Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (May 24-30, 2021)

Founded 2006

mindanaoexaminer.com

FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (082) 2841859

P10

May 24-30, 2021

Pandemic now more dangerous ‘New Covid-19 variants threatening Philippines’

P

RESIDENT DUTERTE has warned the public on the rising cases of Covid-19, saying the pandemic is getting tobe more dangerous due to the continued mutations of the deadly respiratory virus.

He said surges in the ting to be dangerous also ang anyo, we will have a number of Covid-19 cases because maraming vari- problem now with diswere noted all around the ants naglabas ngayon: In- covering new vaccines. world.“The pandemic is dia, UK, Africa. And kapag And we do not Continue on page 2 getting hotter and it’s get- nag-mutate ito, nag-iba

President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO)

All approved Covid-19 vaccines are safe: DOH THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) said all Covid-19 vaccines issued with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is safe and Continue on page 3

Sulu launches clean-up drive

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan presides over a meeting with stakeholders over additional Covid-19 response measures.

(Sulu Govt. photo)

SULU – Governor Sakur Tan has ordered additional measures to prevent the further spread of the deadly Covid-19 respiratory disease as it continues mass vaccination in the province.

Health experts lauded the Covid-19 response of the provincial and municipal governments for keeping a low tab of active cases. Sulu only has about four dozens active Covid-19 so far.

Continue on page 9

Photos from the municipal government of Parang show villagers waiting to be vaccinated.

While a man is being inoculated with Covid-19 vaccine in Parang town.

Captured Sayyaf sub-leader, 4 others end up dead in Sabah

Bishop blames lifting of mining ban on polls PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte’s decision to lift a moratorium on mining last month is direct-

ly linked to the national elections in 2022 , according to a leading churchman.

Duterte lifted the nine-year moratorium on new mining agreements Continue on page 9

Philippines turns to space in maritime, land surveillance KIDAPAWAN CITY - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the National Security Council (NSC) have

ARMM

signed a Memorandum of Agreement in the implementation of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Automatic Identifi-

cation System (AIS) for the Innovative Terrestrial Monitoring and Maritime Surveillance (SAR with Continue on page 5

Eastern Mindanao

FIVE ABU Sayyaf terrorists were killed following an alleged gun battle that erupted during a police raid on their hideout near Taman Sri Arjuna in Beaufort, a small town in Sa-

Western Mindanao

bah, but one of those slain was actually captured alive along with 7 other militants a week earlier in the same area.

The official Malaysian news agency Bernama

Cebu

said the fighting occurred May 17 at a mangrove area where police commandos and members of the elite Eastern Sabah Security Command Continue on page 3

Manila

2

The Mindanao Examiner

May 24-30, 2021

Pandemic now more dangerous ‘New Covid-19 variants threatening Philippines’

Corona Virus.

Continued from page 1 have a guarantee that the vaccines will be forthcoming on time na walang maraming mamamatay,” Duterte said.

And if the new vari-

ants are more or a serious mutant, Duterte said the government will just have to preparefor the worst.

“We continue to prepare and we calibrate our preparedness inaccordance

with each propagation.

Kung medyo palapit nang palapit na at marami nang tinatamaan, then we will go full blast in making everything operational,”he said. Duterte also

cited Secretary Carlito Galvez, who is in-charge of the vaccine procurement, saying “yun preparations ninyo tama ‘yon maski sobra-sobra because there is no way of knowing whether or not a new variant of the Covid-19 will come up. So okay‘yong ating preparasyon.”“I would be happy if you continue to build the infrastructure of our Covid-19 fight system because for as long as the Covid-19 is here and it will take a lot of time before it finally disappear, if at all, and with the advent of a new variants, it is good to prepare for a more serious attack,” he added.

Duterte cited the surge in Covid-19 cases in Taiwan. “In many countries, in Taiwan, nag-lockdown na sila. They were the first to graduate from the Covid-19. Akala nila wala na, wala ng (gumagamit ng face) mask. But it only would take one contaminated human being na makapasok doon to all to gether again propagate the transmission. So iyan ang ating bantayan.”“And I’m sure that with our experience and ang hindrance is really how much we can spare but we --wala itong limit pagka tao na eh. I said, baka magkatotoo sabi ko ipagbili ko talaga‘yong mga propiedad ng gobyerno kasi pawala nang pawala na ‘yong pera.

We have spent maybe mag-abot lahat- lahat diyan at the --- on the final counting, mga almost a trillion, and there’s no, I said, an end in sight na matapos ito or the new variants will take over. We must prepare and wala naman akong problema.

I know that Secretary Galvez is there, on hand siya, and (Health) Secretary (Francisco) Duque also on the other matters sa health issues, siya na ang bahala,” he added.

Among the early Covid-19 variants are those from the United Kingdom or U.K. and South Africa, but according to the medical website Mayo Clinic, viruses constantly change through mutation.

In March,the Department of Health said it has confirmed the presence of a U.K. variant in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur from 2 overseas Filipino workers who arrived home from Kuwait and Abu Dhabi in February.

The spike in Covid-19 cases in Zamboanga City may have been caused by new variants that are now plaguing the National Capital Region and other provinces in the country.

From a little over 30 active Covid-19 cases in March, Zamboanga City now has more than 2,000 new cases and the number continues to climb despite strict quarantine measures and health protocols imposed by the local Covid-19 task force headed by Mayor Beng Climaco.

The other Covid-19 strains are the following: A variant identified in the U.K. (B.1.1.7). This Covid-19 variant appears to spread more easily and might have an increased risk of death.

A variant identified in South Africa (B.1.351).

This variant appears to spread more easily. It also has a moderate impact on

the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody medications and moderately reduces the effectiveness of antibodies generated by a previous Covid-19 infection or Covid-19 vaccine.

A variant identified in Japan/Brazil (P.1). This variant has a moderate impact on the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody medications. It also reduces the effectiveness of antibodies generated by aprevious Covid-19 infection or a Covid-19 vaccine.

A variant identified in the U.S. (California) (B.1.427). This variant appears to spread more easily. It also has a significant impact on the effectiveness of some treatments and moderately reduces the effectiveness of antibodies generated by a previous Covid-19 infectionor Covid-19 vaccine.

A variant identified in the U.S. (California) (B.1.429). This variant appears to spread more easily. It also has a significant impact on the effectiveness of some treatments and moderately reduces the effectiveness of antibodies generated by a previous Covid-19 infection or Covid-19 vaccine.

The U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also monitoring two variants identified in New York — B.1.526 and B.1.525 — and another variant identified in Brazil — P.2.

But a new Covid-19 variant, officially designated as Lineage P.3, was also detected in the Philippines in March this year as reported by the Philippine Genome Center.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Earn More, Be an Advertising Agency!

Do you want to earn more? Be an ADVERTISING AGENCY and DEALER for the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper and earn hefty commissions. Apply now. This offer covers Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon.

ZAMBOANGA CITY

DAVAO CITY

3rd Floor, JLC Building, Don Alfaro St., Tetuan, Zamboanga City Phone: 062-9555360 Mobile: 0915-3976197

Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines Phone: 082-2841859 Mobile: 0947-4823453

CEBU CITY Ground Floor, Dreamfield Bldg, Sanciangko St., Kamagayan Mobile: 0923-1670009

3

The Mindanao Examiner

May 24-30, 2021

Captured Sayyaf sub-leader, 4 others end up dead in Sabah

All approved Covid-19 vaccines are safe: DOH Continued from page 1 effective and urged the public to get inoculated and prevent the further spread of the deadly respiratory disease.

Before a vaccine can be issued with an EUA, it has to undergo rigorous evaluation processes involving the Department of Science and Technology, FDA, and various vaccine expert groups.

The safety and efficacy of the vaccines are scrutinized based on latest available data and scientific evidence from global clinical trials. All vaccines available now in the country are safe, effective, and have been

found to reduce risk of severe illness and prevent death after completing the required doses.

“As more vaccine supplies become readily available, I encourage everyone to take the earliest opportunity to get vaccinated. Covid-19 vaccines give additional protection against the virus to prevent hospitalization and death. We, at DOH, call on the public to choose to be vaccinated to protect yourselves and your loved ones, the soonest possible time,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque said.

“We have to be reminded that vaccine confidence should be built in

the stringent processes that lead to the vaccine development, local authorization, and recommended use of these vaccines, and definitely not by the brand,” he added.

The DOH said it has inoculated more than 2 million medical frontliners, senior citizens and people with comorbidity.

According to Covid-19 vaccine data, some 2.92 million of doses had been given out in the Philippines with 676,000 people fully vaccinated which is just 0.6 percent of the total populations in the country. (Malou Cablinda contributed to this report.)

FOR SALE

Face Mask from South Korea Retail: P65 a piece Wholesale: P50 a piece (20 pieces up) Mobile: 0915-3976197 – Zamboanga City

Continued from page 1 captured the eight terrorists and 29 other Filipinos, including women and children, during a special operation on May 8.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said among those slain was Mabar Binda, a sub-leader of the proISIS group, who was also wanted by the Philippine authorities. Hazani also identified the other three killed terrorists as Abhirsham Samsula, Jurakhdam Binda and Alsimar Sukarno. The other slain terrorist remains unidentified.

“With the death of the five members of the group, we believe that we have crippled yet another cell of Abu Sayyaf who have been hiding in Sabah and have pledged allegiance to the Daesh (ISIS) militant group,” Hazani said at a news conference on May 18.

“We also suspect that there are remnants of the group still hiding in Malaysia, especially in Sabah.

We are investigating it,” he added.

Hazani said the Mabar Binda’s group clashed with policemen, who killed all 5 Abu Sayyaf fighters. He said police recovered two .45-caliber pistols and ammunition, including three machetes.

But Mabar Binda was among those captured alive by the Eastern Sabah Security Command along with another sub-leader Sansibar Bensio and Alim Sukarno, Bonijar Samsula, Lugah Sanchez, Sansis, Firdaus and Muayyar Binda.

It was unclear whether four of those slain were

also among those captured alive in Beaufort.

Their capture was even announced by Hazani himself during a news conference on May 10 with the Eastern Sabah Security Command providing photos of the terrorists.

But Hazani claimed Mabar Binda and five other terrorists managed to escape during the May 8 raid in Beaufort even though their photos showed all of them alive and hands tied behind their back.

The Philippine military’s Western Mindanao Command also confirmed the capture of Mabar Binda and the others by the Eastern Sabah Security Command in Beaufort town.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the operation launched by Malaysia was part of bilateral anti-terrorism efforts between the two countries.

“The strengthened collaboration and cooperation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Eastern Sabah Southern Command led to the apprehension of two notorious Abu Sayyaf Group sub-leaders and six of their followers in Sabah,” he said following the capture of Mabar Binda’s group, adding the intelligence that led to the capture of the Abu Sayyaf fighters was provided by the Joint Task Force Sulu to the Eastern Sabah Security Command.

“Based on the report from the ground, the ESSCOM responded to the information provided by the Joint Task Force Sulu and launched a police special

operation in Jalan Taman Sri Arjuna, Beaufort, Sabah around 3:00 o’clock in the morning of May 8, Saturday,” Vinluan said.

He also identified some of the arrested Abu Sayyaf terrorists as Sansibar Bensio, 40; Mabar Binda, 25; who are both Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders; and Muayyar Binda, 30; Firdaus; Lugah Sanchez, 45; Bonijar Samsula, Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, also said Bensio and Binda were involved in the series of clashes with the military in Patikul town where they beheaded 2Lt. Michael Baladad, of the Philippine Marines. He said the two sub-leaders were also involved in the kidnappings of at least 10 Filipinos and Indonesian fishermen Samiun Bin Maneu, Maharudin Bin Lunani and Muhammad Farhan; and also Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra, Dutchman Ewold Horn.

Gonzales, citing intelligence report by Col. Hernanie Songano, commander of the 4th Marine Brigade, said: Due to the sustained intelligence, focused military operations, and civil-military cooperation in the province of Sulu, particularly in the Second District, the now-apprehended personalities escaped to Sabah and established an Abu Sayyaf cell base thereat, to spot probable kidnap victims and to facilitate (the entry of) foreign terrorist groups operating in the Southeast Asian countries, to conduct terror activities in the Philippines.”

(Mindanao Examiner)

4

The Mindanao Examiner

May 24-30, 2021

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

5

The Mindanao Examiner

May 24-30, 2021

Philippines turns to space in maritime, land surveillance

FOR SALE

DOST Advanced Science and Technology Institute Mission Center.

Kampilan 21” (P13,000)

Long Kris 20” (P13,000)

Short Kris Colored Forged 16” (P13,000)

GinunƟng 12” (P7,500)

Made from 5160 High Carbon Steel and Kamagong handle and scabbard.

For table and wall display, or as self-defense weapon.

Zamboanga City 0915-3976197

A satellite image capturred by NovaSAR-1 from outer space.

Continued from page 1 AIS) Project. DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the project aims to improve terrestrial and maritime monitoring capabilities of the country through the NovaSAR-1 satellite.

This allows roughly three minutes of imaging (or a scope of 81,600 sq. km.) using the scanning SAR (ScanSAR) mode per day.

The NovaSAR-1 is also equipped with an AIS allowing simultaneous ship detection partnered with the all-weather and day and night imaging capabilities of the satellite.

“The DOST and NSC will take another step forward and towards a new collaboration to ensure the interest and security of our nation. From this day onward, the council and the department have officially committed to endeavor on one of our projects geared towards terrestrial and maritime monitoring, the SAR with AIS Project,” De la Peña said.

National Security Adviser and Director General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., lauded the DOST for supporting the project in the last three years, saying “this development is good news for all Filipi-

nos and the government because this will establish our presence in outer space, and through DOST and the Philippine Space Agency, we have accomplished this.”

“We took small steps, but we made our presence known. With this project, we have accelerated our interest in outer space, and we do it through the NovaSAR satellite. We can now capture image for maritime monitoring purposes, including other interests in national security,” Esperon said.

SAR data can be used to monitor and detect a variety of objects and is minimally affected by weather conditions making it an efficient option for monitoring. And the data provides for a more detailed information regarding ships being detected and allows for the identification of the ships and the locations it visited.

This information is very useful in guarding Philippine water territories against illegal vessels and in determining hidden motives of unauthorized ships. Also, AIS data can be used to plot trajectories of missing ships and assist in rescue oper-

ations.

“With the operationalization of DOST’s SAR with AIS, with the continued assistance of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) headed by Director General Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr., and now enhanced with the engagement of the National Security Council, we cannot help but look forward to another big leap towards our collective goal of strengthening our research and development infrastructures that are vital for the country’s security and territorial integrity,” said Dr. Franz De Leon, Director of the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute.

De Leon said the project plays a big role in research and development with its complex capabilities and expertise on terrestrial monitoring and maritime surveillance for national security.

Marciano also expressed optimism in finding more meaningful applications of the project in national security as well as other areas—that with and through innovative solutions using evidence-based science and technology approach.

(Rhoderick Beñez contributed to this report.)

Alamada Mayor Sacdalan, positibo sa Covid-19

Alamada Mayor Jesus Sacdalan NORTH COTABATO Nagpositibo sa Covid-19 si Alamada Mayor Jesus Sacdalan matapos itong mahawa sa isang pagtitipon kaugnay sa kanyang trabaho.

Sinabi ni Sacdalan na ito ay naka-quarantine na sa kasalukuyan at nasa maayos na kalagayan.

Sa kanyang Facebook post, ito ang sinulat ni Sacdalan: “Sa lahat ng minamahal kong Alamadians, nais ko pong ipaalam sa inyo na ako po ay nag positibo sa Covid-19 dahil may nakasalamuha ako na positibo sa Covid-19 sa isang pagtitipon habang ginagampanan ko ang

tungkulin bilang inyong Municipal Mayor.

Kasalukuyan akong naka-quarantine, ngunit huwag kayong mag-alala sapagkat nasa maayos po akong kalagayan. Para na rin sa kaligtasan ng lahat at mga taong palagi kong nakakasalamuha, kinakailangan kong sundin ang tamang proseso.

Sa lahat ng aking mga nakasalamuha simula noong May 12, sana kayo ay magself-quarantine o home quarantine at kong mayroon kayong nararamdaman na sintomas, agad itong ipagbigay alam sa ating Rural Health Unit.

Ito ay isa lamang patunay na sa kabila ng pag-iingat, ang banta ng Covid-19 ay nariyan. Patuloy po nating sundin ang mga minimum health standards na ipinapatupad ng Department of Health para mapanatili ang ligtas na pamumuhay sa bayan ng Alamada. God Bless, Stay Safe and We Heal as One.” (Rhoderick Beñez)

SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO

6

The Mindanao Examiner

May 24-30, 2021

Darul-Ifta issues Islamic guidance for protection of women, girls

A photo released by the Philippine Information Agency shows Grand Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan as gestures on a poster on Islamic guidance for the protection of Muslim women and girls.

MARAWI CITY – Grand Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan has released a set of Islamic guidance on the community protection of Muslim women and girls in Mindanao.

The Grand Mufti, also the Executive Director of the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, formally turned over the set of guidelines to Parliament member Bainon Karon, of the Bangsamoro Women Commission. “I enjoin everyone to advocate and help popularize this Peace Guidance. This document

will strengthen our resolve to push for policies that will further provide protection for women and girls. It will serve as basis of our legislations, both in the Commission and in the Parliament,” said Karon.

The guidelines stipulate the 5 primary duties based on the Qur’an phrased as Women PEACE - Protect all women and girls from physical and emotional abuse and harm; Enable women and girls to pursue education from cradle to grave; Al-

ways seek the consent of women and girls in marriage; Create favorable opportunities for women and girls to acquire property and source of livelihood; and Establish safe spaces for women and girls to nourish their iman or faith.

The Grand Mufti reminded everyone that “women are highly regarded in Islam and are ideally considered as equals of men” before explaining specific Qur’anic verses to support the PEACE guidelines.

Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey KIDAPAWAN CITY Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think.

Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated with other fecal matter, they are collected.

In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad.

But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee seller in Zamboanga City.

The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to

CEBU CITY ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our CEBU CITY office at this phone number:

RODIL YBANEZ G/F Dreamfield Bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan, Cebu City Phone: (0923) 1670009

DAVAO REGION ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our DAVAO REGION office at these following phone numbers:

MALOU CABLINDA Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City Phones: (082) 2841859, (0932) 4323301, (0997) 3172021

MANILA ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our MANILA Sales Execu ve at this phone number: Phone: (0915) 0070927 Email Address: chardee.mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

NORTH COTABATO ADVERTISING give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink.

Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a home reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection.

Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and

resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice.

And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 09153976197. (AJC)

For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our NORTH COTABATO office at these phone numbers:

RHODERICK BEÑEZ Kidapawan City Phones: (0927) 4757936, (0918) 7229009

ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA office at these phone numbers:

JENG FERNANDEZ 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan, Zamboanga City Phones: (062) 9555360, (0915) 3976197

May 24-30, 2021

The Mindanao Examiner

Sulu Pictures in the News

7

8

The Mindanao Examiner

May 24-30, 2021

Across : 1. Cow’s cry 4. ___ Vegas 7. Range 12. ___ de toilette 13. Imitate 14. Respect 15. Endeavor 17. Door sign 18. Rains ice 20. Folding beds 21. Totals 23. Wonderland girl 25. Out ___ limb (2 wds.)

26. Did again 30. Foremost 33. Green shade 34. Was present at 38. Ump’s kin 39. Pilfered 40. Extremely 41. Deuces 44. ___ worker 46. Desert haven 48. Mentor’s student 51. Farm buildings 52. Poetic contraction 53. Family member 54. Pebble 55. ___ Plaines, Illinois 56. Instant lawn

CEBU CITY G/F Dreamfield bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan (0923) 1670009

Rodil P. Ybañez

DAVAO CITY Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines (082) 2841859 / (0932) 4323301 / (0997) 3172021

Marilou Cablinda

NORTH COTABATO KIDAPAWAN CITY CENTRAL MINDANAO COTABATO CITY Rhoderick Beñez (0927) 4757936 Answer to last week’s crossword:

Down :

PAGADIAN CITY

Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera st., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur (0910) 7348600

Richard Suarez

1. Give ___ break! (2 wds.)

2. Certain grain 3. Beat through cleverness 4. Feeble, as an excuse 5. Materialize 6. Decide 7. That lady 8. Hide 9. On top of 10. Verse maker 11. Does wrong 16. Raised railroads 19. Tiny drink 21. Love seat 22. Army division 24. Corp. head 27. Having endless energy 28. Eternally

29. Resist 31. Jam ___ (impromptu concert) 32. Blasting letters 35. Two, in Madrid 36. Ran off to wed 37. Pronouncement 40. Large tub 41. Pitch 42. ___ and see 43. Norwegian city 45. Charged particles 47. Compass reading (abbr.)

49. Sticky stuff 50. Terminate

Weekly Sudoku:

ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA BASILAN, SULU, TAWIͳTAWI ΈBARMMΉ 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / 0915-3976197

Maritess Fernandez The Mindanao Examiner The Zamboanga Post

Newspaper, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief / Producer

Answer to last week:

Reynold Toribio Graphics / Video Editor

Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily / Business Week / Mindanao Star ADVERTISING Rhoderick Beñez (0927) 4757936 Central Mindanao/ Kidapawan City/Cotabato City North Cotabato Eduardo A. Sode (0917) 3087366 044 Mabini St. Cebu City Rodil P. Ybañez (0923) 1670009 Ground flr, Dreamfield Bldg, Sanciangko St., Kamagayan Cebu City

Marilou Cablinda (0997) 3172021 Davao Region/ Eastern Mindanao Jeng Fernandez (0917) 7930652 Zamboanga Peninsula

Richard Suarez (0910) 7348600 Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera sts., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur

The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.

ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Phone & Fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0915) 3976197 DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero Phone: (082) 2841859 Mobile: (0925) 7621914 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: 3/F JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Phone & fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0915) 3976197

9

The Mindanao Examiner

May 24-30, 2021

Sulu launches clean-up drive Continued from page 1 Tan, himself a Covid-19 survivor, held a meeting recently with stakeholders on various measures as part of the provincial government’s response to the health crisis.

He said there will be a community cleanliness drive in all towns every Saturday at 4 p.m. and a total lockdown every Sunday to allow disinfection of all government and commercial establishments.

Residents shall always wear face shield and face mask when entering commercial stores and establishments;

while riding a motorcycle solo or with a passenger and same with public jeepneys and other public transportation.

Tan, head of the provincial task force Covid-19, said all shipping lines shall also disinfect their passenger vessels on a regular basis.

He said all municipal governments must also come up with ordinances for residents to strictly abide by these protocols.

“These initiatives are pursued with the health benefit of the people as the priority. This is our obligation, but government alone cannot do it, we need the participation

and cooperation of everyone, this pandemic is the concern of all,” he said, adding “the government can only do so much, I call on the community to support and follow the health protocols and regulations set by authorities, to prevent the spread of Covid-19 virus and its variants.”

Mass inoculation continues in the province and is well-received by the locals following a massive information campaign conducted by the Integrated Provincial Health Office and the provincial and municipal task forces on Covid-19.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Bishop blames lifting of mining ban on polls Governors, mayors now on vaccination priority list

Manila Bishop Broderick Pabillo has criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to lift the moratorium on mining. (Mark Saludes - UCA News) Continued from page 1 in mid-April purportedly to boost the economy by creating jobs amid the Covid-19 crisis. He also said taxes generated would support infrastructure projects across the country.

However, Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo believes lifting the ban was not for the people but was fueled by a political agenda. “They (government officials) really need the money for elections. And these big mining firms are the ones giving away the money in exchange for getting permits. In our current situation, it will not benefit the country, but only a few,” Pabillo said at a Mass on May 16.

By allowing new mining agreements, the government has also given the green light to environmental degradation including human rights abuses against Filipino

workers, he said.

“Mining is one of the causes of the destruction of communities of indigenous peoples and the poor. We will see once again human rights violations and red-tagging of indigenous peoples, farmers, fishermen and environmentalists against mining,” Pabillo said.

Pabillo is a staunch advocate of indigenous peoples’ rights and caring for the environment.

In 2013, he launched an online campaign against the country’s largest copper and gold mining corporation to call on then President Benigno Aquino to investigate the mining firm and review mining concessions and requirements.

“We need someone like Bishop Pabillo who bravely fights for the rights of the poor and the unheard, particularly the indigenous peoples. If our bishops will not fight for the oppressed, who will?”

Manila parishioner Leonardo Harael told UCA News.

“May our politicians be reminded to care for the environment so that it may be spared from abuse in order to generate profit for selfish gain,” Harael added.

He said Pabillo’s comments were also a reminder to Filipino Catholics to mark the anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on protecting the environment, Laudato Si’, issued on May 24, 2015.

Laudato Si’ (Praised Be You) is the second encyclical of Pope Francis.

The encyclical has the subtitle “on care for our common home.” In it, the Pope critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take “swift and unified global action.”

(Joseph Peter Calleja – UCAN)

THE NATIONAL government’s Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) has passed a resolution prioritizing provincial governors and city and municipal mayors in the government’s vaccination program.

They now belong to the A1.5 category of the vaccination program regardless of the risk classification of their respective local governments.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año praised the IATF-MEID Resolution Number 115-B, saying all governors and mayors are also frontliners and head of their respective Covid task force.

“They are frontliners in our Covid-19 response, as well as the delivery of public service amid the pandemic and they must be in the best of health to be able serve their constituents,” he said, calling the resolution as a “is a good move by the national government.”

He said as elected officials, governors and mayors are expected to always be at the forefront of the health crisis hence

increasing their chances of exposure and infection.

“Our governors and mayors are the heads of the local Covid-19 task forces, so it’s just right that they are prioritized since they perform a vital role in defeating the pandemic on the local level. In fact, all major programs of government are implemented locally by the mayors, therefore they are critical to the success of everything that we do,” Año said.

“Sa anuman pong krisis, laging hinahanap ng mga mamamayan ang ating mga LCEs, lalo na ngayong pandemya. Kaya naman buo ang suporta ng DILG sa pagpapasya ng pamahalaan na iangat sa A1.5 vaccination category ang mga pinuno ng pamahalaang lokal,” he added.

Año said governors and mayors are bound by the law to be on top of all the Covid-19 efforts and enforce all related policies and measures, including prevention, detection, isolation, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque echoed Año’s statement,

saying “Sila po ang nagpapatupad ng localized lockdown, vaccination.

Sila po talaga ang ating instrumento dito sa paglaban natin sa COVID-19.

They may not be doctors, but they are equally frontliners dahil lahat po ng istratehiya natin ang mga humaharap po ang mga lokal na opisyales, si mayors at si governor.”

Año said that since the pandemic is still raging, requiring the immediate delivery of services to people in need, governors and mayors are at the forefront in fighting the pandemic and helping people.

Just last month, Sulu Governor Sakur was infected with Covid-19 and had to isolate himself for several weeks until he fully recovered. But Tan is back again working hard in fighting the spread of the deadly respiratory disease.

Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco also underwent multiple RTPCR tests after exposing herself to infected constituents and civil employees while fighting the pandemic. (Zamboanga Post)

NOTICE Please report to us any individual or persons who are illegally soliciting money or donations for or in behalf of MINDANAO EXAMINER REGIONAL NEWSPAPER.We have a strict company policy against solicitation in any forms and the Company shall not be responsible for illegal practice of unscrupulous persons, who pass themselves off as Reporter, Stringer, Correspondent or Sales Executive of Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper.

When in doubt, please call or SMS us at these numbers (062) 9555360 or SMS 0915-3976197 or email us – mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

Founded 2006

mindanaoexaminer.com

FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (082) 2841859

P10

May 24-30, 2021

Cult leader Ruben Ecleo is dead C

EBU CITY – Murder convict and cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr died of cardiac arrest at the New Bilibid Prison more than week after returning from a private hospital in Manila, according to the Bureau of Corrections.

Before he died, Ecleo stormed Ecleo’s residence justice.

In 2012, Ecleo was - a former congressman on Dinagat Islands resultin Dinagat Islands - was ing in a 3-hour gun battle sentenced to life imprisrushed to the Dr. Sabi- with armed cult members onment for the murder of li General Hospital in that left 17 people dead, his wife. He was also conincluding a policeman. victed of graft in 2006 for Taguig City.

Ecleo, Supreme Mas- the anomalous construcThe lawmaker was serving life sentence for ter of the Philippine Be- tion of a public market Missionaries and town hall, and repairs murdering his wife, Alo- nevolent na Bacolod, in their home Association, was captured of his cult’s building in in the village of Guada- in Pampanga province San Jose town in Dinagat lupe here in on January outside Manila in July last Islands when he was then 5, 2002. Her remains year. Before his arrest, po- mayor in the early 1990s. were found six months lice surveilled his hideout He was sentenced to 31 following her death in a for 6 months. His driver, years in jail. (Jelly Musico. trash bag in Cebu’s Da- Benjie Fernan, was also Cebu Examiner contributlaguete town and police arrested for obstruction of ed to this report.)

A police photo shows former Dinagat Islands Congressman and cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. following his capture last year.

GMCAC completes debt deal, to save P4.5-B for airport ops

Cebu Internatinal Airport.

CEBU CITY – The GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) has completed a debt rebalancing deal with its lenders and said it will save P4.5 billion in cash

in the next 3 years to sustain the operations of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

The cash was initially earmarked to pay GMCAC’s P23.9-bil-

lion debt used to develop, operate, and maintain the country’s second-biggest airport.

GMCAC said the debt rebalancing program involves the relaxation of original debt servicing and covenant commitments, clearing the airport operator’s runway for full recovery. In turn, the amount will be amortized throughout the life of the loan, with the bulk of GMCAC’s debt payments scheduled towards 2027 to 2029.

GMCAC is a consortium between one of the Philippines’ leading construction firms, Megawide Corporation and India’s GMR Group, a world renowned infrastructure

Cebuanos told to follow health protocols CEBU CITY – Mayor Edgardo Labella urged Cebuanos to religiously follow the minimum health protocols set by authorities to sustain the downtrend in the number of Covid-19 cases here.

“I am very thankful to the people for cooperating with

their city government in the call to observe the health standards to prevent further surge of Covid-19. I am very thankful that they are compliant,” Labella said.

He said if the people continue to wear face mask, face shield, wash their hands and ob-

serve social distancing even with the city’s mass vaccination rollout, “magka-ubos pa gyud ang atong kaso.”

The Department of Health (DOH) said the total number of Covid-19 recoveries is over 22,000 with a few hundred active cases only. (John Rey Saavedra)

developer with an excellent track record of transforming airports into exciting, efficient award winning airports in India and overseas. The consortium has been formed to manage and develop the Mactan Cebu International Airport for the next 25 years, under the Philippine government’s Public Private Partnership program.

Aside from the lenders, BDO Capital and Investment Corp., which acted as the financial advisor for the transaction, played an instrumental role in assuring the company’s creditors of the long-term, mutually beneficial advantages that can be realized from the agreement. “Assessing the current situation, multi-sectoral cooperation will be very crucial for the country’s economic take-off once smoke from this pandemic clears.

The support of financial institutions, both local and regional, to private companies is important to reflect confidence in their business models and the entire country’s economic growth potential,” BDO Capital president Eduardo Francisco said.

During the negotiations, BDO Capital, with the support of all parties, developed a mutually ac-

ceptable proposition to amend the original schedule of the 15-year, HP23.9-billion project financing for the GMCAC’s 25-year concession agreement to develop, operate, and maintain MCIA. “For us, facilitating this transaction will help our long-time partner, Megawide (Construction Corporation) and its airport subsidiary (GMCAC), recover from the ill effects of the crisis. Under the stewardship of Megawide, we have seen how MCIA improved and expanded over the last six years pre-pandemic, to become one of the country’s and world’s best airports,” Francisco said.

He said this track-record makes them “very optimistic” of the airport’s growth trajectory as soon as normalcy returns to the Philippines’ travel and tourism industry.

For the lenders, this will also open up fresh opportunities for expanding relationships, considering the company’s aggressive and exciting expansion plans for the country’s second-busiest air hub, Francisco added.

Megawide recorded its highest construction contracts at P68.4

billion in 2020 amid the pandemic, including the P26-billion Suncity West Side City to be completed in two and half years and the Malolos-Clark Railway Project Package 1. The infrastructure giant has also been aggressively pursuing and confident in securing deals under major infrastructure projects, like the Metro Manila Subway System and North-South Commuter Railway Project-South Line, which are scheduled for bidding this year.

The company is currently laying the groundwork for the redevelopment of the Carbon Market in Cebu under a 50-year joint-venture agreement with Cebu City, and is in active discussions with the Baguio City government for a potential landport location. “All these developments provide Megawide, as well as its financial and business partners, with a pipeline of exciting and attractive growth prospects and value-creation initiatives moving forward,” Megawide said. (Carlo Lorenciana. Cebu Examiner contributed to this report.)

First Standard Finance Corporation Zamboanga City 0915-3976197 FOR SALE FOR SALE

Toyota Altis P650,000 Toyota Fortuner P1.9 Million

ARMM

Eastern Mindanao

Western Mindanao

Cebu

Manila