MANRESA, Cagayan de Oro City (Mike Baños/January 31) – Bitter rivals in the academics and athletic hard courts, two institutions have linked up to harness the tremendous potential of the famed Ateneo – De La Salle rivalry for more constructive purposes: pushing geomatics capability building and its application in sustainable development by local government units, protecting the environment and training the future generations of academics and technicians to ensure its sustainability over the long term.
Last January 24, the Xavier University College of Agriculture (XUCA) in cooperation with the Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC) hosted an international public academe conference on "Geomatics Technology and its Potential Contributions to Development" at the South East Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (Searsolin) at the XUCA campus in Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.
"We wanted to present the project's achievements to a wider audience including the academe, local government units (LGUs), civic society and the private business sector," said Dr. Robert J. Holmer, coordinator for the Geoteach –Censophil (Geomatics Technology as an Empowering Tool for Academic Institutions in Community Participatory Development and Human Resource Mobilization for Urban Agriculture and Natural Resources Management in the Central and Southern Philippines) Project.
Since January 1, 2005, five partner institutions from the Philippines, Belgium and Germany have been jointly implementing the Euro 666,225 Geoteach-Censophil project with 60% financial assistance from the European Union under its Asia IT&C Program.
"The project aimed to develop Centers of Competence in Geomatics Technology in Xavier University College of Agriculture (XUCA), Cagayan de Oro and University of Saint La Salle, Bacolod (USLS)," said Prof. Dr. Peter Freckmann, head of the geoinformation dept. at the University of Applied Sciences in Karlsruhe, Germany. "I can say with confidence all project objectives have been met, and the partner institutions should now address the issue of its long term sustainability."
Among the notable accomplishments of the project has been the training of two counterpart staff each from the USLS and XUCA at a special geomatics certificate course facilitated by the European project partners University of Applied Sciences, Karlsruhe, Germany (HsKA) and the University of Our Lady of Peace, Namur, Belgium (FUNDP) which included the successful defense of an applied research thesis by each graduate.
The theses submitted by the four Ateneo-La Salle counterpart staff were "Monitoring Land Use Change in Urban Barangays of Cagayan de Oro City Using GIS" (Mark Alexis O. Sabines, Agricultural Engineering Dept., XUCA), "Use of GIS in Mapping Open Spaces for the Identification of Potential Allotment Garden Sites in Districts 6 & 7 of Barangay Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City (Yvette B. Guanzon, Agronomist, Periurban Vegetable Project, XUCA), "Assessment of Former Open Dumpsites in Barangay Madalagan of Bacolod City using GIS" (Mary Ann T. Paandan, GIS Coordinator, USLS) and "Integrating GIS and Community Mapping for Solid Waste Management Planning System in Barangay Punta Taytay, Bacolod City," (Ericson Alarcon, GIS Specialist, USLS).
"I am quite impressed with their ability to defend their theses according to European standards," said Dr. Francoise Orban-Feraupe, head, Geography Dept. of the University Of Our Lady Of Peace (FUNDP) in Namur, Belgium. "The social concern in their works is very prominent."
Geomatics is the discipline of gathering, storing, processing, and delivering of geographic information, or spatially referenced information. It has also been defined as the measurement and survey component of the broader field of geographic information systems. It commonly includes tools and techniques used in land surveying, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), and related forms of earth mapping.
The term geomatics has been adopted by the International Organization for Standardization, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and many other international authorities, although some (especially in the United States) prefer to refer to it as "geospatial technology".
Applications areas include the environment, land management and reform, urban planning, subdivision planning, infrastructure management, natural resource monitoring and development;
coastal zone management and mapping, archaeological excavation and survey for GIS applications, disaster informatics for disaster risk reduction and response
The conference also discussed the sub-themes: "Geomatics in Local Planning;" "Geomatics in the Environment" and "Ethics and Social Perspectives in Geomatics."
Estrella Sagaral, Acting Cagayan de Oro City Planning and Development Coordinator, cited how GIS technology which was initiated with assistance from the Australian government in 1997, was instrumental in facilitating the completion of the city's Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).
Arturo Belcena, administrative officer of the Bukidnon Sugar Milling Co., Inc. (Busco) said their company has been offering GIS mapping to their 13, 000 farmer planters for the last five years to assist them in monitoring their expenses in land preparation and harvesting the 60,000 hectares planted to sugar cane in southern Bukidnon.
Holmer also cited in his final report how geomatics laboratories dubbed "Geoteach Centers" equipped with GIS hardware, software and plotters have also been established at USLS and XUCA with the assistance of ESSC. Through the concerted effort of all project partners, geomatics-based training modules have been offered to faculty of both Philippine universities and other clientele.
"This Geoteach Center will eventually be turned over to the XUCA Agricultural Engineering staff for integration into the curriculum," Mr. Roel R. Ravanera, XUCA dean.
Geomatics applications have been integrated in academic and outreach curricula with special emphases on social and ethical perspectives. Besides XUCA, UP Mindanao in Davao City also has a fully equipped GIS laboratory and training center.
LGUs in Northern Mindanao which now have GIS facilities include Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Ozamiz. Similar facilities have also been deployed to their regional offices like the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), he added.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Anselmo Mercado, executive director of the Xavier Science Foundation and concurrently Searsolin director, cited how geomatics jibed perfectly with the XUCA's shift of its development paradigm from the traditional (problem-based) model to the ABCD or "Asset-Based Community Development" approach.
'The "ABCD" or Asset-Based Community Development Approach is the alternative paradigm that views people, their communities and their potentials for development very positively," Mercado explained. "This approach takes full cognizance of the communities' assets, no matter what, how big or small their resources are.
"Viewed from this perspective, the community development process, therefore, begins with a mapping of the community assets. This very crucial step provides the opportunity and the hands-on education for the people in the community to identify, discover, analyze, mobilize, learn and appreciate to build primarily on their inner strengths and resources for their own development."
"It is on this aspect that we believe the technology of Geomatics will come handily as a very useful resource that can enhance and complement the "ABCD" model," Mercado said. "From the presentations, we have seen how Geomatics can be an excellent tool for local planning. It is a great tool for studying and examining the environmental issues in our society. No doubt, Geomatics has a lot to contribute to the socio-economic development of our people and communities."
A geographic information system (GIS) or more commonly referred to as a geospatial information system is a system for capturing, storing, analyzing and managing data and associated attributes which are spatially referenced to the earth. In layman's terms, it is a computer system capable of integrating, storing, editing, analyzing, sharing, and displaying geographically-referenced information.
Thus, users can create interactive queries (user created searches), analyze the spatial information, edit data, and present the results of all these operations. Geographic information science is the science underlying the applications and systems, taught as a degree program by several universities.
Geographic information system technology can be used for scientific investigations, resource management, asset management, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS), urban planning, cartography, criminology, history, sales, marketing, and route planning.
For instance, GIS can help emergency planners to quickly calculate emergency response times in the event of a natural disaster, or find wetlands that need protection from pollution, or used by a company to find new potential customers similar to the ones they already have and project sales due to expanding into that market.
Many disciplines can benefit from GIS technology. An active GIS market has resulted in lower costs and continual improvements in the hardware and software components of GIS. These developments will, in turn, result in a much wider use of the technology throughout science, government, business, and industry, with applications including real estate, public health, crime mapping, national defense, sustainable development, natural resources, transportation and logistics.
A recent trend has been the integration of GIS into location-based services (LBS). LBS allows GPS enabled mobile devices to display their location in relation to fixed points (nearest restaurant, gas station, fire hydrant), mobile assets (friends, children, police car) or to relay their position back to a central server for display or other processing. These services continue to develop with the increased integration of GPS functionality with increasingly powerful mobile electronics (cell phones, PDA's, laptops).
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Soldier killed as 5 gunmen rob passenger bus
PAGADIAN City (DANNY S. MAULANA/Jan 31) - An army soldier on board a Rural Transit passenger bus was killed in a brief gunfight with 5 gunmen who staged a robbery Friday noon along the national highway in the vicinity of barangay Bogayo, Kumalarang town, Zaboanga del Sur.
The Kumalarang police identified the lone fatality as Duty Sargeant Renario Bucag of the 35th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.
A police report furnished this paper said, Bucag who was one of the passengers engaged the 5 robbers who were armed with high-powered handguns in a gunfight even as they told the driver at gun point to keep driving and move on.
Police said, the Rural Transit of Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) passenger bus was driven by Marino Durilag with a certain Austria as the fare collector (conductor).
Police said, Bucag who sustained multiple gunshot wounds was rushed to Singidas medical clinic for medical attention, but died a few minutes after arrival.
Police said, a joint team of 53rd IB troopers led by Lt. Glynn Sametano and the local police under P/Insp Dickson K. Banes immediately mounted a pursuit operation to track down the perpetrators.
The joint army/police team recovered an L-200 Estrada pick up, the suspected get-away vehicle and arrested Rodello Estano Coja 47, residing at Prk 3, barangay Cargan, Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur and Abdul Sarip Benito, 36 years old, single, a resident of 0117, Carbide, Tubod, Iligan City.
Police said, the Estrada pick-up is registered under MVRR Nr. 58638396 in the name of Yaser B. Sarip of Saduc, Marawi City.
The apprehended suspects and the Estrada pick-up are now in the custody of Kumalarang police station.
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The Kumalarang police identified the lone fatality as Duty Sargeant Renario Bucag of the 35th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.
A police report furnished this paper said, Bucag who was one of the passengers engaged the 5 robbers who were armed with high-powered handguns in a gunfight even as they told the driver at gun point to keep driving and move on.
Police said, the Rural Transit of Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) passenger bus was driven by Marino Durilag with a certain Austria as the fare collector (conductor).
Police said, Bucag who sustained multiple gunshot wounds was rushed to Singidas medical clinic for medical attention, but died a few minutes after arrival.
Police said, a joint team of 53rd IB troopers led by Lt. Glynn Sametano and the local police under P/Insp Dickson K. Banes immediately mounted a pursuit operation to track down the perpetrators.
The joint army/police team recovered an L-200 Estrada pick up, the suspected get-away vehicle and arrested Rodello Estano Coja 47, residing at Prk 3, barangay Cargan, Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur and Abdul Sarip Benito, 36 years old, single, a resident of 0117, Carbide, Tubod, Iligan City.
Police said, the Estrada pick-up is registered under MVRR Nr. 58638396 in the name of Yaser B. Sarip of Saduc, Marawi City.
The apprehended suspects and the Estrada pick-up are now in the custody of Kumalarang police station.
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Saturday, January 27, 2007
PNP 16th Anniversary Celebration:
Globalization of terror threat, technology pose new challenges for law enforcement
Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City (Mike Banos / Jan 27) - The globalization of the threat of terrorism and advanced technologies are posing new challenges that Philippine law enforcers should be in a position to adequately meet, contain and eliminate.
"The lines of distinction between domestic and international obligations have blurred," said Pacifico T. Pupos, Jr., presidential assistant for Northern Mindanao, who was the guest of honor and speaker during the PNP PRO-10 celebration of the 16th year anniversary of the Philippine National Police (PNP) held at the region 10 police headquarters in Camp Alagar, this city last Thursday, January 25, 2007.
Pupos cited what he termed as the "globalization of the terror threat" with events taking place in one part of the world also having far reaching ramifications in others.
"We can no longer contain crime to a locality, that was yesterday," Pupos said. "Today's world requires us to act locally, but think globally."
The highest executive official in the region described how "the advent of worldwide terrorism has challenged domestic and international law enforcement like nothing we have encountered before."
On top of this, Pupos also cited how advances in technology has changed the way we access, receive, interpret and use information.
"While it's true technology has provided policemen with new opportunities and new investigative techniques, unfortunately it has also helped criminals find ways to break and evade the law," he said.
In order to remain a potent and effective counter to the threats posed by the globalization of the terror threat and the threats to security posed by advances in technology, Pupos said "police must make significant modifications and work cohesively with other agencies of the government to effectively counteract these forces."
However, despite the new threats posed by these trends to the country's security, Pupos said the country has managed to move the economy forward without sacrificing the democracy of its citizens because of the valiant efforts of its law enforcers, especially the men and women of the PNP who have made the situation possible.
"With increasing investor confidence, our net portfolio investment is up 108% for the period January to September, 2006," Pupos said. "The country's credit rating has improved as have the prices of real estate and stocks. And we have more evident reasons for the booming economy of our country like double-digit growth in exports, remittances, tourism, the increasing number of call centers and the like."
"That's why we have many investors who place their money in our country because they have faith in our economy, in the administration and the people behind it," he added.
He cited how the country's economic growth is reaching levels it last reached in the 1950s and 60s when the Philippines was No. 2 in Asia after Japan.
"At the close of year 2006, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) estimates that poverty incidence, or the percentage of families living below the poverty threshold level is about 23% today, down from 27.5% in the year 2000," Pupos said. "In terms of warm bodies, that drop means some 5.5 million Filipinos rose out of poverty in the six years under the present administration."
He also cited the reduction of the budget deficit as its biggest achievement so far.
"From a deficit of P210.74 billion in 2002, it's down to P110-B last year and P63-B in 2007," Pupos said. "It is projected that by the end of 2008, the country will have zero deficit or a balanced budget."
He cited the PNP's key role in making the present situation happen by maintaining law and order needed to attract investors and bring more employment and business opportunities to the country.
"The strength of the economic situation, maintenance of the peso vis a vis the dollar despite political and energy crisis, is due to the successful campaign against terrorism and is reflective of the good performance of the PNP," he said. "The members of the PNP can dwell on the fact that they have contributed to making the Philippines "the forthcoming success story of Asia."
In ceremonies presided over by PNP PRO-10 Regional Director Chief Supt. Teodorico Capuyan and assisted by Pupos, the following awardees were recognized with Regional Director's Streamers: Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office (Best Police Provincial Office), Iligan City Police Office (Best City Police Office), 1003rd Provincial Mobile Group, Bukidnon Provincial Police Office (Best Provincial Mobile Group).
Also cited with Plaques of Excellence were Malaybalay City Police Station, Bukidnon Police Provincial Office (Best City Police Station), Claveria Municipal Police Station , Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office (Best Municipal Police Station), Police Station No. 5, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Best Women's and Children Protection Desk, Urban), Bacolod Municipal Police Station, Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (Best Women's and Children Protection Desk, Rural), Regional Communication and Electronics Office 10 (Best National Administrative Support Unit), Regional Crime Laboratory Office 10 (Best National Operational Support Unit), NUP Cecille B. dela Rosa (Outstanding Non-Uniformed Personnel).
The following received Plaques of Recognition: Hon. Jose Maria R. Zubiri, Jr., Hon. Oscar S. Moreno, Hon. Vicente Y. Emano, Msgr. Elmer Abacahin, SSJV; Mr. Eduardo Antonio R. Montalvan; Oroquieta City Council of Community Elders; Iligan City Bankers Association; Multicare Pharmaceuticals and United Valiant Group Security Services, Incorporated.
Not the least, the following were recognized with Certificates of Appreciation: Haggai Institute, Iligan City Chapter; Gideons International (Iligan City Chapter); and the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Iligan City Chapter.
Home
Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City (Mike Banos / Jan 27) - The globalization of the threat of terrorism and advanced technologies are posing new challenges that Philippine law enforcers should be in a position to adequately meet, contain and eliminate.
"The lines of distinction between domestic and international obligations have blurred," said Pacifico T. Pupos, Jr., presidential assistant for Northern Mindanao, who was the guest of honor and speaker during the PNP PRO-10 celebration of the 16th year anniversary of the Philippine National Police (PNP) held at the region 10 police headquarters in Camp Alagar, this city last Thursday, January 25, 2007.
Pupos cited what he termed as the "globalization of the terror threat" with events taking place in one part of the world also having far reaching ramifications in others.
"We can no longer contain crime to a locality, that was yesterday," Pupos said. "Today's world requires us to act locally, but think globally."
The highest executive official in the region described how "the advent of worldwide terrorism has challenged domestic and international law enforcement like nothing we have encountered before."
On top of this, Pupos also cited how advances in technology has changed the way we access, receive, interpret and use information.
"While it's true technology has provided policemen with new opportunities and new investigative techniques, unfortunately it has also helped criminals find ways to break and evade the law," he said.
In order to remain a potent and effective counter to the threats posed by the globalization of the terror threat and the threats to security posed by advances in technology, Pupos said "police must make significant modifications and work cohesively with other agencies of the government to effectively counteract these forces."
However, despite the new threats posed by these trends to the country's security, Pupos said the country has managed to move the economy forward without sacrificing the democracy of its citizens because of the valiant efforts of its law enforcers, especially the men and women of the PNP who have made the situation possible.
"With increasing investor confidence, our net portfolio investment is up 108% for the period January to September, 2006," Pupos said. "The country's credit rating has improved as have the prices of real estate and stocks. And we have more evident reasons for the booming economy of our country like double-digit growth in exports, remittances, tourism, the increasing number of call centers and the like."
"That's why we have many investors who place their money in our country because they have faith in our economy, in the administration and the people behind it," he added.
He cited how the country's economic growth is reaching levels it last reached in the 1950s and 60s when the Philippines was No. 2 in Asia after Japan.
"At the close of year 2006, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) estimates that poverty incidence, or the percentage of families living below the poverty threshold level is about 23% today, down from 27.5% in the year 2000," Pupos said. "In terms of warm bodies, that drop means some 5.5 million Filipinos rose out of poverty in the six years under the present administration."
He also cited the reduction of the budget deficit as its biggest achievement so far.
"From a deficit of P210.74 billion in 2002, it's down to P110-B last year and P63-B in 2007," Pupos said. "It is projected that by the end of 2008, the country will have zero deficit or a balanced budget."
He cited the PNP's key role in making the present situation happen by maintaining law and order needed to attract investors and bring more employment and business opportunities to the country.
"The strength of the economic situation, maintenance of the peso vis a vis the dollar despite political and energy crisis, is due to the successful campaign against terrorism and is reflective of the good performance of the PNP," he said. "The members of the PNP can dwell on the fact that they have contributed to making the Philippines "the forthcoming success story of Asia."
In ceremonies presided over by PNP PRO-10 Regional Director Chief Supt. Teodorico Capuyan and assisted by Pupos, the following awardees were recognized with Regional Director's Streamers: Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office (Best Police Provincial Office), Iligan City Police Office (Best City Police Office), 1003rd Provincial Mobile Group, Bukidnon Provincial Police Office (Best Provincial Mobile Group).
Also cited with Plaques of Excellence were Malaybalay City Police Station, Bukidnon Police Provincial Office (Best City Police Station), Claveria Municipal Police Station , Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office (Best Municipal Police Station), Police Station No. 5, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Best Women's and Children Protection Desk, Urban), Bacolod Municipal Police Station, Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (Best Women's and Children Protection Desk, Rural), Regional Communication and Electronics Office 10 (Best National Administrative Support Unit), Regional Crime Laboratory Office 10 (Best National Operational Support Unit), NUP Cecille B. dela Rosa (Outstanding Non-Uniformed Personnel).
The following received Plaques of Recognition: Hon. Jose Maria R. Zubiri, Jr., Hon. Oscar S. Moreno, Hon. Vicente Y. Emano, Msgr. Elmer Abacahin, SSJV; Mr. Eduardo Antonio R. Montalvan; Oroquieta City Council of Community Elders; Iligan City Bankers Association; Multicare Pharmaceuticals and United Valiant Group Security Services, Incorporated.
Not the least, the following were recognized with Certificates of Appreciation: Haggai Institute, Iligan City Chapter; Gideons International (Iligan City Chapter); and the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Iligan City Chapter.
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Army expects NPA chief to give up
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – New People’s Army spokesman for Mindanao Jorge Madlos, alias Ka Oris, who was last reported to have been trapped by elements of the 36th and 58th Infantry Battalions in his base in Barangay Santa Juana, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, is believed ready to surrender because of his failing health.
Madlos’ group also suffered a big setback last Wednesday when the Army’s 36th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Joel Madarang assaulted and captured two caves in Sitio Greenfields of Barangay Santa Juana which were the NPA’s biggest bomb-making and ammunition depot in Mindanao.
Maj. Samuel Sagun, 4th ID public affairs chief, said an earlier firefight with Madlos’ group last Jan. 18, also in Greenfields, led to the recovery of an RPG launcher, a B40 anti-tank weapon, a motorcycle, and subversive documents.
A report by 4th ID commanding general Jose Barbieto said troops of the 401st IB aided by helicopter gunships and assault choppers are still pressing the fight against the NPAs in Tagbina.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Army captures NPA's biggest bomb and ammo factory in Mindanao
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Baños) – The Army's 4th Infantry Division (4thID), based here claims it has captured what could be the New Peoples Army's (NPA) biggest bomb-making and ammunition factory in Mindanao, military officials said yesterday.
Recovered from one of the caves - 13mm drill machine
4ID's public affairs chief Major Samuel C. Sagun, " said elements of the 36th Infantry Battalion and the 4th Division Reconnaissance Company captured two caves in Sitio Greenfields, Barangay Sta Juana, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur believed to be the NPA's biggest bomb-making and ammunition factory and depot in Mindanao after a brief firefight Wednesday morning, 24 January 2007.
Greenfields is believed to be the NPA's regional base in Caraga Region where regional training and CPP anniversaries are being held.
It also appears to be the home base of NPA Mindanao spokesman Jorge Madlos alias Ka Oris, who was last reported to have been trapped in by elements of the 36th and 58th Infantry Battalions of the 401st Infantry Brigade in Bgy. Sta. Juana, Tagbina, Zamboanga del Sur and expected to surrender shortly because of his failing health.
In his report to 4ID commanding general Gen. Jose Barbieto, Lieutenant Colonel Joel Madarang, 36th IB commander, said his troops recovered from one cave several bomb-making and ammunition reloading equipment including 42 plastic containers of Superdyne dynamite explosives that could produce about 250 pieces of eight-kilogram landmines, 18 Claymore mines, an M14 rifle, an M16 rifle, a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, two mortar base plates, a B40 anti-tank weapon base plate, one set rifle ammunition reloading machine, one 13mm electric drill press machine, 76 rounds of M60 7.62mm machinegun ammunition, detonating wires and two pieces expanders. Madarang said they are still digging around the vicinity of the caves for another 100 plastic containers of Superdyne dynamite explosives believed buried within the vicinity.
Earlier, Sagun said troops also recovered an RPG launcher, a B40 anti-tank weapon, a motorcycle, and subversive documents believed to belong to Mr. Madlos a brief firefight last January 18 southeast of Greenfields.
According to a report filed with army headquarters by Barbieto, combat operations against the NPA are still being pressed in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur by the 401st Infantry Brigade under Colonel Jose Vizcarra, one of three organic units of the 4th ID with close-in air support from two UH-1H helicopter gunships and two MG520 assault helicopters from the Tactical Operations Group 10, Philippine Air Force under Lieutenant Colonel Raul del Rosario based in Cagayan de Oro's Lumbia Airport.
"The capture of the bomb-making factory will definitely degrade the NPA's bomb-making capability in Mindanao," said Barbieto.
" The discovery of the huge explosive depot/factory has also evidently proved that the Communist Party of the Philippines/New Peoples Army should remain to be tagged as an International Terrorist Group," Barbieto said.
Military officials are now coordinating with DSWD and local government units for the rehabilitation of Sitio Greenfields, Barangay Sta Juana and other nearby barangays.
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Lieutenant Colonel Joel Madarang, CO of 36th Infantry Battalion inspecting the recovered items
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Some of the claymore mines and superdyne explosives contained in plastic containers after the capture
. Mortar bipod recovered.
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Recovered from one of the caves - 13mm drill machine4ID's public affairs chief Major Samuel C. Sagun, " said elements of the 36th Infantry Battalion and the 4th Division Reconnaissance Company captured two caves in Sitio Greenfields, Barangay Sta Juana, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur believed to be the NPA's biggest bomb-making and ammunition factory and depot in Mindanao after a brief firefight Wednesday morning, 24 January 2007.
Greenfields is believed to be the NPA's regional base in Caraga Region where regional training and CPP anniversaries are being held.
It also appears to be the home base of NPA Mindanao spokesman Jorge Madlos alias Ka Oris, who was last reported to have been trapped in by elements of the 36th and 58th Infantry Battalions of the 401st Infantry Brigade in Bgy. Sta. Juana, Tagbina, Zamboanga del Sur and expected to surrender shortly because of his failing health.
In his report to 4ID commanding general Gen. Jose Barbieto, Lieutenant Colonel Joel Madarang, 36th IB commander, said his troops recovered from one cave several bomb-making and ammunition reloading equipment including 42 plastic containers of Superdyne dynamite explosives that could produce about 250 pieces of eight-kilogram landmines, 18 Claymore mines, an M14 rifle, an M16 rifle, a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, two mortar base plates, a B40 anti-tank weapon base plate, one set rifle ammunition reloading machine, one 13mm electric drill press machine, 76 rounds of M60 7.62mm machinegun ammunition, detonating wires and two pieces expanders. Madarang said they are still digging around the vicinity of the caves for another 100 plastic containers of Superdyne dynamite explosives believed buried within the vicinity.
Earlier, Sagun said troops also recovered an RPG launcher, a B40 anti-tank weapon, a motorcycle, and subversive documents believed to belong to Mr. Madlos a brief firefight last January 18 southeast of Greenfields.
According to a report filed with army headquarters by Barbieto, combat operations against the NPA are still being pressed in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur by the 401st Infantry Brigade under Colonel Jose Vizcarra, one of three organic units of the 4th ID with close-in air support from two UH-1H helicopter gunships and two MG520 assault helicopters from the Tactical Operations Group 10, Philippine Air Force under Lieutenant Colonel Raul del Rosario based in Cagayan de Oro's Lumbia Airport.
"The capture of the bomb-making factory will definitely degrade the NPA's bomb-making capability in Mindanao," said Barbieto.
" The discovery of the huge explosive depot/factory has also evidently proved that the Communist Party of the Philippines/New Peoples Army should remain to be tagged as an International Terrorist Group," Barbieto said.
Military officials are now coordinating with DSWD and local government units for the rehabilitation of Sitio Greenfields, Barangay Sta Juana and other nearby barangays.
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Lieutenant Colonel Joel Madarang, CO of 36th Infantry Battalion inspecting the recovered items
.Some of the claymore mines and superdyne explosives contained in plastic containers after the capture
. Mortar bipod recovered.Home
Abu leader caught with pants down
BY VICTOR REYES
ABU Solaiman, No. 2 man of the Abu Sayyaf who was killed early this month, was caught by security forces literally with his pants down.
First Lt. Almerante Mirajes and S/Sgt. Raul Suacillo yesterday related their clash with the group of Solaiman, who had a $5 million bounty on his head and had planned high-profile bombings and kidnappings.
Mijares said the clash in Mt. Dajo, Talipao town in Sulu on Jan. 16 started at 9:20 a.m.
Mijares said as they were preparing to assault the Abu Sayyaf lair, a man approached their position.
"He responded to a personal necessity. He relieved himself," he said.
Mijares said the man, with two aides about 15 meters away, got as close as four to six meters to his men’s position.
He said the man checked out the area but did not detect their presence because it was foggy and the area was thickly forested. He then went on to relieve himself.
"When he was already through, he was surprised that an M14 was already pointed at him," Mijares said.
Suacillo, the soldier who poked the rifle on Solaiman, said he asked the man to surrender.
"Instead of surrendering, he ran and shouted ‘Allahu Akbar,’" said Suacillo.
Suacillo said he then opened fire.
"Sergeant Suacillo tried to ask him not make a noise, to apprehend him so our location would not be compromised but he resisted and shouted ‘Allahu Akbar.’ So there was no choice. He (Suacillo) shot him," said Mijares.
HIT IN THE BACK
The man was hit in the back.
Mijares said Solaiman’s shouting of "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) was meant to warn his men.
Mijares said he then ordered the rest of his men to unleash heavy fire at the camp. Mijares said Solaiman’s two aides escaped with their companions after three hours of fighting.
He said they were repeatedly shouting "Allahu Akbar."
"The last shout was followed by a burst of fire. They withdrew, there was no longer resistance," said Mijares.
Mijares said they took pictures of Solaiman with digital camera before burying him.
He said they turned over the cameras to "competent authorities" who identified the fatality as Solaiman.
They retrieved Solaiman’s body the following morning.
Solaiman reportedly planned a number of high-profile atrocities, including the kidnapping of three American and 17 Filipino tourists from the posh Dos Palmas resort in May 2001, and the February 2004 bombing of a passenger ship of Manila Bay, killing 200 people.
HARDER ROUTE
Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, Special Forces Regiment commander, said Mijares’ group braved a "longer and harder route" in the mountains to pierce the perimeter security of the main Abu Sayyaf group.
Solaiman, along with Indonesian terrorist Dulmatin, were allegedly protected by a group led by Albader Parad.
Ortiz said they received information that Dulmatin was wounded in the operation but this was still being verified.
Mijares said Dulmatin occupied a VIP bunker which had two beddings, a comfort room, and a sofa. He said there were flowers on the pathway leading to the VIP bunker, indicating that the terrorists had been staying in the area for two to three months.
Ortiz said while they were able to account for only one body, "we suspect that many of them perished."
About a thousand of the total 7,500 troops involved in the Sulu operations are from the Special Forces Regiment.
"We really intend to finish this group. The objective of Oplan Ultimatum is to neutralize up to the last Abu Sayyaf there in Sulu… because we really recognize the threat of this group…we are hoping that we could finish this as soon as possible," Ortiz said.
A number of Abu Sayyaf leaders and members have been neutralized by government forces during the Sulu offensive. They included Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani who was killed by Marines in a Sept. 4 clash in Patikul town.
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ABU Solaiman, No. 2 man of the Abu Sayyaf who was killed early this month, was caught by security forces literally with his pants down.
First Lt. Almerante Mirajes and S/Sgt. Raul Suacillo yesterday related their clash with the group of Solaiman, who had a $5 million bounty on his head and had planned high-profile bombings and kidnappings.
Mijares said the clash in Mt. Dajo, Talipao town in Sulu on Jan. 16 started at 9:20 a.m.
Mijares said as they were preparing to assault the Abu Sayyaf lair, a man approached their position.
"He responded to a personal necessity. He relieved himself," he said.
Mijares said the man, with two aides about 15 meters away, got as close as four to six meters to his men’s position.
He said the man checked out the area but did not detect their presence because it was foggy and the area was thickly forested. He then went on to relieve himself.
"When he was already through, he was surprised that an M14 was already pointed at him," Mijares said.
Suacillo, the soldier who poked the rifle on Solaiman, said he asked the man to surrender.
"Instead of surrendering, he ran and shouted ‘Allahu Akbar,’" said Suacillo.
Suacillo said he then opened fire.
"Sergeant Suacillo tried to ask him not make a noise, to apprehend him so our location would not be compromised but he resisted and shouted ‘Allahu Akbar.’ So there was no choice. He (Suacillo) shot him," said Mijares.
HIT IN THE BACK
The man was hit in the back.
Mijares said Solaiman’s shouting of "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) was meant to warn his men.
Mijares said he then ordered the rest of his men to unleash heavy fire at the camp. Mijares said Solaiman’s two aides escaped with their companions after three hours of fighting.
He said they were repeatedly shouting "Allahu Akbar."
"The last shout was followed by a burst of fire. They withdrew, there was no longer resistance," said Mijares.
Mijares said they took pictures of Solaiman with digital camera before burying him.
He said they turned over the cameras to "competent authorities" who identified the fatality as Solaiman.
They retrieved Solaiman’s body the following morning.
Solaiman reportedly planned a number of high-profile atrocities, including the kidnapping of three American and 17 Filipino tourists from the posh Dos Palmas resort in May 2001, and the February 2004 bombing of a passenger ship of Manila Bay, killing 200 people.
HARDER ROUTE
Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, Special Forces Regiment commander, said Mijares’ group braved a "longer and harder route" in the mountains to pierce the perimeter security of the main Abu Sayyaf group.
Solaiman, along with Indonesian terrorist Dulmatin, were allegedly protected by a group led by Albader Parad.
Ortiz said they received information that Dulmatin was wounded in the operation but this was still being verified.
Mijares said Dulmatin occupied a VIP bunker which had two beddings, a comfort room, and a sofa. He said there were flowers on the pathway leading to the VIP bunker, indicating that the terrorists had been staying in the area for two to three months.
Ortiz said while they were able to account for only one body, "we suspect that many of them perished."
About a thousand of the total 7,500 troops involved in the Sulu operations are from the Special Forces Regiment.
"We really intend to finish this group. The objective of Oplan Ultimatum is to neutralize up to the last Abu Sayyaf there in Sulu… because we really recognize the threat of this group…we are hoping that we could finish this as soon as possible," Ortiz said.
A number of Abu Sayyaf leaders and members have been neutralized by government forces during the Sulu offensive. They included Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani who was killed by Marines in a Sept. 4 clash in Patikul town.
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Brighter financial prospects seen: City Dad
ILIGAN City (Nora Soriño) - Financial prospects for the city is brighter, Councelor Alfredo Busico told media early this week, in an interview.
Busico who chairs the powerful Committee on finance of the Sangguniang Panglungsod here said, their collection efforts of the city had paid off.
Industrial firms here had answered their call and they are beginning to pay, he said.
Holcim Cement company here has paid over P1 million on property taxes for the 4th quarter of 2006.
This is Iligan's share in the taxes already, since parts of its plant facilities are also located in Lugait, the fisrt town in Misamis Oriental from the city.
RCP also has written the government that it will pay, not in lump sum, but staggered amounts.
He said, we are going to listen and study their proposal of payment and if they see that it is reasonable, why not?
That is better than nothing at all and going to all the trouble, he said.
The National Steel Corporation however, was able to secure a temporary restraining order on the payment of taxes.
Platinum Group of Metals Corporation also has manifested its intention to lease the plant's premises of the MCCI or Maria Christina Chemicals Industries, Inc.
MCCI incidentally, which is located some 10 kilometers away from the city is the first and only carbide producer in the country.
Currently, it is in operation for only 4 months during the year, so for the rest of the year for 8 months, it is not in operation.
Busico said, the Platinum Group is interested in leasing its facilities for processing the nickel to be mined from Nonoc, Surigao City as soon as this will be reopened.
Busico also revealed that the Internal Revenue Allotment has also been increased by P50 million from P523 million to P573 million.
As soon as his will be received, a supplemental budget will be approved, he added.
So, with these we can surely leave something behind for the next administration to go on.
Busico, who is still be running as councilor under mayor Laurence Cruz's ticket also said, he is in favor of a "free zone" as far as the candidates for congressman of the first district of Iligan City/Lanao Norte is concerned, thereby hinting that he is not entirely for a Badelles candidate.
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Busico who chairs the powerful Committee on finance of the Sangguniang Panglungsod here said, their collection efforts of the city had paid off.
Industrial firms here had answered their call and they are beginning to pay, he said.
Holcim Cement company here has paid over P1 million on property taxes for the 4th quarter of 2006.
This is Iligan's share in the taxes already, since parts of its plant facilities are also located in Lugait, the fisrt town in Misamis Oriental from the city.
RCP also has written the government that it will pay, not in lump sum, but staggered amounts.
He said, we are going to listen and study their proposal of payment and if they see that it is reasonable, why not?
That is better than nothing at all and going to all the trouble, he said.
The National Steel Corporation however, was able to secure a temporary restraining order on the payment of taxes.
Platinum Group of Metals Corporation also has manifested its intention to lease the plant's premises of the MCCI or Maria Christina Chemicals Industries, Inc.
MCCI incidentally, which is located some 10 kilometers away from the city is the first and only carbide producer in the country.
Currently, it is in operation for only 4 months during the year, so for the rest of the year for 8 months, it is not in operation.
Busico said, the Platinum Group is interested in leasing its facilities for processing the nickel to be mined from Nonoc, Surigao City as soon as this will be reopened.
Busico also revealed that the Internal Revenue Allotment has also been increased by P50 million from P523 million to P573 million.
As soon as his will be received, a supplemental budget will be approved, he added.
So, with these we can surely leave something behind for the next administration to go on.
Busico, who is still be running as councilor under mayor Laurence Cruz's ticket also said, he is in favor of a "free zone" as far as the candidates for congressman of the first district of Iligan City/Lanao Norte is concerned, thereby hinting that he is not entirely for a Badelles candidate.
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Thursday, January 25, 2007
Suicide found pregnant
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Villota)— A guest relations officer of a KTV Bar in Iligan City who jumped to her death late afternoon Saturday from the Ditucalan bridge at the National Power Corp. was found to be two months pregnant, police said yesterday.
Iligan City police director Senior Supt. Virgilio Ranes said the victim, Fely Truenffa, 27, of Zamboanga Sibugay, reportedly came to Iligan and worked as a bar girl after a misunderstanding with her husband.
The one in her womb was reportedly the product of a liaison with one of the bar customers.
Sketchy city police reports said, Bantay Bayan station in Iligan City received report of a missing person early morning of January 19, 2007.
Police investigations disclosed that the woman was missing since Friday and that she was last seen in the Ditucalan bridge at NPC in the vicinity of Agus 6.
The woman was married with one child whom she left behind.
The bloated body was fished out in the waters below the bridge by NPC security officers Tolen Ilocadero and Rolando Gimena after which it was taken to the Capin Funeral Homes at Linamon, Lanao Norte.
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Iligan City police director Senior Supt. Virgilio Ranes said the victim, Fely Truenffa, 27, of Zamboanga Sibugay, reportedly came to Iligan and worked as a bar girl after a misunderstanding with her husband.
The one in her womb was reportedly the product of a liaison with one of the bar customers.
Sketchy city police reports said, Bantay Bayan station in Iligan City received report of a missing person early morning of January 19, 2007.
Police investigations disclosed that the woman was missing since Friday and that she was last seen in the Ditucalan bridge at NPC in the vicinity of Agus 6.
The woman was married with one child whom she left behind.
The bloated body was fished out in the waters below the bridge by NPC security officers Tolen Ilocadero and Rolando Gimena after which it was taken to the Capin Funeral Homes at Linamon, Lanao Norte.
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Monday, January 22, 2007
Oro fire kills engaged couple
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (BEN BALCE/Jan 22)– A fire of still unknown origin trapped and killed two sweethearts in Barangay Carmen yesterday. They had planned to get married this year.
The fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m. and razed to the ground a two-storey house in Acacia St. Zone 7, Carmen, owned by Felicidad Talampas.
The engaged couple – Gilbert Verzuela, 27, of Bicol; and Emma Sagario, 28, of Purok C-28, Hinaplanon, Iligan City – were trapped inside one of the rooms. They were boarders.
Senior Ins. Francis Villaflor said the victims may have died of suffocation.
Various sources said Verzuela and Sagario had taken the September 2006 bar exams and had opted to wait for the results here. There were reports that they were classmates.
City fire station chief Oscar Abecia said the victims were burned beyond recognition.
Abecia said it took investigators some time to identify the victims because they suffered 3rd degree burns all over.
Fellow boarders said they heard cries of help but they could not do anything because the fire quickly spread. They said the victims could not go out of any of the windows because there were grills.
Sagario’s mother Linda said Emma, her only daughter, and Verzuela had planned to get married and were just waiting for the results of the bar exams.
The fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m. and razed to the ground a two-storey house in Acacia St. Zone 7, Carmen, owned by Felicidad Talampas.
The engaged couple – Gilbert Verzuela, 27, of Bicol; and Emma Sagario, 28, of Purok C-28, Hinaplanon, Iligan City – were trapped inside one of the rooms. They were boarders.
Senior Ins. Francis Villaflor said the victims may have died of suffocation.
Various sources said Verzuela and Sagario had taken the September 2006 bar exams and had opted to wait for the results here. There were reports that they were classmates.
City fire station chief Oscar Abecia said the victims were burned beyond recognition.
Abecia said it took investigators some time to identify the victims because they suffered 3rd degree burns all over.
Fellow boarders said they heard cries of help but they could not do anything because the fire quickly spread. They said the victims could not go out of any of the windows because there were grills.
Sagario’s mother Linda said Emma, her only daughter, and Verzuela had planned to get married and were just waiting for the results of the bar exams.
Officials placed the damages at P250,000. Investigators theorized that the fire was caused by faulty wirings but some witnesses said some boarders were observed to be cooking even during wee hours and possibility that the fire might started.
Friday, January 19, 2007
7 feared dead in Agusan mudslide
CAGAYAN de Oro Journal (BEN BALCE/Jan 19) – Seven people, including three children, are believed to have been buried alive in a mudslide caused by continuous heavy rains along the boundaries of Bolobo and Maasin in Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur Wednesday evening.
Authorities said at least four houses were buried midnight last Wednesday.
Rescuers are looking for Faustino Pungcol, Rosita Kadisal, Bert Triwalan, Nelo Galeria, Nitoy Galeria, and two others whose identities were unclear at presstime.
A capitol spokesperson, Ferdinand Perez, said Gov. Eddie Bong Plaza immediately sent a rescue team to the landslide area. He said rescuers need heavy equipment to unearth the victims.
Esperanza mayor Lorena Manpatilan sent another team composed of police, municipal engineering personnel and barangay officials and headed by municipal social welfare officer Minda Benadero.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
BIR-Surigao ups 2006 tax collection
BIR Revenue Region No. 17 Regional Director Tamanatao S. Amerol (left) and Ms. Lilia C. Guillermo, BIR deputy commissioner of information system group (right) and Ms. Aida Simborio (background) who briefed participants in the Payment Data Entry System (PDES) training held January 11, 2007 at BIR Regional Training Center in Butuan City. CAGAYAN de Oro Journal (BEN BALCE/Jan 18) - Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District No. 105 based in Surigao City headed by Revenue District Officer (RDO) Satar Laguindab said, the district has overshot its target collection goal for 2006. For the last four years, the district was able to overshoot its assigned goal.
"The district continuously stepped up collection efforts for the last four years," said Laguindab adding, "the increased collections every year not only helped our district target but also boosted the region's target collection."
Laguindab said, the district collection target for 2006 was P400, 670, 000 and the district collected as of January 11, the amount of P424,548,329.38; an increase of P23,878,329.38 which is 5.96 percent more and almost 50 percent higher than the 2005 collection goal of P265,670,000.
BIR regional office here through its cumulative report since 2003 showed that all districts overshot their individual collection targets.
"RD No. 105 in Surigao maintained increased collections against its collection target even much higher compared to other districts," said BIR Revenue Region No. 17 regional director Tamanatao Amerol.
Amerol said, all districts contributed in no small measure to the Region’s over-all good performance which posted a 15.61 percent increase in actual collections by collecting P1,620,734,770.87 against their collection goal of P1,578,359,000; an increase of P42,375,770.87 or 15.61 percent against the previous year's actual collections.
The BIR Caraga-region oversees the revenue collections efforts of four regional district offices, namely: Butuan-based RD 103 headed by regional district officer (RDO) Edilberto Radaza; RD 104 headed by RDO Lordel Monteclaro based in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur; and RD 106 headed by RDO Marcelino L. Yap based in Tandag, Surigao del Sur.
The revenue collection performance report for year 2006 furnished on this paper showed the following data: RD 103 – Butuan City posted an increased collection for 2006 increase of 3.53 percent; RD 104 Bayugan, Agusan del Sur posted a 3.53 percent increase; RD 105 Surigao City, an increase of 5.96 percent and RD 106 Tandag, Surigao del Sur with an increase of 1.78 percent.
Amerol said, the tax collection performance is largely boosted by the ongoing tax education and information campaign coupled with the various measures and strategies being implemented by every district revenue office in the region aimed to exceed their respective target collection goals.
All revenue district offices have exceeded its target collections over last year's (2005) collections.
"The biggest collection was made by Surigao City district revenue office under the leadership of Laguindab," Amerol said.
Second highest is RD No. 104 based in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur under RDO Lordel Monteclaro with actual tax collections of P275,233,854.43 or an increase of 3.53 percent with the amount of P9,390,854.43.
Butuan City revenue district office under RDO Edilberto Radaza also exceeded its target goal for 2006 amounting to P4,452,948.03 from its target collections of P627,003,000 after Radaza collected P631,455,948.03.
Tandag, Surigao del Sur revenue district office under RDO Marcelino Yap also exceeded by 1.78 percent (2006) totaling P5,081,582.02.
Amerol said, the BIR Commissioner has ordered all Regional Directors throughout the country to sustain the effort in the government's drive against tax evasion following his warning to other businessmen and firms that BIR would never countenance tax evasion as it is considered a "crime against the people."
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Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Floods displace 61,000 in Agusan del Sur
CAGAYAN De Oro Journal (BEN BALCE/Jan. 17) – At least 61,041 persons or 13,310 families have fled to evacuation centers or safer grounds yesterday as heavy rains continued to pour and swell floodwaters in low-lying areas in Agusan del Sur.
The rains have not let up since Dec. 30, 2006.
An initial report from the Provincial Disaster Management Council (PDMC) said nine towns and 75 barangays have already been affected as of 9:30 a.m., Jan. 16.
Among these are the flood-prone towns of Prosperidad, the capital; San Francisco, Loreto, Veruela , Esperanza, Bunawan, Talacogon, Bayugan, and Sta. Josefa.
The PDMC said nine barangays and more than 2,500 families in San Francisco town have been affected; 13 barangays and 3,875 families in Prosperidad; nine barangays and 1,580 families in Loreto; 13 barangays and 1,609 in Esperanza; 10 barangays and 3,033 families in Bunawan; three barangays and 119 families in Bayugan; and seven barangays and 561 families in Talacogon.
The PDMC has no numbers yet for Veruela and Sta. Josefa towns but continues to monitor the situation.
The council’s initial report said flash floods have also already damaged 2,448 hectares of crops, including vegetables.
Three casualties were reported, although it was not clear if they were just wounded or already dead: Lemuel Matulin Serrano,15, of Sampaguita, Veruela; Rolly A. Maboy, 12, of Baking-king, Esperanza, and Rustom C. Deploma, 5, of Cubo, Esperanza.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
1 dead, 2 injured in road mishap
GINGOOG CITY (CDO Journal /Jan 16) - One dead on the spot and two other injured late last week when two vehicles collide each other along National Highway, Purok-1, Brgy. San Juan, this city.
A multi cab driver, Frederico Tupaz Tuñacao Jr., 23 years old, single and a resident of Brgy. Lunao, this city was dead on the spot after hit by a Fuso Forward driven by a certain Juanito Panlide Clerigo, 27 years old and a resident of Brgy. Piglawan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
Clerigo was on critical condition as of press time, admitted at local hospital,here together with his brother Gary, who was also injured.
SPO1 Felix Espejon, traffic investigator said that the cause of death of Tuñacao was hypovolemic shock secondary to multiple fractures and lacerated wounds and as of who were wronged, he said "we cannot determine yet."
Upon initial investigation, the forward enroute from Cagayan de Oro City to Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, west to east while the multi cab was heading from Gingoog City proper to Brgy. Lunao east to west, this city.
"We cannot determine the point of impact, nagkatag man ang mga debris, both vehicles were on their proper way but we don’t have witnesses," Espejon said.
"But we are sure either of the two took disadvantage, still we can't determine yet," he said adding: "Also which of the two will pay the damaged single motor and the bunkhouse, still we don't know yet."
A singlemotor XRM Honda parked at the Bunkhouse, both was totally damaged were also hit by Fuso Forward beside National Highway after the two vehicles collided.
BIR Caraga 2006 collection up by 15.61%
BUTUAN City (BEN BALCE/Jan. 16) - THE Bureau of Internal Revenue in Caraga region, covering the four provinces of the area, has exceeded its collection goal for 2006 of P1,578,359,000 by 15.61 percent. The total collections in the amount of P1,620,734,770.87 for the current year is P42,375,770.87 more than the target.BIR Caraga director Tamanatao S. Amerol said the increase was due to concerted efforts and cooperation of the region’s revenue personnel, especially the revenue district officers who are the front liners in tax collection.
"The Bureau of Internal Revenue Revenue Region No. 17 has good reason to smile and be proud these days," Amerol said, adding, "It has, despite all odds, surpassed 2006 collection goals."
As of Jan 11, Amerol said their partial collection has reached P1,620,734,770.87.
Amerol clarified that the amount is still not the final amount until such time that the official report will be submitted.
"The tax payer’s cooperation and voluntary compliance contributed so much to the good performance shown by this revenue region," he said.
BIR Caraga Region oversees the collection efforts of four revenue district offices, namely Revenue District 103 in Butuan City headed by Edilberto C. Radaza, Revenue District 104 in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur headed by Lordel T. Monteclaro, Revenue District 105 in Surigao City headed by Satar T. Laguindab, and Revenue District 106 in Tandag, Surigao del Sur headed by Marcelino Yap.
"Compared to last year’s collection record of P1,401,845,034.50, our collections this year has increased by P218,889,736.37 or 15.619 percent more compared to last year’s collections," Amerol said.
Citing the region’s four-year annual tax collection performance report, Amerol said "the history of this revenue region covering the area composed of four provinces and three cities showed that for the last four years (2003-2004, 2005 and 2006) the region was able to consistently over-shoot its assigned goal and exceed its actual collections of the previews year."
The report showed a consistent yearly increase against its collection goals as follows: 2003, 10.01 percent; 2004, 10.67 percent; 2005, 13.27 percent; and 2006, 15.61 percent.
Moreover, Amerol said that, amidst the political and economic crisis besetting Caraga, the region "silently yet efficiently performed its task of collecting taxes for the government in line with the President’s agenda on increasing tax collections."
Amerol also said that even the neophyte revenue district officer of Tandag, Surigao del Sur, surpassed their goal in 2006.
"District officers Radaza (Butuan City), Monteclaro (Bayugan), Laguindab (Surigao City) even Yap of Tandag, Surigao del Sur, attributed the substantial increase in Caraga’s tax collections for this year," Amerol said.
"Neophyte" RDO proves equal to peers
Being dubbed a neophyte by his colleagues proved to be no hindrance to revenue district officer Marcelino "Lyno" Yap who did well and more in his far off post at Tandag, Surigao del Sur to the surprise of his older peers in Caraga region.
His colleagues attest that Yap, a relatively new-comer in Tandag who assumed his post last year, made waves when he posted an increase in his revenue collections surpassing his district's collection goal of P284,843,000 for 2006 by his actual collection of P289,924, 852.02; an increase of P5,081,582.02 or 1.78 percent more. This feat, says Director Amerol contributed in no small measure to the Region's over-all good performance which posted a 15.61 percent increase in actual collections.
However, Yap said: "Still collections efforts of three other regional district offices help a lot to the region's over-all performance this year."
Even Yap said the three districts surpassed their district collections for the last four years. "The concerted efforts of all made the collections more than the target," said Yap.
For 2006 collections, Butuan-based RD 103 headed by RDO Radaza posted an increase of 3.53 percent; RD 104 headed by Bayugan, Agusan del Sur RDO Monteclaro posted a 3.53 percent increase; RD 105 led by RDO Laguindab based in Surigao City posted an increase of 5.96 perecent and RD 106 under RDO Yap posted an increase of 1.78 percent.
The following data furnished among the four districts, RDO Laguindab posted the highest revenue collection performance report for year 2006.
Although all of the district offices also posted increased revenue collection in varying percentages, Amerol said Yap is singled out as a surprise due to his being a relative newcomer to the region, his previous posting being a the Davao area.
In an interview, Yap said he initiated meetings and dialogues with local taxpayers in Tandag who heeded his call. The top taxpayers of his district are Tony Ling, Florencio Garay, Johnny and Clarence Pimentel, Isagani Jimenez, Alvin Py, Donald and Amador Que, and Pablito and Paul Vicencio as Top Individual Taxpayers;
Sudecor, DepEd, DPWH, Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur, Cantilan Bank, Enterprise Bank of Lianga, and Petco Corporation as Top Corporate Income Taxpayers; Sudecor as Top VAT Taxpayer; and the City Government of Tandag as Top Withholding Government Agent.
"All of this formed part of the total collections for the year," Yap said, adding that the "achievement of the cumulative goal for the period was also the result of increase in collection by accredited agent banks, RDO-106 collection agents' exemplary performances and the positive response of practicing professionals."
BIR-Caraga launches electronic revenue collection system
In line with its career and employee development program the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region 17 launched Thursday last week the electronic collection system called Payment Date Entry System (PDES) or e-lounge at the BIR regional center here.
Some 45 officers and rank and file employees of the agency led its regional district officers availed of the briefing and seminar conducted by the Revenue Data Center-Visayas headed by Ms. Lilia Guillermo,Deputy Commissioner of Information Group, Ms. Agnez Zape, RD, Visayas, and OIC of the Revenue Data Center-Visayas Aida S. Simborio.
BIR deputy commissioner of information group Ms. Lilia C. Guillermo (left) Ms. Aida Simborio (right) briefing participants on the Payment Data Entry System (PDES) held January 11, 2007 at the BIR Regional Training Center in Butuan City.
Ms. Simborio briefed the participants on the mechanics of Premyo sa Resibo after the launching the e-lounge.
The activity was made in compliance to Revenue Special Order No. 6-2007 issued on December 22, 2006 consistent with the Civil Service Memorandum Order stipulating that attendance of participants in the said training course will form part of their records.
The special order was signed by BIR Deputy Commissioner Verginia L. Trinidad.
Revenue Region No. 17 Regional Director Tamanatao "Tammy" S. Amerol (third from left in dark coat) leads BIR-Caraga personnel as he meets colleagues from the Revenue Data Center-Visayas at the Butuan City airport for the BIR e-lounge launching and briefing of the premyo sa resibo program. With Amerol are from left, Ms. Aida Simborio who brief participants on the said program and BIR deputy commissioner of information group Ms. Lilia C. Guillermo (2nd from left).
BIR RR 17 Regional Director Tammy Amerol (left) and Ms. Lilia C. Guillermo (right) BIR deputy commissioner of information group and Ms. Aida Simborio (background) who briefed participants in the Payment Data Entry System (PDES) training held January 11, 2007 at BIR Regional Taining Center in Butuan City. (Photo supply by Sasha, BIR 17 ) Home/Cagayan de Oro Journal
Saturday, January 13, 2007
A long way from anywhere
The Scanner
BEN VILLOTA
The world may be becoming a smaller place, but you might not believe it if your nearest neighbours were over 2,000km away. Rob Crossan visits the remote outpost that is Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha is not the kind of place that you could stumble across by accident. It is hardly suitable for a mini-break, and it certainly is not a place you can travel to on a whim. To visit the most remote inhabited community on earth requires no small degree of effort - especially if the tides are high and the hurricane season is under way.
Situated almost exactly halfway between South Africa's Cape Town and the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, Tristan da Cunha is a small volcanic island. An epic 2,333km from its closest neighbour - the equally bijou island of St Helena - it lies in the middle of the notoriously hostile stretch of the South Atlantic Ocean known as the Roaring Forties on account of its latitude and its fearsome winds: a veritable ships' graveyard which can increase the journey time of the few vessels that leave Cape Town from five days to anything up to two weeks.
The island does not have an airport, so until recently the easiest way to visit was via Britain's last remaining mail ship, the RMS St Helena. But this service came to an end last February, an ageing vessel and rising costs making it increasingly untenable. Now the only way to visit this ineffably distant place is by finding a berth on one of the tiny South African fishing boats that make the journey to Tristan seven or eight times a year to collect crayfish, the island's main source of income. I was lucky enough to be aboard RMS St Helena for her farewell voyage to Tristan, a journey that also marked the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the island.
Incredibly, Tristan da Cunha, just 110km2 with a hardy population of 268, is still a part of the UK. It constitutes by far the most remote of the anomalous hotchpotch of islands scattered across the planet - including Ascension Island, Anguilla, St Helena and Pitcairn - that make up the last remnants of the British Empire. Life on an island where there are only seven surnames, no mobile phones, one policeman, no crime and almost no visitors, is taking on greater importance as the 21st century progresses, with isolated communities such as this one becoming increasingly rare.
As the island's sole settlement, the evocatively named Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, comes into view it is as if we have travelled back in time to a 1920s Scottish highland village. The haphazard collection of tin-roofed bungalows clings onto one of only two small coastal strips; the rest is sheer rock cliffs. The passengers on RMS St Helena's final mail journey clamber down a precarious rope ladder and jump aboard a speedboat that takes us into the island's minuscule harbour. After seven days at sea, six of them spent without passing a single ship, bird or any form of human life, the normally forbidding sight of Tristan's volcano, rising almost 5,500m, is a very welcome sight.
Discovered 500 years ago by a Portuguese admiral named Tristão da Cunha, the island was first settled several centuries later. A small British military garrison was established to prevent the island being used as an escape route by Napoleon Bonaparte. This was never particularly likely as it would have involved Napoleon - who had been exiled to St Helena - making an enormous detour of some 2,500km. The British soon realised the folly of this venture and pulled out the garrison, but Corporal William Glass of the Royal Artillery - who was to become the first chief islander - his wife, children and two Devonian stonemasons, Samuel Burnell and John Nankivel, chose to remain on Tristan. In time, despite more than 200cm of rain a year, hurricanes, gales and the threat of the volcano erupting, the island became a thriving micro-economy through the sale of crayfish and rare postage stamps to the outside world.
The islanders endured their own two-year exile in the UK when the volcano erupted in 1961, destroying the crayfish factory but sparing Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. Incredibly, despite the islanders' exposure to cars, electricity, nightclubs and rock 'n' roll music during their stay in Calshott, Hampshire, almost every single one of them voted to return to the island at the earliest possible opportunity. This was despite persistent attempts by the UK government to block their return on the grounds that the island was now uninhabitable and suitable only as a site for nuclear testing. Many elderly islanders were so traumatised by their experience in the so-called civilised world that they have remained on Tristan da Cunha ever since.
One of the first things that you notice about Tristanians is their accent. The isolation from the outside world has created a local dialect that is a curious blend of early 19th-century colonial language (for instance, to feel ill in Tristan dialect is to feel 'qualmish', a word that died out in Britain in the early years of Queen Victoria's reign) and contemporary South African slang (pick-up trucks are known here, as in Cape Town, as 'bakkies'). When outsiders - or 'station fellas' as they are dubbed in a reference to the garrison stationed on the island during World War II - are around, the Tristan people's accent mellows to a soft, quiet lilt, reminiscent of the West Country. When talking among themselves, however, islanders' conversations appear all but unintelligible - a situation that I sensed they were keen to maintain.
A walk around the whole of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas takes just 15 minutes. Rising up behind the settlement is the endless cliff face of the volcano, covered with gulches that become torrential waterfalls when the rains set in. To the left of the village, only 200m away from the last house, you can see the enormous lava flow of 1961 which left a mountain of debris under which the original crayfish factory is buried. All the houses in the village are single-storey buildings that face towards the ocean. From the outside at least, most of them are virtually identical to the original cottages built by the island's earliest settlers. Loyalty to the crown is taken seriously and many houses contain a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. On clear days, the hippo-shaped rock of Inaccessible Island and nearby Nightingale Island can be seen. Here, the endemic and endangered Tristan Albatross breeds, making the island group a mecca for keen ornithologists.
Come and pull up a pew, man. There's loads of vodka to be drunk!' Leon Glass, 23-year-old son of Conrad, the island's policeman, offers me a stirring welcome at the Albatross Inn, Tristan da Cunha's only pub.
Open from 10am each day, it is a smart modern building where imported South African lager is just 60p a can and the surrounding ocean, rich in seafood, means that delicacies such as lobster quiche replace more usual pub snacks. 'There aren't many young people on the island at the moment,' Glass tells me. 'But those of us that are here want to stay. Almost nobody ever leaves Tristan for good. The quality of life here is so high. It's so safe; you know everybody and there are no worries for anybody in terms of money. I worked for a little while as a nightclub bouncer in Birmingham, where I saw some horrific fights and brawls. I'm glad I've visited the outside world, but I'm happiest here on the island.'
Glass's attitude is echoed by Mike Hentley, the current Administrator of Tristan. He has lived on the island for three years now and has presided over a period of great modernisation, including the installation of a new satellite communications system in 2006 which has allowed the locals to set up an internet café, and call the outside world at the rate of only 2p a minute. This is an enormous improvement on the eye-watering £6.50 per email and £1.80 per minute for phone calls that was the norm up to that point. 'We've only got one TV channel on Tristan,' says Hentley, as we talk in the spacious lounge of his house, which comes complete with a fluttering Union Jack in the front garden. 'It's the British Forces channel that comes from the Falklands, but I think even that has helped to put the people here off the outside world! They know that this is a very special place with a very tight-knit community. We have our problems, of course, but everyone here is so well looked after that there is no real desire to leave.
'Everyone is employed by either the government or Ovenstone [a South African company with an exclusive contract to sell the highly coveted Tristan crayfish to the US and Japan] to fish or maintain the village, and we have our own apartments in Cape Town where islanders can stay very cheaply if they want to take a holiday. We're almost completely self-sufficient here, unlike St Helena, which receives aid from the UK. Where else can you leave your house and car unlocked, or let your children go off camping on their own?'
But today even Tristan da Cunha is not completely free of the seditions of the outside world. Obesity is a problem, and Hently is currently leading a campaign to cut down the amount of alcohol consumed by the islanders: the culture of getting 'half touched' on most evenings is deeply ingrained in Tristan society. Another troubling issue is the lack of qualifications among Tristanians. Children leave the very basic island school at 15, and though there is the option to take GCSEs a year later, results are poor, creating a situation where even islanders who do want to leave are hampered in finding a job in the UK or South Africa. Yet, having fought so hard to return home after the eruption, the islanders have a rare attachment to their home. As the most remote community on earth, the people of Tristan are no longer quite as detached from the outside world as they once were. But as far as the strength and survival instinct of this reminder of the Empire goes, this place is unique. The slogan for the island - 'Our faith is our strength' -- could not be more apt.
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BEN VILLOTA
The world may be becoming a smaller place, but you might not believe it if your nearest neighbours were over 2,000km away. Rob Crossan visits the remote outpost that is Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha is not the kind of place that you could stumble across by accident. It is hardly suitable for a mini-break, and it certainly is not a place you can travel to on a whim. To visit the most remote inhabited community on earth requires no small degree of effort - especially if the tides are high and the hurricane season is under way.
Situated almost exactly halfway between South Africa's Cape Town and the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, Tristan da Cunha is a small volcanic island. An epic 2,333km from its closest neighbour - the equally bijou island of St Helena - it lies in the middle of the notoriously hostile stretch of the South Atlantic Ocean known as the Roaring Forties on account of its latitude and its fearsome winds: a veritable ships' graveyard which can increase the journey time of the few vessels that leave Cape Town from five days to anything up to two weeks.
The island does not have an airport, so until recently the easiest way to visit was via Britain's last remaining mail ship, the RMS St Helena. But this service came to an end last February, an ageing vessel and rising costs making it increasingly untenable. Now the only way to visit this ineffably distant place is by finding a berth on one of the tiny South African fishing boats that make the journey to Tristan seven or eight times a year to collect crayfish, the island's main source of income. I was lucky enough to be aboard RMS St Helena for her farewell voyage to Tristan, a journey that also marked the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the island.
Incredibly, Tristan da Cunha, just 110km2 with a hardy population of 268, is still a part of the UK. It constitutes by far the most remote of the anomalous hotchpotch of islands scattered across the planet - including Ascension Island, Anguilla, St Helena and Pitcairn - that make up the last remnants of the British Empire. Life on an island where there are only seven surnames, no mobile phones, one policeman, no crime and almost no visitors, is taking on greater importance as the 21st century progresses, with isolated communities such as this one becoming increasingly rare.
As the island's sole settlement, the evocatively named Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, comes into view it is as if we have travelled back in time to a 1920s Scottish highland village. The haphazard collection of tin-roofed bungalows clings onto one of only two small coastal strips; the rest is sheer rock cliffs. The passengers on RMS St Helena's final mail journey clamber down a precarious rope ladder and jump aboard a speedboat that takes us into the island's minuscule harbour. After seven days at sea, six of them spent without passing a single ship, bird or any form of human life, the normally forbidding sight of Tristan's volcano, rising almost 5,500m, is a very welcome sight.
Discovered 500 years ago by a Portuguese admiral named Tristão da Cunha, the island was first settled several centuries later. A small British military garrison was established to prevent the island being used as an escape route by Napoleon Bonaparte. This was never particularly likely as it would have involved Napoleon - who had been exiled to St Helena - making an enormous detour of some 2,500km. The British soon realised the folly of this venture and pulled out the garrison, but Corporal William Glass of the Royal Artillery - who was to become the first chief islander - his wife, children and two Devonian stonemasons, Samuel Burnell and John Nankivel, chose to remain on Tristan. In time, despite more than 200cm of rain a year, hurricanes, gales and the threat of the volcano erupting, the island became a thriving micro-economy through the sale of crayfish and rare postage stamps to the outside world.
The islanders endured their own two-year exile in the UK when the volcano erupted in 1961, destroying the crayfish factory but sparing Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. Incredibly, despite the islanders' exposure to cars, electricity, nightclubs and rock 'n' roll music during their stay in Calshott, Hampshire, almost every single one of them voted to return to the island at the earliest possible opportunity. This was despite persistent attempts by the UK government to block their return on the grounds that the island was now uninhabitable and suitable only as a site for nuclear testing. Many elderly islanders were so traumatised by their experience in the so-called civilised world that they have remained on Tristan da Cunha ever since.
One of the first things that you notice about Tristanians is their accent. The isolation from the outside world has created a local dialect that is a curious blend of early 19th-century colonial language (for instance, to feel ill in Tristan dialect is to feel 'qualmish', a word that died out in Britain in the early years of Queen Victoria's reign) and contemporary South African slang (pick-up trucks are known here, as in Cape Town, as 'bakkies'). When outsiders - or 'station fellas' as they are dubbed in a reference to the garrison stationed on the island during World War II - are around, the Tristan people's accent mellows to a soft, quiet lilt, reminiscent of the West Country. When talking among themselves, however, islanders' conversations appear all but unintelligible - a situation that I sensed they were keen to maintain.
A walk around the whole of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas takes just 15 minutes. Rising up behind the settlement is the endless cliff face of the volcano, covered with gulches that become torrential waterfalls when the rains set in. To the left of the village, only 200m away from the last house, you can see the enormous lava flow of 1961 which left a mountain of debris under which the original crayfish factory is buried. All the houses in the village are single-storey buildings that face towards the ocean. From the outside at least, most of them are virtually identical to the original cottages built by the island's earliest settlers. Loyalty to the crown is taken seriously and many houses contain a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. On clear days, the hippo-shaped rock of Inaccessible Island and nearby Nightingale Island can be seen. Here, the endemic and endangered Tristan Albatross breeds, making the island group a mecca for keen ornithologists.
Come and pull up a pew, man. There's loads of vodka to be drunk!' Leon Glass, 23-year-old son of Conrad, the island's policeman, offers me a stirring welcome at the Albatross Inn, Tristan da Cunha's only pub.
Open from 10am each day, it is a smart modern building where imported South African lager is just 60p a can and the surrounding ocean, rich in seafood, means that delicacies such as lobster quiche replace more usual pub snacks. 'There aren't many young people on the island at the moment,' Glass tells me. 'But those of us that are here want to stay. Almost nobody ever leaves Tristan for good. The quality of life here is so high. It's so safe; you know everybody and there are no worries for anybody in terms of money. I worked for a little while as a nightclub bouncer in Birmingham, where I saw some horrific fights and brawls. I'm glad I've visited the outside world, but I'm happiest here on the island.'
Glass's attitude is echoed by Mike Hentley, the current Administrator of Tristan. He has lived on the island for three years now and has presided over a period of great modernisation, including the installation of a new satellite communications system in 2006 which has allowed the locals to set up an internet café, and call the outside world at the rate of only 2p a minute. This is an enormous improvement on the eye-watering £6.50 per email and £1.80 per minute for phone calls that was the norm up to that point. 'We've only got one TV channel on Tristan,' says Hentley, as we talk in the spacious lounge of his house, which comes complete with a fluttering Union Jack in the front garden. 'It's the British Forces channel that comes from the Falklands, but I think even that has helped to put the people here off the outside world! They know that this is a very special place with a very tight-knit community. We have our problems, of course, but everyone here is so well looked after that there is no real desire to leave.
'Everyone is employed by either the government or Ovenstone [a South African company with an exclusive contract to sell the highly coveted Tristan crayfish to the US and Japan] to fish or maintain the village, and we have our own apartments in Cape Town where islanders can stay very cheaply if they want to take a holiday. We're almost completely self-sufficient here, unlike St Helena, which receives aid from the UK. Where else can you leave your house and car unlocked, or let your children go off camping on their own?'
But today even Tristan da Cunha is not completely free of the seditions of the outside world. Obesity is a problem, and Hently is currently leading a campaign to cut down the amount of alcohol consumed by the islanders: the culture of getting 'half touched' on most evenings is deeply ingrained in Tristan society. Another troubling issue is the lack of qualifications among Tristanians. Children leave the very basic island school at 15, and though there is the option to take GCSEs a year later, results are poor, creating a situation where even islanders who do want to leave are hampered in finding a job in the UK or South Africa. Yet, having fought so hard to return home after the eruption, the islanders have a rare attachment to their home. As the most remote community on earth, the people of Tristan are no longer quite as detached from the outside world as they once were. But as far as the strength and survival instinct of this reminder of the Empire goes, this place is unique. The slogan for the island - 'Our faith is our strength' -- could not be more apt.
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Saturday, January 06, 2007
Be spritually blessed! Help build San Roque Chapel in Bgy. Patag, Cagayan de Oro City
SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS
"We disgusted with this wretched food!"
-NUMBERS 21:5
____________
The mere fact that we are able to wake up each morning is already such a blessing beyond compare; it is miracle.
Just how blessed are we indeed to be able to bathe ourselves with hot and cold running water (while others have to fetch for it), to have food on the table during breakfast (while others still have to look for what to eat the next day), to have a car to bring us to our work place (while others have to walk a mile or to reach their destination), to be in an airconditioned room while we work (while others have to toil amidst sunshine and rain) to have hot meals for lunch (while others have no choice but to eat whatever is unavailable), to be able to take power naps and coffee breaks (while others don't have this kind of luxury) to have dinner with the family and watch TV as we recline and call it a day (while others don't even have a TV so they go ahead and sleep the night away to wake up to another day).
How blessed are we really. So let's count our blessings instead of complaining.
Grow closer to God as Barangay Patag in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines' parishioners are praying with you every day.
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Free Estrada, Oro council urges Malacañang
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (RAUL G. MOLDEZ / Jan 6) - THE city council here passed a resolution urging the government to grant temporary liberty to detained former president Joseph Estrada pending the final resolution of the plunder charges against him.The city council had joined other civil society groups also called on the government to allow him to post bail while awaiting the verdict of the Sandiganbayan on said plunder charges that remained unproven after almost six years of trial.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Maryanne Enteria, said Estrada's temporary liberty should be ordered for the sake of national unity and reconciliation.
During its regular session on Dec. 27, 2006 presided by acting Vice Mayor Juan Sia, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 8333-2006, expressing its support for the release of Estrada.
The resolution also cited Estrada's "unswerving adherence to the rule of law" during his five years' stay in prison. It said the ex-president "has shown no indication of fleeing the country to escape justice.”
Sia said the release of Estrada from prison may unify the nation and end the raging climate of hate engulfing the country.
“The national leadership has been time and again espousing national reconciliation among various political units and former President Estrada’s freedom may be the medicine to heal the wounds of the nation,”read one of the whereases of the resolution.
Sia said copies of the resolution will be furnished to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez and Sandiganbayan executive clerk of court Emma Rosario Lorbes for their appropriate and favorable action.
Earlier, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said he was spearheading the signing of "Covenant of Unity" among top government officials, business and religious leaders who have consistently pressed the government to release Estrada from prison for the sake of national reconciliation.
He said Estrada’s release “appears to be the missing link in the journey toward national reconciliation.”
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it is strongly supporting the Covenant of Unity, saying that the release of Estrada from detention pending court resolution “is a giant step in the path toward political peace and national reconciliation especially at the onset of the New Year.”
Lawyer Miguel Varela, PCCI chairman, pointed out the Covenant of Unity “is seen to lift a huge barrier to national unity and reconciliation.”
He said releasing Estrada “would be a top-drawer in the Philippine political cauldron that is being swept by hate and political squabbling that pulls all plugs stopping the inflow of both foreign and local investments.”
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Friday, December 29, 2006
Special report: Bloody tale of the Abu Sayyaf’s notoriety
COTABATO CITY (John Unson / Dec 29) - If Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani is really dead, his death will only cause a major setback for his notorious group, but will never mean its end.
This is how many analysts and peace advocates here believe, though still weary on whether it was indeed Kahadaffy’s remains the Marines had unearthed three days ago in Barangay Kabuntakas, a secluded district in Patikul, Sulu.
The youngest among Janjalani siblings, who were born and raised by their parents in Isabela, Basilan, the leader of the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) was feared for his ruthlessness against enemies.
Kahadaffy merely assumed the leadership of the ASG after his older brother, Ustadz Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani, was killed in a brief gunbattle with policemen in a coastal village in Basilan in 1998.
Abdurajak first underwent guerilla training in Kandahar , Afganistan, before joining in the 1980s the mujahideen forces that fought the then Soviet-backed regime of Afgan President Mohammad Najibullah.
A member of the Moro National Liberation Front, who was a key staffer of jailed MNLF founder Nur Misuari when he was still governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said Abdurajak stayed long in Pakistan to study Islamic theology in one of the schools there prior to his sojourn to Afganistan.
“He was a very good baker. He worked part time in a bakery in Pakistan while we were studying there. We even asked him to teach us how to bake bread. We learned from him that he had worked as a baker while in Isabela, where he grew up,” the source, who asked not to be identified, said.
Abdurajak, according to the source, then never showed signs he would rise as a leader of a group both Mindanao ’s Muslims and Christians would fear.
The soft-spoken, silent-type Kadaffy was still a minor when Abdurajak was abroad.
There are neighbors of the Janjalanis in Isabela claiming to have been shown by Abdurajak photos of him and a “a very wealthy Arab mujahideen,” purportedly Osama bin Laden, the man who could have recruited him into joining the forces that fought the Afgan-backed government in Afganistan in the early 1980s.
Local preachers who studied abroad said Bin Laden, indeed, operated a recruitment office for the Afgan mujahideen forces somewhere in Peshawar , Pakistan in the early 1980s.
When Abdurajak returned to the country in the early 1990s, he wasted no time in organizing a tightly-knit group aimed at propagating da’awah (preaching) activities as a pretext to putting up a puritan Islamic community in Mindanao .
Abdurajak established a 15-member “council of emirs,” and enlisted a preacher named Amilhussin Jumani as its senior adviser.
From 1990 to 1992, Abdurajak established a core group composed of 10 units, support, under Ustadz Benhamad; security, under Calona Mutalan; finance, under Bashier Latiff; operations, under Omar Gahalin; supply, under Jalali Bakal; recruitment, under Basiri Jillang, urban sector, under Abdullah Jainal; planning, Edwin Angeles, also known as Ibrahim Panduga; intelligence, under Abdulhamad Samad; and logistics, under Amiludin Muin.
Samad and Muin were to be arrested by government agents in June 3 and, subsequently, June 10, 1994 respectively. Angeles, who surrendered to the government, was briefly incarcerated in Camp Crame and was gunned down in Isabela, while coming out of a mosque, after Abdurajak was killed by policemen.
Angeles was then a strong contender for the post left vacant with the death of Abdurajak. There has been no information on the whereabouts now of the other pioneer members of the units the slain ASG founder established.
Khadaffy was never a part of a any of the ASG’s 10 pioneer units. Neither was he allowed by Abdurajak to join the ASG’s four operating arms, the hit squad, led by Ustadz Wahab Salajin, demolition, under Ustadz Munap Salajin, the mujahideen sector, under Ramon Sangkula Hassan, and training section, under a certain Mustapha, believed to be a preacher trained in Egypt.
The operating units of the ASG first had its “baptism of fire” when its members perpetrated the bombing in the early 1990s of the M/V Doulos in the Zamboanga City port, and, subsequently, carried out the murder of Italian priest Salvatorre Cardezza in a nearby district on May 20, 1992.
As the ASG spread its wings in the Basilan, Sulu and the Zamboanga peninsula, Abdurajak also hopped from one Southern island to another, preaching and encouraging Muslims to rise and fight for an independent Islamic state in the region.
“He was an eloquent speaker. He spoke well of the verses in the Holy Qur’an and used certain verses to justify his quest for a Muslim state in Mindanao and as excuses for the ASG’s use of violence to pursue its objectives,” another MNLF member, who hails from Sumisip, Basilan, told The Cagayan de Oro Journal.
As a preacher, Abdurajak spoke ill of the Philippine government and the United States , like his benefactor, bin Laden, who was rabidly against US foreign policies too.
Part of the ASG’s ploy to catch international attention then was the abduction, one after another, of local and foreign Christian missionaries, among them Catholic priests and nuns, to project the “religious dimensions” of its bid for an Islamic state in the South.
The group, apparently aimed at catching the attention of the United States , abducted in 1994 linguist Charles Walton in Sulu, while studying there the Tausog and Sama dialects.
As a preacher, Abdurajak spoke ill of the Philippine government and the foreign policies of the United States .
He was said to have attempted to expand the ASG’s operation in Central Mindanao , but was reportedly rejected by the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), whose leader then, cleric Hashim Salamat, was keen on preventing “contamination” of his group with any influence from terrorist organizations.
Salamat’s position of furthering his bid for Moro-rule in Mindanao, was more premised on the framework of unity and co-existence with all sectors in the south, under the Islamic context of inter-faith solidarity and economic advancement that would not displace, but rather empower Mindanao ’s native Moro and other indigenous groups.
MILF insiders said Salamat’s principles and vision of “peace with justice” for Mindanao ’s Moro, Lumad and Christian groups are being carried on by his successor, Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, who assumed the front’s leadership after Salamat’s demise in 2004 in Butig, Lanao del Sur.
Peace advocates, among them Catholic priests, are certain, it was for the MILF’s being a revolutionary organization and different in its religious and political convictions from the ASG that forced Khadaffy out of Central Midanao , where he hid from June to November 2005 to escape from government offensives against him in the Zamboanga peninsula.
Sources from Basilan, some of them local officials, said it was during the ASG’s plunder of Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur on April 4, 1995, where the young Khadaffy, already a combatant and a close-in security aide of Abdurajak, underwent his most crucial initiation in combat.
Abu Sayyaf fighters arrived at Ipil on board trucks and pumpboats that landed on its coasts, attacked the town proper, killed 42 civilians, seven soldiers and six policemen, and, before they fled, set 53 commercial establishments on fire. More than a hundred residents, trapped in the crossfire between the local police and military, were wounded in the attack.
Most of Khadafy’s followers were either children of MNLF fighters who perished in the so-called Mindanao conflict during the 1970s, or victims of abuses of the Marcos Regime, when the country was under martial law.
Misuari, while ARMM governor from 1996 to 2001, has repeatedly urged Malacañang to include in the Mindanao peace process special, extensive programs aimed at rebuilding the lives of victims of human rights abuses, quality education for the so-called “orphans of conflicts,” and employment that would give them jobs for them not to resort to religious extremism that tend to undermine the efforts of fostering peace and sustainable development in the south.
“Religious extremism is a concern now confronting Mindanao ’s moderate Muslims, which is strongly against terrorism. There are radical Islamists in schools, even in government offices,” said a ranking education official in Central Mindanao.
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Thursday, December 28, 2006
Probers look into Turk's links to fire
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce) - Cagayan de Oro City fire marshall Oscar Abecia yesterday ordered arson investigators to look for a Turk reportedly responsible for the fire that destroyed over 40 houses and more than P1 million worth of property in Barangay 15 of the city the day after Christmas.
Abecia said they would file charges against Norris Glandlandan if warranted.
Lucresia Vallego, owner of the house where the fire started, claimed the blaze began at the room being rented by Glandlandan and his family.
"Glandlandan was the one renting at my apartment. The fire started at his place," Vallego said adding that a day before the fire, she heard Glandlandan ordering his son to buy gasoline.
Abecia, however, said one of his fire investigators said the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring.
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Councilors declare BIR director persona non grata
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce and Mark Francisco) – The city council yesterday declared the director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here persona non grata for supposedly snubbing an official inquiry into the alleged corruption in the local offices of the bureau here.
Declared persona non grata was Mustapha Garandosa, BIR director.
Two of his subordinates, assistant director Alberto Olasiman and Cagayan de Oro revenue district officer Ester Palala suffered the same fate.
Garandosa did not show up during the city council inquiry two Mondays ago because, supposedly, he was on leave. He failed to show up again during the council session yesterday.
In a letter written on his behalf by Olasiman, Garandosa said he regretted that he could not face the city council supposedly because a BIR memorandum prevented him from doing so.
The letter cited BIR Memorandum Order no. 25-2005 issued by BIR Commissioner Jose Mario Buñag on Oct. 12, 2005, that ordered all BIR employees nationwide not to issue statements or release documents pertaining to their jobs without his direct consent.
But Councilor Jose Benaldo said the basis of Buñag’s directive was Executive Order No. 464 prohibiting government officials and employees from appearing in legislative investigations.
Two sections of the executive order had since been nullified by the Supreme Court, he said.
“The (line of) reasoning of Gandarosa is unfounded and baseless,” said Simeon Licayan, adding that the council only wanted the BIR officials to shed light on the complaints.
Licayan said Gandarosa’s failure two show up in two-occasion was enough to declare him persona non grata.
Councilors said they were not checking the records of BIR but were questioning the bureau’s officials in regard to numerous complaints on extortion.
The city council passed a resolution requesting the Office of the President, the BIR, the Ombudsman, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) and the Revenue and Incentives Protection Service of the Department of Finance (DOF) to investigate local BIR officials.
The councilors passed a third resolution asking the BIR to recall the three officials to its central office in Manila and ground them there pending the result of an investigation.
Councilor Cesar Ian Acenas said copies of the two resolutions would be furnished to local governments throughout the countrty to warn them of the alleged illegal modus operandi of some people in the BIR.
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Declared persona non grata was Mustapha Garandosa, BIR director.
Two of his subordinates, assistant director Alberto Olasiman and Cagayan de Oro revenue district officer Ester Palala suffered the same fate.
Garandosa did not show up during the city council inquiry two Mondays ago because, supposedly, he was on leave. He failed to show up again during the council session yesterday.
In a letter written on his behalf by Olasiman, Garandosa said he regretted that he could not face the city council supposedly because a BIR memorandum prevented him from doing so.
The letter cited BIR Memorandum Order no. 25-2005 issued by BIR Commissioner Jose Mario Buñag on Oct. 12, 2005, that ordered all BIR employees nationwide not to issue statements or release documents pertaining to their jobs without his direct consent.
But Councilor Jose Benaldo said the basis of Buñag’s directive was Executive Order No. 464 prohibiting government officials and employees from appearing in legislative investigations.
Two sections of the executive order had since been nullified by the Supreme Court, he said.
“The (line of) reasoning of Gandarosa is unfounded and baseless,” said Simeon Licayan, adding that the council only wanted the BIR officials to shed light on the complaints.
Licayan said Gandarosa’s failure two show up in two-occasion was enough to declare him persona non grata.
Councilors said they were not checking the records of BIR but were questioning the bureau’s officials in regard to numerous complaints on extortion.
The city council passed a resolution requesting the Office of the President, the BIR, the Ombudsman, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) and the Revenue and Incentives Protection Service of the Department of Finance (DOF) to investigate local BIR officials.
The councilors passed a third resolution asking the BIR to recall the three officials to its central office in Manila and ground them there pending the result of an investigation.
Councilor Cesar Ian Acenas said copies of the two resolutions would be furnished to local governments throughout the countrty to warn them of the alleged illegal modus operandi of some people in the BIR.
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2 MGB execs slapped with graft charges
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce) – The Office of the Ombudsman in Davao has ordered former Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Glenn Marcelo Noble and a department head of the Bureau to answer a graft complaint filed against them.
Abner Fortaleza and Eugenio Sepulveda filed a complaint against Noble and Paul Salise before the 20th branch of the Regional Trial Court here last Oct. 25.
But earlier, they also filed a complaint against the two officials before the ombudsman.
In a three-page order dated Nov. 6, a copy of which was furnished this paper, ombudsman Maria Corazon Arancon directed Noble and Salise to submit their answer.
Arancon also directed Sepulveda and Fortaleza to submit a certificate of “non-forum shopping.”
Noble is now assigned at MGB Central Office in Manila while Salise is the chief of the Mining Environment and Safety Division of MGB-10.
Cagayan de Oro Journal tried to contact Noble and Salise for comment but to no avail.
Noble and Salise were accused of obtaining two sets of round-trip plane tickets each when they attended a conference in Baguio in November 2002. Public funds were used in buying the first sets of tickets since it was supposedly an official trip. But here’s the catch: a private firm based in Iligan City allegedly paid for the other set of tickets, supposedly for the same purpose.
Fortaleza and Sepulveda said it was unethical and a violation of law against graft.
The complainants also accused the officials of failing to account for solicitations made for a seminar in November 2002.
They alleged that some 90 people attended the seminar and that participants supposedly paid P1,500 each.
They called on the environment department to suspend Noble and Salise.
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Abner Fortaleza and Eugenio Sepulveda filed a complaint against Noble and Paul Salise before the 20th branch of the Regional Trial Court here last Oct. 25.
But earlier, they also filed a complaint against the two officials before the ombudsman.
In a three-page order dated Nov. 6, a copy of which was furnished this paper, ombudsman Maria Corazon Arancon directed Noble and Salise to submit their answer.
Arancon also directed Sepulveda and Fortaleza to submit a certificate of “non-forum shopping.”
Noble is now assigned at MGB Central Office in Manila while Salise is the chief of the Mining Environment and Safety Division of MGB-10.
Cagayan de Oro Journal tried to contact Noble and Salise for comment but to no avail.
Noble and Salise were accused of obtaining two sets of round-trip plane tickets each when they attended a conference in Baguio in November 2002. Public funds were used in buying the first sets of tickets since it was supposedly an official trip. But here’s the catch: a private firm based in Iligan City allegedly paid for the other set of tickets, supposedly for the same purpose.
Fortaleza and Sepulveda said it was unethical and a violation of law against graft.
The complainants also accused the officials of failing to account for solicitations made for a seminar in November 2002.
They alleged that some 90 people attended the seminar and that participants supposedly paid P1,500 each.
They called on the environment department to suspend Noble and Salise.
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