Shark's Tale!

A fisherman smiles as he shows off a juvenile shark he caught off the southern Philippines city of General Santos. Shark’s fins are expensive and a delicacy in the Philippines, while the meat is sold and made into fish balls and tempura. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

Philippine tuna catch affected by El Nino

Fishermen unload Yellow fin tuna in General Santos City in the southern Philippines. Many fishermen complain of less tuna catch due to the warn weather brought about by the El Nino phenomenon. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / April 4, 2010) – Tuna catch is declining in the southern Philippines as the warm climate continues to affect the ocean’s temperature.

Fishermen said their catch declined the past months and they blamed the weather phenomenon known as El Nino.

Nathaniel Cruz, of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, said the warm weather is due to the El Nino effect. He said the prevailing temperature in Metro Manila is between 34.5-35.5 °C. “We expect warmer weather due to the effect of the El Nino,” he said over the weekend.

El Nino is associated with floods, droughts and other weather disturbances in many regions of the world, which vary with each event. The Philippines like any other developing countries dependent upon agriculture and fishing, particularly those bordering the Pacific Ocean, are the most affected.

“Our catch is less because the weather is so hot. We have less tuna catch as compared to the previous month. This is because of the El Nino. If the weather is good, then the catch is also good – it is too hot now,” a local tuna fisherman Pedro Reyes told the Mindanao Examiner.

Reyes is one of dozens who regularly unload their tuna catch in General Santos City, which is home to the country’s second biggest fish port after Navotas City in Luzon Island.

And other fishermen also complained about the tuna catch and the warm ocean water that affected their once abundant catch. “I know this situation will not last long, but it is already killing us. Less catch means less money,” said Bernie Santiago, a trawler operator.

Yellow fin tuna – many “sashimi grade” and the size of an adult man - is what the fishermen were all talking about in General Santos City. It fetches far more money than any other fish. And at the fish port, traders bargain with fishermen for the prized catch which goes all the way as far as Japan and European markets.

The Philippines is rank 7th among the top tuna producing countries in the world, both in terms of fresh and frozen and canned tuna.

According to the local government website, the total daily catch of adult and juvenile tuna unloaded in General Santos City can surpass that of any other fish port or even the entire unloading of all other fish ports in the Philippines combined. The daily catch is easily disposed for foreign and local buyers.

General Santos City being the sanctuary of seven tuna canning factories has an average daily capacity of 750 tons.

It said about 45% of the tuna catch are skipjack, about 25% are yellow fin, and 23% are frigate and bullet tuna. Around 60% of the ring net landings supplied to the local canneries, 35% is brought out of General Santos City to local domestic fish markets and the remaining 5 % is consumed locally.

The average number of boats that come to the local fish port on a daily average is about 25 and mostly fishing from as far as borders of Indonesia and Palau Islands. The catch according to the fishermen usually consists of 95% yellow fin, 3% big-eye, and 2% billfish. (Mindanao Examiner)

Mammoth crowd attend Tonton Acharon rally in General Santos City

Strong supporters of noted lawyer Tonton Acharon and his party gather in General Santos City. Acharon is running for mayor in General Santos City where he is popular. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales)

GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 30, 2010) - It was by far the largest and the biggest political gathering seen in General Santos City’s recent history as 20,000 people converged at the Oval Plaza to witness the kick-off rally of the Bagong Gensan Movement (BGM) under the leadership of noted lawyer Tonton Acharon who is seeking to become the next mayor here after the May 10 elections.

The thousands in attendance who came Saturday from General Santos’ 26 barangays cheered, clapped and mustered unity as Acharon, an Ateneo-trained lawyer, and his party, laid in details their platform of government and wish-list as part of a larger cause to bring about change and better management in the city’s governance.

It can be recalled that the critics recently hit the city’s present leadership for its snail-paced approach to the economic and environmental crisis hounding General Santos, in part brought by the lack of alternative ways to help struggling families hit hard by the said crisis.

With his 12 councilors in tow, Acharon could only thank the mammoth crowd who braved the searing heat if only to hear him and the rest of his party mates speak.

Earlier, before the rally Plaza could start, a 300-car motorcade crisscrossed General Santos major thoroughfare with BGM candidates hopping in their respective floats.

“Ang akong vision para sa Gensan mao nga himuon nato nga usa ka world-class, peaceful and prosperous kini atong syiudad sa 2022,” Acharon boldly declared before an enthusiastic crowd, “kay panahon na nga ang magdumala sa Gensan mao mismo ang mga lumad nga mamumuyo sa Gensan,” he added.

Acharon told the crowd that he was born and raised in General Santos and continues to make a living as a lawyer for the poor and the oppressed in the city.

“Dili pareho sa ubang politiko nga ginahimo lamang ang Gensan nga murag ilang extension office kay didto sila namuyo ug gatrabato sa Metro Manila,” Acharon stressed.

Interest in the form of good serviceFor his part, Ronnel Rivera, an Acharon-ally and a candidate for councilman in General Santos, said: “Wala nako huna-hunaa nga ingon niini man diay kadaghan ang mutambong karong hapona. Nagapasabot lang ni nga nagapangayo na ug pag bag-o ang katawhan sa General Santos.”

Members of the Rivera family are known philanthropist in General Santos and own the RD Group of Companies and RD Foundation, which is active in helping the poor.

“Bilang usa ka negosyante, akong utangon ang inyong mga boto,” Rivera said in his speech. “Ayaw kamog kabalaka kay bayaran ug interesan ko kamo ug maayo ug limpyong pangserbisyo,” Rivera professed.

“Ang gipakitang simpatiya sa mga taga suporta sa Bagong Gensan Movement usa ka tin-aw nga indikasyon nga ang mga taga-General Santos gusto nang bag-uhon ang padagan sa pamolitika sa atong syiudad,” Sannie Sombrio asserted.

Sombrio, a former ABS-CBN reporter, is running for a council seat in General Santos under Acharon’s movement, the BGM.

Festive atmosphere

The rally had a festive atmosphere as food and drinking water came in handy brought by the audience themselves.

The different sectors in the city came in full force, including businessmen, representatives from the academe, students and youth organizations, groups from the urban poor organizations, farmers and fisher folk, Muslim and Lumad groups, senior citizens, among others.

The candidates also released balloons and other symbols signaling the dawn of the “new General Santos City.”

Just to hear Tonton speak

“Ako gikan pa sa Fatima. Ako ug akong lima ka anak naa diri karon para lang makakita kang Tonton Acharon,” resident Bebing Flores said, adding, she had to borrow fare to pay for the jeep to bring her and relatives to listen to Acharon speak during the rally.

“Niundang ko ug pamasada pagkakita nako nga nagdasok ang mga tawo sa Oval Plaza. Akong gipaminawan si Tonton Acharon ug akong naangayan ang iyang gipabutyag nga mga plano para sa syiudad nga usa ka pang-gobyerno nga walay ginapili nga klase sa tawong serbisyohan,” a tricycle driver, Arnold Sanchez, said.

Sanchez vowed to vote and campaign as a volunteer for Acharon and his party mates.

Members of Acharon’s Bagong Gensan Movement slate are Engineers Butch Acharon and Rommel Catolico, lawyers Art Cloma, Rafael Montilla, Abraham Nilong, Juliet Cunanan, Domdom Lagare III, Ed Sunga and Alfredo Toroctocon. (Mark Navales contributed to this report)

Journey's Arnel Pineda On A Peace Mission In Mindanao

JOURNEY FOR PEACE. Journey’s vocalist Arnel Pineda speaks to a huge crowd in the village of San Jose in General Santos City in the southern Philippines during his visit Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Pineda also led a feeding program and sang with the children. The visit is an initiative of the Act for Peace to bring celebrities in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao to help promote peace in the region. The village of San Jose is a declared peace and development community organized by Act for Peace. It was once a battleground of government forces and Moro National Liberation Front rebels in the 1970s. (AKP Images / Keith Bacongco)

New Year's Eve explosion leaves 22 people wounded in the southern Philippines

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 31, 2008) – More than two dozen people were injured in a grenade explosion on New Year’s Eve in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the explosion occurred at a park in General Santos City late Wednesday and injured 22 people. But a local radio network, Radyo Agong, reported that at least 26 people were wounded in the attack at around 9.10 p.m.

No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the blast. A separate military report also said that a fragmentation grenade was used in the attack.

Army Captain Emmanuel Garcia, of the Task Force Gensan, said an unidentified man hurled the grenade to a crowd at the park. “At least 22 people are wounded in the grenade explosion and they have been rushed to hospitals,” he said.

He said authorities were investigating the motive of the attack, which occurred a day after a grenade explosion at a police post in General Santos City also left three people wounded, including a police officer.

An improvised bomb also exploded late Tuesday in a motorcycle taxi near a police checkpoint, killing its driver and wounding an officer in the village of Saliao in Sultan Kudarat's Esperanza town.

The improvised explosive, assembled from 81 millimeter mortar bomb, was inside a sack full of charcoal when it went off while the policeman was inspecting the vehicle. Officials said faulty bomb assembly had triggered the explosion. (Mindanao Examiner)

1 killed, 4 wounded in separate explosions in Southern RP

Policemen inspect vehicles before midnight Monday, December 30, 2008 in Kidapawan City in the southern Philippines after one police officer was killed and four people were wounded in two explosions in Sultan Kudarat province and General Santos City.

(Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geonarri Solmerano)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 31, 2008) – One person was killed and four others wounded in separate explosions in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Three people, including a policeman, were also injured in an explosion late Tuesday in General Santos City. Unidentified men on motorcycle tossed the bomb at a police post in the village of Lagao.

Officials said a homemade bomb also exploded inside a motorcycle taxi at a police checkpoint, killing its driver and wounding an officer Tuesday night in the village of Saliao in Sultan Kudarat’s Esperanza town.

“The driver of the tricycle was killed in the blast. We still do not know what triggered the explosion, but it’s one terrorist down,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the improvised explosive, assembled from 81 millimeter mortar bomb, was inside a sack full of charcoal when it went off at the police checkpoint.
Ando said the bomb was probably intended to another target.

“The bomb was in transit and probably exploded due to faulty assembly. We appeal to the public to stay vigilant and report to authorities any suspicious persons in your community,” he said.

Ando said the bomb was similar to explosives used by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in previous attacks.

The MILF denied any links to the explosion. “The driver who was killed in the blast was a Christian and the MILF has nothing to do with it,” Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader, said in a separate interview.

The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for self-determination in the southern Philippines. Peace talks between the rebels and the government failed in August after the aborted signing of the Muslim homeland deal. The failed signing sparked a series of deadly rebel attacks in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Strong Quake Hits Southern Philippines

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 25, 2008) - An earthquake measuring 6.2 in the Richter Scale shook the southern Philippines on Thursday, but there were no reports of casualties or injuries.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at 11:20 a.m. local time (10:20 p.m. ET) at about 55 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of General Santos at a depth of 207 kilometers (129 miles). It was also felt in other areas nearby.

"It was strong. My chair was shaking and I thought I was going to fall from where I sit," said Geonarri Solmerano, the Mindanao Examiner photojournalist in Kidapawan City.

The Philippines is located in the so-called "Ring of Fire," an area of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions encircling the basin of the Pacific Ocean.

In a 40,000 km horseshoe shape, it is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and plate movements.

The Ring of Fire has 452 volcanoes and is home to over 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes. It is sometimes called the circum-Pacific belt or the circum-Pacific seismic belt. (Mindanao Examiner)

Cop Charged For Murder Of Mindanao Radioman: INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines (Inquirer.net / August 18, 2008) - A junior police officer has been charged for the murder of broadcaster Dennis Cuesta, who died five days after he was shot in General Santos City on August 4.

Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman, said Inspector Redemptor Acharon was charged with murder before the Department of Justice Sunday for the death of Dennis Cuesta, program director of Radio Mindanao Network’s dxMD.

Bartolome said officers of the National Union of the Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) met with Director General Avelino Razon Jr. about the case.

Razon has ordered the immediate transfer of Acharon from Central Mindanao (Region 12) to PNP headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City, Bartolome said.

Police said the charges against the police officer were filed after two eyewitnesses tagged him as the gunman. Investigators will also cross-match Acharon with the artist’s sketch earlier released by the police.

The NUJP sought the meeting with the PNP leadership and Task Force Usig, the special police unit tasked to probe media and political killings, after receiving reports there were efforts to whitewash Cuesta’s murder because one of the suspects is a policeman.

Cuesta, who anchored the public affairs program "Straight to the Point" and was known for hard-hitting commentaries on issues like illegal gambling, graft and corruption in government, and illegal drugs, slipped into a coma after he was shot in the head and hip, the NUJP said.

He died two days after another RMN broadcaster, Martin Roxas, was gunned down in Roxas City, Capiz. Roxas was also an officer of the NUJP chapter in Capiz and was the first member of the media organization to be killed.

The two broadcasters brought the total number of journalists murdered since 2001, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power, to 90, the highest death toll under any administration, including the 14-year Marcos dictatorship.(Thea Alberto)

Shot Mindanao Broadcaster Still In Critical Condition

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines (August 6, 2008) - Radio broadcaster Dennis Cuesta, who was shot in close range on Monday, may suffer partial paralysis should he survive, said the doctors of St. Elizabeth Hospital who attended to him.

The bullets reportedly pierced the victim’s right head, left arm and the lower portion of his hip, and hit the spinal column. Cuesta is working for the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) in General Santos City.

Cuesta, along with a former RMN reporter, was on his way to a nearby mall when shot from behind by two motorcycle-riding gunmen along the National Highway fronting the Novitiate Square just a few blocks to the dxCP radio station.

“This is the first attempt to gun down a journalist under my time. And I want to see these suspects behind bars,” Chief Supt. Felizardo Serapio, police regional director for Central Mindanao, told local police officials after forming Task Force Cuesta composed of repre­sentatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division, Regional Intelligence Division and Public Information Office to ensure a coordinated effort in the investigation and immediate resolution of the case.

Local journalists from different media groups condemned in the strongest terms the attack against Cuesta and helped find means to provide blood and medicines for their colleague.

They are also organizing an activity to demonstrate their col­lective grievances on Friday star­ting with lighting of candles at the crime scene, before marching toward the Oval Plaza down to the city police command in Camp Fermin G. Lira.

The reporters underscore with this move their protest against the “unabated” killings in the city, numbering at 70 reportedly perpetrated by the “brom-brom boys” (local term for motor-riding guns-for-hire) since the start of 2008.

Ronel Degorio, a hard-hitting columnist of the local Sapol News Bulletin noted it is high time for Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Avelino Rason to look into the investigation before local residents completely lose their trust and confidence on the city-based law enforcers.

In an interview with media, Serapio said the police are looking into several angles as primary motives of the attack. “This could be work-related considering Cuesta was a hard-hitting radio commentator and also a witness to an illegal detention case. Still, we cannot use these circumstances as evidence. We need to gather hard evidences and witnesses that will lead to the arrest of the suspects,” said Serapio.

The police chief for Central Mindanao referred to the arrest of four suspected killers of Mainland Review columnist Marlene Esperat in Tacurong City, the filing of charges against the suspected killer of RGMA radio commentator Jun Abayon, including the arrest of the two suspected killers of the late Ely Binoya who was gunned down while on his way home on June 17, 2004.

Police said anyone with relevant information could contact the Task Force Cuesta at (083) 301-5083 or use the PNP Hotline 117/166 for immediate action. (Isagani P. Palma)

PHILIPPINES: Systemic failure to prevent a pattern of arbitrary deprivation of dozens of lives - AHRC

ISSUES: Extrajudicial killing; police negligence; right to liberty and security; children; administration of justice.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes with deep concern regarding the continuing failure by the police and the local government to ensure protection and prevent the systematic murders in General Santos City. At least 29 persons, five of whom are minors, have already been killed from February 4 to May 16, 2008 and dozens of others that remains largely not documented. While this appeal is being written, more murders have taken place there.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

At the latter part of 2007, there have been increasing incidents of motorcycle thefts wherein their drivers are subsequently and systematically murdered before their motorcycles are forcibly taken from them in General Santos City, Southern Philippines. All these cases, however, remained unsolved by local police authorities. Though the police claimed to have identified the group responsible for these robberies, they have not been able to ensure that they are arrested and effectively prosecuted.

In the said city, private motorcycle drivers are not allowed to carry passengers for a fee because they have not been issued with any franchise, nor given authority by the government to operate as public transport. However, private motorcycles are noticeably seen collecting passengers as this is the only available means of transport during nighttime in most areas there. This, too, has in fact become a means of livelihood to a large number of locals there. It is these circumstances though that has placed them extremely vulnerable to robberies.

Though these incidents have continued unabated since February, the number of drivers who have fallen victims to motorcycle thieves and killers has been increasing by the day. Base on available documented cases so far, from February 4 to May 16, 2008, at least eight motorcycle drivers have already been murdered in separate shooting incidents. However, at the height of the robberies and murders, the local police has been trying to downplay its scale declaring them as: "isolated cases"

The local police too, particularly the head of the General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO), has instead put the blame on the victims themselves by continuously ferrying passengers which attracts robbers. Despite the robberies and murders taking place systematically, they had been unable to initiate adequate and effective measures to ensure these robberies and subsequent murders are prevented. Or, those who are vulnerable persons could avail some sort of a protection.

As these motorcycle murders continue unabated, sometime in February 2008, the local police gave an ultimatum to their local commanders to solve these cases and to subsequently arrest those responsible. It is reported, however that in the process the police has been able to draw up an alleged list of persons they suspect of involvement in these robberies and murders.

A few weeks later, not only motorcycle drivers have fallen victims to these robberies and subsequent murders; however, dozens of other persons have also been shot dead almost daily in General Santos City. Some of the victims are reportedly amongst those included in the police's list, including a 16-year-old boy (Please see Case No. 9 above).

The police, however, are denying any involvement in these murders of alleged criminals; nor the existence of hirelings there.

Instead of ensuring that the police effectively investigates and ensures those responsible for these murders and motorcycle robberies--the city mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. had openly, in absence of any sufficient proofs, endorsed the police' theory that the alleged criminals could have been also murdered by their own group members (Please see Case No. 8 above). Neither Mayor Acharon nor the local police had given any reasonable and credible proofs that those persons, whom they accused as criminals, actually had links with each other.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

In March, the AHRC raised serious concern about Mayor Acharon's statement (AHRC-STM-079-2008) and the manner by which the police handles these cases. It also warned the consequences that the perpetrators would be emboldened to commit more murders with impunity; and that it would become a convenient excuse for the police authorities there, instead of being held responsible to ensure protection of lives and protection, to exonerate themselves.

The responsibility by the Philippine National Police (PNP) is clearly stipulated in Republic Act 6975, section 24, of the police' powers and functions (read the full text). They are supposed to ensure the protection of lives and property of the people, ensure public safety, and to investigate and prevent these crimes.

Also, under Article 6 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which the Philippines is a state party, it clearly states that "Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life".

(read full text) The protection of persons from being arbitrarily deprived of their lives is an utmost State responsibility.

The General Comment No. 6 1982 by the United Nation Human Rights Committee, par. 3, also stipulates that: "the protection against arbitrary deprivation of life which is explicitly required by the third sentence of article 6 (1) is of paramount importance.

The Committee considers that State parties should take measures not only to prevent and punish deprivation of life by criminal acts, but also to prevent arbitrary killing by their own security forces (sic)". (read full text)

However, neither the local police nor the local government has been able to ensure by taking effective and adequate measures to prevent these robberies and murders from taking place; and that persons are not arbitrary deprived of their lives without due process and on pretext of their supposed involvement in criminal activities.

Below are names of the victims (of systematic murders and arbitrary deprivation of life) and brief details of their cases. These, however, is a small fraction of what is actually taking place;

MOTORCYCLE DRIVERS MURDERED:

1. DANNY RAMIREZ, 45 years old: He was murdered on April 27 in Barangay (village) Labangal. He was a lone bread winner and father of five children who tried to earn a living but he himself had become a victim. He had just come from their place when he was followed by the perpetrators who shot him on his way to ferry passengers. Danny's wife, Delia and his children are now forced to survive and carry on their lives by themselves.

2. STEWARD DEVENAGRACIA, 22 years old: He was shot dead by one of his passengers on April 21 in Barangay Labangal. He was last seen ferrying a female passenger from a wharf in Makar, of the same village, before he was found dead. Usually drivers are not suspicious of female passengers though. The attackers also stole the motorcycle he had had just loaned.

3. ROMY ARISTOTELES, 33 years old: He was killed on April 9 at 8:30pm at corner Magsaysay Avenue and Salazar streets, a usually crowded place in downtown area. A lone gunman, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, shot him from behind and calmly walked away after the shooting.

4. JUN VILLAMOR: He was shot dead on April 1 by two of passengers who allegedly tried to steal his motorcycle along San Pedro Street, Mateo Road, Barangay (village) Bula. Witnesses heard gunshots before he slammed his motorcycle underneath the back of a utility vehicle parked along a roadside. The two attackers, one of whom was seen having difficulty of walking were able to escape.

5. DANILO BACTOL, 45 years old: He was found dead on March 10 in Purok Bulaong Extension, Barangay Labangal. He was last seen ferrying two other passengers before he was murdered and his motorcycle stolen. He had fatal gunshot wounds to his belly and back.

MURDER OF ALLEGED CRIMINALS:

1. RUEL MEDRANO, 22 years old; of Purok San Roque, Barangay Labanga. On May 17, he was seen eating a snack in one of the stores when gunmen shot him dead. The gunmen, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, had approached the victim unnoticed, shooting him on the head at close range. Three slugs from a pistol were found from the crime scene. He had been involved previously on theft for stealing a phone, which has been returned to the owner.

2. BEMBO APONESTO, 31 years old; of Purok 2, Rajah Muda, Barangay Bula. On May 17, he was standing just outside the house of his friend when he was shot dead by unidentified gunmen. Two gunmen, carrying a .45 caliber pistol, were seen approaching him before they shot him. The community police, however, claimed Bembo had previously been detained in their police station for committing an offense.

3. ALFREDO SECUVA JR., 17 years old; of Zone 3, Block 0, Barangay Fatima. On May 16, he was playing basketball in a crowded place when approached by gunmen who shot him twice. Two slugs from a .45 caliber pistol had been recovered from the crime scene. There were suspicions that he had been involved in illegal drugs after having been swayed by his friends and he could have been killed by "hired killers".

4. RENE TALUNA, 24 years old: On May 14 evening, Rene had just come from the public market where he was selling charcoal when the attackers shot him soon after arriving at his place in B'laan Village, Barangay Labangal. The two suspects, riding on a motorcycle, had followed the victim before shooting him dead. He suffered gunshot wounds to his head and chest. The community police there, once again, claimed Rene had cases of theft and robbery in their office.

5. EPEDILITO VALLENTI, 18 years old: He was shot suddenly by a gunman on May 12 just outside his place. The gunmen, who had approached him as he was standing, shot him to his head and neck. The attackers, riding on a motorcycle, were seen shooting the victim soon after coming close to him.

6. ROGER BAGALANGIT, 23 years old: He was shot dead on April 20 in front of his sister, Resalie, after coming out from a village where they had come for a drink along Jhonny Ang Paradise. They were waiting for a ride on their way home, when one of the attackers, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, suddenly appeared shooting Roger to his forehead. He died on his way when taken to the hospital. The police', instead of investigating who are responsible for his murder, looked into whether the victim had a criminal records or not.

7. JONATHAN LANCISO, 30 years old: On April 18, he was with a crowd of people watching volleyball game when two gunmen, armed with .45 caliber pistol, approached shooting him to his forehead in Sitio Lanton, Barangay Apopong. None of those who had seen the shooting, however, had come forward to identify the two attackers. His wife, Agnes, had no idea to what could have been the motive in her husband's murder. Jonathan had been detained but was released after having been falsely charged for theft of firearms.

8. GABRIEL SINTOSAS, 23 and EMERSON ESTOCADO, 21: Gabriel and Emerson were killed on March 19 in Purok Malok and Purok San Roque, Labangal, respectively. The police had quickly made public pronouncement the two had been killed over suspicions that they could be involved in a series of motorcycle robberies.

9. ROLEN DAGANIO, (a.k.a dugong bunso), 16 years old: He was with two of his relatives March 18, around 9:55pm along Barangay City Heights when he was shot dead by unidentified gunmen riding on motorcycle. His uncle, Rogelio Inconcillano, and cousin, Rember Nunez, said attackers shot him as he was standing at the roadside. Rolen is said to be a recidivist offender and had been detained at police stations in several occasions. The social welfare is supposed to be taking custody of him when he was killed.

10. NASSER KAMID, 28 years old: He was along Amao Road, Barangay Bula on March 7 when the three attackers riding on a motorcycle, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, suddenly appeared and shot him dead. Though the police have yet to conclude their investigation; they however said he had been previously detained at the Davao Penal Colony (Dapecol).

Justifying Murder Of Criminals Endorses Murder Itself

From March 18 to 22, seven alleged criminals were killed, including a 16-year-old boy, in separate shooting incidents reportedly perpetrated by men riding on motorcycles in General Santos City, the Asian Human Rights Commission said.

It said the police and the city's mayor quickly announced that the killings could have been the result of a conflict within the group of criminals themselves given that they all have criminal records. Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. was quoted to have told a local television station: "Iniisip namin baka sila, kasi nag-o-onsehan na eh (We think they themselves are killing each other)".

One of the victims, 16-year old Rolim Dagano, was reported to have also been included in the supposed "list" of persons allegedly involved in the theft of motorcycles.

Prior to this targeted killings, murders of motorcyclists and the subsequent theft of their motorcycles has continue unabated—at least ten were reported in January this year alone. Rolim's previous records of theft were also mentioned by the police, apparently to illustrate his supposed connections in criminal acts, prior to concluding their investigation.

However, apart from Rolim, the remainder of the victims were not reported to have been in the supposed list of criminals. Before these murders took place, the city's police chief, Senior Superintendent Robert Po, issued orders to his field commanders demanding that they "dismantle" the group of criminals involved in the theft of motorcycles.

It was after this demand by Po that these murders started taken place. Incidents of victims who are killed inside their residence in the presence of their relatives, outside a chapel and even places close to their residence have taken place. All the perpetrators have gone unidentified and unpunished for these murders.

There were sweeping allegations and immediate conclusions justifying these murders but the police and the city's mayor has not given any reasonable explanations why they themselves had to justify these murders and why this class of people must be, and deserves to be killed. When crimes are committed it is the obligation of the police to investigate and discover those who are responsible. Whether or not the murder victim had a criminal record is no justification for not carrying out a legitimate investigation. Murder is a criminal act and it is the duty of the police to hold those responsible to account.

By failing to do so, they have already denied the victims' families of any remedies, particularly of knowing the circumstances of their loved ones' death. The claims of their relatives that their loved ones were not criminals, were never involved in any criminal activity and might have been killed by mistake are no longer looked into.

The murder of alleged criminals also buries any possibility for them to defend themselves.

Additionally, such killings also force the families of the victim to live with the stigma of one of their deceased member being branded as a criminal. It deprives them of equality before the law and equal protection of the law because the law enforcement authorities and the local officials have themselves justified these murders. They have already concluded they were nothing but "war amongst criminals".

Justifying these murders has given blanket impunity to the perpetrators who continuously shot their targets dead in open public. The police and the city's mayor act by prematurely concluding the reasons for these murders, thereby diluting the notion that the police authorities have a responsibility to investigate all crimes and to punish the offenders.

They have abandoned these fundamental responsibility in protecting the lives of every citizen by not carrying out adequate action to ensure that no one is arbitrarily deprived of his life—whether he or she is a criminal or not.

If, as the police and the mayor have pointed out it is in fact ‘gang warfare’ then the authorities should have a starting point for their investigations. They should be able to find enough information to identify, arrest and charge the perpetrators in court; however, no one in these "groups" have so far been charged for these murders. Thus the credibility of the police and their alleged complicity into these murders by their failure to take action should be looked into.

The police should give explanation on the existence of the reported list and how they came about it. Is the listing of persons as alleged criminals involved in motorcycle thefts a sanction to murder them?, asked the AHRC.

AHRC is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

Mindanao Schools Get 23,000 Books From The Asia Foundation

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 06, 2008) – The Asia Foundation donated 18,000 books Thursday to more than 400 schools in Mindanao and pledged to release more in the southern Philippines.

“We will release more books in southern Philippines and we are so happy to help support basic education program in the region,” said Efren Balajadia, director of the Books for Asia Program, of The Asia Foundation.

Balajadia said they distributed books and other reference materials in Koronadal City and in South Cotabato province. He said they will also release 5,000 books Friday in at least 155 schools in General Santos City.

“Today, we released 18,000 books in 440 mostly public schools in Koronadal and South Cotabato province and we will donate 5,000 more books on Friday in schools in General Santos,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

In December, Balajadia’s group also donated books and reference materials to Gov. Sakur Tan of Sulu province during a two-day peace caravan. Balajadia said they will continue to support the education program in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Dr Steven Rood, country representative of The Asia Foundation, said the distribution of the books in Mindanao is made possible through The Asia Foundation’s Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) project with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The provision of books and other educational resources serves as a joint commitment in the campaign for education among communities in South Cotabato and General Santos, he said.

Balajadia also quoted Ky Johnson, the deputy country representative of The Asia Foundation, as saying: “The Asia Foundation is happy to be able to provide educational resources in order to make a difference in the lives of school children in South Cotabato and General Santos.”

“All members of society have to take on the responsibility of mobilizing their resources to create an impact on the performance of their young leaders. With the help of our local governments and private partners, we can help each community as we bring learning to all deserving schools throughout Southern Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines.” Balajadia said.

Since 1954, Books for Asia program has been committed to the belief that knowledge and education are critical for Asian nations to advance their citizens and societies. The program puts nearly one million up-to-date books and resources of the highest quality into the hands of students, teachers, and librarians in 17 Asian countries each year, according to The Asia Foundation.

“Education forms the foundation for all prosperous and democratic societies,” Jon Lindborg, USAID Philippines Mission Director, said in a statement. “The U.S. Government is very proud to support the work of dedicated organizations like The Asia Foundation and committed schools and communities across Mindanao to help improve educational opportunities for school children and young scholars.”

USAID's program in the Philippines, valued at approximately $80 million in 2008, focuses on strengthening peace in conflict-affected Mindanao, promoting good governance, increasing economic opportunities, protecting the environment, strengthening health services, and improving basic education.

Last year, The Asia Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region, provided more than $68 million in program support and distributed 974,000 books and educational materials valued at $33 million throughout Asia. It depends solely on monetary contributions from donors to accomplish its work.

Reynald Ocampo, Assistant Program Officer-Books for Asia Program, acknowledged the unrelenting support of public and private partners in the endeavor and said U.S. publishers have supplied the books while the Aboitiz2go helped shipped them to Mindanao.

“We are happy to help and look forward to providing more books to other areas in Mindanao,” Ocampo said in a separate interview. (With a report from Mark Navales)

The Asia Foundation Distributes Books In Southern Philippines

Efren Balajadia, the Director of the Books for Asia Program, of The Asia Foundation, hands over books and reference materials to Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and Vice Gov. Lady Anne Sahidullah and other provincial officials headed by Patikul town Mayor Kabir Hayudini during a two-day peace caravan in Sulu province. The Asia Foundation will distribute 20,000 books on Thursday and Friday, March 6-7, 2008 in South Cotabato province and General Santos City in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo/Nickee Butlangan)

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 05, 2008) – The Asia Foundation will release some 20,000 children’s books and reference materials to 560 schools in the southern Philippines.

Steven Rood, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, said they will distribute the books at separate ceremonies on Thursday and Friday in South Cotabato province and General Santos City.

The donations, he said, are part of The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program. The distribution of the books in Mindanao is made possible through The Asia Foundation’s Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) project with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Among key people who are invited to grace the occasion in South Cotabato are Koronadal City Mayor Fernando Miguel, South Cotabato Governor Daisy Fuentes and other government and education officials.

Mayor Pedro Acharon and Congresswoman Darlene Custodio will also lead the ceremony in General Santos City.

The provision of books and other educational resources serves as a joint commitment in the campaign for education among communities in South Cotabato and General Santos.

“The Asia Foundation is happy to be able to provide educational resources in order to make a difference in the lives of school children in South Cotabato and General Santos.”

“All members of society have to take on the responsibility of mobilizing their resources to create an impact on the performance of their young leaders. With the help of our local governments and private partners, we can help each community as we bring learning to all deserving schools throughout Southern Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines,” said Ky Johnson, Deputy Country Representative of The Asia Foundation.

Since 1954, Books for Asia program has been committed to the belief that knowledge and education are critical for Asian nations to advance their citizens and societies. The program puts nearly one million up-to-date books and resources of the highest quality into the hands of students, teachers, and librarians in 17 Asian countries each year, according to The Asia Foundation.

“Education forms the foundation for all prosperous and democratic societies,” Jon Lindborg, USAID Philippines Mission Director, said. “The U.S. Government is very proud to support the work of dedicated organizations like The Asia Foundation and committed schools and communities across Mindanao to help improve educational opportunities for school children and young scholars.”

USAID's program in the Philippines, valued at approximately $80 million in 2008, focuses on strengthening peace in conflict-affected Mindanao, promoting good governance, increasing economic opportunities, protecting the environment, strengthening health services, and improving basic education.

Last year, The Asia Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region, provided more than $68 million in program support and distributed 974,000 books and educational materials valued at $33 million throughout Asia. It depends solely on monetary contributions from donors to accomplish its work.

Reynald Ocampo, Assistant Program Officer-Books for Asia Program, acknowledged the unrelenting support of public and private partners in the endeavor and said U.S. publishers have supplied the books while the Aboitiz2go helped shipped them to Mindanao.

“We are happy to help and look forward to providing more books to other areas in Mindanao,” Ocampo told the Mindanao Examiner.

In December, the Asia Foundation led by Efren Balajadia, the Books for Asia Program Director, also donated books and reference materials to Sulu province during a two-day peace caravan. Balajadia said they will continue to support basic education program in Sulu. (With reports from Mark Navales and Nickee Butlangan)

Southern RP Blast Kills 1

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 28, 2008) – A suspected homemade bomb exploded in the southern Philippines, killing one man and wounded at least six more, police and military reports said.

The blast occurred in the middle of a crowd watching a street dance in General Santos City late Wednesday. No group claimed responsibility for the blast, but police is investigating whether the lone victim was the bomber after a waist bag believed used to hide the explosive had been recovered from his body.

Other reports said a cell phone was also found in the bag and believed used to trigger the explosion. However, it was not immediately known whether the explosion was accidental or a suicide attack.

Last month, three people were killed and 22 others wounded when a homemade bomb also exploded outside the Philbest Canning Corporation in General Santos City.

No group also claimed responsibility for the bombing, but previous attacks had been blamed by Philippine authorities to the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya, including the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (With a report from Mark Navales)

Extort Group Owns Up Bombing In Mindanao

A security guard of the Philbest Canning Corporation in General Santos City in southern Philippines stands Saturday, February 2, 2008 near the site where a bomb had exploded last week killing four people. (Mindanao Examiner Photo/Gandhi C. Kinjiyo)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 02, 2008) – A shadowy group calling itself the Al-Khobar gang has allegedly owned to a recent bombing in the southern Philippines, reports said.

Reports said the gang, composed mostly of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and criminals, claimed the January 30 bombing outside the Philbest Canning Corporation in the village of Tambler that killed four people and wounded at least 28 others.

An explosive was left on a parked motorcycle outside the factory where it detonated as employees were coming out of the Philbest compound. Police initially blamed labor disputes at the factory and failed extortion as the motive of the attack.

Police and military also linked the group to previous bombings in strife-torn region the past years. Al-Khobar was behind many extortion activities in Mindanao. (Gandhi C. Kinjiyo)

Blast Kills 3 In Southern Philippines

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 30, 2008) – Three people were killed and over a dozen other wounded when a motorcycle rigged to an explosive was detonated late Wednesday in the southern Philippines, police and military reports said.

At least 22 people were wounded in the blast outside a tuna canning factory in General Santos City, southwest of Davao. Authorities said the explosive was rigged to a parked motorcycle outside the Philbest Canning Corporation in the village of Tambler.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the blast and police is still investigating the motive of the attack.

The 2.5-hectare cannery complex houses a power plant, a boiler area, a wastewater treatment facility, microbiology and chemical laboratories and a warehouse. It was not immediately known whether the attack targeted the cannery, which shipped canned tuna products to the United States, Japan and Europe.

General Santos City was previously bombed many times in the past by the Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels. (With a report from Mark Navales)

20,000 Muslims, Christians Show Up In Peace Rally In Southern RP

Marchers in General Santos City in southern Philippines. (Photos by Consortium Maulana for the Mindanao Examiner newspaper)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 12, 2008) - Sympathy and frustration reflected in the eyes of some 20,000 people notwithstanding the scorching sun as they participated in an interfaith mass action which started with a march for peace from Queen Tuna Park to the Freedom Park and ended with a prayer here.

The rally was the third leg of a series of peace rallies in Mindanao organized by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) that kicked off at Cotabato City on January 7 to pressure the government to sincerely engage with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and go back to the negotiating table and sign and eventually implement an final peace agreement, as well as truthfully keep its word with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in implementing the second phase of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

The March-rally was scheduled to start at 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon. However, the trucks that carried participants from the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and South Cotabato started to arrive at 9:00am, making the assembly area at Queen Tuna Park jam-packed even before 12:00 noon.

Some of the people were forced to walk to the much wider Freedom Park earlier than the scheduled march proper to accommodate the large crowd of peace advocates.

General Santos City bombings and other random incidents in SOCSKSARGEN has consistently caught the attention of the media and the general public. The interfaith and peace rally also commemorated the 1st year anniversary of the GenSan Lotto Outlet bombing incident which killed six civilians and injured 36 others.

“We don’t want bombings in SOCSKSARGEN anymore!” said Oscar Solaiman, the CBCS-Rajah Buayan Regional Management Committee (CBCS-RBRMC) Chairmperson.

“SOCSKSARGEN is now a haven of peace” he furthered, attributing mainly this state of peace to three factors, “emergence of strong local leaders, protection from both the police and the military, and the present gains of the peace processes”.

But due to the recently “stalled peace talks, hopes were suddenly replaced by fears”, Solaiman added, referring to the cancellation of the anticipated signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on the issue of ancestral domain between the MILF and the GRP that was supposed to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on December 15-17, 2007.

Solaiman contended that the clamor of the MNLF to the unaccomplished review the 1996 Final Peace Accord with the Government “adds to the obstacles of the Bangsamoro People to achieve genuine peace”.

“The peaceful lives of the Bangsamoro were shattered by the tremors brought about by the coming of the colonizers” said Sammy Maulana, CBCS Secretary General during his speech.

“We are not begging anything from the Government, we just want to regain our homeland and restore our inalienable rights to self determination, both as people and a nation”.

Most of the misery expressed was focused on the vacillating stance of the GRP in non-conforming to hard-earned consensus points on the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) that was prior agreed upon with the MILF. “The GRP has to demonstrate integrity by honoring the consensus points”, said Anwar Saluwang of the United Youth of the Philippines for Peace in Development (UNYPAD).

The frailty of the Government to bequeath its political will is viewed as the core barrier that impinges the realization of the peace processes in Mindanao.

Pastor Frank Bantilan, a Lumad religious leader from Sarangani Province, together with other B’laans, said that they are distressed by the sudden impasse of the peace talks between the GRP and the MILF. “Muslims and Lumads are more than brothers” “we feel no different pain” he said with conviction.

“Tri-People”, the term commonly associated with SOCSKSARGEN is mainly due to the existence of diverse tribes belonging to the Indigenous People, Christian and Muslims. “This is not a time for war” he uttered calling for stronger unity between the Lumads and Muslims.

In a Position paper, the Moro CSOs and other non-Moro supporters pointed out that “the most civilized and acceptable way to resolve conflict is through negotiation”. And the best way for a negotiation to succeed is “sincerity, honesty and political will”.

These positions were fervently made known by the CSOs: “The real implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the MNLF and Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), the restoration of the peace talks between the GRP and the MILF, and for the Government to bestow its ‘political will’ towards the realization of the peace processes”.

Along with these points is the condemning of bombing incidents and any form of terrorist acts that had taken the lives of many innocent civilians, whether Muslim or Christian, in SOCSKSARGEN.

The rally ended with a plea for the souls of those who died in the bombings that had brought fear to the hearts of SOCSKSARGEN, with the hope that it will never happen again.

The CBCS is now preparing for the next legs of this series of peace rallies in Mindanao within the month in Basilan, Pagadian, Zamboanga and Sulu that is expected to draw together the concerned groups and sectors in these regions to continue the call for genuine peace in Mindanao.(Consortium Maulana)

Quake Rattles Southern Philippines

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 20 Aug) – A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 in the Richter scale shook Mindanao on Monday, about 730 miles from southeast of Manila, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake occurred near Davao in Mindanao island, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damages to structure.

It said the tremor was reported at 13:46:25.00 UTC (9:46:18 p.m. local time) about 227 miles east-southeast of Davao and 247 miles east of General Santos. (Mindanao Examiner)

Surveillance Videos Ikakalat Sa General Santos City

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 10 Jun) – Inanunsyo ng pamahalaang lokal na magkakabit ito ng mga surveillance cameras sa ibat-ibang lugar upang magsilbing tulong sa mga awtoridad sa kampanya kontra terorismo.

Mismong si Mayor Pedro Acharon ang naglabas ng balita sa isang pulong City Peace and Order Council kamakalawa at pinanigan naman ito ng pulisya.

Ngunit ayon sa ibang tutol sa malaking gastusin ay hindi umano sapat ang video camera sa pakikiba sa terorismo at kailangan umano ay karagdagang puwersa ng pulisya at barangay tanod upang mabigyan ng protekyon ang publiko sa pambobomba.

Madali rin umanong mag-assemble ng bomba sa loob mismo ng lungsod at kahit isang tao ay kayang pasabugin ang anumang target kung kaya’t malabong makatulong ang video surveillance.

Sinabi ni Acharon na madaling malalaman ang mga sasakyan at sinuman na magdaraan sa harapan ng mga video surveillance sa entry at exit points ng lungsod dahil recorded umano lahat ng makikita sa camera.

Hindi naman sinabi ni Acharon kung magkano ang halaga ng proyekto. (Mindanao Examiner)

SMS Warns Of Terror Attacks In South RP

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 31 May) – Police doused off public fears of terror attacks in General Santos City in the southern Philippines after cell phone text messages warned of an impending bombings by the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya.

It was unknown who spread the text messages, but police assured the public that there was no such threat. Police headquarters here have been flooded by calls about the threats.

The text message warned that a blue motorcycle would be used by terrorists to launch attack in General Santos. The bike, it said, would come from Maguindanao province.

Police said it would be impossible for the motorcycle to pass through layers of security and road blocks in General Santos City.

Officials appealed to the public to stay calm and vigilant. General Santos has been bombed many times in the past that killed and wounded scores of civilians. (Romy Bwaga)