Mindanao Examiner Newspaper Feb. 3-9, 2014

Figaro to open in Qatar this June 2014!

Sulu public school teachers take licensure exam PAGE 2

Typhoon victims benefit from humanitarian mission PAGE 4

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Read Annex on Normalization, Addendum on Moro Waters PAGE 5

Agusan Sur celebrates Kahimunan Tu Bayugan Festival

‘Women Empowerment’ working effectively in Sulu

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Feb. 3-9, 2014

NUR MISUARI TAHIMIK SA ANNEX SIGNING

C

O TABA T O CIT Y – ABAT CITY Tahimik pa rrin in si Mor o N ational Liboro National er ation F eration Frr ont chair chair-man N ur M isuar sa Nur Misuar isuarii pagkakalagda ng Annex on malization, ang huli at N or ormalization, ikaapat na nakapaloob sa o F k angsamoro Frr amewor amework B angsamor Agr eement, sa pagitan ng Agreement, pamahalaang A quino at M or o Aquino Mor oro Islamic Liber ation F Liberation Frront.

Mula ng maglunsad ito ng atake sa Zamboanga City noong nakaraang taon ay tuluyan ng nagtago si Misuari at hindi pa rin nagpapakita o nagsasalita, at gayun rin ang kanyang commander na si Khabier Malik na inulat ng militar na umano’y namatay sa Sulu dahil sa sakit.

Tanging mga galamay lamang ni Misuari ang nagbibigay ng pahayag at hindi galing mismo sa MNLF, ngunit matagal ng tutol ang rebeldeng grupo sa peace talks ng pamahalaang Aquino sa MILF dahil sa may kasunduaan rin ito sa gobyerno at ngayon ay dumaraan sa tripartite review kasama ang Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Nagkasundo na ang pamahalaang at MILF sa huling annex at sisimulan na ang paggagawa ng batas ng Bangsamoro Juridical Entity na siyang ipapasa sa Kongreso

Nur Misuari (Mindanao Examiner Photo) upang ito’y maratipika.

Sa kabila nito ay kaliwa’t kanan naman ang suporta ng ibat-ibang pamahalaan sa peace talks, ayon sa mga pahayag ng Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Sinabi ni Presidential peace

adviser Teresita Deles na patungo na ang paguusap sa paglalagda ng Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

“This is indeed a long-awaited moment that is a gift to our people at the start of a new year of renewed hope and commitment. It has been a very difficult

road arriving at this major milestone of the peace process,” ani Deles.

Sinabi pa ni Deles na lahat ng kasunduan sa paguusap ay may basbas ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino at dapat naaayon sa batas.

“It has been a difficult road

getting to here and we know that the path ahead will continue to be fraught with challenges. As we celebrate this moment, we also affirm our readiness to undertake the tasks that shall ensure the full and satisfactory implementation of this agreement, together with the MILF, other partners and stakeholders,” wika pa ni Deles.

Ayon naman kay chief MILF peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal ay mahaba pa ang proseso sa paguusap, ngunit maganda umano ang usad nito.

“They say the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement is just in the corner.

They have diverse reasons to entertain such belief and I cannot blame them for it. In fact, I sympathize with them but not necessarily taking their view at face value. But truth is that anyone like me who has been part of the peace journey since the beginning will exactly wish and long for the day of reckoning to come soon,” ani Iqbal.

“We may be able to sign the comprehensive peace agreement soon as we wish, but that is not the end of the odyssey,” dagdag pa nito. “Ideally that day of reckoning will come our way on or before 2016.”

(Mindanao Examiner)

Illegal Filipino workers abused in Malaysia, Manila orders probe MANILA - Manila has ordered an investigation into reports of widespread abuses against illegal Filipino workers in Sabah as Malaysia renewed its crackdown on illegal immigrants on the oil-rich state also being claimed by the Philippines.

Malaysian authorities have rounded up illegal workers on Sabah near the southern Filipino island of Tawi-Tawi as part of a campaign to flush out undocumented foreigners.

A government spokesman, Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said it is the duty of the govern-

ARMM

ment to protect its citizens, especially if they are facing persecution abroad.

Malaysia is currently brokering the peace talks between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, and it is unknown how the Aquino administration would address alleged abuses of Filipinos in Sabah.

“Mahaba ang kasay-sayan ng pagkakaibigan at kooperasyon sa pagitan ng Malaysia at ng Pilipinas. Katulad ng nabanggit, sila ang tumatayo ngayong facilitator ng ating peace talks hinggil sa Bang-

Southern Mindanao

samoro,” Coloma said.

“Siguro ay maka-twirang sabihin na sila ay nakikinig sa ating mga inilalahad sa kanila at wala naman pong kasaysayan na sila ay hindi nagbigay atensyon sa mga diplomatic concerns na ating inilahad sa kanilang pamahalaan,” he added.

Coloma said the Philippines and Malaysia have a long history of friendship and cooperation and he believes Malaysian authorities will pay special attention to whatever concern the Philippine government will raise.

Davao

The Department of Foreign Affairs must lay out the concrete details of the alleged harassment and abuses committed against Filipino workers.

Coloma said justice must be served to those who suffered unfairly in the ongoing crackdown in Malaysia.

“Ang atin pong Department of Foreign Affairs ay tiyak na gagawin ang lahat ng nararapat para mabigyan ng katarungan ‘yung diumano’y pana-nakit o paggawa ng karahasan laban sa ating mga mamamayan dahil hindi naman ito talaga dapat na maganap,” he said.

Manila

“Ganoon din sa ating bansa, tinatrato natin nang may paggalang ang mga mamamayan ng ibang bansa, dapat lang na ganoon din ang kanilang pagtrato sa ating mga mamamayan. Tinitiyak po natin na gagawin ang lahat ng nararapat para magawaran ng katarungan ang inilahad ng ating kasama rito.”

Filipinos in Sabah said those arrested were thrown into overcrowded jails and forced to admit they were illegal workers. Some of the female migrant workers were sexually abused.

Zamboanga Peninsula

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Feb. 3-9, 2014

State teachers during the licensure examination at Notre Dame in Jolo town in Sulu province in southern Philippines. And Sulu Governor Totoh Tan speaks to the media. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Ahl-Franzie Salinas)

Sulu public school teachers take licensure exam SULU – Almost 2,000 teachers have took the annual government licensure examination in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, officials said.

Officials said the Licensure Examination for Teachers was held at the Notre Dame of Jolo College, Notre Dame of Jolo for Girls and Notre Dame High School Kasulutan.

Prior to the examination, the Sulu provincial government provided free review classes and book reviewer to the teachers to help them pass the rigid written examination conducted by the Philippine Regulation Commission.

Fazlur-Rahman Abdulla, the executive director of Sulu Area Coordinating Center, said the

free LET review program has been going on for years to help public school teachers.

This year, newlyelected Governor Totoh Tan, continued the programs and project of his father, then governor and now vice governor. The free LET review classes was originally introduced by then Sulu Governor

Sakur Tan, now the provincial vice governor, in an effort to professionalize the teaching in government schools in the 19 towns here.

Now, the program is continued by new Sulu Gov. Totoh Tan with the support of his father.

Abdulla said the teachers praised Tan and the provincial govern-

ment for the continuation of the annual LET review program. This includes free review classes conducted by professionals from Manila who are regularly hired by the provincial government to conduct the review in Sulu.

The provincial as well as the municipal government are also providing

allowances for public school teachers to help augment their meager salaries.

Aside from the LET review classes, Sulu now has launched free review classes for civil eligibility examinations that will benefit those who are aspiring to work in government. (Ahl-Franzie Salinas)

Post-war rehab efforts in Zambo City slow MANILA – The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said the government’s rehabilitation efforts in Zamboanga City is slow with over 35,000 people displaced by fighting between separatist rebels and security forces last year remain in evacuation centers.

It quoted Msgr. Chris Manongas, the administrator of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, as saying that the rehabilitation effort is still at its lowest pace and that conditions of evacuees were less than ideal.

Manongas urged the government to fast track the reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas damaged or destroyed by the fighting so refugees can immediately return home and start rebuilding their life.

“We hope that the government will fast track the relocation and rehabilitation for the internally displaced,” Manongas said in an interview over the Catholic broadcast Radio Veritas. “Their condition is not really fit for human habitation. It’s a miserable condition that the

government should address faster than what is going on right now.”

At least 65 evacuees had died in the past months in evacuation centers because of severe dehydration, asthma and hypertension, among other diseases.

Manongas claimed that there was no significant improvement in the situation since last September even if the government bragged of a “substantial amount” for the rehabilitation work. “We just wonder why it’s taking them a long time that until now, in

the Ground Zero, they are still on the survey mode,” he said, adding “nothing is moving on the ground except the bunkhouses that they are constructing in other places, but not in the Ground Zero.”

Ground Zero refers to the areas where fierce fighting between Moro National Liberation Front rebels and government soldiers occurred.

More than 400 people were killed and wounded in the fighting that also forced

over 120,000 people to flee their homes. At least 6 villages were burned to the ground due to the fighting, although there were reports that arsonists were behind some of the burning of houses in predominantly Muslim villages.

The local government has relocated hundreds of refugees to far-flung villages where bunkhouses were built for them. But many also protested the relocation, saying, it would be extremely

Abu Sayyaf tagged in Zambo blasts

Police investigate the blasts in Tictabon and Mampang villages in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - E. Dumabo) ZAMBOANGA CITY – A village chieftain whose house was bombed in Zamboanga City has tagged the Abu Sayyaf group as behind the weekend attack that wounded three people.

Tictabon village chieftain Mohammad Nur Attang told police that prior to the attack, an unidentified man, who claimed to be a member of the Abu Sayyaf, was extorting money from him.

When Attang refused, an improvised bomb exploded outside his house in Mampang village and wounded two minors, including his daughter, and a teenager.

“The barangay chairman inform the post blast investigator that he received a call and text message from unidentified per-

son allegedly member of the Abu Sayyaf group asking him the amount of three hundred thousand pesos, but he refused to give said amount,” police said in a progress report sent to journalists.

Police said witnesses also noticed unidentified men in motorcycles outside Attang’s house before the explosion. It said investigators recovered fragments of the explosive and iron nails from the site. Police said traces of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil and a time fuse were also found in the area.

The chemical mixture is a potent explosive mostly used in coal mining and quarrying. Attang’s house in Tictabon village was also attacked. (With a report from E. Dumabo)

difficult for them to rebuild their lives.

The refugees, many of them Tausug from Sulu ; Yakan, from Basilan; and indigenous Badjao tribe from Tawi-Tawi province - engaged in fishing and other traditional livelihoods - were being relocated to the far villages of Tulungatung and Taluksangay from their original habitat in the coastal villages of Rio Hondo and Mariki and other areas.

The Zamboanga government said it has built bunkhouses as temporary shelters to those affected by the violence, but it also warned that villagers who are not natives of Zamboanga would not be allowed to return to their former abode, unless they can provide certificates to show they are landowners.

Some of the displaced villagers accused the government of forcing them into relocating and others claimed social workers threatened to cut off relief aid should they reject the government offer to move to the hilly village of Tulungatung and Taluksangay. While others protested, many also praised the government for providing them a living quarter and were elated by their new house, saying it greatly helped them in rebuilding their family and future. The P10-million bunkhouses, built by the army, were funded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Those displaced by the fighting have been herded to a sports complex here, but the poor sanitation in the evacuation site makes it uninhabitable for many, and is also threatening the health of elderly, the women and the children.

Salazar urged the refugees to transfer to bunkhouses built by the government as they work for the completion of the rehabilitation plan. President Benigno Aquino has ordered the release of nearly P4 billion in funds to rebuild Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Feb. 3-9, 2014

FIGARO TO OPEN IN QATAR THIS JUNE 2014!

W

elcoming 2014 and celebr ating celebrating 20th anniv ersar y anniversar ersary with a bang, F igar o - the first F ilipino igaro Filipino coffee company - will soon open fr anchise stor es in the franchise stores Middle East.

Represented by Ms. Divine Cabreira and Mr. Mike Barret, Figaro Coffee Company signed an agreement with Caliber Trading Agencies and Franchising represented by its General Manager Mr. Sirajudheen Shahanas on December 28, 2013 to open its first franchise store in Qatar.

Caliber Trading Agencies and Franchising, which is based in Doha, Qatar, will hold exclusive Figaro franchise in Qatar as well as the opportunity to expand in other gulf countries - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Spelling more opportunities of bringing love for coffee from “crop to the cup,” Filipino favorite Figaro will soon be opening 5 more stores this year in the Middle East.

Aiming to open at least 40 stores in Gulf countries by 2024, coffee drinkers in the Middle East will truly appreciate the best Filipino coffee – Figaro and more. The Master Franchisee in Qatar also announced its plan to open 5 more stores from its initial flagship store in a commercial area in Doha, Qatar by June this year.

Figaro said it would also intensify its local expansion focusing not only in Metro Manila,

Represented by Ms. Divine Cabreira and Mr. Mike Barret, Figaro Coffee Company signs an agreement with Caliber Trading Agencies and Franchising represented by General Manager Mr. Sirajudheen Shahanas on December 28, 2013 to open its first franchise store in Qatar. but also in key cities in the Philippines. This will also bring the best pastries and cakes, delicious pasta and mouth-watering sandwiches and other delectable treats with their favorite choice of beverage from Figaro

to more cities across the globe.

More stores in the Middle East will spell more choices for the Filipinos abroad and the other nationalities appreciate Pinoy's love for coffee.

Interested to share the pas-

sion loving coffee? Figaro is open for franchising and more business opportunities.

Please call telephone number (02) 632-1526 and mobile numbers 0917- 5237864 or 0932-8528990 or email us at

mike.barret@figarocoffee.com for more details.

For more information, please visit our website on www.figarocoffee.com or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @FigaroCoffeeHQ.

PNP-9, Regional Advisory Council tackle peace, security issues in Zambo meeting ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Regional Police in Office in Western Mindanao conducted its first Regional Advisory Council meeting in Zamboanga

City in an effort to involve stakeholders in the formulation of peace and security programs.

Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño Jr, the re-

gional police director, presided the meeting attended by representatives from various sectors.

“The meeting has attuned stakeholders on the

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Philippine National Police Strategic Focus on CODE-P: 2013 and Beyond, the PNP blueprint towards the realization of P.A.T.R.O.L. Plan, which is the acronym of Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and upholding of the Rule of Law,” said Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, the regional police spokesman.

CODE-P is the acronym for Competence, Organizational Development, Discipline, Excellence and Professionalism.

CODE-P and P.A.T.R.O.L. Plan are projects that have been introduced by PNP chief Alan Purisima.

The P.A.T.R.O.L. is a

long-term plan leads to the realization of the PNP’s vision to become “a highly capable, effective and credible police service working in partnership with a responsive community towards the attainment of a safer place to live, work, and do business.”

Its strategic focus is vital in the accomplishment of the PNP’s mission of “enforcing the law, preventing and controlling crimes, maintaining peace and order, and ensuring public safety and internal security with the active support of the community.”

During the meeting, Vaño also presented the

participants with score cards with corresponding matrix and target goals that serve as the measurement of the effectiveness of the different police offices and its personnel, especially in the maintenance of peace and order in their respective areas in Western Mindanao.

Among the members of the Regional Advisory Council are business leader Pedro Rufo Soliven, peace advocate Fr. Angel Calvo, lawyer Katrina Mohammad, Macybel Sahi, of the Civil Service Commission, and National Police Commission Regional Director Macapado Guro. (Mindanao Examiner)

Destroyed Lanao Sur bridge reopens, land travel resumes CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A concrete bridge destroyed during a typhoon in southern Philippine province of Lanao del Sur has been reopened to traffic, public works officials said.

Sandra Flores, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Works and Highways in Northern Mindanao, said a steel bridge was erected in Linamon town which connects the province to western Mindanao.

“The DPWH is really working hard to finish the bridge and now it is open to public,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Larapan Bridge collapsed on January 13 after days of heavy rains triggered flash floods and overflowed the river. The

DPWH Northern Mindanao Regional Director Evelyn Barroso. destruction of the bridge affected the transport of farm products and land

travel in the two regions.

Flores said the bridge could have been reopened much earlier, but the bad weather affected the construction of pre-fabricated truss bridge.

Evelyn Barroso, the regional public works director, said the steel bridge in the village of Napo is limited to 20 tons. Troops were also guarding the temporary 50-meter steel bridge to ensure that only vehicles within the weight limit can pass through the Larapan Bridge.

The DPWH said some P187 million is needed to replace the damages to the Larapan Bridge. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Feb. 3-9, 2014

American fugitive arrested DIPOLOG CITY – An American wanted in the United States has been tracked down and arrested by a joint team of US and Philippine law enforcement agencies in the southern Filipino city of Dipolog.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said the 70year old Donald Lloyd Warren, who is being accused

by US authorities of “indecency with a child” and theft in Texas, was arrested in his rented house in the village of Sicayab.

He said Warren, a resident of Paris in Texas, is being hunted by US authorities after a warrant for his arrest was issued by court in Texas in 2001.

The Bureau of Immi-

gration has issued a deportation warrant for Warren.

The arrest of Warren was a joint operation between the Philippines Bureau of Immigration, the Philippine National Police and the US Embassy in Manila.

Police have not provided additional details about Warren or how he eluded arrest or detection by the US and Filipino authorities in the Philippines.

But the website crimestoppers.org (Crime Stoppers of Houston) has offered up to $5000 reward for any information that would lead to Warren's arrest. A purported mug shot of Warren is also posted on the website. (Mindanao Examiner)

Photos released by the Philippine Coast Guard show the assorted sea shells seized from the ferry Magnolia Liliflora in the port of Zamboanga City on June 27, 2013. (Mindanao Examiner)

Endangered sea shells seized ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police seized hundreds of helmet shells from a trader who allegedly tried to smuggle it out of the southern Filipino province of Sulu, officials said.

Officials said police forces swooped down on a pier in Jolo town and confiscated the shells hidden in 107 boxes of cigarettes. The trader, Peralta Pula, 60, was also arrested for violating the Philippines Fisheries Code.

Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, the provincial police chief, said civilians tipped off authorities about the shells.

“After receiving the information from concerned citizens that endangered species of helmet shells are being packed and scheduled to be shipped out to Cebu City and Manila, immediately combined teams of police and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources raided the pier that resulted

to the apprehension of Peralta Pula,” Orbita said.

He said at least a dozen pieces helmet shells were contained in each boxes.

Last year, authorities also seized thousands of various sea shells, including helmet shells, and turtle scales in two ferries in Zamboanga City during an inspection. The ferries, Magnolia Liliflora and Kristel Jane, came from Tawi-Tawi and Sulu provinces.

Sea shells are com-

monly use as fashion accessories and for home decorations among others, but gathering and selling of these are prohibited under Philippine laws.

There are dozens of types of sea shells in the country which are considered rare, threatened and endangered and the penalty for violating the laws is imprisonment from 12 years to 25 years and a fine of up to P120,000. (Mindanao Examiner)

Typhoon victims benefit from humanitarian mission COTABATO CITY - Various groups from the academe, religious and private and government, and non-government organizations have gathered for a noble and solidarity purpose - to extend help to the victims of recent typhoon “Agaton” (International codename: Lingling) that ravaged many villages in Maguindanao’s Datu Odin Sinsuat town.

Dubbed as “Alay

Pagmamahal” or Love Offering, volunteers trooped to the coastal areas and conducted relief mission and a clean-up drive.

Some 140 families have benefited from the humanitarian mission and received food packs and other necessities or nonfood items.

Aside from the distribution of relief packs, some of the peace education students of MSU-

The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Ahmed Baldomero Joanna Valerie Wee Graphics/Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales Central Mindanao Richard Suarez Pagadian City Zamboanga del Sur

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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Richard Falcatan Basilan Province Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Peninsula The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.

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Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: 062- 9925480 Mobile: 0917-7103642 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

Maguindanao and CCSPC conducted a feeding program and shared their psycho-social healing to the Tiduray children in the area.

The effort was initiated

by Dr Susana Anayatin, an associate professor of Cotabato State Polytechnic College and the Mindanao State UniversityMaguindanao. The sponsors of the project were Goldin Institute Philippines, San Carlos Borromeo Parish, Oblates of Mary Immaculate, 6th Infantry Division Training School, Office for Southern Cultural Communities of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the SPDA Catholic Youth Organization. (Mye Casuse)

‘Hot’ lumber seized DIPOLOG CITY – Police have seized illegal lumber in two separate operations in Zamboanga Peninsula in western Mindanao region.

Police and a team from the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Environment Municipal Office led by Ferdinand Borgonia and Bon Basil Lambo confiscated 116 mahogany lumber at Sitio Mahayahay in Rizal’s Nilabo village.

It said the owner of the lumber failed to present any documents or permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR allowing him to cut and transport the flitches.

In Zamboanga City, police forces also intercepted a truck transporting coconut lumber without a legal permit from the Philippine Coconut Authority in the village of Upper Calarian, police said. (Mindanao Examiner)

The humanitarian mission in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao province. (Mindanao Examiner Photos - Mye Casuse)

Feb. 3-9, 2014

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Why send your press releases when you can have your own NEWSLETTER just like APER this NEWSP NEWSPAPER APER? Street dancing in Bayugan City during the Kahimunan Tu Bayugan Festival. (Alvin Añonuevo)

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Agusan Sur celebrates Kahimunan Tu Bayugan Festival AGUSAN DEL SUR - The City of Bayugan recently celebrated its 30th edition of the annual Kahimunan Tu Bayugan in honor of the Señor Santo Nino or the Infant Child Jesus.

The event, held on January 26, is celebrated every 4th Sunday of January, and is the local version of Cebu’s Sinulog Festival.

The word "kahimunan" is a Lumad term which means “gathering” and the festival started with a holy mass and is capped by street dancing around Bayugan. For this year, the street dancing had two categories - the Bayuganon Entry which y had 5 entries and the Open

Entry which has 4 entries.

The winners for the Bayuganon Entry were First Place: Marcelina National High School - which was also adjudged as the Best in Choreography - with 100,000 cash prize; 2nd Place: Father Saturnino Urios College of Bayugan, Inc. - also won the Best in Musicality - with 75,000 cash prize; 3rd Place was the Bayugan National Comprehensive High School which also won the Best in Street Dancing, Best in Costume, and Best in Festival Queen and 50,000 cash prize.

And for the Open Entry Category, the winners were 1st Place: Kulturang

Bayuganon Folkloric Group - also won the Best in Choreography, Best in Street Dancing, and Best in Festival Queen and 300,000 cash prize; 2nd Place: Santa Irene National High SchoolProsperidad which also won the Best in Musicality and Best in Costume and P200,000 in cash; and the 3rd Place went to Agusan National High SchoolButuan City which also received P100,000 cash prize.

Kahimunan Tu Bayugan was sponsored by the City Government led by Mayor Kim Lope Asis and City Tourism Office headed

by Councilor Kirk Asis and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church. (Alvin Añonuevo)

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Feb. 3-9, 2014

‘Women Empowerment’ working effectively in Sulu SUL U – Women po wer is indeed SULU pow wor king effectiv ely in the working effectively souther n F ilipino pr ovince of southern Filipino pro Sulu and one such gr oup has group pr oven this - the S ulu P pro Sulu Prrovincial Women ouncil – which is acomen’’s C Council tiv ely inv olv ed in vvar ar ious peace tively involv olved arious and dev elopment pr ojects development projects aimed at helping women themselv es and tur n them into mor e selves turn more r esponsible and pr oductiv e productiv oductive citiz ens citizens ens..

Hajja Nurunisah Tan, who heads the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council, said their group has been working to transform women, particularly the poor, and make them partners in peace and progress by providing sustainable livelihood projects, among others.

She said poor women and children are their priorities now in the province and that they are working closely with various government agencies and the provincial and municipal governments, to sustain many projects.

“We have been working to help the women, especially the poor, and the children and we hope that we may be able to serve as many people as we can. We are coordinating with various agencies, the Sulu provincial and municipal government,” Tan, who is also a registered nurse, said.

She said they also launched a regular feeding program for indigent children and held medical and humanitarian missions in coordination with the Integrated Provincial Health Office in different areas in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

“Target namin na babaan ang maternal death rate kung kaya’t every Sunday may free clinic kami at medicines (kaming ibinibigay) at we attend to mothers and children. Malaki rin dito ang percentage ng maternal rate at bumababa na rin kami sa municipal level, sa RHU (Regional Health Unit) at tulong-tulong kaming lahat para bumaba talaga ang maternal rate,” Tan, wife of Sulu Vice Gov. Sakur Tan, said.

She said they are also educating women about the Republic Act 9262 or Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 also in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“Actually ang data eh nasa DSWD, pero mula ng mag open kami ay every week mayroon cases ng VAWC, tapos mga child abuse, one or two (cases) every week at pag nag complain ang

Hajja Nurunisah Tan, who heads the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council, poses with a group of local officials headed by Vice Gov. Sakur Tan and Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) victims at may mga witnesses sila ipakukulong talaga namin. May isang bata nga talaga na puro pasa dahil yun sa step father na tumakas pero hinabol talaga ng mga pulis dahil nag-complain ang mother kaya ngayon nasa jail siya,” she said.

Despite the lack of funds, Tan, whose son Totoh Tan is the current Sulu governor, said they managed to carry out their various programs and projects over the years. The Sulu provincial government also built a new building to house the headquarters of the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council in the capital town of Jolo.

Suppor upportt In December, Mujiv Hataman, governor of the Muslim autonomous region, pledged to help and support the programs of the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council. Hataman asked Tan how the regional government can assist the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council.

“Poverty, yun ang pinakamalaking problema dito kaya nga last December 24 ay nandito si RG (Regional Governor Hataman), sabi ko sa kanya

tulungan mo kami kasi yun mga kababaihan dito eh walang hanap-buhay...almost 80% walang hanap-buhay at nasa bahay lang tapos yun mga asawa nila minsan wala rin hanapbuhay so at least ang sabi ko sa (pamamagitan ng) tulong ninyo eh makakapaglagay ng mga small scale na mga businesses at pwede na natin tulungan sila kahit papaano mga vendors matutulungan natin,” Tan said.

She said Hataman vowed to help and even his wife, Rep. Djalia Hataman would also assist in providing livelihood projects through the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council.

“Dito sabi ko livelihood (program) so yun nga nagkatugma dahil yun din daw ang plano ng misis (Rep. Djalia Hataman) niya...small scale businesses...vending, papahiram ng capital tapos small businesses, mga vendors, tapos every week sabi niya kahit konti lang ay dapat may return (ng capital) at hindi yun dole out para naman hindi sabihin na dole out o bigay lang yan, so ang iba eh hindi na nila gagamitin para sa business kasi

Wanted na ex-Dapitan City mayor sumuko DIPOLOG CITY – Hawak na ng pulisya ang dating alkalde ng Dapitan City na si Dominador Jalosjos matapos itong matunton sa Cebu Doctors na kung saan ay magpapa-opera sa kanyang puso.

Matagal ng pinaghahanap ng mga awtoridad si Dominador, na kapatid naman ni convicted rapist Romeo Jalosjos, dahil sa kasong robbery noon pang 1970.

Ipina-aresto si Dominador dahil sa hindi umano nito pagtupad sa kanyang parole at posibleng aabutin pa ito ng halos 2 taon sa bilanguan upang makumpleto ang senstenya ng korte.

Mismong mga kagawad ng Criminal Investigation and Detection

Group (CIDG) ang nagtungo sa pagamutan na kung saan naka-admit si Dominador, ngunit mananatili naman ito doon

Dominador Jalosjos (Mindanao Examiner Photo) dahil sa nalalapit nitong operasyon.

Ayon sa kampo ni Dominador ay kusa umano itong nakipagugnayan sa CIDG para sa kanyang pagsuko, subali’t hindi naman mabatid kung bakit ngayon lamang itong nagdesisyon na isuko ang saili gayun matagal na itong wanted.

Tumakbo pa si Dominador noon nakaraang halalan bilang gobernador laban kay incumbent na si Antonio Ceriles sa Zamboanga del Sur ngunit nabasura naman ang kandidatura nito dahil sa kaso.

Ito rin ang sinapit ng kapatid na si Romeo ng ito’y tumakbo bilang alkalde sa Zamboanga City dahil sa kanyang sentensyang rape sa isang menor de edad.

(Mindanao Examiner)

bigay naman ito, so ang labas eh hindi dole out at maghanapbuhay sila...talagang residente sila ng area na yan at namo-monitor namin na hindi yun come and go na bibigyan mo ng konting halaga eh hindi na babalik dito sa Jolo o hindi namin alam kung ang municipality, hindi , so we will involved all the 19 municipalities lahat yan at may kanya-kanyang papel yan kung anong plano ang gagawin namin na makakapaghanap-buhay talaga sila and at saka may returns na yun returns every month may iba na naman grupo ang matutulungan,” Tan said.

“When I brought out the plan of small-scale business (for the women), so sabi (ni RG) pagbalik ng asawa niya gusto nilang makipag-usap sa amin para daw lahat ng tulong sa kababaihan ididirekta na sa Sulu Provincial Women’s Council at sinabi ko na I can assure you na pag Sulu Provincial Women’s Council ay talagang makikita ninyong implemented (ang mga proyekto) at sabi ko monitored kasi,” she added.

Hataman told Tan that they

had provided livelihood programs in other provinces, but have not seen any progress that would benefit poor families.

Tan assured Hataman that the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council would account every single centavo intended for propoor program.

“Sa ibang province daw ay marami silang naibibigay tapos hindi masyadong namo-monitor at tapos wala na raw at hindi na nila alam kung ano ang nangyayari kung nandiyan pa ba ang pera o kung may natulungan o wala at sabi ko (naman) I can assure you na lahat ng officers ko, head of offices ang sabi ko, ang members ang mga mayors lahat babae...puro president ng municipalities nila so nakaka-monitor talaga kami kung ano ang mga activities namin,” Tan said.

Last year, the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council with the support of the Sulu provincial and municipal governments, including various sectors, donated over P3 million in cash and relief goods to war refugees in Zamboanga City, and again just last month.

(Mindanao Examiner)

School official abducted in Zamboanga Sur PAGADIAN CITY – A group of unidentified gunmen abducted a school supervisor in the southern Philippines and police launched an operation to track down the victim.

Police said Rudy Luna and his wife Tessie were both seized by eight gunmen inside their house in Zamboanga del Sur’s Kumalarang town, but the woman managed to escaped and told authorities about the abduction.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman, said they have alerted security forces in the province about the abduction. “The municipal police force is still con-

ducting a follow up operation for the possible rescue of the victim and the arrest of the abductors,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Huesca said the victim, a supervisor of the Kumalarang Central Elementary School, was taken away using the victim’s car and headed to the seacoast in the village of Picanan where a motorized boat was waiting.

Major General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, also ordered troops to help the local police force in tracking down the abductors and their victim.

“General Trinidad has ordered troops in the area to pursue and track down the perpetrators. We still do not know the motives and the group behind the abduction,” Major Edmond Abella, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, said in a separate interview.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the abduction, but police said one of the abductors, Ryan Tumales had been arrested. Previous abductions in the province had been largely blamed to the Abu Sayyaf and other rebel groups which are actively operating in the region.

(Mindanao Examiner)

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Feb. 3-9, 2014

SUPPORT FOR PEACE PROCESS STRONG

nter national suppor nternational supportt is gr owing str ong for the gro strong peace talks betw een the between Philippines and the M or o Mor oro Islamic Liber ation F Liberation Frront, the countr y’ gest M uslim rrebel ebel country’ y’ss lar largest Muslim gr oup group oup..

Foreign embassies sent out statements to Filipino media emphasizing their full support to the Aquino government in negotiating peace with the MILF. Various Filipino organizations and civil society groups, and local government officials in the Muslim autonomous region also renewed their support to the peace process following the signing of the final and last of the four annexes to the Moro homeland in Mindanao.

Peace negotiators also signed the addendum on Muslim territorial waters in the southern Philippines in the talks held in Malaysia. The signing of the Annex on Normalization would pave the way for a peace deal that would put an end to decades of bloody fighting in Mindanao.

Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles praised the outcome of the negotiations and said the last of the four Annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro paves the way for the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

“This is indeed a longawaited moment that is a gift to our people at the start of a new year of renewed hope and commitment. It has been a very difficult road arriving at this major milestone of the peace process,” she said. Deles said in crafting the annexes, the Philippine peace panel sought at every point to abide by President Benigno

The exchange of signed documents on the Annex on Normalization between the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Aquino’s instructions that all peace agreements to be signed must be consistent with the Constitution, including its flexibility and must be in accordance with the capacity of the parties to deliver politically, economically, culturally and in all ways necessary.

“It has been a difficult road getting to here and we know that the path ahead will continue to be fraught with challenges. As we celebrate this moment, we also affirm our readiness to undertake the tasks that shall ensure the full and satisfactory implementation of this agreement, together with the MILF, other partners and stakeholders,” she said.

Deles said there will be new arrangements and mechanisms set up for the peace panels and assisted by selected third-parties and independent bodies, to work together on the multiple tracks that will ensure the transformation of MILF

forces and conflict-affected communities from the harsh ways of war to the nurturance of partnership and cooperation—all these to unleash the unlimited potentials for the development of Mindanao, especially for the communities so long left behind. In moving forward, she said, Filipino lawmakers will take on the crucial role of enacting the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which the Bangsamoro Transition Commission is now drafting.

“President Aquino’s vision and compassion and his love and resolve for Mindanao have brought us to this new era of the Bangsamoro, where dreams of peace and prosperity may begin to overcome the nightmares of the past,” Deles said, as she praised both the peace panels and Malaysia through its facilitator Tengku Dato Abdul Ghafar, for the successful negotiations.

She also thanked MILF chief-

tain Murad Ebrahim and the rebel group’s central committee for their commitment to the peace process.

“We thank MILF Chairman Murad (Ebrahim) and the members of the MILF Central Committee for the trust and commitment to see the negotiations and the subsequent implementation of the FAB to completion,” Deles said. “In a world looking for peaceful solutions to all troubles, we are grateful that we have found ours. Let us all seal it – and nurture it. The best is yet to come.”

Some Filipino lawmakers were also invited in Malaysia to witness the signing of the annex, but surprisingly, none of the governors on the Muslim autonomous region were invited for a still unknown reason. Chief MILF peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said almost everybody back home smells impending success in the current peace talks, especially this 43rd round of nego-

tiation. “They say the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement is just in the corner.

“They have diverse reasons to entertain such belief and I cannot blame them for it. In fact, I sympathize with them but not necessarily taking their view at face value. But truth is that anyone like me who has been part of the peace journey since the beginning will exactly wish and long for the day of reckoning to come soon,” Iqbal said.

“I ask everyone not to stay on the way of these dreamers. Many find solace in dreaming and, therefore, let them continue to dream of that final peace in Mindanao while we in the MILF and government continue to strive to overcome all those that stand on our way leading to the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement,” he added.

Peace negotiators have signed the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement and several annexes since 2012 and both sides expressed optimism that a political accord is near. But Iqbal cautioned that this early that the final destination of the journey of peace is not within immediate reach yet.

“We may be able to sign the comprehensive peace agreement soon as we wish, but that is not the end of the odyssey,” he said during the resumption of the peace talks in Malaysia, adding the exit agreement will formally terminate the peace negotiations if both sides complied with their part of the deal and after it is certified by Malaysia and the Third Party Monitoring Team. “Ideally that day of reckoning will come our way on or before 2016.”

(Mindanao Examiner)

Philippines vows to protect journalists MANILA - The government said it continues to coordinate efforts among law enforcement agencies to address media killings in the country.

Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., a government spokesman, said among the steps being taken by the Aquino administration are changes in the rules of court to speed up ligation, especially with regards to the biggest case involving violence against journalists — the "Maguindanao massacre."

"We continue to work with

ARMM

the concerned government agencies. Ang direktiba po sa kanila ay pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisi-yasat at paghahanap sa mga gumawa ng mga krimeng ito, dahil hindi naman po natin mapapahintulutan ang paggawa ng karahasan laban sa mga journalists, at laban sa mga nagtatrabaho bilang mga peryodista and in the exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of the press," Coloma said in a press briefing at the Presidential Palace.

He said three judges were so far assigned to handle the massa-

Southern Mindanao

cre case, adding the police and other law enforcement agencies also made a commitment to heighten the campaign to arrest the perpetrators of the killings.

"Kaya pag-iibayuhin ng ating pamahalaan ang pagsisikap na mabigyan ng katarungan ang karahasan laban sa mga journalists," Coloma said.

He said also part of the government’s commitment to protect journalists is to control the proliferation of illegal weapons in the country.

"The President signed a new

Davao

gun law allowing professionals to carry guns for protection as well as raising the prison term to at least 30 years for anyone caught possessing unlicensed firearm," he said.

Media groups have criticized the government for its failure to protect journalists from attacks.

Just in December, motorcycle gunmen shot and killed a radio broadcaster, Rogelio Butalid, in Tagum City in southern Philippines. The 46-year old Butalid, who worked for Radyo Natin, was shot outside his studio.

Manila

Michael Milo, of radio station Prime FM in Tandag City and Joas Dignos, a radio commentator, were also killed by gunmen in southern Philippines. A third radio man, Jhonavin Villalba, 43, of dyOK Aksyon Radyo in Iloilo survived, but is wounded in a gun attack.

The NUJP said 19 journalists had been killed since President Benigno Aquino assumed the presidency in 2010 and the string of attacks and murder continue unabated in the country.

Zamboanga Peninsula