NASA satellite confirms another tropical cyclone may impact the Philippines

NASA's Aqua satellite AIRS instrument caught a new tropical depression that just formed in the Philippine Sea on Nov. 2 at 0523 UTC (1:23 p.m. local time, Manila) and already on the fringe of the Philippines. The infrared imagery is showing some high thunderstorms (purple) indicating some heavy rainfall and strong convection.(Photo Credit: NASA JPL, Ed Olsen)

When NASA's Aqua satellite flew over the Philippine Sea during the early morning hours today, November 2 infrared imagery saw another new tropical cyclone coming together.

The U.S. Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the organization that forecasts tropical cyclones in that area of the world is getting a workout. Tropical Storm Mirinae just made landfall this morning in Vietnam, and had crossed northern Luzon, the Philippines this past weekend. Now, there's another threat in the region.

At 0600 UTC (4 p.m. local Asia/Manila time) on Monday, November 2, "System 97W" appeared to be taking on tropical cyclone characteristics. In fact, the Philippine Government hasn't waited for it to be named and gave it the local name "Tino." Tino, or 97W was located about 320 miles northeast of Manila, Philippines, near 18.0 North and 120.8 East. It was moving in a westerly direction toward the Philippines and the outer fringes of 97W's clouds are already moving into the northern areas of Luzon.

NASA Aqua satellite's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument takes the temperature of the high thunderstorms within a tropical cyclone. Knowing the height of the cloud tops is important to forecasters because the higher the cloud tops, the stronger the thunderstorms. The infrared imagery also showed that the strongest thunderstorms were in the storm's southern and northeastern areas. Those cloud tops had temperatures colder than -63F. Typically, the northeastern quadrant of tropical cyclones pack the strongest winds, too.

The Philippines have already posted warnings for the system and are not taking any chances. Public storm warning signal 1 is raised in Batanes group of islands, Cagayan, Babuyan, Calayan islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino and Northern Aurora.(Science Codex)


Link: http://www.sciencecodex.com/nasa_satellite_confirms_another_tropical_cyclone_may_impact_the_philippines

A jet plane flies over Zamboanga

A jet plane flies over Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines. Zamboanga, which was formerly called Jambangan, is originally home to the Subanon, an indigenous tribe, in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Fire hits Zamboanga bus terminal

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 2, 2009) – A huge fire burned down Monday an old provincial bus depot in Zamboanga City in Mindanao, but there were no reports of casualties, officials said.

Officials said an investigation is going on to determine the cause of the fire that swept through the bus depot that also destroyed many stalls and other establishments in the village of Guiwan.

The fire left Zamboanga City without any bus terminals.

A proposed new bus depot by the Zamboanga City government was temporarily held after two private contractors – RCDG Construction and Dimson Construction - filed graft charges against the mayor, Celso Lobregat, and several more, mostly members of bids and awards committee, accusing them of irregularity.

Lobregat denied the accusations and claimed the contractors allegedly violated provisions in the bidding rules. Both firms denied Lobregat’s claims. (Mindanao Examiner)

2 soldiers wounded in Sulu clash

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 2, 2009) – Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants attacked a military post Monday in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, sparking a firefight that wounded two soldiers, officials said.

Officials said a still undetermined number of militants were either killed or injured in the clash in the village of Bato-Bato in Indanan town.

“Marines who were manning an observation post encountered an undetermined number of fully armed terrorists. The firefight lasted for about five minutes and the terrorists were forced to withdraw, dragging their numerous casualties,” said Marine Major Ramon David Hontiveros, a regional military spokesman.

He said troops were deployed to clear the area around the military post.

Dozens of soldiers and rebels, including two members of the US Special Forces helping the local military defeat the Abu Sayyaf, were killed and wounded since fighting erupted in September in Sulu province.

The war was triggered by a military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf which coincided with the celebration of the Eid al-Fit’r, which marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan. A few hundred US troops are deployed in Sulu since 2006 and have been aiding Filipino forces in fighting terrorism. (Mindanao Examiner)

7 wounded in Cotabato blast

Police forensic and bomb experts search for debris at a house after a grenade attack left 6 people wounded Monday, November 2, 2009 in Cotabato City in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales).

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 2, 2009) – Seven people were wounded in a grenade attack Monday in Cotabato City in the southern Philippines, police and military said.

Police said five of the wounded were all minors and that the motive of the attack is still unknown. It said unidentified men on a motorcycle lobbed the grenade at house in the village called Rosary Heights and exploded on the roof.

The wounded were identified as Bai Lani Sampulna, 4; Bai Ungge Sampulna, 6; Bai Pina Sampulan, 7; Norhaya Aziz, 10; Papaikan Mabang, 6; Pelma Aziz, 40; and Babo Angki Mabang, 70.

No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the blast and police and military said they are still investigating the motive of the attack whether it was connected to a family feud or clan war. (Mark Navales)

Manila will not pay ransom for kidnapped Irish priest

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 1, 2009) – Manila has rejected a $2 million ransom demanded by kidnappers of an elderly Irish Catholic priest being held in the troubled region of Mindanao.

The Philippine military also said it would stick to the government’s no-ransom policy, but is ready to rescue Father Michael Sinnott, 79, who was taken by six gunmen on October 11 from his Columban missionary house in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province.

Colonel Romeo Brawner said: “No. The stand of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is we will uphold the no-ransom policy (of the government). Our only focus is on the rescue operation. We are ready, capable to launch that rescue operation.”

Kidnappers on Saturday released a video showing the priest reading a newspaper dated October 22. Sinnott also said that his captors were demanding $2 million.

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin said he spoke to the Sinnott family on Saturday and they were very relieved to hear that there is further evidence that the Wexford priest is alive.

The Irish Times also reported that Martin spoke to Irish Ambassador Richard O'Brien, who has over the past three weeks been working closely with Manila and has had meetings with representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group which is currently helping in securing the freedom of the priest, and other agencies working in the area.

The MILF was initially thought to have been behind the kidnapping, but a senior Sinn Fein figure Gerry Kelly said a criminal gang was now believed to be responsible.

The MILF is currently negotiating peace with Manila, although it has been fighting for independence in Mindanao the past three decades.

Kelly and former Downing St chief of staff Jonathan Powell are involved in behind-the-scenes talks in an attempt to secure the ailing Columban missioner. Kelly was the first to confirm that the kidnappers were demanding ransom.

The Missionary Society of St. Columban to which Sinnott belongs said the priest had several heart surgeries in the past.

Martin said that no effort will be spared to secure the safe release of Sinnott as soon as possible. The Irish government said it will not pay ransom to the kidnappers.

Sinnott is believed being held in the boundary of Lanao del Norte province in northern Mindanao and Lanao del Sur in the Muslim autonomous region in central Mindanao. Troops have surrounded much of the area where the priest is being held while negotiations are going on.

The Missionary Society of St. Columban has appealed to US President Barack Obama to help secure the safe release of Sinnott, who is the third Irish missioner to be kidnapped in Mindanao since 1997. Father Des Hartford was held by Moro rebels for 12 days, and in 2001, Father Rufus Hally, a missioner from Waterford, was shot dead during an attempted abduction in the volatile region.

In June 2007, gunmen also kidnapped an Italian missioner Giancarlo Bossi, of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, in Payao town in Zamboanga del Sur province. Bossi, then 57, was freed more than a month later after private negotiators paid a huge ransom. Bossi’s kidnappers had demanded P50 million for his safe release.

Philippine authorities said Bossi was kidnapped while celebrating mass in the village of Bulawan by brothers Akiddin and Wanning Abdusallam, both rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf. Bossi was the third Italian priest kidnapped in southern Philippines decade.

Rogue MILF rebels kidnapped Fr Luciano Benedetti, 62, in Zamboanga del Norte province in 1998 and held for nearly 10 weeks until he was freed in exchange for a huge government ransom.

In 2001, renegade MILF rebels and members of the bandit group called Pentagon Gang also snatched Fr Giuseppe Pierantoni as the 51-year-old from Bologna said mass in the parish church of Dimataling town in Zamboanga del Sur.

The priest was freed after six months in captivity in exchange for an unspecified ransom, but he claimed to have escaped from his kidnappers.

Philippine negotiators have in the past themselves paid ransom to the kidnappers for the release of kidnapped victims. Six Filipino teachers kidnapped this year in Zamboanga City and Zamboanga Sibugay and three international aid workers seized in Sulu province were also freed in exchange for millions of pesos in ransom. (Mindanao Examiner)

Filipino kidnappers release video, demand $2 million for freedom of Irish cleric

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Moro rebel killed, 3 soldiers wounded in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / October 31, 2009) – Security forces clashed Saturday with Moro rebels in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, killing one gunman, but three soldiers were also wounded in the fighting, officials said.

Marine Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, commander of military forces in Mindanao, said the fighting erupted at around 6:45 a.m. on a village in Panamao town. He said soldiers were tracking down rebels when they clashed with gunmen under Moro National Liberation Front leader Habier Malik.

“We have recovered the body of the slain rebel and his weapon, an M16 automatic rifle. Three soldiers were wounded in the fighting,” Dolorfino told the regional newspaper the Mindanao Examiner.

He said Malik’s group has joined forces with Abu Sayyaf militants blamed for the spate of bombings and ambuscades of soldiers in Sulu in recent months.

The Abu Sayyaf was also tagged as behind this week’s grenade attack at a Roman Catholic Church in the capital town of Jolo. The group was also linked to the kidnapping early this year of a Filipino, Italian and Swiss Red Cross workers in Sulu’s Patikul town and freed weeks later in exchange for huge ransom.

The military said dozens of rebels and soldiers, including two US Special Forces specialists, had been killed in fierce clashes in Sulu since September.

Fighting in Sulu erupted between rebels and soldiers after the military mounted fresh offensives against the Abu Sayyaf and Moro rebels in Indanan town. The offensive coincided with the Muslim celebration of the Eid al Fit’r, a day after Islam’s holiest month of Ramadan.

The MNLF has declared a holy war or jihad against the military for disrespecting the Muslims. Different Muslim groups also condemned the attack during the Eid celebration.

Early this month, rebel forces also attacked a major military base in the capital town of Sulu. It was the second time in eight years that rebels attacked the base.

In November 2001, on the eve of the elections in the Muslim autonomous region, Abu Sayyaf militants and rebels loyal to Moro National Liberation Front chieftain Nur Misuari attacked the camp in Jolo and another group raided a village in Zamboanga City that left more than 100 people dead.

Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody secessionist war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. The Muslim autonomous region was meant to implement the 1976 Tripoli Agreement between Manila and the MNLF.

But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted. And Misuari accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement.

Presently, the governor of the Muslims autonomous region, Zaldy Ampatuan, a close ally of President Gloria Arroyo, is not a member of the MNLF which is said to be a violation of the peace deal signed during President Fidel Ramos administration.

Many former guerrillas were disgruntled with the peace deal, saying, the Arroyo government failed to comply with some of its provisions and uplift their standards of living. They accused Manila of failing to develop war-torn areas in the south.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

After the rebellion in Jolo and Zamboanga, Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and jailed.

Misuari also ran twice for governor in Sulu even while under detention, but lost. He also supported President Gloria Arroyo's election bid and her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004 and again in 2007 in exchange for promises that he would be pardoned and freed. He was eventually set free. (Mindanao Examiner)

Mindanao Examiner TV Talk Show

Mindanao Examiner TV Week in Review Oct 18-24, 2009

Mindanao Examiner TV Week in Review Oct 18-24, 2009 Part 1



Mindanao Examiner TV Week in Review Oct 18-24, 2009 Part 2

Policemen beat up vendor in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / October 30, 2009) – Local policemen have allegedly beaten up an ambulant vendor with their clubs after he was caught illegally selling fruits at a sidewalk in Zamboanga City in Mindanao.

One witness told the Mindanao Examiner how policemen attacked the still unidentified vendor who was just selling lemons and oranges in front of terrified shoppers.

“I have witnessed the brutal and ruthless treatment of the police towards the illegal sidewalk vendors. They have beaten the vendor with a club and hit him with their fists as if the poor vendor was a criminal. What a pathetic scene,” the witness said.

Policemen also scattered the fruits as the hapless vendor as he was being beaten. The incident occurred at around 3:30 p.m. outside the Shopper’s Central in downtown Zamboanga.

“Is that the way they are taught on protecting the citizens, sacrificing the dignity of the poor, enforcing the law in a dehumanizing way that befits only criminals?,” the witness asked.

The vendor was also taken by the police by force aboard their vehicle and I have no knowledge anymore regarding the succeeding events,” the witness added.

The scene was not uncommon in Zamboanga City where policemen - armed with a city ordinance that prohibits vendors from selling on sidewalks and public areas - regularly round up illegal sellers and their merchandize - from newspapers to fruits and vegetables to video discs - are seized and destroyed or given to prisoners and charity houses. But there were fears that the seized merchandize could end up in the homes of unscrupulous policemen. (Mindanao Examiner)

Filipino banana workers hold protest

Banana plantation workers who are members of the Maragusan United Workers Union and ANAKPAWIS held a picket Friday, October 30, 2009 in Davao City in Mindanao to protest against union busting and labor malpractice.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Filipino banana plantation workers on Friday picketed in front of the local Labor office and at the headquarters of their employer Stanfilco to condemn alleged repression and union busting activities.

Zoilo Ebora, chairman of the Maragusan United Workers Union, claimed the Stanfilco management had been offering one time payment in exchange for the resignation as regular workers.

He said the union submitted its complaint to the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.

Romualdo Basilio, Anakpawis party list provincial spokesperson, has expressed support for the plight of the union workers and lambasted the Stanfilco.

Kidnappers demand ransom for Irish priest, says Sinn Fein member

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / October 30, 2009) – Philippine kidnappers holding a kidnapped Irish priest have demanded ransom and Senior Sinn Féin figure Gerry Kelly and former Downing St chief of staff Jonathan Powell have been involved in behind-the-scenes talks in an attempt to secure the ailing Columban missioner.

Father Michael Sinnott, 79, was kidnapped by six gunmen October 11 from his home in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur in western Mindanao. And Kelly said the priest is being held captive in Lanao del Norte, a province in northern Mindanao, according to a report by The Irish Times.

It said the priest, who has had several heart surgeries in the past, received his life-saving medicines through emissaries in the Philippines.

Kelly said he had been contacted by a relative of another priest working in the Philippines about Father Sinnott. “I understand that Fr Sinnott is both safe and alive and I also understand that he has got his medicine for his heart condition,” he said.

He said: “The good news is that they believe he is in Lanao del Norte. The kidnappers are asking for ‘board and lodgings’ – a euphemism for a ransom.”

Kelly did not say how much ransom the kidnappers were demanding. Another report said Kelly and Powell have been in regular contact with the Philippine government and the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, through intermediaries since Farther Sinnott was captured.

The MILF was initially thought to have been behind the kidnapping, but Kelly said a criminal gang was now believed to be responsible. The MILF is currently negotiating peace with Manila, although it has been fighting for independence in Mindanao the past three decades.

“We know the kidnappers have got in touch looking for ransom – the good news about that is it means he is alive and in health,” Kelly said. “The second news we’ve got is that they have managed to get some medication to him for his heart condition.”

“What we will do is continue on. The main people who are doing the most work are the MILF who are active on the ground and the Philippine government,” the Ireland Online quoted Kelly as saying.

Kelly said the priest is not a rich man and has been helping poor Filipino children through his own foundation. “This is an Irish priest who went out to the Philippines and has worked there for decades with the poor people of the country,” he said.

“This is the wrong man to kidnap – this isn’t a rich man and he doesn’t have any independent wealth. All that he’s done has been good for the people and he needs to be released.”

The Philippine military said it was unaware of any negotiations involving Kelly and Powell for the safe release of the priest.

“We are not aware of this negotiation by Kelley and Powell. What we know is the MILF is trying to help the authorities in securing the release of Father Sinnott,” said Marine Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, Western Mindanao military commander in-charge of recovering the cleric.

Sinn Féin is an Irish political and cultural society founded about 1905 to promote political and economic independence from England, unification of Ireland, and a renewal of Irish culture. It now constitutes the political branch of the Irish Republican Army, a dissident republican group that fought an armed campaign over almost three decades to end British rule in Northern Ireland before renouncing violence.

In the 1990s, with fewer nationalist grievances left to exploit, the Irish Republican Army began talks with the British government. A ceasefire was enacted in 1997, and the next year the main political parties of Northern Ireland, including Sinn Féin, renounced violence in the US-brokered Good Friday Accord. In 2005 the Irish Republican Army itself disarmed. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine Congress to pursue stronger environmental reforms

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives will continue to pursue policy reforms needed to strengthen government’s environmental protection and promotion programs, Speaker Prospero Nograles said on Thursday.

"Nature's wrath exempts no one. The devastation and sufferings wrought by the floods only reflect the extent of injury man has inflicted on mother earth," Nograles said.

He also lauded President Gloria Arroyo's recent enactment of the "Climate Change Act of 2009" as a concrete and clear resolve of government to give priority to the issue of climate change.

"The enactment of the Climate Change Act symbolizes the Philippines' ascent to being an active participant and partner in the global collective action to protect Mother Earth and save our future generations," Nograles said.

At the same time, the House leader said that Congress or government could only do as much as the people’s collective and cohesive actions to protect the environment.

"It's what each of us does everyday. The simple proper disposal of plastic food wrappers is as important as the multi-million garbage disposal programs of the national and local governments," he added.

Nograles noted that the House of Representatives has passed and sent to the Senate for its proper appreciation numerous measures including some 161 national and 782 local bills of various concerns.

"Of the 161 national House-approved bills pending in the Senate, around eleven bills deal with environmental issues," Nograles revealed noting statistics from the Committee on Rules chaired by Majority Leader Arthur Defensor.

"We have more proposed measures on environmental concerns," Defensor said, affirming the Speaker’s advocacy to put premium on environment protection and promotion.

Among the environment-related legislative initiatives endorsed to the Senate by the House plenary are, among others, the following:

1. HB 5990 - Marine and Coastal Resources Protection Act of 2009;
2. HB 6364 - Lake Development and Management Act of 2009;
3. HB 6403 - Small Islands Development and Management Act of 2009;
4. HB 6409 - Geology Profession Act of 2009;
5. HB 4419 - Environment Planning Act of 2008;
6. HB 3590 - Adopt a Wildlife Species Act of 2008;
7. HB 5207 - Subdivision Green Parks Act of 2008;
8. HB 5219 - Philippine Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes Management Act of 2007;
9. HB 5228 - Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2008;
10. HB 5792 - Sustainable Forest Management Act of 2008; and
11. HB 233 - Revival of Arbor Day

6 Western Mindanao Firms Win 2009 Productivity Olympics

ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / October 29, 2009) – Six established Filipino companies, including an electric cooperative in Western Mindanao, have been named regional winners in the prestigious Department of Labor and Employment’s 2009 Productivity Olympics.

The six winners were Julie's Bake-shop, Philippine Pioneer Rubber Products Corporation, Pagadian City Springland Resort, Vic Engineering and Drilling Services, Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative, Incorporated and Zaragoza Foods Corporation. They were awarded plaques during a ceremony held in the town of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province, which hosted the Olympics.

Three Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils from Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte provinces were also awarded with plaques of appreciation for their generosity and immediate response to the affected victims of recent typhoons that devastated Luzon and other parts of Metro-Manila.

Lawyer Nicerio Napigkit Jr., convener of the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, represented Sibugay provincial governor George Hofer in welcoming the different contingents of the various Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils.

He also emphasized the promotion of a decent work agenda as a priority concern of the TIPC.

Labor Undersecretary Rosalinda Baldoz, who flew from Manila to grace the occasion, spoke on various issues to the different leaders and representatives of the management, labor and government sectors.

She stressed on the promotion of the so-called Green Jobs efforts which will soon be implemented to all regional offices. The labor official spoke also on how to employ productivity focusing on decent job and the implementation of the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Programs, among others.

President Gloria Arroyo signed Proclamation Number 726 on October 29, 2004 and declaring the month of October of every year as the National and Productivity Improvement Month.

Thus, one of the lined activities in this month long celebration was the awarding of the winners for the Productivity Olympics.

In June this year, the Department of Labor and Employment has called on micro, small and medium enterprises that implement productivity improvement programs to join the 2009 Productivity Olympics as a survival strategy against the current economic uncertainty and fluctuating market demand.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said the productivity contest showcases best practices in improving plant-level productivity, which micro, small and medium enterprises need to survive the current economic downturn.

Regional Labor Director Ponciano Ligutom said the competition of good productivity practices was focused on people development and business excellence of micro, small and medium enterprises in the Agribusiness, Service and Industry Sectors.

This year's theme was "Enhancing Quality and Productivity towards Competitiveness.”

The competition was organized by the National Wages and Productivity Commission in coordination with all its Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards. (With reports from Jung Francisco and Jonathan Deles)

Pronounciation: See-boo-guy; bake shop, north-teh

Pronounciation: Zamboanga Sibugay

Pronounciation: See-boo-guy; bake shop, north-te

Bulaklak at kandila, malakas na negosyo sa Digos

Handang-handa na ang mga nagbebenta ng bulaklak at kandila sa lungsod ng Digos sa pagsalubong sa Todos los Santos at Todos los Almas. Malaking tulong umano at pandagdag na rin sa kanilang kabuhan at pantustos sa pagkain ang pagbebenta ng mga bulaklak at kandila. (Mindanao Examiner / Kuha ni Geo Solmerano)

Army Sultan’s shot for unity in Mindanao

The 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade of the Philippine Army, deployed in a culturally diverse and a conflict area of Northern Mindanao, attempts to further bring harmony with the Pagari Park in Iligan City. The word “pagari” means friend or friendship in Maranao.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines - The 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade of the Philippine Army, deployed in a culturally diverse and a conflict area of Northern Mindanao, attempts to further bring harmony with the Pagari Park.
The word “pagari” means friend or friendship in Maranao.

The park is a newly developed garden, converted from a former dump of volcanic rocks at the heart of the Sultan Brigade camp in Iligan City, with the support of those who shared the thought of promoting peace.

Amid the festive atmosphere of the 9th Founding Anniversary of the Army’s Sultan Brigade on Mondayr, Former Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Dimaporo — a Christian married to a Muslim and a strong advocate for cultural harmony and eco-tourism —graced the inauguration of the park.

Also, to show unity in support of the purpose of the park, Iligan Diocese Catholic Bishop Elenito Galido, Islam Aleem Elias Macarandas, and Lumad Datu Rolando Soong made the interfaith joint consecration.

Colonel Benito de Leon, the brigade commander, explained that “pagari” was chosen since the place will be used to receive guests, and a spot dedicated to promote friendship and harmony. The three corners in the garden represent the major Philippine Muslim cultures — Maguindanao, Maranao, and Tausug — that have inspired the brigade moniker of “Sultan.”

De Leon was conferred the Maranao honorary title of Sultan Romaponut (Leader of Peace) for his peace efforts during the MILF hostilities in 2000.

During the inauguration of the park, guests had the chance to have a glimpse of the different traditional wear and sample respective delicacies. The calming landscape easily made it a favorite for pictorial settings. Saturnina Rodil, a professor of Mindanao State University-Institute for Peace and Development and a theosophist, commented that Pagari Park” has a strong good vibes.

MILF launches operation to rescue kidnapped Irish priest in southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / October 28, 2009) – Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels helping Philippine authorities track down a kidnapped Irish clergy have mounted an operation Tuesday to rescue the hostage in the hinterlands of Mindanao.

Columban missionary Father Michael Sinnott was taken at gunpoint by pirates October 11 from his home in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province and brought to Lanao del Sur.

“We are preparing to rescue Father Sinnott,” said Eid Kabalu, a spokesman for the MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which is currently negotiating peace with Manila.

Kabalu said they were closely working with the government’s coordinating cease-fire committee in the rescue operation. He said the military’s Western Mindanao Command has approved the operation.

But a regional military commander, Marine Major Benjamin Dolorfino, denied the MILF claims and said it was the crisis management committee headed by Zamboanga del Sur Governor Aurora Cerilles which allowed rebel forces to join the government operation in rescuing the priest.

“It is the crisis management committee which decides what actions to take and the military is only assisting in those decisions,” Dolorfino said.

Dolorfino tagged pirate leader Guingona Samal as behind the kidnapping of the priest. But the police said Sinnott was handed over to an MILF commander Jamat Latip in Lanao del Sur province in central Mindanao.

The MILF has denied the accusations. “It’s not true. We have nothing to do with Sinnott’s kidnapping and Jamat Latip has denied any involvement in the kidnapping,” Kabalu said. “This (operation) is an honest to goodness intention to help secure the freedom of Father Sinnott.”

The secluded chieftain of the MILF, Murad Ebrahim, has ordered rebels to help rescue Sinnott, who had several heart surgeries in the past.

“As a matter of policy, the MILF is obliged to exert its best efforts to help for the safe and immediate recovery of Father Sinnott,” Ebrahim was quoted as saying. “His kidnapping requires all conscience-guided people and those with true faith in God to extend every help for his immediate freedom.”

The rescue operation coincided with reports that Sinnott’s Missionary Society of St. Columban has opened negotiations with the kidnappers for the safe release of the hostage, but details of the talks were unknown.

The Missionary Society of St. Columban has appealed to US President Barack Obama to help secure the safe release of Sinnott, who is the third Irish missioner to be kidnapped in Mindanao since 1997. Fr Des Hartford was held by Moro rebels for 12 days, and in 2001, Fr Rufus Hally, a missioner from Waterford, was shot dead during an attempted abduction in the volatile region. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippines, MILF rebels sign civilian protection accord

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / October 28, 2009) – The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed a new accord with Manila ensuring the protection of civilians in areas in Mindanao where there are fighting.

Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF chief peace negotiator, said Agreement on Civilian Protection was signed Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur. “This historic agreement pushed further the GRP-MILF peace talks to formal resumption,” he said.

President Gloria Arroyo opened up peace talks with the MILF in 2001 in an effort to end decades of bloody Muslim secessionist war in the restive, but mineral-rich region of Mindanao, south of the Philippines, where rebels are fighting for self-determination.

“After a hard and prolonged discussion, the MILF and Philippine government peace negotiators finally signed the Agreement on Civilian Protection,” Iqbal said.

Last month, Philippine and MILF peace negotiators signed an agreement for the formation of the International Contact Group, which would open the way for the participation of countries, particularly from the European Union and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), in the peace process.

“The Framework Agreement on the formation of the International Contact Group and the Agreement on the Protection of Civilians are essential mechanisms to prevent the repeat of the debacle in Kuala Lumpur on August 5, 2008 when the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain was not signed by the government, as well resulting displacement of more than 600,000 people in Mindanao,” Iqbal said.

He said the ICG serves as guarantee that both the government and MILF comply with all signed agreements.

Iqbal was referring to the Muslim homeland deal initially signed by peace negotiators, but declared as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The failed signing sparked a series of rebel attacks that killed and wounded dozens of civilians in Mindanao.

Iqbal said this agreement reaffirmed the commitment of the MILF and the Philippine government for the observance of the international humanitarian law and respect for the internationally recognized human rights instruments and the protection of the internally displaced persons.

The two groups have designated humanitarian and nongovernmental organizations, both international and national, with proven track record for impartiality, neutrality and independence, to carry out the civilian protection functions.

Iqbal said the agreement on civilian protection component will be incorporated into the Terms of Reference of the International Monitoring Team which would be discussed when the formal peace talks resume this year in Malaysia, which is facilitating the negotiations. The international cease-fire monitoring team was composed of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Libya and Japan.

Under the civilian protection deal, the MILF and the Philippine government agreed to refrain from intentionally targeting or attacking non-combatants, prevent suffering of the civilian population and avoid acts that would cause collateral damage to civilians.

And to refrain from targeting or intentionally attacking civilian properties or facilities such as schools, hospitals, religious premises, health and food distribution centers, or relief operations, or objects or facilities indispensable to the survival of the civilian population and of a civilian nature and take all necessary actions to facilitate the provision of relief supplies to affected communities.

The two sides also agreed to take all precautions feasible to avoid incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, and danger to civilian objects and to ensure that all protective and relief actions shall be undertaken in a purely nondiscriminatory basis covering all affected communities.

They would also issue orders to their respective military units or security forces, including paramilitaries, associated militias, and police units to conduct their operations consistent with their obligations and commitments described in the accord. (Mindanao Examiner)