The News Capital of Northern Mindanao, Philippines

CAGAYAN DE ORO Journal Home /About Us / RUBB /My News / Jacnet / Kagay-an / Pecojon / Video / Forum / M'nao Examiner / My Bloglines

Ben balce's channel/YouTube

A CALL TO DEFEND THE PEOPLES’ RIGHT TO KNOW

The State of the Bakwits (S.O.B.), a joint coverage of Mindanao and Manila journalists held on June 29 to July 1, 2009 was intended to focus public attention on a humanitarian tragedy that we believe has not been given the attention it deserves.

Coming from different media organizations in Mindanao and Manila, we issue this collective statement in view of the disturbing checkpoint incident on June 30 and certain pronouncements of the 6th

Infantry Division’s spokesperson about the organizers and participating journalists.

The coverage was prompted by persistent and alarming reports of alleged human rights violations like food blockades, illegal arrests, disappearances and summary executions; and that non-government and humanitarian organizations, even media, were also reportedly being prohibited from going to evacuation centers presumably to protect them from hostilities between government troops and rebel forces.

We came to validate these reports and to get a solid grasp of the actual situation in the evacuation centers so that concerned authorities will be able to appreciate more fully, and respond appropriately to, the complex problem of internal displacement in Maguindanao.

We found some of the answers even before reaching the evacuation centers.

On Tuesday, June 30, as we were proceeding to the evacuation sites in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, soldiers of the Army's 46th Infantry Battalion stopped us along the Cotabato-General Santos highway in Barangay Bagan, Guindulungan.

Those in the lead car of our nine-vehicle convoy were asked if we were from the media. Not one of the soldiers could tell us why we were being held. All they could say was we would be “released” when they receive “clearance” from Colonel Medardo Geslani, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade.

When contacted within the first five minutes of what turned out to be a 46-minute standoff, Geslani’s superior, Maj. Gen. Alfredo Cayton, commanding general of the 6th Infantry Division, said he would check with Geslani. Cayton said he was informed by Geslani that he ordered the journalists stopped because of ongoing "clearing operations" to ensure our safety from roadside bombs.

A day earlier, an improvised explosive device (IED) blew off in Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, killing two persons and injuring eight others.

The checkpoint personnel said nothing about “clearing operations.” Curiously, it was just the media vehicles that were stopped at the checkpoint.

If, indeed, there were IEDs on the roadside, why should media be given ‘preferential protection’?

And if, indeed, security was the main consideration, they could have notified us even before we had left Cotabato City for Maguindanao since the organizers had been coordinating with the military panel of resource persons who confirmed participation in the subsequent forum in the afternoon of June 30.

We also would like to correct pronouncements made by the spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Ponce, who sent out text messages to reporters claiming that the journalists who were participating in the State of the Bakwits coverage were given “pocket money” by one of the organizations involved, which he alleged was connected to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The invitation clearly states who the organizers are.

Efforts to discredit our coverage by attempting to discredit the organizing groups will not be viewed kindly by the public especially since the case of the bakwits is a matter of national and international interest. For did we not rank first among all countries for having the “biggest new displacement in the world,” contributing 600,000 to the 4.2 million total of newly displaced in 2008, according to the April 2009 report of Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre?

We assert that trying to mask the magnitude of this crisis by stifling the free flow of information and the people's right to know can only worsen the current problem.

We agree with, and appreciate the statements of both the government and MILF peace panels during separate interactions with us, that the peace process should be accompanied by transparency.

We also believe that the achievement of a just and lasting negotiated resolution to the generations-old conflict besetting the Bangsamoro is possible only when all stakeholders are granted adequate access to information about and participation in the peace process.

This is why we are saddened that there remain elements of government who are trying to curtail access to information about the problems plaguing the Bangsamoro and the roots of the age-old conflict that continues to cause so much suffering, as well as vilify those who seek to uncover the truth surrounding the situation and explain these to the people.

This much we have learned from our experience as a people who lived through and eventually overcame 14 years of dictatorship: you can neither hide the truth forever nor allow it to be hidden.

ANY MORE ATTEMPT TO CURTAIL OR CONTROL THE FLOW OF INFORMATION VITAL TO THE PEOPLE’S UNDERSTANDING OF THIS CONFLICT, WILL DEFINITELY NOT SERVE THE CAUSE OF PEACE.

Atty. CHARINA SANZ

Mindanao ComStrat and Policy Alternatives

CAROLYN ARGUILLAS

MindaNews

FR. EDUARDO VASQUEZ, OMI

I-Watch

RED BATARIO

Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD)

MA. AURORA FAJARDO

Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project

NONOY ESPINA

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)

RYAN ROSAURO

The Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON)

Reference:

ROMY ELUSFA

Secretariat, SOB Coverage Mission

Mobile phone 09209546793

Home

Ben balce's channel/YouTube

Rice trader ‘hangs’ self in Corrales restaurant

CAGAYAN de Oro City (Cagayan Journal / Ben Balce) - A RICE trader allegedly hanged himself using a belt in a restaurant here at dawn yesterday.

Benito Magadan, 47, was found at around 7 am hanging lifeless in the toilet of OIC restaurant along Corrales St., this city.

The victim’s body was seen with a belt around his neck; the belt was attached to a door knob.

“He was already cold when he was found. It looks like he used his belt to kill himself,” said Insp. Joe Martin, chief of the local Scene of Crime Operatives.

Martin said there were no bruises or any other sign of foul play. But he said Magadan’s body would be autopsied.

The reason for the alleged suicide is unclear at presstime but there were unconfirmed reports that Magadan recently lost P300 thousand to a girlfriend who left him.

Magadan’s wife Myrna told radio station DxIF that she and Benito decided to separate about a year
ago.

Jhun Ebarle, owner of a house where Magadan had rented a room, said the rice trader left at around 4 am. He said the alleged suicide had financial problems.

Home

ROXAS DECRIES PALACE, DRUG INDUSTRY BOYCOTT

Senator Mar Roxas presses President Arroyo to sign the executive order imposing a maximum retail price (MRP) on the 22 most essential medicines in compliance with the Cheaper Medicines Law pending in her desk since June 16. Roxas alleged a presidential adviser is conspiring with multinational pharmaceutical companies to sabotage the signing of the executive order because it would halve prices of these medicines immediately.

REBUKES MALACAñANG FOR REVIVING E0 464 CURSE

PRESS STATEMENT

Office of Senator Mar Roxas

Suite 512 GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Pasay City

Please refer to:

Ms. Jenny Bugarin

Tel. 832-82-80 /+63920-950-6140

The conspirators, who sought to postpone through a Palace meeting, the signing of the executive order on the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for 22 essential medicines, boycotted the joint congressional hearing Monday.

This prompted congressional leaders, led by Quality Affordable Medicines Oversight Committee Co-Chair Senator Mar Roxas, to question what seems to be Malacañang’s revival of the curse of Executive Order No. 464, which he described as an unconstitutional instrument of government opacity.

‘Manigas kayo!’ Iyan ang sinasabi sa atin ng Malakanyang. Kakausapin namin kahit na sino, makikipag-usap kami kahit laban pa ito sa interest ng taumbayan.

Inabandona na talaga nila ang kapakanan ng taumbayan, (‘Freeze to death!’ This is what Malacañang is telling us: We will talk with whoever we want to talk to, we will deal with anyone, even if such would compromise public interest),” an irked Roxas blurted out during the oversight committee hearing yesterday into the July 8 ‘confidential’ meeting between President Arroyo and giant pharmaceutical firms in the country.

“Pinawalang-bisa na ng Korte Suprema itong EO 464 na ito. Ano’t hanggang ngayon ay ipinipilit pa rin ito ng Malakanyang? Talaga bang wala ng respeto ang gobyernong ito sa ating mga batas? (The Supreme Court has declared EO 464 as unconstitutional. Why then is Malacañang insisting on invoking it again? Does government no longer respect existing laws?),” he stressed.

“Bakit wala sila para sabihin ang nangyari sa meeting noong isang linggo? May hokus-pokus bang pinag-usapan? Under-the-table deals? Nasaan na ang public accountability? Public office is a public trust. Ito ‘yung sinumpaan nina Secretary Duque at Secretary Favila—naniniwala pa ba sila dito? (Why are they not here to report on the meeting that transpired last week? Were there any under-the-table deals discussed? Where is the principle of public accountability in all this? Public office is a public trust. Do Secretary Duque and Secretary Favila still believe in this?),” the Liberal Party President asked.

His outburst came after Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Trade Secretary Peter Favila did not appear in Monday’s hearing, sending word through DOH Head Executive Assistant Dr. Robert So that they had received verbal instructions not to attend the hearing until they get clearance from Malacañang.

So claimed Duque was already on his way to the Senate when he got the call. Even DOH Undersecretary Alexander Padilla, who was seen at the Senate before the hearing started, left without any word.

There were neither representatives from the office of President Arroyo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Joaquin Lagonera, who have been invited to the hearing. Ermita instead sent a letter claiming that “there was no sufficient time” for them to “adequately and properly” prepare for the hearing.

Industry giant Pfizer Philippines also did not send a representative, claiming that Pfizer managers asked to attend have prior commitments and out-of-town trips that could not be rescheduled.

Testimonies given during the oversight hearing indicated the July 8 meeting was “organized” by Pfizer. There was also a revelation that a meeting between industry players and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita was also facilitated by Pfizer last July 2.

“They insist on denying any wrongdoing in the media, but I challenge them to do this under oath. Dito tayo mag-usap. (Let us talk here.) Come here and tell the truth.

Ano ba ang mas mahalaga sa inyo—buhay ng tao, na maililigtas sana ng mas murang gamot, o ‘yung posisyon ninyo sa gobyerno? (Which is more important to you? People’s lives, which can be saved with cheaper medicines, or your positions in government?)” he added.

He challenged: “Mrs. President, kung wala ka namang itinatago, sabihin mo sa Gabinete mo, pumunta dito. (If you have nothing to hide, tell your Cabinet men to come here). Come here and tell the truth.”

Home

Abad takes over 4ID as Officer-In-Charge

By BEN BALCE

CAMP EVANGELISTA, CAGAYAN de Oro City (Cagayan Journal/June 26)- Army’s 4^th Infantry Division deputy commanding general Brigadier General Rolito Abad on Wednesday formally took over as the General Officer-in-Charge of the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao, officials said.

Abad replaced Maj. General Ricardo Aguirre David, Jr., who was appointed as commander of the military’s Northern Luzon Command based in Camp Aquino, Tarlac.Under David’s command are two Infantry Divisions deployed in Northern Luzon, the 5^th Infantry Division based in Gamu, Isabela and the 7^th Infantry Division based in Fort Magsaysay, Playan City.

4ID’s spokesman Major Michelle Anayron said Abad initially assumed the command since the Commander-in-Chief,

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is yet to sign the appointment of new 4ID commander.

“The new 4ID commander will announce soon. Abad took over as an acting capacity since no recommendation yet from the Board of General and the Secretary of National Defense that was signed by PGMA,” said Anayron.

The turn over ceremony was presided by Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit.

In his speech, Abad vowed to crush insurgency.

“This in line with the continuous effort of the government to fight communist rebels,” said Abad adding that to restore peace and order in the whole region.

“This is like a two-minutes fight against the insurgents as we have to make a best shot,” said Abad.

“I assured to continuously implemented the plans and thrust that Gen. David have started,” said Abad.

Abad who is a member of PMA Class 1978 said that he would ensure to pursue the command’s vision.

“To command with conviction as I commit to do my best,” Abad said.

Abad is known a seasoned combat commander with postings in Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga, Cotabato, Maguindano, Sharrif Kabungsuan, Negros, Panay and the other conflict areas in the country.

Home

Roxas: No to new taxes

MANILA (June 19-Cagayan Journal) - Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today vowed to oppose all new taxes proposed by President Arroyo and her allies in Congress and even in the next administration as long as it makes government spending more efficient.

"I am not in favor of raising taxes for this government," Roxas said in a forum on the economy hosted by the Makati Business Club for potential presidential candidates at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu in Cebu City.

Roxas, a US-trained economist and former secretary of trade and industry in two administrations, said he would not trust the Arroyo Administration with new taxes even if it means arresting the further ballooning of government's budget deficit.

He said the new taxes would also impose more hardship on Filipinos at this time when the economy is contracting.

"This government has not shown that it can collect taxes efficiently and use such taxes collected properly," Roxas told the assembled business leaders when asked the question by former NEDA Secretary Philip Medalla.

He noted that with a mere 0.4% GDP growth, "there is just no more absorption growth for additional taxes" for our people.

Roxas said higher taxes or additional levies should only be considered if it can assure people, especially the poor, will accept paying more taxes.

"We can only raise taxes if the environment can afford it. There are lots of rooms in this government from which government revenues could be generated. The public should not suffer for this government's ineptness," Roxas said.

Instead of new taxes, Roxas said Congress and the Executive must raise income tax exemptions for minimum wage earners as government's contribution in uplifting their lives.

"A stand for the people is a stand for the nation. A stand for the people is a stand for everyone. And that is the kind of government you can expect from me: a government that stands for everyone," he added. (PR)

Home

gb's baptism

Home

Amnesty International vows support for Subanen women, youth

Pagadian City (Cagayan Journal/ June 7) - Amnesty International (AI) pledged to continue support to Subanen women and youth to know more about their human rights and assert them, after a two-day workshop on human rights in Pagadian City today.

“The active participation of women and youth Subanens is very important in the promotion of human rights of indigenous peoples in Zamboanga Peninsula.

“AI supports the efforts of Subanens themselves to speak out about human rights issues such as insecurity in the homes and roads, inadequate school rooms and absence of basic services for indigenous communities,” said Dr. Aurora Corazon A. Parong, Director of Amnesty International Philippines.

Billions of people are suffering from insecurity, injustice and indignity in the world, Amnesty International said when it presented the Amnesty International Report 2009: State of the World’s Human Rights, in a forum at the Guillermo Hotel in Pagadian. It reported about shortages of food, clean water, land and housing, about deprivation and discrimination and growing inequality and violence around the world.

“In the Philippines , people suffer from inadequate food, housing, education and decent jobs. People are excluded from participating in decision making because mechanisms for their participation are absent,” said Dr. Parong.

Dr. Parong added, “The looming human rights crisis in the world, which greatly affects the Philippines in many ways, further undermines the rights of marginalized peoples, especially the poor and indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples themselves sometimes remain silent about their problems and thus human rights education is important to empower them to have the confidence and courage to visit government institutions, speak out and claim their rights.”

The AI report dealt with the indigenous peoples’ (IPs) continued struggle for land rights as the government failed to comply with its obligation to obtain IPs’ free, prior and informed consent to development plans, including mining operations, in their traditional territories.

In Zamboanga Peninsula , indigenous peoples communities are also disturbed by mining and logging operations. The Subanens of Siocon have complained about the entry of mining companies in their lands despite absence of free, prior and informed consent. A complaint was filed in 2007 at the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and the Subanens are waiting for the conclusion of the UN body.

“Protecting the rights of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) from corporations is an obligation of government. Amnesty International believes that corporations should have accountability to the indigenous communities where they operate. Indigenous peoples do not want their lands destroyed to ensure that the future generations of indigenous peoples will have their ancestral domain to live in and nurture their children.“ explained the director.

Amnesty International is a grassroots organization with 2.2million members in more than 100 countries worldwide. It won the Nobel Peace Award for its human rights work. It is a non political and non-partisan organization.

Home

Mindanao students ride the JEEP Project to better English—and the job market

MARAWI City—Six of Mindanao’s universities are partnering with USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program to improve the employability of the next generation of Mindanao graduates by expanding and enhancing the English language training capabilities of these universities.

GEM’s Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP) Project is designed to turn out graduates with the English language skills needed for productive employment in careers requiring reasonable proficiency in the language.

The six universities which have jointly launched JEEP are: Mindanao State University-Marawi, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (Iligan), Capitol University (Cagayan de Oro), Western Mindanao State University (Cagayan de Oro), Bukidnon State University (Malaybalay, Bukidnon), and Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology (Zamboanga City).

The JEEP Project will ultimately be implemented in 20 or more colleges and universities in Mindanao through partnerships between these institutions and the GEM Program, under the oversight of the Mindanao Economic Development Council.

JEEP consists of a two-year group of courses offered to qualifying college students. The first course, known as “JEEP-Start,” is a one-year program offered as an elective to third year college students. It develops advanced General English skills through computer-assisted instruction supported by classroom extension.

After successfully completing the first course, the students, now in their fourth year, may enroll in “JEEP-Accelerate”, another one-year course, which is taught through a classroom-based speech lab and internet-based learning.

JEEP-Accelerate is intended to equip students with the specific English skills needed for jobs in such sectors as business process outsourcing, tourism, nursing, allied health services or the maritime industry.

It will prepare students to take international English tests as the gateway to overseas employment in these sectors.

Among the other GEM Program projects designed to prepare Mindanao’s future workforce for the global economy are its Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) project, and its Education Awareness Support Effort (EASE).

The CLIC project has to date provided 4,750 internet-connected computers to 800 schools, and EASE has provided educational matching grants to help parent-teacher community associations establish mini-libraries, science laboratories or multimedia centers in 690 schools, in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. (GEM)

Home

Roxas urges DOJ to act fast on Legacy complaints

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today urge the Department of Justice (DoJ) to act swiftly on the complaints filed against officials of the Legacy Group led by owner Celso de los Angeles, to bring justice and relief to the victims of the company’s schemes.

“Pupukpukin natin ang Department of Justice, kakalampagin natin hanggang sa mag-file na sila ng kaso laban sa Legacy, lalo na kay Celso (We will continue to pound on the DoJ for them to immediately file cases against Legacy officials, especially de los Angeles),” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce said.

“Ang lahat ng ito ay nasa kamay ngayon ng Department of Justice dahil ito ang mag-fa-file ng kaso laban kay Celso de los Angeles. Babantayan natin ito. Hindi natin papayagan na na idri-dribble lang ito hanggang sa magkalimutan na lang (All these are now in the hands of the DoJ because it will be the one which would file cases against Celso de los Angeles. We will watch them closely. We will not allow them to sit on the cases until the public forgets about them),” he also said.

Complaints have been filed before the DoJ against the Legacy owner and his cohorts by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and various investors, all of which have been referred for preliminary investigation to the “Task Force Legacy.”

Members of the task force have told senators that the preliminary investigation into the complaints would begin on March 21 after all pleadings and counter-pleadings have been filed by concerned parties.

The Ilonggo senator said it was imperative for the Justice department to employ fast action on the cases so aggrieved pre-need planholders and bank depositors and investors could recover the investments they made to the various Legacy companies, such as the Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc., Legacy One Card and its 13 rural banks.

He exhorted prosecutors not to follow the path of the 2005 Task Force against Bank Frauds, which until now has yet to file a single case in relation to the complaints referred to it when it was created.

“Ang tanong ngayon, paano si Nanay Beth? Si Nanay Mila? At iba pang biktima? Paano ang pera nila? Paano mananagot ang dapat na managot dito? Kailangang agarang kumilos ang DoJ para makakuha ng hustisya ang mga kawawang biktima ng Legacy (The question now is, how about Nanay Beth, Nanay Mila and the other victims? How about their savings? Will the persons responsible for this scam be held responsible? DOJ should act swiftly so justice will be served for sake of Legacy’s victims),” he said.

“Itong kamay na bakal na ipinapakita ng gobyerno natin laban sa mga kritiko nito ay dapat gamitin nila dito laban sa mga nanloko, sa mga nagnakaw ng pera mula dito sa mga pangkaraniwang Pilipino (The iron fist that this government is using against its critics should be used instead against these scheming individuals who victimize ordinary Filipinos),” he added.

He also deplored De los Angeles for imputing politics in the pursuit of justice for his own victims and for skirting the issue about his liabilities to them.

“Ito po ay tungkol sa mga kawawang kababayan natin na naghahabol lang ng paraan para maibalik ang pera nila at managot kung sino ang dapat managot kasi nawala itong mga pera nila (This is about the victims who are desperate to get their monies back and who demand justice from those who stole from them),” he said.

He added: “Ang babaw-babaw, lumang tugtugin na po ito, bulok na itong style na ito. Ito ang style ng lahat na walang isasagot (sa mga legal na isyu) kaya inililihis na lang, lilituhin ang publiko at sasabihing pulitika raw (The claim of politics is too shallow, it’s old news, it’s an old excuse. It is the alibi of those who cannot answer the legal issues and who are trying to divert the issue by injecting political motives against those who are running after them).”

The senator was referring to a statement from De los Angeles that the supposed hype over the dissolution of his Legacy group of companies was being used for partisan political interests.(Ms. Jenny Bugarin

Tel. 832-82-80 / +63920-950-6140)

Home

63 internally displaced families in Barangay Paiton returned home

ILIGAN CITY (Oct 24 2008). Pakigdait Incorporated facilitated the safe return of sixty three (63) families from the evacuation centre of the Madrasah in Ceanuri Subdivision, Iligan City to their home in Brgy. Paiton, Municipality of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

The sixty three (63) families had been under the custody of Ustadz AbdulKarim Ambor since after the August 18 MILF attack in Kauswagan and Kolambugan.

“It’s about time for the families to go back home and continue with their lives”, said Ambor during the coordination meetings.

The initiative was coordinated with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, duly supported by the AFP’s 104th Infantry Brigade under the leadership of Col. Benito L. de Leon through the Capt. Alonto T. Maamo, Civil Military Operations Officer (CMO) of the 1st Infantry Division.

Over the last couple of weeks, these families had been expressing their wishes to go back home and get back to normal living. But the AFP had to assess the feasibility of the areas for safety and security before they finally gave clearance for the evacuees to go back home in a coordination meeting held at the Ceanuri evacuation centre on October 20, 2008.

“There is no place like home”, was heartily expressed by one evacuee as they started to ride the military trucks to bring them home. A convoy of four (4) military trucks serviced the sixty (63) families in going back home.

The convoy also paid a courtesy visit to the Municipal Mayor of Kauswagan, Hon. Yasser Samporna at the Municipal Hall followed by a distribution of relief assistance to the families by the MSWDO and Pakigdait.

The Chairwoman of Brgy. Paiton, Hon. Monaida A. Mactamok, warmly welcome the convoy in the Poblacion where she expressed gratitude to Pakigdait, the MSWDO, and the AFP for assisting her people in coming home.

“It was truly a hopeful realisation to see the civil society, the government and the military establishment cooperate in such initiative, for the people”, she expressed with so much enthusiasm and gratitude.

The initiative is a component activity of the Humanitarian Assistance Project in response to the impact of the conflict and displacement in Lanao del Norte. The Humanitarian Assistance Projects is jointly implemented by the Pakigdait and EcoWEB in partnership with the Diocese of Iligan through the support of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD-UK).

Home