ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 1, 2010) – Unidentified gunmen seized a mother and her son after inside their house in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province in Mindanao, military reports said Monday.
It said the woman Babet Gomonit and son Cekim were seized late Saturday and that the family car used in the escape had been recovered the next day on a village in the town of Tukuan also in Zamboanga del Sur.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction. But there were suspicions that Moro rebels could be involved in the abduction.
Last year, rebels also kidnapped an Italian missionary Father Michael Sinnot inside his house in Pagadian City and freed him a month later in Zamboanga City after private negotiators paid huge ransom.
Kidnappings-for-ransom has become a lucrative business for rebels in Mindanao with most of the collected monies used to purchase weapons in the troubled region in the southern Philippines. (With a report from Becky de Asis)
Monday, November 01, 2010
Ma, son seized in Pagadian City
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Silsilah Forum holds orientation in Pagadian City
Most of those who attended the orientation were from the Zamboanga del Sur National High School. "This is one of the series of activities that the forum of Pagadian will undertake, with the support of Silsilah Dialogue Movement in Zamboanga City," organizers said.
Three of the SDM staff in Zamboanga were invited to the orientation - Norbert Solina, Aldamir Abdulkahal and Cristina Beltran - to share their dialogue experiences of Muslim-Christian relations, about the Harmony Chain Initiative, and about Silsilah.
The Harmony Chain Initiative is a special interfaith initiative of Silsilah which was initiated in the year 2000 for meditation and prayer for dialogue and peace, from Mindanao to the world. (With a report from Becky de Asis)
Friday, August 27, 2010
Zambo civil workers stage rally, demand return of regional gov't offices
Civil workers stage a rally Friday, August 27, 2010 in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines to demand the return here of the regional government agencies now in Pagadian City, the center of trade in Western Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Jung Francisco). Many of the workers, who are natives of Zamboanga City, complained about the high cost of transportation in going to Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur province.
“It is very difficult for us because now we have to spend more money in paying for our transportation fare in going to Pagadian,” one female employee said.
Others complained about loneliness being away from home and some blamed politics for the transfer of their offices to Pagadian City. They also urged President Benigno Aquino III to heed to their calls to make Zamboanga City the regional seat of government, but it was his mother, former President Corazon Aquino that issued the Executive Order 429 in October 1990 that designated Pagadian City as the regional center for Western Mindanao.
It was only in November 12, 2004 after having waited for more than a decade, Pagadian City officially became the regional center despite Zamboanga City government’s opposition to the transfer.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the transfer of all regional government offices and agencies to Pagadian to make transactions easy to other provinces such as Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur that comprise the Western Mindanao region.
Pagadian City is the gateway to Zamboanga del Sur, the largest province of Western Mindanao ands also a point of entry to the cities of Ozamis, Iligan and Cotabato.
Its rolling terrain encompassing both commercial and residential districts, reminiscent of the famous Crown Colony, has earned for it the sobriquet Little Hong Kong of the South. Pagadian City has a total land area of 331.6 square kilometers with 54 villages. Due to its topography and elevation, most of the city's villages do not experience flooding, unlike Zamboanga City.
Other employees said Pagadian is the best place to be the regional seat of Western Mindanao because of its proximity to the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay, all in the Zamboanga Peninsula, which comprise Region 9.
Zamboanga City is on the tip of Zamboanga Peninsula. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sunday, August 15, 2010
19 Subanon students finish traditional music course in South RP
Subanon students who graduated Saturday, August 14, 2010 from two-month summer classes on traditional music and culture. (Contributed photo)
PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 15, 2010) – At least 19 indigenous students have graduated Saturday from a two-month summer class on the Subanen music in Zamboanga del Sur province in the southern Philippines.
Funded by National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Pikhumpongan Dlibon Subanen, Inc., a non-government organization, started the summer classes on the Subanen music through the School of Living Tradition project.
The students graduated at the Provincial Capitol in Pagadian City where Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Pepito Degamo, representing Governor Antonio Cerilles, graced the occasion.
The purpose of this project is to restore and promote the traditional craftsmanship of Subanen in the province. The PDSI promotes the Subanen music and oral tradition in the province.
Every anniversary celebration of the province, Subanen cultural show is a part of the Megayon Festival activities.
The organization is targeting Subanen children from parents who migrated to Pagadian City to conserve their cultural heritage while they live under a dominant culture.
To serve that vision, a school of living tradition on native songs, dances and musical instruments was launched at PDSI compound in Napolan village in May.
Victoria Cajandig, the PDSI executive officer and SLT coordinator, said they are hoping the Subanen community will recognize their effort and join them to save their dying culture.
“Our objective is to train young maters of Subanen traditional songs, dances and musical instruments that will then serve as trainers and promoters in the future,” said Cajandig.
Cajandig said the NCCA provided 200,000 thousand pesos for the project.
Bae Labi Marjorie Paulin, PDSI chairperson, said their organization is committed to help promote the cultural heritage of Subanen and contemplated on the integration of the subject in the public school curriculum.
The students who completed the two months training on cultural subjects are Angel Faith Cathag, Jeorgiea Faith Cathag, Joycebell Dayondon, Frincess Dayondon, Criz Ryshell Derama, Adrienne Natalie Ebillo, Mary joy Huminis, Hannah Kristine Paragas, Apple Tabayag, Jemaica Dayuhan, Keineth Cajandig, Xavier Cajandig, Christian Jeorge Cathag, Kenny Ren Ebillo, Janilan Hatad, Nielboy Mangilay, Chris Jethro Paragas, Christian Louise Paragas and Mark Doin Tomabao. (Becky de Asis and Tony Bayamban)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Samal women finish literacy program in Pagadian City
Some of Samal women who finished a five-month literacy course by the The nongovernmental organizations Ummah Fi Salam and the Socio-Pastoral Institute in Pagadian City in the southern Philippines. Sister Agnes Suarin and Sultan Maguid Maruhom headed the training. Just recently, the two organizations finished a five-month basic writing and reading to 23 Samal women in the village of Santiago in Pagadian City. The Adult Literacy Class for Women is part of the groups’ women empowerment strategy as a key to community development.
The training was headed by Sister Agnes Suarin, who is active in literacy programs in many areas in Mindanao.
The participants also shared their experiences during the seminar whose theme was “Knowledge: A key to empowering oneself, as a woman, as a person.”
“I am so happy, now I know how to read and write…finally. Thank you very much,” said Salma Asan to the organizers of the seminar.
Sister Suarin said they will continue the literacy program with the help of community volunteers who also shared the same advocacy.
“I also wanted to thank all of you. We also learned a lot from you and we will continue this program with the help of everybody,” she said.
UFS Executive Director Sultan Maguid Maruhom also praised the participant and urged them to continue reading.
“Education is a continuing process. We thanked all those who attended the training and for accepting the challenge of learning the basics of writing and reading and the children, despite their young age and status in life, they showed great interest. With this new knowledge, they could become more productive and can help their family someday,” the sultan said. (Becky de Asis and Leah Agonoy)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Pagadian City Paskuhan 2009 Opens With Grand Festivals
PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines - Pagadian government officials led by Mayor Samuel Co kicked-off activities presenting the Paskuhan 2009 and formally opened the month-long festivities with fanfare albeit in simplicity.
The program, held Tuesday at the Taklobo Stage in Plaza Luz, was attended by officials and employees of the Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur provincial governments.
Provincial Governor Aurora Cerilles and Major General Romeo Lustestica, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, were also present during the affair.
Like in the past Paskuhan, the opening of the festival coincided with the lighting ceremonies of the giant Christmas tree installed inside the plaza, the Christmas countdown and simultaneous lightning of all Christmas décor contest entries and a grand fireworks display.
Co earlier had a conference with the media in the afternoon before the program opening.
A nightly Christmas variety show until Dec. 31 will have local bands and performers from the academe and nongoverment organizations showing their singers, dancers in various musical performances.
The mayor mentioned many as he expressed his appreciation, which included Priscilla Fernandez, of the City Tourism Office; the City Council and the Green House personnel headed by his wife and First Lady Ilang-ilang Co, who is also in-charge of the Christmas decoration around the city and the Plaza Luz.
“Christmas and new year is also a time for us to evaluate the year-ending and make plans for the coming year. We should therefore be thankful that the year 2008 and 2009 has been generous to Pagadian City,” Co said in his speech.
The mayor likewise thanked President Gloria Arroyo and provincial officials for the continued and effective transfer of the regional offices from Zamboanga City to Pagadian, including the multimillion airport and wharf projects in the city.
“We have also seen the improvement of our business climate here with the introduction of the City Council’s investment incentive where many entrepreneurs have invested in the city,” Co said.
He also noted the increasing tourist arrivals in Pagadian as a result of the peaceful atmosphere. “Let us always give our best ug magtinabangay ta tanan,” Co urged his constituents.
“We are also thankful to Almighty God that no major calamities occurred in our city so that funds that should have been spent for calamities can now be spent for more infrastructure projects in the city,” he concluded.
As for Cerilles, she said that by seeing the gathering of people of all walks of life in Plaza Luz, “We are breathing the air of the yuletide.”
“This gesture embodies of wishes, hopes and aspirations of a joyous season and a bountiful and a peaceful year 2010, commemorating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ who carries the tidings of peace and goodwill toward man,” she added.
“It is an act of faith that should encourage all of us to world for peace and harmony that empower us to achieve great things and win over the many challenges of life.”
“The decorations we put on the tree signifies the message of regeneration that in God’s grace and mercy, we shall attain genuine renewal in our lives, in our society and our country at large.”
“Ang tinuod nga kausaban sa katilingban nga atong gipangandoy matuman lamang kung kita naumol dira sa gugma sa Dios. When there is love we can conquer every problem, hardship and trials. We are in the winning side when we have the love of god in our hearts,” said the governor.
“This festive atmosphere is our way of demonstrating our love and thanksgiving to God. This is our way of believing that with god’s and providence we could get by with all the circumstances we are facing and once more bind ourselves together in building a peaceful and progressive city and the province,” Cerilles ended.
The Paskuhan ‘09 is also a kick-off activity of the Pasalamat Festival 2010, the city’s fiesta that gives honor to its Patron Saint, Sto. Niño.(Pinoy Preview / Michael Medina and Jong Cadion)
Link:http://pinoypreview.blogspot.com/2009/12/huge-crowd-witness-paskuhan-09-opening.html
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Gunmen kill Zamboanga town mayor
Reports said Abdul Ayon, the mayor of Malangas town, was shot by motorcycle gunmen who escaped after the shooting. The motive of the attack was unknown and police suspect the killing could be connected to politics.
ABS-CBN television reported that Ayon was shot outside a mall. It was not immediately known if Ayon was alone or not.
In 2001, two gunmen also killed the mayor of Malangas, Denia Tapodoc, and injured 7 other town officials. The gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons on the officials during a festivity.
Filipinos are to elect their new leaders in May 2010 and politicians are expected to file their candidacy on November.
Elections in the Philippines are traditionally bloody. Many politicians maintain private armed goons to harass their opponents and intimidate voters. (Mindanao Examiner)
Friday, July 24, 2009
Sobra sa P10 milyones nga bili sa sakyanan sa kagamhanang lokal, gisubhan
PAGADIAN CITY - Gisubhan ning nakalabay nga Hulyo ang 19 ka mga sakyanan nga gipanag-iyahan sa kagamhanang lokal ning dakbayan sa City Hall Complex.
Ang inaugural ceremony gidumala ni San Jose Parish Priest Rev. Father Carding Pintac, ug gitambongan nila ni City Mayor Samuel Co, City Officials, Department Heads, ug mga kawani.
Ang 19 nga surplus nga mga sakyanan mao ang ikaduha nga batch sa mga gpalit nga sakyanan sa dakbayan nga gilangkuban sa dagko nga bus, CD cab, ug mga motorsiklo.
Naglakip niini ang tourist bus, 4x4 nga service vehicle, 6x6 military type vehicle, usa ka ambulansya nga gihatag ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pinaagi sa PCSO, mga motorsiklo nga magit sa Barangay Affairs Office (BAO), ug uban pa. Ang una nga hugna nga naaangkon nga mga sakyanan mao ang 17 ka buok 4x4 nga sakyanan sa mga City Councilors ug mga department heads.
Gilakip na nga gisubhan mao ang 5 ka sets sa mechanical dryer nga gihatag sa Department of Agriculture.
Matud pa ni Co nga tuyo nga gipalit sa kagmahanan ning dakbayan ang mga nasangpit nga sakyanan aron hingpit nga maalagaran ang mga katawhan ilabi na ang anaa sa kabukiran. "Ang pagkaangkon ning mga sakyanan, usa ka paagi nga makita sa katawhan kon asa padulong ang ilang buhis ug asa an g nadapatan niini," dugang pahayag ni Co.
Si Federation of Farmers Association President Arsenio Carillo nalipay ug dako tungod kay usa sa mga napalit nga sakyanan mao ang 6x6 military type nga magamit sa mga mag-uuma.
"Dili matukib ang ang among kalipay nga gibati tungod kay sa hingpit aduna nay sakyanan nga among magamit nga mga mag-uuma sulod sa pipila ka mga dekada ang nakalabay," pahayag ni Carillo.
"Dako ang among pagpasalamat ni Mayor Co tungod kay iyang natubag ang mga pagpanginhanglan kanamong mga mag-uuma nga among gipangandoy sa dugay na nga panahon," dugang pahayag ni Carillo.
Pinaagi sa mga nasangpit nga sakyanan, masilbihan usab ang mga kawani sa rehiyonal nga mga buhatan nga nagpuyo sa dakbayan sa Zamboanga tungod sa pagkaangkon sa tourist bus nga mohatud kanila sa matag-adlaw nga Biyernes sa nasangpit nga dakbayan.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Philippine soldiers disarm IEDs planted inside commuter bus
Officials said the explosives were assembled from 60 millimeter mortar bombs attached to a timing device. The bombs, placed inside a cardboard box and left under a seat, was discovered by the bus conductor.
No group or individuals claimed ownership of the explosives, but its discovery came four days after two mortar bombs were detonated in two shopping stores in Iligan City by suspected Moro rebels that killed two people and wounded at least 48 others.
Lt. Steffani Cacho, a regional army spokeswoman, appealed to the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious persons or bags left unattended in places where there are many people.
“We should stay vigilant and report all suspicious-looking bags or persons to authorities,” she said, adding, they have reports that terrorists may be planning attacks in key cities in Mindanao.
An improvised explosive was also discovered on Friday and Sunday in Iligan City and both bombs were made from 81 millimeter mortar shells covered in papaya. (Mindanao Examiner)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
President Arroyo Hands Out Millions Worth Of Govt Projects In Zamboanga Sur
Arroyo was in the province as guest of honor on its 56th founding anniversary held in Pagadian City, the regional capital of Western Mindanao. “My anniversary wish is for everybody to be united in the spirit of the Megayon (festival) because if there is no unity, there will be no progress,” Arroyo, who spoke in the local dialect, told a huge crowd that gathered to welcome her.
The Megayon Festival is the grandest festival in the province which celebrates the cultural tradition of the ethnic Subanen tribe.
Arroyo distributed checks worth millions to Zamboanga del Sur Governor Aurora Cerilles for government projects in the province, including land certificates to more than 300 farmers in 24 towns under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and funds for various livelihood cooperatives.
She also inaugurated many infrastructures projects that also included farm-to-market roads worth over P20 millions and farm implements and market and day-care centers.
Arroyo also set aside P 1 million in scholarship fund for poor, but deserving students in Zamboanga del Sur and another P 1 million in medicine fund for the elders, who do not have retirement pensions.
But while Arroyo was promoting government welfare in the province, former President Joseph Estrada, whom she deposed in 2001 in a people-backed revolution, was also busy visiting places in nearby province of Zamboanga Sibugay, where his supporters were campaigning for his possible return to the presidency.
Estrada was pardoned by Arroyo after he was convicted and jailed for plunder. His followers were gathering signatures that would push for Estrada to run again in 2010 if opposition parties fail to unite and support one common presidential candidate.
Estrada, accompanied by former foe-turned-political ally Senator Loren Legarda, was in Zamboanga City on Wednesday and Thursday where he attended a social gathering and met with his supporters here. (Mindanao Examiner)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Man Killed By Stray Bullet Fired By Village Chieftain In Mindanao
Police said Henry Arao, of San Jose village, is being hunted for the killing that occurred over the weekend.
Senior Superintendent Mario Fermendoza, a regional police spokesman, said the Arao fired two shots in the air and one of the bullets hit the head of Danielle Ace, who was on board a motorcycle with his father.
The man did not reach the hospital alive, he said. (Erico Rosco)
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Trader Killed In Pagadian City
Police said the 28-year old Bryan Santos was on a vehicle on his way home when shot by one of the two men. Santos, a resident of General Santos City and working in Pagadian City died in the hospital.
He was shot four times in the body and the assailants fled after the shooting. The motive of the attack is still unknown, police said. (Eric Rosco)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Revenue Officer Killed In Southern Philippines
Officials said policemen were hunting down the suspect in the murder of Lolita Molina, who was shot Friday in downtown Pagadian. The 54-year old executive of the Bureau of Internal Revenue was gunned as she disembarked from a motorcycle taxi.
The gunman fled after the killing. The motive of the killing is still unknown, but the woman’s family claimed she was receiving death threats before the attack. It was unclear whether the murder was connected to her work or not.
Hired killers operate in Pagadian City and there had been dozens of unsolved killings the past years. Pagadian is home to many regional government agencies after Manila ordered their transfer several years from Zamboanga City in the tip of western Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Arroyo Praises Local Airline
The President recently graced the inaugural flight of SEAIR's Cebu-Pagadian-Cebu route which would make traveling easier and at the same time promote tourism and trade, the Philippine News Agency said.
The Clark-based SEAIR now flies to Cebu-Pagadian-Cebu every Mondays and Thursdays. The new route is part of the airline's expansion plans for the year.
SEAIR president Avelino Zapanta said the airline reaffirms its commitment to help increase commercial activity and tourism in Mindanao.
Since the opening of a regional hub in Zamboanga City in 2002, SEAIR currently flies daily to Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces in southern Philippines and to Cotabato three times a week.
Zapanta said SEAIR aims to bridge the Philippine islands by offering secondary and missionary routes to complement the trunk line routes serviced by other major players in the domestic airline industry.
The airline now flies to 15 local tourist destinations -- Manila, Caticlan (Boracay) and Cebu in Visayas; Clark in Northern Luzon; Busuanga, Cuyo, El Nido, Puerto Princesa City and Rodriguez in Palawan province, Camiguin, Cotabato, Sulu, Pagadian City, Tawi-Tawi province and Zamboanga City in Mindanao.
"Our Cebu-Pagadian route will make traveling for tourists and businessmen easier. Pagadian City has become more accessible, now only 35 minutes away from Cebu via SEAIR," Zapanta said.
Pagadian City is a first class city of Zamboanga del Sur and is the regional center of the Zamboanga Peninsula, the largest province of Western Mindanao.
It serves as gateway to the cities of Ozamis, Iligan and Cotabato.
"As the only local commercial airline offering inter-Mindanao flights, we at SEAIR feel that we have been a factor in the growth of commerce in the region. Our future focus is to develop tourism and international routes out of Zamboanga and Davao," said Zapanta.
For its Cebu-Pagadian route, SEAIR uses its 32-seater Dornier 328 aircraft -- the latest in a long line of technologically innovative aircraft manufactured by Germany’s Dornier.
The Dornier 328 is one of the fastest and most advanced jet propulsion in the world.
Aside from local expansion, SEAIR is positioning itself to enter the international market after its appointment as one of the official carriers for the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia, Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.
Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said 2007 is a milestone year for Philippine tourism as more than 1.5 million foreign tourists arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in the first semester alone, an almost eight percent growth over the same period last year.
With more local and national efforts to promote the Philippines, the rate of tourism influx can go higher in 2010, he said.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Arroyo Inaugurates Government Projects In Southern Philippines
Arroyo’s arrival coincides with the 55th anniversary of the province where she will inaugurate the Agro-Tourism and Heritage Complex and also unveil the Megayon marker at the provincial government complex, according to the Philippine News Agency.
She will also announce a P32.5 million rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads and a P25 million communal irrigation system in the province under the Mindanao Rural Improvement Project.
Arroyo will also give a speech on the launching of the 3rd Biyahe Na Zambo Sur, an annual exposition showcasing the tourism attractions in the province and the Megayon Festival, a celebration of peace and solidarity which features the age-old traditions and customs of the local people. (Joseph Danda)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
From top to bottom: Japal, Mueller, Macalisang, Villamor, Rabasio, Real, Taylor, Calderon, Rambo and Monieva.
1. Grace Japal is the life of every party owing to her sunny disposition in life. While others mistake her for being otherwise, close friends of this 18-year-old talkaholic could prove that she's actually approachable and a cheerful giver. She stands five-feet-four.
2. Principled and God-fearing are the two adjectives that best describe Susanne Mueller. At 18, this five-feet-four stunner studies Computer Technology at Southern Mindanao Colleges.
3. Cathylene Macalisang is a teacher wannabe from Southern Mindanao Colleges. Standing five-feet-four, this 22-year-old brown-complected beauty takes pride in Pagadian for teeming with beautiful ladies like herself.
4. Her fellow candidates might seem jealous of Merlie Villamor's queen-quality confidence in herself. However, this five-feet-five Criminology senior of Western Mindanao State University never fails to make their day with her endless funny tales. She's 19 years old.
5. Five-feet-five Chennie Jay Ramos Rabasio is a Forestry junior at Mindanao State University-Marawi. Born in Malaysia 17 years ago, she considers Pagadian her beloved hometown, though she visits the former every now and then to hug her dearly missed family.
6. Self-confessed good adviser Arianne Share Real was born in the African country of Libya 17 summers ago. She stands five-feet-five and goes to Misamis University in Ozamis City as a Nursing student. She comes home to Pagadian every weekend to get together with her family and friends whom she treasures most.
7. Tiffany Taylor is a Computer Science student at Western Mindanao State University. Describing herself as funny yet emotional, this five-feet-five American mestiza admits to not having had a boyfriend in her 17 years of age.
8. Fely Grace Calderon admits to having a harmonious relationship with her collegues in the pageant. Poised at five-feet-six and responsible enough at 22, this stenography-freak City Government of Pagadian casual employee finished Office Administration at Saint Columban College.
9. Computer Science junior Gerlyn Rambo is a self-confessed optimist who believes in the adage: Winners never quit. Quitters never win. All at five-feet-six, this reigning-queen dead ringer is 18 and hopes to be Claire Faye Penados's successor.
10. Irene Monieva, 19, is a Commerce student of Southern Mindanao Colleges where, in every corner, she's sought after for being voluptuous yet refined. This five-feet-six lass believes that there is goodwill among the constituents in this laidback city of Pagadian.
11. The 21-year-old Bernadeth Ones resembles a lot to 1996 Bb Pilipinas World Daisy Reyes. She is an Education senior and a majorette at Southern Mindanao Colleges. This five-feet-six beauty queen material describes herself as simple, down-to-earth and self-confident.
12. Zandra Alexa Manacap Rocio is 17 and a five-feet-six head turner at Southern Mindanao Colleges. Often mistaken for being snobbish, little do people know that this Sandara Park look-alike is flexible, down-to-earth, and a God-fearing person at that.
13. Another Southern Mindanao Colleges-HRM student is Nena Dawn Galon Goling. She is young at 17, yet she is determined to succeed in every endeavor that she gets into. This sweet morena belle stands five-feet-seven.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
6 Insurgents Yield In Southern Philippines
Col. Alexander Dicang, deputy commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, assisted by Lt. Col. Emmanuel Sison, commander of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion, receive assorted weapons from six New People’s Army rebels on Monday, 28 May 2007. (Photos by Allan June Molde)“After one year and eight months in the underground movement, the six Subanen folks who joined the CCP-NPA finally decided to return to the mainstream of society and start a new life with their families,” said Army Lt. Col. Emmanuel Sison.
Sison presented the insurgents, members of the New People’s Army, to Col. Alexander Dicang, deputy commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, based in Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay province.
The surrender of the six coincided with the Army’s medical mission in Diplo and was witnessed by hundreds of villagers led by the town’s Mayor Allan Damas.
Those who surrendered were identified as Salibutan Balibes Jr, Julindo Hapitan Gias, Lumambo Lagungan Damo, Junjie Gon Supring, Jen Ligisan Giginan and Arnel Papahan.
The six claimed to have operated under the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Front Committee Kara under Commander Palis in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.
One of the rebels, who acted as leader of the group, said he was a former gold miner in Bayog town in Zamboanga del Sur and was recruited by the NPA in exchange for a monthly pay of five thousand pesos. He was then earning only three thousand pesos, not enough to sustain his family.
“But like the rest, I was deceived and did not receive any money from the NPA and I made a mistake and wanted to correct it and so we all decided to return to the folds of the law. There are still more who wanted to yield, but are afraid that the rebels will kill them or harm their families. We need to help them,” he said.
He said his group wanted to defect from the underground long before but it was not easy to escape from the organization.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Soldiers Foil New Bomb Attack In Southern RP
A Philippine military spokesman, Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the bomb was discovered by patrolling soldiers and militias at around 3 a.m. at the gate of the Agora market in downtown Pagadian. The bomb, he said, was disarmed by soldiers.
He did not say who were behind the failed bombing, but soldiers recovered two bombs assembled from a 40mm and 60mm mortars.
"There is an investigation going on and we still don't know who was behind this foiled attempt to bomb the market," Bacarro told the Mindanao Examiner.
Pagadian, a bustling city and center of trade and commerce in Western Mindanao, was bombed in the past and authorities had linked the Abu Sayyaf and radical members of the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to the attacks.
But intelligence officials said they see the signature of the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya in the foiled bombing. "There is a signature and it points to the Abu Sayyaf and the JI. We can't say at this time whether the MILF was a part of this attempt to blow up the market," one army intelligence officer.
The bombings last week in the southern region were believed in retaliation to the arrest of the Indonesian wife and two children of Jemaah Islamiya bomber, Dulmatin, in Jolo island. Istiada Oemar Sovie and her two boys ages 6 and 8 were arrested after Filipino soldiers pursuing Dulmatin raided a terrorist hideout in Patikul town.
Army and police commanders in Zamboanga del Sur province would not talk to reporters and ignored phone calls.
Dulmatin and his companion Umar Patek, who is also hiding in Jolo island are both wanted by Indonesia for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people and the 2003 JW Mariot hotel bombing in Jakarta.
A homemade bomb exploded Oct. 11 in Cotabato City, the 3rd in less than 24 hours in the restive Central Mindanao region, where two bombs killed at least 14 people at a market in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province and in the busy business center of Makilala town in North Cotabato province.
The governor of North Cotabato, Emmanuel Pinol, linked an MILF leader -- Basit Usman -- to the attack in Makilala town, but the rebel group strongly denied the accusation.
"We have nothing to do with the bombings. The MILF is currently negotiating peace with the Philippine government and we are sincere with the talks. There is a cease-fire agreement and the MILF is not part in any of these terrorist activities," a rebel spokesman, Eid Kabalu, said.
The military said the Abu Sayyaf headed by Khadaffy Janjalani is protecting Dulmatin and Patek in Jolo island. As many as 31 Jemaah Islamiya militants are believed hiding in the southern Philippines, particularly in Mindanao where the MILF is actively operating, it said.
No group or individual claimed responsibility for all the bombings. (Mindanao Examiner)