Downed navy chopper recovered in Zamboanga

Philippine soldiers recover Wednesday, August 18, 2010 the wreck of a navy Bolkow chopper that crashed off Zamboanga City. Security officials say three passengers were rescued, but the two chopper pilots are still missing. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Jung Francisco)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 18, 2010) – Philippine troops have on Wednesday resurfaced a navy chopper which crashed at sea off Zamboanga City in the southern island of Mindanao, officials said.

Officials said the Bolkow helicopter was recovered a day after it went down near the islands of Santa Cruz, several nautical miles southwest of Zamboanga, but there was no sign of the two pilots.

Three passengers were rescued from the chopper shortly after it crashed, said Lieutenant Hari Cunanan, a spokesman for the Philippine Navy in Mindanao. “The search is continuing,” he said.

He said the chopper crashed while taking photos and videos off the coast of Zamboanga as part of a routine exercise when the aircraft went down. There were suspicions that the chopper crashed due to engine trouble.

Navy divers and patrol boats were sent to the area near Santa Cruz Islands to help search for the pilots, he said. (Jung Francisco and Ramon Deles)

Police commandos injured in Sulu road accident

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 18, 2010) – Three police commandos responding on a burst of gunfire were seriously injured after a police truck carrying reinforcements ran over them on a village in the southern Filipino province of Sulu, officials said Wednesday.

Officials said members of the Special Action Force were positioned on a road in the village of Adjid in Indanan town when the truck driver lost control of the wheel and plowed to a group of commandos.

The commandos, who came from the town of Panglima Estino, were in a convoy of two trucks and patrol jeeps passing the village on their way to barracks when shots rang out. Fearing it was an ambush by rebels, a group of commandos jumped out of their truck and took cover, but the second truck carrying the reinforcement rammed those on the road, officials.

The wounded officers were rushed to a military hospital in the capital town of Jolo.

It was not immediately known whether the shots were directed at the police convoy or an indiscriminate firing by farmers, who traditionally armed themselves to protect them from bandits and rebels.

Last year, the provincial police chief, Julasirim Kasim, was killed in an ambush by Abu Sayyaf militants in the village of Kulasi in Maimbung town in Sulu. (With a report from Nickee Butlangan)

Notorious drug dealer arrested in Bukidnon province

BUKIDNON, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 18, 2010) – Philippine authorities arrested a notorious drug dealer and seized from him at least 10 kilograms of marijuana from a notorious drug pushers in an operation in Bukidnon province in Mindanao.

Officials said combined teams from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Northern Mindanao led by Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Layese and the 10th Regional Public Safety Maintenance Battalion of the Philippine National Police headed by Senior Inspector Baldwin Sokoken, Jr arrested Joel Bacalso, 40, but a second suspect Roel Bernas managed to escape.

Anti-drug operations continue in Bukidnon and other areas in northern Mindanao. The arrest of Bacalso came just recently after security forces raided a marijuana field in nearby Misamis Oriental province. (Becky de Asis)

Lolo, inutas sa saksak ng bebot sa Bulacan

BULACAN (Mindanao Examiner / Agosto 17, 2010) - Patay matapos pagsasaksakin sa loob mismo ng kanyang kuarto ang isang 74-anyos na lolo sa Barangay San Pedro sa bayan ng Hagonoy sa Bulacan province.

Sinabi ng pulisya na naganap ang krimen nitong Lunes lamang. Ayon naman sa kapatid ng biktima na si Romeo Mendoza, Sr. at pamangking si Romeo Mendoza Jr., ay bandang alas-4 ng madaling araw ay humingi ng saklolo sa kanila ang kasera na si Perpetua Caparaz at ipinaalam na nasaksak ang biktima.

Nakalabas pa ng bahay ang biktima at humingi ng saklolo upang isugod siya sa ospital ngunit binawian din ng buhay sa dami ng tinamong saksak sa ibat-ibang bahagi ng katawan.

Habang naghahabol umano ito ng hininga ay sinasambit ang pangalang "Virginia" na diumano'y sumaksak sa kanya.

Ayon kay PO3 Nino Yang, police investigator, sa Malolos, ay sumuko naman ang suspek na kanyang kinilala na si Virginia Lopez, 25 anyos, dalaga, at residente ng Barangay San Agustin sa nasabing bayan.

Batay sa impormasyon, bagong magkakilala pa lamang ang suspek at ang biktima na kung minsan ay nakikita pang magka-akbay. Sa katunayan ay bago nangyari ang krimen ay magkainuman pa ang suspek at ang biktima hanggang madaling araw.

Nagpapautang umano ng pera ang biktima at hanggang sa ngayon ay patuloy ang imbestigasyon kung ninakawan pa ang biktima ng salapi. Hindi pa mabatid ang motibo ng kirmen, ngunit ayon sa mga kaanak ng biktima ay posibleng hindi pinautang ng matanda ang suspek kung kaya't ito ay pinaslang. (Dino Balabo)

Police nab 2 wanted men in Lanao Sur

MARAWI CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 17, 2010) – Police arrested two persons wanted on criminal charges in separate operations in Lanao del Sur province in the southern Philippines.

Police identified the suspects as Arnulfo Alison, who was arrested Monday in the town of Wao and Madid Mangacop, who is facing murder and drug charges.

Police Superintendent Cosanie Derogongan, the provincial police chief, said operations against wanted persons in Lanao are going.

“There is no other war for these criminals to escape the long arm of the law, but to surrender peacefully,” he said. (Becky de Asis and Apipa Bagumbaran)

Philippine Navy chopper crashes off Zamboanga City

A Philippine Navy Bolkow helicopter similar to this crashes off Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 17, 2010) – A Philippine Navy helicopter crashed at sea Tuesday while taking photos and videos off the coast of Zamboanga City in Mindanao, officials said.

Officials said three passengers were rescued from the Bolkow chopper, but its two pilots were still missing. “We have rescued the three passengers and efforts are going on to find the two pilots who are still unaccounted for,” said Lieutenant Hari Cunanan, a spokesman for the Philippine Navy in Mindanao.

Cunanan said those rescued – Petty officers Rodolfo Pataueg, Noel Ridad and Abdon Martinez – were taken to a military hospital. “They are now in stable condition,” he said.

He said the chopper was taking aerial photos and videos off Zamboanga City as part of a routine exercise when the aircraft went down. “We still don’t know what happened, but this will investigated,” the spokesman said.

Navy divers and patrol boats were sent to the area near Santa Cruz Islands to help search for the pilots, he said. (Jung Francisco and Ramon Deles)

Troops search for kidnapped Chinese trader in Southern Philippines

Villagers ride motorized boats in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province. Gunmen seized a Chinese-Filipino trader, Nestor Tay, in Cotabato City on Monday, August 16, 2010. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 17, 2010) – Philippine troops have mounted an operation Tuesday to rescue a kidnapped Chinese-Filipino in the volatile region of Mindanao, officials said.

Officials said gunmen abducted Nestor Tay, owner of the New Asian Marketing in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province late Monday afternoon. Tay was inside his store when armed men barged and seized Tay.

Tay was dragged to a waiting van outside his store and sped off towards, leaving behind a security guard who was disarmed by the gunmen.

“There is an ongoing operation, but we cannot disclose details of this operation, but troops and police forces are searching for the victim,” said Army Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Hao, a spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division in Maguindanao.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the abduction and authorities would not say whether Moro rebels were behind this. But previous kidnappings had been blamed to the rebels, who use ransom to purchase weapons to fight the government or finance terror attacks.

Kidnappings-for-ransom is not uncommon in Cotabato and dozens of wealthy traders had been kidnapped in the past and freed after their family paid ransoms to their captors.

Besides from Tay, gunmen are also holding a Japanese citizen, Toshio Ito, 63, who was seized July 16 from his home in Pangutaran Island in the Sulu archipelago. (With a report from Mark Navales)

Peace education needed in the Philippines

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 16, 2010) — Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma urged educational institutions in the Philippines, most especially those in Mindanao, to integrate peace education in their curriculum to help educate the new generation to pursue peace in light of the decades-old conflict in the southern region.

“We need a change of mindset especially in our understanding of the dignity of the human person, whatever his/her culture or religion and the best way to inculcate this on the younger generation is through the educational system,” he said.

Ledesma, a known peace advocate and peacebuilder, also urged the government-run Department of Education to develop a “peace curriculum” for all public schools from primary to college as a way of preparing students to become peacebuilders.

"This is very important so that we can spread this especially in the schools that the process of creating a culture of peace starts not only with the negotiating peace panels but in the community,” he said. (Bong Fabe)

Surigao villagers oppose mining ops, sign manifesto

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 16, 2010) – More than 3,000 villagers in the town of Cantilan have signed a petition opposing the entry of mining operations of Marc ventures Mining Development Corporation in the southern Philippine province of Surigao del Sur.

The signing coincided with the town’s fiesta celebration as locals expressed opposition to the mining operations. The fiesta was also used for the launching of the Panalipdan Tubig Kinabuhi (Drive for Citizens’ Action to Stop Mining Operations within the Critical Watershed).

Baywatch Foundation President and Hermana Mayor Emma Hotchkiss explained that the petition signing was to preserve the watershed area of Cantilan, under Presidential Proclamation 1747, signed by then President Gloria Arroyo.

“We are not only celebrating our town fiesta, we are also asserting our right to a sound environment and ensuring that the next generation of Cantilanos can enjoy the benefits of our rich natural resources,” Hotchkiss said.

The proclamation of protecting the critical watershed and forest reserve was signed by Arroyo on March 23, 2009, and covers 43,601 hectares, encompassing the towns of Cantilan and Madrid in Surigao del Sur and three other towns in Agusan del Norte.

Local Mayor Genito Guardo also stood firm on his earlier decision to deny issuing a business permit to MMDC, citing alleged irregularities in the documents submitted by the mining company.

“The dates of the mining contract and the incorporation of the company do not jibe, leading us to suspect that there was not enough diligence and lack of transparency in the application,” he said. “We will not allow our natural resources to be destroyed, especially if the transaction is clearly riddled with irregularities.” (Farah Sevilla)

Hunt for more suspects in Zamboanga suicide bombing continues

Two members of the Philippine National Police SWAT team guard the perimeter of the Zamboanga International Airport after a suicide bombing Thursday, August 5, 2010 in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 16, 2010) – Philippine authorities continue to hunt down other suspects in the deadly airport suicide bombing in the southern port city of Zamboanga.

Police have so far identified at least six men involved in the August 5 attack which targeted the governor of Sulu province, Sakur Tan, who was among the more than two dozen people wounded in the blast outside the Zamboanga International Airport.

The bomber, Reynaldo Apilado, and Hatimil Haron, were killed in the blast. Police said four more men – Allan Sabudin, Muamar Astali, Adong Salahuddin and another suspect identified only as Abs – were involved in the attack.

Officials said Haron, a native of Basilan province, was an accomplice of the bomber, who lived on a seaside village of Caragasan in Zamboanga City.

National police chief Jesus Versoza said the attack was connected to the failed assassination of Tan last year in Sulu. “This is connected to the failed assassination of Governor Tan last year. We are looking into all angles and motives of the attack,” he said.

Tan survived a roadside bombing in Patikul town, but ten of his companions, including a town mayor, were wounded in the attack blamed to the militant group Abu Sayyaf.

Two of the Abu Sayyaf bombers were captured last year in a firefight with police commandos and pointed to Tan’s political foes as the mastermind in the failed assassination.

Tan said more witnesses to the latest bombing have come out in the open and implicated several people as behind the attack. “Witnesses are coming out now and telling authorities that some people are also involved in the bombing,” he said, adding, authorities are now investigating the reports.

Regional police chief Edwin Corvera last week said they received information from people claiming to have knowledge or were involved in the failed assassination of Tan. He said most of the information was passed to them through a police hotline they put up after the bombing.

He said information they received allegedly tagged a defeated congressional aspirant in Sulu province, Temogen Tulawie, as behind the airport bombing while another implicated two defeated town mayors in Sulu who are known political foes of the governor, and several policemen and that a bounty was put up by the mastermind to assassinate Tan. A third politician in Sulu, who lost in the May elections, was also implicated in the bombing.

Tulawie has denied involvement in the latest bombing, but police said he was also one of the suspects in last year’s failed assassination of Tan.

The National Bureau of Investigation also started its own probe into the failed assassination of Tan and met with the governor in Zamboanga City just recently. But details or progress of its investigation was unknown.

Tan, a known philanthropist and a religious man, was re-elected in May as governor of Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, where municipal mayors were urging him to run as regional governor in next year’s polls. (Mindanao Examiner)

Notre Dame Teachers Give Out Free Food In Kidapawan City

Children from nursery phase 1 and 2 enjoy food from a feeding program in Kidapawan City by Notre Dame of Kidapawan College teachers as part of their Community Extension Service. Nursery phase 1 and 2 in Kidapawan City is home to a population of malnourished kids. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Geonarri O. Solmerano)

19 Subanon students finish traditional music course in South RP

Subanon students who graduated Saturday, August 14, 2010 from two-month summer classes on traditional music and culture. (Contributed photo)

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 15, 2010) – At least 19 indigenous students have graduated Saturday from a two-month summer class on the Subanen music in Zamboanga del Sur province in the southern Philippines.

Funded by National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Pikhumpongan Dlibon Subanen, Inc., a non-government organization, started the summer classes on the Subanen music through the School of Living Tradition project.

The students graduated at the Provincial Capitol in Pagadian City where Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Pepito Degamo, representing Governor Antonio Cerilles, graced the occasion.

The purpose of this project is to restore and promote the traditional craftsmanship of Subanen in the province. The PDSI promotes the Subanen music and oral tradition in the province.

Every anniversary celebration of the province, Subanen cultural show is a part of the Megayon Festival activities.

The organization is targeting Subanen children from parents who migrated to Pagadian City to conserve their cultural heritage while they live under a dominant culture.

To serve that vision, a school of living tradition on native songs, dances and musical instruments was launched at PDSI compound in Napolan village in May.
Victoria Cajandig, the PDSI executive officer and SLT coordinator, said they are hoping the Subanen community will recognize their effort and join them to save their dying culture.

“Our objective is to train young maters of Subanen traditional songs, dances and musical instruments that will then serve as trainers and promoters in the future,” said Cajandig.

Cajandig said the NCCA provided 200,000 thousand pesos for the project.

Bae Labi Marjorie Paulin, PDSI chairperson, said their organization is committed to help promote the cultural heritage of Subanen and contemplated on the integration of the subject in the public school curriculum.

The students who completed the two months training on cultural subjects are Angel Faith Cathag, Jeorgiea Faith Cathag, Joycebell Dayondon, Frincess Dayondon, Criz Ryshell Derama, Adrienne Natalie Ebillo, Mary joy Huminis, Hannah Kristine Paragas, Apple Tabayag, Jemaica Dayuhan, Keineth Cajandig, Xavier Cajandig, Christian Jeorge Cathag, Kenny Ren Ebillo, Janilan Hatad, Nielboy Mangilay, Chris Jethro Paragas, Christian Louise Paragas and Mark Doin Tomabao. (Becky de Asis and Tony Bayamban)

Operasyon kontra masaker suspek patuloy sa Mindanao

Isang supporter ni dating Muslim autonomous regional governor Zaldy Ampatuan habang naglalakad sa bayan ng Shariff Aguak sa Maguindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

MAGUINDANAO (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 15, 2010) – Walang humpay ang paghahanap ng pulisya sa mga umano’y sangkot sa masaker ng 57 katao nuong nakaraang taon sa lalawigan ng Maguindanao habang patuloy naman ang kaso laban sa ilang miyembro ng angkan ng Ampatuan na iniuugnay sa brutal na pagpaslang.

Kamakailan lamang ay nadakip ang isa pang suspek na si Atutuhon Esmael, na umano’y tauhan ng mga Ampatuan na sabit sa pagpatay. Kabilang sa mga pinaslang ay 32 journalists na kasama sa convoy ng pamilya ni Esmael Mangudadatu, na noon ay bise alkalde ng isang bayan sa Maguindanao.

Kasamang nasawi ang asawa ni Mangudadatu at kapatid na noon sana ay patungo sa opisina ng Commission on Elelctions upang maghain ng kanyang papeles sa pagpatakbo bilang gobernador ng lalawigan.

Sinabi ni Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, ang hepe ng pulisya sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, na ang suspek ay nadakip sa bayan ng Datu Hoffer.

Halos 200 katao ang isinangkot ng mga awtoridad sa masaker nuong Nobyembre 23 at kasama ditto ang gobernador ng Muslim autonomoua region na si Zaldy Ampatuan; ang amang si Andal Ampatuan, ang kapatid na si Andal Jr., at iba pang miyembro ng pamilya na ngayon ay nakapiit sa bilangguan sa Maynila.

“Walang tigil yun ating paghahanap sa mga suspek sa masaker at tuloy-tuloy ang ating operasyon upang sila ay madakip,” ani Latag.

Itinanggi ng mga Ampatuan ang akusasyon laban sa kanila at kumuha ng mga de-kalibreng abokado upang labanan ang mga kasong isinampa ng mga pamilya ng nasawi. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine court orders arrest of former lawmaker

Mayor Cherry Lyn Akbar, the widow of slain Congressman Wahab Akbar, touches her husband's coffin during his burial at Isabela, the capital of the island province of Basilan in the southern Philippines. Wahab Akbar was among those killed in a bombing outside the Philippine legislature in Manila. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 14, 2010) – A former lawmaker implicated in a deadly bombing at the Philippine Congress three years ago was ordered arrested to answer charges against him, reports said on Saturday.

Three people were killed in the attack which police claimed targeted Representative Wahab Akbar, who was among those who died in the blast in November 2007.

Reports said an arrest warrant has been issued against Akbar’s political foe, Abdulgani Salapuddin, alias Gerry Salapuddin.

Salapuddin, a former Moro rebel leader, previously denied all accusations against him. His whereabouts were unknown, but he had been spotted several times in his home in Basilan province. (Mindanao Examiner)

Anti-drug ops intensified in Misamis province

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 14, 2010) – Philippine authorities have intensified its operation in the hinterlands of Misamis Oriental following the discovery of a marijuana field in the town of Jasaan.

Anti-drug agents, backed by soldiers and police commandos, have swooped down on the plantation after its discovery this week, but there had been no arrest during the operation.

It was unknown whether the illegal plantation was ran by rebels or syndicates, but authorities feared drug money were being used to finance the drug trade or the purchase of weapons.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said it has intensified its operation in the province.

Just recently, government troops also raided a marijuana plantation in Agusan del Sur’s La Paz town and destroyed thousands of fully-grown plants.

Marijuana is illegal in the Philippines and mere possession of the plant constitutes a criminal offense. (With a report from Becky de Asis)

PMA 78 generals shipped out in 3rd AFP revamp under Aquino

MANILA, Philippines – Two senior military officers belonging to a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class identified with former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were relieved of their posts and reassigned Friday in the third revamp undertaken by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the 45 days since President Benigno Aquino III took office.

Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue has been taken out as chief of the National Capital Regional Command (NCRCom) and named commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao based in Zamboanga City. He will be replaced as commander of troops in Metro Manila by Major General Arthur Tabanquero.

Major General Juancho Sabban, on the other hand, will be shipped out to Palawan to head the Western Command (Wescom) in Puerto Princesa City and will be replaced as commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps by Brigadier General Rustico Guerrero.

Angue and Sabban, as as Tabanquero, belong to PMA Class 1978, which adopted Arroyo as honorary member.

One of their “mistahs” or classmates, retired general Delfin Bangit, was named AFP chief of staff by Arroyo, now representative of Pampanga’s second district, just before she stepped down from the presidency. However, Bangit opted for early retirement after Aquino declared, before his inauguration, that he would not be keeping the general at the head of the military.

Before his reassignment, Angue found himself on the spot after exposing an alleged attempt to bribe him and the officers he commanded to help rig the results of the 2004 elections, which Arroyo won in circumstances that remain questioned, and the May 10 polls. He also criticized the alleged patronage system that controls the promotions and assignments of military officers.

The latest revamp came two days after a “white paper” was circulated in Camp Aguinaldo, military general headquarters, accusing Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, himself a former general, of influencing the promotion and assignment process within the AFP.

“From a systems-oriented era of having civilians at the helm of the Defense Department, we now have a retired military officer whose concept of defense is antiquated as he is and who only looks after the welfare of men who once served under him,” the white paper, purportedly authored by “concerned military officers,” said.

But the AFP Public Information Office, in a statement, said the revamp was implemented after Aquino approved the new tranche of assignments for senior officers.

“Further changes in the military hierarchy have been approved following the previous tranches of orders issued by the Malacañang, designating the new assignments of some senior military officers,” the AFP statement said. “This after the Board of Generals has submitted to President Aquino through the Honorable Defense Secretary Gazmin their recommendation for the following appointments last July 26.”

Two days after assuming office on June 30, Aquino installed Lieutenant General Ricardo David (PMA 77) as AFP chief, replacing Lieutenant General Nestor Ochoa, who was chosen acting chief by the Board of Generals following Gazmin’s retirement.

David once served under Gazmin, who headed the Presidential Security Guard (PSG) during the term of the late former president Corazon C. Aquino, the incumbent’s mother.

In mid-June, another revamp happened when Lieutenant General Reynaldo Mapagu (MA 78) was relieved as Army chief and named AFP vice chief of staff. Although technically a promotion, many officers see the post as a “freezer.”

Mapagu was replaced as Army chief by Major General Arturo Ortiz (PMA Class 79), a Medal of Valor recipient and former commander of the Army’s Special Operations Command (Socom).

Friday’s AFP revamp also saw the movement of other senior military officers, with Major General Artemio Orozco, formerly of the Air Force’s 1st Air Division, named the new AFP deputy chief of staff.

Rear Admiral Mario Catacutan, AFP deputy chief of staff for Logistics, is now the new AFP Inspector General, replacing Major General Jovencio Magalso, who was named deputy chief of staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs.

Catacutan will be replaced by Commodore Teddy Pan, outgoing chief of the Western Command. While, Rear Admiral Roberto Estioko has been raised from acting to full-time vice commander of the Philippine Navy Vice Commander.

Commodore Edgar Abogado, commander of the Naval Logistics Center, has been named chief of Naval Forces Northern Luzon, while Commodore Jose Luis Alano, commander of the Service Force of the Philippine Fleet, is the new chief of Naval Staff.

Army Colonel Benito Antonio T De Leon, previously Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of National Defense, now heads the AFP Command Center and Major General Mario Chan of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division Army’s will now head the 8th Infantry Division and be replaced by Major General Victor Felix, deputy chief of staff for Civil Military Operations.

Felix will be replaced by Brigadier General Nonato Alfredo Peralta Jr., commandant of the PMA Cadet Corps, a position to be be taken over by Colonel Maximo Caro, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade

Brigadier General Carlos Luces will be promoted from deputy commander to commander of the Army’s Light Armor Division based in Capas, Tarlac.

At the Philippine Air Force, Brigadier General Pedro E Rieza Jr., the 355thAir Engineering Wing commander, has been named commander of the Air Logistics Command.

Major General Jesus Fajardo will command the 2nd Air Division while Brigadier General Virgilio Domingo will command the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing.

David emphasized that the promoted and reassigned officers were nominated by the Board of Senior Officers of the major services to the AFP Board of Generals, which then submitted their names to the Office of the President through the Secretary of National Defense.

“That ensures that the officer who is most appropriate and fit for a position will be designated to it, and will are all natural processes of growth and evolution of the military organization, just like any other organization,” David said.

“Everyone who qualifies is being considered for these positions that have to be filled in. Who will assume these critical positions in the military hierarchy will be extremely significant for the achievement of goals of the AFP as a military institution,” David said. (Dateline Philippines - Anthony Vargas)


Link: http://dateline.ph/?p=5691

North Cotabato's Agri-Products

Farmers sell their vegetables, fruits and other agricultural products in the town of Magpet in North Cotabato province in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Geo Solmerano)

Publiko tutol sa pagtaas ng singil sa kuryente sa Davao

Isang protesta ang inilunsad kahapon ng mga mamamayan sa Davao City upang tutulan ang panukalang taasan ang singil sa kuryente ng Davao Light and Power Company. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Karlos Manlupig)

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 13, 2010) – Isang protesta ang inilunsad ngayon araw ng mga mamamayan sa Davao City upang tutulan ang panukalang taasan ang singil sa kuryente ng Davao Light and Power Company.

Mismong ang grupong Bagong Alyansang Makabayan sa Southern Mindanao ang nanguna sa protesta na isinagawa sa pamilihan ng Bangkerohan. Malakas ang simpatiya ng publiko sa naturang protesta at katunayan ay maraming mamamayan ang lumagda sa isang manipesto na kumukondena sa nasabing panukala na magpapataw ng karagdagang pahirap sa bawa’t consumer ng kuryente sa Davao City.

Ayon sa Bagong Alyansang Makabayan ay lalong magpapahirap sa ordinaryong mamamayan ang biglaang pagtaas ng singil sa kuryente. Mistulang sampal rin umano ito sa publiko na hindi pa nakakabawi sa pagtaas ng presyo ng gasoline at pangunahing bilihin sa Davao City.

Nanawagan naman ang nasabing grupo na ibasura ang panukala. (May karagdagang ulat nina Karlos Manlupig at Geo Solmerano)

Zamboanga children immunized!

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 13, 2010) – More than 10,000 children from various villages in the southern Filipino province of Zamboanga del Sur were immunized against measles and other deadly diseases, the state media said.

The Philippine Information Agency said the vaccination, which started this early year, is part of a continuing health program aimed at protecting children from diseases.

The immunization included shots to protect children from diphtheria, tetanus, measles, chicken pox, poliomyelitis, and Hepatitis B which are the major causes of deaths among children, according to the Zamboanga del Sur’s Integrated Provincial Health Office.

It said those given the vaccination shots were infants and children up to 12 months and onwards in 15 towns which had been identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (With a report from Becky de Asis)

Kidnappings-for-ransom, virtual cottage industry in Mindanao

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Motocross riders in action in North Cotabato

Riders compete head to head during a motocross event in the town of Magpet on its 47th foundation in North Cotabato province in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Geo Solmerano)

Divorce will destroy society, says Cagayan Archbishop Antonio Ledesma

Catholic Archbishop Antonio Ledesma poses with friends in Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Bong Fabe)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 12, 2010) — Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma on Thursday reiterated the stand of the Roman Catholic Church against divorce.

This after a Philippine lawmaker filed a bill that would legalize divorce, which Ledesma said will destroy the moral fiber of society because “marriage itself is a social contract”

Ledesma explained that divorce is immoral because it goes against the teaching of Christ that marriage is a lifelong commitment between two persons of the opposite sex. He said legalizing divorce “is another way of saying that the lifelong commitment of marriage is no longer viable.”

The proponents of the Divorce bill, Gabriela Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana de Jesus, claimed that legalizing divorce will help in putting an end of domestic violence still prevalent among married Filipino couples because it will give these couples “another legal remedy that they can resort to in addition to the country’s existing laws on legal separation and annulment.”

But Ledesma stressed that divorce will ultimately tear up society, adding that domestic violence. “Legalizing something that is immoral will not make it right but will make it worse,” he said.

The Jesuit prelate said that marriage is a holy sacrament as well as a social contract entered into by two persons who vow to love each other “for better or for worst, for richer or for poorer, ‘til death do us part.”

As such, he said, individual freedom is set aside for the good of espouse as well as the children and society as a whole when two persons take the sacrament of matrimony.

“The sacrament of marriage is something that is meant for a lifelong commitment, for the good of the children and the community. It is no longer just an individual kind of freedom because marriage itself is a social contract,” he explained.

The Philippines is one of only two countries in the world after Malta that has not legalized divorced, excluding the Vatican. (Bong Fabe)

Divorce bill filed in Philippine Congress

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 12, 2010) - A women's party list group called GABRIELA has re-filed a bill seeking to legalize divorce in the Philippines.

It said the proposal would give married couples in irreparable marriages another legal remedy that they can resort to in addition to the country’s existing laws on legal separation and annulment.

House Bill 1799, also known as “An Act Introducing Divorce in the Philippines,” lists down five grounds for the filing of a petition for divorce.

According to the measure, couples who may apply for divorce include those who have been separated in fact for five years and those already legally separated for two years.

Grounds for legal separation may also apply when these same grounds have already caused the irreparable breakdown of the marriage. In addition, psychological incapacity, causing one's failure to comply with essential marital obligations and irreconcilable differences causing the irreparable breakdown of the marriage are also recognized as grounds for divorce.

Gabriela Representative Luz Ilagan stressed the need for a Divorce Law in the country. “We cannot ignore the fact that existing laws just do not suffice. Getting an annulment can be very expensive while legal separation will not give estranged couples the right to remarry,” she said in a statement.

The Divorce Bill’s explanatory note further elaborates on the need for a measure to address the commission of violence in marital relations. Official figures from the Philippine National Police in 2009 showed that 19 women fall victims to marital violence every day. Among the forms of violence and abuse against women committed in 209, wife battery ranked the highest at 6,783 or 72 percent.

“For women in abusive marital relationships, the need for a Divorce Law is real. It is high time that we give Filipino couples, especially the women, this option.” said another Gabriela Representative Emmi De Jesus.

The group first filed the Divorce Bill in the 13th Congress. The Gabriela solons expressed hope that with more women in the House of Representatives, now totaling 59, the pro-women measure will gain more support and spark interesting debates on the floor. (With a report from Becky de Asis)

KMU kay Lucio Tan: hiling ng PAL workers, sundin

A Philippine Air Lines aircraft. (travelph.com)

MANILA - Sa gitna ng nagbabantang welga ng mga ground employees at cabin crew ng Philippine Airlines, nanawagan ngayon ang sentrong unyong Kilusang Mayo Uno kay Lucio Tan, may-ari ng PAL, na kagyat na sundin ang panawagan ng mga manggagawa ng PAL. Ayon sa grupo, sumobra na si Tan sa pagpapatupad ng mga patakarang kontra-manggagawa.

“Malinaw ang mensahe ng mga manggagawa ng PAL kay Lucio Tan: itigil ang pagpapatupad ng mga kontra-manggagawang patakaran. Sobra-sobra na ang dinanas ng mga manggagawa ng PAL. Ang hinihiling lang nila ay ang karapatan nila bilang mga manggagawa – para sa disenteng trabaho, seguridad sa trabaho, tamang kabayaran, at karapatang sama-samang makipagtawaran,” ani Elmer Labog, chairperson ng KMU.

“Para makahamig ng malaking tubo sa nakaraang mga taon, pinababa ni Lucio Tan ang mga sahod at benepisyo ng mga manggagawa. Ginawa niyang kontraktwal ang maraming manggagawa sa pamamagitan ng outsourcing at spinoff. Nagpataw siya ng 10-taong moratoryo sa negosasyon para sa CBA at pinalawig pa ito. Gusto nang tapusin ang lahat ng ito ng mga manggagawa,” dagdag niya.

Sa pamumuno ng PAL Employees’ Association o Palea, nagbabala ang mga manggagawa ng PAL na maglulunsad ng welga. Idinahilan nito ang planong i-outsource o i-spinoff ang mga seksyon ng operasyon ng PAL, na magtatanggal sa trabaho sa 2,600 manggagawa. Inireklamo rin ng Palea ang pagtanggi ng PAL management, sa loob ng dalawang taon, na simulan ang negosasyon sa unyon para sa isang collective bargaining agreement.

Sa kabila ng ibinibidang P80-Milyong alok sa mga flight attendants ng PAL, nagpahayag ang Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines o Fasap ng kahandaang magwelga. Idinahilan naman ng grupo ang pagtanggi ng PAL Management na ibigay ang kanilang kahilingan na itaas ang edad ng pagreretiro mula sa 40 anyos at ibasura ang umano’y “no-motherhood” policy ng PAL.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mga tagapagsalita niya sa PAL Management, idinadahilan ni Tan ang kabawasan sa tubo para ipatanggap sa mga manggagawa ng PAL at sa publiko rin ang kasalukuyang kalagayan sa PAL at ang mga hakbangin ng management na hindi naman tumutugon sa panawagan ng mga manggagawa. Kalokohan ito. Ang mga manggagawa ng PAL ang unang makakaalam kung nalulugi o kumikita ang kumpanya,” sabi ni Labog.

“Si Tan ang pangalawang pinakamayamang tao sa bansa ngayon, at patuloy pang lumalago ang kabuuang halaga niya. Malaking dahilan nito ang mapagsamantala at kontra-manggagawang mga patakaran niya sa PAL. May hangganan sa pagkaganid niya, at ito ang ipinapakita ng mga pahayag at aksyon ng mga manggagawa ng PAL. Habang nakikipaglaban siya para sa kanyang supertubo, nakikipaglaban ang mga manggagawa para sa katarungang panlipunan,” dagdag ni Labog.

Binanggit ng KMU ang isang ulat ng Forbes Asia Magazine na nagpapakitang si Tan ang pangalawang pinakamayang tao sa bansa, na may kabuuang halagang P1.9 Bilyon. Binabanggit din ng mga manggagawa ng PAL ang pagbayad ng kumpanya sa mga utang nito at ang pagbili nito ng mga bagong eroplano.