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Cagayan de Oro Press Club marks milestones for 55th Anniversary

By MIKE BAÑOS

The Cagayan de Oro Press Club, Inc. (COPC) turns 55 on Sunday, November 12, 2006.

One of the oldest in the country, it is also one of the few with a truly professional organization in the sense that it has a working board of directors, assets which allow it to undertake projects and employ a full-time staff, albeit on a small scale, and it is a respected member of civil society which plays an active role in the city and the region's affairs.

Today's celebration will be particularly significant because of a number of firsts the COPC has accomplished with today's anniversary, particularly in relation to its training module on Responsible and Independent Journalism.

This is a program undertaken over two years ago under the administration of past president Herbie Gomez with financial and technical assistance from the Australian government to professionalize the local media, particularly COPC members, and provide them with the tools, knowledge, skills and support needed to fight corruption in the city and the region. Its ultimate goal is to set up a local counterpart to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

First, this is the first time the COPC has undertaken such a training with a local educational institution, which in our case is the South East Asian Rural Social Leadership Institute, better known to locals as Searsolin, a division of the College of Agriculture of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan).

Searsolin is a Catholic, Jesuit, Filipino and Asian institution. It is dedicated to the formation of socially-committed and competent leaders committed to poverty alleviation and holistic human development within the context of diverse cultural and religious traditions in Asia, Pacific and Africa. It aspires to attain a just social order where respect for human dignity, deference of various religious beliefs, equitable distribution of wealth and care for the bounty of the earth prevail. The training programs are geared towards understanding poverty, what creates and perpetuates it, and acquiring skills necessary to alleviate it and benefit the poor.

It's also the first time the COPC has worked together with Searsolin to train international students. During the second of our four-part program, we had Ismail Abid Aziz of Malaysia join our first batch of trainees who are mostly from Misamis Oriental's Provincial Communicators Association (Procoma) headed by Cedric Dayta of Luga-it, and now we had our friends from Indo-China and India whom we shall mention here for posterity's sake: Fr. Michael Raj from India, Nguyen Van Hoang and Nguyen Thi Hay Yen of Vietnam, Francis Cympanel and Theresa Min Min Myat of Myanmar (formerly Burma), Meng Chhay of Cambodia and Phouva Manipakon of Laos (I hope I did not mix up your countries!)

In behalf of the participants and training staff of our first batch, may I extend our thanks and appreciation to the Searsolin staff under the able management of Director Dr. Anselmo "Boy" B. Mercado, Ed.D. for their hospitality and expertise which helped make our first training a memorable training experience. We also wish to cite Training Officer Liza Gonzales and Lito Tagalog from the Library whose invaluable assistance and support were crucial in the COPC leanings from this 'first time.' Daghang Salamat!

May I also take this occasion to salute past president Herbie Gomez (sa way pabor-pabor) for his drive and vision in bringing to fruition this local version of the PCIJ. I know you sometimes lose heart when people don't perform as expected and obstacles seem to rise up on every occasion but this is a good thing we've done here and you should be proud you were instrumental in bringing it to life. Maybe JACNet wil have its own building someday which will house its operations and we can call it the Herbie Gomez Center for Investigative Journalism. Puede na bisan dili posthumous ha?

In addition to our training module, we've also revived our Journalists Against Corruption Network (JACNet) initiative, re-organizing the JACNet Editorial Board and bringing our JACNet Website back up in cyberspace with the help of my fellow director Comrade Ben Balce. Earlier this week, the Board approved the business plan which shall hopefully set this particular component of our project on the road to self-sufficiency, long-term stability and sustainability.

Kudos too is in order for Director Terry Betonio for successfully reviving the COPC Newsletter, which we shall soon set on the same road of self-sustenance with a similar business plan.

However, much remains to be done. The financial planning and execution of the COPC needs a lot of hard work to set it straight, and a long-term business plan has yet to be formulated. This, together with the ongoing membership revamp, will be the pillars upon which the foundation of the COPC's success in the long run would be anchored upon. With Director Ruffy Magbanua and Joey Nacalaban taking care of business at this end, members have a lot of confidence we shall prevail.

Our COPC Code of Ethics will also need to be updated. Following the mandate of the Ethics Committee as spelled out in our charter, we have researched the Codes of Ethics of respectable media aggrupations in the country, as well as those without in the United States, Japan and Australia, and have come out with five key provisions which are not included in our present Code of Ethics. This we shall do during our next general assembly this December.

Not the least, may I also urge all COPC members in behalf of the Board to accomplish their personal data sheet in the office. This data will not only serve to provide you with an updated press card but even more important, be the basis for approval of a personal life insurance policy which considering the state of journalists in the country today, is a very welcome initiative.

Happy Anniversary to All! As the famous song by the Carpenters goes, "We've only just begun…"

comments to mike_banos@walla.com

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Army troopers keep NPA on the run in Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MIKE BAÑOS / November 10) Army troopers from the 26th Infantry Battalion recovered two (2) M16 Armalite rifles, magazines and ammunition following a two-minute encounter with suspected communist rebels in Sitio Bantayan, Barangay Dagumbaan, Maramag, Bukidnon around 5:0AM Thursday.

Elements of the 26th IB under Lt. Col. Benjamin Madrigal and the 23rd CAFGU Cadre Battalion under Lt. Col. Rolando Manalo engaged the suspected rebels believed to be from SECOM 1, Front Committee 6 of Northern Mindanao Regional Committee (NMRC) of the CPP/NPA/NDF under alias Boboy. Field reports filed by Madrigal indicated the suspected rebels suffered several casualties.

Earlier, Army troopers who figured in an encounter with a platoon of suspected communist rebels Monday, November 6, 2006 at Sitio Upper Nabangkal, Barangay Magkalungay, San Fernando, Bukidnon stumbled into an abandoned camp at Upper Kisayab, Barangay Bonacao of the same municipality.

Maj. Samuel C. Sagun, Chief of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry 'Diamond' Division Civil Military Operations (CMO) said the report was filed by 403rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Florante Martinez with 4th ID Chief Brig. Gen. Jose Barbieto after a platoon of the brigade's 26th Infantry Battalion figured in a five-minute firefight with the suspected rebels. No casualties were reported on either side.

Martinez' reported that the abandoned enemy encampment contained twenty-three (23) bunkers capable of accommodating some seventy personnel. Recovered from the scene were three (3) back packs, one (1) piece handcuff, three (3) rounds live M16 ammunitions and one (1) round M14 ammunition from the area that was believed to have been abandoned three (3) days ago.

Meantime, Sagun said a former liaison of the Front Committee 2IB under Ka Salem surrendered to the commanding officer of the 30th Infantry Battalion in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur last Friday, November 3, 2006. Sagun identified the surrenderee as Oscar Pagios alias Ka Ramos, 24 years old and a resident of Bgy. Del Carmen, Bayugan 1, Agusan del Sur. He also surrendered his issued firearm, an M16 with a defaced serial number and is now in protective custody.

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Army Offensive Nets another NPA Camp in Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MIKE BAÑOS / Nov 9) - Army troopers who figured in an encounter with a platoon of suspected communist rebels a few days ago at Sitio Upper Nabangkal, Barangay Magkalungay, San Fernando, Bukidnon stumbled into an abandoned camp at Upper Kisayab, Barangay Bonacao of the same municipality last Monday, November 6, 2006.

Maj. Samuel C. Sagun, Chief of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry 'Diamond' Division Civil Military Operations (CMO) said the report was filed by 403rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Florante Martinez with 4th ID Chief Brig. Gen. Jose Barbieto after a platoon of the brigade's 26th Infantry Battalion figured in a five-minute firefight with the suspected rebels. No casualties were reported on either side.

Martinez' reported that the abandoned enemy encampment contained twenty-three (23) bunkers capable of accommodating some seventy personnel. Recovered from the scene were three (3) back packs, one (1) piece handcuff, three (3) rounds live M16 ammunitions and one (1) round M14 ammunition from the area that was believed to have been abandoned three (3) days ago.

Meantime, Sagun said a former liaison of the Front Committee 2IB under Ka Salem surrendered to the commanding officer of the 30th Infantry Battalion in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur last Friday, November 3, 2006. Sagun identified the surrenderee as Oscar Pagios alias Ka Ramos, 24 years old and a resident of Bgy. Del Carmen, Bayugan 1, Agusan del Sur. He also surrendered his issued firearm, an M16 with a defaced serial number and is now in protective custody.

Cagayan de Oro journal

Misor net program launched

MISAMIS Oriental (MARICEL CASIÑO RIVERA / Nov 9) - Public schools in the province will benefit from an Internet literacy program launched by the capitol yesterday.

Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar S. Moreno has forged ties with a consortium of private companies and the Department of Education to connect 60 public high schools in the province through the internet under the Gearing Up Internet Literacy and Access for Students (GILAS) program.

The program, which was launched in 2005, aims to improve access to online educational resources and communication tools that complement classroom learning.

“The GILAS program will change the course of the history of education. I can never be prouder to be part of the making of history. Many of us don’t realize how the world will be, this is it,” Moreno said during the launching of the project at the Dep-Ed- Misamis Oriental division.

Gilas recently celebrated the connection of 1,000 public high schools in the country to the internet. Gilas chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala believed that the program is not only strategic to the young adults but important as well in building the capabilities of the country in the ICT sector.

“This is the most important stage in the history of education in our country. But this is not as if it will just grow naturally, we have to nurture it. Kinahanglan lihokon that’s why we are here,” Moreno said.

Moreno is so excited about the project that he wants it implemented in Misamis Oriental the soonest possible time. He has asked the role players of the program to fasttrack its implementation and hoped that all school-beneficiaries will be internet-connected before his birthday on February next year.

Public high schools that are located in the remotest parts of the province will soon experience free access to electronic encyclopedias and high-tech learning materials thus boosting the quality of education in public schools.

The pressing need for internet literacy in public schools had brought together local government units, government agencies and even rival companies to form a multi-sectoral group engaged in the Gilas project.

Zobel de Ayala and co-chair Sen. Manuel Roxas II, lead Gilas and its steering committee, composed of CEOs from the country’s largest corporations including Apple, Bayantel, Digitel, Globe, IBM, Innove, Integrated Microelectronics Inc., Intel, Microsoft, Narra Ventures Capital, Philstar.com, PLDT, Smart, SPI Technologies.

For Misamis Oriental, Innove, a subsidiary of Globe, has offered to provide free unlimited internet access to the schools for one year.

Misortel, the telecommunication company owned and managed by the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental will be one of the lead players of the Gilas project in the province in collaboration with DCTech Micro Services, Inc.

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Gusa folk protest LPG refilling station's operations

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - (CDO Journal/ Nov. 6) - RESIDENTS of Gusa yesterday called on city hall to immediately act on their complaint against a company that set up a liquefied petroleum gas refilling station in the barangay.

The residents said they feared that ‘‘a mere spark can cause an explosion’’ in Gusa.

Hundreds of residents protested and filed a complaint against the refilling station set up by Pryce Gases at Purok 1. In their complaint filed before the city council, they asked the city government to intervene and immediately stop the operations of Pryce Gases in Gusa for fear that an explosion would spark a fire in the barangay.

They also criticized Barangay Gusa chairperson Erick Salcedo and other village officials, saying their leaders have not been giving the problem much attention.

The company started operating in the barangay early this year allegedly without a "social acceptability certificate," said Mamerto Cullano, one of the complainants.

Cullano and his group has started a signature campaign in Gusa in hopes of pressuring local officials into stopping Pryce Gases from operating the refilling station.

Cullano said the refilling station has also inconvenienced residents in that it emits foul odor especially at night.

Cullano said a public consultation called by barangay officials on the operations of the refilling station was stage-managed. He said barangay officials were clearly in favor of the operations.

Salcedo was unavailable for comment when this paper tried to press him for comment.
Pryce Gases opted to keep mum and referred this paper to its lawyer, one Darwin Sarraga.

Councilor Zaldy Ocon said he would bring the matter before the attention of the city council this afternoon.

"Hundreds of residents who live near the refilling stations are in danger. Explosive materials need to be handled with care," Ocon said.

Ocon said he would also look into an ordinance that regulates the operations of companies like Pryce Gases in residential areas.

‘‘One small mistake, under the prevailing situation, can lead to a major catastrophe,’’ he said.

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Macaspac to Pimentel: Professionalize PNP to professionalize police ranks

CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City (MIKE BAÑOS / Nov 6) – Presidential Assistant for Police Affairs Sec. Orlando A. Macaspac today challenged Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. to professionalize the appointments and promotions of senior police officials to help improve the performance of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Pimentel earlier expressed alarm over the PNP’s admission that police efficiency in the country is declining by 3.9 percent every year and index crimes are on the rise.

Pimentel said this trend validates a United Kingdom study made by the Surveillance Studies Network (SSN) which was published Nov. 2 that lists the Philippines among the worst performers in terms of access to law enforcement. Among over 20 countries covered by the study, the Philippines ranks third, the first being Israel and second, Thailand, as the worst in terms of failing to uphold the standards of legal protection for citizens, as well as law enforcement.

Macaspac said the senator can immediately help rectify this situation by repealing that portion of the Local Government Code drawn up by Pimentel himself which gives local government officials the option to refuse the appointment of a city, provincial or municipal police director in their respective localities.

“Paano kung gusto ng chief executive na may jueteng sa kanyang territoryo at pumalag ang kanyang chief of police?” Macaspac asked media at the PNP-PRO-10 headquarters here. “Kawawa naman ang pulis! During the time of DILG Sec. Joey Lina, I asked him why not also make an example of such local government officials by sacking them?”

Macaspac appealed to media to help rally support for the amendment of this law to enable the PNP’s Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board (SOPPB) to ‘depoliticize’ the appointment, transfer and promotion of senior police officials from the influence and patronage of local government officials.

“There is no country in this world that can police every citizen,” Macaspac told a general assembly of PRO-10 officers and personnel. “Strenghten your resolve, matuto tayo sa eksperyensiya.”

“I learned by bitter personal experience when I was still in the PNP,” he added. “I am proud to say I am an INC member, and I suffered all the punishment of an LGU official if he did not get what he wanted from me.”

Despite this, Macaspac was promoted to star rank only 15 months after his promotion as a full colonel in the former PC/INP. He ended his police career as commanding general of South Capcom or the Southern Police Command covering the cities of Manila, Makati, Pasay, Paranaque, Pateros, Muntinlupa, Las Pinas and Taguig.

Together with PRO-10 Regional Director Chief Supt. Florante Baguio, Macaspac also presented to media two of the most wanted persons in Region 10 who were nabbed by elements of the Cagayan de Oro Police Office (COCPO) last November 3, 2006 and personally awarded the recognition of PRO-10 officers and enlisted personnel who were instrumental in their arrest.

The SSN report also showed that the Philippines is followed by Russia in the top three countries that fail to afford their citizens “statutory protection” and unbiased “law enforcement.”

It said police authorities in the Philippines are engaged in “communications intercepts” like Greece, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, United States, Poland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Malaysia and China.

“The implication of this report is that the country is already under ‘Big Brother’ police surveillance even without the Anti-Terror Bill of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile,” Pimentel said.

“I also received a report, unverified at this point, that the money raised by the government through the Venable contract has been used to buy ‘3 GSM interceptors’. The interceptors are reportedly the most sophisticated bugging machines money can buy today,” the minority leader said.

“I fear that the resources of the country are being misapplied to keep some people in power at all costs and intimidate the rest into existence as automatons.”

Pimentel stressed anew the need for full debates on the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act, being sponsored by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile to ensure that the civil liberties of the people are adequately safeguarded.

“I will move to amend the Enrile bill based on the experience of other countries especially the United Kingdom,” he said. “I want to delete provisions in the bill that might be abused by the authorities and perhaps shorten the period of detention and provide for alternative ways of restricting movements of suspects.” (with a report from Omeng Manlangit)

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Gusa folk protest LPG refilling station's operations

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce / Nov. 6) - RESIDENTS of Gusa yesterday called on city hall to immediately act on their complaint against a company that set up a liquefied petroleum gas refilling station in the barangay.

The residents said they feared that ‘‘a mere spark can cause an explosion’’ in Gusa.

Hundreds of residents protested and filed a complaint against the refilling station set up by Pryce Gases at Purok 1.

In their complaint filed before the city council, they asked the city government to intervene and immediately stop the operations of Pryce Gases in Gusa for fear that an explosion would spark a fire in the barangay.

They also criticized Barangay Gusa chairperson Erick Salcedo and other village officials, saying their leaders have not been giving the problem much attention.

The company started operating in the barangay early this year allegedly without a "social acceptability certificate," said Mamerto Cullano, one of the complainants.

Cullano and his group has started a signature campaign in Gusa in hopes of pressuring local officials into stopping Pryce Gases from operating the refilling station.

Cullano said the refilling station has also inconvenienced residents in that it emits foul odor especially at night.

Cullano said a public consultation called by barangay officials on the operations of the refilling station was stage-managed. He said barangay officials were clearly in favor of the operations.

Salcedo was unavailable for comment when this paper tried to press him for comment.
Pryce Gases opted to keep mum and referred this paper to its lawyer, one Darwin Sarraga.

Councilor Zaldy Ocon said he would bring the matter before the attention of the city council this afternoon.

"Hundreds of residents who live near the refilling stations are in danger. Explosive materials need to be handled with care," Ocon said.

Ocon said he would also look into an ordinance that regulates the operations of companies like Pryce Gases in residential areas.

‘‘One small mistake, under the prevailing situation, can lead to a major catastrophe,’’ he said.

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Bai Lawanen JCs are Mindanao's Best, No. 8 nationwide

Photo (in jeans): JCI Bai Lawanen Natcon Delegates with JCIP Natl. President JCI Sen. Ismael Penado during the 58th National Convention in Subic Bay, Olongapo City, Oct. 12-14, 2006 .

Photo (all in red) : Bai Lawanen Jaycees delegation headed by Pres. Gean Cesar receives the Top 8 Nationwide Award from Junior Chamber International Philippines President Ismael Penado during the JCIP 58th National Convention held in Subic Bay, Olongapo City October 12-14, 2006.


CAGAYAN de Oro City (MIKE BAÑOS / Nov 2) - The Bai Lawanen Jaycees of Cagayan de Oro were adjudged best LOM in Mindanao in the recently concluded 58th National Convention of the Junior Chamber International Philippines ( Worldwide Federation of Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs) held October 12-14, 2006 in Subic, Olongapo City, Philippines.

Besides being chosen best LOM among JCIP's chapters in Mindanao, the Bai Lawanen Jaycees also ranked eight nationwide.

Chapter President Gean Tulang-Cesar, expressed profound pride and joy with the Bai Lawanen Jacyees JCIPEA ranking. Other awards received by the Chapter included Recognition for Past President JCI Sen. Gigi O. Go (currently serving as President of Cartwheel Foundation) as Outstanding JCI Senator of the Year, and another recognition for the chapter's newsletter-
Kubing as 'Best Local Publication Award.

Besides Cesar, other Natcon delegates of the Bai Lawanen Jaycees included Pres. Incoming President Lorelei Pabillore, Past President Emma Tan, Sec. Gen. Joy Ranario and Comissioner Diana Adaza.

JCI Bai Lawanen will hold its Annual Turn-Over and Induction Ceremony on Dec. 16, 2006.
Outgoing President Gean Tulang-Cesar will turn-over the gavel to Incoming President Lorelei
Pabillore.

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