Prosecutor gunned down in Mindanao

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 3, 2010) – A Philippine prosecutor was gunned down Wednesday in the country’s troubled island of Mindanao, police said.

The attack occurred while Macadatar Marsangca was jogging on a village in Iligan City. The gunman escaped on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice after the shooting, leaving the bloodied Masangca sprawled on the road.

The motive of the attack is still unknown and investigators are looking into whether the killing was connected to criminal cases Masangca handled. The attackers were believed to be hired killers.

No individual claimed responsibility for the killing. (Mindanao Examiner)

6 wounded in separate attacks in Mindanao

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 23, 2010) – At least six people were wounded in separate attacks in the restive region of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, officials said Friday.

A grenade attack in Iligan City had left at least 5 people wounded, but radio reports said as many as 7 were injured in the blast before dawn near a police post. No group or individual claimed responsibility for the attack.

Most of the injured were civilians. Police immediately blamed the blast to criminal gangs, although previous attacks had been largely suspected on Moro rebels and extortionists.

One person was also injured after bandits opened fire on a commuter bus on the village of Muti in Zamboanga City. The attack which occurred late Thursday was largely blamed to bandits who were also linked to extortion and highway robberies.

Army Colonel Santiago Baluyot, commander of an anti-terror task force in Zamboanga City, said troops and militias were sent to the area, but did not catch up with the attackers.

“The area is isolated and troops did not catch up with the assailants. These people are bandits who were behind previous attacks on passenger buses. Failed extortion could be the motive behind the attack,” he said.

The latest attack added to the growing concerns of many locals worried about the spate of violence in at least three Zamboanga villages – Mampang, Arena Blanco and Talon-Talon – where bloody clan feuds had already claimed the lives of many people.

A village official on Mampang was killed and his companions injured after gunmen ambushed them July 13 in Zamboanga City.

The ambush came a day after a lone gunman fatally shot a jeep driver who was plying the village route in front of many people. Prior to the daring shooting, gunmen also killed several people and exploded a hand grenade in a house in Mampang.

The attack on village officials occurred just as the local peace and order council was meeting to tackle the spate of killings and gun attacks in Zamboanga. Just this month, villagers also discovered three bodies buried in a pit on a village called Mercedes. The cadavers bore stabbed wounds and its faces were covered in packing tape and one of the bodies was said to belong to a Muslim man.

Villagers were also afraid to come out in the open and tell what they know about the killings in the villages fearing reprisals from the criminals. One of the chief suspects in the murders was arrested by the police recently from his hideout in Mindoro province.

More than 100 people had been attacked by gunmen since early this year in Zamboanga City despite the presence of armed soldiers and policemen patrolling the streets. And police called these incidents isolated and government officials were quick to blame the proliferation of illegal firearms and urged authorities to intensify a campaign aimed at collecting these weapons.

Zamboanga has implemented a total gun ban the past years and despite this, the killings still go unabated, but most of the murders were perpetrated by professional killers who are actively operating in Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner)

Konsehal nanapak ng brodkaster sa Mindanao

Si Alberto Loyola, sa loob ng kanyang booth sa radio station dxRJ sa lungsod ng Iligan na biktima ng pananakit ng isang lokal na konsehal. (Mindanao Examiner / Merlyn Manos)

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / January 15, 2010) – Nahaharap sa malaking problema ang isang konsehal ng lungsod ng Iligan matapos itong akusahan ng pananakit ng isang radio brodkaster.

Isinumbong sa Mindanao Examiner ni Alberto Loyola, ng radio station dxRJ at may hawak sa programang “Radyo Patrol,” na nilusob diumano ni Konsehal Chonilo Ruiz ang himpilan at doon ay sinapak ang kanyang muka at pinilipit pa ang leeg dahil sa kanyang balita at komento ukol sa pondo ng pamahalaang.

Nuong Enero 13 naganap ang pananakit, ayon kay Loyola at isinalaysay nito na nagalit umano si Ruiz sa kanya dahil sa pagbibintang nito sa konsehal na “botboton,” na ang ibig sabihin sa diyalektong Bisaya ay “sinungaling.”

Ito’y matapos na ipahayag ng konsehal na may pondong P14 milyon para sa services committee na gagamitin ng naturang committee at para sa pagpapakain sa mga opisyal at iba sa tuwing may mga public hearing ukol sa ibat-ibang isyu sa Iligan. Sinabi ni Loyola na wala itong nakitang pagpapakain dahil ilang beses rin umano siyang umatend ng mga public hearing at ni- isang toothpick ay wala itong nakita o natanggap kung kaya’t tinawag nitong sinungaling si Ruiz.

Sinabi rin diumano ni Racel Babutin, budget officer, na naubos ang pondo ng services committee sa mga pasahod diumano ng mga casual employees na taliwas naman sa sinabi ni Ruiz na sa pakain sa mga public hearing ito gagastusin.

Kung kaya’t nabigla na lamang si Loyola ng biglang sumugod sa kanyang booth si Ruiz. Ang akala umano ni Loyola ay nagtungo sa radio station si Ruiz upang ibigay ang kanyang side, ngunit iba pala ang motibo nito.

Ipinagtanggol naman ni Ruiz ang sarili sa mga akusasyon ni Loyola at sinabing matagal na umano itong nagtitimpi sa mga batikos ng broadcaster kung kaya’t nagawa nito ang pananakit.

Sinabi ni Ruiz na hindi umano siya nilulubayan o tinatantanan ni Loyola sa pag sira sa kanyang dangal. “Lahat ng tao, mapa-pulitiko man o hindi o kaya ay ordinaryong tao ay may karapatan rin na respituhin,” ani Ruiz. “Sana ang media ay marunong din mag balanse kung ang taong tinitira nila ay kayang tiisin ang lahat ng mga batikos sa kanila.”

Inamin naman ni Ruiz na nadala lamang siya ng kanyang emosyon dahil sa matinding batikos na nakukuha mula kay Loyola. Nagsisi umano ito sa nagawa, ngunit magsasampa diumano ito ng kasong oral defamation laban kay Loyola na Maghahain rin ng kaso laban sa konsehal.

Ayon kay Maricris Badlon, kasamahan ni Loyola na nakasaksi sa naganap, ay nagulantang rin umano ito sa bilis ng mga pangyayari, ngunit narining umano sa ere ng publiko ang lahat ng ingay at naganap sa loob ng announcer’s booth.

Naawat lamang ang pananakit ni Ruiz kay Loyola ng dumating si Sabas Rejas Jr., ang tagapamahala ng RJ Clubhouse na pag aari ni Ramon Jacinto. Mabilis naman na lumisan si Ruiz matapos na makaalpas si Loyola, ani Rejas.

Sinabi ni Loyola na hindi nito lulubayan ng batikos si Ruiz dahil may karapatan umano ang publiko na malaman kung saan napupunta ang pondo ng pamahalaang.

Mariing binatikos naman ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines sa Iligan ang pananakit ni Ruiz kay Loyola at naglabas ito ng pahayag.

“We, the officers and members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Iligan City - Lanao chapter strongly condemned the barbaric act, harassment , unbecoming and unprofessional attitude of Iligan City Councilor Chonilo Ruiz who physically manhandled and mauled broadcast journalist Albert Loyola inside the announcer’s booth of dxRJ in Santa Felomina in Iligan City on January 13, 2010 at about 7:50 a.m,” ani ng NUJP na nilagdaan nina Richel Umel, ang lokal na chairman ng grupo at Ronnie Enderes, ang vice chairman. (Merlyn Manos)

Irate bet attacks anchorman on air

Philippine Star Cartoon.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – A city councilor who was irked by the negative commentaries of an anchorman of a local radio station here allegedly barged into the broadcaster’s booth at the station Wednesday morning and punched his tormentor.

Listeners of radio dxRJ heard the incident live at about 8 a.m. while Iligan City Councilor Chonilo Ruiz attacked anchorman Albert Loyola inside the announcer’s booth.

Loyola was heard shouting repeatedly over the microphone in the Cebuano dialect: “I am being punched by councilor Ruiz!”

In the background, Ruiz was also overheard saying in Cebuano: “Salbahe ka, salbahe ka (you are bad, you are bad).”

Ruiz is seeking a third term in the city council in the May elections under the Liberal Party.

In an interview yesterday with another local radio station here, Ruiz explained that in at least three airings of Loyola’s radio program RJ Patrol, the broadcaster repeatedly called him botboton (“liar” in Cebuano).

Ruiz said he tried to call and talk to Loyola over the radio station’s telephone but he was ignored.

Loyola explained that he was just asking the councilor how the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) is spending the budget on committee hearings.

Ruiz, in an earlier interview, replied that part of the expenses included snacks for those who attend the public hearings.

But Loyola said: “How come I was not served those snacks?” Then in the succeeding editions of his program, Loyola repeatedly played the tape and called Ruiz a botboton.

“My patience ran out, I am also a human being,” Ruiz said.

Loyola said he would file appropriate charges against Ruiz.

Ruiz said he will face the consequences of his actions and appealed to media men to practice professionalism. He said that although a city councilor is a public servant, he is still human and could also get hurt. (Lino dela Cruz)


Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=540915&publicationSubCategoryId=68

350 Filipino Grade School Children Named 'Junior Heroes'

Police names some 350 grade school children are named "junior heroes" in Iligan City in Mindanao.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / December 17, 2009) – Some 350 grade school children were named as “junior heroes” after finishing Thursday a series of lecture by the Philippine police on crime prevention in Iligan City in Mindanao.

The students, all from 5th and 6th grade levels, at Villa Verde Elementary School and Pugaan Elementary School took their oath "junior heroes."

"Our intention is to uplift the literacy rate of pupils under its locality on crime prevention, thus, we have this school-based program for them to get involve," said Chief Inspector Ramil Lluisma, a local station commander.

"As junior heroes, the pupils will be our partners in the call for peace," he said.

Police held lectures in schools for the children to be aware of how to prevent crimes and become more responsible citizens.

Lluisma said they also distributed coloring and Christmas books, including crayons and wrist band with markings "Junior Heroes."

The coloring book was entitled: “Mundong Walang IED,” which literally means "A World without Improvised Explosive Device," which is aimed at making children learn to understand the message which calls for them to be aware of the danger posed by homemade explosives and in return can inform authorities about suspicious devices or packages in public places. (Merlyn Manos)

Car bomb explodes in Mindanao, kills 1

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 7, 2009) – One person was killed and at least 10 people were wounded, three of them soldiers, after a car bomb exploded Tuesday in Iligan City in the southern Philippines, reports said.

The car bomb exploded near an army jeep parked adjacent a pawnshop in downtown Iligan and among the wounded were three soldiers. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but previous bombings in Mindanao had been largely blamed by authorities to Moro rebels and Jemaah Islamiya.

The explosion occurred at around 10.30 a.m., said First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman.

“We still don’t know who was behind the latest bombing. It’s too early to speculate, but the attacks are escalating,” she told the Mindanao Examiner.

Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor said the target of the bombing was the military convoy. “The bombing in Iligan targeted the convoy,” he said in a television interview.

The attack in Iligan came barely two hours after a motorcycle bomb exploded near a Catholic church in Jolo town in Sulu province, killing 2 people and wounded two dozen more.

Another improvised explosive, assembled from an 81mm mortar bomb, and planted at police booth outside the Mount Carmel church in Jolo was also disarmed, said town mayor Hussin Amin.

“We suspect that those behind the bombing could be the same group that detonated a motorcycle bomb at the convoy of Governor Sakur Tan,” Amin said.

The mayor was referring to the failed assassination of Tan in May. Tan’s convoy was bombed outside his office while returning home from work, injuring 10 people.

Blancaflor, who also head a government anti-terror task force, said they still do not know if the attacks were coordinated or not. “But the effect of this is to sow terror,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine bridge bombed

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 20, 2009) – Two powerful explosions before dawn Monday damaged a bridge in Lanao del Norte’s Iligan City in the restive region of the southern Philippines, where security forces are fighting Moro rebels, officials said.

Officials said the twin blasts occurred at around 1.30 a.m. and damaged the Agus Bridge that connects several provinces in Mindanao Island. No one was hurt in the attack.

“Both approaches of the structural support of the Agus Bridge was blown off causing it to sag and rendering the bridge impassable to all types of vehicles,” Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, told the Mindanao Examiner.

She said authorities were investigating the motive and the type of type of explosives used in the attack. But police initially said that howitzer cannon were probably used in the bombing.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the attack coincided with military offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao province. Military suspicion also fell on the MILF.

The MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, denied involvement in the bombing of the bridge. “We have nothing to do with the bombing nor we have plans to launch counter offensives despite government attacks on rebel strongholds in Maguindanao,” Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader, said in a separate interview.

The MILF, which is fighting for independence, said security forces shelled rebel strongholds in at least six towns in the province, but there had been no reports of casualties.

Security forces had been tracking down a senior MILF commander Abdurahman Macapaar who led rebel forces in attacking civilian targets in Lanao del Norte last year after the failed signing of the Muslim homeland deal with government peace negotiators.

The failed signing of the homeland deal led to the collapse of the peace talks. President Gloria Arroyo opened peace talks with the MILF in 2001. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)

150 houses gutted in Iligan City fire

At least 150 houses were burned Friday, April 10, 2009 in a fire that swept a neighborhood in Iligan City in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Merlyn Manos)

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 10, 2009) – A huge fire gutted over 159 houses on Friday in Iligan city in the southern Philippines, but there were no reports of casualties, officials said.

Officials said the fire began at around 12.15 p.m. and was put under control three hours later.

At least 180 families were left without homes and many of them are staying on temporary shelters.

The Bureau of Fire is still investigating the cause of the blaze. (Merlyn Manos)

Improvised Bomb Recovered In Iligan City

Police released cartographic drawings of suspects in twin bombings in Iligan City on December 18 that killed two people and wounded at least four dozens more.

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 21, 2008) – An improvised explosive was discovered Sunday in the southern Filipino city of Iligan, where two people were killed in recent twin bombings blamed by the authorities on Moro rebels fighting for independence in the troubled region of Mindanao.

The bomb, assembled from 81mm mortar, was covered in papaya, when it was found by scavengers at around 10 a.m. Police and military bomb experts quickly disarmed the explosive.

No groups or individual claimed ownership of the bomb, but security officials said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels were behind the foiled attack and the twin bombings Thursday on two shopping areas that killed two persons and wounded at least four dozens more.

On Friday, security forces also recovered an improvised explosive hours after President Gloria Arroyo visited the bombing victims in Iligan City. The bomb was also assembled from 81mm mortar and concealed in a hollowed papaya and put inside a net bag and left at the Delecta Coffee and Bakeshop near the bombed area.

The bomb was discovered at around 4 p.m. by an employee and reported the matter to the police. The bag was left by two men who had a snack at the coffee shop.

Police released the sketches of three men, believed to be the bombers.

The discovery of the bombs coincided with fierce fighting between army troops and rebels in the town of El Salvador in Lanao del Norte province. Three soldiers were injured in the fighting, said Col. Benito de Leon, commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade.

De Leon said a still undetermined number of rebels were either killed or wounded in the clash in the hinterland village of Calimudan. The fighting lasted an hour. “Three of my soldiers were wounded in the fighting,” he said.

He said the clash erupted after patrolling soldiers were fired upon by about four dozen rebels. Sporadic clashes continue after peace talks between Manila and the MILF collapsed in August when the two sides failed to sign the Muslim ancestral domain agreement.

The deal would have granted more than four million Muslims their own homeland in the southern Philippines. The accord was unconstitutional, according to the Supreme Court. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)

Bomb found in Iligan City hours after President Arroyo's visit

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 19, 2008) – Security forces recovered Friday an improvised explosive in the southern Philippine city of Iligan, hours after President Gloria Arroyo left the area, officials said.

Officials said the improvised explosive, assembled from 81mm mortar, was concealed in a hollowed papaya and put inside a net bag and left at the Delecta Coffee and Bakeshop near where two bombs went off on Thursday.

The bomb was discovered at around 4 p.m. by an employee and reported the matter to the police. The bag was left by two men who had a snack at the coffee shop.

Arroyo flew to Iligan City a day after two powerful bomb explosions killed two people and wounding at least 48 others. She arrived at around 9:30 a.m. from Bukidnon province where she also visited.

She condoled with the families of the two killed in Thursday bombing of two shopping centers – Uni City Commercial Center and Jerry's Bargain Center, which authorities earlier referred as Jerry's Supermart.

Arroyo, accompanied by Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Rep. Vicente Belmonte, spoke with Jinky Suico, the pregnant widow of Erwin Suico, a store clerk; and Elray Badelles, the brother of Jonas Badelles, who were both killed in the blasts.

She also gave P50,000 burial assistance to the families of Suico and Badelles. Arroyo also visited those injured in the hospital and distributed envelopes containing P30,000 to the blast victims. Arroyo left at around noontime.

No groups or individual claimed responsibility for the attacks, but authorities blamed rogue factions in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as behind the twin bombings, but the country's largest Muslim rebel group denied the accusations.

"We have nothing to do with the bombings. The MILF is not a terrorist organization and we condemned the attacks in Iligan City," said Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader.

Peace talks between Manila and the MILF collapsed in August after the failed signing of the Muslim ancestral domain agreement. (Mindanao Examiner)

Arroyo visits Iligan City, condoles with families of blast victims

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 19, 2008) – Filipino leader Gloria Arroyo flew to Iligan City in the southern Philippines on Friday, a day after two powerful bombs exploded killing two people and wounding at least 48 others.

Arroyo arrived in Iligan City at around 9:30 a.m. from Bukidnon province where she also visited. She condoled with the families of the two killed in Thursday bombing of two shopping centers – Uni City Commercial Center and Jerry’s Bargain Center, which authorities earlier referred as Jerry’s Supermart.

She spoke with Jinky Suico, the pregnant widow of Erwin Suico, a store clerk; and Elray Badelles, the brother of Jonas Badelles, who was also killed in the blast.

Arroyo also gave P50,000 burial assistance to the families of Suico and Badelles.
She was accompanied by Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Rep. Vicente Belmonte.

Arroyo also visited those injured in the hospital and distributed envelopes containing P30,000 to the blast victims.

Authorities blamed rogue factions in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as behind the twin bombings, but the country’s largest Muslim rebel group denied the accusations.

“We have nothing to do with the bombings. The MILF is not a terrorist organization and we condemned the attacks in Iligan City,” said Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader.

Peace talks between Manila and the MILF collapsed in August after the failed signing of the Muslim ancestral domain agreement. (Mindanao Examiner)

2 killed in twin bombings in southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 18, 2008) – At least two people were killed in twin bombings Thursday in Iligan City in the southern Philippines, the military said.

The military said at least six people were also wounded in the bomb attacks, but the local Red Cross said as many as 38 people were either injured or hurt in the blasts, including about two dozen who were rushed to hospitals.

The first bomb exploded at around 1.25 p.m. inside the Unicity Commercial Center in Iligan City and this was followed by another blast 20 minutes later at the Jerry Supermart in downtown Iligan City, said Army Lt. Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

She said two people were killed and four others wounded in the bombing at the Jerry’s Supermart and two more injured in the attack at the Unicity Commercial Center.

“The improvised explosives were left at the baggage counters of both Unicity and Jerry’s Supermart,” Cacho told reporters.

Col. Benito de Leon, commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade, has sent bomb-sniffing dogs and explosives experts to help police in the investigations. “We have sent K9 units and bomb experts in the area to help in the investigations,” he said.

No group or individuals claimed responsibility for the bombings, she said, but previous attacks in the city had been blamed to Moro rebels and local militants trained by Jemaah Islamiya.

Last month, at least three people were also wounded in the bombings of two budget hotels - the Traveler's Inn and the Caprice Lodge - in Iligan City. (Mindanao Examiner)

Thousands Attend Serviamus Assembly In Mindanao; Army Brigadier Seeks Help For Refugees

The Serviamus Foundation is headed by Bishop Elenito Galido of the Diocese of Iligan City and Norma Gejon, the President and Executive Director. Also in the photo is Army Col. Benito de Leon.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 1, 2008) – Some 3,000 people gathered in Iligan City in Lanao del Norte province in the southern Philippines for the 11th General Assembly of the Serviamus Foundation Inc.

The weekend assembly, held at the gymnasium of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, was successful with Serviamus vowing to continue its micro-financing programs to uplift and strengthen socio-economic condition of poor households in Mindanao through a quality innovative financial and other development services.

The foundation is headed by Bishop Elenito Galido of the Diocese of Iligan City and Norma Gejon, the President and Executive Director. The assembly highlighted the various local products from the Small Enterprise Development Program Project. Government and military officials and

Col. Benito de Leon, commander of the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade, asked the Serviamus Foundation Inc., to also help the internally displaced persons (IDPS), particularly the Muslims, as a result of the August 18 attacks by Moro rebels in Lanao del Norte province.

In his speech before the assembly, De Leon said his soldiers are now also much involved in the return, resettlement, and reintegration of the IDPs in the province consistent with the International Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as the implementing instructions of government leaders.

He noted, however, that many of the IDPs have lost the drive and the capacity to recover economically. He suggested a similar Small Enterprise Development Program be made by Serviamus to also benefit the IDPs.

“In being able to also extend your service to the IDPs, especially to the Muslims, this Foundation would have demonstrated firmly its full transformation from being church-based into a true NGO,” he said. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)

Gunmen seized couple in Southern Philippines

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 7, 2008) – Unidentified gunmen abducted a Filipino couple Friday in Iligan City in the southern Philippines, authorities said.

It said gunmen seized Rosaleho Herbito and his wife Soling in the village of Abuno before noontime and fled onboard the couple’s truck towards Tagoloan town in Lanao del Sur province.

No group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction and authorities are still investigating the motive of the attack. Authorities gave no details about the couple, but the area where they had been seized was previously attacked by Moro rebels. (Mindanao Examiner)

Army Reiterates Support To Peace Efforts In Mindanao

Colonel Benito de Leon, commander of the Philippine Army's 104th Infantry Brigade,and honorary sultan in Mindanao, speaks to participants to the 3rd Interfaith Council Meeting held on October 27, 2008 in Iligan City, the capital of Lanao del Norte province. De Leon, a decorated officer, spoke about the importance of interfaith among Filipinos in achieving peace and unity. Other resource speakers and participants also pose for photo with De Leon.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 28, 2008) – The Philippine Army said it will continue to support efforts of civil society groups and non-government organizations to bring about peace and unity in Mindanao.

The Army is actively campaigning to bring tranquility in the troubled region and has embarked in various peace and development programs in partnership with different government agencies, non-government and civil organizations.

Col. Benito de Leon, commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade, who was invited Monday to speak at a forum by the civil society organization called Pakigdait Inc., said the Army is supporting government efforts to sustain peace and development in Mindanao and at the same time ensure the safety of civilians from lawless groups.

“Your military will always give high priority in ensuring the protection of the Filipino citizens whether they be Christians, Muslims, Lumads, or otherwise,” De Leon told participants to the 3rd Interfaith Council Meeting held in Iligan City.

The forum was attended by traditional and religious leaders headed by Rev. Fr. Regino Quijano, the Pakigdait chairman and Musa Sanguila, who heads the Civil Society Organization of Lanao del Norte Partnership for Peace and Development.

De Leon praised both groups for helping dozens of families, displaced by in the past by rebel hostilities, to return to their homes in Lanao del Norte’s Kauswagan town.

Troops have been deployed in the province to help local police forces pursue rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and maintain peace and order.

“Even as we pursue these lawless groups, we shall strictly abide by the instructions of minimizing collateral damage and in upholding the rights of the people as guaranteed in our Constitution,” De Leon said.

De Leon also briefed participants about the security situation in Lanao del Norte and other areas nearby and lauded the support of provincial and local government officials to the military’s efforts.

He also praised Muslim and Christian religious organizations which continue to play an active role in hastening the return of peaceful conditions in Lanao del Norte.

In 2000, De Leon was conferred the honorary title of “Sultan a Romapunut,” which literally means “Leader of Peace” in Lumbayanague in Lanao del Sur province because of his various conflict prevention and peace building efforts in the past in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Gunmen Seize School Executive In Mindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 17, 2008) – Unidentified gunmen snatched a budget official of the state-run Mindanao State University in the southern Philippines, police said Friday.

Police said Hipolito Minoza was seized by gunmen on Thursday afternoon on a highway near the village of Bubong in Saguiran town in Lanao del Sur in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.Minoza was on his way to Iligan City from Marawi City when seized, it said.

"Minoza was on a vehicle when gunmen stopped him on the highway," Chief Superintendent Bensali Jabarani, the regional police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner.

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings, but Jabarani has ordered police forces to track down the assailants in the province. "We still don't know who were behind this and the motive of the kidnapping," he said.

But the military was quick to blame the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and even implicated one of its leaders Abdurahman Macapaar in the kidnapping. The rebel leader is being hunted by security forces for leading deadly attacks in August in Mindanao.

The MILF strongly denied the military allegation. "Why blame us for everything? This is absurd and the MILF has nothing to do with the kidnapping, we are not kidnappers, but revolutionaries," Eid Kabalu, a rebel spokesman, said in a separate interview.

The MILF is the country's largest Muslim rebel group fighting for self-determination in Mindanao. (J. Magtanggol)

The Asia Foundation Donates 13,000 Books To Mindanao Schools

Dr Steven Rood, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, hands turns over books to Iligan city Mayor Lawrence Cruz on Friday, October 10, 2008. While an unidentified student, curious about the donations, reads the label on the boxes of books for their school.

Dr Steven Rood, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, hands turns over books to Iligan city Mayor Lawrence Cruz on Friday, October 10, 2008. While an unidentified student, curious about the donations, reads the label on the boxes of books for their school.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 10, 2008) – The Asia Foundation on Friday has donated more than 13,000 books to different schools in Iligan City in the southern Philippines.

Reynald S. Ocampo, Assistant Program Officer of the Books for Asia Program, said a total of 165 schools benefited from the donation which was made possible through The Asia Foundation’s Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) project.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has supported the project, Ocampo said.

The Asia Foundation, he said, distributed 13,500 children’s books, including secondary and college reference materials to both public and private schools across Iligan City.

He said among those who graced the occasion were Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Dr Steven Rood, the Country Representative of The Asia Foundation.

“In the midst of current conflicts and controversies in Mindanao, The Asia Foundation is proud to work with local leaders and citizens on longer-term efforts to improve educational opportunities, which will in turn help to reduce poverty,” Ocampo quoted Rood as saying.

“Through this donation of books, students in Iligan City will be provided with educational resources that can help them to greater achievements in school, increasing their chances of gainful employment and a more prosperous future,” Rood said.

The donation of books and materials was made in cooperation with local governments and private partners, and will enhance the libraries of communities throughout Southern Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines, according to Ocampo.

“For over 50 years, The Asia Foundation has supported local communities leading the effort to improve education for students. The Asia Foundation acknowledges the unrelenting support of public and private partners in this endeavor, including the government of Iligan City under the leadership of Mayor Cruz for encouraging education and literacy, Aboitiz2go for its help shipping the donated books, American publishers for their donations of brand new books ranging from elementary through university levels, and USAID for generously supporting Books for Asia’s efforts to foster education throughout Mindanao,” he said.

Books for Asia is The Asia Foundation’s longest running program and regularly distributes books and other reading materials for all educational levels in over 15 countries.

Since it was started in September 1954, The Books for Asia program has distributed more than 41 million books and journals to more than 50,000 academic and non-academic institutions throughout Asia.

The Philippines alone has been a recipient of 13 million books and journals to public and private institutions across the country. More than 95 percent of Books for Asia’s donations are new textbooks, donated by US publishers.

The reading materials range from the elementary level to professional level, covering such fields as government, business, health, environment, information technology, social science, and international relations.

The Books for Asia has made a significant contribution to education in the Philippines, especially since resources for instruction tools and facilities are scarce.

All educational levels have benefited from this program. Basic textbooks and supplementary reading materials have been donated to schools and libraries all over the country. Non-government organizations are also recipients of valuable resource materials from Books for Asia.

The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region.

The Foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance, law, and civil society; women's empowerment; economic reform and development; and international relations. Drawing on more than 50 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research.

With a network of 17 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level. In 2007, the Foundation provided more than $68 million in program support and distributed 974,000 books and educational materials valued at $33 million throughout Asia.

The Asia Foundation is not an endowed organization, and depends solely on monetary contributions from donors to accomplish its work.

While the 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. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)

Two Bombings Hit Southern Philippines

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 17, 2008) – At least 3 people were wounded in two separate bombings Sunday in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Two bombs went off 20 minutes apart in two budget hotels in Iligan City and officials have said that at least three people were hurt in the attacks.

“Three persons are wounded in the bombings and we have deployed soldiers to help policemen secure the area,” Army Brig. Gen. Hilario Atendido, commander of a military task force, told the Mindanao Examiner by phone from Lanao province.

He said the first bomb exploded at around 5.30 p.m. at the Traveler’s Inn where three people were wounded and another exploded later at the Caprice Lodge. No group claimed responsibility for the twin bombings in Iligan, one of several areas being claimed by Muslim rebels as part of the ancestral domain.

Government troops also disarmed a homemade bomb planted near a school in North Cotabato, where fresh fighting between security and Muslim rebel forces erupted on Friday.

Authorities are also in high alert in North Cotabato after civilians on Friday discovered a homemade bomb in Mlang town, a day after policemen arrested a would-be-attacker and a self-confessed member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front at the town's market after an explosive he was carrying went off prematurely.

On Thursday, soldiers also defused a powerful bomb at a bus depot in North Cotabato's Kidapawan City. The province had been attacked in the past by Muslim rebels and members of the Indonesian terror group called Jemaah Islamiya and the local militant groups Abu Sayyaf and the Al-Khobar.

Troops on Wednesday regained control of 15 villages in North Cotabato province after a weeklong battle with MILF forces that left more than two dozen rebels and soldiers dead and wounded and over 160,000 people fleeing their homes.

Some 800 rebels occupied the villages after clashing with government militias over a land dispute and the fighting eventually spread to other areas. (Mindanao Examiner)

Christians Being Agitated To Fight Muslim Ancestral Domain Deal In Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 4, 2008) – Christian residents in southern Philippine city of Zamboanga are being agitated to protest the inclusion of several Muslim enclaves here in a proposed Islamic homeland in Mindanao.

Local Catholic priests in their homily Sunday also urged residents to join a protest rally on Monday. In their homily, the priests said two villages largely populated by Christians would be included in the proposed Muslim homeland demanded by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which is negotiating peace with Manila.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat also criticized Manila for including several Muslim villages here to be part of the MILF ancestral domain, including two villages where the century-old City Hall and the Fort Pilar, an open-air Catholic shrine are situated.

Lobregat, who was invited Saturday night at a Lion’s Club convention here, spoke lengthily about his opposition to the ancestral domain and the inclusion of Christian villages in the proposed Muslim homeland. He said residents had twice rejected plebiscites in the past to include the city in the Muslim autonomous region.

Government and rebel peace negotiators have reached a deal on the ancestral domain and would sign the agreement on Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur which is brokering the seven-year old talks aimed at ending more than four decades of Muslim secessionist wars in Mindanao.

President Gloria Arroyo's peace adviser Hermogenes Esperon said there is need to amend the Constitution to allow referendum on areas under the ancestral domain that would make up the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

Esperon also denied Lobregat’s claim and said only Sacol Island, about 18 nautical miles, is included in the ancestral domain. “Only Sacol is included in the ancestral domain and islanders would be given a chance whether to be part of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity or not,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said: “Included in the proposed plebiscite are the villages in Sacol Island and none in mainland Zamboanga City. We should hear the voice of the people of Sacol, which is populated by Muslims. Any plebiscite will be pursuant only to an enabling law which will be enacted by Congress.”

Sacol is one of 25 island communities largely populated by poor Muslims, mostly fishermen and seaweed farmers. Many Muslim enclaves in Zamboanga have little or no development projects at all and villagers rely mostly on foreign aid for its water and electricity sources, despite the city’s more than P2 billion savings in banks.

US government agencies such as the USAID, AMORE and GEM and the US military have been very active in providing Muslim villages in Zamboanga City with various infrastructure projects, medical missions and solar-power technology that provides electricity to homes, among others.

Cell phone text messages were also spreading about the inclusion of Zamboanga City in the Muslim ancestral domain. One text message urged citizens to resist the ancestral domain and to join Monday’s protest rally.

Many commercial stores here, mostly owned by influential Chinese businessmen and supporters of Lobregat, said they will all close at 11 a.m. on Monday to protest the inclusion of the villages to the ancestral domain. Even some journalists, who are supposed to stay neutral, have joined calls to resist the ancestral domain.

Lobregat said many Muslim village leaders are also opposed to the inclusion of their communities to the Bangsamoro homeland. However, most of these leaders are also the mayor’s allies and supporters.

But many Muslims here said they wanted to be part of the Bangsamoro homeland and are supporting the MILF peace talks. Many Muslim residents in Zamboanga City said they are discriminated by Christians. Others claimed many department stores owned by Chinese businessmen here do not hire Muslims, but Christians.

Muslim groups and peace advocates in Zamboanga City are supporting the peace talks and favored the ancestral domain. Ancestral domain is the single most important and, arguably, the thorniest issue before government and rebel peace negotiators can reach a political settlement.
Zamboanga was the former capital of the Moro province and part of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.

Aside from Zamboanga City, the ancestral domain included the whole of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which is comprise of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Lanao, and Maguindanao provinces and Marawi City, and also 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 Palawan Island near Mindanao.

The Bangsamoro Juridical Entity will also have sufficient control over economic resources and a structure of governance in all its territories that will allow Muslims to govern themselves in ways that are consonant with their culture and with minimal interference from Manila.

Lawrence Cruz, the mayor of Iligan City in Lanao province, said he will also hold a protest rally on Monday. Deputy Governor Emmanuel Pinol, of North Cotabato, said he will oppose any attempt to include his province to the Muslim homeland.

Pinol has asked the Supreme Court to stop the government and rebel peace negotiators from signing the agreement on the ancestral domain. Lobregat and Cruz said they would also petition the High Court to stop the signing.

The MILF on Sunday appealed to Christians and Muslims in Mindanao to promote trust, understanding and cooperation and not hatred and mistrust. The rebel group previously said it will not sign any peace deal with the Arroyo government unless its demand for self-determination is granted. Last year, peace talks were also stalled after government negotiators reneged on the ancestral domain deal.

Arroyo opened peace talks with the MILF in 2001 after deposing President Joseph Estrada in a bloodless revolution. But despite the peace talks, sporadic fighting between rebels and soldiers still continue in Mindanao with both sides accusing each other of violating a fragile truce accord.

Peace negotiators last month also signed an agreement in Kuala Lumpur that will empower the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity to build, develop and maintain its own institutions, inclusive of civil service, electoral, financial and banking, education, legislation, legal, economic, police and internal security force, judicial system and correctional institutions necessary for developing a progressive Muslim society. (Mindanao Examiner)

Arroyo's Pictures Pelted With Tomatoes In Iligan City

Anti-Arroyo protest Monday, February 25, 2008 in Iligan City.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 25, 2008) – Filipino activists pelted with rotten tomatoes pictures of President Gloria Arroyo during a rally Monday in the southern city of Iligan.

Members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) also demanded Arroyo’s resignation over corruption allegations that sparked huge protest rallies in the country since the past weeks.

The protest coincided with the 22nd commemoration of the EDSA People Power revolution that deposed President Ferdinand Marcos and catapulted Corazon Aquino into power in 1986.

Today’s nationwide protests by opposition and civil society groups failed to attract citizens to join the rallies that could have triggered another people power revolution.“People power fatigue is never true,” Bayan’s secretary-general Anjo Bacarisas, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

“The people will never be tired of struggling against a President who gives them the hardest days of their lives, and the collective action of toppling this hated regime is the only way out.”

“The people’s poverty increases while Arroyo gets richer! Hunger is everywhere,” he said.

Bacarisas said Arroyo’s boasting that the country’s Gross Domestic Product has risen 7.5% was an empty reality. “The growing numbers of people instead are living with empty stomachs and it is deception on the part of this regime to paint the picture of a progressive economy.

Rising prices of basic commodities, oil price hikes, lack of jobs, low wages, land grabbing — this is the real situation of the people,” Bacarisas said.

In nearby Cagayan de Oro City, more than 500 anti-Arroyo protesters also held noise barrage and marched in downtown area calling for the president’s resignation. (Merlyn Manos)