Cotabato City News November 2011

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Soldiers beat polio victim 'black and blue'

by (PNA)

RMA/NYP/


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 30 (PNA) - The leadership of the 7th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) here is set to investigate a case involving several of its men on the alleged manhandling on Tuesday night of a polio victim and a relative during a pursuit operation against an escaping gunman along Barangay Bagua 3, this city.

Polio-stricken Christopher Ballares, 32, along with uncle Hector Cresencio, 40, alleged that pursuing soldiers ordered them to emerge from the house and drop to the ground, after which were kicked upon on suspicion that they hid the gunman who managed to evade arrest.

“The raiding team did not even bother to ask us who we were,” a sobbing Ballares told local radio station DXMS in an interview.

Ballares bore bruises and contusions in his body resulting from the maltreatment he got from the soldiers.

He alleged that the soldiers even shot the lamp of the street post in their area to cover their identities following the manhandling incident.

Immediately though, Major Jessie Cervo, 7MBLT operations commander, has ordered an investigation of the incident. “We will get to the bottom of this,” ” he said in same radio interview.

Moreover, he promised that the 7MBLT would shoulder all medical expenses of the victims.

“It is a sad thing to note that a legitimate pursuit operation would turn bad. We will be implementing corrective measures on this,” he added.

Cervo said that responding 7MBLT elements were chasing a gunman, who earlier shot and injured in the chest a 15-year-old girl in the area, resulting to the mix-up in their follow-up operation.

“The gunman allegedly fled towards the direction of the house where Ballares and Crecencio resided, prompting our soldiers to ran after their target persistently,” he explained.

Cervo noted that the minor who was shot remains unidentified and unconsciousness at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center here.

Cops hunt robbery group who strangled polio victim

by (PNA)

FFC/NYP


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 29 (PNA) – Cops here are hot on the trail of a robbery group who strangled to death on Monday a polio victim in Barangay Poblacion 7 using an identification document (ID) strap.

The body of polio-inflicted Bedo Camilon, 26, single, was discovered by his mother around 5:30 a.m. at a convenience store the victim was managing near his parent’s home, with a red-colored ID strap still tightly wrapped around his neck.

Sr. Supt. Danny Reyes, city police director, said initial investigation revealed that some P6,000 cash was stolen from the victim along with two mobile phones he used for his mobile phone retail reloading business.

“Apparently, the victim might have known the suspects personally as there were no signs of forced entry to the store,” Reyes said.

According to neighbors, the victim has no known enemies in their area as he was kind an humble.

Kato alive?

by ALI G. MACABALANG


COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Amid confusion spawned by reports that defiant Moro rebel leader Ameril Umbra Kato allegedly succumbed to a stroke, a physician announced over a radio station here yesterday that the wanted secessionist fighter is very much alive and undergoing treatment for his lingering asthma.

“Buhay na buhay po siya…walang katotohanan sa mga balitang namayapa na siya. He is resting and undergoing treatment by four specialists, two of them foreigners, in an exclusive hospital,” said a Muslim physician, who asked not to be named for “security reason.”

Ameril Umbra Kato dead, MILF says

by Rumy Elusfa/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex


COTABATO CITY (Updated: 2:28 p.m.) -- Ameril Umra Kato, the leader and organizer of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), died after suffering a fatal stroke Saturday evening, a Moro peace panel member said.

Lawyer Michael Mastura, legal counsel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and a member of the MILF's peace panel, confirmed the rouge commander's death in a text message on Sunday.

"Now confirmed Ameril Umra Kato passed away in Toril," the text message sent to Sun.Star Davao read. He said Kato died around 6 p.m. Saturday while under the care of his first wife in Toril, Davao City.

Von Al-haq, the military spokesperson of the MILF said Kato is "big loss" to the Moro armed movement as "he wishes for a real solution to the Bangsamoro problem."

Al-haq said MILF's doors are open for the Kato's followers in the BIFF who wanted to return to their fold.

Muslim freedom fighter’s group denies Kato’s death

by Edwin Fernandez

Inquirer Mindanao

COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters denied the reported death of its leader, Ameril Umra Kato. Abu Misri, BIFF spokesman, laughed off the report, saying it was pure speculation. “He is alive,” he said by phone. Misri admitted, however, that Kato had collapsed while walking towards a BIFF camp last week. But he attributed it to “asthma” and said the 65-year old Saudi-trained cleric was well.

Mindanao Think Tank’s capability-building event opens today

by Perlita Changco


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA) -- The conduct of a two-day capability-building activity for members of Mindanao Think Tank (MTT), a foreign-assisted peace policy formulating and multi-sectoral forum, started today at Davao City, in time for this year’s celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace. According to MTT chair Atty. Anwar Malang, one of the objectives of the capability-building activity is to enhance the members’ communication skills while honing their capabilities to help push the peace process in Mindanao through prompt dissemination of the gains and dividends of the GPH-MILF peace talks. In support to the peace talks, MTT members have agreed to come up with primers on the GPH-MILF talks, giving opportunity to both panels to answer questions from stakeholders, Malang said. “This is to support the efforts of the two panels to clear out doubts and undue perceptions on the GPH-MILF talks,” he said. MTT cooperates with the peace-building activities of cause-oriented and peace advocacy groups in the region among them the Institute for Autonomy and Governance with Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado, Jr. as the executive director. (PIA Cotabato City)

DILG: Justice for Maguindanao massacre victims a government commitment

by PIA Press Release


COTABATO CITY, Nov 24 (PIA) --Justice for the victims of the infamous Maguindanao massacre remains a commitment of the national government, Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) assured victims’ relatives, friends and media colleagues. “I am here to convey to everyone the commitment of the national government in giving priority to achieving justice for all the victims,” Robredo said. He urged the public to remain united and strong amid challenges confronting government’s initiative of instituting reforms. “Let us join hands in facing all the challenges, first in achieving justice and second in ensuring that an incident like this will never happen again,” Robredo said. Secretary Robredo and Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangundadatu led hundreds who visited the gravesite at barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao and offered prayers and flowers in observance of the 2nd year anniversary of the massacre. After two years, the view of the Ampatuan massacre area has relatively improved with the construction of a memorial shrine, multi-purpose building, ongoing 1-km road concreting and fenced-off gravesites. Commemoration activities included an interfaith prayer, floral offering and the release of white pigeons and hundreds of white balloons symbolizing peace and unity.(pbchangco/PIA Cotabato City)

Blast rocks site of Maguindanao massacre now marking its 2nd year

by Noel Y. Punzalan


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 23 (PNA) -– A powerful blast rocked the infamous Maguindanao massacre site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town around 5:15 a.m. Wednesday, in time for the incident’s second year commemoration where families of the victims and hundreds of journalists from all over the country and abroad are expected to troop to the place for an annual tribute.

At least one explosion was heard two kilometers from the highway connecting Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces leading to the site, prompting military and police forces to seal off the area.

The site of the carnage is some 3.5 kilometers from the highway.

“Two more homemade bombs were disrupted by members of the military bomb squad while seven more bombs were found in a corn field leading to the massacre site,” Col. Dong Yabu, commander of the Army’s 601st Brigade, said.

Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, whose wife and several relatives were among the 57 victims killed in the massacre, is expected to lead a commemoration program at the site before noon Wednesday.

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo is also expected to grace the commemoration rites.

At least over a dozen members of the once powerful Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao are currently detained at a maximum prison security facility in Taguig City in connection with the massacre incident described as the worst pre-election incident in Philippine politics.

The incident stemmed from a political rivalry between Mangudadatu and massacre principal suspect Datu Unsay Municipal Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. for the province’s gubernatorial post during the synchronized May 2010 national and local polls. (PNA) DCT/LDV/NYP

26 human trafficking victims rescued

by Ali G. Macabalang


COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Twenty-six alleged victims of human trafficking were rescued last week by government authorities in TawiTawi, the southernmost province serving as the country’s backdoor used by unscrupulous recruiters to sneak undocumented jobseekers to Malaysia and other Asian countries, it was learned yesterday. Supt. Roland Bulalacao, head of the information office of the regional police command of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said their field operatives intercepted the 26 victims on board MV Trisha Kerstein II at the port of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Nov. 8. He said their field agents conducted the rescue operation along with the membercontingents of the Tawi-Tawi’s Anti-Trafficking Task Group that included Marines troops, workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and local government officials. The names of the victims, including children with ages ranging from three to 17 years old, were withheld for humanitarian sake. Bulalacao said the rescuers collared a certain Sidman Calumbus, who served as the alleged guide of the rescued individuals. “But the victims belied his allegations, saying they don’t even know the person,” he said. When pressed to confess, Calumbus admitted that he was instructed by one Hadji Mohammad Hatta “Makdu” Abbas to fetch the 26 individuals and bring them to the port using a motorized banca, Bulalacao said. The suspect was held for further interrogation while the 26 victims were turned over to the provincial social welfare office in Tawi-Tawi to process their return to their respective places of origin, he said.

Military checking reported death of Kato follower in ‘rido’

by Charlie C. Señase, Edwin Fernandez

Inquirer Mindanao


COTABATO CITY, Philippines—The military here was verifying reports one of the followers of Ameril Umbra Kato was slain in a clan war triggered by a long-standing land dispute. Major General Rey Ardo, 6th Infantry Division commander, said troops in the 601st Infantry Brigade were verifying reports a certain Mutin died in a clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members in Datu Saudi Ampatuan early Sunday. “Clan war has been a problem in these areas, we do not intervene unless other civilians’ security is at stake,” Ardo said of the skirmishes Sunday. Quoting reports from the 601st brigade, Ardo said the MILF fighters, led by a certain Fahad of the 118th base command, clashed with the group of Mutin of the Kato-led Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). But Abu Misri, BIFF spokesperson, claimed Mutin was alive but was injured in a clan war, or “rido.” Kato formed the BIFF early this year after expressing the MILF was no longer representing the Bangsamoro people. Misri said the BIFF will continue to fight for Muslim independence in southern Philippines “come what may.” Ardo said the conflict was internal to the MILF, and that the military did not interfere to avoid violations of the ceasefire agreement. The MILF had settled several rido in Maguindanao involving its men but is yet to settle the one with Kato and his men. Kato’s men were recently linked to the abduction of a relative of a North Cotabato town mayor. “It could be their fund raising drive ahead of the holidays and gathering funds enough to sustain operations should the GPH-MILF talks fail,” an Army intelligence officer told the INQUIRER but asked not to be named because he was not authorized to talk about it. Misri denied BIFF men were involved in the kidnapping of Romy Cabaya, a distant relative and errand person of Mayor Loreto Cabaya of Aleosan, North Cotabato.

20 child soldiers get scholarships

by Julie S. Alipala, Nash B. Maulana

Inquirer Mindanao


COTABATO City—For “giving up arms,” at least 20 child soldiers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) got educational benefits under a regional government program with international funding agencies, an official said. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has consistently denied it uses minors as combatants and that children seen inside rebel camps were of MILF fighters’ families. The MILF said its camps also double as communities for rebel fighters and their families. But an official of an Australian government-funded education program had earlier said the children’s presence inside rebel camps was enough to consider them child combatants. Myra Ali, secretary of the regional labor office, said the child combatants would be provided training by the Technical Skills Development Authority (Tesda). The program, she said, was being supported by the government’s foreign partners. Rashad Hassan, US special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference, earlier said that Washington supports programs that would lure away children from actual participation in conflicts. Hassan noted that armed conflict in southern Philippines has, to some extent, enlisted young people into combat training and militia works, which, he said, is a cause for concern to everyone. In Zamboanga City, the military raised an alarm over the recruitment of minors by the Abu Sayyaf. The recruitment was uncovered with the arrest of a 12-year-old child during the November 14 raid by authorities on a suspected Abu Sayyaf lair in Sumisip, Basilan, according to Army spokesperson Major Harold Cabunoc. The child, who is in Grade 4, has since been turned over to social welfare officials, he said.

20 child-soldiers in ARMM get educational benefits for ‘giving up arms’

by Julie S. Alipala, Nash B. Maulana

Inquirer Mindanao


COTABATO CITY – For “giving up arms,” at least 20 child-soldiers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) got educational benefits under a regional government program with international funding agencies, an official said. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has consistently denied it used minors as combatants and that children seen inside rebel camps were from MILF fighters’ families. The MILF said their camps also doubled as communities for rebel fighters and their families. But an official of an Australian government-funded education program had said that the children’s presence inside rebel camps was enough to consider them child combatants. Myra Ali, secretary of the regional labor office, said the child combatants that were given educational benefits would be provided training by the Technical Skills Development Authority (Tesda). The program, she said, was being supported by the government’s foreign partners. Rashad Hassan, US special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference, had said that Washington supported programs that would lure away children from actual participation in conflicts. Hassan noted that armed conflict in the Southern Philippines has to some extent enlisted young people into combat training and militia works — which, he said, was cause for concern to everyone. In Zamboanga City, the military raised an alarm over the recruitment of minors by the Abu Sayyaf. The recruitment was uncovered with the arrest of a 12-year old child during the November 14 raid by authorities on a suspected Abu sayyaf lair in Sumisip, Basilan, according to Philippine Army’s spokersperson Major Harold Cabunoc. The child, who is in fourth grade, has since been turned over to social welfare officials, he said. “The Army is requesting the help of various government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Education Department including local government officials regarding the presence of child soldiers among the lawless elements that are hunted down by our government forces,” Cabunoc told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone on Friday. He said the Army was also urging local officials “to monitor the recruitment of young boys to join in any armed group.” “They can help by persuading the parents not to allow their children to be used as pawns in armed clashes,” Cabunoc said.

OPAPP remains optimistic on gov't peace efforts

by (PNA)

DCT/NYP/EOF


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 18 (PNA) -- Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles today said she believes miracle happens on the negotiating table.

Deles said she remains hopeful the government's efforts in the negotiating table would bear fruit that would benefit all stakeholders.

Despite some hitches and issues hounding the peace efforts, Deles said the peace process between the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and that with the National Democratic Front have been moving.

"Nobody shuts the door," she said in a radio interview. "Soon we will have an agreement acceptable to all."

The GPH and MILF peace panels met recently in Kuala Lumpur and agreed to meet anew early next month to iron out some issues.

"Despite some problems on the ground, the peace process continue to move and we are moving forward," she said.

Deles also clarified that the peace talks between the GPH and the CPP-NPA-NDF are not suspended as some sectors were suggesting.

She expressed hope that the events on the ground in recent weeks would not hinder the determination of both panels to come to terms.

In Mindanao and some parts of Visayas, the NPA has intensified attacks on military installations and multi-national firms.

"As of now, we are focusing on socio-economic reforms in the peace talks," Deles said.

The OPAPP is seeking a P240 million budget for 2012.

Campaign against illegal drugs in Cotabato City gaining ground

by Perlita B. Changco


COTABATO CITY, Nov 17 (PIA)-- Cotabato City Mayor Japal “Jojo”Guiani, Jr. lauds the relentless campaign of law enforcement authorities against the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM). The mayor said, he acknowledges the aggressive efforts of PDEA-ARMM in performing its mandate and vowed support to the intensified campaign to address the problem and eliminate threats of illegal drugs. Guiani defended the joint Philippine Marines and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) buy-bust operation on Monday, Nov 14 at Barangay Poblacion 2, this city amid questions of legality of the raid that yielded 8 grams of shabu and the arrest of four suspected drug pushers. “It was a legitimate operations. Unfortunately a civilian was killed in the operation, which is being investigated. PDEA agents and Marines were only doing their job,” Guiani said According to PDEA-ARMM regional director Edwin Layese the buy-bust operation was conducted after weeks of surveillance on the rampant illegal drug activities in the area. The raiding team, Layese said, was fired upon as they enter the target site prompting exchange of fires between the enforcers and suspected drug pushers resulting in the killing of one civilian during the buy-bust operation. As this developed, Mayor Guiani said, he is calling the village officials to monitor and identify drug-related areas of concern in their respective barangays while investigation on the Poblacion 2 incident is underway. (PIA 12/PIA Cotabato City)

DTI alerts public vs low quality, sub-standard Christmas decors

by (PNA)

LDV/NYP/EOF


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 16 (PNA) - Trade and Industry Regional Director for Central Mindanao Ibrahim Guiamadel has urged the public to take extra care in buying electronic gadgets for the coming Christmas holidays.

Guiamadel said his office is coordinating with various local government units in Central Mindanao to closely monitor the sale of Christmas lights and other electronic and digital gadgets Filipinos usually buy ahead of the holidays.

"This is one way of preventing accidents and disasters brought about by low quality and sub-standard gadgets," Guiamadel said.

He urged Christmas shoppers to look for indicators the gadget had passed quality control and expiry dates are clearly displaced on the products or its boxes.

"We want to prevent fire, we want to prevent accidents," he said, adding that provincial trade and industry directors in the region have been instructed to close monitor malls and department stores to determine if low quality and substandard electronic lights are being sold.

Central Mindanao is composed of the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Saranggani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos.

Guiamadel discouraged Christmas shoppers from buying electronic gadgets to sidewalk or ambulant vendors who do not provide official receipts.

"They may be selling cheap yet substandard Christmas lights and decors, please avoid falling to traps of cheap products," he said.

Nelly Dillera, DTI provicial director for Sultan Kudarat province, said her staff are regularly checking on Christmas decors displayed at various stores and malls in the province.

Dillera also urged the public to find "quality control" stickers on every electronic devices that they buy for the holidays.

She also urged consumer groups to exercise their rights as customers and demand official receipts "because in this we help the government in terms of revenues and help ourselves by guaranteeing safety."

In previous years, fire incidents during the holidays were attributed to low quality Christmas lights and decors.

"We can avoid that and we must avoid it now," she said.

ARMM distributes land titles to 249 farmers during 22nd founding anniversary

by (PNA)

DCT/LAM/NYP/EOF


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 15 (PNA) -- To emancipate them from the bondage of soil, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Monday distributed 249 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to farmer beneficiaries as one of the highlights of the region's 22nd foundation anniversary.

The farmer beneficiaries were from Barangay Nuyo in Buldon, Maguindanao.

ARMM acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Adiong, ARMM Executive Secretary and DAR-ARMM Secretary Sultan Camid Gandamra handed over the CLOAs to the visibly excited farmers during a ceremony held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center here.

“This is one of the biggest volume of land patents in the region covering a total of 742 hectares," said Gandamra.

He said the distribution of proofs of land ownership is an "unfathomable accomplishment" because it is a "giant step in uplifting the economic conditions of the people of ARMM."

Adiong directed Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, ARMM executive secretary, to provide the beneficiaries with the needed CLOAs.

In return, Sinarimbo asked the tenant-turned-land owners to develop their land and plant crops to improve their economic condition.

"We will organize the farmers into cooperatives for them to become effective managers of their products," Sinarimbo told reporters.

He noted that during previous administrations many farmer beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) ended up problematic because of lack of government support facilities and capacity building.

Other branches of government may provide the farmer-turned farm owners with seedlings, post-harvest facilities such as dryers, and mechanism where the farmers themselves market their own products without passing through middlemen.

"Do not mortgage or sell your CLOAs, that is yours and the government expect you to make a decent and productive lives in return," Sinarimbo said.

ARMM kicks off 22nd founding anniversary celebration

by (PNA)

LDV/NYP/EOF


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 14 (PNA) - The 22nd foundation anniversary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) kicks off Monday with a simple opening program with acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Adiong explaining the rationale behind the celebration.

“Our people have every good reason to celebrate despite the political uncertainty and confusion that haunt us all in the past few days," Adiong said in a statement read for him by Assistant Secretary Saripada Pacasum.

Adiong congratulated and thanked all ARMM workers, especially the lowly employees who served the office even beyond office hours.

The week-long celebration is in recognition for the efforts of ordinary ARMM employees who offered services beyond the regular working hours.

A special singing contest among drivers, security men and utility personnel has been lined-up as one of the highlights in the week-long celebration that kicked off this morning.

Adiong and other ARMM officials performance rating was high based on the Social Weather Station research conducted this year.

Adiong's administration has a 63 percent satisfactory rating in a survey conducted by Social Weather Station(SWS) under the auspices of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Asia Foundation and the UNICEF.

Obviously, the Adiong administration takes pride of a performance that stretched in the past 606 days in office despite criticisms from its detractors.

He attributed the high performance rating to employees and officials' strong foundation of consultative, transparent and moral governance.

Adiong reminded his people that he would soon leave a legacy “that reflects vindication that leaves all doubts and criticisms our detractors have unkindly hurled on us to oblivion.”

More than what he promised upon assumption to office, Adiong had various projects that benefited the people in far flung areas in terms of health services, infrastructure and human resource and capacity building.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, ARMM executive secretary, said the Adiong administration will leave the office intact so the next leadership would not inherit problems the way Adiong did when he took over the reign of ARMM governance.

A new set of officials will soon take over as caretaker when the Supreme Court decides with finality the constitutionality of Republic Act 15103 that postponed the regional balloting and hold it simultaneously with the midterm national and local elections.

The law also authorized President Aquino to name officers in charge until the new set of elected officials shall have assumed office.

Manhunt on vs bomber in Cotabato City plaza

by (PNA)

DCT/NYP/EOF


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 13 (PNA) – Police have launched a manhunt here against a man who was last seen entering the public comfort room of Rizal Park stage while a band contest was ongoing.

The man was believed to be the one who left a bag that contained an improvised explosive device which went off at about 9:30 p.m., according to Supt. Roberto Badian, Cotabato City police director.

Badian said no one was hurt in the powerful explosion but it created a crater in the concrete rest room located at the back of the plaza stage.

It was lucky enough no one followed the man to use the comfort room.

Police and Philippine Marines investigators gathered information from several witnesses that a man was last seen entering the comfort room then suddenly left.

Minutes later, as the competition was approaching its climax, a loud explosion occurred sending band members and spectators scampering for safety.

A thick smoke was seen billowing up from the comfort room located at the back of the stage.

The show, a competition among local band groups, was suddenly stopped because of the blast, the third in Central Mindanao since Wednesday last week.

On Wednesday, an improvised bomb was found near a house in Kabacan, North Cotabato while another IED went off at the back of a gasoline station in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

No one has claimed responsibility for Saturday's bomb attack but police believed the incident was related to the band show.

Abducted antique appraiser found dead

by Lore Mae Andong, ABS-CBN News


COTABATO City, Philippines – Authorities in Cotabato City recovered the body of an antique appraiser abducted in Maguindanao province.

The body of Dominador Mendoza was discovered floating in a river in Barangay Kalangan Dos in Cotabato City past 2 p.m. Friday. The victim suffered gunshot wounds in the body.

Datu Odin Sinsuat Station Police Chief, Inspector Lendsy Sinsuat said villagers alerted police about the floating body in the river under Kilagan Bridge.

Mendoza, an antique appraiser from Muntinlupa City, was abducted Thursday in a resort in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao.

Authorities have filed kidnapping charges and illegal possession of firearms against two people who police believe have knowledge about the crime. The two were identified as Norodin Malik Adil and Ryan Usman.

Gov't citation

by Ali Macabalang


COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) formally awarded 30 government employees from various parts of the country under its 2011 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees Award, citing their respective exemplary achievements described as models for the rest of the nation’s citizens.

The awarding rites were held in Malacañang on Wednesday by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa and CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III, said Resurreccion Pueyo, the CSC director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao based here. The program is divided into three categories with ten awardees each, like the Presidential Lingkod Baya, Dangal ng Bayan, and Pagasa ng Bayan.

P5 million for peace, P14 billion in 15 months for AFP modernization

by Carolyn O. Arguillas


COTABAO CITY (Mindanews/08 November) – Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin may not have intended the contrast but after a soldier asked about the P5 million fund for the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) and no one else came forward to ask, he announced to the troops at the parade grounds of the Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City on November 4 that of the P331 billion intended for the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 15 years, only P32 billion had been released since 1995. But in the 15 months of the Aquino administration, he said, the AFP has received P14 billion. “Within the year,” said Gazmin, the AFP will have four new helicopters, within the year or early next year, an additional Hamilton-class ship. He spoke of the continuing modernization efforts, of how they would purchase “tanke, eroplano, barko” (tanks, airplanes, boats) and for the individual soldiers, armored vests, new guns, etc.. “Ganon na lang tayo kamahal ng President” (that’s how much the President loves us), adding the AFP will soon be at par with other armed forces in the region. The AFP has been waging military operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Moro National Liberation Fornt (MNLF) and later the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the last 40 years but it has acknowledged that military solution has not addressed the root causes of the rebellions. Hence, the peace processes. The Aquino administration has recently rejected calls for “all-out war” against the MILF following the Al-barka tragedy on October 18. Borne out of ignorance “We recognize that these calls, or at least some of them, for all-out war may come from those who do not have a full awareness of all the factors at play. However, my decisions cannot be borne out of ignorance. They have to be based on available facts. It is so easy, out of frustration, to close the door on negotiations at this time. If we go down this path, more innocent civilians will be put in harm’s way. The difficult peace process cannot be enhanced by shedding more blood and generating more ill will. We have to exhaust all possibilities for attaining peace through dialogue. We will not pursue all-out war; we will instead pursue all-out justice,” the President said on October 24. Two days later, the fuss, nay, hysteria over the P5 million fund for the BLMI, borne out of ignorance and generated by media reports fueling speculations rather than seeking explanations, began. “I fail to see what the fuss is all about,” Amina Rasul, president of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, told MindaNews. “First, this was no secret project: it was discussed openly by OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) with the Development Academy of the Philippines and the Bangsamoro Development Agency, donors, among others…. Second, the leadership training would be provided to capacitate the Bangsamoro community leaders in the requisite of governance and managing peace and development. It wasn’t for sharpshooting or military strategy. So what’s the fuss all about?” Irene Santiago, chair of the Mindanao Commission on Women says the hysteria around the P5 million fund “will not be dissipated unless it is placed within the context of peace and how peace is achieved.” Santiago, a member of the government peace panel negotiating with the MILF from 2001 to 2003, explained that in the aftermath of war, institutions have to be either established or reformed to address the grievances that led to the armed conflict. Investment well worth every centavo “These institutions will have to address the fundamental needs for development, security, political participation, and acceptance of identity. The core issue in the current peace negotiations between the MILF and the government is the relationship between the state and the minority who have felt aggrieved from years of neglect and deprivation. Therefore, the peace agreement must include provisions for how the Bangsamoro will participate in political, social and economic reconstruction and recovery so that their people and this nation can know peace,” she told MindaNews. The BLMI, she added, was conceived as a means to develop the capacities of the Bangsamoro to manage and lead their institutions. “This is critical in ensuring that the peace agreement will work! Five million pesos? Why are we all crying foul over five million pesos? Because this should have gone to buying arms? I say to all who feel cheated as taxpayers: this investment in creating the human potential for lasting peace is well worth every centavo, and more. Investments for peace do not come only after a peace agreement is signed. The foundation for peace must be laid and prioritized even before the peace talks end or else the peace agreement will be just another piece of paper,” Santiago stressed. Guiamel Alim, a member of the Council of Elders of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society said P5 million is a “tiny amount or almost nothing to buy peace.” “It is a unilateral gesture of generosity by the GPH as a confidence building in the name of peace. Spoilers of peace are those who make unwanted noise about it,” he said. The BLMI was conceived precisely to avoid the mistakes of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which signed a inal Peace Agreement on September 2, 1996 and took over the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by noon of September 30 that year. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

4 Ampatuans top order of battle

by Edgardo Fuerzas


COTABATO CITY -- Four members of the Ampatuan clan top the Order of Battle list of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

The four Ampatuan members are believed to be behind the gruesome massacre in sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao Province last November 23, 2009.

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According to CIDG-Armm regional director Superintendent Jacinto Malinao, they are doing their best to arrest the four within this year.

Authorities have launched manhunt operations against Datu Uko, Banahrin, Kamaong and Datu Saudi Ampatuan Jr., who reportedly are now leading the private armed groups of former Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr.

The CIDG-Armm is also out to arrest Datu Norodin and Datu Kanor Ampatuan, who were among the companions of Datu Unsay mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan, Jr. when the massacre occurred.

Manhunt operations are also out for police officers Inspector Saudi Mukamad, Police Officer 2 (PO2) Tany Dalgan, PO1 Ysmael Baraguir, PO1 Warden Lagawan, PO1 Musa Ibad, PO1 Abbey Guiaden, PO1 Jonathan Engid and PO1 Datunol Kadir, believed to be men of Datu Andal Jr.

Each one has a P250,000 bounty for their arrest.

Maguindanao governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu is urging authorities to arrest the suspects who are believed to be hiding in the remote areas of the province.

Mangundadatu remains hopeful that justice will be served to the families of the 58 victims who died in the massacre.

Grenade lobbed at house in Cotabato City; 1 hurt

by Edwin Fernandez

Inquirer Mindanao


COTABATO CITY, Philippines—One person was slightly hurt when unidentified men riding in tandem on a motorbike lobbed a hand grenade at a house in a subdivision here Monday morning, the police said. The blast occurred at the residence of Aurora Macarimbang on Aguila St., Federville Subdivision, Barangay Rosary Heights 11 here at about 4:35 a.m. Supt. Roberto Badian, city police chief, said the fragmentation grenade was hurled at the roof of the Macarimbang residence. A househelp suffered cuts from broken glass, police said. Ali Macarimbang said they have no idea why they were attacked, claiming neither he nor any member of the family has any known enemy.

5.1 magnitude earthquake rocks Cotabato area

by (PNA)

LDV/NYP/EOF


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 6 (PNA) - A mild earthquake rocked mainland Mindanao early Sunday morning but there was not reported casualties or damages to properties, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said today.

The Cotabato Phivolcs station based in PC Hill, Cotabato City recorded a magnitude 5.1 quake at about 7:27 a.m.

"It was tectonic in origin," Phivolcs-Cotabato said in a bulletin.

The epicenter was traced about 58 kilometers southwest of Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

But Phivolcs could not specify as of yet where the earthquake was felt.

It was a mild quake that the locals have not felt in Cotabato City.

There was no aftershock reported.

MILF announces end of 2 clan wars

by By Edwin Fernandez

Inquirer Mindanao


COTABATO CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) announced that it has successfully resolved two cases of “rido” or family feuds in Maguindanao as it continued to mediate in similar cases. Murad Ebrahim, the MILF chief, acknowledged that feuds – especially those involving MILF men – tend to drag the peace process down. Jack Abbas, head of the MILF’s Task Force Islah (Reconciliation), said the feuding clans from Pandag and Datu Paglas towns agreed to bury the hatchet and end their long-running conflict. “It has been a long standing feud and started years back,” Abbas said. He said the reconciled parties acknowledged that “it may take time for the wounds to heal.” “But what is important is both sides can now see eye to eye and embrace peace,” Abbas said without elaborating on the identities of the warring clans. Brigadier General Ariel Bernardo, chain of the government’s ceasefire panel, said it took more or less 100 days for the MILF task force and government representatives to bring the two warning clans to peace. But Ebrahim said time was not a concern and what was important was that the feuds had been settled. Ebrahim said resolution of family feuds has become one of the MILF’s goals because past experience showed that they could cause serious problems to the peace process. Ebrahim said other convergence efforts were being undertaken to settle similar problems in Mlang, North Cotabato, where MILF men were also involved. Police authorities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said there were about 42 feuding families in the five-province region. In some cases, political clans were involved.

ARMM extends livelihood assistance in Basilan

by (PNA)

LAP/FFC/NYP/EOF


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 4 (PNA) - The office of the regional governor in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has intensified its livelihood assistance to poor residents of Basilan.

"We give them fishing gears so they can fish and earn a living," ARMM Labor Secretary Myra Alih said.

The outreach program is part of the convergence initiated by the ARMM regional government in cooperation with the provincial government of Basilan.

Secretary Alih, who hails from Basilan, said she was directed by ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo to supervise the distribution of livelihood assistance to fisher folks and farmers in Basilan municipalities.

"As alter-ego of Gov. Ansaruddin Adiong, we bring government services to the poor people of Basilan," she told reporters.

Alih and her staff administer the distribution of fishnets, fertilizers and pairs of slippers to public school pupils in the towns of Amaloy, Ungkaya and Pukan.

Sinarimbo explained that the convergence program was envisioned by acting Gov. Adiong to let the people in far flung areas feel the presence of government and its services.

Along with the staff from the regional government, the officials also worked with the local government units and security officials in areas affected by armed conflict.

About 10 sacks of fertilizers were distributed to Yakan Rubber Growers Association and 10 fishing packages were extended to fishermen in three towns of Basilan.

More than 1,000 pupils from Bato-Bato Elementary School in Akbar; Mahad Colonia Elementary School in Lamitan, Amaloy Ungkaya Pukan Elementary School and Abdulwahab Akbar Islamic Institution received slippers from Alih.

GPH, MILF ceasefire panels remain optimistic Basilan incident will be settled peacefully

by (PNA)

LAP/NYP/EOF


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 2 (PNA) - Amid rantings of retaliatory attacks following the Basilan incident that left 19 soldiers dead and the Moro rebels' hard stance on the surrender or arrest of Dan Asnawi for his involvement in the slaughter, the government's ceasefire committee remained optimistic the issue will be settled through the ceasefire mechanism.

"We maintain our communication lines," said Brigadier General Ariel Bernardo, chair of the GPH Coordinating Commieee on the Cessation of Hostilities. “We have not ceased from determining possible solutions to the peace and order problem in those areas.”

Speaking to reporters, Bernardo said he is optimistic the GPH-MILF ceasefire committee’s diplomatic initiatives will prevent any outbreak of hostilities in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay as an offshoot of skirmishes last month.

Von Al Haq, MILF spokesperson, said the MILF ceasefire committee is just as optimistic that the “misunderstanding” and the tension shall settle down with the effective implementation of ceasefire mechanisms.

Government forces are running after Laksaw Asnawi, MILF deputy commander in Basilan implicated in the 2007 ambush and beheading of Philippine Marines in Al-Barka, Basilan.

The MILF claimed it will not surrender Asnawi and would fight back should the Philippine military insist on getting him inside MILF identified areas.

“We have mechanism to address the issue, it has been working,” Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, said.

Al-Haq said the joint ceasefire committee is working on an agreement on how to deal with Asnawi "without bloodshed."

Bernardo said he is in constant contact with his counterpart in the MILF, not only to find solution to the Basilan incident but the find more mechanism that would help prevent similar incident in the future.





MILF commander in Maguindanao vows support to peace talks, junks fears of sympathy for Al Barka comrades

by Noel Y. Punzalan


COTABATO CITY, Nov. 2 (PNA) – A rebel field commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao on Wednesday vowed to abide by the “spirit of the peace talks”, assuring that the tension in Al-Barka, Basilan, will not spread in the province.

The assurance was made by MILF 106th MILF Base Commander Adam Abdullah to Rajah Buayan Municipal Mayor Yacob Ampatuan after reports cited the possibility that MILF members in Maguindanao would show sympathy to MILF commander Dan Laksaw Asnawi in Basilan, who is target of ongoing military operations.

Rajah Buayan is one of the war-ravaged towns in Masguindanao.

"We will always maintain the spirit of the ongoing talks between the government and MILF. We are bound by the rules of the ceasefire and we will always stand by it for the interest of our people," Abdullah said in a letter sent to the mayor.

Rajah Buayan officials and those from the neighboring towns welcomed the development and even handed a copy of the rebel leader's letter to the leadership of Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Marvin Licudine in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

The League of Mayors in the Philippines (LMP) – Maguindanao, for its part, has also turned down calls for an all-out war against the MILF following the Al-Barka incident.

”A thorough investigation should be conducted on the case to determine what led to the ill-fated incident and then let the guilty be punished,” Northern Kabuntalan Mayor Datu Ramil Dilangalen, LMP-Maguindanao secretary-cum-spokesman, said.

Moreso, the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines-Cotabato Chapter has also called for sobriety on the incident.

Early on, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has refused to heed calls for an all-out war against the MILF, opting for an all-out justice stance to get those responsible for the incident.

He noted that choosing the path of war against the MILF would only endanger the lives of more civilians, and that exhausting all means for attaining peace through dialogue is still the best alternative.

Nineteen government troopers were killed in the Al-Barka encounter against some 200 joint Abu Sayyaf and MILF forces in Basilan on October 18 in Sitio Bakisong, Cambug village.

Reports identified the leaders of the lawless group as Long Malat Solaiman of the Abu Sayyaf and MILF commander Asnawi.

Each of the two has a P2-million reward for his capture in connection with the killing of 14 Philippine Marine soldiers Marines in the same island in 2007. (PNA) LAP/NYP/

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