MARAWI CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 6, 2010) - Katarungan ang isinisigaw ng mga Muslim sa Marawi City sa Lanao del Sur province para kay Ustadz Aswani na pinatay kamakailan lamang habang nagdadasal sa Masjid Islamic Center.
Si Aswani ay isa lamang sa maraming binaril at napatay habang nagdarasal sa kanilang mga mosque. Tinangay ng mga salarin ang limang libong pisong dala ni Aswani na ayon sa mga kaibigan ay kawi-witdraw lamang sa bangko upang gamitin sa pagpapagamot sa ospital.
Ayon kay Superintendent Cosanie Degorongan, ang hepe ng pulisya sa Lanao del Sur, ay nadakip na nila ang tatlong armado na tinuturong pumatay kay Aswani.
Pero ang sigaw ng mga kamag-anakan at pamilya ng biktima ay hustisya pa rin at katunayan ay nagsagawa pa ng rally ang mga Muslim sa harapan ng korte ngayon Miyerkoles upang iparating sa awtoridad ang kanilang hinagpis sa pagkakapatay sa ustadz.
Talamak ang patayan at iba pang krimen sa Marawi na tinaguriaan Islamic city sa Mindanao. Ang Lanao del Sur ay isa sa limang lalawigan sa ilalim ng magulong Muslim autonomous region na pinamumunuan ni Governor Ansaruddin Adiong. (May karagdagang ulat ni Becky de Asis)
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Ustadz pinatay sa Marawi, mga Muslim umalma!
Philippine massacre victims ‘begged for mercy’
MANILA (AFP) – A witness at the trial of the Philippines’ worst political massacre told the court Wednesday that the victims begged for mercy as they were beaten before being taken away to be shot.
Muslim farmer Nuruddin Mauyag told the court he was standing nearby when defendant Andal Ampatuan Jnr and his men blocked the victims’ convoy near the witness’ home and made them lie on the ground while their mobile phones were taken away.
“They were hit with the butt of firearms, the armed men punched them, kicked them, punched them on the back of the head, slapped them,” Mauyag, 35, testified.
“They (victims) were crying and some women said ‘why are you doing this to us, we are media,” he said.
Ampatuan, a member of a Muslim political clan that had ruled the southern province of Maguindanao for a decade, is accused of planning and taking part in the November 23, 2009 massacre of 57 people there.
The clan is accused of abducting the victims, including relatives of a political rival and journalists, and murdering them to stop a rival from challenging their rule of Maguindanao in the May 2010 elections.
Ampatuan’s father and namesake, three brothers and an uncle, as well as police officers and the clan’s bodyguards are among 196 people accused in the crime.
At least 120 of the suspects remain at large, according to human rights monitors.
Mauyag said Ampatuan grabbed a tall Muslim woman at the checkpoint, later identified by prosecutors as Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of his rival for the Maguindanao provincial governor’s post, Esmael Mangudadatu.
When she protested Ampatuan fired on the ground between her legs, the witness said.
“You are hard headed, I will shoot you now, I will kill you,” the witness quoted Ampatuan as saying.
Mauyag is the second prosecution witness to testify. Last week, he told the court that he saw the gunmen trucked to the area days before the massacre.
The first witness, a former servant of the Ampatuan family, told the court last week that he witnessed the Ampatuan defendants plot to kill Esmael Mangudadatu during a meeting on November 17, 2009. (AFP)
In Mindanao, Pa finds missing son at last...
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 6, 2010) - The search for his missing son ended on Monday morning. Though grieving and in pain, Maneja Andoyo heaved a sigh of relief upon finding his son’s skeletal remains in a shallow grave located at a mountainous area of Compostela Valley province.
Born on November 18, 1992, Bobong Andoyo joined the New People’s Army at the age of 15 more than two years ago. He left his home in Barangay Prosperidad, Montevista, Compostela Valley Province four days before his 17thbirthday. He never returned home since then.
Maneja raised and spent around fifty thousand pesos from selling whatever little possessions he had to look for his son. He traveled to many places including military camps where his son allegedly surrendered as claimed by his comrades in the underground movement.
He and his wife knew about their son’s plan to surrender but the apathy and indifference of the NPA to their concern for the well being of Bobong made them more worried and anxious.
Though tired and frustrated, he could not just stop because he always dreamt about his son calling out his name and pleading for help.
Bobong and his younger brother Rodrigo joined the NPA at the same time.
Unlike Bobong, Rodrigo could not bear the hunger and the physical and mental exhaustion he experienced so he turned his back to the rebel group who encouraged him to join the armed group in order to uplift his family from poverty. Staring blankly at the empty space, he felt the guilt of leaving his brother to die in the hands of the people of proudly claim to be the defender of the masses.
A rebel returnee who belonged to the same unit with Bobong revealed that the latter and a certain “Jeffrey” had deserted sometime in November last year bringing with them their firearms. This angered their unit commander who ordered a team to find and punish the “traitors”. The incident that followed later is history.
On the information fed by a resident of Sitio Pundasyon, Maneja finally learned that his son was executed by his own comrades. For fear that, he too, would be harmed if he would go to the site where his son was buried; he sought the assistance of the military. Lieutenant Colonel Ferdinand Napuli, the Commander of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion, immediately organized a team that would secure Maneja and his relatives. Personnel of the Scene of the Crime Operations in Nabunturan were also deployed to help in the exhumation task.
With trembling hands, Maneja helped dig the unmarked site where Bobong was buried. Tears were flowing down his eyes as they continued to remove the earth piled on top of the lonely grave. Not long after, Maneja found him there lying in the company of another victim identified by her own mother as Reto Mawang alias Jeffrey.
Bobong was still clad with the black long sleeve shirt and the fatigues, the same clothes he was wearing when he left home eleven months ago.
With the assistance of the military, the skeletal remains of the two were brought to a funeral parlor in Panabo City for cleaning and further examination. Apparently, they two were shot at close range.
Now at peace with himself, Maneja calls out to families whose kins are active members of the NPA to encourage them to surrender so as not to suffer the same fate as his son’s. “Giawhag nako katong mga ginikanan nga adunay anak, paryente o kaila nga miyembro sa NPA nga ilang panaugon arun dili masusama sa nahitabo sa akong anak,” he said in a statement released by the 10th Infantry Division.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Cotabato bus plunges in ravine, many hurt
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 5, 2010) – At least two dozen passengers were injured when a small provincial bus plunged Tuesday into a ravine in the southern Philippines, police said.
Police said the bus fell after its driver lost control of the wheel as the bus was struggling to climb an uphill road in North Cotabato’s President Manuel Roxas town.
Investigators said the bus was overloaded when it went straight down into the ravine. The driver, who was later arrested, said he also lost his brakes, according to police said.
It was not immediately known whether the bus driver has transportation papers to operate. Many of the provincial buses in the southern Philippines operate illegally and at often times had accidents under its records. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sayyaf terror man captured in Basilan province
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 5, 2010) – Police captured a member of the Philippines Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in an operation mounted on Tuesday in Basilan, one of five provinces in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.
Police said Bidung Esmail was nabbed in Lamitan City shortly before noontime.
It said the terrorist was involved in a raid in Lamitan in 2001 where the Abu Sayyaf seized dozens of civilians and used them as shield against pursuing troops.
Police did not give details about Esmail and it was unknown if his group was planning an attack.
The man, whom police said is wanted for a string of attacks in Basilan, is being interrogated.
The Abu Sayyaf which means “bearer of the sword” has been blamed for the string of terror attacks and kidnappings for ransom in Basilan, Sulu and Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)
Police kill suspected drug dealer in Zamboanga firefight
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 5, 2010) – Policemen killed Tuesday a suspected drug dealer in a firefight in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said two more suspects escaped in the fighting that broke out in the village called Baliwasan, a known lair of drug gangs and criminals.
Police said a manhunt was launched to track down the two men who fled the village after the running gun battle. There was no report of casualties on the side of the police.
Officials said the policemen were on their way to arrest the trio when the men opened on the raiding team. Illegal drugs remain a big problem in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)
NPA rebels attack troops in humanitarian projects in Mindanao
It said the attack was part of an offensive against troops deployed in Paquibato District, a known stronghold of NPA rebels. The attack occurred at around 6 a.m., but it was not immediately known whether any of the soldiers were killed or wounded.
Army officials said rebels harassed troops involved in humanitarian works in Paquibato District. “The rebels have been harassing us, but we will still continue our peace and development projects and the people are on our side,” said Lieutenant Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division based in Davao City.
Rigoberto Sanchez, a spokesman for the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command, said the attack was carried out as a punishment against the Army’s 1003rd Infantry Brigade whose soldiers have been deployed in Paquibato to ensure the unhampered exploration of mining firms.
Sanchez said rebel forces attacked troops in two villages - Paquibato Proper and Paradise Embac – and he also claimed responsibility for an earlier attack against army soldiers in Fatima village also in Paquibato District.
He said rebels launched 10 attacks against government troops in Paquibato since July.
But Aguilar said the soldiers were working on peace and development projects in Paquibato. He accused the rebels of sabotaging humanitarian projects in Paquibato.
Sanchez said the current and unrelenting military combat operations are part of the 10th Infantry Division’s “peace and development buzzword designed to sow terror among the communities, silence the dissenters and pave the way for the entry of corporate mining in Davao City and nearby provinces.”
Paquibato is an area where mining firms wanted to operate and Sanchez said since last year, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has been processing at least 11 applications to mine in more than 95,000 hectares in the mineral-rich mountain of Davao City, Davao del Norte province and as far as Bukidnon. More than half of these applications are in Paquibato, he said.
He said the Alberto Mining Corporation plans to mine 16,200 hectares in Paquibato and Malabog; another company named Superfield is set to open 6,874 hectares in Lumiad and Mapula, all in Paquibato, and Mambusao Mining also wanted to operate in the 15,660 hectares mountain area in Davao City.
“These corporate encroachments protected by the 10th Infantry Division’s heavy-combat operations have endangered peasant lives and livelihood. It will eventually devastate the environment and plunder our national patrimony,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez also accused the military of staging so-called dialogues with villagers in Paquibato to mask its compulsory meetings where people are subjected to psychological warfare to force them to renounce the revolutionary movement, and organize “Barangay Defense System” that turn civilians into pawns and convenient shields against NPA attacks.
“These AFP operations have resulted to grave crimes against the masses whose rights were violated one after the other with impunity. In less than three months, almost a thousand individuals in Paquibato were victims of state fascism that included the murders of civilians Julius Tamondes and Reynaldo Labrador,” he said, adding, the military’s peace and development mantra is a smokescreen for intense combat operations and violations to international humanitarian law – all at the service of big business.
The NPA is the armed wing of the outlawed Communist party of the Philippines which has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Philippine Postal Bank Now Accepting Water Bill Payments in Zamboanga City
1. Payments will be accepted by the bank as shown on the billing notice presented by the customers.
2. Partial Payments will be accepted by the bank provided, that the customer presents a form approved by Zamboanga City Water District indicating the amount for partial payment and the validity date of the arrangement.
3. No Payment will be accepted by the bank during “Off Line” period caused by failure of the Bank’s computer system.
4. The bank will issue Zamboanga City Water District Official Receipts indicating payment made by the customers.
5. Payments will be accepted only from Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Thank you. The Zamboanga City Water District.
Barangay, SK polls muling ibinasura ng MILF
MAGUINDANAO (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 5, 2010) – Mahigpit na pinagbawalan kahapon ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front ang mga miyembro sa paglahok o pakikisawsaw sa darating ng Barangay at SK elections sa bansa.
Ang kautusan ay inilabas ng MILF Central Committee at nakasaad dito ang mahigpit na kautusang nilagdaan mismo ni Muhammad Ameen, ang Secretary ng MILF Central Committee, at Ghazali Jaafar, ang vice chairman rebeldeng grupo.
“You are hereby directed to abide by the provisions of this Memorandum banning all political and military officers in all levels to participate in the forthcoming October 2010 Barangay Elections…Any violator of this Memorandum will be dealt with accordingly under the MILF judicial system,” ayon pa sa kautusan.
Maging ang pangangampanya at pagsama sa mga political rally ay ipinagbabawal rin ng MILF sa mga miyembro nito.
”It is said that this so-called democratic system of choosing leaders is not only divisive, acrimonious and creates animosities and intrigues, but it also failed miserably to produce the best qualified people to run their affairs, and the consequence is a corrupt and strife-torn society in place, ayon pa sa MILF.
Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na ipinagbawal ng MILF sa mga miyembro nito na lumahok sa Barangay at SK election. Hindi naniniwala ang MILF sa halalan ng pamahalaan sa paniniwalang hindi nito sakop ang mga Muslim sa bansa. Ang MILF ay matagal na nakikibaka para sa sariling karapatan sa Mindanao, na dating nasa ilalim ng mga sultan. (Mindanao Examiner)
Genuine Porcelain Chafing Dish From Thailand.
Our Future Muslim Leaders
Sunday, October 03, 2010
International math experts to train Filipino teachers
MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 3, 2010) - Six well-known international math experts from China, Taiwan, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand will be coming to the Philippines to train Filipino teachers on the latest trends in mathematics that could help uplift the quality of teaching in the country.
The experts, who are all respected in the international math community, have been invited by the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines for the 2010 International Mathematics Educators Convention that will be held from October 21 to 24 at the Royale Tagaytay Country Club in Cavite.
Dr. Simon Chua, MTG president, said these experts will teach about the newest math teaching methodologies and innovative strategies to make math a fun-filled subject in schools.
They are Dr. Lee Shen Hong, chairman of the China Mathematical Olympiad; Prof. Wen Hsien Sun, president of the Chiu Chang Math Education Foundation in Taipei, Taiwan; Prof. Peter Taylor, executive director of the Australian Mathematics Trust; Dr. Pramote Kajornpai, director at Thailand’s Ministry of Education; Prof. Pinky Leung, principal of the Hong Kong Mathematical Olympiad School; and Dr. Ridwan Hasan Saputra, president and director of the KPM Math Clinic in Indonesia.
The convention will be held in coordination with the Department of Education.
Dr. Chua, the first Filipino to receive the prestigious Paul Erdos Award for mathematics, said the MTG and the DepEd is committed to promoting and uplifting mathematics education in the country.
“Math should not be a fearsome subject for students. It can be taught in a fun-filled classroom environment. Our Filipino math teachers will learn the newest math teaching techniques from these international experts,” said Chua who founded the MTG in 1995 along with Professor Rechilda Villame.
Since then, MTG has been spearheading the country’s quest for math excellence by training Filipino students and sending them to compete in international math contests.
This year alone, MTG-trained Filipino students won medals in various international math competitions including the International Mathematics Competitions in Singapore and South Korea, China Primary Math Olympiad, and 13th Po Leung Kuk Primary Mathematics World Contest.
Filipino workers alliance formed, pushes for labor rights and welfare
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 3, 2010) – Labor union leaders and representatives of workers associations have formed an alliance to fight for the rights of contractual workers for higher wages and benefits.
The new group called the Alyansa ng mga Mamumuo sa Davao or ALMADA said it is committed to defend the rights of the workers. It also called for the investigation of human rights violations committed against workers, the creation of workers’ desk in the villages and the passage of a local ordinance seeking the release of delayed salaries and benefits to laborers.
The alliance was spearheaded by the Nonoy Librado Development Foundation in cooperation with the City Council Committee on Labor and Employment Opportunities and Committee on Women, Children and Family relations. (With a report from Geo Solmerano)
Basilan poll official killed ahead of village elections
Police said the attack late Saturday occurred in San Rafael village in Isabela City where Entong Musa, an election officer in Basilan’s Tuburan town, was fatally shot. It said a special police team was formed to investigate the killing of Musa.
“We still do not know the motives of the killing, but police is investigating the murder,” said Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, the chief of police forces in the Muslim autonomous region.
It was unknown whether the murder was connected to elections later this month, but police said at least 2 gunmen were involved in the attack that happened at around 7:30 in the evening. Police said the attackers fled after the shooting.
Basilan is one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region where elections are traditionally violent. The province, just several nautical miles of Zamboanga City, is also a hot bed of Abu Sayyaf insurgency. (Mindanao Examiner)
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Carbonized rice hull eyed for making biomass furnace in the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 2, 2010) - The carbonized rice hull is a good component and a low-cost alternative in making biomass furnace, according to the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization in Muñoz City here.
It said studies showed that CRH contains 87 percent of silica and when used or mixed with cement it can hold temperature ranging from 700˚C to 750˚C.
In 2008, the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (now PHilMech) implemented the mechanical drying support to farm clusters through the distribution of the improved flatbed dryers to qualified irrigators associations.
“At present, the project already distributed 2, 147 flatbed dryers to address the problems of the key palay producing provinces on drying. We prioritized them to ensure that their commodities will be dried and will not be wasted during the rainy season,” Ricardo L. Cachuela, PHilMech director said.
However, because of frequent and improper use of the dryer some of the furnaces collapsed.
Thus, PHilMech recommended the use of CRH as a backyard repair material for the furnace. They also reminded the farmers group that only trained personnel should operate the dryer.
Technical staff from PHilMech said the furnace is simple and easy to construct. The ratio is for every bag of concentrated cement, five bags of CRH are mixed.
The materials are made in block form and when dried after two weeks it can now be assembled like the original design.
“The flatbed dryer compared to solar drying using pavements is more economical and convenient to use. It can reduce postharvest losses and save on labor and time,” Badua said.
The Mabacan Irrigators’ Association (MIA) in Calauan, Laguna is one of the beneficiaries of the project and the first organization who used the CRH in repairing their furnace.
Maura Ilagan, MIA president said the CRH is a good remedy to damaged furnace. “We easily repaired our furnace. The materials (we used) are readily available and are affordable,” she said.
According to Ilagan, using the furnace made of CRH, they reduced the rice hull requirements in drying. “Before, the rice hull consumption in drying 120 cavans reached to 30 sacks. Now, we only need 25 sacks,” Ilagan said.
The MIA also offers drying services to farmers in its nearby towns like Bae and Pila also in Laguna because of the capability of the CRH-made furnace.
Comparing the traditional and the mechanical drying, Ilagan said, “we prefer the flatbed dryer compared to solar drying because we are assured of better grain quality.”
Aside from the MIA, the other Irrigators Associations in the country are now using the CRH as a low-cost material to repair the furnace. (Erwin S. Embuscado)
Rebels harass troops in Davao City
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 2, 2010) – Communist rebels harassed government troops engaged in humanitarian works in Davao City in the southern Philippines, officials said Saturday.
Officials said New People’s Army rebels opened fire on soldiers while they were resting in the village of Fatima in Paquibato district. The attack late Thursday lasted more than 15 minutes, said Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.
“There were no military or civilian casualties,” he said.
He said the troops deployed in Paquibato district, a known lair of communist rebels, were working on peace and development outreach program.
“These soldiers are involved mainly in the conduct of dialogues with the people and in the planning and implementation of humanitarian assistance programs that will benefit the people,” Aguilar said.
Major General Jorge Segovia, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said the harassment will not affect peace and development projects in the area.
“The harassments are aimed to divert our attention away from implementing community projects, but they will fail. If they continue with their harassments and other violent activities, our soldiers will be there to protect the people,” Segovia said.
The NPA is fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Friday, October 01, 2010
Philippine Army praises Mindanao governor
MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 1, 2010) – The Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division on Friday honored the governor of North Cotabato province for her local peace and security programs, officials said.
Officials said Governor Emmylou Mendoza and six provincial board members were cited for their programs that benefitted their constituents.
“The provincial government of Cotabato will always be your partner for peace and development,” Mendoza said.
Major General Anthony Alcantara, the division commander, praised Mendoza and vowed to work closely with the provincial government.
“We affirm our commitment to promote and maintain peace in Central Mindanao, especially in Cotabato,” Alcantara said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sanggol, nasabugan ng ilaw ng incubator sa Zambo
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 1, 2010) – Nasabugan ng ilaw ng incubator ang isang sanggol sa Zamboanga Medical Center dito at agad naman ipinukul ng pagamutan ang sisi sa biglang pagtaas diumano ng daloy ng kuryente.
Sinigurado naman ng Zamboanga Medical Center na gagamutin nito ang sanggol na nagkasugat-sugat ang mukha dahil sa tama ng mga bubog mula sa sumabog na ilaw. Nabatid na nuong nakaraang lingo pa nasa incubator ang sanggol.
Ngunit sinisi naman ng iba ang pagamutan dahil sa kawalan nito ng automatic voltage regulator upang masigurong ligtas ang lahat ng mga incubator nito.
Nuong nakaraang buwan lamang ay isang pasyente naman ng Zamboanga Medical Center ang binaril sa loob mismo ng pagamutan. Marami na rin tinanggap na reklamo ang pagamutan dahil diumano sa mga pagsusungit ng mga duktor at nurses nito sa mga mahihirap na pasyente.
Maging ang mga reporters na nagko-cover sa Zamboanga Medical Center ay nagre-reklamo na rin dahil sa hindi pagpayag ng administrador nito na makunan ng video ang mga pasyente ng karahasan dito. (Mindanao Examiner)
IDC Manpower Now Hiring For Saudi Arabia
MALE ONLY!
WAITERS, COOKS, HOUSEKEEPING STAFF, ATTENDANTS
Employer: Shaza Hotels (shazahotels.com)
Should have current work experience or at least 1 year prior experience.
Interview dates with Employer: October 7-8, 2010
Ms.Chie Hargrove
Mobile: 0917-3971308
Phone: 02-4378858
E-mail: hr@idcmanpower.com
IDC MANPOWER SERVICES, INC.
For manpower pooling only. Beware of illegal recruiters.
No fees to be collected from applicants. License # POEA 020-LB-041610-R.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
RMN director, biktima ng Facebook raket
ZAMBOANGA CITY - (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 30, 2010) – Nagbabala sa publiko ang Radio Mindanao Network matapos na mabisto na may nagpanggap at gumagamit sa identipikasyon ng program director nito sa popular na social networking site na Facebook.
Sinabi ng RMN na may nagpapanggap na Gil Climaco sa Facebook at doon ay kung anu-anong mga malalaswang larawan ang inilagagay uopang hiyain diumano ang program director nitong si Gilbert Climaco.
Nagagamit rin umano ang Facebook account ng impostor upang manghingi ng salapi at mag-recruit ng trabaho mula sa mga nabibiktima.
Dahil dito ay dumulog sa National Bureau of Investigation at Criminal Investigation and Detection Group sa Zamboanga City si Gilbert Climaco upang maghain ng reklamo at hanapin ang impostor.
“Aatake ito sa aking personal na katauhan at kailangan matigil na ito sa lalong madaling panahon upang wala ng mabiktima ang impostor,” ani Climaco.
Nagulat pa umano si Climaco ng malaman nay Facebook account ito dahil ni hindi umano nito alam kung paano ang takbo ng mga social networking sites.
Nagbabala rin ito sa ibang mga reporter na mag-ingat sa kanilang mga social networking account dahil posibleng maging biktima rin sila ng “identity theft.”
Sinabi ni NBI na iniimbestigahan nito ngayon ang kaso at itinutring itong isang “cyber crime.” (Mindanao Examiner)
Zambonga journalist victimized by identity theft on facebook
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A program director and news anchor of Radio Mindanao Network Zamboanga City sought assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group as well as from National Union of Journalists of the Philippines for a facebook account who used his name to extort money.
Gilbert Climaco said he believes he was a victim of identity theft that resulted in harassment, verbal abuse and trauma.
Climaco a radio anchor of Radio Mindanao Network discovered that an unidentified person is using his name, his mug shot photos and personal background through social networking site Facebook.
“I don't have knowledge about using social networking in fact I don't have an account with Facebook or any other social media or networking sites,” Climaco told the NUJP ZAMBASULTA.
In said “Gil Climaco” Facebook account, lewd photos and other pornographic materials are posted tagging all media friends, sources from all government agencies including personal friends, relatives, families and children.
“The impostor is doing negative things against me, maligned me and it has created a lot of mess in my life,” Climaco added whose family, friends, relatives and children are affected, scandalized and traumatized over the postings of photos made by the impostor.
Lorna Fernandez Jumalon a known local painter here and one of those tagged in the said indecent photos initially reacted strongly against Climaco, “I want to hurt him, to slap him again and again.”
Fernandez Jumalon was glad when she learned that said Gil Climaco account was not of the real Climacos.
“What if she was not informed, anybody can just approached me and do something harm on me,” Climaco said.
NBI Assistant Administrative Officer George Perez said Climaco is victim of identity theft and the person or the impostor who used his personal background “has the intention to harm him physically, destroy his honor and image.”
Perez admitted that social networking is also one form of high technology media attack or harassment, “anybody can just create an account and can manipulate other people to attack you, its also a form of media attack.” (NUJP - Julie Alipala)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Cebu Pacific remains No. 1
More than 5 million passengers had taken flights in Cebu Pacific just in six months time since January and posted over 50% market share in both domestic passenger and cargo markets for the first three months of 2010, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board.
Michelle de Guzman, corporate communications specialist, and airline affairs consultant Charles Lim, spoke to reporters in Zamboanga City and said Cebu Pacific, one of Asia’s fastest growing airlines, remains the favorite among travelers because of its quality services and low ticket prices, among others.
“We are glad to say that we are always number one and because of that Cebu Pacific continues to work hard to provide better and professional services, among others,” said De Guzman.
She said Cebu Pacific currently has 16 international and 33 domestic destinations, including in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province; and operates a fleet of 21 A319 and A320 (Airbus) and 8 ATR 72-500 aircrafts, the youngest fleet in the Philippines.
It offers the lowest year round "all-inclusive" fares for its domestic sectors while continues to sell “Go Fares” and providing the lowest year-round fares in all its international destinations. (Jung Francisco)
Rapists ng Maguindanao nurse, hinahanting!
Ang larawan ng grupong Suara at Gabriela sa rally ng mga ibat-ibang organisasyon sa Cotabato City bilang pagkondena sa gang rape ng isang nurse sa Maguindanao province. |
Ayon sa pulisya ay 4 na iba pa ang pinaghahanap kaugnay sa panggagahasa na naganap nuong Setyembre 25 sa isang nurse, 21 taong-gulang na volunteer naman ng pamahalaang lokal.
Nabatid na karamihan sa mga suspek ay mayayaman at pulos Kristiyano, ngunit hindi naman inilabas ng pulisya ang identipikasyon ng mga suspek.
Ang biktima ay natagpuan walang saplot at may sugat sa katawan at hinihinalang iniwan sa akalang patay na ito di-kalayuan sa pagamutan ng South Upi. Gang rape umano ang naganap sa biktima.
Mariing kinondena rin ng grupong Gabriela ang panggagahasa. “Nananawagan kami sa mga awtoridad at lokal na pamahalaan ng South Upi na maglunsad ng isang masinsing imbestigasyon at gawaran ng kaukulang parusa ang mga perpetrators na gumawa nito kay Florence,” ani Jaquelane Billiones, tagapagsalita ng Gabriela sa Cotabato City.
Kamakalawa ay isang malaking indignation rally naman ang isinagawa ng mga ibat-ibang grupo bilang pakikiisa sa pagkondena sa panggagahasa.
Ayon kay Billiones ay nakapagtala ang Gabriela noong 2009 ng 9,585 na kaso ng pang-aabuso laban sa mga kababaihan at kabataan at sa pagtatantya nito ay mayroong nagagahasa na dalawang kababaihan bawat araw sa nakalipas na taon.
Nalulungkot naman ang Gabriela sa sinapit ng biktima dahil wala umanong malinaw na seguridad at proteksyong tinatanggap ang mga health workers lalo na nag mga kababaihan laban sa iba’t-ibang porma ng pang-aabuso lalo na sa mga rural area. (Mindanao Examiner)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
2 killed, 4 wounded in Zamboanga strafing
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 28, 2010) – Motorcycle gunmen strafed a crowded bus depot on Tuesday and killing at least 2 people in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay, reports said.
The attackers, who were on three motorbikes, escaped after the noontime shooting that also wounded four people in Tungawan town. The motive of the attack is still unknown, but the reports said the gunmen fled toward the neighboring Zamboanga City.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack, but rebels are also actively operating in the town.
The military did not give details of the attack, but confirmed the incident had occurred.
“There is a report about the incident, but we still have no details (of the attack),” said Army First Lieutenant Jinky Perez, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)
Car boy, isinabit sa nakawan sa ina ni Jinky Pacquiao
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 28, 2010) – Sasampahan umano ng pulisya ng kaso ang isang “watch-your-car” boy matapos na umano’y malimas ang laman ng kotse ng pamilya ni Jinky Pacquiao sa General Santos City sa Mindanao.
Ayon sa pulisya ay inihahanda na nito ang kaso laban sa suspek na nakilalang si Ali Kirama na hinihinalang may kinalaman sa nakawan.
Nabatid na naganap ang nakawan nuong Linggo ng gabi habang nasa simbahan ang ina ni Jinky na si Rosalina Jamora at iba pang mga kasamahang. Nagulat na lamang ito ng bumalik at makitang basag na ang bintana ng sasakyan at nawala na rin ang mahahalagang gamit, kabilang ang mga alahas at mamahaling bag na Louis Vitton.
Itinanggi naman ni Kirama ang akusasyon at sinabing wala itong alam sa nakawan.
Hindi naman agad makunan ng pahayag si Jinky, na asawa ni boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao ukol sa naganap sa ina, ngunit madalas ang nakawan sa mga sasakyan sa General Santos City na kung saan ay may mga negosyo ang mag-asawang Pacquiao. (Mindanao Examiner)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sick Maoist rebel arrested on way to hospital in Mindanao
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 27, 2010) – Philippine communist rebels condemned government forces for arresting a sick member of the New People’s Army who was rushed to hospital for emergency care in Mindanao.
The rebel, Eliseo Tada, was on his way to hospital for emergency care when troops arrested him and later paraded to the public in Malita town in Davao del Sur province, said Dencio Madrigal, a spokesman for the NPA’s Valentin Palamine Regional Operations Command.
He said Tada was so sick that he needed emergency medical care to save his life, but troops who arrested the rebel interrogated him instead.
“Eliseo (Ka Bimbo) Tada is a very sick man who has been ill for some time and had to have immediate medical treatment in a hospital. NPA medics who attended to him decided he should have a more specialized and extensive treatment, which at that particular time, could not be provided by the guerilla front.”
“For this reason, the comrades decided to brave the odds and bring him to the nearest medical facility in order to save his life. Unfortunately, he was accosted by enemy patrols along the way, interrogated and brought to 39th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Davao del Sur. During the interrogation he must have been physically and psychologically forced to admit to certain activities of which he had no knowledge about,” Madrigal said.
He said the military accused Tada of participating in a string of attacks against government soldiers in Sarangani province. He said Tada was very sick and has been under the care of NPA medics and could not be involved in any attacks against military forces.
“How could Ka Bimbo participate in the attritive action when he was very sick and has been on treatment by the NPA medics for some time now? He was neither in any of the two other tactical offensives launched by the Red fighters on September 18 and 20 in Malita (town), Davao del Sur and in Malapatan (town), Sarangani, respectively, which are within Front 71 territories,” Madrigal said.
The Army’s 10th Infantry Division said over the weekend that Tada, a senior NPA leader, surrendered to the military in Sarangani province. Tada was also tagged by the military as among those who attacked a group of army soldiers conducting anti-dengue seminar in Sarangani’s Malapatan town that left at least 2 infantrymen wounded.
There was no immediate statement from the military about the accusations and army spokesmen did not answer phone calls made by journalists.
The NPA is fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. Peace talks between the rebel group and the Arroyo government collapsed in 2004 after both sides failed to sign a political deal that would put an end to decades of fighting. (Mindanao Examiner)
DTI in Western Mindanao, now certified ISO 9001
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 27, 2010) – The International Standards Organization has conferred the ISO 9001:2008 certification to the Department of Trade and Industry in Western Mindanao for its excellent services.
The ISO is an organization that sets standards in many businesses and technologies, including computing and communications.
“The awarding is the long-awaited culmination of almost two years of painstaking efforts to come up with a quality management system that finally withstood the rigorous assessment process and found to be in full conformity with the ISO standards,” said Nazrullah Manzur, the regional trade director.
He said Renato Navarette, the managing director of the Certification International Philippines, Inc., awarded ISO certificate to DTI in Zamboanga City. Manzur said the ISO certification is a major milestone for his office and should translate to better services to its external and internal customers.
“The quality policy we drafted ourselves states that, we the DTI-9 (Region 9) team commits to champion business and consumers. That we shall help build an enabling environment for business to grow and for consumers to get best value for money as we foster professionalism, integrity and competence among ourselves in the DTI. And that we shall improve continually our quality management system to deliver better, faster and more efficient services to our clients,” Manzur said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sidewalk Vendor
Wow Sulu! Patikul Municipality
Sulu is located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Its capital is Jolo and occupies the middle group of islands of the Sulu Archipelago, between Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. It is home to the historical Sultanate of Sulu.
Malaysia praises private sectors in Sabah, Zamboanga
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 26, 2010) – Malaysia has praised efforts by private sectors in Sabah and Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines to improve bilateral trade between the two neighbors.
Malaysia and the Philippines are part of the East ASEAN Growth Area to which Indonesia and Brunei are also members. The four countries have forged an agreement to achieve certain objectives, which include facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services; share common infrastructure and natural resources; and pursue economic complementation.
While ASEAN is an acronym of Association of Southeast Asian Nations, an alliance of 10 countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Its aims include the acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the protection of the peace and stability of the region, and to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.
Malaysia’s State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah said this was crucial to face changes and challenges in the global business. He said the private sectors in Sabah and Zamboanga have agreed to find the right mechanism to boost bilateral trade under the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area.
“The move will pave the way for higher bilateral trade volume,” Malaysia’s Bernama news agency quoted him as telling reporters after discussions with the private sectors, consultant companies and Manila-based Asian Development Bank involved in the Sandakan-Zamboanga bilateral trade.
It said among matters discussed during the meeting were the upgrading of customs, immigration and port services and increasing the number of ferries plying between Sandakan and Zamboanga.
“The improvements would facilitate higher two-way trade volume and woo more traders from neighboring countries to do business in this district,” Tan said referring to Sandakan, the second largest city in Sabah whose harbor is an inlet of the Sulu Sea.
He said the main focus was to upgrade services at Sandakan and Zamboanga ports as they were the gateways between Sabah and the southern Philippines. He said the Asian Development Bank also appointed a consultant company that would conduct a study and provide suggestions to improve services at the two ports.
“This is a positive development to boost bilateral trade between the private sector here and in Zamboanga. I hope after the study has been completed will be followed up with implementation of the ways recommended to improve services. This is crucial because of the keen competition in the global business environment,” he added.
Zamboanga City which lies on the tip of western Mindanao is the center of trade of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, all part of the Muslim autonomous region. It is also why Zamboanga remains one of the wealthiest cities in Mindanao.
In Sulu, Governor Sakur Tan is also pursuing efforts to hasten trade and commerce between Sabah and his province. He said the recent renovation of the Sulu airport would boost domestic trade and in return increase the flow of commerce in the provinces and Zamboanga City.
“We have trade and various programs that aim to attract investments and we are linking up with our neighbors to help in pursuing the mission and vision of the BIMP-EAGA,” Tan said.
The airport in Sulu, whose renovation was funded by the US and the Philippine governments, can accommodate larger aircrafts. And Sulu’s bustling ports are also gateway to Malaysia and Indonesia. (Mindanao Examiner)
Saturday, September 25, 2010
RMN airs side over allegations by ex-manager
MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 25, 2010) – One of the Philippines’ largest and oldest radio network has denied reports that it illegally terminated a former station manager in Mindanao.
Mario Maximo Solis accused the Radio Mindanao Network of illegally terminating him early this month, but RMN insisted the former manager was dismissed on the following grounds – “loss of trust and confidence and willful disobedience of lawful orders.”
“The management of Radio Mo Nationwide has legally and validly terminated the employment of Mr. Mario Maximo Solis effective September 6, 2010. He was dismissed for “Loss of Trust and Confidence” and “Willful Disobedience of Lawful Orders,” which are just causes for termination of employment under the Labor Code,” the network’s legal counsel, lawyer Jorge Sacdalan said in a statement.
Solis was RMN’s station manager in Davao City.
Sacdalan, who is also RMN’s Human Resource Director, said Solis allegedly failed to deliver and perform the mandates of his position on numerous instances.
“Two years ago, Mr. Solis was already suspended for 30 days for not having met the contractual obligations of the company to a major advertiser by his non-airing of commercial spots with a final warning that a repetition of the same or more serious offense shall be grounds for his termination.”
“The management, after providing Mr. Solis all the opportunity to explain his side, conducted an exhaustive investigation. It has found out that Mr. Solis is liable for several serious infractions of existing company accounting rules and procedures concerning contracts, billings and payments made by clients.”
He added: “In addition thereto, Mr. Solis was also found to have unjustifiably and repeatedly disobeyed and refused to comply with the lawful orders of the management pertaining to radio operations. Certainly, the unlawful acts perpetuated by Mr. Solis coupled by his insubordination are greatly prejudicial and inimical to the interest of Radyo Mo Nationwide. (Mindanao Examiner)
7 abducted Muslims freed in Mindanao
ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 25, 2010) – Kidnappers have freed Saturday 7 people they seized in the restive province of Maguindanao in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao, authorities said.
It said the victims, who were all abducted Thursday in the village of Bayanga Norte in Matanog town, had been released safely.
Security officials did not give details of the release, but said government negotiators had convinced the kidnappers to free all the captives. The victims had been freed in two batches since late Friday.
Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a regional army spokesman, said at least 15 gunmen were involved in the abduction which was in retaliation to September 13 kidnapping by another gang of Aris Lidasan in Lanao del Sur’s Lumba Bayabao town.
It was unknown whether those abducted are family members of relatives of the kidnappers, Cabangbang said.
Last year, gunmen abducted and murdered at least 57 people, more than half of them were journalists accompanying a political caravan of town official in Maguindanao.
The governor of the Muslim autonomous region, Zaldy Ampatuan; his father, Andal Ampatuan Sr. and brother Andal Ampatuan Jr. and other relatives have been accused of masterminding the killings.
Ampatuan’s deputy governor Ansaruddin Adiong and a staunch ally now sits as the acting governor of the troubled Muslim autonomous region. (Mindanao Examiner)
Journalists finish ICRC workshop on Int'l Humanitarian Law
Anastasia Isyuk, of the International Committee of the Red Cross, gestures during a media workshop on Saturday, September 25, 2010 in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines. (Best available photo - Mindanao Examiner)The International Committee of the Red Cross led by Anastasia Isyuk and Christophe Gillioz conducted the one-day workshop held at the Lantaka Hotel. Victor Redmond Batario, the executive director of the International News Safety Institute, also discussed about safety of journalists.
Isyuk, the ICRC communication coordinator, spoke about the organization’s operation in the Philippines and briefed journalists about the International Humanitarian Law. He also talked about safety of journalists and conflict reportage.
Gillioz, the head of the ICRC office in Zamboanga City, briefly discussed about his group’s humanitarian efforts.
They were also joined by Gabriel Daclan and Allison Lopez, both ICRC communication officers. Daclan spoke about the ICRC in Mindanao and humanitarian missions in the southern region.
Dr Rene Guioguio, ICRC political and communication adviser, also talked about the organization’s relationship with the media and its role in reporting conflict and humanitarian issues.
The ICRC team showed videos of the organization’s operations around the world and safety of journalists. Most of the journalists who attended the workshop came from as far as Sulu, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur and Cotabato provinces. (Mindanao Examiner)