It’s fair enough, Kagay-anons say of new fair market values

CAGAYAN de Oro City – (RAUL MOLDEZ / Nov. 27) - The City Council late last week assured the public it will take note and consider their reactions, suggestions and comments on the proposed new schedule of fair market values and building permit fees and other charges.

In a public hearing, Vice Mayor Michelle Tagarda-Spiers said the adoption of both schedules is long overdue.

“Since 1997, there were no changes. We should have done three revisions already,” said Spiers adding, under the 1991 Local Government Code, local government units are mandated to revise fair market values every three years.

“It is not only mandated by law. It is long overdue,” she said.

The public hearing was held at the City’ Tourism office Thursday as Spiers thanked civic groups, nongovernmental organizations, landowners, developers, barangay officials, regional offices and other sectors for attending the public consultation.

“If you compare Cagayan de Oro City between 1997 and 2006, there is a world of difference. Cagayan de Oro has boomed, bloomed and blossomed so much,” the vice mayor pointed out.

Vice Mayor Spiers said the adoption of the new fair market values is necessary to enable the city to “keep pace with the changes” of time.

“We will consider your proposals before we will finally approve the schedule,” she added. City Assessor Atinodoro Asequia pointed out that under Sections 219 and 212 of RA 7160, also known as the 1991 Local Government Code, each LGU is authorized to revise fair market value schedule every three years.

In the proposed schedule, the City Assessor claimed that the increase is very minimal. Based on the figures presented by the City Assessor, the increase is pegged at the average of 20-percent from the existing rates, except in posh housing subdivisions.

“The increase is arrived at after making consultations with the realtors and other sectors. It is fair, just and reasonable,” Asequia said, adding that the valuation is based on the actual use.

Assessment officials said the city’s assessment level is lower than Cebu’s and Iligan’s. Barangay kagawad Camilo Sario of Bugo said the new valuation is fair enough. “It means 2 percent a year,” he said, referring to the number of years the city had not effected changes in the fair market value.

After the presentation of the fair market values by the City Assessor, officials of the City Building Office presented the new schedule of building permit fees and other charges based on the new provisions of the IRR of the National Building Code.

The public hearing was presided by Councilor Juan Sia, chair of the City Council committee on finance, and attended by Vice Mayor Spiers, Councilors Maryanne Enteria, Reynaldo Advincula, Ian Mark Nacaya, Alexander Dacer, Caesar Ian Acenas and Alfonso Goking.

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Nurturing the young and the restless

From a friend in Isulan

WHAT do children, public officials, and company executives have in common?

A storytelling contest, that's what, at least in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

The provincial government of Sultan Kudarat and the Department of Education teamed up with Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) to put together a series of competitions for schoolchildren. What unfolded inside the posh new provincial offices in Isulan were not only a storytelling contest, but oratorical and ethno-modern dance ones as well.

Schoolchildren from all over Sultan Kudarat came in buses to the provincial capitol recently to compete, in full regalia, with one another. High school co-eds shunned inhibition and performed in full costume, with painted faces and glittering bodies. The three events were a high point during celebrations for the province's 33rd founding anniversary. It was also the 8th Kalimudan Festival, the latter lumad term meaning "gathering."

One by one, the young storytellers and orators gave flesh to the theme: "Government, private sector and community partnership—The Path Towards Sustainable Peace and Development." All pieces were delivered at "performance level, that's why we had a hard time in deciding," admitted one of the judges.

"Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of folk art," said Provincial Board Member Eliseo Castro. Speaking on behalf of Vice Governor Don Ligo, Castro said that as the province was celebrating its founding anniversary, "we continue to adapt this traditional storytelling and oratorical contest as we continue to develop our province."

He recalled that "early storytelling combined stories, poetry, music, and dance. Many people told stories, but the best storyteller was chosen to be the entertainer of the community."

Castro said that the province had an important message to impart in terms of its history and potentials, and that "the best place to find a good story is at the public library."

Flora Valmonte, Assistant Director of the National Library, commended the young competitors for their talents and determination during her keynote address. Valmonte was in town also to introduce e-library to the provincial capitol, courtesy of the national Library.

"The success of these competitions and the spirit of camaraderie that they have fostered inspires us more to continue this partnership," said Rolando Doria, SMI overall project coordinator. Doria was referring to the tie-up with the provincial government, the type of team work that SMI has been cultivating across its host communities.

The string of contests was enlivened by indigenous songs, colors, and dances. The Silek B'laan Musical Ensemble rendered a particularly spirited number.

MIKE BAÑOS501 V. F. Cabaraban St., Cabaraban Subdivision,Puntod, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City, PhilippinesPrimary Mobile 0906-889-8484 (Touch Mobile)Secondary Mobile 0921-469-6305 (Smart) IM http://us.f377.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=mike_banos_2000@yahoo.com alternate email : mike_banos@walla.com

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Capuyan set to replace Baguio

CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City (BEN BALCE / Nov 21) - A Police general who spent most of his career in Northern Mindanao would replace retiring Chief Supt. Florante Baguio this week.

Camp Crame named Chief Supt. Teodorico Capuyan as the next police director for Northern Mindanao. The order takes effect on Friday.

Baguio is scheduled to turn over the Camp Alagar command to Capuyan on Nov. 24, a day he before he turns 55.

Camp Alagar warmly greeted the news on Capuyan’s appointment. The last time it had a regional director who was considered homegrown was when Camp Crame appointed the now retired Chief Supt. Reuben Cabagnot.

Like Cabagnot, Capuyan also served as police chief for Misamis Oriental.

“Capuyan is no stranger here and he’s very capable to lead the entire (police) command,” said Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno.

Capuyan presently serve as executive director for operations of Camp Crame.

Capuyan held key positions at Camp Alagar before he was promoted to the rank of general. He has served Camp Alagar as chief of staff, deputy regional director for operations and deputy regional director for administrations.

On separate occasions, he also served as provincial director of the Bukidnon and Camiguin police offices.

Capuyan told Cagayan de Oro Journal he would announce his plans and programs during the Nov. 24 turnover.

“Let’s wait for the turn over and rest assured during the assumptions of command, my plans and programs will follow,” said Capuyan. “After the turnover of command, all things would be put in place.”

Gov. Moreno welcomed Capuyan’s appointment. “I have no questions on General Capuyan’s credibility as a police officer. He’s a good officer, a fighter and a gentleman.”

Moreno said he could not recall any issue raised against Capuyan when the police official held various positions under Camp Alagar.

He said he would support Capuyan the way he supported Chief Supt. Baguio whose “legacy in serving Region 10 is incomparable.”

It was learned that Capuyan’s appointment was endorsed by the Regional Peace and Order Council who cited the police official’s “sterling record and his extensive exposure to northern Mindanao where he was assigned for many years in various capacities.”

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Simply devastating

Pacquiao demolishes Morales in 3 rounds

UNLEASHING a ferocity befitting his status as one of the world’s top pound-for-pound—if not the best—boxer, Manny Pacquiao knocked Erik Morales down three times en route to a third-round knockout victory Saturday night at the Thomas and Mack Center here.

Fighting Morales for the third time in 20 months, Pacquiao reduced what was expected to a be a long and suspense-filled bout into just nine minutes of frenetic combat, his first combination to the last knockout punch containing power that left the Mexican contemplating retirement.

Although the last episode of their memorable trilogy didn’t last as long as their first two matches, Pacquiao, 27, ended it on a sweet note to the cheers of a highly-partisan Filipino crowd that competed for space with their Mexican counterparts at the arena. In all, the bout drew a crowd of 18,276, the second-biggest in the history of the Thomas and Mack Center.

Pacquiao, who improved his career record to 43 wins against three draws and two losses, with 23 knockouts, handed Morales his fifth defeat in 53 fights. More importantly, the loss may have ended the 30-year-old Morales’ career.

"I thought it was going to be a long fight, but it was a good fight—more action," Pacquiao said, adding that while the Filipino crowd cheered him on before the opening round, all that was on his mind was to "make a move and make it fast, in and out, in and out, use your speed."

Pacquiao was guaranteed $3 million for the match while Morales will get at least $2.75 million.
Pacquiao’s victory more than made up for Brian Viloria’s failure to regain his WBC light flyweight crown in one of the supporting bouts. Viloria knocked down Mexican Omar Nino twice but Nino retained his crown with a majority draw.

Morales, who had to lose at least 30 pounds to make the 130-pound weight limit for their super featherweight encounter, matched Pacquiao’s ferocity at the outset but was soon sent against the ropes late in the second round by a counter left hand that Pacquiao delivered while his back was against the ropes.

Probably thinking he would lose steam if the fight goes the full 12 rounds, Morales returned every shot that Pacquiao threw but failed to keep pace with the Filipino boxing star’s every move.

A right hand by Morales caused Pacquiao to wince at the start of the third, but the Filipino southpaw responded with a left to the chin, right to the body and another left to the head.

Smelling blood, Pacquiao launched a vicious two-fisted barrage that chased Morales across the ring and sent him into the ropes for a second knockdown.

Morales appeared to hurt Pacquiao with a right hand as his opponent came charging forward looking for the finish, but it would be his last stand. Another series of devastating rights and lefts had Morales in trouble again and he went down along the ropes in the same spot as the second knockdown.

The Mexican appeared to signal to his corner that he had had enough, and was counted out by referee Vic Drakulich with just three seconds remaining in the round.

"He was coming to me, and he was not able to handle me," Pacquiao said. "I felt so much stronger than him. I was prepared to fight the best of Morales."

Morales managed to sit up after the final blows but shook his head at his trainer-father, Jose, while Pacquiao celebrated another big victory over the only man to beat him since 1999.

Morales said the fight might be his last. He has lost four of his last five bouts.

"For the first time in my career, I actually felt the power of an opponent like I’ve never felt it before," said Morales, who also figured in a trilogy with fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera, losing two fights.

Barrera is the reigning World Boxing Council super featherweight champion and could be Pacquiao’s next opponent. Pacquiao retained his WBC International belt with his devastating win.

"I was hurt by the power of his punches, and maybe it’s time to think about not doing this anymore. I had a great career. Maybe it is time," said Morales, although he later said he may fight again in his native Tijuana.

Morales won their first meeting in March last year, scoring a unanimous decision win over a bloodied Pacquiao. The Filipino, however, stopped Morales in the 10th round of their return bout last January.

Pacquiao, who gained 15 pounds after tipping the scales at 129 pounds last Friday, said: "I was faster and bigger than him. I could tell in the second round he was surprised by my right hook."

To typify Pacquiao’s domination of the fight, he threw 175 punches in just nine minutes, landing 54 percent, including 51 of his 71 power shots in the third round. Morales landed just 26 percent of his punches.

"He was too fast and too strong," said Morales. "I did everything in camp necessary to win this fight. I didn’t win it. It wasn’t my night."(Malaya, The National Newspaper)

Oro-based pop band to launch debut album

Fayeed Tan: Meet the Boys in the Band

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MIKE BAÑOS/Nov 20) - Cagayan de Oro-based alternative pop band will be launching their debut album under the MindaTone indie label at the Limketkai Mall rotunda on November 25, 4PM.

Here are some bullets 'bout the Boys in the Band:

Fayeed Tan – 23, vocals, piano and rhythm guitar, composer/arranger and Beatles fanatic. Penned most of the tunes in the album, and all three English tunes (for the international market?) written when he was still a solo act; while the Beatles remain the major influence in his music, he also admits to having the spirits of B.B. King, Tommy Emmanuel, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Dahong Palay, Gary Moore, Eric Johnson and John Meyer in his tunes. How fanatic a Beatle fan, you ask? He can tell you which Beatle album any Beatle song title you throw at him came from, and the year when it was released. Yup, that freaky, man…Solo acoustic act before the band happened, did solo gigs for Frostway, The Site, XCite and Ja's Ground; hosted a radio show on Sandy 101, believe it…

Eurd – 26, bass guitar, used to have a last name, before going U2 (like, The Edge, you know); session bassist for the likes of Osang and Joey 'Pepe' Smith, already cut a solo album, brings tradition and experience to the new sound; wrote all the Tagalog lyrics of the six Pinoy cuts in the album (can't trust Fayeed with that one huh?) Influences in his music include Joey Ayala and Gary Granada (with whom he played with in Musicians for Peace), Noel Cabugan, Pendong Aban, Jr. and in the one band where our musical paths cross, the Kupka-Castillo band "Tower of Power" (Sparkling in the Sand, So Very Hard to Go, You're Still A Young Man). But then, you guys are all too young to remember. Most of you weren't born yet!

Allan Inovero - 24, lead guitar, from Nazareth (sorry, the place, not the band, dude!) ; previous stints as lead guitarist for a show band in CDO; did gigs with Picasso, other clubs…started with the charismatic group at San Antonio de Padua parish during the time of Msgr. Ray Monsanto but God obviously has other plans for him….

Sonny Boy Tan – 21, drums; Fayeed's kid brotha. Taga Macasandig sila, sorry, still no bad ass metal band by that name yet! But give him time, after all, he just recently gained license to drink beer….

Fayeed Tan, The Band…guys got together August 2005, when Fayeed met Eurd while doing a gig for a fashion show; Guys got to play together for a one-show gig but liked the chemistry so much, they're still at it, so far...have opened for Rampage, David Pomeranz, Bamboo, Mark Bautista…pretty soon those names would qualify for this band's opening act….
Have done Marawi, Bukidnon, and the Bacolod-Silay-Iloilo areas…today CDO, tomorrow the World!

Di Na Mag-iisa (The Album Launch)

Here's a brief snapshot at the tunes and what to expect during launching their debut album under the Minda-TONE indie label at the Limketkai Mall rotunda on Nov. 25 at 4 p.m..

There's eleven (11) cuts in the album entitled "Di Na Mag-iisa", also the title of their carrier single. A Lennon-MacCartney kinda collaboration, the lyrics were penned by Eurd and the music and arrangement by Fayeed. Eurd's not talking but am pretty sure it's about someone he knows well, judging from passion with which he talks about it. Catch the music video megged by Direk Gelbert Cabunoc of ABS-CBN and produced by DigitalTree Productions now on heavy rotation over MTV Philippines every morning from 7-10AM. You can also catch it on MYX starting last week. The album's 11th cut is a piano version of the same song with Fayeed at the keyboards.

Chuy! Started out as a theme song from the ABS-CBN show of the same title but grew into something more "about the city where the guys grew up and the cool people who live in it." Its English-Tagalog-Bisaya lyrics should strike a chord in the young people who can identify with the stuff Eurd and Fayeed sing about, as CDO icons like DVsoria, Ketkai, the river taxi, motorela, the Cagayan river and the Ysalina bridge at Carmen flash before your eyes.

She, Insomniac, and Bitter Sweet are the three English cuts penned by Fayeed while he was still a solo act in 2004; blended and osterized with a full band, they've been reborn mainstream as Fayeed Tan (The Band).

The remaining cuts in the album are "Bagay Daw Tayo", "Gusto Ko Sana", "Timpla ng Pag-Ibig"; "Kwentong Waiting Shed"; and "Hahanapin Kita". Like Lennon and McCartney, all lyrics were by Eurd with music and arrangement by Fayeed. What about them?

Come see for yourself and do your own critiquing at the Ketaki Rotonda Saturday, 25 November, 4PM. Opening acts are Tabula Rasa and Joey Ayala (yes, the Joey Ayala). They'll also be doing covers of Jason Mraz's "The Remedy" and the Beatles "Come Together". Adto ta, kita rata didto…

MIKE BAÑOS501 V. F. Cabaraban St., Cabaraban Subdivision,Puntod, 9000 Cagayan de Oro CityPhilippinesPrimary Mobile 0906-889-8484 (Touch Mobile)Secondary Mobile 0921-469-6305 (Smart) IM mike_banos_2000@yahoo.comalternate email : mike_banos@walla.com
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Moreno doubts that most of Misor’s mayors have left him; welcomes Baculio’s likely bid

CAGAYAN de Oro City - (BEN BALCE / Nov. 18) - MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno has said he doubts reports that 23 of the province’s mayors have thrown their support for the likely gubernatorial bid of 2nd district Rep. Augusto Baculio Jr., next year.

Moreno said this is in reaction to a claim made by a radio commentator of DxIF-Bombo Radyo that only Tagoloan Mayor Yevgeny Vincente Emano has remained a political ally of the governor.

“In politics, it’s always addition. But I don’t believe that (claim). Maybe three or four mayors are with him (Baculio) right now,” said Moreno, adding he, Emano and most of the other town mayors in the province were in good terms, and they have remained supportive his administration.

Baculio, who is serving his 3rd and last term as congressman, has reportedly declared that he would run for governor of the province in May next year.

Moreno said he would not stand in the way of a Baculio candidacy, adding that he understands that the congressman would be displaced unless he takes a shot at the gubernatorial post.

Moreno said he also realizes that the congressman’s staff and his supporters were prodding Baculio to seek the governorship because they, too, would be displaced unless the lawmaker runs for another elective position next year.

“Jun’s (Baculio’s) bid is the product of his staff and the people around him. Nabalaka na sila kung asa mopaingon,” Moreno said.

Moreno called Baculio, his classmate at San Beda in 1972, “a good man” which is why, he said, he has no problems with the lawmaker’s announcement to run for governor next year.

“I have nothing against him (Baculio) and I don’t even plan to do anything might block his candidacy,” said Moreno.

At least 17 municipal mayors from the province who were brought to the US by Baculio in October have pledged to support Baculio’s like bid next year, according to a DxIF report.

While it was for a Dairy Congress, the US trip was widely perceived as a move to woo the support of the town mayors.

In January, Baculio also brought a group of towns mayors to Thailand.

The trips were in line with efforts to make Misamis Oriental the country’s “dairy capital,” according to Baculio. He said the trips were “educational.”

“It’s a sign that there’s going to be an election next year,” Moreno said. “If Jun believes that he could serve better, I respect that, and it is only right for him to declare and file his certificate of candidacy.”

But over local radio, Moreno said he would face Baculio and other politicians who might challenge his likely reelection bid in a “gentleman’s way.”

“It’s still November but already the province’s politicians are talking, with much interest, about the forthcoming elections. I’m also very excited too,” admitted Moreno.

But he said he would rather focus on implementing his programs for the province.

Meanwhile, Moreno claimed that majority of the members of the provincial board have remained in tact and unwavering in their support for his administration despite the alleged demolition job supposedly involving two of its members, Henry Clyde Abbott and Alejo Olano, and what some journalists now refer to as the “Stronghold Group.”

The “Stronghold Group,” coined from a insurance company called Stronghold which Abbott runs, is one of the places where the people allegedly involved in the alleged smear campaign against Moreno have been meeting. The group includes controversial radio blocktimers Eddie Dangcal and Ronnie Waniwan.

“I am upset because these people are behind this demolition job which started in July,” Moreno said. “But the fundamentals are still there. The people who really work hard to rebuild and reform the province are still there, and I have nothing to worry about.”

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BUILDING A PERSONAL IDENTITY: The practical importance of mastering one's native language

DUGONG MINDANAO
By RAUL MOLDEZ

MOST Filipino parents want their children speak the English language in that they enroll them in exclusive schools. Without them knowing it, they have become easy preys of the highly commercialized Philippine educational system. But becoming themselves gullible to the demands of these exclusive schools they do not mind. It’s because they feel a certain degree of pride seeing and hearing their kids speaking like birds!

In Cagayan de Oro City where I live, there are a number of exclusive pre-schools run either by religious groups or enterprising educators.

And while in a public utility jeepney, I seldom hear these children of well-to-do families speaking these lines: “Where man ta mag-watch og movie?” or “Mommy, when man diay si Daddy mouli?” or “Mommy, ingon si teacher, bad baya ang mangaway og baby.”

From those who are in exclusive colleges and universities, these lines are quite familiar: “Mag-faster ta oy kay hapit na baya ang time!” or “Pa-borrow og money, please. Mo-pay ko tomorrow” or “Nag-eat naka?” or “Mag-buy tag food.”

What language is that? Certainly, it is neither English nor Cebuano.

Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada, of UP in the Visayas, said: “The greatest evil in the Philippine educational system is the use of English as the language of instruction in the classroom. The greatness of the Filipino is preserved in the various languages of the country.”

“We must teach in the language of the learner,” he urged writers, teachers and educators in his keynote speech during the 2005 National Conference of the Philippine Center for International PEN held in Iloilo City on December 3, even as he challenged them to master their own languages before they master another’s.

For his part, former UP President Francisco Nemenzo Jr. said: “Filipinos should not abandon their regional tongue but must also develop it.”

In his visit to Romblon, the first and only place he knew, NVM Gonzalez asked a faculty from English Department whether she enjoyed teaching English. The teacher replied: “I have no regrets, even though it’s a second language.”

Gonzalez retorted: “You have an English department and a Filipino department. But Tagalog is a second language and English a third. Don’t you want a Romblon department? Your language defines your world, including the history of our enslavement by the English.”

On one hand, Gonzalez had regrets that English became the official language of the Philippines. “The learning process could hardly be called slight; we had to do everything in a received language, every single word truly an alien presence,” he said, describing his difficult foray as a young writer using the “borrowed language”.

On the other hand, Dr. Macario Tiu, of Ateneo de Davao University, castigated those self-proclaimed pundits when they insist that students’ poor English is the culprit why most of the college graduates are jobless.

The solution to unemployment problem, according to Tiu and which I fully agree, is not to improve the ability of the students and graduates to speaking English but the opening of more businesses and industrial plants that will provide them jobs.

Speak English

I GREW up in a remote village of Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte whose name rendered it more bucolic—Lungsodaan. The word “daan” means old in Cebuano [Until now, as its name goes, our place remains “daan”].

There, I studied in a public school for my elementary education and was forced to enroll in a private school for my secondary education because our place had—and until now, has—no public high school. Though I am 33 years old now, the order of our teachers directing us to speak in English is still very fresh in my memory. During those years, I, together with some of my classmates coming from poor families, religiously obeyed the order because we had no money to pay for the fine. Yes, our teachers would impose fines upon those caught speaking “Bisaya”. The result, many of us got the Most Behave awards every closing of a school year!

In part, I can say that my teachers must have been good motivators because I have become an addict to English subjects in that I would listen to them attentively telling us the stories of Rip Van Winkle, King Arthur, Perseus, etc. or explaining when to use comma, semi colon and other punctuation marks.

Through their motivations, I learned to love the language, romanced it more deeply, and gave it the respect it richly deserves.

Truly, I can speak the English language but always stammer no matter how hard I have practiced it. And all along, I only mastered this line: “Ma’am, may I go out.” It was my favorite sentence in English while in high school.

Intelligence, progress

AS I am a son of poor parents, I worked hard to earn a college degree—I finished a BA degree from a school in Cagayan de Oro, majoring in, accidentally, English.

In the campus, my classmates had looked up those who spoke English inside the classroom. But when I transcribed what they said, I found out that they spoke in bad English grammar.

And I was much surprised later when I learned that those brandishing their supposed English-speaking expertise would always get the low scores during quizzes and examinations.

Yes, man’s intelligence is not measured through his ability to speak the English language fluently, much more his success in life.

Yes, our country’s progress is not measured through the people’s fluency to speak English.

Language of my birth

IN MY case, I love the language of my birth—Cebuano. The reason is simple: It is rich of words and terms that most appropriately describe certain event, occasion or activity.

For one thing, Cebuano language has many terms for an English word “carry”. When you carry a thing using your hand, it is “bitbit”; pas-an, when using your shoulder; lukdo, when using your head; sung-ay, when using your nape.

So with the word “harvest”. When you harvest rice, it is ani; sanggi, when you harvest corn; tuba, when you harvest banana; guno, when you harvest mangoes; dugnas, when your harvest coconuts.

And so with the word “wash”. It is hunaw when you are washing your hands; himasa, when you are washing your feet; hilam-os when you are washing your face; ilo, when you are washing your anus!

And so on.

For another thing, I considered the Cebuano language as the foundation of my culture and existence. I will not abandon it wherever I may be. And because I am proud of it, I speak it most of the time in my daily routine.

As Prof. Madrileña dela Serna, of UP Cebu bluntly put it: “If we are good in Cebuano, we can be good in English.”

Mastering the native tongue

IN THE long list of Nobel Prize winners for literature, literary laureates coming from non-English speaking countries are writing in their own languages. So why concentrate on a borrowed tongue?

Once, an elementary grader schooled in an exclusive school asked in English her playmate enrolled in a public school. The playmate understood the question but answered in Cebuano. But the student from exclusive school did not understand the answer and had to request the poor student to do some explaining. Now, the question: Between the two, who has appeared smart and intelligent? And who has appeared dull and brainless?

To me, learning, studying, speaking and writing in the English language is not that bad. It helps.
It’s a good decoration of our own being!

But, first thing first: We have to master our own language. Now!

It is an assurance that we will not get lost in the abyss of cultural diversity. Otherwise, we will exist without identity, like a gypsy in the ocean of uncertainties, floating aimlessly.

(Raul G. Moldez has been a fellow to the Iligan National Writers Workshop, the UP National Writers Workshop and the Panagsugat Creative Writing Workshop and is editorial assistant of Peryodiko Mindanao, a weekly newspaper in Cagayan de Oro City)

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Bgy execs complete computer literary training

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—(RAUL G. MOLDEZ / Nov 17) - Most of the barangays officials here, particularly those from mountain barangays, have not yet keyed in words in computers. Neither have they any inkling as to how to turn it on, operate it using the mouse and write a letter in the Microsoft Word.

But now, however, such ignorance could be considered as ‘a thing of the past,’ thanks to the training jointly sponsored by the Rotary Club Centerpoint, STI College and the Mindanao Polytechnic State College.

The three pooled their resources together and offered the barangay officials with a one-week hands-on training dubbed as Computer Literary Program. The training was held at the two STI campuses in Cogon and in Kauswagan and at the MPSC on October 31-November 6, 2006.

Councilor Alexander Dacer, president of the Association of Barangay Councils, said the program is aimed at enhancing the capability of barangay officials.

“This is also in preparation for the adoption of the e-governance next year,” he added.

During the training, the 240 participants were exposed to Internet system teleconference, tutorials on operations of word processing, Excel and Power Point presentations.

At the culmination program, MPSC president Dr. Ricardo Rotoras, who is also the president of Rotary Club Centerpoint, pointed out that the computer literary course was part of the state college’s extension program.

He expressed optimism that through the computer literacy training, barangays officials will be able to deliver basic services to their constituents faster and implement various project efficiently.

Rotoras said MPSC, STI and Rotary Club Centerpoint shared one goal, that is, to uplift the lives of the people in the barangays through the computer technology.

STI College president Colbert Rabaya, for his part, said it’s being a proponent of the project is one way of expressing the school’s social responsibility.

As this developed, Dacer urged his colleagues to include in their 2007 budget allocations for the purchase of computer units including accessories.

In a related developed, Dacer exhorted his colleagues to attend a seminar on Systems and Procedures Manual in Monitoring Barangay Funds and Properties slated on the last week of this month.

At the recent ABC general assembly, City Auditor Olivia Flores said the seminar is aimed at familiarizing the barangay officials on the new procedures, even as she added that barangays would enjoy full fiscal autonomy starting next year.

She said that starting 2007, barangays would be the ones managing their funds, subject however, to existing laws, rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit.

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Alagar receives 4 buses from anonymous donor

PSSUPT Rolando dela Vega, PNP PRO-10 information officer, with the four units of 48-passenger buses recently donated by an anonymous donor to the PNP PRO-10. The buses will bolster the crime fighting capability of the PRO-10 and its provincial offices in Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. (MIKE BAÑOS)

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Intelligence gathering and detective work pay off:

Cops nab No.14 Most Wanted Person in Region X

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos/Nov 16) – Police ended the long trek of one of the most wanted criminals in Region 10 by dint of intelligence gathering and detective work.

Chief Supt. Florante Baguio, regional director of PNP Region-10 Office presented to media Wednesday morning Vincent P. Villanueva alias Jojo, 26, a native of Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental, the No. 14 Most Wanted Person in Region X. Pujeda carried a P140, 000 bounty which the DILG will later reward to the informants which provided the tip which led to his captor.

Pujeda is accused of raping a 16-year old resident of Lawndale Spring, Bgy. Taguanao last 13 August 2004 around 8:00PM at Adela Subdivision, Bgy. Camaman-an. The suspect's efforts to escape the law led him to Manila, Cebu, and Bukidnon before his capture last 12 November 2006 at a shopping mall in Bgy. Lapasan by elements of the PRO-10 led by SPO4 Nilo B. Delgado.

Villanueva was about to be presented to the media yesterday morning but attempted to take his life just as he was taking breakfast by slashing his belly with a kitchen knife. However, he sustained only minor injuries after he was subdued and immediately brought to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect is the fifth most wanted person in the region recently captured by police in Region X. Baguio attributes their success to the judicious use of intelligence gathered by confidential agents and straight up detective work.

In the same press conference, Baguio also disclosed a benefactor who prefers to remain anonymous has donated four (4) units of 48-seater buses which will be distributed to the provincial police offices of Lanao, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon and the PRO-10. He said the units will greatly add to the capability of the PRO-10 and its provincial units in responding to threats to internal security.
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ASEAN Summit in Cebu: PRO-X bolsters Cebu security with 432 personnel

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The PNP Regional Office -10 (PRO-10) has bolstered internal security for the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Cebu City by dispatching some 432 policemen from PRO-10.

Chief Supt. Florante Baguio, PRO-10 regional director, said the initial batch of 235 personnel was dispatched a month ago to Cebu and was bolstered by an additional 197 fresh graduates from the Region X Police Academy only yesterday. (MIKE BAÑOS / Nov 15)

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Baguio to retire this month:

RPOC Recommends Capuyan as incoming RD for PNP PRO-X

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos /November 16)- The Regional Peace and Order Council for Region X has endorsed Chief Supt. Teodorico Capuyan as incoming regional director for the PNP Regional Office-10 (PRO-X) vice Chief. Supt. Florante Baguio who will be retiring this month.

In its resolution sent to PNP Director General Oscar Calderon, RPOC-10 cited Capuyan's sterling record and his extensive exposure to Northern Mindanao where he was assigned for many years in various capacities.

Before his present assignment as executive director of the Office of the PNP Deputy Director for Operations at Camp Crame, Capuyan was at one time or another assigned as Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRDO), Deputy Regional Director for Administration (DRDA), Chief of Staff (COF) in PRO-X, besides being previously assigned as provincial director at various times for the Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin provincial police offices.

The turnover ceremony to the incoming RD for PRO-10 has been set for November 24, 2006 at 9:00AM at the PRO-10 parade grounds in Camp Alagar, PRO-10 Headquarters in Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.

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Conflict reporting training at Eco-Village

TOURISM VILLAGE. The Eco-Tourism Village, also known as “The Gardens of Malasag,” in Malasag , Cugman, a 20-minute drive from downtown Cagayan de Oro, has chosen as venue by an international network of journalists for a training program that would be participated in by at least 35 media practitioners from all over northern Mindanao from Nov. 17 to Nov. 20. Photo shows the view of Macabalan Bay from the hills of Malasag. (Photo by BEN BALCE)



PECOJON'S TRAINING AT EDEN. Photo shows Mindanaoan journalists including Cagayan de Oro Journal editor Ben Balce (wearing cap, 2nd from right) working on a group exercise held at Eden Natural Park in Davao City on May 13-15, 2006. The scheduled seminars in Cagayan de Oro City (Nov 17-20) would be the third time this year. Balce (inset photo) is Cagayan de Oro-based correspondent writing in Malaya, The National Newspaper and Mindanao Gold Star Daily.


CAGAYAN de Oro City ( BEN BALCE / Nov. 15) - A training on Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON) seminar will be held at the Malasag Eco Tourism Village in Cagayan de Oro from Friday to Monday (Nov. 17 – 20).

The tourism village is situated in Sitio Malasag, Cugman here and would accommodate at least 35 media practitioners from the cities of Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.

In cooperation with InWent, PECOJON an international network of journalists, chose Malasag for its featured rows of cozy guest cottages, camp ground, picnic shed, native restaurant including multi purpose hall that fits during seminars especially in group trainings.

“Malasag is not far from the participants who are mostly from Cagayan de Oro City,” said Pecojon’s organizer Ledrolen Manriquez.

“Pecojon’s trainings on conflict reporting for journalists in war and crisis regions need a peaceful place like Malasag,” Manriquez said.

The village serves as the learning center for eco-tourism in northern Mindanao. At the same time, it generates revenues and livelihood for the tribal groups.

The training program consists of two weekend courses, Peace and Conflict Reporting I and II.

“Part 1 would last from two to three days each. The participants are expected to stay full time during the seminar,” Manriquez said.

On Day 1, Manriques said the participants would analyze and discuss the actual situation they are working in and define challenges and difficulties of reporting the conflict.

The course introduces concepts of conflict analysis and conflict transformation for journalists and gives an overview on war and peace concepts.

The course discusses the role and influence of media in conflict situations and the problems of objectivity. It introduces concepts and techniques of a constructive conflict reporting.

“In this course special emphasis is given on the aspect of journalists’ security,” said Manriquez adding that media creates the “battlefield” of modern conflicts.

“The journalists’ voice decides how conflict parties are seen: as victims or perpetrators, as suffering human beings or as the incarnate evil,” said Manriquez.

The members of the Pecojon are print, radio and broadcast journalists, journalism teachers and students as well as writers and filmmakers who are committed to implement a constructive conflict reporting.

The database of the Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON) will be introduced as a tool for improving the journalists’ capacities and access to information through networking.

A course would also focus on practical additional skills for conflict journalists. Journalists would identify needs and gaps they want to work on, and also capacities and special skills they already have and would like to share. Emphasis would be given on communication skills.

In addition, the course would look back to the first course and deepens topics of how to do constructive conflict reporting.

Included are media objectivity, people-oriented investigation, how to avoid being used for propaganda, and how to connect with peace initiatives as a rich source of information.

The resource speaker during seminar would be Antonia Koop a German journalist and filmmaker. Her company, the C./CREAT film production has produced documentaries since 1998, mainly on political and conflict issues.

As a war journalist, Koop covered conflicts in Israel and Palestine, Kenya and other countries. She studied peace journalism at the Transcend University, Romania.

Aside from her journalistic work, she holds journalism training programs particularly on peace and conflict journalism – and teaches conflict transformation in a University.

Since April 2004, Ms. Koop has lived in Bacolod City coordinating the training program for PECOJON.

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Mercado opens COPC 55th Foundation Day, Graduation Ceremony

MESSAGE

SEARSOLIN Module on Independent

& Responsible Journalism
Nov. 11, 2006, 7:00 P.M. SEARSOLIN

By ANSELMO B. MERCADO

--------------------------------------------------

Our partners from the COPC, its officers and members, distinguished guests, SEARSOLIners, friends of SEARSOLIN and COPC, leaders and gentlemen – Maayong Gabii.

Three things I would like to do in my “Welcome Remarks.”

Firstly, in the name of SEARSOLIN and Xavier University, let me welcome all of you to our joint program and ceremonies this evening. What we are celebrating tonight are two milestones. For COPC, it’s a big milestone for having come this far - - 55 years and still going strong (more than 90 members now, I was told). The other milestone is the COPC-SEARSOLIN joint project, which is not as big, but a milestone nonetheless – the successful completion of the first training on “Independent & Responsible Journalism.”

We are happy to see all of you here. We are honored y your presence and we are very grateful to you for being here to celebrate these milestones with us tonight.

This brings me to the second thing I would like to do. Again, in the name of SERSOLIN and Xavier University, I would like to convey our heartfelt congratulations to COPC, to all its members and officers, past and present, for its 55 years of life and blessings. I am sure COPC’s presence and impact have been felt by our people and society.

One can only look back and say: “COPC has accomplished quite a lot! One can also further say: “There’s a lot more that COPC can do to make a positive contribution to society.” As we congratulate you tonight, we also offer our prayers and good wishes to COPC for more blessings and success in your future work and challenges.

Thirdly, let me say a few remarks about our joint COPC-SEARSOLIN project.

This project is really a product of our partnership which we forged sometime in the year 2004. The objective of our partnership was and still is (let me paraphrase it):
TO TRAIN, AND IN A SENSE CONSCIENTICIZE, OUR PEERS IN THE MEDIA WORLD TO BECOME GOOD, CREDIBLE, HONEST, CONSCIENTIOUS, COMPETENT PROFESSIONALS AND LEADERS, WHO WILL LOOK UPON THEIR PROFESSION AND MEDIA WORK NOT ONLY AS A MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD, BUT PERHAPS MORE SO TO BE INSTRUMENTS FOR POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGE IN OUR SOCIETY.

TO BE INSTRUMENTS OF PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PEOPLES AND COMMUNITIES.

To help bring this about we have embarked in this joint project to offer a training program, consisting of ten related subject areas, that has a 2-pronged aim:
1. To promote the understanding of the role of media in civil society, and
2. To enhance the investigative journalistic skills of journalists in government, NGOs, schools and others especially in reporting on corruption and development issues.

During the past year, this joint undertaking has had its “trying moments” to recruit, to select and to conduct our first training course. It has not been an easy task.

However, even with some degree of disappointment, we are still pleased to be able to complete our first training course. Tonight, we are happy and proud to present our first two successful graduates and to award them with Certificates of Completion. We are also happy to note that others, like our

Searsoliners of this year’s batch, have been able to partially participate in our training course.

In the name of our joint partnership, COPC-SEARSOLIN, let me congratulate our two graduates of the

First COPC-SEARSOLIN course on “Responsible and Independent Journalism.”

In conclusion, let me offer our prayers and hope that our COPC-SEARSOLIN partnership will continue and strengthen, not for its own sake, but for our partnership to be of genuine service to our media professionals ultimately to benefit our people and society.

Daghang salamat ug maayong gabii!

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Falling in Love in 30 days

Message: can any message be more touching than this?

Daniel: I guess we are the left over in this world.

Jasmine: I think so. All of my friends have boyfriends & we are the only 2 persons
left in this world without any special someone in our lives.

Daniel: Yup! I don't know what to do.

Jasmine: I know! We'll play a game.

Daniel: What game?

Jasmine: I'll be your girlfriend for 30 days & you will be my boyfriend.

Daniel: That's a great plan in fact; I don't have anything to do for the following weeks.

DAY 1:
They watched their first movie together & were both touched in the romantic film.

DAY 4:
They went to the beach & had a picnic... Daniel & Jasmine had their quality time together.

DAY 12:
Daniel invited Jasmine to a circus and they went to a Horror House. Jasmine was scared and she tried to touch Daniel's hand but by accident she touched someone else's and they both laughed.

DAY 14:
They saw a fortuneteller down the road and asked for their future. The fortune teller said: "My darlings, please don't waste the time of your lives... spend your time together happily." Then tears flow from the teller's eyes.

DAY 20:
Jasmine invited Daniel to go to the hill and they saw a meteor... Jasmine mumbled something.

DAY 28:
They rode on a bus and because of the bumpy road; Jasmine gave her first kiss to Daniel by accident.
DAY 29:
11:37 pm
Daniel & Jasmine were sitting in the park where they first decided to play this game.

Daniel: I'm tired Jasmine... do you want any drinks? I'll buy you one. I'll just go
down the road.

Jasmine: Apple juice would be fine, thanks.

Daniel: Wait for me...

20 minutes later... a stranger approached Jasmine.

Stranger: Are you a friend of Daniel?

Jasmine: Yes, why? What happened?

Stranger: A reckless drunken driver ran over Daniel & he is critical in the hospital.

11:57pm
The doctor came out from the emergency room & handed out an apple juice & a letter to Jasmine.

Doctor: We found this in Daniel's pocket.

Jasmine read the letter, which says:

Jasmine, these past few days, I realized you are really a cute girl & I am falling for you. your cherished smile, your everything when we played this game. & Before this game ends, I would like you to be my girlfriend for the rest of my life. I love you, Jasmine...

Jasmine crumples the paper & shouted.

"Daniel! I don't want you to die...I love you... Remember that night we saw a meteor? I mumbled something. I wished that we would be together forever & never end this game. Please don't leave me, Daniel... I love you; you cannot do this to me

Then the clock strikes 12

Daniel's heart stop pumping

THEN IT WAS THE 30th DAY...


*************************************************************

Always love your loved ones & show them how you feel before it's too late. You will never know when they will be gone from your embrace. If you were given a time to bestow petals of everlasting compassion & love to your love ones, today is the day. Love them while they are still here.

George Gordon E. Lim
0906-506-5474

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Army clearing Camp Evangelista of illegal settlers

CAMP EDILBERTO EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City - (MIKE BAÑOS / Nov 10) - The Philippine Army has started clearing areas of this long-time headquarters of the 4th Infantry ‘Diamond’ Division of illegal settlers for security reasons and to facilitate future developments.

“The AFP Leadership wants to clear all military camps and reservations of illegal occupants,” Col. Augusto L. Tolentino, Division Chief of Staff, told media Wednesday during a press conference hosted by the 4ID Civil-Military Operations and G-7 offices. “For a while, illegal occupants were tolerated to stay inside military installations but security reasons and future camp development plans could not be implemented if the problem remains. It started in Fort Bonifacio and other military camps all over the country.”

Capt. Aldrich M. Uayan, Division Judge Advocate Officer, identified the affected area of the camp as Lot 4318, a 35.78 hectare parcel which was confirmed by the Supreme Court in Case No. G.R. 157306 dated 25 November 2005 per Presidential Proclamation 265 Series of 1938. The 35.78 hectares of the subject area comprises some 27.7% of the 129.2944 hectares total area of Camp Evangelista.

The ongoing clearing operation involves some 70 structures belonging to informal settlers/illegal occupants comprising of 13 active Army personnel, 14 Army retirees, 40 civilians and 3 PNP personnel.
Brig. Gen. Artemio R. Arugay, Assistant Division Commander, said the civilian occupants are being transferred to a one-hectare relocation site in Barangay Canitoan donated by the city government through Mayor Vicente Emano while military personnel are being moved to the 35-hectare Camp Osito Bahian in Malaybalay City. The latter site is also the field headquarters of the 4th ID’s 403rd Infantry Brigade, one of the division’s organic units along with the 401st and 402nd brigades.

Each enlisted personnel and civilian employee is being extended a P50, 000.00 assistance for a 150 sq. lot with a 20 sq.m. residence while officers are entitled to a 200 sq.m. lot and the same residential unit, he added.

“We gave them six months notice, explained to them why they have to move someplace else, and they understood us,” Arugay said. “While all petitioners are now moving out, some of them still want to contest their claim to the land in court.”

However, Arugay said all lower courts and the high court have already unanimously confirmed that the land belongs to the Philippine Government. Camp Evangelista was originally donated to the Philippine government by the late Kagay-anon Patriot Apolinar Velez as a training ground for the Philippine Army.

Earlier last month, the PA also demolished some 50 shanties in Fort Bonifacio found to be encroaching on lots allocated for the expansion of the Libingan ng mga Bayani, officials said.
Army spokesman Major Ernesto Torres disclosed troops defused a potentially explosive confrontation with settlers when they seized some 10 Molotov cocktails, an improvised incendiary bomb in Sitio Tago-Tago West Bicutan from residents, many of whom were retired soldiers.

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino said some of the residents even strafed their own houses to make them look like the Army eviction team shot them.
Gunshots were heard but no firearms were recovered, Torres said.

Tolentino said a total of 300 houses were to be demolished as part of the Army's efforts to expand the 50-hectare Heroes' Cemetery.The Army will also demolish structures built by residents of plush subdivisions like Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village, which been found to have encroached on the property where the Bonifacio Heights condominium complex would be built, Tolentino said. However, Officials of these villages have agreed to a joint survey of their borders with the Army, he added.
MIKE BAÑOS501 V. F. Cabaraban St., Cabaraban Subdivision,Puntod, 9000 Cagayan de Oro CityPhilippinesPrimary Mobile 0906-889-8484 (Touch Mobile)Secondary Mobile 0921-469-6305 (Smart) IM mike_banos_2000@yahoo.comalternate email : mike_banos@walla.com

Famous Quotes...

"Humor is the only test of gravity, and gravity of humor; for a subject which will not bear raillery is suspicious, and a jest which will not bear serious examination is false wit."Aristotle

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Cagayan de Oro Press Club marks milestones for 55th Anniversary

By MIKE BAÑOS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

comments to mike_banos@walla.com

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Army troopers keep NPA on the run in Bukidnon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Famous Quotes...

"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes."
Mark Twain

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