The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (January 23-29, 2023)

Nobel winner Maria Ressa, Rappler cleared of tax evasion

NOBEL PEACE Prize

winner

and her online news company were cleared Wednesday of tax evasion charges she said were among a slew of legal cases used by former President Rodrigo Duterte to try to muzzle critical reporting.

The Court of Tax Ap-

peals ruled that prosecutors failed to prove "beyond reasonable doubt" that Ressa and Rappler Holdings Corp. evaded tax payments in four instances after raising capital through partnerships with two foreign investors. "The acquittal of the accused is based on the Continue on page 7 Continue on page 7

Groups oppose Davao incinerator project

DAVAO CITY – Various environmental

Extremist groups continue recruitment in South: Report

Warning out on Thai cosmetics laced with Mercury

THE TOXICS watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition saidit has uncovered dangerous mercury-added cosmetics imported from Thailand,which are sold locally online and warned the public about its dangers.

It said the Dr. Wuttisak blue and green skincaresets laden are all with mercury up to 17,950 parts per million (ppm), way abovethe 1 ppm limit set by the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

“We are appalled to discover another brand of Thaiskincare products

Continue on page 5 Continue on page 5

NEW

ANEW

The report, released only recently and a copy furnished The Mindanao Examiner, suggests that the recruitment argu-

ments of violent extremist groups, one of them the Maute group, may be resonating more than ever with Muslim youth.

According to the December 2022 IAG study, entitled “Youth Vulnerability to Violent Continue on page 2 Continue on page 2

Decorated army general passes away

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Former Zamboanga City mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar announced the passing of her husband, retired military major general Trifonio Salazar, whose exploits in the South helped capture or killed many terrorists during his stint as army division commander.

“It is with deep sorrow that I am Continue on page 6 Continue on page 6

Public warned vs Facebook scams promising followers

PAGADIAN CITY - Authorities have warned traders, especially those selling online, to be wary in transacting business with people offering social media services after a small company fell victim to this modus operandi.

Continue on page 7 Continue on page 7

PSA to build office in Sulu

Former Zamboanga City mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar with husband retired Major General Trifonio Salazar in this photo taken on December 25, 2022. (MBC)

and farmers’ groups have opposed the pending construction of a waste-to-energy (WtE) incinerator here, saying the Japanese-funded facility will only impact people’s health and Davao’s rich biodiversity, particularly Continue on page 7 Continue on page 7

Various groups have opposed an incinerator project funded by the Japanese government in Davao City, citing environmental concerns. (Mindanao Examiner)

A photo posted by the Moro National Liberation Front on Facebook shows MNLF

Founding Chairman Nur Misuari as he poses with Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. Galvez recently visited Misuari in his home in Davao City. Also present during the visit were Members of the Parliament of BARMM Deputy Speaker and MNLF Vice- Chairman Ustadz Abdulkarim Tan Misuari, Atty. Bong Parcasio, MP Nurreida Misuari, MP Hamid, MP Dr Kahalan, MP Tarhata Maglangit, and others.

Maria Ressa

report released by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG)

report released the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) has shed light on renewed recruitment by violent extremist groups in the has shed on renewed recruitment violent extremist groups in the restive region of Muslim Mindanao restive of Muslim Mindanao.

SULU – Governor Sakur Tan lauded the establishment of a Philippine Sta-

tistics Authority office in the southern province of Sulu following the visit of

PSA officials here.

Regional

Extremist groups continue recruitment in South: Report

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1

Extremism,” found that the majority of the 800 youth respondents (50.4%) agree or strongly agree that “jihad qital (armed struggle) is an obligation of every Muslim.”

It said this interpretation is the one propagated by violent extremist groups such as the Maute and is not in line with the moderate interpretation of traditional Islam.

The report further said that more than six out of ten respondents (67.8%) also agree or strongly agree with the statement: “I believe that discrimination against Moros is enough justification to bear arms and fight.”

Also backed by violent extremist groups, this interpretation equates anti-Muslim discriminatory practices (such as denying employment to a Muslim because of his religion) with the life-and-death actions of aggressors bent on destroying Islam, in effect adding a new justification for waging jihad qital.

“Our study suggests that the recruitment arguments of the Maute Group and other terrorist organizations in Muslim Mindanao may be resonating more than ever with Muslim youth,” warned Atty. Benedicto R. Bacani, who is Executive Director of the IAG, noting that one of the report’s recommendations is

to enlist government agencies in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to build capacity around the Islamic concept of wasatiyyah (moderation) as a counterpoint to the ideology of violent extremism.

The IAG report also found that only 9.6% of respondents are aware of programs and projects under the National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (NAP P/ CVE), which was finalized in 2019.

When told what P/CVE programs are planned, the 800 respondents were most interested in scholarships and training opportunities for Moro youth. About

73.9% chose this option when presented with a list of suggestions on how to prevent young people from joining VE groups.

The respondents also endorsed suggestions to extend the national government’s 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) conditional cash grants program to their communities (64.5%) and to provide entrepreneurship tutoring to the youth and giving them access to capital (54.8%). All these are consistent with the respondents’ belief that the two main push factors toward violent extremism are poverty and lack of access to education.

The 2022 report, according to IAG, surveyed 400 urban youth and 400 rural youth from conflict-affected areas, interviewed 32 key informants from local government units, schools, civil society organizations, the security sector, international non-government organizations, and other relevant institutions, conducted 24 focus group discussions with 192 participants, comprising in-school/out-ofschool, male/female youth

participants from urban and rural areas, and developed five case studies around former members of violent extremist groups.

The field work was completed in March 2022 and the research was made possible with the support of the Australian Government.

The IAG said data for the study was collected using surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in selected urban and conflict-affected rural areas in BARMM. The urban areas are Cotabato City, Marawi City, Lamitan City, and Jolo town in Sulu province.

The conflict-affected rural areas are Mamasapano in Maguindanao, Butig in Lanao del Sur, Patikul in Sulu, and Tipo-Tipo in Basilan. The instruments used to generate the data responding to the research questions were (a) a survey questionnaire, (b) key informant interview guides, and (c) focus group discussion guides. Secondary data and a review of related literature on the recent developments of violent extremism in the global and local settings were also done to supplement the

results of the study on violent extremism in the Muslim region in Mindanao.

The study analyzed the set of Islamic beliefs of the Moro youth that support acts of terrorism, as manifested in their behavior and attitudes, and examined their perceptions of the drivers of violent extremism. Significant findings revealed that Moro youth were aware of the presence of violent extremist groups in their communities and recruitment by these groups was widespread. Many young Moro gradually adopted radical views through listening to radical preachers, attending prayer groups, and having regular contact with recruiters.

IAG said the study was one of the materials used in crafting the National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. The report recommends building capacity around a moderate interpretation of Islam to counter extremist ideology and stronger government action on poverty alleviation and granting Muslim youth access to education. (Mindanao Examiner)

Hunt for terrorists continues

tinue to work with our partners from the PNP and other security agencies to keep the communities safe and free from violence,” he said.

Akmad was tracked down by security forces in his hideout in Salat village and the operation involved a sizable number of soldiers and police commandos, with the military mobilizing the 90th and 72nd Infantry Battalions, the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, and various intelligence units.

This was confirmed by Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Joint Task Force Central, responsible for Akmad’s capture. He said Akmad is a notorious bomb maker and member of the Daulah Islamiyah, which means Islamic State.

SECURITY FORCES continue hunting down terrorists in southern Philippines following the capture of a local ISIS bomber blamed for the series of attacks on civilian targets in the restive region.

Government forces are battling several terrorist groups in Mindanao the past years and just last week security officials said police commandos, backed by soldiers, swooped down on a local ISIS hideout in North Cota-

bato’s President Roxas town and captured Jordan Akmad.

Marine Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, branded the capture of the bomber as a “remarkable accomplishment” in the war against terror.

“I commend the troops of Joint Task Force Central for this remarkable accomplishment. The Western Mindanao Command, through its joint task forces, will con-

Galido implicated Akmad in numerous murders and deadly bombings and burning of provincial buses in Davao City, Kabacan, Mlang, and Tulunan towns in North Cotabato the past year, and is one of the most wanted terrorists in the country.

Galido nor Rojas did not release details of the highly classified operations that led to Akmad’s arrest citing security concerns and the continuing hunt for other terrorists. (Mindanao Examiner)

The military's Western Mindanao Command releases a photo of captured ISIS bomber, Jordan Akmad, following his arrest on Tuesday, January 18, 2023 in North Cotabato's President Roxas town. (Mindanao Examiner)

Bangladesh seeks stronger ties with BARMM

oro region’s governance development. During his visit, he also observed classes and

Parliament Speaker Atty. Balindong gave updates on the accomplishments and activities of the Parliament to the ambassador.

Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Member of Parliament Eddie Alih, and Secretary General Prof. Raby Angkal were also in attendance during the January 12 visit.

Ambassador Uddin, whose visit was organized by the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, also announced plans

to develop ties with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in a variety of sectors, such as education and governance, according to The Asian Affairs.

He said: “The bilateral connections between the Philippines and Bangladesh are strengthening, and the purpose of my visit is to determine how we can enhance and expand the programs.”

In addition, he emphasized the recent advancements in Ban-

gladesh, highlighting the country’s economic successes in education, health, and social sectors.

“We have an excellent apparel industry. Similar to China, this is the second largest in the world. We are doing well in the pharmaceutical industry, exporting medicines to over 160 nations worldwide, including the Philippines,” the ambassador said.

The ambassador highlighted that his government was dedicated to helping the Bangsam-

TWGs formed to speed up deliberations on proposed resolutions

the series of killings and alarming state of public order and safety in Maguindanao and the BARMM Special Geographic Area.

Pamilyang Bangsamoro Project. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

Parliament holds more public consultations

The Bangsamoro Parliament's Public Order and Safety Committee has formed three technical working groups to expedite deliberations on the nine proposed resolutions referred to the committee.

Among the proposed resolutions discussed are calling on the Bangsam-

oro government and other appropriate agencies to conduct a parliamentary inquiry and investigation and submit recommendations pertaining to several killings in the region.

Committee members have also agreed to schedule a parliamentary inquiry in aid of legislation into

The CPOS has jurisdiction over all matters concerning peace and order, Bangsamoro Police, fire and jail management, suppression of criminalities, regulation of the private security services, firearms, firecrackers, pyrotechnics, destructive fires, rescue, emergency medical services, and research and development in the internal security aspects within the Bangsamoro region. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

Bangsamoro Electoral Code public consultations set in Maguindanao, Lanao Sur

Atty. Dumama-Alba said that the committee intends to adhere to the schedule of having the bill approved in Parliament by the first quarter of the year.

THE BANGSAMORO Parliament’s Committee on Local Government is set to hold another round of public consultations for Parliament Bill No. 30, or the Bangsamoro Local

Governance Code, in the region’s mainland provinces until February.

The CLG will hold consultations with local chief executives and other relevant stakeholders

on February 1 in Lanao del Sur, and February 24 in Cotabato City and the BARMM Special Geographic Area.

MP Atty. Raissa Jajurie, CLG’s committee chair, said that the proposed priority code is expected to be enacted by March of this year. The BLGC, filed by the Government of the Day, will provide a clear direction between local government units and the Bangsamoro government.

The first round of public consultations for the BLGC was conducted in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi in December last year. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

BTA Committee of Environment adopts own rules, procedures

COTABATO CITY - The Rules Committee of the Bangsamoro Parliament has approved the amended schedules for public consultations on the proposed Bangsamoro Electoral Code in the region's mainland provinces.

Based on the meeting presided over by Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, public consultations will take place on January 30 and 31 in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

The BTA Bill No. 29, also known as the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, will prescribe the structural, functional, and procedural principles for the elections of members of the Parliament in the Bangsamoro region.

Local chief executives and nongovernment stakeholders are expected to participate in the said consultations. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

COTABATO CITY - The Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy has adopted its own internal rules and procedures.

Committee Chairperson Tawakal Midtimbang said that, as this is the committee's first meeting, it is necessary to discuss the internal rules before proceeding with bills and resolutions referred to the said committee.

He also urged the committee members to work together to fulfill their mandates and cater to the needs of the Bangsamoro. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

OTABATO

CITY - Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines F M Borhan

COTABATO CITY - Ambassador to the F.M. Borhan Uddin and other delegates paid a courtesy visit to Bangsamoro Parliament Uddin and other a courtesy visit to Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Atty Pangalian Balindong in Cotabato City Atty. in Cotabato City.

Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong and other officials pose with Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines F.M. Borhan Uddin during his visit to Cotabato City. Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Member of Parliament Eddie Alih, and Secretary General Prof. Raby Angkal were also in attendance during the January 12 visit.

MP Atty. Raissa Jajurie

MP Tawakal Midtimbang

The Working Parliament

interacted with the community at

the Timbaluan Learning Center in Talayan town in Maguindanao del Sur province, which is part of the Abot Kaalaman sa

Warring MILF, MNLF leaders sign peace deal

PSA to build office in Sulu

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1

Director Akang Tula led officials from the central office in meeting with Tan and informed him of the latest development. The PSA is currently holding a temporary office at the Provincial Capitol compound which Tan of-

fered.

Tula said the new PSA office would be in the historical town of Maimbung. Tan welcomed the development and expressed optimism that this new structure will be built of modern quality and design.

Among those in Tula’s

group were Medzhor Tan, Chief Statistical Specialist PSA-Sulu and Sergio Ocfemia Jr, Emilio Querubin Jr, Christian Macaraniag, Kennex Aguila, John Carlo Katibayan, and Ryan Ramirez – all from the PSA central office. (Mindanao Examiner)

Warning out on Thai cosmetics laced with Mercury

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 contaminated with mercury,” said Aileen Lucero, NationalCoordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. “Mercury is toxic and the ban on its use inthe production of cosmetics has been in effect for years, especially inThailand and the ASEAN region, even before the 2020 global phase-out formercury-added cosmetics under the Minamata Convention.”

mins, arbutin and papaya for reducing dark spots, freckles andpimples.

BASILAN – Leaders of two warring groups the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have signed a peace deal following a series of talks and mediation by the Philippine government in the southern Muslim province of Basilan.

Lt. Col. Abdurasad Sirajan, who headed the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), said both the MILF and the MNLF were finally able to settle their issues and concerns.

He said the group of Rajan Abdulrahman, Deputy Commander for Guerrilla Force of the MILF’s 114th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, and the groups of Usong Ugong, of the MNLF; and Parangba-

sak

“The peaceful resolution of the conflict is also attributable to the collective efforts of the BARMM's Ministry of Public Order and Safety, Joint Peace and Security of Sumisip and Tipo-Tipo towns and other security and local government agencies,” Sirajan said, adding Col. Wendell Basat, the Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Civil-Military Operations in Western Mindanao Command, and member of the government’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), also participated in peace talks.

Sirajan said the conflict between the groups

of Abdulrahman and Muddalan began in August 2022 when the MILF members killed an alleged drug pusher who was a nephew of Muddalan. He said the CCCH immediately intervened to pre-empt the situation from getting worse and to avoid its escalation that may affect the civilian communities in the area. Marine Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, lauded the peace efforts. “I commend you all for your efforts to sustain the peace in Basilan and preserve the sanctity of the peace agreement. I hope that this will be the start of a better relationship among the peace-inclined groups. Let us all be united for peace,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

“The use of mercury-added skincare products isunsafe for those who directly use them and those who do not, such as childrenand other members of a household, as mercury can be readily absorbed by theskin or through contact with contaminated items like pillows and towels, aswell as through the inhalation of mercury vapors released from product use,”she warned. The grouppreviously warned the public on nine Thai skin whitening cosmetics containingmercury, including eight facial creams and one underarm cream.

Lucero said the Dr. Wuttisak blue skincare setconsists of a facial cleansing soap, serum in a bottle marked #1 and three jarsof cream marked #2, #3 and #4. According to the online productdescription, Cream #2 is a day cream with sunblock SPF60 PA++; Cream #3 is anight cream with collagen and vitamin C for whitening; and Cream #4 is a nightcream with vita-

While the serum and soap of the blue Dr. Wuttisakwere negative for mercury, Cream #4 had 10 ppm of mercury, Cream# 2 with 15ppm, and Cream #3 with 17,950 ppm, she said, adding, the Dr. Wuttisak greenskincare set also has a serum, soap and three creams: Cream #2 is a sunscreen,Cream #3 is a skin conditioning cream, and Cream #4 is an exfoliating creamthat reduces acne, blemishes and freckles.

Like the blue Dr. Wuttisak, the serum and soap ofthe green Dr. Wuttisak screened negative for mercury. However, Creams #4,#2 and #3 had 9 ppm, 11 ppm and 11,200 ppm of mercury, respectively.

An Olympus Vanta M Series X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)device was used to detect and measure the mercury content of the analyzedproducts, according to Lucero.

The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bannedmercury and its compounds as ingredients in cosmetics as early as 1989,according to a report by the Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand(EARTH). In 2008, the Thai Ministry of Public Health (MPH) listed mercuryamong the prohibited substances in cosmetics. Most recently, the MPHissued a notification in February 2022, which reiterated the ban on mercury incosmetics.

According to the Thai

notification, “the concentrationof mercury and its compounds in the finished product shall be less than 1 ppmor 1 mg/kg without exception.”

As stated by the World Health Organization (WHO),the adverse effects of exposure to mercury in cosmetics include skindiscoloration, rashes and scarring, decreased skin’s resistance to bacterialand fungal infections, and damage to the brain, nervous system and kidneys.

To prevent mercury exposure, Lucero urgedconsumers anew to pay attention to the following health and safety tips:

-- Refrain from using skin bleaching, lighteningor whitening products, and accept your natural skin color;

-- Shun products with improper labels and thosewith labeling information that you do not understand;

-- Reject products without proper marketauthorization;

-- Stop using banned or warned cosmetics; and

-- Discontinue use of mercury-added cosmetics andsee a doctor for medical evaluation and advice.

Lucero said they have asked online vendors todesist from selling unauthorized cosmetics such as those banned or warned forcontaining mercury. It likewise asked online shopping platforms to takedown listings for such cosmetics and to block non-compliant sellers.(Mindanao Examiner)

A provincial government photo shows Governor Sakur Tan with PSA officials led by Regional Director Akang Tula.

village chieftain Mohammad Juddihal Muddalan signed the peace accord last week.

A photo released by the Western Mindanao Command shows Rajan Abdulrahman, Deputy Commander for Guerrilla Force of the MILF’s 114th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, and Usong Ugong, of the MNLF and Parangbasak village chieftain Mohammad Juddihal Muddalan who signed a peace accord on Tuesday, January 17.

Decorated army general passes away

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Continued from page 1

announcing the passing of my husband, Retired Major General Trifonio Peñaflorida Salazar at the age of 74. He left us last night at 9:03 in the evening, January 14, 2023, which is also the birthday of his mother, Rosa Salazar,” the mayor said in a Facebook post.

“His love and devotion as a father to his children, as a caring grandfather to his grandchildren and as a faithful husband to me will surely be kept in the trove of our memories and will never be forgotten. He's gone now, my husband, who has shown valor and heroism as a decorated military officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines yet lived a simple life and with integrity as a public servant through the years,” she added.

The 74-year old Salazar was a decorated army

general and served as commander of the 1st Infantry Division. During his stint, Salazar’s forces stormed a hideout of the Al-Qaedalinked Abu Sayyaf group here in May 2004 and captured a s-enior militant leader, Usman Lidjal, implicated in the kidnappings of two Belgian nationals and a British girl

Lidjal’s group also provided sanctuary to Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani soon after they kidnapped in Dos Palmas resort in Palawan Island Kansas missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Californian Guillermo Sobero and other Filipino holiday-makers in 2001.

Salazar also served as head of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency from 2010 to 2013 with President Benigno Aquino describing the war veteran as having “done a lot of

good in the intel community in the three years that he was NICA chief.”

Since his retirement, Salazar dedicated his life with his wife, who served as deputy speaker in the House of Representative and later on won as mayor of Zamboanga and served for three consecutive terms.

“Being married to me, he also learned to love Zamboanga City which he considers his second home. Known for his strict disposition, TP dedicated his life by visiting communities, listening to their stories and making sure things are being done to make their lives better than they were before. You will surely be missed by the people whose lives you have touched,” the former mayor said.

Prior to his death, Salazar was undergoing dialysis. (Mindanao Examiner)

Nobel winner Maria Ressa, Rappler cleared of tax evasion

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findings of the court ... that respondents did not commit the crime charge," the court said in its decision.

Rappler welcomed the court decision as "the triumph of facts over politics."

"We thank the court for this just decision and for recognizing that the fraudulent, false, and flimsy charges made by the Bureau of Internal Revenue do not have any basis in fact," Rappler said in a statement. "An adverse decision would have had far-reaching repercussions on both the press and the capital markets."

"Today, facts win, truth wins, justice wins," Rappler quoted Ressa as saying after the verdict was announced.

Human Rights Watch said the tax charges under Duterte's rule were "bogus and politically motivated" and the acquittal of Ressa and Rappler "is a victory for press freedom in the Philippines."

Ressa won the Nobel with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov in 2021 for fighting for the survival of their news organizations, defying government efforts to shut them. The two were honored for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace."

The tax charges against Ressa and Rappler stemmed

from a separate charge by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Manila's corporate watchdog, in 2018 that the news website violated a constitutional provision that prohibits foreign ownership and control of Philippine media companies when it received funds from foreign investors Omidyar Network and North Base Media through financial papers called Philippine Depositary Receipts.

The Philippine commission then ordered the closure of Rappler on the basis of the allegation, which Rappler denied and has appealed saying it was a news company totally owned and controlled by Filipinos.

The tax court ruled that the Philippine Depositary Receipts issued by Rappler were non-taxable, removing the basis of the tax evasion charges filed by Justice Department prosecutors under Duterte.

"No gain or income was realized by accused in the subject transactions," the court said.

There was no immediate reaction from the government and Duterte.

Ressa and Rappler face three more legal cases, a separate tax case filed by prosecutors in another court, her Supreme Court appeal on an online libel conviction, and Rappler's appeal against

the closure order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ressa faces up to six years in prison if she loses the appeal on the libel conviction, which was filed by a businessman who said a Rappler news report falsely linked him to a murder, drug dealing, human trafficking and other crimes.

Rappler, founded in 2012, was one of several Philippine and international news agencies that critically reported on Duterte's brutal crackdown on illegal drugs that left thousands of mostly petty drug suspects dead and his handling of the coronavirus outbreaks, including prolonged police-enforced lockdowns, that deepened poverty, caused one of the country's worst recessions and sparked corruption allegations in government medical purchases.

The massive drug killings sparked an investigation by the International Criminal Court as a possible crime against humanity.

Duterte ended his often-turbulent six-year term last year and was succeeded by Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of a dictator who was overthrown in an army-backed "people power" uprising in 1986 following an era marked by widespread human rights violations and plunder. (AP)

Public warned vs Facebook scams promising followers

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The company, which sells fried mushrooms and other food products, said it was duped into buying “Facebook likes/followers” offered by Lexia Page Selling (https://www.facebook. com/LexiaBoosting) to boost its social media page.

Lexia charged the company P1,500 for every 5,000 Facebook page likes/followers, mostly Vietnamese, and with an assurance that any drop in likes/followers would be replaced or refilled.

But the company said it noticed a significant drop in the number of likes/fol-

lowers on its Facebook page since last year and Lexia just kept on promising to refill lost likes/followers.

Lexia also stopped communicating with the company, although it continues to accept new customers on its Facebook page.

The company said it paid at least P60,000 to Lexia to boost its Facebook page. The payments were made to the following people through their GCash accounts: Josephine Manzano, 09466368468; Lester Gazmin, 0938-2637683; Leticia Gazmin, 0921-7311024 and Ester Gazmin 0938-2637683.

Lexia also failed to issue

official receipts for payments it received.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has urged the public to be wary of transacting business online. “This is a clear case of online scam, cyber scam and the public should be wary of dealing with online stores or shops. They (scammers) hide behind the cloak of anonymity, mahirap silang hanapin unlike the brick-and-mortar shops,” said Gyver Amazon, of the DTI’s Consumer Protection Division.

Aside from Lexia, dozens of other online pages are also offering similar services. (Mindanao Examiner)

Groups oppose Davao incinerator project

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 its already fragile watersheds.

The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific together with Ecowaste Coalition and the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) - Davao and the Ecoteneo, Masipag Mindanao, Panalipdan Youth-Davao, and Saligan-Mindanaw stood together to oppose the project.

The City Council approved the project in August last year despite a national ban on incineration as provided for by the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and the Clean Air Act.

The project is to be constructed on ten hectares in the village of Biao Escuela in Tugbok District near a school, agricultural lands, and a few hundred meters away from the relocation site of the affected communities.

According to Gary Villocino of the group called Masipag, a network of farmers in Davao, the construction of this facility will not only be dangerous to people’s health but will also destroy valuable agricultural land. Land that could be used to cultivate resources for the community.”

This was also echoed by Mark Peñalver, of IDISDavao, saying: “When it comes to WtE incineration, the bottom line is this: not

only is it a dangerous way to produce energy, it’s also incredibly harmful to the environment. What’s more, incineration is not a renewable or sustainable energy source. In fact, it actually produces more greenhouse gasses than coal. So not only is incineration a bad choice for the environment, but it’s also not a wise choice from a climate perspective.”

Randy Catubag Irog, of the Mintal Resource Collectors Association, also opposed the project. Despite fearing repercussions for disagreeing with the project, he said there are more sustainable approaches that are helpful to the community and the environment. “We collect recyclables and sell them for profit and WtE will only teach future generations to be lazy as it undermines recycling efforts if waste can be simply burned away,” he said.

Communities cited that the City’s waste composition is 50%t organic waste which cannot be burned in the proposed type of WtE technology. Advocates point out that the WtE project is also not a financially viable project for JICA, the city government and the private sector.

Peter Damary of the start-up enterprise, Limadol, said Davao needs to focus on segregation at source. “Davao’s case, around 50 percent of waste is composed of

OPINION

food waste. If removed from the waste stream through composting, it eases the burden on landfills and leaves other waste available for recycling. Further, the environmental value composting contributes to methane reduction cannot be ignored,” he said.

Citing the efforts of other villages in the country, GAIA Asia Pacific’s Zero Waste Coordinator in the Philippines, Archie Abellar, said individuals and communities in Davao are similarly gradually adapting Zero Waste strategies to combat waste. From composting to opting for refills instead of single-use plastics or sachets, there is a conscious effort from the grassroots to veer away from practices that harm the planet.

“WtE incineration is a band-aid solution and will only make matters worse in the long run. JICA has not examined existing options on waste management in the City and have promoted an expensive and harmful technology. We call on JICA and the local government to support zero waste systems as they offer an inclusive, effective and sustainable approach to the City’s waste problem,” he said.

There was no immediate reaction from the local government or law makers on the issues raised by the groups on the proposed project. (Mindanao Examiner)

What the Sto. Niño tells us

by Fr. Roy Cimagala (Cebu)

ON THIS Feast of the Sto. Niño, we are reminded that irrespective of whatever status we have in this life, it is always necessary that we be like children. Why? Christ told his disciples clearly: “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.” (Mt 18,3-5) Christ reiterated this necessity of being childlike a number of times during his preaching. “Let the children come to me. Do not prevent them, for the Kingdomof God belongs to such as these.” (Mk 10,15) St. James, in his letter, made the same affirmation. “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (4,6) We can ask what it is in children that Christ would want us to be like them? I suppose what comes to mind are the qualities of simplicity, transparency, complete trust to elders, etc. It’s quite clear that we all need to be childlike even as we grow in age andstature, and even as we accumulate quite a significant amount of knowledge with our exposure to the world and to life in general. Yes, children and heaven are almost synonymous to each other. No wonder we feel like we are in heaven every time we see children around. Every time a baby is born, we are very happy because we somehow know that he just did not come out of his mother’s womb, but rather from the very hands of God who created him before the parents procreated him. Inspite of the many limitations of children, what makes them always desirable is their pure, inno-

cent heart, incapable of malice, ambition, pride and haughtiness. They are a source of many other good things. Their heart is always trusting in the Lord, just like a little kid is always confident with his father. Faith and hope easily grow and acquire strength when nurtured in a child’s heart. It’s this attitude that leads them to go on and move on no matter what, for life to them could only be an adventure of discoveries. This feast of the Sto. Niño also reminds us that we really need to take care of the children, teaching them the basic virtues that hopefully will branch out to more virtues until they can have a strong sense of religion. Let’s remember that as a poet once said, the child is the father of the man. How the child is trained and raised will determine how he will be when he grows up. How important it is therefore to teach the children the basic virtues and values. The teaching has to be done patiently and in a most gradual but persistent way. For this purpose, parents may have to undertake some study to know how to go about this most delicate duty. But, for sure, all that effort and sacrifice involved would be all worth it. Children definitely need to be constantly accompanied. Especially these days when the environment can be very confusing, it’s important that children are closely supervised so that their inherent innocence can be kept even as they get to know more and more things. Let’s hope that we manage to train children to be always God-fearing and loving of everyone even as they unavoidably face all kinds of trials and challenges as they go along in life. (FRC)

A beggar in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga smokes a cigarette as he asks for alms outside the City Hall on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. (Al Jacinto)

Pictures in the News

Photos from the Office of the Sulu Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Maimbung Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Radyo Pilipinas Jolo, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz Salapuddin

Eastern Visayas is top site for ‘revenge travel’

“This is something that we need to celebrate because this represents the hard work of every stakeholder in the region. We are the only place mentioned as a region, which means they see a lot of hidden places and activities that await people to experience,” DOT Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes told the Philippine News Agency.

She said they were “surprised” to see the region in the list of sites recommended by travel experts and influencers as published by the Philippine Star’s Life magazine.

cals rebuild and recover. Unknown to many, the region is home to diverse natural wonders! Bask in Kalanggaman Island of Leyte, explore the waterfalls of Biliran, or discover the beautiful caves of Samar. These and more surprises await in Eastern Visayas!” the travel influencer said.

Tiopes said the statement from industry expert is a big boost to the tourism promotion efforts, but this will also require “heavier responsibility” to meet their expectations.

NegOcc assures stable egg supply

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental is producing at least 1.2 million eggs a day, which is more than sufficient to meet the province's daily requirement amid the recent increase in the prices of the commodity, according to data released by the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).

Dr. Placeda Lemana, acting provincial veterinarian, said the continued rise in inflation that led to higher costs of raw materials, inputs, and labor pushed the prices of eggs up. “They (layers and growers) say that even though there is enough supply of eggs, they have to increase prices because of these reasons,” Lemana told reporters.

Data from the PVO showed that Negros Occidental consumes 900,000 to 1 million eggs a day compared to the daily production of 1.2 million eggs.

Lemana said with the excess in the supply, layer farms in the province also supply eggs to other provinces while Negros Occidental also brings in eggs from the neighboring Bantayan Island in Cebu.

Last month, some 7.4 million eggs were brought in from Bantayan Island while 1.7 million eggs were delivered in Negros Occidental from Jan.7 to 13 this year.

“If you have noticed, we accept only those from Cebu. We don't bring in eggs from Mindanao, Luzon, Panay and Guimaras because of the bird flu,"”the PVO chief said

On Dec. 6, Negros Occidental prohibited the entry of live birds and poultry products from the neighboring Panay Island provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Antique and Aklan and

Guimaras Island as well as from Luzon and Mindanao, which have confirmed cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu to protect its PHP8-billion poultry industry.

Exempted from the ban are certain products, including processed and unprocessed raw poultry meat, day-old chicks, and hatching eggs, including broiler, layer and breeder and embryonated eggs, popularly known as “balut”, that will be allowed entry regardless of shipping origin subject to compliance with requirements. (Nanette Guadalquiver)

In the listing, Angel Juarez of Lakwatsero.com, urged travelers “not to look far to go on adventures this year” for their “revenge travel” after staying at home in the past two years due to pandemic.

“(On) top of mind is Eastern Visayas comprising Samar Provinces, Leyte Provinces, and Biliran. It is a region frequently visited by devastating typhoons that also rely on tourism, so your visit will surely help lo-

“We will make sure that if tourists are here, we offer the best experience because when they return home, they will be champions in promoting our sites,” she said.

Eastern Visayas region consists of the provinces of Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte and the cities of Baybay, Borongan, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Maasin, Ormoc and Tacloban, the Eastern Visayas’ regional center.

Among its popular destinations are Ka-

langgaman Island, San Juanico Bridge, Leyte Landing Memorial in Leyte; Sambawan Island in Biliran; dive sites in Southern Leyte; Calicoan Island in Eastern Samar; Sohoton Cave and Natural Park in Samar and Biri Rock Formations in Northern Samar.

“The region remains relatively under-the-radar compared to other known tourist destinations in the Philippines, but this has been slowly changing in the past years as demand for raw nature tourism grows,” Tiopes said.

“More and more people are now visiting the region in pursuit of rugged coasts and landscapes, secret caves and waterfalls, and fascinating histories,” she said.

Meanwhile, other sites in the Philippines listed for “revenge travel” are the Camotes Islands in Cebu province, Danjugan Island in Negros Occidental, Gigantes Islands in Iloilo, Balabac in Palawan and the provinces of Davao and Bukidnon. (Sarwell Meniano)

Police run after operators of online cockfighting

CEBU – Police have asked public support to report online cockfighting as it crack down on the illegal game nationwide.

National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said they are also working closely with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission to track down operators of online gambling.

“Because of technology, everyone can just play and place their bet. Many lives are ruined by this e-sabong and we are appealing to everyone not to patronize it because it would only make us poorer. We just make the operators rich and the barangay should help the PNP to put a stop to this,” he said.

Local police also arrested dozens of people engaged in online

cockfighting here and charges have been filed against them for streaming the game in Talisay City, Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City.

The operation of online cockfighting was suspended by the government last year following the abduction of dozens of people linked to the game. Some of those who abducted the men were policemen. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

Negros Occidental produces at least 1.2 million eggs a day, enough to meet the daily requirement of the province, according to Dr. Placeda Lemana, acting provincial veterinarian. (Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT ) welcomed the inclu- ACLOBAN CITY – The of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the inclusion of Eastern Visayas region among the top local and international desti- sion of Eastern among the top local and international destinations recommended for “revenge travel” this year, saying the listing will nations recommended for “revenge travel” this year, the will raise interest among tourists to explore the area including its natural wonders raise interest among tourists to the area its natural wonders.

Sambawan Island in Maripipi town in Biliran province boasts of a semi-curved beach with soaring rock formations covered with green grass that serve as a backdrop to white sands, thriving marine life and warm blue waters lapping up the tree-lined shore. Eastern Visayas has been named as among the top local sites recommended for “revenge travel” in 2023 after two years of the pandemic lockdown. (DOT)