MINDANAO DAILY T H E P U RV E YO R O F T R U T H , J U S T I C E , A N D D E V E LO P M E N T
Volume VI, No. 249
Website: www.mindanaodailynews.com
Wednesday
March 29, 2017
P15.00
Rebels claim shooting down aerial spray plane By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN, Contributing Editor
SAN Francisco, Agusan del Sur--Communist guerillas claimed responsibility for the shooting down of a company plane spraying chemicals in the banana plantation in Tagbina town in Surigao saying this serves as a punitive action against environmentally destructive aerial spraying. Ka A r i e l Mont e ro, spokesman of the New People’s Army-Northeastern Mindanao Regional Command, said the airplane owned by SUMIFRU was piloted by Capt. Magbanua was shot down while aerial spraying the banana plantations in the village of Sta. Fe on Monday. “The wing and wheel of
First days of summer. Local tourists enjoy as they swim and hang around
at the Libuacan Cold Spring in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur on March 23, 2017. Located inside the Tagbina Eco-park, Libuacan is a popular destination to locals and started to attract other tourists as well. Photo by Jun Ayensa for Mindanao Daily
We will make Bangsamoro Basic Law our priority, says Alvarez By Carolyn O. Arguillas of MindaNews
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez Jr. discusses the Bangsamoro Peace Pocess in an interview with MindaNews at the Park Inn Radisson in Davao City, late Sunday afternoon, 26 March 2017. MindaNews photo by ManMan Dejeto
COPC induction slated on March 30
TWO top government officials are expected to be the guests of honor of the induction of officers and directors of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) set at Philtown Hotel on March 30 at six in the evening. Invited by the Club is Mr. Benito Ranque, undersecretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), as the inducting officer. Also to grace the induction is Mr. Martin Andanar, See induction, page 7
DAVAO City––The House of Representatives will give priority to the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) once the 21-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) submits it to Congress, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said. Alvarez told MindaNews late Sunday afternoon that as soon as the draft is submitted to them, “we are going to schedule (it) for successive committee hearings. We will make it our priority,” he said. The Speaker, a Mindanawon representing the 1st district of Davao del Norte, is confident the bill will be passed immediately if Duterte certifies the bill as urgent. “Conservatively, sa House, give me a month or two” to pass it, he said. The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Font (MILF) on March 27, 2014, provides that the draft BBL submitted by the BTC “shall be certified as an urgent bill by the President.” Then President See make, page 7
the plane were struck forcing its emergency landing. The pilot was not hit and was safe,” Montero said. He said the NPA has been warning against the continuing destructive aerial spraying in banana plantations to avoid serious damage to the environment and health of the people around the plantation. “This practice has been discontinued in other places like Davao City, because of the people’s opposition to its proven harmful effect. But with the capitalists’ greed for profit and utter disregard of the effects on the environment and the people, SUMIFRU, See PLANE, page 7
MINDANAO DAILY SECOND FRONTPAGE
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Guv to Lopez: Feel the real sentiments of the people mark francisco, Section Editor EDITOR: RUEL V. PELONE
Wednesday
March 29, 2017
By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN, Contributing Editor
TANDAG City--Governor Vicente Pimentel Jr. has lambasted Environment Secretary Gina Lopez anew calling her unfit for the position and callous to the real sentiments of the people in the two mining towns of the province where operations of three mining companies have been halted. Pimentel dared Lopez to initiate a plebiscite in Carrascal and Cantilan towns to get the real pulse of the residents there whose livelihood and development prospects have been threatened by the imminent closure orders. The two towns have been hosting for 10 years CTP Construction and Mining Corp. owned by Pimentel’s brother Clarence, Carrascal Nickel Corp. and Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. “Why did she wanted to
dictate our future? Why did she wanted to decide the kind of livelihood that the people deserve?” Pimentel asked in an interview with local journalists. He questioned Lopez’s capability to run the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) without technical knowhow on the intricacies of her job and whom he accused of already biased to the mining industry long before her appointment as environment chief of the country. “I am wondering why President Duterte appointed her when she does not know anything about mining,” Pimentel said. Pimentel maintained the mountainous areas in Carrascal and Cantilan have been declared by the national government as mineral
PRO-MINING RALLY. Surigao del Sur Governor
Vicente Pimentel Jr. speaking at a pro-mining rally in Cantilan town. Photo by Chris V. Panganiban for Mindanao Daily
Moro artist uses paintbrush to advocate peace By DARWIN WALLY T. WEE of PNA
ZAMBOANGA City––Tausug painter Rameer Amilasan Tawasil is using the canvass to bat for peace, drawing inspiration from his dark childhood marred by bloodshed and the chaos of the Moro rebellion. For his masterpieces, Tawasil uses critical thinking to promote a common understanding of Mindanao, using the Moro people’s rich cultural heritage. “I was once asked why I always paint peace-related themes since Zamboanga City is fairly peaceful. I tried to explain to them that it is like living inside a peaceful house and yet the surrounding neighborhood is always in trouble. One way or another, it will affect the over-all peace condition,” Tawasil told the Philippines News Agency. “It is our responsibility to do our share to create a peaceful environment,” he urged. A native of Sulu province, Tawasil grew up at the height of the Moro rebellion during the chaotic years of
Feature Martial Law. At the tender age of six, he, along with his family, hurriedly left to safety in Zamboanga City as bombs dropped and wiped out the entire downtown
Jolo, the province’ capital, in 1974. “It was a painful experience,” he recalled. It did not stop there, however. Soon after they returned to Jolo after the lifting of Martial Law, armed conflict again erupted. This
time, it was a bloody feud between political clans in the island province. The cycle of violence went on as the Moro rebels renewed their battle against government forces in Sulu. “Those traumatic experiences led me to passionately work towards a peaceful Mindanao,” he stressed. Growing up at this backdrop, the young Tawasil soon sought comfort through his sculptures and sketches. It did not take long until some of his teachers in Zamboanga City and in Jolo noticed his talent. From then on, Tawasil mastered the “ukkil” brush strokes, which is a form of Tausug carving done even before the Spaniards introduced Western painting in the Philippines. “I learned a lot from my grandmother on my maternal side. I learned to appreciate Tausug art when I helped her make some patterns for her embroidery designs for ‘patajung,’” he said. Patajung is a piece of cloth elegantly used by Tausug women in Sulu as an
additional ornament. He further developed his skills through the works of legendary late Tausug artist Abdulmari Imao, who went on to become the first Moro National Artist for Sculpture in 2006. Tawasil came to learn about Imao’s works during his high school days in Hadji Butu School of Arts and Trade, where they both graduated. “During my high school days, I was impressed by the mastery of Imao. His sculptures are being displayed in offices inside the campus. I got curious. One day, when I went home from school, I gathered some mud along the road. I experiment and throw some designs,” he recalled. Several years passed, the two Moro artists eventually met during an exhibit in Manila sometime in 1996. Imao encouraged the young artist to further study the rich culture of the Moros in Sulu archipelago, and expose their masterpieces to the public. “There is a need to let people outside of Sulu and Mindanao to appreciate
our native art. In this way, people will learn about our culture and spread common understanding in this highly-diverse country,” Tawasil said. As his mastery in art progressed, Tawasil did not stop from painting the rich culture of the Tausugs and Badjaos as he went on to put more twists and intrigues in his art works. Exhibits after exhibits, Tawasil’s works always connote his visual commentary of issues in the society. One of his prominent artworks is the 4x5 feet antiwar painting, entitled the “Burning of Jolo.” Wrapped in fiery red and dark yellow colors, Tawasil highlighted the suffering of a mother and child as bombs were being dropped in Jolo. The masterpiece was inspired from Spanish painter Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica.” In his previous exhibit, Tawasil once admitted that he is using his “canvass as a statement against war.” “I painted them not because I’m a Muslim, not because I am a Mindanaoan or a citizen of this See peace, page 7
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Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Datu “Bago” Samporna 1st Family Grand Reunion
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THE descendants of Datu “Bago” Samporna clan converged at the Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House in Timoga, Barangay Buru-un in Iligan City on March 25, 2017 for the 1st Family Grand Reunion. Sheik Ibrahim Daromoyod, Ba-i Damba Pacalundo Ali, Simplicio Larrazabal Jr. Renato Obach, and Wilfredo Echavez initiated the gathering primarily to look into the situation of the descendants of Datu “Bago” Samporna. The Datu “Bago” Samporna, both the Moro and Christians, came from Pacalundo, Balo-i (Mumogan), Lanao del Norte and Iligan City. Inspired with the common intention of strengthening family ties, uplift the living condition, and to preserve cultural heritage, the siblings of the Datu “Bago” Samporna decided to band together in the form of holding the first-ever 1st Family Grand Reunion. PR
GRAND REUNION
Photo above, Samporna Pacalundo sa Nonongan DAF 12 Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Madaya D. Dumara Hadji Mariam Ali Puting; MSU-IIT Supply Officer Hadji Mona Nihaya II; Mosmera Ali Dumara; Tarhata D. Ali, DPWH-Lanao Norte Chemical Engineer Soraida D. Ali; Bebe D. Ali; Carana D. Ali; and, Samrodin D. Ali. At left, the oathtaking of officers of the Datu “Bago” Samporna during their First Family Grand Reunion on March 25, 2017 held at the Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House in Timoga, Barangay Buru-un, Iligan City Chairman Amando A. Jariol, Vice Chairman (Internal Affair) Johary Utara, Vice Chairman (External Affair) Wilfredo Echavez, Secreatary-Treasurer Nasfia Pacalundo Ali, Auditor Hadji Alo Samporna and Eric Balaba.
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Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Opinion
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Like an ant’s bite
I WAS 11 years old when I decided to join four other kids my age as they marched towards the house of Tiyo Pisyong one summer for the once-in-a-lifetime-ritual young boys normally--or must, if you will--passed: circumcision or tuli. Our family lived then in a remote village somewhere in Southern Leyte province. As it was located kilometers away from the urban center, government doctors did visit us very seldom. Which was why most of the parents would engage the services of Tiyo Pisyong; after all he was a noted manunuli in our place. But before I came up with such decision, there was a very sad story--at least, to me--behind it. Here, after the lapsed of 17
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gave too much important to Noy Ruding’s unpleasant remark; I just considered it a plain joke coming from an old man. But he was incessant in that every time we met, he would portray himself as if he had nausea and was ready to throw up even as he said “Patuli na kay baho kaayo.” That incident repeated many times until I could not bear it anymore and cry. It was at that time I decided to brave myself against the sharp labaha of Tiyo Pisyong despite the fact that my father told me the pain was just like an ant’s bite. Being done without the aid of anesthesia, I could not help but shout for help. Lalim ba diay nang tuyoon og samad? Sakit gyod,
Raul G. Moldez
di ba? That was it. Then and there I realized my father was not telling me the truth considering that such was painful having experienced it myself. However, I have no regrets over it. And the reason is obvious. (This essay first appeared in the Dugong Mindanao Section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer in its June 9, 2002 issue) ••• Email me at rgmoldez@ gmail.com
Kakampi mo ang batas
Fighting heat stroke with Bible reading, praying
LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and EDITORIAL drought, with blight and ALLAN M. MEDIANTE mildew, which will plague Editor-in-Chief you until you perish. The ruel pelone CRIS DIAZ sky over your head will be Managing Editor Executive Editor bronze, the ground beneath you iron…” (Deuteronomy CHENG ORDOÑEZ (on leave) MARK FRANCISCO 28:22-23, the Holy Bible). Associate Editor Lifestyle Editor -ooo GILBERT Y. CHAO gerry lee gorit F I G H T I N G H E AT Motoring Editor Photo Journalist STROKE WITH BIBLE READING, PRAYING: The PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN Regional Editor Caraga Regional Editor-Davao tips which the Department of Health (DOH) issued Rene Michael BaÑos uRIEL C. QUILINGUING to address heat stroke—or Regional Editor Northmin Contributing Editor a condition caused by the AL JACINTO JOE FELICILDA overheating of the body- Regional Editor-WestMin Editorial Consultant -are certainly commendable, especially now that RODRIGO B. SEVILLA JOE PALABAO temperatures keep rising Regional Editor-Davao Feature Editor on a daily basis now, with ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY Legal Counsel
solid years, I feel confident to tell you what the story was all about. Actually, it came to me as no accident. Generations back were also hit by the tease of Noy Ruding who always said, “Hmm, baho ba kaayong tiktik,” everytime he saw uncircumcised kids. Baho means obnoxious odor while tiktik refers to the white substance settled inside the penis. That substance, according to my research, was formed through urine’s residue. One time, my father told me it was through Noy Ruding’s courage-provoking banter that some of the children in the barrio would urge their parents to have them circumcised even at a young age. At first, however, I never
the onset of the summer season in the Philippines. Indeed, there is a need for Filipinos to prevent heat stroke from happening to them since the DOH is saying that this ailment can be fatal---meaning, it can cause death. Thus, as the DOH said, Filipinos must “stay indoors and out of the sun, wear light colored clothes, wear hats, and drink lots of cold water.” In addition, I would like to add something else to fight heat stroke: read the Bible a lot, and pray without ceasing. The fact is that, heat stroke and scorching heat and burning temperatures were predicted to happen by the Bible, as they are now happening in fact with more frequency.
-oooHEAT STROKE, HOT TEMPEATURES, PREDICTED TO HAPPEN: Since it was the Bible that prophesied that these disasters would happen, we must also look into the Bible to find the cure, and the preventive measures against contracting heat stroke and related illnesses. Mercifully, the Bible offered its own tips to prevent, fight, and cure diseases brought about by extremely hot temperatures. First, let us see what the Bible is saying about why scorching heat and burning temperatures will happen. In Deuteronomy 28, it is there written that God’s curses will come upon a people who no longer listen to, and who no longer obey,
Atty. Batas Mauricio
Him (see verse 15). There are 53 of these curses, listed from Deuteronomy 28:15 to Deuteronomy 28:68. One of them is the curse of global warming and climate change, particularly scorching heat, burning temperatures, and drought (see verses 22-23), which cause “wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with blight and mildew… with the sky over your head (becoming) bronze, the ground beneath you iron…” -oooOVERCOMING HEAT STROKE: Now, if the Bible accurately predicted the happening of these See stroke, page 7
Agree or disagree
Tempted by the glitters of gold LAW enforcers should be like Caesar’s wife not only virtuous, but must appear virtuous. They should be clothed with a moral compass, honest and dedicated to their sworn duties as protectors of the lives and properties of the citizenry, so that everybody can walk around the city even during night time without fear of being molested or abused or terrorized. Law enforcers should not only have the assurance of good intention, the discharge of their normal duty effectively and their acceptance of routine responsibility are not enough. What they should need also is to exercise courage and decision that go far
beyond the needs of the time, rather than be tempted by the glitters of gold to do ignoble acts like planting of evidence(s). Such actuation then is unbecoming to law enforcers... devoid of legal propriety. They should be fair and just at all times, never be slaves of the power that be or moneyed politicians to help twist the truth in an ignominious manner, the way they did to Iligan City Mayor Celso G. Regencia. What they failed to anticipate was the aftermath of their wrongdoings, for they always believe without doubt whatsoever by helping Congressman Vicente Belmonte’s fabricated crimes against City Mayor Celso G. Regencia may be much
safer for them, thus compel to continue their devilish acts, of course, as long as the price is right. They presumed to believe that their master’s master will still be in power. They vainly imagine that the power, influence, and money of former congressman will never be exhausted, thus relying on him of the protection of their unlawful acts. On that premise, it exacerbates their cruelty and ruthlessness against their former comrade in the PNP: City Mayor Celso G. Regencia, by following en toto the dictates of former Congressman Vicente Belmonte, Jr. But by the turn of events, the truth comes out into the open unblemished. Their
Demosthenes P. Maglasang Sr.
devilish maneuver failed to sustain the camouflage of their false accusations and ignominy, because the truth will always prevail in the end and it does prevail at God’s appointed time. Now that the storm is over, and the debris of their injustices was eliminated, therefore, it is now ripe time to demand from them for recompense of their cruelty and ruthlessness against their oppressed former brother in the PNP organization. What they did to City Mayor Celso G. See gold, page 7
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Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Imposing on Asean Strong Cooperation
Asean will become the stunning regional territory among the treaties in the world. Unfortunately, all the member countries are working individually as if the members were merely the competitors, not for mutual-benefit members. Benchmarking and advocating among the member countries will be of the best strategy for making this regional treaty exist. When this effort can be realized, balancing the education quality among the member countries will also be created. The nations of all the ASEAN member countries require to balance their human resources to make the regional treaty stronger compared to others. The ministry of education of all Asean member countries should hand-inhand try to have a close relationship. This building relationship can provide the better understanding among the universities in the Asean member countries. Not only do they work on overcoming the unemployment, but also create some collaborations for problem solving. This problem solving should be Contingents to the annual Kaamulan Festival of Bukidnon province do the snake dance during the float and street-dance competition, Saturday (March 25), at the main streets directed towards all Asean member countries typical of Malaybalay City. Photo by Gerry Lee Gorit for Mindanao Daily problems. Each member country has its own typical problem. However, mostly unLET ’S think for a moment, wonder ing w hy Asean countries do not strengthen their cooperation seriously? So far, we have eye-witnessed the fact of cooperation that does not indicate the strength of Asean countries in managing and leading the whole nations for mutual benefit. Mostly, some associations Dr. Djuwari tend to be in formality but have no real impact of Whether this statement is the Asean whole nations. correct, it must be proved
by the evidence rather than claims. The fact so far has been more on formality but “quiet” in terms of the real impact on the whole Asean nations. In education, for example, not all universities seem to have a close relationship to building a strong association. Yet, when all Asean universities are working together for improving the quality all over the member countries,
Amid increased military operations, educators reiterate call to save IP schools
In the aftermath of the Fourth Mindanao-Wide Conference of the Save our Schools (SOS) Network, transformative education group Educators Forum for Development (EfD) said that the Duterte administration should stop continuing attacks against indigenous people (IP)’s alternative schools. The EfD echoed calls by the SOS Network for military troops to halt operations in and pull out of indigenous peoples and farmers’ communities as these result in human rights violations including the right to education. According to a report released by the SOS Campaign of the Lumad in Southern Mindanao, Caraga, Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen, there have been 168 incidents of military attacks on 47 Lumad schools under the Aquino government’s Oplan Bayanihan and the Duterte administration’s Oplan Kapayapaan. More than 1,000 families and 5,000 students have been victims of forced evacuation, threat, harassment, intimidation, red-tagging, and surveillance. There have also been cases of extrajudicial killings, filing of trumped-up charges, and schools closure. These have been perpetrated by 16 battalions and 2 brigades of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with paramilitary troops
and even some government agencies. More than half of total AFP troops are deployed in Mindanao, the report noted. State and paramilitary forces are known to secure big business and landlords interests over the resource-rich island. To date, SOS has recorded 15 cases of military encampment affecting five Lumad schools since the president’s cancellation of the peace talks between government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). The EfD lamented that AFP attacks against farmers and indigenous communities have only intensified and involved aerial bombings, shelling and strafing, as in Compostela Valley, Sarangani and even Abra. It was also during this period that Ramon and Leonela Pesadilla, a couple who had
donated land for a Lumad school, were murdered in their home. The EfD said that this rabid miliarization continues to put schools and their supporters in the line of fire and subverts the gains built by the Lumad in establishing educational facilities where government has provided none. The continued attacks against schools also tend to offset Duterte’s pro-Lumad pronouncements especially when he was Davao mayor. The administration should end these attacks and execute its duty to uphold the Lumad and every other Filipino’s right to education, said EfD. The group meanwhile vowed to amplify the call to help and advance indigenous people’s alternative schools and to gather wider support for this advocacy. Source: IBON.org
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employment is very common among the Asean member countries. Why don’t they altogether mutually overcome such a common problem? This is the fact that Asean member countries have not strong cooperation in terms of making this regional treaty really strong. Besides the above effort, mutual benefits for improving t he qua lity of Asean member countries’ universities can even be more important. For example, each member country can exchange both their faculties and students by learning and teaching the same subjects or field of sciences. From this, learning each other and balancing the quality for better improvement can be reached. The above efforts can be easy to do because most countries have the same goal in terms of education and quality. Unlike politics, we talk about politics; there will always be problems of vested interest. Politics cannot be used for strategy to have a good cooperation because each member country has its own typical vision and mission. Political vision tends to break the relationship down. Not only do among the countries, even among the people in the same country have a
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big problem when all the cooperation is approached using political dimension. The above idea can be realized very quickly when all the presidents of Asean countries try to manage it seriously. Why should we go out there “too far away” while we have the Asean member countries? Global outlook is important but strengthening the regional association is more important. It is the reality that can be done more vividly. Association or organization based on educational vision is more eligible to do if the Asean countries want to have a very strong relationship. Never be much imposed more on rituality and formality, but working based on the reality and vivid impact on the Asean whole nations. ••• Dr. Djuwari Sarkawi is the Head of Research Journal and Publishing Department, STIE Perbanas Surabaya. He is also the guest lecturer at Ottimmo International Master-gourmet Academy, Surabaya; The advisor of Indonesia Association of Press Practitioners/ Journalists in East Java province (HIPSI), Indonesia. He is also the president of the International Association of Scholarly Publishers, Editors, and Reviewers (IASPER).
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Wednesday, March 29, 2017
ARMM approves P32-million cold storage and fish processing in Tawi-Tawi DAVAO City––The Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) approved Monday the application for registration of a P32million cold storage and fish processing facility in Tawi-tawi. In a press release, the ARMM-RB OI said the Tawi-tawi based Abing Seafoods and Cold Storage (ASCS) will engage in processing marine products, including packing and cold storage operation. for fresh, ice-chilled and frozen fishery products. It described ASCS as a firm engaged in “responsible and rational buy and sale of various commercially important fishery resources in Tawi-Tawi for local and international markets.” “Around 111 jobs” will
be generated by the investment, including jobs for out-of–school youth and unemployed mothers, the ARMM-RBOI said. It noted that marginalized fisherfolk like the Badjaos will be tapped as the firm’s suppliers to meet the demands for scallops and abalone, sea cucumber and sea urchin, crabs and lobsters, and fish like grouper, snapper and tuna. ASCS will export its products to China, Singapore and Hong Kong, the ARMM-RBOI said. Lawyer Ishak Mastura, ARMM-RBOI chair, said the approval of the project is a strategic initiative of the ARMM government to strengthen the growth of the fishery industry in Tawi-Tawi “and most importantly, to help smallscale fishermen sell their
catch at a reasonable price.” “This is also a good way to promote ‘sustainable fished’ marine resources and support to local fisherfolk for conserving the marine environment, Mastura said. Around 95% of the 391,000 population of
Tawi-Tawi live in coastal areas, and about 15% of these are municipal fishers. “In Tawi-Tawi, marine fishing is not just an industry but is a way of life. It has been a part of their culture that has been passed from generation to generation,” Mastura added.
ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the project can further help address poverty incidence in TawiTawi. The island province has the lowest poverty incidence in the five-province region, at 10.2% as of 2015. The region’s average poverty incidence is 48.2%.
“By incentivizing fishery related investment projects, we will be able to encourage businessmen and fishing communities to maximize the utilization of our fishery resources in a sustainable manner,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said. (MindaNews)
INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR UP-DATING RESETTLEMENT PLAN The Resettlement Action Plan for the Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan de Oro River (FRIMP-CDOR), Cagayan de Oro City, is currently undergoing review and up-dating. As part of this process, the DED consultants (OCG) are seeking Expressions of Interest from local research institutes or organisations to undertake field activities. This will involve conducting: A) An inventory of people and property affected by land acquisition in the Barangays of Bonbon and Kauswagan. This will require the listing and geo-tagging of people, property and trees within the Right of Way and between the embankment and the river. The estimated number of structures affected is 450. The expected outputs are: (1) list of PAPs and their residences, (2) list of additional structures, (3) list of trees belonging to PAPs, (4) digital map recording location of these items and (5) database summarizing all data. B) The selected organisation will also conduct a socio-economic survey of all households affected in order to provide a detailed profile of PAPs and their property. Interested parties should contact frimrap@ gmail.com for further details not later than April 6 2017.
Risky job. A service crew welds part of the network tower apparently without any safety gear at JC Aquino, Butuan City on March 27, 2017. Photo by Jun Ayensa for Mindanao Daily
Death toll rises to 5 in vessel, fuel tanker burning in Zambo
ZAMBOANGA City--The number of casualties in the burning of a woodenhulled vessel and a fuel tanker has increased to five with four survivors, officials said Tuesday. This came about as the personnel of the Zamboanga Coastguard Station has completed the search and retrieval operations at the Ben Go Wharf in Barangay Baliwasan, where the incident occurred. Lt. Commander Alvin Dagalea, Zamboanga Coastguard Station commander, identified the fatalities as Rasdy Imlan, 24, chief mechanic; Abidin Mansul, the assistant of Imlan; Munsamir Sadjael, 18; Sidim Tingka-
han, 15; Muhammad Amsadila, 36. The charred remains of the victims were retrieved by coastguard divers Tuesday morning. The survivors, who were taken to the hospital, were identified as Ardi Jumdain, Asin Nur, Andung Sali (not Sal as earlier reported) and Alsid Sali. They were able to jump overboard when the vessel caught fire. Supt. Ariel Huesca, Police Station 11 chief, on Tuesday said the vessel, M/L Satellite, caught fire at around 8 p.m. Monday when Imlan switched on the generator while they were filling up around 100 drums of gasoline and 10 gallons of diesel from a parked
fuel tanker. He said the fuel tanker also caught fire aside from the cargo vessel. Both the tanker and vessel were burned and destroyed. The driver of the fuel tanker, Leonardo Benson, survived as he managed to jump before the blaze engulfed the vehicle. The responding firemen, led by Chief Insp. Clint Cha, Zamboanga City Fire District (ZCFD) marshal, contained the fire at around 10 p.m. Monday. The incident occurred while the vessel was set to depart for Jolo, Sulu on Monday night. (PNA)
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Stroke... from page 4
disasters, it should also be accurate in its prescriptions of cure. And if these disasters are happening because people are no longer listening to, nor obeying, God’s commands, the only effective way then to overcome the effects of these curses would be to listen to, and obey, Him. Sincerely and truthfully, that is, not just a pretensious piety or religiosity. How do we listen to, and obey, God sincerely and truthfully? Joshua 1:8 says, we must read the Bible daily, study and memorize its verses night and day, and then completely obey and fulfill God’s commands. Then, as Joshua 1:8 assures us, we will be prosperous and successful. Jesus Christ, our God and Savior who is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, also told us that everything we ever needed would be given to us, if we only seek first His Kingdom and live according to His righteousness. He also said we would be wise, and would be spared from disasters and tragedies and calamities, if we listen to His Word and then obey them. So, now we know how to fight heat stroke! Thank God in the Name of Jesus. -oooWATCH “ANG TANGING DAAN”, “KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS”, AT FB LIVE: Please watch “Ang Tanging Daan”, a roundthe-clock Bible Exposition and prayer session at www. facebook.com/angtangingdaan, and to “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas”, a legal counseling and news commentary program at www.facebook. com/kakampimoangbatas. Reactions: 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0977 805 9058. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com.
Gold... from page 4
Regencia is likened to that of Judas kiss, to that of Brutus stabbing Caesar at his back and to that of Lucifer by declaring himself like God. Such actuation should not be taken for granted. It should be paid by them at a higher price, as it is now being demanded. In fact, appropriate Administrative and Criminal charges were already filed against them by City Mayor Celso G. Regencia. Now is the time for remorse and great sorrows, for they will never be forgiven. It is appropriate to let the law find its course, as to whether or not you will be exonerated or convicted. If convicted, you will lose all your retirement benefits and other benefits as law enforcers, as it is anticipated to be so, for the evidence of guilt is strong against you. Could we say then that you are now under the stress of human emotion; in quagmire so to say like “between the devil and the deep blue sea,” because very
soon, there will also be conducted an investigation of your wrong doings aside of the administrative and criminal cases filed against you by City Mayor Celso G. Regencia, in compliance with the recommendation of Judge Ferdinand C. Baylon of the Regional Trial Court, National Capital Judicial Region, Branch 77, Quezon City, as follows: “As postscript, the court exhorts the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police and the NAPOLCOM to initiate the necessary investigation and prosecution against those police officers who were involved in the planting of evidence, falsification of blotter of the Laguindingan police station and the illegal arrest of Dominador Tumala so similar incidents will not be repeated in the future. If, indeed, during the investigation and, ultimately, prosecution because the evidence of guilt is strong against you, how could you prove yourselves of your innocence beyond reasonable doubts after due process of law? Because you can’t, as anticipated, you will also languish in jail for a time much longer than that of the incarceration of City Mayor Celso G. Regencia. We all know for sure that the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is critical to injustice, especially committed by high ranking PNP Officers like you, like planting of evidences. Planting of evidence is a criminal act, so if proven, you will not only be incarcerated, but also deprived of their retirement benefits and other benefits that they are supposedly entitled. What can they say then to their children and wife if convicted and languish in jail -- financially bankrupt? Well, they cannot do otherwise but to face the consequences of their wrong doings with remorse and great sorrows that would perhaps tempt them to commit suicide, God forbids. *** Mr. Demosthenes P. Maglasang Sr. is currently connected with the City Information Office of the City Mayor, Iligan City.
Plane... from page 1
Dole and Del Monte continue to implement this,” he said. He added that the punitive action also serve as a warning to SUMIFRU’s continuing land grabbing which deprive many peasants from farming for the people’s food security as the plantation does not benefit majority of the people compared to the destruction to life and livelihood of the residents. “The small number of those employed suffer from low wages, lack of benefits and lack of job security. Only the capitalist, contractor, corrupt labor leader, and corrupt government
Wednesday, March 29, 2017 officials, military and the police, benefit,” Montero said. The NPA spokesman warned the aviation companies not to rent their equipment for aerial spraying in plantations such as those owned by SUMIFRU, Dole and Del Monte. “We call on the people affected by the operation of these type of plantations to continue and persevere in your demands such as genuine agrarian reform, end to contractualization, bigger wages and more work benefits,” he said.
Induction... from page 1
secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) as the keynote speaker. During the event, Plaques of Distinction will be given COPC member and former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., COPC Past President Reuben Canoy, and COPC Past President Jerry Orcullo. The Plaque of Distinction is for the COPC members recognized for their exemplary achievement and excellence in public service giving prestige to the history of the Club. The Club’s newly elected officers are, as follows: Monsignor Elmer Abacahin, President; Allan Mediate, Executive Vice President; Jao Gumapac, Vice Pres. for Broadcast; Philip Ken Jaudian, Vice Pres. for Print; Jasper Uy, Corporate Secretary; Maricel Rivera, Treasurer; and, Joey Nacalaban, Auditor. The members of the Board are: Jigger Jerusalem, Joel Jacobo, Tony Albania, Rene Abris, Vic Cabanag, Ruffy Magbanua, and Rey Maraunay. JIGGER JERUSALEM
Make... from page 1
Benigno Aquino III did not certify the draft BBL as urgent. The draft was submitted to Congress on September 10, 2014. Congress adjourned in early February 2016 without passing the law. Alvarez explained there will still be committee hearings on the draft law but it will be “marathon,” for as long as it is not during the break and not during budget deliberations because “talagang naka-focus halos kami lahat diyan because .. we take care of our districts.” Duterte recently said he would study the draft as soon as it is submitted to him and hopes it “would sail on still waters” in Congress. The Speaker said he does not foresee major obstacles in passing the Bangsamoro law. “If there are no objectionable provisions, I think there will be no problem and the fact that the President wants this bill as a model for federal states later on when we … change (the) form of government from unitary to a federal system… it will become a model of
all states — I think that would be easier to pass,” Alvarez added Several Moro leaders are pushing for the passage of the Bangsamoro law first before the shift to federalism. “I have no problem with that,” Alvarez said, “as long as there is no conflict with the Constitution, we can do it. Otherwise if there are some objectionable provisions we have to address it in a constitutional assembly, yung ConAss.” Before convening as a ConAss, however, Congress has to wait for the recommendations from the 25-member Consultative Committee (ConCom) that President Duterte is creating to “study, conduct consultations, and review the provisions of the 1987 Constitution, including but not limited to, the provisions on the structure and powers of the government, local governance, and economic policies.” Duterte issued EO 10 creating the ConCom on December 7 but has yet to name members of the committee. The 21 members of the BTC, the body tasked to draft the BBL, were named three months after the President signed the EO reconstituting it from a 15-member to 21-member Commission. Alvarez said they are still waiting for the President to name the ConCom members. He said the last time they talked, the President was “waiting for the draft of the BBL before he will appoint the supposed commissioners.” He said he does not know why the President wants to wait for the draft BBL first “because we can also do it separately” and :we do not have the luxury of time here.” Alvarez explained that they should start at “the soonest possible time” because their original target was to submit the proposed new Constitution for ratification during the mid-term elections in May 2019, to save on the expenses. But Alvarez concedes they may not be able to meet the target by then. “I don’t know if the President will appoint the commissioners and the commissioners will be fast enough to finish the draft and submit it to Congress so we can constitute ourselves into a Constituent Assembly,” he said. The ConCom, according to the EO, has six months to finish its task. “Kung six months yan, baka magipit ng konti, baka hindi umabot sa midterm elections but definitely before the President steps down from office in 2022, siguro baka hindi man umabot sa 2019 yan. Maybe we can do it 2020. Adjust lang tayo ng one year,” he said. But Alvarez said he is confident there would be a Bangamoro law by 2018 or 2019. He said the “super majority” can be relied upon
to pass the BBL. Asked if he expects the voting to be something like the death penalty vote, Alvarez replied: “Hmmm … with a huge majority? I can guarantee.” A total of 217 representatives voted for the death penalty bill, 54 voted against and one abstained. Alvarez said the Bangsamoro law will be among his legislative legacies. “Definitely,” he said.
Peace... from page 2
country. I painted them as a citizen of humanity. I hope somewhere between my canvass and emotions, it will touch you,” he said. When viewing his artworks, one will observe the colorful yet strong messages on how authorities dumped the island provinces of Sulu and Basilan with ammunition and other lifethreatening war machines instead of livelihoods and social services. Entitling it as “Mindanao still (steel) life,” the 101.5 centimeters x 80 centimeters mixed media art painting showed the ironic gleams of his personal perception on what is happening in his home province. For instance, durian and mangosteen fruits are turned into hand grenades, an attack helicopter transformed into dragonfly, and instead of carabaos (water buffalo), Tawasil distorted it into tanks and armored-car. There is also the brightly colored “ARMM Tricycle,” which connotes the undeveloped social economic status of the people affected by the cycle of armed conflict. He also experiments by using other medium and images, such as the heart-wrenching painting of women selling “peace” hindered by guns stuck with PHP20 bills on their barrels. Some of his exhibits also displayed the unfinished portrait of Moro National Liberation Front’s founding chairman and former ARMM Gov. Nur Misuari-- depicting his failure to bring progress even after signing the peace agreement with the government on September 2, 1996. There is also the undone painting of the Bud Dajo (Mount Dajo) massacre during the colonial occupation of the Americans in Sulu. Started in 2006 during the centennial commemoration of the massacre, the artwork never saw the lights of exhibit halls - just like those
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thousands of victims who have never achieve their quest for justice. Although majority of his works cries the hideous and distorted images of war, Tawasil also offers the public the common activities of his fellow Muslim and common scenes in their communities - using an uncommon style and effect. As a social peace activist, Tawasil conceptualized the iconic “peace dove” logo that has become a peace campaign symbol and being widely used by civil society groups during the Mindanao Week of Peace. In 2011, he joined the delegation to revisit the centuries-old relations between China and the Sulu Sultanate in Mindanao. The visit came as China and Philippines were trading accusations over the territorial issue in the West Philippine Sea. Tawasil presented to Chinese officials his artworks showing the rich political power of the Sulu Sultanate during a visit in Dezhou City in Shan-Dong province in eastern China. The Chinese government invited him to help in a project to setup a museum in honor of Sultan Paduka Batara of East Sulu State, who died in China during an official visit more than six centuries ago. In 2013, Tawasil led a group of artists in occupying the Normal Road in front of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) to call for a peaceful solution on the Sabah crisis, by literally covering the walls and the paved street with hues of various colors. The event was an attempt to send their message across to end the bloodbath in Sabah between Malaysian forces and the followers of the Sultan of Sulu. Tawasil admitted that his being a social peace activist forms a huge part of his artistry. He is set to mount an exhibit in Manila near Malacañan Palace next month. “Right now, I’m focusing on the Badjaos. They have been marginalized. It is but fitting to let the public understand these beautiful people. They are great divers, sophisticated boat makers and very peaceful people,” Tawasil said. He said at least 20 artworks are due to be displayed. Details of the exhibit will be finalized soon. “I’m just hoping that I could contribute even a little to the realization of peace in Mindanao,” Tawasil said.
C AG AYA N D E O RO M A I N B R A N C H P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CO R R A L ES B R A N C H Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 L A PA SA N B R A N C H Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011
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Wednesday, March 29, 2017
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