Abad takes over 4ID as Officer-In-Charge

By BEN BALCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

In his speech, Abad vowed to crush insurgency.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Abad takes over 4ID as Officer-In-Charge

By BEN BALCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

In his speech, Abad vowed to crush insurgency.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roxas: No to new taxes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Amnesty International vows support for Subanen women, youth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Roxas urges DOJ to act fast on Legacy complaints

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today urge the Department of Justice (DoJ) to act swiftly on the complaints filed against officials of the Legacy Group led by owner Celso de los Angeles, to bring justice and relief to the victims of the company’s schemes.

“Pupukpukin natin ang Department of Justice, kakalampagin natin hanggang sa mag-file na sila ng kaso laban sa Legacy, lalo na kay Celso (We will continue to pound on the DoJ for them to immediately file cases against Legacy officials, especially de los Angeles),” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce said.

“Ang lahat ng ito ay nasa kamay ngayon ng Department of Justice dahil ito ang mag-fa-file ng kaso laban kay Celso de los Angeles. Babantayan natin ito. Hindi natin papayagan na na idri-dribble lang ito hanggang sa magkalimutan na lang (All these are now in the hands of the DoJ because it will be the one which would file cases against Celso de los Angeles. We will watch them closely. We will not allow them to sit on the cases until the public forgets about them),” he also said.

Complaints have been filed before the DoJ against the Legacy owner and his cohorts by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and various investors, all of which have been referred for preliminary investigation to the “Task Force Legacy.”

Members of the task force have told senators that the preliminary investigation into the complaints would begin on March 21 after all pleadings and counter-pleadings have been filed by concerned parties.

The Ilonggo senator said it was imperative for the Justice department to employ fast action on the cases so aggrieved pre-need planholders and bank depositors and investors could recover the investments they made to the various Legacy companies, such as the Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc., Legacy One Card and its 13 rural banks.

He exhorted prosecutors not to follow the path of the 2005 Task Force against Bank Frauds, which until now has yet to file a single case in relation to the complaints referred to it when it was created.

“Ang tanong ngayon, paano si Nanay Beth? Si Nanay Mila? At iba pang biktima? Paano ang pera nila? Paano mananagot ang dapat na managot dito? Kailangang agarang kumilos ang DoJ para makakuha ng hustisya ang mga kawawang biktima ng Legacy (The question now is, how about Nanay Beth, Nanay Mila and the other victims? How about their savings? Will the persons responsible for this scam be held responsible? DOJ should act swiftly so justice will be served for sake of Legacy’s victims),” he said.

“Itong kamay na bakal na ipinapakita ng gobyerno natin laban sa mga kritiko nito ay dapat gamitin nila dito laban sa mga nanloko, sa mga nagnakaw ng pera mula dito sa mga pangkaraniwang Pilipino (The iron fist that this government is using against its critics should be used instead against these scheming individuals who victimize ordinary Filipinos),” he added.

He also deplored De los Angeles for imputing politics in the pursuit of justice for his own victims and for skirting the issue about his liabilities to them.

“Ito po ay tungkol sa mga kawawang kababayan natin na naghahabol lang ng paraan para maibalik ang pera nila at managot kung sino ang dapat managot kasi nawala itong mga pera nila (This is about the victims who are desperate to get their monies back and who demand justice from those who stole from them),” he said.

He added: “Ang babaw-babaw, lumang tugtugin na po ito, bulok na itong style na ito. Ito ang style ng lahat na walang isasagot (sa mga legal na isyu) kaya inililihis na lang, lilituhin ang publiko at sasabihing pulitika raw (The claim of politics is too shallow, it’s old news, it’s an old excuse. It is the alibi of those who cannot answer the legal issues and who are trying to divert the issue by injecting political motives against those who are running after them).”

The senator was referring to a statement from De los Angeles that the supposed hype over the dissolution of his Legacy group of companies was being used for partisan political interests.(Ms. Jenny Bugarin

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

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63 internally displaced families in Barangay Paiton returned home

ILIGAN CITY (Oct 24 2008). Pakigdait Incorporated facilitated the safe return of sixty three (63) families from the evacuation centre of the Madrasah in Ceanuri Subdivision, Iligan City to their home in Brgy. Paiton, Municipality of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

The sixty three (63) families had been under the custody of Ustadz AbdulKarim Ambor since after the August 18 MILF attack in Kauswagan and Kolambugan.

“It’s about time for the families to go back home and continue with their lives”, said Ambor during the coordination meetings.

The initiative was coordinated with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, duly supported by the AFP’s 104th Infantry Brigade under the leadership of Col. Benito L. de Leon through the Capt. Alonto T. Maamo, Civil Military Operations Officer (CMO) of the 1st Infantry Division.

Over the last couple of weeks, these families had been expressing their wishes to go back home and get back to normal living. But the AFP had to assess the feasibility of the areas for safety and security before they finally gave clearance for the evacuees to go back home in a coordination meeting held at the Ceanuri evacuation centre on October 20, 2008.

“There is no place like home”, was heartily expressed by one evacuee as they started to ride the military trucks to bring them home. A convoy of four (4) military trucks serviced the sixty (63) families in going back home.

The convoy also paid a courtesy visit to the Municipal Mayor of Kauswagan, Hon. Yasser Samporna at the Municipal Hall followed by a distribution of relief assistance to the families by the MSWDO and Pakigdait.

The Chairwoman of Brgy. Paiton, Hon. Monaida A. Mactamok, warmly welcome the convoy in the Poblacion where she expressed gratitude to Pakigdait, the MSWDO, and the AFP for assisting her people in coming home.

“It was truly a hopeful realisation to see the civil society, the government and the military establishment cooperate in such initiative, for the people”, she expressed with so much enthusiasm and gratitude.

The initiative is a component activity of the Humanitarian Assistance Project in response to the impact of the conflict and displacement in Lanao del Norte. The Humanitarian Assistance Projects is jointly implemented by the Pakigdait and EcoWEB in partnership with the Diocese of Iligan through the support of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD-UK).

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U.S., RP partners expand Jolo airport runway

U.S. –RP PARTNERS EXPAND JOLO AIRPORT RUNWAY. U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney (2nd from right) and Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan (3rd from left) lead the groundbreaking for the Jolo runway improvement project. The airport project, a partnership among the Department of Transportation and Communications, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Sulu provincial government and USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, will replace and widen the asphalt runway, and extend it from 1,200 meters to 1,845 meters, to ensure safer airport operations and higher-capacity air linkages between Sulu and the rest of the country. Joining them for the ceremony on October 14 were (l-r): USAID Mission Director Jon Lindborg, Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidula, Governor Abdusakur Tan, and Undersecretary Nabil Tan of the Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process (BEN BALCE)

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Oro media invited to presscon for indie film "Hunghong sa Yuta"

CAGAYAN de Oro City (By MIKE BAÑOS / Oct 3) - The Brothers of the Sacred Heart based in Matina, Davao City is inviting members of the local media to a press conference at the Sunriva Restaurant 10:30am to 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 11, 2008 regarding the indie film "HUNGHONG SA YUTA".

Bro. Levie O. Requilme said the press conference is in preparation for the sneak preview of Arnel Mardoquio's film about war and peace in Mindanao scheduled later the same day at the Xavier University Little Theatre from 3:00-5:00pm. The preview is intended for tri-media partners, heads of schools, government and non-government organizations, the private sector and other groups advocating for peace.

In his invitation to Cagayan de Oro Press Club President Jerry Orcullo, Requilme said the sneak preview is in preparation for the Peace Advocacy Mission and Campaign which aims to show the film to all sectors of society.

Bro. Joe P. Palabao said the premier screening of "HUNGHONG SA YUTA" has been scheduled for the second week of December 2008 at SM Cinema, Cagayan de Oro City.

In a film review published in a national broadsheet, Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for Literature, wrote: "What distinguishes it from the usual advocacy project is the meticulous care given by the director and his staff, and the passion and excellence of the finished project."

In a column entitled "War and Peace in a Movie," noted female columnist and feminist Rina Jimenez-David decribes how Mardoquio made the movie with a single camera and under harsh conditions. Despite these, she found the movie "unexpectedly engrossing, moving and entertaining.

When she asked Mardoquio if the violence in the movie was somehow off-putting in a movie about peace, the director said that to him "the message of the movie is also about the ugliness of war," especially the fact that often the biggest victims are civilians, especially children, and that to get across the cruelty of armed violence, he needed to show it in all its horror.

"I believe only a Mindanawan can make a movie about the conflict in Mindanao," Mardoquio said.

HUNGHONG SA YUTA is an advocacy project of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Youth Ministry under the leadership of Bro. Noelvic Deloria SC. in cooperation with Lozadren Foundation and Sky Phoenix Production.

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Misuari meets Sulu governor; commits to help maintain peace, development

A US soldier scribbles a note as former Moro National Liberation Front rebel leader Nur Misuari speaks to Sulu Governor Sakur Tan during a meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2008 in Patikul town in the southern Filipino island of Sulu. Misuari has committed to help peace and development efforts in Sulu, one of six provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, where US forces are currently deployed and helping Governor Tan in various humanitarian and development projects and at the same time training Filipino troops.

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Misuari meets Sulu governor, commits to help maintain peace, development in Sulu

A US soldier scribbles a note as former Moro National Liberation Front rebel leader Nur Misuari speaks to Sulu Governor Sakur Tan during a meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2008 in Patikul town in the southern Filipino island of Sulu. Misuari has committed to help peace and development efforts in Sulu, one of six provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, where US forces are currently deployed and helping Governor Tan in various humanitarian and development projects and at the same time training Filipino troops.
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50 Normeca’s linemen help restored 90% Panay’s power system supply

CAGAYAN de Oro Journal (Ben Balce / July 25)- Some fifty Northern Mindanao Electric Cooperative Association (NORMECA) linemen lend a hand to assist the typhoon (Frank) victims in Panay after 90 percent of the island’s power system was adversely affected.

Linemen from Moresco-1, Moresco 2, Moelci, Buseco, Fibeco, Laneco and Camelco went to Panay on June 25 on its mission helped out restoring and alleviating the living condition of the residents after the typhoon.

Panay was one of the islands typhoon Frank vehemently heaved on during its visit in the country. Almost 90% of the island’s power system was not working.

With the situation, Rural Electrification secretary Fr. Francisco Silva with National Electrification Administration (NEA) Editha Bueno initiated immediately “Task Force Kapatid Panay” that has alleviated if not restored the living conditions of the residents after the typhoon.

As part of NEA’s guidance and supervision, the ECs have always been and will continue to give support to one another to achieve its missionary objective which is rural electrification, among others to its member-consumers.

On July 16, the Normeca’s linemen was given a grand welcome home program commending the task force for a job well done at the Moresco’s training center in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

“The major task were accomplished in a week’s time instead of the resident’s anticipation of a two-month-power-restoration,” said Normeca president Pedrito Baculio.

The task force restored the different affected barangay of Panay in tandem with Akelco, headed by general manager Chito Peralta and other electric cooperatives in the Visayas region.

“Daghan na ang mga kalampusan sa mga electric cooperatives (EC) nga isig ka EC ra usab ang nakahibalo,” said Baculio adding: “Apan alang sa kasayuran sa publiko, kini nga kalampusan nagtuki ra gihapon sa maayong serbisyong nahatag sa EC ngadto sa mga membro o kunsumador niini.”

Baculio said the “bayanihan” culture has always been embedded in the electric cooperatives of the Philippines.

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Fire razes 40 houses in CDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - A fire on Thursday razed some 40 houses made of light materials and left 300 persons homeless near the seashore in Barangay Tablon this city.

Cagayan de Oro city fire marshal F/Chief Insp. Benigno Amomonpon said almost all the residents in the area were using flying connections and the substandard electrical wiring and overloading caused the fire.

He said strong winds and narrow roads exacerbated the problem, slowing the arrival of firemen by half an hour which left them very little else to save.

Amomonpon said the fire started at the house of an Elmer Endoma of Purok 13. He said initial estimate of damage was P350,000 up to P400,000. - Benjamin Balce

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Sulu officials support possible term extension of AFP chief

JOLO, Sulu (January 25, 2008) – Sulu provincial officials expressed support Friday on the possible extension of the term of Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon.

Esperon, a veteran army commander in Mindanao, is set to retire on February 9 at age 56, but government sources said President Gloria Arroyo is likely to extend his term so he can continue his programs and reforms in the military.

Arroyo is in Switzerland since Tuesday for a series of meetings with the officials of the Aragon Financial Group (AFG) and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce. The AFG could help the Philippines in its policy to ensure continuous and adequate supply of energy through integrated and intensive exploration, production, management and development of the country's indigenous energy resources such as oil and natural gas.

The President may announce Esperon's extension when she returns to Manila, sources said on Friday.

"General Hermogenes Esperon has done a very a good job and he is one of the proponent of many AFP-related humanitarian program in Sulu. We are very supportive of General Esperon and will support his extension as Chief-of-Staff," Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan said.

Tan said business and religious leaders and the mayors in Sulu are also supporting Esperon's possible term extension. "We have a relatively good peace and order condition in Sulu because of AFP and other stakeholders of peace. The AFP is our partner in peace and progress and we are the government's partner in nation building," he said.

Tan has previously hailed Esperon for creation of the National Development Command, a new unit in the AFP that especially focus on the basic socio-economic development and infrastructure projects in conflict-affected areas.

Through the NDC, the AFP hopes to contribute in the convergence of efforts by the different line agencies of government in the repair and construction of schools, health centers, sources of potable water, roads and bridges and in the process rebuild lives that have been disrupted by terrorist activities and violence.

Esperon on Friday inspected troops in Sulu and Basilan provinces as part of his farewell visit in southern Philippines, where he started his military career. Esperon said it would be an honor is President Arroyo extends his term.

Radio reports on Friday quoted Esperon as saying: "Hindi ko alam kung magkakaroon ng announcement. But kung magkaganoon man, tulad ng sinasabi ko, I'd be very honored to serve for some more time kung gaano katagal ibibigay sa atin na extension lalong lalo na, kailangan nating pursue ang ating momentum nagawa natin against the New People's Army and Abu Sayyaf terrorists." (I don't know if there will be an announcement (by the President), but if there will be as I have said, I would be much honored to serve for some more time. We need to pursue the momentum (of what we have already achieved) against the New People's Army and the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.) (Sulu Media Desk)

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Sulu launches own ID system

SULU, Philippines (Jan. 21, 2008) – Sulu province in the southern Philippines has launched its own citizen identification system aimed at curbing crimes and deter terrorism and served as a database for local census, officials said Monday.

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan said the provincial ID system was launched over the weekend in the town of Patikul, whose population now is more than 50,000.

"We are going to issue identification cards in all towns and we have the support of the local government officials and the citizens themselves," Tan said.

Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao, has 19 towns – Hadji Panglima Tahil, Indanan, Jolo, Kalingalang Caluang, Lugus, Luuk, Maimbung, Panamao, Omar, Pandami, Panglima Estino, Pangutaran, Parang, Pata, Siasi, Talipao, Tapul and Tongkil.



PATIKUL town Mayor Kabir Hayudini shows reporters his Citizen Identification Card during the launching of Sulu province own version of the National ID Card. Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan says the ID system will help deter crimes and terrorism in the province. (Sulu Media Desk)


Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini said his town will serve as a model for the implementation of the citizen identification card in other areas in the province, about 950 kilometers south of Manila.

"The people are really very supportive of the ID system and that's why we have Patikul as model for this citizen identification card system in cooperation with the Sulu provincial government, the military and police authorities and the national census (office)," Hayudini told reporters, adding, that those covered by the ID system are citizens 12 years old above.

Tan said the provincial government shouldered all expenses needed for the ID system.

"The identification card system in Sulu province is a collaborative effort between local governments, the Armed Forces (of the Philippines), the Philippine National Police and other stake holders of peace and development in the province."

"The ID system will deter crimes and prevent terrorism because it would be easy to identify those who are not from Sulu and this will protect the citizens. It will also be beneficial for business and other transactions," he said.

Tan said the local ID system is not part of the proposed national ID system.

"This is our initiative and while politicians and other groups in Manila argue about the national ID system, my province is already implementing our own citizen identification card system. This will also establish an accurate census in Sulu," he said.


A census is an enumeration of all the people of a village or a systematic and complete count of all who are living in specified places.

The local ID system includes a photo of the holder and the following information - the date and place of birth, civil status, blood type, age, address, thumb prints and sex among others.

Provincial mayors and Muslim religious leaders and business groups lauded the ID system in Sulu province. The launching of the ID system in Sulu coincided with the closing of the two-day peace caravan joined by thousands of Muslims.


The caravan was a collaborative effort of government agencies and various non-government agencies to address the immediate health, education and livelihood needs of communities affected by conflict.

Tan said the caravan, which began on Friday in the town of Jolo went around Patikul and Kalingalang Caluang towns, scene of previous clashes between rebels and soldiers.

He said the caravan was also aimed at consulting with the communities on their medium and long term concerns particularly on livelihood and employment aspect as well as provides a humanitarian face to the ongoing conflict in Sulu.


He said the caravan provided several millions of pesos in aids to support peace and development in Sulu. The Department of Education also pledged to send at least 15 tons of assorted books to different government schools in the province, Tan said.

Tan also released buffaloes for local farmers and led government officials in medical and dental missions in far-flung villages in Luuk and Patikul town during the caravan.

A similar caravan was also held Monday in Basilan province, which is also part of the Muslim autonomous region. (Sulu Media Desk)


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MAAS urges Court of Appeals to reverse 60-day TRO

NO TO AERIAL SPRAYING. Members of the Davao based Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (MAAS) in an indignation rally in front of the 22nd Division Court of Appeals in Barangay Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City to ask the appelate court to reverse a 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) issued on November 16, 2007 that favors companies producing bananas in Davao. The protesters are opposing aerial spraying due to health reasons. (Photo by DANTE SUDARIA)

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Storm surge displaces 5,000 in 16 coastal towns in Misor; kills 1

CAGAYAN de Oro Journal (Ben Balce / Nov 29) - Massive flooding caused by big waves and strong winds submerged some 16 coastal towns in Misamis Oriental early dawn on Wednesday.

“Big waves and massive flooding left hundreds of destroyed houses and thousand of homeless people,” said Misamis Oriental provincial disaster coordinating council coordinator Teddy Sabugaa.

Sabugaa said the worst flooding that hit several towns in the province, which is situated below sea level, displaced at least 5,245 people or 1,049 families in 44 villages in the said 16 towns.

Sabugaa said the towns affected were Balingasag, Lagonglong, Villanueva, Tagoloan, Balingoan, Sugbong-Cogon, Lugait, Initao, Salay, Jasaan, Libertad, Manticao, Kinoguitan,Naawan, Binoangan, and Magsayasay.

Sabugaa said the storm surge composed of intense waves started at 7 p.m. Tuesday until 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Over local radio (Bombo radio), an unidentified old man in Jasaan town was reportedly killed in heart attack due to big waves and strong winds.

“We are still looking the real caused of his death including his identity,” said Jasaan town Mayor Redentor Jardin.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology (Philvolcs) based in Camiguin province confirmed that strong winds and big waves were due to the effect of typhoons Lando and Mina.

“Walang tsunami, dahil nasa lupa ang effect,” said resident volcanologist Salugsugan.

Salugsugan even said that earthquake happened in some areas in the country including Metro Manila on Tuesday afternoon affected and have the storm surge.

According to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Misamis Oriental, some 165 houses were destroyed while 373 others were partially damaged.
Sabugaa said heavy floods also damaged a 4.2 hectares rice field in Lagonglong and CVO (Civilian Volunteer Office) out post in Lugait town.

He also said the effects of giant waves damaged several fishing boats. Number of fishing boats that were totally damage were 2 in Lagonglong, 5 in Magsaysay, 2 in Binoangan, and 2 in Kinoguitan.

Sabugaa even said the storm surge also damaged a 12-meter sea wall in Naawan as it was totally washed away by big waves including sea wall in Manticao that was partially damaged.

Sabugaa said the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist did not yet give the total crop loss as they were still waiting other reports.

“Distributions of relief goods are ongoing in the east and west part of Misamis Oriental, as victims really need used clothes and foods in the evacuation centers in their respective areas,” said Sabugaa.

Misamis Oriental Philippine Rescue 2000 president Michael Angelo Bustamante said the affected families were in terrible need of assistance from concerned partners and individuals.

“Most of the displaced persons do not have a home to go back to because these were either swept away by the tidal surge,” said Bustamante.
Bustamante said the victims of floods were also in need of food, materials to build shelter, medicines, clothes, kitchen utensils, and other basic necessities to augment their everyday living.

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