Mindanao Star The Purveyor of Truth, Justice and Development
Church worker nabbed in Misor Volume II, No. 086
By RONALYN V. OLEA of Bulatlat.com
A long-time lay worker of a Catholic-run organization was arrested by elements of the Philippine Army on September 8.
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Joel Q. Yadao, a member of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) , was arrested at around 11 a.m. inside the compound of a Roman Catholic Church in the municipality of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental,
according to RMP-Northern Mindanao Region. Yadao, 44, was meeting another lay worker in preparation for the October peasant month campaign. According to RMPNMR, a certain Capt. Joe
Sat-Sun
Ryan Manalo of the Philippine Army led the arresting team. Yadao is charged with double murder and multiple murder in connection with the pre-2013 elections armed encounter See worker, page 7
September 14-15, 2013 P10.00
Panabo says yes to aerial spraying PANAB O City––While Davao City is against aerial spraying, with its ordinance banning it now hanging at the Supreme Court, banana growers and exporters in this city staged a march and rally Wednesday to push for its use despite claims by opponents that it is hazardous to people’s health. For Councilor Reynante Bangoy, who chairs the city council’s committee on agriculture, the move was to show support for the city’s banana industry, which
is 70 percent of Panabo’s agricultural industry. He said they have been asking for “affordable alternatives” from proponents of the ban, “but so far there have been none.” Around 1,000 people – including employees and officials of banana growing companies, as well as agrarian reform beneficiaries who are members of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters––joined the rally to back the See aerial, page 7
Zambo standoff alarms UN; US issues travel warning By Bong S. Sarmiento of MindaNews
KORONADAL City––The US government has issued a travel warning on Mindanao in the face of the standoff in Zamboanga City between government troops and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a situation that also alarmed the United Nations (UN) team in the country. In an emergency message issued on Thursday, the US embassy in Manila alerted American citizens “that a credible threat against foreigners has been identified in southern Mindanao.” The standoff in Zamboanga City entered its fifth day Friday, reportedly leaving at least 14 people dead from the government side, MNLF members and civilians. The standoff came after armed MNLF members allegedly loyal to Nur Misuari, the group’s founding chairman, occupied some coastal villages in Zamboanga. Clashes between the armed men and government forces erupted early Monday, and on Thursday, fighting also broke out in Lamitan City in Basilan province after alleged MNLF members attacked military personnel in the area. GOOD SAMARITAN. Passengers from a private vehicle hands over several pieces of bread to Marines posted The US travel alert said that “individuals near the city hall in Zamboanga City Thursday (12 September 2013) during a lull in the fighting against Moro National See warning, page 7
Liberation Front rebels who attacked parts of the city starting Monday. MindaNews photo by Erwin Mascariñas
BIFF confirms clash with government troops in Basilan COTABATO City––An official of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) confirmed Thursday night their forces engaged government troops in a clash in Basilan earlier on the same day. BIFF spokesperson Abu
Bisry Mama told MindaNews on the phone that the skirmish occurred in Barangay Colonia, Lamitan City in Basilan. Mama said their forces in Basilan are led by one Commander Nor. He added they were not
sure though if MNLF fighters fought alongside the BIFF members. On Thursday, authorities said members of the MNLF under Nur Misuari, BIFF and the Abu Sayyaf fought together against soldiers and police personnel in
Lamitan. Military reports said the BIFF members who figured in the clash are headed by Basir Kasaran and Nurhassan Jamiri. Misry admitted Kasaran and Jamiri are their members.
The Mindanao Human Rights Action Center said four civilians were caught in the crossfire in the Lamitan skirmish. One of the victims died in a local hospital, and one was still in critical condition. While one member of
CVO and three members of rebel were monitored as fatalities, according to a military report. The clash in Basilan occurred on the fourth day of the standoff between MNLF members and government See troops, page 7
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