Nominations are now open for the 2007 Ateneo Art Awards, presented by the Ateneo Art Gallery, the country's premier museum of modern Philippine art, along with Metro Society, Y Style, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Land and Smart Communications in keeping with the spirit of bringing art into the national consciousness.
Established in 2004 to honor the memory of the Gallery’s founding benefactor Fernando Zobel de Ayala (1924-1984), Gina Fairley of Art Monthly Australia calls the Ateneo Art Awards “the most prestigious prize…for an emerging artist of the Philippines.”
The Awards are bestowed upon three Filipino visual artists, 35 years of age or under, who have made an outstanding and significant contribution to the definition and development of modern and contemporary art based upon a solo or group exhibition in any public venue held between 2 May 2006 and 1 May 2007.
In keeping with the Ateneo’s intent to maintain institutional and professional collegiality, works by artists appearing in exhibitions conceptualized or curated by museum staff within their own premises will not be considered.
Nominations will be taken from past and present members of the Ateneo Art Awards jury, public gallery directors (commercial and non-commercial), professional visual artists and art educators residing in the Philippines. The nominated visual artist must be a Philippine citizen, aged 35 years old or below on or before 31 May 2007.
Visual artists working or residing overseas are qualified provided that they possess Philippine citizenship. The visual artist must have had a solo or group exhibition in the twelve months preceding 1 May 2007 where the artworks submitted for consideration appeared.
All nomination forms must be accompanied by visual documentation in either of the following formats: .jpeg, .tiff, .wmv, .mov or 5R photographs.
The deadline for submission of nomination forms is on 31 May 2007 at 5.00 pm. The jury will deliberate on the entries on 6 June 2007 after which a shortlist of 12 artists will be announced in the national press. A second deliberation will be held on Wednesday, 20 June 2007, to determine the recipients of the Awards.
The 2007 Ateneo Art Awards Jury is composed of Ramon E.S. Lerma, Director and Chief Curator, Ateneo Art Gallery; Fr. Rene Javellana, S.J., Director, Ateneo Fine Arts Program; Vince Alessi, Managing Curator, La Trobe University Art Museum, Victoria, Australia; Norman Crisologo, Art collector; Eloisa Hernandez, Assistant Professor, Department of Art Studies, University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Fatima Lasay, Independent curator and visual artist; Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez, Curatorial Consultant, Lopez Memorial Museum; Marian Pastor Roces, Member, Ateneo Art Gallery Acquisition Board, independent curator and art critic; Cesare Syjuco, Visual artist, art critic and poet; and Dr. Eugene Tan, Director, Institute of Contemporary Art, Singapore and Co-curator, 2006 Singapore Biennale.
The Ateneo Art Awards will be conferred at a formal ceremony on 8 August 2007, following an exhibition of the short-listed artworks from 2-7 August 2007 at the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City, titled 2007 Ateneo Art Awards: Global/Vernacular.
Global/Vernacular is recognition and credence, acknowledging Philippine art has its own nuances yet believing it moves beyond local context to reverberate cross-culturally.
It also calls attention to the expansion of the Ateneo Art Gallery Studio Residency Grant, the only program of its kind organized by a Philippine cultural institution. 2007 marks the third year of the Ateneo Art Gallery Studio Residency Grant in Australia, to be held for the first time in La Trobe University in Bendigo, as well as the introduction of the Ateneo Art Gallery Studio Residency Grant in Singapore with Artesan Gallery.
Each residency provides one of the three Ateneo Art Awardees with roundtrip airfare, accommodation and a work studio for three weeks, an allowance, as well as an invitation to exhibit at their respective host venues.
Nomination forms have been sent to museums, art galleries and universities with studio-based fine arts programs. Professional visual artists and those who have not yet received their nomination forms may download it from the Ateneo Art Gallery website http://gallery.ateneo.edu.
For further inquiries on the Ateneo Art Awards, please contact Clarissa Chikiamco, 2007 Ateneo Art Awards Project Coordinator, at 426-6488 or at cchikiamco@ateneo.edu.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Paglabag Sa Gunban, Lumulobo!
MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 07 May) – Umakyat na sa mahigit 2,000 katao ang naaresto sa buong bansa ng Philippine National Police (PNP) bunsod ng paglabag sa umiiral na gunban ng Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Sa rekord ng pulisya, tinatayang 719 indibidwal ang kinasuhan habang mahigit 1,000 ang kasalukuyan pang iniimbestigahan. Umaabot naman sa 1, 679 ang mga nakumpiskang ilegal na armas mula noong Enero kung saan ay pinakamarami o 329 ay buhat sa Calabarzon, 269 sa National Capital Region at 130 sa Western Visayas.
Kabilang sa mga nasamsam ay 59 na granada, 53 improvised explosives at 281 bladed weapons bilang bahagi ng Oplan Panlalansag ng pambansang pulisya.
May 125 insidente ng karahasan ang naitala sa pagsisimula ng campaign period at 36 rito ang kumpirmadong may kinalaman sa eleksyon. (Juley Reyes)
What They Say About Environment?
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 07 May) - The environmental agenda of most of the council candidates from Davao City’s 1st District showed their concern for the water quality and supply and the protection of the watersheds, something that brings a spark of hope for environmental groups who have been working intensively for this particular issue.
Of the seven candidates, one of whom is a neophyte, five said they will come up, if not strengthen and implement existing laws, with legislations that will protect water resources and rehabilitate damaged ones.
“We are so happy and hopeful that the consciousness of most of our local lawmakers from the first district was on the protection of the watershed which will obviously make a good impact on our desire to keep the supply of water of the city clean and enough,” said Lia Jasmin Esquillo, one of the conveners of the Green Vote 2007.
“We hope that they will make true these promises,” Esquillo added. Known for his bias for the environment, councilor Leo Avila’s environmental agenda is topped by the implementation of the buffer zones in agricultural plantations, a measure seen to lessen the contamination of water resources with chemicals used in banana and pineapple plantations.
Avila also said that he will still push for the “optimal use of rain water and the enactment of an ordinance for waste water/sewerage treatment plant.
Avila was behind the anti-smoke belching and anti-aerial spraying ordinance and co-sponsored the watershed code of Davao and the marine protected area ordinance, among many other environment-related ordinances. Councilor Pilar Braga anchored her environmental agenda on the full implementation of the water code and the aerial spraying ordinance.
Braga was behind the water code of Davao , a legislation that was hit by a snag pending the completion of the implementing rules and regulation yet to be signed by the Office of the Mayor. Braga was the main champion behind the city’s water code.
Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad would push for watershed-based initiatives to assure the people of the Davao of a continuous supply of potable water.
Librado-Trinidad is also pushing for a “sound ecological program that will protect and conserve marine and land-based sanctuaries.” In her agenda, Librado-Trinidad also said that she would come up with a policy agenda which will discourage expansion of banana plantations and to map out areas vulnerable of banana expansion.
Librado-Trinidad, who is known for her stand against genetically modified organism with her proposed ordinance that required a mandatory segregation of consumer products containing genetically engineered ingredients, also expressed her opposition to mining.
For his part, councilor Peter Laviña said it is appropriate to come up with a program for “sustainable development, environmental protection, urban planning for optimum use of land and water resources.”
Newcomer Randy Ponteras said there must be a stricter monitoring and regulation of the use of ground water while saying that he will also push for the maximum use of rivers/surface water and rainwater. Ponteras, a professor at the University of Mindanao , also said that there has to be a comprehensive land use planning for the city.
Meawhile, the environmental agenda of councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta, who was behind the mangrove adoption and rehabilitation project at the village of Lasang, was on the sustainable development or “economic development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
“Through reconciliation of development projects with the regenerative capacity of the immediate natural environment,” Acosta said.
Veteran councilor Bonifacio Militar, on the other hand, listed five agenda: legislations about effective tool in educating the public on environmental issues; strengthen methods of waste segregation at the village level and promote cooperation; rehabilitation of coastal areas & appropriate funds for this; strengthen anti-smoking ordinance; and review laws that affect the environment and make appropriate resolutions and ordinances. (Jeff Tupaz, Special for the Mindanao Examiner)
Of the seven candidates, one of whom is a neophyte, five said they will come up, if not strengthen and implement existing laws, with legislations that will protect water resources and rehabilitate damaged ones.
“We are so happy and hopeful that the consciousness of most of our local lawmakers from the first district was on the protection of the watershed which will obviously make a good impact on our desire to keep the supply of water of the city clean and enough,” said Lia Jasmin Esquillo, one of the conveners of the Green Vote 2007.
“We hope that they will make true these promises,” Esquillo added. Known for his bias for the environment, councilor Leo Avila’s environmental agenda is topped by the implementation of the buffer zones in agricultural plantations, a measure seen to lessen the contamination of water resources with chemicals used in banana and pineapple plantations.
Avila also said that he will still push for the “optimal use of rain water and the enactment of an ordinance for waste water/sewerage treatment plant.
Avila was behind the anti-smoke belching and anti-aerial spraying ordinance and co-sponsored the watershed code of Davao and the marine protected area ordinance, among many other environment-related ordinances. Councilor Pilar Braga anchored her environmental agenda on the full implementation of the water code and the aerial spraying ordinance.
Braga was behind the water code of Davao , a legislation that was hit by a snag pending the completion of the implementing rules and regulation yet to be signed by the Office of the Mayor. Braga was the main champion behind the city’s water code.
Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad would push for watershed-based initiatives to assure the people of the Davao of a continuous supply of potable water.
Librado-Trinidad is also pushing for a “sound ecological program that will protect and conserve marine and land-based sanctuaries.” In her agenda, Librado-Trinidad also said that she would come up with a policy agenda which will discourage expansion of banana plantations and to map out areas vulnerable of banana expansion.
Librado-Trinidad, who is known for her stand against genetically modified organism with her proposed ordinance that required a mandatory segregation of consumer products containing genetically engineered ingredients, also expressed her opposition to mining.
For his part, councilor Peter Laviña said it is appropriate to come up with a program for “sustainable development, environmental protection, urban planning for optimum use of land and water resources.”
Newcomer Randy Ponteras said there must be a stricter monitoring and regulation of the use of ground water while saying that he will also push for the maximum use of rivers/surface water and rainwater. Ponteras, a professor at the University of Mindanao , also said that there has to be a comprehensive land use planning for the city.
Meawhile, the environmental agenda of councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta, who was behind the mangrove adoption and rehabilitation project at the village of Lasang, was on the sustainable development or “economic development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
“Through reconciliation of development projects with the regenerative capacity of the immediate natural environment,” Acosta said.
Veteran councilor Bonifacio Militar, on the other hand, listed five agenda: legislations about effective tool in educating the public on environmental issues; strengthen methods of waste segregation at the village level and promote cooperation; rehabilitation of coastal areas & appropriate funds for this; strengthen anti-smoking ordinance; and review laws that affect the environment and make appropriate resolutions and ordinances. (Jeff Tupaz, Special for the Mindanao Examiner)
The Mindanao Examiner May 07-13, 2007
Advertise with the Mindanao Examiner, the fastest growing and one of the largest independent weekly newspapers in Southern Philippines.
We also offer photography and video production services, media seminars and training, private and corporate consultancy.
Please visit also our online news sites at mindanaoexaminer.com and mindanaoexaminer.net
Call our Marketing and Advertising Department at telephone & fax: +6362 9925480 or mobile phones: +63915 2756606, +63919 3587983 or e-mail us at mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Rebels Confirm Holding Army Soldier As Prisoner Of War In Southern Philippines
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 06 May) – The New People’s Army on Sunday said it is holding captive a government soldier and will try him for war crimes in a people’s court in the southern Philippines.
Army detachment commander, Sgt. Albert Balodoya, was seized April 16 at a rebel checkpoint in the village of Aliwagwag in the town of Cateel in Davao Oriental province.
Police said the soldier was on his way to the town when rebels stopped him at the checkpoint. It said Balodoya may have mistaken the rebels for government soldiers because they were clad in military uniform.
Roel Agustin II, spokesman of the NPA’s Conrado Heredia Command, said they are holding Balodoya as a prisoner of war.
“A special investigative body was set-up by the Merardo Arce Command-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command-NPA to look into the possible war crimes and other serious violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law which may have been committed by POW SSgt. Balodoya in his 17 years of active participation in the counter-revolutionary war.”
“POW SSgt. Balodoya is the detachment commander of the 72nd Infantry Battalion-AFP; his detachment is nestled right in the midst of civilian communities in Aliwagwag, Cateel in Davao Oriental,” Agustin said in a statement sent to the independent regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is fighting the government for more than four decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country.
The rebels have previously seized government soldiers and policemen in the countryside and put them on trial on their so-called people’s court.
Those found guilty of war crimes and serious human rights violations are executed, but most of the victims are freed after months of captivity to neutral groups, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross. (With a report from Juan Magtanggol)
Lumang Choppers Ibibigay Ng U.S. Sa Pinas!
MAGUINDANAO (Mindanao Examiner / 06 May) – Matapos na sisihin ng Philippine Air Force ang isang saranggola sa pagbagsak ng kanilang UH-1H chopper sa Cebu province ay inanunsyo naman ng militar na tatanggap ito ng 11 helicopters mula sa Estados Unidos.
Bahagi umano ito ng suporta ng Estados Unidos sa militar, ngunit nabatid na pulos segunda-mano rin ang mga copters na darating ngayon buwan.
Hindi naman sinabi kung anong uri ng choppers ang ibibigay ng Estados Unidos, subalit sa mga nakalipas na ipinadala nito ay UH-1H rin na gamit noon sa Vietnam War.
Bahagi ang donasyon sa military assistance package ng pamahalaang Bush sa Pilipinas, na kilalang ally nito sa global war of terror. Ngunit mistulang imbakan lamang ng mga military hardware ang Pinas sa mga ibinibigay ng mga Kano.
Nais kasing makakuha ang Pinas ng mga modernong eroplano at patrol boats na kailangan sa anti-insurgency campaign sa bansa.
Sa kabila ng lahat ay tuwang-tuwa naman ang Philippine Air Force sa ibibigay ng Estados Unidos at dagdag umano ito sa mga bulok na fleet ng eroplano at choppers ng bansa.
Bumagsak ang UH-1H chopper nito sa Lapu-Lapu City nuong nakaraang buwan at 9 na katao ang nasawi ng madaganan nito ang dalawang tricycle sa mataong lugar.
Nasa isang training flight ang chopper ng ito’y bumagsak. Nakita umano sa tail rotor nito ang isang nylon na gamit sa saranggola at ito ang naging basehan ng Philippine Air Force sa kanilang ulat na saranggola ang may sala sa nasabing trahedya. (Mindanao Examiner)
Manny Pacquiao Napatay Raw Sa Ambush! Propaganda o Paninira?
GENERAL SANTOS (Mindanao Examiner / 06 May) – Kalat sa Mindanao ang ulat na napatay diumano sa isang ambush si boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao at halos nagkagulo ang mga media sa balitang kumalat sa text messages.
Napaslang umano si Pacquiao habang nangangampanya sa South Cotabato at hanggang kahapon ay mainiti pa rin ang balita at unang pumasok sa isipan ng marami ay ang intelligence report na may P100 milyong ang umano’y inilaan sa pagpatay kay Pacquiao ng kanyang katungali.
Subalit ang balitang napatay si Pacquiao ay pinabulaanan mismo ng kampo ng boxer.
"Nagtitiwala ako sa mahal na Panginoon, hindi niya ako pababayaan. Di ako natatakot sa kanila. Ipagdadasal ko sila sana mararamdaman nila ang pagmamahal sa bawa't isa,” ani Pacquiao sa himpilang dzBB sa Maynila.
Sinisi naman ni Pacquiao ang kanyang katungali sa kumakalat ng text messages. Si South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Custodio ang kalaban ni Pacquiao sa pagka-kongresista sa lalawigan.
Ngunit duda naman ang karamihan sa mga taga-General Santos at sinasabing maaaring palabas lamang ng mga supporters ni Pacquiao ang balita upang ito’y mapag-usapan ng media.
Bumubulusok pababa ang kasikatan ni Pacquiao sa South Cotabato dahil sa mga paratang nito kay Custodio, na kinakapatid pa ng boxer. Si Custodio ang umano’y nagpapapatay kay Pacquiao, ayon sa intelligence report. Itinanggi naman ito ni Custodio at maging ang publiko ay hindi rin kinagat ang naturang ulat.
Sa militar, ang intelligence report ay siyang may pinakamababang kredibilidad at lahat ng ito ay dapat pinagaaralan ng husto at hindi ibinubunyag sa publiko.
Marami sa mga intelligence report ay pawang mga napupulot na impormasyon mula sa mga ibat-ibang sources – palengke, barberya at iba ay iniimbento lamang upang may mailabas na impormasyon ukol sa isang target.
Ang ibang intelligence report naman ay iniimbento lamang kapalit ng salapi. Malimit rin itong gamitin bilang alibi sa isang operasyon. (Mindanao Examiner)
Napaslang umano si Pacquiao habang nangangampanya sa South Cotabato at hanggang kahapon ay mainiti pa rin ang balita at unang pumasok sa isipan ng marami ay ang intelligence report na may P100 milyong ang umano’y inilaan sa pagpatay kay Pacquiao ng kanyang katungali.
Subalit ang balitang napatay si Pacquiao ay pinabulaanan mismo ng kampo ng boxer.
"Nagtitiwala ako sa mahal na Panginoon, hindi niya ako pababayaan. Di ako natatakot sa kanila. Ipagdadasal ko sila sana mararamdaman nila ang pagmamahal sa bawa't isa,” ani Pacquiao sa himpilang dzBB sa Maynila.
Sinisi naman ni Pacquiao ang kanyang katungali sa kumakalat ng text messages. Si South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Custodio ang kalaban ni Pacquiao sa pagka-kongresista sa lalawigan.
Ngunit duda naman ang karamihan sa mga taga-General Santos at sinasabing maaaring palabas lamang ng mga supporters ni Pacquiao ang balita upang ito’y mapag-usapan ng media.
Bumubulusok pababa ang kasikatan ni Pacquiao sa South Cotabato dahil sa mga paratang nito kay Custodio, na kinakapatid pa ng boxer. Si Custodio ang umano’y nagpapapatay kay Pacquiao, ayon sa intelligence report. Itinanggi naman ito ni Custodio at maging ang publiko ay hindi rin kinagat ang naturang ulat.
Sa militar, ang intelligence report ay siyang may pinakamababang kredibilidad at lahat ng ito ay dapat pinagaaralan ng husto at hindi ibinubunyag sa publiko.
Marami sa mga intelligence report ay pawang mga napupulot na impormasyon mula sa mga ibat-ibang sources – palengke, barberya at iba ay iniimbento lamang upang may mailabas na impormasyon ukol sa isang target.
Ang ibang intelligence report naman ay iniimbento lamang kapalit ng salapi. Malimit rin itong gamitin bilang alibi sa isang operasyon. (Mindanao Examiner)
Saturday, May 05, 2007
RP Human Rights Commission To File Charges Vs Abu Sayyaf Executioners
JOLO ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 05 May) – The Philippine Commission on Human Rights is poised to file criminal charges against a senior Abu Sayyaf leader, whose group is tied to al-Qaeda terror network, for the killing of seven kidnapped Filipinos in Jolo island.
The victims, kidnapped April 15, were beheaded four days later after the Abu Sayyaf failed to get ransom from governor of Jolo island, Benjamin Loong.
The gang, led by Albader Parad, reportedly demanded as much as seven million pesos in exchange for the lives of the seven men - six of them were workers of the governor in his private construction firm.
Human rights regional chief, lawyer Jose Manuel Mamauag, said the testimonies and cooperation of the victims’ families are needed to file the charges against Parad and his group. (Mindanao Examiner)
Muslim Groups Appeal For Honest, Peaceful Polls
MAGUINDANAO (Mindanao Examiner / 05 May) - The Ulama League of the Philippines and the 16 Royal Sultans in Mindanao on Saturday urged candidates in the May 14 national and local elections to make the polls honest, orderly and peaceful.
The two influential groups also called on citizens to help make the elections clean.
"It is high time for us to open our doors to new possibilities for our country by participating to make the coming elections meaningful, clean, honest, accurate and peaceful." Dr Mahid Mutilan, president of the Ulama League of the Philippines.
"Let us join together by helping the Commission on Elections and other law enforcers prevent any untoward incident within our capabilities."
Sultan Buzar Disomimba, chairman of the 16 Royal Sultanate, also appealed to Muslims and Christians to “help transform the crisis of disempowerment, distrusts and disillusionment, into coordinate collaborated action that will bring about new hope, new movement, new life tantamount to make our nation a strong republic,” according to the Philippine News Agency.
”Let us stand together regardless of race, color and religion to the challenge of rebuilding our democratic institutions by discovering not what only we criticize, but by discovering and actually doing our positive share in renewing our society,” Disomimba said.
The Philippine News Agency also said the Lanao Muslim Professional (LAMUSPROF), issued guidelines in electing leaders in Lanao del Sur province and Marawi City.
It said the candidates for any elective position must be religious and devoted Muslim, educationally qualified, development oriented, physically fit with appropriate experience.
“The candidate must be trustworthy, honest, active leader, environment oriented, has good standing in the community and financially capable,” said Datu Minah Dianalan, the group’s president.
Aleem Elias Macarandas, president of the Philippine Muslim Welfare Society and member of the Muslim World League Organization, said: “The Muslims must cast their votes honestly in favor of the candidates whom they believe capable of serving the best interest of our country while refrain from vote buying, fraud and resorting to arms to have a credible election and display of the true essence of Jihad.” (With reports from the Mindanao Examiner)
The two influential groups also called on citizens to help make the elections clean.
"It is high time for us to open our doors to new possibilities for our country by participating to make the coming elections meaningful, clean, honest, accurate and peaceful." Dr Mahid Mutilan, president of the Ulama League of the Philippines.
"Let us join together by helping the Commission on Elections and other law enforcers prevent any untoward incident within our capabilities."
Sultan Buzar Disomimba, chairman of the 16 Royal Sultanate, also appealed to Muslims and Christians to “help transform the crisis of disempowerment, distrusts and disillusionment, into coordinate collaborated action that will bring about new hope, new movement, new life tantamount to make our nation a strong republic,” according to the Philippine News Agency.
”Let us stand together regardless of race, color and religion to the challenge of rebuilding our democratic institutions by discovering not what only we criticize, but by discovering and actually doing our positive share in renewing our society,” Disomimba said.
The Philippine News Agency also said the Lanao Muslim Professional (LAMUSPROF), issued guidelines in electing leaders in Lanao del Sur province and Marawi City.
It said the candidates for any elective position must be religious and devoted Muslim, educationally qualified, development oriented, physically fit with appropriate experience.
“The candidate must be trustworthy, honest, active leader, environment oriented, has good standing in the community and financially capable,” said Datu Minah Dianalan, the group’s president.
Aleem Elias Macarandas, president of the Philippine Muslim Welfare Society and member of the Muslim World League Organization, said: “The Muslims must cast their votes honestly in favor of the candidates whom they believe capable of serving the best interest of our country while refrain from vote buying, fraud and resorting to arms to have a credible election and display of the true essence of Jihad.” (With reports from the Mindanao Examiner)
Unite For Peace In Mindanao
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – “I believe that it is possible to have unity in diversity.In the world in which we live today, and it is rightly called ‘the global village’, we cannot imagine having unity without diversity,” said Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Bin Abdmalik, the team leader of Headquarter Site 4 of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines ─ Moro Islamic Liberation Front – International Monitoring Team (GRP-MILF-IMT), which overseas the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the rebel group and the Filipino government.
“It is not only that people in different parts of the world are diverse, but now we have a lot of diversity in our own cities, towns, indeed in our neighborhoods. People who live next door to us are often very diverse in colors, cultures and religions,” he said.
“Why is diversity? Islam teaches us that diversity is a fact of nature and it makes the nature beautiful. God has created this whole universe with diversity. God says in the Qur’an: ‘See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it, we then bring out produce of various colors. And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of color, and black intense in hue. And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colors.”
“Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving’,” Abubakar quoted referring to Chapter 35, Verses 27 to 28 of the Muslim Holy Scripture.
Speaking before some 300 audiences in a Qur’an reading competition here, the 47-year-old officer from the Royal Malaysian Navy said that, “There is diversity among human beings. They have variety of genders, colors and language and multiplicity of races and tribes. These diversities are considered natural and are called God’s signs.”
“The diversities of races, families and tribes also have a healthy and constructive purpose. In the words of the Qur’an: ‘O people, we have created you from a male and a female and made you into races and tribes so that you may know each other. Surely the most honored of you in the sight of God is the one who is most righteous of you’,” he cited, referring to chapter 49, verse 13 of the Muslim Holy Book.
Abubakar, who is born on February 2, 1960 in Malacca, Malaysia, reasoned that “Instead of enabling human beings to know each other better, there is no reason why these diversities should create barriers, or cause animosities among human beings.”
“Islam does not consider all viewpoints correct or of equal value,” the father of eight said.
“However, it is also the fact well recognized is Islam that very often the 'khilaf’ (differences of opinions) are also a token of God’s mercy. If God had willed, says the Qur’an, He could have forced people to come together to one point, but he did not do so. God did send His Prophets and Messengers from time to time so that the right path might be made clear through them.”
”As regard the final judgment as to whom followed the truth and who did not, that will be made known on the Day of Judgment by God himself. In keeping with this principle, God forbade His Prophets and the believers from having recourse to recourse to coercion in religion,” he said, adding that chapter 2, verse 256 of the Holy Qur’an says, “There is no compulsion in religion.” Abubakar argued that “Unity is also the need of human beings. But unity is not the total negation of diversity. Unity in diversity means to explore and to enhance common values that emphasize interdependence, equality, justice, human rights, and the sanctity of each individual’s dignity.”
“The goal should be to further a unified vision and recognition of the principle of unity and diversity and of the fact that we all are fellow citizens of an emerging global village,” he said.
"What is the common denominator between the revival of historical grudges and armed conflict in the Balkans, the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and the alarming increase in the number of racial assaults in Western Europe?” he asked. “What formal relationship, if any, exists between extremist or supremacist groups around the world? What is causing genocide in Chechnya, the daily violence in Israel, constant clashes in Kashmir and troubles in Indonesia and other places?
"Is there any link between the violence that targets individuals and communities in one country and discrimination against some races, colors and religions in another country?"
He explained that, “The only immediately available answer is intolerance and the lack of respect for diversity. Intolerance causes economic injustice, political double standards and social oppression. Intolerance is on the increase in the world today and it is killing human beings on a massive scale. Intolerance raises many moral as well as political and economic questions. Intolerance is a major threat to peace and security. This issue is alarming many governments and the public.”
“Intolerance ignited most wars, fueled religious persecutions and violent ideological confrontations,” he said. “But the questions are: Is intolerance inherent in human nature? Is it insurmountable? Can tolerance be learned? How can communities and states deal with intolerance without infringing on individual freedoms? How can they foster individual codes of conduct, without harsh laws and without policing people’s behavior? How can peaceful pluralism, multiculturalism or unity in diversity be achieved?”
Abubakar cited the UNESCO principles on tolerance, which says that, “Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not means toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one’s convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one’s own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behavior and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one’s views are not to be imposed on others.”
“The respect for diversity comes when we recognize four important principles: the dignity of the human beings; the basic equality of all human beings; universal human rights; and fundamental freedom of thought, conscience and belief,” according to Abubakar, adding that “Islam recognizes all these principles.”
“Sometimes people ask the question about jihad,” he said. “Why is jihad in Islam, and what does it mean?”
Abubakar said that “The word jihad does not mean ‘holy war.’ It means struggle. Struggle on the personal level and struggle on the social level. Struggle to do good and struggle to remove injustice and oppression. Struggle could be spiritual as well as social, economic and political.”
“Qital or military warfare is permissible in Islam, but only when other peaceful means such as dialogue, negotiations and treaties fail. It is a last resort and should be avoided as much as possible,” he said.
“Its purpose is not to convert people by force, or to colonize people or to acquire land or wealth or for self-glory. Its purpose is basically defense of life, property, land, honor and freedom for oneself as well as defense of others from injustice and oppression,” Abubakar said.
The IMT officer cited that the basic rules of “qital” in Islam are: “Do not begin the hostilities, work for peace as much as possible; Fight only those who fight, no collective punishment, non-combatants should not he harmed. Weapons of mass destruction should not be used; Stop hostilities as soon as the other party inclines to peace; and, observe the treaties and agreements as long as the enemy observes them.”
“Islam teaches zero tolerance for injustice, oppression, and violation of the rights of other human beings. It has no tolerance for genocide,” Abubakar said.
“God says in the Qur’an, ‘And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women, and children, whose cry is, “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!’” he said, citing chapter 4, verse 75 of the Muslim Book.
According to Abubakar, in order to promote unity in diversity: “Other cultures and religions should not be misrepresented." Educational institutions and media outlets should be held responsible not to propagate or perpetuate hate against any group of people and their recognized faiths and values; and tolerance must be practiced on all levels: individual, groups, and states. It should be a political and legal requirement. Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, pluralism, including cultural pluralism, democracy and the rule of law.”
He emphasized two levels of tolerance: “Tolerance between the members of the same community and same religion. As we are aware people of the same religion have differences of interpretation and understanding. Although they have common sources, common principles but they do vary in their interpretation due to various reasons. Here we need intercommunity dialogues and building of relations to minimize contradictions and inconsistencies in our thinking or behavior;” and “Tolerance between the people of different faiths and cultures. Here we need interfaith relations and dialogues. Of course we have core differences in our religions but we must try to understand each other. As we learn about our own faith, traditions and communities, we should also learn about others. Someone rightly said, “Understanding offers changes us.”
“By understanding, we learn the areas of commonalities as well as differences. We can learn the nature of differences and the extent of differences. We must look what kind dialogues could be of value, and what issues are most in need of respectful dialogue in these times. What concerns for the well-being of others should drive our efforts to reach common ground for action. Each group must encourage and facilitate shared responsibility to create a more sensitive and welcoming environment for our diverse groups.”
Abubakar has 27 years of experience in naval services and is a graduate of a naval academy in science logistics. He holds a diploma in computer science and a degree in soil engineering. He is formerly a staff officer and computer system manager in the Malaysian Ministry of Defense, and commanding officer of a naval logistics in Malaysia. (Contributed by Norodin Makalay)
“It is not only that people in different parts of the world are diverse, but now we have a lot of diversity in our own cities, towns, indeed in our neighborhoods. People who live next door to us are often very diverse in colors, cultures and religions,” he said.
“Why is diversity? Islam teaches us that diversity is a fact of nature and it makes the nature beautiful. God has created this whole universe with diversity. God says in the Qur’an: ‘See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it, we then bring out produce of various colors. And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of color, and black intense in hue. And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colors.”
“Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving’,” Abubakar quoted referring to Chapter 35, Verses 27 to 28 of the Muslim Holy Scripture.
Speaking before some 300 audiences in a Qur’an reading competition here, the 47-year-old officer from the Royal Malaysian Navy said that, “There is diversity among human beings. They have variety of genders, colors and language and multiplicity of races and tribes. These diversities are considered natural and are called God’s signs.”
“The diversities of races, families and tribes also have a healthy and constructive purpose. In the words of the Qur’an: ‘O people, we have created you from a male and a female and made you into races and tribes so that you may know each other. Surely the most honored of you in the sight of God is the one who is most righteous of you’,” he cited, referring to chapter 49, verse 13 of the Muslim Holy Book.
Abubakar, who is born on February 2, 1960 in Malacca, Malaysia, reasoned that “Instead of enabling human beings to know each other better, there is no reason why these diversities should create barriers, or cause animosities among human beings.”
“Islam does not consider all viewpoints correct or of equal value,” the father of eight said.
“However, it is also the fact well recognized is Islam that very often the 'khilaf’ (differences of opinions) are also a token of God’s mercy. If God had willed, says the Qur’an, He could have forced people to come together to one point, but he did not do so. God did send His Prophets and Messengers from time to time so that the right path might be made clear through them.”
”As regard the final judgment as to whom followed the truth and who did not, that will be made known on the Day of Judgment by God himself. In keeping with this principle, God forbade His Prophets and the believers from having recourse to recourse to coercion in religion,” he said, adding that chapter 2, verse 256 of the Holy Qur’an says, “There is no compulsion in religion.” Abubakar argued that “Unity is also the need of human beings. But unity is not the total negation of diversity. Unity in diversity means to explore and to enhance common values that emphasize interdependence, equality, justice, human rights, and the sanctity of each individual’s dignity.”
“The goal should be to further a unified vision and recognition of the principle of unity and diversity and of the fact that we all are fellow citizens of an emerging global village,” he said.
"What is the common denominator between the revival of historical grudges and armed conflict in the Balkans, the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and the alarming increase in the number of racial assaults in Western Europe?” he asked. “What formal relationship, if any, exists between extremist or supremacist groups around the world? What is causing genocide in Chechnya, the daily violence in Israel, constant clashes in Kashmir and troubles in Indonesia and other places?
"Is there any link between the violence that targets individuals and communities in one country and discrimination against some races, colors and religions in another country?"
He explained that, “The only immediately available answer is intolerance and the lack of respect for diversity. Intolerance causes economic injustice, political double standards and social oppression. Intolerance is on the increase in the world today and it is killing human beings on a massive scale. Intolerance raises many moral as well as political and economic questions. Intolerance is a major threat to peace and security. This issue is alarming many governments and the public.”
“Intolerance ignited most wars, fueled religious persecutions and violent ideological confrontations,” he said. “But the questions are: Is intolerance inherent in human nature? Is it insurmountable? Can tolerance be learned? How can communities and states deal with intolerance without infringing on individual freedoms? How can they foster individual codes of conduct, without harsh laws and without policing people’s behavior? How can peaceful pluralism, multiculturalism or unity in diversity be achieved?”
Abubakar cited the UNESCO principles on tolerance, which says that, “Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not means toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one’s convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one’s own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behavior and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one’s views are not to be imposed on others.”
“The respect for diversity comes when we recognize four important principles: the dignity of the human beings; the basic equality of all human beings; universal human rights; and fundamental freedom of thought, conscience and belief,” according to Abubakar, adding that “Islam recognizes all these principles.”
“Sometimes people ask the question about jihad,” he said. “Why is jihad in Islam, and what does it mean?”
Abubakar said that “The word jihad does not mean ‘holy war.’ It means struggle. Struggle on the personal level and struggle on the social level. Struggle to do good and struggle to remove injustice and oppression. Struggle could be spiritual as well as social, economic and political.”
“Qital or military warfare is permissible in Islam, but only when other peaceful means such as dialogue, negotiations and treaties fail. It is a last resort and should be avoided as much as possible,” he said.
“Its purpose is not to convert people by force, or to colonize people or to acquire land or wealth or for self-glory. Its purpose is basically defense of life, property, land, honor and freedom for oneself as well as defense of others from injustice and oppression,” Abubakar said.
The IMT officer cited that the basic rules of “qital” in Islam are: “Do not begin the hostilities, work for peace as much as possible; Fight only those who fight, no collective punishment, non-combatants should not he harmed. Weapons of mass destruction should not be used; Stop hostilities as soon as the other party inclines to peace; and, observe the treaties and agreements as long as the enemy observes them.”
“Islam teaches zero tolerance for injustice, oppression, and violation of the rights of other human beings. It has no tolerance for genocide,” Abubakar said.
“God says in the Qur’an, ‘And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women, and children, whose cry is, “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!’” he said, citing chapter 4, verse 75 of the Muslim Book.
According to Abubakar, in order to promote unity in diversity: “Other cultures and religions should not be misrepresented." Educational institutions and media outlets should be held responsible not to propagate or perpetuate hate against any group of people and their recognized faiths and values; and tolerance must be practiced on all levels: individual, groups, and states. It should be a political and legal requirement. Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, pluralism, including cultural pluralism, democracy and the rule of law.”
He emphasized two levels of tolerance: “Tolerance between the members of the same community and same religion. As we are aware people of the same religion have differences of interpretation and understanding. Although they have common sources, common principles but they do vary in their interpretation due to various reasons. Here we need intercommunity dialogues and building of relations to minimize contradictions and inconsistencies in our thinking or behavior;” and “Tolerance between the people of different faiths and cultures. Here we need interfaith relations and dialogues. Of course we have core differences in our religions but we must try to understand each other. As we learn about our own faith, traditions and communities, we should also learn about others. Someone rightly said, “Understanding offers changes us.”
“By understanding, we learn the areas of commonalities as well as differences. We can learn the nature of differences and the extent of differences. We must look what kind dialogues could be of value, and what issues are most in need of respectful dialogue in these times. What concerns for the well-being of others should drive our efforts to reach common ground for action. Each group must encourage and facilitate shared responsibility to create a more sensitive and welcoming environment for our diverse groups.”
Abubakar has 27 years of experience in naval services and is a graduate of a naval academy in science logistics. He holds a diploma in computer science and a degree in soil engineering. He is formerly a staff officer and computer system manager in the Malaysian Ministry of Defense, and commanding officer of a naval logistics in Malaysia. (Contributed by Norodin Makalay)
Arrest Warrant Out For MNLF Leader, 10 others
Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 05 May) – A Philippine court has ordered the arrest of a senior leader of the Moro National Liberation Front and ten others in connection with simultaneous attacks that killed three soldiers in the restive southern island of Jolo.
Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, a regional military commander, said the warrants include 3 counts for murder, two counts for frustrated murder and six counts for attempted murder.
Troops were battling Malik’s forces accused of attacking a marine base and the town hall of Panamao town on April 13, killing three soldiers and a civilian.
The military also accused Malik’s group of sheltering Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists on the island, about 950 km south of Manila.
“He is a fugitive man and we will help the police track down and arrest Malik and those who are involved in the attacks,” Cedo told the Mindanao Examiner on Saturday.
Malik has denied military allegations that they were coddling terrorists.
Malik accused the military of attacking MNLF forces and killed civilians in the guise of pursuing the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya.
Malik has denied military allegations that they were coddling terrorists.
Malik accused the military of attacking MNLF forces and killed civilians in the guise of pursuing the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya.
The military said it was targeting Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya hiding in the camp controlled by the MNLF. Last month, soldiers shelled a base of Khaid Ajibun, one of the most influential MNLF rebel leaders in Jolo island.
The MNLF, under Nur Misuari, signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996. But Misuari accused the Arroyo government of failing to honor the accord and his forces attacked a major army base in Jolo in 2000.
Misuari fled to Malaysia, but had been arrested and deported to the Philippines. He is now facing rebellion charges.
The military said it killed and wounded dozens of rebels since the fighting broke out in Jolo, a claim strongly denied by the MNLF.
Misuari fled to Malaysia, but had been arrested and deported to the Philippines. He is now facing rebellion charges.
The military said it killed and wounded dozens of rebels since the fighting broke out in Jolo, a claim strongly denied by the MNLF.
Some 8,000 soldiers are involved in the operation against about a thousand MNLF rebels and Abu Sayyaf members and a dozen Jemaah Islamiya militants, including Dulmatin and Umar Patek, who were both implicated in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people. (Mindanao Examiner)
Mindanao Gets Peace Aid From Canada
DAVAO CITY —Driven by it's commitment to support peace and development efforts in Mindanao, the Canadian government, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), has recently provided an additional P40 million to the Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF), further boosting the implementation of community-driven development for the conflict-affected and vulnerable areas.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland led the ceremonial signing of a grant agreement here last week for Canada's additional support for the Phase I the Mindanao Trust Fund for Reconstruction and Development Program (MTF-RDP), along with Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, World Bank Mindanao coordinator Mary Judd, Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) executive director and MTF-RDP1 Project Manager, Dr. Danda N. Juanday, according to ReliefWeb.
Ambassador Sutherland emphasized that Canada's contribution to the MTF is anchored on its country strategy to facilitate development and establish a stronger constituency for peace, while working with local governments and small businesses. Over 60 percent of Canada's country targets are directed to Mindanao, Sutherland noted.
"With development aid, we can show what can happen when peace starts to unfold. And right now, more and more (people) look at projects that support an environment conducive for peace," Sutherland said, adding that, "it is important to work with people in Mindanao, so that they can promote their own development."
Last year, Canada made an initial contribution of P30 million during the launch of the MTF in Cotabato City. Other bilateral donors to the fund include Australia, New Zealand and Sweden.
At present, the MTF provides funding support to the capacity-building of the BDA, the development arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and tasked to determine, lead and manage relief, reconstruction and development projects in conflict-affected areas. The BDA also receives assistance and admits new elements in the first phase, such as mainstreaming gender in peace-building work, community-level emergency response, advocacy campaigns, and enhanced coordination with other projects in the conflict areas, ReliefWeb said.
"This event highlights the quiet and more sustainable part of peace building. While this (added support of CIDA to the MTF) is certainly not as dramatic as the ceasefire agreement, this is good news that we should focus on," Sec. Dureza said.
At the signing ceremony, Dr. Juanday presented recent updates on activities undertaken by the BDA, particularly on MTF-RDP1 implementation, which mostly involve the construction of projects such as the Community Hall & Training Center, Coco Pugon, Warehouse, Tire Path and Solar Drier (2 units), in pilot areas like Pacalundo, Baloi, Lanao Del Norte; Sungayan, Dinas, Zamboanga Del Norte; Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan; Sapad, Matanog, Maguindanao; Lucatan, Tarragona, Davao Oriental; and Malisbong, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland led the ceremonial signing of a grant agreement here last week for Canada's additional support for the Phase I the Mindanao Trust Fund for Reconstruction and Development Program (MTF-RDP), along with Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, World Bank Mindanao coordinator Mary Judd, Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) executive director and MTF-RDP1 Project Manager, Dr. Danda N. Juanday, according to ReliefWeb.
Ambassador Sutherland emphasized that Canada's contribution to the MTF is anchored on its country strategy to facilitate development and establish a stronger constituency for peace, while working with local governments and small businesses. Over 60 percent of Canada's country targets are directed to Mindanao, Sutherland noted.
"With development aid, we can show what can happen when peace starts to unfold. And right now, more and more (people) look at projects that support an environment conducive for peace," Sutherland said, adding that, "it is important to work with people in Mindanao, so that they can promote their own development."
Last year, Canada made an initial contribution of P30 million during the launch of the MTF in Cotabato City. Other bilateral donors to the fund include Australia, New Zealand and Sweden.
At present, the MTF provides funding support to the capacity-building of the BDA, the development arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and tasked to determine, lead and manage relief, reconstruction and development projects in conflict-affected areas. The BDA also receives assistance and admits new elements in the first phase, such as mainstreaming gender in peace-building work, community-level emergency response, advocacy campaigns, and enhanced coordination with other projects in the conflict areas, ReliefWeb said.
"This event highlights the quiet and more sustainable part of peace building. While this (added support of CIDA to the MTF) is certainly not as dramatic as the ceasefire agreement, this is good news that we should focus on," Sec. Dureza said.
At the signing ceremony, Dr. Juanday presented recent updates on activities undertaken by the BDA, particularly on MTF-RDP1 implementation, which mostly involve the construction of projects such as the Community Hall & Training Center, Coco Pugon, Warehouse, Tire Path and Solar Drier (2 units), in pilot areas like Pacalundo, Baloi, Lanao Del Norte; Sungayan, Dinas, Zamboanga Del Norte; Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan; Sapad, Matanog, Maguindanao; Lucatan, Tarragona, Davao Oriental; and Malisbong, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
Friday, May 04, 2007
7 Killed In RP Political Violence
QUEZON (Mindanao Examiner / 04 May) – Gunmen ambushed political supporters and campaigners of a northern Philippine town mayor Friday and killed six people.
The victims were in car when gunmen attacked them while crossing a river in Lagayan town, Mayor Cecilia Luna said.
Luna said she was not in the car, but those killed were all her relatives. “They thought maybe that I was in the car,” she said.
Three others were injured in the ambush, other reports said.
Luna, in a television interview, blamed her opponent, Abra governor Vicente Valera, for the attack. Both Valera and Luna are running in the same congressional district.
Valera was previously accused of masterminding the killing of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin in Quezon City in December. Valera denied all allegations against him.
Luna said the Commission of Elections has not acted on her request for additional police security. She said she has been receiving death threats from her political rivals.
In Bulacan province, a government soldier was also killed in a shootout with supporters of the Cibac (Citizen's Battle Against Corruption) party list group. The firefight erupted in Bocaue town after Cibac supporters caught two army soldiers destroying campaign posters of the party list group.
The soldiers allegedly opened fire on the Cibac supporters who were mayoral candidate Eduardo Villanueva, Jr., triggering a firefight.
About a dozen other army soldiers were held by the police in connection with the firefight. It was unknown why the soldiers were removing the Cibac campaign posters, but the group’s leader, Eddie Villanueva, Sr., is a staunch critic of President Gloria Arroyo.
Other reports said the soldiers were supporters of former army General Jovito Palparan, who was accused by militant party list groups as behind the spate of killings of political activists. And that they were putting up campaign streamers for Palparan’s own party list group called “Bantay” (Watch).
Palparan is now running as congressman the Bantay party list.
Philippine military chief General Hermogenes Esperon has strongly warned soldiers not to engage in political partisan. (Mindanao Examiner)
The victims were in car when gunmen attacked them while crossing a river in Lagayan town, Mayor Cecilia Luna said.
Luna said she was not in the car, but those killed were all her relatives. “They thought maybe that I was in the car,” she said.
Three others were injured in the ambush, other reports said.
Luna, in a television interview, blamed her opponent, Abra governor Vicente Valera, for the attack. Both Valera and Luna are running in the same congressional district.
Valera was previously accused of masterminding the killing of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin in Quezon City in December. Valera denied all allegations against him.
Luna said the Commission of Elections has not acted on her request for additional police security. She said she has been receiving death threats from her political rivals.
In Bulacan province, a government soldier was also killed in a shootout with supporters of the Cibac (Citizen's Battle Against Corruption) party list group. The firefight erupted in Bocaue town after Cibac supporters caught two army soldiers destroying campaign posters of the party list group.
The soldiers allegedly opened fire on the Cibac supporters who were mayoral candidate Eduardo Villanueva, Jr., triggering a firefight.
About a dozen other army soldiers were held by the police in connection with the firefight. It was unknown why the soldiers were removing the Cibac campaign posters, but the group’s leader, Eddie Villanueva, Sr., is a staunch critic of President Gloria Arroyo.
Other reports said the soldiers were supporters of former army General Jovito Palparan, who was accused by militant party list groups as behind the spate of killings of political activists. And that they were putting up campaign streamers for Palparan’s own party list group called “Bantay” (Watch).
Palparan is now running as congressman the Bantay party list.
Philippine military chief General Hermogenes Esperon has strongly warned soldiers not to engage in political partisan. (Mindanao Examiner)
Int'l Media Group Hails Pinoy Journalists
MANILA – The international media watch group, Reporters Without Borders, welcomed Friday the news that Jose Miguel Arroyo, the husband of President Gloria Arroyo, has decided to drop all law suits against the country's journalists and publishers.
It hailed the exemplary campaign waged by Philippines' journalist organizations and called for press offenses to be decriminalized.
Arroyo on Thursday instructed his lawyers to end all "defamation" suits which he had launched since 2003 against a total of 46 journalists, in connection with articles alleging corruption in which he was reportedly implicated.
"In order to express my deep gratitude and in a gesture of peace towards the good people who have helped my family during this crisis, I have instructed my lawyers to drop the cases for defamation. This is a real opportunity for us to begin a positive and constructive relationship with those who accept my outstretched hand", he said after leaving the St. Luke’s hospital in Manila where he had undergone an operation.
In December 2006, journalists took their own legal action against the president's husband because of the abusive accusations he made against them.
It hailed the exemplary campaign waged by Philippines' journalist organizations and called for press offenses to be decriminalized.
Arroyo on Thursday instructed his lawyers to end all "defamation" suits which he had launched since 2003 against a total of 46 journalists, in connection with articles alleging corruption in which he was reportedly implicated.
"In order to express my deep gratitude and in a gesture of peace towards the good people who have helped my family during this crisis, I have instructed my lawyers to drop the cases for defamation. This is a real opportunity for us to begin a positive and constructive relationship with those who accept my outstretched hand", he said after leaving the St. Luke’s hospital in Manila where he had undergone an operation.
In December 2006, journalists took their own legal action against the president's husband because of the abusive accusations he made against them.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Troop Deployment Sa Halalan, Wala Ng Atrasan!
QUEZON CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 03 May) - Hindi nagpatinag ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa mga pag-angal hinggil sa muling pagkilos ng militar upang magbantay sa halalan sa Mayo 14.
Katwiran ni AFP Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., hindi naman maaaring balewalain ang matitinding sitwasyon sa ilang mga lalawigang nangangailangan ng ayudang puwersa nito para tiyakin ang mapayapang eleksyon tulad ng Abra, Nueva Ecija at Masbate.
Itinakdang malimitahan na ang papel ng militar sa panahon ng eleksyon sa ilalim ng umiiral na memorandum of agreement sa pagitan ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) at Department of National Defense (DND).
Ngunit, lumilitaw ngayon na mapapakilos muli ang AFP sa pagbabantay sa eleksyon bunga na rin ng paglala ng election related violence.
Kasabay nito, hinamon pa ni Esperon ang oposisyon at mga maka-kaliwang grupo na linisin ang pag-iisip dahil hindi maikokompromiso ng mga pagdududang may gagawing pandaraya ang militar sa pagtupad nito ng tungkulin.
"What's wrong about being tapped to assist the police in Nueva Ecija when we know that there are some things that have cropped up there? Do you want just to lay off because of the suspicions of the primarily of the leftist groups and the opposition that we would do something about the elections?" ani Esperon.
"We are the first to say that we do not want anything to do with the elections but now we are being tapped. This is a national resource that can do something good," dagdag ng heneral.
Samantala, wala naman umanong dapat patunayan pa si Esperon makaraang makaladkad sa kontrobersyal na "Hello Garci" na naghayag ng kinalaman ng militar sa dayaan noong nakalipas na 2004 elections.
"I have been cleared and my conscience is clear, if I was mentioned in a tape then what really have they proven and I'm saying I did not do anything there," ayon pa kay Esperon. (Juley Reyes)
Ngano Kalahi party-list sa Mayo 14
Kung magmadaugon karong Mayo 14 gisaad ni Kalahi second nominee Atty. Karlo Nograles nga hatagan sa ilahang grupo ug maayong kinabuhi ang mga Pilipino. Matagamtaman sad natong tanan ang panaghiusa kung mahatagan ug tsansa sa Kongreso ang Kalahi.DAVAO CITY - TALIWALA sa 93 ka mga party-list nga magpapili sa umabot nga Mayo 14 nga eleksiyon ngano Kalahi party-list man ang angayan natong botohan?
Kini ang upat ka mga dagkung mga rason ngano suportahan natong mga Pilipino labi na kitang mga taga Mindanao ang maong party-list.
1. Ang Kalahi gikan sa Mindanao ug para natong tanan nga Mindanawan
Ang ikaduhang nominado sa Kalahi gikan sa Mindanao si Atty. Karlo Nograles, gianak sa pinakdakung siyudad sa Mindanao ang Davao City.
Isip usa ka Mindanawan, gihandum ni Nograles nga abogado sad sa Kalahi nga mahatagan ug maayong mga proyekto ang mga taga Mindanao nga wala dyud nakatagamtam natong taga Mindanao sanglit gamay lang ang mga senador ug kongresista nga gikan sa Mindanao.
"Botohi ninyo ang Kalahi para madungagan sad nato ang mga kongresistang gikan sa Mindanao," hangyo ni Nograles.
Matud ni Nograles kung mahatagan siya ug higayon nga makasulod sa Kongreso isip ikaduhang representante sa Kalahi iyahang gamiton ang countrywide development fund (CDF) o pork barrel niya para sa magmugna ug maayong mga proyekto para sa taga Mindanao.
Ang mga planong proyektong pagahimuon ni Nograles kung naa na kini sa Kongreso mao ang ang libreng edukasyon ug scholarships sa mga kabus, ang pagpatukod ug mga schoo buildings sa mga kabus nga barangays sa Mindanao ug ang paglunsad ug livelihood ug skills seminar para sa mga walay trabaho.
"Magpahulam sad ug kuwarta ang Kalahi sa mga gagmay nga mga negosyante aron naa silay ikapital sa ilahang negosyo," saad ni Nograles.
Para siguraduhong mahatagan dyud ug proyekto ang tanang mga barangays sa Mindanao maggahin ug salapi si Nograles gikan sa iyahang pork barrel para ihatag sa mga opisyales sa barangays sa Mindanao para gamiton sa mga nindot nga proyekto sa ilahang mga lugar.
2.Kalambuan ug Kalinaw ihatud sa Kalahi sa Pilipinas
Dili lamang ang taga Mindanao ang mabulahan kung modaug ang Kalahi karong eleksiyon kung dili ang tibuok mga barangays sa nasud.
Ang tulo ka mga nominado sa Kalahi gagikan dyud sa tulo ka dakung isla sa Pilipinas ang Luzon, Visayas ug Mindanao.
Si Poe Gratela ang nagmugna sa Kalahi niadtong 2005 maoy modala sa tingog sa taga Luzon.
Isip usa ka residente sa Luzon pagahimuon ni Gratela ang tanan para mahatagan ug nindot nga kinabuhi ang taga Luzon labi na ang mga kabus.
Sama kang Nograles, gamiton sad ni Gratela, ang unang nominado sa Kalahi ang iyahang pork barrel para sa kaayuhan sa mga barangays sa Luzon.
Para sa mga taga Visayas si Luisito Clavano, nga gikan sa Sugbo ang magdala sa kaayuhan sa mga taga Visayas.
Ang ikatulong nominado sa Kalahi misaad nga kung buligan karong eleksiyon magmugna siya ug mga nindot nga proyekto para sa iyahang mga kababayan sa Visayas.
Si Gratela, Nograles ug Clavano naghugpong para mahatagan ug proyekto ang mga barangays sa nasud aron magmalinawon ang mga residente niining mga lugara.
3. Suportado sa mga respetadong mga Pulitiko ang Kalahi
Tungod sa mga nindot nga programa ug ang maayong tinguha niini sa mga Pilipino labi na ang mga kabus ug lumad 35 sa mga respetado nga pulitiko sa Pilipinas ang misuporta sa Kalahi.
Mao kini ang listahan sa mga pulitiko nga nga nisaad ug suporta sa Kalahi aron magmadaugon ang grupo karong eleksiyon.
Agusan del Sur governor Valentina Plaza, Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan, Maguindanao second district congressman Simeon Datumanong, Surigao del Sur Governor Vic Pimentel, Surigao del Sur congressmen Jesnar Alarcon ug Prospero Pichay, Agusan del Norte governor Edel Amante, Agusan del Norte congressman Angel Amante, Agusan del Sur congressman Ompong Plaza, Surigao del Norte Governor Lyndon Barbers, Surigao del Norte congressman Ace Barbers.
Davao del Norte second district congressman Tony Boy Floirendo, Compostela Valley 1st district congressman Manuel Zamora, Davao del Norte first district congressman Arrel Olano, Davao Oriental first district congresswoman Cora Malanyaon, Davao Oriental second district congressman Mayo Almario, Compostela Valley second district congressman Prospero Amatong, Davao del Sur first district congressman Douglas Cagas, Davao del Sur second district congressman Claude Bautista.
2nd district Western Samar congressman Catalino Figueroa, 2nd district Palawan congressman Baham Mitra,Governors Niel Tupaz, Sallay Perez and Vic Bermejo of Ilonggo Panay Area, Cebu City 2nd district congressman Antonio Cuenco, Cebu City 1st district congressman Ed Gullas, Cebu City 5th district congressman Ace Durano, Cebu City 3rd district congressman Antonio Yapha, Bohol first district congressman Edgar Chatto, Bohol second district congressman Roberto Cajes.
Ug Surigao del Norte congresswoman Glenda Ecleo,2nd district Lanao del Norte congressman Abdullah Dimaporo, 2nd district Zamboanga del Sur Antonio Cerilles, LOne district of Zamboanga Sibugay Belma Cabilao and 3rd district Masbate congresswoman Rizalina Lanete.
Nagpasalamat ang Kalahi sa suporta sa mga maong mga pulitiko ug naghandum nga ang maong pagsalig maoy magdala sa grupo sa Kongreso.
4. Maayong kinabuhi ug proteksiyon ihatag sa Kalahi sa OFW, ang Bag-ong mga Bayani sa Nasud
Usa sa mga dagkung mga rason ngano namugna ang Kalahi mao ang paghatag ug proteksiyon ug maayong kinabuhi sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers ang gitawag nga Bag-ong mga Bayani sa Pilipinas.
Kung magmadaugon ang Kalahi sa eleksiyon ubay-ubay nga mga proyekto ang pagahimuon niini aron hatagan ug maayong kinabuhi ang mga OFWs.
Ang pagpagaan sa mga requirement sa mga nagambisyon nga maka-abroad ang usa sa mga proyekto sa Kalahi para sa OFWs.
"Maghatag sad ug financial asisstance at credit relief ang Kalahi party-list sa mga OFWs para naa silay panggasto kung wala pa sila nakalarga," saad ni Nograles.Hatagan ug insurance sa Kalahi ang mga OFWs ug ang mga pamilya nila.
Para dili na mausab ang nahitabo kang Flor Contemplacion ang Pinay domestic helper nga gibitay sa Singapore human napasanginlan nga nipatay sa laing Pinay nga OFW niadtong 1995 magduso ug balaod ang Kalahi para magmugna ug legal attache offices sa mga embahada sa Pilipinas sa lain-laing parte sa kalibutan.
"Ang legal attache offices maoy maghatag ug abogado sa mga OFws kung naay silay mga kaso nga ginatubang u kung kinahanglan nila ug tabang nga legal," asoy ni Nograles.
Sa kasamtangan walay abogado nga naka-istambay sa tanang embaha sa Pilipinas gamay lamang sa mga buhatan sa Department of Foriegn Affairs ang naay naka-istambay nga abogado para sa mga OFWs.
Taliwala niining upat ka mga rason, Kalahi party-list na ang atong ibutang sa balota karong eleksiyon kay ang maong grupo ang makatabang natong tanan ug magdala sa tingog natong mga Pilipino sa Kongreso. (Romy Bwaga)
AFP Walang Kinalaman Sa Burgos Case, Aquino Spying: Esperon
MANILA – Mariin ang pagpalag ngayon ni Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. sa pagtatrato sa militar bilang suspek sa pagkawala ng anak ng publisher na si Jonas Burgos.
Kasabay nito ang depensa ni Esperon sa nabigong pagharap nina Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) Chief Major General Delfin Banguit at AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Commodore Leonardo Calderon sa pagdinig ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR) kanina.
Iginiit ng heneral na maling idiin ang AFP sa naturang insidente gayung kahit na gisahin pa sila ay hindi rin ito makakatulong para mapalutang ang batang Burgos.
"I do not think that is the correct way of putting things, we can certainly help by looking into the matter and probably gather more information, but it would be off tangent to be alleging that the military is the suspect," ani Esperon sa pahayagang Mindanao Examiner.
"I don't think we can contribute to the solution of the problem by being called and grilled and appear, and look like suspects," dagdag nito.
Bukod dito, ikinatwiran ni Esperon na wala ring ipinadalang pormal na imbitasyon ang CHR sa AFP at hindi rin nakipag-ugnayan sa CHR office sa militar.
Naninindigan ang AFP Chief na walang kinalaman ang militar sa nangyari kay Burgos dahil hindi ito ang uri ng operasyon na kanilang isinasakatuparan.
Ibinintang rin sa AFP ang umano’y pange-espiya sa dating Pangulong Corazon Aquino matapos na matagpuan ang isang bugging device sa linya ng telepono nito sa labas lamang ng kanilang bahay sa Quezon City.
Bagamat inamin ni AFP Public Information Office (PIO) Chief Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro na may kapabilidad ang militar na magsagawa ng surveillance operations, hindi nito pag-aaksayahan ng panahon na ilegal na tiktikan ang dating Presidente.
Maaaring kagagawan aniya ng ibang grupo na may sariling interes ang naturang hakbang.
Sinabi ni Bacarro na may basbas o kautusan ng hukuman sakaling magsagawa man ng paniniktik ang AFP.
"Definitely there are court orders allowing us to do that then we will do that, but of course ma-satisfy 'yung requirements, justified kung ano purpose ng paggamit nang ganung capability," ani Bacarro.
Naniniwala si Bacarro na sa kasalukuyang makabagong teknolohiya, simple na lang at madaling isakatuparan ang wiretapping.
"If you get another telephone, attach it to the line, anybody can do it, you can use another telephone as a listening device, it's just parang extension, ganun ang concept nun," ani Bacarro.
Gayunman, walang balak ang AFP na magsagawa ng imbestigasyon hinggil sa nadiskubreng wiretapping device sa mga Aquino.
Inaasahan na rin ng militar na palagiang mapagbintangan ang AFP bilang suspek sa paniniktik.
"Some groups will take advantage of hitting the Armed Forces of the Philippines again, we would be the easiest excuse or the way out definitely merong mga pointing fingers na naman dyan," dagdag ng opisyal. (Juley Reyes)
Kasabay nito ang depensa ni Esperon sa nabigong pagharap nina Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) Chief Major General Delfin Banguit at AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Commodore Leonardo Calderon sa pagdinig ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR) kanina.
Iginiit ng heneral na maling idiin ang AFP sa naturang insidente gayung kahit na gisahin pa sila ay hindi rin ito makakatulong para mapalutang ang batang Burgos.
"I do not think that is the correct way of putting things, we can certainly help by looking into the matter and probably gather more information, but it would be off tangent to be alleging that the military is the suspect," ani Esperon sa pahayagang Mindanao Examiner.
"I don't think we can contribute to the solution of the problem by being called and grilled and appear, and look like suspects," dagdag nito.
Bukod dito, ikinatwiran ni Esperon na wala ring ipinadalang pormal na imbitasyon ang CHR sa AFP at hindi rin nakipag-ugnayan sa CHR office sa militar.
Naninindigan ang AFP Chief na walang kinalaman ang militar sa nangyari kay Burgos dahil hindi ito ang uri ng operasyon na kanilang isinasakatuparan.
Ibinintang rin sa AFP ang umano’y pange-espiya sa dating Pangulong Corazon Aquino matapos na matagpuan ang isang bugging device sa linya ng telepono nito sa labas lamang ng kanilang bahay sa Quezon City.
Bagamat inamin ni AFP Public Information Office (PIO) Chief Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro na may kapabilidad ang militar na magsagawa ng surveillance operations, hindi nito pag-aaksayahan ng panahon na ilegal na tiktikan ang dating Presidente.
Maaaring kagagawan aniya ng ibang grupo na may sariling interes ang naturang hakbang.
Sinabi ni Bacarro na may basbas o kautusan ng hukuman sakaling magsagawa man ng paniniktik ang AFP.
"Definitely there are court orders allowing us to do that then we will do that, but of course ma-satisfy 'yung requirements, justified kung ano purpose ng paggamit nang ganung capability," ani Bacarro.
Naniniwala si Bacarro na sa kasalukuyang makabagong teknolohiya, simple na lang at madaling isakatuparan ang wiretapping.
"If you get another telephone, attach it to the line, anybody can do it, you can use another telephone as a listening device, it's just parang extension, ganun ang concept nun," ani Bacarro.
Gayunman, walang balak ang AFP na magsagawa ng imbestigasyon hinggil sa nadiskubreng wiretapping device sa mga Aquino.
Inaasahan na rin ng militar na palagiang mapagbintangan ang AFP bilang suspek sa paniniktik.
"Some groups will take advantage of hitting the Armed Forces of the Philippines again, we would be the easiest excuse or the way out definitely merong mga pointing fingers na naman dyan," dagdag ng opisyal. (Juley Reyes)
Suspected Bombers Arrested In Southern RP
NORTH COTABATO (Mindanao Examiner / 03 May) – Filipino security forces arrested two suspected bombers in a raid early Thursday on their hideout in the restive province of North Cotabato, south of Manila.
A regional army spokesman said the two men were believed members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is fighting for a separate Islamic state in the southern Philippines.
“Whether they are MILF rebels or not, we don’t care. They are local terrorists,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division.
He said intelligence agents, backed by soldiers and policemen, raided the hideout in the village of Malingao in Midsayap town and arrested the two men – Thaos Alimpain and Nasser Mindu.
“The raiders seized 105mm howitzer ammunition, a rifle and a handgun, including three units of two-way radios and a wireless microphone. Soldiers also recovered from the hideout two cellular phones, bomb components and documents on how to assemble homemade explosives and batteries,” Ando told the independent regional weekly, the Mindanao Examiner.
The MILF denied it was involved in terrorism. It said it would coordinate closely with the authorities to help police and military investigate the two suspects.
“We are also investigating this report. If the two men are really involved in terrorism then they should be punished severely. We do not harbor terrorists or criminals,” a rebel spokesman, Eid Kabalu, said in a separate interview.
The MILF is currently negotiating peace with the Arroyo government and has been helping fight homegrown terrorism. But despite the peace talks, sporadic clashes continue between rebel and military forces with both sides accusing each other of violating a six-year old truce.
In March, rebels and soldiers clashed in Midsayap town, leaving 19 people dead in the battle that forced tens of thousands of civilians fleeing their homes. (With reports from Mark Navales and Juan Magtanggol)
A regional army spokesman said the two men were believed members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is fighting for a separate Islamic state in the southern Philippines.
“Whether they are MILF rebels or not, we don’t care. They are local terrorists,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division.
He said intelligence agents, backed by soldiers and policemen, raided the hideout in the village of Malingao in Midsayap town and arrested the two men – Thaos Alimpain and Nasser Mindu.
“The raiders seized 105mm howitzer ammunition, a rifle and a handgun, including three units of two-way radios and a wireless microphone. Soldiers also recovered from the hideout two cellular phones, bomb components and documents on how to assemble homemade explosives and batteries,” Ando told the independent regional weekly, the Mindanao Examiner.
The MILF denied it was involved in terrorism. It said it would coordinate closely with the authorities to help police and military investigate the two suspects.
“We are also investigating this report. If the two men are really involved in terrorism then they should be punished severely. We do not harbor terrorists or criminals,” a rebel spokesman, Eid Kabalu, said in a separate interview.
The MILF is currently negotiating peace with the Arroyo government and has been helping fight homegrown terrorism. But despite the peace talks, sporadic clashes continue between rebel and military forces with both sides accusing each other of violating a six-year old truce.
In March, rebels and soldiers clashed in Midsayap town, leaving 19 people dead in the battle that forced tens of thousands of civilians fleeing their homes. (With reports from Mark Navales and Juan Magtanggol)
Four Filipinos Killed In Iraqi Rocket Attack!
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 03 May) – Four Filipinos were reported killed in a rocket attack in Iraq’s capital Baghdad.
The four were killed when a rocket slammed into the so-called Green Zone, an area that houses foreign embassies and government building and is secured by U.S. soldiers and private contractors.
The Filipinos, whose identities were not immediately known, were working in Iraq as U.S. government contractors, according to a report Thursday (Philippine time) by Bloomberg.
"These four colleagues, citizens of the Philippines, were integral members of our embassy community,'' the report quoted Charge D'Affaires Daniel Speckhard of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.” We value their contributions to our efforts on behalf of the people of Iraq, and we mourn their passing."
It was unknown if the four Filipinos were security contractors. The Philippines’ Foreign Affairs has not issued any statement about the killings of the four Filipinos or how they were able to sneak into Iraq and worked with the U.S. government.
Manila has banned Filipinos from working in Iraq after two of its citizens Angelo dela Cruz and Roberto Tarongoy were kidnapped by militants in 2003.
But despite a four-year old ban, many Filipinos are believed to be working as security personnel and bodyguards of diplomats and foreign contractors for Blackwater USA in Iraq.
Blackwater USA is said to be the most comprehensive professional security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world.
The Green Zone is surrounded by high concrete blast walls and all entry points are staffed by security guards, but despite this it frequently come under attack from rocket and mortar fire.
An Iraqi lawmaker was killed in a suicide bomb attack inside the Green Zone on April 12. (Mindanao Examiner)
The 17th World Press Freedom Day
Fight For Your Rights, Defend Press Freedom.
Twenty-four journalists and 5 media assistants have been killed so far this year and 124 journalists, 4 media assistants and 66 cyber-dissidents are in prison around the world and 13 journalists are being held hostage in various countries.
The new Reporters Without Borders worldwide "predators of press freedom" list.
This list of 34 "predators" comprises men and women who directly attack journalists or order others to. Most are top political figures but militia chiefs, leaders of armed groups and drug-traffickers are also included.
This year, the presidents of Laos and Azerbaijan joined the list of these major enemies of press freedom, along with Mexican drug cartels who killed several journalists.
The king of Nepal and the country's Maoist leaders were taken off the list after the national ceasefire between the two sides and a return to peace.
The predators and their faces and biographies can be seen on the website www.rsf.org.
For the first time, Reporters Without Borders is offering, through Google Earth, a virtual view of the homes, palaces, and workplaces of most of them. Click here: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/874561/an/0/page/0#874561.
The Journalists Memorial in Bayeux (Normandy) was inaugurated on May 2 in the French town of Bayeux and Reporters Without Borders have built the first Journalists Memorial in Europe.
Its stones bear the names of the 1,889 journalists killed around the world since 1944.
Several dozen journalists are killed every year working in war zones.
Reporters Without Borders is trying to reduce this toll by offering them legal and informative tools (a Practical Guide, a Safety Charter and training courses) as well as safety equipment, including: - the loan of bulletproof jackets, helmets and personal distress beacons, as well as free first-aid kits.
- special cheap insurance for freelance journalists and a hotline for those in trouble (SOS Presse, available round the clock at (33) 1 4777-7414).
The website www.rsf.org is now in six languages (English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French and Persian)
The website www.rsf.org can now be read in Chinese. With nearly a year to go before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Reporters Without Borders wants to inform the Chinese people about the press freedom situation. China has 31 journalists and 51 cyber-dissidents in jail, making it the world's largest prison for defenders of freedom of expression.
The Arabic version of www.rsf.org also has new features and more content. The Middle East is the world's deadliest region for journalists because of the fighting in Iraq.
Reporters Without Borders is the first international human rights organization to open an office in the online virtual world Second Life, where visitors can find information about the organisation and press freedom in the world, as well as its latest publicity campaigns.
From May 3, they can also see there the photos and biographies of the 34 "predators of press freedom" named by the organisation. To find this office, type "Reporters sans frontières" in the Second Life search engine.
The new book of photographs "100 photos of the Cannes Film Festival for press freedom" will be available on 3 May, on sale everywhere for Euro 8.90, in aid of Reporters Without Borders.
It includes more than 100 pictures by the photographers who have recorded the event since 1946. Jean-Pierre Lavoignat, the longstanding editor of Studio Magazine, with present the book at the press conference. It is produced with support from the Film Festival.
Twenty-four journalists and 5 media assistants have been killed so far this year and 124 journalists, 4 media assistants and 66 cyber-dissidents are in prison around the world and 13 journalists are being held hostage in various countries.
The new Reporters Without Borders worldwide "predators of press freedom" list.
This list of 34 "predators" comprises men and women who directly attack journalists or order others to. Most are top political figures but militia chiefs, leaders of armed groups and drug-traffickers are also included.
This year, the presidents of Laos and Azerbaijan joined the list of these major enemies of press freedom, along with Mexican drug cartels who killed several journalists.
The king of Nepal and the country's Maoist leaders were taken off the list after the national ceasefire between the two sides and a return to peace.
The predators and their faces and biographies can be seen on the website www.rsf.org.
For the first time, Reporters Without Borders is offering, through Google Earth, a virtual view of the homes, palaces, and workplaces of most of them. Click here: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/874561/an/0/page/0#874561.
The Journalists Memorial in Bayeux (Normandy) was inaugurated on May 2 in the French town of Bayeux and Reporters Without Borders have built the first Journalists Memorial in Europe.
Its stones bear the names of the 1,889 journalists killed around the world since 1944.
Several dozen journalists are killed every year working in war zones.
Reporters Without Borders is trying to reduce this toll by offering them legal and informative tools (a Practical Guide, a Safety Charter and training courses) as well as safety equipment, including: - the loan of bulletproof jackets, helmets and personal distress beacons, as well as free first-aid kits.
- special cheap insurance for freelance journalists and a hotline for those in trouble (SOS Presse, available round the clock at (33) 1 4777-7414).
The website www.rsf.org is now in six languages (English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French and Persian)
The website www.rsf.org can now be read in Chinese. With nearly a year to go before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Reporters Without Borders wants to inform the Chinese people about the press freedom situation. China has 31 journalists and 51 cyber-dissidents in jail, making it the world's largest prison for defenders of freedom of expression.
The Arabic version of www.rsf.org also has new features and more content. The Middle East is the world's deadliest region for journalists because of the fighting in Iraq.
Reporters Without Borders is the first international human rights organization to open an office in the online virtual world Second Life, where visitors can find information about the organisation and press freedom in the world, as well as its latest publicity campaigns.
From May 3, they can also see there the photos and biographies of the 34 "predators of press freedom" named by the organisation. To find this office, type "Reporters sans frontières" in the Second Life search engine.
The new book of photographs "100 photos of the Cannes Film Festival for press freedom" will be available on 3 May, on sale everywhere for Euro 8.90, in aid of Reporters Without Borders.
It includes more than 100 pictures by the photographers who have recorded the event since 1946. Jean-Pierre Lavoignat, the longstanding editor of Studio Magazine, with present the book at the press conference. It is produced with support from the Film Festival.
Poll Violence Tumataas Pa Rin!
QUEZON CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 03 May) - Halos walumpu na umano ang mga napapaslang na mga kandidato at politiko at tagasuporta, mahigit isang linggo bago ang halalan.
Sa rekord ng Philippine National Police, umaabot sa 44 o 36 politician at 8 kandidato, bukod pa sa 24 tagasuporta at 8 pang sibilyan ang napapatay.
Mas malaki na ito kumpara noong 2004 na kung sa hanay ng mga nalilikidang kandidato at politiko ay nasa 41 lamang at ito ay sa kabuuan na ng panahon ng eleksyon.
Tinatayang 82 naman ang mga nasugatan sa nalalapit na halalan.
Bagamat inaasahan na ng pambansang pulisya na madaragdagan ang naturang bilang, sinisikap na umano nitong magpatupad ng preventive measures upang makontrol ang paglobo ng election related violence.
Sinisi naman ng ilang grupo ang ginawang pakikipag-alyansa ng partidong KAMPI ni Pangulong Gloria Arroyo at LAKAS-CMD at ibang koalisyon ng pamahalaan sa LDP ng oposisyon sa mga karahasan.
Pare-parehong mga kaalyado kasi ni Arroyo ang ngayon ang naggigirian dahil sa naging "free zone o free-for-all" ang mga lugar nito na kung saan ay nagaagawan sa supporta at posisyon ang mga ito.
Nag-merge ang LDP sa KAMPI, LAKAS-CMD upang masiguro ang panalo diumano ng mga kandidato ng TEAM Unity. Bitbit kasi ng KAMPI, LAKAS-CMD at ng koalisyon nito ang TEAM Unity. (ulat nina Juley Reyes at Mark Navales)
Sa rekord ng Philippine National Police, umaabot sa 44 o 36 politician at 8 kandidato, bukod pa sa 24 tagasuporta at 8 pang sibilyan ang napapatay.
Mas malaki na ito kumpara noong 2004 na kung sa hanay ng mga nalilikidang kandidato at politiko ay nasa 41 lamang at ito ay sa kabuuan na ng panahon ng eleksyon.
Tinatayang 82 naman ang mga nasugatan sa nalalapit na halalan.
Bagamat inaasahan na ng pambansang pulisya na madaragdagan ang naturang bilang, sinisikap na umano nitong magpatupad ng preventive measures upang makontrol ang paglobo ng election related violence.
Sinisi naman ng ilang grupo ang ginawang pakikipag-alyansa ng partidong KAMPI ni Pangulong Gloria Arroyo at LAKAS-CMD at ibang koalisyon ng pamahalaan sa LDP ng oposisyon sa mga karahasan.
Pare-parehong mga kaalyado kasi ni Arroyo ang ngayon ang naggigirian dahil sa naging "free zone o free-for-all" ang mga lugar nito na kung saan ay nagaagawan sa supporta at posisyon ang mga ito.
Nag-merge ang LDP sa KAMPI, LAKAS-CMD upang masiguro ang panalo diumano ng mga kandidato ng TEAM Unity. Bitbit kasi ng KAMPI, LAKAS-CMD at ng koalisyon nito ang TEAM Unity. (ulat nina Juley Reyes at Mark Navales)
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Rebels Hostage Arroyo Candidates In Southern RP
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 02 May) – Communist insurgents briefly held a town mayor and his group who were campaigning in the southern Philippines, a military report said.
The insurgents held the group of Mayor Reinario Rosales, of Las Nieves town in Agusan del Norte province late Tuesday while campaigning at a public square in the village of Mat-i.
About 60 gunmen surrounded the square and held the politicians, allied with President Gloria Arroyo, for almost two hours before releasing them unharmed.
The Philippine News Agency reported Wednesday that aside from the town mayor, the insurgents also held a congressional candidate Angelo Jimenez.
It also quoted a report by Army Major General Jose Barbieto that the insurgents encircled the square and ordered the politicians to stop campaigning.
“Panic gripped the political rally of local candidates under the umbrella of the administration Kampi party when some 60 heavily armed New People's Army rebels told them to stop their rally.”
“The (military) report also alleged the armed men fired warning shots and forced the 'rallyists' to stop their political activities while holding also their vehicles. After more than an hour in captivity, the Kampi candidates were released unharmed. The rebels then fled to the nearby forested and mountainous area of Mat-i,” it said.
Kampi stands for Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino, Arroyo's own political party.
The military said the NPA has been demanding money to politicians so they can campaign in areas where the rebels are actively operating. It was unknown why the local police failed to protect the politicians. (With a report from Romy Bwaga)
Two Davao Councilors Now Pro-Environment?
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 02 May) - The question on the local politicians’ sincerity on environmental concern was again raised by residents of Davao City’s 2nd District who attended the Green Vote 2007 candidates’ forum.
Local candidates were asked to lay-down their environmental agenda; ironically, two recipients of the infamous Kalabasa Awards -- Councilors Danilo Dayanghirang and Diosdado Mahipus -- signed the Green Vote covenant agreeing to prioritize the agenda should they be put to office again.
Friday’s forum was the last of the series held here. Both Dayanghirang and Mahipus proclaimed themselves as environmentalists, something that the public doubted knowing how the two councilors became very vocal about their bias for business more than the environment.
“We are doubtful and at the same time dismayed over what we heard from them. They claim to be friends of the environment and the people when we know for a fact that they have been consistently blocking efforts to protect the environment as they protect the interest of the business sector,” said John Tagab, of the village of Tigatto.
During his speech, Mahipus said he has always been one of those who were in the frontline of protecting the environment. “Many times I have been criticized for my position on certain issues about environmental protection. I was the one who first stood against businesses who planned to establish in the aquifer,” Mahipus said.
Mahipus also admitted that he has always thought about a solution to the controversial aerial spraying ordinance other than stopping the practice. “But because I am a supporter of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, I am also for the banning…I supported the ban. I will abide by the decision of Duterte because I am an advocate of democracy,” he said.
But villagers criticized Mahipus, saying, he should decide independently and not because he is supporting the mayor.
“Doesn’t he have his own decision? Good that we have a mayor like Duterte whose concern for the people is unquestionable. But what if Duterte is someone who doesn’t have a heart for us and who doesn’t care for the environment?” said one mother from the village of Agdao.
Dayanghirang, on the other hand, said he has already read the 20-point agenda well and that he is agreeable to everything stated there including the implementation of the ordinance banning aerial spraying and the support for the expansion of diversified farms and not monoculture farms.
Dayanghirang is also known for working as consultant to a banana company. Cathy Gordo, coordinator of the Hugpong Dabaw, a network of social housing non-government and people's organizations, said the statements of some of those who attended the forum were not believable.
“Some of them did not mean what they say. They were talking like real trapo (traditional politicians), as if they can fool the people into believing that they are good leaders,” Gordo said.
Bill Martin, president of Davao Federation of Subdivisions and Homeowners Association, Inc., said he was dissatisfied with what he has heard from the candidates.
“I would rather cast my votes to the neophytes than waste it to the trapo,” Martin said.
The other candidates who attended the last forum were Councilors Arnulfo Cabling, Nenen Orcullo and neophyte candidates Mikee Aportadera and Doming Lopez.
Organizers of the event, however, said that it was still good that the candidates attended the forum and signed the covenant. They said that they are looking forward to their full support for the implementation of the environmental agenda. (Jeff Tupaz, Special for the Mindanao Examiner)
Local candidates were asked to lay-down their environmental agenda; ironically, two recipients of the infamous Kalabasa Awards -- Councilors Danilo Dayanghirang and Diosdado Mahipus -- signed the Green Vote covenant agreeing to prioritize the agenda should they be put to office again.
Friday’s forum was the last of the series held here. Both Dayanghirang and Mahipus proclaimed themselves as environmentalists, something that the public doubted knowing how the two councilors became very vocal about their bias for business more than the environment.
“We are doubtful and at the same time dismayed over what we heard from them. They claim to be friends of the environment and the people when we know for a fact that they have been consistently blocking efforts to protect the environment as they protect the interest of the business sector,” said John Tagab, of the village of Tigatto.
During his speech, Mahipus said he has always been one of those who were in the frontline of protecting the environment. “Many times I have been criticized for my position on certain issues about environmental protection. I was the one who first stood against businesses who planned to establish in the aquifer,” Mahipus said.
Mahipus also admitted that he has always thought about a solution to the controversial aerial spraying ordinance other than stopping the practice. “But because I am a supporter of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, I am also for the banning…I supported the ban. I will abide by the decision of Duterte because I am an advocate of democracy,” he said.
But villagers criticized Mahipus, saying, he should decide independently and not because he is supporting the mayor.
“Doesn’t he have his own decision? Good that we have a mayor like Duterte whose concern for the people is unquestionable. But what if Duterte is someone who doesn’t have a heart for us and who doesn’t care for the environment?” said one mother from the village of Agdao.
Dayanghirang, on the other hand, said he has already read the 20-point agenda well and that he is agreeable to everything stated there including the implementation of the ordinance banning aerial spraying and the support for the expansion of diversified farms and not monoculture farms.
Dayanghirang is also known for working as consultant to a banana company. Cathy Gordo, coordinator of the Hugpong Dabaw, a network of social housing non-government and people's organizations, said the statements of some of those who attended the forum were not believable.
“Some of them did not mean what they say. They were talking like real trapo (traditional politicians), as if they can fool the people into believing that they are good leaders,” Gordo said.
Bill Martin, president of Davao Federation of Subdivisions and Homeowners Association, Inc., said he was dissatisfied with what he has heard from the candidates.
“I would rather cast my votes to the neophytes than waste it to the trapo,” Martin said.
The other candidates who attended the last forum were Councilors Arnulfo Cabling, Nenen Orcullo and neophyte candidates Mikee Aportadera and Doming Lopez.
Organizers of the event, however, said that it was still good that the candidates attended the forum and signed the covenant. They said that they are looking forward to their full support for the implementation of the environmental agenda. (Jeff Tupaz, Special for the Mindanao Examiner)
Sa Pagbagsak Ng Chopper, Sarangola Daw Ang May Sala?
MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 02 May) – Sinisisi ngayon ng Philippine Air Force ang isang sarangola sa umano’y dahilan kung bakit bumagsak ang UH-1H helicopter nito sa Lapu-Lapu sa lalawigan ng Cebu.
Siyam na katao ang patay sa naturang trahedya na naganap nuong nakaraang linggo habang nasa isang training flight ang mga piloto nito.
Ngunit “pilot error” naman ang nakikita ng maraming mamamayan sa Cebu na siyang dahilan sa pagbagsak ng chopper.
Ayaw lamang umanong aminin ng PAF na pilot error ang dahilan ng pagbagsak ng chopper.
Dapat kasi ay mailayo ng mga piloto ang kanilang chopper sa mataong lugar kung sakaling ito ay babagsak. Dapat naman umanong bayaran ng PAF ang danyos-perwisyo nito sa mga pamilay ng nasawing sibilyan.
Karamihan sa nasawi ay mga pasahero ng dalawang tricycle na naipit sa chopper.
Sa ipinalabas na inisyal na resulta ng imbestigasyon, sinabi ni PAF Chief Lieutenant General Horacio Tolentino, lumilitaw na walang naging problema sa makina at kahit sa embargo ng gasolina ng chopper.
Bago ang insidente, normal aniya ang lipad ng chopper ngunit nawalan ng kontrol at napabagsak ng pumulupot na tali o nylon ng saranggola.
"Tumatakbo naman ng mahusay ang chopper, walang problema sa makina at gasolina. But the rotor system lost power due to the nylon cord," ani Tolentino sa pulong balitaan.
Aminado ang liderato ng PAF na wala itong mapapanagot o makakasuhan sa nangyari na maituturing lamang na aksidente. Ibinasura rin ng heneral ang posibilidad na nagkaroon ng pananabotahe.
Gayunman, binigyang-diin ni Tolentino ang mahigpit na babala sa pagpapalipad ng saranggola sa bisinidad ng paliparan o sasakop sa 2.5 milya ang layo mula sa gitna ng airport.
Umaapela si Tolentino sa pagkakaroon ng isang batas na mahigpit na magpapatupad ng no-kite flying zone.
Sa ngayon aniya, regulasyon lamang ng Air Transportation Office ang umiiral hinggil sa pagbabawal sa pagpapalipad ng saranggolangunit hindi istriktong namomonitor at naipatutupad bukod pa sa walang nakatakdang parusa sa mga paglabag.
Ipinunto ni Tolentino na kung may kaukulang batas na ay mas may awtoridad at mapapakilos ang pulisya para manghuli at magpakulong ng lalabag sa no-kite flying zone. (Juley Reyes)
Siyam na katao ang patay sa naturang trahedya na naganap nuong nakaraang linggo habang nasa isang training flight ang mga piloto nito.
Ngunit “pilot error” naman ang nakikita ng maraming mamamayan sa Cebu na siyang dahilan sa pagbagsak ng chopper.
Ayaw lamang umanong aminin ng PAF na pilot error ang dahilan ng pagbagsak ng chopper.
Dapat kasi ay mailayo ng mga piloto ang kanilang chopper sa mataong lugar kung sakaling ito ay babagsak. Dapat naman umanong bayaran ng PAF ang danyos-perwisyo nito sa mga pamilay ng nasawing sibilyan.
Karamihan sa nasawi ay mga pasahero ng dalawang tricycle na naipit sa chopper.
Sa ipinalabas na inisyal na resulta ng imbestigasyon, sinabi ni PAF Chief Lieutenant General Horacio Tolentino, lumilitaw na walang naging problema sa makina at kahit sa embargo ng gasolina ng chopper.
Bago ang insidente, normal aniya ang lipad ng chopper ngunit nawalan ng kontrol at napabagsak ng pumulupot na tali o nylon ng saranggola.
"Tumatakbo naman ng mahusay ang chopper, walang problema sa makina at gasolina. But the rotor system lost power due to the nylon cord," ani Tolentino sa pulong balitaan.
Aminado ang liderato ng PAF na wala itong mapapanagot o makakasuhan sa nangyari na maituturing lamang na aksidente. Ibinasura rin ng heneral ang posibilidad na nagkaroon ng pananabotahe.
Gayunman, binigyang-diin ni Tolentino ang mahigpit na babala sa pagpapalipad ng saranggola sa bisinidad ng paliparan o sasakop sa 2.5 milya ang layo mula sa gitna ng airport.
Umaapela si Tolentino sa pagkakaroon ng isang batas na mahigpit na magpapatupad ng no-kite flying zone.
Sa ngayon aniya, regulasyon lamang ng Air Transportation Office ang umiiral hinggil sa pagbabawal sa pagpapalipad ng saranggolangunit hindi istriktong namomonitor at naipatutupad bukod pa sa walang nakatakdang parusa sa mga paglabag.
Ipinunto ni Tolentino na kung may kaukulang batas na ay mas may awtoridad at mapapakilos ang pulisya para manghuli at magpakulong ng lalabag sa no-kite flying zone. (Juley Reyes)
Gunman Assassinates Mayoralty Candidate In Central Philippines
CEBU (Mindanao Examiner / 02 May) – Unidentified gunman shot dead a mayoralty candidate in an attack Wednesday in Cebu, police said.
Police said Rogelio Ilustrisimo, who was running as mayor In Santa Fe town in Cebu’s Bantayan island, was killed instantly. The motive of the killing is still unknown, but police suspect the attack was probably connected to politics.
Filipinos are to elect their senators and congressman and local officials in the May 14 elections. Philippine elections are traditionally violent and bloody.
Just last week, a gunman killed Mayor Julian Resuello, of San Carlos City in Pangasinan province, north of Manila. One of his police escort was also killed in the attack.
Angelito Soriano, the suspect in the murder of the mayor, who was wounded in a firefight with police, has been arrested at a hospital in San Carlos City. (Mindanao Examiner)
Suspek Sa Pagpatay Sa Mayor, Huli Na!
MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 02 Apr) - Hawak na ngayon ng Philippine National Police Region 1 ang isa sa mga suspek sa pagpaslang kay Mayor Julian Resuello ng San Carlos City sa Pangasinan.
Kinumpirma ito ni Region 1 Police Director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil bagamat tumanggi pang pangalanan ang salarin na nakatakda ring iprisinta ni PNP Chief Director General Oscar Calderon.
Subalit nabatid kay Task Force Usig head Chief Superintendent Geary Barias na ang suspek ay nakilalang si Angelito Soriano. "Charges have been filed against Angelito Soriano," ani pa ni Barias.
Naniniwala si Barias na may kinalaman sa pulitika ang pagpatay kay Resuello."We believe this killing is politically motivated," wika pa nito, ngunit hindi naman ito nagbigay ng karagdagang detalye ukol sa krimen dahil patuloy umano ang imbestigasyon sa naturang pagpatay.
Natagpuan sa isa sa mga pagamutan sa Pangasinan ang naturang suspek matapos na masugatan sa nakalipas na pakikipag-engkuwentro sa mga awtoridad nang isakatuparan ang krimen.
Ayon kay Bataoil, positibong tinukoy ng isa mga sugatan ring pulis ang nasakoteng suspek.
Samantala, mula sa P300, 000 reward money ay itinaas na ito sa kalahating milyon upang agarang madakip ang isa pa sa gunmen na lumikida kay Resuello. (Juley Reyes)
Kinumpirma ito ni Region 1 Police Director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil bagamat tumanggi pang pangalanan ang salarin na nakatakda ring iprisinta ni PNP Chief Director General Oscar Calderon.
Subalit nabatid kay Task Force Usig head Chief Superintendent Geary Barias na ang suspek ay nakilalang si Angelito Soriano. "Charges have been filed against Angelito Soriano," ani pa ni Barias.
Naniniwala si Barias na may kinalaman sa pulitika ang pagpatay kay Resuello."We believe this killing is politically motivated," wika pa nito, ngunit hindi naman ito nagbigay ng karagdagang detalye ukol sa krimen dahil patuloy umano ang imbestigasyon sa naturang pagpatay.
Natagpuan sa isa sa mga pagamutan sa Pangasinan ang naturang suspek matapos na masugatan sa nakalipas na pakikipag-engkuwentro sa mga awtoridad nang isakatuparan ang krimen.
Ayon kay Bataoil, positibong tinukoy ng isa mga sugatan ring pulis ang nasakoteng suspek.
Samantala, mula sa P300, 000 reward money ay itinaas na ito sa kalahating milyon upang agarang madakip ang isa pa sa gunmen na lumikida kay Resuello. (Juley Reyes)
Non-Traditional News Websites, Blogs And Videos Getting Popular
U.S. news-seekers are increasingly turning to Internet search engines, video clips and gossip-slingers to sate curiosity about current events, according to Agence France Presse, which cited a study released Tuesday.
Visits to the top 10 news and media websites in the United States dropped by nearly four percent in the past year as people turned increasingly to "non-traditional news websites," Hitwise online intelligence service reported.
Meanwhile, websites that "aggregate" news stories by harvesting them online registered increases in visits during the year ending March of 2007, according to Hitwise.
Yahoo! News ranks as the top news website with slightly more than 6.5 percent of the market.
A Weather Channel website is second with 4.75 percent of US online news hunting traffic, while CNN barely edged out MSNBC for third place with 3.95 percent.
Google News ranks fourth in popularity with 1.83 percent of the visits.
Search engines, online news aggregators and Internet portal front pages are main sources of traffic for traditional news websites, according to Hitwise.
The number of Internet users referred to traditional newspaper websites by the world's most popular online search engine, Google, increased by nearly 30 percent in the past year, Hitwise reported.
Internet traffic routed by Google to television or radio station websites rose 35.9 percent during that same period, according to Hitwise.
The rate at which people left news websites to directly view related video clips at online venues such as video-sharing website YouTube has leapt 196 percent in the past year, Hitwise reported.
Search Is On For Missing Political Activist
QUEZON CITY - The Families of Desaparecidos for Justice (DESAPARECIDOS) condemned the disappearance of Jonas Joseph Burgos and Melisa Reyes, on April 28, in Quezon City.
Burgos, or Jay-Jay, 38, son of press freedom icon Jose "Joe" Burgos Jr., failed to come home to his family in Tandang Sora, Quezon City on April 28.
His anxious family tried to contact him through his cellphone the whole night, but it was only at 10:46 AM the next day that they received messages from him which did not make any sense.
His family was still able to talk to him on the phone but his voice sounded drowsy and his words did not make sense as if he were drugged.
It was learned that Melisa Reyes, and a still to be identified male companion of Jayjay also failed to come home on the evening of April 28.
Burgos had been giving agri technology trainings to members of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB), a provincial chapter of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.
"This is a brazen act which only state security forces will have the motive and gall to carry out. It's ironic that it happened to a member of the Burgosfamily that had opposed and survived Martial Law and still continues to defend civil rights and press freedom," said Ghay Portajada, spokesperson ofDesaparecidos.
Portajada also noted that Jay-jay's disappearance happened, not in a remote village in the countrysides, but here in Quezon City where there is much presence of both police and military elements.
"We call on the responsible elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to surface Jay-jay and his companions. We dare the Arroyo administration tosolve this disappearance, and use all possible resources and technologies to locate Jay-jay, whose phone is still active and could actually be tracked,"said Portajada.
"We pray that Jay-jay and his companions will be surfaced alive, just like urban poor leader Lourdes "Nay Ude" Rubrico, who was abducted, detained and released by intelligence agents for one week at the Fernando Basa Air Base in Lipa City in Batangas province.
Burgos, or Jay-Jay, 38, son of press freedom icon Jose "Joe" Burgos Jr., failed to come home to his family in Tandang Sora, Quezon City on April 28.
His anxious family tried to contact him through his cellphone the whole night, but it was only at 10:46 AM the next day that they received messages from him which did not make any sense.
His family was still able to talk to him on the phone but his voice sounded drowsy and his words did not make sense as if he were drugged.
It was learned that Melisa Reyes, and a still to be identified male companion of Jayjay also failed to come home on the evening of April 28.
Burgos had been giving agri technology trainings to members of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB), a provincial chapter of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.
"This is a brazen act which only state security forces will have the motive and gall to carry out. It's ironic that it happened to a member of the Burgosfamily that had opposed and survived Martial Law and still continues to defend civil rights and press freedom," said Ghay Portajada, spokesperson ofDesaparecidos.
Portajada also noted that Jay-jay's disappearance happened, not in a remote village in the countrysides, but here in Quezon City where there is much presence of both police and military elements.
"We call on the responsible elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to surface Jay-jay and his companions. We dare the Arroyo administration tosolve this disappearance, and use all possible resources and technologies to locate Jay-jay, whose phone is still active and could actually be tracked,"said Portajada.
"We pray that Jay-jay and his companions will be surfaced alive, just like urban poor leader Lourdes "Nay Ude" Rubrico, who was abducted, detained and released by intelligence agents for one week at the Fernando Basa Air Base in Lipa City in Batangas province.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Sundalo, Bawal Mangampanya!
MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 01 May) – Mahigpit ang babala ngayon ng liderato ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa mga miyembro ng organisasyon hinggil sa pangangampanya para kay retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan na kumakandidatong kongresista sa ilalim ng Bantay party list group.
Sa harap ito ng paglaganap ng mga text message sa mga sundalo hinggil sa pagsuporta sa kandidatura ng dating heneral.
Binigyang-diin ni AFP Public Information Office Chief Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro na ang lantarang pagsuporta at pangangampanya sa sinumang kandidato ay paglabag sa direktiba ni Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon na pagdistansya sa partisan political activities at may kaukulang parusa.
"Soldiers cannot publicly campaign for or against any candidate. That will be construed as participating in partisan politics. They can be investigated and of course, commensurate punishment will be given," ani Bacarro sa pahayagang Mindanao Examiner.
Sa isang text message na kumakalat sa mga kampo ng militar ay ito ang nakasaad: "Sugpuin ang komunismo sa Pilipinas! Iboto ang Bantay party list para ipaglaban ang ating kapayapaan at demokrasya."
Bago ang pagreretiro ni Palparan, umani ito ng matinding pag-alma buhat sa mga makakaliwang grupo dahil sa umano'y mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao at pagpaslang sa ilang militante.
Samantala, sinigurado naman ng militar na hindi makaka-apekto ang role nito sa kasalukyang operasyon kontra rebelde at mga teroristang grupo.
Katwiran ni Bacarro, nadagdagan lamang ang responsibilidad ng mga sundalong kikilos sa halalan ngunit mismong sa mga lalawigan na pinagsisilbihan nito rin magmumula ang puwersa.
Wala aniyang magiging problema dahil hindi naman magbabago ang bilang ng mga sundalong kikilos sa isang lalawigan. Ngunit, depende naman sa bigat ng sitwasyon kung kukuha ng ayudang puwersa ang militar mula sa kalapit na tropa ng mga sundalo.
"It will just be additional tasking but it wont in any way mean na mabababa or malolower yung pagtutok sa ating internal security operations campaign," ani Bacarro.
Gayunman, naninindigan ang opisyal na ang anumang hakbang ng AFP para sa deputization sa halalan ay mahalagang may basbas ng Commision on Elections (Comelec).
Samantala, nilinaw ni Bacarro na depende sa tindi ng kaguluhan sa isang lugar ang laki ng checkpoints na ilalatag nito. "In areas that there are indicators na may kaguluhan, as preemptive measure, we can establish a bigger number of checkpoints," dagdag ng AFP Chief. (Juley Reyes)
Sa harap ito ng paglaganap ng mga text message sa mga sundalo hinggil sa pagsuporta sa kandidatura ng dating heneral.
Binigyang-diin ni AFP Public Information Office Chief Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro na ang lantarang pagsuporta at pangangampanya sa sinumang kandidato ay paglabag sa direktiba ni Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon na pagdistansya sa partisan political activities at may kaukulang parusa.
"Soldiers cannot publicly campaign for or against any candidate. That will be construed as participating in partisan politics. They can be investigated and of course, commensurate punishment will be given," ani Bacarro sa pahayagang Mindanao Examiner.
Sa isang text message na kumakalat sa mga kampo ng militar ay ito ang nakasaad: "Sugpuin ang komunismo sa Pilipinas! Iboto ang Bantay party list para ipaglaban ang ating kapayapaan at demokrasya."
Bago ang pagreretiro ni Palparan, umani ito ng matinding pag-alma buhat sa mga makakaliwang grupo dahil sa umano'y mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao at pagpaslang sa ilang militante.
Samantala, sinigurado naman ng militar na hindi makaka-apekto ang role nito sa kasalukyang operasyon kontra rebelde at mga teroristang grupo.
Katwiran ni Bacarro, nadagdagan lamang ang responsibilidad ng mga sundalong kikilos sa halalan ngunit mismong sa mga lalawigan na pinagsisilbihan nito rin magmumula ang puwersa.
Wala aniyang magiging problema dahil hindi naman magbabago ang bilang ng mga sundalong kikilos sa isang lalawigan. Ngunit, depende naman sa bigat ng sitwasyon kung kukuha ng ayudang puwersa ang militar mula sa kalapit na tropa ng mga sundalo.
"It will just be additional tasking but it wont in any way mean na mabababa or malolower yung pagtutok sa ating internal security operations campaign," ani Bacarro.
Gayunman, naninindigan ang opisyal na ang anumang hakbang ng AFP para sa deputization sa halalan ay mahalagang may basbas ng Commision on Elections (Comelec).
Samantala, nilinaw ni Bacarro na depende sa tindi ng kaguluhan sa isang lugar ang laki ng checkpoints na ilalatag nito. "In areas that there are indicators na may kaguluhan, as preemptive measure, we can establish a bigger number of checkpoints," dagdag ng AFP Chief. (Juley Reyes)
Photo: Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighter
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Who's Behind The Disappearance? Us?
QUEZON CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 01 May) – The Philippine military on Tuesday denied accusations that it was behind the disappearance of a political activist and son of a popular press freedom advocate.
Jonas Burgos, son of Jose Burgos, considered as one of the pillar of free press in the Philippines, has been reported missing by her mother, Edith, since April 28.
One witness told a television interview that he saw four men dragged Burgos out of a restaurant in Manila. “When I saw the man’s mother appealed on television about her missing son, I know that it was the same man that four people had taken away,” the witness said.
The woman appealed on televisions this week for anyone who saw her son.
Militant party list groups accused the Philippine military as behind the abduction of Burgos, who is a member of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, an organization of peasants in the country.
Burgos was said to be with a woman named Melissa Reyes and an unidentified man who were also reported missing.
Philippine military spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro denied the accusations.
"Even in the absence of evidence, they were quick again to blame the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It's unfair. What we can say is that this action of militant groups is filled with malice," Bacarro told the independent regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
He said the military is willing to cooperate with the police in the investigation of the disappearance of Burgos.
Militant groups have also accused the military as behind extra-judicial killings of more than 900 political activists in the Philippines. (Juley Reyes)
Jonas Burgos, son of Jose Burgos, considered as one of the pillar of free press in the Philippines, has been reported missing by her mother, Edith, since April 28.
One witness told a television interview that he saw four men dragged Burgos out of a restaurant in Manila. “When I saw the man’s mother appealed on television about her missing son, I know that it was the same man that four people had taken away,” the witness said.
The woman appealed on televisions this week for anyone who saw her son.
Militant party list groups accused the Philippine military as behind the abduction of Burgos, who is a member of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, an organization of peasants in the country.
Burgos was said to be with a woman named Melissa Reyes and an unidentified man who were also reported missing.
Philippine military spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro denied the accusations.
"Even in the absence of evidence, they were quick again to blame the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It's unfair. What we can say is that this action of militant groups is filled with malice," Bacarro told the independent regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
He said the military is willing to cooperate with the police in the investigation of the disappearance of Burgos.
Militant groups have also accused the military as behind extra-judicial killings of more than 900 political activists in the Philippines. (Juley Reyes)
Pulisya Nag-Alok Ng Bounty Para Madakip Ang Killer Ng Mayor!
MANILA (Mindanao Examiner . 01 May) - Nagpalabas na ngayon ng P300,000 pabuya ang Philippine National Police upang agarang maresolba ang kasong pagpaslang kay Mayor Julian Resuello, ng San Carlos City sa lalawigan ng Pangasinan.
Kasabay nito'y nabatid kay Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, hepe ng Police Regional Office 1, na hawak na rin nito ang artist's sketch ng isa sa mga suspek na nakilala ng testigo bilanng alyas Kabesa, 40 anyos, tinatayang 5'3" ang taas, katamtaman ang pangangatawan at armado ng kalibre 45 nang isakatuparan ang krimen.
Kanina ay ipinamahagi na rin ang sketch sa mga mamamahayag.
Ang naturang reward naman ay nilikom rin ng mga mamamayang naghahangad ng mabilis na resolusyon sa insidente.
Patuloy pa rin sinisiyasat at tinutugis ng pulisya ang iba pang mga kasabwat sa pagpatay kay Resuello, kasama ang civilian aide nito at pagkasugat ng pitong iba pa.
Dalawang suspek na pinaniniwalaang hired killers ang sinasabing bumaril kay Resuello at sa mga aide nito sa loob ng auditorium sa lalawigan.
Nasawi on the spot ang security escort ng alkalde na si Eulogio Martinez habang pumanaw na rin sa St. Luke's Medical Center kahapon ng umaga. Bunsod ng insidente, nasa ilalim na ngayon ng kontrol ng Comelec ang San Carlos City.
Si Resuello ay kakandidatong bise alkalde ng San Carlos habang ang anak nito na si Julier ang tumatakbo sa pagka-alkalde. (Juley Reyes)
Kasabay nito'y nabatid kay Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, hepe ng Police Regional Office 1, na hawak na rin nito ang artist's sketch ng isa sa mga suspek na nakilala ng testigo bilanng alyas Kabesa, 40 anyos, tinatayang 5'3" ang taas, katamtaman ang pangangatawan at armado ng kalibre 45 nang isakatuparan ang krimen.
Kanina ay ipinamahagi na rin ang sketch sa mga mamamahayag.
Ang naturang reward naman ay nilikom rin ng mga mamamayang naghahangad ng mabilis na resolusyon sa insidente.
Patuloy pa rin sinisiyasat at tinutugis ng pulisya ang iba pang mga kasabwat sa pagpatay kay Resuello, kasama ang civilian aide nito at pagkasugat ng pitong iba pa.
Dalawang suspek na pinaniniwalaang hired killers ang sinasabing bumaril kay Resuello at sa mga aide nito sa loob ng auditorium sa lalawigan.
Nasawi on the spot ang security escort ng alkalde na si Eulogio Martinez habang pumanaw na rin sa St. Luke's Medical Center kahapon ng umaga. Bunsod ng insidente, nasa ilalim na ngayon ng kontrol ng Comelec ang San Carlos City.
Si Resuello ay kakandidatong bise alkalde ng San Carlos habang ang anak nito na si Julier ang tumatakbo sa pagka-alkalde. (Juley Reyes)
Filipinos Celebrate Labor Day With Street Rallies, Protests
MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 01 May) – Thousands of workers and members of progressive groups have staged street rallies Tuesday to mark the celebration of the International Labor Day.
”May Day is an occasion for us to celebrate the fruits of our battle against oppression, the butchery of free-market globalization and the US imperialist-led war of terror.”
“In the same breath, we celebrate our hard earned victories and further intensify the struggle of the working-class against the isolated and much-hated U.S.-Gloria Macapagal Arroyo regime,” said Elmer Labog, chairman of the militant group, Kilusang Mayo Uno party, which led the rallies in Manila.
"Arroyo's isolation from the masses is heightening. She will soon find her proper place and the May 14 election is just the beginning of her political annihilation,” Labog said.
KMU is opposed to trade agreements between the Philippines and the United States. It said the U.S. is exploiting the Philippines and other poor countries in Asia to advance its own interests.
In southern Philippines, around 10,000 workers from the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao City also joined street protests and demanded more labor benefits.
"Today is a significant day to the Filipino people. In times of great crisis, the workers and the toiling masses shall exhibit its unceasing and unbreakable spirit of defiance against the attacks of the Arroyo regime," said Omar Bantayan, secretary general of KMU in Southern Mindanao and also vice president of the Anakpawis party list group for Mindanao.
Bantayan said the Arroyo regime is culpable of the destruction of the lives of the Filipino people, as it permitted large-scale capital to exploit labor power and siphon all possible super-profits and consistently denied the workers a significant and reasonable increase in wages.
“Arroyo and her cohorts have sabotaged the passage of the HB345 (Beltran P125 Bill) which would give significant relief to the workers by approximating the depressed wage levels with the projected family living wage. At present, the daily minimum wage in Region XI is pegged at P228 while the daily cost of living is P621.”
“There is no truth to the claim of the Arroyo administration and big business that the P125 wage increase will cause destruction of the people's livelihood," Bantayan said. "A constricted market, unfair competition, lack of finances and regressive taxation are the main causes of retrenchments and closures of small and medium-scale enterprises.”
While militant political groups denounced Arroyo, the President inaugurated on Labor Day a four-storey "workers’ inn" in Manila for “urban workers whose homes are not within convenient commuting distance from Metro Manila.”
Called “Gwapotel: Tulugan sa Bayan,” the dormitory-style bed and bath facility is a joint project of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the National Power Corporation (Napocor), a government statement said.
Strategically located at the former Napocor Building along Bonifacio Drive in Port Area in Manila, the temporary living facility, also dubbed "PGMA’s Workers’ Inn," provides transients affordable rooms to stay.
The President was joined by Metro-Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando, National Power Corporation (Napocor) chief Cyril del Callar and Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro in the ceremonial unveiling of the marker and ribbon-cutting activities formally opening to the public the sleeping and bathing facility.
According to Fernando, the 700-bed Gwapotel was conceptualized under the President's pro-poor program of providing clean and affordable living quarters to every Filipino, particularly provincial residents who work in Metro Manila.
Fernando said that under PGMA's Worker's Inn program, the Gwapotel is designed to provide an affordable albeit temporary sleeping and bathing facility for workers whose homes are not within convenient commuting distance to their places of work in Metro Manila.
“Gwapotel will provide relief and added rest time to workers who need to commute daily to and from their residences in the provinces,” Fernando said, adding that it was among the wage benefits the President gave to the Filipino workers this Labor Day.
The dormitory-style Gwapotel is divided as follows: the third and fourth floors are allocated to provide sleeping and bathing facilities for male customers while the second floor is allocated for women clients. (Mindanao Examiner)
”May Day is an occasion for us to celebrate the fruits of our battle against oppression, the butchery of free-market globalization and the US imperialist-led war of terror.”
“In the same breath, we celebrate our hard earned victories and further intensify the struggle of the working-class against the isolated and much-hated U.S.-Gloria Macapagal Arroyo regime,” said Elmer Labog, chairman of the militant group, Kilusang Mayo Uno party, which led the rallies in Manila.
"Arroyo's isolation from the masses is heightening. She will soon find her proper place and the May 14 election is just the beginning of her political annihilation,” Labog said.
KMU is opposed to trade agreements between the Philippines and the United States. It said the U.S. is exploiting the Philippines and other poor countries in Asia to advance its own interests.
In southern Philippines, around 10,000 workers from the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao City also joined street protests and demanded more labor benefits.
"Today is a significant day to the Filipino people. In times of great crisis, the workers and the toiling masses shall exhibit its unceasing and unbreakable spirit of defiance against the attacks of the Arroyo regime," said Omar Bantayan, secretary general of KMU in Southern Mindanao and also vice president of the Anakpawis party list group for Mindanao.
Bantayan said the Arroyo regime is culpable of the destruction of the lives of the Filipino people, as it permitted large-scale capital to exploit labor power and siphon all possible super-profits and consistently denied the workers a significant and reasonable increase in wages.
“Arroyo and her cohorts have sabotaged the passage of the HB345 (Beltran P125 Bill) which would give significant relief to the workers by approximating the depressed wage levels with the projected family living wage. At present, the daily minimum wage in Region XI is pegged at P228 while the daily cost of living is P621.”
“There is no truth to the claim of the Arroyo administration and big business that the P125 wage increase will cause destruction of the people's livelihood," Bantayan said. "A constricted market, unfair competition, lack of finances and regressive taxation are the main causes of retrenchments and closures of small and medium-scale enterprises.”
While militant political groups denounced Arroyo, the President inaugurated on Labor Day a four-storey "workers’ inn" in Manila for “urban workers whose homes are not within convenient commuting distance from Metro Manila.”
Called “Gwapotel: Tulugan sa Bayan,” the dormitory-style bed and bath facility is a joint project of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the National Power Corporation (Napocor), a government statement said.
Strategically located at the former Napocor Building along Bonifacio Drive in Port Area in Manila, the temporary living facility, also dubbed "PGMA’s Workers’ Inn," provides transients affordable rooms to stay.
The President was joined by Metro-Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando, National Power Corporation (Napocor) chief Cyril del Callar and Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro in the ceremonial unveiling of the marker and ribbon-cutting activities formally opening to the public the sleeping and bathing facility.
According to Fernando, the 700-bed Gwapotel was conceptualized under the President's pro-poor program of providing clean and affordable living quarters to every Filipino, particularly provincial residents who work in Metro Manila.
Fernando said that under PGMA's Worker's Inn program, the Gwapotel is designed to provide an affordable albeit temporary sleeping and bathing facility for workers whose homes are not within convenient commuting distance to their places of work in Metro Manila.
“Gwapotel will provide relief and added rest time to workers who need to commute daily to and from their residences in the provinces,” Fernando said, adding that it was among the wage benefits the President gave to the Filipino workers this Labor Day.
The dormitory-style Gwapotel is divided as follows: the third and fourth floors are allocated to provide sleeping and bathing facilities for male customers while the second floor is allocated for women clients. (Mindanao Examiner)
Group Condemns Killing Of Party List Woman In South RP
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 01 May) - The Gabriela Women’s party list condemned Sunday the killing of Alagad party list regional coordinator Josephine Buca in Davao City in southern Philippines.
Buca was shot dead at dawn Sunday by three motorcycle gunmen in the village of Pampanga.
“As May 14 elections is fast approaching, electoral violence is creeping side by side political killings,” Prof. Luz Ilagan, the group’s national president, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
Ilagan said their group is wary that the coming elections will once again display traditional politicians’ resort to violence and fraud to perpetrate into power.
“Josephine Buca is but one of the many victims of electoral violence that would portray how corrupt and rotten the current political system is in the country.“
“This may not be surprising to many of us, but we cannot allow such to continue to prevail as a political alternative for some to achieve power. Thus, our strongest condemnation to this brutal act,” Ilagan said.
Ilagan said that a deeper societal understanding of the root causes of electoral violence could lead to initiatives to prevent and cure this problem in the future.
“For now, the least that we can do is to remain vigilant, raise people’s consciousness about peaceful and clean elections,” she said.
Buca was with her husband, Felix, in their mini-van when the gunmen attacked. Police said the husband tried to fight off the attackers, but was whipped with a pistol on the head.
The trio escaped after the shooting. The motive of the attack is still unknown, except that the woman was a coordinator for the Alagad party list.
The party list was founded in November 1997. Its current representative to Philippine Congress is Rep. Rodante Marcoleta. (Mindanao Examiner)
Buca was shot dead at dawn Sunday by three motorcycle gunmen in the village of Pampanga.
“As May 14 elections is fast approaching, electoral violence is creeping side by side political killings,” Prof. Luz Ilagan, the group’s national president, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
Ilagan said their group is wary that the coming elections will once again display traditional politicians’ resort to violence and fraud to perpetrate into power.
“Josephine Buca is but one of the many victims of electoral violence that would portray how corrupt and rotten the current political system is in the country.“
“This may not be surprising to many of us, but we cannot allow such to continue to prevail as a political alternative for some to achieve power. Thus, our strongest condemnation to this brutal act,” Ilagan said.
Ilagan said that a deeper societal understanding of the root causes of electoral violence could lead to initiatives to prevent and cure this problem in the future.
“For now, the least that we can do is to remain vigilant, raise people’s consciousness about peaceful and clean elections,” she said.
Buca was with her husband, Felix, in their mini-van when the gunmen attacked. Police said the husband tried to fight off the attackers, but was whipped with a pistol on the head.
The trio escaped after the shooting. The motive of the attack is still unknown, except that the woman was a coordinator for the Alagad party list.
The party list was founded in November 1997. Its current representative to Philippine Congress is Rep. Rodante Marcoleta. (Mindanao Examiner)
Krimen Tumataas Sa Cebu
CEBU (Mindanao Examiner / 01 May) – Patuloy na tumataas ang krimen sa lungsod ng Talisay at alarmado na umano ang publiko sa halos pagiging inutile ng pulisya na mapigil ang mga karahasan.
Talamak umano ang holdapan at snatching sa mga mataong lugar. Hiling naman ng mga negosyante na magdagdag ng police beat patrol at mga undercover cops sa ibat-ibang lugar upang mapigilan ang paglaganap ng krimen.
Nuong kamakalawa lamang ay isang anak na babae ng municipal councilor sa lalawigan ang nabaril matapos na ito’y tumangging ibigay ang kanyang cell phone sa holdaper.
Nabaril sa kanyang dibdib si Trixia Mejias, 19, at anak ni Minglanilla Municipal Councilor Concordio Mejias. Kasalukuyang nasa pagamutan ang biktima.
Sakay umano ng pampasaherong multi-cab ang biktima ng harangin ng holdaper ang sasakyan at nilimas ang lahat ng pasahero. Ngunit binaril nito ang babae ng ito’y nagmatigas. (Mindanao Examiner)
Talamak umano ang holdapan at snatching sa mga mataong lugar. Hiling naman ng mga negosyante na magdagdag ng police beat patrol at mga undercover cops sa ibat-ibang lugar upang mapigilan ang paglaganap ng krimen.
Nuong kamakalawa lamang ay isang anak na babae ng municipal councilor sa lalawigan ang nabaril matapos na ito’y tumangging ibigay ang kanyang cell phone sa holdaper.
Nabaril sa kanyang dibdib si Trixia Mejias, 19, at anak ni Minglanilla Municipal Councilor Concordio Mejias. Kasalukuyang nasa pagamutan ang biktima.
Sakay umano ng pampasaherong multi-cab ang biktima ng harangin ng holdaper ang sasakyan at nilimas ang lahat ng pasahero. Ngunit binaril nito ang babae ng ito’y nagmatigas. (Mindanao Examiner)
Indie Musicians, Here Is One For You!
QUEZON CITY - Are you a band looking for alternative venues for your cutting-edge music?
Are you looking for a unique film and musical experience? Are you ready to join the ranks of Kiko Machine, Pumping Pluto, Severo, Bored of Trustees, Taggu nDios, The Brockas, Linch XII, Things in Between U, HUH! Achroma, Final Vow and other kickass indie acts?
Then climb aboard the BANNED wagon. We’ve been expecting you.
BANNED MOVIES PILIPINAS is looking for indie bands to complete the lineup for upcoming one-of-a-kind film and music experience for our 2nd and 3rd quarter schedules, as we showcase the films of Seymour Barros Sanchez, Raya Martin, Roxlee, Andrew Leavold, etc., first stop on May 19 at Freedom Bar in Anonas Email banned_movies@yahoo.com or text 0920-9226261 or 0917-3705454 for inquiries.
Visit our website at www.bannedmoviespilpinas.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)