Mindanao Daily Caraga (October 29, 2013)

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

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Surigao lawmaker pushes passage of ‘bakwits’ bill Volume II, No. 118

web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com

October 29, 2013

Surigao del Norte Rep. Guiller m o Rom ar ate (2nd district), chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, has pushed the passage of a bill for “bakwits” or internally displaced persons (IDPs).

PrimeNews

NPA terror attacks hurt 471 people since 2010 THE 10th Infantry Division, based in Compostela Valley, announced that indiscriminate attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) have harmed and wounded 471 civilians and military personnel from 2010 up to the present.

Most of the casualties were caused by NPAdetonated landmines.

These can be broken down into 75 civilian casualties, with 27 killed

See FULL STORY/p.4

Same old problems bug polls in Davao

By EARL O. CONDEZA, ACE R. MORANDANTE, JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA, and TYRONE A. VELEZ of Davao Today

See terror/p.11

DAVAO City––Election officers claimed the barangay election as “orderly.” But for many voters, it is the usual chaos of failing to find their names on voters’ lists and meeting a flurry of last- PACKED LUNCH. A homeless man gets some food during election day for barangay officials in Cagayan de minute campaign leaflets. Oro City on Monday. Reports of packed lunch being brought to polling places raised suspicions that these were to See same/p.11

be given to voters, an act not allowed during elections. Mindanao Daily News photo by Gerry L. Gorit

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Missing 9-year-old girl killed, raped in C. de Oro

By CRIS DIAZ Executive Editor Mindanao Daily News

C AG AYA N d e O r o City––The nine-yearold girl who was missing four days ago was found raped and killed in an abandoned house along the riverbank in Carmen village here Saturday morning.

Dr. Christian Caballes of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) said See raped/p.11

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EDITOR: RUEL PELONE, ruel_pelone2002@yahoo.com

METRO CDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY l MISAMIS ORIENTAL

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Barangay elections in Cagayan de Oro generally peaceful on Monday morning

By GERRY LEE GORIT, Correspondent

CAGAYAN de Oro City––A few incidents of election violations and a reported holdup of a candidate marred the generally peaceful conduct of barangay elections in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday morning.

City police chief Graciano Mijares said a three groups totalling 10 men were caught for violating the liquor ban and one person was arrested for gun ban violation.

Mijares added that a candidate for chairmanship of barangay Cugman was a victim of holdup men around midnight after he came home.

The candidate, Elmer Cotiamco, said two men had knocked on the door of his home and one of them pulled out a handgun when the door was opened.

Cotiamco said the holdup men carted away some P7,000 in cash and a cellphone of his helper.

He added that the two men escaped with another companion who was outside waiting on a motorcycle.

Despite these incidents, Cotiamco said the conduct of the election day since 7 a.m. to 13 noon on Monday is “generally peaceful” in all 61 polling centers around the city.

He said there is police detail in all the polling centers.

In another incident, Insp. Henry Cay-as of the Divisoria Police Station reported that a “commo-

tion” occurred in one of the polling centers when some 62 suspected flying voters were challenged.

Cay-as added that they were allowed to vote because they could not be confirmed as flying voters.

The 62 Comelec-registered voters, however, were made to sign a form and that they could be jailed if found out that they are not the persons on the official list.

Reports of packed lunches being brought to polling areas also raised suspicions that these were meant for voters, but officials have yet to receive a complaint.

There are 223 candidates for chairmanship and 1,876 candidates for the barangay council in all 80 barangays of Cagayan de Oro. The total number of registered voters is 265,625.

Regional election director Renato A. Magbutay said no reports of problems from field offices in Northern Mindanao region have been received as of noon Monday.

There was one teller, however, who had to be treated by medics for high blood pressure.

POLICE VISIBILITY. Police check the bags of voters as they enter a school in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday morning to cast their votes for the barangay elections. Police presence in all 61 polling centers in the city has prevented any untoward incident in the first half of election day. Mindanao Daily News photo by Gerry L. Gorit

Release of overstaying inmates at city jail eyed CAGAYAN de Oro City–– The city’s committee on police, fire, and public safety tackled the identify overstaying inmates at the Lumbia Rehabilitation Center here to determine whether some of them already deserve to be released in prison.

City Councilor Ramon Tabor, who chair the committee, said on Thursday that the committee would

try to find out if there are inmates at the city jail whose cases have not been resolved but might have already served the penalty of the crime allegedly committed.

Tabor said that in previous meetings, the committee has requested the jail officials to submit the list of names of inmates who have served maximum penalty for the crime they have committed.

He said that the inmates who have already served the maximum penalty have no more reason to stay as they have already served the penalty for their crimes.

According to Tabor, the committee has sought the assistance of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) in the resolution of the case.

Tabor said that the city jail warden, the IBP president of the Misamis

Oriental Chapter, the city prosecutor, and the regional public attorney of the public assistance office were invited to the Thursday meeting to get their legal opinions on the matter.

The legal opinions of those who joined the committee meeting would become the bases for the release of overstaying at the overcrowded city jail here, Tabor added. CRIS DIAZ, Exec. Editor, Mindanao Daiy News

tuesday | october 29, 2013

News in Focus

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Bukidnon buy busts Keep exercising vigilance as counting net 3 drug suspects of votes in barangay polls begin: Palace VALENCIA City, Bukidnon––Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) collared three suspected drug traders in this landlocked central Mindanao province on Thursday.

PDEA regional director Emerson Margate said on Saturday that the suspects were lured into a “buy bust” operation as the drug enforcement agency embarked into a region wide anti-illegal drug campaign here.

Margate identified the suspects as Jeffrey Alecer y Ga, Carol Canque y Canoy, and Cipriano Mag-usara y Diparine.

He said the suspects separately fall during follow up operations after a certain Jeffrey Alecer was nabbed in a buy-bust operations in Valencia City early Thursday morning.

Margate said that an hour later, PDEA agents pounced on the two other suspects: Carol Canque and Cipriano Mag-usara in another buy-bust in Maramag, a municipal town adjacent to Valencia City.

Seized from the suspects were a total of 16 grams of suspected “Shabu” (Methamphetamine), an illegal drug substance, with an estimated value of P 160,000, seven piece heat sealed transparent plastic sachets, an improvised disposable lighter; and one plastic sachet with aluminum metal drug paraphernalia.

Margate said that the suspects were now detained at PDEA 10 Bukidnon Provincial Office for proper disposition. Cases for violation of RA 9165 will be filed against the suspects, he said. CD/PDEA 10

Elections for the barangay officials are over but Malacañang wants the general public to maintain its vigilance as the votes are being tallied to ensure the success of this year’s village polls.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. issued this statement on Monday, shortly after the Philippine National Police (PNP) declared this year’s conduct

of the barangay elections “generally peaceful.”

“Bagama’t may mga naitalang insidente ng ballot snatching sa mga ilang lugar, kasama ito sa napaghandaan ng COMELEC (Commission on Elections) at may nakalaang mga improvised ballots sa mga presinto upang tiyaking matutuloy ang eleksyon. Natunton din ang ilang

insidente ng pamimili ng boto at pananagutin ang mga nahuli,” Coloma said.

According to PNP’s report as of 10 a.m., 64 incidents of election-related violence were recorded but this number is considered much lower than in the previous

village polls last 2010. Even the elections conducted in 210 detention facilities nationwide have also been peaceful.

Coloma said they are See PALACE | page 11

Comelec-12 sees high voter turnout for barangay polls GENERAL Santos City–– The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Region 12 is expecting a high turnout in Monday’s barangay elections despite the onslaught of floods in parts of South Cotabato and the reported security problems

in some parts of the region.

Sharon Alim, Comelec Region 12 election assistant, said voting in majority of the polling precincts in the region have turned out of tellers check the list of voters against the ID cards of voters who came to cast their votes in a pollsmooth and orderly based Board ing center in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday. There was one incident reported of suspected flying voters but they on initial feedback were allowed to vote as the officials could not confirm if they were flying voters.

See Polls | page 11

Mindanao Daily News photo by Gerry L. Gorit

4 Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

Caraga News

tuesday | october 29, 2013 Editor: JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Asst editor: ARJAY S. FELICILDA mindanaodailycaraga@gmail.com

Agusan del Norte • Agusan del Sur • Surigao del Norte • Surigao del Sur • Dinagat Islands

Surigao solon pushes passage of ‘bakwits’ bill SURIGAO City––Surigao del Norte Rep. Guillermo Romarate (2nd district), chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, has pushed the passage of a bill for “bakwits” or internally displaced persons (IDPs).

During the proposed measure’s first committee hearing last October 22, he urged his colleagues to support the bill that seeks “to protect and support” those who were displaced by armed conflicts and calamities.

Among those who attended the meeting were top officials of the Commission on Human Rights, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Department of Justice, nongovernment organizations and representatives from the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR).

He said there’s a need to “create a dynamic environment where all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, endowed as they are, with reason and conscience and to move them to act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Romarate said the proposed law, under House Bills (HB) 239 and 2247, shall be called “An Act Protecting the Rights of Internally Displaced Per-

VOTE-BUYING. A candidate’s bagman distributing money to voters in Sitio Payawan 1, Barangay Luna, Surigao

City on Sunday afternoon.October 27, 2013, eve of the Barangay elections, in what is known as “tili-tili” (literally drizzle or light rain but which has come to mean as “vote-buying” during elections).

MindaNews photo by Roel N. Catoto

sons, Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof and for other Purposes.”

To further study the measure, Romarate said the committee agreed to visit on November 20-21 the evacuations centers in Zamboanga City, which was attacked by Moro National Liberation Front members loyal to founding chair Nur Misuari. The standoff displaced tens of thousands of residents.

The committee also

agreed to visit Bohol province, which was devastated by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake recently, in a yet to be fixed date, he added.

Romarate said other pending priority bills before his committee include HB 1589 known as “An Act to Strengthen the Commission on Human Rights and for other Purposes” and HB 2401 entitled “An Act Establishing a National Preventive Mechanism Against Torture in the Philippines.”

Early this month, the International Displaced

Monitoring CommitteeNorwegian Refugee Council urged the Philippine Government to pass the law on IDPs. Frederik Kok, senior country analyst of the Swissbased organization, said indigenous people or Lumads in the Philippines “are the most vulnerable group of people by the armed conflicts.”

“IPs caught in the middle of the conflict between the military and the New People’s Army could hardly cope with their repeated

dislocations and the accumulated effects of property loss or damage and income decline,” he said, citing a report launched last October 4 in Davao City.

The IDMC, established in 1998 by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), is an international body monitoring internal displacements worldwide.

He said that if the bill becomes a law, people affected by armed conflicts shall be compensated.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Santiago Oreta, assistant secretary at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, urged Congress to approve the bill, noting it “is among the top 10 priorities of the Aquino Administration.”

(Roel Catoto/MindaNews)

NPA rebels hostage 70 villagers in Agusan Sur TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 26 (PNA) – At least, 70 people were held hostage when about 40 communist rebels laid siege a farming village in Agusan del Sur on Thursday morning, a military report said on Saturday.

Lt. Krisnen Peter G. Sarsagat, spokesperson of the army’s 26th Infantry Batallion, told the PNA that a government trooper was wounded when the rebels harassed an army post in the farming village of Sabud in Loreto,Agusan del Sur Thursday morning.

Sarsagat did not identify the wounded government trooper but an attempt by a rescue military helicopter to evacuate the wounded soldier failed when the rebels fired at the helicopter.

“The act of the rebels was a clear violation of the Geneva Convention and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) were wounded soldiers or rebels should be considered noncombatants,” Sarsagat added.

He said that while the NPA rebels and the government troopers were exchanging gun fires, another group of the communist rebels proceeded to the village proper and herded about 70 people to an open ground as “human shields.”

According to Sarsagat, the military was still confirming reports that some village leaders were kidnapped when the rebels withdrew on learning that a military reinforcement backed by helicopter gunships were on the way.

He said that the village attacked was not related to the scheduled barangay election on Monday.

The military has suspected that “extortion” has motivated the attacked since the villagers had refused to extend financial support to the communist rebels in the area, Sarsagat said. CD

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tuesday | october 29, 2013 Editor: JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Asst editor: ARJAY S. FELICILDA Email: mindanaodailycaraga@gmail.com

NorthMin News

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2 girls injured in poll-related strafing incident in Lanao del Sur village M ARAWI CITY -- Two children, aged 12 and 10, were injured in a poll-related strafing incident in Bubong town in Lanao del Sur where an election officer noted that candidates tried to outdo each other by shelling out P4,000 per voter.

The incident occurred on Saturday when gunmen fired at a white FX car whom they mistook to have been driven by their opp onent in B arangay Pendugo, Lanao del Sur. Lt. Col. Ralph Raoul Sistene, commanding officer of the Army 65th

Infantr y Battalion said sisters, Jamela Baunto, 12 years old and 10-year-old Jailen Baunto, survived with bullet wounds on their legs and are now recuperating in a hospital in Iligan City.

“The gunmen thought the FX van the girls were

riding on was driven by their opponent and they fired. We found M16 empty shells at the scene,” Sistene said.

The Commission on Elections , the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police have taken no chances in the delivery of election paraphernalia and ballot boxes to Lanao del Sur’s 39 municipalities and Marawi City.

Col. Glen Macasero, commanding officer of the 103rd Infantry Brigade deployed three convoys of heavily-armed soldiers to escort the delivery of

the election paraphernalia and ballot boxes to the towns and Marawi City.

More t h an 3 8 0 , 0 0 0 vote s are e x p e c te d to troop to the voting centers tomorrow and select their Punong Barangays and their councilors.

Lawyer Nasib Yasin, Lanao del Sur provincial election supervisor said political rivalry is so intense in some of the towns and villages in Marawi City where as many as 100 candidates are contesting the position of barangay chairman in one village. “ Fo r e x a mp l e , 2 2 6

candidates are fighting against each other to be t he b ar ang ay chai r i n Marawi’s 96 villages,” Yasin said.

Aside f rom Marawi C it y, Ya s i n s ai d more than 100 candidates are fighting for 21 barangay ch i e f p o sit i ons i n t he town of Madalum and 84 candidates are also contesting 20 positions for barangay captains in Maguing town. “ That is the reason the value of one vote has gone up,” Yasin said adding that prices for votes have gone up to P4,000.

Yasin said some candidates have also resorted to “hati-hati” (half-half ) system, where candidates agree that one will no longer actively oppose the other provided that they share each other’s term of office.

In the “ hati-hati” system, Yasin said a candidate will give way as soon as their agreed period comes up.

“It is inexpensive and t here is no blo o dshed because the agreement is bound by family agreements,” he said. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

AFP, PNP, Comelec join forces to ensure peaceful barangay polls in Bukidnon

By RUBY LEONORA R. BALISTOY

M A L AY BA L AY C I T Y, Bukidnon —The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Comelec pooled forces to ensure peaceful barangay elections on Monday.

In an interview, army Lt. Col. Romualdo Raymund Landingin, 8th Infantry Battalion (8thIB) commander, said they had ironed out details in deployment of soldiers and police officers to synchronize movements during barangay elections.

“In coordination with the Comelec’s election officers, we reviewed guidelines and rules for safety and security. The voting centers, access roads, and perimeters have been identified by the PNP according to their own security plan,” he said.

In a command conferA member of the Board of Election Inspectors checks the election paraphernalia before it is brought to the polling ence, Bukidnon provincial center at the Lanao del Sur Provincial Gym in Marawi City Sunday, Oct. 27. (MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo) election supervisor Atty.

Misamis Occidental reactivates Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force

Lordino Salvana asked the army and the police to augment personnel in the towns identified under “election watch list” or those with reported threats.

Based on election records and history, PNP has monitored 130 barangays identified as “areas of immediate concern.”

Provincial police director Senior Supt. Glenn dela Torre, however, said a police officer who will perform election duties, would look after every polling center and augment personnel in barangays with reported threats.

Based on Comelec data, Bukidnon has 464 barangays, where 971 candidates are vying for the position of Punong Barangay (village chief ) while 8,559 are eyeing the 3,248 slots for Barangay Kagawad (village councilor) posts. (RLRB/ PIA 10, Bukidnon)

By RUTCHIE CABAHUG-AGUHOD

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Oct. 25 (PIA) – At least four (4) strategic checkpoints of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force have b e e n re a c t iv ate d in Misamis Occidental, this year.

This was revealed by Dennis L eop oldo, Environment and Natural Resources Officer (ENRO) of the Provincial Government, who said these checkpoints are located in the following lo cations: Barangays Calaran, Calamba, Taboo, Jimenez, Lapasan, Clarin and Bongbong, Ozamiz City.

These routes are used

by the illegal loggers in bringing out their illegally cut logs from the Mt. Malindang Range and Natural Park (MMRNP), hence the re-activation of the checkpoints, Leopoldo said.

Meanwhile, the Task Force has apprehended some 236 pieces of squared timber and round logs of naturally grown species in Barangay Kanao-Kanao, Bonifacio town with the help of the 55th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army led by 2lt. Jose T. Ganza, last quarter.

It has also apprehended 14,200 bd. ft. of squared timber of White Lauan,

G u l ay a n , R e d L au a n , Sagimsim, Gapas-Gapas species at the boundary of Barangay Mara-Mara, Don Victoriano and KanaoKanao, during the period.

On the other hand, Leopoldo said the DENR has conducted a series of briefing/ orientation for the implementation of closure of mini-sawmills operating without or with expired permits under the area of responsibility (AOR) of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) of Oroquieta and Ozamiz Cities. (RCA/ PIA10-Misamis Occiden- Vendors hawk bags of lanzones to passengers of a ferry in Benoni Port in the islandtal) province of Camiguin.

(MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo)

6 Mindanao Daily NEWS

Opinion

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Editor: ALLAN M. MEDIANTE, Email: amediante@yahoo.com

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The Mindanao Daily nORTHMIN, Mindanao Daily CARAGA , mindanao daily westmin and , Mindanao Daily DAVAO newspapers are published daily by MINDANAO DAILY NEWS at Door 2, Tanleh Building, Abellanosa St., Brgy. Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certififcate No. 01791042, and with Business Permit No. 201313231, TIN No. 209-980-927, Tel. Nos: (088) 856-3344, (08822)72-33-44, 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com, mindanaodailynews@gmail.com Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com

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MINDANAO DAILY NEWS Publisher ALLAN M. MEDIANTE Editor-in-Chief Nelson v. constantino Executive Editor- Business ruel pelone Managing Editor cheng ordoÑez Associate Editor CRIS DIAZ Executive Editors Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy Lifestyle Editor glenn palacio Lifestyle Photographer Arjay Felicilda Assistant Editor felix santillan RONALD MASTAIL CLIFFORD SANTILLAN Layout Artists Rene Michael BaÑos Regional Editor-Northmin PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN Regional Editors-Caraga AL JACINTO Regional Editor-WestMin irene dayo Reporter-NorthMin gerry lee gorit Photo Journalist ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY Legal Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------

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THE CAGAYAN DE ORO BUSINESS CHAMBER INC. (ORO CHAMBER) is holding its 3rd Quarter General Membership Meeting and Elections today October 29, 2013 at Seda Centrio Hotel.

TO THE OFFICERS and MEMBERS, Congratulations for a job well done!

- Mindanao Daily News, October 29, 2013 -

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ro Chamber, a non-stock, non- and effective taxation. profit and voluntary organiza- The alliance of Oro Chamber with tion of businessmen and pro- various agencies, chambers of comfessionals, was organized to foster the merce and partner organizations also growth and well-being of business and provide a good opportunity for members economy not only in the city of golden to tap the network and do business in friendship but in the Mindanao regions Cagayan de Oro City. The main avenue as well. for networking is the quarterly general A pillar of the city’s business life, membership meeting (GMM) such what Oro Chamber also undertakes its mis- would take place today. Members have sion of providing and safeguarding the a good chance of meeting both local interests of business communities in and national government officials. the free enterprise system.

Oro Chamber members get updated on It serves as the voice of business the latest energy situation, tax guidelines, community of Cagayan de Oro City security issues, investment ordinances, and the Province of Misamis Oriental and other important concerns in doing in all local, regional, national and in- business in Cagayan de Oro. Products ternational events and helps shape the and services of member companies are course of the country’s business and promoted to the chamber’s network of economy; partner chambers worldwide. Members’ Through the years, Oro profiles are made available to Editorial Chamber has been instruprospective suppliers, buyers mental in establishing close relations, and market researchers through regular and camaraderie among all business publications and activities., the latest sectors , as well as maintaining linkages of which was the OROBEST EXPO, an with national and other regional and annual trade. global business organizations.

Oro Chamber represents its members Members benefit from Oro Cham- on their various concerns and intercedes ber’s strategic programs which include for them with the concerned governamong others, membership develop- ment agency or institution. ment, excellent business forums, and Oro Chamber has a pool of trainers economic briefings. who can extend training services on Very are its educational component, to entrepreneurship, business capability, wit, technical Trainings on productivity product/project development, time enhancement, management trainings, management, customer relations and accounting for Non- Accountants, infor- others. mation technology, entrepreneurship, WELCOME TO THE CLUB!

tuesday | october 29, 2013

Opinion

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Corruption portrayed as ‘monsters,’ ‘ghosts’

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO of Bulatlat.com

Dressed in colorful costumes inspired by mythical creatures, members of progressive groups marched from Raha Sulaiman Park to the Senate office in Pasay City to call on legislators to abolish the pork barrel system.

“The protest action is meant to call on the people to persevere in the fight against the monsters of corruption.

Unlike the creatures of Pinoy folklore, the issue of corruption is quite real and is causing havoc and carnage on the lives of the people,” Neil Doloricon, former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts and one of the conveners of Artista Kontra Korupsyon, said.

Among the mythical creatures based on Filipino folklore that were featured in the parade include: Zuma, kapre, tyanak, white ladies, among others. Upon reaching the gates of the Senate office, the protesters shouted, “Let us in. There are more monsters like us inside the Senate.”

The pork barrel scam implicated many legislators who allegedly siphoned public funds by funding projects of fake non-government organizations. The most infamous are the NGOs created and controlled by Janet Lim Napoles.

Aside from the colorful Halloween parade, several big protest actions were organized to show resistance against the pork barrel system.

President Aquino, in his recent pronouncements, defended the Disbursement Acceleration Program saying that it should not be lumped with the Priority Development Assistance Fund. His funds, he said, are being used to provide health, education and housing for the poor.

He said in an ABS-CBN report that he is “perplexed” on how “some people” equated PDAF with DAP. Senators, on the other hand, failed to agree on the proposed abolition of the pork barrel system. In a Philippine Daily Inquirer report, the legislators were given until Nov. 11 to propose projects for their P200 million ($4.65 million) pork barrel funds.

“This administration and the President have already lost a lot in terms of the people’s faith in government.

It stands to lose its power over the people if it does not See CORRUPTION, page 11

NOBODY could hinder plans of the Filinvest Development Corporation to put up a 400 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental anymore. The citizenry has lost hope. The province’s legislative officials passed Cris Diaz a resolution allowing the operation of additional coal plants, the precursor of deadly pollutants, in Misamis Oriental.

Now everyone is wondering why the provincial board has a sudden change of heart. In the beginning, Vice Governor Joey Pelaez was in combative mood in his protest against the operation of additional coal plant in the province.

It was Pelaez himself who urged the people of Misamis Oriental to resist the operation of additional coal plant in the province.

Pelaez said that a coal plant contributes to the destruction of the environment and would certainly compromise the health of the residents.

“Considering the qualitative environmental destruction of a coal plant, the operation of two or more coal plants in Misamis Oriental

Kakampi mo ang batas Atty. Batas Mauricio tigators become vested with the right to determine what people should be complaining about?

I was told later that the investigator and his colleagues at the precinct were surreptitiously telling one another that the complaint of the teacher could not be accepted by them, as it would show a big incidence of assault cases in their area.

-oooBAR ANGAY ELECTIONS STILL AS PARTISAN AS EVER: As I was writing this column at mid-noon of October 28, 2013, most Filipinos were reported by media as having already participated in the barangay elections that will choose the next set of village leaders of the country for the next three years. Among those who presented themselves for election as barangay captain was my brother, Ariel Lazo Mauricio, in our Barangay Poblacion Center, Ramos, Tarlac.

As usual, reports of vote buying, of transporting voters to the polling precincts free of charge

northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

Editor: ALLAN M. MEDIANTE, Email: amediante@yahoo.com

Pelaez makes a 360 degree turn

“

Not too few frowned on the holding of the special session in Duka Bay where the passage of the resolution became the major agenda, too. is illogical,” Pelaez said. A few weeks later, Pelaez was singing a different tune.

He said that the provincial board “unanimously passed” a resolution allow-

Police ‘data manipulation’ LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself…” (Psalm 49:15, the Holy Bible).

-oooPOLICE “DATA MAN I P U L AT ION”, PA RT II: Yesterday, we started narrating here the story of an information technol o g y te a che r w ho s e complaint for direct assault was rejected by the investigators of a police precinct. I sensed that the rejection of the teacher’s complaint was a way of manipulating the crime data under the jurisdiction of the precinct, to show a lesser crime rate.

Here is the conclusion of that story: The teacher proceeded right away to the nearest police station and filed a complaint for direct assault, in view of the provisions of Art. 148 and Art. 152 of the Revised Penal Code. The police i n v e s t i g a t o r - o n - d u t y, showing signs that he is an acquaintance of the offender, however refused to accept the complaint of the teacher for direct assault, insisting that the teacher should only file a case for slight physical injuries.

A question for Gen. Marcelo P. Garbo Jr., chief of the PNP National Capital Regional Office: since when did police inves-

Mindanao Daily 7 NEWS

(called the “hakot” system), of voters’ disenfranchisement on account of their names no longer being found in the posted voters’ list in many places, of big-time politicians taking sides and turning the barangay elections as one huge political and partisan exercise, contrary to what the law says on the matter.

So I thought to myself, what else is new? Elections in the Philippines, whether national or local, had always been (and have remained through the years) a system of patronage politics, with politicians of every kind and color trying to exert influence even when they are prohibited from doing by the law, to assure their very own survival in future elections.

-oooPREACHING GOD’S WORD TO THE DEAD? In just a few days, the Philippines will commemorate once more its tradition of visiting cemeteries and the graves of their loved ones, in an e vent that is alternately called “All

Saints Day” or “All Souls Day”. Depending on the practices and beliefs of the people in a town or locality, the event is held either on November 1 or November 2.

But, do Filipinos really k now t he sig nif ic ance of these commemorative festivities (yes, festivities, because many usually take advantage of the day to hold reunions of the living, indulging in food and drinks like it was Christmas or New Year)?

That is the more important question that must be addressed, in view of the event’s repercussions for eternity.

You see, there are several parts of the Bible which tell us that the living have the responsibility to preach the Word of God to the dead, not just pray for them. In fact, in these verses, the Bible does not tell us to pray for the dead---rather, it tells us to proclaim God’s Word to the dead, so that, even if they died as sinners, they would still be entitled to spend their eternity with God. What are these verses? Read them in our next issue, God willing.

-oooREACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0922 833 43 96. Email: batasm au r i c i o @ y a h o o. c om , mmauriciojr111@gmail. com

ing the Filinvest Development Corporation to operate a P 30 billion coal-fired plant in Misamis Oriental. Pelaez 360 degrees turn around caught every well-meaning citizen by surprise.

The Vice Governor defended his stand saying nobody submitted an opposition to the operation of the coal plant in Misamis Oriental. “I have invited the academia, the environmental groups, nongovernment organizations, the civil society groups, and other stakeholders to submit their opposition but not one has ever submitted,” Pelaez said.

However, the people of Misamis Oriental doubt Pelaez claim. A day Pelaez claimed that nobody has opposed the operation of the coal plant, the municipal town of Tagoloan released a resolution opposing the operation of the coal plant.

The town’s municipal council passed the resolution during its 5th regular session few months ago. It seems that Pelaez has set aside the Tagoloan resolution or simply denied knowing its passage.

Now, the “rumor mill” has been circulating that Filinvest allegedly gagged the provincial officials with

“lobby money.” Provincial Board’s majority floor leader Vincent Pelaez has denied the accusation that the provincial board members has accepted “blood money” in consideration of the favorable resolution.

Provincial board member Pelaez told this writer that he was not aware if money exchanged hands relative to the coal plant issue. There were allegations that the “payoff ” took place sometime on October 8, 2013. The resolution approving the operation of the Filinvest coal plant was reportedly passed during a special session on Oct 8. in Duka Bay beach resort, a resort owned by the Pelaez in Medina, Misamis Oriental. Not too few frowned on the holding of the special session in Duka Bay where the passage of the resolution became the major agenda, too.

Provincial board member Pelaez, a lawyer and cousin of Vice Gov. Pelaez, said that he was not around during the reported “payoff ” since he was in a hospital at that time. “I have no personal knowledge if the Vice Governor and my colleague received the Filinvest money,” Pelaez told this writer.

Biblical reflection Bro. Edcel L. Closas

Failed Fresh Gospel of the day: Luke6:12-16(October28, 2013-Monday) Luke 6:12-16-And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called [unto him] his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas [the brother] of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor: This gospel reminds us that before doing something, we must pray first to our God for further guidance and enlightenment.

There are many instances of our lives that we failed in our decisions since we never consulted God in doing such thing. Jesus talked first God before choosing His Disciples and this was a life of solitude of Jesus Christ.

This was the encouragement of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI that each Christian must have a reflective silence.

This is the only way to discern and discover our inner desire and to feel the presence of God in our lives. Do you spend time to have a silent atmosphere in your daily journey?

To make quiet moments is the most difficult thing to do in life since most of us are busy doing nothing.

Recently, I graduated from the Oasis of Love-Cebu, a Charismatic Community.

It was very nice since I was not able to use my cell phone and no watch allowed. I was able to reflect and talked to God intimately.

Take note, only in the midst of silence that we can hear the whisper of the voice of God in our hearts: SPONSORED:Neneth - Bobong Balino- Dr. Edith, PhD- Tony Jordan - CDO. St. Peter Calungsod, pray for us! Listen: Radio Ultra AM-1188-3:30 PM - Sunday: #09284149490-09266607505: Question – Prayer request

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Zamboanga del Norte | Zamboanga del Sur | Zamboanga Sibugay | Dipolog City | Dapitan City | Pagadian City | Isabela City | Zamboanga City

Basilan Catholic Church holds Araw ng Parangal

I

By RENE V. CARBAYAS

SABELA CITY, Basilan – The Basilan Catholic Church gave honors to individuals and religious organizations during the Araw ng Parangal on October 17 as the church celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

For c ont r ibut i ng to t he growth of the church and for the astounding commitment to serve the people of Basilan, the Roman Catholic Prelature of Isabela gave plaques of appreciation and recognition to some one hundred individuals and a number or religious congregations.

Basilan Bishop Martin S. Jumoad, DD cited the church workers and volunteers who were present on the occasion, recalling that these workers were already serving the church while he was still a seminarian.

“Thank you. It is not the Prelature who is giving you an award but we are just giving back to you the fruits of your work or ministry. Thank you for your endless collaboration as well as selfless giving for the growth of the church in Basilan,” the Bishop said.

He added that the award could not grasp wholly what the church wants to say, however, “This is the only way to recognize you and to thank you for what you have done in your Parish and in the Prelature in general.”

The bishop also apologized

if the church failed to include anybody worthy of recognition.

“Human as we are, we might have overlooked and failed to recognize someone out there, please forgive us,” the Bishop said.

Rev. Fr. Arnel A. Lagman, OFS, committee chairman for Araw ng Parangal explained that the committee wanted to make the occasion very special for the awardees as their generosity to the church is incomparable and undaunted.

“While conceptualizing this event, our hearts were overflowing with gratitude to all the missionaries, who came here to help cultivate the seeds of faith and mission in the Island of Basilan and to the faithful who nourished it,” Fr, Lagman said.

The Prelature gave recognition to the longest serving catechist in every parish, the longest serving Kaabag (Lay Ministers), longest serving Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, longest serving Family Life Apostolate workers, longest serving Parish Pastoral Council President, and longest serving parish worker.

Parents with priests and religious sons and daughters were also given recognition for gifting the church and the people of Basilan with Shepherds to lead the local church’s flock.

Some individuals and religious congregations were also

recognized, to include: the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Society of Jesus, Comngregation of Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Order of Friars Minor, Missionary Dominican Sisters of the Rosary, Daughters

of Charity, Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, Order of St. Clare, Oblates of Notre Dame, Missionary Sisters of the Queen of the Apostles and the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, among others. (ALT/ RVC/PIA9-ZBST)

Pagadian City police personnel secure the vicinity of city hall during the distribution of polls paraphernalia at 4am today. (gcc/ Pia Zambosur)

DN BUTUAN JOINT VENTURE JOB VACANCIES – For Local Recruitment 1. SALES ENGINEERS • Male/Female, not more than 35 years old • Preferably graduates of BS Civil Engineering/BS Architecture / BS Mechanical Engineering or any other Engineering related courses • With at least one (1) year experience in sales and marketing • With good communication skills 2. ESTIMATOR • Male / Female, not more than 35 years old • Must be a graduate of BS Civil Engineering or BS Architecture • Fresh graduates are welcome to apply 3. SALES COORDINATOR • Female, not more than 35 years old • College graduate, Preferably Marketing Related Courses • Fresh Graduate are welcome to apply • Computer Literate • Can work under pressure • With pleasing personality 4. SITE ENGINEERS • Male, not more than 35 years old • Must be a graduate of BS Civil Engineering or BS Architecture • Willing to be assigned in project site within the region • Fresh graduates are welcome to apply

5. MACHINE OPERATORS • Male, not more than 35 years old • At least High School/ Trade School graduate • With knowledge in plant production in a Manufacturing industry 6. WAREHOUSE/ INVENTORY CLERK

• Male, not more than 35 years old • Graduate of any business course • With knowledge in inventory 7. BENDERS/ HELPERS • Male, not more than 35 years old • At least High School graduate • Must be physically fit

8. ACCOUNTANT • Male/Female, not more than 35 years old • Graduate of BS Accountancy • Must be a Certified Public Accountant • With at least two (2) to three (3) years experience in General and Cost Accounting in a manufacturing industry • Adopt in preparation and analysis of financial statement • Well versed in local tax regulations and Proficient in understanding and Implementation of national internal revenue codes 9. ACCOUNTING CLERK • Male/Female, not more than 35 years old • Graduate of BS Accountancy • Fresh graduates are welcome to apply

Please submit application letter, comprehensive resume with 2x2 ID picture to: DN DISTRIBUTIONS CENTER, INC. DN DISTRIBUTIONS CENTER, INC. – CDO BRANCH – BUTUAN BRANCH HR Manager, Ralav Corp., 710 San Jose Sts., Butuan City email: ralav_corp@yahoo.com

MDN: Oct. 21-Nov. 20, 2013

Limbonhai Bldg., J. Pacana St. Licoan, Cagayan de Oro City Telephone No. (088) 855-3336 / (088) 855-3337 Fax No. (088) 231-4643 email: gbg_pmpi@yahoo.com

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Soccsksargen

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Floods hamper voting in South Cotabato G ENERAL SANTOS CITY — Voting in some parts of nearby Koronadal City and South Cotabato province were hampered on Monday morning due to severe floods that were triggered by continuous heavy rains since Sunday night.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Monday the floods mainly affected the downtown area and several riverside communities in Koronadal City and two other farming villages in nearby Tantangan town.

“Several roads are still not accessible to light vehicles and has been slowing down the movement of some voters to the polling centers,” she said.

The governor specifically cited a portion of the national highway in Barangay San Felipe in Tantangan, which remained submerged

by knee-deep floodwaters as of 8 a.m.

She said another road network in Barangay Tinongcop in Tantangan was shut down early Monday by a landslide.

Fuentes said they are presently coordinating with the municipal government of Tantangan, which initially reported that a number of residents in some low-lying areas were trapped by floodwaters late Sunday night.

In Koronadal, City Administrator Cyrus Urbano initially confirmed that four houses in

barangays Zone III and Paraiso were totally destroyed after being swept by rushing floodwaters early Monday but cited that no casualties were reported.

Three houses in Puroks Hechanova and San Miguel in Barangay Paraiso were damaged due to the swelling of a creek in the area.

At the city’s downtown area, Urbano said the floods mainly affected communities traversed by the critical Bulok Creek.

The official said among the areas affected by the floods, which were caused by heavy rains in the city’s upland barangays, were parts of the city’s main commercial district, old city hall compound, the city central public market and residential communities within Barangay Zone III of Poblacion.

Portions of the area were submerged by knee to waist-deep floodwaters, affecting a number

of business establishments and residential structures.

“Most of the roads within the flooded areas are only accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles so far,” he said.

But Urbano, who heads the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said they have not received any report of flooding in designated polling centers for Monday’s barangay elections.

“There were some noted flushing of floodwaters but they have subsided so far,” he said.

Urbano advised residents situated near critical tributaries — Marbel River and Bulok Creek — to remain vigilant and immediately evacuate in case the floodwaters would rise anew.

He noted that the area’s weather condition has remained gloomy and heavy rains might ensue

anytime within the day.

“Those located in vulnerable upland areas, especially near steep slopes, should also evacuate to safer areas as landslides might possibly occur,” he said.

Meantime, Gov. Fuentes said they have already mobilized our disaster teams to the affected areas to assess the situation and recommend the necessary interventions.

She instructed the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office to prepare the relief assistance for the affected residents.

Fuentes added that personnel from the Provincial Engineering Office and Department of Public Works and Highways already proceeded to Tantangan town to reopen the landslide-hit road and clean up some clogged drainage systems to help ease the floods.

(MindaNews)

Midsayap residents bring call for peace to the streets

By OLIVER ROSS V. RIVERA

Floods due to strong rains before dawn submerge parts of Koronadal City that hampered voting during the 2013 Barangay Elections on Monday, October 28.

(MindaNews photo by Bong S. Sarmiento)

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato – Hundreds of Midsayapeños took to the streets their call for peace earlier this week.

Members of different civic organizations, parishioners and students joined in the walk for peace dubbed as “Panaw sa Kalinaw”.

The activity was spearheaded by the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto.Niño in cooperation with various groups and LGU-Midsayap to show the unity of Midsayapeños and heed the call for peace not only in the town but for the whole Mindanao.

According to Sr. Bebs Cabajon, this shows that Midsayapeños believe that peace can be attained through unity in prayer and guidance of

sioner Grace Padaca who was here to observe the special voting, told MindaNews those who participated in the special polls did it voluntarily.

“They consented to be part of this special exercise. Under the law, you cannot just get the record of voters from their precincts,” she said.

In the entire country, Bernardo said that a total of 224 senior citizens and PWDs consented to be part of the special voting, all held inside SM malls through a memorandum of agreement with the Comelec.

The other pilot areas were Manila, Batangas and Cebu.

Padaca, who heads the Comelec’s committee on PWDs and senior citizens, earlier said they will use the results of the special voting for the planned

nationwide implementation of RA 10366 in the 2016 local and national elections.

“If this will turn out successful, we will launch a nationwide massive information and education campaign in preparation for the 2016 elections,” she said.

The special voting opened at 7 a.m. at SM City General Santos, and before the store could open to the general public at 10 a.m., over half of those who enlisted have already cast their vote.

Bernardo said the ballots will be returned to their respective precincts once voting closes at 3 p.m. for counting.

She explained the special voting had to close at 1:00 p.m. to give ample time for the ballots to be brought to the regular polling precincts

Sto. Niño. Meanwhile, Midsayap Parish Priest Fr. Rizaldy Orola, OMI thanked the organizers and those who joined the event.

This is also part of the commemoration for the 12th Sto. Niño pilgrimage.

The Sto. Niño pilgrimage started on October 19 and will culminate on January 14, 2014.

In September, conflict erupted between members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and government troops in Midsayap that forced hundreds of families to evacuate their villages.

Teachers and school children were also trapped in the conflict. (ORVRivera-PIA12/ RRBautista)

Senior citizens, PWDs laud special voting in GenSan

By BONG S. SARMIENTO

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — In less than five minutes after approaching the Board of Election Tellers last Monday for the 2013 Barangay Elections, Gloria Rivera an Bartolome Hoyo separately emerged from the polling center with wide smiles.

Unlike majority of the voters who suffered the scorching heat of the sun and long queues to vote in public schools, the two septuagenarians, for the first time in their lives, were voting in the comfort of a shopping mall.

Rivera, 79, and Hoyo 76, were the among the 68 senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) from Barangay Lagao here who agreed to be part of a pilot project of the

Commission on Elections.

But only 59 of them or 86 percent had cast their vote by the time the special voting closed at 1:00 p.m., or two hours earlier than the regular polling precincts.

This city is one of only four areas in the country selected by the Comelec for the initial implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10366, or “An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens.”

“There’s no queuing, it’s not tiring. This is very good for us senior citizens,” said Rivera, recalling that in the previous elections, voting has been difficult for her since she has to look for her precinct amid

the huge crowd.

Citing her age and her foot ailment, Rivera said she would not have voted if she has to cast her vote inside the public school in Monday’s barangay elections.

For his part, Hoyo praised the Comelec for the chance to vote away from the “maddening crowd inside the public school.”

“In my regular precinct during the past elections, the line was very long. The precinct itself is cramped and hot,” he told MindaNews.

“I hope in the next elections, it will still be like this for us senior citizens and the PWDs. No long lines and easy to find your name to vote quickly,” Hoyo added.

Lawyer Donna Bernardo, a staffer of Comelec Commis-

for the counting.

Apparently there was a miscommunication to the public as some elderly came in for naught.

There were some senior citizens who walked in at the mall to vote but were turned away because they were not on the list, said Anthony Ebol, a local Comelec worker.

“This is not for all senior citizens or PWDs but for those selected and had given their consent,” he said.

Most of those who participated in the special voting were senior citizens at a total of 65, with only three PWDs. This city has a total of 239,319 registered voters for the barangay elections clustered in 704 precincts out of the 1,753 established precincts. (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)

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Davao News

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DAVAO DEL NORTE l DAVAO DEL SUR lDAVAO DEL ORIENTALl COMPOSTELA VALLEY

Anti-child labor barangay officials

D

By TYRONE A. VELEZ, Davao Today

avao City – Winners of yesterday barangay election in three of the city’s industrial barangays face the tough job of sustaining the campaign against child labor.

Joefel Soco-Carreon, media officer of Kaugmaon (the Cebuano word for future) Foundation pointed out that incumbent punong barangays (barangay captains) in Ilang, Callawa and Panacan would finish their terms.

A high number of child labor cases were found in these areas, in a city where there is an average of 100 working children for each of the 182 villages, the group said.

Kaugmaon’s program in these villages, including the Tibungco village, includes helping 338 child workers, aged seven to 17, who worked as vendors, scavengers, factory or farm workers.

Kaugmaon executive director Florie ButiongTacang said their campaign has only reached ten per EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS OF DECEASED Spouses JAIME A. BAVIERA, Sr. and ANSELMA R. BAVIERA With DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the Late Spouses JAIME A. BAVIERA, Sr., who died at Cagayan de Oro City, on May 15, 1959, and ANSELMA R. BAVIERA, who died at Kibawe, Bukidnon on April 14, 1954, without any will both died. That the said deceased left a real property, situated at Kibawe, Bukidnon and more particularly describe as follows; Tax Declaration No. 02-09-8415 “A parcel of agricultural land, Lot No. 6048, Survey No. PLS-112, situated in the Barangay of Gutapol, Municipality of Kibawe, Province of Bukidnon, containing an area of FORTY THOUSAND (40,000) square meters more or less, is the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS OF DECEASED Spouses JAIME A. BAVIERA, Sr. and ANSELMA R. BAVIERA With DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, made and entered into by and among: JAIME R. BAVIERA Jr., of legal age, married, Filipino, and a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Philippines; JERRY R. BAVIERA, of legal age, married, Filipino, and a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines; JANICE R. BAVIERA-CO, of legal age, married and a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Kibawe, Bukidnon; and ROGELIO E. ACEDO, representing JEAN R. BAVIERA-ACEDO, who died on DEC. 8, 2010, of legal age, widower, Filipino, and a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines. That the above-named parties collectively herein referred to as the HEIR-VENDORS, are all of legal age, are the legitimate and sole heirs. That for and in consideration of the sum of FIFTY THOUSAND (P 50,000.00) PESOS Philippine Currency, is hereby acknowledge by the HEIR-VENDORS from JESUSA A. TALHA, of legal age, Filipino, single and a resident of Paragupac, Barangay Gutapol, Kibawe, Bukidnon, herein referred to as the VENDEE, the HEIR-VENDORS do hereby SELL, TRANSFER, CEDE and CONVEY unto the said VENDEE that parcel of land described above. As per Doc. No. 99; Page No. 20; Book No. IX; Series of 2013; under Notary Public of ATTY. PAUL VINCENT G. VILLEGAS. MDN: OCT. 15, 22 & 29, 2013

ket are engaged in selling food or fried bananas, collecting garbage or doing errands.

Nerosa said monthly meetings with the children, parents and other village members helped in forming values to uphold children’s rights.

“Candidates said they would adapt Kaugamon’s program. Actually it’s a barangay program, and it’s important that this will be continued. That’s the important thing. As for me, I will commit myself as a

child advocate,” Nerosa said.

Another official, Nelda Sabigon, a kagawad and co-chair of the BCPC of Barangay Callawa, also said it would be a challenge for the new officials to continue this program.

She shared her experience wasn’t easy in the beginning as fellow councilors at first thought children working in farms harvesting bananas or fishing does not constitute as child labor.

Children in Callawa, the lone agricultural barangay in the second district,

worked in banana farms and earn 60 pesos a day.

“They (children and farmers) work as early as four a.m. until eight. And they get to work because their pay is cheaper,” said Sabigon.

“It’s really in our culture that a child helping the family is a good thing. Even with my fellow officials, they don’t think (farm work) is child labor,” Sabigon said.

Davao City was a Presidential Awardee last 2012 for the Most Child Friendly City in the highly-urban-

ized category.

Based on the 2000 Census, there are already up to four million Filipino child laborers. In Davao City, Kaugmaon estimated 18,000 child laborers in the city.

Based on the website of the International Labor Organization, “child labor” is defined as “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development.” (Tyrone A. Velez, davaotoday. com)

cent success in minimizing child labor working on hazardous conditions.

Their study showed cases where children worked in packing urea fertilizer in a refinery, and others cleaning bottles for a recycling plant. In both cases, children worked without protective gear and even worked overnight for days.

“The challenge is for the community to be aware and point out these cases of exploitation,” Tacang said.

Outgoing barangay and Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) officials also shared Kaugmaon’s sentiments that the program needs to be continued to address the problem of child workers.

Having new officials in barangays would also mean having a new composition for the BCPC and this means re-introducing the program and starting all over again.

Aning Nerosa, a purok leader and BCPC member of Barangay Tibungco, said she finds the program had A tarpaulin opposing the creation of Davao Occidental province is displayed at the junction in Malalag, Davao del made strides among stake- Sur going to the towns under the proposed province. A plebiscite on the proposed province is held today October holders in her area.

28, simultaneous with the barangay elections.

(MindaNews Photo by Keith Bacongco) “When I go to the market in the morning, manangpit sila (the children would greet me). Then I would check on them, see if they have eaten their meals already, that they are wearing slippers or taken bath beBarlaan said staff and resulted to partial dam- ferent part of the body,

By CARINA L. CAYON fore coming to the market,” employees of hospitals, age in school properties. and is under me dic a l Nerosa said.

DIGOS CITY, Davao del clinics and Red Cross The bomb was thrown treatment.

Most children in the mar- Sur – The Commission and those deputized by by two unidentified sus- The provincial PNP said on Elections in Davao del Comelec like the Depart- pects also riding a Neo that the suspects retreated EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Sur has imposed a curfew ment of Education, are Yamaha motorcycle, the going to the west onboard OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED RODOLFO starting October 27-29, exempted of the curfew PNP report said, adding a pick up vehicle.

VELEZ FRANCISCO that a broken bottle of Sadili said the opening following the explosions ruling. beer and one 4x16 size of the barangay elections The Davao del Sur Proof Molotov bombs in two

Notice is hereby given that the polling centers and straf- vincial Police Office re- cellophane filled with and plebiscite at 7:00 am intestate estate of the deceased RODOLFO VELEZ FRANCISCO, ing of a barangay hall in ported that a fire incident unleaded gasoline was today was so far generally who died on November 14, 2011 in Digos City at late evening occurred at one of the recovered in the crime peaceful.

Cagayan de Oro City; at the time of his Meanwhile, the provincial ro oms at D on Mar i a- scene. of October 26. death left a parcel of land located at Provincial election su- no Marcos Elementary The provincial Come- police also reported that Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, covered

by Tax Declaration No. G-152506 pervisor Atty. Ma. Febes School in Barangay Zone lec, Provincial Peace and an alpha fragmentation which is more particularly described Barlaan has asked the 3, Digos City, after an Order Council and the hand grenade exploded as follows; Owner: Rodolfo Velez Comelec En Banc on Sat- alpha Molotov bomb ex- Provincial Joint Security at about 1:00 am of OcFrancisco; Location: Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City; Cadastral Lot No. 6265 urday, the declaration of ploded at about 10:50 pm Center of Davao del Sur tober 28 at the residence C-5; Kind: Residential (with one-storey considered the incidents of provincial prosecutor curfew hours between on October 26. residential building); Area: 218 sq.m.

Atty. Artemio Tajon at as election related.

The PNP report said that 10:00 pm to 4:00 am the is the subject of EXTRA-JUDICIAL following day on October the bomb was thrown by Police operatives have Estrada St. in Barangay SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED RODOLFO VELEZ 27, 28 and 29, 2013 in two unidentified suspects been dispatch to track Zone II in Digos City.

FRANCISCO, made and executed order to tighten securi- r i d i ng a Ne o Yama ha down the identity of the The spot report said the by and among; 1. FLORENCIA D. grenade was allegedly suspects. ties in the entire province motorcycle.

FRANCISCO, of legal age, Filipino, widow, and resident of Zone 6, Bulua, during the barangay polls A window curtain and a Assistant election offi- thrown by an unidentified Cagayan de Oro City and the surviving and simultaneous with plastic chair were dam- cer Edgardo Sadili said suspect onboard a color wife of the deceased; 2. MARK D. the conduct of plebiscite aged by the fire, and that a elections still continued black pick up vehicle.

FRANCISCO, of legal age, Filipino, for the creation of Davao broken bottle of beer was in the affected polling This resulted to dammarried, and resident of Zone 6, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City and the surviving age in properties of the recovered in the crime centers.

Occidental province. son of the deceased; 3. MAY ANN D. scene, the PNP report A strafing incident at victim such as window In a memorandum, BarFRANCISCO, of legal age, Filipino, the barangay hall in Ba- jealousies and vehicle. laan directed the Philip- said. single, and resident of Zone 6, Bulua, pine National Police and Another fire incident oc- rangay Matti, Digos City In an interview in a radio Cagayan de Oro City and the surviving daughter of the deceased; that the the Army to exert extra curred at Isaac Abalayan occured at about 12:30 station, Tajon said he has above-named parties, all of legal age, ef for ts for the prop er Elementar y S cho ol in pm on October 26, which no idea of any motive of are the legitimate wife/children and implementation of the Barangay San Jose, also resulted to the wound- the grenade blast, and the sole/compulsory/surviving heirs.

As per Doc. No. 498; Page No. 100; curfew hours, with the in Digos City, following ing of barangay tanod that he has no enemies Book No. 174; Series of 2013; under obser vance of humane an alpha Molotov bomb Larry Lemios who was connected to his work Notary Public of ATTY. MARIO T. treatment of those vio- explosion at about 11:20 seriously injured with and personal life. (RGA/ JUNI. lating the curfew policy. pm on October 26, which gunshot wounds in dif- CLC/PIA-XI)

DavSur implements curfew after bomb explosions in 2 polling centers

MDN: OCT. 15, 22, & 29, 2013

Mindanao Daily 11 NEWS

tuesday | october 29, 2013

northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

Corruption... from page 7

get rid of the pork barrel, prosecute everyone involved in corruption, and begin to truly serve the Filipino people,” Isabelle Baguisi, spokesperson of the League of Filipino Students, said.

Aside from the pork barrel, LFS said, the onerous bonuses of government officials, the public private partnership projects and the lack of social services show the disparity between the select few and the poor Filipino masses.

“People have had enough of being cash cows of a select and powerful few.

We ca see that people are quickly and readily organizing themselves to get rid of corruption in the government; the people’s initiative to push for justice for themselves is a proof of that,” Baguisi said.

“This movement will only expand and progress in the coming day,” she added.

Peoples’ initiatives Progressive groups said that while Aquino claims that while the Priority Development Assistance Fund is already abolished, the pork barrel system remains deeply embedded in the 2014 budget, which passed its third reading on Oct. 22 by the House of Representatives.

Bayan, on its statement, said that it is high time for the people to use their own power to scrap the pork barrel system from the General Appropriations Act. “What happened last night at the House of Representatives proves beyond doubt that we cannot expect anything from Congress or the Aquino administration when it comes to abolishing the pork barrel system.

While PDAF has already been removed, the new itemized pork will continue the tradition of patronage politics that has made our system corrupt,” Renato Reyes, secretary general of Bayan, said.

Reyes added, “Presidential pork will also continue to exist as lump sum appropriations. We condemn in strongest terms the passage of this 2014 pork budget and hold the Aquino government responsible for this grand deception.”

He said during the program that Bayan, along with progressive groups under its umbrella, will support the Peoples’ Initiatives initiated by former Chief Justice Renato Puno. He said that the Peoples’ Initiatives is will way more powerful than legislators because they would be batting with the very same people who elected them to office.

Reyes said their groups and members will help in possible duties in carrying out the Peoples’ Initiatives.

These include scouting for signatures and educating the public about the campaign.

Protesters vowed to return on Nov. 7, the day Napoles will face the Senate, some of whom are impli-

cated in the pork barrel scam.

Reyes said, “when institutions like Congress fail to uphold public interest, we rely on the power of the people. Bayan supports the proposal for the People’s Initiative and will work with CJ Puno and other anti-pork groups advocating this process.” (http:// bulatlat.com)

Terror... from page 1

girl’s body when he went to the abandoned house to relieve himself, police investigators said.

Witnesses said that the house, about 15-meter away from the river bank, was abandoned after rescue workers found dead bodies there after the flash flood spawned by Tyhoon Sendong struck the area on December 17, 2011.

Workers at the flood control dike told investigators that they heard an “unusual cry” two days ago in the abandoned house but they ran away on approaching the house.

“We heard something like a shrill of a newly born kitten which prompted us to investigate but we ran away when we had “goose bumps” as we walked nearer to the house,” the worker recounted.

“We were overtaken with fears knowing that someone died in that house during the Typhoon Sendong,” a worker told the police.

Caballes said that the investigators later found out that someone was staying after they found a bed with pillows and blankets in the house along with empty bottles.

“Blood stains scattered inside the house including markings of a bloodied hand on the walls,” Caballes said.

Police has launched a manhunt of a scrap buyer who emerged as the principal suspect in the heinous crime.

Witnesses told investigators that the scrap buyer was a tall and a lanky man who reportedly frequent in the area.

and 48 wounded, while the military suffered 396 casualties, with 109 killed and 287 wounded.

The Comprehensive Agreement on Respect to Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) protects civilians, non-combatants and hors de combat or those soldiers who are wounded and rendered incapable to fight.

“The 10th Infantry Division vehemently condemns the acts of the criminal group New People’s Army in using landmines, robbery and their explicit violation of CARHRIHL, that endanger the lives of civilians and non-combatants.

This likewise manifests the armed group’s utter disregard for human rights and International Humanitarian Law as they continue to defy the international ban on the use of landmines,” said 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo.

“With the Bayanihan efforts of all peace loving stakeholders, we can give justice to our fallen troops and to those victims of the atrocities of the New People’s Army,” he added. from page 1 philippine news agency Commission on Election (Comelec) Region 11 lawyer Danilo Cullo said areas of from page 1 concern in the hinterlands that the decomposing of the city have been relabody of the girl sustained tively calm.

Cullo told Davao Tofatal head wounds from a blunt object which caused day that he is assured no violence would erupt, as her death.

He said that the investi- he heard a statement from gators also noticed lacera- the National Democratic tions on the child’s private Front spokesperson Ka Oris parts which indicated that that the New People’s Army the victim was molested “will refrain from launching actions in Monday’s polls.” before she was killed.

But in the urban cenPolice identified the child as Sheena Romano, ters, hundreds of voters a grade school pupil of a complained their names public school in Macanhan, are missing as clustered precinct assignments were Cagayan de Oro City.

The victim’s father John- re-arranged.

Voters in Buhangin Elson Romano positively identified the girl whom he ementary School of the reported to the police to second district told Davao have been missing Wednes- Today they were discouraged because they were not day night.

The father told the police informed beforehand about that he noticed that Sheena this change.

Even Second District went missing Wednesday Councilor John Louie Bonnight. “I was looking for her for a dinner when she guyan, the top vote-getter was nowhere to be found,” in his district during the May election, took several the father said.

“Her playmates in the hours before he could find neighborhood told me that his name in his precinct in Sheena was just still around the same school.

In Barangay 74-A or MaWednesday afternoon,” Rotina Crossing, voters went mano said.

A worker who was work- back and forth in precincts ing in the construction of a at Daniel Aguinaldo High flood control dike in Cagay- School looking for their an de Oro City found the names.

Same...

Raped...

People would line up on the masterlist and scour their names but went home grumbling.

Voters from Barangay 76-A (Bucana) in Cesario Villa Abrille Elementary School swarmed student volunteers from Davao Association of Colleges and Schools to check on Comelec masterlist on computer laptops to check on their names.

According to the volunteers’ team leader, Gabriel Suarez, most of the complainants were either newly-registered voters or transferees to new residences.

Suarez said the list provided for them, which they obtained days before the election proper, were based on the May election and did not include the new registered voters for barangay elections last July.

He added that in such cases where names were not found in the precinct or masterlist, they advised people to go to the Comelec office to verify their names.

Some voters, particularly from the second district, were seen at the Comelec office in Magsaysay Park verifying their names.

“I need to vote. Grabe ang pila nako, ni-absent pa gyud ko (I stood in long queue to register, and I was even absent from work),” said one of the voters looking for her name at the Comelec office.

But according to Comelec area supervisors interviewed by Davao Today, the lists they provided were updated, and names were quickly verified.

Only one incident of election violation was reported when a candidate in the second district’s Brgy.

Leon Garcia was reported by watchers to be conducting room-to-room campaign in the precincts. Atty. Cullo said he immediately checked on the incident and told the candidate to leave the premise. (davaotoday.com)

Parangal... from page 8

ever, “This is the only way to recognize you and to thank you for what you have done in your Parish and in the Prelature in general.”

The bishop also apologized if the church failed to include anybody worthy of recognition. “Human as we are, we might have overlooked and failed to recognize someone out there, please forgive us,” the Bishop said.

Rev. Fr. Arnel A. Lagman, OFS, committee chairman for Araw ng Parangal explained that the committee wanted to make the occasion very special for the awardees as their generosity to the church is incomparable and undaunted.

“While conceptualizing this event, our hearts were overflowing with gratitude to all the missionaries, who came here to help cultivate the seeds of faith and mission in the Island of Basilan

and to the faithful who nourished it,” Fr, Lagman said.

The Prelature gave recognition to the longest serving catechist in every parish, the longest serving Kaabag (Lay Ministers), longest serving Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, longest serving Family Life Apostolate workers, longest serving Parish Pastoral Council President, and longest serving parish worker.

Parents with priests and religious sons and daughters were also given recognition for gifting the church and the people of Basilan with Shepherds to lead the local church’s flock.

Some individuals and religious congregations were also recognized, to include: the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Society of Jesus, Comngregation of Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Order of Friars Minor, Missionary Dominican Sisters of the Rosary, Daughters of Charity, Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, Order of St. Clare, Oblates of Notre Dame, Missionary Sisters of the Queen of the Apostles and the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, among others. (ALT/ RVC/PIA9-ZBST)

Palace... from page 3

still awaiting reports with respect to the situation in Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao, which are among the areas of critical concern in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“Umaasa tayong wala nang gaanong magiging problema sa bilangan ng mga balota, bagama’t patuloy na nakaantabay ang pamahalaan. Maaaring makita ng mamamayan ang malinaw na resulta ng halalan hanggang bukas,” Coloma said.

The Commission on Elections has declared a total of eight nuisance candidates, 300 unregistered candidates, while three to four candidates were found to have criminal conviction. The COMELEC may finish its proclamation of the winners before noon of November 30.

“Nanawagan kami sa sambayanan na ipagpatuloy ang pagmamasid at pagtutok sa bilangan ng boto upang matiyak na magiging ganap ang tagumpay ng halalang ito bilang proseso sa pagpili ng mga karapat-dapat mamuno at manungkulan samga barangay na siyang pundasyon ng demokrasya,” Coloma said. PND

Polls... from page 3

from Comelec personnel and teachers who served as board of election tellers.

But she said they could not yet determine the exact voting turnout in the region as the counting at the precinct level is still ongoing.

Comelec Region 12 has

jurisdiction over the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong and Kidapawan.

Although a part of Region 12’s administrative coverage, Cotabato City was placed under the Comelec in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Region 12, which is also known as the Soccsksargen Region, has a total of 14,278 established precincts in 1,158 barangays in the region.

The area’s registered voters for Monday’s election were listed at 2,081,428.

At the pilot accessible polling precinct for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) established by the Comelec at the SM mall here, Alim said a total of 59 voters were able to cast their votes out of the 68 who earlier signified to participate in the special voting.

The 59 voters, three of whom were PWDs, were all from Barangay Lagao here, which was earlier designated by the Comelec as the pilot area in Mindanao for the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10366, which authorized the poll body “to establish precincts or accessible polling places exclusively for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.”

“It was considered a success considering that 86 percent of the voters were able to participate or cast their votes,” she told MindaNews on the phone.

She said the conduct of the voting at the pilot precinct was quite fast and the participants declared that they were at ease with the entire process.

Alim said they were able to meet the project’s main objective of providing an accessible and comfortable voting venue and system for the participating senior citizens and PWDs. In S out h C ot ab ato, Comelec election assistant Vangie Mellejor told MindaNews that all designated polling precincts have functioned and no failure of elections was declared in any part of the area.

She said the earlier floods in Koronadal City and parts of Tantangan town hampered the movement of some voters to the polling centers but cited that no precinct was affected by the calamity.

Mellejor said they were still determining the exact voting turnout in the area through the local election offices but she said the initial feedback that they received was quite favorable.

In Sarangani Province, provincial election assistant Ronnie de Castro said they also expect a high voting turnout in the area.

“All precincts were able to function normally and we have not recorded any failure of elections,” he said.

De Castro told MindaNews that some parts of the province have reported some flooding early Monday but it did not affect the operation of the polling precincts, especially the conduct of the voting. (MindaNews)

12 Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

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