DAVAO CITY, Philippines - The camp of House Speaker Prospero Nograles at the weekend insisted that City Hall’s removal of the Nograles Park in October did not solve the flooding problem and that if there was politics in controversy, it was in the act of demolition, not in the suspension of city officials.
Speaking in his Saturday afternoon radio program Kalamboan Dala Tanan over dxAB, Atty. Karlo Nograles pointed out that the flooding problem has remained despite the removal 9 months ago of the park in Mini Forest Boulevard.
“The flooding reason is a lame excuse and contradictory to their previous statements,” the son and chief-of-staff of the Speaker said. “When they demolished the park, they said it was because of lack of building permit, not due to flooding.”
Karlo also stressed there has been flooding “before, during and after” the park construction.
Karlo said demolition is not the legal consequence in cases of projects that lack building permits.
“Assuming that the construction has no permit, you ask them to get one and impose fines,” he said. “Demolition is not the legal way to address the issue.”
The young Nograles lamented that the area where the park used to stand is back to its old state of misery. “It’s now back to an open, dirty and smelly open canal,” Karlo described.”
Karlo said people in the community are now back to their old worries that some children, elderly and men who are drunk could fall into the open, dirty canal.
Karlo said malice was clear when the park named after the Speaker’s late father, Erico, was destroyed.
“When they issued the Notice of Demolition, they cited the lack of building permit of the park,” Atty. Nograles recalled.
But he said the notification was given late Friday afternoon and the demolition was implemented immediately on Monday at 6:00 in the morning, thus depriving the barangay and the Dept. of Public Work and Highways any legal remedy to stop the destruction.
After the demolition, city officials went on media and challenged anyone to sue them.
“That’s exactly what they asked for, that’s exactly what we did and that’s exactly what they got,” the Speaker separately said in a press statement, reacting to the charge by City Hall that the resulting suspension of at least 3 officials was a political act.
Refuting supposed claims made by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte that the Speaker influenced the Ombudsman to rule for the 6-month preventive suspension of City Administrator Wendel Avisado, City Engineer Jose Gestuveo, and City Drainage Maintenance Unit chief Yusop Jimlani, Nograles said that “the Office of the Ombudsman is a Constitutionally independent body that even the President of the Republic cannot wield any influence over its actions.”
“They should study the Constitution and the charter of the Office of the Ombudsman,” Nograles said. “It was specifically created to be independent and free from any form of political pressure.”
Showing posts with label Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Show all posts
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Support pours in for Davao's Tamugan River as clean water source
DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Davao City residents have urged the local government and environment agencies to preserve the Tamugan River for future source of drinking water.
A manifesto of support for the Tamugan Surface Water Development (TSWD) project of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) was signed by almost a thousand residents of Districts 2 and 3.
Copies of the manifesto were furnished to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the city councilors.
“Naghinaot dyud mi ug dako na unta masugdan na sa labing madaling panahon kining proyektoha, kay kami nag-antos dyud sa taas na panahon sa kahinay sa agas sa tubig,” ( “We earnestly look forward to the swift implementation of this project, since we have long been inconvenienced by low pressure water,”) said Ricardo Mariano, a resident of Tibungco.
DCWD General Manager Rodora Gamboa said that her office is now conducting the feasibility study which is the first phase of the surface water project.
“As soon as the feasibility studies is complete, we will find ways to fund the project and exhaust all possible means to have the project done the soonest time possible” she said.
Gamboa said that the entire cost of the project is more than 3 billion pesos. “The result of the Feasibility studies will give us the idea how are we going to fund the project and its mode of implementation,” Gamboa said.
“In the mean time, our immediate and primary concern is the threat brought about by Hedcor’s application for permit to the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to utilize the Tamugan river. If this will be granted then the Surface Water project will be jeopardized.”
DCWD had been opposing the application of energy company Hedcor to use the Tamugan River claiming that it has no other river to tap that has the water quality and sufficient volume to meet the city’s fast increasing demand for water supply.
It further claimed that the Surface water project is the very measure to avert the water crisis that is projected to happen in the coming years.
DCWD spokesperson Imelda Magsuci said that Hedcor’s project would likely adversely affect the environment specifically the groundwater source in Dumoy aquifer which supplies potable water to the majority of the Davaoenos.
Magsuci said that according to Hedcor’s project proposal, it will divert the natural flow of water from the Talomo River towards the rivers of Panigan and Tamugan in order to meet hedcor’s required flow rate to operate its hydropower plant.
“This is hazardous to the environment based on the studies conducted by Asia Geodyne – Aquifer characterization, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – Isotopes study, PCEEM-Mines and Geosciences bureau (MGB) Terrain Analysis which identified the Talomo River as the main recharge zone for the Dumoy aquifer” she said.
“This goes to show that the diversion of the Talomo River will have a serious effect to the groundwater source” she added.
DCWD’s bid to spare the Tamugan River from industrial usage was backed by the Southern and Central Mindanao Water Information Council (SOCEMWIC).
In a manifesto of support, it was stated that “after careful study and deliberation of the Surface Water Development Project of DCWD and the Hydropower project of Hedcor, SOCEMWIC is fully convinced that both projects cannot co-exist in Tamugan River.”
It added that it is aware that Hedcor could tap other rivers for its hydropower project while DCWD has only Tamugan river that is physiologically viable and economically feasible.
Late last year, students of the Davao City National High School (DCNHS) also sent an open letter addressed to Duterte and the City Council, appealing for the prioritization of DCWD’s project over that of Hedcor’s.
The students expressed their fears on the environmental hazards that Hedcor’s hydropower plant may cause to the river.
The manifesto, signed by 300 student government leaders and club leaders of DCNHS, enumerated their fears as follows: “Hydropower may alter the river and river side habitat, a dam or a powerhouse can be a significant obstacle to fish migration, and hydropower project can impede the natural flow of sediments”
In the same manifesto, the students said that “our need and that of the coming generations for drinking water that only the Tamugan river can provide is more important than using the Tamugan river as energy source.”
They added that “the tapping of the Tamugan river for hydropower use also violates the Davao City Watershed Code which has declared Tamugan as a conservation area where any form of commercial activity is banned.” (Edmarson Sola)
A manifesto of support for the Tamugan Surface Water Development (TSWD) project of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) was signed by almost a thousand residents of Districts 2 and 3.
Copies of the manifesto were furnished to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the city councilors.
“Naghinaot dyud mi ug dako na unta masugdan na sa labing madaling panahon kining proyektoha, kay kami nag-antos dyud sa taas na panahon sa kahinay sa agas sa tubig,” ( “We earnestly look forward to the swift implementation of this project, since we have long been inconvenienced by low pressure water,”) said Ricardo Mariano, a resident of Tibungco.
DCWD General Manager Rodora Gamboa said that her office is now conducting the feasibility study which is the first phase of the surface water project.
“As soon as the feasibility studies is complete, we will find ways to fund the project and exhaust all possible means to have the project done the soonest time possible” she said.
Gamboa said that the entire cost of the project is more than 3 billion pesos. “The result of the Feasibility studies will give us the idea how are we going to fund the project and its mode of implementation,” Gamboa said.
“In the mean time, our immediate and primary concern is the threat brought about by Hedcor’s application for permit to the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to utilize the Tamugan river. If this will be granted then the Surface Water project will be jeopardized.”
DCWD had been opposing the application of energy company Hedcor to use the Tamugan River claiming that it has no other river to tap that has the water quality and sufficient volume to meet the city’s fast increasing demand for water supply.
It further claimed that the Surface water project is the very measure to avert the water crisis that is projected to happen in the coming years.
DCWD spokesperson Imelda Magsuci said that Hedcor’s project would likely adversely affect the environment specifically the groundwater source in Dumoy aquifer which supplies potable water to the majority of the Davaoenos.
Magsuci said that according to Hedcor’s project proposal, it will divert the natural flow of water from the Talomo River towards the rivers of Panigan and Tamugan in order to meet hedcor’s required flow rate to operate its hydropower plant.
“This is hazardous to the environment based on the studies conducted by Asia Geodyne – Aquifer characterization, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – Isotopes study, PCEEM-Mines and Geosciences bureau (MGB) Terrain Analysis which identified the Talomo River as the main recharge zone for the Dumoy aquifer” she said.
“This goes to show that the diversion of the Talomo River will have a serious effect to the groundwater source” she added.
DCWD’s bid to spare the Tamugan River from industrial usage was backed by the Southern and Central Mindanao Water Information Council (SOCEMWIC).
In a manifesto of support, it was stated that “after careful study and deliberation of the Surface Water Development Project of DCWD and the Hydropower project of Hedcor, SOCEMWIC is fully convinced that both projects cannot co-exist in Tamugan River.”
It added that it is aware that Hedcor could tap other rivers for its hydropower project while DCWD has only Tamugan river that is physiologically viable and economically feasible.
Late last year, students of the Davao City National High School (DCNHS) also sent an open letter addressed to Duterte and the City Council, appealing for the prioritization of DCWD’s project over that of Hedcor’s.
The students expressed their fears on the environmental hazards that Hedcor’s hydropower plant may cause to the river.
The manifesto, signed by 300 student government leaders and club leaders of DCNHS, enumerated their fears as follows: “Hydropower may alter the river and river side habitat, a dam or a powerhouse can be a significant obstacle to fish migration, and hydropower project can impede the natural flow of sediments”
In the same manifesto, the students said that “our need and that of the coming generations for drinking water that only the Tamugan river can provide is more important than using the Tamugan river as energy source.”
They added that “the tapping of the Tamugan river for hydropower use also violates the Davao City Watershed Code which has declared Tamugan as a conservation area where any form of commercial activity is banned.” (Edmarson Sola)
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy Umani Ng Batikos
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 18, 2008) – Mariing binatikos kahapon ng New People’s Army (NPA) ang milyonaryong televangelist na si Apollo Quiboloy dahil sa diumano’y tirada nito sa rebeldeng grupo dahil sa pagtatanggol sa karapatan ng mga katutubong Lumad sa Mindanao.
Inakusahan ng NPA si Quiboloy ng paggamit ng kanyang malawak na impluwensya at pagiging malapit sa militar upang proteksyunan ang kanyang interest.
Unang ibinintang ng NPA sa mga tagasunod ni Quiboloy ang pagkakapatay sa isang Lumad leader dahil sa ayaw umano nitong ibenta ang kanyang lupain sa Davao na malapit lamang sa malawak na ari-arian ng self-proclaimed preacher.
“As he tries to divert public attention from real issues that has put him in a very bad light, he further invites attention to the injustice that prevails and incites people to let out sentiments that range from ridicule to denunciation,” ani Rigoberto Sanchez, tagapagsalita ng NPA’s Merardo Arce Command.
Mabilis na ibinintang ng militar sa NPA ang pagpatay sa Lumad leader at itinanggi rin ni Quiboloy ang lahat ng akusasyon laban sa kanya. Sinabi pa ng NPA na nagbanta diumano si Quiboloy na gagamitin ang kapangyarihan nito upang banggain ang mga rebelde sa Davao.
“If he desires to be a warlord, aside from being a tree plantation owner, real estate developer, eco-tourism advocate, media mogul and padrino-traditional politicians while moonlighting as a luxury car collector, practical shooting enthusiast and aspiring helicopter pilot, then let him be.”
“If he dreams of fortifying his vast mountainous estate in Calinan by organizing a Quiboloy Brigade, shuttling from the pulpit to the machinegun post, then let him be. But to utilize his religious, economic, political and military influence to establish and expand his estate, cause the evacuation of lumads from their ancestral lands and add misery to poor peasants constitute sinister acts that justly deserve condemnation,” ani pa ni Sanchez.
Inakusahan ng NPA si Quiboloy ng paggamit ng kanyang malawak na impluwensya at pagiging malapit sa militar upang proteksyunan ang kanyang interest.
Unang ibinintang ng NPA sa mga tagasunod ni Quiboloy ang pagkakapatay sa isang Lumad leader dahil sa ayaw umano nitong ibenta ang kanyang lupain sa Davao na malapit lamang sa malawak na ari-arian ng self-proclaimed preacher.
“As he tries to divert public attention from real issues that has put him in a very bad light, he further invites attention to the injustice that prevails and incites people to let out sentiments that range from ridicule to denunciation,” ani Rigoberto Sanchez, tagapagsalita ng NPA’s Merardo Arce Command.
Mabilis na ibinintang ng militar sa NPA ang pagpatay sa Lumad leader at itinanggi rin ni Quiboloy ang lahat ng akusasyon laban sa kanya. Sinabi pa ng NPA na nagbanta diumano si Quiboloy na gagamitin ang kapangyarihan nito upang banggain ang mga rebelde sa Davao.
“If he desires to be a warlord, aside from being a tree plantation owner, real estate developer, eco-tourism advocate, media mogul and padrino-traditional politicians while moonlighting as a luxury car collector, practical shooting enthusiast and aspiring helicopter pilot, then let him be.”
“If he dreams of fortifying his vast mountainous estate in Calinan by organizing a Quiboloy Brigade, shuttling from the pulpit to the machinegun post, then let him be. But to utilize his religious, economic, political and military influence to establish and expand his estate, cause the evacuation of lumads from their ancestral lands and add misery to poor peasants constitute sinister acts that justly deserve condemnation,” ani pa ni Sanchez.
Maging si Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ay ipinagtanggol rin si Quiboloy, na kanyang matalik na kaibigan, at sinabing isa itong marangal na tao.
”The NPA has no quarrel with Apollo Quiboloy's prayerful flock. But this multi-millionaire pastor's elitist arrogance and deep-seated contempt for lumads and peasants who resist his land grabbing practices rightly deserves the public ridicule and mounting isolation that he is earning,” ani Sanchez.
Si Quiboloy ang pinuno ng “The Kingdom Of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name,” at ng ACQ Kingdom Broadcasting Network sa Davao City at president rin ng Jose Maria College. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Correctional Center For Youth Offenders To Rise In Davao City
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 29 Jul) – A P50-million facility that will house youth offenders will soon rise in the southern Philippine city of Davao.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said the new reformatory center would be built in the remote Marilog District. "I will build the center in Marilog to ensure that these youth offenders will not escape and will surely reflect on the sins they commit in life," Duterte said.
Duterte said the facility will also have a school so detainees will have an opportunity to learn while under correction program.
"Youth offenders who stay in the street get killed so it is better for them to stay in a facility that will protect them," he said. (Romy Bwaga)
Monday, July 16, 2007
RP Police Captures 5 Kidnappers In South
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 16 Jul) – Police paraded five suspected kidnappers, including a policeman, who were arrested in separate operations in Davao City in the southern Philippines.
The five men -- PO2 Kit Michael Sanz, 28, of the Mintal police station; Petronio Ali, Jr., 41; Marvin Digamon Booc, 28; Angelito Froilan, 50, and Wendel Asentista – were charged in connection with the kidnapping of a wealthy gas depot owner Edgar Barroso here.
Barroso, kidnapped on July 7 inside his office, was rescued by policemen after killing four of his captors four days later in a raid on a hideout in Davao City.
The kidnappers demanded P10 million from Baroso’s family. Two of those killed were identified as Senior Police Officer 2 Jaime Telebangco, of the Regional Mobile Group, and Jessie Muit, a former army soldier.
Local Mayor Rodrigo Duterte lauded the police for the rescue operation and warned other criminal syndicate members that they will suffer the same fate.
Duterte was also present when the five suspects were presented during a press conference at a police camp here. The men, he said, belong to the Balbacua Gang, blamed for other kidnappings-for-ransom in the southern Philippines. (Romy Bwaga)
The five men -- PO2 Kit Michael Sanz, 28, of the Mintal police station; Petronio Ali, Jr., 41; Marvin Digamon Booc, 28; Angelito Froilan, 50, and Wendel Asentista – were charged in connection with the kidnapping of a wealthy gas depot owner Edgar Barroso here.
Barroso, kidnapped on July 7 inside his office, was rescued by policemen after killing four of his captors four days later in a raid on a hideout in Davao City.
The kidnappers demanded P10 million from Baroso’s family. Two of those killed were identified as Senior Police Officer 2 Jaime Telebangco, of the Regional Mobile Group, and Jessie Muit, a former army soldier.
Local Mayor Rodrigo Duterte lauded the police for the rescue operation and warned other criminal syndicate members that they will suffer the same fate.
Duterte was also present when the five suspects were presented during a press conference at a police camp here. The men, he said, belong to the Balbacua Gang, blamed for other kidnappings-for-ransom in the southern Philippines. (Romy Bwaga)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
4 Kidnappers Killed, Hostage Rescued In South RP
Three of four suspected kidnappers are killed during a rescue operation in Davao City in southern Philippines that liberated a gas depot owner. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service/Romy Bwaga)
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 10 Jul) – Philippine police killed four suspected kidnappers, including a policeman and a former soldier, in a successful rescue mission that freed a wealthy gas depot owner.
Police on Wednesday said the four were shot dead in a firefight at a hideout in Davao City and that Edgar Baroso, who was kidnapped July 7 inside his office, was rescued safely.
The kidnappers demanded P10 million from Baroso’s family. Two of those killed were identified as Senior Police Officer 2 Jaime Telebangco, of the Regional Mobile Group, and Jessie Muit, a former army soldier. Their companions remain unidentified, police said.
Local Mayor Rodrigo Duterte lauded the police for the rescue operation and warned other criminal syndicate members that they will suffer the same fate.
Duterte also inspected the hideout of the kidnappers shortly after the fight.
He said Baroso’s wife was negotiating with the kidnappers for the release of the hostage when security forces stormed the hideout. (Romy Bwaga)
Sunday, June 24, 2007
After Blaming Juvenile Law On Rising Davao Crimes, Mayor Now Calls Lawmakers Behind It As Stupid!
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 24 Jun) – After blaming the Philippines’ Juvenile Justice Law for the rising crimes involving children in Davao City, its controversial Mayor Rodrigo Duterte now called stupid the lawmakers behind the passage of that law that protects minors from imprisonment.
"Congressmen are really stupid for passing this law, I cannot understand why they allow the passage of this law when some of them are former mayors and governors who understand very well the problems it will cause to the public," Duterte said.
The law, authored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, prohibits children, ages 15 years old and below, who committed crimes, to be incarcerated until they reach 18.
Instead the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) takes custody of the young offenders, but the government has no enough facilities to keep the children out of the street.
Duterte, a lawyer, said due to the passage of the Juvenile Justice Law, a number of teenagers in Davao City continue to commit crimes because they cannot be imprisoned.
”The police have no choice but to release these teenagers who commit crimes since they can be sued if they continue to imprison these people,” he said.
Duterte called on the parents to discipline their children before he imposes his own “brand of solution” to the problem.
”I tell you disciple your children or I will impose my own solution to the problem which I think will be very hurting on your part,” he warned.
Duterte previously said the law caused “headaches and problems” because offenders freely roam despite their criminal cases or charges against them.
“Some members of the judiciary and local government units in the country had observed the rise of street crimes after the passage of the law, he said.
Duterte urged lawmakers to amend the law, saying, it has many flaws. "Because of this law, teenagers who commit crimes are immediately released by the police,” he said.
Duterte’s stand on the Juvenile Justice Law has been largely criticized in Davao City by groups advocating children’s rights.
Critics told Duterte to implement a program that will help juvenile delinquents and put up more social centers that will address the problems pose by street children and criminalities involving minors.
Duterte has won a reelection in the May 14 national and local polls with her daughter Sarah, also a lawyer, as his vice mayor.
The party list group, Kabataan, said many minors who committed crimes had been executed in Davao City and urged the DSWD to do something about the safety of street children.
Karla Apat, the group’s vice president for Mindanao, said it is DSWD’s responsibility to ensure an efficient program in keeping the minors out of the streets.
”The DSWD has remained silent on the issue of minors being executed in the city. This is a systemic problem. If the government fails to address the basic social services needs of the people, more and more children will be pushed out of school and be involved in anti-social activities," Apat told the Mindanao Examiner.
Apat said blamed the government for failing to address juvenile delinquency in the country.
"Before criminalizing the youth offenders, the government must get to the bottom of delinquency which is the crisis on education and poverty," she said.
Apat did not say who were behind the killing of the children or whether it was connected to gang war or summary executions, which Davao City is notoriously known for.
Hundreds of criminals and people with police records had been executed the past years in Davao City. Families and relatives of those killed have implicated the authorities. (Romy Bwaga and Juan Magtanggol)
"Congressmen are really stupid for passing this law, I cannot understand why they allow the passage of this law when some of them are former mayors and governors who understand very well the problems it will cause to the public," Duterte said.
The law, authored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, prohibits children, ages 15 years old and below, who committed crimes, to be incarcerated until they reach 18.
Instead the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) takes custody of the young offenders, but the government has no enough facilities to keep the children out of the street.
Duterte, a lawyer, said due to the passage of the Juvenile Justice Law, a number of teenagers in Davao City continue to commit crimes because they cannot be imprisoned.
”The police have no choice but to release these teenagers who commit crimes since they can be sued if they continue to imprison these people,” he said.
Duterte called on the parents to discipline their children before he imposes his own “brand of solution” to the problem.
”I tell you disciple your children or I will impose my own solution to the problem which I think will be very hurting on your part,” he warned.
Duterte previously said the law caused “headaches and problems” because offenders freely roam despite their criminal cases or charges against them.
“Some members of the judiciary and local government units in the country had observed the rise of street crimes after the passage of the law, he said.
Duterte urged lawmakers to amend the law, saying, it has many flaws. "Because of this law, teenagers who commit crimes are immediately released by the police,” he said.
Duterte’s stand on the Juvenile Justice Law has been largely criticized in Davao City by groups advocating children’s rights.
Critics told Duterte to implement a program that will help juvenile delinquents and put up more social centers that will address the problems pose by street children and criminalities involving minors.
Duterte has won a reelection in the May 14 national and local polls with her daughter Sarah, also a lawyer, as his vice mayor.
The party list group, Kabataan, said many minors who committed crimes had been executed in Davao City and urged the DSWD to do something about the safety of street children.
Karla Apat, the group’s vice president for Mindanao, said it is DSWD’s responsibility to ensure an efficient program in keeping the minors out of the streets.
”The DSWD has remained silent on the issue of minors being executed in the city. This is a systemic problem. If the government fails to address the basic social services needs of the people, more and more children will be pushed out of school and be involved in anti-social activities," Apat told the Mindanao Examiner.
Apat said blamed the government for failing to address juvenile delinquency in the country.
"Before criminalizing the youth offenders, the government must get to the bottom of delinquency which is the crisis on education and poverty," she said.
Apat did not say who were behind the killing of the children or whether it was connected to gang war or summary executions, which Davao City is notoriously known for.
Hundreds of criminals and people with police records had been executed the past years in Davao City. Families and relatives of those killed have implicated the authorities. (Romy Bwaga and Juan Magtanggol)
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Davao City Bans Bikini Contests
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte bans all bikini contests. DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 17 Jun) – The mayor of Davao City in the southern Philippines has banned all bikini contests after moralists insist that parading women in sexy outfits only exploit them.
"I do not want to see women in bikinis being fantasized by men, especially here in Davao City," Duterte said.
The mayor said he is supporting appeals by women organizations and politicians to prohibit bikini contests in Davao. “Parading women clad in panties and swimsuit is a form of exploitation of women,” he said.
The mayor said bikini contest is only ideal in the United States and other western countries, but not in the Philippines where women are respected and recognized.
But Davao City is hosting in August the famed Kadayawan Festival which is marked with street dancing and beauty pageant called Hiyas, where contestants parade in bikinis and swimwear.
Duterte said the bikini contest will not be included in the Hiyas pageant.(Romy Bwaga)
Friday, June 01, 2007
"Dirty Harry" Rejects Plans To Hold RP-US Anti-Terror Warfare In Davao
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo by CPJ.Org)DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 1 June) – A Southern Philippine mayor on Friday rejected government proposal for U.S. and Filipino troops to hold joint anti-terror training in the port city of Davao.
Rodrigo Duterte, the city’s mayor, said the training would put Davao on the list of possible terrorist target and warned that any attempt to pursue the plan could attract more attacks from anti-American militants and communist insurgents.
Duterte said he would not allow Davao City as venue of any war games between Filipino and American soldiers. He said a senior government official phoned him about the proposal to bring the training to Davao City.
"If troubles erupt, I will wash my hands," Duterte, known as the “Dirty Harry” of the Philippines, said.
Dirty Harry is a 1971 film directed by Don Siegel. Clint Eastwood played the title role, in his first outing as San Francisco Police Department Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan.
Callahan's nickname, "Dirty Harry," is a reference to his reputation for taking on the "dirtiest" cases and resolving them even if it involves the violation of criminals' rights.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
RP's Juvenile Justice Law, A Headache Says Mayor As Killings Continue In Davao
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 04 Mar) – Local mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday blamed the Philippines’ Juvenile Justice Law for the rising street crimes involving minors.
The law, authored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, prohibits children, ages 15 years and below, who committed crimes, to be incarcerated until they reach 18 years old.
Instead the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) takes custody of the young offenders, but the government has no enough facilities to keep the children out of the street.
Duterte said the law caused “headaches and problems” because offenders freely roam despite their criminal cases or charges against them.
“Some members of the judiciary and local government units in the country had observed the rise of street crimes after the passage of the law, he said.
Duterte urged lawmakers to amend the law, saying, it has many flaws. "Because of this law, teenagers who commit crimes are immediately released by the police,” he said.
The party list group, Kabataan, said many minors who committed crimes had been executed in Davao City and urged the DSWD to do something about the safety of street children.
Karla hyasmind Apat, the group’s vice president for Mindanao, said it is DSWD’s responsibility to ensure an efficient program in keeping the minors out of the streets.
”The DSWD has remained silent on the issue of minors being executed in the city. This is a systemic problem. If the government fails to address the basic social services needs of the people, more and more children will be pushed out of school and be involved in anti-social activities," Apat told the Mindanao Examiner.
Apat said blamed the government for failing to address juvenile delinquency in the country.
"Before criminalizing the youth offenders, the government must get to the bottom of delinquency which is the crisis on education and poverty," she said.
Apat did not say who were behind the killing of the children or whether it was connected to gang war or summary executions.
Hundreds of criminals and people with police records had been executed the past years in Davao City. Families and relatives of those killed have implicated the authorities. (Romy Bwaga and Juan Magtanggol)
The law, authored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, prohibits children, ages 15 years and below, who committed crimes, to be incarcerated until they reach 18 years old.
Instead the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) takes custody of the young offenders, but the government has no enough facilities to keep the children out of the street.
Duterte said the law caused “headaches and problems” because offenders freely roam despite their criminal cases or charges against them.
“Some members of the judiciary and local government units in the country had observed the rise of street crimes after the passage of the law, he said.
Duterte urged lawmakers to amend the law, saying, it has many flaws. "Because of this law, teenagers who commit crimes are immediately released by the police,” he said.
The party list group, Kabataan, said many minors who committed crimes had been executed in Davao City and urged the DSWD to do something about the safety of street children.
Karla hyasmind Apat, the group’s vice president for Mindanao, said it is DSWD’s responsibility to ensure an efficient program in keeping the minors out of the streets.
”The DSWD has remained silent on the issue of minors being executed in the city. This is a systemic problem. If the government fails to address the basic social services needs of the people, more and more children will be pushed out of school and be involved in anti-social activities," Apat told the Mindanao Examiner.
Apat said blamed the government for failing to address juvenile delinquency in the country.
"Before criminalizing the youth offenders, the government must get to the bottom of delinquency which is the crisis on education and poverty," she said.
Apat did not say who were behind the killing of the children or whether it was connected to gang war or summary executions.
Hundreds of criminals and people with police records had been executed the past years in Davao City. Families and relatives of those killed have implicated the authorities. (Romy Bwaga and Juan Magtanggol)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
MAAS starts countdown for aerial spray ban
DAVAO CITY - The Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (Mass) has started its own countdown for the full implementation of the ordinance banning aerial spraying.
The ordinance will take effect on March 22, the day when the whole world is celebrating World Water Day. The same day will be the start of the three-month phase-out period given to banana plantation companies to shift from aerial spraying to manual spraying. By June 22, no spray planes should fly over banana plantation in the city.
“The timing is just perfect with the celebration. We all know that one of the reasons why we pushed for the banning of aerial spraying in banana plantations is because we wanted the open bodies of water protected from the deadly drift of the chemicals,” said Dagohoy Magaway, spokesperson of Maas.
The group -- composed of various non-governmental organizations, people’s organizations, academe, church and some individuals—also pushed for the banning because of the danger and destruction that the chemical drift causes to the health of the people and crops.
Magaway said their group, a wide coalition, is anticipating and watching the implementation of the ban as the day close by. “Yes we are excited but we are watchful. We are not letting our guards off until we will see no airplanes hovering over us, sprinkling all that are underneath with deadly chemicals,” Magaway said.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the ordinance Feb. 9, a move that signaled the end of the 30-year practice in banana plantation. The signing also came two years after the ordinance was lodged in the city council.
“We know that the banana plantation companies have been affected by the ban and we are expecting that they will still try to block the implementation. But we are here, with the same strength and passion, to stop whatever they desire,” Magaway said.
“Before the ordinance was signed into law, banana companies unleashed their most trusted lobby person—Agriculture Arthur Yap but it did not work. Whoever will be sent out to block the implementation, we are ready for that,” Magaway said. (Jeff Tupaz)
The ordinance will take effect on March 22, the day when the whole world is celebrating World Water Day. The same day will be the start of the three-month phase-out period given to banana plantation companies to shift from aerial spraying to manual spraying. By June 22, no spray planes should fly over banana plantation in the city.
“The timing is just perfect with the celebration. We all know that one of the reasons why we pushed for the banning of aerial spraying in banana plantations is because we wanted the open bodies of water protected from the deadly drift of the chemicals,” said Dagohoy Magaway, spokesperson of Maas.
The group -- composed of various non-governmental organizations, people’s organizations, academe, church and some individuals—also pushed for the banning because of the danger and destruction that the chemical drift causes to the health of the people and crops.
Magaway said their group, a wide coalition, is anticipating and watching the implementation of the ban as the day close by. “Yes we are excited but we are watchful. We are not letting our guards off until we will see no airplanes hovering over us, sprinkling all that are underneath with deadly chemicals,” Magaway said.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the ordinance Feb. 9, a move that signaled the end of the 30-year practice in banana plantation. The signing also came two years after the ordinance was lodged in the city council.
“We know that the banana plantation companies have been affected by the ban and we are expecting that they will still try to block the implementation. But we are here, with the same strength and passion, to stop whatever they desire,” Magaway said.
“Before the ordinance was signed into law, banana companies unleashed their most trusted lobby person—Agriculture Arthur Yap but it did not work. Whoever will be sent out to block the implementation, we are ready for that,” Magaway said. (Jeff Tupaz)
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Duterte At Duterte Sa Davao City?
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 25 Feb) – Mariing binatikos kahapon ng ilang kaalyado at kalaban sa pulitika ni Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ang plano nitong tumakbo sa halalan at katambal ang sariling anak na si Sarah, isang abogado, bilang vice mayor.
Mismong si Davao City 3rd District Rep. Ruy Elias Lopez, na ka-alyado ni Duterte, ang nagsabi na ang pagtakbo ng mag-amang Duterte ay isang political dynasty.
Marami umanong pedeng tumakbo maliban sa anak ni Duterte bilang vice mayor ng Davao City. Maging ang publiko ay nagulat sa balitang ka-tandem ni Duterte ang anak sa pulitiko.
Ngunit sa mga supporters ni Duterte ay todo naman ang pagsabi ng mga ito na walang masama sa plano ng mag-ama dahil mas mapapabuti umano nila ang governance sa Davao City.
Si Duterte ang sinasabing nagpaunlad ng Davao.
Nagbanta naman diumano si Lopez na kakalas kay Duterte at lilipat sa grupo ni dating Vice Mayor Benjamin de Guzman, isang mortal na katungali ng tigasing alkalde, kung itutuloy ni Duterte ang planong gawin kandidato ang anak.
Hindi naman natiniag si Duterte at sinabing handa siyang harapin ang sinumang lalaban sa kanya sa halalan sa Mayo. (Romy Bwaga)
Mismong si Davao City 3rd District Rep. Ruy Elias Lopez, na ka-alyado ni Duterte, ang nagsabi na ang pagtakbo ng mag-amang Duterte ay isang political dynasty.
Marami umanong pedeng tumakbo maliban sa anak ni Duterte bilang vice mayor ng Davao City. Maging ang publiko ay nagulat sa balitang ka-tandem ni Duterte ang anak sa pulitiko.
Ngunit sa mga supporters ni Duterte ay todo naman ang pagsabi ng mga ito na walang masama sa plano ng mag-ama dahil mas mapapabuti umano nila ang governance sa Davao City.
Si Duterte ang sinasabing nagpaunlad ng Davao.
Nagbanta naman diumano si Lopez na kakalas kay Duterte at lilipat sa grupo ni dating Vice Mayor Benjamin de Guzman, isang mortal na katungali ng tigasing alkalde, kung itutuloy ni Duterte ang planong gawin kandidato ang anak.
Hindi naman natiniag si Duterte at sinabing handa siyang harapin ang sinumang lalaban sa kanya sa halalan sa Mayo. (Romy Bwaga)
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