Mindanao Examiner Newspaper May 19-25, 2014

Oh, Google! Tools and technology make wonder in Philippines disaster crisis response

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‘Text2Teach’ project muling inilunsad sa Sulu

Troops clash with BIFF rebels in Maguindanao

Philippines hosts ASEANAPOL 2014

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Manila police force use ‘fake’ Segway PTs

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Funds ready for Haiyan rehab available for Visayas

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May 19-25, 2014

‘TERRORISM’

Britain warns citizens in Philippines, says terror threats, strife high

T

he United Kingdom has warned its citizens against travelling to southern Philippines due to threats of terrorism and clashes between security forces and insurgents, and kidnappings.

“The Foreign and attacks and have the caCommonwealth Office pacity and the intent to (FCO) advise against all carry out attacks at anytravel to south-west time and anywhere in the Mindanao and the Sulu country.

It said although there is archipelago because of on-going terrorist activity hope that the Bangsamoro and clashes between the framework peace agreemilitary and insurgent ment will bring the 40 year groups. The FCO advice insurgency in the south of against all but essential the country to an end, extravel to the remainder of treme elements within the Mindanao for the same two main insurgent reasons,” it said in an up- groups, the Moro National dated advisory which can Liberation Front and the be accessed on this URL Moro Islamic Liberation https://www.gov.uk/for- Front, continue to pose a e i g n - t r a v e l - a d v i c e / security threat, including the Bangsamoro Islamic philippines.

Britain said there are Freedom Fighters which several terrorist groups broke away with the MILF operating in the Philip- and is responsible for the pines that continue to series of attacks on military targets in Mindanao. pose a threat.

BIFF AB U SA YYAF A ABU SAY AF,, JI, NP NPA Just recently, the BIFF It also said there is a high threat of terrorism under Ustadz Ameril Umra throughout the Philip- Kato set off a bomb in pines and terrorist groups Maguindanao’s Datu Un– among them the local say town killing two solAbu Sayyaf and the Indo- diers and wounding sevnesian Jemaah Islamiya, eral more. The explosion including the communist hit a military convoy carryrebel New People’s Army ing Col. Gener del Rosario, and other associated commander of the 1st groups - continue to plan Mechanized Infantry Bri-

gade, on their way to the 6th Infantry Division in Awang town.

The United Kingdom also cited past against civilian targets in Mindanao - in 2013 attacks have taken place in Cotabato City and Cagayan de Oro and there remains a threat of attacks throughout much of Mindanao – “attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners like airports, shopping malls, public transport and places of worship.”

“Be aware of the risk of terrorist attacks to all forms of public transport: road, rail, sea and air. Terrorist groups have threatened to attack passenger ferries and other vessels, particularly those operating from Mindanao. You should avoid using public transport throughout Mindanao,” the British travel advisory further said.

KIDNAPP ING KIDNAPPING It said there is a threat from kidnapping, particularly in the southern Philippines where kidnapping could occur anywhere, including on coastal and island resorts and on dive boats and sites in the Sulu

A military truck damaged in the bombing in Maguindanao’s Datu Unsay town. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales) Sea.

“Foreigners have been targeted in rural, urban and coastal areas in the past. In April 2014, two foreign nationals were kidnapped while yachting in the Sulu Sea. In February 2012, 2 foreign nationals were kidnapped from Parangan in the township of Panglima Sugala in the Tawi-Tawi island province.”

“The long-standing policy of the British govern-

ment is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking,” it said.

Britain was referring to the two German yachters Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and his companion, Herike Diesen, 55, who disappeared recently at sea off Palawan province. Their

empty yacht was recovered by Philippine authorities off Palawan in the Sulu Sea. And the two European wildlife photographers Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, from Switzerland, who were taken captive by in the coastal village of Parangan in Panglima Sugala town two years ago. (With a report from Mark Navales)

Electric coop target sa Lanao Sur

Ito ang larawan ng sinunog na crane truck na mula sa Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative.

ARMM

Southern Mindanao

Davao

MARAWI CITY – Isang linggo na ang nakalipas ay wala pa rin pormal na pahayag ang mga awtoridad ukol sa pagsunog ng mga armadong grupo sa isang crane truck na inarkila ng Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative para sa mga proyekto nito sa lalawigan.

Sakay umano ng mga pick-up trucks at kotse ang mga armado ng ito'y dumating sa highway ng Ramain at saka binuhusan ng gasolina at sinilaban ang

Manila

naturang truck na pagaari ng kumpanyang JERA. Naganap ang atake nung nakaraang Lunes.

Bago tumakas ay nagpaputok pa umano ang mga salarin ngunit walang mga parak at sundalong rumesponde sa atake bagamat nagtagal pa sa lugar ang mga armado.

Hindi pa mabatid ang motibo sa arson at kung sino ang nasa likod nito, ngunit wala naman ibinigay na anumang pahayag ang

pulisya ukol sa atake at wala rin umako nito.

Sinabi naman ng 1st Infantry Division na wala pa itong natatanggap na ulat mula sa 103rd Infantry Brigade sa ilalim ni Col. Glen Macasero ukol sa atake. Subali't balot sa kaguluhan ang lalawigan at ilang beses na rin nakakatanggap ng banta ang mga opisyal ng cooperative mula sa mga armado. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Peninsula

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The Mindanao Examiner

May 19-25, 2014

Oh, Google! Tools and technology make wonder in Philippines disaster crisis response

Interaction action among participants in the recent Google 'Crisis Response Summit' held in Makati City in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales) MANILA – Google indeed has made a lot of contributions to the world – in education and of course the Internet – and without Google, technology as we know it now will probably, who knows?

And for journalists, agement in Makati City Google is a handy tool brought together people because it helps a lot in who have a stake in the research, and the same is crisis response field also true to other people, across the country - from students and even gov- the public, private, nonernments – who will not profit sectors, and the know about Google media where they shared Earth, Google Maps, experiences, exchanged Google Images, Google best practices, and proTranslate, Google Public posed solutions for imAlerts, Google Fusion proving the way that Tables, Google Docs, and Google collaborate in Google Sites and many times of crisis. more, did I forget Google During the Summit, Toolbar in my computer, Google led hands-on well, all is great with demonstration sessions where participants had Google.

And just recently, the practiced using Google regional newspaper Crisis Response tools like Mindanao Examiner was Crisis Maps, Public Alerts invited by Google to its and Person Finder. first-ever “Crisis Re- Google also featured difsponse Summit” in the ferent perspectives on Philippines and the one- preparedness, response day Summit held at the and recover y and the Asian Institute of Man- Google Crisis Response

team moderated an interactive panel discussion with representatives from different sectors.

Mer yl Stone, of Google, also spoke in the Summit, and so was Senator Loren Legarda.

Stone joined Google in May 2004 as a direct report to Google's cofounders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and went on to become a founding member of Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm.

In her almost 10 years at Google, Stone has led strategy, development and partnerships for some of Google.org largest initiatives and products, including Inform & Empower, a governance and transparency initiative in India and East Africa; Google PowerMeter, a product to improve consumer awareness of energy usage; and

Google for Nonprofits, a program to provide inkind product donations to non-profit organizations.

In her current role as the head of partnerships for Google Cr isis Response, Stone develops government, non-profit and commercial relationships in support of Google¹s emergency alerting, crisis maps, and Person Finder products.

She has also managed the partnerships for over 20 of Google¹s most acute responses (including Haiti Earthquake, Hurricane Sandy, Typhoon Haiyan), while working to scale Google’s ability to respond to future disasters.

In the Google Asia Pacific Blog, Aileen Apolo, the Outreach Program Manager for Google Southeast Asia, has written an informative insight into what and how Google solutions like the Google Crisis Map and Person Finder do to help in the aftermath of a natural disaster, just like what happened after the deadly typhoon Haiyan struck the country last year.

“Solutions like Google Crisis Map and Person Finder were widely used by government agencies and relief organizations in the typhoon’s aftermath.

Natural disasters are unexpected events that require us all to work together in unexpected

ways, under stressful circumstances. With events like the Crisis Response Summit, we hope to encourage pre-crisis coordination and communication so that technology can better complement the next relief effort,” she wrote in the blog.

She said the recent Crisis Response Summit drew local authorities, non-profit groups, community volunteers, and to exchange ideas on what stakeholders can do to work together more effectively before, during and after a natural disaster.

She also cited Legarda, who shared her vision for improving the country’s disaster preparedness, wherein risk prevention and reduction, powered by technology, are the key. Apolo said Legarda also called on software developers to create applications that can help the public better understand possible risks such as landslides, flooding, and storm surges before they happen.

Apolo said during typhoon Haiyan, people across sectors came together to share useful information with the public. “This made it possible for individuals to create innovative tools to aid the response effort,” she said.

Representatives from various government agencies also attended the Summit.

Director Cezario Joel Espejo, of the Department

of Social Welfare and Development, said technology played an important role in the people’s collective response during and after calamities.

He said it was because of technology, primarily the Internet and social media outlets that people were able to immediately come together and provide aid to the survivors of these calamities.

Google Crisis Response is a team within Google.org that seeks to make critical information more accessible around natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

It has responded in the past to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, 2010 Pakistan floods, 2010–2011 Queensland floods, February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami among other events, using Google resources and tools.

Google Crisis Response organizes emergency alerts and news updates relating to a crisis and publishes the information on its web properties or dedicated landing pages. It also provides opportunities for donation in collaboration with agencies like UNICEF, Save the Children, International Medical Corps, and local relief-providing bodies. Google also builds and provides tools to help crisis responders and affected people communicate and stay informed. (Mark Navales)

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The Mindanao Examiner

May 19-25, 2014

Si Sulu Governor Totoh Tan sa paglulunsad ng 'Text2Teach' program. (Kuha ni Franzie Sali)

‘Text2Teach’ project muling inilunsad sa Sulu SULU – Pinuri ni Sulu Governor Totoh Tan ang paglulunsad ng “Text2 Teach” training program na kung saan 15 mga

paaralan sa elementarya ang nakinabang sa naturang proyekto ng ibatibang stakeholders sa bansa.

Noon nakaraang taon ay inilunsad rin ang proyekto sa Sulu sa pamamagitan ng Text2 Teach alliance na

Brave cop fights off 6 rebels PAGADIAN CITY – A policeman was wounded in a gun battle after he fought off 6 suspected communist rebels who attacked him outside his house in the southern Philippines, officials told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Officials said Senior Police Officer 4 Eleazar Carcallas was heading home alone when he was attacked in the town of Tigbao in Zamboanga del Sur province.

The gunmen, who split into two groups, waited for Carcallas outside his house and attacked him with pistols and submachine guns, but the officer managed to

fight back until the rebels fled.

“SPO4 Carcallas is a brave policeman and he managed to fight off his attackers, who are believed to be members of the New People’s Army, out to kill him. We have tightened security not only in the town, but the whole province as well because of this attack,” said Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, a regional police spokesman.

He said Carcallas was shot in the leg and chin and rushed to hospital in Pagadian City.

It was not the first time rebels attack a policeman in Tigbao town. On April 2012, dozens of commu-

nist rebels also stormed the town’s police headquarters and carted weapons and took one policeman Juhali Faisal hostage in their escape.

The attack on Carcallas came two days after rebels also clashed with troops in the village of Bal-ason in Gingoog City.

Two rebels were killed in the fighting and soldiers recovered 2 automatic rifles, according to Captain Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command.

The NPA has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country.

(Mindanao Examiner)

A military truck damaged in the bombing and troops inspect the Meta Bridge in Datu Unsay town. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)

kinabibilangan ng Nokia, Globe Telecom, Ayala Foundation, Inc., Pearson Foundation, Toshiba at ng Department of Education.

Ngayon taon ay muli itong inilunsad sa pakikipagtulungan sa 2nd Marine Brigade at Marine Battalion Landing Team 6 at gayun rin kay Lt. Col. Antonio Mangoraban, local government units, mga non-governmental organizations at iba pang mga stakeholders.

Inimbitahan ng mga organizers si Tan bilang guest of honor sa paglulunsad nito sa bayan ng Jolo kamakailan lamang. Sa kanyang talumpati ay sinabi ni Tan ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon sa mga kabataan dahil ito ang siyang huhubog sa kanilang kinabukasan upang maging mabuting mamamayan.

Sinabi pa ni Tan na maging ang mga bagong teknolohiya ay nakakarating na rin sa Sulu sa pamamagitan ng Internet at cell phones at lubha umanong mahalaga ito sa bawat isa.

“Sa makabagong panahon ngayon lubha pong napakabilis ang takbo ng teknolohiya lalo na sa larangan ng komunikasyon. Naglipana ang mga iba’t ibang uri ng cell phones at iba pang mga gadgets at nakaugalian na ng mga kabataan ngayon bilang libangan at pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga kaibigan sa mga facebook

at iba pang social media.

Ang Sulu, kahit na tinuturing na malayong lugar, halos lahat ng pamamahay dito ay mayroon kahit isang cell phone man lamang. Hindi natin mapipigilan ang pag-unlad ng teknololohiya bagkus maiiwan tayo ng panahon kung hindi natin magamit ang communication technology bilang isang instrumento ng pagunlad at pagbabago ng ating sambayanan.”

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Ayala Foundation, Globe Telecom Inc, DepEd, sa mga LGUs, NGOs, pribadong sektor at siyempre sa ating magigiting na Marines na nagsanib puwersa at kaisipan upang maisakatuparan ang isa pang balakin na magamit ang teknolohiya sa pagtuturo o edukasyon. Ang Text2 Teach concept ay nagamit na sa ibang mga lugar tulad ng New Zealand kung saan napatunayan na ito ay nakatulong sa interaction ng mga magaaral at ng kanilang mga guro, bagama’t sa ibang mga liblib na lugar ay nagkaroon sila ng mga problema sa kuryente at sa signal,” wika pa ni Tan sa kanyang talumpati.

Nanawagan rin ito sa mga magulang at partikular sa mga estudyante at kabataan na pag-ibayuhin ang kanilang pagaaral at paggamit ng wasto sa ibat-ibang mga makabagong teknolohiya.

“Nananawagan tayo sa mga kinaukulan ganun din sa mga mag-aaral na makikinabang sa programang ito na wag sayangin ang pagkakataon na makatamo ng karunungan at wastong paggamit ng teknolohiya na pinagbuhusan ng panahon at tiyaga ng mga sponsors at mga volunteers. Ang pamahalaang panlalawigan sa ilalim po ng inyong abang lingkod ay patuloy na susuporta sa lahat ng mga hakbangin sa ikabubuti ng ating lalawigan at mamamayan.”

“Marami na ang pinagdaanan ng Sulu at napapanahon na, na ang lalawigan at ng kanyang mamamayan ay mabigyan naman ng pagkakataon na mamuhay sa katahimikan, ka-ayusan at kaunlaran ng walang sagabal,” ani pa ni Tan. Natanggap naman ng mga paaralan ang ibatibang mga kagamitan, kabilang ang telebisyon, mga libro, cell phone at kung anu-ano pa. Ang mga nabigyan nito ay ang mga sumusunod na paaralang elementarya – Anuling, Danag, Datu Uddin Bahjin Central, Don Jose Godinez, Kan–Ague, Gandasuli, Igasan, Kadday Mampalam, Kaunayan, Kawmpang, Liang, Mudjunun, Patikul Higad, Tanum at ang Tuup. Nagpasalamat rin ang mga organizers ng proyekto kay Tan dahil sa mga programa nito sa libreng edukasyon.

(Franzie Sali)

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The Mindanao Examiner

May 19-25, 2014

BI imposes strict travel rules for government people MANILA - Philippine Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said government officials and employees from the Executive Branch must secure a travel authority before they can be allowed to travel abroad.

He reminded government people who plan to travel abroad to strictly follow the order to avoid delay in the immigration processing on the day of their departure.

Mison stressed that the policy is in accordance with existing laws, as well as administrative issuanc by the office of the President over the past decades.

In 1986, the President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order No. 6 outlining the procedure in filing request to travel abroad for government personnel.

And also during the administration of President Fidel Ramos, he issued Memorandum Circular No. 18 which clarified the rules and regulations on public servants’ travel abroad.

And in 2005, President Gloria Arroyo likewise issued Executive Order No.

459 which streamlined the procedure and disposition of requests for travel authorization from government employees.

According to the rules, those needing travel authorization from Malacañang are Department Secretaries, officials of equivalent rank, heads of government-owned and controlled corporations and government financing institutions attached to the Office of the President.

Governors and mayors must be permitted and authorized by the Department Of the Interior and Local Government. Heads of state universities and colleges shall secure their travel authorization from the Commission on Higher Education while officials and employees of such institutions shall get their travel permit from their school’s head.

Similarly, officials and employees of other agencies under or attached to the Office of the President must have their travel plans authorized by the head of their respective agencies.

Col. Gener del Rosario inspects the weapons recovered by troops following the fighting in Maguindanao's Rajah Buayan town.

And the man that troops arrested in the village where the fighting broke out. Drugs were also seized from him. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)

Troops clash with BIFF rebels in Maguindanao MAGUINDANAO - Government troops clashed with rebels in the restive southern Filipino province of Maguindanao killing a still undetermined number of gunmen, an army commander said.

Colonel Gener del Rosario, commander of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, said a team of soldiers were patrolling a village in the town of Rajah Buayan when they encountered about two dozen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“It was fierce, the fighting in the village and we are sure that the enemies had suffered some casualties because there were bloodstains all over the areas where they withdrawn. We also recovered five M16 automatic rifles along the way and

many BIFF uniforms and radio sets and backpacks,” Del Rosario told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said troops also recovered suspected illegal drugs, believed to be shabu, from Datunaut Ali Sailila who was in the village during the fighting.

He said troops were sent to track down the rebels, blamed for the series of attacks on military forces in Maguindanao, one of five provinces under the similarly troubled Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Del Rosario said no soldiers were killed or wounded in the gunbattle.

The military also blamed past bombings in the province to the BIFF -

under former Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebel leader, Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato which has been fighting security forces since January 27, a day after Filipino peace negotiators signed an accord with the MILF on how the country’s largest Muslim rebel group would lay down their weapons.

Kato broke away with the MILF in 2011 after accusing its chieftain Murad Ebrahim for abandoning their struggle for independence and betraying the MILF when he agreed to a secret meeting called by President Benigno Aquino in Japan in August 2011, saying Ebrahim corrupted the rights of the Bangsamoro people, adding the MILF chieftain should have consulted his leaders before

meeting with the Filipino leader.

Kato and another senior rebel leader, Abdulla Macapaar, were both accused by Philippine authorities as behind the series of deadly attacks in Mindanao in 2008 after peace negotiators failed to sign a Muslim homeland deal because the Supreme Court declared the accord unconstitutional.

Kato suffered a stroke in 2011, but his condition remains unknown, although there were reports that a new commander – Sheik Mohidin Animbang – has taken over the command of the BIFF, whose members were mostly former fighters of the MILF and rival group Moro National Liberation Front. (Mark Navales and Rosemarie Muneza)

Tawi-Tawi celebrates 'Month of the Ocean'

TAWI-TAWI The Mindanao State University in the southern Philippine province of TawiTawi is celebrating the 'Month of the Ocean' and would launch an underwater clean up campaign as part of its environmental program.

The month of May has been declared as the 'Month of the Ocean' in the Philippines through the Presidential Proclamation No. 57 by then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada in 1999.

This Proclamation encourages all sectors of

The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Joshua Alvia 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

Alan Navales North- South Cotabato Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Peninsula The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.

The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in KISMET Cable TV and Pagadian Cable Television Channel 63.

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

society to collaborate and observe May as the Month of the Ocean (MOO) through the conduct of activities that shall highlight the conservation, protection and sustainable management of Philippine coastal and ocean resources.

To celebrate Month of the Ocean in Tawi-Tawi, the Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College

of Technology and Oceanography through its Coastal Resource Management Center headed

by Dr. Filemon Romero shall launch an underwater clean up drive dubbed as "Scubasurero" in in collaboration various stakeholders.

The theme of this year's celebration is "Pagtayakkup Karna Kalissinan Sin Dagat"

(United Action for a Cleaner Sea). The event is aimed at increasing public awareness of the impacts of garbage to marine life and the need to properly dispose solid wastes from domestic and other sources; boost public’s full support and cooperation in the solid waste management and efforts to clean our marine ecosystem and to

strengthen synergy with other government and non-government offices and organizations, academe, private sector, and civil society in combining efforts to protect and save coastal and marine life.

MSU-TCTO Chancellor Lorenzo Reyes called on everyone to save the seas and to stop throwing garbage in the sea.

Marines launch sports program in Sulu SULU – Sulu Governor Totoh Tan has donated various medals and trophies to the Philippine Marines in support to the military’s sports development program in the southern province.

Tan, also a sportsman himself, has been actively promoting sports among the youth in the province just as his father – former Governor Sakur Tan – did during his administration.

He handed over the donation to the soldiers of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-6 (MBLT-6) at the Provincial Capitol. The marines are stationed in the village of Buhanginan in the town of Patikul where they launched the sports program for the youth.

The MBLT-6 also launched the 3rd Patikul Inter-Barangays Basketball League 2014 which is aimed at fostering camaraderie and teamwork among villagers and promotes the values of sportsmanship.

The military praised Tan for his support to the endeavor of the marines in Patikul. (Franzie Sali)

Sulu Governor Totoh Tan and members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team - 6 during the handover of the donation of trophies and medals to the Philippines Marines in Patikul town.

(Photo by Franzie Sali - Special to the Mindanao Examiner)

The Mindanao Examiner

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The Mindanao Examiner

May 19-25, 2014

Rebels demand release of arrested leader President Benigno Aquino and Police Dirctor General Alan Purisima and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas during the ASEANAPOL Conference 2014 in Manila. (Photo by Rey Baniquet)

Philippines hosts ASEANAPOL 2014 MANILA – President Benigno Aquino graced the opening of the 34th ASEAN Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in Manila.

The Philippine National Police hosted the conference participated by the Royal Brunei Police Force, Cambodian National Police Force, Indonesian National Police, Myanmar Police Force, Singapore Police Force, Socialist Republic of Vietnam Police, Royal Thai Police, Royal Malaysia Police, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Police Force.

The conference also drew observers from the ASEAN Secretariat, ICPOInterpol, Australian Federal Police, National Police Agency of Japan, New Zealand Police, Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China, and the National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea, and Timor Leste.

“We meet today with the full knowledge that

wrongdoing is not limited to single countries or particular regions.

Transnational crime crosses beyond borders.

Criminals often attempt to evade justice by crossing borders, thereby stretching the capacities of our respective police forces, often times, challenging the existing laws of each country in the region. This is one of the primary reasons why we are gathered here. Our goal - to make sure that such criminals are brought to justice in the swiftest and most efficient manner possible; and to allow all the peoples of Southeast Asia to

go about their lives with peace of mind, knowing that they are protected by their respective governments,” Aquino said in his speech.

Police Director General Alan Purisima and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas led the conference.

The Philippines is a founding member of the ASEANAPOL which held its first conference in Manila in 1981 and has been holding annual conferences since hosted by memberagencies. The PNP last hosted the 23rd ASEANAPOL conference in Manila in September 2003.

DAVAO CITY – The National Democratic Front of the Philippines has condemned the arrest by police and military authorities of a senior communist rebel leader in Davao City.

It said the arrest of Roy Erecre, who was nabbed with his girlfriend Judith Niog on May 7, was illegal and demanded his immediate release from jail. The NDFP, political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, said Erecre, being its consultant to the peace talks with Manila, is immune from arrest.

It said Erecre, who holds an NDFP Document of Identification No. ND978243 under the assumed name of Vide Alguna since 2001, is covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees ( JASIG) signed by government chief peace negotiator Silvestre Bello. JASIG serves as safe conduct pass for all consultants and members of the communist group.

“We condemn the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PNP units for disregarding Roy Erecre’s NDFP Document of Identification, which he had in his possession upon the illegal arrest.

We demand his immediate and unconditional release.

For the meantime, his rights to be visited by his relatives and lawyers must be respected.”

“We hold the Aquino regime accountable for this latest gross violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees. In addition to the illegal arrest and

detention of NDFP Consultants Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria, and the continued violation of the rights of more than a dozen other NDFP consultants and JASIG-protected personnel, this continued refusal of the Aquino regime to comply with its obligations according to the JASIG and the Comprehensive Agreement of Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law is a big obstacle to the holding of peace negotiations between the regime and the NDFP,” it said in a statement.

Benito Tiamzon is the current chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines, while his wife Wilma is its Secretary-General. Both were arrested in Cebu province in March.

The military said the communist group has been invoking the JASIG on every arrested high ranking members of the rebel group New People’s Army although majority or all the names in the list were aliases and there is no way to determine their real identities.

Erecre, who is allegedly a politburo member of the Communist Party of the Philippines and regional leader of the New People’s Army in Central Visayas region, is being held in Bohol province where he is facing a string of criminal charges.

Captain Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said Niog was released from military and police custody. He said both were arrested in the village of Sasa where under-

cover agents tailed them undetected for one week while vacationing in different beach resorts and hotels in Davao.

He said authorities seized communist propaganda and P352,000 in cash from Erecre. He said the money may have come from extortion activities of the NPA in central Philippines and was supposed to go to the coffers of the rebel group, but had been absconded by Erecre.

“We still don’t know where he got the money, but it can end up in the coffers of the NPA or wired directly to Jose Maria Sison or finance terror attacks and it is clear that he absconded the money,” Caber said referring to the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines now in exile in the Netherlands.

Caber said Erecre had a P5.4 million bounty for his capture.

Government peace talks with the NPA collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused then President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country and the removal of the terrorist tag on the Communist Party of the Philippines and its political wing, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and the NPA. Manila also suspended the JASIG after the peace talks failed. The rebels have been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country.

(Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

May 19-25, 2014

Bomba itinanim sa labas ng munisipyo sa Maguindanao

This is the caption of the Manila City Hall photo of Mayor Joseph Estrada while trying out one of the vehicles. "SEGWAY CHARIOTS DONATED TO THE CITY OF MANILA. Manila Mayor Joseph E. Estrada enjoys a short ride on the Segway chariot donated to the Manila Police by officials of the Westwood City Ventures & Solutions Inc. A total of 10 vehicles were donated by Westwood yesterday, May 7, at simple rites at Manila City Hall. Looking on is Police Senior Supt. Gilbert Cruz. (CDIS-Tony Cunanan /Ronelle Socao)"

Manila police force use ‘fake’ Segway PTs MANILA – Manila City may not know it and the media also knew nothing when they reported that a private organization donated 10 units of ‘Segway’ personal transporters to the local police force to boost its patrol unit.

Mayor Joseph Estrada was also photographed trying out the Segway that some journalists called ‘scooters’ and ‘chariots,’ and now the Manila Police District and the local government said they would purchase 50 more units.

News articles and other government and police officials also referred to the vehicles as 'Segway.'

But unknown to Estrada and the police force, and even the media that the so-

called scooters or chariots were not manufactured by Segway and it did not even come from the company that introduced the personal transporters because what they were trumpeting are actually a clone – but the glaring difference from the original Segway personal transporter is that the clone has four wheels – two big tires on the front and two smaller wheels at the rear.

The original Segway personal transporter has only two wheels and uses gyroscopic sensors to balance and prevent the rider from falling off. It is now being used by over 1,200 police departments around the world.

When contacted by the

regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner about the four-wheeled Segway units delivered to the Manila Police District, Segway Philippines said: “The personal transport vehicles being used by the Manila Police District are in fact not Segway PT vehicles. Evident in the photos and videos circulating the media recently, the members of the Manila Police District are using fourwheeled personal transportation vehicles.”

“These are clearly different from actual Segway PTs which only have two wheels and are self-balancing personal transporters. So don't be fooled by them and keep Simply Moving with Segway Inc.” (Mindanao Examiner)

COTABATO CITY - Isang bomba ang nabawi ng militar matapos itong iwan sa labas ng municipal hall ng Shariff Aguak sa lalawigan ng Maguindanao sa magulong Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Sinabi ng militar na natagpuan ang bomba at hindi pa mabatid kung sino ang nasa likod nito, ngunit nabawi ito matapos ng matinding sagupaan sa kalapit na bayan ng Rajha Buayan na kung saan ay nakasagupa ng mga tropa ang isang grupo ng Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Alarmado naman si Shariff Aguak Mayor Zahara Ampatuan sa pagkakabawi sa bomba dahil tahimik naman umano ang kanyang bayan at kilala rin siya bilang isang peace advocate at supporter ng peace process.

Walang umako sa paglalagay ng bomba at hindi pa mabatid kung paano itong iniwan sa labas

launched an investigation to determine the motive of the attack and the identities of the gunmen.

Late last year, two Filipino muggers also attacked a 23-year old Indian trader, Harpreet, in Zamboanga City where he operates a small business. Harpreet, who buys and sells small appliances, lost his cell phone to the men who also tried to steal his motorcycle in the village of Tetuan.

A small group of Indian nationals engage in various businesses have been living in Zamboanga and some had married local residents to legitimize their stay in the country.

In October 2012, Philippine authorities detained 5 Indian nationals in Zamboanga City shortly af-

ter they arrived from TawiTawi province. The 5 men travelled by boat from Sandakan in Malaysia to the neighboring Filipino province of Tawi-Tawi where they took a plane and flew to Zamboanga City on

ng munisipyo gayun napakaraming sundalo at parak sa lugar.

Idinawit naman ni Col. Gener del Rosario, ang commander ng 1st Mechanized Brigade, ang BIFF sa ibatibang atake at pambobomba sa central Mindanao, kabilang na dito ang Maguindanao na isa sa 5 lalawigan sa ARMM. Ang BIFF ay binuo ni dating Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebel leader, Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato

matapos itong kumalas sa MILF ng akusahan nito si rebel chieftain Murad Ebrahim ng pagtalikod sa ipinaglalaban na Muslim independence sa Minda-nao.

Lumagda na ang MILF ng peace agreement sa pamahalaan Aquino at inaasikaso na ng magkabilang panig ang pagbuo sa Bangsamoro Basic Law na siyang magiging gabay sa bagong Muslim homeland sa rehiyon. (Mark Navales)

Gunsmith falls, illegal weapons seized in Lanao del Sur CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY Philippine authorities arrested a gunsmith and seized a cache of weapons and assorted gun parts from his shop in Marawi City in the southern province of Lanao del Sur, officials said.

Indian national shot in Zamboanga City ZAMBOANGA CITY – An Indian national was killed after he was shot by two motorcycle gunmen in Zamboanga City in southern Philippine, police said.

Police said the 28-year old Sukhjinder Singh was driving his motorcycle when the gunmen, who were tailing the foreigner, attacked him in the village of Putik.

Singh, who was engaged in money lending, just came from his cousin’s house and was heading home, when the attack occurred. Police said the Indian man was shot twice in the head and body with a .45-caliber pistol.

The gunmen escaped after the attack thinking that Singh had been killed. Police said the victim was rushed to hospital, but eventually died from his wounds. Police

Ang bomba na nabawi ng militar sa labas ng munisipyo.

(Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)

Mindanao Island.

Local authorities said the foreigners had no passports and other travel documents and only carried a fake temporary Philippine labor permit. (Mindanao Examiner)

Officials said military and police units swooped down on the illegal shop in Lumbac Madaya village and arrested its owner Hadji Ali Cader Sarosong. Among the guns seized from gunsmith were machine guns and grenade launchers, including .50-caliber sniper rifles, said Captain Jefferson Mamauag, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division.

“The arrest of the gunsmith and the recovery of the weapons and assorted gun parts are the result of a long surveillance operation. Sarosong is now under the custody of the National

Bureau of Investigation,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Colonel Glen Macasero, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, supervised the operation launched by the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation that led to the arrest of Sarosong, according to Mamauag.

It was not immediately known if Sarosong was selling illegal weapons to rebel groups and criminal syndicates. (Mindanao Examiner)

GSIS extends loan program in Visayas affected by typhoon Haiyan CEBU - The Government Service Insurance System said it has extended the implementation of the Home Emergency Loan Program to October this year, and also expanded its coverage include an additional 34 areas affected by typhoon Haiyan last year.

The Home Emergency Loan Program or HELP is a one-time special loan that aims to enable GSIS members and pensioners to rebuild their homes in communities that were hardest hit by Haiyan, particularly in the Visayas.

"Expanding the coverage of HELP synchronizes the effort of the System with the move of the national government to include these areas in NDRRMC's updated list of localities severely affected by the typhoon," said GSIS President and General Manager Robert Vergara.

NDRRMC refers to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

A car is overturned from the aftermath of super typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban City in Leyte province in central Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

The 34 additional areas now covered by HELP include, the municipalities of San Remigio, Patnongon, Valderama in the province of Antique; Almeria and Culaba in Biliran province; Tuburan in Cebu province; and Baybay and Silago in Leyte province.

In Eastern Samar, three municipalities are also covered by the program - General McArthur, Llorente, and Maydolong; and the municipalities of Daram, Talarora and Villareal in Western Samar.

In Iloilo, a total of 13 areas are now eligible under HELP namely, Alimodian, Anilao, Badiangan, Barotac Nuevo, Cabatuan, Dumangas, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina, New Lucena, Pototan, and Zarraga, and four municipalities in Negros Occidental - Calatrava, Eb Magalona, Silay City; and Victorias City.

Also included in the new list are the municipalities of Cuyo in Palawan, Balud in Masbate province, as well as Loreto on Dinagat Island.

The grant of HELP to

members in the 34 areas will be subject to the receipt of a resolution issued by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or Sangguniang Panglungsod or through a certification issued by the provincial governor or administrator and a request from the city or municipal mayor.

Under HELP, members who have been with the government for 10 years or more are qualified to the maximum loan amount of P200,000. Those who have rendered service for five years or more but less than 10 years may borrow up to P100,000. And members with less than five years may take out a loan of up to P30,000.

The loan is payable in 10 years and bears an interest rate of 6% and the approval of the agency authorized officer is required to process the loan.For the first quarter of this year, GSIS has released more than P8.5 billion under HELP that benefited some 60,000 borrowers.

8

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May 19-25, 2014

British missionary injured in road accident DIPOLOG CITY – A British missionary was injured after their minibus crashed near a ditch in the southern Philippines, police said.

Police said the 25year old Stacy Louise Baker, from United Kingdom, was rushed to the hospital in the town of Liloy in Zamboanga del Norte province.

Baker, a member of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ, was with a group of Filipinos

bound for Ipil town in the neighboring province of Zamboanga Sibugay when the accident occurred over the weekend.

Police said the driver of the bus Ronnie Patria, 40, lost control of the wheel following to mechanical malfunction.

“All the passengers, to include the driver, were unharmed, but one passenger identified as Stacey Louise Baker, 25 years old, female, single, UK citizen, Pentecostal

Missionary and a resident of United Kingdom was rushed to Liloy Integrated Hospital for medical assistance due to trauma,” police said.

It was not immediately known how many passengers or whether Baker was the only foreigner in the bus. A police officer Abner Silaga who has been assigned to investigate the accident did not answer phone calls by journalists. (Mindanao Examiner)

Summer is best time to destroy mosquito breeding sites CEBU - Summer is the best time to destroy breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitos and according to Dr. Frances Edillo, of the University of San Carlos, the larvae and pupae infected with dengue virus survive summer and become mosquitoes in the following rainy season and the insects could set off an epidemic among humans.

He said based on a 2012 study by the San Carlos University in Cebu, the month of April registered the highest minimum infection rate of Aedes aegypti, the more common carrier of the dengue virus in the country.

The study was done in four sites within Cebu City where Edillo’s research team observed a low number of dengue cases during dry season, but the cases hike during the rainy season.

The research team used Polymerase Chain Reaction, a technique for making multiple copies of a gene from a sample DNA. Using the technique, the team found from the samples three of the four dengue serotypes, namely DENV-1, DENV-3, and DENV-4.

Dengue fever is caused by one of four different, but related viruses and it is spread by the bite of mos-

quitoes, most commonly known as the Aedes aegypti.

Symptoms of dengue fever begin with a sudden high fever, often as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit and may last up to 7 days after the infection. A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body for 2 to 5 days after the fever starts. A second rash, which looks like measles, appears later in the disease and infected people may have increased skin sensitivity.

Other symptoms include fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea and vomiting and swollen lymph nodes.

Nanagang kelot tigok sa Zambo Sibugay ZAMBOANGA CITY – Nabaril at napatay ang isang lalaki matapos nitong pagtatagain ang kanyang sariling kapatid at hipag sa bayan ng Olutanga sa Zamboanga Sibugay province sa Mindanao.

Nabatid na nilusob ni Arkan Amilhasan kamakalawa ng tanghali ang bahay ng kapatid na si Kaser at hipag

nitong si Sading at saka sila pinagtataga.

Sinubukan pa ni Sading na tumakas at humingi ng tulong sa mga kapit-bahay, ngunit hinabol rin siya ni Arkan hanggang sa sumaklolo ang isang kamaganakan ng babae na si Najer at binaril ang lalaki gamit ang M16 automatic rifle.

Dalawang beses binaril

si Arkan - sa hita at dibdib at matapos nito ay agad na tumakas si Najer at dinala naman ng iba pang kapitbahay ang mag-asawa sa pagamutan dahil sa tinamong mga sugat. Hindi pa mabatid ang motibo sa pananaga, ngunit posibleng may kinalaman ito sa pamilya, ayon sa militar.

(Mindanao Examiner)

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May 19-25, 2014

Pencing

By Jun Feliciano

To yet many, it’s a hex!

THE WORD: “HAVE faith in GOD…You must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.” (Mark 11: 22-23).

(Words of enlightenment) FAITH is the language of GOD. Have faith in Him and He’ll come to understand what you’re up to in praying to Him. For without faith, it’s impossible to please GOD. A Euphoria broke out practically in the entire country where its minority group - mostly identified as the Muslims in the South, through its belligerent separatist leaders that now at the bosom of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front(MILF) that eventually got what it has been wishing for—the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity that it recently forged and entered into a covenant with the GPH (Government of the Philippines) following a series of peace negotiations brokered by a neighbor ASEAN country - Malaysia.

BUT, the niggling question remains lingering in the minds of so many here in Mindanao: “Will there be truly a genuine peace to reign in Southern Philippines? Is there any guarantee that with the Signing of the peace accord, peace and tranquility will now reign in

Mindanao?

JUST after their historic signing last April, volumes of firefights erupted almost in cadence, apparently to mock its leaders. The rash of kidnappings believed perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf bandits resurfaced, bombings resonated anew in its suburbs, and a lot of other atrocities blamed on other disgruntled groups, including the left-leaning factions of the CPP/NPA based in Mindanao.

AND, most of its detractors are even having their dreary prediction that the situation in Mindanao might even get worse for the inking of the GPH-MILF peace agreement would mean its own polarization and its own divergences for history will tell us that our own cultural and traditional diversities and adversities vis-à-vis our religious and denominational differences, are enough manifestations that we can’t be at peace with each other at all, no matter what.

Oh, God! I hope and I pray we won’t’ see its worst at all! (jayfeliciano2@yahoo.com) DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Mindanao Examiner or any of its staffs and employees.

DENR-7 urges Pinoys to plant one tree per month to fight climate change CEBU CITY – Officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) urged every Pinoy to help fight climate change by simply planting one tree every month and contribute to government’s reforestation efforts.

DENR-7 Regional Technical Director for Forestry Eduardo Inting in a recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) said the two major disasters that struck the Visayas late last year is a reminder for people to take care of the environment.

In October 15, Bohol was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake which also jolted Cebu and in November 8, the Visayas Region was severely slapped by super Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest storm that ever hit landfall in history.

“If only every person in this country will plant one

tree every month which translates to 12 trees a year per individual and multiply that to over 90 million Filipinos,” then that is already a big help to combat climate change. Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide, one of the chief greenhouse gases that destroy the earth’s ozone layer causing global warming which leads to climate change.

Inting however, stressed that one should not just plant but must nurture the plant in order to survive. “It should not just plainly be tree planting but tree caring and nurturing,” said Inting.

Dr. Al Orolfo, regional technical director of the DENR-7 Protected Area, Wildlife Conservation Zone and Management Services (PAWCZMS) also called on the public especially coastal residents to plant mangroves as the country celebrates the month of May as Ocean Month.

Mindanao Examiner Jort / 05-19-14

“Mangroves are very important. It helps lessen the impact of storm surges,” said Orolfo.

Orolfo said the National Government has allotted P10 billion for the rehabilitation of mangroves throughout the country. “In Yolanda-hit areas in northern Cebu, a P10 million funding has been set aside for mangrove rehabilitation on top of the regular funds for such purpose,” said Orolfo.

Orolfo said the P10 million budget was initially spent on the establishment of a nursery prior to the conduct of mangrove planting.

Both officials expressed the importance of the National Greening Program (NGP), a massive forest rehabilitation program that aims to plant 1.5 billion trees within six years or at the end of 2016. The program is one of the main strategies employed by government to help counter climate change.

Inting said the DENR-7 exceeded its NGP target last year reforesting around 24,872.49 hectares against its target of 24,361 hectares.

Cebu posted the highest reforested area with 10,117 hectares followed by Negros Oriental with 9,533 hectares while third is Bohol with 5,036 hectares and lastly, Siquijor with 185 hectares.

Inting however, said the NGP target this year might be affected with the threat of El Niño which will hit the country next month until the first quarter of next year as reported. El Niño will bring severe dry spells causing drought as government as early as now urged the public to conserve water. (Fayette C. Riñen)

Children and adults downed by cholera await medical attention in a hospital in Alamada town in North Cotabato province in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Mark Navales)

9 dead in cholera outbreak in North Cotabato NORTH COTABATO – A cholera outbreak in the southern Philippine province of North Cotabato has killed at least 9 people and infected some 600 villagers, officials said.

Officials said the disease broke out in several areas in Alamada town where villagers still depend on mineral springs and deep wells for their source of water. The water sources may likely be contaminated with Vibrio cholera.

The main symptoms

of cholera are watery diarrhoea and vomiting and transmission of the disease occurs primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected person, among others.

Villagers were appealing for oral rehydration tablets and other medicines, especially for children downed by the disease. Many of the victims were brought to the hospital and given dextrose.

Health workers were sent to the villages to attend to the others. Villagers have been warned not to drink from contaminated water sources and were told to boil the water before using it.

Last year, cholera had killed 2 people and infected dozens more in Tuca-maror village in Bongo Island off Maguindanao province.

Health workers blamed the epidemic to contaminated water sources.

(Mark Navales)

Funds ready for Haiyan rehab available for Visayas

Relief efforts in Tacloban City in the central Philippine province of Leyte. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

PRESIDENTIAL Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Secretary Panfilo Lacson said the Aquino government has enough funds to reconstruct typhoon Haiyan-devastated areas in Eastern Visayas.

Lacson said all the government has to do is to comply with the requirements of the law and determine the spending capacity of each locality affected by the disaster.

He said the post-disaster assessment report is done and is awaiting President Benigno Aquino’s approval while the master rehabilitation plan is being prepared by his office.

The government, in its rehabilitation efforts, has forged tie-ups with the private sector, Lacson said,

noting that it is getting help from 48 private companies and non-governmental organizations in different locations in Eastern Visayas.

He said at least 20 housing units will be turned over to beneficiaries in Tanauan town in Leyte province. Just recently, 20 housing units were also turned over to its beneficiaries in the town.

Lacson said the government is aiming to construct 216,966 housing units but has so far built only 26,000 housing units in safe zones.

Different government agencies, such as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Department of Science and Technology are now identifying safe areas for the construction of new

residential areas, he said.

He said the government and the private sector are also actively providing livelihood to the typhoon victims, he added.

In Western Samar, farmers have already harvested crops, after receiving seedlings a few months ago.

Lacson said there has been no reported mass hunger, epidemic or breakdown of law and order in the typhoon-stricken areas. Just recently, Lacson said two of Aquino's cabinet members were not cooperating in the rehabilitation efforts for a still unknown reason.

Visayas was ravaged by Haiyan in November last year and had killed thousands of people in the provinces.

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May 19-25, 2014

MORE PROJECTS LINE UP FOR SULU PORT

SULU – Port authorities in the southern Philippine province of Sulu has started tightening security in the pier as part of its improvement and officials are supporting the move in an effort to further secure the safety of passengers and vessels plying here.

Sulu Governor Totoh Tan has recently inspected the Port of Jolo (Sultan Syed Shariful Hashim Port of Sulu) where additional construction projects are going on. He also attended a conference by the Regional Ports Management Authority.

Tan was also briefed by the Department of Transportation and Communications about maritime operations and other projects and programs for the port. Project Engineer Ricardo Quintos, of the DJ

ARMM

Legazpi Construction Company, also reported the progress of the project at the port.

The governor has suggested to port authorities to clear the area so it can maximize the movement and mobility of heavy equipment and trucks going in and out of the pier and hasten its traffic operation there.

The port authority will impose a stricter rule at the port’s entrance and would require an identification card or boat ticket to all those who getting inside the pier. This is to prevent the proliferation of ‘fixers’ and mendicants at the pier.

The Coast Guard and the Port Police will also play a vital role in the implementation of the rules.

Tan also gave an emphasis on the sanitation of inside the ferries and pas-

senger boats, including its facilities and amenities following numerous complaints from passengers.

Among those who attended the port conference were port manager Ibnohashim Undug; Director Abdulbasar Abdulla, of the Maritime Industry Authority; SPO4 Jose Hovia, chief of the local Maritime Police; Chief Petty Officer Adoni Marzo, of the Philippine Coast Guard; Senior Inspector Rustom Abalos, of the Special Action Force; Romeo Sarinding, of the Department of Transportation and Communications; Terminal supervisor Ibrahim Anduli; Maribeth Chiong, of the National Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commission; Mohammad Ali Pundamudag, of the Bureau of Customs and shipping lines representatives. (Franzie Sali)

Southern Mindanao

Davao

Sulu Governor Totoh Tan during an inspection at the Port of Jolo and conference with port officials and other stakeholders. (Photos by Franzie Sali - Special for the Mindanao Examiner)

Aquino trumpets Bangsamoro deal in Asean Summit MANILA - President Benigno Aquino has trumpeted in Myanmar the Philippine peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to other leaders of the ASEAN countries dealing with problems with separatists groups.

He also shared with them the success story that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro hoping that it will serve as a model to them. Aquino stressed that the recent CAB signing motivates the Philippines to share insights on peace, conflict resolution, and reconciliation with ASEAN neighbors.

"The Philippines hopes that the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro adds to the body of experience that can inform conflict-resolution practices in ASEAN moving forward. Peace in any part of the world redounds to the benefit of all. As peace in the Bangsamoro lays the foundations of stability, inclusivity, and progress in Mindanao, more doors of opportunity are opened --for the people of Mindanao, for the entire Philippines, and for partners and friends who wish to contribute to development," he said.

He also noted that the

Manila

success of the peace process thus far contributes to ASEAN’s growing experience and best practices in the promotion of a culture of peace and respect for diversity.

"Included in our work to establish a strong, stable, and peaceful ASEAN Community is the task of building on the values and best practices of our institutions in addressing intra, inter and regional conflicts. Peace is a fundamental concern of all nations; sharing best practices then allows us to address problems and challenges more comprehensively," Aquino said.

Aquino took the opportunity to express gratitude to fellow ASEAN countries who played important roles in sealing a peace pact with the MILF in March. He thanked Malaysia for brokering the negotiations between the Philippines and the MILF; as well as Brunei and Indonesia, for their roles as members of the International Monitoring Team. In his statement, Aquino stressed the hardships of civilians in times of conflict and even recounted the experience of MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim and his family.

"The signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro was the first such occasion that Chair-

man Murad’s wife had ever visited our capital, Manila.

Both of them had witnessed many years of conflict— years during which Chairman Murad and his companions had to isolate their loved ones in special communities to protect them from the ravages of conflict," he said.

"In these situations, whether for those engaged in conflict or others, the paramount human interest, has always been to keep families alive and healthy.

For leaders like ourselves, the paramount interest is very similar: to minimize, or even prevent, loss of life and casualty, and to ensure that communities remain whole, and that development is sustained," he added.

Myanmar President U Thein Sein lauded the Philippines for the successful signing of the CAB saying that the peace deal was a great achievement.

He likewise congratulated Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, as well as the other ASEAN member states that contributed towards the CAB signing, adding the ASEAN nations extended full support for the Philippines' efforts to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.

Zamboanga Peninsula