A CALL TO DEFEND THE PEOPLES’ RIGHT TO KNOW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The invitation clearly states who the organizers are.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atty. CHARINA SANZ

Mindanao ComStrat and Policy Alternatives

CAROLYN ARGUILLAS

MindaNews

FR. EDUARDO VASQUEZ, OMI

I-Watch

RED BATARIO

Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD)

MA. AURORA FAJARDO

Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project

NONOY ESPINA

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)

RYAN ROSAURO

The Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON)

Reference:

ROMY ELUSFA

Secretariat, SOB Coverage Mission

Mobile phone 09209546793

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Rice trader ‘hangs’ self in Corrales restaurant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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ROXAS DECRIES PALACE, DRUG INDUSTRY BOYCOTT

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

REBUKES MALACAñANG FOR REVIVING E0 464 CURSE

PRESS STATEMENT

Office of Senator Mar Roxas

Suite 512 GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Pasay City

Please refer to:

Ms. Jenny Bugarin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Abad takes over 4ID as Officer-In-Charge

By BEN BALCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

In his speech, Abad vowed to crush insurgency.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Abad takes over 4ID as Officer-In-Charge

By BEN BALCE

CAGAYAN de Oro City (Cagayan Journal / June 25) - Army’s 4^th Infantry Division deputy commanding general Brigadier General Rolito Abad on Wednesday formally took over as the General Officer-in-Charge of the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao, officials said.

Abad replaced Maj. General Ricardo Aguirre David, Jr., who was appointed as commander of the military’s Northern Luzon Command based in Camp Aquino, Tarlac.

Under David’s command are two Infantry Divisions deployed in Northern Luzon, the 5^th Infantry Division based in Gamu,Isabela and the 7^th Infantry Division based in Fort Magsaysay, Playan City.

4ID’s spokesman Major Michelle Anayron said Abad initially assumed the command since the Commander-in-Chief, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is yet to sign the appointment of new 4ID commander.

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

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

In his speech, Abad vowed to crush insurgency.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roxas: No to new taxes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Licayan defends Emano’s absence; councilor spares 'excuse letter'

CAGAYAN Journal (Ben Balce/June 10) Last week, Ocon ripped the vice mayor’s “excuse letter” after calling the latter’s continued absences “insult” and “deceit” to the taxpaying public. It was the third time for him to tear into pieces the vice mayor's "excuse letter."

Emano’s party mates in the majority block have consistently defended his absences, saying this was not major issue because the vice mayor is doing other tasks that bear more impact on the local government, like talking to potential investors visiting the city.

Also, they argued that the delegation of presiding officer’s responsibilities is allowed by the council’s own House Rules.

“That our vice mayor can choose not to appear here and delegate the task of presiding the session to other members by rotating this responsibility among us in not his fault,” Councilor Simeon Licayan said last week.

“We crafted and approved our own House Rules, and these rules bear our vice mayor out from all these questions hounding his nonappearance here,” he said.

Even if Emano were to preside the weekly sessions, Licayan said this would be “awkward” both for Emano and for the City Council members because “his presence is more needed in other grand functions, not mingling here with us.”

“Pang-presidente gud na atong bise mayor (Our vice mayor has a stature of a president,” Licayan added.

Emano had earlier said that presiding or even attending regular council sessions was not his cup of tea as he dislikes “debates” that are common in legislative sessions.

Despite his nonappearance in sessions, the vice mayor continues to receive salary. Vice mayors in highly urbanized cities are entitled to salary grade of 28, equivalent to over P24,000 a month.

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Amnesty International vows support for Subanen women, youth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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