Sarangani Guv Appeals For Fresh Mandate

“Vote for me and for Roy Chiongbian for congressman,” says Sarangani province Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez as he appeals to thousands of supporters to vote for them in Monday's general elections, during a political rally Saturday, May 8, 2010 in Kiamba town.

Blast hits Sarangani governor's convoy

Sarangani Governor Rene Miguel Dominguez. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / April 26, 2010) – An improvised bomb exploded Monday at a convoy carrying a provincial governor in the southern Philippines.

The bomb exploded between the car of Sarangani governor Miguel Rene Dominguez and his aides while traveling to the town of Glan on his way to meet former defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr who is now running in next month’s presidential polls.

It was unclear who planted the bomb, but Dominguez said he was not hurt in the explosion. “I am okay,” he said.

The blast occurred hours after security forces arrested four people for carrying illegal weapons in the town, whose mayor Enrique Yap, was the target of an assassination attempt.

The four men - Jimmy Mier, Alfredo Macabayao, Fredie Mendes and Ronald
Elorde – were arrested after they flagged down Yap’s vehicle. The mayor sped off after seeing the armed men and sought police help.

Police and military seized an M16 rifle and a .45-caliber pistol from the men who were in two vans during a chase. It was unknown whether the four suspects are followers of rival candidates or not. (Mindanao Examiner)

Huge Public Support Greets Sarangani Re-electionist Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez

In Sarangani’s Maitum town, re-electionist Governor Miguel Rene “Migs” Dominguez meets former mayor and provincial board member Juanito “Tatang” Purisima, who is among the thousands of supporters who attended the Sarangani Reformation and Reconciliation Organization and Lakas-Kampi-CMD proclamation rally Monday, April 4, 2010. Dominguez also spoke to party supporters and community leaders and also led the evacuation and restoration of peace in the communities of Maitum and Maasim towns during disaster and social disturbances in the past with the assistance of former Defense Secretary and presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)

1 killed, 32 wounded in twin grenade blasts in Mindanao

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Photo: Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro visits Sarangani province in the southern Philippines on Monday, December 1, 2008 where he is welcomed by Governor Miguel Dominguez. Teodoro and Dominguez led the ceremonial repair of school buildings in Maasim town as part of President Gloria Arroyo’s "Laban sa Kahirapan Project." (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)

Photo: Sunset Ceremony

Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez (center), who holds the rank of commander in the Philippine Navy Reserve Command, accepts a memento from Captain Noel Felicia (2nd from right), commanding officer of BRP Pangasinan PS 31, during the "Sunset Ceremony" at Makar Wharf on November 28, 2008. Governor Dominguez became a reservist officer of the Philippine Navy on July 18. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima)

23 Dead As Fighting Continues In Southern Philippines

An undated photo of slain Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels is released Sunday, August 24, 2008 to the selected members of the Philippine media in Mindanao. The Philippine military said more than 100 rebels are killed in fierce fighting in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

A photo released by Sarangani provincial government on Sunday, August 24, 2008 shows villagers who fled the fighting in Maasim town in southern Philippines disembark from a truck that brought them to a refugee shelter. Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez says 10 rebels were killed in the fighting Saturday in Maasim town. Another photo shows teary-eyed Cherry Anne Ling as she sings "Only for you my God" to fellow refugees in Maasim town. (Mindanao Examiner)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 24, 2008) – At least 25 government soldiers and Muslim rebels were killed as fierce fighting continued Sunday in the southern Philippines.

Intense fighting was reported the towns of Datu Piang, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, all in Maguindanao province and also in Midsayap town in North Cotabato, Eid Kabalu, a rebel leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“Government soldiers torched houses owned by Muslims in Datu Saudi Ampatuan and fighting is raging in the villages of (Datu) Piang and also in Midsayap. We still do not know if there are casualties,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

Ten rebels were also slain in Sarangani province after a pair of military attack helicopters pounded suspected rebel lairs in the outskirts of Maasim town on Saturday, according to Gov. Miguel Dominguez.

He said security forces were still pursuing the rebels under MILF commander Alu Binago, blamed for the August 18 attack in the town that killed two civilians.

He said soldiers were pursuing about 70 rebels. “We are gaining ground in surrounding the enemies (in Maasim town),” Dominguez said, adding, troops had captured several MILF lairs in three areas in the hinterland village of Pananag.

“Hopefully we will see justice is served to the innocent civilians who lost their lives in the recent attack in Maasim,” he said.

The fighting in Sarangani forced almost 2,000 families to flee their homes. Many are now housed in different refugee shelters across the town.

The MILF said no rebels were killed in the Sarangani fighting. It claimed that 13 soldiers were killed in the clashes.

Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a spokesman of the Army 6th Infantry Division, said troops also occupied at least five MILF bases in Maguindanao province after fierce fighting in the towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Piang and Kabuntalan towns.

Ando said soldiers also recovered assorted munitions, mortar rockets and anti-tank weapons left behind by fleeing rebels. “The operation will continue against MILF commanders Kato and Macapaar. The MILF should surrender these two terrorists peacefully,” he said.

He said the ongoing military offensive is aimed at capturing two notorious MILF commanders Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar, who led a series of attacks recently in the provinces that killed dozens of people, mostly civilians.

Manila also demanded the MILF to peacefully surrender Kato and Macapaar.

The rebels launched attacks after the aborted signing of the Muslim homeland deal between the MILF and Manila. The accord would have granted Muslims their own separate state in more than 700 villages across Mindanao, but it also sparked a series of protests from mostly Christian politicians and residents opposed to the inclusion of their areas to the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

The Supreme Court stopped the signing of the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain after some lawmakers and politicians filed separate petitions asking the government to bare the rest of the deal with the MILF.

Murad Ebrahim, the secluded chieftain of the MILF, said they will not surrender the two rogue commanders and warned that an all-war is inevitable if the peace talks with Manila totally collapse.

Ebrahim has ordered MILF members to stop hostilities in Mindanao, but fighting still continue between government and rebel forces in many areas in the troubled region with both sides accusing each other of violating a fragile truce.

"We cannot subject our members to the laws of the government," Murad said, insisting that the MILF is a revolutionary organization. He said the MILF has started its own investigation into the attacks.

The MILF has blamed hawkish factions in the Arroyo government and Christian politicians opposing the Muslim homeland deal to the skirmishes in Mindanao.

Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator, said his group will not anymore negotiate any amendments to the ancestral domain deal, saying, peace negotiators have initialed the accord last month in Malaysia, which is brokering the talks.

Manila has issued conflicting statements about the Muslim homeland deal. In several occasions, President Gloria Arroyo’s spokesmen said the government has scrapped the deal after finding it unconstitutional and at one point claimed Manila would still honor the accord. (With reports from Merlyn Manos)

Saranggani Governor Releases Statement On MILF Raid

We are for peace but we shall not cower in fear.

We are appalled at the brazenness and treachery of the armed attack at the Maasim town early dawn today which resulted into the death of two innocent civilians and the wounding of another.

No amount of justification could placate the families of our dead and sooth the anxiety and fear of residents who have lived in peace and harmony throughout the years.

We shall remain steadfast in our quest for peace but we shall not cower in fear in the face of open challenges.

We will relentlessly pursue the attackers and bring to justice who wrought havoc to our peaceful lives and those who will continue to threaten us.

The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are now pursuing them.
Let me assure the residents of Maasim and in Sarangani that the local government units will continue to protect your lives and properties.

Let us not be driven into fear and submission.

MIGUEL RENE A. DOMINGUEZ
Governor, Sarangani

RP Boxing Champ Is Now A Bilaan Datu

Wearing the traditional Blaan costume, boxing hero Manny Pacquiao is named Datu Damfel Banwe,' which means "a man to unite the people from distant places towards peace and prosperity." (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion / Sarangani Information Office)

SARANGANI, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 28, 2008) – Filipino indigenous tribes have conferred boxing champion Manny Pacquiao the rank of datu in a ceremony attended by hundreds of natives in the southern Philippine province of Sarangani.

Pacquiao, the new WBC Super Featherweight champion, was also named “Datu Damfel Banwe” which means “a man with the power to unite the people from all places towards peace and prosperity.”

The ceremony was held in Malungon town March 26 where Bilaan and Tagakaolos leaders gathered to honor Pacquiao.

“Ipinakita nya ang kahalagahan na walang imposible kapag tayo ay may pangarap at inspirasyon,” (He showed us that in perseverance there is nothing impossible and we can achieve our dreams and goals in life. There is always an inspiration,” Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez said.

Pacquiao defated Mexican Juan Manual Marquez in a controversial bout earlier in March. Marquez’s camp said the Mexican boxer should have won the fight.

Sarangani Folks Unite For Peace and Progress

Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez speaks to villagers in Alabel town. (Photo by released by the Sarangani Provincial Information Office / Mindanao Examiner)

SARANGANI, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 04, 2008) - Local government officials have sought community cooperation and support for stable peace and order condition in Alabel town in Sarangani province.

Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez, who led municipal officials to the village of Datal Anggas on Tuesday , gave the opportunity for locals to air their sentiments and get government attention to improve their living condition. "Kailangan naming ang inyong suporta at kooperasyon," (We need all your support), he told the villagers.

Dominguez asked them to list down the basic services they needed so local government could take proper actions. The municipal government has built a water system sourced from a spring that now benefits more than 80 households in the village belonging to the B’laan tribe. A nursery for 10,000 rubber trees was also constructed late last year in Datal Anggas and nearby villages.

Last year, dozens of New People’s Army rebels who surrendered to the military are now beneficiaries of government agricultural programs. Most of the lands they till are planted to corns. "Salamat sa tulong ng gobyerno sa amin," (We thanked the government for this support), former rebel, Roger Tartisan, said.

A livelihood training on basket weaving for former rebels and women was also conducted by cellular phone giant, Globe Telecom and ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation's BridgeCom sa Bayan, in partnership with the provincial government of Sarangani and the Alcantara Foundation.

Roads were also built in the village. Purok Chairman Victor Moda said the completion of a six-kilometer Ihan-Kalbangan road through the food-for-work program would enable children to go to a primary school two kilometers away from the purok center.

Lt. Col. Manuel Sequitin, commander of the Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion, also put up a post in the village to ensure the security of the locals.

Photo: Sarangani Province Governor Miguel Rene Domingues Inspects Fishing Boat

Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez inspects the aft of a wooden fishing vessel Monday, March 03, 2008 at the boat-making facility run by a cooperative in the village of Lumasal. The boat is built with some 27,000 board feet of common hardwood harvested from the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) area of LUPA (Lumasal-Pananag) Integrated Ecological Resources Multi-purpose Cooperative.

Executive Order No. 263 dated 19 July 1995 adopted the CBFM as the national strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the country's forestland resources and provided mechanisms for its implementation. Participating organized communities may be granted access to the forestland resources under long-term tenurial agreements, provided they employ environment-friendly, ecologically sustainable, and labor-intensive harvesting methods.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall work with local governments, people's organizations, non-government organizations, religious groups, business and industry, and other organizations to ensure that communities are empowered to initiate and achieve the objectives of EO 263.

And after the inspection, Dominguez delivers a message during a consultation with CBFM members and regional officers of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources also in the village of Lumasal. Aside from the responsibilities of the CBFM holder as stipulated in the CBFM agreement, DENR Administrative Order 2000-29 (Guidelines regulating the harvesting and utilization of forest products within Community-Based Forest Management Areas) also mandates that people's organizations granted with Resource Use Permit (RUP) ensure that the harvesting of forest products will be done in the most economical and ecological manner.

Among the safeguards to be observed by the CBFM holder is to refrain from the use of heavy equipment such as bulldozers and the like and much as possible must employ labor intensive methods of harvesting. (Mindanao Examiner / Photos by the Sarangani Provincial Information Office)