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==PHL tourist arrivals up 17% to record high in Jan. – DOT==
==Endangered Species==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/252343/economy/business/phl-tourist-arrivals-up-17-to-record-high-in-jan-ndash-dot
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=806227&publicationSubCategoryId=67
*March 22, 2012 1:01pm
*Saturday, May 12, 2012
:by VS/HS, GMA News
:by philstar.com




Visitor arrivals reached a record-breaking high of 411,064 last January, up 17.5 percent from 349,713 a year earlier, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Thursday.
Employees of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau inspect dead hawksbill turtles for parasites and take tissue samples, too, for mitochondrial DNA testing, during an inspection of the marine species confiscated by joint government operatives from 12 Vietnamese off Pangutaran Island in Sulu last April 22. The suspected poachers are currently detained at the provincial jail in Tawi-Tawi, having been charged for violating the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Aside from the 87 marine turtles, also found in the Malaysian-registered fishing vessel used by the Vietnamese were five bundles of black corals and about 600 kilograms of hammerhead fish, lapu-lapu (grouper) and squid.


That was the same month that the government launched its popular "More fun in the Philippines" tourism slogan, which quickly became viral and a meme with countless online participants.
“We are happy to set a new all-time high for the industry, as we have now reached and surpassed the 400,000-visitor arrival mark for the first time in any single month,” the department said in a statement, citing Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr.


It may also signal that the country has finally overcome the tourism setback caused by the massacre of eight Hong Kong tourists in August 2010, resulting in an immediate drop in tourism arrivals. The government has also had to cope with the effects of kidnappings of foreigners, including two bird scientists in Tawi-Tawi in late January.


The US' State Department issued a stern warning to its citizens in Juanuary about the dangers of travelling in the Philippines.


Jimenez is said to be a marketing genius, creating a spin that highlights the joyful spirit of Filipinos and papers over the country's myriad problems, from a high crime rate to unmaintained public toilets to an international airport repeatedly called one of the world's worst.
“We expect that these numbers will continue to steadily increase with the introduction of our new brand campaign this year and the convergence initiatives and efforts that the DOT has been undertaking with other government agencies and the private sector,” Jimenez added.
Koreans accounted for the biggest number of visitors at 102,166, or 24.9 percent of the total. “This achieves another feat for PHL tourism, as this also marks the first time that a market achieved more than 100,000 in any single month,” the department said.
Visitors from the United States were the second largest at 63,160 or 15.4 percent of the inbound traffic.
The Chinese market bested the Japanese market as the third biggest volume of 42,868 arrivals — a triple-digit growth of 173.8 percent from 15,656. The heavy influx of Chinese tourists was attributed the Chinese New Year in the third week of January.
The Japanese and the Taiwanese ranked as fourth and fifth top visitors, with 32,089 and 21,995 arrivals, respectively. The Japanese arrivals were 1.6 percent higher year-on-year and accounted for 7.8 percent of the total arrivals.
Tourists from Taiwan was 60.7 percent more in volume terms, capturing 5.4 percent of the total arrivals.
Overseas Filipinos — or Filipinos permanently residing abroad —accounted for 15,531 arrivals, or 3.8 percent of the total volume.
“We are excited to meet our year-end target of 4.6 million arrivals with the full roll-out of the campaign “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” Jimenez said.
“Policy reforms and convergence projects with other government agencies will seek to address impediments to tourism growth, particularly accessibility, connectivity and entry procedures,” the secretary noted.
“More importantly, everybody’s support is critical in creating the fun and competitive image that we are selling to the world,” he added.




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==More charges to be filed against Vietnamese fishermen==
*Source: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=More-charges-to-be-filed-against-Vietnamese-fishermen&id=51466
*Thursday, May 10, 2012
:by Bettina Faye V. Roc




THE ENVIRONMENT department is set to file additional charges on the Vietnamese nationals caught allegedly poaching marine species off Sulu last month, this time for the violation of the Wildlife Act.
“This is a clear violation of international and local laws on wildlife, especially since most of the species caught are considered endangered, and they were killed or collected in the Sulu Sea Marine Ecoregion (SSME), which is a protected area,” said Environment Secretary Ramon Jesus P. Paje in a statement.


The Vietnamese fishermen were aboard a Malaysian-registered vessel when they were caught by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on April 22 off Pangutaran Island in Sulu. Upon inspection, the vessel was found to be loaded with five bundles of black corals, 87 pieces of hawksbill turtles and around 600 kilograms of hammerhead fish, lapu-lapu (grouper) and squid.


==ARMM workers clamor for peace, efficiency==
The poachers are currently detained at the Tawi-Tawi provincial jail. The BFAR had earlier filed against the men charges for violating provisions in Republic Act No. 8550, also known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, which prohibits the catching and taking of fish and other aquatic products by foreign fishing vessels in Philippine waters.
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=789131
*March 20, 2012 11:25 AM
:by John Unson


Meanwhile, collecting, hunting or possessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives are violations of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Act.


COTABATO CITY - Hundreds of government workers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao marched barefoot inside the 32-hectare ARMM compound here to show support to the Southern peace process and to Malacañang’s effort to reform the graft-ridden regional bureaucracy.
==La Aunor’s new film will showcase Tawi-Tawi as tourism destination==
*Source: http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/inside-stories/9913-la-aunors-new-film-will-showcase-tawi-tawi-as-tourism-destination.html
*Wednesday, May 9, 2012
:by NT-PIO/RVC/PIA-9 ZBST


The event capped yesterday’s culmination of the ARMM’s Bangsamoro “solidarity week,” a yearly event highlighting the grant of autonomy to Mindanao’s Muslim communities as a solution to the bloody secessionist rebellion waged from the 1970s to the late 1980s by the Moro National Liberation Front.


For organizers, this year’s week of peace was peculiar because it was observed throughout the region at the backdrop of a caretaker administration taking over the regional government. President Benigo Aquino III has appointed the caretaker government to introduce reforms in the regional bureaucracy, perceived as synonymous with perennial large-scale embezzling of state funds, “ghost employees” and warlords relying on private armies to perpetuate political power.
Superstar Nora Aunor is making Tawi-Tawi shine as she takes pleasure filming her new movie in the province.
The Superstar and her co-stars and the film’screw have just concluded their shooting recently of Brillante Mendoza’s newfilm titled “Thy Womb”, a love drama portraying a Bajau couple’s sacrosanct relationship as husband and wife though unblessed with offspring.


Something new
The movie depicts the seafaring Bajau tribeof Tawi-Tawi, their culture and tradition and a précis that tells of a Bajao woman who is more than willing to endure personal sacrifice for the sake of hereternal love for her husband.


“Marching barefoot for a cause inside the ARMM compound was an emotional experience for me. It was something the region’s rank and file personnel have not done since the region was established in 1990,” said FO2 Alipuddin Alibasa, a member of the region’s fire protection bureau.
The controversial Cannes-film winningdirector Mendoza said in an interview that “this cultural and dramatic filmwould portray the people of Mindanao, especially, Tawi-Tawi and that they [thepeople of Mindanao] are [also] capable of loving.”


The regional fire marshal, Senior Supt Warlito Daus, and the newly-appointed ARMM police director, Chief Supt. Mario Avenido, have both been very vocal about the support of their respective units to the on-going peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
“That in spite of the troubles and conflictsevident in Mindanao, there are people here, who are capable of loving and peaceful as well,” Mendoza stressed.  


Avenido’s first official directive to all units in the ARMM police was the implementation of inexpensive, “indigenous” projects involving the communities they serve to complement the President's
He also said that the film would somehowconvey to the world the tourism potentials of Tawi-Tawi saying that this southern frontier of the country has peace and serenity with beautiful sitesworth visiting.


confidence-building efforts with Muslim communities in areas that host MNLF and MILF forces.
Mendoza also said that they have chosenTawi-Tawi as a location shooting because it delivers the scenario and the characters needed for the film.
For their part, Aunor and Roco, expressedtheir appreciation of Tawi-Tawi’s hospitality and said that they are captivated by the beauty of this southern province.


Employees of the ARMM’s health department told reporters they joined the march to show they also support the joint efforts of Malacanang and the region’s acting governor, Mujiv Hataman, to fix the political, administrative and fiscal problems that have hounded the regional government since its inception through a plebiscite in selected Mindanao towns in 1990.
Ms. Aunor plays the lead character as amidwife named Salehah and is co-starred by Bembol Roco as Bangas-an, Lovi Poeand Mercedes Cabral with support cast from the locals of Tawi-Tawi.  


Hadji Nash Maulana, director of the ARMM’s Bureau of Public Information, said the march was also meant to express their appreciation of the sacrifices of thousands of Moro guerillas that perished in the MNLF’s struggle for self-governance in the 1970s.
Aunor flew in to Tawi-Tawi last April 14, toshoot the indie film, her first since returning from a hiatus in the UnitedStates. Shooting took place in at least 3 locations: the island-towns ofBongao, Sitangkai and Taganak. She left the province last April 28.


“It was the blood, sweat and tears of those martyrs that catalyzed the creation of the autonomous region, which is unique for having its own executive and legislative branches that govern its regional affairs,” Maulana said.
Meanwhile, Provincial Information OfficerNash Tahang said that the local government officials and the locals ofTawi-Tawi was elated and honored and was grateful to the film-makers forchoosing the province to be the location for the Superstar’s new film.


Peaceful solutions
Vice Governor Ruby Sahali said that thismovie will eventually help pump prime the exposure of the province’s tourism potentials not only for the local visitors influx, but more so, that of theforeigners.


Ustadz Esmail Ebrahim, executive director of the Ulama Conference of the Philippines, a 2,000-member organization of Muslim clerics, said he joined the march to show his support to the government’s separate peace overtures with the MNLF and the MILF.
“These are the days Tawi-Tawi shines with thesuperstar,” she said.
Moreover, Provincial Secretary Nurjay Sahali made thesame observation, saying that the film will help boost the tourism aspects ofthe beautiful and peaceful province, as most of the location shootings weretaken in Tawi-Tawi.


“We want the so-called Mindanao problem addressed through dialogues among stakeholders and the Philippine government and all of its facets, such as local government units, in Mindanao,” Ebrahim said.
==Thespians in Tawi-Tawi==
*Source: http://www.tawitawi.net/thespians-in-tawi-tawi/
*Tuesday, May 8, 2012
:by  tawitawi.net


Ebrahim said he and friends in the ARMM’s natural resources department joined the march to show their opposition to any possible use of military solution to address the peace and security concerns in Moro communities.


The ARMM covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, located in Central Mindanao, the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.
ACCLAIMED actor Bembol Roco and the great Nora Aunor just got back from a tedious but totally reinvigorating work assignment in the far-flung province of Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao.  The multiawarded actors immersed themselves for more than two weeks with the locals of the towns of Bongao and Sitangkai, where most of the scenes of the latest Brillante Mendoza film Thy Womb were shot.


The MNLF has dozens of communities in the autonomous region now dubbed “peace zones” under its September 2, 1996 peace pact with government.
We met up with both Roco and Aunor in Cebu, the final leg of their nonstop shoot for this much talked-about movie, where both recounted their unforgettable experiences in Tawi Tawi.


The MILF, on the other hand, has more than 50 “minor and major camps” in the area.
“Breathtaking” was how Roco described the Tawi-Tawi that he saw and experienced. “You feel like you are in a totally different world and a different time frame. The water is always clear and the marine life does not only sustain the day-to-day existence of the people but it also makes you realize that God is so generous with His many natural gifts to us.”


All government-acknowledged enclaves of the group are covered by the Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities crafted in Cagayan de Oro in July 1997 by rebel and government negotiators as security mechanism to prevent any outbreak of hostilities in potential flashpoint areas while the GPH-MILF talks are underway.
Roco added that although life there may appear difficult because much is stripped to the essentials, it’s the simplicity that will capture the heart of a visitor like him.  “Imagine taking a pump boat to the islands for countless hours, just gazing at the vastness of the ocean and the sky. Imagine living in stilt houses with no real toilets.  Imagine being with people who, despite their seeming poverty, can flash a smile like they are the happiest creatures on earth.  That was the Tawi-Tawi that has pierced my heart.”


==ARMM DPWH Sec. Sadain conducts ocular inspection of projects in Tawi-Tawi==
For her part, Aunor, unquestionably the country’s One and Only Superstar, she admitted that she shed all inhibitions and doubt, plunging into her character right away the moment she stepped on the island.
*Source: http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/9084-armm-dpwh-sec-sadain-conducts-ocular-inspection-of-projects-in-tawi-tawi.html
*Thursday, 15 March 2012 11:47
:by  zamboangatoday


“Isa akong midwife dito na nagbabangka at dumadayo sa iba’t ibang lugar para magpaanak pero hindi ako mabiyayaan ng sarili kong anak [I play a midwife who travels from one place to another to deliver babies, but I can’t have my own child],” she volunteered. “Pagdating na pagdating namin ni Kuya Bembs  [her nickname for Roco], na-in love agad kami sa lugar at sa mga tao.  Mababait ang mga kababayan natin sa Tawi-Tawi. Simple lang sila pero masaya, kahit mahirap ang buhay.  Ibang-iba sa inire-report ng media na magulo at delikado doon. Peaceful sila at masisipag [The moment Bembol and I arrived, we immediately fell in love with the place and its people. The people of Tawi-Tawi are nice. They are simple and happy even if life seems difficult. It’s totally different from what the media sometimes report. They are peace-loving and industrious people],” she stressed.


Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Secretary Emil K. Sadain personally inspected on-going projects being undertaken by the ARMM government in the island provinces over the weekends.
She added, “S’yempre may mga security na naka-assign sa amin, hindi dahil sa delikado ang lugar kundi para maging smooth ang shooting namin doon. Pero wala kaming naging problema. Nag-cooperate lahat kaya naging maayos at masaya lahat. [We were provided with security not because it was a dangerous place but because we wanted the shoot to be smooth. Everyone was cooperative.]”
Sec. Sadain made his province-hopping across the southern islands including Tawi-Tawi where he, along with local executives led by Gov. Sadikul Sahali officially inspected the continuing construction of three steel bridges worth approximately P97.0 M across the Sanga-Sanga-Lapid-Lapid rapids in Bongao town, which, if completed, will spur economic growth as well as boost social transformation in the islands.


Phase I and II of the project had been substantially completed while Phase III posted accomplishment now at 98.13 percent complete while construction works still continuing and expected to be finished by September this year. Construction started last June 10, 2010.
Aunor shared that she had to learn to weave the native banig and constantly practice paddling a banca. “Gusto kasi ni direk Brillante na makatotohanan lahat kaya kelangan akong maging gamay sa mga gawain nila doon. Tingnan mo nga at sunog na sunog ako dahil namamangka ako kahit matirik ang araw. [Our director wants everything to be realistic so I had to do what they do there. Look at me, my skin is so sun-burnt because I had to paddle a banca even when the sun was scorching hot].”
Bridge Project Engr. Jul-Arab Kong of the DPWH-RO-9 said that by April of this year, President Benigno Aquino III is set to inaugurate and declare it open for public use.


Sec. Sadain, con-currently DPWH-President Bridge Program Director with an appointment as national Assistant Secretary, pointed out that after decades at attempting to construct the bridge projects, it is only now that we are to realize it.
Brillante Mendoza, who holds the distinction of being the only Filipino to have won a Cannes International Film Festival best director plum, only has good words for his two main actors.
The bridge project, one of the priorities of the national government would connect the Bongao capital town island to the other mainland island towns making accessible trade and commerce as well as allow the movements of people to travel by land, according to Sadain.


Sec. Sadain also led the ocular assessment and inspection of Tubig Malum (Rio Hondo) in Sitio Malum, Barangay Magsaggaw, Panglima Sugala town about 6 kilometers  from the capital Barangay Bato-Bato to determine the possibility for implementation of the proposed water system as a potential source of potable water. The water system will be tapped and distributed to the entire main island of the province. The river which stretches downstream from barangay Marang-Marang (Languyan town) to Barangay Magsaggaw extending further through Barangay Kulapi towards the southern tip of Panglima Sugala municipality has sufficient volume of fresh water that could cater a growing population.
“Nora and Bembol are who they are because they are both true artists. You see, I do not allow my actors to have scripts on the set. They know and understand their respective roles after every briefing and take everything to heart. They are thespians and I am so blessed having both of them in this film. They certainly make my work easier and more fulfilling,” Mendoza enthused.


Meanwhile, Gov. Sahali briefed Sec. Sadain about the proposal to undertake the project because it is a priority need of the people. The Governor said it’s high time that a viable and sustainable water works system harnessing the Malum River will address the perennial shortage of water supply in the island province Sahali, likewise emphasized his willingness to extend his local counterpart contribution to start with the project even as he toured the ARMM official to the site despite the difficulty in traversing the rugged road conditions and trails to reach the area.
Altruistic to the core, Mendoza and his team headed by production head Larry Castillo and cinematographer Odyssey Flores flew to Tawi-Tawi hoping for the best and he told us that his team got more than what they expected. “The weather was perfect, the people were very cooperative, the local government of Tawi-Tawi was all out in its support to our vision for the project. The shoot went very, very well and I am simply grateful.”
“We must do an actual assessment of the situation on the ground and know where to start,” Sadain emphasized even as he assured to work for its realization under PNoy’s administration.


Accompanied by DPWH officials and staff, Sadain took time out to conduct consultations with the seven district officials of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, who joined him in Tawi-Tawi for the holding of the First Joint Regional and District Conference held at the DPWH district office in Bongao town, where the DPWH-ARMM Reform Agenda 2012 was laid down as a policy guidelines of the ARMM leadership by fully implementing important milestone projects using available resources and funding.
Now that the principal photography of the film is finished, Mendoza and his team will start the difficult phase of post-production with big smiles on their faces, knowing that this film will bring them far and do the country proud in the coming months.


Tawi-Tawi DPWH District Engr. Bensoud Ajihil, who played host to the conference vowed to continue to support the ARMM Secretary in fulfilling the reform agenda as mandated by doing its share in developing the southern frontier of the country.
Meanwhile, Nora Aunor and Bembol Roco will pursue their other acting assignments but this experience in Tawi-Tawi will surely remain in their hearts for a very long time.


Sadain said that in support of the reform programs and good governance of ARMM, milestone targets has been set in place.
==Scuba diving training enhances MSU-Tawi-Tawi students’ skills==
He declared that DPWH-ARMM has attained remarkable achievements in the pursuit of reform for good governance, defining its new policies and programs in the field of administrative, technical and financial matters, in just almost 3 months since he assumed.
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=424242
*Monday, May 7, 2012
:by  (PNA)
FPV/FMS/ssc


He said, the first 100 days accomplishments, for both physical and financial inclusive of the difficulties encountered, the impact of the programs and activities as reflected in the reports as well as recommendations has been submitted to the ARMM regional Governor.
Discussions also centered on all the accomplishments of the department and the sharing of information on the problems experienced with regards to project implementation and on how to address them.
Sadain is optimistic, with help from all stakeholders to include local government units, Barangays, the NGO’s and the members of the community; ARMM will be able to take off from its slumber under the present administration of Regional Gov. Hataman.
Sadain, who assumed last January 17, 2012 as DPWH cabinet secretary promised to institute changes not only from within the system but also develop a scheme to address on the deep-seated “culture of people” working habits in bringing the desired development for the ARMM.


Earlier, Saidain said that when he was appointed as the DPWH-ARMM secretary, he noticed that it's not only the system that need to be changed but also the culture of the people working on it especially the public officials particularly those under his supervision from what he described as, “from the culture of officials down to workers in the office” and the department's programming on project implementation solely focuses on local roads which were then gradually destroyed as of this period.
ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 7 (PNA) -– The Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO), in cooperation with the Tawi-Tawi Divers Club (TDC), has conducted a two-month introductory course in scuba diving for selected students of Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences.


On national roads with a total of 1,100 kilometers, about 70 percent of the road was done adding that with the marching orders of the President to the newly appointed ARMM governor to cover the 100 percent National paved roads by next midterm elections, due to that the 70 percent of the national roads should be given right priority under the program of DPWH-ARMM.
The training is relevant because Tawi Tawi is part of the coral triangle in Southeast Asian region, and there are more interesting coastal fishery resources and pristine beaches to explore in the province , even better than those in other places within the country and around the world.
Sadain added he is now in the midst of undertaking the needed reforms within his department to set the right example and provide the avenue for real change to take its course for the good of the ARMM constituents.


Part of the reform effort focuses on reviewing falsified documents on the appointments of employees while upholding civil service rulings in cleansing his department on the old ways of culture to professionalize the bureaucracy, according to Sadain.
TDC President Engr. Rosendo R. Reyes said the free training was participated in by at least 20 people, of which, 15 are students of MSU-TCTO and members of the Marine Bio & Environmental Sciences Students’ Association (MABESSA).
Sec. Sadain claimed that President Aquino’s choice for OIC Regional Gov. Hataman is welcome as the latter is sincere and committed in delivering reform in the ARMM Region even as he expects everyone to support.


The department also looks forward in developing some projects that would invite donor countries in the form of providing grants such as the USAID, Organization of Islamic Conference, JICA and others that extends assistance for member countries.
Reyes said this project with the MSU-TCTO was initiated as part of the club’s social responsibility “to draw strategic partnership with the academic institution like the MSU-TCTO that offers courses in marine biology and fisheries and environmental sciences.”
Much earlier, Sec. Sadain has issued a memo to the two district engineering offices which compliments the first district of Maguindanao and the second district of Lanao del Sur for the maintenance of road clearing for the commuters to feel comfortable in their travel from Cotabato City up to Parang and Malabang all the way to Marawi City which stretch up to 70 kilometers long. The road signage's on the sharp curves, street markings and kilometer posts were planned to be placed along the roadsides.


The department targets to cater about 80 percent of the budget focused on national roads and bridges and the balance will be considered by 2013. He further explained that he sub-divided their office programming, 80 percent of it for the national roads and 20 percent for the high-impact or strategic roads adding that these roads are those problematic roads on calamity or conflict affected areas.
He pointed out that TDC provides such training to students so that “they will utilize their skills, exposures and experiences especially in the conduct of their academic research in marine and environmental sciences.”
While in Basilan, the secretary accompanied Governor Hataman to inaugurate the multi-million pesos worth of JICA-funded Integrated port Terminal in Lamitan City and inspected other infra projects.


In Sulu, Sadain, together with the regional governor and Sulu officials led the ground-breaking of Jolo-Taglibi-Tiptipun road network; inspection of the existing and on-going construction road projects; visit of the area equipment and the Sulu’s two engineering district offices; assessment of the proposed water and drainage systems in Jolo; and meeting with local officials led by Gov. Sakur Tan.
He added that conducting under water research studies require students to be scuba divers.


In the Secretary’s entourage were Maguindanao District Engineers Emran Buisan (Dist. 1), and Zainal Mlok (Dist. 2), Lanao District Engineers Tetinga Langit Sumagayan (Dist. 1) and Maldamin Decampong (Dist. 2), Sulu D.E. Taballang Atluh (Dist. 1) and Barlie Nahudan (Dist. 2), Basilan D.E. Bensali Kasim and Tawi-Tawi D.E. Bensoud Ajihil. PR/BFC
He said two dive masters-- Prof. Ramon Tangon and Rasul Sabal, assisted him in the training that ended March 31.


==Cotabato hosts Mosque exhibit==
He emphasized that TDC would continue to participate on collaborative engagement with concerned agencies and NGOs in projects related to marine life.
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=787100
*March 14, 2012 02:24 PM
:by  John Unson


These project will include coral assessment, establishment and management of fish sanctuary, construction of artificial reef, Crown-of Thorns clean-up, coastal clean-up like scubasurero (garbage collector of the sea) and other projects and programs of similar considerations, especially those involving environmental concerns.


COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A seven-day photo exhibit depicting 28 old mosques of high historical value opened here today to cap the observance of the Bangsamoro solidarity week in five Moro-dominated provinces in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, MSU-TCTO Chancellor Atty. Lorenzo R. Reyes underscored the significance of scuba diving to the academic program of the university.


The photo exhibit was jointly organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the local chapter of the United Architects of the Philippines, and the Bureau of Cultural Heritage (BCH) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
He said he plans to make scuba diving as one subject area of study in the academic curriculum of the Department of Marine & Environmental Science of the university.


The BCH is one of the more than a dozen support offices under the office of ARMM officer-in-charge Mujiv Hataman.
“I have always encouraged the college of fisheries and environmental science to undertake more research studies in fisheries and marine biology as well as in environmental sciences because MSU-TCTO is a vocational institution by its mandates,’ he stressed.


The solidarity week is a yearly activity of the regional government meant to highlight the infamous Jabidah Massacre in the late 1960s, and the bloody struggle for self-rule by Moro groups that eventually resulted to the government’s grant of autonomy to Muslims in Mindanao.
He shared his vision to make MSU-TCTO a center of excellence in fisheries and oceanographic studies, and to ensure that the graduates will be relevant and globally competitive.


The photo exhibit, dubbed “Masjid: Sacred Islamic Architecture of the Philippines,” will showcase 28 stunning mosques in the country, including the P300 million newly-constructed worship site built along Tamontaka River here.
He also pointed out that Tawi-Tawi is considered a haven for research studies and that he expect that the college should be able to come up with more vital research proposals in which he assured that it would be his responsibility to find possible source of funding for any research proposal submitted.


Masjid is an Arabic term for worship site.
Moreover, Director for Coastal Resource Management Prof. Felimon Romero said that, “there’s a need to strengthen our environment and ecological system as this is our only potential source of eco-tourism for foreign investment in Tawi-Tawi.”


The event will culminate on March 18, the anniversary of the Jabidah Massacre, where members of the Philippine military under President Ferdinand Marcos massacred in Corregidor some 200 Muslim trainees that staged a mutiny when they learned they were to start an insurgency in Sabah, Malaysia.  
“We are part of coral triangle in Southeast Asian region, and that what we have here in Tawi-Tawi is that we can find more interesting coastal fishery resources and pristine beaches to explore that we are proud to say is much better than those in other places within the country, including other places abroad,” he added.,


Sabah was ceded by the Malaysian royalty to the Sultanate of Sulu some 500 years ago as consolation for helping the Malaysians quell a rebellion in Brunei.
Meanwhile, the Office of MSU-SCTO Chancellor has donated to the club some ten pieces of junked steel cabinets that will be used as artificial reef in support to the national coral reef restoration program of government.


The island state was, however, leased by Sulu’s Sultan Jamalul A’lam on January 22, 1857 to the wealthy British North Borneo Company, conceding all rights and privileges over the ceded territory.
As part of their commitment to the TDC, the trainees will install the cabinets to the seas near Mountain View Resort Beach at Barangay Pasiagan in Bongao.


The Philippine government has not officially dropped its claim of Sabah until now.
TDC said the areas that are devastated by dynamite and cyanide fishing are the targets of coral reef restoration.


The Jabidah Massacre is regarded by contemporary Moro communities as the incident that sparked the Muslim uprising for self-rule and subsequently ushered the birth of the secessionist Bangsamoro Independence Movement, and the Moro National Liberation Front of Nur Misuari.
MABESSA President Yunadzmal Ong, moreover, expressed his gratitude to the TDC President and MSU Chancellor for making the scuba training possible that helps in their quest for scientific exploration of the seas and the oceans of Tawi-Tawi.


Ardan Sali, executive director of the BCH, said their photo exhibit is a show window of the evolution of architectural designs of Islamic worship sites in the Philippines.
==Introducing Tawi-Tawi, Sulu folk to healthcare==
*Source: http://www.tawitawi.net/introducing-tawi-tawi-sulu-folk-to-healthcare/
*Sunday, May 6, 2012
:by  Edwin O. Fernandez


For Muslims, a Masjid is not only a place where to pray, but can also be used for peace dialogues and cross-section meetings to build consensus in addressing issues and concerns affecting the local communities.


Masjids are specially designed for worshipers to face the west, the direction of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the bastion of the Islamic religion.
Health services know no boundaries Workers brought together by a Department of Health (DOH) campaign to bring medical services to the people of Tawi-Tawi sweltered in 36-degree-Celsius heat, endured hours of sea travel, ignored threats of kidnapping to attend to people who have not seen a doctor all their lives.


The oldest, most valuable Masjid in the country can be found at Bohe Indangan in the island town of Simunul in Tawi-Tawi.
The campaign had been successful last year, bringing medical and dental care to the people of Mapun and Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi, two of the remotest places in the country.


The 700-year-old worship site was built by Karimul Makdum, the first ever Arab Islamic theologian to set foot in the South to propagate Islam.
Last month, the health caravan spent five days bringing services to people in the towns of Languyan and Sapa-Sapa where diseases have been left untreated and ailments are often blamed on supernatural causes.


==NBI: Illegal human traffickers move to Palawan, islands near Sabah==
Never mind if the campaign name smacks of politicking (“Alay ni RG-Kasama Mo Si Sec,” which translates to Alay ni Regional Governor-Kasama Mo Si Secretary), it was able to bring surgeries, dental work and lessons on safe motherhood and reproduction to areas where doctors have never been known to exist.
*Source: http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/9047-nbi-illegal-human-traffickers-move-to-palawan-islands-near-sabah.html
*Tuesday, 13 March 2012 14:26
:by  PNA/PIA9-ZBST


The campaign also brought essential information on health, maternal and child care, nutrition, reproduction and birth spacing.


The regional office here of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confirmed that illegal human traffickers and illegal recruiters have transferred their operations to Palawan and island municipalities near Sabah, Malaysia.
It was merged with the DOH’s “Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan” (Journey to Health) that the department has been bringing to remote communities with barely any access to health clinics much less hospitals.
NBI Regional Director Manuel Almendares Jr. disclosed this after their operatives and agents have failed to see alleged illegal recruiters said to be operating in the past in Zamboanga City.  


These illegal recruiters have also moved from this city to nearby island provinces, particularly island towns in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, including Taganak Island near Sabah.
The blind can see


He said that the transfer of operations of these illegal recruiters and illegal human trafficking came after all government law enforcement agencies began strict monitoring of their activities.  
“Ignorance in health is not bliss, it kills,” said Kadil Sinolinding Jr., health secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).


Government authorities have so far intercepted hundreds of victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking in this city. The victims were intercepted as they were about to leave the local port and private wharfs in this city aboard motor launches usually bound for Tawi-Tawi which borders Malaysia.
While using what sounds like a self-serving theme “Sa Biyaheng Kalusugan Kasama Mo Si Sec” obviously referring to Sinolinding, the medical mission was able to bring together health workers and volunteers who helped the people of Tawi-Tawi realize that healthcare is not a guessing game.
There is a relentless drive against human traffickers in Zamboanga and the region and no less than City Prosecutor Darlene R. Pajarito has received the 2011 Global Trafficking-in-Persons Hero Award for prosecuting and jailing human traffickers in this city.  


Public Employment Services Officers in the region have taken pro-active roles as advocates implementing workable strategies in their communities and the Federation of PESO Managers in the Zamboanga Peninsula serving as a strategic network to expand the reach of inter-agency efforts to control Illegal Recruitment and Human Trafficking in the area.  
As a result, more than 1,000 people received free cataract and other eye surgeries in Languyan town alone. At least 25 people who have been rendered blind by cataracts were able to see clearly again. Some of the people had minor surgeries and received free dental and medical services.


There is also a task forces on illegal recruitment and human trafficking that is monitoring these activities.
From Languyan, the DOH-ARMM continued the campaign to Sapa-Sapa, reached by boat after a six-hour journey, where free cataract and other eye surgeries were given to the poor, restoring eyesight to many who had gone blind.
However, Almendares said that although these illegal recruiters and human trafficking are now operating outside Zamboanga City or Western Mindanao region, the NBI regional office is keeping a close watch on such activities.  


“We are now strengthening and intensifying our intelligence gathering of information of the possible re-entry of these illegal recruiters and human trafficking operations so that they will not be victimizing again innocent applicants for non-existing job opportunities abroad, particularly in Sabah, Malaysia,” the NBI regional director said.
Bilateral tubal ligation and other minor surgeries were also provided as part of the project.


==Registration of Muslim Kids Aided==
Risky mission
*Source: http://mb.com.ph/articles/353976/registration-muslim-kids-aidedcertificates
*March 11, 2012, 3:11pm
:by  TONY PE. RIMANDO


Sapa-Sapa municipality is one of the island towns of Tawi-Tawi, where people never had access to health services because of two things—they live too far from the nearest clinic and it was too dangerous for them to travel.


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – For the past many decades, most Muslim parents, largely due to ignorance, never bothered to register the births of their children with local Civil Registrar’s Office (CRO).
In the last three years, at least four health workers in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu have either been kidnapped or harmed by criminal elements.


Consequently, their undocumented sons and daughters have caused thousands of grown-up children of various Muslim sub-tribes – Tausug, Badjao, Maranao, Yakan, Maguindanaon, and Samal – to face various personal, educational, and social problems.
At the latest medical mission, villagers from far-flung island communities took pump boats to reach the town center to avail themselves of health-care services—antenatal care, child healthcare, vitamin A supplements and immunization.


But recently, this issue has become the major concern of Jabu-Jabu, Inc., a local non-government organization (NGO) that primarily works for the securing of government baptismal certificates – “Katarangan sin Paggunting” in the Tausug dialect – of locally undocumented children belonging to several Muslim sub-tribes in this city and other areas of Western Mindanao – or the Zamboanga Peninsula – and the island provinces of Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi.
The campaign also seized the opportunity to provide information on healthcare through exhibits, classes, songs, dances and story-telling sessions that were found entertaining by the people whose communities are not reached by cable TV or regular radio broadcasts.


Jabu-Jabu (The Calling) was founded by its president Jaafar Kimpa who almost single-handedly started the “Katarangan” early last year after he found out that most Badjao and Tausug youngsters were growing old without the benefit of their births being registered with the appropriate government office.
DOH launched its Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan simultaneously with the medical mission in Sapa-Sapa.


Kimpa noted that public elementary and secondary schools would refuse to enroll such undocumented children, or, if they did, the youngsters would return in the next school year using another name thus posing a problem to their school records.
“I cannot allow myself to just sit and wait when I know that there are a lot of blind people out there who survive in darkness and misery, and mothers and children die needlessly just because they are poor,” said Sinolinding.


According to Kimpa, Jabu-Jabu later made a tie-up with the local Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) research department, dxAS of Far East Broadcasting Corporation (FEBC), and the city government’s CRO to use the “Katarangan” as secondary document as basis for the eventual issuance of standard official birth certificate to the as-yet “colorum Muslim children and youths.”
“Poverty is already social injustice, making people hopeless. Inaction aggravates their condition,” he said. Sinolinding is one of two members of the ARMM Cabinet who had been retained by acting ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman when he assumed office in December 2011.


Kimpa claimed that as of the end of February, the Jabu-Jabu has released over 2,000 “Paggunting” to as many undocumented Muslim children living in 17 city coastal villages, even as more Muslim parents have continued to show interest in initially registering the births of their children through the NGO.
Sinolinding thanked the people who shared their time and effort for the medical mission.


Early this year, Kimpa said Jabu-Jabu released, during an appropriate ceremony, close to 50 individual “baptismal certificates” to as many unregistered Badjao children in Barangay Arena Blanco to the delight of their parents.
Before the Tawi-Tawi mission, ARMM health workers had brought similar services to Sumisip, Basilan, with more than 200 people receiving cataract and glaucoma surgeries. Surgeries were held at Sumisip District Hospital which, after 13 years of being nonfunctional, was revived by Sinolinding in September last year.


WMSU research department chief Chona Sarmiento explained to the Badjao parents during the occasion that copies of the “Paggunting” would be submitted to the CRO for the latter’s use in preparing the children’s official birth certificates.
Sinolinding said he was so elated seeing people very grateful for the services.


Jabu-Jabu officer Ustadz Sayid Nurhasan Bahjin told the joyful Badjao elders that the certificates will help their children become better Muslims “as they will have better opportunity to get an education that will make them learn the peaceful teachings of Islam and ultimately get employed.”
“From the cries of hopelessness and injustices to jubilation and enlightenment, and from eyes and hearts laden with apathy and ignorance to eyes filled with hope and understanding—such could be the transformation now in the people of ARMM,” Sinolinding said.


“Taken for granted, our mothers and children were dying unnecessarily because of poor health service deliveries,” he added.


The Journey to Health success has led to the commitment of DOH-ARMM to bring its health caravan to the farthest islands of Muslim Mindanao, to include the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Sulu.


“No one can imagine how satisfied these poor people were after the mission,” Sinolinding, an eye doctor, said.


==Screen queens gear up for their ‘vanishing acts’==
*Source: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/39029/screen-queens-gear-up-for-their-vanishing-acts
*Saturday, May 5, 2012
:by  Rito P. Asilo




Tinseltown’s acting icons remain at the top of their game by choosing projects that don’t just make them emerge smelling like roses at the box office, but also show off their dramatic chops, to keep their followers’ interest high. For their latest projects, top female superstars, Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor, are backed up by directors whose filmmaking acumen can guarantee that their projects aren’t the usual stuff and fluff.
For the Star for All Seasons, risk-taking is key to her sustained popularity. Vilma told us she didn’t want to be seen in hackneyed variations of the same themes and stories—which explains why she decided to do Chito Roño’s chiller, “The Healing,” as a follow-up to Olivia Lamasan’s 2009 dramedy blockbuster, “In My Life.” Moreover, it’s been almost 40 years since Vilma last dabbled in the horror genre via “Kamay na Gumagapang” and “Anak ng Aswang”—when she was only 19 years old!
We’re also looking forward to Nora Aunor’s comeback movie, “Thy Womb”—which wrapped up its Tawi-Tawi and Cebu shoots last week—because Cannes-winning director, Brillante Mendoza, is helming it. Last seen on the big screen in the US-shot 2006 indies, “Ingrata” and “Care Home,” the Superstar portrays a Badjao midwife in the film that also stars Bembol Roco and Lovi Poe.
Campy turn
American screen queens are also gearing up for their thespic “vanishing acts”: After Julia Roberts’ campy turn as Snow White’s power-grabbing, evil-queen nemesis in Tarsem Singh’s “Mirror, Mirror,” it’s Angelina Jolie’s turn to make life a living hell for another fairy-tale princess.


In Robert Stromberg’s “Maleficent,” Brad Pitt’s better half is cast as the proud and vengeful sorceress who takes offense at not being invited to the christening of Princess Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty (Elle Fanning), the only daughter of King Stefan (Jude Law). If Jolie portrays Maleficent the way she played Evelyn Salt, whoever’s portraying Aurora’s knight in shining armor has his work cut out for him!
For her part, Roberts is relying on the jump from stage to screen of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer-winning dark comedy, “August: Osage County,” and Larry Kramer’s Tony-winning autobiographical HIV/AIDS drama, “The Normal Heart,” to boost her acting cachet.
In Ryan Murphy’s (“Glee”) screen adaptation of the 1980s-set “The Normal Heart,” Julia plays wheelchair-bound Dr. Emma Brookner, who helps gay activist, Ned Weeks (Mark Ruffalo), raise awareness about the deadly (then unidentified) viral disease that was killing gay men.
Level of difficulty
The level of difficulty gets higher for Julia in “August,” where she portrays Barbara Fordham, the 46-year-old eldest daughter of Beverly and Violet Weston who’s forced to come home when her alcoholic father goes missing. She hasn’t visited her parents in years, because she doesn’t get along well with her shrewd, prescription drug-addicted mother.
The film’s emotionally charged scenes present exciting dramatic possibilities for cinema’s Pretty Woman, not the least of which is the fact that her combative mother is played by—Meryl Streep!
And, Catherine Zeta-Jones revisits her musical-theater roots via Adam Shankman’s big-screen version of the stage musical, “Rock of Ages,” where she will perform Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”
The anticipated movie musical has a bigger come-on, however: Tom Cruise’s latest (and very bold) attempt at reinvention. In its motion-picture soundtrack, Cruise will be rendering Guns N’ Roses’ “Paradise City” and Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me”—not the easiest tunes to sing, that’s for sure. If that isn’t gutsy, we don’t know what is!


==Tawi-Tawi enchants Nora Aunor yet again==
*Source: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/38871/tawi-tawi-enchants-nora-aunor-yet-again
*Friday, May 4, 2012
:by  Bayani San Diego Jr.




==New Simunul, Tawi—Tawi mayor proclaimed==
*Source: http://www.zamboangatimes.ph/top-news/4053-new-simunul-tawitawi-mayor-proclaimed.html
*Saturday, 10 March 2012 13:55
:by  zamboangatimes.ph


It wasn’t Nora Aunor’s first time in Tawi-Tawi. Still she felt seduced by the island’s pristine beauty.
The singer-actress, known as the country’s Superstar, recalled that she briefly visited the island on the country’s southernmost tip years ago.
“Para sa kampanya ni Erap (former President Joseph Estrada),” she recounted. “Pero sandali lang. Hindi ako nagtagal.”
For her latest Tawi-Tawi “adventure,” she totally “immersed” herself, staying over two weeks, from April 14 to 30, for the shooting of Brillante Mendoza’s latest work, “Thy Womb.”
Mendoza won best director for “Kinatay” at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in 2009.
“Thy Womb” is scheduled to premiere at an A-list international film fest.
Little dialogue
The indie film marks her big-screen comeback after eight years, Aunor said. She had appeared in indie productions like Suzette Ranillo’s “Care Home” and Joey Gonzales’ “Ingrata” (both in 2006) during her stay in the United States. But “Thy Womb” is her biggest film since Maryo J. de los Reyes’ “Naglalayag” in 2004.
“Na-miss ko ang pag-arte,” she told Inquirer Entertainment in an interview held upon her return to Manila on May 1.


After a protracted and grueling election protest filed by Mayor Benzar N. Tambut against losing Mayor Najif Ahmad B. Abdurahman for mayor of the Municipality of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi in the last May 10 national and local elections, Judge Peter V. Eisma of the Regional Trial Court,
She said that she hit it off with Mendoza, who shares her artistic principles. “Magaling talaga si Direk Brillante. Ang gusto niya natural ang acting. Wala masyadong dialogue pero taos-puso.”
In the movie, she plays a midwife who serves the seafaring Badjao and other indigenous tribes in Tawi-Tawi.
“Bilang kumadrona, ako lang ang nagpapaanak sa mga nanay doon. For the first two days, nag-aral kami na mag-sagwan at mag-habi ng banig,” she recounted.
Mindanao reality
The experience opened her eyes to both the promising and disheartening realities in that part of Mindanao. “Mababait ang mga tao doon. Talagang inalagaan kami. Nakita ko kung gaano kaganda ang Tawi-Tawi. Peaceful naman. Naging biktima lang sila ng mga maling balita,” she explained. “Sabi nila may mga planong gawin itong tourist destination.”
Their hosts, Gov. Sadikul Sahali and his wife Juana and daughter Vice Gov. Ruby Sahali and son Nurjay Sahali, assisted by the Philippine Marines and the Philippine National Police, made sure that the entire cast and crew remained safe during their stay, Aunor said.
She plans to return their kindness by asking friends from the industry to help the people in the small villages where they shot the film—specifically, Sitangkai, known as the “Venice of the Philippines.”
“Nag-shooting kami doon sa mga bahay na nakatayo sa dagat,” she said. “Gusto ko sanang mabigyan sila ng isang health center, sa tulong ng mga kaibigan natin dito sa Maynila.”
Playing a midwife, she saw with her own eyes the residents’ most pressing needs. “Kailangan nila ng gamot. ’Pag may manganganak, kailangan pang mag-bangka para makapunta sa ospital,” she said.
As expected, she and her co-stars — Bembol Roco, Lovi Poe and Mercedes Cabral—were mobbed by the residents.
“Natutuwa sila na nabisita namin sila at gumawa kami ng isang pelikula tungkol sa buhay nila … para naman malaman ng Pilipinas at ng buong mundo ang tunay nilang kalagayan,” she pointed out.
Aunor said she and her co-stars had no qualms about roughing it in the southern province. “Walang pa-istaran. Pantay-pantay kaming lahat. Parang kaming magkakapatid sa set. Sama-sama sa hirap at ginhawa,” she said. “Nakisama pati ang panahon. Kung kailangan sa shoot ang ulan, umulan. Pag kailangan maaraw, umaraw!”
She remembered traveling by boat for almost 14 hours to reach one location, Turtle Islands. “Doon na kami natulog sa bangka,” she said.
Down-to-earth
Poe said that the Superstar took pains not to intimidate her co-workers. Cabral agreed: “She’s down-to-earth. Motherly. I was in my dressing room once, fixing my stuff, and someone knocked.”


Branch 5, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, issued a decision finding protestant Benzar N. Tambut the winner with a margin of 396 votes.
When Cabral opened the door, she saw the Superstar holding a bowl of noodle soup. “She gave it to me,” Cabral said. “I was really touched. She made me realize that not all superstars are air-headed snobs. It’s a shame that other so-called stars, some who are not even as big as her, have lousy attitude.”
Aunor said that she enjoyed working with her castmates. “Sabi ko kay Mercedes: Ang dami ko nang anak-anakan. Magagaling na artista sina Mercedes at Lovi. At mababait.”
Although far from Manila, word on the campaign to declare her a National Artist had reached her.
“Natutuwa ako na isa ako sa mga napili. Pero marami pang mas karapat-dapat na parangalan sa ating industriya,” she remarked. “Kung sakaling ibigay sa akin, isa itong malaking karangalan at magpapasalamat ako. Pero kung hindi, matatanggap ko rin.”
Aunor is proud that Filipino filmmakers are making headway abroad. “It’s about time,” she said. “Dapat nga matagal na ’yan. Sana nga magkaisa na tayo at imbes na harangan ay tulungan natin ang isa’t isa na mapansin ang ating mga pelikula sa labas ng Pilipinas.”
Aunor will celebrate her 59th birthday on May 21 in the US.
She is set to leave for Boston on May 19 for her throat surgery on May 23. “Sana nga maging okay na ang boses ko,” she said.


The findings and decision of the court dated February 10, 2012 are testimonials of widespread cheating, stealing and fraudulent manipulation of votes which strangled the electoral system last elections.
==Scuba Diving training enhances MSU-Tawi-Tawi students’ skills in marine, environmental science==
*Source: http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2012/05/scuba-diving-training-enhances-msu-tawi.html
*Thursday, May 3, 2012
:by  Rene V. Carbayas


Following the issuance of the said decision and as expression of the people’s support for Mayor Tambut’s crusade for honest fruitful and credible elections, the barangay chairman and kagawad and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan of the (15) Barangays in Simunul signed a manifesto of support for the victory of Mayor Tambut. Likewise, the people of Simunul sre indeed thankful for the Honorable Peter V. Eisma for giving priority to the genuine will and interest of the people of Simunul over and above the interest of one candidate. It is one feather added to his cap. Once again the will and interest of the people are shown to run supreme over personal interest and for this the people of Simunul are giving Judge Eisma the high fives.


This is not the first time that Mayor Tambut locked horns with the Abdurahmans in politics. In 2004 Mayor Tambut also filed and election protest for mayor of Simunul against Wasila Abdurahman, wife of losing Mayor Najif Ahmad Abruhaman and won. Now again he won the second time.


Now, on the shoulders of Mayor Tambut are reposed the dreams and aspirations of the people of Simunul and he will be busy to do more them with the wheels of times closing in on him.
ISABELA CITY, Basilan, May 3 (PIA) – The Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) in cooperation with the Tawi-Tawi Divers Club (TDC) has successfully conducted a two-month introductory course to scuba diving to selected students of Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences.


==State of Education in the division of Tawi-Tawi==
The free training that culminated last March 31 was participated by at least 20 people, of which, 15 are students of MSU-TCTO and members of the Marine Bio & Environmental Sciences Students’ Association (MABESSA).
*Source: http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/opinion/viewsopinions/8999-state-of-education-in-the-division-of-tawi-tawi.html
*Friday, 09 March 2012 12:49
:by  Aciri S. Herman
Retiree
Bongao, Province of Tawi-Tawi


TDC President Engr. Rosendo R. Reyes said that this project with the MSU-TCTO was initiated as part of the club’s social responsibility “to draw strategic partnership with the academic institution like the MSU-TCTO that offers courses in marine biology and fisheries and environmental sciences.”


We wish to share some real insight of the state of education in the division of Tawi-Tawi. This perspective have been for more than two decades in existence which to our belief was left unchecked or kept hidden.
Reyes pointed out that TDC provides such training to students so that “they will utilize their skills, exposures and experiences especially in the conduct of their academic research in marine and environmental sciences.” He added that conducting under water research studies require students to be scuba divers.


The division of Tawi-Tawi remained and contineously experiencing deterioration, and polluted educational systems. At present, it is compared to a ship manned by a crew rather a captain. Its course of direction is heading nowhere.  
He said that two Dive Masters, Prof. Ramon Tangon and Rasul Sabal were assisting him in the training. He emphasized that TDC would continue to participate on collaborative engagement with concerned agencies and NGOs in projects related to coral assessment, establishment and management of fish sanctuary, construction of artificial reef, Crown-of Thorns Clean-up, coastal clean-up like scubasurero (garbage collector of the sea) and other projects and programs of similar considerations, especially those involving environmental concerns.


These maladies was aggravated when political influence was able to penetrate the very systems of education. Tentacles of politics were gradually seizing down to the grassroots level. Promotions, hiring of teachers, other transactions with politicians recommendations deemed highly and place as top priority.
Meanwhile, MSU-TCTO Chancellor Atty. Lorenzo R. Reyes, in his message underscored the significance of scuba diving to the academic program of the university. He said that he is planning to make scuba diving as one subject area of study in the academic curriculum of the Department of Marine & Environmental Science of the university.


Further, incompetent and self motivated education officials however, contributed much to the seemingly cutshort process in favor of their candidates with consideration involved, to the dismay and outright defeat of the duly prospective candidates. Infact, most promotables and hired employees are not qualified. For some schools administrators don't even have a school were promoted.  
“I have always encouraged the college of fisheries and environmental science to undertake more research studies in fisheries and marine biology as well as in environmental sciences because MSU-TCTO is a vocational institution by its mandates, he stressed.


This practice became worst and popular during the regime of Ampatuan. Illegal syndicate borned out in cahoot with division, regional office and Civil Service Commission. Corruption gained its strenght and sustained gradually. Big and small transactions involved  bribery.  
He shared his vision to make MSU-TCTO a center of excellence on fisheries and oceanographic studies and to ensure that the graduates will be relevant and globally competitive. He pointed out, further, that Tawi-Tawi is considered a haven for research studies and that he wishes to expect also that the college should be able to come up with more vital research proposals in which he assured that it would be his responsibility to find possible source of funding for any research proposal submitted.
No wonder, schools administrators, teachers and other employees with fabricated records were made possible and are now enjoying.
Relatively, fictitious employees, pupils, and school, same still existing up to this time.  


Efficiency are no longer observed. Accounts of teachers, school nurses, other DepEd employees not in their official stations are numerous. Again, because of compromise.  
Moreover, Director for Coastal Resource Management Prof. Felimon Romero said that “there’s a need to strengthen our environment and ecological system as this is our only potential source of eco-tourism for foreign investment in Tawi-Tawi.”


Significantly, these are the factors that contributed to the very poor education performance and academic achievement of this division. Likewise, the reasons for the failure of National Educational programs and policies, and total waste of resources.
“We are part of coral triangle in Southeast Asian region, and that what we have here in Tawi-Tawi is that we can find more interesting coastal fishery resources and pristine beaches to explore that we are proud to say is much better than those in other places within the country, including other places abroad,” he added.,
We believe this is not a revealing tale. This is a long old story which was left unmindful even made to preserved as part of a grand modus for their evil motive and self interest.  


The division of Tawi-Tawi is ailing. It needs immediate attention and proper medication. We are afraid if this situation are not being address seriously, the result will be a total bankrupt of education. Pitiful!
Meanwhile, the Office of MSU-SCTO Chancellor has donated to the club about ten pieces of junked steel cabinets that will be used as artificial reef in support to the national coral reef restoration program of government. As part of their commitment to the TDC, the trainees will install the cabinets to the seas near Mountain View Resort Beach at Barangay Pasiagan in Bongao.  


Now that the new ARMM leadership have been installed, hope for good governance is an ever long dreams for the people of ARMM. The people have been suffering too much. The people have been crying for justice, peace and prosperity.  
TDC said the areas that are devastated by dynamite and cyanide fishing are the targets of coral reef restoration.


Gov. Hataman must act as a leader rather being a politician. We urge him to exhauste all possible means to cleanse the DEPED ARMM as he promise in his 100th days in office. Verily, education is the answer to peace and prosperity.  
MABESSA President Yunadzmal Ong, moreover, expressed his gratitude to the TDC President and MSU Chancellor for making the scuba training possible that helps in their quest for scientific exploration of the seas and the oceans of Tawi-Tawi.


To His Excellency President Aquino, we strongly believe of your notable slogan towards Daang Matuwid.  
Among the successful trainees include the 15 students from the MSU-TCTO, namely: Adzmil Ledinil, Aharul, Almyra Samimi, Arthur Attuh, Delmar Asanol, Ibkar Salip Marijan, Joemary Alpha, Kara Habibon, Shaima Abdul, Sherelyn Abdul, Willy Rafales, Yunadzmal N. Ong, Maria Mita Fe Beringuel, Mira Luna Lagao and Nuradzmar Sali;  the three personnel from Bongao Water District—Rommel Nunal, Jose Baldevino and Dante Delfinado; and the PMAer,  ILt. Charles Dennis Tan from the Philippine Marines. (MSU-TCTO/PIA-9 ZBST)
We believe too, that you can serve us better. Leave legacy. A legacy that may serve as a guiding pillar to refine our history for a bright tomorrow.


==Tawi-Tawi ‘honored’ to host ARMM PRISAA games==
==Oslob, Cebu whale shark in indie film==
*Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/tawi-tawi-honored-to-host-armm-prisaa-games
*Source: http://www.tawitawi.net/oslob-cebu-whale-shark-in-indie-film/
*Wednesday, March 7, 2012 · 11:33 am
*Wednesday, May 2, 2012
:by  Philippine News Agency
:by  tawitawi.net




ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Provincial government of Tawi-Tawi, the southernmost province in Mindanao and part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), is hosting the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) for the first time.


Tawi-Tawi Vice Governor Ruby Sahali said the PRISAA included thousands of athletes, officials and delegations from Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, all part of the ARMM.
CEBU CITY – Oslob’s whale sharks will become even more famous.


Sahali said the week-long athletic activities started Thursday morning with a sports parade and lighting of the torch at the DEPED grounds to signal the official opening of the sports competition among the participating colleges of the ARMM Region.
The sharks will play a “cameo role” in director Brillante Mendoza’s independent film, which he said he plans to submit as an entry in the Cannes Film Festival in France.


Sahali said that the peace-loving people of Tawi-Tawi were highly honored by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – ARMM’s choice of their province as the venue for this year’s PRISAA games.
The film is about a couple from Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao who have been trying to conceive, but were not blessed with a child.


The governor also commended Mahardika Institute of Technology (MIT) for hosting this athletic competition. The athletic delegations are billeted in schools in the province.
It stars Nora Aunor and Bembol Roco.


Sahali said that sports development was a priority program of the provincial governance, and for this, “we believe that the holding of the 2012 PRISAA regional games here lend a positive impact on our sports development program.”
One of the few scenes that will be shot in Cebu will feature Oslob town and the sharks that have gained popularity worldwide.


She also reiterated that “while winning is important but how well you play the game according to rules of sportsmanship is most laudable and appreciated.”
The full feature movie “Thy Womb” is not a movie about the whale sharks, the director said, “but they will appear in a side scene.”


Meanwhile, in support to the activities, the provincial government has donated P10,000 in cash each for the different athletic delegations.
“Parang isa na rin itong paraan para ma-showcase natin ang ating culture, and the things we are proud of, like the whale sharks of Oslob,” Mendoza said in an interview aired over radio dyAB on Sunday.


The Vice Governor personally handed to each of the participating colleges at the opening ceremony of the regional games.
He said that 95 percent of the film was shot in Tawi-Tawi, and they plan to start filming in Oslob soon.


==ARMM OIC governor, 5 governors of component provinces push for CHR regional office in ARMMBy Modesto Antonio G. Ibarra==
In a phone interview, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren said he has not heard from Brillantes yet, but he is open to having the sharks and his town featured in a film if this will benefit them.
*Source: http://balita.ph/2012/03/06/armm-oic-governor-5-governors-of-component-provinces-push-for-chr-regional-office-in-armmby-modesto-antonio-g-ibarra/
*March 6, 2012 1:12 am
:by  (PNA) RSV/magi


He said there are no guidelines yet in having the sharks appear in advertisements or movies. For now, what the Municipal Government allows is filming for research work and documentation of the sharks.


MANILA, March 5 — The Officer-in-Charge of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), together with the governors of the five component provinces, are agog in creating the regional office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in ARMM.
“We’ll see what the director’s plans and intentions are. If it will be beneficial to the town in terms of promoting tourism and care for the sharks, of course, we will allow them to come here and shoot,” Guaren told Sun.Star Cebu.
In the consultation meeting on the establishment of a CHR ARMM regional office held at the CHR national office in Quezon City on Monday, March 5, 2012, Attorney Anwar Malang, ARMM executive secretary, representing OIC-Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, led the five component governors, Honorable Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, Maguindano; Hon. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., Lanao del Sur; Hon. Jum Akbar, Basilan; Hon. Abdusakur Tan, Sulu and Hon. Sadikul Sahali, Tawi-Tawi, thanked the national government and its implementing arm for human rights, the CHR, presented the urgent situations in their respective provinces that necessitate the establishment of a CHR regional office in ARMM.
ARMM Exec. Sec. Malang said the foremost concern of the regional and national CHR is the establishment of CHR regional office. He expressed optimism on the smooth sailing of the course towards the creation of the CHR regional office. Final touches would be installed on their next consultative meeting later this month of March.
The Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MindHRAC) through Atty. Zainuddin Malang presented the situations, challenges and opportunities on the human rights in ARMM.
In the situation of human rights Malang classified human rights violations (HRVs) as structural conflict related and non-conflict related. ARMM provinces are beset by the usual HRVs facing other provinces of the country (e.g. illegal arrest, torture, summary execution, etc.). In addition it is also beset by HRVs arising from structural violence (indiscriminate artillery, shelling, mass burning of homes)
Basilan Gov. Akbar, the female provincial executive in ARMM, pictured her province to be the most vulnerable of human rights violation,citing the presence of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Abu Sayyaf and the lost commands, not to mention the violations committed by the police and the military in her jurisdiction.
Govs. Tan and Adiong echoed the sentiments of Gov Akbar citing the previous human rights violations committed in their respective areas years ago. Both invoked the urgency of the ARMM regional CHR office even as they, Tan offered Sulu as the venue for the said office expressing readiness for his assistance financially and logistically, since he said, it is more difficult to travel from the ARMM to Cotabato, the seat of ARMM, than from ARMM to Manila.
Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sahali had another concern in his province – perpetrators of human trafficking are making Tawi-Tawi the jump off point of human traffickers going to Sabah. Malaysia. He said he wants to stop human trafficking in his province, that is why a human rights office is very necessary in the province.
For its part, CHR, headed by Chairperson Loretta Ann “Etta” Rosales, said the “creation of regional human rights mechanism in ARMM has long been in the pipeline. Previous attempts to legislate one into existence have failed due to several factors, foremost of which is the lack of structural safeguards to ensure the independence of the proposed regional human rights commission from contending political forces.”
”The CHR appreciates the expressed commitment of the Aquino Administration to help operationalize human rights protection and promotion in the region through the establishment of the CHR ARMM regional office,” the statement continued.
It added, “In preliminary consultations with the CHR, the new ARMM leadership has explicitly expressed a preference at this point for an ARMM human rights body organically attached to the national Commission on Human Rights, instead of RHRC as contemplated in their organic act.”
With their full support for this establishment of CHR ARMM regional office OIC Gov. Hataman and the five governors believe they can draw strong stakeholders for the realization of the proposal.


==Tawi-tawi police chief: Gaticales let suspect in human trafficking go==
Brillante is a multi-awarded director whose works have been recognized here and abroad. He won the award for Best Director for “Kinatay” at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. His film “Lola” also won the award for Best Film at the 6th Dubai International Film Festival.
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/03/05/tawi-tawi-police-chief-gaticales-let-suspect-in-human-trafficking-go/
* Monday| March 5, 2012
:by  Jules L. Benitez


Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Visayas has initiated efforts to promote environment conservation education to host communities of eco-tourism projects.


ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/04 March) – The provincial chief of the Philippine National Police in Tawi-tawi said  Vema L. Gaticales, team leader of the Surveillance and Monitoring Team of the Municipal Inter-agency Committee Against Human Trafficking (MIACAT), was detained and charged for obstructing justice for letting a suspect go.
The agency will hold an information caravan from Argao to the towns in the southern tip of Cebu, DOT-Central Visayas Director Rowena Montecillo said.
Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson told  MindaNews in a telephone interview that Gaticales was arrested, detained and charged by the Bongao municipal police following the complaints of two victims of trafficking in persons (TIP).  He said the Provincial Prosecutor found Gaticales lliable for releasing Sulma Sayadih, a Tausug woman in her early 60s, who was a suspected facilitator in human trafficking.
Jocson said  Gaticales, having encountered Sayadih in similar circumstances for the second time, could have called the police and have Sayadih investigated.
Gaticales, formerly of Radyo ng Bayan in Bongao and now secretary of the Sangguniang Bayan of Bongao and team leader of MIACAT,  was charged by provincial prosecutor Jerry Cuento for  violation of Presidential Decree No. 1829 which penalizes  Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders. She was detained for five days and was released after posting bail of P12,000.
In the sworn affidavit of the two victims rescued by MIACAT on February 19, Sayadih was identified as among those who facilitated their travel outside of the country via Tawi-tawi. The two filed their complaint with the Bongao municipal police on the same date.
In her affidavit, Gaticales said Sayadih had introduced herself as the aunt of one of the two victims but could not present an identification card to prove her claim. Having no proof to establish her relationship, Gaticales said she followed the usual MIACAT procedure by informing Sayadih of the consequences of her actions under the Anti-trafficking Law, including the possibility of being apprehended and jailed.
She said Sayadih withdrew her claim and decided to go home, leaving behind the two victims at the municipal hall of Bongao. The two were later turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
She told MindaNews  their procedure the past two years is that no arrest is made based on claims they are relatives unless it is during an entrapment operation.
Jocson said that at the time of Gaticales’ arrest, he was in Zamboanga City attending a wedding.
He said he was informed of Gaticales’ arrest by Atty. Darlene Pajarito, head of the Zamboanga Anti-trafficking Task Force. He added that upon receiving the call from Pajarito, he called the mayor of Bongao and asked him to look into the matter since it is “MIACAT laban sa MIACAT” (MIACAT against MIACAT).
Jocson said he took offense at Gaticales’ insinuation that the Provincial PNP had a hand in her arrest and the filing of charges against her.
“The Provincial PNP is part of the effort to curb human trafficking in Tawi-tawi,” he said.
He added that the rescue of victims of TIP is a collective effort of various units, including the provincial PNP.
The Municipal Welfare and Development Office of Bongao reported that MIACAT-Bongao was responsible for the rescue of 999 TIPs since 2011: 797 in 2011 and 202 as of February 19 this year.
Gaticales told MindaNews that she acknowledges the efforts undertaken by the provincial PNP in the campaign against human trafficking along with the other agencies in the province.
Earlier Gaticales raised her plight to the attention of the Regional Inter-agency Committee Against Trafficking (RIACAT) based in Zamboanga City and requested for an investigation on the alleged motive and role of the provincial police in Tawi-tawi in the filing of a case against her.
Gaticales’ husband, P01 Jonard Ladjahassan, a member of the provincial police but detailed to the MIACAT,  told MindaNews that on February 21, his uncle Patta Tarabas, a tricycle driver who is a neighbor of Sayadih, brought Sayadih to the Provincial Prosecutor to help secure Gaticales’ release. At that time, charges against Gaticales had already been filed.
It is not clear why Sayadih was not presented to the police.  (Jules Benitez, MindaNews)


==Activist monitoring human trafficking in Bongao detained, charged==
She told Sun.Star Cebu these areas are part of the route of the whale shark.
*Source: http://www.bongao.net/activist-monitoring-human-trafficking-in-bongao-detained-charged/
*Mar 4th, 2012
:by  Jules L. Benitez


Montecillo was referring to the whale sharks (Rhyncodon typus) that have become the main tourist attraction of Barangay Tan-awan in Oslob town.


ZAMBOANGA CITY (03 March/MindaNews) –An activist who leads an inter-agency surveillance and monitoring team against human trafficking in Tawi-tawi was jailed for five days and charged with obstruction of justice as her efforts to curb anti-trafficking through the backdoor are gaining ground.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists whale sharks as “vulnerable” due to the threats they face such as hunting and their dwindling population.


Vema L. Gaticales, 47,  Secretary of the Sangguniang Bayan of Bongao and de facto team leader of the Surveillance and Monitoring Team of the Municipal Inter-agency Committee Against Human Trafficking (MIACAT) was  charged with  violation of Presidential Decree No. 1829 Penalizing Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders by Provincial Prosecutor Jerry J. Cuento and was detained for five days.
Montecillo said the tourism agency has tapped the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in educating the community about whale sharks and perhaps turtles too.


She was released after posting bail of P12,000.
The participants who will be required to attend trainings are the boatmen and other members of the affected community.


Gaticales, formerly of Radyo ng Bayan in Bongao, is known for her zealous and staunch campaign against human trafficking, was designated by Bongao Mayor Jasper Que to represent the municipal government in the MIACAT, which was created in 2006 through a Municipal Executive Order and works within the Regional Inter-agency Committee against Human Trafficking (RIACAT) based in Zamboanga City.
Montecillo said that with this effort on environmental management education, the School of the SEA (Sea and Earth Advocates) resources can be tapped.


Within the MIACAT, Gaticales is recognized as the de facto Team Leader of the Monitoring and Surveillance Team against Human Trafficking.
The School of the SEA managed by the Law of Nature Foundation headed by environmental lawyer and Ramon Magsaysay laureate Antonio Oposa Jr. was re-launched a few years after its infrastructure was destroyed by Typhoon Frank.


999 rescued since 2011
The school promotes education, engineering and enforcement in promoting the implementation of environmental laws and policies through environment-friendly practices such as waste segregation and water conservation.


The Municipal Welfare and Development Office of Bongao, reported that MIACAT-Bongao was responsible for the rescue of 797 trafficking-in-persons (TIPs) in 2011. This year, as of February 19, the group was able to rescue 202 TIPs.
Montecillo had pledged to continue to support the school and at the same time bring environmental conservation awareness to Regions 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas) and 8 (Eastern Visayas). (LCR/BAP/Sun.Star Cebu)


The arrest, detention and eventual charging of case against Gaticales stemmed from a rescue operation conducted by the MIACAT on February 19 where two female trafficking-in-persons (TIP) from Zamboanga del Sur were rescued upon arrival at the port of Bongao en route to Malaysia.
==Nora Aunor finishes movie shoot in Tawi-Tawi==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/04/30/12/nora-aunor-finishes-movie-shoot-tawi-tawi
*Tuesday, May 1, 2012
:by RJ Rosalado, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga


Documents from the 5th Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Bongao-Languyan in Tawi-tawi, indicated that Gaticales  “… did then and there willfully and knowingly obstructs, impedes, frustrates or delays the apprehension of Sulma Sayadih and the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases by harboring or concealing, or facilitating the escape of Sayadih”.


Sayadih is a Tausug woman in her early 60s, who according to Gaticales,  presented herself as the aunt of one of the two TIPs that MIACAT has rescued on February 19 in order to secure their immediate release.
MANILA, Philippines – Veteran actress Nora Aunor is back in Manila after shooting several scenes in Tawi-Tawi for her comeback movie.


In her affidavit, Gaticales said, that she asked Sayadih to present an identification card that could indicate that she was indeed the aunt of one of the rescued victims. Having no proof to establish her relationship, Gaticales then proceeded to inform her of the consequences of her actions under the Anti-trafficking Law, including the possibility of being apprehended and jailed.
Aunor’s skin was relatively sunburned when she arrived at the Zamboanga airport on Sunday but the actress said it is all part of her role in the film.


Sayadih then withdrew her claim and decided to go home, leaving behind the two TIPs in the custody of Gaticales in the Municipal Hall of Bongao. They were later turned over to DSWD.
In “Thy Womb,” Aunor plays a Badjao midwife working in the province.


Gaticales asserted that her actions were in accordance with the procedure that the MIACAT has followed in the processing of TIPs over the past years.
Aunor said she is happy about her whole experience in doing the movie as she was able to learn a lot of new things like sailing and weaving using local materials.


However, the Provincial Prosecutor, in the inquest proceedings found that Gaticales may have “reasonable ground to believe or suspect that Sayadih committed any offense under RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003” and thus “preventing the arrest and prosecution” of Sayadih.
Aunor said she was also overwhelmed with the beauty of Tawi-Tawi.


Tip of the Iceberg
She even encouraged tourists to visit the province because contrary to what’s always written, Tawi-Tawi is not a dangerous place.


Gaticales told MindaNews that her detention and the charges filed against her is meant to demoralize the MIACAT into inaction.
Aunor said she is happy with the warm welcome the local government of Tawi-Tawi gave her and the rest of the movie’s cast and crew.


“The operators of human trafficking in Bongao is hurting badly and is moving to put a stop to our relentless campaign,” Gaticales said.
“Thy Womb” is under the direction of Cannes-winning director Brillante Mendoza.


“One TIP rescued may mean a loss of P35,000 to human trafficking operators,” Gaticales said.
==Charges filed against 12 Vietnamese poachers==
*Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/21976-charges-filed-against-12-vietnamese-poachers
*Monday, April 30, 2012
:by AL JACINTO


She added: “On the average, each TIP bound for Malaysia is supposed to pay the operators P35,000. We gathered this data from previous investigations with TIPs. If you multiply the 202 TIPs rescued this year alone, this will amount to over seven million pesos income losses for the operators.”


Gaticales said that MIACAT initially identified five human trafficking groups operating in Bongao. She, however, did not disclose who these groups are as it may jeopardize the surveillance operations being conducted on the said groups.


Gaticalesto raised her plight to the attention of the RIACAT based in Zamboanga City. “I have requested the  RIACAT to conduct investigation on the motive and role of the Philippine National Police Provincial Headquarters in Tawi-tawi in the filing of case against my person,” Gaticales said.
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Authorities have filed charges against 12 Vietnamese poachers who were arrested in Tawi-Tawi, officials said Saturday.


“This is just the tip of the iceberg in as far as human trafficking operations in Tawi-tawi is concerned,” she said. (Jules L. Benitez, MindaNews)
Officials said the Vietnamese fishermen have been charged for violating the Philippine Fisheries Code and Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act, and have been detained in the provincial jail.


==Simunul, Tawi-Tawi has new elected mayor==
The poachers, who were on a Malaysian fishing vessel, were intercepted on April 22 off the island of Pangutaran. Authorities said the vessel is owned by Tuaran Marine Park SDN BHD in Sabah, Malaysia.
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=409721
*March 2, 2012, 7:16 pm
:by  (PNA)
FFC/LAM/TPG/utb


Recovered from the vessel were five bundles of black corals, 85 pieces of endangered hawksbill turtles, and some 600 kilos of assorted hammerhead sharks, groupers and squid.


ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 2 (PNA) -– The town of Simunul, a 4th class municipality in Tawi-Tawi province, has a new mayor.
Officials identified the Vietnamese as Truong Van Hoang, the captain; Pham Ngoc Binh, Nguyen Minh Anh Dong, Tran Hong Tho, Nguyen Thank Ninh, Nguyen Van Vung, Nguyen, Van Ba, Nguyen Thanh Ninh, Nguyen Van Tuan, Nguyen Van Hai, Tran Hing Thien and Nguyen Van Vuong.


This, as the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 5 in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, has annulled the proclamation of Nazif Ahmad Abdurahman and declared Benzar Tambut as the duly elected mayor of Simunul town.
==Nora Aunor, Brillante Mendoza wrap up Tawi-Tawi shoot==
*Source: http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/4512-ate-guy-wraps-up-tawi-tawi-shoot
*Sunday,April 29, 2012
:by DAVID Y. SANTOS


In a 45-page decision, the Court has annulled Abdurahman's proclamation after Tambut filed an election protest praying among others, that an order be issued annulling and setting aside the proclamation of Abdurahman as the winner in the May 10, 2010 automated elections.


In his protest, Tambut assisted by election lawyer Quirino Esguerra Jr., enumerated various irregularities allegedly conducted and/or perpetrated by Abdurahman and/or his followers and cohorts.


Tambut has contested and impugned the results of six of the total 20 clustered precincts for the mayoralty position.
MANILA, Philippines – “It's a wrap.”


Tambut and Abdurahman were among six candidates who ran for mayor.
Close to two weeks since coming to the island province of Tawi-Tawi, the country's southernmost frontier, Nora Aunor has finished shooting her latest film “Thy Womb.”


Earlier, Abdurahman was proclaimed as the winner in the mayoralty race having garnered the highest votes cast and canvassed during the May 10, 2010 election with a total of 2,955 votes as compared to Tambut who obtained 2,386 votes, the second highest ranking in the race of six aspirants for mayor.
“We are gratetful to Ms Aunor, as well as those behind this movie, for choosing Tawi-Tawi as their location,” Vice-Governor Ruby Sahali told Rappler by phone. “It's a welcome breather for us amid all the bad press the province has been getting.”


However, the Court, after the revision and judicial appreciation of ballots, has annulled Aburahman's proclamation since it found out that Tambut garnered 2,329 votes while Abdurahman garnered a total of only 1,933 votes.
The superstar herself is equally grateful for the hospitality the province has shown to her and the film's crew.


The decision, dated February 10, 2012, was penned by RTC Branch 5 Acting Presiding Judge Peter Eisma.
Aunor flew in to Tawi-Tawi last April 14, to shoot the indie film, her first since returning from a hiatus in the United States. Shooting took place in at least 3 locations: the island-towns of Bongao, Sitangkai and Taganak. She left the province last Saturday, April 28.


The municipality of Simunul has 15 barangays and with a a population of 31,962 people in 4,910 households according to the 2000 census of the National Statistics Office (NSO)
“Thy Womb” is a collaboration between Aunor and Brillante Mendoza, Cannes award-winning director, and is seen as a landmark in modern Filipino filmmaking.


Initial press releases indicate that the movie tackles the struggles of a native Badjao midwife (Aunor) and deals with “an intriguing tale of love adrift with an unsettling question [on] how to sustain a life struck between the devil of passion and the deep blue sea of tradition?”


Aside from Aunor, other stars who were in Tawi-Tawi for the location shoot included Lovi Poe, Mercedes Cabral and Bembol Roco.


Action star Raymart Santiago was also part of the film, reportedly not as among the actors, but as part of the film's crew.


“It was surreal for us to see all these movie stars coming down to Tawi-Tawi. Being the farthest to the nation's capital, we never thought they would come and shoot a film here,” Sahali said.


Security


Provincial police director Rodelio Jocson said there were no untoward incidents reported throughout the duration of the filming. Both the police and units of the Philippine Marines provided security for stars and the film crew, which numbered around 30 to 40 members, excluding local talents who were tapped for minor roles.


“Whether they are famous movie stars or ordinary tourists, as long as they coordinate with us, we will be ready to secure them,” Jocson said, pointing out the security plans are prepared each time they are informed of incoming visitors.


Two foreign birdwatchers abducted two months ago in the remote town of Panglima Sugala remain in captivity up to this time.


==Negosasyon patuloy sa paglaya ng 2 dinukot na European fotogs sa Tawi-Tawi==
Tawi-Tawi is also infamously known as the jump-off point for illegal immigrants to Malaysia, due to its proximity to the State of Sabah.
*Source: http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20120227013019
*Monday, February 27, 2012 02:30:19 PM
:by  mindanaoexaminer.com


Apparently, despite the security concerns, Aunor and Brillante pursued shooting in Tawi-Tawi, which reportedly will be shown in “at least 70% of the film.”


ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 27, 2012) – Sinimulan na umano ng pamahalaan ang negosasyon upang mapalaya sa lalong madaling panahon ang dalawang European wildlife photographer na dinukot sa lalawigan ng Tawi-Tawi nitong buwan lamang.
Though smaller films have been shot in Tawi-Tawi “decades ago,” this is the first time in recent years that a full-length was shot in Tawi-Tawi.


Ngunit tikom naman ang bibig ng mga opisyal ng militar at pulisya ukol sa progreso ng paguusap na pinangungunahan diumano ni Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali. Naunang sinabi ng militar at pulisya na isang grupo ng mga Moro National Liberation Front members ang may hawak kina Ewold Horn, 52, mula Holland; at Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, ng Switzerland, at ransom umano ang motibo nito.
“The abduction of the foreign birdwatchers was just an isolated case. We can assure you that we are doing everything to have been freed as soon as possible,” Jocson added.


Hindi pa mabatid kung magkanong ransom ang hinihingi ng mga kidnappers, ngunit sa Naunang nilang demand ay pinaaalis ng mga ito ang militar at pulisya sa Tawi-Tawi, isa sa lalawigan ng Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Both Sahali and Jocson noted that ironically, since the February abduction, there has been a rise on the number of tourists coming to Tawi-Tawi. A crew from the National Geograhic Channel is also reportedly doing a documentary in the province.


Wala naman inilalabas na update o media briefing man lamang si ARMM Acting Governor Mujiv Hataman.  
“If you set aside all the bad press, Tawi-Tawi, or Mindanao as a whole, is a very beautiful place,” Sahali lamented. “We don't get to be appreciated so much by majority of the Filipinos because all we hear and see are the negative news about our place.”


Dinukot ng 5 armado ang nga dayuhan sa bayan ng Panglima Sugala nuong Pebrero 2 kasama ang kanilang Pinoy guide na si Ivan Sarenas, 35, na nakatakas naman.
“We hope that with the widespread publicity of 'Thy Womb' both here and in other countries, it will also draw interest into our province, more than just the reports on violence and cases of human trafficking we have become to be known for.” - Rappler.com


Naunang sinabi ng pulisya na local group lamang ang tumira sa mga dayuhan. “They were abducted by locals and not the Abu Sayyaf,” wika pa ni Senior Superintendent Rodelio Jocson, ang hepe ng pulisya sa Tawi-Tawi.
==Breakthrough In PHL-MILF Peace Talks Draws More Positive Comments==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/358257/breakthrough-in-phlmilf-peace-talks-draws-more-positive-comments
*Saturday,April 28, 2012
:by EDD K. USMAN


“They are still here in Tawi-Tawi and the operation is continuing and we wanted this problem resolve as soon as possible,” dagdag pa nito. (Mindanao Examiner)


More Moro political leaders have added their voices to the positive responses to the breakthrough on June 24 achieved by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the 15-year-old peace process.


The stalemate-breaking feat re¬fers to the "10 Decision Points" docu¬ment signed by Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF peace panel chairmen Dean Mario Victor F. Leonen and Mohagher Iqbal, respectively, providing a roadmap for a new form of Bangsamoro governance entity.


It could include replacing the much-maligned autonomous government composed of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi and component cities Lamitan and Marawi.


On Friday the leadership of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) led by caretaker Gov. Mujiv Hataman lauded the two parties for their Bilateral Decision Points on Principles.


The ARMM officer-in-charge said the accord may serve to pave the way for a new political entity to be crafted by GPH and MILF that both parties will accept.


Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Datu Toto" Mangudadatu said he will continue to strongly support the peace process under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.


"Filipinos, particularly Muslims in Mindanao, all have been yearning for peace. Whatever is good for the Bangsamoro is welcomed," said Mangudadatu.


On the other hand, Hataman de¬fended the autonomous region from its critics, saying "the role of the re¬formed ARMM cannot be downplayed in the government’s efforts to come up with a permanent solution to the Moro problem."


==Extreme measures==
He outlined some of the autonomous government's efforts in support of the peace process.
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/151661/extreme-measures
*7:43 am | Saturday, February 25th, 2012
:by  newsinfo.inquirer.net


"The ARMM and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process had initially come up with 'common points of cooperation' in support to the peace process from some mid-level meetings (on multilateral support through peace com¬munication)," he said.


The arrest of the drive-by shooting suspects who gunned down, among others, a police asset in broad daylight comes days before a news story in which Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ordered police to meet a so-called arrest quota.
Hataman assured that the autonomous region is still an important part of the solution to the Bangsamoro aspirations, not a problem as some quarters may want to believe.
“They have a quota for me, 10 holduppers a day. Or else they will be assigned in Tawi-Tawi. It’s better if they’re dead because they will only do it again. If they’re not dead, it’s bailable, they can post bail and will commit the crime in another day,” the vice mayor was quoted by ABS-CBN as saying.
Tough words were  backed up with the death of a robber who victimized a student in a follow-up operation by police. While Duterte has gotten away with issuing threats and warnings on TV so far,  it’s  different in Cebu City, which has an active civil society.
Or is it? Wasn’t it a few years ago when then Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña said he would reward those who can neutralize robbers and petty crooks? The crackdown on crime  resulted in the sudden deaths of suspected hoodlums.  The vigilante-style  killings were  condemned by then Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
This  infamous period in Cebu City’s peace and order situation was the subject of a leaked US cable that was disclosed by WikiLeaks last year.
Despite the alarm over the recent drive-by shootings in Cebu City, it’s good that  Mayor Michael Rama didn’t do a Duterte.
He simply reminded Senior Supt. Ramon Melvin Buenafe, Cebu City police chief, to intensify  patrols and solve the cases.
Sure enough, suspects were arrested.
Rama’s pointed reminder to the police about their lack of focus and negligence, stated  in front of barangay officials during a weekend  assembly, worked to some extent.
Would an arrest quota be effective for Cebu City like it would in Davao City?
Watchdogs of human rights abound in Cebu and won’t let that strategy  pass without an outcry. They would have a  field day castigating Rama and other officials who would  resort to extrajudicial killings and extreme measures to crack down on criminal elements.
There’s some truth to what Buenafe said when he said  Cebu City’s peace and order climate remains  stable.
The sporadic shootings, several of them gang related,  aren’t enough to bring the economy to a standstill or drive people off the streets at night.
Illegal drugs is a more pernicious problem, which is another headache.
Having said that,  Mayor Rama still has to get the police to do a better job, considering the generous support of City Hall for the police force and the fact that Cebuanos deserve a safe place to live and work.


He said the ARMM under his helm is presently working to strengthen the building of institutions to come up with mechanisms supporting the peace process.


On the other hand, Hataman appealed to the stakeholders and other sectors of the peace process to support the government's initiative leading to a solution of the Muslim Mindanao conflict.


==Raps filed vs 11 Vietnamese poachers==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/27/12/raps-filed-vs-11-vietnamese-poachers
*Friday,April 27, 2012
:by Report from RJ Rosalado, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga




MANILA, Philippines – Charges have been filed against 11 Vietnamese poachers who were arrested off Tawi-Tawi last Wednesday.


The fishermen, who were allegedly poaching endangered marine species, were charged with violating the Wildlife Act of the Philippines for possession of dead hawksbill turtles and black corals.


Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) National Director Asis Perez said the foreigners may face a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment of up to 2 years.


Perez said a legal team from the BFAR has been sent to Tawi-Tawi to monitor the case. 


==Davao, Tawi-Tawi teams in hot start in Nestea Beach Volley==
Foreigners are not allowed to fish in Philippine territory, based on the Philippine Fisheries Code.
*Source: http://balita.ph/2012/02/24/davao-tawi-tawi-teams-in-hot-start-in-nestea-beach-volley/
*February 24, 2012 12:17 pm
:by  (PNA) LAM/LRR/ldp




DAVAO CITY, Feb. 23 -– Davao Merchant Marine Academy (DMMA) and Mindanao State University (MSU) in Tawi-Tawi made their presence felt by both posting two straight wins at the opening Thursday of the Mindanao Regional elimination of the 15th Nestea Beach Volleyball at the Paradise Island Beach Resort in the Island Garden City of Samal.
DMMA’s Jimson Olais and Mario Guanzon whipped Ateneo de Davao University’s Cyrex Cosare and Kevin Batilo, 21-14, 21-10. The dynamic duo then crushed the pair of Prince Nov Sabello and Talal Landas of Emar Human and Environmental College, 21-8, 21-3 in the men’s division.
On the other hand, MSU’s Roldan Medino Jr. and Imbran Idris walloped the duo of Keneath Jay Cutamora and Michael Alivio of Philippine Women’s College, 21-17, 21-13, before demolishing the pair of Abim Usman and Nur-amun Madsairi of Maharlika Institute of Technology of Tawi-Tawi via a 21-19, 21-14 win.
The other matches saw Cor Jesu College of Digos City nipping Iligan Medical Center College, 21-18, 22-20; University of Mindanao-Davao demolished Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro City, 21-12, 21-12; and UM Tagum routed Cor Jesu, 21-13, 21-9.
MSU’s Kweenafenur Mohammad Ali and Dalhina Kulah also made a good start in the distaff side by demolishing Emar’s Florandie Palarca and Cristina Tual, 21-7, 21-12.
Jose Maria College’s Elvie Mariquit and Irish Dignadice shared the spotlight by downing MATS College’s Jasel Jane Lodia and Jennifer Sargado, 21-8, 21-9.
The top three winners in the three-day event will all advance to the national championship set on April 19 to 21 in Boracay Island. The national champion will earn P75,000 while the second, third and fourth placers will pocket P50,000, P25,000 and P15,000, respectively.
The winning coaches will also earn P25,000, P15,000, P10,000 and P7,500.
“They will also get trophies, medals and champion teams one year bragging right as the King and Queen of collegiate beach volleyball in the Philippines,” said Jose Manuel Santos, marketing promotions and events executive for Nestea.
Santos led the opening ceremony Wednesday together with Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Art Boncato, Island Garden City of Samal City Administrator Cleto Gales Jr., Paradise Island beach resort owner Julie Rodriguez, Visayas leg organizer Ricky Ballesteros and Mindanao leg organizer Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports Promotions.
Davao leg is scheduled from Feb. 23-25 while the Visayas leg will be held on March 9 to 11 in Moalboal, Cebu then followed by the Luzon leg on March 21 to 23 and the National Capital Region (NCR) leg on March 25-27 both slated in Tanauan, Batangas.




Line 569: Line 540:




==ARMM polls in May 2013 to proceed if peace pact not signed this year; Leonen says no need to amend Consti==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2012/04/26/armm-polls-in-may-2013-to-proceed-if-peace-pact-not-signed-this-year-leonen-says-no-need-to-amend-consti/
*Thursday,April 26, 2012
:by Carolyn O. Arguil las


==Tawi-Tawi Pursues Vital Infrastructure Projects==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/352266/tawitawi-pursues-vital-infrastructure-projects
*February 23, 2012, 2:51pm
:by  NONOY E. LACSON


KUALA LUMPUR (MindaNews/26 April) –  Elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front  will replace with a “new autonomous political entity,” will proceed as scheduled on May 13, 2013 if no peace agreement is reached by the peace panels this year.
“Government is very aware in terms of timelines of our political exercises and in terms of the political realities,” government (GPH) peace panel chair Marvic Leonen told MindaNews. He said the roadmap would take on a different shape if the elections were to proceed and a new set of ARMM officials is elected. The timeline, too, may change given that the elected officials in May 2013 will, under the present law, serve a three-year term until 2016, he said.
“It’s possible you’ll wait until 2016 but in 2016 what is the political reality?” he asked
Declaring that the “status quo is unacceptable,” the GPH and MILF peace panels on Tuesday agreed to work for the creation of a “new autonomous political entity in place of the ARMM” as one of ten “decision points on principles” they signed that day at the Palace of the Golden Horses hotel.
The  present ARMM  comprises the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan,Sulu and Tawi-tawi.
No need
Government peace panel chair Marvic Leonen, an expert on Constitutional Law, is confident there is no need to amend the 1987 Constitution to create the new entity that would replace ARMM.
He said many of the proposals of the MILF are contained in the Organic Act (RA 9054) although he acknowledged that the MILF views this differently.
“From the GPH point of view as of the moment, a Republic Act is more doable. But of course in so far as the Constitution is concerned, no Constitution is always permanent but the constitutional exercise requires a lot more than amending a law. And it’s always a balance between you change the rules first of the game before you mobilize the leaders. Is it exclusive? Mauna ito bago ito?  Di ba pwede magsabay (Should this come first? Cannot they go together) and then later the political realities might be more favorable towards greater political exercise?” Leonen told MindaNews on Wednesday afternoon.
MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal  has yet to be convinced that there is no need to amend the Constitution to accommodate their demands.  “The government says no need, but we hope they can demonstrate graphically how they do it without amending the Constitution. Our belief is this cannot be done,” he told MindaNews a day on Wednesday.
The peace negotiations adjourned at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, two days ahead of scheduled, after the parties signed the “GPH-MILF Decision Points on Principles as of April 2012.”
The panels will resume talks next month. Congress on the other hand will resume sessions on May 7 and will go on sine die adjournment June 8 until it reopens with the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President on July 23.
The GPH peace panel in a press conference via Skype with the Malacanang Press Corps Wednesday noon,  was repeatedly asked how soon the two panels can forge an agreement and how this would impact on the May 2013 elections in the ARMM.
“If there is no agreement in due time then the elections of ARMM will continue (in 2013),” as provided for by law,  Leonen said.
Panel member Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, explained to the press corps that the peace agreement that will be signed “will not automatically suspend the ARMM or suspend the elections. Ibig sabihin maski magkapirmahan tayo bukas, marami pang requirements yan para ma-put in place. (This means even if we sign tomorrow, there are still many requirement for that new political entity to be put in place). For instance, we will need to generate support from Congress, from both the Senate and the House, to actually pass the law that will make it possible for some kind of implementing mechanisms to take place.”
Ferrer acknowledged that the longer the negotiations take, the “normal political timetable” of elections in 2013 and Presidential elections in 2016 will set in “if all these steps are not done early enough.”
She said signing the agreement does not mean it will be implemented immediately because there are many legislative requirements “that’s why we’re working closely with Congress, we’re working closely with the public so that they will be able to  support all the requirements that will implement elements of that agreement.”


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines – A group of private and government socio-economic managers here lauded Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali after he informed them that bridge projects, airport improvement, and farm-to-market roads are the most tangible projects that his administration have relentlessly pursued and successfully completed.
Timetables


Sahali told the group of economists that his administration is concentrating in the delivery of major infrastructure and support projects for the development of the province vis-à-vis with peace and order, particularly health services.
The filing of certificates of  candidacy for all elective positions in the May 2013 polls is on October 1 to 5 this year, according to the Commission on Elections’ Resolution 9385.
Congress, after reopening on July 23, goes on break from mid-October to mid-November and Christmas break from mid-December to mid-January, leaving only a limited number of session days before the official campaign period for the May 2013 polls begins.
The 90-day campaign period for senatorial candidates and party list groups is from February 12 to May 11, 2013 while the 45-day campaign period for candidates for the House of Representatives, provincial, city and municipal officials as well as the ARMM is from March 29 to May 11.
The MILF in February last year proposed a Bangsamoro substate,  an “asymmetrical state-substate relationship, wherein powers of the central government and state government are clearly stated, aside from those powers they jointly exercise, which are also defined in this draft.”
The MILF summarized it as “less than independence but more than autonomy” apparently referring to the present ARMM.
Government handed its proposal on August 22 last year,18 days after President Aquino met with MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in Japan and both agreed to fast-track the peace process so that a peace agreement can be forged within the first half of the President’s six-year term, or by June 30, 2013, so that implementation can be done immediately. The President’s term of office ends noon of June 30, 2016.
The GPH proposal was a “three for one solution” which involves three components: massive economic development, a peace accord, and cultural-historical acknowledgment.”
The MILF peace panel rejected the GPH proposal, prompting Leonen to say, “We reject your rejection.”
The talks went on an impasse with Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed shuttling between the panels until they resumed talks in December. The panels have been meeting every month since.
In a press conference in Cotabato City in late August last year, Leonen said amending the 1987 Constitution was not a priority of the present administration.
“The proposal of government to the MILF does not contain a proposal for constitutional amendment,” he said.
“Autonomy as practiced by the ARMM in the past is a failed experiment.  However it does not necessarily mean we do not learn from that experience,” he said, adding the autonomy they are proposing “comes close to the idea of self governance also of the MILF.”
“We read sub-state also as autonomy. We do not see sub-state as a separate republic,” Leonen said then.
He also noted in August that many of the fundamental aspirations of the MILF “can be fitted into the provisions of the current Constitution.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)


“The delivery of basic services coupled with the needed infrastructure support projects, peace and order, and social services, including education, tops the list of my priority programs for the province,” he said.
==Dead sea turtles, corals seized in Vietnamese boat==
*Source: http://www.rappler.com/nation/4345-dead-sea-turtles,-corals-seized-in-vietnamese-boat
*04/25/2012 4:44 PM  | Updated 04/25/2012 5:49 PM
:by DAVID Y. SANTOS


Sahali said he hopes to improve the living condition of the people in the province, and at the same time providing them with job opportunities and increased productivity.


Sahali also told the economists during a roundtable discussion at his office Wednesday that the 370-meter Sanga-Sanga, Lapid-Lapid steel bridge, the flagship project of the provincial government, is now 90 percent finished, and is expected to be completed in due time.
MANILA, Philippines – Marine authorities in Tawi-Tawi said they have confiscated at least 50 dead sea turtles and bundles of rare corals from a Vietnamese fishing boat while docked at the port of Bongao town on Tuesday, April 24.


Sahali said he is pushing for the early completion of the P342-million bridge project in order to propel the socio-economic development of the province.
The seized items, which are classified as endangered species under maritime laws, were intended to be smuggled to other countries.


He said the bridge would greatly improve trade and commerce in the entire province.
The Philippine Coast Guard Station in Bongao said the dead turtles were found along with 5 bundles of Black Corals inside SBF 48, a Vietnamese-registered fishing boat, during a routine inspection. The contraband was “concealed inside a refrigerated fish cargo hole located at the port side of the vessel.”


The bridge, he said, is a joint effort of the provincial and local government units of the municipalities of Bongao and Panglima Sugala, and is funded by the Office of the President, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the United States government, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao hierarchy, and the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi.
Bureua of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) National Director Asis Perez has confirmed that charges have been filed against the boat's 12 crew members, who were all Vietnamese, for violating laws forbidding the collection and sale of sea turtles and corals.


At present, the DPWH has prepared the road from Sanga-Sanga to Patal, up to Bangalian, at the same time upgraded the roads connecting Kapatagan to Lapid-Lapid, and Batu-Batu to Magsaggao up to Tarawakan in this capital town.
The cases, citing violations of Republic Acts 8550 or the Fisheries Code of the Philippines and 9147 or the Wildlife Act of the Philippines, were filed before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 5 in Bongao.


“We all are happy that with the newly upgraded and improved Sanga-Sanga Airport, it can now accommodate bigger aircraft, like Airbus 320, to ferry a larger number of passengers,” Sahali said.
Among the different sea turtles, the Hawksbill turtle is commonly found in Tawi-Tawi and has been classified as critically endangered. Hawksbill shells are used for decorative purposes, while Hawksbill eggs and meat are cooked as a native delicacy. - Rappler.com


With pride, Sahali also told the group that Tawi-Tawi is now included in the country’s Nautical Highway Program, and the Roll-On, Roll-Off (RO-RO) Port of Bongao is now connected with the major ports in the region.
==Airphil plane engine emits smoke before take-off, passengers ordered to disembark==
*Source: http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/9674-airphil-plane-engine-emits-smoke-before-take-off-passengers-ordered-to-disembark.html
*Tuesday, 24 April 2012 12:34
:by Nonong Santiago/Hader Glang




Hundreds of passengers bound for Manila, Davao, Jolo and Tawi-Tawi were stranded yesterday morning when a turbo-prop plane of the Air Philippines started emitting smoke in the middle of Runway 27 while it was about to depart for Sanga-Sanga Airport in Tawi-Tawi Province.


Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Manager Celso Bayabos disclosed that the plane was given the clearance for departure at 7 a.m.
when the pilots noticed smoke coming from the right engine of the propeller plane while it was already 300 meters away from Runway 27.


The pilots had to stop the plane in the middle of the runway and ordered the affected passengers to disembark the aircraft resulting to the delay of the 7:45 a.m. Philippine Airlines flight for Manila, Bayabos said.


According to Bayabos, the inbound flight of Cebu Pacific from Manila to Zamboanga was also diverted to Davao City Airport because of the
obstruction.


“Ang AirPhil bound for Sanga-Sanga Airport in Tawi-Tawi was given a clearance for take off at Runway 27, but rolling for take off mga around
300 meters away na sya beginning sa runway 27, biglang hininto ng piloto ang eroplano dahil nahalata na may diperensya ang right engine ng eroplano. Ang ibang flight ng PAL for Manila ay na-hold muna. Ang inbound flight of Cebu Pacific from Manila to Zamboanga was diverted to Davao City airport,” Bayabos said.


The airport manager said they had to borrow the tow bar of the Philippine Air Force to tow the plane out of the runway.
Bayabos said the airport was cleared for landing and departure at past 8 in the morning. A Norwegian, Einar Solheim said his flight was supposed to be at 7:45 a.m. but due to the incident, it was delayed.


Rossnelly said this is not good because they are supposed to go to the Norwegian Embassy to apply for a fiancée visa. Some passengers were also clearly upset with the delay.


==P300 Million steel bridge to be completed in Bongao==
There is no clear report yet as to what was the cause of the incident.
*Source: http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/8779-p300-million-steel-bridge-to-be-completed-in-bongao-.html
*Wednesday, 22 February 2012 11:10
:by  Nonong Santiago


==Air Philippines flight to Tawi-Tawi aborted due to smoke from engine==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/181255/air-philippines-flight-to-tawi-tawi-aborted-due-to-smoke-from-engine
*10:34 am | Monday, April 23rd, 2012
:by  Julie Alipala
Philippine Daily Inquirer


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi - Through the initiative of Gov. Sadikul Sahali, a P300 million modern steel bridge will soon be completed that will connect the island of Bongao to the mainland of Tawi-Tawi Province.
Sahali disclosed the money for the multi million peso project came from the national funds of the Department of Public Works and Highways under the helm of former DPWH secretary Hermoheges Ebdane.
The governor said the implementation of the bridge started early last year and was supposed to be completed on the month of July but was hampered due to incessant rains.


“The local DPWH said the project is now 80 percent finished. I hope they will complete the project as soon as possible as this will surely boost the socio-economic activities of the whole province,” Sahali emphasized.
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines— An Air Philippines flight to Tawi-Tawi was aborted on Monday morning as smoke emitted from the right engine of the plane, an official said.
Sahali boasted the bridge’s completion will greatly enhance economic development of the populace because trading will be done by land transportation and not by sea crafts.
Celso Bayabos, manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in Zamboanga, said  the plane was about to take off  when pilots noticed  the  smoke prompting them to park and order  around 50 passengers to disembark  shortly after 7:00 in the morning.
“It’s not really fire, there was smoke. It’s good that pilots noticed it before they take off otherwise (it would be) another disaster,” Bayabos said.
Other flights supposedly about to land at Zamboanga City international airport like Cebu Pacific from Davao city and Manila were advised to redirect their flights back.
Fire marshalls and other airport personnel immediately towed the aircraft back to the taxi area to determine the actual cause of engine trouble.


“Many times people living on the northern side of the island finds it difficult to transport their products by pumpboat because of big waves. With the bridge completion people can travel easier and faster using vehicles. So we can now travel from Bongao to the mainland and vice versa,” Sahali emphasized.


He said the main bridge has a length of 370 meters with two smaller steel bridges connecting the mainland to the island of Sanga-Sanga through the barangay of Lapid-Lapid.


Sahali, who was also former mayor of Panglima Sugala Municiplaity  said once completed the bridge will serve as a vital link of Bongao and other municipalities that will surely enhance commerce and industry which will result to progress.
The active and visionary governor has also appropriated millions of pesos for the concreting of farm-to market-roads in the province for easy transport of goods by farmers and traders.


“If we have a modern bridge linking the province we should also have good roads for easy access,” Sahali continued.




Line 634: Line 648:




==P2.8-B infra projects for roads, bridges in ARMM under way==
*Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/26160-p28-b-infra-projects-for-roads-bridges-in-armm-under-way
*SUNDAY, 22 APRIL 2012 18:27
:by JONATHAN L. MAYUGA / REPORTER




PUBLIC Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said several infrastructure projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are being implemented to boost economic development in the region.
Singson said 26 projects worth around P2.8 billion are in various stages of implementation. All in all, the projects involve 117 kilometers of national roads and 132 linear meters of bridges.


==Tawi-Tawi Advocates Rubber Tree Cultivation==
“I’ve just met with President Aquino and the governors of the ARMM provinces and ARMM Governor [Mujiv] Hataman. We have reported the status of our program in ARMM,” Singson told reporters during the Communication and News Exchange (CNEX) forum at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) office in Quezon City.
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/352112/tawitawi-advocates-rubber-tree-cultivation
*February 21, 2012, 5:33pm
:by  NONOY E. LACSON


The projects, he said, are part of the “Transition Investment Support Program for ARMM” being implemented by the Aquino administration.  It has a total budget of P8.5 billion, P2.8 billion of which is for the repairs, rehabilitation and upgrading of major roads in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines – The provincial government of Tawi-Tawi is advocating a massive planting of rubber trees as an alternative source of income for the farmers in the province.
According to Singson, a total of three projects in Basilan involving the upgrading of 13 kilometers of road and 36.9 linear meters of bridge are now ongoing.


Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali made the call during the distribution of farm equipment and agri-fishery inputs Monday led by top officials of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) in this capital town.
In Sulu he said the DPWH will implement a total of five projects that will construct 15 kilometers of road. Four of the projects have started.


Sahali said the provincial government is ready to allocate a substantial land area for a rubber nursery in the province where farmers can avail of rubber seedlings for planting.
Meanwhile, there are two upgrading projects involving 13 kilometers of road in Tawi-Tawi.  “We are also looking at improving the water system in Tawi-Tawi,” he said.


For his part, DAF-ARMM Secretary Sangkula Tindick vowed to help the province in the propagation of rubber trees, as he disclosed that the ARMM had recently established a 10-hectare rubber nursery project at the Sta. Clara Breeding Station in Lamitan City, Basilan.
In Lanao del Sur there are a total of eight projects. Five projects have just been awarded to private contractors while three others “will be awarded very soon.”


Tindick said the nursery in Lamitan – the first of its kind in the ARMM, is expected to produce seven various clones of rubber seedlings for use of the rubber farmers or growers.
The projects involve the rehabilitation and upgrading of 33 kilometers of road and 75 linear meters of bridges.


Sahali said the fertile land and suitable climate in the province will make rubber planting viable in the area, like coconut and various fruit trees.
“In Lanao we are also looking at upgrading the Agos River to improve and add 60 megawatts of power in Mindanao,” the DPWH revealed.


He said that out of the three agricultural products, rubber tree is the best alternative for the farmers to cultivate because of its demand and prevailing prices in the local and world market.
On the other hand, there are a total of eight ongoing projects in the province of Maguindanao, involving a total of 38 kilometers of roads and 20 linear meters of bridges. “We have updated [data on] the road networks in the ARMM. We now have a plan to fully restore the road networks there,” he said.


As this developed, he urged farmers in the province to propagate rubber trees in order for them to have a higher income.
==Shipper questions hold order on bark shipment==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/180283/shipper-questions-hold-order-on-bark-shipment
*8:27 am | Saturday, April 21st, 2012
:by Cebu Daily News


“Rubber tree is one of the best agricultural products that farmers can plant in the province since it can give them higher yields due to the prevailing prices it has in the national and international markets,” he explained.


He said that rubber latex could be collected every other day from an incised rubber tree, and can be sold at P75 per kilo, while the semi-processed or cooked rubber latex can be sold at P150 per kilo at the local market.
THE owner of the 1,000 sacks of tree bark of mangroves or tanbarks locally known as “tungog” that was seized by authorities last Thursday in Cebu City came forward to seek the release of the shipment.
Erickson Kho of Sulu questioned the hold order issued by the National Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force.
The foregst goods originated from Tandubas, Tawi-tawi, Mindanao.
Edward Pamplona, head of the Regional Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force, told Kho that he failed to present a Certificate to Transport Forest Products to justify his claim on the shipment.
Kho’s papers said he was the lone bidder who won and paid P25,520 for the 51.4 tons of tanbarks previously confiscated in Mindanao and put up for auction.
But the potential market value of the bark is P14.39 million, according to Pamplona, making the shipment suspicious.
A physical examination was made yesterday by the task force, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Community of Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro),
Pamplona said 10 vans loaded with 280 tons of tanbarks were seized in Pier 8 Dec. 6 last year under Kho’s name.
He said the tanbarks were released to Kho because no hold order was immediately issued.
He said they have been “monitoring” Kho’s tanbarks shipment almost every month after reading documents that noted that the shipment was “bought through public bidding.”
“Why isn’t this (tanbarks shipment) controlled?” Pamplona said.
Pamplona said the National Anti-illegal Logging Task Force is meeting with the Forest Management Team to verify whether the tan barks were the subject of a public bidding.
The shipment was consigned to Paul Bercina of barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.
It was seized from a motor boat by Navy personnel on Thursday. Tanbark is used in the production of paint, beads and food coloring. Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell


Sahali said that a rubber farmer can collect as much as 500 kilos of latex per hectare of rubber trees per month, which can easily provide the farmers with an income of P37,500 per month – based on the prevailing market prices.
==Magnitude 4.4 strikes off Tawi-Tawi==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/20/12/magnitude-44-strikes-tawi-tawi
*04/20/2012 9:46 AM | Updated as of 04/20/2012 9:46 AM
:by  http://www.abs-cbnnews.com


It was learned that Tawi-Tawi has 107 islands and islets, with a combined land area of 1,197 square kilometers, and is blessed with generally good climate, with the months of August to November as rainy season.


Tindick also agreed with Sahali’s claim that there is a need to transform the unproductive and idle lands of the province into agri-business ventures to help generate job opportunities for the local residents.


It was also learned that majority of farmers in the province are presently engaged in the planting of cassava and fruit-bearing trees, like mango, durian, rambutan, mangosteen, and also into seaweed farming.
MANILA, Philippines – A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck off Tawi-Tawi on Thursday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.


Phivolcs said the earthquake occurred at 6:59 p.m. Its epicenter was located 260 kilometers southeast of South Ubian town.


The earthquake was tectonic in origin. It had a depth of 491 kilometers.


No tremor was felt in any part of the province. Likewise, no damage was reported.


Phivolcs said aftershocks are not expected from the earthquake.


==Authentic HK Dimsum, Half-Price!==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/357457/authentic-hk-dimsum-halfprice
*April 19, 2012, 10:05am
:by  SOL VANZI






MANILA, Philippines — In the '60s and '70s, there was only one place outside of Chinatown for Manila dimsum lovers: Kowloon House on A. Mabini, Ermita, just off the corner of Herran (now Pedro Gil). The selection was limited: but it was the only show in town. The short dimsum menu listed siopao (asado or bola-bola), siomai, hakaw (shrimp dumpling), shark’s fin, beef balls, wugok (fried taro balls filled with chicken and mushrooms) and custard tart for dessert.


==A river once ran through it==
Filipino Chinese businessmen, many born in Mainland China, often flew to Hong Kong for weekend R & R, to visit girlfriends or relatives. Highlighting their trips were dimsum binges at the ground floor restaurant of the Luk Kwok Hotel in Wanchai, setting for the Richard Mason novel that inspired the movie “World of Suzie Wong.”
*Source: http://opinion.inquirer.net/23413/a-river-once-ran-through-it
*1:32 am | Monday, February 20th, 2012
:by  Noralyn Mustafa
Philippine Daily Inquirer


MANILA’S AUTHENTIC HK DIMSUM -- Today, there is no need to fly to Hong Kong to feast on a vast selection of authentic Chinese dimsum. Nor do we have to negotiate the narrow streets and no-parking areas of Binondo’s Chinatown. Families and friends now gather for traditional Sunday reunions, or weekday meals, at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant on Diosdado Macapagal Avenue off Roxas Boulevard.


Finally, After 16 years, Navy Ensign Philip Pestaño will get justice. Sixteen years is a long time for the government to verify something that we in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi already knew right after news of Pestano’s murder broke out. The Senate and the United Nations found out the truth about the murder only after finishing their own investigations, but their findings amounted to nothing under the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and it had to take a new ombudsman, Conchita Carpio-Morales, an appointee of President Aquino, to right something heartrending and unjust.
Not only do they enjoy the food, there’s the convenience of guarded parking spaces, and the assurance of enough tables, chairs and rooms capable of handling small, medium or large gatherings.
The murder of the young Navy officer unmasked the military, political and bureaucratic connivance responsible for the environmental degradation in the South, particularly the destruction of its forests—yes, it was a conspiracy too powerful that nobody foolish enough dared to expose it. For aside from being used for gunrunning and carrying prohibited drugs, Navy ships were said to transport illegal logs—precious Philippine hardwood from the virgin forests of the southern islands.
But this is only part of a most dreadful and very uncomfortable truth: Sulu and even Tawi-Tawi—with what used to be their lush forests of hardwood and fruit trees, precious medicinal plants and herbs—will soon be erased from the face of the earth due to the merciless greed of the very people mandated to protect them.
I know of a house in Jolo built almost entirely with lumber from ilang-ilang trees.
Somebody who calls himself “Eryneon Wave” on our Facebook page has taken it upon himself to update us on what’s happening in Jolo by regularly posting pictures that speak louder than words. The more recent photos are, in his usual dry humor, captioned “waterways used as streets.” These were streets that those of us who grew up in Jolo never could imagine, not even in our worst nightmares, would someday get flooded.
“Any solutions?” Eryneon pleaded almost in desperation, because the picture showed only the most recent of a series of floods that hit the town of Jolo, the worst of which lasted for days and at peak reached eight to 10 feet high.
If solutions are to be found, one does not have to be a rocket scientist—as young people like to say—to pinpoint what needs to be done, although finding solutions to the problem and actually implementing them are two entirely different things.
Solving the problem of flooding in Jolo is not that difficult, for the solutions are very obvious in the problem itself: informal settlers building their dwellings on waterways, a poor garbage disposal system especially for non-biodegradables and a host of other problems common to almost all areas that now get flooded with every typhoon.
Yet a closer look will reveal a more complex tangle of factors that led to this present state, the most daunting of which are the powerful forces that have contributed to what can now be called a certified environmental disaster.
Worst of all, this has been going on for decades and you cannot implement quick fixes to a problem that has taken a life of its own.
The decades-long peace and order problem in Jolo forced many from the countryside to evacuate to the town whose land area is too small to accommodate that kind of instant population explosion. These evacuees had to look for available spaces on which to build their houses—some of them with enough means to build permanent ones, believing (and encouraged by political patrons) that they could not be driven away from where they have constructed permanent structures.
There used to be a river that ran through the town of Jolo, its waters coming from historical Bud Dahu. Homegrown researchers say that the  river gave the town its name.
If one were to trace the scant material evidence remaining, it is not farfetched that this claim may be true. Beside the river is a road, said to have been built by the early Chinese traders. The road starts from the docking area of a wharf that the Chinese also constructed, which to this day is known as Chinese Pier. Presumably, through this road, the Chinese brought their goods to the river.
Think of that scene in the movie “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?” where pig-tailed Chinese helped Kulas, the main protagonist, to get to Manila on their banca filled with goods sailing down the Pasig, and you will have the picture.
Ganoon din noon in this river.  Ngayon, toilets have been built over it and garbage, mostly plastic, clog its flow. Its water is dark and murky, and just its stench can kill whatever life remains there.
In my childhood, a certain Mr. Viray, the owner of the lone bus company in town (which was all that we needed), operated a thriving fishpond  with water diverted from this river.
There used to be a pond, whose water came from the same spring in the same mountain, where the river drew its water. It was so clear that the community used to drink from it; there were boulders around it and a clump of slim bamboos at its edge.
I used to go and bathe in the pond when it was dark, hoping to catch a glimpse of the water fairy that the elders said guarded it. The informal settlers have covered its source of water with cement.
The same is true with the other source of the town’s water system—Bud Tumantangis, a source of pure spring water. The swimmers have long gone. The swimming pool is now almost a cesspool.


A family of 10 would need several Sunday reunions to taste everything on the Golden Bay’s dimsum menu, which lists 81 varieties. China-trained Chef Hui Chun Yuk, better known to diners and staff as Chef Ben, prepares all the iconic dumplings (siomai, hakaw), steamed buns (chicken pao), rice (machang), congee, steamed pig knuckle and tripe (goto), among others.


TRADITION AND INNOVATION – In addition to the familiar dishes, Golden Bay’s menu also carries dozens of dimsums incorporating non-traditional ingredients, which surprisingly blend perfectly with dimsum cuisine.


Succulently reminiscent of the ocean are the uncommon Yuan Yang Dumplings, filled with fish fillet and topped with deep orange crab roe. Each dumpling, glistening in the steamer, is accented with a whole baby abalone. How many can claim to have eaten, or even seen, whole baby abalone?


The small abalone comes from the clear blue waters of the Pacific, where fishermen from Aurora province pluck them from rocks and keep them iced for delivery to Golden Bay’s purchasing officer Joseph Wong.


Joseph travels from extreme northern Luzon to the waters of Sulu Sea off Tawi-Tawi in search of marine products for the restaurant and for export. His knowledge extends beyond the harvests’ economic value; like an artist, he collaborates with Chef Ben in creating new dishes, transforming and reshaping the sea’s bounty to produce spectacular tasty delights.


MINI BEGGAR’S CHICKEN – Golden Bay has a greaseless version of the common Machang (sticky rice, sausage, pork and mushrooms). Glutinous Rice with Chicken come as rectangular, single-serving packets of sticky rice layered with a filling of chicken, mushrooms and seasonings wrapped in lotus leaf.


The heady aroma of chicken and mushrooms wafts as soon as the lotus leaf is opened. Unwrapped, the contents resemble a rice sandwich. The flavors are complex yet complementary, much like Beggar’s Chicken which was the inspiration for the dish. Imported Chinese dried lotus leaves impart smoky and earthy undertones which could not be duplicated if one used other leaves, such as banana or pandan.


I took home a few pieces, kept them in the fridge overnight. The next morning, they were unwrapped and pan-fried until toasty crisp on the outside. Heavenly!


==Tawi-Tawi Pushes Socio-Economic Plan==
GIGANTIC HAKAW – The regular bamboo steamer basket is hardly big enough for one order of Hakaw, which are definitely the biggest shrimp dumplings I’ve ever seen.  The wrapper alone is worthy of note: shiny, transparent as cellophane, quivering in the rising steam. Inside are several pink shrimp, firm to the bite and with a texture implying they’ve never been frozen.
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/351866/tawitawi-pushes-socioeconomic-plan
*February 19, 2012, 3:44pm
:by NONOY E. LACSON 


“It is not a secret; to ensure quality tasting food, we make sure that we have fresh quality ingredients daily,” emphasizes Chef Ben.


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – The provincial government of Tawi-Tawi has intensified its socio-economic agenda and infrastructure support programs aimed at attaining the much-needed development for the province, and to set free its constituents from the bandage of poverty and high cost of living.
EXTRA-ORDINARY SIAO LONG – There is a unique system to eating Siao Long, lovingly described by experts as “soup in a dumpling,” one of the trickiest dumplings to assemble.


Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali has asked all provincial government offices to continue with their focus on programs and projects in order to help uplift the socio-economic condition of the people here.
Carefully, the dumpling is lifted to one’s mouth, making sure the skin stays intact. A small bite near the top would then allow the diner to slurp the juices before attacking the rest of the piece, composed of minced lean pork and herbs.


Sahali said the recent kidnapping incident here could not serve as a factor for him to stop from implementing the socio-economic development agenda of the provincial government.
As with the other Golden Bay dumplings, Siao Long dumplings are large, and take at least three bites to finish. The pork filling is so lean there is no hint of greasiness or oil either in the filling or the “soup” inside its wrapping.


“All plans and programs of the provincial government has to continue, and the kidnapping incident of Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra and Dutchman Ewold Horn is not a factor for us to stop, considering that the incident is an isolated case,” Sahali said.
STEAMED GOTO – One item very few ever cook at home is tripe; even the most avid kitchen lover loses patience with the hours required to clean, soak, stew and simmer to make this animal part edible. Cooked well, though, tripe, or goto, is beyond description.


While he admitted that the local government will continue to exert effort in locating the two kidnapped foreign nationals, the provincial government will continue to pursue its goals for the development of the province and reduce the poverty incidence here.
Golden Bay’s Steamed Goto is a dish that looks deceptively simple; this impression quickly disappears with the first bite, which bathes the mouth with indescribable richness. To enjoy the dish fully, one should chew very slowly, savoring the nuances of dozens of herbs the tripe was simmered in. A few slivers of fresh green and red chili peppers enliven the meat, elevating the experience to sensuous heights.


For her part, Vice Governor Ruby Sahali-Tan said the provincial legislative body will continue to support all programs and projects of the province that needs their support through various Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) resolutions.
CONGEES AND OTHERS – Like many Hong Kong residents, I got used to congee breakfast, teamed with salty stuff. At Golden Bay, my favorite congee partners are Rice Roll with Abalone Sauce and Radish Cake with XO Sauce and Crispy Dried Scallops.


“We will always support the programs of Governor Sahali since we believe that all the programs and projects of the provincial government are geared towards the development of the province,” Tan said.
The Rice Rolls are Ho-Fan, or sheets of steamed ground rice batter rolled and bathed in thick Abalone Sauce. The Radish Cake is cubed, fried, bathed in sauce and covered with a thick layer of crisp shreds of fried dried imported scallops. How’s that for decadent?


She also reported that a group of foreign investors had visited her office a day after the kidnapping incident for an investment conference.
Of course, one should not miss what we call Pata Tim, listed on the menu as Steamed Pig Knuckle with Preserved Beancurd. Melt-in-the-mouth pig trotters come with bone marrow that’s to die for, stewed in cubes of preserved beancurd which we call tahure. This is a welcome twist from the ordinary stew using salted black beans or tausi; it’s complex in flavor and more authentic. Makes one want to pour it over plain steamed rice.


Adding that they already agreed on some aspects of the investment, particularly the construction of solar panels and potable water supply to serve the needs of the people in far-flung villages and sitios of the 11 towns of Tawi-Tawi.
CHEAPER THAN FASTFOOD – The Golden Bay’s dimsum menu regular prices are lower by half compared to dishes of the same quality in five-star hotels. This summer, there is an ongoing promo that is offering 50% off the regular dimsum prices.


For his part, Bongao Mayor Jasper Que also reported that a group of Malaysian traders had visited his office recently and informed him of their plan to establish a trading center in this town.
Bottomline? Golden Bay’s authentic Hong Kong dimsum are now discounted to only P63 to P75 per order. This is definitely cheaper than most fastfood outlets considering the larger servings and superior quality.


Que said the trading category that the Malaysian traders would like to establish is similar to barter trading, where they will bring goods from their country to this town and bring back to Malaysia other products.
“We are not after profits. Our aim is authenticity, pleasant ambience and to bring Hong Kong dimsum to Manila at prices that will be more affordable for more people,” Joseph Wong says, laying out the goals of the country’s premier dimsum destination.


The system, he said, is viable since the local government here will have an extra tax collection from the imported products that will be brought in, at the same time, it will also provide job opportunities to the local people here, he said.
==Roperos: Cost of living pains==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/opinion/2012/04/18/roperos-cost-living-pains-216824
*Wednesday, April 18, 2012
:by Godofredo M. Roperos
Politics also


The mayor here said the stable peace and order condition of this town and the province in general has lured the traders to conduct trading with this capital town.


His office, he said, will have a final conference with the traders very soon in order for them to start the trading operation.
YESTERDAY, there was a story in this daily about the city’s waterworks system being the subject of complaints by some subscribers who suddenly found their water faucets dry. They realized that the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) had interrupted its services to repair pipe leakage in some parts of the city.


Of course, the subscribers failed to realize that what they experienced was one of the hazards of urban living. It is the way we live today that sometimes subjects us to certain discomforts.


When I was still a kid in the countryside, I often went with my grandfather to his farm about three kilometers away from the poblacion. There was a concrete tank on a promontory overlooking his cornfield. The Tangke was the source of the piped water to the houses in the poblacion.


No wonder the water turned brackish when there was heavy rain, and we were warned not to drink the water when it was brackish. Then, when it was election season, I remember candidates promising to improve our water system so we would not get sick when the water would turn brackish.


Many years later, when I started covering the rural areas from Aparri of the Cagayan Valley in the north, to Tawi-tawi in the Muslim country of the far south, I realized how gravely had water grown to be a national problem. This despite efforts of government to initiate various projects to provide water in our communities.


But then only recently, there was the typhoid outbreak in Tuburan that was generally blamed on water. It really seemed as if the problem of providing safe water source to our rural communities would drag on across the years as a continuing problem seeking solution. This is, of course, one of the basic political issues that our government is constantly challenged, just like the problem of power and the environment.


Not very long ago, our drainage canal was unable to function effectively. Imagine my surprise one morning when we awoke with rainwater flooding our ground-floor. Since rain went on for days, water also stayed on in our ground floor, until we sought the help of the mayor who had the highway drainage canal cleared of debris and plastic waste.


Now, it is my power bill that I am concerned with. But my request to Cebeco III to change my power meter has not been heeded in the past two months. With the cost of living having gone up, even the cost of kitchen gas going up a thousand pesos a tank, we pray that our basic services suppliers would listen to our appeal for help. But then, the contemporary existence is something we can no more avoid than we can climate change. It is a reality of our present urban existence that we just have to suffer through, and coyly live with.




==Tawi—Tawi promotes tourism, downplays foreigners’ kidnap==
*Source: http://zamboangatimes.ph/top-news/3871-tawitawi-promotes-tourism-downplays-foreigners-kidnap-.html
*Saturday, 18 February 2012 14:05
:by NONOY E. LACSON 




BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi –  The provincial government here  through the provincial  tourism office will continue to  showcase to domestic and foreign tourists the many splendid  tourist destinations  and  tourism potential sites in this province  after it noted the continued  arrivals of  tourists in this town.


“What we need now is a serious and  aggressive promotion of our  tourism attractions, destinations and potentials and  add more colors  to get the  much-needed boost in  the tourism field,” Sahali told  reporters here.


Sahali  also downplayed the kidnapping of Lorenzo Vinciguerra, a Swiss national, 47, and Dutchman Ewold Horn, 52, on February 1 at  the coast of Panglima Sugala, saying that the incident was just an “isolated case.”


“There is no  problem  in accommodating  tourists in this province  because there are enough good hotels and resorts in the  this capital town — Bongao,” he said.


Meanwhile, Vice Governor Ruby Sahali-Tan also said  the  11 municipalities  of Tawi-Tawi  will also join in  showcasing the many tourist destinations it has in the different towns as they  too guarantee the  safety of  the visiting tourists.


Bongao, she said,  is  known as the microcosm of religious and cultural diversities. The Bongao Peak showcases a breathtaking view of the nearby Sabah, Malaysia. The Bolobok Cave is one of the oldest caves (since 800 AD) located  at  Barangay Lakit-Lakit, Bongao. It is also said to be the original settlement of its early inhabitants.


The town of Simunul is  the site of the oldest mosque in the Philippines and home to the revered Sheikh Makdum,  the  pioneer in the spread of the Islam in the country. It  was at Tubig-Indangan, Simunul where the first Muslim missionary Sheik Karimul Makdum set foot to build the first mosque in the country in  1380 AD, the vice governor said.
==Tawi-Tawi peace council convened to address Sitangkai conflict==
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/46406-Tawi-Tawi-peace-council-convened-to-address-Sitangkai-conflict.html
*Tuesday, April 17. 2012
:by (PNA)
LAP/FMS/mec


Sapa-Sapa, Sibutu is also known as  the  home to descendants of Malay royalty of the Federal State of Borneo. The towns of Sitangkai, South Ubian,  Tandubas and Turtle Islands are known as  the  “Venice of the South,” she said.


As this developed, Gov. Sahali  also lured tourists  to experience underwater activities like scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling  at the white sand beaches of Sangay Siapo Island; Panampangan Island; Tango Island and Saluag Island.
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Governor Hadji Sadikul Sahali has convened the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) to settle a clan war in that otherwise peaceful province in Southeestern Philippines.
Sahali, who chairs the PPOC, said that his agenda in convening the council was to address the armed conflict between two groups in the Municipality of Sitangkai that has been reportedly escalating.
The PPOC chairman has directed the Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Rodelio Jocson to provide him with regular updates on the situation in the area.
Initially, Jocson confirmed that there has been armed engagement between the two warring factions, which were not identified.
However, he said that the groups have agreed on a ceasefire and settlement of the conflict is under negotiation.
He also said that the peace and order situation in the Province of Tawi-Tawi is manageable and there is no cause for alarm.
In the same manner, Task Force 62 Commander, Navy Captain Renato Yongque also said that Tawi-Tawi in its entirety is peaceful, “that is why there is no military movement,” he stressed.
Yongque also cited that the military has made changes in its approach and has adopted the so-called “Internal Peace and Security Plan or the Bayanihan,” composed of teams of selected soldiers to help work for peace in the community.
Meanwhile, Sahali said that the conflict in Sitangkai between the two groups is purely a clan war, which is normally occurring in the province and elsewhere.
He stressed his optimism that such conflict could be addressed soon, just like incidents of the same nature that have already occurred in the past but were given solutions.
“We have peace in Tawi-Tawi, and we will protect that peace,” the governor stressed.


Tawi-Tawi is irregular in shape, with splashes of fine  white sand beaches  and has 307 islands and islets, 88 of which is characterized by extensive reefs.


Sahali maintained  that Tawi-Tawi is a peaceful and safe province in this part of the country.


First-class  and high valued fish are abundant in this province including crustaceans, lobsters, curacha and coconut and mud  crabs due to its fair tropical climate.


The  province composed of four ethnic groups- Sama; Jama Mapun; Tausug and Badjaos, the rest are Christians and indigenous groups. The prevailing dialect is Sinama.




Line 794: Line 831:




==Rescued==
*Source: http://www.tawitawi.net/rescued/
*APRIL 16, 2012
:by www.tawitawi.net






==Tawi-Tawi To Showcase Tourism Sites==
Two alleged victims of human trafficking were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) while onboard a ship in Tawi-Tawi. Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrent, PCG spokesman, said that Coast Guard Station-Bongao received a report that two teenagers – Remelyn Ponce, 18 and Roselyn Ponce, 16 – who were reportedly victims of human trafficking, were held onboard MV TrishaKerstin-2 while en route to Bongao, Tawi Tawi on April 10.
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/351680/tawitawi-to-showcase-tourism-sites
*February 17, 2012, 3:58pm
:by NONOY E. LACSON 


Further investigation disclosed that the girls, who left home without the knowledge of their families, were promised jobs as domestic helpers in Malaysia. Upon learning of the incident, Ponce’s mother sought assistance from the Coast Guard.


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines – The provincial government of Tawi-Tawi, through its Provincial Tourism Office, continues to showcase its various tourist destinations after noting the constant arrival of local and foreign tourists in this bustling capital town.
Meanwhile, five persons were arrested in separate anti-illegal drugs operations in Quezon City since Friday afternoon. Investigators of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) identified the arrested suspects as Mary Jane Obarra, 39; Danilo Fernando Sr., 52; Theresa Cruz, 43; Gilbert Cruz, 22; and Aldrin Rivera, 22.


“What we need now is a serious and aggressive promotion of our tourism attractions, destinations, and potentials, and add more colors to get the much-needed boost in the tourism sector,” Governor Sadikul Sahali said.


Sahali also downplayed the kidnapping of Lorenzo Vinciguerra, a Swiss national, 47, and Dutchman Ewold Horn, 52, on February 1 at the coast of Panglima Sugala, saying that the incident is just an “isolated case.”


“There is no problem in accommodating tourists in this province because there are enough hotels and resorts in this capital town of Bongao,” said.


For her part, Tawi-Tawi Vice Governor Ruby Sahali-Tan also said that the 11 municipalities of the province will also join in showcasing the many tourist destinations in their respective areas, even as they also guarantee the safety of visiting tourists in their respective municipalities.


Bongao, she said, is known as the microcosm of religious and cultural diversity.


She said the Bongao Peak on this island town showcases a breathtaking view of nearby Sabah in Malaysia, while the Bolobok Cave in Barangay Lakit-Lakit is one of the oldest caves – since 800 A.D.


It was in Tubig-Indangan, Simunul, where the first Muslim missionary Sheik Karimul Makdum set foot to build the first mosque in the country in 1380 A.D., the lady vice governor here said.


Sapa-Sapa in Sibutu is also known as the home of the descendants of Malay royalty of the Federal State of Borneo.


The towns of Sitangkai, South Ubian, Tandubas, and Turtle Islands are known as the “Venice of the South,” she said.


As this developed, the governor also invited the tourists to experience the various underwater activities, like scuba diving, swimming, and snorkeling, at the same time enjoy the white sand beaches of Sangay Siapo Island, Panampangan Island, Tango Island, and Saluag Island.


He described Tawi-Tawi as irregular in shape, with splashes of fine white sand beaches, and has 307 islands and islets, 88 of which are characterized by extensive reefs.
==Promoting Tourism on Beautiful but Violent Tawi-Tawi==
*Source: http://www.bongao.net/promoting-tourism-on-beautiful-but-violent-tawi-tawi/
*Apr 15th, 2012
:by Bongao.


Sahali maintained that Tawi-Tawi is a peaceful and safe province in this part of the country.


First-class and high-valued fish are abundant in this province, including crustaceans, like lobsters, the exotic kuratsa, and the coconut and mud crabs, attributing this to the province’s fair tropical climate.


Sahali said the province has four ethnic groups – the Sama, Jama Mapun, Tausug, and Badjaos, while the rest are Christians and indigenous groups.
The island’s pristine waters, prehistoric caves and mountain lookouts, it turns out, lie in the vicinity of fierce battles between rebel groups and the Philippine military.


The prevailing dialect is Sinama, the vice governor added.
Kidnappings are a recurring problem on Tawi-Tawi, and clan warfare, beheadings and roadside bombs are all too common on the surrounding islands in the southern Philippines. Nonetheless, Gov. Sadikul Sahali and local tourism officials are laying out the welcome mat, with a new promotional campaign aimed at trumpeting the charms of Tawi-Tawi and other nearby isles.


National tourism officials are opposed to foreigners visiting the area because of the dangers. A national tourism campaign, with the slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” has been something of a sensation on the Internet, though, and users have appropriated the slogan in postings on social media sites to celebrate — and mock — what constitutes “fun” in some areas. One such image under the heading “Vacation. It’s More Fun in the Philippines” shows a kidnapped couple flanked by masked, armed men in Mindanao, the easternmost island in the Philippines.


“If you are in central and western Mindanao, you should leave immediately,” states a recent travel advisory from the Australian government to its citizens.


“If, despite our very strong advice against travel, you decide to visit central or western Mindanao,” it added, “you should put in place robust measures to ensure your personal security, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.”


The United States, Britain and many other countries have had similar travel warnings for more than a decade.


It is no surprise, given the recent history of the area around Tawi-Tawi, that visitors are urged to arrange security along with their tour packages.


On nearby Jolo Island in February, Philippine Air Force jets dropped two bombs that killed more than a dozen rebels, including top leaders of a regional terrorist network with links to Al Qaeda, military officials said.


A nearby island, Basilan, is a stronghold for the top terrorist organization in the Philippines, Abu Sayyaf.


Just beyond Basilan, in Zamboanga Sibugay Province, Warren Richard Rodwell, a 53-year-old Australian, has been held captive since his abduction on Dec. 5. In July, a vacationing American, Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann, her 14-year-old son and her 19-year-old Filipino nephew were kidnapped in a coastal area of Zamboanga City. All three are now free, and Ms. Lunsmann and her son have returned to the United States. No one has confirmed or denied rumors that ransoms were paid.


Despite the warnings, two European birdwatchers decided to visit Tawi-Tawi in hopes of seeing the extremely rare Sulu hornbill. They were kidnapped on Feb. 1 and remain in captivity. The violence and kidnappings in the south pose a significant problem for Philippine tourism officials.


==The Dangers of Philippine Birdwatching==
“The Philippines remains an ideal destination, with foreign individuals and groups continuing to arrive,” the Department of Tourism said in a statement shortly after the birdwatchers were kidnapped. “So far, no cancellations have been made.”
*Source: http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4234&Itemid=189
*WEDNESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2012
:by Criselda Yabes  


In Bongao, on Tawi-Tawi, the desk clerk at the Beachside Inn, Nur Uddin, said by telephone that foreigners continued to arrive, although not very often. “If you come here, you should hire a security guard to make sure you are safe,” he said.


Birds, bandits meet with ominous consequences
Salvacion Pescadera, a provincial tourism officer, said the kidnapping of the birdwatchers was an isolated case that, she said, occurred because they had not sought security clearance from the Tourism Department before visiting a remote area. She said that her office coordinated with the local police to provide security for visitors. “You’ll be in good hands,” she said.


On Feb. 1, on the isolated backwater Philippine island of Tawi-Tawi, two European men went hunting for some of the world’s rarest birds. Their passion as birdwatchers got them captured by five gunmen who took them hostage and destroyed their cameras, which contained proof of what only a few people in the world have ever seen.  
==DENR, tourism council seek more no-mining zones==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/176421/denr-tourism-council-seek-more-no-mining-zones
*4:59 am | Saturday, April 14th, 2012
:by Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer


Some 5,000 Filipino soldiers have been searching the region for the two, 52-year-old Elwold Hom of Holland and Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 47, of Switzerland. The army believes they are somewhere within 2,000 hectares of jungle on Tawi-Tawi. Meantime the kidnapers – or people posing as the kidnapers – have demanded that the police and army pull out of the area, a haven for Islamic separatists. Others suspect the kidnapers could be common bandits who sell their prey to Islamist rebels.


The story thus has several different facets– of the inability of the government to impose law and order on a region with a reputation for kidnaping, piracy and conflict, of the possibility that the Moro National Liberation Front or Abu Sayyaf captured the two as a part of their campaign to drive the government out of Mindanao – or of the foolhardy bravery of birdwatchers the world over who are willing to risk life and limb for their so-called life lists of observed birds.


In the case of Elwold Hom and Lorenzo Vinciguerra, it is the latter that matters. They are among avid birdwatchers who come to the Philippines against the odds, although they appear to be the first to be captured. The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines is considerably more prudent, not allowing its 200-odd members to stray into regions known for having been the site of battles and rebel strongholds.  
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Tourism Council last week endorsed proposals to delineate hundreds of areas as “no-mining zones.”
According to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, the DENR has recommended that the government add nine more sites to its current list of 239 protected areas. Of those already on the list, 178 of them would be further declared as “eco-tourism zones,” to expand their protection from all extractive activities, including small-scale mining.
The nine new areas to be placed under the conservation area status are: Balbalan-Balbalasang National Park in the Cordillera Region, Zambales Mountains in Regions 1 and 3, Mts. Irid Angelo and Binuang in Region 4A, Polilio Group of Islands, also in Region 4A, Mts. Iglit Baco National Park in Region 4B, Nug as Lantoy in Region 7, Mt. Nacolod in Region 8, Mt. Hilong-hilong in Region 13, and Bongao Peak in Tawi-tawi Island.
On strengthening restrictions in 178 protected areas, Paje said:  “The priority land use in these areas is tourism,” Paje said. “We have agreed that these areas are no-mining zones,” Paje added.
‘In conflict’
He said government is supportive of the idea since it wants to bolster the country’s tourism industry. A few months ago, the Department of Tourism launched a campaign with a tag line “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” to entice more foreign tourists to come to the country.
The move to delineate more protected areas came after DENR, Silliman University and the German aid agency noted that the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Act of 1992 has loopholes that allow some extractive and commercial activities even in protected areas.
Also, the review noted that current laws on protected areas and the Mining Act of 1995 are “in conflict” when it comes to areas that are open to mining and areas with a protected status.
The Nipas law also mandates Congress to declare a particular area as a protected site, which is an expensive and long process.


Their Filipino guide and photographer, Ivan Sarenas, a noted birdwatcher in his own right and a member of the Wild Bird Club, escaped by leaping from the outrigger and swimming to safety where local fishermen rescued him.
==DPWH Sec. Sadain visits, inspects Tawi- Tawi Projects==
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/44752-DPWH-Sec.-Sadain-visits,-inspects-Tawi-Tawi-Projects.html
*Tuesday, March 13. 2012
:by (PR/BFC)


“They wanted to see the world’s rarest hornbills before they grow old,” Sarenas said. He is one of two people previously known to have photographed the Sulu Hornbills, luminous black birds that can only be found on the island and are believed to be the last of their kind left on earth.


There are thought to be about 20 pairs of the hornbills left, according to a survey made about 10 years ago. The birds have been exterminated in Sulu, a chain of islands near Borneo – according to the ‘red list’ of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Sulu and Tawi-Tawi supposedly are the only two places on earth to find the hornbills and the stunning Bleeding Heart pigeon as well, which has not been seen or collected since the early 1900s.


Paradoxically, it is these dangerous regions that make areas of the Philippines some of the best birdwatching areas anywhere. It is where less dedicated individuals would never dare set foot. The abduction of the birdwatchers has raised the number of foreigners kidnapped in the region since the beginning of 2011 to 10.  
BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi- (March 11, 2012) Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Secretary Emil K. Sadain personally inspected on-going projects being undertaken by the ARMM government in the island provinces over the weekends.


Five, an Australian, two Malaysian traders, an Indian married to a Filipina and a Japanese male, are still in captivity along with three abducted Filipinos.


The abductors of the Australian, 53-year-old Warren Rodwell, are demanding US$2 million for his release.  
Sec. Sadain made his province-hopping across the southern islands including Tawi-Tawi where he, along with local executives led by Gov. Sadikul Sahali officially inspected the continuing construction of three steel bridges worth approximately P97.0 M across the Sanga-Sanga-Lapid-Lapid rapids in Bongao town, which, if completed, will spur economic growth as well as boost social transformation in the islands.


Such spots actually enhance the chances of survival of rare birds rather than in other open or populated habitats, a place where they are likely to be hunted, poached, captured, displaced from excessive logging and mining, and for reasons that tell the country’s culture of destruction and lack of awareness for the wildlife.  
Phase I and II of the project had been substantially completed while Phase III posted accomplishment now at 98.13 percent complete while construction works still continuing and expected to be finished by September this year. Construction started last June 10, 2010.


The Mindanao south, of which Tawi-Tawi and Sulu are a part, is host to many of the estimated 200 endemic birds in the country, more than a third out of its total 614 species, comparably bigger than other countries in Southeast Asia. The most famous of its birds is the Philippine Eagle, a magnificent bird that is one of the three largest eagles on earth. It is also known as the Monkey-Eating Eagle because of its hunting prowess. Others in the region include the Cinnamon Ibon, the Red-Eared Parrotfinch, the Black-Headed Tailorbird.  
Bridge Project Engr. Jul-Arab Kong of the DPWH-RO-9 said that by April of this year, President Benigno Aquino III is set to inaugurate and declare it open for public use.


But with the loss of habitat left unchecked, the Philippines has become the zone other migratory birds avoid, judging from the falling numbers of their species over the years – migrants from the Eurasian mainland and some from Siberia.  
Sec. Sadain, con-currently DPWH-President Bridge Program Director with an appointment as national Assistant Secretary, pointed out that after decades at attempting to construct the bridge projects, it is only now that we are to realize it.


Anna Gonzales, president of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, offered a striking theory as to why conflict areas are safer for the birds.  
The bridge project, one of the priorities of the national government would connect the Bongao capital town island to the other mainland island towns making accessible trade and commerce as well as allow the movements of people to travel by land, according to Sadain.


“Perhaps the armed rebels will not use their bullets on the birds,” she said. Offbeat as that may sound, it lends some reason as to why the treasures of the Philippine wildlife are forcing the best of the naturalist adventurers to take risks.  
Sec. Sadain also led the ocular assessment and inspection of Tubig Malum (Rio Hondo) in Sitio Malum, Barangay Magsaggaw, Panglima Sugala town about 6 kilometers  from the capital Barangay Bato-Bato to determine the possibility for implementation of the proposed water system as a potential source of potable water. The water system will be tapped and distributed to the entire main island of the province. The river which stretches downstream from barangay Marang-Marang (Languyan town) to Barangay Magsaggaw extending further through Barangay Kulapi towards the southern tip of Panglima Sugala municipality has sufficient volume of fresh water that could cater a growing population.


In many parts of the gun-happy country, it is common to shoot whatever moves, a predatory human predilection carried over from the colonial years and currently ingrained as a disturbing habit in regard to the life of the birds, other conservationists say. In schools, Filipinos were generally taught about the prominent wildlife elsewhere but not of their own. This and poverty have worsened the fate of the Philippine birds.  
Meanwhile, Gov. Sahali briefed Sec. Sadain about the proposal to undertake the project because it is a priority need of the people. The Governor said it’s high time that a viable and sustainable water works system harnessing the Malum River will address the perennial shortage of water supply in the island province Sahali, likewise emphasized his willingness to extend his local counterpart contribution to start with the project even as he toured the ARMM official to the site despite the difficulty in traversing the rugged road conditions and trails to reach the area.


The Philippine Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act calls for a state policy to guard the wildlife species and their habitats for ecological balance and biodiversity, but little of that has been shown in action. One example is the wetlands of Manila Bay, of which one part had been declared a conservation area for bird-watching and biodiversity until recently, when a ‘master plan’ to reclaim 600 hectares of the bay stretching to both north and south surfaced. Environmentalists, growing in small numbers, are hoping to stop it with protests.  
“We must do an actual assessment of the situation on the ground and know where to start,” Sadain emphasized even as he assured to work for its realization under PNoy’s administration.


There’s much more of the country’s 7,000 islands to see for birding, but it is largely a struggle for enthusiasts. It means going far and deep into the thickets of the forests, with birds fleeing and hiding out of sight in the open space for fear of being caught or hunted. At best birds frequently seen in the cities are the Eurasian Sparrows, commonly known as the ‘mice with wings’ that are garbage scavengers.  
Accompanied by DPWH officials and staff, Sadain took time out to conduct consultations with the seven district officials of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, who joined him in Tawi-Tawi for the holding of the First Joint Regional and District Conference held at the DPWH district office in Bongao town, where the DPWH-ARMM Reform Agenda 2012 was laid down as a policy guidelines of the ARMM leadership by fully implementing important milestone projects using available resources and funding.


Ornithologists say the Philippines remains ‘under-birded,’ meaning there is more potential to be studied, that birds like hornbills, woodpeckers, and others could be broken down into sub-species endemic to the country.  
Tawi-Tawi DPWH District Engr. Bensoud Ajihil, who played host to the conference vowed to continue to support the ARMM Secretary in fulfilling the reform agenda as mandated by doing its share in developing the southern frontier of the country.


“Has it been ingrained in the birds that the Philippines is a dangerous place?” asked Michael Lu, a businessman and founding member of the bird club. “You can go anywhere in this country and you will see habitat destruction.” He has plenty examples to cite, including a former paper mill zone where hunters and trespassers used to kill hornbills, filling up sacks with the dead to be consumed as food or sold in markets.
Sadain said that in support of the reform programs and good governance of ARMM, milestone targets has been set in place.


Criselda Yabes is a Philippine journalist and avid birdwatcher. She can be reached at cdyabes@yahoo.com.
He declared that DPWH-ARMM has attained remarkable achievements in the pursuit of reform for good governance, defining its new policies and programs in the field of administrative, technical and financial matters, in just almost 3 months since he assumed.


He said, the first 100 days accomplishments, for both physical and financial inclusive of the difficulties encountered, the impact of the programs and activities as reflected in the reports as well as recommendations has been submitted to the ARMM regional Governor.


Discussions also centered on all the accomplishments of the department and the sharing of information on the problems experienced with regards to project implementation and on how to address them.


Sadain is optimistic, with help from all stakeholders to include local government units, Barangays, the NGO’s and the members of the community; ARMM will be able to take off from its slumber under the present administration of Regional Gov. Hataman.


Sadain, who assumed last January 17, 2012 as DPWH cabinet secretary promised to institute changes not only from within the system but also develop a scheme to address on the deep-seated “culture of people” working habits in bringing the desired development for the ARMM.


Earlier, Saidain said that when he was appointed as the DPWH-ARMM secretary, he noticed that it's not only the system that need to be changed but also the culture of the people working on it especially the public officials particularly those under his supervision from what he described as, “from the culture of officials down to workers in the office” and the department's programming on project implementation solely focuses on local roads which were then gradually destroyed as of this period.


On national roads with a total of 1,100 kilometers, about 70 percent of the road was done adding that with the marching orders of the President to the newly appointed ARMM governor to cover the 100 percent National paved roads by next midterm elections, due to that the 70 percent of the national roads should be given right priority under the program of DPWH-ARMM.


Sadain added he is now in the midst of undertaking the needed reforms within his department to set the right example and provide the avenue for real change to take its course for the good of the ARMM constituents.


Part of the reform effort focuses on reviewing falsified documents on the appointments of employees while upholding civil service rulings in cleansing his department on the old ways of culture to professionalize the bureaucracy, according to Sadain.


Sec. Sadain claimed that President Aquino’s choice for OIC Regional Gov. Hataman is welcome as the latter is sincere and committed in delivering reform in the ARMM Region even as he expects everyone to support.


==Tawi-tawi Tourism==
The department also looks forward in developing some projects that would invite donor countries in the form of providing grants such as the USAID, Organization of Islamic Conference, JICA and others that extends assistance for member countries.
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/351357/basilan-agenda
*February 14, 2012, 5:57pm
:by Nonoy E. Lacson


Much earlier, Sec. Sadain has issued a memo to the two district engineering offices which compliments the first district of Maguindanao and the second district of Lanao del Sur for the maintenance of road clearing for the commuters to feel comfortable in their travel from Cotabato City up to Parang and Malabang all the way to Marawi City which stretch up to 70 kilometers long. The road signage's on the sharp curves, street markings and kilometer posts were planned to be placed along the roadsides.


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi — Local and foreign tourist arrivals here are continuing in the province and local traders in this capital town are continuing their trade despite the recent kidnapping incident that have shaken the province early this month. Gov. Sadikul Sahali said the provincial tourism department has recorded continued arrivals of local ad foreign tourists in this capital town despite the kidnapping of a Dutch and a Swiss wildlife photographers off the coast of Panglima Sugala in this province. Sahali said the kidnapping of Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 47, Swiss national, and Dutchman Ewold Horn, 52, did not affect so much the tourism industry of the province.
The department targets to cater about 80 percent of the budget focused on national roads and bridges and the balance will be considered by 2013. He further explained that he sub-divided their office programming, 80 percent of it for the national roads and 20 percent for the high-impact or strategic roads adding that these roads are those problematic roads on calamity or conflict affected areas.


While in Basilan, the secretary accompanied Governor Hataman to inaugurate the multi-million pesos worth of JICA-funded Integrated port Terminal in Lamitan City and inspected other infra projects.


In Sulu, Sadain, together with the regional governor and Sulu officials led the ground-breaking of Jolo-Taglibi-Tiptipun road network; inspection of the existing and on-going construction road projects; visit of the area equipment and the Sulu’s two engineering district offices; assessment of the proposed water and drainage systems in Jolo; and meeting with local officials led by Gov. Sakur Tan.


In the Secretary’s entourage were Maguindanao District Engineers Emran Buisan (Dist. 1), and Zainal Mlok (Dist. 2), Lanao District Engineers Tetinga Langit Sumagayan (Dist. 1) and Maldamin Decampong (Dist. 2), Sulu D.E. Taballang Atluh (Dist. 1) and Barlie Nahudan (Dist. 2), Basilan D.E. Bensali Kasim and Tawi-Tawi D.E. Bensoud Ajihil.


==Simunul Mayor ousted==
*Source: http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/9462-simunul-mayor-ousted.html
*Thursday, 12 April 2012 11:43
:by  Press Release




Nazif Ahmad B. Abdurahman, the mayor of Simunul, a fourth class and one of the 11 municipalities in Tawi-Tawi, has been ousted from office.
This came about as Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 5 Acting Presiding Judge Peter V. Eisma of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, has issued a five-page Special Order dated April 2, 2012 granting the “motion for execution” of its February 10, 2012 order that “annulled and set aside” Abdurahman's proclamation and declared Benzar N. Tambut as the duly elected mayor of Simunul municipality, Province of Tawi-Tawi.


“Wherefore, judgment is hereby rendered, finding the protestant Benzar N. Tambut as the duly elected Municipal Mayor of the Municipality of Simunul, Province of Tawi-Tawi. The proclamation of the protestee Nazif Ahmad B. Abdurahman as Municipal Mayor of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi in the last May 10, 2012 elections is hereby ANNULED and SET ASIDE,” the Court stated in its February 10, 2012 decision. 


The Court issued the order after Tambut, assisted by election lawyer Quirino Esguerra, Jr., has protested Abdurahman's proclamation citing various irregularities allegedly conducted and/or perpetrated by Abdurahman and/or his followers and cohorts during the conduct of the automated national and local elections on May 10, 2010.


Tambut has contested and impugned the results of six of the total 20 clustered precincts for the mayoralty position.
Earlier, Abdurahman was proclaimed as the winner in the mayoralty race having garnered the highest votes casted and canvassed during the May 10, 2010 election with a total of 2,955 votes as compared to Tambut who obtained 2,386 votes, the second highest ranking in the race of six aspirants for mayor.


==Kidnapping no effect on tourism==
However, the Court, after the revision and judicial appreciation of ballots, has annulled and set aside Aburahman's proclamation since it found out that Tambut garnered 2,329 votes while Abdurahman garnered a total of 1,933 votes or with a difference of 396 votes.
*Source: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2012/kidnapping-no-effect-on-tourism/#.TzjT906PXJc
*Feb 13th, 2012
:by  JUN RAMIREZ


The Court in its April 2, 2012 decision has cited “public interest” in granting the “motion for execution” filed by Tambut and Esguerra, his legal counsel.


“Public interest involved is beyond doubt that warrants the execution of the decision of this court pending appeal when this court established the true and genuine expression of the will of the electorate of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, thereby establishing protestant's right to the contested office by declaring him undoubtedly the true and genuine winner with a plurality of Three Hundred Ninety Six (396) votes as manifestly established in the decision promulgated by this Court on February 10, 2012,” the Court said.


Manila, Philippines – The recent abduction of two foreigners in Tawi-Tawi hardly affected the influx of foreign tourists into the country.
“Public interest demands the immediate execution of the decision of the court and to rule against the execution pending appeal is greatly prejudicial to the constituents of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi whose true and genuine winner has been judicially determined by this court,” the Court added.  
According to statistics from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), a total of 83,367 foreigners and Balikbayans arrived in the country from Feb. 2 to Feb. 5, a few days after bandits kidnapped Swiss nationals Lorenzo Vinciguerra and Ewold Horn in Tawi-Tawi.
BI statistics also showed that a total of 19,505 foreigners and Balikbayans arrived at the Ninoy Aquino Interrnational Airport during the four-day period.
On a nationwide scale, the statistics showed that 11,980 Koreans, 9,355 Americans and 5,116 Japanese arrived in the country in the same period.
Chinese nationals are next in the list, followed by Australians, Canadians, Taiwanese, and Malaysians.
BI officials said the statistics prove that there is a continuing influx of foreigners and Balikbayans into the country despite the string of negative travel advisories from Western countries.
They said an average of 10,000 tourists arrived at daily at the NAIA, the country’s premiere port.
Department of Tourism (DoT) officials also downplayed the effect of the advisories, citing the 3.9 million tourists who arrived in the country last year compared to the 3.7 million who came in 2010.




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==5,000 comb Tawi-Tawi in search of kidnapped Europeans==
==Court unseats Tawi-Tawi municipal mayor==
*http://globalnation.inquirer.net/25581/5000-comb-tawi-tawi-in-search-of-kidnapped-europeans
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2012/04/11/court-unseats-tawi-tawi-municipal-mayor-215763
*1:47 pm | Saturday, February 11th, 2012
*Wednesday, April 11, 2012
by: Julie S. Alipala
:by  Bong Garcia
Inquirer Mindanao
 
 
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Some 5,000 people from security forces and volunteers are now combing the western part of Tawi-Tawi in search of the two European birdwatchers abducted by unidentified gunmen on February 1 as their governments are increasingly worried about their safety, a top provincial official said.
“We have more than 3,000 hectares of forest here and the mission of that team is to make sure every part is inspected,” Governor Sadikul Sahali told the Inquirer by telephone on Friday.
The province is made up of 300 islands, the major ones of which include Tawi-Tawi, Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, Simunul and Sibutu.
Sahali said the authorities were trying their best to locate Dutchman Ewold Horn and Swiss Lorenzo Vinciguerra, and it was hoped that the deployment of more security forces and volunteers would yield positive results.
Horn, Vinciguerra and Filipino birdwatcher Ivan Sarenas were returning to Bongao, the provincial capital, from a 14-day sojourn in the municipality of Panglima Sugala on the biggest island in the Tawi-Tawi group when they were abducted at sea.
Their escorts, a policeman and a local official, were allowed to leave, along with the boat operator. Sarenas managed to escape by jumping overboard later that night and swam in the darkness toward another island where he was aided by fishermen.
“We are hoping there would be positive news in the coming days,” Sahali said.
He admitted that authorities in Bern and The Hague, the Swiss and Dutch capitals, respectively, were closely watching the developments in the search and rescue operations.
He said officials from the Dutch and the Swiss embassies in Manila have been frequently contacting him for updates.
“They keep on calling me every day; they want to know the progress of our efforts, they are very much worried over the safety of the two victims,” Sahali said.
Acting Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said also that European diplomats were in close contact with him.
He said he would always tell them that the efforts were continuing and that the victims have not been sighted so far.
Sahali said they believed that the kidnappers and the victims have not gotten out of Tawi-Tawi yet.
He said had they done so, the kidnappers would have made contact  by this time.
“Probably, they would have made known their demand by now,” Sahali said.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==MNLF linked to abduction of 2 foreigners==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/11/12/mnlf-linked-abduction-2-foreigners
*02/12/2012 12:22 AM | Updated as of 02/12/2012 12:22 AM
:by Honor Blanco Cabie
 
 
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines – Police said they identified a group of young members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as possible suspects in the abduction of two Europeans in Tawi-Tawi more than a week ago.
Police Director Felicisimo Khu, Jr., director of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO), said there are indications that Ewold Horn and Lorenzo Vinciguerra were taken by third generation members of the MNLF in Tawi-Tawi.
Khu said a possible motive is jealousy among the locals. "These foreign birdwatchers when they go to the area, hire locals to serve as their guides and security." Khu said. "One group was denied."
Khu said they are giving the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi time to negotiate with the abductors, who are said to be still hiding in Panglima Sugala town. "Governor Sahali is sending an emissary," Khu revealed.
The police officer also showed to the news team a copy of the email sent by a certain Mustapha Muallam, using Ivan Sarenas' hacked email address, to the group of birdwatchers, where Sarenas is a member.
Muallam, who identified himself as one of the abductors, demanded for the pull-out of police and military operatives in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. "But when he was asked to present proof of life of the victims, he was not able to comply."
Khu believes Muallam is "someone who is merely trying to confuse things."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Tawi Tawi, on the world’s biggest coral triangle in PHL’s far south, sinking? (Feature)==
*Source: http://bayanihan.org/2012/02/10/tawi-tawi-on-the-worlds-biggest-coral-triangle-in-phls-far-south-sinking-feature/
*FEBRUARY 10, 2012
:by  Honor Blanco Cabie
 
 
 
MANILA, Feb. 9 -– Leaders of the Philippines’ most southern province of Tawi Tawi have raised an urgent call, which sent disturbing ripples nationwide, on climate change watchers and environmentalists.
 
 
The call, in the form of a plea, has been addressed to those who have the political will to save the island World, at the southwestern tip of the country, which has splashes of white sandy beaches and rock-bound coasts.
 
Not many know that Tawi Tawi, which has 107 islands and islets, sits at the center of the world’s biggest coral triangle. It shares the same seas with disaster-prone states Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomons and Timor Leste.
 
The area comprises the South Base of the world’s biggest enclave of marine life representing only two per cent of the world’s ocean but contains 76 per cent of the world’s marine biodiversity.
 
Most of the people in Tawi-Tawi belong to the Sama cultural group, which has sub-groups and named based on the location of the speaker: Sama Sibutu from the Sibutu-Sitangkai Island Group, Sama Simunul from Simunul-Manuk Mangkaw Island Group.
 
The Jama Mapun are largely found in the Cagayan Mapun and Turtle Island Group. Many of the people from the Turtle Islands and Cagayan Mapun maintain daily commerce with Sabah, since it is only 14 kms away.
 
The Badjao (also called "Sama Dilaut") are widely dispersed across the country’s southernmost province. It has been observed the Badjao population is diminishing due to diseases and migration to other areas in the Philippines as well as neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia.
 
There is little wonder that recently Rep. Nur Jaafar filed House Resolution 1919 which underlines the need to set up Tawi Tawi and its sinking islands and islets as a National Laboratory with Climate Change Commission.
 
The Resolution identifies the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as lead agencies to undertake systematic monitoring of appropriate parameters.
 
The parameters must be raised with the use of scientific equipment for continued vulnerability assessment and piloting of mitigation and adaptation measures.
 
This is, as Rep. Jaafar said in his privileged speech, to check the Philippines “from becoming the next South Pacific archipelagic state to submerge and render its people refugees … not to be in the same fate as the sinking of Carteret Islands, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu.
 
Filipinos have taken pride in the fact that Turtle Islands in Tawi Tawi is one of only 16 birth homes of the Green Sea Turtles in the world.
 
But with the obvious sinking of the smaller islands with high tides reaching even the plateau that hides the nests, experts are concerned there may be little chance for the turtles to hatch which would result in the dwindling of the already endangered species.
 
Leakage from container vessels and the resulting dumping of toxic waste also pose serious pollution threats to marine biodiversity in Tawi Tawi.
 
This is similar to the danger level of dying reefs as coastlines recede and warming oceans initiate dreaded diseases in fishes as well as fish mutants.
 
Migratory paths of large pelagic fishes would change as they look for cooler waters. This broadens the migratory path and eats up the smaller fishes.
 
While Tawi Tawi has been known to be the seaweeds capital of the Philippines, 10,000 families producing 75 per cent of raw harvests of the country’s carageenan exports may face bleak prospects.
 
Tawi Tawi also takes pride as being the land below the wind. But that may not be for long since storm surges have destroyed houses and left thousands of people homeless.
 
There have been storm surges that reduced stilt houses to matchsticks, according to Rep. Jaafar. This means serious repercussions on the already diminished ancestral domain of the Sama, Tausug, Jama Mapun and Badjao tribes.
 
Jaafar asks, rather pointedly: “Where else could they seek refuge as the sea rises to claim their homes without destroying their traditions and livelihood as seafarers who live close to the sea on stilts?”
 
What climate change means is that the 307 islands and islets in Tawi Tawi may dwindle and shrink, making the stilt houses unable to survive the sudden rise of the sea.
 
Climate change observers say Rep. Jaafar is on track in calling for action now, not tomorrow.
 
According to them, it would be very pathetic indeed if Tawi Tawi, home to almost 500,000 people and an enviable wealth of flora and fauna, would be allowed to sink because there are other concerns, definitely less in urgency, high in the priority list of the authorities. (PNA)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Kidnapped birdwatchers still kept in Tawi-Tawi==
*Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/16751-kidnapped-birdwatchers-still-kept-in-tawi-tawi
*Thursday, February 09, 2012
:by  AL JACINTO
 
 
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Authorities said gunmen are still holding an abducted Dutch and a Swiss wildlife photographers in Tawi-Tawi.
 
Authorities said Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, of Switzerland, are still being held in captivity in one of dozens of islands in the Muslim province.
 
Five gunmen seized the two photographers along with a Filipino guide, Ivan Sadinas, 35, who managed to escape from the gang in the town of Panglima Sugala. Police said the foreigners, who arrived in the province late last month, were taking photographs of wild birds when gunmen seized them.
 
There were unconfirmed reports that the duo was brought to Sulu province and that another report claimed one of the hostages was rescued or freed. Police and military denied the reports.
 
The military’s Western Min-danao Command branded the report as ‘disinformation.’ There was no truth to that report that one of the victims was rescued or freed. It was a disinformation,” said Army Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a regional military spokesman.


Police in Tawi-Tawi also denied the report.


“They are still here in Tawi-Tawi and the operation is continuing and wanted this problem resolve as soon as possible,” said Senior Superintendent Rodelio Jocson, the provincial police chief.
A REGIONAL trial court has unseated Nazif Ahmad B. Abdurahman as the mayor of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi province.


He said a local gang is holding Horn and Vinciguerre. “They were abducted by locals and not the Abu Sayyaf,” he said when asked by reporters if the al-Qaeda-linked terror group was behind the abduction.
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 5 acting presiding judge Peter V. Eisma of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, has issued a five-page special order dated April 2, 2012 granting the motion for execution of its February 10, 2012 order that annulled and set aside Abdurahman's proclamation.


Jocson, accompanied by police commandos, launched a rescue operation on Tuesday, but returned empty handed later in the night. “We just came down from the mountain and there were no traces of the hostages,” he said.
The court declared Benzar N. Tambut as the duly elected mayor of Simunul municipality.


The court issued the order after Tambut, assisted by election lawyer Quirino Esguerra Jr., has protested Abdurahman's proclamation.


Tambut’s camp cited various irregularities allegedly conducted by Abdurahman or his followers and cohorts during the conduct of the automated national and local elections on May 10, 2010.


Tambut has contested the results of six of the total 20 clustered precincts for the mayoralty position.


Earlier, Abdurahman was proclaimed as the winner in the mayoralty race having garnered the highest votes casted and canvassed with a total of 2,955 votes as compared to Tambut who obtained 2,386 votes, the second highest ranking in the race of six mayoral aspirants.


The court has annulled and set aside Aburahman's proclamation after it found out after the revision and judicial appreciation of ballots that Tambut garnered 2,329 votes while Abdurahman garnered a total of 1,933 votes or with a difference of 396 votes.


The court in its April 2, 2012 decision has cited public interest in granting the motion for execution filed by Tambut and Esguerra.


“Public interest involved is beyond doubt that warrants the execution of the decision of this court pending appeal when this court established the true and genuine expression of the will of the electorate of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, thereby establishing protestant's right to the contested office by declaring him undoubtedly the true and genuine winner…,” the court said.


Simunul, which comprises of 15 villages, is a 4th class and one of the 11 municipalities of Tawi-Tawi.


Simunul has a population 31,962 people in 4,910 households based on the 2000 census of the National Statistics Office.


==Abducted Dutch, Swiss photographers still in Tawi-Tawi province==
==DENR-ARMM pursues greening program==
*Source: http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20120208050824
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1521334025588
*Wednesday, February 08, 2012 06:08:24 PM
*Tuesday 10th of April 2012
:by   Ely Dumaboc
:by (EOR/APB-PIA 10)




Police released to the Mindanao Examiner photos of abducted Dutch and a Swiss wildlife photogaphers Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland, and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, of Switzerland. The duo was taken by gunmen on February 1, 2012 in the town of Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi province in the southern Philippines. (Ely Dumaboc)
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) is engaging in a massive region-wide reforestation under the National Greening Program (NGP).


ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 8, 2012) – Philippine authorities said gunmen are still holding an abducted Dutch and a Swiss wildlife photographers in the remote southern province of Tawi-Tawi.
“We are vigorously pursuing the implementation of the NGP which seeks to address poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation,” said DENR-ARMM Secretary Kahal Kedtag during the 1st ARMM Summit on Environmental Protection held here recently.  


Authorities said Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, of Switzerland, are still being held in captivity in one of dozens of islands in the Muslim province.
He said the DENR-ARMM is set to produce 5,296,500 seedlings for the 2011-2012 implementation of the program.  


Five gunmen seized the two photographers along with a Filipino guide, Ivan Sadinas, 35, who managed to escape from the gang in the town of Panglima Sugala. Police said the foreigners, who arrived in the province late last month, were taking photographs of wild birds when gunmen seized them.
According to him, these seedlings will be planted in 2,500 hectares of denuded and open forestland within the region’s five provinces, namely Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.  


There were unconfirmed reports that the duo was brought to Sulu province and that another report claimed one of the hostages was rescued or freed. Police and military denied the reports.
It can be recalled that DENR Secretary Ramon Paje and ARMM OIC-Governor Mujiv Hataman inked an agreement earlier this year to ensure the full implementation of the NGP in the region.  


The military’s Western Mindanao Command branded the report as ‘disinformation.’ There was no truth to that report that one of the victims was rescued or freed. It was a disinformation,” Army Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a regional military spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.
A flagship program of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the greening program involves the growing of 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of lands nationwide from 2011 to 2016.


Police in Tawi-Tawi also denied the report.
==ARMMAA 2012 reels off==
 
*Source: http://www.tawitawi.net/armmaa-2012-reels-off/
“They are still here in Tawi-Tawi and the operation is continuing and wanted this problem resolve as soon as possible,” Senior Superintendent Rodelio Jocson, the provincial police chief, said in a separate interview.
*APRIL 8, 2012
 
He said a local gang is holding Horn and Vinciguerre. “They were abducted by locals and not the Abu Sayyaf,” he said when asked by reporters if the al-Qaeda-linked terror group was behind the abduction.
 
Jocson, accompanied by police commandos, launched a rescue operation on Tuesday, but returned empty handed later in the night. “We just came down from the mountain and there were no traces of the hostages,” he said.
 
Manila condemned the abduction of the foreigners and ordered authorities to resolve the crisis immediately.
 
The Aquino government also urged foreign tourists to coordinate with their own embassies regarding advisories on conditions that may affect their travel and other arrangements while visiting the Philippines.
 
“We condemn the abduction; and the national and local governments, as well as all agencies concerned, are working to ensure the resolution of the situation, the recovery and release of the men who remain in the hands of their captors, and the bringing to justice of the lawless elements involved,” said Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte.
 
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the abduction, but Abu Sayyaf militants are known to operate in the province where they kidnapped a Malaysian fish trader Pang Choon Pong in October last year and is still being held in captivity.
 
Abu Sayyaf militants also kidnapped two Malaysian seaweed farm workers Vui Chung, 42, and his cousin Lai Wing Chau, 33, in Tawi-Tawi in February 2010 and were freed later in the same year after their families paid some 2 million ringgits.
 
The group tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya had also kidnapped 21 mostly Western holidaymakers in Sabah’s resort island of Sipadan in 2001 and brought them by boat to the southern Philippines. The hostages were then ransomed off to Malaysia and Libya - which negotiated for their release - for millions of dollars.
 
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding two Malaysians, a Japanese man, an Indian national married to a Filipina, an Australian citizen and three Filipinos in the restive southern region.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==European tourists' abductors remain unknown==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2012/02/07/european-tourists-abductors-remain-unknown-204746
*Tuesday, February 7, 2012
:by  Bong Garcia
:by  Bong Garcia




LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — The 2012 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (ARMMAA) meet kicked off Saturday with officials encouraging the athletes “to aim for the best.”


THE government authorities are still clueless who were behind the abduction of two European tourists in Tawi-Tawi, as the search to locate the hostages' whereabouts entered on its fifth day Monday.
The week-long athletic competition is being participated by some 6,000 athletes composed of 12 athletic delegations coming from the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.
 
The hostages, Ewold Horn, 52, of Holland and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, of Switzerland were seized by five gunmen together with Filipino guide Ivan Sarenas, 35, last February 1.
 
The tourists were taking photographs of rare bird species off shore Parangan village, Panglima Sugala town, Tawi-Tawi when the gunmen aboard a twin-engine motorized banca arrived and seized them at gunpoint.
 
Sarenas managed to escape hours later as he jumped from the banca while the gunmen were transporting them.
 
Tawi-Tawi police director Senior Superintendent Rodelio Jocson said no one has called nor made demands in exchange for the release of the European tourists.
 
Meanwhile, Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali said they tapped the assistance of all sectors to help them locate the victims.
 
Sahali said he also tapped the assistance of Moro National Liberation Front members in the province.
 
Jocson said the Naval Forces Western Mindanao command has deployed three gunboats around the area where the search is focused.
 
Jocson added that the twin-engine motorized banca used by the suspects were recovered in the shore of Languyan town.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==DOT weighs in on abducted European tourists, says "The Tawi-Tawi incident could have been avoided had the visitors taken necessary precautions"==
*Source: http://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/50407/dot-weighs-in-on-abducted-european-tourists-says-the-tawi-tawi-incident-is-considered-unfortunate-and-could-have-been-avoided-had-the-visitors-taken-necessary-precautions
*Feb 6, 2012 - 5:00am
:by spot.ph
 
 
 
Interaksyon.com reports that in a press statement issued late Friday (February 3), the Department of Tourism (DOT) stressed: "The issuance of travel advisories is part of the regular functions of embassies in line with ensuring the safety and security of their citizens in a foreign country. For the Philippines, advice against travel to some parts of Mindanao has been constant and common."
According to the report, the DOT also added: "The Tawi-Tawi incident is considered unfortunate and could have been avoided had the visitors taken necessary precautions many European tourists usually take in heed of these advisories."
The "Tawi-Tawi incident" cited in the DOT statement refers to the case of kidnap victims as Elwold Horn, 52, of Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 47, of Switzerland.They were abducted by "unidentified elements" on February 1, "while riding a boat back to the capital of Bongao, after a bird-watching trip."
According to the report, "the DOT expressed confidence that tourists would continue to flock to the country despite a new travel advisory issued by the United Kingdom."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Philippines: No ransom demand yet for 2 Europeans==
*Source: http://asiancorrespondent.com/75297/philippines-no-ransom-demand-yet-for-2-europeans/
*Feb 05, 2012 3:08AM UTC
:by AP News
 
 
 
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Police said Friday that local thugs, not al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants, were likely to have abducted two European tourists this week in the southern Philippines.
 
Police Director Felicisimo Khu said the kidnappers had not contacted authorities or made any ransom demand.
 
Ewold Horn of the Netherlands, Lorenzo Vinciguerra of Switzerland and their Filipino guide, Ivan Sarenas, were abducted Wednesday during a bird-watching trip to Tawi-Tawi, the Philippines’ southernmost province. They were the latest kidnap victims in an impoverished region infested with al-Qaida-linked militants and criminal gangs that often seek ransom for their foreign hostages.
 
Sarenas escaped hours later by jumping off their captors’ boat after he saw some fishermen, who rescued him.
 
Khu said he doubts the gunmen were Abu Sayyaf members because there is no known Abu Sayyaf presence in the province. But Tawi-Tawi is home to rebels from the Moro National Liberation Front, which signed a peace pact with the government in 1996.
 
“There are no indications that they are Abu Sayyaf,” Khu said in a telephone interview, adding that the abductors were likely local thugs.
 
He said the kidnappers freed unharmed an unarmed policeman, a town councilor and a boat skipper who were accompanying the bird watchers, and did not shoot Sarenas when he jumped out of the boat to make his escape — uncharacteristic of the brutal Abu Sayyaf militants, who are notorious for kidnappings and beheadings.
 
The abductors also appeared to be have bungled in failing to take Vinciguerra’s bag, which contained more than $1,000 worth of foreign currencies, and Sarenas’ bag, which had expensive cameras.
 
Police recovered the belongings from the motorized outrigger from which the victims were seized.
 
Sarenas said the victims were transferred to another boat, then a third boat. He said he escaped when he realized the boat was speeding toward Jolo island, a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf.
 
But Khu said that the boat was small and that there was no extra fuel on board for the 12-hour trip to Jolo.
 
Police said the kidnappers landed in Tawi-Tawi’s Languyan township and burned their boat in a bid to hide its owner.
 
Sarenas said he, Horn and Vinciguerra arrived in Tawi-Tawi on Sunday in search of the Sulu hornbill, said to be the most endangered hornbill in the world.
 
Tawi-Tawi is famed for virgin beaches surrounded by crystal blue waters. But like most areas in the restive southern Philippines, it is undeveloped because of years of violence, including ransom kidnappings, bomb attacks and fighting between troops and Muslim rebels.
 
After spending three days in a mountain forest, the three were heading back to the provincial capital of Bongao by boat Wednesday when five rifle-toting gunmen on another boat fired warning shots and intercepted them, Sarenas said.
 
Muslim insurgents have been fighting for minority self-rule in the predominantly Christian nation’s south, and the Abu Sayyaf is the most violent group. The militants have been holding an Australian man abducted in December, as well as a Japanese and a Malaysian.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Abductions in Mindanao seen to derail Philippine tourism campaign==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=774357&publicationSubCategoryId=200
*February 04, 2012 03:02 PM
:by philstar.com
 
 
 
MANILA, (Xinhua) -- The recent abduction of two Europeans in the island-province of Tawi-Tawi in the southernmost tip of the Philippines and the continued terrorist threat in Mindanao could derail the government's ambitious plan to make the Philippines a top tourist destination in Asia.
 
After a spike in tourist arrivals last year, the Philippine government is now crafting a long-range program that would make tourism a major engine in the country's economic growth. 
 
For the first nine months of 2011, visitor arrivals increased by 12 percent to 3.7 million, with South Korea being the country's largest tourism market, followed by the United States, Japan, China and Australia.
 
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said that the Department of Tourism (DOT) is now finalizing the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) that aims to attract 10 million foreign visitors to the country by 2016. The DOT hopes to increase tourist arrivals this year to 4.2 million.
 
Last year, Malaysia had 32 million tourists while Thailand had 14 million visitors.
 
The abduction on Feb. 1 of Elwold Horn, a 52- year old Dutch, and Lorenzo Vinciguerra, a 47-year old Swiss, in Parangan, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi province by armed men, however, could throw a monkey wrench in the government's grandiose tourism plans.
 
The two foreigners, reportedly wildlife photographers, were seized while on board a pump boat along with a certain Ivan Sarenas, a local guide, who was able to escape.
 
The kidnapping, which has remained unresolved four days after it happened, has prompted the British embassy in Manila to reissue a travel advisory for its citizens.
 
"We advise against all travel to southwest Mindanao covering the following areas: Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which includes Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) plus the provinces of Sarangani, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay," the embassy travel advisory says.
 
The embassy also advised against "all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao because of ongoing terrorist activity." It said there have been a number of attacks against civilian targets in several areas in Mindanao since November 2011 that included at least 10 bombing incidents in North Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sulu, Sultan Kudarat, and Zamboanga killing a total of eight people and wounding of 66 others.
 
In 2011, some 130,000 British tourists visited the Philippines.
 
Aside from the Feb. 1 kidnapping of the two Europeans in Tawi- Tawi, an Australian citizen was also kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibubay on Dec. 5, 2011. On July 12, 2011 two American citizens and a Filipino were also kidnapped from a resort on the island of Tictabon near Zamboanga City.
 
The embassies of the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada have also issued similar advisories to their citizens.
 
Earlier, the Philippines strongly urged members of the United Nations Security Council to take a "balanced" approach in the international campaign against terrorism and called on governments to "exercise due care and diligence" in issuing travel advisories.
 
The call, issued during the Security Council meeting in November, said a balance must also be achieved in the issuance of travel advisories, particularly those that relate to "possible terrorist attacks."
 
"While the Philippines recognized the responsibility of states to protect their citizens, Manila believed that governments must exercise due care and diligence in issuing travel advisories," the government said.
 
Meanwhile, Malacanang, the seat of the Philippine government, has tried to reassure foreign embassies on the latest kidnapping incident. 
 
"We condemn the abduction, and the national and local governments, as well as all agencies concerned, are working to ensure the resolution of the situation, the recovery and release of the men who remain in the hands of their captors, and the bringing to justice of the lawless elements involved," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
 
Valte urged foreign tourists to check with the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as their own embassies, regarding advisories on conditions that may affect their travel and other arrangements while visiting the Philippines.
 
The military has suspected rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to be behind the abduction of the two European tourists.
 
"There was information that rogue elements of the MNLF were involved. But we are verifying the reports," said Armed Forces chief of staff Jessie Dellosa.
 
Dellosa said government troops and the police have intensified the pursuit operation to locate the victims and their abductors in an area of Tawi-Tawi.
 
But Dellosa also cited the possibility that the kidnappers might have escaped to nearby Sulu province where military forces have launched intensified operations following the air strike that reportedly killed 15 top-ranking Islamic terrorists with links to Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).
 
According to the military, among those killed in the air strike in Parang, Sulu last Thursday were three of the most wanted terrorist leaders: Malaysian Zulfikli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, a top JI leader; Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail alias Doc Abu; and Singaporean JI leader Abdullah Ali alias Mauwiya.
 
 
 
 


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The largest athletic contingent is from the province of Tawi-Tawi.


“Aim high and aim for the best,” Armm officer-in-charge Governor Mujiv Hataman told the athletes.


Hataman encouraged the athletes to set a goal not just in participating in the 2012 ARMMAA but to be able to reach to the Palarong Pambansa and possibly in the Olympics.


==British nationals warned: Don’t go to Mindanao==
Hataman also enjoined them to be instruments of peace as this year’s sports competition is themed: “Bridging Peace, Unity and Development through Sports.”
*Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/23162-british-nationals-warned-dont-go-to-mindanao
*Friday, February 03, 2012
:by Jun Pisco


“Let sportsmanship and discipline be the order of the day,” Basilan Congressman Jim Salliman, the elder brother of Hataman, told the athletes.


Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay said the hosting of the ARMMAA 2012 gives them the opportunity to showcase the best of the city especially in the field of tourism.


THE British Embassy in Manila yesterday issued a travel advisory warning its nationals about the threat of kidnapping in southern Philippines.
“We may not provide you excellent facilities but we will offset it with warm hospitality,” Furigay said.


This, following the abduction of two European tourists along with their Filipino guide in Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday.
Lamitan City has pristine beaches and beautiful falls like the Bulingan Falls.


The embassy cited in its travel advice the February 1 kidnapping of the two foreign nationals from Parangan in the township of Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi island province and the abduction of an Australian citizen in Zamboanga Sibugay on December 5.
Furigay has thanked Hataman and Salliman for their full support to the City Government in the hosting of ARMMAA 2012.


“There is also a threat from kidnapping in the Philippines particularly in the southern Philippines. Kidnapping could occur anywhere, including on coastal and island resorts and on dive boats and sites in the Sulu Sea. Foreigners have been targeted in rural, urban and coastal areas in the past,” according to the travel advice.
The holding of this year’s ARMMAA is the second time this city played hosts.


Abducted were Dutch Ewold Horn and Swiss Lorenzo Vinziguerre, who were snatched with their guide by an armed group in the country’s southernmost Tawi-Tawi island province.
The first time Lamitan played hosts to ARMMAA was in 2005 when it was still a municipality.


The Dutch Embassy in Manila confirmed the kidnapping and said it was working on the case.
==Remote Villages Get Health Care==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/356292/remote-villages-get-health-care
*April 4, 2012, 4:52pm
:by ALI G. MACABALANG


The military said there were reports that the Swiss and Dutch tourists were wildlife photographers.


British nationals, thus, are advised against all travel to south-west Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of on-going terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups.
COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Remote villages in the once scary Maguindanao province and the southernmost tips of Tawi-Tawi islands are now receiving health services and medical care which rural folks had longed for decades.
Reports about the trend-setting outreach services surfaced at the education and health summit conducted here recently.
Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., incumbent health secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), told summit participants that more than 2,000 “deprived people” of Tawi-Tawi received medical attention and health services in a week-long (March 18-25) caravan on the island towns of Sapa-Sapa and Languyan.
The “geographically disadvantaged” villagers of the two island towns received various “medical-surgical-safe motherhood outreach” services never done in one setting before, Sinolinding said in his presentation backed by statistics and photos.
“Braving the scorching heat of the sun and the staggering hours of travel by sea, we once touched hearts and brought vision and hope among more than 2,000 people in Languyan and Sapapa island towns,” said the ARMM health official cum expert ophthalmologist.


There have been a number of attacks against civilian targets. Since November 2011, there have been at least 10 bombing incidents in North Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sulu, Sultan Kudarat and Zamboanga, killing a total of eight people and leaving 66 others wounded.
==Philippines says it is now ready to sign peace deal with Muslim rebels==
*Source: http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20120402065814
*Monday, April 02, 2012 06:58:14 PM
:by  (Mindanao Examiner)




COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 2, 2012) – The Philippines said it is ready to sign a peace agreement with Muslim rebels fighting for self-determination in the restive South. The statement came ahead of peace talks set to begin this month in Kuala Lumpur.


The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said peace negotiations are going nowhere after Manila rejected the rebel demand for a Muslim sub-state in Mindanao similar to Malaysia, which is brokering the talks.


“Government maintains that it is ready to sign a peace pact with the MILF in the soonest possible time. We have laid a very pragmatic proposal that will ensure real and genuine autonomy for the Bangsamoro on the table,” Marvic Leonen, chief government peace negotiators, said on Monday.


He said the last round of talks with the MILF in Marc have been very difficult, with both parties engaged in hard bargaining on the substantive aspects of the negotiations.


“Given the dynamic nature of the negotiations, it has to be understood that there are issues that may be hard to resolve. However, government is committed to work hard with its counterparts in the MILF to find mutually acceptable solutions and bring peace in Mindanao. Instead of trying to fuel people's apprehensions, we urge the MILF to work with government and meet our timetable for a peace agreement this year,” Leonen said.


The MILF said it will not sign any peace deal unless the Aquino government agreed on the creation of Muslim sub-state. “We cannot backtrack on our demand because it the will of the Bangsamoro people,” said Mohagher Iqbal, the chief MILF peace negotiator.


He said the MILF is unlikely to sign any peace accord anytime soon, saying, the government is not committed to forging a genuine and long and lasting solution in Mindanao.


The MILF said Manila has offered the five-province Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao which is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao provinces.


==2 wildlife photographers kidnapped in Tawi-Tawi==
“We will stick with our demand for a Muslim sub-state in Mindanao and nothing more,” Iqbal said.
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/01/12/2-wildlife-photographers-kidnapped-tawi-tawi
*02/01/2012 8:14 PM | Updated as of 02/01/2012 8:53 PM
:by  ABS-CBNnews.com


The Aquino government has proposed the so-called “3-for-1” formula to achieve political settlement of conflict in Mindanao.


MANILA, Philippines – Two foreigners and their Filipino guide were kidnapped in Panglima Sugala town in Tawi-Tawi Tuesday afternoon, a military official said.
Among in the proposal is a roadmap for development and socio-economic rehabilitation in the Mindanao through the creation of the Joint Coordinating Committee on Development in which the Philippines offered partnership with the MILF in identifying and implementing socio-economic projects.  


Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Philippine National Police (ARMM-PNP) regional director Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag identified the kidnapped victims as Elwold Horn from Holland, Lorenzo Vinciguerra from Switzerland and Ivan Sarenas from Davao City.
And peace accord through the creation of the Bangsamoro Commission that will be composed of representatives from the government, the MILF, and stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process and to re-craft an Organic Act for “genuine autonomy” and supervise the implementation of the peace pact.


Latag said 5 suspects armed with M-203, two M-16 rifles and two .45 caliber pistols aboard a pump boat abducted the victims at Sitio Luuk, Barangay Parangan, Panglima Sugala town.
And lastly is for the government to acknowledge the historical injustice of conflict and reconciliation wherein it is willing to officially retell the real history of Mindanao.  


Tawi-Tawi Vice Governor Ruby Sahali said the municipal councilor of Panglima Sugala, Nestor Cabaluas, was also kidnapped but was able to escape.
Ghazali Jaafar, the MILF vice chairman for political affairs, also expressed pessimism about the peace talks with the Aquino government, saying negotiations have been going on for a long time now, but nothing concrete has been achieved, except for the cease-fire agreement.


Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City, said soldiers have already been dispatched to rescue the kidnapped victims.
“We are very doubtful now whether we can sign a peace deal with government under this present administration,” he said following a recent caucus with senior MILF leaders in the South.


“Accordingly, the foreign nationals, together with Nestor Cabaluas, went at said place when the group, armed with M-16 rifles and caliber .45 pistols, grabbed the victims and dragged them to the shorelines where the watercraft was waiting while Cabaluas escaped,” said Cabangbang.
“The assessment of the political officers was the recently concluded peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Malaysia was very disappointing. What the government peace panel headed by Marvic Leonen did in the last talks was never our immediate expectation which is the reason why we are very much disappointed,” Jaafar said.


“After said abduction, the abductors fled towards Barangay Lambog, Panglima Sugala, same province. So far, this is the only information we received,” added Cabangbang.
==Damaged luxury cruise towed to port in Tawi-Tawi==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=793317&publicationSubCategoryId=200
* April 01, 2012 04:00 PM
:by  philstar.com


Sahali said the foreigners are wildlife photographers and have been in the island province for about two weeks.


"They are here for bird watching." Sahali said. "They are amazed by the vast bird species that we have in the island."
MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Ships are towing the damaged luxury cruise M/V Azamara Quest towards an island in the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi, police said today.


Sahali said the visitors spent their time in the province searching for birds in the jungles and were set to return to Poblacion Bato-Bato in the afternoon.
Philippine National Police spokesman Agrimero Cruz Jr. said that a towboat of the Philippine Coast Guard has started towing the ship anchored at Tubbataha Reef at around 9:45 a.m. and is expected to arrive at Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi at around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. They are being escorted by a Philippine Navy ship.


Meanwhile, authorities are investigating the possible affiliation of the armed men with the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.
He added that all the passengers were still onboard the ship.


A rescue operation is ongoing.
The 30,277-tonnage cruise ship, which has 590 passengers and 411 crew members, caught fire off southern Philippines Friday night while on its way to Sandakan, Malaysia.


“We have a Marine battalion there, the 4th Marine Battalion Landing Team. We have dispatched troops from the battalion to rescue the kidnapped foreigners,” said Cabangbang. -- With a report from Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga.
Azamara Club Cruises, operator of Azamara Quest, said in an earlier statement that the vessel caught a fire in the engine room, but it was quickly extinguished; five of its crew members got injured, but no passenger hurt in the accident.


Because of the fire incident, the rest of the 17-day Azamara Quest's voyage was canceled.The ship started with the voyage on March 26 in Hong Kong and docked in Manila, Philippines' port on Thursday.


==[[Tawi-Tawi_Archived_News]]==
==[[Tawi-Tawi_Archived_News]]==
The older news reports are kept [Tawi-Tawi_Archived_News|here]]
The older news reports are kept [Tawi-Tawi_Archived_News|here]]

Latest revision as of 13:10, 12 May 2012

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Endangered Species

by philstar.com


Employees of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau inspect dead hawksbill turtles for parasites and take tissue samples, too, for mitochondrial DNA testing, during an inspection of the marine species confiscated by joint government operatives from 12 Vietnamese off Pangutaran Island in Sulu last April 22. The suspected poachers are currently detained at the provincial jail in Tawi-Tawi, having been charged for violating the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Aside from the 87 marine turtles, also found in the Malaysian-registered fishing vessel used by the Vietnamese were five bundles of black corals and about 600 kilograms of hammerhead fish, lapu-lapu (grouper) and squid.






More charges to be filed against Vietnamese fishermen

by Bettina Faye V. Roc


THE ENVIRONMENT department is set to file additional charges on the Vietnamese nationals caught allegedly poaching marine species off Sulu last month, this time for the violation of the Wildlife Act. “This is a clear violation of international and local laws on wildlife, especially since most of the species caught are considered endangered, and they were killed or collected in the Sulu Sea Marine Ecoregion (SSME), which is a protected area,” said Environment Secretary Ramon Jesus P. Paje in a statement.

The Vietnamese fishermen were aboard a Malaysian-registered vessel when they were caught by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on April 22 off Pangutaran Island in Sulu. Upon inspection, the vessel was found to be loaded with five bundles of black corals, 87 pieces of hawksbill turtles and around 600 kilograms of hammerhead fish, lapu-lapu (grouper) and squid.

The poachers are currently detained at the Tawi-Tawi provincial jail. The BFAR had earlier filed against the men charges for violating provisions in Republic Act No. 8550, also known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, which prohibits the catching and taking of fish and other aquatic products by foreign fishing vessels in Philippine waters.

Meanwhile, collecting, hunting or possessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives are violations of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Act.

La Aunor’s new film will showcase Tawi-Tawi as tourism destination

by NT-PIO/RVC/PIA-9 ZBST


Superstar Nora Aunor is making Tawi-Tawi shine as she takes pleasure filming her new movie in the province. The Superstar and her co-stars and the film’screw have just concluded their shooting recently of Brillante Mendoza’s newfilm titled “Thy Womb”, a love drama portraying a Bajau couple’s sacrosanct relationship as husband and wife though unblessed with offspring.

The movie depicts the seafaring Bajau tribeof Tawi-Tawi, their culture and tradition and a précis that tells of a Bajao woman who is more than willing to endure personal sacrifice for the sake of hereternal love for her husband.

The controversial Cannes-film winningdirector Mendoza said in an interview that “this cultural and dramatic filmwould portray the people of Mindanao, especially, Tawi-Tawi and that they [thepeople of Mindanao] are [also] capable of loving.”

“That in spite of the troubles and conflictsevident in Mindanao, there are people here, who are capable of loving and peaceful as well,” Mendoza stressed.

He also said that the film would somehowconvey to the world the tourism potentials of Tawi-Tawi saying that this southern frontier of the country has peace and serenity with beautiful sitesworth visiting.

Mendoza also said that they have chosenTawi-Tawi as a location shooting because it delivers the scenario and the characters needed for the film. For their part, Aunor and Roco, expressedtheir appreciation of Tawi-Tawi’s hospitality and said that they are captivated by the beauty of this southern province.

Ms. Aunor plays the lead character as amidwife named Salehah and is co-starred by Bembol Roco as Bangas-an, Lovi Poeand Mercedes Cabral with support cast from the locals of Tawi-Tawi.

Aunor flew in to Tawi-Tawi last April 14, toshoot the indie film, her first since returning from a hiatus in the UnitedStates. Shooting took place in at least 3 locations: the island-towns ofBongao, Sitangkai and Taganak. She left the province last April 28.

Meanwhile, Provincial Information OfficerNash Tahang said that the local government officials and the locals ofTawi-Tawi was elated and honored and was grateful to the film-makers forchoosing the province to be the location for the Superstar’s new film.

Vice Governor Ruby Sahali said that thismovie will eventually help pump prime the exposure of the province’s tourism potentials not only for the local visitors influx, but more so, that of theforeigners.

“These are the days Tawi-Tawi shines with thesuperstar,” she said. Moreover, Provincial Secretary Nurjay Sahali made thesame observation, saying that the film will help boost the tourism aspects ofthe beautiful and peaceful province, as most of the location shootings weretaken in Tawi-Tawi.

Thespians in Tawi-Tawi

by tawitawi.net


ACCLAIMED actor Bembol Roco and the great Nora Aunor just got back from a tedious but totally reinvigorating work assignment in the far-flung province of Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao. The multiawarded actors immersed themselves for more than two weeks with the locals of the towns of Bongao and Sitangkai, where most of the scenes of the latest Brillante Mendoza film Thy Womb were shot.

We met up with both Roco and Aunor in Cebu, the final leg of their nonstop shoot for this much talked-about movie, where both recounted their unforgettable experiences in Tawi Tawi.

“Breathtaking” was how Roco described the Tawi-Tawi that he saw and experienced. “You feel like you are in a totally different world and a different time frame. The water is always clear and the marine life does not only sustain the day-to-day existence of the people but it also makes you realize that God is so generous with His many natural gifts to us.”

Roco added that although life there may appear difficult because much is stripped to the essentials, it’s the simplicity that will capture the heart of a visitor like him. “Imagine taking a pump boat to the islands for countless hours, just gazing at the vastness of the ocean and the sky. Imagine living in stilt houses with no real toilets. Imagine being with people who, despite their seeming poverty, can flash a smile like they are the happiest creatures on earth. That was the Tawi-Tawi that has pierced my heart.”

For her part, Aunor, unquestionably the country’s One and Only Superstar, she admitted that she shed all inhibitions and doubt, plunging into her character right away the moment she stepped on the island.

“Isa akong midwife dito na nagbabangka at dumadayo sa iba’t ibang lugar para magpaanak pero hindi ako mabiyayaan ng sarili kong anak [I play a midwife who travels from one place to another to deliver babies, but I can’t have my own child],” she volunteered. “Pagdating na pagdating namin ni Kuya Bembs [her nickname for Roco], na-in love agad kami sa lugar at sa mga tao. Mababait ang mga kababayan natin sa Tawi-Tawi. Simple lang sila pero masaya, kahit mahirap ang buhay. Ibang-iba sa inire-report ng media na magulo at delikado doon. Peaceful sila at masisipag [The moment Bembol and I arrived, we immediately fell in love with the place and its people. The people of Tawi-Tawi are nice. They are simple and happy even if life seems difficult. It’s totally different from what the media sometimes report. They are peace-loving and industrious people],” she stressed.

She added, “S’yempre may mga security na naka-assign sa amin, hindi dahil sa delikado ang lugar kundi para maging smooth ang shooting namin doon. Pero wala kaming naging problema. Nag-cooperate lahat kaya naging maayos at masaya lahat. [We were provided with security not because it was a dangerous place but because we wanted the shoot to be smooth. Everyone was cooperative.]”

Aunor shared that she had to learn to weave the native banig and constantly practice paddling a banca. “Gusto kasi ni direk Brillante na makatotohanan lahat kaya kelangan akong maging gamay sa mga gawain nila doon. Tingnan mo nga at sunog na sunog ako dahil namamangka ako kahit matirik ang araw. [Our director wants everything to be realistic so I had to do what they do there. Look at me, my skin is so sun-burnt because I had to paddle a banca even when the sun was scorching hot].”

Brillante Mendoza, who holds the distinction of being the only Filipino to have won a Cannes International Film Festival best director plum, only has good words for his two main actors.

“Nora and Bembol are who they are because they are both true artists. You see, I do not allow my actors to have scripts on the set. They know and understand their respective roles after every briefing and take everything to heart. They are thespians and I am so blessed having both of them in this film. They certainly make my work easier and more fulfilling,” Mendoza enthused.

Altruistic to the core, Mendoza and his team headed by production head Larry Castillo and cinematographer Odyssey Flores flew to Tawi-Tawi hoping for the best and he told us that his team got more than what they expected. “The weather was perfect, the people were very cooperative, the local government of Tawi-Tawi was all out in its support to our vision for the project. The shoot went very, very well and I am simply grateful.”

Now that the principal photography of the film is finished, Mendoza and his team will start the difficult phase of post-production with big smiles on their faces, knowing that this film will bring them far and do the country proud in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Nora Aunor and Bembol Roco will pursue their other acting assignments but this experience in Tawi-Tawi will surely remain in their hearts for a very long time.

Scuba diving training enhances MSU-Tawi-Tawi students’ skills

by (PNA)

FPV/FMS/ssc


ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 7 (PNA) -– The Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO), in cooperation with the Tawi-Tawi Divers Club (TDC), has conducted a two-month introductory course in scuba diving for selected students of Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences.

The training is relevant because Tawi Tawi is part of the coral triangle in Southeast Asian region, and there are more interesting coastal fishery resources and pristine beaches to explore in the province , even better than those in other places within the country and around the world.

TDC President Engr. Rosendo R. Reyes said the free training was participated in by at least 20 people, of which, 15 are students of MSU-TCTO and members of the Marine Bio & Environmental Sciences Students’ Association (MABESSA).

Reyes said this project with the MSU-TCTO was initiated as part of the club’s social responsibility “to draw strategic partnership with the academic institution like the MSU-TCTO that offers courses in marine biology and fisheries and environmental sciences.”

He pointed out that TDC provides such training to students so that “they will utilize their skills, exposures and experiences especially in the conduct of their academic research in marine and environmental sciences.”

He added that conducting under water research studies require students to be scuba divers.

He said two dive masters-- Prof. Ramon Tangon and Rasul Sabal, assisted him in the training that ended March 31.

He emphasized that TDC would continue to participate on collaborative engagement with concerned agencies and NGOs in projects related to marine life.

These project will include coral assessment, establishment and management of fish sanctuary, construction of artificial reef, Crown-of Thorns clean-up, coastal clean-up like scubasurero (garbage collector of the sea) and other projects and programs of similar considerations, especially those involving environmental concerns.

Meanwhile, MSU-TCTO Chancellor Atty. Lorenzo R. Reyes underscored the significance of scuba diving to the academic program of the university.

He said he plans to make scuba diving as one subject area of study in the academic curriculum of the Department of Marine & Environmental Science of the university.

“I have always encouraged the college of fisheries and environmental science to undertake more research studies in fisheries and marine biology as well as in environmental sciences because MSU-TCTO is a vocational institution by its mandates,’ he stressed.

He shared his vision to make MSU-TCTO a center of excellence in fisheries and oceanographic studies, and to ensure that the graduates will be relevant and globally competitive.

He also pointed out that Tawi-Tawi is considered a haven for research studies and that he expect that the college should be able to come up with more vital research proposals in which he assured that it would be his responsibility to find possible source of funding for any research proposal submitted.

Moreover, Director for Coastal Resource Management Prof. Felimon Romero said that, “there’s a need to strengthen our environment and ecological system as this is our only potential source of eco-tourism for foreign investment in Tawi-Tawi.”

“We are part of coral triangle in Southeast Asian region, and that what we have here in Tawi-Tawi is that we can find more interesting coastal fishery resources and pristine beaches to explore that we are proud to say is much better than those in other places within the country, including other places abroad,” he added.,

Meanwhile, the Office of MSU-SCTO Chancellor has donated to the club some ten pieces of junked steel cabinets that will be used as artificial reef in support to the national coral reef restoration program of government.

As part of their commitment to the TDC, the trainees will install the cabinets to the seas near Mountain View Resort Beach at Barangay Pasiagan in Bongao.

TDC said the areas that are devastated by dynamite and cyanide fishing are the targets of coral reef restoration.

MABESSA President Yunadzmal Ong, moreover, expressed his gratitude to the TDC President and MSU Chancellor for making the scuba training possible that helps in their quest for scientific exploration of the seas and the oceans of Tawi-Tawi.

Introducing Tawi-Tawi, Sulu folk to healthcare

by Edwin O. Fernandez


Health services know no boundaries Workers brought together by a Department of Health (DOH) campaign to bring medical services to the people of Tawi-Tawi sweltered in 36-degree-Celsius heat, endured hours of sea travel, ignored threats of kidnapping to attend to people who have not seen a doctor all their lives.

The campaign had been successful last year, bringing medical and dental care to the people of Mapun and Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi, two of the remotest places in the country.

Last month, the health caravan spent five days bringing services to people in the towns of Languyan and Sapa-Sapa where diseases have been left untreated and ailments are often blamed on supernatural causes.

Never mind if the campaign name smacks of politicking (“Alay ni RG-Kasama Mo Si Sec,” which translates to Alay ni Regional Governor-Kasama Mo Si Secretary), it was able to bring surgeries, dental work and lessons on safe motherhood and reproduction to areas where doctors have never been known to exist.

The campaign also brought essential information on health, maternal and child care, nutrition, reproduction and birth spacing.

It was merged with the DOH’s “Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan” (Journey to Health) that the department has been bringing to remote communities with barely any access to health clinics much less hospitals.

The blind can see

“Ignorance in health is not bliss, it kills,” said Kadil Sinolinding Jr., health secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

While using what sounds like a self-serving theme “Sa Biyaheng Kalusugan Kasama Mo Si Sec” obviously referring to Sinolinding, the medical mission was able to bring together health workers and volunteers who helped the people of Tawi-Tawi realize that healthcare is not a guessing game.

As a result, more than 1,000 people received free cataract and other eye surgeries in Languyan town alone. At least 25 people who have been rendered blind by cataracts were able to see clearly again. Some of the people had minor surgeries and received free dental and medical services.

From Languyan, the DOH-ARMM continued the campaign to Sapa-Sapa, reached by boat after a six-hour journey, where free cataract and other eye surgeries were given to the poor, restoring eyesight to many who had gone blind.

Bilateral tubal ligation and other minor surgeries were also provided as part of the project.

Risky mission

Sapa-Sapa municipality is one of the island towns of Tawi-Tawi, where people never had access to health services because of two things—they live too far from the nearest clinic and it was too dangerous for them to travel.

In the last three years, at least four health workers in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu have either been kidnapped or harmed by criminal elements.

At the latest medical mission, villagers from far-flung island communities took pump boats to reach the town center to avail themselves of health-care services—antenatal care, child healthcare, vitamin A supplements and immunization.

The campaign also seized the opportunity to provide information on healthcare through exhibits, classes, songs, dances and story-telling sessions that were found entertaining by the people whose communities are not reached by cable TV or regular radio broadcasts.

DOH launched its Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan simultaneously with the medical mission in Sapa-Sapa.

“I cannot allow myself to just sit and wait when I know that there are a lot of blind people out there who survive in darkness and misery, and mothers and children die needlessly just because they are poor,” said Sinolinding.

“Poverty is already social injustice, making people hopeless. Inaction aggravates their condition,” he said. Sinolinding is one of two members of the ARMM Cabinet who had been retained by acting ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman when he assumed office in December 2011.

Sinolinding thanked the people who shared their time and effort for the medical mission.

Before the Tawi-Tawi mission, ARMM health workers had brought similar services to Sumisip, Basilan, with more than 200 people receiving cataract and glaucoma surgeries. Surgeries were held at Sumisip District Hospital which, after 13 years of being nonfunctional, was revived by Sinolinding in September last year.

Sinolinding said he was so elated seeing people very grateful for the services.

“From the cries of hopelessness and injustices to jubilation and enlightenment, and from eyes and hearts laden with apathy and ignorance to eyes filled with hope and understanding—such could be the transformation now in the people of ARMM,” Sinolinding said.

“Taken for granted, our mothers and children were dying unnecessarily because of poor health service deliveries,” he added.

The Journey to Health success has led to the commitment of DOH-ARMM to bring its health caravan to the farthest islands of Muslim Mindanao, to include the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Sulu.

“No one can imagine how satisfied these poor people were after the mission,” Sinolinding, an eye doctor, said.

Screen queens gear up for their ‘vanishing acts’

by Rito P. Asilo


Tinseltown’s acting icons remain at the top of their game by choosing projects that don’t just make them emerge smelling like roses at the box office, but also show off their dramatic chops, to keep their followers’ interest high. For their latest projects, top female superstars, Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor, are backed up by directors whose filmmaking acumen can guarantee that their projects aren’t the usual stuff and fluff. For the Star for All Seasons, risk-taking is key to her sustained popularity. Vilma told us she didn’t want to be seen in hackneyed variations of the same themes and stories—which explains why she decided to do Chito Roño’s chiller, “The Healing,” as a follow-up to Olivia Lamasan’s 2009 dramedy blockbuster, “In My Life.” Moreover, it’s been almost 40 years since Vilma last dabbled in the horror genre via “Kamay na Gumagapang” and “Anak ng Aswang”—when she was only 19 years old! We’re also looking forward to Nora Aunor’s comeback movie, “Thy Womb”—which wrapped up its Tawi-Tawi and Cebu shoots last week—because Cannes-winning director, Brillante Mendoza, is helming it. Last seen on the big screen in the US-shot 2006 indies, “Ingrata” and “Care Home,” the Superstar portrays a Badjao midwife in the film that also stars Bembol Roco and Lovi Poe. Campy turn American screen queens are also gearing up for their thespic “vanishing acts”: After Julia Roberts’ campy turn as Snow White’s power-grabbing, evil-queen nemesis in Tarsem Singh’s “Mirror, Mirror,” it’s Angelina Jolie’s turn to make life a living hell for another fairy-tale princess.

In Robert Stromberg’s “Maleficent,” Brad Pitt’s better half is cast as the proud and vengeful sorceress who takes offense at not being invited to the christening of Princess Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty (Elle Fanning), the only daughter of King Stefan (Jude Law). If Jolie portrays Maleficent the way she played Evelyn Salt, whoever’s portraying Aurora’s knight in shining armor has his work cut out for him! For her part, Roberts is relying on the jump from stage to screen of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer-winning dark comedy, “August: Osage County,” and Larry Kramer’s Tony-winning autobiographical HIV/AIDS drama, “The Normal Heart,” to boost her acting cachet. In Ryan Murphy’s (“Glee”) screen adaptation of the 1980s-set “The Normal Heart,” Julia plays wheelchair-bound Dr. Emma Brookner, who helps gay activist, Ned Weeks (Mark Ruffalo), raise awareness about the deadly (then unidentified) viral disease that was killing gay men. Level of difficulty The level of difficulty gets higher for Julia in “August,” where she portrays Barbara Fordham, the 46-year-old eldest daughter of Beverly and Violet Weston who’s forced to come home when her alcoholic father goes missing. She hasn’t visited her parents in years, because she doesn’t get along well with her shrewd, prescription drug-addicted mother. The film’s emotionally charged scenes present exciting dramatic possibilities for cinema’s Pretty Woman, not the least of which is the fact that her combative mother is played by—Meryl Streep! And, Catherine Zeta-Jones revisits her musical-theater roots via Adam Shankman’s big-screen version of the stage musical, “Rock of Ages,” where she will perform Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” The anticipated movie musical has a bigger come-on, however: Tom Cruise’s latest (and very bold) attempt at reinvention. In its motion-picture soundtrack, Cruise will be rendering Guns N’ Roses’ “Paradise City” and Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me”—not the easiest tunes to sing, that’s for sure. If that isn’t gutsy, we don’t know what is!

Tawi-Tawi enchants Nora Aunor yet again

by Bayani San Diego Jr.


It wasn’t Nora Aunor’s first time in Tawi-Tawi. Still she felt seduced by the island’s pristine beauty. The singer-actress, known as the country’s Superstar, recalled that she briefly visited the island on the country’s southernmost tip years ago. “Para sa kampanya ni Erap (former President Joseph Estrada),” she recounted. “Pero sandali lang. Hindi ako nagtagal.” For her latest Tawi-Tawi “adventure,” she totally “immersed” herself, staying over two weeks, from April 14 to 30, for the shooting of Brillante Mendoza’s latest work, “Thy Womb.” Mendoza won best director for “Kinatay” at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in 2009. “Thy Womb” is scheduled to premiere at an A-list international film fest. Little dialogue The indie film marks her big-screen comeback after eight years, Aunor said. She had appeared in indie productions like Suzette Ranillo’s “Care Home” and Joey Gonzales’ “Ingrata” (both in 2006) during her stay in the United States. But “Thy Womb” is her biggest film since Maryo J. de los Reyes’ “Naglalayag” in 2004. “Na-miss ko ang pag-arte,” she told Inquirer Entertainment in an interview held upon her return to Manila on May 1.

She said that she hit it off with Mendoza, who shares her artistic principles. “Magaling talaga si Direk Brillante. Ang gusto niya natural ang acting. Wala masyadong dialogue pero taos-puso.” In the movie, she plays a midwife who serves the seafaring Badjao and other indigenous tribes in Tawi-Tawi. “Bilang kumadrona, ako lang ang nagpapaanak sa mga nanay doon. For the first two days, nag-aral kami na mag-sagwan at mag-habi ng banig,” she recounted. Mindanao reality The experience opened her eyes to both the promising and disheartening realities in that part of Mindanao. “Mababait ang mga tao doon. Talagang inalagaan kami. Nakita ko kung gaano kaganda ang Tawi-Tawi. Peaceful naman. Naging biktima lang sila ng mga maling balita,” she explained. “Sabi nila may mga planong gawin itong tourist destination.” Their hosts, Gov. Sadikul Sahali and his wife Juana and daughter Vice Gov. Ruby Sahali and son Nurjay Sahali, assisted by the Philippine Marines and the Philippine National Police, made sure that the entire cast and crew remained safe during their stay, Aunor said. She plans to return their kindness by asking friends from the industry to help the people in the small villages where they shot the film—specifically, Sitangkai, known as the “Venice of the Philippines.” “Nag-shooting kami doon sa mga bahay na nakatayo sa dagat,” she said. “Gusto ko sanang mabigyan sila ng isang health center, sa tulong ng mga kaibigan natin dito sa Maynila.” Playing a midwife, she saw with her own eyes the residents’ most pressing needs. “Kailangan nila ng gamot. ’Pag may manganganak, kailangan pang mag-bangka para makapunta sa ospital,” she said. As expected, she and her co-stars — Bembol Roco, Lovi Poe and Mercedes Cabral—were mobbed by the residents. “Natutuwa sila na nabisita namin sila at gumawa kami ng isang pelikula tungkol sa buhay nila … para naman malaman ng Pilipinas at ng buong mundo ang tunay nilang kalagayan,” she pointed out. Aunor said she and her co-stars had no qualms about roughing it in the southern province. “Walang pa-istaran. Pantay-pantay kaming lahat. Parang kaming magkakapatid sa set. Sama-sama sa hirap at ginhawa,” she said. “Nakisama pati ang panahon. Kung kailangan sa shoot ang ulan, umulan. Pag kailangan maaraw, umaraw!” She remembered traveling by boat for almost 14 hours to reach one location, Turtle Islands. “Doon na kami natulog sa bangka,” she said. Down-to-earth Poe said that the Superstar took pains not to intimidate her co-workers. Cabral agreed: “She’s down-to-earth. Motherly. I was in my dressing room once, fixing my stuff, and someone knocked.”

When Cabral opened the door, she saw the Superstar holding a bowl of noodle soup. “She gave it to me,” Cabral said. “I was really touched. She made me realize that not all superstars are air-headed snobs. It’s a shame that other so-called stars, some who are not even as big as her, have lousy attitude.” Aunor said that she enjoyed working with her castmates. “Sabi ko kay Mercedes: Ang dami ko nang anak-anakan. Magagaling na artista sina Mercedes at Lovi. At mababait.” Although far from Manila, word on the campaign to declare her a National Artist had reached her. “Natutuwa ako na isa ako sa mga napili. Pero marami pang mas karapat-dapat na parangalan sa ating industriya,” she remarked. “Kung sakaling ibigay sa akin, isa itong malaking karangalan at magpapasalamat ako. Pero kung hindi, matatanggap ko rin.” Aunor is proud that Filipino filmmakers are making headway abroad. “It’s about time,” she said. “Dapat nga matagal na ’yan. Sana nga magkaisa na tayo at imbes na harangan ay tulungan natin ang isa’t isa na mapansin ang ating mga pelikula sa labas ng Pilipinas.” Aunor will celebrate her 59th birthday on May 21 in the US. She is set to leave for Boston on May 19 for her throat surgery on May 23. “Sana nga maging okay na ang boses ko,” she said.

Scuba Diving training enhances MSU-Tawi-Tawi students’ skills in marine, environmental science

by Rene V. Carbayas


ISABELA CITY, Basilan, May 3 (PIA) – The Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) in cooperation with the Tawi-Tawi Divers Club (TDC) has successfully conducted a two-month introductory course to scuba diving to selected students of Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences.

The free training that culminated last March 31 was participated by at least 20 people, of which, 15 are students of MSU-TCTO and members of the Marine Bio & Environmental Sciences Students’ Association (MABESSA).

TDC President Engr. Rosendo R. Reyes said that this project with the MSU-TCTO was initiated as part of the club’s social responsibility “to draw strategic partnership with the academic institution like the MSU-TCTO that offers courses in marine biology and fisheries and environmental sciences.”

Reyes pointed out that TDC provides such training to students so that “they will utilize their skills, exposures and experiences especially in the conduct of their academic research in marine and environmental sciences.” He added that conducting under water research studies require students to be scuba divers.

He said that two Dive Masters, Prof. Ramon Tangon and Rasul Sabal were assisting him in the training. He emphasized that TDC would continue to participate on collaborative engagement with concerned agencies and NGOs in projects related to coral assessment, establishment and management of fish sanctuary, construction of artificial reef, Crown-of Thorns Clean-up, coastal clean-up like scubasurero (garbage collector of the sea) and other projects and programs of similar considerations, especially those involving environmental concerns.

Meanwhile, MSU-TCTO Chancellor Atty. Lorenzo R. Reyes, in his message underscored the significance of scuba diving to the academic program of the university. He said that he is planning to make scuba diving as one subject area of study in the academic curriculum of the Department of Marine & Environmental Science of the university.

“I have always encouraged the college of fisheries and environmental science to undertake more research studies in fisheries and marine biology as well as in environmental sciences because MSU-TCTO is a vocational institution by its mandates, he stressed.

He shared his vision to make MSU-TCTO a center of excellence on fisheries and oceanographic studies and to ensure that the graduates will be relevant and globally competitive. He pointed out, further, that Tawi-Tawi is considered a haven for research studies and that he wishes to expect also that the college should be able to come up with more vital research proposals in which he assured that it would be his responsibility to find possible source of funding for any research proposal submitted.

Moreover, Director for Coastal Resource Management Prof. Felimon Romero said that “there’s a need to strengthen our environment and ecological system as this is our only potential source of eco-tourism for foreign investment in Tawi-Tawi.”

“We are part of coral triangle in Southeast Asian region, and that what we have here in Tawi-Tawi is that we can find more interesting coastal fishery resources and pristine beaches to explore that we are proud to say is much better than those in other places within the country, including other places abroad,” he added.,

Meanwhile, the Office of MSU-SCTO Chancellor has donated to the club about ten pieces of junked steel cabinets that will be used as artificial reef in support to the national coral reef restoration program of government. As part of their commitment to the TDC, the trainees will install the cabinets to the seas near Mountain View Resort Beach at Barangay Pasiagan in Bongao.

TDC said the areas that are devastated by dynamite and cyanide fishing are the targets of coral reef restoration.

MABESSA President Yunadzmal Ong, moreover, expressed his gratitude to the TDC President and MSU Chancellor for making the scuba training possible that helps in their quest for scientific exploration of the seas and the oceans of Tawi-Tawi.

Among the successful trainees include the 15 students from the MSU-TCTO, namely: Adzmil Ledinil, Aharul, Almyra Samimi, Arthur Attuh, Delmar Asanol, Ibkar Salip Marijan, Joemary Alpha, Kara Habibon, Shaima Abdul, Sherelyn Abdul, Willy Rafales, Yunadzmal N. Ong, Maria Mita Fe Beringuel, Mira Luna Lagao and Nuradzmar Sali; the three personnel from Bongao Water District—Rommel Nunal, Jose Baldevino and Dante Delfinado; and the PMAer, ILt. Charles Dennis Tan from the Philippine Marines. (MSU-TCTO/PIA-9 ZBST)

Oslob, Cebu whale shark in indie film

by tawitawi.net


CEBU CITY – Oslob’s whale sharks will become even more famous.

The sharks will play a “cameo role” in director Brillante Mendoza’s independent film, which he said he plans to submit as an entry in the Cannes Film Festival in France.

The film is about a couple from Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao who have been trying to conceive, but were not blessed with a child.

It stars Nora Aunor and Bembol Roco.

One of the few scenes that will be shot in Cebu will feature Oslob town and the sharks that have gained popularity worldwide.

The full feature movie “Thy Womb” is not a movie about the whale sharks, the director said, “but they will appear in a side scene.”

“Parang isa na rin itong paraan para ma-showcase natin ang ating culture, and the things we are proud of, like the whale sharks of Oslob,” Mendoza said in an interview aired over radio dyAB on Sunday.

He said that 95 percent of the film was shot in Tawi-Tawi, and they plan to start filming in Oslob soon.

In a phone interview, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren said he has not heard from Brillantes yet, but he is open to having the sharks and his town featured in a film if this will benefit them.

He said there are no guidelines yet in having the sharks appear in advertisements or movies. For now, what the Municipal Government allows is filming for research work and documentation of the sharks.

“We’ll see what the director’s plans and intentions are. If it will be beneficial to the town in terms of promoting tourism and care for the sharks, of course, we will allow them to come here and shoot,” Guaren told Sun.Star Cebu.

Brillante is a multi-awarded director whose works have been recognized here and abroad. He won the award for Best Director for “Kinatay” at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. His film “Lola” also won the award for Best Film at the 6th Dubai International Film Festival.

Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Visayas has initiated efforts to promote environment conservation education to host communities of eco-tourism projects.

The agency will hold an information caravan from Argao to the towns in the southern tip of Cebu, DOT-Central Visayas Director Rowena Montecillo said.

She told Sun.Star Cebu these areas are part of the route of the whale shark.

Montecillo was referring to the whale sharks (Rhyncodon typus) that have become the main tourist attraction of Barangay Tan-awan in Oslob town.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists whale sharks as “vulnerable” due to the threats they face such as hunting and their dwindling population.

Montecillo said the tourism agency has tapped the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in educating the community about whale sharks and perhaps turtles too.

The participants who will be required to attend trainings are the boatmen and other members of the affected community.

Montecillo said that with this effort on environmental management education, the School of the SEA (Sea and Earth Advocates) resources can be tapped.

The School of the SEA managed by the Law of Nature Foundation headed by environmental lawyer and Ramon Magsaysay laureate Antonio Oposa Jr. was re-launched a few years after its infrastructure was destroyed by Typhoon Frank.

The school promotes education, engineering and enforcement in promoting the implementation of environmental laws and policies through environment-friendly practices such as waste segregation and water conservation.

Montecillo had pledged to continue to support the school and at the same time bring environmental conservation awareness to Regions 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas) and 8 (Eastern Visayas). (LCR/BAP/Sun.Star Cebu)

Nora Aunor finishes movie shoot in Tawi-Tawi

by RJ Rosalado, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga


MANILA, Philippines – Veteran actress Nora Aunor is back in Manila after shooting several scenes in Tawi-Tawi for her comeback movie.

Aunor’s skin was relatively sunburned when she arrived at the Zamboanga airport on Sunday but the actress said it is all part of her role in the film.

In “Thy Womb,” Aunor plays a Badjao midwife working in the province.

Aunor said she is happy about her whole experience in doing the movie as she was able to learn a lot of new things like sailing and weaving using local materials.

Aunor said she was also overwhelmed with the beauty of Tawi-Tawi.

She even encouraged tourists to visit the province because contrary to what’s always written, Tawi-Tawi is not a dangerous place.

Aunor said she is happy with the warm welcome the local government of Tawi-Tawi gave her and the rest of the movie’s cast and crew.

“Thy Womb” is under the direction of Cannes-winning director Brillante Mendoza.

Charges filed against 12 Vietnamese poachers

by AL JACINTO


ZAMBOANGA CITY: Authorities have filed charges against 12 Vietnamese poachers who were arrested in Tawi-Tawi, officials said Saturday.

Officials said the Vietnamese fishermen have been charged for violating the Philippine Fisheries Code and Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act, and have been detained in the provincial jail.

The poachers, who were on a Malaysian fishing vessel, were intercepted on April 22 off the island of Pangutaran. Authorities said the vessel is owned by Tuaran Marine Park SDN BHD in Sabah, Malaysia.

Recovered from the vessel were five bundles of black corals, 85 pieces of endangered hawksbill turtles, and some 600 kilos of assorted hammerhead sharks, groupers and squid.

Officials identified the Vietnamese as Truong Van Hoang, the captain; Pham Ngoc Binh, Nguyen Minh Anh Dong, Tran Hong Tho, Nguyen Thank Ninh, Nguyen Van Vung, Nguyen, Van Ba, Nguyen Thanh Ninh, Nguyen Van Tuan, Nguyen Van Hai, Tran Hing Thien and Nguyen Van Vuong.

Nora Aunor, Brillante Mendoza wrap up Tawi-Tawi shoot

by DAVID Y. SANTOS


MANILA, Philippines – “It's a wrap.”

Close to two weeks since coming to the island province of Tawi-Tawi, the country's southernmost frontier, Nora Aunor has finished shooting her latest film “Thy Womb.”

“We are gratetful to Ms Aunor, as well as those behind this movie, for choosing Tawi-Tawi as their location,” Vice-Governor Ruby Sahali told Rappler by phone. “It's a welcome breather for us amid all the bad press the province has been getting.”

The superstar herself is equally grateful for the hospitality the province has shown to her and the film's crew.

Aunor flew in to Tawi-Tawi last April 14, to shoot the indie film, her first since returning from a hiatus in the United States. Shooting took place in at least 3 locations: the island-towns of Bongao, Sitangkai and Taganak. She left the province last Saturday, April 28.

“Thy Womb” is a collaboration between Aunor and Brillante Mendoza, Cannes award-winning director, and is seen as a landmark in modern Filipino filmmaking.

Initial press releases indicate that the movie tackles the struggles of a native Badjao midwife (Aunor) and deals with “an intriguing tale of love adrift with an unsettling question [on] how to sustain a life struck between the devil of passion and the deep blue sea of tradition?”

Aside from Aunor, other stars who were in Tawi-Tawi for the location shoot included Lovi Poe, Mercedes Cabral and Bembol Roco.

Action star Raymart Santiago was also part of the film, reportedly not as among the actors, but as part of the film's crew.

“It was surreal for us to see all these movie stars coming down to Tawi-Tawi. Being the farthest to the nation's capital, we never thought they would come and shoot a film here,” Sahali said.

Security

Provincial police director Rodelio Jocson said there were no untoward incidents reported throughout the duration of the filming. Both the police and units of the Philippine Marines provided security for stars and the film crew, which numbered around 30 to 40 members, excluding local talents who were tapped for minor roles.

“Whether they are famous movie stars or ordinary tourists, as long as they coordinate with us, we will be ready to secure them,” Jocson said, pointing out the security plans are prepared each time they are informed of incoming visitors.

Two foreign birdwatchers abducted two months ago in the remote town of Panglima Sugala remain in captivity up to this time.

Tawi-Tawi is also infamously known as the jump-off point for illegal immigrants to Malaysia, due to its proximity to the State of Sabah.

Apparently, despite the security concerns, Aunor and Brillante pursued shooting in Tawi-Tawi, which reportedly will be shown in “at least 70% of the film.”

Though smaller films have been shot in Tawi-Tawi “decades ago,” this is the first time in recent years that a full-length was shot in Tawi-Tawi.

“The abduction of the foreign birdwatchers was just an isolated case. We can assure you that we are doing everything to have been freed as soon as possible,” Jocson added.

Both Sahali and Jocson noted that ironically, since the February abduction, there has been a rise on the number of tourists coming to Tawi-Tawi. A crew from the National Geograhic Channel is also reportedly doing a documentary in the province.

“If you set aside all the bad press, Tawi-Tawi, or Mindanao as a whole, is a very beautiful place,” Sahali lamented. “We don't get to be appreciated so much by majority of the Filipinos because all we hear and see are the negative news about our place.”

“We hope that with the widespread publicity of 'Thy Womb' both here and in other countries, it will also draw interest into our province, more than just the reports on violence and cases of human trafficking we have become to be known for.” - Rappler.com

Breakthrough In PHL-MILF Peace Talks Draws More Positive Comments

by EDD K. USMAN


More Moro political leaders have added their voices to the positive responses to the breakthrough on June 24 achieved by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the 15-year-old peace process.

The stalemate-breaking feat re¬fers to the "10 Decision Points" docu¬ment signed by Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF peace panel chairmen Dean Mario Victor F. Leonen and Mohagher Iqbal, respectively, providing a roadmap for a new form of Bangsamoro governance entity.

It could include replacing the much-maligned autonomous government composed of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi and component cities Lamitan and Marawi.

On Friday the leadership of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) led by caretaker Gov. Mujiv Hataman lauded the two parties for their Bilateral Decision Points on Principles.

The ARMM officer-in-charge said the accord may serve to pave the way for a new political entity to be crafted by GPH and MILF that both parties will accept.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Datu Toto" Mangudadatu said he will continue to strongly support the peace process under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

"Filipinos, particularly Muslims in Mindanao, all have been yearning for peace. Whatever is good for the Bangsamoro is welcomed," said Mangudadatu.

On the other hand, Hataman de¬fended the autonomous region from its critics, saying "the role of the re¬formed ARMM cannot be downplayed in the government’s efforts to come up with a permanent solution to the Moro problem."

He outlined some of the autonomous government's efforts in support of the peace process.

"The ARMM and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process had initially come up with 'common points of cooperation' in support to the peace process from some mid-level meetings (on multilateral support through peace com¬munication)," he said.

Hataman assured that the autonomous region is still an important part of the solution to the Bangsamoro aspirations, not a problem as some quarters may want to believe.

He said the ARMM under his helm is presently working to strengthen the building of institutions to come up with mechanisms supporting the peace process.

On the other hand, Hataman appealed to the stakeholders and other sectors of the peace process to support the government's initiative leading to a solution of the Muslim Mindanao conflict.

Raps filed vs 11 Vietnamese poachers

by Report from RJ Rosalado, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga


MANILA, Philippines – Charges have been filed against 11 Vietnamese poachers who were arrested off Tawi-Tawi last Wednesday.

The fishermen, who were allegedly poaching endangered marine species, were charged with violating the Wildlife Act of the Philippines for possession of dead hawksbill turtles and black corals.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) National Director Asis Perez said the foreigners may face a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment of up to 2 years.

Perez said a legal team from the BFAR has been sent to Tawi-Tawi to monitor the case.

Foreigners are not allowed to fish in Philippine territory, based on the Philippine Fisheries Code.






ARMM polls in May 2013 to proceed if peace pact not signed this year; Leonen says no need to amend Consti

by Carolyn O. Arguil las


KUALA LUMPUR (MindaNews/26 April) – Elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will replace with a “new autonomous political entity,” will proceed as scheduled on May 13, 2013 if no peace agreement is reached by the peace panels this year. “Government is very aware in terms of timelines of our political exercises and in terms of the political realities,” government (GPH) peace panel chair Marvic Leonen told MindaNews. He said the roadmap would take on a different shape if the elections were to proceed and a new set of ARMM officials is elected. The timeline, too, may change given that the elected officials in May 2013 will, under the present law, serve a three-year term until 2016, he said. “It’s possible you’ll wait until 2016 but in 2016 what is the political reality?” he asked Declaring that the “status quo is unacceptable,” the GPH and MILF peace panels on Tuesday agreed to work for the creation of a “new autonomous political entity in place of the ARMM” as one of ten “decision points on principles” they signed that day at the Palace of the Golden Horses hotel. The present ARMM comprises the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan,Sulu and Tawi-tawi. No need Government peace panel chair Marvic Leonen, an expert on Constitutional Law, is confident there is no need to amend the 1987 Constitution to create the new entity that would replace ARMM. He said many of the proposals of the MILF are contained in the Organic Act (RA 9054) although he acknowledged that the MILF views this differently. “From the GPH point of view as of the moment, a Republic Act is more doable. But of course in so far as the Constitution is concerned, no Constitution is always permanent but the constitutional exercise requires a lot more than amending a law. And it’s always a balance between you change the rules first of the game before you mobilize the leaders. Is it exclusive? Mauna ito bago ito? Di ba pwede magsabay (Should this come first? Cannot they go together) and then later the political realities might be more favorable towards greater political exercise?” Leonen told MindaNews on Wednesday afternoon. MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal has yet to be convinced that there is no need to amend the Constitution to accommodate their demands. “The government says no need, but we hope they can demonstrate graphically how they do it without amending the Constitution. Our belief is this cannot be done,” he told MindaNews a day on Wednesday. The peace negotiations adjourned at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, two days ahead of scheduled, after the parties signed the “GPH-MILF Decision Points on Principles as of April 2012.” The panels will resume talks next month. Congress on the other hand will resume sessions on May 7 and will go on sine die adjournment June 8 until it reopens with the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President on July 23. The GPH peace panel in a press conference via Skype with the Malacanang Press Corps Wednesday noon, was repeatedly asked how soon the two panels can forge an agreement and how this would impact on the May 2013 elections in the ARMM. “If there is no agreement in due time then the elections of ARMM will continue (in 2013),” as provided for by law, Leonen said. Panel member Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, explained to the press corps that the peace agreement that will be signed “will not automatically suspend the ARMM or suspend the elections. Ibig sabihin maski magkapirmahan tayo bukas, marami pang requirements yan para ma-put in place. (This means even if we sign tomorrow, there are still many requirement for that new political entity to be put in place). For instance, we will need to generate support from Congress, from both the Senate and the House, to actually pass the law that will make it possible for some kind of implementing mechanisms to take place.” Ferrer acknowledged that the longer the negotiations take, the “normal political timetable” of elections in 2013 and Presidential elections in 2016 will set in “if all these steps are not done early enough.” She said signing the agreement does not mean it will be implemented immediately because there are many legislative requirements “that’s why we’re working closely with Congress, we’re working closely with the public so that they will be able to support all the requirements that will implement elements of that agreement.”

Timetables

The filing of certificates of candidacy for all elective positions in the May 2013 polls is on October 1 to 5 this year, according to the Commission on Elections’ Resolution 9385. Congress, after reopening on July 23, goes on break from mid-October to mid-November and Christmas break from mid-December to mid-January, leaving only a limited number of session days before the official campaign period for the May 2013 polls begins. The 90-day campaign period for senatorial candidates and party list groups is from February 12 to May 11, 2013 while the 45-day campaign period for candidates for the House of Representatives, provincial, city and municipal officials as well as the ARMM is from March 29 to May 11. The MILF in February last year proposed a Bangsamoro substate, an “asymmetrical state-substate relationship, wherein powers of the central government and state government are clearly stated, aside from those powers they jointly exercise, which are also defined in this draft.” The MILF summarized it as “less than independence but more than autonomy” apparently referring to the present ARMM. Government handed its proposal on August 22 last year,18 days after President Aquino met with MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in Japan and both agreed to fast-track the peace process so that a peace agreement can be forged within the first half of the President’s six-year term, or by June 30, 2013, so that implementation can be done immediately. The President’s term of office ends noon of June 30, 2016. The GPH proposal was a “three for one solution” which involves three components: massive economic development, a peace accord, and cultural-historical acknowledgment.” The MILF peace panel rejected the GPH proposal, prompting Leonen to say, “We reject your rejection.” The talks went on an impasse with Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed shuttling between the panels until they resumed talks in December. The panels have been meeting every month since. In a press conference in Cotabato City in late August last year, Leonen said amending the 1987 Constitution was not a priority of the present administration. “The proposal of government to the MILF does not contain a proposal for constitutional amendment,” he said. “Autonomy as practiced by the ARMM in the past is a failed experiment. However it does not necessarily mean we do not learn from that experience,” he said, adding the autonomy they are proposing “comes close to the idea of self governance also of the MILF.” “We read sub-state also as autonomy. We do not see sub-state as a separate republic,” Leonen said then. He also noted in August that many of the fundamental aspirations of the MILF “can be fitted into the provisions of the current Constitution.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

Dead sea turtles, corals seized in Vietnamese boat

by DAVID Y. SANTOS


MANILA, Philippines – Marine authorities in Tawi-Tawi said they have confiscated at least 50 dead sea turtles and bundles of rare corals from a Vietnamese fishing boat while docked at the port of Bongao town on Tuesday, April 24.

The seized items, which are classified as endangered species under maritime laws, were intended to be smuggled to other countries.

The Philippine Coast Guard Station in Bongao said the dead turtles were found along with 5 bundles of Black Corals inside SBF 48, a Vietnamese-registered fishing boat, during a routine inspection. The contraband was “concealed inside a refrigerated fish cargo hole located at the port side of the vessel.”

Bureua of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) National Director Asis Perez has confirmed that charges have been filed against the boat's 12 crew members, who were all Vietnamese, for violating laws forbidding the collection and sale of sea turtles and corals.

The cases, citing violations of Republic Acts 8550 or the Fisheries Code of the Philippines and 9147 or the Wildlife Act of the Philippines, were filed before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 5 in Bongao.

Among the different sea turtles, the Hawksbill turtle is commonly found in Tawi-Tawi and has been classified as critically endangered. Hawksbill shells are used for decorative purposes, while Hawksbill eggs and meat are cooked as a native delicacy. - Rappler.com

Airphil plane engine emits smoke before take-off, passengers ordered to disembark

by Nonong Santiago/Hader Glang


Hundreds of passengers bound for Manila, Davao, Jolo and Tawi-Tawi were stranded yesterday morning when a turbo-prop plane of the Air Philippines started emitting smoke in the middle of Runway 27 while it was about to depart for Sanga-Sanga Airport in Tawi-Tawi Province.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Manager Celso Bayabos disclosed that the plane was given the clearance for departure at 7 a.m. when the pilots noticed smoke coming from the right engine of the propeller plane while it was already 300 meters away from Runway 27.

The pilots had to stop the plane in the middle of the runway and ordered the affected passengers to disembark the aircraft resulting to the delay of the 7:45 a.m. Philippine Airlines flight for Manila, Bayabos said.

According to Bayabos, the inbound flight of Cebu Pacific from Manila to Zamboanga was also diverted to Davao City Airport because of the obstruction.

“Ang AirPhil bound for Sanga-Sanga Airport in Tawi-Tawi was given a clearance for take off at Runway 27, but rolling for take off mga around 300 meters away na sya beginning sa runway 27, biglang hininto ng piloto ang eroplano dahil nahalata na may diperensya ang right engine ng eroplano. Ang ibang flight ng PAL for Manila ay na-hold muna. Ang inbound flight of Cebu Pacific from Manila to Zamboanga was diverted to Davao City airport,” Bayabos said.

The airport manager said they had to borrow the tow bar of the Philippine Air Force to tow the plane out of the runway. Bayabos said the airport was cleared for landing and departure at past 8 in the morning. A Norwegian, Einar Solheim said his flight was supposed to be at 7:45 a.m. but due to the incident, it was delayed.

Rossnelly said this is not good because they are supposed to go to the Norwegian Embassy to apply for a fiancée visa. Some passengers were also clearly upset with the delay.

There is no clear report yet as to what was the cause of the incident.

Air Philippines flight to Tawi-Tawi aborted due to smoke from engine

by Julie Alipala

Philippine Daily Inquirer


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines— An Air Philippines flight to Tawi-Tawi was aborted on Monday morning as smoke emitted from the right engine of the plane, an official said. Celso Bayabos, manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in Zamboanga, said the plane was about to take off when pilots noticed the smoke prompting them to park and order around 50 passengers to disembark shortly after 7:00 in the morning. “It’s not really fire, there was smoke. It’s good that pilots noticed it before they take off otherwise (it would be) another disaster,” Bayabos said. Other flights supposedly about to land at Zamboanga City international airport like Cebu Pacific from Davao city and Manila were advised to redirect their flights back. Fire marshalls and other airport personnel immediately towed the aircraft back to the taxi area to determine the actual cause of engine trouble.






P2.8-B infra projects for roads, bridges in ARMM under way

by JONATHAN L. MAYUGA / REPORTER


PUBLIC Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said several infrastructure projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are being implemented to boost economic development in the region. Singson said 26 projects worth around P2.8 billion are in various stages of implementation. All in all, the projects involve 117 kilometers of national roads and 132 linear meters of bridges.

“I’ve just met with President Aquino and the governors of the ARMM provinces and ARMM Governor [Mujiv] Hataman. We have reported the status of our program in ARMM,” Singson told reporters during the Communication and News Exchange (CNEX) forum at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) office in Quezon City.

The projects, he said, are part of the “Transition Investment Support Program for ARMM” being implemented by the Aquino administration. It has a total budget of P8.5 billion, P2.8 billion of which is for the repairs, rehabilitation and upgrading of major roads in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

According to Singson, a total of three projects in Basilan involving the upgrading of 13 kilometers of road and 36.9 linear meters of bridge are now ongoing.

In Sulu he said the DPWH will implement a total of five projects that will construct 15 kilometers of road. Four of the projects have started.

Meanwhile, there are two upgrading projects involving 13 kilometers of road in Tawi-Tawi. “We are also looking at improving the water system in Tawi-Tawi,” he said.

In Lanao del Sur there are a total of eight projects. Five projects have just been awarded to private contractors while three others “will be awarded very soon.”

The projects involve the rehabilitation and upgrading of 33 kilometers of road and 75 linear meters of bridges.

“In Lanao we are also looking at upgrading the Agos River to improve and add 60 megawatts of power in Mindanao,” the DPWH revealed.

On the other hand, there are a total of eight ongoing projects in the province of Maguindanao, involving a total of 38 kilometers of roads and 20 linear meters of bridges. “We have updated [data on] the road networks in the ARMM. We now have a plan to fully restore the road networks there,” he said.

Shipper questions hold order on bark shipment

by Cebu Daily News


THE owner of the 1,000 sacks of tree bark of mangroves or tanbarks locally known as “tungog” that was seized by authorities last Thursday in Cebu City came forward to seek the release of the shipment. Erickson Kho of Sulu questioned the hold order issued by the National Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force. The foregst goods originated from Tandubas, Tawi-tawi, Mindanao. Edward Pamplona, head of the Regional Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force, told Kho that he failed to present a Certificate to Transport Forest Products to justify his claim on the shipment. Kho’s papers said he was the lone bidder who won and paid P25,520 for the 51.4 tons of tanbarks previously confiscated in Mindanao and put up for auction. But the potential market value of the bark is P14.39 million, according to Pamplona, making the shipment suspicious. A physical examination was made yesterday by the task force, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Community of Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro), Pamplona said 10 vans loaded with 280 tons of tanbarks were seized in Pier 8 Dec. 6 last year under Kho’s name. He said the tanbarks were released to Kho because no hold order was immediately issued. He said they have been “monitoring” Kho’s tanbarks shipment almost every month after reading documents that noted that the shipment was “bought through public bidding.” “Why isn’t this (tanbarks shipment) controlled?” Pamplona said. Pamplona said the National Anti-illegal Logging Task Force is meeting with the Forest Management Team to verify whether the tan barks were the subject of a public bidding. The shipment was consigned to Paul Bercina of barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City. It was seized from a motor boat by Navy personnel on Thursday. Tanbark is used in the production of paint, beads and food coloring. Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell

Magnitude 4.4 strikes off Tawi-Tawi

by http://www.abs-cbnnews.com


MANILA, Philippines – A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck off Tawi-Tawi on Thursday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs said the earthquake occurred at 6:59 p.m. Its epicenter was located 260 kilometers southeast of South Ubian town.

The earthquake was tectonic in origin. It had a depth of 491 kilometers.

No tremor was felt in any part of the province. Likewise, no damage was reported.

Phivolcs said aftershocks are not expected from the earthquake.

Authentic HK Dimsum, Half-Price!

by SOL VANZI


MANILA, Philippines — In the '60s and '70s, there was only one place outside of Chinatown for Manila dimsum lovers: Kowloon House on A. Mabini, Ermita, just off the corner of Herran (now Pedro Gil). The selection was limited: but it was the only show in town. The short dimsum menu listed siopao (asado or bola-bola), siomai, hakaw (shrimp dumpling), shark’s fin, beef balls, wugok (fried taro balls filled with chicken and mushrooms) and custard tart for dessert.

Filipino Chinese businessmen, many born in Mainland China, often flew to Hong Kong for weekend R & R, to visit girlfriends or relatives. Highlighting their trips were dimsum binges at the ground floor restaurant of the Luk Kwok Hotel in Wanchai, setting for the Richard Mason novel that inspired the movie “World of Suzie Wong.”

MANILA’S AUTHENTIC HK DIMSUM -- Today, there is no need to fly to Hong Kong to feast on a vast selection of authentic Chinese dimsum. Nor do we have to negotiate the narrow streets and no-parking areas of Binondo’s Chinatown. Families and friends now gather for traditional Sunday reunions, or weekday meals, at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant on Diosdado Macapagal Avenue off Roxas Boulevard.

Not only do they enjoy the food, there’s the convenience of guarded parking spaces, and the assurance of enough tables, chairs and rooms capable of handling small, medium or large gatherings.

A family of 10 would need several Sunday reunions to taste everything on the Golden Bay’s dimsum menu, which lists 81 varieties. China-trained Chef Hui Chun Yuk, better known to diners and staff as Chef Ben, prepares all the iconic dumplings (siomai, hakaw), steamed buns (chicken pao), rice (machang), congee, steamed pig knuckle and tripe (goto), among others.

TRADITION AND INNOVATION – In addition to the familiar dishes, Golden Bay’s menu also carries dozens of dimsums incorporating non-traditional ingredients, which surprisingly blend perfectly with dimsum cuisine.

Succulently reminiscent of the ocean are the uncommon Yuan Yang Dumplings, filled with fish fillet and topped with deep orange crab roe. Each dumpling, glistening in the steamer, is accented with a whole baby abalone. How many can claim to have eaten, or even seen, whole baby abalone?

The small abalone comes from the clear blue waters of the Pacific, where fishermen from Aurora province pluck them from rocks and keep them iced for delivery to Golden Bay’s purchasing officer Joseph Wong.

Joseph travels from extreme northern Luzon to the waters of Sulu Sea off Tawi-Tawi in search of marine products for the restaurant and for export. His knowledge extends beyond the harvests’ economic value; like an artist, he collaborates with Chef Ben in creating new dishes, transforming and reshaping the sea’s bounty to produce spectacular tasty delights.

MINI BEGGAR’S CHICKEN – Golden Bay has a greaseless version of the common Machang (sticky rice, sausage, pork and mushrooms). Glutinous Rice with Chicken come as rectangular, single-serving packets of sticky rice layered with a filling of chicken, mushrooms and seasonings wrapped in lotus leaf.

The heady aroma of chicken and mushrooms wafts as soon as the lotus leaf is opened. Unwrapped, the contents resemble a rice sandwich. The flavors are complex yet complementary, much like Beggar’s Chicken which was the inspiration for the dish. Imported Chinese dried lotus leaves impart smoky and earthy undertones which could not be duplicated if one used other leaves, such as banana or pandan.

I took home a few pieces, kept them in the fridge overnight. The next morning, they were unwrapped and pan-fried until toasty crisp on the outside. Heavenly!

GIGANTIC HAKAW – The regular bamboo steamer basket is hardly big enough for one order of Hakaw, which are definitely the biggest shrimp dumplings I’ve ever seen. The wrapper alone is worthy of note: shiny, transparent as cellophane, quivering in the rising steam. Inside are several pink shrimp, firm to the bite and with a texture implying they’ve never been frozen.

“It is not a secret; to ensure quality tasting food, we make sure that we have fresh quality ingredients daily,” emphasizes Chef Ben.

EXTRA-ORDINARY SIAO LONG – There is a unique system to eating Siao Long, lovingly described by experts as “soup in a dumpling,” one of the trickiest dumplings to assemble.

Carefully, the dumpling is lifted to one’s mouth, making sure the skin stays intact. A small bite near the top would then allow the diner to slurp the juices before attacking the rest of the piece, composed of minced lean pork and herbs.

As with the other Golden Bay dumplings, Siao Long dumplings are large, and take at least three bites to finish. The pork filling is so lean there is no hint of greasiness or oil either in the filling or the “soup” inside its wrapping.

STEAMED GOTO – One item very few ever cook at home is tripe; even the most avid kitchen lover loses patience with the hours required to clean, soak, stew and simmer to make this animal part edible. Cooked well, though, tripe, or goto, is beyond description.

Golden Bay’s Steamed Goto is a dish that looks deceptively simple; this impression quickly disappears with the first bite, which bathes the mouth with indescribable richness. To enjoy the dish fully, one should chew very slowly, savoring the nuances of dozens of herbs the tripe was simmered in. A few slivers of fresh green and red chili peppers enliven the meat, elevating the experience to sensuous heights.

CONGEES AND OTHERS – Like many Hong Kong residents, I got used to congee breakfast, teamed with salty stuff. At Golden Bay, my favorite congee partners are Rice Roll with Abalone Sauce and Radish Cake with XO Sauce and Crispy Dried Scallops.

The Rice Rolls are Ho-Fan, or sheets of steamed ground rice batter rolled and bathed in thick Abalone Sauce. The Radish Cake is cubed, fried, bathed in sauce and covered with a thick layer of crisp shreds of fried dried imported scallops. How’s that for decadent?

Of course, one should not miss what we call Pata Tim, listed on the menu as Steamed Pig Knuckle with Preserved Beancurd. Melt-in-the-mouth pig trotters come with bone marrow that’s to die for, stewed in cubes of preserved beancurd which we call tahure. This is a welcome twist from the ordinary stew using salted black beans or tausi; it’s complex in flavor and more authentic. Makes one want to pour it over plain steamed rice.

CHEAPER THAN FASTFOOD – The Golden Bay’s dimsum menu regular prices are lower by half compared to dishes of the same quality in five-star hotels. This summer, there is an ongoing promo that is offering 50% off the regular dimsum prices.

Bottomline? Golden Bay’s authentic Hong Kong dimsum are now discounted to only P63 to P75 per order. This is definitely cheaper than most fastfood outlets considering the larger servings and superior quality.

“We are not after profits. Our aim is authenticity, pleasant ambience and to bring Hong Kong dimsum to Manila at prices that will be more affordable for more people,” Joseph Wong says, laying out the goals of the country’s premier dimsum destination.

Roperos: Cost of living pains

by Godofredo M. Roperos

Politics also


YESTERDAY, there was a story in this daily about the city’s waterworks system being the subject of complaints by some subscribers who suddenly found their water faucets dry. They realized that the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) had interrupted its services to repair pipe leakage in some parts of the city.

Of course, the subscribers failed to realize that what they experienced was one of the hazards of urban living. It is the way we live today that sometimes subjects us to certain discomforts.

When I was still a kid in the countryside, I often went with my grandfather to his farm about three kilometers away from the poblacion. There was a concrete tank on a promontory overlooking his cornfield. The Tangke was the source of the piped water to the houses in the poblacion.

No wonder the water turned brackish when there was heavy rain, and we were warned not to drink the water when it was brackish. Then, when it was election season, I remember candidates promising to improve our water system so we would not get sick when the water would turn brackish.

Many years later, when I started covering the rural areas from Aparri of the Cagayan Valley in the north, to Tawi-tawi in the Muslim country of the far south, I realized how gravely had water grown to be a national problem. This despite efforts of government to initiate various projects to provide water in our communities.

But then only recently, there was the typhoid outbreak in Tuburan that was generally blamed on water. It really seemed as if the problem of providing safe water source to our rural communities would drag on across the years as a continuing problem seeking solution. This is, of course, one of the basic political issues that our government is constantly challenged, just like the problem of power and the environment.

Not very long ago, our drainage canal was unable to function effectively. Imagine my surprise one morning when we awoke with rainwater flooding our ground-floor. Since rain went on for days, water also stayed on in our ground floor, until we sought the help of the mayor who had the highway drainage canal cleared of debris and plastic waste.

Now, it is my power bill that I am concerned with. But my request to Cebeco III to change my power meter has not been heeded in the past two months. With the cost of living having gone up, even the cost of kitchen gas going up a thousand pesos a tank, we pray that our basic services suppliers would listen to our appeal for help. But then, the contemporary existence is something we can no more avoid than we can climate change. It is a reality of our present urban existence that we just have to suffer through, and coyly live with.






Tawi-Tawi peace council convened to address Sitangkai conflict

by (PNA)

LAP/FMS/mec


ZAMBOANGA CITY — Governor Hadji Sadikul Sahali has convened the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) to settle a clan war in that otherwise peaceful province in Southeestern Philippines. Sahali, who chairs the PPOC, said that his agenda in convening the council was to address the armed conflict between two groups in the Municipality of Sitangkai that has been reportedly escalating. The PPOC chairman has directed the Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Rodelio Jocson to provide him with regular updates on the situation in the area. Initially, Jocson confirmed that there has been armed engagement between the two warring factions, which were not identified. However, he said that the groups have agreed on a ceasefire and settlement of the conflict is under negotiation. He also said that the peace and order situation in the Province of Tawi-Tawi is manageable and there is no cause for alarm. In the same manner, Task Force 62 Commander, Navy Captain Renato Yongque also said that Tawi-Tawi in its entirety is peaceful, “that is why there is no military movement,” he stressed. Yongque also cited that the military has made changes in its approach and has adopted the so-called “Internal Peace and Security Plan or the Bayanihan,” composed of teams of selected soldiers to help work for peace in the community. Meanwhile, Sahali said that the conflict in Sitangkai between the two groups is purely a clan war, which is normally occurring in the province and elsewhere. He stressed his optimism that such conflict could be addressed soon, just like incidents of the same nature that have already occurred in the past but were given solutions. “We have peace in Tawi-Tawi, and we will protect that peace,” the governor stressed.






Rescued

by www.tawitawi.net


Two alleged victims of human trafficking were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) while onboard a ship in Tawi-Tawi. Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrent, PCG spokesman, said that Coast Guard Station-Bongao received a report that two teenagers – Remelyn Ponce, 18 and Roselyn Ponce, 16 – who were reportedly victims of human trafficking, were held onboard MV TrishaKerstin-2 while en route to Bongao, Tawi Tawi on April 10.

Further investigation disclosed that the girls, who left home without the knowledge of their families, were promised jobs as domestic helpers in Malaysia. Upon learning of the incident, Ponce’s mother sought assistance from the Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, five persons were arrested in separate anti-illegal drugs operations in Quezon City since Friday afternoon. Investigators of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) identified the arrested suspects as Mary Jane Obarra, 39; Danilo Fernando Sr., 52; Theresa Cruz, 43; Gilbert Cruz, 22; and Aldrin Rivera, 22.






Promoting Tourism on Beautiful but Violent Tawi-Tawi

by Bongao.


The island’s pristine waters, prehistoric caves and mountain lookouts, it turns out, lie in the vicinity of fierce battles between rebel groups and the Philippine military.

Kidnappings are a recurring problem on Tawi-Tawi, and clan warfare, beheadings and roadside bombs are all too common on the surrounding islands in the southern Philippines. Nonetheless, Gov. Sadikul Sahali and local tourism officials are laying out the welcome mat, with a new promotional campaign aimed at trumpeting the charms of Tawi-Tawi and other nearby isles.

National tourism officials are opposed to foreigners visiting the area because of the dangers. A national tourism campaign, with the slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” has been something of a sensation on the Internet, though, and users have appropriated the slogan in postings on social media sites to celebrate — and mock — what constitutes “fun” in some areas. One such image under the heading “Vacation. It’s More Fun in the Philippines” shows a kidnapped couple flanked by masked, armed men in Mindanao, the easternmost island in the Philippines.

“If you are in central and western Mindanao, you should leave immediately,” states a recent travel advisory from the Australian government to its citizens.

“If, despite our very strong advice against travel, you decide to visit central or western Mindanao,” it added, “you should put in place robust measures to ensure your personal security, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.”

The United States, Britain and many other countries have had similar travel warnings for more than a decade.

It is no surprise, given the recent history of the area around Tawi-Tawi, that visitors are urged to arrange security along with their tour packages.

On nearby Jolo Island in February, Philippine Air Force jets dropped two bombs that killed more than a dozen rebels, including top leaders of a regional terrorist network with links to Al Qaeda, military officials said.

A nearby island, Basilan, is a stronghold for the top terrorist organization in the Philippines, Abu Sayyaf.

Just beyond Basilan, in Zamboanga Sibugay Province, Warren Richard Rodwell, a 53-year-old Australian, has been held captive since his abduction on Dec. 5. In July, a vacationing American, Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann, her 14-year-old son and her 19-year-old Filipino nephew were kidnapped in a coastal area of Zamboanga City. All three are now free, and Ms. Lunsmann and her son have returned to the United States. No one has confirmed or denied rumors that ransoms were paid.

Despite the warnings, two European birdwatchers decided to visit Tawi-Tawi in hopes of seeing the extremely rare Sulu hornbill. They were kidnapped on Feb. 1 and remain in captivity. The violence and kidnappings in the south pose a significant problem for Philippine tourism officials.

“The Philippines remains an ideal destination, with foreign individuals and groups continuing to arrive,” the Department of Tourism said in a statement shortly after the birdwatchers were kidnapped. “So far, no cancellations have been made.”

In Bongao, on Tawi-Tawi, the desk clerk at the Beachside Inn, Nur Uddin, said by telephone that foreigners continued to arrive, although not very often. “If you come here, you should hire a security guard to make sure you are safe,” he said.

Salvacion Pescadera, a provincial tourism officer, said the kidnapping of the birdwatchers was an isolated case that, she said, occurred because they had not sought security clearance from the Tourism Department before visiting a remote area. She said that her office coordinated with the local police to provide security for visitors. “You’ll be in good hands,” she said.

DENR, tourism council seek more no-mining zones

by Kristine L. Alave

Philippine Daily Inquirer


MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Tourism Council last week endorsed proposals to delineate hundreds of areas as “no-mining zones.” According to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, the DENR has recommended that the government add nine more sites to its current list of 239 protected areas. Of those already on the list, 178 of them would be further declared as “eco-tourism zones,” to expand their protection from all extractive activities, including small-scale mining. The nine new areas to be placed under the conservation area status are: Balbalan-Balbalasang National Park in the Cordillera Region, Zambales Mountains in Regions 1 and 3, Mts. Irid Angelo and Binuang in Region 4A, Polilio Group of Islands, also in Region 4A, Mts. Iglit Baco National Park in Region 4B, Nug as Lantoy in Region 7, Mt. Nacolod in Region 8, Mt. Hilong-hilong in Region 13, and Bongao Peak in Tawi-tawi Island. On strengthening restrictions in 178 protected areas, Paje said: “The priority land use in these areas is tourism,” Paje said. “We have agreed that these areas are no-mining zones,” Paje added. ‘In conflict’ He said government is supportive of the idea since it wants to bolster the country’s tourism industry. A few months ago, the Department of Tourism launched a campaign with a tag line “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” to entice more foreign tourists to come to the country. The move to delineate more protected areas came after DENR, Silliman University and the German aid agency noted that the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Act of 1992 has loopholes that allow some extractive and commercial activities even in protected areas. Also, the review noted that current laws on protected areas and the Mining Act of 1995 are “in conflict” when it comes to areas that are open to mining and areas with a protected status. The Nipas law also mandates Congress to declare a particular area as a protected site, which is an expensive and long process.

DPWH Sec. Sadain visits, inspects Tawi- Tawi Projects

by (PR/BFC)


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi- (March 11, 2012) Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Secretary Emil K. Sadain personally inspected on-going projects being undertaken by the ARMM government in the island provinces over the weekends.


Sec. Sadain made his province-hopping across the southern islands including Tawi-Tawi where he, along with local executives led by Gov. Sadikul Sahali officially inspected the continuing construction of three steel bridges worth approximately P97.0 M across the Sanga-Sanga-Lapid-Lapid rapids in Bongao town, which, if completed, will spur economic growth as well as boost social transformation in the islands.

Phase I and II of the project had been substantially completed while Phase III posted accomplishment now at 98.13 percent complete while construction works still continuing and expected to be finished by September this year. Construction started last June 10, 2010.

Bridge Project Engr. Jul-Arab Kong of the DPWH-RO-9 said that by April of this year, President Benigno Aquino III is set to inaugurate and declare it open for public use.

Sec. Sadain, con-currently DPWH-President Bridge Program Director with an appointment as national Assistant Secretary, pointed out that after decades at attempting to construct the bridge projects, it is only now that we are to realize it.

The bridge project, one of the priorities of the national government would connect the Bongao capital town island to the other mainland island towns making accessible trade and commerce as well as allow the movements of people to travel by land, according to Sadain.

Sec. Sadain also led the ocular assessment and inspection of Tubig Malum (Rio Hondo) in Sitio Malum, Barangay Magsaggaw, Panglima Sugala town about 6 kilometers from the capital Barangay Bato-Bato to determine the possibility for implementation of the proposed water system as a potential source of potable water. The water system will be tapped and distributed to the entire main island of the province. The river which stretches downstream from barangay Marang-Marang (Languyan town) to Barangay Magsaggaw extending further through Barangay Kulapi towards the southern tip of Panglima Sugala municipality has sufficient volume of fresh water that could cater a growing population.

Meanwhile, Gov. Sahali briefed Sec. Sadain about the proposal to undertake the project because it is a priority need of the people. The Governor said it’s high time that a viable and sustainable water works system harnessing the Malum River will address the perennial shortage of water supply in the island province Sahali, likewise emphasized his willingness to extend his local counterpart contribution to start with the project even as he toured the ARMM official to the site despite the difficulty in traversing the rugged road conditions and trails to reach the area.

“We must do an actual assessment of the situation on the ground and know where to start,” Sadain emphasized even as he assured to work for its realization under PNoy’s administration.

Accompanied by DPWH officials and staff, Sadain took time out to conduct consultations with the seven district officials of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, who joined him in Tawi-Tawi for the holding of the First Joint Regional and District Conference held at the DPWH district office in Bongao town, where the DPWH-ARMM Reform Agenda 2012 was laid down as a policy guidelines of the ARMM leadership by fully implementing important milestone projects using available resources and funding.

Tawi-Tawi DPWH District Engr. Bensoud Ajihil, who played host to the conference vowed to continue to support the ARMM Secretary in fulfilling the reform agenda as mandated by doing its share in developing the southern frontier of the country.

Sadain said that in support of the reform programs and good governance of ARMM, milestone targets has been set in place.

He declared that DPWH-ARMM has attained remarkable achievements in the pursuit of reform for good governance, defining its new policies and programs in the field of administrative, technical and financial matters, in just almost 3 months since he assumed.

He said, the first 100 days accomplishments, for both physical and financial inclusive of the difficulties encountered, the impact of the programs and activities as reflected in the reports as well as recommendations has been submitted to the ARMM regional Governor.

Discussions also centered on all the accomplishments of the department and the sharing of information on the problems experienced with regards to project implementation and on how to address them.

Sadain is optimistic, with help from all stakeholders to include local government units, Barangays, the NGO’s and the members of the community; ARMM will be able to take off from its slumber under the present administration of Regional Gov. Hataman.

Sadain, who assumed last January 17, 2012 as DPWH cabinet secretary promised to institute changes not only from within the system but also develop a scheme to address on the deep-seated “culture of people” working habits in bringing the desired development for the ARMM.

Earlier, Saidain said that when he was appointed as the DPWH-ARMM secretary, he noticed that it's not only the system that need to be changed but also the culture of the people working on it especially the public officials particularly those under his supervision from what he described as, “from the culture of officials down to workers in the office” and the department's programming on project implementation solely focuses on local roads which were then gradually destroyed as of this period.

On national roads with a total of 1,100 kilometers, about 70 percent of the road was done adding that with the marching orders of the President to the newly appointed ARMM governor to cover the 100 percent National paved roads by next midterm elections, due to that the 70 percent of the national roads should be given right priority under the program of DPWH-ARMM.

Sadain added he is now in the midst of undertaking the needed reforms within his department to set the right example and provide the avenue for real change to take its course for the good of the ARMM constituents.

Part of the reform effort focuses on reviewing falsified documents on the appointments of employees while upholding civil service rulings in cleansing his department on the old ways of culture to professionalize the bureaucracy, according to Sadain.

Sec. Sadain claimed that President Aquino’s choice for OIC Regional Gov. Hataman is welcome as the latter is sincere and committed in delivering reform in the ARMM Region even as he expects everyone to support.

The department also looks forward in developing some projects that would invite donor countries in the form of providing grants such as the USAID, Organization of Islamic Conference, JICA and others that extends assistance for member countries.

Much earlier, Sec. Sadain has issued a memo to the two district engineering offices which compliments the first district of Maguindanao and the second district of Lanao del Sur for the maintenance of road clearing for the commuters to feel comfortable in their travel from Cotabato City up to Parang and Malabang all the way to Marawi City which stretch up to 70 kilometers long. The road signage's on the sharp curves, street markings and kilometer posts were planned to be placed along the roadsides.

The department targets to cater about 80 percent of the budget focused on national roads and bridges and the balance will be considered by 2013. He further explained that he sub-divided their office programming, 80 percent of it for the national roads and 20 percent for the high-impact or strategic roads adding that these roads are those problematic roads on calamity or conflict affected areas.

While in Basilan, the secretary accompanied Governor Hataman to inaugurate the multi-million pesos worth of JICA-funded Integrated port Terminal in Lamitan City and inspected other infra projects.

In Sulu, Sadain, together with the regional governor and Sulu officials led the ground-breaking of Jolo-Taglibi-Tiptipun road network; inspection of the existing and on-going construction road projects; visit of the area equipment and the Sulu’s two engineering district offices; assessment of the proposed water and drainage systems in Jolo; and meeting with local officials led by Gov. Sakur Tan.

In the Secretary’s entourage were Maguindanao District Engineers Emran Buisan (Dist. 1), and Zainal Mlok (Dist. 2), Lanao District Engineers Tetinga Langit Sumagayan (Dist. 1) and Maldamin Decampong (Dist. 2), Sulu D.E. Taballang Atluh (Dist. 1) and Barlie Nahudan (Dist. 2), Basilan D.E. Bensali Kasim and Tawi-Tawi D.E. Bensoud Ajihil.

Simunul Mayor ousted

by Press Release


Nazif Ahmad B. Abdurahman, the mayor of Simunul, a fourth class and one of the 11 municipalities in Tawi-Tawi, has been ousted from office. This came about as Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 5 Acting Presiding Judge Peter V. Eisma of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, has issued a five-page Special Order dated April 2, 2012 granting the “motion for execution” of its February 10, 2012 order that “annulled and set aside” Abdurahman's proclamation and declared Benzar N. Tambut as the duly elected mayor of Simunul municipality, Province of Tawi-Tawi.

“Wherefore, judgment is hereby rendered, finding the protestant Benzar N. Tambut as the duly elected Municipal Mayor of the Municipality of Simunul, Province of Tawi-Tawi. The proclamation of the protestee Nazif Ahmad B. Abdurahman as Municipal Mayor of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi in the last May 10, 2012 elections is hereby ANNULED and SET ASIDE,” the Court stated in its February 10, 2012 decision.

The Court issued the order after Tambut, assisted by election lawyer Quirino Esguerra, Jr., has protested Abdurahman's proclamation citing various irregularities allegedly conducted and/or perpetrated by Abdurahman and/or his followers and cohorts during the conduct of the automated national and local elections on May 10, 2010.

Tambut has contested and impugned the results of six of the total 20 clustered precincts for the mayoralty position. Earlier, Abdurahman was proclaimed as the winner in the mayoralty race having garnered the highest votes casted and canvassed during the May 10, 2010 election with a total of 2,955 votes as compared to Tambut who obtained 2,386 votes, the second highest ranking in the race of six aspirants for mayor.

However, the Court, after the revision and judicial appreciation of ballots, has annulled and set aside Aburahman's proclamation since it found out that Tambut garnered 2,329 votes while Abdurahman garnered a total of 1,933 votes or with a difference of 396 votes.

The Court in its April 2, 2012 decision has cited “public interest” in granting the “motion for execution” filed by Tambut and Esguerra, his legal counsel.

“Public interest involved is beyond doubt that warrants the execution of the decision of this court pending appeal when this court established the true and genuine expression of the will of the electorate of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, thereby establishing protestant's right to the contested office by declaring him undoubtedly the true and genuine winner with a plurality of Three Hundred Ninety Six (396) votes as manifestly established in the decision promulgated by this Court on February 10, 2012,” the Court said.

“Public interest demands the immediate execution of the decision of the court and to rule against the execution pending appeal is greatly prejudicial to the constituents of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi whose true and genuine winner has been judicially determined by this court,” the Court added.






Court unseats Tawi-Tawi municipal mayor

by Bong Garcia


A REGIONAL trial court has unseated Nazif Ahmad B. Abdurahman as the mayor of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi province.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 5 acting presiding judge Peter V. Eisma of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, has issued a five-page special order dated April 2, 2012 granting the motion for execution of its February 10, 2012 order that annulled and set aside Abdurahman's proclamation.

The court declared Benzar N. Tambut as the duly elected mayor of Simunul municipality.

The court issued the order after Tambut, assisted by election lawyer Quirino Esguerra Jr., has protested Abdurahman's proclamation.

Tambut’s camp cited various irregularities allegedly conducted by Abdurahman or his followers and cohorts during the conduct of the automated national and local elections on May 10, 2010.

Tambut has contested the results of six of the total 20 clustered precincts for the mayoralty position.

Earlier, Abdurahman was proclaimed as the winner in the mayoralty race having garnered the highest votes casted and canvassed with a total of 2,955 votes as compared to Tambut who obtained 2,386 votes, the second highest ranking in the race of six mayoral aspirants.

The court has annulled and set aside Aburahman's proclamation after it found out after the revision and judicial appreciation of ballots that Tambut garnered 2,329 votes while Abdurahman garnered a total of 1,933 votes or with a difference of 396 votes.

The court in its April 2, 2012 decision has cited public interest in granting the motion for execution filed by Tambut and Esguerra.

“Public interest involved is beyond doubt that warrants the execution of the decision of this court pending appeal when this court established the true and genuine expression of the will of the electorate of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, thereby establishing protestant's right to the contested office by declaring him undoubtedly the true and genuine winner…,” the court said.

Simunul, which comprises of 15 villages, is a 4th class and one of the 11 municipalities of Tawi-Tawi.

Simunul has a population 31,962 people in 4,910 households based on the 2000 census of the National Statistics Office.

DENR-ARMM pursues greening program

by (EOR/APB-PIA 10)


MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) is engaging in a massive region-wide reforestation under the National Greening Program (NGP).

“We are vigorously pursuing the implementation of the NGP which seeks to address poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation,” said DENR-ARMM Secretary Kahal Kedtag during the 1st ARMM Summit on Environmental Protection held here recently.

He said the DENR-ARMM is set to produce 5,296,500 seedlings for the 2011-2012 implementation of the program.

According to him, these seedlings will be planted in 2,500 hectares of denuded and open forestland within the region’s five provinces, namely Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

It can be recalled that DENR Secretary Ramon Paje and ARMM OIC-Governor Mujiv Hataman inked an agreement earlier this year to ensure the full implementation of the NGP in the region.

A flagship program of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the greening program involves the growing of 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of lands nationwide from 2011 to 2016.

ARMMAA 2012 reels off

by Bong Garcia


LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — The 2012 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (ARMMAA) meet kicked off Saturday with officials encouraging the athletes “to aim for the best.”

The week-long athletic competition is being participated by some 6,000 athletes composed of 12 athletic delegations coming from the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.

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The largest athletic contingent is from the province of Tawi-Tawi.

“Aim high and aim for the best,” Armm officer-in-charge Governor Mujiv Hataman told the athletes.

Hataman encouraged the athletes to set a goal not just in participating in the 2012 ARMMAA but to be able to reach to the Palarong Pambansa and possibly in the Olympics.

Hataman also enjoined them to be instruments of peace as this year’s sports competition is themed: “Bridging Peace, Unity and Development through Sports.”

“Let sportsmanship and discipline be the order of the day,” Basilan Congressman Jim Salliman, the elder brother of Hataman, told the athletes.

Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay said the hosting of the ARMMAA 2012 gives them the opportunity to showcase the best of the city especially in the field of tourism.

“We may not provide you excellent facilities but we will offset it with warm hospitality,” Furigay said.

Lamitan City has pristine beaches and beautiful falls like the Bulingan Falls.

Furigay has thanked Hataman and Salliman for their full support to the City Government in the hosting of ARMMAA 2012.

The holding of this year’s ARMMAA is the second time this city played hosts.

The first time Lamitan played hosts to ARMMAA was in 2005 when it was still a municipality.

Remote Villages Get Health Care

by ALI G. MACABALANG


COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Remote villages in the once scary Maguindanao province and the southernmost tips of Tawi-Tawi islands are now receiving health services and medical care which rural folks had longed for decades. Reports about the trend-setting outreach services surfaced at the education and health summit conducted here recently. Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., incumbent health secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), told summit participants that more than 2,000 “deprived people” of Tawi-Tawi received medical attention and health services in a week-long (March 18-25) caravan on the island towns of Sapa-Sapa and Languyan. The “geographically disadvantaged” villagers of the two island towns received various “medical-surgical-safe motherhood outreach” services never done in one setting before, Sinolinding said in his presentation backed by statistics and photos. “Braving the scorching heat of the sun and the staggering hours of travel by sea, we once touched hearts and brought vision and hope among more than 2,000 people in Languyan and Sapapa island towns,” said the ARMM health official cum expert ophthalmologist.

Philippines says it is now ready to sign peace deal with Muslim rebels

by (Mindanao Examiner)


COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 2, 2012) – The Philippines said it is ready to sign a peace agreement with Muslim rebels fighting for self-determination in the restive South. The statement came ahead of peace talks set to begin this month in Kuala Lumpur.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said peace negotiations are going nowhere after Manila rejected the rebel demand for a Muslim sub-state in Mindanao similar to Malaysia, which is brokering the talks.

“Government maintains that it is ready to sign a peace pact with the MILF in the soonest possible time. We have laid a very pragmatic proposal that will ensure real and genuine autonomy for the Bangsamoro on the table,” Marvic Leonen, chief government peace negotiators, said on Monday.

He said the last round of talks with the MILF in Marc have been very difficult, with both parties engaged in hard bargaining on the substantive aspects of the negotiations.

“Given the dynamic nature of the negotiations, it has to be understood that there are issues that may be hard to resolve. However, government is committed to work hard with its counterparts in the MILF to find mutually acceptable solutions and bring peace in Mindanao. Instead of trying to fuel people's apprehensions, we urge the MILF to work with government and meet our timetable for a peace agreement this year,” Leonen said.

The MILF said it will not sign any peace deal unless the Aquino government agreed on the creation of Muslim sub-state. “We cannot backtrack on our demand because it the will of the Bangsamoro people,” said Mohagher Iqbal, the chief MILF peace negotiator.

He said the MILF is unlikely to sign any peace accord anytime soon, saying, the government is not committed to forging a genuine and long and lasting solution in Mindanao.

The MILF said Manila has offered the five-province Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao which is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao provinces.

“We will stick with our demand for a Muslim sub-state in Mindanao and nothing more,” Iqbal said.

The Aquino government has proposed the so-called “3-for-1” formula to achieve political settlement of conflict in Mindanao.

Among in the proposal is a roadmap for development and socio-economic rehabilitation in the Mindanao through the creation of the Joint Coordinating Committee on Development in which the Philippines offered partnership with the MILF in identifying and implementing socio-economic projects.

And peace accord through the creation of the Bangsamoro Commission that will be composed of representatives from the government, the MILF, and stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process and to re-craft an Organic Act for “genuine autonomy” and supervise the implementation of the peace pact.

And lastly is for the government to acknowledge the historical injustice of conflict and reconciliation wherein it is willing to officially retell the real history of Mindanao.

Ghazali Jaafar, the MILF vice chairman for political affairs, also expressed pessimism about the peace talks with the Aquino government, saying negotiations have been going on for a long time now, but nothing concrete has been achieved, except for the cease-fire agreement.

“We are very doubtful now whether we can sign a peace deal with government under this present administration,” he said following a recent caucus with senior MILF leaders in the South.

“The assessment of the political officers was the recently concluded peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Malaysia was very disappointing. What the government peace panel headed by Marvic Leonen did in the last talks was never our immediate expectation which is the reason why we are very much disappointed,” Jaafar said.

Damaged luxury cruise towed to port in Tawi-Tawi

by philstar.com


MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Ships are towing the damaged luxury cruise M/V Azamara Quest towards an island in the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi, police said today.

Philippine National Police spokesman Agrimero Cruz Jr. said that a towboat of the Philippine Coast Guard has started towing the ship anchored at Tubbataha Reef at around 9:45 a.m. and is expected to arrive at Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi at around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. They are being escorted by a Philippine Navy ship.

He added that all the passengers were still onboard the ship.

The 30,277-tonnage cruise ship, which has 590 passengers and 411 crew members, caught fire off southern Philippines Friday night while on its way to Sandakan, Malaysia.

Azamara Club Cruises, operator of Azamara Quest, said in an earlier statement that the vessel caught a fire in the engine room, but it was quickly extinguished; five of its crew members got injured, but no passenger hurt in the accident.

Because of the fire incident, the rest of the 17-day Azamara Quest's voyage was canceled.The ship started with the voyage on March 26 in Hong Kong and docked in Manila, Philippines' port on Thursday.

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