Health care providers attend life-saving support training in Kidapawan City in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Geo Solmerano)Thursday, January 13, 2011
Kidapawan City health workers get life-saving support training
Health care providers attend life-saving support training in Kidapawan City in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Geo Solmerano)
MILF brands President's adviser as 'trouble-maker'
Moro Islamic liberation Front rebels patrol a village in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 13, 2011) – Philippine Muslim rebels have branded an adviser of President Benigno Aquino III as a “trouble-maker” after he was named “chief trouble-shooter” by the Filipino leader.
Khaled Musa, of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said former senator and defeated vice presidential candidate Manuel Roxas, a political ally of Aquino, possesses innate hatred for whatever is associated with Muslims and Islam.
“Roxas is not the ‘trouble-shooter’ of Aquino but rather his ‘trouble-maker’ when it comes to the peace process in Mindanao,” he said.
Roxas, Aquino’s vice presidential in last year’s elections, is one of those who strongly opposed the land deal between the MILF and Manila in 2008.
The controversial deal also sparked massive protests from politicians opposed to the agreement that would have granted about four million Muslims their homeland in more than 700 villages across Mindanao.
Politicians and lawmakers, many of them wealthy landowners in Mindanao, opposed the ancestral domain deal and filed their petitions to the High Court and asked Manila to make public the rest of the agreement.
They claimed the accord was made without public consultations and the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional the Muslim homeland deal initially signed by government and rebel peace negotiators in Malaysia which is brokering the peace talks.
The MILF said it considered Roxas as one of the main spoiler of the peace talks because of his staunch opposition to the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain. The failed accord triggered a rebel attack in Mindanao that left dozens of civilians dead and wounded.
It said it will not renegotiate the ancestral domain agreement. "It is already a done deal; we have already initialed the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain. We will not revisit or renegotiate the agreement," Mohagher Iqbal, the chief MILF peace negotiator, said.
Ancestral domain is the single most important issue in the peace negotiations before the rebel group can reach a political settlement with the Philippine government.
It covers the whole of the Muslim autonomous region – Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao, including Marawi City. And some areas in Zamboanga Peninsula, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces in Mindanao where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes. And also Palawan Island, off Mindanao.
Last year, Tawi-Tawi Representative Nur Jaafar filed House Bill 4963 and former President Gloria Arroyo, now a member of the Philippine Congress, also filed a similar bill, proposing to divide the Muslim autonomous region into two – the South Western Autonomous Region and the Central Mindanao Autonomous Region – and that a plebiscite will be held in every village in the provinces of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and the cities of Isabela, Pagadian, Dipolog, Dapitan and Zamboanga.
And also in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Marawi, Iligan, Kidapawan, General Santos, Koronadal and Tacurong.
Sulu Governor Sakur Tan said he wanted the Muslim autonomous region dissolved and its functions returned to the national government because of its failure to bring peace and progress to the five provinces under it – Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.
Its regional governor Zaldy Ampatuan was jailed after being implicated, along with his father and brother and relatives in the 2009 mass killings of 57 people, including at least 32 journalists, in Maguindanao province. (Mindanao Examiner)
Khaled Musa, of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said former senator and defeated vice presidential candidate Manuel Roxas, a political ally of Aquino, possesses innate hatred for whatever is associated with Muslims and Islam.
“Roxas is not the ‘trouble-shooter’ of Aquino but rather his ‘trouble-maker’ when it comes to the peace process in Mindanao,” he said.
Roxas, Aquino’s vice presidential in last year’s elections, is one of those who strongly opposed the land deal between the MILF and Manila in 2008.
The controversial deal also sparked massive protests from politicians opposed to the agreement that would have granted about four million Muslims their homeland in more than 700 villages across Mindanao.
Politicians and lawmakers, many of them wealthy landowners in Mindanao, opposed the ancestral domain deal and filed their petitions to the High Court and asked Manila to make public the rest of the agreement.
They claimed the accord was made without public consultations and the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional the Muslim homeland deal initially signed by government and rebel peace negotiators in Malaysia which is brokering the peace talks.
The MILF said it considered Roxas as one of the main spoiler of the peace talks because of his staunch opposition to the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain. The failed accord triggered a rebel attack in Mindanao that left dozens of civilians dead and wounded.
It said it will not renegotiate the ancestral domain agreement. "It is already a done deal; we have already initialed the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain. We will not revisit or renegotiate the agreement," Mohagher Iqbal, the chief MILF peace negotiator, said.
Ancestral domain is the single most important issue in the peace negotiations before the rebel group can reach a political settlement with the Philippine government.
It covers the whole of the Muslim autonomous region – Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao, including Marawi City. And some areas in Zamboanga Peninsula, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces in Mindanao where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes. And also Palawan Island, off Mindanao.
Last year, Tawi-Tawi Representative Nur Jaafar filed House Bill 4963 and former President Gloria Arroyo, now a member of the Philippine Congress, also filed a similar bill, proposing to divide the Muslim autonomous region into two – the South Western Autonomous Region and the Central Mindanao Autonomous Region – and that a plebiscite will be held in every village in the provinces of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and the cities of Isabela, Pagadian, Dipolog, Dapitan and Zamboanga.
And also in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Marawi, Iligan, Kidapawan, General Santos, Koronadal and Tacurong.
Sulu Governor Sakur Tan said he wanted the Muslim autonomous region dissolved and its functions returned to the national government because of its failure to bring peace and progress to the five provinces under it – Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.
Its regional governor Zaldy Ampatuan was jailed after being implicated, along with his father and brother and relatives in the 2009 mass killings of 57 people, including at least 32 journalists, in Maguindanao province. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sulu province offers to host ARMM police base
Sulu Governor Sakur Tan gestures during a talk with top military and police officials and governors of Basilan - Jum Akbar; Tawi-Tawi - Sadikul Sahali; and Maguindanao - Toto Mangudadatu, in Zamboanga City. Tan has offered to host the main police headquarters of the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao which will be built in the town of Maimbung where the Sulu provincial government is undertaking the building of a fish port and cold storage and a college which shall offer courses in fisheries and agriculture. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 13, 2011) – Sulu province in the southern Philippines has offered to host the main headquarters and training base of the police force in the Muslim autonomous region.
Governor Sakur Tan made the offer to Senior Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, chief of the regional police force, in an effort to make it easier for them to effectively maintain the peace and order in the island-provinces of Basilan Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which are all part of the Muslim autonomous region.
The current headquarters of the regional police is located far away in Maguindanao province in Mindanao. Maguindanao in central Mindanao and Lanao del Sur province in the west, are part of the autonomous region, but is also far away from each other.
Sulu province lies between Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, about 8 hours by boat from Basilan or Tawi-Tawi.
“We are offering to host the regional police headquarters of the Muslim autonomous region and we will provide everything, including the training camp for recruits. It will be easier for the police to operate in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi because these provinces are near each other,” Tan said.
Tan proposed that the headquarters be put in the coastal town of Maimbung, whose strategic sea lane is accessible to Tawi-Tawi and Basilan. The Philippine Marines is also interested in putting up a base in the town because of its good geographical location and deep berthing area.
The town is also the site of a huge sea and fish port and a cold storage that the governor is currently working on, including a college of fisheries and agriculture.
Latag said the offer is good and would study the matter. “We welcome the offer of Governor Sakur Tan and we will study it thoroughly,” he said.
Members of the elite Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police are now deployed in Sulu to augment local policemen and police auxiliary force in maintaining peace and order in the province. (Mindanao Examiner)
Governor Sakur Tan made the offer to Senior Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, chief of the regional police force, in an effort to make it easier for them to effectively maintain the peace and order in the island-provinces of Basilan Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which are all part of the Muslim autonomous region.
The current headquarters of the regional police is located far away in Maguindanao province in Mindanao. Maguindanao in central Mindanao and Lanao del Sur province in the west, are part of the autonomous region, but is also far away from each other.
Sulu province lies between Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, about 8 hours by boat from Basilan or Tawi-Tawi.
“We are offering to host the regional police headquarters of the Muslim autonomous region and we will provide everything, including the training camp for recruits. It will be easier for the police to operate in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi because these provinces are near each other,” Tan said.
Tan proposed that the headquarters be put in the coastal town of Maimbung, whose strategic sea lane is accessible to Tawi-Tawi and Basilan. The Philippine Marines is also interested in putting up a base in the town because of its good geographical location and deep berthing area.
The town is also the site of a huge sea and fish port and a cold storage that the governor is currently working on, including a college of fisheries and agriculture.
Latag said the offer is good and would study the matter. “We welcome the offer of Governor Sakur Tan and we will study it thoroughly,” he said.
Members of the elite Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police are now deployed in Sulu to augment local policemen and police auxiliary force in maintaining peace and order in the province. (Mindanao Examiner)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
2 finance coop members shot in Zamboanga City
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 12, 2011) - Two members of a local financial cooperative were shot and seriously wounded on Wednesday on a village in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.
The two were shot as they travel on motorcycle back to office after collecting from cooperative members in the village of Ayala.
“We still don’t know what really happened to them. What we know was that they had been shot today,” a staff from Micro-Entrepreneurs' Multi-Purpose Cooperative said by phone.
She said one of the wounded is a female collector and the other is a cooperative member.
Police said it is still investigating the shooting, but other reports said the victims’ collections were also taken. It was not immediately known how many were involved in the attack.
The cooperative has more than 6,000 members and offers financial services and technical assistance to small enterprises, including livelihood skills training.
Gun attacks are not uncommon in Zamboanga City where assassins are usually paid to murder people and feuding clans added up to the problems.
On Monday, gunmen also killed five merchants selling mattresses in an ambush in Mohd Adjul town in the restive province of Basilan. Police said Abu Sayyaf militants could be behind the attack. (Mindanao Examiner)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Gunmen kill 5 merchants in troubled Philippine province
Army troops patrol the troubled province of Basilan in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 11, 2011) – Unidentified gunmen shot and killed five merchants in an attack in the troubled province of Basilan in the southern Philippines, officials said Tuesday.
Officials said one man had survived the attack, but is critically wounded. The six men were selling pillows and bed cushions when gunmen attacked them on a village in the town of Mohammad Adjul, said Basilan deputy governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul.
“This is terrible. Five merchants were killed in this senseless attack. We are doing everything to identify the killers and the police are investigating this case,” Sakalahul said, adding the gunmen held up the victims before killing them.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the killings, but Abu Sayyaf rebels are actively operating in the province and have been largely blamed for the spate of terrorism and killings in Basilan. (Mindanao Examiner)
Officials said one man had survived the attack, but is critically wounded. The six men were selling pillows and bed cushions when gunmen attacked them on a village in the town of Mohammad Adjul, said Basilan deputy governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul.
“This is terrible. Five merchants were killed in this senseless attack. We are doing everything to identify the killers and the police are investigating this case,” Sakalahul said, adding the gunmen held up the victims before killing them.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the killings, but Abu Sayyaf rebels are actively operating in the province and have been largely blamed for the spate of terrorism and killings in Basilan. (Mindanao Examiner)
Monday, January 10, 2011
Police arrest cop, 4 others in Zamboanga shooting
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 10, 2011) – Police arrested five people, including a cop, who were implicated in the killing Monday of a civil employee inside a hotel in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.
The shooting was triggered by a fistfight between the protagonists who were fighting over a vacant hotel room. Police said the victim Abdulhamin Bandahala was shot by one of the suspects after an altercation turned violent inside the Azenith Royal Hotel.
Bandahala was said to be working for the Ports Management Authority in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. Other reports said the man was connected with the Land Transportation Office. (Mindanao Examiner)
The shooting was triggered by a fistfight between the protagonists who were fighting over a vacant hotel room. Police said the victim Abdulhamin Bandahala was shot by one of the suspects after an altercation turned violent inside the Azenith Royal Hotel.
Bandahala was said to be working for the Ports Management Authority in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. Other reports said the man was connected with the Land Transportation Office. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sunday, January 09, 2011
NPA rebels own up to village leader's killing; raid in Mindanao town
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 9, 2011) – The communist rebel group New People’s Army has claimed responsibility for the weekend killing of a village chieftain in the southern Philippines.
A rebel spokesman Dencio Madrigal said five government soldiers – an army lieutenant, two sergeants and two infantrymen - were also wounded in the ambush staged by the New People’s Army’s Alex Ababa Operations Command in the town of Malita in Davao del Sur province.
Madrigal said the rebels also disarmed pro-government militias in Datu Danwata village and seized from them about a dozen weapons. The village chieftain, Ramon Danwata, was killed by rebels after he resisted arrest and fought the gunmen.
“Killed in the disarming operation was village chieftain Ramon Danwata who resisted arrest and fought back,” he said, adding Danwata had ignored repeated warnings from the New People’s Army for him to stop supporting the military in its counterinsurgency operations.
Madrigal said the slain village leader was also a key figure in the recent capture of a rebel leader, Eliseo Tada, in the town.
Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the rebels killed Danwata, a staunch military supporter, after holding his wife hostage in the village. He said only three soldiers were wounded in the ambush.
The New People’s Army rebels have been fighting for decades now to overthrow the democratic government and install a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
A rebel spokesman Dencio Madrigal said five government soldiers – an army lieutenant, two sergeants and two infantrymen - were also wounded in the ambush staged by the New People’s Army’s Alex Ababa Operations Command in the town of Malita in Davao del Sur province.
Madrigal said the rebels also disarmed pro-government militias in Datu Danwata village and seized from them about a dozen weapons. The village chieftain, Ramon Danwata, was killed by rebels after he resisted arrest and fought the gunmen.
“Killed in the disarming operation was village chieftain Ramon Danwata who resisted arrest and fought back,” he said, adding Danwata had ignored repeated warnings from the New People’s Army for him to stop supporting the military in its counterinsurgency operations.
Madrigal said the slain village leader was also a key figure in the recent capture of a rebel leader, Eliseo Tada, in the town.
Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the rebels killed Danwata, a staunch military supporter, after holding his wife hostage in the village. He said only three soldiers were wounded in the ambush.
The New People’s Army rebels have been fighting for decades now to overthrow the democratic government and install a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Kidapawan Bazaar
Residents of Kidapawan City in Mindanao flock to a local bazaar taking advantage of cheap products offered by traders. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Geo Solmerano)
2 Sayyafs dead in clash with troops in Basilan
Photos released by the Philippine Army in Basilan province show assorted weapons recovered by troops under Colonel Nicanor Dolojan following a firefight with Abu Sayyaf militants in the town of Tipo-Tipo on Sunday, January 9, 2011. An Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and his follower were killed in the fighting and a third militant is captured by soldiers. (Mindanao Examiner).ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 9, 2011) – Troops had killed on Sunday two Abu Sayyaf militants blamed for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, the military said.
It said army soldiers clashed with militants headed by Patti Kabulot, near the village of Baguindan in Tipo-Tipo town, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf and the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is fighting for a separate state in the troubled region.
“The fighting broke out after troops tracked down the militants in the village and a firefight ensued. One gunman was also captured by soldiers,” said Army Colonel Nicanor Dolojan, commander of military forces in Basilan.
He said among the dead was Kabulot, a known Abu Sayyaf sub-leader. There were no reports of military casualties in the 45-minute fighting.
“The successful operation was the result of good information from the locals who are tired of the Abu Sayyaf,” he said.
Dolojan said troops also recovered an anti-tank rocket and two munitions, among others.
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding a kidnapped Filipino-Chinese resort owner Larry Tam delos Santos in Basilan, one of five province under the Muslim autonomous region.
Delos Santos was kidnapped in December and that his captors demanded P20 million ransoms for his safe release. (Mindanao Examiner)
It said army soldiers clashed with militants headed by Patti Kabulot, near the village of Baguindan in Tipo-Tipo town, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf and the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is fighting for a separate state in the troubled region.
“The fighting broke out after troops tracked down the militants in the village and a firefight ensued. One gunman was also captured by soldiers,” said Army Colonel Nicanor Dolojan, commander of military forces in Basilan.
He said among the dead was Kabulot, a known Abu Sayyaf sub-leader. There were no reports of military casualties in the 45-minute fighting.
“The successful operation was the result of good information from the locals who are tired of the Abu Sayyaf,” he said.
Dolojan said troops also recovered an anti-tank rocket and two munitions, among others.
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding a kidnapped Filipino-Chinese resort owner Larry Tam delos Santos in Basilan, one of five province under the Muslim autonomous region.
Delos Santos was kidnapped in December and that his captors demanded P20 million ransoms for his safe release. (Mindanao Examiner)
Rebels kill village chieftain, wound 3 soldiers in Mindanao
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 9, 2011) – Communist rebels killed a village chieftain after briefly holding his wife and then shot three soldiers pursuing them in the southern Philippines, officials said Sunday.
Officials said the rebels killed tribal leader Ramon Danwata, a staunch military supporter, after holding his wife hostage on a village in Davao del Sur’s Malita town on Saturday.
Three soldiers who rushed to the village were also ambushed and wounded by New People’s Army rebels, said Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division.
He said the rebels, numbering about 30, opened fire on Danwata with automatic weapons as he came out of their house upon seeing his wife being held by the gunmen.
“First the rebels took the wife hostage, and then they brutally murdered her husband in full view of terrified civilians, and ambushed soldiers who came to help the victims,” Aguilar said.
He said villagers themselves helped the wounded soldiers and rushed them to hospital.
Communist rebels also killed one soldier in a clash over the weekend in Compostela Valley’s Mabini town. On Thursday, rebels also killed three soldiers in a firefight in Davao del Norte’s Tagum City shortly after both the New People’s Army and Manila ended a 19-day Christmas truce ahead of a planned peace talks this year.
The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging secessionist war for decades now. President Benigno Aquino said he would resume peace talks with the rebels in an effort to put an end to communist insurgency in the country.
Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused Manila of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Officials said the rebels killed tribal leader Ramon Danwata, a staunch military supporter, after holding his wife hostage on a village in Davao del Sur’s Malita town on Saturday.
Three soldiers who rushed to the village were also ambushed and wounded by New People’s Army rebels, said Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division.
He said the rebels, numbering about 30, opened fire on Danwata with automatic weapons as he came out of their house upon seeing his wife being held by the gunmen.
“First the rebels took the wife hostage, and then they brutally murdered her husband in full view of terrified civilians, and ambushed soldiers who came to help the victims,” Aguilar said.
He said villagers themselves helped the wounded soldiers and rushed them to hospital.
Communist rebels also killed one soldier in a clash over the weekend in Compostela Valley’s Mabini town. On Thursday, rebels also killed three soldiers in a firefight in Davao del Norte’s Tagum City shortly after both the New People’s Army and Manila ended a 19-day Christmas truce ahead of a planned peace talks this year.
The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging secessionist war for decades now. President Benigno Aquino said he would resume peace talks with the rebels in an effort to put an end to communist insurgency in the country.
Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused Manila of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Chinese hardware store owner abducted in Mindanao
COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan/ 9, 2011) – Unidentified gunmen seized Filipino-Chinese hardware store owner in the restive region of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, officials said Sunday.
Officials said the 56-year old Eulogio Lim Yu was snatched late Saturday in Cotabato City.
“No group or individual claimed responsibility for the abduction, but security forces have mounted a search and rescue operation,” said Army Major Marlowe Patria, a spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division.
He said Yu was outside the hotel when he was snatched by gunmen and that a security also fired at the abductors.
“We have alerted our forces and we have been working closely with the police to recover the victim,” Patria said.
Previous kidnappings in Cotabato and nearby areas had been largely blamed to Moro rebels and the Pentagon Gang. (Mindanao Examiner)
Officials said the 56-year old Eulogio Lim Yu was snatched late Saturday in Cotabato City.
“No group or individual claimed responsibility for the abduction, but security forces have mounted a search and rescue operation,” said Army Major Marlowe Patria, a spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division.
He said Yu was outside the hotel when he was snatched by gunmen and that a security also fired at the abductors.
“We have alerted our forces and we have been working closely with the police to recover the victim,” Patria said.
Previous kidnappings in Cotabato and nearby areas had been largely blamed to Moro rebels and the Pentagon Gang. (Mindanao Examiner)
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Philippine Maoist rebels kill soldier in clash
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan.8, 2011) – One government soldier was killed in a clash Saturday with communist rebels in the restive southern Philippine region of Mindanao, officials said.
Officials said the fighting broke out in Compostela Valley’s Mabini town after patrolling soldiers ran into a group of New People’s Army rebels. “The fire fight lasted for about 30 minutes,” said Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.
It was not immediately if there were rebels killed or wounded in the fighting, but Aguilar said the security operations in the province thwarted whatever violent activity the New People’s Army was planning to conduct that will threaten the safety and lives of the civilians.
On Thursday, rebels also killed three soldiers in a clash in Davao del Norte’s Tagum City. Aguilar said the trio was on their way to a peace and development program in the village of Magdum when ambushed by the gunmen.
The fighting erupted shortly after both the New People’s Army and Manila ended a 19-day Christmas truce ahead of a planned peace talks this year.
The rebels have been demanding the release of two senior leaders Edwin Brigano and Tirso Alcantara captured by the military in Mindanao and Luzon Islands.
The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging secessionist war for decades now. President Benigno Aquino said he would resume peace talks with the rebels in an effort to put an end to communist insurgency in the country.
Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused then President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Officials said the fighting broke out in Compostela Valley’s Mabini town after patrolling soldiers ran into a group of New People’s Army rebels. “The fire fight lasted for about 30 minutes,” said Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.
It was not immediately if there were rebels killed or wounded in the fighting, but Aguilar said the security operations in the province thwarted whatever violent activity the New People’s Army was planning to conduct that will threaten the safety and lives of the civilians.
On Thursday, rebels also killed three soldiers in a clash in Davao del Norte’s Tagum City. Aguilar said the trio was on their way to a peace and development program in the village of Magdum when ambushed by the gunmen.
The fighting erupted shortly after both the New People’s Army and Manila ended a 19-day Christmas truce ahead of a planned peace talks this year.
The rebels have been demanding the release of two senior leaders Edwin Brigano and Tirso Alcantara captured by the military in Mindanao and Luzon Islands.
The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging secessionist war for decades now. President Benigno Aquino said he would resume peace talks with the rebels in an effort to put an end to communist insurgency in the country.
Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused then President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Friday, January 07, 2011
Troops discover skeletal remains in Sayyaf lair in South PHL
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 7, 2011) – Patrolling government troops have recovered human remains in a shallow grave inside a cave once used by al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, officials said Friday.
Officials said soldiers buried the skeletal remains believed to be a victim of the Abu Sayyaf in the strife-torn Muslim province. The bones were discovered over the weekend in the hinterland village of Silangkum in Tipo-Tipo town, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf blamed for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the southern Philippines.
“The skeletal remains could possibly come from a heavily-built, tall person believed to be beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf since the area was their known safe haven. The exhumed bones were decently buried by the soldiers in a mark grave,” said Army Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a regional military spokesman.
He said except for the skull, the skeletal remains were intact when soldiers them. “Also recovered from the cave were a man’s blue underwear, white sweatshirt, worn out pants and a red malong. Efforts are now being exerted by the Western Mindanao Command to identify the remains,” Cabangbang said.
The Abu Sayyaf is known to decapitate its kidnapped victims whose families failed to pay ransom in exchange for their safe release. A faction of the militant group headed by Nur Hassan Jamiri is still holding a trader, Larry Tam Delos Santos, in Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
Delos Santos was seized in his farm resort in Isabela City on December 16. The abduction came two days after Abu Sayyaf rebels freed a kidnapped school principal Cecilia Sosas, who was seized on November 15, after negotiators paid P200,000 ransom.
Kidnappings-for-ransom are not uncommon in Basilan where dozens of people had been seized over the years and most of them freed in exchange for huge ransoms. (Mindanao Examiner)
Officials said soldiers buried the skeletal remains believed to be a victim of the Abu Sayyaf in the strife-torn Muslim province. The bones were discovered over the weekend in the hinterland village of Silangkum in Tipo-Tipo town, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf blamed for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the southern Philippines.
“The skeletal remains could possibly come from a heavily-built, tall person believed to be beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf since the area was their known safe haven. The exhumed bones were decently buried by the soldiers in a mark grave,” said Army Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a regional military spokesman.
He said except for the skull, the skeletal remains were intact when soldiers them. “Also recovered from the cave were a man’s blue underwear, white sweatshirt, worn out pants and a red malong. Efforts are now being exerted by the Western Mindanao Command to identify the remains,” Cabangbang said.
The Abu Sayyaf is known to decapitate its kidnapped victims whose families failed to pay ransom in exchange for their safe release. A faction of the militant group headed by Nur Hassan Jamiri is still holding a trader, Larry Tam Delos Santos, in Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
Delos Santos was seized in his farm resort in Isabela City on December 16. The abduction came two days after Abu Sayyaf rebels freed a kidnapped school principal Cecilia Sosas, who was seized on November 15, after negotiators paid P200,000 ransom.
Kidnappings-for-ransom are not uncommon in Basilan where dozens of people had been seized over the years and most of them freed in exchange for huge ransoms. (Mindanao Examiner)
Thursday, January 06, 2011
City official shot in Basilan province
BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 6, 2011) – An unidentified assailant shot and seriously wounded a city official in an attack late Thursday afternoon in the restive province of Basilan in the southern Philippines, police said.
Police said Taib Alejo was shot in the village of San Rafael in Isabela City and has been rushed to hospital. No other details were made available by the authorities.
The Radio Mindanao Network reported that Alejo, a member of the Isabela City Council, was seriously wounded. The motive of the attack was unknown.
On Wednesday, an unidentified gunman also killed a father and his son and wounded two more in an attack in Basilan’s Lamitan town. The victims were buying at a convenience store when the gunman opened fire on them.
The motive of the attack is still unclear but other reports said feud could have triggered the killing.
Gun attacks are not uncommon in Basilan, also a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf rebels blamed for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the restive province. (Mindanao Examiner)
Police said Taib Alejo was shot in the village of San Rafael in Isabela City and has been rushed to hospital. No other details were made available by the authorities.
The Radio Mindanao Network reported that Alejo, a member of the Isabela City Council, was seriously wounded. The motive of the attack was unknown.
On Wednesday, an unidentified gunman also killed a father and his son and wounded two more in an attack in Basilan’s Lamitan town. The victims were buying at a convenience store when the gunman opened fire on them.
The motive of the attack is still unclear but other reports said feud could have triggered the killing.
Gun attacks are not uncommon in Basilan, also a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf rebels blamed for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the restive province. (Mindanao Examiner)
Cops injured in cassowary attack in Zamboanga City
Photo from http://bizentertaintment.blogspot.com/2010/05/worlds-most-dangerous-bird-cassowary.htmlZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 6, 2011) – Four policemen were injured after a cassowary escaped from a local aviary attacked them, officials said.
Officials said the large flightless bird attacked the policemen inside a training base near the aviary in Zamboanga City’s Pasonanca village on Tuesday. “We were suddenly attacked by the bird,” one of those injured said in a television interview on Thursday.
The four policemen were attacked by cassowary one at a time. Most of them suffered injuries inflicted by the bird’s sharp and powerful claws.
It was not immediately known how the bird escaped, but an aviary caretaker said it may have broken out from its cage. The aviary, a favorite attraction among locals, is being run by the Zamboanga City government.
The cassowary (genus Casuarius) was eventually captured by the officers and returned the bird to the aviary. It is the third tallest and second heaviest living bird, smaller only than the ostrich and emu.
Cassowaries are very shy, but when disturbed, they are capable of inflicting serious injuries not only to humans but other small animals as well. (Mindanao Examiner)
Officials said the large flightless bird attacked the policemen inside a training base near the aviary in Zamboanga City’s Pasonanca village on Tuesday. “We were suddenly attacked by the bird,” one of those injured said in a television interview on Thursday.
The four policemen were attacked by cassowary one at a time. Most of them suffered injuries inflicted by the bird’s sharp and powerful claws.
It was not immediately known how the bird escaped, but an aviary caretaker said it may have broken out from its cage. The aviary, a favorite attraction among locals, is being run by the Zamboanga City government.
The cassowary (genus Casuarius) was eventually captured by the officers and returned the bird to the aviary. It is the third tallest and second heaviest living bird, smaller only than the ostrich and emu.
Cassowaries are very shy, but when disturbed, they are capable of inflicting serious injuries not only to humans but other small animals as well. (Mindanao Examiner)
NPA rebels kill 3 soldiers in Mindanao ambush
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 6, 2011) – Communist rebels ambushed government troops on Thursday and killed three infantrymen in the troubled southern Philippine region of Mindanao, officials said.
Officials said the soldiers were on their way to a community development mission when New People’s Army rebels attacked them killing the trio instantly in the village of Magdum in Tagum City in Davao del Norte province.
The military condemned the killings.
“We strongly condemned the killings. They murdered three of our soldiers that were involved in peace and development outreach programs. This is a murder case committed by the New People’s Army against our soldiers,” said Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division.
Aguilar said the military’s peace and development efforts in Mindanao will continue despite the attack.
“The peace saboteurs may have the intention to divert our attention away from community works because these activities enable us to win the support of the people. They want us to shift from our humanitarian works to combat operations, but they will fail because we will continue with our peace and development outreach program. This will lead us to the peaceful settlement of the insurgency problem,” he said.
The attack occurred barely three days after rebels and soldiers ended their 19-day Christmas truce ahead of a planned peace talks between Manila and the communist secessionist group.
The ambush coincided with rebel demands to free two captured senior communist leaders Edwin Brigano and Tirso Alcantara. Both had been captured in separate military and police operations in Mindanao and Luzon Islands.
Police commandos captured New People’s Army leader Edwin Brigano during a raid at his hideout in Davao City’s Toril district, said rebel spokesman Rigoberto Sanchez. He said Brigano’s arrest could imperil the peace talks.
“The New People's Army demands that Comrade Edwin be immediately released. His treacherous arrest and incarceration only highlighted the non-compliance of the regime's fascist machinery to its own ceasefire declaration,” Sanchez said.
The rebels said Alcantara, alias Ka Bart, who was wounded and captured following a gun battle with troops in Lucena City, is a member of the peace panel and that his arrest was a violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.
"The revolutionary movement demands respect for the rights and humane treatment of Ka Bart," the Communist Party of the Philippines said. “We demand that his lawyers and doctors be given immediate access to Ka Bart in order to assist him in his legal and health care needs."
"We hope the upcoming resumption soon of formal peace negotiations will not be stalled by the further holding in custody of Ka Bart, who is covered by the JASIG," it added.
The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging secessionist war for decades now. President Benigno Aquino said he would resume peace talks with the rebels in an effort to put an end to communist insurgency in the country.
Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused then President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Officials said the soldiers were on their way to a community development mission when New People’s Army rebels attacked them killing the trio instantly in the village of Magdum in Tagum City in Davao del Norte province.
The military condemned the killings.
“We strongly condemned the killings. They murdered three of our soldiers that were involved in peace and development outreach programs. This is a murder case committed by the New People’s Army against our soldiers,” said Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division.
Aguilar said the military’s peace and development efforts in Mindanao will continue despite the attack.
“The peace saboteurs may have the intention to divert our attention away from community works because these activities enable us to win the support of the people. They want us to shift from our humanitarian works to combat operations, but they will fail because we will continue with our peace and development outreach program. This will lead us to the peaceful settlement of the insurgency problem,” he said.
The attack occurred barely three days after rebels and soldiers ended their 19-day Christmas truce ahead of a planned peace talks between Manila and the communist secessionist group.
The ambush coincided with rebel demands to free two captured senior communist leaders Edwin Brigano and Tirso Alcantara. Both had been captured in separate military and police operations in Mindanao and Luzon Islands.
Police commandos captured New People’s Army leader Edwin Brigano during a raid at his hideout in Davao City’s Toril district, said rebel spokesman Rigoberto Sanchez. He said Brigano’s arrest could imperil the peace talks.
“The New People's Army demands that Comrade Edwin be immediately released. His treacherous arrest and incarceration only highlighted the non-compliance of the regime's fascist machinery to its own ceasefire declaration,” Sanchez said.
The rebels said Alcantara, alias Ka Bart, who was wounded and captured following a gun battle with troops in Lucena City, is a member of the peace panel and that his arrest was a violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.
"The revolutionary movement demands respect for the rights and humane treatment of Ka Bart," the Communist Party of the Philippines said. “We demand that his lawyers and doctors be given immediate access to Ka Bart in order to assist him in his legal and health care needs."
"We hope the upcoming resumption soon of formal peace negotiations will not be stalled by the further holding in custody of Ka Bart, who is covered by the JASIG," it added.
The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging secessionist war for decades now. President Benigno Aquino said he would resume peace talks with the rebels in an effort to put an end to communist insurgency in the country.
Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused then President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Pa, son killed in Basilan strafing
BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 6, 2011) – An unidentified gunmen opened fire at a small crowd and killing a father and his son and wounded two more children in an attack in Basilan province in the southern Philippines, police and military said Thursday.
The attack occurred late Wednesday as the man and his five-year old son were buying at a convenience store in Lamitan town. The gunmen escaped after the shooting.
The motive of the attack is still unclear but other reports said feud could have triggered the killing.
Gun attacks are not uncommon in Basilan, also a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf rebels blamed for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the restive province. (Mindanao Examiner)
The attack occurred late Wednesday as the man and his five-year old son were buying at a convenience store in Lamitan town. The gunmen escaped after the shooting.
The motive of the attack is still unclear but other reports said feud could have triggered the killing.
Gun attacks are not uncommon in Basilan, also a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf rebels blamed for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the restive province. (Mindanao Examiner)
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Zamboanga snake
A security guard captures a snake at the Boy Scout Jamboree site at Pasonanca Park in Zamboanga City in Mindanao. The reptile was eventually killed. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Liaison officer ni Manny Pacquiao binaril sa Mindanao
Rep. Manny PacquiaoKIDAPAWAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 5, 2011) – Isang liaison officer ni boxing superstar at congressman ng Sarangani province Manny Pacquiao ang nabaril sa Koronadal City sa South Cotabato, ngunit himalang nakaligtas, bagama’t sugatan.
Sinabi ng pulisya na posibleng may kinalaman sa kanyang trabaho ang tangka sa buhay ni Abdulwahid Bualan na siyang umaareglo diumano sa mga lupain ni Pacquiao.
Naganap umano ang pamamaril nuong Martes ng hapon sa harapan mismo ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources, ngunit mabilis naman nakatakas ang gunman sakay ng isang motorsiklo at saka lumipat ng isang sasakyan kasama ang kanyang back-up at lookout.
Nabatid naman sa ibang ulat na hindi pumutok ang unang pamamaril sa biktima dahil nag-jam ang .45-pistola nito at kinailangan pang ikasang muli at sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay pumutok ito at nahagip sa bandang balikat si Bualan.
Hindi naman mabatid kung sino ang nasa likod nito at patuloy pa rin ang pulisya sa pangangalap ng mga lead sa naganap na atake. Walang inalabas na pahayag ang kampo ni Pacquiao ukol sa bigong pagpatay sa kanyang liaison officer. (Geo Solmerano)
Naganap umano ang pamamaril nuong Martes ng hapon sa harapan mismo ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources, ngunit mabilis naman nakatakas ang gunman sakay ng isang motorsiklo at saka lumipat ng isang sasakyan kasama ang kanyang back-up at lookout.
Nabatid naman sa ibang ulat na hindi pumutok ang unang pamamaril sa biktima dahil nag-jam ang .45-pistola nito at kinailangan pang ikasang muli at sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay pumutok ito at nahagip sa bandang balikat si Bualan.
Hindi naman mabatid kung sino ang nasa likod nito at patuloy pa rin ang pulisya sa pangangalap ng mga lead sa naganap na atake. Walang inalabas na pahayag ang kampo ni Pacquiao ukol sa bigong pagpatay sa kanyang liaison officer. (Geo Solmerano)
Zamboanga pop group tours Manila; signs new album with Viva Records
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 5, 2011) – Homegrown pop group Maldita has signed a five-year contract with music label Viva Records Corporation as the five-member band went into a massive promotion for its first album in Zamboanga City.
The 12-track album includes the band’s Chavacano hit song “Porque,” which has been also translated in Tagalog. Local councilor Gerky Valesco, who is strongly promoting the local dialect – Chavacano – and Zamboanga’s unique culture and arts, said pop group’s tour in Manila was a success.
“This is really a good avenue to promote not only our unique dialect, but also our beautiful Zamboanga, the only Latin city in Asia,” Valesco, himself an artist and a music guru, said.
Chavacano is a Spanish-based creole language and has survived for more than 400 years, making it one of the oldest creole languages in the world.
Maldita is composed of Demz Espiñosa (vocalist), Whey Guevara (rhythm guitarist), RB Bandiola (lead guitarist), Jimi Tristan (base guitarist), and Mad Nubhan (drummer). (Mindanao Examiner)
The 12-track album includes the band’s Chavacano hit song “Porque,” which has been also translated in Tagalog. Local councilor Gerky Valesco, who is strongly promoting the local dialect – Chavacano – and Zamboanga’s unique culture and arts, said pop group’s tour in Manila was a success.
“This is really a good avenue to promote not only our unique dialect, but also our beautiful Zamboanga, the only Latin city in Asia,” Valesco, himself an artist and a music guru, said.
Chavacano is a Spanish-based creole language and has survived for more than 400 years, making it one of the oldest creole languages in the world.
Maldita is composed of Demz Espiñosa (vocalist), Whey Guevara (rhythm guitarist), RB Bandiola (lead guitarist), Jimi Tristan (base guitarist), and Mad Nubhan (drummer). (Mindanao Examiner)
Monday, January 03, 2011
Army denies holding captured NPA leader in Mindanao
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 3, 2011) – The Philippine Army on Monday denied holding a top communist rebel leader who was captured by the police in Mindanao.
Police commandos captured New People’s Army leader Edwin Brigano during a weekend raid at his hideout in Davao City’s Toril district. A rebel spokesman Rigoberto Sanchez said Brigano was later handed over by the police to the military where he is being interrogated.
Police said the 53-year old rebel leader is facing a string of criminal charges. The New People’s Army condemned the arrest and accused the police of violating a government truce. It said Brigano’s arrest could imperil the peace talks.
“Comrade Edwin's arrest is a blatant display of treachery. It brazenly violated the self-declared ceasefire of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines - an act that could only imperil the GRP-National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace initiatives. The trumped up robbery with homicide charges immediately slapped against Comrade Edwin are lame attempts to justify his illegal arrest that clearly violated the mutual and simultaneous 19-day holiday truce,” said Rigoberto Sanchez.
He said the rebel leader is being held by the Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Davao City.
But Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, strongly denied the allegation, saying, Brigano was never turned over to them by the police.
“Brigano was never turned over to us. The reason they (rebels) are saying that (Brigano is in our custody) is for the people to believe that we violated the cease-fire when he was arrested by the Philippine National Police for various crimes he committed,” Aguilar told the Mindanao Examiner.
Brigano was captured ahead of a planned peace talks between government and rebel peace negotiators aimed at ending decades of bloody insurgency in the country.
Sanchez said Brigano is sick and suffering from serious respiratory illness, hepatitis and could hardly walk when police forces arrested him.
“The New People's Army demands that Comrade Edwin be immediately released. His treacherous arrest and incarceration only highlighted the non-compliance of the regime's fascist machinery to its own ceasefire declaration,” Sanchez said.
The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging secessionist war for decades now. President Benigno Aquino said he would resume peace talks with the rebels in an effort to put an end to communist insurgency in the country.
Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused then President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Police commandos captured New People’s Army leader Edwin Brigano during a weekend raid at his hideout in Davao City’s Toril district. A rebel spokesman Rigoberto Sanchez said Brigano was later handed over by the police to the military where he is being interrogated.
Police said the 53-year old rebel leader is facing a string of criminal charges. The New People’s Army condemned the arrest and accused the police of violating a government truce. It said Brigano’s arrest could imperil the peace talks.
“Comrade Edwin's arrest is a blatant display of treachery. It brazenly violated the self-declared ceasefire of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines - an act that could only imperil the GRP-National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace initiatives. The trumped up robbery with homicide charges immediately slapped against Comrade Edwin are lame attempts to justify his illegal arrest that clearly violated the mutual and simultaneous 19-day holiday truce,” said Rigoberto Sanchez.
He said the rebel leader is being held by the Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Davao City.
But Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, strongly denied the allegation, saying, Brigano was never turned over to them by the police.
“Brigano was never turned over to us. The reason they (rebels) are saying that (Brigano is in our custody) is for the people to believe that we violated the cease-fire when he was arrested by the Philippine National Police for various crimes he committed,” Aguilar told the Mindanao Examiner.
Brigano was captured ahead of a planned peace talks between government and rebel peace negotiators aimed at ending decades of bloody insurgency in the country.
Sanchez said Brigano is sick and suffering from serious respiratory illness, hepatitis and could hardly walk when police forces arrested him.
“The New People's Army demands that Comrade Edwin be immediately released. His treacherous arrest and incarceration only highlighted the non-compliance of the regime's fascist machinery to its own ceasefire declaration,” Sanchez said.
The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging secessionist war for decades now. President Benigno Aquino said he would resume peace talks with the rebels in an effort to put an end to communist insurgency in the country.
Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused then President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Surigao, lubog sa baha!
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 3, 2011) – Lubog sa baha ang malaking bahagi ng bayan ng San Francisco sa lalawigan ng Agusan del Sur at gayun rin sa lungsod ng Surigao sa Surigao del Norte dahil sa patuloy na buhos ng ulan sa Mindanao.
Ayon sa ulat ng mga awtoridad ay umabot na sa mahigit 1,500 ang bilang ng mga nasalanta ng baha sa naturang mga lugar at patuloy ang pagdagsa ng mga evacuees sa ibat-ibang center na itinalaga ng Department of Social Welfare and Development at pamahalaang lokal.
Karamihan sa mga evacuees ay walang pagkain kung kaya’t tulong ang iniiyak ng mga ito. Hindi umano sapat ang mga bigas at de-letang ibinibigay sa kanila. Kailangan rin umano ng mga ito ang gamot sa ubo, sipon at lagnat para sa mga batang nadale ng trangkaso.
Wala naman naitalang nalunod o nasawi ang DSWD sa nasabing lugar, subali’t hindi pa umano pumapasok sa ahensya ang ibang ulat mula sa ibang parte ng dalawang lalawigan.
Magpapatuloy umano ang malakas na ulan, ayon sa weather bureau, sa mga susunod pang araw.
Sa Zamboanga City ay ilang barangay rin ang binaha dahil sa malakas na ulan nuong Linggo. Makulimlim pa rin ang panahon sa nasabing lungsod.
Nagbabala naman ang mga awtoridad sa mga nakatira sa mga esteros at ilog na lumikas muna pansamantala upang maging ligtas sa banta ng flash flood na siyang sanhi naman ng pagbaha sa Surigao at ibang bahagi ng Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
Ayon sa ulat ng mga awtoridad ay umabot na sa mahigit 1,500 ang bilang ng mga nasalanta ng baha sa naturang mga lugar at patuloy ang pagdagsa ng mga evacuees sa ibat-ibang center na itinalaga ng Department of Social Welfare and Development at pamahalaang lokal.
Karamihan sa mga evacuees ay walang pagkain kung kaya’t tulong ang iniiyak ng mga ito. Hindi umano sapat ang mga bigas at de-letang ibinibigay sa kanila. Kailangan rin umano ng mga ito ang gamot sa ubo, sipon at lagnat para sa mga batang nadale ng trangkaso.
Wala naman naitalang nalunod o nasawi ang DSWD sa nasabing lugar, subali’t hindi pa umano pumapasok sa ahensya ang ibang ulat mula sa ibang parte ng dalawang lalawigan.
Magpapatuloy umano ang malakas na ulan, ayon sa weather bureau, sa mga susunod pang araw.
Sa Zamboanga City ay ilang barangay rin ang binaha dahil sa malakas na ulan nuong Linggo. Makulimlim pa rin ang panahon sa nasabing lungsod.
Nagbabala naman ang mga awtoridad sa mga nakatira sa mga esteros at ilog na lumikas muna pansamantala upang maging ligtas sa banta ng flash flood na siyang sanhi naman ng pagbaha sa Surigao at ibang bahagi ng Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Top NPA leader captured in the Philippines
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 2, 2011) – Police captured a senior communist rebel leader in the southern Philippines ahead of a planned peace talks aimed at ending decades of bloody insurgency in the country.
Elite commandos raided a house in Davao City’s Toril district where New People’s Army leader Edwin Brigano was captured at dawn on Saturday. Brigano was later handed over to the military where he is being interrogated.
The New People’s Army condemned the arrest and accused the police of violating a government truce. It said Brigano’s arrest could imperil the peace talks.
Police said the 53-year old rebel leader is facing a string of criminal charges.
“Comrade Edwin's arrest is a blatant display of treachery. It brazenly violated the self-declared ceasefire of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines -- an act that could only imperil the GRP-National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace initiatives. The trumped up robbery with homicide charges immediately slapped against Comrade Edwin are lame attempts to justify his illegal arrest that clearly violated the mutual and simultaneous 19-day holiday truce,” said Rigoberto Sanchez, a rebel spokesman.
He said Brigano is sick and suffering from serious respiratory illness, hepatitis and could hardly walk when police forces arrested him.
“Comrade Edwin is undergoing medical treatment for serious respiratory illness, hepatitis and has difficulty walking,” he said, adding Brigano is behind held by the Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Davao City.
“The New People's Army demands that Comrade Edwin be immediately released. His treacherous arrest and incarceration only highlighted the non-compliance of the regime's fascist machinery to its own ceasefire declaration,” Sanchez added.
The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging secessionist war for decades now. President Benigno Aquino said he would resume peace talks with the rebels in an effort to put an end to communist insurgency in the country.
Aquino last year ordered the release of members of the so-called Morong 43, who were accused by the military as members of the rebel group.
Members of the Morong 43 were captured by soldiers in February 6 in the town of Morong in Rizal province allegedly while manufacturing improvised explosives, an accusation they strongly denied, saying, they were only conducting health training and seminar on a village when security forces arrested them.
The release of the Morong 43 came after rebels demanded Aquino to free the health workers before Manila can resume stalled peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines. Aquino said he would also free political prisoners. Many soldiers and military officers said they were disgusted over the release of the Morong 43.
Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused then President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Elite commandos raided a house in Davao City’s Toril district where New People’s Army leader Edwin Brigano was captured at dawn on Saturday. Brigano was later handed over to the military where he is being interrogated.
The New People’s Army condemned the arrest and accused the police of violating a government truce. It said Brigano’s arrest could imperil the peace talks.
Police said the 53-year old rebel leader is facing a string of criminal charges.
“Comrade Edwin's arrest is a blatant display of treachery. It brazenly violated the self-declared ceasefire of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines -- an act that could only imperil the GRP-National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace initiatives. The trumped up robbery with homicide charges immediately slapped against Comrade Edwin are lame attempts to justify his illegal arrest that clearly violated the mutual and simultaneous 19-day holiday truce,” said Rigoberto Sanchez, a rebel spokesman.
He said Brigano is sick and suffering from serious respiratory illness, hepatitis and could hardly walk when police forces arrested him.
“Comrade Edwin is undergoing medical treatment for serious respiratory illness, hepatitis and has difficulty walking,” he said, adding Brigano is behind held by the Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Davao City.
“The New People's Army demands that Comrade Edwin be immediately released. His treacherous arrest and incarceration only highlighted the non-compliance of the regime's fascist machinery to its own ceasefire declaration,” Sanchez added.
The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging secessionist war for decades now. President Benigno Aquino said he would resume peace talks with the rebels in an effort to put an end to communist insurgency in the country.
Aquino last year ordered the release of members of the so-called Morong 43, who were accused by the military as members of the rebel group.
Members of the Morong 43 were captured by soldiers in February 6 in the town of Morong in Rizal province allegedly while manufacturing improvised explosives, an accusation they strongly denied, saying, they were only conducting health training and seminar on a village when security forces arrested them.
The release of the Morong 43 came after rebels demanded Aquino to free the health workers before Manila can resume stalled peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines. Aquino said he would also free political prisoners. Many soldiers and military officers said they were disgusted over the release of the Morong 43.
Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after rebels accused then President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements, among them the release of all political prisoners in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Fireworks greet 2011 in Kidapawan City
Fireworks greet the New Year in the southern Philippine city of Kidapawan. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Geo Solmerano)Father and Son
An unidentified man and a child rest outside their bamboo house in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)Saturday, January 01, 2011
Bagon Taon, sinalubong ng pagtitipid sa Zambo
Fireworks in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 1, 2011) - Sa Zamboanga City sa Mindanao ay kapuna-puna ang pagtitipid ng maraming tao sa pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon – wala masyadong mga fireworks dahil na rin sa kamahalan nito.
Ngunit mas dumami naman ang mga gumamit ng mga torotot sa kanilang pagiingay sa pagsalubong sa 2011. “Mahirap ang buhay ngayon at lahat ay mahal kaya konting mga sparklers lang ang aming binili at mas marami ang mga torotot. Tapos ng 12 o’ clock eh kumain lamang and then tulog na kami lahat,” ani Melchor Simbulo, 49, negosyante.
At tulad naman sa inaasahan ay ilang katao rin ang isinugod sa pagamutan dahil sa sugat sanhi ng Piccolo at mga rebentador ngunit walang seryosong naitala sa 17 dinala sa Zamboanga Medical Center, ayon sa staff ng pagamutan na nagpakilala lamang na si Jane.
“Wala naman pong seryoso sa mga 17 na-admit at halos lahat ay nakalabas naman po sa ospital matapos ng ginawang lunas,” ani Jane sa Mindanao Examiner.
Subalit sa kabila ng selebrasyon ay sakit naman ng ulo ang dinaranas ng karamihan dahil sa mga naiwang utang ng nakaraang taon at selebrasyon ng Kapaskuhan at Bagong Taon.
“Daming utang, yun asawa ko eh puro utang para maipagdiwang ang Pasko at Bagong Taon. Sinabi ko ngang huwag ng masyadong maghanda at mahirap ang buhay pero hayun at nangutang pa rin,” reklamo naman ng karpenterong si Del Gonzales, 52.
Wala naman naiulat na karahasan sa pagdiwang ng Bagong Taon sa Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)
Ngunit mas dumami naman ang mga gumamit ng mga torotot sa kanilang pagiingay sa pagsalubong sa 2011. “Mahirap ang buhay ngayon at lahat ay mahal kaya konting mga sparklers lang ang aming binili at mas marami ang mga torotot. Tapos ng 12 o’ clock eh kumain lamang and then tulog na kami lahat,” ani Melchor Simbulo, 49, negosyante.
At tulad naman sa inaasahan ay ilang katao rin ang isinugod sa pagamutan dahil sa sugat sanhi ng Piccolo at mga rebentador ngunit walang seryosong naitala sa 17 dinala sa Zamboanga Medical Center, ayon sa staff ng pagamutan na nagpakilala lamang na si Jane.
“Wala naman pong seryoso sa mga 17 na-admit at halos lahat ay nakalabas naman po sa ospital matapos ng ginawang lunas,” ani Jane sa Mindanao Examiner.
Subalit sa kabila ng selebrasyon ay sakit naman ng ulo ang dinaranas ng karamihan dahil sa mga naiwang utang ng nakaraang taon at selebrasyon ng Kapaskuhan at Bagong Taon.
“Daming utang, yun asawa ko eh puro utang para maipagdiwang ang Pasko at Bagong Taon. Sinabi ko ngang huwag ng masyadong maghanda at mahirap ang buhay pero hayun at nangutang pa rin,” reklamo naman ng karpenterong si Del Gonzales, 52.
Wala naman naiulat na karahasan sa pagdiwang ng Bagong Taon sa Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)
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