Palace wants the peso to ‘seek its own level’
REJECTING calls to intervene and prop up the value of the peso, Malacañang said today it will leave the currency to “seek its own level” saying the weakened peso is favorable to exporters and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
"Our policy is for the value of the peso to seek its own level. We don't want to interfere with it," Presidential Management Staff Director-General Secretary Cerge Remonde said in an interview this morning over government-run Radyo ng Bayan.
Since the start of this year, the peso has depreciated by about 11.9 percent against the US dollar.
However, on Friday, the peso climbed back to P46.86 after breaching P47 against the greenback on Thursday.
Remonde stressed that the value of the peso went down because the dollar is strengthening and not because Philippine economic fundamentals are wavering.
”The currencies of other countries are also being affected by the dollar's strengthening,” he said.
Foreign exchange markets across Asia remained cautious but the peso rebounded on profit-taking against the greenback, closing near the day's high of 46.84 after hitting as low as 47.08 to the US dollar.
The local currency gained P0.235 from the previous day's closing of 47.095 against the greenback.
Trading across Asia was mixed, with the Philippine peso, Malaysian ringgit and the Chinese yuan taking cue from the euro's rebound against the greenback.
However, the Korean won, Indian rupee and the Indonesian rupiah continued to falter.
Palace stays out of reported coup vs. Villar in the Senate
MALACANANG stressed today that the alleged coup attempts to unseat Senate President Manuel Villar is an “internal affair” of the Senate and it shall keep out of the issue.
Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director-General Secretary Cerge Remonde, in an interview over government-run Radyo ng Bayan, said the Executive branch can work with whoever will replace Villar.
"We don't want to speculate (but) the Palace will work with the Senate regardless of whoever is the Senate president," Remonde said.
He made an appeal to the Senate not to let “in fighting” and alleged Senate coup attempts sidetrack its legislative agenda.
“Show statesmanship. We trust in the statesmanship of the senators that they will not allow themselves to be sidetracked by personal differences or agenda," he said.
He also stressed that as far as Malacañang is concerned, the budget department had said it did not make any double insertion of P200 million in the 2008 budget.
The discovery of the P200-million double insertion triggered a word war between the camps of Villar and Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Lacson is set to deliver a privilege speech on the matter Monday.
While Remonde said the Palace will keep out of it, it wants the senator responsible for the insertion to be held accountable.
Statement of Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita
GENEVA, Switzerland--In my capacity as Official Representative of the Philippine Government to the Ministerial Review Summit on the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, representing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, I delivered our Country Statement today in furtherance of our endorsement of this Declaration in May of this year.
The Review Summit was held under the auspices of the Foreign Ministry of Switzerland and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Participants gathered at the World Meteorological Organization complex in Geneva.
The Philippines was among 76 participating countries, represented by special envoys, ministers and ambassadors of their respective Permanent Missions to Geneva; as well as 16 international organizations, four Geneva-based institutes, and 35 non-government organizations (NGO) from various countries affirming their support to the peace and development objectives of the Geneva Declaration.
The Philippines’ participation in the Review Summit was made doubly significant as it served as Declaration Core Member, along with Southeast Asian neighbours Indonesia and Thailand.
I was in a panel of seven minister-representatives from Brazil, Qatar, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, Norway, and the Philippines, specially chosen to issue statements affirming their respective country’s efforts in promoting development, most especially through the 15-year Millennium Development Goals (MDG), in the context of armed violence prevention and reduction with the Geneva Declaration as framework for action.
The Country Statements delivered from the Head Panel were further joined by statements from the plenary by representatives of Finland, Thailand, Indonesia and The Netherlands.
The Country Statement I delivered focused on our current strategies and gains in the peace process, human rights promotion and protection, anti-terrorism campaign, and small arms and ammunition control as they positively impact on efforts to prevent or reduce conflict in the country to pave the way for sustainable development in afflicted-affected and conflict-prone areas.
I specifically mentioned the importance of armed conflict reduction and prevention in light of the Philippines’ experience in dealing with five armed groups in the last four decades – two Muslim secessionist groups in Southern Philippines, a local Communist movement operating all over the country and their two breakaway groups in the Visayas and in the Cordillera region. And adding to the complex armed conflict scenario in the country is a handful of terrorists in the fringes of Mindanao.
I underscored the fact that funds annually spent for internal security operations to address these conflicts could and should have been used for development purposes if only we were a nation free of these conflicts. I however noted and expressed our country’s gratitude for the involvement of several foreign organizations, such as the UNDP, that are continually supportive of our peace and development programs.
The Philippine Statement similarly spelled out and affirmed the concerns of Madame Michelline Calmy-Rey, Foreign Minister of Switzerland who, in her Welcome Statement, noted that 740,000 deaths occur each year around the world due to the proliferation of more than 870 million firearms at any given time, based on a study of the Small Arms Survey, an international non-government organization that assists in monitoring small arms and light ammunitions that are illegally in circulation.
In the Philippines, the Small Arms Survey works in tandem with the Henri Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue which, in turn, has partnered with the provincial government of Sulu for a program on a province-wide culture-of-peace campaign, and in the implementation of a local ordinance on the dismantling of private armies and on prohibiting possession of firearms by civilians.
Minister Calmy-Rey also revealed that apart from the “tremendous cost in human life,” armed conflict around the world has been estimated to cost as high as US$163 billion every year.
Minister Calmy-Rey’s revelations were likewise affirmed by Sergei Ordzhonikidze, UN Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the UN Office in Geneva, and by Kathleen Cravero, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of its Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, in their respective Opening Messages in the Review Summit.
Finally, in response to the Geneva Declaration’s target of achieving a measurable reduction of armed violence in the world by year 2015, the Philippine Statement stressed President Arroyo’s commitment to noteworthy gains in the peace process on or before 2010 as the Philippine’s major contribution to the Geneva Declaration’s vision of a world in peace and prosperity.
Russia contributes US$1M to fund cooperation activities with ASEAN
RUSSIA has contributed another US$ 500,000.00 to the ASEAN-Russian Federation Dialogue Partnership Financial Fund (DPFF), bringing the total amount of funds it has contributed to the DPFF to US$1 million. The DPFF was set up by the Government of the Russian Federation to facilitate cooperation between ASEAN and the Russian Federation in the areas of science and technology, trade, culture, education, energy and others.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, welcomed Russia 's interest to further enhance relations with ASEAN. He said the joint activities to be conducted under the DPFF will "help to promote better relations and mutual understanding between ASEAN and Russia in a broad range of areas and increase people-to-people contacts".
The DPFF was set up in accordance to an Agreement on Economic and Development Cooperation that was signed between the Governments of ASEAN and the Government of the Russian Federation in Kuala Lumpur on 10 December 2005. A Roadmap on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Programme of Action to promote cooperation between ASEAN and Russia (2005-2015) was adopted at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences +1 Session with the Russian Federation on 23 July 2008 in Singapore.
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Pajarito : We will finish this
ICC-ILIGAN CITY (SEPT 13)--A top military commander here clarified that the ongoing operations in the hinterlands of Lanao del Norte is not meant to capture camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) but to go after criminals.
"We are after individuals who committed criminals acts," said Major Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, referring to Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo and his rogue band who killed 42 individuals, raped women, burned schoolbuildings, houses and looted stores in Lanao del Norte in August 18.
Pajarito, Army's 1st Infantry Division commanding general, said the soldiers will do what they are trained and able to do – "that is to capture Bravo with or without reward."
Macapaar carries a P10-million reward that will go to anyone who can furnish information that can lead to the capture of the notorious rebel leader.
Pajarito explained that the ongoing operations in the hinterlands of Lanao is purely a police action aimed at capturing Bravo and his band.
"We cannot allow Bravo's continued existence as it will drastically hamper the development of Lanao and nearby provinces," the general said. "We will finish this," he added.
Meanwhile, Lanao del Norte second district congressman Abdullah Dimaporo denounced Macapaar and his group for using Islam as an excuse for their lawless acts.
Speaking during a Muslim-Christian peace dialogue in Kauswagan on Wednesday, Dimaporo said the group of Macapaag cannot be called mujahideens or Islamic freedom fighters with the things they have done.
"How can someone who killed innocent civilians or one who terrorized communities be a Islamic fighter?" he remarked.
Islam means peace and what Bravo and his men did are certainly not Islamic, Dimaporo said. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Police: CVOs are not ‘Ilaga’
ICC-ILIGAN CITY (Sept 13) – Region 10 Police Director Chief Supt. Teodorico Capuyan said critics should take it easy and be sensitive in labeling civilian volunteers as "Ilaga."
"Ilaga", which means rodent in Cebuano, is a term used by a group of vigilantes in the ‘70s to call themselves.
Capuyan told a press conference here that it is unfair to label as "Ilaga" volunteers who are dedicated in serving their respective communities.
The police official was reacting to earlier reports that tagged civilian volunteers or even government militiamen as members of the "Ilaga."
Capuyan said labeling civilian volunteers as "Ilaga" slurs not only the volunteer but their respective families who also sacrifice with their love ones.
He said the government does not condone the aim and purpose of the "Ilaga" which is practically taking the law into one's hand, something that is illegal.
On the contrary, civilian volunteers are there to perform a role that is regulated and duly recognized by the government.
Reports have it that the "Ilaga" movement has been revived to thwart atrocities by Moro rebels, but, several local officials have denounced its existence as it will just bring more problem than solution to the situation in some parts of Mindanao. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Get the P10M bounty thru text or call– AFP
ICC-ILIGAN CITY (9/12/08) – Be an instant millionaire! Take the Php10 million offer!
This the campaign line of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for information on the whereabouts of the two lawless MILF group (LMG) leaders Bravo, Umbrakato and Pangalian.
“You will never get this amount in your lifetime! A whooping Php10 million each for Bravo and Umbrakato and Php5 million for Pangalian,” LTC Agane C. Adriatico, Civil Military Operations (CMO) Chief of the First Infantry (Tabak) Division (IID), Philippine Army, said.
Call or text hotline no. 09277852475 of 1ID, PA and 0921299716 of the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO), Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Anybody can just call or text these number and we assure the identity of the informant’s will be treated confidential and the caller’s security will be under our care,” Adriatico said.
The same policy on confidentiality shall be followed by the PNP, P/Sr. Supt Virgilio T. Ranes, ICPO Director, said. (Lorrie V. Gabule, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Adriatico appeals to the public not to be afraid to the military
ICC-ILIGAN CITY (9/12/2008) – Lt Col. Agane C. Adriatico, Civil Military Operations (CMO) Chief of the First Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army, has appealed to the rural folks to refrain from hiding whenever they see government soldiers.
Adriatico made the appeal in the wake of reports that the residents of Munai, Lanao del Norte (LDN) tend to hide when members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly, the Army soldiers , visit their place.
“We are your community helpers. We are your law enforcers. We are in your area to protect you and your families. There is no need to be afraid of us,” he said.
Adriatico, however, said that this actuation of the residents could be the result of a propaganda waged by the lawless MILF group (LMG), which says “ government soldiers are abusive and has no respects woman “.
“This is a blatant lie by the LMG to discredit our government forces” although this have been clarified and negated by the tribal leaders as gradually government forces are now welcomed and supported by the civilian population in the two Lanao Provinces, Adriatico revealed.
Adriatico, however, repeated the appeal to avoid suspicion and be caught in the crossfire during encounters or skirmishes with the lawless MILF groups. (Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Surrender or die! Adriatico tells Bravo
ICC-ILIGAN CITY (9/12/2008) — Surrender or die! This is the challenge of Lt Col. Agane C. Adriatico, Civil Military Operations (CMO) Chief of the First Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army, to the lawless MILF group (LMG) leader Commander Bravo.
Adriatico aired the challenge, during a press conference that took place in Munai, Lanao del Norte after a recent medical-dental caravan was conducted for the internally displaced persons (IDP) in the area.
During the occasion, Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri took time to talk with the IDPs in the municipality who told him about their plight and their feelings toward the atrocities committed by the LMGs
Meanwhile, he appealed to the followers of Bravo who still have the humanitarian heart of understanding the plight of the IDPs to surrender and provide information for the capture of Abdulah Macapaar alias commander Bravo, adding that the Php10 million reward will be given to whoever individual or group providing vital information that will lead to his capture or his neutralization.
“The world of the LMG is now getting smaller and smaller and the capture of Bravo is near,” he added. (Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Local peace and security assembly to be convened in Dapitan City
ICC-PAGADIAN CITY (September 12)--Representatives of the national government, led by top officials of the National Security Council, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, shall hold consultative meetings with local government and sectoral leaders of Region IX in a “Local Peace and Security Assembly” (LPSA), with a view to strengthen initiatives and mechanisms at promoting peace and security in the region.
The multi-sectoral conference-workshop, to be held on September 17-18 at the Dakak Park Beach Resort in Dapitan City, aims to bring together the major stakeholders of the region to agree on solutions to peace and security problems through an action agenda that they themselves would formulate and implement, taking into consideration the unique features of the locality.
It hopes to present this action agenda to the President at the close of the Assembly.
Some two hundred participants consisting of concerned members of the Cabinet; local government officials, including governors and city mayors; AFP and PNP commanders; as well as recognized leaders of civil society, the academe, business groups, religious institutions, IP groups/lumads, and media are expected to take part in this LPSA.
LPSA is a continuing consultation drive in the various regions of the country that was started in the middle of last year, in response to the clamors of LGUs and local stakeholders for support to their various conflict-resolution and peace building initiatives.
LPSAs had been conducted for Region 7 (in Tagbilaran City), CARAGA (Butuan City), Region 8 (Tacloban City), CALABARZON (San Pablo City), Region 5 (Masbate City), Region 11 (Tagum City), CAR (Bangued, Abra), Region VI (Bacolod City), and Region 2 (Tuguegarao City). This leg of the LPSA in Region 9 has been geared towards President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s new paradigm refocusing the peace process towards the conduct of authentic dialogues with local communities (PR NSC)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Cotabato provinces now enjoy peace as situation normalizes
ICC-COTABATO CITY (Kidapawan) (9/12)--North Cotabato Governor Jesus Sacdalan rallied the people of North Cotabato to stay calm and take extra vigilance as situation in the province have normalized.
Amidst this development, Governor Sacdalan expressed his resolve to push forward the peace initiatives of the province in order for it to sustain the momentum of development, education, health and eventually an enduring peace for his people.
Even as he noted few remaining concerns about the evacuees still housed at the evacuation centers he hopes though that they will finally go back to their respective homes sooner and enjoy normal lives.
The provincial government, he said, is ready to lend vehicles anytime to carry the remaining evacuees to their respective communities whenever requested.
As reported earlier by PSWDO more than half of the total number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) sheltered at the different evacuation centers in North Cotabato have already returned to their respective homes.
Governor Sacdalan and the town mayors of Pigcawayan, Alamada, Libungan, Midsayap and Aleosan were guests at the Press Conference held at the Hill Park Resort in Midsayap last Wednesday hosted by PIA Regional Director Olive T. Sudaria head of the Regional Information Command Center (RICC) now based in Cotabato City.
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Humanitarian mission served 400 IDPs
ICC-COTABATO CITY--Some 400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) presently housed at the Datu Pendililang Elementary School in Lower Salbu, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao, have been served by the humanitarian mission initiated by the 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, based at Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Shariff Kabunsuan last Sept. 9, 2008.
The IDPs come from different adjacent areas affected by the armed conflict between government forces and lawless elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) under Commander Umbra Kato.
The humanitarian mission was composed of military doctors and nurses from the Camp Siongco Station Hospital, Civil Relations Team personnel of the 51st Civil Relations Unit, 5th CRG,CRSAFP, 6th Civil Military Operations Unit, Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)-Maguindanao and the rural health unit of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town. Aside from the medical services, the IDPs likewise received dry goods.
The conduct of humanitarian mission is a regular undertaking of the Armed Forces as part of the confidence-building measure in support to the peace and development efforts of the government.
Earlier, 6th ID spokesperson LTC Julieto Ando disclosed that financial assistance have been extended to the families of the civilian victims in the recent encounter at barangay Tee, Datu Piang, Maguindanao, between government troops and lawless elements under Commander Kato. (PBC-ICC Cot/PIA-12)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Pikit evacuees undergo stress debriefing
ICC-COTABATO CITY (9/12)--The lack of psychosocial services among the evacuees the Department of Health, the National Center for Mental Health and the Office of Civil Defence spearheaded stress debriefing sessions among the victims of the conflict temporarily staying at barangay Batulawan, Pikit, North Cotabato this morning.
Service providers led by the aforementioned line agencies interviewed personally evacuees of their experiences in the evacuation center and how they escaped during the firefight between government troops and elements of MILF in their villages. Some even shed tears during the interview conducted by psychologists from the National Center for Mental Health.
This stress debriefing, according to Dr. Willy Reyes, Head of the National Center for Mental Health will keep ease the discomforts being experienced by the evacuees.
OCD-12 Regional Director Lita Enok and DOH 12-Regional Director Abdullah Dumama explained to the evacuees the purpose of the team in coming to the evacuation center which is to determine the psycho-social needs of the evacuees.
On her part, DOH Assistant Secretary Paulyn-Jean Rosel Ubial, Head Field Implementation Management Office (FIMO) said “DOH is ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to assess the situation of the evacuees, not only in barangay Batulawan, Pikit, North Cotabato but other evacuation centers in Mindanao, as well”. (MCD-ICC Cot/PIA-12)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
North Cotabato maintains close ties with peace-loving MILF members, says Gov. Sacdalan
ICC-COTABATO CITY (Kidapawan) (9/12)--The governor of North Cotabato said, the province has no problem with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front especially those who have embraced the path of peace.
“We have no problem with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) here. In fact, most of the members of the MILF here are farmers who cooperate with the Christians and live peacefully and harmoniously with them. They do not want to be rebels again. The problem only erupted when the MILF renegade Commander Umbra Kato came in,” declared Governor Jesus Sacdalan during a press conference spearheaded by the Kidapawan City Information Command Center held Wednesday in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
In the same press conference, the provincial chief executive disclosed that the province has formulated a defense plan for the barangays which covers the activation and organization of civilian volunteers and tanods, training of armed police auxiliary and strengthen Civilian Auxiliary Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) to augment police and military forces in the respective areas. He also stressed the strengthening of the radio communication system in the barangays by purchasing handsets for the areas which have unstable cell phone signal.
The governor stated that the establishment of army and police check points in the different strategic areas of the province help a lot in maintaining peace and order situation encouraging evacuees to return home.
Sacdalan expressed opposition to the revival of the Ilaga movement and arming of civilians because, he said, this may lead to Christian-Muslim conflict in the areas.
“Just what happened in the late 70s where no one won the battle and as a result the civilian were at a loss”, the governor noted.
Instead of arming the civilians, we can purchase arms and ammunitions for the use of our policemen and soldiers who can lawfully possess firearms and use the same to protect the state and its citizens, Governor Sacdalan explained. (Edgar B. dela Cruz-ICC Kidapawan/PIA-12)
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