Thousands of Tourists flocked to KAMAHARDIKAAN Feast in Tawi-Tawi

By: Becky d. de Asis

Governor Sadikul A. Sahali happily

witness the presentations of different 

cultural dances coming from the 

participating municipalities.

BONGAO, Tawi–Tawi, Mindanao, Philippines – Thousands of tourists coming from different provinces and cities in the Philippines flocked to the annual feast here in the Southern part of Mindanao to witness the week long cultural celebration last Sept.24 to 27. 2012.

The cultural parade of seaweeds dressed  in different costumes designed and styled by the local designers was a very popular and captivating parade ever in Mindanao said local tourist. 

The other highlights, the search of Budjang 2012 and the fluvial parade also gives the province popularity and dignified festivals  of the Philippines were both local and national tourists thumbs-up of their approval.

FOI Act will immortalize you, Mr. President

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
Cagayan de Oro Chapter
28 September 2012

STATEMENT 

We maintain that a well-informed electorate forms the better part of a genuinely democratic country. As journalists, our role in this supposed democratic society is quite well-defined. We are the fourth estate—our mandate is to inform and educate the electorate so that the latter can arrive at intelligent decisions.

Fear, ignorance and muzzling of the inherent right of every person to access public information has no place in a society who declares itself a free market of ideas.

Philippines: New ‘Cybercrime’ Law Will Harm Free Speech

Supreme Court to Rule on Act That Worsens Criminal Defamation

(New York, September 28, 2012) – A new Philippine “cybercrime” law drastically increases punishments for criminal libel and gives authorities excessive and unchecked powers to shut down websites and monitor online information, Human Rights Watch said today. President Benigno Aquino III signed the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 into law on September 12, 2012.

The law’s criminal penalties for online libel and other restrictions are a serious threat to free expression in the Philippines, Human Rights Watch said. Several legal cases have been filed in the Philippines Supreme Court, including for the law to be declared unconstitutional because it violates guarantees to free expression contained in the Philippines constitution and human rights treaties ratified by the Philippines.

Bantay Bayanihan launch in Lanao del Norte

Launching of Bantay Kalilintad at Mindanao Civic Center, Tubod,

Lanao del Norte with Lt GEN EMMANEL T BAUTISTA CG, PA as

Keynote Speaker together with LGU and CSO leaders most

notably Gov Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo,  Provincial Governor,

and Ustadz Musa Sanguila, Lead Convenor of Bantay Kalilintad and

Director, Pakigdait Inc. (Photo provided)

KUTA SANG-AN – The Bantay Kalilintad or “Bayanihan” was successfully launched at the Mindanao Civic Center Hotel in Tubod, Lanao del Norte last September 18, 2012.

The said activity was attended by the Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista as the keynote speaker. Different peace stakeholders of the society, members of the academe, religious organizations and the provincial PNP actively participated in the said launching.

LDN Provincial Governor Hon. Khalid Q. Dimaporo with the Provincial officials expressed their profound gratitude to the 1^st Infantry (TABAK) Division, Phillippine Army to the “Bantay Bayanihan” project which provides a venue for the civil society groups and peace stakeholders to actively take part in the  implementation of the Internal Peace Security Plan (IPSP) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “We should altogether be united in achieving peace. There is a need for a concerted efforts and convergence of all stakeholders to finally put an end to the security problems through peaceful means”. Hon Dimaporo added  

NUJP condemns attack, threat against its officers

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines

Statement

Sept. 25, 2012

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemns the assault on Roberto “Bobby” Labalan, a member of our national directorate, by Joseph Yap III, a contractor who also happens to be a brother of Mayor Jocelyn Yap-Lelis of Prieto-Diaz, Sorsogon.

According to Labalan, who edits “Sorsogon Now” and also heads the Sorsogon Media Forum, he was chatting to colleagues Sunday morning at a Sorsogon City coffee shop frequented by journalists, government officials and other newsmakers when Yap walked up, asked, “Nano kay tinira mo ko sa dyaryo (Why did you hit me in the paper)?” then punched him, grazing him on the left cheek.

Yap continued to throw punches but Labalan parried these until onlookers pulled away the attacker.

Among those who witnessed the incident was Sorsogon Governor Raul Lee.
According to Labalan, what apparently earned him Yap’s ire was an article published in “Sorsogon Now” involving alleged irregularities in a project implemented by the contractor in the town of which his sister is mayor.

The article in question, which ran on August 7, carried Yap’s side of the story.
This incident is yet one more example of how impunity perpetuates itself in this country, courtesy of a system of governance that relies on political expediency and family ties.

Apparently Yap is one of those who feel kinship to persons of authority entitles him to that same authority and the power to use – or abuse – it as he sees fit.

Coupled with government apathy, this is why journalists around the country and most especially in the provinces continue to be harassed, threatened, assaulted and killed with hardly anyone called to account. And while we’re at it, this, too, is why corruption continues to flourish.

We demand that authorities in Sorsogon province ensure the safety of Labalan and assist him as he pursues a complaint he intends to file against Yap. We also demand that they investigate Yap thoroughly in light of the fact that this is the second time he has assaulted a journalist – the first being the late Mark Mella – and reports he might have been armed when he assaulted our director.

The attack on Labalan came just more than a week after two motorcycle-riding men went to the house in Zamboanga City of Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Julie Alipala, also a member of the NUJP national directorate, seemingly with intent to threaten or harm her.

We deplore these and similar acts and call on the authorities to ensure the safety of media workers, conduct a thorough investigation and arrest those found liable for any crime.

MNLF's TOP LEADERS DENIES ENDORSING BET FOR ARMM

Cotabato City - Some of the top leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front have denied having to do with the recent allegedly signed resolution by several of its members that endorses to President Benigno Aquino, III, their choice candidate for regional governor in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao elections.

In an online press release, the MNLF leaders who are mostly  top commanders of the Central Committee claimed to have the support and command of the mass base MNLF in Mindanao.

 
"In view of the recent published report in media that some so called MNLF commanders endorsing certain personality to run for regional Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the forth coming May 12, 2012  as candidate to be, supposed by the MNLF, the MNLF leadership would like to clarify that many of the senior MNLF leaders mentioned in the resolution were not present in the meeting and did not signed the said document," they said in the same release.

The MNLF cannot endorse any personality without following the proper procedure being observed by the front and that it should conform with previous arrangements made with key players of GRP and the OIC, the spokesperson of the group said.

That the idea of holding the ARMM election synchronized with the midterm national and local elections and its eventual postponement last year was thru the suggestion and recommendation of the MNLF panel during the MNLF-GRP-OIC PCSP meeting in Surabaya, Indonesia in June 2012.

Among those who were not physically present and did not actually sign the resolution were Sharif Hamid Juhuri, F2, Chairman, Southern Palawan State Revolutionary, National Striking Force and Commander Sibli Tiblani, F2, Gommader  of the MNLF Bangsamoro Armed Forces, the PR said.

In reaction to the just concluded MNLF Grand Meeting which included them as a party to the stand of the other MNLF, the leaders claiming themselves as the legitimate and true bonafide members of the front pointed out that their names were mentioned but they were not in attendance and that have not signed the document.

The grand meeting was spearheaded by the MNLF Junior Cadre Officers Corps who presented the resolution to the President in Malacang.

According to the MNLF top leaders, the MNLF is not supposed to be politicized. That organizers of the said meeting last Sept. 6, 2012 held at the Orchids Hotel in Zamboanga should have not endorsed any personality and use the names of their fellow brothers without proper consultation or consensus.

"If in case they have endorsed any political personality, it must be a personal or individual decision and not reflective of the official stand and decision of the entire front, which we highly respect," the top leaders clarified.

However, instead of the endorsement made by the MNLF Junior Cadre-sponsored meeting, the legitimate MNLF top leaders had endorsed its top MNLF brass based on what has been agreed in a meeting with government representatives in Indonesia early this year, the spokesperson emphasized.

"On the basis of the GRP-MNLF Statement of Understanding signed in Solo City, Indonesia last February 29- March 2, 2012 to help in reforming the ARMM governance, the MNLF leadership has endorsed Chairman Prof. Nur Misuari, Haj. Hatimil Hassan and  to Cotabato Vice-Mayor Muslimin Sema to run for regional governor of the ARMM. That the MNLF will accept any of the above names to be chosen by President Benigno Aquino, III as his candidate for Regional Governor in the May 2013 elections," the leaders said.

The MNLF Leadership also has recommended the incumbent OIC Vice-regional Governor Haj. Bainon Karon as Vice-Regional Governor-candidate for the May 2012 elections. Karon  is concurrently the ARMM-DSWD Regional Cabinet Secretary.

The MNLF Leadership has forwarded their recommendation to Chairman of the Peace Committee for Southern  Philippine  (PCSP) of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) with furnished copy to the Secretary of OPAP  and Secretary General.

Earlier, there were published news reports that some organizations aside from MNLF and some members of RLA had endorsed certain personality to run for regional governor for ARMM.

However, these endorsements were also debunked by their other members just like the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly, which has denied endorsing certain candidates as its favored bet for regional governor and vice regional governor in next year elections. 

However, these endorsements were also debunked by their other members just like the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly, which has denied endorsing certain candidates as its favored bet for regional governor and vice regional governor in next year elections. 

Speaker Rasol Mitmug, Jr. said the secretary-general of the RLA, Mama Ampatuan, and the Assembly's chief of plenary affairs, Engineer Jaime Ayub, issued on Monday a written denial on the law-making body's alleged political endorsements.

"It could be possible that some members of the Assembly endorsed certain politicians, but the endorsements, certainly, were done in their individual private capacities," Mitmug said adding that the law-making body, as a collegiality boy did not officially endorse anyone. as its has sets of rules to follow in preparation and approval of any resolution in endorsing a person," according to Mitmug.(DS)

Vitali River is now breathing back following the clean-up drive

By JONG CADION

Zamboanga City – You can witness now the free flowing of waters in Vitali

River after the whole day clean-up drive conducted on or about 8:30 early morning, September 22, 2012 to address the deteriorated condition of the river.

The clean-up drive of the river was conducted simultaneously nationwide

in line with the campaign launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Adopt-an-Estero/River program.

The activities were participated by some residents and students, Barangay LGUs officials spearheaded by the Barangay Chairman Jose Alavar together with the NGO partner, ATRO Mining-Vitali Incorporated headed by the

Resident Manager Engineer Phil Nepomoceno and some DENR personnel led

by no less than the Regional Technical Director Sixto Tolentino, Jr. of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

The clean-up activities is also in line with the implementation of ‘Adopt an Estero/River’ as agreed in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) duly signed by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 9, ATRO MINING-VITALI INC. and the LGU officials of Barangay Vitali.

5 ASG killed 1 captured leading the rescue of Chinese kidnapped victim

By Jong Cadion

Lin Yuankai alias Jampong Lin

ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least 5 members of Abu Sayyaf terrorist group operating in Zamboanga City were killed and 1 captured after 15 minutes firefight between the joint government troops of Philippine Army and Police operatives yesterday morning resulted to the rescue of Chinese kidnapped victim Lin Yuankai alias Jampong Lin.

Lin Yuankai alias Jampong Lin, 38, the vice president for operations of mining firm Li-Lo Minerals Traders was recovered inside the newly installed Abu Sayyaf Sub-camp after the joint government troops overrun them in Brgy. Calabasa some 50 kilometers east of Zamboanga City, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said.

Five kidnappers belong to the notorious Abu Sayyaf were killed during the operation. They were identified by Western Mindanao police regional director Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles as Termije Ajijul, the Sub-leader of Abu Sayyaf Sitti Raja Salvin, Abu Ulm, Arab-Arab and Banah-Banah.

Peace ambassadors, celebs, gov’t execs observe Int’l Day of Peace in ‘KaPEACEtahan’

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) holds KaPEACEtahan, an annual festive gathering of various sectors of society, to celebrate the International Day of Peace, September 21, 2012 at SM North The Block Atrium in Quezon City, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles announced.

The festival features a job fair and a Serbisyong Bayan Center, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; and a cultural gala night at 6:00 pm, according to Deles.

KaPEACEtahan likewise highlights this year's observation of the 9th National Peace Consciousness Month, themed 'Ako. Ikaw. Tayo. Magkakaiba, Nagkakaisa sa Kapayapaan.'

"It brings together different sectors and stakeholders involved in the peace process as well as the general public in celebrating the pursuit of peace and the concrete steps taken to assure a better life for people in conflict areas," Deles said.

The job fair, organized by the Department of Labor and Employment for OPAPP's KaPEACEtahan, convenes more than 25 local and international employers with over 2,500 job openings, according to Deles.

The Serbisyong Bayan Center, which will house different government agencies, offers mobile services to the public.

The cultural gala features the talent of Filipino artists such as Diwa De Leon, a hegalong player; and Joseph Valerio, a Talentadong Pinoy Sand Artist, among others.

Set to grace the event are some of the recently named National Peace Ambassadors of the "I am for Peace" campaign under OPAPP, including award-winning actor Epy Quizon, actress and TV host Megan Young, Internet action star Ramon Bautista, and promising model-turned-actor Mikael Daez, who will lead the public in making their pledge for peace.

"KaPEACEtahan, a play on the word kapistahan which means festivity, will feature the importance of peace and the journey taken in achieving it," Deles said.

"If we (all Filipinos) work together, we can make things happen. In working for a just and lasting peace, no one loses; no one is short-changed or aggrieved," Deles added, saying that peace work cannot be left to the government alone.

"The work of nation-building, the work of developing a Philippines that the Filipinos really care for—that's the job of everyone," she said.

Aside from the celebration of the International Day of Peace, September 21 also marks the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. (Fwd/bfc)

North Cotabato Governor, Mayors commit supports to GPH-MILF peace talks

COTABATO - "We have full confidence on the peace panel. The Province of North Cotabato is supportive of the peace accord with the guarantee of a plebiscite."

This was the commitment of North Cotabato Governor Emmylou "Lala" Taliño-Mendoza, in her meeting today, September 19, 2012 with the mayors of the municipalities of Pikit, Aleosan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, Carmen and Kabacan. These municipalities are deemed to be affected in the proposed creation of a new autonomous political entity (NAPE).

Chinese kidnapped victim rescued by the joint government troops

Lin Yuankai alias Jampong Lin

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY - A Chinese kidnapped victim from Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay identified as Lin Yuankai alias Jampong Lin, 38 was rescued by the joint government troops led by the 5^th Special Action Battalion, Special Action Force, Navy SWAG, Regional-9 Public Safety Battalion and other military units after the encounter between the groups of Abu-Sayyaf Sub-leader Khair Mundos and Ajijul Temeng.

The firefight started at about 10:00 o’clock this morning September 10, 2012 that lasted for 15 minutes in Sitio Dulian, Barangay Calabasa, some 50 kilometers east coast from Zamboanga City.                                   

Tornado hit Kabasalan leaving more than P5million damage

By Jong Cadion

Part of the commercial area in Brgy. Poblacion Kabasalan

KABASALAN, Zamboanga Sibugay – At least only one injured after a strong whirlwind (Tornado) stroke the commercial center of Kabasalan leaving more than 5-million damage at about 3:45 dawn on September 15, 2012.

The injured identified as Bebot Baricua, 45 years old married, Pedi-cab driver was hit by the debris on his feet while he was standing at the terminal. He was rushed immediately to Kabasalan Pathfinder Hospital for treatment.

NPA Squad Leader of WMRPC surrenders to live normal life

By Jong Cadion

Zamboanga del Sur – The New People’s Army (NPA) Squad Leader Roger Apog also known as Rey Bajik of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) operating in the Hinterland of Zamboanga del Sur returned to the fold of the law in order to live normal life together with his family.

He surrendered together with his Garand rifle and some ammunition to the Government troops of 53^rd Infantry Battalion of the Army’s Premier (Tabak) Division this early morning Wednesday, September 19, 2012 in Barangay Kahayagan, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur while the troops were performing peace and development activities at the said barangay.

Killer whale natagpuang patay sa karagatan ng basilan

By Ely Dumaboc

Isang higanting isda ang 
natagpuang patay sa mga 
tauhan ng BFAR doon sa 
karagatanng Basilan at dinala 
sa daungan ng Zamboanga 
City upang matukoy ang 
dahilan ng pagklamatay.  
(By Jong Cadion)

Patay na ng matagpuan ng mga tauhan ng Bureau of Fisheries on Aquatic Fesource o (BFAR) at ng Philippine Coastguard sa pangunguna ni Lt Luduvico Librilla ang isang Killer Whale o balyena na nasa 1.5 milya ang layo mula sa baybaying bahagi ng basilan kaninang umaga.


Agad na isinakay sa BFAR boat na nagpapatrolya sa karagatan ng Basilan at Zamboanga ang namatay na balyena para masuri sa mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan dito sa Zamboanga City ang dahilan ng pagkamatay nito.

Delayed approval of House Bill No.3632 deprive Zambosurean for development

Former Dapitan City Mayor Jun Jalosjos (By JC)

PAGADIAN CITY – THE delaying approval of House Bill No.3632 for the creation of additional Congressional District in Zamboanga Del Sur will deprive development in the province.

This is the reaction of the people according to former Dapitan City Mayor Dominador G. Jalosjos, Jr. in an interview with the media.

“It means, the two representative and political leaders of the present administration don’t want the province of Zamboanga del Sur to develop if they will terminate the passing into law on the creation of third congressional district,” Jun Jalosjos said.

MARINA TO ASSIST ENFORCEMENT OF BFAR’s FISHING BAN

By JONG CADION
Zamboanga City-The Maritime Industry Authority has vowed to support the full enforcement of law concerning any violation of the fishing ban on sardines or Tamban being implemented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

MARINA ARMM Basilan Chief Operations Officer Mannan H. Haman said that along with the other stakeholders in the sea transport and fishing industries MARINA will assist in running after fishing boats of fishing firms that do not comply with the off or close season period for the catching of tamban in the seas of the region even as he assured that MARINA will do its mandate to remind fishing vessels.