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Evicted!

An unidentified father plays his guitar as his wife and boy listen to pass the time in the southern Philippine city of Kidapawan. The family was evicted from the land they occupied for some time and are appealing to the government to provide them a relocation site. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

Volunteers donate blood during a recent drive in Kidapawan City in Mindanao. The blood drive was sponsored by various tertiary schools, media organizations, the Kidapawan City Blood Bank, the Red Cross and philanthropist Nancy Catamco. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

Troops seize blasting caps, cyanide in southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 10, 2009) – Filipino troops seized a cache of blasting caps and cyanide at a warehouse in the southern province of Tawi-Tawi, officials said Tuesday.

Officials said some 3,700 pieces of blasting caps and seven boxes of cyanide, including 87 meters of detonation cords were recovered Monday from the warehouse in the capital town of Bongao.

A man earlier arrested at a military checkpoint for trying to sneak out a box of blasting caps and detonating cord led troops in the warehouse where the explosives were stashed.

The warehouse is owned by a man identified only as Nasser, said Marine Major Ramon David Hontiveros, a regional military spokesman.

“The military is coordinating with the police for the legal processing of the suspects,” he said.

It was unknown whether any of the two men had links with rebel groups or where the blasting caps and cyanide came from. In September, police forces also seized 10,000 pieces of blasting caps and 3,000 meters of detonating cords from a warehouse in Zamboanga City.

Blasting caps are also widely used in homemade explosives containing ammonium nitrate in the restive region.

Last month, Philippine authorities seized more than six tons of the banned chemical in in Tawi-Tawi’s Bongao town. The chemical fertilizers were believed smuggled into the southern Philippine from nearby Malaysia.

In May, a marine patrol intercepted a small boat transporting more than 280 bags of ammonium nitrate at a wharf in Sulu province. (Mindanao Examiner)

Gunmen raid plywood factory, seized 3 workers in Basilan province

BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 10, 2009) – Unidentified gunmen raided a plywood factory before dawn Tuesday and abducted two workers in the troubled province of Basilan in the southern Philippines, officials said Tuesday.

Officials said about 20 armed men disguised as soldiers barged into the factory and disarmed a guard and seized Michael Tan, 27, and Oscar Lu, 51, both Chinese-Filipinos working as caretakers of the Hitech Wood Craft Corporation in the town of Maluso. Another employee, Mark Singson, was also seized by the gunmen, said Basilan police chief Abubakar Tulawie.

A factory guard, Sakilan Lumayon, opened fire on the gunmen as they fled with the two captives, but it was unknown whether any of them was wounded or killed, said Al Rasheed Sakalahul, provincial deputy governor.

“We don’t know who was behind the abductions. There is an investigating going and security forces are tracking down the gunmen and their hostages,” Sakalahul told the Mindanao Examiner.

The motive of the abduction was unknown and no group has claimed responsibility for the daring raid. But Sakalahul said ransom could behind the abduction. “Ransom could be the reason behind the abduction of the two caretakers,” he said.

Police said the third hostage was a factory worker. "The gunmen took three hostages, Michael Tan, Oscar Lu and Mark Singson. Police forces are pursuing the raiders," Tulawie said in a separate interview.

The Abu Sayyaf and the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front are both actively operating in Basilan and had been previously linked to many kidnappings for ransom in the province.

A faction of the Abu Sayyaf also beheaded a school principal Gabriel Canizares in nearby Sulu province after his family failed to raise two million pesos ransom. His severed head was found on Monday at a petrol station in the capital town of Jolo.

In September, Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan freed three kidnapped government teachers after private negotiators paid millions of pesos in ransom.

The teachers Noemi Mandi, Jocelyn Enriquez and Jocelyn Inion were released in separate places in the towns of Tipo-Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan.

The trio was kidnapped in March 13 in Zamboanga Sibugay’s Naga town and brought to Basilan where they had been held captive. The kidnappers had threatened to behead the teachers if ransom was not paid.

Early this year, Abu Sayyaf militants also kidnapped three state teachers - Janette de los Reyes, Freires Quizon and Rafael Mayonado in Zamboanga City and held them in Basilan and freed four months later after private negotiators paid millions of pesos in ransom. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sunset in Maguindanao

A boatman paddles in the Rio Grande River as the sun sets in Maguindanao province in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales)

Philippine Army Winning Hearts And Minds In Mindanao

Scenes from the Army's 104th Infantry Brigade in the southern Philippines during its open house recently.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 9, 2009) – Philippine soldiers are winning hearts and minds in the volatile southern region of Mindanao – and their commanders are largely credited for promoting peace and unity in areas where they operate.

Just recently, the 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade based in Iligan City, attracted thousands of curious visitors – Christian and Muslims and indigenous tribesmen – after it opened its doors to the public – the first time ever for a major military base in this part of Mindanao.

And behind it is Colonel Benito de Leon, the brigade commander, who is fighting a different war – a battle to promote harmony and instill trusts among locals and soldiers in the provinces.

During its 9th Founding Anniversary celebrations, the camp have registered more than four thousand visitors mostly students who were curious how soldiers are accustomed to strict discipline and dedication to their duty.

The camp exhibits included the various display booths showcasing the brigade’s role, its capabilities, and accomplishments in pictures. The combat units under the brigade, the Philippine National Police, and the US military in the area also joined the exhibits.

Also, commercial outlets, and other institutions together with the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte and the City Government of Iligan set up their stalls to promote tourism and their local products.

At that time, the public had the opportunity to interact casually with the soldiers in the camp, surveyed and handled the available military hardware. The various weapons on display and the armored tanks were the all-time crowd drawers.

Group tours, particularly for visiting schools and other entities, were guided by soldiers and local volunteer Tourism Students on practicum. Consistent with the brigade’s Muslim-inspired moniker as “Sultan,” the camp grounds were elaborately decorated with colorful Maranao traditional flags such as the “sambulayan” and “pasandalan.”

Martial march music and the sound of the “kulintang” accented the festive spirit. The last day even featured the world-acclaimed Kalimulan Dance Troupe of the Mindanao State University (MSU-IIT) performing cultural dances.

The mild-mannered brigade commander, who is well-respected in the province, was praised by many and so were his lieutenants and soldiers. Bennie as he is fondly called by friends said opening the camp to the public is one way for the community to better understand, know, and support their Army. “We owe it to the people to explain what we are doing; in the first place, they have mandated our existence and have paid in taxes for our service,” he said. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)

Rain Marie Madrigal: The Reigning Queen

Rain Marie Madrigal. Photos by Zandro Sy Guillo.

Cebu's very first Queen has been crowned!

Professional title-holder Rain Marie Madrigal eventually wound up wearing the most coveted Queen-Universe crown, after edging out her fellow veteran contestants during the first-ever Queen pageant held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino over a fortnight ago.

No less than every true-blue woman present at the Pacific Grand Ballroom that evening admitted to feeling somewhat insecure about how many times more today's gays could be worth applauding for their feminine physicality and absolute confidence, as 21 of Cebu's exceptional transvestites/trans-sexuals glided in their National Costume, Swimsuit, FunWear and Evening Gown, and the top 10 bravely expressed themselves during the Interview segment hosted by Cebu's Queen of Talk, Jude Bacalso.

Rain Marie was a bright and shining standout from the moment she introduced herself as Miss Philippines. It was no neck-and-neck battle of beauty and brains before the panel of judges, who unanimously singled her out to walk away with the crown, after she articulately discussed STRAP, of which she's been an active member for two summers now.

The ever eloquent pageant champ recaps, "It stands for Society of Trans-sexual Women of the Philippines. It is the only transgender rights support and advocacy group in the Philippines. It aims to provide assistance to transgender people who are victims of discrimination and prejudice, be it in the workplace or in society in general. Most of the time transgender people are not taken seriously in the workplace. The organization provides legal support as well... in order to assert every transgender's rights to equal employment opportunity. After all, Transgender rights are also Human Rights. On a personal note, I'm fortunate enough to be part of a company that respects equal employment opportunity and somehow takes into consideration Affirmative Action when hiring employees."

Her unaffected stage presence, no doubt her elegant stance and regal strides, easily won for her the Best in National Costume, Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown major awards, respectively.

As soon as her name was called out, Rain Madrigal couldn't help putting her hands on the face and getting down on her knees before she stepped forward to be crowned as the Queen-Universe, be wearing the best-kept sash of the night, and be handed the symbolic trophy, beauteous bouquet, and attractive prizes. "I just wanted to give God all the glory," she describes the scene.

Before hearsay about staging the Queen pageant were spread, Rain was yet an icon in the community here and there; thus, her rivals would've talked amongst themselves during rehearsals, photo shoots and outreach visits that they could only aspire for the smaller one: the Queen-World or the Queen-International crown. Last 2007, she knocked down Manila's elite transgendered women by bagging the grand Super Sireyna title (along with the Miss Telegenic special award) on Eat Bulaga; in 2005, she knocked off the country's most exemplary finalists by winning as Miss Gay Philippines-Universe.

Having all of the above to reckon with, many cannot help wondering why the national beauty titlist took a trip back to basic. However, Rain Madrigal is poised to defend her title and the experience, "Beauty pageants have always been my passion since I was a child. As an individual, I also need to grow. I felt the need to take my passion to the next level, to a level wherein I can add more meaning and worth to it. I used to join pageants for the sake of fame, exposure and even more income, because it was my bread and butter.

I joined this pageant because I felt there is a purpose behind it... and that is to help our society understand that we are here to lend a helping hand and to do our part in community-building. The Queen Pageant is our own way of telling everyone that we are here to do our part to unite our community and not to create another problem in society."

Not necessarily loud but sensibly proud, Rain responds to a query on her foray into the world in which she lives today, "Well, the transition was hard, and it's because of a lot of factors. Just like any other transgender woman, transition involves physical and emotional aspects. But most of all, it was a journey to self-discovery. The details are not important anymore; what's important is that I have successfully completed my journey of self-discovery."

Rain Madrigal's family need not take pains to close with the fact that "their baby is now a lady..." Unlike most, there weren't any nights when she would cry herself to sleep at her wit's end, over whether she would refrain from or get up the next day donning her daintiest dress. Her outstanding academic records and astounding intelligence helped smoothen the rough road she would've trudged to feeling accepted as far as her wardrobe would've gone. Thankfully, her family was always her number one support system in every step of the way, and would be there whenever, wherever their beloved flesh and blood was in a parade of beauties.

Because there is definitely no room where we can please everybody, Rain will not give a hoot to people out there who despise those who practice transgenderism. On behalf of all transgendered women around or the LGBT for that matter, the erudite spokesperson points out, "It would certainly be an arduous task to change other people's perception towards us. We can start it through proper information. To all the people out there, all I can say is, when you judge a person right away you will lose the chance to love him/her. You've got to take time to get to know the person and not judge them based on their looks or sexuality."

And what is her take on the fact that some people will not be pleased with the inclusion of the traditional swimsuit competition in a pageant? "Personally, I believe that the swimsuit competition is an important part of any beauty pageant. A beauty queen has to be holistic, perfect in total package. She has to have a sound body in order to have a sound mind, and that's exactly the purpose of having a swimsuit competition. Also, if you are physically fit, one thing is for sure, you have self-discipline. That's how a swimsuit competition should be portrayed in any beauty contest here and abroad," the recently enthroned Queen spells out.

As "the" Queen, Rain's biggest dream is"...for Cebu society to fully acknowledge and respect our sector which is the LGBT community, and for our country to fully respect our human rights as well. She adds,"I'd like to take this opportunity to inform our society on what LGBT is all about. It stands for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender.

"Gay" is not exactly an umbrella term that should be used to generalize non-heterosexuals. Rather, there are different segments in LGBT that properly correspond to each member. That only goes to show that there is uniqueness or diversity too within our community. I know it's still a long road, but at least we can start it through information. I suggest that you visit www.tsphilippines.com."

Like any other legitimate beauty queen, Rain has a good 12 months to live to her reign, whilst holding her recruitment-supervisor position at E-Performax as gracefully as she did her significant scepter which carries a lot of responsibilities. But more than anything, she is all agog about utilizing her title to the fullest. "I remember I was asked during the preliminaries about how I can change society's perception towards non-heterosexual people.

Then I said, I'd like to start within myself, as I believe in the Clothes for Life Foundation's advocacy for the poor and the underprivileged. Of course, I will do my part in the different projects to help the orphanages we are supporting. Aside from that, I hope that during my reign I can be a good example to everyone: to inspire other transgender women, to be more comfortable in their own skin," Rain Marie Madrigal crosses her heart as she sits on her throne for being a beauty queen, and then stands up for being an emissary of goodwill for everyone. (Ariel Allosada Allera)

Maguindanao rice farmers

Two farmers inspect their rice paddies in the town of Upi in Maguindanao, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

Abu Sayyaf beheads kidnapped school principal in southern Philippines

A television grab from ABS-CBN television shows an undated photo of kidnapped school principal, Gabriel Canizares, whose severed head was discovered in a bag left at a gas station in the capital town of Jolo in Sulu province on Monday, November 9, 2009. Security officials said the 36-year old Canizares was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf on October 19 in Sulu's Patikul town. (Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 9, 2009) – Abu Sayyaf gunmen beheaded a school principal they kidnapped in Sulu province in the southern Philippines after his family failed to pay ransom.

Security officials said the severed head of Gabriel Canizares was discovered in a bag left at a gas station in the capital town of Jolo at around 5 a.m.

The kidnappers originally demanded two million pesos for his liberty and eventually lowered this to one million pesos. His body is still missing.

“Terrorists have again proven their barbaric nature today. At 5 a.m., the head of Mr. Gabriel Canizares was found in Jolo. The joint military and police team that was coordinating with the Crisis Management Committee for Canizares’ rescue will shift to punitive action,” said Marine Major Ramon David Hontiveros, a regional military spokesman.

The 36-year old principal of the Kanague Elementary School in Patikul town was kidnapped October 19 in the town of Patikul in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Canizares was in a jeep returning home to Jolo when a dozen gunmen flagged down the vehicle and took him away in front of his terrified Muslim teachers in the village of Tanum.

“The head was in a bag and left at the gas station in Jolo. His body has not been found, but we are closely working with other police forces to find the body. There is an ongoing police operation against the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” said Chief Inspector Usman Pingay, the Jolo police chief.

The discovery of the head coincided with the state of the regional address of Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, who governs the Muslim provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Lanao and Maguindanao. Ampatuan, who is in his second term as governor of the Muslim autonomous region, rarely visits the provinces.

Teachers have previously appealed to the government to give importance and attention to Canizares just like what Manila is giving kidnapped Irish Catholic priest Michael Sinnott.

The 79-year old Sinnott was taken at gunpoint by six men from his house in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province in Mindanao on October 11.

The Abu Sayyaf is a small, but the most violent rebel group tagged by the police and military as behind the spate of attacks and terrorism in the troubled region. (Mindanao Examiner)

The Cassowary of Kidapawan City

This Cassowary (Casuarius uneppendiculatus) found in Kidapawan City in the southern Philippines is a native to the tropical forest of New Guinea and Northeastern Australia. Although it cannot fly, Cassowary can run up to 50 kilometer per hour. It is the second largest and third tallest bird in the world. Females are bigger than males and they can reach up to 6 feet in height and weigh more than 70 kilograms when matured. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

Aquino leads presidential race; Dalipe ahead of Zamboanga mayoralty race in poll survey

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 8, 2009) – A pre-election survey held secretly among local government employees showed Senator Benigno Aquino III leading in the presidential race against three others and Zamboanga City vice mayor Jose Manuel Dalipe also ahead against incumbent Celso Lobregat in the mayoralty race.

The survey was conducted on 1,000 city government officials and employees from October 25 to November 7 and whose results were made public on Sunday by a group called the Concerned City Government Employees.

“This survey was done by concerned city government officials and employees. We cannot divulge our identity due to serious repercussions. We expect many politicians to question the result of this survey, especially those who got low scores.”

“Some of us might even be forced to discredit this survey in public. But we hope you will allow the people of Zamboanga to know the sentiments of those working in the City Government of Zamboanga, and let them rate for themselves the credibility of this survey,” the group said in a statement sent to the independent regional newspaper The Mindanao Examiner.

One of the poll questions asked the city employees who they will vote if elections were held today?

The pollsters said Aquino, son of former President Corazon Aquino, topped the survey among presidential candidates with 299 votes against ex-President Joseph Estrada who got 154 votes; Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, 192; and Senator Manuel Villar, 226.

They said 129 respondents were still undecided who to vote for in the May 2010 national elections.

For the vice presidential candidates, Makati City mayor Jejomar Binay leads the survey with 70 votes, while Senator Francis Escudero got 203 votes; Senator Loren Legarda with 131; Senator Mar Roxas with 273 votes and 323 respondents still undecided who to choose among the four.

In the local front, Zamboanga City vice mayor Jose Manuel Dalipe was way ahead of Celso Lobregat, the incumbent mayor. Dalipe, a favorite among the locals, got 688 votes and Lobregat only with 247 votes. The Concerned City Government Employees said 65 respondents were undecided whether to vote for Dalipe or Lobregat.

Former Catholic priest and now Presidential assistant for Mindanao, Crisanto dela Cruz, was also leading in the vice mayoralty race in Zamboanga City with 412 votes against incumbent councilors Juan Elago, 328; Cesar Itturalde, 72; and Roel Natividad, 84. It said 10 percent of the 1,000 respondents were still undecided who to vote for.

Like Dalipe, the former priest, a known philanthropist in Zamboanga City, is also a favorite among the local voters. Dela Cruz previously said he is likely to run as an independent candidate for vice mayor.

Local congressman Erico Fabian also bested Samuel Enesando with 920 votes as against 41 in Zamboanga’s 2nd congressional district and 39 were still undecided.

While in the 1st congressional district, Congresswoman Maria Isabelle Climaco leads the survey with 798 votes as against 144 votes for James Jimenez, but 58 respondents were also undecided who to vote for in the elections.

Another poll question asked the respondents: “Among the following incumbent Councilors, who do you think deserve another term if they are allowed to run again?”

For the 1st congressional district, the frontrunners were: Rogelio Valesco, with 910 votes; Cezar Jimenez, 902; Melchor Rey Sadain, 893; Luis Biel, 611; Ethelinda Abarro, 553; Charlie Mariano, 501; Jaime Cabato, 412; and Rudy Lim, 269 votes.

In the 2nd congressional district, councilor Lilia Nuno topped the survey with 892 votes and followed by Juan Elago, 868; Cesar Itturalde, 561; Roel Natividad, 522; Eduardo Saavedra, 506; Benjamin Guingona, 404; Rey Candido, 389; and Eduardo Rodriguez with 211 votes.

The pollster also asked the city hall employees who they think should run for Councilor in the coming elections. And the top 5 were: Roseller Natividad, with 785 votes; Rommel Agan, 658; Antonio Orendain Jr., 460; Rodelyn Agbulos, 435; and Vic Solis, 426.

Most of the incumbent councilors are allies of Lobregat.

The group said in the 2007 elections, no formal survey was conducted with the city government officials and employees because some politicians thought their opinion was not important.

“In the 2010 elections, we will not allow that to happen again. This is why several officials and employees of the local government already took the lead and conducted an honest to goodness survey amongst those serving in the city government of Zamboanga. “

“Please help us make our voices heard. We cannot do so ourselves because of serious consequences from our bosses who are involved in this survey. This is the sentiment of those working in the local government and we want the outside world to hear us,” the Concerned City Government Employees said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sulu Vice Governor Abandoned By Mayors, Legislators Loses Critical Support Ahead Of 2010 Polls

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 8, 2009) – At least a dozen municipal mayors and eight provincial legislators have withdrawn their support to Sulu vice governor Nur Ana Sahidulla as a congressional candidate in next year’s polls.

Sahidulla is said to be eyeing the 2nd congressional district and was previously endorsed by some mayors, who are senior members of the ruling coalition Lakas-Kampi-Christian-Muslim Democrat parties.

Those who withdrew their support have sent a signed manifesto to President Gloria Arroyo who heads the coalition and was also furnished to Muslim autonomous regional governor Zaldy Ampatuan and Sulu governor Sakur Tan, both chairman of the Lakas-Kampi-Christian-Muslim Democrat parties.

A copy of the manifesto was sent to Arroyo’s Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who is the current president of the Lakas-Kampi-Christian-Muslim Democrat coalition.

“We, the undersigned, incumbent Provincial and Municipal Officials of Sulu, and representing the provincial party leadership and the vast majority of members of the Sulu Lakas-Kampi-CMD, after due consultations among ourselves, taking into account the higher interest of the party and the necessity for the party to be solidified and strengthened for the political debacle in 2010, do hereby withdraw our collective support and earlier endorsement for Vice-Governor Hajja Nur-Ana I. Sahidulla as the party standard-bearer for the 2nd Congressional District of Sulu, nor will we endorse her for any elective post in the coming elections.”

“The Provincial Party Hierarchy is in the process of selecting the best candidate to represent the Lakas-Kampi-CMD for the 2nd Congressional District seat who is truly representative of the ideals and principles of the party and will make representation to the National Party hierarchy on the matter in due time,” the manifesto reads.

The mayors who signed the manifesto were Hussin Amin, of the capital town of Jolo; Hussin Ahajan, of Indanan; Munib Estino, of Panglima Estino; Kabir Hayudini, of Patikul; Gafur Abdurajak, of Panamao; Nedra Burahan, of Panglima Tahil; Arthur Muksan, of Siaisi; Sitti Raya Tulawie, of Talipao; Hatta Berto, of Pandami; Riza Tingkahan, of Parang; Mansul Aradais, of Lugus; and Nurmina Burahan, of Pata town.

Sulu has 19 municipal mayors and 14 legislators and those who withdrew their support to Sahidulla represent 70 percent of the more than 200,000 votes in the province, one of five that made up the Muslim autonomous region, said Hector Buclao, a member of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan, who was among those who signed the manifesto.

The other legislators who also withdrew their support to the vice governor were Khalil Hajibin, Al-Khadar Loong, Al-Bakir Jikiri, Nurhata Salahuddin, Basaron Burahan, Bhydil Sarapuddin and Malcolm Tulawie.

Buclao said Sahidulla’s defection to Sulu Representative Munir Arbison, of the 2nd District, has triggered their withdrawal of support to the vice governor. “That is the reason. Sahidulla’s defection to Arbison’s camp will not be tolerated and loyalty is very important so we can continue what we pledged to our people – that is our service for the larger interest of the people and the party, the Lakas-Kampi-Christian-Muslim Democrat,” Buclao told the Mindanao Examiner before flying Sunday to Saudi Arabia for his annual pilgrimage.

He said Arbison is not allied with the majority of the mayors in Sulu.

On May 14, about 45.5 million Filipinos will be called to choose among 87,000 candidates vying for 17,000 national and local positions, which include the 250 House of Representatives seats and half of the 24 in the Senate. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyaf executioner captured in Zamboanga City

Philippine troops load onto a truck on Wednesday July 11, 2007 the bodies of Philippine Marines who were killed in a clash with Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels while searching for a kidnapped Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi on the volatile island province of Basilan in southern Philippines. Troops recovered the bodies of 14 marines, ten of them mutilated, in one of the bloodiest fights that year, which erupted on Al-Barka town. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 7, 2009) – Philippine authorities arrested Saturday an Abu Sayyaf militant in Zamboanga City who was tagged as among those who beheaded 10 soldiers in the southern province of Basilan, reports said.

The militant, Asnawi Sala, was linked by the police and military to the brutal slaying of the 14 Marines, ten of them beheaded, on July 10, 2007 in a clash in the town of Al-Barka.

The soldiers were searching for a kidnapped Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi when they strayed into rebel territory on the volatile province and a firefight ensued.

Police and military officials did not give details of the arrest of Sala, who is now being investigated at an undisclosed camp.

Last month, soldiers also arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf militant, Alih Mandangan, in Zamboanga’s Rio Hondo village. The military said Mandangan was involved in the kidnappings of dozens of teachers and students, including a Catholic priest in Basilan in 2000.

The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped the teachers and students, including a Catholic priest Rhoel Gallardo after militants raided two schools in the village of Tumahubong in Basilan’s Sumisip town on March 20, 2000. Militants had tortured Gallardo before killing him and three other teachers.

Another Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Almujahid Susukan was also arrested at the pier in Zamboanga City in September on 21 charges of kidnappings. Susukan is the brother of Jawawi and Mujiv Susukan, both Abu Sayyaf leaders who were killed in separate military offensive in Sulu province over the past years.

Susukan was implicated in the kidnappings of 21 Asian and European holidaymakers from the Malaysian island-resort of Sipadan in 2000.

The report said Susukan was a former Moro rebel who later joined the army, but later deserted his unit and joined the Abu Sayyaf. He was previously arrested by the military in Sulu province, however, it was unclear whether Susukan had been freed or escaped or working with the armed forces as a spy.

Many of arrested Abu Sayyaf had been used by the military as a spy, often working for bounties offered by the Philippine and US governments for the capture of known militant leaders in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Blast hits Zamboanga Catholic church

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 7, 2009) – A Roman Catholic Church was bombed before dawn Saturday in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga, but there were no reports of casualties.

Reporters who rushed in the area said the blast partially damaged the concrete fence of the old San Isidro Labrador Church in the village of Talon-Talon.

A letter was also left by the unidentified assailant and warned that there will be more attacks in Zamboanga.

Television reports said the blast occurred at around 1 a.m. and police investigators claimed a grenade was likely used in the attack. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Last year, two bomb explosions rocked a Catholic church and a coffee house in Zamboanga City. The first explosion occurred near the right wing of the Immaculate Conception Metro Cathedral and damaged two parked cars.

The second bomb exploded just 10 minutes later in the front of the Vienna Kaffe Haus located on the ground floor of a building that also houses the local office of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The blast destroyed the coffee shop's door and sign.

A powerful bomb explosion also injured at least 20 people in Zamboanga City in August 2007. The bomb was planted at a public square in downtown Zamboanga. The Abu Sayyaf was initially blamed by the military for the attack. But three suspected bombers captured a week later by the police pointed to a military intelligence agent as the mastermind of the bombing.

Previous attacks were blamed by the military and police to the Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels. (Mindanao Examiner)

Mindanao Examiner TV Week in Review October 25-31, 2009

Mindanao Examiner TV Week in Review October 25-31, 2009 Part 1



Mindanao Examiner TV Week in Review October 25-31, 2009 Part 2



Mindanao Examiner TV Week in Review October 25-31, 2009 Part 3

New Filipino electoral watchdog launched, warns of fraud in 2010 automated polls

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 6, 2009) - A new electoral watchdog called "Pagbabago! People’s Movement for Change" was launched Friday in Davao City in Mindanao and has warned of electoral fraud or failure of election, in a digital and in a more grander scale possible as the Commission on Elections and the Arroyo government have yet to show or convince the public of a fraud-proof automated electoral system.

The said it aims to carry out voters’ education to ensure they are “aware and will take active role in ensuring that their votes will be counted.”

The group warned that the 2010 elections may have already been designed to fail with the automated cheating. It also asserted that the Comelec still needs to devise safeguards to ensure the validity of the result of the coming elections under the new system.

The launching was wrapped up by the unveiling of the People’s Agenda for Change which includes fighting corruption and vote-buying, promotion of good governance and voter's education that would demand electoral platforms from 2010 candidates that address the peoples' clamor for genuine land reform, strengthening of the national industry through nationalist and protectionist measures, and respect for human rights.

Pagbabago, a non-partisan group, will also formulate and use a "people’s criteria" that would define leaders deserving of the peoples' support.

"We aim not just a change of leadership in government but a decisive break from the poverty ridden, unjust and corrupt social system,” Bishop Constante Claro, spokesperson of the group, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner.

“We will be bringing concerned citizens and groups into a more coherent and cohesive movement for change, one that is not just issue-based but carrying a comprehensive reform program; a movement that addresses the underlying problems of Philippine society and resonates with our people’s most deeply-held aspirations,” he said.

The bishop also called for vigilance and action in the light of unrelenting efforts by Malacañang, through its allies in Congress, to railroad a change in the system of government that would allow President Arroyo to remain in power even after her term.

Support Women Candidates, Says Mindanao Commission on Women

MANILA, Philippines - “Women should support women running for public office. But not just any woman. Women we support must be steeped in notions of social justice, human rights and gender equality. ” said Irene M. Santiago, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of the Mindanao Commission on Women during the National Women’s Summit held recently at Miriam College, Quezon City.

Santiago spoke on the topic “Women in Political and Electoral Reforms” and the summit gathered women’s groups, nongovernmental organizations and women in government to assess the situation of women at the national and local levels.

It was held to prepare Philippine participants for the Asia Pacific Beijing+ 15 Nongovernmental organizations Forum that followed after the summit.

Santiago further urged women not to “drop” female candidates once they got elected. “We tend to do that. We start criticizing them and holding them to a very high standard that we don’t do to other politicians,” she said.

“This female public official needs us to help her navigate through the storm of conflicting interests that will most surely buffet her sails. That’s when she most needs her constituency – to help her be true to the ‘incandescent dream’ of integrity and accountability in public office. We, too, need to continue to be true to our collective vision of democracy to which we will hold her accountable,” she said.

Santiago also regaled the audience with anecdotes on her foray into politics when she accepted an offer from Sen. Raul Roco to run as his running mate for the national elections in 1998. At first, she hesitated but finally said yes to stand true to her conviction that women should run for public office. Women should be involved in all levels of decision-making by this redefine the notions of power, knowing that women tend to see power as dirty: “Power can also mean a potency to act for what is good,” she said.

She proposed other ways to build a women constituency that would get women elected to office: “Get past participation although participation per se is important as a goal. Start advocating for purposive participation. What is the reason for running for public office? The reason must be transformational.”

To get more women in elected office, Santiago suggested that “we start filling the leadership pipeline with women from diverse backgrounds who will espouse different political perspectives. We need to develop a critical mass of female candidates for public office by getting more women into political parties.”

Santiago ended her speech with an inspiring message on how women should pursue “purposive participation”. She said: “Our goal is to transform social, economic and political institutions, many of which are now broken, so that women in the pipeline will flourish along with men of goodwill.”

Philippine rescue operations put at risk captured soldier's life, NPA rebels say

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 6, 2009) - Communist insurgents on Friday warned the Philippine military of jeopardizing the safety of a government soldier being held as a prisoner of war in Mindanao, where security forces are fighting the local Maoist rebel group.

The New People’s Army, the country’s oldest rebel group which is fighting for the establishment of a separate communist state, has captured Corporal Dominador Alegre early this week after a raid at a military post in Monkayo town in Compostela Valley province.

Alegre is a detachment commander of the 72nd Infantry Battalion deployed in the province to fight the rebels.

A rebel spokesman, Simon Santiago, said security forces have mounted fresh operation to rescue Alegre, who is facing an investigation by an NPA court for possible human rights violations.

He said the rescue operation could endanger the soldier’s life.

“The 10th Infantry Division is actively opposing and closing the door to the possibility of an early, safe and orderly release of the prisoner of war and instead insist on endangering the security of Corporal Alegre by launching military operations,” Santiago said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner.

He said soldiers have also arrested innocent civilians and harassed villagers in Monkayo town as they searched for the captured soldier.

”This is clearly an act of fascist arrogance of the 10th Infantry Division as the revolutionary forces has consistently shown in the many past and recent prisoner of war cases that it has positively considered well-meaning appeals for the release of the prisoners of war. Thus, the 10th Infantry Division condescending and irrational attitude towards their very own personnel captured and declared as prisoner of war by the New People’s Army, and their families, is a stumbling block to the possibility for an early, safe and orderly release of the prisoner of war,” Santiago said.

Another rebel spokesman, Ka Nadem, earlier warned the military against rescuing the soldier.

“We assure his family that he is well and is being taken cared of under the prevailing guerrilla conditions of the people’s army and the people’s war. While the investigation for Corporal Alegre's possible commission of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law is proceeding, we call on the 10th Infantry Division not to put in jeopardy the POW's safety and well-being. Any military operation will only succeed in delaying the investigation process and exacerbate the conditions of his custodial detention,” Nadem said.

Rebels have previously released captured soldiers and policemen in Mindanao after their families appealed for their freedom.

In April, communist rebels also abducted Private First Class Ronnie Trinidad, who belongs to the 66th Infantry Battalion, in the village of Pagsabangan in Compostela Valley’s New Bataan town. NPA rebels freed early this year a captured Special Forces commander, First Lieutenant Vicente Cammayo, after holding him as prisoner of war for two months also in Compostela Valley.

Last year, the rebels also released a policeman Eduardo Tumol, who was seized November 5 at a checkpoint in the village of Baogo in Davao Oriental's Caraga town. The NPA is the armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines, which broke off peace talks with Manila in 2004 after both sides failed to sign an agreement to end more than four decades of bloody fighting. (Mindanao Examiner)

2,000 civilians join new police unit to help fight terrorism in Sulu province

Philippine Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro leads the oath taking Thursday, November 5, 2009 of some 2,000 civilian volunteers who now formed part of the so-called Police Auxiliary Unit which is deployed in villages in the southern Sulu province to protect citizens from rebel attacks. The volunteers are under the supervision of Philippine National Police. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Jung Francisco and Jonathan Deles)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 6, 2009) – Some 2,000 civilian volunteers took their oath as members of a new police unit which will help Philippine authorities protect villages from rebel attacks.

Filipino Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro led the oath-taking Thursday in Sulu province where security forces are battling Moro rebels and Abu Sayyaf militants whose group is tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya terror networks.

“We will not allow these groups from terrorizing innocent people and taking hostage this beautiful province of Sulu,” Teodoro said.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan welcomed Teodoro who arrived by plane from Zamboanga City late Thursday afternoon together with senior military and police officials, and Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez.

Tan said the volunteers would be placed under the supervision of the Philippine National Police and the mayors of the town where they would be deployed as peace-keeping force.

He said the volunteers are now part of the Police Auxiliary Unit. “Civilians are fed with the atrocities of the Abu Sayyaf. Our people are suffering from their atrocities. These volunteers are now partners of the Philippine National Police in maintaining peace and order in Sulu. They will be under the supervision of the Philippine National Police,” Tan said.

Tan also praised the Defense chief, who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, for helping civilians displaced by the fighting in Sulu.

Clashes between security forces and rebels began in September and the military said dozens had been killed and wounded, including two US Special Forces members, in the fighting, which displaced thousands of civilians. (With reports from Nickee Butlangan, Jonathan deles and Jung Francisco)

Identify poll saboteurs, House Speraker tells senator

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles has urged Senator Richard Gordon to identify and expose those whom he accused of plotting to sabotage the 2010 automated polls.

"The world is watching us. A clean and credible election is a legacy we want our future generations to inherit. Maybe Sen. Gordon would be able to help us clear the way to 2010," Nograles said.

"Name the names because we are already 268 congressmen and women. It's hard to solve his crossword puzzle. It is is unfair to the 268 members of the House of Representatives, and to all concerned who are now toiling to make the 2010 polls a success," he said.

Nograles also urged the Senator not to underestimate the vigilance and capability of the electorate has been active participants in efforts to make the electoral processes clean, honest and credible."We must have faith in ourselves as a people. We will not countenance a no-election scenario in 2010. We will not let history condemn us for indifference," Nograles added.

He also pointed out that even the media, when confronted with the same situation, would certainly demand accusers to name names for the sake of truth and fairness.

"General accusation is always unfair even to media institutions. When media is accused of being ac-dc, you also ask those concerned to name names. It's the same in the House of Representatives. It was really uncalled for and unfair for Gordon to drop a bomb shell against members of the House of Representatives without giving the needed details," Nograles said. (Gil Bugaisan)

1 killed, 9 wounded in strafing in Southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA sibugay, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 4, 2009) – Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a provincial bus Wednesday, killing a passenger and wounding nine more in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Norte, police said.

Police said the attack occurred in the town of Gutalac. The bus was heading to Dapitan City also in Zamboanga del Norte when the gunmen opened fire.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the strafing, but the province is a known lair of Moro rebels blamed for previous attacks on civilians in the area.

Police said the wounded passengers were rushed to hospital. (Mindanao Examiner)

Pearl of Sarangani Province

Six lovely ladies who will vie for the title of Pearl of Sarangani in a photo call at Bocay-il falls. The pageant is one of the highlights of Munato Festival 2009 with coronation night set on November 26. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)