MindanaoDAILY THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH , JUSTICE, AND DEVELOPMENT
NBI clears media tag as ‘terrorist bomber’ Volume VI, No. 084
By CRIS DIAZ Executive Editor
CAGAYAN de Oro Cityp-The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has cleared the name of a local media photographer who was mistakenly labeled as a “bombing terrorist” by the government agents. Gerry Gorit, a photographer and a member of the Cagayan De Oro Press Club (COPC), went to the
web portal: www.mindanaodailynews.com
regional office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Monday to clear his name. Jerry Abiera, the NBI assistant regional director, confirmed that an agent from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) asked an assistant from the NBI to check on Gorit. Abiera said that the NBI has already cleared Gorit, but has yet to confirm state-
ments from the NICA on why Gorit’s name was included in the list of bombing suspects. He said that the NICA and the NBI earlier worked together to confirm the information that Gorit was a “terrorist bomber.” The government agents might have suspected Gorit’s actions and personal appearance because aside from wearing a head scarf that covers his entire head, Gorit
Tuesday
also carry a bulky backpack. Abiera said that the case of Gorit might also be related to his coverage of past events. Gorit said that his backpack contains cameras, electronic gadgets, and laptops that he used for media coverage. Gorit has the fright of his life when two unidentified men tried to gang up on him while jogging at the See MEDIA, page A7
September 6, 2016
P15.00
A1
Other headlines n RTWPB
in Normin holds series of consultative conferences with SMEs/p.A5
n DOH
confirms 6th Zika case in PH/p.A2
n Dabawenyos
hold memorial mass for blast victims/p.A3 OPINION
n Drug
addiction in the PH/p.A4 n Climate change and its turning point/p.A4 n Humanity and peace for all human beings/p.A4 n Mother
GERRY gorit
Teresa officially declared a saint/p.A8
Bambi: Misor tourism stay strong despite Davao attack LTO-10 deploys female enforcers By GERRY LEE GORIT, Correspondent
CAGAYAN de Oro City--Despite the attack in Davao City last week, the Misamis Oriental tourism industry has remained as strong as ever, said Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano on Monday. Emano said what happened in Davao City’s Roxas Night Market on Friday night is just a “temporary setback” but it will not deter the province from welcoming more local and foreign tourists to visit Misamis Oriental’s tourist spots. The bombing in Davao City, Emano
said, will not weaken the province, but instead “it will drive us even stronger.” Developing the already existing tourist destinations and discovering potential sites have remained a priority of Emano’s administration, he said. “We will continue with the development of our tourist sites, we will continue creat- By Mark D. Francisco Correspondent ing packages, and we will continue in our promotion of Misamis Oriental,” Emano told reporters in an interview right after CAGAYAN de Oro City-the opening of the Tourism Week opening It’s harder to resist a female law enforcer. ceremony at the provincial capitol See tourism, page A7
See DEPLOYS, page A5
Manobos take long road to normalcy By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN Contributing Editor
Han-ayan in the village of Diatagon in this town. They had been used to producing their own food in a self-sustaining method that the “lumad” had mastered. This self sustenance was rudely interrupted when they had to flee their community on Sept. 1 last year when the military started to hunt for communist guerrillas and sympathizMANOBO children check visitors out as they wait for ers among the natives. The their trip back to their community after a year of taking lumad found themselves shelter in Tandag City to flee military operations against removed from the
LIANGA, Surigao del Sur--They are back home to lead normal lives anew after exactly a year and a day of hardship living in cramped makeshift tents inside the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex in Tandag City. The process of normalTOURISM WEEK. Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano ization, however, could take looks at photos of various tourist attractions in Misamis more than just the homeOriental taken photographer Glenn Palacio during the coming of the Manobo opening of the Tourism Week 2016 on Monday. in lumad communities. residents of upland Sitio communist guerrillas Mindanao Daily photo by Gerry Lee Gorit Mindanao Daily photo by Chris Panganiban
A special report
See NORMALCY, page A7
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Police eyeing 3 persons of interest behind Davao blast By Antonio L. Colina IV of MindaNews
DAVAO City––Police authorities here said they have three persons of interest – a male and two females – who might be behind the explosion Friday at the night market along Roxas Avenue that claimed the lives of 14 people and wounded 70 others. Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Senior Insp. Andrea Dela Cerna said some of their eight witnesses have pointed to the three, although she clarified that they are not necessarily suspects yet. She said that Special Investigation Task GroupRoxas Night Market is reviewing the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage during the explosion to determine their identities or those of other people who might have hand in the blast that occurred at the massage area. “We are not limiting to the three persons of inter-
IN MEMORIAM. Flowers and candles for the victims of Friday night’s blast. MindaNews photo by Antonio L. Colina IV
est. There could be more,” she said. She added that they are still reconstructing the debris recovered from the blast site to identify what explosive device was used last September 2 that would also point to what group masterminded the explosion.
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Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio told reporters after the memorial mass at the blast site Saturday that she was reopening the Roxas Night Market and vendors are still welcome if they want to come back. But none of the vendors returned as of Saturday evening, the night after the bombing Only the red fences placed by the City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (CTTMO) that maintained order among vendors, night market-goers, and vehicles were there. At least 200 security per-
sonnel have been detailed around Roxas, according to Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Supt. Michael John Dubria. He said they are studying if they can put a fence around the night market and designate entry and exit points to ensure the safety of the night market-goers. Vendor Ruby Rose Lora, one of the owners of the Liempolicious, said they are not returning as of yet but she is worried about the other vendors who survive on selling street food. Lora was saddened by the incident but thankful
that she and her business partners Abelyn Abellana and Eduardo Llanes Jr. were spared from the apparent danger. She said their food stall was previously located right where the blast happened before the City Government closed down the Roxas Night Market on August 3 due to some vendors breaking rules. A more orderly Roxas Night Market was reopened on August 13. She said one of those who perished, Cristelle Decolongon, of Surallah in South Cotabato and a student at
the San Pedro College, had frequented her food stall. Official count Lawyer Raul A. Nadela Jr., chief of staff of the Mayor, told reporters Sunday that the official number of fatalities was 14 while there were 70 wounded. Those who were killed were Jay Adremesin, Maria Luz Arellano, Mercy Basilisco, Rogelio Cagantas, Cristelle Decolongon, Daniel Larida and mother Melanie Faith Larida, Pipalawan Macacua, Eufermia Biscocho, Kristia Gaile Bisnon, Ruth Merecido, Salvador Reginaldo Nagal, Christian Denver Reyes, and Evelyn Sobrecarey. Nadela added that they continue to extend assistance to the families of the killed and wounded victims and will open a bank account on Monday to receive donations from well-meaning individuals. He said they are receiving inquiries how people can donate cash. “We’ve been receiving inquiries how they can donate. As of now, we’re telling them to direct their donations to the families,” he said. He said the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office will also help the blast victims. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
DOH confirms 6th Zika case in PH Magnitude 6 quake hits A 45-year-old woman of Health (DOH) revealed contact, Bayugo said. Bayugo said the departfrom Iloilo City has been Monday. tested positive for the In a press conference, ment has been monitoring Talacogon By Ma. Katrina T. Hallare of PNA
dreaded Zika virus, the DOH Undersecretary Gesixth case recorded in the rardo Bayugo disclosed country, the Department that the victim, whose identity has been withheld, has no record of travel to countries where the virus has been detected. Bayugo, however, clarified that there is still no c on f i r m at i on of l o c a l transmission of the virus in the Philippines. “As f ar as w hat we (DOH) have now, wala pa kaming evidence na RPN Radyo Ronda merong transmission loStations Nationwide cally of this case that has been surfacing [we have DZBS 1368 Baguio DZRL 639 Batac no evidence that Zika has DZTG 621 Tuguegarao been locally-transmitted],” DZKI 1332 Iriga DYKW 936 Binalbagan Bayugo told reporters in DYKB 1404 Bacolod a media briefing at the DYKC 675 Cebu Philippine Information DXKO 1368 Cagayan de Oro DXKS 1080 Surigao Agency. DXKD 1053 Dipolog The woman’s spouse DXKP 1377 Pagadian DXXX 1008 Zamboanga has yet to be tested if he DXKT 1071 Davao too has acquired the infecDXDX 693 General Santos tion since the virus can be transmitted through sexual
only sporadic cases of the infection in the country. Five other cases have been detected since 2012. “These [previous cases] did not convert into an outbreak. And we hope that this one sporadic case will not translate [into something bigger] similar to what is being experienced elsewhere,” said Bayugo. He t h e n e x p r e s s e d alarm that neighboring countr y Singapore has 26 cases of the virus, and added that all efforts were being done to monitor overseas Filipino workers and foreigners coming from Zika-identified countries. The reported 24 out of the 26 in Singapore was identified as a locallytransmitted case, and likely evolved from the Southeast Asian region. (PNA)
DAVAO City--A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Talacogon in Agusan del Sur at 10:38 a.m. Sunday but there were no reports of deaths, injuries or damages to property. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake was felt in neighboring areas, at Intensity 6 in Talacogon, La Paz and Rosario in Agusan del Sur; Intensity 5 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; Intensity 4 in the cities of Butuan and Tagum and in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur; Intensity 3 in the cities of Davao, Bislig in Surigao del Sur and Gingoog in Misamis Oriental, and in Balingoan and Balingasag towns also in Misamis Oriental. The quake was also felt at Intensity 2 in Cagayan de Oro City and Intensity 1 in Kidapawan City. Ten more quakes were recorded by Phivolcs with epicenter also in Talacogon at Magnitue 3.1 at 10:49 a.m.; 3.8 at 3.15 p.m.; 3.5 at 3:29 p.m.; 4.6 at 3:54 p.m.; 3.3 at 4:04 p.m.; 2.8 at 4:37 p.m.; 2.9 at 4:54 p.m.; 3.1 at 5:04 p.m.; 2.4 at 5:15 p.m. and 2.8 at 5:20 p.m. (MindaNews) NEED TARP? CALL: 8578447 OR, 745380 MOBILE: +639061389421
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Dabawenyos hold
Memorial mass for blast victims By Antonio L. Colina IV of MindaNews
DAVAO City––S everal residents joined a memorial mass Saturday for the victims of the bombing late night on Friday that killed 14 people and wounded 71 others at the famous night market on Roxas Avenue. Officiated by Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles and attended by City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and other local officials, the mass took place at the blast site that had been filled with flowers and lighted candles for those who died in the attack. Many of the Dabawenyos arrived bringing pieces of paper with the following messages: “Justice for all the Victims of Davao City Bombings”, “Give Peace a Chance”, and “Stay Strong Davao.” Duterte-Carpio assured “it is business as usual for Davao City.” “The measure of success of terrorism is how long it takes for the victims to stand up. We must stand up now,” she said. She said the night market will be opened Saturday if the vendors wanted to go back but assured that
CANDLES AND FLOWERS. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio leads the
offering of candles and flowers for Friday night’s blast victims during a memorial mass led by Davao Archbishop Romulo Valle s, DD, at Ground Zero along Roxas Avenue, Davao City on Saturday, 3 September 2016. Mindanews Photo
stricter security measures are already in place, given the close coordination between Task Force Davao and the city police office. She appealed to the people to avoid crowded areas and report to authorities any suspicious activities “even if it seems insignificant to you.” City police director Senior Supt. Michael John Dubria said some 200 police
personnel will be deployed to secure the night market. In a statement, Valles said local churches are saddened by the explosion. “We condole with the families of those who lost their lives even as we pray for the eternal rest of those who died in this most unfortunate incident. May there be no more loss of lives among those who were injured and are currently in
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the hospitals,” he said. He said they are praying the government will pursue the people who masterminded the explosion. “And we pray for calmness among our people, and at the same time, we ask everyone to be vigilant. As Dabawenyos let us continue to care for one another as brothers and sisters. For all the people of Davao City, let us continue to offer prayers
to the Lord to grant us peace in our community and in our country,” he added. Night of terror It was a regular evening for Noraisa Makalinog, 29, a vendor for three years at the night market, when a strong blast erupted around 10:30 p.m. She told MindaNews that she was standing just a few meters away from her food stall right beside the area for masseurs where the explosion was noted. The blast stunned her but she said was thankful that Allah (God) saved her. All that she could remember was seeing the bloodied bodies of the dead and wounded among the monoblock chairs and tables and people running in different directions before she fainted. She said her relatives took her to the nearby Ateneo de Davao University’s Community Center Building for safety, along with other injured victims. “Basta mura ko og robot nga dili makalihok. Nashock ko. (I was like a robot who could not move. I was in shock),” she said. “Nakita nako ang bakal nga niagi sa ako nawong nga murag gikan sa bomba (I saw a
metal debris that flew in front of my face that I believe came from a bomb),” she said. She and some of the vendors had stayed overnight at the Freedom Park, which was several meters away from the blast site which has been cordoned off by authorities. Carenderia owner Peter Biri, 70, said the blast shook his home and it was as loud as the explosion of a huge LPG tank. He said that when he looked outside he saw people scamper to different directions, many of them shouting for help. “Somehow (alarmed) but we never expected it to be like this. The authorities said no threat, only red alert,” he said. He said he still believes that President Rodrigo Duterte and his mayordaughter could protect the city. Help from city government Duterte-Carpio said the city government will assist the victims in terms of hospitalization, burial, funeral, and day-to-day expenses. “I would like to remind other officials to stay See VICTIMS, page A7
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Drug addiction in the Philippines WITH so many news reports, column articles, opinions, police write ups and the like have cropped up as Duterte’s war against the use of illegal drugs began and they truly gave a close insight of the battle. To describe it the war is much bigger than World War II in the country in term of people involved, and cash-the only difference is there are no refugees who went up to the hills and our enemy here are we ourselves. The battle is definitely terrifying with more than 2,000 people killed in action and still counting as the day-to-day fight rages. According to President Rodrigo Duterte, the battle will not stop until things are over. How we think it is over is another matter
THE United States and China have formally joined the global climate change agreement reached in Paris last year. The decisions mark a lani vallido MIJIE JUAT major step towards the pact’s Marketing and Sales MAY IGLECIAS eventual implementation. Manager Account Executives Will this be another step --------------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL in the right direction of the turning point? ALLAN M. MEDIANTE At a ceremony on the Editor-in-Chief sidelines of the Group of ruel pelone CRIS DIAZ 20 summit in China on Managing Editor Executive Editor yesterday, Saturday (I am writing this piece on Sunday, CHENG ORDOÑEZ MARK FRANCISCO JOEL ESCOL September 4, 2016!) US Associate Editor Lifestyle Editor Feature Editor President Barack Obama gerry lee gorit GILBERT Y. CHAO and Chinese President Xi Motoring Editor Photo Journalist Jinping delivered documents to UN Secretary-General PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN Ban Ki-moon entering their Regional Editor Caraga Regional Editor-Davao countries into the pact. China’s National People’s Rene Michael BaÑos uRIEL C. QUILINGUING Congress adopted “the pro Regional Editor Northmin Contributing Editor posal to review and ratify the AL JACINTO JOE FELICILDA Paris Agreement,” accord Regional Editor-WestMin Editorial Consultant
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that certainly confuses us. At the rate we carry the killings, it is easy to predict we shall be losing many innocent taxpayers. The United Nations, America and other countries have expressed concern of the possible violations of human rights. It was reported that Thailand, another
southeast Asian nation had experienced similar problems and the government resorted to strict crackdown that resulted in the death of thousands of people. Killing is here and there every day and the matter is truly alarming many countries around the world. It never happened before in the country that bragged as the catholic place in Asia. It caught the attention of the United Nations that moved on to investigate. Meantime the smokes of death roam in the skies of once a very peaceful country. Some government officials stressed that drug lords still on the loss have engaged in a gang war and are killing with each other apparently to maintain its
grief in the dwindling market of drugs. This assertion may have some basis, but a lot of people think it is the government law enforcers that engineered most of the killing in the streets. Killing seemingly has become an art and the perpetrators leave no clues open for suspicions. They appear well-trained and know so well how to end life faster than lightning. What perplexed many relatives of the victims is the allegations of the police that the drug pushers started the shooting by grabbing the gun of the police. This is absolutely false and to them evidence is planted right at the scene of the crime. A father of one of the victims pointed out
the presence of the Chinese president and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Obama said: “Just as I believe the Paris agreement will ultimately prove to be a turning point for our planet, I believe that history will judge today’s efforts as pivotal.” He said the United States was committed to being a global leader in the fight against climate change: “This is not a fight that any one country, no matter how powerful, can take alone.” He said of the Paris agreement: “Some day we may see this as the moment that we finally decided to save our planet.” Honestly, it took already very very long before reaching this point. China, the world’s most
populous country, with 1.38 billion people, is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The United States, with just 324 million people, is number two. The two countries account for about 20 percent and 18 percent, respectively, of global warming emissions. Check out this: Russia accounts for 7.5 percent, while India pumps out 4.1 percent. Since it is an executive agreement, rather than a treaty, Obama can sign it without needing a vote from Congress, which would, in all likelihood, reject it. In Paris, the countries agreed to a binding global compact for each country to decide how best to slash their own greenhouse emissions with the aim of keeping
person—an architect—while looking at the island and the big trees, he was thinking about how to chop all the trees. He had an idea to bring the entire chopped threes home to the city and built some house from the woods. Of course the natural houses like villas that he thought would be lucrative. The second person—a photographer—while looking at the island and the big trees, he was busy with his camera and taking many pictures of the beauty and green island. He thought that when he came home, he would take all the pictures on the frames and display them in the art gallery house. He was thinking that there would be many
visitors in his gallery and they would buy the pictures he displayed. His behavior is always directed to his ambition to create beauty for the world. The third person—the religious man—while looking at the island and big trees, he quickly prayed and admired his God, almighty. He thought that this beautiful and green island with big trees is the creation of the Creator, God, almighty. He praised again and again and thanked God many times. He is the religious man. What he does is always directed to his God. That is the story about three different people and their attitude towards the same object: an island
See DRUG, page A7
Climate change and its turning point?
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ing to the state-run Xinhua news agency. Xi called the agreement a milestone that marked the “emergence of a global government system” for climate change. The ceremony took place shortly after Obama arrived in Hangzhou for the annual G-20 summit. Speaking in
See climate, page A7
Humanity and peace for all human beings
I AM glad to be a visiting guest lecturer in an international college in Surabaya, Indonesia. The students are different in some aspects. Why am I glad to be this guest lecturer? The answer is that, I am assigned to teach the two subjects: One is Humanity and Culture and the other Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language). Among these, two subjects, I prefer teaching the former to the latter. Humanity and culture can make the students aware of the importance of appreciating the differences in all human beings and their characteristics. In the first session, I always present a story about the different people, but in a peaceful place. I give the students a
Dr. Djuwari
story about three people, sailing on the same boat. They are different professions. The first person is an engineer or an architect. The second is the photographer. The third is the religious man. Along the voyage, the three people in the same boat found an island with a lot of big trees in it. The first
Faithful companion
BE careful with the company you keep; they may not be serving you well. When mingling with friends, you will find that you learn a thing or two from them. We pick up both positive and negative influences from our friends. Are you spending time with people who make you a better person? You will be rewarded if your companions are faithful.
See HUMANITY, page A7
Daily inspiration
(I am grateful to have faithful friends...) Reflection from Juvy Sarraga Psalm 101:6 “I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.”
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
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Oil firms to cut 1987 Charter bars Leni as ‘acting prexy’ pump prices today Kakampi Oil companies announced on Monday that there will be a rollback in diesel prices by P0.50 per liter effective today (September). In separate advisories, five oil firms also announced a price cut in kerosene by P0.35 per liter namely Petron, Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex), Flying V, SEAOIL Philippines Inc. and Shell. Petron, Caltex, Flying V and SEAOIL will reduce pump prices starting 12:01 a.m. on today. While PTT Philippines, Unioil, Eastern Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Shell will implement the rollback at 6:01 a.m. today. There will be no adjustment in prices of gasoline. Oil firms said the adjustment reflects the movement in the international petroleum market. (PNA)
Deploys... from page A1
This was what Land Transportation Office, Region 10 (LTO-10) Director Hilarion E. Ulep concluded after witnessing several traffic stops himself during his rounds in the city. “Whenever a male LTO enforcer pulls over a motorist, it will usually result to an argument. But when it’s a female enforcer, the driver simply hands in his license for processing,” Mr. Ulep said during a press conference on Friday. Thus, Mr. Ulep decided a month ago to tap all the female non-enforcement employees in LTO-10 to do street duties and flag over erring motorists. “They will really be the frontliners – dealing, talk-
ing with the drivers. The regular LTO agents are just nearby to issue the tickets, but will not be in the actual confrontation,” he said. After four weeks, the new system works. LTO-10 recorded a spike in motorists ticketing for various violations at almost 200 in just four hours, an allhigh record for the region. “I’m boosted by the results of our experiment. So we will continue deploying these female employees all throughout,” Mr. Ulep said. There are 12 female LTO employees tap in this scheme. They were given one-day training before being deployed in the field to do enforcement duties. They will do this only during daytime as night shifts tend to be more dangerous, according to Ulep.
LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… `Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains… Even so, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, right at the door’…” (Jesus, our God and Savior, in Matthew 24:7-8, 33, the Holy Bible). -ooo1987 CHARTER BARS LENI AS “ACTING PRESIDENT”: Why is Vice President Leni Robredo not going to be the acting President while President Duterte is off on his first state visit? The answer is that, the 1987 Constitution does not allow a vice president, like Leni, to become acting president. There is no provision for an “acting president” in the Constitution, which was promulgated during the presidency of Corazon C. Aquino. What the 1987 Constitution contemplates is only a permanent vacancy in the Office of the President, not a mere temporary inability. In its Section 8, Art. VII, the Charter provides that: “In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President, the VicePresident shall become the President to serve the unexpired term...” In a situation where the President is merely absent from the Philip-
mo ang batas
Atty. Batas Mauricio
pines, as when he is on a state visit or some other official function abroad, he remains to be president. He is thus expected to continue discharging his duties and responsibilities, since modern technology allows him to communicate with his officers who are in the country anyway, as if he is just around the corner. -oooDAVAO BLAST INTENDED TO SHAME DUTERTE? Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo is right--we must trust President Duterte in his declaration of a “state of lawlessness” on account of the Davao City bombing that killed 14 people in a night market in the locality. For who else should we trust when bombs are exploded in an area frequented by ordinary citizens, in wanton disregard of the laws? Duterte, after all, is the
duly-elected president of the Republic, chosen by 16 million or more Filipinos. By virtue of his position, Duterte is in possession of all vital information on the bombing, including the perpetrators who evidently planned the mayhem to shame him not only before our own people but even before world leaders he will meet in the ASEAN meeting. Besides, it is the right of the President to declare a “state of lawlessness” when, in his judgment, violence has escalated to a level that mocks the law and the duly-constituted authorities. Surely, one need not be a President to see that the Davao City bombing constituted “lawless violence” that needed to be addressed, with the mobilization of all armed forces in the country. -oooKOREANS’ BRAWL: PORTENT OF THE END? I am watching with deep concern the on-going ruckus between South Korea and North Korea, triggered by the defiant and continuing firing of ballistic missiles by North Korea. International news agencies reported Monday, September 05, 2016, that North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast, while South Korea and China, North Korea’s main ally, talked during a world leaders’ meeting in Hangzhou, China.
It would seem to me that what is happening between the two Koreas at this point has something to do about a sign predicted to happen a long time ago that, before the end of the world shall come, “nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom.” A brief glimpse into the history of Korea---North and South--will show that it was a country ruled by kingdoms--known as Silla, Hubaekje, Hugogoryeo. Those kingdoms are no longer here today, but the division of Korea into the North and the South in 1945 effectively created two distinct kingdoms of Koreans which, as predicted, are not at war with one another. Indeed, as the predictions prophesied a long time, when these signs are now happening, including others which were also predicted and which are similarly occurring at this point, the end is certainly near. -oooPLEASE LISTEN: “Ang Tanging Daan” (The Sole Way): a Bible study and prayer session online could now be heard, 24 HOURS a day, in the Philippines and the world at www.facebook. com/angtangingdaan or www.facebook.com/ANDKNK (and look for “Ang Tanging Daan” broadcasts). Phone: 0922 833 43 96, 0918 574 0193, 0977 805 9058. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com.
PAHIBALO SA PUBLIKO Gipahibalo ug gipahinumduman ang publiko nga mag amping kanunay sa ilang pag-maneho ilabina diha sa Butuan-CagayanIligan Road (BCIR), gumikan sa nagpadayong trabaho nga paglatag og aspalto sa dalan kon Asphalt Overlay. Ang proyektong asphalt overlay nagsugod sa may tulay sa Alae, Brgy. Bugo paingon sa may Kinasanghan sa Brgy. Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City, gisugdan niadtong Disyembre 2015 ug matapos karong Agosto 2017. Usa kini ka foreign assisted project nga gipondohan pinaagi sa loan agreement tali sa kagamhanan sa Pilipinas ug Asian Development Bank. Gi bidding ug gi-award sa Manila, ug gi-implementar ubos sa pag kontrata sa China Henan Shuili Yiju. Ang DPWH-Unified Project Management Office (UPMO), Manila, maoy direktang nagsubay, nagtan-aw, ug nagdumala sa proyekto. Gi disenyo ang asphalt overlay project nga adunay gibag-on nga 100mm para masiguro ang luwas nga byahe sa publiko. Giskedyul ang pagtrabaho niini matag gabii lamang para malikayan ang pagka balda sa trapiko, ingon man, mingaw ang byahe sa gabie tungod kay menus ang mga sakyanan nga nagsaoy-saoy sa kadalanan, inay, paborable sa pagtrabaho. Adunay mga bahin o portion sa karsada nga gilabyan o gilatasan lang sa pag trabaho sa kontraktor tungod sa nakitang cracks o liki nga dili pwede tabonan deretso og aspalto kung dili kinahanglan pa kini nga ayuhon, ayha aspaltohon, isip kabahin sa proseso, ug aron mas pulido ug lig-on ang karsada. Tungod niini nga gimbuhaton, adunay bahin sa dalan nga dili patag o uneven road surface nga maoy hinungdan sa pag sagonto sa sakyanan kung dili mabantayan. Alayon niini, among gihangyo ang publiko nga nagbyahe sa nasangpit nga rota, sa inyong pagsabot niining temporaryong pagkabalda. Ang pagbantay, pag igmat, pag-amping ug paghinay kung makalabay sa dili patag nga dalan, ilabina panahon sa kagabhion ug ting ulan ang gikinahanglan. Ang luwas nga byahe abot sa inyong padulngan among gilantaw sa unahan. Daghan kaayong salamat. DPWH-10 Management MDN: Sept 6, 2016
RTWPB announces the conduct of Regionwide Consultative Conferences with SMEs on Productivity and Incentives RTWPB-X announces the conduct of Region-wide Consultative Conferences on Productivity and Incentives during the launching of 24/7 Hotline of the DOLE-X Regional C onsultative C ouncil (DOLE-X RCC) on August 31, 2016 held at De Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. The purpose of the series of consultative conferences is to encourage SMEs to implement the Productivity-Based Incentive Schemes (PBIS) in their companies as a voluntar y component of the Two-Tiered Wage
System or the TTWS. This is in line with the policy reform on wage adjustment highlighting the voluntary giving of incentives by employers to workers due to good performance or increased productivity. The provincial conferences will document best practices of plant level incentivization of good performing workers not only to augment their incomes but as well as bolster their morale as workers. It was announced that RTWPB-X is also giving recognition to SMEs implementing the PBIS to encourage the practice
of involving workers in installing productivity improvement projects (PIPs) that will ensure i n c re a s e d e nte r pr i s e competitiveness. The tri-media participating in the press conference were one (1) T V station- ABS-CBN, seven (7) local print media and radio stations. It was spearheaded by the PIA-X as part of their regular media blitz. Highlighting the Service Sector industry, the following schedules of consultative conferences are hereby announced:
A6 Public health care system, who’s way? FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-Mail: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
WITH the return of Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial from her trip in Cuba, many Filipinos will ask what lessons she brings with her that will benefit the Philippine public health care system, especially the poor. First, let us underscore that a Cuban-model of health care that is free, comprehensive and progressive is very much doable with ending all neoliberal policies through strong political will and elimination of private interests in public health care. Historically, Cuba waged a Socialist Revolution under the leadership of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara to fight oppression and build a new social order that put an end to social inequality and foreign-imposed policies that did not benefit the
people. The World Bank reports that Cuba spends $431 per head (compared with $8,553 in the US). The Latin American country also has a population of 11 million in 2015 – just a little over ten percent of the Philippine census. Likewise, Cuba leads the world in terms of provision of health services to its people. Doctor to population ratio is eight per 1,000 and “consultorios” or health clinics that provide absolutely free health services and medicines can be found in strategic locations that can be accessed by its citizens. Most importantly, their entire health care system puts premium on preventive care which saves more lives and ensures longevity and productivity among its people.
In the Philippines, foreign influence dominate many policies from previous administrations. These neoliberal policies have pushed for privatization that translate to government’s abandonment of its responsiblity on people’s health and gradually passing it on private entities who’s interest is not to serve but to profit from health care. Meanwhile, instead of giving government funds directly to public health facilities, the budget proposal opted to increase separate government subsidy to Philhealth by P50.1, up from P43.8 billion this year. The proposed 2017 budget will result to increasing medical out-of-pocket expenses and will make the people pay more for their health. Scrutinizing the health
department’s proposed budget will also reveal significant markdowns in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) from P74.4 billion (FY 2016) down to P38 billion in 2017. The Capital Outlay (CO) was also slashed to P25 billion or P2.5 billion less than the current year’s budget. Although Personnel Services (PS) was increased to P29.6 billion from P22 billion, it is hardly enough to fairly address the huge and chronic problem of low-wages and severe understaffing in many government hospitals. The decreased budget for MOOE translates to less medicines, supplies and insufficient utilities, and salaries of contractuals notably in 72 DOH-retained hospitals who are barely able to provide for their
NEED CASH?
mostly poor patients. The budget reduction would also mean more out-of-pocket expenditures for people as hospitals are bound to collect more fees and enforce income generating shcmes to sustain operations. Consequently, lesser government subsidy to public health care system will further deteriorate the system, reduce government responsibility to people’s health, and pave the way for privatization/corporatization. Taking off from Pres. Duterte’s marching order to study the Cuban-model of healthcare, we strongly encourage Sec. Paulyn Ubial to embody the President’s famous words “change is coming” by proposing real changes in the DOH 2017 budget such as increase of budget for direct health services equivalent to 5% of the Gross Domestic Product; provide free essential medi-
cines in all public hospitals and health units; increase MOOE and stop budget cuts for health services; allot government budget for the modernization of public hospitals and health facilities; stop privatization and corporatization of public hospitals; and, increase budget for health personnel. And for change to really come, neoliberal policies that make profit out of people’s health should be stopped. The COALITION FOR PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO HEALTH is a broad formation which brings together service oriented groups, individuals, non-government organizations, academic institutions, religious groups involved in health apostolate/health ministry, grassroots health activists, patient’s organizations and people’s organizations nationwide.##
Bishop...
dicts or not,” he added. Furthermore, David encouraged the faithful to visit those in city jails, where the population of detainees quadrupled in the past three weeks because of the increasing number of drug-involved suspects caught by the authorities. (Luke Godoy / CBCPNews)
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government and police force with a firm political will. Do you think, however, that drug addicts must be treated like junkies that are good for dead?” “In the eyes of God, none of us are junkies, drug ad-
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Drug...
Climate...
that his son never knew what illegal drugs is all about, but he was executed unfairly for no reason at all. Duterte once was quoted that everything had to be done fast considering that there are more than three million, seven hundred Filipinos who are indulged in drugs. This clearly paved the way to the belief that such murders in the streets are the handiwork of the government law enforcers. Killing with precision to say the least. This necessarily frightened people everywhere around the globe. Criminality in the country which skyrocketed these past few months has reportedly been traced to the use of drugs. Many of the people have become insane while others are compelled to commit crimes to earn money to procure the deadly shabu, cocaine and other illegal drugs. While some sectors of society cheer for the actuations of Duterte, others are sad and despised it as excessively harsh and unjustified. In my mind the matter is an unjustified murder since the country has no law on death penalty. Granting for the sake of argument that there is such a statute on the issue, still only the court can make a judgment to execute or not the victims. The suspects should be afforded the services of lawyers to defend them. It is not Duterte, who should order the police to shoot without giving the suspects their day in court. The government should look into the allegations that so many top government officials have been protecting drug lords and were recipients of millions of cash every month. All angles must be considered to give legitimacy to the probe that truly involved all Filipinos. And I would suggest that those found with guns and drugs should be fired from their positions if they are government officials and subsequently criminal cases should be instituted against them. These people should not be embarrassed by publicity to convince everyone that our campaign against drugs is not fake or joke. By all means, we should give justice a chance to prevail. I hope the government opens its eyes and think about the value and preservation of life. “Thou shalt not kill” so goes one of the Ten Commandments of God that should guide us well into our journey of existence. What we should do is to make an arrest of suspects and try them in court. If we really want to kill the convicted felons we must restore first the death penalty. By this we display our intelligence and right judgment on the issue of criminality is arrived at fairly. (Bennex News Service)
global temperature increases to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) relative to the pre-industrial revolution. And this is today’s reality: experts have said the pace of global warming is already threatening to exceed the temperature target. The UN weather agency said 2016 is on pace to become the warmest since recordkeeping began, breaking the previous record set last year. I guess, we can all feel it also here in the Philippines. The Paris agreement set ambitious goals for capping global warming and funneling trillions of dollars to poor countries facing an onslaught of climate damage. But, how future will be looking like...? +++ Email: doringklaus@ gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.
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Humanity... from page A4
and big trees. Only three people in the same place can show us the differences in acting towards the same object. Can we imagine, how about the people in one country and even throughout the world? Of course, there are a huge number of differences. But, again, let’s come back to the three people who were sailing in the same boat! The most important is how making the boat sail safely so that these three people can stay safe too in their journey. It means that the boat needs the same direction: vision and mission to be shared together. Though they were different in their perceptions, they were still safe in the same boat since they were sailing together in the same direction. The entire nation in any country should altogether, simultaneously go to the same vision and mission being shared together in the country itself. We are different in any country. We are even strikingly different throughout the world. That is the Creator’s intention to create the creatures in different identities. Only can the smart and the wise creatures understand the Creator’s intention, living with different identities, but staying in the same direction: humanity and peace. It is impossible for any nation to make all the same in color, ethnic, religion, and any other identities. It is the Creator’s intention to do all the things in the world differently. But, we have to see that all of these differences are for us to learn and to maintain. All the differences are created not for arguing and debating. All different identities are created not for quarrelling. They are for our temptation whether we can learn
why our Creator created us differently: Humanity and peace. Dr. Djuwari is the Director of Language Laboratory, 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)
Victims... from page A3
within the bounds of their official duties according to their position. Please leave me in peace to do my job and I’ll leave you to focus on your own work,” she said. “We will not be terrorized by this heinous crime and I call on all Dabawenyos to unite and let us help each other rise from this senseless incident. Let us remain vigilant, please report any and all suspicious activity, no matter how insignificant it may seem,” she added.. State of lawless violence President Duterte has placed the entire country under a state of lawless violence. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella explained that Duterte’s action is allowed under Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution that states that the president “shall be the Commander-in-chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion.” “It is a different case from the existence of invasion or rebellion. Only if there is invasion or rebellion, and when public safety requires it, can he suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or declare martial law,” he clarified. “In the spirit of unity and love of country let us remain alert to the activities of those who wish to create chaos and prayerfully agree for peace to reign in the land,” he said. “It takes courage and united people who complain less and do more to build the nation we dream of and deserve.” Enough blood supply Meanwhile, the blood center of the Davao City Chapter of the Philippine Red Cross asked the public not to panic saying there is still a sufficient amount of stock blood units. “The amount of blood units that we have are still enough to serve the needs of Friday night victims,” said medical technician Gerbert Aurea. He said blood units were already given to the victims in need and for free. He said the Red Cross has not solicited blood donations but a Facebook post could have misled people. During the Sasa port
bombing in 2003, there was a great need for blood and the Red Cross asked for walk-in donations. Since last night, more than a hundred people have come to the blood center expressing interest to donate. Aurea said they were not accommodated but instead were asked to log their names and contact numbers for future reference. He said blood units have a shelf life of about a month and that their blood center can hold an estimated 500 units. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews with a report from Jesse Pizarro Boga)
Media... from page A1
provincial capital compound Friday afternoon last week. He tried to seek refuge at the NBI regional office, a few meters away, but was blocked by two unidentified riding in tandem men, prompting him to run and seek refuge in the nearby provincial capitol building. The unidentified agents followed Gorit and went directly to the Office of the Provincial Governor to examine the recorded video of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) installed around the building. Provincial Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano told the agents that the subject was a member of the local media and could not be a “terrorist bomber.” Last August 30, Gorit told the NBI that he has to evacuate his family and stayed in a hotel for two days after the unidentified riding in tandem men reportedly went to his house to inquire his whereabouts. Gorit told the NBI that he wants his name cleared to give him and his family, whose lives might be endangered too, the peace of mind.
Tourism... from page A1
grounds Monday morning. Defying political lines, he said, many local government officials are now supporting the tourism-boosting effort of the province. He said the target of the Duterte government is to have at least 3 million foreign tourists visiting the country. “Even if Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro will get only a fourth of that (3 million), it will greatly help our local economy,” Emano said. So far, the province boasts of several major tourist destinations, including two hot springs, two white islands, and dozens of waterfalls. Last year, the provincial government has allocated P50 million for tourism sourced from the 20 percent development fund, he added.
Normalcy... from page A1
community where they grew and raised their own
food and suddenly dependent on aid. Difficulties in recovering Gary Campos, 18, nephew of Dionel Campos, who was one of the three lumad leaders shot and killed in an attack believed to be perpetrated by Magahat-Bagani, a dreaded militia lumad group led by Datu Calpet Egua, said the lumad need to toil to recover from the damage wrought on their village while they were away from home. “We will establish once again what we have productively built but that won’t be easy,” Campos said, adding that it would take time to rebuild Han-ayan as a thriving community of self-reliant Manobo people. Han-ayan is a community which is abundant in farm products that residents grow on their organic farms and communal gardens. The people also raise different animals. These keep food on their tables readily available. Rebuilding communities It would take a lot of hard work among 3,000 lumad residents to bring normalcy back to their community. This would include rebuilding their water system and the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (Alcadev) which had been ransacked at the height of attacks on the lumad community. Alcadev has served the lumad well. It is where high school lumad students are taught not only basic education but also technical skills training. But it has also come under fire from sectors that suspect it to be a communist-operated institution. Alcadev has produced excellent graduates in the past that it received a national award from the Department of Education until its classes was stopped when Emerito Samarca, 54, executive director of Alcadev, was gunned down inside his office during a militia raid. Datu Juvello Sinzo, a respected Manobo tribal leader was also killed. Though arrest warrants had been issued against suspects by a local court, the assailants remain at large and have gone scot-free. The failure of authorities to bring in the suspects bolstered suspicion that Egua’s ragtag Manobo Magahat-Bagani, believed to be behind the killings, is a creation of the military to sow fear and terror in the Manobo community in Han-ayan. Aside from Manobo people in Han-ayan, lumad residents of at least 21 other communities were displaced in the counterinsurgency drive of the military. They sought refuge also at the Tandag sports complex. Excited to go home News that the 75th Infantry Battalion, which set up camp in the Manobo community, is now willing to pull out has drawn mixed reactions from evacuees crowding the sports oval. The expression on the evacuees’ faces showed that they were excited to return home, though. “We are happy and we really missed home,” said the
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mother of Richelle, a fiveyear-old girl whose family were the first to get a ride home even as evacuees are still awaiting final word from Col. Isidro Purisima, head of the 402nd Army Brigade, on a commitment to order soldiers out of the Manobo communities. Richelle insisted in going with the first batch of Manobo people, who returned to Han-ayan to check conditions in the community, because the girl, according to her mother, already wanted to play in the family backyard, now covered with weeds. Upon her return home, Richelle quickly grabbed a bite of pomelo and ripe guava from trees that are planted in their backyard. “It’s much better going home here where we can do whatever we want to do to fix anything in our house,” Richelle’s mother said. During the 366 days that the nearly 3,000 Manobo people sought shelter in Tandag, at least five people, three of them children, died of diseases. At least 86 women gave birth in the shelter. Reclaiming what is theirs “Their return home is a reclaiming of their ancestral land that the military took away from them in one year,” said a statement of the group Friends of Lumad in the Caraga region. “Their sacrifice is immense as their triumph in returning to their communities without the presence of the military, without preconditions, safe and free to live, go to school and rebuild their lives according to their principles and unity,” the group added. The lumad’s long cherished dream of returning home, with Army soldiers no longer around, came true around 3 p.m. on Friday. In the presence of more than 700 witnesses from different sectors, led by Friends of the Lumad in Caraga convened by United Church of Christ in the Philippines Bishop Modesto Villasanta and Fr. Fortunato Estillore of the Indigenous Peoples’ Apostolate of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tandag, Col. Purisima ordered his men to dismantle the soldiers’ camp and leave the lumad communities in Kilometer 9 and Han-ayan. Parting words Mayor Kid Pedrozo and town councilors in Lianga accepted the turnover of the lumad villages from Purisima at the main entrance of Sitio Han-ayan. A short program was held just outside the gate of the Hanayan Primary School and the compound of Alcadev. Before Purisima formally declared the soldiers’ pullout, a leader of Malahutayong Pakigbisog sa mga Sumusunod (Persevering Struggle for the Next Generation) or Mapasu, an indigenous people’s organization, can’t help but confront Purisima. “I’m sorry, sir, but we really lost trust in you because of what happened to our community a year ago,” Jose Campos, leader of Mapasu, bluntly told Purisima. Campos is the older brother of Dionel.
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
IT’S OFFICIAL
‘Mother Teresa’ declared a saint
VATICAN--Pope Francis on Sunday officially declared Mother Teresa of Calcutta a saint of the Catholic Church in front of thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square – a move the entire world has been waiting for. “For the honor of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the increase of the Christian life, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own, after due deliberation and frequent prayer for divine assistance, and having sought the counsel of many of our brother Bishops, we declare and define Blessed Teresa of Calcutta to be a Saint,” Pope Francis exclaimed September 4 as the crowd roared with applause. “We enroll her among the Saints, decreeing that she is to be venerated as such by the whole Church. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Throngs of pilgrims flooded the Vatican on Sept. 4 to celebrate the highly anticipated canonization of Mother Teresa, an event that Catholics and nonCatholics alike have looked forward to since the nun’s death in 1997. Her canonization is significant not only because it took place during the Jubilee of Mercy, but also because it fell during a special September 2-4 Jubilee celebration for workers and volunteers of mercy, of whom Mother Teresa is widely considered one of the greatest of our time. Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia. The youngest of three children, she attended a youth group run by a Jesuit priest called Sodality,
Official banner for Mother Teresa’s canonization hangs on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA
which eventually opened her to the call of service as a missionary nun. She joined the Sisters of Loretto at age 17 and was sent to Calcutta, where she taught at a high school. After contracting tuberculosis, she was sent to rest in Darjeeling, and it was on the way that she felt what she called “an order” from God to leave the convent and live among the poor. The Vatican granted her permission to leave the Sisters of Loretto and to live her new call under the guidance of the Archbishop of Calcutta. After she left her convent, Mother Teresa began working in the slums, teaching poor children, and treating the sick in their homes. A year later, some of her former students joined her, and together they took in men, women and children who were dying in the gutters along the streets. In 1950, the Missionaries of Charity were born as a
congregation of the Diocese of Calcutta. In 1952, the government granted them a house from which to continue their mission of serving Calcutta’s poor and forgotten. The congregation quickly grew from a single house for the dying and unwanted to nearly 500 houses around the world. Mother Teresa set up homes for prostitutes, battered women, orphanages for poor children and houses for those suffering from AIDS. She was a fierce defender of the unborn, and is known to have said, “If you hear of some woman who does not want to keep her child and wants to have an abortion, try to persuade her to bring him to me. I will love that child, seeing in him the sign of God’s love.” She died September 5, 1997, and was beatified just six years later by St. John Paul II October 19, 2003. (Elise Harris/CNA/ EWTN News)
explained Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David during his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of formation month in the Diocese of Malolos, Sept. 3. To achieve a more secure attachment among family members, David called on everyone to “stop playing deaf and blind, acting like there’s nothing to worry about.” “Is it possible that you call yourself a family, but you fail to see that there’s something wrong with you children?” said the bishop. “It will start as a simple drug addiction. Then they will try to rob you. Soon, they will
rob other people too. Later on, they will peddle drugs themselves just to satisfy his or her addiction. As a mother, father, or sibling, you should notice this, and you must do something about it.” David insisted that drug addicts must all be punished because of all the evil acts they have done, but they must not be treated like “junkies.” “I believe that the campaign against drugs must be implemented well,” stressed the prelate. “It destroys our families and our nation as a whole. We must have a
Strengthening family ties will solve drug problem, says bishop AS the country’s war on drugs rages on, a bishop points out strengthening family relationships will end the narco problem, which has worsened because of a lack of strong personal connections. “What is the cause of addiction? Is it the exposure to drugs? No. It is caused by [a person’s] loneliness and [his] imprisonment [from the community]… Therefore, a person truly needs a family, friends, and acceptance from his own community… In order to solve our problem regarding drugs, we must strengthen the ties of all Filipino families,”
See bishop, page A6