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

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"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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Army Offensive Nets another NPA Camp in Bukidnon

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

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

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

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

Cagayan de Oro journal

Misor net program launched

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Gusa folk protest LPG refilling station's operations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Macaspac to Pimentel: Professionalize PNP to professionalize police ranks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Gusa folk protest LPG refilling station's operations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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IMT, GRP-Milf peace panels visit Alagar: Peace? More talks have to be done, says panels

CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City (By BEN BALCE) ALTHOUGH “substantive gains” have been achieved in the negotiation on ancestral domain during the exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur, last September, still the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels including the International Monitoring Team (IMT) have acknowledged that “more work had to be done” to finally resolve and achieve peace in Mindanao, panels said yesterday.

The issue on ancestral domain was the main reason why the two conflicting parties result a deadlock during their resumed talks in Malaysia.

“More work have to be done by both parties at the same time a serious talks need to push as to finally resolve issues on ancestral domain,” said Northern Mindanao police head Police Chief Superintendent Florante Baguio.

Baguio met the International Monitoring Team 3 in Malaysia led by IMT head of mission Major General Dato MD Ismail Bin Ahmad Khan including the joint GRP-MILF committee on Cessation of Hostilities peace panels in a courtesy call at Camp Alagar, this city.

Baguio appreciated the role of Malaysia particularly Khan and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in the ongoing talks between the GRP and the MILF.

“We are hoping that the issue on territorial dispute would be resolve soon with the help of the IMT,” Baguio said adding he is hoping that another round of talks be soon agreed by both parties so peace in Mindanao would be achieved.

“The roles and responsibilities of the IMT is to observe and monitor the implementation of cessation of hostilities, as well as the socioeconomic development of the agreements,” Baguio explained.

Meanwhile, Khan said that the IMT operations are carried out according to the specific role and responsibility it has been given.

Ahmad Khan also explained that they roles to both parties are: to conduct field verification and validate any reported violation; to coordinate closely with the Joint CCCH and LMT on the conduct of the field verification and validation of the reported violation; to report to the GRP-MILF Peace Panels its findings and assessment of the reported violation and to ensure that all reports are classified and treated accordingly.

“Malaysia is acting as a third international neutral party, is brokering the GRP-MILF negotiations,” Khan said.

He further explained that Malaysia is leading the IMT, a body tasked to prevent future hostilities between government security forces and MILF rebels, in efforts to help end the decades-old Moro rebellion in Mindanao.

“The IMT has been in Mindanao since 2001 to preserve a three-year-old bilateral ceasefire presently being upheld by both the government and MILF organization,” Khan said.

MILF, CCCH chairman Von Al Haq said that they are seriously focus to continue have talks with the government.

Al Haq also vowed that the MILF negotiators would continue the peace venture with the GRP seriously.

GRP, CCCH chairman Brigadier General Edgardo M Gurrea said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo instructed top military officials and government peace negotiators to continue the peace venture with the MILF despite an impasse on the territorial issue during the latest GRP-MILF peace panel meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“This is our role as peacekeepers, we at the military side is hoping to solve immediately the issue particularly in the “determination and delimitation of areas” that would be put under the prospective Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE),” Gurrea said.

In a press conference, both parties agreed to conduct “further ground validation” and collection of additional data to guide them in the resolution of the remaining items.

At present, the governance entity that focuses on the Bangsamoro is the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which comprises five provinces and one city among Mindanao’s 25 provinces and 27 cities: Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Basilan and the Islamic City of Marawi.

Earlier, the Bangsamoro groups in Marawi unitedly appealed for the GRP-MILF peace negotiations to continue and honor the gentleman’s agreement in 1997.

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Tidbits of Asia Peacebuilders Forum in Oro

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PRO 10 on full alert until Nov. 3

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3 NPA camps captured, 3 rebels killed

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (BEN BALCE /OCT. 26) - TROOPS from the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) based here killed three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and seized at least three camps of the guerrillas in a major offensive in Quezon, Bukidnon province starting Friday and in Agusan del Sur, an army officials said yesterday.

“The captured NPA camps were one of the big camps in southern part of Bukidnon,” said Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion Lt. Col. Benjamin Madrigal.

Madrigal managed to overrun the two NPA camps on Tuesday and the sub-command center of Front Committee 6 of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) reportedly overrun yesterday.

Madrigal said his men also killed at least three rebels and seized automatic rifles, ammunition, and other war materials from the newly captured New People’s Army camp in Quezon yesterday.

Earlier, the major attack against communist insurgents was conducted by the 26th Infantry Battallion on Friday in the jungles of Migbantay, Quezon.

Madrigal said they made the attack and that started last Friday morning and lasted until late afternoon.

"Our operating troops also captured rifles, assorted live ammunition, medical paraphernalias, foods and subversive documents with high intelligence value," Madrigal said.

4th ID’s commanding general Brig Jose Barbieto said that also a maneuvering combat battalions of 403rd Brigade are pursuing fleeing communist insurgents without let-up in Bukidnon province until yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, in another attack, Barbieto also reported that soldiers in Agusan del Sur seized several Armalite rifles and live ammunition and other war materials from a house in Sibagat.

Brig. Gen. Ricardo A. David Jr., commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, reported to Barbieto that the 23rd Cadre of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Battallion under the command of Lt. Col. Rolando Manalo raided a house of the rebels in Sibagat jungle and seized several war materials, including Armalite.

Government troops are pursuing the rebels up to press time according to Barbieto.
Report said that also a soldier was wounded in the two separate incidents.

David said that their offensive attacks on lairs of communist insurgents would continue until peace will reign in reported NPA stronghold in the Caraga. (with a report from MIKE BAÑOS)

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Army Troopers score vs NPA in Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MIKE BAÑOS / Oct 26) Troopers of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry "Diamond" Division's 23rd Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Rolando Manalo engaged an estimated twenty (20) armed communist guerrillas believed led by Ricardo Manili alias Joker of the Front Committee 4A of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), CPP/NPA/NDF in a 15-minute firefight in the vicinity Sitio Mankilana, Bgy Lawan-lawan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte last October 20, 2006.

Troopers from the same unit led by 1st Lieutenant Wilfredo Dalisay later recovered two (2) M-16 Armalite rifles, a fragmentation grenade, one bandolier with magazines, ammunition and a jungle pack of subversive documents from the area.

4th ID Public Affairs Chief Maj. Samuel Sagun said the troopers were personally commended by Army Chief Lt. Gen. Romeo P. Tolentino whose wired citation read: "It is my pride in commending 4ID particularly 23IB for the successful encounter against twenty (20) fully armed communist terrorists. Indeed, such accomplishment clearly demonstrates a high level of training and dedication to duty. Congratulations for a job well done and carry on the good work".

In another operation, Diamond Division Chief Brig. Gen. Jose Barbieto reported that soldiers in Agusan del Sur seized several Armalite rifles and live ammunition and other war materials from a house in Sibagat.

In a report filed with Barbieto, Brig. Gen. Ricardo A. David Jr., commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, reported that the 23rd Cadre of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Battalion under Lt. Col. Rolando Manalo raided a house of the rebels in Sibagat and seized several war materials, including Armalite. David said that their offensive attacks on lairs of communist insurgents would continue until the NPA units in the area were neutralized.

Improved intelligence gathering and processing by the 4th ID also led to the capture of two (2) NPA camps Tuesday in San Fernando and the sub-command center of Front Committee 6 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) Wednesday by the 26th Infantry Battalion in Quezon, Bukidnon.

Battalion commander Lt. Col. Benjamin Madrigal said this was one of the major NPA camps in Southern Bukidnon. He said his men also killed three (3) rebels and seized automatic rifles, ammunition, medical supplies, food and "high-value" subversive documents. The same unit launched a major assault against communist rebels in Migbantay, Quezon last Friday.

Barbieto said organic units of the 4th ID's 403rd Infantry Brigade are still conducting hot pursuit operations against fleeing communist rebels in the area. (with a report from Ben Balce)

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For linking AFP to rash of killing: Military hits back at CPP/NPA on purging

CAGAYAN de Oro City (BEN BALCE / Oct 24) - The Armed Forces yesterday said its evidences that communist party leaders ordered the purging of over a hundred rebels and civilians in the provinces of Leyte, Bukidnon, the two Surigaos and Agusans are stronger than that of linking the military to the rash of killings of leftist militants.

Capt. Ramon Zagala, deputy chief of the military’s public information office, said they have witnesses to prove that communist party founder Jose Ma. Sison ordered the purge in the ‘80s.

Aside from Sison, the other two top communist members linked by the military to the purge called “Operation VD,” were Luis Jalandoni, chief negotiator of the National Democratic Front, and Bayan Muna party list Rep. Satur Ocampo.

Jalandoni and Ocampo were then members of the central committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines, according to Zagala.

“It is historically proven that you (communist leaders) purge your ranks and you just cannot set aside statements tagging you as responsible for this (purge),” Zagala said.

The killings have been condemned by human rights groups and prompted President Gloria Arroyo to order an investigation. Left-wing groups have blamed the military, which has denied involvement.

Leaders of the underground Communist Party and its armed wing have acknowledged that up to 900 suspected spies and government informers were killed in the southern Mindanao region during the 1980s. More than 60 others were killed in Quezon province and outlying areas southeast of Manila, according to people who survived the purges.

The guerrillas later acknowledged the killings as among the most horrible blunders in the insurgency.

Earlier, AFP General Hermogones Esperon said the military, police and other agencies will file multiple murder charges against Sison and Jalandoni, both living in exile in the Netherlands, and opposition lawmaker Ocampo.

The military has been blamed for the killing of more than 100 militants since President Arroyo assumed the presidency in January 2001.

Unlike the Leftist groups, he said, the military has witnesses “who are saying you were the ones who did this (purge) so you have to be held responsible for this.”

The military earlier said one of their witnesses, a former rebel leader, can prove that Sison, Jalandoni and Sison signed a document ordering the “cleansing” of their ranks.

Among military officials being implicated in the rash killings is former Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, commander of the 7th Infantry Division. Palparan has called the allegations mere propaganda.

Meanwhile, Jesuit priest Fr. Romeo Intengan said it is possible that most of the militants recently killed were also victims of a cleansing ordered by CPP leaders to rid their ranks of suspected traitors and infiltrators.

Intengan, who is also the chairman of the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP), said there has been no change in the policies and character of CPP and NDF leaders who he said can easily order its armed wing, the New People’s Army, to liquidate party members believed to be traitors to the movement.

He said the “barbaric executions” carried out as far back as 20 years ago have not stopped.
He said the mass graves in Leyte and other places in Mindanao are evidence of “extreme paranoia and ruthlessness” of communist leaders.

Starting Aug. 26 until early this October, government troops from the 8th Infantry Division and the Army’s 4th Infantry Division here began digging up mass graves in different hinterland barangays in the country.

In Barangay Kaulisihan in Inopacan, Leyte, and in Bukidnon, about a hundred bodies of rebel and civilian remains were uncovered and were said to have been ordered executed in the 1980s on suspicion they were military spies.

Earlier, the 4th Infantry Division here, had recovered over 50 skeletal remains. Quoting initial forensic tests, the military said three of the victims were women while a fourth was below 18 years old.

“The Leyte killing fields resulted from the paranoia and insecurity that has characterized the CPP-NPA-NDF ever since,” Intengan said.

The killings and disappearances were blamed by the NPA and their supporters on the military and police so that the people would hate the government.

“More than 20 years after, it is only now that we realize the truth. To those who accuse government now of the same heinous crimes, the truth will come out at the right time,” he said.
Intengan further said the CPP has its internal procedures guided by democratic centralism.

“There are no deviations, no questions. NPAs in Leyte carried out the purging on what they believed were party directives,” he said.

Intengan said the execution of party members suspected to be government informants or deep-penetration agents continues up to now.

“It is despicable that the CPP-NDF-NPA has not stopped carrying out summary executions. It has been rabid in condemning alleged killings perpetrated by the military and police. Communist leaders have no right to point an accusing finger at the government when they themselves are behind many of the killings,” he said.

Intengan challenged the human rights group like Karapatan to send a fact-finding team to different places where there were claimed buried victims of extra-judicial killings to investigate the victims of the purge.

Karapatan is among groups tagging the military behind the recent spate of killings.
The group is yet to issue a statement on the military’s challenge.

Karapatan Northern Mindanao chairperson Atty. Beberly Musni earlier tagged the Arroyo administration for being responsible in the series of extra-judicial killings in the region.

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N. Mindanao’s most wanted fugitive falls

THE city police office scored big yesterday in their campaign against criminality when they successfully arrested a long-wanted suspected criminal who is No. 12 in the list of region 10’s most wanted persons.

City police director S/Supt. Aurelio Trampe presented to media yesterday murder suspect Jelsen Estrosas, who had been fugitive since 1998 for killing a certain Francisco Ragasajo of Zone 4, Tibasak, Brgy. Macasandig. A P75,000 reward was set for his arrest.

Estrosas, 33, was arrested yesterday morning by the Special Operations Group (SOG) led by C/Insp. Jason M Aguillon at Brgy. Consolacion by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Admiral P. Labis of the 10th judicial region branch 18.

Trampe said the successful operation was a result of the police’s continued efforts to curb criminalities in the city and eventually earn the total trust of the people.

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Cops urge bus rob victims to sue suspects

CAMP ALAGAR Cagayan de Oro City - (BEN BALCE / Oct. 22) -
NORTHERN Mindanao police head Chief Superintendent Florante Baguio yesterday urged victims of the RTMI bus robbery to come out and file charges against the suspects following their arrest by the police early this month.
Baguio said police in Bacolod town in Lanao del Norte arrested two of the six suspects in the highway robbery at Sitio Lawian in said town in Lanao del Norte.

“Victims should come out in the open and file formal complaints in court against the suspects,” Baguio said adding the filing against them (suspects) would help the victims in tracing the identities of the other four suspects.

Baguio said the suspects were identified as Rodel Labigan, 25 of Barangay Paiton, Tangub city and Cesar Estabas, 20 of Barangay Rebocon, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte.

Baguio also said, the arrest of the suspects would be a great help to policemen and including the victims.

Police said the suspects were the one responsible in the robbing of Rural Transit bus with bus number 1134 on September 12, 2006.

Earlier, Police Community Relation Division chief Rolando dela Vega said they already increased their personnel in securing bus and jeepney terminals in the region to avoid another possible highway robberies.

De la Vega said, the suspects arrested while they were on board a jeepney where one of the passengers named Richelle Hajiula who was likewise one of the victims during the said RTMI robbery.

Police investigators said the suspects were positively identified by policemen who among the robbers that robbed the RTMI bus.

Baguio said a cellphone, Nokia 6610 which turned-out to be the cellphone of Ritchelle Hajiula was seized from the possession of the suspects during their arrest.

Police said a case for highway Robbery/Brigandage was filed against the suspects docketed in Criminal Case number 12729 dated September 18, 2006 at the 12th RTC, Iligan City with a P30,000.00 bail recommended for their temporary liberty.

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Law men recover two more luxury vehicles carnapped in Manila, CDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - (BEN BALCE / Oct 21, 2006) - NORTHERN Mindanao Regional Traffic Management Office regional chief PSupt. Felixberto Castillo, yesterday, announced the recovery of two more luxury vehicles stolen. One came from Metro Manila, while the other was carnapped in this city.

Castillo said they have intensified their anti-carnapping drive after Police Director General Oscar Calderon urged TMG director Chief Superintendent Errol Pan in Camp Crame to heighten the anti-carnapping drive nationwide.

Castillo, who heads the Regional Traffic Management Office 10 here, said the carnapped motor vehicles belong to Ricardo Cruz of Block 3, Lot 14, Saint Mark St., ES Villa Homes Subd., Antipolo City and Cesar Aquino of # 128 6th Division, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.

Castillo said he received TMG Implan as one of the priority thrusts of Calderon and Pan ordering their officers in the entire TMG regional offices nationwide to conduct mobile checkpoints and to closely monitor passing vehicles to detect carnapped vehicles.

Cruz’s Mitsubishi Adventure Wagon with plate number YBR 308 was reported stolen while parked on July 7, 2004 at Corner Harizon-Buendia, in Makati City. It was recovered by RTMO 10 personnel on October 10, this year, in Iligan City.

“The alleged owner of the vehicle was then applying for motor vehicle clearance certificate when we apprehended it,” Castillo said.

The suspect, Naike Baibai Alos of Marawi City appeared at Iligan City TMO to apply for clearance certificate for the car’s transfer of ownership according to Castillo.

Meanwhile, one Michael Cabural Olaivar of Fatima, Ubay, Bohol who was the driver of the other stolen vehicle, alleged that the Isuzu Crosswind, with plate number KCR-519, was sold to them in Cebu City. He did not know that it was a stolen vehicle belonging to Aquino. Olaivar was driving the vehicle along Lapasan Highway, this City, when spotted by operatives.

The vehicle was reported missing since August 29, 2003 while it was parked unattended at the premises of 6th Division, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.

Castillo said all the two recovered motor vehicles bore Land Transportation Office (LTO) registration papers; LTO Mis Occ (Javier); and Cebu-LTO (Pinoy).

Castillo however said that since the suspension of clearances for shipment of motor vehicles, as provided for under Section 11 of the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972, in 2001 carnapping business has become a lucrative business in Mindanao.

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Plebiscite is too late on chacha: Nene

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (BEN BALCE / Oct 21, 2006) - SENATE minority leader Aquilino Pimentel in a statement yesterday said it is too late for a plebiscite on amending the Constitution as this has been overtaken by preparations for the midterm elections next year.

Pimentel was reacting to claims of the Malacañang particularly Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita that a plebiscite can still be held before the May 2007 polls.

Pimentel said even the Commission on Elections has stressed that it needs at least three months of preparation for holding a plebiscite nationwide.

“By that time, the election process is already in high gear,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel’s statements coincided Cagayan de Oro’s local Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) confirming Malacañang’s priority—the Charter Change.

PDSP Cagayan de Oro chair Fermin Jarales said that even the Congress leadership has remained Cha-cha the utmost priority.

In a collective meeting here, PDSP Manila Beth Angsioco said that reportedly no other thing except Cha-cha is now the Malacañang’s priority, changing the form of government from presidential to parliamentary.

Earlier, the Supreme Court has said that it will not be able to decide on the petition for people’s initiative for Charter change earlier than the end of October.

“Any high court ruling on the petition can still be appealed by the losing petitioner, which will take more time,” Pimentel said.

On the alternative option to convert Congress into a constituent assembly, the minority leader said this would create a bigger problem.

Pimentel said the Senate would scrutinize every word in any move to amend the Constitution. “But also because time is running out on our legislative calendar,” he said.

He said that when Congress resumes session in November, it has less than 18 session days before the Christmas break begins.

“By that time, members of Congress would be loathe to spend time breaking their heads in debates on whether or not a particular provision of the Constitution should be amended,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel said all congressmen and 12 outgoing senators would be focused not on charter change but on their reelection or on the election of their local candidates.

“There is thus no time for discussing charter change which is just as well because amending the Constitution is not like changing the name of a barangay or municipality. It is much more fundamental than that and deserves the unqualified attention of those who amend it for the good of the country,” the statements said.

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Cagayan de Oro to host Asia Peace Builders Forum

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (By Mike Banos /19 October 2006) - This self-styled "City of Golden Friendship" seeks to expand its many facets into another dimension when it hosts the Asia Peace builders Forum next week, 26-30 October 2006.

With the theme "Exploring Asian Approaches to Peace building" the five-day forum will be joined by at least 50 key change agents from 14 Asian countries working in community and national level peace processes in the Asia Pacific region.

Action Asia was started in 1999 when a small group of peace practitioners from the Asia Pacific region met under the umbrella of ACTION International to pursue a long-time dream to form an active network dedicated to peace building.

"The group envisioned to actively support peace practitioners working in violent conflict areas of the Asia region; as well as identify and promote Asian models and understandings of peace building and conflict transformation approaches and processes," said, Balay Mindanao Foundation, Inc. (BMFI) president Charlito Manlupig whose Peace Center in Bgy. Bulua will host the activity.

"The first vision has been realised with ongoing work in Myanmar and Nepal carried out in conjunction with local peace practitioners, by Asian practitioners belonging to the network," said Ariel Hernandez, BMFI executive director. "The latter objective of finding the Asian approaches and models has been building momentum, and the realisation of this dream will come about through the Asian Peace Builders Forum next week.

Previously, much of the training and materials relating to conflict transformation and peace building has been generated and provided in Western countries. Organizations such as Responding to Conflict in the UK, and Eastern Mennonite University in the United States have led the field in equipping peace practitioners to do their work.

"The graduates of these programs are the primary members of the Action Asia network, but until next week, they have not had the opportunity to share their own thoughts, reflections and theories about the approaches to peace building which have been found to be effective in the Asian context," Manlupig said. "Yet there is a myriad of creative ideas and approaches which are being used to effectively address violent conflict, and promote and build peace in the region."

Specifically, the Asian Peace builders' Forum will create a venue to identify unique Asian approaches in conflict transformation and peace building; celebrate the vibrancy of the movement and highlight the success of various interventions; document and publish lessons learned from both success and failures in peace building and conflict transformation by practitioners at the community and national levels; deepen relationships between members for further exchange, collaboration and exposure; and profiling situations of Myanmar and Nepal for the purpose of regional solidarity and influencing work.

The forum that will run for 4 ½ days (please see Appendix One for Forum Schedule) will mainly focus on case study presentations exemplifying different themes from presenter's experiences. The themes would include but not be limited to Ethnicity and Identity; Women, Gender and Peace building; Peace Futures; Peace Museums; Peace Journalism; Peace Advocacy at National Level; Reducing Tensions During Elections;
Establishing Zones of Peace in Conflict Areas; Mediation; Conflict Prevention Mechanisms; Reconciliation and Asian Training Methodologies.

One of the highlights of the forum will be the keynote address of peace studies pioneer Prof. Johann Galtung, the founder and Director of Transcend, an organization promoting conflict resolution by non-violent means.

For over four decades Galtung has mediated conflicts in Israel and Palestine, China and Tibet, Peru, Sri Lanka and Burma, among others. He is the author of the United Nations' manual for peace workers and he continues to advise UN agencies on peace issues. He is Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Hawaii and other centers of peace learning.
Prior to workshop-presentations, speakers have been invited to open the morning plenary to talk on Peace building Efforts in the Asian Region from Various Faith Perspectives; Influencing Government Policies; and Mainstreaming Gender Sensitivity in Peace Building Work.

This Forum will also provide an opportunity for participants to strengthening the existing network and identify future collaborative actions, as well as giving core Action Asia members the chance to meet and discuss detailed future plans.

The forum's ultimate goal is the publication of a book containing several thematic case studies from experiences of peace advocates in the Asian region.

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

Rumors of war sweep Lanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (BEN BALCE / Oct 18) – Residents of a Lanao town where major fighting started between government forces and secessionist rebels in 2000 are bracing for a rebel offensive after the month of Ramadan.

Mayor Jackmar Maruhom of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, told his constituents to "get ready for an emergency" after Oct. 24, the end of Ramadan.

"Public schools in elementary and high schools will be the venue for evacuation centers as one the contingency plans of the local government," Maruhom said on Tuesday.

Maruhom said the reported attacks would come from the two MILF camps in the towns of Munai and Poona-piagapo also in Lanao del Norte.

MILF fighters based in Munai under a Commander Bravo reportedly have been given the mission of taking over Kauswagan in a repeat of the 2000 hostilities.

Kauswagan was retaken at the cost of scores of soldiers killed.

The Army’s 4th Infantry Division based here declined to comment on the reported threat.

In a press conference Monday, Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz quoted intelligence reports as saying MILF fighters are converging in the hinterlands of Lanao del Norte.

But the rebels could just be gathering for consultations on the peace talks between the MILF and government.

The peace talks in Kuala Lumpur have been suspended over a deadlock on the coverage of a proposed "ancestral homeland" for Muslims.

Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan, vice chairman of the Bangsamoro Development Authority and a member of the MILF peace panel, said there was no order from the MILF leadership for the movement of troops.

"It’s only order is to prepare the MILF ranks for any untoward incident within their respective camps, meaning defensive positions," Dipatuan said.

Dipatuan said that if ever there are some movements of MILF troops, they should go back to their camps and take up defensive positions.

MALAYA, The National Newspaper

Marawi hospital hit by fire

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – (BEN BALCE / Oct. 18) - The 105-year-old Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City was destroyed by fire at around 2 a.m. Tuesday.

SFO1 Sibana Camid, arson investigator, said the fire could have originated from the ceiling of the intensive care unit or the janitorial room and could have been due to electrical overload.

Some 40 patients, two of whom were in ICU, were safely evacuated by hospital staff before two huge blasts believed to be exploding nitrogen tanks rocked the burning building.

Damage was placed at P45 million.

"Though electrical overloading is our theory, we do not discount the possibility of Arson," hospital chief Dr. Amer Saber said.

"We would like to ask for an official investigation by the NBI authorities to come up to the real cause of the incident," said Saber.

Saber also appealed to the Department of Health and local officials for immediate assistance in the form of equipment donations.

The hospital, constructed by the Americans in 1901-1902, was originally used as barracks by American scouts and was only converted into a hospital in the early ‘30s.

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