrapping o f t h e C y b e r c r i m e Badjao beggars in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines use babies to draw sympathy as l a w, ” h e s a i d . they ask for alms in the middle of streets despite posing dangers. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Tawi-T awi nakinabang sa 'Bridge' awi-Tawi program ni P-Noy; Sulu may proyekto rin TAWI-TAWI - Malaki umano ang magiging epekto sa kalakal at ekonomiya ng TawiTawi province ang mga proyektong tulay ng pamahalaang Aquino na ipinatutupad ng Department of Public Works and Highways Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Dalawa sa tatlong modular bridge na may habang 172 meters ay n a k a t a k d a n g inagurahan at aypn sa DPWH-ARMM ay nagkakahalaga ito ng haklos P327 milyon.

Bahagi ito ng President Benigno Aquino Bridge Program sa ARMM. Kasama sa halagang ginugul ang mga civil works at isang kalsada na siyang nagdudugtong sa mga tulay sa bayan ng

Bongao.

“The third bridge is nearing completion and we hope to inaugurate the two completed modular bridges. This project will further boost the local economy and help hasten trade and c o m m e r c e i n Ta w i Ta w i , ” a n i D P W H ARMM Secretary Emil Sadain sa panayam ng Mindanao Examiner.

Nabawasan na rin umano ang travel time ng mga residente sa Tawi-Tawi mula halos 3 oras niuong wala pang tulay at ngayon ay 30 minuto na lamang.

"Before the construction of the bridges, traders and residents will have to travel nearly three hours to get from one point to another, but

the modular bridges have cut the travel time drastically to only 30 minutes," wika pa ni Sadain.

“Talang pinagtutuunan natin ng pansin ngayon ang mga lalawigan and we are really working hard to bring peace and development projects to different areas and provinces in the autonomous region and we are continuing this ‘daan na matuwid’ that President Aquino is espousing as part of the government’s reform program,” dagdag pa nito.

Sinabi rin ni Sadain na makikinabang rin ang lalawigan ng Sulu sa malalaking proyekto ng pamahalaang Aquino at katunayan ay pinagaaralan na nito ang isang bagong

drainage system sa bayan ng Jolo.

Pinuri rin nito si G o v. S a k u r Ta n s a kanyang mga programa sa Sulu at katuwang umano ito ng DPWH sa mga ibatibang proyekto sa lalawigan.

"May project study tayong ginagawa ngayon at kailangan maayos natin ng husto ang drainage system doon upang maiwasan na ang matinding pagbaha sa Sulu sa tuwing may bagyo o malakas na ulan," wika pa ni Sadain.

Matatandaan na ipinagawa ni Tan ang drainage system sa Jolo matapos na bahain ito ng ilang ulit at sa suporta ng Pangulo ay nasimulan ito. (Mark Navales)

Schwab Foundation recognizes ‘Human Nature’ founders MANILA - The Schwab Foundation has recognized Human Nature Founders Anna and Dylan Wilk as one of 26 Global Social Entrepreneur Awardees for 2012.

The winners are selected in recognition of their innovative approaches and demonstrated impact.

“Given the complex nature of today’s

challenges, we must find more effective ways to collaborate across sectors, rather than working at cross purposes,” Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, said.

“The 2012 awardees are successfully mobilizing a range

of actors, including governments and corporations, to effectively address urgent social and environmental challenges. It is a testament to their impact – and to the efforts of thousands of other social entrepreneurs – that social innovation is becoming a priority for decisionmakers at the most senior levels.”

The 2012 Awardees were announced during the Annual Meeting of the New Champions held in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China on September 10. They will become part of the broader Schwab Foundation community of Social Entrepreneurs, which includes 225 social entrepreneurs from more than 70 countries.

The Mindanao Examiner

Oct. 8-14, 2012

Philippines secure US interests, citizens amid threats of attacks The Philippines assured the United States of sufficient security measures to protect its citizens and interests following threats of impending attacks against American nationals staying in the country.

T h e U n i t e d St a t e s warned its citizens in the Philippines to take extreme caution following reports of threat against Americans staying in metropolitan Manila, particularly in Pasay City.

In an emergency message, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said the threat against American citizens has been detected by reliable security forces.

“The U.S. Embassy advises American citizens in the Philippines that a threat against American citizens in metropolitan Manila, specifically the Pasay City neighbourhood, has been detected by reliable security forces. This threat remains in effect until October 10, 2012,” it said.

It said in response to the threat, Ambassador (Harry Thomas) has ordered an augmented security profile for all U.S.

government facilities in Manila.

US authorities did not give any specific threats, but it previously warned of terror attacks and kidnappings in the Philippines. The emergency warning occurred in the middle of a widespread Muslim protests on the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims by Egyptian American Nakoula Basseley Nakoula.

Nakoula - who was arrested in the US for violating his probation after being convicted on bank fraud - used the name Sam Becile as the film’s director.

The low-budget film stroked violent protests that resulted in deadly attacks on US diplomatic missions in the Middle East.

The Embassy also urged U.S. citizens to exercise extreme caution in their daily routine and to maintain extra awareness regarding their own security; and as much as possible, maintain a low profile and vary travel routes and social routines.

It said U.S. nationals in the country should con-

sider cancelling any American gatherings, celebrations or observations that could be construed as American events; and report any perceived security concern to Philippine authorities.

“U.S. Embassy also wishes to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. In a message dated July 12, 2012, the Department of State recommends Worldwide Caution and reminds U.S. citizens that terrorism can occur anywhere.”

“The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens of the dangers sometimes associated with public demonstrations. Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can suddenly become violent and unpredictable. Americans should be alert, pay attention to local news media, and avoid demostration areas if at all possible,” the Embassy said.

(Mindanao Examiner)

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Zamboanga City, Philippines

Oct. 8-14, 2012

Investment trading 'scam' gumuguho na!

PAGADIAN CITY – Posibleng gumuho ang pagasa ng maraming mga investors na sumugal sa isang investment trading scheme na nagbibigay ng malaking halaga ng interest uoang mahikayat ang publiko na maglagay ng salapi sa hinihinalang scam.

Pumutok sa Pagadian City ang nasabing scam at agad na kumalat ang balitang malaki ang interest na ibinibigay nito sa mga investors. At sa loob lamang ng dalawang linggo ay tumataginting na 50% agad ang tubo ng salaping ipinundar sa nasabing money trading scam.

Sinabi ng ilang mga nakapanayam ng Mindanao Examiner ay nagbibigay umano ng 31% hanggang 50% tubo sa loob lamang ng dalawang lingo sa investors ang mga nasa likod ng money trading business na nagsimula ngayon taon lamang.

Ngunit kalat na rin ang reklamo ng ibang mga investors na pumapalya na umano ang pagbabayad sa kanila sa oras at dahil dito ay natatakot ang karamihan na posibleng gumuho ang nasabing trading scheme.

Madalas umanong ikinakatwiran ng mga nasa likod ng investment trading na matagal umano ang proseso ng pagpasok ng pera sa bansa at hinihintay na lamang ang papeles mula sa Securities and Exchange Commission. Ngunit sinabi ng SEC na walang pahintulot ang nasa likod nito na

ARMM

magsagawa ng investment trading - sa bansa o sa abroad.

Ngunit nabigyan umano ito ng permiso mula sa tanggapan ng Office of the City Mayor. At maging mga pulitiko ay nakinabang ng malaki sa mga unang buwan ng naturang raket, ngunit karamihan sa kanila ay binawi na rin ang mga investments at maling tubo na kinita sa scam.

Kinumpirma naman ng Department of Trade and Industry na may business name ang hinihinalang "Ponzi scheme" subali't hindi naman ito garantiya na legal ang negosyo.

"Nagbabala na kami sa publiko ukol dito at ang DTI ay nagbibigay lamang ng business o trade name at maraming beses na namin sinabi sa publiko na magingat sa kanilang mga transaksyon," ani Maria Socorro Atay, ang provincial director ng ahensya sa Pagadian City.

Sa panayam ng Mindanao Examiner ay sinabi pa ng opisyal na marami na ang reklamong kanilang tinanggap ukol sa legalidad ng naturang investment trading at katunayan ay iniimbestigahan na rin ito ng Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

May mga ulat pang natanggap ang Mindanao Examiner na karamihan sa mga nawalan ng salapi sa nasabing trading business ay apektado na rin sa kanilang pagiisip.

Marami rin ang nagbenta ng lupain upang mailagay sa in-

vestment trading ang kanilang salapi, at pati vendors at tricycle drivers ay nabiktima na rin.

Nanawagan naman ang pulisya sa mga naloko ng investment trading na magsadya sa CIDG upang makapaghain ng kanilang reklamo. Maging ang Anti-Money Laundering Council ay interesado rin sa naturang kaso dahil sa laki ng salaping kinasasakutan nito.

“Marami ng yumaman at marami ang naging milyonaryo dito sa Pagadian City dahil sa investment trading na yan. Maraming pera ang mga tao ngayon dito at lalong dumarami ang mga bagong nagiinvest kasi malaki ang tubo ng pera,” wika naman ni Rick Santiago, ngunit hindi naman nito sinabi kung may inilagak siyang salapi sa nasabing investment.

Ang naturang modus operandi ng kumpanya ay hikayatin ang mga nais na maglagay ng pera sa overseas trading at patubuan ito ng malaking porsyento. Ngunit halos kapareho nito ang binansagang “Ponzi scheme,” isang scam na pumutok nuong 1920s at ginaya ng mga sindikato mula sa ibat-ibang bansa na hanggang ngayon ay nagpapatuloy pa rin.

Ang investment trading sa Pagadian ay halos kapareho diumano ng Ponzi scheme at ang malaking tubo na ibinibigay sa mga investors ay galing rin sa salapi ng mga bago o ibang investors.

At hanggang may mga investors ay patuloy ang pasok

Northern Mindanao

Davao

An overloaded pasenger jeep passes through a busy road in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines. This scene is not uncommon in Zamboanga City and despite the dangers pose to both passengers and the public, policemen and traffic aide continue to ignore this road violation. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) ng salapi, subali’t kailangan money to make payments to of money from new investors ay mas maraming mga earlier investors and himself,” to keep the scheme going.” bagong investors ang papasok paliwanag pa ng online “The system is destined upang masigurong hindi encyclopaedia. to collapse because the earnkukulangin sa pondo ang Ayon pa sa Wikipedia: “A ings, if any, are less than the kumpanya para maibayad sa Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent payments to investors. Usumalaking halaga ng interest. investment operation that ally, the scheme is interrupted Ang Ponzi scheme ay pays returns to its investors by legal authorities before it hango sa pangalan ni Charles from their own money or the collapses because a Ponzi Ponzi, ayon sa Wikipedia. money paid by subsequent in- scheme is suspected or be“The scheme is named after vestors, rather than from cause the promoter is selling Charles Ponzi, who became profit earned by the individual unregistered securities. As notorious for using the tech- or organization running the more investors become innique in 1920. His operation operation. The Ponzi scheme volved, the likelihood of the took in so much money that it usually entices new investors scheme coming to the attenwas the first to become known by offering higher returns tion of authorities increases.” throughout the United States. than other investments, in the Hindi rin mabatid kung Ponzi's original scheme was form of short-term returns that alam ba ng mga awtoridad based on the arbitrage of in- are either abnormally high or ang ukol sa investment tradternational reply coupons for unusually consistent. Perpetu- ing sa Pagadian City at kung postage stamps; however, he ation of the high returns re- ito ba ay legal. (Mindanao soon diverted investors' quires an ever-increasing flow Examiner)

Manila

Zamboanga Peninsula